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Terrorists Release New Video Of Abducted Women, Children, Reveals Next Place To Attack
Terrorists, locally dubbed as bandits, have released a video showing women and children they abducted from Maidabino town in the Danmusa local government area of Katsina State.
The terrorists had on June 22, ransacked Maidabino, the third largest town in Danmusa, where they killed about nine people and abducted 50 others, mostly women and children.
Reports said the attackers operated for several hours unchallenged due to their large number, as they were said to be on reprisal mission.
During the attack, over 10 houses, 15 shops, and at least nine vehicles were burnt down by the marauding terrorists who operated from 10pm on Saturday till about 2:30 am on Sunday.
Days after the ugly incident, the bandits released a video clip of 5 minutes and 41 seconds, in which they displayed the kidnapped people, asking to call on the government to come to their rescue.
In the video, the bandits claimed that members of the Community Watch Corps, the state owned security outfit, were killing their wives and children, hence the reprisal attack on Maidabino.
The bandits also threatened that Danmusa town would be their next target of attack, which they boldly mentioned that it will done within a week.
Speaking in the video, one of the terrorists, clad in army uniform, carrying a machine gun, said not even the state governor could rescue the captives unless through dialogue.
“You see what your vigilante (Community Watch Corps) have caused you, and they cannot come and rescue you, not even Governor Radda could rescue you here, unless through reconciliation.”
“And if nothing is done towards reconciliation, this is just the beginning. I can open fire and kill all of you, and nothing will happen. We are going to attack Danmusa this week and we are going to bring their people here, you will see them. We will also bring your Community Watch Corps members here before you leave this place.”
Some residents of Danmusa have reportedly relocated to Yartsamiya town, a place already taken over by terrorists.
“What our people from Yartsamiya town are telling us is that the bandits have mobilised their people from Zamfara State and they have already started planning the mega attack.
“They are holding meetings, we heard that they met about three times to perfect their plan, and we are afraid that if no proactive measure is taken, these terrorists will wreak havoc in Danmusa.”
Another resident who also confirmed the impending attack, said almost on a daily basis, the bandits attack and kidnap people along Yantumaki-Damusa road, which is about 19 kilomettes long.
“We are appealing to the government to deploy more security personnel to this area to protect people from this impending attack and also from the daily occurrence of kidnapping along the Yantumaki road,” he said.
He added that although the security forces and the community watch corps are doing their best, they seemed to be overwhelmed.
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Immigration raises alarm over high number of irregular migration in Nigeria
The Edo State Controller of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Martins Moye, has raised the alarm over the increasing number of irregular migrants entering Nigeria.
Moye raised the alarm at the 2024 Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, enlightenment campaign against irregular migration in Benin, Edo State capital.
He underscored the need for public awareness to curb irregular migration.
A facilitator from NIS headquarters in Abuja, David Amanahu, highlighted Edo State’s historical role in irregular migration.
According to him, due to recent efforts by the Edo State Command, the state has improved in the national ranking on irregular migration.
“The positive news is that Edo State is no longer ranked number one in irregular migration.
“Credit goes to the dedicated team in Edo who worked tirelessly to improve the situation,” Amanahu stated.
Amanahu, while delivering a message from the Controller-General of Immigration, Kemi Nandap, noted that the NIS is now more focused than ever on border management and migration issues.
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Boundary disputes responsible for insecurity in coastal states – Oborevwori
Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta has said that boundary disputes were also responsible for the rising spate of insecurity, deaths, violence and retarded progress in the country.
The governor stated this while addressing an audience at a one-day workshop for the creation of a platform for Nigeria’s coastal states and local government areas, held at the Government House, Asaba.
The workshop has the theme, “Towards a Secure, Peaceful and Prosperous Borders,” the News Agency of Nigeria reports.
There are many crises in the country over border issues, with Delta State having its fair share.
The boundary crisis between the Okuama community in the Ughelli South Local Government Area and the Okoloba community in the Bomadi Local Government Area, which had claimed many lives, is being resolved by the government.
