At least 33 policemen and six soldiers are among the casualties of the Monday attack on Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, by Boko Haram insurgents.
The Nation gathered that the corpses of the policemen and soldiers were brought to the General Sani Abacha Specialist Hospital, Damaturu on Tuesday.
The corpses of 20 members of the Boko Haram sect who also died in the clash were also deposited at the hospital.
Details later…
Yobe State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have said that the chapter needs a rescue operation to survive.
They alleged that its arrowhead and Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Abdul Bulama, is not offering an effective leadership.
The youths warned that the fortunes of the party would nosedive, unless the state party leader emulate the steps taken by the National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, on reconciliation.
The concerned youths, led by Abubakar Adamu, told reporters in Damaturu, the state capital, that Bulama’s attitude is making the ruling APC to garner more support as the fortunes of the PDP continues to diminish.
He said: “I think President Jonathan needs to know that the PDP in Yobe State is into another bad time again. We felt that our minister, who is the leader of the party in the state, will carry everybody along, especially considering the moves by our National Chairman, Adamu Mauzu, to salvage the party. Unfortunately, Dr. Bulama is not a politician and he is not ready to learn from people on ground.
“We want the minister to realise that the party is very important to us and we are committed to working for its success in 2015 with the right leadership. But, Dr. Bulama has so far failed to do this”
Yobe PDP has three factions, which revolve around Adamu Waziri and Yerima Nagama. The third faction comprises of leaders outside the two factions.
However, the minister’s media aide, Hassan Gimba Ahmed, said that his principal is working very hard for victory in next year’s elections.
Gimba said Bulama is forging unity and harmony and carrying all the stakeholders along
He said: “Those accusing Dr. Bulama are not fair to him. The minister is working very hard to ensure electoral victories for the party in Yobe state at all levels. For the first time in the history of the party, the minister hosted a successful stakeholders meeting in Damaturu with all the leaders in attendance.”
Adamu Maina Waziri is a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP in Yobe State. He has served as the Minister of Police Affairs and Agriculture. In 1999, 2003 and 2007, he was the governorship candidate. He was the party’s gubernatorial candidate in the 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011. Now, he has declared his intention to run for the position in next year’s election. When JOEL DUKU met him in Damaturu, the state capital, he spoke on his past electoral defeats and preparations for another contest.
Why are you contesting for the governorship again, despite your failed bid four times?
I have obtained my nomination form. I am doing it in exercising my inalienable right to seek elective office under our great party, the PDP, and also under the constitution of this country. I am doing it because I have passion for my people and my state. I am a product of public expenditure. I was brought up, educated, exposed to public office and also the treasury. And I feel I have got so much in terms of experience, borne out of my education and my public office, to give to my state so that there will be value addition to the lives of our people.
I was the state co-ordinator for the creation of this state in 1991 before it was carved out of Borno. We were fighting for development.
Unfortunately, we have not realised this dream. The reason why the dream has not been realised is that, from the time the state was created, it has not live up to expectation. With all respect to all those people that led this state at the highest level, the expectation is still unfulfilled. Furthermore, I have come across a number of aspirants to the office. With all respect to them, I am convinced that, based on our public records, I can do better than all of them. That is why I want to give this thing another shot. I ask this simple question, ‘Why can’t you give up’? But, they said, if all good people refuse to participate, you are going to get the worse.
But, PDP has never won governorship election in Yobe…
The truth of the matter is that I have been into this thing for some time. I have built supporters and structures in this state. I am proud as politician that has gone to the nooks and crannies of this state more than any other politician in Yobe State in the quest for leadership. I can contest under any party on my own identity, but I have a moral obligation. I was the one who carried the flag of the PDP in 1998 from the old parade ground in Abuja. We were six. I was one of them. I was the one who carried the flag and the mandate to come to Yobe State and set up the structure of the PDP. It would be absolutely irresponsible to desert the party. I will remain in the party. My dreams may never be fulfilled, but I have an obligation to continue the journey. And that is where I am.
You have described the government of Ibrahim Gaidam as a bad Government. Why did you say so?
