People of Bashar in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State have rejected the suspension of their traditional ruler, Rekna Of Bashar, Alhaji Abdullahi Idris Isa, by the state government.
The Plateau State government had ordered the suspension of the traditional ruler following a protest by some concerned citizens of the kingdom who alleged anomalies in the selection process of the monarch following the death of his predecessor.
But the people through the Bashar Communities’ Development Association (BACODA), said that the suspension was illegal as his selection had been conducted and concluded since 2022.
Addressing newsmen at the NUJ Press Centre on Friday, the Chairman, BACODA, Dr. Zakari Muhammed, described the suspension as strange as Isa is the highest traditional ruler in Bashar Chiefdom.
They said that they organized the press conference “to demonstrate the weighty concern of our communities on this dangerous and disturbing new precedent and unfortunate trend.”
In the text of the press briefing, BACOBA said “You will recall that following the death of Alhaji Adamu Idris, the late Rekna of Bashar on the 24th day of September, 2022, a new Rekna of Bashar, in person of Alhaji Abdullahi Idris was selected by the kingmakers since 2022.
“We have handy a complete detailed report of the selection process showing clearly that all the stakeholders involved in the selection of the Rekna of Bashar duly participated in the said process which was conducted since 2022.
“The process was also captured on video and submitted to the Government since 2022. The report clearly showed the names of the nominees, list of attendance of kingmakers, ballots cast for the candidates, and recommendations of the Plateau State Council of Chiefs amongst others.
“For the avoidance of doubt and record purposes, no participant had challenged the selection in any Court of Law since 2022.
“It is apparent from the report that there was absolute compliance with the necessary provisions of the law regulating the selection of the Rekna of Bashar in 2022.
“Upon the completion and submission of the report of the selection by the five-man committee constituted by the state government who oversaw the selection process, Rt. Hon. Barrister Simon Bako Lalong, the former Executive Governor of Plateau State in the exercise of his powers appointed Alhaji Abdullahi Idris, as the new Rekna of Bashar.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Rekna of Bashar received his appointment letter on the 5th of January, 2023, and was installed and presented with the second-class staff of office by the Executive Governor on the 23rd February, 2023.
“We therefore strongly request His Excellency Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang to ensure justice in this matter, stand by the oath he took to protect his people without fear, favour or ill will, nor allow any sentiments or considerations to influence his official decisions. We urge that the dignity attached to our long-cherished tradition of Bashar people be respected in all official decisions. May God take the lead in this matter.”
The Plateau State Government and SectorLead Limited have signed an agreement for the development of a 30MW Waste-to-Power Plant.
The power plant aimed at converting municipal solid waste into clean energy.
The project, when completed l, will address the state’s energy shortfall and waste management challenges.
SectorLeador Ltd said the project will bring significant economic and environmental benefits, the
According to SectorLead, the project is a landmark development for Plateau State, marking the beginning of a new era in how the region approaches waste management and energy production.
“By turning waste into a valuable resource, the state is not only improving its environmental footprint but also laying the foundation for economic prosperity and sustainable growth,” CEO of SectorLead Limited, Mr. Adedayo Mustapha, said shortly after the signing ceremony.
The firm added that the initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), 7, 12 and 13 which captures: Affordable and Clean Energy, Responsible Consumption & Production, and Climate Action, respectively.
“When fully operational, the project will aslo aid the reduction of carbon emissions, promote sustainable industrialization, and serve as a model for innovative, eco-friendly infrastructure solutions in Nigeria.
SectorLead added that this “transformative project” will provide a much-needed solution to the state’s waste management issues by “diverting waste from landfills and significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to a cleaner and healthier environment”.
“By generating 30MW of power from waste, the plant will strengthen Plateau State’s energy supply and boosting energy security. In addition to its environmental and energy benefits, the project will create jobs during both the construction and operational phases, stimulating economic growth and improving livelihoods.
“This Waste-to-Power Plant is not just a project; it’s a turning point for Plateau State. The environmental, economic, and energy benefits of this initiative are enormous. We are proud to partner with the Plateau State Government, whose vision for sustainable development is commendable. Together, we are paving the way for a greener, more prosperous future, aligned with global climate goals,” SectorLead’s CEO added.
