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Tag: Plateau

  • Plateau killing senseless, barbaric – NLC

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has described as senseless and barbaric the renewed killing of innocent Nigerians by suspected herdsmen, saying such act if left unaddressed poses potential threat to the bond of brotherhood and peaceful coexistence in the country.

    President of the NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba said in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja that reprisal attack and the taste for revenge may however not be the solution to the issue, and appeal to those involved to engage in dialogue and peaceful reconciliation.

    He also asked the government to take immediate steps to rebuild communities affected by the crisis which several people dead and a vast majority homeless across the country.

    The statement reads: “The Nigeria Labour Congress is deeply saddened by the renewed violence in Barkin-Ladi and Riyom Local Governments of Plateau State and their environs leading to the killing of over 86 persons ( as per police report) by suspected killer-herdsmen at the weekend.

    “We are disturbed by the range of targets, the duration of these attacks and the scope of casualties and destruction. Even in a full scale war with another country,the statistics are numbing. ‘Therefore, for the umpteenth time we condemn these killings in their entirety.

    “They are senseless and barbaric and threaten to shatter once and for all the bonds of brotherhood and peaceful co-existence.

    Read Also: Plateau killing: PDP blames Buahri, APC

    “Accordingly, our security, though stretched, must be seen to do more to restore the confidence of the civil populace. If the emerging allegations are true that the attacks went on unchecked for hours, then something needs to be done about the reaction time of our internal security operations in the state.

    “Beyond this, the Federal and Plateau State Governments in consultation with the parties to this bloody conflict should design a frame work for an enduring peace.

    “The governments should quickly move to rebuild these communities and restore shattered lives as well as put and end to this anarchy.

    “In spite of the fact that emotions understandably run high at the moment, it is important to appreciate the fact that reprisal attacks cannot bring the much needed peace. Peace lies in dialogue and in squarely addressing the underlying causes of the problem. Time to frankly talk to ourselves is now.“

  • The mass murder in Plateau

    Sir: The first approach to solving a security problem is stripping it of all political pretences and nuances. The killings in Plateau, Benue, Zamfara and other places should be properly phrased. The casual resort to tagging or reducing mass killings or massacres to “farmers-herders clashes” is sadism. It mocks the dead and drives a dagger deeper into the wounds of the bereaved.

    Nigeria is at present an island of blood. Too many souls have been dispatched to the place yonder untimely.ý

    ýFraming the killings in the central part of the country as “herdsmen-farmers clashes” is skirting around a serious issue. What happened in Plateau at the weekend is pre-meditated massacre. What happened in Benue, where Catholic priests and parishioners were killed, is a deliberate massacre not “herdsmen-farmers” clashes. What happened in Taraba, where a seminary was attacked, is intentioned criminality not “herdsmen-farmers” clashes and so is that of Zamfara.ý

    As a matter of fact, I have always given this government the benefit of the doubt on matters of security. But there have been shards of inconsistencies in the excuses it gives for the killings in the north central region lately.

    First, the government said the killers were not Nigerians – that they were foreign invaders. Even President Muhammadu Buhari said the killers were aliens from Libya.

    However, the government later changed its narrative and said anti-open grazing laws were the smoulders of the killings.

    Second, John Agim, defence spokesman, said the killers were political thugs hired by desperate politicians to cause disharmony in the area.

    But Dan Ali, defence minister,  said openly that for peace to reign in the north central region – that is, for the killings to stop – all anti-open grazing laws must be suspended, implying that the laws were the reason for the killings.

    Who then are the political thugs that will benefit from the suspension of the anti-open grazing laws? Is there an anti-open grazing law in Plateau? Too many inconsistencies. ý

    ýBy the way, last week, the president visited communities in Bauchi where some residents were killed by a rainstorm. The visit was given copious publicity, perhaps to show the president still commands delirious followership.

