The Federal Government says it remains resolute on holistically addressing the clashes between farmers and herdsmen which have become a major national security concern in many parts of the country.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Mr Lai Mohammed, made the disclosure while addressing State House correspondents on Wednesday, shortly after the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari.

“The Federal government is very distressed about the herdsmen and farmers clashes and they are receiving attention at the highest level,” the minister said.

The minister also backed the government's proposal for the establishment of cattle colonies.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday in Abuja presented certificates of registration to the 21 newly registered political parties, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports. This brings the total number of registered parties in the country to 68. The political parties are All Blending Party (ABP), All Grassroots Alliance (AGA), Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN), Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party (ANRP), Coalition for Change (C4C) and Freedom and Justice Party (FJP).

Emerging reports indicate that the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu is ridiculing the recently introduced whistle blower policy of the Federal Government, with the suspension of some EFCC staff who had written a petition to President Muhammadu Buhari detailing prevailing corrupt practices in the Commission.

Amidst wanton destruction and indiscriminate killings in some parts of the country, the Nigerian Army has deployed Special Forces to troubled states of Benue, Taraba and Nasarawa. The presidency announced this in a tweet on Wednesday evening. Over 100 people have been killed in the three states in the last one week.

Rivers state governor, Nyesom Wike has challenged security operatives to go after 32 cultists jeopardizing security of particularly Omoku, Ogba, Egbema, Ndoni local government areas of the state, placing a N20M reward on each for any information which could lead to their arrest.

The latest offer is about N440 million more than what the governor offered towards the arrest of late notorious kidnap kingpin, Johnson Igwedibia, better known as Don Wani, who was linked to the murder of up to 23 persons in Omoku on 1st January.

Wike made the pledge on a TV broadcast stating that 32 notorious cultist remain in 12 local government areas of the state.

The governor in his quest to rid the state of criminality warned that either they (criminals) leave the state or risk the death penalty.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has announced the 2019 general elections timetable and schedule of activities. The electoral umpire says Presidential and National Assembly primaries will begin on August 18 while campaigns will commence on November 18, 2018. Campaigns for the governorship and state assembly are scheduled to commence on December the 1, 2018.