Just as negotiation is still on to free the kidnapped students of a school in Kagara, Niger state, gunmen have kidnapped students of another government secondary school in Zamfara State.
The CHANNELS TV is reporting that the latest attack occurred at Jangebe in the Talata-Mafara local government area.
Confirming the incidents to Channels Television via a telephone conversation, the state commissioner for information, Hon. Suleiman Tunau Anka said the gunmen stormed the school around 1 a.m today and abducted the students.
He however did not confirm how many students were kidnapped.
As of the time of filing this report, all attempts to reach police authorities in the state have proved abortive.
Mr Ijeoma arrived in South Africa in 1998 to study at the University of Pretoria. He is now accused of bigamy.
Having earlier renounced his Nigerian citizenship, Edwin Ijeoma, a professor of public sector economics at the University of Fort Hare, was left in the cold after his South African citizenship was revoked by the country’s ministry of home affairs. He is now stateless.
Mr Ijeoma, who arrived in South Africa from Nigeria on a study permit in 1998 to study at the University of Pretoria, was found guilty of fraudulently relying on a bigamous marriage to a South African woman to obtain citizenship by naturalization, local media Times Live reported.
The don was granted permanent residency in the southern African country the same year he graduated from the University of Pretoria, after being exempted from immigration restrictions due to his marriage to a local woman two years earlier.
By 2005, the academic, who obtained a PhD in economics in 2003, was granted South African citizenship through naturalisation, but in 2007 he divorced his South African wife, ostensibly because the couple was unable to conceive a child, according to Times.
Thereafter, the newspaper added, he was joined in South Africa by a Nigerian woman, Anne Tomo, who, in her application for permanent residence, attached a copy of her 1993 marriage to him in Nigeria, tipping off home affairs officials that Mr Ijeoma had committed bigamy.
Officials said on both occasions when Mr Ijeoma made submissions to immigration authorities in South Africa, when he was asked to indicate an immediate family member still residing in Nigeria, he listed Anne Ijeoma as his sister – not his wife.
Officials held that Mr Ijeoma’s sole mission in marrying the South African woman was to acquire citizenship, and he has now had his citizenship revoked by the ministry of home affairs.
The verdict followed a suit he filed against the home affairs ministry before the Bhisho high court.
The court’s acting judge, Mickey Mfenyana, upheld the initial judgment from 2020 which found Mr Ijeoma guilty of falsifying his marital status to the department, thereby making his South African citizenship null and void.
Abductors of the 27 students and 15 workers of Government Science College, Kagara, Niger State, have threatened to starve them to death if the ransom they are demanding is not paid on time.
One of the abductors stated this in an audio recording made available to one of our correspondents on Wednesday by a prominent Islamic cleric, Sheik Ahmad Gumi.
In the audio recording, the abductor, who spoke in Hausa, was heard conversing with a negotiator, identified by Gumi as a top official of the school.
He rejected N2.7m offered him as ransom for the 27 abductees.
The bandit stated, “I don’t have food for them. If anybody dies among them, we will tell you where to go and pick the corpse.
“You know these children are hungry. I don’t have food to give them, only water if they are going to die, let them die.”
The negotiator said it would be difficult for him to get the phone numbers of all the parents as requested by the bandits.
The bandit responded that he was aware that many security agents and vehicles had been deployed in Kagara, vowing they would not succeed in rescuing the abductees.
He asked, “You think I don’t know what you people are doing? I can tell you how many security vehicles are in Kagara as we speak.
“It is with the help of the people of the city that intruders can overrun the city. Don’t you know that? The person who gave us this business is there among you. He is there with you. Wherever you go, he is watching you. If you want to do this deal, go ahead. From God we come and to him we will return
“Even if you put together the entire security forces of Nigeria in Kagara, I have eyes all over Kagara. Whichever step you take in Nigeria, I swear, I will know. You people are saying they should not pay us, that if they pay us, we will use to money to buy weapons. With whose money did we buy our weapons? If we don’t have weapons, you will just send security agents to kill us and take the children.”
Appealing to the bandit, the negotiator stated, “They (parents) have agreed to pay N2.7m. Each parent will pay N100,000 .”
But the abductor rejected the offer threatening to unleash terror on Kagara.
