COVER
KDSG Shuts Telecoms Services over Insecurity
By Gom Mirian, Abuja and Jude Dangwam, Jos
The Kaduna State Government yesterday announced the closure of telecommunications services in some part of the state, with effect from Sept. 30.
The Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr Samuel Aruwan, made the announcement at a press briefing in Kaduna.
“I am here to inform you of, and to formally announce the implementation of certain measures to assist the security agencies in parts of the state.
“Relevant federal agencies have today informed the Kaduna State Government that the processes for telecoms shutdown in parts of the state have commenced as part of the steps to address the current security situation in the state and neighbouring states in the North-West and North-Central regions.
”“KDSG has held several meetings with security agencies to adopt critical measures towards crushing bandits in their identified hideouts.
“The military and other security forces have been carrying out assaults on the identified locations.
“The state government is advised that certain measures are now necessary to assist the spirited efforts of these security agencies.
“The following measures become effective from Thursday, 30 September –
“The complete ban on the use of motorcycles (Okada) for commercial or personal purposes, for three months in the first instance.
“Ban on possession of or wielding of dangerous weapons.
“Tricycles are allowed to operate only from 6am to 7pm. All tricycles must remove all curtains. Movement of all tricycles are restricted from dusk till dawn (7PM to 6AM).
“All vehicles used for commercial transport must be painted in yellow and black within 30 days. Vehicles that are part of ride hailing services are to carry yellow and black stripes.
“Ban on the sale of petrol in jerry-cans or other containers in Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Chikun, Igabi, Kachia, Kagarko and Kajuru LGAs,” Aruwan said.
The commissioner said other containment measures previously communicated by the Kaduna State Government remain in place.
These include the ban on felling of trees and forestry activities in Birnin Gwari, Giwa Igabi, Chikun, Kachia, Kagarko and Kajuru LGAs.
“Ban on firewood and charcoal transportation, ban on the transportation of livestock into and out of the State.
“Also, cessation of weekly markets in the frontline local government areas of Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Chikun, Igabi, Kajuru and Kawo weekly market of Kaduna North local government.”
The Commissioner said the state government regrets the severe strain and inconvenience these measures will place on peaceful and law-abiding citizens.
He appealed for the understanding and cooperation of all residents of the affected areas, and indeed across the State. These difficult times have demand that difficult decisions be made.
“The measures have been adopted purely in the interest of our collective safety and security, and to aid our brave forces in their fight against these mindless criminals.
“Too many lives have been lost, and too many families have been shattered.
“Small groups of wicked persons cannot continue to hold us to ransom, and force us to live in perpetual fear.
“The hardship we face will be temporary, and we are confident that in the end, it will pay off. Good will prevail over evil,” Aruwan said.
The Commissioner recalled that Governor Nasir El-Rufai announced in a chat with newsmen earlier in September that the state government has formally requested the federal government to enforce the shutdown of telecom services in parts of the state identified by security agencies as requiring such measures.
Independence Anniversary: IG Orders AIGs, CPs to Lead Security Operations
Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Usman Baba, has ordered Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) and Commissioners of Police (CPs) to lead security operations during the 2021 Nigeria’s Independence anniversary.
The Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Mr Frank Mba, made this known in a statement he issued yesterday in Abuja.
The IG had also directed AIGs and CPs in all the Zonal and State Commands and the FCT to ensure high visibility and confidence-boosting patrols.
He urged them to focus the patrol around the venues of the celebrations, residential areas and other public resorts, to prevent any infiltration by hostile elements.
Baba pledged the commitment of the Nigeria Police to ensure maximum security across the country ahead of the Nigeria’s 61st Independence anniversary.
He said the Force had put in place adequate security measures to protect the citizens and ensure the success of all the activities lined up for the celebration.
The IG said the idea was to prevent any untoward situation throughout the period and beyond.
He congratulated Nigerians on the occasion of the anniversary and pledged the unalloyed loyalty of the Nigeria Police to the sovereignty of the country.
Baba, also pledged the unflinching commitment of the Force to combat crimes and criminality in the country and ensure the safety of the citizens.
