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Tag: Kaduna

  • 75 frontline health workers test positive for COVID-19 in Katsina

    75 frontline health workers test positive for COVID-19 in Katsina

    More than 75 frontline line health workers including Doctors, Nurses, and others have tested positive of the Coronavirus, with the majority of them asymptomatic.

    Two top officials of the Katsina State Government namely; Commissioner, Ministry of Information, Abdulakarim Yahaya Sirika and the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health, Dr. Kabir Mustapha who made the above disclosure while addressing newsmen at Government House Katsina said the infected health care workers are currently receiving home care treatment with drug regimes and observations in line with clinical practices

    They also announced that two mortalities were recorded, including one Doctor and one lab attendant who reported his case late Thursday announced that it has spent over N157, 750, 000, 00 on a total of 11,314 samples of COVID – 19 patients collected across the state with 675 repeats and follow-ups cases.

    The duo also disclosed that cumulatively, the state has spent over N157, 750, 000, 00 on a total of 11314 samples collected with 675 repeats and follow-ups cases.

    They said; “the state government has engaged Sahel Medical center, a private laboratory accredited by the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC), offering testing service on COVID-19 suspected cases.”

    “From 31st of May, 2920 to date, Sahel medical laboratory has tested over 10,000 samples of COVID-19 suspected patients, it cost the state government N15, 750.00 for one (1) test and so far, a whopping N157,750,000,00 has been expended on the 10,000 tests alone, in addition to other coat on patients care and staff allowances, etc. ”

    ‘’The state had about 800 positive cases with 24 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic.

    ‘’Sharing of risk communication activities through social media platforms as well as the intensification of the house to house awareness creation, were still ongoing.’’

    While admitting that presently the state has 13 patients in the isolation centers they however maintained that most challenges confronting the state’s COVID-19 Committee is in the refusal by most admitted patients to be quarantined and insisting that they are healthy.

    They also attributed the declining rate of infections in the state to increased testing and vigilance of the state government especially in tackling risk awareness sensitization through religious groups and traditional rulers.

  • Police killed two during processions in Zaria, Kaduna, says Shiites

    Police killed two during processions in Zaria, Kaduna, says Shiites

    Heavily armed policemen on Sunday allegedly opened fire on Shiites members and religious mourners in Zaria and Kaduna soon after completing this year’s Ashura processions, the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) has said.

    It will be recalled that celebrating Ashura is a religious rite held by Shiites globally on the 10th of Muharram Islamic calendar.

    A statement issued by the spokesman of the IMN, Ibrahim Musa revealed that as a consequence of these unprovoked attacks, two people in Kaduna lost their lives while many others were injured in both Kaduna and Zaria.

    The statement reads in part: “Ashura processions were held today in major towns and cities across Nigeria including some southern states without any incident.

    “Only in Zaria and Kaduna were brutality and violence meted on the peaceful mourners. A number of arrests was also done.

    “The Islamic Movement hereby calls on all well-meaning Nigerians and the International community to call el-Rufai to order to force him to desist from further spill of innocent Shiites’ blood.”

    When contacted on the incident, the police image-maker, ASP Muhammad Jalige said police were deployed to maintain law and order, saying the police command is yet to receive signal from the DPOs.

    Recall, the Kaduna State government had outlawed the activities of the IMN under the guidance of their spiritual leader, Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky.

  • Kaduna bans tricycles from city roads

    Kaduna bans tricycles from city roads

    The Kaduna State Government has banned tricycle operators from plying major roads within the metropolis, in line with the ongoing transport sector reform.

    Hajiya Aisha Sa’idu-Bala, Director-General, Kaduna State Transport Regulatory Authority (KADSTRA), announced the ban in a statement in Kaduna.

    She said all tricycles, “Keke”, are banned from the Kawo-Ali Akilu- Ahmadu Bello-Command Junction routes with effect from Aug. 31.

    She said the Kaduna State Traffic Law Enforcement Agency (KASTLEA) would ensure strict compliance to the new Keke regulations.

    Sa’du-Bala said the State Government has developed new regulations for commercial transport operators in the state.

    She said that a Route and Tricycle Licensing System was being introduced to allow buses and tricycles to operate in designated areas of the metropolis.

