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Tag: Niger

  • Niger Assembly passes N164.5bn 2019 budget

    Niger House of Assembly on Thursday passed the 2019 appropriation bill of over N164.5 billion.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the figure showed an increase of over N4 billion from the over N159.5 billion presented by Gov. Abubakar Bello on Nov. 6.

    The passing of the bill followed the presentation of a report of the House standing Committee on Appropriation and Planning.

    The budget set aside over N65.4 billion for recurrent expenditure while capital expenditure would gulp N99billion.

    The assembly set aside N65.413billion for recurrent expenditure as against N63.324billion and N99.037billion for capital expenditure as against N96.205billion presented by the executive.

    Presenting the report, Mr Muhammad Lokogoma, chairman of the committee, said that the House interfaced with various Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) while scrutinising the budget.

    Lokogoma said adjustments were made in some areas considered critical with believe of sourcing for more revenues to finance them.

    “Mr Speaker, Hon. members, as much as it is the desire of the committee to accommodate increment recommended by various standing committees of this assembly, we were constrained by inadequate funds to entertain such increment.

    “However, adjustments were made in some areas that are considered critical with the believe of sourcing for more revenues to finance them,” he added

    He said the committee observed that there were late and inadequate release of state counterpart funds to development partners and that has affected the state’s growth.

    “The committee is of the view that refusal or delay in releasing counterpart funds for development organisations has affected the growth and development of the state.

    “The committee, therefore, urge this House to appeal to the state government to ensure prompt release of counterpart contribution to development partners.

    “This will enable them commence and finish their projects before the end of the year for the benefits of Niger people,” he added.

    The chairman further decried the low patronage of government printing press by MDAs which according to him has negatively affected the revenue base of the state.

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    In his remarks, the Speaker of the House, Alhaji Ahmed Marafa, commended the committee for speeding the process that enabled the assembly to pass the budget.

    Marafa assured that the budget when fully implemented would accelerate urban and rural development.

    “The people of Niger state have been waiting for this important moment and believe this budget would have a direct bearing on their lives.

    “I want to assure them of our resolve to always put them first in all considerations,” he added.

    The speaker directed the clerk to forward copies of the budget to the governor for his assent.

  • Security: Niger Govt deploys security teams to fish out bandits

    Niger state government has deployed security teams to curtail the activities of armed bandits terrorizing Munya local government area of the state.

    The armed bandits were said to have been chased out of Zamfara state by security operatives for acts ranging from kidnapping and armed robbery.

    The residents of the community had complained over the excessive attacks of the bandits in recent times which had resulted to kidnappings to the government.

     The leader of the Vigilante in Sariki Pawa, Saliah Mohammed, who spoke to a team of journalists said the joint effort of the security agencies provided by the state government have reduced bandits operations in Munya and its environs.

    According to him, the security challenge is being caused by the porous boundaries of Kaduna, Zamfara and other neighboring states,  stating that more needs to be done in the part of the government to put an end to the activities of the bandits.

    The Leader of Vigilante however commanded the effort of Governor Abubakar Sani Bello, for his quick intervention in providing security whenever it is needed.

    The Secretary of Munya Council, Aliyu Dogo said there had been peace for sometime in the local government council until the bandits chased from  other states decided to use the forest as their home.

    “The bandits chased from Zamfara have been terrorising villages situated along Sarikin Pawa – Kaduna road. When we got the information that they are around, we alerted the state government and they responded promptly by deploying security operatives comprises of military, police and vigilante to deal with it.

    “The state government intervention has helped a lot to reduce the menace as the security personnel deployed in the affected areas does not give them a breathing space to perform their act”, he said.

    The Village Head of Sarikin Pawa, Mallam Musa Mohammed who also commended government intervention called for more security personnel to battle the bandits that have vowed to make life unbearable for the unsuspected citizens of the area.

    “We need the government to send more soldiers and police to protect us from the hands of Zamfara bandits, they are robbing our people on daily basis. They are hiding in the bush with dangerous weapons.

