NEWS
40 Killed In Fresh Attack On Plateau Community As Violence Escalates
The wave of deadly attacks in Plateau State has continued unabated, with at least 40 people confirmed dead following a fresh assault on Zike community in Kimakpa, Kwall District of Bassa Local Government Area.
The attack, which took place in the early hours of Monday, left dozens of residents dead and several others with gunshot wounds. .According to local sources, gunmen stormed the community and opened fire indiscriminately on people fleeing for safety.
A community leader, Wakili Tongwe, confirmed the incident in a phone interview with Channels Television.
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He explained that he, along with a team of vigilantes and some security operatives, had been patrolling another area when the attackers struck.
“The attackers invaded the village in the early hours of Monday and shot sporadically at residents who were scampering for safety after hearing gunshots,” Tongwe said.
He added that although security personnel and vigilantes engaged the assailants and eventually repelled them, the attackers had already caused significant loss of life.
“About thirty-six persons were shot dead and four others died later,” he said.
Several other victims who sustained gunshot wounds are currently receiving treatment at nearby hospitals.
Monday’s attack is the latest in a series of violent incidents that have rocked Plateau State in recent months.
Less than two weeks ago, a similar assault in communities across Bokkos Local Government Area left 52 people dead.
For years, Plateau State has struggled with violence rooted in land and resource disputes, often between farmers and herders. However, authorities believe the recent pattern of attacks points to something far more coordinated.
Governor Caleb Muftwang, reacting to the rising spate of killings, described the violence as an act of terrorism targeting the state’s population.
“I can tell you in all honesty that I cannot find any explanation other than genocide sponsored by terrorists,” the governor said during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
“The question is, who are the persons behind the organisers of this terrorism? This is what the security agencies must help us to unravel.”
The governor also raised concerns over the growing occupation of communities by armed groups.
“As I am talking to you, there are not less than 64 communities that have been taken over by bandits on the Plateau between Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, and Riyom local governments,” Muftwang said.
“They have been taken over, renamed, and people are living there conveniently on lands they pushed people away to occupy.”
In response to the growing insecurity, the Federal Government has vowed to clamp down on the perpetrators.
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the immediate deployment of tactical units to the affected areas to restore peace.
Despite repeated government pledges, the cycle of violence in Plateau shows no sign of ending.
Over 200 people were killed during a Christmas Day attack in December 2023, while at least 40 others lost their lives in a similar incident in Wase last May.
The Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has assured corps members deployed to the state of their safety, despite rising security concerns across the region.
Speaking on Friday through the Commissioner for Youth, Sports Development and Creativity, Hon. Terkimbi Ikyange, Governor Alia said his administration is working closely with security agencies to ensure the safety and well-being of all National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members throughout their service year.
“Sadly, our nation is currently bedevilled with security challenges, and Benue State is not exempt,” the governor stated.
“However, let me quickly allay your fears and assure you that, as a government, we are committed to ensuring that your safety is guaranteed throughout your stay in the state.”
He noted that comprehensive protective measures have been implemented across corps lodges and other areas occupied by corps members in the state.
Governor Alia also encouraged the new corps members to take full advantage of the NYSC’s Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, describing it as a “gateway to great opportunities.”
He further urged them to use their God-given talents to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s development.
In her remarks, the State Coordinator of the NYSC, Mrs. Veronica Garba, thanked the governor and the people of Benue for their continued support of the scheme.
She charged the new inductees to actively participate in the four cardinal components of the orientation course: physical training, motivational lectures, sporting activities, and SAED.
The orientation exercise welcomed a total of 1,600 corps members, officially inducted into the programme by Justice Peter Ukande, who represented the Chief Judge of Benue State, Justice Maurice Ikpambeae.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has approved the appointment of a new Acting Director of Administration for the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital (DUFUTH), Uburu.
This was contained in a statement in Uburu on Thursday by the DUFUTH’s Public Relations Officer, Agwu N. O.
According to Agwu, the new appointee is Edith Anih, an indigene of Enugu State with relevant working experience, having worked at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu, where she was Deputy Director of Administration.
It was gathered that the approval was conveyed in a letter dated April 23, 2025, addressed to the Chief Medical Director.
Prior to her appointment, Anih held the position of Deputy Director of Administration at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu.
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He wrote, “Mrs. Anih Edith Ndidi is a seasoned administrator born on May 22, 1973. She is married and hails from Enugu State, specifically Enugu South Local Government Area.
“She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration and a Master’s degree in Human Resources Management. She is also an associate member of the Institute of Health Service Administrators of Nigeria (IHSAN).
“The Management of DUFUTH extends a warm welcome to the new DA and looks forward to collaborating with her as she brings a fresh perspective to the hospital’s administrative leadership.”
The Federal Government of Nigeria is set to launch a forensic audit of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), in a major move aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability in the oil and gas sector.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, at the ongoing Nigerian Investor Forum, held on the sidelines of the IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington DC.
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Edun explained that the upcoming audit, along with recent changes in NNPCL management, is part of a broader effort to reform the state-owned oil company and rebuild trust in Nigeria’s economic institutions.
Addressing top global investors, including representatives from financial giant J.P. Morgan, Edun outlined a series of bold economic reforms introduced by the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
He said the measures are already yielding positive results and have laid a strong foundation for future growth.
“Our goal is not just to maintain this momentum, but to accelerate it,” Edun said. “We are targeting seven per cent annual growth, and we believe the policies we have implemented have laid the groundwork to achieve this.”
According to Edun, Nigeria’s economy grew by 3.84% in the fourth quarter of 2024, with an overall annual growth rate of 3.4%.
He described the government’s economic strategy as “unprecedented,” adding that key indicators such as the budget deficit, trade balance, and exchange rate have all shown signs of improvement.
“We said we would do it, and now we have done it. This time, we’re staying the course,” he emphasized.
The minister also highlighted the government’s focus on agriculture as a critical driver of economic growth, saying efforts are underway to close the food supply gap by empowering local producers.
“We aim to close the food supply gap, not by importing more, but by enabling domestic producers to scale and innovate,” he said.
In the area of infrastructure, Edun announced that 90,000km of fibre optic cable has been rolled out to boost internet connectivity, especially for young Nigerians and the tech ecosystem.
Additionally, 4,000km of roads have been earmarked for private sector participation, with the first 1,000km already approved for construction.
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