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Tag: Kaduna

  • Governorship race: Sen. Shehu Sani lists security as priority

    Governorship race: Sen. Shehu Sani lists security as priority

    Sen. Shehu Sani has vowed to ensure that terrorists do not operate in Kaduna State, if elected the governor in 2023.

    Sani made the vow in Abuja on Wednesday while speaking with newsmen after purchasing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Expression of Interest and nomination forms to contest the party’s governorship ticket.

    The former All Progressives Congress (APC) member, who represented Kaduna Central in the eighth Senate, said that the state needed a leader that would nip in bud the insecurity challenges confronting it.

    “I tend to come up with a programme that will address the issues of health, education and also youth development. My basic interest in vying for this position is how I can uplift standard of living of my people and contribute to Nigeria`s development.

    “To the knowledge of every one of us, Kaduna has become a hub for terrorists and bandits. We need a leader that will nip the banditry in the bud.

    “We need a leader that will present and implement programmes and policies that will make it impossible for these terrorists to turn our state to their own hub.

    “I am here for serious business, we cannot continue to fold our arms and our people are being killed every day and government remained helpless.

    “I don’t believe that we cannot address this problem.

    “I believe that if you have a programme of action that will work with the people of the state and the security architecture, that will unite the people to fight and confront the common enemy, we will bring this terrorism to an end.

    “I am here because I believe that I have something to offer. I am not the typical career politician that you know, I am an activist.

    “I believe that I am in this to mobilise our people to lead the battle to protect our people to protect our country, he said.

    Sani pledged that if elected he would provide the necessary equipment and services that will help the security agencies to take the battle.

    Sani, who decried the level of division in Kaduna State that made it impossible to tackle insecurity, said that under his government he would unite the state to fight their common enemies.

    He said that as a multi-ethnic state only justice, equity and fairness would unite the state.

    Sani said he would not run a state where one part would be favoured and the other part neglected.

  • NDLEA seizes 1,399kg of hard drugs in Kaduna, seals 4 houses

    NDLEA seizes 1,399kg of hard drugs in Kaduna, seals 4 houses

    The Natiional Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has disclosed that it made a total seizure of 1,399kg of drugs in Kaduna in March, and also sealed a shop and four houses in the process.

    Commander of the NDLEA in the state, Mr Umar Adoro, gave the breakdown of drugs seized as 997.121kg of Indian hemp and 342.329kg of other psychotropic substances.

    Others were 0.027kg of cocaine, 0.036kg of heroin and 59.382kg of Tramol.

    Adoro told newsmen in Kaduna on Wednesday, that three of the houses sealed are located at Rigacikun area of the state.

    The fourth, he said, was sealed at Anguwan Maigero area. Drug peddling, trafficking and misuse had become prevalent in the two areas, he said.

    The commander also told newsmen that 117 suspects, including two females were arrested during the raids.

    The Command recovered two locally-made guns, seven cartridges, two ammunitions and 100,000 counterfeit dollars during the March operations, he said.

    Adoro also told reporters that eight notorious drugs joints in the two areas were destroyed during the operations.

    He urged the public to be watchful of movement of suspected goods in their communities and to provide useful information to the agency to curtail influx and consumption of hard drugs.

    He also appealed to parents to be watchful of their wards’ activities.

    Adoro reassured the public of the agency’s commitment to eradicate use of illegal drugs in the society.

  • Language of Kaduna train attacks really important – Ikeddy Isiguzo

    Language of Kaduna train attacks really important – Ikeddy Isiguzo

    Ikeddy Isiguzo

     

    WHAT struck in the midst of the tragedies of the past week, particularly the attacks on the Abuja-Kaduna passenger train, is the continued helplessness of Nigerians. The revealing reactions to the attacks confirmed worsening insecurity, unimportance of lives in Nigeria, and the refusal of the authorities to ameliorate the situation.

    The most basic things befuddle us. Our sentimental attachment to tribe, tongue, and religion is relived through each tragedy which is a fractional replay of earlier mishaps.

    Why is the language of the attackers more important than government’s failure to tackle insecurity? Simple. Each witness to the crime that made that remark was alluding to the fact that nothing would be done. Or nothing can be done?

