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Tag: Yobe

  • Boko Haram destroys 330KVA power towers in Yobe

    Boko Haram destroys 330KVA power towers in Yobe

    The police command in Yobe, say suspected Boko Haram insurgents have destroyed two 330 KVA power transmission towers in the state, plunging residents of Borno and Yobe into darkness.

    DSP Dungus Abdulkarim, the spokesperson for the command, said this in Damaturu on Saturday.

    Abdulkarim said that the transmission towers supplied electricity from Gombe to Yobe and Borno
    He said that the attackers were suspected to have used improvised explosive devices to blow up the facilities in the early hours of Saturday.

    “The transmission towers are located in Kasaisa in Damaturu Local Government Area of the state and supply electricity from Gombe to Yobe and Borno.

    “The destruction has plunged residents of the two states into darkness, ” he said.

    The attack on the towers was the second in three months, as they were destroyed in December, but were repaired in January.

     

  • Fire guts Yobe GSM market, destroys properties worth N150m

    Fire guts Yobe GSM market, destroys properties worth N150m

    Properties estimated to be worth N150 million, on Tuesday, were destroyed by fire at the GSM market, popularly called “Kasuwar Jagwal,” in Damaturu, Yobe.

    Confirming the incident to journalists in Damaturu, the Public Relations Officer of the Yobe State Fire Service, said that no fewer than 30 shops were destroyed by the fire.

    “At about 5:50 a.m. this morning, we received a distress call notifying us of the incident. A few minutes later, our team arrived the scene, but a lot of damage had already been done at the time,’’ he said.

    Bello added that investigations revealed that the fire was caused by surge in electricity supply to the area.

    He advised members of the public to always switch off electrical appliances and unplug their cables from power sources before going to sleep or closing their shops for the day.

    Alhaji Ali Sheriff, the Chairman of the Damaturu Trader’s Association, said that trader in the market lost goods worth N150 million.

    He corroborated that the fire might have been caused by an electrical fault.

    “It was early this morning that I received a call about what was happening, and we quickly rushed to the scene.

    “Then, there were about three shops that were on fire. The firefighters were there, but their water pump was faulty, so they could not put off the fire,” he explained.

    Ali said that police personnel were also at thhe sceñe to assist and prevent pilfering of traders’ goods by hoodlums.

    Also, one Yahya Ngubdo, a trader of sorghum in the market, said traders in the commodity lost a total of 130 bags as a result of the incident.

    He called on the state government and well-meaning individuals to come to the assistance of the affected traders and mitigate their losses.

     

  • Lone PDP member in Yobe Assembly defects to APC

    Lone PDP member in Yobe Assembly defects to APC

    Alhaji Lawan Majakura, the only Peoples  Democratic Party (PDP) legislator in Yobe House of Assembly, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Majakura, who represents Nguru 2 Constituency in the Assembly, joined his party on Thursday.

    Receiving the lawmaker in Damaturu, Gov. Mai Mala Buni described Majakura as a young and vibrant politician with huge potential.

    “Politics is about service to the people, l am impressed with your commitment to serve your constituency effectively.

    “I am also impressed with the calibre of people that accompanied you to this event.It shows your acceptance by this group of credible politicians,” he said.

    Earlier, Majakura said he left PDP for APC because the Buni administration was doing a lot for the people of his constituency.

    He said the construction of roads, housing estates, medical facilities, and other projects had transformed many communities in his constituency.

    “I want to join hands with you and support you in serving my constituency to improve the lives of my people.

    “I am convinced that we can achieve more if l am on the same page with you in the APC; it will benefit the people of my constituency better,” lawmaker said.

    In his remarks, the Speaker of the House, Chiroma Mashio, described the lawmaker as a great defender of the interest of his people.

    ” Majakura has demonstrated serious commitment to defending the interest of his people on the floors of the Assembly.

    “His defection to the APC is an advantage to the party and the government of Yobe state,” Mashio said.

    Recall that Majakura, a 33-year-old volunteer teacher, defeated the former Speaker of the House, Ahmed Mirwa, at the March 11, 2023 election, to emerge as the new representative of the constituency.

    NAN

  • Subsidy removal: Borno, Adamawa, Yobe roll out palliatives

    Subsidy removal: Borno, Adamawa, Yobe roll out palliatives

    Borno, Adamawa and Yobe governments have embarked on measures to ameliorate the current hardship on citizens caused by the removal of petrol subsidy.

