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Dalung gives Mutfwang 72-hour ultimatum to withdraw apology to Igbos over civil war role
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during the Nigerian Civil War, describing the governor’s remarks as a distortion of history and demanding that they be withdrawn.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
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Woman dies after husband allegedly assaults her over cooking, dance class
Woman dies after husband allegedly assaults her over cooking, dance class
A 38-year-old woman, Yamini Krishna Lal Yadav, has died in Nagpur, India, after her husband allegedly assaulted her during an argument over cooking and her decision to attend a dance class.
The woman’s husband, Krishna Lal Yadav, 41, has been arrested and booked in connection with her death after a post-mortem examination reportedly revealed serious internal injuries.
The incident occurred in the Mankapur area of Nagpur, Maharashtra, where the couple lived with their two young children.
According to reports, Krishna returned home from work and asked his wife to prepare food for him and the children. Yamini, however, was reportedly preparing to attend a dance class within their housing society and declined to cook at the time.
The disagreement allegedly escalated into a physical confrontation. Police said the husband was reportedly under the influence of alcohol when he allegedly assaulted Yamini around her neck and abdomen. The incident reportedly occurred in the presence of their children.
After the alleged assault, Yamini complained of severe pain in her neck and abdomen and reportedly asked her husband to get painkillers. He allegedly went to a nearby medical shop but returned after finding it closed.
Her condition later deteriorated, with her abdomen reportedly becoming swollen. She was subsequently taken to a private hospital in the area for treatment but died while receiving medical attention.
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The case initially appeared to be an accidental death, prompting police to send her body for a post-mortem examination.
However, the examination reportedly revealed a fractured neck bone and severe internal injuries, including serious damage to the intestines. Reports also indicated injuries consistent with strangulation and abdominal trauma, prompting investigators to reconsider the circumstances surrounding her death.
Following the post-mortem findings, police questioned Krishna and subsequently arrested him. A murder case was registered against him as investigations continued.
Yamini’s brother reportedly said the family was aware that the couple had experienced disagreements in the past. He said Yamini had occasionally spoken about problems in the marriage but had asked relatives not to intervene because she feared their involvement could worsen the situation.
The family initially believed Yamini had died following a medical emergency and was reportedly shocked when the post-mortem examination revealed evidence of significant physical injuries.
Police are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of the Nagpur woman, while the accused remains in custody over the allegations.
The case has renewed concerns about domestic violence, particularly the need for victims experiencing abuse to have access to timely support and protection.
Woman dies after husband allegedly assaults her over cooking, dance class
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NSCIA warns FG against weaponising state institutions in El-Rufai case
NSCIA warns FG against weaponising state institutions in El-Rufai case
The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs breaks its silence on the former governor’s legal ordeal, citing “serious concerns” over possible sectarian agenda in the multiple prosecutions keeping El-Rufai in the spotlight.
ABUJA – The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has raised the alarm over what it described as “an extraneous involvement of an underlying religious bias” in the ongoing prosecutions of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai. The Islamic body, which had deliberately stayed out of the controversy until now, said recent developments had forced it to break its silence on the matter. In a statement signed by its Secretary-General and immediate-past Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, the NSCIA explained that its earlier restraint was based on its belief that El-Rufai’s prosecution, like those involving other political figures, was a standard judicial process and that the judiciary had the inherent capacity to uphold justice. However, the council said recent developments in the public domain had raised serious concerns that strongly suggested religious considerations might be creeping into a process that should be determined solely by law and evidence.
The NSCIA called on the Federal Government and the Judiciary to ensure that individuals with vested religious interests were strictly prevented from weaponising public institutions or the legal system to pursue what it described as a sectarian agenda against El-Rufai. “Consequently, the Council calls upon the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Judiciary to ensure that individuals with vested religious interests are strictly prevented from weaponizing public institutions or the legal system to execute a sectarian agenda against him,” the statement read. The council stressed that its position was anchored on the Islamic principle of justice and fairness, regardless of political, religious or personal considerations, and clarified that its intervention was not intended to interfere with the judicial process but to emphasise the need for justice to be administered without religious or sectarian considerations. The Islamic body also appealed to the general public to refrain from incendiary comments that could prejudice the fair trial of El-Rufai or exacerbate the security situation in the nation. “Furthermore, the Council appeals to the general public to refrain from incendiary comments that could prejudice the fair trial of Mallam El-Rufai or exacerbate the security situation in our nation,” the statement read.