The All Progressives Congress is seriously worried over the impending closure of the Plateau State University Bokkos by the National University Commission as a result of the violations of the commission’s guidelines by the State Government.
In a statement signed by Shittu Bamaiyi, Acting Publicity Secretary stated that information reaching the Party indicated that the NUC is about to withdraw the certificate of recognition and accreditation to the Institution due to the recalcitrant attitude of the Plateau State government in disrupting academic activities and the meddlesomeness in the management of the University.
The APC as a critical stakeholder, views the recent autocratic action of Governor Caleb Mutfwang in removing the Vice-Chancellor and the retrenchment of qualified lecturers of the University as the major reasons for the looming closure of the Institution by the NUC.
APC is really disturbed and concerned that despite the protests by the academic and non -academic Staff of the Institution as well as the warning by the NUC against the flagrant violation of the University’s laws in the appointment and removal of the Vice -Chancellor, the governor feels that he can do and undo so long as he is the Visitor of the Institution.
The APC though not surprised by the action of Governor Mutfwang, as similar decision was meted out to the Institution by his mentor Jonah Jang, the total closure of the University will have a devastating effect on the State, Parents and Students.
The flimsy excuse by the state government that the terminations of some of lecturers and support staff appointments were on the grounds that proper procedures were not followed, is counterproductive since it could give reasons for the cancellation of the accreditation of some courses earlier issued by the NUC.
• Survivors of carnage relive ordeal • ’How my two hands were cut off in process of self defence’ • My entire 21 relatives were wiped out, says victim
Heaps of lifeless bodies and injured victims are the pathetic sights that confront a visitor to the scenes of the victims gathered by the search and rescue team set up by the communities attacked by gunmen in Plateau State. Many of the bodies of the about 140 victims of the ugly incident were those of innocent children.
“The children were too innocent to be attacked by anyone for any reason. The only reason to kill such innocent children in a war situation is if genocide was the target of the attackers. So there is no doubt that the killings were purely genocide,” said Joshua Mangut in Bokkos.
Instead of the merriment, bliss and exchange of love that usually characterises Christmas and the Yuletide, many Plateau communities including Ndun, Ngyong, Murfet, Makundary, Tamiso, Chiang, Tahore, Gawarba, Dares, Meyenga, Darwat and Butura Kampani are left to agonise over the death of their loved ones.
Usually, from the 24th of December in such Christian communities, the mostly Christian families would have gathered all the foodstuffs and drinks they would need for the celebration of Christmas. This time, however, they were denied the opportunity to enjoy all that they had prepared for themselves.
As the people were about to go to bed in the hope of waking up to another Christmas day, the gunmen struck.
One of the victims, a 65-year-old housewife named Rebecca Maska, said: “We were in the house in Darunwat, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, preparing to celebrate Christmas.
“We had finished frying our meat and I started washing the rice and had parboiled it to make my cooking the next morning faster.
“After that, I set out to have a bath before going to bed. When I had finished bathing, I entered the room to dress up. Then I heard the sound of gunshots that moved rapidly close to the church.
“One of our little sons told me that we should get out and run. We ran into the next compound, which was a traditional ruler’s house, to hide there.
“Before we knew what was happening, the Fulani marauders had gained entry into the palace. We escaped through the back door and headed into the bush. We then hide in a place close to a river.
“Before I realised was happening, a marauder behind me greeted in Fulani and shot me in the thigh. I shouted and fell down, and was left in a pool of blood while my children fled in different directions.
“At that time, I could not stand up, and there was nobody to help me. I was there for more than three hours. That was when my son called the soldiers and told them that her mother was in the bush.
“That was when the soldiers came to my rescue and rushed me to a nearby hospital in Barkin Ladi where I was revived. But the bone is fractured.”
But many other victims in Darunwat were not as lucky as Rebecca as 17 of the villagers were killed in cold blood and were eventually buried in a mass grave on Christmas day.
One of the villagers, Silas Malang, said: “Mourning and burying loved ones on a Christmas day is the most painful experience in my life. My family had prepared a meal for the next day, but we never ate the meal.
