The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nasarawa

  • Dogara to Buhari: Solve insecurity challenges now or leave

    Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to vacate the office if he can not fix the insecurity challenges facing the country.

    Dogara also accused northern Nigerian elders over their ‘silence’ on insecurity in the region in contrast to what they did during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Dogara spoke in Lafia, Nasarawa state at the campaign of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday where he also accused the President of being indifferent to the plight of University teachers and their demands for better working environment.

    He said President Buhari is not sincere in the resolution of the crisis.

    In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan on Thursday, Dogara noted that the silence of the northern elders on insecurity in the region could be taken as enabling the poor management of security in the country, especially in the north, a situation that continues to threaten the nation’s democracy and its very foundations.

    Dogara was quoted as saying, “Just like my last speech to Nigerians that were gathered in a rally like this in Gombe, I said that the 2019 general elections is not about President Muhammadu Buhari, it’s not about Atiku Abubakar, but I said it is about you who are gathered here and it will be a referendum on insecurity and hunger in this land.

    “On the issue of insecurity, all of us know what is happening in Borno and, unfortunately too, between Abuja and Kaduna, as well as in Zamfara, Katsina, Nassarawa, Benue, Plateau and even Sokoto States.

    “Now, I cannot even mention all because it is a general problem in the county, but I was highlighting the states where the problem is more endemic as of now. The issue is this, when this thing was going on under Jonathan, we had Borno elders always speaking.

    “Where are the Borno elders now? Where are the leaders of Northern Nigeria now that this problem has become endemic? What are they saying now? Are we not guilty of what we allow? Are we not responsible for the killings to say that enough is enough and demand as a matter of right that President Buhari puts an end to this or leave if he can’t?

    “The truth is that if we don’t rise up to the endemic challenges now, sooner than later, if things continue this way, we are not going to have a country. So it is our responsibility to rescue Nigeria from the clutches of insecurity.

    “Without security; we would not have a meaningful democracy.

    “The sad reality in Nigeria is that by our silence we have condoned those who have been unable to effectively tackle the insecurity in the nation. We have have wittingly become enablers of evil. You know what enablers do? Enablers don’t build a country only courageous people do.

    “What enablers do is that they instigate the worship of individuals and the office they occupy, they will confuse such an individual with accolades. You know none of us was built to receive worship, anyone who attempts to receive worship will meet destruction in his wake.

    “So that is why we are witnessing destruction in Nigeria, because we have elevated some human beings to the status of God. We now need to rise up and rescue our country from the clutches of insecurity.”

    Read Also: Buhari: I won’t approve public funds for campaigns

    Dogara also said that the 2019 election would be a referendum on many issues, including education.

    According to him, President Buhari has failed to give enough attention it deserves considering the lackluster way he (Buhari) is handling the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

    “It’s been said that if you want to destroy a community, state or nation, don’t even fire shots or bring the crisis that is being perpetrated by Boko Haram, don’t even bring nuclear bomb, all you need to do is to lower the standard of education in that Community state, or nation. Once you succeed in doing that, you’ve killed the nation.

    “So many of us may not understand what I’m implying, but right now in Nigeria, the university lecturers are on strike. If it was a decent government that is committed to the future of this country, it wouldn’t take one week to resolve this problem, but unfortunately, through ineptitude, the strike is allowed to fester.

    “If we shut down education, we shut down progress, we shut down the future of our teeming youth who have gathered here, we shut down the advancement of this great country called Nigeria.

    “So the 2019 election will be a referendum on education also,” the Speaker was quoted as saying.

  • Nasarawa: 221 killed, 1,785 injured in 546 road accidents

    Two hundred and twenty-one persons were killed in 546 road accidents in Nasarawa State in 2018, according to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

    Mrs. Faustina Alegbe, the State Commander, told the News Agency of Nigeria, on Thursday in Lafia that 3,296 persons were involved in the crashes that left 1,785 badly injured.

