Tag: Plateau State

  • Second Republic Minister, Paul Unongo is dead

    Second Republic Minister, Paul Unongo is dead

    A former Minister of Power and Steel in the Second Republic, Paul Unongo, has died at the age of 87. Unongo, an indigene of Jato Aka in the Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State, died on Tuesday morning in Jos, Plateau State capital.

    A close family source confirmed his death to reporters in Makurdi, Benue State.

    “Yes Wantaregh Paul Unongo died today Tuesday but I cannot say more than that because I am not authorised to do so. But our family will issue a formal statement on the development,” the source said.

    Until his death, Unongo was the chairman of the Governing Council of Nigerian Educational Research Development Council.

    In 2017, he succeeded Maitama Sule as the chairman of the Northern Elders’ Forum.

    Born on September 26, 1935, Unongo belonged to the Kwaghngise-Anure-Abera ancestry in Turan, Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State.

    The elder statesman was the pioneer Secretary General of the defunct Nigerian People’s Party (NPP) and an ally of the late Nnamdi Azikiwe.

    President Buhari mourns Paul Unongo

    Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has mourned the demise of Unongo, saying that the country lost an elder statesman.

    The president made the pronouncement in a condolence message issued by his media aide, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja.

    A former Chairman of the Northern Elders Forum and former Minister of Steel Development in the Second Republic, Unongo held several political positions and was involved in Constitutional conferences.

    In a tribute, Buhari acknowledged the close relationship he had with the deceased, stating that “in all the positions he held as a politician and public officer, he displayed a high level of decorum.

    “He was a colossus in public life, very articulate and witty. He served his community and the nation well.

    “My deepest condolences to the bereaved family and the government and people of Benue,’’ Shehu quoted the president as saying.

    Unongo, who hailed from Jato Aka in the Kwande Local Government Area of Benue, died in Jos on Tuesday at the age of 87 years.

    He aspired to govern Benue in 1983, but lost to Mr Aper Aku also of blessed memory. In 2017, Unongo succeeded late Alhaji Maitama Sule as the chairman of the Northern Elders Forum.

  • 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.

  • 9 family members, many others killed as gunmen attack Plateau community

    9 family members, many others killed as gunmen attack Plateau community

    Some gunmen, who attacked the Maikatako Community, in Bokkos Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau, have killed nine members of one family and many others.

    DSP Alfred Alabo, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Police Command in the State, confirmed the incident on Wednesday in Jos.

    Alabo said that the gunmen stormed the community on Tuesday night and started shooting sporadically.

    The PPRO, who promised to give further details on the incident, said men of the command had been deployed to the community to ensure calm.

    “Our men are currently going after the assailants; we are on top of the situation, but the details of the attack are still sketchy,” he said.

    However, Mr Mahanan Job, a resident of the community, has disclosed that so far in the search and rescue conducted by community members, 18 dead bodies had been recovered.

    According to Job, there is serious tension in the community, even with the presence of policemen and soldiers.

  • Tinubu, APC spokesman mourn death of Abdul-Sobur Olawale

    Tinubu, APC spokesman mourn death of Abdul-Sobur Olawale

    Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu and the Publicity Secretary of the party in Lagos State, Mr Seye Oladejo have expressed sadness over the passing of Abdul-Sobur Olawale.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Olawale, popularly known as Omititi, a second-term lawmaker representing Mushin constituency II at the State House of Assembly, reportedly slumped and died during the Presidential Campaign Rally of the APC which began on Tuesday in Jos, Plateau.

    Tinubu described the death of Olawale as tragic, saying he was a committed lawmaker, loyal party faithful, and unrelenting in his support for the growth and development of Lagos State and Nigeria.

    “I offer my deepest condolences to the family of Hon. Sobur Olawale who, until his tragic demise yesterday, represented Mushin Constituency II in the Lagos State House of Assembly.

    “Omititi, as he was affectionately called by friends and loved ones, was a beloved family man, committed lawmaker and loyal party faithful. He was unrelenting in his support for the growth and development of Lagos State and Nigeria.

    “I sympathise with his family and constituents, and pray the Almighty comforts those he left behind while granting him eternal rest,” the APC presidential candidate stated.

    In his reaction, the Publicity Secretary of the APC, Lagos State chapter said the death of Olawale came as a rude shock.

    “I’m still confused,” he said.

    Olawale was until his demise, chairman, House Committee on Local Government and Community Relations.

    He was 58 years old.

