The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Taraba

  • Police confirm death of kidnapped Taraba lawmaker

    Police confirm death of kidnapped Taraba lawmaker

    Kidnapped member of the Taraba State House of Assembly, Hosea Ibi, representing Takum I constituency has  been reportedly killed by his abductors.

    The police command in Taraba confirmed his death to newsmen on Monday.

    Ibi was kidnapped on December 30 last year, in Takum when he went home for Christmas celebration.

    Eye-witnesses said he was whisked away at gun point by his abductors riding a motor cycle.

    Police spokesman David Misal said the body of the murdered lawmaker was found in the afternoon at Kwari, along Takum – Kashimbilla road.

    He said: “Yes, it has been confirmed, the body was found this afternoon at Kwari, along Takum -Kashimbilla road.”

    Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku, said he has been devasted by the death. “My heart has been broken,” he said.

    Ibi’s colleague, Mark Useni, a former Speaker and member now representing Takum II, described Ibi’s death as shocking.

    Useni noted that the people of Takum who were eagerly waiting for his release have been thrown into mourning this afternoon.

    “It’s a very sad news to the people of Takum and the entire state,” he said.

  • 55 feared killed by Fulani herdsmen in Taraba

    55 feared killed by Fulani herdsmen in Taraba

    Killer-Fulani herdsmen have extended their hostilities to Taraba State, killing 55 people in Lau local government area. At least two hundred homes, including food stuff, have been reportedly destroyed. Yet, some people are still missing.

    It was gathered that the invasion and attacks began at the weekend.

    25 bodies were recovered and given a mass burial on Tuesday when journalists and a media assistant to the governor, Bala Dan Abu, visited the affected area.

    The burial was done, hurriedly, by the youth, as policemen and soldiers cordoned the area. There were tears and anger, amid trepidation.

    Bala Dan Abu said he couldn’t fight back tears. “You know, I don’t like witnessing a funeral, what more, a mass burial like this,” he said.

    The affected area, deserted, looked like a ghost town. Policemen and soldiers were patrolling the area.

    Those buried were mostly children, women and aged-persons. Most of the corpses were recovered from burnt houses, bush paths and nearby farmlands. The corpses had swollen, fouling the air.

    Sources said some of the victims tried to escape from the marauders, but were hacked down by another set of herdsmen who ambushed them in large numbers.

    The invaders used mostly “sophisticated guns and poisoned knives” to carry out the massacre, described by many as “genocide.”

    Those who survived the herdsmen’s bullets are now taking refuge in a settlement called Abari. The bereaved lamented their deals and harrowing experiences when journalists visited the internally displaced persons (IDPs).

    “Herdsmen are killing people in Lau, my State,” Governor Darius Ishaku told The Nation on telephone Tuesday night.

    Ishaku had attributed the invasion, attacks and killings by Fulani herdsmen in some parts of the country, as a “drive for territorial control.” He blamed the elites for masterminding the violence for their political and economic interests. He asked Nigerians to pray for the country.

    The Taraba State Police Command yesterday confirmed the killings to our correspondent. Police spokesman, David Misal, said the situation is calm now.

    Misal, who earlier reported the casualty figures as 12, when the attack began, said “enough security personnel have been deployed to the area. What we are doing now is to build confidence in the people.”

    The attack and killings in Lau is the latest act of unprovoked aggression against communities in Taraba State by Fulani herdsmen.

  • BREAKING: 55 feared killed by herdsmen in Taraba

    BREAKING: 55 feared killed by herdsmen in Taraba

    At least 55 people have been killed by Fulani herdsmen in Lau local government area of Taraba State.

    Our correspondent gathered that the invasion and attacks began at the weekend.

    25 bodies were recovered and given a mass burial on Tuesday when journalists and a media assistant to the governor, Bala Dan Abu, visited the affected area.

    Policemen and soldiers are currently patrolling the area.

    “Herdsmen are killing people in Lau, my state,” Governor Darius Ishaku told The Nation on telephone Tuesday night.

    The death toll has risen to 55, as more bodies were recovered on Wednesday morning by the locals.

    The police, however, said the place is calm now.

    Details later…

  • Police confirm 3 dead, 6 injured in fresh Taraba attack

    Police confirm 3 dead, 6 injured in fresh Taraba attack

    The police in Taraba on Monday confirmed the death of three persons while no fewer than  six others sustained injuries in another overnight attack on Maisamari  in town in Sardauna Local Government Area  of the state by a suspected militia group.

    The police spokesman  in the state, ASP David Misal, who confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jalingo, said the incident  took place during a  cultural event called Nding-Chin.

    The cultural event was said to be taking place in the area for the first time.

    Misal,  who said area was now calm,  disclosed  that the command had deployed additional policemen to beef up security.

    Godwin Sol, Acting Chairman of Sardauna Local Government Council, told NAN that the administration  had earlier banned all cultural meetings and festivals because of the security situation in the area.

    Sol, however, said he was surprised  to learn that a  group, which  mobilised their kinsmen from surrounding villages, held a dance event in Maisamari  against the council’s order.

