The Hon Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbe was at the opening session of the Senate Public Hearing on Agriculture on Thursday.
Distinguished Senator Abdullahi Adamu who is the host delivered the opening speech.
Thursday 2 June 2016
Wednesday 1 June 2016
The Federal Government will dedicate 1000 policemen to the protection of the Abuja-Kaduna rail line which is scheduled for flag off by President Muhammadu Buhari in the first week of July, 2016.
Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi disclosed this in Abuja during a test run of the train from Idu station to Kubwa.
“We need about 1,000 policemen to secure Abuja-Kaduna rail and we are getting the policemen from the Nigerian Police Force to secure the rail-line, to ensure that everybody is safe, from Idu station to Kaduna and Kaduna station to Idu on a daily basis.
“Everybody will be protected in and out of the train. The reason we may delay a while is because we have to take into consideration the religious obligation of Mr. President so that we are able to bring him to flag off for commercial activities by first week of July, 2016,” he said.
Newly-appointed Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Services, Muhammad Babandede has ordered the arrest of some former state governors, ministers, senators and other former political office holders.
During his first meeting with top management of the NIS, Babandede explained that the directive concerned past political office holders who did return their diplomatic passports at the end of their tenure.
However, details of the defaulting former political office holders have not been disclosed.
It has been disclosed that former President Olusegun Obasanjo and some other influential Nigerians prevailed on President Muhammadu Buhari to change his mind about naming looters and the volume of their loot.
Buhari had during the Tackling Corruption Together Summit in London pledged to disclose the the names of treasury looters and what has been recovered from them so far.
Obasanjo and the others are said to have advised Buhari against naming the looters.
“You know these looters have hangers-on and beneficiaries that are willing to die for them.
“The truth is that corruption is the biggest industry in this country. Now, if you name the looters, you are fighting an entrenched cabal and this government can do without such battle for now,” said a source.
They reportedly told Buhari that with most Nigerians going through hardship, naming the looters could trigger attacks on them by the people.
Troops on Operation Crackdown in Sambisa forest recorded a breakthrough recently when 77 Boko Haram terrorists comprising 17 men, 16 women, 16 male children and 28 female children.
The troops also captured one Cpl Musa Titima who deserted while on duty with Operation Crackdown.
Army spokesman, Col Sani Usman while giving further updates on counter-terrorism operations said that troops in various fields of operation killed a good number of terrorists and rescued several hundred hostages.
"The troops of 81 Battalion and 251 Task Force Battalion, 25 Task Force Brigade on 30th May 2016, received 79 persons who claimed to have been kept captives by Boko Haram terrorists at Ngwalimiri village but escaped at their location. They comprised 12 men, 24 women, 31 children and 12 infants. All of them are undergoing preliminary investigation and screening to determine their status before onward movement to Internally Displaced Persons camp for rehabilitation.
"In furtherance of the efforts to keep Bitta-Damboa road open and secure to commuters, troops of 28 Task Force Brigade have cleared Bulajani, Mulgwo and Muotu villages of remnants of Boko Haram elements.
During an encounter at Moutu specifically, a soldier sustained an injury on the forehead, while 5 Boko Haram terrorists were killed by the troops, while a few others were suspected to escape with gun shot wounds. The troops recovered 3 locally made guns.
"The advancing troops linked up with their counterparts of 25 Task Force Brigade at Gombori village and rescued 157 persons escaping from Boko Haram terrorists captivity. The rescued persons comprised 47 women, 91 children, 19 men. They are currently undergoing preliminary investigation and thorough screening to also determine their status.
"In a related development, troops of 7 Division Garrison arrested a 28 year old suspected Boko Haram terrorists’ spy, Musa Mallam Aman, around the Garrison Headquarters complex in Maiduguri metropolis. Preliminary investigation confirmed that he hailed from Maradhi village in Niger Republic and added that he was not alone as there were Boko Haram terrorists spies in Maiduguri. While efforts have been intensified to track and arrest his other accomplices, Musa has since been handed over to Joint Interrogation Committee (JIC).
"
Troops of 22 Brigade Garrison and their Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Dikwa have also embarked on routine and fighting patrols to maintain security on construction and rehabilitation works of public buildings and infrastructure that would facilitate return of public officials and people back to their ancestral homes.
"In addition, the troops have been carrying out clearance operations and patrols to keep Maiduguri-Mafa-Dikwa-Gomboru Ngala road open and secure.
"The troops of 26 Task Force Brigade on their part, have intensified patrols and clearance operations in their area of responsibility. It was in that process that they discovered an Unexploded Object (UXO) and its casing at Hausari Street Gada Mayo yesterday afternoon.
"Similarly, another patrol team of the Brigade yesterday successfully cleared Boko Haram terrorists hideouts along Gwoza-Kwatara-Kasa-Uvaha hills. The troops also rescued 4 men, 2 women and 5 children that fled Boko Haram terrorists location at Uvaha as a result of the formation’s offensive against the terrorists.
"In a related development 77 Boko Haram terrorists have surrendered themselves to troops of 122 Task Force Battalion. They comprised 17 men, 16 women, 16 male children and 28 female children. The surrendered terrorists have been moved to Yamteke by combined team of 26 Task Force Brigade for preliminary investigation and screening.
Troops have also arrested a deserter soldier, 03NA/53/3098 Corporal Musa Titima of 117 Task Force Battalion, attached to 114 Task Force Battalion, who absconded from duty while on Operation CRACKDOWN at Bitta. The soldier was also allegedly involved in a fracas with Mr Salisu Ngatha at Kabang Ward on 30th May 2016 that led to the death of the civilian. The soldier has been moved to the Brigade headquarters for proper investigation and other disciplinary process.
'Following tip off by well meaning Nigerians, troops of 7 Division Garrison, conducted clearance patrol at the following villages; Abachari, Asanari, Mediari, Toluwari, Chuwnari, Gaya, Zarumari, Alanari, Shuwari, Ngadaya, Chempo, Samaa, Matari, Utoro and Kayamla in Jere and Konduga Local Government Areas of Borno State on 31st May 2016.
During the patrol, troops came in contact with members of Boko Haram terrorists group at Samaa village, killing a number of them and recovered 3 motorcycles, 143 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 2 bicycles, 2 bags if mango, 1 tricycle tyre pump 2 water bottles and pellets for Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) making."
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