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Tag: Yobe State

  • Tight security in Damaturu as Buhari visits Yobe

     

    There is heavy security in Damaturu, the state capital awaiting the arrival of the President and Commander –in – Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari to Yobe State.

    A detachment of security personal including army, police , Civil Defense Corp have been  deployed to strategic locations of the city to quell any breach of law and order during the visit.

    The August 27 Stadium where the president is expected to land from an Air force helicopter enroute Maiduguri International Airport has been taken over security with Armored Personal Carrier Machines mounted at the front of the stadium.

    Read Also: Buhari to meet Dapchi girls’ parents in Yobe

    The entrance of the Yobe State Government House where the president is expected to meet with all stakeholders in the state is also under tight security as the stern looking security operatives subject vehicles and human beings under strict checks before gaining entrance into the government house.

    In another development, schools and commercial activities have been paralysed in Damaturu due to unfavourable security arrangements put in place.

    Though there was no official statement as to whether there was restriction of movement on the streets of Damaturu, instead, the Commissioner for Information in the State Albania Mala Musti had issued a statement calling on the people to come out emass to welcome the President.

    Our correspondent sighted empty streets in Damaturu as many access roads were closed from the central roundabout up to the stadium on Maiduguri road.

  • Ajimobi’s son’s wedding: Oyo APC berates critics on Buhari’s attendance 

    Ajimobi’s son’s wedding: Oyo APC berates critics on Buhari’s attendance 

    The All Progressives Congress, APC in Oyo State has taken a swipe on those who have criticized President Muhammadu Buhari for attending the wedding ceremony between Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s son and Governor Abdulahi Ganduje’s daughter in Kano on Saturday.

    Critics had condemned Buhari for attending the wedding in the midst of reports of killings in different states in the north and abduction of 110 school girls in Dapchi, Yobe State.

    But the party in Oyo State said the critics have acted in bad faith, politicizing everything happening in the society.

    President Buhari, 22 State governors as well as other dignitaries had defied political, religious and ethnic sentiments to converge in Kano on Saturday to witness the solemnization of marriage between Idris Ajimobi and Fatimah Ganduje  in what could be described as the wedding ceremony of the year.

    In a statement issued on Monday in Ibadan by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, the APC observed that the event was not held to downplay the mood of the nation as it concerns the security situation in some parts of the country particularly in states where nefarious activities of the Boko Haram insurgents and killer herdsmen have taken a new turn for the worse.

    “Without any fear of contradictions, a new chapter was opened in the history book of the nation on Saturday when another solid foundation was laid for the unity, oneness and togetherness of the Nigerian people. At a time that fear of disintegration heightened as a result of the unpatriotic activities of some disgruntled elements, a marriage of this nature was a necessity to rescue the situation and ensure that Nigeria remain an indivisible entity.

    Read Also: Photo: Buhari attends Ajimobi’s son, Ganduje’s daughter’s wedding

    “Rather than cut the nose to spite the face, critics of President Buhari should appreciate him for being passionate and affectionate to the cause of nationhood. This was a leader who had decimated the ranks of the Boko Haram insurgents as against what was obtained before May, 2015. But for him, terrorists would have overrun Nigeria and most people within and outside the country can attest to this fact.

    “Meanwhile, hope keeps rising for the return of the school girls recently abducted in Dapchi, Yobe State as well as their remaining counterparts from Chibok girls who were kidnapped in 2014 on account of different results-oriented measures already put in place by the federal government. All we need do as a people is to intensify prayers for the safe returns of these innocent girls as well as other captives in the hands of terrorists anywhere in the world.
    “At this juncture, it is imperative to make a passionate appeal to unscrupulous politicians who are found of politicizing every issue to desist from such act. It should be noted that a President of any nation is for all the people of such country regardless of their mood or current situation. While a President shows empathy for the depressed, nothing should stop him from identifying with those with genuine cause of celebration at the same time.
    “By and large, we use this opportunity to express our profound gratitude to Mr. President, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Senate President Bukola Saraki, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi (The Alaafin of Oyo), Alhaji Sanusi Lamido (The Emir of Kano) and other eminent personalities who graced the occasion. It is our sincere prayer that God will bless the new couple and make their Union a fruitful one.” APC added.