“When the gunmen struck, we spent the night in the bush, and from our hidden place we keep hearing sounds of gunshots till dawn. It was a war we never prepared for.
“By the time we returned home from the bush, the house we left behind was already in ruin, including our Christmas meal. Now we are in an IDP camp.”
Freedom Alfred, a 12-year-old boy seen at the IDP camp in Bokkos, said amid tears: “I heard the sound of gunshots and was hiding to escape been killed.
“In the process, one of the tall Fulani marauders shot me in the arm. I started pleading with them not to kill me, but they did not heed my plea as they continued to beat me and wanted to machete me.
“I fell down and pretended to be dead. Then they abandoned me and left.”
Another survivor, a 34-year-old from Barkin Ladi, Mascan Nanpan, told The Nation that the gunmen that invaded the communities were more than 500.
Nanpan said: “Those that surrounded our village alone were more than 200, and it was difficult to escape. It was God that saved me.
“I sat down and later decided to enter the room and locked myself in. On arrival, they forced the door open.
“Immediately, they entered and called my name, and asked if I’m the one that work in so and so place. I pleaded with them that I was sick. The next thing they did was to machete me and vowed that I must die.
“On lifting the cutlass up and trying to cut my neck, in self defence I raised my right hand and it was cut off. Still in the process of defending, they cut off the second hand too.
“They also broke my two legs, and I pretended as if I was dead.
“Still not satisfied, they inflicted cuts on every part of my body until they felt that I was dead. Then they set the bed ablaze.
“When they saw that I still did not move, they concluded that the bastard was dead.
“I can recognise two of them. But three of them came to carry out the operation. The two are well known faces.”
A 45-year-old Febi Moses Chirang, who is the only survivor from his family, told The Nation that he lost 23 members of his family during the attacks.
He said: “Most of the victims are the aged and children who were too weak to run. We saw them with guns, tall and light complexioned.
“They came from the top hill of Josho. At the time I saw them, I came out from the house to pick firewood. When I saw them, I quickly called the attention of our father that some strange faces were descending from the hill top of Josho.
“Then our father saw them. But before they knew what their mission was, the Fulani marauders had started shooting. They went straight to where the women and children were hiding and killed 21 of them. Some injured ones are being hospitalised in Bokkos and JUTH. All my relatives have been wiped out; about 21 of them.
“Nobody knows the mission of the attackers. Our home has been destroyed and we are now in a camp.
A more chilling experience was narrated by an expectant mother, Mrs Ruth Bulus, who lost her two children and husband and now lives in an IDP camp.
She said: “When the killers entered our compound there was confusion and everyone was running for their lives.
“My husband and I ran in different directions. It was needless to wait for anything.
“The next day, I was told they saw my husband’s corpse in the bush, and later I heard that they saw my children’s massacred bodies.
“Our house was completely burnt down. We could not remove a pin from it.
“I don’t know where to return to after this camp.”
Cases of displaced expectant and nursing mothers are many at the IDP camps. It was such situation that moved the Vice President, Ibrahim Shettima, to apologise over the failure of federal government to protect the victims from attacks.
Shettima also said that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was deeply saddened by the tragedy and shared in “this unspeakable sorrows that have shattered the joy of Christmas across the country.”
He said: “When one community bleeds, the entire country feels the pains.
“The pains we feel now transcend ethnicity and religion, geography or politics. Each of us here knows the pains of losing one or two loved ones.
“Burying a member of a family is rear experience and indescribable nightmare.
“We cannot really assuage your pains. What has happened to you is a funeral to the entire nation.
“Our hearts bleed along yours my dear brothers and sisters from Bokkos and Barkin Ladi.”
The VP added: “We came to power promising to uphold the sanctity of everyone’s life, and now is to assure you that these inter-community violence that has persisted on the Plateau for the past decade will never persist under our watch. We will harness all our resources to bring those responsible to justice.
“We will not rest untill we are able to prevent the recurrences of this heinous acts.
