By Patrick Idowu

President Bola Tinubu has postponed his scheduled visit to Kaduna State and will instead visit Benue State on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, in a renewed effort to address the worsening security crisis in the region.

According to a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Tinubu’s visit to Benue aims to assess the situation firsthand and seek lasting solutions to the recurring violence that has claimed numerous lives and displaced many communities.

During the visit, the President is expected to meet with traditional rulers, political leaders, religious figures, community heads, and youth representatives to chart a path toward peace and reconciliation.

Ahead of his arrival, Tinubu has dispatched the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the National Security Adviser, the Inspector General of Police, heads of intelligence agencies, and the chairmen of the Senate and House Defence Committees to Benue.

The President is also expected to hold a town hall meeting with key stakeholders during the visit.

President Tinubu has consistently condemned the violence in Benue, urging leaders and residents to embrace peace, unity, and mutual understanding.

He also extended condolences to the families of victims and all affected communities.

Tinubu was initially scheduled to visit Kaduna on Wednesday to commission various projects but will now make the trip on Thursday, June 19.

By Adenike Lawal

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, arrived in Benue State on Monday as part of renewed efforts to stem the tide of deadly attacks that have gripped the state in recent weeks.

His visit follows a sharp escalation in violence, largely attributed to suspected herdsmen, whose coordinated assaults on farming communities have left over 160 civilians dead and displaced hundreds more.

The attacks have sparked outrage across the state, with youth groups and civil society organisations staging protests and demanding immediate government intervention.

Benue, a key agricultural hub in Nigeria’s North Central region, has long suffered recurring clashes between nomadic herders and indigenous farmers.

However, the recent wave of killings has been described by residents and rights groups as unprecedented and brazen.

In response, President Bola Tinubu on Sunday issued a directive to security chiefs to enforce existing mandates aimed at restoring order.

Condemning the attacks as “deeply troubling and unacceptable,” the President vowed decisive action.

“This bloodshed cannot be allowed to continue,” Tinubu said. “I have instructed our security forces to take firm action, track down the perpetrators on all sides, and ensure they face the full weight of the law.”

Acting on the President’s directive, the IGP’s visit comes with the deployment of additional tactical units and reinforcement of security personnel across volatile areas of the state.

The police say the move is aimed at quelling further violence and restoring public confidence.

Egbetokun is expected to meet with state authorities, traditional rulers, and community leaders as part of a coordinated strategy to address the root causes of the unrest and chart a sustainable path to peace.

As investigations continue and security presence increases, residents are hopeful that the federal government’s intervention will bring lasting relief to one of Nigeria’s most troubled regions.

By Onyeanya Ebere

The Kano State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has announced a strategic partnership with Mazaje Traditional Sport Promotion Limited to combat drug abuse through the promotion of traditional boxing (Dambe).

This was revealed in a statement issued on Saturday by the agency’s Public Relations Officer, Sadiq Muhammad-Maigatari, following a courtesy visit by the King of Traditional Boxing (Sarkin Damben Nigeria), Bashir Muhammad-Danliti, and his team to the NDLEA office in Kano.

The visit was part of activities leading up to the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, observed annually on June 26 and organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

Speaking during the meeting, the NDLEA Strategic Commander in Kano, Mr. Abubakar Idris-Ahmad-represented by the Head of the Drug Demand Reduction Unit, Maimuna Garba stated that the collaboration aims to use traditional sports as a platform to positively engage youth, raise awareness, and promote a drug-free society.

He commended the Mazaje group for its proactive support and praised Jamilu Uba-Adamu, Officer in Charge of Sports, for creatively leveraging sports as a tool for drug education and prevention.

Idris-Ahmad noted that the initiative would include sensitisation campaigns and community-based sporting events to educate the public on the dangers of drug abuse and encourage those affected to seek help.

Reaffirming NDLEA’s commitment to community-driven solutions, he called on stakeholders to support the campaign against drug abuse.

“As we approach the UNODC Day, the NDLEA Strategic Command calls on all stakeholders and the general public to support this initiative.

“Together, we can create a lasting impact and promote a culture of wellness and resilience in our communities,” he said.

In his remarks, Bashir Muhammad-Danliti emphasized the need to deepen collaboration between traditional institutions and law enforcement agencies to address growing security and drug abuse concerns.

He applauded the NDLEA’s efforts and reiterated his group’s commitment to supporting the agency in tackling the root causes of drug-related crimes.

“We will continue to work with the NDLEA to curb drug abuse and ensure it does not spread further in our state,” he said.