The leadership of the Plateau State Youth Council (PYC), in Coalition with the Plateau State Indigenous Youths, and YOWICAN on behalf of all Plateau youths, has decried the renewed killings and Fulani attacks in Mangu, Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, Jos South, Riyom, and Bassa LGAs of Plateau State describing it as an attempt orchestrated to disrupt farming activities, displace populations, and grab lands in the affected communities.
Lot Sunday Adas, Chairman, of Plateau State Youth Council made this known in a joint press conference held at the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) secretariat on Saturday 29th April 2023.
Recall that from April 15th, 2023, to date, several villages and hamlets have come under attack, people have been killed, properties worth millions of Naira destroyed, and others have been displaced from their ancestral homes within the state.
According to the coalition, the attacks are strategies of war and terrorism aimed at disrupting farming activities, displacing people, and grabbing lands rather than isolated incidents or farmer-herder clashes. They also expressed disappointment with the response of security agencies, particularly Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), which has always come too late and too little to save lives despite early warning signals sent to them by members of the coalition.
Lot Sunday Adas stated that the victims of these killings and attacks are treated as second-class citizens in Nigeria, and this is totally unacceptable, unconstitutional, and repugnant to natural justice, equity, and good conscience. Therefore, the coalition has resolved that operatives of Operation Safe Haven should desist from giving the impression that the Fulani militias are unknown gunmen. They also demand an immediate end to these attacks and that the perpetrators be brought to justice.
He added that Operatives of Operation Safe Haven should desist from the ironical and wrongful arrest of victims rather than offenders as in the case of Kuru Station of Wereng in Riyom LGA, where two people were wrongfully arrested having themselves suffered crops destruction by the Fulani Herders.
Mr. Jatau Yakubu Kachai of Kuru station in Riyom LGA who was wrongfully arrested and continuously detained by Operation Safe Haven at its headquarters in Jos be immediately released unconditionally.
Operation Safe Haven-OPSH has been complaisant and has compromised on several occasions and therefore, should be substituted with the Mobile Police squadron in all the affected areas given their proactive and more effective response to distress calls.
Personnel of Operation Rainbow in Plateau State should be activated and deployed accordingly.
Adas called on the Plateau State Government to urgently provide succor to the victims and their families. They also urge the government to take proactive measures to address the root causes of the attacks and provide adequate security for the people of Plateau State.
“The coalition believes that the state government has a duty to ensure that every citizen is protected and secured in their own land. Finally, we call on all well-meaning citizens and organizations to lend their voice and support to end the incessant killings and attacks in Plateau State.”
Adas added that failure of the appropriate authorities to comply with the demands of the Coalition, Plateau Youths will be left with no option but to resort to self-help
…Inspected Projects Include Roads, Health Centres, Markets, Bridges, ICT Centres, Stadiums, Solar Streetlights and Rural Electrification
The Plateau State Government has expressed satisfaction with the level of infrastructural development and people-oriented projects being executed across the 17 Local Government Areas of the state, following a comprehensive statewide project inspection tour conducted by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Chief Ephraim Usman Gar, disclosed this on Thursday, November 5, 2026, during a press briefing in Jos, where he presented the ministry’s findings from the inspection tour covering the three senatorial zones of Plateau State.
According to the Commissioner, the inspection exercise was undertaken to assess completed and ongoing projects initiated by the 17 Local Government Council Chairmen, ensure the judicious utilisation of public funds, verify the quality of projects and determine their alignment with the grassroots development agenda of Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang’s administration.
Gar explained that the ministry, in line with its statutory responsibilities, is mandated to monitor, inspect, guide and provide technical assistance to local governments, particularly in matters relating to administration, finance and the delivery of essential services to communities.
The inspection tour featured the ministry’s management team, the Special Adviser to Governor Mutfwang on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Jonathan Dabo, relevant ministry staff, members of the media and representatives of Civil Society Organisations.
Speaking on the outcome of the exercise, the Commissioner commended the 17 Council Chairmen, stating that their performance demonstrated commitment to the vision of the present administration.
He noted that the projects inspected reflected the administration’s determination to take governance closer to the people through practical interventions that address the needs of communities at the grassroots.
“I am pleased to report that the 17 Council Chairmen have not disappointed the ‘Time Is Now’ administration. Providing dividends of democracy at the grassroots remains the top priority of this administration. From what we have seen, governance has truly been taken closer to the people,” Gar stated.
SOUTHERN ZONE: INFRASTRUCTURE, SECURITY AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
The inspection tour commenced in the Southern Senatorial Zone, where the team assessed several projects designed to improve infrastructure, education, healthcare, youth development and security.
Among the projects inspected were the ongoing remodelling of youth centres, mini stadiums, Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres, legislative chambers, solar-powered streetlight installations, primary healthcare centres, motorised boreholes and housing estates for legislators.
