TheNewsGuru

Tag: Plateau

  • Troops recovers 23 dead bodies, arrest 7 in connection with Plateau clash

    Troops of 3 Division Garrison Jos Plateau State arrested 7 suspects and recovered weapons in the clash between Miango community and herdsmen at Rafiki Village on Wednesday 14 March 2018.

    The troops responded to distress calls to the clash reported by locals. As troops moved in to settle the dispute, the herdsmen opened fire on troops convoy. 2 soldiers paid the supreme price. 7 suspects were arrested in connection with the clashes.

    While conducting search, troops discovered 23 dead bodies at Mararaba Dare shortly before Rafiki Village and many civilians were wounded. 2 other soldiers wounded are receiving medical attention at 3 Division Military Hospital and Medical Services. They are stable.

    Weapons recovered include one Ak 47 assault rifle with 26 rounds of 7.62mm special and One locally made single barrel loaded with 15 rounds.

    Troops have intensified patrol within the general area to forestall further break down of law and other.

    You are please requested to disseminate this information to the general public through your reputable mediumv

    Brigadier General Texas Chukwu
    Director Army Public Relations

  • Gunmen invade Plateau community kill 25, raze houses

    Twenty-five persons were killed and many houses razed by gunmen in a midnight attack at Dundu community of Irigwe Chiefdom of Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau.

    The Public Relations Officer of the Police Command in the state, ASP Terna Tyopev, confirmed the incident to newsmen in Jos on Tuesday.

    Tyopev said that two persons were also severely injured in the fracas.

    He said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Adie Undie, had directed the officer in charge of operations to mobilise to the scene of the crime.

    “Twenty-five persons were on Monday night killed in an attack in Dundu community of Bassa Local Government Area.

    “Two persons were severely injured and many houses burnt to ashes.

    “As such, the Commissioner of Police has directed the DCP Taiwo Jebiyisu, Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Department of Operations, to visit the scene for an on-the-spot assessment.

    “Armed policemen have also been deployed to the area to contain any further break down of law and order,’’ he said.

    The attack came at the time the Irigwe community was preparing to bury four of its members killed by gunmen few days ago.

  • Presidential visit: Herdsmen kill 11, burn 50 houses in fresh attacks in Plateau

    There was pandemonium again in Plateau State on Friday as herdsmen invade two separate villages killing eleven people with over 50 houses burnt.

    Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari was in the state on a working visit from Wednesday to Friday.

    He had barely left the state on Friday when the attacks were launched on Ganda village of Daffo District in Bokkos Local Government Area and Miango village in Bassa Local Government Area. The communities were attacked few hours after the inauguration of Plateau State Peace Building Agency by the President, who was in Jos, the state capital, on a working visit.

    The Spokesperson for the Miango Youth Development Association, Lawrence Zongo, identified the five persons killed in Miango as Emmanuel Joseph (16), Christopher Joseph (16), Peace Joseph (6), Henry Audu (25), Illa Isa Peter (52). Three of them were siblings, out of which two of them were a set of twins.

    He added that Cenka Amos, four, who he said was seriously injured, was receiving treatment at Enos Hospital, Miango.

    He said, “What happened to us is very bad, (it happened) despite the presence of President Muhammadu Buhari. The state government has been preaching peace but Plateau State went up in flames. Five persons, including a set of twins (Emmanuel Joseph and Christopher Joseph) and their brother, Peace Joseph, were killed.

    “We have been devastated and shocked. Despite all the peace meetings with the Fulani people, the assailants keep killing our innocent people without provocation. It is sad that the military cannot arrest the Fulani persons behind the killings. The government has failed in protecting lives and property of citizens. Our demand is that the perpetrators should be arrested and prosecuted.”

    The National President of Irigwe Development Association and a former member of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Sunday Abdu, also confirmed the casualty figure of the Bassa attack, while the Spokesperson for Bokkos Local Government Area, Jerry Datim, confirmed that of Ganda.

