By Eleojo Samuel, Jalingo

Taraba State is teetering on the brink of financial collapse amid allegations of widespread mismanagement and diversion of state resources under Governor Dr. Agbu Kefas.
With government activities at a standstill, the state treasury is reportedly empty, leaving essential services and infrastructure projects abandoned.

Governor Kefas’s conspicuous absence from the state for over three months has fueled speculations of a deep financial crisis.
Observers point to the suspension of all ongoing projects and the state’s ballooning debt profile as clear indicators of fiscal mismanagement. Despite securing over N250 billion in bank loans during his first 18 months in office—funds earmarked for critical infrastructure such as urban and rural roads, hospitals, and educational facilities—there is little to show in terms of tangible development.

While Governor Kefas has championed free education as a hallmark of his administration, critics argue this initiative is superficial, with many of its promised benefits remaining unfulfilled.
More alarming is the absence of any completed projects, including the failure to construct even a single kilometer of road since assuming office.

Sources revealed that despite the massive loans, contractors have abandoned key projects, including the remodeling of the Government House, the construction of a Trade Fair complex, and the renovation of state institutions like the College of Agriculture and the School of Nursing in Jalingo.
The much-touted Green House project, previously criticized as a conduit for siphoning public funds during former Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku’s tenure, has reportedly consumed over N2 billion under Governor Kefas, with little progress to justify the expenditure.

The question on every Taraban’s lips is simple: Where is the N250 billion? Allegations suggest the funds have “developed wings,” with some insiders claiming the money has been diverted for personal enrichment and political patronage. It is alleged that N100 billion of the loans were funneled back to Governor Kefas’s political godfather, a retired general from the state, as repayment for financing Kefas’s 2023 gubernatorial campaign.

Moreover, the state’s ability to meet basic financial obligations is under threat. The monthly deductions to service the massive loans have reportedly left insufficient funds to pay workers’ salaries, forcing the government to rely on overdrafts from commercial banks.

Investigations further reveal that allocations meant for the state’s 16 local government areas are being diverted to cover state-level debts. This includes the alleged misappropriation of N7.36 billion in federal intervention funds, initially intended for local governments but used instead to partially settle salary arrears for lecturers at Taraba State University, who had been on strike since November.

Another N2.3 billion, reportedly allocated for the purchase of 10,000 metric tons of grains for food security, has also gone missing, with no grains found in government warehouses. Despite introducing a new levy of N1,000 per grain bag to boost internally generated revenue (IGR), funds from this initiative are allegedly being siphoned by officials within the Ministry of Agriculture and the Board of Internal Revenue.

The agriculture sector, once seen as a beacon for diversifying the state’s economy, has not been spared from controversy. Over N2 billion allocated for the purchase of tractors last rainy season allegedly vanished, with only 30 tractors delivered as a token gesture. Similarly, funds earmarked for fertilizer distribution never reached farmers, further crippling agricultural productivity.

Accusations of complicity have been leveled against the Accountant-General’s Office, the State Ministry of Finance, and the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, suggesting a coordinated effort to divert public funds.

Facing mounting criticism, Governor Kefas addressed the allegations during an award presentation by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) in Jalingo, where he was honored as a “Students’ Friendly Governor.” He dismissed his critics as impatient, stating, “I heard people complaining that I am not working and not executing projects. Such people are just in a hurry. What I am doing now is laying a foundation for incoming governors to build on.”
In response to the accusations, Hon. Emmanuel Bello, Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Governor, vehemently denied claims of financial mismanagement.
“Taraba is not broke. I don’t know how anyone can say that. Our IGR has improved considerably due to the hard work of the sagacious governor and his team,” Bello stated. He insisted that ongoing projects had not been abandoned but were undergoing technical reevaluation.
“This is the year of infrastructural development in roads and bridges. Our 2025 budget reflects this commitment,” he added.
Despite these reassurances, the people of Taraba remain skeptical, demanding transparency and accountability from an administration they once believed held the promise of transformation. With the specter of direct federal allocations to local governments looming, many wonder how Governor Kefas will navigate the growing financial quagmire without further eroding public trust.

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.///.