TheNewsGuru

Tag: Kaduna

  • Insecurity: Gunmen attack Kaduna Catholic church, kill three, few injured

    Report reaching NewsGuru.com has it that  St. Moses Catholic Church located in  Robuh, Ungwan Aku in the Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State was  on Sunday morning attacked by unknown gunmen while the first mass of the day was about ending.

    Findings show that three worshippers were killed while few others were kidnapped by the unknown gunmen.

    One of the victims of the attack,  was taken  to St. Gerard Catholic Hospital, Kaduna for medical attention.

    It was gathered that the gunmen came to the church in their large numbers and started shooting sporadically at the worshippers.

    Meanwhile, the injured worshippers  who sustained various degrees  of injuries have all  been taken to the hospital in Kaduna  for treatment.

    More updates later…..

     

  • Bulus Audu emerges Kaduna South APC senatorial candidate

    Bulus Audu has emerged as the Kaduna South senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2023 general elections.

    Audu’s emergence followed the withdrawal of his only opponent, Chief Tony Hassan, from the race shortly before the commencement of the primary election.

    Addressing newsmen shortly after his opponent stepped down, Audu promised to offer credible representations for his people if given the mandate in 2023.

    According to him, Southern Kaduna is blessed with both human and material resources but needed sound and visionary leadership to fully maximise it’s potentials.

    He said a vote for him in the general elections was a vote for development and economic prosperity of Southern Kaduna.

    The senatorial candidate explained that the APC was the party for Nigerians as it had their best interest at heart.

  • Gov. El-Rufai pledges stronger citizens engagement in governance

    Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has reiterated his administration’s commitment for a robust citizens engagement in governance processes in the state.

    El-Rufai made the commitment in a video broadcast to wrap up the 2022 Open Government Partnership (OGP) Week in Kaduna on Saturday.

    He said that the civic space had proven to be robust and effective in the state as evident in the seamless collaboration between state and non-state actors during the 2022 OGP Week.

    According to him, the state government will continue to broaden the civic space and engage with citizens to improve their trust in the government and the governance processes.

    He explained that the OGP Technical Working Groups (TWGs) and State Steering Committee, made up of civil society members and government, serves as a productive platform for implementation of the state’s Action Plan, 2021 to 2022.

    “At this point, we recognise the various accountability mechanisms working around the OGP, such as Kaduna Basic Education Accountability Mechanism (KADBEAM) and Kaduna Maternal Accountability Mechanism (KADMAM).

    “Others are Kaduna Social Protection Accountability Coalition (KADSPAC) and Local Government Accountability Mechanism (LGAM).

    “We recognised their active and effective engagement so far and we will continue to open the civic space for stronger citizen engagement,” he said.

    He explained that the Kaduna State Government had joined the OGP in 2016 as part of efforts to promote transparency, accountability and improve civic participation in governance.

    He added that the OGP Week was a global event that required OGP members to implement activities around open governance.

    The governor said that in commemorating the 2022 OGP Week, May 16 to May 20, Kaduna State along with citizens’ groups carried out activities around Community Development Charter (CDC) Protocol Validation.

    He said: “The step is to further strengthen the innovative CDC process that allows citizens to influence the state annual budget.

    “There was also the high-level Multi-Stakeholders Forum dialogue on the progress of the OGP State Action Plan with community stakeholders in the state.

    “Another activity is a community sensitisation on OGP in Igabi and Kaduna South local government areas, towards increasing citizens’ participation for improved service delivery in education and health sectors.

    “Other activities include dialogue on Curbing Systemic Corruption and Recognising Open Contracting Data Heroes: Publishers and Users, and media engagement by the Commissioner/Government Co-chair, OGP, on successes recorded so far.”

    He disclosed that the relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) have been mandated to prioritise the implementation of the new commitment areas in the 2021 to 2023 Action Plan.

    “We want the OGP community to note that we have reaffirmed our commitment to open governance.

    “We shall maintain focus and ensure that “we finish our tenure as strongly as we started.

    “This, we shall do within the principles of the OGP and our mantra of putting people first,” El-Rufai said.

    Newsmen reports that the OGP week celebrated reformers who have successfully opened governance around the world and offer space for co-creation of reforms with citizens to tackle pressing challenges.

    The week also presented an opportunity to share experiences, lessons learnt and achievements.

  • El-Rufai raises alarm over Boko Haram moving into Kaduna

    El-Rufai raises alarm over Boko Haram moving into Kaduna

    Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State on Thursday in Kaduna expressed concerns about the emergence of insurgents and their enclaves in Birnin Gwari and Chukun Local Government Areas of the state.

    He listed the insurgents to those belonging to Boko Haram and Ansaru.

    El Rufai raised the concerns after the presentation of the Kaduna State Security Incident Report for the first quarter of 2022.

    He also expressed worry at the increasing use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in the state, which he said suggested that terrorists had moved into Kaduna State.

    He noted that the debriefing on the Abuja-Kaduna train attack of March 28 indicated that the terrorists were planning to relocate to Kaduna.

