General News
Middle Belt Seeks Separate Identity From North
Tens of thousands of people of Middle Belt marched Monday in Abuja to demand the official recognition of Middle Belt as a distinct Geo-political zone from the north.
In a massive, colourful and peaceful protest, they called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to formally recognize the designation of Middle Belt as a distinct geo-political and administrative entity from the North.
The peaceful protestors who carried bold banners and placards, gathered from early morning along Ahmadu Bello Way, Eagle Square, and the Three Arms Zone, chanting in unison: “Middle Belt is not North!”
“President Tinubu, recognize Middle Belt Region!”, “We are Middle Beltans, not Northerners!” “NO MORE FORCED ASSIMILATION INTO THE NORTH.” ” “MIDDLE BELT IS NOT NORTH” ! Etc
The protesters, a colorful mix of Tiv, Idoma, Berom, Eggon, Jukun, Igede, Igala, Ebira, and dozens of other ethnic nationalities, wore traditional attires and waved Nigerian flags alongside green-white-green and Middle Belt flags.
Speaking to journalists at the Unity Fountain, coordinator of the Middle Belt Consciousness Movement, Dr. Paul Itodo, said: “For too long, the Middle Belt has been lumped together with the far North for political convenience. We are culturally, historically, and religiously different. We have suffered marginalization because decisions meant for the core North are imposed on us.”
Dr Itodo continued, “Today we say, enough is enough. We demand that the Middle Belt – comprising Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa, Taraba, Adamawa, southern Kaduna, Southern Borno, Niger, Southern Yobe, southern Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, and the Federal Capital Territory – be recognized as a separate region with its own development commission and equitable representation.”
On her part, a female protester who identified herself as Mrs. Mercy David from Plateau State, added in tears: “We are tired of being called ‘Northerners’ when our people are killed and our voices silenced in the name of ‘one North.’ Middle Belt is not North!”
Meanwhile, the protest remained peaceful throughout, with only light police presence. Motorists and passers-by honked in solidarity as they marched past major government buildings.
Highlight of the event was when at 4:30 pm, the delegation of Middle Belt leaders was granted audience at the Presidential Villa to present their formal demand letter to President Tinubu.
It is recalled that Monday’s protest was the largest public demonstration of Middle Belt identity assertion since the 2023 general elections.
General News
Tinubu Appoints Adesayo, Ceo Nemsa; Magaji Da’u Aliyu As Md Of Shestco
By Saint Mugaga
President Bola Tinubu has appointed Hon. Magaji Da’u Aliyu as the Managing Director of the Sheda Science and Technology Complex, Abuja.
The Sheda Science and Technology Complex (SHESTCO) is responsible for conducting research and development in technology and for operating a nuclear research facility.
A statement by the Special Adviser (Information and Strategy) to the President, Bayo Onanuga said Tinubu also appointed Engr. Adesayo Olusegun Michael as the Managing Director/CEO of the Board of Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA).
Other Board members of NEMSA appointed by the President include: Engr. Aliyu Abdulazeez (Executive Director, Technical); Ikechi Clara Nwosu (Chairman, South East); Zubair Abdur’rauf Idris (Member); Igba Elizabeth (Member-North Central); Sani Alhaji Shehu (Member–North East); Adeyemi Adetunji (Member–South West); Engr Emmanuel Eneji Nkpe (Member–South South) and Engr. Charles Ogbonna Asogwa (South East).
The President nominated Amina Gamawa, representing Bauchi, and Abdullahi Muktar, representing Kaduna, as Commissioners to the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).
The President has sent the two nominees to the Senate for confirmation.
General News
Tiv Christians feared killed, churches burnt in 33 days in Taraba
By Our Correspondent
At least 102 Tiv Christians have been feared killed with dozens of churches burnt in 33 days in Taraba state.
According to Northern Christian Religious Leaders Assembly (NOCRELA), the killers, suspected to be militia Fulani men, have committed the crimes between 2nd January to 3rd February 2026 in Chanchanji ward, Takum Local Government Area of Taraba state.
NOCRELA also disclosed that the body has interacted with the Tiv community and the affected NKST pastors extensively when they were told that the killings were perpetrated by Fulani militia and were specifically targeting the Tiv community and NKST churches.
In a submission, the Taraba State Chairman, NOCRELA, Rev. Dr. Micah Dopah, on Monday condemned the continuous, horrific, brutal, and targeted killing of the Tiv Christians brethren and their properties.
“Within an interval of 33 days only from 2nd January 2026 to 3rd February 2026, the militia killed at least 102 people and injured over 31 as analyzed by the local authorities.
“The local authorities also complained that the government and security agencies have not done enough to protect their lives, houses, and churches. stating that the laxity of the government in defending their people and properties has encouraged the militia to perpetrate the satanic killings.
“Ten murderous attacks in 33 days is horrific. Where is the government? And where are the security agencies?
“We interacted with the Tiv community and the affected NKST pastors extensively. They told us that these killings were perpetrated by Fulani militia, and are specifically targeted at the Tiv community and NKST churches.
Relatedly, similar attacks are going on in Benue state by suspected Fulani against the Tiv settlements in Kwande local government where whole communities have been sacked with many indigenous people killed.
Anwase and Abande, among other villages, have been deserted and there is great apprehension that they would be occupied by the invading Fulani militias whose aim to seize Tiv lands and occupy them is no longer new as the case of Moon.
The invasion is partly to take over the lands now known to be rich in gold and other minerals.
General News
Prof Gundu Asks Court to Strike out Gov Sule’s ₦100.5bn Defamation Suit
By Our Correspondent
A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, has been asked to dismiss the ₦100.5 billion defamation suit instituted against Prof Zacharys Anger Gundu, VC of University of Mkar, Mkar by the Nasarawa State Government and Governor, Abdullahi Sule.
The request is contained in a notice of preliminary objection filed by the defendant through his legal team led by Sebastian Hon, SAN.
Gundu flawed the competence of the suit, marked FCT/HC/CV/3554/2025, and asked the court to decline jurisdiction, describing the case as frivolous and an abuse of court process.
The legal team said the claimants did not comply with a mandatory condition precedent required for the validity of the originating processes, as stipulated under Order 2 Rule 8 of the FCT High Court Civil Procedure Rules, 2025.
This faulty premise, the alleged non-compliance, the team asserted, renders the suit procedurally defective and liable to be struck out.
