Some security personnel on Saturday bared journalists from covering the APC senatorial primary election in Zaria, Kaduna State.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the team of journalists who converged on the venue of the primary election were completely denied access by the security personnel.
The journalists used all persuasive means to get entry including parading their identity cards and making phone calls to some senior police officers but to no avail.
The team of security personnel headed by one Fom D. Moses who was said to be the Divisional Police Officer, Samaru Division said he had received instructions not to allow journalists entry.
When asked whether the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria prevents journalists from covering such events, he said:: “I should be very careful or else the politicians will indict me, I fear the politicians more than the journalists.
“If somebody said I shouldn’t allow you in, then I shouldn’t,” Moses said.
Efforts by the journalists to get the Kaduna State Police Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Yakubu Sabo to intervene did not yield result, as the police officer refused to speak with him on phone.
Moses said: “I can’t pick his (PPRO) call because I am his senior by rank, I cannot receive directive from him.”
However, the PPRO pleaded with journalists to be calm and pledged to get back to the journalists after making contact with his superiors. (NAN)
Tag: Kaduna
-
Police bar Journalists from covering Kaduna APC senatorial primaries
-
Two killed in Kaduna violence, El-Rufai declares curfew
The Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has visited the families of two youth who were killed in a communal clash in Kwaru and Ungwan Yero communities on Friday.
Both communities are in the Kaduna North Local Government Area.
During the visit, the governor listened to the families.
While condoling them, Mr El-Rufai expressed his sympathy and condemned the loss of innocent lives.
The governor assured the families that the law enforcement agencies have been directed to thoroughly investigate the killings, and to prosecute those involved. He appealed to the residents of the communities to reject division in the name of religion or ethnicity, and to uphold harmony in the area.
Mr El-Rufai was accompanied by Deputy Governor Barnabas Bala and senior government officials.
The government has also announced a curfew in the two communities, between the hours of 7 p.m. and 7 a.m., effective from today. A government statement disclosed that more security agents have been deployed to the area, and appealed to residents of the communities to observe the curfew which will be strictly enforced.
-
Police kill 2 suspected killers of IGP men in Kaduna
The Kaduna State Police Command said on Thursday that its men killed two suspected killers of IGP Intelligence Response Team (IRT) in Sabon Birni Village, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Acting Commissioner of Police, DCP Ahmad Kontagora, disclosed this at a news conference in Kaduna.
Kontagora said the police, since the incident, had embarked on intensive manhunt of the perpetrators and other cases of crime within the command to arrest and bringing all the culprits to book.
“The successes recorded in the fight against crime and criminality in Kaduna command during the few weeks under review shows that on Aug. 16, the IGP Special Tactical Squad (STS) alongside operatives from Operation Yaki, acted on intelligence and raided an armed robbers/kidnappers hide out on Sabon Birni village.
“After a fierce gun duel with the bandits, two suspected armed bandits were fatally injured and rushed to Barau Dikko Hospital Kaduna for treatment but were confirmed dead on arrival,” he said.
He said arms recovered from the suspects included one AK 47 Riffle, and five live ammunition from the scene.
“Investigations reveal that the suspects belong to the gang of criminals terrorising Birnin Gwari axis and are responsible for the killing of one Inspector Felix Yohanna attached to FSARS last year.
“He was killed at Walawa forest and the four IGP IRT personnel died in an ambush at Jankasa.”
He said that the command`s Anti Kidnapping and FSARS squads as well as the SIB had also recorded additional successes in arresting suspected criminals and made recoveries of exhibits during the period.
“They include seven suspected kidnappers, eight suspected armed robbers, four suspected notorious fraudsters and three suspected shop breakers.
“We recovered three AK 47 Riffles, three magazines with 20 rounds of ammunition, two motor vehicles mainly Golf Wagon with registration Number ES 904 FST and a Toyota Corolla with number plate RBC 04 MQ, all blue in colour.
He said the suspects had made useful statements and were still undergoing investigation and would be charged to court on completion of investigation.
The commissioner assured members of the public that the command would not relent on its efforts in fighting all forms of crime and criminality in Kaduna State.
He appealed to the public to continue to assist the police and other security agencies with useful information about the activities of persons likely to constitute danger to the society, to ensure effective crime prevention and control.
-
Kaduna: Police kill two suspected killers of IGP men
The Kaduna State Police Command said on Thursday that its men killed two suspected killers of IGP Intelligence Response Team (IRT) in Sabon Birni Village, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Acting Commissioner of Police, DCP Ahmad Kontagora, disclosed this at a news conference in Kaduna.
Kontagora said the police, since the incident, had embarked on intensive manhunt of the perpetrators and other cases of crime within the command to arrest and bringing all the culprits to book.
“The successes recorded in the fight against crime and criminality in Kaduna command during the few weeks under review shows that on Aug. 16, the IGP Special Tactical Squad (STS) alongside operatives from Operation Yaki, acted on intelligence and raided an armed robbers/kidnappers hide out on Sabon Birni village.
