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Tag: Kaduna State

  • Gov El-Rufai faces attack from parents of 39 students kidnapped from Kaduna college

    Gov El-Rufai faces attack from parents of 39 students kidnapped from Kaduna college

    Parents of the 39 students kidnapped from the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Afaka in Kaduna State have criticized the State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai very harshly.

    The parents, during a press conference addressed on Monday by their Chairman, Sam Kambai and Secretary, Comrade Sanni Friday, revealed that they were yet to receive any words of empathy or assurance from the government.

    They also stated that they were yet to see any action from the government to inspire confidence that something is being done to secure the safe release of their children.

    Recall that 39 students of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Afaka in Kaduna State were abducted on 11th March, 2021 in their hostels.

    “Today makes it 25 dreary and excruciatingly difficult days since our children have been in captivity. We have not received any words of empathy or assurance from Government nor have we seen any action to inspire confidence that something is being done to secure the safe release of our children.

    “For the record, the Governor of Kaduna State has never addressed the parents of these students from the first day of the incident until now. They have shown no concern about the trauma the parents have been enduring.

    “After we organised a peaceful protest during which we addressed a press conference on 22nd March, 2021, we got audience with a Government official where they stated categorically that the Kaduna State Government will not negotiate with the bandits for the release of the students.

    “We were clear that as parents, we cannot sit on our hands and do nothing and that we would do everything within our capacity to ensure the safe release of our children. It was on that note that we left the meeting.

    “We wish to reiterate that we will do everything within our power, everything humanly possible, with the help of God, to ensure that our children do not perish.

    “Let us be clear, it is first and foremost due to the failure of government to live up to its primary responsibility of securing life and property that we have this ugly development in our hands.

    “For government to not do everything to secure the release of the students 25 days after their abduction, and for government to keep the parents in the dark as to what it is doing, if any at all, smacks of gross insensitivity.

    “We observe with disappointment that in the Easter message by the Governor, there was no mention whatsoever of the students or any assurance of what government is doing to ensure their release. For us it was a confirmation of our fear that the government has abandoned our children.

    “We can never abandon our children and we will do whatever we can to see that we get them back.

    “Furthermore, we read in the media the statement credited to the Commissioner of Internal Security, Mr Samuel Aruwan, to the end that anyone who negotiates the release of the students will be prosecuted. For us the statement is unfortunate and another demonstration of callousness on the part of the government. We have been beaten, and we are now forced not to cry. We are the parents of these children and if their lives mean nothing to the government, they mean everything to us.

    “Recall that the father of one of the abducted parents, Mallam Ibrahim Shamaki, passed on due to shock upon receiving the news of the kidnap of his daughter and her continued stay in captivity. Many parents have come down with high blood pressure as well. May the soul of Mallam Ibrahim Shamaki rest in peace and we pray for quick recovery of those who are ill on account of this development. We do not want to lose more parents, and since government has shown us no empathy nor communicated to us on the fate of our children, we will not resign to fate by doing nothing. We will continue to do our best until we have our children back.

    “Therefore, we are not intimidated by the threat of prosecution. We call on all Nigerians and the international Community to support us in our efforts for the safe return to us of our children soonest,” the parents stated.

  • Kaduna Govt denies appointing intermediaries to negotiate with bandits

    Kaduna Govt denies appointing intermediaries to negotiate with bandits

    The Kaduna State Government has refuted media reports that it had appointed intermediaries to negotiate with bandits, on its behalf.

    Mr Samuel Aruwan, Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, made the clarification in a statement on Sunday, in Kaduna.

    “The attention of the Kaduna State Government, under the leadership of Gov. Nasir El-Rufai, has been drawn to reports in the media that it has appointed representatives to interface with bandits on its behalf.

    ”The State Government hereby, clarifies firmly that such intermediaries have never been appointed,” he said..

    Aruwan said the position of the Kaduna Government remained the same and that the state would not negotiate with, or pay ransom to bandits, and “any person who claims to do so in any capacity, if found, will be prosecuted accordingly.

    “Citizens are advice to report the details of any persons posing as official government negotiators to the Kaduna State Security Operations Room on 09034000060 and 08170189999, or email internal.security@kdsg.gov.ng. “Aruwan said.

  • BREAKING: Catholic priest, catechist, wife, others kidnapped in Kaduna

    BREAKING: Catholic priest, catechist, wife, others kidnapped in Kaduna

    Reports reaching TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) has it that a Catholic Priest, Reverend Father Anthony Dawah has been kidnapped in Kaduna State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Reverend Father Dawah was kidnapped together with his catechist, the catechist’s wife and a few other of his church members.

