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  • Breaking: FG declares emergency on public health

    The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has declared a state of public health concern on maternal newborn and child death occurring at the primary health centres.

    Similar declaration is expected in states in the next few days to track maternal and child mortality.

    Nigeria has one of the worst records in maternal and child mortality in the world. It is recorded that in Nigeria approximately 145 women under the age of 15-45 die from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth while 2300 children under five years old die mainly from preventable causes.

    Consequently, the agency said it will establish a national coordination centre within the agency to provide oversight on the outlined activities.

    Read Also: Experts push for maternal, child deaths reduction

    The centre, according to the Executive Director of the agency, Dr. Fasal Shuaib shall be called the National Emergency Maternal and Child Health Intervention Centre. (NEMCHIC).

    Already, the country has received support worth $1.3l million which is to be matched by the government $1.97 million for the next ten years. This fund is to support the country’s immunization programme as part of the effort to reduce maternal and child mortality in Nigeria.

    The states also assured of their buy-in to ensure that the initiative achieves its purpose.

  • Lawmakers shun audit reports

    No auditor-general’s report has been fully considered by the National Assembly since 1999, it was learnt at the weekend.

    The Auditor-General of the Federation (AGF), Anthony Ayine, urged members of the National Assembly to clear backlogs of audit reports submitted to them.

    In a paper titled: “The role of National Assembly in promoting public accountability”, which he presented at the ongoing orientation programme for senators-elect/members-elect of the Ninth National Assembly in Abuja.

    Ayine said that to the best of his knowledge, none of reports submitted to the National Assembly for consideration since 1999 has been fully attended to.

    He explained that for audit report to be seen to have been treated after submission, a resolution of the National Assembly must be transmitted to the Executive for necessary action.

    Ayinye explained that for audit report to be submitted to the National Assembly, “we work with the financial report of the Accountant-General of the Federation’s financial report.”

    According to him, his office has started work on the 2017 financial report for submission to the National Assembly for consideration, adding that the last report submitted was for 2016.

    “Good governance”, he said, “will remain a mirage in the country, without transparency (openness) and accountability.”

    Ayine said: “Corruption has stifled economic growth and development in our country. I am therefore optimistic that collaborative effects of efforts of the three arms of government in ensuring openness and accountability can put Nigeria on a good pedestal and enable her attain her place in the comity of nations where corruption is despised.

    “The two Public Accounts Committees (PACs) (of the National Assembly) should draw up time table for clearing backlogs of audit reports.

    Read also: Promissory Notes: NASS approved figures sent by Executive for Delta, Taraba States, says Saraki

    “Accountability has to do with stewardship while openness is important because nothing is hidden, a situation that makes corruption impossible.”

    Ayine, who stressed the need for a paradigm shift in the country, noted that the National Assembly could lead the way in being transparent through a demonstration of public accountability in handling its affairs, including finances.

    He noted that “transparency allows access to information, reinforces accountability and makes corruption difficult to be successfully perpetrated because corruption is usually a hidden affair.”

    The AGF insisted that the Public Accounts committees should ensure timely consideration of audit reports as well as take a dim view of late responses to audit queries by ministries, departments and agencies.

    For the AGF, public accountability will be greatly enhanced, if those in public positions begin to see governance as a social contract for the people they represent and realise that they are responsible to the public.

  • Lagos Fire Service chief, six others abducted

    Kidnappers on Saturday night abducted the Lagos State Fire Service Acting Director Rasaki Musibau and six others at Ejirin, along the Epe-Itoikin road, Ikorodu.

    Among those kidnapped is the personal assistant to the vice chairman of Ikosi-Ejirin Local Council Development Area.

    The incident, it was gathered, occurred while the fire chief and others were returning to Lagos from Epe.

    The Nation learnt that the kidnappers had blocked the Itoikin bridge, ambushing occupants of a Sienna, Corolla and a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV).

    A resident, who simply gave his name as Segun, who called to notify The Nation about the incident around 3pm, said the fire service chief and other people were ordered to alight from their vehicles and were whisked away.

    He said the incident occurred in the evening.

    “They (the kidnappers) didn’t take anything from the vehicles. The Fire Service acting director’s vehicle was there with his phone. We saw three vehicles at the spot. We were told that the kidnappers were just stopping vehicles on the road at Ejirin and after occupants of the three vehicles were taken, they hurriedly left the scene,” he said.

    He doubted if the kidnappers knew Musibau before abducting him.

    “They could have ransacked his vehicle and taken his phones away if they knew he is the Fire Service acting director,” he said.

    Another resident said the abducted personal assistant to the vice chairman of Ikosi-Ejirin Local Council Development Area drove his boss’ vehicle.