The abductor stated, “If I want Kagara to be in peace, it will be in peace. If it is not going to be in peace, it will go in pieces from here until Ilorin. If I die in this process, I have children that I have instructed that if I die that I don’t want Kagara to be peaceful if you don’t do as I say. Even if I die, nobody will come into Kagara.”
He also berated governors, who said they should not be paid ransom.
He added, “Governors are saying we should not be given money because we are going to use it to buy guns; guns that Allah provides and you are boasting about.
RESOLUTIONS OF NORTHERN STATES GOVERNORS’ FORUM MEETING WITH NORTHERN STATES EMIRS AND CHIEFS HELD ON THURSDAY 25TH FEBRUARY, 2021
The Northern States Governors Forum in its effort to address the challenges bedeviling the Region, held a meeting today Thursday 25th February, 2021 at the Council Chamber, Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna. The meeting was also attended by the Deputy Speaker and other Members of the National Assembly, the Chief of Staff to the President, Minister of Information and Culture, the Inspector General of Police, Director General States Security Service, Chairmen of the Northern States Traditional Rulers Council led by His Eminence the Sultan of Sokoto amongst others. After extensive deliberations, the following resolutions were arrived at:-
The Northern States Governors Forum resolved to work assiduously and jointly with the Federal Government in tackling the challenges of insecurity in the Country to create conducive atmosphere for socio-political economic growth and development of the Country.
The Forum reiterated its commitments to work in synergy with their Southern counterparts and appealed to their colleagues to extend their presence in the northern part of the country in order to enable harmonious and peaceful coexistence among citizens and other ethnic nationalities.
It was resolved that the Northern Governors Forum would partner with the traditional institutions, religious leaders and all relevant stakeholders in the entrenchment of communal harmony, peace and security of the region and the country at large.
The NSGF resolved to put more efforts in enhancing the security and safety of all schools within their domains and therefore, urged the Nigerian Security Agencies to collaborate with the various States Governments towards achieving this noble objective.
The Forum resolved to address all humanitarian challenges facing the internally displaced persons through provision of enabling facilities and re-integration back to their communities.
The Forum further resolved that all the States would work in synergy with the security agencies to address the intra and inter border porousity in order to arrest illicit / illegal border movement.
The Forum also resolved to address the menace of ‘Yan’Sakai’ (Volunteer Vigilante Service Providers) in some States through meaningful engagements and legislation.
The Forum reiterated its commitment towards inclusion of the rural dwellers especially farmers/ herders through the provision of equitable opportunities for socio-economic and political participation both in public and private sectors.
The meeting resolved to collaborate with meaningful individuals and corporate organizations to invest in areas of Agriculture and Mining Industries in order to improve the economy of the Northern Region and Nigeria at large.
The Forum calls for due diligence in the execution of the Federal Government initiative in its economic sustainability plan wherein N700 billion Naira is earmarked for the project in order to address farming, animal husbandry and other agro-allied business. This effort will create jobs opportunities thereby creating wealth for our teaming population.
The Forum received various reports from the Committees constituted by the Northern States Governors’ Forum and resolved to look into the Report for possible implementation. Finally various presentations were also made by individuals and corporate organizations for the promotion of the Region. His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Barr. Simon Bako Lalong KSGG, Chairman, Northern States Governors’ Forum.
The Senate, yesterday, confirmed nomination of AbdulRasheed Bawa as substantive Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
All together,18 senators took their turns to interrogate Bawa for hours that the screening and confirmation lasted. With his confirmation, Bawa became the fifth person to head the anti-graft agency, which came into existence in 2003.
During questions and answers session, the new EFCC chairman said the commission would review its use of police officers in its operations. “The use of policemen and officers will be based on needs.”
Bawa said repatriation of wealth stolen and kept abroad would be the main focus of the EFCC under his watch and the agency would improve on its use of “Unexplained Wealth Order (UWO) “ policy to check against corrupt practices.
On Senator Ali Ndume’s question on whether EFCC would continue to use the UWO despite the fact that Nigeria is yet to domesticate it, Bawa informed the Senate that section 7 (1) of the EFCC Act empowers the commission to investigate and even prosecute people based on the UWO.
