Dalung gives Mutfwang 72-hour ultimatum to withdraw apology to Igbos over civil war role

Former Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, has criticised Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang over his recent apology to the Igbo community regarding the state’s role during the Nigerian Civil War, describing the governor’s remarks as a distortion of history and demanding that they be withdrawn.

Dalung, in a detailed statement released on Friday, faulted Mutfwang’s comments, arguing that they misrepresented the historical realities surrounding the 1967–1970 Nigerian Civil War and unfairly diminished the sacrifices made by Plateau indigenes who fought during the conflict.

The controversy stems from Governor Mutfwang’s remarks during an interactive session with Igbo leaders drawn from the 17 local government areas of Plateau State at the Government House in Jos. During the meeting, the governor apologised to the Igbo community for the role Plateau people played during the civil war, stating that many were “deceived” into participating in the conflict and expressing hope that the apology would strengthen reconciliation and peaceful coexistence.

The governor also acknowledged the longstanding contributions of the Igbo community to the economic, commercial and social development of Plateau State, describing them as important partners in the state’s progress. He urged residents to continue promoting unity and mutual respect despite the painful memories of the civil war.

However, Dalung insisted that the governor’s explanation of Plateau’s involvement in the war lacked historical accuracy.

According to the former minister, portraying Plateau people as individuals who merely followed manipulation or deception into the conflict ignores the complex political and military events that culminated in the civil war.

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He argued that the roots of the conflict can only be understood by examining the January 15, 1966 military coup, the assassination of prominent political and military leaders, the subsequent counter-coup and the political tensions that eventually led to the declaration of the defunct Republic of Biafra and the outbreak of the war.

Dalung said reducing those historical events to a narrative that Plateau people were “cajoled” into fighting amounts to a disservice to the memory of those who sacrificed their lives in defence of Nigeria.

“At best, it reflects a poor understanding of history; at worst, it is an ambitious attempt to discredit the sacrifices of great Plateau sons, many of whom laid down their lives in defence of Nigeria’s unity,” he said.

The former minister also questioned Governor Mutfwang’s authority to apologise on behalf of the people of Plateau State without broad consultation.

He argued that such a sensitive issue required engagement with traditional rulers, community leaders, elders, elected representatives and other critical stakeholders before any official position could be presented as representing the state.

“On whose authority did he make such an apology? Did he consult the elders of Plateau State? Did he consult traditional rulers? Did he consult elected representatives, members of the National Assembly, the State Assembly or the people themselves? This is executive arrogance,” Dalung stated.

He further noted that Plateau State also suffered significant losses during the political crises preceding the civil war.

Dalung cited the killing of Colonel James Pam, whom he described as one of Plateau’s distinguished military officers, as evidence that the state was itself a victim of the violence that engulfed the country.

He also referenced former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon, a Plateau indigene who led Nigeria throughout the civil war, arguing that Gowon’s historical role places him in a more appropriate position to comment on issues relating to the conflict if such interventions become necessary.

Sharing his personal experience, Dalung disclosed that the war claimed the lives of two of his uncles who had been sponsoring his education.

He said the issue was deeply personal and maintained that suggestions that Plateau men fought simply because they were deceived insulted the memories of those who died and questioned their patriotism and convictions.

“I am therefore a victim of that war. I cannot remain silent while someone suggests that my late uncles went to war because they were cajoled. Cajoled by whom?” he asked.

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The former minister subsequently gave Governor Mutfwang 72 hours to withdraw the statement and apologise to the people of Plateau State.

Despite his criticism, Dalung appealed to residents of Plateau State to continue living peacefully with members of all ethnic groups, including the Igbo community.

He stressed that the governor’s remarks should not be interpreted as the collective position of Plateau people and warned against reopening old wounds at a time when the state continues to battle recurring security challenges and communal tensions.

Dalung also urged political leaders across the country to avoid exploiting historical events for political purposes, saying national unity would be better served through dialogue, mutual respect and truthful engagement with history.

Governor Mutfwang’s apology has generated mixed reactions nationwide.

While some political observers and community leaders have described the governor’s remarks as a courageous attempt to promote reconciliation, healing and stronger inter-ethnic relations decades after the civil war, others have argued that such sensitive historical issues require wider consultation and careful interpretation to avoid creating fresh divisions.

