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Tag: Kaduna

  • Sex for grade: Another victim speaks out in Kaduna

    Sex for grade: Another victim speaks out in Kaduna

    Salamatu Bello, a victim of alleged sexual harassment by a university lecturer, on Friday, staged protest round Kaduna metropolis to highlight the plight of female students in the country.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the victim, holding a placard with the inscription, ‘It’s your right NOT to be sexually abused as a student’, later spoke with newsmen on the matter.

    Bello was sexually abused while she was a student of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria in 2010, and the lecturer alleged to have molested her is now with Kaduna State University (KASU).

    Although she declined detailed comment on what transpired, Bello said she will appear before the committee set up by Kaduna State University to investigate the lecturer, Mr Bala Umar, popularly known as AB Umar.

    According to her, sexual harassment of female students has been going on in tertiary institutions for long, as the victims were always unwilling to speak out.

    “We have this going on in our academic institutions for long and we have been covering people, which is the ‘Arewa silent culture’ that we have been practicing.

    “If you look at it, what we normalize today, our children are going to pay for it later.

    ” There are hundreds before me, there will be hundreds after me, the hundreds after me are going to be my children’s children and I will not be there to tell them I am sorry.

    “I will not be there to tell them I sat down and did nothing, that I sat down and normalize the whole thing.

    “This is something that had happened a long time, people think I am vindictive which I am not, because ABU to KASU is just 70 kilometers.

    “If you are doing same there and you left there and come here and continue doing it, somebody has to stop you.

    “We always have this notion in our society that if you come out and say it, nobody will marry you, the stigma is not bearable.

    “AB Umar was my former lecturer in ABU, that is when and where it happened and there are some things that I can’t just talk about.

    “I was a diploma student then in ABU in 2010, now I have been getting random calls threatening me, I just switched off my phones and I want to continue my protest, that is all”, she said.

    Bello’s protest earlier, forced authorities of the university to suspend the lecturer and constitute a committee to investigate him.

  • Abducted senior police officer rescued in Kaduna

    Abducted senior police officer rescued in Kaduna

    An assistant commissioner of police based in Kaduna, Musa Rabo abducted on Saturday was on Sunday rescued unhurt.

    The officer was successfully rescued on Sunday by a combined team of Police operatives from Kaduna, Niger and Zone 7 Command Headquarters Abuja, backed-up by members of the elite Special Forces of the NPF.

    The Police Force Spokesperson, DCP Frank MBA confirmed the latest development on Sunday night in several tweets on Nigeria Police Twitter account.

    Two male suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident.

    Investigation into the incident is ongoing, Mba said.

    Spokesperson of the Kaduna command, DSP Yakubu Sabo, in an alert earlier on Sunday said the ACP was abducted on Saturday, October 19, at about 3.30 pm.

    According to Sabo, the victim’s car with registration number KRD 753 BT and his identity card were found abandoned along the road by a team of ‘Operation Safe Heaven’.

    Sabo said that the vehicle was abandoned near Kanock Bridge, a border area between Kaduna and Nasarawa states.

    The police spokesperson also said that communication had been established with the kidnappers who requested for ransom.

    Mba said on Sunday night that Rabo was not targeted as a cop.

    “The officer was travelling in his civil dress, with his private vehicle and without escort or any special security at the time of the incident. It was purely an opportunistic crime, indiscriminately and maliciously targeted at citizens using that particular road. He was, perhaps, positionally unlucky at the time of the incident”, he said.

  • Troops rescue 3 farmers in Kaduna, kill bandit

    Troops rescue 3 farmers in Kaduna, kill bandit

    Troops of Operation Thunder Strike have rescued three villagers abducted from their farms on Wednesday in Maro village along Kaduna-Abuja highway.
    The Deputy Director Army Public Relations, 1Division Nigerian Army Kaduna, Col. Ezindu Idimah told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Kaduna that one of the kidnappers was killed in the operation.
    “Acting on a credible information, troops raided the hideout of the bandits where they held the farmers and engaged them in a firefight.
    “Following, the firefight, one bandit was neutralized and others escaped with gun shot wounds leaving behind the victims.
    “The rescued farmers had since been handed over to their families.” he said.
    Idimah said an AK 47 rifle with two 7.62 special ammunition were recovered at the scene.
    “The General Officer Commanding, 1 Division , Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya has again called on the general public to report any person with gun shot wounds to the nearest security post for prompt action.”

