Plateau Crisis: International Rescue Committee Earmarks $250,000 For Victims

The International Rescue Committee (IRC), Friday said it has allocated $250,000 in emergency relief funds to support victims of the recent crises in the Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.

IRC Country Director in Nigeria, Babatunde Ojei, who disclosed this in a statement, said the support was aimed at addressing the urgent needs of displaced individuals encompassing water, sanitation and hygiene initiatives; safety measures, economic recovery and development as well as the incorporation of safeguarding principles across all intervention programmes.

He said, “Plateau State has endured a long history of deadly conflicts, and the current crisis has witnessed a distressing surge in casualties, property destruction, and mass displacement. In just over 4 months since the conflict began, almost 200 have been killed with many more individuals unaccounted for.

“These attacks have impacted 48 communities, some of which remain inaccessible, impeding accurate victim assessments. In response to this escalating humanitarian crisis, the IRC has augmented its funding commitment to Plateau State, aiming to better meet the growing demands for water, food and shelter.

“The situation in Plateau State is dire, demanding immediate action and attention to aid those ensnared in the ongoing conflict. These crises have persisted for far too long, causing unimaginable economic losses, with women and children being the most severely affected.

“We call for a concrete approach to usher in lasting peace within the state. The International Rescue Committee (IRC) also urges all parties involved in the conflicts and other stakeholders to explore options that can facilitate an end to the conflict in the region,” Ojei said.

SOURCE: DailyTrust

SOKAPU Laments Resurgence Of Attacks, Killings By Terrorists In Southern Kaduna

Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) has condemned the sudden resurgence of attacks and killings in their communities, urging government to put more proactive measures to secure life and property in the state.

The Southern Kaduna indigenes expressed surprise over the sudden attacks and killing of innocent people in their communities, at the exit of Nasir el-Rufai.

President of SOKAPU, Prof. Ishaya Auta, stated, yesterday: “With sharp pains in our hearts, SOKAPU condemns, in strong terms, this barbaric attacks on our peaceful communities, killing of innocent souls and kidnapping of scores of our people.

“We are appalled by the sudden resurgence of terrorism and violence against innocent citizens in Southern Kaduna. For the past three weeks, Lere, Chikun, Atyap and other local councils have been experiencing different degrees of assassination, kidnapping and assaults of our people. We see these dastardly, cowardly and callous acts of banditry in all its ramifications as a direct affront to constituted authorities, which must not be allowed to continue.”

He called on the government at all levels and the security agencies to quickly come to the aid of Southern Kaduna people.
“We sympathise with the immediate families and friends of the victims, the entire Catholic Community in Fadan Kamantan, Kafanchan Diocese and Southern Kaduna at this tragic moment.
“While we continue to call on the government to be proactive on the defence of its citizens, we wish to appeal to all Southern Kaduna communities to remain calm and vigilant, and never take laws into their hands,” he added.

Appreciating Governor Uba Sani’s condemnation of the act in its entirety and the pledge to bring the culprits to book, the group urged government to use security agents to go after the bandits and flush them out of their camps rather than waiting for them to attack first then following with condemnation.

“The Sani administration has consistently and repeatedly assured us of his readiness to tackle security challenges not only in Southern Kaduna but in the entire state. We pray to God to give him the political will and grace to live up to his promises, so that Kaduna will bounce back again,” he said.

SOURCE: The Guardian

Night of Terror: Terrorists kill Christian Couple In Taraba State, kidnapped 6

In the early hours of Sunday, a town in Taraba State, Nigeria, fell victim to a horrific extremist attack, leading to the murder of a Christian couple and the abduction of six individuals. Residents identified the slain couple as Balanko Alex and his wife.

The assault took place in the Mile Six area of Jalingo, with Emmanuel Moses, a local resident, confirming the incident to Morning Star News. Moses reported that the attackers also wounded several others during the onslaught.

The tragic incident follows another abduction event that occurred on Friday, where two more Christians were kidnapped on Takum Road, between Manya and Gangum. John Hussaini, another local, corroborated these details.

Abdullahi Usman, the Taraba State Police Command spokesman, validated these incidents in a press release. According to Usman, the attackers breached the victims’ residence by scaling the fence, executed the couple, and kidnapped several others. He assured that the police are working diligently to apprehend the culprits.

Prior to this, on June 25, Fulani herdsmen and other extremists had killed 20 Christians in Takum, a town in Taraba State. Nigeria continues to top the list of countries with the highest number of Christians killed for their faith, with 5,014 deaths in 2022, as per the 2023 World Watch List report by Open Doors.

