Latest news with #Plateau
Free Malaysia Today
5 days ago
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
Amnesty says over 10,000 killed in 2 years in north, central Nigeria
Borno state – the epicentre of jihadist violence which has raged in northeast Nigeria since 2009 – was not included in Amnesty's investigations. (EPA Image pic) LAGOS : The number of people killed in violence committed by jihadist groups and criminal gangs topped over 10,000 in two years in central and northern Nigeria, Amnesty International said today. In a report, the global rights group blamed the government of President Bola Tinubu for failure to protect people in swathes of the country hit by raids by jihadists, and criminal gangs known as 'bandits' who attack villages, killing and kidnapping residents. However, Tinubu today insisted that troops deployed in the flashpoints have succeeded in restoring order and tackling threats posed by the militant groups. Massacres also occur in central Nigeria's so-called Middle Belt where herders and farmers often clash over land access, with the attacks often taking on a religious or ethnic dimension. Amnesty's investigation showed that 'in the two years since the current government has been in power, at least 10,217 people have been killed in attacks by gunmen'. Benue state, which lies in the central region, suffered the heaviest death toll of 6,896, followed by Plateau state, where 2,630 people were killed, Amnesty said in a report released to coincide with Tinubu's first two years in office. Of the seven states Amnesty investigated, Borno – the epicentre of jihadist violence which has raged in northeast Nigeria since 2009 – was not included. When Tinubu came to power two years ago, he vowed that dealing with insecurity was one of the main challenges for his government. 'Instead, things have only gotten worse, as the authorities continue to fail to protect the rights to life, physical integrity, liberty and the security of tens of thousands of people across the country,' said Isa Sanusi, director of Amnesty International Nigeria. Northern states that jihadists and other criminal groups have targeted for several years have seen an upsurge in attacks in recent months. Sanusi said the 'recent escalation of attacks by Boko Haram and other armed groups shows that the security measures implemented by President Tinubu's government are simply not working'. In his second year anniversary speech, Tinubu said Nigerian troops have 'restored order, reducing and eliminating threats to lives and livelihoods' in violence-wracked regions'. 'With the successes achieved, farmers are back tilling the land to feed us. Highways hitherto dangerous for travellers have become safer,' he added. His government is also facing simmering separatist tensions in the southeast.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Criminals caught red-handed after defying nationwide ban in protected zone: 'These suspects continued with the illegal act'
Security forces in Nigeria apprehended 10 suspects accused of illegal mining in the state of Plateau, according to local reports. The suspects were found to be violating a government decree to suspend all mining operations in the area. The head of the Plateau Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, Ishaku Musa, told the Guardian: "In spite of the state government's suspension of mining activities, these suspects continued with the illegal act." The arrests come as part of a government crackdown on unlicensed mines operating throughout the West African nation. Nigeria has vast mineral deposits, but much of that wealth is siphoned away from the public by illicit mining activities. The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, told the Premium Times that his government will employ technology to monitor and disrupt illegal mining. "We are procuring satellite equipment, satellite gadgets that will be installed in strategic places all over the country that would enable us to have a visual effect, real-time of the operations that are ongoing in sites all over the country," he said. As the Associated Press reported last year, Nigeria's illegal miners are often minors. Children as young as five sift through bags of lithium-rich rock for a pittance. A group of children will receive just 4,000 naira ($2.42) for a full day's work. There is never a shortage of buyers for the minerals extracted, especially lithium, which is a critical component in batteries. Nigeria's sky-high poverty rate, as documented here by the World Bank, means that mining is one of the few economic opportunities available to the country's poorest citizens, which makes enforcement especially difficult. There's also the environmental cost to consider, as even legitimate mining operations exact a hefty ecological toll. Mining is water-intensive, destroys habitats, and emits pollutants that harm the local ecosystem and its residents. While regulations help curb the damage done by mining, according to unlicensed operations obviously don't adhere to any such rules. While the arrests may signal a turning point in Nigeria's struggle against illegal mining, there's still a great deal of work ahead. Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
CTV News
08-05-2025
- CTV News
Three teens arrested after Plateau bar shooting near metro
Montreal police (SPVM) say they have arrested three teenagers after gunshots were fired at a bar in the Plateau. Two men, 18 and 19 years old, and one woman, 18, were arrested after a search in Saint-Sauveur, about 80 kilometres north of Montreal. The three were arrested in connection with a shooting at a bar on Mont-Royal Avenue East, near the Mont-Royal metro, on May 2 at around 2:45 a.m. 'At the scene, bullet holes were found in the front door of the business and shell casings were found on the ground,' the SPVM said in a news release. 'A suspect was reportedly seen firing towards the front door before fleeing.' No one was injured in the shooting. Police said that members of the SPVM firearms team seized evidence during the search in Saint-Sauveur. The 19-year-old man and 18-year-old woman are due in court on Thursday afternoon, and the third suspect appeared in court and was released on a promise to appear. The police investigation is ongoing. Police remind shop owners to contact the SPVM if threatened. 'Our teams, who have the necessary expertise, need to be informed so that they can help you,' the SPVM said. 'You can contact us by dialling 911 or your local police station. We will work with you to determine the best course of action.'
