News

Plateau crisis: Group commend OPSH for eliminating notorious bandits

Published

3 years ago

July 18, 2023

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A Jos-based peace advocacy group, operating as Conference of Plateau State Peace Builders Network (COPPEBN), has hailed the internal military outfit, in Plateau State, Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) for its recent prompt action in quelling what could have been an escalated crisis in the state by neutralizing three notorious bandits.

Recall that the internal security outfit had during routine operations in Mangu, Riyom, Bokkos, and other parts of the state, eliminated three notorious bandits and recovered sophisticated weapons from them

Reacting to the latest security breakthrough in the state, the Conference of Plateau State Peace Builders Network (COPPEBN), said the development besides other milestones recorded by the military in the state had led to relative peace and calm in the once-troubled area.

The group, in a statement,,by its National President, Dr Dung Bot, and Secretary General, Barr. Mrs. Lucy Wuyep appealed to Operation Safe Haven not just to sustain the tempo but also to extend the operation to all the local governments areas of Plateau State.

The group which particularly commended the General Officer Commanding, GOC 3rd Jos for leading his men in the frontline, described the development as a game changer that we must all commend.

It, however, expressed shock at what it described as “a reckless, sentimental, and callous statement made by one of our state lawmakers, Hon. Kundagbenia Dewan Gabriel of Plateau State House of Assembly, condemning the gunning down of the three bandits in Mangu and further described the criminals as people supporting the military in fighting crime in the area.”

“This statement is not only callous and unfortunate but it’s also unbecoming of a lawmaker who should have put patriotism and honesty at the forefront instead of political sentiment,” the group said.

“We passionately appeal to the military authorities to sustain the tempo and extend the operation to all the local governments of Plateau State. The action of the GOC by leading his men from the front at the battleground and moving the operational headquarter of OPSH to Mangu Local Government Area is a game changer that we must all commend,” it said.

The statement read in parts: “We write to express our profound satisfaction with the robust, and massive ongoing military operations led by the General Officer Commanding, GOC and Commander of Operations Safe Haven, Jos, Major General AE Abubaker, in Mangu, Riyom, Bokkos and other parts of Plateau State which have led to the killing of three notorious bandits with sophisticated weapons recovered from them and other milestone recorded leading to the relative calm in the once troubled area.

“We passionately appeal to the military authorities to sustain the tempo and extend the operation to all the local government areas of Plateau State.

“The action of the GOC in leading his men in the frontline at the battleground and moving the operational headquarter to Mangu Local Government is a game changer that we must all commend.

“The killings of the three bandits in Mangu no matter who they are, have sent a clear message to troublemakers that the military means business and will go to any extent to comply with the presidential directives that anyone found with prohibited firearms should be gunned down. We’re so happy and proud of Operation Safe Haven so far,” it said.

The group said it was, “however shocked by a reckless, sentimental, and callous statement made by one our state lawmaker, Hon. Kundagbenia Dewan Gabriel of Plateau State House of Assembly, where he condemned the gunning down of the three bandits in Mangu and further described the criminals as people supporting the military in fighting crime in the area.”

“This statement is not only callous and unfortunate but is also unbecoming of a lawmaker who should have put patriotism and honesty at the forefront instead of relying on political sentiment

“Playing politics with peace and security will only keep us in Plateau in the same circle of crisis and endless violence.

“As leaders that he’s , what we expected from the young lawmaker was not to misinform the public but rather, stand for the truth by calling a spade a spade no matter who is involved.

“We must rise above ethnic, political and tribal sentiments when dealing with security issues.

“We must condemn criminality even if our siblings are involved. This is the only way we can get it right and return our communities to peace and prosperity and not to take sides with people carrying Ak47 rifles just to get a nod from his constituents,” the group said.

The organization said while people must join hands to fight the attackers in our communities” we must be bold to tell some of our criminal youths the truth.”

