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Tag: Katsina

  • How Bandits started losing out in Katsina – Gov Radda

    How Bandits started losing out in Katsina – Gov Radda

    Governor Dikko Umar Radda of Katsina says many communities in the state are no longer accessible to bandits because the locals are taking measures to defend themselves against attacks.

    Radda, who maintained his stance that the number of security operatives in Nigeria is not enough to tackle insecurity in the country, noted that there is need for people to defend themselves and augment the efforts of the conventional security agencies.

    Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa service, Radda said his administration’s effort in training locals to defend themselves against bandits’ attacks before any intervention from the security operatives is paying off as many communities are now inaccessible by the bandits.

    He said, “We are not saying people should take weapons…no, what we are saying is that the security operatives we have in Nigeria are inadequate, and cannot defend all the citizens.

    “What we are calling on people to do is to give us their youth so that we will train them and give them something they can start using to defend themselves before any intervention from the security operatives. And this initiative has started paying off, because there are many communities now that are not accessible by these people (bandits), and this is as a result of the measures taken by the locals.

    “It is unfortunate how three or four boys (bandits) with a gun or two could wreak havoc in a community of say 500 or 1,000 or 2,000 people.”

    Asked whether the call for people to protect themselves against bandits was a sign of government’s failure to address insecurity in the state, Radda said the idea became option as available security forces in the country could not protect all citizens.

    “This is what we have been saying for long. The security operatives in Nigeria are not enough to provide the needed security to all people.

    “This is the reason why we established ‘Katsina Community Watch’ after I assumed office. We recruited youth, trained them and handed over operational equipment to them so that they can complement the efforts of the security agencies.”

     

  • Naval personnel shot colleague dead in Katsina

    Naval personnel shot colleague dead in Katsina

    Nigeria’s Defense Headquarters said a Naval personnel identified as Leading Seaman Akila A, has been arrested, disarmed and detained after he sporadically opened fire and shot his colleague dead in Dansadua community of Katsina State on Friday.

    The Naval personnel deployed at FOB Dansadua, Katsina for Operation FANSAN YAMMA, opened fire sporadically and killed a colleague, Director, Defense Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba said in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday.

    According to him, after investigation, the case will be escalated to a standing court martial which is usually setup to address such misdemeanor among troops.

    “Meanwhile, the administrative procedure for notifying the family of the deceased is ongoing.

    “It is for this reason, his name is not yet released to the public. Nevertheless, the name will be released in due course.

    “Accordingly, we urge the media to exercise caution in reporting in order not to further demoralise the family of the deceased,’’ he said.

  • Katsina: PDP crises deepens over ex-National Secretary’s suspension

    Katsina: PDP crises deepens over ex-National Secretary’s suspension

    Crises in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Tsauri A Ward, Kurfi Local Government Area of Katsina State has deepened, as the ward Chairman, Danjume Abubakar, has been suspended.

    The suspension followed his role in the alleged suspension of the former party’s National Secretary, Sen. Umar Tsauri.

    NAN recalls that the party at the ward level announced Sen. Tsauri’s suspension, for alleged anti-party activities and unguarded utterances against the national leadership of the party.

    The Tsauri A Ward Secretary, Abdullahi Garba, announced the suspension of Abubakar, at a press briefing on Wednesday in Katsina.

    Garba alleged that their suspended chairman deceived them by using their names and signatures on a letter against the former national secretary of the party without their consent.

    “The chairman summoned a meeting, where he gave us a paper to write our names, phone numbers and signature, after which, he gave everyone N20,000,” he alleged.

    According to him, the chairman later attached their names and signatures to the suspension letter and circulated it on the social media to inform people of the suspension of the former national secretary.

    “As far as we are concerned, we are not part of that suspension, we hereby passed a vote of no confidence on the chairman, following that deceitful act by Abubakar,” he said.

    The party State’s Public Relations Officer II, Lawal Audi, confirmed receipt of a letter of query forwarded to the party’s state leadership from PDP Kurfi Local Government against Sen. Tsauri.

    “What remained now is for Sen. Tsauri to be invited by a disciplinary committee set-up by the state party leadership. His appearance before the committee is aimed at giving him a fair hearing on the accusations levelled against him,” he said.

    Responding, Sen. Tsauri said he didn’t receive any official notice of suspension, saying that he only became aware of it through the social media.

    He said the act was carried out by some unrecognised people, parading themselves as party officials.

    “PDP as a party has rules and regulations, and before action is taken against any member, certain procedures must be followed,” he said.

  • How Bandits raided Katsina hospital, abduct women

    How Bandits raided Katsina hospital, abduct women

    Bandits have attacked Kurfi General Hospital in Kurfi local government area of Katsina state, shooting a watchman and abducting four women.