    The citizens of the three states worst affected by insurgency in North East have been experiencing hardship which many said is further worsened by the subsidy removal.

    In Borno and Yobe states, the distribution of palliatives to households has commenced in earnest, while in Adamawa,  the committee constituted for the exercise is still working on modalities.

    Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno said during the launch of the palliatives distribution at Maisandari Ward of Maiduguri that his administration would sustain the support to the less-privileged and communities affected by insurgency throughout his tenure.

    Zulum said that while the Federal Government palliatives would cater for 100,000 vulnerable households in the state, his administration would provide for additional 300,000 households to make a total of 400,000 households.

    He explained that ”Borno’s case is peculiar as some areas have been devastated by the insurgency and returnees are yet to have full access to their farmlands, hence the need to continue supporting them.”

    The Chairman of North East Civil Society Forum, Amb. Ahmed Shehu, lauded the early distribution of palliatives by the Borno Government, particularly the involvement of CSOs in the committee, and urged other states to emulate Borno.

    He said “I am urging other states to also involve Civil Society Organisations in the palliative committees for transparency and accountability.”

    In Yobe, the Deputy Governor who is the Chairman of the palliatives committee, Alhaji Idi Gubana, said distribution of palliatives has commenced, targeting 80,000 households in 17 local government areas of the state.

    Gubana, who spoke through his Press Secretary, Mr Hussaini Mai-Suleh, said the distribution had been launched in the three senatorial zones, with that of Zone A in Damaturu, Zone B in Fune, and Zone C in Jakusko.

    In Adamawa, the distribution of palliatives is yet to commence, but the state government had constituted a distribution committee under the Chairmanship of the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Auwal Tukur.

    The committee was inaugurated on Wednesday by the Deputy Governor, Prof. Kaleptapwa Farauta, and members were tasked to ensure that the palliatives reached the intended persons.

    “Work out necessary modalities for the transportation of palliatives, both food and non-food items, from the source to the distribution points.

    “Monitor and liaise with relevant stakeholders or community agents and ensure equitable distribution of the palliatives to the intended beneficiaries,” Farauta tasked members of the committee.

    Some Internally Displace Persons (IDPs) at Damare camp in Girei Local Government Area of Adamawa, urged the state goverment not to forget displaced persons in the exercise.

    Ladi Paul, the Women Leader in the camp, said that about 227 households were in serious need of food support in the camp.

    “I am appealing to government to come to our aid; we were affected by flood in 2022 and the removal of fuel subsidy has further compounded our situation in the camp”, she said.

    Some residents of Yola also lamented the delay in the distribution of the palliatives, adding that the recent looting of food items in government stores in the states by some youths should serve as a wake-up call.

  • NiMet predicts 3-day cloudiness, sunshine

    NiMet predicts 3-day cloudiness, sunshine

    The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted cloudiness and sunshine from Monday to Wednesday.

    NiMet weather outlook released on Sunday in Abuja forecast cloudy skies on Monday with intervals of sunshine over the northern region with prospects of morning thunderstorms over parts of Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Bauchi, Katsina, and Yobe states.

    “Thunderstorms are anticipated over parts of Kebbi, Zamfara, Sokoto, Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa and Taraba states.

    “Cloudy atmosphere is expected over the North central region with prospects of morning rains over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa and Kwara states.

    “Later in the day, thunderstorms with intermittent rains are anticipated over the entire region,” it said.

    According to NiMet, cloudy atmosphere is expected over the inland states of the South and the coastal states with prospects of morning rains over parts of Imo, Edo, Ondo, Rivers and Bayelsa states.

    It anticipated thunderstorms with intermittent rains over the entire region later in the day.
    The agency envisaged prospects of morning thunderstorms over parts of Jigawa, Katsina, Kano, and Yobe states in the northern region on Tuesday.

    “Later in the day, cloudy skies with intervals of sunshine are anticipated over the entire region.

    “Cloudy atmosphere is expected over the North central region with prospects of morning rains over parts of the Federal Capital Territory and Niger state.

    “During the afternoon/evening period, thunderstorms and intermittent rains are envisaged over parts of Benue, Kogi and Nasarawa states. Morning rains are anticipated over the inland states of the South and the coastal cities,” it said.

    NiMet predicted cloudy skies over the entire region later in the day.

    According to NiMet, cloudy skies with intervals of sunshine are expected over the northern region on Wednesday.

