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Tag: Plateau

  • I’m not sponsoring killings, unrest in Plateau – Ex-gov Jang

    Immediate past governor of Plateau State and incumbent Senator representing Plateau North at the Senate, Jonah Jang, has said he is innocent of the killings in the state, particularly in his senatorial zone.

    Recall that the Northern zone of Plateau, comprising Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Jos South has been a centre of bloodshed in recent times.

    Speaking with reporters on Monday, the former governor queried: “Doesn’t that sound funny that Jonah Jang, a Berom man from Plateau State is organizing gunmen to come and kill Beroms or which killings are they talking about?

    “Over 200 people have been killed in some local government areas here including Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Bassa, Bokkos, Mangu and somebody is protesting in Abuja that I am behind the killings.

    “So I am the person who put the arms in the hands of criminals to come and kill my people so that I will be the only Berom man to live with my family or what? Does that make sense?”

    “I have been hearing somebody making noise on the television alluding many things, and he has directed his Lawyers to write me and let him explain now else I will go and explain in the court.

    “It is a pity that politics is turning to what it is in Nigeria. I believe that everything is being done to find a reason to incarcerate me so that I will not participate in the ongoing politics.

    “I am the Senator representing Plateau North, I may be re-contesting the Senate, and I may be contesting a higher position. That decision is in the making and the PDP is working very hard to win the election on the Plateau and I am a key figure here on the Plateau. So, there seems to be a very deliberate plan to get me out of the way so that I don’t participate in any of the electoral processes.

    “I just want to make it very clear that if this is the way our politics is going to be, then I am sorry to say that the democracy that we worked hard for; I was part of the G-18, G-34, that fought for this democracy to come, and the G34 formed the PDP, and PDP nurtured democracy for 16 years. But now, the APC as a party has come and wants to destroy it by trying to make sure that there is no opposition; they want Nigeria to become a one party state, and I believe that this is a subtle way of destroying democracy in Nigeria.

    Jang observed that the Peoples Democratic Party didn’t intimidate APC: “when they won, we handed over power to them without any crises. Today, President Jonathan is being acknowledged as one of the greatest democrat; he did not argue, he congratulated President Buhari when it was announced that President Buhari won the election and they shook hands.”

    He urged them to also be prepared to congratulate the PDP and hand over power in 2019 when its candidate wins. “That is how democracy works. But when you say you want to start intimidating opposition so that you remain in power, it will not work in a country like Nigeria, we are not a banana republic. We are a nation getting to about 200 million people, the biggest black nation in the world and every black man is looking up to Nigeria to set the pace and I don’t think this is the way we can go about it.”

    Jang charged the security agencies to live up to expectations. “When I took over power as Plateau Governor in 2007, this crisis was on; for eight years, I was struggling with the security to get this crisis resolved. Now again, it has gone into a wider dimension. We were talking about Plateau then, but now, we are talking about Plateau, Taraba, Benue, Zamfara, it is going even down to the southern part of the country.

    “The security must stand up and live up to expectation. If the security is saying that the matter has gone beyond them, let the President ask the United Nations (UN) to come in.

  • BREAKING: Ex-Plateau Governor Jonah Jang granted N100m bail

    A former Plateau State Governor, Jonah Jang, has been granted bail.

    Mr Jang is being prosecuted by the anti-graft agency, EFCC, for allegedly stealing billions of naira of public funds while in office.

    He has been in prison for about one week based on a court order.

    He was granted bail on Thursday morning by high court judge Longji in Plateau State.

    The ex-governor, now a senator, was granted a bail of N100 million along with other conditions

    His co-accused was also granted bail.

     

    Details later…

  • Over 7000 APC members defect to PDP in Plateau

    No fewer than 7, 235 members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Plateau State have dumped the party for the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2019 general election.

    The defectors were received by the Plateau PDP Chairman, Hon. Damishi Samgo, during the commissioning of Kanam PDP office, inauguration of Chairmanship Campaign Committee and Appeal fund raising in Dengi, Kanam.

    Sango, represented by Vice Chairman, Plateau Central Zone, Hon. Benedict Shiknughul, praised the defectors for taking “the right decision” in their political race.

    He said: “Today, we welcome you into PDP with open arms to work with you towards our victory at the 2019 general elections at all levels.

    “We shall accord you the privileges therein for all members of PDP on the plateau; ensure you are fully registered in your own various wards to participate in all our programmes.”

    Sango urged them to go straight to work and begin to campaign for PDP victory in all elective positions from the ward to national level against 2019.

    Responding, Yahaya Angwan-Gero, spokesman of the defectors, said, “We are here in PDP for stay to work for its victory to take power from APC in 2019.”