The team also inspected the Wase Rock Radio and Television Station, alongside facilities at the temporary headquarters of the 175 Infantry Motorcycle Battalion of the Nigerian Army.
The Commissioner described the council’s support for facilities connected to security operations as an important demonstration of the role local governments can play in strengthening peace and security within their communities.
CENTRAL ZONE: ROAD CONSTRUCTION, HEALTHCARE AND EDUCATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE
In the Central Senatorial Zone, the inspection team visited Kanam, Kanke, Pankshin, Mangu and Bokkos Local Government Areas to assess several ongoing and completed development projects.
One of the notable projects inspected was the 23-kilometre Gugur Road construction in Kanke Local Government Area, which is expected to improve connectivity and ease transportation for residents and communities along the route.
Other projects included the remodelled Dengi Multipurpose Hall, primary healthcare centres and the 1,500-capacity event hall in Mangu.
The team also inspected the 200-capacity Anatomy Laboratory at Plateau State University, Bokkos, reportedly funded by the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON).
Other projects visited included the Palace of the Ngolong Ngas and transformers provided for rural electrification, highlighting interventions in traditional institutions, education and electricity infrastructure.
NORTHERN ZONE: BRIDGES, MARKETS, HEALTH CENTRES AND RURAL ELECTRIFICATION
The Northern Senatorial Zone was the final leg of the statewide inspection tour, covering Bassa, Barkin Ladi, Jos East, Jos North, Jos South and Riyom Local Government Areas.
In the zone, the team inspected and assessed several projects aimed at improving healthcare delivery, rural connectivity, commercial activities, security and administrative efficiency.
Notable projects included primary healthcare centres at Sabon Gari, Chinye-Miango, Garba Daho and Furaka, as well as rural electrification projects in Miango.
The inspection also covered council secretariat complexes, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centres and ultra-modern markets at Rishari-Rutara and Zarakon.
Other major infrastructure included bridges linking Farin Gada to Rusau and Vwang to Kogot, police station outposts, and town halls located in Kwang and Kuru.
According to the Commissioner, these projects reflect the efforts of local governments to respond to the developmental priorities of their respective communities.
GAR COMMENDS COUNCIL CHAIRMEN, REAFFIRMS GRASSROOTS DEVELOPMENT AGENDA
Reflecting on the overall outcome of the exercise, Gar maintained that the projects inspected across the 17 Local Government Areas were largely people-oriented and connected to the actual needs of the communities.
He stressed that the commitment of the Council Chairmen to the development vision of the state government was essential to achieving sustainable grassroots development.
The Commissioner further acknowledged the support and cooperation of Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, expressing appreciation for the opportunity given to the ministry and local government councils to discharge their responsibilities without undue interference.
He also commended the Council Chairmen, traditional institutions, media organisations and Civil Society Organisations for their cooperation and participation throughout the inspection exercise.
The statewide tour represents an important monitoring initiative by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, particularly as the Plateau State Government continues to emphasise accountability, effective service delivery and inclusive development across the state’s 17 Local Government Areas.
With projects spanning road construction, healthcare, education, electricity, security, markets, youth development and community infrastructure, the inspection has provided an opportunity to assess how local government resources are being translated into tangible development at the grassroots.
Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has told the African Democratic Congress, ADC, to stop threatening the country with fire and brimstone over the nullification of its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
In a post on his verified X handle on Thursday, Sani urged the ADC to take its case to the Appeal Court, adding that the party brought the crisis on itself when it took over a troubled party instead of registering a new one.
"The ADC should get ready to appeal their case instead of threatening the country with brimstone and fire. This is the price they have to pay for taking over a troubled party instead of registering a new one,” Sani said.
Sani was reacting to the statement by the ADC after the Federal High Court in Abuja sacked the David Mark-led leadership of the party and voided Atiku's presidential ticket for 2027.
In its statement, the ADC had warned the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, not to play with fire. The party said the judgment, delivered by Justice Peter Lifu barely 24 hours after the massive turnout at the ADC presidential campaign rally in Sokoto, showed the desperation of the APC.
Sani said that kind of language will not save the ADC in court. He said threats will not change a judgment. Only an appeal will.
He said the coalition leaders knew the ADC had leadership problems before they adopted it. He said instead of going to INEC to register a fresh party with a clean constitution and clean leadership, they chose to hijack a party that already had factions and court cases.
"They saw the trouble in the ADC. They entered it with their eyes open. Now the trouble has caught up with them," Sani said.
Sani recalled that the coalition, made up of Atiku, David Mark, Rotimi Amaechi, Nasir El-Rufai, Rauf Aregbesola and others, settled on the ADC as its platform rather than establishing a new political party.
He urged the ADC to stop dragging the country into its internal fight, stating that Nigeria is bigger than Atiku, Mark and any party's ambition.
Sani said the appeal is the right road. He said the courtroom, not threats, will decide if Atiku remains on the ballot for 2027.