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Tag: Kaduna

  • Kaduna police command replies El’Rufai on ‘kidnapping gang’

    Kaduna police command replies El’Rufai on ‘kidnapping gang’

    The Police Command in Kaduna State, says there is no kidnapping gang within the force.

    The command’s Spokesperson, DSP Mansir Hassan made this known in  a statement on Friday in Kaduna.

    “The attention of the command has been drawn to Malam Nasir El Rufai’s statement  on his X handle, wherein he alleged that one of his former Commissioners, Malam Jafaru Sani, was abducted by what he referred to as Uba Sani’s ”kidnapping gang,’’ which he claimed to be the police .

    He said the former governor of Kaduna state  further stated that Sani was remanded in custody by a Magistrate without any police First Information Report or charges by the State Ministry of Justice.

    “To put the records straight, there is no kidnapping gang within the Nigerian police force.

    “The Nigerian police is an institution created by the 1999 Constitution and the Police Act. These two statutes mandate the it to maintain law and order.”

    According to him,  in the discharge of this constitutional duty, the police have the legal, legitimate and constitutional right to arrest and investigate whoever  is  suspected to have committed an offence.

    “Individuals, corporate organisations and governments have the constitutional right to lodge formal complaints to the  police.

    “The police also have the  mandate to investigate such allegations and when it’s believed that an offence had been committed,  such matter will be prosecuted or referred to court.”

    Hassan urged  members of the  public, especially individuals who have held positions of authority, to exercise caution and desist from frivolous and malicious allegations against any security agency.

    ”We urge individuals to always verify allegations before making public statements. Making unverified allegations against security agencies not only mislead the public but also have the potentials of undermining the law enforcement agencies.

    “Citizens are encouraged to seek legal redress if they feel aggrieved, rather than resort to inflammatory comments that will heat up the polity, “Hassan stated.

  • 2027: Uba Sani’s return as Kaduna gov my major interest – Shehu Sani

    2027: Uba Sani’s return as Kaduna gov my major interest – Shehu Sani

    A former lawmaker and civil rights activist, Sen. Shehu Sani, says his major political interest in 2027 is to see Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna re-elected for a second term in office.

    Sani, who recently defected from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to his former political party, All Progressives Congress (APC), stated this in an interview with NAN on Sunday in Abuja.

    “By virtue of political equation in Kaduna State, if I happen to get ticket to return to the senate in 2027, I will be glad, but if I am not, certainly I will be at peace that we return Uba as governor.

    “I am very much glad that Kaduna State has gotten rid of the tormentor that bedevilled the state politically, and that was the reason most of us who left APC to PDP had to return en masse to APC recently,’’ he said.

    Sani, who represented Kaduna Central Senatorial District in the Eight Senate, described power as `ephemeral’, advising those in position of authority to always learn how to treat people well.

    “If God has blessed you with power, try and impact positively on the masses. But when you get intoxicated with power by abusing it, arresting people, unleashing terror on people, a day will come when you will be out of power,’’ he said.

    The former senator said that Kaduna had never been badly governed like it was between 2015 and 2023, saying that a lot of things went wrong in the state.

    “There was very sharp division between the Muslin North and Southern Christians in the state and that fuelled the problems of insecurity, terrorism and other challenges that dragged development down.

    “In Birnin Gwari area of Kaduna State, farmers have started returning to their farmers, where they hitherto used to pay millions of naira fine to terrorists before going to farms.

    “Though the state has not achieved all that it is set to achieve, it is far away from where it is coming from.

    “Since Uba Sani took over as governor, things have improved significantly, in that we hardly hear of cases of mass adoption of people in Kaduna.

    “People are now freely moving from Kaduna to Abuja and we are thankful to Nuhu Ribadu as the National Security Adviser and President Bola Tinubu,” he said.

    Sani, while assessing the security situation in the country, particularly in the north, said that it is better now than it was during the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.

    “I must say that Tinubu’s security measures are 1,000 times better than that of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “The problem of the north now is that our own (Buhari) was in power for eight years, he could not do a number of things.

    “The Mambila Hydroelectric Power project, River Niger dredging, the Baro River Port and ending insecurity in the northern Nigeria were not done.

