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Inside dilapidated Ogun hospital where patients supply own beds

Published

6 months ago

September 22, 2025

Once a symbol of pride for the agrarian town of Ipokia, Ogun State, the General Hospital now tells a story of neglect and despair. From leaking roofs and collapsing ceilings to broken beds and empty wards, the 55-year-old facility has become so degraded that patients often arrive with their own mattresses, reports DARE OLAWIN

At the General Hospital in Ipokia, Ogun State, patients seeking care are greeted not by the promise of healing, but by leaking roofs, cracked walls, broken beds, and outdated equipment. Once a proud community facility, the hospital has deteriorated into a place where the sick are admitted with their own mattresses, forced to navigate dilapidated wards in search of relief.

Opened on January 30, 1970, by the then Military Governor of the Western Region, Robert Adeyinka Adebayo, the hospital has hardly undergone any major refurbishment in its 55 years of existence. Today, aside from stained and cracked walls, almost every structure and amenity that once defined the hospital’s value has fallen apart.

From the gate, the neglect is glaring. The gatehouse, garages, reception, lodges, and adjoining offices are shadows of their original form, far from befitting a secondary health facility. The wards, labour room, restrooms, and offices have decayed to the point where routine cleaning no longer makes a difference.

The terrazzo floors, once elegant and polished, now bear scars of neglect. The once sparkling marble chips are now dulled by years of grime and foot traffic. Health attendants and cleaners have long run out of ideas about how to make the environment even remotely welcoming.

A recent visit by our correspondent to the agrarian community hospital revealed the full extent of the decay. The wards are lined with ceilings that are steadily collapsing, with fallen plaster and paint chips scattered across the floors. Patients and visitors move through the corridors anxiously, eyes intact on the sagging ceiling boards, never sure when the next piece will fall.

*Leaking roof and broken ceiling in a ward at Ipokia General Hospital, highlighting the facility’s state of neglect. Photo: Dare Olawin.*

The medical equipment that once gave the hospital pride has long gone, reportedly carted away to Abeokuta for reasons residents say remain unexplained. What remains is a shell of a facility.

On rainy days, patients and their caregivers no longer just contend with illness—they fight for dry corners in a building that barely resembles a hospital. The roof, riddled with holes, serves more as a sieve than a shelter, letting rainwater stream freely into wards and offices.

The bathrooms present an even grimmer picture. Dirt and grime cling stubbornly to every surface. Toilets are clogged, cisterns broken, and pipes rusted. The foul smell lingers in the air, while cracked seats and leaking faucets complete the picture of abandonment. In one instance, a patient reportedly had to leave the hospital to relieve himself at home before returning to his hospital bed—a reflection of the deplorable state of the restrooms. Sticky, slippery floors, foul odours, and failing infrastructure combine to make the bathrooms a potential breeding ground for infection. Here, neglect is not just visible; it is dangerous.

Once a source of pride for the people of Ipokia, the General Hospital today is a crumbling relic. Its worn-out infrastructure has left residents struggling to access healthcare safely, underscoring years of government neglect and a desperate need for urgent intervention.

When our correspondent visited the hospital, the female ward was empty. The male ward had one patient, and the maternity ward had four neonates and their mothers. Residents of Ipokia said this showed the level at which the hospital has lost its glory and is now deserted by people who seek healthcare elsewhere, accredited or not.

“That hospital used to be our pride, but not anymore. It is now like an abandoned zone. People now seek healthcare somewhere else. Instead of going to that kind of hospital, they would rather go to a private one, some of which are not registered. The so-called auxiliary nurses are now the ones people rely on for their healthcare. Many have even resorted to self-medication, and you know what that means. Go and look at the empty wards; look around. It’s so degrading,” a community leader told our correspondent.

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It was learnt that the beds in the wards have deteriorated to the level that some patients on admission now bring their own beds to the hospital.

“Look at the beds; see the springs and the stands. They are no longer good. That is why some patients go there with their beds. They know the condition of the beds in this hospital, and they know they can’t sleep on them. If you look at those beds, you will see they are gone. The metal frame and the mattresses – none of it is worth writing home about. The one in the emergency ward is even worse. Let’s just pray a patient doesn’t fall off one day,” a resident, Bolaji Sadiku, told our correspondent.

