More than 40 people were missing in a boat accident in Nigeria after a boat conveying 50 persons to a popular market in northwest Sokoto State capsized on Sunday, the country’s emergency agency said, as reported by Vanguard.

The passengers were travelling to Goronyo market, a popular food produce market in the state, when the boat capsized. Ten people have been rescued, Zubaidar Umar, the head of the National Emergency Management Agency, said in a statement on social media platform X.

Read also: Boat mishaps: Niger State Government threatens to sanction erring boat operators

The agency said it is collaborating with local authorities and emergency responders in a search and rescue operation to locate the missing persons.

Three weeks ago, at least 13 people died and dozens more were missing after a boat ferrying around 100 passengers capsized in Niger State, in north-central Nigeria.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the Kaura-Namoda South Constituency bye-election for the Zamfara State House of Assembly inconclusive due to irregularities in five polling units.

Announcing the results at about 1:30 a.m., the Returning Officer, Professor Lawal Sa’adu of the Federal University Gusau, cited irregularities in Sakajiki and Kyambarawa wards as the reason for the decision.

According to Professor Sa’adu, the margin of lead between the two leading political parties—the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)—is 1,662 votes, which is less than the number of collected Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in the affected polling units.

He explained that in Sakajiki Ward (Code 06), two polling units with 1,357 registered voters and 1,298 collected PVCs were affected, while in Kyambarawa Ward (Code 05), three polling units with 4,088 registered voters and 1,964 collected PVCs were affected, bringing the total to 3,265 collected PVCs across the five polling units.

The earlier announced results showed the APC leading with 7,001 votes, while the PDP had 5,339 votes.

Citing relevant provisions of the Electoral Act 2022—Section 24 (2&3), Section 47 (3), and Section 51 (2)—Professor Sa’adu said the commission had no choice but to declare the election inconclusive.

INEC stated that a new date for the rerun election in the affected polling units would be announced in due course.

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Vanguard

After the global outrage that greeted the June 13 massacre of over 200 innocent farmers by armed herdsmen in Yelewata community, Guma Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue state, it was expected that the people would have some respite particularly with the marching order issued to the security agencies by President Bola Tinubu to put a halt to the attacks and killings in the state, according to Vanguard.

The President, who visited the state on June 18, shortly after the bloody attack, did not mince words when he also directed that those behind the killings should be apprehended and prosecuted.

He also stated that he was in a position to help the people achieve peace, which is vital to development. We were not elected to bury people and have orphans and orphanages. We will work with you to achieve peace. We are here to work with the people. The people of Benue deserve peace,” he added.

Regrettably, however, despite the President’s promise, peace has continued to elude the people of Benue state who have not had respite from the armed herdsmen incursions. The attacks and killings have intensified as if the invaders became emboldened even after the directive for all hands to be on deck to have peace in the state. In fact, the attackers menacingly took the fight to security personnel drafted to the crisis areas, killing some of them and leaving some others with injuries.

Timeline of attacks after Tinubu’s marching order
*June 22: Just four days after the President’s visit, the marauders took hostage 12 passengers of the state government-owned Benue Links transportation company near Eke on Ugbokolo-Otukpo Road in Okpokwu LGA of the state.

*June 30: Four Mobile Policemen were killed by the marauders during an attack on the Udei community in Guma LGA after they were successfully repelled by soldiers stationed at Ortese, an IDPs host community in the same Guma LGA.

*July 3: They stormed the Ukohol community, very close to Yelewata, killing one Uger Sember in his farm while two others were declared missing and were never found. On the same date two farmers on a motorbike reportedly ran into the armed herders at Tse Orkpen in Mbabai Council Ward of Guma LGA. They were lucky to have escaped alive but their motorcycle was taken away by the marauders.

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*July 4: Agbu City Village in Tyough-Atee Council Ward of Gwer West LGA was attacked and one person was killed in that incident.

*July 4: A retired Headmaster and Village Head from Daudu, Guma LGA, Zaki Isho Aondohemba and his friend, Mr. Uger Sember, also a retired Headmaster, were gruesomely murdered by the armed herders in their farms at Okohol community, also in Guma LGA. His motorcycle was burnt while four others were declared missing. Luckily, one of the boys who accompanied them to the farm escaped with serious injury.

*July 7: Four Police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, personnel on patrol were killed in an ambush by the armed herders at Udei community, near Yelewata in Guma LGA. The patrol team, known as the Buffalo Squad of Operation Zenda, a joint security team comprising officers of the Mobile Police Force, the NSCDC, Counter-Terrorism Unit, CTU, of the Police and the Benue State Civil Protection Guards were said to be on routine patrol along the Daudu-Yelewata road when they came under attack.

