TheNewsGuru

Tag: Katsina

  • Gov Masari talks tough: I’ll no longer condone senseless killings by Customs operatives in Katsina

    Gov Masari talks tough: I’ll no longer condone senseless killings by Customs operatives in Katsina

    Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State has condemned the recurring killings of innocent citizens through reckless driving by operatives of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) in the state.

    In a statement by Malam Abdu Labaran, Director General (DG), Media and Publicity to Masari and made available newsmen in Katsina on Friday, Masari said he would no longer condone such senseless killings.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that the governor’s warning came in the wake of the recent death of eight people, who were crushed by operatives of the NCS driving recklessly in pursuit of suspected smugglers in Jibia Lacal Government, last Monday.

    Masari extended his condolences to the families of the deceased and those who sustained injuries, warning that the government would no longer fold its arms to watch law abiding citizens killed by government agents who are supposed to be protecting them.

    “The state government is considering legal action against the NCS to serve as a deterrent against future occurrence of the fatal incident” Masari said.

  • Customs officials kill six persons while chasing rice smugglers in Katsina

    Customs officials kill six persons while chasing rice smugglers in Katsina

    Six people have now been confirmed dead and over 20 others injured after a Hilux van of the Nigeria Customs Service rammed into a people by a roadside in Jibia town of Katsina State early Monday morning.

    Jibia is on the Nigerian border with Niger Republic and many of its residents engage in cross-border trades.

    Multiple sources in the town who spoke to newsmen said the accident occurred while some customers officers were pursuing a J5 Peugeot bus they suspected was involved in rice smuggling.

    “The driver lost control of the vehicle and ran into people standing by the roadside” a resident of the town, Almustapha Danye, said.

    “Six people died immediately while the injured were taken to a hospital in Jibia. I was told that more of them have died but I cannot confirm that because I did not follow them to the hospital.”

    “The owner of the J5 Peugeot is among those buying maize from Dandume town and bringing it here (Jibia) for sale. They normally give money to the Customs officers though what they are doing is not smuggling.

    “But this J5 driver refused to stop at one checkpoint immediately after Batsari on your way to Jibia.

    “They followed him from their checkpoint into the town and it was while they were chasing him that the vehicle ran into bystanders.”

    Mr Jibia, who also said he witnessed the accident, said: “The J5 driver knows the town very well and had already run away from the customs officers.”

    Mr Danye, on his part, said the customs officers took to their heels as soon as they jumped out of the vehicle involved in the accident.

    “People were initially trying to save those who were crushed. But after they (customs officers) ran away, a group of youth set their vehicle ablaze.”

    However, the Public Relations Officer of the Service in Katsina State, Danbaba Isa, disputed the account that the officers were pursuing a vehicle.

    “What we know is that it was an accident that can occur to anyone. The accident occured this morning after some of our officers finished eating and were returning to their checkpoint when their vehicle developed brake fault and it resulted in the accident.”

  • Banditry: I’ve no joy governing Katsina State – Masari

    Banditry: I’ve no joy governing Katsina State – Masari

    Katsina State Governor, Aminu Masari, has said that he has no joy governing a state plagued by insecurity.

    Masari said the security situation in Katsina has been giving him sleepless nights.

    The governor made this known during an interview with DW Hausa on Friday.

    Recall that this is coming less than a week after scores of armed bandits on motorbikes blocked Jibiya-Batsari road in Kabobi village, Katsina, after the Juma’at prayers and made away with 11 passengers.

    He said, “In this difficult time and uncertainty, all the issues of governance have been dominated by security matters from sunset to dawn. I receive security reports at any moment through many channels daily.

    “No sensible leader who has the feelings of his people at heart will be happy in such a situation.

    “Governing in this difficult time, I see no joy that people are saying we are enjoying.“

    He added, “In this kind of situation, we are having sleepless nights. You only have a few hours to sleep with your phone beneath your ears and whoever calls you at midnight won’t do that to greet you but to tell you a problem that is happening.

    “People misunderstood us (governors) as people enjoying themselves. Some people are just assuming things and we must not assume what we think is right because if someone is not in the system, he cannot understand the situation.”

  • Heavy windstorm kills two, destroys 1,500 houses in Katsina

    Heavy windstorm kills two, destroys 1,500 houses in Katsina

    Heavy windstorm has killed at least two persons and destroyed over 1,500 houses in Bindawa, Faskari, and Sabuwa Local Government Areas of Katsina State.

    The Public Relations Officer of the State Emergency Management Agency, Umar Mohammed confirmed the situation to Channels Television on Wednesday in a telephone conversation.

