Tag: Jos

  • NPFL: Champions-elect, Rangers to receive trophy on Sunday in Jos

    NPFL: Champions-elect, Rangers to receive trophy on Sunday in Jos

    President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau will on Sunday, at the New Zaria Road Stadium, Jos, present the Nigeria Premier Football League winner’s trophy to champions-elect Rangers International FC of Enugu.

    The NFF supremo headlines a choice list of eminent guests expected at the occasion, which will see the champions, who made sure of their eighth Nigeria title when they defeated Bendel Insurance 2-0 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium last weekend, take on relegated Gombe United FC in a game of contrasting emotions.

    The much-loved Savannah Scorpions are already contemplating life in the lower cadre – Nigeria National League – while the Flying Antelopes, 1977 Africa Cup Winners’ Cup champions, countenance flying Nigeria’s flag in the prestigious CAF Champions League competition for the first time in many years.

    The champions have already announced they will fly the squad, alongside the trophy, back to Enugu from Jos aboard a chartered aircraft after the game, which is expected to be attended by Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang.

    Presently on 67 points, the Antelopes aspire to add three more points from the final-day game on Sunday to reach the magical 70 points, according to club’s youthful and dynamic CEO, Barr. Ameobi Ezeaku.

    Rangers were emphatic 4-1 winners of the reverse fixture at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, with a brace by top scorer Godwin Obaje and one each by Chidiebere Nwobodo and Kenechukwu Agu.

  • Stray bullet kills policeman on duty  in Jos

    Stray bullet kills policeman on duty in Jos

    A policemen has died after he was hit by a stray bullet on Wednesday  while on duty at the Terminus area of Jos, the Plateau State capital.

    Findings show that trouble started after  a team of policemen met resistance from  hoodlums who defied the State government order to vacate the busy neighbourhood for the free flow of traffic.

    It was further gathered that the hoodlums indiscriminately displayed goods consisting mainly of second-hand clothes, bags, and others on the road despite repeated warning by the authority for them to end the menace.

    In their efforts to resist the Joint Task Force comprising of personnel from the Police, DSS, NSCDC, Immigration, FRSC, and Operation Rainbow saddled with the responsibility of ensuring sanity in the Terminus area and the confrontation saw the firing of warning shots to disperse the mob but the bullet hit the policeman and he died at the spot.

    Confirming the incident, the spokesman of the State Police Command, DSP Alfred Alabo said, “The Joint Task Force comprising of personnel from the Police, DSS, NSCDC, Immigration, FRSC, and Operation Rainbow saddled with the responsibility of ensuring sanity in the Jos Terminus Market area, while conducting a clearance operation today, met stiff resistance from a mob.

    “After all efforts by the team to bring the situation under control proved abortive, an officer from one of the sister agencies fired a warning shot but unfortunately, one Inspector Emmanuel Tanko with AP. No. 336714 attached to 38PM Akwanga, who is on special duty in Plateau State Command was hit by the bullet and he died on the spot.

    “In a bid to restore normalcy to the State, the Commissioner of Police Plateau State Command, CP Emmanuel Adesina, visited the scene to assess the situation.

    “The officer was immediately arrested, and he is currently under investigation at the State CID Jos while the victim’s corpse was deposited at the Bingham University Teaching Hospital in Jos for autopsy.”

    He added that the State Police commissioner, Hassan Yabanet had extended condolences to the family of the deceased officer and the entire Nigeria Police Force over the tragic loss of the diligent and dutiful officer.

    He urged members of the public to always cooperate with the security agencies in the execution of their lawful duties, as the laws the officers were enforcing are for the general good of the citizens.

  • ASUU holds peaceful protest in Jos

    ASUU holds peaceful protest in Jos

    Members of the University of Jos Chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), has organised a peaceful protest over the non implementation of agreement it reached with the Federal Government.

    Prof. Jurbe Molwus, Chairperson of the union in the University led the protest on Tuesday in Jos.

    Members of the union took the protest to the office of the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Tanko Ishaya.