Nigeria also leads in Christian abductions and has seen a significant rise of faith-based attacks on homes and businesses. Despite these alarming figures, the Nigerian government rejects the notion of religious persecution, enabling the violators to act without fear of reprisal.

The 2023 World Watch List further states that Nigeria now ranks sixth, its highest ever, among the countries where Christians face the most hardships. Militant groups, including the Fulani, Boko Haram, and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), continue to instigate violence against Christian communities.

While most Fulani, a predominantly Muslim group spread across Nigeria and the Sahel, do not hold extremist views, a small faction adheres to radical Islamist ideology. This faction has shown an intent to target Christians and symbols of Christian identity, as per a 2020 report by the United Kingdom’s All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom or Belief (APPG).

Tragedy Strikes Again: Mangu Community in Plateau State Terrorized by Gunmen, 10 Killed

The persistent crisis in Nigeria’s middle belt region heightened as gunmen launched another devastating attack in Plateau state. 10 people were tragically killed, and another injured in Mangu Local Government Area, a region continuously embattled by violence.

The fatal incident occurred in the Kulben community on Sunday evening. Local resident, Jerry Datim, recounted the horrifying event. According to Datim, the gunmen stormed the village, shooting indiscriminately and causing havoc. Despite efforts to alert security forces, their arrival was belated and the perpetrators had already fled the scene.

“The horrifying incident began around 8:40 p.m. Gunmen invaded our peaceful community, killing 10 residents and injuring another. They wreaked havoc before disappearing into the night,” Datim told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

A high-ranking police officer confirmed to NAN that the Plateau State Police Command is actively pursuing the perpetrators, guaranteeing that they will face justice.

Mangu has unfortunately been a frequent target of violent assaults and senseless killings in recent times. In June alone, over 200 individuals lost their lives in the area, as reported by the Plateau state governor, Caleb Mutfwang. In May, Solomon Maren, a representative of the Plateau constituency, reported that over 100 citizens were killed in two days during nocturnal attacks in Mangu/Bokkos.

Governor Mutfwang described 80 percent of these incidents as “pure genocide” and stated that the violence has resulted in the displacement of over 30,000 people. He further noted that the violent perpetrators are believed to be “foreign mercenaries”.

Catholic Seminarian Brutally Murdered in Nigeria by Islamist Fulani Raiders

The life of a young Catholic seminarian was tragically cut short in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region when a group of Fulani Muslim raiders set ablaze a Catholic parish rectory, according to local news outlets.

Na’aman Danlami, the 25-year-old seminarian, was caught in the burning building during the assault on the evening of September 7. Two priests, Fathers Emmanuel Okolo and Monday Noah of St. Raphael’s parish, were fortunate enough to escape the inferno.

Bishop Julius Yakubu Kundi of the Kafanchan Diocese explained that the aggressors initially intended to abduct the parish priest. However, when their plan failed, they maliciously set the rectory on fire. While the two priests could flee the scene, the seminarian tragically got trapped within the burning structure.

Expressing deep grief over the loss, Bishop Kundi revealed, “We found Na’aman Danlami’s body this morning, and it has been moved to the morgue.” This incident marks the second instance of the diocese losing a member to terrorist attacks by Fulani bandits, a reference to the brutal killing of Father John Mark Cheitnum last year.

Father Williams Kaura Abba, a local priest who taught Danlami at the St. Albert Institute, related the incident to a “kidnapping spree.” He mourned, “The seminarian died of asphyxiation and suffered severe burns. May God rest the soul of this martyr.”

Bishop Kundi, in a Facebook post titled “Nothing Can Take Our Joy,” maintained resilience ahead of the feast of St. Peter Claver, the diocese’s patron saint. He encouraged his followers to remain faithful and resilient in the face of adversity.

Bishop Kundi also addressed the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria in Abuja on Sunday. He regretfully noted that the brutal murder of the Kafanchan Diocese seminarian marred the solemn event.

The bishop highlighted that this crime is one among many committed in Nigeria against individuals of various ethnicities, religions, and social classes. A report from the Christian watchdog group Open Doors in January stated that Christians in Nigeria face persecution due to an underlying agenda of enforced Islamization.

The report also noted a consistent increase in attacks by Islamic militant groups since 2015. Despite the rising violence affecting all Nigerians, particularly Christians, the government has been unable to halt this trend. Tragically, Nigeria led the world in 2022 in terms of the number of Christians killed for their faith and those abducted, sexually assaulted, forcibly married, or physically or mentally abused.

