Taraba
Taraba Governor’s Mother, Sister Escape kidnap attempt
Uhuru Samuel Jalingo
Jummai Kefas, the mother of Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, and his younger sister, Atsi Kefas narrowly escapeed a kidnapping attempt on Thursday along Kente Road in Wukari Local Government Area of the state.
The Governor’s mother and other members of the family were driving in a white Hummar Bus along with some security personnel when they ran into some armed men, suspected to be kidnappers at Sondi village along Wukari-Kente road.
It was gathered that on sighting the convoy of the Governor’s Mother, the gunmen opened fire on the vehicles in an attempt to stop the vehicles but the drivers forced their way and escaped.
Our Corrspondent reliably gathered that in an attempt by one of the security men in the Governor mother’s convoy to return fire to the gunmen, there was an accidental discharge and the bullet allegedly hit Atsi, the Governor’s younger sister who was seated next to her Mother.
It was reliably gathered that it was the bullet from one of the security men in the convoy that injured the Governor’s sister Atsi Kefas.
Sources disclosed that when the convoy stopped few kilometres away from the scene of the incident, it was discovered that Atsi, the Governor’s younger sister sustained gunshot wound while his mother Jummai and other members of the family were unhort.
Dauda Agbu, Chairman of Wukari LGA confirmed the incident, adding that no life was lost in the incident, but described the attack as “worrisome ”
He revealed that Atsi Kefas sustained a gunshot wound during the encounter saying that, “She was initially treated at the Federal Teaching Hospital in Wukari, where her condition was stabilized, before she was taken to Abuja for further medical attention.”
Mr Agbu urged residents to remain calm, noting that security agencies have intensified efforts to apprehend those responsible for the attack.
A resident of Wukari, who simply identified herself as Washu, said no one knows exactly where the governor’s mother was going to but said the attack was a calculated one.
“No one was sure about where they were going to, but from what we are hearing the attack was a calculated one,” she said,
Our correspondent further gathered that the gunmen allegedly targeted Governor Kefas Mother for kidnap but were chased away by the security men accompanying the convoy.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Taraba State, Usman Abdullahi, also confirmed the incident but said he was yet to confirm whether the bullet that injured the Governor’s sister was from one of the security men in the convoy.
Abdullahi said information from the Wukari division indicated that there was an earlier armed robbery attack in the area before the attack on the Governor’s family.
He further confirmed that one of the occupants of the vehicles conveying the governor’s mother sustained gunshot injuries.
“Yes, we received a report of a robbery attack on Wukari-Kente road in the early hours of yesterday, but I can’t confirm whether the Governor’s mother and sister were among the victims.
“I want to assure you that investigation is ongoing and hopefully the perpetrators of the act will be brought to book. The people of Taraba should remain calm, as the police and other sister security agencies are on top of the situation in the state,” he said. ////
By Eleojo Samuel, Jalingo
In a decisive offensive against banditry, troops of the 6 Brigade Nigerian Army and Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have neutralized a bandit camp and arrested 23 suspects, including four females, in Angwan Bala, Kambari area of Karim Lamido Local Government, Taraba State.
Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, Capt. Olubodunde Oni, revealed that the operation was based on credible intelligence regarding the movement of suspected criminals in the area.
“On sighting the patrol team, the bandits opened fire, prompting an immediate and overwhelming response from our troops,” Oni stated.
One bandit was neutralized, while others surrendered without resistance. A thorough search of the camp led to the recovery of a large cache of arms and ammunition, including, 4 AK-47 rifles, 5 AK-47 magazines, 80 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 1 English-made pistol and 2 locally made guns
Others he said included,28 cutlasses, 16 motorcycles and 48 daggers and jack knives
Preliminary investigations revealed that the bandits had migrated from Plateau State and paid ₦1.5 million to a local chief in Amar village to establish their hideout.
Reacting to the successful operation, Commander 6 Brigade, Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, reaffirmed the army’s commitment to eliminating criminal elements and restoring lasting peace.
“This operation sends a clear message that Taraba State will not be a safe haven for terrorists. We will continue working with stakeholders to rid the region of criminality,” he declared.
He urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, emphasizing that community cooperation is crucial in the fight against insecurity.
Eleojo Samuel Adaji Jalingo
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) on Saturday issued a 14 days ultimatum to the Federal Government to fix the abandoned Jalingo, Numan road or face mass protest.
Mr Lucky Emonefe, National President of NANS issued the warning at the 3rd Inauguration Ceremony of the North East Zonal Executive Council of the union in Jalingo, Taraba State on Saturday.
Emonefe warned that the union would not hesitate to relocate it’s national secretariat from Abuja to the North East if the federal government fails to take action on the road after the expiration of the ultimatum.
He described the road as one of the worst roads in the country, stating that the deplorable situation of the road was a threat to the life of Nigerian Students.
“The national association of Nigerian students have declared a state of emergency on the Jalingo Numan road which contract was awarded several years ago but was abandoned by the contractors
“The road is one of the worst roads in Nigeria and is a death trap to Nigeria students, especially in the North East.
“We are calling on the authorities concerned, especially the Federal Ministry of Works to order the contractor to return to site and commence work on the road.
“We are therefore, issuing a 14 days warning to to the Federal government to take action on the road or NANS will relocate it secretariat to the north east,” he warned.
The president commended Gov Agbu Kefas of Taraba for his students friendly policies in the state.
He described the governor as the best education friendly governor in Nigeria, citing the implementation of free education policy as well as a slash in 50 per cent school fees for tertiary institutions in the state as commendable effort.
The President advised other governors to emulate the template adopted by the governor of Taraba on education.
Emonefe also thanked President Bola Tinubu for the introduction of students loan.
He said that students had benefited from the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of the administration, and called on all the students to support the Tinubu administration to succeed.
The President further advised the newly inaugurated Zonal Coordinator of the union to carry all students along in his administration.
Earlier, Mr Umar Afkawa, the newly sworn in Coordinator of the NANS in the North East said that his vision was to improve the welfare services of students in the zone.
Afkawa also promised that he would ensure academic excellence, security and safety of the students, empowerment and entrepreneurship among others.///.
Eleojo Samuel Adaji Jalingo
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Taraba State University has suspended the over one month strike action.
Dr. Joshua Mbaver, the ASUU chairman disclosed in a press release on Saturday that the state has agreed to meet the demands of the union that necessitated the strike action on December 5, 2024.
According to the statement, the strike action was necessitated by the Taraba State Government’s partial implementation
of multiple Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and Memoranda of Action
(MoAs) agreed upon with the Union since 2014.
The ASUU chairman further disclosed that key issues under dispute have been addressed with commitments.
“That the Government, through the Governing Council, will enhance university funding in line with Taraba State Law No. 4 of 2008.
“Also, an initial payment of 10% of the total accumulated sum for Earned Academic Allowances (EAA), has been disbursed. Subsequently, 5% of the accumulated sum will be released monthly, commencing in February 2025, until the entire arrears are fully defrayed.
“That, the government has approved the implementation of a State-Defined Pension Scheme, with specific provisions for the prompt and efficient payment of benefits.
“Furthermore, a template for clearing arrears will be finalized by the first week of February 2025.
“That, Membership will be adjusted to comply with statutory requirements for the constitution of the University Governing Council
“That the Government has implemented the new national minimum wage and
consequential adjustments, with a commitment to timely salary payments”. The statement read.
Dr. Mbaver expressed that following the agreements in place, and with the approval of ASUU National, the ASUU-TSU Chapter has suspended the strike action with immediate effect.
“We extend our profound gratitude to ASUU National, the Zonal
leadership, and the TSU Congress for their unwavering support, which has culminated in the successful resolution of this struggle”.
The ASUU chairman commended governor Agbu Kefas for his steadfast commitment and
proactive leadership in resolving the recent dispute.
While expressing the Union’s profound gratitude to all stakeholders whose unwavering support and contributions facilitated the resolution of the strike, ASUU commended the leadership of the Ministry of Tertiary Education,
and the University Administration for their collaborative efforts that has made the resolution possible.
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