The Benue Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC) has successfully reclaimed two additional properties located along George Akume Way, Makurdi, as part of its initiative to recover assets allegedly acquired using company funds.

The Group Managing Director of BIPC, Dr. Raymond Asemakaha, emphasised that this action is a pivotal step in a broader asset recovery and verification strategy endorsed by Governor Hyacinth Alia.

“These properties, acquired in 2016 with funds diverted from the company, were identified through meticulous asset audits and investigation of misappropriated funds alongside the EFCC,” Asemakaha explained.

Administrative Oversights

He underlined BIPC’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that properties purchased with public funds are not left in private hands or lost due to administrative oversights.

According to him, the recovery process adhered strictly to legal procedures, including comprehensive documentation checks and physical verification.

The GMD cautioned that individuals holding governmental assets without optimising their use for the state’s benefit risk having those properties revoked.

Economic Prosperity

He pointed out that the primary goal remains the development of these assets to enhance economic prosperity for the Benue people.

Dr. Asemakaha revealed that additional asset recoveries are forthcoming as BIPC conducts thorough audits of its property holdings in line with the established edict of 1995.

He further noted that the reclaimed properties will be appropriately documented, secured, and leveraged for productive purposes in alignment with BIPC’s mandate to drive investments and revenue generation for the state.

Recovered Assets

Accompanied by security personnel and youths, BIPC officials were observed taking possession of the properties and marking them as recovered assets.

The measure the company emphasised is integral to the ongoing institutional reforms aimed at enhancing BIPC’s operational efficiency, transparency, and service delivery while safeguarding governmental investments for the welfare of the Benue State populace.

Lateefah Ibrahim

Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has promised that his administration, in collaboration with security agencies, will ensure the safe return of all those abducted in Kurmin Wali village on Sunday.

The governor made the pledge when he led a delegation of senior government officials and heads of security agencies to commiserate with the people of Kurmin Wali. He assured that he would not rest until the abducted are returned home safely.

“In the last two days, we have been collaborating with the relevant security agencies, comprising the military, the DSS, the police, and the Office of National Security Adviser to ensure the quick return and recovery of our people that were abducted in this very important community,” he stated.

Protecting Lives

Governor Sani reiterated that the number of those kidnapped does not diminish the government’s responsibility. He emphasised that whether one person or 100 people were abducted, the Kaduna State government must protect the lives and properties of its citizens.

“We are talking about the sanctity of human life and dignity here. And that is the reason we will go to any length, collaborating with the security agencies, to ensure the quick return of our people here in Kurmin Wali,” he said.

Medical Support and Military Presence

He also promised that his administration would cover the medical bills of those injured during the attack.

The governor assured that he would liaise with the Minister of Defence, retired General Christopher Musa, to station a military base in the community, given its proximity to known kidnapping hotspots. He explained that while the military has contained insecurity along the Kaduna–Abuja expressway, bandits have found safer havens in the hinterland, noting that Kurmin Wali is close to Rijana town, a known epicentre of banditry.

Infrastructure Promises

Governor Sani further pledged that the road linking Kurmin Wali to the highway would be constructed to improve access to the community. He said the Commissioner of Public Works would conduct the necessary assessment before ground breaking.

He also thanked residents for their support and announced plans to build a primary healthcare centre in Kurmin Wali.

Community Appeal

In his remarks, the Agwam Kufana, Chief Dauda Titus, recalled receiving a distress call from Kurmin Wali while in church on Sunday.

“We refused to comment on the incident since Sunday because we did not know the number of those that were kidnapped. We only announced that there was an attack and some people were abducted,” he said.

Chief Titus appealed to the government to expedite the construction of the access road from the highway to Kurmin Wali, noting that the journey should take ten minutes but currently takes 30 minutes.

He also called for the provision of other social amenities to improve the welfare of the community.

Lateefah Ibrahim

The University of Cross River State (UniCross) in southern Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to modernising academic administration with the adoption of a new digital examination and results portal.

The Vice Chancellor of the institution, Professor Francesca Bassey, described the initiative as a major step towards efficiency, transparency and improved service delivery.

Speaking through the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Professor Stella Maris-Okey, at a press conference in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, the Vice-Chancellor assured the students and parents of data safety and integrity.

According to Professor Bassey, the initiative as part of a broader institutional transformation strategy aimed at strengthening systems and restoring confidence.

She said, “We reassure the public that we are on top of the matter. We are not oblivious to concerns about data integrity and safety as we migrate over 20 years of students information and examination results to our new digital portal.

“We are committed to leveraging digital technology to deliver a more efficient, credible and student-friendly academic administration and reposition our university in line with global standards,” she reiterated.

Also speaking, the Director of Examinations and Results, Dr. Anderson Etika, explained that the digital transition processes, which started before the appointment of the present university administration, were comprehensive.

Etika stated, “When the Vice-Chancellor assumed office, the university was already in the process of migrating from the old examination portal to a new one.”

Accuracy

He further explained that due to challenges with the old portal and the determination for accuracy, the university management relied on hardcopies during data inputs on the new platform.

“For accuracy and to safeguard students’ academic records, we retrieved hard copies of examination results from all the departments, covering a period of 20 years and amounting to more than five million records,” he stressed.

Continuing, Dr. Etika explained that although the exercise was demanding, the management prioritised graduating students by uploading results from the 2017/2018 to the 2022/2023 academic sessions.

Explaining further, he said, “Given the scale and complexity of transferring data across different systems, minor inconsistencies were inevitable. However, we have worked diligently to identify and correct these issues using the hardcopies and we are almost done resolving all observed discrepancies.”

He reassured that the new digital portal would significantly improved the administration of examinations and results, enhance record management and reduce delays.

Lateefah Ibrahim

Troops of Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have recorded fresh operational successes with the elimination of terrorists in Kebbi State and the rescue of 62 kidnapped victims in Zamfara State.

The coordinated operations were conducted by troops operating under Sector 2, in collaboration with allied security forces and local vigilantes, reinforcing a unified front against terrorism and banditry across the North West.

According to a statement by the Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations, 8 Division Nigerian Army and Sector 2 Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, the first operation was carried out in Kebbi State following actionable intelligence.

Troops ambushed elements of the Lakurawa terrorist group near the border between Augie Local Government Area of Kebbi State and Binji Local Government Area of Sokoto State, specifically at Kerani Village.

The operation resulted in the elimination of two terrorists and the recovery of two motorcycles used for movement by the group.

In a separate operation in Zamfara State, troops stormed Munhaye Forest, identified as a hideout of a notorious bandit leader, following intelligence that several captives were being held in the area.

The operation led to the successful rescue of 62 kidnapped victims, who are currently in safe custody.

The statement noted that efforts are ongoing to reunite the rescued hostages with their families, while follow-up operations continue to deny criminal elements freedom of action in the region.

The Military High Command reaffirmed that Operation FANSAN YAMMA remains committed to dismantling terrorist and bandit networks, restoring security and protecting civilian lives across the North West.