I wish to extend my sincere condolences to the family of *Nde Peter Bala* over the gruesome murder of their son , *Mr Rinji Peter Bala* which has become a thing of concern to the family, youth groups, his peers and the entire plateau state.

It’s a plain tragedy to lose such a promising young man who was an inspiration to his peers at such a prime age. I stand with you in this moment of grief.

I call on the commandant of the *Operation Safe Heaven (OPSH) and his entire team to take drastic action that would curtail the further recurrence of such mistakes.* I so much feel it in me when plateau youths cry out *”we want justice for Rinji”* just to know we are tired of their mistakes which often result to loss of vibrant youths with bright future every year.

Today, we demand that legal action be taken and justice must prevail though that won’t bring back the deceased but to ensure these kinds of professional ineptitudes don’t continue.

*I call on the family, plateau and particularly Kanke youths* to all take heart as we lay our dear son, friend and a brother to rest. may God gives us the heart to bear this irreplaceable lost.

COMRADE RINJI TITUS TENPO

*“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning to dance in the rain. “*

This is a lesson learned
from Bobo .
Not only did he dance in the rain, he wanted to dance and experience another storm.
If he hadn’t learned to dance; he may have remained dry, but unfulfilled. He was fulfilled and loved by many.
And more importantly, he enjoyed them both! He had been given the gift to make the most of every day. We have all learned from him. He was not rebelling against anything or anyone. He was a free-spirit who lived in the present, and again, on his terms.
He was a dreamer. He was a leader.
He had followers. He could enter a room and brighten it with his smile, his attitude, or just his presence. He had “it.”

I’ve learned over the past days just how strong he was. I’ve learned from him, his father, mother,uncles, aunties, his cousins, his friends and acquaintances. He made friends so easily and was true to each and every one of them. He supported them, guided them and made them happy.
I stand here today with a broken heart. The loss of Bobo is something I could have never imagined for. Even during the past few days, under insurmountable odds, I refused to imagine that he was just killed.. He wasn’t ready. He had so many dreams and so many plans for the future. He would have made these dreams come true.
He was prepared to lived on, but never had a chance to lace up the gloves because those that are supposed to protect him are thesame that killed him *”Betrayal of the first order “.*
He did not die on his terms. He did not want to leave us. He loved us. He will continue to love us.
My Bobo, Rinji Peter Bala , died a man@20. He died with the dignity and the respect he deserved. He achieved his goal of making us proud. He achieved his goal of being proud of himself and the pride of his family. His dancing steps all over the media which is an indication to a promising and a brighter future ahead, but cut short!!!
Bobo full of life and love!
Our lives will never be the same.
Rinji my Bobo, we love you with all our heart; I am profoundly proud of you; I look forward to seeing you again when the time comes. Your father is a good man who is well respected and will continue to be the best to your sisters, to his community and the world at large, as you expect. We will continue to seek justice, as you wished.
We will not let you down. It’s our turn to make you proud and put and end to such act of unprofessionalalism by our today securities operatives *”those that for the storm to pass. It’s about learning to dance in the rain.”*
Rest in peace our son; and never, never stop dancing in the rain as heaven await you.
We say that the hour of death cannot be forecast, but when we say this we imagine that hour as placed in an obscure and distant future.
It never occurs to us that it has any connection with the day already begun or that death could arrive this same evening , this evening which is so certain and which has every hour filled in advance.
Rinji, we used to call you “Bobo”. I am confident that Rinji is now with our creator. He will be in our hearts forever. We thank God that you became part of our life’s journey. We will always be proud of you.
*Sleep on my Bobo till we meet at Jesus feet.*

