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832 Persons Orphaned by Boko Haram Graduate from Vocational School, Gets N1.2b Kits, Grants

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832 Persons Orphaned by Boko Haram Graduate from Vocational School, Gets N1.2b Kits, Grants

By: Michael Mike

A total of 832 artisans, mostly orphaned as a result of the over a decade long Boko Haram insurgency, have graduated from the Borno State Enterprise Institute.

The event was presided over by the Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum on Tuesday at the Muna Vocational Enterprise Institute, along the Dikwa-Gamboru highway in Jere Local Government Area.

The trainees were selected from across the 27 local government areas of Borno State and have undergone training in 14 different trades; among them, 54 graduates specialised in aluminium fabrication, 29 in bricklaying, 48 in carpentry and 73 in information technology.

Others include 41 specialising in barbing, 46 in electrical work, 85 in leatherworks, 40 in plumbing, 72 in mechanics, 67 in solar technology, 148 in tailoring, 18 in tie and dye, 59 in welding and 53 in hairdressing.

In his address, Zulum said similar vocational institutes were established in Biu, Shani, Mafa and Magumeri. At the same time, revealing that plans are being made to revive vocational centres in Dikwa, Kaga, Ngala, Gajiram and Monguno.

The governor noted that the vocational institutes were established to address the challenges of youth unemployment and provide a means of livelihood to the people.

He said: “Upon assuming office, one of the primary objectives of my administration has been youth empowerment. We were acutely
aware of the devastating impact of insurgency on our communities, leaving many without means of livelihood and leading to widespread unemployment, idleness, and despair. As
the saying goes, “an idle mind is the devil’s workshop.”

The governor added that: “To address these challenges head-on, we established Vocational Enterprise Institutes, focusing on admitting vulnerable individuals, particularly those affected by the insurgency, to equip them with skills for sustainable livelihoods.”

Earlier in his address, the Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Engr Lawan Wakilbe said with funding allocated by Governor Zulum to the Technical and Vocational Enterprises, the output across all centres is targeted at over 4,000 artisans annually.

Meanwhile, the governor has approved the distribution of starter kits worth N847,277,297 to each of the 832 trained artisans in addition to another N349,440,000 one-year labour-intensive public work grant that will help them attain self-reliance.

Zulum also approved N41,600,000, with each 832 graduating artisans getting N50,000.

The governor equally approved automatic employment for the 64 best artisans who have achieved over 90%.

He said: “I understand from the remarks by the Hon. commissioner that 64 out of 832 have scored above 90% in both their specialised trades and the academic assessment. I, therefore, direct that all 64 of them should be employed and deployed to other vocational institutes across the state.”

Zulum also ordered the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation to process modalities for converting Muna Vocational Enterprises Institute to a Monotechnic with the capacity to award a National Diploma.

832 Persons Orphaned by Boko Haram Graduate from Vocational School, Gets N1.2b Kits, Grants

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Crime

11 kidnapped Benue Links passengers rescued in Okpokwu

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11 kidnapped Benue Links passengers rescued in Okpokwu

By: Zagazola Makama

Eleven passengers abducted from a Benue Links commercial bus have been safely rescued in a forest near Ondo village in Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State.

Zagazola Makama recalls that the passengers were kidnapped on June 22 while travelling along the Otukpo–Enugu highway in a Benue Links Hummer bus.

Security sources reliably confirmed that the victims were freed on June 29 following sustained search operations by the security forced supported by local vigilance groups and the Benue State Civil Protection Guard.

Credible intelligence reportedly indicated that the kidnappers were moving the captives through a bush path around Ondo village in Ugbokolo. In response, the rescue teams swiftly mobilised and launched a coordinated search operation in the area.

After several hours of intense combing of the forest, the victims were found alive and safely evacuated to Ugbokolo town, where they were provided immediate care.

The rescued individuals were identified as Bam Joseph, Doom Terhile, Uju Mercy, Ashika Linda, Atule Ladi, Undia Iveren, Terfa Kwshdoo, Akume Hembadoon, Ikpeen Msendoo, Mlumun Hurt, and Philip Igbuan.

One of the victims, Philip Igbuan, suffered a deep machete wound to the head inflicted by the kidnappers and was immediately taken to the General Hospital in Ugbokolo for medical treatment.

The freed passengers have since been debriefed by the Police and Benue Links has arranged transportation to help them reach their original destinations and reunite with their families.

According to accounts from the victims, their abductors were heavily armed and are suspected to be Fulani herdsmen.

11 kidnapped Benue Links passengers rescued in Okpokwu

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Four police officers killed in ambush by suspected herdsmen in Benue

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Four police officers killed in ambush by suspected herdsmen in Benue

By: Zagazola Makama

Atleast four mobile police officers attached to the 12 Police Mobile Force (PMF) unit were killed following an ambush by suspected armed herdsmen in Udei village, Guma Local Government Area.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the officers were on special duty when they came under heavy fire on June 29 while responding to a distress call.

The sources said that the officers were alerted around 2:00 p.m. that a large group of armed men, suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, were advancing toward Udei village with a herd of cattle.

“The attackers had approached the vicinity of the primary school in Udei, which serves as a base for the deployed PMF 12 personnel. As the officers moved to intercept them, they were ambushed and attacked with heavy gunfire,” the report stated.

Four officers tragically lost their lives in the attack, and their service weapons were reportedly carted away by the assailants. The deceased officers were identified as: Insp. Samuel Bisalla, Insp. Emmanuel Bitrus, Insp. John Sunday and Insp. Kenneth Gabriel

Two other personnel, ASP Jacob Elisha and Insp. Zakari Bangajiya sustained injuries and was rushed to Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, for medical attention. They are said to be responding to treatment after suffering from exhaustion and shock.

The corpses of the fallen officers have been deposited at the hospital morgue for preservation and medical examination.

In response to the attack, special tactical units and a reinforced team equipped with an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) have been deployed to Udei and the Daudu Divisional Headquarters to forestall further incidents and restore calm in the area.

Four police officers killed in ambush by suspected herdsmen in Benue

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Breaking: Squatters Kill Famous KADVIS Local Commander in Kaduna

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Breaking: Squatters Kill Famous KADVIS Local Commander in Kaduna

By Zagazola Makama

Squatters of a grazing forest by a large community of herders in Kaduna State on Sunday afternoon killed one of the Commanders of Kaduna State Vigilance Service (KADVIS).

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred in Yardoka Grazing Reserve in Kubau Local Government Area, located in Northern Kaduna Senatorial District.

The slain Commander, identified as Saleh Shuaibu, popularly known as Saleh Fiya-Fiya, who is the KADVIS Commander in Kubau Local Government, was killed when officials of the Kaduna State Government visited the area to carry out a government directive in a grazing reserve located at the said Yardoka forest.

The directive, according to a source in Anchau, the headquarters of the local council, was to allocate over 200 hectares of land to a certain company for investment purposes, a move the squatters are resisting due to lack of payment of compensation, while another source said the squatters have been paid but are still demanding more money.

Another source explained that the government officials arrived in the company of armed policemen along with personnel of the Department of State Services but were barricaded from accessing the reserve.

It was while the impasse was going on that the slain KADVIS alighted from a van and was intervening with the irate community members armed with cutlasses and sticks, while one of the protesters stabbed him with a knife and killed him on the spot. A claim Zagazola Makama is yet to confirm.

Breaking: Squatters Kill Famous KADVIS Local Commander in Kaduna

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