The Speaker, Plateau House of Assembly, Abok Ayuba, has felicitated the His Royal Majesty, Da Jacob Gyang Buba, the Gbong Gwom Jos and President, Plateau Council of Chiefs and Emirs on his 70th birthday.
Ayuba, in a statement by his Press Secretary, Bulus Atang, described the monarch as an elder statesman and leader who has distinguished himself.
The speaker said that Gyang Buba has continued to pursue the path of justice for all.
“He is an advocate of peace and peaceful co-existence among the people, devoid of religious, ethnic and political differences,” he said.
Ayuba wished the royal father many more years in good health, peace of mind, more wisdom and God’s protection.
The speaker stated that the Gbong Gwom deserved accolades from all, especially members of the Ninth Plateau House of Assembly under his watch.

Following increasing insecurity in Plateau, the Special Task Force, Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) on Monday warned residents against taking the law into their hands in the guise of self-defence.

Maj. Ishaku Takwa, the Media Officer of the task force gave the warning in a statement issued in Jos.

Takwa faulted the consistent call on residents of the state to defend themselves, saying such calls would escalate the security challenges bedevilling the state.

“We have noted several reports in the media by some highly placed individuals calling on law-abiding citizens of Plateau to resort to defending themselves in the face of the security challenge experienced in the state.

“We wish to assure the good people of the state that OPSH is committed to protecting lives and property of all.

“We have improved on our responses to distress calls and several attacks were prevented from happening lately.

“These successes were possible due to the trust and provision of timely and credible information from the good people of the state.

“We, therefore, urge law-abiding citizens of the state not take laws into their hands but to continue to provide us with such information to enable us to protect communities from attacks,’’ he stated.

The media officer also urged citizens of the state to continue to give support to security agencies toward restoring lasting peace and security in the state.

Takwa also advised the people to shun violence, hatred and tolerate one another for peace to reign.

The Plateau Government has re-imposed the 24-hour curfew on Jos North Local Government Area, following growing tensions arising from fresh attacks in Yelwa Zangam community in the area.

Yelwa Zangam community was attacked by gunmen on Tuesday night, where people were killed and properties destroyed.

Gov. Simon Lalong in a statement issued by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Dr Makut Macham,on Wednesday in Jos, said the 24-hour curfew would take effect from 4 p.m. on Aug. 25 until further notice.

He said the proactive decision became necessary following imminent threat to lives and property within the Local Government Area and the need to forestall the breakdown of law and order.

Lalong said the decision was also to enable security agencies to appropriately control the situation, as the search for the attackers of the villagers continued.

He appealed to the residents of Jos North to cooperate with the Government by complying with the 24-hour curfew, as defaulters would be arrested.

The governor said that the 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew on Jos South and Bassa local government areas remained in force, until further notice saying, only people on essential duties were exempted from the curfew.

He called for calm, saying he is seriously grieved by the attacks.

He sympathised with the victims of the attacks, while appealing to them to show restraint and allow Government to handle the matter.

Lalong said the action was also to prevent hoodlums from taking advantage of the unfortunate situation to cause mayhem and destruction in the state.

The State Government had on Aug.15 imposed a 24-hour curfew on the Jos North Local Government Area, following the killing of at least 22 travelers passing through the area by hoodlums, but relaxed it to 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Aug.18.

President Muhammadu Buhari has met behind closed doors with Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau in the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Tuesday in Abuja.

Speaking to State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, the governor said he updated the president on the security developments in Plateau.

He said President Buhari pledged that support would be given to victims of the violent clashes in the state.

“I also made a request to the President about relieve materials and also still re-echoed the issue of resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

“We have a lot of IDPs in my State, we have a lot on our hands already and when such happens, you expect the state to seek for support for relieve materials.

“We are doing our best but the president said he will talk to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, so that attention would be given to those who are displaced as a result of this crisis.

“For over six years now, we have been enjoying peace in Plateau State so, anybody that wants to take Plateau back to those old days of crisis, it is not only me as governor but all Plateau people will resist that.

“They have said ‘we don’t want to go back to crisis again, we are enjoying peace, and we want to continue to enjoy our peace,’’ he said.

On recent killing of travellers at Rukuba, near Jos, and other violent clashes in the state, the governor vowed that all those implicated would be prosecuted irrespective of their background or “connections” in the society.

According to him, the security situation in the State has greatly improved and very soon, the curfew imposed on troubled areas will be further relaxed.

