Citizen Television, Office No. 22 Uptown Plaza Beside Makurdi International Market, George Akume Way, Makurdi (2026)

31/05/2026

Nigeria signs $1.5b Katsina-Ala hydropower concession in major African PPP milestone

The Federal Government yesterday signed the Concession Agreement for the Grand Katsina-Ala Hydropower Project.

This was just as it formally appointed Maverick Energy Partners as preferred concessionaire for the development, financing, construction and operation of a 460 MW storage hydropower facility on the Katsina-Ala River in Benue State.

The project would run under a 35-year Design, Finance, Build, Operate and Transfer (DFBOT) public-private partnership framework.

The agreement represents one of the largest sovereign-backed renewable energy infrastructure concessions in Nigeria in recent years and marks an important milestone in the evolution of public-private infrastructure delivery across Africa.

The signing follows a multi-year approvals process involving Federal Executive Council concession approval, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission certification and Transmission Company of Nigeria grid connection approval, reflecting an unusually advanced level of federal coordination and institutional alignment.

More than an energy project, Grand Katsina-Ala is positioned as a long-term economic development platform designed to strengthen productivity, industrialisation and food security.

Benue State, widely recognised as Nigeria’s agricultural heartland, sits within one of West Africa’s most productive agricultural corridors. Access to reliable and affordable electricity has direct implications for agro-processing capacity, irrigation infrastructure, cold-chain logistics, manufacturing activity and broader supply-chain resilience across the region.

For Benue State, the project represents one of the largest infrastructure initiatives in the region in recent years, with implications extending beyond electricity generation into broader investment and economic activity.

Reliable and affordable electricity remains one of the most significant structural constraints to economic productivity across much of the continent. For regions with major agricultural potential, stable energy infrastructure has the capacity to strengthen value chains, reduce post-harvest losses and unlock broader industrial activity.

The project also reflects wider continental priorities around regional integration, industrial development and infrastructure expansion as African economies increasingly seek to convert resource and agricultural potential into long-term productive capacity.

With an installed capacity of 460 MW and projected annual generation of approximately 2,401 GWh, Grand Katsina-Ala is expected to provide system-critical baseload power to Nigeria’s national grid while supporting growing industrial and commercial demand.

Hydropower remains among the few renewable technologies capable of delivering stable baseload capacity at scale, positioning projects such as Grand Katsina-Ala at the intersection of energy transition priorities and long-term economic development objectives.

The project is expected to create direct and indirect employment opportunities across engineering, construction, logistics, operations, agriculture and associated industries, with multiplier effects anticipated across local communities and regional supply chains.

The project aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and broader federal priorities around infrastructure-led growth, energy security, economic diversification and accelerated industrial development. It also supports national objectives aimed at strengthening agricultural productivity, expanding domestic value creation and improving long-term economic competitiveness.

Grand Katsina-Ala reflects years of technical development work, stakeholder engagement and sovereign coordination by Maverick Energy Partners, which identified the site as a major long-term opportunity for regional economic development.

Maverick Energy Partners brings exceptional depth of experience and technical capability to the project.

The consortium’s principals, Dr Johnson B.O. Adewumi, Babatunde Adewumi and Jean Binquet (Partner), collectively bring decades of frontline hydropower development expertise across Africa, including direct involvement in some of Nigeria’s most significant national hydropower programmes such as Zungeru Hydropower Project, Mambilla Hydropower Project and Gurara Hydropower Project.

Their combined experience spans engineering, procurement, construction and full lifecycle project development across complex sovereign environments, with associated experience across more than 60,000 MW of energy infrastructure globally.

“Grand Katsina-Ala is not simply a power project; it is a platform for economic transformation. Reliable baseload power creates the conditions for industry, manufacturing, agro-processing and long-term regional growth. We have worked for years alongside the Federal Government and our partners to build a framework that is commercially rigorous, technically strong and capable of delivering lasting impact. We believe this project can establish a new benchmark for large-scale public-private partnerships in Africa.”

Speaking on the deal, Dr Johnson B.O. Adewumi, Chairman, Maverick Energy Partners said: “Grand Katsina-Ala represents something larger than infrastructure alone. Benue is the food basket of Nigeria, and infrastructure of this scale has the potential to strengthen agriculture, unlock regional industry, create employment and improve economic prospects for future generations. We believe this can become a model for how strategic national infrastructure is delivered across the continent.”

