The National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP) condemns the increasing Security lapses in the country leading to the unwholesome massacre of Nigerian citizens, some in their sleeps, with special emphasis to the Yelwata killings, in Benue State.

It would be recalled that in the early hours of Friday, June 13, 2025, more than 200 persons were slaughtered by alleged heavily armed herdsmen in Yelwata, a farming community in Guma, Benue State. This mass killing is part of a disturbing wave of targeted violence that has swept across central Nigeria in recent weeks, with Plateau State on the mind.

This latest massacre reportedly follows a string of well coordinated attacks across Benue State.

The Association notes with total dismay that the Security agencies have conscientiously relapsed in their various duties, thereby prompting the preventive killings of Nigerians across the regions.

Much as we applaud the renewed efforts of various agencies in tackling the agelong insurgency that has ravaged the country overtime, we want to put it on record that the best of our security apparatuses has not been enough as lives, in hundreds, have continued to be lost, major security facilities, including army barracks overwhelmed and insurgents barking threats on a daily basis against the Nigerian populace. This situation is no longer acceptable.

A statement signed by the National Public Relations Officer of the Association, Mr. Eric Elezuo, quoted the National President, Comrade Oki Samson as saying that the association is aware of the various governments, both the federal and states’ efforts at providing facilities and equipment to tackle insurgencies, noting however, that the results have been minimal in comparison to the humongous allocation to security in the budget year in and year out.

In the words of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu while presenting the 2015 Budget, “We have laid the foundation for stability. Now, we must build on it. With an unprecedented ₦54.99 trillion budget, we are making the largest-ever investments in critical sectors: National Security – ₦6.11 trillion: The highest defence allocation in Nigeria’s history to secure our nation from threats.” To whom much is given, much is expected, but the reverse seems to have been the case.

While acknowledging the skirmishes of successes, it is worthy of note that they are not enough as Nigerians’ lives are continually worth less than a kobo in the hands of the bandits and herdsmen, who have been alleged to be behind the attacks.

Who are these killers? Where do they live? How do they communicate? Where is the place of intelligence in policing and maintaining our territorial integrity? What is the function of the National Identity Number (NIN) without which no one can own a communication gadget within our borders? Are there saboteurs against our collective will to peaceful coexistence?

These and many more are questions our security operatives must answer if we must have a foreclosure. Human lives should no longer be sacrificed on the alter of ego and vendetta, and then punctuated with the now boring “we condemn”, and the the more boring condolence visits. Nigerians are tired of hearing this slogan from people in whose hands we entrust our lives. It’s obvious the ‘we condemn’ cliche has never brought back lost lives, or stopped other attacks. Time is now to be more proactive in policing and intelligence gathering to nip in the bud actions of those that are gradually making the country a laughing stock in the comity of nations. The functions of our security operatives and elected representatives, whether executive or legislature is not to run to crime scenes for condolence visits, or blurring a well rehearsed ‘we condemn’ cliche. Their function is to protect lives and property.

Recall that in May, Amnesty International reported that at least 30 persons were killed when gunmen attacked travellers in Imo State, just as 20 commuter vehicles and trucks were set ablaze during a “vicious attack” along the Okigwe-Owerri road, and none has yet been arrested or held accountable. The new normal!

We praise the brevity of our soldiers at the frontlines, but until uhuru is achieved, every effort remains vain attempt. It must not be forgotten that many months after the Agatu massacre, no one has been brought to book, and this has continued to feather the ego and boldness of the evil doers.

We agree with Chief of  Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who said that the Yelwata attack is “one attack too many”, and therefore, call on stakeholders and interest groups; the Military, the Police, the Department of Security Services (DSS), the NSCDC, Nigerian Immigration, Nigeria Customs and Intelligence department, in fact, everyone that dorns a security outfit, to rise to the occasion, and safeguard the lives of Nigerians.

This is not the time for grandstanding. This is not the time for flowery speeches. This is not the time for eye service to impress.

This is the time for national reawakening. This is the time for action. This is the time to rebuild and bring to justice all collaborators. This is the time to heal. This is the time for the Security agencies to rise, and be counted.

This is the time for ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

E-signed:

Eric Elezuo
National Public Relations Officer
NAOSNP

The Nigeria Online Media Alliance (NOMA) has condemned in strong terms, the recent brutal killings in Yelwata, Benue State and other North Central towns, where dozens of innocent civilians have been slaughtered in unprovoked attacks.

The tragic incidents through deadly attacks on villages and an ambush on commuters, underscore the seeming failure of the security architecture to protect lives and properties; making the villages vulnerable to such insipid attacks im the Middle Belt.

For over a decade, communities within the North Central region have been turned into slaughtering battlegrounds, leading to the killings of thousands of people, with the recent one becoming a slap on the wrist despite the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Olufemi Oluyede, relocating to Benue state with a view to forestalling further killings.

