COVER
Fresh Plateau Attacks: Victims Get Mass Burial as Death Toll Hits 51
From Jude Dangwam, Jude Dangwam, Jos, Mike Odiakose, Abuja
No fewer than 51 victims of the Sunday midnight attacks on Zikke and Kimakpa villages of Bassa local government area of Plateau State, were laid to rest in a mass burial yesterday with several others injured.
A source within the community who spoke on condition of anonymity disclosed said; “So far, a total of 51 bodies have been recorded while several others sustained injuries from the attack launched by armed herdsmen in Zikke and Kimakpa villages of Bassa LGA mass burial ongoing.
The source also stated that the information available revealed that the armed Fulani militants, voraciously attacked Kimakpa and Zike villages of Kwall in Iriggwe Chiefdom at about 8:00pm on Sunday.
The unfortunate development was carried out when the state is yet to recover from the attacks meted out on villages of Hurti Community, Bokkos LGA on April 2.
The National body of Berom Youths Moulder-Association through its President, Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri Condemned in its entirety, the continuous massacre of Plateau residents and communities as recently recorded in Hurti village of Bokkos LGA, Kimakpa, Zike and Kakpa villages of Kwall District, Bassa LGAs by armed men suspected to be Fulani militants.
They called on the federal government to set in motion the necessary measures towards not only the declaration of Fulani militants as terrorists group, but also come up with a legislation that would allow Nigerians acquire arms for exercise of self-defense under the monitoring of the Nigerian Police Force otherwise the sanctity of human life would remain a mirage to our sensibility.
The President through his Secretary General Bature Iliya Adazaram noted that the federal and state governments should redouble their efforts in ending the carnage.
Meanwhile the Plateau State government through the commissioner of information and communication Rt. Hon. Joyce Ramnap described the killings as one too many reassured citizens of government determination to get to the root of the wanton killings and destruction of means of livelihood of citizens of the state.
75 Persons Kill in Five Months, Says IDA
The leadership of Irigwe Development Association (IDA) has decried yet another massacre at Zike hamlet of Kwall, Bassa LGA of Plateau State at about midnight of Sunday 13th April, 2025.
The National Publicity Secretary (IDA), Sam Jugo in a statement yesterday evening said witnesses recalled sporadic gunshots were heard from multiple locations and by morning of Monday, 49 corpses were recovered.
This he said is aside from persons injured which have not yet been ascertained. “The perpetrators, according to the residents, were Fulanis.
Jugo noted that there were rumours before the attacks and the security stationed in the area were notified but yes the attackers had their way.
“We spoke with the Sector 3 Commander, he confirmed this allegation and mobilized his men to Kwall but alas the carnage still took place.
“This is in addition to the 9 persons killed last week. From December 2024 to date the Irigwe nation has recorded not less than 75 persons killed.
“This assault on a peace loving people on their motherland is very provocative, vexing and undeserving”, he noted
The Publicity Secretary maintained that what is baffling residents most is the intent of the Drone Station in Kwall which should have been deployed for reconnaissance when rumours filtered in.
“We use this medium to call on the Federal Government and the Plateau State governments to intervene before the already precarious situation snowballs into a major humanitarian catastrophe.
“Once again, we appeal to all Irigwe natives and the general public to remain calm during this mourning period, trusting that the security will do the needful to restore the confidence of the people.” The sociocultural organization stated.
Mutfwang, Obi Call for Decisive Measures to End Bloodbath
Plateau State Governor, Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, and former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, have condemned the wave of killings ravaging Bokkos Local Government Area and other parts of Plateau State, calling on the FG to take decisive measures to end the bloodshed.
In a statement issued by the Director of Press and Public Affairs to Governor Mutfwang, Gyang Bere in Jos described the ongoing attacks as a “deliberate and orchestrated genocide” targeting indigenous communities,
According to the statement, both leaders issued a strong appeal for urgent national intervention when Peter Obi paid a condolence visit to Jos.
