Army launches operation to rescue abducted farmers in Edo

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of the Nigerian Army have launched a joint operation with local vigilantes to rescue two persons abducted on a farm in Amedokhian community, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the victims, identified as Mr. Clifford Isolate and an unidentified woman, were kidnapped on the morning of Aug. 29 while working on a farm in Ukoni Amedokhian.

He said the army immediately mobilised troops to the area in coordination with local vigilantes and the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of Esan youths to secure the release of the victims.

“Our troops were deployed promptly to track and apprehend the abductors while ensuring the safety of the victims.

The sources said the operation is ongoing, and all necessary measures are being taken to ensure a successful rescue.

Army launches operation to rescue abducted farmers in Edo

Police recover 64 rustled cattle, arrest 11 suspects in Niger

By: Zagazola Makama

The Police Command in Niger has recovered 64 rustled cattle and arrested 11 suspects during two separate operations along the Jebba–Mokwa road.

Sources said that the first operation was carried out on Aug. 27 at about 4:30 a.m. by a team of police operatives led by the Divisional Crime Officer (DCO).

According to sources, the operatives intercepted 48 cattle loaded in two trucks, 23 in one and 25 in the other, suspected to have been rustled from Bena town in Danko Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

Sources said nine suspects were arrested in connection with the intercepted trucks.

The sources added that in a similar operation on Aug. 28 at about 2:30 a.m., another vehicle conveying 16 cattle was intercepted by the same team of policemen from Jebba Division.

The said two additional suspects were arrested, bringing the total number of suspects to 11 and the recovered cattle to 64.

The sources assured that investigation was ongoing to track down the syndicate behind the rustling and ensure the cattle were returned to their rightful owners.

Police recover 64 rustled cattle, arrest 11 suspects in Niger

Jos DisCo reiterates commitment to improved service delivery

Jos Electricity Distribution (JED) Limited says it is dedicated to ensuring reliable power supply to its customers within the areas under its jurisdiction.

Mr Rilwanu Shehu, the State Operating Officer, (JED) Gombe State gave the assurance during a town hall meeting, tagged, “Customers Consultative Forum” in Gombe on Saturday.

Shehu emphasised the company’s resolve to address customer concerns and enhance service delivery in the state.

According to him, the forum served as an avenue for customers to voice their issues, while also enabling JED to gather feedback on how to better serve its customers in the state.

“We are committed to improving service delivery to customers, by improving power supply.

“The engagement with customers today is to improve service delivery and gather feedback on power supply, network issues, and other concerns.”

Shehu seized the opportunity to call on its customers in Gombe State not to pay for the installation of metre, insisting that installation under the Distribution Sector Recovery Programme (DISREP) Metering Scheme remains free.

He said that the metre distribution would commence in September, insisting that the prepaid metre would be free and given to Band A customers within its franchise area.

He said that the move was part of the company’s effort aimed at improving services and bridging the metering gap in its franchise areas.

He said that no fewer than 109, 000 metres would be distributed to Band A customers in Bauchi, Benue, Gombe and Plateau States.

“ The metres that are coming are absolutely free and no one is expected to pay for them.

“This is part of our effort at expanding our metering system and improving service delivery to our numerous customers.

“If anyone asks you to pay before installing the metres, just report them and we will make example of them,” he said.

Speaking further, Shehu urged customers not to pay to get faulty transformers fixed, adding that the responsibility of fixing the nearly 3,000 transformers in the state remained JED’s.

“The only responsibility of customers is to pay their bills and also to report suspected acts or attempts at vandalising our installations,” he said.

On the complaints, raised by customers during the engagement, Shehu said “we will try to address their concerns and give them better service delivery going forward.”

Some of the customers who spoke during the meeting acknowledged improvements in power supply while urging more actions against vandalism of critical infrastructure which usually result in darkness.

Jos DisCo reiterates commitment to improved service delivery