Connect with us


BIG STORY

Zulum Confirms Abduction Of 24 People In Chibok, Borno State.

Published

on

Babagana Zulum, the governor of Borno State, has confirmed that 24 people were kidnapped in the state’s Chibok local government area.

The town became well-known after Boko Haram abducted over 200 schoolgirls from a boarding secondary school in 2014.

Residents told the governor, who paid a condolence visit to the town on Monday, that four people were killed and 110 buildings were destroyed in the latest Boko Haram attack.

A statement on Tuesday by the spokesman of the governor, Isa Gusau said his principal “was in Chibok town on Monday following a recent attack on three communities: Kawtakare, Korohuma, and Pemi in the LGA.”

“The Governor met families of 22 women and two men abducted by Boko Haram/ISWAP during the attack,” the statement further revealed.

He said during the visit, Zulum invited relatives from the three affected communities made up of men and women and hosted them at the Government lodge in Chibok town.

Gusau said, “Insurgents had recently attacked Kawtakare on January 21, 2022, Pemi on January 14 after the previous one on Korohuma on December 30, 2021.”

The spokesman quoted the governor to have said, “We are here in Chibok to commiserate with you, immediate families of our sisters and brothers abducted as well as four of our brothers killed by the Boko Haram terrorists in these unfortunate incidents. We share your pains and we pray this act will not happen again.”

He said the governor after meeting the families, interfaced with heads of security agencies and discussed gaps and ways to enhance security in the communities.

According to Gusau, Zulum observed that four local government areas: Biu, Askira, Chibok, and Damboa were faced with serial attacks from the members of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in recent times, assuring that his administration will not relent in providing additional support to security operatives, to contain the challenges.

The Chairman of Chibok local government area, Umar Ibrahim while briefing the governor on the incident, said in addition to the 24 people abducted, three persons were killed by the terrorists during separate attacks on three communities.

The Chairman disclosed that a combined number of 110 buildings made up of 73 houses, 33 shops, and four churches were burnt alongside eight vehicles and three tricycles.

Zulum immediately directed that an assessment report containing all destructions perpetrated by the terrorists in the three communities be submitted to him.

He also commended the chairman of the council for his responsive leadership saying, “Let me specifically commend the efforts of the Local Government Chairman, because, despite the very limited resources, he has been doing his best to ensure that dividends of democracy are provided in Chibok.”

The Governor was accompanied to Chibok by the member representing Chibok at the state assembly,  Aimu Foni, Commissioner of Poverty Alleviation, Nuhu Clark who also hails from Chibok, and commissioner for Local Government and Emirate Affairs, Sugun Mai Mele.

Advertisement

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

BIG STORY

Lagos State Begins Strict Enforcement Of Styrofoam, Single-Use Plastics Ban Today

Published

on

In a bold effort to protect the environment and safeguard public health, the Lagos State Government has officially begun enforcing the ban on the sale and use of Styrofoam and single-use plastics throughout the state.

Commissioner for the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, confirmed that enforcement takes effect from today, July 1, 2025.

“Many believed that after the last period of grace, the state government would succumb to blackmail and the spread of half-truths to extend the deadline. But this is a total no,” Wahab said.

He stressed that the decision is rooted in the government’s responsibility to preserve lives, protect property, and promote the overall health of residents.

“There is no going back. Anyone found culpable will be prosecuted in accordance with the state’s environmental laws,” he added.

The ban seeks to address the environmental damage caused by non-biodegradable waste, which has been a major contributor to flooding, marine pollution, and public health issues in Lagos.

Residents, businesses, and food vendors are encouraged to switch to environmentally friendly packaging alternatives as part of the state’s ongoing campaign for a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable Lagos.

Continue Reading

BIG STORY

Law Enforcement Agencies Benefitted From Petrol Subsidy Scam — Former EFCC Chairman Bawa

Published

on

Abdulrasheed Bawa, former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), says law enforcement agencies were among the beneficiaries of the petrol subsidy fraud.

