Taraba Goverment Tackles Miyetti Allah over Allegations of Killing

‎Following the recent claims by the Miyetti Allah cattle breeders of Nigeria that 50 of its members were killed in fresh attacks, Taraba State government has refuted the claim by the state chapter of the association, describing it ‎as complete falsehood.

The stated government also said it was a ploy by the association to shield its members who are strongly believed to have carried out the attacks.

A statement issued yesterday in Abuja by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr. Silvanus Giwa said‎: “The claim by the leadership of Miyetti Allah was a mockery of the victims of the recent attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen who allegedly carried sophisticated weapons and used same to unleash terror on harmless and innocent people of Dori, Maisuma, Angai and Fali villages in Gashaka and parts of Kurmi local government areas of the state.”

He explained that the chairman of the association who addressed a press briefing in Jalingo on the incident failed to present evidence (photographs) of his members that were purportedly killed in the crisis.

Giwa stated: “The police and state government on the other hand presented gory photographs of the victims to buttress every point on the matter. Therefore, looking at the scenario, who is telling lies to cause harm than good in this matter?”

The governor’s aide noted that it was disheartening for the chairman who is a civilian to assume the position of a security chieftain by suggesting which measures should be adopted by the commissioner of police on how people believed to be culpable in the crisis should be treated; “simply because his member, one Ardo Ayuba, was arrested in connection with the crisis.”

“Intelligence report has it that the crisis started in the area when some suspected herdsmen killed a woman believed to be Ndoro by tribe when she resisted to be raped by them on her farm, contrary to what Miyetti Allah said”, Giwa said.

He said‎, “Taraba state governor, Arc Darius Ishaku has continued to emphasise the need for harmony and peaceful coexistence among the various communities in the state since he assumed office”.
The State chapter of the association had reportedly said at least 50 of its members had been killed in the current crisis between herdsmen and Ndoro people in Gashaka Local Government Area of the State.

Source : Thisday

Dominic Bukuni, Gov. Ishaku's Aid, Gets 2 Years Jail Term

A Jalingo chief magistrates’ court on Friday sentenced Dominic Bukuni, one of the aides of Darius Ishaku, governor of Taraba state, to two years imprisonment for criminal conspiracy, cheating and forgery.

Bebeto Haruna, 32, who was arraigned along with Bukuni, also bagged nine years jail sentence.

In his judgment, which lasted three hours, Yusuf Babasoro, chief magistrate, said the prosecution had proven its case beyond any reasonable doubt that the two accused were guilty of the offences as charged.

Babasoro said Haruna was guilty on the 1st and 2nd counts for impersonation and cheating, which were contrary to sections 132 and 322 of the penal code.

He said the offences attracted a fine of N5,000 and N10, 000 or jail terms of six months and one year respectively.

The magistrate also convicted Haruna on a three-count charge of fraud to the tune of N3.5million and sentenced him to seven years’ imprisonment without an option of fine.

According to Babasoro, Haruna defrauded 28 unsuspecting victims of the amount on the pretext that he would assist them to secure employment at the Taraba State University, Jalingo.

He sentenced them to two years’ imprisonment with an option of a fine of N20,000.

Babasoro said the offences contravened section 597 of the penal code.

Mohammed Ibrahim, the prosecutor, had earlier told the court that Haruna and Bukuni committed the offences sometime between June and December 2013.

Ibrahim said the two men conspired and impersonated Emmanuel Bwacha, a former senator, and Sani Yahaya, vice-chancellor of the Taraba State University.

The prosecutor told the court that Haruna and Bukuni, using a telephone number- 08108989687, defrauded one Philomena Umaru and 14 others: all of Jalingo, of N2, 245,000 under the pretext of offering them employment with the state university.

He said the two of them also defrauded one Bala Yakubu and 12 others of N1, 420, 000 on the pretext of presenting their names to the vice-chancellor as candidates of Bwacha, seeking to be offered employment.

Ibrahim alleged that in December 2012, the men used GSM number 08108989887 to impersonate Bwacha and defraud one Ishaku Adamu, the suspended chairman of Ibi local government council of the state.

The prosecutor said they also collected N500,000 and a cattle worth N95,000 from the council chairman to plead with members of the state house of assembly so that they can revoke his suspension.

Ibrahim had urged the court to give the convicted persons “the highest punishment”, saying the offences contravened the provisions of sections 97, 179, 322 and 364 of the penal code.

Jukun and Tiv Communal Clash; Many Feared Killed, Scored Injured

Several persons were feared killed with many injured and houses razed after a heavy fighting eruptd yesterday between the Jukun and the Tiv at Angbaye Community, a Jukun settlement along Markurdi/Gboko road, in Benue State.

It was gathered that the crisis, which started as a result of disagreement over a farm, degenerated to ethnic war as both tribes pick up arms against each other.

Source around the area told our correspondent that there was heavy shooting in the area, even as they feared that many people might either been killed or injured in the encounter.

Following the crisis, many members of the warring communities which is not far from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Base are now fleeing their homes for fear of reprisal attacks. However, security operatives have waded into the matter.

The Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO), ASP Moses Yamu, who confirmed the report said mobile policemen had already been deployed to the area. He said reports at his disposal about the cause of the crisis was still sketchy at the time of filling this report.

He noted that the police would ensure peace and order was restored in the area while anyone found to have fanned the embers of the discord would be made to face the wrath of the law.

Meanwhile, the police command said that no life was lost in the communal fracas.

By Rose Ejembi

Perm Sec, Ministry Of Information And Orientation, Amos Wanmi Retires

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Orientation Mr. Amos Wanmi has retired from the State Civil Service.