    He said security operatives were later mobilised to disperse the gathering.

    The spokesman said  due to the size of the crowd,  a time frame within which to complete the exercise and disperse was given.

    Sol said at the expiration of the time frame, instead of leaving the town as agreed, the group  relocated to the house of one Yaya Ahmadun  to continue with the dance  which continued  into the night.

    “It was while this was going on that some unknown gunmen attacked the place and killed three persons and injured six others,” Sol said.

    The council boss said the host of the event in Maisamari  as well as  leaders of the cultural group have been arrested.

    NAN learnt that the  injured are  receiving treatment at the Gembu General Hospital.

    The latest  incident is  coming barely six months after a bloody attack on several communities in Sardauna Council Area had left many dead while  property worth millions of naira were  destroyed.  (NAN)

  • Police nab 39 ‘strange men’ in Taraba

    Police nab 39 ‘strange men’ in Taraba

    The Police Command in Taraba State has arrested 39 ‘strange men’ in Nguroje, Sardauna Local Government Area.

    Command spokesperson  David Missal, an Assistant Superintendent (ASP), said the arrest of the suspicious men, aged between 30 and 40, followed an alarm raised by residents of Nguroje.

    He said the men, who were allegedly harboured by a woman in the community, were first taken to Gembu Divisional Police Headquarters and later transferred to Jalingo for further investigation.

    The police spokesperson, whoclaimed the men were from Cameroun, said their movement became suspicious because they did not report their arrival to the appropriate authority.

    He said that earlier refugees, who fled crisis ridden North West Cameroun, comprising women, children and the aged,were camped and catered for.

    “This set of able bodied men only sneaked into Nguroje, passing through other towns and Gembu, the council’s headquarters, without information,’’ he said.

    Missal, however, said that no incriminating item was found on them, adding that they were undergoing interrogationto ascertain their mission in the area.

    Acting Chairman of Sardauna Local Government Revd. Godwin Sol said the suspects, who claimed to be from Bamenda in Cameroun, did not notify the council of their coming.

    Sol queried their option to proceed to Nguroje, instead of stopping at Gembu where there is a camp for refugees.

    The chairman said this raised doubts about their movement, saying that it was not only illegal but suspicious.

    He warned that the council would not allow people of questionable character to be a source of trouble on the Mambilla Plateau.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Sardauna local government area, in June, witnessed a crisis leading to the death of hundreds of people, destruction of property and loss of thousands of livestock.

  • Police confirm kidnap of Taraba lawmaker

    Police confirm kidnap of Taraba lawmaker

    The Taraba State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of the lawmaker representing Takum I in the House of Assembly, Mr. Hosea Ibi.

    Spokesman David Misal said Ibi was kidnapped from his Takum hometown on Saturday.

    He said: “I can confirm to you that the lawmaker was kidnapped last night (Saturday) in Takum. That is all I can tell you for now.”

    He added that the command has mobilised its men to Takum to rescue the lawmaker.

    An eyewitness, Mr. Rimansikpe Tsokwa, said Ibi was abducted around 10 pm.

    “Three gunmen alighted from two motorcycles at about 10pm and stormed Hosea’s mother’s house.

    “Immediately they entered, they seized the phones in the compound before taking Ibi away on their motorcycle. They didn’t say anything,” he said.

  • Police confirm kidnap of Taraba legislator

    Police confirm kidnap of Taraba legislator

    The Taraba Police Command on Sunday confirmed the abduction of a state legislator, Mr. Hosea Ibi by three unidentified gunmen.

    Ibi represents Takum 1 in the State House of Assembly.

    The command’s spokesman, Mr. David Misal said in Jalingo, the capital, that Ibi was kidnapped in Takum, his hometown Saturday night.

    “ I can confirm to you that the lawmaker was kidnapped last night in Takum.That is all I can tell you for now,” Misal said.

    The spokesman said the command has mobilised its men to Takum to rescue the lawmaker.

    Mr. Rimansikpe Tsokwa, a witness of the abduction, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that Ibi was abducted around 10 p.m on Saturday.

    “ Three gunmen alighted from two motorcycles at about 10 p.m and stormed Hosea’s mother’s residence.

    “ Immediately they entered, they seized all handsets belonging to the people in the compound.

    “They then dragged the member to their motorcycles and whisked him away without saying anything.” he said.

    NAN reports that Takum is also the hometown of the state governor, Darius Ishaku, who is celebrating the New Year in the town.(NAN)

  • Why I built a hospital in Taraba, by Danjuma

    Why I built a hospital in Taraba, by Danjuma

    Former Minister of Defence Lt.-Gen. TheophilusDanjuma (rtd) has said he was motivated to build a world-class maternity hospital in Takum, Taraba State, to curb the rising case of maternal mortality.

    Danjuma spoke yesterday at the opening of the hospital, named after his late mother, Rufkatu Danjuma.

    He said about 800 women die daily worldwide following complications from child birth, noting that more of such cases occurred in under-developed countries.

