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Tag: Plateau State

  • Gunmen attack Plateau community, kill 7

    Gunmen attack Plateau community, kill 7

    Gunmen attacked Dong Community in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau on Sunday and killed seven persons.

    “At about 8 p.m. on Sunday, we received a distress call that gunmen invaded Dong Village and killed seven persons, police spokesman in Plateau, ASP Ubah Ogaba, said in a statement issued on Monday in Jos.

    “A combined team of policemen, personnel of Operation Safe Haven, and Vigilance operatives, raced to the scene but the hoodlums had fled into the bush.

    “Investigation is on-going, Frantic effort is on to arrest the fleeing suspects.

    “Meanwhile security has been beefed up in that area to prevent escalation of violence or reprisal,’’ he added.

    Ogaba called on members of the public with useful information on the whereabouts of the criminals to report to security agencies.

    He also advised residents of the community to be law-abiding, insisting that the security agencies would do everything to fish out the perpetrators.

  • Student kidnapped from King’s College regains freedom

    Student kidnapped from King’s College regains freedom

    The Special Task Force, Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) in Plateau and parts of Kaduna and Bauchi States has rescued a kidnapped victim.

    The victim, Mr Kelvin Eze, is a student of King’s College, Gana Ropp, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau, who was kidnapped on April 29.

    Maj. Ibrahim Shittu, the Media Officer of the taskforce disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Jos.

    He added that the victim was rescued by the soldiers on May 1, at about 8:35 p.m.

    Gunmen invaded the college in early hours of Thursday, April 29, and abducted one of the students.

    Shittu, who didn’t disclose where the victim was rescued, said he was rescued unhurt and without ransom.

    He explained that the feat was achieved via intense and sustained search and rescue operations carried out by the troops.

    “Our troops on Saturday, May 1, at about 08:35 p.m. rescued Mr Kelvin Eze, the student of Kings College, Gana Ropp in Barkin-Ladi, who was kidnapped by bandits on April 29.

    “This was achieved through the sustained search and rescue operation by the troops, and without payment of ransom the student was rescued.

    “The rescued student who is hale and hearty has since been reunited with other students in the college.

    “The timely intervention of security personnel forced the bandits to abandon the other abductees as well,”he said

    Shittu assured that OPSH would continue to work to ensure safety of lives and property and towards entrenching lasting peace across its joint areas of operation

    The media officer further called on the residents of the state to support and cooperate with the taskforce by providing useful information that would stem the tide of insecurity in the state.

  • Gunmen kidnap mission school students in Plateau State

    Gunmen kidnap mission school students in Plateau State

    Gunmen suspected to be bandits in the early of Thursday (today) kidnapped four students of Capro Secondary Mission School located at Gana Ropp in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.

    According to a report by Channels Television, three of the students have escaped, while one is still in captivity.

    The school is an arm of Calvary ministries.

    Capro is few kilometres away from the Yakubu Gowon airport and about 60 kilometres from Jos, the state capital.

    A global mission leader and President of Para-Mallam Peace Foundation, Reverend Gideon Para-Mallam confirmed that the attackers broke the rear fence of the school where a hole was drilled to gain access into the school compound and abducted the students.

    He further stated that the intervention of security agencies prevented what could have been another mass abduction as the assailants took to their heels after realising the reinforcement of security in the area.

    Three of the students escaped as the abductors fled.

    The Plateau State Police Command is yet to make any statement on the incident as community efforts are ongoing to secure the release of the abducted student still in captivity.

  • Gov. Lalong mourns death of Senator Gogwim

    Gov. Lalong mourns death of Senator Gogwim

    Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau has expressed sadness over the death of a former Senator representing Plateau Central, Sati Gogwim, who died at the age of 71.

    Lalong, in a condolence message by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Dr Makut Macham, in Jos on Wednesday, described the deceased as a patriot.

    He said Gogwim, who represented Plateau Central in the Senate between 2007-2011, gave the nation and Plateau State his best in all his duties.

    He eulogised the senator, saying he retired from the army with records of achievements and was diligent in politics, business, community service and philanthropy.

    Lalong said the senator would be missed for his invaluable contributions to the growth and development of Plateau, particularly during its challenging moments where his counsel facilitated engagements and resolutions that helped in addressing many issues.

    While commiserating with his family, friends and associates, the governor urged them to take solace in the legacies he left behind and build on it to honour his memory.

  • BREAKING: Senator Sati Gogwim is dead

    BREAKING: Senator Sati Gogwim is dead

    The former Senator who represented Plateau Central Senatorial District of Plateau State, Senator Sati Gogwim is dead.

    Senator Gogwim died on Tuesday after a protracted illness, a family source has said.

    Mr Williams Gogwim, a younger brother of the deceased disclosed this in Pankshin on Wednesday.

    “My brother has been sick since last year and in December he left the country for treatment abroad and only returned on Sunday, April 4.

    “He came back a little bit stronger, until this morning when he had health crisis, which compelled us to rush him to Rayfield Medical Centre.

