News
Bayelsa Residents Offer Tips On Cattle Breeder’s Murder
Some residents of Yenagoa last Thursday advised the police to look beyond leadership tussle in probing the recent murder of the leader of cattle breeders in Bayelsa State.
The Chairman of the Bayelsa State branch of the Mayetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Jibril Abdulkarim was assassinated on December 2 in Yenagoa.
On December 5, the Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, Mr Asuquo Amba announced that three suspects had been arrested in connection with the killing of Abdulkarim.
Abdukarim was killed along with three of his workers at his private abattoir by gunmen along Bayelsa Palm Road in Yenagoa.
The slain businessman was also a member of the Bayelsa State Committee for the Management and Control of Ranches as well as Chairman of the Cattle Breeders Association in the state.
Speaking with newsmen the leader of the Hausa community in Bayelsa State, Alhaji Sani Yakubu advised the police to probe all clues in the killing.
He told the police not to restrict their investigation on leadership tussle in the cattle breeders union, describing the murder as unfortunate.
Another community leader, Alhaji Usman Suleman argued that linking the assassination to leadership tussle was unjustifiable as Abdulkarim was not a candidate in any union election.
He described the slain union leader as a peace lover and gentleman.
“Alhaji was not even a candidate in the Arewa people’s election and the two candidates were his friends.
“You know our people are not desperate in leadership matters and there is no pay attached to such position. So why should people want to kill him?
Suleman insisted that the assassination had nothing to do with leadership tussle, advising the police to look into the angle of business rivalry.
“The late Alhaji dominated the cattle business. He controlled about 90 per cent of the cattle business in Bayelsa State. So, it will make sense to look at the angle of competition as well.’’
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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