Tag: Plateau State

Katsina, Plateau order closure of schools over rising insecurity

Aminu Imam
Katsina, Plateau order closure

The Katsina and Plateau state governments have ordered the closure of schools following rising banditry attacks on educational institutions in parts of the country. The Katsina State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Yusuf Jibia, announced the closure of schools in the state yesterday while addressing newsmen, said the decision was taken to safeguard students and teachers as security agencies implement a new statewide school safety strategy. According to him, the directive affects students currently writing examinations, noting that protecting lives and property remains the priority of the state government.…

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Plateau: JNI rejects Gov.’s move to create “state indigenous muslims group” 

Aminu Imam
Plateau JNI rejects

Plateau Jama’atu Nasrul Islam (JNI) firmly denounces Governor Mutfwang’s attempts to divide the Muslim community in the state through the creation of a separate indigenous Muslim group.  According to a statement issued by the JNI yesterday, this divisive action not only threatens the unity and cohesion among Muslims in Plateau State, but also undermines the peaceful co-existence that has been maintained within the community. It said, “The move to create a separate indigenous Muslim group is a dangerous and harmful tactic that will only serve to sow seeds of discord…

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Plateau Govt. faults military over 27 farmers killing 

Aminu Imam
Plateau Govt. faults

The Plateau state government has expressed displeasure over the military’s failure to arrest or neutralise the attackers of 27 farmers in Riyom LGA. Recall that on July 16, at least 27 farmers were killed by gunmen in an attack on Bindi, a community in Riyom LGA of the state. The assailants reportedly attacked the community at about 3a.m, setting homes ablaze, destroying crops, and leaving a trail of devastation across eight settlements. Afterwards, the state governor, Caleb Mutfwang, asked security agencies to overhaul their approach to tackling insecurity in the…

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Alleged ₦2.5bn scam: EFCC arrests ex-Plateau Speaker, 14 others

Aminu Imam
EFCC arrests ex Speaker

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) has arrested a former Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Moses Thomas Sule, alongside 14 former lawmakers, over allegations of money laundering and abuse of office. The suspects were arrested by operatives of the EFCC’s Makurdi Zonal Directorate on Tuesday, following petitions from concerned citizens in the state. According to a statement released by the Commission, the former legislators allegedly violated provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and were also implicated in procurement irregularities. The 14 others…

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Plateau: JNI kicks, as Mutfwang creates portfolio for Indigenous Muslims

Aminu Imam
JNI Mutfwang

The Plateau State chapter of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) has kicked against the appointment of a Senior Special Assistant on indigenous Muslims by the State governor, Caleb Mutfwang. Recall that the State governor had on Thursday appointed Hajiya Jamila Pam as Senior Special Assistant on Indigenous Muslims. This has generated heated controversy within and outside the state. According to reports, soon after the appointment, social media was agog with comments on appropriateness or otherwise of the appointment. Reacting to the development, the JNI and other Muslims in the State described…

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#EndBadGovernance: Christians guard Muslims during prayer amidst joint protest

Aminu Imam
Christians guard Muslims

In a remarkable display of unity, Christians were seen forming a protective circle around their Muslim counterparts yesterday, as they observed Zuhr prayer at a protest ground in Jos, the Plateau State capital. This unprecedented act of solidarity highlights the growing sense of camaraderie between the two religious communities amidst a widespread protestagainst bad governance. Eyewitnesses, who spoke to newsmen, described the atmosphere as one of mutual respect and understanding, with Christians and Muslims standing shoulder-to-shoulder in the face of common challenges. According to one of the eyewitnesses,  who spoke…

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Plateau: ‘Bandits still occupying over 151 communities’ – Indigenous Communities

Aminu Imam
Plateau attack

A coalition of ethnic communities under the aegis of the Atakar, Berom, Irigwe, Mwaghavwul and Ron Youths Associations, in conjunction with the Coalition if Plateau indigenous youth bodies, has raised an alarm over the forceful displacement and annexation of 151 indigenous hamlets, villages and communities, as well as land-grabbing in Plateau State. Chairman of Indigenous Youths, Paul Dekete, while addressing a press conference alongside other tribal leaders, which was held in Jos yesterday, expressed disappointment over the low level of response by Governments over the years over their plight. The…

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Plateau: Police discover illegal gun factory, recover AK-47s, other weapons

Aminu Imam

The Nigerian Police have uncovered an illegal gun factory in Jos, the capital of Plateau State.  The Force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, who announced this development in a series of tweets early yesterday, revealed that security operatives recovered a fabricated AK-47 and several other locally made guns at the site. He said, “Some of the fabricating machines recovered at the gun factory in Jos. We recovered many well fabricated guns at the site. See how perfect the fabricated AK47 is. It’s unbelievable.” Adejobi added that the force would be willing to…

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Plateau: Fresh political crisis brews, as sacked lawmakers set to return to Assembly

Aminu Imam

A fresh political crisis is brewing in Plateau State as 16 members of the state House of Assembly sacked by the Court of Appeal have vowed to return to the House despite the court judgments that nullified their elections. The 16 members were sacked by the Appeal Court on the ground that their party lacked structure to sponsor candidates in the last general elections. The sacked lawmakers disclosed this yesterday, during a press briefing in Jos, the state capital. Led by Ishaku Maren, the sacked lawmakers argued that the Supreme…

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Plateau: Jubilation, as Supreme Court affirms Mutfwang as governor

Aminu Imam

Following the pronouncement of the Supreme Court affirming Governor Caleb Mutfwang as the governor of Plateau State yesterday, there was jubilation across the length and breadth of the state as citizens and party supporters trooped out in thousands to celebrate. While going around Jos, the state capital, people hurriedly closed their premises to join the celebration. There were heavy traffic gridlocks along major roads such as Airport Junction, Ahmadu Bello Way, and Zawan Junction, among others, due to the jubilation. Immediately after the news of the governor’s victory at the…

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