Ex-NYSC member kidnapped after passing out parade in Kebbi

Tax reform: Tinubu should unite, not divide Nigeria, says Bauchi gov

Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reconsider the recently proposed tax reform bills, urging that they be reviewed with a focus on unity rather than division.

He appealed to the president to halt the bills’ progress and conduct wide consultations to ensure they were fair and balanced before being passed into law.

The proposals, particularly the shift to a derivative-based model for distributing value-added tax (VAT), sparked strong objections from northern governors and traditional leaders.

They argue that the model would disproportionately disadvantage less industrialised regions, especially the northern states.

Despite these concerns, the president has rejected calls to withdraw the bills.

Speaking on BBC Hausa Service, Governor Bala warned that the proposed tax reforms would worsen the economic hardship already faced by many northern states.

“Any reform to the tax bill, as it stands, is a recipe for further impoverishment of the north. What we need is a debate on a tax system that will not harm any region,” Governor Mohammed said.

He explained that northern states, many of which already face significant financial challenges, would be further strained by the proposed tax model. For instance, he pointed out that Bauchi State struggles to meet its salary obligations due to insufficient funds.

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“We receive about N2 billion in monthly federal allocation, but our salary bill stands at N4 billion, with local government salaries alone amounting to N3 billion. We also do not receive any derivatives from oil sales due to the current revenue-sharing formula,” he added.

He explained that while northern states are major consumers of goods and services-especially in industries like telecommunications-the tax revenue generated by these sectors often benefits southern states, where the companies’ headquarters are located.

This uneven distribution, according to Governor Bala, exacerbated the financial difficulties of northern states, urging the president to address this disparity and ensure that all regions are fairly represented in the revenue-sharing process.

“We are operating a federal system, and we are one country. No state or region should be disadvantaged in the distribution of revenue,” Governor Bala said.

He also expressed frustration at what he perceived as the president’s lack of willingness to address the concerns raised by northern leaders.

“If the federal government persists with this reform, we will be forced to mobilise our federal lawmakers, who are numerous, to block the bill,” he warned.

“It is as though the President wants to suffocate us, and we are not going to fold our arms or accept this,” he added.

The Bauchi governor also urged President Tinubu to reconsider his stance, reminding him that Nigeria operates under a democratic system where the voices of the people, through their representatives, should be respected.

He pointed out that even the president’s deputy, Kashim Shettima, and other representatives had already objected to the bill and called for its amendment.

Governor Mohammed called for a national dialogue on tax reform, one that aims to unite the country rather than divide it, ensuring that all regions are included in the pursuit of economic fairness and growth.

Tax reform: Tinubu should unite, not divide Nigeria, says Bauchi gov

Horror, 10 farmers, 8 vigilante brutally killed, two Indians, others abducted in Niger State

At least 10 farmers, including women, from Wayam and Belu-Belu villages in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, were reportedly killed by bandits in a brutal early morning attack on Tuesday.

According to local residents, six of the victims were beheaded, with attackers taking away their heads.

The incident has left many residents in shock, with survivors suffering from bullet wounds now receiving treatment at a clinic in Kagara, the Rafi LGA headquarters.

Reports indicate that several people were also kidnapped during the attack, which took place around 5 a.m. as villagers were observing early morning prayers.

Bala Tukur, a resident, revealed that people from Wayam, Belu-Belu, Madaka, and nearby communities have fled to Kagara for safety.

“At Wayam village near Madaka under Kagara town, they mercilessly killed 10 people and injured many. The way they killed us now is very traumatic, I swear. Everybody has fled.

“Many people have not been able to harvest 50 percent of their crops including maize that were ready for harvest and getting those crops harvested now would be hard.

“Recently, residents of Kukoki were asked to pay N1.5 million to be allowed to harvest their crops. They paid but bandits came back to attack them four days ago,” he said.

Locals said bandits had resumed aggressive attacks in the last one week as farmers from Wushishi, Rafi, Shiroro, Mariga and Kontagora LGAs of the state began to harvest their farm produce.

On Friday, it was gathered that bandits invaded the ancient town of Zungeru, Wushishi LGA, moving from house to house including a hotel, and kidnapping the occupants.

One of the residents said the invasion of Zungeru happened around 12am on Saturday during which a staff member of Sino-Hydro, Saidu Yakubu aka Abacha, and his wife, were kidnapped.

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He said, “Around 12am on Saturday, bandits invaded Zungeru town. They started operating at a house in Unguwan-Madaki near Gidan-Kwai, the owner of the house was a former staff member of Sino-Hydro Company. So, they entered the house and tried to force the owner’s apartment open but they couldn’t because of the nature of the doors.

“So, they moved to his mother’s apartment in the same house and they were able to forced the door to her apartment open. So, they took the mum and the younger brother to the owner’s of the house.

“In the process, the mother started pleading with them that the boy they had taken along with her was sick they were just waiting for the day to break to take him to hospital. Luckily, on their way, they released them.

“After releasing them, they passed through graveyard and moved to another house belonging to one Saidu Yakubu popularly known as Abacha, a staff member of Sino-Hydro and kidnapped him and his wife. Then, they moved to Diamond Guest House on Wushishi-Zungeru road but they didn’t take anybody.

“Since Tuesday last week, bandits have gone berserk along Zungeru-Tegina-Kontagora road. Our security Operatives have been battling with them. They killed 8 of our vigilantes. But I learnt that security operatives were able to block them somewhere around Pandogari and since that is the only route through which they can escape, they are currently hiding in that rocky area with the cattle they rusttled.”

He said a day before Zungeru was invaded, a commercial driver was shot dead around Kundu village on Zungeru-Tegina road while one of the passengers sustained injuries and several others were kidnapped.

Similarly, it was gathered that 2 indian nationals were kidnapped on a rice farm in Swashi, Borgu LGA on November 2, 2024.

A resident who preferred anonymity said one of the vigilantes guarding the farm was killed during the attack.

The Commissioner for Homeland Security, Brigadier General Bello Abdullahi Mohammed said the state government was aware of the attacks.

He said “The Niger State Government is very much aware. All the security stakeholders have been mobilised to address the issue and prevent future reoccurrence”.

Horror, 10 farmers, 8 vigilante brutally killed, two Indians, others abducted in Niger State

(DailyTrust)