How Buhari Will Win 2019-KEYAMO*Gives Breakdown Of Likely Voting Pattern

How Buhari will win re-election in 2019 — Keyamo •Gives breakdown of likely voting pattern

•President Muhammadu Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari will easily win a second term of office in 2019 despite the gale of defections that has lately hit the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Presidential Campaign.

Official Spokesperson, Festus Keyamo, SAN, said on Sunday afternoon.

“The latest defections by some National Assembly members and the Governor of Benue State WILL NOT harm the re-election of President Buhari in the 2019 general elections. This would even be so if the much-rumoured two more Governors also defect from the APC. The President won with large margins in the past in some States without the support of majority of the politicians from those States who moved recently to join the opposition party. Also, we are all witnessing the significant gains Mr. President is making in several places where he lost in the past, notably in the south-south and South-East,” the Director of Strategic Communications, President Muhammadu Buhari 2019 Presidential Campaign, said in a statement issued in Lagos, a copy of which was made available to News Express.

Marshalling his argument, Keyamo dished out details of the voting pattern during next year’s presidential ballot. He wrote thus: “From the demographics we have now, the historic figures and the present realities that we know, these defections will have little or no impact on the chances of Mr. President’s re-election.

“1. THE EFFECT OF DEFECTIONS ON THE TWELVE STATES CONSISTENTLY WON BY THE PRESIDENT

“The following twelve States, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Yobe and Niger, with over 30 million registered voters, are States the President had consistently won with considerable large margins in past elections, especially in 2011 and 2015. This was achieved despite the fact that most of those states were being controlled by political parties other than his own.

“In 2011, when the President was in CPC, despite being States with sitting opposition Governors, National Assembly Members, State Assembly Members and Local Government Chairmen, the President posted close to eleven million votes against all odds, defeating all his rivals in these twelve states mentioned above. In 2015 despite the majority of these States being in opposition after the merger that formed the APC, the President posted close to eleven million votes again in these States with PDP not scoring up to twenty percent of the votes in most of these States. It is instructive that in these election cycles there were presidential candidates of Northern extraction (e.g. Shekarau and Ribadu in 2011). Besides, Kaduna had a sitting Vice President in both elections.

“As we can see, any defection within these States would have little or no consequence on President Muhammadu Buhari’s chances as he had always won those States, irrespective of the Party in power in those states. For example in the much-touted  Kano, in the 2011 Presidential election, President Buhari scored One Million, Six Hundred and Twenty Four Thousand, Five Hundred and Forty Three (1,624,543) votes as CPC candidate, while in 2015, he had 1,903,999 One Million, Nine Hundred and Three Thousand, Nine Hundred and Ninety Nine (1,903,999) votes as APC candidate. The vote difference of about Two Hundred and Eighty Thousand (280,000) votes may be attributed to elements of ANPP, negligible ACN and Senator Kwakwanso, then Governor of the State that came into APC.

“Today, the President’s popularity in these states has increased due to the fight against Boko Haram which has been largely successful. So, he should expect more votes from these strongholds.

“2. THE EFFECT OF DEFECTIONS ON THE NINE STATES THE PRESIDENT LOST IN 2011 BUT WON IN 2015

“The following nine States, Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Kwara, Kogi, Adamawa and Benue, are States the President lost in 2011 but won in 2015.

“The five south-western states have registered voters strength of more than 14 million out of the about 20 million voters in these nine states. Today, those five states are being controlled by the APC.

“Ekiti will join before the 2019 election after Governor Kayode Fayemi is sworn in for a second term in office. All the political gladiators in those south-western states that helped to tilt the election in favour of the President in 2015 are still solidly with him and more have joined. The entire defunct ACN structures that moved into APC are solidly behind the President. In terms of defections in the western states, the Party has gained more than it has lost as the likes of Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Senator (Mrs) Fatima Raji-Rasaki, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, Senator Gbenga Kaka, former Governor Adebayo Akala, to mention a few, are now with APC. To underscore the rising profile of the Party in these States, the people of Ondo State and Ekiti State decided to entrust their States in the hands of the APC by voting out the previous PDP governments.

“Furthermore, these states are well represented in government with a sitting Vice President, important ministerial portfolios and prominent membership of the economic team. So, we can only expect MORE votes, not less, from the west.

“Adamawa, Kwara, Kogi and Benue states, with over 6 million registered voters, all had Governors from other Parties in 2011, with Senator Bukola Saraki being the PDP governor of Kwara State. In the four states, as the Presidential Candidate of CPC, the President posted six

hundred and seventy thousand eighty (670,080) votes while ACN the other legacy party of APC posted three hundred and fourteen thousand seven hundred and forty one (314,741) votes, making a total of nine hundred and eighty four thousand seven hundred and forty one (984,741) votes when combined. In 2015, with only one APC Governor among the four States, the President posted total votes of one million three hundred and fifteen thousand six hundred and fifty nine (1,315,659) in the four states, gaining over three hundred and thirty thousand (330,000) votes. Today, with APC in charge of three out of the four states, especially with Senator Gbemi Saraki and Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information, leading the efforts in Kwara State and the APC Structure in Benue State still firmly in the hands of Senator George Akume (the same structure on which Governor Ortom rode to victory) the defection of the Senators from these states will have little or no effect on the difference gained.

“3. EFFECT OF DEFECTIONS ON 15 STATES LOST BY THE PRESIDENT IN 2015

The President lost 15 States (comprising 11 States of the South East and South South and Plateau, Taraba, Nassarawa and Ekiti States) in the 2015 elections, despite his overall victory.

Apart from having Governors in Edo and Imo States, the exemplary work of the President in the South East and South South, especially in terms of infrastructural developments, like the Second Niger bridge and a whole lot of road constructions, APC is on the rise in these states and this momentum will surely rub off on the electoral fortunes of the President. This can be seen in the high level defections to the APC in the last three years in these States and more are coming. The recent election in Anambra is also a testimony to the rising profile of the Party in the east. In 2015 the President scored 17,926 votes in Anambra. The most recent governorship election saw APC come second with over 98,000 votes, defeating PDP in the process. This is a pattern we expect in the 2019 elections throughout the South East and South South as, compared to the last elections. The President can only amass more votes from these regions and not less than 2015.

“In the remaining four states of Ekiti, Plateau, Taraba and Nassarawa, where the President lost in the 2015 election with a margin of 260,000, all the States had sitting opposition Governors except Nassarawa. Ekiti and Plateau states will have sitting APC Governors in February 2019 to help sell his candidacy and we have also seen defection of some serving and past Senators from Ekiti State to the APC. With this we expect a reduction in the margin or an outright victory.