The debate has once again highlighted the enduring emotional and political significance of the Nigerian Civil War, more than five decades after the conflict ended, as Nigerians continue to express differing views on how historical events should be remembered and addressed in the interest of national unity.

Dalung gives Mutfwang 72-hour ultimatum to withdraw apology to Igbos over civil war role

Counterterrorism: Military says air strikes kill 23 suspected ISWAP fighters in Borno

The Nigerian military says at least 23 suspected fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) were killed in separate air strikes carried out in Borno State as troops intensified counterterrorism operations across Nigeria’s North-East.

The operations, conducted under Operation HADIN KAI, targeted suspected insurgent positions in Marte Local Government Area and along the strategic Bama–Maiduguri supply route, areas that have remained active theatres of insurgent activities in recent years.

According to military sources cited in counter-insurgency reports, the first operation was launched at about 5:35 a.m. on Tuesday after intelligence indicated the presence of suspected terrorists around KLA Balia in Marte LGA.

An Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform, codenamed Guardian, reportedly detected three concealed vehicles positioned at different locations before identifying five suspected insurgents taking cover beneath a tree.

Following confirmation of the targets, the platform carried out what was described as a precision strike on the location. The initial bombardment reportedly killed the five visible suspects and triggered secondary explosions believed to have resulted from hidden explosives or ammunition stored in the area.

Military sources later assessed that the explosions increased the number of suspected insurgents killed in the operation to 15, although the casualty figures have not been independently verified.

A planned follow-up strike targeting the concealed vehicles was reportedly aborted after a malfunction affected the aircraft’s laser-targeting system, preventing accurate engagement of the remaining targets.

Despite the technical setback, military officials described the mission as operationally successful, saying it disrupted the activities of the insurgents, destroyed part of their logistics network and forced surviving fighters to abandon the area.

Security sources added that surveillance of the location has continued, with additional operations expected to target fleeing suspects and destroy the remaining vehicles.

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In a separate mission, the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI reportedly killed eight additional suspected ISWAP fighters during a night combat operation conducted along the Bama–Maiduguri main supply route on July 22.

According to the operational report, helicopter crews observed muzzle flashes from an area previously identified by security agencies as a suspected insurgent training camp.

The crew reportedly fired probing rounds to verify hostile activity before coming under gunfire from the ground.

The aircraft subsequently responded with sustained aerial bombardment, which military sources said neutralised eight suspected insurgents, while others fled into surrounding bushes.

The latest operations form part of a broader military campaign aimed at disrupting ISWAP logistics, dismantling terrorist camps, preventing the movement of fighters and safeguarding major supply routes linking communities across Borno State.

In recent months, Operation HADIN KAI has intensified intelligence-led air and ground offensives against both ISWAP and Boko Haram, targeting hideouts, weapons storage facilities, logistics hubs and training camps in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.

The military has also reported recovering weapons, motorcycles, communication equipment and other operational materials during several counterterrorism missions designed to weaken the operational capabilities of insurgent groups.

The renewed offensive comes amid continued efforts by the Armed Forces to deny terrorist groups freedom of movement and restore security across the North-East, where insurgency has displaced millions of people over the past decade.

Although security agencies have recorded several operational gains, attacks by ISWAP and Boko Haram continue to pose threats in parts of the region, with insurgents occasionally launching ambushes on troops, attacking civilian communities and targeting strategic infrastructure.

Security analysts have consistently emphasised that sustained intelligence gathering, close coordination between air and ground forces and improved surveillance remain essential to preventing insurgents from regrouping and re-establishing operational bases.

The Nigerian military has reiterated its commitment to sustaining pressure on terrorist groups until lasting peace and stability are restored across the North-East.

Counterterrorism: Military says air strikes kill 23 suspected ISWAP fighters in Borno

Osun 2026: Police declare ‘Emir,’ four others wanted over alleged political violence

The Osun State Police Command has declared five suspected political thugs wanted over their alleged involvement in a series of violent attacks across the state, as security agencies intensify efforts to prevent a breakdown of law and order ahead of the 2026 Osun State governorship election.

The move comes amid growing concerns over escalating political violence in several communities, where recent clashes have resulted in deaths, injuries and widespread tension.

