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How Gunmen Disguised as NDLEA Operatives Killed Jos Chief at Pepper Soup Joint

Published

3 months ago

May 21, 2026

Late Yusuf Sarki

How Gunmen Disguised as NDLEA Operatives Killed Jos Chief at Pepper Soup Joint

JOS — Yusuf Sarki had only stepped out for pepper soup. The elderly chief of his community in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, had gone out on Palm Sunday evening to a local bar called Stomdass along the main road to relax. He never came back.

Sarki, according to residents, was peaceful, genuinely loved his people and consistently made efforts to hold the community together. He was the man residents went to when something needed to be resolved or when neighbours were quarrelling. His death, those close to him say, left a hole in Angwan Rukuba that no appointment or replacement can fill.

At about 7:30 p.m. on March 29, 2026, gunmen stormed Angwan Rukuba, firing indiscriminately into the community. Witnesses said the attackers arrived during a power outage, some dressed in military uniforms. In a revelation that shocked many, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang later disclosed that the attackers disguised themselves as operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to gain access to the community before opening fire.

Emmanuel Daniel, Sarki’s nephew and a youth leader in the community, told THE WHISTLER that he had returned from a church conference that same evening. “When I came back from a conference we had from Friday to Sunday, I was tired. So, on getting home, I changed and went into my bathroom to take a bath, and I realised I was not having soup. I went out to get soup, just then, I heard some gunshots,” he told THE WHISTLER. “On my way to get the soup, I saw people running from the main road to the street,” he said.

He and a group of youths scampered to safety as the gunmen advanced. What unsettled Emmanuel most, he said, was not the shooting itself. It was the manner it was done. “They were walking so comfortably, and they were shooting anyhow. If you are blocking them or they meet you on the way, they will just shoot you,” he said.

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The community’s only nearby security post, the Angwa Nkuba Police Outpost, was deserted. When Emmanuel and the other youths rushed there, they found it abandoned. “We didn’t even see any of them inside the station. I believe they had run for their lives too,” he said. Troops of Sector 1, Operation Enduring Peace, were eventually mobilised following a distress call. Security personnel, including the Nigerian Army, arrived at around 8:45 p.m. to restore order and secure the affected community.

Yusuf Sarki and dozens others had been killed or injured before their arrival. “Some of them (residents) were dead. Some of them were injured. Those who were injured, we tried to rush them to the hospital,” Daniel said. It was then he realised his uncle was among those killed. “We recorded 33 deaths as a result of the attack,” Daniel said. “This was only on Palm Sunday.”

Governor Caleb Mutfwang, in a statewide broadcast on Tuesday, confirmed that 28 persons were killed in the attack. He described the incident as a “senseless attack” on law-abiding citizens. “Twenty-eight innocent lives were lost,” the governor said, adding that several others sustained injuries. The governor also revealed that a heavily pregnant woman was among those killed, describing the scale of brutality as deeply disturbing. “When I saw the corpses, I could barely hold myself,” the governor stated.

The loss, Daniel said, is immeasurable not just to Sarki’s family, his two wives and seven children, but to the entire community that relied on him.

In the weeks preceding the attack, threats had circulated on social media following an incident in the neighbouring Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, where three men from the north were killed under unclear circumstances while travelling to a village market. “The guys that were killed were indigenes of Jos north. They were on their way to a village market when they were attacked,” Daniel further explained. He believes the attack on his community was a retaliation for the killing of the three men in Jos North.

“I don’t see where someone will offend you and then you go and retaliate on another person. Instead of going to where you were offended, you come back to our home,” he lamented. “We have been living in peace. Any time they come to our area, they do their market, they sell, and they even sell water for people. Things have been going so smoothly and so nicely.”

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The attackers exploited a familiar security pattern to deceive residents, Governor Mutfwang explained in a subsequent interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today. “Obviously, the attackers have studied the psychology of the people who are used to seeing operatives of the NDLEA who come to raid neighbouring communities in search of drug addicts and what have you,” Mutfwang said. “So, they came in that manner, hooded, and were shooting in the manner NDLEA officers used to shoot. So people took it for granted that it was an NDLEA incursion… and they didn’t resist it initially. But when they realised it, a lot of damage had been done. And before they could wake up to begin to pursue these attackers, they had made an escape. It’s quite unfortunate,” he said.

