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Tag: Taraba

  • Governor cries out over invasion of Taraba by Cameronian rebels

    Governor cries out over invasion of Taraba by Cameronian rebels

    Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas has raised the alarm over invasion of villages by  Cameronian seperatists, popularly called Ambassonia rebels.

    The governor said activities of the Ambassonia rebels have caused security problems in the villages along the Nigeria-Cameroon border.

    He spoke when he paid a courtesy visit on the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, at the Defence Headquarters Abuja, yesterday.

    He said: “As you are aware, Taraba State borders Republic of Cameroon. But many of our villages along the border, especially the Kashinbilla dam, are receiving threats from these criminals from Cameroon.

    “Nigeria has a good relationship with Cameroon; and our people are doing a lot of business with Cameroonians. But the Ambassonia rebels are always invading them.

    “We want to appeal to the Chief of Defence Staff to send more troops to those areas in order to protect the lives and property of our people.”

    The governor said the troops already deployed in the areas were doing a good job, but needed to be supported by more troops, in order to increase their capability to ward off the Cameroonians rebels.

    He attributed insecurity in some parts of the state to activities of illegal miners. 

    “As a result of this, I ordered immediate stop to all mining activities, both licensed miners and others. And this measure has paid off,” the governor said.

    Read Also: FG embarks on geophysical survey for minerals in Taraba

    The CDS promised that the military would do everything possible to ensure the safety and security of people living at the border villages.

    The CDS said: “Taraba State is a goldmine considering the presence of abundant human and  mineral resources.

    ” The military is behind you, as one of us, we will make sure that Taraba State, and all parts of Nigeria is safe and peaceful. 

    “We will support you so that you can deliver good governance to your people. Because without peace there will be no development.

    “Military solution to insecurity is just a fraction, good governor is another solution. So when people have good governance, insecurity can be curtailed to the nearest minimum.”

    The CDS, however, urged the governor and  Nigerians to always  report any soldiers that misbehalve during operational duties in their respective states..

    He  said the military has an established way to punish any erring soldier, hence would not hesitate to punish such if found guilty.

    He said soldiers were properly briefed on their roles during operations, hence any one that erred would be properly sanctioned.

  • FG embarks on geophysical survey for minerals in Taraba

    FG embarks on geophysical survey for minerals in Taraba

    The federal government said it would embark on an “airborne geophysical survey” in Taraba state which is aimed at improving geological information and data towards the diversification of the economy.

    The activity to be conducted by the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development would employ “the use of yellow-coloured small aircraft fitted with aeromagnetic lenses to carry out aeromagnetic surveys in selected states of the federation including Taraba state.”

    According to a press statement by the Media/Communication Officer, Mineral Sector Support for Economic Diversification Project, Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Ishaku Kigbu, the operation will cover five local government areas namely: Ardo Kola, Jalingo, Karim Lamido, Lau, Yorro and Zing.

    The Ministry is therefore notifying Tarabans of the presence of aircraft that would be flying at low altitudes in the aforementioned areas.

    Read Also: Appeal Court dismisses PDP’s petition against Taraba Assembly seat

    The statement read: “The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, wishes to re-notify the people of Taraba state, that the federal government in continuation of its quest to improve the availability of geological information and data to enhance the diversification of the economy to achieve the Renewed Hope agenda of the present administration is still embarking on an airborne geophysical survey within and around the State.

    “Having carried out full sensitisation in the State earlier, the Ministry wish to-emphasise that the activity is still ongoing hence the State will experience the flying of these special aircraft at very low altitude in a repeated pattern to capture magnetic anomalies.

    “In Taraba State, areas the aircraft will fly at low altitude to capture geological information and data include Ardo Kola, Jalingo, Karim Lamido, Lau, Yorro, and Zing LGAs.

    “The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, therefore, wishes to inform the state and LGAs affected not to panic or entertain fears as the activity is safe. This has become very necessary given the security situation in the country and to ensure that the people are not misinformed or dis-informed.”

    “Airborne Geophysical Mapping Survey” started in June 2021, and that a “robust sensitisation and enlightenment campaign was carried out in the 19 States that were to be covered by the activity”.

    “The program experienced overlaps due to weather conditions and logistical reasons but has been progressing well since it started.”

  • Appeal Court dismisses PDP’s petition against Taraba Assembly seat

    Appeal Court dismisses PDP’s petition against Taraba Assembly seat

    The Appeal Court sitting in the FCT had on Friday, October 6, dismissed for “lack of merit” the petition filed by Danladi Gwampo of the PDP against SDP’s  Joseph Kassong for Yorro State Constituency at the Taraba State House of Assembly.

