JTF dismisses clergyman’s video on ‘Fulani mobilisation’ in Plateau

 

 

 

 

The Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace has dismissed as “propaganda” a viral video in which a clergyman, identified as Rev. Dachomo, alleged a mass mobilisation of Fulani fighters through Nyerwai village in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, Plateau State, and accused security forces of collusion.

 

PUNCH Online reports that in the video making rounds, a clergyman claimed a herder was killed and 36 cows were rustled, while another 49 animals were allegedly stolen in the area.

 

He also accused the Nigerian Armed Forces of complicity and accused Christians in positions of authority in the LG of betrayal.

 

But in a statement issued on Tuesday by its Media Information Officer, Major Samson Nantip Zhakom, JTF OPEP said the video was designed to inflame public sentiment and erode confidence in security agencies.

 

The statement read, “A viral online video has surfaced in which one Reverend (Rev) Dachomo makes alarming claims about potential Fulani terrorist attacks in the Dorowa area of Barkin Ladi LGA, Plateau State.

 

“He alleges an insider source revealed a mass mobilisation through Nyerwai and asserts that recent deaths in the community were linked. Furthermore, he claims that a visit to the headquarters yielded no confirmation of these reports and that troops had been withdrawn, leaving the community vulnerable.

 

“The Reverend’s accusations extend to claims of a Fulani leader influencing security forces to shield Fulani suspects from arrest. He also criticises Christian authorities for alleged inaction, suggesting a link to ISWAP. Dachomo’s statements culminate in a call to arms for local youths to defend themselves and a plea for prayer, painting a dire picture of the security situation in the region.”

 

In the video, the task force said the reverend’s “alleging mobilisation of Fulani terrorists through Nyerwai in Barkin Ladi LGA and accusing security agencies of collusion is a clear case of propaganda intended to inflame public sentiment and erode confidence in security agencies.

“The video emerged in the wake of heightened tension following the killing of a herder and 36 cows as well as the rustling of 49 others in the area, creating a volatile environment easily exploited by misinformation and invoking the name of the Fulani leader, referring to a court judgment in Adamawa State and accusing Christians in positions of authority of betrayal, the speaker deliberately employed emotionally charged and divisive narratives to whip up ethno-religious sentiments and curry favour from the local populace.”

 

The statement described the claims as baseless and warned the propagator to desist or face the full wrath of the law.

 

“Rev Dachomo’s accusation is baseless and aimed at causing unnecessary tension. The JTF OPEP condemns the misleading narratives and hereby warns the propagator to desist from causing panic and discord among the peace-loving people of the state, to abstain from such acts or face the full wrath of the law,” JTF OPEP noted.

 

Major Zhakom reiterated the task force’s commitment to protecting civilians and prosecuting those who spread misinformation that could jeopardise public safety.

 

“Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE deployed within Sector 4 Areas of Responsibility (AOR) will continue to upscale their operational activities around Nyerwai and Dorowa to reassure residents of their safety.

 

“Also, the command of JTF OPEP condemns the incitement and remains fully committed to its mandate to restore peace and order in the Joint Operations Area (JOA).

“We call on all stakeholders – traditional leaders, religious leaders and civil society to avoid inflammatory rhetoric statements, instead rally around our common goal of a peaceful, united, and secure Plateau,” the statement concluded

117 northern students depart for Algeria on medicine, engineering scholarship

 

 

 

No fewer than 117 beneficiaries from northern Nigeria have departed for Algeria to pursue various academic programmes under a fully funded study scholarship facilitated by the Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi Foundation.

 

Speaking during a send-forth and orientation ceremony organised for the beneficiaries in Bauchi, the Chairman of the Foundation, Sayyadi Aliyu, explained that the scholarship was secured through the Darika Tijjaniyya Islamic Sect in collaboration with the Algerian Government.

 

According to him, “We were able to secure 140 slots, but only 117 met the complete requirements. The remaining ones will join them later.”

 

Aliyu noted that Bauchi State, being the host of the foundation, produced the highest number of beneficiaries, while others were drawn from Gombe, Taraba, Yobe, and other northern states.

 

He disclosed that 50 of the slots were allocated for Medicine, while the remaining were distributed among other disciplines such as Computer Science, Engineering, and Islamic Studies.

 

The chairman added that the scholarship covers feeding, accommodation, healthcare, and other essential needs, urging the students to remain law-abiding and disciplined throughout their studies.

 

“You must be good ambassadors of Nigeria and of those who facilitated this opportunity.”

“You have already been introduced to Arabic and French to help you settle in quickly. Islam is a religion of knowledge, and whoever neglects to seek it is going against its teachings, ”Aliyu charged.