    Will the president take deft action on the killings in Plateau State, and even pay a visit to the area? Or will he tag the killings “farmers-herders” clashes as he often does? Or is there no political profit in visiting Plateau?

    At this point, the president must do something about the security architecture. What is the sense in having heads of security whose personal squabble is affecting their job and who are in egotistic competition with one another?

    These killings should have been stopped before now. The recent carnage in Plateau is just one too gruesome.

    These souls slain on the backwaters of a crimson plateau must be given a farewell of justice.

     

    • Fredrick Nwabufo,

    fredricknwabufo@yahoo.com.

  • Plateau killings: Perpetrators won’t go unpunished – Osinbajo

    Vice President Yemi Osibanjo, on Monday, visited Plateau  following attacks that left scores of people dead.

    It would be recalled that within the last two days over 80 persons were killed in the state from attacks on nine communities.

    Osibanjo, who was in the state to assess the situation and interact with leaders in the state, said perpetrators of the heinous crime would not only be arrested but be made to face justice.

    He said that Special Forces have been deployed to restore peace in the state.

    “The Inspector General of Police has deployed more personnel to Plateau and the Chief of Defence Staff has announced this morning that Special Forces will be deployed to Plateau.

    “The Special Forces would complement the Operation Safe Haven’s effort that has been keeping peace in the state,” he said.

    The vice president expressed sadness over the development.

    “The president has said in his statement that whatever it takes, those that committed the heinous crime will not only be arrested but made to publicly face justice,” he said.

    He said that the Federal Government was taken aback because in the last three years, Plateau had become an example of how to restore peace.

    Osibanjo urged all leaders to show restraint in what they say and do.

    According to him, the leaders should avoid things that would create situations that would be beyond control.

    Gov Simon Lalong, in an address, condoled with the families of those who lost loved ones and property.

    Lalong said that he was particularly sad with the development because when he came on board, the Beroms and Fulanis signed a pact and made some recommendations on how to stay and live together.

    According to him, some of the recommendations are being worked on to be passed into law.

    He thanked the Federal Government for the prompt intervention and expressed optimism that the Federal Government would help the state to restore peace in the state. (NAN

  • CDS orders deployment of Special Forces to Plateau

    …Air Force Deploys Combat Helicopters

    The Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin has ordered the deployment of Special Forces into Plateau state just as Combat Helicopters from the Nigerian Air Force headed to the state to restore peace and orderliness.

    According to a statement from the Defence Headquarters, the Special Forces were to beef up the activities of Operation Safe Haven in the state and its environs.

    The statement signed by the Director of Defence Information, Brig Gen John Agim reads: “The Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin has authorized the deployment of additional Special Forces to Plateau State to beef up the strength of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH).

    “The additional troops which arrived Jos, capital of Plateau State on Monday were received and briefed by the Commander OPSH, Major General AM Atolagbe on their new assignment.

    Read Also:PDP knocks Presidency over statement on Plateau killings

    “The Armed Forces of Nigeria wishes to assure all law abiding citizens of Plateau state of their safety.

    “Meanwhile, misguided youths who have offered themselves to be used as thugs are hereby warned that anyone apprehended will receive the full weight of the law.

    “Herdsmen and farmers are also warned not to take laws into their hands; rather suspected persons should be reported promptly to security agencies”.

    Similarly the Nigerian Air Force announced that Combat Helicopters have been deployed to Plateau with Intelligence, Surveillance and Recoinnassance (ISR) platforms to bring the situation under control.

    The NAF Spokesperson AVM Olatokunbo Adesanya said in a statement: “The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has today, 25 June 2018, deployed an Mi-35P combat helicopter and an Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft to Plateau State in support of efforts aimed at quelling the crisis that recently erupted in the State and restoring normalcy.

    “The deployment of the ISR aircraft is expected to enhance intelligence gathering while the combat helicopter would conduct armed reconnaissance and other combat air support operations in close coordination with surface forces deployed to the State.

    “Meanwhile, other NAF air assets are available at nearby alternate airfields to hasten the process of restoring normalcy in the State, as might be necessary”.

