News
Gunmen Massacre 35 In Zamfara …As Sporadic Gunshots Rattle Maiduguri Residents
Suspected gunmen have killed at least 35 people in attacks on three villages in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Residents told newsmen that motorbike riding gang of armed men arrived, firing at farmers in Kwallido, Tungar Kahau and Gidan Wawa villages.
The communities are located 20Km West of Shinkafi town and are not far apart.
A resident, Sani Aliyu, said that the bandits chased the farmers on motorbikes into their houses and shot them dead, adding that most of them were killed on their farmlands.
“I’m just coming back from the funeral prayers of the victims. The gunmen shot 12 dead in Gidan Wawa, 22 in Tungar Kahau, 1 in Kwallido.
The armed men arrived on motorbikes, shooting people who were working on their farms,” he said.
The spokesman of the state police command, SP Muhammad Shehu could not be reached for comments at the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, some residents in the outskirts of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, yesterday witnessed some skirmishes following indiscriminate shooting by some soldiers.
The situation forced many women, children and elderly people in Damboa road and Polo general area to scamper for safety.
Residents said they started hearing gunshots at about 3 p.m., though unsure if soldiers were test-firing equipment.
A Civilian Joint Task Force member, Haruna Kachala said that the gunshots came from the soldiers stationed at the state hotel along Damboa road bye- pass while on their way to relieve their colleagues at Molai general area.
Kachala said “Initially, we thought the military were test firing their equipment, but when the other troops at Molai general responded to the fire, residents ran helter-skelter.”
Bukar Mala, a resident in Damboa road said they fled for safety when they heard continuous shootings from the two different locations.
A combined team of hunters, civilian Joint Task Force and the Federal Special Anti Robbery Squad, led by Governor Babagana Umara, quickly moved to the scene to assess the situation.
Umara told newsmen that there was no course for alarm, stressing that his government would ensure that peace and security returned to all parts of the state.
“We are yet to ascertain what exactly happened, but it was not Boko Haram attack as earlier speculated.
“We shall equip and strengthen the security agencies to improve on emergency response, to address issues like this,” he said.
He advised residents in the state to shun rumour mongering that could cause unnecessary fear.
Also in another development, many are feared dead in Jauro-Sabai, a suburb of Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, as rampaging herdsmen are reported to have invaded the area shooting. residents of Nukai, ATC, Kasuwan Bera, and Jauro-Sabai have reportedly fled the area, as rattling gunshots continue to rend the air.
Barnabas Francis, a resident of Kasuwan Bera, who spoke to our correspondent on telephone: “Jalingo is on fire. Fulani herdsmen are on the rampage firing gunshots randomly here.
“We’re on the run. Some of our relations who escaped from Jauro-Sabai reported that many houses in the area have been razed, and from here we can see thick smoke billowing.”
Ishaku Danzumi, who also spoke with our correspondent, said, “Fulani herdsmen in droves have invaded ATC and Jauro-Sabai.
They are firing shots everywhere. Only God can save us tonight. However, Police in Taraba could not categorically state the situation, as David Misal, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), said the command has responded to a distress call from Yelwan-Tau, a community around ATC.
“I can’t confirm anything to you now, what I know for now is that we got a distress call from Yelwan-Tau and our men have been dispatched to tackle whatever security challenge in the area. So as it is, I can’t tell you anything about the impact or casualty issues, for now, please,” Misal said.
News
PDP Opobo/Nkoro Hails Fubara On Peace, Projects
Stakeholders of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Opobo/ Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State have commended the state Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for his disposition that has fostered peace in the State.
Rising from an expanded stakeholders meeting last Saturday in Opobo Town, the body in an eight-point communique signed by its Chairman, Hon. Benneth Daminabo, Chairman of Council, Rt. Hon. Enyiada Cookey-Gam and LG party Chairman, Warisenibo Godwin Pepple commended the governor for linking Opobo/Nkoro LGA to the national grid.
In addition, it lauded the effort of the governor in pursuing the 50.15 kilometre Dual Carriage Ring Road, Elelenwo internal road, Aleto-Ebubu-Eteo Road in Eleme and Andoni Road projects.