Empty theatre

The operating room at the hospital became empty after all the equipment installed in 1970 fell apart. As of today, our correspondent learnt that the theatre is still functioning because a community leader, the Balogun of Ipokia, Adesola Abolurin, renovated it. To prevent maternal mortality during Caesarean sections, Abolurin procured modern tools, including an operating table, suction machine, lights, and air conditioners. To keep the hospital from darkness, he also installed solar power. With this effort, the overworked doctor and nurses do their best to attend to pregnant women with special cases.

*Empty ward at Ipokia General Hospital, Ogun State. Photo: Dare Olawin.*

No hope for preterm babies

Children born before their due dates have no hope of survival in Ipokia. Unfortunately, there is no nearby facility where such neonates could be referred to. As a result, there have been cases of infant mortality involving preterm babies. When there are preterm births, depending on how critical the condition is, the babies are usually referred to the Federal Medical Centre in Abeokuta. Sadly, most of the babies die on the four-hour journey.

Alhaji Sodeeq Akeem was among the few lucky ones whose set of twins survived the condition last year. His two girls were born underweight, but a serving medical corps member in the hospital at the time volunteered to give them the intensive care they deserved, even without an incubator. Akeem was lucky because the conditions of the babies could be handled without the dire need for an incubator.

“When we gave birth to my twins, they were small and needed special care. They were supposed to be in the incubator for some weeks, but this hospital didn’t have that facility. They planned to refer us to Abeokuta that time, but there was no ambulance facility for that. There was a female doctor here then, a youth corps member, Dr Ramon. She was the one who faced the challenge. She did everything to ensure my daughters survived. I was lucky, all thanks to Allah. Others may not be so lucky,” the businessman said.

However, Adelani, another resident, was not so lucky. Earlier this year, his wife was delivered of a baby at the seventh month of pregnancy. The baby was underweight and had to be referred to the medical facility in Abeokuta.

“We lost the baby before we got to Ilaro. It was so painful. This hospital was built with a neonatal intensive care unit. It used to have an incubator, but I learnt that machine was taken away. With what we have seen, the few workers here have the capacity to handle preterm babies, but there are no facilities. We need urgent government attention,” he said.

Ambulances without drivers

Unarguably, the Ipokia General Hospital may be the only one with two ambulances parked under a shed because there are no personnel to drive them. The hospital has had one ambulance for years, and another was recently donated by the senator representing Ogun West, Olamilekan Adeola. Our correspondent saw that the vehicles were parked at the entrance, but there are no drivers to make good use of them.

“There are no drivers to operate these ambulances. It is so bad that the government cannot give us a driver for these ambulances. If there is a need to rush anybody to Abeokuta or Ilaro, these ambulances would just be useless. The last time my relative was moved to Abeokuta, we had to hire a driver from Idiroko. Look at that! How can we go to Idiroko to hire a driver for an ambulance in Ipokia? What if the man is busy? It doesn’t make sense,” the resident said.

Equipment moved away

The PUNCH gathered that officials of the Ogun State Hospital Management Board, sometime last year, arrived at the hospital with a truck. Their mission, initially unknown to many, was to cart away some medical equipment from the hospital. The only defence was that there were no trained personnel to operate those machines.

“From our findings, when they came last year or so, they took inventory of everything here with the storekeeper, who provided them with the list. There was even a big generator that had the capacity to power both the hospital and the water corporation machine beside it. Everything was taken away to Abeokuta. We were told that there were no personnel to handle those machines. So, they were taken away, even some that were installed decades ago. Instead of training people or sending trained personnel to Ipokia to handle the equipment, they took them away. I don’t think it is good,” a community source, who did not want to be mentioned, said.

Overworked staff

As of today, the general hospital is understaffed. Workers cannot go on leave while some run double shifts day and night with not enough time to rest. It was gathered that some nurses and doctors posted to Ipokia refused to stay because of the condition of the facility. Currently, there is only one doctor, who is usually assisted by a corps member.

“When nurses and doctors are posted here, they seek redeployment immediately. We have only one doctor, assisted by an NYSC doctor. One of our fathers here volunteered to take care of the corps members, paying them an additional stipend every month. He even got a power generator for them so they can stay. That is Ambassador Abolurin. The government should upgrade this hospital,” the Chairman, Ipokia Youth Development Council, Idowu Ajibade, said.

Ajibade regretted that the community had written several letters but there was no positive response from the government.

