Gov. Agbu Kefas Declares Zero Tolerance for Banditry, Promises Safe Jalingo Under His Watch

The incumbent Governor of Taraba State, Dr. Agbu Kefas, has spoken out against the escalating bandit-related violence in Jalingo metropolis and various other regions within the state.

In no uncertain terms, Governor Kefas voiced his condemnation of these violent acts, declaring them as completely intolerable under his administration. He reassured the populace that his government is fully dedicated to devising and executing a comprehensive strategy to counteract such criminal activities and secure the safety of the state capital.

“The situation of bandit violence in certain areas of Jalingo metropolis has been brought to my attention. It is wholly intolerable, and I will not stand for it,” he stated.

Governor Kefas went on to assure the people of Taraba State, “My administration is relentlessly exploring innovative approaches to tackle criminal elements and ensure a safe state capital for everyone, with the ultimate goal of eliminating insecurity throughout the state.”

In his speech, the Governor also revealed that a specialized committee has been formed to address the problem, warning that the criminals’ reign in the state was drawing to a close.

Governor Kefas also appealed to the citizens to assist the government in its efforts by providing reliable information and staying vigilant within their communities. He emphasized that the government has full control over the situation and is unwavering in its resolve to reestablish peace and security in every corner of the state.

Police Arrest 13 Cultists, Rescue 3 Victims In Kaduna

In a sweeping operation, the Kaduna Police Command has apprehended thirteen individuals suspected of cult activities and armed robbery in Zaria, Kaduna State. The suspects, believed to be part of the Aiye confraternity, allegedly carried out their illicit activities in the Graceland community.

The police spokesperson, ASP Mansir Hassan, reported that the suspects were arrested following a night of violence and robbery in the community on September 10, 2023. The suspects, who reportedly stormed the community armed with machetes and other handheld weapons, were later tracked down and arrested in a nearby forest.

Hassan also revealed that the law enforcement officials successfully rescued three kidnapped victims from bandits supposedly allied with a notorious criminal kingpin. The victims were found during an extensive patrol in the Galadimawa area of Giwa LGA.

The Commissioner of Police Kaduna Command, CP Musa Yusuf Garba, has urged parents to closely monitor their children’s activities to prevent their involvement in illegalities. He also called on the public to promptly report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station or security outfit.

While praising his team’s efforts, the Commissioner emphasized the importance of community vigilance in combating crime. He assured residents that the Kaduna Police Command remains committed to protecting lives and properties across the state.

Devastating Land Conflict Between Cross River and Benue State Escalates, Claims 10 Lives

A tragic loss of life was reported yesterday as the ongoing territorial disagreement between the Ijiegu-Yache community from Yala Local Government Area in Cross River State and Mbaaka community from Konshisha Local Government Area in Benue State escalated. The conflict, primarily between young individuals, resulted in seven fatalities and has taken a total of 10 lives since its commencement on Sunday.

The violent confrontation has led to the destruction of at least 15 homes as the youth from these communities clash. Reports indicate that 10 individuals, including women from both communities, have been injured, some severely by machetes.

This enduring dispute, which has resulted in significant loss of life and property, has left many people hospitalized over the years. Augustine Adula, a community leader in Yache, disclosed to Vanguard that the conflict erupted during a church service.

Adula narrated: “A group of our young individuals sought to understand why the Tiv settlers had stopped paying the usual royalties for residing on our lands. In response, the Tiv individuals detained one of our youths, assaulted him, resulting in his death. This obviously incited a violent backlash. However, they were ready for this and launched an attack that killed seven of our people and destroyed 15 homes.”

Leonard Anyogo, Secretary of Yala and Cross River North Elders Forum, confirmed the unfortunate violence. Anyogo revealed that deputy governors from both states had previously made peace appeals in the community as they worked on resolving the issue. He stressed that the land in question historically belonged to Yache, and was previously the boundary between the Southern and Northern Protectorates.