The governor described the attack as premeditated and professionally executed, noting that the assailants displayed advanced weapon-handling skills. “The initial assessment by the professional indicates that the attackers knew their onions in terms of marksmanship. The shots were not ordinary shots. They were well-trained shots,” he said. Mutfwang noted that both residents and security operatives were “blindsided” due to the relative peace the state had enjoyed over the past 10 months.

Meanwhile, the Angwan Rukuba horrors did not end on Palm Sunday. In response to the attack, the Plateau State Government imposed a 48-hour curfew on Jos North Local Government Area, effective from midnight on Sunday, March 29, to April 1, 2026. Daniel, however, said that lifting the curfew barely two days after exposed neighbouring communities to further attacks. Unknown gunmen, suspected to be bandits, attacked the Gari Ya Waye area of Angwan Rukuba on the same Palm Sunday night and killed scores of people.

“Our people were so naive on this. Immediately they lifted the curfew, and some of them came out to go on with their normal activities because they didn’t see it as a crisis,” he said. He said the attackers had positioned themselves along routes that residents in the mostly Christian-dominated area ply to the market or their workplaces. “They blocked a road and stopped a car at Bauti Junction and asked, ‘Is there any Christian in the car?’ And one man was the only Christian in the car. That was how they brought this man out. They butchered him,” Daniel said. The victim, who was travelling from Kogi to the state, survived the attack.

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Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, during a condolence visit to Angwan Rukuba, pledged justice for the victims. He announced that the state government would bear the full cost of medical treatment for the injured and provide necessary support, including dignified burials, for the families of the deceased. The governor also ruled out any mass burial for the victims.

On efforts to apprehend the perpetrators, Mutfwang disclosed that no arrests have been made in connection with the attack. However, he assured that security agencies were working with credible intelligence. “At the moment, no arrests have been made in regard to this particular attack. But I’d like to assure Plateau people and Nigerians that we have some actionable intelligence that the security agencies are following up,” he stated. He declined to provide further details, citing ongoing investigations. “We have some very useful leads that we hope will be able to lead us to who these attackers are. I don’t want to make a premature statement as to their identities,” he added.

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday paid a condolence visit to Plateau State, where he met bereaved families, traditional rulers, and government officials, and directed security agencies to arrest those responsible. The visit drew some criticism over logistical arrangements, with the Presidency explaining that flight restrictions and a bilateral security meeting with the President of Chad had prevented Tinubu from driving into Jos township. Instead, victims and community representatives were transported to a hall near the Yakubu Gowon Airport to meet the President.

At the meeting, Tinubu addressed a grieving mother, Mrs Rhoda, whose video clutching the bloodied corpse of her son had gone viral and become the defining image of the attack. “I know the pain. I see in the video how you buried your loved ones and the pain and agony in your heart. But it’s only God who can give you joy and hope. No amount of money can pay all of you back,” he said. The President announced the deployment of 5,000 AI-enabled cameras across Plateau State to strengthen surveillance, aid intelligence gathering, and support the identification and arrest of perpetrators.

The Federal Government, through the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, assured Nigerians that the attack does not represent a breakdown of national security but rather a criminal act being decisively addressed by authorities. “There will be no safe haven for criminal elements anywhere in Nigeria,” Idris said. He also confirmed that Nigeria’s security collaboration with the United States was ongoing, noting that American security personnel were working closely with Nigerian intelligence agencies to strengthen efforts at tracking criminal elements.

The Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED) has attributed these attacks to criminality, weak governance, and long-standing communal tensions. ACLED’s Africa Senior Analyst Dr Ladd Serwat noted that violence in Plateau State surged by 71 per cent in 2025 compared to the previous year, driven by increasing violence involving bandit groups and armed Fulani pastoralists. “Civilians in Plateau state face increasing violence,” Serwat said.

The attack sparked outrage across the country, with many Nigerians calling for urgent action to address the growing security challenges in the state. For the family of Chief Yusuf Sarki and the residents of Angwan Rukuba, the wait for justice continues as security agencies work to track down those responsible for the Palm Sunday massacre.