     

  • Dapchi Girls: ACF asks FG to review security architecture

    Dapchi Girls: ACF asks FG to review security architecture

    Mouthpiece of Northern Nigeria, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has asked the Federal Government to review its security architecture over the the recent abduction of secondary school girls in Dapchi, Yobe State.

    This was also as the forum described the blame game between the Yobe State government officials and the Military on one hand and among security agencies on the other over the abduction as unnecessary and unhelpful.

    While describing the abduction as wicked and callous, ACF in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim Biu however urged the military and other security agencies to deploy all resources at their disposal including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to the rescue of the abducted girls.

    According to the statement, “Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) is saddened over the unfortunate circumstance that led to the abduction of about 100 female students of Government Girls Secondary School, Dapchi in Yobe State by some suspected Boko Haram terrorists last week.

    Read Also: Police in control of Dapchi security, says Army

    “This ugly incidence similar to the abduction of the Chibok girls barely four years ago is wicked and callous.

    “ACF shares the pains and trauma the parents of the girls, government and people of Yobe State and indeed Nigerians are going through and pray for their safe rescue and return to their parents soon.

    “ACF urges the Military and other Security Agencies to deploy all resources at their disposal including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to the rescue of the abducted girls.

    “The blame game between the Yobe State government officials and the Military on one hand and among security agencies on the other over this unfortunate incidence is unnecessary and unhelpful.

    “All hands should therefore be on deck to ensure that the girls are rescued. The stories that the abducted girls were ferried across our borders or within some locations in Nigeria, should not be ignore for possible link to the whereabouts of the girls.” ACF said.

    As part of efforts to forestall recurrence of the Dapchi incident, the forum therefore advised the Federal Government to review its security architecture especially in the Northeast zone.

    “ACF therefore calls upon the Federal Government to review its security architecture especially in the Northeast zone by sustaining security surveillance and intelligence in order to avoid a repeat of the Dapchi episode.” It said.

     

  • Dapchi School Attack: A national disaster – Buhari

    Dapchi School Attack: A national disaster – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari has described the abduction of schoolgirls from the Government Girls Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe, as a national disaster.

    Buhari also apologised to Nigerians over the incident.

    The president said this in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Friday.

    Buhari assured the families of the victims that no effort would be spared to bring succour to them.

    “When I received the devastating news of the attack on the school and the fact that the local authorities could not account for all the students, I immediately dispatched a high-level delegation on a fact-finding visit to the town.

    “I also instructed the security agencies to deploy in full and not spare any effort to ensure that all the girls are returned safely, and the attackers arrested and made to face justice.

    “The entire country stands as one with the girls’ families, the government and the people of Yobe State.

    “This is a national disaster. We are sorry that this could have happened and share your pain,’’ he said.

    Buhari expressed optimism that the armed forces would locate and safely return the missing girls to their respective families.

    He revealed that more troops and surveillance aircraft were being deployed to the affected area to hasten the rescue of the girls.

    “Our government is sending more troops and surveillance aircraft to keep an eye on all movements in the entire territory on a 24-hour basis, in the hope that all the missing girls will be found,’’ the president said.

    Read Also: DAPCHI: Parents demand release of missing children

    NAN

  • Dapchi school attack getting deserved attention, says Buhari

    Dapchi school attack getting deserved attention, says Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari has assured the families of students reportedly abducted from the Government Girls Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe State that no effort will be spared to bring succour to them.

    In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, the President said “When I received the devastating news of the attack on the school and the fact that the local authorities could not account for all the students, I immediately dispatched a high-level delegation on a fact-finding visit to the town. I also instructed the security agencies to deploy in full and not spare any effort to ensure that all the girls are returned safely, and the attackers arrested and made to face justice.

