Politics

We should encourage more Boko Haram surrender to end insurgency – Senate President

Published

3 years ago

August 31, 2021

We should encourage more Boko Haram surrender to end insurgency – Senate President

The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan said on Monday that the reports that Boko Haram elements are coming out of their trenches to surrender to Nigerian troops should be seen as a welcome development and should be encouraged.
Lawan stated this in Maiduguri, Borno State at the Palace of Shehu of Borno, Abubakar El-Kanemi.

The Senate President was in the state, in company of the Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, on condolence visit to the Monarch who lost his elder brother and also to the family of former Foreign Affairs minister, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe over the death of his mother-In-Law.

The Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum and his Deputy, Umar Usman Kadafur were also on ground to play host to the visitors at Kingibe’s residence as well as the Shehu of Borno’s Palace.

The Senate President seized the opportunity of the condolence visit to reassure the people in that part of the country that the Federal government would continue to work with the State authorities to ensure restoration of peace and stability in the region.

“We have come to condole you over the death of your elder brother that occurred recently. May his soul rest in Ajanaah Firdausi.

“This is a loss not only to you, Your Highness but to all of us. That is why we have deemed it fit and necessary to come and condole with you, the family and the good people of Borno State.

“I want to take this opportunity to mention that the Federal government of Nigeria will continue to work with Borno State Government to ensure that there is restoration of peace and stability in this state and in this part of the country.

“The recent surrender by Boko Haram elements is a good development for the security of this country. Personally I believe that the Federal government must work with the Borno State Government and other states in this part of the country to ensure that those that have been received are appropriately processed.

“Those that have no issues to answer are sanitized and taking back to their communities. Those that may have issues to answer should be taken through the legal processes but we must ensure that we encourage Boko Haram elements and those they have taken by force to come out to surrender so that this unnecessary insurgency placed on us comes to an end.

“And I want to assure you, Your Royal Highness, that the National Assembly and particularly the Senate will work very closely with the Borno State Government in this respect.

Also Read: Borno NUJ advises government on workable timeline for reintegrating surrendered terrorists

“I believe there is no need for any controversy over what we need to do with people who surrendered. In any war, in every war, surrender is the ultimate and if we can achieve it, we should do everything and anything possible to encourage more and more to come out so that we are able to come to the end of this unnecessary insurgency that has taken our States back for so many years in term of development.

“I want to also commend you, Your Royal Highness, for the leadership and fatherly role you have been giving in this state and in this part of the country and the country at large.

“Your Royal Highness, I want to also commend the Governor of Borno State, our brother and friend who has shown so much commitment, dedication and leadership in ensuring that Borno State, as much as possible, is safe and the people of this state are protected from insurgency.

“The Federal government is devoting so much resources for our security agencies to fight and bring insecurity to an end. Recently, the National Assembly approved over 800 billion naira for our security agencies in a supplementary budget and Mr President has assured us that he will bring more request for more resources for our security agencies in 2022 appropriation bill which may be presented at the end of September by the Grace of God.

“We pray Almighty God to continue to guide our leaders at all levels, to protect our leaders at all levels and of course, to protect the people of this country,” Lawan said.

Responding, the Shehu of Borno said his people had “seriously suffered as a result of Boko Haram crisis.” but added that they were “lucky” to have the Buhari Government which eventually changed the tide.

The monarch said all the local government Areas which were under the control of Boko Haram had been taken back and that normal business activities had returned.

He said the news that Boko Haram elements are surrendering “is a welcome development” because “Borno is a home of peace and we are for peace.”

The Senate President and Yobe Governor were both accompanied on the trip by Senator Sadiq Umar Suleiman, Chief of Staff to the Senate President, Dr. Babagana M. Aji, Permanent Secretary(Yobe State), Ambassador Zanna Aliyu Ibrahim and Ambassador Babagana Ajimi who is the Chairman, Board of Directors, Federal Neuro Psychiatry Hospital, Kaduna.

We should encourage more Boko Haram surrender to end insurgency – Senate President

News

PDP, Sen. Lawan Condoles with Yobe Govt

Published

12 hours ago

September 19, 2024

Ochuwa Ibrahim

PDP, Sen. Lawan Condoles with Yobe Govt

By: Mamman Mohammed

PDP National Chairman Ambassador Umaru Iliya Damagum today led members of
the National Working Committee and Board of Trustees of the party on a sympathy visit to Gov. Mai Mala Buni over the Mafa attack and flood in some parts of the state.

