Crime
Fulani Militias Kill at Least 13 Christians in Plateau State After Pastor’s Warnings
JOS, Nigeria — Armed Fulani militias attacked Christian villages in Plateau State on Oct. 14, killing at least 13 people and displacing dozens, despite warnings from local church leaders that violence was imminent.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The attacks took place in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area. Villages named Rawuru, Tatu and Lawuru were among those hit. Witnesses say the assailants fired on worshippers, stole livestock — nearly 40 cows — and destroyed farmland.
Before the attacks, Reverend Ezekiel Dachomo had sounded an alarm, warning that Fulani militias planned violence in the area. Local leaders say they also reported threats to security authorities, but that no action was taken.
Authorities with the Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace reportedly dismissed the pastor’s warnings as a false alarm. Leaders in the affected communities believe this dismissal contributed to the failure to prevent the attack.
Background
Plateau State has seen repeated incidents of violence in recent years tied to conflicts between herders (often Fulani) and farming communities. These conflicts often overlap with religious, ethnic and land-use tensions.
In many cases, Christian-majority villages in rural areas have been attacked at night or early morning. Homes, churches and crops are destroyed. Survivors are often forced to flee, becoming internally displaced persons in neighbouring towns or other villages.
One Christian leader from Rawuru, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “We informed the authorities days before the attack that we were under threat, but no action was taken. Now, our brothers and sisters are dead.”
Quotes
Hon. Stephen Gyang Pwajok, chairman of Barkin Ladi LGA, confirmed the killings during a mass burial in Rachas village. He called the attacks “unprovoked” and said they appear aimed at driving indigenous Christian communities from their ancestral lands.
Paul Tadi-Tok, district leader of Heipang, urged the state government to enforce regulations to stop non-resident herders from grazing within settled Christian villages. He also called for re-invigorated local security efforts, noting these communities often respond slowly to distress calls.
Impact and Next Steps
The attack has heightened fear in Barkin Ladi and neighboring Local Government Areas, where many Christians now feel vulnerable to further violence. Displacement is rising, and villages hit in recent days have lost both lives and means of livelihood.
Leaders are asking the state government and federal security forces for better early-warning systems, faster response times, and better protection for vulnerable communities. The local “Operation Rainbow,” a community-based security initiative, has been cited as an important model that needs strengthening.
Without change, analysts warn that such attacks may continue or escalate. The broader herder-farmer/land use conflicts across Nigeria’s Middle Belt remain unresolved, and religious and ethnic divisions often deepen with each incident.
Context
Since the start of 2025, thousands of Christians in Plateau State and surrounding regions have lost their lives or been displaced in similar attacks. Many perceive that warnings are not acted upon, contributing to repeated tragedies.
The current federal government and state officials face pressure both domestically and internationally to protect civilians, ensure justice for victims and address the root causes: land disputes, resource competition, inadequate security coverage, and breakdowns in trust between communities and law-enforcement.
If authorities take decisive steps — including investigating past threats, prosecuting perpetrators, and deploying security forces effectively — there is opportunity to reduce further violence. The affected Christian communities say they are watching to see if this time the warnings will lead to action.
According to Nivo News, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) welcomed 5,000 new members in Abia State on Saturday, following the recent entry of former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, into the party.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The mass defection was led by Bishop Emeka Nwankpa, the 2023 governorship candidate of the Accord Party, in his hometown of Umuaku, Ntigha, Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area. Supporters who joined him also left their former political affiliations, including the South East Mandate for Good Governance, to align with the ADC.
Nwankpa explained that his decision to join the ADC was driven by a strong conviction, noting that the party’s manifesto resonates with his political philosophy, emphasizing people-oriented governance, social justice, and sustainable development. He described the ADC as a credible, progressive platform capable of fostering inclusive governance and rebuilding public trust in Nigerian politics.
The Abia State Chairman of the ADC, Don Norman Obinna, formally welcomed Nwankpa and his followers, stating that the country’s political trajectory is increasingly favoring the ADC.
The Abia State Police Command has reported the arrest of 809 suspects and the recovery of 88 firearms in 438 cases across the state from January 2025 to date.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
According to Nivo News, Commissioner of Police Danladi Isa provided the update on Friday during a briefing at his office, outlining the operational strategies and achievements of the Command during the period under review. He disclosed that 435 rounds of ammunition were recovered from suspected criminals and that over 200 suspects have been successfully prosecuted, with several jailed for various offenses.
The CP further revealed that 33 children who had been kidnapped or trafficked were rescued within and outside the state, with the suspects involved prosecuted and some already imprisoned. “We have sent a lot of people to jail. A clear message has been passed that it is no longer business as usual for criminals in Abia State,” Isa stated.
He highlighted that the state’s crime rate has declined under his leadership, attributing the success to support from Governor Alex Otti, provision of logistics, and collaboration with community stakeholders. Isa also noted that officers encountered non-state actors on several occasions, who were neutralized and disarmed.
The Police Commissioner urged residents to continue providing credible information on suspicious activities to further strengthen the fight against crime. Firearms and other weapons recovered from suspects were displayed at the Police headquarters in Umuahia for the media.
According to Nivo News, the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF–NCCC) has arrested high-profile cybercrime suspects linked to a sophisticated Microsoft 365 phishing operation that targeted the email systems of major corporate organisations.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The arrests followed actionable intelligence received from Microsoft Corporation in the United States through the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which exposed the deployment of an advanced phishing toolkit known as RaccoonO365. The toolkit was designed to create counterfeit Microsoft login pages capable of harvesting user credentials and unlawfully accessing corporate, financial, and educational email platforms.
Briefing journalists in Abuja on Thursday, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed that the cybercrime centre launched a coordinated, intelligence-led operation in partnership with Microsoft, the FBI, and the United States Secret Service. He explained that investigations traced multiple cases of unauthorised Microsoft 365 account access recorded between January and September 2025 to phishing emails crafted to closely mimic legitimate Microsoft authentication portals.
According to police findings, the cyberattacks resulted in business email compromise, data breaches, and significant financial losses across several jurisdictions. Acting on precise intelligence, NPF–NCCC operatives conducted targeted operations in Lagos and Edo states, leading to the arrest of three suspects. Searches carried out at their residences yielded laptops, mobile phones, and other digital devices, which forensic analysis directly linked to the fraudulent activities.
Further investigations identified Okitipi Samuel, also known by the aliases “RaccoonO365” and “Moses Felix,” as the principal suspect and alleged developer of the phishing infrastructure. Police said he operated a Telegram channel through which phishing links were sold in exchange for cryptocurrency and hosted fake login portals on Cloudflare using stolen or fraudulently obtained email credentials.
The police clarified that there was no evidence connecting the two other arrested individuals to the creation or management of the phishing scheme. The Nigeria Police Force reiterated its commitment to protecting the country’s digital environment through the use of advanced technology, enhanced international cooperation, and thorough investigative and prosecutorial processes aimed at combating evolving cyber threats.
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