Students of the Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State, have protested the arrest of their colleagues by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The students, DAILY POST gathered, attacked some buildings on the campus of the polytechnic, where they also vandalised vehicles belonging to staff members.

Eyewitnesses said the incident occurred late on Thursday.

DAILY POST had reported that the EFCC operators from the Ibadan Zonal office had carried out a midnight raid on some hostels around the Owode-Ede area.

Some students were arrested during the sting operation and taken to the Ibadan zonal office of the anti-graft agency.

But the management of the polytechnic, in a statement signed by the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Sola Lawal, said the identities of those students reportedly arrested could not be immediately ascertained.

Displeased by the development, some yet-to-be-identified students vandalised buildings within the premises and vehicles.

Two students residing in female hostels located within the premises of the polytechnic, said those involved hurled pebbles at some buildings, including the staff club, and damaged some vehicles.

One of the students said, “The students were protesting the arrest of our colleagues by the EFCC. They hurled stones at the administrative building, but they concentrated on the staff club.

“They damaged some vehicles there. Those involved came to campus between 7 pm and 8 pm on Thursday.”

The institution’s spokesperson, Sola Lawal, when contacted confirmed the incident.

He said, “The management of the Federal Polytechnic, Ede, condemns the act of vandalism carried out last night (Thursday) by some misguided students which led to the vandalism of staff vehicles at the staff club.

“Lastly, the management is using this medium to warn mischief makers whose agenda is to disrupt the ongoing first-semester examination, as any students or fifth columnist caught disturbing the peace and tranquility of the institution will be dealt with decisively; to be forewarned is to be forearmed.”

CREDIT: DAILY POST

The Zamfara State House of Assembly has expressed strong opposition to a purported initiative to negotiate with bandits in the state. This stance was articulated in a statement released by the Chief Press Secretary of the House, Bello Kurya Madora.

According to the statement, the lawmakers argued that seeking a peace agreement and reconciliation with the bandits would not effectively resolve the security challenges facing the state. They criticized those advocating for such measures, alleging that they were motivated by political and selfish interests.

The assembly’s position was prompted by a Notice of Public Importance presented by the Majority Whip and representative of Anka, Honourable Rilwanu Marafa Nagambo. Nagambo raised concerns about reports suggesting that certain individuals were engaging in negotiations with bandits under the guise of a peace agreement to further their political objectives.

The Majority Whip urged fellow lawmakers to urgently bring this issue to the attention of both the state and federal governments, as well as relevant security agencies, for decisive action against those involved in negotiating with bandits.

During discussions, other legislators condemned this behavior, labeling it as sabotage against Governor Dauda Lawal’s efforts to address insecurity in the state. They voiced their full support for the governor’s stance against negotiating with bandits, whose criminal activities have severely impacted the livelihoods of Zamfara residents.

The lawmakers also highlighted claims by some individuals that they were authorized by the federal government to negotiate with bandits, which further raised concerns.

Following extensive deliberations, the Speaker, Rt Honourable Bi’yaminu Ismail Moriki, announced that the House unanimously condemned the alleged plans of certain unpatriotic individuals to disrupt the state government’s efforts in addressing insecurity. He declared the assembly’s decision to alert both state and federal authorities, as well as security agencies, to take immediate action against these individuals.

Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has disbursed over four billion Naira in gratuities to retired workers in the state who had been owed since 2011. According to a statement from the spokesman of the Zamfara Governor, Sulaiman Bala Idris, the gratuity payments commenced in February after the authentication and validation of retirees.

The statement disclosed that a total of N4,337,087,492.06 billion has been paid in four installments to state and local government retirees. Governor Lawal initiated a committee in February to validate retiree data and settle the accumulated gratuity debt as part of efforts to streamline the civil service in Zamfara State.

After verifying the data of retired civil servants, it was found that the state and local governments collectively owed N13.4 billion in gratuities. In the first three tranches, 1,088 verified state pensioners received their total gratuity entitlements amounting to N1,836,836,018.95.

In the latest batch, 284 verified state pensioners received gratuity arrears totaling N499,435,942.42, bringing the total state pension payment to N2,336,271,961.37. Additionally, 1,744 retired Local Government and Primary School Teachers who retired between 2011 and 2018 have been paid N2,000,815,530.69 in four batches.

The ongoing gratuity payment signifies a significant achievement and is expected to provide relief to beneficiaries who have long awaited their benefits. Governor Lawal’s administration reaffirms its commitment to fulfilling promises to the people of Zamfara State through such initiatives.