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Tag: Plateau

  • Police neutralises 2 suspected kidnappers in Plateau

    Police neutralises 2 suspected kidnappers in Plateau

    The Police Command in Plateau has neutralised two suspected kidnappers and foiled a kidnap attempt in Bokkos Local Government Area of the State

    DSP Alfred Alabo, the Command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Jos on Tuesday.

    Alabo said that the incident occurred on Monday morning.

    ”Yesterday, at about 5:30a.m., we received a distress call from a patriotic citizen that some hoodlums suspected to be kidnappers were operating in Fangha area of Daffo District, Bokkos LGA.

    ”Upon receipt of the tip-off, a team of Policemen and other security agencies swiftly rushed to the scene of the incident where they engaged the hoodlums in a gun duel

    ”In the process, two of the hoodlums were neutralised, while others escaped with bullet wounds.

    ”Exhibits recovered from the hoodlums include, one locally fabricated revolver gun loaded with four 7.62mm ammunition, two Phones, one dagger and a knife,” he said.

    The police spokesman said that a manhunt had been launched to apprehend the fleeing gang members.

  • OPSH declares 11 wanted over Plateau attacks

    OPSH declares 11 wanted over Plateau attacks

    Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), the special task force saddled with maintaining peace in Plateau and environs, has declared 11 persons suspected to be behind the recent attacks in the state wanted.

    Mr Terzungwe Iyua, a Deputy Commisoner of Police and Deputy Commander of OPSH, said this during a news conference in Jos.

    According to Iyua, the suspected persons were declared wanted after series of intelligence gathering using technology.

    He particularly said that the wanted persons were suspected to be behind the Christmas eve attacks and other recent attacks in Bokkos, Mangu and Barkin-Ladi Local Government Areas of the state.

    ”In line with the mandate of OPSH, we have not rested on our oars in efforts to bring the perpetrators of all heinous crimes the to face
    justice.

    ”In this regard, we have sustained intelligence-led operations, which led to the neutralisation in contact with some of the perpetrators, as well as the arrest of most of the criminals, who participated in some of the attacks.

    ”For those still at large, over time we exploited the use of technology to conduct forensic examination which revealed their identities.

    ”Our efforts to ensure lasting peace have been occasionally derailed by activities of enemies of peace, and this is why we are calling on the public to help us with useful information on their whereabouts,”he said

    The deputy commander listed the  wanted persons to include; Muhammadu, also known as MP Muhammed and MOPOL; Rabiu Ibrahim, Buba Sobe, Senfos Inusa and Nahaska Boderi.

    Others ,he said ,were, Habu Mohammadu, Dudi Mohammadu, Ja’afaru Matakala, Hassan Waje and Sanusi Dafor.

  • MANI IMMAN: How Muftwang has changed the narrative in Plateau

    MANI IMMAN: How Muftwang has changed the narrative in Plateau

    By Mani Imman

    It has been a year of good tiding for citizens of Plateau State since the State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang took over the reins of leadership on May 29, 2023.

    Despite the initial challenges due to the distractive court case and insecurity, the Governor remained focused on delivering on the social contract he has with Plateau citizens who voted for him overwhelmingly.

    As he clocks a year in office, citizens testify that Plateau has moved forward in the last year compared to what was obtained in the recent past. From transport to health to education, to road network, among others, the Governor has spread development to the admiration of all.

    In the transport sector, Governor Mutfwang introduced the Tin City Metro project to address the transportation needs in the urban centres with 15 units of modern MAN-Diesel buses. 20 units of Toyota Sienna vehicles were purchased and branded with security features and trained new drivers for the Jos-Abuja route. 20 units of 14-seater Toyota Hiace buses were refurbished and fully equipped with enhanced security features like; tracking devices with audio-enabled devices and launched into service.