30/05/2026

BIPC HOSTS UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL WATCH PARTY TO PROMOTE ZEVA BEER
The Benue Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC) on Saturday hosted a watch party for the UEFA Champions League final as part of efforts to promote Zeva Beer and other products from its Food Basket Brewery.
Speaking during the event, the Group Managing Director of BIPC, Dr. Raymond Asemakaha, CFA said the watch party was organized as a market pe*******on strategy aimed at increasing public awareness and consumption of the company's products.
Dr. Asemakaha disclosed that BIPC plans to begin advertising products from the brewery during the upcoming world cup and called on residents of Benue State to patronize locally made products in order to boost revenue generation and create employment opportunities.
According to him, supporting local products is essential for economic growth. "In behavioral economics, citizens are encouraged to consume what they produce because doing so helps grow local businesses and strengthens the economy," he said.
He urged Benue residents to choose Zeva Beer and Oyi Bitters whenever they consume alcoholic beverages, noting that the brewery also produces malt drinks and is expanding into carbonated soft drinks for non-alcohol consumers.
The BIPC boss further stated that the ongoing installation of equipment at the brewery would significantly enhance production capacity and contribute to the realization of the economic vision of the Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia.
Also speaking at the event, the Plant Manager of Food Basket Brewery, Emmanuel Adoje, alongside the plant machinery installer, Engr. Luo, described the brewery's products as high-quality beverages that meet international standards.
Benue music icon and State Coordintor of the National Brand and Made in Nigeria project, Hon. Orduen Andrew Ikon (ODDYWOOD) who facilitated the watch party, said the initiative was designed to bring football lovers together while creating awareness for locally produced beverages.
He noted that the partnership between entertainment, sports, and local industry would help strengthen the visibility and acceptance of Benue-made products among consumers.

30/05/2026

Govs considering N100,000 new national minimum wage — NGF

The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, said state governors are considering a new national minimum wage of N100,000 amid rising economic hardship in the country.

AbdulRazaq disclosed this in a Facebook post on Saturday, noting that the proposal was driven by inflation, the rising cost of living, and mounting financial pressure on Nigerian workers.

According to him, state governments are engaging the Federal Government and organised labour to agree on a wage structure that balances workers’ welfare with fiscal sustainability.

“State governments recognise the urgent need to improve workers’ welfare in response to the current economic realities facing Nigerians,” AbdulRazaq said.

The NGF chairman added that consultations were ongoing to ensure that any new wage regime would not place excessive financial strain on states.

“We are actively engaging with the Federal Government and organised labour to arrive at a wage structure that is fair to workers and sustainable for government finances,” he stated.

He explained that the discussions focused on striking a balance between enhancing workers’ purchasing power and preserving governments’ ability to deliver critical public services and infrastructure projects.

“The goal is to improve the living conditions of workers while ensuring that states can continue to meet their obligations and sustain development projects that directly impact citizens,” he said.

He noted that while workers deserved better remuneration, policymakers must also consider the fiscal realities confronting subnational governments.

The proposed N100,000 minimum wage is expected to intensify national conversations around salaries, inflation, and broader economic reforms as Nigerians continue to grapple with rising food prices, transportation costs, and other living expenses.

Many workers have repeatedly expressed concerns that their current earnings are no longer sufficient to meet basic household needs amid the country’s challenging economic environment.

Nigeria’s statutory minimum wage currently stands at N70,000 per month.

However, several states, including Lagos, Rivers and Imo, are reported to be paying above the national benchmark as part of efforts to support workers.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress has continued to push for a comprehensive review of workers’ salaries, insisting that employees deserve a living wage capable of meeting present-day economic demands rather than one that merely guarantees survival.

30/05/2026

Here is a news story based on the press release:
Troops Rescue 31 Kidnap Victims, Kill Five Terrorists in Zamfara, Katsina Operations
Writing

Troops of Sector 2, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have rescued 31 kidnapped victims, neutralized five terrorists and dismantled several terrorist camps during a series of coordinated military operations across Zamfara and Katsina states.

According to a statement issued on Friday by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Sector 2 Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, the successful operations dealt significant blows to terrorist groups operating in the North-West region.

