Category: News

Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia recently delivered a political speech in his home local government area of Vandeikya, where he described himself as a man of action rather than words.

In the roughly 20-minute address, he made it clear that he prefers to let his deeds speak for themselves rather than making long public statements.

The governor also issued a veiled warning to certain individuals who, according to him, are enjoying particular benefits while allegedly working against the interests of the Vandeikya community as the 2027 elections approach.

Although he stopped short of naming anyone directly, the message was pointed enough to spark debate online, with his supporters and critics drawing different conclusions about who exactly he was referring to.

The speech comes at a time when political activity is quietly picking up steam across Benue State, as various groups begin positioning themselves ahead of the next general election cycle.

Yahaya Sulaiman, a Fulani herdsman, was kidnapped at Ijebu-Jesa, in the state’s Oriade local government area, according to confirmation from Osun State Police Command.

Abiodun Ojelabi, the police public relations officer, verified the event on Wednesday and said that security personnel had started looking into it.

Ojelabi revealed that the kidnappers seemed to have targeted the victim deliberately throughout the assault.

The victim is a Fulani herder named Yahaya Sulaiman. Police responded to the event right away after it was reported. He claimed that he was clearly the target of the attack.

He claims that “before carrying out the abduction, the gunmen reportedly asked a resident where the victim was.”

They encountered someone when they arrived at the area and informed them that they were trying to find the kidnapped individual. They were precise.

The command has opened an investigation into the event, according to the police spokeswoman, who also urged the public to offer helpful information that could support the rescue effort.

“The police are doing what they can while they wait for the anti-kidnapping authorities to arrive, but the victim’s family has not yet reported to them, despite the ongoing investigation,” he stated.

The incident happened around 9 p.m. on Monday near the Iloko/Ijebu-Jesa Road, according to a source in Ijebu-Jesa who asked to remain anonymous for security concerns.

According to a town security source, the kidnappers seemed to have known the victim beforehand and pursued him on purpose.

According to the source, the gunmen first asked a local resident for information about Sulaiman’s locations before locating him and transporting him to an unidentified location.

“The incident occurred in Oriade LG along Iloko/Ijebu Jesa Road at approximately 21:00 on May 4, 2026.” According to the informant, the gunmen explicitly demanded to know Yahaya Sulaiman’s location when they opened fire late in the evening.

Among the local Fulani males, he is a huge man. He is a cow breeder. The kidnappers have called his family and demanded a ransom of N70 million, he continued.

When a suspect in Delta State is killed extrajudicially by a police officer, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has once again promised that justice will be done.

During a news conference on Tuesday at the Nigerian Police Peace Keeping Hall at Force Headquarters, the IGP made the guarantee.

He said that the Nigeria Police Force dismissed the offending officer and members of his squad from duty in a prompt and decisive manner.

He claims that the Directorate of Public Prosecutions has received the case file for potential criminal prosecution.

“We won’t ignore this issue. The IGP promised to pursue accountability to the logical and complete end.

“I also want to document that the suspect was discovered in possession of four rounds of live 9mm ammo and a locally made Beretta handgun. There are still investigations going on.

“I tell the Nigerian people that the Nigeria Police Force is not defined by this episode. However, how we react to it will. And we have a clear response: no exceptions, complete accountability, and zero tolerance.

He continued by revealing that the Nigeria Police Force had achieved a number of successes in April 2026 through intelligence-led operations, including the arrest of 28 suspected terrorists, 51 suspects in murder or culpable homicide, 62 suspects in armed robbery, 85 suspects in kidnapping, and 54 suspects in cults.

He claimed that 189 kidnapping victims were saved as a result of police actions.

Similarly, the IGP reported that 37 stolen vehicles, 1,074 calibers of ammunition, and 140 different types of weaponry were recovered in various operations.

Twenty students from the University of Lagos’ Faculty of Law have won the Prof. Omolola Jelili Scholarship.

The N1 million scholarships were awarded at the university’s J.F. Ade Ajayi Auditorium during the 20th posthumous celebration of former UNILAG Vice-Chancellor Jelili Omotola.

From 1995 to 2000, Omotola (SAN) served as the University of Lagos’ seventh vice-chancellor.

Goke Omotola, the son of the late former UNILAG VC, clarified that the recipients, who ranged from the 100th to the 500th level of the law faculty, were those who were judged to have both proven financial need and excellent academic records

“Deliberate investment in the future of the legal profession and a continuation of his father’s lifelong dedication to mentoring and empowering young minds” is how he defined the program.

In addition, he revealed that in honor of their father’s 20th memorial anniversary, friends and family of the late Omotola had renovated and upgraded the Faculty of Law’s Department of Private and Property Law and L.L.M. lecture room.

Students from Obafemi Awolowo University and the University of Lagos participated in a moot and mock trial session, but UNILAG students emerged victorious.

Attendees included Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, the VC for UNILAG; Wole Olanipekun, the former president of the Nigerian Bar Association; Abiola Sanni (SAN), the dean of the UNILAG Faculty of Law; Prof. Oyelowo Oyewo, the former Attorney General of Oyo State; and Justices Oluwatoyin Taiwo, Razak Olukolu, and Iyabo Osodi.

Omotola was his “teacher, tutor, lecturer, and senior who was in a class of his own,” according to Olanipekun (SAN).

He was a mirror to us. He never thought that attorneys should be impoverished, Olanipekun continued.

He was a decent man. Let’s remember him even when he passes away since good people never die. Olanipekun also mentioned Omotola’s efforts to ensure staff housing as part of its commitment to improving the welfare of UNILAG employees.

The UNILAG VC stated in her remarks that because Omotola dedicated his life to bolstering the foundations of justice, his legacy continues to illuminate paths and inspire generations.

She stated that Omotola’s contributions to legal education will never be forgotten and that the late legal icon made sure UNILAG was a shining example of excellence in his capacity as VC.

“His analysis and critiques on the Land Use Act of 1978 from his Essays on the Nigerian Land Use Act 1978, among many works, can be seen from his academic acumen and influence in Land and Property Law,” Ogunsola continued.

From 1995 to 2000, Prof. Omotola served as the university’s seventh vice-chancellor. Students and staff saw his reign as a time of stability and development.

He advocated for advancements in service delivery, academic quality, and research. Additionally, he created options for staff housing using his knowledge of land and property law, which represents the current necessity to employ skills not only for research but also to address societal issues.