As the world embraces the joy and warmth of the Christmas season, Adron Homes and Properties, Nigeria’s foremost real estate company, has extended heartfelt greetings to its esteemed customers while reaffirming its commitment to addressing the nation’s housing challenges.

In a message of gratitude and celebration, Adron Homes expressed deep appreciation to its customers for their trust and loyalty throughout 2024. The company highlighted its unwavering dedication to making incredible housing affordable for all Nigerians, in line with its mission of reducing the country’s housing deficit.

“Christmas is a time to celebrate family, unity, and gratitude,” the statement read. “As we reflect on the year, we are proud to have played a role in making homeownership a reality for thousands of Nigerians. Our vision is clear—to bridge the housing deficit by providing affordable, luxurious, and secure homes for all, regardless of income level.”

Adron Homes has continued to lead the real estate industry by implementing innovative solutions that make homeownership accessible, including flexible payment plans and cost-effective housing models tailored to meet diverse customer needs.

As part of its Christmas and end-of-the-year celebration, the company has launched a special festive promotions ‘Lemon Friday’ aimed at encouraging more Nigerians to join its growing community of homeowners.

“We remain committed to transforming dreams into reality. This is not just about building homes; it’s about building futures and creating opportunities for families to thrive in a space they can call their own,” the statement added.

Adron Homes extended warm wishes to all Nigerians and its global customers, urging them to embrace the season’s spirit of love and hope. “May your homes be filled with peace, joy, and prosperity this Christmas and beyond.”

No fewer than 11 people were reportedly killed on Wednesday, December, when some suspected herdsmen invaded the Ityuluv, Tse Azege, and Innyiev ya communities in Mkomon district, the Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State.

According to residents of the affected communities, the invaders were reported to have stormed the communities while residents were celebrating the Christmas season.

One of the residents, who identified himself as Terlumun, said, “The terrorist herders came this afternoon (Wednesday) when the people were celebrating Christmas and invaded our communities, killing and burning houses.”

When contacted on Thursday, the President-General of the Tiv socio-cultural group known as ‘Mdzough U Tiv Worldwide,’ Iorbee Ihagh, confirmed the attack (to The Punch) via a telephone conversation.

He said, “11 people were killed in the Christmas day attack on Mkomon district of Turan in Kwande LG. Some are still missing as I speak to you now.

“Our people were celebrating Christmas when the Fulani herdsmen invaded the communities and attacked the people.”

Ihagh said some council wards in the LG, particularly Moon council ward, had long been sacked by the herdsmen.

He called on Governor Hyacinth Alia and President Bola Tinubu to beef up security in the state.

Also, the governor’s Security Adviser on Internal Affairs and Security, Joseph Har, confirmed the attack but declined further comments.

He, however, referred our correspondent to the Director-General on Security, Gbamuam Jacob, for further information.

“It’s true. I was informed about the incident but I have forwarded the report to the Director-General on security. He’ll give you details,” Har said.

Efforts to get the DG were unsuccessful as his cellphone did not connect as of the time of filing this report.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, Catherine Anene, said she had yet to receive any reports about the incident.

“I’m yet to receive a report about that,” Anene said.

A senior Catholic priest in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has been arrested over the tragic stampede that claimed 10 lives during the distribution of free food to the needy at “Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Maitama.”

It was gathered that a number of officials of the church involved in the planning and execution of the ill-fated charity event have also been arrested by security agents. All those arrested have been taken into detention and will likely spend Christmas behind bars, a top Catholic Church leader confirmed on Christmas Eve.

The arrests came against the background of demands by the Islamic activist group, “Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC),” for the arrest of those behind the event and a similar one in Okija, Anambra State, where 22 persons were confirmed dead in a billionaire businessman’s house. MURIC had demanded that organisers of a similar tragic charity event in Ibadan, Oyo State, who were taken to court and remanded in prison custody, should be released if those of the Abuja and Anambra events would not be given similar treatment.

Inspector General of Police, Dr. Kayode Egbetokun, had also ordered an investigation into the Abuja and Anambra tragic charity outreaches.

Reacting to the arrest and detention of his church officials, the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja Diocese, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, last night condemned what he described as “verbal demonization of the Catholic Church” by some agents of government in responding to the tragedy at “Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama.”

According to Kaigama, the detention of the priest as well as some officials of the church and the threat to slam criminal charges on the church “is to say the least, uninspiring, unfriendly and a misplaced zeal, and one wonders what purpose these were meant to serve.”

Archbishop Kaigama, who made his mind known in his Message titled, “Christmas: A Season of Hope and Renewal,” said that government officials should have focused on helping the organisers and the church to overcome their trauma instead of compounding it through arrest, detention, and threat of criminal prosecution.