    This is coming barely two weeks after a Parish Priest, Reverend Father John Bako Shekwolo of St. Theresa Catholic Church, Ankwa in Kachia Local Government Area was kidnapped in same Kaduna State.

    Dawah is a Reverend Father with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kaduna, the Metropolitan See for the Ecclesiastical province of Kaduna in Nigeria.

     

    Details shortly…

  • Police foil kidnap attempt, rescue 5 victims in Kaduna

    Police foil kidnap attempt, rescue 5 victims in Kaduna

    The Police Command in Kaduna State said on Sunday that its operatives foiled kidnapping attempt and rescued five victims.

    The Command Public Relations Officer, ASP Muhammad Jalige, confirmed the incident in a statement issued in Kaduna.

    “The command wishes to inform the general public of its relentless effort to curb the menace of banditry, kidnapping, rustling and armed robbery in the state and the successes recorded in the process,” Jalige said.

    According to him, “on March 26, at about 12:00hrs information has it that some bandits numbering 10 with sophisticated weapons blocked Kaduna to Birnin Gwari road in an attempt to kidnap five occupants of a Volkswagen Golf vehicle with Reg.No DKA 539 TU, heading towards Birnin Gwari from Kaduna.

    “On receiving the report, patrol team attached to Buruku Division immediately swung into action, engaged the bandits in fierce gun duel and successfully repelled the bandits who scampered into the forest with various degrees of bullet wounds and rescued all the occupants of the vehicle safely.

    “Effort is on high gear to ensure the fleeing bandits are apprehended,” he said

    The spokesman said the victims have since been reunited with their families.

    Jalige also disclosed that on same March 26 a suspected arms dealer was arrested by operatives and one bandit killed, adding the command recovered eight SMG rifles, one pistol and 85 rounds of 7.62 X39mm live ammunition in Saminaka forest of Lere Local Government Area of the state.

    He said investigation into the matter had been lunched and the remaining suspects confessed to be transporting the arms and ammunitions to bandits in Niger, Kaduna, Zamfara and Katsina States.

    He said on the same date two suspected rustlers were arrested by detectives with 32 rustled cows and 10 sheep recovered in Ladduga village of Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

    He noted that the featd were not unconnected to the renewed collaboration between the Police and communities in the areas through prompt intelligence sharing.

    “The Command appreciate the awesome gesture and call on all and sundry to support the Police in that direction as it assures them of absolute confidentiality while acting on shared intelligence.

    “In his effort to sustain the gains recorded so far in the fight against criminality in the state, the Commissioner of Police ( CP) Umar Muri, has charged his officers and men to work very closely with the locals to improve on the current onslaught,” Jalige said.

  • BREAKING: Tinubu rescued from falling in Kaduna after misstep [VIDEO]

    BREAKING: Tinubu rescued from falling in Kaduna after misstep [VIDEO]

    A National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu was rescued from an imminent fall after an apparent misstep during a function at Arewa House in Kaduna State on Saturday.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Chief Tinubu, who is a former Governor of Lagos State was invited to chair the 11th edition of the Annual Arewa House lecture.

    The Arewa House Lecture Series is organised every year in honour of one of the post-colonial leaders of Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello, the late Sardauna of Sokoto.

    The occasion provides a forum for prominent elder statesmen and other distinguished Nigerians to address issues of national importance.

    However, Tinubu almost fell like U.S. President Joe Biden at the event but was immediately assisted to avert falling.

    Tinubu almost fell during the function after he missed a step while walking to the high table drawing similarity with US President Biden, who recently fell thrice while climbing the stairs of Airforce one.

    A source later told TNG the Asiwaju was in a good condition after the bizarre occurrence.

    Watch video below:

     

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  • Military deny killing woman during protest in Southern Kaduna

    Military deny killing woman during protest in Southern Kaduna

    The Special Task Force, Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), maintaining peace in Plateau and parts of Kaduna and Bauchi states, has denied killing a woman at Gon Gora, Zango Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

    Maj. Ibrahim Shittu, Media Officer of the task force, made the denial in a statement on Thursday in Jos.

    According Shittu, the allegation making rounds that its personnel killed a certain woman during a protest, was malicious and false.

    He said that the deceased was hit by a stray bullet during another violent protest staged by a group of women in the community.

    He explained that personnel of the task force are well trained and have been deployed to the area to maintain peace, and have been operating within the rules of engagement, code of conduct and respect for fundamental human rights.

