Chief Yusuf Machen, The Executive Chairman Bokkos LGA today accompanied Senator Dimka to Kwatas, Marish and Sabon Barki all in Kwatas Ward, who was on a condolence visit to ascertain the level of destruction in Marish and Sabon barki in Kwatas village on Tuesday prior to the attacks in Kwatas on Sunday 26 January 2020.
The chairman told the Distinguished Senator that the people of Bokkos LGA are tired of unprovoked killings by Fulani herdsmen, he said a total of 22 people where killed and properties worth millions lost.
He tasked the Senator to take the cry of the people of Bokkos to the National Assembly stating that Nigeria’s criminal justice system should be reformed to that the lives and properties of citizens will be properly safeguarded and criminals duly prosecuted.
He appreciated the efforts of the Governor towards addressing the genocide against the peace loving people of Bokkos.
Responding the Senator, assured the chairman of his readiness in making sure this killings are put to permanent stop; that the senate president was equally not happy seeing what is happening on the plateau that is why he sent him down to report to him personally on his returned to Abuja.
Signed Magit Mangut Mafiyai Senior Special Assistant to the Chairman on Media and Publicity.
The member representing Pankshin/ Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and Chairman House Committee of Navy, Rt Hon. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi, has taken a swipe at the federal government for failing in its primary responsibility of securing lives and property of Nigerians, even as the House of Representatives resolves that the President and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces addresses the nation on the state of insecurity in the country, either by way of national broadcast or at the a special joint session of the National Assembly.
This follows a motion jointly presented by the principal officers of the House of Representatives and co-sponsored by Rt Hon. Gagdi at the resumed session of the parliament today, 29th January, 2020.
The Speaker, in an opening remark at the resumed session of the House after Christmas recess, sent his condolences to the family of Ropvil Daciya, the 200 level student of University of Maiduguri who was killed by Boko Haram terrorists in a trending video.
Contributing to the motion, Gagdi lamented the systematic annihilation of Plateau Christians by the insurgents and called on the federal government to enforce its military might on the insurgents to ensure the speedy release of Plateau citizens being held captive at the terrorists’ dungeon, and put paid to the festering insurgency in the country.
The ostensibly embittered lawmaker fumed at the failure of the federal government to exercise its sacred mandate of protecting its citizens who are daily killed in number by the terrorists and called for the immediate overhaul of the nation’s security architecture.
The lawmaker was firm on his stance that it was high time somebody was held accountable for the deteriorating state of security in the country, if the federal government’s fight against insurgency must be taken seriously.
Gagdi lamented that the electorate who voted them to power are running out of patience with the daily killing of their loved ones, and that federal government must do everything necessary to tame the tide before the citizens are forced to react.
He maintains that the goodwill upon which Buhari came to power in 2015 is fast ebbing with his glaring inability to provided the needed security even with his background as a retired general in the Nigerian Army.
GOVERNOR LALONG MEETS STAKEHOLDERS/SECURITY CHIEFS OVER BOKKOS KILLINGS, INSISTS THAT KILLERS MUST BE PRODUCED.
Incensed by the murder of villagers and destruction of properties in Kwatas Village of Bokkos Local Government Council, Plateau State Governor Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong has met with stakeholders which include heads of security agencies, Traditional Rulers, Community Leaders and Ardos representing the Fulani community at the government house where he insisted that the perpetrators must be fished out immediately.
The Governor who addressed the stakeholders at the Government House, Little Rayfield-Jos expressed anger over the incident which he said will not be allowed to degenerate further and make nonsense of the efforts put in to restore peace to the state, insisting that nobody is above Government.
He said “how can they say that people are killed and there is no arrest. Are those killing others spirits? I don’t think you can kill 15 human beings and claim you are spirit and there is not arrest. Commissioner of Police, you should take the community leaders and the Ardos with you so that they can tell you those behind these killings. By the time you go to cell, you will bring out those people that are doing it. If you want to give evidence, give it to the commissioner of police. We are not afraid of criminals.”
“Some community leaders and Ardos have done their best but within us, there are criminals. We must expose them no matter how high. If you are one of them, you better take yourself to the police station. The Army is here, Police, Civil Defence, DSS, Operation Rainbow. I want those people today. They should not sleep in their houses. By the time they are arrested, we will solve this problem”. The Governor said.
Commissioner of Police in Plateau State Isaac Akimoyede earlier briefed the Governor on the crises and the efforts to contain it explaining that he had held a meeting with the community leaders last Saturday based on intelligence where he warned against any breach of the peace.