    It anticipates thunderstorms over parts of Jigawa, Borno, Bauchi, Gombe and Adamawa states later in the day.

    “Cloudy skies with sunshine intervals are envisaged over the North central region with chances of thunderstorms/rains over parts of the Federal Capital Territory and Plateau state during the afternoon/evening period.

    “Cloudy skies are anticipated over the inland cities of the South in the morning
    while rains are anticipated over the coastal cities.

    “Later in the day, intermittent rains are anticipated over the entire region. All Airline operators are advised to avail themselves of weather reports/alerts periodically from NiMet for effective planning for their operations.

    “Moderate to heavy rainfall could lead to flash floods. The public is advised to take necessary caution, avoid driving and walking through flood waters.

    “Disaster risk managers, agencies and individuals should be proactive, to avert loss of lives and property during the rainy season,” it said.

  • New naira: MFB official accuses Yobe bank managers of diverting N4.3bn disbursed by CBN

    New naira: MFB official accuses Yobe bank managers of diverting N4.3bn disbursed by CBN

    Sheriff Almuhajir, the Managing Director of Yobe Microfinance Bank, on Tuesday, alleged that the sum of N4.3 billion disbursed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to banks in the state has been diverted.

    I got reliable information that the Central Bank of Nigeria, Damaturu Branch, has disbursed the sum of 4.3 billion naira to banks in Yobe State. And more than N700 million of the amount was meant for PoS (Point of Sales) agents

    Almuhajir made this allegation in a 4:31-seconds-video footage posted to his Facebook handle.

    He said, “I want to tell you that I got reliable information that the Central Bank of Nigeria, Damaturu Branch, has disbursed the sum of 4.3 billion naira to banks in Yobe State. And more than N700 million of the amount was meant for PoS (Point of Sales) agents.”

    He alleged that the N4.3 billion disbursed to commercial banks was not in circulation in the state, accusing some bank managers of diverting the funds out of the state.

    “But the question I want to ask here is, where is this money?” he lamented.

    He further alleged that the new naira notes currently in circulation across the state were not up to one billion Naira, stressing that even if the ATMs (Automated Teller Machines) would be dispensing cash every minute, the amount could not be withdrawn in a week.

    “What is the population of Yobe State? How many commercial banks do we have in this state? How many ATMs do we have?,” he quried.

    The microfinance bank MD noted that Yobe State does not have up to 50 functional ATMs for people to withdraw N4.3 billion in a short period of time.

    Almuhajir added that some Points of Sale operators provide better services than most commercial banks operating in the state.

  • Buni directs Yobe Microfinance Bank to open branches in 17 LGA’s

    Buni directs Yobe Microfinance Bank to open branches in 17 LGA’s

    Gov. Mai Mala Buni of Yobe has directed the state-owned Yobe Microfinance Bank to open branches in all the 17 Local Government Areas of the State.

    In a statement by Buni’s Director-General, Press and Media Affairs, Alhaji Mamman Mohammed in Damaturu on Saturday, the directive was part of measures to enhance access to banking services across the state.

    He said the lack of banks in most parts of the state had become a problem of grave concern.

    “The new cashless policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria came with lots of challenges to our people in most parts of the state due to the lack of banks.

    “Most local government areas do not have financial institutions and the residents have to travel far distances with heavy risks to conduct financial transactions.

    “The situation is further compounded with the new cashless policy and in spite of our plea to the commercial banks to open branches, there have been no responses.

    “As a government, we have looked inward to seek for solution that would rescue our people,” the governor was quoted as saying.

    Buni reassured the commitment of his administration to support the growth of the bank.

    He charged the management of the bank to prepare for the challenges that would come with the new branches, saying “you will have our full support.”

    The governor commended the bank’s management for the good performance in the last few years, saying, ”there was room for more improvement.”

    Buni called on the business community, civil servants and residents in the localities to patronise the bank and support it to stand the test of time.

  • Meningitis: NCDC deploys rapid response team to Jigawa, Yobe, Katsina

    Meningitis: NCDC deploys rapid response team to Jigawa, Yobe, Katsina

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has deployed a Rapid Response Team (RRT) to Jigawa, Yobe and Katsina State.

    Dr Pricilla Ibekwe, Head of Special Projects and Partnerships Unit at NCDC, said this on Monday in Abuja, during a Ministerial bi-weekly meeting on the update of COVID-19 response and development in the country’s health sector.

    Ibekwe said the deployment of the RET, followed a notification by the State Government on rising cases of suspected Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) disease.

