Plateau: 13 die in Barkin Ladi after deadly reprisal by Bandits over killing of three Fulani

By: Zagazola Makama

The vicious cycle of violence in Plateau State has taken another deadly turn, as 13 people were confirmed killed in separate attacks on Rachas and Rawuru villages of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, in what security sources described as a reprisal by suspected bandits.

Zagazola Makama report that the latest attacks, which occurred late Tuesday, followed the killing of two Fulani women and a young boy along the Mangu Road by suspected members of a Berom militia. The victims were reportedly travelling in a commercial vehicle near the NYSC orientation camp when they were stopped and shot dead in cold blood.

Residents and community leaders have condemned both incidents, warning that the recurring pattern of attacks and reprisals between Fulani and Berom communities risks plunging the state back into large-scale conflict reminiscent of the 2018 crisis.

Speaking during the mass burial of the 13 victims in Rachas village, the Executive Chairman of Barkin Ladi Local Government Council, Hon. Stephen Gyang Pwajok, described the killings as “unprovoked and deeply regrettable.”

He sympathised with the affected families and assured that government was intensifying efforts to restore peace through enhanced security deployment and dialogue among stakeholders.

“The government will not relent in its determination to end these needless killings. We are engaging both traditional and community leaders to promote genuine reconciliation,” he said.

Similarly, the District Head of Heipang, Da Paul Tadi-Tok, lamented the continued targeting of innocent villagers, calling for decisive steps to prevent further bloodshed.

He urged authorities to restrict herders from grazing in areas where they are not resident, arguing that such a measure could help reduce infiltration by attackers who disguise as herders to carry out assaults.

“We must strengthen local vigilance and revive Operation Rainbow so that communities can respond promptly to distress situations,” the traditional ruler added.

The Security Adviser to Governor Caleb Mutfwang and Coordinator of Operation Rainbow, Brig.-Gen. Shippi Gakji Goshwe (Rtd.), disclosed that the state’s community security outfit was undergoing recruitment and training to reinforce operations in vulnerable areas.

“Government is not relenting. The new recruits will be properly equipped to complement conventional forces in protecting rural communities,” he said.

However, tension remains high in Barkin Ladi and neighbouring Mangu, Riyom, and Bokkos LGAs following recurring attacks and reprisals that have claimed dozens of lives in recent months.

Zagazola recalled that Leaders of the Fulani community have accused the authorities of selective silence, alleging that killings of their members often go unreported or unpunished.

“Our people have been victims of serial attacks without any arrests. Each time there is retaliation, it is only then that the authorities act. This selective justice is fuelling anger and worsening the crisis,” he said.

The killings point to the fragility of peace efforts in Plateau State, where inter-communal distrust, land disputes, and allegations of bias in security responses continue to hinder reconciliation.

Security analysts warn that unless government enforces equal protection for all and prosecutes perpetrators from both sides, the state risks sliding into another phase of tit-for-tat violence that could destabilize the region.

The Plateau State Government and Police Command were yet to issue official statements as of the time of filing this report.

Plateau: 13 die in Barkin Ladi after deadly reprisal by Bandits over killing of three Fulani

Customs officer dies in Katsina after lodging with 3 women in a hotel

By: Zagazola Makama

A Customs officer, identified as Assistant Superintendent of Customs (ASC) Lawal Tukur, has been found dead in a hotel room in Katsina metropolis.

Zagazola report that the incident occurred on Oct. 15 at Murjani Hotel, Katsina, where the deceased had lodged. According to reports, hotel staff discovered the officer lying lifeless in his room at about 8:30 a.m. and immediately raised the alarm.

Sources at the hotel said some empty sachets of suspected substances were found in the waste basket of the room. Three women, identified as Khadija Ali, 34, of Dutsin Amare Quarters, Katsina; Aisha Lawal, 30, of Ingawa Local Government Area; and Hafsat Yusuf, 22, of Brigade Quarters, Kano, were reportedly in the hotel at the time of the incident.

It was gathered that Khadija and Aisha spent the night with the deceased, while Hafsat visited them later and also lodged in the same hotel.

The body of the officer was taken to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Katsina, where he was confirmed dead by a medical doctor and deposited at the mortuary for autopsy.

The Nigeria Customs Service has been informed of the development, while further findings are awaited to determine the cause of death.

Customs officer dies in Katsina after lodging with 3 women in a hotel

NSCDC Arrests 70 in Connection with Kidnapping, Rape, Others in Edo

By: Michael Mike

The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps’ Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad has arrested 70 suspects for their various involvements in kidnapping, rape, logistics supplies, and criminal disposition in the Okpella area of the Esouko East Local Government Area of Edo State.

The Commandant of the CG’s Special Intelligence Squad, Commandant Apollo Dandaura told journalists that the ordeal of unraveling the mysterious force behind the kidnapping of innocent people by criminal elements who disguised themselves as illegal miners and charcoal vendors in the Okpella area of Edo State.

He said: “Following the directive of the Commandant General, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi mni. OFR, on an aggressive onslaught against unscrupulous elements terrorizing the peace of Edo State and those culpable for the massacre of 8 personnel attached to BUA Cement Company last month.”

“The CG’s Special Intelligence Squad, led by Commandant Dandaura, collaborated with the men of the Nigerian Army and the General Manager of BUA International Cement, Mr. Richard Gidado, to launch an aggressive onslaught against the crime perpetrators.”

“During the clearance operation, the team uncovered and dismantled some criminal hideouts used for housing kidnapped victims, though some of the kidnappers maneuvered outside the area, giving room for the rescuing of victims and one Mrs. Agbe Matar, who had been in captivity for over 7 days.”

The CG’s SIS Commandant hinted that the rescued victims lamented their encounter as Mrs Agbe Martha narrated how she was kidnapped alongside her sister while working on their farmland in the Ichoke area of the Itsukwi community in Etsako East LGA of Edo State”.

According to her, “Over 5 armed men stormed their rice plantation looking like herders and held her and her sister-in-law hostage while her husband, Paschal Agbe, escaped.”

Agbe relayed that upon their arrival at the kidnappers’ den, they were subjected to severe torture and malhandling by the kidnappers, who later demanded a 30 million Naira ransom before they could be released.

As the CG’s SIS Commandant and his men reunited Mrs Martha Agbe and other victims with their families, the paramount ruler, His Royal Highness Usman Suleiman, the Ogei-Ochi III of Itsukwi Kingdom, with so much excitement lauded the pragmatic leadership of the NSCDC Commandant General for bringing hope and peace back to the area.

In his response, Commandant Dandaura noted that collaborative efforts in dismantling the kidnap syndicate and their criminal hideouts in the area underscore the CG’s commitment to combating crime and criminalities as well as ensuring the protection of lives and property of citizens in Edo state and, by extension, the nation at large, noting that further investigation and diligent prosecution would be carried out in due course.

NSCDC Arrests 70 in Connection with Kidnapping, Rape, Others in Edo