In a survey conducted in Jos, many voiced their concerns about steep increases in rent and housing prices, with some tenants struggling to afford even basic accommodations.

Kachollom Michael, a hairstylist, revealed that her rent for a salon had risen by 15%, bringing her annual rent to N120,000—a figure she previously found difficult to manage due to the tough economic climate. She warned that if the trend continues, small businesses like hers could be forced to close.

Similarly, Naomi Elijah, a teacher and single mother, shared her experience of relocating to a more affordable area in Rayfield after the rent in her previous residence became unaffordable.

Real estate agent Kitkabam Manasseh, however, attributed the rent hike to the overall rising cost of living in the country. He explained that the price increase affected various sectors, not just housing, and suggested that tenants should be patient and rely on prayer for provision.

The residents are now calling on the Plateau state government to intervene and regulate the actions of property agents to prevent further hardship.

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The children, suspected to have been trafficked from Plateau State, were found in distressing conditions.

Mrs. Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, the Mandate Secretary of the Women Affairs Secretariat, FCTA, made this revelation while handing over the rescued children to the Plateau Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Caroline Dafur, in Abuja on Monday.

Benjamins-Laniyi disclosed that investigations were underway to ascertain the details of the trafficking allegations. Additionally, she stated that FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, had authorized the Secretariat to conduct a comprehensive profiling and recertification of orphanages operating within the nation’s capital.

“In light of this incident, one of our immediate actions is to obtain approval for the recertification of orphanage homes in Abuja. The Minister has sanctioned a thorough reprofiling and recertification process for all orphanages in Abuja,” she affirmed.

Furthermore, Benjamins-Laniyi mentioned that the Secretariat was collaborating with Dafur to facilitate the reunification of the children with their families. Shockingly, some of the rescued children had reportedly been residing in the unaccredited orphanage since 2019.

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Addressing the grim conditions encountered at the orphanage, Dafur recounted how three children managed to escape due to the deplorable environment. These children were later discovered by officers of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), who promptly alerted the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).

Upon receiving the distress call, the Plateau Government and the FCT Women Affairs Secretariat swiftly intervened to rescue the remaining children from the dire situation. Dafur expressed profound gratitude to the mandate secretary for her support in relocating the children to the Karu Children’s Home, emphasizing the urgent need for improved welfare standards in orphanages across the country.

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Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has given the green light for the mobilization of contractors to several long-abandoned project sites across the state, with the aim of transforming slums into urban centers within the Jos Bukuru metropolis.

Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Hon. Joshua Ubandoma Laven, led a tour to inspect these dormant project sites, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to enhance the living conditions of the citizens. The move is part of an effort to complete stalled projects that have lingered for years due to a lack of continuity in government policies.

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Laven, during the inspection, visited key project locations, including the Utonko Nunku, Abattoir road with a 9-span flyover bridge and the 5-kilometer road networks in the Utan area of Jos North. He stressed that the state government is determined to ensure the completion of these projects before the end of the year.

The Commissioner expressed concern over abandoned projects like the Sabon Gari, Tudun Wada, Kabong satellite market road network and the rehabilitation of a 24.1-kilometer road network in Bukuru Jos South LGA. Laven urged contractors to mobilize to the sites promptly, emphasizing that Governor Mutfwang is focused on completing people-centered projects.

READ ALSO: Federal Government Approves Immediate Assistance for Plateau Attack Victims

He particularly addressed Rick Rock Nigeria Limited, giving the company a three-day ultimatum to return to the site or risk the revocation of an 11-year contract. Laven stressed that the Governor is indifferent to the identity of the contractors but is keen on completing projects that benefit the people.

In response to the lack of continuation of projects initiated by the last administration, Laven highlighted the wastage of government resources and outlined Governor Mutfwang’s directive to complete all uncompleted projects. The Commissioner emphasized that the administration is prepared for good governance and will not tolerate any act of sabotage, urging contractors to resume work promptly.

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About five years ago, the Berom and Irigwe natives found in the Northern part of Plateau State seized every available outlet to cry out over the forceful occupation and renaming of their communities. Still, some wondered how possible it was for such to happen.

A former governor of the State, Jonah Jang, Senator Istifanus Gyang who was then the Member representing Barkin Ladi/Riyom federal constituency; the Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Buba; all Berom Socio-cultural groups especially its umbrella body, Berom Educational and Cultural Organization, BECO and the Irigwes of Bassa local government area; among others consistently appealed to no avail that the Federal Government should tackle land occupation by foreign herders.