“After a fierce gun duel with the bandits, two suspected armed bandits were fatally injured and rushed to Barau Dikko Hospital Kaduna for treatment but were confirmed dead on arrival,” he said.
He said arms recovered from the suspects included one AK 47 Riffle, and five live ammunition from the scene.
“Investigations reveal that the suspects belong to the gang of criminals terrorising Birnin Gwari axis and are responsible for the killing of one Inspector Felix Yohanna attached to FSARS last year.
“He was killed at Walawa forest and the four IGP IRT personnel died in an ambush at Jankasa.”
He said that the command`s Anti Kidnapping and FSARS squads as well as the SIB had also recorded additional successes in arresting suspected criminals and made recoveries of exhibits during the period.
“They include seven suspected kidnappers, eight suspected armed robbers, four suspected notorious fraudsters and three suspected shop breakers.
“We recovered three AK 47 Riffles, three magazines with 20 rounds of ammunition, two motor vehicles mainly Golf Wagon with registration Number ES 904 FST and a Toyota Corolla with number plate RBC 04 MQ, all blue in colour.
He said the suspects had made useful statements and were still undergoing investigation and would be charged to court on completion of investigation.
The commissioner assured members of the public that the command would not relent on its efforts in fighting all forms of crime and criminality in Kaduna State.
He appealed to the public to continue to assist the police and other security agencies with useful information about the activities of persons likely to constitute danger to the society, to ensure effective crime prevention and control.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the IGP, IRT operatives where ambushed on Aug. 11 at Jankasa village of Rigasa in Igabi Local Government Area.
NAN
-
Abductors of Kaduna pastor’s wife demand N5m ransom
Kidnappers of Talatu wife of Hosea Akuchi who is a pastor of a Baptist Church in Kaduna have demanded an N5 million ransom for her freedom.
Talatu was abducted on Sunday after the husband was killed by the kidnappers at their residence in Guguwa, Igabi Local Government Area of the state.However, a source said the family was called by the kidnappers who demanded the sum to be paid before she regains freedom.
“The abductors called to say that we need to pay them N5 million before they can release her to us,” Vanguard quoted the source as saying.
“They called a family member on the phone to make this demand. Imagine such demand after killing the reverend just like that.
“How can this injustice continue in a country like Nigeria without any serious measures in place to check the activities of these people.
“You can imagine that, they have the guts to walk into people’s home, kill and abduct and also have the effrontery to demand ransom.
“Where and how can we get that money? How can we become prisoners in our own country as law-abiding citizens?”
-
Just in: Kaduna lawmakers elect new Deputy Speaker
Members of the Kaduna State House of Assembly have elected a new Deputy Speaker.
This was sequel to the defection of the erstwhile Deputy Speaker, John Audu-Kwaturu (Kachia constituency), from the ruling All Progressives Congress to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party.
The Speaker, Aminu Abdullahi Shaghali, had dismissed the reasons adduced by John Audu-Kwaturu and another defecting lawmaker, Junaidu Yakubu (Kudan constituency), saying they were not tenable since there was no crisis or rancour in APC at both the state and the national levels.
He ruled that the two lawmakers must vacate their seats.
Consequently, the lawmaker representing Makera Constituency, Dahiru Liman, nominated Hon. Nuhu Goroh Shadalafiya (Kagarko Constituency) as the new Deputy Speaker, and Hon. Ahmed Mohammed of Zaria Kewaye Constituency seconded the motion.
The new Deputy Speaker, Nuhu Goroh Shadalafiya, until now, was Chairman, House Committee on Information.
He was immediately sworn in as the new Deputy Speaker.
-
Defection: Kaduna Assembly declares former Deputy Speaker’s seat vacant
The Kaduna State House of Assembly on Wednesday declared the seat of its former Deputy Speaker, Mr John Audu-Kwaturu vacant after he announced his defection to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).Also declared vacant is the seat occupied by Alhaji Junaidu Yakubu, the member representing Kudan constituency, who also defected to the PDP.Both Audu-Kwaturu, who represents Kachia constituency and Yakubu were elected under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).Audu-Kwaturu had a week ago announced his resignation from the position of Deputy Speaker.Declaring the seats vacant at plenary, the Speaker, Aminu Shagali said the defection of the lawmakers had no basis as the APC in the state was not in any crisis.According to him, the action of the assembly is in line with the provision of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria.The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the lawmakers have unanimously elected Mr Nuhu Shadalafiya, erstwhile Chairman, House Committee on Information, as the new Deputy Speaker.Shadalafiya represents Kagarko constituency in the assembly. (NAN) -
Gunmen ambush, kill 4 policemen in Kaduna
Four policemen were ambushed and killed by bandits in Jankasa village, in Rigasa area of Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The state police public relations officer, Yakubu Sabo, confirmed the incident at the weekend.
