Crime
Angry youths, women attack soldiers, burn military checkpoint in Plateau over killing of villager
Angry youths, women attack soldiers, burn military checkpoint in Plateau over killing of villager
By: Zagazola Makama
Tension rose in Kassa community of Kassa District, in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, as angry youths and women on Sunday attacked soldiers and set ablaze a military checkpoint following the burial of a resident reportedly killed by Fulani armed attackers.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 11:40 p.m. on April 20 when a crowd stormed a checkpoint at Rapung Kassa and destroyed the facility, including makeshift structures and equipment used by troops deployed in the area.
The attack reportedly happened during the burial ceremony of one Gyang Nuhu Choji, who was said to have been killed on April 16 by unidentified armed men suspected to be Fulani bandits operating within the general area.
Witnesses said the protesters, made up of youths and women, accused security operatives of failing to prevent repeated attacks in the community, alleging that the presence of troops had not translated into adequate protection for residents.
The angry mob reportedly blocked access roads during the protest, temporarily disrupting movement in and out of the area before later reopening the route to motorists after intervention by local stakeholders and assurances from security representatives.
A community source said calm was eventually restored after engagements between community leaders and security authorities, during which assurances were given that the situation would be reviewed to prevent further escalation.
Security sources confirmed that no casualties were recorded during the incident, adding that monitoring and patrols had been intensified in the area to prevent further breakdown of law and order.
Zagazola report that the Plateau State security environment has remained volatile in recent months, with recurring incidents of violence prompting continued deployment of security forces and community-level engagements aimed at restoring lasting peace.
Security assessments have indicated a pattern of violence involving Fulani bandits and armed elements of the Berom where both groups had sustained their campaign of terror.
The recent pattern of attacks was traced to April 13 at about 0700 hrs, when troops under Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), conducted a search-and-rescue operation in Ariri and Kwasha villages of Bassa LGA following reports of a missing herder. During the operation, troops discovered the corpse of the herder and recovered 32 cattle alive, while three others were found dead. The remains and livestock were handed over to community leaders.
On the same day, troops also responded to intelligence on an illegal settlers’ camp in Ungwan Doki, Riyom LGA, where four suspected illegal migrants were arrested.
On April 12, at about 1440 hrs, troops restored calm after a clash between farmers and herders in Rakum village, Barkin Ladi LGA. Five locals, two herders, and a police officer sustained injuries after being attacked by Berom militia, while one suspect was arrested.
Earlier at about 1222 hrs in Rasa village, troops foiled another attack on a herder by suspected armed Berom elements and evacuated the injured victim to hospital. At about 2100 hrs, troops responded to sporadic gunfire along Hukke–Rewienko road in Bassa LGA, repelling attackers and rescuing an injured civilian.
In a related development, at about 1800 hrs, troops foiled an attempted cattle rustling incident in Kpashio village, recovering 92 cattle reportedly abandoned by fleeing suspects. The owner of the livestock was either killed and buried in a shallow grave or escaped the assault.
Within the same period, armed Berom militia engaged troops of Operation Enduring Peace in a heavy gun battle in Barkin Ladi. The troops gunned down five of the attackers. Later that same day, the corpses were hastily buried by the community to avoid scrutiny due to the identity of the attackers.
On April 18, 2026, troops intercepted and apprehended nine suspected Berom militia involved in targeted killing. Those arrested were identified as Mr. Gyang Dantoro, Mr. Samson Davou, Mr. Choji Yakubu, Mr. Vincent Adamu, Mr. Pam Dalyop, Mr. Femi Badung, Mr. Jacob Musa and Mr. Choji Chaga, all residents of Danwal and reportedly of Berom extraction.
Items recovered from them include three motorcycles, one pistol, one submachine gun, one locally made revolver rifle, 20 rounds of pistol ammunition, and one locally fabricated rifle, among other items.
On April 19, nine cattle were confirmed dead while three others are in critical condition following a suspected poisoning by Berom youths in Rakum village, Kassa District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Angry youths, women attack soldiers, burn military checkpoint in Plateau over killing of villager
Troops Neutralise Suspected Kidnapper While Attempting Escape in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP) have neutralised a suspected kidnapper and cattle rustler while he was allegedly attempting to escape from custody in Plateau State.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspect, identified as Samaila Shuibu, had earlier been arrested with arms at Hurti community in Bokkos Local Government Area of the state.
The sources said the incident occurred on Saturday while troops of Sector 5, Operation ENDURING PEACE, were transporting the suspect to the Joint Task Force (JTF) headquarters in Jos for further investigation and possible prosecution.
According to the sources, the military vehicle conveying the suspect developed a flat tyre along the route, prompting the troops to stop and replace it.
“During the process of changing the tyre, the suspect reportedly jumped out of the vehicle and attempted to escape.
“The troops immediately pursued him, and he was neutralised during the ensuing encounter,” a security source said.
The source added that three rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition were expended during the operation.
Military authorities said the movement and subsequent operation were conducted without any further incident.
