Three Killed, Two Injured in Attack by Fulani Bandits Near Illegal Mining Site in Plateau

By: Zagazola Makama

Three persons have been killed and two others injured following an attack by suspected armed Fulani bandits near an illegal mining site in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Security sources said the incident occurred at about 10:00 a.m. on June 30 around the border communities of Tsoho Gero and Nyango, where armed assailants ambushed local residents before fleeing the scene.

The sources said troops of Sector 6, Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), under Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), responded to a distress call and, in conjunction with members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), moved to the area.

On arrival, the troops made contact with the fleeing attackers, who escaped towards the Dutse Kura axis in neighbouring Bassa Local Government Area.

However, security personnel confirmed that the attackers had already killed three local residents and injured two others before the troops arrived.

The deceased were identified as Mr. Chung Davou, Gyang Gwaha and Pam Chung.

Following the incident, troops carried out exploitation and clearance operations from Tsoho Gero to the Gero High Grounds in search of the fleeing assailants.

During the operation, Fulani community leaders alleged that four Fulani men had also been killed in the violence. However, security personnel said no bodies were found to substantiate the claim.

Tension later escalated at Gyel, where a group of aggrieved women blocked the troops’ route and threw stones at security personnel, accusing them of failing to prevent the attack.

The troops fired warning shots into the air to disperse the crowd and restore access before continuing the operation.

Security sources said clearance operations were ongoing in the area to track down the perpetrators and prevent further attacks.

Three Killed, Two Injured in Attack by Fulani Bandits Near Illegal Mining Site in Plateau

Benue Govt. Dismantles Illegal Checkpoints, Arrests Civil Protection Guards

By: Zagazola Makama

The Special Adviser to the Benue State Governor on Security and Internal Affairs has dismantled several illegal checkpoints along the Makurdi–Otukpo Road and ordered the arrest of members of the Benue State Civil Protection Guards (BSCPG) found manning them.

The operation, carried out on Tuesday, was conducted alongside the State Commander and other senior officers of the BSCPG as part of efforts to enforce compliance with security directives and ensure the free flow of traffic across the state.

According to a statement issued by the Media Aide to the Special Adviser, Comrade Mfa A. Igirgi Jr., the operation followed concerns over the increasing number of unauthorized roadblocks mounted by security volunteers along the highway.

The Special Adviser said the exercise was in line with the directive of the Benue State Commissioner of Police that roads should not be obstructed except at officially approved security checkpoints.

During the operation, two illegal checkpoints in Aliade were dismantled, while BSCPG personnel found operating them were disarmed and taken into custody for further administrative action.

The team also visited Howe, where soldiers had mounted a checkpoint near the premises of a Chinese construction company. The soldiers explained that they were providing security for the Chinese Harbor Company and its expatriate staff.

The Special Adviser, however, directed that the roadblock be removed and instructed the soldiers to concentrate on securing the company’s premises rather than occupying the highway.

He noted that unnecessary checkpoints impede the free movement of motorists and could create security vulnerabilities, particularly when left unmanned.

Reiterating the operational mandate of the Benue State Civil Protection Guards, the Special Adviser said members of the outfit are expected to patrol their communities, provide early warning on security threats and serve as first responders, rather than establish checkpoints on public highways.

He stressed that BSCPG personnel are only permitted to participate in checkpoint operations when working jointly with the Nigeria Police Force or other authorized security agencies.

The Special Adviser urged residents to report any BSCPG personnel operating unauthorized checkpoints to the office of the State Commander or his office for prompt disciplinary action.

He reaffirmed the Benue State Government’s commitment to promoting lawful security operations while ensuring that measures put in place to protect lives and property do not inconvenience law-abiding citizens or create opportunities for criminal activities.

Benue Govt. Dismantles Illegal Checkpoints, Arrests Civil Protection Guards

Nigerian Army Boosts Training Capacity as COAS Inaugurates Modern Training Facilities in Plateau

By Zagazola Makama

The Nigerian Army has taken another significant step toward enhancing the professionalism and combat readiness of its personnel with the inauguration of modern training facilities at the 3 Division Training School and Shooting Range in Miango, Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The facilities, commissioned on Tuesday by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, form part of the Army’s ongoing efforts to modernise its training infrastructure and provide a more conducive environment for the development of officers and soldiers.

Speaking during the inauguration of newly constructed hostel blocks at the training school, the COAS described training as the bedrock of operational success, stressing that a well-trained force remains indispensable in addressing Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.

He said the provision of modern accommodation and improved training infrastructure would significantly enhance the capacity of the institution to conduct effective and realistic training, thereby producing personnel capable of meeting contemporary operational demands.

Lt. Gen. Shaibu noted that the Nigerian Army has continued to invest in training institutions across the country as part of deliberate efforts to strengthen force readiness, improve operational efficiency, and sustain the momentum in ongoing counter-terrorism, counter-insurgency, and internal security operations.

According to him, creating a conducive learning and training environment is essential to achieving excellence, as quality infrastructure directly contributes to effective knowledge acquisition, skills development, and professional competence among troops.

The Army Chief reiterated that the welfare of personnel remains a central pillar of his command philosophy, explaining that improving accommodation, training facilities, and the overall working environment for soldiers is critical to maintaining morale and enhancing operational effectiveness.

He commended the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division and Commander of Operation Enduring Peace for his foresight, prudent management of resources, and commitment to executing projects that directly improve the Army’s training capacity.

The COAS expressed confidence that the new facilities would not only improve the quality of instruction at the training school but also reinforce the Nigerian Army’s broader transformation agenda aimed at building a highly professional, disciplined, and combat-ready force capable of effectively discharging its constitutional responsibilities.

The commissioning of the facilities illustrates the Nigerian Army’s sustained commitment to investing in human capital development through modern training infrastructure, reflecting its determination to prepare personnel for the complex security environment confronting the nation.

The initiative also aligns with the Army’s strategic objective of developing a technologically driven, professionally competent, and highly motivated force capable of responding swiftly and effectively to both conventional and asymmetric threats across the country.

Nigerian Army Boosts Training Capacity as COAS Inaugurates Modern Training Facilities in Plateau