Despite the distractions, the stakeholders said they were impressed that the governor had equally done projects in health-the unveiling of Prof. Kelsey Harrison Hospital, Agric projects at Tai and Oyigbo and improving welfare of civil servants.
In their words, “members reaffirmed their unalloyed loyalty and implicit confidence in his administration.”
Condemning the unfriendly and discourteous utterances of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Tony Okocha in different fora in the State, the forum urged the duo to desist from such action in order not to heat up the polity.
The forum pledged to stand by the governor through, “thick and thin”, the stakeholders acknowledged the contributions of women, who through prayers for the government has impacted positively in the direction and posture of the governor.
Finally, the forum unanimously expressed gratitude to the Simplified Movement and other bodies that have thrown their weight behind the governor to ensure that the administration is stable and successful.
By: Kevin Nengia
News
‘Rivers People Are Now Breathing Fresh Air Under Fubara’
Aformer Caretaker Committee Chairman of Abua/Odual Local Government Council of Rivers State, Hon Elamo Arogu, says under Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the people of the State are now breathing fresh air.
Hon Arogu said Governor Fubara has given Rivers people hope, considering the impactful and people-oriented projects being carried out by his administration.
The former CTC chairman made the assertion during the Simplified Movement’s thanksgiving service and rally held in honour of Rivers State chief executive last Friday in Abua .
Arogu said under Governor Fubara, the Abua/Odual people have the confidence that the dividends of democracy will definitely get to them.
He noted that the Governor has the strong will to change the narrative in Rivers State, being the reason he is receiving massive support across the State.
“The people of Abua/Odual are strongly behind him. Our doors ate open for everyone because there is government in place to attend to the needs of the people. I believe that he will develop Abua/Odual and other Rivers council areas, hence, the massive support. This government is business- oriented and we are ready to encourage him succeed and invest in our land. The issue of a bank; road networks and other necessities of life bordering on development as demanded by the people will be considered by Governor Fubara”, he said.
He called on the opposition to team up with Governor Fubara to build a stronger, united and viable Rivers State.
He maintained that ward nine under his leadership is Simplified.
News
Rivers State University Cooperative Society Elects New Leaders
The United Port Harcourt Peoples Cooperative Investment & Credit Society Limited, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, has elected new leaders to pilot the affairs of the cooperative for the next two years.
They are Pastor Dr. Barine Aeba (President); Dr. Gift N. Nkweke (Vice-President), Dr. Kenneth Chima Adiele (General Secretary), Victor G. Banigo (Assistant General Secretary),
Rose Yeyeda Nwosu (Treasurer), Adaku Nwogu (Financial Secretary) and Stella Ereba (Public Relations Officer).
Inaugurating the new Management Committee after a keenly contested election held recently at the University Amphitheatre, the Director of Cooperatives in Rivers State, Dr. Elizabeth Chidi-Wike, congratulated the seven-member Executive for emerging winners at the election, charging them to uphold the bye laws of the Cooperative Society and hold regular congress meetings.
Dr. Chidi-Wike used the forum to commend the outgone Management Committee for reviving the Cooperative and placing it on an enviable pedestrial.
In her remarks, the Acting Registrar of the University, Mrs. Ibimonia Sotonye Harry applauded Cooperative members for keeping faith with the Cooperative Society, stressing that the goal of the society in helping members save for retirement cannot be over emphasised.
In his valedictory speech, the outgone President, Dr. Mie-Idala Jones Amachree expressed gratitude to God for the successful completion of his four-year tenure, thanking his fellow Management Committee members who gave him the needed support that transformed the Cooperative Society.
In his acceptance address, the President, Pastor (Dr.) Barine Aeba thanked the university management for providing the enabling environment for the peaceful conduct of the election, pledging that he will fulfill all his campaign promises.
A total of 165 Cooperative members participated in the electoral exercise which was conducted by an Electoral Committee led by Engr. (Dr.) Joseph D. Enoch.
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