Adamawa

The Adamawa State Command of the Nigeria Immigra
tion Service (NIS) has arrested 280 illegal aliens in the state.
The Comptroller of the service in the state, Mr Ubi Ikpi, told newsmen in Yola that the arrest was part of the command’s renewed efforts to rid the state of illegal aliens and enhance security.
“It is pertinent that we rid Adamawa of miscreants because it is very possible they can compound the security situation in the country since they don’t have valid papers and identifiable places of abode,” Ikpi said.
He said those arrested were from neighbouring African countries, adding that they would be documented and screened for subsequent deportation.
He urged the general public to support and cooperate with the command by identifying and reporting illegal aliens and criminals to the appropriate authorities.

Bauchi

The Bauchi State Chapter of the National Union of Road
Transport Workers (NURTW) says it has embarked on a campaign to sensitise and warn its members against engaging in election malpractice.
The union’s Chairman, Alhaji Suleiman Adamu, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen  in Bauchi .
Adamu explained that NURTW would play a critical role in the coming general elections, following a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) it signed with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He said that the union would transport all INEC staff and election materials to the various polling units across the country.
“Because of the vital role we have to play, there was the need to consistently sensitise our members and warn them against being used by politicians to divert election materials or participate in any form of election malpractice or violence”, he said.

Benue

The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has de-
cried the poor usage of crash helmets and seat belts by motorists in Benue State.
The Sector Commander of the commission in the state, Mr Habu Daudu, told newsmen in Makurdi that most motorists preferred to pay fines to the use of such protective devices.
“Most motorists in Benue and indeed, most states in the Northern parts of the country, prefer to pay fines instead of using helmets,” Daudu said.
He attributed the trend to “attitudinal problems”, stressing that most of the time, “it is discovered that some even have the helmets but will deliberately leave them at home”.
The sector commander, therefore, advised motorists to always use such protective devices to safeguard their lives in times of accidents.
He also warned drivers in the state to avoid making phone calls while driving.

Jigawa

The Jigawa State Command of the Nigeria Security and
Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) said it arrested 29 persons for allegedly hawking petrol on roadsides in the state.
The state Commandant of the Corps, Mr Muhammed Gidado, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Dutse.
He said petrol hawking had been identified to be the cause of frequent fire outbreaks in parts of the state.
Gidado said that selling of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in open places in the state had been banned.
“This measure is informed by the public outcry on the practice which often causes fire outbreak and artificial scarcity of fuel.’’
He said 25 persons suspected to have engaged in roadside hawking of petrol and five filling station managers were arrested by his men.
“The 29 suspects were nabbed at different locations in Dutse and its environs after three weeks warning against such practice”, he said.
Kaduna

More than 70, 000 farmers in Kaduna State have ben
efited from the World Bank-assisted West Africa Agricultural Productivity Programme (WAAPP).
WAAPP’s Desk Officer in the state, Mr Umar Bashir, disclosed this in Kaduna in an interview with newsmen.
Bashir explained that the programme involved the distribution of quality seeds to farmers to enhance agricultural production.
He said that more than 56, 918 kilogrammes of seeds were produced and distributed to farmers under the programme in the last one year.
Bashir said the project also involved community multiplication programme in which farmers were selected to produce seeds for distribution to communities.

Katsina

A Senior Magistrates Court in Katsina  State has or
dered a 65-year-old man, Sale Sani and two others standing trial for raping a 10-year-old girl, to be remanded in prison custody.
The Chief Magistrate, Hajiya Nafisat Lawal had fixed March 10 for the mentioning of the case after the police had formally charged the three for allegedly raping the girl.
The two others involved in the rape case are  Bala Mati and Abdulkarim Bawale, all aged 55.
The prosecutor, Insp. Hashimu Musa told the court that the three old men committed the offence at Muduru village in Mani Local Government of Katsina State.
Musa said that the victim’s father Malam Lado reported the case to police on January  23, accusing the three of luring his daughter and raping her at Mati’s house located in the village..
He said that the police subsequently arrested the accused persons and transferred the case to the state Criminal Investigation Department for further action.

Kogi

Fifteen Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Kogi
State  have received N70 million soft loan to expand their operations.
The loan, which was given under the Kogi State/Bank of Industry N2 billion Matching Fund for SMEs, will attract five per cent interest with payback period of three years.
Distributing the cheques to the beneficiary companies in Lokoja, Governor Idris Wada said that the gesture was in line with his administration’s transformation agenda to industrialise the state and create jobs for its teeming youths.
Wada described small and medium scale enterprises as the engine room for rapid industrialisation and sustainable economic development.
He said the government would continue to rely on the sector in its quest to alleviate poverty and generate employment for the people.
Nasarawa

The traditional council in Akwanga Local Government
Area of Nasarawa State, will set machinery in motion to investigate all plots of land sold in controversial circumstances in the area.
Residents, who are involved in the illegal act would be prosecuted, Chief Samson Gamu-Yari, the Chun-Mada of Akwanga, has warned.
Gamu-Yari, who is also the chairman of the traditional council in the area, gave the warning in Akwanga while addressing Village and District Heads.
“We will set machinery in motion to investigate lands sold in controversial circumstances and make sure that all those involved in the illegal act are brought to book.
“This meeting was called to address land disputes that occurred in Gwanje Village which led to the death of two persons; including a police officer,” he said.

Oyo

The Oyo State branch of the All Farmers Association of
Nigeria (AFAN) has urged the state government to involve stakeholders in the agriculture sector in its policy formulation.
The Chairman of the association, Mr Olumide Aina, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Ibadan.
He said politicians were usually involved in formulation of agricultural policies rather than the actual farmers in the state.
“Majority of government policies were not evolved by experts, rather they were the products of politicians who call themselves farmers but know nothing about farming.
“But if stakeholders in the agriculture sector are carried along in policy formation, we are sure that agricultural problems will be half-solved, if not completely solved,” he said.

Sokoto

The Sokoto State Police Command says it has com
menced a 24-hour patrol of all schools across the state to protect lives and property.
The Spokesman of the command, Mr Al-Mustapha Sani, disclosed this to newsmen in Sokoto.
“This is part of sustainable and proactive measures by the command to ensure that all schools across the state are more secure.
“It is also to provide a conducive environment for effective teaching and learning in the schools,’’ Sani said.
He said the command had recently organised a seminar for school principals, headmasters and proprietors of private schools on the need to be security-conscious.
“They can also go a step further by engaging the personnel of reputable private security guards in this direction,’’ the police spokesman said.

Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Mathew Hassan-Kuka (left), with Governor Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State, during inauguration of the Governing Board of Nasarawa State University in Lafia recently. Bishop Kuka is the Chairman of the Board.