Former police orderly to the immediate past governor of Gombe State, Inspector Rilwanu Gadzama, was yesterday shot dead by unknown gunmen. It was gathered that the deacesed, who worked with ex-Governor Muhammed Danjuma Goje for many years, was shot at about 4.30pm yesterday at Hamadukafa quarters in Gombe metropolis.

According to an eye witness, he was said shot at close range by two gunmen on motorbike, who fled immediately. When contacted, the Gombe State police command spokesman, DSP Swaze Atajiri, said that he was yet to get the details of the incident.
-Sun

Telecoms services were on Wednesday disrupted in Borno, Bauchi, Yobe, Gombe and Kano states following the bombing of telecoms base stations by suspected terrorists.

Our correspondent gathered that base stations belonging to MTN, Globacom, Airtel might have been affected in the multiple attacks that jolted Borno, Bauchi, Yobe and Gombe states.

Experts, who described the attacks as detrimental to telecoms growth in the country, said they were suggestive of wilful damage by unscrupulous elements.

As a result, the quality of service in the affected states has taken a downturn as interconnection of telecoms infrastructure has become severely limited.

The Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria, Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, confirmed the development to our correspondent in a telephone interview on Wednesday.

Quoting security sources, Reuters, however, reported that similar attacks also occurred in Kano and Maiduguri.

Adebayo said, “We have received reports about some telecoms sites being destroyed by some agents in some parts of northern Nigeria. The details are not clear yet, but we have been told that a number of operators’ sites were affected and they appear, from first view, as wilful damage to those infrastructure.

“We were told that some sites were bombed and they belong to different operators, which means that the act cut across many networks.”

Reuters further reported that one of its reporters saw 10 masts burnt to the ground in Maiduguri on Wednesday morning and local residents complained there was no mobile telephone reception.

In Kano, men on motorbikes reportedly destroyed MTN and Airtel mobile phone masts in the early hours of Wednesday, a policeman told Reuters, asking not to be named.

He said the Boko Haram sect was suspected to be behind the attack.

The Islamic sect had reportedly threatened recently to cause immense damage to telecoms operators’ facilities for allegedly providing information that had helped securities agencies tracked its members.

Analysts said the Wednesday attacks might be connected to the threat by the suspected terrorists.

Reuters also reported that sources close to the sect said Boko Haram members had in the past been concerned that they might be traced through mobile phones.

The Corporate Services Executive, MTN, Mr. Akinwale Goodluck, who equally confirmed the attacks, said, “It is true because we received reports today (Wednesday) that telecommunications towers of major telecoms operators were being bombed. However, I cannot tell you, for now, how many of our base stations or other telecoms infrastructure were affected because information available to us is still scanty.”

Goodluck, however, said that security agencies had commenced investigation into the attacks and the extent of damage, adding that the result would be made available for accurate reporting.

Speaking in the same vein, the General Manager, Corporate Communications, MTN, Mrs. Funmilayo Omogbenigun, who earlier confirmed the situation to Reuters, said, “We confirm that like all the other major telcos, some of MTN installations in northern Nigeria have been damaged by unknown persons. All the relevant government security agencies have been informed and we are receiving their full cooperation.”

via Punch

One thousand three hundred of the 2,560 corps members posted to Kano sought redeloyment while no fewer than 1,000 of the 1,687 deployed in Gombe, and 802 of the 1,750 in Plateau were redeployed to other states.

The  posting of some  southerners to the troubled North was greeted by protests, but it took the new graduates security guarantees by the Federal Government to accept their posting.

Speaking in Kano, the state NYSC Coordinator Alhaji Salisu Yakasai, said the corps members insisted on redeployment, despite the heavy security presence in the camp during the three-week orientation programme.

But Rabiu Kwankwaso said he was happy that the corps members who stayed back enjoyed the programme.

Coordinator of  the scheme in Plateau, Mr. Maram Mafulul, said in Jos the 802 that sought redeployment included married women, pregnant, nursing mothers and the sick.

He however said 30 of them   later opted to serve in the state.

Governor Jonah Jang represented by the State Commissioner for Youth Development,  Lohfa Bako, at the closing ceremony,  assured the corps members in the state of protection.

In Gombe, the Coordinator of the scheme, Mr. Igyuse Teryima, told the News Agency of Nigeria in a telephone interview after the passing out ceremony that the affected members applied for redeployment.

Speaking in Asaya-Kabba, Kogi State Governor Idris Wada  urged corps members to embrace self-reliance as a tool for socio-economic development of the nation.

Wada, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sport, Mr Isah Aliu, said the orientation was to equip corps member with practical, social and leadership skills to face future challenges.

His  Kwara State counterpart, Abdulfatah Ahmed,  said his administration had put adequate security measures in place to protect   corps  members in the state.

