Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State has alleged that his administration gave security agencies 24 hour head-start to alert them on the impending invasion of communities in Zamfara by bandits that resulted in the death of 39 persons in Zurmi local government area of the state on Wednesday night.

Speaking today, Friday, when he led five Northern Governors on a sympathy visit to the palace of the Emir of Zurmi, Governor Yari said that security agencies in the area have failed to tackle the problem of cross border banditry and terrorism bedeviling communities in the area.

 “Whatever humanly possible that needed to be done, we as a government have done to mitigate this disaster. But it does appear that security agencies are failing in their responsibilities.

“I feel let down facing the people of this state whenever I remember the promise I made to them that when they elect President Muhammadu Buhari into power, these killings will end. But unfortunately, things are now getting worse.

“As such, I urge you security agencies to up the ante so as not to lose this war. If you let us take issues on our hands, anarchy will reign which is not what we hope for.

“On this particular incidence, we had intelligence reports 24 hours before it happened that the bandits were grouping and ready to attack. I alerted the security agencies but unfortunately they sent inadequate personnel to confront these people from where they came from.”

The Emir of Zurmi, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar responded by echoing what Governor Yari said, adding that if not for the bravery of vigilante groups who confronted the bandits, the casualty figures would have been higher.

Giving insight into what really happened, the Emir alleged that 600 bandits made attempt to invade Zurmi but were repelled by vigilantes.

“They came on 200 motorcycles with three persons on each bike. Each of them was well-armed. We stationed 500 vigilante members who stood their ground and gallantly fought the bandits. Unfortunately, these same bandits turned their anger on travelers and other villagers on their way here; that was why we had 39 people killed.

“These terrorists are known to us. Their major hide-out is in a village called Kagara, very close to Bafarawa in Sokoto State, and a few kilometers from Shinkafi in Zamfara State. But despite several appeal to security agencies to storm the area, our appeals have failed.

“I need to state here that majority of weapons used by bad people in this country are brought in from this area. I had reason to personally inform Zamfara State Director of SSS sometimes back of a large cache of weapons being brought into the country but no concrete action was taken until the containers were moved away.

“I am happy that other Northern Governors are here because we believe the solution to this problem lies in cooperation among all of you.

“I don’t need to repeat here that we need a full battalion of soldiers here and in areas surrounding Maru, Maradun, Shinkafi and Zurmi LGAs,” the visibly angry Emir said.

He added that the people have been pushed to the limit and a negative reaction from them will have devastating consequence on the continued peaceful coexistence of all communities in the area.

In his remarks, Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State appealed to the people not to lose patience even as he sympathized with the victims and prayed to God to grant the deceased eternal rest.

In addition to Shettima and Yari, other Governors on the entourage were Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State and Umar Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has described the amendment to the nation’s electoral Act by the National Assembly on the order of elections as the best way for the country to produce quality leaders at all levels.

A statement by Ike Abonyi, the spokesman of the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, quoted the former President as saying that what the National Assembly did would help in the election of quality persons into various positions.

The statement said that Dr. Jonathan spoke when he received Prince Secondus when led members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP on a courtesy visit to the Headquarters of the Jonathan Foundation in Yenogoa, the Bayelsa state capital.

Ex President Jonathan was quoted as saying: “holding Presidential Election first will affect the quality of persons that will emerge in other polls because of the bandwagon effect.  The ruling party, the APC, should see it from national and patriotic interests since laws are not meant for persons in power at a particular time.”

Jonathan then charged his party PDP to support and commend National Assembly for the patriotic act even as he said that he even envisaged a time in this country when Presidential election will be conducted differently from the others.

He commended the newly elected Prince Secondus led NWC of PDP for drawing back confidence in the party pointing out that those who left will soon return.

“I believe that PDP will return to power in 2019 if we continue to build confidence especially as the ruling party has failed to meet up their promises and give hope to the people.

“Propaganda may help you win election but can’t help you govern and that is what APC has seen in the last 32months.

Earlier Prince Secondus had briefed the former President on the activities of the NWC since December when they were elected into office as he solicited for his  support and that of other leaders of his status.

Secondus said that the new leadership already engaged in a number of activities aimed at rebranding, and repositioning the party with a view to regaining power in 2019.

The PDP boss said that the focus of the party is on youths and women pointing out that the leadership will soon come up with a new program on Generational Next.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, has made it clear that there can be no alternative to President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 Presidential election and swore that he will seek re-election for his second term of another four years.

Boss Mustapha, who spoke today, Thursday, at the Unity Fountain in Abuja, while addressing a rally organized by the Democratic Youth Congress, led by its National Chairman, Kassim Mohammed, regretted that those who are being paraded as presidential aspirants have nothing to offer.

“We do not have an alternative to President Muhammadu Buhari for now. I will present your entire message to him. I congratulate you for your support for President Muhammadu Buhari to run in 2019.”

