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  • Former Taraba acting governor denies joining PDP

    Former Taraba acting governor denies joining PDP

    A former Acting Governor of Taraba, Alhaji Garba Umar, has denied joining the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Umar denied his defection to the PDP in a statement issued in Jalingo on Thursday.

    He said that he was not contemplating leaving the All Progressives Congress (APC) to any other political party.

    He called on the general public to disregard the rumour of his purported defection and urged those spreading the rumour to desist from it henceforth.

    “My attention has been drawn to the news going round in the social media that I, Alhaji Garba Umar has joined the PDP.

    “I will at best describe the rumour as malicious and a total fallacy emanating from rabble-rousers who are hell-bent on maligning my political reputation and integrity.

    “I want to state abundantly clear that I have not contemplated joining any other political party and I remain a loyal member of the APC.

    “The fact remains that APC under President Muhammadu Buhari has achieved tremendous feats in this country.

    “As a progressive, it is incumbent on me to support Mr President to succeed and complete his tenure.

    “I, therefore, urge the general public to disregard the rumour and its proponents to desist from such act,’’ Umar said.

  • Aggrieved APC aspirants reject Taraba Assembly primaries results

    Aggrieved APC aspirants reject Taraba Assembly primaries results

    Aggrieved APC State Assembly aspirants in Taraba State have alleged that no primary election was held in the state to elect candidates.

    Their position was made available to presume on Sunday in Jalingo, the State Capital.

    Spokesperson of the forum, Shittu Mohammed, who contested for the Nguroje State Constituency, at a press conference, called on the national secretariat of the party to conduct the election and select candidates for the forthcoming election in the interest of peace and fair play.

    ALSO READ: Delta 2023: Sen. Omo-Agege congratulates APC candidates

    The spokesperson said if not addressed, the internal wrangling in the state chapter of the party will affect the chances of the APC.

    According to him, no election was held in the state, rather that results were written and sent to the national secretariat.

    He said they were informed that the electoral committees were in the state, but that they never saw anykne.

    “We were all waiting in our various local governments to receive them for the conduct of the primaries but they did not show up anywhere.

    “We all waited without success and no election was held. We don’t know how the results emerged and some people were declared winners.

    “To the best of our knowledge, there was no election whatever in Taraba and any person parading himself as a candidate is only fooling him/herself.”

    While calling for the conduct of the primaries to elect candidates ahead of the 2023 elections, the aggrieved aspirants insisted that the electoral committee cannot impose anybody on the party in the state as a candidate for any position.

    Mohammed added, “We were told there is an appeal committee, but we don’t know where the committee is even sitting.

    “We need fair treatment and we want our issue to be addressed. The party has internal channels of resolving issues and we want the national secretariat to handle this issue with care before it is too late.”

  • Police in Taraba rescue APC election committee members from being lynched

    Police in Taraba rescue APC election committee members from being lynched

    Police in Taraba on Saturday rescued the four members of the committee to conduct primary elections of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Senate and House of Representatives from being lynched.

    Aggrieved party members waylaid the quartet at Pupile, a community between Yola and Jaingo, having gotten wind of a rumour that they were conniving with a faction to manipulate the election results.

    Rumour had it that the committee members, led by Dr Muhammad Alkali stopped at Pupule, a few miles from Jalingo and met with the faction to hand over pre-determined election results.

    A mob rushed to the community with intent to lynch the electoral committee members, but the quick intervention by the police saved the situation.

    Commissioner of Police in Taraba, Mr Abimbola Shokoya, said police had taken custody of the committee members but were not interested in dabbling into partisan politics.

    Shokoya stressed that the police were under obligation to ensure the security of lives and property of the people at all costs.

    He stressed that the situation had been brought under control.

  • Amaechi will get 90% of Taraba APC Delegates vote – State Party Chairman

    Amaechi will get 90% of Taraba APC Delegates vote – State Party Chairman

    Delegates of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Taraba State has pledge to give at least 90 percent votes to frontline Presidential Aspirant and former Minister of Transportation, Rt Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.

    Chairman of the APC in Taraba State, Barr. Ibrahim Tukur El-Sudi made this known during Amaechi’s consultative visit to the party in Jalingo, Monday.

    El-Sufi said the party is grateful for what he referred to as Amaechi’s enormous interest in Taraba State and pledged in consonance with the delegates to deliver at least 90 percent of their votes to him at the forth coming Presidential primaries.

    “Our delegates know how to separate the chaff from the grain. Sir, we are assuring you that 90 percent of our votes will go to you. Our Emir has already spoken, therefore you should be guaranteed of 90 percent(delegate votes)

    “Sir, you are a grassroots politician, we know how you came up in Rivers State to become member of House of Assembly, Governor two times and by the grace of God you just resigned as a Minister. Most of our delegates are legislators and I believe they will be very much comfortable with you,” he said.