    “Bandits and kidnappers who were dislodged from Zamfara had shifted their base to Sarikin Pawa,  wreaking havoc on the part of the state, come to our aid urgently. “

  • Nigeria contributes $710m to ECOWAS, more than 13 countries

    Nigeria has contributed more money to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) than 13 other Members states put together in the last 12 years, statistics have shown.

    Statistics on payment of the Community Levy obtained by our correspondent showed that between 2003 and 2015, Nigeria paid $710, 497,352, equivalent to 480, 355,205 West Africa Units of Account (UA).

    The West Africa UA is the official nominal monetary unit of measure or currency used to represent the real value.

    The document was presented by the ECOWAS Commission as part of the Status of the Community report during an Extra Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament.

    In the same period, 13 other countries contributed a cumulative amount of 697. 947 million dollars.

    The countries are Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Gambia, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Senegal Sierra Leone and Togo.

    Out of the 13 countries mentioned, Guinea Bissau contributed the least amount of 3. 107 million dollars followed by The Gambia with 11. 171 million dollars and Cabo Verde with 12.879 million dollars.

    Within the period, Sierra Leone contributed 19. 632 million; Liberia 29. 988 million dollars,; Guinea 31. 101 million; Niger 37. 788 million ,; Togo $48. 961 and Cote d’Ivoire $54. 173 million.

    Benin Republic contributed a total of $76. 147 million; Mali paid $93. 538 million; Burkina Faso with $105. 278 million; while Senegal paid $174. 177 million.

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    The highest paying country after Nigeria is Ghana which paid $327. 976 million within the same period.

    According to the statistics, a total of $1. 736 billion was contributed within the period by all 15 member states, with Nigeria paying 40.9 per cent of the amount.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the budget for each financial year is met by the member states through their contributions to the Community Levy, a 0.5 per cent tax imposed on goods from non-ECOWAS countries.

    The national customs administrations of member states are responsible for “assessment and collection” of the levy and daily record “accounts of amounts received”.

    However, the contributions by Nigeria is not equivalent to the weight it pulls in the sub-regional body, especially in the Parliament.

    For instance, out of the 35 seats allocated to Nigeria in the Parliament, many of the representatives are usually absent during plenary.

    At the plenary in May 2018, only four members out of 35 were present on the day Nigeria presented its Country Report.

    Also, during its recent ongoing Second Ordinary Session, less than 10 were present for the aforementioned presentation.

    The absenteeism by Nigerians also got the attention the Bureau of Parliament and other members who expressed displeasure at the attitude of the Nigerians.

    Some representatives from Nigeria also admitted that the attitude had become worrisome and needed to be addressed.

    Hon. Shehu Garba who briefed newsmen after the presentation by Nigeria at the on-going session, said that it was time the leadership of the delegation intervened and deployed people who had time for parliament’s activities.

  • Troops nab notorious gun runner in Niger

    Troops of Operation Whirl Punch, under the 1 Division of the Nigerian Army has arrested a notorious gun runner, identified as Rabiu Akilu in Niger state.
    Colonel Muhammad Dole, the Deputy Director Army Public Relations 1 Division in a statement said that the the notorious gun runner was apprehended at Garoji Army Check point in Bargu general area of New Bussa LGA of Niger state, while acting on intelligence received.
    He said  the troop that carefully trailed the suspect intercepted his vehicle and the following items such as “21 fabricated locally made single barrels, 15 fabricated locally made barrels Ghana made, 10 fabricated locally made pistols, 343 Cartridges and  one Toyota Corolla with registration number ZUR 416 DX KEBBI.”
    He added that Akilu who hails from Dangulbi village of Maru LGA of Zamfara state  is currently assisting security operatives in the investigation.
    While assuring that  troops of Operation Whirl Punch will ensure safety passage on the roads and major highways, as well as elimination of bandits, kidnappers and cattle rustlers in its areas of operation, he urged the  general public, especially motorists,  to please cooperate with the troops during any stop and search operation and continue to volunteer information on the activities of the criminals in the society.