    In the health sector, to ensure a centralized body to oversee the procurement, warehousing, distribution, and monitoring of drugs and medical supplies in the State government-owned hospitals and clinics, Governor Mutfwang revived the comatose Plateau State Drugs and Medical Commodities Agency (PS-DMCMA) to ensure the availability, accessibility, and affordability of essential drugs and medical commodities.

    To improve the aesthetics and tourism potentials of the State, the Governor has begun revamping abandoned monumental buildings dotting the State which have become eyesores.

    He stated, “We need to do something to rescue these buildings and make sure that their dignity is restored and we also put the buildings to very effective use. We cannot allow government assets to keep wasting.”

    Insisting on the need for everyone to make the land of Plateau green through agriculture, he directed the cultivation of 900 hectares of land for farmers in Mangu, Riyom, and Barkin Ladi local government areas of the State; distributed N3.6 billion worth of fertilizer for dry-season farming. To drive the agroforestry, the administration also introduced the Coconut and oil palm plantations.

    The gains in gardening are also being harnessed as florists are engaged to expand horticulture and floriculture to increase the export potential of the State.

    With the determination to create road networks across the 17 local government areas of the State, the Governor directed the resumption of construction works across several kilometres of roads.

    There has been the remobilization and resumption of work on the 6.9km road network from the Rukuba Road Satellite Market-Tudun Wada- Sabon Gari with a spur to Mado; Wildlife Park. Work is ongoing on the 5.65km Utonkon-Nunku-Keana link road with the extension to the Akila Machunga road.

    Excited citizens appreciate the construction of a 7.14Km road network at Chwelnyap, linking to Three Container, Yan Trailer, Main Market, Sarki Street, St. Michael Street, Dutse Uku, and St. Michael’s Loop behind Baptist Church Nasarawa Gwong.

    The rehabilitation of the 24.10km road network within Jos South Local Government Area and upgrading of major slum areas within Raku Belleng, Ramun Gyel, Rohol Kak, and Gyel Bukuru totaling 13.5 km in the Jos South LGA and others are ongoing.

    In the last year, there has been a stable payment of salaries and monthly pension; implementation of Salary Table, implementation of Hazard allowance for Medical Doctors, Nurses, and Health Workers (CONMESS/CONHESS).

    Lost hope was revived as the Governor approved the payment of gratuities, Death Benefits, and Pension Arrears from 1986 to 2009 and the verification of the next phase of beneficiaries from 2010 to 2018 is ongoing while the minimum pension for retirees has been increased from N5,000 to N20,000.

    In January 2024, the implementation of the upward review of monthly Pension commenced and the implementation of Promotions has also been done to motivate staff. There is a constant payment of Checkup dues to the respective Unions. The payment of Overhead to MDAs has been restored.

    On Social welfare protection; there has been the establishment of the Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission to drive the processes of the implementation of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition, VAPP Laws, and Child Rights Laws.

    In education, the Governor ensured Academic Courses are accredited for the State-owned institutions which include the Plateau State University, Bokkos; College of Health Technology, Pankshin; College of Nursing and Midwifery, Vom; College of Agriculture, Garkawa; College of Education, Gindiri.

    There have also been the payments for 2022, 2023, and 2024 IJMB Examinations for College of Arts, Science, and Technology, Kurgwi; settlement of 2023 and 2024 Law School Students Fees for Plateau State indigenes; 300% upward review of Scholarship for Plateau State Students studying in Higher Institutions in Nigeria.

    Through the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project, this administration has so far intervened in 170 schools with widespread renovation, WASH facilities, ICT equipment, and school furniture.

    There has been the renovation of 682 classrooms, drilling of 385 motorized boreholes, construction of 578 VIP toilets, and the provision of furniture, etc.

    There have also been special grants of over N100 Million which were distributed to 15 secondary schools for projects like Perimeter fences, construction of new classrooms, renovation of blocks of hostels, block of classrooms and provision of wash facilities, and in most cases, work has reached 98% completion, and some have been commissioned by the Governor.

