Daybreak, Politics, Entertainment, Sport

Tag: Kogi

  • Commissioner Enjoins Staff To Distinguished The Ministry Through Commitment In Kogi

    Commissioner Enjoins Staff To Distinguished The Ministry Through Commitment In Kogi

    From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    The Kogi state Commissioner for Works and Housing, Engr. Abubakar Ohere on Thursday charged the staff members of the ministry to be committed to their job to justify government attention.

    Governor Bello gave the charge at the Conference Hall in Lokoja while addressing the staff of the Ministry during their New year general meeting.

    He further noted that the only way the Ministry could compliment the effort of Governor Yahaya Bello in his Multiple Infrastructural dispay is for all to be recommitted to their jobs because “to whom much is given much is expected”.

    The Commissioner pointed out that the consistent progress towards sustainable, verifiable and replicable infrastructures in the State has made the Governor uniquely outstanding amidst counterparts.

    Speaking on the welfare of the staff, the commissioner assured his staff that the state Government will continue to positively impact on the staff for more output.

    In a closing remark, the permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Tpl Ramatu Baba appreciated all the staff for the synergy enjoyed in the year 2021 and enjoined them to add more value to the work to distinguished the Ministry of Works and Housing in the State.

  • Kogi Police Arrest three Suspected Kidnappers, Recover arms, Twelve Cows In Kogi

    Kogi Police Arrest three Suspected Kidnappers, Recover arms, Twelve Cows In Kogi

    From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    The kogi State Police command said on Wednesday that it has arrested three suspected kidnappers from their hide out along Okene Auchi road.

    Similarly, the command said it’s men equally intercepted and recovered twelve Cows suspected to have been rustled, while suspects escaped into the bush.

    According to DSP William Ovye Aya
    Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO), Kogi State Police Command, Efforts are on to trail the suspects with a view to apprehend them to face justice.

    “Based on intelligence tip-off on criminal hideouts along Auchi-Okene road, consequently, the Divisional Police Officer, Okene Division SO Muhammad Nasir ISA promptly swung into action, mobilized his team and moved to the scene and arrested three (3) suspects namely; Mohammed Shehu, Idris Suleiman and Abubakar Ibrahim.” He added.

    “The suspects confessed belonging to a gang terrorizing Okene and its environs. Investigation is in progress. Suspects will be arraigned in court on completion of the investigation.

    Items recovered from them includes, One Dane gun, two Cartridges, food items and the sum of N45,000.

    “In another development, the operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, attached to Okene Division in an intelligence led operations in collaboration with the Professional Hunters Association along Okene-Lagos road on Monday intercepted and recovered twelve Cows suspected to have been rustled.”

    “When the suspects sighted the security forces, abandoned the Cows and ran away. Efforts is on to trail suspects with a view to apprehend them to face justice.”

  • Cell Break: A Kidnapper, Vandal Escapes From Egume Police Cell In Kogi

    Cell Break: A Kidnapper, Vandal Escapes From Egume Police Cell In Kogi

    From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    An alleged Kidnapper who recently killed his victim and transferred from Lokoja to Egume police station and an electrical vandal were said to have escaped from the Egume Police cell on new year’s eve.

    The vandal who specialises in vandalizing NEPA cabble and thunder copper protectors and a professional kidnapper conspired and beat all the security outfits of the police to escape from the cell on this fateful day.

    According to our correspondent, the notorious vandal was allegedly arrested by Akogu Omaga Vigilante Guards few weeks ago and later handed them over to the Egume Police Division for further investigation and justice while the alleged Kidnapper was transferred to Egume Police custody few days ago.

    It was gathered that the activities of this vandal has on several occasions thrown Egume Community into darkness due to incessant theft of Transformer components and copper wires within Egume metropolis.

    While the people of the area were enthusiastically expecting thorough investigation and justice on the arrested culprits to serve as a deterrent to others in the community, people were sadly informed on 1st January 2022 that the culprit escaped from the Police custody on the eve of the new year.

    When contacted, the Egume Divisional Police Officer, DSP. Sylvester .A said he was not competent to speak to the press but has done his part and has referred the matter to the state command for further investigation.

