Crime
Banning Okada, Artisanal Miners will deepen poverty & insecurity in Nigeria- AAN
Banning Okada, Artisanal Miners will deepen poverty & insecurity in Nigeria- AAN
By: Michael Mike
ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) has warned the federal government against planned ban of commercial motorcycles, popularly known as Okada, as well as illegal mining activities in a bid to stem the rising insecurity across the country, insisting that he would further aggravate poverty in the country,
A statement by the non-governmental organisation (NGO) on Monday lamented that the planned nationwide ban on commercial motorcycles, as well as illegal mining activities by the federal government in a bid to stem the rising insecurity across the country, as hinted by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami last week, will undoubtedly further deepen the national multi-dimensional poverty index if measures are not taken to address the population involved.
ActionAid while agreeing that placing a ban on the use of motorcycles and mining activities may cut the supply of logistics and source of funds for the purchase of arms to the terrorists, said while this is being contemplated in the national interest to combat insecurity, there must be well thought-out alternatives to lessen the effects of the attendant loss of livelihoods on the people that will be affected.
The NGO said: “Regardless of the means being considered for the proposed ban on Okada riders, artisanal and small-scale miners, it must be implemented in a way that will not further worsen the country’s dire economic situation, adding that: “A World Bank report has already noted that the number of poor persons in Nigeria will rise to 95.1 million in 2022. The number of poor people was 89.0 million in 2020. This means that over 6.1 million more persons would have fallen into the poverty bracket between 2020 and 2022, a 6.7% increase. With the projected 2022 figures, the number of poor persons in Nigeria has had a four-year increase of 14.7% from the 2018/19 figure of 82.1 million to the projected 95.1 million in 2022.”
ActionAid, in the statement, lamented that in Nigeria, the poverty rate has been aided by the impact of the COVID-19 crisis, the growing population, the high level of inflation, which stood at 18.6% as of June 2022 and the harsh effects of the Ukraine-Russia warfare.
It said: “This development is coming after the Nigerian government said it lifted 10.5 million Nigerians out of poverty between 2019 and 2021. Though the President has repeatedly said that the Bank of Industry has created nine million jobs in the country since 2015, and different schemes to create jobs and tackle poverty in the country have been launched. These have failed to stem the tide of poverty in the country.”
The statement said the claim of the Attorney General that, “If you are talking of banning motorcycles, for example, I think the number of people using these motorcycles is not up to 20 per cent of the Nigerian population,” is not tenable against the backdrop that this represents a significant segment of the population whose condition will be worsened because Nigeria continues to battle issues such as food inflation, rising unemployment, the rising cost of living among other economic challenges, and these issues are responsible for why more people are falling into the poverty net.
AAN said: “Simply put, it means that one out of every five Nigerians will be directly affected by this ban, and this will further increase if you consider their family members, relatives and friends that may depend on them.”
Also Read: Mikano Denies Link With Ex-Vice President Atik
It therefore recommended, among other things, that Nigeria must put a robust social safety net in place to buffer the impact of the planned ban, insisting that: “In addition, the country must invest in agriculture value-chain, especially girl child education, prioritise the health and well-being of its citizenry and enhance economic opportunities while embracing technology to improve economic productivity and opportunities for the citizens. In essence, the government must encourage investments and job creation to engage those that will lose their livelihoods.”
AAN expressed its availability as well as other development partners to work with the government at all levels to create a sustainable alternative for this population, decrying that Nigeria may find it hard to contain crime and criminality and tackle poverty if adequate alternatives are not implemented before the planned ban.
The statement said: “While it is vital for us to do everything possible to deal with threats to national security or the country’s corporate existence, we urge the FG to give the options being considered human face as the well-being of Nigerians should be prioritised. This will help to reduce livelihood and monetary poverty that will stem from the planned ban on Okada riders and miners.”
Banning Okada, Artisanal Miners will deepen poverty & insecurity in Nigeria- AAN
Yobe: Police warns public property vandals to desist or face the wrath of the law
By: Our Reporter
Yobe State Police Command has placed security surveillance measures around public properties, especially electricity power distribution cables around the state.This is akin to numinous reports of vandalization of electricity power transformers distribution cables and other important edifice.
The Command succeeded and arrested one of the notorious Vandals who specialised in vandalization of electricity power distribution transformers cables in Damaturu and other nearby towns.