Mohammed, UN’s Deputy Secretary, Under Fire Over Benue, Kaduna Plateau Killings

A prominent civil society organization, the Nigeria Voters Watch and Diplomacy (NVW), has leveled accusations against the United Nations’ Deputy Secretary, Ambassador Amina Mohammed. The group accuses the UN official of misrepresenting the severity of the violence occurring in Plateau, Southern Kaduna, and Benue.

The NVW alleges Mohammed, along with others, is downplaying the real circumstances of the ongoing strife in these regions.

The NVW’s Chairman, Comrade Emmanuel Isaac Osagie, expressed frustration over the Nigerian government’s inability to effectively address what they identify as criminal genocide against the people of Benue, Plateau, and Southern Kaduna. The group has called on the United Nations to launch an independent investigation into the alleged acts of genocide in these areas.

In a recent statement, the civil society group criticized the United Nations and other global platforms for perpetuating what they believe to be half-truths and unfounded narratives. They pointedly accuse Ambassador Amina Mohammed and her affiliates of promoting these narratives.

According to the NVW, Mohammed has routinely dismissed the genocide as merely a farmer-herder crisis. They believe that she inaccurately portrays the indigenous people of these areas as being hostile to climate change and intolerant of Fulani herdsmen. The group insists that this is a gross misrepresentation of the situation.

The NVW has respectfully urged the United Nations and its General Secretary to conduct an independent investigation into the crisis in Benue, Plateau, and Southern Kaduna.

Furthermore, the group has accused the Nigerian Federal government of allowing the state’s security to become politicized and skewed towards serving sectional interests, which they believe promotes ethnic and religious hegemony, bigotry, and supremacy.

The NVW has strongly rejected the notion that the conflict in these areas is a result of global climate change. They argue that the local population is very much aware of climate issues, including changing weather patterns and receding water levels, and are seeking solutions to these problems. They consider it absurd to label these indigenous people as being against climate change.

Security Crisis in Kebbi: Bandits’ Attack Leaves Two Dead, Seven Kidnapped

In an unfortunate turn of events, two individuals were reportedly killed, and seven others kidnapped following a bandit attack in Kwarikwarasa, a village within the Maiyama Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

The state’s governor, Dr Nasir Idris, visited the affected community in the aftermath of the attack, expressing his condolences and pledging a donation of N10 million to support those injured. During his visit, he affirmed the government’s determination to combat such criminal activities and ensure the safety of all residents.

The Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ahmed Idris, confirmed the details of the incident in a press release. He stated that the bandits made their assault on Friday morning and have since released one of the seven abductees, leaving six others, including a woman, still held hostage.

In the statement, Idris said, “The governor has reassured the community that the government has implemented measures to prevent such unfortunate incidents from recurring. The current administration is committed to supporting the security agencies in their fight against criminal elements across the state.”

He added, “We will not rest until we secure the state and create an environment where citizens can live without fear, farm peacefully, and conduct their businesses without any threat of harassment.”

The District Head of Andari, Alhaji Aliyu Mohammed Liba, extended his appreciation towards the governor for his prompt response and intervention.

Insecurity: Akpabio Calls for Concerted Approach from Stakeholders

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has called for consistency in proposing solutions to the present and emerging security threats facing the nation. Akpabio made the assertion at the Graduation Dinner /Award Night for the participants of the National Defence College (NDC) Course 31 in Abuja.

The Senate president, who was represented by the Chairman, Senate Commitee on Navy, Sen. Gbenga Daniel said the college had invested so much in nurturing and equipping the participants with requisite strategic knowledge in the past 11 months of intellectual toil, pressure and anxiety.

He said the nation demands that the government deliver the dividend of democracy based on the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu administration and improve the quality of governance.“So I look forward to receiving the thoughtful and workable solutions to the myriads of challenges bedeviling our nation.“We also remember that the nation is also caught up in global challenges which have far reaching consequences”, he said.Akoabio affirmed that “the world has grown from the external defensive approach to security management, where the military and security agency were forced to be the exclusive custodians of security globally,” he said.

He canvassed the whole of society approach to security management seen as the way forward on matters of security.“Also the war has several factors both external and internal, easily impart on security of nations and it behooves on the security to develop resilience to all the dynamics that impart negatively on our national security.“It is however heart warming to note that for this Course 31, the theme was ‘Building Resilience for National Security Development.“It is my sincere hope that the solutions emanating from this college will become veritable tools that will enhance defence transformation and national security in years ahead,” he said.

