A map of Taraba, a state in Nigeria’s North-East region.
Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have arrested two high profiled kidnappers in their watch list terrorizing Karim Lamido local government area of Taraba state.
The arrest follows an intelligence-gathering by men of the command on the activities of the kidnap kingpins.
Parading them before newsmen in Jalingo, the state capital, the commandant of NSCDC, Muhammed Waksha disclosed that more are still at large and their nets are spread across Taraba to get them arrested.
On the surge of kidnapping activities in Taraba state, Waksha reiterated that the command is working in collaboration with sister agencies to flush out hoodlums causing havoc in the state.
He called for more consciousness by residents of the state to always report suspicious movement in their domains.
The suspected kidnappers, Adamu Ahmadu 43 years and Yahaya, Madugu 65 years all confessed to having committed the crimes they are accused of.
A map of Taraba, a state in Nigeria’s North-East region.
Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have arrested two high profiled kidnappers terrorising Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State.
The arrest followed intelligence gathering by men of the command on the nefarious activities of the kidnap kingpins.
Parading them before journalists on Monday in Jalingo, the State Commandant of NSCDC, Muhammed Waksha, said that more are still at large and their nets are spread across Taraba to get them arrested.
“These two persons were arrested in two different locations in Same Local Government Area of Karim Lamido,” he said.
“They are high profiled kidnappers; one of them was arrested at Jebjeb community, while the other was arrested at Makko Community.
“The old man there is found to be taking arrested kidnap suspects on bail, so indirectly he is an accomplice and has been in the act for long.
“We arrested based on the intelligence report we have been gathering for long and we are still going to get those at large, they cannot escape our nets.”
On the surge of kidnapping activities in Taraba state, Waksha reiterated his commitment to collaborating with other security agencies to flush out hoodlums causing havoc in the state.
He called on residents of the state to always report suspicious movement in their domains, adding that the suspected kidnappers, Adamu Ahmadu and Yahaya Madugu, have confessed to having committed the crimes they were accused of.
Taraba State, Northeast Nigeria has been witnessing a surge in kidnapping activities with many underreported.
In this photo taken on January 6, 2021, Mr Suleiman Ibrahim gives his testimony before the Judicial Panel of Inquiry in Taraba State.
A 25-year-old carpenter, Suleiman Ibrahim, has told the judicial panel in Taraba State how his right leg was amputated.
Ibrahim informed the Justice Christopher Awubra panel which sat in Jalingo on Wednesday that his leg was amputated after he was shot at a close range by officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
He is also seeking N100 million as compensation for the damage done to his leg to help cater for the needs of his family.
The petitioner narrated that the shooting took place in March 2019, a few meters away from his residence in Jalingo metropolis.
He identified the alleged trigger-happy NSCDC official as one Sylvester Yunusa with service number 37938.
Ibrahim said,
On the 12th day of March 2019, at about 10am when I was at home with my two friends, suddenly my mum sort to know if my younger brother was at home because everyone was scampering for safety in the streets.
She asked me to go check him out with my friends and on our way, we heard gunshots and I told my friends to return home.
In the process, a civil defence vehicle double-crossed us, and one Sylvester Yunusa alighted from the vehicle and shot me on my right leg. Thereafter, two officers of the NSCDC came close to me with rifles and threatened to shoot me again.
When they left, I managed to knock on a nearby gate for safety. They opened the gate, pulled me in, and called my father to tell him.
My parents took me to the hospital, got me treated, and, thereafter, the doctors told my parents that the muscles holding the leg are no more, hence amputation will take place. My father insisted that my leg will not be cut off and sort for a referral to Kano where they said the same and my leg was amputated.
After the amputation, I was treated and returned to Jalingo. Officials of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) came around, got my submissions, and attached same with a petition to the commandant of Taraba NSCDC.
I was also taken to the NSCDC office where I was asked to get my witnesses and I did. My three witnesses were asked not to leave the premises of the NSCDC until the human rights commission intervened.
Justice Christopher Awubra and other members of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry at a sitting in Taraba State on January 6, 2021.
As Ibrahim shed tears while giving his testimony, Justice Awubra pleaded with him to compose himself and present his case, saying the damage had been done.
He also urged the counsel to the petitioner, Dalhatu Hamman, to plead with him to calm his nerves for the panel to get the true picture of what transpired.
The 25-year-old who said he is the eldest in the family of 18 and the breadwinner, lamented that his family, including his aged parents, have become mendicants due to his inability to attend to his profession.
After Ibrahim narrated his ordeal to the panel, Hamman pleaded for an adjournment in order to present more witnesses.
He told the panel that the amount being requested as compensation if granted would go a long way in putting smiles on the faces of his client’s family members.
In his remarks, Justice Awubra granted the lawyer’s request and adjourned the case until January 27.
A map of Taraba, a state in Nigeria’s North-East region.
The Taraba state government is appealing to the association of resident doctors in the state to suspend its strike action and have a rethink, by placing the interest of patients first.
