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Wanton Killings In Plateau Raise Death Toll On Insecurity To 357 Across Nigeria In August

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5 years ago

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Plateau State became the highlight red spot where several killings happened in Nigeria in August. Interestingly, a preponderance of these killings in the state occurred during a curfew imposed by the governor, Simon Lalong, making the fertile farming territory the most dangerous part of Nigeria reported on by the media in August.

In the month of August, no fewer than 357 people lost their lives to the myriad of insecurity challenges in various parts of the country. This is according to the Lifecount report by Civic Media Lab, a non-profit organisation.

Plateau State became the highlight red spot where several killings happened in Nigeria in August. Interestingly, a preponderance of these killings in the state occurred during a curfew imposed by the governor, Simon Lalong, making the fertile farming territory the most dangerous part of Nigeria reported on by the media in August.

One of the horrid images of the attacks was the site of about 17 charred corpses cornered into a community leader’s home in Yelwang Zangam in Jos North Local Government.

“They were mostly children between 13 and three,” said John Christopher, a lawyer who lost relatives in the attack while recalling the butchering and burning. He could still see the bodies burning in the smoldering house. Many of them had run there for refuge, assuming wrongly in hindsight that the assailants will spare the home of their ward head.

According to Christopher, the massacre had followed a dispute over a parcel of land in the community which Fulani settlers used to bury their dead. The owner of the land had claimed that the settlers never paid and this spiralled into violence. At least 36 persons lost their lives in a single day, the highest count of violence in a day – August 24 seen by Civic Media Lab last month. Between Jos North and Bassa local governments, 86 lives were snuffed out in a spate of attacks which aggrieved natives described as ‘the expansionist aim of Fulani settlers.’

Also, during this period over 20 Muslim travellers were waylaid and killed in Jos.

The presence of the Third armored division and the Joint Tax Force in Plateau State, has not stopped students of the University of Jos from getting used as targets to settle scores in Plateau.

“It is a recurring event, when there is any problem on the Plateau, the ripple effect will always bounce back to University of Jos students,” said Adakanla Joshua, the Student Union President of Unijos. He reckoned that after the attack on the motorcade of five buses which were returning from Bauchi after marking the beginning of the Islamic calendar, at least three students have been killed. Twenty-year old Doris Bitrus Danboyi was the first, reportedly murdered on Sunday, August 15 on her way to church. Joshua says more silent killings followed, with a male student stabbed to death in a tricycle while heading to one of the hostels on campus.

The student leader further revealed that as soon as the curfew was relaxed, the checkpoints erected along the road to the university campus in Naraguta Jos North were dismantled. That allowed for more students to disappear without trace. As at the time of his interview, he says two students were missing and another from Federal College Jos – a school close to the university had also vanished.

In Borno state, the Islamic terror group, ISWAP attacked a military base in Rann, killing an aid worker and a soldier along with 15 others.

Also in August, mass raids on communities and schools continued as Civic Media Lab collated reports of 332 kidnappings. Zamfara was the most affected with 82.53 percent of abductees –274 picked up from the gold producing North western state. In one instance, the terrorists went away with 15 students and four staff from the Zamfara College of Agriculture, despite opposition from a squad of ‘tactical police operatives’ according to a statement released by the state police command after the attack.

The killings across the country occurred mostly in Northern Nigeria with North Central and North West, the worst hit. In the North-Central, 122 people were killed across Plateau; 86 murders, Benue; 32 murders and 2 abductions, Kwara; 2 murders and seven abductions and Kogi 2 murders and 4 abductions. In the North-west which has become the most crimson spot in the country, 151 persons were slain and 303 others were kidnapped.

Outside the North, Imo State recorded at least 17 deaths in the South East while in Anambra, four police officers were murdered as the government’s treatment of agitators continues to cause fractions in the region.

Rivers and Cross Rivers were the most violent paths reported in the South-South where 12 persons were killed and seven kidnapped in the former and seven more murdered in the latter. In the South West, 8 persons were slain in Ogun state while a Swiss expatriate was abducted.

