Crime
1,617 civil servants with fake employment letters uncovered by FG

The Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Folashade Yemi-Esan, Tuesday said that a total of 1,618 civil servants with fake employment letters were uncovered by the government.
She also noted that the government was working towards an upward review of the Duty Tour Allowances of civil servants.
Speaking with selected journalists in Abuja ahead of the 2023 Civil Servants Week, she noted that a committee was working towards salary harmonization in the civil service.
“The Presidential Committee on Salary Harmonization is working to review salaries to reduce the disparity. Earlier, 40 per cent of Basic salary approved by FEC as Peculiar allowance with effect from January 2023. Also, we are working towards Upward Review of Staff Duty Tour Allowance.
“On the issue of procurement of insurance cover for the federal government employees from 9th February 2023 to 8th February 2024; and payment of backlog of death benefits to over 1500 deceased officers to their beneficiaries from 2021 to date. On the third pillar of FCSSIP 25, the Office of the Head of Service has been working towards the implementation of HR Module of IPPIS with a view to bridging the identified gaps in the system. As you are aware, prior to the introduction of the current mechanisms put in place to drive the implementation of the IPPIS, the system was bedevilled with considerable leakages and wastes as well as the incessant infiltration of ‘ghost workers’ etc.
“Consequent upon the identified loopholes in the IPPIS, the Office introduced control mechanisms. Notable among others was the inauguration of a Committee on Enrolment of Newly Recruited Civil Servants on the 1st of March, 2021. Hence, this and other initiatives in accelerating the roll-out of the HR Module of the IPPIS has brought about the following: Detection of 1,618 fake/illegal employment letters; Continuous suspension of Officers from IPPIS platform for not uploading their records; Verification of 69,854 officers across the core MDAs in FCT and the six (6) geo-political zones.”
Meanwhile, the Accountant General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Madein, on Tuesday noted that there won’t be a delay in payment of July 2023 salaries for civil servants. She made this clarification during the meeting with the HOS Abuja.
It was earlier reported that there were delays in the payment of May 2023 and June 2023 salaries.
Madein noted that the delay in May and June 2023 salaries were due to some bottlenecks beyond the control of the Office of the Accountant General. She, however, noted that modalities have been put in place to ensure that salaries are paid as and when due.
She said, “For May and June, we encountered some difficulties beyond our control but I can assure you that everything has been put in place to ensure that July 2023 salaries are not delayed and will be paid any moment from now.”
Crime
New Terror group, Mahmuda intensifies attacks

The new terrorist group, Mahmuda, has intensified its attacks at various communities in Kwara and Niger States.
Suspected members of the new terrorist group, Mahmuda, were said to have attacked communities in Ilesha Baruba and Kemaanji, Baruten and Kaiama local government areas of Kwara State on Sunday night.
They had on Friday reportedly killed some vigilantes in the state.
It was gathered that the assailants, who were on military camouflage riding motorcycles, stormed a market square at 9:30 pm and opened fire on the residents before they zoomed off.
Four Fulani, a vigilante and a 19-year-old teenager, who was hit by a stray bullet reportedly lost their lives during the attack.
According to a resident of the area, the fresh incident is coming in the wake of a similar attack the same day in neighbouring Kaiama where a vigilante was killed.
Speaking on the Baruten incident, the source said: “We suspect that they came with a premeditated motive because they fired at the Fulani at close range shooting them in the head.
The vigilante was holding a dane gun and they saw him as a threat. But the boy was hit by a stray bullet.
“The place is a very popular trading spot with a lot of business and commercial activities. It was a sudden attack believed to be a reprisal over alleged collaboration with the security agencies against the terrorists”, the resident said.
The new terrorist group was said to have been killing and kidnapping people at Kemaanji, Tenebo, Baabete, Nuku, and Nanu villages in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State and communities in Yashikira District of Baruten LGA, also in Kwara as well as in Babana and Wawa districts of Borgu LGA of Niger State.
Despite the successes which the federal government said it had recorded in containing the attacks, security and intelligence experts say the escalated attacks by terrorists, especially the emergence Mahmuda, indicate that the fight against terrorism should be intensified.
Crime
Benue killings: Stakeholders lament herdsmen persistent attacks, proffer solution

