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Tag: Potiskum

  • Potiskum truck transit park to create over 5,000 jobs, says Yobe govt

    Potiskum truck transit park to create over 5,000 jobs, says Yobe govt

    The new Potiskum Truck Transit Park is expected to generate employment for more than  5,000 unemployed youths, signalling a major boost to the state’s economic revival, the Yobe State government has said.

    Commissioner for Home Affairs, Information and Culture, Alhaji Abdullahi Bego, stated this during an inspection of the park by reporters.

    He said the park reflects Governor Mai Mala Buni’s commitment to job creation, youth empowerment and the strategic growth of Potiskum as a commercial hub.

    “Our administration is committed to creating sustainable jobs for our youths and enhancing economic activities in Potiskum and beyond.

    READ ALSO; Arewa, this has to stop

     “This facility will not only ease traffic congestion but also open up opportunities for employment and skills development in truck operations and allied services,” he added.

    According to Bego, the  governor initiated the construction of the modern trailer truck transit camp to ease chronic congestion in Potiskum.

    The  facility, which is nearing completion and awaiting inauguration, spans 86,000 square metres and can accommodate 500 trucks at a time. It includes two blocks of warehouses, multiple boreholes, a mosque, a fire service unit, a police post and a large parking area.

    The overseeing Commissioner for Commerce, who is also the Commissioner for Housing, Ahmed Buba, added that the park has well-constructed access roads, and that hotel accommodation within the complex is also nearing completion to support the anticipated influx of visitors and businesses.

    The team also visited Ngalda town on Gombe Road, where a new modern market, another flagship project of the Buni administration, is cited.

    The District Head of Ngalda, Alhaji Danbaba Ngalda, and Wakilin Hakimin Ngalda, Alhaji Ahmadun Kano, praised the government for the provision, noting its likely positive impact on commerce and livelihoods on the people.

    The inspection also covered the Fika-Maluri Road, a 26.5-kilometre link road that residents say has cut travel time from about four hours to just 20 minutes.

    Buni’s broader infrastructure agenda has been a defining feature of his administration. Since taking office, his government has embarked on an ambitious infrastructure development programme, with hundreds of kilometres of rural and urban roads constructed or rehabilitated to improve connectivity and stimulate economic activity across all 17 local government areas of the state. These efforts include township roads, drainage networks and major link roads connecting key towns such as Potiskum, Nguru, Gashua, Geidam and Buni Yadi.

    “Our administration remains focused on delivering social amenities and creating opportunities for economic growth, ensuring the well-being of all Yobeans,”  Buni was quoted as saying while presenting the 2026 state budget.

    Residents also highlighted the area’s rich deposits of solid minerals, especially gypsum, and its fertile agricultural land, expressing optimism that improved infrastructure will unlock further economic potential for Yobe.

  • One dead, three injured as IMN, security clash in Potiskum

    One person, a boy is said to have died from a stray bullet following a clash between members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) and security personnel in the commercial city of Potiskum, Yobe State.

    Three members of the IMN have also been reportedly injured during the clash which took place around 8.30am Friday.

    Read Also:Police clash with IMN members in Abuja again

    Yobe State Commissioner of Police (CP) Mr. Sumonu Abdulmalik confirmed the incident to our correspondent.

    According to the CP, “the problem started when El-Zazzaky people during their yearly Ashura procession attempted to seize a gun from a soldier. Three people were wounded from the fracas. This I can confirm to you but I am still expecting details later in the day”.

    But one of the members of the group, Ibraheem El Tafseer denied the CP’s claim, saying that, “that is not our habit, that is not in our character. What the CP told you is not true”.

    “We have spent more than 25 years doing our Ashura procession in Potiskum. But today we came on the street and we were going then soldier came and started beating our members and later opened fire on them. Three people were injured. One person was hit by a stray bullet. Unfortunately he died.  But he is not our member. They arrested one of us and took him away.

    “The claim of the police is not true. We have even finished the procession and we gathered to round up when they now came. Nobody tried to attack them. That is not our habit.  That is not in our character,” Ibraheem narrated.

    Another source said that the members of the IMN threw stones at the JTF Vehicle which provoked the security personnel.

    Meanwhile, the sound of gunshots threw the commercial city into pandemonium.

    But the commissioner of police has informed that normalcy has returned to the city.

     

  • COEASU shuts down FEC Potiskum

    COEASU shuts down FEC Potiskum

    The Academic Staff Union of Colleges  (COEASU), Federal College of Education (Technical), Potiskum, Yobe State Chapter  have shut down the school indefinitely over  the non -payment of outstanding allowances and other demands from the College Management.

    The Nation findings gathered that the activities of the Union Members disrupted academic activities in the institutions which led to the closure of the school as student were chased out of the campus by the lecturers.

    The branch chairman of COEASU FEC, Potiskum,  Comrade Muntari Sa’ad said that the College management violated an agreement reached with the Union for sometimes now.

    Their problem he said was failure of the payment of their Peculiar Academic Allowance (PAA) among others, stressing that the Academic Staff of the College were been overworked yet their welfare is neglected.

