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Benue Killings: Senate Summons Buhari To Joint Session …As Herdsmen Attack Church, Kill Seven In Benue Again …NEC Bans Herders Movement In Five States …Buhari, A Captured President -Fayose
The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, yesterday toed the lines of the lower chamber as they summoned President Muhammadu Buhari over the continued killings across the nation.
The Senate is to hold a joint session with the House of Representatives to take the briefing on security situations in the country by President Buhari and the Service Chiefs.
These were some of the resolutions by the Senate at plenary sequel to a motion on ”Continued killings in Benue State”, sponsored by Senator George Akume, representing Benue North-West)
The senate also resolved to as a matter of urgency consider the report of its adhoc committee on security on its recently held security summit as it urged the committee to expedite action on its recommendations and the report generally.
With the resolution to have Mr. President address the joint session , the Senate shelved an earlier recommendation for a state of emergency on security in Benue State considering the spate of gruesome killings in the State.
Presenting the motion, Senator George Akume noted with dismay, the continued killings, maiming and wanton destruction of lives and property in Benue State, particularly Benue North-West senatorial district which comprises seven local government areas as well as Logo and Kwande local government areas in Benue North-East; Agatu and Okpokwu local government areas in Benue South, respectively.
Senator Akume informed the Senate that the latest of such killings were the ones carried out on some Christian faithful, including Rev. Fr. Joseph Gor and Rev. Fr. Felix Tyolaha, a Catechist, John Ibor and 17 others who were last Tuesday, April 24, at St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Ayar town in Gwer East local government area during their routine morning mass.
He noted that the killings have continued unabated since January 2018 , adding that these have made the government, through the Nigerian Army, embarked on a military exercise code-named Ayem A’Kpatuma, or cat race.
He expressed worry that the latest attack on a worship centre was unprecedented and had grave implications for the security and unity of the nation.
Contributing to the motion, Jibin Barau (APC, Kano North) called on security operatives to “get their acts together and find the perpetrators” saying that the killings were not tribal or religious.
“The killings are done by people that want to destabilise the nation,” he said.
Suleiman Adokwe (PDP, Nasarawa South) said the killings are being carried out under the noses of the military and nothing was being done.
“These things are going on right in front of the army. Some of these killings happen within the distance of 20-30 minutes drive from the army bases and nothing is happening. It can be interpreted to say that the government is aware, that’s why nothing is being done.
“Now I hear that the army and SARS arrest the wrong people and ignore the criminals. Even the Fulanis are scared of the terrorists because they too are being affected,” he said.
He further called for a state of emergency in the affected states, describing it as the best way to go.
The lawmaker said though the exercise was intended to curb and curtail these killings and destructions in Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba and Kogi States, he lamented that “despite the military presence, there is no end to the wanton killings”.
He added that the latest attack on worship centre, which is unprecedented, has very grave implications for the security and unity of the country.
Contributing in the debate, Senator Gbolahan Dada lamented that over 3, 000 people have been killed since this herdsmen problem as ifvNigeria is in a state of war.
Senator Sam Anyanwu called for the declaration of a state of emergency in the state and other parts of the country to put an end to the incessant killings.
Senator Barau Jibrin in his contribution advised the security agencies to ensure that the importation and proliferation of arms and ammunition into the country is stopped by all means to save this “madness”
Senator Victor Umeh noted that the recent killing of Christian worshippers inside the church calls for caution, and wondered why the police is yet to arrest any suspect in connection with the carnage since Tuesday.
In his remarks, the Senate president, Dr. Bukola Saraki expressed worry that the spate of killings in the country is taking a dangerous dimension, emphasising that such must stopped in order to protect the nation’s democracy
His words, “ We can’t continue to say we are leaders and not taking decisive action to end the carnage in the land . This is failure . No arrest of any of the killers over the years.
“ Something drastic ,something result must be done as we await the President to brief us in a joint session” .
Briefing the newsmen after plenary, Senator Akume explained that the people’s resolve not to adopt self defence is purely to ensure that the nation or the situation do not degenerate to anarchy even as he maintained that the Security apparatus of the nation can take care of the situation if they mean to.
Meanwhile, at least, seven persons were in the early hours of yesterday killed after suspected herdsmen entered a church in Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.
It was gathered that the herdsmen were said to have stormed Mbamondo clan around 12.20am, and attacked some displaced persons who had taken refuge at an African Church in the area.The attack left seven IDPs dead.
Chairman of Logo Local Government Council, Richard Nyajo, told newsmen that many houses were also said to have been burnt down during the attack.
A resident of the community, who gave his name as Umishi told newsmen that among those killed were: Festus Terdue Aguda, Mama Doom Uhule Oragbai, Shiaondo Tamen Tordue, Tamen Lorbume Shima, Mr Suur and several others.
