The Plateau Environmental Protection and Sanitation Agency (PEPSA) has announced that the routine mandatory monthly sanitation exercise will take place across the state on Saturday, May 30, 2026.
In a statement issued by the agency’s Director General, Samuel Nathaniel Dapiya, residents were urged to actively participate by cleaning their surroundings and complying with all sanitation guidelines during the exercise. Movement restrictions will also be enforced within the stipulated sanitation hours.
PEPSA called on communities to support ongoing environmental sanitation efforts by clearing blocked drainages, waterways, and culverts to allow the free flow of water as the rainy season intensifies.
According to the agency, the exercise is aimed at reducing the risks of flooding, environmental pollution, and other public health concerns across communities in .
The agency further disclosed that its officials will monitor compliance in different parts of the state during the sanitation exercise to ensure residents adhere to environmental sanitation standards.
PEPSA appreciated residents for their continued cooperation and support in maintaining a cleaner, safer, and healthier environment across the state.
The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) has arrested a woman and her daughter for allegedly defrauding a Malta-based victim of over N18 million through an online romance scam.
The suspects, identified as 39-year-old Urowhe Diana and her 22-year-old daughter, Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru, were arrested following investigations into allegations of cyber fraud, identity theft, and money laundering.
According to a statement issued by the Acting Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Uwana Imah, the investigation began after intelligence was received from the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).
Police investigations revealed that a Lagos resident, Emmanuel Amanfo, who is currently on the run, allegedly worked with Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru to open and manage several bank accounts used for fraudulent transactions.
The police said funds linked to the alleged scam were transferred through money transfer operators and direct deposits into multiple Nigerian bank accounts belonging to Rokibat. Investigators further alleged that the money was later moved into an Ecobank account owned by her mother, Urowhe Diana, where the funds were allegedly spent.
“One of the victims was identified as a resident of Malta whose identity has been withheld,” the statement noted.
Authorities also disclosed that forensic analysis of the suspects’ digital activities allegedly connected both mother and daughter to the cybercrime operation, leading to their arrest.
The police added that efforts are ongoing to apprehend Emmanuel Amanfo, described as Urowhe Diana’s husband and Rokibat’s stepfather.
The suspects are expected to be charged to court after investigations are concluded.
The Nigeria Police Force reaffirmed its commitment to combating cybercrime and protecting Nigeria’s cyberspace under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu.
The African Democratic Congress, ADC, candidate for Langtang South Constituency in the Plateau State House of Assembly, Nanmwa Jimmy Chetto, has felicitated Muslim faithful on the occasion of Eid-el-Kabir, urging residents to embrace peace, unity and tolerance for the development of the area.
Chetto, son of the late engineer and politician, Engr. Jimmy Zintim Chetto, described the festival as a period of reflection, sacrifice and renewed commitment to peaceful coexistence.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the ADC flagbearer called on the people of Langtang South to imbibe the values of Eid by promoting harmony, love and mutual understanding across religious and ethnic divides.
“Eid reminds us of the importance of sacrifice and obedience to the will of the Almighty. As we celebrate, let us recommit ourselves to building a united and prosperous Langtang South where every citizen can enjoy peace and development,” he said.
He urged political leaders, youths and traditional rulers in the constituency to work together irrespective of political affiliation, religion or ethnicity, stressing that unity remains critical to tackling insecurity and developmental challenges in the area.
Chetto also assured constituents that, if elected into the Plateau State House of Assembly, he would prioritise legislation aimed at promoting good governance, youth empowerment, agricultural development and improved security.
He further prayed for sustained peace and stability in Nigeria and Plateau State, calling for divine intervention in addressing insecurity, poverty and other socio-economic challenges confronting the nation.
The ADC candidate appealed to eligible voters in Langtang South to support his aspiration, describing the forthcoming elections as an opportunity to elect credible leaders who would genuinely represent the interests of the people.
A Plateau State High Court sitting in Jos has granted four suspects standing trial over the 2026 Angwa Rukuba killings permission to call five witnesses each in their defence as proceedings continue in the high-profile case.
The suspects are being prosecuted in connection with the Palm Sunday attack on Angwa Rukuba community in Jos North Local Government Area, where about 30 people were reportedly killed by armed assailants.
Those standing trial include Isa Umar Ibrahim, Auwalu Abubakar, popularly known as Auwalu Dogo, Musa Abubakar Ibrahim, also known as Yaroro, and Ado Ibrahim, who remains at large.
The accused persons are facing charges filed by the Plateau State Government bordering on criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, illegal possession of firearms, and unlawful dealing in arms and ammunition.
During Tuesday’s case management conference, Justice Gedaliah Fwomyon approved the request by the defence counsel for each defendant to present five witnesses during trial.