“Your blood and your tears stain our collective conscience. Why it may seemed that we have failed you in your time of need, while it may seemed that you are all alone, I assure you that this government, especially president Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is here to protect you.
“This government is here to deliver justice. We believe that justice is our collective foundation for our unity and our healing.
“Our dear brothers and sisters in Plateau State, we appeal to you to resist the temptation to succumb to the poisonous rethorics of hatred towards your fellow citizens as we pursue justice and ensure your security.
“These violence persist due to the dangerous practice of testing criminals as ambassadors of their groups, and where the law is taking into their hands where protection fails.
“This is not the case now. This is a solemn promise I’m making on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“Please accept our condolences. Please accept our deepest apologies, because we won’t rest until you access justice and until you accept it.”
GOVERNORS of 19 Northern states on Thursday dumped the proposed controversial Rural Grazing Area (RUGA) policy for the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP).
The governors who met in Kaduna, capital of Kaduna State under the aegis of the Northern Governors’ Forum (NGF) said the new plan will tackle regular clashes in the region between herders and farmers.
The governors also resolved to continue to adopt a sustainable and holistic approach towards tackling the security challenges in the region.
Forum Chairman and Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong said at the opening that the NGF had raised a committee under the chairmanship of Katsina State Governor Aminu Bello Masari to develop a comprehensive regional action plan to tackle insecurity in the North.
He said: “Another major issue we shall also deliberate on is the livestock management in the country and, in particular, our region, which has continued to generate discourse, controversy, misinformation and even politicisation.
“At this meeting, we shall deliberate on the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP), which was commissioned by the National Economic Council chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) and seeks to support and strengthen the development of market-driven ranches in the livestock ecosystem for improved productivity through breed improvement, pasture production, efficient land and water utilisation.
“As a region that holds the comparative advantage in livestock management as an economic and socio-cultural vocation, we need to come up with a common front on how to synergise and draw from the funds available for the programme and ensure that we derive maximum benefits for our people.
“This is important because of the urgent need to cultivate the buy-in of all stakeholders and provide a conducive environment for nomadic herders and those who rear livestock, using the private/public partnership model to key into the National Livestock Transformation Plan of the Federal Government.”
Lalong told reporters that the NGF adopted the NLTP, which according to him, “lays out clear path for modernising pastoral activities”.
He said: “On agriculture, the forum was well-informed about the NLTP and its disparities with the RUGA plan. It is expected that the plan would ensure resettling and addressing the dislocated populations in the key conflict zones to enable them become part of the agricultural modernisation process.
“In the same vein, it would provide a mechanism for peaceful dialogue and reconciliation in the affected communities towards a harmonious mutually beneficial future.
“The forum, therefore, adopted the National Livestock Transformation Plan which lays out clear path for modernising pastoral activities. It further encouraged other states not included as pilot states to endeavour to join the plan.”
On the security challenges, Lalong said: “The current challenges of insecurity which seems to be persisting despite the concerted efforts by all tiers of government was also deliberated based on insightful analyses and the best possible ways to address the menace which is currently bedeviling the region.
“Consequently the forum resolved to continue to adopt a sustainable and holistic approach towards tackling this challenge in the region.
“It is the forum’s unwavering determination to rescue the region and reposition it to meet the yearnings and aspirations of our people, especially in the areas of security, economy and social development.”
Lalong said the forum has received a brief on the almajiri phenomenon in Northern Nigeria, which he said, is not only endemic but pandemic.
He said: “We noted the challenges of the system despite its conception on high religious and moral importance. Currently, many children are increasingly exposed to vulnerability and resultant exploitation, thereby making them susceptible to criminal activities.
“The forum after in-depth discussions, resolved to collaborate with experts in this field with a view to finding implementable recommendations to solve the almajiri phenomenon and take children out of the streets.”
Benue State Deputy Governor Benson Abuonu gave a condition for the implementation of NLTP.
The deputy governor, who represented Governor Samuel Ortom at the meeting, said: “One thing is fundamental, as far as the implementation is concerned, whichever state that has keyed into the programme will have it as its own programme, in other words it is going to be owned by the state even if some help regarding the funding is going to come from the Federal Government.
