NEWS
Plateau Christians Stage Peace Walk Amid Renewed Killings, Demand End To Insecurity
In the face of escalating violence and a mounting death toll in Plateau State, Christian groups and residents on Monday staged a solemn peace walk, demanding an end to what they described as the relentless slaughter of innocent lives.
The procession, spearheaded by the Church Denominational Leaders Forum and the Plateau State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), brought together men, women, the elderly, and youths — all united in grief and frustration over the repeated attacks on their communities.
Marchers filled the streets carrying placards bearing haunting messages: “That they die not in vain,” “Stop the killings,” and “Every life matters; let Plateau live.”
READ MORE: Plateau Attacks Are Cruel, Unjustified And Intolerable – Tambuwal
The protest, which was covered by Channels Television, served as both a memorial for victims and a public outcry for justice.
Speaking during the event, one church leader underscored the urgency of their appeal: “Their death should not be in vain.”
The peace walk was triggered by the latest wave of attacks on villages in Bokkos and Bassa local government areas, including Ruwi, Hurti, and Zikke, where dozens of residents were killed.
The coordinated assaults have intensified fears across the state and deepened wounds still fresh from the 2023 Christmas Eve massacre in Bokkos, where about 150 people lost their lives.
Reacting to the crisis, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang described the violence as genocidal in nature, accusing armed invaders of forcibly displacing residents and seizing over 60 communities.
“The attackers come heavily armed, displacing our people and seizing their lands. We urgently need the federal government to intervene and stop this bloodshed,” he stated.
In neighbouring Benue State, the violence has also flared. Over the weekend, suspected herders struck Ukum and Logo local government areas, leaving at least 56 people dead.
Governor Hyacinth Alia has since joined calls for federal assistance, urging President Bola Tinubu to deploy more resources and manpower to restore calm.
Easter Season Marked by Bloodshed
The renewed violence comes at a time when Christians across Nigeria were marking the Easter season — a period traditionally associated with peace, sacrifice, and hope. But in the Middle Belt, the celebrations have been overshadowed by fresh waves of mourning.
President Bola Tinubu, speaking from Paris, condemned the killings and reassured the nation of his administration’s resolve to confront insecurity.
“Forces of evil will never prevail over our country,” the President declared, adding that he had instructed the Armed Forces and security agencies to take decisive action against the perpetrators.
Political Figures Slam Federal Response
The government’s handling of the violence has come under sharp criticism from political figures.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar labelled the administration’s response as insufficient and lacking empathy.
“The blood of innocent Nigerians continues to be spilled with appalling regularity… Yet, the Tinubu presidency remains disturbingly indifferent,” Atiku said.
Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, also voiced concern, calling for immediate grassroots collaboration between government officials and traditional rulers.
“Enough is enough regarding the persistent killings and insecurity plaguing our nation,” Obi stressed.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, meanwhile, urged citizens to embrace unity in the face of the violence, appealing for national healing beyond political and religious lines.
“I hope the atmosphere that permeates this season would cause them [the killers] to jettison their evil ways, turn a new leaf and embrace peace,” he said.
Police Tighten Security Nationwide
In an effort to prevent further bloodshed, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered enhanced security presence across Nigeria, with a focus on places of worship and public spaces during the Easter celebrations.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, also appealed to the public for cooperation: “We urge citizens to provide credible and timely information to security agencies to help prevent further violence.”
NEWS
Shettima, Wife Depart Abuja for Jos as Tinubu–Shettima Campaign Takes Rally to Plateau
Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja for Jos, Plateau State, alongside his wife, Hajiya Nana Shettima, ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally in the state.
The visit is part of the Tinubu–Shettima campaign’s engagements as the ruling party seeks to secure support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Shettima ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The campaign’s visit to Plateau is expected to highlight the Federal Government’s infrastructure and economic development projects in the state, particularly those aimed at improving road connectivity, boosting commerce and supporting agricultural activities.
SEE ALSO: Tinubu, Shettima Head to Jos for APC Presidential Campaign Rally
Among the projects highlighted by the administration is the ongoing 125-kilometre Akwanga–Jos highway, which forms part of the Akwanga–Bauchi–Gombe–Maiduguri Superhighway.
Other projects include the rehabilitation of the Sharram–Garram–Babban Lamba Road in Kanke and the approved Mararaban Jama’a–Kanke–Langtang–Shendam–Ibi Road, which is expected to improve connectivity between Plateau and Taraba states.
The administration says the projects are part of its broader development agenda to connect communities, facilitate access to markets and provide farmers and businesses with improved infrastructure.
The APC campaign is expected to use the rally to present the administration’s achievements and future plans while seeking the confidence of Plateau residents to continue its development agenda beyond 2027.
