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Residents of Bokkos, Barkin Ladi blames Government over Christmas Eve attacks
Residents of Bokkos, Barkin Ladi blames Government over Christmas Eve attacks
By: Our Reporter
Arising from a meeting on New Year’s Day, Leaders and Youths in Bokkos and Barkin Ladi of Plateau State, North Central Nigeria, have concluded that the attacks on their communities, which resulted in the killings of over 100 people, were the result of the laxity of the government’s security operatives, especially soldiers and police, who should be proactive in their operations to save lives and property of the people.
According to reports filtered from the meeting alledgedly held by the community leaders and some representatives of the youths as well as some important personalities from the area, the situation in their area calls for reflection on their existence if they are to continue to leave in their ancestral homes, a place they can call their own.
“We have welcomed other tribes, particularly the Fulanis, for ages. We gave them a place to stay, and today they are turning against us with weapons and killing our people. We cried out several times to the government, but each time we did, the next blood shed worsened. This calls for us to look inward and redefine our position with our visitors. We should not wait for another slaughter before we sit down to talk again. The government has come, and they all state the usual, but that is politics. We should not allow them to continue to gain from our blood while the perpetrators are out there.” Elder Elijah Dangana alledgedly said.
It was gathered that so many residents who came from far and near for Christmas and the new year in Jos only to meet with the ugly situation described the government as weak and unable to defend its citizens.
Mrs. Esther Bulus said she lost her aunt and her two sons to the unfortunate attack in Bokkos. “We came to bury our aunty and her two sons, not to celebrate Christmas. These evil people have continued to attack our villages, and the Nigerian government is watching and doing nothing. We have asked our leaders to speak out unless they want us to be wiped out completely. My uncle, the Reverend, was able to escape, but I lost three people dear to me. This is unforgivable.”
While the people count their losses and the period of mourning continues with stories vexing the heart and the community meetings revealing the position of the people and the next steps they hope to take in self-defense, the Chief of Defence Staff of Nigeria, General Christopher Musa, revealed that the purpose of the attack in Plateau State is to embarrass and make the government look stupid.
General Christopher Musa said this while speaking in an interview with Channels TV, where he stressed that the area where the attack occurred was large and that the military couldn’t react as quickly as some might have expected.
He said, “There was no good reason for the attack. It was done with impunity. The purpose is to embarrass everybody and to make the government look stupid. And whoever did it was up on their heels. We are making some arrests already, and we can assure Nigerians that we are on top of the game.
“One thing I want us to understand is that the general area where this incident occurred is not small. A lot of people just think it’s just a small area, and they ask, Why couldn’t the military react as quickly as possible?”.
However, some residents of the area told newsmen in Jos that the CDS was also trying to protect the government position, as those people reacting to the inaction of the security operatives are mostly inhabitants and know what they are saying.
“The statement of the CDS on Channels TV is only political. If the government is truly working, what are all the intelligence agencies doing? We have been shortchanged by political voices that make us look stupid.. Alexander Moses said:.
Residents of Bokkos, Barkin Ladi blames Government over Christmas Eve attacks
Troops neutralise bandit, recover arms in Plateau raid
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, under the Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace (JTF OPEP), have neutralised a notorious bandit and recovered arms and ammunition during a raid on a hideout in Plateau State.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation was conducted on Jan. 8 at Yolan Gboka–Yama Da Lahdi, following sustained efforts to track and arrest perpetrators of the Dec. 16, 2025 attack on illegal miners at Tosho community in Fann District, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area.
According to the sources, troops made contact with the bandits during the raid and engaged them in a firefight.
“One of the bandits was neutralised during the exchange of fire and was later identified as Sadiq Isah, while others fled the area,” the sources said.
The sources added that troops subsequently exploited the hideout and recovered two AK-47 rifles and 162 rounds of 7.62mm (special) ammunition.
The recovered arms and ammunition are currently in military custody, while troops have commenced follow-up operations to intercept the fleeing suspects and prevent further criminal activities in the area.
