TheNewsGuru

Tag: Communities

  • Just in: Many feared killed as gunmen invade Imo communities

    Just in: Many feared killed as gunmen invade Imo communities

    Many feared killed as gunmen suspected to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, invaded Ndi-Ejezie, Umualaoma and Ndiakuwata Uno communities in Arondizuogu and Ideato North local government areas of Imo State.

    It was gathered that the incident occurred Friday morning when the assailants invaded the communities.

    DSP Henry Okoye, Police Public Relations Officer of the Imo State Command confirmed this in a statement on Friday.

    According to the statement, over seven persons were killed in the attack while several others were critically injured.

    Okoye said the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Aboki Danjuma condemned the incident, assuring that the perpetrators will be brought to book.

    “The senseless assault, which claimed the lives of over seven persons and left several others critically injured, was described by the CP as barbaric, inhumane, and totally unacceptable.

    “He assured the public that the Command has deployed adequate operational and intelligence assets to identify, apprehend and bring the perpetrators to justice.

    Consequently, the CP has led a tactical unit for intense combing of the affected areas and affirmed that the situation is now under control, and proactive security measures have been taken to forestall further attacks and restore lasting peace in the region,” the statement added.

  • Oborevwori tasks oil companies, host communities on dialogue(Photos)

    Oborevwori tasks oil companies, host communities on dialogue(Photos)

    Delta State Governor, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has urged oil companies and host communities to adopt dialogue approach rather than confrontations in resolving disputes.

    Governor Oborevwori gave the charge when he received on courtesy visit, the management of Chevron Nigeria Limited, led by
    Senior Corporate Affairs Advisor, Chevron International, Exploration and Production for Africa Region, Engr Esimaje Brikins, at Government House, Asaba.

    The Governor while congratulating Mr Esimaje Brikins on his new appointment tasked his successor to understudy the operations and relationship with host communities and stakeholders.

    He cautioned that he would not condone shutting down of oil facilities by host communities adding that he would also not tolerate oil companies oppressing the people.

    He said: “I believe you must have understanding of the terrain you operate. Chevron has been managing the place for a long time. It didn’t start today.

    “Some companies didn’t survive it. They left. But Chevron are here operating, the offshore and onshore, having understanding with the people and managing the system very well.

    “When you are operating in a terrain like Delta State, if you are not knowledgeable enough to understand the people, you may not survive it.

    “So my advise to the man who is taking over from you, is to go and look at the history of Chevron because it’s not easy to manage the people.

    “Most especially the ethnic nationalities where they operate from. Anytime you call us to intervene we will. I will not allow any community to go and shut down any of the oil stations. It’s something that I will not take. They know I will not take it.

    “I will not also allow the oil companies to also oppress our people. They must keep to the MOU because when you keep to it, it also helps.

    “The most important thing that would make you succeed is your engagement with the people and create a lot of awareness.

    “When a new government comes in at the community level, they want to see how you can impress the community because there are things that are statutory and they may not understand the way you operate, that’s why you see that there are conflicts.

    “It is only good that you dialogue than confrontation. I believe in dialogue than confrontation. So your coming here, I am very happy. It shows that we will work together and that there is understanding between the government and the company.”

    Earlier, Brikins, praised Governor Oborevwori for his leadership, community engagement, and efforts to stabilize the region, which has benefited Chevron’s operations and the state and country’s economy.

    He said Delta State was home to Chevron having operated there for over 50 years and thanked Governor Oborevwori for the support to Chevron and other oil companies operating in the state.

    He reiterated Chevron’s long-term presence and commitment to Delta State, highlighting ongoing projects like the $1.4 billion drilling program funded by banks.

    He emphasised on Chevron’s impact on local communities through job creation and contracting opportunities, as well as the company’s intention to deepen the relationships.