    It was gathered that the Station officer, Inspector Yunusa alleged that he was deceived by the criminals that they needed water to flush the toilet adding that in an attempt, he was overpowered.

    Sources closed to the Police hinted our correspondent that the two inspectors have since been arrested and detained at the Egume Divisional Police.

    In his reaction, the Security Chairman of the area, Hon. Gowon Omale frowned at the suspected foul play in the entire exercise saying that the officer at the gate was not there as at the time other officers were shouting for a closure of the gate when it was noticed that criminals were on rampage.

    Omale suspected a foul play among the two Police inspectors, Yunusa and Atabor who allegedly conspired with the escapees.

    Hon. Gowon Omale who condemned the laxity of the police stressed that the acclaimed synergy between the Police and other security agencies in curbing criminality in the society may not be achieved under this situation.

    It would be recalled that the people of the community have cried out severally over the shabby deals of some police officers that have spent between eight and nine years in Egume Community without transfer, which according to them could lead to familiarity in criminality.

    When contacted, the state Command of the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Williams Ayah could not be reached for comment as his phone was highly engaged.

  • IGP Replaces Police Commissioner In Kogi

    IGP Replaces Police Commissioner In Kogi

    The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, has ordered the immediate posting of Mr Edward Egbuka to Kogi State Command as the new Commissioner of Police (CP) in charge of the state.

    Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, who disclosed this in a statement on Thursday said the posting was with immediate effect.

    He explained that Egbuka’s posting followed the redeployment of CP Idrisu Dauda to the Force Headquarters for other national engagements.

    “The new Commissioner of Police, CP Egbuka, who was until this deployment the Commissioner of Police in charge of Communications at the Force Headquarters, was appointed into the Nigeria Police Force in 1988,” Mba said.

    “He holds a BSc (Hons) in History and International Relations from the University of Calabar and a Law Degree from the Rivers State University of Science and Technology.”

    The IGP, on his part, assured the people of Kogi of the commitment of the police leadership to containing prevailing and emerging crime trends in the state.

    He asked the new police commissioner to bring his vast experience to bear, in consolidating the achievements of his predecessor towards ensuring increased public safety and security of lives and property in Kogi.

    Baba also called on the state government and residents of the state to give the new police chief their maximum support and collaboration in his new role.

    “An astute law enforcement officer with international peacekeeping experience and a member of the prestigious International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), CP Edward Egbuka has attended several tactical and leadership courses within and outside Nigeria and has served in various capacities within the Force,” Mba added in the statement.

    “He (Egbuka) was the immediate past Commissioner of Police in Charge of Plateau State Police Command. As a Deputy Commissioner of Police, he was in charge of Operations in Osun State Command and Kogi State Command, and also in charge of Criminal Investigations at the Zone 7 Headquarters, Abuja, amongst other key postings.”

  • Skills Acquisition: NDE Trains 25 Graduates On Solar Power Installation, Maintenance In Kogi

    Skills Acquisition: NDE Trains 25 Graduates On Solar Power Installation, Maintenance In Kogi

    From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    The Director General of the National Directorate of Employment, (NDE) Mallam Abubakar Nuhu Fikpo has said that the organisation’s quest for the training of graduates was to boost self-employment.

    The DG who was represented by the Kogi state Coordinator of NDE, Mallam Abubakar Zakari, said
    the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), has began a 5 day training for 25 unemployed graduates in Kogi state on Solar Power Installation and Maintenance.

    “The training which is under the NDE Solar Training Scheme of the Special Public Works Programme, is aimed at providing the participants with the needed skills to become self-employed.” he said.

    He therefore called on the trainees to take the training seriously as it will serve as a life changing opportunity for them.

    The Director General noted that many are looking forward for the rare privilege but yet to come their way hence the need for the beneficiaries to make good use of the opportunity in improving upon their living standard.

    He described Solar Energy as the only alternative towards boosting regular power supply in Nigeria saying that the knowledge acquired on the scheme will be of great economic value to the nation.

    Fikpo therefore, urged the participants to appreciate the management of NDE for considering them for the free training.

    One of the resource persons, Engineer Anselem Egbugha in his Paper at the Workshop, charged the unemployed graduates to see the training as a great privileged which they must ensure maximum utilisation to acquire skills that would make them self-reliant.

