News

Plateau Attacks: Over 30 People Killed, Many Farms Destroyed, Group Raises Alarm

Published

3 years ago

April 29, 2023

The leadership of Plateau State Youth Council, Coalition of Plateau State Indigenous Youths and YOWICAN, have said over 30 people were killed, while many others sustained various degrees of injuries in some communities in the past two weeks.

The Group also said several farms have been destroyed by the attackers.

They equally said that the motive of the attackers was largely to disrupt farming activities, economic livelihoods, displace population and grab lands in the affected communities.

Briefing journalists in Jos, the State Capital, Chairman of Plateau Youth Council, Comrade Lot Sunday Adas, said, “It has come to the notice of the above mentioned coalition that Fulani militias have resumed and are also planning coordinated attacks and killings in Mangu, Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Jos South and Bassa LGAs of Plateau State.

“These attacks are orchestrated largely to disrupt farming activities, economic livelihoods, displace population and grab lands in these communities.

“From April 15, 2023 to date, our people have been killed, properties worth millions of Naira destroyed, while others have been displaced from their ancestral homes.”

The Group revealed that in Mangu LGA, Murish, Mai-tumbi and Jwak villages were attacked on the 15th and 16th of April, 2023, and 4 people were killed.

“A mining site in Mangor was attacked and five people were killed on the 12th April, 2023.

“Also, in Barkin Ladi LGA, NTV village, 2 people were ambushed and killed on the 17th April 2023. Rawuru, 1 person was ambushed and killed on the 22nd April, 2023. Tapo of Heipang, 4 people were killed on April 23rd, 2023. Heipang-Kwi road (Chit), two people were ambushed and killed on the 27th April, 2023.

“In Riyom LGA, in Wereng, it was a case of massive willful destruction of farmlands on the 22nd of April, 2023. In Kuru Station of Wereng, 2 people were killed on the 23rd April, 2023. In Rim-Bachi road, 3 people were ambushed and 2 fatally injured on the 23rd April, 2023. In Jol, it was a case of willful destruction of farmlands on a massive scale and one person was ambushed, robbed of his motorcycle and abducted on the 24th and 25th April, 2023, respectively.

“Further attacks in Riyom LGA were in Wereng Camp-Darwat road, 2 two clergies were ambushed and 1 fatally injured on the 24th April, 2023. In Gako-Rim, one person was killed on the 26th April, 2023.

“In Jos South LGA, in Turu (Farin Lamba), 6 people were killed and 1 injured on the 25th April, 2023.

“For Bokkos LGA, in Marish, 3 people were attacked and killed.

“The aforementioned attacks are in addition to the many attacks that have taken place in several villages in Bokkos, Riyom and Bassa LGAs”, they explained.

The Group resolved that, “operatives of Operation Safe Haven should desist from ironical and wrongful arrest of victims rather than offenders as in the case of Kuru Station of Wereng in Riyom LGA, where two people were wrongfully arrested having themselves suffered crops destruction by the Fulani herders.

“That all State actors who are charged with the statutory responsibility of guaranteeing the security of lives and properties to rise up to the call of their duty without compromise, fear or favour and forestall any further loss of life and property in and around the general area.

“That all villages and hamlets should initiate immediate measures that would guarantee the security of their lives and properties, and work in synergy with neighboring communities in order to contend with the Fulani onslaughts.

“That Mr. Jatau Yakubu Kachai of Kuru station in Riyom LGA who was wrongfully arrested and continuously detained by Operation Safe Haven at its headquarters in Jos be immediately released unconditionally.”

News

BREAKING: Tinubu Nominates New Defence Minister

Published

56 minutes ago

December 2, 2025

Editor

President Bola Tinubu has nominated former Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa, rtd, as the new Minister of Defence.

In a letter to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Tinubu disclosed Musa’s nomination as the successor to Alhaji Mohammed Badaru, who resigned on Monday.

Musa served as Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 until October 2025. He won the Colin Powell Award for Soldiering in 2012.

Born in Sokoto in 1967, Musa received his primary and secondary education there before attending the College of Advanced Studies in Zaria.

He graduated in 1986 and enrolled at the Nigerian Defence Academy the same year, earning a Bachelor of Science degree upon graduation in 1991.

News

Edo Govt Bars Journalists From Covering Event In State House

Published

1 hour ago

December 2, 2025

Editor

Journalists invited by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to cover the declaration of Edo as the official hosts of the 2026 NDDC Sports Festival were on Tuesday barred from covering the event inside the Government House in Benin City.

The journalists had sat at the venue of the event named Presidential Villa inside the Government House at around 11:00 a.m. for the official kick off of the event.

After waiting for over one hour in the Presidential Villa, information came that the venue for the event had been changed to the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) office, prompting both the journalists, NDDC officials and other dignitaries to move from the Presidential Villa to the SSG office.

Not too long had both the journalists and other dignitaries seated at the conference hall of the SSG that one of the protocols of the governor popularly known as Pikolo arrived at the hall and announced that the government was informed that only 27 persons were invited for the programme, hence anyone whose name was not in the government list would not be allowed into to the programme when it commences.

A few minutes after Pikolo made the announcement, Chairman of the Edo State chapter of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Kehinde Osaigede stood up to announce that he had been sent a message that the venue had been changed to the initial venue (Presidential Villa).

Moving out of the SSG section of the Government House to the Presidential Villa, journalists came across the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Fred Itua, and when he saw them (journalists) he asked after exchanging pleasantries, “were you invited by the organisers? No, I will not allow you in, this is strictly for State House reporters. The governor is personally attending the programme, so it is strictly for the State House. Presidential Villa? No!”

Shortly after uttering the above words near the Deputy Governor’s section inside the Government House, Itua moved hurriedly to the Presidential Villa section and the gate was shot for screening of persons.

When journalists and others invited got to the gate of the Presidential Villa they were subjected to screening. While some dignitaries were screened in, some journalists and some staff members of the NDDC were shut out of the venue.

News

Otuaro Felicitates Tompolo On Honorary Doctorate Award

Published

17 hours ago

December 2, 2025

Editor

Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr Dennis Otuaro has congratulated High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, on the conferment of an Honorary Doctorate of Laws (LLD) by the E.K. Clark University.

Otuaro described the recognition as well-deserved and befitting, noting that Tompolo has, over the years, demonstrated uncommon commitment to the peace, progress, and stability of the Niger Delta and Nigeria at large.

According to him, Tompolo’s role in sustaining peace in the region, particularly through his steadfast support for dialogue, community engagement, and nonviolent approaches to conflict resolution, has made a significant contribution to national security and economic stability.

He further noted that, beyond his contributions to peacebuilding, Tompolo has demonstrated extraordinary compassion, philanthropy, and devotion to humanitarian causes.

He added that his investments in youth empowerment stand as clear evidence of a man whose heart is truly with his people.

“Tompolo’s good heart, generosity, and love for humanity distinguish him as a leader of rare character,” Otuaro said.

The PAP Administrator commended E.K. Clark University for identifying and honouring a personality whose impact continues to resonate across the Niger Delta and beyond.

He urged other institutions to emulate such gestures that celebrate individuals advancing society through selfless service.

Dr Otuaro prayed for God’s continued guidance, long life, and strength for High Chief Ekpemupolo as he continues to serve the Niger Delta and Nigeria with dignity, wisdom, and compassion.