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Jimmy Odukoya, has shared the spiritual instruction behind his decision to keep his dreadlocks

The Senior Pastor, Fountain of Life Church, Jimmy Odukoya, has shared the spiritual instruction behind his decision to keep his dreadlocks—a choice that sparked mixed reactions within and outside the church.

In a recent sermon, he shared on Facebook on Wednesday, the cleric revealed that his dreadlocks were not a fashion statement, and he would have cut it if God told him to.

“Before I came back, one of the things I asked the Lord was whether or not I should cut my hair. And the Lord told me not to cut my hair. I said, Lord, you sure? He said don’t cut it. I said alright. I don’t know what you’re trying to do but I’m crazy enough to follow you, lets do it together,” Jimmy said.

He added that even his sister, Associate Senior Pastor Tolu Odukoya-Ijogun, had expressed concern saying “This your hair… To clean a fish, you must first catch it.” In other words, if you’re going to reach people and bring about change, you must first be relatable and accepted.”

While Jimmy acknowledged her concern, he stood firm in what he had heard from God as he responded, “Sis, I hear you, but go and pray. God will speak to you.”
He said she later returned with clarity saying that she had a vision. “She saw me preaching with my hair and came back to say, ‘You’re not supposed to cut it.’ And I said, ‘I know. He already told me.’”
Jimmy further revealed how what followed next was a divine confirmation that stunned him.

He recalled, “A couple of weeks ago, on a Sunday, a lady from Zimbabwe came to see me and she flew in from Zimbabwe because she wanted to come to church. I said please bring the lady in and she begins to tell me her story.

“She says, ‘People think I’m crazy. I told everybody I am coming to Nigeria for the next three to four weeks. I’m just coming to church.’”

He continued, “She says, ‘It was 2016, I was in New York, it was thanksgiving and I had a vision, it felt so real. In this vision, I see you with your hair and you’re speaking to me and I have been dealing with some things in my life.

 Jennifer Awele, the wife of late Nollywood actor Junior Pope, has shared an emotional tribute to mark one year since his tragic death

 Jennifer Awele, the wife of late Nollywood actor Junior Pope, has shared an emotional tribute to mark one year since his tragic death.


Awele shared the tribute on her Instagram handle on Thursday.
In her touching post, Awele described the last 12 months as extremely difficult, saying, every day has been filled with thoughts of her late husband.


She wrote, “It’s been one year of standing in the face of our unimaginable loss, and not a day has gone by without a thought of you. Your love still surrounds us, your laughter echoes in our hearts, and your presence is felt in the quiet moments when we miss you most.”

She said staying strong has not been easy, especially with everything around them feeling like it’s falling apart.


“You have no idea how tough it’s been, trying to stay strong for each other even as the world around us seems fallen apart. The grief remains heavy, the absence left a void that words can never fill, but through it all, we look up for strength from heaven as a guiding light,” she added.
Awele added that the pain has taught them to live one day at a time, saying, “Oh death, you have taught us to live each day as it comes, one step at a time bearing such extreme pain that can never go away.”

She also shared the heartbreaking questions their children have been asking her.
“I still don’t have the right words to respond to Jason and Jaden wanting to know if Daddy will fulfil his promise of taking them to a proper football academy and be present at their first official match. They said, ‘Daddy told them he wouldn’t miss it for anything in the world’. Then the littlest one (J papa as fondly called by daddy), Jamon, keeps asking when daddy is bringing the big toy car he promised him.”

She expressed her gratitude to everyone who supported them during their time of sorrow.
She stated, “We appreciate everyone who sympathized with us and stood and still stand by us through our time of grief. Words cannot express our heartfelt gratitude for your love and support towards us.”
Jennifer ended her tribute with a deep message to her late husband, saying he is missed by many and that his legacy will never be forgotten.
“To our beloved, you did not only leave us, your family but so many who loved you and loved your works.

