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Author: Nabilu Balarabe

  • Police nab 3 vigilantes over building materials theft in Yobe

     

    Arrest
    By Nabilu Balarabe
    Damaturu, June 30, 2024 (NAN) The Police Command in Yobe on Sunday said it arrested three vigilante members for allegedly stealing building materials in Damaturu.

    The Command’s Spokesman, DSP Dungus Abdulkarim, confirmed the arrest in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Damaturu.

    He said the suspects – Ibrahim Mohammed, Hassan Umar and Ali Yakubu – were arrested on June 27, after they connived and broke into a shop in the metropolis, which the owner engaged them to guard.

    The spokesman said they would be charged with criminal conspiracy, house trespass, burglary, receiving and trading in stolen property.

    Abdulkarim noted that there were several complaints about untoward behaviour of vigilante members, prompting the state Commissioner of Police, Garba Ahmed, to call for a review of  their registration.

    “In view of their important role otcomplementing security agencies in the fight against crime and criminality, this development is sad and unfortunate.

    “There have been series of complaints of untoward actions by some of those outfit members,” he said.

    The spokesman announced that the command was developing a strategic plan for proper documentation and supervision of Divisional Police Offices over vigilante activities in their jurisdiction.

    Abdulkarim advised the public to be vigilant while engaging personal security guards and report criminal elements within the group to the police.

    He also called on the public to report erring security personnel to the state Police headquarters or write a complaint to the commissioner through the spokesman.(NAN)www.nannews.ng

    NB/YGA

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    Edited by Gabriel Yough

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Buni, Zulum, Fintiri tour Pakistan to understudy post-insurgency disaster mgmt

     

     Gov Mai Mala Buni, Gov Babagana Umara Zulum and Gov Umaru Fintiri in Pakistan

    Buni, Zulum, Fintiri tour Pakistan to understudy post-insurgency disaster mgmt

    Insurgency
    By Nabilu Balarabe
    Damaturu, June 24, 2024 (NAN) Gov. Mai Mala Buni of Yobe, his Borno and Adamawa counterparts, Prof. Babagana  Zulum and Umaru Fintiri, respectively, have toured Pakistan to understudy post-insurgency disaster management.

    Alhaji Mamman Mohammed, Buni’s Director-General (DG) Press and Media Affairs, disclosed this to journalists in Damaturu on Monday.

    The tour was organized by the Multi-Sectoral Crisis Recovery Project (MCRP) of the World Bank and coordinated by the North East Recovery and Stability Programme (NERSP) Programmes Management and Coordination (PMC) CELL, North East Development Commission (NEDC).

    Mohammed said the tour would deepen the governors’ understanding of international best practices in crisis management, disaster resilience and urban development.

    “ The visit aims to : understand best practices and solutions relevant to MCRP AF and NEDC/BAY mandates. Strengthen institutional capacity for planning, recovery, and stabilization.

    “ Enhance implementation of infrastructure, services, and social cohesion. Improve planning for post-NEDC phases and Increase MDAs’ capacity to design and implement sustainable projects,” he said.

    The director-general said the team had so far visited Punjab Municipal Development Fund Corporation (PMDFC, LGCD) and Punjab Planning and Development Board (PnD Board).

    Mohammed said the Governors were expected to visit Punjab Disaster Management Authority, PMDFC Municipal services projects, Islamabad Disaster Risk Management Portfolio and Khyber Project for Rural Investment and Institutional Support.

    He said the team would meet with Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority, UN agencies, among others, during the visit.

    “ Gov. Buni will have bilateral discussions with heads of donor organisations and private sectors for resource mobilisation,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NERSP PMC Cell, is a World Bank-funded initiative supporting recovery and peace-building in the Northeast States of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe.(www.nannews.ng)

    NB/BRM

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    Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Buni approves N695.9m as Sallah bonus for workers, pensioners

    Buni approves N695.9m as Sallah bonus for workers, pensioners

    Bonus
    By Nabilu Balarabe
    Damaturu, June 11, 2024 (NAN) Gov Mai Mala Buni of Yobe has approved the payment of N695.9 million as Eid-el-kabir bonus to civil servants and pensioners in the state.

    Alhaji Bukar Kilo, Permanent Secretary, Office of the Head of Service of the state, disclosed this to journalists in Damaturu on Tuesday.

    He said that N375.9 million of the amount would be paid to local government staff and pensioners, while N320 million was for state government staff and pensioners.

