News
R-E-V-E-L-A-T-I-O-N! Jihadists From Foreign Countries Taxing Nigerian Farmers — Rep Reveals
Published
10 months agoon
By
EditorA member of the House of Representatives representing Tangaza/Gudu Federal Constituency of Sokoto State, Sani Yakubu, has raised alarm, saying jihadists from Niger, Mali and Libya and the local bandits operating in Tangaza Local Government of the state have imposed a tax on farmers in the area.
Yakubu, who disclosed this while presenting a motion at plenary yesterday, said Tangaza/Gudu Federal Constituency was surrounded by two forests; Tsauna Forest that stretches over to Gwadabawa, Illela and Niger Republic and Kuyan Bana Forest which also stretches to Gudu and Niger Republic.
Revealing that the terrorists within the areas had joined forces, Yakubu said they had apparently vowed to make life difficult for the people who are predominantly farmers.
He said: “The two forests house two terrorist groups, the Lakurawa who claimed to be jihadists from Niger, Mali and Libya and the local bandits terrorising the area.
“The two used to be sworn enemies, but have now joined forces, making it more difficult for the deployed security operatives to address the insecurity in the general area.
“After the deadly act, the terrorist launched another attack to prevent people from giving their loved ones a befitting burial.
“The people of the area are predominantly farmers and cattle rearers and terrorists have vowed to stop this year’s farming activities, if the communities refuse to pay tax.
READ ALSO: Army Chief, Lagbaja Rules Out Amnesty For Bandits, Terrorists
‘’If this threat is allowed, it will seriously affect the national food security if adequate measures are not put in place.”
Adopting the motion, the House urged the military to deploy more personnel and hardwares to comb the forests to flush out the criminals. It further asked the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, to provide relief materials to victims of the unfortunate attack.
Also speaking on the issue yesterday, the member representing Ideato South and North seat federal constituency of Imo State, Ikenga Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere, said it was worrisome to have terrorists from the neighbouring African countries imposing taxes on Nigerian farmers.
Ugochinyere said the development was tantamount to a threat to the sovereignty of Nigeria.
He, however, expressed optimism that the current administration by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would flush the criminals out.
“It’s worrisome and it threatens our sovereignty as a nation. Just as the House resolved, it requires urgent attention.
‘’Our security agencies need to re-strategize to flush out criminals and terrorists. With the resolve and commitment of the present administration, I have no doubt that soon, they will be defeated,” he said.
Army chief, Lagbaja rules out amnesty for bandits, terrorists
Also, the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Maj. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, yesterday, described the amnesty programme for bandits and terrorists in Zamfara and other states, as a failed programme.
Lagbaja spoke when he hosted Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State in Abuja. The army chief said the programme failed to achieve its purposes in the past, noting that it only allowed criminals to regroup, reorganise and attack citizens.
READ ALSO: Army Chief, Lagbaja Rules Out Amnesty For Bandits, Terrorists
His words: “We also have the issue of the amnesty programme that has been instituted, and which has failed not only in Zamfara, but so many other states of the north-west.
“So, I think we need to look at this issue of the amnesty programme because the criminal elements have proven to be incorrigible.
“The issue of amnesty has created an avenue for them to regroup and reorganise to launch attacks on our defenceless citizens. So I think we need to look at that.”
Speaking on the feedback on the activities of troops deployed to restore peace in the state, Lagbaja said he has directed the deployment of more platforms and the release of funds to reactivate unserviceable ones to boost troops’ operations in the state.
He said: “We will not have a situation where some people constitute themselves into outlaws and just go into communities and kill children and defenceless women.
“By working on this with the state government and other critical stakeholders, we can eliminate these outlaws and reduce the insecurities by a significant percentage.
“So I want to appeal to you your excellency that as we come up with this strategy to address the issue of the Yan Sakai and other regional groups, the state government should be disposed to the implementation of the measures that we will recommend.
“So that together, we will address the activities of these criminal elements.”
Earlier, Governor Lawal said Zamfara has been facing challenging security threats and appealed for the support of the army.
He said: “I will say without mincing words, that Zamfara is the state that is facing the most challenge in the area of insecurity today.
“Therefore, for me, being the number one citizen, part of my responsibility is protecting lives and properties, but I cannot do this alone.
“I, therefore, need the support of the chief of army staff and his entire team in bringing peace to Zamfara, as well as Nigeria in general.”
Troops clear Mangu ambush, neutralize 3 bandits, recover weapons
Apparently responding to the order given by President Bola Tinubu on the killings in Plateau and Benue on Tuesday, troops of 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, deployed to quell the crisis in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, yesterday neutralized three bandits in the area.