    Earlier Amaechi told the delegates that Taraba State is key to Nigeria as it is one of the highest producers of food in the country. He also promised to invest in the Mambilla power project if he gets to the Presidency, to increase power generation and distribution as well as create jobs for the people of Taraba State.

    “Trust me on this, I’m going to invest in Mambilla (Power project). Take it for free, I know what is wrong with Mambilla, because I was among those who went to negotiate it in China. So, if you vote for me, you’re voting for yourself, because the jobs that will be created here, will be for the people of Taraba. The next critical thing I will invest in here is agriculture and the value chain will bring industrial development to Taraba,” Amaechi said.

    At the Palace of the Emir of Muri in Jalingo, Alhaji Abbas Tafida, Amaechi stated that he understands the problems of Nigeria more than other aspirants vying for the presidency and that he would provide workable solutions to those challenges if given the opportunity to serve as President.

    “Your Highness, we are here to fulfill one political tradition. You don’t enter any man’s kingdom without first, going to the owner of the kingdom to seek approval to enter the kingdom. So, we are here to seek your blessings, we are here to seek your permission to be able to talk to your delegates. I have been in public office for quite some time. I have been in office back to back, non-stop and I have done seven years as a Minister.”

    “I am here because I know that if you give me your blessings I will certainly win on that day. I will not dissapoint you. The reason for which people elected and appointed me back to back for twenty three years is because I take my responsibility very seriously.

    “There is no aspirant that I see on stage now that has done the number of years I have done in public office, so I know what the issues are , I know how to deal with the issues by God’s grace and all I’m seeking is your support to get the power to do those things to better the lives of Nigerians and to stop insecurity,” Amaechi assured.

    On his part, the Emir of Muri, Alhaji Tafida who described the former Minister as a man with a national stature and outlook, expressed his pleasure to receive Amaechi, who he said was the first Presidential aspirant to visit him.

    He assured Amaechi of his support, stating that he needs not bother about the delegates in Taraba because they would vote for him.

    “Without mincing words, you have seen it all, you have been through the system, you have put up a national outlook in every direction, you are a very patient person and understanding person, you have met most of the qualities required for a perfect President of Nigeria. I wish you the best for the Presidency of Nigeria,” the Emir said.

  • PCN seals 378 pharmacies, patent medicine stores for illegal activities

    PCN seals 378 pharmacies, patent medicine stores for illegal activities

    Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) has sealed 378 pharmaceutical premises comprising of 34 pharmacies and 344 patent medicines stores across 14 local government areas of Taraba State.

    Stephen Esumobi who leads the enforcement team in the state revealed at a press conference held at the state capital after a week long inspection exercise mentioned that compliance notices were issued for various reasons.

    Esumobi also a pharmacist said a total of 546 premises were inspected during the exercise, and discovered that there was remarkable improvement in terms of compliance in the state capital, but situation in the rural areas was different and very bad.

    He mentioned that many pharmacy were sealed because they weren’t licensed while others that were licensed were found guilty of one offence or the other.

    He said many were operating against specified hygiene conditions that could be compromising the integrity of drugs they keep in their custody.

     

    “After almost a week-long inspection exercise, observations from the field in Taraba State revealed that while there is commendable level of compliance by some stakeholders in the state capital, this cannot be said of stakeholders across the local government areas. So many premises are not registered with the PCN, while a large number of those registered do not bother to renew their licences. Most of the patent medicine vendors were engaged in activities far beyond their scope, and also stocked products outside their approved drug list including ethical medicines and substances of abuse.

    “At the end of the exercise, a total of 546 premises were visited. This includes 481 patent and proprietary medicines vendors shops (PPMVS) and 65 pharmacies. Three hundred and seventy eight premises were sealed comprising 34 pharmacies and 344 patent medicines-vendor shops. Twenty-four compliance directives were issued for various offences such as poor sanitary conditions, poor documentation and none display of premises and pharmacists annual licences.

    “The public is hereby advised to source all drug needs from registered and currently licensed pharmacies and over-the- counter medicines from registered PPMV shops as drug sold in unregistered outlets cannot be guaranteed to be genuine.”

  • TARABA: Suspected herdsmen kill 7 people, many others injured

    TARABA: Suspected herdsmen kill 7 people, many others injured

    Suspected herdsmen have attacked Tor Damisa village, in Donga Local Government Area of Taraba State, killing seven people including a woman and many others injured.

    This reprisal attack by the herdsmen on the Tiv community is coming days after a herder was said to be brutally injured by some suspected Tiv militia while rearing his cattle on the axis of the village.

    Confirming the incident, Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Abdullahi Usman, on Tuesday disclosed that houses were set ablaze.

    He noted that the police, army and professional hunters are currently after the assailants with a view to arresting and prosecuting them.

