TheNewsGuru

Tag: Kaduna State

  • BREAKING: Confusion as train loaded with water pipes derail in Kaduna

    BREAKING: Confusion as train loaded with water pipes derail in Kaduna

    A train loaded with water pipes, heading to Zaria and Kano from Lagos State on Thursday derailed at the Ungwan Kanawa area of Kaduna North Local Government, Kaduna State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the incident, which occurred at about 5:45 pm, resulted in confusion and the Kaduna State Sector Commander of Federal Road Safety Corps, Hafiz Mohammed has confirmed the accident.

    Mohammed said the accident was minor and that the railway headquarters has been contacted so that they would send their technical team to Kaduna.

    Also, the Kaduna State Police Command Spokesman, ASP Mohammed Jalige confirmed the accident, saying the train developed some faults and derailed.

    He said no life was lost and no property was damaged in the accident, but that operatives were guarding the train against possible vandalism.

  • Police nab notorious armed robber in Kaduna

    Police nab notorious armed robber in Kaduna

    The Police Command in Kaduna State says it’s operatives have arrested a notorious suspected armed robber and cultist, and recovered a Baretta pistols from him.

    The command’s spokesperson, ASP Mohammed Jalige, made the disclosure in a statement in Kaduna on Sunday.

    Jalige said that the command acted on credible intelligence received from a good Samaritan through the DPO Kabala West on May 8, at about 07:00hrs

    “We were reliably informed that a suspected armed robber responsible for terrorizing and dispossessing unsuspecting commuters of their valuables on Nmandi Azikwe Expressway, Kaduna, was sighted at an usual spot.

    “On getting hint of the situation, the operatives of the command swiftly swung into action, carefully traced the location and succeeded in apprehending the suspect.”

    He said that the suspect hails from Dekina LGA in Kogi and lives in Karatudu Unguwan Romi, Kaduna.

    “We recovered in his possession 92G Elite Centurion Baretta Pistol loaded with six rounds of 9mm ammunition,” Jalige said

    According to him, the suspect confessed to being a member of Black Axe Cult Group and where he acquired the prohibited firearm.

    “The operatives have expanded investigation with a view to arresting other members of the gang and recover their operational weapons after which the suspect would be charged to court,” he added.

    Jalige said that the command has urged communities to work closely with the police to ensure success in the fight against criminal elements.

    He said the Commissioner of Police, Mr Umar Muri has assured all those who volunteer information to police of their safety and absolute confidentiality.

  • BREAKING: Gunmen kill traditional ruler’s scribe, wife, daughter-in-law in Kaduna

    BREAKING: Gunmen kill traditional ruler’s scribe, wife, daughter-in-law in Kaduna

    Yet to be identified gunmen have killed a traditional ruler’s scribe, his wife and daughter-in-law in Jema’a Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the traditional ruler’s scribe was identified as Sgt. Christopher Madaki (Rtd), a scribe to a Ward Head at Golkofa, Jema’a LGA.

    The assailants stormed the home of Sgt. Madaki (Rtd), a scribe to a Ward Head at Golkofa on Saturday, shooting him dead, as well as his wife and his son’s wife.

    The three were confirmed dead, while his son, Clement Musa Madaki survived with injuries inflicted on him by the assailants.

    The scribe’s wife was identified as Mary Christopher Madaki, and his son’s wife as Alice Musa.

  • JUST IN: Troops confirm mass movement of herdsmen from Abuja

    JUST IN: Troops confirm mass movement of herdsmen from Abuja

    Troops and Police operatives have confirmed the mass movement of some herdsmen from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the herdsmen were sighted around Tafa in Kagarko local government Area.

    The troops trailed the group to an open field at Toba village, Tafa, Niger State, following several distress calls from citizens on movement of armed bandits in the area.

    However, following confirmatory checks, it was discovered that they were herders in transit from Dobi in Gwagwalada (FCT) and Gawu-Babangida, Lambata (Niger State).

    According to a statement by Kaduna State Commissioner for Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, the herders were on transit to their original stations in Jos, Plateau State and Bauchi, Bauchi State.

    “A head-count was conducted by the troops, which revealed 53 herders in the traveling party: 9 adult male, 7 young male, and 37 women and children.

    “A thorough inspection showed that they had three motorcycles, and no dangerous or incriminating materials were found in their possession,” the statement reads.

  • Release of Kaduna students: Buhari, El-Rufai ignored as parents thank Obasanjo, Abdulsalami

    Release of Kaduna students: Buhari, El-Rufai ignored as parents thank Obasanjo, Abdulsalami

    Parents of the 39 students kidnapped from the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, Afaka, Kaduna State, have ignored the State Governor and President Muhammadu Buhari and rather expressed thanks to former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the parents ignored Governor Nasir El-Rufai and expressed thanks, also to Abubakar Abdulsalami, Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Mahmud Gumi and the Provost of the College, Dr Usman.