    “And yet, Buhari appointed northerners to head all the security agencies in the country and the slaughtering and killings of our people still went unabated.

    “There are four roads linking the states in the north to Abuja (Lokoja-Abuja, Kaduna-Kano-Abuja, Keffi-Abuja and Minna-Suleja-Abuja). All these roads were not completed for the eight-year tenure of Buhari,’’ he said.

    Sani queried the rationale behind calling Tinubu into account by some northerners when, indeed, they were silent during the time of his predecessor.

    “Many of the challenges plaguing the country today, if the right actions had been taken by the last administration, things wouldn’t have been the way they are today,’’ he said.

    The activist-turned-politician, however, urged the president to ensure that his administration’s various reforms have human face.

    “Nigerians are suffering; they are facing extreme hardship. There should be reliefs for the people; they should not be over-burdened.

    “People are finding it difficult to pay school fees and landlords have raised rents; there should be intervention on school fees and house rents.

    “There should be availability of public transportation system, while our teaching hospitals should be equipped and funded to ensure that our people don’t depend on poorly equipped health facilities,’’ he said.

    Nonetheless, Sani stated that anything that would take Nigeria to a higher ground should be done for the future and interest of the country.

    “This is the first time we are having a president that is beating his chest and saying that he is not controlled by any cabal. We should appreciate that and work with Tinubu,’’ he said.

  • Abducted Catholic priest killed in Kaduna

    Abducted Catholic priest killed in Kaduna

    The Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan in Kaduna has confirmed the death  of its priest, Rev. Fr Sylvester Okechukwu, just a day after he was kidnapped.

    Okechukwu was the pastor of St Mary Catholic Church, Tachira, Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

    A statement signed by the Chancellor of the Diocese, Rev.Fr. Jacob Shanet, said Okechukwu was killed in the early hours of Wednesday after being kidnapped from his residence on Tuesday night.

    “After being taken by his abductors, we regret to inform you that Fr Sylvester was cruelly killed in the early hours of Wednesday, March 5.

    “It is yet to be determined why he was killed,” he said.

    Shanet described the deceased priest as a dedicated servant of God who worked selflessly in the vineyard of the Lord.

    “This untimely and brutal loss has left us broken and devastated. He was always available and accessible to his parishioners.

    “His untimely death has left an indelible void within our diocesan family, and we share in the pain of his passing with his family, friends and all those who loved him,” Shanet said.

    He appealed to members of the Takad community to remain calm and steadfast in prayer as well as desist from taking the law into their hands.

    According to him, funeral arrangements of the late priest will be communicated in due course.

  • Kaduna varsity ASUU suspends strike

    Kaduna varsity ASUU suspends strike

    The Kaduna State University (KASU) chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has suspended the strike ir embarked upon on Feb. 18.

    This is cntained in a statement issed by Dr Peter Adamu, the Chairman of ASUU, KASU chapter on Monday.

    Adamu said that the decision to suspend the action, was taken on Saturday.

    ”The government demonstrated goodwill in resolving the impasse by immediately releasing funds to pay the 60 per cent  of September 2017 withheld salaries and Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) supervision allowance for five sessions.

    ”The government also agreed to a timeline for the payment of the five months, May to September 2022 withheld salaries, promotion arrears, Earned Academic Allowance (EAA), Pension remittance (2009 to 2019), Death benefits, and Group Life Assurance,” he said.

    Adamu also said that the government showed commitment to the implementation of wage award and to grant autonomy to the university.

    The union expressed its appreciation to Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna State, for his swift intervention and leadership in resolving the issues that led to the strike action.

    The union also thanked the university management, Commissioners for Education, Sports, and other stakeholders for their roles in ensuring a quick resolution of the impasse.

    Adamu called on all academic staff to resume duties and continue rendering invaluable services to the university community.

  • NSA hands over 59 kidnapped victims to Kaduna govt

    NSA hands over 59 kidnapped victims to Kaduna govt

    The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, on Tuesday, handed over 59 kidnapped victims rescued by the security agencies to the Kaduna State Government

    The rescued victims comprising 28 male adults, 24 male adults and six children, were rescued from various locations in Kaduna State.

