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22 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2022 Aftermath of Insurgency: Zulum reopens shut Gamboru Ngala Cattle Market for business •Shares N225 million cash, relief materials to 70,000 households By Ndahi Marama, Maiduguri Continues on page 23 I T was all smiles on that bright afternoon when life returned to the Gamboru Ngala International Cattle Market. It was a day to remember, especially as Governor Babagana Zulum did not only reopen the once-buoyant livestock market but also brought palliatives to thousands of households to relieve their suffering occasioned by terrorists who had ravaged the area and forced many families to lose their possessions and loved ones. As a result of the constant attacks on humans and property, many were forced to flee the thriving cattle market and seek pasture elsewhere, thereby turning the market into a no-go area despite its huge potential as an international cattle market. Governor Zulum breathed life into the market once again when he spent a night at Ngala Gamboru and reopened it the following day to the admiration of the once-forgotten community that had been shut down in the aftermath of unceasing brutal attacks by Boko Haram terrorists. But the governor was emboldened to restart the vital market after the LGA had been successfully wrestled from the terrorists in September 2015 by troops of the Multinational Joint Task Force, which paved the way for the return of those who had been displaced. Gamboru Ngala remains a strategic town in the annals of Nigeria as it is the last town that links Nigeria with Cameroun. It has a bridge that is less than 200 metres long, and communities in the two countries intermarry and share many things in common, including language, culture, and religion. It is the town where Nigerian troops crossed into Cameroon in a tactical manoeuvre after fierce fighting. Because both communities of Fotokol in Cameroon and Gamboru intermarry, have the same tradition, culture, and religion, and even speak the same language (Shuwa Arab, Hausa, French, Kanuri), the border is manned by security agencies that appear friendly. Governor Zulum also gave out N225 million cash and relief materials to more than 70,000 households in Ngala, Gamboru, and Wulgo villages. These communities are the only ones with a civilian populace, as most of the communities are still unsafe to venture into, forcing internally displaced persons to restrict their activities to the local government headquarters at Gamboru Ngala. Governor Zulum, who could not hide his happiness, said on the occasion: "I am glad to officially reopen the Gamboru Ngala to have generated given the large number of vehicles that move in and out of the state daily, taking with them huge quantities of farm produce such as fruits and vegetables, yam tubers, cassava, bananas, and plantains. Worried by the threat that activities of these gangs pose to the economic wellbeing of the state, the Executive Chairman of the Benue Internal Revenue Service, BIRS, Mrs. Mimi By Demola Akinyemi, Ilorin THE apex bank,Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has directed all commercial banks International Cattle Market, which was closed down for more than six years due to activities of Boko Haram terrorists. I want to specifically commend President Muhammadu Buhari, security operatives, and all stakeholders for their support and sacrifice in the fight against Boko Haram and other nefarious activities that led to the relative peace currently Illegal checkpoint cash collection: Benue confronts criminal gangs •Arrests, prosecutes 100 touts •We won’t relent until we clear the roads of criminal elements — Chairman By Peter Duru, Makurdi THEY had turned the numerous highways in the state into their money-making haven. They operated with impunity by erecting illegal checkpoints, which they used to fleece thousands of traders who ply the roads to buy or sell farm fresh fruits, vegetables, and other cash crops. They blocked the highways until the illegal fees •Gov Zulum (with mic) being assisted by stakeholders during unveiling/ reopening of Gamboru International Cattle Market. •Governor Ortom during one of his encounters with the gang on the highway imposed by them were fully paid by road users. However, while the payers believed that the cash they parted with was remitted to the Benue State Government through the Benue Internal Revenue Service, BIRS, such cash is diverted with impunity by the criminals, who simply bolt away at the end of each illegal operation. Their illicit practise has shut the state out of the huge revenue it ought Naira redesign: CBN directs banks to work on Saturdays •Some of the arrested suspects Adzape-Orubibi, working closely with the Benue State government, has taken action against the criminal gangs. The governor had, a few months back, while signing into law the amended Benue Internal Revenue Administration law, warned that anyone caught operating illegal revenue collection checkpoints in