  • Curfew in Plateau as herdsmen kill 86

    •‘11 bodies recovered’ •Fulani group: we’ve lost 300 cows

    Attacks by gunmen believed to be Fulani herdsmen on revenge mission at the weekend led to the death of many people in two Local Government Areas of Plateau State.

    But the police said 11 people died.

    Governor Simon Lalong, who was attending the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Convention in Abuja, cut short his stay to return home to slam curfew on three councils as tension continued to rise.

    The villages were attacked between 11pm on Saturday and 3am on Sunday, it was leant.

    The Special Military Taskforce in charge of security in Plateau State, Operation Safe Haven, failed to prevent the attack.

    The villages attacked are Xland, Gindin Akwati, Ruku, Nghar, Kura Falls and Kakuruk, all in Gashish District, as well as Rakok, Kok and Razat in Ropp District.

    Villages around Shonong in Bachit District of Riyom Local Government Area were also attacked.

    A resident of Xland, Bulus Dung, who escaped the attack, said: “The gunmen were Fulani; there is no doubt about that, because we have been seeing mass movement of armed Fulani at night. We reported the strange movement to the military task force a week ago but they failed to prevent it.”

    The Nation learnt that Berom villages – Xland, Gindin Akwati, Kura Falls, Nghar and Ruku – were completely sacked.

    In Nghar, many bodies were recovered as the entire village was razed. Many have been declared wanted after the attacks while survivors were believed to be hiding in bushes.

    The task force office in Barkin Ladi, known as “Sector 7”, is currently hosting more than 200 victims who escaped the attacks, mostly women and children.

    The lawmaker representing Barkin Ladi/Riyom in the House of Representatives, Istifanus Gyang, described the attack as “a senseless bloodbath”.

    Spokeperson of the military taskforce, Major Umar Adam, said the taskforce had launched rescue operations and evacuated some victims to the hospital.

    He said: “I can confirm that the attack was perpetrated by yet-to-be identified gunmen, and while we embark on rescue operation, a detachment of our men went after the gunmen and arrested some of them; they are in our custody for investigations.

    “But is difficult for me to give the casualty figure for now because rescue teams are still in the bush; we can only get the figure of casualties at the end of the rescue operation.”

    The Plateau State government is “deeply pained that despite efforts which has led to the restoration of relative peace in the state, some unpatriotic elements are bent on disrupting the gains so far made”.

    A statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Rufus Bature, said: “The government condemns these attacks and has mobilised the full compliments of security forces who are restoring normalcy in the affected areas and the environs.

    “The government holds every single live as sacred hence, has mobilised medical and relief agencies to ameliorate the suffering of those in distress.

    “A 6pm to 6am curfew will continue in Jos South, Barkin Ladi and Riyom councils until normalcy is restored.”

    Though the attacks were concentrated on Barkin Ladi, there is heavy tension in neighbouring Mangu, Bokkos and Riyom councils.

    Youths in Jos South council were said to have blocked the federal highway to protest the attacks in Barkin Ladi.

    The Police confirmed the death of 11 persons.

    Its spokesman, Terna Tyopev, said: “The gunmen invaded the villages on Saturday and killed several people. Based on the number of bodies recovered and buried, we can confirm 11 killed.

    “However, more people might have died because many families had buried their dead before the police arrived.”

    Tyopev added that some bodies were deposited at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) mortuary and security had been tightened in the affected villages to restore peace.

    The Chairman, North Central zone of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Danladi Ciroma, condemned the attacks.

    He added: “These attacks are retaliatory. As much as I don’t support the killing of human being, the truth must be told that those who carried out the attacks must be on revenge mission.

    “There have been recent reports of cow rustling and destruction of farms between Berom farmers and Fulani herdsmen. The people carrying out these criminal activities are well known to the communities but the communities are hiding them.