    Read also: Police kill three bandits in fresh Kaduna village attack

    “The kidnappers might have thought it was the council’s vice chairman, unknown to them that the person driving the vehicle is the chairman’s aide. I think the man took his boss’ vehicle to a party. He was returning to Ejirin before he was abducted,” he said.

    According to him, the kidnappers left two children of some of the women abducted on the scene of the incident.

    Some residents alleged that occupants of an interstate bus were also kidnapped after the vehicle dropped off some passengers along the road and bystanders, pretending to be waiting for a bus to Lagos, entered.

    A resident, who spoke to The Nation, said the interstate bus had stopped to drop off a passenger at Ejirin, adding that some other persons standing on the road joined the vehicle en route to Lagos.

    “It happened on Saturday evening. It was around 7pm. It was one of these instate buses that ply that route. The bus stopped to drop off passengers and some people entered.

    “But unknown to the driver and passengers, those who entered the bus were kidnappers and they took them to an unknown destination.

    “It was a separate incident from that of the fire service director. The man and some others were coming from Epe to Lagos when the kidnappers ambushed them and took them away. This area is gradually turning to something else.

    “We are worried because we know how bad it was then when farmers and their employees were being kidnapped daily. These boys are gradually starting again.

    “We are calling on the authorities to act fast before it is too late,” said the source.

    But the police denied that any commercial bus was involved, saying the total number of those affected were seven occupants of a Toyota Sienna, Corolla and an Opel SUV.

    Saturday’s kidnap has sent shivers down the spines of residents of the axis who have for some time experienced respite from incessant kidnappings and armed banditry.

    Prior to the latest incident, it was gathered that the Community Development Committee (CDC) Chairman, Samson Ajijedidun, was kidnapped by the criminals on March 1 and only released after a ransom was paid.

    Some workers and senior staff of the Fire Service were yesterday seen at the Alausa fire service office.

    The Nation learnt that their convergence may not be unconnected with the kidnap of their boss.

    None of them was ready to speak with reporters or anybody that does not belong to the service.

    They were seen discussing the incident in hushed tones.

    Contacted, Fire Service Chief Public Affairs Officer Bola Ajao’s phone was switched off.

    Messages sent to her phone were not answered.

    Police spokesman Bala Elkana, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP), said seven persons, including the fire service boss, were kidnapped from three vehicles around 8pm on Saturday.

    Elkana said: “They are seven persons, not nine. They were not in a bus. We are just coming from the scene now. The Commissioner of Police, Zubairu Muazu, visited the scene. They were in three vehicles, Toyota Sienna, Toyota Corolla and Opel SUV. We searched and saw some items belonging to the victims, one of them is the Lagos Fire Service director.

    “Investigation has begun into this incident. The CP has also deployed Special Forces and tasked the Command’s Anti kidnapping Unit to ensure that they rescue the seven persons abducted by some hoodlums suspected to be kidnappers at about 8pm along Iwoye bridge, Itokin-Epe road, Ikorodu.

    “The CP in the company of Tactical Units Commanders visited the crime scene in the early hours of today (yesterday) and assured the family of the victims that the command is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring that the victims are rescued unhurt.

    “Those abducted include Rasaki Musibau, Mufutau Adams, Funmilayo Adelumo, Asiogu Martha, Lasisi Muka and two others. Vehicles recovered from the scene include Toyota Sienna, Toyota Corolla and Opel SUV.

    “The command assures Lagosians of their safety at all times, as it has intensified patrols and surveillance along Itokin-Epe road, Ketu, Eredo and other major highways in the state.”

  • Lawan, Goje, Ndume: Who becomes next Senate President?

    Three senators-Ahmed Lawan, Danjuma Goje and Ali Ndume-are in the race for Senate President. Who becomes the number three citizen? Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU examines the aspirants, their chances and constraints.

    From 1960 to date, Nigeria has produced 12 Senate Presidents. In the First Republic, the late Dr. Nnamidi Azikiwe and Dr. Nwafor Orozu, served as heads of the ceremonial Senate under the parliamentary system.

    In the Second Republic, Dr. Joseph Wayas, was the Chairman of the National Assembly under the presidential system. The Third Republic produced Dr. Iyocha Ayu and Ahmed Ebute.

    In the last 20 years, seven prominent politicians have occupied the seat. They are the late Chief Evans Ewerem, the late Dr. Chuba Okadigbo, Pius Ayim, Adulphus Wabara, Ken Nnamani, General David Mark and Dr. Bukola Saraki.

    The question is: who becomes next Senate President?