    An attack on the Nigerian Defence Academy only attracted the mumbling response of “one attack too many”. We were also reminded to keep off the subject as it was a military affair.

    Was it different when some armed bandits gunned down an Alpha jet in January 2021 in Zamfara State? The Nigerian Air Force’s official statement confirmed that the aircraft “came under intense enemy fire which led to its crash in Zamfara State. Luckily, the gallant pilot of the aircraft, Flight Lieutenant Abayomi Dairo, successfully ejected from the aircraft.”

    Energies that should have been deployed against the menace of terrorist attacks like Monday night’s have been dissipated in explaining to Nigerians that the attackers were bandits, not terrorists, were foreign Fulanis whose cattle were rustled, who climate change had pushed to attack others.

    When will the excuses be exhausted, when will the Federal Government of President Muhammadu Buhari halt the slide of the country to anarchy? Does the President notice the shrinking of safe spaces in Nigeria?

    Where is the urgency in making Nigeria safer? Do lives mean anything to the President? Has he given up on securing Nigeria? Is he waiting for the next attack? Even then what will he do apart from the situation being “saddening”.

    Are we waiting for what to happen before government acts decisively? The blames are not a solution.

    Our governments are meant to consider our security and welfare the primary purpose of government. Our Constitution to which they swore says so. Does the matter end with the ceremonies?

    Governor Nasir el-Rufai appears angry, shocked, or surprised at the attacks. Has he forgotten his announcements of payments he made to Fulani cattle owners for their rustled animals? Has he stopped defending their criminality? Has he come to a sudden realisation of the crimes he did nothing about except to promote the importance of appeasing criminals?

    The security agencies take instructions from above. Have they been instructed? What were they told? Why is their performance not deemed inadequate by those who appraise them?

    Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, minister of Transportation, was lost for words when he witnessed the mayhem. When he spoke he was talking losses of over N3 billion. The speed of the assessment of the costs of physical losses was impressive. How did he know what was lost at such short notice?

    So how much were the lost lives, the kidnapped, the injured worth? How would they even be important when we cannot be sure how many people were in the train? We cannot count people!

    How many are missing, killed, injured, or otherwise unaccounted for in this single incident?

    Our lives have long ceased to matter. The positions of the Minister accord the attacks and insecurity the type of narratives that point to no solution in sight.

    How would anyone think that patrolling the rail lines is the solution to the attacks in Kaduna State? Are the rails the only targets? We are supposed to be delighted at the smartness of suggesting an investment of N3.7 billion on securing the rails alone?

    When we stop caring about the language of criminals, who they are, where they are from, we would start being serious with protecting the lives of our people. Criminals must be treated the way they deserve. No efforts should be spared in telling criminals, wherever they are found, that they are criminals. The slap-on-the-wrist or pampering treatment of criminals is responsible for what we are witnessing in Kaduna State and most of the North West.

    Stories of these attacks, how they are decimating family, shredding communities, shrinking Nigeria rend the heart. What we get as assurance are the same trite statements that have become templates for responding to the consistent tragedies that dot Nigerian life.

    Whatever language criminals speak is unimportant. What matters is what language we speak to them. At the moment we are telling them crime is a rewarding enterprise in the North West.

    Kaduna State is outstanding in this respect.

    Finally…

    OUR tragedies during the week were more. Some consider not qualifying for the 2022 World Cup in football as one. I can only comment my reserve.

  • Hiring of mercenaries: You don’t have such powers – Ozekhome tells El-Rufai

    Hiring of mercenaries: You don’t have such powers – Ozekhome tells El-Rufai

    Constitutional lawyer, Mike Ozekhome, SAN, has lampooned Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai over his threat to use mercenaries to combat terrorists, saying he has no such constitutional powers.

    Ozekhome, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), described el-Rufai’s threat as a no-brainer as only the Federal Government, in this case, the President, has the constitutional power to embark on such route.

    The lawyer made the clarification in an article titled, “Can Mallam Nasir el-Rufai and Northwest Governors Engage Mercenaries to Fight Insecurity?”