    ”Unfortunately on getting there he was confirmed dead,” he said.

    Williams said the family had taken his death in good faith, adding that as true Christians, they believed God called him home.

    “We are going to miss him, his love and warm as a brother, father, uncle and supporter,” he said.

    Williams said that the family was shocked over his demise and would discuss the funeral soon.

    Gogwim was elected as senator representing Plateau Central in 2007 and spent four years at the National Assembly before loosing to Sen. Joshua Dariye in 2011.

    Gogwim hailed from Dawaki village in Kanke Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau.

    He retired as a Major in the Nigerian Army before joining politics and became a senator in 2007.

  • JUST IN: Gunmen attack former Minister of Sports in Plateau State

    JUST IN: Gunmen attack former Minister of Sports in Plateau State

    The Police Command in Plateau has confirmed an attack by gunmen on Mr Damishi Sango, a one-time Minister of Sports and the immediate past Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau.

    ASP Ubah Ogaba, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, confirmed the incident on Thursday in Jos.

    Gunmen stormed the residence of the former minister located at Ganawuri, Riyom Local Government Area of the state, on Wednesday night.

    Two of the police personnel attached to Sango and a boy, Jethro, were shot by the criminals and were rushed to the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) for treatment.

    “The Command is aware of the incident at Riyom and the victims have been rushed to the hospital where they are receiving treatment.

    “The Commissioner of Police just left the scene of the crime. A team of detectives and intelligence officers has already commenced investigation and manhunt for the criminals.

    “The former minister and his family are not hurt,” Ogaba told NAN in an interview.

  • Supreme Court upholds 10-year sentence on ex-Gov Dariye

    Supreme Court upholds 10-year sentence on ex-Gov Dariye

    The Supreme Court on Friday upheld the 10- year conviction on Former Plateau Governor, Joshua Dariye.

    The 10-year imprisonment was for the offence of criminal breach of trust.

    A five-member panel of justices, led by Justice Mary Odili, in a unanimous judgment, held Dariye’s appeal in part, by setting aside the one-year sentence imposed on him by the Court of Appeal in relation to the offence of criminal misappropriation.

    The apex court upheld Dariye’s concurrent conviction and sentence by the trial court and the Court of Appeal on the offence of criminal breach of trust.

    Dariye had filed the appeal praying the court to set aside the Abuja Court of Appeal judgment that handed him a 10 year jail term.

    Dariye in his appeal, prayed the apex court to upturn the November 16, 2018 judgment of the lower court, which convicted him and sentenced him to 10 years for diverting public funds estimated at N1.162billion while he was the governor.

    Arguing the appeal before the Supreme Court on December 17, 2020, Dariye’s lawyer, Kanu Agabi (SAN), a former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), asked the court to either reverse his client’s conviction or reduce the 10-year jail term handed him by the lower court.

    Agabi, after adopting his written argument, prayed the court to allow his client’s appeal and set aside Dariye’s conviction and sentence.

    He argued that Dariye’s conviction was speculative and urged the court to show mercy.

    Agabi added, “Here is a man sentenced to 10 years imprisonment. 10 years is more than a lifetime for some people. You should show him mercy.”

    He, however, added that, should the court be minded to disallow the appeal and affirm the decision of the Court of Appeal, it should reduce the sentence substantially.

    Counsell to the respondent, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, countered and urged the court to dismiss the appeal and uphold the concurrent findings of the two lower courts.

    Jacobs contended that a public servant was not better than the common man in the eyes of the law.

    He added: “As for the sentence passed, it has been reduced to 10 years. That he is a public servant does not mean he should go free.”

    A five-member panel of justices, led by Justice Mary Odili, had, after hearing the appeal on Dec. 17, 2020, fixed judgment for March 12, 2021.

    A three-member panel of the Court of Appeal, led by Justice Stephen Adah, in its decision, upheld an earlier judgment by Justice Adebukola Banjoko of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), delivered on June 12, 2018.

    The trial court convicted Dariye on 15 counts relating to the offences of criminal breach of trust and criminal misappropriation, contained in the 23-count charge on which he was tried by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    In upholding Dariye’s conviction, the Court of Appeal noted that the prosecution, led by Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) effectively proved its allegation of criminal breach of trust and criminal misappropriation against the ex-governor.

    The Appeal Court, however, faulted the trial court for convicting Dariye on counts 12 and 23, which it said the prosecution did not prove.

    It also faulted the trial court for imposing the maximum sentences on both offences of criminal breach of trust and criminal misappropriation.

    The Appeal Court proceeded to reduce the 14 years sentence for the offence of criminal breach of trust to 10 years, and reduced the two years sentence for criminal misappropriation to one year.

  • Gov. Lalong tests positive for COVID-19

    Gov. Lalong tests positive for COVID-19

    Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau has tested positive for Coronavirus (COVID-19).

    Dr Makut Macham, Director of Press and Public Affairs to the governor, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Jos.

    According to Macham, the development followed COVID-19 test conducted on the governor and members of his family.

