by James Sambo
Yobe state governor, Ibrahim Gaidam has approved the sum of N948.9 million to pay 532 civil servants who were retired recently.
Although he failed to specify what is meant by “retired recently”, Gaidam’s spokesman, Abdullahi Bego, said the next-of-kin of some civil servants who have passed away will also benefit from the payment. He therefore advised the affected persons or relatives of affected deceased civil servants to check with the Pensions Department of the Office of the Head of Service, Governor’s Office Damaturu for their entitlements.
Bego added that the directive was part of the ongoing effort of the governor to “promote the well-being and welfare of civil servants both during active service and after retirement.”
The statement maintained that “The Yobe State Government under His Excellency Dr. Ibrahim Gaidam remains committed to doing everything necessary to improve the living conditions of the entire people of the state.”
Boko Haram enters Yobe
Meanwhile, Islamist group, Boko Haram apparently seized control of a town, Buni Yadi, in Yobe state on Thursday.
Several residents who fled the Boko Haram assault said it started late last month, with the insurgents ultimately taking over the main government offices yesterday and raising their flag. They then proceeded to carry out summary executions, including of two people who were caught smoking cigarettes.
Abdullahi Bego could not confirm the executions, but said, “As I speak there are no military in Buni Yadi and locals say that Boko Haram come and go as they please. So many people from Buni Yadi have fled to the state capital Damaturu.”
Residents said the rebels, who massacred dozens of students at a boarding school in Buni Yadi in February and kidnapped more than 200 schoolgirls from neighbouring Borno state in April, had set up roadblocks.
They were also robbing people as they tried to flee.
“I left Buni Yadi yesterday (Wednesday) because it was no longer safe for me and my family,” said a trader, Surajo Muhammad. “The gunmen “shot dead two men for smoking and they also killed a known drug peddler,” he added.
Tijjani Bukar, who also fled, reported the same executions.
“I couldn’t stay any longer because I came to realise these people have come to stay,” he said. “I thought they would be there for a few days but from our understanding they have turned the town into their (territory).”
Boko Haram had captured the towns of Damboa and Gwoza, both in Borno state in recent weeks. However, the Army recorded a success and has retaken control of Damboa.
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This story was completed with agency reports from the AFP.
we have nothing to do about it cos nothern pple are killing themself,former comsn for imformation in bornu said boko boys are not foreiner they are my brothers and gov can not do anything than to change our orientation,….western education is their problem…..God dey oooo
Northern part of dis country seems to hv been forgotten, God help us
who are the bokkos, where do the come from, don’t they have parents siblings. are they from outter space or are they invisible that they cannot be traced to there families. let’s create State and community police where every body knows every body. everyone can point out the good the bad and the ugly in there community. this will check mate this issue of bokko or no bokko because we know our selves an what every one in the community is up to and can collectively put a stop to it. if a community decrees that anybody caught stealing should be put to death and his or her parent should be the first to cast the first stone before other members of the community. this madness would since has stopped. God help Nigeria.