It is so difficult and unbelievable to say these words, but still, continue to rest in the bosom of the Almighty. You will always be in our hearts and our thoughts, and your memories and legacy will live on forever.
“Though you’re no longer by our side, you live on in every memory, every smile and every tear. We shall carry you with us always until we meet again. We cannot question God, right? May Your Soul Rest In Perfect Peace, My Love,” Awele noted.

Here’s Why Kemi Olunloyo renounced her family name and distanced herself from the family of her late father, former Oyo State Governor

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Kemi Olunloyo, has renounced her family name and distanced herself from the family of her late father, former Oyo State Governor, Dr Victor Omololu Olunloyo.

The former governor, a renowned Mathematician and politician, died on Sunday, April 6, at the age of 89.

In a series of posts and videos shared on her Facebook and TikTok pages, Olunloyo declared that she no longer considers herself part of the Olunloyo family and would not be accepting condolences over her father’s death.

“I am uploading video statements on my father’s death on TikTok. I am not part of the Olunloyo family anymore and told you that in 2024 that I will never return to Nigeria even if my parents died,” she said.

She added, “I am not accepting anybody’s condolences because I am not condoling with anybody.”

While she said she had forgiven her father, she described him as “two different people,” alleging that he presented a different image to the public than he did at home.
“You don’t know what’s going on in my family, and I don’t know what’s going on in your family.

“My father, Victor Omololu Olunloyo, is two different people. He was one person to the world; he was another person to the family. “My father destroyed our family unit; my father tortured us as kids. He tortured us emotionally and physically. My father ruined the family unit. 

“My father marketed me as his favourite daughter and child to the world; he also marketed himself to me as that. But I was far from being his favourite. My father used me for a lot of things. My father did a lot to all of us. When I said he used me, he took advantage of my own positive energies.”

Olunloyo also alleged that the former governor was involved in occult practices until later in life when he became born again.

She added, “My father was into ‘juju’ heavily. My father was into occult practices and I called my father out on his 80th birthday. After I called him out, he went to Pastor E.A. Adeboye that he wanted to become born-again, and he did.”

According to her, a major source of conflict within the family stemmed from her father’s relationship with Aderonke Omololu Olunloyo, formerly known as Ronke Sonaike, whom he met during his 1983 governorship campaign and later married.

She claimed the union triggered a rift in the family, especially after Ronke became pregnant, a development she said devastated her mother.


“My mother married an intellectual, a man who got his Ph.D at 26 years old. And he turned into a polygamist. Not that polygamists are not good, but the way it happened to my family,” she said.

Buhari said he left office with the same physical assets he had before his presidency

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Former President Muhammadu Buhari has advised the members of the Progressive Governors Forum to accord importance to the welfare of the people, not themselves.

Buhari offered the governors “his personal example of leaving office with the same physical assets he had before his presidency.”

According to a statement on Wednesday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, Buhari gave the advice when governors elected on the All Progressives Congress platform paid him a visit at his Kaduna home on Monday.

The statement was titled ‘At a meeting with APC governors, ex-President Buhari calls for citizen-centric approach.’

The statement quoted Buhari as calling  for a citizen-centric approach, saying leadership presents both challenges and opportunities that, when balanced, would ensure national progress.

“The former president expressed confidence in the progress made by the governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress and reiterated his call for continued dedication to the nation’s progress.
“He also said leaders should accord importance to the welfare of the people, not themselves, offering his personal example of leaving office with the same physical assets he had before his presidency,” the statement read in part.

Buhari thanked the Tinubu administration for renovating his home in Kaduna, explaining that while the building looked very much the same externally, so much improvement was made inside.

He expressed gratitude to the governors for the visit, saying that while he had worked with several of them, others were new to him.

The visit comes barely one month after the defection of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to the Social Democratic Party.
In a BBC Hausa interview in early March, El-Rufai revealed that he jumped ship after securing Buhari’s blessing.

“I left the APC with his (Buhari’s) full knowledge. I visited him on a Friday and informed him of my decision to leave the party, because I involve and consult with him on all my matters,” he revealed.

However, Buhari debunked ensuing notions that he was working against the party, stating that he would never abandon a party that gave him the platform to serve as Nigeria’s leader for two consecutive terms.