    The Senate President is number two member of the President’s kitchen cabinet. In the absence of the Commander-In-Chief and his deputy, he automatically becomes the acting president. The Senate President is the Chairman of the National Assembly, which comprises the Senate and the House of Representatives. When there is gulf between the president and holder of the post, the lack of cordial relations will definitely affect the smooth running of governance.

    The effects may manifest in delay in passage of budgets, denial of approval for presidential nominees, defections and executive/parliamentary tension.

    Since independence, there was never a time the head of government was aloof to the election of key National Assembly officers, except in 2015. Also, the Senate President and the Deputy Senate President have always come from the ruling party, except there a coalition or accord between the ruling party and an opposition party. Usually, the principal officers have always emerged, following the deliberations by the party caucus, in an atmosphere of party supremacy and corresponding party discipline.

    Historically, the position was also zoned to a region. The arrangement often confer on the leaders and stakeholders from the region to play an important role in selection. Since charity begins at home, it is expected that the aspirant would have solve himself to senators from his region before reaching out to those aoutside the zone. Forces outside the zone may be formidable and powerful to be ignored, making stakeholders to dance to their tune.

    However, since 2015, it has become evident that the opposition has been positioned to play a key role in the emergence of the Senate President, particularly when the ruling party is unable to put its house in order or enforce discipline among its federal legislators. Although the voting are done separately, the outcome of the inner elections in the Upper Chamber may significantly affect the voting pattern in the Lower Chamber.

    Many APC senators have not made up their minds on the direction to swing the pendulum. The reason is that President Muhammdu Buhari has not directly declared his preference for the apex parliamentary position.

    Three senators are struggling to occupy the Senate Presidency. They hail from the Northeast. The general understanding in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is that the slot has been zoned to the region.

    Senate Leader Dr. Ahmed Lawan, a former two-time House of Representatives member and third-time senator, is from Yobe State. In 2015, he showed interest in the position. But, he lost to Saraki in controversial circumstances. He is the candidate of the party. To that extent, the intention of the PDP caucus is to abort his dream. Lawan has the support of APC senators from the Southwest, Northcentral, Northwest where his campaign manager, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi, hails from, and the lone Young Party of Nigeria (YPN) senator from Anambra State, Ifeanyi Ubah. Also, the two senators from the South, Senator Aliemekena (Edo North)  and Ovie Omo-Agege (Delta Central) are toeing the party line.

    Lawan’s challengers, Danjuma Goje and Ali Ndume, are not pushovers. Goje is a former Minister of State for Power and Steel and governor of Gombe State. Under his leadership, the APC extended tentacles into the state, which had been a stronghold of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for two decades. He is influential in the ‘former Governors’ bloc in the Senate. Naturally, as a former PDP chieftains, he has links with the main opposition party, whose chieftains have been mounting pressures on him to declare his interest. But, sources close to him said that he is not a desperate aspirant. However, PDP is trying to bring Goje and Ndume together in amity so that one can step down for the other.

    Ndume is always full of bravado. He is from Borno State. He is a survivor of personal battles in the Senate. He was once suspended from the Senate in error. He is the former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, where he spent eight years before moving up to the Senate. Ndume is not the choice of the APC leadership, which perceives him as a very controversial politician. Although there is also a friction between him and a section of PDP Senate caucus who are still loyal to Saraki, efforts are being made to make the two sides reconcile. Since the PDP Senate caucus is more united than the APC Senate caucus, the PDP caucus cannot be ignored. In fact, some APC leaders perceive Ndume as a spoiler, who joined the race in bad faith. In their view, the senator should have vied for other key offices, following Lawan’s endorsement for the topmost position. But, according to observers, Ndume has the inalienable right to contest.

    With a benefit of hindsight, Senator-elect Dayo Adeyeye urged the APC to promote compromise by reaching out to Goje and Ndume, who will then sacrifice their personal interests for the party’s collective interest.

    The aspirants are reaching out to their colleagues across the six regions. Their campaign organisations are not sleeping on guard. The three aspirants also know that the choice of a deputy Senate President may play a balancing role. The manifestos of the aspirants are similar, except that Lawan has often emphasised the need for respect for party supremacy.

    Read also: Pressure on Goje to accept Lawan for Senate President

    Lawan’s campaign slogan is: ‘a Senate and National Assembly that works for Nigeria.’The Senate Leader said the next Senate should assist the country by helping President Buhari to achieve his agenda in the areas of security, economy, job creation and anti-corruption battle.

    He said while he is conversant with the doctrine of the separation of powers, it should not translate into an unnecessary rift that will cripple harmonious working relations among the organs of government to the detriment of the country.