“Several letters have been written, but there has not been any positive response from the government. Can we compare this general hospital to the ones in Ota, Abeokuta, Ilaro, Ijebu-Ode, or even the one in Idiroko? How can just one doctor handle all cases? Are there not supposed to be specialists? How omnipotent is a doctor that he could handle all situations? Someone spoke of low patronage. Why won’t there be low patronage when the hospital is now a den of rats? This healthcare facility used to be our pride. It is the only general hospital in the whole Ipokia district, serving about eight wards. People started deserting it when it started becoming empty.

“As for the machines they said were moved away, we don’t know the reason for that, but they may feel it was better to take those things to where they would be useful instead of abandoning them here. But I believe that is not the best thing for the good people of Ipokia. The people deserve quality healthcare. We need to save this hospital from deterioration,” the youth leader remarked.

Group kicks

The sad reality drew the concern of The Pacesetters of Ipokia, a pro-development group in the area. In a strongly worded statement signed by its president, Kehinde Olumilade, the group painted a disturbing picture of the hospital’s decline.

“The Pacesetters of Ipokia note with deep concern the deplorable state of the General Hospital in Ipokia, once a beacon of hope and pride for our people. Today, the facility that should serve as the primary centre for healthcare delivery in the local government has been reduced to a shadow of itself,” the statement began.

The group recalled how the medical equipment that once adorned the hospital and gave confidence to patients has disappeared. Many residents, they said, alleged that the equipment was moved to Abeokuta for reasons still unexplained. What is left behind, according to The Pacesetters, is “a structure in decay, leaving patients and carers to struggle in unsafe and humiliating conditions.”

“Whenever it rains, wards and offices become flooded, as the leaking roof offers no protection. Patients, who should be receiving treatment in dignity, are forced to scramble for dry corners with their caregivers. In such an environment, quality healthcare is not just difficult—it is impossible,” the group lamented.

The statement was unequivocal in its demand: the Ogun State Government must act. “This is unacceptable. The people of Ipokia deserve better. We therefore passionately appeal to the Ogun State Government, under the leadership of His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, to urgently intervene by renovating the hospital, re-equipping it with modern medical facilities, and restoring it to the standard befitting a general hospital. The government should explain to us why some equipment was moved from this hospital with no replacement. The people deserve some explanations,” the group stressed.

Reiterating that the health of the people is non-negotiable, Olumilade stressed that a functional healthcare facility is not a privilege but a right.

“The health of our people cannot wait. A functional healthcare facility is not a privilege—it is a right. We believe that with the prompt attention of the state government, Ipokia General Hospital can once again serve as the lifeline for thousands of families who depend on it daily. We urge the government to act now, in the interest of public health, equity, and justice.”

With voices like those of The Pacesetters of Ipokia amplifying the cries of residents, the once-glorified hospital’s fate now rests squarely on the state government’s response—or silence.

Monarch’s unsuccessful efforts

The Onipokia of Ipokia, Oba Yisa Olaniran, said he and other elders of the community have made repeated efforts to salvage the situation. The monarch seemed tired, but he refused to give up because the hospital may cease to exist if the current trend continues.

The traditional ruler, just like Ajibade, said letters were written to the Commissioner for Health, Tomi Coker. Promises were made, and officials of the government were sent to take photos of the hospital. But weeks and months passed with no remedy in sight.

“We have written several letters to the State Commissioner for Health as regards the general hospital in the past, in which they promised heaven and earth. They even sent their officials to take pictures then, all to no avail. You can even ask the lead physician there, Dr Sule; he was part of it then. No medical staff, just one doctor and an NYSC doctor. No equipment, and part of the building has become dilapidated. We pray the government remembers us one day,” he pleaded.

The Balogun of Ipokia, who has been supporting the facility, regretted that it is still in bad shape despite all efforts to make it look a bit better.

“The hospital remains in bad shape. I am in constant touch with the Permanent Secretary of the Hospitals Management Board. I hope to see the Chief of Staff on the re-roofing of the hospital,” Abolurin stated.

Ogun govt mum

The Ogun State Government has refused to speak on the hospital despite repeated efforts to get government officials to react.

A government spokesperson, Kayode Akinmade, said he would not be able to speak about the matter, referring our correspondent to the health commissioner.

The commissioner, Coker, did not answer calls to her phone nor did she reply to text messages sent to her days before filing this report.

