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Ex-Operation Safe Haven Commander Urges Grassroots-Driven Reforms to End Plateau Violence

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Maj. Gen. Nicholas Rogers (Rtd)

 

Former Commander of Operation Safe Haven and Chairman of the Plateau State Special Fact-Finding Committee, Retired General Rogers Nicholas, has called on the government to adopt grassroots-driven security reforms as a sustainable approach to addressing the persistent violence in Plateau State.

Nicholas made the call on Wednesday in Abuja while speaking at a special security conference organized by the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on Plateau Security. He shared insights from his tenure managing security in the state and outlined key recommendations based on months of field consultations and analysis by the committee.

Describing the Plateau crisis as a “complex web of historical grievances, ethnic tensions, land disputes, open grazing conflicts, systemic poverty, illegal mining, youth unemployment, porous borders, and a fragile justice system,” Nicholas emphasized the need for holistic and community-rooted interventions.

“One of the key drivers of this crisis is the cycle of reprisal attacks — farmer-herder conflicts that often escalate into community-wide violence,” he said.

He recounted efforts during his tenure as commander, which included trust-building initiatives such as town hall meetings with local and Fulani leaders and the introduction of community-based compensation systems for incidents like cattle rustling and crop destruction. However, he lamented that many of these measures were abandoned after his departure, leading to renewed hostilities.

Nicholas outlined the committee’s top recommendations, including:

  • Establishment of Peace and Security Committees in every community, chaired by traditional rulers and inclusive of all ethnic and religious groups.
  • Strict enforcement and review of the Plateau State Anti-Land Grabbing Law (2022).
  • Creation of designated grazing routes and ranching areas in partnership with local authorities.
  • Strengthening the criminal justice system with stiffer penalties for cattle rustling, illegal arms possession, and farmland destruction.
  • Formation of an Interstate Joint Security Task Force to enhance collaboration with neighboring states — Kaduna, Nasarawa, Taraba, and Bauchi — to curb cross-border attacks.
  • Integration of local vigilante groups into formal security structures like Operation Rainbow to enhance accountability.
  • Improved rural communication infrastructure for faster response to security threats, alongside sustained legislative oversight and stakeholder engagement.

In his remarks, the Committee Chairman, Hon. Wale Ahmed (Agege), reaffirmed the House’s commitment to uncovering the root causes of Plateau’s prolonged violence and developing implementable solutions.

“These opportunities have been given to us by the House to find out exactly what are the causes of the perpetual, repeated cycle of violence in Plateau State — and what the solutions are,” Ahmed said. “We are all concerned, and we want the world to know what is happening.”

Ahmed disclosed that the committee had, over the past month, sent 237 letters to institutions and individuals across Plateau State, of which 47 responses had been received, including from the Plateau State House of Assembly, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Muslim Youth Foundation, University of Jos Centre for Conflict Management, Operation Rainbow, Miyetti Allah, as well as traditional councils, emirates, and security agencies.

He added that the committee also met with former Governor Joshua Dariye, who led the state during the 2001 Jos crisis, to draw from his experience.

Ahmed concluded by emphasizing that the committee remains committed to working with civil society organizations, traditional leaders, and security agencies to ensure its final report reflects the collective will and realities of Plateau’s people.

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Nigerian Youngster Elo Onuchukwu Joins Manchester City Academy From Leicester City

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Young Nigerian heritage attacker Elo Onuchukwu has officially completed a move to Manchester City Academy from Leicester City, marking a significant step in his budding football career.

Sports247 reports that the promising youngster has put pen to paper with the Premier League giants and will continue his development within Manchester City’s highly regarded youth system.

Onuchukwu is set to join City’s Under-14 team, where he will have the opportunity to develop his technical abilities and gain valuable experience as he begins a new chapter in Manchester, North West England.

The move represents an important progression for the young attacker, who has emerged as one of the Nigerian-heritage talents attracting attention at youth level.

Having previously developed within Leicester City’s academy setup, Onuchukwu will now continue his football education at Manchester City, with the club renowned for its emphasis on technical development and youth progression.

His arrival at the City Football Academy provides another platform for the youngster to sharpen his game, compete at a high level and work towards fulfilling his potential.

