Thousands of internally displaced persons in Benue State have started returning to their ancestral homes after more than 14 years of forced exile caused by repeated attacks by armed Fulani herdsmen.

Communities in Gwer West Local Government Area, including Tse Akpiti, Igbafu, Zwatem in Mbakyoudu district, Abiam in Sengev, Gidan Pepa, and New Nigeria, are witnessing a gradual but steady return of their original inhabitants.

Residents told journalists that farming and commercial activities have resumed without fear, with yam, rice, and cassava harvesting currently in full swing across the once-abandoned farmlands.

A resident of Agberagba, Semon Gyundu, said: “We never believed we would step foot here again. The journey back looked impossible, but today we are farming and sleeping in our fathers’ compounds without panic.

”Another returnee from Abiam community, Jimmy Nyor, expressed gratitude to “our son who is complementing government efforts,” adding that normal life has returned and they can only get better with more support.

Leading the resettlement drive is the National President of the Tyoshin Development Association (TDA), Chief Tiza Timothy Tarnongo, who has been mobilizing indigenes and partnering with the state government.

Chief Tarnongo appealed to both the Benue State Government and humanitarian organizations to urgently rebuild destroyed schools, health centers, boreholes, and roads to encourage more displaced families to return permanently.

With sustained collaboration between the state government, community leaders, and aid agencies, there is growing optimism that many more IDPs across Gwer West and other affected local government areas will soon reclaim their ancestral lands without fear of further attacks.

At least, Six persons living with disabilities were killed and 13 others seriously injured in a fatal road accident along the Lokoja–Okene highway in Kogi State on Wednesday.

The victims were returning to their respective destinations after attending the 2025 International Day of Persons with Disabilities celebration held at the Government House in Lokoja when the tragedy occurred.

The injured are currently receiving medical attention at various hospitals across the state.

In a statement, the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, described the incident as a painful loss to the government and people of the state.

“The loss of any Kogite is a loss to us all,” Fanwo said, adding that the administration stands in full solidarity with the bereaved families and the entire disability community.

He disclosed that Governor Usman Ododo has directed the state government to take full responsibility for the medical bills of all 13 injured victims until they fully recover.

Authorities are yet to release the identities of the deceased and the exact cause of the crash is still under investigation.

The Trump administration is rolling out a new visa-restriction policy in response to a wave of brutal anti-Christian attacks in Nigeria, targeting those accused of orchestrating religious violence against Christians in the West African nation and around the world.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Wednesday that a new policy in the Immigration and Nationality Act will allow the State Department to deny visas to those “who have directed, authorized, significantly supported, participated in, or carried out violations of religious freedom.” Immediate family members may also face visa restrictions in some cases.

“The United States is taking decisive action in response to the mass killings and violence against Christians by radical Islamic terrorists, Fulani ethnic militias, and other violent actors in Nigeria and beyond,” Rubio said in the statement.

The move follows a surge of attacks on Christians and Christian institutions in Nigeria. Last month, gunmen stormed the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State, killing two people and kidnapping dozens. The 38 abducted worshipers were freed nearly a week later.

Days later, armed attackers raided St. Mary’s School in Niger State, abducting more than 300 students and staff. School officials said 50 students aged 10 to 18 escaped in the following days, but 253 students and 12 teachers remain captive.

The violence prompted President Donald Trump to designate Nigeria a “country of particular concern,” though the Nigerian government disputes the U.S. assessment.

“I’m really angry about it,” the president told Fox News Radio last month. “What’s happening in Nigeria is a disgrace.”

Rubio said the new visa restrictions will apply to Nigeria and to any other governments or individuals involved in violating religious freedom.

Echoing Trump’s warning, Rubio said: “As President Trump made clear, the ‘United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria, and numerous other countries.’”