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Tag: Plateau State

  • NDLEA confiscates 2,000 kg of drugs in Plateau -Commander

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Plateau Command says it has confiscated 2,000 tonnes of drugs in the state from January to date.

    The Commander of the Agency in the state, Mr Umar Yahuza, stated this in an interview with newsmen in Jos.

    Yahuza explained that the confiscated drugs included cocaine, cannabis sativa, tramadol and other illicit substances.

    “We have recorded tremendous successes from January to this moment; we have seized over two tonnes, almost two and a half tonnes of illicit drugs.

    “The breakdown is as follows, out of this almost two and a half tonnes, we have seized Cannabis sativa which on the street we call ganja or ‘wee-wee’.

    “It accounts for the largest seizures, it accounts for over 1,986 kilograms, that’s almost two tonnes.

    “Then we have the psychotropic substances, which include drugs like pentazocine, Tramadol, diazepam, and so on.

    “This group of psychotropic substances from January to this month, we have seized over 231 kilograms.

    “Cocaine seized from January to date accounts for 233.3 grammes, we have another drug of methamphetamine.

    “We have seized 126.2 grammes of amphetamine which gives us a total of two tonnes 341.986kg of illicit drugs seized in plateau from January to this moment,” he said.

    Similarly, Yahuza said that the command had arrested 290 suspected drug addicts and peddlers in the state within the period under review.

    He added that his men also arrested suspects with other prohibited items and handed them over to relevant authorities for prosecution.

    “As for the suspects we have arrested so far this year, we have 267 males, 23 females, that we have arrested, which gives us a total of 290 suspects.

    “And these people have been charged to court and they are at various stages of prosecution.

    “Added to that, in the course of our activities, we have come across people with other prohibited items.

    “For example, we arrested this young woman with about 2500 fake currency dollars, and she was handed over to the Nigerian police force for further action.

    “And several other cases like that,” he said.

    And on efforts to curtail the influx of illicit substances in the state, the Commander said so much was being done, in terms of public enlightenment and sensitisation to garner the cooperation of the public.

    He thanked Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd), the chairman and Chief Executive of the Agency whose foresight he said, had inspired the successes recorded in the fight against drug use and abuse in the country.

    The Commander added that without the cooperation of the public, the job won’t be easy, saying that men of the agency were always on their toes to swing into action to checkmate the excesses.

    He, therefore, called on the public to continue to cooperate with them and report any suspicious acts noticed within their surroundings or environment.

  • Gov Lalong clinches APC senatorial ticket for Plateau South

    Gov Lalong clinches APC senatorial ticket for Plateau South

    Gov Simon Lalong of Plateau, has clinched the All Progressives Congress (APC), ticket to contest for the Plateau South Senatorial District seat in the 2023 General Elections.

    Lalong emerged unopposed at the primary election, held on Saturday, at the Zonal Headquarters of the senatorial district in Shendam Local Government Area (LGA), of the state.

    In a press release on Saturday in Jos by the governor’s spokesperson, Dr Makut Macham, Lalong thanked members of the APC in the zone for giving him their mandate, saying he will not disappoint them.

    The governor was announced winner by the chairman of the election panel, Hon. Titi Oseni, who said Lalong got 335 out of the 340 votes, while five were invalid.

    He promised he would use his experience as a former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, governor and lawyer, to attract development opportunities to the zone and the entire state.

    The governor thanked the Plateau legacy group for purchasing the senatorial nomination form for him to contest, while urging party members to remain steadfast ahead of the general elections.

    He expressed confidence over APC’s victory, not only for the senate, but for all other elective offices.

    Lalong assured Plateau people of the party’s commitment to the acceleration of development in the state.

    He also thanked the APC in Plateau for the peaceful conduct of all its primary elections, as well as officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), for effective monitoring of the exercise.

  • 18 aspirants jostle for PDP governorship ticket in Plateau

    Eighteen aspirants are jostling for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship ticket in Plateau, the state Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr John Akans, said on Wednesday in Jos.