    “Fulani herdsmen have lost about 300 cows in the last few weeks – 94 cows were rustled by armed Berom youths in Fan village, another 36 cows were killed by Berom youths. In addition to that, 174 cattle were rustled and the criminals disappeared with them to Mangu.

    “Since these cows were not found, no one should expect peace in the areas. Even soldiers that went after the criminals to recover the rustled cows were shot by the armed rustlers and eventually escaped with all the cows.

    “The government of Governor Lalong has done a lot to restore peace, but the criminal elements hiding among their people are the ones frustrating these peace efforts.

    “Though the security agencies have tried, they need to do more by being fair to all parties; they should not neglect any report presented by Fulani of Berom because such report can lead to attacks and deaths if not properly handled.

    “Criminals thrive a lot in Berom communities, but when the Fulani, who are always victims of their crime, react with attacks, they blame the government.

    “These communities have leaders, why hide the criminals? They should fish out the criminals and hand them over to security agencies to avoid death of innocent ones.

    “As it is today, the Berom man cannot go to farm, the Fulani cannot breed his cows in Berom Land. This can be stopped if the security agencies do more than what they are currently doing. The attacks will stop as soon as the security agencies stop Berom youths from stealing Fulani cows”

  • Plateau imposes dusk to dawn curfew in LGAs after herdsmen attack

    The Plateau Government has imposed  a dusk to dawn curfew in Riyom, Barkin Ladi and Jos South local government areas.
    The Government of the State,  Mr Rufus Bature said in a statement in Jos  that the curfew was to avert a breakdown of law and order.
    He said that movement would be restricted from 6 p.m.to 6 a.m. except for those on essential duties.
    There was tension in some parts of the State after suspected herdsmen attacks in some communities left many people dead.
    Ladi Choji, chairman of Berom Youth Movement, told reporters over 100 persons were killed while houses, including churches, were torched.

    The report said 31 corpses were recovered from Gashish village, 42 others from different villages in Barkin Ladi.

    The attacks were blamed on suspected herdsmen.

    The attack was said to have been launched at Xland, Gindin Akwati, Ruku, Nghar, Kura Falls and Kakuruk all in Gashish District. The communities were completely sacked by the assailants, reports said.

    However the news of the curfew hasn’t spread to several areas since the curfew was declared on short notice.

    In places like Abbatoir and Rayfield, most residents obeyed the directive from the State Government as few people were seen on the street.

    At PRTV, some people were seen scrambling for kekes’ down to British American, due to few tricycles available for transport.

    Some cattle herders were seen leading cattle down the road.

    At Namua junction, several people were still seen on both sides of the road oblivious of the curfew.

  • Suspected herdsmen kill 11 in Plateau

    The Police Command in Plateau has confirmed the killing of 11 persons in attacks on Razat, Ruku, Nyarr, Kura and Gana-Ropp villages of Gashish District in Barkin Ladi Local Government.

    Also hit were Daffo and Kuba communities in Bokkos Local Government.

    Mr Terna Tyopev, the command’s spokesman, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Jos that many other villages were hit by the gunmen suspected to be herdsmen.

    “The gunmen invaded the villages on Saturday and killed several people. Based on the number of corpses recovered and buried, we can confirm 11 killed,” he said.

    He said, however, that more people might have died because many families had buried their dead relatives before the Policemen arrived,” he said.

    Tyopev said that some dead bodies had been deposited at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) mortuary, adding that security had been beefed up in affected villages to restore peace.

    Capt. Umar Adams, spokesman of `Operation Safe Haven’, the military task force maintaining peace in Plateau, who also spoke on the attacks, described them as “unfortunate”.

    “We are aware of the unfortunate attacks, but I cannot confirm how many people were killed,” he told NAN.