    “This is amied at regulating and improving transport operations for increased safety, decongestion of traffic and bringing order in transport operations for passengers and operators alike,” she said.

    The director-general said that KADSTRA began registration of Keke operations in July and would end in September.

    She advised all commercial transport operators to ensure they are duly registered to operate.

    However, a crossection of commercial tricycle operators noted with concern the ban.

    Some of the operators told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna that the regulation would further truncate their sources of livelihood,

    Mallam Danjuma Isa, a commercial Keke operator, said although, he resides at Unguwar Dosa, he operates mainly on the Barnawa-Kasuwa axis and Ahmadu Bello way.

    “But with this development, operators will be restricted to their neighborhood meaning, those who reside at Kaduna North can only operate there and same with those who leave at the Southern part of the city.

    Also, Simon Dauda, a commercial Keke operator, said the development would grossly affect his income, adding, “as a father of four, this is my only source of income that caters for my family.”

    Dauda said the development would also compound traffic flow as parts of the metropolis would be overcrowded with vehicular movement since Keke operators can no longer ply the major roads.

    He said the Government should reconsider its decision bearing in mind the imminent implications.

  • Gunmen kill one, abduct JSS 3 students in Kaduna

    Gunmen kill one, abduct JSS 3 students in Kaduna

    Gunmen have reportedly invaded a school in Kunai Ward in Damba Kasaya of Chikun Local government area of Kaduna State, killing one person and abducting dozens of JSS3 students.

    A villager Bawa Wakili disclosed that the hoodlums stormed the village and started shooting sporadically; and eventually kidnapped some villagers.

    He said they went to Prince Academy school, Damba – Kasaya at about 7:45 am while the students were trying to sit for the JSS exams.

    The marauders abducted dozens of students who have gathered to write the Junior School Certificate Examination (JSCE).

    He also said a Church Aminchi Baptist Church Damba-Kasaya was set ablaze by the gunmen.

    Recall that the Federal government had only recently reopened schools across the country to enable graduating students in secondary schools to sit for their final exams.

    It was gathered the students of JSS3 in Kaduna have been writing their exams in the last week.

    When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Muhammad Jalige said the police are yet to be briefed. He, however, promised to get back as soon as the police are briefed.

  • Gunmen kill Kaduna lawyer, abduct wife, son

    Gunmen kill Kaduna lawyer, abduct wife, son

    Gunmen have killed a Kaduna-based lawyer, Haro Gandu, while his wife and son, were abducted from their resident at Tollgate, along the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

    Gandu a staff of the State Ministry of Justice was killed when the gunmen broke into their home Sunday night.

    Timothy Gandu, a former Commissioner of Economic Planning and brother to the deceased, confirmed the incident on Monday.

    According to him, the gunmen broke into the house by forcefully pulling down one of the windows.

    The former commissioner said the bandit first shot his brother in the shoulder and that as he attempted to escape, he was shot in the back.

    Gandu said after he was killed, the bandits went ahead to abduct his wife and son.

    He said, “They came to the house on Sunday night, pulled down the window and gained access.

    “They first shot him in the shoulder, he wanted to escape, they followed him and shot him in the back and he died. They abducted his wife and son.

    “It is the same narrative of criminality everywhere. Bandits invading communities and breaking into homes, killing, and abducting people.”

    The police in the state had yet to confirm the incident as of the time of filing the report.

    Kaduna State Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Mohammed Jalige, said he would link up with the Divisional Police Officer and the Area Commander for details and get back to our correspondent.

    The police chief said, “Let me make a phone call even though I am away on assignment, but let me link up with the Divisional Police Officer and the Area Commander and get back to you.”

  • Abuja-Kaduna train service resumes Wednesday – Amaechi

    Abuja-Kaduna train service resumes Wednesday – Amaechi

    The Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, yesterday said the Abuja-Kaduna train service would resume on Wednesday, July 29, 2020.

    He said during a test run of newly acquired coaches to be used on the corridor: “We are being pressured to resume train services before the Sallah celebration.”

    NRC issues guidelines for passenger train services Abuja-Kaduna train fare to double on resumption – Amaechi Upon the resumption of service, hourly operations will commence on the corridor, he said.

    Train services were shot down in March due to COVID-19 spread. The minister also revealed that President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the doubling of ticket costs on the rail route. He said the tickets should have been more expensive but the president intervened.

