News
Plateau militia abduct 12 Islamic faithful en route to Maulud prayers
Plateau militia abduct 12 Islamic faithful en route to Maulud prayers
By: Zagazola Makama
Suspected Plateau militia have abducted 12 Islamic faithful travelling to Gaji village in Bashar District of Wase Local Government Area for Maulud prayers, heightening fears over persistent attacks on travellers in the state.
Zagazola Makama report that the abduction was reported on Dec. 22 by a resident of Zak village in Wase LGA, who said the incident occurred at about 10:30 p.m. on Dec. 21.
According to the account, the victims were travelling in a vehicle to attend Maulud prayers when armed men intercepted them at the Bunyun axis of Wase LGA and took them to an unknown destination.
The scene of the incident was later visited by security operatives, while efforts were intensified to locate the abducted persons and identify those responsible.
The latest incident has revived painful memories of previous attacks on travellers in Plateau State, particularly the June 2025 massacre in Mangu Local Government Area, where at least 12 travellers from Basawa in Zaria LGA of Kaduna State were brutally killed by a mob.
In that incident, an 18-seater bus belonging to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, conveying 31 passengers to a wedding ceremony, was attacked around 8:00 p.m., leaving 12 persons dead on the spot and 11 others injured.
The attack drew widespread condemnation, with calls on authorities to ensure that the perpetrators were brought to justice but nothing has been heard of the case while other report suggest that the perpetrators had been granted bail by the court.
Similarly, in August 2021, no fewer than 22 travellers returning from the commemoration of the Islamic New Year in Bauchi State were killed in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau, underscoring a troubling pattern of violence against commuters.
The latest abduction has heightened concerns over the deteriorating security situation in parts of Plateau, particularly along inter-community and inter-state travel routes.
The incident comes barely six months after a deadly attack on travellers in Mangu Local Government Area, where at least 12 persons from Basawa in Zaria LGA of Kaduna State were killed by a mob while travelling in an 18-seater bus belonging to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
The recurring pattern of attacks on travellers especially muslim faithful reflect a dangerous and unacceptable dimension of Nigeria’s security challenges, particularly the targeting of innocent commuters along transit corridors.
Such attacks demonstrate utter disregard for the sanctity of life and the right of citizens to move freely without fear.
Meanwhile, Police said investigations were ongoing, assuring residents that all necessary measures were being taken to ensure the safe return of the abducted persons.
“Upon receipt of the report, a team of police operatives led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Bashar visited the scene of the incident, while efforts were intensified to rescue the victims and arrest the perpetrators,”said the sources.
Plateau militia abduct 12 Islamic faithful en route to Maulud prayers
Military arrest policemen on VIP escort duty in violation of President Tinubu’s directive
By: Zagazola Makama
The military has arrested four police officers for allegedly providing unauthorised escort services to a VIP in contravention of the presidential directive on the withdrawal of policemen from VIP protection duties.
Police sources told Zagazola Makama that the arrest occurred on Dec. 17 at about 9:30 a.m., while the officers were reportedly on escort duty.
Those arrested were identified as ASP Musa Waziri and Insp. Jeremiah Achimogu both attached to 45 Police Mobile Force (PMF), Abuja; Insp. Awipi Terry of 21 PMF; and Insp. Hassan Baba of 50 PMF, Abuja.
According to security sources, the officers were arrested by military personnel after allegedly flouting the presidential order withdrawing police personnel from VIP escort duties.
The sources further disclosed that the policemen were dressed in uniforms similar to that of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), allegedly in an attempt to evade detection and deceive enforcement personnel.
The arrested officers have since been detained, while disciplinary procedures have been initiated against them in line with extant regulations.
The Federal Government had earlier directed the immediate withdrawal of police personnel from unauthorised VIP protection duties to redeploy manpower to core policing and internal security operations across the country.
Military arrest policemen on VIP escort duty in violation of President Tinubu’s directive
Bandits attack NSCDC outpost in Niger, cart away rifle
By: Zagazola Makama
Armed bandits, suspected to be insurgents, have attacked a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) nipping point at Ibrahim Leteh Village along the Wawa–Luma Road in Niger State.
Zagazola Makama learnt that the attack occurred on Dec. 22 at about 4:30 a.m., when a large number of the assailants stormed the outpost and opened fire.
Security sources said two NSCDC personnel on duty took cover during the attack, while the bandits riddled the patrol vehicle and the mini office at the location with bullets.
The sources added that one G3 rifle, officially assigned to an NSCDC personnel, was carted away by the attackers during the incident.
No casualty was recorded in the attack.
The scene was later visited by security operatives, and photographs were taken for investigation and documentation.
Efforts are currently ongoing to recover the stolen rifle and apprehend the suspects, while security presence in the area has been reinforced.
Bandits attack NSCDC outpost in Niger, cart away rifle
Nine feared dead in multiple-vehicle accident along Yola road in Gombe
By: Zagazola Makama
No fewer than nine persons have been confirmed dead following a fatal motor vehicle accident along the Yola Road in Kaltungo Local Government Area of Gombe State.
Zagazola gathered that the accident occurred on Dec. 22 at about 7:00 a.m. near Kaluwa Village and involved a DAF truck and a Sharon commercial vehicle, both travelling in the same direction.
Sources said the DAF truck, with registration number BLG 551 XA, driven by Umar Abubakar, 41, from Potiskum, Yobe State, reportedly rammed into the Sharon vehicle, with registration number GME 19 XC, driven by Garba Sule, 60.
As a result of the impact, the driver of the truck lost control, causing the vehicle to somersault and fall by the roadside.
Victims of the accident were rushed to the General Hospital in Kaltungo, where nine unidentified persons were confirmed dead on arrival.
The sources also said two other unidentified persons were trapped inside the DAF truck, while efforts were ongoing to evacuate them.
Nine feared dead in multiple-vehicle accident along Yola road in Gombe
Military arrest policemen on VIP escort duty in violation of President Tinubu’s directive
Bandits attack NSCDC outpost in Niger, cart away rifle
Nine feared dead in multiple-vehicle accident along Yola road in Gombe
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