    Presenting the union’s demands to the vice chancellor, Molwus, represented by his vice, Prof. Kiri Jaryum, said that the protest was in line with the directive of its National Executive Council (NEC).

    ”This peaceful protest is in line the 14-day ultimatum issued by our NEC, calling on the Federal Government to honour the agreement reached with it a long time ago.

    ”We are  particularly calling on the federal goverment to pay the balance of the earned academic allowance, unpaid and withheld salaries arrears of our members, which are all captured in the 2023 budget.

    ”Government should also check the proliferation of universities in the country and remove universities from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), among others.

    ”As we speak, university lecturers have been on the same salary structure for 15 years and that’s very bad for the university system,”he said.

    Molwus called on the vice chancellor to transmit the demands to the federal government for immediate action.

    Responding, the vice chancellor commended members of the union for conducting themselves peacefully during the protest.

    He particularly thanked them for not disrupting the ongoing examination and other academic activities in the university.

    Tanko, who described the demands by the union as genuine, promised to transmit them to the government.

    A cross section of students of the university, led by the President of the Student Union Government, Sambo Peter, joined the lecturers for the protest.

  • Jos prison reacts over riot by inmates

    Jos prison reacts over riot by inmates

    The Plateau Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service says it has not reduced the quantity and quality of food rations for inmates.

    Spokesman of the command, Mr Godfrey Longdiem, stated this in Jos on Saturday while reacting to media reports that inmates at the Jos Custodial Centre protested over shortage of food on Friday.

    He added that instead, the command was planning to supplement inmates’ meals because of current hike in prices of foodstuffs.

    “The command wishes to clarify that it has no intention or plan to reduce the quantity or quality of inmates’ ration, but to supplement their meals as a result of the hike in prices of foodstuffs.

    “Inmates are normally served rice four times in a week.

    “Contractors, however, complained about incessant increases in prices of food items, particularly that of rice and consequently, they requested to serve rice twice a week and supplement with another food.

    “This request did not go down well with the inmates, but the situation was later brought under control without harm or injury to anyone,’’ he stated.

    Longdiem called on Plateau residents and Nigerians in general to disregard media reports that suggested an attempted jailbreak at the Jos Custodial Centre.

  • Police opens up on attack in Jos, insists it has no link to Christmas eve massacre

    Police opens up on attack in Jos, insists it has no link to Christmas eve massacre

    The Commissioner of Police, Plateau State Command CP Okoro Alawari, has said contrary to the news making round on some news and social media platform that the attack on Durbi village of Jos East local government area is related to the recent attacks in some local government areas of the state, the incident is a kidnapping and culpable homicide attempt.

    Statement by the Command Spokesperson, DSP Alfred Alabo said the CP “wishes to clear the air that it is a case of attempted kidnapping and culpable homicide, not an attack on the entire community.”

    He noted that the command received a credible intelligence report from a reliable source regarding the unfortunate killing of a man, and his son, by unidentified hoodlums suspected to be kidnappers at approximately 2130hrs on 31/12/2023.

    “On receipt of the information, the DPO of Angware Division, SP Taru Pariku immediately led a team of Policemen to the crime scene.

    “Further investigation however, revealed that in the course of the incidence, the victims struggled with the hoodlums and while in an attempt to flee from the advancing team of Police operatives, the kidnappers shot at the victims. In the process, one of the hoodlums was also killed.” The statement read.

    The Command expressed deep condolences to the bereaved family and prayed that the Almighty comfort their hearts during this difficult time.

    The CP also assured the people that the Police is diligently investigating the case to establish more intelligence that will bring the perpetrators to justice.

    In another development, the Plateau Police has reiterated the ban on operation of tricycles also known as “Keke Napep” on 01/01/2024 being new year day.

    The Command also reminded the public that the ban on all commercial motorcycles also known as “Okada” is still in force in the State.

