…as four women gives birth to four babies inside IDP at Kangiwa

Kebbi State Governor,Dr. Nasir Idris has promised to the some of the villages burnt by the Lakurawa terrorists as well provided the necessary financial assistance to internally displaced persons, IDPs, in Arewa Local Government Area.

Idris stated this during his sympathy visit to the temporary IDP camp at Kangiwa, headquarters of Arewa Local Government along his Cabinet members.

The Governor explained that he will liaise with the military authorities to establish permanent Army base in the local government for preventive and prompt response to future attacks by the bandits.

He immediately ordered the provision of 100 bags of millet and 100 bags of rice to serve as daily meal for the displaced persons to feed well.

Governor Idris also directed the local government Chairman to immediately slaughter a big cow and continue doing so after every four days to ensuring that the villagers consume enough beef for proper protein intake especially by children.

According to him, “I am also informed that four pregnant women in the camp have given birth to four babies, two boys, two girls”,

“Procure two rams for each baby for naming ceremony, clothing and necessary items for all the nursing mothers”,

“I am here to see the situation on ground, condole and express deep sympathy with you on the painful incident by bandits that led to the loss of lives and injury, I am saddened by the event”,

“The government will assist all displaced persons to relocate back home, we don’t want you to stay at the camp for long”, Comrade Nasir remarked.

The Governor emphasised the importance of neighbouring states to imbibe the dexterity of Kebbi state in combating armed attacks by bandits.

“These criminals are not based in Kebbi but carrying out hit and run operations from our neighbours, our security services are doing their best, we shall sustain the tempo”, the Governor assured.

The Chairman, Arewa Local Government, Alhaji Sani Aliyu Tela, gave detailed explanation about the mode of attack by the suspected Lakurawa invaders.

According to him, “the attack took place around Rafin Tsaka axis, the bandits burned Birnin Debe village killing eight persons, they proceeded to DanMarke and murdered two persons while in Tambo village, they shot dead one person”,

“The bandits further set fire to six different villages but no death was recorded except injury to some of the inhabitants, including a teenage girl who sustained multiple fracture after falling into a ditch”, Tela said.

The Chairman disclosed that a total of 11 persons lost their lives, of whom eight were buried in Kangiwa attended by the SSG who represented the Governor.

“Your Excellency, the suspected Lakurawa bandits are infiltrating into our territory from the neighbouring Republic of Niger, after committing mayhem, they escape back to base in that country”,

“Our security services performed creditably to ward off the attackers, but we need a permanent Army base at Rafin Tsaka to forestall future incursions”,

“We are grateful to you for providing enormous cash support and 50,000 bags of rice to the displaced persons for their welfare”,

“Donations were also received from the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Atiku Bagudu, who pledged N20 million and 100 bags of grains, Sen. Yahaya ABDULLAHI, Kebbi North, donated 100 bags of rice and N2 million, while others provided rice, wrappers and cash”, the Chairman announced.

An indigene of Birnin Debe, Aliyu Sani recounted that the bandits entered the village during the Asr Prayers after 4 pm, when worshippers were in the Mosque.

“They shot at hay stacked on rooftop which ignited fire and spread, anybody who went out of the Mosque was shot dead, but they spared women, they also burned down the Central Mosque of the town”, Aliyu said.

A female victim, Halima Musa appealed to the Governor to evolve strategies to forestall further invasion of villages by bandits and offer necessary assistance to the displaced persons to feed well and return home.

Daily Sun

• warns communities may resort to self help over insecurity

Leaders of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) have called on President Bola Tinubu to revisit the ceding of the Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon, citing its devastating impact on displaced communities.

The peninsula was ceded following the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling in 2002, which Nigeria failed to appeal within the stipulated timeframe.

In PANDEF’s statement to the President read by its Co-Chairman Board of Trustees, Victor Attah, the forum emphasised that the aftermath of the ICJ verdict has left thousands of Nigerians displaced, denied access to their ancestral lands, and facing cultural genocide. “We do not wish to dwell on past mistakes, but rather, we urge the need to revisit this matter with a view to mitigating its impact on the affected communities,” they stated.

The group’s appeal comes as tensions persist in the region, with ongoing armed disputes and economic challenges affecting both Nigeria and Cameroon. Despite past efforts to resolve the issue, including the Green Tree Agreement, the situation remains unresolved, with Nigeria’s Senate having previously declared the handover illegal.

PANDEF also appealed to Tinubu to intervene decisively in the escalating political crisis in Rivers State, warning that the situation poses a significant threat to national stability. It noted that despite Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s commitment to abide by a recent Supreme Court ruling, tensions remain high due to conflicting court decisions. The forum informed the president that it has established a High-Level Peace and Reconciliation Committee chaired by Attah but emphasised that presidential intervention is crucial to achieve peace outside the courts, involving key figures like Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike and Governor Fubara. Rivers State’s economic importance as a major oil and gas hub underscores the urgency of resolving the crisis.

The forum also appealed to President Tinubu to sign the South-South Development Commission Bill into law. The bill, passed by the National Assembly, remains unsigned despite similar commissions for other regions receiving presidential assent.

PANDEF stressed that the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the proposed South-South Development Commission serve distinct purposes, with the NDDC focusing on oil-producing areas and the new commission aimed at holistic regional development.

PANDEF warned that delaying the bill’s assent could create feelings of exclusion and negatively impact peace in the Niger Delta.

They also suggest renaming the NDDC to Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission to avoid confusion. The group supports President Tinubu’s regional development initiatives but seeks equity for the South-South region.

PANDEF has also expressed deep concern over the escalating insecurity in the South-South region, citing a surge in kidnappings, violent attacks, and sea piracy. Despite acknowledging President Tinubu’s national security efforts, PANDEF highlighted that as security operations intensify elsewhere, criminal elements are shifting their activities to the South-South, leading to unprecedented violence.

The group warned that if unchecked, this could prompt local communities to resort to self-help measures, potentially spiraling out of control.

PANDEF called for enhanced security measures, including improved intelligence and stronger enforcement, and urged the immediate establishment of a Coast Guard to protect coastal communities.

The third edition of the Imperfectly Awesome Conversations Summit hosted by Omotola Bamigbaiye PhD is set to hold on Sunday, April 13, 2025 at Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos.

Imperfectly Awesome is Omotola Bamigbaiye’s ode to Resilience and Tenacity, which she first put together in her book titled, “Imperfectly Awesome”, written in an honest and relatable tone to help people love themselves, reinvent, and bloom.

According to Bamigbaiye, the transformative gathering is renowned for bringing together industry experts, business leaders, and influential personalities to inspire change, foster resilience, and celebrate authenticity.

“The third edition of the summit will feature deep, reflective discussions and compelling storytelling that embraces life’s inevitable challenges while highlighting the strength found in imperfection”, she said.

She noted that participants at the summit will have the opportunity to share their journeys of transformation, foster a supportive and inclusive space, advocate for wellbeing, and highlight the power of tenacity and resilience.

She disclosed that this edition of the summit would witness a diverse lineup of visionary speakers and thought leaders, also that the event promises to catalyse meaningful conversations that spark personal and collective empowerment.

She explained that the objectives of establishing the platform is to share stories of ‘becoming’ through our imperfect journeys, inspiring others for social and economic empowerment. Create a safe space where people can lean into to embrace authenticity, and lend a voice to championing wellbeing and supporting everyone who feels ‘not enough’’ in any area of life, while uplifting them to become their true selves through engagements as they embrace the power of positivity.

Bamigbaiye called on corporate organisations and well-meaning individuals to sponsor the summit as part of their corporate social responsibility initiatives.

-ENDS-