The new EFCC boss pledged to ensure that the use of discretion is avoided, promising to act strictly in accordance with the EFCC Act. On alleged using of the EFCC to witch-hunt political opponents, Bawa said: “We are going to fight corruption and not people. There is a difference between fighting corruption and fighting corrupt people.”
As Nations & State continue to take advantage of Technological explosion for sustainable development and capacity building of its population, the Plateau State Information & Communication Technology Development Agency (PICTDA) has re-instated its commitment towards making Plateau State a conducive environment for tech freelancers, remote developers and creatives.
PICTDA held a parley discussion with the various security agencies and young people within the technology and creative sector on the new virtual work force of the 21st century which it said must allow it thrive.
DG PICTDA
The Plateau State Information and Communication Technology Agency is working towards granting protection to all tech freelancers, remote workers and creatives living in Plateau State against any form of harassment from security agencies. PICTDA intend to profile each and every one of them and grant protection to each of them.
Cyber security has become a thing of concern lately and as much as fraudulent activities keep rising, the Government of Plateau State is aware that there are those who are genuinely working virtually and deserves to be protected. We have taken time to sensitise the security agencies on the new virtual workforce and why these young people deserves to be protected. In the coming days we would be issuing statement on the new profiling guidelines.
In attendance was the Commissioner Science and Technology, Hon. Gyang Musa who reiterated Governor Lalong’s untiring efforts towards ensuring a more friendly environment for innovation and technology growth.
Hon. Musa Gyang
Plateau State Commissioner of Science & Technology Expected Impact: That you carry a laptop bag would no longer mean you are a fraudster as you would be given identification that is verifiable by security personnel and also a desk office to be created within PICTDA and the Police Headquarters for such purpose. Jos now welcomes all remote developers, freelancers and creatives who are looking for where to settle and work from. Governor Lalong is working towards creating the best technology ecosystem in West Africa.
PICTDA appreciated partners, Plateau State Internal Revenue Service, Alewa House and nHub as well the security outfits present.
All virtual workers who work within the tech and creative ecosystem would now be documented to enable ease of business and protection of lives and future of the emerging virtual workforce community in Plateau State.
PRESS STATEMENT GOVERNOR LALONG VISITS ABU, KADPOLY, SAYS EDUCATION AND AGRICULTURE, THE PATH TO EMANCIPATING THE NORTH. Ahead of the meeting of the Northern States Governor’s Forum scheduled for Kaduna, Plateau State Governor and Chairman of the Forum, Simon Bako Lalong has visited the Ahmadu Bello University and the Kaduna Polytechnic as part of assessment of some legacies of the founding fathers of the Northern Region. Governor Lalong who started the visit at the ABU Zaria was received by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Kabiru Bala and top management of the University. Governor Lalong said the visit was a fact finding one which was at the instance of the Northern Governors Forum which is desirous of revitalizing the legacies of the founding fathers of the region and repositioning the economic fortunes of the region. He said “The areas that can fastrack the emancipation of the North today are agri ulture, education and industrialisation. That is why we as Northern Governors Forum are meeting in Kaduna to discuss many issues concerning the region. We have to take major decisions on the future of the region as we work towards overcoming insecurity, poverty, illiteracy and unity. We have to revisit the ideas of Sir Ahmadu Bello and other founding fathers that set up major foundations for growth and development”. He said ABU is one of the few legacies of the Northern Region still standing which must be sustained through active collaboration between the Northern States and the Federal Government. He promised to table the challenges of the Institution before his colleagues with assurance of action to be taken. Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University Prof. Kabiru Bala said the visit of the Chairman, Northern Governor’s Forum is timely as it will assist the school address some of its challenges. The Vice Chancellor later took the Governor to a tour of the Institute for Agricultural Research, National Agricultural Extension and Liaison Services, the Institute of Administration and the faculty of law where he obtained his first degree. The Governor recieved a rousing welcome from staff and students and reunited with some of his lecturers. Later on, the Governor visited the Kaduna Polytechnic, another legacy institution of the Northern Region where he was recieved by the Rector, Prof. Idris Mohammed Bugaje. He said the institution was the foremost Polytechnic in Nigeria which has churned out top technicians who contributed to building the infrastructure of the region and Nigeria as a whole. He assured that the Northern Governors Forum will do everything possible to revive the fortunes of the school as there is a huge skill gap not only in the region but the nation as a whole. Rector of the Polytechnic Prof. Idris Bugaje deecried the lack of equipment in the school over the years which greatly limited the capacity of the school to keep pace with technological developments. He said the School lost some accreditations which are being gradually restored because of recent interventions. He also told the Governor that the school has introduced courses in Railway Engineering, Gas technology and also trained quality assessors. Governor Lalong later visited the Hassan Usman Katsina House and Arewa House in Kaduna. Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State and Chairman, Northern Governors Forum. 24th February 2021
STOP MAKING A STORM IN A TEA CUP, APC BERATES PLATEAU PDP OVER GOVERNOR LALONG’S COMMENTS.
