…seeks sustenance of services to traumatised communities

The Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Al-Amin Sl-Kanemi, has requested the World Health Organisation to sustain its humanitarian services to the people of Borno State until they are fully rehabilitated from the trauma of the Boko Haram insurgency.

Congratulating the global agency for clocking 75 years in its service to humanity, the monarch praised the agency for working tirelessly with the government in providing better healthcare services for the residents of the state.

The monarch received the WHO team, led by the agency’s Borno State Coordinator, Dr Ibrahim Sudu Salisu, during a courtesy visit to his palace, as part of activities to commemorate WHO’s 75 years anniversary.

The Shehu said the presence of WHO had brought a remarkable healthcare transformation in which many diseases were eradicated.

“I wish to congratulate the WHO for reaching 75 years in existence, they have done so many good things to the people of Borno State that we cannot forget, because with the coming of WHO, many diseases were eradicated,” Shehu of Borno remarked.

He praised the agency for providing technical support to government agencies and coordinated health partners to deliver essential, lifesaving health services to millions of people – including IDPs and refugees, women and girls, GBV survivors, and vulnerable children in underserved areas and security-compromised LGAs of Borno State.

The monarch who also acknowledged that WHO equally supports health systems recovery, strengthens and coordinates efforts to prevent and control disease outbreaks in complex humanitarian emergency settings, stressed,

“No doubt, the support provided by the WHO had immensely brought succor to the people of the state, especially those affected by the Boko Haram conflict as well as the victims of the 2022 flood disaster.”

The federal government has declared Friday, April 21 and Monday, April 24 , 2023 as public holidays to mark this year’s Eid-el-Fitr celebration.

A statement signed by the permanent secretary in the ministry of Interior, Shuiab Belgore said the minister, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, made the declaration on behalf of the federal government.

Aregbesola who congratulated all Muslims for the successful completion of Ramadan urged them to “imbibe and practise the virtues of kindness, love, tolerance, peace, self-denial, sacrifice and good neighbourliness, as exemplified by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him).

He reiterated that President Muhammadu Buhari is fully committed to a peaceful transition of government following successful elections, adding that the government’s commitment to the provision of security for the life and property of every citizen and foreigner in the country remained firm.

He advised that the self-restraint, self-denial, sacrifice and deep spiritual consciousness that accompanied the fasting period should not end but be maintained and improved upon, in order to be a better person and true worshipper.

The minister further called on Nigerians to be part of the nation’s security architecture by being vigilant and reporting suspicious individuals and activities to law enforcement agencies nearest to them, noting that security is everybody’s responsibility.

He admonished Nigerians also to report suspicious activities and persons to the N-Alert application.

The Nigeria Police Force’s Criminal Investigation Department, Alagbon, in Ikoyi, Lagos, said it has arrested some suspects in connection with the alleged attempt to kidnap Nigerian musician, Tiwa Savage.

MAIDAWAAREWA recalls that the news of the attempt to kidnap the musician broke out on Friday through social media.

The department’s spokesperson, CSP Oluniyi Ogundeyi, on Saturday, confirmed the development to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

The reports revealed that the vigilance of Savage’s private security and the Nigeria Police saved her from abduction. The failed plot was allegedly planned by Savage’s new domestic staff, who had been entrusted with vital information about her.

The domestic staff allegedly trailed the singer as she left her home and shared the information with other members of the alleged kidnap gang.

“Yes, we have some suspects, they are in our custody. They are about four,” the police spokesperson confirmed.

The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, on Saturday called on the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Presidency to release its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

IPOB’s spokesman, Emma Powerful, said Buhari-led Presidency should release Kanu to avoid doomsday.

Powerful said those involved in torturing Kanu using the instrument of injustice and coercion will not break his resolve.

A statement by Powerful reads: “The global family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) under the command of our indomitable leaders and Mazi Nnamdi Kanu once again publicly raise alarm on the deteriorating health condition of our leader in the DSS solitary confinement.

“We, therefore, again and again, demand his unconditional release per the order of Courts so that he can get proper medical examination and treatment.

“Those involved in torturing Mazi Nnamdi Kanu using the instrument of injustice and coercion will not break his resolve nor IPOB’s resolve to demand for Biafra Independence, Not now, not tomorrow, and not forever.

“The Nigerian government and its supporters should understand that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is a living legend that Biafrans will not trade with anything in this world.

“Release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu unconditionally as the courts have ordered to avoid doomsday. A stitch in time saves nine.”

A police sergeant, identified as Ahmed Ali, has been shot dead by some soldiers in Benisheikh town, Borno State after his team intercepted a military man in a vehicle conveying Indian hemp.

Locals and security sources told MAIDAWAAREWA that the incident happened at the town’s entry checkpoint around 10 am on Monday.

A security source told our correspondent that the soldier, driving in an ash-coloured Acura sport utility vehicle with the registration number FKJ 761 AR, beat a security checkpoint and refused to stop despite a warning from the police.

“His refusal to stop prompted the crack police team to shoot at his tyre, which forced him to stop; but in an effort to drive the vehicle to Benisheikh police station, Sgt Ali was shot dead by the soldiers.

“The soldier carrying the Indian hemp, identified as Sgt U. Joseph, along with his other colleagues, tried to stop the Crack Squad from confiscating the vehicle, which led to the shooting and Sgt Ali who was reversing with the vehicle got killed by the bullet,” one of the security sources revealed.

Our correspondent gathered that the suspect is currently under the custody of the military, while the vehicle is parked at the Benisheikh police station.

A source from the military described the shooting as a mistake as a soldier named Ibrahim Waberi fired at the vehicle in an attempt to stop it from being moved by the deceased.

“His shot mistakenly hit the deceased but the accused soldier is in custody for investigation,” he said.

An attempt by MAIDAWAAREWA to speak to the police failed as the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sani Kamilu Shatambaya, was on leave, and his deputy couldn’t be reached for comments.