    “It’s not been very easy doing business and I can tell you the Governor of Delta State has been instrumental to ensuring that we continue to sustain our operations here. If you look at the area of activities in the oil industry today,

    “Chevron is one of the very few international oil companies that still fully sustains operations on land in the near offshore area, and in the deep water area.

    “We are here to stay and by being here to stay, we require the full support of all wealth, meaning, and dignity stakeholder. The Governor has been a very strong supporter in this story that I’ve just painted.

    “It could sound so easy but to sustain your operations where others are struggling to stay afloat tells a great story of the kind of support that we get from the government and the entire government of Delta State.

    “We recognize the fact that our operations here bring significant revenue to the state by way of taxes, but of course, that’s secondary.

    “The willingness to ensure that there is always peace to grow it goes beyond whatever revenue that will come because where there is peace, then you can think about expansion and that is what we continue to enjoy from the kind of support that we get from the Delta State government.

    “I want to thank the Deputy Governor as well, including everyone, to let you know that by your continuous support we will continue to look out for opportunities to grow.

    “We currently have an ongoing drilling program that we have committed about $1.4 billion dollars for that drilling program. There are very few oil and gas investments at this time in the country that is ongoing.

    “And that’s where we all have to come together to work to ensure that by the time we complete this program, we can continue to do more. And when these opportunities arise, that’s when we can have opportunities for our youth and our local community contractors.

    “Our presence here brings significant returns to the communities where we operate and we are looking forward to ensuring that we improve on those relationships.

    “We are very optimistic that my successor will continue to keep that mantle and sustain that relationship in a way that will not disappoint stakeholders.

    “We know that your heart is very very close to the communities because you understand the communities much more than any one of us here can think of.”

  • Mutfwang condemns fresh attacks on plateau communities

    Mutfwang condemns fresh attacks on plateau communities

    Gov. Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau, has condemned the recent attacks that occured in some communities of the state, urging absolute vigilance as government works to restore the frail security infrastructure of the state.

    He expressed this in a statement issued by his Director of Press and Public Affairs (DOPA), Mr Gyang Bere, on Saturday in Jos

    The attacks occurred on Friday night in Kopnanle community in Mangu and Mandar Shar village of Bokkos Local Government Areas of the state recording casualties, damages to properties, with scores injured.

    While appreciating the intervention of Security Agencies in the protection of lives and property in the state, Gov. Mutfwang urged them to redouble their efforts in discharging their constitutional responsibility of protecting innocent citizens.

    He urged them to ensure the perpetrators are fished out and made to face the consequences of their actions.

    Similarly, he warned the perpetrators to desist forthwith from such dastardly acts, stressing that government is determined to fish them out to face justice.

    “These attacks are unfortunate and unacceptable, especially now that government is diligently working to restore peace and security of the state and facilitate the return of displaced persons to their homes.

    “We want to call on community stakeholders across the state to activate dispute resolution mechanisms in tackling issues of disagreement.

    P”Report without delay, early warning signs to Constituted authorities for prompt intervention.

    “We want to urge you all on extreme vigilance and the fostering of inter-community relations by residents of the state, particularly now that the rainy season is gearing up to ensure a safer and successful farming period.

    The Governor expressed deep sympathy to the bereaved families and the affected communities and prayed for quick healing of those who sustained gunshot injuries.

  • Three die, many sick as strange illness hit kano communities

    Three die, many sick as strange illness hit kano communities

    An infection identified by medical personnel as diphtheria as hit communities in Kano leaving about three persons dead.

    The number of persons infected with the disease rose from 25 to 100 in just about two weeks.

    Reports  say Three persons in 13 local government areas of the state have given up the ghost in different communities in the state while some are still battling with it.

    This was made known by the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa,  during the press conference on Diphtheria and Lassa fever outbreaks in the state.

    He said the epidemiology unit of the ministry was notified by Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital and Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital of the suspected cases of Diphtheria, prompting the ministry to mobilize its team to commence investigation.