COMMENDATION FROM CAN
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Plateau State chapter commends Plateau State Commissioner of Police and the Police Command on the capture of the killers and abductors of Dr. Nandi Drenkat a University of Jos lecturer and his daughter Joanna Drenkat respectively.
It is enthusiastic that amidst tears, sorrow and sadness and while still mourning the calloused killing of Rinji Peter Bala comes the cheering news of the apprehension of the criminals who also are enemies of humanity that give citizens of Plateau Sleepless nights with their nefarious activities of homicides and abductions for ransom.
Even though their capture will not bring back to life our dead citizens of Plateau, especially our lecturer of repute, we are highly elated that the perpetrators of the callous act have been captured, identified and will soon be publicly known.
CAN commiserates with the wife, family and Jos University community on the sad murder of their promising husband, relation and lecturer, Dr. Drenkat, with the prayer that God Almighty will comfort you all.
CAN is thankful to God for holding the minds of the criminals from harming our dear daughter and other kidnapped victim. It could have been very traumatic, unbearable and double sorrow and tragedy if the culprits had kill their victims as they did to Dr. Nandi.
CAN commends the Commissioner of Police in the state for taking proactive steps by organising and deploying a combined team made of Conventional Policemen, Mobile Policemen, operatives from Anti kidnapping unit including grassroots vigilante and hunters which yielded laudable results.
CAN commends the gallantry of the Police and admonishes them to hold unto, and multiply their commitment in fizzling out crimes and apprehending criminals.
CAN calls on the government to continue valuing the roles of the vigilantes and hunters who are more familiar with the terrain of the community and coopt them in stemming crimes and arresting criminals in the state.
CAN equally commends the Governor and Government of Plateau State for giving the Police free hand in carrying out their tasks of securing lives and properties of its citizens.
CAN prays and trusts that God will help the police and the combined team in their relentless efforts to capture the other fleeing kidnappers; and by so doing the victories recorded will change the usual narrative of unknown criminals.
May God continue to comfort Joanna, remove the stress she went through and grant her inner peace and gradually cause her to overcome memories and traumas she went through. One could only imagine the trauma a 7 year old girl is passing through with such nasty experiences.
CAN calls on Plateau citizens to cooperate and synergize with the police in their quest to sustaining peace and security of lives and properties in the state.
May the same efforts be extended all round the state.
Once more congratulations Police Commissioner!
The church welcomes you and assures you of its cooperation for the sustainability peace in the state.
Signed:
Rev Dr. Soja Bewarang
CAN Chairman Plateau State Chapter

PRESS STATEMENT

GOVERNOR LALONG BRIEFS THE MEDIA

Plateau State Governor Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong will be addressing the media today, Sunday 17th May 2020 at 4pm to brief them on developments about efforts to tackle COVID-19.
The briefing will be transmitted live on PRTV Peace 90.5. All media stations are enjoined to hook up for the briefing.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham, ANIPR
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.
17th May 2020.

Plateau state Police command on Sunday paraded  a suspected kidnapper, who participated in the killing of a Unijos Lecturer .

It could be recalled that Gunmen attacked the University of Jos Staff Quarters on Friday night and shot dead a lecturer identified as Dr Nendi Drengkat.

It was learnt that the gunmen also kidnapped Drengkat’s six-year-old daughter in the attack.

Addressing newsmen the Commissioner of Police in Plateau  CP Edward Egbua said the command also   recovered  one AK 47 riffle,  29 rounds of live ammunition  and rescue of two kidnapped victims.

He said  On 16/5/2020 at about 0030hrs, the Command received a distress call  at road 6 University  Senior staff quarters  Jos where some hoodlums entered the house of one Dr. Nandi Drenkat ‘m’ a lecturer with the University of Jos where he was shot and his six years old daughter was kidnapped.
Immediately  the Command received  the information, on the same date at about 0530 hours, a combined team of conventional  police men, mobile men, operatives from anti kidnapping unit, vigilante group  and hunters were deployed to the hilly  areas  where the kidnapped victim was suspected to have been kept, scene was thoroughly cumbed and in the process,  the kidnappers were sighted on the hill and there was a gun duel between the operatives and the kidnappers. In the process one of the kidnappers name Ali Mohammed ‘m’  of Narabi was shot on his right leg and was  arrested with one AK 47 rifle with breach Number  1984/AP 0240, 29 rounds of live ammunition was also recovered from him. A kidnapped victim name Chiboze Joseph ‘m’ was rescued unhurt while other bandits fled with blood injuries.
On interrogation,  the suspect confessed to the crime.  Case under investigation and will be charged to court as soon as possible.

Furtherance to the incident above,  the teams of operatives were relentless and at about 1600 hours they extended their search for the last kidnapped victim to Babale mountain, Jos north LGA and on sighting the combined  teams,the hoodlums opened fire on them, the teams overpowered the hoodlums  which led to the rescue of the kidnapped victim Joanna Drenkat ‘f’six years old unhurt.
Manhunt for the fleeing suspect  continues.
The Commissioner of Police is soliciting for useful  information  from members  of the public to aid in the arrest  of the fleeing suspects.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed its Jos Office to launch full scape investigation into the extra judicial killing of 20 year old undergraduate of University of Jos, Mr. Rinji Peter Bala popularly known as ‘Bobo’ who was allegedly killed on Tuesday 12th May, 2020 by security personnel attached to Operation Safe Haven after being arrested in his community.

