News
Group Condemns Linking Ex-Taraba Council Boss to Southern Taraba Unrest
The Takum Renaissance Forum(TRF)has condemned a press release issue by STYCOP headed by Rikwensi Muri associating’s increasing surge in insecurity and unrest in Southern Taraba to former Takum local government chairman Shiban Tikari.
In a statement issue by the group secretary Emmanuel Joro, it says for the avoidance of doubt, they wouldn’t have dabbled into the issue, but for the sake of records, they’ve chosen to react.
In Muri’s press release which states that “We must also remember the actions of Hon. Shiban Tikari, former chairman of Takum Local Government Council, who similarly exploited the “Tiv Militias,” “Kuteb Militias,” and “Fulani Militias” narrative to destabilize the region”.
The Group responded by saying “It is on records that Hon. Shiban stabilized the atmosphere of Takum and environs during his tenure. His administration was not marred by state-sponsored kidnappings, murders and sacking of more than 100 communities by mercenary bandits brought against the Kuteb communities as claimed by Rikwensi Muri, in his usual false accusations. Muri and his co-travellers are the same ones who were bent on throwing Takum and Ussa communities into the pool of crisis. Everybody knew it. Fulani herdsmen were said to have paid millions to their kuteb Chiefs before being given permission to bring their cows to graze in ussa LGA. Muri is quiet about it.”
The group further stated that the former Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku agreed to compensate the herders on the lost of their cows to stop attacking Kuteb communities, but instead after the money had come to their possession for compensation to be paid to the Fulani, it was diverted. They instead opted for the money to be used for arms procurement to fight the Fulani herdsmen.
“Why are the likes of Muri and their cohorts, who wanted war with Fulani and called for it, still turning around to blame Gov DDI led administration alongside the then chairmen of Takum and Wukari for their woes”?
“It’s good to note that we are above media trials and other sensational lies to curry public sympathy. Muri has been attacking the image of the Governor of Taraba state, Dr Agbu Kefas and other notable personalities in the state like our fathers, Gen TY Danjuma and the Aku Uka, The Chief of Takum and other notable personalities, but we are not beginning to take this as an exception. Muri’s height of media rascality is a charade taken far”.
“Of all these, none of us or even the authority have chosen to arrest him for defamation. Why? Because of his lunatic approaches and the cheap relevance he is looking for, we can’t give him. The public is always aware of his sponsors and where he is driving. But we repeat, with exception, if he decides to take this further because at hand, we are beginning to gather his incisive and inflammatory posts for litigation against him in court” the statement reads.
The group further highlights that Muri press Release is to incite the gullible public against Hon. Shiban over lies and fabrication of falsehood and also maliciously attacking the present chairman of Wukari local government, Hon Agbu Samaila “having known that the attackers of those innocent KYK members of CRCN in Jootar were Tiv militia, those he has been calling for coalition with”.
The group defend that Hon. Shiban Tikari has never been on the run, but in his hometown in Takum. And the media trial being stage-managed by Muri to demean his image has long fallen.
“We are therefore calling on the general public to be wary with the activities of the so-called STYCOP being handled by Muri. It is not a peace building organization as being peddled but an organization aimed at stirring chaos in the southern part of Taraba state. It is a potential terrorist breeding camp”.
News
Investigative Report Attributes Crash of Wigwe’s Helicopter to Pilot Error and Company Negligence
The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has published its conclusive report regarding the helicopter crash that resulted in the tragic deaths of Herbert Wigwe, the former group CEO of Access Holdings Plc, along with his family and others.
The report indicates that the crash, which occurred on February 9, 2024, near the California-Nevada border, claimed the lives of all six individuals aboard, including Wigwe, his wife Doreen, their eldest son Chizi, and Abimbola Ogunbanjo, the former chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX Group). The incident has been attributed to a mix of pilot disorientation and negligence on the part of the helicopter company.
The NTSB identified the pilot’s choice to continue flying under visual flight rules (VFR) despite facing instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) as the main cause of the accident. This decision resulted in the pilot experiencing spatial disorientation, ultimately leading to a loss of control and a crash into the terrain.
The report underscores that the pilot’s struggle to navigate effectively in such conditions significantly contributed to the catastrophe. Furthermore, it highlighted critical shortcomings in the company’s oversight and safety management practices, revealing that the helicopter company failed to ensure compliance with essential safety protocols. This included the proper completion and updating of flight risk assessments and thorough documentation of maintenance issues.