    According to him, each staff member and pensioner will receive N10,000 and N5,000 respectively.

    Kilo said the gesture was intended to cushion hardship suffered by people in the state.

    The permanent secretary charged the beneficiaries to reciprocate the gesture by being dedicated to duty and pray for the success of the Buni-led administration in the state.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    NB/MNA

    Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Buni presents 20 operational vehicles to security agencies

    Buni presents 20 operational vehicles to security agencies

    Security
    By Nabilu Balarabe
    Damaturu, June 6, 2024 (NAN) Gov. Mai Mala Buni of Yobe has presented 20 additional operational vehicles to security agencies in the state.

    He made the presentation in Damaturu on Thursday, while inaugurating the state’s Security Planning and Coordination Group.

    The governor said that the vehicles would enhance the capacity of security agents to fight crime across the state.

    He added that “we have procured additional 20 Toyota Land Cruiser (Sansar) vehicles at this strategic period of cropping season to enhance the operational capability of security agencies in providing adequate and timely security to our farmers in some soft targets, especially along the borders.

    “I wish to enjoin the security operatives to make good use of these vehicles strictly for the purposes intended with a good culture of maintenance.”

    Buni said the group was formed to ensure synergy among security agencies in the state for improved service delivery.

    He said it was mandated to come up with “inclusive framework for all stakeholders to support a timely, coordinated and effective transition from stabilisation, medium and longer-term recovery, to peace-building and development processes.” (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    NB/HA
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    Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Eid el-Adha: Yobe microfinance bank unveils N150m ram loan

    Loan

    By Nabilu Balarabe

    Damaturu, June 6, 2024 (NAN) Yobe Microfinance Bank says it has initiated a N150 million facility to enable its customers purchase animals for sacrifice during the Eid el-Adha celebration.

    Dr Sheriff Almuhajir, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the bank, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Thursday in Damaturu.

    Eid el-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) is the second of the two main holidays celebrated in Islam.

    It’s being observed on the 10th day of Dhul Hijja (the 12th month of Islamic Calender), to commemorate Prophet Ibrahim’s (Abraham) devotion to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God’s command.
    Muslim faithful across the globe celebrate the day by animal sacrifice such as ram, sheep, cattle and goat.

    According to Almuhajir, the facility will be implemented under its Sallah Ram Loans scheme, adding that it would be disburse into category A & B, with customers on category A accessing N150,000 while N75,000 for those on category B.

    He said the loan would be repaid through monthly repayment of N6,000 for customers on category A and N3,300 for those on category B.

    Almuhajir listed the conditions for accessing the loan to include having an account with the bank with a minimum balance of N2,500 for ATM cards and other services.

    He said the applicant must obtain form from the banking hall at N1,000, and must be a civil servant on the payroll of the state or local government councils of the state.

    Other requirements, he said, include two passport photographs, NIN number, payment slip and other relevant documents.

    The gesture, he said, was to support individuals and families who might not be able to instantly purchase ram for the festivities.

    “This loan scheme is designed to support civil servants in Yobe, especially those working with state and local councils during the festive season”. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    NB/RSA

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    Edited by Rabiu Sani-Ali

  • Yobe completes sesame processing factory

    Yobe completes sesame processing factory

    Yobe Sesame Cleaning, Packaging and Processing Factory in Machina.

    Sesame
    By Nabilu Balarabe
    Machina (Yobe State), June 5, 2024 (NAN) Yobe Government has completed the construction of a six-tonne per hour capacity sesame cleaning and processing factory in Machina town.

    The Commissioner for Commerce, Alhaji Kaigama Umar, made this known in Machina on Wednesday while conducting journalists round the facility.

    He said three other sesame cleaning, packaging and processing factories are at various stages of completion in Nguru, Potiskum and Damaturu.

    He explained that “the idea behind the establishment of sesame seed cleaning, processing and packaging factories was conceived by Gov. Mai Mala Buni shortly after assuming office.

    “He believes that factories like this accelerate industrialisation, which will help our farmers and enhance our Internally Generated Revenue.”

    According to him, Yobe is the largest producer of sesame in the country, noting that the grain is cultivated in commercial quantity in Geidam, Yunusari, Nguru and Machina, among others.

    He said sesame farmers in the areas would no longer have to travel to Kano to process their crop as the factory would be at their doorsteps.