    Alegbe said that 106 accidents were fatal, 423 considered critical, while 17 cases were recorded as minor.

    “Sadly, the highest number of cases were recorded in December, while the least number of accidents were recorded in May,” she said.

    She attributed the high figure recorded in December to the festive period when many people tended to want to travel from one place to another.

    On measures to curb the number of road crashes in 2019, Alegbe explained that the FRSC was planning to improve on corps visibility on the highways across the state and also ensure effective measures to reduce response time.

    “We will also intensify campaign on proper road use. Most of these campaigns will be done in motor parks where we will engage commercial drivers and passengers on the right steps to take before embarking on a journey.

    “We will also strengthen our collaboration with stakeholders and sister agencies and establishments, and be more strict over the issuance of driver’s licence.

    “Our goal is not to make life difficult for Nigerian drivers, but to drill in them the importance of adhering to rules guiding driving on the highway so as to reduce accidents to the barest minimum,” she said.

    Alegbe, who appealed to road unions to conduct constant medical check for their members, also revealed that the FRSC, in 2019, would visit parks every month, to check the medical status of drivers.

    “We have had cases of drivers sleeping on the job. Some have even collapsed while driving. So, we have asked the unions to take a closer interest in the medical history of their members.

    “We will also be visiting the parks with our medical personnel to check the drivers. We will be pushing harder for safety this year,” she declared.

  • Army recovers 45 assorted weapons in Nasarawa

    The Army has recovered 45 assorted weapons and 701 assorted ammunition from Bassa Militia Camp in Zwere, Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Commander of Operation Wild Stroke in charge of Nasarawa, Benue and Taraba states Maj.-Gen. Adeyemi Yekini has said.

    Yekini, while presenting the recovered items yesterday before reporters in Lafia, said the operation followed an intelligence report.

    According to him, Operation Wild Stroke is an intervention force, which was established about eight months ago with the mandate to put to an end the incessant killings by armed herdsmen, militia groups and other criminal elements operating in Nasarawa, Benue and Taraba states.

    Yekini said: “We have recovered a lot of items in terms of weapons, ammunitions and even in terms of arresting suspects in the last eight months.

    “Two days ago, our troops ran into ambush by suspected Bassa militia in Ugya, Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, but we thank God nobody died.

    “We were able to clear the ambush and even inflicted injuries on the militia.

    “We began our operation and discovered the suspected Bassa militia camp at Zwere, Toto Local Government Area of the state.

    “We were able to recovered 45 assorted weapons and 701 assorted ammunitions, which include 39 locally made rifles, two G3 rifles, three locally made pistols, one SMG, five G3 rifle magazines, four revolver cartridge holders.

    “Others are nine mm pistol links, 100 special rounds, Nigerian Army military uniforms, handsets, charms, among others.”

    He advised militias and other criminal elements in the area and the state to shun criminal activities in their interest and in the interest of peace and grow.

    The commander said his men would continue to be up and doing to flush out criminals in Nasarawa, Benue and Taraba states.

  • Army recovers 45 weapons, repels attack in Nasarawa

    The Commander of Operation Wild Stroke in charge of Nasarawa, Benue and Taraba states, Maj.Gen.Adeyemi Yekini, says the army has recovered 45 assorted weapons and 701 assorted ammunitions from Bassa militia camp in Zwere, Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

    Yekini while presenting the recovered items on Wednesday before newsmen in Lafia said that the operation followed an intelligence report.

    According to him, Operation Wild Stroke is an intervention force which was established about eight months ago with the mandate to put to an end the incessant killings by armed herdsmen, militia groups and other criminal elements operating in Nasarawa, Benue and Taraba States.

    “We have recovered a lot of items in terms of weapons, ammunition and even in terms of arresting suspects in the last eight months.

    “Two days ago, our force ran into ambush by suspected Bassa militia in Ugya, Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa State but we thank God nobody died.

    “We were able to clear the ambush and even inflicted injuries on the militia.

