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  • Senate wants FG to immortalise Kutigi

    The Senate on Wednesday passed a resolution urging the Federal Government to immortalise late former Chief Justice of Nigeria(CJN), Justice Idris Kutigi, by naming a national monument after him.

    Kutigi died on Saturday in a London hospital at the age of 78 years.

    The senate’s resolution to honour the deceased former CJN emanated from a motion sponsored by Sen. David Umaru, representing Niger-East Senatorial District, the deceased’s constituency.

    Umaru described the former CJN as a gentleman, who occupied the Bench with “unquestionable integrity, character, industry and dignity” during his lifetime.

    He added that Kutigi left behind indelible footprints and enduring legacies in the Nigerian judiciary.

    The senator recalled that Kutuigi had a distinguished career in the legal profession at the state and federal levels that spanned 40 years.

    The deceased, according to him, was the first Niger indigene to be appointed to the Supreme Court, and so far, the only CJN in Nigeria’s history to swear in his successor.

    “During his tenure as CJN, he initiated reforms that began the process of repositioning the Nigerian judiciary into a strong, independent and impartial judiciary.

    “Kutigi was a patriot and nationalist whose devotion to the development of Nigeria spurred him to continue to serve the nation even after his retirement.

    “This was exemplified by his acceptance to serve as the Chairman of the National Conference convened by the then President Goodluck Jonathan in 2014,” Umaru said.

    He commiserated with the Nigerian judiciary, the government and people of Niger over the passing of the erudite jurist.

    Contributing to the motion, Sen. Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), described Kutigi as a no-nonsense individual, and one of the few incorruptible judges in the country.

    Read Also: Buhari okays burial of former CJN at National cemetery

    Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi (Niger North) said the death of the former CJN was a national loss due to his immense contributions to the development of the country.

    On his part, Sen. Victor Umeh (Anambra Central) said Kutigi demonstrated “extraordinary integrity, calmness and disposition towards efficient dispensation of justice while on the Bench of the Supreme Court as CJN’’.

    Umeh, who was a delegate to the 2014 National Conference, recalled how the deceased was able to successfully steer the forum, characterised by “so many contentious issues and frayed nerves”.

    “It is to his credit that in spite of the turbulent conference we had in 2014, we were able to reach 600 important resolutions on very important national issues by consensus; we never voted on any item.

    “As much as people felt very strongly on certain matters, Kutigi was able to navigate the conference both inside and outside plenary to reach middle grounds on many issues canvassed,” he said.

    The senators consequently resolved to send a high-powered delegation to commiserate with Kutigi’s family, the government and people of Niger.

  • Senate tasks FG on gully erosion menace in coast line states

    Ravaging effects of gully erosion in parts of the country took centre stage in the Senate Wednesday.

    The upper chamber resolved to ask the Federal Government to take urgent steps to address the situation.

    Senate intervention through a motion on “The menace of gully erosion in several communities of Abia North, especially in Isuikwuato local government communities of Uturu and Oguduasa” was raised by Senator Mao Ohuabunwa.

    Read Also:Senate passes Electoral Act Amendment Bill

    Ohuabunwa in his lead debate drew the attention of the Senate to gully erosion ravaging the affected areas.

    He informed his colleagues that the affected communities have been cut off from other parts of the state.

    He said that several houses and farmland have also been washed away by erosion.

    The Abia North lawmaker noted that many more houses and farmland may go unless urgent steps are taken to address the menace.

    He said “The affected communities have been facing serious menace of gully erosion partly due to increased rainfall that exacerbate flooding and which threaten the livelihood and entire existence of many communities.”

    Ohuabunwa prayed the Senate asked the National Emergency Management Agency(NEMA) to urgently provide relief materials to the displaced persons in Uturu, Oguduasa, and other affected communities in Arochukwu, Ohafia, Bende,  Isuikwuato,  and Umunneochi local government areas of Abia State.

    Other senators who spoke lamented the devastating effects of gully erosion in their states.

    Senator Gbenga Ashafa specifically said that special attention should be paid to erosion in coast line states.

    The Senate also resolved to urge the Ministry of Works, Ecological Fund to urgently fund the immediate construction of a new rout that will link the affected communities with other surrounding states.

    It said that NEMA should quickly intervene to rescue the situation and restore easy mobility in the interest of the affected areas.

