Yobe to launch massive agriculture intervention 

By: Yahaya Wakili

Yobe state government would soon launch a massive agricultural intervention to encourage people to participate actively in agricultural production for sustainable means of livelihood.

Governor Mai Mala Buni disclosed this today while flag-offing the distribution of the federal government Strategic Grains Reserve Palliative Program in Damaturu.

He said the program captures the weak, old, people living with disabilities, orphans, widows, and other vulnerable persons in the state.

According to him, this would provide succor and make life easy for this group in the face of the global economic hardship in which Nigeria and Yobe State are not exceptions.

He assured that the government will continue to ensure fair and equitable distribution of the grains to people with genuine needs.

He pointed out that the government has constituted a committee, including the security agencies, to monitor and apprehend officials and beneficiaries who divert the grains.

Governor Buni warned officials entrusted with the transportation and distribution of the palliative that the government would deal with any one or group that engages in diversion of the materials to sabotage government efforts.

“It is gratifying that the federal government, under the able leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is complementing the efforts of the state government through the Strategic Grains Reserve program with 21,000 bags of assorted grains made up of maize, millet, and sorghum for distribution to individuals across the state.

Yobe to launch massive agriculture intervention 

Jukun vs Benue State Government, Tor Tiv, others: Falana demands Chief Judge to assign suit

By: Our Reporter

Solicitors to National Association of Jukun Wanu (NAJUWA), Falana and Falana’s Chambers have complained to the Chief Judge of Benue State over the non-assigning of a suit involving its client and the Benue State Government and four others.

In a letter of complaint dated 18, April, 2024, the Chambers expressed dismay over a case filed on 2, February, 2024 and yet to be assigned.

In the letter signed by Samuel Ogala Esq for Principal Partner, it informed the Chief Judge that the claimants and all Jukun Wanu indigenes are already agitated by the non-assignment of the case hence the need to act urgently on the letter by exercising its administrative powers by assigning the suit to a court for adjudication.

According to reports reaching this medium, the Benue State Chief Judge has been assigning cases to various courts for adjudication even after February 2, 2024 when NAJUWA suit was filed but left it unattended to without reason.

NAJUWA wants the world to note that the Tiv Traditional Council have been using some sinister and unconstitutional means to scuttle the suit, which is being spearheaded by Tor Tiv using Ter Guma and Tor Lobi who invited some of its members to meetings which were explicitly recorded in which our communities were tasked to withdraw the lawsuit or in the alternative write a letter of disclaimer which can be used to discredit the matter in court.

They have also threatened that their plan to install a Tiv Chief in Abinsi will soon be realised despite NAJUWA’s matter in court.

However, the Jukun Wanu Association (JUWA) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in its April meeting unanimously urged NAJUWA not to relent or withdraw the suit.

NAJUWA sued the office of the Benue State Governor, Benue State Government, the Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Benue State House of Assembly, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Benue State and HRM, Orchivirigh Professor Ortese James Ayatse, the Tor Tiv and President, Benue State Council of Chiefs over decades of discriminatory policies against Benue Jukun.

NAJUWA declared that by virtue of the provision of section 25 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, the people of Jukun Wanu are indigenes of Guma Local Government, Makurdi Local Government and Logo Local Government Area of Benue State and citizens of Nigeria and as such are entitled to equal protection under any law made in Nigeria including Benue State Council of Chiefs and Traditional Council Law 2016, that by virtue of the provision of section 42 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, the people of Jukun Wanu whom are indigenes of Guma Local Government, Makurdi Local Government and Logo Local Government Areas of Benue State are entitled to freedom from discrimination on the basis of the circumstances of their birth and that by virtue of section 25 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, the respondents are not competent to make any law or adopt any policy which discriminates against the people of Jukun Wanu whom are indigenes of Benue State in any manner whatsoever and howsoever.

The Claimant declared that the exclusion of Jukun Wanu whom are indigenes of Guma Local Government, Makurdi Local Government and Logo Local Government of Benue State from Schedule 5 and 6 of Section 18 (1) of the Benue State Council of Chiefs and Traditional Council Law 2016 is illegal and unconstitutional.

NAJUWA averred that its members are Jukun Wanu (Riverine Jukun) whom are indigenes of Benue State whose ancestral origin can be traced to many communities in the state.

According to it, these communities include but not limited to Abinsi, Agyogo (Makurdi) Akatungu (North Bank), Agyetashi, Azhoko (Ankwa), Abweni, Anmor (Fiidi), Ando Sede (Bajimba), Anuwha, Atenge and Anyishi.

Others are Asugu, Gidin Mangoro, Akatsu, Agbodo, Zhamindo, Ashuku, Kitsani, Aguye and Asokpoga among others.

NAJUWA are requesting for N1billion as damages for prolonged act of discrimination against Benue Jukun.

The Association urges the Tiv Traditional Council to follow the path of honour, decency and justice to grant Jukun their constitutional right or know that the Jukun will never waver or abdicate their right on this matter or any other thus will never withdraw this case, no matter their intimidation or threats.

However, NAJUWA noted that Jukun people will follow the path of peace and as law abiding citizens, continue to wait patiently until justice is achieved in this matter.

Jukun vs Benue State Government, Tor Tiv, others: Falana demands Chief Judge to assign suit

Nigerian Troops dislodge several camps of bandits, eliminates scores including, Aminu Dogo, a kingpin

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation Hadarin Daji in collaboration with Zamfara state Community Protection Guard.
have eliminated a Bandit Kingpin, Aminu Dogo and several fighters in the North West of Magazu in Tsafe LGA of Zamfara state in its continued raid in bandits enclaves.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama, a Counter Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad region that the feat was recorded on May 1, when the troops stormed the camp, noting that they also recovered 50 livestock stolen by the bandits.

The sources said that the recent operations were in demonstration of its determined efforts to speedily eliminate the insurgents in Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina and other parts of the North West.

He said that the troops have within the past weeks been conducting a well coordinated land and air offensives which has resulted in the elimination of scores of bandits including their commanders as well as the rescue of people held hostages in their enclaves.

In the same vein, he said the troops repelled two simultaneous attacks at Gidan Dan-kande and Malam Nadaraga house in Tsafe LGA, where they engaged top bandits kingpins, Kachallah Hassan Nabamamu, Kachallah Mal tukur and Kachallah baldu and dozens of their fighters.

On April 30, to May 1, 2024, the untelenting troops in collaboration with the Special Police Unit and ASKARAWAN Zamfara conducted another series of operations on bandits enclaves operating around Yandoto, Fegin Baza, Dan Marke and Gidan Dawa in Tsafe LGA.

The source said during the advanced patrol, contact was made with the bandits resulting in a fierce fire fight. The troops however, succeeded in dislodging the bandits and eliminated several of their fighters.

“During the Operation, the team intercepted another large numbers of bandits behind SETRACO Company along Tsafe – Gusau road in Tsafe.
The team succeeded in neutralising several of the bandits while others fled in disarray.

Several abducted persons held hostage by the bandits’ were rescued. Furthermore, the team mobilised to Ba’a Wata Ba area and recovered some items abandoned by the bandits who fled upon sighting the security team advances to their enclaves.

Meanwhile in a seperate operation, four members of the Civilian Joint Task Force(CJTF) YANSAKAI paid the supreme price while combating the bandits in Tsafe LGA.

Nigerian Troops dislodge several camps of bandits, eliminates scores including, Aminu Dogo, a kingpin