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Tag: Plateau

  • Crisis: Plateau doctors raise alarm, say hospitals, mortuaries overwhelmed with injured, corpses

    Crisis: Plateau doctors raise alarm, say hospitals, mortuaries overwhelmed with injured, corpses

    Plateau branch of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) on Thursday raised the alarm over the surging corpses in mortuaries and injured in hospitals across the state.

    It said it is saddened and disillusioned by the persistent and vicious killings in the State, pointing out they were exerting great toll on the physical and psychological wellbeing of the masses across the state.

    These were contained in a statement signed by Dr. Innocent Emmanuel, chairman and Dr. Bapiga’an William, the Secretary of NMA in Jos.

    The body expressed deep concerns, stressing the victims of these unwarranted attacks continue to “populate hospitals’ emergency wards and mortuaries in the state.”

    Parts of the statement read: “Innocent, armless, accommodating and committed citizens of Plateau State have continued to live under the perennial unsavoury reality of perpetual terrorism manifesting as kidnappings for ransom, rape, maiming and killings as well as threats of total annihilation.

    “On a daily basis, people are kidnapped from their houses and living with the fear that same will happen the next day elsewhere or in their neighbourhood unabatedly, with huge sums paid as ransom.

    “These worrisome and sad turn of events is severely bleeding the resources of the people and ultimately wrecking the economy of the state in general, resulting in further increase in the sufferings that have characterized the life of ordinary citizens who abinitio have mostly been living below ,at or only slightly above the poverty line.

    “People face the brazen reality of being attacked, injured and or murdered in cold blood while their homes, farmlands and means of livelihoods are completely destroyed with no end in sight to these hostilities.”

    Plateau NMA called on security agencies to improve their performances so the killings can stop immediately.

    “A society that abhors justice is only opening her doors to anarchy and lawlessness.

    “Justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done for all sorts and shades of criminality because this is the only way that sustainable peace can actually be achieved.

    “The evil perpetrators of these heinous crimes cannot continue to remain “unknown gunmen” for close to two decades now.

    “The security agencies should as a matter of urgency, do more to restore the confidence of the exasperated public so that reliable intelligence is made available to them, which they should act swiftly upon.

    “We enjoin the security forces and Government to genuinely commit to doing more to prevent further incidences rather than taking reactive approaches on issues that a little more mindfulness, sincerity and commitment could nip in the bud.”

  • Lalong condemns fresh attack in Jos North LGA

    Lalong condemns fresh attack in Jos North LGA

    Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau has condemned an attack perpetrated on Tuesday night at Yelwa Zangam community in Jos North Local Government Area of the state during which lives were reportedly lost and properties destroyed.

    Lalong made the condemnation in a statement issued by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Dr Makut Macham, on Wednesday in Jos.

    He described the act as barbaric, disclosing that security agencies had already arrested ten suspects in connection with the attack.

    He said the arrest was to intensify efforts at tracking down the other assailants and their sponsors and bring them to justice.

    According to the statement, the governor is furious over the attack which security reports indicated that it was carefully planned and executed.

    He further said that the bridge linking the community was said to have been destroyed in order to deny security agencies access to the area during the attack.

    Lalong sympathised with the people affected by the incident and called for calm, while assuring them that they would get justice.

    He warned criminals to desist from perpetrating evil acts saying that they would be pursued, arrested and dealt with, no matter how long the investigation would take.

    He said that his administration would not allow the reign of terror to persist and rubbish all the investments made in restoring peace in the state.

    Meanwhile, the governor has praised the gallantry of security forces that successfully engaged and neutralised six criminals that belonged to a kidnapping syndicate of innocent people in Mangu Local Government Area.

    According to the statement, troops from Operation Safe Haven and the Nigerian Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) engaged the bandits in response to distress calls.

    Lalong expressed his deep condolences to the Nigeria Police and families of the Police Officer and Member of the Vigilante who lost their lives during the operation and assured them of Government support.

    He vowed to make Plateau uncomfortable for criminals.

  • [JUST IN]Blood on the Plateau Again! 36 massacred by bandits in midnight attack

    [JUST IN]Blood on the Plateau Again! 36 massacred by bandits in midnight attack

    No fewer than 36 persons were burned to death when Fulani bandits attacked Yelwan Zangam community in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.

    The massacre reportedly occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, leaving women, children and the aged dead in their sleep.