    “We are also inviting sesame farmers outside the state to come and take advantage of the facility,” he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    NB/HA

    Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Repentant Boko Haram members helping in counterinsurgency – Yobe govt

    Repentant Boko Haram members helping in counterinsurgency  – Yobe Govt

     

    Counterinsurgency
    By Nabilu Balarabe
    Damaturu, June 5,2024 (NAN) The Yobe Government on Wednesday said repentant Boko Haram members are assisting in counterinsurgency operations in the state.

    Retired Brig.-Gen. Dahiru Abdulsalam, the Special Adviser on Security to Gov. Mai Mala Buni, made this known while briefing newsmen in Damaturu.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Abdulsalam was reacting to concerns raised by some residents over the involvement of repentant insurgents in security operations in Geidam town.

    “ There is no government that will take any decision that is to the detriment of its people. Government is committed to ending insurgency so that we can have peace.

    “ We have these repentant Boko Haram insurgents called ‘ hybrid force’ that have been assisting security agencies in conducting operations in Damaturu, Goniri and Buni Yadi.

    “ First, they assist with information about insurgents, through their sources that are still with Boko Haram and ISWAP.

    ”Secondly, they assist with information about Boko Haram and ISWAP collaborators and suppliers,” he said.

    The official said repentant Boko Haram operatives were deployed to Geidam to assist in containing the infiltration of terrorists and their collaborators in the commercial town.

    “ In Geidam, there are people engaging in business activities on behalf of Boko Haram. There are those that supply food, fuel and other essentials to the insurgents.

    “ The hybrid forces had identified persons having links with Boko Haram leadership and their supply chain, As a result of this, 12 people have been arrested, interrogated in Geidam and transferred to Damaturu,” Abdulsalam said.

    Abdulsalam called on residents of Geidam to cooperate with security agents in dislodging terrorists and blocking their supply routes.

    “ The major requirement of Boko Haram is fuel, food and medicine. That is why they attack hospitals, break shops and steal materials.

    “ So these are the logistics they need that they continue to disturb us and innocent individuals,” Abdulsalam said.(www.nannews.ng)(NAN)

    NB/SH

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    edited by Sadiya Hamza

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Yobe govt offers 50,000 free dialysis in 7 years

    Dialysis

    By Nabilu Balarabe

    Damaturu, June 4, 2024 (NAN) The Mai Mala Buni administration in Yobe has sponsored over 50,000 free dialysis for patients suffering from renal diseases in the last seven years.

    Dr Baba Goni, Chief Medical Director, Yobe Teaching Hospital, Damaturu, disclosed this on in Damaturu.

    Goni, who toured the journalists through the newly completed Maternal, New-born and Child Healthcare Complex, said over 600 free dialysis were being conducted monthly in the hospital.

    He said each session cost about N50,000, due to exorbitant prices of consumables.

    Goni said the Buni administration also set up a dialysis centre in the hospital, to attend to high burden of kidney failure in the state, particularly among communities on the fringes of River Yobe.

    The governor, he said, increased the standing payment for haemodialysis by 100 per cent to provide succour to indigent patients.

    Goni said the state government was also providing free vascular access operation, a preliminary process for dialysis, which cost between N100,000 and N150,000 per session.

    He recalled that Buni during a visit to the United Kingdom in 2023, invited world renowned experts to help the state in identifying the remote and immediate causes of high manifestation of renal diseases in the state.

    “We have already done a preliminary work on that and we have carried out a survey and identified hot spots in some local government areas in the northern part of the state.

    “Soon we are going to conduct population based survey in the hot spots. We will analyse blood samples of members of the communities, the soil and water they consume to see if there are toxins that can affect kidney,” he said.

    According to Goni, the state government is working in partnership with the Urology/Nephrology Centre, Mansoura University, Egypt, to train doctors in Yobe on kidney transplanting.

    He said kidney transplant locally would save cost as the expenditure for the procedure abroad exceeded N20 million, adding that the 400-bed capacity maternal, new-born and child healthcare complex built by Buni administration was the biggest in the North-East.

    Goni said the facility would address high rate of under-five mortality triggered by mass exodus of health personnel due to the decade-long insurgency in the state.

    According to him, the facility is designed on the tripod of service delivery, manpower training and research on prevailing health challenges in the sub region.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Buni in 2020, awarded N1.6 billion contract for the construction of the state-of-the-art facility. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    NB/RSA

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    Edited by Rabiu Sani-Ali