    Akans said the PDP was set for the governorship primaries scheduled to hold at Langfield Events Centre in Jos.

    The publicity secretary said a total of 621 delegates would elect the PDP governorship candidate for the 2023 election.

    “All is set for the election, the Electoral Committee headed by PDP North Central Vice Chairman, Mr Theophilus Shan, is already on ground.

    “We had a very successful State House of Assembly, House Representatives and Senate primaries across the state that produced candidates for state and federal constituencies as well as the Senate.

    “Winners have emerged and losers have accepted their fate and have agreed to work for PDP success in the general elections.

    “The success was achieved largely because of the transparent nature of the entire process.

    “We hope to achieve same success in the governorship primary today,” he added.

    The state Organising Secretary, Mr Yakubu Chocho told NAN that the local organising committee had met with the aspirants on Tuesday night.

    “We assured them that we will not do anything that will tarnish the image of anybody.

    “We pleaded with them that whoever wins, the rest should join hands with him so that PDP can win the governorship seat,” he said.

    The governorship aspirants include Chief Jonathan Akuns, Latep Dabang, Dauda Gotring, David Paradang, Timothy Golu, Kefas Ropshika, Ephraim Dewa and Jack  Pam.

    Others are Shadrack  Best, Caleb Mutfwang, Bagudu Hirse, Satu Jewun, Mazadu Bako, Vincent Nanle, John  Sura, Jeremiah Gushop, Alexander Ladan and Alfred Damiyal.

  • Another Buhari’s Minister withdraws from 2023 election race

    Another Buhari’s Minister withdraws from 2023 election race

    Women Affairs Minister Pauline Tallen has dropped her senatorial ambition in the 2023 election.

    Tallen made this known in a statement in Abuja.

    She said her decision was to enable her focus on the foundation laid towards the advancement and realisation of gender equality in leadership positions in the country.

    “With profound gratitude and great humility, I have decided to voluntarily step down from the Senatorial race sequel to the yearnings of Women and other well meaning Nigerians.

    “Who see the need for a strong voice for Women at the Senate having consulted widely with my family, well-wishers and supporters conscious of the role I play for Women in Nigeria today.

    “So to all Nigerian Women and young girls who have raised concerns as to what next, rest assured that I, Dame Pauline K. Tallen, OFR, KSG have not submitted any resignation letter.

    “And therefore, it is my decision not to go ahead with this request but carry on as the Minister of Women Affairs,” she said.

    According to her, President Buhari’s commitment to the advancement of Women, necessitated the need for her to continue as the minister, which will aide in addressing challenges affecting women and children.

    “Our nation has a long standing commitment in overcoming the challenges that inhibit women from bringing about positive changes and the requisite impacts when given a place at the table of decision making.

    “My appointment as the Minister of Women Affairs is indicative of this progress and I cannot lose sight of this opportunity,” she said.

    “The minister, therefore expressed her appreciation to the wife of the president, Dr Aisha Buhari, her constituency and all well-wishers for their continuous support.

    Recall that on May 8, Tallen announced that she will be vying for the Plateau South Senatorial seat in the 2023 general elections.

    Plateau South Senatorial District covers six local government areas namely, Langtang North, Langtang South, Mikang, Qua’anpan, Shendam, and Wase.

    Buhari had on Thursday, issued a directive to all appointees seeking nomination ahead of the APC primaries to resign on or before May 16.

    The directive followed the decision of the Court of Appeal to dismiss a suit that challenged section 84(12) of the Electoral Act, which prohibits appointees from participating in a convention as a delegate or nominee.

  • Church chorister arrested for allegedly killing her newborn baby

    Church chorister arrested for allegedly killing her newborn baby

    A Church chorister has been arrested for allegedly killing her newborn baby in Kuru, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.

     

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) gathered that she murdered the baby shortly after birth and was apprehended while attempting to bury the body in a bush on May 11.

