NEWS
Flood Washes Away Culvert, Cuts Off JoSTUM From Makurdi as Thousands Stranded
Thousands of students, academic staff, and residents have been stranded following the collapse of a major culvert linking Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi (JoSTUM) with Makurdi and several surrounding communities in Benue State.
The culvert, located on the Ake River between Antsah and Anini villages, was reportedly washed away by heavy rainfall, cutting off access to the university, Akawe Torkula Polytechnic, the School of Special Science, and nearby communities.
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The development has sparked concern among university authorities, community leaders, and residents, who have called on the Benue State Government to urgently restore access to the affected areas.
Speaking on the situation, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) of JoSTUM, Prof. Elizabeth Kembe, described the road challenge as a recurring problem for the institution.
She explained that while the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) had commenced rehabilitation of the damaged culverts, the project was interrupted by heavy rainfall before completion, leaving students and staff unable to access the campus.
According to her, academic activities have resumed, but many students remain stranded, forcing some official university engagements to be moved to the Pro-Chancellor’s guest house due to the poor road condition.
Also speaking, the university’s Registrar, Dr. John David, said movement became extremely difficult after Sunday’s heavy rainfall. He noted that residents and commuters now rely on alternative routes where they are charged between N500 and N1,000 to cross.
David urged the state government to urgently repair the road, stressing that it serves as a critical route connecting the university and neighbouring communities.
He further appealed to the Federal Government to construct the institution’s original access road from Agan Village to the main campus, saying it would ease traffic pressure and improve accessibility.
The Director of the Ahmadu Ali Centre for Public Health and Comparative Medicine at JoSTUM, Prof. Mohammed Adah, described the situation as a major setback to academic and clinical activities.
He lamented that students and staff could no longer move freely between the university’s main campus and its Veterinary Teaching Hospital located at North Bank, disrupting lectures and clinical sessions.
“We have over 8,000 students and cannot continue this way,” he said while calling for immediate intervention.
An external member of the university council, Dr. Mohammed Kwankwaso, also expressed concern, describing it as risky for a university of such size to depend on a single access road.
Meanwhile, Youth Leader of Udzer Community, Benjamin Yogbo, said the damaged road serves as the major link between educational institutions and surrounding settlements.
He noted that the disruption has prevented workers from reaching their workplaces, students from attending classes, and traders from conducting normal business activities.
A resident, Jumai Ishama, lamented the hardship faced by families in the area, revealing that her children had been unable to attend school since Monday while business activities had slowed significantly.
Responding to the concerns, the Benue State Coordinator of the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project, Dr. Stephen Numbeve, assured residents that the contractor had not abandoned the project.
He attributed the delay to persistent rainfall and announced that earth-moving equipment would be deployed immediately to create temporary access for road users.
Numbeve expressed confidence that work on the damaged culvert would be completed within 21 days, restoring normal movement for students, staff, and residents.
NEWS
Fresh Bloodshed in Plateau: 15-Year-Old Herder Killed, Cattle Slaughtered
A fresh attack by suspected gunmen in Plateau State has claimed the life of a 15-year-old herder, Sadi Aliyu, while leaving 13 cattle dead and 11 others missing.
The incident occurred in Sabon Gidan Kanar community, Jos South Local Government Area, where the teenager and other herders were reportedly grazing livestock when armed attackers stormed the area and opened fire.
Confirming the attack on Saturday, the Plateau State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, said the assailants attacked the herders without provocation.
SEE ALSO: Flood Washes Away Culvert, Cuts Off JoSTUM From Makurdi as Thousands Stranded
According to him, the teenage herder was killed on the spot, while several cattle were also shot dead during the assault.
“The victim, alongside his colleagues, was rearing cattle when the gunmen attacked them. They killed one herder and 13 cattle, while about 11 cattle are still missing,” Babayo said.
He condemned the incident, describing it as a threat to peace and security in the state.
“The continuous targeting of innocent herders and their livestock is unacceptable and poses a serious threat to peaceful coexistence and security in Plateau State,” he added.
Babayo disclosed that the matter had been reported to the Bukuru B Division of the Nigeria Police Force and Sector 6 of Operation Enduring Peace for investigation and necessary action.
