Nigeria: Thousands Protest Deadly Gunmen Attack in Benue; Police Fire Tear Gas

Nigeria: Thousands Protest Deadly Gunmen Attack in Benue; Police Fire Tear Gas | Firstpost Africa
Nigeria: Thousands Protest Deadly Gunmen Attack in Benue; Police Fire Tear Gas | Firstpost Africa
Deadly violence has erupted in central Nigeria following brutal attacks on the village of Yelewata, where gunmen killed dozens, many while they slept. The assault has sparked mass protests in Makurdi, with demonstrators demanding action from the government. Clashes between Fulani herders and Christian farmers over land rights have fueled years of bloodshed in the region. While officials confirm 59 dead, local groups claim over 100 fatalities. Police cracked down on the protests, firing tear gas to disperse crowds. As peace efforts stall, tensions continue to rise in Benue state, highlighting the deepening crisis gripping Nigeria's central region.
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Hindustan Times

an hour ago

• Hindustan Times

BJP govt conspiring against minority institutions: Akhilesh

Lashing out at the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav alleged that it was conspiring to dismantle all minority institutions and target both Muslims and Christian organisations. Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav also alleged corruption in government departments. (HT FIle) Addressing a press conference at the SP headquarters in Lucknow on Friday, Akhilesh said: 'The BJP follows the British policy of divide and rule. Madrasas are being shut down, land records are being scrutinised, and bulldozers are being used on madrasa properties. The BJP is not just targeting Muslims, but is now trying to enter Christian institutions too. Lakhs of posts are vacant across departments, including two lakh in the education department. Yet the government boasts of a trillion-dollar economy and a developed India. Does this happen in a developed country?' On the inauguration of Gorakhpur Link Expressway by chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday, Akhilesh said, 'The trillion-dollar budget is not being spent on education, health and welfare for the poor, but on the highway of loot.' 'The 91-kilometre expressway has been built at a cost of more than ₹ 7,000 crore. It is not an expressway, but a four-lane highway. If you want to know the difference, pick up a book and see what the Indian Road Congress (IRC) says. Is this expressway built as per IRC standards? Will the government take action against those who flouted the norms?' asked Akhilesh. On the recent issue of alleged anomalies in transfers, Akhilesh said, 'There is a dispute as officers and ministers want to work as per their own free will. A deputy CM has complained that the officer of his department did not show him the list of transfers.' The SP chief alleged corruption in departments such as education, PWD, and urban development. 'There is a fixed rate for transfers. Despite Smart City funds from both Delhi and Lucknow, cities like Mathura, Agra and Unnao are struggling with clogged drains. The level of corruption in U.P. today is unprecedented,' he alleged. Akhilesh further alleged that the BJP was against PDA (Pichhda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) and reservation. 'The rules of reservation are not being followed in recruitments. We all have to come together and protect reservation and the Constitution given by Baba Saheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar. PDA is our emotional slogan and it connects people,' the SP chief said.

First Post

18 hours ago

• First Post

‘No bra, no exam': How a university rule has triggered outrage in Nigeria

A Nigerian university, Olabisi Onabanjo University, is facing flak after a disturbing video surfaced online, showing female students being physically checked to ensure they were wearing bras before being allowed to sit for an exam. The checks were part of the university's dress code policy, aimed at maintaining a distraction-free environment' read more A viral video shows female staff at Olabisi Onabanjo University in Ogun State physically checking whether female students were wearing bras before entering an exam hall. The move has sparked massive outrage. AI-generated representative image A Nigerian university has come under fire after a disturbing video surfaced online, showing female students being physically checked to ensure they were wearing bras before being allowed to sit for an exam. The footage, reportedly filmed at Olabisi Onabanjo University in Nigeria's southwestern Ogun State, shows female staff touching students' chests as they stood in line outside an examination hall, according to a BBC report. The university has yet to release an official statement, but the video has already sparked a wave of outrage across social media, with many criticising the invasive and humiliating practice. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Here's what we know so far. What is university's 'no bra, no exam' rule The viral video that sparked the storm shows female staff at Olabisi Onabanjo University in Ogun State physically checking whether female students were wearing bras before entering an exam hall. The act, widely circulated on social media, was reportedly done to enforce the university's dress code. Staff are seen touching students' chests in line, supposedly to determine compliance with the rule. Olabisi Onabanjo University OOU allegedly enforces the new 'No bra, No entry' policy as exams start yesterday🙆🏼‍♂️ — Oyindamola🙄 (@dammiedammie35) June 17, 2025 Student union leader Muizz Olanrewaju Olatunji took to X to defend the policy, saying it was 'a dress-code policy aimed at maintaining a respectful and distraction-free environment,' and that it encourages students 'to dress modestly and in line with the institution's values.' He added that the policy was not a new one, and claimed the student union had been in talks with university officials to find alternative ways of addressing what the institution considers 'indecent dressing' – with a focus on respectful engagement between students and staff. While the university isn't affiliated with any religious body, Nigeria as a country remains deeply conservative. With 53.5 per cent of the population identifying as Muslim and nearly 44 per cent as Christian, social expectations around modesty are often strictly upheld, especially in rural areas. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A student, speaking to the BBC on condition of anonymity, said the university strictly enforces a moral code, and their clothes are always being checked. Olatunji shared excerpts from what he said were the university's official guidelines, which define indecent dressing as any outfit that exposes 'sensitive body parts such as breasts, buttocks, nipples and belly-buttons,' or anything 'capable of making the same or opposite sex to lust after the student in an indecent manner.' Student union leader of Olabisi Onabanjo University in Ogun State Muizz Olanrewaju Olatunji defended the 'no bra', no exam' policy, saying it was 'a dress-code policy aimed at maintaining a distraction-free environment'. Image courtesy: X Such rules are not unusual in Nigeria, where many universities impose dress codes. Female students are often banned from wearing miniskirts, while male students may be prohibited from having dreadlocks or wearing earrings. A 'draconian' rule The recent video has sparked an online firestorm, with many branding the practice sexist, outdated, and even criminal. 'This is harassment. People have different reasons for not wearing bras,' wrote a user on X. Another wrote, 'That's human rights violation. Sue them!!!' Haruna Ayagi, a senior official from the Human Rights Network, told the BBC that the method used by the university could land it in legal trouble. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Unwarranted touches on another person's body is a violation and could lead to legal action,' Ayagi said. 'The university is wrong to adopt this method to curb indecent dressing.' Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong echoed those concerns, calling the bra policy 'draconian' and 'arbitrary.' 'Physically examining the bodies of students to determine whether they are wearing a bra or not is not only degrading but also undignifying,' he told CNN. Effiong added that there could be medical reasons why a student might not wear a bra, and pointed out that the blanket enforcement of such a policy 'without exceptions, or without taking peculiarities into consideration is arbitrary,' and could result in lawsuits. With input from agencies