The statement disclosed that in Zamfara State, troops rescued 31 kidnapped victims along the Bagega–Kawaye axis in Anka Local Government Area. The victims were freed from captivity following a precision air interdiction carried out by the Air Component of Operation FANSAN YAMMA and a follow-up ground assault on terrorist enclaves located west of Bagega Forest.

The rescued victims, who had reportedly spent several weeks in captivity, were identified as indigenes of Maga, Gummi, Zuru, Wasugu, Bukuyyum and Anka Local Government Areas across Zamfara and Sokoto states.

Military authorities said the victims have received medical attention and will be reunited with their families.

In another operation within Zamfara State, troops engaged terrorists around the Maradun and Gidan Dan Jaja axis, where two terrorists were killed and several terrorist camps destroyed.

Security forces also recovered a number of locally fabricated rifles and four motorcycles believed to have been used by the criminal elements.

Meanwhile, in Katsina State, troops intercepted armed terrorists moving through the Ruwan Godiya axis and Sayaya Road in Matazu Local Government Area, reportedly preparing for an imminent attack.

A fierce gun battle ensued, leading to the neutralization of three terrorists. Troops also recovered motorcycles and quantities of ammunition from the scene.

The military revealed that one of the slain terrorists was later identified as a foot soldier of the notorious terrorist kingpin, Muhammad Fulani.

Additional rifles and motorcycles were recovered during the encounters, further degrading the operational capability of the terrorist group.
Lieutenant Colonel Osoba reaffirmed the commitment of Operation FANSAN YAMMA to sustaining offensive operations against terrorist groups and ensuring the safety and security of residents across the North-West.

“Operation FANSAN YAMMA remains resolute in its commitment to eradicating terrorism and ensuring the safety and security of all citizens across the North-West region,” the statement said.

30/05/2026

Young Tiv Man Killed in Fresh Amadu Attack as Police Arrest Two Suspects

A fresh security incident has been reported in Amadu community, Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State, despite recent peace efforts aimed at restoring stability in the area.

Residents said a young Tiv resident was reportedly killed during a shooting near the community on Wednesday, May 28, 2026, while police are said to have arrested two suspects in connection with the incident.

According to community sources, the incident occurred at about 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 28, 2026, while commercial activities were ongoing at the Amadu Market. Witnesses said traders and buyers from various ethnic backgrounds, including Tiv, Hausa, Fulani, Igbo and Kuteb communities, were carrying out their normal business activities when gunshots were reportedly heard from a nearby bush area close to farming settlements.

Residents stated that farmers working in nearby locations began returning to the community after hearing the gunfire, creating anxiety among traders and market visitors.

According to several community members, some farmers later alleged that the attackers were armed Fulani militia members. However, this claim has not been independently verified by security authorities.

Amid the confusion, residents reportedly discovered the body of a young Tiv male who was said to have died from gunshot wounds. Community members said the incident was immediately reported to the police, who reportedly responded to the scene.

According to eyewitness accounts, two Fulani men later emerged from the direction where the shooting allegedly occurred. Witnesses claimed the men were identified by some farmers as being connected to the attack and were subsequently arrested by police officers. The identities of the suspects and the circumstances surrounding the reported arrests have not been officially confirmed.

Despite heightened tension following the incident, residents said the community remained calm and allowed security agencies to handle the situation. The latest incident comes as Amadu community continues efforts to recover from previous conflicts that reportedly affected relations between local residents and armed groups operating in the area.

As of the time of filing this report, no official statement had been issued by the police regarding the reported killing, the identity of the attackers, or the status of the alleged suspects. Residents have called for a thorough investigation and justice for the deceased while urging authorities to strengthen security in the area.

27/05/2026

Trump ordered Pentagon to protect Nigerian Christians targeted by ISIS, says Hegseth

United States Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, has said President Donald Trump directed the Pentagon to prioritise the protection of Christians in Nigeria targeted by ISIS-linked groups.

Speaking during a press conference at the White House on Wednesday, Hegseth said Trump gave the directive about a year ago after learning about attacks on Christians in Nigeria.

“Maybe a year ago, he heard the call of Nigerian Christians who were being targeted and killed by ISIS in Nigeria, and he said, ‘Pete, I want the War Department to focus on ensuring that we do everything we can to protect those Christians,’” Hegseth said.

According to him, the operation involved behind-the-scenes coordination and deployment of military assets.