    It would be recalled that the  Lagos assembly only recently lost one of its member, Mr Tunde Braimoh, who represented Kosofe Constituency II.

    Braimoh, until his sudden death was the House Committee Chairman on Information, Security and Strategy.

  • “God bless PDP”, Tinubu flops again as APC flags off campaign in Jos [WATCH VIDEO]

    “God bless PDP”, Tinubu flops again as APC flags off campaign in Jos [WATCH VIDEO]

    Jos, the Plateau State capital was agog on Tuesday as the All Progressives Congress (APC) flagged off its presidential campaign ahead of the 2023 elections.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the inauguration of the APC presidential campaign, however, did not come to an end without the presidential candidate of the party, Bola Tinubu flopping again.

    As of 10:30 am, the Rwang Pam Stadium, Jos, venue of the event had been adorned with different posters, billboards and many other campaign materials and almost filled to capacity.

    It was when he was addressing the mammoth crowd that Tinubu flopped, blessing the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in error instead of his party, the APC. He, however, reversed himself.

    Watch moment Tinubu said “God bless PDP“ below:

     

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    A post shared by Oyibo Ediri (@oyiboediri)

    We will build on Buhari’s achievements – Tinubu

    Earlier in his address, the APC presidential candidate, meanwhile, said he will build on the achievements of President Muhammadu Buhari if elected president of Nigeria.

    Tinubu stressed that Buhari performed well in the areas of infrastructure and that he laid a solid foundation for the development of agriculture and other sectors.

    “We were insecure, we turned to retired Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and he embarked on rehabilitation recovery and redeeming of Nigeria.

    “He started by destroying the terrorists’ flags systematically, tactically and frontally and today there are no flags of strange military colours in any of our local governments in Nigeria.

    “Nigeria was sinking but Buhari pulled us out and said that Nigeria will not sink in his time and in the time of the APC,” he said.

    He stated that Buhari superintended over the fairest and most credible primary election that produced him as the flag bearer.

    Tinubu reaffirmed his commitment to good governance and fruits that the it would bring to the people.

    The presidential candidate stated that the 2023 general election “is a fight not to leave country to looters.

    “We will never surrender to them to stop the efforts to clean the rot they left us in. We will assemble the best team to reverse the decay. We are determined to ensure that nobody will go to bed without food in their stomach.

    “Buhari cares and we care too, instead of letting them distract us, we will follow our right path and ensure that we continue with the good work”.

    Tinubu said that if elected, his administration would continue the oil exploration in all frontiers in the basins and develop commercial oil found in Gombe State and Lake Chad Basin.

  • Sad! Son stones father to death in Plateau as Police nab suspect

    Sad! Son stones father to death in Plateau as Police nab suspect

    The Plateau State Police Command on Friday confirmed the arrest of a 25-year-old man, Bernard Danlami, for stoning his father to death in Mangu Local Government of the state.

    The Commissioner of Police in the state, Onyeka Bartholomew, made the confirmation while briefing journalists on the activities of the Command at its headquarters in Jos on Friday.

    He said, “On 12/05/2022 at about 1800hrs, a case of culpable homicide was reported at Mangu Police Station of the Command that on 11/05/2022 at about 2120hrs a fight ensued between two brothers, .namely Bernard Danlami ‘m’, 25 .years old and Zugumnan Danlami ‘m’, 18 years old of COCIN Shamsoho, Kerang Mangu LGA over a bucket of water.

    “But as their father, one Danladi Mangna, faulted Bernard Danladi for being rude and flogged him with a stick, the said Bernard picked a stone and hit his father on the
    forehead, which resulted to a serious injury that
    eventually led to his father’s death.

    “On receipt of the case, the suspect was arrested and interrogated. The suspect confessed to the commission of the crime. He will be charged to court as soon as investigation is completed.”

    The Commissioner, who also paraded about ten other suspects for various offences, including criminal conspiracy, cattle rustling, and kidnapping, advised members of the public to report suspicious movements and persons to the Police and other law enforcement agencies to help nib crimes in the bud.

    The Commissioner added, “On our part, we are prepared to respond within a reasonable time whenever we receive a distress call.

    “I also call on all residents of Plateau State to cooperate and synergise with the police by giving us timely and useful information in order to fight all forms of criminalities.”

  • Gov. Simon Lalong to return missionary schools to owners

    Gov. Simon Lalong to return missionary schools to owners

    Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau, has promised to return missionary schools in the state to their original owners.

    Lalong made the promise when the Association of Papal Knights and Medalists in Nigeria, paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Jos.