    Responding on behalf of the trainees, Mr. Sam Moses said that they will forever remain grateful to NDE for the opportunity which he assured will uplift their living standard at the end of the programme.

  • Commissioner Applauds Gov. Bello’s Infrastructural, Township Roads Devpt. In Kogi

    Commissioner Applauds Gov. Bello’s Infrastructural, Township Roads Devpt. In Kogi

    From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    The Kogi State Commissioner for Works and Housing, Engr. Abubakar Ohere has described the resumption work on the rehabilitation of Lokoja township roads as a fulfilment of Gov. Yahaya Bello’s promise to impact on the Infrastructural development of Lokoja metropolis in his second term.

    Engr. Abubakar Ohere made the disclosure during a routine visit of ongoing road infrastructure in Lokoja and other ongoing infrastructure development in the State Capital.

    The Commissioner while inspecting the road construction work from the Maigari Palace through the traditional areas of Lokoja, commended the governor for his committed to the welfare of his people.

    He disclosed that the road construction which runs from the Maigari Palace to the adjoining link roads is currently receiving serious attention with full asphalt overlay.

    The commissioner who noted that the roads from Government House to Zenith Bank Junction is also undergoing rehabilitation, expressed happiness with the pace and quality of work on all the ongoing road construction.

    Recall that during a recent inspection of work at the Ganaja Flyover Bridge, Gov. Bello had promised to speed up work on the Lokoja township roads that he is satisfied with the progress of work on the Ganaja Flyover.

    Engr. Ohere described the ongoing development on Infrastructure in Lokoja as multidimensional, adding that the efforts of this administration on the ongoing embarkment along the bank of the River Niger in Kabawa is also aimed at controlling the incessant flooding affecting the capital city in the past.

    The commissioner pointed out that aside the Ongoing work at the GYB Model Science Secondary School, Adankolo, the Lokoja Civic Centre, work is also ongoing on the Lokoja street lights, while the beautification work on the street median is equally in progress.

    Engr. Ohere disclosed that with the outstanding performances of Gov. Bello on security, the ongoing infrastructure development, and the unification of the people of the state, qualifies him as best leader the country has ever produced.

    Projects inspected by Engr. Ohere includes: the Desilting of drainage at NTA – Kogi cycle road, NTA – Post Office – Ministry of Works road, Cementary -Hydro junction road, Wallace – Maigeri – Old Central Mosque road and Stella Obasanjo – Government House road respectively.

  • Kidnappers of COS Mother Will be Arrested, Kogi Not Haven For Criminals – Gov. Bello

    Kidnappers of COS Mother Will be Arrested, Kogi Not Haven For Criminals – Gov. Bello

    From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    The Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello vowed that perpetrators of the Kidnap of the mother of his Chief of Staff will be arrested and made to face the law.

    Governor Bello who stated this when members of the Progressive Ambassadors of Nigeria (PAN) paid him a coutesy visit at the Government House, Lokoja maintained that the State is not a haven for criminals to perform their heinous acts.

    He however noted that his administration will continue to strengthen its partnership with groups and associations that has its focus geared towards development.

    Governor Bello said partnership with positive minded bodies was aimed at building a new Nigeria on the successes recorded so far by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.

    He urged members of PAN to remain calm, peaceful and patriotic in all their activities towards ensuring the socio – economic development of the land.

    The National President of the Progressive Ambassadors of Nigeria, Ambassador Jasper Emenike, said the visit was aimed at identifying with the Governor on his visionary leadership and to explore means of partnership and collaboration with the state government.

    Ambassador Emenike extolled the leadership qualities of Governor Bello especially in youth and women participation in governance as well as his commitment to the New Nigeria project.

  • Insecurity: Gunmen Abducts Bello’s Chief Of Staff’s Mother In Kogi

    Insecurity: Gunmen Abducts Bello’s Chief Of Staff’s Mother In Kogi

    From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    The mother of the Chief of Staff to Kogi State Governor Pharmacist Abdulkarim Jamiu Asuku was on Monday abducted by unknown gunmen at her residence in Adavi Local Government Areas of the State.

    A resident of Inese/Ovakere new layout in Nagazi community, Adavi LGA where the mother of the chief of staff Mrs Seriya Raji resided told our correspondent that the gunmen stormed her resident at about 7:40p.m shortly after she observed evening (Ishai) prayer in her mosque within the house.