How Gunmen Disguised as NDLEA Operatives Killed Jos Chief at Pepper Soup Joint

Related Topics:Gunmen Jos Chief NDLEA Soup Joint

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Armed Men Raze ADC Chieftain’s House, Beat Family Members in Rivers Attack

Published

2 hours ago

August 19, 2026

Trends Admin

Armed Men Raze ADC Chieftain’s House, Beat Family Members in Rivers Attack

Thomas Isaiah recounts harrowing ordeal as political violence escalates in Ikwerre Local Government Area.

A family building belonging to a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Thomas Isaiah, has been set ablaze by unidentified armed men in Aluu community, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State. The attack, which occurred hours after Isaiah hosted a youth sensitisation meeting at his compound, has raised fresh concerns about political violence in the state ahead of the 2027 general elections. Isaiah, who serves as Chief Whip and Alternate Leader of ADC in Aluu, alleged that the attack was politically motivated and that the assailants were sponsored by an opposition political party bent on frustrating the ADC’s activities in Ikwerre Local Government Area. The incident follows a pattern of escalating attacks on opposition figures in Rivers State, with observers condemning the development as a dangerous escalation of political intolerance that threatens the democratic process in the region.

Isaiah told Nigerian Tribune that the incident occurred after he held a brief youth sensitisation meeting at his compound in Aluu on the day of the attack. He stated that the meeting was peaceful, starting around 9:00 am and concluding by 12 noon, with all attendees returning to their homes without incident. Later that night, around midnight, Isaiah received a warning call from an anonymous person advising him to take cover and be careful of his movements. “Since this is a security issue, I had to leave my house to stay with my friend,” Isaiah recounted. While staying with his friend, Isaiah fell asleep. When he woke up after 2:00 am, he discovered about 19 missed calls on his phone. Upon returning the calls, he learned that armed men had invaded his compound and set the building ablaze, leaving him to grapple with the devastating news from a distance while his family endured the attack.

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Isaiah returned to his compound the following morning to confirm the extent of the damage. He discovered that his house had been completely burnt down, along with tenant apartments, leaving families displaced and without shelter. His certificates and all his personal documents were destroyed in the fire, representing years of personal history and professional achievements reduced to ashes. “My mother was beaten, my grandmother was beaten. Everyone in my compound was tortured,” Isaiah stated, describing the brutal assault on his family members. The physical violence meted out to his elderly relatives has drawn particular outrage, with critics condemning the attackers for targeting vulnerable family members in what appears to be an act of political intimidation designed to instill fear and silence opposition voices.

Some ADC members in the area alleged that the attack was carried out by thugs led by a man identified as Docko, who is said to serve as the Chief Security Officer of the local government. The allegations further claimed that Docko and members of the Organized Security and Peace Advisory Committee (OSPAC) assaulted Isaiah’s mother before setting fire to the family building. The alleged involvement of OSPAC, a community-based security outfit operating in parts of Rivers State, has raised questions about the limits of the group’s authority and the need for security agencies to establish the facts surrounding the incident. It is important to note that the allegations against the suspected OSPAC members have not yet been independently verified, and no conclusion should be drawn regarding responsibility until the appropriate authorities complete their investigation. This distinction is crucial to ensure that innocent parties are not wrongly accused and that justice is served based on concrete evidence rather than speculation.

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The attack on Isaiah’s residence comes against the backdrop of heightened political tensions in Rivers State. Earlier in March 2026, suspected political thugs attacked the ADC secretariat in Ubima community and the convoy of former Minister of Transportation and ADC chieftain, Rotimi Amaechi. The ADC South-South Zone condemned those attacks as a dangerous escalation of political intimidation against opposition parties, with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also condemning the incidents as an “assault on democracy” that should not be allowed to fester. In a separate incident, the ADC had raised the alarm over what it described as intimidation of opposition political parties, following a directive by the Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area banning all forms of public gatherings without prior approval from his office. The party argued that the directive posed a threat to constitutional democracy and political participation, effectively stifling legitimate political expression in the area and creating an environment conducive to further violence.

