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Corpses Litter Plateau Communities 12 Days After Terror Attacks

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Twelve days after residents fled Plateau communities in Bokkos, Barkin Ladi and Mangu Local Government Areas following Christmas Eve attacks by gunmen which left more than 150 persons dead, the affected communities are still deserted, Saturday PUNCH reports.

The PUNCH reports that the killing which had been ongoing in Plateau State worsened on Christmas Eve when gunmen attacked over 25 communities, killing over 150 persons.

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The gunmen also burnt several houses and property worth millions of naira while over 10,000 persons were displaced

Some of the attacked communities are Mangur village, Mbar, Tangur, Bokkos Central, Butura, Mushere.

The PUNCH correspondent who visited the affected communities, including Matellem village, Dung village, Yelwa village, Ngyong, observed that the villages were completely deserted.

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READ ALSO: I Lost My Mum, Two Brothers In Plateau Attacks, Survivor Narrates Ordeal

It was also observed that no security presence was stationed in the affected communities

At Mbar community where a pastor and four of his children and his wife were among those said to have been killed during the attack, The PUNCH charred remains of other residents who were burnt beyond recognition as their bones littered the floor of their burnt houses in the community.

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A peace advocate, Gideon ParaMallam, who led a team of his Peace Foundation to Bokkos communities to sympathize with the people on Friday expressed concern over the level of devastation in the communities.

ParaMallam also visited the internally displaced persons who were camping at different locations, including the COCIN Church in Bokkos and donated some relief materials to them.

Speaking with journalists, ParaMallam said, “We have come here to Bokkos and we have seen and heard from the people.

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The attacks in Bokkos villages have been very devastating. The loss of lives and the degrading and the degrading of human dignity has been very painful. Our peace foundation came to make a call for peace to appeal to the people of Bokkos for restraints.

READ ALSO: ‘We Need Solution To Killings’ – Sen Plang Rubbishes ‘Palliatives’ For Plateau Victims

“We have also come to see things for ourselves so that we can promote the cry for Justice for the people of Bokkos. Our peace foundation believes in peace building that is predicated on justice.

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“That useless narrative that goes around that makes it look as if that it is Bokkos people who have been fighting and killing themselves is a complete fallacy and a lie .Bokkos People are not killing themselves.

“We have talked with them and heard from them and I believe that our visit will not only throw more light on what Bokkos people have gone through but to encourage Nigerians to rise in unison to condemn the terrorism that took place on Christmas eve and right after that .The only way to bring peace to Bokkos Communities is to return them back to their communities.”

The PUNCH correspondent who visited the burnt palace of the paramount ruler of Bokkos at about 5 pm on Friday saw a thick billowing smoke still oozing out from the burnt palace.

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Soldiers who were drafted to the area were also seen guarding the palace.

It was learnt that the paramount ruler fled the community with members of his family before the protesting women set his place on fire.

READ ALSO: PHOTOS: Protesters Raze Plateau Traditional Ruler’s Home

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The Chairman of Community Peace Observers in Bokkos LGA,Kefas Mallai told our Correspondent that the protesting women burnt the palace of the paramount because they believe that he has abandoned the people to their fate over the attacks in their communities .

He said “The people are angry at the district head of Bokkos and that is why they went and set his house ablaze because they believe he has compromised his duty to speak and protect the people.

“Just yesterday (Thursday), some of the youths who went to look after their burnt communities were arrested by soldiers. The women saw that as unfair and injustice and wanted them to be released as they could not understand why the soldiers would leave terrorists and were arresting people who are victims .And in all of these the paramount ruler was nowhere to be found and so they went and burnt his house “

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The Chairman of Bokkos LGA, Monday Kassam, in an interview, blamed the military for the fresh tension in his area.

He said, “When the people who went to look after the attacked communities were arrested by the soldiers, about 10 of them were arrested. I got the information and I called the Commander and told him what was happening and asked that those people should be arrested. They should release them but he did not listen. So, that is the problem but we have been talking to the people so that the issue can be resolved.”

READ ALSO: Many Feared Dead As Transformer Explodes In Plateau Community

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It was learnt that a new sector commander had been deployed to Bokkos following the attacks in the communities

The new Sector Commander of Operation Safe Haven in charge of Bokkos ,Lt Col Isaac Indiorhwer ,however allayed fears of any fresh attack in the communities and assured that they were doing everything possible to restore peace in the trouble communities .

The commander spoke on Friday when the President of Gideon and Funmmi ParaMallam Peace Foundation visited the Command’s headquarters in Bokkos after a tour of the troubled communities

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He also dismissed the claim that troops had abandoned the troubled communities.

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17-year-old Nigerian Named World Best In English At 2025 TeenEagle Finals In London

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…Outperforms over 20,000 participants from 69 countries

Nafisa Aminu, a 17-year-old student of Tulip International College, Yobe State, has emerged world’s best in English at the 2025 TeenEagle Global Finals.