    Speaking to The Nation, the counsel to Kassong, Pius Demba Pius, said the case was dismissed for lack of merit and that the petitioners were asked to pay the sum of N250,000.

    He said: “The Court of Appeal, today 6th October 2023, entered judgment in favour of our client SDP, dismissing the petition of Hon. Danladi Gwampo of PDP. There is no room for further appeal to the Supreme Court. It’s the end of the road.”

    Read Also: Taraba: Police confirms electrocution, death of four family members

    The Taraba State Elections Petitions Tribunal sitting in Jalingo, had last month August, dismissed for lack of merit the petition by Gwampo challenging the election of Kasong into the Taraba State House of Assembly for Yorro constituency.

    Danladi had challenged the eligibility of the Kasong to contest the election as well as petitioned the tribunal on the case of overvoting in the election that produced Kassong.

    The media aide to Kassong, Christopher Nuhu, who responded on behalf of his boss, expressed his pleasure in the victory and called on the people of the constituency to rally round his boss, describing his boss as one coming from “nothing to something”.

    According to him, it only takes one who is destined by God to dethrone one who is established on the seat and therefore calls for celebration.

    The victory brings an end to Hon. Gwampo’s stronghold on the seat for Yorro constituency which stretches to 12 years under the PDP.

  • Four family members electrocuted in Taraba

    Four family members electrocuted in Taraba

    A family consisting of a father, mother, and their two children were on Monday, October 2, electrocuted and burnt to death after a power surge in the Dinyavoh area of Jalingo, the Taraba state capital.

    However, the last child of the family survived the incident.

    The power surge that occurred in the morning started from a transformer explosion, leaving at least nine houses affected as many were left injured as a result and are already receiving medical care.

    Two eyewitnesses who are neighbours to the deceased narrated how the sad incident happened.

    A neighbour, Mr Dogonyaro revealed: “My wife called me that our house has caught fire. She was crying when she called me. She told me that our neighbour and their four children got burnt. I now asked her to call for assistance. I told them to break the house. Assistance came and our neighbours were brought out. The man, his wife, and two children were all burnt except the last born called ‘Heart’ who survived.

    “They were electrocuted and burnt. It happened that when the man wanted to remove the fuse from the mains, he was electrocuted. The wife was lying down because she had just been operated upon. She made an attempt to assist and also got electrocuted.”

    He also admitted that they have been experiencing such power surges within this period, blaming the incident on a thunderstorm and the nature of the wiring in the compound.

    Also, his wife, Patience Nathan Dogonyaro who looked traumatized narrated how her neighbours perished.

    Read Also: Tribunals uphold Abiodun’s, Kefas’, Aliyu’s election in Ogun, Taraba, Sokoto

    She said: “I was sitting in front of my apartment when my neighbour started shouting ‘fire, fire’fire’. That the transformer has caught fire and that we should come out. I came in and turned off my gas cooker. I didn’t know my neighbours were inside. I saw the last child of the family outside shouting my mummy, my mummy! I saw their apartment burning. I asked a man to help them. We started arguing outside. Some were like they weren’t inside while some said they were inside. So the man broke the window and got access to the room. Then he saw them lying on the floor.”

    As of the time of filing this report, corpses of the dead have been taken to an undisclosed medical centre while sympathizers keep trooping into the neighbourhood.

  • Taraba targets 5,000 youths, women in skills acquisition

    Taraba targets 5,000 youths, women in skills acquisition

    To address poverty and reduce youth unemployment, Taraba State government has said it would train no fewer  than 5,000 youths and women in acquiring skills that would assist them in taking better care of themselves within the next three years.

    The Taraba State Commissioner of Co-Operative and Poverty Alleviation, Habu Philip, made the disclosure on Wednesday in Abuja during the singing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federal Ministry of Labour on the operation and Employment Skills and Vocational Training Centre in Ibi, located in Ibi Local Government Area of Taraba State.

    He said: “This is key in Job creation and poverty reduction especially in Taraba State.

    In line with the “Renewed Hope agenda of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR and the Moving Forward Agenda of the Taraba State Governor. Dr Agbu Kefas we are glad to take over the Skills Acquisition Centre and manage it effectively for the benefit of the good people of Taraba State.

    “We have put in place proactive measures and effective monitoring and Evaluation mechanisms to ensure the smooth running of the centre: our target is to train at least Five Thousand (5000) Skilled youths & Women in the Centre in the next three years.

    “I want to request that more of this laudable project should be built in our dear State for the good of our people.”

    Read Also: NAICOM, Reps differ over investment in housing sector

    Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, urged other states to emulate Taraba State in order to provide decent jobs for the teeming population of youths roaming the streets without jobs.

