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Anti-narcotic Agency seeks Community Support On Drug War

Mercy Chukwudiebere
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Nigeria’s Anti-narcotic Agency, the National Drugs Laws Enforcement Agency NDLEA has challenged traditional rulers, religious and community leaders to champion the campaign against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in their domains.

The Chief Executive National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Retired Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa threw the challenge at the ground-breaking ceremony of the Agency’s Area Command office in Igumale, Ado local government area and Otukpo in Benue State North Central Nigeria.

Speaking at the two palaces of Chief Joseph Oche Ikor and Ochi’Idoma of Idoma land, Agabaidu Odogbo Obagaji John, Marwa urged them to see the siting of an NDLEA office in his domain as a call to support ongoing efforts to eliminate access to illicit drugs wreaking havocs in families and communities.

In their responses, the monarchs and other community leaders who spoke at the different ceremonies promised to support NDLEA to succeed in its given task.

They assured Marwa that “they would work with NDLEA to rid their domains of illicit drugs.”

Marwa commissioned a 20-kilometre road facilitated by the member representing Ado-Ogbadigbo-Okpokwu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and who is the Chairman, House Committee on Narcotic Drugs, Mr. Francis Ottah Agbo.

He said, “both developments are signs of the importance of this community and local government to Nigeria’s welfare and also a testament that communities in this corner of the country are not left out of the dividends of democracy by its leaders.”

Marwa commended Mr. Agbo for his passion and commitment to the effort in making Nigeria a drug-free country.

 

 

Mercy Chukwudiebere

Telecom Company Launches 5G Network

Dominica Ijeoma Nwabufo
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The Mafab Telecommunication Company in Nigeria has launched the Fifth Generation (5G) network and unveiled its company logo.

 

At the launch held at the International Conference Centre, in Abuja, Nigeria, the Chairman of Mafab, Dr. Mushabu Bashir said the event marks another chapter in its journey toward a brighter and stronger future filled with hope and prospects.

 

 Mr. Bashir gave the assurance that with the 5G business outfits would expand their frontiers with operational ease and speed, especially in the areas of education, medical sciences, engineering, security, businesses like the banking sector, SMEs, and smart cities, among others.

 

 He said 5G would not just benefit the urban areas but also meet long-term goals of ensuring that rural areas and villages enjoy the benefits of this amazing technology.

 

 “The rollout of Mafab 5G networks is the beginning of immense opportunities for the country as it represents Nigeria’s capabilities and infinite possibilities. The prospect of increased job opportunities as a consequence of the value-chain benefits the technology will generate and offer is the dream we have all gathered here to launch today”

 

 The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami recalled that on January 25, 2022, President Muhammadu Buhari launched the National 5G policy for Nigeria’s digital economy.

 

 Professor Pantami said as the Chairman of the National Frequency Management Council in Nigeria, he handed over the frequency spectrum to Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC and it conducted a transparent auctioning where two operators emerged as the winners, MAFAB and MTN.

 

 “MTN commenced the roll and now MAFAB has joined the queue, I congratulate the Chairman of MAFAB for his commitment to the success of MAFAB. It is absolutely difficult to have a new player who joined the sector within a small period and also to be competing with some of the active players in the sector”, he said.

 

 He said 5G has enormous benefits for security institutions because there are technologies in security that leverage it which allows security institutions to properly manage security situations.

 

 “5G allows real-time communications, and this has so many benefits to our security institutions to manage challenges effectively, like robots. There are so many technologies and artificial intelligence to help our security institutions. All of them leverage effectively on 5G, so this is in addition to economic benefits”, he said.

 

 The Minister said there were many benefits of 5G, most importantly towards economic development.

 

 According to Professor, research conducted by Boston Consulting limited in the USA in February 2021 has indicated that the rollout of 5G in the US will increase their gross domestic product.

 

 “This will increase within 10 years by a minimum of 1.4 trillion USD to 1.9 trillion USD. So the benefits of 5G deployment are beyond just quality of service. There are so many benefits because new technologies come along with new benefits like low latency, very high-quality broadband and faster network.