    There has been the restoration of employment of 989 Teaching and 200 non-teaching staff to fill existing shortages in manpower in the public schools and a backlog of school fees for six years amounting to Forty Million, Six Hundred Thousand Naira (N40,600,000=00) for Plateau State indigenes schooling at National Mathematical Centre Abuja has been paid.

    With all these and more in the offing, citizens commend the Governor’s efforts and charge him not to relent in delivering good governance to the people.

  • INTERVIEW: All parties in Plateau Assembly have a symbiotic relationship – Speaker Gabriel Dewan

    INTERVIEW: All parties in Plateau Assembly have a symbiotic relationship – Speaker Gabriel Dewan

    Rt Hon Gabriel Dewan is the Speaker of Plateau State Assembly, in this interview with the Regional Editor, North of TheNewsGuru.com, Emman Ovuakporie and other Editors, he spoke extensively on various knotty issues.

    Hear him:

    Let’s begin with the relative peace in Plateau State. Before now, Plateau used to be in the news for the wrong reasons, especially from the State House of Assembly but the House is enjoying relative peace, what is responsible for this?

    First, I want to appreciate God Almighty for His guidance and protection of us as citizens of Plateau State. There is nothing strange about the peace we are enjoying in the State apart from the fact that all of us, the Honourable members in the House have placed the interest of Plateau above personal, individual Party interest.

    We have come to realize that the interest and survival of Plateau supersede any political Party or personal interest which is why we are having the relative peace that we are enjoying in the Assembly. The welfare of the State is paramount.

    Sometimes, the Assembly goes into crisis when there is interference from the Executive or other external forces but what we are experiencing in the Plateau State Assembly today is that we have an independent Assembly where the Executive does not interfere and, on our part, as Members of the Assembly, we have agreed to work for the people of Plateau, not individual parties.

    There are still seven lawmakers yet to be inaugurated to the House, I hope this will not cause any storm in the future.

    The seven members yet to be inaugurated, there is no cause for alarm.

    At the appropriate time, when the appropriate things are done, the rest will be inaugurated, the interest of Plateau is above all as such everything will come into play at the right time.

    You are from the opposition political party, as the Speaker, what is the relationship among Members in the House?

    There is something out there that some people don’t understand. In the Assembly, there are laws guiding our conduct. Once you are elected and you cross over to the Complex, your Political Party interest is out there, everything we do is in the interest of the Assembly and the State.

    There is nothing like political parties in the Assembly. When you leave there, you fall back to your Party and discuss your Party affairs. We don’t discuss political parties in the Assembly during our plenary or legislative sessions so the relationship is cordial. Remember that before we were elected, we were first sons and daughters of Plateau State so there are relationships that exist among us as colleagues.

    Political Parties may divide us but we are one. I am from the YPP, I have a brother in the Labour Party and other members in APC. That doesn’t make us enemies or opposition, it is just we have pre-election and post-election interests.

    When it’s time for election everybody struggles to get power or get himself into political office and that is why you get divided but when the election is over, it is about service to the people; discharging your responsibilities that you were voted for so we must bury the differences that we encountered during pre-election and adopt the post-election interest for the good of citizens.

    Some of us are relations of other Members. There is a law in the House that any member of the House can be the Speaker. Before I became the Speaker there were others and after me, there will be others so it is about reaching out for everybody to realize that it is time for governance not politicking if you want politics, wait for 2027, for now. It is time for governance. Our relationship is very cordial.

     

    Let’s talk about the Executive and Legislative relationship. The Governor congratulated you as the Speaker, since you are talking about the interest of Plateau, is the relationship between you and the Executive arm cordial that it can drive development?

    Our relationship is very wonderful. I can tell you without mincing words that if there is any Assembly in this country that is enjoying a cordial relationship with the Executive, Plateau will be one. The day we inaugurated the nine members, the first port of call was to visit the governor and inform him of the development.

    You saw how he embraced us, ordinarily, it is the duty of the House to embark on a retreat to induct the new Members, but the Governor out of his magnanimity said he would partner with us.

