There is a popular saying that “the evil that men do lives with them, what goes around comes around. “
There was mild drama at a motor park located in Dange-shuni local government of sokoto state, as a driver reportedly identified the kidnapper who kidnapped him two months ago
The suspect unknowingly boarded the car belonging to one of his kidnapped victims, with the hopes of traveling to kano. But the driver of the car that he boarded turned out to be the person that he and his crew kidnapped on the busy sokoto-kano highway two months ago.
According to daily trust online, the kidnapper unsuspectingly entered the car not knowing that the driver was one of his victims. The driver quickly recognized him, as the incident is still fresh in his memory.
The driver was smart enough not to raise any immediate alarm, instead, he quietly got down from the car and pretended as if he wanted to ease himself. As soon as he was out of sight of the kidnapper, he informed members of the local driver’s union who called the police.
The suspect was arrested by the police. He confessed to being a member of a kidnap syndicate which specializes in terrorizing passengers of the sokoto-kano road.
He had kidnapped the driver two months back, and his crew only released the driver after a ransom money was paid. He had no idea that the car he boarded belonged to someone he kidnapped in the past. He pleaded for mercy.
Photo above shows the suspect sitting in the front sit.
Plateau United face a tough task of advancing to the first round of the CAF Champions League after they lost 1-0 at home to Tanzania’s Simba SC today.
Simba made a fine start to their Caf Champions League campaign after securing a 1-0 victory over Plateau United in the first leg of the preliminary round at the New Jos Stadium on Sunday.
Clatous Chama scored the only goal of the game for the visitors 10 minutes into the second half.
As the Nigerian champions, Plateau came into the match with high hopes of profiting from a home advantage against the visitors, who appeared in this year’s competition as Tanzania’s kings.
The matchwinner was netted in the 54th minute by Clatous Sama.
Home team Plateau United will have to rue the many chances they failed to put away in a game they were expected to win so as to make the return leg in Tanzania a mere formality.
Tanzania international goalkeeper Aishi Manula also pulled off a number of big saves to deny Plateau United.
The encounter was watched by Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr and sports minister Sunday Dare.
This home loss comes after both Kano Pillars and Rivers United also fell in the CAF Confederation Cup Saturday.
Kano Pillars fell 3-1 to ASC Jaraaf of Senegal, while Rivers United lost 2-1 to Futuro Kings.
NORTHERN GOVERNORS CONDEMN KILLING OF BORNO FARMERS
The Northern Governors Forum says it is appalled by the killing of rice farmers in Zabarmari, Borno State by Boko Haram insurgents.
In a statement, Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong said the entire country is deeply saddened over the killing of the innocent rice farmers who committed no crime, except to go to the farm to earn their living.
He said the tragic incident is a great setback to the efforts of Nigeria to attain domestic sufficiency in rice production as well as food security.
He said the Forum has consistently worked with the Federal Government, security agencies and local support groups to ensure that farmers are protected in order to enable them carry out farming activities.
Lalong said despite this condemnable act, the Forum will not relent in its support to security agencies to deal decisively with the terrorists and other criminals.
The Governor commiserated with the families of the deceased farmers as well as the people and government of Borno State over the unfortunate incident.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press &Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau and Chairman Northern Governor’s Forum 29th November 2020.
Saturday 28th November, 2020 was a very busy day for Rt. Hon. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi, the member representing Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency, as he, alongside the Speaker House of Representatives, Rt Hon Femi Gbajabiamila and 5 other members of the green chamber embarked on official engagements in different geopolitical zones of the country.
The journey, which kickstarted from Abuja, took the lawmakers to Lagos to pick Speaker Gbajabiamila, from where they landed in Katsina to felicitate with a colleague, Hon. Hashiru Mani, who was turbaned by the Emir of Katsina.
While in Katsina, the Speaker and his colleagues interacted with the governors of Katsina, Kebbi and Bauchi states, cementing and expanding their frontiers of friendship.
From Katsina, the entourage flew to Imo State to attend the traditional wedding of a daughter to their colleague, Hon Princes.
In Imo State, Gagdi was in close touch with the governors of Imo, Ebonyi and Abia states, further expanding his connections in the South Eastern part of the country.
Governor David Omahi of Ebonyi State explained to the House of Representatives delegation led by the speaker, the role played by Rt. Hon. Gagdi in his recent defection to the All Progressives Congress, intimating the Speaker that GAGDI is an asset to the House of Representatives, whose nexus of friendship across the country can be galvanized for national unity.
The House of Representatives entourage, which used Falcon 5 jet of the presidential fleet for the assignment, was flown to Lagos from Imo to drop the Rt. Hon. Speaker before returning to Abuja.
