Security
Federal Government Reaffirme Commitment For Taraba State On Food Security
The Federal Government, through the Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) Programme, has reaffirmed its commitment to bolstering Taraba State’s efforts in addressing food security challenges and providing essential services.
In a recent meeting between the National Coordinator of NG-CARES, Dr. Abdulkarim Obaje, and Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Keffas, the National Coordinator emphasized the continuous commitment to assisting sub-national entities in alleviating poverty, addressing infrastructural gaps, ensuring food security, and supporting small and nano businesses.
Dr. Obaje explained that NG-CARES operates on a Performance for Results (PforR) model, wherein States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) receive reimbursement for funding developments based on agreed-upon protocols.
The National Coordinator highlighted that if States and FCT fully endorse and support NG-CARES, the program’s objective to expand access to livelihood support, food security services, and grants for disadvantaged households and firms would be accomplished.
According to Dr. Obaje, “The NG-CARES initiative aims to not only provide financial support but also to empower states and the FCT to achieve sustainable results that significantly surpass their initial investments.”
With increased support from the state government, NG-CARES anticipates enhanced performance and greater results, leading to more funds for Taraba State.
Suleiman Odapu, the Information and Communication Officer for NG-CARES, stated that collaborative efforts would strengthen the state Delivery platforms, ensuring efficient utilization of funds and resources.
Governor Agbu Keffas expressed the state government’s unwavering commitment to fully supporting NG-CARES in Taraba.
He urged the Implementation departments and agencies to adhere to the program’s guidelines, emphasizing the need for diligence to achieve optimal results.
Governor Keffas, while acknowledging the bureaucratic delays in fund release, pledged to prioritize the welfare of staff working on the program and stressed the importance of consistent progress updates from the implementing agencies.
Governor Keffas concluded by expressing his vision of fulfillment as a governor, foreseeing the day when the poor and vulnerable in Taraba State gain unhindered access to development opportunities.
As the NG-CARES Programme prepares to release funds to states and FCT post the successful Independent Verification exercise, Taraba State stands poised to revolutionize its future.
The commitment from both federal and state entities highlights a collective effort to overcome challenges, empower communities, and create lasting positive change.
No fewer than 26 people lost their lives, with three others sustaining injuries, following an improvised explosive device (IED) detonation along the Rann–Kala Balge–Gamboru Ngala highway in Borno.
According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, several civilian vehicles travelling from Rann in Kala Balge LGA ran into a series of hidden explosives.
Makama said the incident occurred on Monday after the convoy veered into a zone where the IEDs had been strategically placed.
The publication said the IEDs were triggered by the movement of vehicles, adding that emergency personnel were swiftly deployed to evacuate victims and administer first aid.
“Security forces have since cordoned off the affected route and commenced clearance operations to ensure safety and prevent a repeat of the incident,” the report said.
“Those injured have been transferred to nearby hospitals where they are currently receiving medical attention.”
Last week, Mohammed Badaru, minister of defence, said President Bola Tinubu is committed to addressing the growing security challenges in Borno state.
The minister spoke about the administration’s commitment to meeting all operational needs of the troops to enhance security in the region.
The Oodua Integrity Group, a Nigerian civil society organisation, has called on Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun to investigate and arrest an alleged gun runner, land grabber,popularly called then insert Lucky Blessings Abuah aka bullets of Achala Ibusa village operating in Asaba and Ibuzor, Delta State, accusing him of orchestrating criminal activities with the aid of rogue police officers.
Tosin Olaoluwa, the group’s South-South coordinator, made the appeal following intelligence gathered from concerned residents.
The suspect, identified as Achala Ibusa but popularly known as “Bullet,” is accused of running a network involving illegal arms trafficking, land grabbing, and cult-related activities.
Olaoluwa claimed Bullet operates with the protection of police officers from Rivers State, in violation of regulations prohibiting officers from working outside their command without approval.
According to the group, four AK-47 rifles were recently discovered hidden in a house in Ibuzor.
Two mobile police officers guarding the property reportedly distanced themselves from the find, raising suspicions of their involvement with Bullet, who is allegedly a leader of the Viking cult.
The Oodua Integrity Group further alleged that an assistant commissioner of police is complicit in Bullet’s activities.
The group highlighted that up to 10 mobile police officers are attached to Bullet, despite IGP Egbetokun’s recent directive to withdraw such personnel from individuals not legally entitled to their services.
“We urge the IGP to take immediate action to arrest the culprit in the interest of the general public,” Olaoluwa said, describing Bullet as a miscreant exploiting government security agents to perpetrate crimes.
In a separate incident, the group claimed that security agents from an agency in Abuja, acting on intelligence, were prevented from arresting Bullet by his police escorts.
The officers, reportedly from Rivers State, allegedly used tear gas and fired shots to obstruct the operation.
The Oodua Integrity Group warned that Bullet’s activities, including stockpiling AK-47s and other weapons in Asaba and Ibuzor, pose a significant threat to public safety.
They called for a thorough investigation into the allegations and the immediate apprehension of those involved.
The Nigeria Police Force has yet to respond to the allegations. Efforts to reach a spokesperson for comment were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.
The Kaduna state Police Command has debunked reports of a bomb explosion in the Abakpa area of the metropolis, which reportedly killed two children.
The spokesman of the Command, Mansir Hassan, said in a statement that preliminary investigations conducted by the Anti-Bomb Squad indicate that a locally made firearm (Dane gun) was discharged, resulting in the unfortunate loss of life of the young boy.
According to the police, the incident, which occurred at about 8:30 am on Tuesday at Josawa Road in the Abakpa area, claimed the life of a 12-year-old boy, identified as Abubakar Muhammed of Josawa Road, while seven other individuals sustained varying degrees of injuries.
The statement stated that a combined team of policemen led by the Divisional Police Officer of Kawo Division and the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Chairman of Kaduna North Local Government, all visited the scene following a distress call, and a thorough on-site assessment was carried out.
Police disclosed that further investigations and assessments are ongoing to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the incident.
The Command equally assured the public that further developments will be promptly and transparently communicated.