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Scores Feared Dead as Vigilantes, Soldiers Launch Joint Operation Against Bandits in Plateau

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A confrontation between local vigilantes and armed bandits has reportedly left scores dead in Dutsen Zaki, a forested area in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The clash, which began on Saturday and lasted several days, involved a coordinated offensive by over 300 vigilantes supported by soldiers, targeting bandit hideouts in the dense forest region. The area, surrounded by communities such as Zurak, Aduwa, Kinashe, and Odare in the Bashar district, has witnessed repeated attacks in recent months, forcing many residents to flee their homes.

According to Abdullahi Hussaini, a leader of the vigilante group, the operation resulted in the deaths of over 80 suspected bandits, including some of their female accomplices. He also confirmed that four vigilantes, including a commander, were killed during the confrontation, while 16 others sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Wase and another facility in Bauchi State.

“We started the fight since Saturday,” Hussaini told Daily Trust. “People in the Bashar axis are no longer safe. Armed men have made life unbearable with daily attacks, killings, and kidnappings. That is why we took the fight to them in the forest. This time, we gained control.”

He added that the forest, which has served as a safe haven for the criminals, is now under the vigilantes’ control, although many of the fleeing bandits could still pose a threat.

Shapi’i Sambo, a youth leader in Wase, confirmed the deaths of the four vigilantes, including their commander, and said a new commander has been appointed to continue the operation.

Also speaking, Abdullahi Bin Umar, a resident of one of the affected villages, said residents living near the forest have abandoned their homes for fear of reprisal attacks.

“People are genuinely scared about what may follow,” he said. “With the number of bandits reportedly killed, residents fear that surviving members may retaliate.”

As of the time of filing this report, the spokesperson for Operation Safe Haven, Major Samson Zhakom, had not responded to requests for comment.

The latest incident comes barely two weeks after security forces and vigilantes killed five suspected bandits in Kadil Masudu village, also in Wase LGA, as authorities and local groups intensify efforts to secure the area from escalating violence.

 

 

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Osun Guber: Gov Adeleke urges unity among political leaders

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Osun State governor, Ademola Adeleke has urged political leaders across the state to work together to move the state forward.

The call came after the 2026 governorship election.

Governor Adeleke made the call while reacting to the peace appeal issued by the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, following his recent visit to President Bola Tinubu in Abuja.

The governor described Oyebamiji’s appeal as a welcome development after weeks of intense political activities and tension surrounding the election.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed on Friday, Adeleke said the people of Osun deserved peace and stability after the election season.

The governor also called on members and supporters of all political parties to exercise restraint and avoid actions capable of undermining peace across the state.

Adeleke said his administration had consistently opposed the use of violence for political purposes, despite the pressures experienced during the campaign and election period.

He said, “I am forever a man of peace. It is heartwarming that my brother, Oyebamiji, is also preaching peace. I assure him that my supporters have not and will not attack APC members.”

According to the governor, “the period of political competition has ended, making cooperation among leaders necessary to ensure effective governance and development across Osun.

“Elections have come and gone, and we are all winners. The common task for us all is to sustain the delivery of democratic dividends and good governance to the good people of Osun State.”

Adeleke invited former governor Adegboyega Oyetola, Oyebamiji and other opposition leaders to participate in efforts aimed at advancing the interests of the state.

He said, “We are all important stakeholders in this Osun project.”

He also reiterated his commitment to maintaining peace and encouraged political cooperation after the election.

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‘I didn’t sign 60-40 cabinet sharing deal with anyone’ – Gov Mutfwang 

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Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has dismissed reports that he signed a 60-40 cabinet-sharing formula before defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

He insisted that no such agreement was reached between his administration and the APC hierarchy in the state.

The controversial agreement was raised by a group within the APC known as the “Legacy Group,” loyal to former Governor Simon Lalong, following a recent cabinet reshuffle carried out by Mutfwang.

The Legacy Group had condemned the cabinet reshuffle, which it said negated the terms of an agreement allegedly signed by the governor before he joined the APC.

The group had argued that under the terms of the agreement, its members should also have been included in the cabinet-sharing process.

However, while reacting to the alleged agreement, Mutfwang insisted that at no time did he enter into such an arrangement with the Lalong group, nor did he base his defection to the APC on the understanding that his cabinet appointments would be shared on such terms.

Mutfwang, who addressed what he described as a wild misconception during the swearing-in of three new commissioners on Friday at the Government House in Jos, denied ever promising to give 40 per cent of cabinet appointments to members of the Legacy Group.

“To correct some rumours that have been going around, the APC chairman is here; I never made any promise to share government positions since my journey to the APC. I made a commitment to share party positions. I never had an agreement to do a 60-40 per cent cabinet,” the governor said.

Mutfwang, however, noted that even after he joined the APC, those who had benefited most from appointments and party positions were members of the Legacy Group, even more than those who defected with him from the PDP.

He emphasised that 16 of the 24 APC House of Assembly candidates were members of the Legacy Group, while only eight joined the party alongside him from the PDP.

“The time has come when we must kill the dichotomy between the governance group and the Legacy Group. We are one big family.

“As I am talking to you today, out of the 24 members of the House of Assembly, 16 are APC Legacy members. Only eight who crossed with me became candidates for the House of Assembly. Are we fair?

“We have people who have been in the APC, but we bring them into government because we believe they have something to offer, not because they are APC members,” he added.

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