The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Reports

  • Charge troops to remain disciplined, professional in their operations – Commander

    Charge troops to remain disciplined, professional in their operations – Commander

    The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major-General Abdulsalami Abubakar, has charged the troops to remain disciplined, loyal, vigilant and professional in their operations.

    Gen Abubakar gave the charge while addressing members of the task-force during the sallah celebration in Jos.

    According to the GOC, “It is with great pleasure, gratitude to the Almighty, that I heartily wish all our invited guests, officers, troops, operatives and personnel under command, as well as your families, a happy Eid-el fitr celebration for the year 2024.

    “I pray that the joy of the season abides with you and your families.

    Read Also; How governors usurp Ifa’s role in choice of traditional rulers

    “The celebration reminds us of the unwavering sacrifices of members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the Nigerian Police Force, the Department of State Services, the Nigerian Immigration Service, the Nigerian Correctional Service, as well as the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps and the Defense Intelligence Agency personnel under command in the maintenance of peace and security of lives and property within Operation Safe Haven joint operations area.

    “Your professionalism, courage and determination to achieve our mandates, especially on the Plateau, is worthy of note and highly appreciated.

    “While I acknowledge and applaud your efforts, I urge you not to rest on your oars, but to remain focused in your task. To consolidate the gains of all our recent achievements, we must intensify our efforts to completely eradicate all acts of isolated killings, kidnapping, farmers hurdles, clashes, cattle rustling, as well as cattle poisoning, farm destruction and ethno-religious crisis, among all other forms of security of threats within our joint operations area.

    I want to reassure you once again that headquarters of Operations Safe Haven, as well as both the army headquarters and the Defense headquarters, will do all that is necessary to provide you with the requisite leadership, welfare, and logistics to motivate you for effective and successful conduct of our operations.

    “Finally, as we conclude this year’s Ramadan fasting, I want to encourage you to always remember our gallant departed colleagues who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the discharge of their duties.

  • Public lecture on democracy, security, as Ortom clocks 63

    Public lecture on democracy, security, as Ortom clocks 63

    The President , Historical Society of Nigeria (HSN), Professor Samuel Aghalino,  is set to deliver a public lecture in Makurdi, Benue State, as part of activities marking the birthday celebration of the immediate past governor of the state, Chief Samuel Ortom.

    Read Also; How governors usurp Ifa’s role in choice of traditional rulers

    Professor Aghalino, who is of the Department of History and International Studies ,University Of Ilorin, Kwara State, will speak on the topic: “Democracy, Insecurity and the Future of One Nigeria; Reading the Mind of Samuel Ortom,” will be held at International College of Technology in Makurdi.

    Preceding the public lecture is a thanksgiving service of RCCG, Region 40 Headquaters in Makurdi to be crowned with a dinner.

  • Mutfwang restates commitment to tackle malaria in Plateau

    Mutfwang restates commitment to tackle malaria in Plateau

    Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has restated his administration’s commitment to fighting malaria across the state.

    Mutfwang stated this while flagging-off the distribution of 2.9 million treated mosquito nets in the state.

    Represented by his deputy, Mrs Josephine Piyo, the governor reiterated his commitment toward ensuring access to quality and affordable health care services in the state.

    He added that such a move, among other initiatives, informed his decision to invest huge sums of money in the health sector towards better results.

    Read Also; How governors usurp Ifa’s role in choice of traditional rulers

    “In alignment with national efforts, the Plateau State Government, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health, the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), and other partners, including the US President’s Malaria Initiative, has intensified its drive to increase access to durable and cost-effective treated mosquito nets, as it is pivotal in preventing mosquito-borne malaria.

    “Today, we launch the distribution of over 2.9 million nets across 1,080 distribution points, spanning our state’s 325 wards, the health and lives of our citizens remain a priority of the present administration.

    “Our collective investment in this campaign underscores our commitment to reducing Plateau State’s malaria burden from 19% to single digits and ultimately eliminating it”.

    The Governor implored citizens to take advantage of the opportunity to protect themselves from malaria by embracing the campaign and use the nets consistently.

