The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Niger Republic

  • Why Buhari cancelled Niger trip – Presidency

    Why Buhari cancelled Niger trip – Presidency

    The Presidency on Monday explained why President Muhammadu Buhari cancelled his planned trip to Niger Republic.

    Special Adviser on media and publicity to the President Femi Adesina had announced on Sunday that President Buhari had been invited to join other world leaders for the celebration of the 59th year of the country’s independence.

    Giving reasons for the cancellation of the trip, Senior Special Assistant on media and publicity Garba Shehu said Niger Republic invited the leaders of neighboring states, the Presidents of Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad, Mauritania and Nigeria.

    Garba said President Buhari felt satisfied that he had useful discussions with his friend and brother, President Mahamadou Issoufou in the course of the weekend meeting in Abuja, of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS.

    He said “after a phone call last night between the leaders, President Buhari decided to send a delegation made up of the three governors of Katsina, Yobe and Borno States along with the Minister of State, Foreign Affairs to represent him.”

  • N2bn pension fraud: How minister begged EFCC operative to spare Maina

    N2bn pension fraud: How minister begged EFCC operative to spare Maina

    The row over the dismissed former chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms Task Team, Mr. Abdulrasheed Abdullahi Maina, has deepened with fresh facts emerging that a minister begged a detective to spare the suspect.

    There were indications yesterday that the minister might have played a vital role in the reinstatement of Maina.

    Security agencies were also said to be probing allegation that Maina has a Nigerien passport, following an alert that he was smuggled out of the country through Niger Republic.

    Investigation revealed that the controversy surrounding the reinstatement of Maina suggested complicity by many government officials and top security agents.

    It was learnt that President Muhammadu Buhari would have to be “more painstaking” to be able to tackle the scandal now tagged MainaGate in some quarters.

    A top source said: “President Muhammadu Buhari needs a comprehensive appraisal of the circumstances surrounding the reinstatement of Maina. A syndicate in the government was behind the whole saga.

    “For instance, a minister had met with an EFCC operative, who was coordinating the investigation of Maina, to spare the suspect. This was done before the minister was inaugurated as a FEC member.

    “The said minister specifically demanded that Maina’s case be closed and the suspect should be used as a prosecution witness. He said Maina would make vital documents available to assist the EFCC.

    “The said session was held at the private office of the minister in Garki part of Abuja. But the operative, who was shocked by the plea, refused to cooperate with the minister.

    “If the government digs well, the operative (who has left the services of EFCC) can be recalled to give evidence on how and where the minister met him.”

    The source said apart from the minister, Maina was even closer to a former First Lady who did everything she could to protect him.

    And when the EFCC probe was intense on Maina, the ex-First Lady was said to have prevailed on “the stubborn detective” to stop the investigation.

    The source added: “Also, a former First Lady had tried to influence the EFCC on the investigation of Maina by mounting pressure on the same detective. This happened when CP Ibrahim Lamorde was the chairman of EFCC.

    “When the operative was adamant, the ex-First Lady allegedly engineered a petition against the operative by claiming that he collected N50 million from Maina.

    “The EFCC and other agencies investigated the bribery allegation and absolved the operative of any infraction.

    Findings however confirmed that Maina had been around the corridors of power in the last 23 years.

    Another source said: ”Maina is not new to the corridors of power. He had wielded influence in Aso Rock since the dictatorial regime of the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha.

    “He knows every nook and cranny of Aso Rock, so he is used to floating in the seat of power, even during the administrations of ex-Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar and ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo before he was cut to size when Obasanjo was in charge.

    “Some forces in power also have been using him for a purpose which suited their interest. There is no security agency or the police hierarchy where he does not have contacts.

    “Everybody is denying Maina now, but he is a public officer who knows many people. He also keeps records of those who have benefitted from him.”

    At press time, there were indications that Maina has a Nigerien passport.

    It was gathered that he re-entered the country from exile in Dubai through Niger Republic.

    A third source said: “There is no record of his return to the country at any airport in Nigeria. Security agencies are looking at some clues which pointed to the fact that he might have used Niger Republic to come back home.

    “He is used to Niger Republic’s routes for escapades. He was said to have been smuggled out again to an unknown destination through one of the same routes.”