Yes. I was asked this question before and I said there are two issues involved. One, there is Ibrahim Gaidam, a nice gentleman, whom we respect, who has contributed his quota like his predecessors to the development of Yobe. But, there is also the government involving him and so many people, but he has to take full responsibility, both for his actions and the actions of his subordinates. So, I hold him partly responsible for what is happening in the state. I feel that there are quite a number of things that are bedevilling this state that a focused , courageous, experienced, well educated leadership could do better and I feel I can do better if given the mandate.
What do you mean by Human Development Indices (HDI) and do you think you still have those structures to pursue your ambition?
Human Development Indices (HDI) is looking at the standard of education and other performances. If you look at the average pass mark of Yobe students, are they much more qualified to be admitted into tertiary institutions? What is the infant mortality? What is the mortality of our mothers? How many people have access to portable drinking water? How many have access to self-sustainable employment?
If you become the governor, how are you going to address these lapses?
Now, let me give you part of my albatross. Nine out of 10 people in Yobe State still believe I can do the job. Seven out of 10 people are afraid of me. So, I have no problem because I will not allow what they are used to to continue. But, that will not make me change my mind because I will not be deceiving them. I want to maintain an identity. It is left for them to choose. But, the ttruth of the matter is that, if I become the governor, I will be sworn with the Holy Book to discharge my duties, based on my abilities. And I want to take that very serious, and I will do it. So, I assure you that by reputation, based on my antecedents, the moment I was sworn in, there are certain attitudes that will die that moment in Yobe State public service.
How prepared are you for primaries?
The fact that there are two or three or five people contesting for the same position is democracy. Is not anti-democracy. It is democracy. Guide the people, tell them this is democracy. There should be an election. If we don’t have election within our party, we will still have election between political parties. So why don’t we get use to a democratic principles to resolve issues rather than otherwise. So in PDP like in all parties, there are two route in choosing candidate. One, there is what we call consensus, this is where few people decides on behalf of the majority. That is one route. The second route is also what we called the democratic route, alright; where the majority decides from the minority which is during primaries or secondary elections. These two options have been used by both PDP and other parties to arrives at political conclusions. Ok; is not an issue of do-or-die.
Yobe State All Progressives Party (APC) has endorsed Governor Ibrahim Gaidam as its governorship candidate for next year’s election.
Speaking with reporters in Damaturu, the state capital, the party’s secretary, Alhaji Abubakar Bakabe, said the governor has lived up to expectation in his first term.
He said: “The decision was reached by party stakeholders, including national and state legislators, party elders, ward, local government and state leaders.
“All party stakeholders, political groups and associations have collectively endorsed the governor as the party’s governorship candidate
“The stakeholders took the decision in the spirit of continuity of the laudable achievements recorded in road construction, housing, education, healthcare delivery, job and wealth creation by the Gaidam Administration.”
“The developments recorded across the state has earned Governor Gaidam a ticket for another term of office.
“Having tested and trusted the governor of which he performed creditably well, the stakeholders resolved that it was necessary and duty bound for the governor to seek re-election and, deserve another term of office.”
Bakabe commended trade unions and associations, which showed interest in the governor ‘s re-election bid.
He said: “APC appreciates the love and concern the good people of Yobe have shown in continuity of the development strides of the Gaidam administration and the need for the governor o run for another term of office” the statement added.
“The party also appreciateS the support and cooperation extended by the people to the party and the APC government.”
The Special Adviser on Information and Press Affairs, Abdullahi Bego, refuted claims that the governor was in custody of nomination forms for governorship and senatorial forms.
Bego said his principal has no direct influence on the sale of forms, adding that the forms are with party leaders.
He said the allegation that the governor is in charge of the process by some elders is false.
The governor’s aide said the allegation was malicious and concorted to cause disaffection in the party.
Bego added: “What does the governor has to do with those forms? The forms are under the control of the party headquarters in Abuja and the branch of the party in the state.
“The governor does not control or issue any forms. Interestingly, those who made the allegation have not mentioned the person or persons who told them the forms are with the governor. And it is simple common sense that the governor cannot be the one issuing out or holding nomination forms which are in the possession ofparty executives.
“In addition, the person who made the allegation, Mohammed Gaskanta, is not an elder from Yobe Zone C. He does not speak on behalf of any APC elder in Yobe Zone C. I am from Yobe Zone C and I can tell you that Gaskanta does not speak for anybody from my Zone. He knew his troubles in the party and he just want to be noticed, that’s all.”