    “Between 1990 and 2015, maternal mortality rate in the world dropped by 45 per cent, but Nigeria’s percentage was on the rise.

    “This is why I decided to assist by donating this hospital, in collaboration with Development Africa, Taraba State government, and other international charity organisations.

    “I hope this hospital will set a standard in the provision of health care services in the country.”

    The Minister of State for Health, Prof. Osagie Ehaniro, said 576 of 100,000 children die at birth in Nigeria due to poor maternity care.

    Ehaniro hailed Danjuma, saying the hospital is the first to provide such specialised services in the country.

    Governor Darius Ishaku pledging that the government will provide ambulances and residential quarters for doctors.

  • Why I built maternity hospital in Taraba – Danjuma

    Why I built maternity hospital in Taraba – Danjuma

    A former Minister of Defence, Lt. Gen. Theophilus Danjuma  (retired), says high rate of maternal mortality in Nigeria is the reason why his foundation, TY Danjuma Foundation, decided to build a world class maternity hospital in Takum.

    Danjuma disclosed this on Monday in his home town Takum during the inauguration of the hospital named after his late mother, Mama Rufkatu Danjuma.

    According to him, approximately 800 women die daily worldwide due to complications arising from child birth.

    Danjuma noted that majority of such cases were occurring in developing countries, hence his intervention to help reduce the rate.

    “Between 1990 and 2015 maternal mortality rate in the world dropped by 45 per cent, but Nigeria percentage of maternal mortality rate was on the rise.

    “This is why I have decided to assist to reduce the rate by donating this world class hospital in collaboration with Development Africa, Taraba Government and other international charity organisations.

    “I hope that this hospital will set a standard in the provision of health care delivery services in the country,” he said.

    The Minister of State for Health, Prof. Osagie Ehaniro, said 576 out 100,000 children die during birth in Nigeria due to poor maternity care which he noted was the worst in the world.

    Ehaniro commended Danjuma for the intervention to reduce the figure in Takum and its environs.

    He said the hospital was the first of its kind providing such specialised services in the country, noting it will also serve the primary health care needs of the people of Taraba.

    Also read :Help our son to live

    “The government of President Muhammadu Buhari is determined to provide Primary Health Care facility in each ward in the country with collaboration of the private sector and this is a right move by Gen. TY Danjuma,” he said.

    Gov. Darius Ishaku of Taraba commended the generosity of Danjuma in changing the lives of the people across the country.

    Ishaku pledged that the state government would provide the hospital with ambulances and residential quarters for doctors to enable them provide 24-hour services to the people.

    Earlier, Mr Joshua Kempeneer, the Country Director, Development Africa, the organisation that handled the construction of the hospital expressed worry over the high maternal mortality rate in Nigeria.

    He commended TY Danjuma Foundation for its intervention in reducing the rate.

    Kempeneer, who said his organisation had the mandate of Danjuma to manage the hospital for five years, assured that services to be offered by the hospital would be highly subsidised for poor families to access.

    “The hospital will charge less compared to what is obtainable in other hospitals, but would attend strictly to women and children under the age of eight,” he said.

  • Polio: UNICEF immunizes 2m children in four states

    Polio: UNICEF immunizes 2m children in four states

    The Global Affairs Canada (GAC) in conjunction with UNICEF said it immunized more than two million children in rural communities of Jigawa, Niger, Taraba and Zamfara states in the past one year.
    Dr. Esther Obinya, a UNICEF health specialist and the National Coordinator of the Hard To Reach (HTR) project, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jalingo on Saturday, that the initiative of reaching rural communities with vaccines was recording a lot of success.
    She disclosed that the HTR project was able to reach more than 900,000 pregnant women in the four states with ante-natal and post-natal services and commodities within the period.
    Obinya stated that the HTR, which is aimed at eradicating polio and strengthening health care in remote communities, is enjoying support from the federal, state and local governments in all the four high-risk states where the project is ongoing.
    She disclosed that more than 3,000 settlements had been visited at least three times since the project began in March 2016.
    She identified security breach occasioned by the frequent communal clashes, hazardous terrains, political interference and getting the right technical personnel, especially, Nurse-Midwives as the major challenges of the project.
    The Bill and Melinda-Gates foundation had carried out similar exercises in Borno, Yobe, Kaduna, Bauchi, Katsina, and Kano with very good results, she said.
    Obinya, who was in Taraba to supervise the Quarter 3, 2017 Review Meeting of GAC/HTR for Jigawa, Niger, Taraba, and Zamfara states, also called on the benefiting states to work assiduously to sustain the project which would end in December 2018.
    Delegates from the four states had earlier undertaken field trips to some Hard to Reach communities in Ardo-Kola and Jalingo Local Government.
    NAN recalls that the World Health Assembly had in 2012 asked the World Health Organisation to formulate a programme that would eradicate polio worldwide when it was discovered that Nigeria, Afghanistan, and Pakistan had remained the three most endemic countries that were left with polio.