The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Adamawa

  • Army warn against harbouring fleeing Boko Haram insurgents

    Army warn against harbouring fleeing Boko Haram insurgents

    The Nigerian Army on Wednesday warned against providing sanctuary to fleeing Boko Haram insurgents in the North-East.

    The army also called on the people to report suspicious persons in their communities to security agencies nearest to them.

    Brig.-Gen. Sani Kukasheka, the Director, Army Public Relations, gave the warning in a statement issued in Maiduguri.

    Kukasheka said intelligence reports indicated that the insurgents were taking refuge in dry wells and other hideouts to avoid the ongoing military offensive against them.

    Read also: Army urges vigilance against suicide bombers

    “This is to warn residents in the North-East not to harbour the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists who are trying to flee from their waterloo.

    “Credible intelligence revealed that several of the insurgents have resorted to taking refuge in dry wells and other hideouts in some communities along their escape routes from the Sambisa Forest in order to evade the sustained bombardments from air and ground troops of Operation Lafiya Dole.

    “Any unpatriotic and unscrupulous persons especially in the North Eastern states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe found providing safe sanctuaries or any assistance to the criminals will be treated as accomplices and given same treatment as  terrorists,” he said.

    The director appealed to the people to cooperate with the military by reporting any fleeing terrorists immediately to the nearest security agency or call the Nigerian Army Information Call Centre Number 193.

    NAN

  • ASP arrested for killing farmers

    ASP arrested for killing farmers

    The Adamawa Police Command on Thursday confirmed the arrest of a policeman who was alleged to have shot to death seven farmers in the state.

    The arrest followed a petition by a Civil Society Organization, Progressive Mind for Development Initiate.

    The petition signed by the President of the CSO, Abubakar Abdulsalam, alleged that the officer, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, committed the offence on November 23, 2017.

    It indicated that the police officer, while in charge of Safer Highways Patrol Team, arrested the farmers who were working on their farms at the outskirts of Gombi town, tied and shot them to death.

    The petition further alleged that the same officer had on April 30, 2016, while in charge of a police outpost in Kem village, Shelleng Local Government area of the state, killed four people suspected of committing robbery.

    “We as a concerned organization consider the act of the suspect (policeman) as an act against the provision of the Constitution and infringement on the fundamental rights of the people in question.

    “If such act is not checked it will continue to spread like wild fire and eventually Nigeria will be unsafe for its citizens,” it added.

    Spokesman of Adamawa Police Command, Othman Abubakar, said the policeman had been arrested and detained as investigation continues into the case.

    NAN

  • Adamawa targets 6,000 youths for skills training in 2018

    Adamawa targets 6,000 youths for skills training in 2018

    Gov. Muhammadu Bindow of Adamawa on Tuesday said the government would offer skills training to about 6,000 youths across the state in 2018.

    Bindow told the youths at a New Year rally in Yola that the gesture was part of his campaign promise to eradicate poverty among the teeming jobless youths in the state.

    The governor said: “In 2018, our administration is targeting additional 6,000 youths for various skills acquisition training that includes irrigation, carpentry and poultry among others.

    “The development is designed to reduce the poverty level of jobless youths and to improve their living condition through direct small-scale entrepreneurship.’’

    He stressed that the effort would also help to enhance peace and stability in the state.

    Read also: Niger Govt. to equip farm institutes to train youths

    According to him, the state government is undertaking several developmental projects across the state to enhance the livelihood and economic wellbeing of the people

    Bindow listed some of the projects to include roads construction in major towns in the state, the upgrading of six general hospitals, construction of primary and secondary schools among others.

    He added: “The government is making efforts to continue with its vibrant economic programmes through sustainable agricultural development projects started in 2017.’’

    The governor explained that under the agricultural development project, the government in partnership with local councils had distributed 150 tractors and other implements to boost agricultural mechanisation.

    NAN

  • Police confirm killing of four in Adamawa

    Police confirm killing of four in Adamawa

    The Adamawa Police Command has confirmed the killing of four people at Kamale village in Michika Local Government Area of the state.

    The command’s Spokesman, SP Othman Abubakar, told the newsmen that the member representing Michika/Madagali Federal Constituency, Rep. Adamu Kamale, narrowly escaped the attack.

    Abubakar, who did not give details of the incident, however said that the attack was carried out by unknown gunmen who came with a list, going from house to house calling the names of their victims.

