The United States of America on Saturday, 3 January, 2026 announced drug and terrorism charges against Venezuela’s President, Nicolás Maduro, following claims by President Donald Trump that US forces captured him in a “large-scale strike” on the South American country.
Trump said the operation was carried out in coordination with US law enforcement. “The United States of America has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolás Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the country,” Trump said on Truth Social.
The US President also announced that he would hold a news conference at 11:00 a.m. (1600 GMT) at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida to provide further details.
Further information on the charges and the ongoing situation is expected to be released soon.
Again, Gunmen Invade Plateau Village, Kill Seven, Injure Several Others
Gunmen on the night of Friday, 2 January, 2026 attacked a village in Plateau State’s Qua’an-Pan Local Government Area, killing seven people and injuring several others.
Eyewitnesses told PUNCH Online in Jos on Saturday, 3 January, 2026 that the incident occurred in Bong village, Doemak District, where the assailants launched a house-to-house attack, targeting women, children and the elderly.
Residents described the attackers as heavily armed, while survivors reported that the victims were mostly those who could not escape in time.
A native of the local government council, Mr Lawrence Dogari, confirmed the attack, saying, “For now, I can confirm to you that over seven persons have been killed, while some persons are still missing.”
The Director of Press and Publicity to the Executive Chairman of Qua’an-Pan Local Government Council, Danaan Cletus Sylvanus, also confirmed the incident, stating that the number of fatalities could not be ascertained at the moment.
“The council boss, Hon. Christopher Audu Manship, is condemning the attack on innocent persons and is collaborating with security operatives to ensure that the culprits are arrested,” Sylvanus said, adding that the council chairman promised to provide updates as more information becomes available.
The spokesman for the state Police Command, Alabo Alfred, did not pick up several calls to his mobile phone when contacted by our correspondent for comments on the issue.
The attack on Friday is the latest in a series of killings carried out by gunmen in Plateau villages in recent times.
Gunmen had, on Christmas Eve, attacked the Bum community in Jos South Local Government Area and killed seven persons as well.