    “The entire country stands as one with the girls’ families, the government and the people of Yobe State. This is a national disaster. We are sorry that this could have happened and share your pain. We pray that our gallant armed forces will locate and safely return your missing family members.

    “Our government is sending more troops and surveillance aircraft to keep an eye on all movements in the entire territory on a 24-hour basis, in the hope that all the missing girls will be found,” he said.

    Read Also: DAPCHI: Parents demand release of missing children

  • Yobe senators clash over missing school girls

    Yobe senators clash over missing school girls

    Two senators representing  Yobe State,  Ahmed Lawan (Yobe North) and Mohammed Hassan (Yobe South), yesterday clashed over the missing secondary school girls from the state.

    The row started when Lawan, who is also the Senate Leader, praised President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Ibrahim Geidam for ensuring that parents were comforted and sending Ministry of Education officials to take a head count in the attacked school.

    Hardly had Lawan concluded his contribution of the missing school girls than Hassan sharply disagreed and insisted that Geidam did not deserve any praise.

    Hassan noted that instead of being praised, Geidam should be tackled for allegedly abdicating his duty as the state’s chief security officer.

    Hassan’s attack did not go down well with Lawan. He said the Yobe South lawmaker should not link him (Lawan) with his comments.

    Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim, who is also from the state had in a motion told the Senate that on Monday, some suspected Boko Haram insurgents attacked Government Girls Technical College in the state.

    He noted that of 936 female students, who ran into the bush, 46 were still missing while 810 returned.

    Ibrahim said: “I understand that the governor of Yobe State has already gotten the military to deploy military and police personnel.

    “So far, there has been no case of killing. Nobody is sure if it was a case of abduction or some of the girls who ran home have not yet come back.

    “These are yet to be confirmed. The Federal Government has already sent a high powered delegation; three ministers to go and stay in Damaturu and report to Mr. President on a continuous basis until the matter is resolved.

    “So it means now that I wish that we resolve to condemn the attack on the school and the resurgence of insurgency.

    “To urge the Federal Government to urgently recover, through the military, of course, the girls so as not to repeat the case of the Chibok girls in Borno State earlier.”

    Lawan said: “What happened was unfortunate and after the Chibok incident, it was the wish of every Nigerian that it doesn’t happen again in the country. I want to, at this point, commend Mr. President, Muhammadu Buhari, for immediately taking action by directing the Armed Forces to move into Yobe to ensure that Boko Haram did not run away with any single girl.

    “I want to also commend the Governor of Yobe State, Ibrahim Geidam, for ensuring that parents were comforted, for sending officials of the Ministry of Education to go round the families to ensure that they took head counts of the girls from that school.

    “What happened is a lesson for us. That Boko Haram sees girls or women as value targets. What they did in Chibok earned them some funds, because negotiations were held somehow and they got a lot of money. Now, the lesson is, we need to be extra careful and take extraordinary measures in protecting our schools; especially girls’ schools in those states especially Borno, Yobe and Adamawa.

    “Yobe State spent over N15 billion supporting security agencies posted to the state. This is an indication that the state government is working in collaboration and cooperation with the Federal Government. I want to urge our state to continue to do that but the Federal Government should also do the needful.

    “Our state is not those kinds of states that you get a lot of money and therefore, such funds should be refunded to them so that we will continue to provide the required security.”

    Hassan disagreed. He said: “In 2013, a secondary school in Potiskum was attacked, where over 70 children were killed. A year after, another secondary school in Mamudu was attacked where school children were slaughtered. There was another attack in Yadin Buni where students were attacked, the state university too was attacked and now we have this one.

    “This is quite disheartening to hear, with due respect to Senator Lawan, to commend the state government for serially failing to protect our students. This is the primary responsibility of the government; to protect the lives and properties of its citizen.

