TheNewsGuru

Tag: Niger State

  • Niger assembly gets new clerk

    Niger assembly gets new clerk

    Niger House of Assembly has confirmed Mallam Farouq Umar Isah as its new Clerk. This is contained in a statement by Malam Dahiru Hamisu, Secretary to the Niger House of Assembly Commission in Minna on Monday.

    He said the development followed the approval of his appointment by Gov. Umaru Bago of Niger. Hamisu said the Speaker of the House, Abdulmalik Sarkin-Daji, and members of the 10th Assembly confirmed Isah’s appointment during an executive session.

    He added that Abdullahi Dzwafu, Chairman of the House Commission, presented Isah with his appointment letter during a brief ceremony at the commission’s conference room.

    He said Dzwafu congratulated Isah, expressing hope that his wealth of experience would positively impact on the assembly.

    Isah, in his acceptance speech, thanked the governor for the appointment and pledged to do his best.

  • Insecurity! Niger state residents in panic mode as bandit absuct many passengers in 5 vehicles

    Insecurity! Niger state residents in panic mode as bandit absuct many passengers in 5 vehicles

    Bandits along the Maiga-Kontagora road in Niger State have kidnapped about 20 passengers traveling in five vehicles.

    The Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Barrister Abdulmalik Sarkin-Daji, who represents Mariga Constituency, informed newsmen that the incident occurred on Thursday when bandits blocked the Mariga-Kontagora road between Baban-Lamba and Beri.

    Sarkin-Daji was responding to a statement from the military refuting claims that bandits were operating within its training grounds in Kontagora LGA, which also extends to Mariga LGA.

    According to the Speaker, families of previously kidnapped victims had taken ransom payments to bandits multiple times in a forested area, reportedly part of the military grounds.

    Released victims also told their families they were held in a forest near the Kontagora Army Barracks.

    “The passengers kidnapped on Thursday on the Mariga-Kontagora road were also taken to the same forest,” the Speaker said, urging the military to act on accurate information and clear the bandits from the area.

    Sarkin-Daji emphasized that, as representatives, they regularly receive feedback from their constituents about their struggles, and they thoroughly investigate these issues before presenting them in the Assembly.

    He clarified that while they do not underestimate the military’s capacity to combat bandits, it is dismissive to ignore constituents’ complaints.

    He urged the federal government and relevant authorities to address these concerns, as local communities claim that the military training ground has become a safe haven for bandits who emerge from the forest to carry out attacks.

    He pointed out that even those released after ransom payments have stated that they were held within sight of the Kontagora Army Barracks.

    The Speaker said the military should verify information from the victims and address the issue, rather than dismissing statements made by House members.

    He added that despite the military’s dismissal of one Assembly member’s statements on Wednesday, bandits blocked the road between Baban-Lamba and Beri on Thursday, October 31, kidnapping over 20 passengers and moving them to the same forest.

    He urged the military to act and clear the criminals from the area, stressing that their role is to protect the people.

    The Speaker affirmed that they will continue to raise awareness so the federal government and all stakeholders understand the plight of their people.

  • Gov Bago announces upgraded minimum wage for Niger civil servants

    Gov Bago announces upgraded minimum wage for Niger civil servants

    Governor Umaru Bago of Niger has announced N80,000 minimum wage for civil servants effective from November. Bago disclosed this shortly after meeting with the organised labour in the state at the Government House, Minna on Friday.

    He said the payment would be for both the state and the local government workers effective from November. Bago said the committee on the minimum wage would work on the consequential adjustments.

    He said that the N80,000 was sustainable, especially with the state’s strides in agriculture. The Governor advised civil servants to embrace agriculture, adding that civil service farms would be created to make them productive.

    Mr Idrees Lafene, the state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), commended the governor for approving N80,000 as minimum wage.

    He said such move was a step forward, adding that the union look forward to an improved offer. He, however, appreciated the governor for going beyond the union’s expectation, saying that the union had tabled between N70,000, N75,000 and N80,000 as minimum wage for the state.

  • Man dies after many bouts of s3x in Niger state

    Man dies after many bouts of s3x in Niger state

    The police in Niger State have confirmed the death of a yet-to-be-identified man after an alleged marathon s3x with a lady at the Paiko Local Government Area lodge in the state.

    The spokesman of the police, SP Wasi’u Abiodun, confirmed the incident in a statement on Thursday.

    Abiodun said the incident is being investigated pending the completion of a medical autopsy.

    He added that there are ongoing efforts to locate his relatives for necessary arrangements, as no family member has been reached because he had no phone on him or any other means of identification

    According to the statement, “An incident of a suspected sudden death was reported at Paiko Division, that on October 15 at about 8: 50 pm, a yet-to-be identified male adult visited the LGA lodge with a lady, and thereafter, slumped and was rushed to a nearby medical facility in Paiko, where he was confirmed dead.