To us at Gagdi Media Team, nothing can be truer than the assertion by Ebonyi State Governor, that Gagdi is an asset for national cohesion. Gagdi is indeed an epitome of national unity, and he has demonstrated that in the past one year of his representation of PKK, by discarding religious and ethnic considerations in his dealings with his constituents.
One of Gagdi’s favorite quotes, “I know whom they know, but they don’t know whom I know” was in full play.
Governor Simon Lalong has presented letters of appointment to Ten person as special Assistants in Jos North Local Government.
Presenting the letters to the appointees on behalf of Governor Simon Lalong, the Commissioner of Transport Mohammed Abubakar urged them to be ambassadors of peace and development.
Governor Simon Bako Lalong said the appointment of the Assistants was based on their knowledge, experience and qualities of hardwork , honesty and loyalty.
Governor Lalong charge the appointees to bring their experience to bear in the discharge of their assignment for the good of the electorate.
Management Committee Chairman of Jos North Local Government Shehu Bala Usman said the appointment of the Ten Special Assistants in Jos in the area is inclusive because of the cosmopolitan nature of the city capital.
The Chairman urged the appointees to be innovative and creative in coming up with ideas to help the Rescue Administration achieve its mandate.
Former Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly Peter Azi told the appointees to work closely with the people in line with the philosophy of the Governor Lalong administration.
Responding on behalf of his colleagues, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Security and community engagement Choji Bulus appreciated Governor Lalong for finding them worthy to serve in their assigned position and pledge their resolve to justify the trust reposed in them.
Other appointees are David werr, Kudirat Owolabi, Nyam Ajiji and Jamilu Baba. Others areAjik James, Boniface zumtu, Jatau Ibrahim, Anthony Waziri and Mohammed Jene
Philip Eplong Senior Information Officer, Jos North Local Government Council.
Comrade Ambrose Kudu is a native Rukuba, Bassa Local Government of Plateau State.
He is an Accountant and an erudite Unionist with over 10 years experience as a State Executive Council Member of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Plateau State. Comrade Ambrose Kudu voluntarily left the Services of Plateau State Government to join the Labour Movement due to his passion, activism and quest for workers welfare/development.
Comrade Ambrose Kudu has been described by many as an “outstanding Public Servant” an innovative and gallant Unionist, “diligent, amiable, intelligent and humble Patriot of impeccable antecedence”, Generous & passionate investor in Youth/Student/Community Development ventures.
He has distinguished himself and proven to be sagacious, ingenious & possess rare and exquisite skills, equipping him for the immense & outstanding services he has hitherto rendered for workers struggle, via manifold assignments and oversight capacities in the Nigeria’s Labour Movement.
Due to his unmatched and unparalleled antecedents in the public space and his burning penchant for a sane society, irrespective of gender, tribe, religion or any affinity of any kind, he wants to throw his hat into the 001 position of the biggest Youth Umbrella Body of Plateau Youths, being *PLATEAU YOUTHS COUNCIL.*
Comrade Ambrose Kudu is armed with a vision, mission and a realistic blueprint to pilot Plateau Youths Council beyond speeches, but actions and more actions.
*VISION* _REDEFINING YOUTH DEVELOPMENT IN THE CONTEMPORARY SPACE_
*=YOUTH EMPOWERMENT* Comrade Ambrose Kudu believes that the key reason why youths become vulnerable and gullilble is because over the years, youths empowerment has fallen below expectations. When the Youths are economically empowered by the state Government and societal philanthropists, youth dependency will drastically reduced. This in practical term can be realised through partnership and empowerment schemes from Government, NGOs, Civil Society Organizations etc.
These professional bodies will be contacted to synergize with PYC to empower Plateau youths. Once there’s a will, it is highly realisable.
= *YOUTH EMPLOYMENT* Comrade Ambrose Kudu intends to achieve this through a dogged lobbying from top agencies, departments and ministries to employ qualified Plateau Youths to reduce the alarming rate of unemployment in the state. Also, the pursuance of grants and soft loans that will enable those who want to be self employed, to be solely self employment and become business tycoons on the Plateau.
*=BUILDING YOUTH LEADERSHIP CAPACITIES*
A nation’s future is determined by the readiness of its young and teeming youths to take over the mantle of leadership. As such, Ambrose Kudu intends to synergize with reputable leadership institutes both within and outside the country with the help of patriotic sons and daughters of Plateau State who will assist in accessing scholarships in these Institutes for the youths of Plateau. These scholarships will avail Plateau State the opportunity to have a crop of youths who are well trained and mentored in the business of leadership.
Aside this, mentorship and leadership programmes will oftentimes by organised to arm the youths with the prerequisite knowledge of leadership from Plateau sons and daughters who are symbols of good leadership and mentors.
