Stakeholders, community leaders, and young people in Jos have called for an end to mob lynching, urging adherence to justice, peace, and the rule of law as the only path to a stable society.
The call was the central focus of “Reflection to Action 3.0,” themed “Youth Against Mob Lynching: Choose Justice, Not Violence,” held on April 18, 2026, at A+ Hub, Hillstation Junction. The event was organized by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the Executive Governor of Plateau State on Youth Mobilization, led by Hon. Safiyya Isa Muhammad, in collaboration with the Fwinbe Thomas Gofwan Memorial Foundation and A+ Hub.
Participants engaged in extensive discussions on the dangers of jungle justice, stressing the need for sustained youth engagement and community-driven approaches to addressing violence. They emphasized that mob lynching undermines societal order and often leads to the loss of innocent lives.
In her welcome address, Hajiya Safiyya Isa Muhammad warned that any society where the law loses its meaning risks descending into chaos. She condemned mob lynching, stating that no individual has the right to take another person’s life outside legal provisions. According to her, justice must be rooted in due process, fairness, and humanity.
She described Plateau State as a land of peace and diversity, urging citizens to embrace their cultural, religious, and ethnic differences as strengths rather than sources of conflict. Addressing youths, she acknowledged their influence but called on them to act with restraint, promote peace, and uphold justice.
Nenpominyi Gofwan of the Fwinbe Thomas Gofwan Memorial Foundation shared a personal account of loss, revealing that the foundation was established after his younger brother was killed in a mob lynching based on an unverified accusation. He described the incident as a painful example of how quickly lives can be destroyed when due process is ignored, urging greater awareness, empathy, and responsibility among citizens.
Resource person Vivian Abana outlined four principles for peaceful coexistence, truth, fairness, goodwill, and mutual benefit, encouraging participants to reflect on the impact of their actions and words. She highlighted the importance of unity in diversity and cautioned against prejudice and assumptions.
Representing the Plateau State Commissioner of Police, U. C. Erhabo described mob lynching as a violation of human rights and a threat to public safety. He urged citizens to report suspected offenders to law enforcement agencies rather than resorting to violence, noting that such actions only fuel instability.
Grace Goyol, speaking on behalf of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), linked rising cases of mob violence to drug abuse, particularly among youths. She noted that substance abuse often leads to aggression and poor judgment, calling for responsible behavior and collective efforts to curb the trend.
Similarly, George Abi of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) recounted a disturbing encounter with mob violence, describing it as barbaric and ineffective in addressing crime. He stressed that such acts only perpetuate disorder and called for greater compassion and lawful engagement with security agencies.
Delivering an emotional appeal, Guinness World Record holder Victoria Anya Ishaku condemned mob lynching and urged youths to resist retaliation despite feelings of anger and frustration. She emphasized that “speed without direction leads to destruction,” encouraging thoughtful action and commitment to justice.
Usman Yakubu Hassan, a participant described the programme as timely and enlightening, especially amid recurring violence in Jos. He noted that mob-related incidents have persisted for decades, but this initiative uniquely brought together potential victims and perpetrators alongside security agencies. He commended the organizers for fostering dialogue and practical solutions, adding that the series has consistently promoted awareness, understanding, and prevention.
The event concluded with a renewed commitment from participants to serve as ambassadors of peace, reject mob violence, and promote justice through lawful means in their communities.
BY NKECHI NAECHE-ESEZOBOR —-The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has called for stronger collaboration with the nation’s security institutions to combat criminal activities threatening the telecommunications sector.
The appeal was made by the Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Professor Umar Garba Danbatta, as part of efforts to safeguard critical telecom infrastructure and sustain industry growth.
He disclosed this at the North Central Zonal Sensitization Workshop for security agencies held in Keffi, Nasarawa State.
He said the collaboration and partnership is important to enable the Commission to “move steadily in harnessing fully, the potential of telecommunications and to sustain the exponential growth in the sector in view of the central role telecommunication plays in the social and economic development of the nation”
The EVC seized the opportunity of the forum to thank the Office of the National Security Adviser; the Nigeria Police Force; the Department of State Services; the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps; the Nigeria Customs Service; the Federal Road Safety Commission and other agencies involved in security governance for the support they have offered the NCC in its effort to contain telecom crimes.
The Workshop, which was attended by personnel from all these agencies, featured paper presentations covering the gamut of challenges of enforcement processes including the role of ICT in Effective Policing; Challenges of Prosecuting Telecom Offences; Overview of NCC Enforcement Regulations; and Overview of NCC Enforcement Powers under the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003.
Resource persons at the Workshop include Dr. Solomon Arase, former Inspector General of Police; and Paul Usoro, SAN; as well as the representation from the Commission which includes Efosa Idehen, Head Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement who represented the EVC; Dr. Henry Nkemadu, Deputy Director Research & Development; Helen Obi, Head Zonal Operations; Salisu Abdu, Head Enforcement; GT Mohammed, Assistant Director Legal and Regulatory Services; and Al-Kassim Umar, Head Compliance Monitoring.
It was a highly participatory workshop marked by lively, robust and seminal discussion the Commission will find quite useful in its strategic plan to re-engineer its operations for improved regulatory efficiency, robust stakeholder engagement and better quality of consumer experience.
Two persons have been confirmed dead, while three others sustained injuries following an explosion at a petrol station in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State on Saturday.
The Plateau State Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP Alfred Alabo, confirmed the incident in a statement, clarifying that it was an industrial accident and not a bomb blast as initially reported online.
Alabo said misleading reports suggesting a bomb explosion and outbreak of violence in the state were false and capable of causing panic.
“The Plateau State Police Command has been drawn to certain false, misleading and alarmist reports currently circulating, alleging that there was a bomb blast and outbreak of crisis in Plateau State,” the statement said.
According to the police, the explosion occurred at Natty Petroleum Investment Nigeria Ltd during repair work on an underground storage tank.
“The Plateau State Police Command received a report of an explosion which occurred at Natty Petroleum Investment Nigeria Ltd, a filling station located in Daffo District, while welding repair works were being carried out by artisans,” the statement added.
