Showing posts with label Jos. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jos. Show all posts

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Nigeria: 15 Killed in Plateau Attacks

Jos — Eight people have been confirmed dead in the last two days in separate attacks by gunmen in two villages of Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The killings is being liked to the killing of six cows and injuring of some others in the area last Sunday.

The gunmen reportedly struck at Dukum village on Monday killing six people while two others were killed around Tanjol village on Tuesday.

Media Officer of the Special Task Force (STF) in the state, Captain Salisu Mustapha confirmed the killings saying they are suspected to be reprisals arising from the killing of the cows.

He said four people have been arrested and were helping with investigations.

Meanwhile hostilities between some communities in Wase Local Government Area of the state has continued despite various peace initiatives by security agencies and the local government council.

Different communities continue to trade accusations of attacks from the other side. For example a group known as Ngwang Isihi Otarok in a statement n Wednesday alleged that Tsamiya village came under attack during which seven people were killed and houses razed.

The statement signed by its Secretary, Nanlir Napbut said the people stood up to the attackers and succeeded in repelling them after they had already done a lot of damage.

He said the situation was worsened by the arrival of military men who stormed the village after the attack opening fire indiscriminately leading to more deaths.

"These series of attacks on the Taroh Nation is nothing less than terrorism. We are calling on the international community to come to the aid of the Taroh man in Wase LGA", it said.

from allAfrica/Vanguard
By Taye Obateru, 17 April 2013

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Saturday, October 13, 2012

14 killed in Nigeria gunmen attacks: military

JOS, Nigeria, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- At least 14 people were killed in separate attacks by gunmen in Jos, capital of Plateau State, in central Nigeria, the military said Friday.

State spokesperson of the military Special Task Force (STF) Lt. Kingsley Egbo told reporters that the victims were attacked in rural communities in the restive state on Thursday.

"Among those murdered was a 75 year-old woman in Sara village of Riyom local government area. The old woman was killed along with her three children," said the military officer, adding a family of eight was also wiped out at a remote village in the same local government area.

According to Egbo, the military had opened an investigation that will lead to arrest of the gunmen who perpetrated the dastardly act.

He said some herdsmen were arrested in connection to the attacks, following a gun duel with the assailants.

"When we received reports of the attacks, we quickly swung into action and arrested some attackers. We also recovered some of their weapons while many others escaped with gunshot wounds. The suspects are currently being interrogated," he added.

Northern and central parts of Nigeria had recorded so many deaths, following series of attacks by the Islamic Boko Haram sect and herdsmen which seem to have become hard nuts to crack by government of the west African country.

At least 815 persons have been killed in various attacks carried out in the northern and central parts of the country this year, according to the Human Rights Watch (HRW) latest report released on Friday.

from XINHUA2012-10-12 22:53:35

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Monday, July 9, 2012

Death toll in Nigeria village massacre hits 90

JOS, Nigeria July 8 (Xinhua) -- At least 90 people had been killed during attacks on villages in Gashik District of Barkinladi Local government area of central north Nigeria's Plateau State by Sunday afternoon, security sources and Xinhua reporters on ground said.

In a brief text message to Xinhua, the security sources said 50 burnt bodies were uncovered in the early hours of Sunday in a COCIN church in Matsai village.

Xinhua's reporters in the restive city of Jos said 20 persons were killed Sunday afternoon at the mass burial site of victims on Saturday attack, including a serving Senator, Gyang Dantong, representing Plateau north and the majority leader of the State House of Assembly, Gyang Fulani.

Before he was killed on Sunday, the late Fulani told Xinhua on Saturday that at least 20 people were killed on Friday night in Barkinladi by yet to be identified gunmen, who invaded nine villages of the locality.

"Dantong, Fulani and other unidentified officials were all murdered today during a mass burial for scores of people killed by unknown gunmen," the security source said.

Dan Manjan, a legislative aide to the senator, who escaped the attack said scores of injured victims are still receiving treatment in hospitals across the state.

A Xinhua reporter said the Berom people leaving in Jos have taken over major roads in the state.

Plateau State is situated in Nigeria's middle belt where the Muslim-dominated north and the Christian-majority south meet. It has seen years of ethnic tensions and is a major potential flashpoint ahead of the April presidential elections.

The state capital Jos was plunged in a pool of blood on March 7, 2010, when members of local Muslim and Christian communities fought each other in revenge for previous killings.

