TheNewsGuru

Tag: Kaduna State

  • Military uncovers gun factory, recovers weapons in Southern Kaduna

    Military uncovers gun factory, recovers weapons in Southern Kaduna

    Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), a military task force, maintaining peace in Plateau, Bauchi and Kaduna States, has uncovered a gun factory at Kafachan, Jama’a Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State.

     

    Capt. James Oya, the Media Officer of the operation, disclosed this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Jos.

     

    Oya said that it had also arrested one Napoleon John, a suspected gunrunner and recovered various types of weapons and ammunitions.

     

    He explained that the feat was possible owing to a week-long operation conducted by its troops.

     

    ”In line with our resolve to deal decisively with sponsors and perpetrators of crime as well as mopping up illegal weapons in our joint operation area, our troops have uncovered a gun manufacturing factory in Kafanchan, Jama’a LGA of Kaduna State.

     

    ”This followed a week-long intelligence operations that finally led to the capture of a wanted gunrunner, Napoleon John who has been on our wanted list.

     

    ” The suspect, who confessed to the crime, led troops to a concealed factory where arms of different calibre were sold by another miscreant identified as Monday Dunia.

     

    ”Dunia confessed to have been in the business for more than five years, fuelling the crisis in Kaduna State and neighbouring Plateau.

     

    ”A thorough search of the factory led to the recovery of 22 different weapons, including seven pistols, two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles, two military grade AK-47 rifles and nine revolvers,” he said.

     

    Oya said that its troops also recovered one submachine gun, rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, machine tools and a gas cylinder.

     

    ”In a follow-up operation held between Thursday night and early hours of Friday, troops raided another hideout in Adua 1 community of Kafanchan and recovered additional two AK-47 rifles, two revolver rifles, live rounds of 9mm and 7.62 ammunitions, six dangerous daggers, one hacker axe.

     

    ”Several empty cases of 7.62mm special rounds, two mobile phones, one fragmental jacket, two Police uniforms, one pair of military camouflage trousers, one ammunition magazine carrier, one pistol holster and one military grade camel pouch.

     

    ”We also recovered one police combat helmet, two masks, four identity cards, gunpowder, shrapnels, charms and amulets.

     

    Oya said that the Commander of the operation, Maj.-Gen. Abdusalam Abubakar, commended the troops for the feat and urged them to do more.

     

    He, however, warned sponsors and perpetrators of criminalities to abandon their evil ways and embrace lawful means of livelihood.

     

    He thanked residents of the state for cooperating with the military and other security agencies and called for more support towards a peaceful Plateau

  • NDLEA intercepts Kaduna-bound bomb consignment

    NDLEA intercepts Kaduna-bound bomb consignment

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted no fewer than 399 pieces of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) being transported to Kaduna by one Oluwagbenga Leke.

    The 33-year-old suspect was arrested on Sept. 7, along Mokwa-Jebba Road, the Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi said in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

    According to Babafemi, the suspect had claimed that the explosives were handed to him at a park in Ibadan to be delivered to someone in Kaduna.

    He added that the suspect and exhibits had since been transferred to the military authorities in Niger.

    Meanwhile, in Ogun a suspected drug dealer, Yinka Azeez, has been arrested at Sabo Lafenwa, Abeokuta on Sept. 5.

    His arrest followed the seizure of 41kgs cannabis from one Titilayo Adetayo at Sagamu Interchange on Sept. 4.

    Similarly, two suspects: Muhammad Aliyu, 38, and Abdullahi Zakariya, 40, were arrested on Sept. 5, along Zaria-Kano Road and at Hayin Arewa Hotoro in Kano, respectively.

    The two had over 426.5 kilograms of skunk in their possession, Babafemi said.

    He said that another suspect, Onyeka Uzor, 25, was arrested at Idemili, Anambra state, with 64.8kgs skunk and tramadol.

    “Destiny Irabor was nabbed on Friday 8th September with over 180kgs  Opioids  loaded in his Toyota Sienna car”,  he added.

    Meanwhile, in Kaduna, two suspects: Ahmed Yusuf and Rilwan Nura were arrested on Sept. 6 in connection with the seizure of 100 blocks of cannabis weighing 55kgs along Abuja Road.

