b]The Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, Benue Chapter, has rejected calls by some of their colleagues for the declaration of a state of emergency rule in the state.[/b]
State Overseer of the conference, Alexander Nyoonkyegh, said on Saturday in Makurdi that Governor Hyacinth Alia was their brother in the vineyard and must be protected by true men of God.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some bishops had earlier called for an emergency rule in Benue over growing insecurity.
But Mr Nyoonkyegh said that Benue does not need emergency rule but a united front to confront the common enemy.
The archbishop said what the state needed at this crucial moment was unity and for the governor to succeed.
“What we need now in Benue is unity and for the governor to succeed. Let us help him to succeed because he is heading in the right direction.
“We cannot continue to talk about military takeover or emergency rule in Benue. We are not even sure that a Benue son will be appointed as the sole .
“Look at what happened in Rivers. A sole was appointed for Rivers who is from another state,” he said.
He also stated that even the Bible has onished them to be submissive to authorities, adding that only God gives authority to people.
As fathers of faith, when you have a son and brother in the vineyard and they are doing well, you say, brother, keep it up. Recently we were here crying on the issue of insecurity, and there were reasons to our cries.
“Fr Alia is our brother in the vineyard, and we will continue to pray for him to succeed. What we know is that there is no authority that is not given from God.
“And the Bible says we must be submissive to the authorities. Yes, we are prophets, but we are submissive to the authorities here on earth too.
What we need here is development, and the governor is developing the state, so what else can we ask for?
“Apart from issues of insecurity, which he is trying, and we are seeing some of his efforts, what fundamental offence has he committed?” he asked.
Mr Nyoonkyegh further commended President Bola Tinubu for continually standing with Benue people and currently directing the Chief of Army Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, to relocate to the state and address the growing insecurity.
“We cried with faith in God, and he is hearing our prayers, and we believe that this mystery that we have witnessed in the last few days since the arrival of the Chief of Army should continue.
“Since his arrival, we have not heard of any further attack on our people. Let the peace be maintained, he said.
President Donald Trump announced a travel ban on nationals of 12 countries from entering the United States, bringing back the controversial "Muslim ban" policy from his first term.
The new proclamation, signed on Wednesday night, will affect citizens of Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.
There will also be restrictions on visitors from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela.
What better way to celebrate life than by giving life?
As I marked another year of God’s faithfulness, it was laid on my heart to give back in a way that will keep blessing lives long after the candles are out.
Today, I had the joy of commissioning a borehole water tap and welfare for a precious community. To see joy on their faces as clean water flowed freely; it reminded me that impact is the true measure of a life well lived.
This is not just water; it’s a flow of hope, health, and love.
To God alone be all the glory!
Thank you to everyone who’s celebrating with me. Let’s keep making Jesus known: one act of love at a time.
Musk is now realizing that everything Trump touches dies, I don't pity him though
But what kind of human being is Donald trump, most of his allies From Mike pence, john bolton, Michael Cohen, Mark Esper and others have all turned against him.
Elon Musk, the world’s richest man has called for Donald Trump’s removal from office amid public spat with the United States President.
The tension between the US President and Musk intensified on Thursday after the two world’s influential figures ‘locked horns’ on X(formerly Twitter).
Musk’s company-Tesla shares closed down over fourteen percent(14%), losing about $150billion in market value in what was described as the largest single-day decline in value in its history.
Trump became angry after Elon Musk heavily criticized his Tax Bill and, the tension escalated on social media resulting to the United States President threatening Musk’s businesses while the world’s richest man called for his immediate impeachment.
The message is clear, they don't care about the killings in Benue
This is what the people of Benue are getting from voting APC, imagine what the response from the federal government would be if this is happening in south west Nigeria.
The Benue State Government has denied media reports claiming that the Chief of army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has relocated to lead the military’s operations against bandits in the state.
Commissioner for Power and Transport, Matthew Oga, stated this today on Arise TV.
According to him, “The visit of the Chief of army Staff to Benue State was not a relocation. He came on a personal visit. During his visit, he had a close-door meeting with His Excellency, the Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia.”
He continued, “He then proceeded to have an expanded meeting with security heads, after which he informed the governor and the people of Benue State that he would visit the scene of the incident to conduct an on-the-spot assessment.”
He went to Naka and concluded his visit the next day. He then departed the state, and I can assure you he is back in his office in Abuja
He brought goodwill, comfort, and reassurance to the people of Benue State, promising to increase the presence of his men. He also carried back the concerns of the people, emphasizing the need for proper orientation and engagement by the military in addressing the state’s security challenges.”
On the calls for a state of emergency in Benue, Oga said those behind such demands have failed to embrace democratic principles and acknowledge the new leadership of the party in the state.