The state has recently witnessed some bomb blasts and constant rifts between Berom and Fulani herdsmen, with many, especially women and children, murdered in cold blood in the state.

from XINHUA
2012-07-09 00:41:11

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Thursday, July 5, 2012

Nigeria: Four Injured As Bomb Explosion Rocks Kaduna-Zaria Expressway

Nigeria: Four Injured As Bomb Explosion Rocks Mararaban Jos, Along Kaduna-Zaria Expressway

At least four were injured when an improvised explosive device exploded in Mararabar Jos, along the Kaduna-Zaria expressway.
Though the assistant director, Army public relations of 1 Mechanised Division, Colonel Sani Usman, said only one person received injuries, residents said about four people were affected.
The explosion is coming just three days into the week-long Army Day celebration in army formations in Jaji and Kaduna.
When LEADERSHIP visited the place, men and officers of the Nigerian Army had cordoned off the area.
Malam Aminu, a resident, told LEADERSHIP that the substance was planted by unknown persons by the roadside.
He said, "As I am talking to you, about four people have been injured and have been taken to hospitals."
Col. Usman, who confirmed the incident, said: "An improvised explosive device (IED) exploded in the early afternoon at Walkatabu Road, at Mararaban Jos, along the Kaduna-Zaria express road."
He said there was no causality, but confirmed that one person was injured but receiving treatment in the hospital and recuperating.
He said soldiers had been drafted to the area and had cordoned off the area, while assuring residents of their safety and that of their property.
He, however, solicited the collaboration of the populace with useful information whenever persons or groups and their movements are suspected, or any information that will assist the security agents in checkmating the activities of terrorists.

from allAfrica

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Army confirms explosion along Kaduna-Zaria road

Kaduna -The Nigerian Army on Wednesday confirmed an explosion from an improvised explosive device along Kaduna-Zaria road.

The explosion which occurred between Dankande village and Marrarabar, Jos, was planted by unknown persons.
The army spokesman said that the device exploded around 5:30 p.m.
The Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 1 Division, Kaduna, Col. Sani Usman, who confirmed the incident, said only one person sustained injury.
He said that the army had already deployed experts to ascertain the situation.
Usman appealed to residents of the area not to panic as security agents were on top of the situation.
He also called on the residents to assist security personnel with useful information and to be vigilant and report strange movements. (NAN)

from vanguardngr

On July 5, 2012 · In News 5:55 am

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Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Nigeria: Gunmen Kill 27, Injure Eight in Zamfara

Zamfara State Nigeria
Zamfara State Nigeria (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Gusau — No fewer than 27 people, including a policeman, were, yesterday, feared dead while eight others were injured during a reprisal attack by gunmen who had unleashed mayhem in Dangulbi town, a district of Dansadau Emirate in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Vanguard gathered that the reprisal attack on the area followed the killing of some gunmen by both the vigilante and Police in Dansadau axis of the state.

The suspected gunmen reportedly sneaked into the town, posing as traders on the market day in Dangulbi. But they stayed back after the market had closed.

from Vanguard
By Saminu Ibrahim
On June 12, 2012 · In News 12:50 am

Eyewitness account

An eyewitness said the killing started at 1am, yesterday, when the villages were fast asleep with sporadic gunshots renting the air. The gunmen allegedly went from house to house killing the occupants of the buildings in cold blood.

The district head of Dangulbi, Alhaji Shehu Umar was among the people who narrowly escaped death.

The assailants, whose number could not be ascertained, reportedly came on motorcycles and left about 18 dead bodies after the operation. Nine others were killed along their route, while they were fleeing the town.

The gunmen were also said to have abandoned some of the motorcycles with which they came to Dangulbi.

Survivor’s story

A resident, Alhaji Lawali Dangulbi, who spoke to Vanguard at the Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Gusau, said the gunmen killed 18 persons in Dangulbi; adding that others were killed along the routes leading to the towns like Biya, Guru and Sabon Kasuwa villages.

He said eight people, who sustained various degrees of injuries, were on admission at the FMC. He said the gunmen first attacked the police, killed one and injured others, which led to the police fleeing the area before they started killing people in their houses.

Dangulbi said: “They are not armed robbers because nobody has reported that they took away his belongings.”

Zamfara State Deputy Governor, Mallam Ibrahim Wakala, visited Dangulbi town, about 100 kilometres away from the state capital, where the bodies of those killed were buried yesterday.

Police react

State Police Command Spokesman, ASP Sanusi Amiru, confirmed the incident, saying the Police Commissioner, Akila Gwary was on an assessment visit to the areas where the killings reportedly took place.

