Month: November 2025

Jos, Plateau State — The Plateau State Peace Building Agency (PSPBA) convened a strategic community security dialogue under the theme: “Strengthening Community Security Ahead of the Festive Season: Enhancing Trust, Coordination, and Early Response in Plateau State Northern Zone.” The initiative aimed to foster collaboration, proactive security measures, and practical, community-driven solutions to rising insecurity.

Speaking on behalf of the Director General of PSPBA, Mr. Kenneth Dakop welcomed participants from Bassa and Riyom, emphasizing the timeliness of the dialogue amid escalating security challenges. He noted that the meeting, supported by the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), provided a platform for stakeholders to develop sustainable local security solutions and urged active, solution-oriented engagement.

Commander David Paul Mwahoss of the Nigeria Forest Security Services applauded the collaboration among security agencies, stressing the festive season as a period requiring collective responsibility. He encouraged citizens to share information, report suspicious activities, and support security efforts to enhance safety across Plateau State.

Representing the NRC, Mrs. Nandi Dakle highlighted the partnership’s importance in addressing disruptions caused by insecurity, including school closures and community displacement. She reaffirmed NRC’s commitment to working closely with affected communities, particularly in Bassa, Riyom, and other local government areas, to strengthen humanitarian response and resilience.

Hope Chuwang of PSPBA explained that the dialogue promotes proactive security through the Peace Architecture Approach, aimed at improving early warning and response mechanisms. She stressed the urgency of safety measures for displaced populations, noting over 36,000 people affected by insecurity in the region.

The program included panel discussions and breakout sessions, which examined likely festive season triggers, emerging security threats, and community coping mechanisms. Insights from Bassa and Riyom participants led to the development of actionable mitigation and preparedness measures.

Hon. Noro Davou, councillor for Ta-Hoss Ward in Riyom, commended PSPBA for organizing the interfaith and intertribal initiative, urging communities to apply lessons on early warning systems and information sharing to promote lasting peace.

The dialogue concluded with a reaffirmation of collaboration between government agencies, security forces, humanitarian partners, and local communities, demonstrating a shared commitment to safer and more resilient communities across Plateau State’s Northern Zone.

Jos, Plateau State — Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang on Tuesday met with newly absorbed staff of tertiary institutions at the Victoria Gowon Hall, New Government House, Little Rayfield, in a gathering that highlighted his administration’s dedication to repositioning the education sector. The meeting brought together top government officials, heads of institutions, and long-serving workers who had waited years for recognition.

Governor Mutfwang explained that the state had earlier suspended the recruitment exercise for tertiary institutions after discovering that many ad-hoc staff, some who had served for over two decades, were excluded from permanent appointments. He described the situation as “unjust,” noting that the suspension became necessary to address complaints and correct irregularities. With governing councils now fully constituted, he said eligibility was reviewed and a help desk was established to handle grievances.

The governor commended the workers for their patience despite years of earning as little as ₦6,000 monthly. He announced the approval of compensation funds to acknowledge their sacrifices, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to ensuring decent wages and providing qualified personnel for quality education. Governor Mutfwang further highlighted the progress made in the sector, including increased admissions and the approval of 19 new degree programmes. He encouraged staff to pursue higher qualifications, assuring them of government support and incentives. The governor urged the newly absorbed workers to uphold dedication and contribute meaningfully to advancing tertiary institutions across the state.

Commissioner for Education, Kachollom Pyam Gang, expressed gratitude to the governor for convening the meeting and for insisting that qualified ad-hoc and casual staff be included in the recruitment exercise. She described Mutfwang as a compassionate and fatherly leader whose decisions reflect genuine concern for workers’ welfare. Gang said the gathering aimed to deepen commitment and motivate staff toward improved performance.

Special Adviser on Labour Activities, Titus Alams, also lauded the governor for restoring hope to long-suffering workers. He acknowledged the role of the Secretary to the State Government, the Chief of Staff, and institutional heads in ensuring the success of the absorption process. Alams urged the staff to justify the government’s confidence by being diligent, punctual, and supportive of the administration’s vision.

Representing the youth, Hitler Pwajok praised Governor Mutfwang as a leader who prioritizes fairness and youth empowerment. He noted that the governor’s decision had given many young families renewed stability and economic opportunity. He urged beneficiaries to uphold integrity and productivity while praying for God’s blessings upon the governor.

Chairman of the Staff Delegation, Josea Sati, delivered an emotional address, describing the day as the happiest in their lives after 22 years of hardship, neglect, and unanswered pleas. He recalled broken homes, children withdrawn from school, and festive seasons marked by tears. Sati said no previous administration had listened to them until Governor Mutfwang restored their dignity. He pledged unwavering loyalty on behalf of all the workers and prayed for greater upliftment for the governor who, he said, “wiped away their tears” and transformed their lives.

At least 11 residents of Isapa, a community near Eruku in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, have been abducted in a fresh assault by armed bandits. The attack occurred just 24 hours after the release of worshippers earlier kidnapped during a church service.

The gunmen, numbering between 20 and 30, invaded the community around 6:00 p.m. on Monday, shooting sporadically and forcing residents to flee. An elderly woman was reportedly struck by a stray bullet.

According to a community leader, who spoke anonymously, seven of the victims were taken from one household. Those abducted include a pregnant woman, two nursing mothers, and several young children. The victims were identified as Talatu Kabiru, 20; Magaji, 6; Kande, 5; Hadiza, 10; Mariam, 6; Saima, 5; two housewives, Habibat and Fatima Yusufu; a pregnant woman, Sarah Sunday, 22; and two nursing mothers, Lami Fidelis, 23, and Haja Na Allah.

Eyewitnesses said the gunmen moved through various parts of the community, leaving bullet holes in homes and scattering spent AK-47 shells. The attack has heightened fear across Isapa and neighbouring settlements as security agencies and vigilantes intensify search efforts.

Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, confirmed the incident, noting he was on his way to assess the situation. The attack adds to Nigeria’s worsening security crisis, which has led to widespread school closures, especially in the northern region.