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Tag: Jos

  • Gunmen kill 8 villagers in Plateau community

    Gunmen kill 8 villagers in Plateau community

    Yet-to-identified gunmen have killed eight villagers at Farin Lamba community in Vwang District of Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau.

    Mr Rwang Tengwong, National Publicity Secretary, Berom Youth Movement (BYM), a socio-cultural group, disclosed this in statement on Monday in Jos.

    Tengwong said that the criminals invaded the community on Sunday night.

    ”The gunmen invaded the village at about 9:45p.m. on Sunday in a car and shot sporadically at the victims.

    ”Eight persons were killed including an eight-month-old baby.

    ”The minor was killed alongside the father; they were returning from the hospital,”he said

    Tengwong decried the spate of killings in several communities in Riyom, Barkin Ladi, Jos South and Mangu local government areas, adding that the trend had led to massive destruction of farmlands, houses and other properties.

    Tengwong, who commended the proactive steps put in place by the Commander of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), Maj.-Gen. Abdusalam Abubakar, expressed confidence that lasting peace would sooon return to all troubled areas in the state.

    He particularly commended the Federal and State Governments for deploying mobile police personnel to communities under frequent attacks.

    He called Plateau residents to be law abiding and support security agencies in their bid toward entrenching lasting peace in the state.

    Mr Alfred Alabo, Public Relations Officer of the Police Command in Plateau, did not pick several calls to his line, but a top Police officer confirmed the attack.

  • Tight security in Jos as Mutfwang takes oath of office

    Tight security in Jos as Mutfwang takes oath of office

    There is tight security in Jos and environs as Mr Caleb Mutfwang takes oath of office as new governor of Plateau.

    A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) who moved round the state capital reports that security personnel were stationed in various locations.

    DSP Alfred Alabo, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, told NAN that the deployment was designed to ensure a smooth inauguration ceremony in the state.

    ”We deployed these security personnel not to intimidate anybody but to curtail breakdown of law and order, and ensure safety of lives and property during the event,” he said.

    The PPRO added that the diversion of traffic in some key routes is also a security measure toward ensuring free flow of traffic in Jos and environs.

    Newsmwn also reports that there is a large growth at the Rwang Pam Township Stadium, Jos, venue of the inauguration.

    There is also heavy presence of security personnel at the venue.

  • Jos tanker explosion kill 13 persons – Police

    Jos tanker explosion kill 13 persons – Police

    The Police Command in Plateau said that tanker explosion that occurred at Bauchi Road junction in Jos North Local Government Area claimed the lives of 13 persons and destroyed 28 shops.

    DSP Alfred Alabo, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command disclosed this in a statement on Friday in Jos.

    Alabo said that the tanker who crashed due to break failure, also destroyed eight other vehicles, six tricycles and two motorcycles.

    ”The ten persons who sustained various degrees of injuries during the incident are currently receiving treatment at various hospitals.

    ”Bodies of the deceased have also been buried according to Islamic rights,” he said.

    Alabo, who said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Bartholomew Onyeka, who visited the scene of the incident, regretted the action of some youths in the area who burnt down the official vehicle of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

    The PPRO added that the Commissioner advised residents of the state to be law abiding at all times.

  • Petrol tanker crashes, kills 10 persons in Jos

    Petrol tanker crashes, kills 10 persons in Jos

    A tanker conveying Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) on Thursday crashed and killed 10 persons at Bauchi Road junction area of Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau

    DSP Alfred Alabo, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Police Command in the state, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Jos.

    Alabo said that the vehicle, which lost control, crashed and burst in flames, burning three other vehicles and two tricycles at the scene.

    ”Thie afternoon, we received information from a good Samaritan that a tanker conveying PMS lost control, crashed and burst in flames along Bauchi Road Junction

    ”The Commissioner of Police in the state, Bartholomew Onyeka, directed the Angwan Rogo Divisional Police Officer and his team of detectives to immediately move to the scene of the accident.

    ”Upon arrival, it was discovered that 10 yet to be identified persons were burnt beyond recognition. Their lifeless bodies were later deposited at Plateau Specialist Hospital, Jos.

    ”Three other vehicles and two tricycles were also affected by the fire,” he said.

    The PPRO said that efforts were ongoing to remove obstacles placed on the road to enable free flow of traffic and to identify the true identity of the burnt bodies.

  • Governor-elect, Mutfwang condemns Plateau killings

    Governor-elect, Mutfwang condemns Plateau killings

    Mr Caleb Mutfwang, the Plateau Governor-elect, has condemned the killing of six persons at Farin lamba community in Jos South Local Government Area of the state

    Mutfwang, in a statement on Thursday in Jos, tasked security agencies to fish out perpetrators of the evil deed and bring them to justice.