    As we have the retreat, the Governor will be to one to declare that event open. This justifies the cordial working relationship that we have unlike other Assemblies.

    Some months back, the Assembly erupted in crisis because of political party interest but the Governor did not walk into the Complex to shut it down or decide to stop the Assembly from carrying out its duties as we have seen elsewhere. He can only advise us when he hears of anything, he will call and ask what is happening and he will advise without interfering.

    There is a clear separation of powers in the State but there is a cooperation, a partnership for the interest of the Plateau. To understand that things are moving well, you can see that the members attend the Governor’s functions to give him support. In some Assemblies, if the governor is having a function, you barely see members attending. That is a signal that all is not well but ours is not the case. Plateau State has four political parties in government, the Governor is from the PDP, I am from the YPP, some of my Members are from the APC, we also have the Labour Party, and we have no rancour because we have all agreed that the interest of Plateau supersedes all other interests. Before political parties came, there was Plateau and we shall protect the heritage of Plateau and hand it over to the generations coming after us.

    Before us there were members, after us there will be members so there is no need to bring down the roof because of political Party differences that will last for about four years. The relationship between the State Assembly in Plateau and the Executive is very cordial and wonderful and I must give it to the Governor for his maturity, his understanding, we need to be proud of him.

    What will you say to the people of Plateau State, we know that insecurity has been a major issue in some parts of the State. What are the plans for stable security in the State?

     

    A few days ago, the Speakers of the 36 States in Nigeria made a statement that we back the State Police, this is a major request and Plateau is one of the States that need this.

    The Governor and the Security agencies have been up and doing to checkmate insecurity, all they need is support. We urge citizens to be vigilant and watch their neighbourhoods, especially during this farming season. Our enemies always target the period to deprive us of farming and bring hunger to the land, we will continue to enact laws that have a direct bearing on people, especially on issues of security and protection of lives and property, and support the Governor’s agenda towards securing the lives of people.

  • New boost for public education in Plateau

    New boost for public education in Plateau

    Recently, citizens’ confidence in public school education in Plateau State has been eroded due to factors including security challenges, incessant strike actions, poor quality of the workforce, and very low ranking in the national examination, among others.

    Although there is no verifiable record to measure the impacts of the challenges on education, it is generally believed that the development forced many citizens who can afford it to enroll their wards in private schools.

    Upon coming on board in the last year, the State Governor Caleb Mutfwang promised to rekindle citizens’ confidence in public schools hence he began the processes of raising the quality of education in the State across all tiers of institutions with emphasis on science and technology.

    The Governor approved intervention projects under the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE), a State government project with support from the Federal Ministry of Education and the World Bank.

    Within the period, there has been intervention in 170 schools for the renovation of 682 classrooms, provision of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene, WASH facilities through the drilling of boreholes and construction of toilets, provision of ICT equipment and school furniture.

    Mohammed Nyalun, the Commissioner of Secondary Education disclosed the Governor has paid “The backlog of school fees for six years amounting to N40,600,000.00 for Plateau indigenes schooling at National Mathematical Centre Abuja.

    “The Governor restored the suspended employment of 989 Teaching and 200 non-teaching staff to fill existing shortages in manpower in the public schools.”

    To improve tertiary education too, the Governor provided for the accreditation of expired programmes across the State-owned tertiary institutions.

    In March 2024, a 69-man National Board for Technical Education, NBTE team visited the State Polytechnic at Barkin Ladi to accredit 31 OND/HND programmes and also verify some institutional administration.

    The Acting Rector of the Institution, Dr. Clement Chirman commended the Governor for his interest in repositioning the education sector and noted “This is to ensure that the students have the assurance of receiving a quality education that will make them relevant in providing skills and expertise to society upon graduation.

    “The accreditation exercise was possible by Governor Mutfwang’s strong passion for Polytechnic education which he demonstrated by providing the needed funds to meet up with the required standard of the NBTE.”

