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The Star
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Gunmen kill 27 in central Nigeria: official
ABUJA, July 16 (Xinhua) -- At least 27 people were killed in an attack by suspected gunmen in Plateau State in central Nigeria, which has recently witnessed increased attacks, a senior official said Wednesday. Caleb Mutfwang, governor of Plateau, told the media during an on-the-spot assessment of the havoc in the Bindi community of Riyom local government area that aside from the casualties, the gunmen also destroyed houses, crops on farmlands, and other valuable properties during the attack early Tuesday. The gunmen rode motorbikes into the community, firing indiscriminately at residents while also setting homes and farmlands ablaze. "I am calling on the security agencies to redouble their efforts. We need to reappraise our strategy and tactics," the governor said, calling for a concerted effort to halt the bloodshed and wanton destruction of property. The motive behind the latest attack remains unclear. Plateau State, located in Nigeria's central region between the Muslim-dominated north and the Christian-majority south, has witnessed repeated attacks in recent years. Armed attacks have been a primary security threat in Nigeria's northern and central regions, leading to deaths and kidnaps in recent months.
BBC News
24-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Wetin di lynching of travellers for Plateau state torchlight concerning insecurity for Nigerian roads
"I lose two sons and oda relatives because of dis wicked act by mob, my husband leave me with 13 children". Na so Faji Sani, wey lose her pikin, husband and oda relatives for di attack on travellers for Plateau state tok. Mrs Sani dey ask di govment for justice and compensation. Di recent killing wey happun for Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, North central Nigeria wia mob kill some travellers, don cause serious reactions in di kontri. Di victims bin dey travel from Zaria for Kaduna State on Saturday to go attend wedding for Qua'an Pan Local Government Area of Plateau State, wen mob intercept dem for Mangun district. Some of di travellers die for di scene, while odas sustain different kaind injury, and dem dey hospital now for treatment. Authorities for Nigeria say about 13 pipo die afta some pipo ambush one bus wey belong to Ahmadu Bello University for Zaria. Kaduna State Govnor, Senator Uba Sani, don condemn di killing as e describe di attack as "wicked and senseless" and e insist say dis kain tin no suppose go free witout punishment. "No reason dey to attack any Nigerian for any part of di country" di govnor tell BBC Hausa. "Dis kain wickedness suppose make everibodi vex, and dem must find dos wey do am and deal with dem well." Govnor Sani tell im counterpart for Plateau State, Govnor Caleb Mutfwang, make e act, join hand wit security pipo so justice go happun. "I go follow di investigation myself. We must show say impunity no go dey allowed again" im add. President Bola Tinubu wey also condemn di killing say di attack dey "unacceptable and barbaric." E don also order all security agencies make dem catch di pipo wey do am and carry dem go face justice. "Freedom to waka anywia for Nigeria na right wey nobodi fit collect. We no go allow anybody or any group use violence or fear try stop citizens from moving freely." Dis recent attack on travellers for Plateau state don bring up di tok about di safety of travellers for Nigerian roads, as e no be di first time e dey hapun. Dis attack dey come months after anoda attack on travellers for Edo State, for southern Nigeria, wia mob kill some travellers - hunters - wey bin dey travel to Kano for northern Nigeria through Uromi. For 2018, one Nigerian Army officer wey be former Chief of Administration, Major General Mohammed Idris Alkali (rtd), go missing wen e dey travel from Abuja go Bauchi. Later dem find im dead bodi for Plateau State, according to reports. Wetin dey worrying now be say apart from bandits wey dey kidnap or kill pipo for road, if person dey travel for road, e fit still fall victim of mob lynching for Nigerian highways. 'Lack of consequence na part of wetin dey make lynching of travellers dey hapun' Some pipo don chook eye say, di extra-judicial killings of travellers for Nigerian roads fit don come up as a result of di rise of insecurity and persistent attacks on communities by armed men, weda dem be herdsmen or bandits. But security expert, Auwal Bala, wey be Senior Private Security Consultant for Borno State, believe say di main reason why pipo dey lynch travellers for Nigerian roads na sake of say, dos wey dey do am no dey face punishment. E tell BBC Pidgin say, some of di mobs wey dey do dis kind tin get political, ethnic or religious reasons behind am. "Some dey do am sake of politics, religion, some becos of tribe, but anyhow e be, nobody get right to kill person just like dat even if di person commit offence" oga Bala tok. E also tok say even wit all di insecurity kasala wey dey Nigeria now, pipo no suppose take law for dia hand. "You no fit just dey kill travellers sake of your area dey face security wahala, you suppose consult or confirm who dem be. Even if dem be suspect, carry dem go police or authorities pipo no suppose dey use insecurity as excuse" e tok. Wetin fit be di solution? Di security analyst tok say di only way to stop dis kain attack on travellers na if goment and court begin punish pipo wey dey do am, witout looking face, tribe or religion. Dr. Bala talk say, "di solution be say anybody wey do dis kain tin, make dem carry am go court, and make dem punish am well based on wetin e do." "Make dem no bring politics, religion or tribe inside. Anybody wey commit crime, make e face di consequences. "Judges too no suppose dey soft, make punishment strong so odas go fear and no go try am" e add.