    In a statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Dr Makut Macham, on Sunday in Jos, Lalong said that the missionary schools would be returned to their original owners as soon as the committee set up to look into the matter submitted its report.

    He thanked the association for picking the state to host its 14th National Conference, and commended the members over their contributions to the growth of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

    The governor also commended them for their efforts in raising leaders, who had made impact in different fields.

    Earlier in her remarks, the National President of the Association, Dame Esther Uduehi, thanked Lalong for his commitment to service and his efforts towards changing the negative narrative of the state.

    According to Uduehi, since the governor assumed office as governor of Plateau, he has made the state safe and attractive for tourists and investors, and has improved the lives of the people through laudable projects and programmes.

    She urged him to sustain the tempo for the remaining part of his administration, so as to leave an enduring legacy for the people.

    Uduehi also appreciated his devotion to the Catholic Church, and constant involvement in activities that related to the propagation of the gospel.

    Special prayers were conducted for Lalong by the association during the visit.

  • Jungle Justice: Angry mob lynch man, suspected to be a killer

    Jungle Justice: Angry mob lynch man, suspected to be a killer

    A young man was stabbed to death by some hoodlums at Yan Doya in the Jos North Local Government area of Plateau State.

    It was gathered that the victim was walking along the road when the gang attacked him with a knife and he bled to death.

    An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said an angry mob chased after the hoodlums and beat one of them to death.

    The eyewitness said, “An incident happened yesterday night (Saturday) behind Yan Doya Market by Yan Ganda in the Jos North LGA.

    “A man was walking back home when a group of thugs attacked him with a knife. He fell and died.

    “When some people heard what happened, they ran after the thugs, who fled the scene. However, one of them (thugs) was caught and beaten to death.”

    It was learnt that some policemen later arrived at the scene and took the corpse of the suspected hoodlum, while the relatives of the stabbed man took him away for burial on Sunday around 11am in the state.

    The spokesman for the Plateau State Police Command, DSP Alabo Alfred, noted that the police is Jungle Justice yet to be informed about the incident.

  • Lalong commends security agencies over rescue of kidnapped victims

    Lalong commends security agencies over rescue of kidnapped victims

    Plateau state Gov. Simon Lalong has commended security agencies for rescuing 10 persons kidnapped by bandits in Bashar, Wase Local Government Area.

    The governor gave the commendation in a statement by his Spokesperson, Dr Makut Macham, on Monday in Jos.

    He said that the agencies worked in collaboration with the vigilante and hunter groups for the success of the operation.

    He said that the prompt action of the agencies ensured that all the kidnapped persons and other stolen items were recovered.

    Meanwhile, Lalong also directed security forces to immediately confront attackers threatening the lives of people in villages around Bokkos Local Government Area, describing the recent spate of attacks as unacceptable.

    “The attackers must be fished out and not allowed to go unpunished.

    “On 8th October 2022, gunmen attacked Kuliyas Village in Butura, Bokkos killing 4 persons including the village head.

    “This is coming after other reported isolated killings in other villages of Follo, Karara, Bokkos, and Mangor as well as the kidnap of some students at All Nation’s Academy who were eventually rescued by security forces,” he said.

    Lalong also decried the level of criminality being perpetrated, saying it must be addressed holistically by security agencies in collaboration with the traditional and community leaders through the structures of community policing and vigilante groups.

    He warned criminals that his administration would not allow them to return the days of darkness to the state under any guise.

    The governor sympathised with the families of the victims and assured them that those behind the attacks would pay for their actions.

    He also called for vigilance among the residents and timely dissemination of intelligence to security agencies for pragmatic action to prevent such attacks.

  • BREAKING: Gunmen kidnap His Royal Highness, Nanleg Gotus

    BREAKING: Gunmen kidnap His Royal Highness, Nanleg Gotus

    His Royal Highness, Nanleg Gotus, the traditional head of the Tal Chiefdom in Pankshin Local Government Area of Plateau State has been kidnapped.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) gathers that the traditional ruler was kidnapped on Monday, September 26, 2022.

    Following the abduction, reports indicate that the kidnappers have contacted the palace officials, demanding N50 million ransom for the release of the king.

    Police spokesman Alfred Alabo confirmed the incident, saying the command had deployed security personnel to rescue the traditional ruler.

    Similarly, the terrorist attacked Jannaret Town, Mangu LGA, Plateau State, killing one person while two others were injured.

     

    Details later…