“Since I have been in the state since February, no event of this magnitude have happened. We have been investigating the incident in Mangun and then this. We cannot continue in this situation in the State. The security agencies have resolved that those people killing must be arrested no matter how highly placed. Peace must return to this state as we cannot continue in this situation. If anyone has grievances, he should come up and say it so that we can find solution, not to take the laws into his hand and kill. We will not allow it” the CP said.
He assured the Governor that the security personnel have been deployed in the troubled areas to forestall any spread of the crises beyond the initial areas.
The Executive Governor of Plateau State, Rt Hon. Barr (DR) Simon Bako Lalong of Plateau state , on Tuesday ordered the arrest of all leaders of Fulani herdsmen over renewed herdsmen attacks in the State. Lalong at an emergency meeting with the community leaders ordered their immediate detention over “complacency”at a stakeholders meeting today Details shortly
Maryam Sanda An FCT High Court in Maitama has sentenced Maryam Sanda to death by hanging for killing her husband, Bilyaminu Bello The court found Sanda guilty of killing her husband and thus convicted her of the charges. She is to be remanded in Suleja Correctional Centre until she exhausts her appeal rights. Earlier, the judge stood down the matter for five minutes following the drama that ensued after the conviction was passed. Sanda fled the dock immediately the judge convicted her. However, court officials and prisons officials dragged her back into the dock. The judge was forced to rise after several women started wailing in the court room One of them who made attempt to approach Maryam was ordered to be taken away by the judge.
As at the time of filing this report, Maryam is still wailing and shouting “Inna liLlahi wa inna iLaihi raji’un”, while efforts are being made by her family and lawyer to console her. Our reporter heard her saying, “I was fasting and praying … Ya Allah, why?” as court officials announced that the judge was about to return for sentencing. Maryam was tried before the court for allegedly killing Bello, her husband, who was a nephew of former PDP Chairman, Alhaji Bello Halliru Muhammad. Maryam was docked alongside her mother, Maimuna Aliyu, a former Executive Director of Aso Savings and Loans; her brother, Aliyu Sanda and her housemaid, Sadiya Aminu, who were charged with assisting her to conceal the evidence by cleaning the blood of the deceased from the scene of the crime. They pleaded not guilty. They all filed no-case submissions after the police had called six witnesses to corroborate the charge. The trial judge discharged others while he held that Maryam has a case to answer
Governor Simon Bako Lalong has expressed fury over Sunday’s attack by yet to be identified gunmen on innocent people in Kwatas village, Bokkos LGA of Plateau State leading to deaths. Lalong in a statement described the attack as yet another attempt by criminals who do not mean well for the State to take it back to the dark days of insecurity that it has substantially overcome. The Governor while commiserating with victims and families of those killed, directed security agencies to go after the perpetrators of this heinous crime and ensure their arrest and prosecution as the State will no longer tolerate the wanton loss of lives. He said “my heart again bleeds by this tragedy as lives of innocent citizens are cut short for no reason. Security agencies must go after those who are behind these attacks and their sponsors so they can face the law and be taught a lesson. We do not need another circle of bloodshed in Plateau State as all well meaning citizens have committed to peaceful coexistence and tolerance. My administration will not allow anyone, no matter how highly placed to jeopardize this peace”. The Governor again restates his determination to work with the Federal Government and relevant stakeholders in strengthening community policing architecture in the State with robust intelligence gathering and early intervention to forestall reoccurence. He again called for calm as the government and security agencies will ensure that justice is done to those affected.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham ANIPR Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State 27th January 2020.
“Unknown Gunmen” on Sunday attacked the home village of former Plateau House of Assembly Speaker, Titus Alams. Kwatas, a community neighboring the Plateau State University, 15kms southeast was reportedly attacked at about 9pm, locals say. No less than 10 corpses were evacuated to a mortuary in Bokkos town, a source told MK. The attack comes few weeks after gunmen suspected to be herdsmen killed 12 people in neighboring Kulben village in Mangu Local Government Area. Seven suspects of the Kulben attack were reportedly arrested with the help of vigilante men in Kwatas village. The suspects were reportedly transported to the Plateau State Government House on the Directive of the Deputy Governor, Sonni Tyoden. It is not clear whether the suspects were handed over to police. Sources however say the Chairman of Bokkos Local Government, Mr. Yusuf Machen, Thursday held a meeting with Fulani herdsmen leaders in Bokkos. The essence of the meeting has yet to be verified but the source links it to the alleged death of some of their subjects in reprisals after the Kulben attack. No official comment has however been made on the attack.