“Without referring to any individual, a cast of characters, or issues, principles and ideals currently being discussed by party leaders at various levels, the former president, Muhammadu Buhari, has reiterated what he said times without number that he is member of the All Progressives Congress, APC and would like to be addressed as a loyal member of the party.

“He says he wants to leave no one in doubt that he would never turn his back to the party that gave him two terms of office and would do whatever he can to popularise it.
“I am an APC member and I like to be addressed as such. I will try to popularise the party by all means,” said the ex-president.

At the Kaduna meeting, the Chairman of the PGF, Imo state Governor Hope Uzodinma, said that they were visiting to greet the former president on the occasion of Eid-el-Fitr and “convey our heartfelt expression of gratitude and enduring respect for your immense contributions to Nigeria’s democracy and strengthening our party.”
Uzodinma continued, “Many of us recall with pride the principled role you played in the founding of the APC. That legacy continues to shape our party’s identity direction.

“We are especially gratified, only a few weeks ago, to hear your public affirmation that the APC remains your party of choice. That declaration could not have come at a better time.”
The Imo Governor said the declaration reaffirmed Buhari’s place as a “pillar of our movement” and reassured party members.

“Mr President, you are pan-Nigerian. Your Excellency, your legacy in Nigerian history is secure.  You remain the only opposition candidate in our nation’s history to have defeated an incumbent.

“You did not only win power, you governed with calm resolve and handed over, with honor, to another APC president. For this, we are extremely grateful.

“Your administration gave expression to our party’s core principles through your focus on security, economic recovery, and anti-corruption,” he declared.

Governor Uzodinma praised former President Buhari for reclaiming territory from insurgents and expanding social investment programs, including the Conditional Cash Transfer and School Feeding Program.
He pointed out that the infrastructure revolution in road and rail initiated under Buhari continues to yield positive results. He also highlighted the Anchor Borrowers Scheme as a direct boost to food security, noting that Buhari encouraged citizens to produce and consume locally.

Uzodinma commended Buhari for upholding dignity in governance and strengthening the progressive ethos of the All Progressives Congress.
He further noted that the party is now being renewed under President Bola Tinubu, describing Tinubu’s leadership as bold, reform-focused, and firmly committed to progress.

Uzodinma referred to Buhari’s public endorsement of Tinubu in a recent birthday message as a powerful demonstration of continuity and humility.

Peter Obi, says Nigeria is collapsing, charging the opposition to speak up

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The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, says Nigeria is collapsing, charging the opposition to speak up against bad governance in the country.

Obi, who was speaking at the National Executive Committee meeting of the party in Abuja on Wednesday, decried the level of poverty and hardship Nigerians are facing.

He said that things have gotten bad, and it is time to stand together for the right things, starting from the Labour Party.

“We must speak when things are wrong, Nigeria is collapsing, the numbers are clear, the indices are clear, more and more people are poorer. People who used to feed well are now begging, even in this hotel. Any time I enter this hotel, I see people telling me, ‘Oga, I came to Abuja, I can’t go back’.

“Where I used to go that people ask me, ‘Oga will you eat? Will you drink?’ Nobody is asking me anything again. That shows you how bad it is. So, let us know that things are difficult, things are bad. Let us stand together and ensure that the right things, starting from our party, are done,” Obi said.

The Labour Party held its National Executive Council meeting in Abuja, the nation’s capital, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel and was chaired by former Finance Minister Nenadi Usman.
The meeting follows the controversy over the recent Supreme Court judgement on the national chairmanship position for the Labour Party.

In attendance were the 2023 LP presidential candidate, Peter Obi and his running mate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, and the Abia State Governor, Alex Otti.


Senators and members of the House of Representatives who are members of the party were also present.

Lionel Messi scored twice as Inter Miami fought back from 2-0 down on aggregate to defeat Los Angeles FC 3-1

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Lionel Messi scored twice as Inter Miami fought back from 2-0 down on aggregate to defeat Los Angeles FC 3-1 and clinch a place in the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup on Wednesday.

