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Post Date : April 24, 2021

90 buried, many still missing in Zamfara killings

The death toll from the killings in Zamfara State is rising as reports from communities indicated that at least 90 corpses have so far been buried while many persons remain unaccounted for after the latest round of mayhem. Reports of the attacks were given by displaced persons, officials and residents of the affected communities. The state government has also shut down four major markets to prevent fresh reprisal attacks by vigilante members. The government was, however, silent on the casualty figures as it called on the security agencies to do more to provide security in vulnerable communities. Residents of Magami said they buried over 60 corpses on Friday morning, after earlier reporting the recovery of 53 bodies. They said many residents were still missing and feared killed. The Chief Imam of the town, Sanusi Na’ibi, presided over the funeral prayer. Most of the corpses were brought in from surrounding villages but some resident said remote areas that could not move their corpses to the town held separate funeral prayers and burials. “Gusau Local Government Area is the worst affected because the assailants attacked to kill and not loot,” a local source said. Meanwhile, the state government has ordered four markets shut down until further notice, to avert fresh attacks. Vigilante groups usually target suspected bandits at cattle markets to avenge attacks on agrarian communities. They are Magami Market in Gusau Local Government, Dansadau Market in Maru Local Government, Wanke Market in Gusau Local Government and Dauran Market in Zurmi Local Government. “Security agencies are hereby directed to ensure strict compliance. They are also ordered to deal, ruthlessly, with anyone found violating law and order within and around the affected markets,” the state’s commissioner for information, Ibrahim Dosara, said in a statement on Thursday. Mr Dosara said the government “noted with dismay, the callous act of terrorism meted to innocent people carrying out their legitimate businesses.” He said the government had directed its Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to urgently mobilise to the affected communities and provide relief materials to the families of the victims. The commissioner lamented that the current violence happened when the state government was recording progress in its efforts to restore peace and security in the state. He said the governor, Bello Matawalle, had also implored security agencies in the state to collaborate to provide security to the areas and across the state. Residents said the attacks had persisted due to the absence of security agents in the most affected areas. They said this has encouraged extrajudicial killings and reprisal attacks between vigilante members and bandits. They said the assailants carried sophisticated weapons and raided the villages on motorbikes, adding that most of the villages had been deserted following incessant attacks until some villagers started returning for the farming season. Most of the attacks, which appeared coordinated, happened on Tuesday and Wednesday in Gusau, Maradun, Bakura and Maru local government areas of the restive North-west state. The affected communities are Gora, Rini and Madoti Dankule of Maradun and Bakura local government areas. In the Magami district of Gusau Local Government Area, the affected communities include Kango, Ruwan Dawa, Madaba, Arzikin Da and Mairairai, the closest of which is seven kilometres from Gusau town. Also affected are ‘Yarzaiga, ‘Yar-Doka and Gobirawa in Dansadau district of Maru Local government Area. PREMIUM TIMES had, the day before the latest round of attacks, reported apprehension in the Dansadau district of Maru Local Government Area following the killing of 20 people in separate attacks by rival groups in the area. The sole administrator of Bakura local government, Aminu Suleiman, had told reporters that over 30 people were killed in Bakura and Maradun. Mr Suleiman said the deaths were recorded over days of reprisal attacks between members of outlawed vigilante groups and bandits.

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Post Date : April 24, 2021

Plot To Declare State Of Emergency In S’East Behind Attacks In Region –Ex-DIG, Okoye

A plot to impose a state of emergency in the South East was during the week uncovered by the retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, Ozo Celestine Okoye. According to Okoye, who spoke to Saturday Telegraph, the attacks by unknown gunmen in the South East is politically motivated by some external forces, who have concluded plans to make the area ungovernable hence paving way for the official declaration of a state of emergency. Okoye said that:”The body you call IPOB has a pattern of operations and they have said it that they were not involved in the attacks on the Owerri correction centre and the state police command and we know that Nnaemeka Kanu, their leader, has made it clear that they had no hand in the incidents. “Imo state governor, Hope Uzodima, also made it clear in a broadcast that the attack was politically motivated. This is a grand plot to make the South East ungovernable and declare a state of emergency in Igbo land so that they will now institute an interim government to suppress the agitations in the South East.“These people were imported from outside Nigeria by powers that be in the country to cause trouble in the South East and they appear to be succeeding. Those who are claiming that it is the handiwork of IPOB or MASSOB are missing the point because you cannot destroy what you established. For example, most police stations in Igbo land were built by our people and handed over to the police and as such you cannot convince me that we are destroying our own facilities.”