    El-Rufai, who briefed the media in Abuja, after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, over the spate of insecurity in Kaduna State, said state governors from the north will have no choice but to take action to protect the lives and properties of their people, even if it meant bringing in mercenaries.

    In response to his own question, Ozekhome said the issue of inviting mercenaries is akin to deployment of the military to repel and contain external aggression.

    “It has to do with the command and operational use of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, whether in peace times, war, or under a state of emergency. All of these are solely and wholly vested in the president, with some moderational effect by the NASS.

    “See sections 217, 218, 219 and 305 of the 1999 Constitution. These are federal matters. Only the president of Nigeria who doubles as the Commander-in-Chief has the constitutional powers to carry these out. Even the Police is, by virtue of sections 214 and 215 of the 1999 Constitution, squarely under the purview of the Federal Government.

    “No state government under our constitutional democracy and legal regime can unilaterally act to invite mercenaries to Nigeria. It is ultra vires their powers. Their only resort is a collaborative rapprochement with the Federal Government. However, they can tackle their state security matters within the permissible limits of our constitutional organogram,” the learned silk explained.

    For effect, Ozekhome took a swipe at El-Rufai and his counterparts in the north, saying, “by the way, I thought these are the same Governors that opposed their Southern counterparts when they decided to make anti-grazing laws last year, to protect their territories? They had kicked against such a pre-emptive security measure that was perfectly within the constitutional competence of such states. They always forget that there is always a tomorrow.”

    He continued: “I wrote tons of articles and made several television advocacy appearances, denouncing this clueless and unpatriotic stance of these Governors. I had encouraged the Southern states Governors last year to go ahead and promulgate such state laws that are not in conflict with the provisions of the Constitution. Such Governors are constitutionally permitted to set up local vigilante groups to defend their individual enclaves. But no state is ever permitted to extend direct invitations to mercenaries to invade Nigeria under the thin disguise of enforcing security.

    “Were these not the same Northern states Governors who had invited and brought in these rampaging bandits and mercenaries from neighbouring countries to help vote them into their various offices during the 2019 elections? Why are they now moaning, mourning and weeping?

    “I commend to them the immortal poetic words of a confessional prose of Martin Niemoller (1892-1892), a German theologian and Lutheran Pastor, who had opposed the Nazi regime of Adolf Hitler and spent the last 7 years of Nazi rule in concentration camps during the holocaust. He said famously: First, they came for the Communists, I did not speak out, because I was not a Communist. Then they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out, because I was not Socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out, because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out, because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak for me.

    “Whenever you throw a stone into the market, you may never know who will be the target. When you point one finger at others, the remaining four are pointing at you. When you bring an ants-infested piece of firewood into the house, you should never complain about an invasion of lizards. Let us all be careful. Today is the tomorrow we discussed yesterday. Happy Sunday, Lent and Ramadan seasons to all Nigerians.”

  • Police diffuse Improvised Explosive Device in Rigasa, Kaduna

    Police diffuse Improvised Explosive Device in Rigasa, Kaduna

    The Police Command in Kaduna State said it had successfully diffused an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in Rigasa, Igabi Local Government Area of the Kaduna State.

    The Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Mohammed Jalige confirmed the incident in a statement on Thursday in Kaduna.

    Jalige said the IED was planted in the area by yet to be identified persons.

    “However, it was sighted by residents of the area at about 07:50 hours, who promptly reported to the police.

    “In a swift response, the Command’s Explosive Ordinance Department (EOD) swung into action and successful diffused the IED, without loss of lives or property,” he said.

    The spokesman said the Acting Commissioner of Police, DCP Maiyaki Baba thanked the residents of the area for their vigilance and prompt report of the incidence and assured the readiness of the Command to prioritise safety of the people.

    He urged the people to report suspicious movements and persons in their communities, assuring that such information would be treated confidentially.

    He added that normalcy has been restored to the area and residents resumed their normal businesses without hinderance.

  • Lagos-Kano train derails, killing driver in Kaduna

    Lagos-Kano train derails, killing driver in Kaduna

    The narrow gauge train travelling from Lagos to Kano derailed at Farin Ruwa, near Jaji in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, killing the train driver in the process.

