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Tag: Plateau

  • Western Region, Plateau, Ekiti once felt the hammer

    Western Region, Plateau, Ekiti once felt the hammer

    He appeared on the screen as a distressed leader, whose administration is full of tension. His voiced was coarse. Apparently, the embattled leader appeared rattled by the security challenge that has threatened to overwhelm him and create a deep hollow in his record. In a fit of anger, the President Goodluck Jonathan declared a constitutionally limited state of emergency in the troubled states of Yobe, Borno and Adamawa.

    To analysts, the decision has two implications. The ‘emergency rule’, which will not affect the structures of government in the affected states, pales into the strategic acceptance that Yobe, Borno and Adamawa states are now disaster zones. The governors, who do not have control over the security agencies under the lopsided federal arrangement, are not to blame. However, the second implication is that the insecurity in these states, two of them (Borno and Yobe) are under the control of an opposition party, may be politically exploited to fuel more tensions that could later warrant the declaration of full emergency.

    The invocation of the power of emergency conveys the impression that all is not well with a section of the country, and indeed, the country. Historically, when the late Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa declared a state of emergency in the defunct Western Region, the late Premier Ladoke Akintola stepped aside for the emergency administrator, Senator Koye Majekodunmi, who ran the affairs of the region for six months. A state of emergency became more compelling, following the crisis of leadership that enveloped the region. The ruling Action Group (AG) had split into two camps, which revolved around the party leader and Leader of Federal Opposition, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and his deputy, the late Akintola. Two personalities; Akintola of the Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP) and Alhaji Dauda Adegbenro of the AG, were laying claims to the premiership. There was the breakdown of law and order in the Western regional House of Assembly, following the disruption of proceedings by Hon. Oke from Ogbomoso Constituency. After the expiration of the six-month emergency rule, the late Akintola regained his position.

    Thirty two years later, former President Olusegun Obasanjo declared state of emergency in the crisis-ridden Plateau State for six months. He informed the Senate after the announcement. Governor Joshua Dariye was shoved aside and an administrator, Maj-Gen. Chris Ali, came on board. The emergency declaration followed the religious crisis that engulfed the state. As the Christians and Muslims clashed, there were bloodshed and reprisal attacks in the neighbouring states. The bloodletting was said to have claimed over 2,000 lives. Obasanjo, who also sacked the House of Asembly, explained that the emergency powers were invoked to stamp out sectarian violence and restore order. He blamed Dariye for being indecisive, stressing that his aloofness had further compounded the crisis. Following the expiration of the emergency rule, Dariye regained his lost power.

    Also, On October 19, 2006, Obasanjo declared a state of emergency in Ekiti State. The executive and legislative arms were the casualties. The House of Assembly had impeached the governor, Ayo Fayose, and appointed the Speaker, Sunday Aderemi, as the acting governor, instead of the deputy governor, Mrs. Biodun Olujimi. There was crisis. Fayose claimed that he was illegally removed. Mrs. Olujimi could not take over. Aderemi was parading himself as the acting governor. Tension rose in the agrarian state, following the remarks by the Chief Judge and Attorney-general that the governor was illegally removed. Obasanjo declared the controversial impeachment ridiculous. He said he was alarmed at the presence of three governors in Ekiti State. “We have come to a sad, ridiculous and unacceptable situation in Ekiti State where we have three governors. It is dangerous for democracy to allow this flagrant violation”, he added. An administrator, Gen. Adetunji Olurin (rtd), was appointed for the state.

    Last year, following the escalation of crisis in Riyom, Jos North, Barkin Ladi and Jos South councils, the Federal Government also declared limited emergency in the local governments.

     

  • Plateau and politics of zoning

    Plateau and politics of zoning

    In Plateau State, the three senatorial zones have produced the governor, based on the zoning agreement among politicians in the state. But the state is now under stress as the major ethnic groups are scrambling for the slot. Correspondent YUSUFU IDEGU examines the claims of each zone.

     

    Ahead of the 2015 general elections, political tension is alrerady brewing in Plataue State. The various ethnic groups are locked in the battle of wits over who should produce the next governor.

    Since the Second Republic, politicians have always adopted established a zoning formula that has stood the test of time. Based on the agreement, the three zones; Plateau South, Plateau Central and Plateau North; have filled the slot. According to the analysis, between 1979 and 2015, each of the senatorial zones would have ruled the state for eight years.