    Lawan, who described himself as a progressive, observed that the next Senate will be made up of seasoned professionals, technocrats and statesmen, adding that “the experience we have garnered will help us to assist the country through legislation.”Justifying his fitness for the role, he said: “I have been in the National Assembly for almost 20 years. I have served in the House of Representatives for eight years and the Senate for 12 years, I thank God and my people for renewing may mandate.

    “I am a progressive. I was an APP and later, ANPP House of Representatives member and I am now in the APC. I believe in the progressive politics, in ensuring that ordinary people- the masses- get support and opportunities to actualise their potentials and dreams. We should support entrepreneurship and business to grow and thrive for employment to boom.”

    The Senate Leader said his consultation is all-inclusive, stressing that no senator-elect will be taken for granted. He said: “We are not taking anybody for granted. We take the campaign seriously. We are going round to talk to party leaders, senators-elect, stakeholders. We have been talking to PDP senators-elect. We have our limitations as human beings.”

    Lawan said he will always demonstrate his respect for party supremacy, hinting that, if the position is zoned outside the Northeast, he will respect the decision of the party.

    He said President Buhari should be assisted to accomplish his programmes in the areas of security, economic revatilisation, job creation and anti-corruption fight through robust legislation.

    The Senate Leader said the Senate must also legislate to grow an all-inclusive economy and support agricultural development, adding that “our economy can be better, if we make the business environment better to encourage investors.”

    On other aspirants, he said: “We take it as a game. We don’t talk badly or negatively about our colleagues in the race.”

  • Pressure on Goje to accept Lawan for Senate President

    Some former governors are mounting pressure on their former colleague, Senator Danjuma Goje, to accept President Muhammadu Buhari’s choice of Ahmad Lawan for Senate president.

    The President is believed to have met Goje on the matter.

    Lawan, who is the Senate Leader, is forging ahead. He met yesterday with some senators-elect and pleaded with them to give him a chance, The Nation learnt.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) former governors, including some of them who are senators,  have opted to back Buhari’s decision on Lawan.

    Some of the former governors include Ahmed Sani Yerima, Adamu Aliero, Abdullahi  Adamu, Aliyu Wammako, George Akume, Bukar Abba Ibrahim,  Kabiru Gaya and Godswill Akpabio.

    It was gathered that the ex-governors appreciated the “cautious approach adopted by Goje to his aspiration without ruffling feathers but they felt he should defer to the President”.

    The ex-governors have sent a delegation to Goje to reconsider  his position.

    Although two of them were with Goje on Saturday for what was termed “ a social gathering”, it was unclear whether they were the ones who spoke  on behalf of their colleagues.

    A former governor, who pleaded not to be named, said: “It is true we are trying to avoid cracks in APC over the Ninth Senate President and some of us have met on the President’s choice and how to prevail on Goje to sacrifice his aspiration.

    “I can tell you that some of us have opened talks with him.  We are talking to him; we are mounting pressure. We also decided to send a delegation to him.

    “As a matter of right, Goje is qualified to lead the Senate but we do not really want him to disagree with the President. And he is not a leader who believes in confrontation.”

    Responding to a question, the source added: “Our intervention is just a follow-up to the audience between the President and Goje.”

    Read also: Senate Presidency: erring senators risk expulsion from APC

    “The former governor of Gombe  State is yet to make any categorical statement on his ambition.”

    Goje, it was learnt, told Buhari, who persuaded him to support Lawan, that he would “get back to him”.

    “Goje has not returned to the President on what he intends to do,” a  source in the Presidency said.

    The Lawan Group is, however, waiting for Goje’s response before arranging a meeting between the two leaders.

    Another source said: “Since a presidential intervention is already involved, we have deliberately asked Lawan to leave the initiative to President Buhari. The truth is that the President’s meeting with Goje underscored the enormous respect he has for the ex-governor.

    “Lawan is ready to meet with Goje but after the elders and the ex-governors have brokered a deal.”

    Lawan and members of his campaign team last night met with some senators-elect in Abuja on his aspiration.

    The senators-elect are in the second batch of those to benefit from the induction course which was packaged by the National Assembly management.

    A source at the session quoted Lawan as saying: “Give me a chance, I will provide quality leadership, I will carry every Senator along in whatever I do.”

    A Senator-elect said: “The campaign team of the Senate Leader reached out to some of us across party lines. I am new, but I am impressed by his experience on legislative business. Let us see how it goes.”

  • Ambode performs pre-launch of $50m factory in Lekki Free Zone

    Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Sunday performed the pre-launch of a $50 million manufacturing plant in the Lekki Free Zone,  and expressed his optimism that the facility would go a long way to create more jobs.

    The governor speaking at the pre-launch of the factory belonging to Longrich, a Chinese firm,  said that the facility would also boost the nation’s foreign exchange earnings.

