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2,600 killed in 50 Benue communities attacks in one year – Amnesty International
2,600 persons, mostly women and children, have been killed following attacks on 50 Benue communities between January 2023 and February 2024, Amnesty International says.
Amnesty International Programme Director, Mrs Barbara Magaji, disclosed this during a photo exhibition and news conference on Wednesday, in Makurdi.
Magaji further said 18 out of the 23 local government areas (LGAs) in the state, were constantly under security threats by armed attackers.
“These attacks are significantly affecting food security and livelihoods because the affected communities are farmers and displacement make them unable to carry out any farming activity.
“These displacements are having significant and adverse effects on the right to livelihoods, and depriving thousands of children of the right to education and development.
“As of March 2023 when the last counting and documentation was done, the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps and host communities accommodated a total of 489,245 IDPs,” Magaji said.
She further quoted the state’s Ministry of Education and the Teaching Service Board as saying that, at least 55 schools had been destroyed by armed bandits or closed down due to insecurity, leaving hundreds of children out of school.
She stressed the need for Nigerian authorities to end the attacks in Benue because they had a duty to protect lives.
She maintained that governments at all levels must ensure that these attacks were investigated and justice given to victims and their families.
“Nigerian authorities must ensure that suspected perpetrators of human rights abuses are brought to justice through fair trial.
“Nigerian authorities must investigate the security lapses that enabled gunmen to carry out attacks and get away with it.
“People who are displaced must be provided with adequate humanitarian support, standard of living and children’s education must be continued,” Magaji said.
Meanwhile, in his goodwill message, the Commanding Officer, 72 Special Forces Battalion, Lt Col. R.B. Kefas, who was represented by Lt Danjuma Abba, stated that criminality had been curtailed in all the crisis prone areas, promising that the efforts would be sustained.
Also, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Steve Yabanet, who was represented by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr Okon Asuquo, said that the police was working round the clock to reduce criminality to the barest minimum in the state.
By Esther Agbo
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, affirmed on Sunday that the rainy season would not impede the progress of ongoing critical road projects in the state.
Sanwo-Olu emphasized that many road projects are nearing completion and will significantly alleviate traffic congestion upon their conclusion.
In a post on X, the governor mentioned that state officials conducted an inspection tour of various road projects, including the Opebi-Mende-Ojota Link Bridge and connecting arterial roads. This bridge aims to address significant traffic issues and provide alternative routes for motorists traveling from Toyin, Allen, Opebi to Ojota, benefiting those commuting from Maryland to Ikeja and nearby areas.
The team also inspected additional vital ongoing projects including the construction of the Abiola-Onijemo Link Road with a bridge, the Ikeja Urban Regeneration Project, the Arowojobe Link Bridge and Approach Road in Maryland, and the Agidi Demurin and Church Street Network in the Kosofe Local Government Area.
Despite challenges posed by the weather, contractors are diligently working to meet project deadlines. Progress reports indicate that completion rates for key projects are as follows: Arowojobe Link Bridge and Road at 70%, St Finbarrs Road at 70%, Abiola-Onijemo Link Road with Bridge at 80%, Ikeja GRA regeneration project at 89%, and Opebi-Mende Link Bridge and roads at 85%.
The Governor stated, “These projects reflect our commitment to delivering top-notch infrastructure and driving economic growth for the benefit of all residents.”
A 2023 study by the Danne Institute for Research revealed that Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial hub, loses an astounding N4 trillion annually due to severe traffic congestion. The study, titled ‘Behavioural Causes of Traffic Congestion in Lagos,’ funded by the Bank of Industry and Africa Finance Corporation, highlighted the urgent need for action to mitigate the economic and social impacts.
By Esther Agbo
The Lagos State Government has announced plans to implement smart bins in residential and business areas to enhance waste management efficiency. This initiative was disclosed in a statement by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Muyiwa Gbadegesin.
Gbadegesin noted that LAWMA’s Highway Sanitation Unit and Marine Waste and Vegetal Control Unit have been actively cleaning areas between the Ajah-Jubilee Bridge and Abraham Adesanya Roundabout. The ongoing deep cleaning efforts will extend to Sangotedo and Awoyaya along the newly reconstructed Lekki-Epe Expressway.
Gbadegesin stated via his X handle, emphasizing the state’s zero-tolerance policy for environmental offenses, warning against the dumping of waste on streets, highways, and drainage systems.
“This deep clean exercise will continue to Sangotedo and Awoyaya along the newly re-constructed Lekki-Epe Expressway.
“We are also introducing the new smart bins as the preferred waste bin for households and businesses because it enables us to monitor the efficiency of PSP operators.
“We are enforcing a #ZeroTolerance policy for environmental offences,” he wrote on X, adding that the state would not tolerate dumping of waste on the streets, highways, and drainage channels.
“We are introducing new smart bins as the preferred waste management solution for households and businesses, which will enable us to monitor PSP operators’ efficiency.”
In April, LAWMA addressed a significant waste accumulation in a drainage opposite Adebola Idowu Street in the Kosofe Local Government Area.
Director of Public Affairs, LAWMA, Sade Kadiri, urged residents to manage their waste responsibly, highlighting the risks of mismanaged waste, which can result into flooding and health issues.
By Austine Emmanuel, Kaduna
One of the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) helicopter has crashed in the early hours of Monday in Tami village, located in the Igabi local government area of Kaduna State.
According to ryewitness reports, the incident occurred at about 5:00am, causing significant alarm among villagers.
The helicopter, on a routine operational flight, experienced technical difficulties that led to the crash. Fortunately, the pilot managed to execute emergency protocols effectively, ensuring his own survival.
Eyewitnesses at the scene reported that the pilot emerged from the wreckage unscathed. Residents of Tami village quickly gathered at the crash site, offering assistance where possible and expressing relief that no live was lost.
“We heard a loud noise and rushed to the scene. We were surprised and relieved to see the pilot alive,” said a villager who witnessed the crash.
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