The SGF, who was represented by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Political Matters, Gideon Sammani, said that Buhari is widely known for his stance against corruption and indiscipline.

According to Boss, many people feared Buhari because of his uncompromising position on graft, adding that it is the corrupt individuals that are against the President for the reason that they may be brought to book.

“We all know that Buhari is transparent, honest. He has come with the change philosophy. He has lived for this, to bring change to this nation. Since his military days, he stood to fight corruption, indiscipline.

“Many people fear him because he does not compromise corruption and corrupt people are afraid that they will be brought to book. And those who have already looted the treasury of this nation are followed by the security agencies. By the grace of God Buhari will not relent in this fight.”

“He will continue; The politics of this nation is no more the politics of money or do-or-die politics. Anybody who wants to lead this nation must make sacrifices. Buhari has already transformed and changed the image of leadership and that of our leaders this country, both locally and internationally.”

The Convener of the rally said that his team is working for  Buhari to seek re-election in 2019, adding that they are working with over 15 state governors to actualize the goal.

Punch

The Nigerian Army has promised to give out Three Million Naira (N3,000,000.00k) cash reward to anyone with useful information that can lead to the arrest of the factional leader of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau.

A statement by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman today, Thursday, said: “anybody with such credible information can either contact the Military Command and Control Centre, Operation LAFIYA DOLE, any military location, security agencies  or call the Nigerian Army Information and Call Centre 193.”
Shekau has remained evasive, speaking through youtube from his hiding place since the insurgency began some years ago.

President Muhammadu Buhari has launched Nigerian Air Force Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, known as ‘Taigumi with a warning that modern day wars require such weapon, aside from the conventional air weapons such as missiles, fighters and bombers.

He stressed that the world is witnessing an ever increasing surge in the employment of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in military operations, adding that this is because while standard air weapons work against well-defined targets like conventional enemy forces or installations, “they are not as useful in today’s complex wars that are fought against adversaries who are often hidden amongst innocent populations or in locations similarly sensitive or difficult to strike by normal conventional means.”

President Buhari, in a speech before he inducted the vehicle in Kaduna, said that the Air Force Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, ‘TSAIGUMI’, is Nigeria’s first indigenously developed Unmanned Aerial Vehicle.

According to him, the significance of this accomplishment as a milestone of national technological development cannot be over-estimated.

“In this regard, I must commend the efforts of the current leadership of the Nigerian Air Force, notably the Chief of Air Staff who is performing his assignments wonderfully well.”

The President explained that the unmanned Aerial Vehicle can loiter and maintain an ‘‘unblinking stare’’ over a chosen area for hours. “Thanks to the ability to ‘‘watch and wait’’, its operator, often miles away, can provide a continuous stream of vital information on enemy activities and if the platform is weaponised, it patiently chooses the best moment to engage.

“Thus the employment of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle capabilities for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance and where possible, strike operations significantly increases the chances of success while minimising unwanted collateral damage.”

President Buhari assured of his government determination, despite numerous challenges, to bring about the much-needed CHANGE that will lift Nigeria to its rightful place as a major economic and political force on the world stage.

He said that part of his government’s drive to achieve this goal is to enable enterprise and the improvement of the quality of life through massive improvement of national infrastructure.

“Accordingly, as I outlined in my New Year Day broadcast to the nation, this Administration has designed series of key projects to dramatically overhaul national infrastructure and overcome the deficit in that vital area.”

Buhari stressed that the role of the military as an enabler of national development cannot be overemphasized, as efforts would be futile if national security is not first guaranteed.

“In this regard, let me once more commend the gallant men and women of the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies, for their tireless efforts towards defeating Boko Haram and all other threats to our nation’s security; thus ensuring that the government can proceed with its developmental activity without hindrance.”

The President commended the Nigerian Air Force leadership for the unprecedented feat it has attained on Research and Development.

“I am aware that the Air Force was the overall best in the recently concluded 2017 National Technology and Innovation Exposition under Research Institute category.

“Accordingly, its drive, determination and unwavering support brought about numerous significant innovations, not least of which is the TSAIGUMI which I am inducting today. It is indeed most gratifying that the Nigerian Air Force has gone a step further than simply acquiring them, to developing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle capabilities with indigenous technology. This outstanding accomplishment, which we are gathered today, holds promise of both military and economic benefit to the nation.

“From the military perspective, the added capacity for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance provided by the TSAIGUMI will boost ongoing and future security operations. As this project moves into the next stage, which is mass production, it would create employment and possibly generate revenue as Nigeria’s first military export product.

“The attainment of this technological feat is an indication that there is indeed potential to similarly apply the same innovative mindset to addressing other areas of indigenous technological need. While I commend the Nigerian Air Force for this accomplishment, I enjoin you not to rest on this achievement but to strive harder in your Research and Development efforts for greater innovation. Be assured of this administration’s support towards the attainment of greater technological milestones for our nation.”