  • DAY SITTING ARRANGEMENT TORE SENATE APART

    THE tragi-comic drama that played out in the hallowed chamber of the Senate on Wednesday was not completely unexpected. The event aptly depicted the bottled up disaffection among senators stimulated by the July 2018 defection of the Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki. Saraki’s defection from the majority All Progressives Congress (APC) to the minority Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ruffled not a few feathers. Sustained calls for Saraki to do the needful by vacating his seat as Senate President, having moved over to a “minority party”, fell on deaf ears. Although there appeared to be calm and conviviality in the chamber when the senators resumed plenary after an 11-week recess, what actually prevailed in the chamber was the peace of the graveyard. Senators who could read dispositions and signs knew that the peace pack hurriedly fashioned when the senators resumed plenary from their overbloated recess would sooner than later give way.

    There was no doubt that some senators, especially those of the APC extraction, felt cheated after the failed attempt to force Saraki out of his seat, following his defection to PDP. That set of senators could be seen wearing long faces. Perhaps they are simply tagging along waiting for an opportune time to strike. The semblance of warmth in the chamber was brokered through a resolution on October 9 when the senators agreed to put Saraki’s defection and the need for leadership change behind them. National interest, the lawmakers resolved, should take the front seat in all the dealings on the floor of the upper chamber. That, however, was not to be. A mere sitting arrangement was all it took to “put a knife on the things that held the Senate together.” Trouble started from unexpected quarters though.

    One, a former governor, the other, a past commissioner, stoked the fire that shattered peace and order in the chamber. For more than 30 minutes, common sense took a flight from the chamber. Tempers rose. Personal interest and political party affiliation rather than national interest, which the senators swore to uphold at all times, took their better parts. It all started with a point of order raised by the Senator representing Akwa Ibom North East, Bassey Albert Akpan. Akpan, a PDP senator, specifically raised Order 43 which deals with personal explanation under which a senator is allowed to speak about himself and his constituents. Having secured the authority of the Senate President to speak as required, Akpan got up and steadied himself. In a voice devoid of emotion, Akpan informed his colleagues about an alleged plot to destabilise Akwa Ibom State. Akpan did not stop there. In a measured tone, he claimed that the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state had concluded arrangements to unleash mayhem in the state, which would possibly lead to the cancellation of the governorship election in 2019.

    Akpan further claimed that the aim of APC in the state was to instigate the cancellation of the governorship election in the state in order to deploy “federal might” to cause change of leadership in the state. He said the forcible takeover of the governorship seat of the state was the target of the alleged plot. Saraki promptly ruled that the information given by Akpan was “well noted.” But if you thought Saraki’s ruling was the end of the matter, you may need to think again. Senator Godswill Akpabio (APC Akwa Ibom North West), who was obviously the target of the information, appeared to have been agitated and bruised by Akpan’s information. He angled to respond to Akpan’s weighty information from where he sat, but Saraki asked him to go to his seat before he could be recognised to speak. He added that Akpabio could not speak from a seat that was not his. Besides, Saraki noted, there was no microphone where Akpabio sat. Akpabio, on his part, was insistent and unrelenting in his demand that he should be allowed to speak. Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan, reminded Saraki that there was no formal sitting arrangement in the chamber. Akpabio, he said, had the right to speak from where he was since the leadership of the chamber had failed to ensure a formal sitting arrangement.

    Lawan recalled that he had raised the issue of a formal sitting arrangement in the chamber with the Senate President without the expected result. For the Yobe North senator, the Senate chamber must be guided by its rules, which made provision for a streamlined sitting arrangement. Lawan said there had been movements across party lines with the possibility that more people would still move as they deemed fit. Saraki was adamant. He said the Senate Clerk, Nelson Ayewo, was directed to allocate seats to senators. A new sitting arrangement in the chamber, Saraki said, would be completed next week. The assurance of Saraki that a new sitting arrangement would be fashioned next week did not assuage the seemingly battle- ready senators. As the verbal exchange between Saraki and Lawan continued, Akpabio was visibly boiling where he sat. He insisted on being allowed to speak, while Saraki stood his ground that Akpabio should go to his seat before he would be allowed to speak. Senator Dino Melaye came into the picture and took sides with Saraki, as expected. The Kogi West Senator literally took over the chamber. He attempted to shout Akpabio down. Akpabio got irritated and was also shouting on top of his voice. Confusion descended on the chamber as other senators joined the fray. It became a shouting match between APC and PDP senators. Chamber decorum momentarily became the casualty as if there was nobody in charge. Attempt to restore decorum was made by Senator Emmanuel Paulker, who reminded his colleagues that Akpan raised Order 43 (personal explanation), which did not give room for contribution or discussion by other senators.

