09042021- Insecurity: Tension mounts in Imo, Abia, Rivers

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4 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021 :Vanguard News :@vanguardnews :@vanguardnews NEWS HOTLINES: 08052867023, 08052867058 LAUNCH: From left; Former Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje; former President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki; and Dr Jamiu Mujlhamned Salis, representative of the former Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, at the formal launch of the Abubakar Kawu Baraje Foundation in Abuja. Aisha Buhari’s ‘controversial’ posture endears her to Nigerians — OSINBAJO, TINUBU •Says she’s an unusual kind of First Lady •Her achievements have shown the need for the office of first lady – Tinubu By Johnbosco Agbakwuru ABUJA—VICE President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday showered encomiums on the First Lady, Dr. Aisha Buhari, saying she has with her views, forthrightness, truthfulness and once in a while controversial stance, endeared herself to Nigerians. National leader of All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu, also said the First Lady had proven the need for the office of first lady in Nigeria. He said contrary to the criticism of those who opposed the office, Aisha had been a voice of conscience in carrying out her role as first lady. Vice President Osinbajo stated this at the presentation of the book, “Aisha Buhari: Being Different”, written by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Administration and Women Affairs, Office of the First Lady, Dr Hajo Sani, at the Old Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja. He said the First Lady was always concerned about the issues that concerned ordinary Nigerians, especially those bordering on good governance, security, food for the people, education of children, prompt payment of pensions to army veterans, drug abuse, among others. Osinbajo described the First Lady as an unusual occupier of the First Lady’s office, whose spontaneity had redefined the role of the office. He said Aisha Buhari had taken steps outside the box of what used to be the personage and traditional roles in Nigeria’s presidential history, adding that her unusual approaches had endeared her to the Nigerian public. Osinbajo said: “Dr. Hajo Sani has written a most engaging book on an incredibly fascinating person, Her Excellency Aisha Buhari, Nigeria’s First Lady. It’s Strike still on, no concrete resolution reached — JUDICIARY WORKERS THE Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN said yesterday that its strike was still on because no concrete resolution had been reached. The legal adviser to JUSUN, Mariam Usuf-Gusau, stated this in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja. “The strike is still on while we await the outcome of the negotiation, we are not backing off until our demands are met,” she said. JUSUN began an indefinite strike on Tuesday over continued delay to implement financial autonomy for the judiciary. The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), had on May 22, 2020, signed the Executive Order 10 for the enforcement of the financial autonomy status granted to state legislature and judiciary in the Nigerian Constitution. Executive Order 10 of 2020, made it mandatory for all states to include the allocations of both the legislature and the judiciary in the first-line charge of their budgets. The order also mandates the accountant-general of the federation to deduct from source amount due to the state legislatures and judiciaries from the monthly allocation to each state, for states that refuse to grant such autonomy. “How can state high courts beg from governors for what is constitutionally theirs,” Usuf- Gusau sais. In the same vein, Sunday Adetola, an Abuja-based lawyer urged government to meet the demands of JUSUN for financial autonomy. Adetola told NAN, “Does government understand the symbiotic relationship between justice and social cohesion? Justice is the sacred womb where peace and tranquility are conceived and birthed. unlikely that any First Lady in Nigeria’s history has, in such a few years, captured the imagination of Nigerians as profoundly as Aisha Buhari. “She’s, of course, the first First Lady to be on Twitter, Instagram, and other social media platforms, getting her unfiltered views across to the Nigerian people and she’s probably the first to receive, in real time, the opinions of Nigerians on her views. “With her views, forthright, crisp, truthful and once in a while controversial stance, she has established an ongoing conversation with the Nigerian people. The issues that concern them most, the issues that concern us the most; good governance, security, putting food on the table, the education of our children, prompt payment of pensions to army veterans, drug abuse, the violation and victimisation of women and every once in a while she airs her own personal struggles, her annoyance, in a manner, probably unprecedented in the role of the First Lady anywhere. “There is no question that Aisha Buhari is different. Her difference has been to empower Nigerian people and there is never any question that her comments come from a good place, a place of genuine love and respect for the Nigerian people and our several concerns.” Making reference to what President Muhammadu Buhari said on the character of