  • Police arrest six over vandalism, others

    Police arrest six over vandalism, others

    Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command have arrested six suspects, namely Kabiru Muhammed, Aliyu Usman, Abdulmalik Alhasassan, Shafi’u Suleiman, Suleiman Ibrahim, and Raymond Mailabari, who is an AEDC staff.

    Raymond Maliabari allegedly connived with others to vandalise and steal a transformer.

    All the suspects are male of Tipper Garage, Mpape, Abuja.

    They were arrested on April 11, 2024 at about 10:45pm, through credible intelligence.

    Read Also; How governors usurp Ifa’s role in choice of traditional rulers

    The suspects were trying to escape with an already vandalised transformer they had loaded on a crane truck in Maitama, when police operatives swooped in and apprehended them.

    According to a statement issued on Friday by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh: “The vandalised transformer, a crane truck, a blue-coloured Mercedes Benz with Reg No. PKN 497 XA, a white-coloured J5 bus with Reg No. RBC 228 XC, and an ash-coloured Peugeot 406 car with Reg No. GSN 13 AA belonging to the AEDC staff were all recovered.

    “While the investigation is still ongoing, the Commissioner of Police FCT, CP Benneth C. Igweh, psc, mni, wishes to reiterate his commitment to ensuring the safety of lives and property in the Territory.

    “He also urges residents to be vigilant and take advantage of the police emergency lines to report suspicious activities through: 08032003913, 08028940883, 08061581938, and 07057337653 PCB: 09022222352, CRU: 08107314192”.

  • Eid-el-Fitr: Radda to focus on social, infrastructural devt

    Eid-el-Fitr: Radda to focus on social, infrastructural devt

    Governor Dikko Umar Radda of Katsina has pledged to focus more attention on the provision of social and infrastructural development in the state.

    The Commissioner for Information, Bàla Salisu Zango, who made the above disclosure in a press statement, said the governor made the pledge at Daura Emir’s palace while delivering the Ed-Elfitr Sallah message, adding that he has in the last eight months of stewardship been able to fulfil many of its campaign promises in the areas of security, education, water supply, health, institutional reforms, the civil service and many more.

    Read Also; How governors usurp Ifa’s role in choice of traditional rulers

    The Governor also disclosed that his administration has recruited 7,325 teachers, awarded foreign scholarships to Katsina State indigenes to study MBBS Medicine in Egypt, procured twenty metric tonnes of fertilizers for rainy season farming, distributed palliatives to the vulnerable people in the state, as well as procure drugs and hospital equipment for health facilities across the state.

    Radda further disclosed that his administration has been able to provide infrastructural development to the state and has awarded contracts for the dualisation of township roads in Katsina Metropolis and Eastern bypass.

    The Governor also felicitated with the people of Katsina State on the sallah celebration, wishing them more peaceful and joyful celebrations.

  • Police parade 66 suspects for crimes in Plateau

    Police parade 66 suspects for crimes in Plateau

    The Plateau State Police Command has paraded over 66 persons for various crimes committed during the Eid-el-Fitr Celebration in the state.

    The state Commissioner of Police, Hassan Yabanet, made this known to reporters at the command headquarters in Jos.

    The police boss said it arrested two notorious armed robbery suspects and recovered arms and ammunition during the celebrations.

    During the period under review, it also arrested suspected cult members.

    He said festive periods are usually characterised by fanfare and celebrations, but the good people of the state have always expressed their reservations as a result of the recurring attacks on law abiding Muslim faithful by members of the inglorious Sara-Suka and other cult groups, street urchins and criminal elements.

    Read Also; How governors usurp Ifa’s role in choice of traditional rulers

    “During my last press briefing, I made a promise to the good people of Plateau State that this ugly trend will be arrested and will be a thing of the past. In other to achieve this, Officers of the Plateau State Police Command were strategically deployed to all praying grounds, vulnerable locations and efficient motorised patrol put in place all over the state”.

    The CP explained that the Eid-El-Fitr celebration in the state was peaceful and devoid of any rancour or attack on worshippers.

