How killing of 12 Illegal miners in Barkin Ladi, linked to rustling of 171 livestock plateau

By: Zagazola Makama

The recent attack on an illegal mining site in Fann District, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, has again exposed the sustained fragility of security and the precarious balance between herders and local communities in the state.

On the night of 16 December 2025, gunmen, reportedly dressed in military attire, stormed a mining site at Tosho Community, rounded up illegal miners, and demanded information about the location of cattle stolen from Nding Community on 10 December. The attack left 12 miners dead, three abducted, and several others injured.

Zagazola Makama report that the attack was retaliatory, linked to the rustling of 171 cattle across Nding and Bakin Kogi communities earlier in the month. The victims, miners who were present at the site despite an extant ban on night mining, were particularly vulnerable due to the clandestine nature of the operations and the delayed reporting of the attack to security forces. Troops of Sector 2 Operation Enduring Peace responded early the following morning, conducting offensive operations to rescue the abducted and secure the area.

However, the Fann District attack represents only the latest episode in a rapidly escalating cycle of reprisal violence across Plateau State. Within days, coordinated assaults on pastoral communities in Barkin Ladi and Jos East LGAs resulted in the rustling of 168 cattle, while nine additional cows reportedly died after grazing on poisoned substances in Kwi village, Riyom LGA. These attacks, illustrated the deepening insecurity that continues to place herders, farmers and other vulnerable communities alike at risk.

In a further escalation, four children were killed in Dorong village, Foron District of Barkin Ladi LGA, allegedly in reprisal for the earlier cattle rustling. Victims included Precious Joshuah, 17; Isa’ac Joshuah, 9; Mary Joshuah, 7; and Eve Sambo, 3. Community sources indicated that the attack occurred amid a climate of fear, with residents warning that reprisals were imminent if no preventive action was taken.

Another disturbing incident in Gero village, Jos South LGA, saw the killing and injury of at least 10 cattle, reportedly by Berom militias targeting Fulani herders. Twelve others were left fatally wounded. Local sources indicated that repeated complaints to authorities regarding such attacks had yielded little response, fostering a perception of selective intervention that largely reacts to incidents affecting one side of the conflict.

Zagazola Makama, have long warned in a series of articles of this predictable pattern: attacks on herders, particularly cattle rustling and livestock poisoning, often trigger retaliatory strikes against innocent civilians, which triggers continued attacks. Despite repeated alerts, the Plateau State government and other concerned authorities have been accused of inaction or selective enforcement, which some residents allege has emboldened criminal actors and state-supported militias.

This growing environment of impunity has left communities vulnerable and created conditions where reprisal attacks are almost inevitable. While the recent attacks are universally condemned, a critical review shows that violence in Plateau often escalates when perpetrators operate with little fear of prosecution or accountability. The complicity of certain local militias and the failure of government to intervene decisively have deepened the cycle, placing innocent civilians including women and children at the highest risk.ll

Zagazola emphasized that unless the Plateau State Government and security agencies implement robust measures to arrest perpetrators on all sides, prosecute offenders, and engage in non-kinetic conflict resolution, the state is likely to witness further retaliatory violence. Immediate steps are required to address both the underlying causes of insecurity and the selective handling of incidents, which currently fuels perceptions of bias and aggravates existing ethno-religious and pastoral-farming tensions.

Without decisive action, Plateau State will continue to experience a self-perpetuating cycle of violence, where acts of aggression against one community invariably provoke retaliatory strikes on another, leaving the most vulnerable particularly children bearing the heaviest burden.

How killing of 12 Illegal miners in Barkin Ladi, linked to rustling of 171 livestock plateau

Relief as Navy supports Gombe community with school, water projects

By Hajara Leman

The Nigerian Navy on Friday inaugurated a 600-litre capacity borehole and a school at Dungaje community in Cham District of Balanga Local Government Area of Gombe State.

The projects were executed under the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas’ Special Intervention Quick Impact Project.

The gesture was in recognition of Rear Admiral Ayuba Chuguli (rtd), outstanding service to the nation and the Nigerian Navy.

Inaugurating the projects, Abbas said the project was conceived by the Naval Headquarters as a mark of appreciation for Chuguli’s.