the First Lady, Osinbajo said, “Aisha, as the world has come to know her, is kind-hearted. This made her transition to philanthropy and humanitarianism easy.” The Vice President described the book, authored by Dr. Sani as a work that had summarised the past five years of the life of the First Lady in her husband’s administration, even as it successfully preserved highlights of the activities of the administration for history. He said the book explored the various aspects of the First Lady’s life; growing years, home front, life in public office, various sweet and sour encounters, as well as her philosophies and humanitarian ventures. Also speaking, APC national leader and former Lagos State governor, who was chairman of the occasion, Bola Tinubu, said Mrs Buhari had proven the need for the office of first lady in Nigeria. Tinubu said Aisha’s achievements had laid to rest the concerns of those who once argued that such office was illegal and not needed, and described her as a voice of conscience. Extolling the virtues of sincerity and courage among the invaluable contributions of Aisha Buhari, Tinubu said: “Given the first lady’s achievement, no one can reasonably question the role of a first lady any longer. “Remember that there were those who argued that the constitution does not assign any official role to the first lady. With Dr. Aisha Buhari, their concerns have been forever laid to rest. “(The) first lady has played an uplifting, unifying role, both in symbol and substance. She has been a voice of conscience calling us to be at our better self for the good of the nation and for the vulnerable among us. The role of First Lady provides critical support to the public functioning of the presidency. The author thus must be commended not just for documenting the background, education, career, family and public life of Mrs. Buhari in an enjoyable, easily readable manner but also in narrating the political and constitutional context within which Mrs. Buhari has moulded the position of the First Lady in Nigeria. The book presentation was attended by dignitaries from different walks of life and political divide, including former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan and wife of former Vice President, Amina Sambo, as well as former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs under the government of President Goodluck Jonathan, Godsday Orubebe. Others include Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Mr Boss Mustapha, who was represented by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege; Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, and governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi; wife of the Vice President, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo; the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Sa’ad Abubakar III, as well as state governors and ministers. Education key to addressing nation’s woes — Atiku, Saraki, others By Dirisu Yakubu & Fortune Eromosele A Vice BUJA—FORMER President, Atiku Abubakar, ex- Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, and national chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, yesterday, identified investment in the education of youths as the panacea to the myriad of challenges facing the nation. The trio spoke in Abuja at the launching of an educational foundation, championed by former acting national chairman of PDP, Abubakar Kawu Baraje. Lauding Baraje for the initiative, Atiku said the foundation birthed at the right time, given the need to “salvage our frail nation from the resultant negative impact of poor public investment in Human Capital Development, as evidenced in our abysmal ranking in the global Human Capital Development index.” The Wazirin Adamawa linked the nation’s poor investment in education to the country’s large army of out-of-school-children, legion of the unemployed, rampaging insecurity, rising poverty rate and persistent underdevelopment He said: “This calls for all hands to be on deck to break the vicious circle of illiteracy, unemployment, poverty and insecurity that have imprisoned our youth and nation as a whole. “This can be achieved if we continue to advocate for increased public and private investment in youth development and empowerment. It is a step that should be taken with all sense of urgency.’ “As at the second quarter of 2020, according to the National Bureau of Statistics, 13.9 million Nigerian youths are unemployed. It further shows that the highest unemployment rate was recorded for youths between 15 — 24 years ( 40.8 per cent) and followed by ages 25 — 34 years (30.7 per cent).’’ On his part, former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, said the security challenge in the land was due largely to the neglect of youths over the years. He charged government at all levels as well as traditional rulers to invest more in moral and spiritual education of the youths. Similarly, PDP National Chairman, Uche Secondus, chided the nation’s leaders for doing too little in the area of investment in education. “The country is in distress and we need to be putting down something that can reverse the trends “This is a foundation that will groom new leadership for Nigeria and the world. Our leaders lack mentorship and that is the problem. And that is why they get into office and the next thing they do is stealing of public funds,” Secondus said. The Abubakar Kawu Baraje Foundation, according to its founder, is aimed at providing quality education at no cost to children of the less privileged in the society. ACF laments Kaduna govt’s inability to rescue kidnapped Afaka students By Ibrahim HassanWuyo K Consultative ADUNA—AREWA Forum, ACF, yesterday expressed regrets over the inability of Kaduna State government to secure the release of kidnapped students of Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, Afaka, Kaduna, weeks after their abduction. Recall that five of the students were released by their abductors earlier this week. Rising from a meeting in Kaduna yesterday, the ACF in a communique signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Emmanuel Yawe, said: “The National Executive Council Meeting of Arewa Consultative Forum held a meeting in Kaduna today. The meeting was declared open by the National Chairman of the Forum, Chief Audu Ogbeh. After extensive discussions, the following resolutions were taken: “The Forum expressed satisfaction with the progress made so far with the reorganization and membership drive of the state chapters of the Forum. It however urged members to intensify efforts in this direction because as the apex socio cultural organization of all Northern people it needed people to be close to the people to serve them better. “The Forum also announced the setting up of Arecon Intergrated by the ACF to serve as a business arm and industrial hub since the Forum itself cannot engage in business activities. Already contacts have been made with the Minister of the FCT and some state governors of the North who have promised land to facilitate the takeoff of Arecon Ltd.. “On insecurity, the Forum expressed displeasure at the state of affairs in the north and in the country in general. The Forum condemned the activities of insurgents, kidnappers and bandits in the north saying that their activities are killing the peace and progress for which the north was noted for when the the founders of the region were in power. “The Forum decried the utterances of some actors and leaders who have sought to inflame regional, ethnic and religious passions out of the current situation in the country. The Forum called on Nigerian leaders to exercise restraint in their utterances in the current circumstances. “ The Forum was also briefed by parents of the kidnapped students of Federal College of Forestry Mechanization in Kaduna. “The Forum regretted that the kidnapped students had remained in captivity.''
vanguardnews @vanguardnews @vanguardnews Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021 — 5 POCKET CARTOON RESCUED—The five students of of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation Kaduna, who were rescued and presented to their families, yesterday. PHOTO: Olu Ajayi. Insecurity: Tension mounts in Imo, Abia, Rivers By Marie-Therese Nanlong, Chinonso Alozie, Ugochukwu Alaribe, Davies Iheamnachor & Steve Oko OWERRI — The raging storm of insecurity blowing across the country took a dangerous turn, yesterday, sweeping across Imo, Abia and Rivers states, leaving blood, tears and tension on its trail. In continuation of their attacks, which started on Monday and Tuesday, hoodlums attacked a police station in Mbieri, Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State. Two police officers were injured during the attack, three vehicles were damaged, while no fewer than four persons were said to have been abducted by the gunmen Gunmen also kidnapped the traditional ruler of Umueze Nguru in the Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of the state, Eze Charles Iroegbu, and members of his cabinet who accompanied him to a public function in the state. There was tension in Aba, the commercial capital of Abia State, following reported sporadic shooting by police personnel around Azikiwe Road and Jubilee Road just as a bag containing suspected explosive devices was discovered in a primary school in Umuahia, the Abia State capital The Police have barricaded all roads leading to the Correctional Centre and the Police Area Command in Aba. The flames of insecurity took a bloody turn in Rivers State where a battle for supremacy by cults for the control of an area led to the loss of three lives. Imo mayhem In Imo, suspected hoodlums, Wednesday night, attacked a police station in Mbieri, Mbaitoli Local Government Area and injured two police officers in a gun battle. Imo State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Orlando Ikeokwo, told newsmen in Owerri that the incident occurred at about 11:30 pm. He said no officer got missing or kidnapped in the attack, adding that the hoodlums were repelled by the officers on duty. The PPRO said: “Mbieri Divisional Police headquarters was attacked at about 23:30 pm but successfully repelled. Two officers injured are currently receiving treatment. The police station was not set ablaze. No officer missing or kidnapped.” However, an eyewitness told Vanguard said that no fewer than four persons were kidnapped. “The hoodlums arrived in two vehicles and as they tried to enter the station, the policemen on duty started shooting at them. The shooting lasted for more than 40 minutes. “At the end, as they were about going, we saw three persons they dragged into their vehicles around the police premises, including the ones already in their vehicles shouting for help.” Asked how many persons he saw, he said: “I saw four