“How can the bandits killed be described as locals helping the military to defend the land? Who authorized them to carry Ak 47 to defend the land? Was it the military or who? Is it possible to be defending the land with the military and the military does not know or assigned you? The group asked.

It charged the public, particularly the citizens of the state to ignore what it described as “attention-seeking young legislator who is only out to seek relevance and weep cheap sentiment for political points.”

Related Topics:COPPEBN OPSH Plateau crisis: Group hails OPSH for eliminating notorious bandits

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Business

Firm linked to Otudeko’s Honeywell Group buys 14% stake in Ikeja Hotel

Published

18 minutes ago

July 3, 2026

Preport

HGL Real Estate Limited, a company with no significant digital presence, linked to billionaire tycoon Oba Otudeko, has acquired a 14.1 per cent stake in Lagos-listed hospitality provider Ikeja Hotel.

Ikeja Hotel “received notification from HGL Real Estate Limited, an affiliate of Honeywell Group Limited, that it has acquired 305,323,525 units of Ikeja Hotel Plc’s shares,” according to a regulatory filing on Thursday.

Based on Thursday’s closing share price, the firm’s holding in Ikeja Hotel is valued at over N13.2 billion.

The share purchase places HGL Real Estate among the top seven shareholders of the company, second only to Oma Investments Limited, which occupies the pinnacle of the pecking order with a 25.8 per cent interest.

HGL Real Estate does not own or run a known website, which is odd for a company financially enabled to own shares worth several billion naira in another firm.

Even on the Honeywell Group Limited (HGL)’s website, HGL Real Estate is not mentioned anywhere among the subsidiaries, including among the group’s real estate subsidiaries, which comprise Anchorage Leisures Limited and Uraga Real Estate.

PREMIUM TIMES’ checks with the Corporate Affairs Commission, as well as the commission’s beneficial ownership register, did not return any information related to the company.

In May 2023, Honeywell Group announced the appointment of Kemi Adeoye, its chief financial officer, to the board of Ikeja Hotel as a non-executive director.

“As a member of the board, Mrs Adeoye will play a crucial role in representing HGL’s interest in the company and ensuring continued value creation for stakeholders,” Honeywell Group said at the time.

“HGL’s investment in Ikeja Hotel Plc is in line with its mission to create, build, and invest in great businesses that create enduring value and improve lives,” it added.

In 2022, Honeywell Group consummated a deal to sell its 71.7 per cent shareholding in Honeywell Flour Mills to Nigeria’s largest flour-maker, Flour Mills.

READ ALSO: Group petitions EFCC over N117‎ billion rice importation fraud

The enterprise value of the transaction was N80 billion.

Mr Otudeko served as the chairman of FBN Holdings (now First HoldCo) from 2012 until 2021, when he was ousted during a board shake-up by the Central Bank of Nigeria for his role in what the regulator described as a breach of corporate governance.

News

Last chance to apply — Startup Battlefield Australia applications close July 6

Published

19 minutes ago

July 3, 2026

Preport

Every startup has a moment that changes everything.

For some, it’s landing their first customer. For others, it’s closing their first funding round.

For a select few, it starts with one pitch.

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If you’re an early-stage startup in Australia or New Zealand, this opportunity was built for you.

We’re looking for founders who are:

Pre-seed to Series A.
Building a real product with early traction.
Solving meaningful problems with innovative technology.
Ready to introduce their company to investors, media, and the broader startup ecosystem.

You don’t need to be famous.

In fact, that’s the point.

Startup Battlefield exists to discover the next breakout company before everyone else does.

What’s at stake?

On August 19, 2026, eight selected startups will take the stage live at Stripe Tour Sydney in front of leading investors, global media, and Australia’s technology community.

The top three startups will receive up to $15,000 in Stripe fee credits.

The grand prize goes even further.

The winner receives automatic entry into Startup Battlefield 200 at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 — one of the world’s most prestigious startup competitions — in San Francisco this October.