UN Pledges Support For Displaced Yelewata Tesidents After Attack

The United Nations has assured Yelewata and other victims of conflicts and disasters of its support to return not only to their ancestral homes but also with dignity.

The Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), Amina Mohammed, gave the assurance on Friday when she visited the Yelewata community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.

Yelewata community was attacked on June 13, 2025, during which scores were killed and many properties were destroyed.

Mrs Mohammed stated that the people of Benue and other Nigerians must live and work in a safe and secure environment.

The UN deputy secretary-general said that her visit was to stand in solidarity with the state, especially women and children who suffer the most in times of conflict.

She added that her visit was in solidarity with the Yelewata community, which experienced a terrible and tragic day.

Mrs Mohammed described the June 13 Yelewata attack as a painful moment that must never be allowed to happen again.

She said that the government must do everything possible to ensure that farmers continue their farming in a safe environment.

“It is not right that you must farm in unsafe conditions.

“Instead, we must find ways to bring farming closer to you and ensure that your produce reaches markets that reflect your dignity, markets befitting of the people of Yelewata and Benue,” she said.

According to her, Benue has always been known as the food basket of the nation, and she hoped that the state would reclaim that identity.

“I have listened carefully to all that you have said about your hopes and needs. Ultimately, I know that many of you wish to return home, because home is truly where the heart is.

“We face challenges in our country. I remember coming here when it was Benue Plateau before the divisions into Benue, Nasarawa, and Plateau. There were no boundaries; it was one community.

“Back then, even as a Fulani woman among Tiv people, we lived more closely and harmoniously than what we see today. It pains me to witness how things have changed.

“We must return to that unity as Nigerians, embracing the richness of our diversity in religion and culture. It is not impossible.

“For those of us who remember the Nigeria we inherited at independence, we must speak to our young people about what this country once was and what it can be again.

“Without that shared vision, we risk losing our collective future,” she said.

Mrs Mohammed also said that she was deeply committed to amplifying the voices of the voiceless, especially those of women and children.

She said across the Sahel, West Africa, Sudan, Gaza and other conflict-affected regions, conflicts have continued to cause pain and suffering for innocent people.

“Let this be our tribute to those who lost their lives: that we will build a better community, a better Benue, and a better Nigeria. A country where all citizens are equal. That must remain our goal.

“As a Nigerian, I am committed to this. As the UN Deputy Secretary-General, I am committed to amplifying your voices and ensuring that your struggles and those of many others across the country are heard.

United Nations

“Across the Sahel, in West Africa, and in places like Sudan and Gaza, conflict continues to cause suffering. We must prioritise peace. Without peace, we cannot return to our farms.

“Without peace, our economy cannot grow. Without peace, the 70% of our population who are young people will have no future.

“We must also hold our politicians accountable. Peace is what we demand. That is why we vote,” she said.

Earlier, Governor Hyacinth Alia directed the immediate reopening of the Yelewata Market for commercial activities.

Mr Alia acknowledged the contributions of the UN and its agencies for their efforts towards the plight of all IDPs in Benue.

The governor said that insecurity was threatening the peace and unity of the country and Benue in particular and commended Mohammed for visiting the state.

Worsening Insecurity: Tinubu Is Distracted By Politics, Says ADC

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of being dangerously distracted by political calculations at a time of escalating national insecurity, warning that recent actions by the United States government signal a growing loss of international confidence in his administration’s ability to keep Nigeria safe.

In a statement signed by Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, the party said the authorization by the United States for the departure of non-emergency embassy staff and their families from Abuja is not merely procedural, but a clear and consequential signal of declining trust in Nigeria’s security architecture under the current leadership.

While mourning Brigadier General Oseni Omoh Braimah and other soldiers killed in a terrorist attack in Borno State, the ADC said the tragedy underscores a broader pattern of systemic failure, warning that repeated assurances without results have become the defining feature of the government’s response to insecurity.

The full statement read:

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) mourns the tragic loss of Brigadier General Oseni Omoh Braimah and the brave soldiers of the Nigerian Army who were killed in the recent terrorist attack in Borno State.

We honour their courage and their service. Behind every fallen soldier is a family permanently altered, a future cut short, and a sacrifice that can never truly be repaid. We stand in solidarity with their loved ones.

But even as we mourn, we must confront a deeper and more troubling reality.
As of April 9, 2026, the United States government authorized the departure of non-emergency staff and their families from its embassy in Abuja due to a deteriorating security situation. For a country like the United States to take such a step, after initial efforts at cooperation and engagement with the Nigerian government, it signals a clear loss of confidence in the ability of this administration to guarantee safety and stability.

This is not a routine administrative decision. It is a verdict.

Yet, at a moment that demands urgency, focus, and leadership, the Nigerian Government appears preoccupied with political manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 general elections. The President is so consumed by politics that he is increasingly losing sight of his primary responsibility, which is the protection of the lives of Nigerians.

Across the North-West, North-Central, North-East, and the Middle Belt, attacks have become frequent, coordinated, and devastating. Communities are being overrun, lives are being lost, and citizens are being left to fend for themselves. These are not isolated incidents. They are part of a sustained pattern.
There are credible reports that, in some cases, warnings were issued ahead of attacks, but no effective preventive action was taken. What follows is now predictable: statements, condolences, and assurances that such incidents will not happen again.

But they do.
From Plateau to Benue to Borno, the pattern has remained the same. The language of response has not changed, but the outcomes have not improved. At this point, “never again” has become a refrain that is no longer matched by results.
The bravery of our soldiers is not in doubt. They continue to serve with courage under extremely difficult conditions. The problem lies not with those on the frontlines, but with the system that is meant to support them.
The death of a general in active service is not just a tragedy. It is a signal of deeper structural and leadership failures that must be urgently addressed.
As Commander-in-Chief, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu bears the ultimate responsibility for the direction and effectiveness of Nigeria’s security response.

This moment demands leadership that is focused, decisive, and accountable. But instead, we are witnessing a President who is so preoccupied with politics that he has reduced his role as Commander-in-Chief to merely issuing condolences and condemnations.
The ADC therefore calls on the President to refocus his administration on the primary responsibility of protecting lives and securing the country.

ADC

This requires a clear reset of strategy, improved coordination, and measurable outcomes that Nigerians can see and trust.
Certainly, the current approach, whatever it is, is not delivering results. The President should have the humility to admit that he has failed, and every single life lost under his watch is evidence of this tragic failure.

This is not about politics. It is about responsibility. It is about ensuring that the sacrifices of our soldiers are not in vain and that Nigerians can live without fear.
Until there is a clear break from the current pattern, both Nigerians and the international community will continue to question the willingness of this government to meet its most basic obligation.

Signed,
Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi
African Democratic Congress (ADC)
National Publicity Secretariat

IGP Olatunji Disu Received The Ambassador Of The United Arab Emirates To Nigeria

United Arab Emirates. The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc(+), NPM, today received the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Nigeria, His Excellency Salem Saeed Al-Shamsi, during a courtesy visit at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.

During the visit, the Ambassador congratulated the IGP on his appointment and expressed the commitment of the UAE to working closely with the Nigeria Police Force in advancing shared interests, particularly in the areas of security cooperation and capacity development.

IGP Olatunji Disu

In his remarks, the IGP appreciated the goodwill and emphasized the importance of sustained collaboration with international partners in strengthening policing capacity and enhancing public safety across the country.