The Rivers State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement regarding the latest attack on Isaiah’s residence at the time of reporting. Efforts to obtain official reactions from the police command were unsuccessful as of filing this report, leaving residents and political stakeholders in a state of uncertainty about the security situation. The incident has generated concern among residents and political stakeholders, with many calling for increased police presence and proactive measures to prevent further violence. As the 2027 elections approach, stakeholders are urging all parties to eschew violence and embrace dialogue, warning that the current trajectory of political violence could have grave consequences for Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole. The attack on Isaiah’s residence serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of political tolerance in the region and the urgent need for security agencies to act decisively to protect citizens and uphold the rule of law.

Armed Men Raze ADC Chieftain’s House, Beat Family Members in Rivers Attack

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Lagos declares Thursday work-free for 2026 Isese Day celebration

Published

2 hours ago

August 19, 2026

Trends Admin

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu

Lagos declares Thursday work-free for 2026 Isese Day celebration

The Lagos State Government has declared Thursday, August 20, 2026, a work-free day to allow residents, visitors and traditional worshippers participate in activities marking the 2026 Ìṣẹ̀ṣe Day celebration.

The annual observance, which celebrates Yoruba indigenous culture, spirituality and heritage, is expected to attract more than three million participants, according to the state government.

The declaration was announced on Wednesday by Idris Aregbe, Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tourism, Arts and Culture.

Aregbe described Ìṣẹ̀ṣe Day as more than a public holiday, saying the celebration provides an opportunity to promote and preserve Yoruba traditions while showcasing Lagos as a destination for cultural tourism.

“Ìṣẹ̀ṣe is not a relic. It is a living expression of our traditions and a celebration of Yoruba spirituality as an important part of Nigeria’s cultural and religious landscape,” Aregbe said.

He said the celebration would allow Lagos residents and visitors to experience various aspects of indigenous culture through traditional prayers, rituals, processions, drumming and cultural displays dedicated to the Òrìṣà.

The 2026 celebration is the culmination of a week-long programme of traditional activities being coordinated by the Association of African Traditional Religion Nigeria and Overseas (AATREN).

Aregbe said the continued observance of Ìṣẹ̀ṣe demonstrates the resilience of Yoruba culture and its ability to remain relevant across generations.

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He estimated the global Yoruba population at more than 55 million and noted that Yoruba cultural and spiritual traditions have also survived among diaspora communities in countries such as Cuba, Brazil and Trinidad and Tobago.

“When the drums sound in Lagos on Thursday, they answer drums in Havana, in Salvador, in Port of Spain. Fifty-five million people and counting. Lagos is not observing a local holiday. Lagos is standing at the centre of a global heritage,” he said.

The Lagos Government has designated Ìṣẹ̀ṣe Day as a work-free day since 2023, following a request from the Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs.

The policy has continued under the Sanwo-Olu administration as part of its stated commitment to promoting indigenous values, cultural preservation and religious inclusiveness under the THEMES+ development agenda.

Aregbe commended the governor for maintaining the annual declaration and recognised the contribution of traditional rulers and other custodians of Yoruba heritage.

He specifically acknowledged the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, royal fathers, White Cap Chiefs, Babaláwo, Ìyánífá, Olóòrìṣà and other cultural practitioners involved in preserving indigenous traditions.

The large-scale celebration is expected to feature activities across different parts of Lagos, with participants observing traditional rites and cultural programmes associated with Yoruba indigenous religion.

The state government urged participants to celebrate peacefully and respectfully, particularly given the expected turnout.

Aregbe said the celebration also reflects Lagos’ reputation as a diverse society where people from different cultural and religious backgrounds live and participate in public life.

“Three million voices rising in honour of tradition is not noise. It is history, faith and cultural pride in harmony,” he said.

He added that the celebration should not be viewed as an event reserved only for traditional worshippers.

“Whether you worship in a mosque, a church or a grove, Ìṣẹ̀ṣe Day belongs to you, because heritage has no denomination. Lagos remains the city where every heritage finds its place,” Aregbe said.

The August 20 work-free declaration means public servants and government institutions covered by the directive will not conduct normal official business on Thursday. Government activities are expected to resume on Friday, August 21.

The development comes as Ìṣẹ̀ṣe Day continues to receive official recognition in parts of southwestern Nigeria, where traditional institutions and cultural organisations have advocated greater recognition of indigenous festivals and heritage.