    “The state government of Yobe has serially failed in this regard. It has abdicated its primary responsibility in doing that. Again, Mr. President….”

    Lawan promptly raised Order 53 (7) to remind Hassan that “No senator, shall input improper motive to any other senator”.

    Deputy Senate President Ike Ekeremadu agreed with Lawan and said: “We send our deep concern to the governor and people of Yobe State. We are also aware that the military and the police are overstretched in all ramifications at this period of national insecurity. That is what makes the case a stronger case for another level of policing.

    “If you are now asking the military and the police to provide security at all the schools, they cannot have the number to do so. There must be another level of policing to complement the Federal Government security infrastructure in order to be able secure all parts of Nigeria.”

  • #BBOG to Govt. Where are our Dapchi girls

    #BBOG to Govt. Where are our Dapchi girls

    Members of the #BringBackOurGirls (#BBOG) advocasy have asked the government of the where about of the Dapchi girls abducted in Yobe state.

    The group in a statement on Thursday by its spokesperson Sesugh Akume stated.

    “Our movement was made aware and has been closely monitoring the news of the abduction of Government Girls Science Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe State on Monday 19 February 2018.

    “There have been conflicting reports on the incidence among state and federal institutions and officials . This draws dreadful and eerie similarities with the confusion that surrounded official communication following the abduction of our #ChibokGirls on 14th April 2014 who have remained with the Boko Haram terrorists for 1, 410 days today.

    “Our Movement welcomes the news that some of the abductees have been rescued by the Nigeria Army. However, the limited information so far offered the public on the attack of their school and the girls’ rescue clearly raise crucial questions that demand prompt answers: How is it that a terrorist group said to have been defeated able to abduct in the range of 100 schoolgirls? How many precisely were abducted, how many are back, and how many are in captivity? Can The names of these 3 categories of victims be published for purposes of clarity and accountability? Has contact been made with the parents and families of our Dapchi girls? Are they able to to verify all information put out by the state?

    “We call on the federal government, the Yobe state government and the Nigerian military, the Nigeria Police Force, and other relevant authorities to promptly investigate this with utmost sense of urgency, and ensure to communicate factually to avert the tragedy of #ChibokGirls abduction.

    “Our movement will continue to monitor events as they unfold and shall respond accordingly.”

  • Defence Minister, two others to carry out assessment of Boko Haram attack

    Defence Minister, two others to carry out assessment of Boko Haram attack

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday directed the military and other security agencies to take immediate charge of the situation in Government Girls Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe State.

    Boko Haram had on Monday attacked the school.

    Briefing State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council meeting, the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, said that the President also directed the Minister to Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, and himself to proceed to Yobe state on Thursday on fact finding mission.

    He said “Mr. President has directed military and other security agencies to take immediate charge and control of Government Girls Technical College, Dapchi, and informed him of developments.

    “He has released a delegation led by the Minister of defence to Dapchi, to get firsthand information as to what is happening.

    “Others in the delegation are Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Information.” he said

    Asked give more information on the girls apart from the 48 that has returned, he said “That is precisely why Mr. President is in direct contact with military and police and as soon as we get any information we will let you know.”

    Read Also: Our experience caring for orphans, widows from boko haram, herdsmen killings-74-yr-old first female medical doctor from North Mary Ogede

  • Yobe girls’ school attack one too many – Saraki

    Yobe girls’ school attack one too many – Saraki

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Wednesday condemned in strong terms the attack on Government Girls Secondary School, Dapchi, in Yobe State by suspected Boko Haram insurgents.

    Saraki in statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja, described the attack as one too many.

    He urged the security agencies to get to the root of the matter, bring the perpetrators to book and ensure that all students of the school are properly accounted for.

    He called on security agencies to reinforce security around academic institutions in the country in order to prevent criminal elements from taking advantage of such soft targets to disrupt academic activities and wreak havoc at a time the Federal Government is working assiduously to end the incidents of terror in the Northeast and other flash points in the country.

