Tag: Taraba State

DSS Parades Serial Impersonator And Suspected Fraudster In Taraba

 

The Department Of State Security (DSS) has paraded a 45-year-old man for parading himself as a personnel of the service and defrauding people.

The suspect who hails from Lafiya Lamurde Local government area of Adamawa State is said to have defrauded people in Gombe, Yola and Jalingo before being traced and arrested on June 27, 2020 at a hotel in Jalingo.

Parading the suspect before newsmen in Jalingo on Friday, the Assistant Director Enforcement, Tayo Balogun, identified him as Adamu Jonathan and noted that he was convicted in 2017 to serve a three-year jail term for committing the same offence, before being released but clearly he returned to the same old ways.

One of the recent victims of Jonathan is a 55-year-old divorcee and mother of four who he is said to have met in Gombe and had a virtual wedding ceremony laced with deceit.

“Jonathan who was hitherto a Christian, claimed to have converted to Islam and now bears Shuaibu Adamu in order to fulfill one of the conditions offered as prerequisite for marriage by the said affluent woman,” the DSS stated.

“He was discovered to have made away with several belongings of the purported wife, to an elusive matrimonial apartments in Jalingo. The said properties could not be traced to any location, suggesting that they might have been sold.

“The suspect deceitfully collected the woman’s Honda Odyssey vehicle with promise to buy her a brand new Toyota Vibe car when he receives his leave allowances and other packages from the service”.

But according to the DSS, he rather began to use it for commercial purposes, “traversing Bauchi and Gombe states, while deceiving the woman that he was at his new duty post in the Nasarawa command of the service and therefore was not released to visit her in Jalingo, owing to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and several operations he was purportedly saddled with”.

The anti-graft agency further noted that the suspect will be charged to court soon.

It, however, warned members of the public to be wary of characters like Jonathan who go about impersonating the service and defrauding people of their hard earned resources.

According to the service, the suspect confessed to committing the crime and also regretted his actions.

He also claimed not to have made any money from the act, contrary to the DSS’ claim that he had made over N400,000.

COVID-19: Taraba Govt Commissions 100-Bed Space Isolation Centre

 

In a bid to contain the spread of COVID-19 in Taraba State and enhance adequate treatment of victims, the state government has commissioned a 100-bed space treatment centre.

Located at the NYSC orientation camp Sibre, Ardo-Kola Local Government Area of the state, the treatment centre was provided by a commercial bank as part of its contributions to the Coalition against COVID-19 (CACOVID).

According to a representative of the bank, the intervention was also aimed at lifting from the government, the huge burden of fighting the coronavirus alone.

Governor Ishaku, represented by his Deputy, Haruna Manu, also stated that the state is making plans to provide more treatment centres across the state.

Ishaku To Catholic Community: Stop Inciting People Against My Government

A file photo of Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku. Photo: Sodiq Adelakun/ChannelsTV
A file photo of Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku. Photo: Sodiq Adelakun/ChannelsTV

 

Governor Darius Ishaku has asked a Catholic Community in Taraba State to desist from ‘inciting people against his government’. 

According to the governor’s statement late on Thursday, a Catholic community under the aegis of National Catholic Diocesan Priests Association, Jalingo Diocesan chapter is criticizing the Taraba State governor for not doing much to nip in the bud the crisis between the Tivs and Jukuns in the state.

At a press briefing held in Jalingo, the Catholic Church is said to told newsmen that armed banditry, rape, unwary destruction of lives, and property, has become the new normal for the people of Taraba.

The Catholic church stressed that human lives have become so cheap that it takes no second thought to be wasted, just as they call for a more consolidated approach by the state government in ending the feud.

READ ALSO: Security: Excuses Will No Longer Be Tolerated, Buhari Tells Service Chiefs

They also sort to know rhetorically if the state government is comfortable with the incessant and continuous crisis in the state.

Reacting to their criticism, the state Governor Darius Ishaku warned the Catholic Community to desist from inciting residents of the state against his government.

According to Ishaku, he has together with the Benue state Governor explored all available measures to broker peace between the two warring tribes but all to no avail, yet he is not relenting in his quest.

Ishaku insisted that he is willing to challenge anyone who is trying to make worse what his administration is making frantic efforts to get with peace.