Akpabio said that the defence cooporation with friendly nations in Africa and the world had brought great benefits to Nigeria and other members and expressed appreciation to foreign participants for partnering with Nigeria and the National Defence College.He urged the international participants from 21 allied nations to be proud alumni of the college in their respective country’s armed forces.Earlier in his remarks, the Commandant of the College, Rear Admiral Olumuyiwa Olotu, said the participants had understood and appreciated the fact that the course was designed to test their resilience and ability to take difficult and complex decisions in times of uncertainty, stress and strain.

Olotu stated that the strategic environment was volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous, saying their ability to pull through the complexity and uncertainty was what made them strategic leaders.He expressed hope that the knowledge and experience gained while on the course would distinguish them in whatever leadership positions they find themselves in the future.“I would like to reiterate to the participants that you need to always remember that strategic decision making is anchored on teamwork.“You must have been told severally that you are strong as your weakest link, and this philosophy is reflected in the group based exercises you carried out during your training in the college”, he said.

“For a long time, however, teamwork has now really been understood to mean intra service solidarity. That is important, but we know today that the era of single service activities is gone.“You must learn and live here thinking of yourselves as officers of the armed forces of Nigeria or armed forces of your various countries for our international participants as opposed to Army, Navy or Air Force officers.“Additionally, going by the nature of today’s realities, the need to keep tab on your contemporaries from other security organisations and ministries, departments and agencies is extremely important,” he said.

The commandant harped on the doctrine of joint service which emphasised joint planning and operations.He also charged the participants to always remember that their role was to uphold the tenets of democracy and the dictates of the constitutions of their respective countries.“In this regard, we are supposed to engage our negotiations and dialogue skills as exemplified during the Higher Defense Management module of the course we just completed.“Additionally, knowing that kinetic actions in themselves are not a means to an end in modern conflict, the need to embrace the whole of society approach in all our strategic engagements cannot be overemphasised”, he said.

The commandant noted it inevitably underscored the necessity for integrated thinking, planning and execution as the civilian population is no less crucial in military operations.“Indeed, there is hardly any operation today that does not involve the civil populace, directly or indirectly, either as actors or victims.“It is For these reasons that the participation of the police and other security agencies, as well as civilians from strategic ministries, departments and agencies on the course, has become inevitable,” he said.

SOURCE: ThisDayLive

Insecurity: Terrorists Abduct 83 Health Workers, Kill 16 in Katsina in Eight Years

The Katsina State chapter of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) has revealed that 83 health workers have been abducted by terrorists between 2015 to 2023 across the state.

The state Chairman of the union, Mr. Mannir Mohammed Suleiman, disclosed this Wednesday night at a dinner in honour of Dr. Shamsudeen Yahaya for his reappointment as the Executive Secretary of the state Primary Healthcare Agency.

He explained that out of the 83 abductees, 65 have been released after payment of ransom, while 16 were killed by the terrorists in different communities across the state.

The MHWUN chairman added that one of the victims escaped from captivity with a gunshot wound, while another health worker was nowhere to be found for the last four years.

He said: “We appreciate the government of the state in providing staff register in all our ministries, agencies and departments. But we equally request the government to review the register particularly in the frontline LGAs that have the high challenge of insecurity.

“As I am speaking to you now, almost 83 health workers across the state have been kidnapped. Out of the number, 65 were released after payment of ransom while 16 were killed.

“Out of the number, one person escaped with a bullet wound and one other person is nowhere to be found for the last four years. We appealed to the government to address the security challenges in the state.”

He, however, lamented over manpower shortage in the health sector in the state, adding that 50 to 60 per cent of health workers in both hospital service management board and state primary healthcare agency were casual and volunteers.

He also advocated the implementation of a circular for the promotion of primary healthcare and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WATSAN) directors from grade level 15 to 16 in the state.

Suleiman equally appealed to the state government to look into the possibility of including social welfare staff in the prevention and curative of disease as part of their responsibilities in the state.

SOURCE: ThisDayLive

Insecurity: Zamfara Shuts Another Cattle Market

The Zamfara State Government has announced the temporary shutdown of Yan Waren Daji cattle market in Tsafe Local Government Area of the State.

The Commissioner of Information and Culture, Mannir Muazu Haidara Kaura, disclosed this in a statement issued to newsmen in Gusau, the state capital.

According to the statement, the closure of the cattle market was due to a report received by the state security committee on the sale of rustled cattle by suspected bandits.

Haidara called on security agencies in the state to be vigilant and ensure compliance.

DAILY POST recalls that the Zamfara State Government last week announced the closure of seven cattle markets as part of the measures to address the security challenges ravaging the state.

SOURCE: DailyPost