 

 “It allows real-time communication or almost near real-time communication.

 Today using 5G virtual surgery is being conducted globally. They did this in the US and also in China. They recently conducted a virtual surgery where the distance between the surgeon and the patient is over 3000 kilometers but the surgery was conducted successfully for the treatment of Parkinson’s in China, they did it also recently”, the Minister added.

 

 In his presentation, Mafab’s Communications Spokesperson, Mr. Adebayo Onigbanjo while unveiling the company’s new logo, said that “as an operator born in the data age, Mafab will aim to serve customers.

 

 Onigbanjo said that it would also serve the country by maximising the value of digital technology.

 

 “While 5G brings a lot of excitement about fast downloads, low latency and high speeds, our promise is ubiquitous data for Nigerians. Broadband is now an essential requirement and our data native network aims to deliver this to Nigerians,” Onigbanjo said.

 

 Recall that MTN Nigeria and MAFAB Communications won the 5G licenses of the 3.5GHz spectrum auction conducted on December 13, 2021.

 

 They paid a $547.2 million license fee each to the Federal Government by February 24, 2022.

 The company added that the launch of its 5G services and a brand-new logo, heralds the dawn of a new era of infinite possibilities which the technology offers.

 

Dominica Nwabufo

We Will Not Extend Old Naira Notes Withdrawal Date-CBN

Confidence Okwuchi
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The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN says it is not going back on the date set to withdraw the legal tender status of the old naira notes.

The CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele said this while fielding questions at the end of the first Monetary Policy Committee meeting of 2023.

Emefiele said, “Unfortunately, I don’t have good news for those who feel that we should shift the deadline. My apologies. The reason is because just like the President has said on more than two occasions and even to people privately, for us 90 days or 100 days we feel is enough for anybody who has money or old currency to deposit it in the banks.

“We took every measure to ensure that all the banks were open or remain open to receive the old currencies. One hundred days we believe is more than adequate. We called on the banks to extend banking hours and keep doors open on Saturdays. The banks did not have any reason to even keep their banking halls open on Saturday neither did they see the kind of rush. It was the normal people who came and deposited in the banks.

“We do not see any need to talk about a shift because people could not deposit their old money into their banks. About the circulation of the new currency, we said the currency was available.”

According to him, the apex bank stopped banks from paying new notes over the counter because they were not paying to the vulnerable people that needed the new notes.

He said banks “paid new notes to their friends. We told the banks to fill their ATMs with new notes and do not put in old notes again. We increased the volume of disbursement of new notes to the banks and at some points, we told banks to reduce the volume of old notes in their banks at a certain percentage because on the first you should have zero old notes in their vaults.”

He lamented that in 2015, N1.42trn was in circulation but the figures jumped to N3.23trn in 2023.

According to him, N1.7trn out of the N3.23trn is outside bank vaults.

“It has made the efficacy of monetary policy difficult,” Emefiele stated.

The CBN Governor said so far, the apex bank has received N1.6trn from banks since the date of the announcement.

He revealed he has appealed to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC and other antigraft agencies to allow people deposit their cash.

 

Confidence Okwuchi

President Buhari Appoints Ex-IGP Arase Police Service Commission Chairman

Confidence Okwuchi
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President Muhammadu Buhari has asked the Senate to confirm the appointment of a former Inspector General of Police, IGP, Solomon Arase as the new chairman of Police Service Commission, PSC.

Buhari, in a letter addressed to the Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan and read during plenary on Tuesday, said the appointment was in accordance with the provision of section 154 (1) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

Arase, if confirmed by the Senate will replace the former chairman of the PSC and also a former IGP, Musliu Smith as a substantive chairman.

In another development, President Buhari also forwarded two names to be confirmed as Resident Electoral Commissioners for Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

The new appointees are Dr. Mahmuda Isah from Kebbi State whose appointment is for renewal and Dr. Mann Omobayi Alli from Ondo State who is for new appointment.