Speaking at the workshop, the governor said so many lives had been lost to boundary disputes as he called on the National Boundary Commission and other stakeholders to work assiduously in resolving such disputes in the country.
He described the theme as apt, adding that boundary dispute was an ancient and modern disease of humanity.
He said right from the colonial days, Nigeria had been plagued by boundary disputes, which had disastrous and destabilising consequences for the people.
“There is scarcely any state in Nigeria that has not been involved in a boundary dispute with its neighbours, which often results in displacement, death, and destruction.
“Reports indicate that between January 2018 and August 2022; 676 people were killed in various communal and boundary clashes in Nigeria.
“The causes of these disputes are traceable to land ownership, community pride, ancient or colonial boundaries, and socio-cultural factors.
“In Delta State, it is safe to say that at least 80 per cent of boundary disputes revolve around land use, either for farming, mining, and other purposes of economic significance.
“The resultant clashes often leave in their trail a chunk of internally displaced persons with the implication this has for their safety and wellbeing.
“As we all know, the living conditions in IDP camps are unsanitary and inevitably constitute environmental hazards,” he said.
Oborevwori charged the National Boundary Commission to work harder in resolving boundary disputes across the country.
“As the body responsible for resolving boundary disputes in Nigeria, the National Boundary Commission is critical to the peace, security, and prosperity of our communities.
“It is incumbent on it to embark on enlightenment and sensitisation programmes to educate the people on the importance of respecting boundaries.
“It must also properly investigate cases of boundary disputes. In discharging this vital responsibility, officials of the Commission must demonstrate the highest levels of objectivity, neutrality, and integrity to instil confidence and elicit the goodwill of the people.
“Conversations break down fast once there is a perception of favouritism or nepotism on the part of those who are supposed to be impartial arbiters,” he said.
He added, “It goes without saying that an effective conflict resolution mechanism is critical for maintaining national security.
“Hence, there is a need for strong political will on the part of the government to implement recommendations that will resolve disputes amicably, and prevent future border disputes.
“With enhanced peace and security at the core of our MORE agenda, we are committed to partnering with the Commission to discharge its functions effectively for a secure, peaceful, and prosperous Nigeria.”
In his welcome remarks, the Deputy Governor, Monday Onyeme, expressed delight that the African Union Border Governance Strategy would look into good border governance and the attainment of sustainable development.
Onyeme, who doubles as the Chairman of the State Boundary Commission, urged the African Union to sustain the tempo to ensure the harmonisation of all grey areas along the boundary communities.
He observed that the European colonisers arbitrarily, without due regard to the ethnic homogeneity of many African groups, forced Africans to belong to different nations, while diverse heterogeneous communities were hurriedly bundled into a single nation with distinct boundaries.
On their part, the deputy governors of Bayelsa and Rivers states, Lawrence Egwhrudjakpor and Prof Ngozi Odu, respectively, called on relevant authorities to discuss boundary issues often, to enthrone peace in the country.
Earlier, the Director-General of the National Boundaries Commission, Mr Adamu Adaji, said the workshop was primarily designed to engage Nigeria’s coastal states, local government areas and traditional rulers on effective border governance in Nigeria.
The NAN reports that stakeholders, including some traditional rulers from the South-West and South-South states, attended the event.
News
Obaseki embarks on post-tenure medical vacation
The immediate-past governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has proceeded on vacation.
This is for him to rest and undergo a medical check-up, after a successful two-term as governor of the state.
This was disclosed in a statement by his media adviser, Crusoe Osagie, on Wednesday.
The former governor completed his two-term administration on November 11, 2024, and a new governor, Monday Okpebholo, was sworn in on Tuesday, November 12, 2024.
Osagie said, “Following the completion of his second term, a former Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has proceeded on vacation to rest and undergo a medical check-up.
“Obaseki, once again, expressed his appreciation to God Almighty, the people of Edo State and Nigeria for the opportunity to serve.
“He urged all Edo people both at home and in the diaspora to continue to be hopeful and pray for the peace, progress and prosperity of our state and Nigeria.”
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