    “As at 20th of January 2023 we have recorded 100 suspected cases from 13 local government areas which are Ungogo, Nassarawa, Bichi, Dala, Dawakin Tofa, Dawakin Kudu, Fagge, Gwale, Kano Municipal, Kumbotso, Rano, and Gwarzo respectively, Of the 100 suspected cases, 8 were confirmed, while waiting more results. We have lost 3 among 8 confirmed and 22 among other suspected cases,” he added.

    Tsanyawa further said currently 27 patients are receiving treatment while 41 have been managed and discharged successfully.

    The commissioner also said on 10 January, the Public Health Emergency Operation Center received a report of suspected case of Lassa fever from Muhammad Abdullahi Wase Teaching Hospital.

    He said a team was deployed to investigate and samples were taken for laboratory tests before they returned positive three days later.

    “10 samples were taken from the high-risk contacts of the index case, 3 become positive making a total of 4 cases currently managed at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital isolation center,” Dr. Tsanyawa said.

    The commissioner also said the Kano State Government activated the Kwanar Dawaki Isolation Center for isolating the Lassa fever cases, adding that staff of ‘Yargaya have been trained and transferred to the isolation center with drugs and consumables.

    He pointed out that the ministry, through the primary health care management board, is planning to conduct a routine immunization intensification campaign to reach out to all eligible children in the affected local government areas.

    Diphtheria is a serious infection caused by strains of bacteria called Corynebacterium diphtheriae that make toxin. It can lead to difficulty breathing, heart rhythm problems, and even death. CDC recommends vaccines for infants, children, teens, and adults to prevent diphtheria.

  • Just In: Many feared dead as alleged herders invade Enugu community again

    Just In: Many feared dead as alleged herders invade Enugu community again

    A group suspected to be Fulani herdsmen and collaborators from Agala community in Benue State on Sunday attacked Ebor community in Eha-Amufu, Isi-Uzo local government area of Enugu State.

    The number of people that were killed during the latest attack cannot be readily ascertained.

    The attack comes barely eight days after assailants attacked the community and killed 25 people at the last count. The attack forced residents of Mgbuji, Umujiovu and Ebor communities to flee their homes.

    Subsequently, businesses were forced to shut down in Eha-Amufu, the third largest town in Enugu.

    A security source lamented Sunday’s attack and the negligence of the state government to tackle the problem once and for all.

    The source said: “These assailants have sacked over 40 villages and settlements. Now they are attacking the hometowns. This is the harvesting period and people have been forced out of their homes and communities and the government is paying lip service to this. These people are coming from communities in Benue State and the government is aware of it.

    “The invaders who outnumbered the soldiers and vigilantes, launched another attack on Ebor community this early Sunday morning. I have seen bodies of less than 10 but I can’t give a specific figure right now.

    “We are still in the bushes combing and searching for more people killed. What is happening here is unfortunate. It is exactly what they did to Benue State people. Probably they want to create a vast land joining Benue communities they had already sacked and call it their own land.”

    “From the report I received, the armed herdsmen and their collaborators from Benue State communities launched the attack around 5:30 am to 6 am this morning. Before we got there, several people had been killed. We are few soldiers here and where we are based is a little bit far from the communities. There are no other security operatives from other security agencies here in Eha-Amufu except local vigilantes. They (vigilantes) first engaged them but the invading armed herdsmen outnumbered them,” the source added.

    A community leader, who gave his name as Ogbuabor Samuel, confirmed the attack.

    “As I am speaking to you, the invading armed herdsmen are still shooting. Several people have been killed. At least, we have recovered the bodies of 10 people killed. The chairman of Isi-Uzo local government is playing politics with our lives. He didn’t want to tell the governor the true facts of what is happening in these communities. He is not supporting the local vigilantes and other local security.

