Desperate Politicians Behind Plateau Killings — Mutfwang

Governor Caleb Mutfwang has alleged that the recurring wave of Plateau killings and insecurity in the state is being orchestrated by “desperate politicians” seeking to destabilise the region, particularly around election cycles.

The governor made the claim on Tuesday while addressing journalists during a courtesy visit at the Government House in Jos, stating that emerging intelligence and patterns of violence point strongly to political sponsorship rather than purely communal or religious causes.

“I make bold to say that the insecurity situation in Plateau State is being sponsored by desperate politicians who are out to destabilize the state,” Mutfwang said.

He noted that violent attacks in the state often intensify during election periods, describing the trend as a clear signal of political interference.

“If you notice, these attacks always peak during election cycles. What does that tell us? It is a clear indication that it is political; in fact, they are more political than terrorism,” he added.

Mutfwang cited historical and recent incidents to support his claim, including the deadly Dogo Nahawa massacre of March 7, 2010, where over 1,000 people were reportedly killed, and the March 29 attack in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area, which claimed more than 30 lives.

He also referenced fresh attacks in Kanam, Wase, and Quan Pan Local Government Areas—communities largely populated by Muslims—arguing that such incidents undermine narratives that the violence is purely religiously driven.

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“If this were about religion, why would people attack others who share the same faith?” the governor queried, suggesting instead that the violence is being manipulated for political ends.

According to him, preliminary investigations by security agencies and the state government indicate that certain actors are deliberately sponsoring unrest to create instability and influence political outcomes.

Beyond identifying political motives, Mutfwang acknowledged that insecurity in Plateau State is multifaceted, involving longstanding issues such as land disputes, farmer-herder conflicts, ethnic tensions, and weak enforcement of law and order.

He said his administration is working closely with security agencies to dismantle criminal networks, improve intelligence gathering, and strengthen community-based peacebuilding initiatives.

The governor also revealed that efforts are ongoing to enhance surveillance in rural communities, deploy more security personnel to flashpoints, and ensure swift response to emerging threats.

He urged residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with authorities by providing timely and credible information, stressing that public support is crucial to ending the cycle of violence.

“We have discovered that these attacks are being sponsored by desperate politicians who are bent on destroying Plateau. But we will not allow that to happen,” he declared.

The remarks come amid renewed national concern over Nigeria insecurity, particularly in the North-Central region, where Plateau State has long experienced cycles of violence with devastating humanitarian consequences.

Security analysts say while political sponsorship may play a role, addressing the crisis will require a comprehensive strategy that tackles both immediate threats and underlying structural causes.

As investigations continue, attention is now focused on whether security agencies will identify and prosecute individuals allegedly behind the sponsorship of violence, a move many believe is critical to restoring lasting peace in Plateau State.

Desperate Politicians Behind Plateau Killings — Mutfwang

Wike Rejects Emotional Appeal, Defends Jabi Lake Redevelopment Plan

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday insisted he would not allow emotions to influence official decisions, as he firmly rejected an appeal by Sarah Omakwu over the planned redevelopment of Jabi Lake Recreation Area.

Wike made the remarks during his monthly media briefing in Abuja, responding directly to a viral video in which the senior pastor of Family Worship Centre, Abuja, knelt on the pulpit and pleaded with authorities not to allocate the lakeside facility for private development.

“I cannot fight the minister of the FCT. I cannot. But I go on my knees as a mother in this land that Jabi Lake Recreation Centre should not be given to anybody,” Omakwu said in the video, which sparked widespread reactions across social media and among Abuja residents.

Responding, Wike maintained that governance must be guided by law and policy rather than sentiment.

“I’m human in this government and you don’t expect everybody to be happy. If the majority are happy, then I’m happy. Some people don’t understand what’s going on; you should ask questions,” he said.

Dismissing the emotional tone of the appeal, the minister added, “You talk about the woman kneeling down and begging, I’m not carried away by such emotions. Begging to do what? Who owns Jabi Lake? How does it become your own?”

The minister clarified that the Jabi Lake development project did not originate under his administration, explaining that the land had previously been allocated to a private firm to develop an entertainment and tourism facility. However, he said the original vision had been abandoned, with the area deteriorating into makeshift structures.