    “In Edo, operatives stormed the Ekudo forest, Onwude LGA where they destroyed cannabis farms measuring 4.236347 hectares.

    “The operatives on Thursday Sept. 7 raided the house of one Amuodu Egwehide, 40, in Iloje Okpuje, Owan West LGA, where they recovered 22 bags of skunk weighing 261.4kgs,” he added.

    Babafemi also said that operatives had arrested a 60-year-old grandma, Mrs. Eunice Egwehide in the town with 17kgs of skunk.

    “A suspect, Gapchiya Modu, 26, was arrested with 60kgs of cannabis along Kano-Nguru Road, Nguru, Yobe.

    “While in Imo, 200 blocks of the same substance weighing 57kgs were recovered from Usim Orji, 45, along Aba-Owerri Road on 6th September.

    “After over two months of surveillance, NDLEA operatives on Wednesday Sept. 6 arrested a wanted kingpin, Idoko Festus Ifesinachi, 40, linked to the importation of 76.9kgs Canadian Loud.

    “It was intercepted in a container marked MSDU6686346 at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex, Onne, Rivers on 2nd June”, he said.

    He said the suspect was arrested at his hideout in Lagos and taken to Port Harcourt.

  • PDP demands further reduction of state varsity tuition fees in Kaduna state

    PDP demands further reduction of state varsity tuition fees in Kaduna state

    The Kaduna state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has demanded for a more significant reduction in tuition fees of public tertiary institutions to reflect the current economic hardship in the state.

    The state chairman, Felix Hassan Hyat made this demand in a statement on Tuesday.

    The statement reads: “The attention of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Kaduna State, has been drawn to the news of the reduction in the tuition fees of public tertiary institutions in the state by the executive governor, His Excellency, Sen. Uba Sani.

    “While our party welcomes the development, which, by the way, is in partial fulfillment of one of the campaign promises of our candidate in the 2023 governorship election in the state, Hon. Isa Mohammed Ashiru, and the party, we, nonetheless, call for a more meaningful review that will reflect the current economic hardship in the state.”

    According to the party, reducing a paltry 30 per cent for students of the Kaduna State University, some of whom pay as high as N300,000 per session, compared to the N27,000 they used to pay before the All Progressives Congress (APC) is too insignificant, saying it makes the tuition fee intervention a mere political gimmick to attract cheap popularity and a ploy to divert the attention of the people from the reality of the failure of Sani’s failure to address the myriad of problems being faced by residents of the state.

    The statement added that Sani’s action is proof that the APC under former governor, Nasir El-Rufai, does not mean well for the state.

    The party asked the governor to reverse the concentration of appointments and projects within a certain zone or among adherents of the governor’s religion, illegal sack of workers without the payment of their benefits and entitlements, forceful takeover of property of private citizens, the illegal sale of over 4,000 government assets, and the balkanization of the state’s civil service, among others, if he means well for the people of the state.

    The statement noted, “The PDP is still very surprised at why this policy somersault on the tuition fees is not preceded or accompanied by a public apology from the governor, having been part and parcel of the decision for the increase in the fees, its staunch defence during the campaigns, and most importantly, for the thousands who either could not enrol or dropped out of school on account of the increment. The PDP demands an immediate audit into the number of students affected in this regard and for them to be readmitted into their various schools and courses without any further delay.”

    The party also said it hopes the development is not a deliberate ploy to divert public attention from the N5 billion palliative by the Federal Government, stressing that the PDP would follow up on the issue to ensure the judicious use of the resources such that no kobo is diverted to private pockets or that no area is shortchanged in the sharing of the palliatives.

  • Uba Sani reduces fees in Kaduna tertiary institutions

    Uba Sani reduces fees in Kaduna tertiary institutions

    The Kaduna State Government has announced the downward review of tuition fees in state-owned tertiary institutions.

    Gov. Uba Sani announced the measure during an interactive session with newsmen in Kaduna on Monday.

    Sani said that the review was in response to public outcry over the current fees in state-owned tertiary institutions and their effects on school enrolment and retention.

    Giving details of the review, he said that the N150,000 charged by the Kaduna State University was reviewed downward by 30 per cent to N105,000.