“And we got the assets there, and over the last month, and there hasn’t been much coverage of this, we killed ISIS number two in Nigeria, who’s most responsible for killing Christians and trying to target the U.S. homeland,” he stated.

According to Hegseth, intelligence gathered during the operation contributed to the killing of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, identified as ISIS’s second-in-command, during a joint operation involving U.S. and Nigerian forces in the Lake Chad Basin.

Hegseth said the operation also led to the deaths of “hundreds” of ISIS fighters linked to attacks on Christians in Nigeria and threats against the United States.

“And have since, because of the intel we gathered, killed hundreds of ISIS members who were targeting and killing Christians in Nigeria,” he added.

The U.S. defence chief said the operation reflected the Trump administration’s commitment to counterterrorism efforts and protecting vulnerable communities.

“So there are a lot of things we do that the media pays attention to, and a lot of things that the president empowers the department to do on behalf of the American people that he deserves great credit for,” Hegseth said.

27/05/2026

30,000 Fulani militants fuelling Nigeria’s insecurity – US report

An estimated 30,000 armed Fulani militants are operating across Nigeria in groups ranging from 10 to 1,000 members, according to the May 2026 report released by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom.

According to Punch Newspaper, the report stated that the militants have become some of the deadliest non-state actors driving religious freedom violations in Nigeria.

Titled “Nonstate Violators of Religious Freedom in Nigeria: Fulani Militants,” the report said attacks carried out by armed actors of Fulani ethnic background intensified insecurity across the Middle Belt and Southern regions, leaving thousands dead, displacing communities and deepening tensions between religious groups.

“Violence by Fulani militants caused the highest number of deaths among all religious communities in Nigeria over the last year as compared to attacks by organised insurgent groups and criminal gangs,” the report stated.

The commission said many of the attacks were directed at Christian communities, though Muslim communities had also suffered raids, killings and kidnappings.

While the groups lack centralised leadership, USCIRF stated that some collaborate with criminal gangs and extremist organisations.

The report explained, “These actors operate in a variety of contexts and with a multiplicity of likely aims and motivations.

“While many Fulani militant groups wage independent attacks, others periodically coordinate with a wide range of other actors, from conventional bandit gangs seeking financial enrichment to recognised terrorist organisations that espouse a violent interpretation of Islam.”

The commission noted that militants frequently attack isolated rural communities at night using motorcycles, automatic weapons and machetes.

“They often wield machetes and descend on vulnerable communities during the night, eliciting terror as a way to force victims to quickly leave and to achieve greater control of desired land,” the report said.

USCIRF explained that attacks by Fulani militants and other armed groups had displaced at least 1.3 million people in the Middle Belt, forcing many into overcrowded camps lacking adequate sanitation and security.

The report detailed several attacks carried out in 2025 and early 2026, including mass killings in Benue and Plateau states.

“One attack in Benue in June 2025 killed at least 200 people, including internally displaced persons living in a Catholic mission,” the report said.

USCIRF also cited the massacre in Yelwata, Benue State, in 2025, where more than 200 Christians, “mostly sleeping women and children,” were reportedly killed and over 3,000 people displaced.

The commission said militants deliberately timed some attacks to coincide with Christian religious holidays.

“Militant actors have often carried out operations during Christian holidays such as Christmas or Easter to further maximise the psychological impact,” the report stated.

It added that in February 2026, suspected Fulani militants reportedly killed at least 32 people in Niger State and attacked Holy Trinity Parish in the Kafanchan Diocese of Kaduna State, killing three people and abducting 11 others, including parish priest Father Nathaniel Asuwaye.

The report also documented kidnappings targeting both churches and mosques.

“In February 2026, armed men kidnapped an imam and seven worshipers from a mosque in Plateau,” USCIRF stated, adding that the kidnappers demanded a ransom of N16m.

The commission said Palm Sunday and Easter attacks in April 2026 left dozens dead in Plateau, Kaduna and Benue states.

“On Easter Sunday, Fulani militants reportedly killed five worshippers at two churches in Kaduna State while abducting 31 others,” the report stated.

USCIRF said conflicting narratives surrounding the violence had complicated efforts to determine the motivations behind the attacks.

