The Benue State Government has officially declared Wednesday, June 18, as a public holiday to mark the forthcoming visit of President Bola Tinubu. The president is expected to visit Benue to offer condolences to the government and families affected by the recent killings in Yelewata and Daudu communities, where over 100 people reportedly lost their lives in attacks by suspected herders.
President Tinubu postponed a planned trip to Kaduna in order to prioritise this visit, following public criticism over a perceived delay in responding to the tragedy.
Minister Tunji-Ojo Warns of Security Risks from Porous Borders and Underfunded Police
Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has raised concerns about the country’s security vulnerabilities due to porous borders and inadequate funding for the police force. Speaking on Monday, the minister highlighted that the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) received only ₦10 billion in the 2025 budget to secure Nigeria’s expansive 4,024 square kilometer borders—an allocation he called “grossly insufficient.”
“Are we joking?” Tunji-Ojo questioned. “You want to protect such a large border space with ₦10 billion?”
He also criticised the Nigeria Police Force’s reliance on government allocations, stating that this dependence undermines the force’s effectiveness.
INEC Rejects PDP’s Notice for National Executive Council Meeting over Irregularities
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) notice for its upcoming 100th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting due to procedural irregularities.
In a letter dated June 13, INEC pointed out that the notice, signed only by acting national chairman Umar Damagum, failed to comply with the requirement that such notices must be jointly signed by both the party’s national chairman and secretary.
The PDP had informed INEC on May 30 of its intention to hold the NEC meeting on June 30 at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
Over 700 Missing and 207 Dead in Niger State Flooding – Governor Bago
Niger State authorities have reported that more than 700 people remain missing after severe flooding devastated Mokwa Local Government Area.
Governor Umaru Bago, speaking through Deputy Governor Yakubu Garba during a condolence visit by Maj. Hamza Al-Mustapha and his delegation to Minna on Tuesday, confirmed that 207 lives have been lost. The floods displaced over 3,000 households, damaged at least 400 homes, and completely destroyed 283 houses and 50 shops.
“We are yet to ascertain the whereabouts of over 700 persons,” the governor said, describing the situation as a major humanitarian crisis.
Federal Government to Evacuate Nigerians from Israel and Iran Amid Escalating Conflict
The federal government has announced plans to evacuate Nigerian citizens from Israel and Iran in response to escalating hostilities between the two countries.
Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated on Tuesday, June 17, that Nigerian embassies in both nations are actively engaging with their citizens to facilitate safe evacuations.
This development follows recent Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear and military sites, which resulted in the deaths of senior officers and civilians, raising fears of a broader conflict.