    Comrade Sa’ad explained that the unions had initially embarked on a warning strike in 2016.

    His words: “The strike began today based on some unattended agitations of the union. By tradition, the College management has been recalcitrant to the agitations of our members. “The management finds it difficult to honour the demands of the Academic Staff of the College”.

    “Let me inform you that our Provost is using intimidation, fear and even blackmail to silence every one. He succeeded in silencing the entire management team, however the resisted all forms of techniques employed by the provost. The Congress is witnessing the collapse of the college before our very eyes.

    “During the Congress meeting I pointed out to all COEASU members that “the limits of tyrants are prescribed by those whom they oppress.

    “There well informing the union member to take their destiny on their hands as a result of the fact that “they are the one to blow their own trumpet so that they could be heard otherwise nobody will blow it for them” and their refusal to blow it will tantamount to suffering in silence,” he explained.

    The Union leader also informed that they have written a letter to the Hon. Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu passing a vote of no confidence of the provost of the College at a congress meeting held on 27th March, 2017.

    The letter reads in part, “in COEASU Congress meeting held today Monday, 27th March 2017, the COEASU Congress FCE (T), Potiskum has mandated the COEASU Executives to write and inform you.”

    “Today’s Congress meeting emanated from another emergency COEASU Congress meeting held on Thursday 23rd March, 2017 in which COEASU wrote a letter to your office”.

    “A motion was moved by a Congress Member to pass a vote of no confidence on the leadership of the College Provost and it was seconded by two Congress Members and there was no counter motion. Attached with this letter are attendance sheets for the meeting. ”

    “The contending issues listed in this letter were the same lingering issues that bedeviled the College and there were three mediations which took place at the instant of the Executive Secretary NCCE between the COEASU Executives and the College Management yet all the agreement reached as a result of the three mediations were not respected by the College Management.”

    The Provost of the College, Madu Muhammad refused to talk to the press, saying “for now I think I should not talk, let’s wait and see”.

     

  • Flood destroys two communities in Yobe

    Thousands of people have been displaced by heavy down pour in two communities in Yobe State.

    The heavy rain which started late on Monday night through the early hours of Tuesday sacked Ngelzarma and Jajare communities all in Fune Local Government area of Yobe State.

    According to reports, no life was lost in the two incidents but eyewitnesses informed that more than half of Ngelzarma community a village located on the Damaturu/Potiskum road less than 50km away from Damaturu was affected.

    The State Deputy Governor Engr. Abubakar Aliyu visited the people and sympathised with them over the disaster.

    He directed the ministry of works to take an accurate and professional assessment of the area so as to come up with a lasting solution to the problem.

    Engr. Aliyu also asked the State Emergency Management Agency to provide immediate palliative for the victims who are temporarily camped at the primary school in the community.

    The Executive Secretary of SEMA Idi Jidawa, told our correspondent on phone that he has already dispatched two teams to Ngelzarma and Jajare and that priority is currently on the provision of shelter for the displaced people.

    Jidawa also informed that “the flood in Jajare is so severe that my team to the area could not access the village from the route they followed. They will have to take another route tomorrow to access the village. From what I gathered, the entire village has been surrounded by water,” the SEMA boss said.

     

  • Update: 5 die, 48 wounded in Potiskum suicide attack

    A Female suicide bomber has again hit Potiskum, Yobe State targeting a telecommunication market in the city killing four people including the bomber, eyewitness said.

    A hospital source told our correspondent on phone that three dead bodies including the suicide bomber were brought in dead to the hospital. The source also disclosed that 48 wounded victims were brought to the hospital and two later died making five dead people.

    “At the spot, the bomber killed two people and herself. 48 casualties were brought to the hospital and two later died making five people dead,” he said.

    Ibrahim Bulama who has a shop inside the market informed that the young girl walked past him and went meters away and all of a sudden he heard a loud sound.

    “I was sitting in front of my shop and I heard a loud sound like a bomb. Myself was thrown aback but I thank God I am alive . I only pray for those that died, for God to grant them rest, he said.

    This is the second time a bomber is attacking the GSM Market with the Potiskum

  • 5 die, 48 wounded in Potiskum suicide attack

    A Female suicide bomber has again hit Potiskum, Yobe State targeting a telecommunication market in the city killing four people including the bomber, eyewitness said.

    A hospital source told our correspondent on phone that three dead bodies including the suicide bomber were brought in dead to the hospital. The source also disclosed that 48 wounded victims were brought to the hospital and two later died making five dead people.

    “At the spot, the bomber killed two people and herself. 48 casualties were brought to the hospital and two later died making five people dead,” he said.

    Ibrahim Bulama who has a shop inside the market informed that the young girl walked past him and went meters away and all of a sudden he heard a loud sound.

    “I was sitting in front of my shop and I heard a loud sound like a bomb. Myself was thrown aback but I thank God I am alive . I only pray for those that died, for God to grant them rest, he said.

