News
Zulum: Boko Haram left Borno with bank branches in two of 27 local governments
Zulum: Boko Haram left Borno with bank branches in two of 27 local governments
By Michael Mike
There are banks in two of 27 local government areas of Borno State as a result of over a decade Boko Haram crisis in the state.
This was disclosed by the governor of the State, Prof. Babagana Zulum, while ordering for the immediate establishment of branches of Microfinance Bank, as well as ICT centres across the all councils of the state to enable for exchange of old currency notes to new ones.
The governor gave the directive to the State Ministry of Finance and that of Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation following the CBN’s policy on changing of old notes to new ones.
He noted that there are absence of banking services across 25 out of 27 Local Government Areas due to over 12 years of killings and destructions by Boko Haram insurgents.
The governor announced the microfinance measures on Wednesday in Maiduguri during an extraordinary stakeholders meeting which was attended by the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Umar Garbai Elkanemi, represented by the Waziri of Borno, Mustapha Waziri Muktar.
Zulum directed that where possible, branches of the microfinance bank should start being established this week in Monguno and Gwoza Local Government Areas.
Zulum said: “At the moment we only have two LGAs with banking services and these are Maiduguri and Biu. The distance from most of the local governments to either Maiduguri or Biu is too long”
He added that: “Despite a great improvement of the security in Borno, there are still challenges for banks to start operations. Banking is a very delicate industry and I am sure none of them is willing to take the risk of establishing branches in our LGAs for now. Therefore, to support our people, Borno State Government has to take the risk. I have directed the ministry of finance to ensure the recapitalization of Borno Renaissance Microfinance Bank to qualify it to have the capacity to open branches in all the 27 LGAs. This I believe will greatly alleviate the suffering of our people.”
Zulum also directed the Ministry of Finance to immediately come up with a template to organize and ensure people in rural communities deposit their old naira notes before the 31st of January deadline.
Zulum told the stakeholders that: “I have convened this meeting to discuss how our people in the villages can get easy windows of depositing their money to the bank accounts as stipulated in the CBN’s new policy. The Ministry of Finance is hereby directed to moblize the people and ensure nobody lost his money, you should facilitate ways through which people can voluntarily deposit their money into the banks in the remaining days.”
Zulum also directed the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation to support mobile telecommunication providers towards improving their network coverage for internet connectivity across all 27 local government areas.
The meeting had in attendance, members of the Borno State House of Assembly, Commissioners, Advisers, Local Government Chairmen and other critical stakeholder.
Zulum: Boko Haram left Borno with bank branches in two of 27 local governments
NHRC trains 34 human rights advocates in Gombe
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has trained 34 Community Protection Rights Advocates to protect and promote human rights in Gombe state.
Dr Joseph Wanshe, the State Coordinator of the Commission, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gombe on Monday.
Wanshe said that the training was imperative toward achieving the mandate of the commission in the state.
According to him, the trained advocates, who are mostly in rural areas, will penetrate distant and rural communities where human rights violations are rampant.
He said that the training has started yielding the expected results as there have been increased number of reported cases of human rights violations from rural communities across the state.
He said that the advocates have been deployed to the 11 local government areas of the state.
“We are witnessing an upsurge in human rights reporting coming to the office.
“ The numbers are increasing as regards civil and political rights followed by cases of women and children, domestic violence, economic, social and cultural rights.
“ There are many factors involved in the upsurge as the NHRC within the last one month has stepped up sensitisations and stakeholders’ engagements.
“ We have trained Community Protection Rights advocates, who have been working and as a result, awareness has increased and number of complaints received have spiked,” he said.
Wanshe said that the trained advocates have been affiliated to NHRC at the local government levels toward ensuring wider coverage of the state in terms of human rights protection.
He assured residents on the commission’s effort at ensuring that it achieved effectively its mandate of protection and promotion of human rights.
Wanshe commended the people of Gombe State for their improved confidence in NHRC which has resulted in improved reportage of human rights violations
He further urged communities to support the advocates in their domains in the overall interest of human rights protection.
NHRC trains 34 human rights advocates in Gombe
Troops intercept 11 suspects with IED-making materials in Abuja
Troops of the Nigerian Army have intercepted 11 suspected criminals conveying materials believed to be for the production of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory.
By: Zagazola Makama
Security sources said the suspects, comprising 10 males and one female, were arrested at about 12:59 a.m. on April 27 by troops of 176 Guards Battalion deployed at Kuchiyako.
The sources disclosed that the suspects were intercepted in a vehicle along the Kuchiyako–Tipper Garage road, allegedly loaded with IED-making materials.
According to preliminary investigation, the suspects claimed they were en route to mining sites around Kabbin Mangoro in Kuje Area Council to collect mineral resources.
Items recovered from them include explosive charges and three-and-a-half bags of unidentified mineral substances, among other sundry materials.
The suspects are currently in military custody, while investigations are ongoing to ascertain their intent and possible links to criminal or terrorist activities.
Troops intercept 11 suspects with IED-making materials in Abuja
Troops repel terrorists in Zamfara, recover calm after attack on Godel community
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army under 1 Brigade have repelled an attack by suspected terrorists in Godel community of Birnin Magaji Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 2:08 p.m. on April 27 when troops deployed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Kaura Namoda responded to credible intelligence on terrorist activities in the area.
The sources disclosed that troops made contact with the attackers upon arrival, leading to a fierce exchange of fire.
According to the sources, the troops forced the terrorists to withdraw from the area following the encounter.
However, during the attack, the assailants reportedly rustled an unspecified number of cattle belonging to residents of the community.
Three civilians were also said to have sustained gunshot wounds and were evacuated for medical attention.
The sources added that troops have intensified patrols and clearance operations in the general area to prevent further attacks and recover the rustled livestock.
Troops repel terrorists in Zamfara, recover calm after attack on Godel community
NHRC trains 34 human rights advocates in Gombe
Troops intercept 11 suspects with IED-making materials in Abuja
Troops foil kidnap attempt in Kaduna, rescue two victims
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