NAIJAFEED

Monday, March 11, 2024

Video - Bandits force farming communities in Nigeria to pay hefty levies

According to a report by SBM, an Africa-focused geopolitical research firm, farmers in northwestern states like Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara and Jigawa, where banditry is widespread, often pay bandits twice just to be allowed to use their land during the planting and harvesting seasons. The situation has adversely affected Nigeria's food security.

CGTN

Dozens killed in ‘barbaric, senseless’ violence in Nigeria

Nigerian wrestlers sweep gold in Ghana

Team Nigeria recorded a clean sweep of gold medals on Sunday at the ongoing African Games in Ghana, after six female wrestlers won in their various categories.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mercy Genesis kicked off the gold medal rush, winning Nigeria’s first wrestling gold medal in the 50kg category.

It was an atmosphere of joy and excitement for Nigeria after sweeping all five gold medals at the female wrestling events.

Olympic silver medalist Blessing Oborodudu led by example as captain of the Nigerian wrestlers to defeat Blandine Nyeh Ngiri of Cameroon 14-4.

Multiple world medalists Odunayo Adekuoroye followed in Blessing’s footsteps by beating Zineb Hassoune of Morocco with a pinfal.

Commonwealth champion and multiple African champion Mercy Genesis did not disappoint as she dispatched her Egyptian counterpart Mohamed Nada of Egypt 7-0.

African Games debutant Ogunsanya Christiana produced a dominant display in the 53kg to outclass her opponent Nogona Bakayoko of Cote d’Ivoire 11-0.

Hannah Reuben added more celebration to the already agog atmosphere after she defeated Amy Youin of Core d’Ivoire.

The President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Daniel Igali, while reacting, said the victory was the result of hard work and dedication.

Igali gave kudos to the female wrestlers for complimenting their efforts in training with the incredible show at the female event.

“I thank the Lord for the victory today because we’ve been training, but in all of this, I’m so excited for these girls, they deserve it.” Igali said.

The president also thanked the Governor of Bayelsa, Douye Diri, for always supporting the athletes.

“His support enabled us to shine like we did today,” he added.

NAN reports that wrestling events continue on Monday as men freestyle wrestlers take to the mat.

In a similar development, Nigeria’s Anioluwapo Opeyori, the African badminton champion, also won a gold and a silver medal in the badminton event on Sunday.

The Minister of Sports Development, Sen. John Owan Enoh, shortly after the events, congratulated the athletes and coaches for their impressive performances.

He encouraged the athletes to stay focused on winning while assuring them of Federal Government’s commitment to the development of sports in all its ramifications.

Vanguard

Fifth electricity transmission line vandalised in one month in Nigeria

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), says one of its critical infrastructure, the Shiroro-Katampe 330 Kilo Volt (kV) transmission line has been vandalised.

TCN’ s General Manager, Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, said this in a statement in Abuja on Sunday.

According to Ms Mbah, this is the fifth of such incident between February and March.

Ms Mbah said that at approximately 9 a.m. on Sunday, the Shiroro-Katampe transmission line experienced a trip.
She said that following initial investigations, TCN engineers attempted to restore operation but were unsuccessful.

”Subsequently, efforts were made to identify the fault location. Hence, linesmen were dispatched to physically patrol the suspected area.

”During the fault tracing process, the vigilante team leaders in the vicinity notified TCN linesmen of vandalism along the transmission line.

” The company’s personnel confirmed the vandalisation of the transmission line 1, from Towers 244 to 245, and the conductors stolen,” she said.

According to her, the company is currently mobilising for conductor replacement, pending the completion of security operations at the site.

“The second line remains fully operational, in conjunction with the Gwagwalada 330kV line serving the Kukwaba-Apo axis.”

She said that the wheeling capacity of TCN towards Abuja and environs would be enhanced by the Lokoja – Gwagwalada 330kV transmission line.

”The company is working hard to minimise the adverse effect of these acts of sabotage on bulk power supply to Abuja and environs.

”This incident adds to a series of vandalism incidents recorded by TCN in February, including the destruction of Tower 70 along the Gwagwalade-Katampe transmission line on Feb. 26.

"Other incidents include the vandalisation of towers 377 and 378 along the Gombe-Damaturu 330kV transmission line on Feb. 23,” she said.

Ms Mbah said that there was also an attack on towers 145 to 149 and 201 to 218 along the Owerri-Ahoda 132kV transmission line on 15 February.

She said that on 1 February, Tower 388 along the Jos-Bauchi 132kV single circuit transmission line also collapsed due to vandalism.

According to Ms Mbah, these acts of sabotage are unacceptable. She urged relevant security agencies and host communities to collaborate in apprehending the perpetrators.

"Protection of the nation’s transmission infrastructure is paramount, and collective efforts are required to curb these incidents.

"The company calls on all Nigerians to assist in reporting such acts of vandalism. Electricity infrastructure is a national asset, and safeguarding it is a collective responsibility,” she said.

Premium Times

Thursday, March 7, 2024

Gunmen abduct 287 students in northwestern Nigeria in latest school attack

Gunmen attacked a school in Nigeria’s northwest region Thursday morning and abducted at least 287 students, the headteacher told authorities, marking the second mass abduction in the West African nation in less than a week.

Locals told The Associated Press the assailants surrounded the government-owned school in Kaduna State’s Kuriga town just as the pupils were about to start the school day.

Authorities had said earlier that more than 100 students were taken hostage in the attack. Sani Abdullahi, the headteacher, however, told Kaduna Gov. Uba Sani when he visited the town that the total number of those missing after a headcount was 287.

“We will ensure that every child will come back. We are working with the security agencies,” the governor told the villagers.

Abductions of students from schools in northern Nigeria are common and have become a source of concern since 2014 when Islamic extremists kidnapped over 200 schoolgirls in Borno state’s Chibok village. In recent years, the abductions have been concentrated in northwestern and central regions, where dozens of armed groups often target villagers and travelers for huge ransoms.

The assailants stormed a government primary school in Chikun’s Kuriga town shortly after morning assembly at 8 a.m., taking almost 200 pupils hostage before any help could come, said Joshua Madami, a local youth leader.

Security forces and a government delegation arrived in the town several hours later as a search operation widened, while community members and parents gathered to wait for news.

“The government is trying everything possible with the security agencies to see how we can rescue them,” said Musa, the council chairman.

The attack occurred days after more than 200 people, mostly women and children, were abducted by extremists in northeastern Nigeria.
Women, children and students are often targeted in the mass abductions in the conflict-hit northern region and many victims are released only after paying huge ransoms.

Observers say both attacks are a reminder of Nigeria’s worsening security crisis which resulted in the deaths of several hundred people in 2023, according to an AP analysis.

Bola Tinubu was elected president of Nigeria last year after promising to end the violence. But there has been “no tangible improvement in security situation yet” under Tinubu, said Oluwole Ojewale, West and Central Africa researcher with the Africa-focused Institute for Security Studies.

Chinedu Asadu, AP

Video - Nigerian police arrest hundreds in kidnapping crackdown

Gunmen kill four, abduct at least 40 in northwest Nigeria

Video - Bandit extortion fuels food insecurity in northern Nigeria

A report by an Africa-focused geopolitical firm highlights cases in banditry-ravaged states like Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, and Jigawa. Farmers say the bandits' actions have forced many to abandon their farms, which leads to decreased food production.

CGTN