  • UPDATE: Jos Disco reacts to death of electrocuted residents

    UPDATE: Jos Disco reacts to death of electrocuted residents

    The Jos Electricity Distribution (JED) Plc has commiserated with residents of Kabong Community in Jos North Local Government Area, over losses resulting from its facility’s malfunction.

    JED in a statement issued by its Head, Corporation Communications, Dr Friday Elijah, on Saturday in Jos, described the incident as unfortunate.

    “We express our deepest sympathies to families who have encountered losses as a result of this incident,” he said.

    According to the JED official, the incident occurred at about 3 am, as a result of issues surrounding its high-tension wires in the area.

    “Preliminary investigation revealed that the accident was a result of a high-tension line snap onto the low-tension lines which resulted in a voltage supply outside limits.

    “The source feeder tripped off and inter-tripped the transmission end source from Makeri Transmission Station.

    “We will continue to be monitoring the situation closely and communicate the facts of this regrettable incident,” he said.

    He said that an evaluation of the root causes would be conducted and appropriate measures put in place to forestall future occurrences.

    A resident of Kabong , Mr. Dung Bature, confirmed the incident and said that 10 persons have been reported killed as a result of the incident while the injured were taken to the hospital.

    He added that some shops around Sacred Heart Catholic Church were also gutted by fire among other damage.

  • Sparking high tension cables electrocute 8 persons in Jos, 6 dead

    Sparking high tension cables electrocute 8 persons in Jos, 6 dead

    A faulty power line of the Jos Electricity Distribution Plc. (JED) electrocuted eight persons at Kabong community in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau on Saturday, killing six of them.

    The faulty line emitted sparks and electrocuted the victims in the various homes at about 3 a.m., just as it razed houses and shops in the community.

    Mr Istifanu John, Sole Administrator of the Jos North Local Government Council, who visited the scene, described it as very unfortunate.

    He said the accident inflicted other losses on the state and called on the JED to fix all faults that might have triggered the nightmare.

    “This is pathetic because it is an avoidable situation.

    “Those that lost their lives didn’t go anywhere to look for trouble; they died in their homes.

    “As government, we are pained by this development.

    “We call on JED to ensure that all faulty power sources are fixed to avoid this monumental loss in the future,’’ he said.

    John condoled with the bereaved families and called on residents to be wary about they use of electric appliances.

    In his remarks, spokesman of the traders association in the community, Mr Solomon Odidi, said seven shops were razed.

    Odidi blamed the incident on erratic power, supplied by the JED only at night.

    He commended the Plateau Fire Service for its timely response, which he said minimised the number of casualties and staved further damages.

    Odidi appealed to government to support the bereaved families and those whose properties were destroyed in the accident.

  • Jubilation in Jos as tribunal upholds Mutfwang’s election

    Jubilation in Jos as tribunal upholds Mutfwang’s election

    Residents have occupied major streets of Jos in jubilation, as the Governorship Election Tribunal, on Friday upheld the victory of Mr Caleb Mutfwang as elected governor of Plateau State.

    The tribunal, sitting in Jos, dismissed the petition of the All Progressives Congress (APC), against the election of Mutfwang, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday.

    APC and Nentawe Yilwatda, were challenging the declaration of Mutfwang by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The residents, largely women and youths, were seen beating drums, chanting songs and dancing round the streets of Jos.

    Miss Grace Jonathan, one of the residents, described the verdict as victory for democracy.

    Jonathan said that with the judgment, the governor would settle down to provide dividends of democracy to the people of the state.

    “We are very happy with the outcome of the tribunal; this is victory for democracy. Our governor can now settle down to provide good governance to the people,” she said.

    Another resident, Joseph Azi, congratulated the governor for the victory, adding that the celebration was to show solidarity with him.

    “We have come out to rejoice with the governor over his victory at the tribunal This is not about political party, but the good and progress of our state.

    “Gov. Mutfwang is our governor, and leader of the state, and this is why we are here to celebrate this victory,” Azi said.

    The tribunal had ruled that the PDP held valid congresses in the state. The tribunal also held that the issue of nomination and sponsorship of a candidate was solely a pre-election matter.

