Following renewed violence in Kaduna, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has redeployed two Air Officers Commanding (AOCs), including the AOC in charge of the Air Training Command (ATC) in Kaduna State.
TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports this is contained in a statement signed by NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore I. O. Daramola.
According to the statement, 27 other senior officers were also affected in the redeployment, which NAF said was part of routine exercise aimed at ensuring operational efficiency and effectiveness.
The NAF statement reads in full: “The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has redeployed 2 Air Officers Commanding (AOCs) and 27 other senior officers as part of routine exercise aimed at ensuring operational efficiency and effectiveness.
“The newly appointed AOCs are Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Mohammed Suleiman, who is now the AOC Air Training Command (ATC), Kaduna, and AVM Idi Amin, who has been moved to Ground Training Command (GTC), Enugu as AOC.
“Also redeployed are AVM Dayo Adeluoye as Director of Strategy, Defence Headquarters (DHQ), AVM Olusoji Awomodu, who is now the Director of Evaluation, DHQ and AVM Tunde Awoyoola as Director of Operations DHQ.
“In the same vein, AVM Ismaila Kaita, the erstwhile AOC GTC, has now been appointed as the Deputy Commandant Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA); AVM Mohammed Idris, who was the immediate past AOC ATC, is now the Deputy Chief of Defence Space Agency while AVM Charles Ohwo is now the Director of Operations, Headquarters NAF (HQ NAF).
“Also redeployed are Air Commodore Christopher Egwoba, who is now Director of Evaluation, HQ NAF; Air Commodore Amos Bulus, as Director of Information Technology, HQ NAF; Group Captain Francis Edosa as Commander 307 Executive Airlift Group, Abuja; Group Captain Abiodun Oyekunle as Acting Managing Director NAF Housing Construction Company; Group Captain Haliru Badamasi as Director of Works, HQ NAF and Wing Commander Dooyum Laha as Commander 401 Flying Training School, Kaduna”.
Tag: Kaduna State
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Breaking: NAF redeploys AOC Kaduna, 28 other senior officers
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NYSC suspends Orientation Course in Kaduna till further notice
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), has suspended till further notice, orientation course for the 2018 Batch C Stream I, scheduled to commence on Tuesday, following unfavorable security reports.
A statement by Mrs Adenike Adeyemi, the NYSC Director of Press, issued on Monday in Abuja, advised prospective corps members posted to the Kaduna state to remain at home until further notice.
Adeyemi said that current security situation in the state and the consequent curfew imposed by the state government forced the scheme to suspend orientation in the state.
She however, advised other prospective corps members deployed to other states and the FCT, to report at their various orientation camps on Tuesday Oct. 23, as scheduled.
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Breaking: Abducted wife of Kaduna monarch regains freedom
The abducted wife of the Chief of Adara in Kachia Local Government, Kaduna State, Mrs Victoria Galadima has been freed in the early hours of Sunday.
Confirming her release, Kaduna Police Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Yakubu Sabo said the woman is currently under medical examination at Kachia General Hospital.
According to him, efforts are being intensified to secure the release of her husband, Dr Maiwada Galadima, who is still being held hostage alongside his driver, identified as Timothy.
Four people including a policeman were killed by the abductors on Friday before taking away the monarch, his wife and driver.
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JUST IN: Buhari, Saraki condemn renewed crisis in Kaduna
President Muhammadu Buhari and Senate President Bukola Saraki have both condemned the renewed crisis in Kaduna state.
TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports over 50 people have been killed since violent crisis erupted in Kaduna on October 18 crisis at Kasuwan Magani in Kajuru Local Government Area of the state.
This is similar to crisis also in Kasuwan Magani that happened in February, which left more than 10 people dead, while 65 suspects involved in the crisis were arraigned in court but the case still ongoing.
Senator Saraki said recent “pictures and reports coming out of Kaduna State are quite troubling” with Buhari in a statement stressing “The violence in Kaduna, which has resulted in the deaths of 55 innocent people, is condemnable”.
Buhari stated that “The Police have been authorized to do everything possible to restore calm,” why also revealing that “a Special Intervention Force has been deployed to the flash-points, and the IG will provide regular updates”.
“The disregard for the sanctity of human life is unacceptable. Violence is an ill-wind that blows nobody any good. I appeal to community leaders and citizens to always choose dialogue, patience and tolerance, to prevent crises from escalating into violence.
“Let me also commend the Kaduna State government for its rapid response to the crisis. The Federal Government and its law enforcement agencies will work with the State Government and community leaders to ensure the full restoration of peace and security,” the statement by Buhari read.
Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Government has imposed a 24-hour curfew on Kaduna town and environs with immediate effect, with Saraki urging “all residents of the state to adhere to the curfew, remain calm and not contribute to the perpetration of violence”.
“I call on our security forces to continue to work round the clock to restore order in Kaduna. They must also do everything within the law to apprehend all those that have contributed or promoted this recent cycle of bloodshed,” Saraki added.
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Killings: IG deploys special intervention force to Kaduna
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Ibrahim Idris, has deployed the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 7, Taiwo Lakanu, to lead a police intervention force to Kaduna to ensure that normalcy return to the area.
