Plateau attacks: resident describes family massacres and security failures in Kum and Wereng-Camp
via Punch Nigeria8 min read
Rwang Tengwong, a resident of Kum and National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders-Association, described recent attacks in Plateau State where gunmen simultaneously invaded Kum and Wereng-Camp communities. He reported that nine members of one family were killed in Kum, including a three-month-old baby, her parents, and her 21-year-old father and 19-year-old mother. Only one family member survived with life-threatening injuries. Tengwong stated that such attacks, where entire families are wiped out, are not new to the Plateau, noting he has witnessed over five families completely eradicated since 2009. He highlighted that attackers often target vulnerable homes and that after killings, the original inhabitants flee, and new occupants, identified as Fulani, take over the communities, which then become inaccessible to the displaced. Tengwong criticized the lack of arrests by conventional security forces and questioned the effectiveness of security checkpoints near the attack sites. He also pointed out that vigilantes are underequipped compared to the sophisticated weapons used by attackers. He further mentioned that while security forces quickly respond to reports of cattle rustling by Fulani, they have not made efforts to arrest those responsible for killing locals. Tengwong suggested that the Nigerian government has mischaracterized these incidents as farmer-herder clashes, despite the use of bombs and the systematic wiping out of families, and called for proper i
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
The four Bola-Longe sisters, Jesuferanmi, Jesudunmo, Jesupologo, and Jesusepataki, have all become lawyers, fulfilling their late father's lifelong dream. Their mother, Chuza Bola-Longe, shared the emotional journey of preserving her husband's legacy after his passing. She recounted the challenges of managing grief and financial responsibilities while ensuring her daughters completed their legal education. The sisters, including Jesudunmo Longe-Osigwe, Jesuferanmi Bola-Longe, Jesupologo Bola-Longe, and Jesusepataki Bola-Longe, each spoke about their individual paths to law, their father's influence, and the support system provided by their mother and siblings. They emphasized the values of faith, integrity, and service instilled by their parents, and the bittersweet emotions of achieving this dream without their father present. The family's story gained significant attention online, with many people sharing touching messages about their father's character and his long-held aspiration for his daughters.
Nigerian pharmaceutical companies listed on the Nigerian Exchange experienced a 46.5 percent increase in combined finance costs during the first quarter of 2026. This rise, from N2.09bn in Q1 2025 to N3.07bn in Q1 2026, is attributed to high interest rates and increased reliance on debt, impacting profitability across the sector. MeCure Industries Plc saw its finance cost rise by 49.5 percent to N2.62bn, though its operating profit nearly doubled. Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals Plc's finance cost climbed by 31.6 percent to N439.5m, with a marginal increase in profit after tax. Morison Industries Plc maintained flat finance expenses at N4.86m but reported a loss of N8.16m. Experts, including Dr. Muda Yusuf, Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, link the surge in finance costs primarily to Nigeria's high interest rate environment, with the Monetary Policy Committee retaining the benchmark interest rate at 26.5 percent. Professor Akpan Ekpo of the University of Uyo also highlighted broader structural challenges, such as the cost of alternative power supply due to unstable grid electricity, as a significant factor inflating operating costs for manufacturers. Some companies also expanded investments in fixed assets, with Fidson Healthcare Plc and MeCure increasing their property, plant, and equipment. The impact of these rising costs varies, with some companies like MeCure showing strong operating profit growth to service debt, while
Must ReadNigerian graduation ceremonies, particularly in private schools, have evolved into elaborate spectacles that prioritize the performance of class distinction and parental aspiration over educational substance. These events, often featuring young children in academic regalia, are seen as status markers and branding opportunities for schools, justifying rising tuition fees. Parents invest significant amounts in event fees, costumes, and decorations, driven by a desire to display their participation in modernity and global citizenship, as well as to avoid being perceived as negligent. This trend reflects a neoliberal approach to education, where learning is treated as a commodity rather than a public good, shifting focus from meaningful outcomes to consumer satisfaction and appearance. The article highlights the psychological and financial costs to families and contrasts the lavish private school ceremonies with the underfunded public schools, whose silence during graduation season underscores structural inequalities. It questions whether these celebrations acknowledge a child's development or merely serve as an "altar of class performance," advocating for a shift from "empty spectacle to equitable substance."