Once more, unidentified gunmen have perpetrated an attack resulting in the deaths of 11 individuals, including a pregnant woman, in Ole’Adag’aklo village situated in Usha Council Ward of Agatu Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State.

According to eyewitnesses in the area, the assailants invaded the village on Sunday evening, wreaking havoc on the residents and causing the fatalities mentioned, with some individuals also being abducted.

The Chairman of Agatu Local Government Area, Yakubu Ochepo, corroborated the tragic incident when speaking to journalists on Monday. He stated, “Eleven people were killed, with seven bodies already recovered. Among the deceased are a pregnant woman, an elderly man, and five young individuals. Soldiers were dispatched to retrieve the remaining four bodies. Upon their arrival, there were exchanges of gunfire, prompting the armed assailants to flee initially, only to regroup later. I am currently in Makurdi to report the situation to Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), as we require additional support. Additionally, there are reports of individuals being taken captive and some being thrown into the river.”

However, when contacted, the police spokesperson in the state, SP Catherine Anene, stated that she had not yet been briefed on the incident.

President Bola Tinubu has mandated all government ministries, departments, and agencies to begin the procurement of compressed natural gas-powered vehicles.

A statement by Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, said the policy was in line with his commitment to ensure energy security, drive utility, and cut high fuel costs.

He said the directive is also in furtherance of Nigeria’s effort to transition to cleaner energy as CNG-enabled vehicles have been adjudged to produce lower emissions, even as they present a more affordable alternative for Nigerian energy consumers.

Addressing members of the Federal Executive Council, FEC, at the State House on Monday, President Tinubu affirmed that there is no turning back in the energy reforms initiated by his administration.

“This nation will not progress forward if we continue to dance on the same spot. We have the will to drive the implementation of CNG adoption across the country, and we must set the example as public officials in leading the way to that prosperous future that we are working to achieve for our people. It starts with us, and in seeing that we are serious, Nigerians will follow our lead,” the President stated.

Tinubu further directed the rejection of all memos brought by members of FEC seeking the purchase of traditional petrol-dependent vehicles, tasking the affected members of the council to go back and diligently seek value-driven procurements of CNG-compliant vehicles.

“The President remains committed to effectively harnessing the nation’s gas potential, alleviating the burden of high transportation costs on the masses while enhancing the standard of living of all Nigerians,” the statement added.

CREDIT: DAILY POST

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara on Monday announced a plan by his administration to set up a panel to probe previous governments including the immediate past administration of Nyesom Wike.

Governor Fubara who has been in a face-off with Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, disclosed the plan after swearing in Dagogo Iboroma as the Attorney General of the state.

The governor expressed pessimism that the lingering political crisis currently rocking the state cannot be resolved anytime soon.

Apparently referring to Wike, the governor accused his opponents of deliberately sabotaging his administration while he was hopeful that the issue in the state would be resolved amicably.

Governor Fubara vowed to make tough decisions moving forward no matter how they would be perceived by the public.

Fubara also responded to recent comments by former Attorney General Zacchaeus Adangor, SAN, and his counterpart in the Ministry of Works Alabo George-Kelly.

According to the governor, the former attorney general alongside other critics of his administration have been sabotaging the progress of his government by filing nolle prosequi against the interest of the state.

CREDIT: DAILY POST