In her remarks, the  state Coordinator of the scheme,  Mrs. Ezinne Ezekwe, commended the governor  for  contributing N1.8m to  the feeding as well as  providing  two tankers, an ambulance and the giving  the former North Central I Area Office to the NYSC.

On her part, the Minister of State for FCT, Ms Olajumoke Akinjide, in Abuja urged corps members to serve as role models and be patriotic in the course of the service year. 

Akinjide, who was represented by the Chairman of  the NYSC Governing Board, Mrs. Blessing Onuh,   called on corps  members to be selfless and patriotic during the service as “many emerging developing nations are driven by the energies of their youths”.

Meanwhile, Oyo State Governor  Abiola Ajimobi  has advised new  NYSC  members in the state to use the martial arts skills imbibed during their  orientation course for self-defence only.

Speaking in Iseyin, Ajimobi said  martial arts skills should not encourage fighting in  public.

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Chief  Moses Adeyemo,  also directed all the 33 local governments in the state to provide adequate security for  corps members.

Taraba Coordinator, NYSC Mrs. Zainab Isah, urged corps members to use skills acquired during the orientation course to create jobs in their host communities.

via

KANO  (AFP) – Attackers have carried out assaults on two police stations and a bank in a northern town, but it was unclear if there were casualties, residents and authorities said Thursday.

The attackers raided the northeastern town of Bajoga in Gombe state, using guns and bombs, beginning late Wednesday and into early Thursday. Residents reported a badly damaged regional police station, but details were sketchy.

“There were bombings and gun attacks on the area command and divisional police station in Bajoga town by some gunmen,” police spokesman Ahmed Mohammed said.

“They attacked these police facilities with IEDs and assault rifles. There was a shootout between the attackers and the policemen at the facilities.”

One resident said the sounds of explosives and rifles were heard during the attack, which lasted until 1:00 am.

“People in the area around the police buildings fled to other parts of the town,” he said. “The area has been cordoned off by security personnel.”

Residents also reported a bank was attacked and appeared to have been robbed.

The police spokesman said it was not yet clear whether the attackers were members of Islamist group Boko Haram or armed robbers.

Boko Haram has carried out scores of attacks in Nigeria’s north as part of an insurgency that has left more than 1,000 people dead since mid-2009, but gangs have also committed crimes under the guise of the Islamist group.

-Vanguard

Security agencies in the raid include the State Security Service (SSS) and the Army. The raid followed the arrest of four suspects with 60 explosive devices in another part of the city.

The Director of SSS in Gombe State, Mr. Bitrus Asha, who conducted newsmen round the factory, said one man had been arrested in the house. Asha disclosed that 51 rocket launchers, 48 bags of fertilizer, sulphuric acid and cortex items were recovered.

Other items recovered are detonators, remote control devices, different types of chemicals, six containers for preparation of improvised explosive devices and other items. He advised people to report suspicious characters to security agents, adding that the SSS and other security agencies would reinforce the operation, which would be sustained.

 -Sun

TEN people have lost their lives following an overnight attack on the Gombe Divisional Police station by gunmen suspected to be members of the Boko Haram sect.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Orubebe Ebikeme, who confirmed this in a telephone interview with our correspondent in Gombe, said the situation is under control although no arrests have been made.

Ebikeme also said that two policemen, two civilians and a soldier sustained injuries in the attack and are now receiving treatment.

Our correspondent, who visited the scene of the incident, said that the station was badly damaged with its roof completely blown off while 10 vehicles parked at the premises were razed.

Meanwhile, a 24-hour curfew has been imposed on Gombe metropolis, while soldiers and policemen have mounted roadblocks to ensure strict compliance with the directive.

The Permanent Secretary to the Governor on Media Affairs, Alhaji Adamu Musa Kumo, who confirmed this, said the measure is aimed at preventing further loss of life and property.

Tragedy also struck yesterday, in Kaduna, as suspected members of the   sect killed one policeman and injured one other person.

According to one Sunday Abutu, who witnessed the scene, the policeman had gone to repair his motorcycle at a workshop along Samaru Road when the gunmen arrived.

He said the men, numbering about five, engaged the policeman in a mock conversation, pushed him down and collected his gun.

“He was trying to get to his feet when the one with the gun shot him and killed him instantly.” he said.

The Kaduna State Police PRO, Aminu Lawan, confirmed the incident saying,

“Yes. He was a police man attached to our mobile unit along Sabo road.” He however refused to disclose the name of the deceased.

-Guardian

The threat posed by Boko Haram to lives and property in the North has forced the General Officer Commanding the 3 Armourd Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj-Gen. Adamu Marwa, to relocate to Gombe, Gombe State.

The division has jurisdiction over Adamawa, Bauchi, Benue, Gombe, Borno, Plateau and Taraba states.

Our correspondent learnt that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Onyeabor Ihejirika, gave the orders for the relocation of the GOC.