Beyond its religious significance, supporters say the annual celebration provides an avenue to preserve indigenous knowledge, music, language, traditional arts and cultural practices while creating opportunities for cultural tourism.

For Lagos, the 2026 celebration is also expected to reinforce the state’s efforts to position its cultural heritage as part of its tourism offering.

With millions expected to participate, the state government has called on residents and visitors to observe the celebration peacefully and respect the different religious and cultural traditions represented in Lagos.

Lagos declares Thursday work-free for 2026 Isese Day celebration

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South African Consulate Denies Visa Restrictions on Nigerians

Published

2 hours ago

August 19, 2026

Trends Admin

South African Consulate Denies Visa Restrictions on Nigerians

Consul General confirms visa services continue as normal and introduces new digital travel system

The South African Consulate in Lagos has officially debunked reports that it has stopped issuing visas to Nigerians due to ongoing anti-migrant protests in South Africa. Consul General of South Africa, Prof. Bobby Moroe, made the clarification during a round-table organised by the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) themed “South Africa’s Xenophobia in Comparative Perspective”. He assured that no Nigerian applicant who qualifies for a visa will be denied entry into the country, offering a firm rebuttal to widespread speculation that visa services had been suspended amid rising tensions.

Speaking at the event, Prof. Moroe emphasised that visa issuance remains ongoing despite heightened concerns over xenophobic tensions in parts of South Africa. He stated, “Visas continue to be issued in spite of the ongoing protests and Nigerians are still visiting the country for tourism and other legitimate purposes. We wish to make it clear again that Nigerians under these circumstances faced today will never be discriminated against. No basis will justify why your visa is rejected except that you, for one reason or another may not have qualified with the requirements of the visa.” The Consul General stressed that visa applications would be considered on their individual merits and in accordance with established immigration requirements, drawing a clear distinction between domestic protests and South Africa’s official visa policy, which remains unchanged and non-discriminatory toward Nigerian nationals.

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Prof. Moroe also announced the recent introduction of South Africa’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), describing it as a digital system designed to simplify and accelerate travel authorisation for prospective visitors. The new system reduces documentation requirements and replaces aspects of the traditional visa application process, allowing travellers to apply through their mobile devices, which makes the process faster, safer and more convenient. However, it is important to note that Nigeria is not currently among the four countries covered by the initial ETA rollout, as the system remains a future expansion priority for South Africa, meaning Nigerian travellers will still follow the existing visa application procedure for now.

The reassurance comes amid data showing that visa applications from Nigerians have nearly doubled in recent months, reflecting sustained interest in travel to South Africa for business, tourism and education. Despite persistent safety concerns and the repatriation of over 1,400 Nigerians affected by previous xenophobic violence, Prof. Moroe insisted that “South Africa is open for business, South Africa is open for tourism, and South Africa is open for any other form of visit,” signalling that the country remains welcoming to legitimate travellers from Nigeria.

South African missions in Nigeria have confirmed that their visa sections in Lagos and Abuja remain accessible and are actively receiving applications. Key requirements for Nigerian applicants include a completed visa application form with two passport-size photographs, a valid Nigerian passport that must be valid for at least 30 days beyond your return date, and a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate, which is mandatory for travellers from Nigeria and is the most commonly mishandled requirement—it must be presented as the original International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP), not a photocopy or photo. Applicants are also required to provide bank statements showing six months of financial history, along with proof of accommodation and return flight booking. Processing takes a minimum of 15 working days, so early application is strongly advised. The Consul General urged Nigerian travellers to familiarise themselves with South African laws, understand their rights, and know the locations of law enforcement agencies in case of emergencies, ensuring they are well-prepared for their stay.

The clarification comes against the backdrop of persistent xenophobic tensions in South Africa, where foreign nationals have periodically faced protests, hostility and attacks over claims surrounding unemployment and economic competition. Nigerians have been among the foreign nationals affected by previous episodes of xenophobic violence, making reports of any possible restriction on their entry into South Africa particularly sensitive. The Consul-General’s intervention aims to reassure the Nigerian public that no blanket restrictions have been imposed and that eligible travellers will continue to be granted travel authorisation, reinforcing the message that diplomatic ties remain strong and that South Africa values its relationship with Nigeria.