  • Guber Election: Tension in jos as tribunal delivers judgement

    Guber Election: Tension in jos as tribunal delivers judgement

    There is palpable tension in the air as  plateau state Governorship Elections Petitions Tribunal is set to deliver its judgment today  (Friday) on the petition filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its governorship candidate during the March 18, 2023, gubernatorial election in the state.

    Recall that Nentawe Yiltwatda of the APC had approached the tribunal challenging the victory of Governor Caleb Mutfwang of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the aforementioned polls.

    The electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Mutfwang winner of the poll after polling 525, 299 votes to defeat his closest rival, Yiltwatda, who polled 481, 370 votes.

    The governorship tribunal had recently dismissed a petition filed by the governorship candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Alfred Dabwan, against Governor Mutfwang, where he sought the nullification of the poll over the alleged exclusion of the party’s logo on the ballot paper of the March 18 polls.

    Confirming the date of the judgement, a member of PDP’s legal team, Barr Sunday Odey, said, ”Yes, it is true. The ruling of the governorship tribunal in the case between the PDP and the APC has been fixed for Friday, September 22, 2023.

    Meanwhile, in the bustling city of Jos and its environs, tension simmers in the air as residents brace themselves for the ruling.

    The State High Court complex, which houses the tribunal, is already a focal point, with nearby recreational centres ordered to stay closed on Friday (today).

    Security presence has been significantly heightened, ensuring a smooth and secure process during this critical juncture in Plateau State’s political landscape.

  • CDSSJ 2023 AGM: Old students plan best get-together of the year in Jos

    CDSSJ 2023 AGM: Old students plan best get-together of the year in Jos

    The 2023 AGM/Reunion of Old Students Association, Command Day Secondary School, (CDSSJ) Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, Rukuba, Jos, Plateau State popularly called “Ex-Commandos,” has announced its Annual General Meeting and reunion scheduled for September 2023, the biggest and best event of the year.

    According to the President of the Association, Ibrahim Uduans, in an in an interview said the reunion would enable the association to elect new executives that will run the affairs of the association in the next three years.

    Explaining the present economic predicament in the country which has greatly affected the activities of the association, added that despite that, the executives have been able to come up with invaluable ideas that would get the body running smoothly.

    “I want to appeal to all Ex-Commandos to register on or before the 31st July, 2023 as registration guarantees every member a place and a voice during the AGM. Your presence matters; come elect your next set of leaders,” he said.

    Uduans uses the opportunity to call on eligible candidates to contest for the offices of President, Vice President, Secretary-General, Auditor, Treasurer, Financial Secretary, Assistant Financial Secretary, Legal Adviser, Public Relations Officer, Assistant Secretary, Provost, and Director of Socials.

    While making clarifications on positions available to be contested for added, “The offices of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Financial Secretary, and Auditor are strictly for members of the first generation sets (1985–1989), Second generation sets (1991–1995), and third generation sets (1996–2000).

    Also, he added that other offices to be contested for by other members are from the fourth generation sets (2001–2005), fifth generation sets (2006–2010), sixth generation sets (2011–2015), seventh generation sets (2016–2020), or eighth generation sets (2021–2023).

    However, it was disclosed that the election shall be conducted through a secret ballot system. All sets or generations must vouch for each candidate’s good character, and all contestants must have registered to attend the reunion.

    Before the election, every candidate shall have the opportunity to physically address the Congress to sell his/her manifesto.

    To ensure a creditable election, Ibrahim Udauns urged every member of the electoral committee: Mike Ahidjo (Chairman), Josiah Benjamin, Michael Oteikwu (Secretary), Michael Hosea, Lucas John, Eke Chibuike Sidney, and Philomena Sunday, to put in their best in order to have the next crop of leaders.

    He remarked that Command Day Secondary School, Jos, popularly called CDSSJ, have produced many students that are making great marks in their chosen fields such as the military, academics, sports, administration, media, engineering, politics, and other spheres of life as a result of quality of education received in the School.