  • Alleged N6.3bn fraud: Ex-Plateau gov, Jang appears in Court on Monday

    Alleged N6.3bn fraud: Ex-Plateau gov, Jang appears in Court on Monday

    A former Governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang, will be arraigned on Monday at the Plateau State High Court in Jos, after he would have spent 168 hours (one week) in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in Abuja, a family source has said.

    “Jonah David Jang has not been released. The case is coming up on Monday and he will be arraigned before Justice Daniel Longji of Plateau State High Court in Jos on the 12 counts filed against him by the EFCC,” the source said.

    The EFCC had preferred 12 charges against him over an alleged fraud amounting to about N6.3bn.

    The ex-governor, who currently represents Plateau-North Senatorial District, allegedly embezzled some special funds released to the state by the Central Bank of Nigeria. He was said to have perpetrated the fraud two months to the end of his tenure as governor in 2015.

    Jang, in a motion on notice filed by his team of lawyers led by Christopher Eichie, Yakubu Philemon and Kola Oseni, before a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja to enforce his fundamental human rights, said he was diabetic.

    He asked the court to order the EFCC to pay him N500m in damages for his detention without trial and to offer him public apology in two national newspapers.

    In a related development, the General Overseer of the Evangelical Outreach Ministries International, Prophet Isa El-Buba, has said that Nigerians seeking to contest the Presidency in the 2019 general elections with President Muhammadu Buhari should expect mass arrest.

    He also warned that Nigeria would soon cease to exist if the trend of killings and attacks on Christians by suspected Fulani herdsmen in different parts of the country continued unchecked.

    El-Buba said this in an interview with journalists in Jos, while reacting to the continued detention of Jang by the EFCC, without trial.

    He said, “The continued detention of Jang without trial is jungle justice. One thing I know about Jang is that he can fight injustice and oppression. The Bible is very clear; a government that establishes itself on the seat of righteousness and justice will live.

    “But a government that establishes itself on injustice and unrighteousness will be taken off and this is what we are going to see. As we prepare for the 2019 elections, Nigerians should expect mass arrest. Anybody seeking election should be ready for arrest.

    “I don’t see any reason why the EFCC should continue to keep Jang without arraignment. There is no reason for the confinement of Jang because he has always shown up whenever he is invited.”

  • Plateau govt. to establish malaria vector sentinel site

    The Plateau Government said on Friday that it would soon establish a malaria vector sentinel site at the University of Jos.

    Dr Kuden Deyin, the Plateau Commissioner for Health, gave the hint to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jos.

    He described the malaria vector sentinel site as an important aspect of malaria vector control.

    According to the official, the sentinel site provides information on mosquito vector species, their distribution, density, bionomics and susceptibility/resistance to insecticides used for malaria control.

    Deyin said that the state government was also revitalising its Drug Efficacy Testing Centre at the Barkin Ladi General Hospital to ensure that malaria drugs administered would be efficient.

    According to Deyin, 28 laboratory scientists from the state’ Hospital Management Board, Plateau Specialist Hospital and its School of Health Technology have been trained on how to use the Grade C WHO-certified microscope for effective detection of malaria.

    The commissioner said that the state government had made available constant supply of Artesunate injection for treatment of severe malaria in secondary and tertiary health institutions.

    The official said that the government had also provided adequate Rapid Diagnosis Test Kits to reduce deaths associated with the disease.

    NAN

  • Gunmen kill four construction workers in Plateau

    There was panic in Angwan-Rogo village in Jebu-Miango area of Bassa, Plateau State on Wednesday as gunmen killed four construction workers at Angwan-Rogo.

    Sources from the village told newsmen that the workers were fetching sand for an ongoing construction work when the gunmen attacked them.

    Confirming the attack, Mr Terna Tyopev, spokesman of the Police Command in Plateau, told newsmen that the attack took place “around 11 a.m.”

    “Yes, we received information of an attack on Angwan Rogo village; we can confirm that four persons were killed by the gunmen.

    “We can also confirm that the men were labourers excavating sand for their construction work when they were attacked,” he said.

    Tyopev, who claimed that the attackers were herdsmen, identified the deceased as Adam Sunday, 38, Jatau Akus, 39, Chonu Awarhai, 39, and Marcus Mali, 22.

    He said that the command had mobilised more personnel to beef up security in the affected area, adding that the corpses had been deposited at the Plateau Specialist Hospital, Jos.

    The Police officer said that investigation had commenced into the incident, and vowed to arrest those responsible.

    He advised Plateau residents to report any suspicious movement to the security agencies.

  • Plateau 2019: Why I am seeking reelection – Lalong

    Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau has formally declared his intention to contest 2019 governorship poll in the state.

    Lalong made the declaration at Plateau All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders meeting in Jos on Friday.