Zagazola reports that Operation Enduring Peace is a joint security initiative aimed at restoring peace and stability across Plateau and neighbouring states.
Troops neutralise bandit, recover arms in Plateau raid
FG Urges NSCDC to Boost Intelligence as Interior Minister Decorates 113 Senior Officers
By: Michael Mike
The Federal Government has called on the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to strengthen intelligence gathering and operational readiness in the face of rising security threats across the country.
The call was made by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, during a ceremony to decorate 113 newly promoted NSCDC commandants. The minister, represented by the Secretary of the Civil Defence, Corrections, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB), Maj. Gen. Abdulmalik Jibrin (Rtd), commended the Corps for its role in protecting critical national infrastructure, lives, and property.
Tunji-Ojo emphasized the need for strategic intelligence mapping to counter emerging threats, particularly as the Corps now shoulders additional responsibilities for the protection of Very Important Personalities (VIPs), a role previously managed by the Nigeria Police Force.
He encouraged the newly promoted officers and all personnel to uphold the confidence placed in the service by President Bola Tinubu, noting that the merit-based promotions are designed to boost morale and enhance performance.
The Commandant General of NSCDC, Professor Ahmed Audi, urged the officers to mentor subordinates, embrace leadership responsibilities, and adhere strictly to merit-based postings. He warned against lobbying for preferred postings, affirming that performance and dedication would guide all administrative decisions.
Representing the promoted officers, Commandant Ekanem Ekpenyong pledged unwavering commitment to duty, promising to uphold integrity and the Corps’ Oath of Allegiance.
In a key highlight of the ceremony, the Corps’ National Public Relations Officer, Afolabi Babawale was promoted to the rank of Assistant Commandant. The event also featured goodwill messages from the Controller General of Corrections, the Controller General of the Federal Fire Service, and representatives from the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, and the Department of State Services.
The ceremony underscored the Federal Government’s resolve to strengthen the NSCDC and reinforce its role in Nigeria’s security architecture.
FG Urges NSCDC to Boost Intelligence as Interior Minister Decorates 113 Senior Officers
Zulum commissions remodelled ‘2nd chance school’ for vulnerable girls
.Disburses N1bn to SMEs in 5 LGAs
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, on Thursday commissioned a fully remodelled “Second Chance School” for vulnerable girls and women in Biu Local Government Area.
The newly inaugurated facility is part of a strategic initiative designed to offer adult women, including those who missed formal education or dropped out of school due to prevailing challenges, a pathway to self-reliance.
The school’s curriculum is tailored towards providing comprehensive skills’ acquisition, critical digital knowledge and basic literacy, and numeracy training.
With the Biu centre now operational, Zulum’s administration has established three such schools across the state, with existing centres already operational in Maiduguri and Bama.
Meanwhile, Governor Zulum has disbursed N1 billion to small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) across five local government areas in southern Borno.
The targeted LGAs include Biu, Hawul, Shani, Bayo and Kwaya-Kusar, with the funds intended to support entrepreneurs and enhance business sustainability.
Zulum explained that the direct injection of capital into the SME sector is essential for driving grassroots development and fostering self-reliance in the post-insurgency recovery phase.
In a related development aimed at tackling youth restiveness and promoting social stability, Governor Zulum has ordered immediate employment of 200 young individuals from the Biu Local Government Area.
After the inauguration, Zulum visited Biu Specialist Hospital where he announced the immediate and automatic employment of a number of dedicated volunteer health workers who have served tirelessly.
He also inspected the 100-unit teachers’ housing estate under construction in Biu town. The estate is part of the Borno State Government’s motivational strategy to attract and retain qualified teaching professionals in public schools.
Governor Zulum has also directed immediate commencement of rehabilitation work on the Borno State Hotel Annexe in Biu.
Zulum commissions remodelled ‘2nd chance school’ for vulnerable girls
Troops neutralise bandit, recover arms in Plateau raid
Nigeria Urges Europe and Africa to Build Bridges, Not Walls
FG Urges NSCDC to Boost Intelligence as Interior Minister Decorates 113 Senior Officers
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