Authorities in Kogi State have confirmed a second assault on the Ihima residence of suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, located in Okehi Local Government Area.

According to a statement released Wednesday by the Senator’s media office in Abuja, the attack occurred on Tuesday when armed individuals stormed the property, smashing glass windows and doors.

Security forces from the Okehi Police Division, working alongside local vigilantes and concerned youths, responded swiftly and successfully repelled the assailants.

One suspect, identified as Suberu Josa, a known ritualist with ties to the senator’s political opponents and a native of the community, was apprehended at the scene.

Josa allegedly confessed to the attack and admitted to participating in two previous assaults on the same home.

Authorities recovered a cutlass and charms from him during the arrest.

Other members of the group, reportedly armed with dangerous weapons, managed to escape and are currently at large.

This marks the second time Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s family home has been targeted in recent months.

A previous incident occurred on April 15, 2025, but no arrests were made at the time.

Josa’s arrest is being considered a significant development in what appears to be a series of politically motivated attacks.

The incident comes at a time of heightened political tension.

The Federal Government recently brought two criminal cases against the senator, shortly after she accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment, an allegation that preceded her controversial six-month suspension from the Senate.

“We call on the public to remain calm and steadfast in the pursuit of justice. Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s commitment to truth and her tireless representation of her constituents should not be met with violence or intimidation,” her media office stated.

When contacted, Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) SP William Ovye Aya confirmed the attack via a phone conversation Wednesday evening.

“It’s true that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s family house in Ihima was attacked yesterday (Tuesday),” SP Aya said.

He confirmed that one individual had been arrested and was currently providing valuable information to law enforcement.

He also assured the public that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the remaining suspects and bring them to justice.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State to prioritize peace and development, emphasizing that governance should not be overshadowed by recurring violence and mass burials.

Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House in Makurdi on Wednesday, Tinubu called on the governor to establish a peace committee to help address the root causes of the state’s insecurity.

“You were elected under the progressive banner to ensure peace, stability, and progress. You are not elected to bury people or comfort widows and orphans. We will work with you to achieve that peace. You must also work with us,” Tinubu told Governor Alia.

The meeting was attended by top dignitaries, including Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, traditional rulers, former governors, and governors from Kwara, Imo, Kogi, Plateau, Ondo, and Nasarawa states.

“We were elected to govern, not to bury people,” the President stressed.

“The value of human life is greater than that of a cow.”

He urged Governor Alia to provide land for ranching and instructed the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security to ensure follow-up.

The President also requested blood donations to aid those injured in the recent attacks, who are currently receiving treatment at the Benue State Teaching Hospital, where he had earlier visited.

“I wanted to come here to commission projects, to reassure you of hope and prosperity, not to see gloomy faces. But peace is vital to development,” Tinubu added.

He also proposed a follow-up meeting in Abuja to develop a lasting peace strategy: “Let us meet again in Abuja. Let’s fashion out a framework for lasting peace. I am ready to invest in that peace. I assure you, we will find peace. We will convert this tragedy into prosperity.”

In his remarks, Governor Alia appealed for federal support to help rebuild communities devastated by violence.

“Your Excellency, while we continue to mourn our losses and rebuild from the ashes of pain, we humbly urge the Federal Government to consider establishing a special intervention fund for communities affected by these incessant attacks in Benue State,” Alia said.

He explained that such a fund would assist with the rehabilitation of displaced people, rebuilding of homes and infrastructure, and restoration of livelihoods, particularly for farmers.

The governor also reaffirmed his stance on the need for state policing as a long-term security solution and committed to working toward a safer and more prosperous Benue.

The Chairman of the Benue State Traditional Council, Tor Tiv, Orchivirigh Prof. James Ayatse, also spoke at the meeting.

He lauded Tinubu for being the first sitting President to visit victims in the hospital following such violence and acknowledged his inclusion of Benue indigenes in high-level federal appointments.

He, however, took a firm stand on the ongoing violence in the state.

“Your Excellency, it is not herder-farmer clashes. It is not communal clashes. It is not reprisal attacks or skirmishes.”

“What we are dealing with here in Benue is a calculated, well-planned, full-scale genocidal invasion and land-grabbing campaign by herder-terrorists and bandits.”