    “We began our operation and discovered the Bassa suspected militia camp at Zwere,Toto Local Government Area of the state.

    “We were able to recover 45 assorted weapons and 701 assorted ammunitions which include 39 locally made rifles, 2 G3 rifles, 3 locally made pistols, 1 SMG, 5 G3 rifle magazines, 4 revolver cartridge holdersholders”.
    “Others are 9 mm pistol links, 100 special rounds, Nigerian Army military uniforms, handsets, charms among others, “he said.

    Read Also: One dead, two injured as tricycle rams into truck

    He advised militias and other criminal elements in the area and the state to shun criminal activities in their interest and in the interest of peace and development.

    The Commander said that his men will continue to be up and doing in order to flush out criminals in Nasarawa, Benue and Taraba states.

    The Nation recalls that in 2018, there were incessant clashes between Bassa and Egbura communities inToto LGA of Nasarawa State which resulted to loss of lives and properties.

  • Police investigate killing of corps member in Nasarawa state

    The Police Command in Nasarawa state says it has commenced investigation into alleged killing of a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member by some youths in Akwanga Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

    ASP Samaila Usman, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) gave the indication in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lafia on Monday.

    NAN gathered that Mr Samuel Makene, a 2018 Batch A corps member whose place of primary assignment was Government Secondary School Ubbe, in Akun Development Area, was reportedly stabbed to death on Dec. 20 by some youths at the Akwanga residence of Mr David Ombugadu, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

    Read Also: NSCDC trains 70 security guards in C/River

    Usman described the incident as unfortunate, saying that all efforts have been put in place to arrest the killers and bring them to justice.

    “We received a report on the incident and we have commenced full investigation to arrest the killers.

    “I want to assure you that we will do everything possible to bring those involved to face justice for what they did.

    “I also want to assure you that we will be briefing you and the public on any new development concerning the case. I call on those close to the deceased not to take any action but allow us do our job,” he said.

  • NUJ suspends three members for flouting boycott order

    The Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists ( NUJ ), Nasarawa State Council, has sanctioned three of its members for violating its order to boycott the state government activities.

    The Chairman of the chapel, Mr Suleiman Abubakar, announced the suspension while addressing newsmen after a meeting of the chapel on Friday in Lafia.

    According to him, Mr Umar Mohammed of the Punch newspaper, Mr Linus Oota of the Sun and Mr Igbawase Ukumba of ThisDay are suspended from the union for three months.

    Abubakar said that the three journalists covered the inauguration of the state commissioners on Thursday by Gov. Umaru Al-Makura.

    He noted that the chapel had directed its members to boycott activities of the government and those of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

    The chairman said that the chapel gave the boycott directive following expiration of a 24-hour ultimatum it gave the government over assault on two journalists by NSCDC.

    He said that the chapel gave the government 24 hours to sack Mr Abdullahi Oseze, the Director-General of the state Pension Bureau Office, and two others for their alleged roles in the journalists’ attack.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the journalists were brutalised on Dec. 14 by personnel of the NSCDC attached to the office for attempting to snap names of de-listed pensioners.

    The assaulted journalists are Mr Rabiu Omaku of the Universal Reporters Online and Gambo Ahmed of the Peoples Daily newspaper.

    Commenting ThisDay and Punch reporters correspondents admitted violating the order, but said they were carrying out their duties as instructed by their offices.

  • Buhari appoints Nine new federal permanent secretaries

    President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of nine new Permanent Secretaries in the Federal Civil Service.

    The appointment was announced in a statement signed by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita.

    The list of the successful Federal Permanent Secretaries and their states of origin are as follows:

    Read Also: Buhari may present 2019 budget to NASS next week

    “Dr Bakari Wadinga, Adamawa, Dr M.K. Dikwa, Borno, Dr Ajani Magdalene N. Olor, Delta, Umakhihe Ernest Afolabi, Edo, Mbaeri Maurice Nnamdi, Imo, Babatunde Lawal, Lagos.