“Even if there are going to be defections from APC in these four States, we don’t see the margin of loss expanding beyond the 260,000 given that the States had majority opposition Governors at the point the President suffered these loses. 

“4. HARVEST OF DEFECTIONS IN THE 2019 ELECTION CYCLE

“And lastly, whilst the PDP harvest of defections is gradually winding down, the harvest of the APC is about to begin in respect of the following:

“a) Disgruntled members from the opposition whose structures are bound to be marginalized as a fall out of the absorption and recognition of the structures of the incoming defectors by the national bodies of the various parties.

“b) Dissatisfied members whose aspirations are thwarted because of automatic tickets given to the defectors. They are talking to us already.

“c) Disgruntled elements from the fallout of the primaries of the Parties, especially the main opposition party.

“It is noteworthy that President Muhammadu Buhari is going into this election as an incumbent enjoying the support of a lot more Governors, Senators, House of Representative members, House of Assembly members and Local Government Chairmen than he ever had. Equally the odds are no more stacked up against the President as he will see to a truly free and fair election as witnessed in elections conducted in the last three years. We expect the soaring popularity of the President to be reflected in the 2019 elections.

“The PDP may claim that these figures count for nothing and that the President has been tested in the last three years and found wanting.

“However, in the last three years, what has been more exposed and Nigerians have seen is the extent of damage inflicted on the country in the last sixteen years by PDP, damage the President and his team are working tirelessly to fix. No matter the impatience some Nigerians have shown with Buhari, they just don’t want to GO BACK to PDP. That is why PDP have lost ALL the critical electoral contests since 2015 (Kogi, Edo, Anambra, Ekiti and Ondo states).

“In the final analyses, despite all the noise from our ‘noisy neighbours’, we may be in for a landslide victory for the President in 2019.”

Source News Express

Posted 29/07/2018 7:55:41 PM

Saraki Presides Over The Worst Senate In Nigeria's History -EL-RUFAI

Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has described the 8th senate under the leadership of Bukola Saraki as the worst in the history of Nigeria.

El-Rufai accused Saraki of listing some members of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, among those who defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) without their consent.

Speaking in an interview aired on some local radio stations in Kaduna, El-Rufai said those in the national assembly “rode to power on the back” of President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to El-Rufai, “We have never had a bad senate leadership like this one by Bukola Saraki. Some people whose names were mentioned among those who decamped said they never authorised it.

“We know those who cannot win elections in their homes. Many of them found themselves in the national assembly by riding on the back of Buhari. Some of them won the election because presidential and parliamentary elections held on the same day.

“We initiated many projects this year because the World Bank approved a loan of $350 million to us and we were sure that we will get some part of the money this year.

“We included it in our budget to be able to execute our projects – schools, hospitals and the roads that we are constructing in the town. Well, you know what happened. The house of representatives approved the loan but the senate rejected it. When it was presented to the senate, our senators from Kaduna kicked against it.

“They said the loan should not be granted. I was told that they ( the three senators) held a meeting and they said if Kaduna state government is given the loan, one of them will not realise the ambition of becoming governor.

“The betrayal of Kaduna people by Shehu Sani, Suleiman Hunkuyi and Danjuma Laah is the reason why many projects have stopped. So, I want the people to understand this. Anywhere you see that a road project has stopped, ask them. Anywhere you see that a hospital project has stopped, ask them. Anywhere you see that the construction of a school has stopped, ask them.

“Anywhere you see that a project that is meant to benefit the people has stopped, ask these three people that betrayed the state. Whichever part they go, use your votes against them.”

MANGU:APC YOUTH ONLINE INAUGURATE EXCOS/WARD LEADERS

All roads lead to Mangu as the Mangu L.G.A  Coordinator of APC Youths Online forum  OBosco Obadiah Damwaghal is
Set to unveil/ inaugurate LGA Exco/ward leaders and decorate Patrons.
The event which is to take place on:
27/7/2018
10am prompt
LGA chambers( secretariat mangu)

Below are the successful nominee and rank for the LGA Exco and wars leaders.

WILLIAM ANTHONY
SECRETARY

JAMES DASHANG
FINANCIAL  SECRETAEY

ISAAC KWARPO OBED
PUBLICITY SECRETARY

LONGDI ALEXANDER
TREASURER

JORO PANNAN JOSEPH
DIR OF STRATEGY, ACTION AND MOBILIZATION

KYESWET TONGMANG.
ADVISER.

Zonal coordinators are..
TENSE BAMSHAK DAVID
Central zone
Bitrus Elisha
Gindiri zone

Prince Yombish
Tim zone

Ward leaders are:
Damak Collins
Jipal

Charles Polycarp
Chakfem

Jethro Shikwurang Jacob
Mangun

Wetleng Geoffrey
Bwonpe

Nantong Samson
Ampang West

Abdul Auwal
Kerang

Nanfwang George Dakurum
Kombun

Lawrence David Fwangmun
Panyam south.


Pankyes Kromtit
Panyam cental

Nanmah Paul Kyahar
Pushit

Yunana Julius
Mangu 1

Pius Daniel Dashon
Mangu 2

Bar. ISHAKU FWANGKAT
Mangu Halle

Vikang Isuwa
Chanso

Abdulaziz Busa
Langai


Muhammad Bayero
Kadunu

Audi Hashimu Haruna
Janaret

Philip Nandom
Kasuwa Ali

Dapel Panpe
Gindiri 1

Danbaki villeng Daniel
Gindiri 2

Panny Gungshit liaison officer
*Patrons/advisers are*:
Col. SG Fwanje
Central zone
Hon Iliya Manu
Gindiri zone.
Mr meshak Dikorom
Tim zone..

BOKKOS:PROF.MATUR TO BE CORONATED SAF MABOL OF BOKKOS DISTRICT

Professor Bernard M. Matur will be Coronated as Saf Mabol(warrior) of Bokkos District.
Matur is an academician of high repute known for his Faithfulness in duty, loyalty in friendship and perseverance in hardship
Prof. Bernard Matur hails from Kunet in Butura, Bokkos LGA.
A product of  Nakam Memorial Secondary School, University of Jos and University of Abuja
 Matur is acclaimed for his generosity towards his people,a seasoned teacher,a solid administrator and an astute leader.

A caring father, a friend, an educationist, a scholar and a professor per excellence to be crowned a warrior, a fighter, and a refuge not just to the Bokkos community but Plateau State, Nigeria and the world at large.