    “There is nothing like skill acquisition because even if you have a certificate you will also be an employer of labour . I urge other states to emulate what you (Taraba State) is doing.

    “The problem is how to take our youths off the streets and by God’s Grace we will take people off the street.”

    Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha who also harped on the importance of skills acquisition, noted that the country would get to a point where mere certificates may not be able to sustain the people.

    “We are here to create employment for Nigerian youths and citizens and we encourage states to key in and encourage youths no matter the certificate they are holding, to learn skills.

    “Certificate may not work and when it doesn’t work it is your skills that will help you so I encourage our youths to key into the different schemes the government is rolling out.”

  • Taraba APC youths make case for colleague

    Taraba APC youths make case for colleague

    Taraba State All Progressives Congress (APC) youths  have appealed to President Bola Tinubu to consider one-time President of the Ahmadu Bello University Students’ Union Government and National Convention Chairman, National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS), Mohammed Bello Mustapha  for appointment.

    The youths, in a save our soul message, yesteday, noted that,  Mustapha fondly called Barr. MB Mustapha, has sacrificed a lot for the party for several years, hence deserved to be rewarded.

    The statement was signed by Alhaji Bashir Bakari, the representative of party’s chairmen in council ,Bello Muhammad Hassan and  one of the representatives of youths and women in the party, among others.

    They also congratulated President Tinubu on his emergence as the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

    Read Also: UPDATED: Tinubu swears in Wike, Keyamo, 43 others as ministers

    According to the statement, the need to draw the president’s attention to “years of broken promises” to youths  in the state has become necessary.

    It pointed out that the President’s pro-democracy struggle, as well as sacrifices at other times for new hands to emerge within the spheres of Lagos politics can be likened to the case of Mustapha.

    Listing the roles in which MB Mustapha had served, the most recent of which was as Secretary and Legal Adviser of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council in the state, the youths disclosed that a fully-equipped situation room was “manned, handled and successfully coordinated” by him, positing that it was one of the reasons APC in Taraba was able to surpass all expectations to score about 30% of the total votes cast in the presidential polls.

    “It is therefore safe to say that the engine room of the APC during the Presidential elections was MB Mustapha,” the statement said.

    It expressed shock that “people who have longer legs have outrun him to Abuja to receive reward for what they actually did not work for.

    “Rubbing this obvious shortchange of a young man on us collectively totally kills the morale of the younger elements in our political party to work assiduously for future successes.

    “Your Excellency, this letter is not borne out of a spirit of un-sportsmanship because we do understand that Mr. President reserves the rights under Section 147 to choose Ministers from the 36 states of the federation.

    “We are emboldened to report this act that shortchanges a hardworking individual because we believe you can right the wrongs of the years past just as you have for the first time since 1999, considered, recognized and included the Abuja aborigines into your cabinet,” the statement added.

  • Task force arrests 3,500 illegal miners in Taraba

    Task force arrests 3,500 illegal miners in Taraba

    The Taraba Task Force on the Enforcement of Ban on Illegal Mining and Deforestation has arrested 3,500 illegal miners in Bali Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

    Retired Brig.-Gen. Jeremiah Faransa, Chairman of the task force disclosed this yesterday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jalingo.

    Faransa said the illegal miners arrested were from Mali, Senegal, Chad, Zamfara and other parts of the country.

    He noted that the state was richly blessed with abundant natural resources begging to be harnessed not just for the benefit of the locals but the state and the country at large.

    Read Also: Taraba College of Education worker held over robbery

    “This beautiful atmosphere endowed by nature is being threatened by the activities of some unauthorised people through illegal mining.

    “These illegal miners take home billions of Naira daily at the expense of the locals. They damage the ecosystem and environment which will have multiple effects on the future of the state.

    “Dogon Yatsu is an unmotorable thick forest which has become their new abode where they extract mineral resources of various kinds,” he said.

    Faransa said the arrested suspects had been prosecuted by a mobile court and were being punished accordingly.

    He reiterated the determination of the special task force to safeguard the state and its environment from illegal miners’ encroachment by leaving no stone unturned.

  • Permanent Secretary abducted in Taraba

    The Permanent Secretary in the Taraba State Ministry of Water Resources, Mrs. Susana Jonathan, has been abducted by unknown gunmen, it was learnt yesterday.

    Mrs. Jonathan was allegedly abducted from her home at ATC in Jalingo, the state capital, at about 2:17am, residents told reporters.

    The news came barely five days after the Deputy Registrar of the Taraba State University, Jalingo, Mr. Sanusi Sa’ad, was kidnapped in the university’s quarters, a few meters from the house of the abducted permanent secretary.

