Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has condemned fresh killings in Benue State while calling for stronger government action to protect communities affected by insecurity.
The former Anambra State governor also reacted to the controversy surrounding his disrupted visit to Yelwata, where he had planned to meet residents and sympathise with victims of previous attacks.
Obi Condemns Fresh Killings
Obi described the latest killings as another painful reminder of the security challenges facing Nigerians.
He called on the Federal Government to treat the protection of lives as its primary responsibility, regardless of the victims’ religion, ethnicity, occupation or political affiliation.
“whether the victim is a farmer, a child, a police officer, a soldier, a Christian, a Muslim, or a person of any ethnic group, every Nigerian life has equal value,” Obi said.
He urged authorities to move beyond condolences and take concrete steps to prevent repeated attacks.
Yelwata Visit Was Disrupted
Obi had earlier attempted to visit Yelwata in Guma Local Government Area to sympathise with people affected by previous violence.
His convoy was reportedly blocked by youths, forcing the former presidential candidate to abandon the visit.
The incident triggered condemnation from political groups and other Nigerians, with calls for an investigation into what happened.
Yelwata Elders Invite Obi Back
Following the incident, elders in Yelwata reportedly expressed regret over the disruption and asked Obi to return to the community.
The development came as the controversy over the failed visit continued to generate political reactions.
The National Democratic Congress also said it would prioritise an investigation into the incident rather than immediately pursuing legal action against the Benue State Government.
Former Governor Samuel Ortom defended his involvement in the visit, saying he had provided Obi with a vehicle as a courtesy to a former governor who was travelling on a humanitarian mission.
The fresh killings have further intensified calls for stronger security measures in Benue, where several communities have suffered repeated attacks.
SEO title: Obi Condemns Fresh Benue Killings, Yelwata Invites Him Back
150-character paragraph: Peter Obi has condemned fresh killings in Benue as Yelwata elders expressed regret over his disrupted visit and asked him to return.
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12. Diphtheria, Cholera Kill 49 as Vaccination Push Intensifies
Health authorities in Plateau and Niger states are intensifying vaccination and disease-prevention efforts following fatalities linked to diphtheria and cholera.
Plateau State alone has recorded 29 deaths from diphtheria, while another 20 people have reportedly died from cholera.
Diphtheria Claims 29 Lives in Plateau
The Plateau State Commissioner for Health, Dr Nicholas Baamlong, disclosed that 29 people had died from diphtheria following an outbreak that began in August.
More than 300 cases have reportedly been recorded since the outbreak started.
Nine patients were receiving treatment at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, while another eight were admitted at Plateau State Specialist Hospital.
The state government has continued efforts to contain the outbreak while urging residents to take preventive measures seriously.
Cholera Also Records Fatalities
Plateau has also recorded 20 deaths from cholera, with Jos North and Mangu among the areas identified as being affected.
Health authorities have continued to stress the importance of hygiene, clean water and early medical attention in preventing further spread.
The twin outbreaks have raised concerns about the vulnerability of communities, particularly children, to preventable infectious diseases.
Niger Tightens School Vaccination Rules
In neighbouring Niger State, authorities have introduced stricter vaccination requirements as part of efforts to prevent the spread of diphtheria.
Schools have been directed to request vaccination cards from new students as part of the state’s disease-control measures.
The move is particularly important as schools reopen and large numbers of children return to classrooms.
Health officials have also appealed to parents to ensure that their children receive routine vaccinations and seek medical attention when symptoms of infectious diseases appear.
The vaccination drive is expected to continue as authorities work to prevent further deaths and contain outbreaks across affected communities.
SEO title: Diphtheria, Cholera Kill 49 as Vaccination Push Intensifies
150-character paragraph: Diphtheria and cholera have killed 49 people in Plateau as health authorities intensify vaccination and disease prevention measures.
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13. 2027: Bishops, Fayemi Urge Nigerians to Reject Vote Buying
Former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi and Catholic bishops have urged Nigerians to remain actively involved in the political process ahead of the 2027 general elections despite concerns over vote buying, violence and voter apathy.
The call was made during the September 2026 plenary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria in Ede, Osun State.
Fayemi Calls for Better Voter Participation
Fayemi urged Nigerians to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards and take greater interest in the political process.
He advised voters to study candidates, examine their programmes and monitor the electoral process instead of making choices based solely on political parties, ethnicity, religion or financial inducements.
The former governor also warned that democracy would remain vulnerable if citizens withdrew from elections because of frustration with the political system.
He encouraged voters to hold elected officials accountable and demand better governance.