At least 23 people have been confirmed dead in the mid-day suicide attack on Muslim Shiite sect members celebrating the Ashurah Day in Potiskum, Yobe State.
The suicide attack took place at Tsohon Kasuwa, a densely populated area in Potiskum, the largest commercial city in Yobe State, 100km south of Damaturtu, the state capital.
But the police authorities have put the death toll at four including the bomber and five wounded.
The Leader of the Shiite group in Potiskum, Mallam Mustapha Lawan Nasidi, said 26 of their members were killed in the incident and over 80 injured.
Nasidi also accused the military for the rise in the death toll, saying, “many people were killed by security agencies, particularly soldiers.”
“From what we have gathered, 13 people were brought in dead. The death toll is increasing. Right now, we have about 26 dead bodies and 82 people injured. It is unfortunate that soldiers are responsible for the killing of many of our members. They used their guns and armoured cars to shot at our members.
“The police asked them not to shot people but they could not listen. We have shell of bullets that they used in killing our people .This is very bad because the people who are suppose to be protecting us are now killing us, “ Mustapha lamented.
Reacting to allegations that the group did not get clearance from security, Mustapha said, “this is not the first time we are marking this day. We have been doing it in the past 20 years. We did it last year and nothing happened. Do we also have to start taking permission from security operative to be going to Mosque on Fridays? I want to believe that the number of people that were in that procession were not up to the number of people that go to Mosque on Friday, so why must we go to security for such a very peaceful event which is not a political gathering?
An eyewitness, Ibrahim Mohammed, whose brother was also killed in the attack, confirmed that he counted 23 bodies including his younger brother.
“I have counted 23 dead bodies right now. My brother is also one of the people that are killed in the attack. All the bodies are now deposited at the school belonging to the Shiite sect,” Ibrahim disclosed.
He also disclosed that some of the people killed were not from the suicide attack but gunshot from security agents who evaded the scene of the attack and started shooting sporadically at the crowd.
“I can confirm that some of the people were not killed from the blast, but gunshot apparently from soldiers who evaded the scene and started shooting at the crowd,” he added.
ANY travellers are stranded on the outskirts of Yobe, following the military’s ban of movement in and out of Yobe and Borno states.
The restricted the movement in and out of the two states as part of measures to ensure a free Sallah from what they described as “planned massive Boko Haram attacks”.
When our correspondent visited Potiskum in Yobe State, thousands of travellers were stranded at the entry point from the busy Kano/Maiduguri high way. Trailers queued up on a stretch of over two kilometres.
The restrictions however caught up with thousands of travelers who were with rushing in or going out of the town to unite with their families for the Yuletide.
Some of the travelers especially traders with perishable good like chicken broiler, Kola nuts etc expressed anger over their losses.
Adamu Shehu who is traveling to Maiduguri informed that yesterday(today) is the fourth day he was sleeping on the road.
Abubakar said that he has lost over 1000 chicken broilers after he ran out of their food.
Musa Ibrahim said they have been staying for the past four days with food and water(showing this reporter a garden egg) which he got from nearby village.
“We are here for the past four days without food. Look at what I am eating. This is my breakfast and and my lunch. I can’t think of anything but to get out of this place”, Musa said.
Despite the hues and cries, the military has however maintain their strict enforcement of the orders.
Investigations reveal that some military officers were charged for facilitated the exit of some people out of Damaturu. This has sent serious fears in most officers who are now careful of such deals.
At the time of filling this report, the was no indication that the roads will be open on Monday.
Speaking on the issue, Yobe State Commissioner for Information Home Affairs and Culture told our correspondent that the roads order will last till Monday Midnight i.e the early hours of Tuesday 7th October when nobody ply Borno Yobe Roads for fear of Boko Haram attack.
There are 116,000 people displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency in Yobe State, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said yesterday.
Relief items worth N500m have been distributed to the 116,000 internally displaced persons by the Presidential Committee on Relief Procurement and Distribution.
The agency, in a statement yesterday, said the Federal Government approved N1.5bn for the special committee under NEMA’s chairmanship.
