STF arrests 3 bomb manufacturers in Jos

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Written by Isaac Shobayo, Jos Wednesday, 23 March 2011

MEN of the Special Task Force in Plateau State have arrested three suspects who specialise in making explosive devices and locally made bombs and recovered various forms of equipment for such venture.

The media officer of the STF, Captain Charles Ekeocha, told newsmen that 20 assorted bomb-making equipment were recovered from the suspects who resided at millionaires’ quarters in Jos North Local Government area.

Equipment recovered included, detonating cords, electric detonators, PH meter to monitor temperature, a brief case containing PH meters, a handy lab and conical flask.

Others were, titronic machines, ERSA (test tube), small brief case containing injection-like tubes for bomb-making, pamphlet for instructions on bomb-making, HAMEG counter for timing telescopes, 4 axis extension wires, battery chargers, masol cleaning oil for cleaning of telescope, accessories, measuring wheel for lamp cord, dynamite, Theodolite, safety fuse and detonators.

Explaining the circumstances that led to their arrest, the STF spokesman said men of the sector three of the command apprehended one of the suspects with a black nylon bag containing equipment used in manufacturing explosives.

According to him, upon interrogation, he mentioned one Farouk Anyor as the owner adding that STF searched the residence of the kingpin used as the manufacturing site and discovered various forms of bomb making equipment.


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4 killed in Jos bomb explosion

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Written by Isaac Shobayo and Chris Agbambu Monday, 21 March 2011

WHAT could have been twin bombings was averted in Jos, the Plateau State capital, on Sunday, as an attempt to bomb the headquarters of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministry and other places was averted while nemesis caught up with two of the bombers.

Nigerian Tribune learnt that at about 9.45 a.m, two middle-aged persons in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State were shattered into pieces while on their way to plant explosive devices at a location.

It was learnt that the explosives suddenly went off at Duala junction in Nasarawa area of Jos and killed the two instantly.

The bang from the explosion, it was learnt caused pandemonium in the area, as people took to their heels while churches, especially Church of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN) and Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA) within the vicinity, hurriedly rounded off their services before it degenerated into crisis.

Nigerian Tribune further learnt that at the time of the explosion, the speaker of the state House of Assembly, Honourable Istifanus Mwansat was at the COCIN church in the area, while the state Commissioner for Commerce, Mr Nuhu Gagara, was equally at the ECWA church, perceived to be target of the bombers.

The youth in the area, who thronged the scene, burnt the bombers beyond recognition and also damaged the motorcycle, making it difficult for their identity to be known, while the corpses of two other people were found within the scene of the incident.

There was also another attempt on the state headquarters of the Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministry close to the old UTC, but this was stopped by the men of the Special Task Force deployed to protect the church.

Nigerian Tribune gathered from the security men at the church that four people alighted from two motorcycles and parked close to one of the cars of worshippers and were about throwing the explosive when one of the security men saw them.

It was learnt that they dropped the explosive and sped off on their bikes, while the security men made efforts to difuse the explosive before it went off.

The two incidents caused tension within the state capital and there was a speculation that the men that were kiled in the blast meant to throw the explosives into one of the churches in the area.

The prompt intervention of the Military Special Task Force and the police saved the situation from degenerating into violence, as youths in some parts of the city, especially in Nasarawa, Angwan Rukuba and others, had started mobilising for a showdown over the incident.

The State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Abdulrahaman Akao, who confirmed the incident to the Nigerian Tribune, said it would be difficult to determine the destination of the two killed in the blast, because they were yet to discharge the explosives before they went off.

He said apart from the two killed by the explosion, two corpses were found close to the scene, adding that the police were yet to ascertain if they were killed by the explosion.

However, the Force Headquarters has said no bomb exploded in the church in Jos, on sunday.

Force spokesman, Sola Amore, who spoke with the Nigerian Tribune by phone, said what actually happened was that two young men, riding on a motorbike, were suspected to be carrying explosives on the Nasaraw Gwom road in Jos.

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Jos crisis religious, not political - ECWA president

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Written by Kunle Awosiyan Tuesday, 15 March 2011

The President of the Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA), Reverend Anthony Farinto, has disagreed with Plateau State governor, Mr Jonah Jang, that the recent Jos crisis was political, saying it was a religious problem.

He said this at a news conference in Lagos, at the weekend, calling on government to address the issue as pure religious crisis instead of politicising it.

Farinto said that no politician or political office was ever affected in the crisis where many Christians and Muslims had been killed.

“Churches were burnt. An ECWA church that was standing beside a political party’s office was burnt to ashes. The party house was left untouched. This is purely a religious matter. I don’t agree with the governor,” he said.

He stated that nobody could tell lie about the cause of the crisis because ECWA headquarters was in Jos and witnessed how the religious clash started.

The president, who said that the name of the church had since been changed to Evangelical Church Winning All, explained that the crisis in Jos had united Christians more than before, adding that nobody could change his mind with fabricated lies or rumour unless they killed him.

He also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to work with Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) to screen candidates of political parties before the forthcoming April polls.

According to him, ECWA members would not vote for a particular political party but any candidate of integrity. “Our advice to our members is that they should vote for only men and women of integrity. Time has come when we should not be deceived by party manifestoes,” he said.

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Jos crises stalls take-off of Adamawa cement coy
Tuesday, 15 March 2011 00:00 Ibrahim Abdul’Aziz, Yola
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Crises in Jos, the Plateau State capital, have been blamed for the delay in the take-off of the Adamawa State proposed Guyuk cement company.

A US-based company handling the project, Gooth Incorporated Company Limited, said this yesterday in Yola, when he met with Governor Murtala Nyako.

Alhaji Muhammad Lawal Girgir told the governor that the work would have reached an appreciable level by now if not for the crises in Jos which, according to him, affect the transportation of goods and other materials to the site.

He said at the moment, the firm would soon mobilize to site and that the Guyuk cement company is expected to commence operation within the next 19 months under the build, operate and transfer (BOT) arrangement.

He added that feasibility study earlier conducted showed that Guyuk, where the proposed cement factory is to be sited has 260 million metric tonnes deposit of limestone.