    He said the command in its strategic deployment has paid off, as a total of Sixty Six (66) suspects were arrested at different locations within the state, and the following exhibits recovered from them – fourteen (14) machetes, eight (8) daggers, large quantity of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, six (6) tricycles, four (4) motorcycles and bottles containing illicit substances. 

    He said all the suspects are undergoing interrogation and will be charged to court soonest.

    He also announced the arrest of suspected armed robbers and recovery of arms and ammunition. “On 10th April, 2024 at about 0700hrs, one Laulau Jibrin ‘m’ of Zunzugut Mavo came to the Nigeria Police Force, Divisional Headquarters Wase, Wase LGA and reported that on the 9th April, 2024, at about 2300hrs, some armed men came to his house at same address and robbed him of his motorcycle. 

    On the strength of the above complaint, Police Detectives attached to Wase Division in collaboration with Vigilantes swung into action and arrested two of the armed robbery suspects through credible intelligence.

    The suspects are one Musa Adamu and one Sale Joga both male of Mavo Community in Wase Local Government Area.

     Exhibits recovered from them include; one AK-47 rifle loaded with three (3) rounds of 7.62mm Ammunition. The suspects have been transferred to State CID Jos and are currently undergoing interrogations, and will soon be charged to court.

    “I wish to state emphatically that the Plateau State Police Command under my leadership will not tolerate any form of lawlessness. Parents and guardians are therefore enjoined to pay close attention to their children and wards, as no law breaker will be spared.”

  • Niger has spent lots of money purchasing security gadgets – Bago

    Niger has spent lots of money purchasing security gadgets – Bago

    Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago, has disclosed that his administration has spent lots of money in purchasing sophisticated security gadgets to help in tackling insecurity in the state.

    He said his administration would continue to invest heavily in the purchase of security equipment to address the security challenges in the State and finally bring an end to it.

    The Governor stated this when he paid sallah homage to the Emir of Kagara, Alhaji Ahmed Attahiru Gunna II at his palace in Kagara, Rafi local government area of Niger state.

    The Governor reiterated that work and strategies are being done around the clock to ensure that insecurity becomes a thing of the past in the state.

    Read Also; How governors usurp Ifa’s role in choice of traditional rulers

    Bago also used the occasion to commiserate with the Emir and the people of the Emirate over the recent killings in the Madaka community by terrorists.

    The Emir of Kagara, Ahmed Attahiru Gunna II, commended the efforts of the state Governor in improving the security situation in the region, saying that because the insecurity situation has been reduced, some farmers are being encouraged to return to their farms.

    The Emir also appreciated the Governor for his visit and his efforts to better the lives of the citizens, pledging the support of the Emirate for his people-oriented policies and towards ensuring that he succeeds.

  • Kano commission of inquiry notto witch-hunt opposition – Gov

    Kano commission of inquiry notto witch-hunt opposition – Gov

    The two commissions of inquiry set up by the Kano State government were not meant to witch-hunt opposition in the state, the state governor,  Abba Yusuf said yesterday.

    The governor disclosed this  while receiving the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, who paid the traditional homage at Government House as part of the “Hawan Nassarawa” activities.

    Yusuf said the panels were set up to ensure transparency and accountability in government and to tackle the menace of political violence in the state.

    He vowed to investigate and fish out perpetrators of political violence, threatening that government would not spare anybody, irrespective of their political parties.

    Read Also; How governors usurp Ifa’s role in choice of traditional rulers

    According to him, the exercise is to end the political violence that led to loss of lives and destruction of property in order to place the state on the path of economic and political development.

    Yusuf promised to work hand in hand with the emirate while noting their contribution and cooperation with the government.

    Yusuf said since assumption in office barely 10 months ago, his administration had embarked on massive campaign against political thuggery.

    The governor said more than 200 political thugs, and phone snatchers who had been apprehended by the Kano Command of the Nigeria Police had repented and were now useful to the society.

    ” No society will develop without the contribution of the youths; that’s why our administration is according much priority to the development of the youth.

    “We’ve initiated different empowerment schemes for youths and  women, geared towards making them self reliant. “

    Earlier, the Emir of Kano, Bayero, said they were at the Government House to pay homage as the tradition of the Emirate for decades .