In his latest publication, The Shadow of Loot & Losses: Uncovering Nigeria’s Petroleum Subsidy Fraud, Bawa revealed that Nigeria lost $450 million to the subsidy scam under the Petroleum Support Fund (PSF) between 2006 and 2012.

He noted that several oil marketers involved were prosecuted and jailed, with 80 percent of the embezzled funds recovered.

During an interview on Arise Television’s programme Prime Time, Bawa pointed out that many individuals tied to the fraud were compromised.

“Everybody was benefitting from the scale and the scam, including law enforcement,” Bawa said.

“People can be compromised in such a way that they will look the other way around. It’s a general thing.”

The former anti-corruption chief also urged Nigeria to push back against damaging external narratives, particularly the idea of “relooting” recovered public funds.

He argued that the country must reject the perception that it is involved in “relooting the loot”, a term used to describe alleged misuse of retrieved assets.

“Nigeria should be able to challenge the international community that is always thinking negative about our country,” he said.

“This idea of relooting the loot shouldn’t be discussed against us as a country. Nigerians and non-Nigerians should have the ability to trust in our leaders.”

Bawa further stated that Nigerians have increasingly accepted negative portrayals imposed by foreign voices.

“It has now become like a norm among us Nigerians to take in what the international community perceives us to be,” he added.

When asked about the repeated controversies surrounding EFCC chairs, Bawa dismissed suggestions of political witch-hunting but acknowledged the recurring pattern.

“It’s just a phase that has to come and go. People always talk. Whether you’re telling the truth or not, people will say something,” he said.

Bawa served as EFCC chairman from 2021 to 2023.

Continue Reading

BIG STORY

Reps Kick As Ibas Allocates N24bn For CCTV, N30bn For Gunboats In Rivers’ 2025 Budget

Published

on

The ad hoc committee of the house of representatives overseeing Rivers state has criticised Ibok-Ete Ibas, the state’s sole administrator, over certain allocations in the N1.48 trillion 2025 budget.

The senate had approved the N1.48 trillion appropriation bill for Rivers state on June 25.

A breakdown of the budget shows that N120.8 billion is designated for debt servicing, N287.38 billion for recurrent non-debt spending, and N1.077 trillion for capital projects.

At a budget defence session in Abuja on Monday, Julius Ihonvbere, the house majority leader and chair of the ad hoc committee, highlighted several concerns after reviewing the proposal.

Ihonvbere raised questions about the N24 billion set aside for CCTV, the N30 billion allocated for gunboats, and the N23 billion marked as contingency funds. He called for a full explanation and justification of these figures.

He noted that the budget lacked a medium-term expenditure framework (MTEF), which is a statutory requirement.

Ihonvbere also questioned the state’s decision to finance federal projects without a formal reimbursement agreement from the federal government.

He requested detailed records of local government fund transfers, including how third-tier funds are currently managed.

“We need additional details for those allocations. We request details of the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in the last three months,” he said.

“That will enable us to know your financial flows so that we can weigh it against the deficit in the budget in terms of financing it and carrying out some of the projects.

“We also need details of transfers to local governments — essentially, how local government funds that came into the state are being managed at the moment.

“Those documents we have requested must reach us within 48 hours; rest assured that we are all on the same side in terms of getting Rivers working again.

“We want to ensure that we promote a lot of accountability and ensure that the interests of the people themselves, no matter how remote they are from the state capital, are protected.”

Responding for Ibas, Andrew Nweke, senior special assistant on strategy and policy, explained that many of the budget items were inherited by the current administration.

He said the allocations align with the priorities identified by the people of Rivers, following assessments conducted by implementing agencies.

Nweke said the CCTV allocation was intended for installing modern surveillance systems at the government house.

He also said the gunboats were designated for supporting security agencies in patrolling the state’s waterways.

He added that the contingency funds would be used to address emergencies such as flooding and insecurity.

He assured the committee that the requested documents would be submitted.

Continue Reading



 

Join Us On Facebook

Most Popular