In all of this, it could be deduced that Ipokia General Hospital tells a sobering story of how neglect can strip a once-proud institution of its value. What should be a place of healing has become a source of worry, where patients contend not just with illness but with broken beds, leaking roofs, and equipment long carted away. For a community that has written letters, pleaded with government officials, and even relied on the goodwill of individuals to keep the hospital barely functional, the silence from the authorities is deafening. The people of Ipokia are not asking for luxury; they are asking for the basics of care and dignity. Until that comes, the hospital will remain a shadow of itself, and the residents will continue to pay with their lives.

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Plateau killings: Tinubu visits Jos, IG deploys mobile police

Published

16 hours ago

April 2, 2026

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President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday postponed his scheduled trip to Iperu, Ogun State, to prioritise a condolence visit to Jos, Plateau State, over last Sunday’s attacks that left at least 27 people dead.

The decision comes shortly after President Tinubu met with Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang at the Aso Rock Villa on Wednesday evening, where the governor briefed him on the security situation in the state.

Also, the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has ordered the deployment of Police Mobile Force units and other tactical teams to Plateau State.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, revealed this in a statement he signed on Wednesday, titled “President Tinubu postpones Ogun trip, heads to Jos as he begins four-state visit.”

The President will now travel to Jos today to commiserate with the government and people of Plateau State over the recent attacks in the Angwan Rukuba district of Jos North.

Onanuga said from Plateau, the President will travel to Lagos to observe Good Friday and, on Saturday, April 4, he will proceed to Ogun State for the inauguration of the Gateway International Cargo Airport and the inauguration of two commercial aircraft for the export and import of goods.

The President will also inaugurate the new edifice of the Federal Operations Unit of the Nigerian Customs Service and its operational vehicles during the Ogun visit.

He will return to Lagos to continue the Easter holiday, during which he is expected to inaugurate infrastructure projects undertaken by the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

These include the Ojota/Opebi Link Bridge, the Lagos State Geographic Information System Building, the Multi-Agency Complex named after the President, and a school complex.

The President Tinubu would also visit Bayelsa State on April 10 to inaugurate some completed projects of Governor Douye Diri, including the independent power plant.

Earlier, Mutfwang had told State House correspondents that the President was contemplating a personal visit to the state to commiserate with the people.

“The President commiserates with the entire state, and as a matter of fact, he’s contemplating coming to the state personally to commiserate with the people.

“It’s something that has touched him personally, and he wants to show the people his love and affection for them,” Mutfwang had told State House correspondents.

Tinubu had on Monday strongly condemned the attacks in Jos and in Kahir village, Kaduna State, describing them as “barbaric and cowardly” acts that will not go unpunished.

He also disclosed that he had invited the governor to brief him on the development alongside security chiefs to stop the killings.

Mutfwang arrived at the Villa at approximately 6:45pm on Wednesday.

Speaking with State House correspondents after meeting the President, he said security forces were yet to apprehend any of the attackers responsible for last Sunday’s killings in Angwan Rukuba district.

“Unfortunately, we’ve not been able to lay hands on the attackers yet to know their identities and their motive,” he said.

The governor said that without apprehending the perpetrators, authorities would not be able to determine the actual reasons behind the attack or establish their identities.

“In a crisis of this nature, you can’t reduce it to one reason. It is a mixture of multiple reasons, and sometimes you can only deduce the actual reasons when you are able to get two groups of people, first the victims and then the attackers.

“Unfortunately, we’ve not been able to lay hands on the attackers yet to know their identities and their motive,” he explained.

Mutfwang also revealed that looters attempted to disrupt the fragile peace in Jos on Wednesday morning, hours after the state government relaxed the curfew imposed following the attack.

“We relaxed the curfew this morning from 8am to 3pm, but unfortunately, this morning, there were some looters who tried to disrupt the peace again.

“But I’m glad that the security forces, working together, were able to calm the situation as of noon,” he said.

The governor disclosed that President Tinubu invited him to brief him first-hand on the attack and discuss the way forward.

He said the President had approved certain security measures to be implemented in conjunction with security forces, though he did not specify what these measures entail.

Mutfwang described the attack as an act of criminality, barbaric, and terrorism, insisting it could not be justified under any religion.

He said, “We are seeing this as an act of criminality. It is barbaric. We condemn it.