The chairman commended Gov. Buni for giving every citizen of the state a sense of belonging irrespective of political differences.

“I must appreciate you for giving everyone a sense of belonging and fulfillment, despite our political differences” he said.

Amb. Damagum said PDP shares the pain and trauma suffered by the people over the senseless killing of innocent people, and the hardships caused by the floods.

Similarly, former Senate President, Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, paid a sympathy visit to the governor and prayed for the repose of the souls of the victims of the Mafa attack and the floods.

He prayed to Allah to grant the departed souls Aljannatul Firdaus, and to console their families.

PDP, Sen. Lawan Condoles with Yobe Govt

Crime

Violence Erupts at Ijaw Youth Council Election in Port Harcourt, Several Dead

Published

4 days ago

September 15, 2024

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Violence Erupts at Ijaw Youth Council Election in Port Harcourt, Several Dead

By: Zagazola Makama

What began as an election for the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) in Abulomma, Port Harcourt, took a deadly turn on 14 September 2024, leaving several people dead in its wake.

The election, which was held around 4:45 PM, descended into chaos after disagreements arose among the members, resulting in violent clashes.

The unrest escalated rapidly, leading to the death of one individual during the initial fracas, and the situation worsened with road blockades being erected by angry factions. The Nigerian Police Force (NPF) intervened, restoring a semblance of order in the area.

However, tensions flared up again the following morning. At approximately 7:20 AM on 15 September 2024, additional bodies were discovered in Abulomma, heightening fears of further violence.

Reports indicate that a gunfight broke out during the IYC Eastern Zone election after several candidates refused to step down in favor of prominent figures, including EG Ateke and Asari Dokubo, who were also contesting for leadership positions. This led to violent clashes, resulting in further loss of life.

Violence Erupts at Ijaw Youth Council Election in Port Harcourt, Several Dead

News

Edo leaders slam PDP, Obaseki

Published

5 days ago

September 14, 2024

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Edo leaders slam PDP, Obaseki

· Pronounce Okpebholo next governor

· Say September 21 election will be violence-free

By: Our Reporter

Top political leaders in Edo State on Sunday slammed the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for spreading unfounded rumour, refusing to sign the peace agreement and envisaging election violence.

They also urged PDP and Labour Party members in the state to shun violence in the September 21 governorship election.

At a meeting to review strategies for the September 21 governorship election, the leaders expressed belief in Okpebholo’s capacity to restore trust in government and open new business and investment.

‘’ ’There is a strong hunger for change right now in Edo State. There is no question about APC’s expected victory as the party has very strong connection to the grassroots in the state’’

The notable leaders spoke with deep sincerity on the APC candidate’s approach, skill at persuasion and ethos.

They hailed Okpebholo for making a positive difference in the lives of the people of Esanland.

‘’Senator Monday Okpebholo is the candidate that is strong on the economy, security, infrastructure and welfare programmes’’.

Dr. Amos Obasuyi, spokesman of the Edo Rescue Mission 2024, in a statement in Igueben pronounced the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, as ‘’ the right man for the governorship job’’.

‘’Senator Monday Okpebholo will run an economy driven by the private sector, improve the business environment, empower the people and ensure good governance and unity in the state’’

The influential people in Edo politics listed infrastructure, healthcare, security and, education, agriculture, industrialization, minimum wage and good jobs for all as areas of interest to the APC governorship candidate.

‘’Senator Monday Okpebholo will attract foreign investments, lower certain taxes to encourage industrialization and get rid of useless regulations that discourage economic development. He will push for more investments in roads, bridges and infrastructure’’

The statement emphasized Okpebholo’s exceptional creativity, liveliness and positive leadership traits.

’’Senator Monday Okpebholo will increase public education funding and expand state’s literacy programmes’’

The statement also highlighted economic growth, a strong focus on modern education for our children, meaningful infrastructural development that properly integrates our state from end to end, qualitative, consistent and accessible healthcare and expansion in private sector led industry that takes our youth of the streets.

They praised Okpebholo for having the type of empathy and direction Edo State needs

‘’Edo North people are looking up to Okpebholo. The Esan hope is in Okpebholo. The Benin people want Okpebholo to be the next governor of Edo State’’

They said Okpebholo has the record to govern Edo State and that the people of the state were ready to take their destiny in their hands through Okpebholo in the September 21 polls.

‘’Senator Monday Okpebholo has ideas and understands the current challenges’’

Edo leaders slam PDP, Obaseki