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Family Demands Justice Over Killing of Yilbet Tongshang, Destruction of 13 Houses in Plateau Community
The family of the late Yilbet Samwa Tongshang of Bul community in Kabwir District, Kanke Local Government Area of Plateau State, has appealed to the Plateau State Police Command and other relevant authorities to ensure justice over his alleged killing and the destruction of properties worth millions of naira.
In a press statement jointly signed by Lengkat Tongshang (the complainant) and Nde Paul Tongshang (on behalf of the family), they alleged that on March 5, 2025, a group of individuals identified as Yunusa Dungkolma Tenwa, Augustine Gomgchim, John Bunwa, Jidim Munanji, and others conspired and attacked the deceased with machetes and other dangerous weapons.
According to the statement, the attackers not only inflicted fatal injuries on the victim but also allegedly set fire to 13 houses belonging to various members of the Bul community, destroying properties estimated at over ₦100 million.
The incident was reported to the Divisional Police Headquarters in Kanke, and the injured victim was taken to General Hospital, Kanke, where he was later confirmed dead. The case was subsequently transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Jos for further investigation.
However, the family expressed concern that during the investigation, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ephraim Usman, allegedly summoned both parties to his office in the presence of the Kanke Local Government Chairman, Hon. Lapching Golime, and some stakeholders.
They claimed that the commissioner and the chairman directed that the suspects be released on bail to allow the local government handle the matter internally and ensure justice. Following that directive, eight suspects were released.
“Since their release, nothing has been done by the local government chairman as promised,” the family lamented. “We have visited the police at CID Jos several times, but we are being told to go and beg the chairman, who has since become inaccessible.”
The family further alleged attempts by some local authorities to shield the suspects from prosecution, describing the situation as “an injustice that must not be ignored.”
In a petition addressed to the Commissioner of Police, Plateau State Command, through their solicitors Ladan Attorneys & Co, the Tongshang family reiterated their call for justice and urged the police to ensure that the accused persons are arraigned before a competent court of law. 
The letter, signed by Barr. Ismaila Ladan, described the release of the suspects as an “unconstitutional administrative bail” and alleged that the perpetrators have since been boasting that nothing would come out of the case due to political interference.
“Our clients are calling on your good office to intervene and ensure that justice prevails. No one should take another person’s life and go unpunished,” the petition read.
The Tongshang family appealed to the Plateau State Government, civil society organizations, and the general public to condemn what they described as a deliberate attempt to obstruct justice and to demand accountability for the killing and arson in Bul community.
They emphasized that their only demand is justice — for their slain relative and for all those whose homes and livelihoods were destroyed in the attack.
USA-based sprinter Blessing Ogundiran overcame travel disruptions and an exhausting four-day journey from the United States to emerge as Nigeria’s fastest woman after winning the women’s 100m title at the Commonwealth Games Trials in Lagos on Monday.
Competing at the Yaba College of Technology Sports Complex, Ogundiran produced a brilliant run of 11.12 seconds (-0.5m/s) to claim victory in a highly competitive final and secure the national crown.
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The newly crowned champion revealed after the race that her preparation for the event was far from ideal, having endured a lengthy trip caused by weather-related challenges in the United States.
“It was a tough time getting here after traveling for almost four days due to what happened in the US (storm), but I am grateful to God that I am going back with the title,” Ogundiran said.
She added that the advice from her coach before the race played a key role in helping her stay composed under pressure.
“When I was at the start block, I was thinking of what my coach told me—that I should just execute my race and not panic—and that was exactly what I did.”
Ogundiran was pushed all the way by the impressive Miracle Ezechukwu, who clocked a personal best of 11.15 seconds to finish second.
Her performance also earned her qualification for the Ben Aghazu Excellence in Athletics Prize, an initiative established to reward outstanding performances by home-based athletes.
Another USA-based sprinter, Olayinka Olajide, completed the podium places with a time of 11.28 seconds.
Ezechukwu’s remarkable run received special praise from Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) Second Vice President, Akuchukwu Aghazu, the initiator of the Excellence in Athletics Prize.
“This is exactly what the Excellence in Athletics Prize was created to achieve – to inspire our athletes to push beyond limits and believe in their abilities,” Aghazu said.
“Seeing Miracle Ezechukwu achieve the benchmark with a personal best performance is rewarding. It shows that when athletes are given motivation and a platform to compete, they respond positively.”
Aghazu reiterated her commitment to supporting athletes based in Nigeria and hailed the overall quality of competition on display.
“Our home-based athletes are incredibly talented. They deserve recognition, encouragement and opportunities to excel.