Prof. Ayatse criticized the misrepresentation of the crisis and accused certain political actors of exploiting the situation for their own agenda.

“We hear that some politicians would even prefer that the crisis worsens, so it would serve as a basis for declaring a state of emergency. This is unfortunate.”

“Any politician who prays for more people to die for such a project is working against the wishes of the people of Benue State,” he said.

Appealing directly to President Tinubu, he said: “All we ask of you, sir, is to stop our weeping. Give us peace in Benue State, so our people, primarily farmers, can return to their farms and continue to produce food for Nigeria.

“I heard a story about a challenge in a place in Kwara State, and you rose and gave them peace in Kaiama. You can do that for Benue.”

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has acknowledged that despite being deeply disliked by certain individuals, he remains the legitimately elected President of Nigeria.

During a visit to Benue State on Wednesday, Tinubu addressed the ongoing security crisis in the region, where repeated clashes have claimed hundreds of lives.

While speaking on leadership challenges, he remarked that criticism and animosity are inevitable in politics.

“Not everybody will like you in politics,” the President said.

“They hate me like hell too, but I am here. I am the President, and under a democratic regime, I made a promise that I will even protect my abusers and accusers with the principles of democracy and freedom of prosperity. We will protect them! Abuse me all you want.”

Tinubu assured that such hostility would not sway his dedication to democratic values. “But do not deter my commitment to upholding democracy,” he noted.

In his conversation with Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia, Tinubu underlined the importance of protecting human lives over livestock, referencing the farmer-herder conflicts that have long afflicted the region.

“The value of human life is greater than that of a cow,” he emphasized, warning that unresolved conflicts could invite political opportunists.

“It is only when you open the door to conflict that political enemies will come in. Political enemies, they do not want you to succeed. Are you just realizing that, Governor? No matter what I do, they will still abuse me.”

The President also revealed that he stays informed through the media and takes note of public opinion, including criticism.

“I read papers every time and listen to the TV when I have time… those that are abusing me and what type of abuse and I am learning from some of the critical ones too because I can’t see it all,” he said.

His comments come at a time when political tensions and insecurity remain high, particularly in Nigeria’s North Central zone.

Benue State, in particular, continues to suffer from cycles of violence and displacement due to ongoing communal conflicts.

This marks President Tinubu’s first visit to Benue since assuming office, amid rising demands for more decisive federal action to address the state’s long-running security crisis.

Retired Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, former Chief Security Officer to late Head of State General Sani Abacha, has officially announced his intention to run for president in the 2027 general elections on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

The declaration was made on Tuesday in Minna, Niger State, during a strategic engagement with the SDP’s state executive committee and his supporters.

Addressing the gathering, Al-Mustapha shared his motivation and vision for seeking the highest office in the land.

“I am pained and deeply concerned about the current state of the nation. However, with the right direction and commitment, Nigeria can rise again. Though the road ahead may be rough, together we can rebuild the Nigeria we all deserve,” he declared.

He described the event as part of a broader initiative to consult and align with key political stakeholders nationwide in the lead-up to the 2027 elections.

In a statement issued by Jubril Umar Sanda, Director of News Media and ICT for the campaign, Al-Mustapha was said to be “fully prepared for the journey ahead, ready to serve with integrity, courage, and a clear plan for progress.”

Earlier in the day, the former security chief made a stop in Minna on his way to Mokwa, where he sympathized with victims of a recent flood disaster that affected over 200 people and caused property damage worth millions of naira.

Emphasizing the pressing need for effective leadership and national cohesion, Al-Mustapha reiterated the importance of unity and sustainable development to address the country’s growing challenges.

Welcoming the announcement, SDP State Chairman Alhaji Buhari Yakubu Yarima commended Al-Mustapha’s dedication to national service.

“We are confident that with credible candidates and a clear vision, the SDP will be a force to reckon with in 2027,” he said.

In a major policy shift, the Federal Government has announced plans to connect the credit profiles of Nigerians to their National Identification Numbers (NIN), with loan defaulters facing serious consequences, including denial of essential government services such as passport renewal and driver’s license issuance.

The initiative was unveiled on Tuesday at a media briefing held at the State House in Abuja by Uzoma Nwagba, Managing Director of the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP).