According to him, “They have not accepted that there has been a leadership shift and that a new sheriff is in town.”
“The APC is a party that embraces diverse interests. By our structural arrangement, the governor is the leader of the party in each state. Anyone claiming that His Excellency is not leading or driving the necessary cohesion is missing the point.”
“I say this as one of the oldest of the party. From our days in opposition through our time in government under former Governor Ortom, it has always been the party’s principle that the sitting governor is the party leader in the state. Governor Alia is no exception.”
Those who are former governors or who benefited politically from the governor’s rise must accept that leadership in the APC resides with the sitting governor. They should submit to Governor Alia’s leadership, which reflects both the party’s manifesto and its constitution. Then, we can all move forward harmoniously.”
He added that those holding appointments in Abuja must recognize that the responsibility for leadership and direction in the state lies with the governor.
The ongoing conflict stems from some individuals seeing themselves as overlords. This contestation is misplaced. If they accept that the leadership of the party and government lies with the governor, we can achieve unity.”
“So far, the governor is doing well, and it is incorrect to say he is not aligned with the party. We have consistently witnessed a cordial relationship between the governor and the party leadership.”
The same thing was said that no US president would move the US Embassy to Jerusalem. If that happens, the Muslim world will burn down heaven, but Trump did, and nothing happened.
Such deal cannot just be between USA & Iran without other world powers and UN, the reason the 2015 Iran's nuclear deal remains the best, but trump withdrew from it because it was achieved under president Obama
One thing is clear, US will never invade Iran with or without nuclear weapons
Not that they can't but there will be catastrophic consequences, it will be too costly (maybe a Pyrrhic victory) the entire region will be ruined.
Apart from Israel, no country in the middle-east will allow america to operate and attack Iran from their soil
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Wednesday a US proposal for a nuclear agreement went against the country’s national interest, and that Tehran would not seek Washington’s approval for its decisions.
“Independence means not waiting for the green light from America and the likes of America,” Khamenei said, adding that the proposal was “100 percent against” the ideals of the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
The supreme leader insisted Iran would not abandon its uranium enrichment program, saying that without enrichment its nuclear program was “useless,” and asking of the US: “Who are you to tell us whether we should have a nuclear program or not?”
No fewer than 15 people have been reportedly killed, and several houses set ablaze following a communal clash between the Mbakine and Ojumole communities in Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State.
Sources told newsmen that the violence erupted over the weekend after a minor disagreement between two women at a local market spiraled into a deadly conflict, leaving scores dead and properties destroyed.
The warring groups are said to be Igede and Tiv-speaking residents of the area, who have coexisted peacefully for over a century until the latest crisis broke out.
Confirming the incident, the Igede National Youth Leader, Mr. Andyson Egbodo, expressed deep concern over the scale of destruction and loss of lives.
“We are shocked about what happened. The crisis occurred between the Ojumole and Mbakine communities in Gwer East LGA. Akpacha Council Ward is an Igede-speaking area, and for over 100 years, they’ve lived peacefully with their Tiv neighbours like brothers and sisters,” he said.
Egbodo added that the conflict, which began on Friday, intensified on Saturday, leading to the complete destruction of Ojumole and the killing of at least 15 people, including women and children.
“The entire Ojumole community was burnt down. The scale of the destruction is unimaginable,” he lamented.
Efforts to reach the spokesperson of the Benue State Police Command, DSP Udeme Edet, for confirmation were unsuccessful, as her mobile line was unreachable at the time of filing this report.
There's another communal crisis in Gwer-east local government between the tivs and igede people living there, several people have been killed and houses set ablaze
The level of insecurity in Benue state is frightening, what is stopping president Tinubu from declaring the state of emergency in Benue? Is he deaf or blind because I don't understand the silence from the federal government.
As for governor Alia, he's also a big disappointment, he's not even fit to be governor
Too many deaths everyday and nobody is doing anything about it, no Hashtag & no protest anywhere.
My biggest concern is my senior brother that works for NGO in Benue, as director of his organization he drives from one part of Benue to another for different activities every week and I'm so concerned about his safety right now
If anything happens to any member of my family in Benue, I will never forgive president Tinubu and governor Hyacinth Alia
Thirty-three persons have been feared killed by suspected herdsmen in coordinated attacks on Gwer West and Apa Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Benue State, leaving many residents missing as the affected communities begin headcounts on Monday morning.
At about 7pm on Sunday, residents of Tse-Antswam in Naka town, the headquarters of Gwer West LGA came under attack by suspected herdsmen, leaving 17 people dead, as others fled for their lives.
A community leader, Patrick Modoom, confirmed the casualty figures to Channels Television via telephone. “Seventeen corpses have so far been recovered at Tse-Antswam, a community by the LGEA primary school Naka, close to the Federal Government Dam project,” he said.