  • Teenager Kidnapped in Enugu found in Niger

    A 14- year-old boy, Lucky Godwin  who was kidnapped from Avuna river in Enugu has escaped from  his abductors in Niger state.
    Narrating his ordeal in Minna, Godwin who said he was kidnapped with another boy said that he escaped his abductors by jumping out of the bus when the bus arrived in Bida and ran away. 
     
     
    “I do not know where they were taking us to until they stopped over at Bida. I opened the door and ran away. When they could not see me they quickly zoomed off with the other boy in the bus.

    “I was not sure where they are taking us, I never knew that we were in Niger state until I jumped down from the bus and met one Igbo man who took me to Child Right’s  Agency for more interrogation.”
    Describing how he was kidnapped, the victim said, Godwin said that two men came to the Avuna river where they were fetching water and forced them into their red bus where they were zoomed off to unknown destination.

    The notorious Avuna river is said to have connecting links to five villages, making it to look like bar beach where a lot of people visit on daily.

    The Director General of the Niger state Child Rights Agency, Barrister Mariam Kolo confirmed the incident saying the victim was kidnapped in Avanu river, Enugu state and later found in Bida.

    Kolo said Godwin was kidnapped along side with one other boy who could not jumped out from the bus when their kidnappers arrived Bida town.


    According to her, the victim was brought to our office by an Igbo man living in Bida and after interrogation the agency found out that Godwin was living with his grandmother in Enugu while the biological mother lives in Jos.

    She added that the investigation is on going admonishing parents to always know the whereabout of their children at any given time.

  • ‘I killed my neighbor because I do not forgive easily’

    The Niger State Police Command has arrested a man, Garba Maru for killing his neighbor with a cutlass.

    Maru who was arrested in New Bussa in Borgu Local Government Area of the state

    Maru was trailed and arrested by the police operatives attached to Borgu Division on a tip-off while trying to escape.

    The suspect was said to have killed his neighbour, Umar Mohammed with a cutlass over some misunderstanding among them for a period of time.

    “I hardly forgive somebody that offends me, I will always remember and ready to kill the person at any given time. I am such a person if you wrong me January if I see you by December, I will retaliate ,” Maru explained .

    Read Also: Air Force strikes Boko Haram camp in Borno

    The incident was reported by the younger brother of the deceased, Hassan Mohammed, who alerted the police when he heard of his brother’s death.

    Maru confessed to have engaged the deceased in a cut where he cut him several times with the cutlass he had causing an immediate death to the deceased.

    The Niger state Police Command Public Relations Officer, Muhammad Abubakar said the suspect had confessed to the crime adding that a cutlass was recovered from him.

    Abubakar said the Command would charge the matter would be charged to court after investigation.

  • Boko Haram kills 13 in fresh Borno attack

    Boko Haram insurgents have killed 13 people and sacked two villages overnight in the restive town of Konduga in Borno.

    Brigadier-General Bulama Biu, the Acting General Officer Commanding of the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, confirmed the attack on Thursday in Maiduguri.

    Biu said, however, that troops had risen to the occasion and had repelled the invaders, who had repeatedly attacked communities in the Konduga Local Government Area over the years.

    He disclosed that he had visited the attacked communities, Bularin and Kofa, including camps in the communities, housing thousands of displaced people.

    “I was there. We recovered one dead body and saw burnt houses. Troops have been following up on the attackers,” said Biu.

    Alfred Audu, a member of a militia, known as Civilian Joint Task Force, who claimed he was on duty at the time of the attack, said the insurgents engaged troops in a bid to force their way into the communities.

    Audu said the insurgents were pushed back when fighter planes were deployed to confront the invaders.

    Read Also: Boko Haram: Army receives large cargo of arms

    Another eye-witness, who gave his name simply as Alhaji Modu, said that hundreds of the insurgents on trucks with mounted guns and motorcycles, attacked the communities at about 7:45 p.m.