The move according to the government is to have a meaningful negotiation for an amicable solution to the rationale behind the strike action.
While lamenting the timing of the strike action, the state government raises alarm over an increase in community transmission in the state.
The appeal is coming five days after the Association of Resident Doctors embarked on a strike action due to the non-implementation of an MOU both parties entered into.
A file photo of Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku.
The Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku, has said that the war against the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic can only be won by collaborative efforts by all Nigerians.
Ishaku stated this in a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Bala Dan-Abu, to commemorate Christmas.
The governor reminded Christians not to forget to pray against COVID- 19 which is still prevalent in the country even as they celebrate.
He also called for the continuation of strict compliance with the protocols of prevention which he said his administration has faithfully promoted.
While wishing Christians in the state happiness as they celebrate Christmas, the governor asked them not to forget the lessons behind the birth of Jesus.
Logo of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).
The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) in Taraba State have embarked on an indefinite strike action to press home their demands.
ARD President, Ahmed Gabriel, who disclosed this to journalists in Taraba on Friday blamed the decision on the alleged inability of the state government honouring its part of the agreement.
He lamented that medical personnel have been exposed to the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that the total number of resident doctors in the state is not up to 90.
According to him, the doctors are not happy with the inadequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) for the fight against coronavirus, non-implementation of the reversed Hazard Allowance and payment of COVID-19 inducement allowance and non-implementation of the N30,000 minimum wage.
Others were insecurity as they lament the kidnap and killing of their colleagues, non-ensuring of pay parity among doctors and medical internship training.
“Base on the W.H.O standard, the ratio of doctor to patient stands at one doctor to 600 patients, but in Nigeria currently the ratio is one doctor to 6400 patients, while in Taraba state it is one doctor to 33,000 patients and this is grossly inadequate,” he said.
“Currently the number of Doctors who are in Taraba State is actually less than ninety. The Taraba State Specialist hospital created 13 years ago has 19 permanent Doctors and Doctors on contract are 18 in number.
“You cannot build a system or run a viable system with this kind of arrangement and no internship training for medical interns, both nurses and medical laboratory unlike what is experienced in sister states.
“At the moment, there is the issue of COVID-19 pandemic and already the second wave is with us. So far, no medical health worker has been paid and the second wave is with us yet our morale is low.”
While recalling that Taraba has not recorded any fatality since the outbreak of the virus, he attributed the feat to what he described as the resilience of the health workers within the state.
He regretted that the state government has not honoured its agreement by paying the COVID-19 inducement allowance for health care workers.
“Majority of the doctors employed have left the state for greener pasture due to the inability of the state to implement salary scale for Doctors ”
“Majority of the doctors employed are young and there is a high tendency that they will leave and we want the government to look into that quickly.
“Within the state, we have more than 25 health workers that were exposed to COVID-19 pandemic and we demand implementation of the MOU entered into with the government,” he added.
This is coming more three months after the association signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the state government to meet some of its pressing demands.
A map of Taraba, a state in Nigeria’s North-East region.
The Taraba State government says it is deeply concerned about the resurgence of kidnappings in the state, despite its cooperation with the security agencies.
Governor Darius Ishaku made the remark on Monday at a press briefing in Jalingo, the state capital.
He noted the recent kidnap and release of a member of the Taraba State House of Assembly and others that were not reported.
The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Information, Danjuma Adamu, promised to do everything within his powers to bring the nefarious act to an end.
He insisted that the security of lives and property of residents remained a top priority of his administration.
Adamu, however, did not rule out some security challenges in the state sparked by the crisis between the Tivs and Jukuns.
Panacea To Incessant Conflicts
He stated that sustained and committed efforts of the government to ensure that peace was restored in the southern part of Taraba had started yielding fruits.
“Securing lives and property of citizens is a high priority of this administration and the citizens can play their role by actively lending their support to the government in its tireless effort to make the state safe and secured for all.
“The committee constituted to resettle the people of Chonku and Asaa communities has recorded appreciable level of success,” the commissioner told reporters.
He also announced the establishment of a model ranch and livestock training centre, as part of efforts to address the clashes between farmers and herders in the state.
According to Adamu, provision has been made for the project in the 2021 budget recently signed by the governor.
He said, “It is important to note that ranching system is the global best animal husbandry practice that can bring about increased productivity, improved livelihood of actors in the field, safety, security, job creation, peace-building, and social justice.”
“This is to help expose the people of the state to the benefits of ranching to encourage the herders, farmers, and the youths to embrace ranching as a panacea to the incessant conflicts between these two groups,” the commissioner added.
A file photo of Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku. Photo: Sodiq Adelakun/ChannelsTV
The Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku, has signed the 2021 appropriation bill into law.
Governor Ishaku, shortly after signing the bill into law at the governor’s lodge in Abuja said with the passage of the budget, the government is ready to begin full implementation in the new year.
He assured that the government will be strict in expenditure control to ensure efficiency in spending and accountability.
Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku, presents the 2021 budget proposal to members of the State House of Assembly on December 4, 2020.