The Member representing Pankshin Kanke and Kanam Federal Constituency, Rt Hon Yusuf Gagdi arrived Dengi at the late hours of Yesterday following series events earlier in the day which include the presentation of a world press conference in Jos, condolence visits and other public functions between Pankshin and Kanke.
On his arrival at 6:15pm, the member started with condolence visits to bereaved families who lost their loved ones while he was abroad before he proceeded to his residence in Dengi. The condolences were for the death of Mrs Rachael Baduku and Mall Alaramma Kanam.
At his residence, the member received courtesy calls from party officials, elders, stakeholders, business communities and the youths before he went to bed at about 3:30am today.
He woke up to calls from his constituents at 6am and attended to them before he continued with condolence visits to the families of Magajin Garin Kanam for the lost of Alh Alhassan Shuaibu, Danmadamin Kanam for the death of his wife and the family of Gazuwa for the death of Mal Garba Badau Gazuwa in that order. He offered prayers for the repose of their souls and for God to give the families the fortitude to bear the lost.
The Member was also at the Palace of the Emir of Kanam for the condolences where he was received by the Emir, Alh Muhammadu Mu’azu Muhammadu. The Emir on behalf of the people of Kanam, offered his own condolence to the member for the lost of his constituent Mr Dociya, who was executed by Boko Haram insurgents. He appreciated Gagdi for his giant effort of addressing the world on the security challenges through his press conference and urged him to continue with this type of quality representation. He urged the member to explore all legislative tool to secure the release of Bashir Abdulhamid, an indigene of Kanam who was abducted by the Boko Haram insurgents and offered useful advice to that effect.
Gagdi, whose plan to stay for two days in Dengi was cut short by a called from the Executive Governor of Plateau State for a function in Jos. He will thereafter proceed to Kano as part of the delegation of APC members of the National Assembly in solidarity for the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon Alhassan Ado Doguwa whose election take place tomorrow.
It is no longer vague that the most dreaded terrorist group, the Boko Haram, have a peculiar resentment against the state and the people of Plateau. They have not made secret of their intentions to wage war against the indigenes of the state and the spate of abduction and execution of our people is suggesting that they will stop at nothing to do that. Their statements on the video of the fatal execution of Mr Dociya and the two other Christian indigenes of Plateau was not only capable of creating fear and apprehensions among us but also a calculated attempt to divide the people of the state along religion lines in order to spark crisis and jeopardize the fragile peace hitherto enjoyed in the state. God forbid. This is obvious in the fact that they spared neither the Muslim nor the Christian indigenes of the state. A lot of Muslims were killed by the group and scores of others held hostages.
At a time like this, it takes more than a courageous leader in the state to speak for us without regard to his political party and/or the interests of the powers that be. Even at that, he shall speak at the risk of being blacklisted by the group for daring to challenge them.
The Thursday 23rd press conference by Rt Hon Yusuf Gagdi was the loudest voice of a Plateau man that addressed the nation and the world at large about the problem of insecurity in the North East as it affects the people of PKK and Plateau State. The conference offered practical solutions in the form of useful advice that can assist the Government to tackle the rampaging Boko Haram militia in the country. It also consoled the people of Plateau state who were bereaved by the killings of their sons and daughters and send a message to the terrorists group that they can not turn a Plateau man against another by the pseudo Islamic agenda they claim to promote.
Desirous to provide legislative support for the outcry of the people, the lawmaker is willing to take it a step further by presenting the issue at the plenary session of the National Assembly when the house resumed from their recess next week. With the support of other federal lawmakers from state, this will be another practical step to stem the terrorists and their evil machinations against the state.
May God protect the state and its people against the enemies and give our leaders the wisdom and the ability to protect our interests by using their positions and influence.
REMARKS BY THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF PLATEAU STATE RT. HON. (DR) SIMON BAKO LALONG AT THE INVESTITURE FOR RECIPIENTS OF PAPAL KNIGHTS OF ST. GREGORY THE GREAT (KSGG), KNIGHTS OF ST. SYLVESTER (KSS) & PAPAL MEDALISTS HELD AT THE DIVINE MERCY CATHEDRAL, LAMINGA-JOS ON SATURDAY 25TH JANUARY 2020. PROTOCOLS 1. Let me first of all thank the Lord Almighty for this great honour bestowed on me and other recipients of Papal Knights and Papal Medals.