    “A Fulani young herder was rescued from the bush where he was shot on his leg with multiple fractures and was brought before the divisional police officer there in donga and was questioned as to what led to the fracture and he confessed to have been shot by some suspected Tiv militia,” the police spokesman said.

    “The shepherd was later identified to be from Plateau State and his relations were contacted and handed over to them for further treatment at the Plateau State Teaching Hospital.

    “When they left with the injured herder, the other herders living within Tor Damisa in Donga Local Government Area now suspected those Tiv tribes living around and then mobilized to attack the Tiv settlements.

    “We got the information of the pending attack and also mobilized alongside the military and professional hunters, but unfortunately before they could reach Tor Damisa village the Fulani herders had already attacked the Tiv settlement and fired sporadically where they killed seven people including a woman.

    “When the security agencies arrived, they calmed the situation down and are currently in pursuit of the attackers. As I talk to you now, the situation is under control and the area combed.”

    While noting that the area is now calm, Usman urged residents to continue their lawful businesses while security operatives are dealing with the situation.

    He also revealed that the remains of the victims have been released to their families for burial, adding that a discrete investigation has been launched to unravel hidden agenda and curtail the escalation of the attacks.

    The police spokesman further assured that a more drastic strategy will be deployed to ensure synergy between the community and security agencies to avert a repeat of such incidents.

  • Gov. Ishaku inaugurates commission of inquiry over Kurmi communal clashes

    Gov. Ishaku inaugurates commission of inquiry over Kurmi communal clashes

    Gov. Darius Ishaku of Taraba on Saturday, in Jalingo, inaugurated a nine-member commission of inquiry into the recent crisis, between two ethnic groups; Ichen and Ndaka people of Bisaula Community, in Kurmi Local Government Area of the state, that has claimed several lives.

    Gov Ishaku warned those he described as champions of unhealthy ethnic sentiments that was causing crisis in the area to desist forthwith or risk going to jail.

    “I will not condone the irresponsibility of negative ethnic champions. behind the crisis that has claimed several lives, and I want to assure Tarabans that government will not fold its arms while people are being gruesomely killed”, he said.

    He said he was greatly pained by the unnecessary crisis and that drastic steps would be taken to safeguard lives and property in the community.

    He urged the commission of enquiry to study the events leading to the crisis and proffer solutions that could permanently settle the issues.

    Speaking after the inauguration, Chairman of the Commission, Mr Shehu Vocks, a retired chief magistrate, assured that the commission would come up with a report that would not only enable government to understand the crisis, but also find a lasting solution to it.

    The Commission, made up of nine members, also include Mr Elijah Nyaro, who is to serve as its secretary, Kefas Ali, representing Ndaka Community, Jonathan Jonah, representing Ichen.

    Others are the Chairman of Kurmi Local Government, John Danladi, Ibrahim Ishaya, Etsu-Affah Tigun, and representatives of the police, DSS, and the Civil Service.

  • I left PDP to find peace – Senator Bwacha

    I left PDP to find peace – Senator Bwacha

    Senator Emmanuel Bwacha, representing Taraba South Senatorial District in the National Assembly (NASS) has said he left the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in order to find peace.

    Senator Bwacha, who was Deputy Senate Minority Leader, stated this after dumping the PDP to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    According to him, the PDP as a national party did not offend him but that his grouse was with the leadership of the party in his home State of Taraba.

    He lamented, what he described as “deliberate isolation from the governor” and noted that the dispute between himself and the governor was not from his part.

    Speaking in an interview with Channels TV, Bwacha said the Taraba State Governor Arch. Darius Dickson Ishaku barred public officials from attending his constituency projects and his other political activities.

    “I actually cannot point out exactly what is his (Ishaku’s) problem with me. We (Ishaku and I) worked together in 2015 but in 2019, suddenly this hate came.

    “I tried to speak to him about issues but it had always earned me hate. I tried to see him at a point but he shut the door at me.

    “I have not made public declaration about becoming a governor but there have been innuendos, and insinuations. People have also been putting pressure on me to run for governor.

    “And I overheard someone say that the only condition for me to sit with him (Ishaku) is if I would drop my gubernatorial ambition.

    “It is about an environment where you are not being persecuted, where you are given a latitude to operate, a free playing ground.

    “My people are not in support of such persecution, they see me going through persecution that is unnecessary.

    “If you are staying in an environment where you will not survive, if you remain there, you are doing it at your own peril and I would not be part of such danger, I won’t endanger my political future in an environment where I am not guaranteed a clear future,” Bwacha said.

    The Taraba Senator added that past and present leadership of the PDP did not help reconciliatory efforts.

  • Police raid criminals hideouts in Taraba, rescue kidnap victims

    Police raid criminals hideouts in Taraba, rescue kidnap victims

    Operatives of the Nigeria Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) in a joint operation with the Police Command in Taraba have raided various criminal hideouts and rescued some kidnap victims.

