COVER
Plateau Attack: Natives Dump Corpses at Govt House
From Jude Dangwam, Jos and Vincent Nyinongu, Makurdi
Aggrieved residents of Zangam and Kunga community of Naraguta village, yesterday resisted the urge to put their beloved ones killed by bandits in mortuary.
Rather, the natives deposited the corpses at entrances of Government House and the State Assembly.
The reaction came as a result of the tragedy, which struck in the community of Naraguta village behind the University of Jos permanent site in Jos-North local government area Plateau state, leaving over 35 persons dead.
The incident occurred Tuesday night when the people had slept as the attackers struck killing and burning many to death without recognition.
The killing spree also affected a family of five as well as three others in Yelewata, a border satellite town along Makurdi -Lafia expressway.
The latest attack on Plateau occurred hours after the State Governor, Simon Lalong, had briefed President Muhammadu Buhari on the state of insecurity in the state.
Lalong had also requested the President to beef up security in the state as he put it “we have tried our best”.
The attackers also set houses and other properties worth millions of naira ablaze.
Corpses of the victims were deposited yesterday at the Plateau Specialist Hospital in Jos.
This is coming after security operatives had an encounter with some kidnappers who attacked Kwoi Village, in Mangu LGA of the state this week Monday night.
Six of the kidnapers were killed during exchange of gun battle, which the Commander of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) Unit, Insp. Abdulrahaman Isah lost his live in the encounter.
“Exhibits recovered from them include Three AK 47 Rifles with Breach Nos 868, 106076 and 123487.
“Regrettably, one Insp. Abdulrahaman Isah, who is the Commander IGP’s Intelligence Response Team based in Mangu and one Hassan Mohammed a local vigilante gallantly paid the supreme price,” the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Gabriel Ubah, said.
Recall that Joint operation of security operatives along Akwanga Jos road recently arrested one Likita Abubakar, a Fulani man in Akwanga, on Saturday August 21, 2021 by the Join Task Force of Police and Federal Road Safety Commission in Nasarawa state while transporting ammunitions to Jos.
The suspect, according to report, confessed that six of the gangs had, so far, navigated their way to Jos with similar load of ammunitions.
Herders Kill Five Family Members, Three Others in Benue
Herders in the dusk hours of yesterday attacked and killed eight people, five of which were members of the same family at Yelewata, a border satellite town along Makurdi -Lafia expressway.
A member of the community and Principal Special Assistant to Benue State Governor, Comrade Frank Utoo, who spoke with DAILY ASSET said the herders launched attack on Yelewata between the hours of 7-8pm yesterday and conveniently sacked and murdered eight people in cold blood.
During the invasion, five members, wife with four children of the family of one Mr. Peter Akera, who was away from home were murdered leaving him as the only surviving member of the family.
“This is Peter Akera, the young man facing me bare-chested. He is a friend and a brother, and more importantly, a very determined young Nigerian.
“Last night, Fulani herdsmen invaded Yelewata, my village, a border town with Nasarawa State, and killed his wife and his entire four children. The wife was preparing supper for the little kids who were playing around.
“The murdered woman experienced birth difficulties. She had two miscarriages before God finally blessed her womb and she was able to birth 4 children, among whom was a set of twins.
“Unfortunately, last night (Tuesday, 24 August, 2021) armed Herdsmen sneaked into her compound shortly after dusk, around 7:30 PM and shot and butchered her with the kids, while the husband was still in the market place.
“Three other people were also killed, this is the Nigeria we have today,” he lamented
It was learnt that there was no provocation warrant such blood on the people who were comfortably holding their peace.
When contacted, the Benue State Police Command through her Public Relations Officer, DSP Sewuese Catherine Anene confirmed the incident but said the situation has been brought under control as the police has deployed more personnel to cover all the loopholes and assured people of the area of safety moving forward.
Anene added that the commissioner of police had visited the scene of the incident to console with members of the affected family as well as the community even she said no arrest has been made so far.
Natives Dump Corpses at State Assembly, Govt House
Pandemonium rocked Jos the Plateau State capital yesterday when the Anaguta speaking natives of Jos North LGA amongst others resisted the deposition of the bodies of their love ones at the Specialist Hospital, but took them to the State House of Assembly before dumping the corpses at the gate of the new Government House, Little Rayfield.
The State Assembly complex was under lock and keys as members and workers in the complex took to their hills for sfety.
DAILY ASSET gathered that 16 persons were burnt beyond recognition by the attackers and were buried late Wednesday.
Ealier in the day, youths in the state proceeded to the new Government House with the corpses loaded in a van insisting that the Governor should take them.
The protesting youths were carrying leafs, wearing blacks and furious be could not be intimidated by the heavy presence of security personnel stationed at the Government House gate.
The National President of Anaguta Development Association (ADA) Hon. Sunday Bunu in an interview with DAILY ASSET yesterday expressed shocked over the killings of his people whom he said has always been accomodetive and peace loving.
Bunu gave some build-up to the devastating killings which he said they have never envisaged any conflict that would even led to lost o lives.
“As a community leader I am shocked, when I received the news this morning. For killing people just like chicken without any provocation is unacceptable.
“In fact we started this thing on Thursday the 3rd of this month, issue came up about grave yard and the Ujah now called the two parties (Muslim and natives) after intensive discussions he directed them to go and iron things and bring back the report to him.
“If not for the unfortunate happening along Rukuba road, the report of the resolutions reached could have been given to the Ujah last week, so, we were surprised.”
He further explained the lingering burial ground issue thus; “the issue of the burial ground where the Muslims normally buried their corpses there is that, there has been a road that passes by the burial ground and that road has eroded seriously by erosion.