     

    According to several Facebook users, this was not the lady’s first time committing the alleged crime.

     

    A Facebook user who shared photos of the lady and the baby’s body wrapped in a shawl wrote, “Can you just imagine, she give birth and kill the baby, happen today (11-05-2022) in trade center Kuru.”

     

    In a related development, a 22-year-old lady identified as Adisa Funmilola reportedly drowned her baby because she prevented her from going to the university to study law.

     

    According to a report by TheNewsGuru.com (TNG), she drowned the one-year and six months old baby inside a bucket of water in her apartment at Plot 22, Gowon Estate, Lagos, on Monday, and then reported herself to the Police.

     

    During interrogation, she blamed her action on frustration, saying her baby deprived her of actualising her dream of becoming a lawyer.

     

    She explained that she was impregnated by one Yusuf Folarin, while both were attending a JAMB class at City of Success in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

     

    However, Folarin denied it and request that the pregnancy be aborted.

     

    Funmilola said she was offered admission into the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, to study Law, but had to defer the admission because of the baby.

     

  • Plateau State is too rich to be poor – Governorship aspirant

    Plateau State is too rich to be poor – Governorship aspirant

    A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Plateau, Mr Caleb Mutfwang, has said that given the abundant resources the state is blessed with, it should not be among the poor states in the country.

    Mutfwang stated this while presenting himself to State Executive Committee of the party on Wednesday in Jos.

    The former chairman of Mangu Local Government Area said that he would reclaim all the state’s boundaries and ensure that the people lived in peace.

    “I will ensure that people will live in peace so that all the economic potential embedded in the state can be unleashed.

    “We ought not to be among the poor states in the country because we are a people endowed by God with natural resources and clement weather, while we are very hard working.

    “However, for progress to take place, there must be good leadership, and I have come to provide that leadership,” he stated.

    Mutfwang, a legal practitioner, added that he was committed to restoring the lost glory of Plateau as a land that was well-respected among other states in Nigeria.

    According to him, with unity of purpose and proper leadership, the state will achieve its potential.

    “I have come to offer myself as a leader that will unite, not only the PDP but the entire people of Plateau,” he added.

    In his remarks, the PDP Chairman in the state, Mr Chris Hassan, noted that Mutfwang stood with the party throughout its trying times.

    Hassan said that the party would provide a level-playing ground for all aspirants, urging their supporters to conduct themselves peacefully and orderly.

    He stated that the party had successfully conducted screening for aspirants and election of ward delegates.

    “Tomorrow (Thursday), we will elect our national delegates, one from each of the 17 local government areas of the state, and I believe it will be a success like others.

    “Also, to ensure justice for all, there is an appeal committee for all the exercises,” he said.

  • Gov. Simon Lalong swears in new Chief Judge

    Gov. Simon Lalong swears in new Chief Judge

    Simon Lalong of Plateau on Monday sworn in Justice David Mann as the state substantive Chief Judge.
    Lalong at the ceremony in Jos, charged the new Chief Judge to uphold democracy, good governance and respect for the rule of law in the discharge of his duties.

    ”Plateau is pregnant with expectations that democracy, good governance and the rule of law will witness a new vista for good.
    “Going by the antecedents of Justice David Mann, we have no fear that he will lift the judiciary to higher levels and build on what his predecessors have done over the years.

    “While I congratulate you on this well-deserved appointment, may I remind you that this task is calls for total dedication and commitment to peace and stability of Plateau and Nigeria at large,” he said.

    Lalong urged Mann to see his elevation as a call to duty and a trust given to him by God to represent him in the affairs of men.
    The governor advised him to be true to his Oath of Office and discharged his duties with the fear of God and without fear, favour, affection or ill-will.

    According to him, you are coming into office at a time that government is operating autonomy of the three Arms of government.
    “I charged the Chief Judge to take advantage of all the latitude that the autonomy provides to ensure the training of members of staff in the judicial,’’ he said.