The Argentine World Cup-winner yet again proved decisive in what was a frantic, chaotic and entertaining encounter, sealing a 3-2 aggregate victory from the penalty spot with six minutes of normal time remaining.
While there has never been any doubt that the eight-times Ballon d’Or winner still has the technical ability to win games at the age of 37, this was a night when Messi showed he retains the passion and aggression needed for a battle.

In the final minutes of stoppage time, Messi was chasing down opponents and putting in challenges as his team just about hung on for the win.

It was a display which left his coach and former Argentina and Barcelona team-mate Javier Mascherano describing the forward as the “soul” of the team.

“He’s a guy who has already done everything in football, he’s the greatest in history and he continues to set an example of how to compete,” said Mascherano.

“Until the last day he plays on a pitch he’s going to want to win and he’s going to do the impossible to win. And it’s not just about wanting to, you also have to be able to, and he has that ability,” he said.

Trailing 1-0 from the first-leg in California, Miami quickly found themselves in big trouble when Aaron Long put LAFC ahead in the ninth minute.
After Miami keeper Oscar Ustari punched a corner out — Mark Delgado knocked the ball into the box and in the scramble Nathan Ordaz laid off to Long and the defender fired home.

With Long’s goal carrying extra weight as the away goals rule remains in place in CONCACAF’s club competition, Miami knew they had to score three times to stay alive in the tournament.

– LAFC rue missed chances –
Messi thought he had got one back when he took a free-kick quickly and put it in the corner while LAFC’s former France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris was still setting up the wall.
After some confusion, the goal was ruled out but Messi did not wait long to open his account, playing a smart one-two with his former Barca team-mate Luis Suarez and then sweeping a shot into the far corner in the 35th minute.
But Inter still needed two more goals in the second half against an LAFC team that continued to threaten on the break, particularly through winger Denis Bouanga.

Miami took a 2-1 lead on the night when Noah Allen chipped a ball into the box and neither Miami midfielder Federico Redondo or Los Angeles keeper Hugo Lloris made contact with the ball as it travelled beyond them into the goal.

Another was needed to secure passage to the semi-finals and the home crowd thought they had it when Suarez headed in a cross from Messi but the assistant referee ruled the Uruguayan forward was offside.
The lifeline came when Miami appealed for a handball by Marlon in a crowded tussle in the box and a VAR review found that the Brazilian defender had handled.

Messi tucked the 84th-minute spot kick into the corner to complete the comeback for Miami and earn them a place in the last four.

Steve Cherundolo, the former USA international now coach of LAFC said his team had paid the price for not putting the game to bed with a second goal after taking the lead.

“We created some high-quality chances throughout the match and then it gets hectic. You know there’s antics on the sidelines with the referees and benches, that’s the standard here and in this competition that’s part of it,” he said.

Mascherano accepted his team were far from perfect but was delighted with the fight they showed.
“We have a lot of things to improve but this is the way. This is the way to play football. We tried to give everything, 100%, with some mistakes but…until the end fighting, giving everything,” he said.

NIMC has cautioned Nigerians against disclosing their National Identification Numbers to unauthorised individuals or organisations in exchange for monetary compensation

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National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has cautioned Nigerians against disclosing their National Identification Numbers (NIN) to unauthorised individuals or organisations in exchange for monetary compensation.
  
The warning followed reports that some residents in Anambra State were being lured into submitting their NINs for money, a practice the commission described as illegal and punishable under the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007, the Data Protection Act, and the Cybercrime Act.
  
In a statement issued yesterday by the Head of Corporate Communications of the commission, Dr Kayode Adegoke, NIMC said the illegal activity had been brought to its attention and that arrests had already been made in collaboration with security agencies.
  
He said: “The National Identity Management Commission has been notified of the activities of unauthorised individuals or organisations purportedly asking for the submission of the National Identification Number of Anambra residents in exchange for money.”
  
The commission said upon receiving the information on the activities of the unscrupulous individuals, NIMC, in conjunction with the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), swiftly arrested the culprits, saying they were being interrogated and would be made to face the full wrath of the law.

