News

Reps Move To End Gridlock On Suleja-Lambata-Bida Highway

Published

4 months ago

October 31, 2024

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has as a matter of urgency called on the Federal Ministry of Works, Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to deploy personnel and resources to complement the efforts of Niger State Government which has so far constituted a Task Force to alleviate the situation and restore free flow of traffic on the Suleja-Lambata-Bida Highway.

The House also direct the Ministry of Works to conduct an emergency assessment of the condition of the road, engage the contractor handling the project to ascertain reasons for delay in execution in a bid to proffer long-term solutions to prevent future occurrences.

The lawmakers further ordered the Ministry of Works to collaborate with relevant stakeholders, including Niger State Government, Security Agencies, and Transport Unions to ensure sustained effective traffic management.

These resolutions was sequel to the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance on the “URGENT NEED TO ADDRESS THE GRIDLOCK ON THE SULEJA-LAMBATA-BIDA HIGHWAY IN NIGER STATE THAT CPULD LEAD TO LOSS OF LIVES AND BREAKDOWN OF LAW AND ORDER”, sponsored by Rep. Saidu Musa Abdullahi and nine other lawmakers on Thursday at plenary.

The House noted that for the past six days, an unprecedented 18-kilometer gridlock between Lambata and Suleja has crippled the flow of traffic on Suleja-Lambata-Bida highway in Niger State, holding vehicles – tankers, lorries, trucks, and trailers – and motorists hostage;

The motion reads: “Also notes that this road is one of the busiest and most critical federal highways in the nation connecting and facilitating the movement of people, goods, and services, including essential and perishable items between Northern and Western States,

“Informed that the gridlock is caused by some major potholes along Maje to Dikko Junction, a key artery to the nation’s capital city, Abuja.

“Further informed that in light of this situation, small vehicles on emergency journeys have been compelled to take alternative bushy routes via Izom to Suleja; a route fraught with security threats;

“Worried that the current situation has resulted in huge losses in valuable man-hours, impacted negatively on perishable goods especially Agricultural produce posing severe implications on the economy of the nation and has also heightened the risk of accidents and has made the area prone to criminal activities, thereby compromising the safety of commuters and residents alike.

“Also worried that road users have been subjected to hunger, poor health condition and untold hardship due to their inability to access quality food, healthcare and transport themselves and goods effectively”.

The lawmakers expressed worries that reports from credible sources indicated that a corpse was discovered abandoned along this alternative route yesterday, and this poses a threat.

“Also disturbed that the ugly situation poses a serious threat to national security and the well-being of Nigerian citizens;

“Acknowledged that the Federal Government awarded the contract for the reconstruction and dualization of the first phase of this vital road since 2010 and the second phase in 2015 but even efforts to provide alternative funding through the Presidential Tax Credit Scheme has not yielded the desired result as the pace of work has been alarmingly slow”, Abdullahi noted.

The House unanimously adopted the motion and mandate its Committees on Works and Legislative Compliance to ensure compliance.

News

SAD! Abductors k!ll soldier over delayed ransom payment

Published

4 minutes ago

February 21, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Kidnappers have killed a Nigerian Army non-commissioned officer, Abdulfatai Odutola, over a delay in ransom payment.

Recall that Odutola, a Senior Non-Commissioned Officer (SNCO), was abducted on February 15, 2025, along the Abuja-Jos highway.

He was reportedly travelling to Yola, the Adamawa State capital, at the time of the incident.

His kidnappers had demanded a ransom of N20 million for his release.

A military internal memo earlier obtained by SaharaReporters had read, “Pls information reaching me now from this sldr whisky that MWO Abdulfatai Odutola (CC 23 BDE Yola) was kidnapped yesterday along Abuja-Jos Road, while returning to Yola. He left Ilorin on Friday 14th of Feb 2025 and slept at Abuja. He continued his movement from Abuja yesterday b4 the incident happened to him.

“Currently they are demanding N20,000,0000 for his release. Pse appropriate authority should help the sldr.”

However, another internal memo revealed that the body of the senior personnel has been recovered.

“Information reaching us now from Yola is that the above MWO Abdulfatai Odutola’s body was discovered by police from Jos forest killed by his kidnappers after passing deadline for payment of 20 million naira ransom payment demanded by his kidnappers. Also his car was discovered. Kindly take action.”

SaharaReporters recently reported that Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists killed three army personnel during an attack on a military base in Borno State.

The terrorists reportedly attacked the military facility in Isige town, Gwoza Local Government Area, for several hours.

According to a source, the terrorists destroyed several buildings and stole two gun trucks during the assault.

“There was an attack recently in Borno, one Staff Sergeant with two private soldiers were killed. However, the army authorities are silent over the attack which happened at a base in Isige Town, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.

“They burnt one military vehicle while they went away with two gun trucks, later reinforcement came from nearby unit but then the Boko Haram fighters have left,” the source said. (SaharaReporters: Text, Excluding Headline)

News

Canada gives new guidelines For Asylum Seekers Insists Evidence Of insecurity must be proven

Published

9 minutes ago

February 21, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Canada’s immigration authorities have clarified that seeking asylum does not provide an automatic exemption from immigration laws.

The Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) emphasised that individuals seeking asylum must demonstrate that returning to their home country would subject them to serious harm in order to avoid deportation.

The asylum system is designed to offer protection to those fleeing threats such as torture, persecution, and inhumane treatment.

IRCC has reiterated that the asylum process is not a shortcut to entering the country.

Applicants must provide verifiable evidence of persecution and undergo multiple checks, including medical examinations, biometric data collection, and security screenings.

The statement reads, “It is a rigorous process to determine whether you have a legitimate need for refugee protection according to Canadian and international laws. Our rules-based system will determine the validity of your claim. It’s important to understand that not all claims will be accepted. If you make an asylum claim in Canada, you will need to:

Have health, criminal, security and other background checks
Get a medical exam
Provide personal and biometric (photo and fingerprints) information
Provide concrete evidence of persecution and the risks of being in your home country
Declare on your application if you are working with a representative, even if you’re not paying them
“Providing false information on your refugee claim application is considered lying, and your application may be refused.

“You’ll be removed from Canada if you don’t have a legitimate claim or are not eligible to make a claim in Canada. It can take a long time to get a final decision on your asylum claim. There’s no guarantee that you will be allowed to stay in Canada.”

News

OSUN LG POLLS: Gov Adeleke Orders Restriction Of Vehicular Movement

Published

19 minutes ago

February 21, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Governor Ademola Adeleke has ordered restriction of vehicular movement from 5am to 5pm on Saturday 22nd February 2022 across Osun state.

The directive of the State Governor was sequel to the statewide local government elections that are scheduled to be held tomorrow across the state.

Governor Adeleke who reiterated his commitment to peace and security said the movement restriction is necessary to prevent importation of hoodlums into the state amidst local elections.

He therefore directed security agencies to enforce the restriction and only allow voters and accredited media and civil society organizations for the continued peace and security of Osun state.