He urged Nigerians to go about the celebrations in the most peaceful and law abiding manner.
The I-G called for a new sense of pan-Nigerian spirit, patriotism, love and deliberate efforts by leaders at all levels at de-escalating ethnic tensions and suspicions in the land.
He enjoined the citizenry to continue to cooperate with the Police and other security agencies in the fight against crimes and criminality in the country.
Herdsmen Kill Four in Plateau
From Jude Dangwam, Jos
Four persons were ambushed and killed by people suspected to be Fulani herdsmen in Miango area of Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The victims were said to have been killed o Tuesday along the Twin Hill Road, of Jebbu Miango of Rigwe Chiefdom, Bassa LGA of Plateau State.
The National Publicity Secretary of Irigwe Development Association (IDA), David Malison told to DAILY ASSET yesterday in Jos that the two were killed instantly, while one sustained gunshot injuries.
“Four Rigwe people in Bassa LGA of Plateau State have been confirmed killed by Fulani Terrorists on Tuesday September 28th, 2021.
“Around 6:50pm, three persons on a motorcycle were ambushed along Twin Hill Road, Jebbu Miango, Miango District of Rigwe Chiefdom, Bassa LGA of Plateau State where two were killed instantly and one sustained gunshot injuries.
“They were on their way from Jebbu Miango to Miango community when the Fulani Terrorists laid ambush on them, the motorcycle was also burnt down to ashes.
“Same evening, two persons were killed in the farm at Nzhwerenvi Jebbu Miango,” Malison added.
He named the four young men killed as Bitrus Bulus 45 year old, Yakubu Chohu a 35 year- old, Friday Gani Kyeri 33 year-old and Kyeri Gani 19 year old lost their lives in the hands of the attackers.
Also, 27 year-old Musa Wah, was said to have been injured from a recent attack and is receiving treatment at the moment.
The Plateau State Police Command through the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Gabriel Ubah confirmed the killings.
“Four persons were ambushed and killed by yet to by identify persons. Security personnel have been deployed there while investigation is ongoing,” Ubah said.
By Tony Obiechina, Abuja Federal Government says it will consider using private sector funds through Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) as a funding option for certain key projects in the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology.This was disclosed when the Director General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Dr Jobson Oseodion Ewalefoh, paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Mr Uche Nnaji.
The meeting which was at the instance of the ICRC DG, sought partnership between the two government bodies to harness PPPs to advance critical projects that can boost the economic and technological growth of the nation. Speaking during the meeting, Dr Ewalefoh said that science and technology, if properly deployed, can serve as a key driver of the economic growth and progress of Nigeria.“Many countries around the world have used Science and Technology to drive the economic growth and prosperity of their country and people.“We are here to brainstorm with you and find ways by which we can deepen the usage of science and technology for the advancement of our country.“Over the last two decades, countries and businesses have harnessed technology and innovation for upscaling their economy and improve the efficiency in their service delivery.“That is where we want our country to go, and we believe that is the vision you are championing under the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.“It is, therefore, my aspiration that your ministry will partner with the ICRC to see areas where we can champion private sector funding through Public Private Partnership to develop some of the projects specific to the ministry,” he said.The DG informed the Minister that there was already a collaboration with an agency under its purview but stressed that there were other key areas where PPP could be harnessed to deliver laudable projects in the Ministry.He added that the commission has streamlined its processes to accelerate PPP project delivery and deliver important services to the Nigerian people, pointing out that some key private sector operators have already verbalised their desire to work with the Ministry in a PPP arrangement.In his remarks, the Minister expressed his excitement at the appointment of Dr Ewalefoh as the DG of ICRC, saying that the DG’s wealth of experience will revolutionise the PPP sphere in Nigeria, adding that, indeed, a square peg has been placed in a square hole.The Minister emphasised that the Ministry served as a key enabler of economic growth and has had the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu demonstrated through major approvals granted the Ministry.He said that the President had given approval for methanol production, saying that although the implementation process were still being finalised, foreign direct investments for the project has reached over $1.5 billion.“We want to go into beneficiation of raw materials and we have the presidential executive order number 5 to back it, such that we don’t have to export our raw materials, but process it to a level before exporting. We are looking at doing green hydrogen, too,” he said.He stressed that Nigeria could make a lot more from cassava export than it was currently making if the raw cassava was processed before export.“We believe that with ICRC, we will partner in doing things right and enabling us to forge a better outlook for most of these projects.“In methanol, we are going to involve ICRC more closely to see the way forward and how it can benefit the country better.“I am happy that you are here; coming here shows that you know what you are doing. You are taking services to those that need it,” he said.