This is a well deserved appointment and coronation as the SAF MABOL (warrior) of Bokkos District.

CONGRATULATIONS.

NIGERIA HAS A NEW NATIONAL AIRLINE-NIGERIA AIR

CONGRATULATIONS TO NIGERIANS FOR A NEW NATIONAL AIRLINE.
The BUHARI administration has kept it's campaign promises as NIGERIA AIR is officially launced today.
We now have a national carrier after the defunct NIGERIA airways was mismanaged into oblivion.
Nigeria A330 livery,Nigeria-Air B737 max-Livery (5) were purchased for the takeoff  to navigate  this routes : 84 flight destinations; local, national and international to start December, 2018
BUHARI is working and Nigeria is progressing.
This is indeed a laudable achievement as NIGERIANS will be proud to fly their own airline.
#MUNATARE

BEROM GROUP CONDEMN ATTACK ON LALONG

The leadership of the BEROM patriots have come out to condemn the dastardly acts perpetrated by some misguided youths that pelted stones at the convoy of Governor Simon Bako Lalong around the Anguldi Internally Displaced camp.
In a statement signed by the President Mr Dachollom Badung and Secretary Mr Gyang David,  the group distanced the BEROM nation from the hooliganistic act.

 Berom Patriots is a socio- cultural organization of the Berom Nation aimed at promoting peace among its people, development and cordial relationship with fellow Nigerians and the service of humanity. We consider injustice on any human being as an injustice to us. We appreciate the domestic and global outcry against the killings in some communities in Barkin Ladi and other parts of the state. This is the height of inhumanity to man.
Particularly, we the Berom Patriots thank Plateau state Governor Simon Lalong for his prompt response to the killings and his resolve before President Muhammadu Buhari that no land will be ceded to those who attack and lay  claim to the land of their victims.
Governor Lalong's directive for the distribution of relief materials to victims in  IDP camps has gone a long way in providing relief for victims.
It is shocking to the Berom Patriots that miscreants will attack the convoy of His Excellency Governor Simon Lalong after leaving the Anguldi IDP camp where he visited and empathised with victims with the assurance of getting justice for them.
Though the camp is in Berom Land it should not be misconstrued as the attack was  carried out by Berom people. While we condemn the attack on our peace loving Governor's convey, we make bold to say that some miscreants with ulterior motive might have taken advantage of the vulnerability of the IDPs to carry out their heinous activities.
We recalled that some disgruntled elements recently under the false cover of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Plateau Northern Zone criminally attacked government house Jos in the name of protest.
We implore any one with a grievance to use all democratic channels available instead of resorting to self help.
We the Berom Patriots ask His Excellency to see the attack as a criminal action which must be unravelled and dealt with.
We implore you not to relent in your effort in getting justice for Plateau people affected by conflict.
Your Excellency has demonstrated a father figure and we stand by you in your effort to develop Plateau state.
The Berom Nation stands with you and we love you.
God bless & keep you.

LALONG REACTS TO IDP ATTACKS -YAKUBU DATTI

Attack on Plateau Government  condemnable.

The Plateau State Government hereby condemns in very strong terms the attack on the convoy of His Excellency Rt. Hon. Simon Lalong, The Executive Governor of Plateau State, by some hoodlums shortly after leaving an IDP camp at Anguldi, Jos South Local Government Area of the State.

The hoodlums, acting on the script of their sponsors, laid ambush on the highway and attacked the Governor 's convoy with stones,  rods and other unidentified objects,  damaging vehicles in the convoy including those belonging to the press corp, security and relief agencies.

The attack is coming at the heels of a similar invasion on the Plateau State Government House about two weeks ago, where Government properties, vehicles of Civil Servants and visitors to the Government House running into millions of naira were destroyed.

The Government finds it regrettable that while its efforts at restoring peace is yielding results, certain unpatriotic elements are bent on returning our State to the sad era of blood letting by instigating religious and ethnic hatred, for cheap political gains.

The Government views these attacks as an affront on the authority of the State and will therefore take appropriate measures to   checkmate  merchants  of division and  death.

The Governor wishes to assure citizens that Government will not relent in ensuring that the safety of citizens is guaranteed and the relative peace sustained.

The Governor also wishes to thank the Security Agencies for professionally carrying out their duties with restrain  even in the face of extreme provocation.
The IDPs must not allow those who do not wish them well to use their misfortune for ulterior motives.
We call on parents, religious and community leaders  to counsel their children/members not to become willing tools in the hands of conflict merchants.
Government has set a machinery in motion to fish out and bring to justice all those conniving to present the state as unsafe by sowing the seed of discord among the good people of Plateau state.

Yakubu Dati

Commissioner of Information and Communication

13th July, 2018

It's Unfair To Accuse Buhari Of Herdsmen Killings :GOWON

A former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, says it is unfair to blame President Muhammadu Buhari for the incessant killings in the conflict between farmers and herders in some parts of Nigeria.

Mr Gowon, who was Nigeria’s military ruler between 1966 and 1974, said he believed the president has no hand in the killings.

“The Buhari I know will not be involved in such things. Certainly, no leader will encourage his people to be killed.”

He spoke on Tuesday at the Plateau State Government House when he paid a condolence visit to Governor Simon Lalong over the resurgence of violence in the state.

At least 200 persons were believed dead in the violence in three local government areas in the state.

Mr Gowon condemned social media reports linking the president to killings in Nigeria, describing the reports as unfortunate.

According to a statement by the state commissioner for Information and Communications, Yakubu Dati, Mr Gowon decried the past practice of releasing arrested suspects without their trial.

“People arrested should be investigated and prosecuted in Jos where the crime was committed,” the former leader said.

‎

Thanking him for the visit, Mr Lalong said the state government has reviewed the state laws to prosecute perpetrators of killings and these would soon be signed into law.

“We have reviewed adequate laws to prosecute offenders in Jos,” he said.

Mr Lalong thanked Mr Gowon for standing by the state as a father, adding that all efforts were being made to restore peace to the state.