    Read also: Adamawa assembly jerks up 2018 budget by N15bn

    Abubakar said no arrest was made and that investigation is ongoing.

    Meanwhile, a new Commissioner of Police, Mr Ibrahim Yerima, has assumed duty in Yola.

    Yerima, who assumed duty on Friday, was until his appointment the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Armament Operations, Force Headquarters, Abuja.

    Yerima took over from CP Moses Jitoboh.

    NAN

  • Presidency moves to end farmers-herdsmen conflicts

    Presidency moves to end farmers-herdsmen conflicts

    The Federal government has opened nationwide consultations with opinion leaders towards ending incessant farmers – herdsmen conflict.

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo opened the dialogue with the hosting of some traditional rulers from Adamawa at the State House in Abuja.

    The meeting was sequel to his visit to Adamawa on December 5, in the wake of the communal clashes in the area.

    The meeting had in attendance the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II; the Lamido of Adamawa, Muhammadu Barkindo Musdafa; elder statesman, Malam Ahmed Joda and other leaders of the Fulani communities.

    Subsequent meetings would focus on other interest groups.

    At the meeting, previous reports on the conflict were presented by the delegation and causes of the conflicts were analysed.

    The meeting condemned the acts of violence that had occurred, especially the killing of children and women.

    It also highlighted the need for Law Enforcement and other Government Agencies to dutifully and objectively perform their constitutional roles.

    Osinbajo assured the delegation of the Federal Government’s resolve and commitment to the entrenchment of lasting peace in all communities across the country and the resolution of all legitimate grievances.

    He said, “There is nothing much more important now, in showing our leadership beyond preventing tragedy and destruction of everything we have built as a nation.

    The entire Nigeria enterprise is bigger than other interests. The overall objective is ensuring that our nation is not enveloped by another crisis.”

    According to the Vice President “We now have an opportunity to do something. We have the opportunity to resolve the issues and to build a nation where we and our children can live in peace.”

    Following the vice president’s visit to Adamawa, several food items and relief materials had been distributed to all the affected communities in the state, including Shafaron, Kodomti, Tullum, Mzoruwe and Mararraban Bare in Numan Local Government Area.

    Other communities that received relief materials were Dong, Lawaru and Kukumso in Demsa Local Government Area of the state.

    In the next series of meetings, the vice president will meet with the Batta, Bachama and other groups from Adamawa, while meetings with stakeholders from other conflict-affected states would follow.

    Also at the meeting were Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mohammed Musa Bello.

    NAN 

  • UN allocates $13.4m for urgent humanitarian need in Northeast

    UN allocates $13.4m for urgent humanitarian need in Northeast

    The United Nations ( UN ), through the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund, has allocated $13.4 million to help thousands of children, women and men in need of urgent humanitarian assistance in crisis-hit north-east Nigeria.

    The humanitarian emergency in the northeastern Nigeria is one of the most severe in the world today, with 8.5 million people in need of life-saving aid in 2017 in the worst-affected states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe.

    The Nigeria Humanitarian Fund (NHF) allocation will help address this devastating situation by financing 24 projects in the sectors of protection, nutrition, water and sanitation, health, education, shelter and non-food items, rapid response and early recovery, targeting a total of 950,000 people.

    In line with commitments made at the World Humanitarian Summit, five local responders are being supported through direct funding in this allocation.  By empowering national partners, a more integrated and localized response will be possible, and their capacity will also be strengthened.

    “Humanitarian needs in north-east Nigeria are still vast,” said Mr Edward Kallon, the Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria. “The United Nations and our partners, in support of the Government of Nigeria, are committed to assisting those in need, especially in pivotal areas such as protection and health.”

    In particular, the funds will be used to expand and improve sexual and reproductive health services for nearly 130,000 women and adolescent girls in areas of Borno, the epicentre of the crisis, and boost mental health services for vulnerable children, women and men. Gender-based violence will also be addressed by providing more accessible medical care. In light of the recent cholera outbreak and to mitigate the risk of faecal contamination and poor hygiene, funds have also been allocated to improve the availability of safe water and sanitation for 125,000 people.

    The NHF is one of 18 country-based pooled funds and was launched during the Oslo Humanitarian Conference on Nigeria and the Lake Chad Region in February 2017. Managed by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on behalf of the Humanitarian Coordinator, it plays a vital role in ensuring an effective, coordinated, prioritized and principled humanitarian response in Nigeria.

