metro
Insecurity under Tinubu worse than my regime – Obasanjo
Insecurity under Tinubu worse than my regime – Obasanjo
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called for immediate action to address the growing insecurity across Nigeria, which he believes has worsened in recent years.
Speaking in Bauchi State on Sunday, where he inaugurated road projects constructed by Governor Bala Mohammed, Obasanjo emphasized the need for urgent measures to combat the alarming rise in violence and crime in various parts of the country.
The former president compared the current state of insecurity to his time in office, stating that the situation is now more severe.
He noted that during his presidency, the security of lives and property was a top priority, and he urged the government to take decisive steps to restore peace.
One of the key solutions Obasanjo proposed is the implementation of community policing. He explained that members of communities are in the best position to know their neighbors and identify potential security threats.
According to Obasanjo, this grassroots approach is critical for effective crime prevention and maintaining safety within local areas.
During a visit to the palace of the Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwanu Suleiman-Adamu, Obasanjo reiterated the importance of community policing as a tool to address the worsening insecurity.
He urged the government to act swiftly to mitigate the growing threats and ensure the safety of citizens across the nation.
“The best form of security is community policing because everyone knows his/her neighbours within the community. With that, it is very easy to identify the bad eggs.
“The situation of insecurity in Nigeria today is so bad, unlike during our terms in office when we prioritise the security of lives and properties across the country. We need to do something urgently about this.”
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He urged traditional rulers to encourage community policing in their communities to reduce the spate of crimes.
“During our service to the nation, we did everything collectively, our decisions were taken together to have a uniform focus.
“My brother, Ahmed Adamu Mu’azu, is seated here, and he will bear me witness. Whatever we achieved then was a collective effort.
“We need peace, unity, and collective support in this country if we must move forward. Things can be right and good again in the country, all we need to do is to get united and do things collectively,” he noted.
The former President equally disclosed the donation of hearing aids to 2,000 people with hearing difficulties in Bauchi.
He explained that many people suffered deafness unknowingly until medical checks revealed to them their hearing capacity.
Obasanjo narrated how he discovered being partially deaf when he was abroad and could not hear clearly while someone was talking to him.
He had insisted nothing was wrong with his ears when the man asked for his permission to check on his ears.
He stated that after the result came out, it was revealed that he was 25 per cent deaf.
“After my result came out, I had to ask the man to also check on my Chief Security Officer then, but shockingly, he was more deaf than I was,” he said.
He said the experience informed the establishment of the Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation, where thousands of Nigerians had benefited from its ear treatments and provision of hearing aids.
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He noted that he would kick off the distribution of hearing aids to over 10,000 indigent people in the North-East, starting from Bauchi State, where 2,000 people would benefit.
Obasanjo expressed the belief that African countries were not created by God to be poor, adding that their poverty resulted from bad leadership.
Speaking on the inaugurated road, the governor said his blueprint, which included the roads, was designed even before he was returned elected as governor of the state.
“I instructed them to develop a road map for the project that will serve our people regardless of the outcome of the election.
“I believe that leadership is not about personal ambition but about collective progress and well-being of our people.
“The project we are inaugurating today is part of our larger ambition for the state,” he said.
Mohammed said his administration prioritised the construction and rehabilitation of roads in the state to aid development.
“As of today, we have undertaken the construction of 116 road projects, totalling 1,482.25km across Bauchi State.
“The roads we are commissioning today have significant milestones in our journey to build a new Bauchi.
“They are 7km dualisation of Awala-Maiduguri road, dualisation of 17.7km Kano road to Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport, Bauchi, 30KM Gubi Gari, Ruda Bida, Siyi to Nasarawa road connecting two local government areas of Bauchi and Ganjuwa,” he said.
Insecurity under Tinubu worse than my regime – Obasanjo
metro
Suspected IPOB members kill two soldiers in Imo
Suspected IPOB members kill two soldiers in Imo
The Nigerian Army has confirmed the death of two soldiers and the theft of their weapons by operatives of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), the militant arm of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
IPOB is a separatist group advocating for the creation of the Republic of Biafra, citing longstanding grievances over the marginalization of Nigeria’s South-East region since the Biafra-Nigeria civil war.
In a statement released on Saturday, the Nigerian Army explained that the incident occurred in Osina, Ideator North Local Government Area of Imo State, when troops from the 34 Artillery Brigade, returning from a routine patrol, responded to an emergency call about an attack on Osina Community by IPOB/ESN forces.
The statement revealed that upon arrival, the troops engaged the “terrorists” with overwhelming firepower, resulting in casualties among the attackers. However, the Army did not provide specific numbers, only noting that the “dissidents” eventually withdrew in disarray.