Abbas was represented by the project facilitator, Rear Admiral Ayuba Chuguli (rtd).

He said the projects inaugurated include three solar-powered boreholes with a combined capacity of 600 litres, three blocks of classrooms comprising nine classrooms, and staff quarters for primary and junior secondary schools, among other interventions.

“The inauguration of this 600-litre boreholes is not only to honour Rear Admiral Chuguli’s meritorious service, but also to support the health and daily needs of Dungaje, Kwarge and Jublan communities, all in Mona Ward of Cham District, Balanga LGA.

“Access to clean water is essential to public health, and this project reflects our commitment to community development,” he said.

The state deputy governor, Dr Manassah Jatau, urged members of the community to take full ownership of facilities executed by government and individuals to ensure sustainability and long-term benefits.

“Government alone cannot guarantee the longevity of such projects without the active involvement of beneficiaries.W hen communities see projects as their own, they are more likely to safeguard them against vandalism, misuse and neglect,” he said.

Jatau urged residents, particularly youths and community leaders, to work together to ensure effective protection and utilisation of the facilities.

He also commended individuals and development partners who contributed to community development, noting that such efforts complement government initiatives and accelerate grassroots development.

The Paramount Ruler of Cham, Dr James Chachis, lauded the Nigerian Navy for bringing the water project to the area, describing it as timely and impactful.

He said the borehole would significantly reduce water-related challenges being faced by residents, especially women and children.

The traditional ruler called on other public-spirited individuals in the community to emulate the project facilitator by contributing to development initiatives.

Relief as Navy supports Gombe community with school, water projects

Adeleke appeals to Army to prevent bandits’ infiltration into Osun from Kwara

By: Zagazola Makama

Ademola Adeleke of Osun on Saturday appealed to the Nigerian Army to intensify efforts at preventing the infiltration of bandits into the state from neighbouring Kwara.

Adeleke made the appeal while speaking at the Passing Out Parade of the 89 Regular Recruits Intake held at the Nigerian Army Depot, Osogbo.

The governor, who described the event as significant to national security, said the ceremony underscored the critical role of the military in protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity and defending the Constitution.

He commended the Nigerian Army for its decades of service in maintaining both internal and external peace, noting that the Army, in collaboration with other services, the Police and security agencies, had remained central to the containment of terrorism, banditry and communal conflicts.

“For us as a state government, we have enjoyed a very close partnership with the Nigerian Army and the entire military establishment. From my hometown and across the state, our engagement with servicemen has continued to deliver peace and stability,” he said.

Adeleke said Osun had remained one of the most peaceful states in the country largely due to the sacrifices and dedication of the military and other security agencies, stressing that the state government deeply appreciated the efforts of servicemen and women.

He disclosed that troops were currently deployed in border communities between Osun and neighbouring states to conduct special operations aimed at containing banditry and kidnapping.

“Our dear Army Chief, your men are currently around the border towns between Osun and Kwara States conducting special operations to contain banditry and kidnapping. We are very grateful for this support,” the governor said.

He, however, appealed for sustained military presence to prevent any infiltration of bandits into Osun from Kwara State, describing the threat as real but expressing confidence that the ongoing operations would succeed.

Addressing the newly passed-out recruits, Adeleke urged them to remain dedicated to the values and ethos of military service, reminding them that they were joining an institution widely acknowledged as the heartbeat of the nation.

“You have a duty to remain loyal to the Nigerian Army, the Constitution and the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.

The governor also called on political leaders across the country to adopt dialogue and consensus-building in resolving governance challenges, noting that political solutions would reduce tension and ease the burden on the military and other security agencies.

He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, for promoting inclusiveness in governance, saying such an approach would strengthen national unity and stability.

Adeleke assured that the Osun State Government remained committed to peaceful political engagement and harmony, adding that this would enable security agencies to focus on their core responsibilities of protecting lives and property.

The passing-out parade was attended by senior military officers, traditional rulers, government officials, serving and retired military personnel, other security operatives and representatives of the media.

Adeleke appeals to Army to prevent bandits’ infiltration into Osun from Kwara