The Excellence in Athletics Prize is about celebrating hard work, dedication and excellence, and today’s performances have justified that vision.”
Elsewhere, Olympian Chukwuebuka Enekwechi claimed the men’s shot put title with a throw of 21.46m, securing the national crown for the fifth consecutive time since representing Nigeria, while Oyesade Oyetayo won the men’s hammer throw with 65.07m.
The men’s 100m competition also gathered momentum, with Favour Ashe, Chidera Ezeakor, Fakorede Adekalu, Tejiri Godwin, and Enoch Adegoke all progressing to Tuesday’s semifinals and final after winning their respective heats.
In the 400m semifinals, top contenders including Patience Okon-George, IyanuOluwa Aderemi (51.86s PB), Taiwo Kudoro, Faith Ezechukwu, Jecinter Lawrence, and Becky Ebiyadi booked places in the women’s final.
In the men’s category, Emmanuel Ojeli, Sikiru Adeyemi, Victor Sampson, Samson Nathaniel, Victory Achakpoekri, and Tyler Johnson advanced to the final.
The final day of the trials will feature the men’s and women’s 200m finals, the 400m finals, as well as the 100m and 110m hurdles events.
The event attracted several athletics legends and stakeholders, including Mary Onyali, Solomon Ogba, Chief Malik Itiako Ikpokpo, Hameed Adio, Gloria Obajimi and Emilia Edet, who witnessed another memorable chapter in Nigeria’s growing athletics resurgence.
BY SUNDAY SAMUEL—The Ondo State Police Command under the proactive leadership of CP Felix Ohagwu psc, mnips, mspsp has successfully foiled two separate kidnap attempts in Owo Local Government Area of the State, rescuing all victims involved and forcing the fleeing criminals to abandon their mission following swift and coordinated security operations.
The incidents, which occurred within a few hours of each other on Sunday, 21st June, 2026, underscore the Command’s proactive operational readiness and the effectiveness of ongoing efforts aimed at combating kidnapping and other violent crimes across the State.
The first incident occurred at about 7:05 p.m. when the Police received a distress call indicating that a six-man armed kidnapping gang had stormed the residence of Pastor Taiwo Taiwo, Chairman of Ojana New Area, Owo, with the intention of abducting him. Acting promptly on the information, the Divisional Police Officer, B Division, Owo, mobilized and led a patrol team to the scene.
Upon arrival, the operatives encountered the armed assailants, leading to an exchange of gunfire. The superior tactical response and determination of the Police operatives forced the criminals to retreat into the surrounding bush, abandoning their plan. The intended victim and his family members were successfully rescued unharmed and subsequently relocated to a safer location for enhanced security and protection.
In a related development later that same night, at about 11:10 p.m., another armed gang attacked one Daniel Ologun, a 39-year-old resident of Gbegun Community along Alhaja Camp, off Housing Estate, Owo. During the attack, the victim sustained a gunshot wound to his left leg while the assailants forcefully took his wife, Mrs. Taibat Ologun, aged 34 years, and their two young children, aged four and two years respectively, into the bush.
Upon receiving information about the incident, the Police immediately launched a rescue operation. The rapid deployment of operatives and sustained pressure mounted on the fleeing kidnappers disrupted their movement and compelled them to abandon the Mr Daniel Ologun. In a coordinated search-and-rescue effort involving the Police and personnel of the Nigerian Army, Mrs. Ologun and her two children were later successfully rescued unhurt from the assailants who escaped with gunshot injurieat about 1:50 a.m.
The injured victim was promptly taken to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owo, where he is currently receiving medical attention and responding positively to treatment.
Meanwhile, joint security teams comprising Police operatives and military personnel have intensified bush-combing operations in the affected areas and adjoining forests with a view to apprehending the fleeing suspects and dismantling any criminal hideouts within the axis. Efforts are ongoing to track down all members of the criminal gangs involved in the attacks and bring them to justice.
CP Felix Ohagwu, psc, mnips, mspsp, has directed that the rescued victims be immediately debriefed to obtain additional information that may assist ongoing investigations and intelligence-gathering efforts aimed at identifying and apprehending the fleeing suspects. Afterwhich all rescued victims be reunited with their families while ensuring that necessary security measures are put in place for their continued safety and well-being.
The CP commends the bravery and swift response of the operatives involved in both operations, as well as the support of the Nigerian Army and members of the public who provided timely information that aided the successful rescue missions.
The post Ondo Police Foil Two Kidnap Attempts in Owo, Rescue Victims and Family Members appeared first on Business Today NG.
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