The commission highlighted, “Some observers have argued that environmental and economic factors are the driving force behind Fulani militants’ acts of violence, while others have suggested that these actors are engaged in a concerted campaign of outright genocide against non-Muslims, especially Christians.

“In fact, multiple and overlapping factors, including religion in many cases, likely spur Fulani militants to attack communities or individuals.”

The report criticised the federal and state authorities for what it described as inadequate responses to the violence.

“Victims have long reported that security forces are consistently slow to respond to attacks on their communities,” the commission stated.

USCIRF further stated that some Christian advocates accused security agencies of showing favouritism toward Muslim communities during investigations and security operations.

The report noted that governors from 11 states launched an initiative in June 2025 to establish ranch lands for herders in a bid to reduce clashes over grazing routes and farmland.

At the federal level, USCIRF linked renewed Federal Government’s action to the October 2025 decision by the US President Donald Trump to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over religious freedom violations.

Following the designation, President Bola Tinubu classified kidnappers and violent armed groups, including Fulani militants, as “terrorists” in December 2025, the commission stated.

The report said the security agencies rescued 309 hostages in January 2026 during operations in Kogi and Kwara states, arresting 129 suspected Fulani militants and killing 55 others.

USCIRF also highlighted growing scrutiny of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria.

The organisation has faced allegations from Christian leaders that it failed to stop militant violence and land invasions. However, MACBAN denied supporting criminal activity.

“We do not support, condone, harbour, finance, or protect any form of criminality, extremism or violence,” the association said, according to the report.

USCIRF said the US Congress introduced the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026 in February, proposing sanctions against MACBAN over allegations of involvement in severe religious freedom violations.

Despite recent security measures and peace initiatives, the commission warned that violence remained widespread.

“As a result, central Nigeria remains entrenched in an intense, daily, and seemingly perpetual crisis of insecurity,” the report concluded.

The commission added that the crisis was likely to continue “until the federal and several state governments create broader underlying conditions that are more conducive to the safe practice of religious freedom

26/05/2026

Army Arrests Suspected Recruitment Fraudster Over ₦3.6m Scam in Taraba

The Headquarters of the 6 Brigade Nigerian Army has arrested a suspected recruitment fraudster accused of defrauding members of the public of over ₦3.6 million under the guise of securing enlistment into the Nigerian Army.

The suspect, identified as Mr. Felix Yadeh, 51, was apprehended by members of a local vigilante group at Bantaje Village in Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State and later handed over to troops of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Wukari.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday by Lieutenant Umar Muhammad, Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect allegedly collected a total of ₦3,627,000 from unsuspecting victims while falsely promising them recruitment slots into the Nigerian Army.

The Army said the suspect reportedly confessed during interrogation that his younger brother instructed him to collect the money as purported recruitment fees for enlistment into the service.

Items recovered from the suspect included one Infinix Android mobile phone and ₦3,050 cash.

The statement noted that the suspect and the recovered items remain in military custody as investigations continue to uncover the full scope of the alleged fraud and identify possible accomplices.

Commander of the 6 Brigade Nigerian Army and Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke, Brigadier General Chukwuemeka Michael Akaliro, commended the troops and the local vigilante group for their vigilance and swift response that led to the arrest.

He reiterated the Brigade’s commitment to tackling criminal activities and warned Nigerians against falling prey to individuals claiming they can facilitate recruitment into the Nigerian Army in exchange for money.

The Brigade stressed that recruitment into the Nigerian Army is free, transparent, and strictly merit-based, urging members of the public to report suspicious persons involved in extortion, impersonation, or recruitment scams to security agencies.

The operation, according to the Army, forms part of ongoing efforts directed by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shuibu, to eliminate criminality, extortion, and fraudulent activities across the country.

26/05/2026

Court Sentences Police Sergeant to Death for Torturing Suspect to Death in Uyo

A High Court in Akwa Ibom State has sentenced a police sergeant, Goodnews Akpan, to death by hanging for the alleged torture and killing of a suspect in police custody in Uyo.

Delivering judgment on Monday, Justice Nsemeke Daniel found the officer guilty of torturing and murdering a suspect who was being investigated for a bailable offence while serving with the Anti-Kidnapping Squad in Uyo on November 19, 2023.

The development was disclosed in a statement circulated by activist and human rights campaigner, Da Zion Umoh, who described the judgment as a victory against police brutality and torture.