    He said that the governor had gone into isolation, adding that members of his family all tested negative.

    “The results indicated that the governor’s test returned positive while all members of his family tested negative.

    “Consequently, the governor who is asymptomatic has gone into isolation while his close aides are being tested.

    “As a result, the governor will henceforth work from home during the period of treatment.

    “All state matters requiring the governor’s physical presence will be handled by his deputy,” Macham said.

    He said that the governor urged citizens of the state to observe all COVID-19 protocols, adding that the pandemic is still prevalent.

    Macham said that the governor advised citizens to apply all precautionary measures especially during the festive period, by avoiding large gatherings and ensure the use of facemasks.

    He said Lalong also encouraged residents to ensure regular washing of hands with soap under running water and maintain personal hygiene.

  • BREAKING: Excitements as Plateau State gets first female Senator

    BREAKING: Excitements as Plateau State gets first female Senator

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Prof. Nora Daduut of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the Plateau South senatorial by-election held on Dec. 5.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Prof Daduut, with the victory at the by-election, becomes the first female to be elected from the State into the Senate.

    The by-election was conducted to fill the vacuum created by the death of Sen. Ignatius Longjan which occurred on Feb. 9.

    INEC’s Returning Officer, Prof. Idris Amali, announced that Daduut polled 83,151 votes to defeat her closest challenger, Mr George Daika, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who scored 70,838 votes; a margin of 12,313 votes.

    “Daduut, having scored the highest number of votes cast and fulfilled the requirements of the law is hereby returned elected,” Amali said.

    He said that the total number of accredited voters for the election was 159,191, while votes cast were 157, 803.

    According to him, the valid votes were 155, 659 while 2,144 votes were rejected.

    A breakdown of the results according to local governments as announced by the returning officer indicated that in Langtang North, the APC got 12, 241 votes, while PDP scored 16, 841votes.

    In Langtang South the APC polled 9,321 against PDP’s 12, 439 votes.

    In Mikang Local Government where the PDP candidate hails from, the APC scored 8, 425 votes, while PDP got 7, 887 votes.

    In Shendam, the APC got 18, 542 votes, while PDP got 10, 223 votes; in Wase, APC got 21, 838 votes, while PDP scored 12,807 votes.

    The result of Quan Pan, the home local government of the APC candidate, indicated that APC scored 12,784 votes, while PDP got 10, 641 votes.

    Apart from the APC and the PDP, eight other political parties also participated in the election.

    Lalong congratulates Plateau’s first female senator-elect, Dadu’ut

    Meanwhile, the State Governor Simon Lalong has expressed excitements and congratulated Dadu’ut over her victory in the senatorial by-election for the southern zone of the state held on Dec. 5.

    This is contained in a congratulatory message by the Governor’s Director of Press and Public Affairs (DOPA), Dr Makut Macham, issued on Sunday in Jos.

    Dadu’ut, who contested the election under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), emerged as the first female to be elected from the state into the red chamber.

    She will replace late Sen. Ignatius Longjan, who died in February.

    Dadu’ut polled 83, 151 votes to defeat her closest opponent, Mr George Daika, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who scored 70, 838 votes.

    According to the statement, Lalong described her emergence as “historic”, adding that the victory has shown that the ruling party is deeply rooted in the state

    “The victory of Prof. Nora Dadu’ut is not surprising as the APC is well rooted in the whole state, particularly the Southern Senatorial District.

    “I have no doubt she will give quality representation to the people of the zone and also represent the interest of the State at the red chamber,”he said.

    He commended the INEC and the security agencies for working assiduously toward a successful election.

    The Governor also thanked the electorate for conducting themselves peacefully and ensuring that the execise was devoid of violence and electoral malpractice.

    He urged candidates of other political parties who lost at the polls to rally round the winner in the best interest of the zone and Plateau.

  • PDP constitutes campaign council for Plateau south senatorial by-election

    PDP constitutes campaign council for Plateau south senatorial by-election

    The Plateau chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has inaugurated a 96-member senatorial Campaign Council to solicit for the votes of the people of Plateau South for the senatorial by-election scheduled to hold in the zone on Oct. 31.

    The State Publicity Secretary of the party, Sir John Akans, said in statement on Sunday in Jos said that campaign council would be led by Mr Kefas Dandam.

    Akans said Dandam would be assisted by all aspirants who contested along with the senatorial candidate, Mr George Daika.

    He said the council was inaugurated by the State Chairman of the party, Mr Chris Hassan, and that the exercise was witnessed by Sen. I.D Gyang, members of the State House of Assembly and some critical stakeholders.

    “As we are all aware, the race for the Southern Senatorial seat is entering its critical stage.

    “As a party, we are on ground and more than prepared to win this election.

    “The massive acceptance and commitment shown at the just-concluded ‘thank you tour’ and the consultation with our party leaders, men,women, youths across the six local government areas involved is quite impressive.

    “This is an evidence that this election is sealed in favour of our popular party, the PDP,” he said.