Connect with us

News

Northern scholars declare support for Tinubu’s renewed war against banditry

Published

on

***warn saboteurs and collaborators against plans to distract Matawalle, armed forces

The Concerned Scholars for Peace and Development (CSPD) has thrown its weight behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s efforts to tackle banditry in the country.

In a statement signed by its President, Dr. Zaharadeen Mohammed Kabir, the group warned saboteurs and collaborators not to distract the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, and the Armed Forces.

The group specifically disowned a Sokoto State-based Islamic cleric, Mallam Bello Asada, for accusing the Federal Government of sponsoring bandit leaders, describing the claim as false and politically motivated.

Kabir alleged that Asada is a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and has ignored revelations of Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal’s payment of N1.378 billion to terrorists and bandits.

The Islamic scholars also called for Asada to be held accountable for his defamatory video, urging Matawalle and troops to remain focused on winning the war against banditry.

“The Concerned National Islamic Scholars for Peace and National Development condemn in the strongest terms the attempts by unscrupulous persons to trivialise the security challenge in the northwest of the country by politicising the issue and urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to allow his administration to be distracted in flushing out criminal elements from the country,” Kabir said. 

“This condemnation became necessary in the wake of the misleading video published by a Sokoto State-based Islamic cleric, Mallam Bello Asada, who falsely accused the Federal Government of sponsoring bandit leaders. The video has, unfortunately, been promoted by counter-insurgency expert, Makama Zagazola.

“We have since reviewed the facts and found that Mallam Bello Asada is a card-carrying member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), who has conveniently ignored the recent revelations that his paymaster, Zamfara State’s Governor Dauda Lawal paid the sum of One Billion, Three Hundred and Seventy-Eight Million Naira (N1,378, 000,000) to terrorists’ and bandits’ leaders.

“We wonder how Asada became amnesiac to how Governor Lawal paid two hundred million naira each to Kachalla Dogo Gide, Kachalla Bello Turji, and Ado Alero while one hundred and fifty million naira was paid each to Kachalla Halilu Sububu and Gwaska Dan Karami. A responsible Islamic scholar, who has no connection to the bandits would have demanded answers from Governor Dauda Lawal. Asada has no moral right to continue to hide under the cover of being an Islamic scholar.

“It is important to note the political context of these false accusations, especially given the high stakes involved in regional and national politics. The timing and source of the allegations suggest an attempt to distract the Federal Government’s counter-terrorism efforts.

“We reliably learnt that Asada was put up to publishing the video to distract public attention from the leaked document that proved that Governor Lawal paid money to subversive elements that are responsible for the insecurity, killings and kidnappings plaguing the northwest and other parts of Nigeria.

“Asada, who once made a video praying for the death of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for defeating his party’s, Atiku Abubakar at the 2023 General Election, was an automatic choice to produce the pro-terrorist propaganda material that has further undermined security in the region.

“This explains why this character, who had gone into oblivion, is suddenly out to distract the President and the Minister of State for Defence simply because the heat has turned on the bandits especially Turji Bello who has been reported to have been corralled by our Armed Forces and will soon be smoked out.

“We have thus concluded that while Asada’s allegations appear serious, his inability to provide concrete evidence to support his outlandish claims and accusations makes them defamatory.

“We urge the Federal Government to leverage extant legislation to hold Asada accountable for his defamatory video. For instance, several credible Northern groups have condemned similar accusations, describing them as unfounded and politically motivated.”

The group called on the Federal Government to be wary of individuals who come out to discredit, distract, and blackmail state actors when the state takes the war to the bandits.

“It’s obvious that some are Islamic clerics during the day and bandits at night,” Kabir said. He added, “The witch cried at night, and the child died in the morning. We don’t have to look for who, of course, killed the baby.”

Kabir called on the FG to investigate people like Asada, who seem to be in pain over the decisive actions of the government against the bandits. 

“It’s obvious that Asada has more to tell the security agencies about the banditry because he is disturbed by the bounty placed on the bandits’ leader and fears he will soon be exposed.”

The CSPD urged the President not to succumb to distraction but to go all out for the bandits until they all surrender and give up their evil ways.

“More of these characters will come out in the next few weeks as the fight gets hotter to smoke out the bandits from the northwest. Mr. President must remain resolute and committed to the charge given to the Armed Forces.”

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Jos DisCo to Launch Feeders Management System and Bilateral Arrangements

Published

on

 

Jos Electricity Distribution Plc (JED) has announced the upcoming launch of its Feeders Management System and Bilateral Arrangements starting on November 1, 2024. This initiative aims to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of energy distribution to customers.