The confused faction of the PDP in Plateau State is at it again! – making a storm in a tea cup over Governor Lalong’s comments during an interview on Channels TV on Tuesday 23rd February 2021 where he was alleged to have said that not only herdsmen carry arms.
Predictably, the ever crude factional spokesman of the moribund party in Plateau State John T. Akans came out smoking from all cylinders in an attempt to resurrect the evaporated fortunes of the rejected PDP which has since been rejected by the good people of Plateau.
Apart from his mumbled rambling in the uncoordinated Press Release, he was sighted on different social media platforms dissipating energy in trying to make maximum gains from the Governor’s appearance on the program. He viciously circulated a 34 seconds portion from the almost one hour interview with the hope to inflict massive damage on the Governor and the APC.
Alas, he succeeded hugely among the few, dispersed, gullible and disgruntled members of the faction of his party and a few other haters of Governor Lalong who derive pleasure in any venture that derides the Governor, and in their view capable of pulling him down using their usual score cards of religion, ethnicity and hate.
Sadly and very unfortunately, the total mission of the factional spokesman and his tattered faction failed woefully among majority of the people of the State and others around the world who are discerning, informed, intelligent and dispassionate in looking at issues from broad perspectives rather than the myopic tendencies of the dead PDP and remnant of its scattered flock.
For the benefit of those who did not watch the interview but relied on the propaganda extraction by Spokesman Akans and his team, here is what has generated sleepless nights for those the PDP want to brainwash.
“Today, we are now seeing the hazard of allowing people do open grazing here and there. But they (herders) also want solution; by the time you explain to them, they also want to stay in one place, they would also want to keep away from carrying AK-47. I’m not justifying anybody to carry AK-47 but don’t forget that in the course of our deliberations and investigations, it was not only Fulani herdsmen that were carrying AK-47, even farmers were carrying AK-47 to protect themselves. This is because of the failure of the security architecture which we must address immediately”
How this self-explanatory and patriotic comment has become a feast for the factional PDP opposition group beats the imagination because those who are objective cannot take just 34 seconds to analyse a one hour interview. Besides, the out-of-context voyage of the PDP does not hold water as they are inputing what the Governor never said.
For the benefit of the doubt, the Governor never encouraged or endorsed herdsmen bearing arms. Neither did he support any other group such as farmers, mechanics, kidnappers, politicians, cultists and other unauthorized persons in carrying AK-47 and other weapons. He merely cited the fact that because of the failure of security system, non-state actors including herders, farmers, etc are carrying arms, a situation that must be addressed quickly.
But the PDP faction twisted it to appeal to their isolated, gullible and disgruntled followers particularly on the social media by saying that Governor Lalong accused farmers of carrying arms. What an ingenious lie!
The question is, if the Governor wanted to make such direct accusation, will it be on TV? Is the PDP faction now the Chief security officer of the State? Do they have the intelligence report that the Governor has? Are they making excuses for people in possession of unlicensed arms? What point are they really trying to make? What is their goal?