Bishops Warn Against Vote Buying
The Catholic bishops also called on Nigerians to reject vote buying and other practices capable of undermining credible elections.
They urged citizens to understand their constitutional rights and responsibilities while encouraging political parties to focus on issues rather than violence and personal attacks.
The bishops said electoral violence, misinformation and vote buying posed serious threats to democratic development.
They also encouraged Nigerians to participate peacefully in the 2027 elections and resist attempts to manipulate the electoral process.
Call for Perseverance
The bishops and Fayemi stressed that citizens should not abandon the political process because of past disappointments.
They argued that meaningful democratic change requires sustained participation, voter education and accountability from political leaders.
With the 2027 election cycle already gathering momentum, concerns over vote buying and political violence are expected to remain major issues for electoral stakeholders.
SEO title: 2027: Bishops, Fayemi Urge Nigerians to Reject Vote Buying
150-character paragraph: Kayode Fayemi and Catholic bishops have urged Nigerians to participate in 2027 polls and reject vote buying, violence and electoral manipulation.
SEO keyword: 2027 elections
14. 112 Unity Colleges Face Shutdown as Workers Reject Resumption
The reopening of Nigeria’s Federal Unity Colleges is facing uncertainty after education workers opposed the Federal Government’s position on the resumption of schools.
The dispute is linked to the controversy surrounding the concession of King’s College, Lagos, to its Old Boys Association.
Workers Threaten to Halt Resumption
The Parent Teacher Association of Federal Unity Colleges reportedly called on workers to boycott resumption amid concerns over the government’s decision to hand over King’s College to its old students.
The development has created uncertainty across the country’s 112 Federal Unity Colleges.
The controversy escalated after reports circulated on social media claiming that the Federal Ministry of Education had postponed resumption for three weeks.
FG Denies Postponing Resumption
The Federal Ministry of Education, however, rejected the claim and described the purported postponement circular as fake.
The ministry reaffirmed that September 14, 2026 remained the official resumption date for Federal Unity Colleges.
“The Federal Ministry of Education has disowned a fabricated circular circulating on social media, purporting to announce an additional three-week holiday for students of Federal Unity Colleges nationwide,” the ministry said.
It added that the document did not originate from the ministry and should be disregarded.
The ministry further stated that the purported circular, dated September 8 and bearing a reference number, was fraudulent and contained the name and signature of a person who was not the ministry’s current Permanent Secretary.
Ministry Insists Schools Will Reopen
The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, assured parents and students that the government remained committed to a safe and orderly reopening of the schools.
The ministry urged parents and members of the public to verify information through official government channels rather than rely on documents circulating on social media.
However, uncertainty remains over whether the workers’ opposition and the controversy surrounding King’s College will affect the reopening of the unity schools.
The dispute could create further disruption if the workers proceed with their planned action despite the Federal Government’s directive.
SEO title: 112 Unity Colleges Face Shutdown Over Resumption Dispute
150-character paragraph: Resumption is uncertain at 112 Federal Unity Colleges as workers protest the King’s College concession despite the FG’s September 14 reopening date.
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15. Hotel Building Collapse Kills One, Injures Four in Enugu
One person has died while four others were injured after an uncompleted four-storey hotel building collapsed in Independence Layout, Enugu State.
The incident occurred as workers were reportedly staying at the construction site of the hotel, which was still under development.
Workers Trapped After Collapse
The building, reportedly designed to contain more than 100 rooms, had reached its fourth floor before part of the structure collapsed.
The collapse trapped some of the workers under the rubble and triggered an emergency rescue operation.
One worker who was reportedly sleeping on a bench within the premises was found dead after the building came down.
Four other people were rescued alive from the debris and taken to Enugu State University Teaching Hospital for medical treatment.
Rescue Operation Continues
Emergency responders and officials of the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority deployed heavy equipment to the scene to search for anyone who might still be trapped.
Four excavators were reportedly used during the rescue operation as emergency workers cleared sections of the collapsed structure.
Authorities continued searching through the debris to determine whether anyone else was trapped beneath the rubble.
The damaged section of the hotel also raised concerns about the stability of the remaining structure and the possibility of further collapse.
Investigation Expected
The incident has renewed concerns over the safety of construction sites and compliance with building regulations in Enugu.
Authorities are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collapse, including the condition of the structure, construction standards and safety measures at the site.
The four injured victims remained under medical care following their rescue, while efforts continued to determine the full extent of the damage and establish whether other people were affected.
SEO title: Hotel Building Collapse Kills One, Injures Four in Enugu
150-character paragraph: One person has died and four others were injured after an uncompleted four-storey hotel collapsed at Independence Layout in Enugu State.
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