The Beroms pointed out some of the communities attacked since 2001 to include “Rotchun (aka Rafin Acha), Dankum (renamed “Mahanga”), Hywa (renamed “Lugere”), Fass (renamed “Tafawa”), Davwak, Chwelnyap, Lyoho Dakar, Angwan Dalyop, Janda, Darin, Shong I, Shong II; Rakweng; Dashugu; Diyan-Hei; Maseh (renamed “Lugel”), Kampwas, Kasa, Zere, Ninja-Hei, Sei, Nicha, Pwabeduk, Hyai, Kufang, Sharu, Dogo, Ningon, Rantis, Angio, Kachin, Shonong, Rahol-Mazat, Chikogo, Ranchol, Nangam, Kak, Dajak, Rarin, Kujei, Attakar, Nantwa and some parts of Bisichi, Kai, Rahol, Luk-Fei, Mallel, Bel, Rahei, Zim, Jong, Rabuk, Lobiring and Gwara Dadep.
To date, natives of these communities have integrated themselves into safer communities and cannot return home.

READ ALSO: Retiree with Disability Accuses Former FCT Minister of State of Land Grabbling Attempt in Abuja

Sadly, the situation has extended to other communities in the Central part of Plateau with the recent attacks and displacements across communities in Mangu and Bokkos which are the two local government areas worst hit in the zone.

Between April and July 2023, over 200 persons were killed in Mangu which is home to the Mwaghavul tribe, and the National President, Mwaghavul Development Association, MDA Chief Joseph Gwankat listed sacked communities to include: “Murish, Dungmunan, Kubat, Tim Naanle, Pil, Fungzai, Manja, Chisu, Fungkipang, Nting, Jwaktumbi, Kantoma, Mangul, Alohom 1, Alohom 2, Gongon, Dan Hausa, Kikyau 1, Kikyau 2, Gudum, Tyop, Kwaskipanleng, Gaude, Bure, Ntam, Jwak Raas, Mper.

”Changal, Kombili, Washna, Jwak Chom, Larkas, Fushi, Kwahas, Dangdai, Atuhun, Adep, Ajing, Milet, Daika, Dikong, Lakopal, Kogul, Niyes, Lakasi, Gwet 1, Gwet 2, Mutong, Keptul, Gung, Pyantuhul, Kus Hi, Nbwor, Vodni, Pwaskop, Nten, Konji, Niyes, Kogul” and recently, Lar’apya.
For Bokkos, some of the communities attacked last December included, Mutfet, Ndun, Sanyan, Kyong, Kop, Mandarken, Lunghai, Chirang, Makundang, Fashar, Garau, Mbong, Tahore, Tamiso, Wang, Hirpiya, Butura Kampani, Maijankai, Dares, Kamluk, Sundul, Garah Mushere, Kambar Mupeli, Mbar Fiton and other.

More than 200 persons were killed in these attacks. Survivors of the attacks have relocated from these communities and reports abound that strange people are occupying their homes, harvesting their crops from their farms, and engaging in artisanal mining known in the local parlance as ‘guza.’ The natives also call for an intense investigation of Mahanga, a Fulani enclave where reports are rife that arms are stockpiled and attacks in the State are planned and launched.

While the natives across the diverse tribes see the recurring attacks as an attempt at land grabbing, the umbrella body of herders, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN whose members are often accused of carrying out the attacks, say it is not the case.
Former governor Jang noted that the people have continued to “bear the brunt of terrorists who seem to have sworn to dispossess them of their heritage at all costs. That these killers are out on a cleansing agenda and plan to take over the lands of the people they try to wipe out is no longer hidden.”

He added, “There is the need to attend to the call for State police as part of measures for boosting security, ensuring early response in crises, and confronting the challenges headlong. The killings are getting out of hand and the State Police option is viable for nipping these massacres in the bud.”

The Senator representing Plateau Central in the National Assembly, Diket Plang stated, “… facts on the ground reveal that there is forceful occupation of attacked communities which is a pointer that land grabbing is real in the State… We need a permanent solution to the Plateau issue, criminality has crept in, and security should be heightened at the entry and exit points in the State… The Plateau issue should be more nationalistic. There is the aspect of land grabbing, the facts are there.

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“The humanitarian assistance should include the provision of building materials for the rebuilding of destroyed homes so that the owners could return home and the security personnel should be stationed at strategic locations to give the people a sense of safety… We need to change our grazing policy and adopt technology in livestock and crop agriculture, your profession should not impede on mine…”

But the State MACBAN Chairman, Nura Muhammad said, “The issue of land grabbing has been over-flogged. There is nothing like that, it is just that we are killing ourselves and people are living apart. Let’s live in peace with one another and there should be a synergy with all stakeholders.”

Operation Safe Haven, keeping the peace in the State didn’t respond to questions about the insinuation about Mahanga as its spokesman, Captain James Oya could not be reached at the time of the report but Muhammad quoted earlier noted, “Mahanga is a village like any other in Plateau State, it is just that it is inhabited by the Fulani that is why all these things are being said.”

Source: Vanguard Newspaper

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