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FG Threatens to Sanction Illegal Operators in Forest

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FG Threatens to Sanction Illegal Operators in Forest

By: Michael Mike

The federal government has warned against illegal activities in forests across the country, insisting anyone caught involved in any form of illegalities in forest reserves would be severe sanctioned.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris issued the warning on Friday during a workshop on the operationalisation of the Forestry Inter-Ministerial Joint Task Force (FIM-JTF), on the exploitation of Forest Resources.

The Permanent Secretary, who was represented by the Director, Forestry Department, Mrs Hajara Sani, urged members of the JTF to work assiduously for a smooth take-off.

He tasked them on effective operations that would forestall all forms of illegalities in the country’s forests, in order to achieve Sustainable Forest Management.

Idris warned that anyone identified as a refractory logger, must be apprehended and documented, and handed over to the appropriate authority for sanctions, which include being blacklisted from export, depending on the gravity of the offence.

He said: “As you are aware, Nigeria is facing replete environmental challenges such as deforestation and land degradation, among others, due to unsustainable logging activities, especially as witnessed during the recent ban on wood and related product export from 2018 without corresponding forest replenishment.

“This, therefore, prompted the former Minister of Environment, Mr Mohammed Abdullahi, to conditionally lift the ban/suspension, and put in place effective measures to regulate the sector so as to achieve Sustainable Forest Management,” he said.

Idris however noted that the JTF’s mandate was to bring sanity to the sector, by ensuring investors and other players in the sector complied with Forest Laws, Standards and Regulations, to checkmate forest/wildlife crimes, illegal logging, environmental degradation and consequently, help to reverse the deplorable state of the forest.

He said: “It is very important we manage the forests sustainably for the continuous provision of an array of products and services for both the present and future generations.

“To advance progress already made on lifting the ban effective and productive, it is expedient that members of the reconstituted Inter-Ministerial Joint Task Force, meet to deliberate on strategies for surveillance and operations.

“This leap is aimed at curbing illegal forest exploitation, which has affected and destroyed the country’s rich biodiversity, thereby denying our nation the full realisation of its potential.”

He equally said that the states had very important roles to play in the forestry sector, being custodians of the forests. He added that: “With the vast experience the states have in the wood industry, coupled with diverse efforts of the ministry and the private sector, illegal activities in the states can be tackled effectively if we are all committed to the task.”

He promised stakeholders that guidelines and standards would be put in place to regulate the sector, and ensure sustainable forest management, while they generated increased revenue for the country.

He said: “Let me intimate you here that National Forestry Trust Fund is also planning, as part of these measures, to curb deforestation by establishing whistle-blowers.

“I believe the contribution of whistle-blowing will make the work of JTF easier and more effective.

“On this note, I urge all members of the JTF to discharge their duties without fear or favour. Compromise should not be ‘heard of’ or ‘seen’ in the execution of this national duty.”

On his part, the representative of the National Park Service (NPS), Mr Danjuma Magaji,, said the service played a very important role in forests conservation.

While also speaking at the event, the representative from the Nigeria Customs Service, Mr Oluwadamilola Olaofe,, said that as a revenue generating agency, the service knows the importance of forestry, and assured the ministry of its full support for the FIM/JTF.

The representative of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Mr Afu Peter, said that Prof. Aliyu Jauro, the agency’s Director General, had promised to assist the JTF work effectively.

FG Threatens to Sanction Illegal Operators in Forest

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Chieftaincy dispute causes chaos in Muye village in Niger

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Chieftaincy dispute causes chaos in Muye village in Niger

By: Zagazola Makama

A renewed chieftaincy tussle in Muye village, Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State, has sparked violent confrontations between rival supporters, prompting swift intervention by security operatives.

Zagazola Makama gathered that the crisis began around 6:20 p.m. on Thursday when the deposed village head, Alhaji Mohammed Abdulkadir Maigari II, forcefully returned to Muye and broke into the palace.

The incident provoked tension among residents, especially after supporters of the current Dakachi confronted the deposed monarch. The situation was immediately brought under control by a team of security personnel from Lapai.

However, Zagazola learnt that the situation escalated on Friday morning when supporters of both camps clashed again, leading to a free-for-all fight that disrupted public peace in the community.

Security sources were swiftly deployed to Muye to restore normalcy.

“The combined security teams have brought the situation under control. Monitoring and surveillance operations are ongoing to prevent further breakdown of law and order,” the source said.