    A source from the area told DAILY TRUST that three of the bandits who entered the hospital around 10:45am unarmed, later engaged the guardsman who intercepted them to inquire about their mission at the hospital.

    “Whey they started arguing, the watchman quickly went and locked the hospital gate, unknown to him that other armed members of the attackers were outside.

    “They jumped over the wall fence and shot the watch man in the stomach. It was thought that he had died but was later given first aid and rushed to a hospital in Katsina” the source said.

    The attackers had wanted to abduct one Mustapha Hamza who is a casual staff of the hospital on duty at the time, but he luckily escaped but unfortunately his wife, who accompanied him to the hospital, was abducted in the process.

    “Mustapha is an anastasia nurse and he was on call at the time to attend to a woman who would undergo a surgery.

    “Usually, his wife would follow him when ever he is called because she would not be comfortable staying back home alone. And that was how she fell victim in the attack,” a source who craved anonymity said.

    Kurfi was hitherto more or less a fortified town as bandits hardly gained access due to activities of local vigilante group supported by some well-to-do members of the community.

    However, that fortification was broken with the collapse of the vigilante group, with some residents blaming it on political differences of some highly-placed individuals in the area.

    Not long ago, a nursing mother was abducted with her twin children and the third one who is not more than four years old.

    A resident of Kurfi told Daily Trust that the mother and twin children were released by their captors after the payment of N3.5m.

    However, the young boy, fondly called AK, is still in captivity as the bandits have asked for an additional N1.5m for his release.

     

  • BREAKING: Fire engulfs Katsina Government House

    BREAKING: Fire engulfs Katsina Government House

    An early morning fire has razed the red chamber of Katsina Government House.

    The chamber is attached to the governor’s office, where the governor meets important personalities.

    Details are sketchy regarding the cause of the fire and the level of damage as at the time of this report.

    Daily Trust gathered that Governor Dikko Umaru Radda was in Funtua attending a zonal town hall meeting when the calamity struck.

    He was there to engage with the population on their needs and aspirations.

    Details later….

  • Katsina govt plans 30-day onslaught against bandits, kidnappers

    Katsina govt plans 30-day onslaught against bandits, kidnappers

    The Katsina State Government says it is set for a 30-day sustained security operations in the 19 bandits’-infested local government areas of the state to protect lives and properties.

    The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr Nasir Mu’azu, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Katsina.

    Mu’azu explained that the government would be utilising the combined forces of all  the security agencies in the state for the operations.

    He said that the decision to embark on the operation was taken at an expanded security meeting by the government and chiefs of security agencies in the state.

    According to him, the meeting was convened by Gov. Dikko Radda, in a bid to address the recent the obnoxious surge in bandits’ attacks in some LGAs.

    Mu’azu said, “The affected LGAs include: Jibia, Batsari, Safana, Danmusa, Kankia, Faskari, Dandume, Sabuwa, Dutsin-ma, Kurfi, Kankara, Musawa, Matazu, Malumfashi, Danja, Bakori, Funtua, Charanchi and Batagarawa.”

    The commissioner said that the meeting brought together key stakeholders including members of the State Security Council, Local Governments Chairmen, District Heads and the Divisional Police Officers (DPOs).

    Others, he said, were the representatives from the Department of State Services, vigilance groups, Katsina Community Watch Corps Commanders and the NSCDC.

    He revealed that, after extensive deliberations, the meeting unanimously adopted the following resolutions:

    “Implementation of a community-based approach to security, leveraging local intelligence and participation.

    “Launch of a 30-day sustained operation across all 19 local government areas, utilising the combined forces of all security agencies to protect lives and properties.

    “Activation of a four-tier security structure established by the Katsina State law to galvanise coordinated community based security operations.

    “Empowerment of affected local government councils to provide modalities for security operations, emphasising strong community-based intelligence gathering mechanisms.”

    Mu’azu further said that the forum called on the traditional rulers to use their platforms to preach and pray for peace, unity, and prosperity in the state.

    “These measures represent a comprehensive and collaborative approach to tackling the security challenges facing our communities,” he said.

    He assured that the government was committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all residents and would spare no effort in implementing those resolutions.

    “We urge all citizens to cooperate with security agencies and report any suspicious activities in their areas.

    “Together, we can build a safer and more secure Katsina State,” the commissioner said.

  • Katsina State posted N1.8bn IGR in July, says official

    Katsina State posted N1.8bn IGR in July, says official

    The Katsina State Government generated over N1.85 billion as Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in July.

    Alhaji Isyaku Mohammed, the Executive Chairman of the state’s Internal Revenue Service, made this known in an interview with NAN in Katsina.

    According to him, the success was recorded through the introduction of central billing aimed to improve IGR in the state.

    “When I came on board in November 2023, the IGR was between N700 million to N800 million, but in July this year, we generated over N1.85 billion ,” he said.