    Malam Abdullahi Alhaji, Public Relations Officer, Northern Regional District of the Nigeria Railways Corporation (NRC), Zaria, confirmed the incident in Zaria on Thursday.

    According to Alhaji, Bala Kawu, the driver of the train, died during the incident as the cargo train was conveying soft drinks to Kano.

    He said the incident happened as a result of vandalization of the slippers and other accessories of the rail track in the area.

    Alhaji said rescue efforts are currently ongoing to recover the remains of the deceased to salvage the situation for the train to continue its journey to Kano.

  • Senator Uba Sani provides relief materials for communities, worth millions of naira [Photos]

    Senator Uba Sani provides relief materials for communities, worth millions of naira [Photos]

    Distinguished Senator Uba Sani has provided relief materials to communities affected by the bandit’s attack in Giwa Local Government.

    The Senator equally donated relief materials to communities affected by the breakout of violence in the Kaura Local Government.

    The items distributed by the Distinguished Senator include; Gallons of palm oil, Bags of rice, cartons of Noodles, mats, blankets, and other domestic and food items. The Senator sympathies with the people affected in these communities and pray that Almighty Allah will give them the fortitude to bear the pains of their lost ones.

    Recall that the Senator had equally proposed on the floor of the Senate, an order that will allow the military apparatus to carry out unhindered operations to wipe out the criminal elements from their enclaves. The Senator express deep sadness and pain at the incessant attacks on innocent citizens and their properties.

    The Team that visited Kaura Local Government was led by Engr Namadi Musa which, former Director-General of Interfaith Kaduna State and Dignitaries like former Chairman Kajuru local government Hon Cafra Caino, Jaba Local Government Council Chairman Hon Ben Jock,
    Hon Banta Bala Bantex, Hon Donatus Adamu, hon. Joy Akut and Saratu Abdulazeez were also in the delegation.

    While the team that visited Giwa Local Government was led by Hon. Bashir Zubairu Birnin Gwari, a former Speaker of Kaduna State House of Assembly flanked by Vice-chairman Kaduna North Hon Nazir Sunusi, Engr Jamil Ahmad Muhammad, Hon Ibrahim Shehu Haske and Alh Ibrahim Musa The team was warmly received by the Chairman, Giwa Local Government council, Community leaders and other party officials. The visiting team was led to the various IDP camps provided for the victims to distribute the materials with them and condole with them on the unfortunate event.

    In Kaura Local Government, the delegations were received by Kaura Traditional Council, Representative of Kaura Local Government Council Chairman, Kaura Development Association and Kaura IDP Forum.

    Photos:

  • Kaduna train attack: Reps blast Service Chiefs over failure to honour invitation

    Kaduna train attack: Reps blast Service Chiefs over failure to honour invitation

    The leadership of the House of Representatives on Wednesday in Abuja frowned at the failure of the nation’s service chiefs to appear at a strategic security meeting.

    The house leadership called the meeting in the aftermath of a series of terrorist attacks in Kaduna State.

    The lawmakers, led by the Deputy Speaker, Rep. Ahmed Wase, expressed their disappointment at the service chiefs and refused to meet their representatives.

    He said that the meeting followed a resolution of the house and the invitation letters sent to the service chiefs were very clear.

    Wase said the house was not seeing results of the money appropriated in the light of the recent terrorists attacks on the Kaduna International Airport and a Kaduna-bound passenger train.

    The deputy speaker said that the parliament needed to ask questions which the service chiefs must answer in person, and not through representatives.

    He said that sending representatives with excuses was not acceptable, saying that it was only in the Nigerian parliament that people are summoned and they would refused to show up.

    Wase said that the attacks were a result of lack of synergy between the different arms of government, though the parliament had been very cooperative and faithful in the appropriation of funds.

    In his ruling, Wase called off the meeting and rescheduled it for Thursday, March 31 at 3 p.m at the same venue.