He called on security agencies to thoroughly investigate the attack, apprehend those responsible, and ensure justice is served.
The MACBAN chairman also urged governments at all levels to strengthen measures aimed at protecting lives and property, irrespective of ethnic background or occupation.
While appealing for calm, he advised members of the herding community and affected residents not to resort to self-help or retaliation.
“The association remains committed to peace, dialogue and lawful means of addressing grievances,” he stated.
The latest attack comes amid ongoing efforts by the Plateau State Government to address insecurity.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang recently announced a ban on night mining activities and prohibited night grazing and grazing by underage herders as part of measures to improve security across the state.
Efforts to obtain official confirmation from Operation Enduring Peace were unsuccessful, as its spokesman, Captain Polycarp Oteh, had yet to respond to inquiries as of the time of filing this report.
NEWS
Osun Commemorates World Environment Day with Tree Planting
In a bold demonstration of environmental leadership, the Osun State Government, through the Office of the Director-General and Special Envoy of the Governor on Climate Change and Renewable Energy, successfully conducted a two-day tree planting campaign.
A government house statement in Osogbo on Friday has it that the exercise for restoration and afforestation, in commemoration of World Environment Day, was held on June 4th and 5th, 2026.
The impactful programme included comprehensive climate action sensitization, donation of adequate seedlings, educational books, and interactive sessions on Climate Change Education. This forms a key part of the innovative Imole Green School Initiative, which seeks to cultivate a new generation of environmental stewards while rapidly expanding green cover across the state.
Schools that participated in the exercise include Islamic College, Osogbo; Phoebe Star School, Osogbo; Oasis School, Osogbo; Olive Branch School, Osogbo; Oba Laoye Grammar School, Ede; Ede High School, Ede; and the Federal University of Health Sciences, Ila-Orangun.
The tree planting campaign is an ongoing statewide effort, with many more schools across Osun State earmarked to receive seedlings and support in the coming months. The Office has also extended a strategic partnership to all security agencies, promising technical support and seedlings for greening their premises.
Speaking at the grand finale held at the Department of Environmental Health Science, Federal University of Health Sciences, Ila-Orangun, Prof. Chinwe Obuaku, Director-General and Special Envoy of His Excellency, Governor Ademola Adeleke on Climate Change and Renewable Energy, delivered a powerful call to action: “Over the years, my work has taught me that climate change is not merely about the environment; it is about people. It is about the child who cannot study at night because there is no access to clean energy. It is about the mother whose livelihood depends on a healthy and productive environment. It is about the community whose future is threatened by environmental degradation. That understanding has shaped our approach in Osun State.
Every tree planted is a promise to the future. It is a declaration that we refuse to be passive observers while our environment faces unprecedented challenges.”
Prof. Chinwe Obuaku reaffirmed the state government’s unwavering commitment to the Imole Green School Initiative, describing it as an enduring platform for empowering students and communities to champion environmental sustainability.
The Osun State Government under His Excellency, Governor Ademola Adeleke remains steadfast in its dedication to sustainable environmental management, renewable energy adoption, and climate resilience as foundational pillars of the state’s development agenda.
NEWS
Adeleke Prompts Police Commissioner on Plot to Destabilise Osun Motor Parks
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has raised alarm over plots by some disgruntled elements to destabilise the motor parks across the state
Consequently, he directed the Osun State Commissioner of Police to nip the evil plans in the bud, according to a statement issued on Friday in Osogbo.
According to the Governor, certain individuals linked to opposition elements have concluded plans to invade motor parks across the local governments, calling the sinister moves a ploy to foist chaos on the state.
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Describing the plan as a threat to public order, the governor praises the peace and tranquillity that have prevailed at the motor parks from 2023 till date and vowed never to allow instability and conflicts to resurface at the transport joints.
“Credible reports indicated some opposition elements in this untoward plan against the peace of Osun state. We already have all the details and I warn them to drop their sinister moves.
“I have further directed the Commissioner of Police to take pre-emptive action. The current peace and stability of our dear state must be sustained at all cost”, the governor noted.





