PLATEAU STATE GOVERNMENT RE-IMPOSES 24 HOUR COURFEW ON JOS NORTH LGA AFTER ATTACK ON YELWA ZANGAM VILLAGE.
Plateau State Government has reinstated the 24-hour curfew earlier relaxed in Jos North Local Government Area following growing tensions arising from the attack on Yelwa Zangam village of the Local Government where people were killed and properties destroyed.
According to Governor Simon Lalong, the 24 hour will come into force from 4pm, today Wednesday 25th August 2021 until further notice.
The proactive decision became necessary following eminent threat to lives and properties within the Local Government Area and the need to forestall the breakdown of law and order. It will also enable security agencies deploy appropriately to maintain security as the search for the attackers of the villagers continues.
The Governor has appealed to the citizens of Jos North to cooperate with the Government by abiding to the 24-hour curfew commencing 4pm, 25th August 2021, as security agencies have been mandated to ensure that those who violate the curfew are arrested.
Also, the 6pm to 6am curfew in Jos South and Bassa LGAs still remains in place until further notice. Only people on essential duties such as health personnel, journalists, fire service and para-military and others, are to be exempted from the curfew but should carry means of identification with them at all times.
The Governor is calling for calm as he is seriously grieved by the attacks. He again sympathises with the victims, but wants them to show restraint and allow Government to handle the matter to disallow hoodlums from taking advantage of the unfortunate situation to cause mayhem and destruction in the State.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 25th August 2021.
Zangam village is a nearby village behind the University of Jos, Naraguta campus. The Anaguta youth movement, leader Zangam District, Comrade. Samson Haruna confirmed to Freelance Reporters News that about 33 people are confirmed dead with many houses set ablaze.
Eyewitnesses say the herdsmen invaded the community early at about 8 pm on Tuesday burning houses and shooting anyone on sight. the community says it is the Fulani terror group, the eye witness added
Sources also confirmed the attackers had disabled the bridge leading to the Anaguta community preventing any access to help before launching their terror attacks.
Pictures shows an entire family burnt alive in their homes while others who sustained injuries are being treated in the hospital.
This attack is barely 24 hours that the executive Governor of the plateau state visited the president with the claim that normalcy has now been restored in the state. There are high criticisms from the governor lalong visits to the President as many think differently about the issues the governor presented to the president.
GOVERNOR LALONG CONDEMNS YET ANOTHER ISOLATED ATTACK ON YELWA ZANGAM VILLAGE, JOS NORTH LGA
Governor Simon Bako Lalong is appalled by yet another isolated attack which took place at Yelwa Zangam village of Jos North Local Government Area on Tuesday night where properties were destroyed and some persons killed.
The Governor totally condemns this barbaric act and directs security agencies who have already arrested 10 suspects in connection with the attack to intensify efforts in tracking down the other assailants and their sponsors in order to bring them to justice.
Lalong is furious over the incident which security reports indicate was carefully planned as the bridge linking the village was said to have been destroyed in order to deny security forces access to the area during the attack.
He sympathizes with the affected people and calls for calm, assuring them that they will get justice.
Governor Lalong again warns criminals that they will be pursued, arrested and dealt with, no matter how long it takes, as his administration will not allow the reign of terror to persist and rubbish all the investments made in restoring calm in the State.
Meanwhile, the Governor has praised the gallantry of security forces that successfully engaged and neutralised 6 criminals that belong to a syndicate that specialises in kidnapping innocent people in Mangu Local Government area of Plateau State.
The troops from Operation Safe Haven and the Nigerian Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) engaged the bandits in response to distress calls.
The Governor expressed his deep condolences to the Nigeria Police and families of the Police Officer and Member of the Vigilante who lost their lives during the operation and assured them of Government support. He vows to make Plateau uncomfortable for criminals.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 25th August 2021.
Plateau State Governor. Simon Lalong says all those involved in perpetrating crisis in any part of the State, would be prosecuted.
The Governor made the declaration in Abuja on Tuesday, while speaking to State House Correspondents, after he met with President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Governor announced that the security situation in the State has greatly improved and very soon, the curfew imposed on troubled areas would be further relaxed.
He said: “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.
“That is why on the first day, I announced a 24-hour curfew but I kept on relaxing it. By the grace of even this week, the curfew would further be relaxed, so that people can carry out their normal activities. We are the only state that has a peace building agency set up by the State government and it is the only State that for now has established an interreligious council. These are all the efforts that we have done and within a short time, peace has returned to Plateau State.”
Governor Lalong said President Buhari promised him that support would be given to victims of the recent clashes in the State, currently displaced.