Meanwhile, the fragility of states like Plateau and Kaduna, where another 66 persons were killed in August, has not deterred the Nigerian Youth Service Commission (NYSC) from deploying batches of fresh graduates to the troubled parts. Gloria Adeola (Not her real name) bemoaned this fate urging the NYSC to stop deploying more Nigerians to the states.

“They should at least stop sending more batches to places like Plateau, Kaduna and other places in the North-West.” she stated. “I have not been able to go for CDS for two weeks now. We that are here are trying to leave. The DG said we could apply for relocation but mine has not been approved,” she added.

Observers feel the killings up North have been politicised and the details muddled to mask finding genuine solutions. In Naraguta, where one of the University of Jos’s campus is located, Christopher said the institution has refused to take measures to prevent encroachment on the land given to it by the community. He reckons this has allowed illegal settlers to come into the agrarian area with cattle and wantonly destroy farmlands.

“Plateau is very fertile, anything you plant on it grows. People are now going into farming but the expansionist tendencies of the Hausa/Fulani – they don’t want people to farm, they want everywhere to be left for grazing,” he said.

Although Hausa Fulani settlers have been murdered in reprisals following attacks by herders, the federal government has maintained that Nigeria has 415 grazing routes that must be openly grazed, conflicting the ban on open grazing by most governors in the South and Benue in the North-Central.

Student leader, Joshua agreed that the University of Jos has been encroached. He says the perimeter fencing of the school is poorly done and allows for invasion by unknown persons into the campus. He further lamented the absence of an effective security apparatus in the school despite it being a painted target for reprisals.

Before the August 24 attacks, the campus was shut down in response to the ‘silent killings.’ The student union president is determined to keep learning grounded until an acceptable security system is implemented.

“There will be no resumption in Unijos,” he said. “If they tell students to resume, I and other executives will check the security set-up. If it is not good enough I will tell students not to resume,” he added.

Culled from the Sahara Reporters

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Houston

Fifty and Fabulous: Chief Oby Marcel Celebrates a Golden Milestone in Houston

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2 weeks ago

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October 13, 2026

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Houston philanthropist and community leader reflects on five decades of faith, family, resilience and service as friends and well-wishers prepare for her grand golden jubilee celebration on October 31, 2026.

HOUSTON, TEXAS — Turning 50 represents far more than reaching a milestone in age. It is a celebration of maturity, accumulated wisdom, personal accomplishments and the extraordinary journey through life’s challenges and triumphs. For many, the golden jubilee offers an opportunity to reflect on meaningful relationships, embrace renewed purpose and look toward the future with gratitude and confidence.

For Houston-based philanthropist and community leader Chief Oby Marcel, that milestone has arrived with excitement, thanksgiving and an unmistakable sense of fulfillment.

Chief Oby Marcel: This milestone has arrived with excitement, thanksgiving and an unmistakable sense of fulfillment.

All roads will lead to the Trinity Event Center, 8402 Howell Sugarland Road, Houston, Texas, on Saturday, October 31, 2026, when Chief Oby Marcel hosts a prestigious golden jubilee celebration beginning at 7 p.m. The anticipated all-formal gathering will bring together family members, friends, community leaders, associates and well-wishers to celebrate a woman whose life reflects a commitment to family, cultural identity, community engagement and service.

Speaking enthusiastically about her approaching birthday, Chief Oby Marcel described the occasion as a deeply personal celebration of divine grace and the experiences that have shaped her journey.

“Wow! I can hardly believe I’m stepping into the radiant glow of 50! My heart is dancing with joy, overflowing with excitement, and wrapped in deep gratitude,” she declared.

“Fifty beautiful years of God’s grace, unfailing love, abundant blessings, renewed strength, and memories that shimmer like precious jewels. Through every storm and sunrise, every challenge and triumph, every tear and laughter-filled moment, God has remained faithful.”

Beyond the birthday festivities, Chief Oby Marcel’s golden jubilee highlights her active participation in several cultural, religious and philanthropic organizations within Houston’s Nigerian community.

She is a prominent member of Gold Club International, where she holds the distinction of Lady Gold and serves as Admission Chairlady. She also serves as Treasurer of Prestige International and Assistant Financial Secretary of CWO Aquinas. Her community involvement extends to First Umuokpu Anambra USA, the Aguleri-Otu cabinet and the Omambala Cultural Association in Houston. Through these affiliations, Petersen maintains connections with organizations dedicated to cultural preservation, fellowship, mutual support and community development.