The apex Human rights body described the killing of Rinji as inhuman and a gross violation of his right to life as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended and other international human rights instruments to which Nigeria is a party.
This was contained in a statement signed by its Director Corporate Affairs and External Linkages, Lambert Oparah which reads;
PRESS RELEASE
17th May 2020

NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION INVESTIGATES THE EXTRA JUDICIAL KILLING OF UNIJOS UNDERGRATUATE , RINJI PETER BALA.

The National Human Rights Commission ( NHRC) has condemned in strong terms the recent gruesome killing of a young University of Jos undergraduate, Rinji Peter Bala allegedly by security operatives along Zaria Road, Jos, Plateau State.

The Commission’s Executive Secretary Tony Ojukwu esq said the apex Human rights body has launched a full scale investigation into the unfortunate death of the student sequel to the preliminary findings received by the office headquarters, Abuja.
The Commission described the killing of Rinji as inhuman and a gross violation of his right to life as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended and other international human rights instruments to which Nigeria is a party.
Consequently, the Commission Ojukwu said has directed the Jos office of the Commission to investigate the circumstances surrounding the killing of the young man with a view to bringing the perpetrators to book.
A release by the Director Corporate Affairs and External Linkages of NHRC, Lambert Oparah, quoted the Executive Secretary to have appealed to members of the public to remain calm promising that all those involved in the dastardly act will be fished out and brought book.

“This is in line with the Commission’s mandate of monitoring and investigating all alleged cases of human rights violations in the country and seek appropriate redress and remedies for victims”

The NHRC Executive Secretary Commiserated with the family of the deceased and calls for calm , assuring that no stone will be left unturned in getting to the root of the sad incident .

At the wake of the COVID-19 Lockdown, the NHRC has been working with relevant CSO’S and members of the public in monitoring and documenting human rights violations by law enforcement agencies. Between 31st March and 4th May 2020 , of the lockdown, the Commission documented a total of 209 rights violations bordering on Extra Judicial killings, torture, inhuman and degrading treatment,violations of rights to freedom of movement, unlawful arrest and detention, seizure of properties, Gender based , (SGBV) as well as domestic violence . Twenty-nine (29) of the complaints were extrajudicial killings, resulting to deaths.

Lambert Oparah
Director Corporate Affairs and External Linkages
17TH MAY 2020.

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

It has come to the notice of the Plateau State Government that there is a proliferation of fake documents flying about in the name of passes.

Some of such fake documents take the form of letters both photo copies and originals.

This attitude has contributed to frustrating the enforcement of the lock down exercise and the Presidential curfew across the State.

This has also put such persons on coalition course with enforcers of the Presidential and Executive orders in the State.

In the light of the above, Government calls upon all and sundry to note as follows:

1. That all passes issued by the state task force on COVID-19 are time bound and have expiry dates.
2. That any letter of exemption so certified by any organisation must be presented as original that as photo copies will not be accepted nor recognized.
3. That Personal Identification of persons so captured by the Executive Order of the Governor as being on essential duty suffices.
4. That the enforcers of the lock down order should take note and act accordingly.

Furthermore, let me use this opportunity to remind the public that the wearing of masks is compulsory. Failure to adhere attracts a penalty.

LET US ALL THINK PLATEAU AND ACT PLATEAU.

Dan Manjang,
Commissioner of Information and Communication,
Plateau State.
17/5/2020

MAY 29, LALONG LIKELY TO RESHUFFLE HIS CABINET?

Unconfirmed speculative reports reaching the Farmhouse has it that Governor Simon Bako Lalong may likely reshuffle his cabinet on May 29th.

The source said the Governor is not satisfied with the performance of some Commissioners and their ministry.


The source attributed the need for a reshufflement in line with the Governor’s effort to leave a legacy amidst the global pandemic that will affect the meagre resources in the state as he will try to maintain payment of salaries and meet up the completion of Lalong legacy projects with the aim of leaving office as one of Plateau’s Best Governor of our time.

The Governor wants value addition as he counts down to his 3 more years marriage with the Plateau People.


However,It might be connected to the forthcoming Senatorial elections in Southern Zone and the politics of re-positioning ahead of 2023.

Another factor is that the Covid19 pandemic exposed alot of loopholes in governance and the capacity of some members of his cabinet were tested.

The Commissioners that are likely to be replaced are not known yet but people are speculating some already.

Lalong has warned the Commissioners on inauguration that any one that underperforms will be shown the way out.

On reaching out to most of them,they complained of lack of resources and funds allocation to their ministries as most of their memo’s are approved but no funds from the Accountant General’s office.

Majority of the Commissioners are in their second spell with only a few as first timers.