He said: “What we are doing is to ensure that there is proper investigation and prosecution.

“You know, both the Soldiers and Police are controlled by the Presidency and right now they are diligently working in my state on a daily basis.

“That is why on the first day, I announced a 24-hour curfew but I kept on relaxing it. The curfew would further be relaxed, so that people can carry out their normal activities.

“We are the only state that has a peace building agency set up by the State government and it is the only state that for now has established an interreligious council.

“These are all the efforts that we have done and within a short time, peace has returned to Plateau state.”

The governor also appealed for calm and restraint, adding that those calling for reprisals did not mean well for the state.

“Again, I want to appeal to people because most of those who are outside the state calling for reprisal are not people from Plateau.

“I am yet to see one cleric coming out to say I want reprisal. I have set up an interreligious committee, which comprises all top religious leaders in Plateau State, both Muslims and Christians and when things like this happen, they address it.

“So for people to call from outside the state for reprisal, I say no because they are crying more than the bereaved; leave us. We are handling our issue; we are doing reconciliation and consultations.

“If you want to do a reprisal, you are on your own. We have agreed with the religious leaders and all of them are doing their best, they are cooperating with the State and we are also doing our best,’’ he said.

According to him, the state government has since given support to survivors of the skirmish that occurred at Rukuba, near Jos, on Aug. 14, when over 24 travellers from Ondo State were killed.

“When this happened, we had to go to Ondo. But in so many places that is unusual, but we took all of them that we rescued and treated and went there with a powerful team led by the Deputy Governor of Plateau with all religious leaders to Ondo to sympathize with the State,’’ he added.

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has condemned the ambush and killing of commuters at Rukuba Road in Jos.

Criminals on Saturday, attacked a convoy of buses conveying commuters, killed 22 persons and injured scores.

MACBAN, in a statement by its National Secretary, Baba Othman Ngelzarma, on Sunday in Jos, said the whereabout of some of the commuters, was yet to be ascertained.

“The ambush which occurred around 10.00am , also left several commuters wounded, while 40 others remain unaccounted for.

“The travellers were in a convoy of four buses, when they were attacked.

“MACBAN condemns this senseless violence on travellers.

“We urge security agencies to fish out perpetrators of this dastardly act and bring them to justice,” he said.

Ngelzarma commiserated with families of those who lost their lives and those injured.

He said there could be no winner in the senseless violence and that the circle of bloodshed must be stopped.

The Police Command in Plateau has begun manhunt for gunmen who killed four persons in Bassa, Plateau, on Sunday promising to arrest and get them prosecuted.

Mr Edward Egbuka, the Commissioner of Police (CP) in the state, gave the indication when he confirmed the incident to newsmen on Tuesday in Jos.

The CP confirmed the killing of four persons in Rikwe-Chongu and Zirshe villages of Miango chiefdom in Bassa Local Government Area of the state.

Egbuka said that the incident occurred on Sunday evening.

He said that arrests had yet to be made.

He, however, gave the assurance that investigation was on and the perpetrators would soon be fished out.

The commissioner, who said that peace had returned to the state, expressed displeasure that it was disrupted in the last six weeks with the constant attacks in Bassa local government.

“There used to be peace on the Plateau, but it has been disrupted in last six weeks.

“All we are doing is to tighten the situation and ensure lasting peace returns to the state.

“Four people were killed in Bassa but no arrest yet. However, investigation is on; we have an idea where this is coming from, but we cannot just act on sentiment

“Bassa has been a challenge, but we are making some breakthrough in that regard and soon we will make it public,” he said.

On the stakeholders meeting held on Monday, the commissioner said it was aimed at finding lasting solution to the continued insecurity in some parts of the state.

On its part, the Irigwe Development Association (IDA) condemned the ugly incident describing it as “unfortunate”.

Mr Davidson Malison, the National Publicity Secretary of IDA, in a statement expressed its displeasure and called on the authority to apprehend the killers and make them to face the full wrath of the law.

“The leadership of IDA is saddened, dejected and crestfallen by this development as this callous act does not only portray sheer wickedness and devilishness but total inhumanity to human against the Rigwe people.

“We want to call with a high tone on the authorities saddled with the responsibility of protecting lives and property to step up efforts in ensuring that the needful is done in terms of apprehending the culprits,’’ he said.

He also said that “absolute justice be served so as to put an end to all manners of destruction of lives and property in our land”.

