Tag: Plateau

Over 1,820 persons displaced following bandits’ attacks on Plateau State are being quartered in three camps.

National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)  made this known just as National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Governor Caleb Mutfwang and  Deputy House of Representatives Speaker Benjamin Kalu joined President Bola Tinubu in vowing that the perpetrators would be apprehended.

  Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern states and Federal Capital Territory(FCT)  which condemned the attacks, called on the government to end the killing of innocent Nigerians, especially in Plateau State by gunmen.

NEMA said during an assessment of the camps in Daffo, Hurti, and Gwande, yesterday that relief materials would soon be despatched to the displaced residents.

Officials of the state Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and  Bokkos council area were a part of the inspection team.

A delegation led by NEMA’s  Director-General  Zubaida Umar is expected in the state to reinforce ongoing efforts by its zonal office in Jos.

No fewer than 52 indigenes of Ruwi, Hurti, Tadai, Gwande, Manguna and Dafo in Bokkos Local Government Area lost their lives in the attacks that took place between March 27 and April April.

As of yesterday, five of the residents were still missing while 22 are receiving treatment at the Plateau Specialist Hospital and  Cottage Hospital in  Bokkos.

Village Head of Hurti,   Maren Aradong said that  383 houses were destroyed by the attackers.  

  Aradong revealed the figure when a delegation of the state government led by Secretary to the State Government (SSG),  Samuel Jatau, visited the community.

He added that the attackers, who also killed 40 persons in the village,  destroyed foodstuffs and other items during the mayhem.

He said: “Last Wednesday, at about 3:00 pm., gunmen invaded our communities in their numbers; they came on motorcycles and attacked us.

“In Hurti alone, these gunmen killed more than 40 people and displaced about 1,000 persons.

“They also burnt 383 houses, destroyed foodstuff, and looted other items.” 

The SSG explained that the government delegation was in the community to commiserate and encourage them to be steadfast.

He said the team visited with some relief materials to help them cushion the immediate hardship they were facing.

NSA Ribadu, who was on a condolence visit to Governor Mutfwang on behalf of President Tinubu, restated that the protection of lives and properties remained a topmost priority of the Federal Government.  

 He assured that security measures in the state would be improved to prevent reoccurrence.

Ribadu also emphasised the need for unity and collective responsibility in addressing the long-standing security challenges in the state.

 The NSA said that ‘’despite challenges, significant progress has been made in improving the security situation’’ in the country.

He added   that while  ‘’recent events were tragic, they are  not on the same scale as past outbreaks of violence.’’

His words: “  For over 20 years we’ve had this(Plateau crisis).  But you know, the issue of security and situations like this it’s relative. You have to look at it from the point of what was happening before and what is happening now.

“I think we have made a bit of progress. The last time we had any serious incident was in December 2023. And now this is the one.”

Adding that the President acknowledges  Mutfwang’s contributions to the relative improvement in security in the state in recent years, he vowed that the era of violence anywhere in the country would soon be over.

The NSA also assured the people of Plateau that the Federal Government would double its efforts to ensure lasting peace in the state.

Read Also: Plateau killings: ACF calls for state of emergency on vulnerable, banditry-prone communities 

In a statement yesterday, Deputy Speaker said the Plateau killing was unacceptable. 

Kalu welcomed President  Tinubu’s commitment to apprehending the perpetrators and bringing them to justice.

 He assured the President of the House of Representatives support in tackling security challenges in the country.

Kalu extended condolences to Mutfwang, the families of the victims and the entire people of the state over the killings.  

ACF which also flayed the attacks, called for a state of emergency in all vulnerable and banditry-prone communities in the country.

It also enjoined the government to initiate effective early-warning and early-response strategies that accommodate community members.

The forum, in a statement by its  National Publicity Secretary, Tukur Muhammad-Baba,  called on the government to protect the lives and properties of citizens.  

“ACF reiterates its long-standing stance that every new such experience is one too many. The people are in great pain, with their situation compounded by existential economic challenges. The killing spree on the Plateau must be stopped immediately, and peace must return to the State,” it said.

ACF also  called on  security agencies  to ‘’investigate, identify, arrest, and prosecute perpetrators and enablers of the attacks.’’

Besides, the forum demanded full compensation for the victims of the attacks. 

Its youth wing,  AYCF   called on the government to establish a dedicated fund to support the victims.

‘’We call for adequate compensation to be provided to the victims’ families. The loss of life, property, and livelihood cannot be compensated fully, but financial support is essential for the survivors to rebuild their lives,” said the group.

CAN in the Northern states and FCT  said in a statement by its Chairman, Rev John  Hayab,   that it was ‘’deeply pained by the latest wave of violence in Plateau.

The statement reads in part:  “We are deeply pained by the latest wave of violence that has claimed the lives of over 50 persons across communities.   This pattern of carnage, sadly becoming a recurring decimal in Plateau and other parts of Northern Nigeria, is not only barbaric but also an indictment of our collective humanity.