MANGU/BOKKOS IN SAFE HANDS AS COL. FWANJE DECLARES FOR REPS

At a time when the bordering villages of Mangu/Bokkos are besieged with Pockets of attacks from the killer herdsmen with many constituents thinking on how this menace will practically come to an end.
COL. SAMUEL GOLUNG FWANJE, A retired Colonel of the Nigerian Army that has led troops to peace missions and conflict resolutions in Liberia, Sierra Leone and other African countries with the Ecomog allied forces has offered himself to serve the good people of Mangu/Bokkos in the House of representatives with the sole of aim of effective representation and Mapping out strategies to secure the land with all security intelligence that is communual and practical engaging the constituents.
Col. Fwanje has unveiled his campaign posters in MANGU on his birthday on the 26th of June, 2018 with a beehive of activity as Mangu was agog with the assemblage of political bigwigs, women, youths and well wishers.
As the Colonel embarks on ward to ward unit to unit visitations to interact with delegates of the APC, his watchword is how to secure Mangu/Bokkos from the existential threats at the borders from criminals, terrorists and herdsmen.

FATOMATA CEESAY AT THE INDUCTION OF IIM

Remarks by Rt. Hon. Fatomata Ceesay at the Induction Ceremony of IIM

7th July,2018

Goodwill Message by Hon. Fatomata Jahumpa Ceesay at the Institute of Information Management (IIM)  13th Induction/Investiture Ceremony and Maiden IIM Africa Akwa Ibom Induction Ceremony – July 7th, 2018.
Protocols: May I warmly welcome all of you to this great event expressing my warm greetings and best wishes for good fortune and happiness from the people of The Gambia. I count it a great honour and privilege to be here in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria and to make a few remarks by way of a goodwill message at this highly distinguished Induction/ Investiture ceremony of Institute of Information Management.
Ladies and Gentleman,
We meet here today on the cusp of an exciting moment in Nigeria, a democratic country rich in Energy and Petroleum, Tourism & Culture, Communication, Forestry, Transport, Custom, Trade, Sports, etc.  Our common objective is to try as much as possible ensure that Institute of Information Management have a greater  information and records management in Banjul and the whole of Gambia to further strengthen the cooperation and integration between the two countries.
A mere glance at the daily headlines is enough to recognize the criticality of this period. Encouragingly, some information management activities, records management and archiving restructuring programs have progressed tremendously in Nigeria and our respected President/Chairman, Amb. (Dr.) Oyedokun Ayodeji Oyewole is assuming great leadership of one of the difficult but significant sector of the economy and I am sure you join with me in wishing him fortitude and wisdom as he guides the Institute.
Often times I sit back and watch Nigeria on international scenes and I see more good than the bad!!
I see people that are in love, hospitable and apart being in challenging economic environment they still cope with it, the best way they can!
I never heard or seen any of these people moan or complain about how hard the country is, rather I see millions of people who strategically work their daily living towards sustainability. It’s really unbelievable!
I see lovely and sensible initiatives tailored towards the progress of small and medium scale enterprises. I don't think that's an easy job but you can bet that it is one that requires extreme dedication.
I see compassionate Nigerians who just go that one mile more towards achieving success.
I also see posts from people about crises and deaths in some part of the country and I am heartbroken about it.
Then I see a host of people that loves enjoyment (food and music).... Nothing further to say on that!!
I see tolerance and I see patience amidst the climate of fear, poverty, lies/sob stories, hassles not just from Nigerians but from Gambians too, if you get out of the tourist areas you too will see what I mean!!
The Government of The Gambia at all times welcome investments, companies or representatives, seeking to invest with a core message of openness and transparency in all their dealings. The Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Agency (GIEPA) provide a one-stop-shop for investors and are responsible for attracting foreign direct investment. There are opportunities for investment in various sectors of the economy including renewable energy such as solar power, energy (solar, wind, biomass, and hydro energy), agriculture, forestry, skills development, fisheries, manufacturing, tourism, minerals exploration and exploitation, and other services.
Please know that Nigerians have the pledge of the Gambians full support for their endeavors, moving forward, making life better for the people they serve and inspiring a new generation of great professionals to follow in their footsteps. We should therefore speed up strategic plans and implementation in information management which I believe will reap significant dividends down the road in building a stronger, more prosperous, more equitable, more unified and more resilient Nigeria/Gambia for the years to come.
Finally, I encourage all our Inductees and distinguished Guests to work hard to ensure that boosting economic activities and operations through access to quality information is not a task for Institute of Information Management alone but a joint effort of entire people of Nigeria.
God bless Institute of Information Management (IIM) Africa
God bless Nigeria
God bless Gambia

What Buhari Promised CAN Members In Abuja

Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari, has promised members of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) that the conflicts in some parts of the country will be brought to a decisive end.

President Buhari made this pledge when he received members of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) from nineteen (19) northern states and Abuja, Nigeria’s capital on Thursday, July 5.

The Nigerian President also condemned the killings in Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Zamfara and other states in the country, describing it as “wicked, condemnable and completely unacceptable acts”.

President also furthered that the attempt to suggest that his government is doing nothing about the killings and that he being Fulani, must be “encouraging these satanic acts, it seems to me that there is no limit to the evil in the minds of men”.

Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria’s President and CAN members.

His words: “The recent killings in Benue, Zamfara and lately Plateau are wicked, condemnable and completely unacceptable acts.

“We, Nigerians, are religious people and no religion or culture accepts the killing of people for any reason whatsoever.

“This is why we must all rise as one to condemn these vile and wicked acts to ensure that all the culprits are brought to justice.

“We owe it to the memory of those who lost their lives in the violence in Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Zamfara and elsewhere since 1999 to bring the conflicts to a decisive end. I assure you that we will do this.

“Let me make it clear that even a single life lost in any part of the country is one too many. I came to office vowing to ensure the protection of lives and property, and I remain committed to this despite the challenges we have experienced.

“I, therefore, seek your support as clerics and religious leaders to join hands with this administration and give us your full support. As you all know, deploying law enforcement agencies is fully our responsibility as a government while creating the platform and mechanisms for dialogue is a collective effort.

“The military and police have arrested hundreds of suspects across the various flash-points in the region and several prosecutions are going on. In a number of cases, we have seen convictions. Nigerians are right when they say they want to see more convictions and I would like to appeal to the judiciary to help us fast-track these cases.

“When some, for clearly political purposes, attempt to suggest that this government is doing nothing about the killings and that I, being Fulani, must be encouraging these satanic acts, it seems to me that there is no limit to the evil in the minds of men.

“Otherwise, how can anyone in their right minds suggest that I, as an elected President even with substantial votes in the affected areas, will for any reason do harm by an act of omission to those same people?

“Secondly, the problems in all these areas, as you all know, are historical. There is no administration that has not had to contend with killings in these same areas over the years.

“Indeed, in 2001, you may recall that after thousands were killed in Plateau State, a State of Emergency was declared and a Governor was replaced by an Administrator.

