It was learnt that the gunmen took away Derwan, the district head of Panyam, after scaring residents with gunshots in the early hours of Monday.

A resident of Panyam community, Moses Garuba, confirmed the abduction of the monarch on Monday.

Garuba said, “It was last night around midnight that the bandits, who were more than 20 and heavily armed, surrounded the district head’s palace in Panyam.

Because his house was not fenced, some villagers who saw how his house was surrounded by strange people alerted other members of the community through a community bell. But immediately the bandits heard the bell, they started firing gunshots and eventually went away with the traditional ruler, leaving the community helpless.”

Some residents, who condemned the attack said that the incident had been reported to the police division in the locality

The spokesman for state police Command, Alabo Alfred, could not be reached when contacted on the incident as his mobile phones were switched off

The kidnap of the district head is the latest in a series of abductions targeted at traditional rulers and the clergymen in the state.

On Sunday, last week, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in the Jos East Local Government Area of the state, Reverend James Kantoma, and a traditional ruler in the state, Ugoh Ababs, were kidnapped by gunmen.

While Kantoma, who is also the Catholic priest in charge of St. Anthony’s parish in the Jos East LGA, was kidnapped at his church compound in Angware community, the traditional ruler was abducted when the gunmen attacked his palace in Amo district, Bassa Local Government Area of the state.

The two personalities were, however, released a few days later, after a ransom was allegedly paid to the abductors.

The group lamented that more than three years after the Federal Government stated its desire to release the sum of N10bnn to victims of crises to enable them to bounce back, the promise had remained unfulfilled.

Noting that the development had worsened the conditions of the people in the affected communities, the group demanded the immediate release of the fund.

The letter signed by the group President, Solomon Mwantiri, and Secretary General, Nature Adazaram, which was copied to the Inspector-General of Police and eight others, was made available to The PUNCH in Jos on Sunday.

It read in part, “Your Excellency, you may wish to recall that following attacks on villages in the Barkin Ladi and Riyom local government areas of Plateau State on June 23 and 24, 2018, you visited the state to commiserate with the state government and, indeed, the survivors of the massacre that resulted in the loss of over 200 lives, destruction of property worth millions of naira as well as the displacements of over 17,000 people.While on that visit, Sir, you were briefed by the state governor and also had a direct engagement with leaders of the affected communitiesIn your assessment and response to the situation, you did not only condemn the killings and destruction, but also promised that justice would be meted out to those responsible for their horrible and heinous crimes. Furthermore, you assured community leaders that the N10bn approved by the Federal Government for the welfare and rehabilitation of the affected families and survivors would be released through the state government in order to bring relief and succour to the people.In addition, the stationing of a permanent mobile police squadron as well as the increased deployment of security agents to the general area were some of the security measures you directed.Unfortunately Sir, since June 2018 when you visited the state till now, the affected communities and villages have yet to receive or experience any of the actions you promised either directly from the Federal Government or through any agency of the state. Rather, the affected communities have been relegated to further acts of criminality, while their living conditions continue to worsen.”

Dakat, a Paramount ruler in Gindiri LGA, was abducted by gunmen who attacked his palace last Sunday around 1am.

He was, however, released in the early hours of Friday.

Confirming the arrest of the eight suspects in a statement on Friday shortly after the monarch regained his freedom, the Military Information Officer of Operation Safe Haven said, “While the Paramount ruler of Gindiri in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, Chief Charles Mato, has been with his abductors, the commander Operation SAFE HAVEN, Major General Ibrahim Ali, placed the troops deployed at Gyanbus on red alert and the hot trail of the perpetrators.Consequently, Eight suspects were arrested in connection with the kidnap incidence and are being interrogated. Following this development, the paramount ruler, early this morning of Friday 31 December 2021, was released by his abductors.”

The statement added that “Operations SAFE HAVEN is still very much on the ground to ensure all those involved in the kidnap of the traditional ruler are arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law.”

Several houses belonging to the natives were also set ablaze by the gunmen while several others sustained injuries during the attack which occurred in the early hours of Friday.

A spokesman for the Miango Youth Development Association, Nuhu Bitrus, confirmed the attack. He added that so far, 10 persons who were shot dead by the gunmen had been evacuated to the mortuary.

Bitrus said, “Last night was really another black day for the Rigwe nation as militia attacked Te’egbe village, killed so many people, and injured many others. They also set their houses on fire. Right now, we have just counted the bodies of ten persons who were shot dead by the attackers. They are being taken to the mortuary. We also discovered three persons who sustained gunshot injuries. Our people are still searching for more victims because the damage done to the community is too much. We will let you know when we are done with the search and rescue operation.”

He said Plateau State remained a very suitable business and investment hub because the government had vigorously addressed some of the major security challenges in the state by tackling their root causes.

Lalong spoke at a panel discussion on “Securing our Future: An Urgency for Now” which was held at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja, a statement by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Macham Makut said on Tuesday.

According to the statement, “Lalong said most of the negative narratives about insecurity is exaggerated and also instigated by people from outside the state in collaboration with those within the state who want to make economic or political gains through violence. He said the state has addressed major issues that border on religion, injustice and ethnicity which are usually the triggers or faultlines exploited during any misunderstanding by groups or individuals. This he said has been done through dialogue, consultation and collaboration where threats to security are addressed before they reach violent dimensions. In addition, Governor Lalong said the state has faced headlong acts of criminality through support to security agencies with equipment and other logistics for better response to security demands. He said Operation Rainbow has also stepped in to work with vigilante and other community watch groups to deal with the situation which has greatly improved. He also advocated for a review of the revenue sharing formula and state police which must accommodate adequate funding, checks and balances and a very strong mechanism against abuse. This he said will enable the states to properly respond to security challenges as and when due. The Governor cited the recently organised local government elections conducted peacefully in Plateau State as an example of the dividends of peace and security which is being consolidated upon. Lalong advised other states to replicate the Peace Building Agency which has proven to be very useful in addressing conflicts because it is backed by law.”