However, the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has returned from his overseas trip, and vowed to do everything within his powers to protect Benue people from murderous herdsmen.
It would be recalled that Ortom had travelled out of the country as part of his 12-day vacation.
Speaking at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, upon his return having cut short his vacation to address the deteriorating security situation in the state, the governor vowed that Benue people would never allow intruders take over their land.
Ortom said: “The fact that we in Benue have chosen to be law-abiding does not mean that we are weak. I call on every Benue man and woman to remain resolute. The enemies cannot take our land away from us.”
Meanwhile, the senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, Chief Victor Umeh, has warned of looming religious crisis in Nigeria, if no prompt action was taken to stop the senseless criminal attacks.
Reacting to the killing of two priests and 17 worshippers at a Catholic Church in Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State in a motion sponsored by Senator George Akume, Umeh said killing of Nigerians has assumed a religious dimension.
According to him, there were concerted attacks on churches and mosques as a deliberate attempt to stoke religious crisis, warning that such move was very dangerous for the nation.
“Mr. President, distinguished colleagues, criminals now stoke religious crisis, and this is a new dimension to killings in Nigeria.
“Religion is a volatile aspect, and if people could be killed in churches and mosques, and nobody is arrested by security operatives, then, we should watch out for religious war, if nothing is done.
“As I speak, there is a bitter pain within the Catholic community because we value priests as next to God, and I think Mr. President, something must be done.”
“The way Senator Dino Melaye was hunted down by policemen makes mockery of what happened in Benue State, thinking that by now, arrests would have been made.
“If churches and mosques are not protected and these killings continue, there would be an implosion in this country,” Umeh warned.
He called on President Muhammadu Buhari to give maximum attention to security, saying that it was not enough to make pronouncements condemning killings, when nothing was done to tame the menace, and restore law and order across the country.
Following the attacks by herdsmen, the National Economic Council (NEC), yesterday agreed to stop movement of herdsmen in the country, starting with the five mostly affected states of Benue, Taraba, Adamawa, Kaduna and Plateau.
The Council also supported the immediate creation of ranches across the country.
Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, disclosed this to State House correspondents at the end of the NEC meeting chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
According to him, the five mostly affected states which had witnessed herdsmen killings will be expected to make land available for the ranches.
He said through ranching, the nomadic herdsmen and their families would be able to access good medical facilities and good schools for their children if they stay in one place.
Staying in a ranch, he said, would also improve the well-being of the cattle.
The governor added that the Federal Government and the affected states would still iron out the interventions expected from the two parties.
He said foreign herdsmen should be able to show some travel documents, even though visa is not allowed for movement in West African.
The Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh said the federal government would no longer allow the killings to continue.
He said Nigeria may no longer keep to the ECOWAS protocol on free movement of persons.
Similary,the Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose has described President Muhammadu Buhari as a captured president who has been reduced to offering condolences to Nigerians slaughtered by herdsmen.
He said the President has failed in taking firm action to stop the atrocities.
Fayose wondered why a retired Army General and a former military Head of State who contested and won election on the premises of providing security to the citizens has suddenly become lame duck.
The governor said in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, that “This is a killer government”, adding that it was shameful that Nigerians were dying daily with Buhari clueless and incompetent to handle the crisis.
“It is beyond dispute that the Buhari-led All Progressives Congress administration has lost the battle against insurgency and the Fulani herdsmen. Buhari is helpless as he is reduced to offering condolences on a daily basis.
“Nigerians are dying on a daily basis. Innocent souls are being wasted by herdsmen, and the Buhari administration has lost all moral right to continue in office. Why is he still sitting in office? Doing what, if I may ask”, he queried.
He wondered that this was a government that lambasted the PDP administration of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan for cluelessness.
Fayose said, “The same Goodluck Jonathan administration era is now looking like the golden age of security of lives and properties in Nigeria”
“At no period since 1999 has life been this cheap. Life has become nasty, brutish, and short under the Buhari administration”, he said.
The governor also expressed misgivings about recent spate of controversial judgments by courts, which he said, gave the impression of collusion between unscrupulous judges and the Buhari administration to truncate democracy and lead the country into anarchy.
“The situation is getting so bad that we do not know whether the Constitution of the country has been unofficially suspended.
“Nigerians have been unlucky with Buhari as president. He is too old, analogue, incompetent, and clueless, and is not ready to admit and yield for a competent leader. This country has never had it this bad. Gradually, Buhari is becoming a maximum ruler,” he added.
Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi.
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We’re Working To Improve Quality Of Life Of Rivers People -Fubara …As Taraba Gov Inaugurates 6.55km Okania-Ogbogoro-Mgbaraja Roads Project
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has reiterated the commitment of his administration to render quality service that will improve the quality of life of residents, and strengthen the platform to promote unity.
