Metro

136 Communities In Five Plateau Councils Overrun By Armed Men

Published

1 year ago

February 7, 2025

Barkin Ladi and Riyom local government areas of Plateau State have been identified to have the most deserted settlements, having little or no evidence of human activities, as well as being the most over-ran and occupied by strange people following a series of coordinated attacks which have affected the areas over the years, a recent finding by the Stefanos Foundation revealed.

Mark Lipdo, the Programme Coordinator of Stefanos Foundation, a Christian faith-based nongovernmental organization disclosed these at the end of a three-day prayer conference held at Miango, Bassa local government area, organized in collaboration with the Flame International, United Kingdom, and warned that the trend is fast spreading to other parts of the country.

His words, “Stefanos Foundation organized the National conference with a specific focus on praying for the land. The conference drew Stefanos representatives from the 36 States of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. A team of six Flame International members led by Janice Ransom facilitated the conference, which featured teachings on Self Re-dedication, Forgiveness, and Emotional trauma and was capped by prayers for the land.

“This Prayer Conference was necessitated by a Stefanos Foundation research which revealed worrying evidence of strangers occupying most violence-affected areas in Nigeria. Between 6th and 20th December 2024, the Stefanos Foundation began research on occupied territories around violence-affected areas in Nigeria. The research, which started with a look at Plateau State, focused on the Northern and Central Senatorial zones of the State.

“Some 171 GPS coordinates were collated, their status situation ascertained and were mapped in terms of: Deserted (no building and no living being present), Partially deserted (presence of building relics and very few people living), Mixed Fulanis and locals (community had been attacked but a mixture of locals and Fulanis were seen occupying the spatial space), Overran/occupied (communities taken over by Fulanis).

“The spatial analysis revealed Barkin Ladi and Riyom as the LGAs with the most deserted settlements having little or no evidence of human activities; these same LGAs also have the most over-ran and Fulani-occupied settlements. The partially deserted communities were mostly in Bokkos, Riyom, and Bassa. Bokkos is the only LGA that has settlements where the Fulanis and Locals are still seen living mixed together, even though they have experienced Fulani attacks before.”

He further stressed “79 communities are deserted, 33 communities are overrun and occupied by Fulani, 21 communities are partially deserted, three are mixed Fulanis and locals, and the total number of communities is 136. The findings came from Mangu, Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Bokkos, and Bassa. Some churches have been turned into mosques. Most of Stefanos Foundation’s delegates at the conference have reported similar situations observed in their States as well. In the future, Stefanos Foundation intends to also carry out such detailed research in those areas, all over the country.”

Also, volunteers of the Foundation in the South West reported some worrisome trends as one of them, who spoke anonymously, stated, “I am a missionary, and I work among diverse people, including the Fulanis. I traverse Oke Ogun, Ibarapa, Iseyin, and other places in Oyo as well as Odeda in Ogun State. Before now, the Fulanis were peaceful, but these days, there is an influx of some other influential powers among them, and they are beginning to be very hostile.

“Kidnappings are a new order now, and recently, we have begun to make some shocking discoveries. For instance, we have HISBAH members who are on the payroll of Kano State in States in the South West. They are in Iseyin, Oke Ogun, Sarki, Ibadan, Akala Way, Elebu axis. They are in Osun along Ilesha exit 2 to the expressway to Ibodi. They are in Lekki, VI, in Lagos. When some people discovered them, they said they were vigilantes, that they were just there to caution their people.”

Earlier, the Team Lead of Flame International, Janice Ransom led the delegates into rededicating their individual lives to God as well as His service and into praying for God to redeem their land. Some team members, including Stephen Stewart, Sharon Borland, and Robert Barlow, encouraged survivors of violence in Plateau State in the communities they visited not to lose hope in God as the team taught about the healing of the spirit, forgiveness, reconciliation, being free from trauma and fear, among others.

Metro

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

14 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Police Command on Wednesday said two suspected cultists were arrested in Ohonre community, off Adolor College Road, Benin.