    In 1979, Plateau South took the first shot. The zone produced the first civilian governor, Chief Solomon Lar of the Nigerian Peoples Party (NPP). He is of the Tarohk tribe from Langtang. He ruled the state between 1979 and 1983. Lar was re-elected as the governor, but his second term was truncated by the military intervention of December 31, 1983.

    During the aborted Third Republic, the South also produced former Governor Fidelis Tapgun. That was in 1990. The zone complained that it was entitled to a second term, recalling that Lar could not make it to the end because of the military coup.

    The Tapgun Administration was also disrupted. Following the annulment of the 1993 presidential election, there was crisis in the country. The military sacked the civilian authorities, including the second executive governor.

    In 1999, power shifted to the Plateau Central, with the ascension of Governor Joshua Dariye. he ran on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Unlike Tapgun, Dariye was re-elected. Thus, between 1999 and 2007, the governor came from the Central.

    In 2007, it was the turn of the North to produce the governor. Up came the retired soldier from Berom, which is the major tribe in the zone. Air Commodore Jonah Jang (rtd) was re-elected in 2011. In two year’s time, his second term will expire. By the time he leaves the office, all the zones would have occupied the seat for eight years.

    However, the hitherto gentleman agreement has nowbecome an albatross for the state. Politicians are at a cross road as the 2015 governorship context draws near.

    Now that all the zones have tasted power, the question is: which zone should produce the next governor?

    All the three zones are rationali-sing their claims to the throne. For example, the people of Plateau South, who first produced the governor in 1979, are saying that the zoning should begin from their zone again. But politicians from Plateau Central have disagreed, saying that it is their turn. are saying it is their turn. Also, political leaders from the North are demanding that the zoning should now be implemented in an anti- clock wise manner.

    This disagreement over zoning has thrown the major ethnic groups in the state into political rivalry. The Tarohk and Goemai tribes from the southern zone; the Angas who dominates the central zone and the Berom tribe, which dominates the northern zone, are the major players.

    The Berom, who are Jang’s kinsmen,are not ready to relinquish power in 2015. It appears that they are no longer fascinated by zoning. Basking in the euphoria of the incumbency, they are calmouring for a fresh arrangement that would favour power retention. With this in mind, aspirants from the North are lining up to grab the opportunity. Prominent among thye governorship aspirants from the zone are Senator Gyang Pwajok, Mr. Pam Gyang, Chris Giwa and Lumuba Dah Adeh.

    A Berom elder, Gyang Jacob, said the ethnic group has made sacrifices for the state by adjusting to life outside power for 20 years. He argued that it was only proper and fit for his people to start the ‘second round’.

    “We know we are currently in power in the state. We had made so much sacrifice to produce the governor in 2007. We waited for almost 20 years while others were ruling. Now, the zoning formula will be completed in 2015. All we are asking for is let us be the first in the next round because we came last in the last round. Let the last be the first this time and let the first be last; that is all we are asking for. What is good for the goose is also good for the gander”, he said.

    However, other zones found the Berom position, not only selfish and oppressive, but also untenable. A commuinty leader from the South, Lukman Ponfa, however, faulted the arguument. He said that Berom people are taking undue advantage of the fact that they are in power to oppress other stakeholders in the state. He canvassed the retention of the existing formula for the sake of peace and unity.

    “To allow peace to reign, the Berom should allow the existing zoning arrangement to continue uninterrupted. It should be turn by turn as it has been. Let no one alter it and make it go anti-clock wise for selfish reason”, he advised.

    Already, the agitators for power shift to the South are on the increase. Prominent among them are Mrs. Pauline Tallen, Senator Cosmos Niagwan and Senator Victor Lar. They have governorship ambition and the rejection of zoning is likely to further position very far from power.

    The Angas tribe oin the Central Zone is also not relenting in its claim to power, ahead of 2015. Political leaders from the area are vociferous. When the zone was to produce a governor in 1999, the slot went to a minority tribe, Mushere, which threw up Dariye. The majority tribe, Anga, also seem to have a convincing explanation. According to the political leadwers from the ethnic group, equity, justice and fairness demand that the next governor should come from Anga, pointing out that it is the only major tribe that has not produced the governor.

    A community leader from Anga, who did not disclose his name, said that the three zones are equally entitled to the governorship. But he addded that, since Tarohk produced Lar in 1979 and Berom produced Jang, Anga should struggle to win the sympathy of the other tribes.

