News
Zamfara IDPs Go Violent, Burn 15 LG Vehicles …Police Arrest 23, Restrict Movement
The Zamfara State Police Command has confirmed the burning of 15 vehicles as a result of yesterday’s protest by those it described as miscreants in Tsafe town, the headquarters of Tsafe Local Government Area.
The State Commissione of Police, Mr Usman Belel made the confirmation at a press conference in Gusau yesterday.
Belel who described the incident as unfortunate, said it was perpetrated by those bent on creating unrest in the society.
“What happened today in Tsafe was really uncalled for, people didn’t deserved that.
“We received a message in the early hours of today that members of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPS) were trying to stage peaceful protest to complain about their plight to the government on security issues.
“Our investigation revealed that, large number of miscreants were sighted at the gate of the IDP camp in Tsafe instigating women and children to partake in the protest”, he said.
“Therefore what happened today in Tsafe is not an IDPs demonstration, it is an act of criminals who have no regards to lives and properties”, he added.
He said no any death was recorded during the protest and that normalcy has already been restored.
According to him, the command has already deployed heavy security teams to the area to maintain law and order.
He said the police had commenced investigation on the matter, warning that anybody involved would face the full wrath of the law.
He warned people of the state to avoid taking law into their hands, urging communities to support security agencies with information in order to ensure prompt response curtail the recurring banditry in the state.
Meanwhile, the Zamfara Police Command said it had arrested 23 persons who were involved yesterday’s unrest in Tsafe town where firearms were used by the protesters.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Usman Belel, made this known to journalists in Gusau after the restoration of peace and normalcy in the affected area.
He said the command was particularly disturbed to discover that some of the protesting youths carried guns and fired shots to scare people after which they burnt several vehicles at the local government secretariat.
He said: “Although arrests were still going on in the local government headquarters, Tsafe and its environs, those arrested would help in investigations in order to fish out the perpetrators and their sponsors.”
Our correspondent reports that residents of Tsafe and environs, particularly Kucheri Village, woke up on Monday morning to face hundreds of youths who blocked the highway with bonfire and interrupted travelers from Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara from passing to other parts of the country as well as those coming to the three states.
The rampaging youths were said to have taken over a planned peaceful demonstration by Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camped in the area who felt they had over stayed and wanted to return to their villages.
The protesters had burned several vehicles and offices in the local government secretariat including the chairman’s office and offices allocated to some international non-governmental organisations operating in the area.
The mayhem was finally quelled by a combined team of security personnel who dispersed the protesters and cleared the path to traffic.
The Commissioner of Police said a detachment of the command’s officers and men would “remain in the area until we are fully satisfied that there is peace.”
Also, Zamfara State Police command has announced the restriction of movement in Tsafe local government area of Zamfara State as a result of unrest in the area.
It was reported that some youths have been protesting the level of insecurity in the state. The protesters reportedly blocked the road linking Funtua, Zaria, Sokoto, Kebbi and Kaduna.
It was reported that the protesters have burnt down the LG Secretariat and protesters were matching to LG Chairman’s residence.
Muhammad Shehu, police public relations officer in the state, announced that movement had been restricted between 6pm and 7am.
He said the restriction will be in force till the security situation improves.
Armed bandits attacked Magami village in Maradun Local Government Area on Saturday and killed some people.
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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