“To suggest that our Administration is doing nothing is terribly unfair.

“We must not forget that the same Plateau State which has been crisis-ridden for years has in the past three years been celebrated for its peacefulness. The Governor’s hard work for peace and the presence of the military’s Operation Safe Haven must have had some impact.

“In recent weeks, we have beefed up its strength with the deployment of extra Special Forces from the Defence headquarters.

“Besides, we currently have no fewer than three special military intervention forces in the troubled zones.

“Operation Safe Haven to secure Plateau State, Operation Whirl Stroke 1 (OPWS) to secure Benue, Taraba and Nasarawa and OPWS 2 to secure Zamfara and Kaduna States.

“These forces are supported with investigative and intelligence gathering capabilities from the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services and other agencies.

“Government can achieve lasting peace only with the sincere and active cooperation of communities, religious leaders, youths and other stakeholders.

“These include the Media in whose hands lies the power to frame, shape the perspectives and narratives which influence the thinking of millions of people within and outside Nigeria.

“Finally, let us collectively shame those who are stoking the fires of ethnic and religious conflicts for their short-term political gains.

“This country belongs equally to Christians and Muslims and even those who claim ignorance of God”, the President said.

LALONG PLACES BAN ON PUBLIC PROCESSIONS

The Executive Governor of Plateau State,Dr Simon Bako Lalong has placed a ban on public portests in the state.
In a statement issued by the Commisioner of Information and Communication, Yakubu Dati made available to the press, the Government gave the reason of the ban on the need to prevent miscreants from hijacking processions.
Mr Dati reiterates :

As part of measures to further protect  lives and properties of citizens, the  Plateau State Government hereby bans public processions in all parts of the state.
Members of the public are therefore advised to adhere strictly to the ban.
This is to prevent miscreants and unpatriotic elements from hijacking any protest to further inflict pain and hardship on innocent citizens.
 The ban  will enable Government take stock of the security situation in the state.
Government appreciates the democratic right of citizens to protest but it also has a duty to ensure nothing negatively affect them.
Government therefore solicits the cooperation and support of citizens for a peaceful Plateau State.

LALONG:The Security Architecture Of The State Is Being Reviewed

In a quest to find lasting solutions to the gruesome attacks that has been unleashed on the home of peace and tourism, the peace loving Governor, Simon Lalong said Governent are reviewing the make up of security commands in the state.

Gov Simon Lalong  said the security architecture of the state is being reviewed to close gaps identified during the unfortunate attack on some communities in the State.

Lalong also said relevant laws are being reviewed to ensure maximal penalties against such criminals

Gov. Lalong who spoke at the  End-of-month Prayer organised at the Plateau State Government House Chapel in Jos, also condemned those exploiting the attack for political gains saying, "it is wrong to play politics with the lives of people".

In his sermon titled "We hold the key" the Deputy Chaplain of the Chapel Rev. Dewan, took his reading from Jeremiah 29:7,  urging

believers to pray for peace of the land.

 "we must agree to work in unity as we pray for our State" he added.

The Bible reading was taken by Prof Mathew Sule, Executive Secretary, SUBEB, Prof Yohana Izam, Vice Chancellor, Plateau State University, Bokkos and Hon Dan Manjang, Commissioner of Science and Technology.

There were prayers for peace led by Rev. Obed Dashan, COCIN Vice President, the representative of ECWA President, Rev Stephen Panya Baba and Rev Buba Aliyu amongst others,

Goodwill messages were given by the His Highness Agwom Izere and Justice Longji representing the Traditional Council and Judiciary respectively.

The church service was attended by Mrs Regina Lalong, wife of the Governor, Prof Sonni Tyode, Deputy Governor, Rufus Bature, the SGS and John Dafaan, the Chief of Staff and their spouses.

Others in attendance included Members of the State Executive Council, Permanent Secretaries, clergymen and heads of Boards and parastatals as well as members of the public.

Youths, Women Want Jonah Jang, TY Danjuma Prosecuted Over Jos Killings

By Dansu Peter

Hundreds of protesters this morning besieged the headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force to demand the immediate prosecution of a former Governor of Plateau State and now a serving Senator, Jonah Jang and elder stateman, General Theophilus Danjuma over the recent killings in three local Governments area of Plateau state.

The protesters under the aegis of the Middlebelt Peace Network said all so far arrested in connection with the killings in the state must be made to name those for whom they run errands.

The leader of the Network, Jayeola Mohammed said It is imperative that President Muhammadu Buhari gives a marching order for security agencies to search upwards in the hierarchy of the killings

She said, "Our fellow good people of Nigeria, we express our heartfelt condolence on the loss of life in our beloved state even as we pray that such disaster no longer befalls our dear nation.

"The kind of loss recorded in the state in matter of hours should not be the case even in a declared war situation.

"It is encouraging that President Muhammadu Buhari has promised that his administration would not rest until the murderers and their sponsors are brought to justice.

"It is a promise we have vowed to hold Mr. President to because of the sheer wantonness and mindlessness of the killing. Fulfilment of President Buhari's promise will ensure that bloodthirsty demons behind this evil are no longer to operate in any part of country going forward.

"However, we believe that to be able to bring perpetrators of these heinous crimes to book, it is time to do away with political correctness and go after the sponsors that are already known to law enforcement agencies.

"To this end, we want to draw Mr President's attention to the culpability of the former Plateau State Governor, Senator Jonah Jang in the recent outbreak of crisis in Plateau State.  

"Senator Jang is embittered by the many court cases for which he is afraid he will end up in prison. It must be noted that these round killings only began after his predecessor, Senator Joshua Dariye, was sent to prison in spite of being a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC). His fears were heightened by the knowledge that he is a guaranteed candidate for prison.

"As a member of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Jang had also vowed to make the state uncomfortable for his successor and the APC government.

" He further promised to stop Your Excellency from being re-elected in 2019 following which the PDP anointed him as a point man to whom much resources were assigned by some PDP chieftains in Adamawa and Rivers state to help him actualize his vow.

Jayeola said the network has uncovered plots by Senator Jang to extinguish the peace of Plateau State and replace same with anguish and despair.

"For this satanic purpose he has earmarked the sum of one billion naira to arm youths and children for another round of violence after the recent killings in the state.

"It is common knowledge on the streets of the towns in Plateau State that the former governor had used the assigned resources to procure arms and ammunitions for hired thugs in the state. The ranks of these thugs were further swollen with the importation of mercenaries to carry out the recent attacks.  