    He urged prominent leaders from the area, including the former Police Commissioner, Hezekiah Dimka, (rtd) and the PDP Chairman, Dr Haruna Dabin, to brainstorm on the issue and present their trusted sons for the contest.

    Analysts contend that, if the Berom succeed in their plot to twist the zoning to their favor, Senator Pwajok may be their joker for 2015. To survive the ethnic politics, the Beroms are contemplating a‘ Plan B’ in pursuit of their ethnic agenda. It is is being rumored that the Beroms in government are contemplating supporting the candidates from the other zones so that they supply the running mate.

    A former legislator from Plateau Central, Bala Gogwim said: “This is no longer rumor. The Berom has their Plan B. It is an open secret. They will not only form a strong alliance with one of the two zones that is ready to make a Berom the running mate.

    “We learnt that they will come out with their funds and incumbency power to sponsor a governorship candidate from the other zone who will be willing to surrender power to them through impeachment. They are planning to sponsor one of the commissioners from the zone or a House of Representatives member. We would not want to mention the name now. But we know him.”.

    But can they succeed with the so-called ‘Plan B’?

    But how they so called plan ‘B’ will work out is left to be seen.

     

  • EU boosts peace in Plateau

    Civil society organisations working to restore peace in Plateau State have received a major boost from the United Union (EU). The Union is funding an 18-month peace-building project aimed at enhancing the capacity of civil society organisations and other stakeholders in the areas of trauma management, peace-building, mediation skills, early warning and response, human rights and good governance.

    The project also aims to stimulate inter-community dialogue and cohesion.

    Speaking in Jos at the official launch of the project under the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights, the representative of the EU, Miss Modupe Omopintemi assured that the Union is very much concerned about the happenings in Plateau State, even as she said that the body is ready to support all stakeholders to bring an end to the crisis to and ensure good relationship among the residents.

    Also speaking in the same manner, Godwin Okoko, the Country Representative of Apurimac Onlus, a non-governmental organisation working on the areas of human and capital development using entrepreneurship skill development as a platform in conflict mitigation, peace promotion, good relationship and community cohesion emphasised that everything is being done to ensure that lasting peace returns in the state.

    While presenting an overview of the project, Apurimac Onlus, which is the direct beneficiary of the funds and Okoko who doubles as the project coordinator disclosed that the duration of the project is 18 months, even as they said that the geographical scope is Jos North, Jos South, Barkin Ladi and Riyom local government areas respectively.

    He said apart from the capacity trainings, there would also be creation of awareness through the media which is aimed at promoting peace.

    The total funds that EU will be giving for the project is 64,504 Euros while there will be counterpart funding from Apurimac to support the project, make it a success and give room for youths in the state to earn a living and take their minds off crime.

    Representatives of government, non-governmental organisation, various religious and ethnic groups were present to witness the event. They pledged their cooperation towards the success of the project.

  • Plateau: ‘STF must punish bad elements’

    AS stakeholders search for peace in Plateau State, the senator representing Plateau North, Gyang Pwajok (PDP), has urged the military Special Task Force (STF) maintaining peace in the state not to ignore the complaints against some of its personnel.

    “The STF authorities must fish out and deal with bad elements to rid the security system of such bad eggs,” Pwajok told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jos, the state capital, yesterday.

    The senator spoke after leaders of the warring Berom and Fulani communities in Plateau North resolved to forgive one anothe and embrace peace.

    He noted that both sides have blamed the STF personnel of complicity in the lingering violence.

    Pwajok said: “Both sides accused the STF personnel of being part of the problem. In fact, at one of the sessions, some community leaders pointedly told the STF Commander that his men were involved in all manners of atrocities. We cannot sweep that under the carpet.

    “The STF should face such accusations and seek to resolve them. There is no need for excuses. It is not a war propaganda against anyone because most of the speakers appeared fully convinced.”

    The senator described the peace talks as “very successful”, adding that he was delighted the speakers were frank and suggested solutions to end the bloodbath.

    He said: “What we have done is to take more practical steps by taking the message to the hinterlands where the peace process can be best driven. It is a non-military approach to violence and it is being initiated by the warring groups themselves with the interfaces transparently very frank, down to earth and straight forward.”

    The senator explained that more strategies were being put in place to consolidate the gains on peace initiatives.

  • Plateau lawmaker donates borehole

    Plateau lawmaker donates borehole

    A representive of Kanke constituency in the Plateau State House of Assembly, Hon Timothy Golu, has lifted the spirits of worshippers in Rayfield, Jos.