    In his remarks, Ribadu said the rescue was achieved in joint operations of all the security forces under the directives of President Bola Tinubu to work extra to ensure that peace, security and normalcy were restored in the country.

    “Yet again today, we have just received those who were rescued from captivity as a result of kidnapping by bandits.

    “They are going back to their homes, we have seen them. It has been the case.

    “Thousands and thousands of people have got grace and the work of President Bola Tinubu have been able to bring peace, security and restore their freedom and they are going back.

    “We believe it is a journey. Already a lot is taking place and we are restoring order, we are bringing justice, we are bringing back peace to our country.

    “About 59 or so people today. Last week, another number like that, and thousands and thousands and it is ongoing across the country.

    “It is also a joint operation of all the security forces under the directives of Mr. President,” he said.

    Ribadu commended the security forces led by the 1 division Nigerian Army to ensure successful rescue of the victims.

    He also commended the efforts of Kaduna government for cooperating with the Federal Government and the security forces to rid the state of insecurity.

    “I would like to thank all those who are in charge or in the forefront of fighting to keep us safe in our country.

    “The armed forces, the intelligence community, the civil police, all of us are working as one and we are seeing the result.

    “ We thank God for this opportunity given to us. We will continue to work and indeed it is a matter of time, Nigeria will be peaceful and we will restore order, definitely,” he added.

    The representative of the Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Civil Military Affairs, Maj.-Gen. Gold Chibuisi, assured that the military, in collaboration with all intelligence and security agencies, were fully committed to ensuring peace and security across the country.

    He said they would continue to work under the coordination of the NSA to actualise the intent of the Commander-in-Chief.

    The Chief of Staff to the Governor of Kaduna State, Sani Kila, who represented the state government, thanked the NSA for ensuring that all kidnapped victims were returned to their families.

    “First, I have to sincerely commend the effort of Mr President in gearing attention and ensuring that security is number one priority in the land.

    “Secondly, I must also commend my Governor, Distinguished Senator Uba Sani, for following in the shoes of Mr President.

    “He is doing a lot to ensure that the citizens of Kaduna State are freed and they live peacefully,” he said.

    The National Coordinator, National Counter Terrorism Center (NCTC), Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, said the victims were rescued from different locations in the state by the security forces.

    He said that some had been in captivity for more than four months.

    “These captives were rescued along Abuja-Kaduna Way, specifically at Rijana General Area, and through the effort of the various security agencies that is yielding fruit.

    “We should commend Mr. President and commend all of them and we should continue to pray.

    “Some of them have been with the captives for about four months, and in different periods in between, but the most recent period has been four months.

    “Based on intelligence that we have been collecting, the NSA directed us to tie up with 1 Division Nigerian Army, who is the lead in Kaduna, to conduct operations within the area which we have identified to rescue these people.

    “One division was the lead in these operations,” he said.

  • Despite FG spending N17tr on PH, Warri, Kaduna refineries in 20yrs nothing has happened -Diaspora group

    Despite FG spending N17tr on PH, Warri, Kaduna refineries in 20yrs nothing has happened -Diaspora group

    Despite bickering between the Dangote Petrochemical Industry and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), a group of Nigerians in Diaspora has entertained fears that the leading regulatory agency might be secretly encouraging Dangote Refinery to be monopolistic in oil distribution in the country.

    Dr. Donald Illiya, Global President of Nigerians in Diaspora Movement
    (NDM), in a statement signed Monday morning from London, United Kingdom, said the public faceoffs between the NNPCL and Dangote refinery is confusing, and might be to distract Nigerians, while the regulatory body encourages Dangote to be the sole oil distributor in Nigeria, by suppressing the state owned local refineries and hold them continually in comatose.

    “The Nigerians in Diaspora Movement have watched with perplexity the choreographed performance between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and Dangote Petrochemicals Refinery, which is meant to keep exploiting Nigerians by making them pay more than reasonable pump prices for refined petroleum products.

    “For us, taking in the state of the nation’s economy and the ongoing cost of living crisis, we are of the view that Nigeria’s fate is tied to the state of government-owned refineries, which must be made functional to cause a consequential drop in the prices of fuel and a positive knock-off effect on the cost of living.