    In a statement released by Malam Abdullahi Usman, Chairman of the Forum of parents of the 27 students of Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, and Mrs Catherine Y. Saleh, the Secretary, the parents thanked Obasanjo, Abdulsalami and Gumi for the various roles they played in securing the release of their children.

    In the statement, the parents identified other individuals who played one role or the other in securing the release of the 39 students.

    The statement reads: “We, the parents of the 27 students of Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, Afaka, Kaduna, have met and reviewed one of the most important matters in our lives, which is the release of our children by armed bandits.

    “You would recall that the students were abducted on 11th March, 2021. First and foremost, pertinent for us to effect an important correction on the number of the released students. They are 27, not 29, as reported by some nations media. The total abducted students were 39, out of which 2 (two) escaped not long after abduction, 10 were released in 2 batches of 5 each, leaving the remaining 27, who were released yesterday, Wednesday 5th May, 2021, 56 days after their abduction.

    “We, as parents, made several efforts to secure the release of the students. We even took our peaceful march to the National Assembly on Tuesday, 4th May, 2021, presented our plight and prayed for the intervention of the lawmakers in securing the release of our children.

    “We are grateful that we did not leave any stone unturned on the path to where we have arrived today. The 27 released students were received at a location in Kidanda, Giwa Local Government, and conveyed to Kaduna.

    “On arrival in Kaduna, they were taken to the Police College Clinic for medical checkup. Today, Thursday, 6th May, we will, by the grace God, we have received our children from the college authorities, after going through all necessary formalities.

    “We extend profound gratitude to all Nigerians and lovers of humanity at home and abroad who showed up and showed out in solidarity as we went through the dark horrendous period of waiting and hoping for the return of our children.

    “We are unable to thank nearly enough every one who stood by us and for the sacrifices you made in your various capacities financially, morally, spiritually and otherwise.

    “We most especially register our immense gratitude to former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, and Abubakar Abdulsalami, Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Mahmud Gumi, and the Provost of the College, Dr Usman, for the various roles they played in securing the release of our children.

    “We appreciate immensely the students and staff of the Institution for their relentless solidarity. We thank Barr Gloria Mabeiam Ballason and the House of Justice crew, Channels TV, BBC, DW Radio, the NUJ, Kaduna Chapel, Comrades Deji Adeyanju, Omoyele Sowore, Steven Kefas , and others too numerous to mention. Special thanks to The Ordinary President, Ahmed Isah of Berekete Radio/TV programme.

    “The journey is not yet over because our children will definitely require rehabilitation to overcome the trauma that accompanies such ugly experiences.

    “We therefore call the Minister of Environment, the Managements of FRIN and the College of Forestry Mechanisation, to ensure that all the students are well rehabilitated so that they may get back to normal life again and continue with their education.

    “We pray for the repose of the soul of Malam Ibrahim, one of the parents of the abducted students, who died as a result of the trauma that resulted from the abduction of his daughter. We also pray for the souls of the 5 Greenfield University students who were killed by their abductors and ask God to grant the remaining students speedy release because we understand what the parents are passing through.

    “We call on government to get more serious and aggressively pursue safe schooling as a pertinent agenda so as to give parents the confidence to send their children to school because if the schools remain as security porous as they now are, many may not find it worth the trouble to enroll their children in schools anymore.

    “Finally, we thank God Almighty for the victory he has granted us. He has done for us what no man can do. We thank you sincerely and pray that Kaduna State and Nigeria will return back to the days where we can all sleep with our two eyes closed”.

  • BREAKING: Bandits release student of Greenfield University

    BREAKING: Bandits release student of Greenfield University

    Bandits have released one of the students they kidnapped from Greenfield University, located in the outskirts of Kaduna State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the mother of the released student, Lauritta Attahiru revealed this on Tuesday.

    Attahiru confirmed the release of her child to Channels TV, but the police are yet to confirm the development.

    She, however, refused to give details of how her son was released and whether a ransom was paid or not.

    Meanwhile, some of the parents told the station that the student was released on Saturday after his mother, who is the wife of a retired Army officer from Plateau State negotiated and paid ransom to the bandits privately before they released her son on Saturday.

    The parents had earlier said the bandits had been negotiating with them individually, asking each of them to pay up to N20 million as ransom, before they later demanded a ransom of N100 million in lump sum and 10 motorcycles on Monday.

    The parents have appealed to the government and Nigerians to come to their aid so that their children will be rescued alive.

    With the release of the student, the fate of the remaining 16 students still hangs in the balance.