“Of course, it depends on whichever state is willing to key into it. But at this initial stage, there are seven states at the pilot stage but with regards to Benue, whatever is going to happen in this area of animal husbandry that thing has to be in conformity with the local laws of Benue that is in existence.
“Principally that law says there should be no open grazing and there should be ranching of animals that anybody is going to rear.
“Therefore, as long as the programme is in conformity with our laws then it would be acceptable to us.”
A RAINSTORM has reportedly killed a final year Diploma student of the Federal College of Education in Pankshin, Plateau State.
The rainstorm was said to have been accompanied by thunder and lightning.
The student, identified as Ponyak Danladi Nanfa, 27, was reportedly struck dead while returning from school during a downpour on Monday evening.
The student, who hails from Langtang North Local Government Area, was reportedly trekking to get the foodstuffs his parents sent to him when he was struck down by the natural force.
He was a third year National Certificate in Education (NCE) student studying Music/Social Science.
“He had just written his first paper and was passionate about making good grades when he met his end,” said a Students’ Union Government (SUG) official, Mr. Renan Ibrahim.
The rainstorm was said to have started at 2 p.m and continued till evening.
Samsung Heavy Industries Nigeria (SHIN) has donated electrical equipment, clothing and other relief materials to the victims of herdsmen and Boko Haram insurgents’attacks in Jos, Plateau State.
SHIN’s gesture is coming less than one year after the Korean ship building giant funded eye surgeries for 102 Nigerian patients with cataracts. The patients, who were at the risk of blindness, recovered their eyesight with Vision Care, an organisation under the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Since 2015, Samsung has worked with Vision Care in the yearly Eye Camp to give free cataract surgeries to individuals who cannot afford the treatment.
In this latest gesture, SHIN said a missionary group from Korea constructed a school in Jos for the villagers in Rhizha, where four missionaries are teaching about 560 children and also providing counselling to victims, mostly women, suffering from the trauma from Boko Haram insurgents’ attacks.
As part of its humanitarian assistance, SHIN said it has continually donated to the missionary group for many years and lent a helping hand to the community and its people.
SHIN said the villagers have suffered from attacks by herdsmen with many losing their family members and livelihoods to these acts of violence. However, these acts of violence have not deterred the missionary from creating this initiative to assist the community.
The missionary group from Korea has been able to construct a church and a school, while Samsung has donated electrical goods, including television sets, which will be used in the school by the children.
Samsung has also donated other electrical items for the benefits of the entire community. Items, such as clothing, were also delivered to the villagers.
In a letter of appreciation to SHIN, a member of the Korean missionary, Jae Seo, said: “I have been working in Nigeria since 1991 as a Korean missionary. Among our works here in Northern Nigeria, one of our joys is that we see a big progress of the children at our school. At present, we have 88 students and soon on September 25, more students will join us. Our school is still at the baby-stage since it is only three years old. We have hardly any electronic equipment.
“Thank you for your donation of 10 laptop computers, 10 TVs and 10 refrigerators along with 100 pieces of T-shirts and caps. All of us at EMS Rija Academy say, ‘Thank you so much for your generous donations’.”
Lagos State Government, in collaboration with the National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Plateau State, is to undertake a participatory rural appraisal and collection of farmers’ perception on pig phenotype.
The aim is to determine the prevalence or otherwise of African Swine Fever (ASF) among pigs.
Ministry of Agriculture Permanent Secretary Dr. Olayiwola Onasanya said yesterday in Ikeja that the research would enable the institute control measures and develop vaccine for the disease.
He said the research would involve holding meetings with stakeholders in the piggery value chains in order to collate data on the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF) on farms and other places where pigs are kept or processed, as well as collecting samples from pig farms, abattoirs and slaughter slabs.
Onasanya said the research would involve carrying out investigation of current and old suspected outbreaks of ASF on pigs farms and other relevant activities that would ensure the success of the research project.
Plateau State Election Appeal Tribunal on Friday, declared Mr. Ubandoman Joshua-Laven, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the elected chairman of Langtang North Local Government in the Oct. 10, 2018 Poll.