 

He cautioned the students against distractions, urging them to remain united and focused on their purpose of acquiring knowledge for the benefit of Islam and humanity.

 

In his remarks, the Emir of Bauchi, Dr Rilwanu Sulaimanu Adamu, advised the beneficiaries to uphold Nigeria’s image abroad and avoid any act capable of tarnishing the country’s reputation.

 

Expressing concern over negative reports involving Nigerians abroad, the Emir said:

 

“The Nigerian flag has in many instances been blackened abroad, contrary to its true green-white-green identity. Green, as we know, is the colour associated with the house of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).

 

“You must uphold this symbol with dignity and commit yourselves to the pursuit of knowledge.”

Air France to extend suspension of Madagascar flights

 

 

Air France said Tuesday it would extend the suspension of its flights to Madagascar at least until Friday because of unrest in the African country.

 

“The resumption of operations will remain subject to a daily assessment of the situation on the ground,” the French national airline told AFP, as Malagasy President Andry Rajoelina ruled out resigning in the face of protests that have shaken the country.

 

Air France initially suspended flights over the weekend for two days.

Air Austral, another French airline that serves Madagascar from its base in the Indian Ocean island of La Reunion, told AFP that it was maintaining services while watching the situation.

 

Rajoelina on Tuesday dissolved the national assembly, pre-empting a planned opposition-led vote to force him out of office over the island nation’s spiralling political crisis.

NiMet predicts three-day sunshine, cloudiness from Monday

 

 

 

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency has predicted sunshine and cloudiness from Monday to Wednesday across the nation.

 

NiMet`s weather outlook released in Abuja envisaged sunny skies on Monday with patches of clouds over the northern region.

 

It anticipated prospects of isolated thunderstorms with light rains over parts of Taraba and southern Kebbi states during the morning hours.

 

“Later in the day, isolated thunderstorms with moderate rains are expected over parts of Taraba, Adamawa, Kaduna, Borno, Bauchi, Gombe, Kebbi and southern Sokoto states.

 

“For central region, cloudy skies with spells of sunshine are expected with prospects of morning thunderstorms with moderate rains over parts of Niger, Benue, Plateau and Kogi states.

 

“Later in the day, isolated thunderstorms with moderate rains are anticipated over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Kogi, Kwara and Nasarawa states,“ it said.

 

According to NiMet, a cloudy atmosphere is anticipated over the southern region with prospects of morning thunderstorms and light rains over parts of Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti, Imo, Ebonyi and Abia states.

 

It forecast isolated thunderstorms with moderate rains over most parts of the region later in the day.

 

NiMet predicted sunny skies on Tuesday with patches of clouds over the northern region during the morning period.

 

It envisaged isolated thunderstorms with moderate rains over parts of Kaduna, Taraba, Bauchi, Southern Kano, Southern Jigawa and Adamawa states later in the day.

 

The agency anticipated sunny skies with patches of clouds over the central region.

 

NiMet forecast morning thunderstorms with light rains over parts of Nasarawa, Kwara, Kogi, the Federal Capital Territory, Niger and Benue states.

 

According to it, isolated thunderstorms with moderate rains are anticipated over part of Nasarawa, the Federal Capital Territory, Niger and Kogi States later in the day.

“For southern region, cloudy atmosphere is anticipated over the southern region with prospects of morning rains over parts of Ogun, Ondo, Ebonyi, Lagos, Cross River, Rivers, Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom states during the morning hours.

“Later during the day, isolated thunderstorms with moderate rains are anticipated over parts of Imo, Ebonyi, Abia, Oyo, Ekiti, Osun, Cross River, Rivers and Akwa Ibom states,“ it said.

 

NiMet predicted sunny skies on Wednesday with patches of clouds over the northern region and thunderstorms with light rain over parts of Taraba State during the morning hours.

 

The agency envisaged isolated thunderstorms with Light rains over parts of Kaduna, Adamawa and Taraba States later in the day.

 

According to the forecast, a cloudy atmosphere with intervals of sunshine is anticipated over the central region with chances of thunderstorms and light rains over parts of Niger, Kwara and Benue States during the morning period.

 

The agency predicted isolated thunderstorms with moderate rains over parts of Kogi, Benue, Niger, Nasarawa and the FCT later in the day.

 

“Cloudy atmosphere is anticipated over the southern region with prospects of thunderstorms with light rains over parts of Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Bayelsa during the morning hours.

 

“Later in the day, thunderstorms with moderate rains are anticipated over most places in the region,“ it said.

 

NiMet urged the public to drive under the rain with caution, ensure that loose objects are fastened to avoid collision and disconnect electrical appliances from electrical sockets.

 

It further urged the public to stay away from tall trees to avoid impact from falling branches and broken trees.