NEWS
Ogun Police Disburse ₦10.6m to Families of Fallen Officers Under IGP Welfare Scheme
The Ogun State Police Command has presented cheques totalling ₦10.65 million to families and next-of-kin of deceased police officers who served under the command, as part of efforts to support dependants of personnel who died in active service.
The cheques, amounting to ₦10,658,391.36, were presented on Saturday, November 14, 2026, by the Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu.
The statement was signed by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Ogun State Command, DSP Oluseyi B. Babaseyi, anipr, and dated November 14, 2026.
ALSO READ: How Ogun Driver Allegedly Stole Boss’s ₦45m Lexus and Plotted to Sell It for ₦10m in Cotonou
The presentation took place at the Command Headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta, under the Nigeria Police Force Group Life Assurance and the IGP Family Welfare Schemes.
The initiatives are designed to provide financial assistance to families of police officers who lost their lives while serving the country.
Accompanied by members of the Command Management Team, Ojajuni personally handed over the cheques to the beneficiaries.
Addressing the recipients, the police commissioner reaffirmed the Inspector-General’s commitment to the welfare of police personnel and their families.
He described the widows and families of the deceased officers as the “true superheroes”, acknowledging their resilience in coping with the loss of their loved ones who died in service to the nation.
Ojajuni noted that the financial intervention was a demonstration of the Force’s appreciation and institutional responsibility to support the families of fallen officers.
He said the initiative represented the Nigeria Police Force’s enduring commitment to standing by the dependants of personnel who paid the ultimate price in active service.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs Ejembi Ada Veronica thanked the Inspector-General of Police and the Ogun State Police Command for remembering their families and providing financial assistance.
She assured the authorities that the money would be channelled towards the education, upkeep and general welfare of the children and dependants left behind by the deceased officers.
According to her, the intervention would provide timely relief and help improve the stability of the affected families.
The Ogun State Police Command reiterated its commitment to supporting the families of fallen officers, assuring them of its continued solidarity.
NEWS
NUPRC Screens 28 Wells Over Rivers Gas Seepage, Identifies Three as High-Risk
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has screened 28 oil and gas wells around reported gas seepage locations in Bille Community, Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State, identifying three as high-risk, as investigations continue to establish the source of the bubbling gas.
The Commission disclosed that its investigation team physically visited 14 of the 28 wells screened but could not access three others because they were submerged. During the visits, the team observed gas hissing from some wells, while some facilities were found to be corroded and others vandalised.
ALSO READ: Rig Count Hits 100, as NUPRC Approves 740 Drilling Jobs
The update was made on Thursday during a special technical paper presentation at the 44th Annual International Conference and Exhibition of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE).
The paper, titled “Unravelling Gas Seepage and Bubbling in Nigeria: The Integrated Study Approach Towards Source Attribution,” was hosted by the NUPRC.
In his presentation, the Director of Subsurface Development at the NUPRC, Engr. Joseph Ogunsola, FNSE, described gas seepage as a new phenomenon in the Nigerian petroleum industry, prompting the Commission to constitute a team to investigate what lies beneath the bubbles.
Ogunsola was represented by the Senior Manager, Onshore Frontier Development Drilling, Mr. Azibamikiomam John-Adumo, a geologist.
He disclosed that studies conducted in one of the affected areas had helped unravel the structural threat associated with the phenomenon.
According to him, one of the wells was originally drilled in search of oil but was shut down following the discovery of gas instead.
He explained that the well is approximately 2.5 kilometres from the seepage location, adding that investigations are ongoing to establish whether the seepage originates from that particular well or other nearby wells.
He further disclosed that the distance between the seepage location and other wells ranges from 2.5 to three kilometres, noting that the area is highly explored and hydrocarbon-charged, as demonstrated by the number of wells in the vicinity.
Providing an update on the wells workstream, which falls under the facility and infrastructure component of the investigation, John-Adumo said the 28 wells were screened based on their proximity to the seepage locations and the reservoirs traversed during drilling.
He also explained that the investigation had progressed from the first reported bubble to an independent fingerprinting campaign within 12 months.
Recalling that the first seepage was observed in October 2025, he said the results of the independent investigation, using Gas Chromatography-Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (GC-IRMS) and compositional field analysis, were expected in the fourth quarter of 2026.
While investigations continue, John-Adumo said the Commission and operators had mobilised relief materials and other support for affected communities.
The interventions include food supplies, medical outreach, efforts to provide potable water, fire vans and safety kits, among other assistance.
He, however, warned that if the seepage is established to be a natural geological phenomenon, residents may need to be evacuated because tracing the migration pathways and designing subsurface interventions could be much more challenging.
He reiterated the Commission’s commitment to a speedy, coordinated and integrated investigation to establish the source of the gas seepage.