  • Military in strong position to win war against terrorists, says Matawalle

    Military in strong position to win war against terrorists, says Matawalle

    The Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle, yesterday said the Nigerian military is in “a good and strong position to win the war against terrorism.”

    He said this was evident in the recent elimination of terrorist leaders in the North West.

    He commended the military for its recent onslaught against terrorists in Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina and Kaduna states.

    The Nation reports that the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) had on April 4 confirmed the killings of 10 terrorist commanders in the past three months.

    Those killed, according to the DHQ , are Abu Bilal Minuki (aka Abubakar Mainok) – Head of Is-Al Furqan Province (ISGS and ISWAP) and Haruna Isiya Boderi – a notorious terrorists who operated along Birnin Gwari Forest in Kaduna State as well as the Abuja-Kaduna Highway. He was killed by troops on February 24. 2024.

    Others, according to the military high command, are Kachallah Damina ( killed on March 24, by troops. He was killed alongside over 50 combatants), Kachallah Alhaji Dayi, Kachallah Idi (Namaidaro), Kachallah Kabiru (Doka), Kachallah Azarailu (Farin-Ruwa), Kachallah Balejo, Kachallah Ubangida, and Alhaji Baldu.

    Read Also; How governors usurp Ifa’s role in choice of traditional rulers

    The Minister also praised the Nigerian Armed Forces ( NAF) for its precise airstrikes at the terrorist strongholds in Zurmi, Gusau, and Maradun Local Government Areas of Zamfara, “which resulted in the elimination of numerous terrorists and the destruction of their infrastructure.”

    The minister praised the Nigerian Armed Forces for their precise air strikes targeted at the terrorist strongholds in Zurmi, Gusau, and Maradun Local Government Areas, which resulted in the elimination of numerous terrorists and the destruction of their infrastructure.

    He said: With Military precision it successfully identified and neutralized the camps of prominent terrorist figures Abdullahi Nasanda and Mallam Tukur.

    “We appreciate and commend the untiring efforts of our gallant servicemen and women who participated in this operation with utmost dedication and precision.

    “With prayers and support for our Military, very soon the Military will clear these states free from bandit attacks.”

    While appreciating all military personnel involved in operations against criminals across the country, the minister commended the collaborative efforts of the nation’s Intelligence Agencies as well as the local security partners.

  • Makinde signs Rule of Law Enforcement Authority bill into law

    Makinde signs Rule of Law Enforcement Authority bill into law

    • Appoints Justice Aderemi as Chairperson

    Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde has signed the Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority Bill passed by the state’s House of Assembly into law.

     This is as he announced the appointment of Justice Aderonke Aderemi as the Chairperson of the enforcement authority, and the establishment of mobile courts across the state.

     The event held at the Governor’s Boardroom on Friday had in attendance the state’s Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal; Deputy Speaker, Abiodun Fadeyi; Secretary to the State Government, Professor Adenike Adeyemo; Commissioners for Land, Environment, and Chieftaincy Matters; and the newly appointed Chairperson of the enforcement authority, Justice Aderonke Aderemi (retired).

     The governor said the new law aims to provide swift justice for lawbreakers noting that the state has been unable to fully enforce some of the laws in the state because of a lack of cooperation from the law enforcement agencies regarding issues between state agencies and federal agencies.

     He added that the new law will allow for quick dispensation of justice for the lawbreakers

    Read Also; How governors usurp Ifa’s role in choice of traditional rulers

     Makinde said: “I have just signed into law the bill passed by the House for the establishment of the Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority.

     “We have not been able to fully enforce some of the laws we have made, either because we have not heard cooperation from the law enforcement agencies regarding issues between state agencies and federal agencies.

     “What this law is going to do is to allow quick dispensation of justice for the lawbreakers. With the signing of the law, we will put everything in place to give a bite to the people who will run this authority.

     “If you are caught doing the wrong thing or contravening this law, you will face court immediately.”

     The governor urged residents of the state to play a proactive role in the state’s progress by adhering to laws and regulations.

     He stressed the significance of maintaining a clean environment, curbing street trading, and obeying traffic laws to foster an investor-friendly atmosphere.