Thus, on 16 May 2024, at about 1300hrs personnel, of C Divisional Police Headquarters, intercepted One Saminu Garba aged, 23 years old, of Maiduguri Borno State. The suspect was arrested among two other syndicate members who evaded arrest and fled. The command has begun a swift chase to arrest them soon. The suspects, were namely : Audu Ismail and Abba Mohammed of the same state. The suspect confessed to having vandalized an electricity transformer situated at the state low-cost via Gujba Road , Damaturu. In the midnight of 16th May 2024
The Commissioner of Police, CP Garba Ahmed, warned perpetrators to desist or face the full wrath of the law while reiterating the commitment of the command relentless efforts towards untoward criminal activities in the state. However, he urges good members of the public to report suspicious activities of such types of miscreants to the nearest police station, and those who buy stolen vandalized properties stiffer sanctions will be meted out on them accordingly.
Yobe: Police warns public property vandals to desist or face the wrath of the law
Army troops gun down Mallam Muhammad, ISWAP Commander incharge of VBIED
By: Zagazola Makama
The troops of Operation Desert Sanity III, Operation Hadin Kai have nutrialised Mallam Muhammad, ISWAP top Commander in-charge of Vehicle Bomb Improvised Explosive Device(VBEID) in Sambisa Forest.
Muhammadu was nutrialised on May 14 after the made gradual but unprecedented incursions into the insurgents’ dens in Ukuba and Njimia in Bama Local Government Area.
The terrorists kingpin operate a major fabrication workshop where he made Person Borne Improvised Explosive Device(PBVIED) Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosives Device(VBIED) Road Side Borne Improvised Explosive Device(RSBIED).
Muhammadu had sent many under age children into suicide bombing after conscripting them into believing that when they died they will go to heaven. Among those that he used as human bombs were his three children.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the troops also intercepted a vehicle that was already armed with explosive which was designed to target advancing troops.
Despite the obvious challenges of difficult terrain, IED threats the troops continue to maintain the momentum, remaining focused and determined to pursue and decimate the fleeing terrorists.
Army troops gun down Mallam Muhammad, ISWAP Commander incharge of VBIED
Crime
Operation Lake Sanity 2: Troops Neutralise one Terrorist, Thwart Boko Haram Logistics Movement
Operation Lake Sanity 2: Troops Neutralise one Terrorist, Thwart Boko Haram Logistics Movement
By: Babagana Wakil
As part of the ongoing Operation Lake Sanity 2, troops of Sector 2 Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) based in Bagasola, Chad, conducted an ambush on 13 May 2024. This operation took place on Litri Island, situated on the border between Chad and Nigeria in the Central Lake Chad, resulting in the neutralization of one terrorist. The troops were able to recover several items from the operation, including one AK 47 rifle, 2 x magazines, one unexploded ordnance device, a mobile phone, and other personal belongings. This marks a blow to terrorist capabilities in the area.
Complementing this success, on 11 May 2024, troops from 19 Brigade Sector 3 MNJTF disrupted a logistics movement by Boko Haram terrorists in the Burwarti area of Kukawa LGA, Borno State, Nigeria. The ambush led to the capture of 2 motorcycles, one Baofeng radio, 4 bags of millet, and various miscellaneous items. Following this operation, on 12 May 2024, a clearance operation from Burwarti to Daban Masara resulted in the intercept of a civilian vehicle by troops. The vehicle, driven by Mr Baba Ado, carrying passengers and empty baskets towards Daban Masara, was found 6km east of Burwarti. After a thorough search and interrogation, Mr Baba Ado, who was on the 19 Brigade’s watch list, was detained for further investigation.
Adding to these successes, on 13 May 2024, the Nigerien Gendarmerie in Sector 4 MNJTF located in Diffa, Niger Republic, seized petroleum products concealed within sacks of maize cereals. This operation, conducted about 5km from the main road on the outskirts of Diffa town, thwarted an attempt to smuggle these products past security checkpoints, products that were destined for terrorist groups operating within the Lake Chad Basin.
These collective efforts significantly undermine the logistical and operational capabilities of terrorists in the Lake Chad Basin region. The MNJTF remains committed to eradicate the menace of terrorism and restore peace and security to the region.
Operation Lake Sanity 2: Troops Neutralise one Terrorist, Thwart Boko Haram Logistics Movement
Reflection…DEVELOPMENT IN THE NORTH: WHAT WENT WRONG?
NSCDC Dismantles Rivers Bunkering Site
Troops barbecued 6 Boko Haram elements, recover weapons in Sambisa
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
EYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
Army University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
News2 months agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
News2 months agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Columns3 months agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
ACADEMICS3 months agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Opinions2 years agoTHE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
Opinions3 months agoTinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
-
Opinions2 months agoUMTH:…and the testimonies of patients and patient relations
-
National News3 months agoFraud and Mismanagement Rock INGO’s IDP Cash Assistance Effort in Bama