2. We are indeed humbled by this recognition from the Catholic Church coming from the Holy See as bestowed on us by the Holy Father Pope Francis.
3. In receiving these Honours, we are most appreciative and count ourselves blessed to be the first Knights and Papal Medalists unveiled just when the new Catholic Archbishop of Jos and the Metropolitan of Jos Ecclesiastical Province, Bishop Matthew Ishaya Audu is stepping into the shoes of His Grace Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama who has since assumed duty as the Archbishop of Abuja.
4. The Bible in Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast”.
5. That is exactly our feeling at this moment of receiving these Papal Honours, having been chosen out of the many Catholic faithful serving God in different areas.
6. As members of the Church who have received spiritual teachings that have guided us in our day-to- day living and enabled us to serve humanity in our different areas of calling, with this honour we assure of rededicating ourselves the service of the Church and to the glory of God. 7. We are aware that as Knights, we are expected to be true Ambassadors of Christ and help in the propagation of the gospel of salvation as well as encourage the faithful towards seeking knowledge of the doctrines and teachings of the Church.
8. This responsibility is also expected to provide us the opportunity help foster and develop Vocations to the Priesthood, Religious Life, and Holy Matrimony within the Church so as to ensure that the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ is propagated.
9. We also recognize that since the era of protecting the Church with sword was over, our major role today is to defend the heritage and doctrines of the Church in words and actions and act with love which is the heartbeat of God.
10. It is therefore incumbent on us to use these recognitions not only in trying our best within human limitations, but ensure furthering the influence of the Church and Christianity to our society, based on the fruits of the Spirit rather than mere religious rhetoric. 11. We also count on your prayers and counsel which will indeed go a long way to lighten the weight of responsibility placed upon our shoulders by this Knighthood.
12. Your Grace, Brothers and Sisters in the Lord, let me use this opportunity to raise one or two issues that relate to our faith and governance in our State and the nation at large.
13. First is the issue of tolerance, peace and forgiveness. We are all aware that our State has substantially emerged from the ashes of violence that engulfed us some years back.
14. Because some of the issues were given religious colouration and deepened sentiments that polarized us more, we need to be careful not to allow the gains that we have made to be lost.
15. People have been rebuilding confidence in our State and returning to invest and settle here. We have to do all that is within our power to create an atmosphere of peace for development to take place. 16. Similarly, the unfortunate developments relating to kidnappings and executions that have affected some of our citizens in the North East recently have been matters of great concern.
17. We are still mourning the latest ugly incident where a Student of the University of Maiduguri, Mr. Ropyil Daciya Dalep was murdered by terrorists calling themselves ISWAP.
18. Our sympathies go to the family of the deceased and all other faithful departed. We pray that the Lord will comfort them and indeed all of us over this tragedy. NB: (CALL FOR ONE MINUTE SILENCE).
19. Barely a week earlier, we had rejoiced over the rescue of another daughter of ours, Jennifer Ukambong Samuel who was equally kidnapped by the terrorists.
20. Although those who are involved in this heinous crime input religion as their motive and try to justify their evil acts as revenge on Christians or Citizens of Plateau State, we know from their antecedents that they are simply criminals who have sold themselves to evil and are bent on dividing us.
21. As painful as these issue are, I will like to appeal to all of us to unite in condemning their actions and also refusing to buy into their ploy to trigger hatred based on religion or State of origin.
22. As a government, we will never allow anybody to target our citizens or threaten them simply because they are Christians or adherents of other faiths. Even if they have no religion, they have the God-given right to existence and should not be threatened by anybody. Being a citizen of Plateau State is not a crime.
23. Let me assure you that we are working with the President and security agencies to ensure that these incidences are addressed and our citizens under captivity by terrorists, kidnappers, bandits or any other criminals are released.
24. I appeal to us all to be vigilant, prayerful and guard our communities against merchants of evil who always want to exploit religion, tribe and politics for their crimes. Peace is all we need and we must continue working for it.
25. We should equally exercise retrain in responding to these sad developments so as not to inflame the situation and escalate it to unfortunate violent levels.
26. Finally, let me use this opportunity to also thank all our citizens for the goodwill, prayers and support over the Supreme Court verdict that validated the mandate given to us by the people of our dear State.
27. With your support and collaboration, we shall take Plateau State to the next level and leave behind lasting legacies.
28. Thank you, and PAX CHRISTI!
Rt. Hon. (Dr) Simon Bako Lalong Executive Governor, Plateau State & Chairman, Northern Governors Forum. 25th January 2020.
MiddleBelt Reporters 