Over 50 people were killed on Oct. 18 crisis at Kasuwan Magani in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna state in a similar crisis that happened in February, which left more than 10 people dead in Kasuwan Magani, while 65 suspects involved in the crisis were arraigned in court but the case is still ongoing.
Acting DCP Jimoh Moshood, the Force Public Relations Officer, disclosed this while addressing newsmen on the violence on Sunday in Abuja.
He said that the police deployed included four Police Mobile Force (PMF) units, Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), Conventional policemen, Federal Special Anti Robbery Squad (FSARS), Intellegemce Response Team (IRT) and Technical Intelligence (TIU) among others.
Moshood said that the operations would cover the entire Kasuwan Magani and its environs and other flash spots in the state.
“The intervention force will be working in synergy with the Kaduna state police command to ensure that peace and normalcy returns to the area.
“To achieve success, the force will be proactive and strict in the enforcement of its mandate, police standard operations procedures and rules of engament,” he said.
He said that the force would carry out a 24 hours surveillance and patrol, stop and search, continuous raid of identified criminal hideouts and black spots.
The spokesman said that operation would cover communities, towns, villages, vulnerable points, government and private infrastructure.
He enjoined traditional rulers, religious leaders, politicians, parents and guardians to support the police in the discharge of their responsibilities.
Moshood said that 22 suspects directly involved in violence have been arrested and are in police custody assisting the police in the investigation.
The spokesman said that some prominent personalities kidnapped during the violence have also been rescued and reunited with their families.
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Breaking: Kaduna govt. imposes 24-hour curfew
Kaduna State Government has imposed a 24-hour curfew on Kaduna town and environs with immediate effect.
The Senior Special Assistant to the state governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Samuel Aruwan stated this on Sunday in Kaduna.
The curfew was announced three days after sectarian crises in Kasuwan Magani caused the death of over 5o people, while several properties were also destroyed.
The curfew was informed by fears of reprisal attacks following the Kasuwan Magani crisis last Thursday.
There have been rumours in town of fighting and crisis on Sunday afternoon and people started running around following which there were reported cases of burnt cars around Ahmadu Bello Way and sporadic gunshots were also heard around Jos road.
Following these incidents, Kaduna state government declared 24 hours curfew to douse tension and maintain law and order.
The Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, Mr Ahmad Abdur-Rahman, had earlier confirmed that the police had arrested 22 suspects in connection with the communal crisis that engulfed Kasuwan Magani in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna state on Thursday.
Abdul-Rahaman said anti-riot and conventional policemen as well as a team of the state joint security operatives, Operation Yaki, despatched to the town had since restored normalcy.
According to him, he has also visited the town and engaged youth leaders, traditional and religious leaders in the efforts to stop the crisis and prevent its spread.
He noted that the timely imposition of curfew by the Kaduna State Government also helped to douse tension in the area.
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CAN condemns killings of Catholic, Baptist clerics in Abuja, Kaduna
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Wednesday condoled with the leaderships of the Roman Catholic Church and the Nigerian Baptist Convention over the demise of the two clerics.
The President, Rev Samson Ayokunle in a statement signed by Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, Special Assistant, Media and Communications to the CAN president, in Abuja condemned their killings.
Ayokunle said the clerics were killed by some unknown gunmen in Abuja and Kaduna State.
He added that the late Rev. Fr. Michael Akawu, was reportedly shot dead by identified gunmen in Gwagwalada, Abuja, while shopping on Aug. 18.
“Few hours later, on Sunday, August 19, at about 1.00 a.m, according to informed sources, some hoodlums suspected to be Fulani terrorists attacked Nasara Baptist Church in Guguwa near Rigasa in Kaduna.
“The suspected terrorists shot dead Rev. Hosea Akuchi and took away his wife, Mrs Talatu Akuchi.
“Her whereabouts remain unknown and the criminals have demanded for the sum of five million naira for her release,” he said.
Ayokunle said that Akawu, was ordained as priest on Feb. 4, 2017 by the Archbishop of Abuja, the Most Revd. John Cardinal Onayeikan and was the first FCT indigenous Catholic priest to be ordained.
The CAN president prayed to God to comfort and console the Roman Catholic Church in Nigeria and the Nigerian Baptist Convention, the churches where they were serving with their immediate families.
He, however, called on the Nigeria Police and other relevant security agencies to do whatever it takes to bring the culprits to book and rescue the widow of the late Rev. Akuchi as soon as practicable.
“We once again call on our security agencies to be more proactive and invest more on intelligence gathering with a view to preventing many of these crimes that are being committed before their watches undetected,” he stressed.
The cleric noted with pains and disappointment the state of insecurity across the country, adding that the Federal Government should work hard to improve security in the country.
According to him, nowhere is safe and secured, as terrorists, rampaging Fulani herdsmen, killer bandits, armed robbers, kidnappers and other hoodlums were operating unchecked.
He said that the security agencies seemed busy with elections and forgot that leaders were elected to rule over the living souls.
