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UN, FG Reiterate Importance of Data in Decision Making

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UN, FG Reiterate Importance of Data in Decision Making

By: Michael Mike

The need to prioritise data visualization in decision making processes has been reiterated by the United Nations (UN), Federal Government and the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

The organisations expressed the imperative of data in decision making process at the official launch of “Nigeria Visualised Project” on Monday night in Abuja.

The programme was put together by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, and the NBS.

Speaking at the Launch, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr Mathias Schmale, noted the project has become important towards full implementation of government policies and programmes in Nigeria.

Schmale, who was represented by Development Coordination Officer/Economist of UN, Nonso Obikili, said: “To meet the UN 2030 agenda for sustainable development requires that we continue to track key indicator of progress that we need around the world.

“Where we have fallen and need acceleration. The UN through instrument of SDG framework is committed to supporting government, in reporting trajectory on SDGs.”

He added that: “Too often data gets lost on the shelves and on countless basis that is why this platform is important, to put human face and help relate with data.“

The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Bagudu on his part, said the project would no doubt give more access and information to Nigerians.

He said: “Sometimes, we present them in a way people know, with different opportunities and development challenges and sometimes mutual suspicion.

“Visualisation can give you full view about your country or developmental challenges, cultural opportunities in the landscape.

“When we are dealing with issues, particularly climate change, many people cannot relate to the challenges of others, because they do not know.”

He noted that: @This project will be important tool of knowing Nigeria better both by Nigerians and non Nigerians.”

The Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Ibrahim, who also spoke, commended UNDP and NBS for commitment to harness data and advance visualisation techniques.

She said the project with more than 40 visualisations, would transform the space and provide for data need in the country, and change the narrative that has been there for ages.

She said: “The Nigeria visualized web-platform is a beacon of progress offering rich visual story about our nation and its diverse population.

“The area of focus being geography, climate, economy, demography among other things underscores commitment to tackle socioeconomic, culture and ecological dynamics.

“The objective of democratizing access to data aligns seamlessly with our shared vision for informed decision-making and sustainable progress.”

The Statistician General/CEO of NBS, Mr Semiu Adeniran on his part, said collaboration with UNDP and the ministry marked new turn in collective data gathering.

He said: “It resonates our present drive to enhance data reporting and visualization capacity, for better understanding and assimilation of data among our users.”

Meanwhile, the UNDP Resident Representative, Mr Mohamed Yahya, said the initiative was designed to boost understanding on data visualization.

He said: “Having data visualised in an accessible manner allows everybody understand what they are seeing and to make decisions based on them.”

UN, FG Reiterate Importance of Data in Decision Making

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Crime

Plateau: 13 die in Barkin Ladi after deadly reprisal by Bandits over killing of three Fulani

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Plateau: 13 die in Barkin Ladi after deadly reprisal by Bandits over killing of three Fulani

By: Zagazola Makama

The vicious cycle of violence in Plateau State has taken another deadly turn, as 13 people were confirmed killed in separate attacks on Rachas and Rawuru villages of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, in what security sources described as a reprisal by suspected bandits.

Zagazola Makama report that the latest attacks, which occurred late Tuesday, followed the killing of two Fulani women and a young boy along the Mangu Road by suspected members of a Berom militia. The victims were reportedly travelling in a commercial vehicle near the NYSC orientation camp when they were stopped and shot dead in cold blood.

Residents and community leaders have condemned both incidents, warning that the recurring pattern of attacks and reprisals between Fulani and Berom communities risks plunging the state back into large-scale conflict reminiscent of the 2018 crisis.

Speaking during the mass burial of the 13 victims in Rachas village, the Executive Chairman of Barkin Ladi Local Government Council, Hon. Stephen Gyang Pwajok, described the killings as “unprovoked and deeply regrettable.”

He sympathised with the affected families and assured that government was intensifying efforts to restore peace through enhanced security deployment and dialogue among stakeholders.

“The government will not relent in its determination to end these needless killings. We are engaging both traditional and community leaders to promote genuine reconciliation,” he said.

Similarly, the District Head of Heipang, Da Paul Tadi-Tok, lamented the continued targeting of innocent villagers, calling for decisive steps to prevent further bloodshed.

He urged authorities to restrict herders from grazing in areas where they are not resident, arguing that such a measure could help reduce infiltration by attackers who disguise as herders to carry out assaults.

“We must strengthen local vigilance and revive Operation Rainbow so that communities can respond promptly to distress situations,” the traditional ruler added.

The Security Adviser to Governor Caleb Mutfwang and Coordinator of Operation Rainbow, Brig.-Gen. Shippi Gakji Goshwe (Rtd.), disclosed that the state’s community security outfit was undergoing recruitment and training to reinforce operations in vulnerable areas.

“Government is not relenting. The new recruits will be properly equipped to complement conventional forces in protecting rural communities,” he said.