The 17-year-old was named the World Best in English Language Skills at the 2025 TeenEagle Global Finals held in London, United Kingdom.

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READ ALSO: Fake Labubu Dolls Worth Millions Seized In London Raid Amid Growing Safety Fears

The TeenEagle competition is an internationally recognised contest that tests English proficiency, critical thinking, and communication skills, attracting students from both English-speaking and non-English-speaking nations.

Nafisa’s triumph was confirmed in a statement by the head of her family, Hassan Salifu, who attributed her success to “dedication, discipline, and the enabling support of the state government.”

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Representing Nigeria, Nafisa outperformed over 20,000 participants from 69 countries, a historic feat that has thrust her into the global academic spotlight and brought honour to Nigeria.

 

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FG Promotes 30 Senior NCoS Officers To Assistant Controller General

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The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board has approved the promotion of 30 senior officers of the Nigerian Correctional Service to the rank of Assistant Controller General of Corrections.

The announcement was made in a press statement signed by the NCoS spokesperson Umar Abubakar, on Tuesday.

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“The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board has approved the promotion of 30 Controllers of Corrections to the prestigious rank of Assistant Controller General of Corrections,” the statement read.

Abubakar noted that the promotions were made in line with CDCFIB’s commitment to “merit-based advancement, professional excellence, and the continuous strengthening of leadership within the Nigerian Correctional Service.”

READ ALSO:Customs Intercepts N1.7bn Falsely Declared Goods Across South-West Zone

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“Among the newly promoted officers are twenty-seven general duty officers who have demonstrated exceptional dedication, leadership, and operational competence in various formations across the country.

“In addition, three professional officers have also been elevated in recognition of their outstanding service and specialized contributions in the areas of Medical Laboratory Science, Nursing, and Public Health,” the statement read.

According to the statement, the promotion exercise was said to align with the ongoing reforms in the Service, a key part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

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The statement credited the reform momentum to the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, whose efforts were described as “unwavering” and “unprecedented.”

READ ALSO:Court Strips Transport Minister, CRFFN Regulatory Power Over Licensed Customs

Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, congratulated the newly promoted officers, charging them to rise to the responsibilities of their new roles.

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“I urge them to redouble their effort to service delivery, strategic leadership, and the core mandates of reformation, rehabilitation, and reintegration of inmates,” he said.

He further stressed that the promotions are not merely rewards for past service but “a call to higher responsibility in line with global best practices in correctional management.”

“The Service remains committed to building a motivated, disciplined, and professional workforce capable of meeting the complex demands of modern corrections and public safety,” Nwakuche added.

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Adeleke Flies To US For Davido’s Wedding

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Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has travelled to the United States to attend the wedding ceremony of his nephew and music star, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido.

Recall, Davido confirmed that he and his wife, Chioma Avril Rowland, will have their white wedding in Miami, Florida, in August 2025.

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He made the announcement during an interview on The Breakfast Club, aired on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.

The governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, confirmed Adeleke’s trip in a statement issued on Tuesday, in response to concerns raised by the opposition All Progressives Congress over the governor’s whereabouts.

READ ALSO:Davido Thrills In Toronto, Brooklyn As US Tour Heats Up

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Governor Adeleke left Nigeria for the United States via the family’s private jet a few days ago for the wedding of the global music icon, his beloved nephew, David Adeleke.

“His Excellency is extending an invitation to the opposition party to attend the event and share in the joy of the occasion with the Adeleke family.

“Those unable to attend may join virtually,” Rasheed stated.

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He noted that Adeleke had not taken any official vacation since assuming office in November 2022 and said the current trip would be short.

READ ALSO:Davido Withdraws From 50 Cent’s London Concert

Additionally, from the November 2022 date, the governor has not gone on official vacation.

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“For this current trip, the Governor has again chosen to make it a short one to continually attend to crucial state functions.

“Meanwhile, the Governor is in constant communication with his deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi, who is supervising activities of the government,” Rasheed added.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Osun APC had accused Adeleke of leaving the state without informing residents or formally transmitting power to his deputy. The party described the governor’s absence as “abnormal.”

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READ ALSO:Davido, Asa To Perform At National Sports Festival’s Opening Ceremony In Abeokuta

In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Kola Olabisi, the party said, “The question being asked in hushed tones in some public places, inside commercial buses and by motorcycle riders and their passengers in the state, is where could be the whereabouts of their governor for this long.

“As the governor of all and sundry, we as a party need to know the whereabouts of the governor and who has been holding fort for him during his absence from the state since two weeks ago.

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“Did the governor duly transmit power to his deputy who is constitutionally covered to temporarily step into the shoes of his principal in his absence?”

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