    Force Public Relations Officer, Mr Frank Mba stated in Abuja on Sunday that kidnap victims at the various hideouts were carefully and successfully rescued unhurt.

    He adding that cache of weapons and other incriminating items were recovered from the hideouts.

    The police spokesman stated also that the rescued kidnap victims had been reunited with their families.

    Mba also stated that 11 notorious kidnap suspects were arrested for their complicity in crimes and in the recent trend of kidnap in Taraba.

    He added that kidnap operations carried out by the suspects were that of a serving personnel of the Nigeria Customs Service, and that of a relative of the Emir of Jalingo.

    Another crime was the killing of a Police Sergeant in Jalingo.

    Mba also stated that seven AK 47 riffles, two Beretta pistols, 121 rounds of live ammunition, four magazines, masks, illicit drugs and other incriminating items were recovered during raids.

    According to him, the deployment of IRT operatives is to promptly contain the disturbing trend of kidnapping, armed robbery, and other violent crimes in the state.

    He stated that police investigations had revealed that the suspects had been on the wanted list of the police in Taraba and were members of a notorious kidnap syndicate.

    Mba stressed that the suspects had been evidentially linked to recent upsurge in kidnaps in the state and deliberate attacks on security personnel.

    He stated that the police commended the people of Taraba for supporting them, especially in providing useful information that aided the prompt apprehension of the suspects.

    Mba assured that the police would continue to work with all stakeholders in deepening the collective safety of Taraba people.

  • BREAKING: Police arrest 11 notorious kidnappers in Taraba

    BREAKING: Police arrest 11 notorious kidnappers in Taraba

    Operatives of the Nigeria Police Intelligence Response Team, working with the Taraba State Police Command have arrested a total of eleven (11) notorious kidnapping suspects in Taraba State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Commissioner of Police (CP) Frank Mba, Force Public Relations Officer Force Headquarters, made this known in a statement on Sunday.

    According to the statement, the suspects were arrested for their complicity and various criminal roles in the recent trend of kidnapping incidents in Taraba State, including the kidnapping of a serving personnel of the Nigeria Customs Service, kidnapping of a relative of the Emir of Jalingo and the killing of a Police Sergeant in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital.

    The statement reads: “The Police team equally recovered seven (7) AK47 rifles, two (2) Beretta pistols, one hundred and twenty-one (121) rounds of live ammunition of different calibre, four (4) magazines, masks, illicit drugs and other incriminating items during raids of various hideouts of the suspects in the State.

    “The arrest of the suspects follows the deployment of operatives of the Intelligence Response Team by the Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc(+), NPM, fdc to Taraba State to complement the efforts of the Taraba State Police Command in promptly containing the disturbing trend of kidnapping, armed robbery, and other violent crimes in the State.

    “The suspects, Luka Adam, Shuaibu Nuhu, Moses Amos, Peters Mashi, Ahmadu Mallam, Adamu Mohammed, Dahiru Mallam Dalha, Gambo Isah, Sanusi Ahmadu, Mallam Mohammed Mauludu, Ibrahim Idi, all indigenes of Taraba State, were arrested by the Police team from their various criminal hideouts.

    “Police investigations revealed that the suspects, who have also been on the wanted list of the Taraba Police Command, are members of a notorious kidnap syndicate and have been evidentially linked to the recent upsurge in incidents of kidnapping in the State, including the deliberate and calculated attacks on security personnel. Investigations also revealed how two (2) of the suspects, Gambo Isah and Sanusi Ahmadu masterminded the killing of the Police Sergeant and left a Police Inspector with gunshot injuries in their recent operation to enable them escape arrest having abducted some victims in Jalingo recently.

    “Investigations further revealed that the modi operandi of the suspects include trailing individuals – Business owners, Government Functionaries, motorists with flashy and exotic cars, etc – to their houses and thereafter planning and executing the kidnap of such persons. They also collect huge sums of money as ransom from relatives and friends of their victims before their release.

    “The Police in the course of investigations equally identified and raided various criminal hideouts where kidnap victims are usually kept. While cache of weapons and other incriminating items were recovered from the hideouts, all the kidnap victims held hostage at the various hideouts were carefully and successfully rescued unhurt and reunited with their families. Meanwhile investigators are intensifying efforts at arresting other suspects currently at large.

    “The IGP, while commending the good people of Taraba State for supporting the Police especially in providing useful information that aided the prompt apprehension of the suspects, assured that the Police will continue to work with all stakeholders in deepening the collective safety of the Taraba people. The IGP condoled the family of the late Sergeant Ogidi Habu and added that the Force will sustain efforts at improving public safety in all Nigerian communities. All the suspects will be charged to court on completion of investigations”.