Crime
Plateau: 13 die in Barkin Ladi after deadly reprisal by Bandits over killing of three Fulani
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
Troops intercept vehicles conveying suspected ISWAP logistics in Yobe
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 2 of the Nigerian Army in collaboration with Civilian Joint Task Force intercepted two pickup vans conveying assorted items suspected to be logistics supplies for the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Borno State.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the interception followed credible human intelligence indicating the movement of the items from Dapchi through the Magumeri general area.
According to the source, the troops intercepted the vehicles during the operation and took the drivers into custody for further interrogation.
Items recovered from the two vehicles included 31 spare tyres, 23 spare rims, two bicycles, 12 key starters, three alternators, two bags of flour, one mattress, five bags of charcoal, 34 tubers of yam, two blankets, nylon bags containing garri, adult and children clothing, one power bank, six mobile phones and a cash sum of N92,600.
The source added that the vehicles and recovered items were currently in custody, while investigations were ongoing to determine the extent of the suspects’ involvement and possible links to ISWAP logistics networks.
The troops, the source said, remained committed to disrupting the movement of supplies to terrorist groups and maintaining pressure on criminal elements across the area of responsibility.
Troops intercept vehicles conveying suspected ISWAP logistics in Yobe
Police repel Boko Haram attack on Gujba Division in Yobe
By: Zagazola Makama
The Yobe State Police Command says it has successfully repelled a coordinated attack by suspected Boko Haram Terrorist (BHT) elements on the Gujba Police Division in Gujba Local Government Area of the state.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the attack occurred late Thursday night but was promptly resisted by officers on duty at the formation.
According to the source, there was no casualty recorded among police personnel during the attack, while no arms were lost and no damage was done to patrol vehicles.
“The hoodlums were repelled promptly. There was no casualty on our personnel, no arm was lost and no patrol vehicle was damaged,” the source said.
He added that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Gujba Division was conducting a detailed assessment of the incident and would submit a comprehensive report to the command.
The source noted that Gujba and its environs remained one of the notorious flashpoints for insurgent activities in Yobe State.
As at the time of filing this report, the Yobe State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the incident, while security around the area had been reinforced to forestall further attacks.
Police repel Boko Haram attack on Gujba Division in Yobe
Troops repel terrorist infiltration attempt near Bitta, kill key fighter
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have decimated terrorists from the Mandara Mountains during an early-morning attempt to infiltrate Bitta community in Borno.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 12:30 a.m. on Thursday when troops, operating surveillance systems, detected the movement of the terrorists advancing toward the area.
According to the sources, the troops tactically allowed the insurgents to enter a designated killing range before unleashing coordinated defensive fire, neutralising several of the attackers, including a top terrorist fighter and his cameraman.
The sources added that follow-on precision strikes were subsequently conducted by the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai, further decimating the fleeing insurgents.
Items recovered from the scene included a camcorder, AK-47 rifles, bandoliers, hand-held radios, PKT machine guns, several belts of PKT and GPMG-linked ammunition, as well as motorcycles and bicycles.
During exploitation of the area, troops reportedly traced several blood trails and discovered shallow graves, indicating additional casualties inflicted on the terrorists during the encounter.
Troops repel terrorist infiltration attempt near Bitta, kill key fighter
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