    Others were Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic from N100,000 to N50, 000.

    For College of Education, Gidan Waya, the fee came down from N75,000 to N37,500.

    The fee charged by Shehu Idris College of Health Sciences and Technology, Makarfi for Higher National Diploma courses was reviewed from N100,000 to N70,000.

    In a similar vein, the fee for National Diploma courses in the same institution moved down from N75,000 to N52,000.

    For Kaduna State College of Nursing, the fee was reviewed from N100,000 to N70,000.

    The governor described the measure as his government’s palliatives to cushion the effect of the petroleum subsidy removal and its harsh economic effects on the people.

    He said that the Heads of Tertiary Institutions, in conjunction with the Ministry of Education, obtained relevant information on the extant fee regime in state-owned tertiary institutions.

    He said: “At the end of their assignment, they made the following observations and recommendations.

    “That the extant fee regime in the state-owned tertiary institutions is burdensome and has led to a significant decline in student enrolment.

    “That the extant fees have made many students to either abandon the pursuit of tertiary education or move to alternative institutions.’’

    He said that to reverse the ugly trend, “it is imperative that a competitive fees model is adopted in our tertiary institutions”.

    He said that the competitive fees model “responds to the current realities and promotes access to quality education”.

    Sani reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the welfare of the people.

    “My administration will continue to take all the necessary measures to ensure access to free and quality education for every child in the state from primary to secondary school,” he said.

    He also said that expanding access to higher education, enhancing teachers’ welfare and teaching standards as well as improved school infrastructure had built ICT competence in students from basic education level.

    The governor further said that the State Government had intensified investment in technical and vocational education in the state.

     

  • Gov. Sani appoints new heads of agencies for Kaduna State

    Gov. Sani appoints new heads of agencies for Kaduna State

    Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna State has approved the appointment of new heads of government agencies in the state.

    This is contained in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Malam Muhammed Shehu on Wednesday in Kaduna.

    Shehu said those appointed included Alhaji Inuwa Ibrahim, as the Managing Director, Kaduna Line, Dr Iliyasu Neyu, as the Executive Secretary, Kaduna State Aids Control Agency (KADSACA) and Malam Umar Waziri as the Special Adviser, Revenue Matters.

    He added that Mr Umar Bambale was appointed as the Special Adviser, Drugs & Narcotics Control, while Prof. Aminu Sharehu was appointed as the Chairman of the Local Government Service Board.

    Shehu said that Mr Abubakar Abubakar was appointed as the Managing Director, Kaduna State Development and Property Company Ltd (KSDPC), while Hadiza Hamza was appointed as the Managing Director, Kaduna Industrial and Finance Company (KIFC).

    “Dr Bello Jamo will serve as the Executive Secretary, State Primary Health Care Board (SPHCB), Mr Joseph Ike will serve as the Executive Secretary, Kaduna State Bureau for Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment (KADBUSA) among others,’’ he said.

    The governor urged the appointees to excel by creating initiatives and programmes that would benefit the people of the state.

    He advised them to serve the people of the state with the utmost diligence, discipline and honesty.

  • Zaria mosque collapse: CAN urges thorough investigation

    Zaria mosque collapse: CAN urges thorough investigation

    The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called on the federal and Kaduna State governments to carry out a thorough investigation into the cause of the collapse of a section of the historic Zaria Central Mosque.

    The CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, made the call in a condolence message to the Zaria Muslim community.

    In the statement he issued in Abuja, Okoh said that the investigation would help in preventing such an incident in the future.

    He urged governments to ensure safety in all places of worship across the country.

    Okoh expressed sympathy with the Muslim community and Kaduna State Government on the loss of lives following the collapse.

    According to him, the CAN received with shock, news of demise of some worshippers due to the incident.

    He prayed God to comfort the bereaved families.

    ”We also extend our thoughts and prayers to the 25 individuals who sustained injuries and pray for their quick and complete recovery,” Okoh said.

    The CAN president commended the swift response of emergency management agencies to the incident.

    He called on religious leaders to deepen interfaith dialogue and understanding.

    “We can build a society where all individuals, regardless of their religious affiliations, can practice their faith freely and peacefully.