Responding, Governor Nyako assured that the government would not relent

on the project and called on the people of the area to co-operate to achieve results.




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6 people killed, 34 cattle rustle in Plateau

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Written by Isaac Shobayo Tuesday, 15 March 2011

NO fewer than six people were killed on Sunday in Barakin-Ladi and Jos South Local Government area of Plateau State by some armed men who invaded the communities in a commando style.

According to a Police Press bulletin made available to the Nigerian Tribune in Jos, signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Apev Jacob, the armed men invaded Kai village in Kura-falls, Barakin-Ladi Local Government Area and killed five people.

Those killed in the mid- ight raid were Iliya Bitrus, Marth Illiya, Philip Bitrus, Kasiah Iliya and Amazie Iliya all of the same family. Apart from the killings, nothing was stolen from the village.

According to the state Police Command,when it received the information, security personnel were drafted to the scene to arrest attackers adding that before they got to the village, the attackers had escaped.

The police revealed that the marauders who gained access into the village through the nearby hills attacked the Iliya family alone and left adding that men of the command had commenced full investigation into the unfortunate incident with the aim of apprehending the fleeing suspects.

In a related development, another set of attackers invaded Gohog village in Vom district, Jos South Local Government area of the state on Sunday and killed one Douglas Jang and rustled 37 cattle.

The police bulletin depicted that the assailants who came in large number escaped before the police got to the scene adding that efforts to trace and arrest the culprits are on while investigation into the matter is in progress.

The command appealed to members of the public to always endeavour to volunteer information to security agencies on time in respect of any movement of suspected persons in their domain.

FG must compensate victims of Jos, Borno crises - Makinde

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Written by Olayinka Olukoya, Abeokuta
Friday, 04 March 2011

THE Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence, Dr Sunday Ola Makinde, has urged the Federal Government to pay compensation to all affected victims of religious violence in Plateau and Borno states, irrespective of their tribe and religion.

The cleric stated this in his address at the third annual diocesan synod of the Diocese of Remo Central, held at Isara-Remo, Ogun State, on Thursday.

The cleric, in his address at the synod, with the theme: I will heal your land, described what was happening in the two states as condemnable.

He contended that the spate of religious violence in the northern part of the country had become unacceptable and unbearable to Nigerians, especially Christians, adding that those behind the dastardly acts had no respect for human lives.

Makinde told all security agencies to rise up to the challenges, by defending Nigerians from terrorism and genocide. On the 2011 general election, Makinde prayed for peaceful, transparent and fair elections.

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Doctors call off strike in Bauchi •After release of detained colleague

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Written by Ishola Michael, Bauchi
Friday, 04 March 2011

MEDICAL doctors in Bauchi State, on Thursday, called off their strike, following the release of the medical doctor in charge of Boto General Hospital, Dr Adamu Sambo, by security operatives in the state.

The doctors had embarked on strike on Monday, to demand for the release of Dr Sambo, who was arrested by operatives of the Plateau State Special Task Force (STF).


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Dr Sambo was arrested by soldiers, on Friday, last week, after he treated patients with gunshots wound, but the state chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) began strike after the ultimatum given for the release of the colleague lapsed.

The state chairman of the association, Dr Abdullahi Ibrahim, told newsmen in Bauchi, on Thursday, that, “we are happy for the release of our colleague. We have called off our strike,” adding that doctors in the state had resumed duty in all parts of the state.

He said they association was grateful to the state government and the emir of Bauchi, including others who ensured the release of Dr Sambo.

Speaking with newsmen after his release, Dr Sambo said “I spent five days in the hands of State Security Services (SSS) in Plateau State. They asked me if there is connivance between myself and the suspect, but I told them that the suspect was brought to me by the officials of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Tafawa Balewa Local Government branch, as one of the seven people they declared missing after the last crisis in the council.”

Dr Sambo added that “before we lay our hands on the victim, we tried to inform policemen in Boto, but we didn’t get through to them, so I sought for permission from my superior officers in Bauchi, but, unfortunately, we could not save his life, as he died in the process.”

He then thanked the state government, Bauchi emir and his colleagues for the roles they played and for their support for him.

12 die in Plateau auto crash

Friday, 04 March 2011 00:00 Mahmud Lalo, Jos

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An auto crash along Kassa road in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State has claimed 12 people, leaving 21 injured, a statement by the Plateau State Police Command has said.

According to the statement, which was signed by the command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Apev Jacob, the accident which involved a Nissan Bus with registration number, XB 910 DAL and a Ford Bus with registration number XE 653 JJN occurred at about 11am in the morning.

.According to the statement, the injured victims were rushed to the Plateau Specialists Hospital while the corpses were deposited at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) for autopsy. Investigation by our correspondent revealed that the victims were on their way to the flag-off of Pauline Tallen’s governorship campaign when they had the accident. But ASP Jacob, who spoke to our correspondent on phone said he could not ascertain whether the victims were Labour Party supporters, adding that the message contained in the statement was the only information they had at that time

A witness however said that one of the buses involved in the accident had Labour Party posters all over it.


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Gunmen kill 5 family members in Jos

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Written by Isaac Shobayo Tuesday, 01 March 2011

The entire Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State was thrown into confusion on Monday, following the gruesome murder of five members of the same family by some unknown assailants in the early hours of the day.

The Nigerian Tribune learnt that the unfortunate incident occurred at about 1.00a.m in Kuru when the assailants numbering about eight sneaked into the house of a family simply identified as Davou and snuffed lives out of five of them while two members of the family escaped with injuries.

A source who witnessed the incident told the Nigerian Tribune that the assailants armed with guns and other dangerous weapons shot the five family members at close range before they were butchered with cutlass while the other two members of the family received machete cuts while trying to flee the premises.

The source further disclosed that after the dastardly act, the assailants released several gun shots into the air to scare away people adding that security men arrived the scene shortly after they had left.

The State Commissioner of Police, Mr Abdulrahaman Akano, who confirmed the incident to the Nigerian Tribune said five family members were killed in the attack and two escaped with serious injuries.

Mr. Akano who stated that the incident had no link with the recent spate of crisis in the state said from all indications, the attack looked like a personal vendetta adding that the assailants restricted their wicked act to just one family.

