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Obaseki seeks arms mop-up ahead of gov poll

Published

7 months ago

August 16, 2024

Admin

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, on Thursday, inaugurated and handed over the Forward Operating Base in Ehor, Uhunmwode Local Government Area of the state to the military, as part of efforts to beef up security across the state.

Obaseki, at the event, called on the Nigerian Army to help mop up illegal firearms that some armed gangs and groups in the state had stockpiled ahead of the September 21 governorship election in Edo State.

The governor, who thanked the military for its role in strengthening the security architecture of the state and contributions to the peace enjoyed in the state, appealed for an additional Forward Operating Base in Akoko-Edo, Edo North Senatorial District of the state.

“We want to call on the military not to relent in providing security for the state, particularly in the next one month when we will be having an election in Edo State.

“We are very anxious about the accumulation of arms in some communities and fortunately for us, we have intelligence and will like you to assist us in disarming a lot of groups and gangs that pose a threat to the next election.

“The Army has been magnanimous to the state as the moment we experimented with the Forward Operating Base in Ehor, we went back to request support to build another Forward Operating Base in Sobe between Ondo and Edo State where we were being ravaged by kidnappers and bandits.

“Again, the chief was magnanimous enough to approve it and another base is being built as we speak in Sobe. These two incidents have reduced the issue of kidnapping and banditry in the southern and central parts of the state.

“We are using this opportunity of inauguration and handing over to appeal for one more base in Edo North between Ondo and Edo states, precisely at Akoko-Edo as we have a lot of kidnapping and banditry going on along that axis. The base is to serve Edo, Ondo and Kogi states.

“We are making applications to you to help us persuade the Nigerian Army to give us a base there. I thank the community for their generosity and cooperation, ensuring this becomes a reality,” Obaseki said.

In his address, Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed, Lagbaja thanked the governor for his continued support and collaboration with the Nigerian Army.

Represented by the General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Nigeria Army, Maj. Gen Obinna Onubogu, the COAS stated, “This FOB serves to support other security agencies in the state to ensure safety and peaceful co-existence. We thank the people of the community for their collaboration and support in ensuring the success of the project. The base has drastically reduced the incidences that have been occurring on the Benin-Auchi-Ehor axis. I assure you of the continuous support of the Nigerian Army for the people to continue to enjoy peace, security, and unity in the state.”

Meanwhile, ahead of the Edo election, the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu (retd.), on Thursday, urged security operatives to ensure the protection of the electorate, electoral officers and others before, during and after the exercise.

A statement by the PSC’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, said Argungu disclosed this at the Election Security Management Symposium in Abuja.

He said, “As the nation counts down to the Edo and Ondo states governorship elections, the Chairman of the Police Service Commission has demanded the highest level of professionalism from security operatives who will be providing security services during the off-season governorship elections in the two states of Edo and Ondo states holding in September and November this year.

“DIG Argungu said the operatives, especially the Nigeria Police Force, the lead Agency in election security, must work to protect the lives and properties of citizens before, during and immediately after the elections.

“The PSC Chairman, who delivered a keynote address, said the security agencies must also ensure the safety of electoral officers and other stakeholders.”

He said they should do necessary identification, surveillance and monitoring of all known possible subversive elements, “terrorist groups, political dissidents, pressure groups and other criminal elements”.

Ani said Argungu also noted that the security personnel should, as a matter of national importance, maintain peaceful conditions, and law and order around the polling and collation centres.

“He said the staff of the commission will continue to carry out oversight functions on policemen on election duties to protect the integrity of the elections,” the statement added.

News

Shocking! Lassa Fever kills doctor, 97 others in 2025 in Nigeria

Published

4 hours ago

March 10, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has emphasised the growing urgency for Nigerians to maintain rodent-free environments and enhance personal hygiene amid the ongoing Lassa fever outbreak.

With the disease spreading and already claiming 98 lives in 2025, including a medical doctor, the agency stressed the need for preventive measures such as proper waste disposal, sealing food in airtight containers, and blocking rodent entry points.

The agency’s Director General (DG), Jide Idris, said that the public health advisory became necessary due to the alarming case fatality rate of 18.3% as of epidemiological week 9 (February 24 – March 2, 2025).

During the period, he said the 98 deaths were recorded across 14 States, including that of a health worker, a physician.

Breaking down the figures, the DG revealed that as of the period under review, Nigeria has recorded 2,728 suspected cases and 535 confirmed cases.

He said Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, and Ebonyi States accounted for 91% of confirmed cases, while 10 Local Government Areas (LGAs) contributed 68% of the total cases.

Providing details on the physician’s case, Idris said the agency was notified of a confirmed Lassa fever infection in a 31-year-old physician who had recently returned from the United Kingdom.

On the 5th of March 2025, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) was notified of a confirmed case of Lassa fever by the Ondo State Ministry of Health, in a 31-year-old physician managed at a private health facility in Ondo State after returning from a trip abroad (UK).

“The patient departed Nigeria on 19/02/2025 and returned on 27/02/2025. Samples were taken late on Friday, 28/02/2025, on suspicion of Lassa fever, but the patient unfortunately passed away in the early hours of Saturday, 01/03/2025.

“The laboratory investigation result returned was a Lassa Fever positive on PCR on Tuesday 04/03/2025.

“The patient was said to have visited his fiancée in Edo state, as well as family and friends before travelling,” he said.

The DG assured that to contain the outbreak, the Ondo State Ministry of Health has intensified contact tracing and monitoring of all possible contacts.

He also noted that national health authorities have mobilised response efforts, including surveillance at points of entry and coordination with international health agencies.

News

Just in: Why Mallam El-Rufai dumped APC for SDP revealed

Published

4 hours ago

March 10, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Ex-Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai has dumped the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)

His resignation letter has been submitted already to the leadership of the APC in his ward in Kaduna State.

Mallam El-Rufai who was the former Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has moved to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and has instructed all his supporters and associates to join the SDP.

The former Kaduna Governor cited an alleged growing discord between his personal values and the current direction of the APC as the primary reason for his decision.

In a statement he made available Monday, 10 March, 2025, El-Rufai expressed disappointment with the APC’s leadership, accusing the party of straying from the progressive ideals of its founding members.

He revealed that he had raised concerns about the party’s trajectory both privately and publicly over the past two years but found no willingness among the current leadership to address the issues.

“Developments in the last two years confirm that there is no desire on the part of those who currently control and run the APC to acknowledge, much less address, the unhealthy situation of the party,” El-Rufai stated.

El-Rufai, who played a key role in the formation of the APC in 2013, recalled his efforts in negotiating the merger of political parties that led to the creation of the ruling party. He also highlighted his contributions to the APC’s electoral successes in 2015, 2019, and 2023, as well as his tenure as Kaduna State Governor, during which he implemented policies focused on education, healthcare, infrastructure, job creation, and investment.

“My eight-year tenure in Kaduna State was devoted to implementing progressive policies to advance human development,” he said. “These records count for little in the current APC that has castrated its organs and treated its membership with contempt in the last two years. I find this no longer acceptable.”