    Residents said the gunmen stormed the house and shot sporadically into the air before taking her away to an unknown destination.

    The Taraba State Police Public Relations Officer, David Misal, a Deputy Superintended of Police (DSP), said no complaint had been lodged by from Mrs Jonathan’s family.

    DSP Misal said: “From the intelligence report we have received, the woman is nowhere to be found, but we are yet to receive any official report regarding the incident.

    “We want to call on the public not to be afraid of reporting any security threat promptly to security agencies to enable us take proactive measures.”

    The State Police Command had on May 1 refuted the report that Jalingo was besieged by kidnappers, forcing residents to stay indoors as early as 7:30pm daily due to the fear of kidnappers.

    Kidnapping is getting common in Taraba, especially Jalingo, the state capital.

    Just two weeks ago, two of the wives of the Permanent Secretary in the Deputy Governor’s office were kidnapped and released after payment of ransom.

    Also yesterday, two rival groups clashed in a gun battle in the varsity town of Ayingba, Dekina Local Government Area. Ismaila Agba, a youth leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), was killed.

    The immediate cause of hostility could not be established as at the time of filing this report but it was gathered that the unidentified gunmen began shooting indiscriminately from around 10am.

    It was learnt that the late APC youth leader, who was also the head of the Kogi East Cashew produce unit of the Revenue Drive department of the state government and chairman of Anyigba-Lagos loading point, died during the exchange of gun fire at Agwudoko.

    Some residents alleged that the clash may not be unconnected with the forthcoming governorship election, and a “test rehearsal in the battle of supremacy that lies ahead”.

    “We were indoors for hours to avoid being hit by stray bullets. Though the police command moved in when they got wind of the attacks, at a point, we didn’t even know who was in charge as the guns continued to boom unabated,” said a resident.

    Confirming the incident, the Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Williams Aya, said one person died, adding that one Alhassan Idoko was injured.

    He said that it was not a political attack, but a case of culpable homicide, perpetrated by unidentified gunmen. “The command is already on their trail,” he added.

    According to Aya, policemen were drafted to the scene shortly after the brother of the slain man had reported the matter at the command in the town, adding that normalcy has returned to the affected area.

  • NiMet predicts cloudy, sunny weather for Wednesday

    The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), has predicted partly cloudy to cloudy and sunny weather conditions with localised thunderstorms over most parts of the country on Wednesday.

    NiMet’s Weather Outlook on Tuesday, in Abuja, predicted partly cloudy to cloudy morning over the Central States with prospect of isolated morning thunderstorms over Benue, Taraba and Mambilla Plateau axis.

    It also predicted thunderstorms over places like Kaduna, Bida, Minna, Kwara and Bauchi, Lokoja, Abuja and Markudi in the afternoon and evening with day and night temperature of 33 to 40 and 23 to 27 degrees Celsius.

    The agency predicted that Northern States would experience partly cloudy to sunny conditions with haziness over Maiduguri during the morning hours.

    Read Also: NiMet predicts cloudy, sunny weather for Monday

    It further predicted thundery activities over Kano, Katsina, Yelwa, Zamfara, Southern Borno and Zaria during the day with day and night temperatures of 37 to 43 and 23 to 26 degrees Celsius.

    According to NiMet, Southern States will experience partly cloudy to cloudy morning hours with chances of localised thunderstorm over Eket Calabar, Port Harcourt and Uyo axis.

    “There are prospects of scattered thunderstorm activities over this region during the afternoon and evening period with day and night temperatures of 30 to 37 and 21 to 25 degrees Celsius.

    “The influx of moisture into the country is consistent with chances of thunderstorm activities in the country within the next 24 hours,” NiMet predicted.

    NAN

  • FEC okays N27.4b for states affected by flooding, conflicts

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday approved N27.4 billion for intervention in states ravaged by flooding and conflicts.

    This was disclosed by the Kebbi State Governor and Vice Chairman of the National Food Security Council, Atiku Bagudu.

    He briefed State House correspondents after about seven hours FEC meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    He said that the FEC approved N18.9 billion for intervention in 14 states ravaged by flooding.

    Noting that the list of the states is not exhaustive, he said that the intervention will take the form of seedlings, fertilizers among other items.

    According to him, 163,117 beneficiaries will be covered in 14 states.

    He said that FEC approved N8.5 billion for intervention in states ravaged by conflicts.

    Among the beneficiary states, he said, included Adamawa, Benue, Borno, Plateau, Taraba and Zamfara.

    While 69,872 people will benefit from the intervention, he said that it will take the form of fertilizers, seedlings, feeding and accommodation.