General News
Mark, Obi Demand Urgent Action as Gunment Killl 25 in Benue, Plateau Attacks
By Felix Umande
National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, Senator David Mark, and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, have called on the Federal Government to take immediate and decisive action to halt the wave of killings and kidnappings in Benue and Plateau states, following attacks that left at least 25 people dead.
Mark spoke on Monday while reacting to the killing of about 16 people in the Otukpo-Nobi community of Benue State and nine others, including a two-month-old infant, in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State by suspected armed militias.
Obi, in a separate statement, described the renewed violence as “painful and deeply disturbing,” warning that the persistent bloodshed can no longer be treated as normal.
Mark described the attacks as “barbaric” and “reprehensible,” and expressed concern over the reported hijacking of a Benue Links commercial bus along the Otukpo–Taraku–Makurdi Road, where gunmen allegedly abducted all passengers and took them into the bush.
“It is unacceptable that innocent Nigerians continue to be slaughtered in their communities while others are abducted on our highways. The primary responsibility of any government is the protection of lives and property. Every life lost is one too many, and every attack that goes unanswered only emboldens the perpetrators,” Mark said in a statement signed by his media aide, Kola Ologbondiyan.
He urged the Armed Forces, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services and other security agencies to intensify operations against those behind the attacks. He called for improved intelligence gathering, sustained surveillance of vulnerable communities and highways, and rapid deployment of personnel to flashpoints.
Mark also demanded immediate search-and-rescue operations to secure the release of the abducted Benue Links passengers, and insisted that perpetrators “must be identified, arrested and prosecuted without delay to end what he described as a growing culture of impunity.”
The former Senate President also appealed to the Benue State Government, traditional rulers, religious leaders and youth groups to strengthen collaboration with security agencies by providing timely intelligence.
“The blood of innocent Benue people cries out for justice. This is the time for decisive action, not routine assurances. Benue deserves peace. Our people deserve to live without fear,” he added.
Obi said the killings in Otukpo-Nobi and Riyom underscore how families in Benue, Plateau and other parts of Nigeria have “lived under the constant shadow of fear, violence and displacement.”
“Mothers have buried their children, children have become orphans overnight, farmers have abandoned their lands, and entire communities have been left devastated. We cannot continue to accept this tragic cycle as though it were normal. It is not,” Obi said.
He stressed that the time has come to move beyond routine condemnations after every attack, and called for a security architecture that is “proactive rather than reactive, driven by intelligence, rapid response and accountability.”
“Every Nigerian life is sacred, and every life lost is one too many. These are not mere statistics; they are fathers, mothers, children, breadwinners and future leaders whose dreams have been violently cut short,” he said.
Obi extended condolences to bereaved families and to the governments and people of Benue and Plateau, praying for comfort for the mourning and healing for the injured.
“This is not about politics; it is about humanity. We must summon the collective will to secure our nation and restore hope to our people. No country can develop when its citizens live in fear,” he stated.
The renewed attacks come amid growing concerns over deteriorating security in Nigeria’s North-Central region. Benue, often described as the nation’s food basket, has suffered repeated attacks on farming communities, while Plateau has witnessed cycles of violence that have displaced thousands and destroyed livelihoods.
The latest incidents have renewed pressure on the Federal Government and security agencies to strengthen measures aimed at protecting vulnerable communities, securing major highways, and bringing perpetrators to justice.
General News
Benue Bishop Shuts Schs, Hospital, Parish In Alia’s Community Says “Church Cannot … Expose Priests, Students To Danger”
By Felix Umande
The Catholic Bishop of Gboko, Most Rev. William Avenya, has ordered the indefinite closure of four Catholic institutions in Ihugh, Benue State, and withdrawn pastoral agents following repeated attacks, arson and insecurity.
The decision, contained in a letter and decree dated October 12, takes immediate effect and affects St. Winifred Secondary School, St. Winifred Nursery and Primary School, St. Thomas Hospital, Salus Mind Care Center and St. Winifred Parish, Ihugh.
In the pastoral letter, Avenya described the withdrawal as painful but necessary to protect lives, stressing it was not motivated by anger or retaliation.
“The Church cannot, in conscience, continue to expose her Priests, Consecrated Persons, Teachers, Medical personnel, Students and Patients to danger,” he said.