Modoom added that “many people are still missing as headcount is being carried out, with many others displaced into the primary school where police personnel from the town and vigilantes are providing security”.
“This attack happened not too far from the military checkpoint from Naka town but not a single response from the military when we raised alarm about the attack, leaving our people vulnerable while the attack lasted,” he added.
Gwer West has 15 political council wards and 14 of those have been affected by herdsmen attacks, leaving Naka town as the safe place to run for the people but last night’s attack has compromised public safety at the local government headquarters.
Meanwhile, 16 persons were killed in Edikwu and Ankpali communities from the neighboring Apa LGA, leaving many people killed.
According to the lawmaker representing the Apa State Constituency at the Benue State House of Assembly, Abu Umoru, “16 persons have been confirmed killed but many are still missing”.
Just last Saturday, 14 female traders who were returning from a Market in Enugu State, were kidnapped along Owukpa road in a Benue Link bus with their whereabouts unknown.
The police in the state are yet to comment on the latest attacks.
Dogalmighty17:
Donald trump may be an idiot but he got this right. Few days ago, Donald Trump in apparent frustration with Russia's unwillingness to enter peace negotiations, removed all restrictions placed on Ukraine preventing them from striking deep in Russian territory. These strikes are a result of that.
Ukraine drove a truck deep into Russia and released around 150 FPV drones. There was no Russian response.
Outside its nuclear arsenal, I'm not sure Russia can defeat even Niger at this point. Russia's incompetence is becoming sad.
this has nothing to do with trump, Ukraine planned everything and executed it, US wasn't even inform about it
mach7:
So the Starlink connection used to guide the drones thousands of kms in Ukraine is developed by Ukraine abi. You don't really care about Ukraine, as you are just pro West and anti-Russia for reasons best known to yourself.
Stop ing genocide, this is how you guys are cheering Israel's atrocities in Gaza
There are things to be said, but I am just to tired to say it.
Russia has fought and is fighting an enemy that is very deceptive, very disingenuous, and very snakelike. That enemy is the collective west who are using Ukraine as a proxy.
I will be a realist and it, Russia will not be able to win. Not because they don't have the ability, but because they don't have the will.
A lot of things that Ukraine has done, if 1% of it was done against the USA, nuclear bombs will have been released a long time ago.
let's call a spade a spade, Putin is fighting an unjust war, how do you invade a sovereign country with the intention of seizing all of it and expect nothing to happen, do you know how many soldiers and civilians that have been killed on both sides since the beginning of this senseless war
Ukraine claims to have hit more than 40 Russian bomber planes at a number of military airbases, in one of its most audacious drone attacks since the war began.
Sources from Ukraine's security service, SBU, told the BBC strategic bombers were "burning en masse" in an operation named "Spider's Web", personally overseen by President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The sources said it took a year-and-a-half to organise the strikes: drones hidden in wooden mobile cabins with remotely opening roofs had been placed on trucks brought near the airbases and then fired "at the right time".
Russia's military later confirmed Sunday's Ukrainian attacks in five regions calling them a "terrorist act".
Meanwhile, Ukrainian authorities have reported a massive overnight drone and missile attack on its territory.
All this comes as Russian and Ukrainian negotiators are heading to Istanbul, Turkey, for a second round of peace talks on Monday.
Expectations are low, as the two warring side remain far apart on how to end the war.
Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Moscow currently controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory, including southern Crimea peninsula annexed in 2014.
Russia later said it faced attacks across sites in five regions.
The SBU sources said that among the hit Russian aircraft were strategic nuclear capable bombers called Tu-95 and Tu-22M3, as well as A-50 early warning warplanes.
They described the whole operation as "extremely complex logistically".
"The SBU first smuggled FPV drones into Russia, followed later by mobile wooden cabins. Once on Russian territory, the drones were hidden under the roofs of these cabins, which had been placed on cargo vehicles," the sources said.
"At the right moment, the roofs were remotely opened, and the drones took off to strike the Russian bombers."
Irkutsk Governor Igor Kobzev confirmed drones that attacked the Belaya military base in Sredniy, Siberia, were launched from a truck.
Kobzev posted on Telegram to say that the launch site had been secured and there was no threat to life.
Russian media outlets have also reported that other attacks were similarly started with drones emerging from the lorries.
One is heard saying that the drones were flying out of a Kamaz truck near a petrol station.
The BBC sources in the SBU said that "preliminary estimates suggest that the damage inflicted on Russian aviation exceeds $2bn (£1.5bn)".
Russian media were reporting the attack in Murmansk but said air defences were working. The attack in Irkutsk was also being reported.
In a post on social media later on Sunday, the Russian defence ministry confirmed that airbases in the country's five regions were attack.
God1000(m): 8:47pm