The judge stated that the court was determined to ensure speedy hearing of the matter and disclosed that two full days would be allocated for the testimonies of witnesses called by each defendant.
Justice Fwomyon also held that the prosecution had adequately responded to issues raised in the case management information sheet and would rely on the statements already before the court, including those made by the defendants and their witnesses.
In addition, the court ruled that the accused persons could make use of interpreters either provided by the court or sourced personally by the defence team.
The defendants were equally granted leave to contest the admissibility of statements tendered before the court and to call expert witnesses where necessary during the proceedings.
However, the court barred parties from filing fresh interlocutory applications except under exceptional circumstances, noting that only applications already filed and adopted would be entertained.
The matter was adjourned to July 1 and 2, 2026, for commencement of substantive hearing, provided there is no challenge to the court’s jurisdiction.
Justice Fwomyon further ordered that the suspects remain in the custody of the Department of State Services pending the next hearing date.
The Angwa Rukuba killings drew national outrage, prompting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to approve a ₦2 billion relief package for victims and assure residents that those behind the attack would face justice.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approached the Court of Appeal to challenge a Federal High Court judgment that nullified the commission’s revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections.
INEC also filed a motion seeking a stay of execution of the judgment pending the determination of its appeal.
The appeal, dated May 25 and filed by the commission’s counsel, Mr. Alex Izinyon (SAN), contests the ruling delivered on May 20 by Justice Mohammed Umar in a suit instituted by the Youth Party (YP).
Justice Umar had voided the revised 2027 election timetable issued by INEC, ruling that the commission lacked the statutory powers to prescribe timelines for political parties to conduct primaries and other pre-election activities.
The court held that the timetable imposed restrictive deadlines on political parties in violation of provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026.
Dissatisfied with the verdict, INEC argued before the appellate court that the trial court erred in law and failed to properly interpret relevant sections of the Electoral Act.
The commission raised nine grounds of appeal, insisting that the judge failed to address critical jurisdictional issues, including whether the suit filed by the Youth Party was hypothetical and academic in nature.
According to INEC, the omission amounted to a denial of fair hearing.
The electoral body further argued that the trial court adopted a narrow interpretation of Sections 29(1), 82, and 84 of the Electoral Act, 2026, while also failing to apply the provisions of Section 151 of the Act.
INEC urged the Court of Appeal to set aside the judgment and strike out the suit filed by the Youth Party, maintaining that the party lacked the legal standing to institute the action.
In a related application before the Federal High Court, the commission also requested an order staying the execution of the judgment pending the outcome of the appeal process.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), INEC argued that granting the stay was necessary to preserve the subject matter of the dispute and prevent disruptions to preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The legal battle has continued to attract widespread attention within political and legal circles, with stakeholders closely monitoring its implications for the electoral process and preparations ahead of the 2027 polls.
The former Senate Minority Leader and APC Senate Candidate for Plateau North, Simon Mwadkwon, has called for unity within the All Progressives Congress (APC) following the party’s senatorial primaries, urging aggrieved aspirants and supporters to close ranks ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Mwadkwon made the appeal on Monday during a media engagement held at his campaign office located at Metropolitan Crescent, Tudun Wada in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Speaking on his emergence as the APC senatorial candidate for Plateau North, Mwadkwon described his victory as overwhelming, revealing that he secured over 38,000 votes while his closest rival polled about 4,000 votes.
According to him, the outcome reflected the confidence reposed in him by party members across the zone.
“As far as we are concerned, it was a victory for everybody that participated in the primaries. It was an in-house struggle among brothers and sisters, and now we must unite to face other political parties,” he said.
He extended an olive branch to other aspirants who contested alongside him, stressing that the APC remained one family and that no one should ridicule or insult those who lost during the primaries.
Mwadkwon also congratulated the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Nentawe Yilwatda, whom he said emerged victorious in the APC governorship primary, noting that the result demonstrated his popularity across Plateau State.
Reflecting on his political journey, the APC candidate said his approach to leadership had always prioritized humanity over religious and ethnic considerations. He cited his political upbringing and experience as factors that shaped his inclusive leadership style.
He recalled how former House of Representatives member, Suleiman Kwande, withdrew a court case against him after the 2023 senatorial election despite differences in religion and ethnicity, describing the gesture as an example of politics without division.
On governance and constituency projects, Mwadkwon highlighted several interventions he executed during his time in the Senate, particularly within Jos North. He listed the construction of classrooms in Angwan Rimi, Angwan Rogo, Zaria Road, GSS Kabong, and NDEA Primary School in Tudun Wada, alongside the installation of solar-powered streetlights in communities, churches, and mosques.
The senator said the projects earned him the nickname “Mr. Project” among supporters who witnessed the commissioning exercises.