    “Engr. Festus Yusuf Narai Daudu, Nasarawa, Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan, Osun and Dr Musa Hanafi Moriki, Zamfara

    He said that the swearing in and assignment of portfolios would be announced in due course.

  • Man bags 12 months imprisonment for stealing motorcycle

    A Mararaba Upper Area Court in Nasarawa, on Thursday sentenced a 36-year-old man, Shagari Ali to 12 months imprisonment for stealing motorcycle worth N150,000.

    The judge, Mr Ibrahim Shekarau, sentenced the convict accordingly as he pleaded guilty to the charge.

    He however, gave the convict an option of N18, 000 fine and warned him to desist from committing crimes after serving out his punishment.

    Shekarau also ordered the convict to pay N20,000 as compensation to the complainant.

    Read Also: Court jails men 22 months each for criminal conspiracy, fraud

    Ali was charged under Section 287 of the Penal Code.

    Earlier, the prosecuting counsel, Sgt. Godwin Ejeh, told the court that one Ibrahim Haruna of Abacha Road reported the matter at Abacha Road Police Station, Mararaba on Oct. 24.

    Ejeh said that the complainant alleged that sometime in July, 2018, the convict dishonestly went to his compound located at the above mentioned address and stole his motorcycle, valued at N150,000.

    The prosecutor said that all efforts made to recover the motorcycle proved abortive.

  • Court jails men 22 months each for criminal conspiracy, fraud

    A Mararaba Upper Area Court in Nasarawa State on Thursday sentenced two men – Godwin Valentine, 29, and Paul Friday, 33, to 22 months imprisonment each for conspiracy, breach of trust and fraud.

    The Judge, Ibrahim Shekarau, however, gave the convicts an option of N18, 000 fine each and warned them to stop committing crime.
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    The Prosecutor, Sgt. Hamen Donald, had told the court that one Kabiru Bello of Day and Night Plaza, Mararaba, Nasarawa State, reported the matter at ‘A’ Division Police Station, Mararaba, on Oct.25.
    ‎
    He said ‎that the complainant alleged that the convicts deceitfully collected his Nokia phone on the pretense that they wanted to call their parents.

    Read Also: Man pleads guilty to defiling child

    He said that while pretending to be dialing their parents’ number, they dishonestly transferred the sum of N100,000 from the complainant’s Diamond Bank account to their Guarantee Trust Bank account.

    Donald also informed the court that after exhibiting the act, they absconded to an unknown destination before they were traced and arrested.

    He said that the offences contravened Sections 97, 312 and 17 of the Penal Code.

    Valentine and Friday pleaded guilty and begged for leniency.

  • Nasarawa: PDP governorship candidate picks running mate

    Mr Emmanuel Ombugadu, Nasarawa State Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has picked Rep. Ogoshi Onawo as his running mate.

    The state chairman of the party, Mr Francis Orugu, who made this known to Newsmen on Tuesday in Lafia, said Onawo was carefully selected after due consultation with the relevant organs of the party.

    Orugu explained that the party gave Emmanuel Ombugadu free hand to choose his running mate and he picked Onawo from Nasarawa South.

    According to the PDP boss, the party had on July 28, zoned all elected and appointed positions as a strategy for victory in 2019 elections.

    He said that the decision of the party was based on the calculations at that time but the party had to change the decision in order to address new realities.

    “At that time, we zoned the governorship seat and deputy speaker to Nasarawa North; deputy governor and majority leader to Nasarawa West.

    “Others are speaker and Secretary to the State Government to Nasarawa South.

    “The party has now swapped all positions zoned to Nasarawa South and Nasarawa West. That is why the running mate was picked from Nasarawa South, ‘’ the Orugu said.

    He, however, described the recent primaries of the party as the best in the history of the state.

    Orugu, therefore, appealed to all aggrieved members to work for the victory of the party in 2019 general elections.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Onawo is a member of the House of Representatives, representing Awe/Doma/Keana Federal Constituency.