    “The man reportedly slumped while putting on his trousers and died at a guest house in Paiko, the headquarters of Paikoro LGA of Niger State, where he had allegedly gone to see a commercial sex worker.”

    “The guest house is located within the Paiko popular market, where traders, who usually come from far places, also lodge”

  • 150 Passengers missing as boat capsizes in Niger

    150 Passengers missing as boat capsizes in Niger

    Tragedy struck late Tuesday evening when a passenger boat transporting over 300 individuals, capsized during their journey to celebrate Maulid, leaving at least, 150 passengers missing in the Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) learnt that the tragic incident occurred between Mundi Community and Gbajibo Community.

    Confirming the incident, the Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Alhaji Abdullahi Baba-Arah, in a statement issued on Wednesday, stated that rescue operations are currently in progress to find additional survivors.

    Baba-Arah indicated that NSEMA received notification of the boat accident that took place on the evening of October 1, 2024, at approximately 8:30 pm, along the River Niger, upstream of the Jebba Dam, near Gbajibo Community in Mokwa LGA.

    He said: “The boat, which was transporting about 300 passengers, mainly women and children from Mundi Community, was en route to Gbajibo for the Maulid celebration.

    “NSEMA is coordinating search and rescue operations in partnership with the State Ministry of Transport, Mokwa Local Government Emergency Committee, local divers, and other community volunteers.

    “Thanks to the swift response of the local volunteers, over 150 persons have been rescued alive so far.”

  • Niger Assembly loses member

    Niger Assembly loses member

    The Niger House of Assembly has announced the death of its member, Mr Joseph Duza (PDP-Munya).

    The lawmaker’s demise was announced in a statement by Malam Farouq Isah, Head of Media and Public Relations of the assembly in Minna, on Friday.

    Duza was the Chairman of the House Committee on Security and Intelligence. Isah said the member died during a brief illness and prayed to the Almighty God to grant his soul eternal rest.

    He also prayed God to give the leadership, members, and staff of the assembly, as well as Munya constituents, the fortitude to bear the loss.

  • Gov Bago gives condition to pay new minimum wage

    Gov Bago gives condition to pay new minimum wage

    Governor Umaru Bago of Niger State has said his administration will not hesitate to implement the N70,000 minimum wage as far as resources were available. He said this in an interview with newsmen after declaring open the 2024 quadrennial state delegate conference of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) in Minna on Wednesday.

    Bago, represented by his deputy, Mr Yakubu Garba, said that the state government was waiting for its implementation at the national level.

    “The issue of minimum wage is a done deal, we are waiting for it as far as funds are available, we will not hesitate to ensure the implementation in the state,” he said.

    He disclosed that back-log of salaries of health workers had been paid as well as the ongoing renovation of 100 healthcare facilities for conducive working environment. He said that government had been consistent in the payment of counterpart funds, adding that the state Ministry for Primary Healthcare Development was created to cater for welfare of health workers.

    Bago thanked the union leaders for the mutual relationship with the state government and appealed to them to look inward and continue to collaborate with the government. According to him, workers have the right to agitate for their entitlements but they should also consider what the government is doing to ensure their welfare.

    The governor advised the incoming executives of MHWUN to put aside their personal interest and prioritise members interest.

    In his address, Abdullahi Erena, the state Chairman of MHWUN, said the conference was to elect new leadership that would pilot the affairs of the union for the next four year.

    He said the union had faced challenges such as global pandemic, economic uncertainties, healthcare demands and banditry, but had reminded committed to provision of healthcare services.

    In his remarks, Dr Kabir Sani, National President of MHWUN, called on Nigerians to condemn the recent increment in fuel pump price and called on government to revert it.

    He said the union was committed to supporting any lawful action by the organised labour to save workers and Nigerians from the economic challenges.

    Also, Malam Idris Lafene, Niger Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), called for unity among unions and condemned the recent increase in fuel pump price and electricity tariff.

  • Niger Governor reacts over fatal tanker explosion that left 48 dead

    Niger Governor reacts over fatal tanker explosion that left 48 dead

    Governor Mohammed Umaru-Bago of Niger State has expressed sadness over the petrol tanker explosion that killed 48 people in Essa village in Katcha Local Government Area of the State. The Sunday morning incident occurred along the Bida-Agaie-Lapai highway.

    Bago, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, described the incident as “painful, unfortunate and devastating”. “The loss is colossal; it is quite saddening,” he said.

    While commiserating with those who suffered losses, he said that government, through the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), and other relevant agencies, had mobilised to the scene for rescue operations.