Dansadau axis of the state had been witnessing killings by unknown gunmen, with about 160 people, including five policemen, reportedly losing their lives in Lingyado, Dansadau, and Tungar Baushe since crises erupted in the area in 2011.

… as youths kill 5 in Plateau reprisal attack

Five persons were killed, yesterday, in Jos, Plateau State, by irate youths protesting the suicide bombing attack that killed several people at Lord’s Chosen Assembly Church in Jos, Sunday morning.

Meanwhile, Jama’atu Alus Sunna Lidaawati Wal Jihad, popularly known as Boko Haram, has claimed responsibility for the suicide attacks in Jos, and another attack targeted at EYN Church in Tabra- Biu, Borno State.

The sect said it did it to prove that Nigerian security agencies cannot stop its attacks and operations in the North.

Spokesperson of Special Task Force, STF, Captain Markus Mdahyelya, who confirmed the killing of five persons in Jos by angry youths, said those killed were primarily commercial bike riders. He warned residents of Jos to stop taking laws into their hands.

He said: “The general public is warned not to take the laws into their hands as any act of crime would not be tolerated by the security agencies.”

About six persons have been arrested, yesterday, in connection with the killings, according to the police.

A suicide bomber drove a car rigged with explosives into the Church in a saloon car with number plate BSA 36 AA. The car exploded before it could reach its intended target killing the bomber and four others. The church building was destroyed.
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Sunday, June 10, 2012

Nigeria: Gunmen and suicide bomber attack churches on Sunday

Gunmen in Nigeria have attacked two churches during Sunday services, killing and wounding a number of worshippers.

Five gunmen opened fire in Biu in Borno state, killing one woman and injuring three other people.

In the central city of Jos, a suicide bomber blew himself up outside a church, causing a number of casualties.

No-one has admitted the latest attacks, but radical Islamic sect Boko Haram has targeted churches before.

One witness at the church in Biu said that "gunmen came to the premises of the church and started firing at people outside the church before going into the main building to carry on their killings", Reuters news agency reported.

"Many people have been killed and wounded," witness Hamidu Wakawa was quoted as saying.

Moments after the suicide bombing in Jos, Christian youths set up roadblocks and had to be dispersed by police, according to one witness.

"Angry youths have gone wild, even attempting to prevent the security personnel from getting to the scene of the incident. They had to force their way out by shooting in the air to disperse them," Emmanuel Davou was quotyed by Reuters as saying.

The explosion killed two worshippers and the suicide bomber, while wounding more than 40 others, a police officer was quoted by the Associated Press as saying.

Boko Haram has carried out numerous attacks in northern Nigeria, killing hundreds of people since 2009.

The group - whose name means "No to Western education" - wants to impose Sharia law across Nigeria.

It has targeted churches, schools, police stations, and other government buildings.

The group has said it was behind the suicide bombing of a church last weekend which left at least 12 people dead in Bauchi City.

from BBC

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Monday, April 9, 2012

Another Bomb blast rocks central Nigerian city of Jos

Jos There was an explosion Sunday night in Tudun Wada area of Jos, injuring a seven year old girl and others. But no life was lost.

It was learnt that the blast occurred at about 8pm near a shop and was believed to have been planted near a motorcycle parked close to the shop.

A 505 Station wagon car was destroyed by the explosion alongside the motorcycle.

Media Officer of the Special Task Force, Capt. Mdahyelya Markus confirmed the incident. He said the  girl sustained minor injuries and was taken to the Plateau State Specialist Hospital.

NEMA spokesman, Yishau Shuaib also confirmed the blast.

Police spokesman in the Plateau capital, ASP Samuel Dabai, who confirmed the incident,said  that a suspect, riding on a motorcycle threw the explosive device and escaped.

He said the injured had been taken to the Plateau Specislist Hospital. Dabai said no arrest had been made, adding that investigation had gone underway to identify those behind the incident.

The Govenor’s Lodge and office, the police command’s headquarters and the seat of the military Special Task Force deployed to maintain law and order in the state are situated in the area under attack.

Only last Thursday, the Commissioner of Police in Plateau, Emmanuel Ayeni, announced a ban on the operations of motorcycles in the state from 7 p.m. on that day to 6 a.m. on Tuesday.

Making the announcement at a parley with representatives of security agencies and leaders of religious groups, Ayeni said the measure was part of efforts to ensure hitch-free Easter celebrations.