They noted that troops deployed under Operation ENDURING PEACE remain committed to ongoing efforts aimed at tackling kidnapping, cattle rustling and other criminal activities across Plateau State and its environs.
Troops Neutralise Suspected Kidnapper While Attempting Escape in Plateau
Brazil-Based Businessman Held as NDLEA Uncovers Cocaine-Soaked Shirts at Lagos Airport
By: Michael Mike
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted a Brazil-based Nigerian businessman at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, after discovering shirts and towels allegedly impregnated with liquid cocaine in a major anti-narcotics operation that also led to the seizure of over two tonnes of illicit drugs across the country.
The suspect, 41-year-old Abugu Ikechukwu, was arrested upon arrival from São Paulo, Brazil, via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight. NDLEA said a detailed examination of his luggage uncovered 14 shirts and towels soaked in liquid cocaine, dried and carefully ironed to evade detection.
The spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi in a statement on Sunday, said forensic analysis revealed the concealed narcotics weighed 6.1 kilogrammes.
Abugu reportedly told investigators that he had lived in Brazil for more than 14 years where he operates an African restaurant and had travelled to Nigeria to visit his family and purchase food supplies for his business.
The arrest was part of a nationwide crackdown that saw NDLEA operatives recover massive consignments of cannabis, tramadol and other controlled substances in multiple states and the Federal Capital Territory.
In a development highlighting the growing reach of drug trafficking networks, the agency also arrested two persons living with disabilities for alleged involvement in the illicit drug trade. A 60-year-old woman, Chidimma Sunday, was taken into custody in Abia State after being caught with 1.8 kilogrammes of skunk, while 28-year-old Abubakar Usman was arrested in Rivers State with cannabis, methamphetamine, tramadol, diazepam and other prohibited substances.
In Taraba State, NDLEA operatives raided the warehouse of a suspected drug kingpin, Ali Adamu, at Maihula village in Bali Local Government Area, where 63 jumbo bags of cannabis sativa weighing 1,121.5 kilogrammes were recovered.
Another major haul was recorded in Lagos where operatives seized 1,102 kilogrammes of Ghana Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, around the Alaba International Market in Ojo.
The agency also intercepted a vehicle along Bode Saadu Road in Kwara State carrying 304 kilogrammes of compressed cannabis blocks concealed in a Toyota jeep. Two suspects, Nasiru Hamza and Muhammad Sani, were arrested in connection with the shipment.
In Abuja, NDLEA officers on patrol along the Gwagwalada Expressway arrested Emmanuel Nnadi and recovered thousands of pills of tramadol, pregabalin and ecstasy, as well as hundreds of bottles of codeine-based syrup.
Other operations in Delta, Gombe and Kano states resulted in the arrest of several suspected traffickers and the seizure of additional consignments of cannabis and pharmaceutical opioids.
Beyond enforcement activities, the agency said it sustained its nationwide War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign through sensitisation programmes in schools, communities and traditional institutions across several states.
Meanwhile, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive, Buba Marwa, commended officers involved in the operations, describing the seizures and arrests as further evidence of the agency’s commitment to reducing drug supply while intensifying public awareness against substance abuse.
He urged commands across the country to sustain the momentum and continue surpassing previous operational records in the fight against illicit drugs.
Brazil-Based Businessman Held as NDLEA Uncovers Cocaine-Soaked Shirts at Lagos Airport
Troops Recover AK-47 Rifle, Ammunition in Failed ISWAP Reconnaissance Operation in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 68 Battalion, Mallam Fatori, have recovered one AK-47 rifle and 31 rounds of ammunition during an operation against suspected ISWAP elements in Abadam Local Government Area of Borno State.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 9:07 a.m. on June 11 when troops observed the movement of two ISWAP reconnaissance teams ahead of their defensive area of responsibility.
According to the sources, an ambush team was immediately deployed to flank the suspected terrorists, but the insurgents fled upon sighting the troops and opened fire while escaping.
Following an exploitation of the area, troops recovered one AK-47 rifle and 31 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
The sources added that follow-up operations were ongoing to track the fleeing terrorists and deny them freedom of movement within the general area.
Military authorities said the operation was part of sustained efforts to disrupt terrorist reconnaissance activities and strengthen security across the Lake Chad axis.
They reaffirmed commitment to maintaining pressure on insurgent groups until they are fully degraded.
Troops Recover AK-47 Rifle, Ammunition in Failed ISWAP Reconnaissance Operation in Borno
The ‘Hyenas’ and The Fear of Radical Changes
Parliamentarians in Sierra Leone mourn colleague Lucinda Kelly
Troops Neutralise Suspected Kidnapper While Attempting Escape in Plateau
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
FAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions4 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
News1 year agoFAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Opinions4 years agoPOLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
ACADEMICS2 years agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Columns2 years agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
Politics1 year ago2027: Why Hon. Midala Balami Must Go, as Youths in Hawul and Asikira/Uba Federal Constituency Reject ₦500,000 as Sallah Gift
