News
How joint troop rescued abducted corper, six others
… victims narrate ordeal
Troops of joint military operations of 401 Special Forces Brigade and Sector One Operation Whirl Stroke have rescued a kidnapped youth corps member and six other victims in Tse-Annaka, along Wukari/Zaki-Biam, Torov council ward in Ukum LGA of Benue State.
The corps member was identified as Samuel Muekara, aged 29 and a law graduate.
Other rescued victims who were kidnapped at different dates and times in the same locations include, Mr.
Anaelechi Bob 32, Ayuba Luka, 28, Ibrahim Umar, 30, Rabiu Muhammad 48, Buhari Ahmadu Saleh 17 years old and Blessing Ayuba 47.
A security personnel who spoke under the condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the press, identified the bandits terrorizing the Sankara axis as “Full Fire”, Ayongo, Chen and his group.
He said the bandits belong to the gang of the notorious criminal kingpin in Benue, late Terwase Akwaza also known as Gana”.
“These notorious armed bandits are well known to the people living in those areas and any attempt to get information from them, they claimed not to know, whereas in the real sense they know them.
“The people must understand that security is a collective efforts from all and sundry and therefore, the communities should be able to always volunteer necessary information to security agencies especially our troops to help them fish out the perpetrators of crime among them.
Some of the rescued victims who spoke with our correspondent at the military camp in Zaki – Biam, Ukum local government area where they were taken to, said they were kidnapped and kept hostage for days before the intervention of the military troops.
“Some of us were taken to the neighboring settlement like Chito village, Adamawa village, Atereyange village, Ututu village and Pevkyaa village all of Ukum local government area where these heavily armed bandits are using as their hideouts.
“These armed bandits have made kidnapping in these communities as their major source of income and they do it in a broad day light without fear.
” They are living with their families who usually come to give us food in their hideout. People living around there see them perpetrating these evils but they are helpless to voice it out for the fear of their lives”.
“,One of us(victims) know as Rabiu Muhammad who came to pay ransom for his cousin Ibrahim Umar became a kidnapped victims after he had paid the ransom”, one of the Victims’ said .
Another victim identified as Blessing Ayuba said she was also kidnapped after she came to pay a ransom for her son, Luka Ayuba.
On his part, the youth corps member, Samuel told our Correspondent that after the families of seven jointly raised over N20 million and paid as ransom with other valuables worth millions of naira forcibly taken away, they were still held captive until the military came to their rescue.
We are calling on the Federal Government to immediately give promotions to those military officers who rescued us from the wicked hands of the kidnappers.
“Federal and State governments should intensify security surveillance particularly in Ukum communities along Zaki -Biam, Wukari roads to curtail activities of these armed bandits to protect lives and property of citizens traveling on that routes.
Government must also beam searchlights also on the activities of transport companies operating in the country during odd hours who always fail to report kidnapped cases to the appropriate quarters”, he said.
By Gloria Ikibah
The Federal Government of Nigeria has extended its heartfelt congratulations to the State of Qatar on the occasion of its National Day, celebrated on Wednesday, December 18, 2024.
In a statement signed by the Acting Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, Nigeria’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, conveyed fraternal greetings to Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.
The statement highlighted Qatar’s commitment to promoting global peace and its significant contributions to humanitarian services worldwide.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria commends the commitment and strategic efforts made by the State of Qatar in the promotion of global peace; and more so, the excellent contributions to humanitarian services in different parts of the world,” it read.
Ambassador Tuggar emphasised the strong and growing relations between Nigeria and Qatar, expressing satisfaction with the collaborative efforts to strengthen ties for the mutual benefit of their citizens.
He wished Qatar peace, prosperity, and progress, reaffirming Nigeria’s enduring friendship and support.
This underscores Nigeria’s recognition of its diplomatic relationship with Qatar and its shared commitment to global cooperation and development.
By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has called for the removal of the National Examination Council (NECO), University of Ibadan (UI), Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, and 21 other federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) from the 2025 budget.
This recommendation follows their repeated failure to account for previous allocations and internally generated revenue.
During an extraordinary session on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, the Committee resolved that these MDAs should be excluded from the budget until they comply with its directives.
Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Bamidele Salam, stressed: “The Financial Regulation empowers the National Assembly to exclude any Ministry, Department, or Agency (MDA) that fails to account for their previous appropriations. As such, the listed MDAs should be excluded from the 2025 budget until they appear before this constitutional committee.”
The decision was prompted by the consistent non-compliance of these MDAs despite multiple summons issued by the Committee to scrutinize their financial operations.
Prominent institutions among those recommended for delisting include hospitals, universities, and federal development agencies. Some of the affected MDAs are:
- Federal Medical Centre, Bida
- Federal Ministry of Labour & Employment
- Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria
- Nigeria Police Force: Department of Information and Communication Technology
- Federal College of Education (Technical), Asaba
- Federal College of Education, Yola
- Federal Polytechnic Ekowe, Bayelsa State
- Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi
- Federal University of Technology, Minna
- Cross River Basin Development Authority
- Nigeria Office for Trade Negotiation
- National Examination Council (NECO)
- Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil
- Presidential Amnesty Programme
- Galaxy Backbone
- Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals
Others include the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Nigeria Nuclear Regulatory Authority, National Space Research and Development Agency, Federal Cooperative College (Ibadan), Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority, University of Lagos, University of Ibadan, and Federal School of Survey, Oyo State.
The Committee unanimously recommended that the MDAs in question be delisted from the 2025 budget until they comply with the request for documentation and provide necessary financial clarifications.
Nigeria Congratulates Qatar on National Day
Reps Recommends Delisting NECO, UI, Labour Ministry, 21 Others From 2025 Budget
Reps Call for Revival of NAPAC to Boost Transparency, Accountability
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