= *PLATEAU UNITY PROJECT* Oftentimes, people had cause to ask if the tribal diversities on the Plateau is a blessing or a curse. This diversity is God’s own way of making Plateau unique amongst others. Though, it has been wrongly used. We still have high hopes in the Plateau Unity Project. Through the Plateau Youth Council, Comrade Ambrose Kudu intends to bring Youths together into healthy discussions and advocacies across the seventeen Local Governments of the state to disabuse the minds of our younger ones from growing up with chronic tribal sentiments and ideologies.
= *YOUTH INCLUSIVENESS IN GOVERNANCE*
The Youths of Plateau deserve to be in the governance of the state. Com. Ambrose Kudu intends to chat a way through, into serious sensitization of the youths for the need to get actively involve in the politicking and governance of the state.
= *FINANCIAL LITERACY* Most Plateau Youths have been involved in one form of business or the other. But oftentimes, these youths will get frustrated and abandon the businesses. Mostly, this happens due to lack of business incentives and proper business Financial management.
Comrade Ambrose Kudu intends to have Plateau Youths involve in Financial Literacy trainings. Financial Literacy as the name implies, is a way of training the youths to be Financially literate. This knowledge of Financial Literacy will help the youths to manage the finances of their small and medium scale businesses, to avoid collapses and frustrations.
In sum, with the solidarity of Plateau Youths, having a prosperous, progressive and highly business driving youths on the Plateau is absolutely realisable; if Comrade Ambrose Kudu is given the opportunity to serve *PLATEAU YOUTH COUNCIL* in the capacity of the position of the 001.
GOVERNOR LALONG, GOLFERS EMBRACE LOCAL FABRICS AT NAFEST 2020.
The 2020 National Festival of Arts and Culture set another record in Jos on Saturday 28th 2020 when golfers adorned native attires to play at the oldest golf club in Nigeria, Rayfield Golf Club-1913.
Governor Simon Lalong, Senator Satty Gogwim, DG NCDC, Chairman NBA Plateau State and the Captain Rayfield Golf Club all participated in the kitty.
Governor Lalong said NAFEST has provided another opportunity for Plateau State to demonstrate its hospitality and rich historical anticidents in arts, culture, entertainment and sports.
DG NCAC Otumba Segun Runsewe commended Governor Lalong for devoting his attention to cultural renaissance and promotion of peace which is attracting tourists from within and outside the country.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 28th November 2020
Plateau: Coalition applauds security agencies for smoking out cultists
*Hails Operation Safe Haven for living up to residents’ expectations
*Charges residents to report and support security agencies with useful information to clean state of crimes.
*Tasks Gov Lalong to continue to support security agencies to defeat criminals
*Insists on law by Plateau House of Assembly backing action against cultism
A peace advocacy and human rights group in Plateau State has applauded security agencies especially Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) for smoking out cultists terrorising the state,charging them to keep the pace to totally clean the state of criminal activities.
The group which expressed concern over the inglorious activities of cultists in Plateau State,thus causing residents sleepless nights, in recent times, particularly hailed the Commander of OPSH,Major General Chukwuemeka Okonkwo for his commitment to ensuring a safe Plateau for the residents.
In a statement, Monday,the group said it was elated that one week after voicing its feelings about the ugly situation with attendant call for the security agencies to go all out in arresting and prosecuting those involved in cult activities in the state,a good news came to it following the arrest of 27 cult gang members by the special military task force.
But the group operating under the umbrella of Coalition of Plateau State Civil Society for Peace and Human Right, in the statement signed by its National Coordinator,Dr Pam Pwajok and National Secretary,Mrs Hannah Golu,respectively, insisted that despite the breakthrough by the military task force, the need for a declaration of state of emergency by Governor to totally clean the state of cult and other criminal elements is still necessary.
On the other hand,the coalition insisted that its call to the Plateau State House of Assembly to immediately prioritize the treatment of the state anti cultism law by working towards its immediate passage for effective and efficient treatment of cult related cases in the state was still in force.
It tasked the governor to continue to provide necessary support to all the security agencies in the state to enable them prosecute the war against all criminal activities.
” We therefore want to finally appeal to Governor Simon Bako Lalong to continue to provide the necessary support to all the security agencies to enable them defeat this crime once and for all,”it said.
The group in the statement said:”It is with utmost humility and sense of patriotism that we wish to sincerely appreciate the Commander of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), Major General Chukwuemeka Okwonkwo,for what he is doing on the Plateau by cleaning the state of crimes and criminal activities.
” We are also elated for what other security agencies are doing in collaboration with OPSH,a special military task force set up for internal security in Plateau State, Southern Kaduna and Bauchi State, to clean the areas cultists, kidnappers and other criminals. The officers and men of OPSH have shown professionalism, bravery and rare commitment to duty,” this is really commendable.”