    The bandits had hreatened to kill them if their parents and government failed to pay the N100 million ransom and also give them 10 new motorcycles.

    Controversial Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, on Tuesday said the abductors of the students are Boko Haram terrorists and not just bandits.

    Gumi, in an interview with AIT said Boko Haram members were behind the abduction.

    When asked by the presenter if he indeed mentioned that Boko Haram was behind the abduction, Sheik Gumi said, ”Yes, really. When we tried to trace them and put some sense into them, the contact who is also a nomadic Fulani, they threatened him. They said if he insists on them they were going to catch him and he will have to pay a ransom before he gets out.

    “And the leader is from Jalingo. He is from Adamawa. He is not the local Fulani we have here. So this means that the Northeastern element is coming into this area and we have to move fast. We don’t have that luxury of time.

    “I have been trying to speak with the government but nobody is really trying to listen to me or speak with me on this issue. We are trying to pacify and remove this banditry and they are responding.”

  • Tension in Kaduna as bandits threaten to kill remaining Greenfield University Students

    Tension in Kaduna as bandits threaten to kill remaining Greenfield University Students

    Bandits have told the Hausa Service of the Voice of America (VOA Hausa) that they they will kill the remaining 17 students abducted from Greenfield University, Kaduna State if the remaining N45million naira ransom is not paid to them by Tuesday.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) gathered that parents of the abducted students have so far gathered and N55million to the bandits but the kidnappers claimed they have used it to feed their hostages.

    Twenty-two students and a member of staff were abducted from the school campus along the Kaduna-Abuja highway on April 20 and within a week, five of them were killed.

    In an interview with the Hausa Service of Voice of America (VOA), monitored by our correspondent, a leader of the bandit group who identified himself as Sani Idris Jalingo, said if the Kaduna State Government or their families fail to pay a ransom of N100 million as well as provide them with 10 brand Honda motorcycles by Tuesday, the remaining students will be killed.

    Jalingo said there were 17 students in his custody, including 15 females and two male students among them a grandchild of the late 18th emir of Zazzau, Shehu Idris, whom he identified as Hamza.

    He vowed that it was his final warning and should government or the students’ families fail to meet his demands, all the students will be killed.

    “You are speaking with the abductors of Greenfield students. We heard the utterances of the Kaduna State Governor that he will not pay ransom to bandits to purchase additional arms.

    Asked if he sees himself as a terrorist, Jalingo laughed and said: “I’m not but a food seeker.”

    Emphasising on his threat, the bandit said: “If they fail to bring N100 million and 10 brand new Honda motorcycles known as Boko Haram by Tuesday, I can assure you they will use trucks to evacuate the bodies of the remaining students.”

    He warned security agencies not to waste their time planting trackers on the motorcycles, saying his members do not go to cities and therefore arresting them will be difficult.

  • Tears as Greenfield University student killed by bandits in captivity is buried [PHOTOS]

    Tears as Greenfield University student killed by bandits in captivity is buried [PHOTOS]

    There was mourning and lamentations in Kaduna State as the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) buried one of the students of Greenfield University that was killed by bandits in captivity.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports ECWA, Narayi, Kaduna South LGA, laid the body of Dorothy Yohana, one of the murdered students of Greenfield University to rest on Wednesday.

    Recall that Yohana was kidnapped along with an unspecified number of students of Greenfield University almost two weeks ago.

    The students are yet to be rescued and the bandits who took them hostage have started killing them one after the other.

    TNG reports Yohana was one of the 6 students of the university that has been killed so far, with no hope in view to rescue the remaining students.

    The Kaduna State Government has vowed not to negotiate with bandits and kidnappers.

    See photos of the burial below:

    Tears as Greenfield University student killed by bandits in captivity is buried [PHOTOS]

  • Why Jonathan’s govt faced civic pressures – Gov El-Rufai

    Why Jonathan’s govt faced civic pressures – Gov El-Rufai

    …says Nigeria’s problems have evolved since 2014

    Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has opened up on the context under which civic pressures were brought on the government of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Muyiwa Adekeye, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication made this known in the statement on Tuesday.

    This is following an old video of Governor El-Rufai that re-surfaced on the Internet in which the Governor was seen critically criticising Jonathan.

    El-Rufai in the video was seen calling on the then president Jonathan to use all options, including negotiation, to rescue the Chibok girls.

    Negotiation, a stance the Governor is presently against, and which he himself is presently facing criticisms for.

    A statement released by the Special Adviser to the Governor, quoted El-Rufai to have said Nigeria’s journey since the 2014 Chibok tragedy has proven that the solution to violent crimes, including terrorism and banditry is not to negotiate.

    He stated that the quantum of money paid as ransom following many negotiations with bandits have not stopped kidnappings, reduced their frequency or deterred the criminals.