    This is coming few weeks after scores of travelers were killed in Gada-biyu – Rukuba road.

    On August 18, gunmen launched an attack on Bassa LGA of Plateau, killing five residents and injuring several others.

    Paramount ruler of the Anaguta ethnic nationality in the state, Ujah Johnson Jauro newsmen in Jos on Wednesday that several victims while several others who sustained injuries during the attack have been rushed to the Bingham University Teaching Hospital in Jos, the state capital.

    The Paramount ruler said, “Yes, it’s true. I have been informed that some gunmen attacked my people last night in Naraguta community with many casualties. But we are still investigating to know what really happened.”

    The Councilor for Ahwol Ward in the community, Yusuf Ali, who also confirmed the attack, said that people were burnt alive in the affected area.

    Another resident, Jeremiah Bulus, said, “corpses have been taken to the mortuary this morning and people are still making efforts to recover more corpses from several houses which the gunmen also set ablaze. The situation is really bad for the people ”

    According to the Councillor, the gunmen first vandalised the iron bridge linking the community before attacking the people which made it difficult for the security agents to assess the area when they were contacted over the attacks

    He said “The gunmen were just shooting in every direction when they arrived the community around 10 pm. For now, dead bodies have been recovered and we are still searching for more victims because the shooting was too much.

    “When the attack was going on, the Chairman of the Local Government called the security agents to mobilize to the area but it was discovered that the gunmen destroyed the iron bridge linking the community.”

    The Spokesman for the Plateau Police Command, Ubah Ogaba, could not be reached when contacted.

  • Police, gunrunners engage in gunfight in Plateau, eight killed

    Police, gunrunners engage in gunfight in Plateau, eight killed

    Eight persons have been killed in a gunfight between a combined team of security operatives and gunrunners at Kwoi Village in Plateau State.

    The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Ubah Ogaba, confirmed the incident and the number of those killed in a statement on Tuesday.

    “On 23/08/2021 at about 1400hrs, the command received credible information about the activity of a notorious syndicate of gunrunners at Kwoi Village in Mangu LGA of the state,” he said.

    “Because of the tactical operational capability and superior gunfire of the Operatives, six of the hoodlums were neutralized while others fled with various degrees of bullets wounds.

    “Regrettably, one Inspector Abdulrahaman Isah who is the Commander IGP’s Intelligence Response Team (IRT) based in Mangu, and one Hassan Mohammed – a local vigilante, gallantly paid the supreme price.”

    Ogaba, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, explained that on receipt of the information, the IRT based in the area, as well as operatives attached to Mangu Police Division, Special Task Force (STF), and local vigilante were mobilised and swiftly raced to the area.

    He added that the hoodlums, on sighting the security team, engaged them in a gunfight but they were forced to flee the scene with gunshot injuries.

    The command’s spokesman disclosed that exhibits recovered from the hoodlums include three AK 47 rifles with breach numbers 868, 106076, and 123487.

    According to him, an investigation has since commenced, and efforts are being intensified to arrest other fleeing members of the syndicate.

    Monday’s incident comes barely two weeks after gunmen attacked travellers along the Rukuba Road in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.

    At least 25 people were confirmed killed and 23 others injured on August 14 when the victims were attacked while travelling through Jos to Ikare town in Ondo State, from Bauchi.

    Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, who condemned the incident had warned those bent on fomenting trouble in the state to desist from such actions.

    According to him, the government will not allow any form of lawlessness to disrupt the peace of the state. He also warned that attacks on innocent citizens will never be tolerated.

  • Lalong opposes bail for Plateau massacre suspects

    Lalong opposes bail for Plateau massacre suspects

    Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau has warned against any rush to bail suspects of the Aug. 14 killings on Rukuba Road in Jos, and other attacks in the state.

    The governor spoke on Tuesday at an emergency peace and security stakeholders meeting held in Jos.

    The meeting focused on the August 14 incident and other attacks in Bassa, Jos South, Barkin ladi and Riyom Local Government Areas.

    “The rush to bail suspects of unrest when arrested for investigation frustrates efforts to find lasting solution to insecurity in Plateau. Henceforth, people rushing to bail suspects will also be arrested .

    “If you find them, please arrest them; if people rush to bail them, arrest them,” he said .

    He said that such action would deter people fond of bailing suspects of unrest, alleging that such gestures implied that most of them were either sponsors or accomplices to such crimes.

