Howai District Calls for Support as New Security Post Takes Off in Kpantinapo

 

By Thomas Samuel 

Residents of Howai District in Kona Chiefdom have been urged to support the newly established security outpost in the area.

The District Head of Howai, Michael Vakkai, made the appeal in an interview with our reporter in Jalingo.

He disclosed that the district recently commissioned a hunters’ security office in Kpantinapo, describing its location as strategic in supporting the military to contain potential security threats.

Vakkai noted that the hunters require both moral and financial support from residents to function effectively.

On investment and job creation, the district head commended Governor Agbu Kefas for introducing policies that facilitated the siting of a waste management and processing company in Kpantinapo.

He expressed optimism that once fully operational, the company would create jobs and contribute to the government’s efforts toward environmental sustainability.

Bandits Kill Three Police Officers, Vigilante Leader in Taraba Attack

 

Thomas Samuel 

The Taraba State Police Command has confirmed the killing of three police officers and a local vigilante leader following a deadly attack by suspected bandits on Tse Kwe Village in Donga Local Government Area of the state.

According to a statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Victor Mshelizah, the incident was reported by a resident, Zaki Orbanga, from Tordamisa Akate Ward, who alerted authorities to the invasion of the community by armed assailants.

The statement said a joint team of police officers, led by the Divisional Police Officer of Donga alongside operatives of a special force unit, was swiftly mobilized to the scene to restore order and protect residents.

However, the encounter claimed the lives of three officers identified as Corporal Raphael Danjuma, Police Constable Ebenezer Daniel, and Police Constable Samuel Bawa. Bawa was initially declared missing during the operation before his body was later discovered in a nearby bush after a search effort.

The attack also left a sixty-year-old community vigilante leader, Nutsa Tyav, dead. He was the Chairman of the Vigilante Group in Tordamisa Village.

Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Betty Enepen Isokpan  expressed deep sorrow over the loss of the officers and the vigilante member, describing them as heroes who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty.

The Command extended condolences to the bereaved families and assured that the sacrifices of the deceased would not be in vain.

Meanwhile, the police said security has been reinforced in the affected area, with intensified operations underway to track down and apprehend those responsible for the attack.

The Command also called on residents to remain calm and support security agencies with credible information to aid ongoing investigations.

TSU ASUU Strike: Gov Kefas approves N500m

By Godwin Agia, Jalingo 

The Taraba State Governor, Dr Agbu Kefas has approved  N500 million for the Taraba State University Jalingo.

The State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Dr Mike Dio Jen, made the position known while interacting with Newsmen in Jalingo on Monday.

According to the Commissioner, Dr Agbu noted that the additional N300 million is in addition to the previous N200 million he had earlier approved last week, totalling N500 million. He pleaded with the Academy Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to call off the strike to enable the institution to resume its activities.

Dr Mike explained that, "The governor inherited the salaries of about two years, Earned Academic Allowance and Administrative Allowance for the non-academy staff amounting to over four billion (4,000,000,000).

"On the 12/3/2026, the governor after meeting with the union leaders approved the sum of over N3billion and immediately gave approval for N200,000,000 be released to them, and assured ASUU that starting from April N100,000,000 monthly will be releasing to settle the backlog of the demands of this union and today he approved additional N300,000,000 upfront that will covere the month of April, May and June respectively.

"In assumption of office, he assured them that he was going to pay and the government paid over one billion N1,000,000,000 for now, and we entered into an agreement with them that contains other demands that bother the welfare of Academy and non-academy staff ranging from the issue of lack of promotion for academy staff, nonpayment of salary and their promotion areas.

"Immediately we came on board we sworn into action, they were Seven demands brought by the academy union and the non-academy staff union, and all the seven demands were discussed and solved, five of them were completely settled, then the two major demands that were left is the issue of pension and gratuities, payment of backlog of salary areas and the EAA and AA. When the governor came in, he proved the point of agreement where two hundred million was released to them, and there was an agreement that the government will release the sum of N50 million monthly until such a time that the entire thing will be settled.

"Be it as it may, the situation we have in this country the income or resources at the disposal of the government is not consistent, its fluctuate, even what we get from the federal account is not consistent and there are competing demands, look at insecurity, it is consuming the resources we have in the State.

"When the government slashed the school fees by 50% which is the main revenue, the government decided to take over the entire payment of salaries which was Three hundred and Eight million (308,000,000) per month to Six hundreds and thirty seven million, eighteen thousand four hundreds and fourthy four naira, ninety seven Kobo per month because of the implementation of the new minimum wage which is the highest paid institution in the northern Nigeria," he said.

Highlighting some of the governor's achievements in the university, Dio noted that, Dr Agbu Kefas had earlier spent over N2b for the renovation of the hostels and N400,000,000 was expended for the building of the new hostel in the institution also gave approval of over N1.43b was given to release for the accreditation of courses in the six higher institutions in the state.

CSO advocate improved health service delivery in Taraba

By Godwin Agia, Jalingo 

The Association of Civil Society Organisations in Malaria Control, Immunisation and Nutrition (ACOMIN) has l carried out a two-day advocacy visit to key government health agencies to close the gap in health service delivery in Taraba State. 

Alh Mohammed Tanko Danburam, Team Lead, emphasised during the advocacy in Jalingo that patients are being forced to travel to other facilities or purchase medicines from private pharmacies, increasing costs and delaying access to care.

He explained that the visits is aimed to present community feedback on gaps affecting malaria, maternal health, and HIV services.

