News
Safe House Raises Alarm Over Worsening Humanitarian Crisis in Plateau State
The Safe House for Justice and Human Empowerment Centre has warned of a rapidly escalating humanitarian emergency in Plateau State, saying the crisis has been dangerously neglected despite mass killings, large-scale displacement, and rising exploitation of vulnerable groups.
At a press briefing to mark World Humanitarian Day 2025 in Jos, the Centre’s Executive and Campaign Director, Barr. Edith Mankiling Gumut, described Plateau as the epicenter of “a protracted humanitarian catastrophe.”
“We are not here to commemorate, but to cry out,” Gumut declared. “Plateau’s suffering must not remain hidden. The world must act before this crisis swallows what is left of our humanity.”
Alarming Statistics and Testimonies
According to the Centre, at least 64 communities across Plateau have been completely displaced, turning once-thriving settlements into ghost towns. Families now crowd into churches, schools, and makeshift camps with little access to food, clean water, or healthcare.
Women and children—who form the bulk of the displaced—face the gravest risks. Reports point to sexual exploitation, gender-based violence, and child trafficking, with some children trafficked to other states and forced into domestic labor. The Ministry of Women Affairs recently rescued over 300 trafficked children from Bassa Local Government.
In many camps, some women and girls are resorting to “sex for survival.”
One grieving mother shared:
“I lost my husband to an attack. Now I must choose between feeding my children once a day or sending them to beg. No mother should face such a choice.”
Recent Violence and Displacement
The Centre highlighted recent attacks in Bindi, Bassa, Riyom, Barkin Ladi, and Mangu, where villages were razed and dozens killed. In July alone, 27 people were buried in mass graves in Bindi, while over 24,600 people were displaced in a single wave of attacks.
Humanitarian monitors estimate that Plateau now hosts more than 1.3 million internally displaced persons (IDPs)—a 19% increase since late 2023.
Efforts and Gaps
While acknowledging interventions such as the ₦1 billion donation by First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and assistance from UNICEF, WHO, GIZ, NRC, and Search for Common Ground, the Centre stressed that these are “drops in an ocean of need.”
It warned that funding cuts and climate-related disasters are further deepening the crisis.
Calls to Action
The Safe House issued a threefold appeal:
- To donor agencies and philanthropists: Extend support beyond emergency relief to include peacebuilding, trauma healing, and livelihood restoration.
- To government authorities: Strengthen security through intelligence gathering, proactive deployment, and community policing, rather than reactive interventions.
- To citizens: Do not look away. “Your donations, no matter how small, can be a lifeline,” Gumut urged.
Final Warning
Concluding, the Centre cautioned that Plateau risks becoming a “forgotten crisis” if urgent and sustained action is not taken.
“The humanitarian crisis in Plateau is not just a statistic. It gnaws at the very soul of our people,” Gumut said. “We call on Nigerians, policymakers, and the global community—stand with Plateau, and let humanity prevail.”
📌 Media Contact:
Nennyinka Biska, Communications and Media Manager
Safe House for Justice and Human Empowerment Centre
Tel: 08066647731
News
Nigerian Teenage Stars Raheem Salaudeen, Fawas Adeleke Spark UK Scholarship Interest After Stunning Trial
Two promising Nigerian midfielders, Raheem Moyinoluwa Salaudeen and Fawas Ayomide Adeleke, have attracted significant attention in the United Kingdom after impressing during a football trial, with both youngsters now being considered for scholarship opportunities that could combine their football development with further education.
The teenage midfielders, who are products of Buruj Sports Academy, caught the attention of the technical team with their performances during the trial, opening the door to what could become a major step forward in their young careers.
Read Also: SHOWTIME Sets Another First As Africa’s Flag Football Pioneer Unveils New Digital Home
Following their impressive showing, Anthony Williams MSC, Director of UK Football Trials, approached the players over a potential scholarship opportunity, with discussions now ongoing with their management representatives.
The proposed scholarships would give the two youngsters an opportunity to continue their football development in the United Kingdom while also pursuing further education, providing a pathway that could prove crucial to their ambitions of becoming professional footballers.
Salaudeen, born on May 13, 2010, has already built an impressive international résumé despite his young age.
The midfielder represented Nigeria at U-15 level during a two-legged international friendly against Morocco in 2024 before featuring for the country at the All African School Games in Algeria in 2025.
His performances subsequently earned him a call-up to the Nigeria U-17 set-up for a four-nation international invitation tournament in China in 2026.
Salaudeen has also gained experience beyond youth international football, having featured in Nigeria’s Nationwide League One, giving him an opportunity to compete against older and more experienced players.
Adeleke, born on April 20, 2011, has followed a similarly impressive path.
The young midfielder represented Nigeria at U-15 level against Morocco in 2024 and was also part of the Nigerian team at the African Schools Football Championship in 2025.
Like Salaudeen, Adeleke has already stepped into senior football through appearances in the Nationwide League One despite still being a teenager.
That combination of youth international experience and exposure to senior football has now helped place both players firmly on the radar in the United Kingdom.
Their latest trial has therefore become more than just another opportunity to showcase their ability.
It could potentially open the door to a new football and educational environment where they can continue developing their technical and tactical qualities while preparing academically for their future.
Both players have completed their secondary education in Nigeria and are now looking ahead to the possibility of beginning the next chapter of their lives in the United Kingdom.
For Salaudeen and Adeleke, the opportunity comes at a crucial stage in their development, with both youngsters determined to take full advantage of the interest generated by their performances.
Their journey from representing Nigeria at youth international level, to gaining valuable senior experience in the NLO, and now attracting scholarship interest in the United Kingdom, underlines the progress made by the two Buruj Sports Academy products.
With discussions over the proposed scholarships continuing, the young Nigerians now have an opportunity that could take their careers to another level.
And if they can build on the promise that attracted attention during their UK trial, Salaudeen and Adeleke could be taking their first major steps towards turning their dream of professional football into reality.
Business
AXA Mansard Health Takes World Hepatitis Day Campaign to Bariga with Free Screenings and Community Relief
-
News3 days agoGagdi Appreciates Appointment as Deputy Director, Security and Intelligence of 2027 Presidential Campaign Council
-
Business2 days ago
Police Arrest of Five Suspected Telecommunication Vandals, Recovery of Truckload of Suspected Stolen Iron Rods
-
News2 days ago
SSA Adeboye: National Intermediate Games Will Give Nigeria’s Young Talents the Platform to Shine
-
News3 days ago
APC chairman collapses, dies at reconciliation meeting in Kogi