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Post Date : April 24, 2021

3 dead as cultists clash in Port Harcourt

No fewer than three suspected male cultists were killed when two rival cult gangs clashed at the densely populated Diobu area in Port Harcourt. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that two of the victims were members of the dreaded Icelanders gang, while the other deceased cultist belonged to Deygbam. The attacks which lasted for several minutes, saw residents scampering for safety, with shops closed, while motorists deserted the area. Cult clashes have been a regular occurrence between the two warring gangs seeking supremacy and control of the area. Confirming the incident, Spokesman of the Police Command in Rivers, SP Nnamdi Omoni, told NAN in Port Harcourt on Friday that normalcy had returned to the area. “I confirm that there was clash between two rival cult groups on Thursday at about 3 p.m., where the gunmen shot sporadically at the Railway axis of Diobu. “Shortly after receiving a distress call, officers from the Diobu Police Division mobilised massively to the scene, to restore law and order. “Unfortunately at the time our men arrived the scene, the cultists had taken to flight. “However, our operatives arrested one of the cultist alive, while three lifeless bodies which had multiple gunshot wounds were found at the scene,” he said. Omoni said the suspected cultist, Ejike Paul, 36, was currently held in one of the command’s holding facilities, while an investigation is ongoing. “Calm has returned to the area with increased patrols and close monitoring of the area and the entire metropolis. “So, residents should go about their lawful activities without fear of molestation, as the Commissioner of Police, CP Eboka Friday has vowed to deal decisively with criminal elements,” he added. (NAN)

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Post Date : April 24, 2021

15-year-old JSS1 student electrocuted in Benue

A 15-year-old student of Benue State University Technical College, Emmanuel Ameh has been electrocuted in the Achussa community of Makurdi the Benue state capital. The JSS1 student reportedly met his untimely death owing to the alleged negligence of the staff of Jos Electricity Distribution Company, JED, in Makurdi. Narrating the incident to newsmen on Thursday, uncle to the diseased, Mr Samuel Olokpo, said the victim who until his death lived with his grandmother, Mr Veronica Odoh at Baver Dzeremo street was killed while rolling up service cables carelessly dropped by officials of JED who visited the neighbourhood to disconnect debtors. According to Mr Olokpo “On Monday morning, when everybody had gone to work and school, JED staff went to do their round of disconnection of customers who were indebted to the company. “In the afternoon, some of our neighbours’ kids were playing around the pole and one of them made contact with the wire, his name is Emeka, a little boy of about five years, and was shocked. He ran to Emmanuel who just came back from school to complain, being the most senior at home. “Emmanuel went to roll up the wires from the ground because when they did the disconnection they left all the wires on the ground. He made contact with the wires and he was electrocuted. “A neighbour, Jonathan Agi saw what was happening and rushed to the scene, used a dry stick to pushed him away. The other persons came too and they were able to intervene. They cut off the wire that had power. “He was rushed to the nearby Ushaka Clinic and Bishop Murray Hospital, all in Makurdi, where he was pronounced dead. “The Police come and helped us conveyed his body to Benue State University Teaching Hospital mortuary where it as-deposited,” he said. Mr Olokpo also disclosed that top engineers from the JED office in Makurdi visited on Wednesday to condole with the family over the incident. Efforts to get the Regional Manager of the JED office in Makurdi, Mr Olaniyi Oluwole failed as his staff who refused to disclose his identity at the Makurdi regional office said his boss was not disposed to talking to newsmen on the incident. Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent, DSP, Catherine Anene failed as the call put to her phone was not responded to.