According to him, criminals are gradually taking over, using the unfortunate situation in the state to launch attack on people considered to be their enemies adding that the men of his command, have swung into action to arrest the perpetrators of the dastardly act.

He, therefore, appealed to the people of the state to have confidence in the police and come up with information that would assist the police to arrest those behind the crime.

It would be recalled that a similar barbaric incident occurred at the Federal School of Land Resources Technology situated within the locality two weeks ago, leading to the death of some principal staff of the school.

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Bauchi doctors begin indefinite strike over detention of colleague
Tuesday, 01 March 2011 05:45 Ahmed Mohammed, Bauchi
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The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) Bauchi State chapter has embarked on an indefinite strike to protest what they described as the illegal detention of their colleague by security agencies.


The strike followed the expiration of a 12-hour ultimatum given to members of the Special Task Force to release their member, the medical officer in charge of General Hospital Boto in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchi State, Dr Adamu Sambo, who was arrested last Friday.



The state’s chairman of the association, Dr Abdullahi Ibrahim told newsmen in Bauchi that, “We have embarked on an indefinite strike to press home our demand. We pray that they do not allow the situation to linger. However, we now know where he is, the security agents informed us that he is currently under the custody of the State Security Service in Plateau State based on orders from above.”

Our correspondent, who visited the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, observed that the strike has crippled activities at the hospital, as patients were seen loitering with no doctors to attend to them.

Two patients, Hajiya Hauwa Musa and Sani Adamu, who spoke to Daily Trust, said they were attended to by nurses while some patients at the Gynaecology ward said no one had attended to them. They appealed to the Bauchi State government and the Federal Government to intervene.

Some hospital workers, who spoke said they were providing skeletal services to alleviate the sufferings of the patients.



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Doctors in Bauchi give STF 12 hours to release colleague
Monday, 28 February 2011 00:49 Ahmed Mohammed, Bauchi
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The Nigeria Medical Association, Bauchi State chapter has given the Special Task Force (STF) in Plateau State a 12 hour ultimatum to release their member, who was allegedly arrested by the military operatives last Friday or risk strike.

The state’s chairman of the association, Dr Abdulahi Ibrahim, who addressed newsmen in Bauchi yesterday, condemned the alleged abduction and illegal detention of the medical doctor. He said Dr Adamu Sambo, until his abduction, was the medical office in charge of the General Hospital Boto in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of the state and that he was arrested in the course of discharging his duties.

“Dr Sambo was attending to a gunshot patient when the armed military men came to arrest the patient, who was under anaesthesia, and the doctor pleaded with them to allow the patient to recover, but unfortunately, the patient died and the medical doctor was arrested at a police check point on his way to Bauchi on Friday, a day after the incident, purportedly on the orders of the Chief of Army Staff. His (Sambo) handsets were confiscated and he was taken to an unknown destination in Jos. All efforts by his relatives and the NMA to trace his where about have been unsuccessful. The NMA Bauchi branch, is giving a 12 hour ultimatum to the security operatives to immediately release him unconditionally, restore all his personal belongings and publically apologize for the breach of his fundamental human rights. Failure to do that will result in the total withdrawal of health care services by all doctors in Bauchi State, effective from Monday February 28, 2011,” he said.

But in a telephone interview, the Public Relations Officer of the STF, Captain Ekeocha Charles said he was not aware of any arrest by his men.

“I wonder why the NMA is making an issue out of it. Nobody is above the law, and I believe his arrest is in the interest of peace. They should be careful and investigate the matter,” he said.


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Jos crises: Fulani group sues FG, demands N481bn compensation
Monday, 28 February 2011 00:54 Mohammed S. Shehu
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A Fulani socio-cultural group, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, has dragged the Federal Government before the Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States asking it to compel the defendant to pay the plaintiff the sum of N481 billion for the killing of their members and destruction of their property by tribal hordes in Plateau State.

The group, in a suit filed through its Legal Counsel, M.M. Nurudeen on February 25, 2011, also prayed the court to grant an order compelling the Federal Government to pay another N20 billion as compensation for its inability to protect the lives of its citizens and for negligence in the discharge its statutory functions.

The group urged the court to declare that the killing of 209 Fulani men, women and children in Plateau State between January 17th and 20th, 2010 amounts to ethnic cleansing campaign and gross violation of their members’ right to life as guaranteed under Article 4 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights Chapter A9 Laws of the Federal of Nigeria.

They also asked the court to declare that “The defended derelict in the performance of its statutory duties and that the dereliction has caused loss of hundreds of lives and thousands of animals and houses of the Fulani,” noting that the ceaseless attacks on Fulani was a testimony to the nonchalant attitudes of the defendant to perform its statutory duties.

They called on the court to enforce the rights of the Fulani people to their lives and property as guaranteed by the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights Chapter A9 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and called for security protection to their wherever they may be in Plateau State.

The group said between 17th and 20th , 112 Fulani people were killed in Barikin Ladi Local Government; 81 in Jos South, 16 in Riyom, hundreds of house destroyed and thousands of livestock were either killed or stolen in these areas.



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Written by Isaac Shobayo Wednesday, 23 February 2011

[One of the many health centres under lock]

One of the many health centres under lock
PLATEAU is one of the states in the country with a large number of civil servants and probably the highest in the Northern part; this gives credence to why the state is often referred to as a civil servants’ state. With a workforce of over twenty thousand, the civil servants make up a significant percentage of the state population.

For smooth administration and peace, it is obvious that there must be cordial relationship between the workforce and the government. In terms of labour unrest, Plateau State had witnessed turbulent moments in the past, leading to a situation that nearly threatened the fragile peace on the Plateau.

During the administration of the former Governor, Joshua Dariye, there was a labour unrest that snowballed into fracas leading to the death of a director in the state civil service, while some of the senior civil servants in the melee that ensued had to be ferried out of the state secretariat in disguise. The strike dragged on to the end of the administration.

The present administration inherited the problem and has had to deal with the contentious outstanding salaries and other arrears. There is no doubt that both the labour and the Jang administration started on a good note, until the once blossoming relationship nosedived recently over certain demands by the workers.

