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Tension In Jos As States Continue With Massive Evacuation Of Citizens
As some states rush to evacuate their citizens studying in Plateau State following the activities of bloodthirsty men who have been on the prowl, killing unsuspecting residents, indigenes and others who are stranded, the State remains under tension as attacks have continued.
Recall that Plateau State was recently plunged into unusual security crisis following the massacre of over 30 travelers who were attacked along Rukuba Road in Jos North Local Government Area of the State on August 13.
The victims, majority of whom were Fulanis, born and brought up in Ondo State, were attacked while travelling from Bauchi en-route Jos to Ikare in Ondo State.
DAILY POST reports that the incident triggered other attacks in the State as some ‘unscrupulous’ citizens embarked on what may be termed as reprisal attacks.
The security crisis has forced some schools in the State including the popular University of Jos and the Federal College of Forestry to suspend academic activities and shut down pending when normalcy returns to the State.
The crisis grew worse on Wednesday following the report of about 35 persons who were slaughtered in Yelwa Zangam community, Jos North Local Government Area of the State by armed men suspected to be bandits.
The assailants were said to have disabled the bridge leading to the community, preventing any access by security agencies before launching the unfortunate assault.
Apparently rattled by the skirmishes around the university and the continued flares of tension and threats of reprisals, many states in the country have rushed in to evacuate their citizens to avoid being slaughtered by gunmen said to be on the prowl in the state.
It would be recalled that the UniJos Chapters of ASUU, and the Students’ Union Government, SUG, had recently raised the alarm over the continuous killings of students of the University by hoodlums suspected to be bandits.
At least, eight states including Benue, Enugu, Abia, Ogun, Oyo, Kogi, Kwara and Gombe have successfully evacuated their students from Plateau over the continued reprisal attacks.
Some stakeholders who spoke with DAILY POST on the implications of the evacuation, said the move would have negative effects on the mental health of the affected students.
A psychologist, Dr Torwe Ngunan who spoke with our correspondent from Benue State, said, “the shock, the emotional stress that those students went through even before they were evacuated is enough to keep them depressed.
“Some of these students were eyewitness to the killings. They will have difficulties trying to reason properly at least for sometime due to the memory. Right now, they need to be engaged in some social activities so that they can put off some of the horrible memories”.
In the same vein, a lecturer in the Faculty of Social Science, University of Abuja, Dr Olawole Michael, lamented the disruption of academic activities in the affected institutions.
“Definitely it will affect both the students and the school. To think that after all the setbacks in 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic, students are still forced to go home because of security crisis is not good for the ears.
“Be assured that most of the students that were evacuated will not return to the school. That will affect the institution also. No parent will allow his child to go to school in a place where he or she would not be safe,” he said.
DAILY POST’s finding reveals that despite the closing of the institutions, some students particularly from the Southern parts of the country are still stranded in Jos city as fear of attack continues to mount.
But the spokesman of the Plateau State Police Command, ASP Ubah Gabriel Ogaba, in a chat with DAILY POST on Friday, said security has been beefed up in all areas witnessing unrest.
According to him, prior to the evacuation of students from the State, security agencies were on ground to ensure that they were not affected by the mayhem unleashed by the assailants.
“I don’t think there are still students left in the hostels. Many states have evacuated their citizens, some may not publish it in the media but they have.
“Even before the evacuations, we had security everywhere in the state to ensure safety of residents.”
However, Plateau State House of Assembly on Friday gave Governor Simon Lalong two weeks ultimatum to take action on the prevailing security situation and restore peace in the State.
This was disclosed by the Chairman, House Committee on Information and member representing Pankshin North, Hon. Dasun Peter, during a world press conference by the State Assembly, in Jos, the State Capital.
A new video has emerged showing two men reportedly kidnapped by Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State, pleading for assistance to secure their release.
One of the captives, former Biu Local Government Area Chairman Hassan Biu Miringa, revealed that their abductors are demanding a $300,000 ransom.
Miringa said he and another individual were taken in December 2025 and have remained in the custody of the militants.
In the video shared by Zagazola Makama, Miringa introduced himself, saying: “I am Hassan Biu Miringa, former Chairman of Biu Local Government from 2020 to 2022. Four years after my tenure, we were kidnapped by the soldiers of Khilafa about two weeks ago. Alhamdulillah, we are still alive, but we urgently need help to save our lives.”
He added that negotiations with the kidnappers had been underway, with some preliminary agreements reportedly reached.
“We have engaged them on four separate occasions and reached an understanding. We appeal to our leaders, especially Borno State Deputy Governor Alhaji Usman Umar Kadafur, the National Assembly representative for Biu, Kwaya, and Shani Hon. Betera Aliyu, as well as our community leaders, to temper justice with mercy and assist us. We are their children and have been working together,” Miringa said.
He confirmed the ransom demand, explaining that each captive is expected to pay $150,000, totaling $300,000 for their freedom, and pleaded for urgent intervention to reunite with their families.
The video highlights ongoing concerns over kidnappings and insecurity in southern Borno State, which have persisted despite government efforts to curb insurgent activity in the region.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Saturday visited Port Harcourt City Local Government as part of his “thank you” visit across Rivers State.
Upon his arrival, a group of women displayed a symbolic gesture of loyalty by spreading their wrappers on the ground for his motorcade.
The women and supporters of the Minister were in a jubilant mode as Wike drove on the wrappers.
Wike has been going around local governments in the state to appreciate them for their support while reeling out moves ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In the course of his visits, the Minister had fired several salvos at political actors in the state, warning that their sudden support for President Bola Tinubu won’t secure them any ticket in 2027.
Wike also renewed rivalry with Governor Sim Fubara over the leadership control of the political space in the state.
The Rivers State House of Assembly has officially reaffirmed that the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, are ongoing and have not been suspended.
The Assembly said the process is still ongoing and is being conducted strictly in line with constitutional provisions.
This was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Hon. Enemi George.
According to the statement, the impeachment process, which began on Thursday, January 8, 2026, remains on course in line with the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
The lawmakers disclosed that separate notices of allegations bordering on gross misconduct have been served on both the governor and his deputy in line with Section 188 of the Constitution.
“The notices of allegations of gross misconduct against the Governor and the Deputy Governor have been duly forwarded to them by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule, and the House is awaiting their responses,” the statement said.
The Assembly maintained that it is constitutionally obligated to act in the interest of the rule of law and ensure that no public office holder acts outside legal boundaries.
Reacting to reports suggesting that the impeachment move had been halted, the House accused some individuals and media outlets of deliberately spreading misinformation to mislead the public and stir tension between the legislature and Rivers residents.
The lawmakers described such reports as false and insisted they would not succumb to intimidation, threats, or blackmail.
“We are aware of renewed attempts by certain persons and media platforms to misinform the public by claiming that the impeachment process has been discontinued. The public should disregard such falsehoods, as the process remains active,” the statement added.
The Assembly reaffirmed its commitment to democratic principles and constitutional responsibilities, stressing that it would not be distracted by what it termed “cheap propaganda.”
It also appreciated the people of Rivers State for their support and prayers amid the ongoing political developments and extended goodwill to Nigerians committed to the nation’s democratic journey.
JomogNews reports that during Thursday’s plenary session, presided over by the Speaker, the Majority Leader, Major Jack, formally read the notice of allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Fubara on the floor of the House.
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