Nation
Communities In Sokoto Decry Recurring Boat Mishaps
Residents of riverine communities in Shagari Local Government of Sokoto State have decried recurring incidents of boat mishaps since the construction of Shagari Dam in 2007.
A cross section of the residents told newsmen yesterday that many lives and property had been lost to such unfortunate incidents in the period under review.
“If you can regrettably recall, 29 teenagers from Gidan-Magana lost their lives on Wednesday and this obnoxiously spiked the figures of the fatalities caused by such incidents,” Umar Magaji, a resident of Gidan-Magana said.
Another resident, from Modiyawa village, Mohammed Sharu said that 13 persons had also lost their lives as a result of boat mishap at Doruwa village in June 2021.
Another concerned resident, Modin Sharu, who is a boat driver called for the provision of modern ferries and life jackets to the communities.
A local diver, Ango Waliyi, said the provision of the ferries and life vests would go a long way in saving lives in the event of unforeseen circumstances.
The Chairman of Shagari Local Government, Alhaji Aliyu Dantani, had confirmed the deaths of the 29 teenage firewood hawkers when the boat they were travelling in capsised on River Shagari last Wednesday.
Recall that no fewer than 13 persons, including women and children, died in another boat mishap that occurred in the area in June, 2021.
The victims were reported to be travelling from Doruwa village to Ginga village when their boat capsised.
Dantani had also confirmed the incident then.
The Director-General, Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency, Alhaji Nasiru Aliyu, told newsmen that the recurrence of such boat accidents was a source of concern to the state government.
“Officials of our agency and its sister federal agency, NEMA, had since visited Gidan-Magana village and assessed the situation.
“The state government has concluded plans to provide modern ferries to the riverine communities in the state, especially Shagari, Goronyo and Gada local governments.
“The state government will also provide adequate life jackets, as well as properly train the ferry drivers on modern techniques.
“The state government will also ensure the strict observance of all the globally-acceptable safety rules and regulations,” Aliyu said.
He stated that the agency had mapped out emergency plans for all the 23 local governments.
“This is to safeguard the lives and property of the people of the state in the event of any natural or man-induced emergencies like flood, fire disasters and other natural occurrences,” Aliyu added.
The Shagari dam was constructed by the Federal Government in 2007 for irrigation farming.
Nation
Katsina Chief Judge Frees 95 Inmates In Jail Delivery Initiative
The Chief Judge of Katsina State, Justice Musa Danladi, has granted bail to 91 inmates.
He also completely discharged four others during the first-quarter jail delivery exercise for 2025 at the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Katsina.
Speaking at the event yesterday, Justice Danladi explained that the Sub-Committee on Decongestion of Correctional Centres carefully assessed the cases before recommending the inmates for release.
Factors considered included age, length of time spent in custody, and medical conditions.
He further announced that going forward, the personal details and photographs of released inmates would be officially recorded to ensure proper documentation and accountability.
Addressing the freed individuals, he urged them to stay on the right side of the law, emphasising that another chance at clemency might not be available if they reoffend.
The Katsina State Controller of Corrections, CC Umar Baba, praised the initiative, stating that such interventions ease congestion, improve prison conditions, and support rehabilitation efforts.
He also called on judges and magistrates to consider alternative sentencing options to prevent unnecessary detentions and allow correctional facilities to focus on reforming and reintegrating offenders into society.
Nation
Court Strikes Out Charges Against Ex-Ooni’s Wife
The Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan has struck out murder charges against Ooni of Ife’s ex-wife, Queen Naomi Silekunola; the owner of Agidigbo FM, Oriyomi Hamzat; and principal of Islamic High School, Abdullahi Fasasi.
The Tide’s source recalls that the trio have been facing murder charges following the December 2024 children’s event stampede that led to the death of 35 children.
Justice B. K. Olawoyin delivering judgment yesterday, ruled that holding the defendants liable could discourage the public from engaging in humanitarian activities.
The court dismissed the four count charge, which included acceleration of death, conspiracy, negligent acts causing harm and failure to provide adequate medical facilities and security.
Nation
Military Denies Knowledge Of Community Negotiations With Terrorists
The Nigerian Military high command has stated that it is unaware of any community in the Northwest negotiating or entering peace agreements with bandits and terrorists for protection.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja yesterday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, dismissed reports suggesting such peace deals.
He questioned why any community would resort to negotiations, given the sustained military offensives against terrorist groups.
“The military is carrying out its operations in line with established protocols for internal security. If any community claims to be seeking peace with bandits, the military does not support that,” Kangye asserted.
He further emphasised that joint military operations, in collaboration with hybrid forces and other security agencies, have remained relentless in tackling terrorism and organised crime.
Throughout the past week, troops conducted a series of combat patrols, raids, ambushes, clearance operations, and search-and-rescue missions, resulting in significant successes.
According to Kangye, several terrorists were neutralised, their collaborators were captured, and kidnapped victims were successfully rescued.
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