News
Gunmen Attack Zamfara, Kill 10 Persons …Army Denies Demasak’s Capture By Insurgents
The Police Command in Zamfara State has confirmed that bandits attacked and killed six persons in the early hours of Wednesday in Badarawa village of Shinkafi Local Government Area of the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent Mohammed Shehu confirmed the incident to newsmen in Gusau yesterday.
He said that the police received a distress call from the village at about 12.15am and quickly mobilized security to the area.
He said that a combined team of the police and soldiers on operation in the area, moved in immediately.
He, however, said that due to the bad terrain of the area, the bandits had fled before the arrival of the police.
“Unfortunately, I can confirm to you that six persons were killed while 10 others were injured and both the dead and the injured were taken to the hospital. “
The police image maker said that those killed were identified as members of the affected community.
At the moment, he said, the patrol team was combing the affected area to arrest the bandits and appealed to members of the community and its environs to inform the nearest security post of any suspicious movement.
Our correspondent, however, reports that when the Speaker of the state’s House of Assembly, Alhaji Sanusi Rikiji, visited the village on a condolence visit, members of the community said 11 were killed and 24 were injured and hospitalized.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army has denied that Boko Haram captured Damasak 24 hours after the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen Tukur Buratai’s visit.
The Army said the report was untrue and capable of misleading members of the public and the world at large.
The Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Texas Chukwu, in a statement said, “The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to a publication on the social media on 12 September, 2018, titled “Boko Haram captures Damasak 24 Hours After Buratai’s visit”.
“Nigerian Army wishes to state categorically that, the claim is not only untrue but capable of misleading members of the general public and the world at large.”
The statement explained that in the said story, the report stated inter alia that, Damasak is the location of 134 Battalion, adding that there was no such battalion in Damasak.
“The Nigerian Army earlier released a statement that troops of 145 Battalion in Damasak, Borno State were engaging Boko Haram terrorists who came to attack their location at about 6pm on 12 September 2018,” the statement explained.
The statement also stated that, “Fierce battle is ongoing right now and the troops are dealing with the terrorists.
It stated, “The troops engaged and subdued the terrorists following a superior firepower of troops in Damasak. The troops’ aggressive posture, tactics and marksmanship resulted in neutralizing many Boko Haram terrorists.
“Consequently, the Nigerian Army wishes to state that the fight against Boko Haram terrorists in the North Eastern parts of the country is yielding positive results.
“The Nigerian Army, therefore, advised members of the public, particularly residents of the affected areas to go about their legitimate businesses and disregard the said report, as the Nigerian Army will continue to protect lives and property of citizens at all times.”
The Nigerian Army, therefore, called on the media to always exercise caution, verify facts as well as balance their reports before rushing to the press to avoid misinforming the public on sensitive issues.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to expedite the prosecution of the Director of the now distressed MBA Forex Trading, Mr. Maxwell Odum, in the interest of justice.
The Rivers State NUJ made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the EFFC’s Ag. Zonal Director, ACE Hassan Saidu, in Port Harcourt, recently.
The council’s chairman, Comrade Paul Bazia, said the appeal became imperative after it considered the number of Nigerians and others involved in the financial misconduct.
According to him, it has caused hardship among many households in the country and should be given the attention it deserves.
He said that investors cannot come into a country or invest in an economy or nation ridden with fraud.
This, he said, has made it more imperative to arrest, prosecute and convict alleged fraudsters like the MBA Forex Director, who is alleged to have defrauded thousands of unsuspecting Nigerians, to serve as a deterrent to others.
The chairman also requested that while the trial lasts, part of the swindled funds should be given to the victims that suffered loss and trauma as a result of the fraud.
The NUJ reiterated its resolve to change the narrative of reportage from crisis to developmental communication.
According to him, the NUJ’s main focus is blue economy and tourism.
He expressed the readiness of the Council to partner the agency in the area of information dissemination.
“We believe you have a responsibility to fight financial crimes. We also know that you need the Press to publicize your activities and NUJ can provide that,” he said.
Responding, the Zonal EFFC’s boss commended the NUJ’s vision to change the narrative of reporting from crisis to developmental communication.
According to Saidu, the Western world have since imbibed such culture, hence the negative stories about them are carefully sifted to allow only positive ones to be released to the outside world.
As for the trapped funds to be released, the EFCC Zonal Director stated that only the court can authorize such action, stressing that the primary responsibility of the Commission is to arrest and prosecute.
He pledged to partner with the NUJ now that the leadership has visited the Commission.
The Head of the Legal & Prosecution Department, DCE Odiase Stephen, corroborated the Zonal Director’s position and stressed that it was only when the matter has been determined by the court that such funds can be released.
He further stated that once a matter is before a court of competent jurisdiction, it cannot be discussed outside.
By: King Onunwor
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