"These killing of innocent people is meant to undermine the credential of the current administration at the centre, which has security of life and property as a cardinal point on its agenda.

"The thinking is that once they can add Plateau state the other states where their bloodthirsty coven incessantly kills people they will be able to accuse President Buhari of having failed to deliver on his election promises.

"It must be regrettably pointed out that human life cannot and must not be devalued by making killing people part of a political game.

"While we appreciate the efforts being made to ensure that there is a stop to the killings in Plateau state and the perpetrators brought to book, a good start is to immediately arrest Senator Jonah Jang to assist law enforcement agencies with information on his role in the wanton waste of human life that was recorded in Plateau state.

"He would be useful in identifying other people that are stoking the fire of destruction.

"Those arrested in connection with the killings must be made to name those for whom they run errands.

"It is imperative that Mr. President gives a marching order for security agencies to search upwards in the hierarchy of the killing"she said

Commissioner of Police,Esa Ogbu who received the protesters on behalf of the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris urged them to assist the Nigeria Police Force and other security stakeholders with information that will help them in discovering persons or group of persons responsible for causing mayhem in the country.

He urged all Nigerians to continue to be law abiding and continue to intensify prayers for sustained peace in the country.

PLATEAU: MY BROTHER MY ENEMY -DOGO NANZING.

MY BROTHER MY ENEMY

My worst fear is gradually becoming a reality, by politicizing security, the government spanning 18 yrs have successfully succeeded in creating monsters.

From 2001 when the first blood was shed, the issue of insecurity has been passed from Dariye to Jang & now to Lalong & tomorrow may be to someone else.
As a measure to checkmate the security challenges in the state, several commissions of inquiries has been constituted who made far reaching recommendations which never gets to see the light of day.
Several publications have been written prominent amongst them is the one by PIDAN which has also been allowed to gather dust in the archives of the government.

Of recent, plateau has been thrown into mourning by the activities of killer herdsmen who destroy lives, farmlands & properties of natives. It's even more worrisome that the mere presence of security agents which ordinarily should drive fear into the hearts of anyone trying to cause disharmony has not helped the situation as the attacks on innocent villagers has continued unabated. This has left locals rightly questioning the sincerity of security agents & officers deployed to protect such places.

The utterances made by government & the leadership of the umbrella body of the Fulanis are such that easily raise suspicion as to the sincerity of government in curbing the menace from the roots. With each attack, MIYETTI Allah has on several occasion made indicting statements that seem to justify such cowardly attacks while the government always seems to look the otherway unlike the treatment given to clerics of other faiths who are usually rounded up by men of the DSS everytime they raise their voices against the manner the government is handling the situation.

With the recent killings of over 200 person's which lasted for two days in three local governments & over eight villages, one is tempted to pick up arms to defend himself.

Most worrisome is the behavior of youths around Kuru, maraban jamaa, zawan, Du to Doi who mounted road blocks killing & destroying cars of even indigens who do not speak the same local dialect, tribes like the Ngas of pankshin & the taroks of langtang & goemai of shendam amongst others were casualties at the roadblocks .
It's on record that over 15 indigens of plateau were gruesomely murdered while a number of non indigens like the igbos & siyawa tribe of Bauchi were amongst the victims. People were killed for being members of a political party like the case of the APC chairman of Bogoro in Bauchi state. It is alleged that an ambulance belonging to Bauchi university teaching hospital conveying a sick patient was vandalized & hospital staff attached to the ambulance with the patient were killed by the youths on the same road.

Survivors or escapee stories leaves a bitter taste to the mouth & an unpleasant imagination to the heart which is only compared to a scene in a horror movie. The pattern or sequence of attacks leaves one wondering if the killers at the roadblocks actually value the unity of plateau people or even acknowledge that as plateau people, we all have a common enemy who are the killer herdsmen, not commuters while the state owned media & other media houses has maintained a conspiracy of silence on the killings.

It's worthy of note that Benue, Taraba, Zamfara & Adamawa has in recent times also suffered similar attacks but it has never been recorded that a Tiv man mounts road blocks & kills an idoma man because of an attack by herdsmen or a jukun from Taraba killing and vandalizing a kutep man car as a reaction to killings by herdsmen in Mambilla, rather, these tribes have risen together, joined forces & stood as brothers to resist any & all attacks on their people.

The purpose of this piece is to call the attention of plateau elders to the implications of allowing such unfortunate incidents to persist & also to caution perpetrators of such acts to desist from it.
if left unchecked, these pattern of attacks are capable of sparking religious, ethnic & political crises in the state thereby truncating the relative peace we have enjoyed over the years.
I also want to believe that plateau are one people regardless of our religion, ethnic & political affiliation. We can't afford to be fighting on two fronts, while killer Fulani herdsmen are killing our people on one hand, we are killing each other on the other hand.

May God arise & let the enemies of Plateau be scattered.

LALONG:Moments Of Trial Should Unite Us And Not Divide Us As Plateau People.

The Plateau State Governor has pleaded with the good people of Plateau to see the security challenge as a time for unity rather than division, in a statement issued out by the commissioner for Information and communication, Hon. Yakubu  Dati, The Governor in a quest to restore the peace that has come under attacks with the recent killings and reprisal that engulfed the state echoed:

Gov Simon Lalong said those who perpetrated the criminal attack on some communities in the State are being arrested and will be prosecuted.

Gov Lalong urged citizens to use these moments of great trials as an opportunity to unite and support government efforts at restoration.

The Governor who took time to condole the bereaved over the attack also prayed for God's divine comfort.

Gov Lalong stated this at the Mid-Term Thanksgiving and Prayers for Plateau State organized by The Living Stone Assembly International at Miango road in Jos.

In a sermon titled "Be grateful to God" Rev Yakubu Pam, who took his reading from Psalm 18; 1 - 7 admonised christians not to give up because the hour of victory is near.

Rev Yakubu Pam who is the Chairman of CAN, Northern Nigeria, said that no weapon fashioned against God's annointed shall prosper adding that "Plateau State will rise again!"

Earlier in his address of welcome, the host, Bishop Jonas Katung said the present challenges is an opportunity to stand together as one.

Speaking at the service, Hon. David Ombugadu, a house of representative member from Nassarawa State commended Gov Lalong for his people oriented policies,as he prayed for the peace of Plateau.

The highlight of the service was a special prayer for the peace of Plateau.