Governor Fubara gave the assurance at the Okania-Ogbogoro Road junction, venue of the inauguration of the 6.55km Okania-Ogbogoro-Mgbaraja (and Mgbuoba) Roads project in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, yesterday.
The road cuts across Okania community through Ogbogoro, and connects Port Harcourt Ring Road project under construction, and was inaugurated by the Taraba State Governor, Dr Agbu Kefas.
Governor Fubara said that during the campaigns, he saw the roads in terrible condition, made a promise to fix them, and noted that that promise has been kept.
He emphasised that his administration will never be reckoned with abandoning of projects that it started, which is why he is particularly excited that the road has been fixed to ease the inconveniences suffered by the people.
The Governor said, “What we are doing here today is very simple: Promise made, promise fulfilled. I told you that whatever we are going to start, we are not going to leave it halfway. So, we have come here this afternoon to fulfill that promise.
“I am so excited, and I am so happy. I am leaving here with so much joy that we have done something that has so much impact, and importance in the lives of our people. So, I feel very fulfilled. Government is about the people. Government is knowing, understanding and seeing what you can do to make life easy for your people.
“We understand the situation of this road. Fortunately, I have a few friends who also live around here. So, there is nothing you will say that I don’t know. As a government, we will continue to do those things we know will make life easy for you.”
The Governor thanked members of the communities in the area for their support to his administration, and also for cooperating with the contractor to ensure completion of the project.
He assured the people that their request for the rehabilitation of the Community Secondary School and Health Centre, will be looked at and addressed immediately, saying, “Our government is a government that takes the interest of our people very seriously.
“There is no government without the people. It is only the people that keep the government going. So, what we will continue to do is to make sure that the problems and interest of our people are top on our list,” he assured.
Performing the inauguration, Taraba State Governor, Dr Agbu Kefas, said roads are not just physical infrastructure but represent a commitment to facilitate ease of transportation, boost local commercial activities and improve quality of lives for the people of Rivers State.
Dr Kefas noted that Governor Fubara has provided the people good roads, and like other good roads, it will serve as an artery of development, further connecting communities, enhancing access to essential services while unlocking economic potentials.
He said, “By completing this project, Your Excellency has, once again, demonstrated the transformative impact of visionary leadership. When I was coming in with the Governor on a ride, I saw the joy, the happiness of the voiceless people who were abandoned and neglected in this area, coming out to wave and welcome us.
“It wasn’t a hired crowd. Everybody, those who couldn’t make it to this place, in front of their homes, they were waving at us, and I was telling the Governor: this is all about good governance. He listened to the people, and solved their problems. So, it shows that he is doing the right thing, and I want to thank you, my brother, for what you are doing for the good people, especially the poor people even in difficult times.”
Governor Kefas further said: “As we celebrate this milestone, I am reminded of the importance of collaboration and shared vision among us as Governors. Together, we can inspire our people, improve their lives, and create lasting legacies in our respective states.”
Providing the project description, the State Commissioner for Works, Barrister Elloka Tasie-Amadi, recalled that when it was flagged-off in May, 2024, the project was for a 5km stretch but was extended in October, to include Mgbaraja axis, increasing the length to 6.55km, explaining that the 10.3 meter wide, and 5km of drains road, has now linked Apara Kingdom to Nkpor Kingdom.
In his address, Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Amb Chijioke Ihunwo, described the road as a very significant route that was abandoned for years until Governor Fubara intervened and fixed it, promising that Obio/Akpor people will not take the gestures of the State Government under Governor Fubara for granted.
Speaking on behalf of China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), the firm that handled the project, Eric Shen, said they are happy to be part of the infrastructure development strides of Governor Fubara, stating that though the rains posed significant challenge, they have delivered quality road network to serve the connectivity needs of the people.
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We’ll Implement Judicial Commission’s Report On Arson, Killings -Fubara …Says Such Violence Must Stop In Rivers
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured of implementing the recommendations of the report submitted to him by the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Arson, Killings, and Wanton Destruction of Property at some local government council headquarters on or around Monday, October 7, 2024.
Governor Fubara gave the assurance when the seven-member commission, led by the Chairman, Justice Ibiwengi Roseline Minakiri, submitted four volumes of reports of their investigation and recommendations to him at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
The Governor declared that his administration will neither tolerate nor allow such level of violence in the State anymore because it is not profitable or productive.
He said, “We are not going to be part of any system that would encourage any destruction in this State. And for that reason, we had to inaugurate this commission, so that this commission should look into the remote and immediate causes of this problem.
“And I believe that the recommendations of this commission, with the help of God and the support of everyone, we will make sure that we implement the recommendations.”