    Abdu said, “Yes, it is true that five people were killed in Miango by Fulani herdsmen in an attack which took place on Thursday night and lasted till the early part of Friday. Others were wounded in the unprovoked attack. The bodies of the five slaughtered people have been deposited at the hospital morgue. We are no longer in a hurry to bury our dead. Whenever we are going to bury them, we will let you people know.

    “The Fulani herdsmen are killing us but they are the ones crying. What kind of pretence is that? I still appeal to the security personnel not to relent, but to step up vigilance and surveillance to stop this pogrom and unwarranted carnage.”

    Datim said that “over 50 houses were burnt, six persons killed at Ganda, while several persons were also injured and rushed to the hospital.”

    A lucky survivor, Matawal Mangut, who lost five brothers to the attackers in Ganda, lamented that their house was burnt completely and that everything they ever worked for was gone.

    He called for “assistance from the federal and state governments” to help protect them from the persistent Fulani herders’ attacks in the area.

    When contacted, the Spokesperson for Plateau State Police Command, Matthias Tyopev, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, confirmed the killings, describing it as “culpable homicide and grievous hurt.”

    Tyopev also gave the names of some of the deceased persons but some of the details were different from the information provided by Zongo.

    He said, “Yesterday (Thursday), March 8, 2018, at about 8 pm, some unknown gunmen attacked and killed four Irigwe people at Datanko village and one Fulani Christian at Nzharuvo village in Miango District. The deceased persons were identified as Emmanuel Joseph (male, 16 years), Christopher Joseph (male, 16 years), Peace Joseph (male, six years), Henry Audu (male, 25 years) and Samuel Isah (male, 48 years).

    “Meanwhile, Samuel Isah has been buried, while four other corpses have been deposited at the Jos University Teaching Hospital’s mortuary. Chenka Amos, four, is still lying unconscious at Enos Private Hospital, Miango. The investigation is in progress; intensive patrol is being sustained.”

    The Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (Plateau State), Mohammadu Nuru Abdullah, had on Wednesday alleged that there was a fresh attack on his kinsmen, which claimed three lives.

    Abdullah, had in a statement, said he was “overwhelmingly shocked” that the Irigwe militias, in an effort to accomplish their mission of terrorising Fulani herdsmen in Bassa Local Government Area, had on Monday, April 5, 2018, again attacked Fulani cattle herders and mercilessly killed three persons without any provocation.

    He had identified the persons as Abubakar Shehu, Abubakar Gidado and Ishaq Yusuf.

    “It is also disturbing that the Irigwe community would always trespass into other neighbouring local government areas, launch their attacks and kill our people for no reason.”

    He had said, “On the same Monday when three of our kinsmen were killed, the same militias attacked and killed a total of 38 cows; 20 of the cows belonged to Wada Alh Audu, while 18 belonged to Umaru Ibrahim.

    “The Irigwe militias usually cross into Riyom, Jos South and part of Southern Kaduna to strike. In this particular incident, they operated from Rukwechungu village of Miango district in Bassa Local Government Area into Gero village of Gyel district in Jos South Local Government Area.

    “They also beat up and wounded Haruna Zakariya, who is now receiving treatment in a clinic at Rafin Bauna. It is on record that this militia group has been unleashing terror on our innocent cattle herders in the area.”

     

  • Gunmen invade Plateau community; kill five despite Buhari’s presence

    There was pandemonium again in Plateau State as gunmen reportedly invade the state killing five persons.

    The attack is coming despite President Muhammadu Buhari’s presence in the state and it occurred less than 24 hours after the official launch of a five-year roadmap for peace strategy.

    The attack occurred in Nzharuvo community of Basa Local Government Area of the state Thursday night.

    The attacked community is located close to ECWA Secondary School, Mingo, in Bassa local government.

    A youth leader in the community Danjuma Auta confirmed the attack on Friday.

    According to Auta, the victims were mostly children and a woman.

    “With the persistent attacks on our communities, most men no longer sleep at home. We do keep vigil at border areas to our communities, we wonder where the attackers of our community came from.”

    “It is an unfortunate incident, these killers are heartless. They do not have mercy for even innocent children. They macheted the children to death, as we speak, we are preparing for their burial.”