“So, the road has been diverted close to the burial ground and they (Muslims) when a dug a pit on the diverted road. When asked why will they dig the road and they told the community to go and repair the eroded one and that was just it”, he narrated.
The Military Information Officer Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) Major Ishaku Gaji Takwa had earlier on said security intervention on the attacked community was slow by the vandalisation of the only bridge leading to the village by the attackers.
In his words, “Troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN mobilisation to save the community was slowed down by the destruction of the bridge by the marauders.
“Troops eventually got to the scene of the attack by navigating through other villages and met some houses already burnt and casualties recorded.”
Lalong Briefs Buhari, Wants Culprits to Face Justice
President Muhammadu Buhari met behind closed doors with Plateau state Governor, Simon Lalong at the Presidential Villa, Abuja,
The meeting was not unconnected with the recent killings of innocent indigenes of the state by bandits.
Speaking to State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, the governor said he updated the president on the security situation in Plateau state.
He said President Buhari pledged that support would be given to victims of the violent clashes in the state.
“I also made a request to the President about relief materials and also still re-echoed the issue of resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
“We have a lot of IDPs in my state, we have a lot on our hands already and when such happens, you expect the state to seek support for relief materials.
“We are doing our best, but the President said he will talk to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, so that attention would be given to those who are displaced as a result of this crisis.
“For over six years now, we have been enjoying peace in Plateau state so, anybody that wants to take Plateau back to those old days of crisis, it is not only me as governor, but all Plateau people will resist that.
They have said ‘‘we don’t want to go back to the crisis again, we are enjoying peace, and we want to continue to enjoy our peace,’’ Lalong said.
On recent killing of travellers at Rukuba, near Jos, and other violent clashes in the state, the governor vowed that all those implicated would be prosecuted irrespective of their background or “connections” in the society.
According to him, the security situation in the State has greatly improved and very soon, the curfew imposed on troubled areas will be further relaxed.
“What we are doing is to ensure that there is proper investigation and prosecution.
“You know, both the Soldiers and Police are controlled by the Presidency and right now they are diligently working in my state on a daily basis”, he added.
Re-imposes 24-hour Curfew on Jos North LGA
The Plateau Government has re-imposed the 24-hour curfew on Jos North Local Government Area, following growing tensions arising from fresh attacks in Yelwa Zangam community in the area.
Lalong in a statement issued by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Dr Makut Macham,yesterday in Jos, said the 24-hour curfew would take effect from 4 p.m. on Aug. 25 until further notice.
He said the proactive decision became necessary following imminent threat to lives and property within the Local Government Area and the need to forestall the breakdown of law and order.
Lalong said the decision was also to enable security agencies to appropriately control the situation, as the search for the attackers of the villagers continued.
He appealed to the residents of Jos North to cooperate with the Government by complying with the 24-hour curfew, as defaulters would be arrested.
The governor said that the 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew on Jos South and Bassa local government areas remained in force, until further notice saying, only people on essential duties were exempted from the curfew.
He called for calm, saying he is seriously grieved by the attacks.
He sympathised with the victims of the attacks, while appealing to them to show restraint and allow Government to handle the matter.
Lalong said the action was also to prevent hoodlums from taking advantage of the unfortunate situation to cause mayhem and destruction in the state.
NAN recalls that the State Government had on Aug.15 imposed a 24-hour curfew on the Jos North Local Government Area, following the killing of at least 22 travelers passing through the area by hoodlums, but relaxed it to 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Aug.18
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.
Group Backs Tinubu, Urges Sule to Run for Senate
ShareFrom Abel Zwanke, Lafia The Chief Executive Officer of the Community Initiative for Character Moulding and Entrepreneurship Development (CiCMED) and...
Ooni Installs Oluremi Tinubu as Yeye Asiwaju Ile Oodua
ShareFrom Ayinde Akintade, Osogbo The Permanent Chairman, Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council (SNTRC), Arole Oodua Olofin Adimula and Ooni of...
NYSC Presidential Honor Award Winner Returns to Benue, Shows Appreciations
ShareFrom Attah Ede, Makurdi An ex- corps member and a recipient of Presidential Honour Award, Udokpo Abasi, at the weekend...
NGO Launches Climate Project Steering Committee in Benue
ShareFrom Attah Ede, Makurdi A global Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), International Alert has inaugurated Climate Project Steering Committee in Benue State,...
A silent Emergency: Soaring Costs of Diabetes Care Spark Alarm
ShareBy Folasade Akpan For Mrs Schola Effiong, a 58-year-old confidential secretary in Calabar, managing diabetes in today’s economy feels like...
World Bank, Partners Record Progress Toward 1.5bn Healthcare Goal
ShareThe World Bank Group, global partners and countries on Saturday announced continued progress toward the goal of delivering affordable and...
UN Commits to Strengthening Nigeria’s Policy Framework, Enhancing Digital Safety
ShareThe UN Women has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening policy frameworks, enhancing digital safety, and promoting accountability for online harms...
Nightclub Fire in India’s Goa Kills 25 People
ShareA fire at a popular nightclub in India’s coastal region of Goa has killed 25 people, local officials say. Police...
Hong Kong votes in Election as City Mourns Deadly Fire
ShareHongkongers are voting in an election seen as a test of public sentiment following a deadly fire that angered some...
PDP Crisis: Wike Camp Moves to Conduct Fresh Congresses, Convention
ShareBy Laide Akinboade, Abuja The factional Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Nyesom Wike tendency in the Peoples Democratic Party...