    Meanwhile, Gov Simon Lalong has charged security agencies to double their efforts toward ending the persistent attacks on rural communities in the state.
    A statement signed by Mr Yakubu Dati, the Commissioner for Information and Communication, said that the governor rushed to the state on Sunday, cutting short his participation in the ongoing All Progressives Convention (APC) convention holding in Abuja.
    It quoted Lalong as describing the incessant attacks as “devastating”.
    “The governor has directed  security agencies to end the attacks and apprehend the assailants. He has also challenged them to be proactive so as to restore stability to Plateau,” the statement said.
    It further quoted Lalong as commiserating with families of the victims and promising to settle the bills of those injured and in hospitals. (NAN)

  • Gunmen kill two in Plateau

    Two persons – Geoffrey Jangwok and Sylvester Ishaya – were killed on Monday when gunmen attacked Kakuruk, Gashish District in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.

    The attack occured about 9 pm and residents said the gunmen were Fulani militia.

    A community leader was attacked at the same spot last week, and although he escaped, his car and house were burnt.

    Police spokesman Tyopev Terna, who confirmed the attack, said he is not aware of any death.

    He said: “I know there was an attack last night (Monday) but I’ve not been told if anyone died.”

  • Plateau Govt. to begin production of motorized wheelchairs

    The Plateau Government says it will commence the production of motorized wheelchairs, as part of efforts to revamp the state-owned Science and Technology Equipment production centres.

    Mr Dan Manjang, the State’s Commissioner for Science and Technology disclosed this in an interview with Our Reporter on Tuesday in Jos.

    He said the wheelchairs would be produced by the Plateau State Relevant Technology Centre and the Technology Incubation Centre (TUC), to generate more revenue for the state and alleviate the sufferings of the physically challenged people.

    “ We are having consultations with the Plateau State Disability Commission to make locally made motorized wheelchairs for them instead of travelling outside the state.

    “We would make the required facilities available and we would soon commence production in these centres.

    “Consultations are also ongoing with ministries like education, health to patronize test tubes, school furniture and hospitals beds produced in these centres,“ he said.

    Manjang said there were many untapped potentials in the science and technology centres like the jathropa plant where the oil produced in TUC Jos has different health benefits and can even be used as aviation fuel.

    The commissioner expressed worry that government agencies seldom patronize the state-owned production centres, saying the gesture would boost productions, facilitate their sustenance and generate more revenue for developmental projects.

    He said the Plateau Assembly has passed the Information Technology Bill, which seeks to set up an agency to be headed by a Director-General, saying when signed by the governor it would galvanize ICT issues in the state.

    According to him, the state is working toward e-governance.

    “We want to have a functional website and other social media handles like the twitter, instagram, facebook and many others where all activities of the state could be uploaded and existing information updated as required.

    “The Ministry of Education has provided computers to 40 public secondary schools to facilitate internet access for research and other academic purposes.

    “Five pilot schools have been supplied computers; the visats are being set up.

    “We want all Local Government Areas’ secretariats connected to the internet; these are plans to meet global technology trend and enhance e-governance in the state,” he said.

  • Pastors Association trains community leaders on peace

    The Arewa Christian and Indigenous Pastors Association (ACIPA) has organised a two-day training workshop for community and youth leaders in Jos.

    Speaking at the opening ceremony on Monday, Rev Luke Shehu, the association’s National President, said the training aimed at consolidating the government’s effort on promoting peace in the state.

    According to him, Plateau has over time experienced myriad security challenges that has truncated its fast growing developmental stride.

    “Plateau has been losing economically and otherwise because of the incessant security challenges it has passes through and still witnessing.

    “Yes, one paramount duties of the government is to safeguard the lives and property of its citizens.

    “But the dimension that the crisis is going calls for a collective effort in nipping trend at the bud. Security is everyone’s business.

    “This is why, as an association of clergymen, we decided to organise this training so as to educate our people on the basics of security and how to promote peaceful coexistence in our various communities,” he said.

    Sherubu noted that the traininees would be expected to train other in their various communities.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training tagged: “Peace and Security for Sustainable Development,” had participants from several local government areas of the northern senatorial zone of Plateau.