    He said that the facility was another success story of the efforts of the government in attracting investment and  an eloquent confirmation of the strategic importance of the free trade zone to the state’s economy.

    He said that   no less than 25 companies had   sett up their  manufacturing plants within the zone, saying that it was indeed gratifying that the efforts to drive investments were yielding positive results.

    Ambode said that the most important thing to him was that whether in government or outside of government, factories were springing up in the zone, thereby creating job opportunities for the people and improving the economy of the state.

    According to the governor, one of the most fulfilling feelings in life is to see one’s efforts yielding positive results.

    Ambode said: ”It gives me immense satisfaction to be here today to witness this pre-launch   of Longrich Nigeria Manufacturing Plant to be located in the Lekki Free Zone in Lagos State, Nigeria.

    ”At the inception of this administration, one of our core focus areas was attracting investments to our state; to create employment opportunities  for our people and wealth for our investors.

    ”Today’s event is one of those crowning moments that confirm that our efforts have been rewarded.”

    He commended Longrich Group of Companies for the decision to site the $50million factory in Lagos of all the cities and countries in Africa, saying the state and the country stand to benefit immensely from the investment.

    ”I have been informed that this Lekki Longrich facility, upon completion, will not only be the hub for the distribution of the products to the African sub-region but will provide employment for at least 1,000 new workers in our state.

    ”It will boost the nation’s foreign exchange earnings from exportation of manufactured products to other African countries.

    ”If we go by the success story of Longrich in China and the company’s track record, there is no doubt that Longrich Nigeria will be modelled after the world class  LONGLIQI Bio-Industrial Park in China which covers an area of more than 133 hectares and serves as location of LONGLIQI Bio-Science Co., Ltd,” Ambode said.

    While describing the firm as a global brand with a range of top class quality products and unique business model, the governor lauded the fact that Longrich had created wealth for over 500,000 people.

    These people, he added, were trading in more than 30  brands of the company, with the majority of the traders residing in the state.

    Ambode assured the people that the state government would continue to play its role as business enablers, especially by providing the necessary infrastructure and services required to support all investors and businesses who decide to make Lagos their home.

    ”Our administration has embarked on massive and ambitious projects.

    ”We have introduced public sector reforms and policies aimed at making it easier to do business in our state.

    ”Our governmental institutions like the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Office of Public Private Partnership and Office of Overseas Affairs and Investment are more than ever before, in the fore front of providing an enabling business environment for local and foreign investments to thrive.

    ”These are just a few indicators to assure you of our commitment to securing not just Longrich’s investment in the South-West quadrant of Lekki Free Zone but to secure and attract more investments to our state,” he said.

    Ambode described the Lekki Free Zone as the flagship of the state government’s industrial development drive.

    He aid that aside the physical amenities, the facility would also come with a bundle of incentives that would propel business prosperity.

    He added that with the ongoing gas pipeline laying to the zone nearing completion, power generation costs, which accounts for s significant production cost, would soon be significantly reduced.

    The governor reiterated the commitment of the state government to sustain the business environment and protect all investments in the state.

    Earlier, the Chairman of Longrich, Mr Xu Zhiwei commended the governor for creating an  enabling environment for businesses to thrive in the state.

    Zhiwei said it was on record that the governor’s efforts made the setting up of the factory which would fully take off in October 2019 possible.

    ”I want to thank Gov. Ambode. He (Ambode) gave us the enabling environment; he gave us the full support; he embraced our dreams and believe in us.

    ”We can also feel the safety and security in Lagos State,” Zhiwei said. (NAN)

  • Malami distances self from Rivers election

    The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar-Malami (SAN), has distanced himself from claims by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that he was working with Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, to void the result of the Rivers State governorship election.

    Malami’s spokesman, Salihu Isah, described the claim as ridiculous, and warned that the AGF should not be linked with the local politics in Rivers State.

    Read also: Amaechi, Malami plotting to void Rivers elections, PDP alleges

    He said: “I am not aware of any such ridiculous plan. There is nothing like that, to my knowledge. We are in a democracy, and there are institutions with powers to void elections if the need arises. That is not part of the responsibilities of the Attorney-General of the Federation.

    “So, they should not link him with such ridiculous claims. They should leave the AGF out of the local politics in Rivers State. There are better and more important issues to attract the attention of the minister.”

  • RMAFC to recover N100b stamp duty funds from banks

    COMMERCIAL banks are to be probed over stamp duty collections, the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has said.

    A statement by the Commission’s spokesperson, Ibrahim Mohammed, said the probe would involve a forensic investigation of the funds collected as stamp duty by 22 Deposit Money Banks (DMB) between 2000 and last year.

    RMAFC is the only constitutional body vested with the powers to monitor all revenue accruals into the Federation Account.