Here is an advice to the moribund PDP faction: 1. Exploiting insecurity will never bring you back to power in Plateau State because the people measured your 16 years and found you wanting on all counts particularly on security. 2. Governor Lalong and the APC has succeeded in dymistifying your lies by restoring peace in the State, a situation that pains you dearly despite the fact that killings have drastically fallen to an all time low. He has succeeded where you failed woefully and you cannot stomach it. 3. The Governor’s main goal of discussion on the program was to talk about how the insecurity in the country can be tackled wholistically and not to justify any illegal arm bearer. 4. To resort to the use of uncouth language “taut, yesman” in reference to a Governor by a party which is desperate to occupy that office is most uncharitable and condemnable. Only a denigrated opposition party can go this low. Thankfully, they can only dream of the seat. 5. Latching on this fabricated storm by the PDP faction to again call for the Governor to resign is not only disingenuous, but a dead-on-arrival proposition to appeal to the fantacies and emotions of a failed party. Governors do not resign because of press releases please and certainly His Excellency, Rt. Hon. (Dr) Simon Bako Lalong, KSGG, Executive Governor of Plateau State and Chairman, Northern Governors Forum will not resign! He has a job to do and he is doing it with all his might. He is not perfect, but he is focused.
Finally, the APC wishes to again advise and warn the PDP and its myriad of factions to stop making wild and inciting statements that further divide and polarise the people. They should either key into the consolidation of peace, security and the search for unity in Plateau State and Nigeria championed by Governor Lalong or keep their peace.
Mallam Bashir Sati APC State Secretary, Plateau State. 24th February 2021
Plateau state Governor Simon Lalong has expressed shock over the sudden death of Flight Lieutenant Henry Piyo who died in a plane crash on Sunday .
It could be recalled that one of the Nigerian Airforce aircraft, a Beechcraft KingAir B350i (NAF 201), crashed while returning to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja after reporting engine failure enroute Minna on Sunday morning .
Lalong in a condolence message he personally signed to the family of the deceased reads that I received with shock the sudden death of your son FLT Lt Henry Bitrus Piyo who died in the ill- fated air crash of the Nigerian Air Force reconnaissance aircraft king Air 350.
Indeed Plateau State and the nation has lost a vibrant, committed and dutiful officer who served the country throughout his career in the Nigeria Air Force with dignity ,courage and zeal..
This young gentleman who died in active service for the security of the nation will continue to be remembered as a hero and model for the youths who gave his life for the betterment of Nigeria.
While we mourn his sad demise,we have every reason to give glory to God for his life of sacrifice .As believers,we hope of being re-united in glory at the feet of our Lord Jesus Christ.
On behalf of my family, the people and government of Plateau State,and indeed the northern Governors forum, I offer my deep condolences to your entire family. May God grant his soul eternal rest and comfort us all.
Lalong is a nationalist, his comments on farmers bearing arms is the bitter truth – Plateau group
By Prince Sekat,Jos
Group operating under the aegis of Plateau Regeneration group on Tuesday said that the comments attributed to Governor Simon Lalong during an interview on Channels TV, Sunrise Daily on Tuesday 23 February, 2021 where he bared his mind on security challenges bedevilling the nation particularly herdsmen bearing arms is nothing but the bitter truth .
In the said interview, the Governor was alleged to have said that not only herdsmen carry AK-47 as even some farmers also carry arms to protect themselves from the failure of the nation’s security architecture to protect them.
The Governor’s comments appear to have raised dust among social media users particularly on the Plateau with many quoting portions of the appearance to lash out at the Governor.
The group in a statement made available to newsmen and signed by Pam Datri the spokesman of the group in Jos said what Lalong said was nothing but the bitter truth .
“As a group we are solidly behind our Governor spoke the truth and nothing but the truth.
The statement reads that It is unfortunate that the comments of the Governor which were spoken in truth and in pursuance of lasting solution, were taken out of context by people who have pre-concieved motives and do not see beyond their noses. We are not surprised that the issues raised generated discourse unnecessarily.
“We want to state unequivocally that there is a proliferation of arms in the hands of non-state actors who are not from one tribe or religion. There is therefore nothing wrong if the Governor averred that not only herdsmen, but others carry arms illegally. Can the critics of the Governor swear that only herdsmen commit violent crimes with AK-47 and other weapons? Who are those involved in kidnapping, banditary, robberies, destruction of farms, attacks on villages, killing of innocent people, cattle rustling and cultism? Are they from one tribe or religion? The statistics from the security agencies speak differently as people of different backgrounds are involved in crime.”
We call on people of the state to support Governor Lalong instead of crucifiying him , Governor Lalong is nationalist who is determined to better Plateau and Nigeria .
Lalong is doing well as Governor and chairman of the Northern Governor’s forum ,lets continue to support him ,he added .
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