READ ALSO: Bandits Abduct 10 Students In Kaduna
A statement from Army headquarters said: “The troops obliterated the criminals when they gallantly fought through an ambush staged by the bandits while responding to a distress call in Mangu general area.
“After successfully clearing the ambush, the troops recovered three AK 47 rifles,14 rounds of 7.62 mm special rounds, one motorcycle and a Constabulary Police Identity card.
“Troops are currently on the trail of bandits who escaped with gunshot wounds during the fire fight.”
It’s unacceptable for foreign bandits to tax farmers — MBF
Reacting to the development yesterday, the Middle Belt Forum, MBF, described it as unacceptable.
National President of MBF, Dr. Bitrus Pogu, said: “It is a slap on our country and unacceptable in a nation like Nigeria.
“That cannot be allowed to continue in Nigerian territory. It is unfortunate that banditry continued unabated in Nigeria during the Muhammadu Buhari regime. Rather than reducing it, the whole thing escalated.
“We have a government that is still trying to get its foot and with all problems hanging, including court cases, it is the responsibility of security forces to wipe this bandits out.
‘’I have confidence and I’m convinced that our security forces are able to do the job. And I will always say the problem is political will.
“Let the President, whether in this situation or in future situations, give the marching order, show the political will, our military will clear the whole place.
“Let tribalism be taken away, a criminal is a criminal, whether he is Fulani or Kanuri, whether he professes Islam, Christianity or whatever religion.
“So, the problem here is that there have been connivance with people within the military who also have to be identified and weeded out of the military.
“The armed forces need to be free from people who collaborate with bandits because they feel they are doing something which is beneficial to their tribal or religious interest.
‘’All these people have to be weeded out if we want Nigeria to remain one united country. It doesn’t matter whether it is in Kano, Sokoto, Plateau, Benue or wherever, bandits or terrorists are a menace we should not live with, and they should not be tolerated.”
VANGUARD
You may like
JUST IN: Terrorists Kill Vigilantes, Abduct Two Village Heads, Others In Kaduna
Troops Ambush Terrorists On Transit To Cause Havoc In Kaduna, Neutralize Two
Reintegrating Terrorists Into Society Dangerous, Ex-soldiers Tell FG
19 Feared Killed, Houses Razed As Gunmen Invade Kogi Communities
Bandits Release 51 Victims, Kill 5 In Kaduna
BREAKING: Military Releases Slain Terrorist Commanders’ Names
News
Bauchi Lawmaker Pledges To Expedite Passage Of Bill On Reduction Of Out-Of-School Children
Published
6 hours agoon
May 10, 2024By
EditorHonourable Nasiru Ala, the Chairman, House Committee on Education in the Bauchi State House of Assembly has pledged to expedite the passage of the state framework Bill to reduce Out-Of-School in the state.
He made the pledge during a two-day regional stakeholders meeting on out-of-school children and retention, transition as well as completion models in Bauchi, Gombe and Adamawa states.
According to him, any moment the bill is sent to the state House of Assembly from the Executive, the lawmakers would expedite actions to ensure that the bill is passed within three to four weeks.
He said: “Based on the law making, we are going to enact this particular law on the domestication of the Bauchi state framework to reduce Out-of-School children bill within three to four weeks from the day of reception from the Executive Arm.
READ ALSO: Bill On Unemployment Benefit Scales Second Reading
“Our governor has been very cooperative and supportive on this particular issue of out of school children because it is a serious menace.
“As an academic, I’m not always happy anytime I hear the word Out-of-School children.
“That is why it’s not going to be a big deal in the Bauchi state House of Assembly to enact the state framework to reduce Out-of-School children in the state.
“In three weeks time In-Sha-Allah, we are going to pass into Bill this State Framework to reduce Out-of-School children in the state”.
READ ALSO: EFCC Grills Six Senior NSCDC Officers Over N6bn Fraud
Also speaking, Mr Raphael Aiyedipe, Education Officer, UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, said that the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) had developed a National Framework of Action to Reduce Out-of-School Children and drive access to education in the country.
According to him, the framework commits to substantially and systematically decrease the number of Out-of-School children in Nigeria by 2030.
He highlighted some of the objectives of the framework to include; improve access and quality of education for all Nigerian children, drive improvement in learning and relevant skills development.
Others, he said, were to accelerate the social and economic development of communities and the country at large.
READ ALSO: NLC, TUC Give NERC Deadline To Reverse Hike In Electricity Tariff
“The Framework has 5 thematic areas that includes; political actors and this means gaining the political will and government commitment.