    The Bayelsa State senator said that by relying on Order 43 to make his personal explanation, Akpabio was not entitled to respond to what Akpan said. Lawan moved to confer with Saraki apparently about the way forward. Saraki explained that his position was that Akpabio should go to a seat that has a microphone. He said Lawan was not fair to him by insinuating that he did not want Akpabio to speak. Saraki said he never wanted to block Akpabio from speaking but only wanted him to go to a seat that had a microphone so that he could be recorded. “Nobody is trying or wants to prevent Senator Akpabio from speaking. All I said is that Senator Akpabio should go and sit where there is a microphone and he will be allowed to speak. It has never happened in this chamber that a senator is allowed to speak where there is no microphone,” Saraki insisted. But Lawan appeared not to be impressed by Saraki’s explanation. For him, on no count should APC be discriminated against on the floor of the Senate. Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, raised Order 11(1)(2) to apparently defuse the raging storm. Ekweremadu said every senator has the right to speak for himself and the people he represents. He was cut short.

    Two APC Senators, Mohammed Ali Ndume and Kabiru Marafa, began to allege discrimination. The duo took to the floor and raised their voices. Ekweremadu was forced to sit down. He later explained that the rules of the chamber made provision for sitting arrangement. When Akpabio was finally given the permission to speak, he said the seat he sat on was allocated to him by the Senate clerk. He was bitter about “the embarrassment I received today” which he described as “unwarranted and uncalled for.” He said he would not say more until the chamber was properly reconstituted. Saraki disagreed and asked the Clerk to confirm if he allocated the seat to Akpabio. The Clerk said that when Akpabio requested to sit on the seat, he informed him that there was no microphone on it but Akpabio insisted on sitting on the seat. The Clerk said he had no choice but to allow Akpabio to sit where he wanted.

    With Ayewo’s explanation, Saraki gave Akpabio the floor once again to speak. The former governor of Akwa Ibom State promptly demanded an apology “for the unwarranted embarrassment I received today.” He wondered why apologising to him would be difficult when even the Peoples Democratic Party apologised to Nigerians. Akpabio reiterated that “until the Senate sitting arrangement is properly constituted, I rest my case.” That looked like the end of the matter until Ndume revived it by apologising to Ekweremadu for preventing him from speaking. Ndume said he had nothing against anybody. Lawan also apologised for the altercation on the floor. For him, there was nothing personal about what happened. The rules of the Senate should guide proceedings at all times. He said his position should not be misinterpreted as taking sides with APC senators on the issue. He pleaded that they should always see themselves as one body working for the good and interest of the country. Surprisingly, the lawmakers continued with the business of the day after the bitter disagreement as if nothing happened. Perhaps it is the nature of politicians to create a false impression to deceive the gullible. While some observers said the events of Wednesday in the Senate could be a plot which Akpabio fell into unknowingly, the two divides in the Senate may have buried the hatchet only to mark the spot.

  • ULC urges Senate to reject request for $2.78b loan

    The United Labour Congress (ULC) has urged the Senate to reject the Federal Government’s request to borrow $2.78 billion and $87 million to refinance existing foreign debts.

    The labour body said the loan request was unacceptable to it, and did not make economic sense at this time.

    ULC in a statement by its President, Joe Ajaero, said this year’s budget was predicated on a crude oil benchmark of about $55, but the international price of oil is above $80 per barrel.

    “We are worried that the Federal Government is in such a hurry to plunge the nation back into debt trap, which our nation worked assiduously under the leadership of former President Olusegun Obasanjo to escape.

    “We remember that we had to pay over a whooping U$12 billion in one fell swoop to enable us exit the stranglehold of the debt regime. That huge fund would have helped this nation expand its infrastructural base, but debt repayment took them all.

    “ULC is deeply worried that our debt profile is increasing and burgeoning at an alarming proportion especially wt hen it is remembered that in just three years our debt profile has grown to nearly U$30 billion and is still increasing just like the amount being requested for approval by the Federal Government.”

    Ajaero said labour was worried that this scenario was already beginning to play out, as the nation was borrowing U$87million to refinance its debt, meaning that it could not internally generate requisite income to pay interests on its foreign loan portfolio.

    “Our leaders seem focused on eating down the resources that would be available for the future generation. We must as a nation remember that the present generation does not actually own Nigeria, but that we borrowed it from the future generation,” the union said.

  • Senate investigates pipeline explosion in Abia

    The Senate has mandated its committees on Petroleum Downstream and Police Affairs to probe alleged role of security operatives in the pipeline explosion in Abia State, where 150 villagers were allegedly killed.

