Residents of Olena in Asa community, Otukpo Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State, have abandoned their homes following relentless assaults by suspected herdsmen. Continuous Attacks Force Mass Exodus According to DAILY POST, the community has been under siege for four consecutive days, resulting in multiple fatalities and several individuals being abducted. The worsening security situation has forced villagers to seek refuge in neighboring areas. A resident, speaking anonymously to our correspondent, confirmed that the final wave of evacuations occurred on Monday night as it became evident that security forces were not intervening. Residents Call for Urgent Security Intervention Expressing his distress, the source revealed that the community has faced these violent attacks without any form of resistance. “I barely escaped with my family this night; we are currently in Upu. Our entire village has been deserted due to the continuous attacks on Olena,” he lamented. “They have killed and kidnapped several residents, yet no security operatives have come to our aid. The community is under heavy attack at this moment,” he added. Alarming Video Footage Emerges Our reporters have obtained disturbing video clips showing terrified villagers fleeing their homes in the dark of night as the attacks escalated. The situation remains critical, with locals pleading for swift government intervention to restore security and prevent further bloodshed. Government and Security Response Awaited At the time of filing this report, there has been no official statement from law enforcement agencies regarding efforts to curb the violence. For similar reports on security challenges in Nigeria, read more at Vanguard News. Related Articles: READ ALSO: Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Channel
A Nigerian investor based in the United States, Mrs. Onyinye Urum Ukaegbu Ibe, has filed a petition with the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, requesting urgent intervention over threats to set ablaze her multi-million naira piggery and cassava farm located in Abiriba, Abia State. Investor Appeals for Security After Alleged Threats Mrs. Ukaegbu Ibe, an indigene of Abiriba who is married in Imo State, detailed in a legal petition through her attorney, Obasi Awa, that the threats emerged after the unfortunate death of one of her farm employees. The incident led to unfounded allegations that the deceased was murdered by his coworkers, an accusation she firmly refutes. Security Reinforcement Urged to Prevent Arson Describing the allegations as a baseless attempt to sabotage her investment, the investor has called for a thorough police investigation to determine the actual cause of the worker’s death. She also requested heightened security to prevent the destruction of her farm by potential arsonists. The petition states: “We have been engaged by DO GOOD PIGGERY FARMS, ABIRIBA, and it is our directive that on February 24, 2025, a farm worker, Joseph Urum, fell ill while at work. His coworkers took him to the hospital, where he underwent surgery but sadly did not survive.” Following Joseph’s passing, his family lodged a complaint at the Abiriba Police Division, claiming he was murdered by fellow workers. Several individuals, including Oko Ukaegbu, Pastor Ejemole Ukaegbu, Maduka, and Bassey, were subsequently arrested, with investigations ongoing. The petition further emphasizes the need for police intervention: “The Abiriba community is threatening to destroy lives and properties on our client’s farm. Given the intensity of the mob threats, the local police are unable to contain the situation, necessitating additional security reinforcements.” Investor Denies Organ Harvesting Allegations Speaking via phone from the United States, Mrs. Ukaegbu Ibe expressed deep concern over the situation. She explained that she established the farm to support local workers and empower the community through employment opportunities. She also addressed disturbing allegations circulating on the Abiriba community platform, accusing her of attempting to harvest the deceased worker’s kidney for her son. She dismissed these claims as unfounded, emphasizing that both she and her son reside in the U.S. and had no involvement in such acts. To ascertain the true cause of Joseph’s death, she has called for an autopsy. Traditional Ruler Confirms Incident, Police Investigate The paramount ruler of Abiriba’s ancient kingdom, HRM Eze Kalu Kalu Ogbu (Enachoken Abiriba), confirmed the case, adding that the police have taken charge of the investigation. The monarch stated: “After discussions with both parties and traditional rulers, we found inconsistencies in the narratives presented. Given the severity of the allegations, we referred the case to law enforcement authorities.” He further revealed that measures had been implemented to safeguard the farm from mob attacks: “Some individuals threatened to set the farm ablaze based on misinformation. However, we intervened to prevent any unlawful destruction, allowing minimal activities to continue while police investigations proceed.” Police Yet to Respond Efforts to obtain an official response from the Abia State Police Command were unsuccessful, as the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Moureen Chilaka, did not answer calls or respond to messages at the time of this report. External Source for Further Reading For additional insights on security measures for business investments in Nigeria, visit Nigeria Police Force Official Website. SEO Title: US-Based Investor Seeks Protection Over Threats to Burn Farm in Abia Slug: us-investor-threatened-farm-abia Meta Description: A US-based Nigerian investor, Mrs. Onyinye Ukaegbu Ibe, petitions the IGP over threats to burn her multi-million naira farm in Abia State. Read the full story here. Long-Tail Focus Keyword: US investor seeks police protection in Abia farm dispute Image Keyphrase: Tags: READ ALSO:
