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Residents of Bokkos, Barkin Ladi blames Government over Christmas Eve attacks

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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

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Immigration Comptroller General Advises Personnel on Excellent Service to Clients

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Immigration Comptroller General Advises Personnel on Excellent Service to Clients

By: Michael Mike

The Federal Government has charged personnel of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to continue to offer excellent services to its clients, declaring that efficient customer service is a right and not a privilege.

Comptroller General of the Immigration Service (CGIS), Kemi Nandap, gave the charge in Abuja when she declared open the 2025 SERVICOM Customer Service Week.

She assured that the Service is on an irreversible path of reform, modernization and improved transparency in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The CGIS noted that the week-long event, themed “Mission Possible” with the NIS sub-theme “Meeting and Exceeding Expectations”, was an opportunity for officers to recommit themselves to the principles of courtesy, timeliness and citizens-centered service delivery.

She said: “The Nigeria Immigration Service must not only meet expectations but exceed them. Every passport issued, every permit processed, every encounter at our borders is a test of our professionalism and integrity. We must continue to build public trust and prove that we are a Service that delivers”, the CGIS declared.

She noted that on assuming office in 2024, she raised concerns over negative practices that dented the Service’s image and challenged officers to “go back to the drawing board.”

Nandap said that directive resulted in far-reaching reforms, including the passport automation and contactless processing system, designed to minimize physical interaction and eliminate bottlenecks.

She highlighted that: “Others are the deployment of e-gates and body cameras at airports, enhancing border security while promoting transparency; Intensified sensitization campaigns across formations to combat corruption and entrench professionalism.

“These reforms are already paying off,” she noted, citing improved national ratings, commendations and awards recently received by the NIS at government performance review retreats.

Nandap however urged NIS personnel nationwide to use the 2025 Customer Service Week as an opportunity to recommit themselves to exceeding public expectations, charging officers to uphold the Service’s reputation at all times.

She added that: “This celebration is not for fanfare. It is a solemn call to renew our pledge of service and to institutionalize transparency, courtesy and excellence as our standard culture.”

Earlier, Special Assistant to the CGIS on SERVICOM and Reform Champion, Barr. Muhammad Awwal Abubakar, a deputy comptroller of immigration, described the Customer Service Week as “a call to reflection, action and renewal.”

He emphasized that the global theme “Mission Possible” challenges public institutions to see obstacles as opportunities for innovation rather than excuses for inefficiency.

“Customer service is not a privilege given by government institutions but a right owed to the people. Our duty is to ensure that every interaction with the NIS leaves citizens and travelers with confidence in our integrity and efficiency”, Abubakar said.

The 2025 NIS SERVICOM Customer Service Week will feature activities across commands and formations nationwide, highlighting innovation, best practices and the Service’s ongoing transformation agenda.

Immigration Comptroller General Advises Personnel on Excellent Service to Clients

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Herdsman, 36 cows shot dead in fresh unprovoked attack in Plateau

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Herdsman, 36 cows shot dead in fresh unprovoked attack in Plateau

By: Zagazola Makama

A herdsman has been killed and 36 cows shot dead by unknown assailants in a fresh attack at Ndinn village, Fan District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Zagazola Makama report that the incident, which occurred on Monday evening, is the latest undocumented violent attacks that have continued to claim lives and property in parts of the state.

Witnesses said the attackers ambushed the herder, identified as Abubakar Alhaji Woda, while he was grazing his cattle, and shot him dead before opening fire on his herd, killing 36 cows on the spot.

Residents described the attack as unprovoked and expressed concern over the growing wave of insecurity in rural parts of Barkin Ladi and neighbouring local government areas.

They lamented that despite several similar attacks in recent weeks, no arrests have been made, and the perpetrators continue to operate with impunity.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the FUYODA Riyom chapter coordinator, Muhammad Saidu, described the attack as “a heartbreaking reminder of the persistent insecurity and injustice faced by peaceful Fulani communities in Plateau.”

“We strongly condemn this act of violence and call on the relevant authorities to ensure that justice is served,” Saidu said.

He prayed for the repose of the deceased’s soul and called on the government to take decisive steps to restore confidence among pastoral communities who continue to suffer silent losses in the ongoing communal crisis.

“May Almighty Allah grant Abubakar Alhaji Woda Jannatul Firdaus, forgive his shortcomings, and comfort his family with patience and strength during this difficult time,” he added.

However, as of the time of filing this report, there has been no official statement from the Plateau State Government or security agencies regarding the attack.

Zagazola report that the recurring cycle of violence in Plateau State has often been reported only from the angle of reprisals, while several attacks on herders go undocumented or receive limited attention.

Community leaders have called on security operatives to fish out the perpetrators and ensure justice is served to prevent further escalation of hostilities in the area.

Herdsman, 36 cows shot dead in fresh unprovoked attack in Plateau

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Fact-finding committee says all ethnic groups involved in Plateau crisis

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Fact-finding committee says all ethnic groups involved in Plateau crisis

By: Zagazola Makama

Maj.-Gen. Rogers Ibe Nicholas (rtd), Chairman of the Fact-Finding Committee on Insecurity in Plateau State, says the crisis in the state involves both indigenes and non-indigenes across all ethnic and religious divides.

Nicholas, a former Commander of Operation Safe Haven, made this known while reacting to reports that the committee’s findings had indicted Fulani herdsmen as the aggressors in the prolonged conflict.

He clarified that the committee’s report, submitted last month to Governor Caleb Mutfwang, did not attribute blame to any single ethnic group, stressing that the violence in Plateau was a multi-dimensional problem involving various communities.

“The committee was set up by the state government to make findings and recommendations, which have been submitted to the government. The document is still classified until a white paper is issued,” Nicholas said.

He explained that during the committee’s engagements with community leaders across the state, it became evident that all sides had suffered and contributed to the cycle of violence.

“I think people need to be corrected based on the statement that Fulani are the ones causing the problem. The report did not say that,” he stated.

“While we are clear, everybody — all the ethnic groups in Plateau — are in one way or another involved in the crisis. In some areas, fingers have been pointed at particular groups, but our findings show that every community has played a part,” Nicholas added.

He further noted that many of the attacks in the state were reprisals triggered by earlier assaults, which often led to further bloodshed and destruction of property.

Nicholas maintained that the committee’s recommendations, once made public, would help guide the government in addressing the root causes of the conflict and fostering lasting peace in the state.

Fact-finding committee says all ethnic groups involved in Plateau crisis

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