According to Nwagba, the reform will consolidate credit data from banks, fintech platforms, microfinance institutions, and other lenders into a unified national credit bureau.

“This marks a fundamental shift in how credit works in Nigeria. Your NIN becomes your financial anchor. Whether you’ve borrowed from a bank, micro-lender, or fintech, your record will be tracked and will carry consequences,” Nwagba stated.

The system aims to assign every Nigerian a credit profile based on their borrowing and repayment habits. This profile will help determine eligibility for credit and access to public services.

“There will be no hiding place,” Nwagba warned, noting that those who fail to meet repayment obligations may face restrictions in obtaining travel documents or securing housing.

He emphasized, however, that the framework is intended to foster responsible borrowing and not simply to penalize citizens.

“This is not about punishment. It’s about promoting discipline and rewarding financial responsibility,” he explained.

The credit-scoring model will rely on both financial and non-financial data to create a detailed profile for each adult Nigerian.

“The goal is simple: every Nigerian must have a credit score. Access to economic opportunities will be tied to how you manage your finances.”

Nwagba noted that this reform aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to boost living standards, reduce corruption, and stimulate industrial development.

“This isn’t just about credit. It’s about giving people access to better lives. When people lack capital to meet their needs, they may resort to unethical practices. We’re changing that,” he said.

Additionally, the new credit system will support local industries by encouraging the use of credit to purchase Nigerian-made goods, thus stimulating the economy, generating employment, and enhancing productivity.

Nwagba also highlighted the scale of Nigeria’s credit shortfall, estimated at ₦183 trillion, and called on the private sector to participate actively in bridging the gap.

“No government can fund that level of credit. But with strong institutions and transparency, lenders will have more confidence, interest rates will fall, and Nigerians will have real access to affordable credit,” he said.

As part of broader reforms, CREDICORP is rolling out “YouthCred”, a new credit initiative targeting young Nigerians, especially members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

“YouthCred is no longer an idea. It’s in motion. The systems are ready, and rollout is underway,” Nwagba confirmed.

Olanike Kolawole, Executive Director of Operations at CREDICORP, added that the YouthCred programme is structured to empower individuals aged 18 to 35 through financial inclusion and literacy.

“YouthCred is not just about loans, it’s about building a financially literate generation. As we expand, we’re ensuring young people have the tools and habits to succeed,” she said.

Both Nwagba and Kolawole emphasized that the integration of credit scores with NIN will revolutionize how citizens engage with public services, enhance transparency, and promote a culture of financial responsibility in Nigeria.

The Senate Adhoc Committee on the Emergency Rule in Rivers State has begun screening nominees for the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), and controversy has already surfaced surrounding the nomination of Michael Odey as chairman of the electoral body.

Odey, who hails from Cross River State, faced tough questions from the screening panel, chaired by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele.

His non-indigene status was a central point of debate, especially considering that the Sole Administrator currently overseeing Rivers State, Ibok Ekwe Ibas, is also from Cross River.

Defending his nomination, Odey stated that no legal barrier exists preventing someone from outside Rivers State from leading the electoral commission.

“With utmost respect, I have gone through the RSIEC’s enabling law, and there is nothing that precludes the appointment of anybody outside the state as chairman of the electoral management body,” he explained.

Despite this clarification, Senator Bamidele voiced concern over the broader implications of such an appointment.

While acknowledging that the law may not explicitly prohibit it, he questioned whether the decision aligns with the spirit and expectations of state governance.

“We are also in possession of the law, so make it available to the committee because in my opinion, the Independent National Electoral Commission is about the Federal Republic of Nigeria. When we say State Independent Electoral Commission, it is about that state,” Bamidele remarked.

He further stressed the need to consider public sentiment and the precedents such appointments could set: “This is not a matter we are just going to gloss over. It has to be something we can defend. Even if the law does not prohibit such an appointment, we must ensure it is not repugnant to public conscience.”

The Senate committee is expected to revisit the provisions of the RSIEC law in order to assess whether nominating a non-indigene to such a position is legally and socially sustainable in the long term.

Other nominees who appeared before the panel for screening include Lezaasi Lenee Torbira, Arthur Nwafor, Godfrey Mbudiogha, Joyce Akaniwor, Olive A. Bruce, and Chidi Halliday.