    “To set the record straight, on March 5, following a reported case of the destruction of a farmland belonging to one Mr Ibrahim Amako by a group of herders numbering five, the Secretary to the District Head of Gon Gora, Mr Ayuba Bungon, intervened in the case where he facilitated the payment of the N300,000 compensation to appease the victim.

    “On March 6, at about 6:55 p.m. while on routine patrol, our troops were informed that the Secretary and five herders were kidnapped by unknown persons suspected to be youths of Gora Village at Ungwan Masat along Gora – Zonkwa road while returning home.

    “Troops in conjunction with other security agencies swiftly mobilised to the scene and successfully rescued the secretary unhurt, while two out of the five victims later escaped from their abductors. Efforts are ongoing to rescue other missing persons

    “Troops while searching the general area recovered one locally fabricated assault rifle, four rounds of 7.62mm special and a bag containing rings and charms,”he said.

    Giving further details of what transpired, Shittu said women of community staged a protest on March 22 and another on March 23, and expressed their displeasure with the spate of killings in the area.

    “In the same vein, March 22, a group of women staged a peaceful protest at troops location in Gora village. The protesters expressed their displeasure over the constant killing of their people by suspected militias which led to people deserting the village over fear of a possible reprisal attack.

    “The protesters were addressed by Col. David Nwakonobi, the Commander of our Sector 6, to sheath their swords and embrace peace. They later dispersed peacefully.

    “On March 23, at about 5: 45p.m., troops received a distress call of a violent protests by women and youths of Gon Gora, Bafai Gora and Sagwaza villages. The violent protest was believed to be sponsored by some aggrieved elites of Zagon Kataf.

    “Troops swiftly mobilised to the scene in order to restore normalcy to the area. Troops on arrival at the scene of the incident were however encountered by some youths in the midst of the female protesters firing and pelting dangerous object at the troops.

    “In the pandemonium, one of the female protesters in close contact with troops was hit by a stray bullet from the youths, while an elderly man sustained a gunshot injury on his right hand,”he explained.

    Shittu further explained that some youths later barricaded the exit and entry routes of the community and demanded for the withdrawal of troops from the area

    He said troops later apprehended eight suspects involved in the violent protest and recovered one locally fabricated assault rifle and three cartridges from the suspects.

    “The arrested suspects are currently in our custody undergoing preliminary investigation.

    “The injured person is currently receiving treatment at Saint Louis Hospital Zonkwa, while the corpse of the deceased has been deposited at the morgue of General Hospital Zonkwa.

    “Normalcy has since returned to the general area while troops are maintaining vigilance to forestall any further breakdown of law and order,”Shittu said..

    The media officer warned mischief makers to desist from fomenting troubles and violence in the Southern Kaduna and across its joint operational areas, adding that anyone caught would be made to face the full wrath of the law.

    He, however, solicited for public support to the task force to enable it achieve it’s mandate of promoting peace and tranquility in the society.

  • BREAKING: Again, gunmen storm Kaduna primary school, abduct teachers, pupils

    BREAKING: Again, gunmen storm Kaduna primary school, abduct teachers, pupils

    Bandits have abducted students and teachers from UBE Primary School in Rama, a village in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

    According to a report coming in, members of the community said that the incident occurred while pupils where trooping into the school around 9am on Monday.

    A resident said the gunmen came on about 12 motorcycles.

    “I have been told that three teachers and some pupils have been abducted but we are trying to ascertain the true situation. Right now, our vigilante boys and other volunteers have gone after the bandits,” he said.

    “We are in the school right now, what we are trying to do is comb the bushes because some of the children ran into the bush. So, we don’t know how many were abducted at the moment.”

    Another resident, said: “There is a particular parent whose name is Halilu. He said he saw them carry his son on a motorcycle. Most of them decided to brave it by going after the bandits. We are in the school and we have sent for security agents but they have not arrived yet.”

    Mohammadu Birnin Gwari, a resident of Birnin Gwari, said two of his brothers were among the teachers abducted.

    He gave their names as Umar Hassan and Rabiu Salisu Takau.

    Details later…

  • How troops foiled kidnapping of Kaduna students

    How troops foiled kidnapping of Kaduna students

    The Kaduna State Government says troops have foiled attempt to kidnap students of Government Science Secondary School, Ikara, Ikara Local Government Area of the state.

    The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr Samuel Aruwan, disclosed this at a news conference in Kaduna on Sunday.