He added that if the catholic community has nothing to offer, they should keep calm, as he is more than ready to get back peace to Taraba state for the growth of the state’s economy.

Taraba Govt Condemns Renewed Attacks, Vows To Apprehend Perpetrators

A file photo of Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku. Photo: Sodiq Adelakun/ChannelsTV
A file photo of Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku. Photo: Sodiq Adelakun/ChannelsTV

 

The Taraba State Government has condemned in strong terms the barbaric attacks on individuals and communities in the state and warns the attackers to desist forthwith.

This is coming on the heels of a renewed militia group attack that has engulfed Maigoge and Tunga communities in Bali Local Government Area of the state.

Briefing journalists in Jalingo the state capital, the State’s Deputy Governor Haruna Manu disclosed that the attack came only a few days after the killing of a pastor and his wife.

He directed security agencies to go after members of the militia gangs responsible for the attacks and killings and to ensure that they are brought to book.

He also ordered that security be beefed up in communities that are being targeted by the attackers to guarantee the safety of lives and property.

READ ALSO: Police Arrest Man Seen Kissing Minor In Viral Video

Below is the full text of the press briefing by the Taraba Deputy Governor, Mr. Haruna Manu.

The Taraba State Government is greatly dismayed by the recent attacks by militia groups on Maigoge and Tunga in Bali Local Government Area of the state resulting to the death of innocent people. During the attacks many houses were burnt including those of a village head and a youth leader.

These attacks came only a few days after the killing, also by a militia group, of a pastor of CRC-N Church in Mararaba, Donga LGA, – Emmanuel Bileya, and his wife, Juliana while they were working on their farm.

The government condemns in very strong terms these barbaric attacks on individuals and communities in the state and warns the attackers to desist forthwith.

His Excellency, Gov Darius Dickson Ishaku has consequently directed that security be beefed up in communities that are being targeted by the attackers to guarantee safety of lives and properties. He has also directed security agencies to go after members of these militia gangs responsible for the attacks and killings and ensure that they are brought to book.

Furthermore, the government is determined not only to stop the militia attacks but to ensure lasting peace among the various groups in Central and Southern Taraba communities.

This task will be accomplished soon and government wishes to appeal to all well meaning people in the state to support the on-going peace efforts.

One COVID-19 Patient Escapes From Isolation Centre In Taraba

Map of Taraba

 

One out of the eight persons confirmed to be positive to the coronavirus in Taraba State has escaped from the NYSC Isolation Centre.

The Chairman of the Taraba State Technical committee on COVID 19, Innocent Vakkai, disclosed this while briefing journalists in the state capital, Jalingo on Saturday.

 

He identified the patient at large as Talatu Idris, noting, however, that efforts are in top gear to find her.

Meanwhile, Vakkai stated that the government has procured two additional ventilators to assist in the treatment of patients.

On the repatriation of Almajiris in the state, he insists that those that test positive to the virus will be isolated before repatriation, while those that turn out to be negative will be repatriated to their states of origin.

Police Nab Major Supplier Of Arms And Ammunition, Rescues 10 More Children In Taraba

Map of Taraba
Taraba is a state in Nigeria’s North-East region.

 

Police in Taraba State has arrested a suspected major supplier of arms and ammunition, Mr Dayyabu Usman.

According to a statement on Thursday, the police say Mr Usman was arrested with two craftily made AK 47 rifles.

Parading the suspect alongside others, the police public relations officer in Taraba, David Misal, disclosed that investigations revealed that the gun runner has been in the business for more than 10 years as a major supplier.

Misal adds that the suspect is responsible for supplying sophisticated firearms to mischief-makers, particularly kidnappers and armed robbers in various parts of Taraba and other states of the country.

READ ALSO: Policeman Kills Wife, Self Over Alleged Infidelity

”It is also interesting to note that two fabricated firearms that are craftily made and well packaged to look like AK47 rifle, which has the capacity to be manipulated as such were recovered from him.

”Major features of the locally made rifle include a well-constructed magazine with the capacity of containing 30 rounds 9mm of live ammunition and it’s also automatic.”

The police spokesman also noted that a suspected accomplice – Ibrahim Bako, was also arrested with two 9mm live ammunition.

