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JUST IN: Tinubu orders offensive as fresh Plateau attack leaves 51 dead

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President Bola Tinubu has strongly condemned the violence in Plateau State, urging the state’s leadership to find a lasting solution to persistent communal conflicts.

This comes after at least 51 people were again killed by gunmen with scores injured in the early hours of Monday in the Zikke and Kakpa communities in Bassa Local Government Area of the North Central state, two weeks after deadly clashes in another part of the state left several people dead.

Last week, the National Emergency Agency said gunmen had killed at least 52 people and displaced nearly 2,000 others over several days of attacks in Plateau, which has had a history of violence between farmers and cattle herders.

On Monday, residents said 51 bodies had been recovered in the Zikke and Kimakpa villages in Plateau’s Bassa district, while several more were reportedly injured.

The cause of the attack was not immediately known.

“We cannot allow this devastation and the tit-for-tat attacks to continue. Enough is enough,” Tinubu said in a statement signed Monday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

The statement is titled ‘President Tinubu condemns latest attack in Plateau, charges Governor Mutfwang to resolve underlying communal issues.’

Tinubu expressed profound sorrow over the bloodshed and extended his condolences to Governor Caleb Mutfwang, the state government, and the people of Plateau.

The President argued that “The ongoing violence between communities in Plateau State, rooted in misunderstandings between different ethnic and religious groups, must cease.

”Therefore, he called on the governor to demonstrate political resolve in addressing the underlying communal issues fueling the violence and establishing enduring peace.“

Beyond dealing with the criminal elements of these incessant killings, the political leadership in Plateau State, led by Governor Caleb Mutfwang, must address the root cause of this age-long problem.

“These problems have been with us for more than two decades. We can no longer ignore the underlying issues.

“It is time to tackle them fairly and find a lasting solution. I have discussed these problems with the governor over time and offered suggestions for lasting peace,” Tinubu asserted.

He emphasised the importance of fostering unity and harmony across ethnic and religious lines.

Tinubu also appealed to community, spiritual, and political leaders both within and outside Plateau State to work together to halt the cycle of retaliatory attacks devastating affected communities.

He said, “I have instructed security agencies to thoroughly investigate this crisis and identify those responsible for orchestrating these violent acts.

”President Tinubu reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting the Plateau State government in fostering dialogue, social cohesion, and accountability, crucial steps towards permanently resolving the conflict.

“The Federal Government remains committed to supporting Governor Mutfwang and the Plateau State government in promoting dialogue, fostering social cohesion, and ensuring accountability—crucial steps towards permanently resolving the conflict in Plateau,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, a youth leader in the community, Joseph Chudu, confirmed the attack, which began around 12am on Monday in Jos.

Chudu said that the gunmen invaded the community in large numbers shooting and burning their houses.

Chudu said, “The attack lasted for more than one hour. Many who sustained injuries have been evacuated to the Jos University Teaching Hospital. Please, we need blood for the injured.”

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Crime

JUST IN: Bandits Attack Three Bauchi Villages, Kill Many Villagers, professional Hunters

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An unconfirmed number of people have been killed in an ambush attack by bandits on a combined team of professional hunters from Duguri and Gwana District in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

The bandits also killed many residents who fled from their villages following the attack which occurred on Sunday 4th May 2025, at about 5.40am.

The hunters were on a routine patrol along Duguri, Mansur, and the Dajin Madam forest bordering Bauchi and Plateau States when the armed bandits attacked them.

Details on the exact number of the hunters and residents killed are still sketchy but residents say nine people were killed, while some say that the number could be as high as 15.

The Public Relations Officer, Bauchi State Police Command, Ahmed Wakil, who confirmed the incident in a statement to journalists on Monday did not give the exact number of casualties but said that many people were killed both on the side of the bandits and that of the hunters.

He said those killed also included civilian residents from Sabuwar Sara village, who were mercilessly shot by the bandits while attempting to flee from the attack.

Wakil also said the Commissioner of Police Bauchi State, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, has deployed tactical teams to Mansur village in Alkaleri LGA of Bauchi following a visit to relevant stakeholders where he strongly condemned the recent killings, expressing deep sorrow over the tragic loss of lives.

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JUST IN: Suspected herdsmen hijack fully loaded vehicle, kill driver, abduct passengers in Benue

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Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen on Sunday night hijacked a commercial vehicle along the Otukpo-Adoka road in Benue State, killing the driver and abducting all passengers on board.

The incident occurred around 11 p.m. as the vehicle was en route to Otukpo from Abuja.

Eyewitnesses said that the attackers opened fire as soon as they sighted the vehicle, causing the driver to lose control and veer off the road into nearby bushes after being hit by a bullet.

The assailants subsequently abducted all the passengers before abandoning the vehicle at the scene.

The body of the slain driver, identified as a native of Adoka, has been recovered and taken to his hometown.

Meanwhile, military personnel have arrived at the scene and launched a manhunt for the attackers.

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JUST IN: Defence Headquarters nab two security personnel aiding terrorists in North-East

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Two security personnel aiding terrorist operations in the North-East have been arrested, the Defence Headquarters has announced.

The Director, Media Operations at the Defence Headquarters, Maj. Gen. Markus Kangye, explained that the two personnel are from hybrid forces who had been working alongside troops to combat insurgency in the region.

He further explained that the men were arrested during operations from April 26 to 29 across Bama, Kukawa and Madagali LGAs.

According to him, the military personnel were among four terrorist logistics suppliers arrested by the troops.

Kangye described the action of the arrested men as “betrayal”, warning commanders to sensitise their personnel against acts that could sabotage ongoing military efforts.

“In a well-coordinated operation conducted from 26–29 April 2025 in Bama, Kukawa, and Madagali LGAs of Borno and Adamawa states, troops intercepted four terrorists’ logistics suppliers.

“Sadly, two of them were confirmed to be members of the hybrid forces,” the Defence Headquarters spokesman said.

“Commanders are therefore to sensitise hybrid forces personnel to desist from colluding with or encouraging terrorist acts capable of sabotaging our operations,” he added.

Kangye added that in another development, troops, in conjunction with hybrid forces, carried out offensive operations including fighting patrols, raids and clearance missions in Gwoza, Dikwa, Bama, Chibok, Gujba, Geidam, and Yunusari LGAs of Borno State.

According to him, several terrorists were killed during the operations, six kidnap victims were rescued and caches of arms, ammunition, motorcycles and bicycles were recovered.

Kangye further explained that in the South-South, troops also achieved significant success in curbing oil theft and illegal refining in the Niger Delta, saying that they recovered over 86,000 litres of stolen crude oil, 72,000 litres of illegally refined diesel, and over 2,600 litres of petrol.

He stated that troops destroyed dozens of illegal refining sites and seized boats, storage tanks, tricycles, mobile phones and seven vehicles.

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