News
Zamfara state government asks residents to take up arms against bandits
The Zamfara state government has directed residents to arm themselves against bandits.
The directive was issued in a statement on Saturday by Ibrahim Dosara, the commissioner for information, in Gusau, the state capital.
Zamfara has been one of the worst-hit states by banditry in Nigeria.
TheCable had reported that the state has the second-highest number of deaths from non-state actors in the first quarter of 2022, with 327 cases.
In reaction to the security challenge, the state government said it is “ready to facilitate people, especially our farmers, to secure basic weapons for defending themselves.”
It also directed the police command to issue gun licences to all who qualify and are willing to obtain firearms to defend themselves.
The Zamfara government then ordered the recruitment of 200 additional community protection guards in each of the 19 emirates to strengthen the security across the state.
“Following the increase in the activities of bandits in various parts of the state and the government’s commitment to ensure adequate security and protection of lives and property of the citizenry in the state, particularly during this rainy season, the government has resolved to take further measures to deal with the recent escalating attacks, kidnapping and the criminal levies being enforced on our innocent communities,” the government said.
“This act of terrorism has been a source of worry and concern to the people and government of the state. Therefore, to deal decisively with the situation in our respective communities, the government has no option than to take the following measures:
“The government has, henceforth, directed individuals to prepare and obtain guns to defend themselves against the bandits, as the government has directed the state commissioner of police to issue licences to all those who qualify and are wishing to obtain such guns to defend themselves. Government is ready to facilitate people, especially our farmers to secure basic weapons for defending themselves.
“The government has already concluded arrangements to distribute 500 forms to each of the 19 emirates in the state for those willing to obtain guns to defend themselves. People must apply from the Commissioner of Police, for a license to own guns and other basic weapons to be used in defending themselves. A secretariat or centre will be established for the collection of intelligence on the activities of informants.
“People are strictly warned and advised to make sure that any information or intelligence about an informant must be true and nothing but the truth, as all information on such informants must carry correct data on the suspects, including their pictures, correct names, addresses, occupation and witness to testify the genuity of the information given, as the government is taking punitive measures against anyone found as an informant. Any person who gives wrong information against anybody will be served the same punishment as an informant and will be treated as such.”
The government has also requested the state house of assembly to pass the informants bill before it, to enable the state take drastic measures on informants.
News
Reps consider raising retirement age of health workers to 65
A bill seeking to raise the retirement age of health workers has scaled the second reading at the house of representatives.
Adewale Hammed, the lawmaker representing the Agege federal constituency of Lagos state, sponsored the bill to raise the retirement age of health workers from 60 to 65 and from 35 to 40 years in service.
Leading the debate on the bill during the plenary on Thursday, the lawmaker argued that the law will enable experienced healthcare workers will continue to contribute their expertise to the sector until they reach the age of 65.
“Nigeria’s healthcare sector is currently experiencing a significant depletion in both the number and quality of professionals due to two main factors,” Hammed said.
“Firstly, a substantial number of health workers are migrating abroad in search of the proverbial golden fleece — a trend difficult to stop given the fundamental human rights of the individuals concerned.
“Secondly, the compulsory retirement age of 60 and the mandatory 35 years of service, as stipulated in the public service rules, are contributing to the exodus of experienced professionals.
“While we cannot control the former, the latter can be addressed through the upward review of the retirement age, which will be achieved by this bill.”
The lawmaker said the retirement age of judges, lecturers, and teachers has been raised, noting that health workers should not be left out.
Mark Esset, a lawmaker from Akwa, opposed the bill, contending that opportunities should be given to many well-trained Nigerians who are searching for jobs rather than extending the service years of those who are due for retirement.
Nwaeke Felix from Rivers also spoke against the bill, backing Esset’s argument.
However, Ahmed Jaha from Borno spoke in favour of the bill, noting that it will not stop the recruitment of new graduates.
Lawmakers voted in support of the bill when Benjamin Kalu, the deputy speaker of the house, subjected it to a voice vote.
News
Realtor goes missing after being called to check property in Lagos
A 43-year-old man identified as Jimi Folarin, a realtor, has gone missing after being called by a client to inspect properties in the Imota area of Ikorodu, Lagos State.
According to his sister, Iremide Omowunmi, Folarin left the house at exactly 4 PM on Wednesday for the property inspection and has not answered his phone since.
She stated, “At about 4 PM, my brother called me to say that the clients he was waiting for had contacted him to come and inspect the properties. This was exactly at 4 PM.
“My brother is a real estate agent who sells land and assists people in buying land. Around 5 PM, I tried calling him to see if he had arrived, but although the phone rang, he did not pick up. I thought maybe he was busy with the clients, so I stopped calling. It wasn’t until 10 PM that I tried reaching him again, but he still didn’t respond. I then texted him on WhatsApp, but he didn’t reply either, which is unlike him.
“While I was calling him, my brother’s friend was also trying to reach him. After a while, a strange number called my brother’s friend, asking who he wanted to speak to. When my brother’s friend questioned the caller, they immediately hung up.
“This morning, I called that strange number, and the person answered. But when I asked for Folarin, my brother, they abruptly ended the call. I have reported the case to the Gbogbo Police Station in Ikorodu,” she added.
News
NSIB locates wreckage of crashed helicopter in Port Harcourt
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) says its search and recovery teams have successfully located the wreckage of the Sikorsky SK76 helicopter that crash-landed in Port Harcourt, Rivers.
In a statement on Thursday, Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, NSIB’s director of public affairs and family assistance, said the wreckage was identified during recovery dives conducted on Wednesday night.
The helicopter, operated by Eastwind Aviation and carrying eight individuals, had crash-landed off the coast of Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean on October 24.
The ministry of aviation and aerospace development confirmed that three bodies were recovered, while search and rescue operations continued in a bid to locate the remaining passengers.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited had said it hired the helicopter to its floating, production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) facility from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) base in Port Harcourt.
Reacting to the accident on October 25, President Bola Tinubu directed military officers involved in various operations in Port Harcourt to join the search for passengers of the ill-fated aircraft.
Tinubu asked the military officers to provide the necessary support needed by the NSIB, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and other relevant agencies.
In a statement yesterday, the NSIB said a fifth body was recovered from the site of the crash in Rivers, adding that the body recovered required specialised handling due to its decomposed state.
Giving updates on the search mission, Oladeji said preparations are ongoing for the helicopter’s recovery to support further investigation.
“The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) announces that the allied team and partners leading the charge for the search and recovery efforts of the ditched Sikorsky SK76 helicopter, registration 5N BQG, have located its wreckage,” the statement reads.
“The wreckage was identified during last night’s recovery dives, approximately 0.775 nautical miles from the FPSO Adoon. It was located at a depth of 42 meters, with coordinates registered at Latitude 04° 13.634′ N and Longitude 008° 19.442′ E.
“Preparations are currently underway for the helicopter’s recovery to support further investigation.”
Alex Badeh, the director-general of NSIB, commended the allied team and partners leading the search and recovery efforts.
“Locating the wreckage is a critical milestone in our efforts to understand the circumstances surrounding this tragic accident,” Badeh said.
“The dedication and cooperation shown by all involved parties have been exceptional, and we are determined to conduct a thorough investigation to provide clarity and closure to the families of those affected.”
Badeh reaffirmed the bureau’s commitment to working closely with national and international partners to carry out the recovery and investigative process, in line with its mandate to enhance transportation safety in Nigeria.
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