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Senate worries as Lakurawa terrorists invade more northern states

Published

4 months ago

November 20, 2024

Senate worries as Lakurawa terrorists invade more northern states

The Senate has raised the alarm that terrorists from Mali and Burkina Faso known as Lakurawa have Invaded Kebbi, Sokoto, Kaduna, other states in the North West and Niger State in the North Central.

Noting that the trend now has an international dimension, the Senate urged the Nigerian Military to set up early warning mechanisms to forestall further incursions as well as maintain their presence and vigilance in the affected communities.

This is just as it commended the Nigerian military for their prompt response to the insurgence.

The Upper Chamber has directed the Military to work with the communities and other security agencies, while urging the Federal Government to send an assessment team to the affected areas to estimate the extent of damages and to determine the immediate relief needs of the affected families.

The Senate observed one-minute silence in honour of the deceased community members killed in the wake of the terrorist incursion.

Resolutions of the Senate on Monday were sequel to a motion titled, “Urgent need for the Federal Government to stringent measures to stop the infiltration of a group of violent terrorists known as Lakurawa from entrenching themselves in some North Western parts of Sokoto and Kebbi States.”

It was sponsored by former Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi, PDP, Kebbi North and co- sponsored by Senators Adamu Aliero, PDP, Kebbi Central and Garba Musa Maidoki, PDP, Kebbi South.

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In his presentation, Senator Abdullahi said, that “the Senate: aware that a group of terrorists from neighbouring Burkina Faso and Mali, known as Lakurawa has infiltrated the country through the Nigeria- Niger border, at Illela, Tangaza and Silame Local Government Areas of Sokoto and are from there, attacking communities in Augie and Arewa LGAs in Kebbi State.

“Recall that this violent gang of terrorists had raided and dispossessed these communities, prior to the large-scale invasion of Mera, a village in Augie Local Government, on November 8,2024, killing more than 20 people and fleeing with their Livestock, amounting to hundreds of millions of naira.”

According to him, the Senate is “Aware that Kebbi State Government promptly responded by sending a delegation with relief materials to the affected villages and assistance to the families of the deceased.

“Aware that Senator Yahaya A. Abdullahi (Kebbi North) and Senator Adamu Aliero (Kebbi North Central) and Senator Garba Musa Maidoki (Kebbi South), along with some Members of the House of

Representatives, from Kebbi state, have been to those arears, to commiserate with victims of the attacks on behalf of the National Assembly.

“Aware that if timely, adequate and decisive measures are not taken, this group can spread its reign of terror to other Northern parts of the country and beyond.

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“Notes the prompt response of the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces who dispatched a well-armed military response squad that was able to dislodge the terrorists and secured the release of herds of cattle and other livestock that were stolen by the terrorists.”

In his contribution, Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, APC, Kano North said that the invasion of the terrorists is a new dimension that the Senate must help nip in the bud, adding, “these foreigners have Invaded the country.”

On his part, former Governor of Sokoto State, Senator Aminu Tambuwal, PDP, Sokoto South who explained that this was not the first time this group is invading Nigeria, said that in 2018 as governor of Sokoto State, they Invaded where he had to cry to the Federal government for intervention and security agencies came to the rescue of the state.

Tambuwal said, “we need to nip the situation in the bud, they have international connection, heavily armed with very dangerous weapons, the federal government should take the matter very seriously.”

In his contribution, Senator Aliero said, “these terrorists are well armed with highly sophisticated weapons, this is a very serious matter on national security, they control the whole of Northern Mali and now attacking Kebbi, Sokoto, Kaduna, Niger, others. The time to act is now, we have to take action on how to tame terrorism.”

He said that the Senate should revisit past resolutions on terrorism and send to the Presidency for immediate

Senate worries as Lakurawa terrorists invade more northern states

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INEC notifies Natasha, Senate of recall petition

Published

10 hours ago

March 27, 2025

Trends Admin

Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

INEC notifies Natasha, Senate of recall petition

Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan yesterday got a memo from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

It is a notification to her of the receipt of petition from voters in her Constituency demanding her recall.

The same notification was sent by the electoral agency to the leadership of the Senate.

The Commission also unfolded plans to scrutinise the signatures of the petitioners to ascertain their authenticity.

INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, confirmed in a statement that the addresses, phone numbers and email addresses of representatives of the petitioners, which were initially not attached, had been submitted to the commission.

On Tuesday, the Commission had picked holes in the petition, pointing out that it failed to meet the standard because the addresses and phone numbers of the petitioners’ representatives were not provided as required by law.

Exuding confidence after INEC’s confirmation that that aspect of recall requirements had been met, the petitioners said the recall request was meant to correct what they described as the error of wrong choice.

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Olumekun said: “Further to the statement issued yesterday, Tuesday 25th March 2025, the Commission hereby confirms that the contact address of representatives of the petitioners, their telephone numbers and e-mail addresses have now been provided in a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Commission, dated today Wednesday 26th March 2025.

“As provided in Clause 2(a) of the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024, a letter has been written to notify the Senator sought to be recalled about the receipt of the petition and delivered to her official address.

“The same letter has been copied to the presiding officer of the Senate and published on the Commission’s website.

“The next step is to scrutinise the list of signatories submitted by the petitioners to ascertain that the petition is signed by more than one half (over 50%) of the registered voters in the Constituency.

“This will be done in the coming days. The outcome, which will be made public, shall determine the next step to be taken by the Commission. We once again reassure Nigerians that the process will be open and transparent.”

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, is serving a six-month suspension for misconduct and abuse of the Senate rules after her seat was changed.

She went ahead to make allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

On Wednesday, Zubairu Yakubu, who wrote the petition, accompanied by former Education Minister Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, appeared before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions sitting to defend the allegations.

However, the Committee threw out her petition, saying that the matter was already a subject of litigation.

During the meeting, Dr Ezekwesili and Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi (Ebonyi North) clashed, exchanging hot words.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has been junketing between the United States and Europe, granting interview against Senate president.

INEC notifies Natasha, Senate of recall petition

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FG declares public holidays for Eid-el-Fitr

Published

10 hours ago

March 27, 2025

Trends Admin

Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo

FG declares public holidays for Eid-el-Fitr

The Federal Government has declared Monday, March 31, and Tuesday, April 1, 2025, as public holidays in celebration of Eid-el-Fitr.

The announcement was made by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on behalf of the government.

He urged Muslims across the country to use the period for prayers, reflection, and acts of kindness, emphasizing the importance of peace, unity, and national development.

In a statement on Wednesday by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Magdalene Ajani, the minister congratulated Muslims on the successful completion of the Ramadan fast, highlighting the significance of the holy month in fostering self-discipline, compassion, and spiritual renewal.

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Tunji-Ojo called on all Muslims to continue embodying the virtues of love, generosity, and peace, emphasising the need for national unity and religious harmony.

He also urged Nigerians to use the festive period to pray for the country’s peace, stability, and prosperity.

“As we celebrate Eid-el-Fitr, let us reflect on the lessons of Ramadan, embrace one another with love and forgiveness, and work together to build a more united and prosperous Nigeria,” the minister stated.

He further encouraged citizens to celebrate safely and responsibly, while extending acts of kindness to the less privileged, in line with the values of Ramadan and Eid.

On behalf of the Federal Government, Tunji-Ojo wished all Muslim faithful a joyous Eid Mubarak and prayed that the blessings of the season bring happiness and fulfilment to everyone.