“Nigeria’s security situation is reprehensible, unacceptable and condemnable. We once again call on President Muhammadu Buhari to work on the security system of the country.
“Let there be a visible improvement in our security system, as the governed are not satisfied with their performances in ensuring security of lives and property.
The CAN president again called on the Police to arrest all assailants that were responsible for these evil acts.
“Enough of the senseless killings, these killings must stop in the country,’’ he warned.
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How 4 policemen died during gun battle with bandits in Kaduna State
The Police Command in Kaduna State said four of its operatives had died during a gun battle with bandits in the state.
The Public Relations Officer of the command, DSP Sabo Yakubu, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna on Sunday.
“At about 0630hrs on Aug. 11, a team of detectives attached to IGP intelligent Response Team ( IRT) while on operation along Jankasa village of Rigasa in Igabi Local Government Area in Kaduna State was ambushed by bandits.
“After a Fierce gun battle, 4 of our policemen paid the Supreme Sacrifice,” Yakubu said.
He said no arrest had so far been made but assured that all the culprits would be arrested and prosecuted.
He said a team of reinforcement had been mobilised to the area in order to bring the perpetrators to book.
“We appeal to the general public to assist the police with useful information toward ensuring that the perpetrators of this dastardly act are arrested and prosecuted,” the police spokesman said.
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Financial inclusion: Kaduna ICT hub partners London’s Coinfirm
A London-based Coinfirm and KAD ICT Hub, a Kaduna State-based ICT company say they are partnering to launch Africa Blockchain Lab, a trusted all-in-one cryptocurrency company to increase financial inclusion across Africa.
KAD ICT Hub, a partnership between Kaduna State Government and Telemax Engineering Services Ltd., was established in 2017.
It brings together companies such as Coders4Africa, Draper Dark Flow and Gebeya, first-of-a-kind centre that incubates world-class technologies, talent and innovation.
In addition to housing software start-ups, it runs training courses with focus on girls’ education.
Mr Grant Blaisdell, Co-founder of Coinfirm, said on Thursday in Kaduan that the initiative would bring world-class blockchain companies working on solutions for African markets.
Blaisdell, who defined cryptocurrency as a digital currency designed to work as a medium of exchange, added that the lab was the first-of-its-kind on the African continent.
He said the lab would provide a home to companies and entrepreneurs building blockchain-based products and services relevant to African economies.
According to him, the Africa Blockchain Lab is a joint venture between Coinfirm, and KAD ICT Hub, a state-backed IT innovation hub.
“The first tranche of Lab tenants include financial inclusion start-up Kora, a blockchain-powered marketplace, infrastructure, and digital payments solution for inclusive financial systems that connect people, communities and capital.
“One of the first initiatives to be launched in the lab will be the Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Token Network and the Coinfirm AML and Know Your Customer (KYC) Platform.
“The AMLT Network is the first global system that provides opportunity to report online scams, fraud and cybercrime related to cryptocurrency addresses and earn token from Coinfirm.
“This provides a mechanism for victims to report and provide evidence that can help fight against bad actors in the internet space,’’ Blaisdell said in a statement.
He said that Coinfirm, a global blockchain company provided bank-grade AML/KYC compliance to blockchain and crypto companies.
He also said Coinfirm had already successfully built leading blockchain solutions, the largest structured blockchain database and coverage and the first blockchain lab for Central Europe.
“Together with KAD ICT Hub we hope to bring transformative blockchain-based solutions to African markets.
“With the Coinfirm’s AML/KYC Platform and AMLT Network, we will provide opportunities for African entrepreneurs working in one of the most exciting and disruptive fields today.
“While cryptocurrencies provide an alternative to fiat currencies, blockchains are decentralised, immutable and transparent ledgers, free from central control.
“This means both are potentially transformative technologies in the face of authoritarian governments, corruption and economic exclusion,’’ Blaisdell said.
Malam Yusuf Bashir, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of KAD ICT Hub, said that the Nigerian economy was the largest economy in Africa, adding that the transformative potential of blockchain was enormous.
“I am confident that working with Coinfirm, we can provide the testbed and support for today’s leading African blockchain companies, giving them the opportunity to become global leaders.
“KAD ICT Hub has been working with Coinfirm’s blockchain-powered data provenance document verification platform, Trudatum, which was recently integrated by the largest bank in Central Europe.
“In Nigeria, Trudatum is being proposed as a solution to government and universities as a more effective way of securing documents,’’ Bashir said.
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Breaking: Islamic Scholar, Sheikh Adam Algarkawi kidnapped
Kaduna based Islamic Scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Adam Algarkawi, has been reported to be kidnapped on Thursday evening.
TheNewsGuru reports Kaduna Central District Senator Shehu Sani made this known in a statement.
Sani condemned the kidnap and called on all security agencies to intensify efforts to secure his immediate release.
“I received the news of the kidnapping of Kaduna based Islamic Scholar, Sheikh Adam Algarkawee. It stands condemned. I call on all security agencies to intensify efforts to secure his release. My heart and prayers goes to him and his family,” he said.