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Herdsmen Kill 42 In Zamfara
The Youth Commissioner presenting the award to PHCCIMA President while Prince Billy Gillis Harry and PHCCIMA DG, Erasmus Chukunda looks on.
About 42 people were reported to have been killed in Gidan Kaso town of Birnin Magaji Local Government area of Zamfara state by a group of suspected cattle rustlers, and properties of millions worth naira destroyed.
The tragedy, which was not the first of its kind, happened when the culprits launched an attack on the village and demanded the villagers to either surrender their animals to them or be killed.
As some of them complied with the directive, those who refused to obey were instantly fired, as a result of which many of them died, while others in an attempt to escape got serious injuries.
An eye witness account told newsmen that the attack was due to the alleged killing of one of the colleagues of the hoodlums which they vowed to revenge upon. “For the past 20 days now, these people have been threatening the residents of this town that they will attack it, and since then, the people have not been themselves following the fear put in their minds by the threat,” added the eye witness.
It also revealed that on the day of the attack, the hoodlums suddenly entered into the town after destroying the farm produce of the residents who now felt that the only option to them was to launch a counter attack on the hoodlums. “Immediately the hoodlums entered into the town, they opened fire indiscriminately on whoever they came across, irrespective of sex, as one woman was among the already killed people,” explained one sahabi mai taya, a resident of the town who narrowly escaped death.
Sahabi said he lost one of his relatives in the attack and all his farm products were destroyed, by the criminals, who up to the time of filling in this report were at large.
Numbering about 80, the suspects were also carrying different dangerous weapons, including AK47 riffles, axe, dungeons’ sharp knives and cutlasses among others in their hands.
The chairman of the council, Alhaji Aminu Sani, Jaja disclosed that only 15 people were killed and three houses burnt to ashes including that of the chairman vigilante group of the area.
Jaja stated that those killed have since been buried, while those with injuries were receiving medical treatment at various health institutions around the local government.
He called on the entire people, particularly the affected town, to always report any suspicious character to the nearest authorities, and also continue to pray for peace in not only the town, or local government, but also to the state and nation in general.
All efforts to talk to the spokesperson of the state police command, DSP Lawal Abdullahi proved abortive as all his phone lines were switched off.
Happy Birthday Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON
Honourable Minister Federal Capital Territory
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We’ll Drive Tinubu’s Vision in Rivers With Vigour – Fubara …Inaugurates Dualized Ahoada/Omoku Road ….Debunks Rift With RSHA
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that he will lead Rivers people to galvanize support for President Bola Tinubu to drive the vision and objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the State with vigour.
The governor, who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, explained that his decision to join the APC was not for personal interest but for the overall benefit of Rivers State.
Fubara disclosed these while inaugurating the extension of the dualized Ahoada/ Omoku Express road in Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
He commended the contracting firm, Julius Berger, for timely delivery of the project, saying the project is a campaign promise fulfilled which will bring economic benefits to the people and tackle issues of insecurity associated with the route.
He said his administration has remained focused in delivering democratic dividends in the state despite facing glaring challenges.
The governor thanked the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas for their continuous support, and urged his supporters to remain steadfast and also support President Tinubu who he said, has demonstrated love to Rivers State as a father.
Fubara denied having rift with the Rivers State House of Assembly, stating that his meeting with the lawmakers was stalled as a result of delay in the agreed meeting to be convened by former Governor Nyesom Wike and other stakeholders for him to meet with the state lawmakers.
“I have made every effort to meet with the Assembly members, but it is not within my leadership to initiate the meeting process.
“The arrangement was for my leader, Wike, and the elders led by Anabraba to call for a meeting with the the lawmakers.
“I’m a gentleman and principled. I can’t go behind to call them when we’ve already agreed. Whoever that tell them that I don’t want to meet with them, or I rejected proposal meant for them isn’t saying the truth,” Fubara said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry Works, Mr Austin Ezekiel-Hart, who gave the project description, said the delivery of the project was a fulfillment of long time dream by the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas.
He said the road was previously a single lane and has now been dualised to 14.6 meters wide, complete with solar-powered streetlights with drainages.
He said the road significantly would reduce travel time between Ahoada and Omoku while improving economic activity in the region.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Chuku Shedrack Ogbogu, described the road as a symbol of unity, oneness, and development, thanking the governor for fulfilling his campaign promises.
On his part, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Engr. Peer Lusbash, said the project was awarded to his company in 2023 with a completion period of 18 months which was achieved in best quality.
He added that Julius Berger enjoyed a good support from the Fubara administration, and assured to complete all ongoing projects being handled by Julius Berger on specification, especially the Ring Road project which is a legacy project.
Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring good healthcare for the people of Rivers State.
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?Governor Fubara stated this when he played host to the Country Director of UNICEF, Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef and her management team in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday.
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?The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, said he would continue to provide the necessary facilities in order to ensure accessible and good health care for all Rivers people.
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?”We are constructing new zonal hospitals across the State. The Ahoada Zonal hospital will be commissioned in December and others are near completion.
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?”We are grateful to UNICEF for all they have done and believe we can always work together to care for the vulnerable in the society. We appreciate your physical presence, and believe that your staff working remotely, can also do more virtually. We have a capable Commissioner of Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, to help foster our relationship, communication and greater collaboration,” he said.
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?The Country Director for UNICEF Nigeria, Ms. Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, assured Governor Fubara of UNICEF’s support to the programmes of the State Government. She appealed that health facilities such as the Oxygen Plant at Eleme Local Government Ares and the New Born Care Units be solarized.
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?”Be assured that UNICEF will continue to work and support the programmes here in Rivers State. We have seen the Oxygen Plant at Eleme LGA which has been effective because of the Public Private Partnership. We appeal that the plant be solarized.
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?”I commend your leadership of the State and assure that we are here to support your effort and assure you that you can count on our support and partnership. Rivers State is one of the states we can showcase how things are working so others can learn,” she added.
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