    The lawmaker who is also the Chief Whip of the House, donated an electric powered borehole to the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) in the area.

    Hon. Golu said the church is his spiritual constituency and that he took it as his personal responsibility to also provide social services to the place where he worship every week.

    He said: “I am from Kanke constituency in the central senatorial zone of Plateau; that is my primary constituency but as a lawmaker, I reside in Jos, the state capital. I stay in Rayfield and worship at COCIN Church every week. As much as I owe a duty to my primary constituency, I also owe a duty to my spiritual constituency, my church.

    “I would have constructed the water project at the COCIN headquarters but due to technical hitches I had to establish the project at the compound of COCIN Rayfield for the benefit of the church, worshippers, the school children and members of the surrounding communities,” Golu said.

    Speaking at the inauguration of the borehole, the state Deputy Governor, Ambassador Ignatius Longjan, described the lawmaker as a vibrant, dynamic, visionary and focused leader who is always committed to alleviating the suffering of his people.

    Longjan also challenged other lawmakers and well-meaning individuals to emulate the kind gesture of the Chief Whip by providing succour to the people in their immediate communities, adding that access to clean water and hygiene will definitely improve the health condition of the people.

    State Commissioner for Water Resources, Mallam Idi Waziri, in his remarks at the occasion, commended the lawmaker for the initiative, adding that the project had no political undertones.

    He enjoined others to partner with the state government so that it can achieve its MDGs target of water for all by 2015.

    The Chief Whip, who spoke shortly after the commissioning, said apart from providing water for his spiritual constituency, he has sunk so many boreholes for his people.

    He added that the project is his token of appreciation for what God has done for him and members of his family.

  • Plateau killings: Death toll hits 50

    Plateau killings: Death toll hits 50

     Two die in Gombe night attack

    The death toll in the week-long orgy of killings by unknown gunmen in several villages around Jos, Plateau State has risen to 50.

    This figure was confirmed by officials of the Special Task Force (STF) yesterday, as authorities pleaded for peace over the Easter holiday. The attacks came as a string of unsolved killings continue to plague the region that has seen thousands killed in massacres in recent years. While a combined police and military presence still patrols Jos and other parts of Plateau State, many of the villages attacked sit in remote, rural corners of the state.

    The most recent killings happened on Friday night in the Barkin Ladi area, according to STF spokesman, Navy Lt. Jude Akpa. Attackers raided Bokkos town and killed nine people, fleeing before soldiers arrived, Akpa said. Emmanuel Lohman, a government official, said gunmen armed with assault rifles struck a village called Ratas and opened fire in the night while many there were sleeping.

    Witnesses said the shooting lasted for almost two hours before the attackers fled. The villagers blamed nomadic Hausa-Fulani cattle herdsmen for the attack.

    Muhammadu Nura, the state secretary of the cattle breeders association, said Hausa-Fulani people had been killed in “reprisals” but denied herders were involved the attacks.

    The figure of 50 people said to have been killed in attacks, includes an assault on Wednesday on a village in the Riyom local government area that killed 28 people and an attack on Thursday in the Bokkos local government area that killed 18 civilians. The military said it killed six while trying to repel attackers during the assault.

    Meanwhile, the management committee chairman of Barkin Ladi local government area of Plateau State, Emmanuel Lohman, has commended the personnel of the Special Task Force on Jos crisis saying but for their constant patrols around the villages in the area there would have been another bloody night yesterday.

    Loman who spoke in Jos yesterday while giving an update on the renewed killing of people by suspected hired Fulani gunmen said STF personnel prevented another round of bloody killings because of their constant patrol of the area.

    The council chairman commended the STF personnel for their professional conduct, noting that the council will support them in the bid to rid the area of the killers.

    Meanwhile, the Police in Gombe State have confirmed the killing of two people when gunmen attacked Kumo Police Division in Akko Local Government Area on Friday night.

    The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Mohammed Sule, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gombe that the dead were among the attackers.

    He said the police recovered one AK 47 rifle and two motorcycles from the attackers.

    “As far as I am concerned, none of my men was killed. What I know is that two of the attackers were killed and we recovered one AK 47 rifle and two motorcycles,” he said.

    Sule, however, said he was expecting details of the incident since it occurred in the night.

    He decried the lack of information from the public to enable the police to prevent such attacks.