Regretting that,”Sometimes, last week,the activities of suspected cultists and kidnapping became heightened” which necessitated its statement voicing concerns, the coalition said it was happy that “to our greatest delight, Operation Safe Haven swung into action and arrested about 27 suspects with dangerous weapons.”
” Since then, the town has been very quiet to the glory of God,”it noted.
According to the coalition,”This response by the outfit all the time has restored the once lost confidence on the security agencies and we pray earnestly that the tempo is sustained so that we can have a peaceful Yuletide season and a decent society.”
” The kind of proactive measures we are seeing from the security agencies is one of its kind and as CSOs, we must commend public officers and organizations who have distinguished themselves and are leaving up to expectations,”it added.
The Coalition of Plateau State Civil Society for Peace and Human Right, said:”The massive arrests of these suspected cultists have really brought a lot of relief to the residents.”
“We call on the security agencies to sustain this onslaught against these criminals once and for all. On the other hand,we call on all residents to cooperate with the security agencies for effective results,” it charged.
Recall that the Special Task Force, Operation Safe Haven,on Saturday, paraded 27 suspected cultists arrested after conducting series of raid operations on criminals and cultists hideouts in Jos, the state capital.
Parading the suspects at the Operation Safe Haven Headquarters in Jos, the Commander of the Task Force, Major General Chukwuemeka Okonkwo, said the suspects were arrested at various locations within the metropolis where the activities of cultists have been on the rise in recent times.
Those apprehended included six females and their associates from peoples and Tripple Hotels in Apata area, Westside, Rukuba road, Jenta Adamu and Jenta Mangoro areas.
Items recovered in the course of the raid included three locally fabricated pistols, knives, machetes and some ammunition.
Similarly,a number of drug barons were arrested but were handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further action
VICTIM SUPPORT FUND DONATES PALLIATIVES TO PLATEAU STATE
The Victim Support Fund (VSF) has donated palliatives to Plateau State Government. The palliatives were presented to Governor Simon Lalong at the Maxwell Khobe Cantonment warehouse at the Rukuba Barracks Jos.
While recieving the items, Governor Lalong expressed appreciation to the Victims Support Fund for reaching out to vulnerable persons in the State through the presentation of the items.
He assured that the items will be distributed to the intended beneficiaries in line with the guidelines set by the donors.
Minister of Women Affairs Paullen Tallen also thanked the VSF for the donation which she said will go a long way to cushion the effect of the looting that took place in the State last month.
Chairperson of the Victim Support Fund Task Force on COVID-19 Mrs. Toyosi Akerele Ogunsuji, who made the presentation explained that the item are to be shared for members of the civil society and the Government on a 50/50 ratio.
Items received include. RICE 5,745 BAGS (10kg) BEANS 5,745 BAGS (10kg) MAIZE 5,745 BAGS (10kg) SALT 2KG 5,745 (10kg) GRAND SOYA OIL (4 LITRES) 5,745 NON SURGICAL MASKS 5,000 LATEX HANDS GLOVES 1,345 HAND SANITIZER 10,000 HAND SANITIZERS 15 of 4cl PPE 1,354 SURGICAL GOGLE 1,354 BOOTS 1,354
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press &Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 22nd November 2020.
In its bid to tackle the rising cultism and other criminal activities in Plateau State, the Special Taskforce codenamed Operation Safe Haven arrested 27 Criminal Elements (21 Males and 6 Females) in its night raid on criminal/cultists’ hideouts and dens in Jos Metropolis.
3 Pistols, knives, cutlass and hard substances were recovered from them. They were arrested from Peoples and Triple Hotels in Apata Area, Westside, Rukuba Road, Jenta Adamu, and Jenta Mangoro Area.
The Security Outfit also arrested a number of drug Barons who were handed over to NDLEA for further action.
While parading the Criminal elements, Operation Safe Haven reassured law abiding Citizens in Plateau State of its total commitment to having a crime free environment during the NAFEST starting 23rd to 28th November, 2020 and the Yuletide Season. OPSH said it shall remain resolute to its mandate of restoration and maintenance of peace in Plateau State.
The Outfit also assured the public that it will continue to get rid of kidnappers, Cultists and other criminally minded persons.
OPSH encouraged the public to continue to provide useful information on criminal to enable it carry out it duties effectively. The outfit said there is no hiding place for criminal elements in the State as they will continue to deal decisively with criminals. He urged the public to give security agencies the needed supports to make Plateau State peaceful, secured and safe.
Those arrested were involved in snatching phones, handbags as well as brutal killings Jos the Plateau State capital.
There has been high rate of cult related killings and other criminal activities.
Freelance Reporters 