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Senate Committee To Probe Killing Of Benue Health Worker, Insecurity In Benue South

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The Senate has directed its relevant security committees to investigate the gruesome killing of a public health worker, identified as Ojama Emie, and the worsening security situation in parts of Benue State following concerns raised on the floor of the upper chamber during plenary on Tuesday.

The resolution followed a matter of personal explanation raised under Order 42 by the Senate Minority Leader.

Presenting the matter, the lawmaker lamented the persistent attacks and killings allegedly carried out by suspected armed herdsmen across communities in Benue South Senatorial District, describing the region as being “under siege.”

He specifically drew attention to the murder of Ojama Emie, a public health worker who was reportedly ambushed, killed and beheaded on Monday, June 8, 2026, at Ugbobi Road Junction in Ikobi, Apa Local Government Area of the state.

According to the senator, the victim’s severed head was taken away by the attackers, while Ugbobi Junction along the Ugbokpo–Ikobi Road has become a notorious flashpoint where armed herdsmen frequently ambush motorists and residents.

He listed several communities across Apa, Agatu, Otukpo, Ohimini and Ogbadibo local government areas that have suffered repeated attacks, including Ikobi, Ojantele-Akwete, Ankali Edikwu, Okokolo, Aila, Ogbaulu, Odugbeho, Ugbamaju, Emichi and Otobi Akpa.

The senator expressed concern over what he described as the inadequate response of the Benue State Government to the security challenges facing the affected communities.

While commending the efforts of security agencies such as the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, he alleged that local security outfits, including Operation Zenda, Volunteer Guards and Homeland Security personnel, have not received sufficient funding from the state and local governments to effectively combat the attacks.

The lawmaker also raised concerns over the continued detention of Oloche Silas, a youth leader from Agatu Local Government Area who, according to him, coordinated community efforts against armed attackers before his arrest over alleged illegal possession of firearms.

He argued that Silas’ incarceration for more than a year had weakened local resistance efforts and left vulnerable communities exposed to further attacks.

The senator further alleged that military personnel recently assaulted and disarmed youth volunteers who had gathered in Ologo and Asaba communities to discuss security measures following the killing of three farmers in Ikobi.

Calling for urgent intervention, the senator appealed to the Senate leadership and the Federal Government to address the deteriorating security situation in Benue South and facilitate the release of individuals detained under circumstances related to community self-defence efforts.

Following deliberations, the Senate resolved to mandate its relevant committees to engage security agencies and investigate the circumstances surrounding the killing of the health worker and the broader security challenges confronting communities in the district, with a view to recommending appropriate measures.

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Strait of Hormuz Will Be Closed Until Further Notice, Says Iran’s Guards

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Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said Sunday the Strait of Hormuz would be closed “until further notice” after they fired warning shots at a vessel they said used an unauthorised route, state media reported.

The move threatens to further complicate efforts to salvage US-Iran negotiations after both sides exchanged strikes over the past few days and traded threats.

News outlets Axios and Politico reported that Washington had given Tehran until Saturday to stop firing on commercial ships transiting Hormuz and formally acknowledge that the waterway is open.

A key roadblock to a final agreement is the future of the Strait of Hormuz, with Tehran insisting it will control shipping through the waterway and Washington demanding unrestricted navigation.

The Guards said the vessel was “hit by warning shots and stopped” after ignoring repeated instructions to use an approved shipping corridor, according to a statement carried by state news agency IRNA on Sunday.

“Following this incident… the Strait of Hormuz will be closed until further notice and until the end of American interventions in this region, and no vessels will be allowed to pass through,” the Guards said.

The Guards also said they would target “new enemy bases in the region” if new military action was carried out against them.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints.

Around a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas trade normally passes through the waterway, making any disruption a major concern for energy markets.

Iran closed the strait to commercial shipping during its war with the United States and Israel, contributing to sharp rises in oil prices and disrupting maritime traffic across the region.

Iran insists it has the right to regulate passage through the strait and has announced plans to charge fees for vessels using the route.

Iranian officials have repeatedly said there will be no return to the pre-war system of unrestricted navigation.

The United States has rejected that position and maintains that commercial shipping must be able to move freely through the waterway.

Under customary international law, countries are generally not permitted to impose tolls on straits used for international navigation.

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Senegal Part Ways With Coach Thiaw After World Cup Exit

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Senegal coach Pape Thiaw has been sacked in the wake of his side’s last-32 elimination at the World Cup, the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) announced Sunday.

“Following a meeting of the (FSF) executive committee, it was decided to initiate proceedings to relieve national team coach Pape Thiaw, as well as the entire coaching staff, of their duties,” the federation said in a statement.

It added that FSF president Abdoulaye Fall will hold a press conference on Monday to explain the “reasons behind this decision” and “to discuss the future”.

Thiaw, 45 and a former Senegal international, took over as national team boss in 2024.

But he paid the price for a disappointing World Cup, in which the Lions of Teranga suffered two defeats in the group stage, against France and Norway, before a 5–0 victory over Iraq secured their place in the knockout rounds.

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Thibaut Courtois makes strange Belgium request after World Cup exit

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Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is willing to continue his international career but ⁠wants to be let off from playing for his country over the next few months.

Courtois, who was controversially taken off ‌in Friday’s World Cup quarter-final defeat by Spain, said during the tournament he was ‌thinking of retiring from the national team.

But the 34-year-old, who ‌has won 115 caps after debuting in 2011, is now open ‌to staying if he is guaranteed a reduced schedule.

“I’ve already ‌indicated that I’d like a quieter year, where I can stay in Madrid during the Nations League campaign to focus on my recovery. That way, ‌Senne (Lammens), Mike (Penders) or Maarten (Vandevoordt) could play,” he said, ⁠listing potential replacements.

“If they (Belgium) accept ‌that, then I’d be open to continuing,” said Courtois, who was taken ​off with a twinge in his leg against Spain and saw his replacement Lammens spill the ball to allow ​the Spanish to score an 88th-minute winner.

“It’s a shame to come off in such a special match,” Courtois said. “I felt really ⁠good in the second half ​and made a few saves. You want to stay on the pitch in moments like that.

“But I took two goal kicks, and on the second one, I felt pain in my quadriceps. I ‌let them know I couldn’t take long goal kicks anymore,” he told reporters.

“I could have stayed in goal, but the coach (Rudi Garcia) said: ‘If you aren’t 100%, I’m substituting you.’ That’s why I initially wanted to keep playing, but the coach decided to substitute me. That’s not a problem. The team comes first, of course.”

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