Associated Press
22-06-2025
- Associated Press
Nigerian police arrest 22 suspects after deadly bus attack
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Police arrested on Sunday 22 suspects accused of a mob attack that left at least a dozen people killed two days ago in central Nigeria. A passenger bus was mobbed in the Mangu area of the state of Plateau, according to a police statement released Saturday. The passengers traveled from Zaria, in north-western Kaduna state, about 400 kilometers (about 249 miles) from Mangu and were on their way to a wedding when the attack happened Friday night after they lost their way. Police said 21 were rescued from the 'angry mob,' and that some passengers were killed, without providing further details. Nigeria's police, a federal authority, often provide lower death tolls than local authorities and witnesses. Meanwhile, rights group Amnesty International said 12 people were instantly killed and 11 others injured in the attack. 'Authorities must ensure that the actual persons behind the horrific attack are brought to justice,' the rights group said in a statement on Saturday. Plateau Gov. Caleb Mutfwang said law enforcement should ensure justice is served and implement measures to prevent any recurrence. Nigeria's north-central region has been plagued by increasing violence, driven by farmer-herder clashes and attacks on communities by armed gangs. At least 100 people were killed in a deadly gun attack on a village in neighboring Benue state about two weeks ago.
Zawya
06-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
How Nigeria is reimagining livestock economy?
Recently, the Minister of Livestock Development Idi Mukhtar Maiha, visited Plateau State on a working visit to assess and identify with the livestock and crop farmers as the tension between the due continues to rise. In this piece, COLLINS NNABUIFE assessed the Minister's visit and reported the significance towards achieving a robust livestock industry. In a move that signals a new chapter for Nigeria's livestock sector, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, embarked on a high-impact, three-day working visit to Plateau State from April 30 to May 2, 2025. The aim of the visit mission was to ignite a nationwide livestock revolution from the heart of Nigeria's livestock history. Against the backdrop of recent violence in Plateau State, the Minister's visit began on a solemn yet hopeful note. At Government House, Jos, he condoled with the Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang over recent killings in the state. Maiha's central message was one of transformation backed by a federal government's vision to turn Nigeria's livestock sector from an underperforming industry into a $74 billion powerhouse by 2035. 'We are not here to merely talk. We are here to build sustainable systems, to modernize, to empower, and most importantly, to unify', the Minister told the governor. One of the Minister's most compelling announcements was the planned establishment of a Model Livestock Village in Plateau State. The Livestock Village, designed as a blueprint for other regions, will integrate pasture fields, dry-season irrigation, veterinary and primary healthcare facilities, educational centers, milk processing plants, and residential quarters for livestock keepers. 'This model will become the beacon of what livestock production can look like in Nigeria. it is not just a facility; it is a vision of prosperity, peace, and productivity, the Minister declared. Governor Mutfwang lauded the initiative, affirming the state's readiness to partner with the federal government. 'You are not a Minister looking for food to eat,' he remarked. 'You are one creating food for Nigeria.' Throughout the visit, one recurring theme was inclusivity. From the Palace of the Gbong Gwom Jos, Dr. Jacob Gyang Buba, to the stakeholder meeting with groups like the National Sheep and Goat Development Association and the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN), Maiha emphasized the importance of collaborative ownership. 'It is not just about top-down policies. It is about the butcher, the herder, the dairy farmer, and the policy maker all pulling in the same direction', he told them. The journey took a more tangible turn as the Minister moved to Wase Grazing Reserve. Stretching nearly 100,000 hectares, the reserve is set to become the flagship for Nigeria's grazing reserve revitalization effort. Maiha's message at Wase was equal parts development and diplomacy. 'We are here to preach peace and restore hope. When you structure livestock production, you don't just feed a nation, you unite it', he said. The Minister mounted a tractor, personally tilling the soil, a moment that sparked applause and symbolised his hands-on commitment. 'This is more than symbolism,' said Hon. Hamisu Mohammed Anani, Chairman of Wase LGA. Dr. Sunday Akpa, Plateau State Commissioner for Livestock Development, described the project as a 'new dawn for peace and productivity.' At Kanam LGA, Maiha continued to stress peacebuilding as the foundation for economic development. He received warm welcomes from the Emir of Kanam and other traditional leaders who pledged their full support for the livestock transformation initiative. In Mangu LGA, the engagement shifted focus to grassroots farmers. Here, Maiha laid out the federal government's plan to turn grazing reserves into economic hubs that would empower rural communities. 'This is not charity, it is opportunity. If we get this right, conflict becomes cooperation, and poverty gives way to prosperity, the Minister told the community. The final stop on the tour took the Minister to Bokkos, home of the long-neglected Milky Way Dairy Farm. Once a shining example of Nigeria's dairy potential, the farm had fallen into disrepair until now. With 500 hectares of pasture land and dormant processing facilities, the farm is ripe for revival. 'We can't be importing $1.5 billion worth of dairy when we have this,' Maiha said. He vowed to restore the facility and use it as a training and employment hub for youth. During a visit to the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI) in Vom, the Minister was confronted with the dual reality of legacy and neglect. Dr. Nicholas Nwankpa, representing the NVRI Director, listed urgent needs; from vaccine scale-up to infrastructural upgrades. In response, Maiha pledged sweeping reforms, including plans to commercialise the institute and reposition it as a West African leader in animal health. 'NVRI must become the epicenter of livestock health solutions, not just for Nigeria but for all of West Africa,' he said. As the Minister's convoy departed Plateau State, one thing had become abundantly clear, this was not a ceremonial visit. It was a clarion call for a livestock revolution rooted in peace, productivity, and partnership. With projects like the Wase Livestock Village, revival of key assets like Milky Way Dairy Farm, and reinvigoration of NVRI Vom, Maiha is scripting a new narrative. One where every grazing reserve becomes a growth engine, every livestock farmer a proud entrepreneur, and every state a stakeholder in Nigeria's agricultural renaissance. 'From the honeybee to the camel, no species will be left behind. Together, we will build a livestock sector that feeds the nation, unites our people, and lifts millions out of poverty', he noted. Copyright © 2022 Nigerian Tribune Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