Nigerians are worried as the security situation in Benue State worsens, particularly with regards to the herders-farmers conflict, banditry, kidnapping, gangsterism, and cult violence.
It was gathered that since the administration of the immediate past governor, Samuel Ortom and the coming on board of Governor Hyacinth Alia, the state has been faced with a plethora of security challenges.
The state has experienced a significant decline in farming activities due to the activities of bandits and terrorists, who attacked farming communities, abducted, and killed several farmers and dislocated many communities.
At least fifty-six people have been confirmed dead in Gbagir, Ukum Local Government Area and Logo Local Government Area, both in the Sankera axis of Benue state.
The state governor, Hyacinth Alia made the disclosure after confirming earlier that seventeen people were killed in the attack.
Also, the state police command in a statement, noted that while the Gbagir operation was ongoing, another group of militia simultaneously attacked the neighbouring Logo Local Government Area, killing scores of people.
It was reported that the governor had urged residents of the state facing attacks from suspected Fulani herdsmen not to resort to self-help.
“The prompt response in Ukum was made possible by early intelligence, which helped prevent an even more devastating outcome.
“The state government, in conjunction with the Office of the National Security Adviser, is developing a strategic plan to end the killings by suspected invaders. Remain vigilant and volunteer timely information to security agencies,” he said.
Unidentified gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen have been launching attacks on the Otobi Akpa community in Benue State.
The recent one left at least 13 people dead, several others injured or missing, and over 50 houses destroyed.
The violence started around 6:00pm on the ill-fatted day near Otobi Junction when armed herdsmen launched an assault on the town, shooting sporadically.
“Otobi Akpa has historically been a peaceful part of Idoma land and had coexisted with herding communities for many years.
However, tensions have risen in recent times over open grazing and related security concerns,” a community elder, Adikwu Ogbe said.
The state’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Professor Moses Ogbaji, had noted that the criminal activities of bandits before now had severely impacted food security in the state and the country, as many farmers were unable to return to their farms due to fear of attacks.
Nipping the ugly trend in the bud, the State government established the Benue State Civil Protection Guards, which is aimed at complementing the conventional security agencies and ensure the safety of communities and farmers,” Ogbaji said.
Lending his voice, the paramount ruler of the Tiv nation and chairman of the state traditional council, His Royal Majesty, Prof. James Ayatse, the Tor Tiv, supported the adoption of non-kinetic solutions to the crisis, including massive repatriation of displaced persons back to their homes.
According to him, the effort has aligned perfectly with the vision of Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia’s administration of protecting the lives and property of all residents of Benue State.
the Senator representing Benue South Senatorial District, Abba Moro, condemned in strong terms the attack on Otobi-Akpa community in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State, describing it as an unprovoked and unacceptable act of violence.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Otobi-Akpa community in Otukpo LGA. The unprovoked attack on them remains condemned,” the Senator stated.
“The attack and several others before it on Benue South communities by killer herdsmen are unacceptable,” he said.
He added that the people of Benue South have the right to live and do their business peacefully without fear, threats, or harm.
the lawmaker representing Otukpo/Akpa State Constituency in the Benue State House of Assembly, Hon Angbo Kennedy, lamented the persistent bloodshed and called on security agencies to urgently intervene.
“It’s sad that innocent people are being slaughtered in their own homes. Our people cannot continue to live in fear in their ancestral homes.
“Residents should resort to self-defense since the needed help is not coming from the relevant authorities,” he opined.
Meanwhile, former Senate President, David Mark, has strongly condemned the recent wave of violent attacks by suspected armed herdsmen on several communities across Benue State.
Mark, who expressed deep concern over the spate of killings and destruction of property worth billions of naira in the affected areas, appealed for restraint and unity, warning against ethnic profiling or retaliatory violence.
A visibly distressed Senator Mark, however, acknowledged some progress by security operatives in addressing the crisis, stating:“It is heartwarming that some of the beasts involved in the dastardly acts have been apprehended by security agents.
“I urge all concerned to do a diligent investigation and ensure that all the people immediately and remotely involved should be made to face the full wrath of the law.”
“I also call on the youths in our various communities to ensure vigilance and report any suspicious behaviour of people and their movements to law enforcement agencies to prevent reoccurrence,” he concluded.
Crime
Zamfara residents pay millions for safety
It was learned that on Sunday, April 20, bandits issued a fresh demand of N60 million from residents of Dankurmi village in Maru LGA.

Residents across Zamfara State are being extorted by armed bandits who demand levies running into hundreds of millions of naira in exchange for allowing the people to remain in their homes.
Daily Trust reports that the levies, enforced under the threat of abduction, violence, or death, have left communities in a state of fear and financial ruin.
Since January 2025, it was gathered that over N500 million has been paid by various communities to different bandit groups in a desperate bid to avoid attacks.
In January alone, the late bandit kingpin, Isuhu Yellow, imposed a N172.7 million levy on 25 villages, including demands for agricultural produce.
For instance, Gijinzama village was charged N8.5 million, Dakolo N5 million plus 20 bags of beans, Kibari, Kunchin Kalgo N20 million, Sungawa N15 million, and Yalwa N2.7 million, among others.
Shortly after, another notorious bandit leader, Dogo Gide, demanded N100 million from 23 communities in Tsafe LGA, prompting mass displacement.
The affected communities included Kunchin-Kalgo (N20m), Sungawa (N15m), Rakyabu (N15m), and Kwaren Mai-Saje (N10m).
It was learned that on Sunday, April 20, bandits issued a fresh demand of N60 million from residents of Dankurmi village in Maru LGA.
Locals say that they were given until Wednesday to comply or face dire consequences. Kidnappings had already commenced before the deadline.
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