“It is an act of terrorism, because whatever religion you belong to, it does not give you any basis to come and do the kind of actions that were done on Sunday.”

The governor expressed optimism that the crisis would mark a decisive turning point for proactive security actions in the state.

“What I can assure you is that this has become a decisive turning point that I’m sure going forward we’re going to see more proactive actions,” he stated.

He added that corpses had been evacuated to the mortuary and some families had already buried their dead.

In a statement on Wednesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Anthony Placid, the IGP ordered the deployment of Police Mobile Force units to the state.

Additional deployment, according to the statement, included tactical teams and intelligence operatives working in collaboration with other security agencies to prevent further breakdown of law and order across the state.

“In response to the situation, the Inspector-General of Police had earlier deployed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, DIG Umar Nadada, to Plateau State to assess the security situation, coordinate ongoing operations, and strengthen the existing security architecture,” the statement said.

It added that the IGP had further intensified operations through the deployment of additional mobile police units and other security assets to tackle the ongoing security challenges.

“The Inspector-General of Police states that these actions will continue until normal conditions return.

“He has instructed all operational commanders to ensure visible policing and actively engage with vulnerable communities,” the statement added.

The police boss also commiserated with the Plateau State Government, the people of the state, and the families of the victims affected by the attack in Angwan Rukuba.

He urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies, warning against taking the law into their own hands.

Earlier on Wednesday, tension remained high as security operatives struggled to restore calm, following the relaxation of the curfew.

Our correspondent reports that the curfew was initially imposed after gunmen attacked residents of Angwan Rukuba in Jos, leaving at least 28 people dead.

However, the state government eased the curfew earlier imposed on the Jos North Local Government Area following improved security in the area.

The Commissioner for Information, Joyce Ramnap, who disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday, explained that the curfew would run from 7 am to 3 pm daily, effective Wednesday, April 1, to allow residents to attend to their normal activities within the permitted hours.

But on Wednesday morning, hoodlums and an irate mob reportedly attacked many motorists and passersby in different parts of the city, raising fresh fear and panic among residents.

A video of a young man hacked to death by hoodlums on the road leading to the University of Jos permanent site raised tension across the town.

It was further learnt that motorists in the Terminus and Bauchi Road, Gangere areas, had their windscreens smashed by hoodlums.

Some of the most affected areas included the University of Jos axis, Bauchi Road, Farin Gada, Tina Junction, and Chobe, among others.

Banks and schools located in the affected areas were forced to close down operations.

“We are scared to open our shops, we don’t know what might happen. But there is no need for the current tension in Jos.

“The governor has done well by relaxing the curfew in the interest of the people, but it’s very unfortunate how some people can decide to take the law into their hands for no reason, and I think the government should not allow them to have their way.

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“The government needs to do more to ensure our safety,” a resident, Joy Bature, who runs a provision shop at the Terminus Market, said

UNIJOS evacuates students

Our correspondent reports that following the disturbances, the University of Jos ordered the evacuation of students from its hostels, citing the worsening security situation.

The directive was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the institution’s Deputy Registrar, Information and Public Relations, Emmanuel Madugu.

The statement read, “In view of the general security situation in Jos, and particularly the near chaotic scenarios that unfolded today (Wednesday 1st April 2026), in areas near the university which heightened tensions and threatened the safety of students in the hostels, the Vice Chancellor, Prof Tanko Ishaya, has directed the immediate evacuation of students of the university from the hostels.

“The evacuation is facilitated by HE Barrister Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, the Executive Governor of Plateau State, who has provided transport services, fully authorised to carry out the assignment even within the curfew hours.”

Students residing within Jos and its environs were directed to vacate the hostels from 3 pm on Wednesday, while those whose parents or guardians live outside the state are to be evacuated from 8 am on Thursday.

The management assured all that adequate security had been deployed to safeguard the hostels and the institution.

It also urged students and members of the university community to remain calm, adding that further updates would be communicated as necessary.

UNIJOS alumni worried

The University of Jos Alumni Association, in a statement on Wednesday, expressed concern over the recent rise in tension and reported threats affecting students, staff, and the broader university community within Jos North Local Government Area.

In a statement signed by its Global President, Gad Shamaki, the association urged the Plateau State Government and security agencies to deploy an enhanced security presence across all University of Jos campuses, student hostels, residential areas, and major access routes.