    Family sources told one of our correspondents yesterday that Maina’s family had concluded plans to drag the (EFCC) to court for harassing their son

    EFCC operatives in Kaduna had on Monday and Tuesday sealed six houses, including a two-storey office complex belonging to Maina, within the Kaduna metropolis.

    The family had also addressed a press conference where they cried out that their son was only being persecuted by corrupt elements in President Muhammadu Buhari’s government, threatening that Maina would soon open a can of worms capable of nailing the cabals in his pursuit.

    Spokesman of the Maina family, Malam Aliyu Maina, who addressed newsmen on behalf of the family said that the marking of the houses they inherited from their father in Kaduna by EFCC was not only wrong but illegal.

    Speaking with one of our correspondents in a telephone interview yesterday, Maina family’s lawyer, Sani Katu, said the family had concluded plans to sue the anti-graft agency over the recent development.

    He disclosed that filing of the court papers process had since commenced and would be made public as soon as the case is filed in court.

    According to him, “we have commenced the process of filing the case, and as soon as we are filing the case in court, we will let the press know. That is the update for now.”

    Meanwhile, the Kaduna zone of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said investigation was still ongoing to discover more of Maina’s properties.

    An official of the commission in Kaduna, Ibrahim Kamilu, told The Nation that “we are still carrying out our investigation, and once more of his properties are discovered, they will be sealed.”

  • Gov Bagudu visits border town, promises road construction

    Gov Bagudu visits border town, promises road construction

    Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu has reiterated his administration’s commitment to developing the towns and villages along Niger and Nigeria border.

    This is contained in a press statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Abubakar Mu’azu Dakingari and made available to the Nation.

    Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu affirmed this while responding to request on road construction of Yeldu-Kare and Kamba Peka road.

    He was speaking to newsmen at the Government House, Dosso during a visit to the Governor of Dosso, in  Niamey the capital  city of Niger Republic
    He said the State Government would seek the approval of the Federal Government for the construction of Peka-Kamba road, which is international highway linking Niger and Benin Republics with Nigeria.

    He said the president would be contacted to assist the state in ensuring the construction of the road in view of its economic benefit, while the state government would award a contract for the construction of Yeldu-Kare road which has an international market on the border with Niger.

    He said his administration would cement the cordial relations between the two countries and commended with Governor of Dosso Musa Usman for his frequent visits to Kebbi State to attend events which showed his love for the people of Kebbi State.

    In his address, the Chairman of Gaya, in Niger Republic Alhaji Ahmadu Hamidu appealed to the Kebbi State Government to collaborate with Niger and Benin Republics to construct the road linking Peka with Gaya and Kamba due to its economic importance and enhance interaction among the people of the three countries

  • Tambuwal, Nigerien leader discuss improved ties

    Tambuwal, Nigerien leader discuss improved ties

    Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, on Monday met with the President of Niger Republic, Mahamadou Issoufou, at the Presidential Palace in Niamey to discuss issues of common interest for improved relations.

    Tambuwal’s spokesman, Malam Imam Imam, said in a statement that the two leaders discussed issues of cooperation for the benefit of their citizens.

    Imam said the two discussed important issues that bordered on education, trade and cultural integration between Sokoto State and Niger Republic.

    “Sokoto and Niger Republic have long standing cultural, religious and family ties.

    “So, our visit to the Palais De Presidence is meant to enhance these ties and also explore other important areas of cooperation like education and trade,” he  said.

    Imam added that Tambuwal used the opportunity to meet Sokoto State indigenes in Niger Republic and  senior public officials as well as investors to explore areas of further cooperation.

    The governor was on the visit with the Secretary to the State Government,  Prof. Bashir Garba, the Chief of Staff Sokoto Government House, Mukhtar Magori, Commissioner for Local Government and Community Development, Mannir Dan’Iya, among others.

  • Eid-el-Kabr: Prices of rams soar in Kano, drop in Katsina – Survey

    Eid-el-Kabr: Prices of rams soar in Kano, drop in Katsina – Survey

    The News Agency Nigeria (NAN) reports that the prices of the animals in Katsina State, however, remain static due to low patronage.

    Although the animals are available at major livestock markets in the Kano metropolis, sellers complained of low patronage.

