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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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Wazobia Family Funfair AT 10 – Decade of Family, Culture, and Community

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14 hours ago

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June 8, 2026

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On July 25, 2026, families from across Houston will gather at the West Oaks Mall on 1000 West Oaks, Houston, to celebrate a milestone that extends far beyond food, music, and entertainment. The 10th Anniversary of the Wazobia Family Funfair represents a decade-long journey of community building, cultural preservation, entrepreneurship, and family-centered engagement.

What began as a customer appreciation initiative has evolved into one of the most recognizable African community events in Texas. For ten years, the Funfair has provided a space where families reconnect with culture, children experience heritage, entrepreneurs build relationships, and communities strengthen the bonds that define them.

The story of the anniversary begins with the story of Wazobia itself. Founded in 2013 by entrepreneur Tunde Fashina, Wazobia was created with a vision that stretched beyond commerce. According to Fashina, the goal was never simply to sell products.

FASHINA, OHAZURIKE: For Fashina, leadership carries responsibility. “The feeling is fantastic because you’ve achieved something,” he explained. “But it is also frightening because every decision affects many people.” He added: “The higher you are in an organization, the more people are affected by your decisions.” Those values influence the company’s culture and community engagement efforts.

“The emphasis was not more on getting the products,” he explained. “The emphasis was on creating a feeling of belonging to the customer, so that they feel at home any time they come to our place.”

That philosophy became the foundation of the business. Fashina spent nearly two years developing the business plan. The challenge was enormous. He had limited financial resources and relied heavily on relationships, determination, and faith.

“The business plan had to involve getting this business up with absolutely no money, because I didn’t have any,” he recalled.

The early years tested every aspect of his resolve. He performed multiple roles simultaneously.

“I was a cleaner. I was a restocker. I was a cashier. I did all the work,” he said. “I slept in the shop throughout for almost 18 months because I was working around the clock.”

Despite the challenges, growth came quickly.

“God showed up in ways that I could not describe,” Fashina said. “People started coming in little by little, and the growth rate exceeded everything in the business plan.”

Yet even as the company expanded, community remained central to the mission. “We created a sub-plan,” he explained. “How do we give back to those who built us? How do we let our customers know that we appreciate them?”

The answer became what is now known as the Wazobia Family Funfair.

 

 

Over the years, the event evolved from a modest appreciation day into a major annual celebration featuring cultural performances, African music, dance, games, food vendors, business showcases, and family activities.

For Paula Ohazurike, Project Manager at Wazobia, the event represents much more than an annual gathering. Her experience since she joined Wazobia reflects a recurring theme in conversations with employees and customers: Wazobia is viewed not merely as a business but as a community institution.

That philosophy is visible in the Family Funfair. The event creates a rare space where generations come together. Children born in America are introduced to African traditions through music, dance, language, fashion, and food. Parents and grandparents reconnect with memories of home while sharing those experiences with younger family members.

In a city as diverse as Houston, such gatherings carry significant cultural value. Houston is home to one of the largest African immigrant populations in the United States. Yet many families often struggle to maintain cultural connections while navigating modern American life. Events like the Wazobia Family Funfair help bridge that gap.

The significance of the Funfair extends beyond cultural preservation. It serves as a platform for economic empowerment. Small businesses, vendors, artists, and service providers use the event to connect with potential customers. Community organizations engage residents. Entrepreneurs build networks. Relationships formed during the event often extend throughout the year.

According to Ohazurike, the event has become one of the most effective community-engagement platforms within Houston’s African diaspora. The atmosphere itself reflects the spirit of family. Children enjoy games, bounce houses, and face painting. Families participate in contests and group activities. Music fills the air. Food vendors showcase culinary traditions from across Africa.

The result is an experience that feels both festive and deeply personal. Fashina believes that sense of belonging remains the event’s greatest achievement. “There is no reason for us not to provide an environment that people can be proud of,” he said. “A place where they can bring their friends and enjoy themselves.”

 

 

That vision continues to guide the organization. Today, Wazobia has expanded significantly, operating multiple locations and employing approximately 250 people. “It is something we are immensely proud of,” Fashina noted. “But this is only the beginning.” Growth, however, is measured by more than financial success.

For Fashina, leadership carries responsibility. “The feeling is fantastic because you’ve achieved something,” he explained. “But it is also frightening because every decision affects many people.” He added: “The higher you are in an organization, the more people are affected by your decisions.” Those values influence the company’s culture and community engagement efforts.

The Family Funfair embodies that philosophy by bringing people together in ways that strengthen relationships and encourage collective progress. Perhaps that is why the event has endured for ten years. Many community events emerge with enthusiasm but struggle to survive. Sustaining a large-scale annual celebration requires trust, consistency, and a genuine commitment to service. The Wazobia Family Funfair has achieved that longevity because it has remained focused on people.

Over the past decade, families have returned year after year. Children who attended the first Funfair now return as young adults. New immigrants have found friendships and support systems. Businesses have launched partnerships. Countless memories have been created.

 

 

The anniversary therefore represents more than a milestone date on a calendar; it represents ten years of shared experiences; ten years of preserving culture; ten years of supporting businesses; ten years of strengthening families; and ten years of building community.