    Newsmen reports that CSM is an acute inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and the spinal cord.

    It is a very serious infection that can lead to death if left untreated.

    CSM remains a major public health challenge, affecting countries in the African meningitis belt, including 25 States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Nigeria.

    Ibekwe said that the preliminary reports were of 117 suspected and 12 confirmed cases, with a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 27 per cent from EPI Week 49 2022 and EPI Week II of 2023.

    “We have also provided commodities.

    “On the other hand, due to the proximity of Jigawa to Yobe and Katsina States, We have also deployed RRT members to Yobe and Katsina to assess, improve on the level of preparedness and to conduct active CSM case finding for early detection of cases already exist,” she said.

    Meanwhile, regarding the spread of CSM, she said Nigerians should avoid overcrowding and ensure adequate ventilation in the home.

    “Cover your nose and mouth with a disposable tissue or by blowing into the elbow when sneezing or coughing.

    “Wash your hands frequently especially after coughing or sneezing. Visit a health facility if you have a sudden high fever or neck stiffness for diagnosis and treatment,” she advised.

    She called on all health workers to practice universal care precautions at all times: i.e. wearing gloves while handling patients or providing care to an ill relative.

    “It is very important to report to the nearest health facility immediately if you experience any of the signs or symptoms listed above.

    “If you notice any member(s) of your family or neighbourhood with any of the listed signs or symptoms, kindly encourage them to report to the nearest health facility.,” she explained.

    She, however, said that early presentation to a health facility and treatment increases the chances of survival.

    Newsmen reports that large outbreaks of CSM usually occur during the dry season (i.e. November through May).

    The disease is contagious and can be transmitted through tiny droplets of respiratory secretions from an infected person, during close contact such as coughing or sneezing.

    The disease is more common among persons aged less than 15 years and deaths are higher among untreated cases.

    Signs and symptoms include sudden high fever, severe headache, stiff neck, sensitivity to light, difficulty concentrating, and convulsions. The major risk factors for infection include overcrowding and poor ventilation.

    During outbreaks, reactive vaccination campaigns can be used to prevent the spread of the disease.

  • Buhari’s visit: Yobe declares Monday, Tuesday public holidays

    Buhari’s visit: Yobe declares Monday, Tuesday public holidays

    Gov Mai Mala Buni of Yobe has declared Monday and Tuesday as public holidays to welcome President Muhammadu Buhari to the state.

    This is contained in a statement by the state Head of Service, Alhaji Garba Bilal, in Damaturu on Sunday.

    Newsmen reports that Buhari will be visiting the state to inaugurate projects, including Cargo Airport, Ultra-Modern Market and Maternal and Child Health Care Complex.

    Bilal said, “ this is to enable civil servants and the general public to receive the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, who will be in the state on a one-day State Visit to commission projects.”

    He, however, said civil servants were to resume work on Wednesday.

  • Buhari blows hot, directs military to punish killers of Sheikh Goni

    Buhari blows hot, directs military to punish killers of Sheikh Goni

    President Muhammadu Buhari has directed military authorities to flush out all elements in the army with criminal tendencies.

    The president gave the directive in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja by his media aide, Malam Garba Shehu while reacting to the cold-blooded murder of a Yobe State-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Goni Aisami.

    Aisami was murdered by a callous soldier he had offered a lift as confirmed by the Police.

    Reacting to the incident on Tuesday, Buhari condemned the unprovoked and cold-blooded murder of the Islamic cleric, saying:

    ”This barbaric murder of a compassionate man by a soldier he had assisted has no place in our training as soldiers.

    ”It negates the entire ethos of military life which is anchored on discipline and respect for the sanctity of innocent lives.

    ”As the Commander-in- Chief, I am personally outraged by this criminal and wicked act by a law enforcement official trained to protect life.

    “By our training, we are guided by a code of conduct that frowns at this kind of reckless and criminal act. It is not in our character and training to put innocent citizens in harm’s way.

    ”Of course, the action of this soldier is an isolated incident involving an individual, but it is capable of staining the collective image of our military.

    “This incident is capable of making our fellow citizens to be fearful of assisting soldiers, thereby destroying the bond of trust between our military and the civilians.”

    The president, therefore, called on the military authorities to punish the perpetrators of this heinous crime without delay, and flush out other elements with such criminal tendencies.

    He condoled with Yobe Government, people of the State and family of the victim.