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Post Date : April 24, 2021

Family Of Slain Kogi PDP Women Leader Wants Burnt Houses Rebuilt

The family of Mrs Salome Acheju Abuh, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Women Leader, who was burnt alive in her home by suspected thugs during the November 16, 2019 Kogi governorship election, has appealed for adequate compensation and justice in the matter. Husband of the deceased, Elder Simeon Abuh, who was flanked by his children during a press conference in Abuja on Friday, appealed to the federal government, international bodies and other organizations to treat the family’s “homelessness” as an emergency by facilitating their resettlement and reconstruction of their burnt houses. He said his fully furnished houses comprising five bedrooms, four bedrooms and two-bedroom apartments and other properties were razed in his Ochadamu country home during the attack carried out by the suspected thugs, adding that life has not been easy for the family ever since. According to him, neither the government at any level nor any political party including the PDP for which cause, his wife paid the supreme price, had offered any form of support to the family since the incident. He appealed to the president to direct a “sincere and comprehensive investigation with a view to ensuring that justice prevails, no matter who may be involved, including the sponsors of these dastardly acts.” Elder Abuh called for the immortalization of his wife as a ‘Political Celebrity’ who paid a supreme price for sustenance of democracy in Nigeria, judging by the gruesome manner in which she was murdered by political party thugs in her own house. He urged the police to ensure all those involved in the gruesome murder of his wife were brought to justice.

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Post Date : April 23, 2021

Buhari directs Gambari, Ngige, others to resolve problem with judiciary workers

President Muhammadu Buhari has directed his Chief of Staff, Professor Ibrahim Gambari; the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige and other relevant stakeholders to find a way out of the logjam with the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) to end the current strike action. Briefing correspondents after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa, Abuja, Ngige disclosed that he presented the demands of various striking unions to the president for his intervention. He said: “I have to brief him on the labour industrial situation in the country. You know that we are like in a season of strike. “We have the strike baton by the resident doctors actively supported by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA). And we held certain meetings at which we reached some agreements in a conciliation. “And I had to brief him ahead of the efforts we are making in those areas, like we agreed that the hazard allowance should be reviewed. And as a matter of fact, before they embarked on the strike, my ministry and the Presidential Committee on Salaries had initiated what we can call a pre-emptive arrangement to make for further discussion by all the stakeholders and other people working in the health sector under the big umbrella of Medical and Health Workers Union. “So, that meeting has kick-started. And we know from our initial meetings and the data we have, we have an idea of what amount of money that will be consumed or utilised to effect this change, which is going to be a permanent change, unlike what we had last year when we did a special COVID-19 allowance, which all of you know the government budgeted N20 billion for. “And when we started the payment, it gulped a whopping N32 billion. So, we are working now to make the health workers feel that they are appreciated, and that the efforts are appreciated by government. So, I have briefed him on that. “We have some fallouts from the ASUU discussion on the agreements reached then, a Memorandum of Action so that we can meet up the timeline on certain things promised. For example, the Revitalization Fund, which ASUU has called my attention to that they have not been done for the university system. “So, we discussed it and necessary arrangements have to be made now for us to pay that amount to the NEEDS Committee accounts with the Central Bank.” The minister also revealed that he discussed the issue of the financial autonomy for the judiciary and the legislature with the President, saying: “We reviewed what have been done. “The Chief of Staff did what we call in labour palance tripartite plus arrangement by engaging them, both parties conceded; Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, the heads of courts, state judges, the unions and the Presidential Implementation Committee for Executive Order 10 led by the Attorney General, but standing in for him by the Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary. “So, we reviewed where they are. We had a twist two days ago because the arrangement they had with the Chief of Staff had to be altered when the governors got back to their forum. “As the conciliator, when they presented the two papers, one from the Solicitor General and another one from the Director General (DG) of the NGF, I had to tell them that we have to reconcile those papers, because the areas that they differ are very fundamental areas in terms of the execution of Sections 83 and 162. “We need the governors to touch this among themselves and come back, because in consultation, I receive documents, issues from the unions, and the NBA, and even the representative of the heads of courts on one side, and then from these government people of NGF, and the Solicitor General of the Federation representing Attorney General,” he said.