    Some residents of Kumo town told NAN on telephone that they heard sounds of gunshots when the attackers came in the night.

    They said they could not sleep in the night because of the exchange of fire between the police and the attackers.

     

  • Gunmen kill many in Plateau

    Gunmen kill many in Plateau

    Gunmen on Wednesday night killed unconfirmed number of persons in a attack on Mile-Bakwai village in Bokkos, Plateau State.

    The Media Officer of the Special Task Force (STF) maintaining the peace in Plateau, Navy Capt. Jude Akpa, confirmed the attack and said that the attackers shot and injured two officers of the STF, all of them mobile policemen.

    He, however, said the casualty figure was “still being verified,’’ but confirmed that men of the STF killed six of the attackers and made some arrests.

    However, the Chairman, Bokkos Local Government, Mr. Zakka Akos, confirmed that 18 bodies were recovered at the scene of the attack.

    Also Dr. Kumbem Temang of Cottage Hospital, Bokkos confirmed that 18 people were killed and among them was a 70 year old woman known as Kaka Kiwo.

    A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent quoted a victim of the attack, one Majau Yohanna, as saying that the attackers invaded the village “from 7pm not long after we returned from our farms and were resting in our respective houses.

    “They (attackers) came in large numbers and had very sophisticated weapons,’’ Yohanna, currently on admission at the Bingham University Teaching Hospital (BUTH), Jos told NAN.

    According to him, “the attackers just descended on the villagers and started shooting everyone on sight.’’

    “We had to run for our dear lives. In the process, some of us were shot down while trying to escape.

    “I was shot on my right rib and it was just God that saved me. It is a miracle that I am still alive,’’ he said.

    Mr. Thomas Mafai, a relation of Yohanna, who rushed him to BUTH because of the serious injuries he sustained, claimed that he counted 20 bodies, including two policemen that were killed during the attack on the village.

    “Some of the victims are being treated at the Dung Hospital, Bokkos,’’ he said.

    Mafai however confirmed that six of the attackers were killed by men of the STF maintaining peace in Plateau.

    When contacted, the Plateau Police Commissioner, Mr. Chris Olakpe, said I’m “very busy strategising with my Divisional Police Officers and will not want any encumbrances.’’

    Akpa, while confirming the attack, said that the two policemen shot by the attackers were currently on admission at the Barkin Ladi General Hospital.

  • Plateau park strengthens security

    Plateau park strengthens security

    Security was yesterday beefed up at the Plateau Ridders, the Plateau State government-owned motor park.

    Every passenger had his or her baggage thoroughly checked before being allowed in. The gate was also manned by armed policemen and anti-bomb police.

    Indigenes of the state asked the Special Task Force (STF) to ensure the suicide bombing in Kano State does not occur in the state.

    The Chairman, Northern Youths for the Advancement of Peace, Harmony and Development, Mr Melvin Ejeh, said: “The STF should not sleep because the attack in Kano is a proof that the era of bombing is not over in the country. We are already working on how to change the mindset of youth of the north to use their lives for positive venture rather than allow themselves to be used for selfish end.”

    A Reverend Father, Mathew Azi, called on churches, mosques and recreation spots to beef up security.

     

  • Echoes of theatre feast on Plateau

    It was seven evenings of exciting theatre productions in Jos, the Plateau State capital as theatre lovers from across the country converged on the Plateau to savour classical plays and drama. The 7th Jos Festival of Theatre was organised by the Jos Repertory Theatre supported by the US Embassy in Nigeria. It was held at the Alliance Francaise. The theme was Challenging Perceptions.

    The serene Alliance Francaise premises came alive for the entire seven days. The organisers put up a grand performance of six stage productions from the pre-festival play Banana Talks with two playful characters Jack and Wilson played by Ebuka Ifebunso and Akolo James Anthony. The festival opened with Wale Ogunyemi’s Queen Amina of Zazzau, followed by Tennessee Williams ‘Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, Vaclav Havel’s ‘Audience, August Wilson’s Jitney and Femi Osofisan’s ‘Midnight Hotel rounded it off.

    The plays were carefully and specifically chosen to reflect the current challenges facing Nigeria as a nation and with each production, the audiences nodded in acknowledgment. The festival presentations also offered the audience a reflection of their society—the problems, possible solutions and way forward.

