•NSA Assures Benue of Federal Government’s Resolve to End Insecurity,
••Calls for National Unity

National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu has pledged that Nigeria will decisively defeat the “evil forces” responsible for the widespread killings and displacement of communities across the nation. He delivered this assurance during a crucial stakeholders’ meeting in Makurdi, Benue State, following the Good Friday massacre of over 72 people in Ukum and Logo Local Government Areas.
Ribadu conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s deep concern and commitment to addressing the escalating security challenges, emphasizing that Benue’s plight is a national crisis. “The president is with you. This is a trying period for us all,” he stated, describing the killings as a “national tragedy” and an “act of evil.”
“When evil comes, good people must unite to confront it,” Ribadu urged, stressing the importance of national unity in combating the violence. He acknowledged Benue’s critical role as the nation’s “food basket” and reiterated the federal government’s unwavering support.
While acknowledging the tireless efforts of the armed forces and security agencies, Ribadu highlighted the logistical challenges of deploying personnel to every vulnerable community. “Countries go through difficult phases. Insecurity is a tough challenge to overcome,” he said. He also asserted that the current administration has made significant strides in reducing the levels of extreme violence inherited.
Governor Hyacinth Alia, in his address, painted a grim picture of Benue’s prolonged suffering, stating that the state has been under siege since 2011. He lamented the devastating impact of terrorist, bandit, and militia attacks on the state’s economy and the displacement of thousands. “Instead of a Good Friday, we experienced a Black Friday, marked by venomous attacks,” he said, describing the loss of 72 lives as “unbearable.”
Governor Alia expressed gratitude for President Tinubu’s support and the efforts of security agencies, but stressed the urgent need for additional assistance. “Our security agencies have worked tirelessly to contain the attacks, but we urgently need more support,” he pleaded. He highlighted the 17 IDP camps currently housing displaced residents and the difficulty in returning them to their ancestral homes.
The meeting underscored the severity of the security situation in Benue State and the federal government’s commitment to finding a lasting solution. Ribadu’s call for national unity resonated deeply, emphasizing the collective responsibility to confront the “evil” plaguing the nation.

By Suleiman Ibrahim

Heartbreaking photographs have surfaced, revealing the identities of individuals tragically killed or injured during an Easter procession in Gombe State. A truck, alleged by eyewitnesses to be involved in a deliberate act, plowed into the Christian worshippers, leaving a community in mourning and raising serious questions about the incident.
Initial reports confirmed the deaths of five people – four women and one man – in the wake of the tragedy. As families shared poignant images of their lost loved ones and those recovering from injuries, a stark contrast emerged between the official narrative and the accounts of those who witnessed the horrific event.
Eyewitnesses vehemently dispute the police’s assertion that the Easter Monday incident was a mere accident. They allege that the truck’s intrusion into the peaceful procession was a calculated act intended to sow fear and disrupt future religious observances.
While authorities initially reported the incident as a truck carrying goods veering off course, the emergence of a disturbing video and numerous eyewitness testimonies have fueled suspicions. Calls for a thorough and impartial investigation are now intensifying.
Yusuff Haskee, former Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (Youth Wing) in Gombe State, minced no words, stating unequivocally, “This is a long-standing tradition… We always inform security agencies well in advance. So, where were they when this happened? This wasn’t a brake failure — it was a calculated act of intimidation against Christians.” Haskee further revealed his public challenge to the police’s account during a live radio broadcast.
Another eyewitness, Usman, echoed these sentiments, questioning the driver’s silence in the moments leading up to the impact. “If the driver lost control, did he also lose the ability to honk? Why didn’t he warn the crowd? The truck came silently from behind — no horn, no signal — just straight into the people. Then it stopped on its own, just ten meters ahead. That’s not an accident. That’s evil.”
Madeline, a young survivor who narrowly escaped the carnage, recounted her terrifying experience with tears. “When I turned back, it looked like a horror movie — people were screaming, crushed bodies everywhere. That truck rolled over my fellow worshippers like they were nothing.”
Usman corroborated reports of five fatalities, including four women.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Gombe State authorities, through Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s spokesperson, Samaila Uba Misili, announced that the government would cover all medical expenses for the 20 individuals who sustained injuries. However, this gesture of support does little to quell the growing demand for a transparent and credible investigation into the true circumstances surrounding this devastating event. The community awaits answers as they grapple with loss and the unsettling suspicion that this was not merely an accident, but a deliberate act of violence.