    He said that the meeting with critical stakeholders comprising former governors, political leaders, elders, traditional and community leader, was to seek their views on measures to end the cycle of violence in Plateau.

    Lalong held that the insecurity, particularly in some local governments, required concerted efforts toward lasting peace.

    “We cannot afford to fail the upcoming generation by refusing to do the needful,” he declared.

    He decried the misuse of the social media by people out to worsen an already bad situation through the massive spread of fake and unsubstantiated videos and messages.

    “Such fake messages only ignite further attacks.

    “I have directed the security agencies to go after such persons and ensure they faced the law for incitement and hate speech,” he said

    He also urged religious leaders and other stakeholders holders not to incite their followers with their sermons or comments on insecurity, noting that they (clerics) were also guided by the constitution.

    “In future, defaulters will be arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law,” he said.

  • Plateau massacre:Hoodlums wanted to take advantage of situation to loot – CP

    Plateau massacre:Hoodlums wanted to take advantage of situation to loot – CP

    The Commissioner of Police in Plateau, Mr Edward Egbuka, said those behind the attack on commuters in Jos on Aug. 14 were miscreants and hoodlums who wanted to take advantage of the security situation in the state “to cause trouble and loot”.

    The commissioner stated this at a briefing by Head of security agencies in the state to Gov. Simon Lalong.

    This is contained in a statement issued in Jos by the Governor’s Director of Press and Public Affairs, Dr Makut Macham.

    The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) reports that the meeting followed the attack on commuters along Rukuba road in Jos North Local Government Area during which 23 persons were reportedly killed and 23 injured .

    “These are miscreants and hoodlums who wanted to take advantage of the situation to cause trouble and loot.

    “This was not the first time it has happened. We do not want to name anybody,” Egbuka said.

    According to him, a total of 36 persons have been rescued unhurt from the attack and are in good condition, adding that investigations are ongoing and arrests being made .

    He advised the citizens to abide by the 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew imposed on Jos South and Bassa local government areas, and also the 24-hour curfew imposed on Jos North Local Government Area, saying the order was being enforced and that violators would be dealt with .

    The commissioner said the imposition of the 24-hour curfew on Jos North local government area had curtailed the spread of violence in the metropolis where seven persons were killed.

    He assured that security agencies would fish out the criminals and miscreants and be made to face the wrath of the law.

    According to Macham , the Co-Chairmen of the Plateau Inter-Religous Council, Rev. Pandang Yamsat, and the Emir of Wase Dr Muhammadu Haruna,have met with the governor behind closed doors to discuss the security situation in the state.

    The meeting, he said, was in respect to the intervention of the Council in calming the current security situation, saying, the council would be carrying out its engagements to further douse the tension.

    The heads of the security agencies present at the closed-door meeting with the governor according to the statement, included the Commander, Operation Safe Haven, Commissioner of Police, Airforce Commander, and State Director of Department of Security Services

  • Plateau killing: Lalong slams curfew on 3 LGAs

    Plateau killing: Lalong slams curfew on 3 LGAs

    Plateau government has imposed curfew on Bassa, Jos North and Jos South Local Government Areas, following Saturday’s attacks on travelling Ondo indigenes around Jos North Local Government.

    Twenty-two of them were reportedly killed and 23 injured.

    Gov. Simon Lalong in a statement by his Director of Press and Public Affairs , Dr Makut Macham on Sunday in Jos, said the curfew commenced on Aug 14, from 6pm to 6am

    ” I have directed the imposition of curfew on Jos North, Bassa and Jos South Local Government Areas, commencing 6pm to 6am,from today, 14th August 2021.

    “The curfew shall remain in place, subject to further review by the State Security Council,” he said.

    The governor warned against violation of the order, saying that security personnel would take all measures to maintain law and order in the affected areas.

    He said the state government would continue to monitor the situation and take further action if necessary, to ensure the safety of lives and property.

    Lalong also called for calm and appealed to residents to avoid any action or utterances that would further inflame the situation, saying security agencies are conducting investigations on the attack.

    “So far, 20 suspects have been arrested and the security agencies are conducting investigations to get to the bottom of the matter,” he assured.

    He sympathised with the families of those who lost their loved ones, and those injured as a result of the unfortunate incident.

    No fewer than 22 travellers travelling to Ikare in Ondo state were killed in the ambush.