    He said the incident occurred on Monday affecting three Local Government Areas.

    He disclosed that in Bindawa alone, 400 houses were destroyed while in Faskari, over 800 houses were destroyed and 300 others in Sabuwa LGA.

    Mohammed further explained that there was a heavy downpour in Bindawa Local Government Area which lasted for about five hours resulting in the death of two persons.

    He added that plans are on top gear to assist the victims according to their losses.

  • EFCC arrests 20 suspected internet fraudsters in Katsina

    EFCC arrests 20 suspected internet fraudsters in Katsina

    At least 20 suspected internet fraudsters have been arrested in Dutsinma Local Government Area of Katsina State by a team of operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Kano Zonal Office.

    The anti-graft agency in a statement on Friday said the arrest of the 20 suspects who are in their twenties was carried out following an intelligence report made available to them.

    The team however dispatched and carried out a raid on the suspects’ hideouts and arrested them.

    “The suspects, who were mostly youths in their early twenties, were arrested by a team of operatives of the Commission following intelligence indicating that some internet fraudsters were perpetrating fraudulent activities around Dutsinma Local Government Area of Katsina State.

    “On the strength of the intelligence, a team of operatives was dispatched and they effected a raid on their hideouts and arrested the suspects.

    “Investigation is ongoing and indicted suspects will be charged to court,” the statement revealed,” the statement read in part.

    The statement further revealed that investigation is ongoing concerning the suspects and they will soon be arraigned.

  • Buhari approves N6.25bn for ranching in Katsina, Gov confirms N5bn paid already

    Buhari approves N6.25bn for ranching in Katsina, Gov confirms N5bn paid already

    President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the sum of N6.25 billion for his home state, Katsina, to kickstart ranching in the country.

    The Presidency confirmed this on Friday in a statement issued by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media and Publicity).

    It quoted the governor of the state, Aminu Masari, as expressing confidence that with the release of N5 billion already to the state, the process to begin the construction of ranches in Katsina will soon commence.

    Following an approval of N6.25 billion by President Buhari, Katsina State will lead the way in setting up ranches, the statement said.

    The statement informed that Masari made the disclosure while speaking at the commissioning of Regional Water Scheme in Dustin-ma, Katsina State, which was completed after 29 years of commencement in 1992,

    It said the governor appreciated President Buhari “for consistently driving people oriented development projects, with the release of N5 billion to the state to start the ranches.”

    “Mr President has graciously approved the sum of N6.25 billion for ranch development purposes in Katsina State. Out of this amount, N5 billion is already in the account of the state government and within a few weeks, you will see advertisement calling for interested companies and consultants that will participate in construction,” it quoted the governor as saying.

    Governor Masari noted that the Federal Government had been focused in meeting the needs of the grassroots, explaining that the Zobe Regional Water Project was a partnership for completion with a target of providing more than 50 million litres of water to communities.

  • Police ban human, vehicular movement on major highways as Buhari visits home state tomorrow

    Police ban human, vehicular movement on major highways as Buhari visits home state tomorrow

    The Katsina Police Command on Wednesday announced the scheduled closure of some highways in the state as part of security measures for President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit.

    A statement by the command’s spokesman, SP Gambo Isah disclosed that the affected highways are Dutsinma-Kankara and Dutsinma-Tsaskiya.

    Also to be closed are adjoining roads to them.

    The closure will be from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm. on Thursday.

    Commuters, cyclists, and herders are advised to use alternatives routes during the period.

    President Buhari is expected in the state on Thursday for the commissioning of Zobe Regional Water Supply Project and Tsaskiya road.

    See the full statement below…

    Commissioning Of Zobe Regional Water Supply Project And Tsaskiya Road By President And Commander-In-Chief Of The Armed Forces, Federal Republic Of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, Gcfr – Temporary Closure Of Dutsinma – Kankara Road, Dutsinma – Tsaskiya Road And Ban On Movement Of Persons/Vehicles/Motorcycles/Herds

    “The Katsina State Police Command wishes to inform the general public that President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, will arrive Katsina on 15th July 2021 for the commissioning of Zobe Regional Water Supply Project and newly built Tsaskiya road, Safana LGA of Katsina state.

    “In view of the above, the Command wishes to announce the temporary closure of Dutsinma – Kankara road, Dutsinma – Tsaskiya road, and other adjoining roads to the venue of the two events on 15th July 2021 from 13:00hrs – 18:00hrs. Members of the public, especially Commuters, herders, pedestrians, and cyclists are hereby directed to use other alternative roads.

