Former Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission, NCPC, Evangelist Tor Uja, has urged the Federal Government to reconstruct the Yelewata community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State that was recently attacked by armed Fulani herdsmen.

Evangelist Uja spoke when he led a delegation of interdenominational Christian leaders under the auspices of Remnant Christian Network to donate relief materials to victims of the attack in Yelewata and Makurdi.

He insisted that the Federal Government must reconstruct the community into a modern town through the construction of at least 1,000 housing units, a modern market, hospitals, schools, provision of enhanced security, as well as economic empowerment of indigenes.

Evang. Uja stressed that it was the primary responsibility of government to protect lives and property and that since the Federal Government failed the people in that respect, it must take up the task of reconstruction.

He called on the Benue State Government, international agencies, non-governmental organizations, churches, and public-spirited individuals to play complementary roles in the rehabilitation of the victims.

Uja recommended the separation of herdsmen from crop farmers as a permanent solution to incessant attacks on communities.

He lamented the idea of prolonged keeping of attack victims in internally displaced persons camps, describing them as degrading and inhuman, saying people should be kept in such camps for a maximum of one month.

Uja said the victims could be distributed to other safe communities close to them and provided with land and farm inputs to continue with their farming livelihood.

Yelewata community leader, Fidelis Dze, expressed appreciation for the visit and donated items.

Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State on Friday night suspended key officials of the State Reformatory Centre, Babbar Ruga, after the report of the committee mandated to investigate the allegations of torture and mishandling of an inmate, Usman Musa.

This was contained in a statement from the Secretary to the State Government, Abdullahi Faskari.

The statement confirmed that the Principal of the Centre, Abdulzahir Abubakar, the Vice Principal, Bala Abubakar, and a porter, Yunusa Yusuf, have been suspended for their roles in the incident, which led to the amputation of the victim’s left hand and severe injury to the right hand.

According to the statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Secretary to the State Government, Abdullahi Yar’adua, the decisive action underscored the Katsina State Government’s commitment to upholding human rights, enforcing accountability, and promoting reforms across all state institutions.

In addition, the Governor, ordered the immediate termination of the appointment of one Murtala Suleiman, a casual staff member of the centre, for his involvement in the matter.

The Governor, in a compassionate move towards the rehabilitation of the victim, approved N970,000 to cover medical bills of the victim, as well as N35 million for the procurement of a sensor-enabled prosthetic hand to assist in his recovery and reintegration.

In the same vein, the governor approved implementing a committee’s recommendations to upgrade the State Reformatory Centre to meet international best practices in correctional management and inmate welfare.

The Committee, which is chaired by the Special Adviser on Public Administration and Service Reforms, Alhaji Usman Isiyaku, has also been directed to spearhead the implementation of all approved measures to ensure strict compliance and long-term reform at the centre.

At least 22 people have been arrested following a violent clash involving illegal miners in the M.I. Wushishi Estate area of Minna, Niger State that left several injured.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the Niger State Command, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, said officers from the Maitumbi Division responded swiftly after receiving reports about the unrest.

“On July 10, 2025, around 10:00 a.m., our operatives were alerted to a violent clash linked to illegal mining activities in the M.I. Wushishi Estate area. The DPO of Maitumbi Division led a team to the scene, where 22 suspects were apprehended. Some others fled before police arrival,” Abiodun said.

He added that the suspects, including several women, are currently being held at the state criminal investigation department (SCID) in Minna, while efforts are ongoing to track down others who escaped.

The Commissioner for Mineral Resources, Garba Yahaya, visited the scene shortly after the incident.
According to a statement by the ministry’s spokesperson, Dibie Maureen, the commissioner condemned the illegal mining activities and described the violent clash as a threat to public safety.

Ths statement also reiterated that the government maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy on illegal mining.