    This followed a motion by Sen. Theodore Orji (PDP-Abia) at plenary on Wednesday.

    Orji lamented that the carnage and avoidable loss of human lives in Osisioma Local Government of the state was worrisome.

    He further expressed concern over alleged inaction of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) over the incident.

    Orji alleged that the corporation did not wade into the pipe leak that led to explosion and death of many people early enough to avoid the disaster.

    He also alleged that the Police resorted to collecting money from villagers to scoop petrol in containers.

    “On Friday, the day of the incident, security operatives, particularly policemen allegedly made brisk business at the place of a pipe leak as they allegedly demanded money to allow the villagers scoop petroleum product.

    “There was pipeline leakage in the local government which is part of my constituency and people were killed while properties and farm products worth millions of Naira were destroyed as a result.

    “The number of dead people has continued to increase daily and as at the time of writing this motion, 150 people have been confirmed dead.

    “The explosion and eventual fire outbreak was not as a result of pipeline breakage or vandalism, but due to dereliction of duty by NNPC staff and compromise by the Nigerian Police.

    “There are two oil pipelines across the villages affected. One is an old and abandoned pipeline,” he said.
    Orji called on the senate to wade into the matter.

    Contributing, lawmakers lamented the death and the inaction of relevant authorities and urged the senate to grant Orji’s prayer.

    In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki mandated the Committees on Petroleum Downstream and that of Police Affairs to look into the matter as part of measures to forestall a recurrence.

    Saraki thereafter put the prayer to a voice vote and it unanimously adopted by the lawmakers.

    He asked the committees to report their findings to senate within two weeks.

  • Senate probes alleged $3.5b subsidy recovery fund

    THE Senate has resolved to set up an ad hoc committee to investigate $3.5 billion Subsidy Recovery Fund, allegedly created by “the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and solely managed by its Group Managing Director and the Executive Director, Finance’.’

    The decision followed a Point of Order raised by the Senate Minority Leader, Senate Abiodun Olujimi at plenary.

    Olujimi, who presented the matter to the chamber for consideration, cited Orders 42 and 52 of the Senate Standing Orders 2015 (as amended).

    She expressed concern by the existence of such fund and the mode of its management.

    According to her, the Federal Government had to cancel subsidy that was usually provided for in the nation’s annual budgets since 1999, “only to turn round to set up a fund that was never appropriated for by the National Assembly”.

    “My point of order focuses on $3.5 billion dollars earmarked as subsidy recovery fund by the NNPC.

    “Since 1999, there has always been a budget for fuel subsidy, but this has been jettisoned by the current government, which leaves this administration in very dire straits.

    “What is happening now is that there is a fund named as subsidy recovery fund being managed by only two individuals of the NNPC; that is the Group Managing Director and the Executive Director, Finance.

    “This fund is too huge for two people to manage. It is too huge to manage without appropriation or recourse to any known law of the land.

    “Mr. President, during your remarks after the passage of the 2018 Budget, you mentioned that there should be a budget for subsidy that should be brought before the National Assembly.

    “That has not been done. It is, therefore, obvious that the $3.5 billion dollars is slush fund, which will just be managed by two individuals, and that is not correct,” Olujimi said.

    The senator added: “The Senate should, therefore, compel the NNPC to come and explain before the Senate Committee on Petroleum Downstream why it should be so.

    “They should also explain what has happened to the fund that has been used so far and the new terminology now being used under recovery rather than subsidy.”

    Senator Ali Ndume suggested that since the committee did not do its oversight, no member of the committee should participate in the investigation to avoid being biased in their judgment.

    He said: “I don’t want to be hard on the Committee on Downstream, but it has the responsibility of oversight. And when these things happened, the committee was supposed to know.

    “So, I am suggesting that Senator Marafa being the Chairman of the Committee and other members should stay out of it.

    “So, we should have a separate committee to look at the matter.”

    Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki asked the ad hoc committee to investigate the matter and report back to the Senate in one week.

    He said: “I want to say that in the light of the enormity of the matter before us, where we are talking of subsidy of $3.5 billion dollars, I want to suggest that the committee should urgently summons those in NNPC who are responsible.

    “This is to look into the matter and come back to us with a report to debate within four days.

    “If you remember, when we passed the budget, I said it here that there was need for the Executive to bring before us fuel subsidy item because that has been the practice.

    “This money is too huge not to be appropriated. I want us to do the investigation first before we discuss it so that we will not be partisan.

