News
‘Fulani Herdsmen Rape, Kill At Will’
The Igala speaking group comprising of nine local government areas of Kogi State has called on the government to do something urgently to deliver them from the hands of Fulani herdsmen, who they claimed, rape their women and daughters at will and also kidnap, rob and kill innocent people in their area.
Speaking on behalf of the ethnic group, the President of Igala Cultural and Development Association(ICDA), Alhaji Abubakar Amodu, said the people lived in morbid fear everyday as the Fulani herdsmen have literally taken over Igala land, destroying farm crops with their herds and beating or even killing any farmer that dared challenge them.
The ICDA president, who cried out over the weekend during the inauguration of the over N100million ultra-modern Igala Unity House at Anyigba by the state Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, said their rivers and water of streams, which the people often drank due to non-availability of potable water, have been polluted while the people were left with nothing to drink.
He also said that the herdsmen robbed and kidnapped innocent people on daily basis, and most times, killed those who could not afford to pay the ransom demanded, and urged the government to quickly come to their aid.
He said the building of the Unity House was aimed at fostering the needed peace and unity for the overall development of Igala land.
According to him, “The House will serve as an interaction venue on issues affecting the entire zone as well as hosting festivities and other cultural activities”.
Amodu disclosed that the successful completion of the project was made possible through donations from illustrious sons and daughters of Igala Kingdom with a whopping support of N50million from the state Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.
Bello, while performing the inauguration ceremony, appealed that the house should serve as a rallying point for all Igala people, stressing that the effort in constructing the new edifice was a begging of more goodies to come to the zone under his administration.
Bello, who described the Unity House as a symbol of peace and love in Igala land, commended all those that contributed to the completion of the project.
The governor said that he would ever remain proud of the Igala nation, and thanked the people for their steadfast support to the success of his administration considering their strength as the largest and more populated section of the state.
He promised to complete all the ongoing projects in the zone, namely construction of Idah-Ajaka-Umomi-Ugwalawo-Anyigba Road, Okpo-Ibana-Ogugu Road as well as rural electrification, drilling of boreholes for supply of potable water and control of erosion across communities in the district.
Also speaking at the event, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Edward Onoja, appreciated the financial support of the entire Bello’s cabinet as well as the state House of Assembly members towards the completion of the project, describing the gesture as a demonstration of love for Igala people.
In his speech, the Attah Igala, Dr Michael Idakwo Ameh Oboni stressed the need for all his subjects both at home and in the diaspora to join hands in the preservation of Igala rich cultural heritage.
The royal father also called for the sustenance of the prevailing peace in the land by all and sundry, affirming that no development can take place in an atmosphere of rancour and acrimony.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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