Sabo said the incident took place at about 6:30 a.m. on Saturday when a team of detectives drawn from Inspector-General of Police’s Intelligence Rapid Response Team was ambushed by the bandits.
He said the officers were on their way for an operation when the bandits engaged them in a gun battle, leading to the death of four of them.
Sabo added that the command swiftly reinforced and mobilised its men to the area with a view to apprehending the bandits.
“Yesterday, Saturday, August 11, 2018, at about 6:30 a.m., a team of detectives attached to Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team, while on operation along Jankasa village of Rigasa Kaduna, was ambushed by bandits.
“After a fierce gun battle, four of our policemen paid the supreme sacrifice. We quickly mobilised and reinforced to apprehend the perpetrators of the heinous acts. No arrest has been made yet but, as events unfold, I will give more details,” he said.
Speaking on the attack, the IRT leader, DCP Abba Kyari, told journalists, Sunday evening that bodies of the deceased operatives were deposited at Saint Gerald Hospital Mortuary Kaduna State for autopsy, while very serious efforts were in progress to get the killers to book.
He said, “Sequel to the Kidnapping of Sheikh Ahmad Adam Algarkawy in Rigasa area of Kaduna State on 2/8/18 and his subsequent release after ransom was paid.
“In a follow up to the case on 11/8/18 IRT operative arrested two of the Kidnappers in a remote settlement inside Rigasa forest inKaduna State.
“As the team was coming out of the bush with the arrested kidnappers, other gang-members hiding inside the bush ambushed the IRT team and opened fire which resulted to the death of four IRT operatives.”
He gave names of the deceased as, AP/No. 148333 Inspr. Benard Odibo, AP/No. 181539 Inspr. Mamman Abubakar, AP/No. 192938 Inspr. Haruna Ibrahim F/No. 267815 and Sgt Emmanuel Istifanus.
The police spokesman added that investigation into the matter had commenced.
Meanwhile, the Zamfara State Police Command on Saturday arrested eight suspected bandits and foiled an attack on a market in Gurbin Bore town in Zurmi Local Government Area of the state. According to the command’s spokesman, SP Shehu Mohammed, the eight bandits were arrested following a distress call to the command on Saturday that bandits had stormed the Gurbin Bore market to cause loss of life and property, and had already abducted one Jafar Yusuf.
He said: “The command’s tactical teams swiftly arrived the scene, cordoned it off and rescued the victim who was already injured. Eight bandits were arrested with two locally fabricated guns and two jack knives recovered.”
He added that all the suspects were in the command’s custody under interrogation after which they would be charged to court for prosecution.
Recently, some family members of the Zamfara State commissioner for youth and sports, Alhaji Abdullahi Gurbin Bore, were abducted in the same village, but they were later rescued.
-
2019: Kaduna Deputy Speaker, lawmaker dump APC
The Deputy Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, John Audu, representing Kachia Constituency, has defected from the ruling APC.
Confirming his defection in a statement, he personally signed, Audu said it was a difficult decision taken by him.
According to him, he consulted widely with people of his constituency before leaving the party.
He cited impunity in the party as the main reason for his defection.
Audu did not mention the new party he will join.
“I write to withdraw my membership of the All Progressive Congress APC with effect from 7th August 2018 .
“This is the most difficult decision ever taken after due consultation with the good people of my constituency.
“However, I came to realize that most of the party supporters have left due to impunity and division in the local government and the state level of the party. Please accept my best regards,” he wrote.
Another member of the state assembly representing Kudan Local Government Area, Junaidu Yakubu, has also dumped the APC.
In a letter signed by him and submitted to the party secretariat, he said it had become imperative “in view of the draconian leadership of the party at the state level and the local government.”
“I feel I will not serve the interest of the people in my constituency under the said leadership. This decision was arrived at after due consultation with my people whom I had sworn to protect their interest under the party,” he said.
He also did not mention the new party he will join.
-
Gunmen kill three, abduct two nursing mothers, others in Kaduna
Armed bandits on Sunday evening attacked communities of Unguwar Dan-Baki, Sabon-Layi village in Birnin-Gwari local government area of Kaduna State, killing three people and abducting two nursing mothers.
Ibrahim Abubakar Nagwari, chairman, Birnin-Gwari Vanguards for Security and Good Governance, in a statement, said the armed bandits stormed the village around 7pm, killed three persons and abducted two nursing mothers, an infant of eight days and five men.
An eyewitness, Garba Tanko, said, “We were attacked as we are about joining Maghreb (evening) prayers congregation.
“The attackers had a field day and carted away cattle used for animal traction by the villagers in their farms.
“The attackers are using corridors of Kamuku Forest and Kuyambana Forest in Zamfara state to terrorized farming communities in Birnin-Gwari local government territories.”
The statement called on the federal government to deploy more security forces to Birnin-Gwari to prevent the influx of armed bandits escaping military onslaught in Zamfara state to Birnin-Gwari.