persons and I also heard a female voice shouting for help. We don’t know whether they are police officers because they were in mufti. They may be some persons they kidnapped along the road as they were coming to attack the Mbieri police station. “When the gunfire became too much, the hoodlums jumped into their vehicles with those they kidnapped and drove away,” he said. Fish out perpetrators, Imo govt urges security agencies, fingers exgovernor Reacting, Imo State government, through the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, said: “We have urged security operatives in the state to expedite their investigations into the recent attack on Police and Nigerian Correctional Services facilities by hoodlums to ensure the perpetrators are fished out and made to face justice. “The government also called on the security agencies to beam their searchlight on all possible suspects and avoid the temptation of focusing in only one direction to ensure that the brains behind the mayhem are fished out and prosecuted accordingly. “The government directed the security agents to expedite their investigation and make sure that no stone is left unturned and to beam their searchlight in all possible suspected areas and ensure that those who perpetrated this dastardly act are fished out and brought to book as quickly as possible.” In the last 72 hours, many police stations had been attacked in Imo State. They include Imo State Police headquarters, Ehime Mbano Police station and Mbieri Police station. Also attacked was the Owerri Correctional Centre. Emelumba, yesterday, blamed a former governor of the state for Monday’s attacks on some federal facilities in Owerri. He alleged that the former governor engaged thugs whom he had earlier granted amnesty to unleash violence in the state to prod the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in Imo. Addressing a press conference in Owerri, Emelumba averred that all that took place in the state on Monday had the imprimatur of the former governor. According to him, the fact that the former governor sponsored some northern youths who called for the declaration of a state of emergency in Imo barely hours after the attacks made him a culprit. Chief Emelumba alleged that the former governor wants to get back at Governor Hope Uzodinma for insisting on the implementation of the white paper that indicted him. The commissioner said all that happened on Monday were orchestrated to portray Uzodinma as an incompetent governor as a prelude to the declaration of a state of emergency in Imo by the Federal Government. Consult me on how we kept Imo peaceful, Okorocha tells Uzodimma However, immediate past governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha, has advised Governor Uzodinma to tow the path of consultation rather than confrontation in solving the security challenges in the state. Okorocha, now a serving senator, said despite the challenges of IPOB and other agitators during his tenure, he was able to keep the state peaceful because he consulted widely with relevant stakeholders. Speaking at Kuru, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State during a condolence visit to the family of late Mrs. Felicia Biskanga, Okorocha said except Continues on Page 26 By Providence Adeyinka & Cynthia Alo Alleged assault on securityman in Abuja by CCT chairman (4) No one should be above the law. If the Code of Conduct Tribunal chairman is found guilty of the offence, he should be made to face the music as a common citizen. No more, no less. Already, Falana said he is likely to be jailed if charges are pressed against him on the matter. —Akinwunmi Ibrahim, Photo Journalist What the CCT chairman did to the security guard over parking space in Banex Plaza, Abuja is absurd. I was surprised that those who were at the scene let him go without beating him up like he did to the poor security guard. If it were in a sane country, he would have resigned by now or sacked immediately. —Boiti Atayese, Haulage Expert What Mr. Danladi Umar, the Code of Conduct Tribunal chairman did was bad. He should be charged to court and left to me, he should go to jail and learn his lessons. This will serve as a big lesson to those oppressing the innocent citizens of this country. —Doris Aloku Businesswoman Such behaviour in public shows that some people in sensitive positions in Nigeria are not qualified to occupy such offices. For a senior public officer to publicly assault a security guard who was merely doing his job, leaves much to be desired. He should be prosecuted to serve as deterrent to others. —Prince Saviour Ichie, Entrepreneur He should be prosecuted. He assaulted a citizen of the country with evidence. A public officer should be more responsible. This is the kind of person the government of the day is giving power. If he can do this to an outsider, imagine what would happen to people working for and with him. —Christian Kanu, IT expert I think he should take responsibility for his actions. In a sane country, Danladi Umar, the Chairman of the CCT would have been suspended by now pending investigation of the shameful conduct. But, since it is Nigeria, it will slide. Such men don’t deserve to be in the corridors of power. —Zeelux, Media Influencer
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09042021- Insecurity: Tension mounts in Imo, Abia, Rivers

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