 

“Farmers should avoid leaching of nutrients by refraining from applying fertiliser and pesticides right before the rains.

 

“Airline operators are advised to get airport-specific weather reports (flight documentation) from NiMet for effective planning in their operations,” the statement added.

Customs recorded N6.6bn revenue in one month – NOA

 

 

The Director-General of the National Orientation Agency, Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, says the Nigeria Customs Service recorded over six billion Naira in September.

 

Issa-Onilu made this known at the Monthly National Joint Security Press Briefing on Monday in Abuja.

 

The briefing organised by NOA is supported by the security agencies, paramilitary, and regulatory organisations in the country.

 

He noted that September was marked by strategic engagements, operational milestones, and collaborative initiatives that reaffirmed the Service’s central role in advancing Nigeria’s economic transformation agenda.

”The Service continued its steady march toward reform, innovation, and stakeholder trust, as each activity during the period reflected its enduring commitment to transparency, efficiency, and institutional renewal under the visionary leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr Bashir Adeniyi.

 

“In the month of September, the NCS recorded a total revenue collection of ₦658,605,400,392. This figure demonstrates the Service’s sustained fiscal performance amid ongoing reforms and heightened enforcement efforts.

 

“It reflects the cumulative contributions of various commands and operations aligning with the broader strategy to strengthen revenue mobilisation and minimise leakages across the system,” Issa-Onilu said.

 

The NOA boss also noted that, within the period under review, a high-level strategic engagement between the NCS and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria was held.

 

He explained that the engagement provided a platform to strengthen trade relations, promote policy harmony, and chart a sustainable course for industrial growth.

 

Issa-Onilu added that it reinforced the service reform agenda, anchored on collaboration, inclusiveness, and shared responsibility for economic development.

 

“The engagement also reflected the service recognition of the manufacturing sector as a key partner in national productivity and a driver of Nigeria’s non-oil revenue diversification efforts.

 

“On the operational front, the Service took another major step toward enhancing trade efficiency through the introduction of a One-Stop-Shop platform, an innovation designed to minimise cargo clearance time, reduce procedural bottlenecks, and ensure seamless coordination among stakeholders within the trade ecosystem.

“In enforcement and border security, officers of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’ recorded a major success through the interception of firearms, industrial drones, and other prohibited items within the Southwest Region.

 

“This operation exemplifies the service’s vigilance, operational intelligence, and unwavering resolve to safeguard national borders against illicit trade and transnational threats.

“The interception further reinforces the service’s dual mandate of trade facilitation and security enforcement, ensuring that legitimate trade thrives while threats to national safety are neutralised,” Issa-Onilu said.

 

He stressed that the Service demonstrated its continued commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) by supporting sister agencies and contributing to community development initiatives across various formations.

 

According to him, these efforts reflect the service’s understanding that security and trade are strengthened when institutions collaborate and communities are empowered.

 

He added that commendation on the service by the Board of Trustees of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) served as an external validation of ongoing efforts to build an institution anchored on professionalism, accountability, and mutual trust.

 

“The feat recorded in September stands as evidence that the Service is not merely evolving; it is setting new standards in institutional excellence, reform communication, and national service delivery,” he further said.

 

Last month, the service announced that between January and June 2025, it collected a total of N3.6 trillion as revenue. https://punchng.com/customs-revenue-hits-n3-6tn-in-six-months/#google_vignette

 

The National Public Relations Officer of the service, Abdullahi Maiwada, explained that the figure represents a remarkable performance above expectations.

 

In June, PUNCH Online reported that the Senate Committee on Customs raised the Nigeria Customs Service’s 2025 revenue target from N6.584tn to N10tn, following a commendable performance in surpassing its 2024 revenue expectations.

 

(NAN)

Fans mark third anniversary of BBNaija Rico’s tragic death

 

 

Three years after the tragic passing of Big Brother Naija star and singer, Patrick Fakoya, popularly known as Rico Swavey, his management and fans have paid emotional tributes to his memory.

 

In a heartfelt post shared on Monday on X, the management described Rico as a beacon of love and creativity, saying his memory “blooms like a garden of everlasting flowers.”

 

“On this 3rd anniversary, we remember not just your departure, but the life you lived and the love you gave. Keep resting, Rico,” the post read.

 

Rico Swavey, who featured in the 2018 Double Wahala edition of BBNaija, died on October 13, 2022, from injuries sustained in a car accident in Lagos.

 

The incident, which occurred along a poorly lit section of the Lekki-Ajah Expressway, drew widespread grief across the country.

His mother in an interview with Journalist Chude Jideonwo emotionally recounted watching her son die in her arms at a Lekki hospital, pleading for him to “come back to her.”