    “A few weeks ago, he dissolved all the local vigilantes formed by Eha-Amufu communities yet he hardly visits the affected communities. We need the government to declare a state of emergency on security in Eha-Amufu – especially in Ebor, Umujiovu, Mgbuji and Agu-Amede communities. Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi should do something drastic. His government should stop politicising the situation in our place.

    “They should stop fabricating stories that our people are collaborators. That is a fallacy and it diverts attention from the real issues. Agala people in Benue State have joined forces with armed Fulani herdsmen to continue to kill and destroy our people. That is the situation. Since these recent attacks started in October, we haven’t seen policemen here. You can only see the police if their commissioner is coming to witness the destruction and go back to Enugu to dish out false narratives. “Where are the tactical squads and operational assets of the police he told Nigerians through the media that he had deployed?

    “We want to know, who are the security agencies in Enugu State protecting their interest? Could it be that the security chiefs in Enugu State are in the state to give cover to armed herdsmen?”

    Meanwhile, the state police command has confirmed the recent attack but did not give the casualty figure.

    The command’s spokesman, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, told journalists in Enugu that the “sketchy report at my disposal shows that there was an attack”.

    “But the assailants were repelled by a joint police and army team that is currently trailing them,” he added.

  • BREAKING: WhatsApp rolls out eye-catching new features

    BREAKING: WhatsApp rolls out eye-catching new features

    Popular messaging platform, WhatsApp, owned by Meta has started rolling out some eye-catching new features.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the new features include Communities and the ability of WhatsApp groups to now take up to 1024 users.

    Also, WhatsApp now has the feature for users to create in-chat polls and users now have the feature of 32 person video calling.

    “As we shared earlier this year, we’ve been hard at work building Communities, a major update to how people will be able to connect on WhatsApp in the groups that matter to them.

    “Today, we’re excited to announce we’ve started to roll out Communities on WhatsApp globally and this will be available to everyone over the next few months,” a WhatsApp blog post reads.

    TNG reports Communities like neighborhoods, parents at a school, and workplaces can now connect multiple groups together under one umbrella to organize group conversations on WhatsApp.

    To get started, tap on the new communities tab at the top of your chats on Android and at the bottom on iOS. From there you can start a new Community from scratch or add existing groups.

    Once you’re in a community, you can easily switch between available groups to get the information you need, when you need it, and admins can send important updates to everyone in the Community

    “With Communities, we’re aiming to raise the bar for how organizations communicate with a level of privacy and security not found anywhere else. The alternatives available today require trusting apps or software companies with a copy of their messages – and we think they deserve the higher level of security provided by end-to-end encryption.

    “Today we’re also releasing three more features we think users will be excited about: the ability to create in-chat polls, 32 person video calling, and groups with up to 1024 users. Just like emoji reactions, larger file sharing, and admin delete, these features can be used in any group but will be particularly helpful for Communities.

    “We’ve been working with over 50 organizations in 15 countries to build Communities to meet their needs. We’re excited that the feedback we’ve heard so far is these new tools are helping groups like these better organize and achieve their goals.

    “There’s a lot more we plan to build and we’ll keep adding features over the coming months. For now, we’re excited to get this into more people’s hands and hear your feedback too,” the blog post added.

  • BREAKING: Several explosions rock Maiduguri communities

    BREAKING: Several explosions rock Maiduguri communities

    Four different explosives have rocked communities in Maiduguri in the early hours of Saturday destroying a building and wounding a boy in the process.

    According to eyewitnesses, the explosions started very early with the first two exploding at Gomari airport and the third one landing in a building at one thousand housing estate near Hajj Transit Camp where the repentant Boko Haram insurgents are being housed.

     

    Details shortly…

     

  • Twitter tests new feature similar to Facebook Groups

    Twitter tests new feature similar to Facebook Groups

    Microblogging social media platform, Twitter has announced it is testing a new feature called Communities, a way to easily find and connect with people who want to talk about the same things you do.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Twitter made announcement of the feature that is similar to Facebook Groups on Wednesday.

