…No Humanitarian Intervention for IDPs in Chonoko

Watch Video: https://youtu.be/6lmD4_TV7VA

In the last three years, no fewer than 10,000 people have been displaced in Kebbi State, a PRNigeria investigation has revealed.

The displaced persons are victims of ‘gruesome’ attacks launched by armed bandits, at communities within the Chonoko axis in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area of the State.

The bandits, according to the PRNigeria investigation, killed over 200 villagers, and sacked 42 communities, in the carnage(s) they started perpetrating in 2019.

These communities are; Dan Kade, Warkata, Kurgiye, Ragam I, II & III, ‘Yar Kuka, Shangel, Tungan Dangula, Kahalmo I & II, Kadebo, Ched-Kubu, Yababa, Gimi, Ganyale I, II & III, Silabi and Digoga.

The long list also include; Bankunatare, Bawada, Zagami, Turame, Gyado, Tungan Kwando, Ktare, Sebzama I, II & III, Dhilo and Duru.

Others are; Tudun Wada, Digwengwe, Gaya, Saaki, ‘Yar Buga, Dilanko, Zuttu and Irgaa.

Two PRNigeria reporters who visited communities in Chonoko recently gathered that the bandits have since been occupying the deserted houses of their victims, with impunity.

While narrating his ordeal to PRNigeria, a 70-year old Mai Unguwa Maizuwa who was sacked from Zagami village stated that the bandits have been carrying out a series of attacks on their community for three years in a row, since 2019.

The bandits, he said, over time rustled all their cattle in the community and equally plundered their belongings, killed many people and recently sacked the entire village.

Apart from that, Maizuwa said that other items including many bags of cement and some monies he saved for business, about to N997,000 naira, were lost during the invasion.

Maizuwa, who has 20 children, is currently living in agony in an overcrowded IDP camp in Chonoko town.

Another victim who lost his son to one of the incidents at Kadebo village, Musa Sarkin Makada, had explained to PRNigeria how life has been difficult for them since their community was ransacked.

It was learnt that since the attacks were carried out, his community was deserted and turned into a ghost town as women, children, the elderly and even the disabled who could not run were evacuated to Chonoko town for safety.

Also speaking in the same vein, a respected community leader who pleaded anonymity even though he was recorded told PRNigeria that up to now the bandit-terrorists have continued to operate with impunity in the area thereby sacking more villages, burning down houses and valuable items including food supplies while many schools remained closed.

“Apart from attacking and abductions of villagers, they destroy farms and cottages in the vulnerable communities

“The looming food crises would surely consume many lives, as thousands of farmers were forced to abandon their vast hectares of land and this drastically reduces agricultural activities which serve as the only source of livelihood to the locals. Schools too have been closed down in all the affected communities increasing the population of pupils and students that abandoned education.

“Moreover, upon all these atrocities by the criminal elements, there is no presence of security forces to counter the banditry while humanitarian agencies including Red Cross, Refugees Commission and NEMA have not provided any support and intervention to IDPs, especially with relief materials and medications for the sick and traumatized citizens..

“The displaced people have lost of hope of ever returning to their ancestral homes. It is a terrible situation,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, in their responses to this report, NEMA and Refugees Commission promised to address the plights of the IDPs as soon as possible while a spokesperson of ICRC said that due to their active humanitarian engagements in North-East and North-Central, they are yet to focus on the North-West

Read the Full Report and Photos Here: “Untold Story of How Bandits Killed over 200 People, Sacked 42 Communities, Occupy Deserted Houses with Impunity in Kebbi State”

https://prnigeria.com/2022/05/03/untold-story-bandits-kebbi/

By PRNigeria

The post VIDEO/PHOTOS OF VICTIMS: Bandits Displace 10,000, Kill over 200, Sack 42 Kebbi Villages appeared first on Tech Digest News.

TECHDIGEST- With the continued implementation of the National Identity Number (NIN), SIM linkage policy in Nigeria, terrorists, and bandits are being denied access to telecommunication services users, according to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

Mr. Ephraim Nwokonanya, Director, Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement, NCC, represented by Mr. Alkasim Umar, Head Compliance, Monitoring and Enforcement, NCC, disclosed this at the Commission Headquarters in Abuja during a one-day capacity building for members of the Nigerian Information Technology Reporters’ Association (NITRA), Abuja Chapter. Speaking on the NIN-SIM linkage, the threat of Network Booster Devices, and other Commission Compliance, Monitoring, and Enforcement concerns, Mr. Umar stated that the NIN-linkage policy has made significant headway in addressing escalating incidences of insurgency, abduction, and banditry in the country.

READALSO:NCC explores Colocation, Infrastructure sharing to strengthen Market segment

Mr. Umar stated that the introduction of the NIN-SIM has shown to be an effective instrument in tackling the nation’s insecurity issues. While denouncing the illegal use of network boosters, Umar stated that the commission intends to prosecute Nigerians who use network boosters in their homes and offices at the expense of others.

“Yes, we are making progress,” he claims. The only problem we have now is that if they abduct you, I mean the bandits, they will use your phone number to contact you. They will never use their phones; instead, they will call the kidnapped person’s phone number and promptly turn it off. They have the ability to keep you at a separate location and create you somewhere else. There is no method to track a phone that is turned off. It’s a major undertaking. “Some people objected that if they use a person number to make calls, why can’t the Federal Government block the terrorists/bandits phone numbers?” “Even in the National Assembly, someone brought this up, to ban all kidnappers lines, some people objected that if they use a person number to make calls, why can’t the Federal Government block the terrorists/bandits phone numbers?” Then someone spoke up and said that there will be more killings because kidnappers are chasing the victims’ money, and that there is no way to stop it. However, progress has been made because they are no longer denied SIM cards,” he remarked.

Dr Ikechukwu Adinde, NCC Director of Public Affairs, stated earlier in his welcome remarks that the capacity training is based on the Commission’s understanding of the essential media practitioners in its day-to-day activities. “Let me be quick to mention that the Commission recognizes the importance of NITRA as a strategic ally, which is why we have provided capacity building and trainings for members of NITRA on several occasions with the goal of providing the platform for equipping you as our stakeholders and partners from the media with the knowledge and skill required to do your jobs effectively, efficiently, and professionally,” the statement said.

In addition, Mr. Atu Sunday, Director, Policy Competition and Economic Analysis, NCC, who spoke extensively on the issues surrounding the International Termination Rate (ITR) for Voice services, explained that the Commission’s ITR policy is ultimately designed to cater for the interests of Nigeria and all telecoms stakeholders. Mr. Sunday explained that the commission used the best pricing algorithm to reach at the $0.0045 ITR rate floor price, which is why the rate is not too high or cheap. “So, if the rate is too high between portfolio Nigerians who are only interested in developing their pockets by being able to call, the rate should be fair so that it does not harm our balance of payments.” It will also have no negative impact on the operators’ profitability,” he added.

Mr. Usman Aliyug, the Head of Spectrum Administration at the NCC, gave a presentation about the Commission’s progress on 5G rollout in Nigeria. Mr. Blessing Olaifa, the President of NITRA, was represented by Mr. Emmanuel Elebeke NCC for the capacity training.

The post NCC: NIN/SIM Linkage Counter Bandits In Northeast appeared first on Tech Digest News.