    The abductors according to the source were six in number, dressed in black suites with masks holding Ghana Must Go bag suspected to have contained some guns and other dangerous weapons.

    He said they entered her house through the mosque and whisked her away to yet to be identified destination.

    As at the time of filing this report the abductors were yet to call the family members if their victim to demand for ransom.

  • Accident Claims Ten Lives On Lokoja – Anyigba Road In Kogi

    Accident Claims Ten Lives On Lokoja – Anyigba Road In Kogi

    From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    No fewer than ten people on Thursday loss their lives in a ghastly motor accident which occurred at Ajegwu in Ofu Local Government area along Lokoja -Ayingba road in Kogi State.

    The accident which occurred at about 3:40am on Ajegwu bridge involved a luxury bus with registration number Anambra XE536AWK and a Toyota Hiace passenger bus.

    The state Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr Solomon Agure, said 73 people were involved in the accident, saying that ten of them died on the spot while five other persons were fatally injured with deep cut injuries.

    Agure said that the injured were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment while the corpses were deposited at the Holy Memorial Mortuary, Ochadamu in Ofu Local Government area, near Anyigba.

    The FRSC Commander attributed the accident to overspending and possible loss of control, saying that full investigation into the incident was ongoing.

    Agure disclosed that traffic obstruction caused by the accident on the ever busy road had been cleared and traffic normalcy has been restored.

  • Gumi’s Visit to Okun Communities Raises Apprehension, Fears In Kogi — Social Critic

    Gumi’s Visit to Okun Communities Raises Apprehension, Fears In Kogi — Social Critic

    From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    The Tuesday visit of an Islamic cleric, Sheik Ahmmad Abubakar Gumi to some communities in the Okun- Yoruba speaking areas of Kogi State is raising serious apprehension and fears among the people.

    Gummi had visited Ayangan – community near kabba in Kabba – Bunu local government area and some communities in Yagba land where he provided free medical outreach to some Fulani herdsmen which he said have been long abandoned.

    Speaking with newsmen in Lokoja on Saturday, a social critic and public commentator, Dr Shae Bebeyi raised his voice in support of Okun Development Association (ODA) “the umbrella body of the Okun- youruba people” condemning the visit of the cleric and needed to be probed.

    Dr Shae Bebeyi said going by the antecedents of the controversial cleric who he said has been openly supporting bandits , he raised doubts whether the medical outreach was not a smokescreen to any other sinister move against the Okun Yoruba people which he said are very peaceful, love strangers and law abiding.

    According to the social critic,” if Gumi truly meant well, why did he not pay a courtesy call on the traditional rulers of the affected communities or even alert them of his coming before ‘ the so called medical outreach’ and why must he single out the Fulanis or the herders for the medical outreach.?

    ” Security agencies and Kogi State government must probe his visit and those funding the free medical outreach whether it has other ulterior motive because the peace loving locals where he visited and indeed the whole of okunland are already frightened and in serious apprehension

    “We must ask , why the sudden attention of Gummi to herders in Okun land?, are they the real Fulanis that have been living peacefully with the locals for years or are they fulanis from neighbouring countries?, if yes are they law- abiding and why must the medical outreach took place at night and not day time?

    ” The people are asking that if Gummi is truly a cleric , why did he choose to discriminate against the very people who are the host of the Fulanis and herders whom he came to give free medical treatment and leaving out the locals, whipping up sentiment by this action?

    ‘ Why did Gumi change the names of the communities visited to that of Hausa- Fulani language? For example the name of the first Community he visited is known for ages as Ayangan – kabba but he changed it to Ardo suberu. Is it a ploy to take their ancestral lands from them?

    ” Like the Okun-development association has said, though Okun youruba people are peaceful, accommodating , law abiding and love strangers, yet this should not be construed as being cowardice, the people will resist any fulanisation agenda that Gumi may be spearheading” he added

    Dr Bebeyi who is the chairman board of trustees, Chartered Institute of development and social studies also expressed surprise why the federal government has not arrested Gumi by now saying his open support for bandits and kidnappers and his inflammatory statements are enough to invite him for questioning.