the state would be treated as an armed robber. He said, "I have always said that I would not surrender Benue State to criminals. Continues on page 21 •Cattle ready for transportation. across the country to henceforth work on Saturdays till January 31, 2023 to enable bank customers return old naira notes for new ones. Recall that the CBN had announced plan to redesign produce, release, and circulate new series of three banknotes, out of existing eight banknotes, comprising N200, N500, and N1,000 denominations respectively, effective on December 15, 2022, after its •Cross section of women who benefited from N5,000 each and set of wrapper from Zulum's gesture. witnessed in the state in particular and the North East area in general. As you resume the transportation of cattle from Ngala to Maiduguri and other parts of the country, I want to sound a strong warning, particularly to cattle marketers and all stakeholders, to desist from any act of sabotage. As a government, we will support you in your businesses, but you shall cooperate with our security agencies because anyone found wanting, will face the full wrath of the law." The Commanding Officer, of the 3rd Battalion, Lt. Colonel Tolu Adedokun, assured the people of the readiness of troops to continue to provide security for all Nigerians but cautioned them against breaching the operational guidelines in the movement of livestock along the routes. The leader of the cattle market association, Alhaji Yakubu, expressed happiness over the resumption of business in the market, which he said would significantly improve their means of livelihood. Yakubu promised to ensure strict adherence to the new rules and regulations, adding that they would work in synergy with the relevant security agencies to ensure peace and harmony at all times. Zulum was accompanied during the visit by the senatorial candidate for Borno Central on the platform of the ruling APC, Bar. Kaka Shehu Lawan, Borno APC Chairman, Hon Ali Dalori, Candidate for House of Representatives (Marte/ Monguno/Nganzai), Hon Bukar Talba, some commissioners and other top government functionaries.
NAS takes medicare to Kaduna village without drinking water, access road •We’re ready to do more for the community — NAS By Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo, Kaduna THE people of Unguwan Madaki Kamazou in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State were elated when the National Association of Seadogs, NAS, Monday, conducted free medical outreach and supplied them with essential drugs as part of the activities to mark World Diabetes Day. Like many developing communities in the state, Unguwan Madaki Kamazou is fast developing, with an appreciable population of citizens, many of whom are drawn from all parts of Nigeria. While the community has a sizeable number of working class members, many others are at the lower end of society and remain as farmers with little or no form of support. For this class of people in the farming community, the supply of drinking water, health care support, and an access road are essential for their wellbeing. But these basic necessities are not available, and there is no sign they will be within reach in many years to come. For this reason, the natives of this agrarian community source their drinking water from any available well, no matter how dingy and shallow. But on that day, the National Association of Seadogs, or NAS, brought some succour to the downtrodden in the community and brightened their hopes of survival. Not only did they supply them with essential drugs, but they also conducted vital tests to determine their health status. The Leader of the Kaduna Chapter of the National Association of Seadogs, NAS, Pyrates Confraternity, Dr. Okpara Obinna, said the body is into humanitarian services and has always identified with the downtrodden and those who do not have the financial strength to check their health status. "We try to act rather than just talk. We do Benue internal revenue service confronts criminal gangs Continues from page 22 So those who have made it their business to mount illegal checkpoints to collect illegal taxes from business people that come to Benue to do business must be prepared to face the wrath of the law because they would be treated like armed robbers." And to track down the gangs, the BIRS also intensified its patrol and surveillance of major roads and communities across the state, where the syndicate operates daily with impunity. Like the BIRS chairman who leads nocturnal patrols of several locations across the state when the gangs operate, the governor also AREWA VOICE TEAM Editor: Soni Daniel Correspondents: Wole Mosadomi, Minna Demola Akinyemi, Ilorin Bashir Bello, Kano Umar Yusuf, Yola Ibrahim HassnWuyo, Kaduna Peter Duru, Makurdi Marie-Therese Nanlong, Jos Abdul Murtala, Kano Femi Bolaji, Jalingo David Odama, Lafia Charly Agwam, Bauchi •Medical outreach by NAS in Unguwan Madaki Kamazou in Kaduna not support the effects of community ills on the nation. We try to set the pace. We