A 30-year-old Nigerian woman, Cynthia Oguzie, was reportedly killed after an overhead water tank crashed on her when the ceiling of her room caved in

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A 30-year-old Nigerian woman, Cynthia Oguzie, was reportedly killed after an overhead water tank crashed on her when the ceiling of her room caved in.

A short video going viral online showed the victim lying on her bed motionless though a woman could be heard saying the victim was still alive at the time.

Another clip captured the fallen water tank alongside the wreckage of the structure, while additional photos showed Oguzie’s lifeless body in what appeared to be a hospital.

Oguzie had reportedly moved into the Lekki, Lagos apartment just two months before the incident.

A Facebook user who identified himself as her brother, Chukwuebuka Nathaniel, shared the incident on his page.
He blamed the tragedy on poor construction, alleging the water stand was substandard.

“Beware of Lekki buildings and their water stands. This is how they sent my sister to her early grave. Thank you, so-called Lekki landlord, and your engineer for doing this type of water stand,” he wrote.

Nathaniel added, “The landlord said he is not in Nigeria, that it’s the engineer who built all the houses and sent him pictures and videos. This is how the story ended.”

Though the Lagos State Police Command has yet to officially confirm the incident, photos and videos of the tragic scene went viral on social media.

A flier outlining the burial arrangements showed that Oguzie’s funeral service will hold on Friday, April 25.

National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu warn Nigerians against payment of ransom to terrorists, kidnappers

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The National Security Adviser, NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, yesterday, warned against payment of ransom to terrorists, kidnappers and other criminals.

He gave the warning while receiving a fresh batch of over 60 rescued victims who had been in kidnappers’ den for over a month, following intense military pressure in Kaduna.

The victims, among whom was a deputy director in the civil service and a relative of Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, all hail from Zango Kataf in Southern Kaduna.

Speaking shortly before handing over the rescued victims, comprising 35 males and 29 females, as well as children to the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Abubakar, Ribadu advised Nigerians, especially families of kidnapped victims, to stop paying ransom to kidnappers.
According to him, payment of ransom is the engine encouraging the criminals to continue in their evil deeds.

He said: “Let me urge our people, families to stop giving ransom to these criminals. Please stop giving money to there people. The more money you give, the more you compound the problem.

“We have never given any money to any of these people. Giving money to these evil people is counter productive. The more money you give them, the more they request for more money.”

Attributing the rescue of the victims to the resilience of the armed forces who continue to track and pursue them across their hideouts, the NSA expressed special appreciation to the armed forces.

Commending President Bola Tinubu for the support he had continued to give to security agencies to achieve these feats, Ribadu said: “Daily, we are getting our brothers and sisters rescued from the hands of these evil people. But releasing them is not the end of the matter. We will go after them and they will face the consequences.”

In his remarks, Minister of Defence, Mohammed Abubakar, commended the armed forces and the security forces, under the coordination of the National Security Adviser, for the untiring efforts in tackling security challenges in the country.

He said: “We have been working day and night and I know the NSA does not sleep, all in a bid to ensure these security issues are resolved. I want to thank Nigerians for the trust they are showing and for providing information which is assisting these successes.

“They should continue to have that trust in us, give us support by providing information because information is needed to overcome these evil people.”

Arsenal stormed to a stunning 3-0 win over Champions League holders Real Madrid

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Arsenal stormed to a stunning 3-0 win over Champions League holders Real Madrid as Declan Rice’s free-kick masterclass left the Gunners within touching distance of a place in the semi-finals.

Rice scored two majestic free kicks in the second half of the quarter-final first leg at the Emirates Stadium.

Mikel Merino added Arsenal’s third goal before Real’s Eduardo Camavinga was sent off for kicking the ball away in the closing minutes to leave the Spanish giants in disarray.

The brilliance of Rice’s brace cannot be understated, with even Real keeper Thibaut Courtois — usually so inspired on Champions League nights — unable to get anywhere near the England midfielder’s thunderbolts.

Incredibly, Rice had never scored a free-kick in his career before the first of his missiles hit the back of the Real net.

