馃嚦馃嚞NigeriaWest Africa
Absence of defense counsel delays arraignment of four suspects in Plateau killings
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
The arraignment of four suspects charged in connection with a recent gunmen attack in the Angwa Rukuba Community, Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, was delayed on Thursday due to the absence of defense counsel. The suspects appeared before Court 12 of the Plateau State High Court in Jos but requested an adjournment to contact their lawyers. The killings, which occurred on March 28, left over 30 people dead, including children, after suspected attackers invaded communities in Bokkos and Bassa Local Government Areas. The Plateau State Government filed charges against the suspects over the March 2026 killings in Angwa Rukuba. The government stated that the Department of State Services arrested the suspects between April 3 and April 10, 2026, and charged them with offenses including criminal conspiracy to commit terrorism. The four suspects are Isa Umar Ibrahim, Auwalu Abubakar also known as Auwalu Dogo, Musa Abubakar Ibrahim also known as Yaroro, and a fourth defendant. According to the charge filed by State Attorney General Philemon Daffi, the defendants conspired to commit terrorism by planning, organizing, facilitating, aiding, and contributing money to carry out the Angwan Rukuba attack, which resulted in over thirty deaths. Following the killings, Governor Caleb Mutfwang condemned the attacks, describing them as attempts to destabilize the state and labeling them as genocide. President Bola Tinubu visited the state earlier this month, met with victims, and a
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The Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau NSIB and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority NCAA have initiated discussions to enhance cooperation in supporting victims of aircraft accidents and their families. This move aims to align Nigeria's emergency response framework with international aviation standards. The discussions, held in Abuja, involved the National Family Assistance Committee, coordinated by the NSIB, and NCAA officials. Both agencies focused on improving institutional coordination, building capacity, and implementing Family Assistance programs within Nigeria's aviation sector. Funke Arowojobe, NSIB鈥檚 Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, stated that the engagement with the NCAA sought to strengthen collaboration on aviation disaster victim and family assistance. Discussions covered the objectives of the Family Assistance Programme, the International Civil Aviation Organisation ICAO policy on assistance to aircraft accident victims and their families, and the roles of both NSIB and NCAA. Michael Achimugu, NCAA's Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, welcomed the initiative, emphasizing the need for continuous training and retraining of personnel. Both agencies identified practical areas for collaboration, including joint capacity-building programs, knowledge sharing, and stakeholder sensitization, to establish clearer institutional procedures for supporting families affected by aviation accidents.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control NAFDAC has started a nationwide operation to remove alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and polyethylene terephthalate PET bottles under 200 milliliters. This action aligns with the Federal Government's ban on the production, importation, distribution, sale, and use of such alcoholic drinks. NAFDAC stated on X that enforcement is occurring across all six geopolitical zones, following the closure of non-compliant manufacturing facilities. The agency's enforcement teams are targeting markets, motor parks, retail outlets, bars, and other distribution channels to seize banned products. NAFDAC has warned all stakeholders, including manufacturers, importers, and retailers, to surrender any remaining stock of these products, emphasizing that continued possession or sale is illegal and will lead to seizure, sanctions, and prosecution. The public is urged to support this effort by avoiding banned alcoholic beverages and reporting offenders to NAFDAC.
Wolverhampton Wanderers canceled a training session after striker Tolu Arokodare reportedly refused to leave the pitch, demanding a transfer to Fiorentina. Wolves had rejected an offer from the Serie A club, despite having accepted one from Trabzonspor. The incident, reported by BBC Sports, led new head coach Cesar Peixoto to end Monday's training. Arokodare will not play in Wednesday's friendly against Maidenhead United. This follows a previous disciplinary issue in April involving Mateus Mane. Arokodare, who joined Wolves from Genk for 拢24 million last summer, scored three league goals as the club was relegated. The situation poses an early challenge for Peixoto, who aims to guide Wolves back to the Premier League.