However, tension remains high in Barkin Ladi and neighbouring Mangu, Riyom, and Bokkos LGAs following recurring attacks and reprisals that have claimed dozens of lives in recent months.

Zagazola recalled that Leaders of the Fulani community have accused the authorities of selective silence, alleging that killings of their members often go unreported or unpunished.

“Our people have been victims of serial attacks without any arrests. Each time there is retaliation, it is only then that the authorities act. This selective justice is fuelling anger and worsening the crisis,” he said.

The killings point to the fragility of peace efforts in Plateau State, where inter-communal distrust, land disputes, and allegations of bias in security responses continue to hinder reconciliation.

Security analysts warn that unless government enforces equal protection for all and prosecutes perpetrators from both sides, the state risks sliding into another phase of tit-for-tat violence that could destabilize the region.

The Plateau State Government and Police Command were yet to issue official statements as of the time of filing this report.

Plateau: 13 die in Barkin Ladi after deadly reprisal by Bandits over killing of three Fulani

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Customs officer dies in Katsina after lodging with 3 women in a hotel

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Customs officer dies in Katsina after lodging with 3 women in a hotel

By: Zagazola Makama

A Customs officer, identified as Assistant Superintendent of Customs (ASC) Lawal Tukur, has been found dead in a hotel room in Katsina metropolis.

Zagazola report that the incident occurred on Oct. 15 at Murjani Hotel, Katsina, where the deceased had lodged. According to reports, hotel staff discovered the officer lying lifeless in his room at about 8:30 a.m. and immediately raised the alarm.

Sources at the hotel said some empty sachets of suspected substances were found in the waste basket of the room. Three women, identified as Khadija Ali, 34, of Dutsin Amare Quarters, Katsina; Aisha Lawal, 30, of Ingawa Local Government Area; and Hafsat Yusuf, 22, of Brigade Quarters, Kano, were reportedly in the hotel at the time of the incident.

It was gathered that Khadija and Aisha spent the night with the deceased, while Hafsat visited them later and also lodged in the same hotel.

The body of the officer was taken to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Katsina, where he was confirmed dead by a medical doctor and deposited at the mortuary for autopsy.

The Nigeria Customs Service has been informed of the development, while further findings are awaited to determine the cause of death.

Customs officer dies in Katsina after lodging with 3 women in a hotel

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NSCDC Arrests 70 in Connection with Kidnapping, Rape, Others in Edo

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NSCDC Arrests 70 in Connection with Kidnapping, Rape, Others in Edo

By: Michael Mike

The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps’ Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad has arrested 70 suspects for their various involvements in kidnapping, rape, logistics supplies, and criminal disposition in the Okpella area of the Esouko East Local Government Area of Edo State.

The Commandant of the CG’s Special Intelligence Squad, Commandant Apollo Dandaura told journalists that the ordeal of unraveling the mysterious force behind the kidnapping of innocent people by criminal elements who disguised themselves as illegal miners and charcoal vendors in the Okpella area of Edo State.

He said: “Following the directive of the Commandant General, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi mni. OFR, on an aggressive onslaught against unscrupulous elements terrorizing the peace of Edo State and those culpable for the massacre of 8 personnel attached to BUA Cement Company last month.”

“The CG’s Special Intelligence Squad, led by Commandant Dandaura, collaborated with the men of the Nigerian Army and the General Manager of BUA International Cement, Mr. Richard Gidado, to launch an aggressive onslaught against the crime perpetrators.”

“During the clearance operation, the team uncovered and dismantled some criminal hideouts used for housing kidnapped victims, though some of the kidnappers maneuvered outside the area, giving room for the rescuing of victims and one Mrs. Agbe Matar, who had been in captivity for over 7 days.”

The CG’s SIS Commandant hinted that the rescued victims lamented their encounter as Mrs Agbe Martha narrated how she was kidnapped alongside her sister while working on their farmland in the Ichoke area of the Itsukwi community in Etsako East LGA of Edo State”.

According to her, “Over 5 armed men stormed their rice plantation looking like herders and held her and her sister-in-law hostage while her husband, Paschal Agbe, escaped.”

Agbe relayed that upon their arrival at the kidnappers’ den, they were subjected to severe torture and malhandling by the kidnappers, who later demanded a 30 million Naira ransom before they could be released.

As the CG’s SIS Commandant and his men reunited Mrs Martha Agbe and other victims with their families, the paramount ruler, His Royal Highness Usman Suleiman, the Ogei-Ochi III of Itsukwi Kingdom, with so much excitement lauded the pragmatic leadership of the NSCDC Commandant General for bringing hope and peace back to the area.

In his response, Commandant Dandaura noted that collaborative efforts in dismantling the kidnap syndicate and their criminal hideouts in the area underscore the CG’s commitment to combating crime and criminalities as well as ensuring the protection of lives and property of citizens in Edo state and, by extension, the nation at large, noting that further investigation and diligent prosecution would be carried out in due course.

NSCDC Arrests 70 in Connection with Kidnapping, Rape, Others in Edo

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