  • JUST IN: Abducted Kaduna Principal regains freedom

    One week after his abduction, Principal of Government Technical College in Maraban Kajuru in Kajuru local government area of Kaduna, Mr Francis Maji, has been released.

    Maji was seized from his residence inside the college by gunmen who broke into his apartment last Thursday.

    Though no figure was quoted, however impeccable sources in the know revealed that a huge sum was paid as ransom before he was released.

    A source in the school said the kidnappers dropped the principal at a location early on Thursday, after they received the ransom.

    According to the source: “The kidnappers dropped him at a location after they collected the ransom.

    “He had to look for a commercial motorcycle, which brought him back to the school.”

    However, the six students of Engravers College, in Chikun Local government area and their two teachers abducted earlier in the month are yet to be released.

  • Gunmen kill one, abduct five others in Kaduna

    Armed bandits suspected to be kidnappers have killed one person and abducted five others, including a primary school headteacher during two separate attacks in some villages in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

    The gunmen were reported to have attacked a filling station in Doka village along Funtua road at about 1:00pm on Wednesday, shot one of the attendants to death, injured two others and took another two away.

    Chairman of Birnin Gwari Vanguards, Ibrahim Nagwari in a statement made available to newsmen in Kaduna on Thursday, identified the abducted Head Teacher as AbdulHafiz Abdullahi of Dangamji, Primary School.

    He disclosed that the bandits also wounded three members of a local vigilante group.

    However, Kaduna State Police Command was yet to confirm the incident as at the time of filing this report.

    The Birnin Gwari Vanguard’s statement lamented the Birnin-Gwari-Funtua road has been deserted while the entire Eastern part of Birnin-Gwari neighbouring Zamfara and Katsina States has been surrounded by armed bandits attacking travellers and villagers almost on a daily basis.

    They said many travellers were abducted in another attack on Polwaya and Gayam village at about 5:00 pm on Wednesday.

    The statement reads: “Armed bandits have abducted, the Head Teacher of Dangamji, Primary School, AbdulHafiz Abdullahi and two others at Doka filing station, while two others were shot and seriously wounded.

    “Earlier on Wednesday morning around 8.30am, heavily armed bandits, opened fire on vehicles around Polwaya and abduct a bread vendor, about Ten kilometres from BIRNIN-GWARI. Similarly, the armed bandits strike again on Wednesday near Gayam village, wounded three vigilantes and abduct people from vehicles.

    “The notorious Unguwar Yako, Kwanan Mahaukaciya and indeed entire Birnin-Gwari-Kaduna highway has been overtaken by bandits terrorising and abducting innocent people especially women and Children.

    “In the last three weeks, armed bandits has launched a major onslaught against innocent civilians and motorists across the length and breath of Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

    “On a daily basis, the armed bandits carry their nefarious act along BIRNIN-GWARI-Kaduna highway in broad daylight without any challenge from the security personnels that are stationed in BIRNIN-GWARI.

    “The strategic Birnin-Gwari-Funtua road has been deserted, while the entire Eastern part of Birnin-Gwari neighboring Zamfara and Katsina States is now surrounded by armed bandits.

    “It is apparent to state categorically, that, Birnin-Gwari is once again under siege by bandits and the handful security personnel and state officials are paying leap service to the plight of general insecurity of lives and property.

    “We have noticed with, dismay, the way and manner our people are subjected to horrified and traumatised situation by the armed bandits that prey on human beings every day on various communities, villages and settlements in Birnin-Gwari Local government area.

    “While we appreciate previous efforts by the security personnel against armed banditry in Birnin-Gwari, we hope the government of Malam Nasiru El- Rufa’i, will not treat our people as prodigal sons.

    “With the current tension, fear and inability of peasant farmers to go to their respective farms because of activities of bandits, we strongly call on the Federal government, Kaduna state government and the security agents to act decisively on the bandits and their collaborators before we are consumed by the bandits. Enough is enough.”

  • TNG Exclusive: ABU Alumni rescues classmate from kidnappers den, sends reunion funds as ransom

    TNG Exclusive: ABU Alumni rescues classmate from kidnappers den, sends reunion funds as ransom

    …. Kaduna govt now battling with bandits after solving sectarian crisis

    …. 2 schools in session invaded, staff and Students abducted

    By Emmanuel Bagudu

    After adopting effective measures that brought to an end the hostilities of intermittent sectarian and ethnic violence, authorities in Kaduna State are still up for yet another great security task. Kidnapping and banditry. “…human life has been reduced to nothing in Nigeria….” Reverend Joseph Hayap Kaduna State Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) chairman stated while reacting to the killing of Esther Katung, a Pastor’s Wife in Kaduna who was murdered despite payment of N250, 000 ransom.

