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Tag: Yobe

  • Gunmen attack Yobe community, kidnap village head, son

    Gunmen attack Yobe community, kidnap village head, son

    Gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram insurgents have attacked a community in Yobe State.

    The attackers went into Mashio community in Fune Local Government Council and started shooting sporadically, abducting the village head, Isa Mai Buba, and his son.

    The Police Public Relations Officer in the State, ASP Dungus Abdulkarim, and Acting Chairman of the affected Local Government, Abubakar Kolere confirmed the incident to Channels Television.

    They explained that the incident occurred on Saturday night, noting that the son of the village head escaped in the early hours of Sunday but his father is still in captivity.

    The attack comes a few days after 14 people were recently killed by gunmen at Ukuru village in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State.

    The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Abiodun Wasiu, confirmed the attack and casualty figure in a statement.

    But a resident of the community, Musa Audu, who witnessed the attack, narrated what transpired to Channels Television in a phone conversation.

    He explained that the gunmen invaded the community at a time when members of the vigilante were out of the community to patrol some of the forests in the area.

    Audu, whose cousin was among those killed by the gunmen, stated that the attack took place during the popular Mariga market which had many traders from various locations.

    He said bodies of 15 persons have been found, adding that many people who sustained injuries ran into a nearby bush and they were still being searched for.

    Meanwhile, the PPRO has disclosed that the state command is making efforts to rescue the traditional ruler unhurt.

  • Mixed reaction trails Yobe Govt N5bn contract awards for two modern market

    Penultimate week, Yobe state government awarded the construction of two modern markets in Potiskum and Gashua local government areas of the state at the sum of N5 billion to two different contractors, to boost the social-economic development of the state.

    The news of the contract was received with mixed feeling with some cross-section of Yobe indigenes praising the developmental drive of the governor, while some see it as a misplacement of priority.

    It will be recalled that Governor Mai Mala Buni, awarded a similar contract for the construction of Damaturu modern market at the rate of N2.8 billion at the commencement of his administration. The 600 lockup shops still under construction one year after it was awarded.

    Mallam Modu Mustapha, a trader in Damaturu commended the effort of the government by constructing a modern market in the state capital and 2 other local governments of Potiskum and Gashua respectively.

    “Damaturu the state capital needs a modern market to Carter for the needs of the populace and boost economic activities while providing employment to the teeming youths of the state that will venture into buying and selling, irrespective of the amount the government will spend on building these 3 modern markets , it is a well come idea.

    Another trader corroborates Mallam Modu’s assertion on the construction of modern markets, saying ” Governor Mai Mala has formally shown that he is the son of the soil that knows what people at the grassroots wants. The market will attract traders from neighbouring state and enhance revenue generation if completed ” he said

    But a renowned politician who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity sees the whole construction as a charade.

    “We know Damaturu the state capital had been without a modern or organized market for long but the ongoing construction of 600 lockup shops in Damaturu will serve the whole state, including the neighboring states. Remember the Damaturu modern market was awarded at the sum of 2.8 billion naira and it is still under construction. I did not see the rationale behind spending another 5 billion to construct 2 other modern markets in the local government areas of Potiskum and Gashua. The governor would have used the 5 billion naira for other capital projects that will benefit the electorates that voted for him, like making pipe-borne water available ” he said

  • BREAKING: Yobe Chief Judge, Nabaruma is dead

    BREAKING: Yobe Chief Judge, Nabaruma is dead

    The Chief Justice of Yobe State, Honorable Justice Garba Musa Nabaruma has passed on.

    Justice Nabaruma was said to have died in an Abuja hospital after a protracted renal disease, a family source revealed.

    He has served as Yobe number one judicial official for about ten years, having been sworn in since 2011 in that capacity.

    He will be remembered for his humility and kindness at the bench and private life.

  • Yobe discharges 6 COVID-19 patients, retains 21 active cases

    Yobe discharges 6 COVID-19 patients, retains 21 active cases

    Yobe State COVID-19 Committee on Prevention and Control has disclosed that six Coronavirus patients have been discharged including an index case, after full recovery from the virus.