    At least eight persons lost their lives and some others got injured on Friday when a section of the mosque collapsed.

     

  • Electioneering period is over, time to hold govt. accountable – PERL

    Electioneering period is over, time to hold govt. accountable – PERL

    Partnership to Engage, Reform & Learn (PERL) Team Lead Kaduna State, Abel Adejor has said that electioneering period is over, it is time for governance and holding those elected accountable.

    He expressed this while delivering the welcome address at a One-Day Review on the Submission of Citizens Groups to Transition Committee and Track the Implementation held in Kaduna on Wednesday August 9, 2023.

    He said prior to the elections, engagements were held with Partnership for Issue Based Campaigns in Nigeria PICaN, where the gubernatorial candidates were present, where demand charter was presented to them.

    “Now that we are going to look at government direction, we will look at areas in all sectors that require intervention.Through dialogue we will see how we can hold the government accountable,” he said.”

    The Partnership for Issues-based Campaign in Nigeria (PICaN) with support of Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) funded Partnership to Engage, Reform & Learn (PERL-ECP) organised the one-day roundtable session on Reviewing the Submission of Citizens Groups to Transition Committee and Track the Implementation.

    The objectives of the session are to: Reflect on the agenda-setting activities during the 2023 gubernatorial elections with focus on influence of citizens’ demand charter, Facilitate dialogue with strategic political appointees to generate strategies to support and track the implementation of the SUSTAIN blueprint; and Jointly agree on next steps to strengthen partnership.

    The representative of the group PICaN Yusuf Ishaku Goje however disclosed that its engagements and demand charter developed through its programmes, has influenced some content of the Kadunà State Governor, Senator Uba Sani of the All Progressives Congress (APC) SUSTAIN Agenda.

    He said, in the health sector they submitted 14 needs, but 4 were reflected in the blueprint and In social protection they submitted 7 and got 5 input,”

    According to him, the demands presented in the charter for education were nine, out of which 3 were reflected in the SUSTAIN Agenda.

    Speaking further, “he predicted that the 2027 election in the state would feature more engagement with candidates because they believe by the next election, the engagement will be more robust,”

    Adding, “Even the politicians are seeing that we are moving towards governance and the electorate are becoming more aware,”

    The PICaN founder said that in view of the successes recorded, what they would do next is to track the SUSTAIN Blueprint.

    “Our intent is that we will use the success as result sheet for the Kaduna State Government because we have the state government development plan and the SUSTAIN blueprint has seven areas of focus which we will track.” He said.

    End…

  • Nationwide Protest : N8000 palliative deceptive, revive our refineries instead – NLC tells Tinubu

    Nationwide Protest : N8000 palliative deceptive, revive our refineries instead – NLC tells Tinubu

    Nigeria Labour Congress NLC in collaboration with Trade Union Congress TUC has said the N8000 palliative proposed by the Federal Government is an insult and form of deception to Nigerians.

    The Chairman of the NLC and TUC Kaduna State Chapter Suleiman Ayuba and Abdullahi Alhassan Danfulani stated this during the joint protest organized by both unions in Kaduna on Wednesday.

    They said that Nigerians are not interested in any palliative but workable measures that can curb the effects of the removal of the fuel subsidy posed on its citizens.

    According to Ayuba, Nigeria Government is not specific on when to alleviate the plights of the citizens, but has instead continue to give obvious challenges in the country without possible solution.

    “We want our refineries revived so we can refine our own crude oil, hence our call that they should be given priority.”

    Speaking on the students loan proposed by the federal government which the union outrightly rejected, the labour union also condemned the hike in public school fees, stressing that free education is their right and therefore it should be reversed.

    He however disclosed that the protest is just a one day national exercise to call the federal government to order so they can know that NLC and TUC is still very much around, while calling on members to stay at alert for further instructions from the national headquarters.

    He said the union is very much open to dialogue for upper review of the N200, 000 to cushion the effect of the economic hardship on their members because it is not yet time for the review of the minimum wage so as to improve the standard of living.

    They both however appreciated the Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani who was represented at the protest by his Special Adviser on Labour matter, Adamu Samaila, saying his presence has shown that a new government exist.