Additional findings from the report indicate that during the flight, the pilot had communicated with the company’s Director of Maintenance (DOM) regarding a malfunctioning radar altimeter, which remained inoperative despite efforts to repair it.
The NTSB also noted that upon arriving at the airport to collect passengers, the pilot and a company flight follower engaged in a phone conversation but neglected to address the radar altimeter’s status or current weather conditions, both critical factors for flight safety.
The report states, “The probable cause of this accident was the pilot’s decision to continue the flight into IMC, which led to spatial disorientation and the loss of control of the aircraft. Contributing factors include the company’s inadequate safety management oversight, failure to ensure proper documentation, and the malfunctioning radar altimeter.”
It further elaborates that during the return flight, the pilot texted the DOM about the radar altimeter issue. After reaching the company’s flight operations base, the pilot discussed the matter with the company flight follower, who also served as the company’s president. A mechanic attempted to troubleshoot the radar altimeter but was unable to resolve the issue, leaving it non-functional.
The mechanic confirmed that both the pilot and the DOM were aware of the radar altimeter’s condition yet proceeded with the flight at 6:22 PM to pick up the passengers. Approximately 40 minutes later, upon landing at the airport for passenger pickup, the pilot and flight follower had further discussions via phone and text but again did not address the radar altimeter’s status or weather conditions.
Boko Haram terrorists have murdered an army captain in the Izge community of the Gwoza Local Government Area in Borno State.
The assailants, who struck in the early hours of Wednesday, also killed a soldier.
Confirming the incident, the Emir of Gwoza, HRH Alhaji Mohammed Shehu Timta, stated that the attackers stormed the area around 1am and engaged the troops.
“It is true that my people in the Izge community came under attack from Boko Haram around 1am. Unfortunately, a Captain and a Soldier paid the ultimate price.
“However, our gallant troops, along with the Civilian Joint Task Force, local hunters, vigilantes, and resilient community members, managed to kill three terrorists. The attackers abandoned their weapons and over ten motorcycles and are still on the run, while being pursued by our security personnel,” he said.
He offered prayers for the souls of those who lost their lives and commended the brave soldiers for coordinating with other security operatives to repel the attack.
“May Allah (SWT) grant the departed souls Jannatul Firdaus. Our courageous men are still in the bush, sacrificing their lives to maintain peace in society,” he remarked.
He also expressed gratitude to the Borno State governor, Prof Babagana Umara Zulum, for providing logistical support to the security operatives, while urging the federal government to equip security personnel with technological advancements in warfare.
The North East region has been subjected to a series of attacks amid Boko Haram’s renewed onslaught.
On Saturday, Boko Haram terrorists attacked the 27 Task Force Brigade in Buni Yadi, Gujba LGA of Yobe State, resulting in the deaths of at least four soldiers and the destruction of numerous operational equipment.
This attack occurred less than 24 hours after the North East Governors Forum convened in the state capital, Damaturu, where they adopted a multifaceted approach to combat insurgency in the region.
Buni Yadi is situated approximately 65km from the Yobe State capital and is the hometown of the state governor, Mai Mala Buni.
The latest attack follows a recent charge from President Bola Tinubu to service chiefs to put an end to the killings.
By Ankeli Emmanuel, Sokoto
The Sokoto State Police Command haa successfully arrested a notorious gun runner along Sokoto-Gusau highway and recovered illegal arms and ammunition in his possession.
A statement by the spokesperson of the Police Command, ASP Ahmed Rufai said there officers
attached to Tureta Police Station acted on credible intelligence while conducting “a stop-and-search operation”.
“‘The operation led to the interception and arrest of Murtala Abubakar, a 45-year-old suspect from Maradun Local Government Area, Zamfara State””.
Continuing, ASP Rufai mentioned items recovered from the suspect to include,
“”Four (4) locally fabricated rifles, Three (3) locally fabricated pistols, Sixteen (16) rounds of AK-47 ammunition and Three (3) rounds of G3 ammunition'””.
While noting that the command remained committed to curbing crime and criminality, ASP Rufai reassured that their intensified efforts towards mobbing up proliferation of illegal arms and fighting crime of all nature is paying off.
The Police Spokesperson, Rufai who further noted that, the suspect and recovered exhibits have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Sokoto, for further discreet investigation, quoted the Commissioner of Police Ahmed Musa as saying, “”This operation reflects our unwavering commitment to public safety. We urge citizens to continue providing timely intelligence to aid our efforts in dismantling criminal networks.”
“”The Sokoto State Police Command remains dedicated to ensuring security across all communities and calls for sustained collaboration with residents to achieve lasting peace””. CP Musa appealed.