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Nigeria has ascended to the sixth position in the 2025 Global Terrorism Index (GTI) with a score of 7.658, marking a shift from its eighth-place ranking in 2023 and 2024. This ranking underscores the persistent security challenges in the nation. Global Terrorism Rankings: Burkina Faso Tops the List The latest GTI report, released on March 5, 2025, identified Burkina Faso as the country most impacted by terrorism, scoring 8.581. Other nations in the top five include Pakistan (8.374), Syria (8.006), Mali (7.907), and Niger (7.776). Nigeria follows closely behind, highlighting the ongoing instability in West Africa. Rounding out the top ten most terrorism-affected countries are Somalia (7.614), Israel (7.463), Afghanistan (7.262), Cameroon (6.944), and Myanmar (6.929). Further rankings placed the Democratic Republic of the Congo (6.768), Iraq (6.582), India (6.410), Colombia (6.381), and Russia (6.267) in positions 11 through 16. Rising Fatalities: 565 Killed in Nigeria in 2024 According to the GTI, terrorism-related deaths in Nigeria totaled 565 in 2024, reflecting a consistent rise over the past two years. The report noted that global terrorism deaths have declined by nearly a third since 2015, with Nigeria and Iraq recording the most significant reductions over time. Nigeria’s terrorism fatalities peaked at 2,101 in 2014 before decreasing to 392 in 2022, the lowest since 2011. However, the number surged by 34% in 2023, reaching 533, and continued to rise in 2024 to 565 deaths. IS-Sahel Expands Influence in West Africa The report highlighted the increasing presence of IS-Sahel, a militant group extending its operations beyond the Liptako-Gourma region—comprising Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger—into countries such as Algeria, Benin, and Nigeria. In 2024, IS-Sahel was responsible for 16 attacks in Nigeria, alongside 12 in Niger, six in Mali, and one in Burkina Faso. Furthermore, the number of nations impacted by at least one terrorist attack increased from 58 in 2023 to 66 in 2024, the highest recorded since 2018. The Sahel Region: Global Epicenter of Terrorism Terrorism remains a significant global threat, with shifting trends and increasing security challenges. The Sahel region accounted for 51% of all terrorism-related deaths in 2024, marking an almost tenfold increase since 2019. Fatalities linked to conflicts in the region exceeded 25,000, with 3,885 attributed specifically to terrorist incidents. Among the ten most-affected nations, five are located in the Sahel. Although Burkina Faso remains the hardest-hit country, both its terrorist fatalities and attacks saw a decline in 2024—dropping by 21% and 57%, respectively. Despite this improvement, Burkina Faso still accounted for one-fifth of global terrorism deaths. Niger’s Counterterrorism Setback The findings also emphasized the fragile nature of counterterrorism advancements. Niger, for instance, recorded the highest increase in terrorism-related deaths globally in 2024, surging by 94% to 930 fatalities. This reversed the progress seen in 2022 when the country had one of the most significant improvements in terrorism impact. The report cautioned that the gains made in Burkina Faso might be temporary, considering the volatile nature of the region. Conclusion: The Need for Stronger Counterterrorism Measures With Nigeria now ranking sixth on the GTI, addressing the root causes of terrorism and enhancing security strategies remain crucial. As militant activities continue to evolve, coordinated international and regional efforts will be essential in mitigating the threats posed by extremist groups. Institute for Economics and Peace READ ALSO: Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Channel
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Governors Show Support for State PoliceThe push for state-controlled policing gained momentum as all 36 Nigerian states submitted their positions, with the majority supporting the initiative. Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, disclosed this after the 147th National Economic Council (NEC) meeting held at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja. According to Governor Sani, most states agreed on the need for state police to address widespread security challenges, such as ungoverned spaces and a shortage of security personnel. He stated, “Establishing state police in Nigeria is the way forward for addressing the problem of insecurity in our country.” NEC Defers Final Decision Until JanuaryWhile consensus appears strong, NEC deferred final discussions until January to allow for the presentation of a detailed report by the NEC secretariat. The Council also plans further stakeholder engagement to refine the framework for state police. Governor Sani explained, “The Council decided to step down the discussion until the next meeting. After the report, deliberations will take place in January.” The deferment follows a resolution from NEC’s 146th meeting on November 21, which mandated the remaining states—Adamawa, Kebbi, and Kwara—and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to submit their positions within a week. The Road to State Police CreationTalks on establishing state police began in February 2024 during a meeting between President Bola Tinubu and state governors. These discussions were driven by growing insecurity, rising food prices, and economic hardship across the country. The Federal Government and state authorities are now considering constitutional amendments to empower states to create and manage their police forces. In March, 16 states submitted reports detailing their plans, while the remaining 20 states completed submissions by May. Despite progress, the implementation of state police remains in the planning stages. The Bayelsa State Governor emphasized the need to address bureaucratic delays, saying, “The timeline given for submissions was short, and efforts are underway to hasten the process.” Support and OppositionAdvocates for state police argue that decentralizing the Nigerian Police Force will enhance community-focused law enforcement and improve security across regions. Proponents believe this model can address localized security issues more effectively. However, critics warn that state police could lead to the abuse of power, particularly in politically controlled states, and risk undermining national unity by intensifying regional tensions. Looking AheadThe NEC’s January meeting will be pivotal in determining the future of state policing in Nigeria. With widespread support from governors, further deliberations will aim to address constitutional, operational, and governance concerns to ensure a sustainable and effective security framework for the nation. READ ALSO: Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Chanel.
