News
Pakistani Taliban claim killing of polio vaccinator guard
By Francesca Hangeior
The Pakistani Taliban claimed the killing of a police officer as he travelled Monday to guard polio vaccinators on the first day of a nationwide immunisation effort after a year of rising cases.
The officer was travelling to guard polio vaccinators in the area of Jamrud town in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province when he was killed, local police official Zarmat Khan told AFP.
“Two motorcycle riders opened fire on him. The constable died instantly at the scene,” he said.
Pakistan and neighbouring Afghanistan are the only countries where polio is endemic and militants have for decades targeted vaccination teams and their security escorts.
The Pakistani Taliban in a statement claimed responsibility for the “targeted attack” and said militants also “seized” the slain officer’s weapon.
Pakistan reported at least 73 polio infections in 2024, compared to just six cases in 2023. The vaccination campaign which started on Monday is the first of the year and is due to last a week.
“Despite the incident, the polio vaccination drive in the area remains ongoing,” Khan said.
Another senior police official in the area, Abdul Hameed Afridi also confirmed details of the attack and said officers have “launched an investigation.”
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif acknowledged the violence in a statement from his office, saying, “The anti-polio campaign will continue with full vigour.”
Polio can easily be prevented by the oral administration of a few drops of vaccine, but scores of vaccination workers and their escorts have been killed over the years.
In the past, clerics falsely claimed that the vaccine contained pork or alcohol, declaring it forbidden for Muslims.
In more recent years the attacks have focused on vulnerable police escorts accompanying the vaccinators as they go door-to-door. Last year, dozens of Pakistani policemen who accompany medical teams on campaigns went on strike after a string of militant attacks targeting them.
Pakistan has witnessed rising militant attacks since the Taliban returned to power in neighbouring Afghanistan.
More than 1,600 people were killed in 2024–the deadliest year in almost a decade, according to the Centre for Research and Security Studies, an Islamabad-based analysis group.
Islamabad accuses Kabul’s new rulers of failing to rout militants organising on Afghan soil, a charge the Taliban government routinely denies.
In November 2024, at least seven people–including five children, were killed in a bombing targeting police gathered to guard vaccinators near a school in southwestern Balochistan province.
Balochistan, which also neighbours Afghanistan, was the area with the largest number of polio cases in 2024, despite being the most sparsely populated.
News
BREAKING: Many injured As Ex-Senate President’s Football Club Bus Crashes On Highway, Players Injured
The team bus of a Nigerian football club, Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) Ilorin FC was involved in an accident on Monday morning along the Ogbomoso-Ilorin Expressway in Oyo State.
The team is owned by Abubakar Bukola Saraki, a former Senate President and former Governor of Kwara State.
It was learned that the team was returning to Ilorin, Kwara State from Lagos State after a league match against Sporting Lagos.
An official of the team who confirmed the incident to SaharaReporters said no life was lost but some players and officials were critically injured.
“We thank God no life was lost. Those injured are currently receiving medical attention. We have taken them to nearby hospitals,” the team official said.
ABS is not the first football club in Nigeria that has had bad tales to tell while using highways in the country in the course of their trade.
In June 2024, it was reported how several players were injured when the team bus of Doma United was involved in an accident on along the Makurdi-Lafia Expressway in Benue.
It was gathered that the bus lost control and somersaulted several times along the expressway but no life was lost to the accident.
It was also reported In 2020 how Ifeanyi George, a player of another football club from the country, Enugu Rangers Football Club, was killed in a car accident.
The incident left two other players of the club critically injured.
News
HEALTHCARE: Senator Manu Distributes 140 delivery beds and gynaecology tables +Photos
Senator Manu Haruna on Monday facilitated the distribution of 140 delivery beds and gynaecology tables across Taraba Central Senatorial District.
The Senator representing Taraba Central Senatorial at the National Assembly considers medicare and power generation as a core mandate for his constituents.
This initiative is apparently designed to ease maternity matters across his district.
Recall that last year, during cholera outbreak, Senator Manu immediately provided equipment to conduct tests in the district.
Also in 2024 various medical outreach were carried out by the tireless Senator.
His provision with over 140
hospital beds, gynaecology tables, refrigerators, wheelchairs, and essential medications to the five LGAs will significantly enhance medical facilities and strengthen healthcare delivery, incollaboration with (NPHDA)
The distribution effort, led by Rt. Hon. Simon Dogari, the DG Campaign Council of Senator Manu and was supported by key stakeholders, including:
Hon. Muslim Aruwa – Commissioner for Science and Technology, Taraba State
Hon. Abubakar Baffa Nanu – Chairman, Gassol LGA
Hon. Yusuf Umar – Chairman, Gashaka LGA
Hon. Alhassan Hamman – Member, Local Government Service Commission
Hon. Ubale Gambo – Personal Assistant to Senator Manu
Hon. Buhari Muhammad
Hon. Hassan Bako – Special Adviser on Youth and Sports to Governor Kefas
Alhaji Raubilu Umar
This intervention will directly benefit hospitals and health centers, ensuring that residents receive better medical care and improved healthcare support.
Senator Manu Haruna’s dedication to the well-being of his constituents and his continuous efforts to bring positive change to Taraba Central remain evident through this impactful initiative.
News
Senator Barau offers scholarships to 1,000 in Kano Central, Kano South; facilitates 7 varsity study centres
Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I Jibrin, has concluded arrangements to offer scholarships to 1,000 students to pursue degree programmes in ICT-related fields through the Barau I Jibrin Foundation (BIJF).
The beneficiaries would be the pioneer students of the seven study centres of the Federal University, Dutsin-ma, Katsina State, that would be established in Kano Central and South Senatorial Districts courtesy of the Deputy President of the Senate.
The Special Adviser to the Deputy President of the Senate on Media and Publicity, Alhaji Ismail Mudashir, in a statement, said Senator Barau and the university’s management concluded arrangements to establish the study centres in the two senatorial districts at the weekend.
The university was represented during the meeting by Prof. Abubakar Sadik Suleiman, the Dean of the Faculty of Management Science, who is also a board member of the College of Professional and Continuing Studies;
and Dr. Jamilu Ajiya, the Acting Provost of the College of Professional and Continuing Studies.
Last year, Senator Barau facilitated the establishment of four study centres in Gwarzo, Danbatta, Dawakin Tofa, and Gabasawa local government areas in Kano North Senatorial District. Under this arrangement, more than 1,000 youth are pursuing various degree programs.
To expand university education across the 44 LGAs of Kano State, Senator Barau, who represents Kano North Senatorial District, is establishing seven study centres in Kano Central and South Senatorial Districts through his foundation.
The study centres will be located in the Madobi, Kiru, Tudun Wada, Rano, Gaya Dawakin Kudu and Minjibir local government areas.
Like in Kano North, when established, the university’s degree and diploma programmes will be offered at the seven centres in Kano Central and South Senatorial Districts.
To launch the centres, Senator Barau is offering scholarships to 1,000 students from Kano Central and South Senatorial Districts to pursue degree programmes in ICT-related fields.
” Education is the bedrock of the development of all nations. I will continue to work towards providing qualitative education to our people across the 44 LGAs,” Senator Barau, who is also the First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, said.
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