As Houston prepares for the 2026 celebration, organizers are looking toward the future while honoring the past. For Ohazurike, the mission remains simple. “We want people to feel welcome,” she said. “We want families to come together and create memories.”
For Fashina, the broader vision remains rooted in possibility. “We can do it,” he said. “We just have to have a goal in mind and take it one step at a time.”

Those words capture the spirit of the Wazobia Family Funfair. At its heart, the event is not simply a festival. It is a living expression of community resilience, cultural pride, and family unity. It demonstrates how a business can become a community anchor. It illustrates how relationships can create opportunities. It reminds us that culture thrives when it is shared. Ten years after its inception, the Wazobia Family Funfair continues to embody the meaning of its name—an invitation for everyone to come together.

In a world increasingly defined by division and isolation, that invitation may be more important than ever. And as families gather once again this July, they will celebrate more than an anniversary. They will celebrate a decade of belonging.

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Burbank Marriage Unravels After Woman Allegedly Used Tracking Devices to Monitor Husband

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5 months ago

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December 27, 2025

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Burbank, Calif. — What began as a seemingly happy two-year marriage ended in confrontation and police involvement after a Burbank woman allegedly used multiple electronic tracking devices to monitor her husband’s movements, authorities and sources familiar with the situation said.

According to information obtained by this outlet, the marriage between Amos and Yolanda deteriorated after Yolanda allegedly placed Apple AirTags, Tile trackers, and a GPS tracking device on Amos’ vehicle and personal belongings without his knowledge. The devices reportedly allowed her to monitor his location in real time and reconstruct his daily movements across the city.

Friends of the couple said the marriage appeared stable during its early years, with the pair often seen together at community events and social gatherings. However, tensions reportedly escalated when Yolanda began confronting Amos about his whereabouts, referencing locations and timelines he had not shared with her.

The situation reached a breaking point when Yolanda allegedly tracked Amos to an apartment complex in Burbank, where she believed he had gone without informing her. Sources say she arrived at the location shortly after he did, leading to a heated confrontation in the parking area of the building. Neighbors, alarmed by raised voices, contacted local authorities.

Burbank police responded to the scene and separated the parties. While no arrests were immediately announced, the incident marked the effective end of the couple’s marriage, according to individuals close to Amos.

Legal experts note that the unauthorized use of tracking devices may raise serious privacy and stalking concerns under California law, depending on intent and consent. Law enforcement officials have not publicly disclosed whether an investigation remains ongoing.

The case underscores growing concerns about the misuse of consumer tracking technology, originally designed to help locate lost items, but increasingly implicated in domestic disputes and surveillance-related allegations.

As of publication, neither Amos nor Yolanda had publicly commented on the incident.

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Kaduna Governor Commissions Nigeria’s First 100-Building Prefabricated Housing Estate

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7 months ago

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November 14, 2025

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Kaduna, Nigeria – November 6, 2025 — In a major milestone for Nigeria’s housing sector, the Governor of Kaduna State has commissioned a 100-unit mass housing estate developed by Family Homes and executed by Karmod Nigeria, marking the first-ever large-scale prefabricated housing project in the country.

Completed in under six months, the innovative project demonstrates the power of modern prefabricated construction to deliver high-quality, affordable homes at record speed — a sharp contrast to traditional building methods that often take years.

Each of the 100 units in the estate is designed for a lifespan exceeding 50 years with routine maintenance. The development features tarred access roads, efficient drainage systems, clean water supply, and steady electricity, ensuring a modern and comfortable living environment for residents.

According to Family Homes, the project represents a new era in Nigeria’s mass housing delivery, proving that cutting-edge technology can accelerate the provision of sustainable and cost-effective homes for Nigerians.

“With prefabricated technology, we can drastically reduce construction time while maintaining top-quality standards,” said a spokesperson for Family Homes. “This project is a clear demonstration of what’s possible when innovation meets commitment to solving Nigeria’s housing deficit.”

Reinforcing this commitment, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State emphasized the alignment between the initiative and the state’s broader vision for affordable housing.

“The Family Homes Funds Social Housing Project aligns with our administration’s commitment to the provision of affordable houses for Kaduna State citizens. Access to safe, affordable and secure housing is the foundation of human dignity. We have been partnering with local and international investors to frontally address our housing deficit,” he said.

Also speaking at the event, Mr. Ademola Adebise, Chairman of Family Homes Funds Limited, noted that the project embodies inclusivity and social progress.

“The Social Housing Project also reflects our shared vision of inclusive growth, where affordable housing becomes a foundation for economic participation and improved quality of life.”

Karmod Nigeria, the technical partner behind the project, utilized its extensive expertise in prefabricated technology to localize the process, employing local artisans and materials to enhance community participation and job creation.

Industry experts have described the Kaduna project as a blueprint for future housing initiatives nationwide, capable of addressing the country’s housing shortfall more efficiently and sustainably.

With this pioneering development, Kaduna State takes a leading role in introducing modern housing technologies that promise to reshape Nigeria’s urban landscape.

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