It was no more than Arsenal deserved for a mature performance that exposed injury-hit Real in ruthless style.
Mikel Arteta’s men will travel to the Bernabeu for the second leg on April 16 as firm favourites to advance to a semi-final tie against Paris Saint-Germain or Aston Villa, who meet in their quarter-final first leg on Wednesday.
The Gunners have not reached the Champions League semi-finals since 2009, but that target is now within their grasp after an evening that will go down as one of the most memorable in the club’s storied history.

Arteta had labelled the clash with Real as the “biggest night” of his career as he urged his players to write their own history by winning Arsenal’s first Champions League crown.
They rose to the challenge so successfully that even Arteta might have been surprised.

Arsenal trail Premier League leaders Liverpool by 11 points and look destined to finish as runners-up for a third successive season.

But the Champions League now offers Arteta genuine hope of a first major trophy since the 2020 FA Cup, providing they can finish the job in Madrid next week.

Beaten by Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals last season, Arsenal’s only Champions League final appearance ended in defeat against Barcelona in 2006 — a run that included a last 16 victory over Real.

For Real, it was a chastening defeat as the 15-time European champions were punished for the flaws that had already seen them beaten 10 times in all competitions this term as they lag four points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona.

Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas has approved the appointment of administrators for the 23 Local Government Areas of the state

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Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.) has approved the appointment of administrators for the 23 Local Government Areas of the state.

This comes less that 24 hours after a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt reportedly restrained him from appointing administrators to oversea the affairs of the local government councils.

The order was issued by Justice Adam Muhammed on Tuesday in suit no. FHC/PH/CS/46/2025 in the case filed by PILEX Centre for Civic Education Initiative led by Courage Msirimovu against the Sole Administrator in his official capacity.

However, Ibas also approved the constitution of some boards of agencies, commissions and parastatals which he had earlier suspended.

The approval was contained in a Special Government Announcement issued on Wednesday morning by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibibia Worika.


Though the names of the new appointees were not listed, the statement said the appointments takes immediate effect.


It reads, “His Excellency The Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas CFR, has approved the appointments of administrators for the 23 Local Government Areas of Rivers State.

“He has also approved the reconstitution of some boards of agencies, commissions, and parastatals, earlier suspended.

“All appointments take effect from Monday, the 7th of April 2025.”
Recall that last week, the sole administrator had suspended all heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the state with immediate effect.


In a seperate development, Ibas also cancelled all pending procurement and tender processes carried out by Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the state.

He said the cancellation became necessary following the Supreme Court judgment and the absence of an appropriation law within the period.


The sole administrator according to a previous statement also issued by the SSG, directed all MDAs that carried out such tender processes for projects in their respective offices to refund such fees to the respective contractors immediately.

Bandits have taken over 64 communities in Plateau State — Governor Muftwang cries out for help

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Plateau State Governor, Caleb Muftwang, has decried the attacks in some communities in his state, saying bandits have taken over 64 communities.

The governor stated this on Tuesday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

“These communities that have been recently attacked were part of the communities that were attacked in 2023 but they survived it and rebuilt themselves. The Ruwi community that was first attacked lost about 17 people in 2023 but they bounced back to show you the resilience of the people,” the governor said.

Over fifty persons were killed within a week in attacks over five communities that left over three hundred houses burnt by suspected herdsmen.

The Plateau State Government, through the Secretary to the Government Samuel Jatau, also visited some of the affected communities to ascertain the extent of damages and also donate relief materials to affected victims.Adu expressed the Federal Government’s determination in finding solutions to the incessant attacks and killings.But the governor said the attacks that have ravaged the North-Central state is not new. 

He specifically said the state has been experiencing similar incidents for over 10 years but have not gathered national attention.

“If these attacks have been going on for close to 10 years, it tells you that there is a deliberate, conscious attempt to clean out populations and to reopen.

“As I am talking to you, there are not less than 64 communities that have been taken over by bandits on the Plateau between Bokkos, Barkin Ladi and Riyom Local Governments. They have been taken over, renamed and people are living there conveniently on lands they pushed people away to occupy,” the governor said.