“We specifically request round-the-clock patrols, intelligence-led surveillance, and rapid response units to ensure that any potential threats are proactively addressed and swiftly neutralised,” Shamaki said.

The association also advised students to stay indoors, remain vigilant, and report any suspicious activity, prioritising their safety and well-being.

A cross-section of residents who also reacted to the situation called for increased security deployment, particularly around the University of Jos, where students are stranded.

“There’s an urgent need for security deployment to the University of Jos environment, precisely the students’ village hostel.

“We appeal to the security agencies to beam their searchlight around that axis,” said a resident.

Another resident, Ishaku Mark, who lamented the situation, noted, “The Plateau State Government has relaxed the curfew, allowing movement from 7 am to 3 pm daily, effective April 1, 2026, following relative calm in the area after a violent attack that claimed 28 lives.

“What needs to be done is for the residents to maintain peace and not escalate tensions. Those responsible for the renewed tension should be fished out and dealt with.”

When contacted, the spokesman for the Plateau State Police Command, Alabo Alfred, was not readily available to comment on the situation, but sources at the command headquarters in Jos assured all that security agencies had been deployed to the affected areas and were working to restore calm and maintain law and order”

Fresh curfew announced

In a bid to maintain peace, the chairman of Mangu Local Government Area, Emmanuel Mwolpun, imposed a fresh curfew in Mangu metropolis, effective from April 1, 2026, until further notice.

It was learned that the curfew will run from 8pm to 6am, effective on Wednesday, April 1.

The spokesman for the Mwaghavul Development Association in the council area, Friday Derwan, confirmed the development in an interview with The PUNCH in Jos on Wednesday.

Derwan said, “Yes, it’s true. There is a curfew in Mangu. It was imposed by the LG chairman in consultation with the security agencies and other stakeholders.

“It is not as if there is any crisis anywhere in the LGA. We felt there was a need to take proactive measures to protect the citizens, given what is happening in Jos and given the past experience of the Mangu LGA.”

A statement later issued on Wednesday by the LGA authority also confirmed the curfew, stating that the move was aimed at ensuring the safety and security of residents and property within the metropolis.

The statement signed by the Director of Press and Publicity to the Chairman, Mangu LGA, Jeremiah Dakahap, read, “Following a careful deliberation with heads of security operatives, the Chairman of Mangu Local Government, Emmanuel Bala Mwolpun, has imposed a curfew in Mangu metropolis, effective from April 1st, 2026, until further notice.

“The curfew hours have been set from 8pm (night) to 6 am daily. This measure is taken to ensure the safety and security of residents and property within the metropolis.”

“The Local Government Administration urges all residents to comply with the curfew directive. Members of the public are advised to stay indoors during the curfew hours and cooperate with security personnel on duty.

“The Executive Chairman appeals to residents to go about their daily activities peacefully and report any suspicious activities to the relevant authorities.

“This curfew is imposed in the interest of public safety and security.”

NYSC suspends clearance

The National Youth Service Corps on Wednesday suspended the ongoing biometric clearance across all local government areas in Plateau State.

The suspension, approved by the NYSC Director General, affected all the LGAs in the state.

According to a statement signed by the NYSC state coordinator, J. Yavala, the suspension was due to security concerns.

The statement assured that clearances done for April remained valid, adding that the exercise would resume as soon as normalcy returned to the state.

It advised corps members to stay indoors and stay safe.

Lawyers demand tougher action

The Plateau Lawyers Bar Forum called for stricter penalties against commercial motorcycle operators who violate the ban on their activities within the Jos-Bukuru Metropolis.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the forum’s chairman, Ledak D. Dafer and Secretary, Dr D.N. Dashe, strongly condemned the killings and urged the state government to ensure that those responsible were brought to justice.

The lawyers called on the government to identify, arrest and prosecute the attackers and anyone found to have sponsored the assault.

They also demanded an investigation into what they described as a delayed response by the police, noting that security formations were located close to the scene of the incident.

“The Plateau Lawyers Bar Forum has found it imperative to unequivocally condemn the dastardly and mindless killings of defenceless residents of Angwan Rukuba in Jos, Plateau State, by armed criminals,” the statement said.

The forum urged the Plateau State Government to strictly enforce the existing ban on commercial motorcycles across the Jos-Bukuru metropolis without exception.