    “President Buhari approved the reviewed fares as follows; economy N3000, business class N6000, we even proposed higher fares but the president approved that we should leave it at that,” he said.

    “Most people using the train can afford to pay the fare and most people are of the opinion that it’s nothing compared to the risk of kidnappers on the road,” he added.

    On when the Ibadan-Kano rail project will resume, he said, “We are still waiting for money.”

  • Photos: Another eight persons feared dead as herdsmen unleash mayhem in Kaduna

    Photos: Another eight persons feared dead as herdsmen unleash mayhem in Kaduna

    Emmanuel Bagudu

    Another eight persons have been reported dead in a Monday night attack in Gora Gan Village of Zango Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

    TNG had earlier reported on Monday that a gang of bandits suspected to be Fulani herdsmen invaded the village shooting sporadically without apprehension despite distress calls by locals.

    TNG gathered that while a good number of the villages who scampered for safety are still missing, not less than eight bodies have so far been deposited at the nearby Zonkwa General Hospital.

     

  • NNPC staff inserts pepper, burns private part of 14-year-old girl picked from IDP camp

    NNPC staff inserts pepper, burns private part of 14-year-old girl picked from IDP camp

    A staff of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in Kaduna, Mrs. Yemi Awolola has been arrested for allegedly torturing and sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl she took into custody from IDP camp.

    Kaduna State Ministry of Human Services and Social Development which disclosed this on its Twitter handle said, Mrs. Awolola collected the victim from her parents at an Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDP) camp in Kajuru local government area of Kaduna 15 months ago.

    According to reports, the victim was given to Mrs. Awolola on the agreement that she would be supported to go to school.

    The Ministry said Awolola and some of her family members had consistently abused, battered, made the girl to sleep in the toilet and often times forced her to drink pepper.

    The Tweet reads: “The Ministry is currently investigating a distressing news of child labour and physical violence by Mrs. Yemi Awolola a staff of NNPC group Kaduna on one 14-year old Princess Michael whom Mrs. Yemi keeps as a house help.

    “Princess was given to Mrs. Yemi by her parents, upon agreement that she will be supported to go to school.

    “For the 15 months of Princess’s stay with Mrs. Yemi, she has been consistently abused and battered. She is made to sleep in the rest room and often times is forced to drink pepper which Mrs. Yemi rubs on Princess’s body.

    “Recently the case was brought to light when Mrs.Yemi and her family members used a lighter to burn Princess’s private part and also inserted same device into her vagina which landed Princess in a hospital in Barnawa.

    “The Ministry does not condone cases of violence on anyone let alone on a child and will mete out sanctions on Mrs. Yemi and her family on three counts: a. Child labour. S.29 (1) of the CWPL states that no child should be subjected to forced or exploitative labour & anyone who contravenes any provision of (1) or (2) commits an offence & is liable on conviction to a fine of not less than N50,000 or imprisonment for a term of 5 years or both. b. Violence against children: Part IV, S.28 (1) of the CWPL states that no person shall subject a child to emotional & physical violence & anyone who contravenes this, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of not less than Two (2) years or fine of not less than N100,000 or both.

    “Sexual violence: Mrs. Yemi recently used a device into Princess’s vagina and used flames to burn her around the walls of her vagina. S.32 (1) of the CWPL considers this an offence & S.33 (2) states that she is liable on conviction to a fine of not less than N100,000 or imprisonment to a term of not less than 5 years, or both.

    “Princess Michael will get justice for all Mrs. Yemi and her family have done to her. And every other would-be criminals like her who think they can abuse a child in Kaduna State and go free, should please try and see. No one hides for long,” the Ministry assured.

  • El-Rufai hints on fresh lockdown in Kaduna over rising COVID-19 cases

    The Kaduna State Government has hinted that should the state experience a surge in the number of COVID-19 cases, it may be forced to completely lock down in order to curtail the spread.

    It, however, expressed confidence in its capacity at the moment to test and treat cases, especially with the activation of a mobile van known as ‘Wellness on Wheel (WOW)’, which uses the revolutionary GeneXpert machine to test for both tuberculosis and COVID-19.

