NEWS
Senator Barkiya says everybody knows where the bandits are hiding
***As senate urges FG to send fighter jets to flush out terrorists from hideouts
Apparently piqued by the unending nefarious activities of bandits and Kidnapers in Katsina State and other parts of the country, Senator Kabiru Barkiya (APCKatsina Central) out of frustration on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday admitted the Government and the rest of them know where the bandits are hiding.
Senator Barkiya was contributing to a motion on urgent need for Federal Government to take drastic actions to bring to an end the act of Banditry and Kidnapping in Faskari Local Government Area where 38 members of the community were kidnapped on Sunday.
Barkiya in his emotion laden voice said, “I can say that enough is enough, what is happening is that we should not only continue to condemn but we must also have to do something very serious.
Directing his comments at the authorities he seemed to be telling the Federal Government to do the needful by giving a marching order to the military to bomb them in their hideouts since they had already been declared as terrorists.
“We can not just sit down after declaring these bandits terrorists and then allow them to continue with all these kidnaping.
“We have to look at it critically, the security agents may be doing their best but for me they need to do another best, just look at 38 person’s, how can they just kidnap 38 persons after declaring these people as terrorists why can we just go and bomb them.
“Condemning, condemning everyday is not enough. I am saying we can not continue to condemn, ask NEMA to do one thing or the other, we have to definitely look at it and then do something more seriously. We know where they are, everybody knows where they are.”
Senator Bello Mandiya (Katsina South) who sponsored the motion in his lead debate said the act of banditry and Kidnapping has become a daily incidence now in Katsina with consequence of lost of lives, means of livelihood and displacement of communities
He indicated that last Sunday being 31st January 2022 gunmen struck in Faskari Local Government in Katsina State where 38 members of the community were kidnapped
“The federal Government has made Frantic effort in curbing the menace by setting up operation of Sharan Daji an inter agency task force to tackle cases of banditry cattle rustling and kidnapping in Katsina State .
He expressed concern that the continuous security challenges and related attacks by bandits on towns, villages and communities in Faskari Local Government Area have meted untold hardship on the people and have subjected the affected areas under serious survival threat.
“If this menace is not drastically and promptly addressed, the consequence is going to be huge on food sufficiency since the affected communities are mostly farmers.
He urge the Security Agencies to comb all known hide outs of the kidnappers in a bid to rescue the Thirty Eight (38) persons abducted by the gunmen in Ruwan Godiya
He urged the Federal Government to send enough military personnel and tighter jets to apprehend the bandits and restore normalcy in these areas,
Making his contribution to the motion senator Muhammed Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central) said it is a national disgrace that this thing is happening on daily basis adding that something needs to be done urgently
He however asked that the security forces be encouraged or supported. “We have to ensure that every part of this country has enough security agents to take care of every place. If it is the issue of recruitment in the army we should do so.
“We have provided support to the security agents, Last year alone supplementary appropriation we approved over N865b and this year’s budget we have about N1.3trn and we are getting little in terms of the outcome.
“By now we are supposed to have a very peaceful country but unfortunately on daily bases we hear people being kidnapped, killed. Enough is enough, there is need for security agents to do whatever is humanly possible to curb this menace. It is a national disgrace and something needs to be done.”
The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, in his remarks said the repeated cases of kidnappings and killings makes it imperative for the military to “wake up” to protect Nigerians.
He wondered why full scale action was yet to be carried out by the military in spite of increased funding for security in the 2022 budget by the Executive and National Assembly.
He said, “The expectation of their Senate is that there is supposed to be a remarkable difference in success in terms of the fight against insurgence, banditry and militancy in Nigeria.
“The military is getting better funding from the government and what we expect is to see an improvement in output.
“I know the resources are not enough, but recently for one and a half years, government has upscaled the level of funding for our military.
“Secondly, when we declared the bandits as terrorists, my understanding was they are going to be dealt with ruthlessly now. I wonder whether that is the case.
“The military like some of our colleagues have said, need to wake up. We want to see a difference because we have made a difference in terms of funding.
“I know funding alone will not be enough, but funding can make a difference and we expect a difference in outcome.
“Thirdly, we need to mobilise our citizens, because when a hundred people are kidnapped and abducted, they are not taken by aircrafts, they are taken by motor bikes, pass through the villages and possibly towns, how come do we then say that nobody has seen something?
“We need our citizens to be part and parcel of our security architecture. In fact, there’s no way we can achieve better security for this country without the participation of the citizens in the fight against Insecurity.”
Accordingly, the Senate urged the Security Agencies to comb all known hide outs of the kidnappers in a bid to rescue the Thirty Eight (38) persons abducted by the gunmen in Ruwan Godiya.
It also called on the Federal Government to send enough military personnel and fighter jets to apprehend the bandits and restore normalcy in the affected areas
The Senate in it’s resolution urged the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, send fighter jets to flush out terrorists in their hideouts who are behind the kidnappings and killings of Nigerians
NEWS
Christmas: Shettima Assures Of FG’s Commitment To Citizens’ Welfare
Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima has assured Nigerians of the federal government’s dedication to national security, economic transformation, and welfare of the citizens.
This was detailed in a Christmas message on Wednesday afternoon in Abuja under the signature of the Senior Special Assistant to The President on Media & Communications (Office of The Vice President), Stanley Nkwocha.
According to the Vice President, the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains unwavering in its focus on these critical areas, as the country looks forward to the dawn of a new year.