The governor noted that the approved budget will improve the government’s deliveries in key areas such as infrastructure, education, healthcare, water supply, agriculture, and job creation.
Details of the bill as approved by the State House of Assembly shows that the state will be spending one hundred and forty-one billion, six hundred and twenty-five million, four hundred and thirty-five thousand, nine hundred and sixty-one naira, eighty kobo (N141,625,435,961.80) for the 2021 fiscal year.
Members of the Taraba State Judicial Panel of Inquiry hold their maiden session in Jalingo on November 9, 2020.
The Judicial Panel on Police Brutality and Restitution of Victims on Wednesday received a complaint of one Mrs Esther Iruoha who alleged that her husband was killed at a checkpoint by a police officer.
Esther Iruoha, through her counsel Elijah Nyaro, is asking the panel to conduct a thorough investigation into the shooting of her husband, Reuben Iruoha by a police constable, Danasabe Waziri and award the family ₦200 million as compensation.
The accused police constable Danasabe Waziri is said to have been arrested, tried and sentenced to ten years imprisonment which has led to his dismissal from the force.
The counsel however told the Justice Christopher Awubra-led panel that since the incident occurred in 2012, the police only gave the family ₦270,000 in preparation for her husband’s burial and since then, have not come to the aid of the victim’s family.
“Life has been difficult for the entire family since my husband was killed and I wish to appeal that justice is served,” he said.
Counsel to the police, David Wankari did not object to the pleas made by Elijah Nyaro after documentary evidence was tendered.
Justice Christopher Awubra accepted all tendered documentary evidence as exhibits and frowned at the manner in which the police is frustrating its hearing by their absence.
A map of Taraba, a state in Nigeria’s North-East region.
The Taraba State Police Command says its operatives have thwarted an attempt by armed men suspected to be kidnappers to abduct a Chinese national at Gindin Doruwa community, in Wukari Local Government Area of the state on Monday.
The Police Public Relations Officer, David Misal disclosed this to journalists on Tuesday in Jalingo, the state capital.
According to Misal, the kidnappers blocked the ever-busy Jalingo – Wukari expressway and have concluded plans to abduct the said Chinese national when the police intervened.
One of the suspected kidnappers was said to have been killed while exchanging gunfire as others escaped.
Misal disclosed that one AK47 rifle with two loaded magazines and 60 rounds of ammunition were recovered.
The ever-busy Jalingo Wukari expressway has been a source of serious concern for motorists and passengers alike who most times fall victim to their traps.
Most of these cases are underreported due to the victims being warned by their abductors not to disclose such to either journalists or security agencies.
A map of Taraba, a state in Nigeria’s North-East region.
One hundred and fifty-seven residents of Taraba State displaced by violence in Magami area of Jalingo have called on the government and well-spirited individuals to come to their aid.
A resident, Umaru Gambo, who spoke on behalf of others, made the call on Friday at a press briefing held at the secretariat of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the state capital.
Channels Television had reported that a fight over a lady’s love between two persons at a club in Magami led to the death of a young man and snowballed into a clash between two groups in November.
Worship centres and over 15 private houses and shops were said to have been looted and razed by hoodlums as a result of the clash.
About two weeks after the incident, Gambo described the burning of houses and looting of properties as a well-coordinated and targeted attack on the residents of the community.
He claimed that they gave prior notice of the impending attack to security agencies in Jalingo, but that did not stop the incident from happening.
The residents asked the security agencies to bring the perpetrators to justice, saying they would not hesitate to name the alleged sponsors of the violence at the panel of inquiry set up by the Jalingo Local Government Council to investigate the incident.
“That the government, NGOs, and public-spirited individuals should come to the aid of the affected people, security personnel should be deployed to the area to enable resettlement of the displaced populace,” Gambo told reporters.
He added, “Those that lost loved ones, properties and hospitalised should be considered by the government and NGO’s.
On their part, the police said they have commenced investigation into the incident and some of the perpetrators have been arrested.
The Police Public Relations Officer, David Misal, told reporters that peace has since returned to the affected community.
“A couple of arrests have been made, investigation is ongoing and so far, so good, we are not having issues there. The Commissioner of Police has been there himself and what is needed to be done has been done.
“We have placed our monitoring team in that area to put an eagle eye on the area and to restore confidence in the public,” he said.
Unknown gunmen on Wednesday kidnapped Barr. Bashir Mohammed, the member representing Nguroje Constituency in the Taraba State House of Assembly.
A family source who preferred anonymity said the Chairman House Committee on Information was picked up from his residence behind Dr Jalo Eid prayer ground in Jalingo at about 1:45 am.
The source also disclosed that during the operation which lasted for about three hours, there was no interference by any security operative to stop their operation.
A map of Taraba, a state in Nigeria’s North-East region.
Bashir joins the list of Taraba lawmakers who have been kidnapped in recent years.
In January 2018, Hosea Ibi, a lawyer who represented Takum II Constituency in the Taraba State House of Assembly, was found dead after he was abducted by gunmen on the 30th of December 2017.