    Modu said the insurgents launched rocket attacks and forced their way into the IDP camps and also attacked homes with ferocious fire.

    He said that nine people were killed at Bularin IDP Camp and three others in the Kofa IDP Camp.

    “An Islamic cleric together with his wife and three children were burnt to death when the insurgents sacked their home at Bularin IDP Camp.

    “They burnt down the village market, shops, houses, animals and vehicles. Many people died in the attack while others are still missing.

    “Bularin village was razed and several tents in the camp destroyed. Many people were displaced in the attack,” Modu said.

    Boko Haram, which also operates in Cameroon, Chad and Niger has persistently attacked communities in northern Nigeria, especially the country’s vast northeast.

    The Federal Government has however, said that the insurgents have been decimated, although the group has been packing deadly punches over the years.

    Boko Haram launched its deadly campaign in 2009, vowing to enthrone a strict Islamic code in Africa’s most populous nation.

  • Mother, four children electrocuted in Niger

    A mother, Asmau Shehu and her four children: Yusuf, Rabiat, Ummul, and Hadi have been electrocuted in Anguwan Sarkin Hausawa, Bosso Local Government Area of Niger.

    Malam Ibrahim Husssaini, the Public Relations Officer, State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), confirmed the tragedy in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria  in Minna on Wednesday.

    Husssaini said that Asmau and three of the children died immediately during a power surge while one of them later gave up of the ghost at General Hospital, Minna.

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    He said that two other children: Hussana Shehu and Maryam Shehu who sustained various degrees of injury had been receiving treatment at the Minna General Hospital.

    The image maker said the deceased had been buried according to Islamic rites.

  • Flood: ‘17,631 people in need of relief materials in Niger’

    The National Emergency Management Agency ( NEMA ), on Tuesday said that 17,631 residents of Niger affected by the recent flood were in urgent need of relief materials.

    Malam Idris Mohammed, Incident Commander in Charge of Emergency Operation Center (EOC) for Niger, Kwara and Kebbi, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Minna.

    Mohammed explained that the team was deployed to put together a coordinated assessment of the three states and help guide the Federal Government provide support to the victims.

    He said that “131,432 persons are affected while 17, 631 are internally displaced and 17,154 people in various communities are affected.

    “The 17,631 affected persons are in need of relief materials such as foods and shelter.

    “Forty-nine persons lost their lives during the flood and 65 were injured while 2430 houses were affected and 27,632 hectares of farmlands was washed away.

    “Some of the victims are taking shelter in camps while majority of them are living with friends and relatives in other communities.

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    “We are in the state to do needs assessment and send report to the federal government for relief intervention such as foods, medicals, household utensils and long term rehabilitation of affected persons.

    He said that the agency had been working with the State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) to compile and coordinate assessment.
    Mohammed said that NEMA had started providing relief materials to the affected local government areas in collaboration with the state government,” he said.

    NAN reports that NEMA officials commenced moves to assist flood victims in Niger, following a directive from Vice President Yemi Osinbajo during his recent visit to the IDP camp in Zungeru.

  • ‘I sleep with underage boys because I can’t impregnate them’

    A 23-year-old man, Adamu Mohammed, of Korokpa, in Chanchaga Local Government of Niger State has been arrested for allegedly sleeping with six underage boys.

    He said he enjoyed making love to underage boys because they would not become pregnant.

    Mohammed was nabbed after the father of his last victim, Yusuf Buhari, reported him to the police.

    Mohammed, who confessed to the crime, said he had been having sex with boys for long before he was caught.

    He said he lured his victims with sweets, soft drinks and biscuits.

    Speaking to reporters, Mohammed said he resorted to sodomy because no girl was willing to have sex with him.

    Police spokesman Muhammad Abubakar said the suspect was arrested following a tip-off, adding that he was caught in the act. He described the incident as shameful and dehumanising.