Activities at the state secretariat and other government establishments in the state have been in coma for quite sometime due to the industrial action embarked upon by the state civil servants.

Nigerian Tribune findings revealed that the Health workers and staff of public institutions in the state have been on strike for the past three months, thus, paralysing activities at the state hospitals and other health institutions across the state. Academic activities in higher institutions like the state, Polythechnic, College of Education and others are also lying prostrate as a result of the strike.

The state civil servants joined the fray four weeks ago to press home what some of them considered as salient demands to better the life of the workforce. Some of the contentious grey areas between the state government and the labour as depicted by the latter are non-implementation of the new salary structure in the country since July 1, 2009, demand for the restoration of the relativity that existed between the salaries of permanent secretaries, directors and other workers in the service.

According to the workers, the government is equally owing them 18 months arrears, adding that the demand for the implementation of the new salary structure is to avoid brain drain, saying that the implementation of the new salary structure will discourage staff of tertiary institutions in the country from searching for greener pasture elsewhere.

Other demands are the introduction of what it called obnoxious tax which covers 400 percent increase on the 15 percent salary increase which is yet to be implemented. The Labour said staff of the Federal Tertiary Institutions in the state do not pay the tax and wondered why they are made to pay such tax.

People of the state have started feeling the effect of the strike. Activities at the state hospital otherwise, known as Plateau State Hospital” and other health centres have been paralysed for quite sometime, state tertiary institutions like the Polytechnics, College of Education and others are also on strike. The pathetic situation is further worsened by the state civil servants who joined the strike four weeks ago.

A cross section of workers who spoke with the Nigerian Tribune called on the government to accent to the demand of Labour because the hardship they are passing through might become unbearable over the threat by the school proprietors to send their children out of schools for fees. But the state Commissioner of Information, Mr Greg Nyelong said with the strike, the government is willing to pay the striking workers and not willing to enforce no work, no pay rule against them, adding that the government could not pay them simply because those who are to prepare vouchers to effect the payment are the same civil servants on strike.

The Director of Research and Documentation to the Governor, Mr Gyang Pwarjok who spoke with the Nigerian Tribune over the strike said Jang led- administration in the past three years has taken various steps and actions towards restoring the dignity of its public service and motivating its workforce, adding that the directives to pay workers’ salaries and allowances by 25th of every month have been strictly adhered to despite poor financial position and the enormous security challenges of the government.

Giving the financial position of the state government, Pwarjok highlighted the average monthly income of the government as follows; the Statutory Revenue Allocation N2, 064, 325,004.96, Value Added Tax(VAT) N470, 000, 000.00 and Internal Generated Revenue (IGR) stands at N227, 070, 015.18. He added that financial commitment of the government to the state was high, saying this was possible based on its commitment; the government was often in deficit and had to resort to borrowing to meet its obligation to its citizens.

[Gov. Jonah Jang, Plateau state]

Gov. Jonah Jang, Plateau state
On the financial implication of the proposed salary increase, Mr Pwarjok said if the government increases allowances by seventy percent, total wage bill will be about N1.5 billion, if it increases allowances by 65 percent, total wage bill will be N1.4 billion, by sixty percent, the wage bill will be N1.3 billion and if the government increases it by fifty percent, it will be N1.2 billion.

He said the government appreciated the demands of the workers based on the prevailing economic situation in the country while saying that based on the precarious financial position of the state government and bearing in mind the need to provide basic social services to the wider citizens of the state estimated at about 3.3 million people and with the present security challenges, the need for the labour understanding cannot be underestimated.

He said the administration since assumption of office in 2007 is committed to the welfare of its workforce and has taken positive step to improve the standard of civil services in the state. He added that labour as partner in the development of the state should appreciate the difficult position that the government found itself, reciprocate the good gestures and concern showed by the government by suspending its current industrial action, resume work, while discussion continues.

The State Commissioner of Information, Nyelong who said the government is doing everything possible to end the strike as soon as possible implored the state civil servants to understand the financial position of the state and consider the efforts of the administration of Governor Jang towards improving the standard of living in the state.

“The administration has reinvigorated the public service with the resumption of the payment of overhead costs to ministries, departments and agencies which had stopped during the previous administration and followed by the subsequent payment of other inherited liabilities” he said.

State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Dalyop Vwot said workers who are the engine room of the state deserved better treatment and blamed the state government for allowing the contending issues to drag to the present level, adding that the posture of the government to the impasse was not encouraging.

“We are all feeling the effect of the strike action, strike does no good to anybody. No labour leader would be crowned or receive a medal for leading workers out on strike but the workers have been forced to embark on this strike”, Vwot said.

Though negotiation with the state government is still on, Nigerian Tribune learnt that some prominent stakeholders in the state who considered the strike and its consequences as an embarrassment to the state have waded in and are billed to meet with both the government and the labour for amicable solution to the impasse. As a result of the hardship the people of the state are passing through, there is a general appeal to the Labour to sheathe their sword and resume work while negotiations on the demands continue.

The Special Adviser to the government on Labour, Comrade Suleiman Hantsi told Nigerian Tribune that the health workers have suspended their strike adding that discussion is at advance stage for the core civil servants to equally call off their strike. He thus expressed optimism that the entire workforce in the state might likely call off their strike this week.

Hantsi, who said it is better to dialogue in a conducive atmosphere, stated that the government needs the understanding of the workers considering the prevailing security situation in the state, saying that the government in spite of this is committed to the wellbeing of the workers.

Meanwhile, when two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers; the strike action by the state civil servants is now taking its toll on the people of the state and at the same time affecting the general administration. The Parents Teachers Association (PTA) in the state recently called for the understanding of the situation by both parties.



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Bomb scare, low turnout mar Jonathan’s Plateau rally
Friday, 18 February 2011 00:16 Andrew Agbese & Mahmud Lalo
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The Rwang Pam stadium, Jos, venue of yesterday’s PDP presidential campaign in Plateau State was almost empty, as very few people turned out to witness the occasion.