    The statement reads: “The commercial banks have been deducting the sum of N50 on every deposit with a value of N1, 000 and above since January 2000. At the moment, the total sum of N33 billion has been realised through the collection of stamp duties which falls far below the expectation of stakeholders. It is expected that at the end of the exercise, over N100 billion would be recovered.

    Read also: Senate refers nominated RMAFC members to committee for screening

    “Arrangements have been made to engage the services of reputable forensic audit firms to carry out the probe of the banks. The probe will be comprehensive as it will cover the affixed stamp used on cheque books prior to the introduction of electronic transactions.”

    In the same vein, the Commission observed that “if NIPOST is properly repositioned through appropriate legal and regulatory framework and the introduction of appropriate technology, the Agency can generate over N500 billion.”

    RMAFC appealed to the National Assembly and the Federal Government to initiate measures for the amendment of the NIPOST Act to enable it to expand the economy and attract more revenue.

    Besides the planned probe, RMAFC has also embarked on the reconciliation of signature bonuses and other miscellaneous revenues from the oil and gas industry “to enable the Commission engage other stakeholders with a view to reducing revenue leakages and enhance remittance into the Federation Account.”

    The Commission has approached other stakeholders, especially the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for support.

  • Zamfara killing fields

    The Federal Government has halted gold mining in Zamfara State, 24 hours after the protest by its indigenes living in Abuja. Gold mining is believed to be at the heart of banditry in the state. Augustine Ehikioya and BLESSING OLAIFA report.

    Kadaria Ahmed, Editor of defunct Next newspaper, was livid at the weekend. Ms Ahmed and tens of indigenes of Zamfara State stormed the Presidential Villa in Abuja to protest against killings in the state. She accused Governor Abdulaziz Yari of not being concerned about the people of Zamfara.

    They called on President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently intervene and stop the killings and kidnappings currently going on in the state. They decried the insecurity in the State which has resulted in apprehension, displacements of communities and loss of lives. Yesterday the Federal Government announced suspension of gold mining in the state. This is believed to be at the core of the banditry in the state.

    The convener of the Abuja protest, Miss Fatimah Mustapha said that their action was to call attention of government to the gruesome killings and cases of kidnappings going on in Zamfara.

    According to her, perpetrators of these evil acts are getting bolder day by day with little action taken by the authorities to arrest the situation and stop the act.

    She alleged that the government of Zamfara was not doing anything to arrest the situation hence the protest in the nation’s capital, Abuja, the seat of government.

    Mrs Ahmed urged the President to direct security personnel to rise to the situation.

    “We have the challenge of security situation all over the country, but that of Zamfara is clearly bad. We are tired of mass burial and that is why we are calling on PMB to intervene.

    “Nobody is talking of these killings now among our leaders,  and this is apparently disgusting. This issue involves lives and people deserve to be safe where ever they live in this country,’’ she said.

    Read also: End Zamfara killings

    Mr Zaharuddeen Bello-Imam, a former Director General on Social Media to Gov. Abdullaziz Yari of Zamfara, said the Federal Government should take decisive action against the kidnappers and bandits operating in the state.

    According to Bello-Imam, there is need for total overhaul of the security apparatus of the state to control the situation before the killing and kidnapping get out of hand.

    Another protester, Mr Aliyu Dansado, said the killings and kidnapping had affected farming activities in the state, adding that he was unable to go to his farms for some time because  of fear.

    “Government should rise up to action to end the killing and kidnapping, we have been paying ransom to kidnappers for the past five years now, people are killed on daily basis, government needs to do something now,’’ he said.

    The protesters marched from the Unity Fountain, Maitama Abuja to the Presidential Villa where they presented their letter for President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Speaking to the protesters, Mr Usman Ibrahim, Special Assistant to the President on Security, promised to convey their message to the President.

    Also, a coalition of civil society groups blamed Minister of Defence Mansur Dan Ali for his alleged inability to address insecurity in Zamfara.

    The coalition made up of the Peoples Alliance for Indigenous Rights (PAIR), Society for Gender Equity (SGE), Network for Onward Nigeria (NeO), and The Peoples Collective (TPC), accused the defence chief of doing little or nothing to stem the killings.

    A statement signed by Isa Yaro, National Publicity Officer of the group on Sunday in Abuja, described killings in Zamfara as tragic and unfortunate.

    It blamed the Federal Government for failing to arrest the security challenge in the state, for over two years.

    It noted that President Muhammadu Buhari ought to have sacked the Minister of Defence for his failures to address insecurity in the country.

    “What we find happening in Zamfara state is not only unfortunate but tragic.  It is inconceivable that two years on, the Federal Government has failed to address the orgy of killings in Zamfara state.

