Jang Opens New NGF Secretariat

The Governor of Plateau State and factional Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), David Jonah Jang in a bid to consolidate his hold on the fractured forum, monday secured an office accommodation in Maitama District, Abuja, to serve as the new secretariat of the forum. He has also appointed one Osaro Onaiwo as the Sole Administrator of the forum, as against the provision of a Director General. Onaiwo, it was gathered has been saddled with the responsibility of managing the secretariat as a peer review group for the governors. 

Jang also claimed that more governors had been making solidarity calls to him, and pledging their supports and cooperation.

In a statement signed by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Mr. James Mannok, Jang reinstated his resolve to work with his colleagues to strengthen the bond of service in the forum, maintaining that “the NGF is a family in which there is no issue that cannot be resolved or settled among them, as family members.” He said the modalities for this reconciliation were being implemented with the result of which more governors were making solidarity calls to him and pledging their cooperation.

While appreciating his colleagues for the confidence reposed in him, Jang urged that the forum be driven by the collective desire to build a strong and prosperous Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) inaugurated a committee to fast track the process of constitutional adherence as it affects the current status of the office of the Governor of Taraba State, Danbaba Suntai, who was injured in the self piloted plane crash in October last year.

Also, the party has set up a committee headed by Senator Hope Uzodinma with the Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, Ahmed Gulaki, Shittu Mohammed, Bala Buhari, Prof. Richard King, Bolajoko Doherty with Senator Abubakar Gada as member and secretary to discuss the circumstances relating to constitutional adherence as it affects the current status of the office of the Governor of Taraba State and ensure that all practical implication of PDP in the state and emerge stronger and more united in responding to all the partisan challenges arising thereafter in the state.

The committee is to find out the extent of the political harmony or otherwise among the key stakeholders within the ruling PDP family in Taraba State, and interact and establish the most effective approach to reduce to the barest minimum, the fears of all the contending interest.

3 Boko-Haram Insurgents Killed, 25 Arrested In Maiduguri

The Defence Headquarters said on Monday that it captured 25 insurgents and killed three others, including a high profile terrorist identified as “Abbas.” A statement issued by Brigadier General Chris Olukolade, Director, Defence Information in Abuja, said Abbas had been on the list of most wanted persons. The statement, which gave an update on the ongoing military operations in Borno, said the incident occurred during an encounter between troops of the Special Forces and the insurgents. It said that the insurgents had finalised moves to carry out extensive operation around Maiduguri. The statement also said the insurgents succeeded in killing some military personnel. It added that the troops intercepted a message sent to fleeing insurgents urging them not to give up but to fight to the end. The attempt by some of them to heed the call was foiled during the weekend as they were trailed to some settlements and towns towards the border where they planned to regroup. “The captured ones were all apprehended with their weapons which include rifles, pistols, double barrel guns and various calibers of ammunition during an operation by the JTF in Kumshe and Bulunkutu area,’’ it said. The statement said that Multinational Joint Task Force had raided and destroyed the assembly points of the insurgents at the outskirts of Kaneram Dan Katsina, Tumbu Dabino and Mallam Fatori, north of Baga. It said the towns and settlements had been secured while cordon and search operations were on in the area after the insurgents had been dislodged. The statement said troops of the Special Forces had freed a man taken hostage in the Sambisa forest in Borno, since 2012 after combing the area. “The freed hostage is being treated by the Task Force. “The troops are dominating the forest as they find a number of fresh graves, more arms and ammunition, burnt vehicles and other equipment,’’ it said.

3 Boko-Haram Insurgents Killed, 25 Arrested In Maiduguri

The Defence Headquarters said on Monday that it captured 25 insurgents and killed three others, including a high profile terrorist identified as “Abbas.” A statement issued by Brigadier General Chris Olukolade, Director, Defence Information in Abuja, said Abbas had been on the list of most wanted persons. The statement, which gave an update on the ongoing military operations in Borno, said the incident occurred during an encounter between troops of the Special Forces and the insurgents. It said that the insurgents had finalised moves to carry out extensive operation around Maiduguri. The statement also said the insurgents succeeded in killing some military personnel. It added that the troops intercepted a message sent to fleeing insurgents urging them not to give up but to fight to the end. The attempt by some of them to heed the call was foiled during the weekend as they were trailed to some settlements and towns towards the border where they planned to regroup. “The captured ones were all apprehended with their weapons which include rifles, pistols, double barrel guns and various calibers of ammunition during an operation by the JTF in Kumshe and Bulunkutu area,’’ it said. The statement said that Multinational Joint Task Force had raided and destroyed the assembly points of the insurgents at the outskirts of Kaneram Dan Katsina, Tumbu Dabino and Mallam Fatori, north of Baga. It said the towns and settlements had been secured while cordon and search operations were on in the area after the insurgents had been dislodged. The statement said troops of the Special Forces had freed a man taken hostage in the Sambisa forest in Borno, since 2012 after combing the area. “The freed hostage is being treated by the Task Force. “The troops are dominating the forest as they find a number of fresh graves, more arms and ammunition, burnt vehicles and other equipment,’’ it said.

3 Boko-Haram Insurgents Killed, 25 Arrested In Maiduguri

The Defence Headquarters said on Monday that it captured 25 insurgents and killed three others, including a high profile terrorist identified as “Abbas.” A statement issued by Brigadier General Chris Olukolade, Director, Defence Information in Abuja, said Abbas had been on the list of most wanted persons. The statement, which gave an update on the ongoing military operations in Borno, said the incident occurred during an encounter between troops of the Special Forces and the insurgents. It said that the insurgents had finalised moves to carry out extensive operation around Maiduguri. The statement also said the insurgents succeeded in killing some military personnel. It added that the troops intercepted a message sent to fleeing insurgents urging them not to give up but to fight to the end. The attempt by some of them to heed the call was foiled during the weekend as they were trailed to some settlements and towns towards the border where they planned to regroup. “The captured ones were all apprehended with their weapons which include rifles, pistols, double barrel guns and various calibers of ammunition during an operation by the JTF in Kumshe and Bulunkutu area,’’ it said. The statement said that Multinational Joint Task Force had raided and destroyed the assembly points of the insurgents at the outskirts of Kaneram Dan Katsina, Tumbu Dabino and Mallam Fatori, north of Baga. It said the towns and settlements had been secured while cordon and search operations were on in the area after the insurgents had been dislodged. The statement said troops of the Special Forces had freed a man taken hostage in the Sambisa forest in Borno, since 2012 after combing the area. “The freed hostage is being treated by the Task Force. “The troops are dominating the forest as they find a number of fresh graves, more arms and ammunition, burnt vehicles and other equipment,’’ it said.