*July 16: A church leader of St. Albert Catholic Church Abata, Guma LGA, Vitalis Kenvanger and three others were murdered by the marauders along the Yogbo-Gungu-Aze road while one of the victims remained unaccounted for till date.

*July 19: There was pandemonium in Uikpam, a host community of thousands of IDPs after heavy sporadic gunshots were fired for over 20 minutes from all directions in the community by herders.

*July 24: A middle-aged man, Gabriel Vandefan was killed and beheaded by armed herdsmen in his farm at Uikpam community, Guma LGA. His killers also reportedly chopped off one of his hands and went away with it. The residents of Anyimbe and Awashuwa settlements in Ayilamo, Tombu Council Ward of LGA on July 24 raised the alarm over the massive influx of arms-wielding herdsmen and cattle into their communities.

*July 28: Two middle-aged men were killed by armed herdsmen along the Uikpam–Umenger road in Guma LGA.

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*August 3: A mother and her grown-up son, identified as Mlumun Igbawua and Terkimbir Igbawua, respectively, were murdered by armed herdsmen on a rice farm at Tse-Nyibiam, Ngban, Nyiev Council Ward of Guma LGA. Fortunately, the wife of the deceased man, who was caught and tortured by the armed marauders, escaped from her captors. The murder of the duo came less than three months after the deceased woman’s husband was attacked and also killed in the same rice farm by the armed herders during cultivation.

*August 6: At least nine persons, including a Police officer, were killed in a renewed attack by suspected armed herdsmen on communities in Agatu LGA.

*August 11: Three persons were killed at their farms in a fresh attack on Yelewata communities, which sparked angry protests by women of the community who dumped the corpses of the dead on the Makurdi-Lafia road to demand protection from the authorities.

*August 12: A Septuagenarian and two others were murdered by the marauders at Uikpam community, Mbabai Council Ward of Guma LGA. Among the victims was a patent medicine store owner who, at the time of the attack was in his shop and attending to customers when marauders stormed the area.

These attacks within a space of 59 days from the date of the President’s visit, claiming over 32 lives with several others still unaccounted for, have left many wondering if the government has become helpless and overwhelmed by a ragtag gang of untrained militia. The development has brought to the fore the issue of what must be urgently done to save Benue from being completely destabilised by the marauders.

In Plateau state, communities in the Bokkos, Riyom, Kanam, Wase, and Bassa local government areas have been thrown into grief since April 2025. Dozens of lives have been lost in a wave of coordinated attacks by gunmen. The Presidency, in a statement signed by Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President (Information and Strategy) attributed the killings to communal clashes saying, “the ongoing violence between communities in Plateau State, rooted in misunderstandings between different ethnic and religious groups, must cease”. But stakeholders in the state, including the State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, have rejected what they termed as a wrong narrative, insisting killings in the State are well coordinated “genocide,” carried out to displace people and grab their lands.

The Governor who has worked tirelessly to end the menace since coming on board, appears unsuccessful because four months later, the killings have not stopped. Instead, the grim toll has risen especially in communities in the Bokkos LGA, leaving survivors questioning the effectiveness of Presidential orders and state-level measures, and wondering when promises will translate into safety.

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As it is, much of the rural Plateau is a patchwork of abandoned communities, burnt carcasses of homes, and other property. Residents say the reality on the ground contradicts official reassurances. In many cases, attackers move freely while survivors are left with little protection. However, Security agencies like the State Police Command, and Operation Safe Haven insist they are responding within their means. But survivors say response times remain slow, often measured in hours after an attack has ended.

“We feel forgotten. We are tired of the daily condemnation of these killings as we hear in the media. We bury our dead alone, return to a life of fear and loneliness, waiting for the next batch of condolences, for how long,” asks 42-year-old farmer, Luka Auta from the Bassa local government area, whose wife and two cousins were killed in April.

Across the State, communities want to see attackers arrested, prosecuted, and convicted, not just named as “unknown gunmen” in press releases. The Plateau Initiative for Development and Advancement of the Natives (PIDAN), the umbrella body of the indigenous nationalities, calls for investigations into what it describes as “systematic ethnic cleansing.” Residents demand that security outposts be established in vulnerable communities, not just in local government headquarters, and that personnel be adequately empowered to combat the attackers. They want better intelligence gathering and rapid-response capabilities, the establishment of a well-equipped State Police and an end to open grazing and land grabbing.

Amos Ishaya from Tamiso, Bokkos LGA, stressed that internally displaced persons need more than emergency food rations, and called for the reconstruction of homes, schools, and clinics, as well as livelihood support to restart farming. “If we are not empowered, and communities are not rebuilt, we will remain dependent,” he maintained. As the rains fall on empty farmlands and fresh graves, Plateau’s rural communities await the day when “enough is enough” becomes more than just a political phrase, but an end to the long seasons of mourning.

