The Labour Party (LP) faction led by Senator Nenadi Usman has strongly condemned the latest mass killings in Benue State, urging the federal government to act swiftly by deploying military forces to at-risk communities across Nigeria’s North Central region.

In a statement issued on Monday, the National Caretaker Committee of the LP described the recent violence as “a fresh wave of senseless killings,” and demanded a comprehensive investigation to bring all perpetrators, regardless of social or political connections, to justice.

The acting National Chairman, Senator Usman, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of more than 100 lives, including women, children, security personnel, and displaced persons, emphasizing the scale of devastation in the affected communities.

“These victims were not just statistics. They were human beings, innocent lives violently cut short,” she said.

Highlighting the human toll of the attacks, Usman added:

“Children who deserved protection were butchered. Mothers who should be nurturing families were buried in mass graves. Fathers defending their homes were mercilessly slain.”

She further condemned the widespread destruction of homes, ambushes on security operatives, and repeated attacks on displaced persons as signs of government failure to secure lives and property.

“The bloodshed in Benue should shake every conscience in this country. This is not just a local tragedy, it is a national shame,” she declared.

“The helplessness of the displaced and the boldness of the attackers reveal a dangerous vacuum in leadership and accountability.”

Beyond military deployment, the LP called for an urgent humanitarian intervention—including the supply of food, medical aid, shelter, and psychosocial support for survivors of the attacks.

Urging citizens and leaders to push for tangible change rather than routine rhetoric, Usman stressed:

“To the grieving families, I mourn with you as a mother. To the children now orphaned, the women widowed, and the shattered communities, you are not alone. Your pain echoes across this nation. Your cry for justice will not go unheard.”

The LP under her leadership pledged to keep advocating for security-focused policies and protection of vulnerable populations, particularly in rural and violence-prone areas.

“Nigeria cannot continue like this. Enough is enough,” Usman concluded.

Governor Mbah

The Obeagu Ugwuaji community in Enugu South Local Government Area has petitioned Governor Peter Mbah to intervene in what they describe as an escalating crisis allegedly instigated by the Commissioner for Local Government, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Matters, Deacon Okey Ogbodo.

Community leaders claim the commissioner acted in defiance of a court order by appointing a caretaker committee for the Obeagu Ugwuaji Development Union, despite a subsisting leadership and ongoing legal proceedings.

As a result, the community has initiated contempt proceedings, seeking to commit the commissioner to prison for allegedly disobeying a court injunction.

In Suit No: E/508/2025, titled Notice of Consequences of Disobedience to Court Order (Form 48), the community has moved to penalize Ogbodo for contempt of court.

This follows an interim injunction issued on June 2, 2025, by Justice C.A. Ogbuabo of the Enugu State High Court, which explicitly barred the commissioner and others from appointing any caretaker committee pending the determination of a substantive judicial review filed by community leaders.

According to the court order, “2nd respondent, Deacon Okey Ogbodo is hereby prohibited from constituting a caretaker committee of the Obeagu Ugwuaji Development Union pending the determination of the substantive application for Judicial Review.”

Despite this ruling, the commissioner allegedly proceeded to install a caretaker committee, prompting fresh tension in the community and legal steps by the current leadership to challenge the move.

The president-general of the union, Mr. Obi Chukwunomso Freedom, accused the commissioner of not only ignoring the court order but also attempting to cover up the violation by backdating the appointment letters of the caretaker members.

Investigations suggest that the current leadership’s tenure remains valid, raising questions about the necessity and legality of the caretaker committee.

The community believes this act is a deliberate provocation capable of leading to unrest if not urgently addressed.

In response, Commissioner Okey Ogbodo defended his action, claiming that the appointments had already been finalized before the court injunction was served.

The Obeagu Ugwuaji community, however, insists that the commissioner’s actions amount to a clear violation of the rule of law and are calling on Governor Peter Mbah to take immediate steps to prevent a potential breakdown of peace and order in the area.