    According to him, the assailants made comments such as: “the forests in Kaduna are even better than that of Sambisa and so they should all relocate here.’’

    The governor stressed that “insecurity has moved from the Northeast to the Northwest.

    “The situation in the Northwest is far more serious and could be potentially more dangerous than we have ever had in the Northeast.

    “We would like the military and security agencies to take notice of this before things go out of control.’’

    El-Rufai thanked the police for ensuring that many IEDCs and mines found in Kaduna State were defused without loss of lives.

    He also lamented the high rate of drug abuse in Kaduna State and commended the NDLEA, traditional leaders and community leaders for efforts at curtailing the scourge.

    The governor stated that the government would seek legal advice to shut patent medicine stores selling illicit drugs, shut the premises and acquire the building for demolition.

    “We have to take drastic action because related to every form of crime from banditry to terrorism is the use of hard drugs.

    “These bandits take drugs before they commit their crimes; virtually every crime is related to drug abuse. I think we must cut the supply chain to enable us to control the demand,’’ he emphasised.

    El-Rufai also noted that security agencies had been overstretched and there was the need to increase recruitment into vigilance groups.

    “The 1000 vigilantes that we recruited and trained at the Police College have been very useful in assisting the army, police and other security agents,’’ he said.

    The governor also said that he craved the resumption of flights at the Kaduna Airport after the March 26 assailants’ attack at the facility.

    “We are grateful to the Defence Headquarters for enabling the establishment of the Nigeria Defence Academy Demonstration Battalion in Kaduna State.

    “I appeal to the Air Force to also have some kind of permanent deployment at the airport to secure it so that flights will resume,’’ El-Rufai said.

  • “I feed Indian hemp seeds to my chickens” – Drug suspect

    “I feed Indian hemp seeds to my chickens” – Drug suspect

    A suspect paraded by the NDLEA in Kaduna on Saturday for being in possession of Indian hemp seeds says they were for the consumption of his poultry birds.

    “I have a poultry farm and was told that if I feed the chickens with Indian hemp seeds, they would grow fast and strong, and would not fall sick.

    “So, I do mix the weed seeds with their food when feeding the chickens.

    “I fed the chickens with the Indian hemp seeds only once before I was arrested, he said on Sunday in Kaduna.

    He said NDLEA operatives seized the Indian hemp seeds from his house and arrested him, admitting, however, that he used to smoke Indian hemp.

    The suspect also told NAN that he observed that the seeds made his chickens to look healthier and stronger.

    “The situation I have put myself is shameful. I promise not to repeat it in my life,’’ he said.

    Commander of the NDLEA in Kaduna State, Mr Umar Adoro, told NAN on Sunday that the suspect was arrested on April 17 with 3kg of Indian hemp.

    Adoro said the suspect, arrested at Makarfi Road in Rigasa Area of Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, had been on NDLEA’s wanted list for a long time.

    “He is one of the notorious drug dealers in the state. We have been searching for him for long. What helped us is the Ramadan fasting period when drug dealers operate only at night.

    “When they are done peddling drugs in the night and are not expecting any patron in the morning, they oversleep and we take that as an advantage to arrest them.

    “We have arrested about two of them in such manner,’’ Adoro said.

    He noted that feeding the chickens with the drugs as the suspect claimed had its own dangers. The side effects on the chicken would be determined by veterinary experts.

    The NDLEA commander advised those drugging animals in the belief that it could enhance their health status to put humanity and the community into consideration.

    Adoro assured that all suspects arrested would be arraigned upon the completion of investigation.

  • NSA never accused El-Rufai of divulging classified information

    NSA never accused El-Rufai of divulging classified information

    Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) says the National Security Adviser (NSA), retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno, never accused Gov. Nasir El-Rufa’i of Kaduna State of divulging classified information.

    The Head, Strategic Communication, ONSA, Mr Zakari Usman, refuted the report in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

    He said that NSA’s statement during a news conference on Thursday was misrepresented by a section of the media.

    Usman said the NSA, while briefing newsmen at the end of the Security Council Meeting held on Thursday did not at any time criticise and accuse the governor as reported.

    According to him, the reports are verifiably false, sensational and misleading.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, the NSA was not referring to Governor El-Rufa’i in his comment on the protection of sensitive operational information.

    “The NSA while responding to a question had observed that it portends a danger to security operations if indeed it was true that security agents are in the habit of revealing unauthorised sensitive operational details as alleged.

    Usman said that El-Rufa’i had been a consistent and exemplary partner to the security sector, saying it was illogical and uncharitable for anyone to suggest that the NSA would discredit him in that manner.

    “Therefore, this office wishes to reiterate the need to imbibe conflict sensitive reporting and for media and social media stakeholders to resist the instant gratification of disinformation.

    “The general public and particularly the media are advised to disregard these reports and access the complete video of the press briefing session for accurate information,” he said.

  • Ramadan: JNI enjoins Muslims to intensify prayers, supplications

    Ramadan: JNI enjoins Muslims to intensify prayers, supplications

    The Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) has enjoined Muslims to intensify supplications, worship, good deeds and acts of charity.