    Kidnappers and bandits are now on the prowl in Kaduna and its neighboring communities. For the past Seven months victims ad infinitum narrate separate experiences in the hands of kidnappers and security operatives kept reeling out promises of ending the menace. All these have diminished rather than eliminated the city’s virtues with the latest lamentations coming from the Alumni of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Department (withheld). While planning to organize a re-union to celebrate 10 years since graduation, the news of the abduction of their classmate Kelvin Abbah (not real name) broke. Abbah was kidnapped at his residence in Kaduna early hours on 22nd September at about 3 a.m

    and was taken to an unknown destination where he was tortured alongside other hostages. “…it’s an experience I don’t wish for my worst enemy,” Abbah said. A few days later the kidnappers called relatives to ask for an N20million Naira ransom with a deadline of less than 48 hours. This prompted friends and relatives of Abbah to sought for the next available help to raise the ransom of course after negotiating for an abatement. The relatives and some good friends in a traumatic and desperate move managed to raise a fraction of the negotiated ransom but the kidnappers won’t accept the amount raised although they spoke to them softly according to one of the victim’s friends Sheriff. “All we needed to do was to add something to what was gathered, the bandits were ready to release our man if we put more effort,” Sheriff told TNG. He said they continued the search for more money and ended up meeting the victim’s former Classmates who are already planning for a reunion and coincidentally he (Sheriff) happens to be part of the reunion plan and they all agreed to divert the contributed funds alongside more contributions from other friends to add up to secure the release of Abbah. “We have to do this for our classmate….No reunion is better than reuniting with our classmate currently a hostage in a thick forest”. Alex one of the victim’s classmate organising the reunion told TNG. Another classmate of the victim a female who pleaded anonymity told TNG that God wanted to rescue Abbah that was why he gave the inspiration for the reunion in the first place. “Its a great reunion having our classmate back from captivity”, she said. She thanked his relatives and classmates for the proactive steps they took in securing his release.
    This is just one experience among many. Hundreds of kidnap victims are currently languishing in the forest according to reports. Some are said to be missing and yet to be found. “All we need is prayers, no one is safe even if you decide to lock up yourself in your house, only God can save you since these bandits actually visit people’s home to abduct them” Hosea a vigilante member in Chikun local government area of the state told TNG.
    It could be recalled earlier this month that bandits storm 2 boarding schools in Kaduna state; Engravers College kukum daji in Chikun LGA where they abducted 6 female students and 2 teachers and also Goverment Technical secondary school Maraban Kajuru in Kajuru Local Goverment where they abducted the School’s principal.
    CLERGY MEN NOT EXEMPTED
    The bandits did not consider the sanctity of religious authorities in their operations. While killing and kidnapping residents of the states including foreigners who came for tourism, bandits have so far seen to have unleashed their reign of terror on Some religious authorities.
    On March 25th this year, a Catholic priest Rev. Fr. John Bako Shekwolo was abducted at his residence in Ankwa Kachia LGA of the state. While in August 14 Pastor Jeremiah Omolewa of the living faith church Ungwan Rimi was reportedly killed by his abductors. Pastor Elisha Numan in charge of Nagarta Baptist Church was also said to have been abducted, while Pastor Ishaku Katung of ECWA church Birnin Gwari who escaped from the bandits lost his wife even after paying the sum of N250,000 ransom to the bandits.
    Government’s Proactive Measures Visible
    All hopes are not gone as the state government is seen daily mapping out different strategy to end banditry in the state.
    With an area of up to 46,053Km, and a now 6,006,562 population (3rd in Nigeria) one will understand the complexities of governance in the state. “the media has a role to play in the fight against insecurity in the state, we will not sleep until we nip this menace in the bud”. Kaduna state commission of internal affairs Samuel Aruwan said while interacting with Journalists. Other stakeholders in the state pledge their support to the government in the fight against banditry. “You will recall that a sitting lawmaker in this state was also kidnapped on August 30, this shows to you that no one is safe and that means we have no choice other than help the Government in fighting this menace” Ahmed Mohammed a lecturer in one of the state’s higher institutions told TNG.
    So far the Nigerian Police have sensitised citizens all over the country on ways to protect themselves from the bandits. In a graphic illustration, the Police said that citizens must avoid flamboyant lifestyle to avoid attracting criminal-minded persons towards them.
    This and more warnings coupled with the cooperation of relevant stakeholders may hopefully bring to an end the year-long banditry experience.
  • Photo: Army rescues six kidnapped schoolgirls in Kaduna