 

Amid public speculation at the time, an eyewitness, Sunday Michael, the Uber driver who was with Rico in his final moments clarified that the late reality star was not intoxicated before the crash.

 

Doren Specialist Hospital, where the deceased was initially treated, also denied allegations of negligence and dismissed claims that its staff filmed him on his sickbed.

 

Earlier this year, Big Brother Naija Season 10 honoured three late former housemates , Francisca Owumi, Joseph Ada, and Rico Swavey, with a tribute segment and a minute of silence.

 

Rico Swavey, remembered for his calm demeanour and artistic flair, remains one of the show’s most loved alumni, with his legacy still celebrated across the entertainment industry.

No bandit invasion in Kebbi – Official

 

 

The Kebbi State Government has rejected reports claiming that bandits attacked Maku-ku village in Sakaba Local Government Area, labeling the news as false and misleading.

 

The claim, which was broadcast by a local FM radio station in Birnin Kebbi, suggested that several people were killed in the alleged attack.

 

The state’s denial of the alleged bandit attack on Maku-ku village is part of an ongoing effort to combat such misinformation, reassure residents, and maintain calm as security agencies continue their operations.

 

In a statement issued on Monday, the Chief Press Secretary to the Kebbi State Governor, Ahmed Idris, clarified that the incident actually took place in Rijau, a community in neighbouring Niger State, not in Kebbi.

He emphasised that no such attack occurred within Kebbi State.

 

Idris said, “There was no such incident in Kebbi. The report is misleading and capable of causing unnecessary panic.”

 

He further stated that the military base established in Sakaba by the state government had strengthened security in the area.

 

Idris urged residents to disregard the report and go about their normal activities, reaffirming that security agencies were fully supported to maintain peace across the state.

Trump arrives in Israel as hostages freed from Gaza

 

 

 

US President Donald Trump landed in Israel aboard Air Force One on Monday as a first group of Israeli hostages returned home from Gaza after two years’ captivity.

 

The US leader was greeted on a red carpet at Ben Gurion airport by Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog.

 

Shehu Sani condemns Kano Pillars fans’ attack on 3SC players, referees

 

 

Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has condemned the violent conduct of Kano Pillars supporters who invaded the pitch and attacked players, match officials, and staff of Shooting Stars Sports Club following Sunday’s Nigeria Premier Football League clash at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano State.

 

PUNCH Online earlier reported that chaos erupted after Shooting Stars forward, Adams Mustapha, netted a dramatic 94th-minute equaliser to secure a 1–1 draw, cancelling out Mustapha Jibrin’s early goal for the hosts.

 

Footage from the live broadcast by Propel Sports showed angry fans storming the pitch moments after the final whistle, confronting referee Mohammed Tuta and his assistants—Bem Japhet, Shehu Isah, and Alfa Sadiq—who were forced to flee for safety.

 

Security operatives struggled to contain the situation and eventually fired tear gas to disperse the enraged crowd.

Several Shooting Stars players, including Ismail Ayodele and Adams Agba’a, were reportedly assaulted during the melee.

Reacting to the incident in a post via his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Monday, Sani described the attack as “unacceptable and condemnable.”

 

Sani also bemoaned the safety of fans at stadia, lamenting that insecurity and poor crowd control discourage genuine supporters from attending local league games.

 

He wrote, “The unruly behaviour of the Kano Pillars fans against the players of the Shooting Stars is unacceptable and condemnable.

 

“One of the problems I found out when one goes to our stadiums to watch the local league matches is the problem of thugs loitering around. Half of your attention is on the match and half on your safety and that of your vehicle.”

 

The Nigerian Premier Football League is yet to issue an official statement on the violence as of the time of filing this report.

Hisbah arrests couple, three others over illegal marriage in Kano

 

 

 

The Kano State Hisbah Board has arrested five youths for allegedly conducting an illegal marriage ceremony without parental consent.

 

The Deputy Commander General of the board, Dr Mujahideen Aminuddeen, disclosed this in a statement he issued in Kano on Monday.

 

He said those arrested included the groom, bride, and three others who acted as representatives and a witness.

 

The marriage was allegedly contracted with a dowry of ₦10,000, below the minimum threshold recognised in Islamic legal standards.

Aminuddeen said that the union violated Islamic and legal marital procedures, and the board had launched an investigation.

 

He appealed to parents to monitor their children’s social engagements and guide them in marriage matters.

 

PUNCH Online reports that the development comes after Kano State government directed the state Hisbah Board to begin preparations for the wedding of no fewer than 2,000 couples under its mass wedding programme.

 

Aminudeen disclosed on Thursday that all intending couples are required to register and undergo compulsory medical screening to determine their health status.

 

( NAN)

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