    The new feature will give users a way to talk about specific topics with people who share the same interest.

    “Some conversations aren’t for everyone, just the people who want to talk about the thing you want to talk about.

    “When you join a community, you can Tweet directly to that group instead of to all your followers.

    “Only members in the same Community are able to reply and join the conversation so it stays intimate and relevant.

    “While you can Tweet only to your Community for a focused conversation, Community pages and timelines are publicly available so anyone can read, Quote Tweet, and report Community Tweets.

    “We want to continue to support public conversation and help people find Communities that match their interests, while also creating a more intimate space for conversation,” Twitter stated in a blog post.

    The first Twitter Communities being tested are focused on dogs, weather, sneakers, skincare, and astrology, the company said.

    Communities will have moderators who can invite other Twitter users into their groups. Communities are publicly visible but people need to be invited by a moderator to join.

    The company said that community creation is also limited but in the coming months more people will be able to create communities.

    In an effort to grow its user base, Twitter has rolled out a couple of new features this year including subscription-based “super follows”, fleets that have since been discontinued, live audio chat rooms “Spaces” amongst others.

  • JUST IN: Boko Haram fighters kill 24 in communities close to SGF’s hometown

    JUST IN: Boko Haram fighters kill 24 in communities close to SGF’s hometown

    At least 24 persons have been killed by gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram Terrorists in Dabna a farming community three kilometres away from Graha the hometown of the Secretary to the Federal Government, Boss Mustapha.

    The community is said to have come under attack in the early hours of Wednesday, with insurgents shooting sporadically and setting houses and shops ablaze.

    Witnesses say residents scampered into the nearby bushes for safety even as the gunmen proceeded to invade a neighbouring community. As of noon today, sources say the Boko Haram fighters were still operating within the area.

    Sources within the military say a joint security task force comprising of the Army, Airforce, and the Police, have been drafted to the embattled communities.

    Fearing that the marauders will get to their community, many residents in Graha have started fleeing their homes for safe havens in villages nearby.

  • COAS gives troops 48-Hour ultimatum to clear Boko Haram remnants in four Borno communities

    COAS gives troops 48-Hour ultimatum to clear Boko Haram remnants in four Borno communities

    The Chief of Army Staff, Major General Ibrahim Attahiru has given a 48-hour marching order for the clearance of Marte and three other communities in Borno state.

    Attahiru gave the order in Dikwa Local Government, the headquarters of the Super Camp 9 Operation Lafiya Dole.

    “In the last few days we have had attacks in your Area of Responsibility: it is now high time we get back and fight through and support our forces ahead of you. Areas around Marte, Chukungudu, Krenoa and Kirta Wulgo must be cleared in the next 48 hours,” he said.

    “You can rest assured of all the support required in this very onerous task. I have just spoken to your Theatre Commander, General Officer Commanding, you cannot let this nation down. Go there and do the needful and I will be right behind you. Ensure you do your job, and do your job well.

    “They have presented certain issues that came up, sooner rather than later we would address; where there are no adequate A and B vehicles we would provide with these few remarks. I wish you well on the operation and I know the morale is high.”

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that the COAS’ visit is sequeĺ to attacks in the next town, Marte which filters to Dikwa causing panic among civilians.

    Normalcy has since been restored in Dikwa and the army chief has addressed the people, seeking their cooperation and support.

    Attahiru directed the immediate clearance operations in Marte and other towns harbouring insurgents in the Super camp 9 Area of responsibility.

    The order comes 24 hours after insurgents believed to be members of Boko Haram hoisted their flag in parts of Marte local government in Borno State, according to military sources.

    The insurgents repeatedly attacked the local government within the week.

    On Friday, the insurgents attacked neighbouring Dikwa local government.

    But they were repelled by a combined effort of the air component and ground forces of Operation Lafiya Dole in a battle that lasted hours, sources said.