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Post Date : April 23, 2021

Service Upgrade: MTN advises customers to recharge, buy data before April 25th

Mobile Telephone Network, MTN, Friday advised its customers to recharge and buy a data bundle before April 25 th , (SUNDAY), noting that the telecommunication company would upgrade its service. Disclosing this on its verified Twitter handle: @NTNNG, the telecommunication giant said: “Please take note of the service announcement below. We apologize for any inconvenience. “Due to an upgrade, data purchase will be unavailable from 12 midnight to 6am on April 25th, 2021. “If you can, please recharge and buy a data bundle before this time. Apologies for inconvenience”. Vanguard News Nigeria All rights reserved. This material and any other digital content on this platform may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, written or distributed in full or in part, without written permission from VANGUARD NEWS. NWAFOR View all posts by Nwafor → Latest News vanguardpodcasts · in the news Comments Comments NNPC pledges to work with stakeholders to ensure sanity in downstream sector Classic version Powered by vanguardngr.com logo NEWS SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT VIDEOS RELATIONSHIPS POLITICS FORUM CONTACT US ADVERTISE WITH US PRIVACY POLICY © 2019 Vanguard Media Limited, Nigeria 1′ ADVERTISEMENT Ad ADVERTISEMENT Ad Please take note of the service announcement below. We apologize for any inconvenience. pic.twitter.com/HlgsWVUszA — MTN Nigeria (@MTNNG) April 23, 2021

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Post Date : April 23, 2021

Nigeria Needs N1.89trn To Tackle Malaria – Health Minister

naira to effectively combat malaria in the country, Dr Osagie Ehanire has said. He explained that of the total sum, the country required more than N350 billion naira to fight the disease in 2021 alone. Ehanire, the Minister of Health, disclosed this on Friday a news conference in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). “The implementation of the new strategic plan will cost N1.89 trillion; about N352 billion is required for the year 2021 programme implementation,” he told reporters ahead of the World Malaria Day scheduled to hold on Sunday. The minister added, “The theme of this year’s commemoration is Zero Malaria – Draw the Line Against Malaria, and the slogan ‘Stand Up, Take Action’ which is to empower communities in various countries to take ownership of preventing malaria and providing proper care and treatment to those in need, are germane.” He acknowledged that the Federal Government does not have the adequate amount required to fight the disease this year. Ehanire attributed this to the prevailing economic circumstances occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic, just as in other countries. He, therefore, called on the private sector, various corporate organisations, and patriotic individuals to support the government to tackle malaria. The minister disclosed that the government was working to establish a Malaria Council that would help to drive domestic funding for the elimination of the disease. According to him, the commemoration of World Malaria Day provides the government with the opportunity to share the progress made, best practices, and create awareness on the scourge of malaria. Malaria, a disease caused by a parasite spread to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes, kills more than 400,000 people a year, mostly children in sub-Saharan Africa. As experts across the world step up efforts to combat the disease, a recent study shows that a malaria vaccine from the Oxford Institute is 77 per cent effective for the treatment of COVID-19. The study conducted by Oxford University and released on Friday indicated that clinical trials had been carried out on 450 children between the ages of five to 17 months. If safety is assured, health authorities say that it will become the key weapon in eliminating the disease, which is responsible for half a million deaths a year, mostly in children.