“I also made a request to the President about relieve materials and also still re-echoed the issue of resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) We have a lot if IDPs in my State, we have a lot on our hands already and when such happens, you expect the State to seek for support for relieve 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 crisis again, we are enjoying peace and we want to continue to enjoy our peace.’” the Governor added.
The Plateau State Governor used the occasion to appeal for calm and restraint, adding that those calling for reprisals do not mean well for the State.
“Again, I want to appeal to people because most of those who are outside the state calling for reprisal are not people from Plateau State. I am yet to see one cleric coming out to say I want reprisal. I have set up an interreligious committee, which comprises all top religious leaders in Plateau State, both Muslims and Christians and when things like this happen, they address it.
“So for people to call from outside the State for reprisal, I say no because they are crying more than the bereaved; leave us. We are handling our issue, we are doing reconciliation and consultations don’t call for reprisal attacks. If you want to do a reprisal, you are on your own. We have agreed with the religious leaders and all of them are doing their best, they are cooperating with the State and we are also doing our best,” he said.
The Governor said Plateau State Government had since given support to survivors of the skirmish that happened in the State on Saturday August 14, when over 20 travelers form Ondo State were killed.
“When this happened, we had to go to Ondo but in so many places that is unusual, but we took all of them that we rescued and treated and went there with a powerful team led by the Deputy Governor of Plateau State with all religious leaders to Ondo to sympathize with the State. Their Governor also said they will also send a team to come and appreciate what we have done.
“The remaining things we need to do are to continue with reconciliation and dialogue. We are the only state that has a peace building agency set up by the State government and it is the only State that for now has established an interreligious committee. These are the things we did for peace to return within a short period of time but that does not mean that we are sleeping on fishing out the perpetrators of these criminal acts,” he said.
Economic Summit
Lalong said Plateau State was already preparing to host its first economic summit, when the recent crisis broke out, adding that the State is determined to host the summit, so as to confirm that peace has returned to the State.
“While this was happening, we were also very prepared for the first economic summit in Plateau State and we are still ready for that, so that people will not be discouraged from coming to Plateau. If the reason for somebody is to discourage people from investing in Plateau State, we will do our best to counter that and so, we are going ahead with our economic summit while we also go ahead with consultations and harmonization of ideas on daily basis, in order to ensure that we have security on the Plateau.” The Governor stated.
TROOPS OF OPERATION SAFE HAVEN NEUTRALISE 6 KIDNAPPERS
… Recover weapons*
August 24,2021
On Monday 23, August 2021, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) successfully neutralised syndicate of 6 criminals that specialise in kidnapping innocent people in Mangu local government area of Plateau State. The troops also recovered weapons belonging to the Nigerian Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) from the bandits.
The Troops in a joint operations with the Divisional Police Headquarters at Mangu responded swiftly to a distress call from the IRT that bandits had attacked the team and took away their weapons. The criminals were immediately trailed and neutralised after a gun duel with the troops.
Remains of the IRT members who lost their lives and that of the 6 criminal gangs were recovered. The troops also recovered 3 AK 47 rifles belonging to IRT team earlier taken away by the criminals.
Commending the troops for their swift response, the Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN Major General Ibrahim Ali has charged the troops to continue the collaborative efforts and sustain the tempo until criminal elements are wiped out of plateau state. He further directed the troops to dominate all suspected criminal hideouts and deny them freedom of action.
General Ali also called on citizens to continue to collaborate with troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN and always provide the Operation with credible security information.
You are please requested to disseminate this information through your various medium. Thank you for your usual cooperation.
One Police officer on Monday lost his life in a gun battle with armed bandits in Pyem district of Gindiri in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau state.
However, six of the bandits were also killed in the gun duel.
Our correspondent gathered that the gallant officer Abdulrahaman Isa Danzakara, lost his live in the evening .
Confirming the incident the Police spokesman, ASP, Gabriel Ubah in Plateau in a statement made available to newsmen in Jos reads that on 23/08/2021 at about 1400hrs, the command received credible information about the activity of a notorious syndicate of gunrunners at Kwoi Village, in Mangu LGA of the State.
He said that “On receipt of the information, the IGP’s Intelligence Response Team (IRT) based in Mangu, Police Operatives attached to Mangu Division, STF and local vigilante were mobilized and swiftly raced to the area.”
“On sighting the team, the hoodlums engaged them in a gun duel. But because of the tactical operational capability and superior gunfire of the Operatives, six of the hoodlums were neutralized while others fled with various degrees of bullets wounds. “
He also added that 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.