    He urged road users to always be cautious and abide by road traffic regulations to safeguard lives and property. Bago prayed to God to comfort the families of victims and grant quick recovery to those injured.

    The explosion, which occurred about two kilometres away from Dendo Community in Agaie, left many dead, cattle burnt while vehicles and properties were destroyed.

    Tragedy: 48 killed as petrol tanker explodes in Niger

    Tragedy struck on Sunday when 48 people lost their lives as a result of a petrol tanker explosion that occurred along Bida-Agaie-Lapai- road in Niger. Alhaji Abdullah- Baba-Arah, Director-General, Niger Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), confirmed this in a statement in Minna on Sunday.

    He said the agency received a report of a deadly tanker explosion that occurred on Sunday at about 12:30 am along Bida-Agaie-Lapai highway. According to him , the scene of the disaster is two kilometres away from Dendo community in Agaie Local government Area.

    He said the incident occurred when a petrol tanker loaded with petrol (PMS) collided with a trailer truck loaded with travelers and cattle from Wudil in Kano State en route Lagos. Baba-Arah said two other vehicles, a crane truck and a pickup van were also involved in the multiple incident.

    He disclosed that over 30 people have been confirmed dead, with over 50 cattle burnt alive. The director-general  said the agency’s Rapid Respond Team (RRT) and other ‘Local Emergency Management Committees (LGEMCs)’ were still at the scene of the incident.

    He said that they were conducting search and rescue operations as more corpses were still trapped inside the ill-fated trucks.

  • Black Sunday as fuel tanker explosion kills 48 in Niger

    Black Sunday as fuel tanker explosion kills 48 in Niger

    Tragedy struck on Sunday as 48 people have lost their lives as a result of a petrol tanker explosion that occurred along Bida-Agaie-Lapai- road in Niger.

    Alhaji Abdullah- Baba-Arah, Director-General, Niger Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), disclosed this in a statement in Minna on Sunday.

    He said the agency received a report of a deadly tanker explosion that occurred on Sunday at about 12:30 am along Bida-Agaie-Lapai highway.

    According to him, the scene of the disaster is two kilometres away from Dendo community in Agaie Local government Area.

    He said the incident occurred when a petrol tanker loaded with petrol (PMS) collided with a trailer truck loaded with travelers and cattle from Wudil in Kano State en route Lagos.

    Baba-Arah said two other vehicles, a crane truck and a pickup van were also involved in the multiple incident.

    He disclosed that over 30 people have been confirmed dead, with over 50 cattle burnt alive.

    The director-general  said the agency’s ‘Rapid Respond Team (RRT) and other ‘Local Emergency Management Committees (LGEMCs)’ were still at the scene of the incident.

    He said that they were conducting search and rescue operations as more corpses were still trapped inside the ill-fated trucks.

    The statements reads, “NSEMA has received a report of a deadly tanker explosion that occurred on Sunday, the 8th of September, 2024, at about 12.30 am along Lapai-Agaie, 2km from Dendo Community in Agaie LGA.

    “The incident occurred when a petrol tanker loaded with PMS collided with a trailer truck loaded with travellers and cattle from Wudil in Kano State heading to Lagos, two other vehicles, a crane truck and a pickup van were also caught in the incident.

    “Over 30 people are already confirmed dead, with over 50 cattle burnt alive. NSEMA’s Rapid Respond Team (RRT), in conjunction with LGEMCs, is still on scene of the incidence conducting search and rescue operations as more corpses are still trapped inside the trucks.”

  • BREAKING: Houses destroyed, 7 declared missing as flood wreaks havoc in Minna

    BREAKING: Houses destroyed, 7 declared missing as flood wreaks havoc in Minna

    The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) has said that at least seven persons were declared missing in Magma and Mashegu Local Government Areas (LGAs), following Friday’s heavy flooding.

    The Director-General of the agency, Alhaji Abdullahi Baba-Arah, disclosed this in a statement issued in Minna and made available to newsmen. Baba-Arah said that over 89 houses and hundreds of farmlands were destroyed by the disaster.

    He also said that three vehicles were washed away by the flood, which followed an early morning downpour that lasted for several hours.

    He said: “NSEMA has received reports of flooding in Mashegu and Magama council areas. The flood was caused by torrential rainfall that lasted through the early hours of Friday, beginning from 2am to noon.

    “As at the time of filing this report, seven people were declared missing, over 89 houses were affected, hundreds of hectares of farmlands and three vehicles washed away.”

    Baba-Arah said that the affected areas were Sabon Pegi and its surrounding communities in Mashegu and Nassarawa in Magama. He said that search and rescue operation was ongoing by members of staff of the agency and volunteers to rescue the missing persons.