While distributing the relief materials in Damaturu, NEMA Director General Sani Sidi, who is also the PCRP chairman, said the items were procured based on identified basic needs of the people.
According to him, proper arrangements had been made to ensure direct distribution to the target beneficiaries, adding that the items would be distributed by NEMA officials in collaboration with officials of the Yobe State government and the Nigerian Red Cross.
Sidi, who was represented by the agency’s Director of Disaster Risk Reduction, Mr. Alhassan Nuhu, said another consignment was in Gashua for distribution to the IDPs in the northern areas of the state.
He said about 15,000 displaced persons were in Damaturu while others were in various locations across the state.
Minister of Science and Technology Dr. Abdu Bulama, said the relief items were in furtherance of the fight against insurgency and provision of necessary support to those affected by the security challenge in the NorthEast.
Yobe State Governor, Mr. Ibrahim Geidam, who was represented by his deputy Abubakar Aliyu assured that the state would cooperate with the Federal Government to address the security challenge and support the affected persons
He had announced over the weekend that since the inception of the Boko Haram insurgency the state had expended over N10 billion.
Aliyu who spoke during Dr. Bulama’s visit lamented that the huge amount of money the state is sinking on the fight of the insurgency is becoming a source of concern especially considering the meagre allocation the state gets from the federation account.
He said the state spends approximately N300million monthly for logistics of military personnel, adding that the state had also distributed relief material worth sum of N430milion for internally displaced people.
He urged the Federal Government which he described as a ‘big brother’ to come to Yobe’s rescue by allocating special grant to enable the state continue its amelioration programme.
As part of government’s efforts to alleviate the suffering of the citizens of Yobe State, Governor Ibrahim Gaidam has distributed poverty alleviation materials to some of the needy, most of who were either affected by the activities of Boko Haram insurgents or retired civil servants.
Adamu Maisaje, a tailor and one of the beneficiaries of the programme, lost his shop to string of attacks on communities in Yobe State by the insurgents. He received a new sewing machine. He praised Governor Gaidam for renewing his life.
He told our correspondent that the sewing machine he received as part of government’s poverty alleviation programmes, will go a long way in making life meaningful for him again.
He said: “My shop was destroyed in one of the attacks by Boko Haram. But with what I have received today, my life is back on track.”
Shehu Abubakar, a retired civil servant and one of the beneficiaries of the poverty alleviation programme, received a block-molding machine. Praising Governor Gaidam, he said the gesture will change his life for good as a retiree.
“We retired with nothing but with this block-molding machine given to me, I believe my life and that of my entire family will change. All thanks to Ibrahim Gaidam for this wonderful initiative. May he live long in order to help others too,” Abubakar said.
Maisaje and Abubakar are two among many others who benefited from the distribution of poverty alleviation materials to small-scale entrepreneurs (SME’s), community-based organisations (CBO) and retired civil servants at a subsidised rate of 50 per cent.
While distributing the materials at Government House, Damaturu the state capital, Governor Gaidam said abject poverty and unemployment among youths were serious challenges which the state is experiencing, adding that his administration is committed to reversing the awful situation.
Continuing, he said: “The increasing number of unemployed youths roaming the streets in search of jobs has made them become frustrated and take to other dubious activities that are inimical to the well-being of our society. It is therefore our responsibility as government to do something concrete to address this situation by intervening with various measures that will alleviate poverty and unemployment.”
Governor Gaidam called for partnership with philanthropic individuals and wealthy citizens of the state to complement government’s efforts in the fight against poverty by creating more job opportunities and provision of basic social services for the teeming population.
Explaining why government is subsidising the items, he said: “The gesture is in line with the usual deliberate step by government to further assist the beneficiaries of this loan scheme; and appreciate efforts being made to improve their living conditions.”
The items distributed to the beneficiaries included 80 vulcanising machines, 30 block molding machines, 80 grinding machines, 40 sets of carpentry tools and equipment, 30 rice/millet milling machines, 35 units of sewing machines and power generating sets.
While congratulating the beneficiaries, Governor Gaidam urged them to make judicious use of the materials so as to derive maximum benefits, even as he advised them to ensure prompt repayment of the loan to enable others benefit from the poverty alleviation scheme.
