***Distributes food items, cash to displaced people

By John Adams, Minna

Senator Mohammed Sani Musa, representing Niger East Senatorial District, has provided cash and food items worth N16.2 million to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Kuta, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.
The Senator assured the displaced individuals that the region’s security challenges would soon be resolved, allowing them to return to their homes.

During his visit to the IDP camp located at the Central Primary School in Kuta on Thursday, Senator Musa, who also chairs the Senate Committee on Finance, donated 300 bags of rice, 300 cartons of spaghetti, and 300 cartons of macaroni. Additionally, each displaced person received N10,000 in cash, while N5 million was set aside for the general welfare and maintenance of the camp.

The act of generosity follows a similar gesture by Vice President Kashim Shettima, who visited an IDP camp in Gwada, also in Shiroro Local Government, just three weeks earlier, where he donated food items.

Shiroro LGA has been severely affected by banditry, with over 10,000 residents displaced and forced to seek refuge in camps across the region. The relentless attacks have claimed hundreds of lives and destroyed properties worth millions of naira, leaving residents to live as refugees in their homeland.

Senator Musa expressed his deep sympathy for the displaced people and outlined efforts being made, in collaboration with Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago, to stabilize the security situation in Niger East and the state at large. He also gave assurances that the federal government’s renewed efforts to tackle insecurity would soon bring peace to the region.

“I can assure you that with the current commitments and the marching orders given by Mr. President to the security forces, along with internal arrangements by the governor, peace will soon return to Niger State and, particularly, Niger East Senatorial District,” the Senator said.
“Very soon, you will all return to your homes and live your normal lives once again. Nobody should be a refugee in their own land—this is unacceptable.”

Over 10,000 people who were displaced from their communities as a result of bandits activities and are said to be taking refuge in various IDP camps across the local government area.
Hundreds of people have been killed by Gunmen in the area and properties worth millions of naira destroyed due to incessant attacks on the people by Gunmen across communities in the area.
This has forced the people to flee from their homes and have become refuges in their land.
Accompanied by top officials, including the Political Adviser to the Governor, Hon. Nma Kolo, members of the Senator’s Advisory Council, State Assembly Members, and local party executives, Senator Musa vowed to leave no stone unturned in restoring peace to the communities affected by the bandit attacks.

Dignitaries from within and outside Niger State on Wednesday gathered at the Airforce protestant church, 013 response base, Minna, the Niger State to their last respect to late Navy Commander Joseph Haruna Duza, member representing Munya Constituency in the state house of assembly.
The late retired Airforce officer who was the Chairman standing committee on security and intelligent in the state assembly died on Thursday at a private hospital in Minna after a brief illness at the age of 61.
As early as 8:00am dignitaries had gathered at the Nigerian Airforce base situated Maikunkele, a suburb of Minna for the funeral service which eventually began at 11:am.
The Niger State Deputy Governor Comrade Yakubu Garba led members of the state executive council which includes commissioners, special advisers, directors general, senior special assistants political parties executives and other top political appointees.
The state assembly was led by the speaker, RT Hon Abdulmalik Sarkindaji with all the members in attendance at the funeral service.
Former assembly members were not left out as they all came to pay their last respect to the late member whom the speaker described as a true Nigerian who was passionate about the well-being of his Constituency and the state in general.
“We will missed late honorable Joseph Haruna Duza who offered himself to the service of the people of his Constituency and the state in general.
“He will be remembered for his robust and unbiased contributions to state matter on the floor of the house during plenary. We will forever missed him”, the speaker said.
The deputy governor who led the state government delegation, extolled the virtue of the late member, saying that despite his political differences as a People Democratic party (PDP) member in the house, he remained committed and supportive to the renewed hope agenda of the present administration in the state.
He pointed out that the late member has demonstrated that he was a true representative of the people with his commitment towards the peace and security of his Constituency that has been bedevilled with bandits activities.
“I want to say that the late lawmaker will be missed not only by his immediate family and his Constituency but the entire state. His short stay in the house was remarkable in the lives of his Constituency.
“He used his military background and experience to offer help in the area of insecurity to his people and the state in general. His immense contributions to the peace and development of his Constituency will surely be missed”, he added.
In his sermon at funeral service, the officiating priest Rev. Joseph C. Yakubu reminded politicians that sacrifice for humanity Should be their watch-ward we will all die empty no matter the accumulation of wealth.
“No matter how long you lived, the end will surely come because there is time to be born and the time to die. The question is that how do we live our life here on earth because there is purpose for every human existence”.
He appealed to politicians that they can only be remembered for the positive legacy they left behind and therefore impart positively on the lives of the people, adding that “only your legacy on earth that will speak for you when you gone”.
The body of the late commander Joseph Haruna was later taken to his hometown, Chibani in Munya local government where was laid to rest according to military tradition amidst tight security.

**Urge Sustained Onslaught Against Insurgents

The people of Bassa community in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State have commended the special hunters and the Nigerian Airforce for their recent exploits in combating bandits and insurgents terrorizing the region.

The community expressed their relief and gratitude for the elimination of over 28 members of the Boko Haram sect following a fierce gun battle.
In a statement issued in Minna, signed by the leader of the Bassa Youth Movement, Isiyaku Director, the community praised the Nigerian Airforce and recognized Senator Mohammed Sani Musa for his tireless efforts in ensuring peace and security in his constituency, including Bassa. The statement, titled “Immense Appreciation for Distinguished Senator Sani 313 and the Nigerian Airforce,” described the recent operation as a great relief to Bassa and surrounding villages.

The community recalled that, in August alone, the gunmen killed over 38 members of Bassa, with one of the latest attacks being the killing of 13 farmers at a mining site in Angwan Maigiro. They acknowledged Senator Sani Musa as a true representative of his constituency, stating, “Your relentless efforts have yielded remarkable results, and we are thrilled to witness the positive impact of your dedication to the well-being of your people.”

The community further called on the government, security agents, and other stakeholders to continue the offensive against “these enemies of the people.”

Following the recent deployment of the Joint Security Taskforce, which includes special hunters, local vigilantes, and other security personnel, peace is gradually returning to Bassa and Allawa communities. Before this deployment, suspected Boko Haram insurgents had overrun military bases in the area and had forced residents to evacuate. Reports suggest that the insurgents had even engaged in farming and other commercial activities in the region, including mining.

The community’s statement expressed hope and gratitude for the efforts made to restore peace, adding, “Your selfless service, vision, and unwavering resolve have made a significant difference in the lives of our people.”