Authorities in Benue State have confirmed the arrest of 14 individuals in connection with a protest that turned violent in Makurdi over the weekend.

The protest was sparked by renewed killings reportedly carried out by suspected armed invaders in parts of the state.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Udeme Edet, explained that the arrests followed a demonstration that occurred on Sunday, June 15, 2025, at the Wurukum Roundabout in Makurdi, the state capital.

“The Benue State Police Command acknowledges a public demonstration that took place on Sunday, June 15, 2025, when a number of individuals gathered at the Wurukum Roundabout, Makurdi, to express grievances over recent security incidents in the state,” Edet stated.

“While the right to peaceful protest is respected and protected, it is imperative that such expressions remain lawful and non-violent.”

According to the police spokesperson, intelligence on the protest prompted immediate deployment of tactical units to monitor the situation and ensure public order.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Ifeanyi Emenari, alongside the Deputy Governor of Benue State, Barrister Sam Ode, visited the scene in a bid to engage with the demonstrators and restore calm.

“Upon receiving intelligence regarding the protest, tactical teams were immediately deployed to monitor and maintain order.

The Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, CP Ifeanyi Emenari, in a display of proactive leadership, visited the protest site alongside the deputy governor of Benue State, Barr. Sam Ode, in an effort to engage with the demonstrators and appeal for calm,” the statement read.

However, Edet reported that the crowd refused to be addressed, and the demonstration was soon overtaken by disruptive elements.

These individuals allegedly attempted to assault the deputy governor, prompting police intervention.

“Unfortunately, the crowd declined to be addressed, and the protest was soon hijacked by disruptive elements, who attempted to attack the deputy governor.”

“Police officers swiftly intervened using non-lethal crowd control measures, including smoke and water cannons, to prevent harm and safely evacuate the deputy governor from the scene. No casualties or injuries were recorded during this operation,” the PPRO noted.

The situation escalated further when a separate group of hoodlums, believed to be sympathetic to the protest, blocked a roadway in Apir, a suburb on the outskirts of Makurdi.

The group allegedly stopped a truck and set it ablaze with the driver still inside. His identity remains unknown.

“Tragically, later a separate group of hoodlums reportedly sympathetic to the protest, obstructed a roadway in Apir, on the outskirts of Makurdi.”

“They forcefully stopped a truck, which was subsequently set ablaze with the yet-to-be-identified driver trapped inside,” Edet stated.

The police confirmed the arrest of 14 suspects linked to both the protest and the violent acts that followed. Investigations are ongoing to track down other perpetrators.

“The command has so far arrested 14 suspects in connection with these incidents. They will be prosecuted accordingly. Investigations are ongoing to apprehend other culprits and instigators behind the violence,” the PPRO concluded.

A suspected motorcycle thief, identified as Bello Marwanu Abubakar, has been arrested in Ganuma, a community in Kogi Local Government Area of Kogi State.

The arrest was carried out by local vigilante operatives on Friday, following a tip-off from community members.

The suspect is alleged to have violently attacked a man named John Adamu and stolen his motorcycle.

According to reports, Abubakar struck the victim with a hard object before making away with the motorcycle.

The victim sustained injuries during the attack and was immediately rushed to the hospital for treatment.

Confirming the arrest, the Head of ICT/Media Unit in the office of the Comptroller-General of the Vigilante Group, S.O. Saka, said the suspect was taken into custody after a formal report was received.

He stated, “Reports indicate that the suspect attempted to kill the victim by striking him on the head with a hard object. The victim was subsequently rushed to the hospital for medical treatment.”

Saka further disclosed that the vigilante group handed over both the suspect and the recovered motorcycle to the Nigeria Police Force, Koton-Karfe Division, for further investigation and prosecution.

“All recovered items, along with the suspect, have been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force, Koton-Karfe Division for further investigation and appropriate legal action,” he said.