Latest news with #killings
BBC News
a day ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Focus on Africa Nigeria: What's behind Benue state attacks?
Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu has ordered security agencies to bring an end to the wave of killings in Benue state. It's believed that more than 200 people were killed in attacks across various communities. What's behind the increase in violence? Also, a young man from the DRC is on the path to sainthood in the Catholic Church. Who was he and what did he do to achieve this? And we discuss the state of the book industry on the continent, following the first ever UNESCO report on the issue, with one of the authors of the report, Elitha van der Sandt and the internationally acclaimed Nigerian author, Lola Shoneyin. Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Tom Kavanagh, Sunita Nahar and Wedaeli Chibelushi Technical Producer: Chris Ablakwa Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
BBC News
4 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Benue killings: What you need to know about Nigeria's herder-farmer conflict
Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu has ordered security agencies to bring an end to a wave of killings in the central Benue is believed that more than 200 people have died in a series of attacks across various communities in the last few days described the killings as "inhuman and anti-progress". He was speaking after hundreds stormed the streets of the state capital Makurdi to protest against the say thousands have been forced to flee their homes. How serious is the violence in Benue? This not a new problem but it has escalated analyst Kabir Adamu, head of Beacon Security and Intelligence Limited, told the BBC that according to their database, 1,043 people were killed in Benue between May 2023 and May state has been at the centre of a violent conflict between herders and farmers that has led to the killing of thousands of civilians and many members of the security forces in Nigeria's so-called Middle Belt going back many years. Herders, mostly from the Fulani ethnic group, move around to find food for their cattle, bringing them into conflict with the owners of farms, who say the cattle trample their crops and pollute water sources. Some of them are armed with powerful guns, saying they need to protect themselves from cattle the farmers often blame the Fulanis for the violence, one of the community's leaders, Baba Othman Ngelzarma, told the BBC that his people were not behind the killings in Benue.'Our people are not behind the Benue killings, we know there are some unresolved issues in Benue which have been there for some time.'But we have never allowed any of our people to attack or kill others,' he authorities have not blamed any group but it is safe to assume that there are lots of victims on both sides, as any attack usually leads to revenge and then a cycle of violence. What is behind the violence? The ongoing insecurity in Benue State is a complex issue stemming from a mix of economic, environmental, socio-political, and governance factors."Environmental degradation, notably climate change-induced desertification and irregular rainfall patterns in Nigeria's northern regions, plays a critical role," says analyst Mr Adamu."These pressures compel herders to migrate southward... including Benue State, where resources are already strained."Rapid population growth in these areas further intensifies the competition for limited land and water, creating a self-reinforcing cycle of environmental stress, migration, and conflict escalation," he is an additional factor as the Fulanis are mostly Muslim while the farming communities in Benue are also blame the authorities for not providing more security or coming up with policies that address the economic needs of both communities. What is the government doing about the conflict? Both the state and national governments have tried various policies over the years but none have proved successful Adamu says a federal joint task force was launched in 2018 and then another one last month, the Forest Guards."This national system aims to recruit armed operatives to secure forest reserves from terrorists and criminals."Public affairs analyst Sam Philip, who lives in Makurdi, says the conflict has not been getting the attention it deserves for years, with the government focusing on other security crises like the Boko Haram insurgency in the north-east, the demand for secession in parts of the south-east and a wave of kidnapping for ransom in the north-west."I feel this issue has been ignored for long in terms of real attention from the government and that is why things continue to escalate," he noted. How can it be resolved? Mr Adamu says any solution needs to have both security and economic elements."One way of having lasting peace in Benue is through sustained and adaptive security presence, what it means is to deploy more tactical and intelligence-based special forces to Benue State, ensuring their presence is sustained and adaptable to shifting also says that that the government needs to provide grazing land for the herders so they don't come into conflict with farmers."The aim should be to ensure it is equitable and provides viable, sustainable alternatives for pastoralists," he President Muhammadu Buhari did come up with such a plan, however this was rejected by states in the south, who saw it as a way of giving the Fulanis a share of their land. More BBC stories on Nigeria: At least 45 killed in central Nigeria raidDisbelief as Nigeria urges prayer to end food shortagesCulture and colour come out in praise of a Nigerian king Go to for more news from the African us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica
CTV News
5 days ago
- CTV News
Minnesota suspect still on the run as search reaches 24-hours
CTV News Public Safety Analyst Chris Lewis on the ongoing search for the 57-year-old suspect wanted for the killings of Melissa Hortman and her husband.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Yahoo
Former Army squadmate shares insight into military past of WA's Travis Decker
The Brief Travis Decker, the man wanted in the killing of his three daughters, has a complex military background. A former Army squadmate describes Decker as quiet, hardworking, and having a desire to prove himself. The manhunt for Decker in Chelan County, Washington is ongoing. SEATTLE, Wash. - As new details continue to unfold in the case against Travis Decker, FOX 13 has learned more about the man at the center of the tragic killings of his three daughters—Paityn, Olivia, and Evelyn. A former Army squadmate of Decker's shared insight into Decker's military past and recent behavior—on the condition of anonymity. The backstory The two served together in 2017 as part of the 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, while stationed in Italy. The source provided photos of Decker taken that year, showing him just after completing a long march in Europe. The former squamate described Decker as being quiet, a bit of an outcast, yet a hard worker and somewhat of a narcissist. Before joining the 503rd, Decker had reportedly been removed from the elite Ranger Regiment after failing to complete Ranger School. Despite public photos circulating of Decker in uniform with a Ranger tab, the source said he wasn't a Ranger. The teammate recalls Decker joining the unit in Italy, and meeting Whitney, who had already welcomed their first child, Paityn. According to the source, Decker spoke often about wanting to follow in his father's footsteps—his father was a Green Beret—and he expressed a desire to return to Special Forces, though he never did. The squad member says it felt like Decker had something to prove, saying he talked about his dad a lot— he worshiped him. The two remained loosely connected on social media after their time in the military. But in the days following the murder accusations, the source said Decker deleted nearly all his posts, photos, videos, and unfollowed most of his former comrades. Now, with the deaths of Decker's three young daughters making national headlines, those who once served alongside him are reeling. "All of us who served with him feel betrayed and are beyond distraught with the news," the teammate said. The case remains under investigation, and FOX 13 will continue to provide updates as new information becomes available. The Source Information in this story came from original FOX 13 Seattle reporting and interviews. Bodies of 3 missing Wenatchee, WA girls found, father wanted for murder 1 arrested, 1 wanted, after drive-by shooting in West Seattle Miles Hudson found guilty on 2 counts of reckless driving in Seattle 'I am in a lot of pain': Lakewood, WA mass shooting survivors being released from hospitals Alaska Airlines announces nonstop flight from Seattle to Rome WATCH: TikTok video of woman digging for geoduck in WA goes viral Carnation fed up with traffic from Remlinger Farms concerts To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
Free Malaysia Today
03-06-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
2 Japanese men killed in China after business dispute
Chinese police notified the Japanese consulate in Shenyang on May 25 about the killings. (AFP pic) TOKYO : China's foreign ministry said today that two Japanese men killed last month in the northeastern city of Dalian were business partners of the suspect and authorities were investigating. Dalian police confirmed the case in a statement today and said a 42-year-old male suspect of Chinese nationality has been arrested. He had lived in Japan for a long time, the statement said. The two victims were business partners of the suspect who had entered China temporarily, police said, adding that the incident was triggered due to business conflicts. Kyodo News had reported the incident earlier today, citing the Japanese embassy in China. Chinese police notified the Japanese consulate in Shenyang on May 25 about the killings, the report said.
