Tech-Know-Crat Media

*JMDB Civil Defence Officers Waste Government Bullets, Shoot in the Air, and Deflate Tires of Trucks on the Plateau.*

A near crisis situation was averted around 8 pm on Thursday, May 22, 2025, in Jos when Civil Defence officers attached to the JMDB fired gunshots while storming S.O. Plaza in the Old Bukuru Park area of the state capital.

The officers, wielding guns, also beat up a 19-year-old boy, a staff member of the Plaza. They claimed to be enforcing the ban on trucks in the city, but a viral video shows the truck parked within the legal perimeter fence of the plaza and not on the road.

Eyewitnesses interviewed said this was not the first time the JMDB task force had invaded the plaza in a gestapo style, causing apprehension and fear in the area.

According to them, in August of last year, the General Manager of JMDB, Arc. Hart Bankat, personally led the civil defence officers to the plaza and ordered them to shoot six tires of a parked truck, even though the truck was within the legal perimeter of the plaza.

The CEO of the plaza, Mr. Solomon Okeke, who sells drinks, said he had to file a case in court as a result of the GM's actions. According to him, one of his trucks, fully loaded with drinks, is in their custody, and he refused to resort to self-help; hence, his resort to the court of law as some officials of the JMDB, brandishing gestures like thugs, insisted he pay an outrageous sum for what seems a vindictive offense.

The 19-year-old boy was beaten, and his entire clothes were torn, as captured in a viral video. His whereabouts were unknown at the time of filing this report.

Neighbors call on the governor to call the GM to order, as they are tired of hearing gunshots around the area anytime the task force comes to S.O. Plaza.

These acts sparked outrage and complaints of executive rascality and intimidation of law-abiding citizens by a government that needs to protect lives and businesses.

It will be recalled that recently, JMDB has been leveling shops and chasing market women out of their places of daily hustle with the argument of sticking to the Jos Master Plan.

Munatare Munashak is a social crusader and advocate for Good governance.