    The governor said that the declaration was as result of the intense pressure from the people of the state for him to recontest.

    Edward Pwajok, Member Representing Jos South/Jos East at the House of Representatives moved the motion for Lalong to recontest.

    Pwajok’s motion was unanimously seconded by voice vote from stakeholders at the meeting.

    Mrs Pauline Tallen, former Deputy Governor of Plateau, Mr Pam Dung Gyang , former governorship aspirant, Malam Samaila Makama, former Chairman, National Population Commission and several others paid glowing tributes to Lalong for successfully contributing to the growth of Plateau.

    They appreciated Lalong for steering the APC in the country away from crisis following his committee’s report which gave an amicable solution to divergent views concerning the tenure of the party officials.

    Mr Letep Dabang, Plateau APC Chairman, later told newsmen that the party strongly supported the governor’s declaration.

    Dabang, however, said that other interested candidates on the party’s platform were free to contest the position.

    He said that contesting was a right of every party member and that the party would provide a level playing ground for all.

    “We cannot stop anybody from contesting but for now Governor Lalong is the one that publicly declared to contest.”

    He said that the stakeholders meeting was convened by the party leadership to brief members of the resolutions reached at the last National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja on Monday.

     

  • Mining pond collapses on miners in Plateau, four feared dead

    Four miners were instantly killed on Wednesday in Funga village of Wase Local Government Area of Plateau when a mining pond collapsed on them.

    The reports that the victims were said to have come from Wase, Kanam and Qua-an pan local government areas of the state.

    They are: Usman Abdullahi (33), Abdullahi Alhaji -Eggi (29), Sufiyanu Inusa (25) and Dan Kwala (30).

    A witness told newsmen that the mining site was discovered recently, “and people from different parts of Wase and other areas of the state are trooping there to mine for precious minerals in order to make ends meet”.

    “When the pond collapsed, other miners made efforts to rescue the victims alive but to no avail, as they brought them out dead given the time it took them to trace their remains, ‘’’ the source said.

    The Chairman of Wase Local Government, Alhaji Hassan Garba, has visited the pond and warned on the dangers of such illegal mining activities.

    “Government will deal with anyone caught indulging in such illegal activity which has brought grief upon the state,’’ Garba warned.

    The chairman had also commiserated with the families of the two victims that hailed from his council and admonished them to regard the incident as an Act of God.

    “Only God knows why He allowed such misfortune to befall them,’’ he said.

    The four victims have already been buried according to Islamic rites.

  • Gunmen invade Plateau community, kill five, injure three

    There was pandemonium on Sunday as armed bandits invade Inding village, a community in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of northern Plateau State killing five and injuring several others.

    The incident took place late Sunday night. The injured have reportedly been rushed for treatment in Barkinladi, headquarters of the council, residents said.

    The Plateau police spokesperson, Terna Tyopev confirmed this incident to newsmen on Monday.

    “There was an attack at Inding village last night (Sunday), five persons were killed, three injured,” he said.

    Tyopev, however, said details about the victims would be made available later.

    “At the moment, I cannot give further details about the deaths, but will get the names and ages of the victims later.”

    He added that “people should stop taking arms against one another,” the commissioner said.

     

  • Bokkos killings: Catholic bishop donates food items, cash to IDPs

    Bokkos killings: Catholic bishop donates food items, cash to IDPs

    Most Rev. Michael Gokum, the Catholic Bishop of Pankshin Diocese of Plateau, on Sunday donated food items and N45,000 to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau.

    The donation was facilitated by the Justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPC) of the diocese.

    Gunmen recently attacked some communities in Daffo District of Bokkos and killed many people, with scores injured and thousands rendered homeless.

    Presenting the items to the displaced persons on Sunday, Gokum said the gesture was to alleviate their sufferings and give them a sense of belonging.

    “We are here to empathise with our brothers and sisters who are affected by the recent ugly happenings in some communities of this locality.

    “When such things happen, those affected become helpless; as such will need urgent support to cater for their immediate needs of feeding and shelter.

    “So, we have come with a little token and some food items to assist them find succor, pending when they will return to their original places of abode,” he said.

    Gokum encouraged the people to always trust and believe in God, and show Him gratitude in every situation they found themselves.

    The bishop, however, tasked the affected persons against revenge.

    He urged them to live in peace with their neighbours for the good and development of their communities in particular and the state in general.

    He called on government to strengthen the security apparatus to ensure safety of lives and property in all parts of the state.

    Earlier, Rev. Fr. Bassil Kassam, the JDPC Coordinator in the diocese had commiserated with IDPs and urged them to be prayerful.

    Some of the items donated include; bags of rice, beans, sugar, garri, among others.