This came on the heels of the earlier dusk-to-dawn curfew imposed on three local government areas— Bassa, Jos South and Jos North.

The development came as the result of ongoing security threats and tension being witnessed by residents in some parts of the state.

The state government said it was concerned about “the persisting tensions and reported attempts by some persons to take the laws into their hands by threatening to attack individuals and private facilities, as well as public property.”

The Governor’s Director of Press and Public Affairs, Makut Macham in a statement issued on Sunday morning, said: “Hours after announcing dusk-to-dawn curfew in three local government areas of Jos North, Jos South and Bassa, Governor Simon Lalong has directed the imposition of a 24-hour curfew in Jos North to contain further security threats. In the directive, the Governor said “from 2pm of today, Sunday, August 15, a 24-hour curfew will come into effect in Jos North Local Government Area. This is necessitated by security reports which indicate rising threats to the safety of lives and properties within the Local Government. The Governor, therefore, urges citizens to abide by the curfew and remain indoors to allow security agencies maintain law and order and deal with those bent on causing chaos.”

The curfew remains in force until further notice.

However, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN, OPSH, on Sunday morning, rescued seven more victims of the recent attack on commuters in Jos.

Major Ishaku Takwa, the military Information Officer noted, “The victims have been taken to a safe place for medical attention and care. The troops are still on search operation to find the remaining missing victims.”

It was gathered that Agwon, the proprietor of G-Medicals, was abducted in Faraka area of the council by the kidnappers who stormed his residence at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, May 4.

A source told Nigerian Tribune “The proprietor who is also a Community Health Officer was in his house when the kidnappers forced themselves in and kidnapped him at a gunpoint, maltreating other members of the family before they finally whisked him away to an unknown destination. Kidnapping is becoming a daily occurrence in this part of the state capital. We had complained severely to the government and security agencies without any positive response. Up to the time I am talking to you, the kidnappers have not contacted the family to know the whereabouts of the man.”

The kidnappers also invaded a nearby community of Eto-Baba and abducted a nursing mother, leaving her baby behind.

According to a member of the family, Gyang Ibrahim, the gunmen invaded the house at about 8:45 pm, threatening to kill anyone who attempts to disrupt the operation adding that the woman was forced into a waiting vehicle, while the baby was left crying.

He added that before those in the house could raise alarm, the gunmen had zoomed off.

Meanwhile, some of Ms Daniel’s friends claimed that she has been released after ransom payment. However, the police are yet to confirm the development.

NCDC Director-General, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu revealed this on Monday during a television interview in Abuja.

He mentioned that Lagos, Kano, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Plateau and Borno are the states where positive cases are dropping.

He explained that the reason for the reduction in the positivity rate in those states was the result of consistently testing high numbers of persons.

But, the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 has urged Nigerians not to rejoice too early, as the fewer positive cases of the past few days does not give an accurate picture of the country’s infection transmission status.

It also disclosed that as sample collection and testing is ramped up in more rural areas and small towns, there is likely going to be an increase in the number of positive cases coming from such areas.

Ihekweazu said: “It is only through testing the numbers of people that may have the infection, that we can actually understand how widespread that infection is.

“The state that gives us the biggest indicator of where we are is the data out of Lagos State. Lagos has consistently made the effort to test as many people as possible. They have been responsible for 50 per cent of the cases initially, which is now down to about 30 per cent in the country.

According to Mailafiya’s lawyer, Barrister Bawa  Ba Esq, the Former DG is expected to be at the DSS office Jos, Plateau state capital, by 12 noon on Monday, August 17, 2020.

The invitation “was a buildup to the previous one, it is a process with security agents. It is normal for further discussion,” Barrister Bawa told The Nation.

On reason for fresh invitation, Bawa believed it wouldn’t be anything different from the last encounter, which he said was purely interactive.

InsideOjodu recalls that the DSS office Jos had on Wednesday, August 12 invited Mailafiya based on an interview he granted an Abuja- based Radio FM where he alleged a Northern Governor was Commander of Boko Haram insurgents.

Mailafiya, upon honoring this invitation spent six hours at the DSS premises before he was released unconditionally.

Meanwhile, the former DG was not within reach at the time of filing this report.

Commissioner for Information in Plateau, Dan Manjang revealed that the Chinese citizens who flew into Abuja on Wednesday February 26, travelled down to Jos, the Plateau State capital on Thursday February 27.

Manjang said the Chinese nationals are still being clinically examined by a medical expert deployed by the State Ministry of Health.

He said “The situation right now is that they have been isolated. The three of them came in through Abuja and once we heard that, the Commissioner for Health had to take a proactive measure to send a medical team to Wase to go and investigate. The problem that we have is that there is a tendency for people to think that investigation or quarantine, as the case may be, means that there is an outbreak of the virus. As far as Plateau case is concerned, there has been no known case of this virus on the Plateau; we just took proactive measures to make sure that we place them (the Chinese nationals) under investigation and that will take 14 days.”