    ”All the blame trading and trying to put Gov. Abdulazzi Yari as the main culprit is reprehensible. We all know that governors are merely chief security officers by name without inherent powers.

    “For long, the governor of Zamfara state has raised alarm over the buildup of a vicious militia with those responsible at the centre, doing little or nothing about it.

    “From our findings, the Zamfara government has spent several millions in kitting, communication gadgets and allowances for the police and military posted to the state.

    ”What we need to ask is how much leverage has the Minister of Defence, who is from the state, leveraged to address the carnage?”

    According to Yaro, it is good that there is a deployment of Special Forces to the state.

    He however, appealed to President Buhari to learn from his past appointments in choosing those who will realise his Next Level Agenda come May 29.

     

    IG warns against fake news

     

    The Ag. Inspector-General of Police, Muhammed Adamu yesterday in Abuja, advised members of the public to ignore fake social media reports on Federal Government’s decision to suspend mining activities in Zamfara.

    The government through the acting IGP announced the suspension of mining activities in the state and threatened to revoke licenses of violators of the order.

    The government also ordered all foreigners engaged in mining activities to leave the area within 48 hours as part of measures to check banditry in the state.

    Adamu, however, noted that the order issued by the government may attract various fake social media reports, and advised that such reports should be ignored in the interest of peace and stability in the country.

    “May I appeal for the cooperation of the local communities especially the traditional and religious leaders within the communities to cooperate with the security agencies.

    “Meanwhile, we note the use of social media to spread fake news, falsehood and deliberate misinformation. We therefore urge our citizens to exercise restraint in circulating unconfirmed information capable of doing more damage to us all.

    “Let us not allow the social media to hijack our sense of judgment and capture our minds negatively,’’ he said.

    He revealed that a joint security task force would soon be constituted to take over the affected mining fields in the state for safe keeping.

    The acting Inspector-General of Police, who disclosed the suspension of mining activities when he addressed State House correspondents in Abuja, said the order was part of measures to check banditry in the state.

    The IGP addressed the correspondents alongside the Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari; Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Alhaji Yusuf Bichi and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Amb. Ahmed Rufa’i.

    The text he read was titled, “Security situation in Zamfara and neighboring states: Police, military and DSS intensify joint operations against bandits FG suspends all mining activities in Zamfara and its environs.”

    It reads: “As part of sustained efforts to flush out, and permanently put an end to armed banditry and criminality in Zamfara State in particular and the North West in general, the Nigeria Police Force in collaboration with the Nigerian Military and other Security Services has commenced “Operation PUFF- ADDER” which is a full scale security offensive against the bandits.

    “The operation is aimed at reclaiming every public space under the control of the bandits, arrest and bring to book all perpetrators of violence in the area and their collaborators, achieve a total destruction of all criminal camps and hideouts, mop up all illicit weapons fueling the violence and attain a full restoration of law and order in the affected communities.

    “Our commitment at protecting the sanctity of life and property is irrevocable, and we will not scale-down the pressure on the armed bandits until they are totally flushed-out.”

    He went on: “Meanwhile, in the face of intelligence report that has clearly established a strong and glaring nexus between the activities of armed bandits and illicit miners -with both mutually re-enforcing each other, the Federal Government of Nigeria has directed as follows:

    “Mining activities in Zamfara and other affected states are hereby suspended with immediate effect. Consequently, any mining operator who engages in mining activities in the affected locations henceforth will have his licence revoked.

    “All foreigners operating in the mining fields should close and leave within 48hours. I want to assure the general public, especially in the affected areas that the security services are doing their best to address the situation.

    “May I appeal for the cooperation of the local communities, especially the traditional and religious leaders within the community.”

     

    Air Force

     

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says the Air Task Force (ATF) for Operation DIRAN MIKIYA successfully destroyed a bandits’ logistics base at Ajia in Birnin Magaji Local Government Area of Zamfara.

    Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja.

    He said the ATF also neutralised dozens of the bandits at Ajia and Wonaka in Birnin Magaji Local Government Area of Zamfara.

    Daramola explained that the operation was executed sequel to Human Intelligence (HUMINT) reports indicating that the bandits were using a compound within Ajia as a logistics store to support their operations.

    “Consequently, the ATF dispatched a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Alpha Jet, supported by an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform, to attack the compound scoring accurate strikes on the target and causing it to erupt into flames, which engulfed the structures and resulted in the neutralisation of some of the bandits,” he said.

    The spokesman said few survivors, seen fleeing the vicinity of the target area, were taken out in follow-on attacks while others, who managed to escape the area, were tracked to Wonaka and equally neutralised.