    To date the NHF has received $41 million in contributions and pledges, thanks to the generous support of Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, Ireland, Norway, Switzerland, the Republic of Korea, Canada, Spain, Luxembourg, the Arab Gulf Program for Development, Malta, Azerbaijan and Sri Lanka.

  • Numan crisis: Bindow appeals to community to shun rumour peddling

    Numan crisis: Bindow appeals to community to shun rumour peddling

    Gov. Mohammed Bindow of Adamawa on Thursday, appealed to community and religious leaders to shun rumour peddling in order not to aggravate the crisis situation in the state.
    Bindow made the appeal in a state-wide broadcast on recent attacks in various parts of the state.

    He also urged the people to avoid taking laws in their hands but to allow government and security agencies to carry out their lawful duties.

    While conveying his condolences over the recent bomb blast in Mubi, the governor said he was saddened by the unfortunate mayhem in Numan and Damsa Local Government Areas.

    ” I assure you that the state and Federal Governments will do all that is necessary to restore peace and security in the areas and throughout the state.

    “It is in this regard that the Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo visited us.

    ” I am committed to ensuring that law abiding citizens or residents of Adamawa are entitled to security regardless of his or her tribe, religion or political association,’’ Bindow said.

    He said that the government had set up a high powered administrative panel to fish out and punish perpetrators of the recent killings.

    According to him, the committee is also to proffer lasting solution to the crises.

    He enjoined the people of the state to join the government in ensuring that the state remains peaceful and secured, adding that security was everybody’s business.

  • Boko Haram kills 357 Nigerians in 55 attacks

    Boko Haram kills 357 Nigerians in 55 attacks

    The Senators were alarmed on Tuesday over the revelation that Boko Haram have killed more than 357 Nigerians in 55 attacks in the last 11 months.

    Former Senate Leader, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, reeled out the disturbing statistics in a motion entitled “The worrisome state of security in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States.”

    Ndume said that there was no doubt that Boko Haram terrorists have made significant gains in the three northeastern states in the last 11 months.

    The Borno South lawmaker told his colleagues that the three front line states have come under heavy attacks from insurgents.

    He feared that if something was not done urgently to halt the advance of Boko Haram extremists, the gains made in the fight against terrorism will be eroded.

    Ndume said, “The insurgency in the North East is resurfacing. If we need to invite the Security Chiefs to brief the Senate in a closed door session, I will formally move the motion.”

    He said that 76 civilians have been killed by the terrorists in November, while 11 soldiers also lost their lives within the same period.

    Ndume noted that of the 357 civilians that died, 220 were killed between June and November.

    He noted the people were killed as a result of suicide bombings.

    He further said that 83 child suicide bombers were used in 2017 alone by the terrorists.

    Out of the 83 child suicide bombers, he noted that 55 of them are girls and are under age 15.

    He said that 27 young boys of the same age were used for the same purpose by the insurgents.

    The senator told his colleagues that 14.8 million people have been affected by the crisis.

    He said the estimated cost of destruction is put at over $9 billion (N2.75 trillion).

    Ndume said that 85 per cent of the destruction is in Borno. Up to 1.8 million people are Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), out of which more than 80 per cent are living in host communities.

    He said: “In the year 2017, more than 257 civilians were killed during 55 attacks in the North East. The deadliest month was in August, when the militant group killed 100 people, followed by November with 76 people killed already.

    “Recently, three soldiers and a child were killed in Magumeri in Borno, several civilians were killed in Madagali in Adamawa, and eight soldiers were killed in Sasawa in Yone State.

    “The cases of suicide bombing in Borno and recently in Mubi, Adamawa that killed 50 people and wounded several others continues to escalate. At least, 220 people were killed since June as a result of suicide bombing.

    “Over 83 child suicide bombers were used in 2017. This is four times as many child suicide bombers used in all of 2016. The United Nations agency said out of 83 children deployed by the atrocious insurgents, 55 were girls, mostly under 15 years old and 27 were boys. One was a baby strapped to a girl. Nineteen children were used last year according to UNICEF.”

    “About 14.8 million people are affected by the crisis. The estimated cost of destruction is put at over $9 billion. About 80 per cent of the destruction is in Borno. Up to 1.8 million people are IDPs, out of which more than 80 per cent are living in host communities.”

    Ndume prayed the chamber to invite Service Chiefs to brief the Senate in a closed door session on the worrisome state of security.

    The prayer did not sail through.

