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Outrage as Plateau Youths Demand Arrest of Man Who Celebrated Killings on Facebook
Concerned Plateau Youths (COY) have called on security agencies to arrest a man identified as Umar Auwal Bakwankwashe after he allegedly celebrated the killings of seven people in Kwi community, Riyom Local Government Area.
The appeal follows an attack on Saturday night when heavily armed gunmen — described by residents as more than 50 men carrying sophisticated weapons — stormed the village at about 10:30pm. Witnesses said the assailants overpowered the local vigilante before opening fire, leaving seven people dead, several others injured and homes and property destroyed.
“Immediately the youths escaped, the gunmen began shooting sporadically, throwing the people into utter confusion. Many fled into nearby bushes and rocks for safety,” a resident said, adding that frantic calls to security operatives went unanswered.
While the community continued to mourn, Bakwankwashe is said to have posted on Facebook a screenshot of a headline about the attack alongside the comment: “I no tell una? Gradually we go finish you.” The post quickly went viral and attracted thousands of reactions and comments both supporting and condemning the message.
In a petition addressed to the Nigerian Police, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Army, and government authorities, COY demanded Bakwankwashe’s immediate arrest and prosecution. The group said the post — which they say implies that “Muslims will finish and keep killing Christians in Plateau State” — suggests the poster may have knowledge of or sympathy for the attacks.
“We are calling on the federal government of Nigeria and the Plateau State government to arrest this young man for his comments,” the petition reads in part. “This further shows that there are some of our Muslim brothers who are supporters of these terrorist attacks on innocent Nigerians. He should be brought in for questioning because he appears to know a lot about the attacks on innocent villagers in Nigeria,” COY added.
Efforts to reach security agencies and Bakwankwashe for comment were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.
Ahead of the 2026/2027 NNL season, teams have intensified preparations with the recruitments of new players and officials, as well as, engaging in trial games.
Lagos based NNL side Smart City Football Club, are leaving no stones unturned as it has doubled up its preparations to ensure it gets the much desired ticket to the topmost cadre of Nigerian football, Nigeria Premier Football League.
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Speaking exclusively with Sports Chronicle Magazine, Abiodun Obafemi, who is the sporting director of Smart City FC, disclosed that the team is well prepared and better motivated ahead of the season’s task.
“We’re presently done with recruitments, we rounded up everything last week. So, we’re basically in the last phase of our preparations, with grade A friendly games lined up,” he disclosed.
Speaking on the targets of the management, Abiodun Obafemi, MON and a 1996 Olympic games gold medalist, said, “the target of all, including coaches, players and the leadership of team, of course, is to pick the sole NPFL ticket in our group.”
“We don’t just want to talk the talk, we want to do it this time around to make amend for the near misses of the last two seasons,” the former Super Eagles and Stationery Stores defender was full of praises for the management of the team for its commitment to the welfare and improvement of the team, ahead of the new football league season.
“In terms of motivation, the management has usual, has done their bit. And I can say that no Smart City player or official is being own a dime.
“Muchmore, there has been additional provisions of quality training materials, as well as, world class and modern football equipment,” he remarked gleefully.
“In my roles as a senior executive of the club, I remain committed to the development of the club, as well as, ensuring that all the units of the team, functions at their best to meet our seasonal goals. And our main objective this season, is promotion to the NPFL, which is long overdue,” he added.
Smart City FC have been placed in group B, and are expected to competed for the sole ticket to the NPFL, against other teams in the group, including, Beyond Limits FC, Ekiti United, Solution FC, Akwa United, Dokkal Khairu, Abakaliki FC, Bayelsa United and Right2Win FC.
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