    The statement was signed by Gyang Bere, the governor-elect’s Special Assistant on Media. He

    ”We condemn this attack in totality and appeal to security agencies to fish out the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

    ”We call on security personnel to do all within their power to halt further attacks on our communities; we cannot afford to allow acts of impunity to continue against peace-loving people,” the statement said.

    Muftwang appealed to Plateau residents to remain peaceful at all times, and report any suspicious movement in their vicinities to security agencies for prompt action.

    The governor-elect commiserated with those who lost loved ones, but advised residents against taking laws into their hands.

  • Police arrest 5 personnel for allegedly shooting civilian in Jos

    Police arrest 5 personnel for allegedly shooting civilian in Jos

    The Police Command in Plateau have arrested five of its personnel attached to its C Division for allegedly shooting a 17-year-old boy, Ibuchim Ofezie, in Jos.

    DSP Alfred Alabo, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Jos.

    According to reports, In a bid to enforce the ban on operation of commercial motorcycle in the state, the personnel visited the terminus market and started chasing those illegally operating.

    In the process, they started shooting the illegal operators and a stray bullet hit Ofezie, who was sitting in his shop at the market.

    He said that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Bartholomew Onyeka, who condemned the incident, said that the affected personnel would be sanctioned after proper investigation.

    ”The command condemned the killing of one Mr Ibuchim Ofezie, a resident of Agingi Community of Bassa Local Government Area, by some obdurate police patrol operatives attached to our “C” Division.

    ”The Police Commissioner, who described the incident as a paradox, asserted that police officers are empowered by law to bear firearms to protect the lives of the citizenry and not to take lives with them.

    ”In order to ensure that the erring patrol team do not evade justice, the commissioner has immediately ordered their arrest.

    ”The five personnel in the patrol team have been arrested and are currently being investigated at our Homicide Section of the Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) of the command,” he said.

    Alabo said that the commissioner assured the family and friends of the deceased and indeed Plateau residents in general that suspects would be thoroughly investigated and justice would be served.

    The PPRO promised that the outcome of the investigation would be made public.

  • Gov. Simon Lalong appoints 10 new Permanent Secretaries

    Gov. Simon Lalong appoints 10 new Permanent Secretaries

    Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau has approved the appointment of 10 new Permanent Secretaries.

    The governor made the announcement in a statement by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Dr Makut Macham, on Monday in Jos.

    According to the statement, the new officials are to fill the vacancies created following the retirement/resignations of some Permanent Secretaries in the service of the state government.

    “The new Permanent Secretaries are expected to be sworn in on Tuesday 24th January 2023.

    “The new Permanent Secretaries are: Keziah Dung (Barkin Ladi); Yusuf Ayuba Gimba ( Bassa); Gongden Micah Sunday (Mangu); Lamu Michael Dennis (Mangu).

    “Peter Wuyep (Kanke); Bapman Naankin Emmanuel (Mikang); Boniface Gwotbit Bankshuet (Mikang); Gotan Benjamin James (Pankshin); Salamatu Ritmwa Parlong (Pankshin); and Wuyep Zitta (Langtang South)”.

  • Methodist Church enthrones first female Bishop in Nigeria

    Methodist Church enthrones first female Bishop in Nigeria

    The Methodist Church Nigeria, on Sunday, enthroned Rt Rev. Nkechi  Nwosu as the first female bishop of the Church in the country.

    Nwosu was enthroned by  His Grace, Most Rev Dr Joseph Nnonah, Archbishop of Kaduna at the Christ Methodist Cathedral, Jos.

    The new bishop in a brief interaction with newsmen, revealed that “God is using what has happened in the Methodist Church, Nigeria to tell the whole world that the time to release women to fulfill their destiny has come.

    She said that women and men needed to join their hands to achieve the mandate of God.

    “God knew that creating only Adam, He will not be able to bring his heart’s desire, so He had to make the woman to complement him.

    “So, for the word of God to reach to the end of the world, “man must put their hands together to serve God”, irrespective of gender, because God is a spirit.

    “He is not a flesh, the flesh we are seeing is just for our comfort, as He said that everybody who believes in Him and is led by the spirit of God is the son of God.

    “And so every child of God who is born again and dwell in the Holy Spirit is a son of God.

    “And when men or women of God in charge of denominations understand this, I believe we will conquer more for the Lord than what we have done,” she said.

    On 2023 general elections, Nwosu called on Nigerians to listen to the voice of God who knows the best leader for the country at this moment.

    She said that God gave Nigerians  conscience and power, and that the power is in the Permanent Voters Card (PVC).