No casualties or arrests have been officially confirmed as of the time of filing this report.

Chieftaincy dispute causes chaos in Muye village in Niger

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Eid-el-Kabir: IPCR Calls on Nigerians to Peace, Harmony

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Eid-el-Kabir: IPCR Calls on Nigerians to Peace, Harmony

By: Michael Mike

Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has called on Nigerians to promote peace and harmony in their communities, recognizing that peace is essential to national development and progress.

The advice was given by the Director General of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, in his message on Eid-el-Kabir.

The Institute, while extending warm greetings to Nigerians, wished them a joyous and peaceful celebration, marked by love, compassion, and unity.

The Institute while noting that Sallah is a significant occasion in the Islamic calendar, symbolizing the values of sacrifice, gratitude, and community, emphasized that the spirit of Sallah should guide Nigerians in their interactions with one another, fostering a culture of peace, tolerance, and understanding.

The IPCR urged Nigerians to promote peace and harmony in their communities, recognizing that peace is essential to national development and progress, while
encouraging individuals to embrace the values of Sallah, including forgiveness, empathy, and kindness, in their daily lives.

According to IPCR, peace is critical to promoting national stability and cohesion.

The Institute also urged Nigerians to use this period of Sallah celebration to address conflicts and promote dialogue, which could help to build trust and understanding among Nigerians and also contribute to a more peaceful society.

It recognized that the country’s many ethnic and religious groups can work together to build a more harmonious society, celebrating their differences and promoting a culture of tolerance.
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Community Leader Seeks Tinubu’s Urgent Intervention in Incessant Plateau Killing

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Community Leader Seeks Tinubu’s Urgent Intervention in Incessant Plateau Killing

By: Michael Mike

A community leader and the Waziri Mushere of Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, Chief Yohana Margif has expressed dismay over the incessant killing of innocent citizens of the community.

Margif made this known in an interview with journalists on Thursday in Abuja.

He called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene to halt what he described as genocide against the people, which he said was being perpetrated by suspected herdsmen.

Margif also called on Malam Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser, and other security chiefs in the country, to rein in the alleged culprits.

He said: “I would like to draw the attention of the topmost leadership in Nigeria to the deteriorating dire security situation in Plateau, particularly in Mushere Chiefdom of Bokkos LGA.

“I urge President Tinubu to take immediate decisive action to halt these endless and senseless killings, protect lives and properties, and secure the future of the Mushere people, and other victims of obvious genocide against the people.

“Herdsmen are killing our innocent people, burning their homes, looting their foodstuff, property, livestock, and taking over their ancestral lands,” he said.

According to the Abuja-based real estate mogul, the attacks and attendant killings have intensified recently since the onset of this year’s farming season.

Margif further said that the people had been displaced from their villages and ancestral homes and were forced to become internally displaced persons in the country.

He emphasised that the situation required immediate intervention by all stakeholders in order to prevent further escalation and inflict an irredeemable harm by wiping out the entire community from the surface of the earth.

He lamented that: “Since President Tinubu’s administration began, Plateau State has witnessed an unprecedented escalation of violence and loss of lives.

“This is the current sad reality. Our people are constantly under the threat of the enemy’s bullets and can’t sleep with two eyes closed due to the perpetual unleashing of violence against them by external forces.

“Something urgent must be done to stem the tide of violence and end this war against the people in order not to
harm this administration’s reputation,” Margif said.

In the past couple of days, suspected herdsmen militia killed no fewer than 35 people in the localities of Hokk, Pangkap, Fokoldep, Kopmur, Margif, Horop, Mbor, Mushere and Kwahas localities in Mushere Chiefdom.

Chairman, Bokkos Community Peace Observers, Kefas Mallai, who confirmed the killings to newsmen, said the victims included a 70-year-old Pastor of COCIN LCC Kwakas-Mushere, Mimang Lekyil, who was attacked and killed in the church.

He said that the pastor’s wife was also shot in the leg and was admitted at the Jos University Teaching Hospital for treatment, he said.

“Bokkos has never been this insecure, with the people being butchered as we are currently witnessing,” Lilian Madaki, from the Mushere community told journalists.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Emmanuel Adesina, also confirmed the incident in a statement saying security forces including police and military personnel, had been deployed in the affected communities.

Community Leader Seeks Tinubu’s Urgent Intervention in Incessant Plateau Killing

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