…..JTF Exhumes Remains of 74-Year-Old Man

David Torough, Makurdi

A security Joint Task Force (JTF) known as Operation Zenda, led by Chief Superintendent of Police, CSP Dr. Justine Gberindyer, reportedly discovered and exhumed the remains of Simon Ankau, a 74-year-old retired school principal and the biological father of Reverend Father Jacob Terkaa Ankau, the Parish Priest of St.

It is reported that the victim was kidnapped on April 18, 2023, in Chito in Ukum Local Government Area. He was subsequently killed and buried in a shallow grave near Gaya town, on the border between Ukum and Katsina-Ala Local Government Areas.

Sources indicate that Simon, being an elderly man, could not survive the trauma of the kidnapping and passed away after a few days in the kidnappers’ den. He was then buried in a shallow grave.
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The kidnappers demanded a ransom from the family, and when Mr. Simon’s wife and son brought the ransom, they were also taken hostage.

In May 2023, members of Operation Zenda successfully searched for and rescued the wife and son who had gone to pay the ransom.

The persistent search for Mr. Simon led the members of Operation Zenda to discover the shallow grave in Gaya village, located on the border between Ukum and Katsina-Ala LGAs.

CSP Justine Gberindyer, the commander of Operations Zenda JTF, has reiterated the Benue State government’s commitment to a zero-tolerance policy towards all forms of criminality. He emphasized that there was no place for criminals or their activities in Benue State.

However, he did not disclose whether any arrests were made in connection with the kidnapping of the 74-year-old.

The two LGAs of Ukum and Katsina have witnessed numerous criminal activities in recent times.

Marriage

By Yakubu Uba

Maiduguri, July 22, 2023 (NAN) Vice President Kashim Shettima, former President Muhammadu Buhari, Aliko Dangote, serving and former governors were in Maiduguri on Saturday to grace the wedding fatiha of Gov. Babagana Zulum’s son, Mohammed.

The serving governors at the event include that of Lagos, Yobe, Kwara, Gombe, Bauchi, Katsina, Ogun, Niger, Jigawa and Niger.

Other dignitaries include National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, Mohammed Indimi, Mele Kyari, Nasir El-Rufai, Abdullahi Ganduje, members of the National Assembly, and traditional rulers from within and outside Borno, led by the Shehu of Borno.

The marriage, at Maiduguri Central Mosque, was conducted by Chief Imam of Borno, Zanna Laisu.

Former President Buhari stood in as the groom’s representative (Wali). (NAN)

From Jude Dangwam, Jos

The Pandam National Wildlife Park in Plateau State, recently upgraded, is facing a severe threat once again, as hundreds of globally endangered species of trees are being indiscriminately cut down and transported out of the park.

Within just 10 days, numerous trees have been felled, particularly in the tourists’ village area, which holds the majority of the remaining large trees within the reserve.

An anonymous source within the park revealed to DAILY ASSET Newspaper that the large-scale logging operation is being orchestrated by the local governing authority of the park, with their retirement set for the end of July 2023.

“The situation in Pandam is dire; hundreds of trees have been cut down within 10 days. The reserve no longer has sizeable trees left to be cut down. The logging primarily targets trees of economic importance that are large enough to produce wood,” the source disclosed.

The targeted species of trees include “Lannea shimperi, Prosopis africana Trees of economic importance, Parkia biglobosa, Vitex doniana, and Vitelleria paradoxa.”

“These species are globally endangered, and a significant number of them have been chopped down. The logging is concentrated around the tourists’ village, where most of the remaining large trees in the reserve are located.”

Efforts to reach out to the Park Management were unsuccessful, but Chuwang Pwajok, the newly appointed General Manager of Plateau State Tourism Corporation, confirmed the unfortunate development, stating that necessary steps are being taken to address the situation.