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“When I came on board, that place was given to a company that said they wanted to turn it into an entertainment place, but they have turned it into shanties,” Wike said.

He added that his administration intervened after discovering the poor state of the environment, raising concerns about security and the image of the area, particularly due to its proximity to hospitality facilities.

“One of these days I went there and said this can’t be. There is a hotel, and who would come to stay in that hotel when there are shanties all over? You don’t even know if there are criminals there,” he stated.

Wike emphasised that the FCT urban renewal drive is focused on restoring order, improving infrastructure, and ensuring that all allocated lands are developed according to approved plans. He reiterated that illegal structures and non-compliant developments would not be tolerated under his leadership.

Beyond Jabi Lake, the minister noted that his administration has intensified enforcement actions across Abuja, including demolition of illegal buildings, recovery of encroached lands, and revocation of dormant allocations—measures he said are necessary to sanitise the capital city and attract investment.

The controversy surrounding Jabi Lake Abuja has triggered mixed reactions. While some residents and stakeholders support the clean-up and redevelopment as a step toward economic growth and improved security, others—including environmental advocates—have raised concerns about possible over-commercialisation, ecological impact, and reduced public access to one of Abuja’s most popular recreational spaces.

Urban planning experts have also called for greater transparency and stakeholder engagement, urging the FCT Administration to balance development objectives with environmental sustainability and community interests.

Despite the backlash, Wike signalled that the project would proceed, stressing that decisions taken by the administration are in the broader interest of the city and its residents.

Wike Rejects Emotional Appeal, Defends Jabi Lake Redevelopment Plan

Enugu Islamic Centre Crisis: Muslim Leaders Clear Air on Ani Arrest

Muslim leaders in Enugu have strongly denied allegations linking them to the arrest of Alhaji Musa Ani, insisting that the claims circulating on social media are false, misleading, and capable of causing unnecessary tension within the community.

The clarification follows reports suggesting that Muslim leaders orchestrated Ani’s arrest. However, community leaders maintained that the arrest was carried out by security agencies after formal petitions were submitted over alleged mismanagement of the Enugu Islamic Centre.

Speaking to journalists, the Chairman of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah in Enugu State, Hon. Alhaji Ibrahim Ezeani, explained that Ani’s arrest was the outcome of lawful investigations triggered by complaints from members of the Muslim community.

He said Ani was invited by relevant authorities and later arrested after failing to provide satisfactory explanations regarding his long-term stewardship of the Islamic Centre, which he said has lasted for more than 30 years.

Ezeani added that the Department of State Services (DSS) had earlier intervened in the dispute and established terms of reference, including a full audit of the centre’s financial records and governance structure.

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The leaders also addressed the long-standing dispute over the Enugu Islamic Centre, noting that it was established in 1958 to serve all Muslims in the former Eastern Region and was never intended for any single ethnic or sectional group.

Ezeani lamented that the facility, which once served as a hub for education and worship, has deteriorated over the years. He said it is now largely occupied by commercial activities and artisans, with concerns raised about the proper accounting of revenues generated from the centre.

Other Muslim leaders in the state echoed similar concerns, stressing that the Islamic Centre belongs to all Muslims regardless of ethnic background and calling for urgent reforms to restore its original purpose.

President of the Yoruba Muslim Community in Enugu, Alfa Abdul Adeyemi, said the centre was established through collective contributions to promote both Islamic and Western education, and urged transparency in its management.

A leader of the Arewa Muslim community, Alhaji Muhammad Bello, also dismissed claims of exclusive ownership, attributing the centre’s decline to years of poor administration and lack of accountability.

Chairman of the steering committee set up following DSS intervention, Alhaji Kassim Ofordile Idoko, said a new management structure has been introduced with the mandate to restore order and revive the institution.

Chief Imam of Nsukka Central Mosque, Yakubu Abdullahi Omeh, called for government intervention to maintain peace within the Muslim community, warning that unresolved disputes could deepen divisions.

He traced the ownership disagreement back to 1993 and referenced a government white paper affirming that the land belongs to the entire Muslim community in Enugu State, not any particular group.

The leaders collectively urged all stakeholders to respect existing rulings and work together to reposition the Islamic Centre for religious, educational, and community development purposes.

Enugu Islamic Centre Crisis: Muslim Leaders Clear Air on Ani Arrest