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Bauchi Lawmaker Raises Alarm Over Threat To Life
The member representing Dass constituency in the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Maryam Garba Bagel has raised alarm over alleged threat to her life by yet to be identified persons for what she described as her hard political stance in the state.
Bagel, who briefed journalists about the development in her house, yesterday, said that late Monday evening after she came back from her sister’s house for Iftah preparatory to the Eid-el Kabir celebration, she was called by an unknown mobile number intimating her of an envelope dropped for her at home.
“When I called my security details for the envelope, what I found therein shocked me as it contained pornonographic pictures and some other pictures of me got from my Facebook account but well photo-shopped to depict immoral postures and concocted conversations by an unidentified respondent”, she said.
The politician, who recently contested and lost the Bauchi South senatorial by-election under the opposition Social Democratic Party (SDP), added that at about 11pm on the same Monday, the number called her again and threatened to deal with her unless she stopped her antagonistic tendency to the Bauchi State Government led by the Governor, Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar.
“When I told the person to go ahead and do his worst, he then resorted to sending messages and pictures to me on WhatsApp, boasting that they have all it takes to run me down politically and, if care is not taken, terminate my life unless I subject myself to the leadership of the state government and the governor.
“The caller added that I have remained a thorn in their flesh, I have been outspoken and always countering the state government to the extent that I have earned for myself the nickname, ‘redneck’. I should be ready to face the consequences of my hard political stance any moment from now unless I toe the line of subjugation”, she further said.
The lawmaker, who has defected from the ruling APC at the wake of recent Bauchi South senatorial by-election, said that similar message was sent to her husband, a development she said has unsettled her household even though she declared that she is unperturbed about the threat.
“The caller said that I should take note that as a woman, I am in the wrong place in politics, I should go back to the kitchen where I belongs and allow men to play politics, threatening to send the pictures to the Emir of Dass and others in the state”, she added.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