Police arrest fake soldier

Operatives of the Plateau State Police Command arrested a fake soldier in the state capital.

It was learnt that the suspect was immediately taken to the police headquarters in Jos to be paraded by the Commissioner of Police, Bassey Ewah.

In a statement confirming the arrest, the Police Public Relations Officer, Alabo Alfred, invited members of the press to cover the event, stating that the arrest was made in Angwan Rukuba, a community in Jos North LGA of the state, still reeling from a recent deadly attack that claimed 28 lives.

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Alleged coup: Families of detained officers protest at N’Assembly

Published

17 hours ago

April 2, 2026

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Scores of children and wives of military officers detained over an alleged coup plot staged a peaceful protest at the National Assembly on Wednesday, demanding a speedy trial and the release of the accused officials.

The visibly distraught protesters gathered at the entrance of the National Assembly complex, moving in a slow procession while clutching placards with inscriptions such as “Don’t Kill Our Daddies,” “Detention Without Trial is Injustice,” and “Six Months of Torture: Enough Is Enough.”

Amid tears and trembling voices, the children appealed for justice and access to their fathers, many of whom they said they had not seen for months.

Speaking exclusively with The PUNCH, eight-year-old Halima Mohammed, daughter of Lt Col Mohammed Almakura, said, “Please don’t kill our daddy. We want justice for him.

“Since he was arrested by the government, our lives have not been the same again. My mummy cries every day. I really miss him so much.”

Nine-year-old Ibrahim Bala, son of Major Bala, also expressed deep longing for his father.

“Let the government bring my daddy back safely.”

The last time I saw him was nine months ago. I really miss him. He used to teach me things about school and how children should behave towards adults.

“I’m in primary four. But I last saw him about six months ago. Our house has been lonely without him. I also miss him because nobody used to take me out as he used to do before,” he said.

Four-year-old Fatima Yusuf, daughter of Wing Commander Yusuf, made an emotional plea to the nation’s leadership.

She said, “I want to beg the President and our First Lady to bring my daddy safely back. Since he left, I have no one to play with. He always helped me to learn things I didn’t know and took me out.”

Eleven-year-old Nana Aisha Usman urged the authorities to either release the detained officers or charge them in court.

“Please help us beg the government to release my daddy or take him to court. He and other people locked up deserve justice. Since he was taken away, the house is empty without his presence.

“If he is at home, he takes me to the shop and buys things for me. Any time I bring my assignments, he is always happy to help me with them. I don’t think my dad is a bad person. He never meant harm to anybody. I want the government to help us investigate and free him.”

One of the spouses, Nana Ibrahim, described the circumstances surrounding the arrests and continued detention as questionable.

She said, “The whole coup allegation and arrest are shady. Investigations and statements have been conducted for over six months.

“Yet, they have been denied access to their families and lawyers. If they have any evidence about their involvement, they should come out with it boldly with their chest.

“They should let the world know how many people are indicted or in detention and charge them in court. That is all we are asking.

“After all, they have announced that they have concluded their water-tight investigation and evidence. So, why the delay? They should take them to court and come out with the evidence.

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“We want an open trial where everybody will listen to the charges and defend themselves. If they can prove themselves beyond a reasonable doubt, they should be set free. Enough is enough!”

The protest comes about a month after families of the detained officers appealed to President Bola Tinubu to grant them access to their husbands and ensure they are either released or arraigned before a court of law.

The appeal was made during a press briefing in Abuja attended by no fewer than 20 wives and several children of the detained officers, including a two-month-old baby.

The families were accompanied by human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju and activist Omoyele Sowore.

At the briefing, the families lamented that the officers had been held for over 160 days without trial or contact with their relatives, describing the situation as a violation of their fundamental rights.

Speaking on behalf of the families, Memuna Bashiru said the prolonged detention had thrown their households into uncertainty and emotional distress, noting that while allegations had been widely publicised, families remained in the dark about the fate of their loved ones.

They appealed directly to the President and the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, to intervene, stressing that their demand was not for favours but for adherence to constitutional provisions.

The arrest of the indicted officers was first announced on October 4, 2025, by the then Director of Defence Information, Brig Gen Tukur Gusau, who disclosed that 16 officers were taken into custody for alleged breaches of military regulations and acts of indiscipline.