According to the statement, the convict was allegedly linked to the late CSP Ekene Nwosu, a former police officer accused of human rights abuses, unlawful detention and extortion in Akwa Ibom State.

Umoh alleged that several petitions had previously been submitted to the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, the Police Service Commission, the National Assembly and the Nigerian Senate over alleged abuses committed by the late officer and others attached to the anti-kidnapping unit.

He further described torture and police brutality as crimes against humanity, insisting that the court’s verdict should serve as a warning to officers involved in unlawful acts against civilians.

The activist also hailed the judgment as justice for victims of police abuse and custodial violence in the state.

The Nigeria Police Force is yet to officially react to the judgment as of the time of filing this report.

26/05/2026

DSS recovered grenades, ammunition from Benue Youth Leader – Witness tells court

The Federal High Court in Abuja has heard how Silas Oloche, a Benue community youth leader allegedly mobilised ammunition for a planned retaliation against Fulani herders following recurring attacks in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.

The revelations emerged during the trial of the accused person who is facing 6 count charges bordering on alleged unlawful possession of fi****ms and ammunition.

At the commencement of proceedings, the Department of State Services (DSS) operative codenamed XX, who testified as the prosecution’s first witness, told the court that Oloche was arrested on August 2, 2025, in Ogbasi, Agatu LGA, allegedly in possession of 18 hand grenades, 683 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm ammunition, 62 rounds of 7.62 x 51mm ammunition, and 136 live rounds of shotgun ammunition.

The witness, attached to the DSS Security Investigation Department, said the defendant was subsequently transferred from the Benue state command to the DSS National Headquarters in Abuja for further investigation.

According to the witness, Oloche was interviewed in the presence of a Legal Aid counsel and allegedly confessed to purchasing the ammunition from a man identified as “Chocho” for over N2 million.

The operative further told the court that the defendant volunteered a written statement and consented to the him writing it on his behalf because he could not write.

The court admitted the investigation report, the defendant’s written statement, the recovered ammunition and grenades, as well as an audio-visual recording of the interrogation into evidence.

During the open court playback of the video recording of the defendant’s extra-judicial statement, the defendant narrated years of violent attacks on Agatu communities by Fulani herders.

In the video, Oloche identified himself as the youth leader of Agatu and said the crisis dated back to 2013, arising from repeated attacks on farmlands and communities.

He recounted a series of meetings allegedly involving government officials, traditional rulers, security agencies, and Fulani representatives in Kogi, Benue, and Nasarawa states aimed at resolving the conflict.

According to him, agreements reached for the herders to vacate occupied farmlands were repeatedly ignored, while crops continued to be destroyed by cattle.

The defendant in the video, stated that frustration grew within the community following what he described as repeated attacks and lack of government intervention.

He told the investigator in the video that he led a mobilization to gather funds to purchase ammunition after allegedly receiving information that Fulani groups were prepared for confrontation.

Oloche admitted obtaining ammunition and keeping it in his house but claimed they had not yet acquired guns before security operatives arrested him.

He further stated that the community intended to retaliate against attacks but could not proceed because they lacked sufficient ammunition and fi****ms.

According to him, he was given money by displaced villagers and grieving families after retrieving bodies from attacked communities.

He also alleged that repeated appeals were made to authorities without intervention, which he said fuelled anger and thoughts of retaliation within the community.

At the end of the playback, the prosecution tendered the defendant’s extra-judicial statement.

However, defence counsel Noah Imoni objected to its admissibility, arguing that the statement was not voluntarily obtained.

The defence alleged that the defendant was beaten, tortured, and traumatised during interrogation, while also questioning the role of the Legal Aid lawyer present during the interview.

In response, the prosecution urged the court to conduct a trial-within-trial to determine whether the statement was voluntarily made.

The trial judge, Justice Joyce Abdumaliki subsequently ordered a trial-within-trial.

Earlier in the proceedings, the defence had urged the court to vary the defendant’s bail conditions, arguing that the requirement for two sureties resident within the Federal Capital Territory with fully developed properties in Abuja metropolis was too stringent.

The prosecution opposed the application, insisting that the nature of the allegations and proof of evidence before the court justified the existing conditions.

The court reserved ruling on the bail variation application to a date to be communicated later.

The court fixed July 8, for commencement of trial within trial and continuation of trial.

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