The bishop cited repeated disturbances including the burning of student hostels at St. Winifred Secondary School on October 28, 2025, May 10 and 15, 2026, and October 11, 2026, recurrent burglaries at St. Winifred Parish and criminal incidents at St. Thomas Hospital. He recalled that during the reopening of the hospital on June 21, 2024, some persons displayed placards and chanted slogans demanding that Reverend Sisters leave Ihugh.
Avenya said the Diocese had engaged the host community, traditional rulers, elders and security authorities to find lasting peace, but without security guarantees.
The decree directs the withdrawal of priests, consecrated persons, catechists, pastoral workers and lay mission partners, while teaching and non-teaching staff, medical personnel and administrators are to be redeployed through appropriate diocesan offices.
It also orders safeguarding of diocesan property, transfer of parish registers and archives to the diocesan archives, and reverent removal of the Blessed Sacrament, sacred vessels and other sacred objects under supervision.
The bishop said arrangements would be made to minimise impact on students, patients and staff. Students are to be assisted to continue education in other Catholic schools in the Diocese, while patients at St. Thomas Hospital will be referred to other facilities, especially those needing urgent care. Affected staff, he said, would be treated with justice and charity.
Addressing Catholics in Ihugh, he declared:
“To our Catholic faithful in Ihugh: do not lose heart. Your Baptism is not lost with a building, nor is your faith diminished by the closing of a door.”
He appealed to community leaders, traditional rulers, youth leaders, government and security agencies to restore peace and ensure perpetrators are brought to justice, adding that return is conditional on genuine repentance, restitution and credible assurances of safety.
“This decision is a painful one, but it is not a final farewell,” he said.
Avenya called for intensified prayers for peace and designated Friday, October 23 as a day of prayer and fasting for peace and reconciliation.
Group Chief Executive Officer, NNPC Limited, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, today at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, presented the Company’s 2025 Audited Financial Statement (AFS) to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
Ojulari, who was accompanied by the Company’s Group Chief Finance Officer (CFO), Dapo Segun, presented the statement, which delivered impressive results that include ₦7.2 Trillion Profit After Tax (a 33% rise compared to ₦5.4 Trillion in 2024), ₦5.8 Trillion dividend and ₦34.5 Trillion revenue.
On 29th September, 2026, NNPC Ltd announced its audited results for the year ended 31 December 2025, following its Annual General Meeting and second Earnings Call with financial and business analysts.
The results highlight the Company’s growing earnings strength and improved operational performance, laying the foundation for future growth.
The National Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Marine Engineers and Naval Architects (NIMENA), Dr. Eferebo Sylvanus has been honoured with the Maritime Innovation and Technology Leadership Award at the 15th Democracy Heroes Award Africa.
Eferebo received the honour at the ceremony held at the weekend at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, in recognition of his professional leadership and contributions to marine engineering, naval architecture and maritime technology.
The award comes amid growing calls for Nigeria to harness its maritime resources through indigenous expertise, technological advancement and research-driven industrial development.
The Democracy Heroes Award Africa, now in its 15th edition, recognises individuals making contributions across different sectors.
Eferebo’s recognition places a spotlight on a specialised but strategically important profession whose impact extends beyond engineering into industrial development and the wider blue economy.
As Nigeria continues to explore new opportunities in maritime trade, offshore energy and shipbuilding, the challenge will be ensuring that professional recognition is matched by sustained investment in research, infrastructure, training and the practical application of homegrown technology.
With more than two decades of experience in engineering consultancy and technical leadership, Eferebo leads NIMENA, a professional body committed to advancing marine engineering through research, education, technical standards and industry collaboration.
His academic background includes a Bachelor of Technology in Marine Engineering, a master’s degree in Naval Architecture and Ship Construction, and a doctorate in Naval Architecture and Shipbuilding from Rivers State University, Port Harcourt.
He is also a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and a registered engineer with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN).
Beyond his professional credentials, Eferebo has built a career around developing technical solutions for Nigeria’s maritime and offshore industries.
He is the founder and chief executive officer of Somatrix Marine Limited, an engineering consultancy involved in marine consulting, ship design, marine surveys, construction management and research and development.
His leadership extends to engineering regulation and policy development, including work on maritime engineering standards and local content development.
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