“Unfortunately, two security agents had been killed in action and one other missing in action, with their weapons—a AK-47 rifle and a tear gas launcher—being seized by the terrorists,” the statement said.
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The Army confirmed that the bodies of the fallen soldiers had been recovered, and the troops pursued the fleeing militants.
“Contact was again made with the criminal IPOB/ESN elements at Nkwachi Community, and in the firefight that ensued, one of the dissidents was neutralized while others, unable to withstand the troop’s firepower, retreated into the nearby forest. One AK-47 rifle with a fully loaded magazine was recovered, ” the statement said, adding that the troops continued their pursuit into Umalouma forest, where another intense exchange of fire took place.
“The dissidents eventually abandoned their weapons due to the troops’ superior firepower and scattered into the dense forest with severe gunshot wounds. An additional four AK-47 rifles, one Fabrique Nationale rifle, and two magazines were recovered,” the statement added.
The Army assured the public that operations would continue, with efforts to track down and eliminate the remaining criminals. “Further exploitation is ongoing as troops continue to track down the injured terrorists and flush them out of their hideouts and treatment locations,” the statement stated. “We urge all IPOB/ESN elements and other criminals hiding in the bushes to surrender to the nearest troops or face defeat, as the Brigade will ensure that the people of Imo celebrate the Yuletide season in peace, free from fear or intimidation.”
The Nigerian Army also called on the people of Imo State to continue providing timely intelligence to assist in the fight against criminal elements and help rid the state of lawlessness.
Suspected IPOB members kill two soldiers in Imo
metro
13 passengers burnt to death in Ondo auto crash
13 passengers burnt to death in Ondo auto crash
The Federal Road Safety Corps, Ondo State Sector Command, says no fewer than 13 people were burnt to death along Ikare-Akoko/ Owo Road on Saturday in the state.
Dr Samuel Ibitoye, FRSC State Sector Commander made this known in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria on Saturday in Akure.
“FRSC regrets to inform the public about a road traffic crash that occurred today 28 December, 2024 at Abule Panu before Ose Bridge, on Owo-Ikare highway, Ondo State.
“The fatal crash which occurred at about 10:14 AM claimed 13 lives of commuters in two buses.
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“A total of 14 people were involved, out of which 13 were burnt beyond recognition, while only one was rescued alive with serious injuries.
“Eyewitness account indicates that the bus coming from Ikare axis had a tyre burst which led to loss of control.
“This was resultant in a head-on collision with the bus loaded with fabric coming from Owo axis.
“Immediately after the collision, the two buses went up in flames. The men of FRSC, Police and Fire Service were swiftly at the crash scene for rescue,” he said.
The FRSC boss said that the injured victim was taken to Federal Medical Centre, Owo, while the deceased were deposited at the morgue of the same hospital.
He, therefore, advised drivers to exercise patience on the roads and passionately maintain their vehicles.
“Passengers are also encouraged to speak out against dangerous driving because road safety is a concern of all,” Ibitoye said.
13 passengers burnt to death in Ondo auto crash
NAN
metro
NDDC empowers Niger Delta young entrepreneurs with N30bn
NDDC empowers Niger Delta young entrepreneurs with N30bn
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has pledged to galvanise the Niger Delta Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA) by releasing N30 billion counterpart fund for the development of young entrepreneurs.
The NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku who disclosed this in Port Harcourt, restated the Commission’s commitment to empowering the people of the region through economic programmes.
He highlighted the NDCCITMA’s role in training youths, supporting SMEs, and designing industry-friendly skill development programmes.
He said, “We are providing N30 billion to fund projects and support businesses to ensure the sustainability of our youth development initiatives.
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“We will release the matching funds so the entrepreneurs can access them to boost their businesses. In our 2024 budget, we have provision for N30 billion which we are to use as matching funds for the chamber of commerce. We are working towards releasing this fund so that the chamber of commerce can start work in earnest.
“The Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce will strengthen young entrepreneurs in the region. It is no longer acceptable for our youths to be contented with receiving stipends while at home doing nothing.
Ogbuku remarked that the Commission was collaborating with the Bank of Industry, BOI, to ensure the success of NDDC’s youth development programmes.
“The current NDDC Board and Management choose to look at sustainable options in designing youth programmes. In the past, we did a lot in supporting entrepreneurs in the Niger Delta but these activities were not properly documented and backed with verifiable data.
“Our new strategy is to support genuine entrepreneurs rather than people who are just portfolio entrepreneurs because we know that the government alone cannot employ everybody. Many university graduates are coming out, and the government cannot employ all of them. However, we can empower them by creating an environment where they can engage other persons to expand their businesses.”
NDDC empowers Niger Delta young entrepreneurs with N30bn
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