    “We must all go out there and agree with God, listen to the spirit of God and do what God said we should do.

    “Do that so that God will use us and anybody He wants to put on that seat to restore Nigeria to a place of pride in Africa, and the world,” she added.

    His Eminence, Dr Samuel Uche, Prelate Emeritus, Methodist Church Nigeria, during whose tenure Nwosu was elected bishop, said that God made all humans equal.

    Uche said that Jesus Christ elevated the position of women by being born of a woman.

    “So I believe there is no difference between a man and woman, after all, in Hebrew language, a man is a he man and a woman is she man, so we are all men.

    “And moreover, in Methodist Church, we taught that people who have reached menopause, who are no longer childbearing can hold responsible office in the church, because they have the capacity.

    “They have the ability, they are meticulous, resourceful and spiritual.

    “So we decided that we should have in Methodist Bishop a woman and I know that some time ago, the President of the British Church was a woman from Ireland,” he said.

    Nwosu will serve as Bishop of Jos Diocese.

  • Boss Mustapha commends Lalong on peace efforts

    Boss Mustapha commends Lalong on peace efforts

    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, has commended Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau on his peace efforts in the state.

    The SGF made the commendation at a dinner organised by Lalong for all the Secretaries to State Government (SSGs) in Nigeria on Wednesday at the Government House, Jos.

    “We have definitely perceived and have seen that steps have been taken to ensure that peace and tranquility returns to the Plateau and this is really commendable and shows hope,“ he said.

    He expressed confidence that Plateau`s glory would be restored, describing the state as a home to all Nigerians, especially those from the Middle Belt.

    He described the state as politically relevant in the history of Nigeria`s democracy, saying it birthed outstanding leaders such as Chief Solomon Lar, who groomed many leaders who had occupied or are occupying key positions in the country.

    “We learnt a lot from him,“ the Mustapha said.

    In his remarks, Lalong called for peace and unity in Nigeria where its people are welcomed to reside in any part of the country without any threat to their wellbeing, adding that Plateau is hospitable to visitors.

    “We want people to come to Plateau, we invite people to come to Jos and enjoy our resources.

    “ There is nothing you cannot get from Jos, spanning from the best food to the best vegetables.

    “ It is an illustration of the beauty of Nigeria so that when we mix up like this, there is no reason to chase anyone away from any state, `he said,

    The governor urged organisations to make the state their destination for their annual conferences, retreats or other events, while encouraging them to have properties in the state because of its good weather and exotic food, especially its vegetables.

    “Try to get a piece of land here… Make Jos your London and Dubai, “ he said.

  • Police rescue caged, malnourished 17-year-old girl in Jos

    Police rescue caged, malnourished 17-year-old girl in Jos

    Police in Jos have rescued a 17-year-old malnourished girl, locked up by her aunt for upwards of one week in Rikkos, Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau, without care.

    A neighbour alerted the National Human Rights Commission in Jos after which the police were invited leading to her rescue.

    It was gathered that the aunt was fond of maltreating and starving the girl, an orphan.

    Coordinator of the National Human Rights Commission in Plateau, Mrs Grace Pam, confirmed the girl’s rescue.

    “The Commission received information from an anonymous complainant that the girl, was locked up on the balcony of a house by her aunt.

    “She was living with her grandmother before she came to the aunt’s house because the grandmother took ill and could not continue to care for her.

    “The complainant alleged that the aunt travelled for close to a week and left the girl without food.

    “Investigation revealed that the girl was truly malnourished and had scars on her hands, neck and other parts of her body.

    “The marks resulted from incessant beatings she received from her aunt.

    “The matter was reported to the police where the aunt’s statement was taken upon return from her trip.

    “The girl has been provided with temporary shelter until she recovers.

    “We also found out that the orphan girl was never allowed to go out, but locked up in the house and not fed.

    “She has been taken to hospital by one of our partners to ensure proper medical care,’’ she said

    Pam lamented increasing cases of abuse of minors in the last few days, stressing that “as we speak, there is a case of another victim, a nine-year-old girl, who came to stay with her aunt barely two months ago.

    “We had to rescue her on Thursday from her aunt; she beats her mercilessly, but thank God, she did not get her blind, but got her injured in the eye.

    “We took her to the hospital on Friday with scars resulting from serous beatings.

    “When our staff went there, she was locked up in a zinc house where the aunt keeps her goats.

    “The girl is looking forward to going back to her parents,’’ she said.

    The coordinator appealed to citizens to stop rights abuses.

    She said when apprehended, the Child Rights Law, Violence against Persons Prohibition, Gender and Equal Opportunities Law and others, already domesticated in the state, would be used to prosecute abusers.

    NAN