    “Let us go by facts and not speculation so that our contributions are not seen to be partisan. This matter is too serious for us to treat it that way.”

  • Senate blocks Durunnguwa’s nomination as NPC commissioner

    The Senate yesterday stood down the nomination of Dr Abdulmalik Durunnguwa (Kaduna State) as Commissioner for the National Population Commission (NPC).

    This followed presentation of the report of the Committee on National Identity Card and National Population Commission on the screening of 23 nominees for confirmation of appointment as commissioners of NPC.

    Chairman of the committee, Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi, who presented the report, said the committee observed discrepancies in the certificate presented by the nominee and as such did not clear him for confirmation.

    The senators through a voice vote unanimously agreed that the committee should carry out necessary investigation on the matter and report back to plenary.

    The Senate confirmed 22 other nominees including  Nwanne Nwabuisi-Abia, Dr. Clifford Zirra-Adamawa, Dr Chidi Ezeoke-Anambra, Isa Buratai-Borno, Navy Capt. Charles Ogwa(retd)-Cross River, Ricard Odibo-Delta, Okereke Onuabuchi- Ebonyi, Olusegun Aiyejina- Edo.

    Others are: Ejike Ezeh-Enugu, Abubakar Dannewbieiburam-Gombe, Prof. Uba Nnabue-Imo,Suleiman Lawal-Kano, Prof. Jimoh Isah-Kogi Dr Sa’adu Alanamu-Kwara, Nasir Kwarra-Nasarawa, Aliyu Datti-Niger, Mrs Seyi Olusanya-Ogun, Dr Olanadiran Iyantan-Ondo, Sen. Mudashiru Hussain-Osun, Mrs  Cecilia Dapoet-Plateau, Dr Ipalibo Harry-Rivers as well as Sale Saany-Taraba.

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over plenary, congratulated the nominees on their appointment and urged them to discharge their duties effectively.

  • Senate set to approve INEC budget N189.2b poll budget

    The Senate Committee on Appropriation yesterday gave its nod to the N189.207 billion requested to fund the elections next year.

    President Buhari in a  September 19 letter requested for the holistic consideration and approval of INEC and security agencies budget for the 2019 elections.

    The source of funding of the election budget appears to be breeding discomfort among National Assembly members.

    Many senators asked consistently that the source of funding should be clarified.

    While President Buhari said that the N189.207 billion should be sourced from the N500 billion the National Assembly inserted into the 2018 budget, the joint National Assembly committee on INEC recommended that the money should be pulled from the over N900 billion Service Wide Vote in the 2018 budget.

    A memo entitled “Submission of harmonised report of INEC 2019 general election supplementary budget estimates submitted to the Appropriation commission by Chairman, Senate Committee on INEC, Senator Suleiman Nazif and his counterpart in the House of Representatives, Hon. Aishatu Jibril Dukku said:  ”INEC was allocated the sum of N143,512,529,455 only as recommended by Mr. President for its 2019 general elections and indicated as amount needed for 2018.

    “The balance of N45,695,015,438 billion was requested for appropriation under 2019 budget.

    “However, the INEC presented the entire sum of N189,207,544,893.13 for the committee’s consideration.

    ”The committee after wide consultation with INEC decided on a budgetary allocation of the sum of N143,312,256,955.13 only.”

    Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Mohammed Danjuma Goje proposed at the meeting yesterday that the two letters by President Buhari should be combined “so that we give Mr. President what he wants.”

    The proposal was unanimously carried.

    Before the committee went into closed session to consider the seemingly knotty issue of the source of funding of the INEC budget, Goje announced that the committee resolved that N189,207,544, 893.13 as requested should be approved for INEC for the conduct of the 2019 elections.

    On security budget for the election, Goje said that the committee also resolved to invite the National Security Adviser, Director General Department of State Services, Commandant Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Inspector General of Police, Comptroller General Nigeria Immigration Service and heads of other security agencies connected with the 2019 elections to appear before the committee to defend their budgets.

    Goje emphasized that the N78,340,530535.00 for security agencies would be approved after the appearance of the heads of the agencies.

    President Buhari in the letter entitled Re: Request for virement/supplementary budget said: “You recall that in my letter dated 11th July, 2018, I requested for the kind consideration of the National Assembly for a virement under the 2018 Appropriation Act.

    “Part of this request was for the funding of the request made by the INEC and security agencies for the 2019 general elections.

    “In that letter, I indicated that INEC and the security agencies had indicated that their total funding requirement for the 2019 elections would amount to N242,445,322,600.00.