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Post Date : April 23, 2021

Nigeria committed to energy diversification, Buhari tells world leaders at climate summit

President Muhammadu Buhari says Nigeria is undertaking programmes that will benefit the environment as part of efforts to address issues related to climate change. Speaking during the world leaders summit on climate held on Friday, Buhari said Nigeria has rolled out several programmes since rectifying the Paris Climate agreement in 2016. The two-day virtual climate summit was organised by US President Joe Biden to mobilise world leaders to discuss issues of climate change. At the summit, Buhari noted that Nigeria has a target to end gas flaring by 2030, adding that steps have also been undertaken towards energy diversification. He also maintained that his administration is committed of to galvanising “relevant stakeholders for climate exchange” and support in the attainment of Paris agreement objectives. “As one of the most vulnerable nations, Nigeria is undertaking major environmentally sound and climate-friendly programme and treading the path of sustainability,” Buhari said. “Since rectifying the Paris agreement in 2016, Nigeria has rolled out several policies enablers, such as institutional frameworks to cut emission by 20 percent unconditionally, and 45 percent conditionally with international support by 2030. “We are expeditiously implementing programmes that stimulate gradual transition away from use of woods, stoves, kerosene, to liquified natural gas, biogas and electricity. “Beyond ending gas flaring by 2030, the oil and gas sector has undertaken steps for diversification and risk management system, insurance engine, research and development and energy crisis planning. “I reiterate Nigeria’s commitment to galvanise relevant stakeholders for climate exchange and our readiness to extend support for regional, continental and global multilateral processes for the attainment of lofty objectives of the Paris agreement.” Buhari commended Biden for bringing world leaders together for the summit, and returning the US to the Paris climate change agreement — US had rejoined the Paris agreement on climate change in February 2021, after pulling out during the administration of former President Donald Trump. “I will like to express profound appreciation to the president of the United States, his excellency, Joe Biden, for conveying this summit at a time the world is experiencing tremendous vulnerability from the coronavirus pandemic and climate change impact, among several other global challenges,” Buhari said.

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Post Date : April 23, 2021

Cable TV: Reps move to break monopoly, make pay-per-view compulsory

The Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Communication, House of Representatives, Unyime Idem, has said Nigerians will soon be enjoying pay-per-view bouquets. Idem, who is representing Ukanafun/Orukanam Federal Constituency in Akwa Ibom State, is chairman of the ad hoc committee set up by the House of Representatives to investigate tariff increment by cable/satellite television service providers in Nigeria. The House had set up and mandated the panel on March 17, 2020, to investigate DSTV and other cable television service providers in Nigeria. The House had, again on June 2, passed another resolution, mandating the panel to invite DSTV to explain its tariff increment on June 1. Idem at one of the investigative hearings by the committee noted that the probe was based on protests by Nigerians against DSTV’s tariff hikes. While briefing journalists in Abuja on Friday, Idem said he and two other lawmakers had sponsored a bill that passed second reading on Thursday to grant powers to the National Broadcasting Commission to regulate tariffs imposed on subscribers by service providers. The lawmaker assured Nigerians that after the passage of the bill, “the issue of price (tariff) increment that happens without the control of the regulator; that happens when Nigerians are not expected; that happens even when the product is not consumed; even when the services are not consumed, is going to be a thing of the past.” He said, “I want Nigerians to be happy, patient, and hopeful that in a short time, these issues are going to be addressed. “Apart from the tariff, another thing the bill is seeking to address is the issue of monopoly. When this bill is passed into law, it would also give NBC the powers to open up the sub-sector so that more players can be brought on board. “We need to broaden the system so that both local and international investors can come in and open up the system where we can have varieties. You can see what is obtainable today in the telecoms industry. Today, it is a sector that is so liberal and everybody would want to go in because it is a free market. So that is what we are looking at in the broadcasting industry. “Very soon by the time it is passed, it is going to be a free market where everybody has a level playing ground. “Right now, there are a lot of investors that want to come in but the monopoly that is rocking that particular sub-sector cannot accommodate new entrants into the system. So, that is one thing the bill is also seeking to address. So that apart from giving Nigerians benefit for the money pay, it would also add to the employment issue that Nigerians are yearning for. It is going to create a lot of employment. “You can imagine the number of persons one outfit can accommodate in their employment. Then you can think of where we have so many companies coming in. At the end of the day, the number of employees that we are going to generate would be something that would help our economy. So those are the issues that we believe by the time it is passed it is going to address them.”

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