Three Locals killed in Kassa in Reprisal to killing of fulani herder, rustling of 30 livestock, 10 sheep along Barkin Ladi–Mangu axis

By: Zagazola Makama

The security situation along the Barkin Ladi–Mangu axis of Plateau State has escalated following a fresh attack in Kassa village that left three locals dead, coming hours after a Fulani herder was killed by Berom Militia and 40 animals were reportedly rustled in the area.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the latest incident occurred at about 12:40 a.m. on Sept. 25, when troops of Sector 4, Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), responded to reports of sporadic shootings in Kassa, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area.

The troops’ swift intervention reportedly forced the gunmen, suspected by security sources to be Fulani militias, to flee the area.

A search of the location led to the recovery of three bodies identified as Ishaya Pam, 48; Barnabas Gyang, 27; and Daniel Mutuwal, 30.

The troops also recovered an abandoned AK-47 rifle loaded with nine rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition at the scene.

The Kassa attack occurred shortly after another incident around the boundary between Barkin Ladi and Mangu Local Government Areas, where a Fulani herder was killed and livestock were reportedly rustled by Berom Militiamen.

In that earlier incident, troops of Sector 8, Sub-Sector 81, Gyambwas, responded at about 3:55 p.m. on Sept. 24 to a report of cattle rustling and an attack on a herder.

On arrival at the location, the troops discovered the body of a 24-year-old herder identified as Abubakar Mudi, who had sustained gunshot wounds.

Other herders told the troops that about 30 cows and 10 sheep were suspected to have been taken by the attackers during the incident.

Security sources said the attackers were suspected to be members of a Berom militia group, although investigations are ongoing to establish the identities and motives of those responsible.

The troops have since commenced tracking operations to locate the suspected rustlers, recover the stolen livestock and arrest the perpetrators.

Security personnel and local vigilantes have also intensified patrols and offensive operations across the affected areas following the two incidents.

The sequence of attacks highlights the retaliatory nature of violence along parts of the Barkin Ladi–Mangu corridor, where attacks on communities and herders, livestock rustling and reprisal killings can rapidly trigger further violence.

Troops said they are intensifying efforts to prevent further retaliatory attacks.

Three Locals killed in Kassa in Reprisal to killing of fulani herder, rustling of 30 livestock, 10 sheep along Barkin Ladi–Mangu axis

Zulum Named 2026 Quintessence Award, First Northern Governor to Win Pan-Africa’s Top Leadership Award

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has been named the 2026 recipient of the Quintessence Award, the preeminent Pan-African Leadership Award in North America, becoming the first governor from Northern Nigeria to receive this honour.

Zulum, who is currently in New York for the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81), is part of the Nigerian delegation to accompany the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, who is leading the Federal Government team to deliver Nigeria’s national statement at the General Debate and will also participate in several sideline engagements, including the Nigeria Investment Forum.

Before proceeding to the United States, the Governor held a series of high-level strategic engagements in Canada, where he signed a Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of Borno State Government with the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) on technical education, workforce development and skills transfer among other areas designed to strengthen the human capital base driving Borno’s post-insurgency recovery.

The Governor’s nomination was conveyed in a letter from the Executive Director of the African Writers Endowment (AWE), the New Jersey-based non-profit organisation, Dr Ugorji O. Ugorji, who said Zulum was selected in recognition of his “remarkable accomplishments as an academic, scholar and educational administrator,” alongside his distinguished tenure as Governor of Borno State, particularly for stemming the tide of insecurity and significantly reshaping the infrastructural landscape of the state.

The award will be presented at the “Quintessence Ball: A Celebration of African People in World History,” which brings together African people from Africa, North America, and the Caribbean. This year’s ceremony will be held on Friday, September 25, 2026, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, New Jersey, United States of America.

According to Dr Ugorji, the Quintessence Award is presented each year to at least one continental African leader and one African American leader, “for distinguished accomplishments in the person’s field of endeavour, and for outstanding contributions to the history and heritage of African people.”

This year’s edition of the Quintessence Conference and Awards will be chaired by Professor Ibrahim Gambari, CFR, former Chief of Staff to the late President Muhammadu Buhari and one-time Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, who was himself the maiden recipient of the award in 1998.

A major highlight of the conference will be a special symposium titled “Investment Opportunities in Borno State: Doorway to the Chad Region.” The interactive session will spotlight the vast economic, agricultural, and cross-border trade opportunities opening up in Borno State, as well as the Governor’s development record in rebuilding communities, restoring livelihoods, and repositioning the state as a strategic gateway to the Lake Chad Basin.

With this recognition, Governor Zulum joins a distinguished roll of past laureates that includes Professor Chinua Achebe, Professor Ngugi wa Thiong’o, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAN, Congressman Donald Payne, Professor Toyin Falola, Professor Molefi Kete Asante, and former Governors Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and Kayode Fayemi, among other eminent Africans and African Americans.

The organisers disclosed that the Quintessence Award is traditionally accompanied by a proclamation from the Governor of New Jersey and a joint resolution of the New Jersey Senate and General Assembly in honour of the recipients.

Governor Babagana Zulum is a multiple award-winning governor who received the Forbes Magazine African Leadership Award in 2024.

Zulum Named 2026 Quintessence Award, First Northern Governor to Win Pan-Africa’s Top Leadership Award

Troops arrest three Fulani men in Plateau after farmer’s killing

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Sector 6, Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP), have arrested three persons during a raid on two Fulani settlements in Bachi community, Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The operation, conducted on Sept. 13, 2026, followed a manhunt for criminal elements responsible for the killing of a farmer at Fang community in Riyom LGA on Sept. 12.

During the raid at Baggat and Shong 2 Fulani hamlets, troops arrested three residents identified as Anas Usman, Nuhu Mohammad and Haruna Ahmed.

Security sources said the three suspects are not necessarily the perpetrators of the killing, but their arrest is part of efforts to mount pressure on local Fulani leaders to assist security agencies in identifying and producing those responsible for the crime.

The suspects are currently in custody for further investigation and intelligence exploitation.

Troops arrest three Fulani men in Plateau after farmer’s killing