For generations, Shinkafi had defined its place as a major socioeconomic melting pot attracting itinerant traders from all over the country as well as Niger Republic and Mali.
About ten years ago, this age-old tradition of trade came under threat. Local Fulani youths, who were notorious for wanton destruction of farmlands and petty crimes had begun acquiring guns, waylaying travellers.
Very soon, they moved from armed robbery to kidnapping for ransom, as they build up gangs and stockpile arms. The once peaceful and busy Shinkafi – Sokoto road soon became a dangerous route with travellers routinely getting abducted, released only after payment of ransom.
Onitsha, Eastern Nigeria, 11th May 2021 | The Biafra Times
Nigeria has devastatingly remained the “most Christian killed country” and ‘most dangerous place to be a Christian’ as well as Africa’s newest hotbed of Islamic Jihad and religious intolerance. Statistically shocking is the fact that the country had in the past four months or from January to April 2021 lost no fewer than 1,470 Christians. Also out of estimated 3200 defenseless Nigerians abducted by jihadists during the period, Nigerian Christians accounted for no fewer than 2,200. The 1, 470 Christian deaths in four months is the highest number recorded since 2014 and it specifically surpassed the total number of Christians killed in the whole of 2019, estimated by the Open Doors to be 1,350. It is recalled that the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law had in early January 2021 statistically disclosed that more than 2,400 defenseless Christians were hacked to death by jihadists in Nigeria in 20
George Okoh in Makurdi
The Nigerian military has commenced a seven-day operation with the codename: Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) to clear Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba States of bandits’ activities
This was disclosed yesterday by a military source in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
The source said the operation was sequel to the incessant bandits’ operations in some communities across the states, which had resulted in the death of so many people.
He disclosed that the clearance operation covers some islands behind NASME barracks in Makurdi and Gbajimba in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, where it is believed that the bandits, who normally come from Nasarawa State, have their hideouts where they launch attacks on innocent people.
Ortom allays fear as military begin air surveillance in Benue Ortom allays fear as military begin air surveillance in Benue
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As military aircraft on air surveillance around Makurdi, Benue State capital and neighbouring communities heightened tension on Sunday, the State Governor, Samuel Ortom has allayed their fears.
Governor Ortom said that the aerial surveillance was been carried out by the military in parts of the state capital to flush out criminals and bandits.
Ortom spoke at Petros Assembly International during a Thanksgiving service and child dedication by the state commissioner for youth and sports, Pastor Ojotu Ojema, confirmed the air raid in the state capital but said that the surveillance was targeted at flushing out criminal elements and bandits from their hideouts.
A respondent, who declined to disclose his name, said he saw two military helicopters which hovered severally around his vicinity in the Achussa suburb of Makurdi metropolis.
“The aircraft flew so low in our surrounding and then always headed towards Wadata, NASME, Modern market and Iniongun area.
“We have heard some sounds as heavy as that of an explosion of weapons,” he said.
Another resident, who also preferred anonymity, said there were deafening sounds when the aircrafts hovered around rural communities in Ukum area, suggesting that the soldiers may have carried out operations in some criminals hideouts in the local government.