Despite President Tinubu’s assurances, the attacks and killings have persisted not only in Benue and Plateau states, but Zamfara, Katsina, Niger, Kwara, Sokoto and other states. The residents wondered why the perpetrators of these evils have defied the Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces and they are asking why the government has been unable to find a lasting solution to these killings across the country.

In their reactions, however, Nigerians called on President Bola Tinubu to go beyond mere directives to the service chiefs to tackle the escalating insecurity in the country and take uncommon measures, which he is presently not doing, to address the potent danger. Activists, lawyers, and stakeholders across the country, who spoke to Saturday Vanguard, maintained that terrorists are assassins and should not be tolerated for their evil acts and that the government should not adorn them with the garb of repentant terrorists or say they have been de-radicalized.

However, a government with the requisite political will can stop the killings by deploying all the resources at its disposal because the protection of lives and property is the most important responsibility of the government. Mr. President should go beyond mere instructions to ensure that his orders are implemented. Across the country, the government is responsible for protecting people and property.

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By Emma Amaize, Regional Editor, South-South; Sam Oyadongha; Peter Duru; Egufe Yafugborhi; Marie-Therese Nanlong; Ozioruva Aliu & Ochuko Akuopha
Vanguard

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has urged National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to champion smart data, while also promoting consumer rights in the telecommunications industry.

This initiative aligns with the NCC’s commitment to protecting consumers’ rights and privileges, ensuring fair competition, and promoting transparency in the telecom sector, according to Eaglespath.

The NCC has been at the forefront of safeguarding consumer interests, as evident in its recent activities, such as the Telecom Consumer Parliament, where issues like data depletion and billing transparency were addressed.

The commission has also introduced regulations to simplify tariff plans and ensure clear disclosure of all tariff components and conditions.

By empowering NYSC members with knowledge on smart data management and consumer rights, the NCC aims to create a ripple effect, promoting responsible consumption and awareness about telecom services.

This move is part of the commission’s broader efforts to protect consumers and foster a more transparent and competitive telecom industry.

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Billionaire industrialist Prince Arthur Eze has emphasized the pressing need for the people of Southeast Nigeria to adopt effective strategies aimed at securing the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), from the detention of President Bola Tinubu.

It could be recalled that earlier this year, Eze strongly advocated for unity among the region’s stakeholders to forge a peaceful collective appeal.

Eze’s call to action underscores the critical nature of solidarity in the Southeast as they seek to engage with the federal government in pursuit of justice and reconciliation.

READ ALSO  Over 40 missing in Sokoto boat accident, emergency agency says

Eze noted Tinubu’s recent strides toward bridging infrastructure gaps in the Southeast, particularly the establishment of the Southeast Development Commission (SEDC).

“We must commend President Tinubu for his proactive measures to address long-standing issues in the Southeast. His establishment of the Southeast Development Commission is a testament to his love for the region. We’ve clamored for this since the Nigeria-Biafra war, and Tinubu has delivered,” Eze stated.

Eze further emphasized the need for the Southeast to show gratitude for Tinubu’s initiatives, adding that appealing to his forgiving nature could lead to Kanu’s release.

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“Nnamdi Kanu was detained under Buhari’s administration, not Tinubu’s. Unlike his predecessor, Tinubu is a man of compassion and forgiveness. We will humbly plead with him to release Kanu because he harbors no enemies,” Eze said.

Nnamdi Kanu has been in detention since his extraordinary rendition from Kenya to Nigeria under Buhari’s administration. Despite court rulings dismissing all charges against him, the federal government has refused to release him.

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Kanu’s detention has drawn widespread criticism, with stakeholders from the Southeast, including governors, calling for his release. Last year, the Southeast governors expressed willingness to meet with Tinubu to discuss Kanu’s case.

READ ALSO  INEC declares Assembly bye-election inconclusive

Eze pointed out that Tinubu’s establishment of the SEDC signals a new chapter of inclusivity and development for the Southeast. He urged leaders and stakeholders to recognize these efforts and align themselves with Tinubu’s vision for national unity.

“We need to appreciate Tinubu’s leadership. The SEDC is a game-changer for our people, and it reflects Tinubu’s genuine concern for the Southeast. This is the kind of leadership we need to foster peace and progress,” Eze added.

Eze concluded by expressing optimism that Tinubu’s administration would address the Southeast’s grievances while fostering unity across Nigeria.

The Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC, has a issued a disclaimer on the purported incorporation of some listed companies.

This was made known in a notice posted on the Commission’s official X handle on Friday. The Commission stressed that it has removed the companies from the database.

CAC said the 247 listed companies have not been duly registered as limited liability companies.

According to the commission, the Registered Certificate, AC, numbers allegedly ascribed to the companies have not been assigned to anyone.

The Commission urged the general public to disregard any claim to the companies’ existence as legal persons.

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