    “From our review of the murky situations around the refining, importation, supply and pricing of petroleum products, we are constrained to conclude that NNPCL and its officials are aiding Dangote Refinery to emerge as a monopoly by failing to revive domestic refineries while obscuring this fact by being publicly hostile to each other”, the statement said.

    The group, while asserting high level of corruption in the energy sector, said, despite spending over N17 trillion to rehabilitate the Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna refineries from 2002 to 2022, and still spending more, even under the present regime of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the local refineries have remained comatose.

    “We are concerned that the unfolding drama is part of a larger plot to conceal the fact that NNPCL has kept its track record as a cesspit of corruption, which is most prominent in the phantom turnaround maintenance of the government-owned refineries. From when NNPCL Group CEO, Mele Kyari assumed office in July 2019, the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari approved $1.5 billion for the rehabilitation of the Kaduna, Port Harcourt, and Warri refineries. Another N54.66 billion was spent on refinery rehabilitation from January to June 2022.

    “More funds have disappeared into the private coffers of those managing NNPCL such that additional monies have been spent even under the current government, bringing the total expenditure on refinery repairs to approximately N17 trillion on turnaround maintenance of the nation’s three refineries between 2002 and 2022.

    “The only output Nigerians have had from this huge expenditure are the ever-changing delivery dates for the refineries to resume operation. In November 2023 a December 2023 target date was announced for Port Harcourt Refinery, and by December of that year, March 2024 was announced as a new date only for this to be altered at least three other times.

    “The completion of repairs on Kaduna Refinery was set for the first quarter of 2024, but the refinery has only produced stories on why it is being delayed. Warri Refinery has not fared any better, as a similar first quarter of 2024 target date for commencement of operations, as announced by Mele Kyari, turned out to be folklore”, the group added.

    They are of the opinion that, “It is consequently plausible that the failure to make these refineries functional is beyond incompetence and the theft of the funds meant for repairing them. It is now glaring that the refineries are being kept moribund to create a favourable condition for the emergence of a monopoly. This is a tragic turn of events at a time when jurisdictions worldwide are taking bold steps to prevent predatory and monopolistic tendencies to protect citizens and businesses”.

    Nigerians in Diaspora Movement, therefore, urged “President Bola Tinubu to take decisive steps to purge the rot in NNPCL so that domestic refineries can resume production and ward off the dangers of succumbing to a monopoly, which also presents a single point of failure for the nation’s fuel supply”.

  • Woman behind army, efcc, police employment scam nabbed

    Woman behind army, efcc, police employment scam nabbed

    A female suspect, Halima Yakubu has been detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Kaduna Zonal Directorate on suspicion of employment fraud.

    Yakubu’s arrest comes after credible intelligence linked her to defrauding job seekers by promising job placements in the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, and the EFCC.

    Amongst the seized items that were on her while she was being detained in Unguwan Kanawa, Kaduna State, is a forged EFCC letterhead and several curriculum vitae  of job seekers.

    The commission said she would be made to face the law as soon as the investigation into the incident is completed.

  • We won’t manipulate LG polls – Kaduna assembly

    We won’t manipulate LG polls – Kaduna assembly

    The Kaduna State Assembly on Wednesday denied the allegations of planning to manipulate the outcome of the Local Government elections slated for October 19.

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had at a news briefing alleged that a meeting was held between the Speaker, Dahiru Liman and some top government officials, allegedly planning to manipulate the outcome of the polls.

    But the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Mr Henry Marah, at a news briefing in Kaduna, said there was nothing related to that, adding that the speaker went for an official visit.

    “Our speaker has a constituency like all of us here, we visit offices for things for our constituents, if you sit down here at the assembly complex sometimes nothing will move.

    “So, we normally move from one place to another to ensure that our people derive maximum benefits from our time in office.

    ”This is because, by the time we leave this place without any tangible benefits to them, we will also be accused for not performing.

    ”So, we equally have Ministries we supervise, we normally have places we also go for oversight.

    ”So, when you see us with some of them,it doesn’t mean we are compromising our position,it is part of the Job”,he said.

    On the allegation that the house was planning to amend the State Independent Electoral Commission Law(SIECOM), Marah refuted such, saying there was nothing related to that in the order paper for Oct. 9.