    The Command enjoins good people of the state to always partner and cooperates with the Nigeria Police Force and other sister agencies towards a successful and hitch-free commissioning ceremony.

    SP GAMBO ISAH,

    POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER, (PPRO)

    FOR: COMMISSIONER OF POLICE,

    KATSINA STATE COMMA

  • Katsina police arrest 13-year-old boy for killing bandits

    Katsina police arrest 13-year-old boy for killing bandits

    The police in Katsina have arrested a 13-year-old boy, for killing two men suspected to be bandits in the state.

    The police said the suspect, Abdulkarim Mati, was once an errand boy to a bandits’ leader, Ardo Nashaware, who resides in Birnin Magaji forest, Zamfara State.

    He was said to have fled the forest where he allegedly committed the act. According to the spokesman for the Katsina police command, Gambo Isah, who confirmed the incident on Saturday, officers recently arrested Mati from where he ran to after his escape from the forest.

    Isah said the suspect confessed that he was taken away from his parents under the guise that he would assist in rearing cows for his masters, adding that instead, he was taught how to operate AK-47 rifles and serve as a guard for kidnap victims.

    “The boy, who demonstrated skills in handling AK-47, also confessed to have been bullied by some elderly bandits, who provoked him, and as a result, picked an AK-47 rifle and shot dead two of the elderly bandits,” Isah said.

    Meanwhile, the command has arrested two suspected bandits said to be terrorising the Batsari Local Government Area of the state.

    The men – Ibrahim Lawal, 45, of Kabobi village; and Mamman Shu’aibu, 39, of Garin Runji Fulani settlement, in the Batsari Local Government Area – were arrested on Wednesday.

    The police described the duo as notorious bandits, cattle rustlers and members of a syndicate that kidnaps for ransom in the council and nearby communities.

    Isah also said police personnel recently arrested some members of a syndicate that specialised in burglary and theft of motorcycles in Katsina.

    Isah said all the suspects would be prosecuted after the completion of investigations.

  • Bandits storm Katsina mosque, abduct 40 worshippers

    Bandits storm Katsina mosque, abduct 40 worshippers

    Hoodlums suspected to be bandits on Monday morning attacked a Mosque in Kwata, Jibia Local Government Area of Kastina State.

    The bandits abducted over 40 worshippers.

    Reports have it that the incident occurred early on Monday morning during the Laylatul Qadr prayer.

    The Laylatul Qadr prayer which is the Night of Decree or Night of Power is one of the most sacred nights in the Islamic calendar.

    Confirming the attack, the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Gambo Ishaka said that 30 of the abductees have been rescued by the joint security operatives.

    “The report is true. Hoodlums attacked a Mosque in Kwata and abducted over 40 persons but we were able to rescue 30 of them.

    “But these remaining ten, I cannot vividly say they are kidnapped or probably ran somewhere within the location for safety during the attack.

    “It was after we conducted headcount this morning that we discovered that about ten villagers are still missing.

    “But hopefully, we are going to find them. The operation is still ongoing.

    “As I’m speaking to you, military and police are after these hoodlums, we have found out that they are heading towards Ambe and Tumburun in Zamfara State which is the hideout of the criminal elements.

    “Investigation is on top gear to ensure the remaining ten are rescued and the criminals are brought to book.

    “No life was lost during the attack”.

  • Notorious bandit leader who led abduction of over 300 schoolboys when Buhari visited Katsina killed

    Notorious bandit leader who led abduction of over 300 schoolboys when Buhari visited Katsina killed

    Notorious bandit leader Auwalun Daudawa, who led the abduction of over 300 students of Government Science Secondary School Kankara, Katsina state, has been killed.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that the bandits ignoring the presence of President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura, Katsina state, last year December school kidnapping 344 students.

    According to a report by Channels Television, Daudawa was one of those who laid down his arms and accepted Governor Bello Matawalle’s peace initiative on February 8.

    But a few days ago, it was reported that Daudawa had returned to the forest to continue his banditry.

    Confirming his killing the Commissioner for Security and Home Affairs in Zamfara State, Abubakar Dauran told the television station that Daudawa left Gusau two days ago.

    He had reportedly told some people that he was going to attend one of his relatives’ wedding.

    However, he rustled over 100 cows and killed the herdsman in charge, the Commissioner said.

    In retaliation, some people around the area organised and killed him.

    Daudawa had surrendered 20 AK-47 rifles, 20 Magazines, one General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), one Rocket-Propelled Grenade (RPG) and several ammunitions to the Zamfara State government on the day he repented with five of his comrades.