  • Buhari condemns massacre of 21 travellers in Plateau, orders manhunt for killers

    Buhari condemns massacre of 21 travellers in Plateau, orders manhunt for killers

    The Presidency has condemned the attack on travellers from a religious event in Bauchi, passing through Jos, Plateau State Capital.

    A presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, in a statement on Saturday night, said the Presidency regretted the deaths of at least 21 persons with several others injured in the ambush.

    He said President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of what he called “gruesome massacre of innocent travellers” and bring them to justice in line with his commitment to protect all Nigerians.

    The Presidency commended the ongoing efforts by the Governors of Plateau, Bauchi, and Ondo; the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Sa’ad Abubakar III, and Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi as well as a number of notable Christian and Muslim leaders for intensifying efforts to calm down the situation.

    The Presidency, which offered condolences to the families of the victims, had continued to liaise with the local authorities, including security, the police, and governmental agencies.

    The statement titled ‘Presidency Strongly Condemns Hoodlum Attacks on Travellers’ read: “It is widely known that Plateau State has been one of the states affected by herder-farmer clashes, which have, in a significant way, been curtailed following the intense peace-building efforts of the administration of Governor Simon Lalong.

    “However, to be clear, this is not an agriculturalist-on-pastoralist confrontation – but rather a direct, brazen and wickedly motivated attack on members of a community exercising their rights to travel freely and to follow the faith of their choosing.

    “With the evident preparedness of their attackers, it is clear this was a well-conceived and prearranged assault on a known target, location and religious persuasion of the travellers not an opportunist ambush.

    “These kinds of attacks on our country’s citizens are unacceptable, heinous, and stand in complete contradiction to the teachings of the great religions of our nation.

    “The Presidency stands steadfast with both Christians and Muslims at this time in condemnation of this latest attack and expects and insists that justice is swiftly – but fairly – delivered to the perpetrators.”

  • Akeredolu warns against retaliatory attack over killings of Ondo indigenes in Plateau

    Akeredolu warns against retaliatory attack over killings of Ondo indigenes in Plateau

    Ondo Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has cautioned residents against carrying out retaliatory attack over Saturday’s killing of some Ondo indigenes in Plateau State.

    Akeredolu, who called for calm in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde, said an unconfirmed number of deaths have been recorded while some persons were severely injured in the said attack.

    The statement said the true identity of the victims would soon be unraveled.

    He said he has received call from Plateau Governor Solomon Lalong that it was a case of mistaken identity.

    The Ondo Governor, who urged residents to refrain from any hasty colouration of the incident cautioned them against taking laws into their hands.

    According to him: “The victims, according to preliminary reports, took a route where crisis between Muslims and Northern Christians had ensued for some time and that they may have been possibly, mistaken for aggressors. Accordingly, either of the two feuding groups in the area could be responsible in this regard.

    “I have spoken with my brother Governor in Plateau and he has assured me that the situation is under control. I want to plead with our people to remain calm.

    “From the report I gathered, it is clear some were killed while many others who are injured have been taken to the hospital for medical attention.

    “Let me again make it clear that I was informed by my colleague that it was indeed, a case of mistaken identity.

    “I want to assure our people living in Plateau that they are not targets of any religion or ethnic crisis.

  • How 22 travellers were killed in Plateau – Police

    How 22 travellers were killed in Plateau – Police

    The Nigerian police have confirmed that 22 people were killed and 14 injured during an attack on travellers in Gada-biyu, in the northern part of Plateau State.

    The attack occurred on Saturday before midday and was carried out by a group of youth along Rukuba road in Jos North Local Government Area, the Plateau State police spokesperson, Ugah Garba, told newsmen.

    The victims were in a convoy of five buses and were travelling from Bauchi State to Ikare in Ondo State when they were attacked in Plateau, the police said.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) had earlier reported how the travellers, believed to be Islamic worshippers who are followers of a popular Islamic cleric, Dahiru Bauchi, were travelling in large groups from the Annual Islamic Zikr prayer in Bauchi State.

    The police described the attack as a “dastard act.”

    “Upon receipt of the report, a team of Police personnel, the military and other sister agencies were immediately mobilised to the scene where twenty one (21) victims were rescued and six suspects arrested,” the police said in a statement.

    The Plateau State commissioner of police, Edward Egbuka, was said to have visited the scene along with military officers.

    Mr Egbuka ordered a discreet investigation to fish out other perpetrators of the act.

    He said normalcy has returned to the area assuring that those that incited the violence will be made to face the full wrath of the law.