The attacks allegedly carried out by Fulani herders and terrorists, have rendered many people homeless thereby increasing the number of refugees in their own communities.

Homes, farms, and schools have become targets. The frequency and ferocity of these attacks demand more than routine condemnation –they require urgent, strategic, and accountable government’s response.

In a press statement released and signed by NOMA’s Public Relations Officer, Oluwamuyiwa Oyedele, the Chairperson of the association, Moses Theresa, other members join the voices of affected families and concerned Nigerians in calling for a complete overhaul of current security approaches in Benue and other vulnerable regions. It is no longer enough to deploy troops without sustainable engagement with local communities.

Rather, a workable security strategy that will bring the terrorists to their kneels, such that would thwart every attempt to instigate another bloody attack in Benue state and in other regions, must be fashioned out.

As the President is paying a visit on Wednesday, 18th June, 2025, as a sign of leadership and to empathize with the affected communities, let such proactive engagement bring about measures to address the root causes of insecurity that will ultimately galvanize fostering sustainable and permanent solutions to the spiralling killings of innocent Nigerians.

Therefore, at NOMA, we urge President Bola Tinubu, Governor Hyacinth Alia, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, the Service Chiefs (Army, Navy and Airforce), the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, and the entire Intelligence community to prioritize intelligence-led kinetic and non-kinetic approach to rout the killers and frustrate further attacks.

By so doing, it is only when the killers are arrested and maximally punished that there will be justice for the victims, which will culminate into long-term peacebuilding measures.

With the President’s intention to hold stakeholders’ meeting during his visit, further dialogue and equitable resource allocation are options that could bring peace and tranquility; not only to the North Central region, but other troubled parts of the country where security seems to have slumped.

Once again, the killings in Benue are not isolated—they are symptomatic of a national crisis that must be addressed with political will, urgency, and empathy. NOMA stands ready to amplify these calls for justice and accountability until lasting peace is restored.

Without peace, justice and equity, no nation can develop politically, economically and otherwise to meet the daily needs of the citizenry, thereby opening its frontiers for foreign investors and economic emancipation.

Lastly, just as the IGP Egbetokun rightly said during his visit, “a day will come when these bandits would come to operate as they used to, they will not return; that day is drawing nearer and I can assure you that we are committed to this battle and will win,” it’s high time all manners of attacks are obliterated from North Central Nigerian states of Plateau, Kaduna, Bauchi, Taraba and Benue.

As these killings by militias, fulani herders have gone on for several years, and are increasing in frequency, let’s use Yelwata as a bus stop to end every form of attacks that have despatched thousands of Nigerians to their premature graves.

Nigeria is not a slaughter’s slab. The time is now to end this circle of mindless, insensitive and uncanny killings.

Justice Musa Umar of the Federal High Court Abuja, on Monday, rejected an application by the Federal government to have Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan arrested for failing to appear for the start of her defamation trial.

The government is prosecuting Akpoti-Uduaghan on behalf of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi Governor, Yahaya Bello.

At the day’s proceeding, the prosecuting counsel, David Kaswe, told the court that the matter was for arraignment but that the defendant was not in court.

Kaswe told the court that he served the charge on the defendant’s counsel which meant that the defendant was well aware of the matter.

The prosecutor prayed the court for a bench warrant to be issued against the defendant for failing to appear in court despite being aware of the charge against her.

“It was this morning that we were able to serve the defendant through her counsel but the defendant is not in court.

“So, it means the defendant is aware of this matter but decided not to appear in court, in the light of this, I apply that a bench warrant be issued against her for failure to attend court to take her plea in this criminal charge,” Kaswe said.

Counsel for Akpoti-Uduaghan, Jacob Usman (SAN), told the court that he found the application of the prosecution strange and uncourteous.

Usman told the court that when he got wind of the pendency of the suit, he called the prosecutor to let him know that his client had asked him to receive the charge on her behalf.

“I was served the charge at 9:15am this morning here in court so how will the defendant know that the matter is coming up when she has not seen the charge?

“I find the application strange and it should be dishonoured, if the defendant has not been served, she cannot be in court,” he said.

He prayed the court to dis-countenance the application as it was made in bad taste.

The trial judge, Justice Musa Umar, asked the prosecutor if he had served the charge on the defendant to which he answered in the negative.

Justice Umar, therefore, said that it was impossible to grant the application of the prosecutor and issue a bench warrant for the arrest of the defendant when she had not been served.

He refused the application for a bench warrant and rather granted the application for substituted service through her counsel which the prosecutor made in what seemed to be an afterthought.

The judge adjourned the matter to June 30, 2025 for arraignment.

The case was not unconnected to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s alleged defamatory comments made during a live television appearance on April 3, 2025.

She allegedly made defamatory comments against Akpabio and Bello including a plot to assassinate her.