    This is contained in a statement by the Secretary-General of JNI, Dr Khalid Aliyu in Kaduna.

    The last ten days of Ramadan, he said, are an opportunity to gain multiple rewards by giving sadaqa to those in need for the sake of seeking the pleasure of Allah.

    He also said the last 10 days of Ramadan are for thoughts, introspection, sober reflections and intensification of effort towards attaining forgiveness, acceptance, mercy and all the good things promise by God

    “We should sustain the spiritual the tempo which is the essence of Ramadan fasting. W are therefore expected to be reformed and be better servants of Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, for Allah remains the Lord of Ramadan and all other months.

    “He said that intensifying prayers in the last 10 days of the Holy month was a practical teachings of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), who redoubled effort within those daysm” he said.

    Aliyu said the last 10 days of Ramadan comes with the best of night in the history of the world called night of Majesty or Night of power.(lailatul- Qadr). Adding that the Night was better than thousand Nights.

    “Muslims should seek for this very night within the last 10 nights and it is sought in the last odd nights of Ramadan due to its importance,” Aliyu said.

    He prayed to Allah to continue to make life much easier Nigerians.

    Aliyu also urged Muslims to also use the last 10 days of Ramadan to pray to Allah for a hitch free elections of in 2023.

    He called on the Muslims especially wealthy among them to increase their generosity by assisting and supporting the needy especially orphans.

    “Taking care of the orphans attracts the mercy of Allah to us thereby getting a way out of our present predicaments.

    He reminded Muslims on Zakatul Fitr (Ordained alms giving at the end of Ramadan ordained alms) importance of ‘Eid-el-Fitr .

  • NAF reacts to trainer aircraft crash in Kaduna

    NAF reacts to trainer aircraft crash in Kaduna

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says it will ensure a thorough investigation into the cause of its Super Mushshak trainer aircraft crash that occurred on Tuesday at NAF Base, Kaduna.

    The Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwwt, made this known in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

    According to him, the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, said this when he visited the families, friends and colleagues of the two pilots who lost their lives in the tragic incident.

    They are: Flt.- Lt. Abubakar Alkali and Flt.-Lt. Elijah Karatu.

    Amao, however, constituted an Accident Investigation Board upon receiving the sad news of the crash to determine the immediate and remote causes of the crash.

    The CAS assured the officers, airmen and airwomen of 401 Flying Training School (FTS ), Kaduna, that all measures would be emplaced to avert similar occurrence in the future.

    He also reminded them on the need to remain steadfast and focused on their assigned roles and responsibilities in view of the onerous task before NAF and other security agencies.

    This, he said, was to enable them to continue to rid the North-West and indeed the entire nation of all criminal elements.

    “The unfortunate incident of trainer aircraft crash is yet again a tragic reminder of the perilous nature of the military flying profession as well as the risks NAF pilots continually take daily to secure Nigeria’s territorial integrity,” he said.

  • Bandits kill three kidnapped persons in Kaduna for failing to pay N20 million ransom

    Bandits kill three kidnapped persons in Kaduna for failing to pay N20 million ransom

    Three persons out of the 26 kidnapped by bandits have been killed after their relatives couldn’t pay a ransom of N20 million.

    It was reported that bandits on March 22, 2022, stormed Ungwan Bulus in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State and kidnapped 26 residents.

    A few days after, they demanded a ransom of N20 million each from the relatives of the kidnapped victims.

    Meanwhile , the relatives who could not afford the ransom begged for a reduction.

    The bandits got aggravated by the victim’s relatives begging and killed 3 out of their abductors with a threat of killing more if the ransom wasn’t paid.

    ‎The Chief of Ungwan Bulus, Gideon Haruna Goni, who confirmed the killing of the three victims‎ said the bandits called the community to inform them that they should pick the corpses around Dutse Community along the Kaduna-Abuja highway.

    The Chief said the corpses had been retrieved, adding that the bandits said if the family fail to pay N20 million each for other captives before 12pm on Wednesday, April 20, 2022, the remaining victims would be killed.

    “We came together as a community, raised some amount and they called us and told us to pick corpses of victims from Dutse. They threatened to kill more, especially women, if their demands are not met. 26 were abducted, one was released, three were killed,” he said.

    He explained that the person, who was released was considered on health grounds.

    The chief, who appealed to the abductors not to kill any of the victims, pleaded with the state and federal government to come to their aid.

     

  • BREAKING: NAF officers feared dead as aircraft crashes in Kaduna

    BREAKING: NAF officers feared dead as aircraft crashes in Kaduna

    Officers of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) are feared to have been killed in a plane crash that occurred on Tuesday in Kaduna state.

    An authoritative source at the Air Force Base, who confirmed the incident said the tragedy occurred in the evening.

    The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said two personnel were on board the aircraft but did not give details.

    Recall that last year a military aircraft conveying the former Chief of Army Staff, Ibrahim Attahiru, and 10 others crashed, killing all the officers onboard including the Army Chief.