I extend warm felicitations to our Muslim brothers and sisters across Nigeria and worldwide as they celebrate the glorious Eid-el-Kabir, the Festival of Sacrifice.

We give glory to Almighty God for preserving our lives to witness this important celebration once again.

Eid-el-Kabir reminds us of the enduring virtues exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim—faith, obedience, and the willingness to sacrifice for a higher purpose. This sacred festival calls on all Muslims, and indeed all Nigerians and the whole of humanity, to embrace sacrifice, selflessness, unity, and compassion for our fellow human beings.

One central lesson of Eid-el-Kabir is the call to show mercy and compassion, regardless of race, ethnicity, or creed. There is no greater example of duty and devotion than Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to offer his only son, Ismail, as a sacrifice to Allah.

As a nation, we are on a journey of reconstruction and renewal. The reforms we have undertaken are challenging but necessary to build a stronger and more prosperous Nigeria for future generations.

Just as sacrifice brings reward, I am happy that the sacrifices and efforts we have made over the past three years have yielded a more stable economy, making our country a preferred investment destination that will drive job creation and economic growth. The walk through the dark tunnel is over, and the light is here.

I am confident that, by the Grace of God, the reforms we have diligently pursued will continue to yield improved security and greater opportunities for all.

I am aware that, despite the best efforts of our security and intelligence agencies—including the recent elimination of a wanted ISIS leader—heartless terrorists and bandits still attack some communities. I assure you: you are neither abandoned nor forgotten. We will ultimately defeat all the forces of evil.

To our Muslim faithful, I urge you to use this sacred occasion to pray for our country, for peace in our communities, and for wisdom for those in leadership.

Let us pray that those who commit crimes among us may rethink and abandon their evil ways, or face the full weight of the law.

Let us also reach out to the less privileged, share with our neighbours, and strengthen the bonds of brotherhood that unite us as one people.

My administration remains committed to building a Nigeria where all citizens can live in peace, worship freely, and pursue their dreams without fear.

We will continue to invest in security, infrastructure, agriculture, and human capital to fulfil the great promise of our great nation.

On behalf of the government, I wish you all a peaceful, joyous, and blessed Eid al-Kabir. May Allah accept our sacrifices and prayers, and may He continue to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Eid Mubarak! Happy Sallah!

From Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria

By Isa Abdul, Abuja

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom in its May 2026 report says about 30,000 Fulani militants operating across Nigeria in groups ranging from 10 to 1,000 members are responsible for the insecurity in Nigeria.

The report states that the militants have become some of the deadliest non-state actors driving religious freedom violations in Nigeria.

The document entitled, “Nonstate Violators of Religious Freedom in Nigeria: Fulani Militants,” has this to say about armed actors of Fulani ethnic background’s intensified insecurity across the Middle Belt and Southern regions, leaving thousands dead, displacing communities and deepening tensions between religious groups:

“Violence by Fulani militants caused the highest number of deaths among all religious communities in Nigeria over the last year as compared to attacks by organised insurgent groups and criminal gangs.”

The commission said many of the attacks were directed at Christian communities, though Muslim communities had also suffered raids, killings and kidnappings.

According to the report, while the groups lack centralised leadership, USCIRF stated that some collaborate with criminal gangs and extremist organisations.

“These actors operate in a variety of contexts and with a multiplicity of likely aims and motivations.

“While many Fulani militant groups wage independent attacks, others periodically coordinate with a wide range of other actors, from conventional bandit gangs seeking financial enrichment to recognised terrorist organisations that espouse a violent interpretation of Islam.”

The commission noted the militants’ target and tactics as they frequently attack isolated rural communities at night using motorcycles, automatic weapons and machetes.

“They often wield machetes and descend on vulnerable communities during the night, eliciting terror as a way to force victims to quickly leave and to achieve greater control of desired land,” the report said.

USCIRF explained that attacks by Fulani militants and other armed groups had displaced at least 1.3 million people in the Middle Belt, forcing many into overcrowded camps lacking adequate sanitation and security.

The report detailed several attacks carried out in 2025 and early 2026, including mass killings in Benue and Plateau states.

“One attack in Benue in June 2025 killed at least 200 people, including internally displaced persons living in a Catholic mission,” the report said.

USCIRF also cited the massacre in Yelwata, Benue State, in 2025, where more than 200 Christians, “mostly sleeping women and children,” were reportedly killed and over 3,000 people displaced.

The commission said militants deliberately timed some attacks to coincide with Christian religious holidays.

“Militant actors have often carried out operations during Christian holidays such as Christmas or Easter to further maximise the psychological impact,” the report stated.

It added that in February 2026, suspected Fulani militants reportedly killed at least 32 people in Niger State and attacked Holy Trinity Parish in the Kafanchan Diocese of Kaduna State, killing three people and abducting 11 others, including parish priest Father Nathaniel Asuwaye.

The report also documented kidnappings targeting both churches and mosques.

“In February 2026, armed men kidnapped an imam and seven worshipers from a mosque in Plateau,” USCIRF stated, adding that the kidnappers demanded a ransom of N16m.

