NEWS
Insecurity in Minna: Niger Police Command Assure Residents of Safety

From Dan Amasingha, Minna
The Niger State Police Command has assured the people of the State that there was no cause for alarm as security agents are on top of the security challenge within Minna, metropolitan.
The Command Spokesman, Wasiu Abiodun gave the assurance while responding to what he called misinformation circulating in some online publications indicating that Minna residents jittery over high crime rate.
He debunked the claim, noting that the picture painted does not reflect the true situation in Minna metropolis.
“It is important to state that the Police Command has over time employed different security measures in addressing challenges of crime in Minna metropolis and the State as whole, which has been very helpful and fruitful.
“Recently, there were incidents of illegal miners/artisans encroaching into the premises of M. I Wushishi Estate in Minna for illegal mining activities which led to a rancour”
According to him, the Command consequently mobilised tactical units such as Tactical Support Team (TST) and Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) and raided the area where over twenty suspects, among the miscreants disturbing the Estate, were arrested and prosecuted.
He disclosed that, the Commissioner of Police CP Shawulu Ebenezer Danmamman directed for constant patrol of the area by the Operation Flush patrol teams and since then, constant police visibility has been intensified around the Estate.
“Therefore, it is not accurate to generalize that residents of Minna are grappling with high urban crimes.
To further clear this, these are some of the recent achievements of the Police in Minna which portrays the level of commitment of the Police in the State.
“Just today, at about 1000hrs, based on credible intelligence, Police operatives attached to Bosso Div recovered one fabricated revolver pistol with a baretta magazine and nine rounds of 9mm live ammunition which was concealed in a polythene bag along a narrow pathway at Tudun-Fulani area of Bosso, Minna.
He further explained that, on 19th November, 2024 at about 2158hrs, information was received that some suspected robbers trespassed into a residence within Nubuta area of Chanchaga LGA, Police tactical teams were quickly mobilised to the area, but the miscreants took to their heels and escaped from the scene while the following exhibits were recovered, after being abandoned at the scene;
-One locally made automatic pistol, six rounds of 9mm live ammunition, one blue Honda motorcycle, and a cutlass. Investigation of the incident is ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects.
“Equally on the same date, at about 0900hrs, information was also received that a Lexus GX vehicle with No ABC 431 BD was abandoned at a location within the Lambata area. Police operatives of Gawu-Babangida Div moved to the area and the vehicle was recovered to the Div”
SP Wasiu Abiodun disclosed that, Investigation is ongoing with these among other achievements shows that the Police are not resting on its oars in combating crime and criminality in the State.
“The crime rate in the State has been at its lowest ebb as shown in the monthly crime statistics record of the Command.
He assured that the Commissioner of Police reassured members of the public, residents and Nigerlites that the Police shall continue to live up to its statutory responsibility, as the commitment and dedication to security of lives and property is sacrosanct.
Agriculture
Tiv Monarchs Give Herders Ten Days Ultimatum To Vacate Tiv Kingdom

By David Torough, Abuja
The Tiv Area Traditional Council during its emergency meeting held yesterday in the palace of the Tor Tiv in Gboko requested the Governor Hyacinth Alia led administration to create an enabling environment to allow herders’ peaceful exit of farmlands in Tiv Kingdom to facilitate resumption of farming activities.
Consequently, the Council directs political and traditional rulers in each local government area of Tiv Kingdom to peacefully engage the herders to ensure their exit from the local government areas to allow farming resumes.
The Council which was chaired by the Tor Tiv himself, HRM Prof James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse CFR equally appealed to all herders in Tiv Kingdom in Benue State to vacate all Tiv lands before the end of May 2025 to allow farmers return and cultivate their farms in order to avoid the looming hunger in Nigeria.
According to a Communique signed by the Secretary of the Council Mr Shinyi Tyozua which deliberated particularly on the security situation in Tiv Kingdom the Council enumerated the communities worst affected to include those in Kwande, Katsina Ala, Logo, Ukum, Guma, Makurdi, Gwer West Gwer East and Buruku Local Government Areas.
The Council lamented that farming activities in the kingdom have ceased due to the occupation of farmlands by herders for grazing and attacks and killings of farmers who fled stressing that if the situation continues it will ultimately result to hunger in Tiv Kingdom and Nigeria as a whole.
NEWS
Karimi Raises the Alarm over Rising Insecurity in Nigeria