    Saraki also urged the security agencies to be proactive in protecting lives and property in the country and also ensuring that accurate information about attacks such as the one recently witnessed in Dapchi, Yobe State, is promptly made available to members of the public to prevent unnecessary speculation and panic by family members of victims and citizens alike.

    He expressed sympathy with the affected students, parents, school authorities and the government and people of Yobe State over the unfortunate incident.

  • UNICEF, WHO to vaccinate over 2 million children in Borno, Yobe

    UNICEF, WHO to vaccinate over 2 million children in Borno, Yobe

    Over two million children are expected to be vaccinated against the children killer diseases within Borno and Yobe with the support of WHO, UNICEF and other development partners working in the states.

    In Borno State, the State Ministry of Health with the development partnership is to vaccinate more than 1.2 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) across 57 wards in 25 Local Government Areas in Borno State, while Yobe State is to vaccinate a total of 771,778 children between the ages of 1-6 years against Cerecbro Spinal Meningitis.

    According to Dr. Chima Onuekwe, Health Communication/Promotion Officer WHO, more than 3,000 WHO-trained volunteers, including senior supervisors, monitors, healthcare workers and community leaders, will immunize1.2 million IDPs aged from 9 months to 45 years at designated health facilities. The campaign began on 5 February, and is expected to continue until14 February.

    Dr. Chima was also quoted as saying that, UNICEF supported the Borno State Government with logistics for vaccine distribution and social mobilization. Through the deployment of over 2,000 community volunteers and key influencers, UNICEF enhanced community engagement for yellow fever preventive vaccination and ensured that community is aware of the campaign and yellow fever risks.

    “If we miss out on children of Borno, often living in very difficult conditions, we deprive large number of children of lifesaving vaccines. It is not only their right but our collective duty to ensure that they survive and thrive,” said Mohammed Fall, UNICEF Nigeria Representative.

    To ensure a high-quality campaign, WHO worked with the Borno State Ministry of Health to coordinate and facilitate the training of healthcare workers at all levels, arrange logistics for vaccine distribution and deliver messages on health risks to communities.

    “Although Borno State has not reported an outbreak of yellow fever this year, vaccinating internally displaced persons is an exercise of high public health importance to protect most-at-risk populations living in high-risk conditions and prevent the spread of yellow fever, if an outbreak occurs,” said Dr. Wondimagegnehu Alemu, WHO Nigeria Representative.

     

    The Borno State Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Haruna Mshelia, emphasized the   importance of vaccinating IDPs in camps and host communities.

    “The vulnerable living conditions of millions of people in Borno State and the tide of outbreaks across 16 States in Nigeria make it imperative to target the most-at-risk people with yellow fever vaccination in the State.”

    These efforts are part of a larger yellow fever vaccination campaign that seeks to vaccinate more than 25 million people throughout 2018, in the largest yellow fever vaccination drive in Nigeria’s history. This fits into a wider public health goal to eliminate yellow fever epidemics globally by 2026 through the Eliminate Yellow fever Epidemics (EYE) Strategy, steered by WHO, Gavi and UNICEF.

    In Yobe State, the state is embarking on a massive vaccination and enlightenment   campaign against Cerecbro Spinal Meningitis as the heat period sets.

    The commissioner of Health in the State Dr. Bello Kawuwa said a total of “771,778 children would be vaccinated”, adding that, “it will be conducted at health centres and designated fixed posts. The exercise is staggered into two phases; the first phase which encompasses 8 LGAs begins today, Wednesday 7th to 11th of February 2018, while the second phase in 9 LGAs commences on 14th , 10th , 18th of February 2018”.

    Dr. Kawuwa also disclosed that Yobe is the only state that secured a golden opportunity to implement the MenAfric vaccination campaign across all her local Government Areas, stressing that, “some states are implementing outbreak response only in the most affected LGAs”.

    He urged parents and caregivers to ensure that all children of the age category are immunized regardless of their immunization status.