Giving an update on the suspected child trafficker Mary Yakubu who was arrested and paraded on March 2nd, 2020 for planning to traffick 23 children at a park in Bali LGA of Taraba, Mr Misal disclosed that 10 additional children have been rescued from the suspect who kept them in an isolated area.

According to him, the ten children comprises of six females and four males who were rescued in Mararaba Donga town, Donga LGA of Taraba state.

Misal noted that the suspect led a team of investigation police officers to where the children were kept, apparently in preparation to be transported to another part of the country in pursuance of her nefarious acts.

He said that the children have been handed over to the Taraba state ministry of women affairs and child development.

Similarly, the police also paraded 12 suspected militia group members and recovered a hand grenade and 19 rounds of 7.62M live ammunition.

Misal said ”Intelligence report at the disposal of the police indicated that some unscrupulous elements suspected to be militia with intention of to unleash mayhem were sighted, armed with dangerous weapons and dressed in military camouflage around Jauro Jagan and Alingora village of Ardo-Kola LGA.

”Detectives attached to CID were drafted to the area to trail the suspects, on sighting the police officers, the hoodlums hurriedly fled and abandoned one AK47 magazine with 19 live ammunition and hand grenade.”

Also paraded is a suspected murderer Musa Abdul who was contracted to kill one Mohammed Lawal a resident of Jauro Manu village in Gassol LGA of Taraba.

The police spokesman said an investigation revealed that Musa Abdul and nine others currently at large were hired by one Alhaji Ibrahim Manu who promised to pay them 2 million naira.

He also stressed that the mastermind of the crime provided two AK47 rifles to them and was returned after executing their plans.

Three suspected kidnappers were also arrested and paraded in connection with the kidnap of one Rabiu Haruna in Gassol LGA while rearing cows in a bush.

The suspects led a team of policemen to the scene where the victim was kept, rescued him and recovered one fabricated Barretta pistol, a double-barrel gun, 14 cutlasses, five rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, one round of 9mm ammunition and charms.

The police in collaboration with the vigilante group also arrested and paraded two armed robbery syndicates, responsible for various armed robbery and other crimes along the Serti-Bali high way.

Taraba State Gets New Police Commissioner

 

Taraba State has gotten a new Commissioner of Police, CP. Ahmed Mohammed Azare, following the retirement of CP Alkasim Sanusi FSI.

Sanusi had retired on December 31, 2019, handing over the responsibility of the Command to Azare.

Azare holds a B.A in education from the Bayero University Kano.

According to a statement signed by DSP David Misal (MNIPR), the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), in the state, he is the 24th CP in the state and prior to his appointment, he was the Commissioner of Police in-charge of Servicom Force Headquarters Abuja.

“He was enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force on the 03/03/1990 as cadet superintendent of Police and rose to the present rank having served in so many formations within the force in various capacities which include DPO Nguru Yobe State, DPO Gwoza Borno State, Area Commander Funtuwa Katsina State, DC CID Kaduna and Kano State etc.

“He is a professional Police officer with vast experience in policing both within and outside Nigeria,” the statement added.

The Force also appealed to the public to accord him maximum cooperation as he is determined to partner with the communities in pursuing a more effective and vigorous community policing.

Azare also warned criminal-minded individuals, as well as those who might be sponsoring them, to have a rethink and stay out of crime, stating that his leadership will clampdown on all criminal elements until offenders are apprehended and prosecuted.

Taraba Needs Peace To Grow And Develop, Says Governor Ishaku

Photos: Sodiq Adelakun/ChannelsTV

 

Taraba State Governor, Darius Dickson Ishaku has congratulated Tarabans who are alongside the entire global community celebrating the beginning of the new year 2020 today. He has also urged them to thank God in their various special ways for the privilege of witnessing the beginning of the new year.

Governor Ishaku said the year just ended was one of immense challenges for Taraba State.

He said, the communal crisis in Southern Taraba, kidnapping, herdsmen’s unprovoked aggression against Taraba people and other forms of crimes and criminality threatened the very foundation of the relative peace that his administration had achieved for the state.

Ishaku said it is gratifying to note that the end of the year 2019 and the beginning of 2020, has commenced on a very peaceful atmosphere.

READ ALSO: New Year: Governor Buni Grants Pardon To Six Inmates In Yobe

He said the credits for his achievement belongs to the government, security agencies and all the good people of Taraba State.