    The Senate instead referred the issue to Senator Ahmad Lawan-led ad-hoc committee on insecurity, to address.

     

  • Adamawa APC confirms receipt of Atiku’s resignation letter

    Adamawa APC confirms receipt of Atiku’s resignation letter

    The Adamawa chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) has confirmed the receipt of the resignation letter of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar from the party.

    The State Secretary of APC, Alhaji Saidu Nera, confirmed the development on Sunday to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yola.

    Nera said he was yet to get the letter but the party officials of Jada 1 Ward in Jada Local Government Area where Atiku registered had told him that they received the letter.

    Meanwhile, the former Vice President, who on Friday announced his decision to leave APC, has arrived in Yola where he is now engaged in series of meetings with Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) officials at all levels who keep trooping to his house to woo him back into the party.

    NAN reports that the former Vice President had so far met with Adamawa PDP executives at all level as well as state chairmen from the six states that constituted North East, including the National Vice chairman North East of the party.

    Commenting on the meeting between Atiku and the state executives of PDP, the State Secretary of PDP, Alhaji Abdulllahi Prambe, said the meeting was fruitful.

    “Our meeting with him has been fruitful and from his body language he will soon return to PDP,” Prambe said.

    Prambe said that it would be a big boost to the party at the state and national levels when Atiku finally returned.

    “With Atiku, the party will carry more weight and more people will also troop in,” Prambe said.

    When contacted on developments, Atiku’s spokesman, Mr Paul Ibe, declined to comment.

     

  • VAIDS: FG recruits 2190 tax officers – Adeosun

    VAIDS: FG recruits 2190 tax officers – Adeosun

    The Federal Government has recruited and trained 2,190 Community Tax Liaison Officers (CTLOs) under the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS), says the Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun.

    Adeosun, in a statement by her Special Adviser, Media and Communications, Mr Oluyinka Akintunde, said that 1,710 CTLOs had already been deployed to 33 states, out of the number recruited and trained.

    She said that their task was to raise awareness about the scheme and taxation in general.

    She said that the CTLOs were currently operating in Adamawa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Enugu, Kaduna, Kwara, Lagos, Nassarawa, Niger, Ogun and Oyo states among others.

    Adeosun said there was no hiding place for tax evaders residing in Nigeria or abroad, noting that the Federal Government had put in place a data mining mechanism to fish out evaders.

    “The unique cooperation between the various arms of Federal Government, state governments and foreign governments has provided an unprecedented level of data that allows the Nigerian Government to profile taxpayers accurately.

    “We are now able to identify those whose lifestyle and assets are not consistent with their declared income.

    “A lot of data mining is going on daily, both locally and internationally, on property ownership and other items. Data is an extremely powerful tool that is now being utilized.

    “For instance, we have reviewed all companies that received major payments from the Federal Government in the last 5 years and found that even those who made money from government, under-declared,” she said.

    Adeosun said that the tax compliance team had looked at import records and compared the value of goods imported to the tax declarations of the importers, but the discovery was worrisome as “the variance was disturbingly wide”.

    “On personal income taxes, we reviewed property and company ownership as well as registration of high value assets and foreign exchange allocations, which gives us a sense of the lifestyles of the persons.

    “But again, we found major non-compliance. In some cases, people declared as little as N10 million as income but purchased expensive property overseas and in Nigeria.

    “They also registered high specification vehicles and funded luxurious personal events costing multiples of the declared income,” she said.

    Adeosun said that now, with the centralisation of data under Project Lighthouse within the Federal Ministry of Finance, a major tax loophole has been plugged.

    She reiterated the willingness of the Federal Government to prosecute tax evaders after the tax amnesty period had elapsed.

    Adeosun also said that the Federal Government had compiled a list of 500 prominent Nigerians with property and trusts abroad, to determine their tax compliance status.

    The 500 prominent Nigerians, according to her, will receive their letters beginning from Monday, asking them to take advantage of the tax amnesty to regularise their tax status and avoid prosecution and fines.

    VAIDS, an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Finance in collaboration with the State Tax Authorities, is a revolutionary programme that provides tax defaulters a nine-month opportunity to voluntarily and truthfully declare previously untaxed assets and incomes.

    The tax amnesty period is expected to lapse on March 31, 2018.

    Job creation is one of the spin-offs of the VAIDS initiative, with the scheme expected to create 7,500 opportunities for Nigerians as CTLOs through the N-Power scheme of the Federal Government.