Another letter received by the  Senate is for the appointment of 5 members of the Code of Conduct Bureau.

They are Murtala A. Kankia from Katsina to represent (North West); Zephaniah Ishaku Bulus from  Nasarawa to represent (North Central) and Farouq Umar from Yobe state to represent (North East).

Others are Abdulsalam Taofiq Olawale from Ondo State to represent (South West) and Prof. Juwayriya Badamasiuy from Kogi State to represent (North Central).

 

Confidence Okwuchi

Infant Mortality Rate Drops In Kaduna State

Mercy Chukwudiebere
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The Kaduna State government says neonatal and infant mortality rate has reduced in the state.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina Mohammed-Baloni said neonatal mortality rate dropped from 63 per 1,000 live births in 2018 to 47 per 1,000 births in 2021.

She made the declaration while addressing the 12th Kaduna State Council on Health meeting in Kaduna on Tuesday.

Mohammed-Baloni also said that “Under-five mortality rate dropped from 187 per 1,000 births in 2018 to 127 per 1,000 births in 2021.”

“The Under-five mortality rate for Kaduna State at 127 per 1,000 births in 2021 was the lowest in the Northwest geopolitical zone,” she said

The Commissioner noted that the rate was, however, slightly higher than the national average rate of 102 per 1,000 births.

Mohammed-Baloni said; “There was a general improvement in most of the reproductive, maternal and child indicators and Kaduna State performed better than all the states in the Northwest zone in Under-five mortality rate.

“Percentage of one-year-olds who had received three doses of the combined diphtheria, tetanus toxoid and pertussis vaccine (Penta3) in Kaduna State improved from 26.5 per cent in 2017 to 60 per cent in 2021.

“Kaduna State was recognised as the most improved state in the Northwest zone in immunisation against diphtheria, tetanus toxoid and pertussis (Penta-3) in 2021.”

The National Bureau of Statistics conducted a Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) in 2021 as part of the Global MICS Programme where it rated immunisation coverage in states of the federation and the FCT.

The Commissioner explained that council members would approve various strategies to facilitate the attainment of the state’s goal of ensuring that residents have access to quality and affordable healthcare without financial catastrophes.

Mohammed-Baloni also told the meeting that the health system assessment in the state showed that there were still concerns about service delivery, medicines and vaccines and health financing

“The inventory assessment and the workforce productivity assessment all revealed gaps in the availability of modern equipment and human resource productivity.

“These have guided the development of the 2022 and the 2023 annual operation and sector implementation plans and will also guide the development of the third strategic health development plan,’’ she said.

Mohammed-Baloni stressed that the state government established the Health Management Authority to ease the burden of payment for health services in the state.

She said; “The state earmarked 1 per cent of its Consolidated Revenue Fund to cater to vulnerable population and so far, 496,752 residents have been enrolled into the scheme.

“The state has also been allocating above 15 per cent of its budget to health since 2017 in line with the 2001 Abuja declaration with an average of 67 per cent budget performance over the last six years.’’ 

Mohammed-Baloni urged health sector actors and managers to critically reflect on how to re-strategise, and re-focus to achieve universal health coverage in the state.

The Kaduna State Council on Health has the responsibility to guide and advise government on matters relating to health.

It meets annually to review the sector’s performance, identify challenges and proffer corrective actions that would ensure provision of quality healthcare services.

The theme for the 12th meeting is: Health system strengthening: Key to achieving universal health coverage in Kaduna State.

 

 

NAN/ Mercy Chukwudiebere

Gold Mine Blast Kills 3 In Kenya

Christopher Ojilere
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A gold mine blast has killed three workers in western Kenya.

Karebe gold mining company said that a wall built to prevent flooding and illegal incursion was blasted by illegal miners, causing an explosion.

Meanwhile, three other workers were injured and hospitalized for treatment.

Their conditions weren’t immediately available.

The company said an official had visited the area on Monday and instructed illegal miners to stop their activities.

Mine blasts are unusual in Kenya.