    This is the second time a bomber is attacking the GSM Market with the Potiskum

  • Suicide bomber kills eight in Potiskum

    Suicide bomber kills eight in Potiskum

    Eight people were killed in Potiskum after a suicide bomber hit the residence of a PDP House of Representatives candidate, Sabo Garbu. Hundreds of supporters gathered for a meeting before the  explosions occurred around 1:20pm.

    The house is opposite the Federal Government College, Potiskum.

    Garbu is the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the Potiskum/Nangere Federal constituency in next week’s elections.

    Residents said the bomber was dressed as a mad man and sneaked into the crowd of supporters in front of the politicians’ house and triggered off his explosives-ridden body, killing eight people on the spot.

    “We have evacuated eight bodies including the suicide bomber’s to hospital,” said a police officer at the scene, who requested anonymity as he was not authorised to speak to the media.

    Seven others were injured, he added.

    Witness Nura Umar, who gave the same death toll, said the bomber emerged from a bus that pulled up in front of the home of Sabo Garbu, who is running for a seat in the lower house on the ruling Peoples Democracy Party ticket.

    Hospital sources at the General Hospital Potiskum said six bodies were brought in dead. Many others were injured.

    Potiskum, in recent times, have been at the receiving end of such attacks in recent months.

    A witness, simple identified as Ali, said the explosive killed six persons on the spot with several others sustaining injuries. Police were yet to confirm the incident as at Press time last night.

  • Suicide bomber kills 5, injures 35 at a motor park in Potiskum

    Suicide bomber kills 5, injures 35 at a motor park in Potiskum

    A suicide bomber yesterday detonated explosives at a motor park in Potiskum, Yobe State’s commercial town, killing five persons, including himself.

    An eyewitness said the bomber was disguised as a passenger and boarded a Vectra Opel car with four other passengers before blowing himself up with the passengers.

    But the police, which confirmed the suicide attack, gave a different account of how it all happened.

    Commissioner Danladi Marcus said the bomber drove in a Honda car in front of some vehicles conveying passengers before reversing to hit other cars to trigger the explosion.

    “From the briefing that I got, the suicide bombers drove to a motor park along Bauchi road near a filling station in Potiskum and went in front of other cars, pretending to be travelling as well. Then all of a sudden, he decided to reverse and hit other cars and immediately, the bomb went off, killing him and four other people,” Marcus said.

    He added: “You can see that people are tired of the happenings around. The report I got is that the explosion did not disrupt the normal life in the town. People are going about their normal businesses.

    “My call is that we should all be vigilant to fish out the bad people among us by reporting any suspicious movement around us.”

    Potiskum is now becoming a hotbed of suicide bombing yesterday’s was the third this month. A blast killed a street vendor on one occasion, and two female suicide bombers killed eight people in coordinated attacks, according to reports.

    Many people also died in similar suicide attacks earlier targeted on Shiate Muslims sect and school pupils on assembly grounds last year.

  • Two female suicide bombers hit GSM market in Potiskum

    Two female suicide bombers hit GSM market in Potiskum

    Five people including two female suicide bombers were killed after a noon attack yesterday on a GSM market in Potiskum, Yobe State.

    According to eyewitness, the bombers were dropped off by an unsuspecting tricycle rider near the market.

    They later detonated the Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) they hid under their clothes in the midst of unsuspecting crowd, killing themselves in the process.

    A nurse at the Potiskum General Hospital said: “We have three dead bodies at the moment. The two suicide bombers also died. There are so many people wounded. There are 46 people that are wounded. With the number of these people wounded, there is a possibility that the death toll will rise because some of the injuries are critical.” the source informed.

    “Five persons were brought to the morgue of the Potiskum General Hospital from the scene of the bomb blast, including two females who were said to have detonated the explosives.

    “The 46 persons brought injured with varied injuries are currently receiving treatment at the hospital (Potiskum General Hospital).”

    ”With the severity of injuries, the death toll may rise as some are “holding on to a tiny thread of life.”

    Describing the scene of horror, Adamu Saidu, a trader in the market who escaped the attack said the sound of the blast set the whole market in confusion.

    “I was attending to a customer in my shop when I heard a loud sound. I fell down but woke up to see many people running in all direction. Everybody was confused. I saw some people on the ground in pains. I saw the bodies of the two female suicide bombers cut into two,” Saidu explained.

  • Explosion in Yobe football field

    A bomb buried in a football field has killed a sugarcane hawker in Potiskum, Yobe, an eyewitness has said.

    Some Potiskum residents said an explosive device apparently targeted at footballers at one Arikime primary school playing ground was prematurely triggered off by an unsuspecting sugarcane hawker at about 6:30pm on Sunday.

    Eyewitnesses said the victim, who was returning home after a hard day’s sales mistakenly stepped on the bomb which went off, killing him.

    A resident explained that the intention of the bombers was definitely to kill early morning football players who normally come out in large numbers to the busy Arikime playing ground for early exercise.

    “This innocent wheelbarrow pusher runs into the embedded explosion leading to his death and I can assure you that the death toll this morning would have been much if not for the early trigger which claimed just one life,” Dahiru Isa informed.