Untill the rally commenced and rounded up around 12 noon, only the VIP stand and the stand next to it appeared filled with people as other parts of the stadium were virtually empty. PDP stalwarts from the state, including, former Deputy Senate President Ibrahim Mantu and Alhaji Yahaya Kwande were also visibly absent from the venue. The rally was hitch free as the president and other members of his entourage addressed the crowd and departed around noon for Makurdi, the Benue state capital. Daily Trust observed high security presence in Jos as policemen and soldiers mounted sentry in almost all parts of the town, while major roads leading to the stadium were blocked.

But less than 30 minutes after President Goodluck Jonathan departed the venue of the rally, there was stampede in Jos town, following rumours of a yet to detonate bomb discovered at the Joseph Gomwalk Way.

Motorists and commuters fled the area while security men ran to the area to ascertain the problem.

The road from the “Nigeria Standard” Junction to the Polo round-about was cordoned and vehicles were forced to take other routes as the security operatives investigated the cause of the stampede.

It was later discovered after about an hour, that the “bomb” was an old car antenna, which was discovered by some youths, who raised an alarm.

Spokesman of the STF, Captain Charles Ekeocha, confirmed to Daily Trust, that the device discovered was not a bomb, but an old car antenna and that the device had been taken to the STF office.

Earlier at the rally, President Goodluck Jonathan said the Goodluck/ Sambo campaign team had no enemy. He said his government would not discriminate against any part of Nigeria. Jonathan, who promised to ensure improvement in agriculture, transport, education, water supply sectors among others, said his government has managed to achieve a relative power supply across the nation, adding that before the first quarter of this year, power would stabilize reasonably.

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Hausa/Fulanis in Jos kick against ‘Operation Rainbow’
Friday, 18 February 2011 00:14 Andrew Agbese, & Mahmud Lalo, Jos
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The Hausa/ Fulani community in Jos, has kicked against the new security outfit, Operation Rainbow, about to be set up by the Plateau State government to maintain security in the state.

The Hausa/Fulanis have asked the Federal Government not to allow the outfit to be set up.

Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang had last week secured the approval of the Federal Government to set up a security outfit to be code named, “Operation Rainbow” to help maintain security of lives and property in the state.

President of the Jasawa Community Development Association, Alhaji Ibrahim Shehu Massallah, told our correspondent that the Hausa/Fulani community was indeed planning an outfit of their own.

Massallah said the Hausa- Fulani community in Jos had thought that both the police and armed forces were enough, but that since the Plateau governor has applied and secured approval to set up a different outfit, they too would follow the same procedure to get approval for their own.

He said the Hausa Fulani community has no confidence in the governor’s ability to handle the matter with objectivity and fairness.

Similarly, the Jos Muslim youths through their President General, Bashr Shuaibu Jibrin, have said that the proposed Operation Rainbow was unconstitutional, and that it could be used by the governor to further oppress the people

The Assistant Secretary of the Ulama’u Council, Ahmed Garba, said it was going to court to find out whether the Plateau State government or any other state government has the powers to set up a parallel security outfit apart from the police and the armed forces of the country.

But the Plateau State Commissioner for Information Gregory Yenlong has said that the state government would not allow any section of the state to set up a security outfit as it is not a sectional thing.

“The governor is the governor of the entire state and not for one section so people should learn to integrate and not take actions or make comments that would further polarize the people in the state,” he stated.

Jos monarch relocates from palace as 12 die in violence
Wednesday, 16 February 2011 00:00 From Isa Abdulsalami, Jos News - National
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IT was a meal he loved dearly but did not live to prepare and savour its rich taste yesterday. When he left his house in Jos metropolis for shopping in a nearby market, the victim, a policeman, never knew that it would be his last outing.

And yesterday, this Anti-Bomb Squad Mobile policeman deployed in Jos, Plateau State for peacekeeping was killed, and sadly by a butcher that he bought beef from.

Although police authorities in the state refused to give his identity, it was a sad end for the officer and 12 others, who were killed yesterday in the latest violence in the crisis-ridden state.

According to witnesses, the policeman approached the butcher near the burnt Abuja Market at the Terminus Area to buy beef. The bargaining was reportedly smooth, yet the butcher killed the security operative by ripping off his stomach with a knife.

The Guardian learnt that an agreement was reached by the duo but while the policeman was waiting to take possession of the beef and pay the seller, the butcher acted otherwise: Instead of cutting the beef into smaller sizes, the butcher with the sharp knife went for the bowel of the bomb expert, and within a twinkle of an eye, ripped it open with the intestines gushing out. He watched the policemen as he gasped for breath, slumped and died on the spot.

“As this happened, there was confusion and youths who watched the scenario played out took to violence. The ensuing confusion led to both traders and residents fleeing into different directions. Before you know it, four people were found lying on the ground dead. At Ahmadu Bello Way, a commercial motorcyclist (okada rider in local parlance) was hacked to death, and his motorcycle set ablaze. That was not all. His killers threw him into the fire,” a resident, who claimed to be at the scene, said.

At the Evangel Hospital, Jos, some hoodlums mounted a roadblock where three residents riding motorcycles and probably caught in-between the scene, were killed, another resident said. There were also claims that four people were killed at Gada-Biu and burnt.

As the metropolis boiled, the Gbong Gwon Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba, was quickly moved out of his palace to his Du residence. The monarch’s palace is close to the Central Mosque, the scene of the violence and where Muslims in the area were observing Maulud Nabbiy (Prophet Mohammed’s birthday) with Quranic recitation.

The situation was hijacked by hoodlums who burnt tyres, vehicles and motorcycles in the area.

Before the outbreak of the violence, the usual parade by the Quranic students to mark the Maulud Nabbiy was not observed at the popular Rwang Pam Township Stadium.

The Muslims who confined themselves to the Central Mosque however rushed out as sporadic shootings by the security operatives rent the air: “It was to avoid problems that we did not march to our usual venue which is the stadium,” one of the students said.

It took the intervention of the Commander, Special Task Force (STF), Brig.-Gen. Hassan Umaru, to persuade them to return to their mosque.

The spokesman of the STF, Captain Charles Ekeocha, said he could not comment on the issue because he was too busy.

When contacted, the state Police Commissioner, Mr. Abdulrahman Akano, confirmed that “one Anti-Bomb Squad Mobile Policeman was stabbed to death by some area boys.”