During his handing over at the Sani Abacha Secretariat yesterday, He lauded the state government for giving him the opportunity to contribute his quota in that capacity.

He handed over the affairs of the Ministry to the most senior Director, Taninga Danjuma. Staff of the Ministry noted that he was always early to work, usually the first to report to work, always transparent in the discharge of duties, down to earth and extremely hardworking. They will definitely miss him; most staff said.

Amos wanmi appealed to the staff of the Ministry to accord his successor same cooperation to enable him succeed.

In his acceptance speech Taninga Danjuma promised to continue with the good works of the outgoing Permanent Secretary describing him as an icon of inspiration to his staff.

Fulani herders kill 15 in Taraba — police

Suspected ethnic Fulani herders killed at least 15 villagers and burnt down homes in Taraba state in a dispute over grazing rights, police said on Wednesday.

State police spokesman Kwaji Joseph told AFP the incident happened on Sunday when the herdsmen stormed Dori and Mesuma in the Gashaka local government area.

“A group of people numbering about 20, suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, invaded and attacked Dori and Mesuma villages via Garbabi ward and burnt some thatched houses, forcing the villagers to flee into the villages of Mayo-Selbe and Sabon Gida for safety,” he added. “Eight people were killed in Dori while seven were also killed in Mesuma.”

Police have been drafted to the area to contain the violence and “normalcy has since returned to the two villages”, Joseph said, adding two people have been arrested. Local media put the death toll higher, saying 44 people were killed and dozens of houses razed in the clashes.

The attack is the latest in a long-running dispute over grazing rights in Nigeria. In the nearby central states of Benue and Plateau, deadly ethnic clashes are common. Recent violence in Benue is said to have killed hundreds of the ethnic Agatu community.

 
The largely agrarian Christian communities maintain the Muslim Fulani herdsmen are engaged in a prolonged battle to gobble up land from the areas of so-called indigenous people. Fulani leaders counter their people face discrimination and are deprived of basic rights, including access to land, education and political office, despite having lived in the area for generations.

State police spokesman Kwaji Joseph told AFP the incident happened on Sunday when the herdsmen stormed Dori and Mesuma in the Gashaka local government area. “A group of people numbering about 20, suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, invaded and attacked Dori and Mesuma villages via Garbabi ward and burnt some thatched houses, forcing the villagers to flee into the villages of Mayo-Selbe and Sabon Gida for safety,” he added. “Eight people were killed in Dori while seven were also killed in Mesuma.” Police have been drafted to the area to contain the violence and “normalcy has since returned to the two villages”, Joseph said, adding two people have been arrested. Local media put the death toll higher, saying 44 people were killed and dozens of houses razed in the clashes. The attack is the latest in a long-running dispute over grazing rights in Nigeria. In the nearby central states of Benue and Plateau, deadly ethnic clashes are common. Recent violence in Benue is said to have killed hundreds of the ethnic Agatu community. The largely agrarian Christian communities maintain the Muslim Fulani herdsmen are engaged in a prolonged battle to gobble up land from the areas of so-called indigenous people. Fulani leaders counter their people face discrimination and are deprived of basic rights, including access to land, education and political office, despite having lived in the area for generations.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/04/fulani-herders-kill-15-taraba-police/

Barr. Ishaku Meets With Stakeholders to Strategies On Community Development

In her continued efforts to better the lives of the less privileged in the State, the Wife of Taraba State Governor, Barr. Anna Darius Ishaku yesterday met with stakeholders from the Northern Senatorial Zone to sensitize and map out strategies for the development and empowerment of indigent groups in the Zone.

Barr. Ishaku met with the stakeholders at  her Hope Afresh Foundation Office in Jalingo. According to her, every Government delights in seeing the development of her people as such is  interested in understanding the challenges of their various Communities.

She said all her programmes were hitherto confined to Jalingo due the numerous court cases that punctuated the administration earlier, however, now that it is over, she feels no one can forcefully help someone who is not interested, hence the need to call them and hear their challenges as well as ways the Foundation can be of help.

The Governor’s Wife further stressed that Government can not give everyone job, therefore the need for trainings in skills acquisition, urging the groups to be honest in suggesting areas where her NGO could come in and be of help to the Local Governments concerned, adding that they should be ready to partner with her in development of the areas as they also have a part to play.

In his address, the Chairman, Jalingo LGA, Hon.Hassan Bappa commended the efforts of her Excellency at such an initiative pledging the support of all the Chairmen to the programme as well as made donations on behalf of his family.

One of the Resource persons,Yahaya Salihu Emije appreciated the Governor’s Wife for her zeal at helping the various Communities, urging the people to pray for God to grant her and the Governor sound health to continue the good works.

He also called on citizens to encourage the present Government by bringing ideas that will build the State instead of depending on them for everything, as he promised to use his wealth of experience for the success of the mission.

Mrs. Martha Habushita, also a resource person emphasised the need for mothers to teach their children how to be resourceful rather than depending on parents and the Government for their needs.
 She pointed out that every  man you hear of today started from the scratch, therefore the need for youths to be empowered instead of becoming beggars, adding that rather than becoming dependants every youth should struggle to show himself approved and be a channel of blessing to others.

A session of contributions, as well as questions and answers were also entertained.
Those invited from each of the six zones include; Chairmen and their wives, Women Leaders,Special Assistants to the Governor,Youth Leaders,Women Wing CAN (WOWICAN), Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN), National Council for Women Societies (NCWS) and Community Leaders.

By taravoices