As a mother, philanthropist and community leader, she represents a generation of Nigerian women in the diaspora who balance family responsibilities with active participation in organizations that strengthen cultural bonds and promote collective progress.

The Young Shall Grow: From the Innocence of Yesterday to the Golden Glory of Today — 50 Years of Grace, Beauty, and Becoming.

The significance of turning 50 reaches beyond organizational achievements or public recognition. It represents an opportunity to embrace life with greater wisdom, confidence and optimism. According to Chief Oby Marcel, “I’m not simply turning 50; I’m crossing the threshold into a dazzling new chapter filled with wisdom, confidence, happiness, purpose, and endless possibilities.”

“I’m proud of the woman I’ve become, grateful for every mile God has carried me, and thrilled by the beautiful horizons unfolding before me.” Her enthusiasm captures the spirit of the forthcoming celebration: an occasion dedicated not merely to marking five decades but to honoring a journey defined by resilience, gratitude and enduring faith.

As preparations continue for the October 31 festivities, Chief Oby Marcel is approaching her golden milestone with a message of renewed hope and determination. “At 50, I’m not getting older; I’m blooming brighter, standing stronger, growing wiser, and becoming even more fabulous!”

And with that declaration, the celebrant offers a fitting conclusion to her golden jubilee reflections: “Cheers to my golden jubilee! My best years are still ahead of me!”

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Houston

Membership Interest Soars After Sugar Land People’s Club’s Successful Induction

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2 months ago

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September 8, 2026

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Branch considers annual induction as August celebration of prestige, culture and comradeship inspires growing community interest

HOUSTON, TEXAS — Membership requests to the Sugar Land Branch of People’s Club of Nigeria International (PCNI) have risen significantly following its successful August induction ceremony, prompting the organization to consider making the event an annual affair.

Group Chairman, Hon. Prof. Chris Ulasi, confirmed the surge in interest, saying the branch has received numerous inquiries from prospective members since the ceremony that formally admitted 16 new members to the organization.

“The response since the induction has been remarkable. We have seen a significant increase in people asking about membership and how they can become part of the People’s Club family,” Ulasi said. “Many of them attended the event or heard about it afterward and were impressed by the fellowship, dignity, cultural pride, and genuine comradeship they witnessed.”

Ulasi said the development, including a possible change from the current bi-annual induction arrangement to an annual ceremony, would be discussed at the branch’s September general meeting.

The renewed interest in membership comes on the heels of an elaborate induction that attracted national officers, patrons, branch chairmen, members, and guests from across the People’s Club family.

National President, Atty. Fidelis Onyebueke, who presided over the swearing-in of the 16 inductees, described the event as a total success and commended the Sugar Land Branch, PCNI’s First International Branch, for what he called an exceptional celebration of fellowship, culture, service, and unity.

During the formal ceremony, each inductee was invited to the podium to take the membership oath and receive a certificate from the national president, who was assisted by PCNI Attorney Chukwuka John Ukadike.

Beyond the admission of new members, however, the event offered guests a public display of the traditions that have historically defined the People’s Club: prestige, love, service, and comradeship. Those characteristics were reflected throughout the ceremony, from the reception of national officers and interaction among members to the formal induction, cultural presentation, and extended social celebration that followed.

Grand Patron, Ide Obinna Nnanyelugo Mbachu, said the growing interest in membership was an indication that the organization’s values resonated with guests who experienced the event.

“What people witnessed was the character of People’s Club—the love among members, respect for one another, willingness to serve, and the comradeship that brings us together,” Mbachu said. “Prestige is not simply about appearance; it is about how we conduct ourselves and how we treat people. When the community sees those values demonstrated, it is understandable that others would want to become part of the organization.”

The cultural presentation was among the most visible features of the evening. Women members and associates appeared in coordinated traditional attire featuring red-pinkish blouses with matching head ties and white wrappers bearing the PCNI logo. The men wore all-white outfits complemented by customized PCNI cap pins and distinctive PCNI sashes worn as neckpieces.