Anyogo also confirmed that the state government and security forces have intervened in the situation. State Police Public Relations Officer, Irene Ugbo, verified the incident and asserted that officers have been sent to the area to help restore peace. Ugbo appealed for calm, emphasizing that violence will not resolve the issue, and only through peaceful dialogue will a solution be found.

SOKAPU Laments Resurgence Of Attacks, Killings By Terrorists In Southern Kaduna

Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) has condemned the sudden resurgence of attacks and killings in their communities, urging government to put more proactive measures to secure life and property in the state.

The Southern Kaduna indigenes expressed surprise over the sudden attacks and killing of innocent people in their communities, at the exit of Nasir el-Rufai.

President of SOKAPU, Prof. Ishaya Auta, stated, yesterday: “With sharp pains in our hearts, SOKAPU condemns, in strong terms, this barbaric attacks on our peaceful communities, killing of innocent souls and kidnapping of scores of our people.

“We are appalled by the sudden resurgence of terrorism and violence against innocent citizens in Southern Kaduna. For the past three weeks, Lere, Chikun, Atyap and other local councils have been experiencing different degrees of assassination, kidnapping and assaults of our people. We see these dastardly, cowardly and callous acts of banditry in all its ramifications as a direct affront to constituted authorities, which must not be allowed to continue.”

He called on the government at all levels and the security agencies to quickly come to the aid of Southern Kaduna people.
“We sympathise with the immediate families and friends of the victims, the entire Catholic Community in Fadan Kamantan, Kafanchan Diocese and Southern Kaduna at this tragic moment.
“While we continue to call on the government to be proactive on the defence of its citizens, we wish to appeal to all Southern Kaduna communities to remain calm and vigilant, and never take laws into their hands,” he added.

Appreciating Governor Uba Sani’s condemnation of the act in its entirety and the pledge to bring the culprits to book, the group urged government to use security agents to go after the bandits and flush them out of their camps rather than waiting for them to attack first then following with condemnation.

“The Sani administration has consistently and repeatedly assured us of his readiness to tackle security challenges not only in Southern Kaduna but in the entire state. We pray to God to give him the political will and grace to live up to his promises, so that Kaduna will bounce back again,” he said.

SOURCE: The Guardian

NSCDC trains 300 officers for schools in Middle Belt

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has organised a 5-day capacity building programme for 300 officers, to provide special security for schools across the Middle Belt States.

The capacity building programme for safe schools response team with the theme; “Exercise Safe Schools 2023″, commenced on Monday in Makurdi.

Speaking at the event, the Benue Commandant of NSCDC, Mr Yakubu Ibrahim, said the programme’s aim was to provide security for schools and their host communities.

Ibrahim stated that many schools in the Middle Belt were vulnerable to attacks by bandits and terrorists, due to lack of perimeter fencing and physical security presence.

He said those schools with physical security presence employed untrained personnel, and that was the major reason for the training for NSCDC officers, so that they could provide security for the identified schools.

He stated that the workshop would provide participants with the necessary skills to tackle security challenges in schools and their host communities.

The Commandant commended Gov. Hyacinth Alia for supporting the programme, disclosing that the governor had promised counterpart funding of the programme.

He enjoined the selected officers for the training to take it seriously, saying that security of school environment was key to attaining educational goals for development.

“You who are the lucky few selected for this training must stay focused because you will have to keep the education environment conducive and safe for learning as there is no development without education”, the commandant advised.

In his address, Alia, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof Joseph Alakali, said Benue was committed to safe schools policy.

The governor said a survey had already been conducted, and 28 schools were mapped out for safety coverage in Benue.

He promised that the state government would collaborate with the NSCDC to ensure security for schools and their host communities, in order to guarantee a seamless learning process in the state.

Also speaking, the Benue Commissioner for Education, Mr Frederick Ikyaan, thanked the NSCDC for choosing Benue for the training.

Ikyaan promised that state government would partner with the National Safe Schools Response Coordination Centre (NSSRCC), to ensure safety of students in their various places of learning.