Speaking with visible anguish, Peter Obi lamented: “Nigeria is not at war, yet innocent citizens are being displaced from their ancestral homes.
“We have no justification as a nation to be enduring this. People must be able to live in peace, farm their land, and feel secure. This is the most basic responsibility of any government.”
Mutfwang praised Obi for his empathy and personal sacrifice in traveling to Plateau State to commiserate with the grieving communities.
The Governor did not hold back in his assessment of the situation: “What is happening in Bokkos is nothing short of genocide. This is not a matter of political correctness. It is a systematic and brutal attempt to displace our people.
Both leaders stressed the need for a unified national response to end the carnage and restore the sanctity of human life in Nigeria.
They warned that the continued normalization of such violence poses a grave threat to the country’s unity and long-term stability.
In a moving revelation, Governor Mutfwang disclosed that Obi had previously donated a borehole to the people of Bokkos, an act of kindness that was quietly done but deeply felt.
After signing the condolence register, Obi urged Nigerians to resist any attempt to normalize terror and displacement.
Demonstrating his commitment beyond words, Obi donated N10 million to the OLA Hospital School of Nursing in Jos, encouraging the institution to continue producing professionals who add value to the nation.
He also visited and offered support to internally displaced persons from the Bokkos attacks, currently sheltered at St. Thomas Apostle Catholic Church.
Tinubu Charges Mutfwang to Resolve Communal Issues
President Bola Tinubu has expressed profound sorrow over the recent bloodshed in Plateau State, a tragedy that has claimed the lives of over 40 individuals.
In a statement yesterday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President strongly condemned the violence and extended his sympathies to Governor Caleb Mutfwang, the state government, and the people of Plateau while urging him to summon the necessary political will to resolve the crisis and establish enduring peace.
In his call for harmony among the people of Plateau State, Tinubu emphasised the importance of love and unity beyond religious and ethnic lines. He encouraged community, spiritual, and political leaders within and beyond the state to unite and end the cycle of retaliatory attacks that have made life unbearable for affected communities.
“The ongoing violence between communities in Plateau State, rooted in misunderstandings between different ethnic and religious groups, must cease,” President Tinubu asserts.
“I have instructed security agencies to thoroughly investigate this crisis and identify those responsible for orchestrating these violent acts. We cannot allow this devastation and the tit-for-tat attacks to continue. Enough is enough.
“Beyond dealing with the criminal elements of these incessant killings, the political leadership in Plateau State, led by Governor Caleb Mutfwang, must address the root cause of this age-long problem. These problems have been with us for more than two decades. We can no longer ignore the underlying issues. It is time to tackle them fairly and find a lasting solution. I have discussed these problems with the governor over time and offered suggestions for lasting peace.
“The Federal Government remains committed to supporting Governor Mutfwang and the Plateau State government in promoting dialogue, fostering social cohesion, and ensuring accountability—crucial steps towards permanently resolving the conflict in Plateau,” the President said.
By Laide Akinboade, Abuja
As part of efforts to reposition the newspaper for optimum corporate performance, the management of Asset Newspapers Limited, Publishers of DAILY ASSET, has announced the appointment of David Torough as the Editor of the Abuja-based national daily.
A statement by the management said the appointments were part of the company’s new strategy to further penetrate the various states in the country and raise its readership and patronage.
“DAILY ASSET is widely acceptable across the country and to maintain our leadership position, we need to increase management presence, hence the need to create new Bureau offices in some locations outside Abuja and Lagos,” the statement quoted the Publisher/ Editor-in-Chief, Dr Cletus Akwaya to have said.
In a statement yesterday, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of the fast-growing daily, Dr. Cletus Akwaya said the appointment was part of the new strategy to properly situate the paper for better productivity.
“DAILY ASSET has a commitment with the Nigerian people. We are determined to weather the storm and give Nigerian readers a Newspaper that satisfies their yearnings and reading pleasure and we can only do that with the right set of professionals,” the statement said.