    Malam Sani Yaro, a livestock dealer at Unguwa-Uku market, ‎lamented the low sale compared to 2016, without giving figures.

    Yaro said that although the patronage was low, prices had gone up by about 30 per cent compared to last year.‎

    “People are complaining about the prices, but they must understand that we didn’t buy them cheap; so there is nothing we can do but pray things improve in the coming days.”

    Another dealer in the market, Sabo Maigari, told NAN that he sold only seven out of the 30 rams he brought to Kano a week ago.

    “The economic situation has contributed to the low sales and is affecting us,’’ Maigari said.‎‎

    He attributed the current high prices to the increase in the cost of transporting the animals from Niger Republic.

    Malam Buba Saidu, another dealer who brought rams from Zamfara, said some of the customers were only coming to bargain without buying‎.

    “We pray to make some sales before Sallah because returning the rams to Zamfara will be a loss to me, considering the expenses.
    ‎
    “Things are very hard nowadays, we appeal to the Federal Government do something urgently to address the suffering of the masses,’’ he said.‎

    Idi Sule, a buyer at Dawanau cattle market, said he was at the market for the second day but could not afford the price.‎

    “I was here on Monday but I cannot buy because the same size I bought last year at N20,000 is being sold for N30,000.

    “I am here today very prepared to see that I get one,” he said.‎

    ‎Another buyer, Rasheed Ola, expressed hope that the prices would fall when more rams flooded the market in the state.‎

    The secretary, cattle sellers Association in Kumbotso Market, Alhaji Dauda Sufi‎, said small, medium and big rams now sold at higher prices when compared to last year.

    “The small, average and big rams this year are selling at N30,000, N50,000 and N120,000 as against N20,000, N35,000 and N80,000, respectively in 2016,” he said.

    NAN reports that average rams fetch between N40,000 and N50,000, while bigger size go for between N120,000 and 130,000, respectively.‎

    It was observed that following the rising cost of animals, especially rams, some people in the state, particularly civil servants now contributed money to buy cow and share the meat.

    In International Maiadua Market, Katsina State, NAN reports that the poor patronage was attributed to the current recession in the country.

    Malam Musa Rabe, chairman of the Ram Dealers Association in Maiadua, said apart from low patronage, the prices had crashed compared to last year.

    He said a ram sold for between N70,000 and N80,000 last year, was now fetched between N50,000 and N40,000.

    He attributed the low patronage to the current economic recession affecting the nation, stressing that majority of the dealers had to take their rams back home due to lack of patronage.

    Musa Maidoya, another dealer at the cow section of the market, lamented the low patronage of the animals.

    He said a bull of N120,000 was being sold at between N80,000 and N90,000, adding the animals were brought from Niger Republic but the market was poor compared to last year.

     

  • NIS repatriates 450 illegal immigrants from Edo

    NIS repatriates 450 illegal immigrants from Edo

    The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) on Tuesday, said it arrested and repatriated no fewer than 450 illegal immigrants from Edo in the first quarter of the year.

    Comptroller of Immigration in the state, Mr David Adi, disclosed this at the presentation of a refurbished Hilux van by the Management of Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc to the command, in Benin.

    Adi said that those repatriated were mainly from Niger Republic, Mali and Ghana, adding that they were “irregular immigrants’’ and security risks to the country.

    He said that the affected foreigners had no regular travel documents and credible means of livelihood.

    Adi commended Okomu Oil Palm Company for the vehicle, saying that the gesture would help the command in achieving its statutory duties.

    He said that the success of the raid on illegal aliens’ domain was attributable to logistics support by some companies, including Okomu Oil Palm Company, in the state.

    “The company had sunk a borehole at our outpost station at Iguobazuwa in Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo.

    “The command additionally requested for the company’s assistance in refurbishing the van and the managing director agreed.

    “We appreciate the long-standing relationship between the company and the command.

    “I will definitely pass on this gesture to the Comptroller-General of Immigration Service and I hope other stakeholders will emulate this good gesture,’’ he said.

    Earlier, the Managing Director, Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc, Dr Graham Heifer, had said that the gesture was the company’s way of fulfilling part of its corporate social responsibility to NIS to enhance its operational efficiency.