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The NSCIA‘s intervention comes against the backdrop of a protracted legal battle that has kept El-Rufai in the spotlight since February 2026. The former governor is facing multiple prosecutions by different agencies on charges bordering on alleged abuse of office, money laundering, breach of national security, and wiretapping. The council’s decision to speak out followed comments by the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), who accused El-Rufai of planning killings in Southern Kaduna while he was governor between 2015 and 2023. Musa had described the situation in Kaduna during El-Rufai’s administration as “toxic”, adding that many residents of Southern Kaduna remained unhappy with the former governor over killings recorded in the area.
El-Rufai, through his family, rejected the allegation and demanded that the minister withdraw the claim, with his eldest son, Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, giving Musa seven days to provide evidence supporting the allegation or publicly retract it. The controversy generated by Musa’s remarks has further widened the debate surrounding El-Rufai’s legal battles, with the NSCIA‘s intervention effectively placing the prosecution within a wider debate over the alleged politicisation and religious manipulation of state institutions. The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has taken a sharply divergent position, backing the Defence Minister’s allegations and demanding an independent investigation into alleged killings and human rights abuses during El-Rufai’s administration, with possible prosecution before the International Criminal Court (ICC). The NSCIA’s intervention, which did not identify any individual or group it accused of pursuing a religious agenda, serves as a significant development in a case that has become a flashpoint for broader debates about judicial independence, political persecution, and religious neutrality in Nigeria’s legal system.
The council concluded its statement by praying for peace, stability and security in Nigeria. “May Almighty Allah grant peace, stability, and security to Nigeria,” it said.
NSCIA warns FG against weaponising state institutions in El-Rufai case
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Bandits abduct Kaduna lawmaker’s brother, kill three KADVS operatives
Bandits abduct Kaduna lawmaker’s brother, kill three KADVS operatives
Suspected bandits have abducted the younger brother of a Kaduna State lawmaker and killed three personnel of the Kaduna State Vigilance Service (KADVS) in separate attacks in Kubau Local Government Area of the state.
The incidents, which occurred within hours of each other, have heightened security concerns in Pambegua and surrounding communities, with the attacks taking place along the Zaria-Pambegua axis before the lawmaker’s brother was abducted from his residence.
The KADVS Public Relations Officer, Yunusa Ibrahim, confirmed the incidents in a statement issued on Tuesday.
Ibrahim identified the abducted victim as Sanusi, the younger brother of Shehu Pambegua, who represents Kubau Constituency in the Kaduna State House of Assembly.
According to the KADVS spokesman, the suspected attackers arrived at Sanusi’s residence in a Sharon vehicle at about 10pm on Monday and forcibly took him away.
The abduction came after three KADVS personnel were killed earlier in the day while carrying out a routine security operation in the area.
The deceased personnel were identified as Dallami Dantani, the Second-in-Command of KADVS in Kubau, Abdullahi Hamisu and Zakariyya Musa.
Ibrahim said the incident began when the vigilantes attempted to stop a red Volkswagen Golf Salon during a routine check, but the driver allegedly refused to comply.
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The KADVS personnel reportedly pursued the vehicle in their patrol van in an effort to identify the occupants and establish why they were travelling through the area.
The occupants allegedly opened fire during the pursuit, killing Dantani.
The attackers reportedly turned back towards the KADVS office after the initial shooting and opened fire on the personnel there, killing Hamisu and Musa before escaping towards Zaria.
The killings occurred hours before Sanusi was reportedly abducted from his residence, creating renewed anxiety among residents and security personnel in the area.
Reacting to the deaths, the Kaduna State Commander of KADVS, CP Ali Audu (rtd.), condoled with the families of the three personnel and described their deaths as a major loss to the service.
Audu praised the deceased personnel for their courage and commitment to duty, assuring their families that their sacrifices would be remembered.
He also pledged the continued support of the service to the bereaved families.
The KADVS commander disclosed that security surveillance had been intensified in Pambegua and neighbouring communities as efforts continued to locate the abducted victim and identify those responsible for the attacks.
He urged KADVS personnel to remain vigilant while carrying out their duties and strengthen collaboration with other security agencies, particularly in communities regarded as vulnerable to bandit attacks and kidnapping.
Audu reaffirmed the service’s commitment to protecting residents and property across Kaduna State.
As of the latest reports, authorities have not announced the arrest of any suspect or the rescue of Sanusi. The circumstances surrounding his abduction remain under investigation as security agencies intensify efforts to locate him and bring those responsible for the attacks to justice.
The latest incidents have further underscored the security challenges facing parts of Kaduna State, where residents have continued to contend with threats linked to banditry, kidnapping and armed attacks.
Bandits abduct Kaduna lawmaker’s brother, kill three KADVS operatives
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