The coordinated appearance created a colorful expression of Nigerian cultural identity while reinforcing the sense of unity that characterized the gathering.

As the formal program concluded, the ceremony transitioned into an extended social celebration. Members, inductees, and guests shared food and drinks before taking to the dance floor, with music and festivities continuing into the early hours of Sunday.

The presence of members and officials from different branches also gave the ceremony broader significance for Sugar Land, whose status as the First International Branch places it prominently in PCNI’s history outside Nigeria.

For Ulasi, however, the strongest indication of the event’s impact came afterward, as inquiries from prospective members continued to reach the branch.

He said that while the organization welcomes the increased interest, prospective members would be expected to understand the responsibilities and traditions associated with belonging to the People’s Club. “Membership is about much more than attending social events,” Ulasi said. “It is about service, friendship, responsibility, and commitment to one another. Those are the values we intend to preserve as the branch continues to grow.”

The September meeting is expected to consider how the branch will respond to increased membership interest and whether the success of the August ceremony provides sufficient grounds to move to an annual induction schedule. For the Sugar Land Branch, the aftermath of the August induction may prove as significant as the ceremony itself: 16 members entered the People’s Club that evening, but the celebration appears to have inspired many more to seek a place within its ranks.

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Houston

People’s Club Sugar Land Celebrates Landmark Induction of 16 New Members

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2 months ago

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August 24, 2026

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National President Atty. Fidelis Onyebueke hails First International Branch for a spectacular celebration of culture, fellowship and service

HOUSTON, TEXAS — The Sugar Land People’s Club of Nigeria International (PCNI), the organization’s First International Branch, has been declared a total success following a spectacular bi-annual induction ceremony that brought together national leaders, branch chairmen, patrons, members, and guests from across the People’s Club family.

National President Atty. Fidelis Onyebueke, who presided over the swearing-in ceremony, commended the Houston branch for delivering an outstanding event that reflected the organization’s enduring traditions of friendship, fellowship, service, and community.

Hon. Prof. Chris Ulasi, SLPCNI Chairman, leads the grand entrance of the national leadership during the induction ceremony, followed by National President Atty. Fidelis Onyebueke and his wife.

“The Houston branch has once again demonstrated what People’s Club represents at its very best. This was a beautifully organized and highly successful event, rich in culture, fellowship, dignity, and unity. I commend the leadership, members, and entire Houston family for an exceptional celebration worthy of the First International Branch.”

The ceremony witnessed the formal swearing-in of 16 new members, each of whom was individually invited forward to receive a certificate of membership from the national president. Onyebueke was assisted in administering the oath by PCNI Attorney Chukwuka John Ukadike.

Group Photo: Women Members and Associates of SLPCNI

The inductees joined an impressive gathering that reflected the diversity and strength of the People’s Club community. Members and guests traveled from various branches across the United States and beyond, transforming the Houston ceremony into a truly international gathering.

The cultural elegance of the occasion was equally striking. Women appeared in colorful, coordinated traditional attire, featuring red-pinkish blouses and matching head ties paired with white wrappers prominently designed with the PCNI logo. The ensemble created a distinctive and dignified traditional look. Men complemented the occasion with elegant all-white outfits, customized PCNI cap pins, and special PCNI sashes worn as neckpieces.

Among those in attendance were Grand Patron Ide Obinna Nnanyelugo Mbachu; Hon. Prof. Chris Ulasi, Group Chairman; patrons and chairmen from various branches, and People’s Club members representing chapters across the globe.

The formal proceedings eventually gave way to an extended celebration of friendship and camaraderie. Food, drinks, music, and dancing carried the festivities well beyond the scheduled program, continuing for hours into the early morning of Sunday.

For the Houston branch, the celebration represented more than the admission of new members. It reaffirmed the historic importance of the First International Branch and demonstrated the continuing strength of People’s Club as a transnational fellowship rooted in Nigerian identity, friendship, service, and mutual support.

The successful ceremony also underscored the organization’s ability to bring generations and branches together while preserving the cultural traditions that have sustained its membership across continents.

By the end of the celebration, Houston had delivered more than an induction. It had delivered a memorable demonstration of unity, culture, friendship, and organizational excellence—an event that fully embodied the People’s Club spirit.

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