However, an interim investigation later suggested the existence of a clandestine network of officers, allegedly coordinated by a senior Army officer, which had begun preliminary planning for a coup.

According to the report, the alleged plot involved surveillance of key national assets, including the Presidential Villa, Armed Forces Complex, Niger Barracks in Abuja, and major international airports, with October 25, 2025, cited as the planned date for the operation.

Those reportedly in custody include Brig Gen M. A. Sadiq, Col M. A. Maaji, Lt Col S. Bappah, Lt Col A. A. Hayatu, Lt Col P. Dangnap, Lt Col M. Almakura, Maj A. J. Ibrahim, Maj M. M. Jiddah, and Maj M. A. Usman.

Others are Maj D. Yusuf, Capt I. Bello, Capt A. A. Yusuf, Lt S. S. Felix, Lt Cdr D. B. Abdullahi, Sqn Ldr S. B. Adamu and Maj I. Dauda.

The alleged plot, according to findings, targeted senior government officials, including President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.

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News

El-Rufai returns to ICPC custody

Published

2 days ago

April 1, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

A former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has been returned to the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Commission (ICPC).

El-Rufai, who left custody on March 27, 2026, following the death of his mother, was re-arraigned on Tuesday.

Earlier, the court had adjourned his application for bail till March 31, 2026.

But, on Tuesday, he first appeared at the Kaduna State High Court for a separate charge filed against him by the ICPC.

The absence of the second defendant stalled the hearing, which was then adjourned to 10 April 2026.

Subsequently, he was taken to the Federal High Court, Kaduna, which was scheduled to hear his application for bail today, Wednesday.

Shortly after the court’s proceedings, the former governor was returned to the ICPC custody pending the continuation of his trial on Wednesday.

Daily Trust reports that the chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) was taken to the court amid tight security, less than 24 hours after he received dignitaries over the death of his mother, Hajiya Ummar El-Rufai.

Confirming the adjournment of the bail application to one of our correspondents on Tuesday, El-Rufai’s Counsel, Upong Akpan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, said the hearing on the bail application would determine his client’s fate temporarily.

Akpan, who did not go into details, expressed confidence that the former governor would regain his freedom in due time.

“I’m sorry, I can’t talk now, we are in the middle of work. I have to go and file responses. The hearing of the bail application has been adjourned till tomorrow,” he told Daily Trust.

Charges against El-Rufai

El-Rufai is standing trial before the Federal High Court on a 10-count charge bordering on alleged conversion and possession of public property, as well as money laundering.

The charges include: alleged unlawful receipt of about N289.8 million as severance allowance above-entitled benefits; alleged receipt of $320,800 through multiple deposits into a domiciliary account; alleged receipt of $155,800 and $305,300 from separate individuals; and alleged receipt of smaller dollar deposits from different persons at various times.

He denied all allegations levelled against him.

What happened in court

In the court, the Defence Counsel filed a motion, urging the presiding judge, Justice Rilwan M. Aikawa, to recuse himself from the case on grounds of alleged bias and a pending petition.

However, another motion was subsequently filed to withdraw the earlier request seeking the judge’s recusal.

The prosecution also filed a counter-affidavit opposing the bail application, which contributed to the adjournment.

Earlier, El-Rufai, who was arraigned before a Kaduna State High Court sitting in Kawo before Justice Darious Khobo on separate charges, was scheduled to be docked alongside his co-defendant, one Amadu Sule, but the latter was absent in Court over reported ill-health.

Specifically, ICPC said the duo were being arraigned over allegations that border on abuse of office, fraud, intent to commit fraud and conferring undue advantage.

It was gathered that the case, with charge number KDH/KAD/ICPC/01/26, was adjourned to April 10, 2026, for further hearing. The anti-graft agency had earlier explained that both charges were filed on March 18, 2026.

Specifically, armed personnel of the police, DSS and Kaduna State Vigilance Service were deployed to strategic locations, while major roads, including Ali Akilu Road, witnessed heavy traffic due to movement restrictions.

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Journalists were barred from covering the proceedings, as the prosecuting counsel, Dr Osuobeni Ekoi Akponimisingha, declined to speak to the media.

Similarly, the Defence counsel, Ubong Akpan (SAN), also declined to comment at the State High Court.

The spokesman of the ICPC, John Odey, could not be reached last night when contacted, as calls to his mobile phone did not connect.

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