    Similarly, the Acting Provost of the College of Education, Gindiri, Asso. Professor Lazarus Maigoro added, “We had the accreditation exercise last month. The accreditation status of the institution had expired for the second year running.

    “The Regulatory Body, the National Commission for Colleges of Education, NCCE was threatening sanctions so I rushed to the Governor and he directed us to commence the process for the accreditation exercise which he funded fully.”

    The State Commissioner for Higher Education, Dr. Kachollom Gang maintained commendable efforts are ongoing in all State-owned tertiary institutions.

    These include Plateau State University, Bokkos; Plateau State Polytechnic Barkin Ladi; College of Education, Gindiri; College of Nursing and Midwifery, Vom; College of Agriculture, Garkawa; College of Arts, Science and Technology, Kurgwi; College of Health Technology, Zawan, and College of Health Technology, Pankshin.

    She noted, “There has been a reduction of 50% Tuition Fee to Plateau indigenes in State-owned Tertiary Institutions as palliative to reduce the effect of the economic hardship caused by the oil subsidy removal.

    “Course programmes have recently been accredited in the Plateau State University, Bokkos; College of Health Technology, Pankshin; College of Nursing and Midwifery, Vom; College of Agriculture, Garkawa; College of Education, Gindiri; Plateau State Polytechnic, Barkin Ladi.

    “There has been the payment for 2022, 2023, and 2024 IJMB Examinations for College of Arts, Science and Technology, Kurgwi; settlement of 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 Law School Students Fees for Plateau State indigenes.

    “The scholarship for our students studying in higher institutions within the country has been reviewed by 300%. Through the intervention of the Governor, the State is discussing with some institutions abroad for capacity building in critical areas through the award of scholarships.

    “The outstanding 44 months salaries of ad hoc staff in the tertiary institutions have been paid. The Colleges of Health Technology have succeeded in commencing the process of indexing the backlog of students who have been unable to write their final examinations.”

    Citizens look forward to having an overhauled education sector that returns the State to its pride of place in the nation’s education sector.
    End.

  • Light is not to run from darkness, says Adeboye during Plateau visit

    Light is not to run from darkness, says Adeboye during Plateau visit

    The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pst. Enoch Adeboye has insisted he will be visiting Pleateu State every year.

    RCCG organised its annual regional convention for 2024 in Plateau, having been suspended for seven years.

    The convention held at its campground in Kassa, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of the State.

    The annual regional convention was suspended due to the incessant security challenges in the state, particularly in Kassa and neighbouring communities.

    Adeboye, who promised to continually commit Plateau in his prayers, added that the current challenges confronting the state would soon be over.

    “We were uncertain if this meeting was going to hold this year, but I told them that this year, I must come to Plateau.

    ”I told them that because light is not to run from darkness, it is darkness that will run from light.

    “So I said no more and as the Lord lives, henceforth, I will be here for this convention, “he said.

    Speaking at the event, Gov. Caleb Mutfwang, of the state, urged participants at the convention to pray for the return of lasting peace to the state.

    He also called on them to promote the positive image of the state in their respective locations, adding that his administration had put modalities in place tackle all forms of security challenges in the state.

    “I stand on behalf of the people of this state and perhaps the church in northern Nigeria to welcome our father in the Lord to Plateau.

    “Your coming is symbolic; before now the testimony about Plateau is that it’s a no go area, but we believe that the days of such testimony is over.

    “Plateau will be a land to be desired and your coming has broken the gate of iron and the glory of the Lord is returning to the land.

    “We want to thank you for being led by the Lord to this land of glory, and we trust that as you leave your blessings here, this glory that has been sparked around us will not depart from us.

    “I want to thank all of you that have come from far and near and tell it to all who care to listen that Plateau is ready to receive her visitors, so nobody should be afraid of coming to the state”he said.

    NAN also reports that the 2024 regional convention had the theme “Promoted for a Purpose”.

