July 20, 2015 by The Nation

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 20, 2015

NEWS Free medical service for residents

EN of the 27 Task Force Brigade in Damaturu, Yobe State, yesterday conducted a free medical service for residents under tight security, following a suicide attack on the town at the weekend. The people enjoyed general medical consultation, blood pressure screening, viral hepatitis screening, voluntary HIV testing/counselling, blood sugar diabetes miletus and general health education. The Chief of Army Staff, Maj.-Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai, who inspected the exercise and interacted with the residents at Injiwaji layout playing ground, told reporters that the essence of the exercise was to strengthen civil/ military relationship. He said: “We embarked on this exercise to cement the civil/military relationship. We want to show them that we are not only carrying guns, but we can look at them in other areas of protection. We have doctors and other auxiliary per-

From Duku Joel, Damaturu

sonnel, who are part of the military profession. We are extending these services to them so that they will know that we are here to protect and cater for them in healthcare delivery.” The Army chief hailed the cooperation of residents in the counter-insurgency fight. He said he was impressed by the involvement of a female vigilance group member, who was the head of the group in Damaturu, urging the women to keep it up. Maj.-Gen. Buratai said: “It’s excellent. You can see from the vigilance group headed by this hajiya. It’s quite interesting. I am impressed. I wasn’t even aware that a woman is involved at this level in the fight. It’s quite interesting. I am excited and we are motivated to do our best.” He urged the people to be vigilant about strangers and suspicious movement, saying they should report such to the security agencies.

Security agents arrest 64 suspected hoodlums in Ilorin A

COMBINED team of security personnel at the weekend arrested 64 suspected hoodlums during a raid on their hideouts in Ilorin the Kwara State capital. The security team conamed: ‘Operation Harmony’, comprises soldiers, policemen, civil defence corps officials and men of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). The security personnel also reportedly stormed

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

the hideouts of suspected Indian hemp smokers, arresting several. NDLEA spokesperson Mr. Segun Adewara confirmed the arrest. He said the exercise was a continuous one to rid the state of undesirable elements. Adewara said the team

raided three of such hideouts on Ilofa Road, a popular hotel at Flour Garden (all in GRA) and Offa terminus. He said the incident occurred about 5:30pm on Saturday. It was learnt that the NDLEA men acted on a tipoff. An eyewitness account showed that the operatives

raided the hideout in a commando style, shooting sporadically into the air. The incident caused a stampede, as residents and shop owners ran away to avoid being implicated. The security men were said to have stormed the Ilofa Road hideout with about 12 vehicles. It was learnt close associates of the arrested suspects were seen calling others to stay away from the spot.

‘Be patient with Buhari’

GOVERNORSHIP aspirant in Kogi State, Prince Rotimi Obadofin, has urged people to be patient with President Muhammadu Buhari, to enable him tackle the country’s problems. Obadofin, who addressed reporters yesterday in Lokoja, said the President should not be stampeded into taking actions. He said: “With the prob-

From James Azania, Lokoja

lems inherited by his administration, there is need to be patient with President Buhari to study the situation and find a solution to the problems.” The governorship aspirant said the citizens were aware of the problems left by the former President Goodluck Jonathan administration, noting that solving them would be gradual.

SDP man accuses APC of rigging

HE candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the House of Assembly election in Adamawa State, Dr. Raymond Chidama, has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of rigging some wards, including Gaiya in Uba/Gaya. He lost because of what he described as an “arranged rigging” by the APC, whose candidate, Mohammed Hayatu Atiku, won the poll. Chidama said results brought to the collation centres showed that the party was leading, adding that he was

From Barnabas Manyam, Yola

•The Emir of Mubi, Alhaji Abubakar Isa (right), speaking during his Sallah homage visit to Adamawa State Governor Mohammed Jibrilla in Yola...yesterday PHOTO:NAN

shocked when results came from a unit in Gaiya ward, which showed that SDP did not win a vote. He said in other units where the APC knew were the stronghold of the SDP, they insisted on using Card Readers and youths molested and threatened people who voted against the APC. Chidama said he would challenge the purported victory of Hayatu at the tribunal despite death threats.

Emir reflects on life after death •‘Leaders should be honest’ From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

Boko Haram: Yobe road reopened

HE military yesterday re-opened a major road in Yobe State, Northeast, closed more than a year ago after Boko Haram insurgents attacked motorists. Army spokesman Col. Sani Usman said the road between Damaturu, the capital of Yobe State and Biu, a major commercial centre in Borno State, had been cleared of mines by the special forces, backed by the police and vigilance groups

engaged in fights against Boko Haram insurgents. During the demining, four improvised explosive devices “planted by suspected Boko Haram terrorists were discovered and detonated,” Usman said. The reopening of the thoroughfare came in a week in which three girls staged suicide bombings in Damaturu, killing at least 13 people on Friday as residents prepared for the Eid-il-Fitr at the end of Ramadan, police said.

Ex-Osun chief judge dies

•The late Oluborode

HE death has occurred of Justice Olatunde Oluborode (rtd), a former chief judge of Osun State and the Baba Ijo of Jehovah Nissi African Church Cathedral, Ilesa. He died on July 1. He was 80. A spokesman for the family, Dr. Olawunmi Oluborode, said a funeral programme would be announced later.

•Emir Sanusi 11

HE Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi 11, yesterday at the African House, Government House, Kano, wept as he reflected on life after death.

Tears welled up in his eyes as he addressed his subjects on the need to exhibit good character of honesty, trust, transparency and compassion when interacting with others. Emir Sanusi 11, who was at the Government House to visit Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, as part of the events to mark the Hauwan Nasarawa, urged Ganduje to use his experience to develop the state and promote peace. He also advised him not to relent in providing

security, saying he should prioritise education, health, agriculture and water. The Emir implored leaders to use Eid-El-Fitr to reflect on the teachings of Prophet Mohammed by making a resolve that one day, “we shall stand before our creator and answer for all we have done.” He enjoined the people to be law-abiding and be their brother’s keepers, irrespective of religion or ethnicity. The monarch told the government to tackle insecurity. He pledged the support

of the Emirate to the Ganduje administration and congratulated members of the executive council on their appointments. The governor said his administration would transform the state through new projects and the completion of the ones inherited from the last administration. Ganduje, who decried a new method of begging, described the action as unislamic. He said his administration would resist attempts to make Kano the headquarters of street begging. Ganduje said he had begun discussions with President Muhammadu Buhari on how to resettle Fulani herdsmen at Falgore.

Sultan advocates rent control boards

HE Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, yesterday advocated the establishment of rent control boards to curb insecurity. The monarch, who spoke when he visited Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal during the Eid- il-Fitr, said the boards should be charged with the responsibility of keeping a national database of landlords and tenants. He added: “Doing so will reduce kidnapping and other crimes.

From Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

“Such a nationwide database will enable the government and the security agencies to know who to get hold of if there is any problem.” The Sultan urged Nigerians to see security as a collective duty and not that of the government alone. He advised the government to introduce a statewide school shuttle bus service to alleviate the suffering of pupils. The royal father enjoined the government to

revive the development fund to boost socio-economic development. He appealed to the government to ensure the utilisation of dams to boost irrigation. According to him, “the Sultanate Council will sustain the cordial relationship between it and the government.” Governor Tambuwal hailed the Sultan for the visit and his efforts to promote peace and unity in the state and in the country. He added: “Your steadfastness towards ensur-

•Sultan Abubakar III

ing peace, unity and stability of Nigerians, irrespective of divide, is encouraging and should be sustained.”