    Speaking during the inauguration of the initiative, the Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, explained that it became necessary in order to further contain the spread of the disease, even as states across the country are easing restrictions.

    He said: “We have decided that now that we are confident of our testing capability, we have enough test kits and our health system is becoming prepared to deal with the problem, we can open up, and we have opened up and monitoring the situation.

    “We are still reviewing the result of the last weekend compliance level of places of worship, and based on the result of compliance as well as rate of infection, we may lock down again.

    “I am saying this for everyone in Kaduna State to hear: if we get to a level that the infection rate will overwhelm our health system and our health workers, we may lock down again; we will go back to complete lock down.

    “I am appealing to the people of Kaduna State to comply with the protocols and minimise going out.

    “Our health system is stronger and we have much testing capacity. We are much confident in dealing with the problem and we have a good success rate in the treatment of people that are infected. But let us not take things for granted.

    “This disease is a killer. I know it, I have experienced it, and I don’t want anyone in Kaduna State to experience it. If it becomes necessary to close down the borders and completely lock down, we will not hesitate to do so because, as I said, from the beginning, we will do whatever it takes to protect lives. We can apologise later for the inconvenience, but life comes first.”

    El-Rufai applauded the KNCV TB Foundation and USAID for deploying the machine to the state.

    The Kaduna State Government got the GeneXpert machine with the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the KNCV TB Foundation, Nigeria.

    He added: “The GeneXpert machine, which can be used to test a variety of diseases, was brought by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for TB. But with the outbreak of COVID-19, approval has been granted to also use it to test Coronavirus and it has been in our state for some time now.

    “They have tested over 200 samples and many have tested positive.

    “The vehicle is being used in communities where they have no contact traced and check whether there is COVID-19 infection, and the result has been a little scary: 15 per cent rate of infection in the communities where they have tested.

    “These are high risks communities in the border states. This has been very helpful because for the first time, we are getting a sense of the geography and demography of the spread of the infection.”

    Also speaking, the Executive Director of KNCV TB Foundation, Nigeria, Dr. Bethrand Odume, explained that the WoW truck is built with a GeneXpert machine and an X-ray.

    He said: “The good thing is that you can equally use the GeneXpert to test for COVID-19, and since we are already working in tuberculosis (TB) programme, this is actually an intersection between COVID-19 and TB.

    “We decided that since Kaduna is one of our states, we decided to support the state government. It may surprise you to know that this is the first GeneXpert in the country. After South Africa, Kaduna is the second in Africa.

    “For us to increase the test for COVID-19, what we need is rapid diagnostic platform. These are platforms that one can maximise to improve access to COVID-19 testing, and we have it in the WoW truck.

    “The good thing with WOW is that it is a mobile van. It can go to places and into the community and ensure contact tracing. For the past five days we have been in Kaduna, it has been a very good success.”

  • Socio-economic activities resumes in Kaduna today as El-rufai suspends Quarantine Order

    Socio-economic activities resumes in Kaduna today as El-rufai suspends Quarantine Order

    Supermarkets and providers of personal services such as hair dressing and barbing salons and other non-essential services early suspended in Kaduna to tame the spread of the novel Covid-19 can now reopen.

    Governor Nasir El-rufai made this known on Tuesday evening in a state-wide broadcast ushering a new phase in the ease of lockdown in Kaduna State.

    After exactly seventy five days in there homes, Kaduna citizens can now resume social and religious gatherings.

    Governor El-Rufai said as from Wednesday, June 10, 2020, the quarantine order will be amended to permit a significant reopening of the state, adding that restriction of intra-state movement is lifted, subject to a night-time curfew of 8pm to 5am.

    He said Public servants will be summoned back to work in phases to be announced by the Head of Service, adding that this next step of staying safe while pursuing socio-economic activities will be left strictly in the hands of each individual.

    “Subject to compliance with safe reopening protocols, businesses can reopen, with the provision of thermometers for temperature checks, sanitizers or handwashing equipment and physical distancing measures within all facilities. Working hours will be 9am to 3pm daily,” he stated.

    The governor explained that Church services will be allowed only on Sundays and Mosques will be allowed to conduct only Friday Juma’at prayers for the time being, subject to compliance with the safety stipulations in the guidelines.

    “Supermarkets and providers of personal services such as hair dressing and barbing salons can reopen.