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Jos Bombing: Army Arrests Suspect
The Director of Defence Information, Maj-Gen. Chris Olukolade yesterday said security agents had arrested one suspect in connection with the May 20 bombing in Jos Central Market, Plateau State.
He made the disclosure at a joint news conference by the National Information Centre, Abuja.
He said the suspect was already providing the lead for subsequent aspects of investigation into the incident.
According to him, security agencies are carrying out nationwide surveillance and that the surveillance is yielding positive results.
Olukolade said “a number of persons, who are planning to continue the bombing spree, have also been arrested.
“But as a mark of vigilance of the security agencies, as well as the citizens who are giving useful information, the bomb planners were apprehended.
“Troops have continued to raid locations and in the course of which, a number of arrests have been made in places like Kachia in Kaduna State and Zamfara.’’
The defence information director said arms and ammunition were recovered from the suspects, adding that the raid would continue so as to check violence in the country.
He also confirmed the killing of 25 security personnel, comprising 12 soldiers and 13 policemen at Buni Yadi town, Yobe, by the Boko Haram insurgents on Tuesday.
He said “I wish to confirm to you that there was a massive attack on Buni Yadi town in Yobe, where some gallant soldiers and policemen lost their lives.
“The casualty stands at 12 soldiers and 13 policemen, as revealed by initial investigations into the incident.’’
He said the attack was “primarily targeted at the town”.
However, the Plateau police command has confirmed the killing of four persons by unknown gunmen on Tuesday night in Wat village, Kuru, in the Jos South Local Government Area of the state.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Felicia Anslem, confirmed the incident in an interview with newsmen yesterday in Jos.
Anslem said that the village was attacked by unknown gunmen when the people were asleep, and killed four persons and injured others.
She said that investigation into the killings had commenced, and called on members of the community to remain calm.
Media Officer of the Special Task Force in charge of security in Plateau, Capt. Ikedichi Iweha also confirmed the attack but declined to give any details.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, yesterday said the military would remain focused in the discharge of its duties “in spite of unreasonable criticisms.’’
Badeh made the disclosure when members of Social Welfare Network Initiative, an NGO, paid a solidarity visit to the Defence Headquarters, Abuja.
He said “no matter the criticisms or what people do, the Nigerian Armed Forces will continue to do what it had sworn to do.’’
“We swore to defend the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and to defend the integrity of our states.
“It is your military, you don’t have another one so, encourage your military to do well. We must all be patriotic as Nigerians to defend our country.’’
Badeh, however, said that what the country was fighting was above Boko Haram, noting that the group which started in Maiduguri as a small group had now gone out of hand.
“It is now an Al- Quada in West Africa and Central Africa. We have evidence from people outside Nigeria fighting with Nigeria so it is no longer Boko Haram, it is Al- Quada we are fighting.
“You are aware that we have international partners working with us to release our girls and our girls will be released.’’
Earlier, the National Coordinator of the NGO, Mr Emmauel Osemeka, had told the defence chief that the visit was in solidarity and support for the military.
Osemeka commended the army’s efforts to tackle the insurgency problem in the country and other vices, saying “members of the armed forces have been on the streets, in the bushes, on lonely roads, along the border stretch and across the length and breadth of Nigeria.
“We are not unmindful of the supreme sacrifice being paid every second, minute, hour, day and week by our brothers and sisters to protect our territorial integrity.’’
“We are proud of our Armed Forces and will continue to support your efforts.’’
The Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, has teamed up with a renowned hospital group in Port Harcourt, the Meridian Hospitals, which is in partnership with the Pilgrims Health Foundation, to carry out a one-day medical outreach last Tuesday.
The free treatment scheme took place at Oromenike Government Girls Secondary School in D-Line, Port Harcourt, with over 100 persons accessing free treatments, including free eye-glasses and booking for eye surgeries.
Other areas of treatment included general health consultations and treatment; blood pressure and sugar level testing; malaria testing and treatment; free prescriptions; preventive health talks focusing on hygiene, maternal health, and nutrition.
The scheme was conducted under the theme: ‘Bringing Healthcare to the Community.’
Newsmen who visited the venue of the scheme found that enthusiastic beneficiaries had thronged the area as early as 7a.m. After setting up, the medical team began attending to the patients.
Mr. Jerry Onwuso, a 63-year-old patient, who was first to see eye doctors and got eye glasses and drugs, told newsmen that he was pleased with the medical intervention.
He made it clear he did not pay any money to get all the treatments and glasses, and pleaded that the scheme be sustained.
Another patient, Loveth Sam, expressed satisfaction with the scheme and appealed to the sponsors to continue to increase the benefits.
Throwing some light on the scheme, Mr. China said he worked in Meridian Hospitals as a Lab. Scientist 19 years ago, but resigned because he could not bear to see patients struggling for life because they had no money to pay for treatment.
He said he came back to help extend free medical treatment to the less privileged.
Sources said China was always having issues with the hospital authorities when he would insist on critical patients being allowed to be treated first, with or without money.
Years later, China, who now goes by a brand name, the Mayor of Housing, returned to the Meridian Hospital headquarters to support free medical scheme.
He also went the next day to the headquarters of Meridian, after the one-day medical outreach, to give cash gifts and palliatives to workers he met when he worked there but had remained in service since he left.
He encouraged them to continue to give their all to humanity through the hospital. The Mayor of Housing called most of them by name and a cloud of emotions descended on them during the reunion.
Appreciating the gesture, the Founder and Chief Medical Director, Dr. Iyke Odo, said China had always manifested hard-work, ambition, and impulsive giving.
According to him, the then young bright boy was full of humanity, kindness, love, and made friends easily, adding that “not everybody that gives is a giver. The difference is that givers are given to give.”
Dr. Odo used the opportunity to call on governments to review Nigeria’s health insurance system and make it work in Nigeria to save lives.
He said it was sad watching critically sick persons abandoned because they did not have money for treatment.
He also condemned harsh tax and electricity tariffs whereby facilities like his now pay N12 million instead of N500,000 few years back.
He wondered why hospitals were being made to pay tariffs like oil companies, citing many other countries where medical facilities were placed on low rates and tariffs so they could charge moderate fees from patients.
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.