“Best practices and alternative pathways and this translates to defeating learning poverty, Community accountability, that is engaging stakeholders to build ownership.
“Technology and ICT which means improving access through innovative solutions and Financing mechanisms, that is, reaching the most vulnerable,” he explained.
News
EFCC Trial: ‘Even The Prophets Went To Prison’ – Buhari’s Minister Comforts Self In Court
Published
16 hours agoon
May 10, 2024By
EditorA former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, standing trial for an alleged N7.2bn fraud, said he was ready to go to prison just like the prophets.
Sirika, his daughter, and three others were arraigned at a Federal Capital Territory High Court on Thursday on a six-count amended criminal charge before Justice Sylvanus Oriji.
A video of the ex-minister speaking in court with his lawyers surfaced on X on Thursday.
In the video, Sirika, dressed in cream Babariga, could be heard saying, “It’s okay. Fatima, it’s okay,” while comforting his daughter.
READ ALSO: Cleric Sets Wife’s House Ablaze For Allegedly Refusing To Participate In Late Night Prayer
He continued, “Even prophets have gone (to prison). Those that went, haven’t they finished theirs already?…whatever Allah says”
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had accused the ex-minister, his daughter, son-in-law and Al-Duraq Investment Limited, of fraud in connection with the botched Nigerian Air project.
Meanwhile, the court granted each of the defendants bail in the sum of N100m with two sureties each.
Before the trial judge, Justice Sylvanus Orji granted the bail request of the defendants, they pleaded not guilty to all the charges preferred against them after it was read out to them.
The prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs SAN, had informed the court of an amended charge by the EFCC dated May 7, and filed on May 8, which was not opposed by the counsel for the defendants.
READ ALSO: Bill On Unemployment Benefit Scales Second Reading
Sirika’s lead counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN), informed the court of his client’s bail application dated May 6.
The other defendants similarly, moved their bail applications and prayed the court to be liberal in the bail conditions.
Jacobs, on his part, told the court that all the defendants were on administrative bail and asked the court to grant bail on the condition that would make them appear for their trials.
Apart from the N100m bail, Justice Osuji added that one of the sureties must own a landed property with valid land titles in like sum within the Federal Capital Territory.
The judge also held that the sureties must depose to an affidavit of means while he barred the defendants from travelling outside the country without its permission.
He added that failure to fulfil the bail conditions would earn the defendants a stay in a correctional facility.
News
Tiktok Bans Nigerian Content Creator’s Account After Completing 24-hour Buried-alive Challenge [VIDEO]
Published
16 hours agoon
May 10, 2024By
EditorNigerian man, Young C, has been successfully exhumed after spending 24 hours buried alive in a coffin.
Young C began the challenge on Wednesday, May 8 and has completed it.
At several intervals, Young C gave updates from inside the coffin.
His challenge however led to TikTok permanently banning his account.
READ ALSO: VIDEO: Nigerian Man Exhumed After Completing 24-hour Buried Alive Challenge
After he was ‘’exhumed’, he cautioned viewers against attempting similar stunts due to the inherent dangers involved.
Watch a video of him being exhumed below
Bauchi Lawmaker Pledges To Expedite Passage Of Bill On Reduction Of Out-Of-School Children
Watch Video Of Fuji Musician, Kwam1 That Has Cause Online Debate
EFCC Trial: ‘Even The Prophets Went To Prison’ – Buhari’s Minister Comforts Self In Court
Trending
- Headline4 days ago
ICYMI: Pandemonium During Church Service As Man Pulls Gun, Attempts To Shoot Pastor [VIDEO]
- Metro4 days ago
Kidnappers Sleep Off After Abducting Pastor’s Wife, Others In Ondo
- Metro5 days ago
Man Dies On Top Of Married Woman In Akure
- Headline3 days ago
Mother Throws Disabled 6-year-old Son Into Crocodile Infested River [PHOTOS]
- News3 days ago
‘I’m Considering Having 4th Child’ – Mother Of Three Who Breastfeeds Husband , 3 Kids [PHOTOS]
- Business4 days ago
ICYMI: FG Gives Deadline To PoS Operators To Register With CAC
- News2 days ago
The New Masquerade’ Actress, Ovularia Is Dead
- Politics3 days ago
Edo Poll: PDP Gubernatorial Aspirant Resigns From Party
- Headline3 days ago
‘Shame On You’- Ugandan Senator Knocked For Showing Off Wooden Bridge He Constructed
- Metro5 days ago
Soldier Dismissed For Sleeping With Colleague’s Wife