make every effort to do the right thing at work, at home, and in the community in which we live," Dr. Obinna said. He said their mission at the Kamazou community in Kaduna was to join the rest of the world to commemorate the World Diabetes Day, adding that community awareness and free tests would be conducted in Kamazoo. "We actually hope to use this medium to showcase one of our ideals of humanitarian services. As I previously stated, we typically reach out to the oppressed who lack the financial means to meet the basic needs that they are supposed to be aware of. Having identified with World Diabetes Day, it is a great opportunity to give service to the community because diabetes is one of the most deadly illnesses so far, which many communities have neglected," he said. Overall, the free health initiative brought joy to natives of the community, and many of them could not hide their joy. The chief of the community, Dakachi Unguwan Madaki, Sunday Auta Yari, said the community was grateful for the gesture of the had cause to confront some of the gang members along the busy Makurdi-Gboko road while actively extorting truck drivers and traders after barricading the highway. The governor also had reasons to summon the traditional rulers of the communities where these gangs established their bases. During one of the meetings, the governor threatened to fire any traditional ruler who was indicted for erecting illegal roadblocks in the state for the purpose of collecting taxes. He noted that the traditional rulers would be failing in their responsibilities if they allowed their domains to be havens for the economic saboteurs who were lining their pockets with the commonwealth of the people through illegal taxes. He said that his administration would continue to take proactive measures against illegal tax operators adding that the illegal checkpoints mounted by the gangs had negatively affected markets in parts of the state and the state’s revenue generation. The governor urged the people to support the BIRS and the state government in their quest to stem NGO but prayed for more assistance in other areas of basic amenities. He said: "In Kaduna State, we have over 1000 associations doing a lot of things in the country. But this is the association that came to us with materials and health assistance that benefited us immensely. We hope others too will come. However, our wells have dried up. We lack potable water. We are appealing to the government and other associations to help by providing sources of water in our community." Reverend Hassan Dankaura, who is in charge of the First ECWA Church in the community, described the humanitarian gesture of the association as unprecedented, saying they were so thankful to have them in the community. He said the community had lots of people with lots of problems, of which the association had taken the diabetes challenge, calling on other associations to emulate them by coming to render other humanitarian services so that society can be a better place with people living healthy and productive lives. The cleric observed that, apart from the medical aspect, the community faces a serious activities of the illegal task operators in the state. With the charge and support of the governor, the BIRS further intensified its onslaught on the economic saboteurs, which has yielded positive results with the arrest and arraignment of over 100 operators of illegal tax collection points across the state. Mrs. Adzape-Orubibi in a statement to mark her one year in office, disclosed that more arrests were being made to ensure that the criminal elements harassing traders and businessmen and women on Benue highways were brought to justice. She assured that the onslaught on the illegal tax syndicate would be sustained in order to effectively stem the menace of multiple taxation in the state, stressing: "These people are economic saboteurs, and we are taking the fight to them. We will chase them to their holes and continue to arrest and prosecute them. It is a task that must be done because we will not surrender our responsibilities of generating revenue for the state to criminal gangs who are feeding fat on the revenue of the state." Vanguard, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2022 — 23 challenge of a lack of potable water. He prayed that they could have other associations that would drill boreholes and repair roads in the area so that they could have easy mobility. A mother of four, Madam Rhoda said the water shortage hits the community most in April before respite comes with the rains. According to her, now that the rain Naira redesign: CBN directs banks to work on Saturdays Continued from page 22 launch by President Muhammadu Buhari. Speaking at the CBN fair in Ilorin, Kwara State capital, yesterday, with the theme, “Promoting financial stability and economic development.” Director, Corporate Communications Department of the apex bank, Mr. Osita Nwasinobi, said that the new and existing currencies shall remain legal tender and circulate