    Aruwan was at the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) to brief newsmen on recent events in respect to the security situation in the State.

    He said between the late hours of Saturday night and the early hours of Sunday, some suspected bandits stormed the Government Science Secondary School, Ikara, with intention to kidnap the students.

    “Fortunately, the students utilised the security warning system in place, and were thus able to alert security forces in the area.

    “The security forces, comprising the troops of the Nigerian Army, Police and some security volunteers, moved swiftly to the school and engaged the bandits, forcing them to flee.

    “The military and police are still on the trail of the armed bandits,” he said.

    The commissioner said following a headcount by the school management, the Kaduna State Government could confirm that all 307 students had been verified safe and present.

    He added that the attempted kidnap was foiled completely and no student was taken from the school.

    Aruwan also disclosed that around Ifira village in Igabi Local Government Area, bandits attempted to attack a senior staff quarters around the Kaduna airport general area.

    “This attempt was also foiled as troops of the Nigerian Air Force and the Nigerian Army engaged and repelled them, with several escaping with gunshot wounds.

    “The state government acknowledges the efforts of the security agencies in the recent rescue of 180 students in the vicinity of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, Afaka.

    “These efforts have being mentioned in interviews given by some of the rescued students.

    “By virtue of access to the facts of the event, the Kaduna State Government extends its unequivocal solidarity to the Military, Police, Department of State Services and other security agencies, whose swift intervention prevented the bandits from abducting more persons,” the commissioner stated.

    He said government would maintain a clear focus at this time to ensure the safe return of the missing students, and to consolidate on intelligence gathering and security vigilance towards forestalling possible attempt on other facilities or institutions.

    “As a government, our focus is on getting back our missing students and preventing further episodes of school abductions. We will continue to provide updates as further information becomes available” Aruwan said.

  • Kaduna court fixes date to continue secret trial of El-Zakzaky

    Kaduna court fixes date to continue secret trial of El-Zakzaky

    A Kaduna State High Court, on Monday, adjourned the “secret trial“ of the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Ibrahim El-Zakzaky and his wife, Zeenat, until March 31.

    Justice Gideon Kurada adjournment the matter after over six hours sitting, to allow the prosecution to close its case.

    The lead prosecution counsel, Chris Umar, who is also the Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Kaduna State Ministry of Justice, confirmed this to reporters shortly after the trial that lasted from 11 a.m. to 5;15 p.m..

    Umar said that the prosecution had so far presented 14 witnesses before the court.

    He said that the court had admitted several items in evidence, but declined to mention the items.

    Also, Femi Falana, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), told reporters that items including video recordings, Dane guns, SIM cards among others were admitted in evidence by the court.

    Falana said his team will open defence in the case after the prosecution closed its case on the adjourned date.

    The “secret trial“ of the IMN leader and his wife Zeenat began on Nov. 18, 2020 at the High Court.

    The Kaduna State Government charged El-Zakzaky and Zeenat with eight counts bordering on alleged culpable homicide, unlawful assembly and disruption of public peace, among other charges.

    On Sept. 29, the IMN leader and his wife pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them.

    The state had so far presented 14 witnesses including two Army officers, a retired director of state security service, police officers and a medical doctor who testified in secret before Justice Kurada.

  • Troops kill 4 bandits, recover 3 rifles in Kaduna

    Troops kill 4 bandits, recover 3 rifles in Kaduna

    The Kaduna State Government said troops of Operation Thunder Strike (OPTS) have killed four bandits and recovered three rifles in Chikun Local Government Area of the state.

    The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr Samuel Aruwan confirmed this in a statement issued on Sunday in Kaduna.

    Aruwan said: “Four bandits have been killed and several others injured in an ambush operation conducted by troops around Gwagwada, Chikun local government area.

    “According to operational feedback from troops of Operation Thunder Strike (OPTS), intelligence was received on bandits movement from Katika village towards Antenna in Chikun LGA and in response to this, the troops laid an opportunity ambush at Antenna village.

    “The bandits approached the location and eventually sprang the ambush. The troops opened fire as they entered the killing range.

    “After the engagement, four of the bandits were confirmed dead, while several others escaped with gunshot wounds.

    “Three rifles and one axe were recovered from the scene,” he added

    The commissioner said Gov. Nasir El-Rufai commended the troops for swift action which led to the successful exercise and the elimination of the four bandits.

    “Residents in the area are urged to report individuals seeking treatment for suspicious injuries by calling the Kaduna State Security Operations Room on 09034000060 or 08170189999,” Aruwan said.