    He also stated that the Governor’s suggestion years ago cannot be taken as the immutable answer to Nigeria’s problems, which he said has evolved since 2014.

    The statement reads: “Amidst the violence unleashed by criminal elements on the people of Kaduna State, some commentators have responded by blaming KDSG for asserting that the duty of the state is to uphold the law and not to reward hoodlums for violating the lives, property and liberties of citizens.

    “Those pushing that kind of narrative are sharing a video clip of a 2014 interview in which Malam Nasir El-Rufai called on the government of President Goodluck Jonathan to use all options, including negotiation, to rescue the Chibok girls.

    “The years since 2014 may have led some people to forget the denial and doubt that defined the FG’s response to the Chibok abductions, especially the initial refusal to acknowledge that it happened. That was the context under which civic pressures were brought on the government.

    “Nigeria’s journey since the 2014 Chibok tragedy has proven that the solution to violent crimes, including terrorism and banditry, is a robust response from the state and its coercive agencies.

    “The quantum of money paid as ransom following many negotiations with bandits have not stopped kidnappings, reduced their frequency or deterred the criminals.

    “The experience of many states in the Northwest of Nigeria since 2015 has included cattle rustling, kidnappings, killings and the devastation of communities by criminals.

    “Several states sought to negotiate their way out of the problems by talking to bandits, paying them money or offering them amnesty. This has not worked and has only encouraged the criminals to press ahead for a surrender of the public treasury to them. That is clearly not in the public interest.

    “Mass abduction was like in novelty in 2014. But the facts have changed since then. Negotiations and ransoms have been undertaken, but these have not stopped the criminals. It has only encouraged them.

    “It is only prudent to review one’s position when the facts change, and the suggestion made by a citizen years ago cannot be taken as the immutable answer to a serious problem which has evolved since 2014, no matter the viral replays of the said video clip.

    “The Kaduna State Government has been consistently transparent about its security challenges. It has supported and continues to resource the security agencies in the state.

    “We are engaging the Federal Government to have security responses that move away from reactive response of repelling bandits towards a comprehensive, proactive offensive that takes the battle to the criminals and uproots them.

    “As a sub-national, with no direct control of any of the security agencies, we cannot make this task more difficult by giving criminals the resources to acquire more arms.

    “KDSG regrets the recent kidnaps and killings of students from tertiary institutions in our state, and we sympathize with their families with whom we share the aim of the safe return of all the students.

    “We mourn the dead students and we offer our condolences to the family and friends of the deceased. The ruthless and heartless resort of the kidnappers to murdering these young persons is part of their effort to further their blackmail and compel us to abandon our ‘no-ransom, no-negotiation’ policy.

    “Are people bothering with the consequences of state surrender to hoodlums, or is the continued politicization of security challenges not going to make all of us ultimately victims of the insurgents?

    “The fact that criminals seek to hold us by the jugular does not mean we should surrender and create an incentive for more crime.

    “In today’s Nigeria, it has become fashionable to treat the unlawful demands of bandits as worthy of consideration and to lampoon people who insist that outlaws should be crushed and not mollycoddled or availed the resources they can use to unleash further outrages”.

  • Kaduna Assembly declares Speaker’s seat vacant, suspends 4 members

    Kaduna Assembly declares Speaker’s seat vacant, suspends 4 members

    The Kaduna State House Assembly has declared the seat of Speaker Aminu Abdullahi-Shagali vacant.

    The Kaduna assembly declared the Speaker’s seat vacant at its sitting presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Mr Isaac Auta-Zankai on Tuesday.

    Recall that Abdullahi-Shagali who represents Sabongari constituency was suspended as Speaker in August 2020 for nine months.

    Along with the suspension, he was directed to issue an apology to the House.

    The assembly at its sitting on Tuesday, noted that he has not apologised to the assembly nor participated in its activities for over 120 days as prescribed by law.

    The lawmakers unanimously adopted the motion moved by Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed, member representing Zaria Kewaye, and declared the lawmaker’s seat vacant.

    The sitting, presided by the Deputy Speaker, also suspended four other members of the assembly for one year.

    Those suspended include Mukhtar Isa-Hazo, a former deputy speaker who represents Basawa constituency, Mr Nuhu Goroh-Shadalafiya of Kagarko constituency, Alhaji Yusuf Liman-Dahiru, Kakuri/Makera constituency and Salisu Isa, Magajin Gari constituency.

    They were suspended for causing disaffection and engaging in activities inimical to the unity of members of the assembly.

    Three of the members of the assembly were initially suspended on August 11, 2020 for nine months, while Isa and Abdullahi-Shagali were ordered to tender public apology.