    For the festival, which was also part of this year’s African-American History Month (a month dedicated to all those African-American men and women who by their contributions made for a better society). It was an opportunity to serve an assemblage of new directors, theatre faces as well as renowned stage presences.

    Wale Ogunyemi’s Queen Amina regarded as the most historically correct version was served by an assemblage of cast and crew that delivered. Osasogie Efe played Amina, Makaman Zazzau was played by Abraham Omale, Bakwa Turunku was played by the versatile Olajumoke Mitchell Olatubosun, Mai Daki was delivered by Tinmwakwat Goyang debuting on stage.

    Yusuf Dauda delivered on his role as Fagaci, Aliyu was played out by Chukwuebuka Ifebunso, while the Priest was played by Emmanuel Ekpe.

    Queen Amina is a story that examines fairness, justice, equity but looking at the place of court politics was made fresh in the face for the audience to savour.

    It wasn’t different with August Wilson’s Jitney; the playwright’s classic examines the need for reconciliation, helping us understand pain and disappointment. Osasogie Efe directed with Olaniyi Isaac as Philmore, Umoren Ubong David playing Youngblood, Peniel Ayuba was Doub and Senate Uwadia played Becker.

    Vaclav Havel’s Audience was a crowd favourite with the supposed drinking character Vanek played by Anre John, Foreman was delivered by Seyi Lovingkindness and Leon Echa made a directorial bow.

    This year’s edition of the festival also marked an entry for the Czech Republic into the festival.

    The family of Big Daddy and Big Mama played by Song Hanatu set the stage for Tennessee Williams’ Cat On A Hot Tin Roof. A story of a dying man with other plans about how his wealth should be shared, reminding us of the never-ending cake sharing tragedy in Nigeria centered on greed.

    Margaret was played by Eniyome Edor, Sunday Adahson was Brick, Patience Ebute John played Mae, Okoro Fidelis played Rev. Tooker.

    The curtains drew with Femi Osofisan’s Midnight Hotel, the story of an exposed and educated woman Awero, who engages in an affair with her husband’s friend, Suuru, who is a clergyman.

    It put on display the business without standard or rules by Jimoh and Bicycle, two characters that run the hotel. Alatise, the man who sold all to venture into politics portrays our political life like a mirror on the wall. It was directed by Olajumoke Michelle Olatubosun.

     

    •Prince Charles Dickson, wrote from Jos, Plateau State

     

  • Gunmen kill village head, five others in Plateau

    Six people in Barkin Ladi and Riyom local government areas of Plateau State, including a village head, have been killed by unknown gunmen.

    Four persons were reportedly killed at Tapo village in Heipang District of Barkin Ladi Local Government by gunmen.

    Two others were killed at Torok Rim village in Riyom Local Government.

    An eyewitness, who preferred anonymity, said three members of a family were shot by the attackers and an 80-year-old village head, Da Dung Bot Gwom, was believed to have died from exhaustion when trying to escape from the gunmen.

    The eyewitness said the gunmen stormed the village about 11pm and broke into the home of Rwang Davou (71), killing him, his 47-year-old son, Pam Rwang Davou and his six-year-old grandson, Martins Pam Rwang.

    Pam’s wife reportedly escaped with injuries and is receiving treatment in a hospital.

    The source said the victims were buried yesterday and the body of the village head had been deposited at the mortuary.

    A villager said the funeral was witnessed by the Chairman, Management Committee of Barkin Ladi Local Government, Mr. Emmanuel Loman and a member representing the constituency in the House of Assembly, Mrs. Kaneng Gyang Fulani.

    The Media Officer of the Special Task Force (STF) in the state, Captain Salisu Mustapha, said he was yet to be briefed on the incident.

    Two persons were killed yesterday by gunmen at Torok-Rim village in Riyom Local Government.

    The Nation learnt that those killed were children aged between two and four years. They died following gunshot injuries.

    According to an eyewitness, the incident occurred about 5:30am. The injured have been taken to Vom Christian Hospital.

    The Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Samuel Dido, who confirmed the death of the two children, said four others were unconscious in the hospital with gunshot injuries.

    The Majority Leader and a member representing Riyom in the House of Assembly, Mr. Daniel Dem, who visited the scene, decried the attack and enjoined the STF Commander, Gen. Henry Ayoola, to redeploy the Sector 9 Commander, Col. Jimoh, to ensure peace in the area.

    Police Commissioner Chris Olakpe confirmed the incident. He said the command, in collaboration with the STF, was investigating the incident.