In his speech, the Commander of NSSRCC, Mr Tersoo Shaapera, said the strategic objective of the safe schools programme could only be achieved with intentional work and support at all levels.

Shaapera therefore, called on all stakeholders to cooperate with security agencies as they strove to protect schools, learners, teachers, non-teachers, as well as host communities from attacks.

He tasked participants on collaboration with sister agencies after their training, to ensure success in their tasks, saying that lack of synergy would amount to wasted efforts.

Participants to the training were drawn from commands in all the states in the Middle Belt, Taraba and the FCT.

“Understanding Intra, Inter and Multi-Agency Arrangements for Enhanced Safe Schools Project” was delivered by Mr Stephen Okwunde from the office of the National Security Adviser at the event.

SOURCE: Vanguard

Tribunal Declares Ex-Plateau Gov. Lalong Winner Of Senatorial Election

The National Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal sitting in Jos, Plateau State has declared former governor of the state, Simon Lalong, who was the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the duly elected senator to represent Plateau South Senatorial District at the National Assembly.

Chairman of the three member panel, Justice Mahmoud Tukur held that the votes scored by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Napoleon Bali in the February 25 election were wasted votes as he was invalidly nominated.

The unanimous judgment held that as at the time of the nomination, the PDP had no valid structure in the state.

On the other grounds of over voting and non-compliance of the electoral laws, the panel ruled that the petitioners could not prove the allegations.

Similarly, the PDP also lost the Barkin-Ladi/Riyom Federal Constituency seat to Labour Party candidate, Dalyop Chollom.

The tribunal ruled that Peter Gyenden of the PDP was not validly nominated as at the time of his nomination due to his party’s no valid structure in the state.

SOURCE: The Pledge

Commander OPSH Meets Southern Kaduna Stakeholders, Vows To Deal With Perpetrators Of Attacks

The Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) and General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, has vowed to decisively deal with criminals perpetrating attacks leading to loss of lives and property in Southern Kaduna State. The commander made this known on Sunday 10 September 2023, during an engagement with key stakeholders from the 5 local government areas of Kaduna State covered by OPSH.

General Abdulsalam noted that the recurring isolated killings, destruction of farm, cow poisoning, cattle rustling, kidnappings and other sundry criminal acts must stop with immediate effect. He warned that those perpetrating insecurity for their selfish gains must embrace peace and find lawful means of livelihood or face the consequence of their evil motive. He further pointed out that, multifaceted measures are being considered to ensure the region remain untenable for the evil doers.

While fielding response from traditional, religious and community leaders of the area, the Commander also warned the people about the consequences of shielding criminals from the security agencies. He further decried the influence of drug addiction among the youth as a catalyst to criminalities in the area and called for sincere commitment of the people to the course of peace. ” I urge you all to take this message to the most remote communities, warn your subjects and take the lead in the speedy settlement of disputes in your domain”. he said.

Earlier, the Commander and members of his entourage paid homage to the Paramount Ruler of Atyap Chiefdom, His Royal Highness Agwatyap Dominic Gambo, where he reassured His Royal Majesty of his commitment to finding lasting solution to senseless killings and destruction of properties in the region using both kinetic and non kinetic lines of operations. The Commander further remarked that the response of personnel to distress calls has improved as more troops have been drafted to Southern Kaduna in the last 48 hours. He also assured of his commitment to justice and fairness as he vowed to deal with criminal acts, irrespective of tribe or religion

Those who spoke at the meeting were representatives from the Atyap, Fulani, Hausa, Ikuru, Cristian Association of Nigeria as well as Jamatul Nasir Islam, traditional and religious leaders. The speakers while airing out their challenges pledged to support the strategies of OPSH in ending attacks on individuals and communities in the area by fishing out the bad eggs and handing them over to the security agencies. The proliferation of small arms and light weapons was also noted to be a trigger to crisis in the region and all stakeholders were directed to mop up these illicit weapons and hand them over to the authorities at once.

Source: Zagazola