Gunmen Kill Pastor, Wife, Children in Fresh Plateau Night Attack

Gunmen on Sunday night attacked Gako Village in Plateau State, killing a pastor and three members of his family in what residents describe as a renewed wave of violent attacks in the area.

The victims were identified as Rev. Ayuba Choji, his wife Chundung Ayuba, and their two children, Cyril and Endurance. Community sources said the attackers stormed the village around 11 p.m., shooting sporadically as residents fled into nearby bushes for safety.

Residents said the attack caused widespread panic, with families abandoning their homes in the darkness. One resident, Martha Dalyop, said the community has been living in constant fear due to repeated night raids, making it difficult for people to sleep or carry out farming activities.

The latest incident comes amid escalating insecurity in parts of Plateau’s rural communities, where armed groups have repeatedly targeted villages in recent months. Local accounts suggest attackers often strike at night, moving through forest routes linking communities in Riyom and neighbouring areas.

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Confirming the attack, the publicity secretary of the Berom Youths Moulder Association, Rwang Tengwong, said the pattern of violence has become more coordinated and increasingly destructive. According to him, attackers now operate in groups with specific roles—some targeting residents, others destroying farmland, while additional groups block escape routes and monitor movement.

He also disclosed that within the past 48 hours, large areas of farmland in Kassa, located in Barkin Ladi, were destroyed, including crops such as maize, pepper, and cabbage, worsening food insecurity and economic hardship for farming families.

Tengwong said the attacks are now affecting not only lives but also livelihoods, as farmland destruction continues to undermine agricultural productivity in the region.

The incident has heightened tension across Riyom and neighbouring Barkin Ladi communities, with residents calling for urgent intervention from security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and military operatives deployed to the state.

Community leaders are urging government authorities to strengthen security presence, improve rapid response mechanisms, and address what they describe as a worsening cycle of violence threatening rural survival in Plateau State.

Authorities are yet to release an official statement on the latest killings, but security patrols have reportedly been intensified in affected communities as investigations continue.

Gunmen Kill Pastor, Wife, Children in Fresh Plateau Night Attack

LASTMA to Launch Free Short Code for Traffic Updates, Complaints

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has announced plans to roll out a free short code service that will allow residents, particularly motorists, to report traffic situations and engage directly with the agency across Lagos.

The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, disclosed this during an interview, stating that the initiative is in its final stage and awaiting approval from telecom network providers. He said the short code is expected to go live within two to three weeks, replacing the longer phone lines currently in use.

According to him, the agency has already completed technical preparations, including the installation of necessary machinery and communication equipment at its digital call centre to ensure seamless rollout once approval is secured.

Bakare-Oki explained that the new platform will enable Lagos residents to provide real-time traffic updates, report emergencies, and give feedback on the conduct of traffic officers. Motorists will also be able to alert authorities to road obstructions, accidents, illegal parking, and congestion hotspots, improving response time and traffic coordination.

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He noted that LASTMA’s call centre currently operates with about 10 trained responders and is designed to accommodate multiple languages, including English, Yoruba, and other local dialects, to ensure wider accessibility for residents.

The LASTMA boss added that the agency maintains a strong operational synergy with other emergency and security bodies, including the Lagos State Ambulance Service, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Nigeria Police Force, and the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA). He said this inter-agency collaboration has been critical in managing incidents and ensuring swift emergency response across the state.

“There is an inter-agency collaboration that is top-notch, and that is how we are able to address emergency and traffic issues in the state,” he said.

Providing insight into current operations, Bakare-Oki revealed that the agency received nearly 300 calls between January and March, though he admitted there had been service disruptions due to ongoing system upgrades.

“The system has been experiencing downtime because of the integration. We give the assurance that in the next two to three weeks, we will be back on board strong and with better service delivery to Lagos residents,” he said.

Industry observers note that the introduction of a short code aligns with broader efforts by the Lagos State Government to digitise traffic management, enhance citizen engagement, and tackle the persistent challenge of congestion in Nigeria’s commercial hub.

Once operational, the short code is expected to complement LASTMA’s existing communication channels, including social media and physical response units, offering a faster, more accessible way for residents to connect with traffic authorities.

LASTMA to Launch Free Short Code for Traffic Updates, Complaints

Malami Challenges EFCC in Court Over Seized Assets, Claims Lawful Wealth

Former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, has escalated his legal fight against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the seizure of multiple properties allegedly linked to him, insisting his wealth is lawful and transparently acquired.

The dispute is currently before the Federal High Court of Nigeria sitting in Abuja, following an interim forfeiture order earlier secured by the EFCC in January 2026. The order temporarily transferred control of several high-value assets to the Federal Government pending the outcome of investigations.

In fresh court filings submitted on Monday, Malami strongly rejected the allegations, maintaining that there is no evidence connecting the properties to proceeds of crime. He argued that the anti-graft agency failed to meet the legal threshold required for such a forfeiture.

“My Money Is Clean, My Properties Are Legit,” Malami declared, challenging the legality of the EFCC’s actions and urging the court to set aside the order.

The former AGF accused the EFCC of relying on speculative claims and inflated valuations to justify the seizure. According to him, properties acquired for hundreds of millions of naira were allegedly misrepresented as being worth billions, a move he described as misleading and prejudicial.

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He further told the court that his wealth accumulated over decades through legitimate means, including his legal career, investments, and business ventures spanning sectors such as hospitality, agriculture, and education. He also cited bank loans, proceeds from asset sales, gifts, and earnings from book launches as part of his income sources.

Malami insisted that all his assets were duly declared to the Code of Conduct Bureau in compliance with constitutional requirements for public officials, stressing that transparency had always guided his financial dealings.

Beyond disputing the financial claims, Malami accused the EFCC of overstepping its powers. He alleged that some properties were taken over without a final court आदेश and that occupants, including family members, were forcefully evicted while personal documents were seized.

He described the commission’s actions as “extrajudicial” and a violation of due process and fundamental human rights.

Legal experts note that under Nigerian law, interim forfeiture orders are typically granted ex parte to prevent the dissipation of suspected illicit assets. However, affected parties retain the right to challenge such orders by providing evidence of legitimate ownership—an avenue Malami is now actively pursuing.

The EFCC, on its part, has maintained that the assets under investigation may be linked to illicit enrichment, forming the basis of its application for forfeiture. While the agency has not publicly detailed all the evidence in this case, it has intensified scrutiny of former public officials in recent years as part of broader anti-corruption efforts in Nigeria.

The case is also connected to a broader legal scrutiny involving the former minister, further raising its profile as a potential test of the EFCC’s authority in asset recovery matters.

Malami is asking the court to nullify the interim forfeiture order and direct the immediate return of his properties, maintaining that they have no connection to any criminal activity.

The court is expected to determine whether the assets will be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government or released back to him, a decision that could shape future interpretations of asset seizure laws and due process in Nigeria.

Malami Challenges EFCC in Court Over Seized Assets, Claims Lawful Wealth