Governor Fubara said: “We are going to take it to the next stage. The report will be presented to the Executive Council, and there, we will surely come out with the White Paper and with the White Paper. I can assure you, we are going to follow it to the end.
“Nobody is above the law, including me. So, provided what we are doing is within the confines of the law, we will do it with the help of every one.”
Governor Fubara recalled how, before 2014, a group of persons had ran wide recklessly in the State, burning down court buildings.
He noted that it is such persons, who had recently surfaced with their destructive tendencies, and have extended the violence to local government councils, killing people and destroying government property.
Governor Fubara wondered why somebody will spend so much money to build a structure intended to last as legacy of the administration but would eventually be part of its destruction in the name of politics.
Governor Fubara clarified that he has never been part of such destructive politics that continue to set the State backwards and frustrate progressive development strides.
Governor Fubara said: “I make bold to say it, I have never been and will never be a party to anything that will bring shame, disgrace, destruction to our dear State.
“It is our State. If it is well with us, it will be well with everybody. As a matter of fact, why should I encourage destruction, when I know that when you finish spoiling things, you still need money to rebuild them.
“I am an accountant, I know the importance of how we can manage money. Rather than spoil, you should use that money to do a new thing for the State.”
Governor Fubara vowed: “So, I am going to ensure that we put a stop to that level of violence or such unreasonable violence. I call it unreasonable violence because it doesn’t mean anything in politics.
“Politics is a business of interest. There is no permanent friend, no permanent enemy. Some persons who were not even in our support, today, they are here following us because their interest is the most important thing.
“Likewise tomorrow, if the interest changes, they will also go their different ways. So, why burn down the house?”
Governor Fubara thanked members of the commission for being bold, focused, and accomplishing their task with determination in the face of physical and legal threats.
In her presentation, Chairman of the seven-member Judicial Commission of Inquiry, Justice Ibiwengi Roseline Minakiri, said they had put their findings into four volumes, including the recommendations.
Justice Minakiri explained: “We have here four volumes of the report. We have the memoranda, which is the memoranda we got after we made our publications.
“We also have the exhibits that came with the memoranda. We have the proceedings and the records. At the end of the day, we came up with the main report.”
Justice Minakiri advised that the recommendations of the report should be studied and implemented so that people can be deterred from such callous acts and the sought-after peace secured for the State.
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We Are Eager To Showcase The Best Of Rivers State -Fubara …Declares Federation Of Public Service Games Open
The Rivers State Government says it is committed to providing a memorable experience for all delegates participating in the Federation of Public Service Games(FEPSGA) hosted by the State Government.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara stated this during the opening Ceremony of the 43rd Edition, Public Service Games, titled ”Simplified Rivers 2024″, at Sharks Stadium, Port Harcourt, last Sunday.
Speaking through his Deputy, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, Governor Fubara said “Our hospitality is renowned and we are eager to showcase the best of Rivers State. From top-notch facilities to a secure environment, we have everything in place to ensure a seamless and enjoyable experience for all participants.”
Governor Fubara said to ensure the success of the games his Administration has put in place comprehensive plans and preparations with four venues approved for the events which include the Sharks Stadium, Alfred Diette -Spiff Civic Centre, Port Harcourt Club and the University of Port Harcourt.
The State Chief Executive urged participants to remember that the true spirit of FEPSGA goes beyond winning medals, stressing that it is about building bridges of friendship, fostering a sense of community and celebrating our diversity.
According to him, we envision a public service that is more productive, more efficient and more effective, a future where public servants are empowered to deliver exceptional results driven by a culture of excellence, innovation and teamwork.
The Governor reiterated that while a healthy mind and body are essential for high productivity, regular physical activity boosts our mood, increases energy levels and enhances our cognitive function. We are eager to showcase the best of Rivers State. From top-notch facilities to a secure environment.
In her address Head of the Civil Service of the Federation Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who spoke through Dr.(Mrs) Magdalene Ajani, Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Interior Commended Governor Fubara for hosting this year’s event, and for his dedication to promoting sports and fostering unity in the country.
She noted that the event which serves as a platform for furthering unity, camaraderie and sportsmanship amongst public servants, was a celebration of their shared commitment to excellence, resilience and service to the nation.
Also speaking the National President of the Federation of Public Service Games (FEPSGA), Comrade Amaebi Aloku, said Rivers State got the nod to host the annual event because the Federation was pleased with the vision of Governor Fubara in identifying with the needs of the Civil Servants in the State, in terms of their welfare and being one of the first State to implement the new minimum wage and even taking it above what was approved by the national.
Earlier the Head of Service Rivers State, Dr George Nwaeke had welcomed all participants to the State and expressed gratitude to the Governor for approving and making available the resources to host the games, noting that it was an opportunity to interact with all Civil Servants across the nation.