The commission said Palm Sunday and Easter attacks in April 2026 left dozens dead in Plateau, Kaduna and Benue states.

“On Easter Sunday, Fulani militants reportedly killed five worshippers at two churches in Kaduna State while abducting 31 others,” the report stated.

USCIRF said conflicting narratives surrounding the violence had complicated efforts to determine the motivations behind the attacks.

The commission highlighted, “Some observers have argued that environmental and economic factors are the driving force behind Fulani militants’ acts of violence, while others have suggested that these actors are engaged in a concerted campaign of outright genocide against non-Muslims, especially Christians.

“In fact, multiple and overlapping factors, including religion in many cases, likely spur Fulani militants to attack communities or individuals.”

The report criticised the federal and state authorities for what it described as inadequate responses to the violence.

“Victims have long reported that security forces are consistently slow to respond to attacks on their communities,” the commission added.

USCIRF further stated that some Christian advocates accused security agencies of showing favouritism toward Muslim communities during investigations and security operations.

The report noted that governors from 11 states launched an initiative in June 2025 to establish ranch lands for herders in a bid to reduce clashes over grazing routes and farmland.

At the federal level, USCIRF linked renewed Federal Government’s action to the October 2025 decision by the US President Donald Trump to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over religious freedom violations.

Following the designation, President Bola Tinubu classified kidnappers and violent armed groups, including Fulani militants, as “terrorists” in December 2025, the commission stated.

The report said the security agencies rescued 309 hostages in January 2026 during operations in Kogi and Kwara states, arresting 129 suspected Fulani militants and killing 55 others.

USCIRF also highlighted growing scrutiny of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria.

The organisation has faced allegations from Christian leaders that it failed to stop militant violence and land invasions. However, MACBAN denied supporting criminal activity.

“We do not support, condone, harbour, finance, or protect any form of criminality, extremism or violence,” the association said, according to the report.

USCIRF said the US Congress introduced the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026 in February, proposing sanctions against MACBAN over allegations of involvement in severe religious freedom violations.

Despite recent security measures and peace initiatives, the commission warned that violence remained widespread.

“As a result, central Nigeria remains entrenched in an intense, daily, and seemingly perpetual crisis of insecurity,” the report concluded.

The commission added that the crisis was likely to continue “until the federal and several state governments create broader underlying conditions that are more conducive to the safe practice of religious freedom.”

—Reports Channels TV Correspondent, Pius Angbo’s Unprofessional Conduct

By Felix Umande, Makurdi

The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Benue State Council has passed a vote of no confidence on the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Hyacinth Alia, Mr. Tersoo Kula, making him a “persona non grata” as far as the NUJ State Council is concerned, citing alleged exclusion of indigenous media practitioners, divisive conduct, and disrespect for the union’s leadership.

The decision was contained in a communiqué issued after the council’s congress held Tuesday, 26th May 2026, at the NUJ House in Makurdi and presided over by Chairman Comrade Bemdoo Ugber.

Congress accused Kula of operating an “exclusionary system” that sidelines Benue-based journalists, monopolizing resources and opportunities meant for the wider media community, and fostering factions through selective patronage and favoritism.

Members also condemned what they described as his “continuous disregard and open disrespect” for the office of the NUJ state chairman, saying it undermined the union’s institutional standing.

The union appealed to Governor Alia to intervene in the interest of peace, unity, and professionalism within the state’s media landscape, and mandated the NUJ secretary to formally communicate the resolution to the CPS and other relevant authorities.

Despite the rebuke, the congress congratulated Governor Alia on winning the APC governorship primaries and commended his administration for improvements in infrastructural development across Makurdi and other parts of the state.

It, however, urged construction firms handling road projects to provide adequate signage, diversions, and traffic control signs to protect motorists and pedestrians.

On governance and welfare, the union called on the state government to address challenges facing state-owned media organizations, commence distribution of farming inputs ahead of the peak season to boost food production, and revive bursary payments for Benue indigenes in tertiary institutions.

The congress also raised concerns over security and press freedom. It cautioned security agencies against harassing journalists covering political activities, condemned the resurgence of insecurity in Makurdi’s North Bank area and other communities, and tasked security operatives with improving surveillance, intelligence gathering, and investigations to protect lives and property.

Politicians were urged to embrace issue-based campaigns ahead of the 2027 elections and avoid hate speech and inflammatory rhetoric that could threaten peace and stability.

Residents were equally admonished to desist from dumping refuse in drainages to reduce flooding, with a call for sustained public enlightenment on sanitation.

In a separate resolution, congress mandated the NUJ secretary to write officially to Channels Television over alleged unprofessional conduct by its state correspondent, Mr. Pius Angbo.

The union commended Benue journalists for their professionalism and balanced reportage despite industry challenges, reaffirming its commitment to responsible journalism, good governance, accountability, and democratic values.

Congress also commiserated with the Benue State government and the family of the late Head of Service, Dr. Moses Agbogbo Ode, describing his death as a great loss to the state’s public service.

The communiqué was signed by Comrade Terhemen Ater, Chairman of the Communiqué Drafting Committee; Comrade Tsavbee Ayila, Secretary; and Comrade Martha Iorchir, Member.