In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, the command identified the wanted suspects as Dauda Olamilekan, popularly known as Emir, Taoreed (alias Small Rugged), Adetunji Kamoru Olatunde, Saka Afees (alias Terror) and Adeyemi Saheed.

According to the police, the declaration followed weeks of intelligence gathering and investigations into violent incidents allegedly linked to political thuggery in different parts of the state.

The command alleged that the suspects are among the principal actors responsible for the recent wave of killings, assaults, intimidation and other criminal activities that have heightened political tension ahead of the governorship poll.

The command wants to declare the suspects wanted for various offences after an in-depth intelligence-led investigation identified them as key figures behind the increasing spate of political violence and thuggery in the state.

The police appealed to members of the public, community leaders and the media to assist security agencies with credible information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects.

It also urged the wanted individuals to surrender themselves at the Osun State Police Command, warning that officers have already commenced efforts to track them down and that anyone found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

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The declaration forms part of a broader security strategy by the Nigeria Police Force to curb election-related violence and reassure residents that adequate measures are being taken to safeguard lives and property before political campaigns gather full momentum.

The police have repeatedly warned political actors, supporters and youth groups against sponsoring or participating in violence, insisting that anyone involved in criminal activities will face prosecution irrespective of political affiliation.

Political tension has continued to rise across Osun State since June, with several deadly attacks reported in different communities.

Among those reportedly killed are Olapade Ezekiel, a teenager from Ilobu; Comrade Abdullateef Olamilekan; 70-year-old Kazeem Akande in Osogbo; Ajayi Aderogba in Esa-Oke; and Eluyera in Ikire.

The recurring violence has heightened fears among residents and prompted renewed calls from civil society organisations, traditional rulers and community leaders for stronger security measures to guarantee peaceful political activities ahead of the election.

Governor Ademola Adeleke has repeatedly condemned political violence and directed security agencies to arrest and prosecute anyone found sponsoring or participating in attacks, regardless of political affiliation.

The governor has maintained that the state government remains committed to ensuring a peaceful and credible governorship election, while urging political stakeholders to embrace dialogue instead of violence.

NURTW crisis adds fresh security concerns

Meanwhile, the security situation has been further complicated by the leadership crisis rocking the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Osun State.

The National Executive Council of the NURTW has rejected the Osun State Government’s directive suspending the union’s activities across motor parks, insisting that the state government lacks the constitutional authority to halt the operations of the union.

The union also inaugurated a seven-member caretaker committee to oversee its affairs in Osun pending the resolution of the leadership dispute.

The committee is chaired by Kazeem Oyewale, popularly known as Asiri Eniba, with Sunday Oludare serving as secretary, Lukman Ahmed as treasurer, while Ismaila Abdurahim, Adebayo Tajudin, Tajudin Akin and Ayinde Mutiu will serve as members.

The development followed the Osun State Government’s suspension of NURTW activities in motor parks after violent clashes between rival factions disrupted commercial activities and raised fresh security concerns.

The state government also ordered an immediate halt to the collection of levies in motor parks and directed security agencies to arrest anyone parading himself as a union executive in defiance of the directive.

The crisis escalated after supporters of rival factions clashed in Osogbo, with reports of gunfire triggering panic among residents and businesses.

Reacting to the suspension, NURTW National President Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, through the union’s Deputy National President, Aliyu Ore, maintained that no state government has the legal authority to suspend the activities of the union because it was established under Nigerian law.

Ore explained that the inauguration of the caretaker committee became necessary because the Osun chapter had operated without effective leadership for several months.

He also disclosed that the union has an existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the transportation of election materials, making it essential to maintain a functional leadership structure ahead of the governorship election.

According to him, the caretaker committee will administer the affairs of the union until all pending leadership disputes are resolved.

Accepting the appointment, caretaker committee chairman Kazeem Oyewale pledged to reposition the union and ensure strict compliance with both the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the NURTW Constitution.

As preparations for the 2026 Osun governorship election gather pace, security agencies have reiterated their commitment to maintaining law and order, warning political parties, supporters and interest groups against any action capable of undermining peace.

The police stressed that ongoing investigations into recent attacks remain active and urged residents to provide timely and credible information that could assist in preventing further violence and ensuring that those responsible are brought before the courts.

Osun 2026: Police declare ‘Emir,’ four others wanted over alleged political violence