Akwaya, a former Commissioner of Information from Benue State said the difficult times being faced by Nigerians posed a great challenge to the media as the people deserved credible information with which to make choices.
“We have a bond with the people, to offer credible information at all times in the best tradition of the Nigerian Press and on this scale of objectivity, truth and fairness, we pledge to remain steadfast no matter the challenges,” Akwaya was quoted to have said.
He said the newspaper will maiantin its daily print run and circulation to all states of the federation and urged advertisers to take advantage of the deep penetration of the Daily Asset brand to send their messages.
Torough, the new Editor has had a steady rise in the Newspaper in the last five years.
A graduate of Mass communication of the Benue State University, Makurdi, Torough joined the company in 2022 as Benue State Correspondent. He was spotted for his brilliance and redeployed to Abuja the following year and promoted to Deputy News Editor. He was subswuently named Deputy Editor of the paper, a position he held until the recent appointment.
Torough has attended several journalistic workshops and trainings to properly equip himself for the task ahead.
The statement also said the Management named Eze Okechukwu as Deputy Editor.
Before his elevation as Deputy Editor, Eze has been Deputy Politics Editor and DAILY ASSET Newspaper correspondent covering the Senate, having joined the organization in 2021.
Born on March 10, 1975, Eze holds a Masters Degree in Mass Communication from the Enugu State University of Science and Technology.
Eze began his journalism career with Daily Star, Enugu and later worked with Daily Trust Newspaper, Abuja as sports reporter.
Aside from his journalistic excellence, he has a great deal of passion for sports.
From Ngutor Dekera, Kaduna and Aliyu Askira, Kano
Northern governors and traditional rulers yesterday called for the suspension of mining activities across the region for six months, blaming illegal mining for worsening insecurity in many states.The resolution was contained in a communiqué issued after a joint meeting of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council held at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna.
The meeting, chaired by the Gombe State Governor and NSGF Chairman, Muhammadu Yahaya, had in attendance the 19 northern governors and chairmen of the 19 states’ traditional councils. The Forum expressed concern over the escalating violence in parts of the North, including the killings and abductions recently recorded in Kebbi, Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Sokoto, Jigawa and Kano states, as well as renewed Boko Haram attacks in Borno and Yobe.“The Forum extends its deepest condolences and solidarity to the governments and good people of the affected states,” the communiqué said, noting that the attacks on schoolchildren and other citizens had become “unacceptable tragedies” that required urgent collective action.It commended President Bola Tinubu for what it described as the Federal Government’s “firm response” to recent abductions and insurgency threats, especially the rescue of some abducted pupils.The governors also saluted security agencies for their sacrifices on the frontlines.“We resolved to renew our support for every step taken by the President and Commander-in-Chief to take the fight to insurgents’ enclaves in order to end the criminality,” the Forum stated.A major highlight of the meeting was the North’s renewed push for the establishment of state police, with governors and traditional rulers insisting that decentralised policing had become inevitable.“The Forum reaffirms its wholehearted support and commitment to the establishment of state police,” the communiqué added, urging federal and state lawmakers from the region to “expedite action for its actualisation.”On illegal mining, the governors said criminal mining networks were fuelling violence and providing resources for armed groups.As a corrective measure, they asked Tinubu to direct the Minister of Solid Minerals to impose a six-month suspension of mining activities in order to allow for a full audit and revalidation of licences.“The Forum observed that illegal mining has become a major contributory factor to the security crises in Northern Nigeria. “We strongly recommend a suspension of mining exploration for six months to allow proper audit and to arrest the menace of artisanal illegal mining,” it said.To strengthen the fight against insecurity, the governors also announced the creation of a regional Security Trust Fund.Under the proposed arrangement, each state and its local governments will contribute ₦1bn monthly, to be deducted at source under an agreed framework.They said the fund would help provide sustainable financing for joint operations, intelligence-driven interventions and coordinated security responses across the region.At the end of the meeting, the Forum reaffirmed its commitment to unity and collective responsibility.