The governor further stated that it remains a joint responsibility to ensure the sustenance of the peace now prevailing in the state.

He urged all Tarabans to show tolerance, eschew bitterness and to forgive one another.

“Our diversities should be seen as a source of strength and not a reason to promote hatred and bitterness. Taraba State needs peace to grow and develop. Our resources may be inadequate to meet all our needs for rapid economic and infrastructural development but peace can make all the difference. Peace will pave the way for strategic planning for development. I will, therefore, remind you all even now, as I had always done in the past, to give me peace so I can give you development,” the governor stated.

Governor Ishaku further stated that the second phase of his rescue administration is now fully constituted with the appointment of commissioners and the presentation of the state appropriation bill for 2020.

He said his government is set to hit the ground running, adding that he will fastrack the development of the state and provide for the welfare and well-being of the people under his Rescue Agenda template.

The governor urged all to pray for the administration and against crisis and conflicts as the new decade heralded by the year, 2020 gets underway.

“As we mark the beginning of this new year and a new decade, let us all resolve to contribute in a special way to make our state great.”

Governor Ishaku Visits Power Minister Over Mambilla Project

Photos: Sodiq Adelakun/ChannelsTV

 

The Taraba State Governor Darius Ishaku on Monday visited the Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to discuss the abandoned Mambilla Power station in the state and how to complete the project which was anticipated in 2018.

Details of the meeting will be updated shortly. See Photos Below.

Gunmen Kidnap Nursing Mother In Taraba, Demand N20m Ransom

Taraba Assembly Holds Last Plenary, Remembers Departed Members

 

A nursing mother identified as Sabina David has been kidnapped by gunmen in Taraba State.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Monday at the Kasuwan Bera area of Ardo-Kola Local Government.

Describing the incident, her husband, David Akipa, said the abductors came in their numbers shooting sporadically and on hearing the gunshots approaching his house, he fled, leaving his wife and the newborn.

According to him, when he returned home after some hours, both the wife and newborn were nowhere to be found.

Read Also: Armed Men Abduct Three Persons In Taraba

He further stated that he later got a call from the kidnappers who were demanding a N20 million ransom for their release.

Also speaking with Channels Television, an eyewitness, Gambo Danjuma, explained that the operation and shooting lasted for over two hours without any interference from security agencies resulting in many of the residents scampering for safety.

When contacted about the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer David Misal said the matter is yet to be reported to his desk.

Five Killed, Several Injured As Gunmen Attack Taraba Communities

Taraba Assembly Holds Last Plenary, Remembers Departed Members

 

Five persons have been killed by gunmen in Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State.

The chairman of the council Mr Daniel Grace confirmed the incident to Channels Television on Wednesday.

According to him, two were killed at Numa village, one at Toshan, while the other two were killed at Yoyina.

He further stated that many others were injured in the course of the attack and are currently receiving treatment.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, David Misal, however, said that only three were killed and that is what was reported to him by the Divisional Police Officer of Wukari.

“A commercial vehicle travelling from the East to Mubi in Adamawa State was shot at sporadically by suspected militia at a village near Wukari in Taraba State and a passenger was killed in the process,” he said.

“We also got information that two persons were killed on their farmlands in Wukari LGA”.

Misal further stated that the police has since been drafted to the affected areas to curtail further breakdown of law and order.

Tiv/ Jukun Crisis: Taraba Govt Holds Security Meeting With Stakeholders

Taraba Assembly Holds Last Plenary, Remembers Departed Members

 

The Taraba state government has held a security meeting to bring to an end the unabated clashes between the Tiv and Jukun tribes in the state.

The meeting which is a follow up to the one held in Abuja, was held behind closed doors and some recommendations were made.

Briefing journalists shortly after the meeting, the state’s Deputy Governor Haruna Manu disclosed that a committee will be set up on Monday, September 16, where 15 persons from both Tiv and Jukun will present their interests.

Manu added that a joint patrol team involving all security agencies in the state will be set up with dedicated lines for distress calls to curb kidnapping and banditry.

Beyond that, he also noted that another recommended was that both Benue and Taraba states will liaise with the National Boundary Commission for adequate demarcation of their boundaries in order to minimise the conflict between the two tribes.