Karebe said it had been reaching out to local government officials since 2021 to intervene and stop illegal miners from encroaching in its license area.

 

AFRICANEWS/Christopher Ojilere

Kwara State Launches Health Intervention

Mercy Chukwudiebere
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The Governor Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has officially flagged off an investment fund to deepen access to primary healthcare services through IMPACT project.

IMPACT is an acronym for Immunisation Plus and Malaria Process by Accelerating and Transparency. It is funded by the World Bank after the state paid $100,000 counterpart funds.

Each benefiting PHC is getting N4.6m to upgrade primary healthcare infrastructure.

Development partners at the event, commended the many strides of Governor AbdulRazaq in the health sector, saying the achievements point to the Governor’s firm commitment to the public good.

The Representative of the World Health Organization, Dr Walter Kazadi Mulombo commended the administration for its strategic partnerships and investment in primary healthcare programmes to deliver quality healthcare services to the citizens.

Dr Mulombo, who spoke through the North Central Coordinator for WHO, Dr Asma’l Zeenat Kabir, said “Kwara was able to have the programme in place because of the leadership commitment of the Governor.”

“I want to, on behalf of the representative of WHO, commend and congratulate the Kwara State Government for establishing the IMPACT project to improve access to universal health coverage,” she said.

Dr Mulombo lauded Governor AbdulRazaq for providing the enabling grounds for the WHO to deliver on its 2023 goals, which were meant to cover at least 3 billion people worldwide.

“WHO’s 2023 goal is a global goal that has the 3 billion live goals. The first is that WHO intends to reach 1 billion people to have access to universal health coverage. Of course, this is part of the way in which the WHO appreciated Kwara State.

“Another 1 billion people are going to become healthier. And 1 billion more people will get protected from health emergencies. This is in direct alignment with what the Kwara State Government has been doing.”

Dr Mulombo called on the implementing agency to ensure that the project is effectively handled to achieve the set objectives.

The event was attended by the Governor; Deputy Governor, Kayode Alabi; Senator Umar Sadiq (Kwara North); cabinet members including Commissioner for Health, Dr Raji Razaq; Executive Secretary Kwara State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Nusirat Elelu; State Coordinator of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, (NPHCDA) Pharmacist Hanifa Hamza; and State Team Lead Africa Field Epidemiology Network, (AFENET) Dr Tinuke Ahmed.

Others were the representative of the Emir of Ilorin and Balogun Alanamu of Ilorin, Dr Abubakar Usman Jos; the Olupako of Share, Oba Haruna Olawale Sulaiman; and other traditional rulers and chiefs; and representatives of the primary healthcare centres across the 193 geopolitical wards of the state, among others.

The Health Commissioner, Dr Raji, said that the health sector under the present administration has been transformed to meet the needs of the populace, commending Governor AbdulRazaq for his leadership qualities.

Dr Elelu, for her part, said the administration has repositioned the health sector through prompt payments of counterpart funds, adequate investments in basic infrastructure, prompt payment of salaries of health workers, and their promotion, among other incentives that made the state stand out on health issues in the comity of states.

She said the agency would do everything within its power to ensure that the resources entrusted to its care are utilised for the common man and in line with the necessary guidelines.

Hanifa Hamza, from NPHCDA, urged the state to ensure diligence and accountability, saying the two qualities would pay back.

The AFENET’s representative, Dr Tinuke Ahmed, said the IMPACT project indicates that the government meant well for its people and promised to work closely with the administration in the implementation stage to enable it reap the full benefits of such investments.

Also speaking at the ceremony, Governor AbdulRazaq said that the programme again underscores his administration’s focus to ensure universal health coverage for an average citizen in Kwara State.

He said; “I welcome you all to this important occasion which signals another milestone in the life of our administration. One of the cardinal goals of our administration is to ensure universal health coverage for all Kwarans, irrespective of their location. This has guided all the strategic interventions we have made in the health sector.”

According to him, “one of the early commitments the present administration made is the Expression of Interest in the IMPACT Project by meeting all the requirements, including the payment of $100,000 counterpart fund.”