Akano said the police had already arrested four of the hoodlums found with a chemical substance called solution, which hoodlums in the North sniff. He said they had not started interrogating them, adding that “as far as I am concerned, it is the death of my man that I am aware of.” Akano further said he was not in the picture of what happened in other places that the crisis had spread to.


http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=38768:jos-monarch-relocates-from-palace-as-12-die-in-violence&catid=1:national&Itemid=559

9 killed in fresh Jos crisis

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Wednesday, 16 February 2011

THE city of Jos, capital of Plateau State, was again thrown into confusion on Tuesday, following the killing of a policeman, Corporal John Isuwa, attached to the anti-bomb disposal unit of the Plateau State Police Command by a butcher, leading to another clash in the city during which eight people were killed.

A police source told the Nigerian Tribune that the wife of the policeman had delivered a baby at the weekend and, as such, could not come out to buy some of the needs of the family, making the deceased policeman to go to the Terminus market to purchase some commodities for the family.

The police source further stated that the policeman was trying to buy meat when an argument ensued between the butcher and the man and the former suddenly went berserk and stabbed the policeman in the abdomen, leading to his death instantly.

It was learnt that within the twinkling of an eye, there was a commotion and the vicinity was taken over by hoodlums, while a girl, who was standing nearby was also stabbed and allowed to die without any help.

The hoodlums took the advantage of the situation to loot and inflict injuries on those running for their lives.

While the law enforcement agencies were trying to restore normalcy to the area, the choas spread to other parts of the city as people trooped out to kill innocent people. Areas affected were Gada-Biu, Polo roundabout and Masalaci.

The whole town was thrown into a frenzy. Traders quickly closed their shops while motorists caught in the melee tried to make U-turn. In the process, many cars and pedestrians were hit.

Men of the Special Task Force and the police patrolled the troubled areas.

No fewer than eight bodies were seen on the streets and they were yet to be removed as of the time of filing this report while some of the vehicles and motorcycles burnt still littered some parts of the city.

Plateau State Police Commissioner, Mr Abdulrahman Akano, who confirmed the incident, said four people had been arrested, adding that his men and soldiers attached to the Special Task Force quickly mobilised and arrested the situation.


http://tribune.com.ng/index.php/front-page-news/17617-9-killed-in-fresh-jos-crisis

Jos Crisis: STF in the eyes of the storm

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Written by Isaac Shobayo Thursday, 10 February 2011

[Women protesting on the streets of Jos]

Women protesting on the streets of Jos
THOSE in position of authorities in the country have used different security approaches and measures to curb the raging hostilities in Jos, Plateau State without any headway. Rather than abating, the unfortunate development has continued to escalate in a frightening dimension. The pattern of killings is brutal in nature and can be likened to what is obtainable in the jungle.

Since the creation of the Special Task Force otherwise known as STF, to arrest the crisis rocking the state, the operations of the STF have been shrouded in controversy. Opinions about the outfit also differ among the people of the state, especially between the natives and the Hausa/Fulani involved in the hostilities.

Nigerians have advanced various solutions to the impasse on the plateau, some of which are the implementation of the past reports of judicial commission, of inquiry with the aim of bringing those behind the dastardly act to book to serve as a deterrent to others who may want to foment problem. But the implementation of the reports seems to be an uphill task for the government.

The common allegation against the operations of the STF since its deployment to arrest the pathetic situation is that of partisanship. There were instances where the natives in particular had complained that most of the assailants carrying out attacks on them were always in military uniform. Some alleged that the attacks were sometime carried out in full glare of the security men or close to their security posts without any immediate response but only to surface and arrest victims of such attacks afterwards.

But the Hausa/ Fulani are also accusing the police of similar allegation, alleging that the police are aiding the killings of their kinsmen and, therefore, want them to step aside for the military to be in full control.

Apart from the sentiment being expressed in certain quarters, the way men of the Task Force handled the recent rampage by the students of University of Jos during which 14 students were shot has also made some individuals and organizations to question the operation of the Task Force. Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) University of Jos, Chapter recently at a press conference frowned at the way men of the STF handled the students protest.

The Chapter Chairman, Dr. Timothy Namo said the public confidence in the Special Task Force deployed to Plateau State has been eroded due to perception of partiality, ineffectiveness and unprofessional conducts, as shown, for example, in the recent cases involving the shooting of students of the University in their hostel.

Namo charged the Federal Government to develop an effective policy for the engagement of the military for internal security that will ensure the accountability, effectiveness, impartiality and overall professionalism by the military personnel.

Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN) at different forums has also called for the total withdrawal of the Task Force. Recently, it’s state Chairman, Reverend Philip Dafes strongly condemned the way and manner the STF has been handling the security operations in the state, saying that the men have further aggravated the pathetic situation instead of ameliorating it and therefore, called for their withdrawal.

The Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (MAN), Bauchi, Benue, Plateau, Gombe and Nasarawa States branch on the debilitating experiences of the business community arising from the incessant Jos crisis said it appears that security and law enforcement agencies are stretched beyond their ability to cope with, or halt the negative descent, let alone effect the arrest and speedy prosecution of the miscreants and their sponsor.

But the STF Commander, Brigadier-General Hassan Umaru has dismissed the allegation of partisanship against his men with a wave of hand, saying his men are upright in the discharge of their duty, adding further that only those who run foul of the operation are not being spared. He said his men were trying their best and that those complaints cannot force the Task Force to withdraw saying, that it was only the Federal Government which put up the Task Force in place that can wind up its operations.

[Defence Minister, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode]

Defence Minister, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode
Contrary to the position of those calling for the withdrawal of the STF, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders’ Association recently condemned the call for the withdrawal saying that withdrawal of STF posed a serious danger to the state and Nigeria as a whole adding that it was an invitation to anarchy.

Apart from pockets of protests by women in the past one year against the operations of the STF in the state, what could be tagged as massive protest took place on Monday, as over 20, 000 women within the state capital took the city by the storm and paralysed business activities and also hindered vehicular movement for close to four hours due to their number.

They condemned the continuous presence of the Military Special Task Force in the city and threatened to withdraw their support for President Goodluck Jonathan if the soldiers are not withdrawn from the streets of Jos.