    When contacted, the spokesperson of the police in Plateau, Terna Tyopev, in a telephone interview said has not been informed of the Nzharuvo attack.

    “I am yet to be briefed of the incident, but will contact the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the area for details, I shall get back to you later,” he said.

    Recall that during the two-day visit, the president, among other things, commissioned a Plateau road named after him.

  • Tight security in Jos as Buhari visits Plateau

    Security has been tightened up in most parts of Jos, Plateau State, ahead of President Muhammadu Buhari’s two-day working visit to the North-Central State.

    Correspondents of the News Agency of Nigeria, who went round the city, observed heavy security presence with fierce-looking armed personnel in areas considered as flash points.

    TheNewsGuru learnt that armoured tanks were positioned around many roundabouts in the city centre, while various teams of security personnel in siren-blaring vehicles were seen patrolling the city.

    Mr Terna Tyopev, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), who spoke to NAN, said that the strategy was to ensure “visibility policing” and facilitate quick response to distress calls.

    “The heavy presence of the security personnel is deterrent in nature; it will create fear among members of the public, particularly those with evil intention,” he said.

    Buhari, who is visiting Plateau for the first time since he became President in 2015, is expected to inaugurate some road projects and also launch the state’s tractor ownership scheme.

     

  • Plateau govt. declares public holiday for President Buhari

    The Plateau government has declared Thursday, March 8, a work-free day to enable residents welcome President Muhammadu Buhari on a one-day working visit to the state.

    Mr Izam Azi, Head of Service, announced this on Tuesday in Jos, after an emergency State Executive Council meeting.

    “The holiday will afford civil servants and other citizens the opportunity to give the President a rousing welcome,” Azi said.

    Meanwhile, Mr Yakubu Dati, Commissioner for Information and Communication, has said that there would be restriction of movement during the visit, especially around areas the President would inaugurate projects.

    Dati said that government had created alternative routes in affected areas, adding that security agencies would guide movements during the day.

     

  • Police confirm five dead in fresh Mambilla Plateau attacks

    The Taraba State Police Command have confirmed that five people were killed and several others injured in fresh attacks on communities in Sardauna local government area of the state.

    The state’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), David Misal, told the newsmen on Saturday that the crisis erupted in Nyiwa and Yerimaru areas on Thursday as a result of a misunderstanding between a farmer and a herder.

    He said units of mobile policemen and soldiers from the 20 battalion in Serti have been deployed to the area to maintain law and order.

    Mr. Misal added that the situation, which led to the burning of several homes and killing of many cows, has been brought under control.

    A victim of the attack, Abubakar Ardo, who escaped with his family, told NAN in Gembu that the attacks started at midday on Thursday and most of the killings occurred in the night.

    He said almost all houses in about 15 Fulani communities were torched by the assailants.

    Mr. Ardo said the timely arrival of soldiers and police prevented further killings and destruction of property.

    He said about 15 people were killed during the violence on Thursday evening, adding that five of those killed were buried in Gembu on Friday.

    Mr. Ardo also confirmed that security personnel have been drafted to the trouble areas leading to restoration of peace.

    He called on the state government and security agencies to apprehend and prosecute perpetrators to serve as deterrent to others.

  • 1 student killed in Plateau college protest

    One student was killed while two others sustained injuries as students of College of Education, Gindiri in Plateau, protested against non issuance of new identity cards.

    It was reported, the protest took place on Thursday evening and later turned violent when security men were drafted to intervene.

    However, Mr Cornelius Ka’ankuka, Acting Provost of the College, told Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau and his deputy on Friday that the management had promised to address the students’ demands within two weeks.

    Ka’ankuka said that the corpse of the deceased student, Manji Philemon, has been deposited at the state hospital mortuary and would be released to the family for burial.

    The provost said that the students burned down the school clinic after the injured students were treated and discharged.

    He said that 33 vehicles were damaged with seven of them, including the school ambulance, completely burnt.

    “The students shattered the windows of the administrative block, the school library and vandalised COASU Corporative Society Shop and looted all goods in the shop including bags of rice and vegetable oil.