  • Nationwide strike: NLC calls for violence free protest in Kaduna

    Nationwide strike: NLC calls for violence free protest in Kaduna

    Ahead of the planned nationwide strike scheduled to take place tomorrow Wednesday, 2nd August, the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress Kaduna Council has called for a peaceful demonstration from amongst its members and the general public.

    The call was contained in a statement signed and made available to newsmen in Kaduna by the state Secretary of the union, Comrade Gado Hussaini Titus.

    According to the statement, “we firmly believe in the right to peaceful protest and demonstration, which is a fundamental aspect and pillar of democracy, that is, allowing individuals to express their concerns and grievances in a respectful and lawful manner.

    It said, “we call for unity, cooperation and peaceful participation as the NLC prepares for this demonstration to drive home the general dissatisfaction of workers and masses over the untold hardship caused by the anti-poor policies of the government.

    Adding, “we are not ignorant of the volatile situation we find ourselves in the country and in the state, but we want to make it very clear that any form of violence, vandalism, or illegal
    activities will not be tolerated and will be met with appropriate legal action.”

    The statement explained further that the law will be upheld, and those found to be inciting violence or participating in criminal acts will be held accountable for their actions.

    “And to the lawful demonstrators, be rest assured that there will be adequate security cover to maintain a peaceful environment and protect the rights of all participants.”

    “Let us come together as responsible citizens to express our dissatisfaction without infringing on the safety and security of our society because our collective commitment to a peaceful and law-abiding society is crucial for the progress and prosperity of our nation.”

  • Tribunal continues with Ashiru’s petition, as Uba Sani seeks dismissal of  case

    Tribunal continues with Ashiru’s petition, as Uba Sani seeks dismissal of  case

    Justice Victor Oviawe’s led panel of the tribunal handling the petition marked EPT/KD/Gov/4/23 between Hon. Isa Ashiru, his party; PDP, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna state and his party; APC, has continued with the petition, despite the applicaton for the dismissal of the case by the Uba Sani’s lead counsel, Bayo Ojo (SAN)

    Meanwhile, the petitioners, Hon. Isa Ashiru and his party, through thier lead counsel, Oluwole Iyamu have presented more witnesses before the court who were subpoened witnesses.

    According to the witnesses who adopted their depositions as their evidences before the court testified that there was over voting in their respective polling units, adding that election results were never announced at their polling units.

    One of the witnesses, Bawa Joshua of Agric Quarters Kakau polling unit in Chikun Local Government Area of the state, during the cross examination exercise testified before the court that after over voting was discovered, no result was uploaded on the Irev at his polling unit.

    ” The process of the election was smooth and peaceful, but due to over voting, the election result was not announced at the polling unit,” another witness; Musa Yakubu who gave evidence in chief told the tribunal.

    Though, the counsel to the 3rd respondent (APC), Abdul Moh’d (SAN) objected to the claims of one of the witnesses (Bawa Joshua) and argued that according to the information available to him, the result of the Agric Quarters Kakau polling unit was uploaded on the INEC’s Irev.

    Also, Daniel Ishaya of polling unit 020; Sabon-Gari ward of Chikun LGA told the court that election never took place in the said polling unit, just as he further testified that no electoral officer or party officials were sighted at his polling unit during the day of the election.

    At the resumed hearing of the petition on Monday, Bayo Ojo (SAN) who is the counsel to the 2nd respondent, Governor Uba Sani has challenged the competency of the petition and also the juridiction of the tribunal.

    Uba Sani, through his counsel, in his application dated 23 of July, 2023 and filed the same day argued that the petition of Isa Ashiru and his party should be strike out on the ground that the petition has been abandoned, and therefore, the case should be terminated.

    Bayo Ojo who was the former Attorney General of the Federation, while urging the tribunal to strike out the petition, further explained that his client’s application seeking the dismissal was supported with four paragraph affidavities.

    In his counter, the lead counsel to the petitioners, Oluwole Iyamu who also cited several authorities to back his arguments urged the tribunal to decline the application seeking dismissal of Ashiru and PDP’s petition.

    Upon the arguments of all counsels, the ruling on the competency of the petition has been reserved, and the case has been adjourned to Tuesday; 1st of August, 2023 for the continuation on the hearing of the petition.