In a press release signed by Dr. Friday Adakole Elijah, the Head of Corporate Communications, JED stated that the new system is designed to provide customers with consistent and reliable electricity based on their service bands, ultimately enhancing customer satisfaction.

As part of the scheme, 76 feeders classified under Band A have been selected, with a commitment to ensure uninterrupted power supply in accordance with the Band A schedule. Customers on these feeders will be required to pay for 100% of their consumed energy.

To support the program’s success, JED has established a seven-member team for each feeder, consisting of a network engineer, a marketer, and other personnel dedicated to ensuring seamless energy delivery and managing post-paid billing. This team will also focus on promoting collaboration to achieve customer satisfaction.

In line with its commitment to providing 100% of the promised energy supply, JED expects customers to fulfill their obligations by paying their energy bills in full each month, as partial payments will no longer be accepted. Only customers who have settled their bills will continue to receive electricity, and defaulters will be disconnected from the supply.

Customers are encouraged to embrace the new system to enjoy improved services and reliable electricity.

Continue Reading

News

Kebbi Government Disburses N629m Compensation for Tsamiya Inland Dry Port and Argungu Old Bypass Road Dualization

Published

on

The Kebbi State government has allocated a total of N629.455 million in compensation to individuals whose farmlands and properties were acquired for the construction of the Tsamiya Inland Dry Port in Shaguna, Bagudo Local Government Area, as well as for the dualization of the Argungu Old Bypass Road.

Alhaji Abubakar Ahmed, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Lands and Housing, confirmed the disbursement in Birnin Kebbi. He stated that ₦289.542 million was paid to compensate for over 200 hectares of land and economic trees acquired for the Tsamiya Inland Dry Port project, located in a border town between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin. This payment was made on Wednesday and was witnessed by various officials, including the Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Hon. Muhammad Dangi Juli, and the Bagudo Local Government Chairman.

Ahmed expressed satisfaction with the successful execution of the compensation process, attributing its effectiveness to the cooperation from the local community. He also thanked Governor Nasir Idris for ensuring the availability of the necessary funds.

The Permanent Secretary emphasized the importance of the Tsamiya Inland Dry Port for enhancing trade and commerce between Kebbi State and the Republic of Benin, which is expected to facilitate easier movement of goods and boost the local economy.

Additionally, the government disbursed ₦339.913 million for the compensation of structures affected by the 6.5 km dualization of the Argungu Old Bypass Road, a project that was recently flagged off by Governor Nasir Idris. This compensation was also distributed in Argungu in the presence of relevant officials and community leaders.

Ahmed praised the state government for the timely release of funds, stressing that it would facilitate the prompt completion of these crucial projects.

Continue Reading

News

Borno: Governor Zulum Praises NCAA DG Najomo for Enhancing Aviation Safety

Published

on

Borno State Governor Prof. Babagana Zulum has commended the safety standards in Nigeria’s aviation sector, attributing this achievement to the leadership of Captain Chris Najomo, the Acting Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

During a courtesy visit to the NCAA in Abuja, Zulum acknowledged the significant improvements in the aviation sector since Najomo took office, highlighting enhanced compliance with flight regulations and safety measures. He noted that Nigeria continues to attract investments in aviation due to the confidence investors have in the regulatory authority.

Zulum stated, “No one is and should be surprised at what is happening in the sector. On a daily basis, we see developments in different aspects of the industry. It all has to do with the leadership of the civil aviation authority. When you put the right person in position, this is what you get. Here you find a round peg in a round hole, so you do not expect anything different than the success being recorded. I commend the DGCA and his team and urge you to keep the flag flying.”

In response, Capt. Najomo emphasized the NCAA’s goal to ensure that Nigeria’s aviation industry competes on a global scale, saying, “Ease of doing business” is his primary focus, complemented by “Ease of doing business without compromising safety.”

Najomo also expressed sympathy for the recent flooding in Borno State, commending Governor Zulum for his development efforts and flood management. The two leaders discussed potential collaborations that would benefit both Borno and the NCAA.

In a related development, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), led by Mr. Kamil Alawadhi, Vice President for Africa and the Middle East, visited the NCAA to discuss partnership opportunities for workforce training and retraining. Key priorities included meeting mandatory requirements for the Civil Aviation Authority, cost recovery, and providing IATA and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) training for staff.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2017 Zox News Theme. Theme by MVP Themes, powered by WordPress.