Justice Arum Ashom, Chairman of the tribunal, made the declaration in a more than eight hours judgment on the appeal filed before it by Joshua-Laven and PDP.
The petitioners had challenged the declaration of the All Progressives (APC) candidate, Mr. Kparnim Nanloh-Amos, by Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) as winner of the poll.
The Jovita Binjin-led state Election Petition Tribunal had, in a six hour judgment, on May 25, dismissed Joshua -Laven and PDP’s petition for lack of merit.
Dissatisfied with the lower court’s judgment, Joshua -Laven and his party, approached the Appeal Tribunal, and urged it to declare him winner having polled the highest votes in the election.
Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice Ashom upheld Joshua-Laven’s petition saying that “the lower tribunal goofed when it dismissed PDP and Ubandoma’s petition on May 25.’’
According to the appeal tribunal, several mistakes were made by the lower court in its decisions on some of the exhibits presented before it by all the parties involved.
The appeal tribunal faulted the lower tribunal for accepting a baseless result hurriedly presented by PLASIEC after the petitioners had closed their cases.
It described that result as worthless document compared with the authentic results compiled at the various polling units of the 17 wards of the area.
The tribunal gave the actual result for both APC and PDP as 14, 708 and 19, 599 votes respectively.
“With Ubandoma Joshua-Laven of PDP having scored 19, 599 as against 14, 708 votes of his APC counterpart, Mr. Kparnim Nanloh-Amos, the PDP candidate met the required votes according to the law and is hereby declared winner and returned elected.
“Consequently, PLASIEC is hereby ordered to issue the appellant, Mr Ubandoma Joshua-Laven of PDP, with certificate of return, as the duly elected chairman of Langtang North Local Government.
“This is the judgment of the election appeal tribunal, ’’ Ashom declared.
Speaking to Journalists shortly after the judgment, Joshua-Laven’s counsel, Mr, Niri Darong, described the judgment as a victory for democracy and the people of Langtang North.
“This judgment delivered by the election appeal tribunal has gone to show that there is hope for Nigeria and Nigerians,’’ Darong said.
A rescue team comprising the Plateau State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the Nigerian Red Cross and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corpse (NSCDC) were able to recover 14 bodies from the rubble of a collapsed house in Jos, the state capital.
The combined team had on Monday evening recovered four bodies from the building, which fell at about 6pm, trapping many people.
On the resumption of the search and rescue yesterday morning, the team discovered six more bodies, including that of the owner of the two-storey apartment, Alhaji Kabiru Nalele, popularly known as ‘Sariki’ (king) within the environment.
The Nation learnt that the owner of the apartment was not living in the building with his family. He only came visiting as usual when the building collapsed, killing him, his two wives and others.
It was learnt that the ground floor of the building was being used as shops and the other two floors were used as residential.
The ground floor housed a pharmaceutical store that deals in retail and wholesale drugs.
The pharmaceutical store is owned and managed by Nalele’s two daughters.
One of the sympathisers at the site said: “Some neighbours, who came to the pharmacy to buy drugs, were among the people trapped in the building. Some of them died and some others that survived were rescued and rushed to the hospital.”
Director of Search and Rescue, SEMA Mrs. Junni Bala, said: “The two-storey building located at Butcher Line, Dilimi in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State fell at about 6pm local time, trapping many.
“Rescuers recovered four bodies on Monday night from the rubble before discovering six others on Tuesday. Four other people were critically injured in the disaster.”
Many of the sympathisers, who trooped to catch a glimpse of the collapsed building expressed anger at the failure of the state government to enforce strict regulations on residential and business buildings in the city centre.
But, the Jos Metropolitan Development Board (JMDB), the state government agency in charge of town planning, has ordered residents occupying any building in the city that has no government approval to vacate immediately.
The agency said it will utilise all available laws to embark on demolition of any building that has no government approval, those that have government approval and are badly constructed as well as those buildings that are structurally defective.
Among those that trooped to the scene of the collapsed building yesterday was the Deputy Governor, Prof. Sunny Tyoden.
He expressed sympathy with relations of the victims. He also assured residents that government will take necessary action to standardise buildings in the state.