Gnmen ambushed and killed four persons at two locations of the attack while one person survived with bullet wounds.

The gunmen also set ablaze some houses and destroyed other property during the attack.

Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau says the state government is set to prosecute those misinforming people on the existence of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).

The governor said this during a stakeholders meeting organised to deliberate on the COVID-19 Task Force resolutions on Wednesday in Jos.

He expressed concern that many people were living in denial and were imposing their beliefs on innocent residents in the state.

He said “for those who are in denial and continue to misinform others that COVID-19 does not exist, I want to warn them to desist. I as the number one citizen of the state was a victim and God helped me to come out of it.

“I can tell you that it is not a joke and I do not wish even my enemies such experience.

“That is why at the last state executive meeting, we decided to criminalise further denial of the disease.

“In other words, if you deny the existence of the disease, keep your denial to yourself because if you are caught propagating it or instigating others to follow you, you will be arrested and prosecuted no matter how highly placed you may be.”

He said that the resurgence of cases globally called for increased efforts to control the new variant of the disease.

He decried the nonchalant attitude of residents in adhering to the guidelines of the disease, stressing that the use of face mask, personal hygiene and social distance was critical to controlling the spread of the disease.

“In fact, many have abandoned and refused to observe simple protocols of wearing face mask, maintaining social distance and washing hands regularly,” he said.

The governor noted that the meeting was to engage stakeholders, comprising the state cabinet, security council, traditional leaders, religious groups, women and youth groups, for inputs on the safety of residents.

He added that “I have directed commissioners and other senior government officials to reach out to the people.

“We want to break the resistance and ensure that people own the response. COVID-19 is a personal matter that affects people directly. They need to be involved.”

Lalong said efforts were being made to ensure oxygen supply in the treatment of the new variant of the COVID-19 disease.

He noted that his commitment to control the disease made him to establish a local research team to find cure for COVID-19, saying that the drugs were at clinical stage and awaiting approval.

He, however, expressed worry on the upsurge of kidnapping, cultism and other criminal activities in the state, saying “death is the penalty for kidnapping in Plateau.

“Last month, I signed the Anti-kidnapping, Land Grabbing, Cultism and Violence-related matters bill, passed by the State House of Assembly into law.

“By that law, anyone convicted of kidnapping in Plateau will be sentenced to death, while cultism and other violent crimes attract various terms of imprisonment.

“In December last year, we inaugurated 595 Community Police constables who were trained and deployed to the 17 local government areas to assist law enforcement agencies, particularly the police in intelligence gathering and other security operations.”

He said security remained a collective responsibility and charged residents to always be conscious and take measures to protect their vicinity, saying criminals connived with community members to perpetrate crime which should not be tolerated.

“You may be aware of the recent alert by the Department of State Services (DSS) of a threat to cause inter-religious violence by some criminal elements. We have to take this alert seriously and ensure that we report any suspicious activity to security agencies.

“I also advise our people not to succumb to the divisive antics of such elements who exploit the fault lines of religion, ethnicity, politics and other sectional interests to create chaos,” he said.

In his presentation, Dr Simji Gomerep, the Chief Consultant Physician and Infectious Diseases Specialist at Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), said most casualties of COVID-19 were as a result of respiratory failure.

He said more equipment in the treatment of the disease such as ventilators, X-ray machines, CT Scan and oxygen plant, among others, were needed to aid prompt response.

He added that health workers at treatment centres required accommodation, insurance and motivation in the discharge of their duties.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Nimkong Lar, said “the state has a total of 5,962 confirmed cases as published by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and a record of 46 deaths.”

He called for the enforcement of COVID-19 protocols through increased sensitisation and scaling-up of community engagements and awareness on transmission and preventive measures.

He urged local government chairmen to support COVID-19 response teams in their areas for contact tracing, sample collection and active cases.

In his remarks, the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase, urged traditional leaders to assist in fishing out criminal elements in communities.

He urged security agencies to conduct investigations and other duties effectively, saying the security and welfare of people should be their priority.

The Plateau Commissioner of Police, State Director of Department of Security Services, religious and traditional leaders, were also at the meeting.

The Plateau Government has banned all cultural festivals during Christmas and New Year celebrations, as part of measures to curtail the spread of Coronavirus in the state.

Gov. Simon Lalong announced this at the end of a stakeholders meeting on security and COVID-19 held on Wednesday in Jos.