Investigation has since commenced and efforts are being intensified to arrest other fleeing members of the syndicate,the spokesman further added
Bandits have invaded the Afaka barracks of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna, killing a naval officer.
The bandits were also said to have also kidnapped two majors.
Our correspondent gathered that the bandits who attacked the barracks around 1am on Tuesday are still be inside the academy.
A reliable source within the barracks told our correspondent that security has been beefed up within and around the barracks to stop the bandits from escaping with the officers.
“It was a terrible experience, the bandits took advantage of the time when most people had gone to bed to attack the barracks.”
“Right now, the whole barracks is under lock and key and security has been beefed up so that the bandits cannot leave the barracks because it is believed that they are still within,” the source said.
NORTHERN GOVERNORS CONGRATULATE SULTAN OF SOKOTO AT 65
The Northern Governors Forum has congratulated His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR as he marks his 65th birthday.
Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong in a congratulatory message described the Sultan as an inspiring leader who has continued to promote national unity, peace and security of Nigeria as well as offered valuable counsel to the Governments at all levels.
Governor Lalong said Sultan Abubakar remains a respectable leader who is always on the side of truth and embraces justice for all people irrespective of their religious, ethnic, political or economic backgrounds.
While wishing the Royal Father many more years of good health, peace of mind and God’s protection, Lalong urged him to continue to offer his wise counsel to the nation, particularly to Northern Governors who have found in him a worthy partner for the emancipation of the region from many of its challenges.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State and Chairman Northern Governor’s Forum. 25th August 2021.
Headquarters 3 Division Nigerian Army and Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) notes the press briefing held by TEKAN/ECWA BLOC of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Plateau State Chapter on the rising insecurity in the State delivered on 23 August 2021 at the ECWA Jos DCC Headquarters Jos North Plateau state and the issues raised therein.
The commander appreciates some of the concerns of the Christian bloc and appeals for calm as the Operation is working round the clock with the Government and critical stakeholders to maintain peace in the state. The Operation is determined to protect law abiding citizens of all faiths, ethnic backgrounds on the plateau and ensure peaceful co-existence.
We are not unmindful of the determination of some merchants of crisis to perpetuate unrest in Jos metropolis and its environs. They are also bent on ensuring that the GOC and Commander OPSH does not continue with his mandate of ensuring sustainable peace in the state. The call for the removal of the GOC did not come to us as a surprise as the campaign of calumny against the person of the GOC started shortly after his assumption of command. Those series of attacks were indeed precursors to this latest call for his removal.
While acknowledging some setbacks recorded initially, those challenges have been surmounted by more deployments, robust mobile patrols and increased presence of security personnel. We have also increased our engagements with critical stakeholders and citizens to build confidence and keep the channels of communication open. It is a fact that we have increasingly responded swiftly to distress calls to curtail crime and criminality in the state.
To allege that Maj Gen IS Ali has not lived to expectation in managing the dual responsibility of GOC and Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN is false. Suffice to say that Plateau State is one of the 5 states under the 3 Division area of responsibility and they have been well managed. Moreso, military officers are deployed for appointments based on their competence, training, experience and capabilities. Additionally, the GOC is under oath to discharge his duties professionally and not to please individuals for their personal gains. The erroneous mention of the GOC’s initials as MS Ali is also indicative of the fact that the group does not even know the person of the GOC and Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN.
At this point we urge the TEKAN/ECWA bloc of CAN to encourage her members to cooperate with the security agencies as they strive to restore peace and security in the state and not to resort to self help by taking the laws into their hands.
The public is once again assured that security agencies would continue to carry out its assigned duties professionally devoid of tribal, ethnic, socio-political and religious sentiments by ensuring peace and tranquility in its area of responsibility. Kindly disseminate to the public through your medium. Thank you for your usual cooperation.
Nigeria’s Inspector General of Police (IGP), Alkali Baba Usman has charged Police officers to arrest and deal with any member of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Mr. Usman made the charge on Monday in Asaba during a visit to the Delta state police command.
He said: “It is expected that whatever affect Anambra State may likely affect, especially Asaba. It is just the bridge that is separating the towns.
“There are always spill over of agitations and demonstrations from Onitsha to Asaba.
“That is why you need to get prepared to deal with any crime or criminality to ensure that those trouble makers are brought to book.”
“You (officers) need to brace up to the IPOB challenge because it is a proscribed organisation, and treat them as such.”
Commending officers and men of the command for their successes, Usman who was Commissioner of Police in the state between 2014 and 2016, urged them to improve on their crime fighting efforts.
Freelance Reporters 