News

Plateau Government Faults Military Inaction in Bindi Village Attack

Published

10 months ago

July 21, 2025

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The Plateau State Government has expressed deep frustration over the Nigerian military’s failure to intervene during a deadly attack in Bindi (Jebu) village, Tahoss District of Riyom Local Government Area, where more than 20 villagers were killed last Tuesday.

The assault, allegedly perpetrated by armed herders, occurred a mere 200 meters from a military checkpoint—raising public outrage and fresh demands for accountability in security operations across the State.

Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief and TVC on Friday, the State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Hon. Joyce Ramnap, did not mince words about the government’s disappointment over what she described as the military’s inaction despite their strategic proximity to the crime scene.

“This is not a hidden community that we would say is inaccessible. The checkpoint is barely 200 meters from where the incident happened. It is baffling that such an atrocity could be carried out without a single arrest or any confrontation,” Ramnap stated.

According to reports, the assailants attacked from three directions, burning homes, destroying farmlands, and killing entire families. While local vigilantes managed to repel one group, another penetrated the area around a church where many residents were taking shelter—leading to the highest number of casualties.

“The community expected help that never came,” Ramnap added. “If you are that close and you engaged them closely like that, you should be able to identify the route they used to escape and implement measures to intercept them. But so far, no arrests have been made.”

She also narrated the account of a local pastor who fled his home in fear. “The pastor said he could not wait to be slaughtered. He left, his wife followed him, and in his own house, six people were killed,” she revealed.

Governor Caleb Mutfwang, she said, has demanded an immediate investigation and insists that at least some arrests must be made to deter further attacks and restore confidence in the system.

“We are not here to generalize or accuse the entire Nigerian Army. We recognize that there are gallant officers, even within Plateau State, doing their best. But clearly, there are some bad eggs whose actions—or inactions—are costing innocent lives,” the Commissioner clarified.

The Plateau State Government condemned the incident as an “unprovoked and despicable” act of violence, noting that the attack went beyond killings to include the destruction of farmlands, worsening the humanitarian crisis already plaguing the region.

Echoing the Governor’s earlier remarks, Ramnap described the recurring violence as genocidal, aimed at displacing indigenous communities. “This is not just about property or politics. Lives are being lost regularly, and entire communities are being displaced. We can’t afford to downplay this anymore,” she said.

While the military has yet to respond publicly to the allegations, the attack has intensified scrutiny of Nigeria’s security forces and raised urgent questions about the role and effectiveness of troops stationed in volatile areas.

As mourning continues in Bindi village, many residents say they are left to bury not only their dead, but also their trust in a system they believe has failed them.

News

Bandits kill pregnant woman, husband in fresh Plateau attack

Published

1 hour ago

May 13, 2026

Preport

Gunmen suspected to be bandits have killed a couple, Iliya Gyang, 30, and his pregnant wife, Grace Iliya, 25, in a fresh attack on the Angwan Ishaku community in Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State.

Rwang Tengwong, spokesperson for the Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYM), told Peoples Gazette that the incident occurred at about 6 p.m. on Wednesday.

In a statement sent to the Gazette, Mr Tengwong condemned the gruesome attack carried out by terrorists on Wednesday evening.

“The couple were both shot by the assailants while the husband was working in front of their home, leading to the immediate death of Mrs Grace Iliya at the scene, while her husband, who sustained serious gunshot injuries, was rushed to the hospital but sadly later gave up while receiving treatment,” he said.

Mr Tengwong noted that the attack came a day after the State Security Council meeting, where the Plateau government announced decisive measures aimed at addressing persistent attacks and destruction of farmlands across communities.

According to him, the attackers arrived on a motorcycle, opened fire on the couple and others in the area, and fled through the road leading to Fulani settlements in Fass along the Rakung-Sho road.

“The deceased woman had only recently finished breastfeeding their one-year-old twin boys and was pregnant again. The tragic killing of the couple has now left the innocent twins orphaned and devastated their entire family.

“Two other persons also sustained gunshot injuries during the attack, while their health conditions are yet to be confirmed,” Mr Tengwong said.

The group described the attack as barbaric, wicked, and inhuman, saying it reflects the worsening insecurity confronting residents of Barkin Ladi and surrounding communities.

Mr Tengwong also called on the Plateau government to immediately provide support for the orphaned twins left behind by the deceased couple.

Efforts to reach the police spokesman in the state, Alfred Alabo, were unsuccessful. Text and WhatsApp messages sent to him remained unattended as of press time.

Business

Court Jails Saleh Mamman 75 years for N33.8billion Fraud

Published

1 hour ago

May 13, 2026

Preport

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Wednesday, sentenced a former Minister of power, Saleh Mamman to 75 years imprisonment for money laundering charges.

Mamman, who was absent in court, was prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for money laundering to the tune of N33,804,830,503,73( Thirty Three Billion, Eight Hundred and Four Million, Eight Hundred and Thirty Thousand, Five Hundred and Three Naira, Seventy Three kobo).

Justice Omotosho convicted him last week on all the 12-count charges preferred against him by the EFCC but deferred his sentence to Wednesday.

Count one of the charges reads:

“That you, SALEH MAMIVIAN {Male), sometime in 2019, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Court, whilst you were the Minister of Power conspired with other officials of your Ministry and some private companies to indirectly convert the total sum of =N=33,804,830,503.73

{Thirty-Three Billion, Eight Hundred and Four Million, Eight Hundred and Thirty Thousand, Five Hundred and Three Naira, and Seventy-Three Kobo) through various private companies which sums you reasonably ought to have known formed part of the proceeds of unlawful activity, to wit: criminal breach of trust in relation to the funds released for the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant Projects by the Federal Government of Nigeria; and you thereby commit an offence contrary to Sections 18(a), 15(2)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 {as Amended), and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.”

Count two reads:

“That you, SALEH MAMMAN (Male), sometime in December 2019, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Court, conspired with SAMSON BITRUS to make a cash payment of US$665, 700:00 (Six Hundred and Sixty-Five Thousand and Seven Hundred United States Dollars) to MOHIBA INVESTMENT LTD (acting through Mohammed Asheik Jidda), without going through a financial institution, and that you thereby commit an offence contrary to Sections 1 and 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as Amended), and punishable under Section 16(2)(b) of the same Act.”

At Wednesday proceedings, Prosecution Counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo,SAN informed the court that the convict again was not in court and no reasonable excuse was given from his lawyers about his whereabouts. He urged the court to continue with the sentencing in his absence citing Section 266 and 352 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 which provides guidelines for such an occasion.

Oyedepo also urged the court to order the forfeiture of properties traced to the convict to the Federal Government. The properties are, two units of four- bedroom detached apartments located at 93 Ahmed Joda Crescent, Kado Estate, Abuja and a property located at No 12A & B, Lingo Street, Wuse, Abuja.

Also, Oyedepo, who is also the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, urged the court to order the forfeiture of cash recovered from Mamman’s house: $13,890, €19,960, £10,000 , 42,390 Doran, R35,000, ₹50,60,00 and 247 Saudi Arabia Riyadth . He also urged the court to direct that the convict refund the difference of the amount recovered and the amount remaining in the N22bn for which he was found guilty.

Delivering judgment, Justice Omotosho sentenced Mamman to 75years imprisonment: seven years each on counts 1,2,3,6,7,8,9,10,11& 12 without an option of fine, three years on count 4 with an option of fine of N10m and two years on count 5 without an option of fine. The sentence will run consecutively from the date of his arrest.

Justice Omotosho ordered all national and international security agencies to arrest and handover the convict to the Nigerian Correctional center.

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