    Lalong appealed to Mann to ensure speedy dispensation of justice particularly as it involved suspects that were arraigned for violent crimes including terrorism.

    He charged the judiciary to pay closer attention to ensure that such cases got the desired attention to ensure that those accused were either acquitted or convicted depending on the evidences available.
    “The longer such cases stayed in courts, the colder they become and the tendency to further impact on security and safety of not just witnesses, but of the citizens at large,’’ he said.

    The governor reminded the Chief Judge on political activities which were on top gear ahead of the 2023 general elections.

    Lalong said that it was a time when enormous pressure would be mounted on judges by politicians who wanted to achieve their aims at all costs.

    He advised Mann to be aware of those who want to corrupt, confuse, intimidate or blackmail the judiciary to do their bidding in order to win elections.

     

    Mann, in his remarks, appreciated the governor for the appointment and promised to adhere to his oath of office in the discharge his duties.

  • Wife, daughter of Plateau State Commissioner for Environment regain freedom from kidnappers

    Wife, daughter of Plateau State Commissioner for Environment regain freedom from kidnappers

    The wife and daughter of the Plateau State Commissioner for Environment, Idi Usman Bamaiyi, have been released by their abductors.

     

    Bamaiyi’s wife and daughter were abducted by terrorists in the commissioner’s residence in Gindiri community, Mangu Local Government Area of the State.

     

    They were kidnapped in the early hours of Saturday, 9 April.

     

    A source in Gindiri community said that they have been released to the family.

     

    Bamaiyi is one of the aspirants for a seat in the House of Representatives on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

  • No mercy for perpetrators of Plateau killings – Buhari

    No mercy for perpetrators of Plateau killings – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the brutal terrorist attacks in Kanam and Wase Local Government Areas of Plateau, describing the killings as heinous.

    In a statement by his spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, on Tuesday in Abuja, the president said the perpetrators should not be allowed to escape justice.

    “They should not be spared or forgiven,” he further directed.

    He ordered law enforcement agencies to work strenuously with the government of the state, to bring the situation under control and take steps to bring the culprits to justice quickly.

    Buhari expressed condolences over the terrorist incident, saying that as a matter of priority, peace must return at all costs to the state and the entire country.

    “I urge all our citizens, the people of Plateau State in particular, to expose the perpetrators of such incidents, their sponsors and those who encourage such criminals who carry out these dastardly acts of murder, so that the law will take its course.

    ”They must not be forgiven,” the president said.

  • PLATEAU: 80 persons killed in Sunday’s attacks buried in mass grave

    PLATEAU: 80 persons killed in Sunday’s attacks buried in mass grave

    Over 80 persons killed in Sunday’s attacks, in Kanam council of Plateau State, have been buried in a mass grave.

     

    Many wept as the dead were laid to rest on Monday.

     

    The attacks took place in seven communities of the council.

     

    About 70 residents were reportedly abducted while over 100 houses were set ablaze.

     

    It was gathered that activities in the council ground to a halt as people abandoned their businesses to pay their last respects to the dead.

     

    Some of the residents of the communities expressed concern about the presence of terrorist groups in the game reserve in the area.

     

    A member representing Pankshin, Kanam, Kanke (PKK) in the House of Representatives, Yusuf Adamu Gagdi condemned the attacks.

     

    In a statement made available to newsmen, he commiserated with families of those who lost loved ones and prayed God to grant them rest.

     

    Adamu, who is the chairman of the House Committee on Armed Forces, said the Minister of Defence, Gen. Magashi (Retd) has been contacted over the development and asked to immediately deploy troops in the affected communities and environs.

     

    Gagdi expressed displeasure at what he termed the federal government’s lukewarm attitude to the crisis in Plateau communities.

     

    He posited that the federal government, who has exclusive control of security apparatus in the country, has failed in its primary responsibility of protecting life and property in the country.