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FG Lacks Clear Strategy to Tackle Insecurity, Terrorism in Middle-Belt – Ayatutu Professors

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By: Fabian Apechihin

MAKURDI: The Forum of Ayatutu Professors (FAP) in Benue State has criticised the Federal Government for failing to show any deliberate or coherent strategy to address insecurity and terrorism in Nigeria, particularly in the Middle-Belt.

In a statement signed by Prof. Tor Iorapuu (Chairman) and Prof. Simon Irtwange (Secretary) of the Forum’s Board of Trustees and Council of Management, FAP dismissed claims that the country lacks sufficient security personnel to tackle the crisis.

The group’s remarks were issued in solidarity with Prof. Zacharys Gundu, who recently came under fire from Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule. They urged the Federal Government to move beyond “mere declarations” and implement “strict securitisation and territorialisation” of Nigeria’s borders to block terrorists, bandits, and foreign invaders.

“Nigeria is under siege, and the Federal Government has failed to demonstrate the will to protect the lives of its citizens,” the statement read. “What we are witnessing is not random violence but organised mass atrocities, particularly in the North Central region.”

FAP stressed that Nigeria has no shortage of capable military generals or skilled police officers, yet the country “bleeds daily.” They warned that the consequences of inaction are “worse than war,” pointing to decades of massacres in Benue, Plateau, and Southern Kaduna, where churches, schools, and communities have become “massacre memorials.”

The Forum cited recent examples, including the June 13–14 killings in Yelewata, Guma LGA, Benue State, where over 200 people were massacred, and the attack on Jebbu community in Plateau State, which occurred just a kilometre from a major military checkpoint.

FAP drew parallels to the United States’ response to the September 11 attacks, urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to “use all necessary and appropriate force” to neutralise those behind the violence. They also challenged Governor Sule to clear himself of allegations of complicity, including claims of pressuring a Myetti Allah leader to form a militia and engaging in land grabs from Tiv communities.

The group condemned what it called the government’s “over-focus on political moments and elections” while citizens face existential threats. “Citizens need freedom and security, not political rhetoric,” the statement said.

FAP called on the Federal Government to:

  • Compensate all victims of attacks in Benue, Plateau, and Southern Kaduna.
  • Include affected areas in the country’s Humanitarian Response Plan.
  • Empower the proposed North Central Development Commission to restore livelihoods and protect farmers.
  • Invite international agencies to investigate decades-long “deliberate annihilation” in Central Nigeria.

“The time for rhetoric is over. Nigeria must act decisively, or continue to watch its people be uprooted, humiliated, and slaughtered,” the Forum declared.


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Defence/Security

Gunmen abduct 20-year-old herder kill 33 cattle in Adamawa

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A 20-year-old herder, identified as Manu Mamuda, has been declared missing after suspected gunmen attacked a grazing field in Labau village, Wuroyanka District of Shelleng Local Government Area in Adamawa.

Community sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred on Sunday afternoon when the victim went out to graze his family’s cattle and failed to return home.

Family members and local hunters later organised a search party, which led to the discovery of Mamuda’s blood-stained cap and shoes at the grazing area.

Residents said the attackers also killed about 33 cattle, injured six others, and rustled 18 during the attack.

Items recovered from the scene included two arrows, an empty cartridge shell, and an empty shell of AK-47 ammunition.

As of the time of filing this report, the missing herder had yet to be found, while efforts were ongoing by local vigilantes and hunters to trace the perpetrators and recover the missing cattle.

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Defence/Security

US Mayor Slams Nigeria: “You Reject Our Views on Terrorism but Still Want Our Money”

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By: Fabian Apechihin

The Republican Mayor of Blanco, Texas, Mike Arnold, has criticised Nigeria for condemning U.S. comments on terrorism while continuing to seek financial aid from Washington.

Speaking on Arise Television on Monday, Arnold said it was hypocritical for Nigeria to reject America’s stance on its internal security issues yet expect the U.S. to provide financial support.

“I don’t understand why a nation as rich in minerals as Nigeria has to beg for help to save its own people,” Arnold said.
“Nigeria has abundant resources to provide stability for its citizens. People are displaced, their homes are destroyed without warning — it’s horrific. You don’t want America to speak on terrorism, but you want America’s money. That makes no sense whatsoever.”

His remarks come amid renewed diplomatic friction between Nigeria and the United States following discussions about religious persecution and terrorism in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, dismissed claims that the violence in Nigeria is driven by religious persecution.

Sowore argued that the country’s crisis stems from bad governance and insecurity, not from animosity between Muslims and Christians.

Reacting to calls by some U.S. lawmakers for Nigeria to be designated a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) over alleged Christian persecution, Sowore described both the Nigerian and U.S. governments as hypocritical in their handling of the issue.

“There’s genocide against the poor — Muslims, Christians, and children alike,” he said.
“Trying to separate it by religion is dishonest. Nigeria doesn’t check who carries a Bible or a Quran before counting the dead.”

He also accused the U.S. of selective outrage, saying Washington ignores similar or worse situations elsewhere.

“Why is the U.S. silent about Gaza, where Muslims are being killed by Israel? That’s international hypocrisy,” Sowore stated.

According to him, insecurity in Nigeria cuts across all regions and religions, with most attacks happening in the North, affecting both Christians and Muslims.

“Gunmen even attack mosques — 35 worshippers were recently killed, and the attackers were likely Muslims too,” he noted.

Sowore warned that framing the crisis as religious only helps Nigerian leaders evade accountability.

“When the U.S. says it wants to protect Christians, that’s not a solution. Even if all Christians were taken away, people would still be killed,” he argued.

“The problem isn’t religion — it’s failed leadership and chronic insecurity,” he concluded.

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Defence/Security

Police foil bandits’ attack in Abuja.

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▪︎▪︎▪︎ recover AK-47 rifle in.

Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command have foiled an attempted kidnapping by a notorious bandit gang and recovered an AK-47 rifle and ammunition during a midnight operation in the outskirts of the territory.

Zagazola Makama gathered that the operation followed credible intelligence from the Technical Intelligence Unit (TIU) of the Force Headquarters about a planned attack led by a gang leader identified as Idrisa, also known as Mai Duna.

Acting swiftly, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit laid an ambush between 9 p.m. on Oct. 10 and 1 a.m. on Oct. 11 along the rail track near Grow Home Estate, a location bordering the FCT and Niger State.

The armed gang, divided into two groups targeting Grow Home Estate and Royal Champion Church in Chikakore, Byazhin District, was intercepted by the police team.

A fierce gun duel ensued, lasting about 20 minutes, after which the bandits were subdued, forcing many to flee with suspected gunshot wounds.

During the search of the area, police recovered an AK-47 rifle with a defaced breech number, one magazine, and a live round of 7.62mm ammunition.

Reinforcement from the military, DSS, and local hunters was deployed to the area to secure the communities and block escape routes.

Sources said that the Commissioner of Police assured residents of continued security presence and renewed commitment to maintaining peace and safety in the FCT.

The Anti-Kidnapping Unit has commenced further investigation, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.

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