They walked through Yakubu Gowon way, D B Zang way, and terminated the protest at Jitshe Government House where they were addressed by Governor Jonah Jang along with some of the state top government functionary.

Some of the placards carried by the women were with various inscriptions condemning activities of the STF, some of which read: “STF park your load and leave Plateau, stop killing us, go after the real trouble makers.”

At a point they were shouting no vote for President Goodluck Jonathan in the coming presidential election if the Military men remain on the streets of Jos before the election.

The governor, Chief Jonah Jang and the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Istifanus Mwansat and other top government functionaries who came out to address the women were surprised to see the multitude of women who defied the security situation of Jos to lodge their protest against the STF.

In spite of the condemnation, Governor Jang who saluted the courage of the women tried to change the perception of the women about the military operations saying that not all soldiers were bad. “Not all soldiers are bad; in every setting, there are bad eggs, there are lot of professional soldiers willing to carry out their assignment without any sentiment and so don’t see them as enemies as such” he said.

Governor Jang enjoined them to be calm adding that President Goodluck Jonathan, in conjunction with the state government is leaving no stone un-turned to find lasting solution to the crisis.

Four days after the women protest, another group under the aegis of Muslim women in Jos also staged a peaceful demonstration to condemn the raging hostilities in Jos and its environs. They sought for Mr. President's intervention to arrest the persistent impasse, which they said had claimed the lives of many and turned others to orphans and widows. Contrary to the position of Plateau women, they advocated for continuous stay of the STF to oversee security situation in the state.

[Gov Jonah Jang]

Gov Jonah Jang
While natives and others are calling on the Federal Government to send STF parking , the Hausa/Fulani community in Jos are also calling for the declaration of a state of emergency. Before the pronouncement of President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday which foreclosed the possibility of declaring a state of emergency, there was jubilation in some predominantly Hausa/Fulani settlements within the state capital on Monday that an emergency rule had been declared on citing the movement of soldiers to the state capital.

From all indications, it is glaring that while the natives and others want the STF to withdraw completely based on alleged unprofessional practices, the Hausa/Fulani on the other side of the divide want imposition of a state of emergency.

Saturday Tribune learnt that as a result of the persistent protest and complains by women in the state and couple with the image of the military which is at stake over complains in certain quarters on its operation, the military on Monday sent another 870 soldiers to the state and withdrew those on ground.

While addressing the 870 soldiers posted to the state at Gen. Hassan Katsine Polo Ground in Jos, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt. General Onyeabor Azubuike Ihejerika warned them that the military would not tolerate any form of religious and ethnic bias in carrying out their assignment and charged them to strictly observe the rules of engagement and principle of internal security.

“The job you are doing here is very important to the survival of Nigeria and this is why the government is determining to provide all the support you required. Many more vehicles are coming to make your patrol more effective. I would not tolerate any form of religious bias or ethnic bias in carrying out your job. I am sure all these have been emphasized during your orientation training” he warned.

Jang not to blame for Jos crises’
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Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos 10/02/2011 00:00:00

WOMEN from the 17 local governments of Plateau State have said Governor Jonah Jang should not be blamed for the persistent sectarian crises in the state.

President of the Muslim Women Association Hajiya Sa’adatu Awatai spoke yesterday in Jos.

Hajiya Awatai said "it is wrong to allege that the crises in the state is caused by the state government."

Some Muslim women in the state had accused Jang of religious bias in handling the crises.

Hajiya Awatai said: "The issue of violent crises in the state should not be trivialised into a blame game. It is irresponsible and ignorant for any group to insinuate that the government is orchestrating the crises.

"This is a governor that have spent over N3 billion on promoting Islam through Hajj and related programmes from 2007 to 2010."

In a statement, they condemned those calling for imposition of emergency rule on the state and said such a call is a setback to democracy.

It said: "We praise the Federal Government for establishing the Special Task Force (STF) and plead with our brothers and sisters to allow it review activities of the STF towards restoring peace in the state.’’

Plateau community, Hausa, Fulani sign peace pact
Thursday, 10 February 2011 00:00 From Isa Abdulsalami, Jos News - National
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IN a fresh attempt to restore normalcy to the area, the indigenes of Irigwe in Bassa Local Council of Plateau State, the Hausa and Fulani communities living in the area yesterday signed a peace pact to end incessant clashes in the area.

In the agreement, the three communities unanimously submitted that they were tired of their communal clashes and pledged to stop the bloodbath in the neighbourhood.

The event was witnessed by soldiers of the Special Task Force (STF), Bassa Local Council Chairman, Musa Sule, the Police, Immigrations officials, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) personnel, the Nigerian Civil Defence Corps and other officials of government.

Meanwhile, the Fulani have asked security agencies in the state to help them retrieve 1,612 of their cows that were allegedly stolen in Fan District of Barkin Ladi Local Council.

In a letter addressed to the Commander of the STF and the state Commissioner of Police, which was made available to the media, the Fulani, under the state’s branch of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders’ Association of Nigeria (MACABAN), said the security agencies in the state should raise a combined team of the army and police to retrieve their cows.

“In the interest of peace, law and order we hereby formally appeal to you to urgently raise a combined team of army and police, through the use of helicopter to trace our cows and hand them over to us,” the letter added.

The letter signed by state Chairman of MACABAN, Nuru Abdullahi, added: “Our cows are all we have in Plateau State and they are our generational wealth and means of livelihood. Their confiscation and destruction is an equivalent of waging a war against us, our children and generations yet unborn.”

In his remarks, the STF Commander, Brig.-Gen. Hassan Umaru, who was represented by the Sector Six Commander in charge of the area, Col. Oduware Irabor, welcomed the peace pact in view of the ripple effects of the crises in neighbouring local councils.

Gen. Umaru stated: “I am happy to be a part of the peace process and that it is a stepping stone to other peace processes. Other local governments should emulate what this local government is doing. I am ready to create a forum for peaceful meetings and processes towards achieving peaceful co-existence in Jos and Plateau State in general.”

Administrative Officer, Bassa Local Council, Chuwang Wash Pam, read the report of the committee set up by the council to fashion out a lasting solution to the return of peace in the council in the aftermath of the recurring ethno-religious crises in the area.