•• Announces Immediate Reorganization, Withdrawal from Non-Core Duties, and Enhanced Training for Elite Unit

By Dansebe Daudu.

Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Olukayode Adeolu Egbetokun has announced a sweeping reorganization of the Police Mobile Force (PMF) with immediate effect, aiming to strengthen internal security and significantly enhance the unit’s operational readiness. The directive was issued during a conference held with PMF Squadron Commanders at the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.
IGP Egbetokun underscored the critical need to realign the PMF with its original mandate as the Nigeria Police Force’s specialized strike unit, primarily tasked with swift responses to riots, emergencies, and serious violent threats. He expressed concern that the deployment of PMF personnel to non-essential roles, such as escort and guard duties for private citizens and VIPs, has significantly undermined the unit’s core effectiveness.
To address this challenge, the IGP outlined a series of decisive measures. These include the immediate recall of PMF personnel from all unauthorized deployments, the implementation of regular quarterly training with a strong emphasis on ethics and professionalism, and the establishment of mandatory standby units across all Squadrons, fully equipped and combat-ready for rapid tactical deployment when needed.
Furthermore, IGP Egbetokun declared that PMF Commanders will be held directly accountable for the conduct and professionalism of their officers. He urged them to adopt proactive leadership through consistent training exercises, rigorous inspections, and mentorship programs designed to instill discipline, ensure respect for human rights, and cultivate operational excellence within their ranks.
Reaffirming the Force’s unwavering commitment to restoring the PMF to its intended role as a highly disciplined and dependable tactical arm, the IGP highlighted ongoing plans to introduce modern leadership strategies and robust capacity-building initiatives. These efforts are geared towards effectively addressing contemporary security challenges and aligning with international best practices in policing.
The Inspector-General of Police extended his gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his steadfast support of the Nigeria Police Force. He also acknowledged the invaluable contributions of the Force’s international partners in providing crucial training and technical assistance. IGP Egbetokun charged all PMF Squadron Commanders to embrace the reform as both a professional and moral imperative, reiterating the Nigeria Police Force’s enduring commitment to safeguarding the lives and property of all citizens and ensuring national security.
Signed:
ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, mnipr, mipra, fCAI,
Force Public Relations Officer
Force Headquarters
Abuja.
22nd April, 2025

Twelve communities in the Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State are reeling after bandits imposed a staggering N60 million levy on them. Residents report that the armed groups are demanding the exorbitant sum as punishment for allegedly sharing intelligence with the Nigerian military.
This development follows a reported military operation last week where soldiers targeted terrorist enclaves within the Dan Kurmi forest, resulting in significant casualties among the bandits.
According to TheBeat, an online platform monitoring bandit activity in the region, the terrorists summoned village heads and community representatives under the guise of discussing peaceful coexistence. However, the meeting concluded with the shocking imposition of the N60 million levy across the communities of Koloma, Dan Hayin Zargado, Zargado, Dan Godabe, Sabuwar Tunga, Makini, Bubaka, Yelwa, Bahwada, Koda, Manya, and Kabusu. The ultimatum is clear: pay up or face attack.
Adding another layer to the residents’ plight, a traditional ruler in Dan Kurmi, Sani Usman, informed BBC Hausa that the bandits also cited the burning of forests within their hideouts as a reason for the punitive levy.
Efforts to obtain official confirmation from the Zamfara State Police Command proved unsuccessful, as the spokesperson, Abubakar Sadiq, could not be reached for comment.
The imposition of “protection levies” by non-state actors is a distressing trend in Zamfara and neighboring states, serving as a means for these criminal groups to finance their terror operations. Tragically, numerous communities in Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kaduna, Niger, and Kebbi states have faced attacks for their inability to meet these unlawful demands.
This latest incident underscores the pervasive insecurity plaguing the region and the emboldened nature of bandit groups who operate with impunity, further extorting vulnerable communities.