COCIN CIRCULAR THREATENS TO VOTE OUT FG FOR INSENSITIVITY TO ONGOING KILLINGS OF CHRISTIANS IN PLATEAU

PRESS RELEASE BY CHURCH OF CHRIST IN NATIONS (COCIN) ON THE ON-GOING GENOCIDE IN BARKIN LADI AND RIYOM LGAs

It is with serious concern that we wish to draw the attention of the Government, the press and the world to the massive terror attacks on our members in Barkin Ladi and Riyom LGAs since Saturday 23rd June 2018 which claimed the lives of over 200 people from more than  eleven villages. As follows:
Gindin Akwati (Nekan), Gana-Ropp, Ruku, Nghar, Kaikayi, Kakuruk, Kuzen, Shonong, Zakerek, Rokok and others. Many more from feelers are still missing and possibly decomposing in the bushes, or in difficult humanitarian and/or medical situations.

These killings which have persisted and only increased in frequency and scale over the past eight years certainly amount to genocide.

We wish to clarify here that this is nothing but an attack on Christendom and a calculated effort to annihilate our members, for the purpose of creating a grazing field for local and foreign Fulani herdsmen.

The ultimate goal from all indications, especially given the silence and sympathy from the Government and Muslim leaders within and outside Nigeria which the marauding herdsmen have enjoyed in their conquest is therefore to forcefully dislodge and take over ancestral land from the indigenes and not clashes between farmers and the herdsmen as widely insinuated by both the Federal and State governments.

Suffice it to say that these attacks have occurred without any provocation by the locals. Instead, it is usually after the attacks that the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN) concocts and circulates one form of defense or the other, and the governments as well as the security agencies join them to justify their senseless and dastardly acts which are clearly forbidden by the Law.

This they do without taking conscious steps to investigate the authenticity of their claims and/or consider the fact that taking the laws into one’s hands, or using prohibited firearms is illegal.

The question in fact is, as much as we do not support any act of criminality by any of our members, does the killing or rustling of a cow justify such attacks on human lives without a thought as is being done in Plateau and other Central Nigerian States?

The claims by the MACBAN leadership in the North central region regarding the Plateau killings, which link them to a case of cattle rustling are therefore strongly condemnable and call for action, to arrest and investigate the leaders of the association if the government must prove its innocence on the allegations of planning to Islamize the country.

Right now, we are left to mourn the death of many of our members and sympathize with those whose homes and sources of livelihoods have been taken from them on account of missing cows that not only compare to the value of human lives but are not proven by a competent court of law to have been taken or killed by our people who are under attack.

What even agonizes us the most is that while the attackers who have killed hundreds in the name of retaliation are still out in the bushes having a field day terrorizing the defenseless civilians, young men who were protesting the killings in Jos are continuously being arrested by securities.

Again, the securities especially the STF who have failed in their responsibilities of protecting lives and properties have refused to allow our already traumatized members recover the corpses of their massacred relations for a mass burial, in order to shield the world from the realities of the sustained injustice in the state.

They have in fact, from reliable sources sworn to withhold any medical, humanitarian or security intervention until they silently bury the dead members without any media coverage.
This to us is totally unacceptable and a prove that we have been strategically alienated in our own country by the very government we voted into power, with the hope of enjoying the best of welfare and security as guaranteed by the constitution.

We therefore wish to state categorically that we have had enough of the government’s insensitivity and if nothing will be done to salvage the situation and restore hope amongst the already desperate populace, we will be left with no option than to believe that our government has abandoned us and therefore deserves no chance in future elections.

Signed:
Rev. Justin Ahmadu,
PRO/Protocol Officer,
For the President,
Church of Christ in Nations