From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Chairman, Senate Services, Sen. Steve Karimi has expressed concern over the spiraling insecurity in the country, which has threatened and diminishes the “good work” done by the administration of President Bola Tinubu in the last two years.
Karimi in an interview with DAILY ASSET cited the resurgence of killings across the Federation, especially in states like Benue, Plateau, Kogi, banditry in the North-West and the renewed attacks by Boko Haram in the North-East, saying they must be investigated immediately. “This rise in insecurity is all over the country; on all sides, even in the North-East, there is the resurgence of Boko Haram; at some point, everything became calm, but now they are coming back.“Check other parts of the country, there is kidnapping now on the rise again, whether in the South-West, South-South or South-East; it is happening all over the place.“Almost on a daily basis, there is one reported incident of banditry or another in the North-West.“I consider this resurgence an attempt by desperate groups and individuals to discredit the good work this government of President Bola Tinubu has done in the last two years, especially now that talks about 2027 elections have started”, Sen. Karimi said in a statement in Abuja.Karimi, who represents Kogi-West Senatorial District, commended security agencies for the sacrifices they had made so far in service to their fatherland to guarantee the safety of lives and property across the states.However, the lawmaker called on heads of the agencies to confront the new challenge squarely by thoroughly investigating the factors responsible for the “regrettable development” and proffer urgent responses.“This government worked so hard over the last two years to contain the porous security situation it inherited, including the scaling up of the defence and security budget.“At the National Assembly, there has been collaboration to ensure that the targets of the government are met through the existing Legislative-Executive harmony, which is to guarantee safety for all Nigerians.“This was achieved at some point. Unfortunately, there is this sudden resurgence, which is threatening to spoil the President’s records. I suspect sabotage that calls for immediate investigation”, Karimi added.The senator’s intervention came amid plans by the Senate to convene a National Security Summit as an expression of further legislative response to the renewed security challenges.NEWS
FG to Convert JD Gomwalk House to National Job Outsourcing Hub – Tijani

From Jude Dangwam, Jos
The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Hon. Olatunbosun Tijani has disclosed that the federal government is set to convert the famous Joseph Gomwalk House Jos into a national outsourcing job hub in the country.Tijani during his inspection visit in Jos the Plateau State capital said installation of fibre cables and renovation works is expected to be completed in six months to come, adding that the centre is going to provide proper technical training for young people in the North Central region of Nigeria.
In his words, “As you know, we’re an extremely youthful country about 70% of our population is under the age of 30. For us, it’s a priority to ensure that we provide meaningful job opportunities for these young people.”While we’ve done extremely well with our 3 Million Technical Talent program, which focuses on training 3 million young people across the country, it’s also important that we find avenues to help them secure jobs. That’s why we’re in conversation with the governor of Plateau State, it’s one of the states we’re focusing on to see how we can accelerate the introduction of Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) jobs here.”Companies all over the world are looking to outsource job opportunities. Historically, they’ve done this with countries like India. But Nigeria actually has an advantage, we speak better English and we’re well-positioned to handle many of these jobs. That’s the direction we’re heading in,” he explainedTijani noted thus, “the goal of today’s visit is to assess the possibility of converting this historic building, the Standard Building, into one of the headquarters for BPO in the country. Our aim is to work with the state government to refurbish the building and then engage with companies that hire young people for BPO work.”Let me be clear, Plateau is not the only state we’re focusing on, we’re implementing this in a number of states. The federal government’s goal is to ensure that our programs reach everyone, everywhere.”Plateau State is unique, it stands out because education here is strong, the people are hardworking, and they speak high-quality English, an essential requirement for BPO jobs. Importantly, the governor is also forward-thinking. He’s been actively engaging with us to make this a reality in Plateau State, and we appreciate that kind of leadership.” He statedThe Minister commended the landmark development recorded in the state within the shortest possible time. “The structures on the Plateau under the Time administration are impressive. The governor is clearly committed to restoring Plateau’s glory, and that’s exactly what we need. This state has so much to contribute to national development.The Commissioner for information and communication Rt. Hon. Joyce Ramnap who accompanied the Minister on the inspection visit noted that the Plateau state government will continue to create an enabling environment for remarkable investment as they work closely with the federal government in the interest of Plateau people and the country at large.