By Rinret Jennifer Mwarap

The unrelenting massacre of citizens in Plateau State has reached an alarming level. While the government claims to be taking steps to restore order, the reality on the ground tells a different story one that feels like nothing meaningful is being done.

It is heartbreaking to see our loved ones butchered without cause. The questions torment us: What have we done wrong? Who have we offended? Where did we go astray? Must we continue to endure this suffering for no justifiable reason?

The killing of innocent people in Plateau must come to an end. The government and security forces cannot afford to look away. Their responsibility is clear they must act swiftly and decisively to bring the perpetrators to justice, for the sake of the innocent victims and the children left behind.

I call on the Governor of Plateau State to rise to this challenge. Take bold and immediate action against those who seek to destroy our land and shed innocent blood. Let them face the full weight of the law.

This feels like a nightmare—how did we get to the point where the same Plateau where I once slept peacefully with both eyes closed is now a place where even sleeping with one eye open feels unsafe?

Where is the peace in our “Home of Peace and Tourism”?

When will our tears dry? When will justice prevail?

If we truly seek peace, then justice must be non-negotiable.

By Nathaniel Irobi

In a poignant ceremony held on Tuesday, the Borno state government marked the 11th anniversary of the abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls, who were taken by terrorists in 2014. During the event, Governor Babagana Zulum, represented by Zuwaira Gambo, the state commissioner for women affairs and social development, announced a donation of N10 million along with food supplies to support the families of the 276 abducted girls.

Governor Zulum emphasized that this donation is part of the ongoing commitment by the Borno state government to alleviate the hardships faced by the affected families. “This is not the first time the Borno state government has extended its support. From the beginning, successive administrations have assisted Chibok,” he stated, reaffirming that under his leadership, this dedication has only intensified. “We will continue our efforts until every missing girl is safely returned.”

As of now, 18 of the 189 girls who have been rescued are receiving care from the state government. Zulum shared that these girls are undergoing psychosocial support, vocational training, and academic tutorials to help them prepare for their senior school certificate examinations as part of a comprehensive rehabilitation and reintegration program.

The government’s ongoing support for the Chibok community was praised by Mustapha Modu, chairman of Chibok Local Government Area; Pogu Lawan, a member of the state house of assembly; and Hauwa Mai Musa, the governor’s senior special adviser on women affairs.

Furthermore, a report from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in April 2023 indicated that approximately 93 schoolgirls remain in captivity. Although the federal government has pledged to ensure the rescue of the remaining girls, many of the students continue to be unaccounted for a decade after their abduction.

A Kano State High Court, on Tuesday, reserved ruling in the case of alleged bribery and misappropriation filed against the former governor of Kano State, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, and seven others.

The Kano State Government instituted an eight-count charge bordering on bribery, misappropriation and diversion of public funds running into billions of Naira against Ganduje and seven others, including his wife, Hafsat Umar.

Others charged with Ganduje are Abubakar Bawuro, Umar Abdullahi Umar, Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash Properties Limited, Safari Textiles Limited and Lasage General Enterprises Limited.

When the case came up for hearing of all pending applications, counsel to Ganduje and his wife, Offiong Offiong SAN, applied for an extension of time and urged the court to grant the application.

“We also filed our preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of the court, dated Nov. 18, 2024, along with a 28-paragraph affidavit and a written address in support.

“We also filed a reply on point of law dated April 4, 2025,” he said.

However, counsel to the state, Mr Ayodeji Adedipe, SAN, filed a reply to the notice of preliminary objection dated Oct. 22, 2024, addressing all the respondents.

“The application is attached with a seven-paragraph counter affidavit and a written address dated Dec. 13, 2024, attached along with several documents as exhibits,” Adedipe said.

He prayed the court to dismiss the respondents’ applications for lacking merit.

Counsel to the 3rd and 7th defendants, Mr Adekunle Taiye-Falola, filed a motion on notice on a preliminary objection dated Oct. 18, 2024, supported by a 14-paragraph affidavit and a written address.

“In reply to the complainant’s counter affidavit, we filed our further and better affidavit dated Dec. 12, 2024, and a reply on point of law. We urge the court to grant the application as prayed,” Taiye-Falola said.

Counsel to the 5th defendant, Mr Sunusi Musa, SAN, also filed a motion on notice on a preliminary objection dated Oct. 18, 2024, which was supported by an affidavit, an exhibit and a written address.

“We also filed our affidavit and reply on point of law and urged the court to grant the application with substantial costs against the complainant,” he said.

Counsel to the 6th respondent, Mr Ashafa Yusuf , also filed a notice of preliminary objection dated Sept. 9, 2024, supported by a nine-paragraph affidavit and a written address.

“My Lord, we filed a further and better affidavit dated Feb. 17, supported by an 11-paragraph affidavit. We also filed a reply on point of law and urged the court to grant the application,” he said.

Also, Faruk Asekone, counsel to the 8th defendant, filed a notice of preliminary objection dated Oct. 18, 2024, supported by a five-paragraph affidavit and a written address.

“In reply to the complainant’s counter-affidavit, we filed our further and better affidavit and reply on point of law dated Feb. 13, 2025, and urge the court to grant the application,” Asdkome said.

The judge, Justice Amina Adamu-Aliyu, granted the application for an extension of time.

Adamu-Aliyu adjourned the matter for ruling on the notices of preliminary objection to a date that would be communicated to the parties at a later date. (NAN)