together until January 31, 2023, when the existing current shall cease to be legal tender in Nigeria. Represented by acting director, Corporate Communications, CBN, Akpama Uket, the director said that Deposit Money Banks, DMBs, have been directed to immediately start returning the existing currencies to the CBN. “They have also been instructed to work on Saturdays and receive the existing banknotes beyond the threshold stipulated by the Cashless Policy without charges to customers. Consequently, you must return all the current N200, N500, and N1,000 banknotes to your bank before the expiration of the deadline”. The CBN boss, who said that focus of the Bank in redesigning naira notes is macroeconomic stability, adding that the efforts entails building a strong, stable, and resilient economy that is selfsustaining and able to weather unanticipated shocks. “This the bank will do by applying appropriate monetary policy tools, striving to rein in inflation, and continuously encouraging a productive economy through its interventions”, Meanwhile, the CBN warned Nigerians of consequences of mishandling of naira notes, saying that, “Let me also reiterate the need to handle the Naira with care. The Naira remains a symbol of our national pride. Treat it with utmost dignity. Do not spray, squeeze or counterfeit the Naira, as default goes with consequences”. Arewa lawyers threaten to sue EFCC boss over alleged selective treatment of suspects By Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo THE Arewa Lawyers Progressives Forum has flayed the alleged politicisation of activities of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, against some persons and in favour of others, calling on the relevant authorities to investigate the anti-graft agency boss, Abdurasheed Bawa. The lawyers alleged that the EFCC boss had the tendency of selective treatment of suspects and threatened court action if the President did not constitute a committee to investigate all the allegations against the chairman of EFCC. In a statement issued by Abubakar A Kurawa for the Arewa Lawyers Progressives Forum, the forum said it was no longer news in Nigeria that EFCC, an agency established by the law to investigate and prosecute economic and financial crimes, had in recent times delved into political persecution, media trial and selective treatment of cases. The statement read: “On several occasions, the agency tends to pursue cases not with the aim of nipping corruption in the bud, but with the clear intent of scoring cheap political points, to the exclusion of serious cases which if diligently investigated, would have unravel huge cases of financial crimes against the state. So many cases of alleged economic sabotage and embezzlement, cases which under normal circumstances deserve the strong search light of the commission, are being ignored to pursue trivial matters targeted at some individuals. “As young Nigerians, we are bothered because we see the appointment of Bawa as milestone. In matters of is over, the wells have dried up, posing a serious challenge to their health and safety. A public health physician with the Kaduna State Ministry of Health, who coordinated the medical team, Dr. Emmanuel Joseph, was full of appreciation for the National Association of Seadogs for reaching out to the Kamazoo community. governance, we rejoice because our peer is heading an important agency like EFCC, but the scorecard of the chairman is fast eroding our jubilation. We are no longer certain whether in future such great opportunities will come to young people. There is no doubt that the main reason EFCC is losing their cases in court is due to their penchant for selective treatment, lawlessness and more often, total disregard to the established principles of the law. "We are by no means trying to defend proven criminals, we harbour no sympathy for such elements, but we are talking about doing things the right way. A spade must always be called by its name. As progressive members of the bar from the North, we can’t sit back while such injustices are being meted out. We call on Mr. Chairman to treat cases on their merit and size. On this note, the Arewa Lawyers Progressive Forum is calling on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and it’s chairman, to desist from any act or omission that will drag the agency’s name in the mud and subject their activities to disrepute. "We also call on President Muhammadu Buhari to, as a matter of necessity, constitute a committee to investigate all the heavy allegations against the chairman of EFCC. This is very important in order to clear the doubt of Nigerians on the chairman and the commission. If at the end it turns out the chairman is innocent, the President may reinstate him. Finally, if the President fails to address this issue, we plan to go to court for an order compelling the President to do so. We will also embark on peaceful protest and conference to ensure the President heeds to our demands."
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