  • Coal City 2024: Plateau athletes dominate half marathon in Enugu

    Coal City 2024: Plateau athletes dominate half marathon in Enugu

    Francis James of Plateau emerged winner of the maiden edition of Zenith Bank Coal City Half Marathon on Saturday in Enugu.

    James returned in a time of 1:12mins: 2 secs. to win the N1 million prize money.

    Ismael Sajo of Cross River came second in a time of 1: 13 mins: 51secs and Nenfort Mathias of Plateau came third in a time of 1: 43 mins:5secs.

    Also Patience Dalyop of Plateau clocked 1: 25mins: 51secs  to win the female category, while Agbofure Charity of Delta came second in a time of 1: 26mins: Munifikat Emmanuel of Plateau came  third.

    The second and third place winners received the sum of N500,000 and N300,000 respectively.

    Speaking, Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State said his administration was ready to improve on the successes recorded at the marathon.

    “I assure you that by 2025, we will upgrade it to  international standard, ” he said

    Mbah said the state was ready to host the best athletes in Nigeria, adding that his administration would encourage all forms of sporting activities.

    He commended the management of Zenith Bank for pertnering with  state in sports development.

    The Zonal Head, Zenith Bank Enugu Njideks Aroh commended Mbah for the infrastructural development of Enugu State.

    She said that the bank was ready to partner with the state government on sports development.

    Also speaking,  the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Lloyd Ekweremadu thanked Zenith Bank for the partnership.

    She announced a N100,000  reward for  each of  the  State athletes who participated at the event.

    Ekweremadu said that  the gesture is aimed encouraging more participation of  indigenes of Enugu state in future competitions.

  • NAFDAC seals bakeries, medicine stores, water factories in Plateau

    NAFDAC seals bakeries, medicine stores, water factories in Plateau

    The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control, (NAFDAC), has sealed many unregistered bakeries for operating without the agency’s approval in Plateau.

    In a statement on Friday, the Director North Central Zone, Mr Shaba Mohammed, also said that various water-packaging companies were sealed for producing under poor Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).

    Mohammed, further said that many patent medicine stores were also sealed for selling expired and unregistered medical products..

    He said that the raids were carried out during NAFDAC’s  routine inspection and surveillance,  conducted in Dengi (Kanam), Wase, Yelwa Shendam, Shendam, Namu (Qua’anpan) local government areas (LGAs), by Regulatory Officers from North Central Zonal Office, in Jos.

    The Director, explained that the Agency’s mission was to protect and promote the public’s health by instituting an effective and efficient regulatory system that would ensure only the right quality food, drugs and other regulated products, were manufactured, exported, imported, advertised, distributed, sold and used.

    He further stated that the organisation would not fold its hands and allow the manufacturing of unauthorised and unregulated products to be sold to Nigerians for consumption.

    Mohammed, said the agency would ensure that Nigerians consumed only products that had been certified by competent and world class ISO certified laboratories, and were duly registered.

    He enjoined the public to be vigilant and patronise only NAFDAC registered products.

    The director, encouraged the public to also report violations, such as the sale of expired, damaged or adulterated products to the nearest NAFDAC Office.

    He cautioned persons involved in the nefarious act of manufacturing and selling of unwholesome products to desist from such acts, as appropriate sanctions would be applied to would be offenders.

    Mohammed advised intending businesses to visit the nearest NAFDAC office for guidance on how to register their products in line with NAFDAC approved guidelines.

    He said that information on NAFDAC’s activities could also be obtained on the agency’s website;  www.nafdac.gov.ng.

  • Military dismiss alleged shooting of civilians in Plateau by soldiers

    Military dismiss alleged shooting of civilians in Plateau by soldiers

    Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), a special military task force maintaining peace in Plateau and environs, has dismissed the allegation that its soldiers shot innocent civilians in the recent attacks in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau.

    Maj. Samson Zhakom, the Media Officer of the operation denied the allegation in a statement on Monday in Jos.