The governor was represented at the meeting by Prof. Danladi Atu, the Secretary to the State Government, and Coordinator of the State Task force on COVID-19.

Lalong said the decision to ban cultural festivals was to ensure strict compliance with the safety protocols, particularly the social distancing.

He also urged worship centres to comply with the social distancing directives of 50 persons per gathering.

“All public gatherings including places of worship should cut down attendance to 50 per cent of their capacity.

“All cultural festivals are banned and use of face masks will be enforced in all public places, while social distancing, hand washing and other protocols are adhered to.

“All recreational centres are hereby closed until further notice,” he said.

The governor said government would enhance COVID-19 testing at the local government areas, adding that sensitisation against stigmatisation of those infected or suspected to have the disease would be enhanced as well.

On security, Lalong alleged that security reports available to the government indicated that some criminal elements are planning attacks on some communities in the state during the festivities.

“We called this meeting to foster a more community-driven response to intelligence and surveillance so as to assist security agencies with useful information to enable them to respond to any threat of attack by criminals.

“Government is working with the security agencies to be more proactive rather than reactive.

“We have strengthened Operation Rainbow, our own security outfit to ensure that it compliments the efforts of the security agencies,”he said.

The stakeholders meeting was attended by Local Government Chairmen, traditional rulers, religious leaders, community leaders and health experts.

Gov Simon Lalong of Plateau, has reinstated the 24-hour curfew in Jos South and Jos North Local Government Areas, effective from 4p.m on Saturday till further notice.

The governor first imposed a 24-hour curfew on Tuesday, October 20, but relaxed it on Friday, October 23, after a meeting with critical stakeholders in the state.

Lalong, however, reinstated the lockdown in a statement issued to journalists on Saturday in Jos, following attacks on some warehouses in the state.

“Fellow citizens of Plateau State, you will recall that I announced a 24-hour curfew in Jos South and Jos North Local Government Areas on 20th October, 2020, in response to the disturbances that arose when hoodlums hijacked the EndSARS protests leading to the destruction of lives and properties.

“After an assessment of the situation, the curfew was relaxed from the hours of 6a.m to 8p.m from 23rd October, 2020.

“However, some hoodlums broke into the warehouses where palliatives delivered to the State by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development last week were stored awaiting distribution and carted them away.

“This looting has spread to other facilities and is gradually degenerating and threatening the peace and security of the State,” he said.

He said the latest curfew is to forestall further escalation of the action or any unrest.

Lalong said that security agencies have been directed to enforce the curfew and ensure that all violators are arrested and prosecuted.

“I call on all citizens and stakeholders to continue to cooperate with Government in ensuring the peace and progress of Plateau State,” he said.

Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau has decried the increase in cases of Gender-Based Violence and other sexual offences in the state, especially in conflict areas.

Lalong expressed the concern while speaking at a webinar on addressing sexual, gender-based violence and rape in Nigeria organised by Gideon & Funmi Para-Mallam Peace Foundation.

In a statement by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Dr Makut Macham, on Wednesday in Jos, the governor said the scourge required prompt action.

According to the governor, sexual and gender based violence finds incubation in conflict areas where most women and children were at the receiving end.

Lalong expressed concern that the problem of sexual, gender violence and rape had taken an alarming and disgraceful dimension in Nigeria in recent times

He said the Plateau State Peace Agency had been mandated to step up engagements with communities on the dangers of sexual and gender based violence, particularly during crisis.

“One thing we take very seriously as a government is the prosecution of rape and sexual offenders.

” Following increase in rape cases in the country, I have directed the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice to step up vigorous prosecution of offenders no matter their status.

“Very soon, we shall open a Sexual Offenders Register where the data of convicted offenders shall not only be deposited, but their identity made public so that they are named and shamed.

“I believe that they are the ones that are entitled to stigmatisation not their victims,” he said.

The governor said the fight against sexual, gender-based violence and rape must ensure justice and rehabilitation for victims while severely punishing perpetrators to serve as deterrent to others.

He said the Northern Governors’ Forum under his leadership had declared a state of emergency on the increasing rate of sexual and gender based violence in the country.

“We have all resolved and condemned all forms of violence against women and children. The Forum also resolved to ensure that member states promulgate laws with stiffer penalties against perpetrators of sexual based violence.

“As part of our resolve, governors are to ensure the domestication of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015 in their various states without further delay,” he said.

Meanwhile watch this short video and don’t forget to subscribe.