An insider in one of the ministry says “most times you meet these people they complain of no money,no money,if there is no money in the ministry why don’t they resign?

This is a major challenge across board that birth the idea of the economic Summit on the advise of the economic team as Plateau has been christened a “Civil service state” despite the abundant human and natural resources that abound in each L.G.A of the State.

As Covid19 pandemic rages on and democracy day approaches.

Most Plateau people await the action of the Governor as he tries to consolidate on his rescue phase 2 mission of thinking Plateau and acting Plateau by trying to combat Covid19 and set in motion a post-covid19 strategy to ensure that physical infrastructure ,Health facility and the economy gets back on the road to Eldorado.

PLATEAU STATE POLICE COMMAND PRESS RELEASE

Police operatives arrested a suspected kidnapper, recovered one AK 47 riffle, 29 rounds of live ammunition and rescue of two kidnapped victims.

Gentle men of the pen profession, as part of our core mandate to protect lives and properties, the Plateau State Police Command has recorded some milestones of achievements under the leadership of CP Edward Egbuka.

1. On 16/5/2020 at about 0030hrs, the Command received a distress call at road 6 University Senior staff quarters Jos where some hoodlums entered the house of one Dr. Nandi Drenkat ‘m’ a lecturer with the University of Jos where he was shot and his six years old daughter was kidnapped.
   Immediately the Command received the information, on the same date at about 0530 hours, a combined team of conventional police men, mobile men, operatives from anti kidnapping unit, vigilante group and hunters were deployed to the hilly areas where the kidnapped victim was suspected to have been kept, scene was thoroughly cumbed and in the process, the kidnappers were sighted on the hill and there was a gun duel between the operatives and the kidnappers. In the process one of the kidnappers name Ali Mohammed ‘m’ of Narabi was shot on his right leg and was arrested with one AK 47 rifle with breach Number 1984/AP 0240, 29 rounds of live ammunition was also recovered from him. A kidnapped victim name Chiboze Joseph ‘m’ was rescued unhurt while other bandits fled with blood injuries.
   On interrogation, the suspect confessed to the crime. Case under investigation and will be charged to court as soon as possible.
2. Furtherance to the incident above, the teams of operatives were relentless and at about 1600 hours they extended their search for the last kidnapped victim to Babale mountain, Jos north LGA and on sighting the combined teams,the hoodlums opened fire on them, the teams overpowered the hoodlums which led to the rescue of the kidnapped victim Joanna Drenkat ‘f’six years old unhurt.
   Manhunt for the fleeing suspect continues.
   The Commissioner of Police is soliciting for useful information from members of the public to aid in the arrest of the fleeing suspects.

3.Meanwhile, residents of the state have been called upon to promptly call the Command’s emergency hotlines for vital information and complaints via:
07059473022
08038907662
09053872296
They are also enjoined to report any suspected case(s) of Covid-19 infection to Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) by calling the state emergency numbers via:
07025335638
07025223672 .

UBAH GABRIEL OGABA,
POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
PLATEAU STATE COMMAND
JOS

PLATEAU PDP CARETAKER COMMITTEE INAUGURATED SET TO EXPAND THE UMBRELLA FOR ALL TO BE PART.

PRESS STATEMENT.

16th May 2020.

The People’s Democratic Party Plateau State under the able leadership led by Nandom Pennap Exo of JT USENI faction get set to revamped the party through restoring the lost glory and cracks of disunity created by the out gone state Exco.

The factional state Chairman wish to plead with all those who were earlier denied from playing their part as legitimate party men to be calm and return to their former place of struggles with assurance the party will be put back into a home for all as it has been.

The chairman wishes to call the attention of all stakeholders from ward to LGA to ensure they maintain status quo and wait for the new resolution which will be reached any moment soon on the state of the congresses which was filled with lapses.

The party is ready to resolves all issues affecting sanity and impunity which keep putting the success of our unity in place. There will be a serious transformation that will project what our unity entails and measures that are people friendly will be weigh and ensure an inclusive participations are enforced.

The party which was mortgage and almost at a state of comatose has seen light of the day and the umbrella will be wide open to bring back all and reunite all forces that are grassroot base in promoting the idea of returning power to the people.

All party faithfuls across the state should be calm and remember to observe social distancing as our health is important while we secure a better leadership before the expiration of our tenure as caretaker.

PDP will bounce back in 2023 by the special grace of God as we continue to pursue justice for the downtrodden.

Sign

Akims Mamot James. MNBAIS,NFAS,MBAL, MLB.

Publicity Secretary Plateau State.