According to sources, the COAS believes the movement will facilitate fast response to distress calls.

Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Lt. Col Andrew Idachaba, said in a statement on Thursday that Marwa had already started work in Gombe.

Idachaba also said hundreds of Boko Haram members arrested were being interrogated.

He said the Chief of Training and Operations, Maj-Gen. Lawrence Ngubane, had visited the the division, where he warned members of the sect to desist from their acts or be ready to face the music.

The CTOP was said to have visited the Pompomari area of Damaturu, Bauchi, Gombe Potiskum, Maiduguri, Biu, Mubi and Yola where Boko Haram members are believed to be hiding.

The statement said, “Following the intractable security situation in the North-East region of the country, army headquarters recently ordered the GOC to move the division’s tactical headquarters to Gombe to properly coordinate and fight the activities of criminals within the region.

“The General Officer on relocation to Gombe went on a tour of the area of responsibility during which he warned that the division would not condone any act of criminality within the area.

“He added that those who think they could challenge the division would be decisively dealt with.”

Idachaba said the GOC, while decrying the activities of those he described as religious extremists, urged them to to lay down their arms and embrace peace.

-Punch

The Dangote Foundation had earmarked about N350million for victims of the post-election crisis in some parts of the North.

The latest disbursement covers 120 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Kaduna and 67 in Gombe.

The foundation, yesterday also distributed hundreds of household items, which included; toothbrush, toothpastes, table spoons, rechargeable lamp, women veils, wrappers, blankets, bathing soap, washing soap, packs of Lipton tea, cream, plastic cups and buckets.

Others were food items, which included; Dangote spaghetti, noodles and DanVita.
Speaking at the camp, yesterday, leader of the IDPs, Pastor Francis Tarzang, said the refugees had been taking

refuge at the Dan Kande police barracks in Kaduna since April 18, 2011.
He said the money would be used to rebuild the burnt houses of the victims and resettle them, while others would invest the money in businesses.
The camp secretary, Mr Abel Kani, said victims have been given orientation on how to go about spending the money, adding that top on their priority was to settle down.
“We shall ensure that we supervise how they spend the money,” he said.

-Tribune

Protests against the removal of fuel subsidy grounded parts of Lagos, Ibadan, Ilorin and Gombe on Tuesday.
Thousands of people marched through the streets chanting songs in condemnation of the removal of fuel subsidy by President Goodluck Jonathan.
One person was feared killed in a similar protest in Ilorin while the police reportedly arrested seven people, including a journalist in Kano.
Protesters are also said to have taken over Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, in spite of attempts by the police and soldiers to stop them.
POlciemen and soldiers had reportedly brutalised protesters and travellers on Lokoja-Abuja Road earlier today.
There were indications that a protest would be held at the Nigerian High Commission in London later today.
More marches are planned for other cities across Nigeria in the next few days.
In Kaduna, mobile polciemen were drafted to Murtala Muhammed Square to disperse protesters. In the process, four protesters were injured.
More details later.

-Punch

There was palpable tension yesterday in Gombe town following the explosion of locally made bombs  on Wednesday night at a relaxation spot, Tunfure Resort, in the outskirts of  Gombe metropolis.

Speaking to newsmen, the manager of the resort, Ojego Nelson,  said that when the incident occurred, many of the customers got wounded while trying to escape,   with no fewer than 15 of them seriously injured.

He said as soon as the alleged bombers, numbering about six, started shooting sporadically, one of the bombs that was placed at the reception of the resort exploded and threw the whole place into chaos.

“The incident started around 16 minutes after 10pm. I was very close to the gate when three armed men walked into the gate and demanded that the security show them the manager.

“While interrogating him, they started manhandling him and beating him. When I wanted to intervene, they raised the rifle on me and aimed at me and was about cocking the AK 47 that had the Police official paint at the magazine.

“It’s still a mystery how I escaped because that was when they started shooting and I got this wound on my forehead and this dislocation on my arm,” he said.
He said after the sporadic shooting, the bomb placed in the reception exploded and damaged the door of the reception.

“I thought they were policemen who normally come for patrol coupled with the fact that I saw police paint at the cartridge of the AK 47,” he said.

I was however surprised when I wanted to know why they were beating my security man”.

He continued that “it was a very loud explosion and we latter found another set of explosives in a polythene leather bag close to the gate of our warehouse”.

However there was no lost of lives but many people were injured and at the press time the Police were cordoning-off the place with the Anti-bomb squad of the Gombe Government House going round the area.

According to  the Police Public Relations Officer PPRO Ahmed K Muhammad confirmed the incident and stated that they were still waiting for their bomb experts from Yola to come and remove what was left so as to make the place safe.

He said no arrest had been made so far and that they were still investigating. He however advised the public to be security conscious and report any suspicious characters around them to the Police.