Sunday’s explosion paralysed social and night life in the Plateau capital as revellers scampered to safety. Most drink joints were instantly put under lock by their operators. (NAN)

from vanguardngr
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Monday, March 12, 2012

Death toll rises to 11 after suicide attack hits church in Nigeria

JOS, Nigeria, March 11 (Xinhua) -- At least 11 people have been confirmed dead after a suicide bomb blast rocked a church in central north Plateau State, sources said on Sunday.

State police spokesperson Samuel Dabia and the Medical Director, Plateau Specialist Hospital Matawwal Bitrus, confirmed this to Xinhua on phone from Jos, the state capital, adding that 22 other people were injured.

The deaths included the two suicide bombers and two motorcyclists who were mobbed at the scene.

The Red Cross said it had taken 22 people injured in the blast to various hospitals in Jos metropolis.

Suicide bombers on Sunday attacked St. Finbar's Catholic Church in Jos by ramming a vehicle into the fence of the Church.

The Church Parish Priest, Rev Fr. Peter Umorem said the attack happened 10 minutes into the 10:00 a.m, local time. "I was at the altar when I heard a loud explosion. Suddenly things were falling all over, and there was pandemonium in the Church," he said.

"Some members grabbed me and rescued me to a safe place. I later learned that it was a suicide attack and that the bomber tried to enter through the gate but was prevented," he added.

There is no immediate claim of responsibility from any group. National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has cordoned the scene where the explosion occurred.

A military spokesperson Capt. Markus Mdahyelya said they are responding to emergency issues.

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan condemned the suicide bombing, saying the government would continue to progressively destroy terrorists' ability to unleash murderous attacks on peaceful and law-abiding Nigerians.

The Nigerian leader also conveyed his sympathies and condolences to the victims of the odious acts in a statement reaching Xinhua in Abuja.

The president urged Nigerians and friends of the country to keep faith with the government, assuring them that the Federal Government is doing everything possible to end the spate of mindless attacks and killings in parts of the country.

Churches have been repeatedly targeted in Nigeria since late last year, occasionally triggering flare between the Christians who mostly live in the south and the Muslims in the north. The militant Boko Haram sect responsible for the bombings in northern Nigeria burnt down some local assembly churches, a police station and a local government secretariat in an overnight raid early in the month in the west African country's northeastern state of Borno.

In July, Boko Haram gave a three-day ultimatum to Christians to leave the Muslim-dominated north, threatening further bloodshed if otherwise.
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Sunday, February 26, 2012

Suicide bomber attacks Nigeria church

At least three worshippers killed and 10 others wounded in Jos in the latest attack on a Christian target.

A suicide car bomber has killed at least three people in an attack on a major church in central Nigeria, church officials say.

The bomber hit the main headquarters of the Church of Christ in the central city of Jos, the capital of Plateau state, on Sunday after driving a car laden with explosives into the church, the officials said.
The bomber is believed to have died in the attack.
"We were in the church during the time of worship and a suicide bomber forced himself into through the gate, into the church and the bomb exploded," John Haruna, the reverend of the Church of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN), told the AFP news agency.
Another church member, who is also an activist with the Christian human rights organisation Stefanos Foundation, gave a similar account.

"It was suicide bomber, he drove his car into the church, approaching the pulpit and it exploded. Three members of the church died and 10 are injured," Mark Lipdo said.
He said pieces of human flesh littered the church premises.

Earlier, Pam Ayuba, spokesman for Plateau state, said the attack happened during the church's early service, which was packed with worshippers. He did not give details about the number of people injured.

Flashpoint city

Military and police officials could not be immediately reached for comment.
Jos has experienced hundreds of deaths in ethnic and religious violence in recent years. It also has been targeted by a radical Islamist group known as Boko Haram.

Sunday's attack came days after at least 19 people were killed after suspected Boko Haram attackers carried out several attacks in the cities of Gombe and Kano, authorities say.

Orubebe Ghandi Ebikeme, the local police commissioner in Gombe, said that the police headquarters in the provincial capital had been targeted in the attack late on Friday evening.
No group claimed responsibility for Sunday's attack, but previous blasts have been blamed on Boko Haram.
The group is waging an increasingly violent campaign against Nigeria's weak central government in its quest to enact Islamic law, free its detained members and avenge Muslim deaths in the nation.
Boko Haram opposes Western education and lifestyle in Africa's most populous nation, which is divided between the predominantly Muslim north and the mainly Christian south.

from Al-Jazeera
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