The Governor explained that the idea is to enable our Primary Health Care Centres to have some level of financial autonomy and the capacity to optimally deliver basic healthcare services to the people.

“This (programme) is a continuation of the legacies of our administration. We have consistently been investing in the health sector, including the primary healthcare system through renovation or construction of health facilities in several locations in the state, and the recruitment of all cadres of health workers. We have equipped many of our health facilities with equipment this state never had before. We will not relent, especially now that the results have been quite impressive, the Governor added.

 

 

Mercy Chukwudiebere

Civil Society Organisations Charge Government To Prioritise Education

Lateefat Ibrahim
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The leadership of the Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All, CSACEFA and the West African Civil Society of Nigeria, WACSOF have called on the Nigerian government to actualise their commitments and prioritise education, by taking necessary steps to curb the menace of Out-of-School children across the country.

The organisations also applauded government’s effort in increasing the education budget of the year 2023, since the inception of the President Muhammadu Buhari Administration.

The organisations made it known in a statement jointly signed by CSACEFA Focal Person, Mr Abdullahi Sale and WACSOF, Education thematic lead, Mrs Rose Ashinse to mark the 2023 International Day of Education in Nigeria.

CSACEFA AND WASCOF further commended the government for the review process of the Universal Basic Education Act, thereby initiating the Alternate School Programme such as the ‘At Risk Children Programme’ and the numerous policy documents developed on gender, inclusive learning and introducing the use of mother tongue in schools.

“We however, look forward to the implementation of these policies and initiatives with a human face, prioritising education,” they said.

Speaking on the significance of the 2023 International Day of Education, CSACEFA and WACSOF said it jointly marked the day in Nigeria by analysing and sensitising policy makers and governments across the 3 tiers.

They further spoke on the importance of the theme in achieving national development and transformation of Nigeria.

According to the organisations, the day provided platform to sustain political mobilisation to advance SDG4.

“It will require national commitments and global initiatives, and step up public engagements in favour of education as the path to peace, sustainable development, and individual and collective well-being, while providing youth with a platform to present their initiatives and innovations to advance the right to education,” they stated.

The event further highlighted some of the most challenging crises facing education in the country and not peculiar to Nigeria such as issue of abduction facing schools and affecting retention of girls in schools.

“The insecurity facing schools across the nation is unfortunate. Many children are still in the hands of kidnappers who are demanding ransom,” it said.

The CSOs however called on Nigerian government to do more, we  to meet up with global commitment and tackle the increasing numbers of Out of School Children in Nigeria.

Call For Free Education

The members of CSACEFA and WACSOF lamented on the lip service paid to the issue of free and compulsory basic education as many schools still charge fees, which according to them has hindered children from accessing their fundamental human right.

The CSOs called on the government to look at the state of the schools and its facilities, explaining that most of them were in deplorable states, despite the interventions by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).

CSACEFA and WACSOF demanded that curriculum for basic education be reviewed to reflect modern day realities and global demands.

“There must be a shift in the culture of recruiting unqualified personnel, delay in payments of emoluments and demoralisation of the system by lack of training.

The theme of the 2023 International Day of Education is, invest in people, prioritise education.”

This year called for maintaining strong political mobilisation around education and chart the way to translate commitments and global initiatives into action.

 

Lateefah Ibrahim

NPFL: Nasarawa United Management, Coaching Staff Get 3 game Ultimatum

Emmanuel Ukoh
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The Nasarawa State Government through the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has issued a three-match ultimatum to the Management and Technical crew of the club.

The ultimatum is an attempt to save Nasarawa United Football Club from going down the drain.

The State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Amb. Lucky Isaac Yargwa, during an emergency meeting between the Management of the Ministry and that of Nasarawa United FC, held at the conference hall of the Ministry in Lafia, stated that the government and citizens of the State are disheartened by the poor run of form of the Solid Miners in the ongoing 2022/23 Nigeria Professional Football League Season despite Government’s huge commitment and support.