    He stated that the amendment held in July changed the electronic voting machine to manual voting due to the short notice for the elections and the creation of more polling units.

    He added that the law also gave  KADSIECOM the liberty to collate and announce election results at the head commission’s head office or other places designated by the commission when they feel  threatened or unsecured in an area.

    Marah, who is also  a PDP member representing Jaba Constituency stated that his bloc would meet the party and discuss the issues, adding that the press briefing wouldn’t have been held if they had sought their consent.

    He said that Gov. Uba Sani was interested  in mutual and peaceful coexistence of the people of the state and as such, would not do anything to jeopardize its peace .

    Marah urged the public, especially the politicians involved in the forthcoming LG elections to disregard such allegations and go about their campaigns, emphasising that the elections would be free and fair.

    “We will protect the interest of our people, we will make sure that the people of Kaduna State will get the best,”he said.

    NAN gathered that PDP had raised allegations to the effect that some state officials were planning to hijack the appointment of both the Ward and LG Returning/Collation Officers for the elections.

    The Chairman of PDP in the state, Mr Edward Masha had alleged that some top officials of the state were likely to be involved in manipulating the outcome of the exercise.

  • Death toll in Kaduna auto crash rises to 25 – FRSC

    Death toll in Kaduna auto crash rises to 25 – FRSC

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has said the death toll in a fatal road accident at Saminaka in Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State has risen to 25.

    The Sector Commander, Kaduna State Sector Command, Corps Commander (CC), Kabir Nadabo, confirmed the incident in Kaduna on Monday.

    The agency had earlier announced 15 deaths but he said 10 additional victims of the accident died on Monday evening.

    Nadabo said that the road traffic crash occurred on Sunday at 1.00 pm at LEA Primary School, Lere.

    The sector commander stated that a J5 bus with registration number NSL 08 AA carrying 63 people on board crashed into a DAF trailer with registration number DKA 454 XY.

    He explained that a combined team of FRSC, police, and Kaduna State Traffic Laws Enforcement Authority (KASTLEA) arrived at the scene of the accident at about 1:08 pm and began rescue operations.

    According to him, the town of Saminaka was filled with travellers, mostly to celebrate the Maulud festival.

    He disclosed that the initial investigation revealed that the driver of the J5, who was on high speed, lost control and crashed into the trailer.

    “Instantly 15 people were confirmed dead on the spot, while 48 people who sustained various injuries were conveyed to Comprehensive Hospital Saminaka for treatment.

    “Due to the severity of the crash and the injuries sustained, some of the victims were moved to Ahmadu Teaching Hospital Shika.

    “Others were taken to the University of Jos Teaching Hospital and Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital for proper and comprehensive medical attention.

    “Sadly, at about 6:45 pm on Monday, the command received an update that 10 more victims had died due to injuries sustained.

    “This is truly sad and tragic. The total number of deaths rose to 25 people out of the 63 involved,” he said.

    He commiserated with the families of all those who have lost their loved ones in this fatal accident.

    Nadabo reiterated FRSC’s stance and position on overloading of humans or goods and excess speeding.

    He stated that some accidents were avoidable and that the FRSC would continuously engage motorists on safety ethics and general road behaviour.

     

  • Kaduna: Kidnappers demand N30m ransom, motorcycles for abducted councillorship aspirant

    Kaduna: Kidnappers demand N30m ransom, motorcycles for abducted councillorship aspirant

    The gunmen that abducted a councillorship aspirant, Japheth Zarma Yakubu, in Kurmin-Kare community, Kachia LGA of Kaduna State, have demanded a N20 million ransom and two motorcycles for his release.

    A source told DAILY POST that the bandits’ leader called on Sunday 11:45am through the victim’s phone and asked the family to raise N20 million, and provide two motorcycles, for them.

    The source further explained that one of the victim’s relatives is negotiating with the bandits to see if the ransom could be reduced.

    “The relative of the victim came to inform us on how he had been able to talk to the bandits’ leader on the need to reduce the ransom demanded due to the economic hardship of the present situation,” the source said.

    The bandits abducted the victim when he went to inspect his farm last week Thursday.

    ASP Hassan Mansur, the spokesman of the Kaduna State Police Command, could not be reached for comments on the development as of the time of filing this report.