This was disclosed in a statement by the command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, and made available to newsmen electrically.

Ikoedem said the arrest was possible due to operatives response to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

The statement reads: “The Edo State Police Command has recorded another operational breakthrough following the swift disruption of a suspected cultists’ gathering in Ohonre Community, off Adolor College Road, Benin City.

“On 21st May, 2026, at about 19:00hrs, operatives attached to Ugbowo Division who were on surveillance patrol responded to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

“Acting promptly on the information, the police team mobilized to the location. On sighting the operatives, the suspects fled in an attempt to evade arrest. The operatives immediately gave them a hot chase, leading to the arrest of two suspects identified as Victor Peter ‘M’, 21 years and Iyemoma Ogbewe ‘M’, 35 years.

“A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of one cut-to-size gun believed to have been in their possession for unlawful purposes.

“Upon investigation, the suspects confessed to being members of the notorious Maphite cult group. Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other fleeing gang members.”

She said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the swift response of the operatives and reiterated the Command’s resolve to deny criminal elements any opportunity within Edo State.

He further urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police, assuring that all reports would receive prompt attention.

Metro

Troops Eliminate Two Terrorists, Foil Pipeline Attack

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Army says troops have, in the last 24 hours, eliminated two terrorists, rescued four kidnapped victims and foiled pipeline attacks in a series of coordinated military operations across Taraba, Kogi and Rivers.

This is contained in operational updates issued to reporters on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to the reports, troops of 93 Battalion deployed at Akate in the Donga Local Government Area of Taraba engaged suspected terrorists in a forested area, killing two of them.

According to the report, items recovered from the scene include an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, magazines, mobile phones and other personal effects.

In Kogi, it said the troops of 21 Battalion, in collaboration with vigilantes, rescued four kidnapped passengers along the Anyigba–Itobe road in Ofu Local Government Area.

It added that the victims were reportedly abandoned by their captors while attempting to cross a seasonal stream due to sustained pressure from advancing troops.

According to the military, efforts are ongoing to rescue other victims still in captivity.

The report said that troops of 12 Brigade successfully repelled an ambush along Kabba–Okene road while withdrawing from an earlier operation, forcing the assailants to flee with gunshot wounds.

“Meanwhile, in Rivers, troops of 5 Battalion acting on credible intelligence, foiled an attempt by suspected vandals to detonate a crude oil pipeline in Ahoada West Local Government Area.

“The swift response of the troops disrupted the operation before it could be executed, with the suspects fleeing the scene,” it said.

Metro

Police Arrest Private Chef Over Alleged N150m Theft, Drugging Of Employer, Burglary

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a chef, John Cosmos Govi, over his alleged involvement in a burglary operation at a residence in Abuja, where luxury items and valuables worth about N150 million were reportedly stolen.

The arrest was announced on Monday, May 25, 2026, by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, who said the suspect was apprehended by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) after investigations into allegations of criminal conspiracy, housebreaking, theft, malicious damage and administering harmful substances.

According to police findings, Govi, who allegedly gained employment as a chef at the residence, was said to have studied the movement of occupants, internal routine and security setup before allegedly carrying out the operation on April 23, 2026.

Investigators said he reportedly worked with two accomplices identified as Peter and Moses, who are currently on the run.

Police alleged that food prepared in the house was laced with a suspected sedative substance to weaken the occupants and security personnel.

After they reportedly became unconscious, the suspects allegedly broke into the property, damaged CCTV installations and stole 20 luxury wristwatches valued at about N150 million, alongside other valuables.

Speaking on the development, DCP Anthony Placid said the suspect was intercepted around the Gwagwalada axis of the Federal Capital Territory while attempting to flee to Lagos. He added that an iPhone 17 Pro Max, believed to belong to the victim, and a suspected chemical substance were recovered.

“We remain committed to dismantling organised criminal networks and ensuring that all fleeing accomplices are brought to justice,” Placid said.

Police said efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects and conclude investigations into the case.