He directed the Ministry of Commerce and Small and Medium-Scale Board to evolve a mechanism for repayment; and ensure that the proceeds are directly remitted into a dedicated account in order to sustain the poverty alleviation scheme.
As the battle for Bama in Borno State with Boko Haram and Nigeria troops continues, Gulani Local Government council in Yobe state has been captured by Boko Haram insurgents.
The takeover of Gulani local government brings to two the total number of LGAs under the control of the insurgents in the state with Gujba earlier captured one month ago.
Residents who fled Bara, the council headquarters informed that the insurgents have taken over the council secretariat and the local government lodge at Bara.
“The boys entered the town yesterday in the afternoon with hilux cars and motor cycles preaching to different places.
“They went to the government lodged and the local government secretariat complex where they are now occupying. People were afraid but they kept on announcing that they only came to do the work of Allah(GOD) but not to kill anybody.
“They were preaching that people should leave their government work and join them in working for Allah alone”, Ibrahim who fled Bara last night narrated.
Member representing Gulani in the State House of Assembly Hon. Abdullahi Kukuwa also confirmed the takeover of his local government by the insurgents.
“As I speak with you now, the whole of my local government has been taken over by these boys. They are doing what they want. It is very unfortunate that government is not taken drastic action over this matter”, Hon. Kukuwa said.
Residents have also informed that the sect members are currently on wide preaching mission across towns and villages in the two local government areas without hindrance from security operatives who have long vacated the areas.
Reports indicate that the insurgents freely gathered locals of Goneri, Ambiya, Buni-Yadi, Gujba and Buni-Gari under Gujba Council Area as well as; Kukuwa Gari, Bularafa, Bumsa and Bara town of Gulani Local government Area preaching their ideologies and soliciting for more followers.
“The boys (Boko Haram insurgents) often move from town to town and gather the people for open preaching asking for the support of the people in joining the group which is aimed at instituting shariah legal system in the region” a resident informed.
He mentioned that though the insurgents do allow people to ask questions, people are always careful not to asking provoking questions in order not to bring a death sentence on your head.
“They give time for questions but nobody ask why they are killing or kidnapping people because everyone is afraid to die as such a question may provoke them”, he said.
On the attack on Gulani, Abubakar(not real name) explained: “When they realized that people were panicking, they went to the Ward head’s house and registered their arrival, telling him that their coming was just to preach and not to harm anyone. The insurgents called the early morning prayers, led the prayers and preached for over an hour before they going back to the government lodge were they camped”
Speaking on their mode of dressing, the residents said the sect members are usually dressed in half military uniforms arm with their AK47 brandished on their shoulders driving freely in Hilux Jeeps apparently snatched from security operatives and motor cycles.
Gulani and Gujba have been since cut-off from Damaturu following the blowing off of the Katarko Bridge by the insurgents barely one month ago.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Yobe said yesterday that the dismissal of alleged impeachment plot against Governor Ibrahim Gaidam by the lawmakers has diffused tension among the citizenry.
This is contained in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Damaturu by the party’s secretary, Alhaji Abubakar Bakabe.
“The party hailed the response of the legislators to the allegation and also passed a vote of confidence in the governor,” Bakabe said.
The APC scribe said the lawmakers’ decision also calmed frayed nerves among APC supporters in the state.
He lauded the lawmakers “for refusing to be distracted by political job seekers planning to sow seed of discord among our party members and over heat the polity.
“As the ruling party in the state, APC has a sitting governor, three senators, six members of the House of Representatives, 24 members of the House of Assembly and 17 local government chairmen.
“The elected officers are united and focused on the task of developing the state.
“The legislators under the leadership of the Speaker, Alhaji Adamu Dala-Dogo, have disassociated themselves from the alleged impeachment plot and endorsed him (the governor) for 2015.”
The party supported the lawmakers, saying: “We assure you of our support and commitment to protect our party structure and government.”
Bakabe praised the people for their cooperation with the APC-led administration, pledging to provide viable development projects.
He listed them to include roads, healthcare delivery, functional education and employment opportunities.
Members of the House of Assembly last Tuesday dispelled the rumour that they had perfected plans to impeach Gaidam.