    Photo: Army rescues six kidnapped schoolgirls in Kaduna

    Troops of Operation Thunder Strike rescued on Thursday six female students of Government Day Secondary School Gwagwada in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

    The girls were abducted same day on their way to school and are different from another set of six schoolgirls of Engravers’ College abducted on October 3 in Kaduna, along with a teacher and matron.

    The Deputy Director Public Relations of 1Division Nigeria Army Kaduna, Col. Ezindu Idimah said three motor boys were rescued while four suspected bandits were neutralised by the troops.

    “The Troops who were on routine patrol in the general area received information from a reliable source that some bandits terrorizing the Abuja-Kaduna highway have waylaid some students on their way to school and abducted them.

    “Troops immediately swung into action and gave the bandits a hot chase.

    “On sighting the troops, the bandits engaged them in a firefight but had to surrender to the superior firepower of the troops.

    “Following the firefight, one of the bandits was neutralized while the rest scampered into different directions of the forest with gun shot wounds.”

    He explained that all the students abducted by the bandits were rescued safely and re-united with their families.

    Idimah added that one AK47 rifle with seven rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and a pump action gun with ten cartridges were recovered by the troops.

    According to him, the troops are currently combing the entire forest in search of the bandits.

    “In a related development, troops also dealt decisively with bandits in an ambush at Soho Gaya in Chikun Local Government Area at about 10 am this morning.

    “During the ambush, two bandits were neutralized while one rifle was recovered.

    “Additionally, at about 10:45am, troops pursued bandits into one of the forests in Chukun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

    “During the pursuit one of the bandits was neutralized while 2 AK 47 riffles, one pump action and 3 Magazines were recovered.

    “The success recorded has buoyed up troops morale who expressed enthusiasm in sustaining the onslaught against the bandits and other criminal elements within the Division Area of Responsibility,” Idimah stated.

    He added that the General Officer Commanding the Division, Maj.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya has commended the efforts of the troops and urged them to continue to pursue and neutralize bandits in 1 Division area of responsibility.

    He urged the general public to report anybody with gun wound to security agents around them.

  • Why we are negotiating with kidnappers of Kaduna teachers, schoolgirls – Police

    Why we are negotiating with kidnappers of Kaduna teachers, schoolgirls – Police

    …says we know their location

    Barely a week after the kidnap of six female students and two teachers of Engravers College Kaduna, police say they know the location of the abductees, but cannot, for their safety, use force to free them.

    The police said they opted for negotiation with the kidnappers.

    Kaduna State Police Commissioner Ali Janga disclosed this at a briefing on Wednesday.

    The CP said, “We are negotiating with the kidnappers to rescue these students and their teachers, we know the location of the kidnappers but we do not want to endanger their lives.

    “Most of these kidnappers are operating under the influence of hard drugs, so killing is nothing to them, this is why we are still negotiating with them and as soon as the victims are released, we will go after them.

    “We are assuring the people of Kaduna State that we will arrest these kidnappers very soon.”

    The six schoolgirls, their Vice Principal, Academics and House Mistress were kidnapped from the Engravers College premises in Kakau Daji, Chikun Local goverment area of Kaduna State, in the early hours of Thursday last week.

    The kidnappers on Monday demanded N10 million ransom for each of the abductees, after dropping the initial sum of N50 million for all the eight victims.

  • We knew kidnappers will strike in Kaduna three months ago – El-Rufai

    There is a strong suspicion in government that the current wave of kidnapping in parts of the country has the support of the terror sect, Boko Haram.

    Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State, who dropped this hint on Friday, said intelligence report had shown that kidnappers are collaborating with some Boko Haram members to kidnap people for ransom.

    He spoke with State House correspondents after Juma’at prayers at the State House, Abuja.

    He said he received intelligence report three months ago that kidnappers might now target schools in his state.

    Gunmen struck at Engravers College, Kakau Daji, a remote village in Gwagwada District, Chikun local area of Kaduna State, early Thursday, abducting six female students and two teachers.

    The kidnappers have contacted some parents of the kidnapped students to demand a ransom of N50million.