    The Coalition of Bokkos Ethnic Youth Nationalities, alleged that soldiers shot civilians and compounded the vulnerability of residents of the locality.

    The group, who called for the removal of the Commander of OPSH Step-Up Headquarters 2 in Bokkos, said that the security agencies failed to quell the recent killings in some communities of the council.

    But the media officer described the allegation as unfounded and aimed at tarnishing the good image of the military and other security agencies in the state.

    He also noted that the claim by the group that security agencies deployed to Bokkos had a confrontation with vigilantes was mischievous, insisting that the personnel were professional while repelling the attack.

    ”Security agencies were rather preoccupied with restoring normalcy during the confrontations between different ethnic groups on April 13, 2024.

    ”Kudos should be given to these troops who remained deployed without break for over 72 hours ensuring that the high grounds and other vulnerable communities were dominated in a bid to protect law abiding citizens.

    ”Also, the use of sophisticated weapons by the acclaimed vigilante was further buttressed by the discovery of eleven rounds of 7.62 mm (special) ammunition in the possession of the dead militia contrary to claims that he was a vigilante who was using dane gun to protect his community.

    ”Moreover, the acclaimed vigilante was already dead before the troops arrived the area, therefore, the allegation of killing of the vigilante is a calculated effort to feign weakness and exonerate the dead vigilante from his participation in the attacks and counter reprisals,”he said.

    Zhakom further said that the call by the group for the removal of its set-up commander in Bokkos was malicious and aimed at dampening the morale of troops in carrying out their lawful duties.

    ”The call is not unconnected with the increased tempo of operations carried out by troops under the command of the senior officer which has denied criminal elements on both sides of the divide the freedom of action.

    ”The desperation of the petitioners may have been aggravated by the impartial stance of the commander during the attack which is already given a religious connotation to stir sentiment and instigate spill over to other parts of Plateau.

    ”It is of utmost importance to stress the risks associated with desperate attempts to galvanise negative public opinion against security agencies taking into account the risks it poses.

    ”Notwithstanding the deliberate efforts to cast aspersion on our personnel, security agencies will continue to take proactive steps to prevent breakdown of law and order in our joint operations area,” he said.

    The media officer, however, called on residents of the state to support the military and other security agencies in their bid toward ensuring a peaceful Plateau

  • Mutfwang condemns fresh attacks on plateau communities

    Mutfwang condemns fresh attacks on plateau communities

    Gov. Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau, has condemned the recent attacks that occured in some communities of the state, urging absolute vigilance as government works to restore the frail security infrastructure of the state.

    He expressed this in a statement issued by his Director of Press and Public Affairs (DOPA), Mr Gyang Bere, on Saturday in Jos

    The attacks occurred on Friday night in Kopnanle community in Mangu and Mandar Shar village of Bokkos Local Government Areas of the state recording casualties, damages to properties, with scores injured.

    While appreciating the intervention of Security Agencies in the protection of lives and property in the state, Gov. Mutfwang urged them to redouble their efforts in discharging their constitutional responsibility of protecting innocent citizens.

    He urged them to ensure the perpetrators are fished out and made to face the consequences of their actions.

    Similarly, he warned the perpetrators to desist forthwith from such dastardly acts, stressing that government is determined to fish them out to face justice.

    “These attacks are unfortunate and unacceptable, especially now that government is diligently working to restore peace and security of the state and facilitate the return of displaced persons to their homes.

    “We want to call on community stakeholders across the state to activate dispute resolution mechanisms in tackling issues of disagreement.

    P”Report without delay, early warning signs to Constituted authorities for prompt intervention.

    “We want to urge you all on extreme vigilance and the fostering of inter-community relations by residents of the state, particularly now that the rainy season is gearing up to ensure a safer and successful farming period.

    The Governor expressed deep sympathy to the bereaved families and the affected communities and prayed for quick healing of those who sustained gunshot injuries.