“Northern CAN condemns, in the strongest possible terms, this strange and evil culture of killing that is fast gaining roots in our society.

‘’It is heartbreaking that people now hide under the cover of religion or tribal sentiments to commit atrocities against fellow human beings.

‘’The value of human life in our society has dangerously diminished and that is completely unacceptable.”

…government orders security operatives to go after perpetrators

At least 10 people were killed on Wednesday in a fresh attack on five communities in the Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State. 

The attack came just six days after a similar assault in the Ruwi community, where 10 people were shot dead and three others injured during a wake-keep ceremony. 

Confirming the incident on Thursday, Chairman of the Bokkos Cultural Development Council (BCDC), Farmasum Fuddang, detailed how the assailants carried out the attacks. 

“There were attacks yesterday affecting five villages. It started in Mongor, but security forces repelled the attackers. They then moved to Daffo, where security also intervened. After Daffo, they targeted Manguna, Hurti, and Tadai villages,” Fuddang said. 

In a statement issued in Jos, the BCDC chairman lamented the rising death toll, revealing that over 20 community members had been killed in one week. 

“On April 2 alone, they killed over 10 people. We appreciate the Nigerian military and police for their swift response, which helped minimize casualties,” he stated.

“We extend our deepest sympathies to the victims of the recent invasions in Ruwi, Mangor, Daffo, Manguna, Hurti, and Tadai. We call on emergency agencies such as NEMA, SEMA, and the Nigerian Red Cross to swiftly provide relief to the displaced and injured, the group said.

Read Also: Plateau govt fumes as gunmen kill 10 mourner sin Bokkos community

The Nation gathered that the latest attacks have forced residents of the affected communities and their neighbors to flee for their lives.

Meanwhile, the Plateau State Government has condemned the attacks in Mangor Tamiso,  Daffo, Manguna (Tagai),  Hurti, and Tadai communities of Bokkos Local Government Area of the State on the night of April 2nd, 2025.

Commissioner of Information and Commissioner, Hon Joyce Ramnap, who spoke to our correspondent in a telephone interview, also pleaded for calm among citizens of the state.

I extend the State Government’s deepest sympathies to the victims of the recent invasions in Ruwi, Mangor, Daffo, Manguna, Hurti, and Tadai.

“I am calling for calm and restraint. Towards this end, I urge our citizens to remain vigilant yet peaceful.

“We commend the efforts of security operatives for their response and urge them to ensure that the Perpetrators of this dastardly act are brought to book”, the commissioner stated.

Not less than 70  houses and barns were  damaged by a windstorm which wreaked havoc in Mabudi, Sabon Gida and other communities in Langtang South Local Government Council of Plateau State. 

The Nation gathered that the devastating rainstorm, which accompanied the rain on Wednesday,  left a trail of destruction in its wake.

Residents told The Nation that about 70  houses had their roofs blown off while several  buildings collapsed. 

Nanbol Nanzing, a resident of the affected community, called for intervention of the State Government.

The council boss of Langtang South local government council Hon Nanfa Nbin confirmed the incident in a statement by his media aide Mr Iliya Bako. 

He said the local Emergency Management Committee in Langtang South Local Government constituted by the Council boss has visited affected households affected by the rainstorm. 

PLATEAU lawyers under the aegis of Plateau Lawyers Bar Forum (PBLF) have expressed disgust over the manner a former Comptroller General of the Nigerian Immigration Services (NIS), David Paradang, died and the manner the announcement of his death was handled.

The forum, at a press briefing at the NUJ Press Centre, Jos, on Saturday, berated the Nigerian police for releasing an unpleasant graphic image of the late Paradang without conducting proper investigation.

In the text of a press briefing read by its chairman, Ledak Dazuk Dafer, and signed by him and the Secretary, Niri Isaac Darong, the PBLF expressed deep concern regarding the press release issued by the Nigeria Police Force, FCT Command, concerning the death of the retired CG, stating that the handling of the matter lacked professionalism and presumptive of guilt.

The lawyers said, “We also find the release of graphic images of the deceased to be highly inappropriate. Such actions by the police not only demonstrate insensitivity but also undermine the dignity of the deceased and infringed upon the family’s right to mourn privately.

“The handling of information related to Mr. Paradang’s passing raises significant questions about professionalism and respect for human dignity. It is essential for the Plateau Lawyers Bar Forum to address these concerns arising from the Police Press Release and to articulate our position on this matter.”

Read Also: How Police nabbed Abuja businessman who targets POS operators

The forum stated that a man of Paradang’s stature, who was recognised by the National Assembly for his meritorious service to the country, deserved greater respect in death than what was afforded him in the release by the Police.

It called on the police to promptly retract the graphic images of the deceased and cease any further dissemination of such materials while also issuing a formal apology to Paradang’s family.

 “Additionally, we call for a comprehensive and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mr. Paradang’s death, ensuring fair treatment for all parties involved in accordance with the law, and the establishment of stricter guidelines to prevent the release of sensitive information and images in future cases.”