All parties, according to the committee, agreed that it was paramount for all to live in peace with one another, as no religious, economic and social development could be achieved in a crisis-ridden environment.

The report stressed the need for all stakeholders to be involved in the peace process.

The committee also noted that most crises between the Fulani herdsmen and the indigenous ethnic communities arose from alleged damage to farmland by under-aged children who drove the cows, adding that there was a need for all cultural norms and practices of indigenous communities to be respected by all parties while security agencies and the local council should intensify their efforts in the protection of lives and property.

The report added: “There is need for the security agencies to prosecute people who are found to have broken the laws of the land so as to once again re-enforce and instill the confidence of the people in the security agencies not regarding their status or place in the society.

“There is also need for a process to be established for all affected Fulani herdsmen and their families who intend to return to their various places of abode prior to the beginning of the crises.”

The committee recommended that for a lasting solution to recurring crises in the area, the council should constitute an inter-religious and ethnic committee which would be saddled with the responsibility of going round the council to encourage the displaced and other members of the community on the need to stop further hostilities and embrace peace.

The council chairman, Sule, in a chat with reporters later, said that the three communities took the initiative for the peace accord.

He expressed optimism that the crisis was over for good in the area and there would be no crisis again going by the level of commitment of the communities.

His words: “We constituted a committee from the three ethnic groups. We allowed them to meet on their own because we were trying to avoid a situation where somebody would make a comment and later claim that it was under duress or under pressure from any quarters.

“We allowed them to find a suitable place where they would meet. First of all, we asked each community to identify some of the problems they have.

“In Irigwe, we asked them what were the conditions they want since the Fulani were ready to come back and we also asked the Fulani to list their own conditions that they want the natives to meet. So, at their own sittings they brought out all the recommendations and they all agreed after vetting and this is what we have now today (yesterday).”

Sule said that none of the communities had written any statement under duress, adding that they met at a conducive place before arriving at the conclusion.

He added that the council faced many challenges, stressing that “when your domain is not at peace, it affects virtually everything, the economic, social and even the spiritual aspects.

“Our attention was diverted to security. Some of the funds meant for development were channelled to the maintenance of security and without peace, there will be no development. It has affected everything.”

Are you sure that during the Military there were no killings even when you are denied of your rights? I don't want to argue with you because you will say NRP for life (like some football fans will do). I'm not making fun of you and please don't generalize things because you'll get so many things wrong. we live a complex and no one can understand everything.

Peace be with you.

wily:wily:

There is nothing wrong if the Fulanis are killing only Berom people.
If they can concentrate on killing only their fellow Northerner (Christian,Moslem) no problem.

Haba Bros. you're a good person. I think you should value the life others. If you're in trouble today, I should help you whether spiritually (I mean prayers)or physically as good citizens. Americans value the life of a citizen, Isreals value the life of its citizen and others. Let value the life of others irrespective of region, ethnic, state etc

Peace be with you!

You are really funny. All these you've mentioned will not be the permanent solutions to Plateau problem. Probably a temporarily one. "you cannot trust a Berom nor Hausa/Fulana" I thinks even the Yoruba or Igbo cannot be trusted too if you insist.

The truth is that Plateau state has pro blems and these problems started long before Nigeria had her Independence. There are so many things on ground then and even today that both the Federal and state failed to address. Now the problems are becoming so complex for one man to solve unless we tell ourselves the truth (also accepting) and come together, then, those problems can be solved.

pray for our leaders, pray for J town, pray for Naija and pray for yourselves too. Peace to you all,

Enough of this killings, enemies of Plateau should go to their villages or origin and develop it. Stop taking advantage of the peaceful nature of Plateau People.

Federal Goverment and International organization should act on these issues before it escalate into something else.


Plateau shall rise again!

Jos boils again •8 killed in midnight raids •Protesting women shot, hospitalised •Boko Haram militants kill soldier in Borno

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Written by Isaac Shobayo, Jos Tuesday, 25 January 2011

NO fewer than eight people were killed with many others sustaining varying degrees of injuries in three different attacks in Plateau State on Sunday by two different groups of people suspected to be Fulani herdsmen.

Nigerian Tribune learnt that the assailants, numbering about 50, armed with sophisticated weapons, swooped on a village called Farin-Lamba in Jos South Local Government Area of the state at about 11.00 p.m. and descended on the inhabitants who had all gone to bed.

It was gathered that before the people could recover for a possible counter attack, the invaders had overrun them and succeeded in killing four people, while many sustained serious injuries.

It was further learnt that at about the same hour, Haman village, in Barkin-Ladi Local Government Area of the state, was also under attack with four people killed in the midnight attack. Four others, who were injured in the process are now receiving treatment at Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH).

Also, in Kopgai village in Mangu Local Government Area, three armed men stole 102 cattle and 12 sheep from one Hassan Abdulkarim after shooting sporadically into the air.

Disturbed by the fresh attack in Jos South Local Government, the women of the local government area, in their hundreds on Monday, trooped to the streets to protest the invasion and in the process burnt some of the tents of the Special Task Force (STF) within the vicinity.

The protesters, in black attire, shouted anti-STF slogans and denounced the task force, which they accused of being privy to the attack.

Some of the women, who spoke with the Nigerian Tribune said that those who carried out the attack on the village were in military uniform, adding that the assailants came into the village in a Hilux vehicle.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Abdulrahaman Akano, who confirmed the attacks in a press statement signed by him, however, said four people were killed and five people were injured in the Farin-Lamba attack, with two killed in Hamman village.

He said the report he got indicated that those who carried out the attack were in military uniform, adding that he was yet to confirm that.

Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune on the protest by women in Farin-Lamba, the commissioner of police said the peaceful protest took a frightening dimension, when the women burnt down some tents of the STF men in the area.

In the scuffle that ensued, six women were shot and were receiving treatment at Vom Christian Hospital.

What is the Federal Government doing? Those it mean that with the spate of killings alledging military involvement, Federal government does not value the life of a single citizen lost!

A drastic action need to be taking immediately before it escalate into a civil war. The people of Plateau state are getting tired of injustice.

We Plateau People call on Federal Government and even the international bodies to urgently address the situation.