    “The students also went to the rented residence of the former provost and destroyed some properties and burnt down two cars that were parked in the premises,’’ he said.

    Lalong expressed disappointment with the incident in spite of his administration’s efforts to improve facilities in schools in the state.

    The governor, who was on the spot assessment visit to the college, vowed to deal decisively with those involved in the ugly incident.

    He said that a committee would be set up to investigate the cause of the unrest.

    “After we receive the report we will show an example with those found wanting,’’ the governor said.

    The school has been closed down indefinitely as students were seen parking out of their hostels.

  • Fire razes ultra-modern IDP camp in Plateau

    The newly constructed ultra-modern Internally Displaced Persons ( IDPs ) Camp in Shendam Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau has been razed by fire.

    The camp was constructed by the Presidential Committee on Flood, Relief and Rehabilitation, which came into being after the 2012 flood disaster that ravaged 24 states in the country.

    Mr Bintan Wuyep, Director, Relief and Rehabilitation, Plateau Emergency Management Agency ( SEMA ) confirmed the inferno while speaking with our reporter in Jos on Thursday.

    Wuyep, who is the Acting Executive Secretary of the agency, said the disaster occurred on Tuesday.

    He said, however, that SEMA had been unable to assess the level of damage due to paucity of funds.

    “We don’t have funds even to fuel our vehicle to go to the camp to ascertain the cause of the inferno and assess the extent of damage.

    “We have gone everywhere even for a loan, but we have not succeeded.

    “Hence, we cannot give the exact level of damage caused by the sad incident,” Wuyep said.

    The Acting executive secretary described the incident as “a big loss to Plateau and Nigeria as a whole.’’

    According to him, the camp was meant to house Displaced Persons that might be affected in future disaster in any part of the state.

    Wuyep added that SEMA had already informed the Presidential Committee of the sad development.

    “The committee told us to assess the damage and formally write a report informing them of the cause and extent of damage.

    “But like I said earlier, we are constrained by lack of funds,” he said.

    Wuyep appealed to the State Government to empower the agency with funds to enable it function according to the law establishing it.

    He commended the State House of Assembly for its resolve to investigate the cause of the inferno.

    Wuyep stated that the action was not just timely but necessary.

  • JUST IN: Fulani herdsmen invade Plateau, kill three, raze 12 houses

    There was pandemonium in Huke village, Miango in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State as three persons between 70 and 100 years were confirmed dead and over 12 houses razed during an attack by Fulani herdsmen.

    The victims are Ahmadu Hwie, Odoh Hwie and Gado Kondo.

    The attack according to a report by The Punch happened on Friday night.

    The spokesperson of Plateau State Police Command, Matthias Tyopev, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, confirmed the killing of the three men.

    He said, “On January 26 2018 at about 18:30 hr, while our men were sustaining patrols around Rafi-Bauna and Jebu-Miango areas, they received information that at about 18:15 hrs of same date, a gang of armed men suspected to be Fulani herdsmen were seen killing people and burning down houses at Huke village in Miango Chiefdom, Bassa LGA of Plateau State.

    “On receipt of this information, they immediately mobilised to the area. While getting close to the village the suspected herdsmen, on sighting our patrol vehicles, took to their heels. As a result of the attack, some people were shot and killed.

    “They are Ahmadu Hwie (male 100 years old); Odoh Hwie (male 90 years) and Gado Kondo (male 70 years old), all of Huke Village, Miango Bassa LGA. Ten houses were also set ablaze by the same attackers.

    “The suspected herdsmen have adopted guerrilla tactics of hit and run. As such, the Commissioner of Police Plateau State Command, Jos, Undie Adie, has deployed more police personnel to the area for effective coverage and robust patrol to curtail the incidents of attacks.

    “The CP has also deployed the State Investigation and Intelligence Bureau Operatives to intelligently sniff for information to end the attacks and bring perpetrators to book. Meanwhile, investigation is in progress and members of the public are enjoined to avail the Police with useful information to unravel the remote and immediate causes of these attacks for a permanent solution.”