    “Immigration service has always assisted us in the area of educating our expatriates to ensure that they do the right thing with regard to immigration laws,’’ Heifer said.

    According to him, we have 15 expatriates from countries such as South Africa, Kenya and America in our company.

    “We ensured they came into the country following approved protocol.

    “It is our obligation as part of our corporate social responsibility, to assist Immigration Service to enhance its operational efficiency.

    “Our company hopes that this refurbished van will improve the service’s operational efficiency,’’ he said.

  • Insurgents kill nine in Niger Republic

    Suspected Boko Haram insurgents have killed nine people in South East Niger Republic, an official said yesterday.

    The militants arrived on foot in Nglewa village, Kablewa rural municipality, some 100 kilometres North of Diffa on Sunday.

    The Mayor of Kablewa, Abari Elh Daouda, said they killed eight young people and an elderly man.

    About 30 persons, including women and young men, were abducted.

    Report says the radical Islamist group kidnap women to use as servants and sex slaves, while they use men as fighters.

  • NAPTIP rescues 69 victims of human trafficking in Kano

    The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and Other Related Matters (NAPTIP), Kano Zone, said it had rescued no fewer than 69 victims of human trafficking from January to date.

    The NAPTIP Zonal Commander in Kano, Mr. Shehu Umar, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano on Friday.

    Umar said out of the figure, 32 were males, while 37 were females.

    He said the command had recorded no fewer than 32 cases including child labour, unlawful carnal knowledge, wandering in the street by minors, child abuse and illegal entry for greener pasture, among others.

    He said the command was able to arrest 33 suspects out of whom 23 were males, while 10 were females.

    The zonal commander also said that the command had recorded one case of internal trafficking and eight cases of external trafficking as well as secured one conviction during the period under review.

    “The defendant, one Yunusa Umar, 28, was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment on April 12, without option of fine and was ordered to also pay N1 million.

    He commended the Katsina State Police Command for intercepting 22 victims and one suspect who led them, at Kwando area in Katsina metropolis on April 20.

    He said all 22 victims and the suspect were now in their custody while investigation had commenced.

    “The Katsina State Police command handed them over to us on Thursday and they include nine males and 13 females.

    He said based on the preliminary Investigation, the victims and their leader were on their way to Niger Republic and from there to Morocco.

    According to him, each of the victims paid N120, 000 and above as charges to their traffickers.

    He said the command would continue to work in collaboration with other security agencies with a view to checking the ugly trend. (NAN

     

  • 489 arrested for street begging in Kano

    The Kano State Hisbah Board said it had arrested 489 beggars in February and March for allegedly violating the law banning street begging in the state.

    Malam Musa Tsangaya, Head of the Anti-begging Unit of the board, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano that 192 of those arrested were children while 228 were adults.

    “Our men arrested the street beggars around France Road, Dangi Junction, Lugard Road, Murtala Mohammed Way and Magwan Junction violating the law banning street begging in Kano metropolis.

    “Out of the 489 beggars, 314 were adults, both male and female, while 175 were children who engaged in begging by the road side and in the premises of major businesses,” Tsangaya said.

    He stated that 300 of the arrested beggars hailed from Kano city, while 237 were from Jigawa, Katsina and Kaduna.

    According to him, the remaining nine are from Cameroon and Niger Republic.

    Tsangaya said some of them had been charged to court, while four of them suffer mental disorder.

  • Kano arrests 966 for street begging

    Kano arrests 966 for street begging

    The Kano State Hisbah Board, on Thursday said it had arrested 966 beggars in January for allegedly violating the law banning street begging on major streets of the state capital.

    According to Malam Musa Tsangaya, the officer in charge of the Anti-begging Unit of the board, 203 of those arrested were children while 755 were adults.

    “Our men arrested 966 street beggars around Bank Road, Civic Centre, Dangi Junction, Luggard Road and Magwan Junction violating the law banning street begging in Kano metropolis.

    “Out of the 966 beggars, 755 were adults, both male and female, while 203 were children who engaged in begging in by the road sides and in the premises of major businesses,” Tsangaya said.

    He stated that 390 of the arrested beggars hailed from Kano city, while 576 were from Jigawa, Katsina and Kebbi.

    According to him, the remaining three are from Cameroon and Niger Republic.