From Attah Ede, Makurdi
Gunmen suspected to be Fulani armed militia, on Wednesday night, reportedly invaded Anyiin town in the Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.
Multiple reports indicated that no fewer than 15 persons were killed in the attack, leaving several others with varying degrees of injuries while yet to be ascertained number were missing.
The attack, which was said to have been launched at about 6:30pm by the well-armed Fulani herders, caught the community unawares as the invaders reportedly emerged from different locations shooting at everyone in sight.
The attackers, who were said to be numbering about 200, were reported to be wielding AK-47 rifles and other sophisticated weapons, operated for about three hours.
An eyewitness and community leader in Anyiin town, Chief Joseph Anawah, said the armed herders overwhelmed security operatives stationed in the town because of their large numbers.
He said it was a coordinated operation, stating that the alleged Fulani terrorists took residents of the town unawares, surrounded the town and shot sporadically.
Anawah said some of the villagers who ran for their dear lives were caught in an ambush laid by the invaders.
He listed some of the victims to include: Mr Orihundu Ati, a retired primary school supervisor and the son of a kindred head.
Also killed was a son to a Chief of Staff to a former Logo council chairman, Tordoo Suswam and a relation of a late District head of Ukemberagya, Zaki John Chembe.
Anawah listed Ukemberagya, Tswarev, Mbawar, Gov, Mbainange, and Tombo among neighbouring communities earlier displaced by the invaders and whose residents were taking refuge in Anyiin before the latest attack.
The community leaders appealed to the federal government and the Benue state government to revive an abandoned Mobile Police barracks project along Akwana-Anyiin-Wukari road to secure the lives and property in the communities.
They lamented that farmers in the affected communities could not harvest their crops because they were being killed and abducted on their farms by the armed invaders.
According to them, communities along the Benue-Taraba border are the worst hit by the marauders’ incessant attacks.”This is the second attack in one month by the Fulani terrorists. On Oct. 9, they attacked Ayilamo town, the headquarters of Tombo Council Ward and killed scores of people. As I speak, people are deserting Anyiin town for fear of the unknown”, Chief Anawah said.
By Ubong Ukpong, Abuja
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas yesterday described growing malnutrition and food insecurity as great threat to Nigeria’s economic stability and public health.
Inaugurating the Local Organizing Committee for the National Assembly summit on nutrition and food security in Abuja, the Speaker reiterated the urgent need for legislative action to restore the country’s productivity and public health.
Abbas who was represented by Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Okezie Kalu noted that Nigeria’s rate of malnutrition is among the highest in sub-Saharan Africa.
He noted that malnutrition, especially among children, stunts physical and cognitive development, impacting long-term educational and economic potential and contributing to broader societal challenges.
The Speaker assured the lawmakers’ full support for the committee’s initiatives, urging collaboration with State Houses of Assembly to create a unified approach to combating food insecurity.
He said, “The need for this National Summit on Nutrition and Food Security has never been more urgent.
“This organizing committee’s mission is to foster collaboration across ministries, engage both public and private sectors, and create a platform for lawmakers, experts, and community leaders to address the root causes of food security challenges.”
The chairman of the committee, Chike Okafor said there is malnutrition across Nigeria, particularly in the north spiking by 51 percent among children.
He described the situation as a humanitarian crisis exacerbated by recent floods in Adamawa, Maiduguri, and Jigawa, which have disrupted food supplies nationwide.
According to him, the summit will help to in the formulation of policies to tackle food insecurity.
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