    “Of that amount, I have requested that N164,104,792,065,00 be accommodated in the 2018 budget, by way of virement within the 2018 Appropriation Act, whilst the balance of N78,340, 530,535.00, should be considered by the National Assembly as part of the 2019 budget.

    “When the Hon. Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, appeared before the Joint Committee of the National Assembly, set up to consider my request, he was informed that the National Assembly would be willing to consider accommodating the total amount required for the funding of the 2019 elections as part of the virement of the 2018 Appropriation Act, provided there was a specific request made by me.

    “In the light of the current realities, and in order to ensure that the 2019 general elections are not affected by any delays in the passage into law of the 2019 budget, I accept this kind suggestion.

    “I therefore wish to formally request that the total amount of N242,445,322,600.00 requested by INEC and the security agencies be considered for inclusion in my virement request under the 2018 Appropriation Act.

    “I look forward to your urgent consideration of this request to ensure that the 2019 general elections are properly conducted.”

    The implication of what Senate Appropriation committee did yesterday was that the entire INEC budget request would be accommodated as demanded by President Buhari.

    The only hiccup may be the source of funding of the budget.

  • Senate confirms Banire as AMCON board chairman

    The Senate yesterday confirmed the appointment of Mr. Banire Muiz Adeyemi as chairman, Governing Board of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).

    This followed the consideration of the report of the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions, which screened Banire for confirmation.

    Chairman of the committee Senator Rafiu Adebayo Ibrahim presented the report, which recommended the confirmation of Banire as nominated by President Muhammadu Buhari.

  • Find General Alkali, other missing Nigerians, Senate tells FG

    The Senate on Wednesday asked the Federal Government to intensify efforts aimed at finding the missing Director of Administration of the Nigerian Army, Major General Ibrahim Alkali (rtd).

    Alkali was reported to have disappeared in Dura Du area of Plateau State on Monday, September 4, barely two months after his retirement from the army.

    The upper chamber also urged the government to take steps to locate other missing Nigerians.

    It prayed the government to set up an investigative panel of inquiries to unravel the circumstances surrounding the dumping of cars found in ponds of Lafande community in the Du District of the state.

    The Senate asked the government to identify possible suspects in the dastardly act and ensure that the perpetrators face the full wrath of the law to serve as deterrent to other criminally-minded persons in the strongest possible terms.

    The resolutions followed a motion, on “The disappearance of retired Major General I. M. Alkali”, sponsored by Senator Mohammed Hassan (PDP Yobe South) at plenary yesterday.

    Senator Hassan in his lead debate noted that the wife of General Alkali, Salamatu had on September 4, alerted the Army authorities that her husband who departed Abuja in the morning of the previous day for Bauchi had not reached his destination.

    He said that Salamatu said that her husband told her at about noon of the previous day that he arrived Jos safely and would be passing Du road to Bauchi.

    He said, “That was the last communication she had with her husband until this moment as his where-about is presently unknown”.

    Hassan said that “following his disappearance, the Nigerian Army, with the support of the Nigeria Police, Department of State Services, Fire Service and other security agencies embark on intensive search vide tracking of his phone up to when it was switched off as well as relying on tips-off”.

    He explained that when earlier efforts of the Army and other security agencies didn’t yield the desired result, a pool of water in Lafande community was drained amid protest by the local women, who claimed that it was their only source of drinking water.

    The lawmaker lamented that “after two days of draining of the pond, a bus was found in it alleged to belong to a new young man that had earlier disappeared along that road, while on 29th September, 2018 at about 6.00pm, a Toyota car with registration number MUN 670 AA belonging to Major General I.M. Alkali was pulled out of the water with some of his belongings without any trace of his person, while another car, Rover was recovered from the pond whose owner disappeared in 2013”.

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    He said that concern over reported disappearance of numerous commuters along the Du axis for the past years, especially Bauchi onward bound travellers, should be addressed urgently.

    The incident, according to him, raises some pertinent questions, including “Why did the people from Du community refuse to assist the security agencies during the search.”

    “Why did the people (women) try to prevent the Army from draining the water.”

    “Why didn’t the community raise a formal complaint from the local government to the state government about the draining of the water”, and “Who were those spreading false information about the circumstances of the disappearance of Major General I.M. Alkali and what were their motives”.

    Senate President, Bukola Saraki commended Senator Hassan for the motion and urged the security agencies to intensify their efforts in finding the retired Army officer and other missing Nigerians.