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Defence Minister Visits Plateau Attack Sites, Vows End to Killings as FG Pledges Swift Action
Bassa LGA, Plateau State – April 19, 2025
The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, alongside the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, on Saturday visited Zike community in Kwall District of Bassa Local Government Area, Plateau State, following the recent deadly attacks that claimed over 50 lives.
The ministers, who were in the state on the directive of President Bola Tinubu, assured affected residents of the Federal Government’s commitment to ending the spate of killings and restoring lasting peace to the region.
“We are here on behalf of the Federal Government to share in your grief and to reaffirm that this senseless bloodshed must stop,” Badaru said during the visit. “We will leave no stone unturned to ensure the perpetrators of these heinous acts are identified, apprehended, and made to face justice.”
He added that security agencies have been fully mobilized to investigate the attacks and prevent future occurrences, noting that collaboration between federal and state structures was key to ending what he described as a cycle of madness.
“We are adopting new security strategies, and we will engage with community stakeholders to ensure this never happens again. The president is deeply concerned and has mandated us to act decisively,” he added.
Prof. Nentawe also conveyed President Tinubu’s personal concern over the attacks, reiterating the administration’s willingness to deploy all necessary forces to restore order.
“The President asked what more he can do for Plateau. He made it clear that peace must return to this land. He is ready to support kinetically and otherwise, but we must also talk to ourselves across ethnic and religious lines,” Nentawe said.
He urged traditional rulers, community leaders, and religious stakeholders to foster dialogue and reconciliation, emphasizing that violence affects everyone — from farmers unable to access their land to youths losing their future to fear and instability.
“This is not just a Plateau issue; it’s a national concern. From Berom to Hausa, Irigwe to Anaguta, Christian to Muslim — we must unite for peace and progress,” he stressed.
Also speaking during the visit, Ambassador Daniel Asama Ago, Member Representing Jos North-Bassa Federal Constituency, called for urgent and practical action beyond condolence visits. “The resilience of our people is remarkable, but what we need now is not just words. We need justice and decisive steps to end the bloodshed.”
Similarly, the Executive Chairman of Bassa LGA, Hon. Dr. Joshua Sunday Riti, emphasized the necessity of unity in defeating what he termed “enemies of peace.”
“Only a united front between the people, government, and security agencies can break this cycle of violence that has plagued our land for decades,” he said.
In a heartfelt appeal, Rev. Daniel Gya, President of the Irigwe Development Association (IDA), urged the people to remain strong and united. “We will not be silenced by fear. With God’s help and our collective strength, we will rise again,” he declared.
The visit comes amid growing calls for accountability and stronger security measures across Plateau State. Residents remain hopeful that government assurances will translate into lasting peace and justice for victims.
By Aderonke Ojo
Connor Tuodolo, Founder of the Squash Premier League and the Beacon of Positivity Foundation (BOPF), says the initiative aims to use squash as a tool to take children off the streets.
It is also to empower them with life skills and opportunities to shape them into responsible citizens.
Tuodolo said this to newsmen at the opening of the second edition of the Squash Premier League at Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tournament, themed “Breeding the Next Generation of Champions”, attracted 105 young athletes from squash academies across the country.
The week-long competition, which runs from Aug. 3 to Aug. 8, features the Under-15, Under-19, senior club members and doubles categories.
According to Tuodolo, the league was established not only to produce elite squash players but also to provide young Nigerians with positive opportunities through sports.
“We want organisations that believe in youth development to join us in taking children off the streets, empowering them through sports and creating opportunities for them to become productive citizens,” he said.
He said the initiative grew from his experience as a squash player, and his conviction that Nigeria needed a sustainable grassroots platform where young athletes could develop their talents through regular training and competition.
“What keeps us going is seeing these children smile and discover their potential. That is the greatest motivation for us,” he said.
Tuodolo said the league had recorded steady growth since its inception in 2025, with participation increasing from 26 athletes in the maiden edition to 105 competitors this season.
“When we started, we had only 26 athletes. The next competition attracted 45 players, followed by about 50, then 69, and now we have 105 participants. That shows the league is growing and that there is hope for squash in Nigeria,” he said.
He explained that the organisers deliberately limited participation to squash academies to encourage coaches to establish and strengthen grassroots development programmes across the country.
According to him, the league is organised three times annually during school holidays to provide young players with regular opportunities to compete and assess their development.
Tuodolo said the competition also incorporates coaching and officiating clinics for both players and officials in order to improve participants technical knowledge and understanding of the rules of the game.
He, however, identified inadequate funding as the biggest challenge confronting the initiative.
“Our biggest challenge is funding. Although I have a committed team working with me, many of them sacrifice their personal time and resources simply because they believe in giving these children opportunities,” he said.
He added that donor support had yet to meet the financial demands of the expanding competition.
“I had hoped donor funding would cover most of our expenses, but because the platform is still developing, much of the financial responsibility falls on me. It has been difficult, but giving up is not an option,” he said.
The league founder appealed to corporate organisations, particularly those in the oil and gas sector, to partner with the organisers through sponsorship.
“My appeal is to corporate organisations to support this initiative. By doing so, they will not only sustain the league but also invest in youth development and nation-building through sports,” he said.
Tuodolo added that BOPF also carries out community outreach programmes, including free eye tests and the distribution of medicated glasses, as part of its commitment to improving the lives of vulnerable people.
He expressed optimism that with sustained support, the league would become one of Africa’s leading grassroots squash competitions.
Some of the young participants described the championship as an opportunity to pursue their sporting dreams.
15 -year-old Edna Philip from Plateau said she hoped the competition would help her realise her ambition of becoming one of the world’s best squash players.
“I have been playing squash for three years, and I hope to become one of the best squash players in the world. I am grateful to my parents and my coach for supporting me,” she said.
16-year-old Nanme Rindaps, who finished as runner-up in the previous edition, said he returned to Abuja determined to improve his performance and win the title.
“I came here to learn new techniques, improve my game and compete for victory,” he said.
Another participant, Praise Chukwuemeka, thanked her parents for supporting her sporting career, expressing confidence that competing against stronger opponents would improve her performance.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Joseph Edeh
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