    Questioned about the development by reporters, el-Rufai said government had made adequate arrangement to beef up security in state schools.

    The kidnappers of the school female students, he said, succeeded because Engravers College is located out of the city.

    He said: ”It is most unfortunate and tragic for us in Kaduna for this kidnap of children and teachers to happen.

    “As at this morning (Friday), the kidnappers have made contacts with the parents, and we have got the parents of the kidnapped children and the relations of the teachers to be in one place so that there is one line of communication with the kidnappers to facilitate their release.

    “However, from the moment of the kidnap, the security agencies, from the DSS, the Police, the Airforce and the Army have been on the matter and I am confident that not only are we going to secure the release of the students and their teachers, but we are going to get the kidnappers by the grace of God.

    “It is always a moment of sadness when young people that are trying to get education become victims of these criminals. But kidnapping has become widespread that for many people, it is not news.

    “For us in Kaduna, this is one of the biggest tragedies and we are doing everything to manage the situation to get the children and their teachers safely and pursue these kidnappers with everything that we have got.

    “I am confident that it will be resolved and very soon. I get updates every three hours on this and the last update I got is that they are in touch and they are discussing to resolve the matter.

    “Until the kidnapping happened, I didn’t know the school. It is right in the middle of the bush along the Abuja/Kaduna road. It’s in the middle of nowhere really, that’s why it was vulnerable. Other schools are protected and no one should have any doubts if your child is in Kaduna State. We are doing our best to protect him or her.

    “Schools are being watched and we do regular surveillance. We use the Nigerian Airforce planes, we use drones. We do regular surveillance all across the state and we get intelligence as to likely targets. So, with the help of security agencies, we are doing the best we can on this. Of course, you can never get this 100 percent. “

    On the ransom, he said: “They have made demand for money and that is being negotiated. They always do. I cannot go into details; we are trying to protect the victims and secure their release. So, there is a level of information I cannot reveal.”

    Asked whether he regretted enrolling his child in public school, he said: “My child should not be safer or more protected than any other child in Kaduna State. I took an oath of office to protect everyone, and my child is just one of the two million children we have in primary schools in Kaduna State.

    “And I have no intention of reviewing that. For me, taking my child to a government school was not only a commitment I made, but a clear expression that I have confidence in the quality of our public schools for my child to attend. And we have already given directives that all the staff of the Ministry of Education who are in charge of managing our education system must have their own children in public schools.”

    On whether parents were withdrawing their children from schools because of the incident, he said there was no information available to him to that effect.

  • Kaduna kidnapping: El-Rufai insists son will remain in public school

    Kaduna kidnapping: El-Rufai insists son will remain in public school

    Gov. Nasiru el-Rufa’i of Kaduna State says his child will remain in public school in spite the reported invasion of the state by kidnappers and Boko Haram elements.

    El-Rufa’i stated this while reacting to the abduction of six students and two teachers at the Engrave’s College in Kakau Daji area of Kaduna State on Wednesday.

    The governor, who spoke to State House correspondents in Abuja on Friday, said his child should not be safer or more protected than any other child in the state.

    “My child should not be safer or more protected than any other child in Kaduna State. I took an oath of office to protect everyone and my child is just only one of the two million children we have in Kaduna state primary schools and I have no intention of reviewing that.

    “For me taking my child to a government school was not only a commitment I made but a clear expression that I have enough confidence in the quality of our public schools for my child to attend.

    “We have already given directives that all the staff of our Ministry of Education who are in charge of managing our education system must have their own children in government schools,’’ he said.

    On the abducted persons, the governor said the state government, parents and guardians of the victims as well as security agencies were doing everything possible to secure their release.

    El-Rufa’I dismissed the insinuation that parents were withdrawing their wards from schools following the reported abduction of the students and teachers at the Engrave’s College in Kakau Daji.

    The governor disclosed that the kidnappers had made contact with the parents of the students, demanding for ransom.

    According to him, the state government has assembled the affected parents and the relations of the teachers in one place.

    He said this was to ensure one line of communication with the kidnappers to facilitate speedy release of the victims, adding that the state government had no intention of paying ransom to the kidnappers.

    “We got intelligent report of the likelihood of this danger three months ago. Like I said, we put in place measures that I don’t want to go into details.

    “But any bandit that comes to Kaduna to try to do this has a very high chance of getting killed, that is all I can say; very high chance of getting killed,’’ he warned.