Addressing the persistent insecurity affecting Plateau North, Mwadkwon acknowledged that several communities across Bassa, Riyom, Barkin Ladi and other parts of the zone had suffered displacement due to recurring attacks.
He described the killings and displacements as a national concern requiring urgent political will and strategic reforms.
According to him, Nigeria already has sufficient laws capable of addressing insecurity, but what is lacking is effective implementation, adequate security personnel and commitment from authorities.
Mwadkwon strongly advocated for the establishment of state police, arguing that community-based policing would significantly reduce insecurity across the country.
He explained that officers deployed from distant states often struggle with language, culture and terrain, making intelligence gathering and rapid response difficult.
“For us to solve this problem, the National Assembly should as quickly as possible pass the bill establishing state police. The duty of every government is the protection of lives and property,” he stated.
The APC chieftain further alleged that some elements within the security agencies compromise operations, warning that unpatriotic officers must be identified and sanctioned to strengthen the fight against insecurity.
On the debate between direct and indirect primaries, Mwadkwon said both systems had advantages and challenges. While acknowledging criticisms that indirect primaries favour moneybags, he insisted popularity and acceptance among the people ultimately determine electoral victories.
He recounted several past contests where he defeated opponents despite spending significantly less money during delegate-based primaries, maintaining that grassroots support remained the deciding factor in elections.
Mwadkwon concluded by thanking party supporters, journalists and constituents for their support, while pledging to continue engaging the people ahead of the 2027 elections.
The Conference of Autochthonous Ethnic Nationalities Community Development Association (CONAECDA) has expressed deep concern over worsening insecurity, increasing incidents of rural banditry, alleged violations of religious freedom, and growing political tensions ahead of the 2027 general elections in Nigeria.
Addressing journalists during a press conference, the Secretary-General of CONAECDA, Suleiman A.D. Sukukum, alongside the association’s President, Danladi Jeji, said the country was witnessing an alarming spread of terror attacks and violent killings across several states.
According to the group, recent attacks in Niger, Kwara, and Kogi states signal what it described as a “new frontier” of violence, while communities in states such as Plateau State, Benue State, Nasarawa State, Taraba State, Borno State, Kaduna State and others continue to suffer recurring attacks from armed groups and terrorists.
The association also raised concerns over reports of the influx of armed groups into forests and remote areas around the Federal Capital Territory, warning that many forests and grazing reserves across the country were allegedly being used as operational bases by terrorist cells.
CONAECDA stated that insecurity in Nigeria should not be reduced to ethnic or religious narratives, insisting that terrorists exploit political, economic, ethnic, and religious differences to recruit members and conceal their activities.
Referring to recent violence in Angwan Rukuba in Jos, the association noted that conflicting narratives surrounding attacks on the Plateau continue to fuel division and mistrust among communities.
“Regardless of the reasons advanced for violence, all lives are sacred and must be protected,” Sukukum stated.
The group further argued that debates around indigenous and settler rights in Plateau and other Middle Belt communities should not be manipulated for political purposes. CONAECDA maintained that while all Nigerian citizens have constitutional rights to contest elections and participate politically, indigenous communities also have recognized native rights tied to traditional structures and local identity.
On the growing incidents of rural banditry and terrorism, the association condoled families and communities affected by attacks and expressed solidarity with the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies. However, it called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts toward rehabilitating victims, rebuilding destroyed communities, and ensuring the safe return of displaced persons.
CONAECDA also urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to openly acknowledge the existence of terrorist groups allegedly pursuing religious extremism and genocidal objectives in parts of the country.
The association announced the declaration of the last Thursday of every month as “Black Thursday,” a symbolic day meant to promote the sanctity of human life and draw attention to victims of violence across Nigeria, regardless of ethnicity or religion.
Another major concern raised during the briefing was the alleged conversion of hills, sacred groves, and historical sites into grazing areas in parts of the Middle Belt. The group described the development as a desecration of cultural heritage and called for urgent intervention by communities, conservation agencies, and the international community to protect sacred sites.
On religious freedom, CONAECDA condemned what it described as increasing cases of forced conversion, abduction, and forced marriages involving minors across the country. The association cited reported cases involving underage Christian and Muslim children and renewed its call for the establishment of a Religious Rights Commission to enforce religious freedom and protect vulnerable groups.
Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, the group expressed worries over what it termed growing anti-democratic practices among political actors and parties. It called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure free, fair, and credible elections while urging politicians to adhere strictly to democratic rules and principles.
CONAECDA emphasized that democracy can only thrive when citizens are allowed to freely participate in the political process and when electoral institutions guarantee transparent elections.
The statement was jointly signed by Suleiman A.D. Sukukum, Secretary-General of CONAECDA, and Danladi Jeji, President of the association.
A governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party in Plateau State, Alfred Dapal Damiyal, has appealed to party faithful and stakeholders to maintain peace, unity, and sportsmanship ahead of the party’s governorship primary election.
In a message addressed to party leaders, elders, women, youths, and members of the PDP, Damiyal expressed gratitude for the support and encouragement he has received during consultations across the three senatorial zones of the state.
The aspirant said the support from party members had strengthened his determination to continue pursuing his “NEWTHINKING” vision aimed at building a safer, united, and more prosperous Plateau State.
Describing the primary election as “a family process within our great party,” Damiyal urged supporters to conduct themselves peacefully and respectfully throughout the exercise.
He called on delegates and party members to vote based on “conscience, competence, capacity, and the shared vision” of repositioning Plateau State for progress and inclusiveness.
Damiyal also extended appreciation to fellow aspirants for their contributions to the growth of the PDP, stressing that the outcome of the primary should not divide members of the party.
“At the end of this process, there must be no winners or losers within the PDP family, only a united party determined to reclaim and reposition Plateau State for greatness,” he stated.
He further prayed for God’s guidance over the party’s decisions and for continued peace and progress in Plateau State.
Several aspirants who participated in the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Assembly primaries in Plateau State have petitioned the party’s appeal committee, alleging that elections did not hold in many senatorial districts and calling for the cancellation of the exercise.
The aggrieved aspirants, led by a serving senator Diket Satso Plang and joined by other contenders across the three senatorial zones, accused party officials of conducting a flawed process marked by alleged vote allocation, conflicting results, and disregard for the party’s guidelines on direct primaries.
Among those present at the submission of the petition were Chief Chris Giwa, an aspirant for Plateau North Senatorial District; Chief Ephraim Usman, aspiring for Plateau Central; Barrister Beatrice Dakas, the only female senatorial aspirant in Plateau Central; and former House of Representatives member, Komsol, who is seeking to represent Plateau South in the Senate.
The group said they remained loyal members of the APC but insisted that justice must prevail in the interest of democracy and party integrity.
Speaking on behalf of the aspirants, Diket Satso Plang described the primaries as the “worst” he had witnessed in his political career, alleging that no valid election was conducted in several senatorial districts.
According to him, attempts to hold elections in some areas were abruptly stopped, while in other cases, results were allegedly announced despite voting not taking place.
“In the National Assembly election, particularly the Senate, no election was conducted in our senatorial districts. Where elections were attempted, they were withdrawn and never continued,” he stated.
The aspirants further decried what they described as the emergence of multiple and conflicting results in some House of Representatives primaries, insisting that the process lacked transparency and credibility.
They argued that the direct primary system was intended to allow all registered party members to freely choose candidates, but alleged that the exercise was manipulated through vote allocation rather than actual voting.
One of the petitioners expressed outrage over figures allegedly assigned to him despite his position as an incumbent senator.
“For somebody to sit and allocate 1,423 votes to me as an incumbent senator is total blackmail and unacceptable,” he said.
The aspirants also faulted the alleged failure of the party leadership to engage stakeholders or pursue consensus in line with APC guidelines, maintaining that no agreement was reached among aspirants before candidates emerged.
They urged the party’s appeal committee to thoroughly investigate the complaints and cancel the primaries where due process was not followed.
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Professor Segun Aina as the next Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), with the transition expected to take effect after the expiration of the tenure of the current registrar, Professor Is-haq Oloyede, on July 31, 2026.
The appointment was announced on Thursday in an official statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to the statement, Professor Aina will assume office immediately after Oloyede completes his second tenure at the helm of the examination body.
Aina, a Professor of Computer Engineering at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, is widely known for his contributions to digital systems, examination technologies, and public sector innovation. He is also credited with over 15 years of experience in ICT-driven reforms and technology development within Nigeria’s education sector.
The Presidency noted that the incoming registrar holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Systems Engineering from the University of Kent, United Kingdom, a Master’s degree in Internet Computing and Network Security, as well as a PhD in Digital Signal Processing from Loughborough University.
The statement further revealed that Aina’s relationship with JAMB dates back to his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) year. Since then, he has reportedly participated in several ICT and examination integrity projects involving major examination bodies, including the National Examinations Council (NECO) and the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB).
At 39, Professor Aina is regarded as one of the youngest professors in the field of Computer Engineering in Nigeria and is expected to become the youngest individual to occupy the office of JAMB registrar.
President Tinubu expressed confidence in Aina’s capacity to sustain and improve on the reforms introduced under the leadership of Professor Oloyede, particularly in the areas of digital innovation, examination credibility, and institutional efficiency.
The appointment comes as JAMB continues efforts to strengthen its examination processes and expand the use of technology in the administration of tertiary institution admissions across the country.