“Only through unity, peer review and cooperation can we overcome the pressing challenges before us,” it declared.The Forum agreed to reconvene on a date to be announced.Meanwhile, Nigeria’s worsening security crisis took a grim turn on Monday as bandits launched fresh attacks in Kano State, abducting 25 villagers, even as the Federal Government raced to secure the release of more than 300 Catholic school children kidnapped in Niger State.In the early hours of Monday, armed bandits invaded Unguwar Tsamiya—popularly called Dabawa—in Shanono Local Government Area of Kano State, whisking away nine men and two women after shooting into the air and assaulting residents. The attackers also rustled two cows.A resident lamented the community’s helplessness: “We cannot do otherwise; most of us cannot leave because we have nowhere to go. This is our place, our land and everything is here.”The assault came less than 24 hours after a similar attack on Yan Kamaye in Tsanyawa LGA, a community along the volatile Katsina border.In Niger State, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu has assured distraught families of St. Mary’s Co-Education School, Kontagora that the more than 300 students and staff abducted on November 21 will return home “soon.” Ribadu, who led a high-level federal delegation to the school on Monday, said the abductees are safe, though he offered no specifics on their location or the status of rescue operations.According to Daniel Atori, spokesman for the Catholic bishop overseeing the school, the NSA reassured officials: “The children are where they are and will come back safely.”The St. Mary’s attack is part of a worrying resurgence of mass kidnappings reminiscent of the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction. Security analysts warn that banditry has evolved into a “structured, profit-seeking industry,” with hundreds of Nigerians abducted in November alone.The Kontagora school abduction occurred the same week 25 girls were kidnapped in Kebbi State—victims who authorities say have since been rescued through “non-kinetic” means. About 50 of the St. Mary’s hostages have also managed to escape.Ribadu’s delegation, which included the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), reaffirmed the government’s commitment to securing the freedom of all abducted citizens.As communities from Kano to Niger continue to bear the brunt of these violent incursions, the escalating spate of kidnappings underscores the urgent national demand for a more decisive and coordinated security response.
By David Torough, Abuja
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said former Attorney‑General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, will face a team of interrogators at its office daily throughout December.A credible source in the EFCC said on Monday that the daily appearance was part of an ongoing investigation into the whereabouts of an alleged 490 million dollars Abacha loot secured through a Mutual Legal Assistance (MLAT) request.
The source said that Malami, who was summoned for interrogation by the EFCC on Saturday, was barred from leaving Nigeria for the next one month.According to the source, one of the conditions for his release on Saturday was that he should report daily to the EFCC Headquarters in Abuja for further interrogation.The source said Malami would have to appear daily at the anti-graft office due to the volume of the investigation and the seriousness of the charges against him.”We seized his passport, it is the normal routine during investigation, but he has to report at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja every day for the next month.”He will be reporting for further investigation throughout December.”He will be reporting every day, starting from Dec. 1st to Dec. 31st.He will appear before the team of investigators for the entire month of December.”He will be reporting to EFCC for investigation for the period because of the volume of the investigation and the seriousness of the charges against him,” the source added.According to the source, a fact sheet on the former minister revealed that Malami had several issues to clarify with the EFCC within the coming weeks.“We have asked him to explain the whereabouts of the $490 million Abacha loot secured through MLAT.“We didn’t say he stole money, but he should account for the loot. This is one of the issues he will clarify to our investigators.”The commission cited the large volume of documents he must review and the need for extensive interviews as reasons for seizing his passport.The source said EFCC would not engage in a war of words but would release its findings after a thorough investigation.Malami, in a statement by his media aide, Mohammed Doka, on Monday in Abuja, however, described the EFCC investigation as a political witch‑hunt.He confirmed he honored an EFCC invitation on Nov. 28, describing the engagement as fruitful and expressing confidence that the probe would vindicate him.Malami described the EFCC’s allegations as baseless, illogical and devoid of substance, insisting they collapse under factual scrutiny.
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