The Berom Youth Moulders-Association, BYM, has rejected a report by the Plateau State chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, alleging that a gang of “Berom Militias” attacked and killed three herders in the Tanjol community of Riyom Local Government Area of the state on Sunday.
MACBAN, in a statement issued by its chairman, Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, had alleged that a militia gang made up of Berom youths had ambushed the herders while grazing their cattle and shot three of them to death while also injuring two others.
However, the BYM, in a counter-statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Rwang Tengwom, refuted the allegations, which were widely circulated on social media platforms by the media team of the Gan Allah Fulani Development Association, GAFDAN.
In the statement, BYM described the report as not only false, baseless, and misleading, but a deliberate misrepresentation of the facts in the attack on the Tanjol community, which Fulani terrorists actually perpetrated.
“The Berom Youth Moulders-Association (BYM), under the leadership of Barr. Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri is deeply alarmed by yet another calculated attempt to distort the truth surrounding the continuous terrorist attacks on indigenous communities in Plateau State.
“A Facebook account operating under the name Gafdan Media Team falsely claimed that three herders were ambushed and killed by Berom people around the Jol axis of Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State,” the BYM statement said.
Tengwong stated that the wrong narrative was not only false but a regular propaganda often employed by the terrorists whenever they plan to unleash violence on Plateau communities, to justify such attacks
“This narrative is not only false but is a dangerous propaganda campaign designed to conceal the atrocities committed by armed terrorists while criminalising victims who are defending their communities,” Tengwong stated.
He went on to narrate what he said was the true position of things.
“The facts are clear. On Sunday afternoon, armed Fulani terrorists from Mahanga, a community from which they had displaced the natives from and grabbed, invaded the Jol community in Riyom LGA, launching an unprovoked attack on innocent residents.
“During the assault, Mr. Thomas Damang, 48, was murdered, while Ishaku Pam (22), Ezra Yakubu (28), and Shedrack Danladi (34) sustained gunshot injuries. The attackers met resistance from local vigilantes working alongside security personnel.
“In the ensuing confrontation, three terrorists were neutralised, and five others sustained injuries, forcing the remaining attackers to retreat. Contrary to the false report by Gafdan Media Team, those killed were not innocent herders but members of the armed group that attacked the community.
“This recurring pattern of misinformation raises grave concerns. Every time terrorists are confronted by security personnel or local defenders, certain platforms quickly circulate fabricated stories portraying the attackers as innocent herders while ignoring the innocent civilians killed in the attacks.
“Such propaganda emboldens terrorists, undermines security operations, and frustrates efforts to achieve justice for victims.
“BYM is convinced that the operators of the Gafdan Media Team Facebook account have repeatedly demonstrated knowledge and narratives that align with the interests of terrorist groups operating in Plateau State. This pattern warrants urgent investigation.
“We call on the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, and other security agencies to immediately identify, investigate, and prosecute those behind this platform. Information warfare is an integral part of modern terrorism, and individuals who deliberately spread falsehood to shield violent criminals must be held accountable under the law.
“We also call on the Federal Government, the National Human Rights Commission, civil society organisations, the international community, and global media to pay close attention to the coordinated campaign of disinformation surrounding the Plateau crisis.
“The manipulation of facts not only denies justice to victims but also enables the continuation of attacks against vulnerable communities.”
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has moved to reconcile aggrieved members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who lost in the party’s recent primaries, assuring them that there would be room for all within the party.
Abiodun, who spoke on Monday in Ijebu-Ode during a meeting with APC leaders and stakeholders in Ijebu-Ode Local Government Area, directed the immediate establishment of a reconciliation committee to reach out to aggrieved members, address their concerns and give them a sense of belonging.
The Governor said the reconciliation effort was critical to strengthening the party ahead of the 2027 general elections, stressing that those who contested and lost the primaries remained important members of the APC.
“I want us to set up a reconciliation committee in Ijebu-Ode because I know that we have some of our members who are still angry. I want us to be aggressive about that reconciliation. Let us appeal to them. I am ready to implement the report of the reconciliation you will submit to me,” he said.
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Abiodun directed that the committee be headed by Chief Olu Okuboyejo, with former Deputy Governor Yetunde Onanuga and state commissioners serving as members.
He also directed that similar reconciliation committees be established at the ward and local government levels to ensure that no aggrieved member was left out of the process.
The Governor assured party members that the objective was not only to reconcile those who lost in the primaries but also to accommodate everyone who remained committed to the party.
“We must reach out to them, give them a sense of belonging, assuage their concerns and ensure proper reconciliation. There is room for everybody,” he said.
Abiodun said elections were about numbers, urging party leaders to bring back members who might have become aggrieved while simultaneously expanding the APC’s membership base by welcoming new members from opposition parties.
“Those who were not with us before were the ones disturbing us and making sure our votes in Ijebu-Ode are not 100 per cent. But now that they are with us, our victory is certainly 100 per cent sure. Let us welcome them,” he said.
The Governor urged party members to concentrate on issue-based campaigns, saying the APC had a record of performance at both the state and federal levels.
He said his administration had grown Ogun State’s economy to about N17 trillion, while internally generated revenue had risen to N250 billion and was projected to reach N300 billion before the end of the year.
Abiodun described the meeting as the formal commencement of his political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections and appreciated the people of Ijebu-Ode for their support for the APC in the 2019 and 2023 elections.
He assured the people that his administration would continue to improve infrastructure and deliver more dividends of democracy to the area.
The Director-General of the Campaign Committee, Senator Lekan Mustapha, said Ijebu-Ode, being the headquarters of Ogun East Senatorial District, had a significant voter population that must be effectively mobilised for the party ahead of the elections.
He noted that the local government had 161 polling units, stressing the need for effective mobilisation across all the units.
The Governor later held similar meetings with APC leaders and executives in Ijebu-North East and Odogbolu Local Government Areas as part of efforts to strengthen the party’s structure ahead of the 2027 elections.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has declared a curfew in Barkin Ladi, Bokkos and Mangu Local Government Areas of the state over security threats in the region.
A statement on Monday by Joyce Ramnap, the commissioner for information and communication, said the dusk-to-dawn curfew was imposed to stabilise the state.
“Effective today, Monday, September 21, 2026, the restriction of movement is between 6:00 PM and 6:00 AM until further notice,” she said.
She stated that Mr Mutfwang took the measure to allow law enforcement agencies to stabilise the area, protect lives, and prevent any breakdown of law and order within local communities.
“Therefore, all residents of affected Local Government Areas are expected to fully comply with the government’s directive for their own safety,” Ms Ramnap said.
She added that citizens are advised to plan their daily commercial, agricultural and personal activities strictly around the restricted hours to avoid unnecessary hardship or friction during the quiet hours.
“So far, security operatives have been directed to strictly enforce the curfew and the ban on use of motorcycles with immediate effect throughout the affected jurisdiction,” she noted.
She reassured law-abiding citizens that security personnel would operate with professionalism.