FOREIGN MEDIA REPORTS OF PLATEAU KILLINGS

UNLIKE other needless deaths that had happened in Nigeria, the recent killing of more than 200 people in Plateau State by suspected herdsmen attracted extensive reportage globally. Given that several killings had taken place in the state, it is believed that the recurring nature of the incident informed the global attention it grabbed this time. The obvious failure of concerned authorities at putting an end to the trend, perhaps, added to its huge visibility on the world stage. Saturday Vanguard  presents how the CNN, BBC, Reuters, Aljazeera, Yahoo News, Fox News, New York Times, and Mail Online among others, reported the incident. Scores killed, homes burned in Plateau State attacks(CNN) At least 86 people have been killed in attacks in central Nigeria, Police said an incident that has the potential to exacerbate ethnic tensions in an increasingly volatile region. The violence, thought to be carried out by armed herdsmen, flared on Saturday in Jos, the capital city of Plateau State, police said. “Eighty six persons all together were killed, six people injured, fifty houses burnt,” said police spokesman Terna Tyopev. Violence between the nomadic Fulani herdsmen, who are mostly Muslims, and farmers, who are predominantly Christians, have rocked Nigeria’s Middle Belt since 2013 and are becoming more common. Amid fears of revenge attacks from affected local communities, Simon Lalong, the governor of Plateau, announced that authorities will enforce a curfew from 6 pm. to 6 am. in Jos. Lalong called the curfew “an immediate measure to protect the lives of citizens” in a statement on Twitter and said it will be in effect “until further notice.” He promised to follow up with longer-term measures to secure peace in the area. Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari posted a message on Twitter sending condolences to those affected and appealing for calm. “The grievous loss of lives and property arising from the killings in Plateau today is painful and regrettable,” he said. “We will not rest until all murderers and criminal elements and their sponsors are incapacitated and brought to justice,” Buhari said. Vice President Yemi Osibajo visited Plateau State on Monday to condole with families and communities affected by the attacks, his aide Laolu Akande said. Akande said Osibajo met with different parties affected by the conflict in the state to discuss an end to the spate of violence in the state. The Nigerian President’s ability to quell violence in the country is certain to be a defining issue in the upcoming 2019 presidential elections. Nigeria is already grappling with a decade-long Boko Haram insurgency, which has killed thousands of people and displaced millions internally. Buhari, who is ethnically Fulani, has been accused of not doing enough to stop the violence and widely criticized on social media for his perceived inaction. Nigeria’s Plateau State clashes leave 86 dead (BBC) At least 86 people have died in central Nigeria after violent clashes broke out between farmers and cattle herders, police in Plateau State said. Some reports said fighting began on Thursday when ethnic Berom farmers attacked Fulani herders, killing five of them. A retaliatory attack on Saturday led to more deaths. The area has a decades-long history of violence between ethnic groups competing for land. Earlier, dozens of people were killed in a similar round of violence between Fulani herders and local hunters in Mali. A curfew has now been imposed in three parts of Plateau state. State Police Commissioner, Undie Adie said a search of villages following the bloodshed revealed that 86 people had been killed, and six injured. He said 50 houses had been burned, as well as 15 motorbikes and two vehicles. The Plateau state government said the curfew would be in place between 18:00 and 06:00 local time (17:00 to 05:00 GMT) in the Riyom, Barikin Ladi and Jos South areas “to avert a breakdown of law and order” Nigeria’s Buhari urges calm after herdsmen kill 19 in central Plateau State (Reuters) Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari appealed for calm and an end to communal violence on Saturday after police said armed herdsmen killed 19 people in the central state of Plateau. Local police said Fulani herdsmen attacked Ancha village, in the Bassa local government area of Plateau state, in the early hours of Friday. They said it was thought to be a reprisal attack after a boy from the herding community was killed. Police provided details of the attack, in which five people were injured, late on Friday. Fighting between semi-nomadic cattle herders and more settled communities over land use claims hundreds of lives a year in Nigeria’s central and northern states. “I urge all our communities in the state and the other parts of the country to embrace peace and bring to a stop these painful and unnecessary killings,” said Buhari, in an emailed statement. He said communities and security agencies in Plateau had taken steps to “pull the state back from the brink of anarchy and senseless killings”, adding that it would be “a painful loss to allow these unsavoury acts to return”. The violence is another security challenge for Buhari in addition to the eight-year Boko Haram jihadist insurgency in the northeast and attempts to maintain a fragile ceasefire in the southern Niger Delta energy hub where militant attacks on oil facilities last year cut crude production by more than a third. Communal violence leaves 86 dead in Plateau State (Aljazeera) Eighty-six people have been killed in an attack by herdsmen on six villages in central Nigeria, local media reported. Another six people were wounded and 50 homes were destroyed in the attacks in the Gashish district of Plateau state, Channels Television reported citing local police on Monday. President Muhammadu Buhari had been briefed on the “deeply unfortunate killings,” according to a post on his Twitter page. “The grievous loss of lives and property arising from the killings in Plateau today is painful and regrettable,” a second post said. “My deepest condolences go to the affected communities. We will not rest until all murderers and criminal elements and their sponsors are incapacitated and brought to justice.” State Governor Simon Lalong said a curfew had been put in place from 6pm to 6 am local time (17:00 GMT to 05:00 GMT). He visited the villages involved and called for calm as the government investigated the attack. Tensions between the state’s primarily Christian farming community and the mainly Muslim herdsmen have often spilled over into violence in recent years. Drought in the country’s north has also driven the nomads and their cow herds further south in search of fresh grazing, further escalating conflicts. More than 200 people killed in weekend violence in central Nigeria (Yahoo News)  More than 200 people were killed last weekend in violence in central Nigeria’s Plateau state, the state governor said late on Tuesday. The latest death toll, up from the police’s previous figure of 86 killed, makes the violence one of the bloodiest incidents this year in a series of escalating communal clashes across much of Nigeria’s hinterland states. The attack “is very disturbing and alarming because it has left behind a painful loss of over 200 people,” Simon Lalong, governor of Plateau state, said at a press conference with Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari. The governor also noted the humanitarian challenge “confronting thousands of displaced persons, whose houses and crops have burnt and completely destroyed.” Attacks like that at the weekend are broadly attributed to a decades-old cycle of conflict between farmers and semi-nomadic herders that is partly due to competition for arable land. That has taken on ethnoreligious tones, with violence often attributed to herders from the Fulani ethnic group, most of whom are Muslim, and Christian farmers from other tribes. The violence in Nigeria’s diverse Middle Belt states has now killed more people this year than the Islamist insurgency in Nigeria’s northeast, according to Reuters calculations. Insecurity has become a major electoral problem for President Muhammadu Buhari, who plans to seek re-election in February and who won power on pledges to deliver peace and stability. 86 Killed in Nigeria as farmers, herders clash (New York Times) Scores of people died in central Nigeria during vicious weekend clashes between mostly Muslim herders and Christian farmers, with one report citing police saying 86 people were killed. By some accounts, the growing conflict over resources has become deadlier than Nigeria’s Boko Haram extremist insurgency. Nigeria’s president accused unnamed politicians in a statement Monday of taking advantage of the chaos ahead of next year’s elections, calling it “incredibly unfortunate.” Dramatic footage from Jos showed angry people waving machetes and sticks and shouting at passing security forces as they weaved around overturned and burning vehicles. Smoke rose in the distance. Women and children clutching overstuffed bags piled into the back of trucks, seeking a way out. President Muhammadu Buhari warned against reprisal attacks after the “deeply unfortunate killings across a number of communities” in central Plateau State as the military, police, and counterterror units were sent to end the bloodshed. Over 200 killed in weekend violence in central Nigeria (Mail Online) More than 200 people were killed in violence against farming communities last weekend in Plateau state, central Nigeria, according to a speech by the governor published on Wednesday. Simon Lalong said after a closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari in the state capital Jos on Tuesday night that the clashes had left “the painful loss of over 200 people”. The police, who blame suspected cattle herders, have said 86 people were killed. However, multiple local sources from the communities affected maintained more than 100 people died. The main association representing the largely nomadic herders has denied its community had any involvement in the killings. The violence is the latest bout in months of bloodletting in Nigeria’s so-called “Middle Belt”. The clashes are rooted in tensions over access to land between pastoral herders and sedentary farmers but have generated sectarian friction between Muslims and Christians. Lalong suggested “criminal elements” were exacerbating tensions, including “conflict merchants” involved in “cattle rustling, theft, banditry, gun running” and other crimes. Buhari came to power in 2015 on a promise to curb insecurity across the country, in particular, Boko Haram, whose Islamist insurgency has killed at least 20,000 since 2009. But a resurgence of violence in the long-running conflict between herders and farmers has put that under scrutiny as elections approach in February next year. Analysts predict the extent of the unrest could eclipse that of the jihadists in the northeast. Lalong said the latest attacks in Plateau were carried out with “sophisticated weapons” that were “reflective of a terrorist invasion”. “It (the bloodshed) therefore demands a justified response like that which was undertaken to address the Boko Haram insurgency,” he added. Lawmakers earlier this month threatened Buhari with impeachment because his security chiefs had repeatedly failed to protect lives and property. The 75-year-old leader on Tuesday said he would “continue to pressurise members of the law enforcement agencies directly under me by the constitution as the commander-in-chief”. He also said it wajs an “injustice” to imply he was doing nothing because he was from the same ethnic Fulani group. 

Source :Vanguard