    Vice-Chairman of the Committee and the State Commissioner of Health, Dr. Mohammed Lawan Gana disclosed this today in Gashua town, when he led members of an intensive community dialogue and engagement subcommittee to the Emir of Bade.

    The Commissioner said the state’s active cases are now 21 with 5 deaths recorded.

    “As of today, we have 32 confirmed cases of the virus. We have 5 people that have lost their lives; although all the five were suspected cases as they passed out before their tests results came out. When the results came out, we confirmed that it was COVID-19.

    “We have discharged 6 people including the index case in the state”, he disclosed.

    On the rationale behind visiting the Bade Emirate Monarch, he said within the last couple of days, the COVID-19 Committee through the subcommittee has been engaging traditional and community leaders to equip them with the requisite knowledge and skills for them to take ownership for the prevention and control of Coronavirus in their respective domains.

    So far the Committee had visited Fika, Pataskum, Nguru and Bade emirate councils.

  • Gov Mai Mala Buni speaks on alleged mass COVID-19 deaths in Yobe

    Gov Mai Mala Buni speaks on alleged mass COVID-19 deaths in Yobe

    Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni has debunked reports that there were COVID-19 related deaths in the state.

    Buni urged the public to disregard those reports in a statement by his Director General, Press and Media Affairs, Malam Mamman Mohammed.

    “Our attention has been drawn to an online report alleging COVID-19 related deaths in Yobe State.

    “The report also claimed that Governor Mai Mala Buni, was in Abuja while his people were dying.

    “We had expected the publishers to crosscheck their facts and reflect our position to balance the story.

    “For the records, Yobe state was the very first state in Nigeria to voluntarily submit a suspected case of COVID-19 for the test. Thank God, it was negative.

    “The state had in spite of non-existing case, constituted a COVID-19 committee, established three isolation centres equipped with ventilators and all necessary equipment,” the governor said.

    “Secondly, Governor Mai Mala Buni, had not travelled out of the state for six weeks until when President Buhari invited him to Abuja to discuss security matters where he spent just three days and had since been back.

    “Therefore, he was not outside the state coordinating the affairs of the Yobe from Abuja as claimed.

    “This administration maintains an open-door policy, we, therefore, call on the media to always contact the state government to clarify every issue before going to the press,” he said.

  • Unbelievable! Yobe’s index COVID-19 case has no travel history, contact with infected person

    Yobe State Government on Thursday confirmed its index case of coronavirus (COVID-19).

    Alhaji Idi Gubana, the Chairman of the State Committee on Covid-19, disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Damaturu.

    He said; “The confirmed case is a 29 year-old-man who developed symptoms on April 23, he presented himself at the State Specialist Hospital, Damaturu, with complaints of fever, sore throat, and cough.

    “The patient is single and resides with his parents in Damaturu. He has no history of contact with a suspected or confirmed case of Covid-19 and no history of travel to high-risk states,” he said.

  • JUST IN: Panic as Boko Haram strikes again in Yobe

    Suspected Boko Haram terrorists have reportedly attacked motorists near Lantaiwa, a community located 70 kilometers north from Damaturu the Yobe state capital and 30 kilometers to Dapchi where 110 schoolgirls were abducted in 2018.

    The Acting Assistant Director Army Public Relations, Sector 2 Operation Lafiya Dole, Lieutenant Chinonso Oteh told Channels Television that operatives of the army had been mobilized to the area, however, information on whether passengers have been abducted or not is still sketchy.

    Recall that the terrorists had last Sunday succeeded in destroying two telecommunication masts in Babbangida the headquarters of Tarmuwa Local Government Council of the State in order to stop the locals from sharing information with the security personnel.

    More details later…

  • Tragic! Mother, three daughters die in Yobe fire

    The Yobe State Fire Service has confirmed that a mother and her three daughters were killed in a fire incident on Tuesday night at Red Bricks Quarters, on Maiduguri road, Damaturu.

    Damaturu Fire Station Officer, Mr Usman Habu, who confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Wednesday, said that the incident occurred at about 11.00 p.m.