ALSO READ: Tinubu Sends Hearty Christmas Greetings To Christians Worldwide
He said, “In these times of economic transformation, I want to assure you that the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration remains steadfast in its commitment to improving the lives of all Nigerians.”
Vice President Shettima particularly urged the citizens to imbibe the virtues of national unity during the yuletide season.
“Nigeria’s diversity remains our greatest strength. Let us avail ourselves of the time provided by the holiday season to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood that unite us across all faiths and regions,” he said.
Senator Shettima assured Nigerians of the continued vigilance of the nation’s security forces, noting that “our brave security personnel will continue to work round the clock during this festive period to keep us safe.”
He said enhanced security measures have been put in place to protect the citizens during the holiday period.
“The relevant agencies have been mobilized to ensure your safety and comfort on all major routes,” he stated, urging travelers to remain vigilant.
VP Shettima expressed optimism about the nation’s trajectory in the coming year, saying, “I am filled with hope and optimism about Nigeria’s future. Together, we will build a more prosperous and united nation.
“To our young people, you are the backbone of our nation. The Renewed Hope administration is implementing various initiatives to create opportunities for you to thrive and contribute to Nigeria’s development,” he added.
NEWS
Yuletide: Adeleke Rejoices With Christians
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has felicitated Christians in Osun State and beyond on the occasion of the 2024 Christmas celebration, urging them to follow Jesus Christ’s example of compassion and tolerance.
Biztellers reports that Gov Adeleke described the birth of Jesus Christ as a defining moment for mankind, in a statement in Osogbo on Tuesday.
He described the festive season as a solemn reminder of the power of love and how it can save humanity.
ALSO READ: Archbishop Martins Champions Clamour For Better Life For Nigerians
While recognising unity and togetherness as an important message that Jesus Christ’s life resonates, Gov Adeleke charged Osun people, particularly Christians, to draw from the spiritual import of the celebration by sharing love and fostering harmony in communities.
In his words, “I extend my warm wishes to Christian faithful in Osun state and beyond as we mark this year’s Christmas. The birth of Jesus Christ is a manifestation of the power of love and remind us of the essence of compassion,” the Governor noted in his message.
“In the mood of celebration, I urge us to take a moment to reflect on the message of renewal that the birth of Jesus Christ signifies, promoting activities that will unite not divide, build not destroy, and bring peace not conflict.
“It is also my sincere appeal that we extend hands of kindness to the needy and the weak in the society, spreading love and generosity beyond borders. That is the essence of Christmas and it is most essential that at a time like this, no one is left to their fate.”
NEWS
Archbishop Martins Champions Clamour For Better Life For Nigerians
Archbishop Alfred Adewale Martins, of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, has enjoined all Nigerian leaders to be more sensitive to the yearnings of the people for a better life.
This was contained in a 2024 Christmas Message to Nigerians issued in Lagos under the signature of the Director of Social Communications, Very Rev. Fr. Anthony Godonu.
According to the Archbishop there is an urgent need for a better enabling environment to allow businesses thrive in a bid to reduce the high rate of unemployment and the grinding poverty in the land.
He urged leaders to prioritise the welfare of citizens over personal needs in addressing the widespread hunger, poverty, joblessness, and insecurity ravaging the nation.
ALSO READ: Tinubu Sends Hearty Christmas Greetings To Christians Worldwide
In his words, “Even in the face of policies that are deemed to have positive results in the long-term, such as the removal of fuel subsidies, floating of the naira and the new tax reforms initiative, governments must ensure that the immediate welfare of people is not neglected but factored into the planning and execution of such policies. This is necessary, if the people for whom the policies are being made are not to die before the positive results begin to manifest.
“At the same time, government spending must be prudent and compassionate. In addition, it is necessary to pay more attention to the agricultural sector so that food security can be ensured for overall benefit.”
The Prelate described as very sad and depressing the recent loss of several lives of innocent Nigerians in Ibadan, Abuja, and Anambra in their quest to access food palliatives owing to pervading hunger across the country.
He considered it worrisome that many Nigerians now find it difficult to purchase necessities of life, especially during this festive season that should be a period of merriment, sharing of love, food, and other essentials, which are the hallmarks of the Christmas season.
To forestall a reoccurrence of such ugly incidents, the prelate urged governments, at both federal and state levels, as well as the legislative assemblies, to identify and quickly fix the loopholes in the polity that are responsible for the massive poverty and hardship which Nigerians are facing.
He advocated the appraisal of the nation’s existing laws and enactment and enforcement of only proactive policies that would open the business environment, attract investors, and create more jobs so that the citizens can afford their basic needs; rather than depend on palliatives that offer only temporary relief.
The prelate urged substantial investments in the agricultural sector of the economy to ensure the availability of basic foodstuffs; thereby reducing the high cost of essential food items like rice, beans, onions and grains.
“If citizens have food in their homes, people will not endanger their lives while scrambling for palliatives in the way it happened,” he noted with sadness.
While praying for the souls of those who died in the recent stampedes in parts of the country, he also commiserated with those who lost their loved ones, praying that Jesus, the Prince of Peace would bring solace to the afflicted, comfort to the grieving, and hope to the despairing.
“This special season reminds us of the profound love of God, who sent His only Son to redeem humanity. May the light of Christ illuminate our lives, dispel darkness, and fill our hearts with love, compassion, and kindness. As we gather with family and friends, let us not forget those who are less fortunate, the vulnerable and the marginalised. May our celebration be a catalyst for acts of charity, generosity, and solidarity,” he stated.