    “Independent HUMINT sources subsequently confirmed that more than 25 bandits were neutralised in the attacks on the two locations.

    “The NAF, working in close coordination with sister Services and other security agencies, will sustain its operations to neutralise the bandits and deny them freedom of action in the North West,” he said.

     

    Cleric urges Fed Govt to declare state-of-emergency in Zamfara

     

    The Chief Imam of Al-Furqan Mosque in Kano, Dr Bashir Omar, has urged the Federal Government to declare state-of-emergency in Zamfara State to address incessant kidnappings and killing of innocent citizens.

    He made the call in his sermon during prayers in the mosque on Friday.

    Omar said that the call was necessary in order to check the wanton killings currently going on in the state.

    “The wanton killings and kidnappings can only be stopped through the introduction of State-of-Emergency by the Federal Government.

    “The people of Zamfara State deserve pity and all forms of compassion to enjoy a peaceful living because the pogrom has consumed many lives with almost no end in sight.

    “This is not the first time I am calling on the Federal Government to declare a State-of-Emergency in the state to end the killings,” he said.

    According to him, the perpetrators of the dastardly acts are made to have a field day in the absence of punitive measures on ground to checkmate such despicable atrocities.

    The cleric stressed the need for the government to match its words with action on how to end the disturbing spate of criminal banditry in the state.

    He stated that kidnapping innocent citizens on the highways and other secluded areas had become a money-spinning business.

    “Only those who lack absolute fear of Allah turned kidnapping as a business hence our decision to call for the imposition of emergency rule to put the abduction kingpins out of business.”

    Omar explained that no economic development could ever be achieved with the Federal Government paying lip-service to the issue of security in the country.

    “The Federal Government should be proactive in finding a lasting solution to the problem,” he stated.

  • Smugglers threaten CBN’s rice intervention, say processors

    LOCAL rice farmers have alerted of the dangers posed to Federal Government’s financing policy through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) by the activities of rice smugglers.

    The farmers, under the auspices of Rice Processors Association of Nigeria (RIPAN), lamented that over one million metric tons of rice (about 20,000,000 bags of 50kg or 34, 000 trucks of rice) have been smuggled into the country in the last three months.

    Their chairman, Muhammed Abubakar, told reporters in Abuja at the weekend that the government was losing a lot of money.

    He said: “Nigeria currently loses huge revenues, foreign exchange and jobs to this menace of smuggling while Nigeria rice processing companies are shutting down because of their inability to gain market access and more painfully millions of small-holder farmers are stuck with their paddy because the millers can no longer afford to buy from them.”

    He warned that if the menace of rice smuggling “is not tackled with appropriate dispatch, the magnitude of loss to Nigerian rice stakeholders, starting with the Federal Government, Integrated Rice Millers, funding banks, CBN, rice farmers, mill workers, rice consumers, etc. would be too devastating to cope with in an economy that is fledgling.”

    He urged the government to take urgent action “to avert eventual national food emergency by combating smuggling so that we can continue to grow our local rice industry and the economy.”

    Investigations, according to him, have, shown that “all our international borders have been converted to smuggler routes and our markets are filled with smuggled foreign rice.”

    To address the scourge, the RIPAN chair called on the government to immediately raid the various rice smugglers market, sanction officers and employees of government agencies saddled with responsibilities of curbing smuggling.

    He listed the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), National Agency for Foods Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), among others, as such agencies that have abandoned their enforcement duty but compromise their offices.

    Abubakar said: “These officers must be fished out and punished by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for economic sabotage.

    “Particularly, the government must fish out and punish multinational companies who play on both sides of the border; – those who actually drive the syndicates (the promoters).

    “It is absolutely vital for government to sustain the current drive for greater investments, strengthen the policy environment and continue to implement policies and strategies that grow local capacity and protect local value chain.”

    The rice processors appealed to the government to, “as a matter of urgent national importance, take strong diplomatic action with our neighbouring countries who allow parboiled rice into their country for final destination to Nigeria. The government may consider closing the borders for some time if diplomatic overtures fail.”

    They also called on state governments to build relevant agricultural infrastructure that permit more one season farming such as irrigation facility, rural access roads and electricity.

    He said the government should train and equip extension officers and agents so that they can provide quality training to the farmers.

    “Inadequate, well trained extension agents and poor farmers training or practical guidance on good agricultural practices are undermining farming practices in Nigeria,” he noted.

    He urged the government to deploy the funds from Rice Import Levy and long-term loans from multinational agencies to drive the rice production initiative.

    “Such funds can be effectively deployed and limited to areas of land clearing/development, irrigation mechanisation and improved direct credit to farmers. This will reduce farmers’ production cost and invariably impact paddy cost and millers output,” Abubakar said.