    “We were informed about the fire incident at Red Bricks quarters, Maiduguri road, Damaturu around 11.00 p.m.

    “When we arrived at the scene, we learnt that the victims’ father, Malam Adamu Aliyu, had made efforts to rescue his family, but was only able to save his five-year-old son, Faruq Aliyu.

    “The fire became too fierce and he could not save the rest of his family members, but he managed to jump out to safety.

    “We forced open the door and recovered the woman’s corpse, as well as her three daughters.

    Habu blamed the deaths to lack of a back door to serve as an emergency exit.

    He advised prospective tenants and home owners to always ensure that the property they intended to rent or build had a minimum of two entrances.

    “If there was an `escape door’, the man could have saved his family,’’ Habu said.

    The fire station officer also appealed to residents in the state to avoid keeping inflammable items in the home and switch off all electric appliances after power outage and when not at home.

    Madam Binta Mohammed, one of the neighbours and a friend to the family, told NAN that the three girls, Aisha Aliyu, Saadatu Aliyu, and Safiya Aliyu, were aged 10, eight and two years respectively.

    Dr Istifanus Dauda of Damaturu Specialist Hospital, who also confirmed the incident to NAN, said the boy was brought in with an inflamed bone and he was receiving medical attention at the hospital.

    “The report that I was given by the doctor on call last night was that there were people that lost their lives in the incident.

    “According to the report, there was only one survivor in that family apart from the person that is currently on admission,’’ Dauda explained.

  • Yobe Governor backs Ruga initiative

    Yobe Governor, Alhaji Maimala Buni, on Wednesday supported the proposed Federal Government Ruga policy, saying it would provide sustainable solution to the recurring conflicts between farmers and herders in Nigeria.
    The governor backed the initiative when the state branch of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) paid him a courtesy visit in Damaturu.
    “Yobe state supports the proposed Ruga policy and will do everything to ensure its success in the state,” he assured.
    According to the governor, the policy will provide security and facilities like schools and clinics to improve the lives of the people.
    Earlier, Alhaji Baba Ngelzarma, MACBAN National Secretary who led the delegation, commended Gov. Buni for the spirit of justice and fairness accorded Fulani community in the state.
    Baba said the Fulani community has been living peacefully with other communities in the state.
    “We have no cases of cattle rustling here in Yobe,; we appeal to your Excellency to consider the migratory Fulani community in your declaration of state of emergency on the education,” Ngenlzerma said.
    The MACABAN secretary also appealed to the state government to assist Fulani herders who lost their cattle to insurgency.

  • Motorists, commuters want stations hoarding petrol in Yobe sanctioned

    Motorists and commuters in Damaturu, have urged the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) to sanction petrol stations not selling the product and creating artificial scarcity.

    The respondents spoke with the News the Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews on Monday, alleging that some petrol stations deliberately closed their stations in anticipation of hike in price.

    Alhaji Usman Kachalla, a motorist, said most of the petrol stations closed for business in spite of the availability of petrol in their stations.

    “Even when government made it clear that, it will not remove subsidy and prices will remain the same, they have refused to sell the products hoping for increase in price.

    “This is an economic sabotage which must be dealt with accordingly; such stations should be forced to sell their products and sanctioned,” he said.

    Bukar Mohammed, another motorist, said the law must take its cause against erring petrol stations working against national interests.

    “This is how it starts, first artificial scarcity then prices of goods and services will suddenly jump up most especially now that government has announced the N30,000 new minimum wage,” Bukar said.

    Hajiya Hafsatu Sule, a house wife, urged government to take early measures against inflation following the signing of the new minimum wage bill.

    “If hoarding of petrol is allowed to persist, it will set in inflation on prices of other commodities before the implementation of the new minimum wage,” Sule said.

    Some commuters traveling to different places, told NAN that transport fares have not been increased but the petrol scarcity should not be allowed to continue because, it may lead to increase in fares.

    NAN reports that, a four liter gallon of petrol is sold at N800 by roadside vendors against N580 official price at the filling stations