For Nigerian football followers, the move also puts Onuchukwu among the emerging Nigerian heritage players to monitor closely as his career develops.

While still at the early stages of his football journey, the Manchester City opportunity offers the young attacker an important environment to grow and gain experience.

The next phase of Onuchukwu’s development in Manchester will be closely watched, particularly by those following the progress of young Nigerian heritage talents across Europe.

For now, the teenager can celebrate a major career milestone — a move from Leicester City to Manchester City and the beginning of a new chapter with the club’s U14 side.

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Ethiopia, Djibouti hail Dangote’s $660 million pipeline as energy security boost

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Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Djibouti President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh have commended Dangote Group’s $660 million Damarjog-Dewele Oil Terminal and Pipeline Project, describing it as a major infrastructure investment capable of transforming regional trade and energy supply.

The leaders spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony for the project at the Damerjog Industrial Development Free Trade Zone in Djibouti.

The project involves the construction of a 120-kilometre multiproduct pipeline connecting marine and coastal storage facilities at Damarjog in Djibouti with inland storage and distribution facilities at Dewele in Ethiopia.

Upon completion, the pipeline is expected to facilitate the movement of refined petroleum products into Ethiopia, reduce transportation bottlenecks and improve the reliability of fuel supplies to the country and the wider region.

Boost to Djibouti

President Guelleh said the project would support Djibouti’s ambition to become a major logistics, industrial and energy hub in Africa.

“Today marks an important chapter in Djibouti’s journey toward becoming a premier centre for logistics, energy, and industrial development. The Damarjog-Dewele Pipeline Project is not merely infrastructure; it is an investment in the future prosperity of our region,” he said.

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According to him, the investment would increase trade volumes, expand port operations, attract additional investments and create direct and indirect employment opportunities.

“We are proud to partner with the Dangote Group in delivering a project that demonstrates the strength of African-led investment and practical African solutions to African challenges,” Mr Guelleh said.

On his part, Prime Minister Abiy said the pipeline would strengthen Ethiopia’s energy security by providing a more efficient and reliable channel for transporting refined petroleum products.

“Ethiopia’s continued economic expansion depends on reliable and efficient access to energy resources. This pipeline will provide a modern, dependable, and cost-effective system for transporting refined petroleum products into the country, thereby enhancing our energy security and reducing supply-chain vulnerabilities,” he said.

He said the project would support sectors including aviation, transportation, agriculture, manufacturing and construction by improving access to petroleum products.

The prime minister also said the infrastructure would reduce losses associated with long-distance transportation and improve the efficiency of Ethiopia’s petroleum distribution network.

He described the project as another example of economic cooperation between Ethiopia and Djibouti.

The project will reduce logistics risks

Speaking at the ceremony, Aliko Dangote, President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, said the project was part of the group’s broader efforts to develop infrastructure that supports Africa’s economic growth and self-sufficiency.

“This project is designed to enhance energy security, improve supply-chain efficiency, and create sustainable economic value for both Djibouti and Ethiopia,” Mr Dangote said.

He said Djibouti would benefit from increased port activity, revenues and employment, while Ethiopia would gain improved energy security and reduced logistics constraints.

Mr Dangote noted that the Djibouti corridor is a major route for Ethiopia’s imports and exports, including petroleum products.

According to him, the pipeline would reduce dependence on long-distance tanker movements, ease congestion and lower operational risks associated with transporting petroleum products by road.

READ ALSO: Dangote refinery drove Nigeria’s petrol supply in August as NNPC refineries remain shut — Report

The project is also expected to create jobs during construction and operation and provide opportunities for local contractors, suppliers, transport operators and communities.

The Damarjog-Dewele project is part of Dangote Group’s Vision 2030 strategy, under which the conglomerate plans to invest $50 billion across Africa in industrial and energy infrastructure.

Mr Dangote said the group’s objective was to support African countries in reducing dependence on imports and increasing local production.

“Our vision is to support African countries in becoming self-sufficient in products for which they possess the raw materials, market demand, and strategic necessity,” he said.

The project further expands Dangote Group’s investments in Africa’s energy and industrial sectors, following the development of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Nigeria and other investments across the continent.


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