Time of India

a day ago

• Time of India

Govt to up housing quota for minorities from 10% to 15%

Bengaluru: The Karnataka govt Thursday resolved to increase reservation in housing schemes for minorities from 10% to 15% in urban and rural Karnataka, a decision which BJP dubbed as one more instance of minority appeasement. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Law and parliamentary minister HK Patil explained the cabinet decision to increase the housing-scheme quota for minorities and said: "We considered the number of houseless families from the minorities, Sachar Committee report, other studies about the houseless families and also instructions from the Union govt." The minister said the 15% quota applies to Muslim, Christian and Jain communities. He clarified that there will be no quota for minorities in the schemes meant exclusively for SC/ST communities. "There was a discussion about the need to increase the housing quota for minorities in the session. The govt has taken this decision keeping social justice in mind. We need not respond to those who do politics in providing houses for poor people," said Patil. Soon after the cabinet meeting, deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar defended the govt decision saying the houses constructed by the housing department in urban areas are lying vacant, and people from minority communities have expressed willingness to move into these houses. "In some urban areas, 20% to 30% of the minority communities are poor. Therefore, a proposal has been made to increase their quota. So, we are increasing the housing allocation reservation for them from 10% to 15%," said Shivakumar. BJP state president BY Vijayendra said reservation on the basis of religion is unconstitutional and that Congress has converted welfare into a marketplace for vote-bank politics. He said this was the second such instance after the state govt passed the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (Amendment) Bill, 2025, to provide a 4% reservation for Muslims in govt civic contracts. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Union minister Prahlad Joshi alleged the cabinet decision was unconstitutional. "Siddaramaiah and his company decided to provide 4% reservation in contracts, which was an unprecedented move in the country. Now, they have decided to allocate a 15% reservation under housing schemes," said Joshi. Amit Malviya, in charge of BJP's National Information & Technology Dept, said, "There can be no reservation on the basis of religion — the Constitution is unambiguous on this. Yet, the Congress govt in Karnataka is hell-bent on pushing religious quotas to appease its vote bank. This isn't governance, it's dangerous social engineering." He further alleged that the Congress is determined to sow the seeds of division, polarise communities, and rip apart the social fabric of Karnataka — all for short-term political gains. ++++ Boxes Agriculture Minister to lobby with Centre on Mango compensation Law and parliamentary affairs minister HK Patil said the cabinet discussed the issue of mango farmers, particularly in Kolar and Bangalore Rural areas, and authorised agriculture minister N Chaluvarayaswamy and chief secretary Shalini Rajneesh to discuss with the Union agriculture minister to seek compensation for farmers. ++++ Cabinet at Nandi Hills on July 17 Law and parliamentary affairs minister HK Patil said the cabinet meeting scheduled to be held at Nandi Hills on Thursday was postponed due to pending proposals from a few departments for the region. The ministers from the region also requested the CM to postpone the meeting at Nandi Hills. The govt has decided to hold a cabinet meeting at Nandi Hills on July 17. +++++ Other decisions *Rs 16 crore for deploying mobile health units (MHUs) to provide primary healthcare services in remote and inaccessible places across the state * Five bills to be discussed at next cabinet: Karnataka Crowd Control Managing Crowd at Events and Venue, Mass Gathering Bill 2025, Karnataka Rohith Vemula Bill 2025, Karnataka Misinformation, Fake News Prohibition Bill 2025, and Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crime Prevention Bill 2025 * Apsarakonda-Mugali marine wildlife sanctuary declared with total area of nearly 6,000 hectares, including a 6-km stretch of coastline and forest area in Honnavar, Uttara Kannada district