News
Zamfara Banditry Claims 3,000 Lives, Gulps N17bn -Govt

The ongoing banditry in Zamfara State has claimed over 3,000 lives with the State Government spending some N17 billion in the past seven years on fighting the problem.
The Secretary to the Government of Zamfara State, Prof. Abdullahi Shinkafi, made the disclosure yesterday in Gusau at a town hall meeting organised by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
The meeting was called to find a lasting solution to the worsening insecurity in the state. According to Shinkafi, the banditry has resulted to the death of over 3,000 people, destruction of over 2,000 homes, burning of over 500 cars and kidnapping of over 500 people for ransom.
He said that the money was spent from 2011 to date, to procure vehicles for security agencies, pay allowances to security operatives, provide accommodation for soldiers of the 232 Battalion and other logistics. “When you hear N17 billion, it sounds huge but when you break it down to the various components in tackling insecurity, you will see that it is not even enough.
“In 2011, we provided 457 vehicles for security agencies, in 2012, we provided 2,250 vehicles, in 2014, 77 vehicles and 50 vehicles each in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. “We also have to give funds to those affected by these attacks to at least help them in some way.”
According to Shinkafi, the state has been sitting on a time bomb for long, and there is need for citizens, the state and Federal Government to be more concerned and find ways to stop the bomb from exploding.
He recalled that the crisis which started as a minor clash between herders and farmers had been taken over by armed bandits, who had carried out about 40 attacks.
Calling on parents in the state to take proper care of their children, the SSG implored men not to marry more than one wife where it was clear they didn’t have the means.
“When as parents you do not attend to your children, the bandits hijack them and recruit them to work for them and as a man, you don’t have to marry four wives if you know you don’t have the means.”
He attributed the banditry to shortage of manpower in the state, stressing the need for more indigenes to show interest in joining the security services to protect the state.
The National President of the NBA, Mr Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN), wondered why the Federal Government would allow the state to spend so much of its funds on security.
He argued that the sum would have been used to build infrastructure and grow the state’s economy, adding that security operations should be funded by the Federal Government and not the states. He, however, noted the need for the Zamfara Government to show leadership in the fight against insecurity.
According to him, providing funds without being present to monitor how the funds are spent cannot not yield the desired results. Mahmoud said the visit by the NBA was not political but a move, aimed at promoting peace, resolving the conflict and upholding the Nigerian Constitution. He assured that the association would dialogue with Gov. Abdulaziz Yari on various allegations against him, particularly that he was never present in the state to attend to state matters.
Some of the participants, who spoke at the meeting, accused Yari of running the administration in absentia and called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in the state. Sen. Saidu Dansadau, a former senator said that management of security was capital-intensive and that the leadership must be on ground to monitor how such money was spent.
Dansadau also argued that the only solution to the crisis in Zamfara was to declare a state of emergency in the state.
“For Zamfara to be peaceful again, a state of emergency must be declared.
It is no longer an issue of getting adequate arms and ammunition or security personnel.” For Mr Aliyu Gusau, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the Federal Ministry of Justice, the issue was that the people of the state no longer trusted the government.
“The communities are more loyal to the bandits because promises and assurances given by the government are never fulfilled.”
He also blamed lawyers in the state for being too quick to defend and secure bail for arrested bandits and attributed this to the failure of justice delivery in the state. Other speakers also identified poverty, unemployment, corruption, ignorance, ethnic and religious sentiment as some of the factors fuelling insecurity in the state.
News
Ibas Inaugurates RSIEC, Service Commissions, Healthcare Board In Rivers …Charges Appointees To Embrace Principles Of Service

The Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ibas, has charged newly appointed Board members to uphold the highest standards of discipline, competence, integrity, and unwavering dedication in their service to the State.
He emphasized that such commitment is critical to stabilizing governance, restoring democratic institutions, and advancing the principles of good governance in the State.
This was contained in a statement by the Administrator’s Senior Special Adviser on Media, Hector Igbikiowubo on Monday.
Ibas issued the charge on Monday while inaugurating the reconstituted Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Rivers State Civil Service Commission, Rivers State Local Government Service Commission, and the Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board at Government House, Port Harcourt.
The Administrator urged the new appointees to embrace their roles with diligence, patriotism, and a commitment to transforming Rivers State through excellent service.
Addressing the Chairman and members of RSIEC, Ibas underscored their pivotal role in ensuring credible local government elections that reflect the will of the people.
“Your task is clear but demanding: to conduct free, fair, transparent, and credible elections at the grassroots level. You must resist bias, favoritism, and external interference while restoring public confidence in the electoral process,” he stated.
“The independence of your actions is crucial to sustaining peace, stability, and grassroots governance. I urge you to act with fairness, impartiality, and professionalism—even in the face of difficult choices,” Ibas added.
The Sole Administrator also charged the Rivers State Civil Service Commission on the need to eliminate mediocrity and foster a culture of excellence through merit-based recruitment, training, and promotions.
“The civil service must transition from favoritism to competence, integrity, and accountability. Your commission will lead reforms, including digital transformation and standardized practices across ministries, departments, and agencies,” he said.
He disclosed that extensive training programmes are underway, with a committee set up to overhaul the public service framework for greater efficiency.
Meanwhile, Ibas urged the Rivers State Local Government Service Commission to ensure professionalism and discipline in local government administration.
“As the closest tier of government to the people, you must drive reforms that insulate the system from politics and mediocrity. Your mandate includes merit-based recruitment, training, and enforcing standards for effective service delivery,” he stated.
In the same vein, the Administrator charged the Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board with revitalizing healthcare delivery across the state’s 23 local government areas.
“Primary healthcare is the foundation of a sustainable health system. Your board must ensure facilities are adequately staffed, equipped, and operational focusing on maternal health, immunization, malaria control, and community health services,” he said.
He emphasized data-driven operations, incentives for rural health workers, and restoring the referral system to improve healthcare access.
He also assured the Board of sustained government support, including funding, for the effective discharge of their mandates but warned that board members would be held accountable for their performance.
The newly inaugurated members include: RSIEC: Dr. Michael Ekpai Odey (Chairman) with Prof. Arthur Nwafor, Prof. Joyce Akaninwor, and others as members.
Civil Service Commission: Dr. Livinus Bariki (Chairman), Amb. Lot Egopija, Mrs. Maeve Bestman, and others.
Local Govt. Service Commission: Mr. Isreal Amadi (Chairman), Rear Adm. Emmanuel Ofik (Rtd), Dr. Tonye Pepple, and others.
Primary Health Care Board: Dr. Dawari George (Chairman), Dr. Chituru Adiele (Executive Director), Prof. Kaladada Korubo, and representatives from key ministries.
News
Rivers PDP Debunks Sale Of LGA Election Forms

The Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, Dr. Kenneth Yowika, has debunked claims that the party has commenced sale of forms for chairmanship and councillorship elections across the 23 local government areas of the state.
Yowika made the rebuttal in a statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday, describing the publication on the social media as baseless and untrue.
He urged members of the PDP to disregard the claim, saying that official communication regarding the sale of forms would be disclosed through the appropriate channels.
“With reference to information trending on social media, it has been falsely claimed that the sale of forms for Chairmanship and Councillorship elections in the 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Rivers State will begin soon.
“However, the party has firmly denied these rumours, stating that they are baseless and untrue.
“The party has its own established methods of reaching out to its numerous supporters.
“The People’s Democratic Party, a law-abiding organisation, will patiently await the release of guidelines from the recently inaugurated Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) before considering any sale of election forms.
“The PDP is urging its members to remain calm as official communication regarding the sale of forms will be disclosed through appropriate channels,” the statement read.
Enoch Epelle
News
South-South contributes N34trn to Nigeria’s economy in 2024 – Institute
Prof. Pius Olanrewaju, President of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), has stated that the South-South region contributes N34 trillion to country’s economy in 2024.
He made the remark at the South-South Zonal Banking and Finance Conference in Calabar, yesterday.
He spoke on the theme, ‘’Building An Inclusive South-South: Economic Diversification as a Catalyst For Development.’’
Olanrewaju, who quoted the data from the Cable Data Index, said the feat was more than 21 per cent of Nigeria’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The president described the growth as ‘’ impressive,’’ saying that it was not driven by oil alone but significant expansions in trade, services, and the creative industries.
According to him, to fully harness this potential, coordinated financial, technological, and policy support is essential.
“As we work to reposition the South-South for broad-based prosperity, the financial system must play a central role, not merely as a source of capital, but as a catalyst for innovation, ideas incubation, and inclusive economic growth.
“This conference, therefore, provides a strategic opportunity for stakeholders to reimagine the South-South economy, not merely as a resource belt, but as a region of diverse capabilities and resilient enterprises.”
Olanrewaju added that Nigeria must move beyond old models and chart a new course for the development of the South-South region, where financial institutions and stakeholder collaborate to diversify the economy for shared prosperity.
He, however, commended Gov. Bassey Otu for his pledge of land for CIBN Secretariat in Cross River and being the first sitting governor to willingly undergo and complete the Chartered Bankers Programme.
On his part, Gov. Otu said that the conference discussion on the economic diversification in South-South region was timely against the backdrop of global trade and economic volatility that was affecting the nation’s economy.
Represented by his deputy, Mr Peter Odey, Otu said the South-South region must now act with urgency to diversify its economy while leveraging its shared natural endowment in agriculture and extractive resources.
“This conference must help develop tailored financial solutions that reflect the unique strengths and realities of states like Cross River in the south-south.
“Diversification should be evidence-based and must be backed not just by financial advice but project focused financing and real investment support,” he noted.
He said that Cross River had taken the bold step to invest in its agricultural sector by launching an Agro processing hub.
Otu further said that the state had invested in aviation by acquiring more aircrafts for Cally Air, construction of the Bakassi Deep Seaport and injecting N18 billion in its tourism sector.
Similarly, Mr Tolefe Jibunoh, Cross River Branch Controller of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said that the region was blessed with natural resources, cultural diversities and immense human potentials.
Jibunoh, who was represented by Mr Segun Shittu, Head, Currency Control Office, CBN, Calabar, noted that strategic diversification could unlock unprecedented opportunities for growth in the region.
He added that the CBN remained steadfast to maintain monetary possibilities and promote a sound financial system as a catalyst for sustainable economic development for the benefit of all.
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