  • Kaduna train attack: Railway workers speak on death of TUC Secretary General

    Kaduna train attack: Railway workers speak on death of TUC Secretary General

    The Nigeria Union of Railway Workers (NURW) on Tuesday expressed shock over the death of General Secretary of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Musa-Lawal Ozigi, in the Kaduna train attack on Monday night.

    The union’s Secretary General, Mr Segun Esan, in an interview in Lagos, described the incident as shocking and devastating.

    TUC had earlier confirmed the death of its General Secretary, Ozigi, who was among passengers on board the Abuja-kaduna train attacked by terrorists on Monday night.

    ‘’It is most unfortunate and painful that such a resourceful and ebullient fellow as the General Secretary of TUC would be lost to this attack.

    ‘’May his soul rest in peace and may God imbue our government at every tier the wisdom to tackle this menace of attacks on innocent souls. Amen,’’ he said.

    Esan also described as unfortunate the increasing psychological trauma that survivors had to face following the attacks on trains.

    He said: ‘’I hope the Federal Government will begin to initiate a comprehensive risk assessment of the railway industry with special attention on the elements of threats, vulnerability and consequences.

    ‘’This is in order to end these frequent attacks on the trains.‘’

  • Train Attack: Buhari directs immediate implementation of security solution

    Train Attack: Buhari directs immediate implementation of security solution

    President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the immediate conclusion of all the processes for the implementation of the integrated security surveillance and monitoring solution for the Abuja to Kaduna railway line.

    He also directed the Nigerian Railway Corporation management to speedily repair the damaged lines and resume normal service without delay while the integrated security surveillance and monitoring solution should also be extended to Lagos to Ibadan railway line.

    Malam Garba Shehu, the President’s Spokesman in a statement, said that Buhari gave these directives after receiving briefs from the Service Chiefs led by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, on Tuesday in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Irabor was accompanied by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Isiaka Amao, the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba

    Also in his company were the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Maj.-Gen. Samuel Adebayo, and the Director General of the Department of State Services, Yusuf Bichi, in the State House.

    The president also charged the law enforcement chiefs to bring back all passengers kidnapped.

    He also directed that each of the callous terrorists be hunted down and made to face justice for their heinous acts as no one or group should be allowed to make the country prostrate.

    He reiterated his earlier directive that the military should deal ruthlessly with terrorists.

    He urged them to be more decisive and not spare anyone unlawfully wielding the AK 47 weapon.

    “No one should be allowed to hold the country to ransom,” he added.

    Buhari strongly condemned the bombing of the passenger train, describing it as a “matter of grave concern.”

    “Like most Nigerians, I am deeply pained by its occurrence, the second of its type, which has resulted in the death of a yet to be determined number of passengers and others who suffered injuries.

    “The attack on the train, a safe means of transport to many, is callous; and our thoughts are with the families of the deceased and prayers for the injured,” he said.

    The president commended the Law Enforcement agencies for their prompt response and emergency personnel who were responsible for the evacuation and treatment of the injured persons.

    The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen, Irabor, who spoke with State House correspondents after the closed door meeting with the president, explained the purpose of their visit to the president.

    “We have come to brief the President regarding the unfortunate incident of yesterday, where some criminals, bandits had gone to lay improvised explosive devices on the rail tracks.

    “And, a passenger train was demobilised and seven Nigerians were killed, 29 others wounded and some were kidnapped and we are yet to establish the exact number.

    “So, we went to the scene this morning, inspected the entire area and gave out instructions on what is to be done and we have come to brief the President on this development,” he said.

    According to Irabor, security agencies will build on the lessons they have learnt from the latest incident.

    He, therefore, assured Nigerians that the military and other security agencies would not rest on their oars until normalcy is restored.

    “The challenge of insecurity is a constant one and so the defence and security agencies need to be on their toes 24/7.

    “This is unfortunate and we believe that the lessons out of this are what we need to build upon going forward.

    “I can perhaps use this opportunity and reassure the nation that based on the president’s directive, we will take every necessary action, not just to apprehend those behind this dastardly act are not just apprehended but for them to also face justice.

    “Going forward, certainly there will be greater security for the nation and I will like to urge everybody to go about their normal duties,” he said.