According to Danburam, the team engaged four agencies, including the Taraba State Ministry of Health and the Primary Health Care Development Agency where they presented the absence of ultrasound scanner services at Nyaja Primary Health Care Centre and stock-outs of malaria treatment commodities.

He said that the affected facilities include First Referral Hospital Sunkani and Manji PHC, Gassol LGA, and Denden Primary Health Care Centre in Donga LGA. The team also highlighted shortages of HIV testing kits at Lufu PHC in Takum LGA.

Danburam stressed that addressing these gaps is critical to strengthening community health systems and ensuring residents have access to life-saving interventions.

"We are representing community voices, and the lack of Malaria and HIV compels patients to travel to other facilities or purchase medicines from private pharmacies, thereby increasing costs and delaying timely access to care," he said.

Responding, Malaria focal person Mr. Muhammad Mahmud of the Primary Health Care Development Agency, Coordinator, Logistics Management Coordinating Unit, Pharm. Ada Frank, and Mr. Bala Zungyeri, Secretary, Taraba State AIDS Control Agency, all noted with concern that the issues will be investigated and acted upon within the shortest period.

Many Farmers May Quit Farming This Year – AFAN Chairman

 

By Hannah  Theophilus 

The Taraba State Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Saliu Adamu Kumba, has revealed that a large number of farmers may abandon farming this year.

Kumba disclosed this in an interview with our reporter in Jalingo, attributing the development to the declining prices of food commodities, which he said have created serious challenges for agricultural investment and caused severe hardship for farmers.

He, however, encouraged farmers to continue farming using the resources available to them in order to ensure food sufficiency in the state and the country at large.

Kumba stressed that many farmers can no longer afford fertilizers, tractors, and other farm inputs due to their rising costs.

He reiterated that farmers need empowerment, encouragement, and greater government attention to help tackle hunger and prevent famine in the state.

The AFAN chairman noted that participation in dry-season farming this year was lower compared to previous years, warning that more farmers may withdraw from farming if the situation is not addressed.

While commending the Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, for his support to the association in the previous year, Kumba called on the governor to assist farmers at the right time to reduce production costs and ensure food commodities remain available at stable prices.

He also appealed to governments at all levels and well-meaning individuals in society to support farmers directly, rather than channeling assistance through intermediaries that often fail to reach farmers in the field.

Tiv group lauds Gov. Kefas, Alia's peace initiative in Taraba

 

By Godwin Agia, Jalingo 

The Tiv Cultural and Social Association (TCSA), Taraba State, has on Monday commended the visit of Governor, Agbu Kefas and his contactparts governor, Hyacinth Iormem Alia to Wukari, Abako, and Chanchanji to address security challenges in Southern Taraba.

In a statement by the Association's President General, Chief James Chihi Bakah, expressed appreciation for the governors' efforts, explained that it was a powerful demonstration of compassion and commitment to protecting lives. 

He stated that the joint visit is a demonstration of responsible leadership and inter-state cooperation, aimed at restoring peace and stability in the affected communities.

Baka noted that the visit had reassured displaced families that the government remains committed to restoring normalcy and rebuilding confidence.

The Tiv community acknowledged the assurances given by the governors regarding strengthened security deployments and humanitarian support to displaced persons. 

He commended traditional rulers, including the Aku Uka of Wukari and the Tor Tiv V, for their leadership and commitment to peacebuilding.

"The visit of the two governors was not merely ceremonial. It was a powerful demonstration of responsible leadership, compassion, and interstate cooperation aimed at restoring peace and stability in the affected communities.

"We call on all communities in Southern Taraba to embrace peace and support the ongoing efforts of government, traditional rulers, and security agencies to restore stability," he said.

Rising Lassa Fever Cases in Taraba Raise Concerns as Death Toll Hits 45

 

 By Thomas Samuel 

The growing number of Lassa fever cases in Taraba State is becoming increasingly alarming, with the death toll now reaching 45.

According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), a total of 75 deaths have been recorded across the country, with Taraba State among the worst-affected states, followed by Bauchi State.

The Taraba State Epidemiologist, Udi Aketemo, says the recent increase in confirmed cases is partly due to the state government’s intensified testing efforts and the availability of a testing and treatment centre within the state.

He explained that in the past, samples had to be transported as far as Cross River State for testing. According to him, the process was difficult and time-consuming, and many cases went unnoticed.

However, with a testing centre now operating at Federal Medical Centre Jalingo, the process has become faster and more efficient. This has significantly reduced the turnaround time for test results, allowing for quicker diagnosis and treatment.

Aketemo disclosed that the state currently has 200 suspected cases, out of which 95 have been confirmed positive.

Concerns Over Specialist Hospital Closure

Meanwhile, some residents have expressed concerns about the closure of the state’s Specialist Hospital, arguing that it may have contributed to the rising number of deaths.

Earlier this year, the Governor of Taraba State, Agbu Kefas, ordered the complete closure of the facility to allow for a comprehensive overhaul.

But Aketemo insists that the closure has no direct medical consequences for the treatment and care of Lassa fever patients. He explained that the state has only one accredited treatment centre for the disease — the Federal Medical Centre in Jalingo — where response efforts are currently being concentrated.

Government Response and Public Health Advice

The epidemiologist also revealed that Governor Kefas has released funds to support mass sensitisation campaigns and other logistical needs aimed at containing the outbreak.

He urged residents of Taraba to take preventive measures seriously. According to him, people should avoid spreading food items on highways, refrain from eating food contaminated by rodents, and maintain proper hygiene by washing their hands regularly.

With the increasing number of infections, health officials are emphasizing the importance of public awareness and early detection in curbing the spread of Lassa fever in the state.