“We have been following up with the activities of our darling club in the league this season, and I must say that neither the government nor the State is happy with our position on the table which is both strange to us and the countless die-hard supporters.

“Going by the results from our pre-season, we believe we have enough quality in the squad and technical know-how to finish among the top three from our group.

“But from recent outings in the league where we have lost all three games so far played, there is the urgency to do the needful before it becomes too late.

Yargwa also pointed out that though repairs are ongoing in the stadium, it has never affected them in the past.

“It is never our desire to host our home games on a foreign venue. The government has played its part in the renovation of the stadium, especially in the aspect of laying the artificial grass, and the contractor handling the project has already brought the materials to Lafia.

“Hopefully, the new grass will be laid on the field and the facility will be ready for use in one or two weeks to allow our teams to play their home games in Lafia.

“Consequently, we are placing the Management and Coaching Staff of the Club on a three-match requisition, beginning from the Club’s next match away to Gombe United FC, on Sunday, 29th January.

“The other two matches are against Plateau United on Wednesday, 1st February, at home, and Shooting Stars on Sunday, 5th February 2023, in Ibadan, Oyo State.

“We hope that this prompt measure by the Government will help to return our team to their glorious status in the league this campaign, failure of which may leave the Government with the option of taking further drastic measures” the Commissioner stressed.

 

Back to winning ways

Reacting to the position of the Government, Club Chairman, Barr. Isaac Danladi apologized to the Governor of Nasarawa State, the Ministry and other critical stakeholders of the club for the not-too-impressive performance of the team in the ongoing Nigeria Professional Football League Season.

He assured them that they would not rest in their quest to return the team to its winning ways.

“The government and people of Nasarawa State have every cause to be worried about our performance because the number one financier (Governor) of the club has provided all the logistics in terms of finances, morale and other supports.

“However, we believe and want to assure the governor and all the teaming supporters of Nasarawa United FC that we are equally worried, and all hands must be on deck to bring back the club to winning ways.

After playing their first three matches in Group ‘A’ of 2022/23 Abridged League Nigeria Professional Football League, the Solid Miners are still hoping to record their first win of the Season.

Three teams will qualify from each group to participate in the Super-Six to determine the eventual winners of this season’s competition with One Hundred Million Naira prize money for the champions.

 

 

 

 

Emmanuel Ukoh

Security Personnel Rescue 16 Citizens In Birnin Gwari-Kaduna Road 

Confidence Okwuchi
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0

Troops of Operation Forest Sanity have rescued 16 citizens in operations spanning Birnin Gwari-Kaduna road and a location in Igabi LGA.

According to operational feedback, the troops responded to a distress call along the Udawa-Manini axis of the Birnin Gwari-Kaduna Road.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by Samuel Aruwan, Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs and made available to newsmen in Kaduna.

According to him, the troops arrived to foil the attack, rescue persons in the process, while some of the rescued persons who sustained injuries were rushed to the hospital for treatment.

Similarly, the troops responded to a distress call from Gonan Doctor village, Igabi LGA, and laid ambush at a likely crossing point in Maraban Huda village.

He mentioned that contact was made with the bandits, and following a firefight, one bandit was neutralised.

“A kidnapped victim was rescued, though injured by the bandits, and was rushed to the Jaji Cantonment Hospital for treatment. One motorcycle was also recovered.”

“Furthermore, in response to credible intelligence of bandits’ movement around an interstate boundary area, troops of Operation Forest Sanity set up ambush positions around Mangoro general area around Chikun-Birnin Gwari LGA, on the boundary with Shiroro LGA of neighboring Niger State.”

Aruwan said the troops engaged the approaching bandits, and neutralised two. The troops also recovered one AK47 rifle, one pump action gun, one Improvised Explosive Device, one Baofeng Radio, and 10 motorcycles.

Governor Nasiru El-Rufai received the reports with gratitude, and expressed satisfaction at the breakthroughs recorded by the security forces, adding that the Governor commended the troops for the successful rescues and prayed for the quick recovery of injured victims.

 

Confidence Okwuchi

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