At least seven individuals, among them a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), lost their lives in separate assaults carried out by armed assailants in two local government areas of Benue State.

According to reports from our correspondent, the attacks took place on Tuesday in the Mbatsada communities of Mbalom and Mbasombo council wards in Gwer East Local Government Area, as well as in Tse Gever Nasemya community of Makurdi LGA.

The APC chieftain, identified by residents as Akaabo Johnson, was reportedly killed along with three others in the Mbasombo ward of Gwer East.

An additional three individuals were killed in the Makurdi incident, bringing the confirmed death toll to seven.

Eyewitnesses said the gunmen stormed Gwer East around 4:35pm, unleashing gunfire without discrimination.

“They laid siege to the communities of Gwer East around 4:35pm shooting indiscriminately,” one witness said, leading to the tragic loss of lives.

A wave of grief has swept through Ogidi, a community in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, following the sudden deaths of four siblings in what police suspect to be a case of food poisoning.

The heartbreaking incident occurred in the early hours of May 6, 2025.

Authorities say the children died shortly after consuming a meal prepared at home.

Confirming the tragedy, the Anambra State Police Command said officers from the Ogidi Division responded swiftly to the scene.

The lifeless bodies of the children were recovered and have since been deposited in the morgue, where autopsies will be conducted.

Their mother, who reportedly ate the same food, is currently battling for her life at a local hospital. She remains in critical condition and under intensive medical care.

Describing the situation, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ikenga Tochukwu, said: “This is a deeply saddening incident that has shocked the community. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and wish the mother a swift recovery, as her insights will be crucial in understanding what transpired.”

He further revealed that samples of the suspected meal have been taken for laboratory testing to help determine the exact cause of death.

“In an effort to uncover the truth, police have collected samples of the suspected food for forensic analysis. Officers are actively interviewing residents and potential witnesses to gather additional information that may assist in the ongoing investigation,” Tochukwu added.

An army captain and a soldier have been confirmed dead following an attack by Boko Haram insurgents in Izge, a community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.

The deadly assault occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, leaving residents shaken as troops responded to the invasion.

According to the Emir of Gwoza, HRH Alhaji Mohammed Shehu Timta, the insurgents launched their attack around 1am, triggering a confrontation with security forces.

“It’s true that my people in Izge community came under Boko Haram attack around 1am. Unfortunately, a Captain and a Soldier paid the supreme price,” the Emir stated.

He noted that despite the loss, security forces—including the military, Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF), hunters, vigilantes, and determined residents, managed to push back the assailants.

“But our gallant troops, the Civilian JTF, hunters, vigilantes and the resilient community members also killed three terrorists. The terrorists abandoned their weapons, over 10 motorcycles and they are still on the run, while being trailed by our security men,” he added.

The Emir offered prayers for the deceased and praised the security forces for their efforts. “May Allah (SWT) grant the departed souls Jannatul firdaus. Our gallant men are still in the bush, sacrificing their lives to maintain peace in the society,” he said.

He also expressed gratitude to Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State for ongoing logistical support, while urging the federal government to strengthen the military’s capacity.

He said, “I also thank the Borno State governor, Prof Babagana Umara Zulum, for the logistics support to the security operatives,” and called for equipping the forces “with technological warfare.”

This latest attack adds to a recent wave of violence in the North East.

On Saturday, Boko Haram fighters also launched an assault on the 27 Task Force Brigade in Buni Yadi, Gujba LGA of Yobe State, where four soldiers were killed and multiple pieces of equipment destroyed.

The Buni Yadi strike occurred less than 24 hours after the North East Governors Forum met in Damaturu, adopting a multidimensional approach to address regional insecurity.

The Izge assault also follows President Bola Tinubu’s recent directive to service chiefs to put an end to the rising spate of killings across the country.

The Nigerian Army has refuted claims made in a viral video alleging that the 14 Brigade in Ohafia, Abia State, is issuing residential permits to individuals of a specific ethnic group.

According to the Army, the video is not only outdated but also deceptive and aimed at sowing discord.

In a statement released on Wednesday in Enugu, the acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for 82 Division, Lt.-Col. Jonah Unuakhalu, categorically denied the allegations, describing the video as “entirely deceptive and a calculated attempt to cause disaffection and malicious intent.”

He clarified that the video, which is currently making rounds on social media, originally surfaced in 2021 and was related to a specific incident involving a certain Mr. Ibrahim Saleh.

“For context, the residential permit featured in the video belonged to Mr. Ibrahim Saleh, who was intercepted by local vigilantes in 2021 while transiting through Isiukwuato Local Government Area of Abia State,” Unuakhalu said.

“The matter was thoroughly investigated and fully resolved at the time as the permit in question was issued to him while working in the barracks as part of the Barracks Investment Initiative Programme (BIIP),” he explained.

Unuakhalu went on to describe the BIIP as “a Nigerian Army livestock initiative scheme aimed at empowering personnel and their families by providing them with skills and knowledge to engage in agro-based businesses, which include rearing of cattle and other animals.”

According to him, “The permit is purely given to a few Fulani herdsmen employed in the scheme due to their expertise and proper vetting procedure and documentation. It is thereafter retrieved on expiration or termination of employment.”

The army spokesman insisted that the renewed circulation of the video is “both misleading and disingenuous,” noting that it has no basis in current reality.

“The implication that 14 Brigade or any formation of the Nigerian Army, is selectively issuing residential permits to individuals or any ethnic group is completely unfounded and without merit,” he said.

He further stressed that “Headquarters 82 Division unequivocally dissociates itself from any form of ethnic bias and preferential treatment.”

Unuakhalu described the reemergence of the disproven narrative as “a calculated effort to undermine the credibility of the Nigerian Army and provoke unnecessary public anxiety.”

“In this era of artificial intelligence and digitally manipulated content, we urge the public to remain vigilant and to rely only on accurate and verified information from credible sources,” he advised.

He reiterated the commitment of the 82 Division to its constitutional responsibilities, saying it “remains steadfast and continues to operate with the highest level of professionalism, integrity and impartiality.”

Finally, Unuakhalu called for collective efforts toward national cohesion.

“We also call on all responsible citizens and stakeholders, particularly across the South-East, to work collaboratively in promoting peace, unity, and mutual trust in the interest of national security and development,” he concluded.