News

Police foil attempt to kidnap Plateau House of Assembly Speaker, hunt suspect

Published

4 years ago

January 9, 2023

vicky

Operatives of the Plateau State Police have foiled an attempt by gunmen to kidnap Yakubu Sanda, the Speaker of the Plateau House of Assembly, an official has said.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Plateau, Alfred Alabo, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Jos.

According to Mr. Alabo, the incident occurred on Friday night at the Speaker’s residence at the Federal low-cost area, Jos South Local Government Area of the state.

He said it took the bravery of the security men on guard at the speaker’s residence and the timely intervention of other police officers from the Rantya Division to foil the attempt.

”On Friday, at about 11:20 p.m. while the Speaker arrived at his residence at Federal Low-cost in Jos-south, three unidentified gunmen operating in an ash-colored CRV Jeep, trailed him to his residence and attempted to enter his house to kidnap him.

”But their mission was made impossible by the intrepid police officers on guard duty, and the timely response of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Rantya Division, SP Ayuba Iliya and his men, who joined forces with the men on guard duty and repelled the evil act.

”However, the command is making a concerted effort to track down the fleeing suspects and get them arrested,” he said.

Mr. Alabo said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Bartholomew Onyeka, who vowed to stem the tide of criminal activities in the state, thanked members of the public for volunteering timely information on security breaches in their various communities to the Police for prompt action.

He urged the residents to go about their lawful businesses as the police were already doing a lot to ensure the safety of all.

News

Council Chairman Vows To Crackdown On Suspected Ritual Killings In Pangshin

Published

2 hours ago

October 10, 2026

PlateauReports

By Emmanuel Yatai

Mr Felix Gonung, Chairman of Pankshin Local Government Council of Plateau, has vowed to crack down on suspected ritual killings after two deaths were recorded in the area within a month.

Gonung, who gave the assurance during an interview with journalists on Friday in Pankshinon, confirmed that vital organs were allegedly harvested from the victims.

He said three suspects were arrested following the discovery of a woman’s body last month.

He added that further investigations had led to the recovery of suspected fetish substances from the suspects, who had since been transferred to the police headquarters in Jos.

The council chairman said security agencies were also investigating the discovery of a young man’s body at Monday Market on Oct. 6, with vital organs allegedly missing.

He said the incident might be linked to cult activities among students or criminal elements operating within the student community

He assured residents that his administration was working with security agencies to address the situation and restore peace.

“I swore an oath to protect the lives and property of my people. However, the government’s security plans are confidential and the public will soon feel their results and impact.

“This administration, in collaboration with security agencies, is doing everything within its power to restore and maintain the long-existing peace in our communities,” he said.

Gonung disclosed that the council would introduce a policy requiring landlords and hotel operators to provide information about their tenants and guests, respectively.

“This will enable us to crack down on criminal syndicates who disguise themselves as students or guests to perpetrate crimes in the community,” he said.

He noted that Pankshin had enjoyed relative peace despite security challenges in other parts of the state, adding that the recent incidents had understandably heightened residents’ concerns.

He urged residents to remain calm and vigilant and report suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities.

Gonung also called for stronger collaboration among security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders and community stakeholders to tackle the menace, stressing that security was a collective responsibility. (NAN)

Edited by Blessing Odega and Philip Yatai

Business

Cardoso Takes Nigeria’s Financial Reforms to Singapore, Signs MoU With GFTN on Innovation

Published

4 hours ago

October 10, 2026

PlateauReports

En route to the IMF–World Bank Annual Meetings in Bangkok, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Olayemi Cardoso, has undertaken a series of high-level engagements in Singapore tostrengthen Nigeria’s financial connectivity with Asia through institutional cooperation, financial-market development, and innovation.

The engagements included discussions with the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN), and the Nigeria–Asia Financial Connectivity Dialogue, convened by the CBN in collaboration with J.P. Morgan, Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) and FMDQ Group.

Together, the engagements reflect the CBN’s emphasis on translating Nigeria’s financial-sector reforms into stronger international partnerships, deeper markets and practical channels for investment, trade and financial innovation.

In discussions with MAS, the CBN delegation exchanged perspectives on financial-sector development, regulation, market connectivity and innovation, identifying areas of mutual interest for continued engagement and potential collaboration.

The discussions provided an opportunity to draw on both financial systems‘ experiences and explore how stronger institutional relationships could support financial-market development and emerging technologies.

In a further step towards practical cooperation, the CBN and GFTN signed an MoU establishing a framework for collaboration on financial innovation.

The agreement provides a basis for connecting relevant institutions and innovation ecosystems, exploring areas of mutual interest and identifying practical opportunities for cooperation between Nigeria and Singapore.

At the Nigeria–Asia Financial Connectivity Dialogue, hosted at J.P. Morgan’s Singapore offices and anchored by Mr Dapo Olagunji, Managing Director of J.P. Morgan West Africa, Governor Cardoso outlined Nigeria’s ambition to build deeper, more liquid and internationally connected financial markets, positioning the reforms undertaken in recent years as the foundation for a new phase of market development.

He emphasised that reforms to Nigeria’s foreign-exchange market were aimed at removing distortions, restoring transparency and strengthening confidence in the rules governing market participation.

“The real test of reform is not whether you can attract capital once; it is whether you create the confidence for capital to stay, return and grow,” he said.

The Governor highlighted the importance of credible monetary policy, stronger governance, improved market functioning and predictable rules in creating the conditions for sustained domestic and international investment.

He noted that stabilisation was not an end in itself, but a foundation for broader participation by long-term institutional capital, stronger market infrastructure and more effective connections with international financial markets.

The Dialogue brought together investors, financial institutions, businesses and Nigerians living and working across Asia.

The event featured a panel moderated by Gbolahan Taiwo, J.P. Morgan’s Chief Economist for Africa, with Temi Popoola, Group Managing Director/CEO of NGX Group; Zeal Akaraiwe, Group Managing Director/CEO of FMDQ Group; Aderinola Shonekan, Director of Trade and Exchange at the CBN; and Olumayokun Ajibade, Special Adviser to the Governor on Financial Markets and Economic Policy.

The discussion explored Nigeria’s reform trajectory, from capital formation and foreign-exchange market confidence to the development of deeper, more liquid markets and the infrastructure needed to support sustained international participation.

Cardoso emphasised that Nigeria’s engagement with Asia is intended to extend beyond attracting investment flows to building durable relationships between financial institutions, markets, businesses and people.

He identified opportunities for stronger links between Nigerian and Asian banks and market institutions, more efficient payments and settlement channels, and greater participation by Nigerians living and working across the region.

The Governor also highlighted the growing role of financial technology and artificial intelligence in improving financial services, strengthening risk management, supporting inclusion and enhancing regulatory capabilities.

The Singapore engagements form part of a broader programme of institutional and market engagement across Asia, including further meetings in Beijing.

The post Cardoso Takes Nigeria’s Financial Reforms to Singapore, Signs MoU With GFTN on Innovation appeared first on Business Today NG.