    He further explained that the introduction of the central billing platform was to reduce the diversion of the revenue.

    “The central billing was the first to be introduced since the creation of Katsina in 1987. It is aimed at addressing leakage in revenue collection,” he said.

    He further said that the success was realised  due to the public enlightenment campaign embarked by the board on the central billing platform.

    He said the system was introduced in June to help simplify the payment of revenue to the government.

    “The new system provides an opportunity for the taxpayers to pay tax or revenue at their comfort, place of work or anywhere in the world.

    “You can pay your revenue through the use of a Tax Identification number (TIN) and you will be issued with a receipt instantly,” Mohammed said.

  • Police foil bandit attack, rescue 5 kidnapped victims in Katsina

    Police foil bandit attack, rescue 5 kidnapped victims in Katsina

    Operatives of the Katsina State Police Command have foiled two bandits’ attacks and rescued five kidnapped victims in Malumfashi local government area of the state.

    This is contained in a statement issued by the command’s Spokesman, ASP Abubakar Sadiq,on Monday in Katsina.

    He said that the police also neutralised two bandits.

    ”On Sunday, a distress call was received at the Malumfashi Divisional police headquarters,  from Layin Minister Village that bandits attacked and kidnaped five people.

    “Upon receipt of the report, operatives were quickly dispatched to the scene. On noticing the presence of the police operatives, the hoodlums opened fire and the team responded gallantly.

    “All the kidnapped victims were rescued unhurt, as the assailants succumbed to the superior firepower of the operatives and fled the scene with various degrees of bullet wounds.”

    According to Sadiq-Aliyu, on the same date, another distress call was received at the same headquarters, that some suspected armed bandits riding on twelve (12) motorcycles, wielding dangerous weapons were shooting sporadically.

    “They took advantage of the downpour and attacked Marabar Kankara village, Malumfashi LGA.

    “On receipt of the information, DPO Malumfashi swiftly mobilised operatives to the scene gallantly engaged the hoodlums in a fierce gun duel and successfully foiled the attack.

    “In the course of scanning the scene, the bodies of two neutralised suspected armed bandits were recovered.

    “Efforts are being intensified to ensure the arrest of the fleeing suspects as the investigation proceeds,” Sadiq-Aliyu said.

    He explained that the Commissioner of Police, Mr Aliyu Abubakar-Musa while commending the exceptional act displayed by the operatives, reiterated the command’s commitment towards ensuring a better-secured Katsina State.

  • Katsina PDP crisis deepens

    Katsina PDP crisis deepens

    The crisis in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Katsina State has deepened as Sen..Yakubu Lado-led faction went ahead with its congresses, despite an alleged Court Order.

    Reacting to the development, a chieftain of the party, Alhaji Ahmed Aminu-Yar’adua, said that the exercise was not acceptable to the Dr Mustapha Inuwa-led faction.

    Aminu-Yar’adua, who said this in an interview in Katsina on Saturday, alleged that no fewer than 7,000 of the party members were denied the right to purchase forms for the ward, local government and state congresses.

    The Inuwa-led faction had earlier accused Lado, the former Governorship Candidate of the party in the 2023 General Elections in the state, of hijacking the process.

    Aminu-Yar’adua, who was Lado’s running mate, said that the aspirants, who hoped to participate in the congresses, had petitioned the national Secretariat of PDP but regretted that nothing was done.

    “Therefore we are not participating in any of the congresses, because we rejected the process due the injustice done to many of the members.

    “We have taken the issue to the state High Court, seeking to restrain them from conducting the congresses.

    “Our wish is that the court should stop them, so that other interested party members would be allowed to exercise their right to participate,” he said.

    Also, Mustapha Shitu-Mahuta, Counsel for the faction loyal to Lado, told newsmen in an interview that they had submitted their court warrant to the party’s national Secretariat and Independent National Electoral Commission.

    Shitu-Mahuta expressed surprise that the faction loyal to Inuwa went ahead with the congresses, in spite of the court issue, saying that they were going against the law.

    He further said that his clients were seeking the cancellation of the congresses and restraining the other faction from conducting the exercise in the state.

    The faction loyal to Inuwa, who is the former Secretary to the State Government and Director-General, Atiku Abubakar’s Presidential Campaign Organisation, conducted its Ward congress in July, while that of the local government took place on Saturday.

    A correspondent, who monitored the exercise, reports that it was peaceful in Rimi, Charanchi, Batagarawa, Kurfi and Katsina LGAs.

    At Rimi LGA, the PDP Electoral Officer, Alhaji Tijjani-Mashasha supervised the process in the presence of INEC supervisors, police and other security operatives.

    Tijjani-Mashasha, who is the PDP Caretaker Chairman, Katsina Zone, said that the party leadership in the state did not receive any Court Order stopping them from conducting the congresses.

  • Protests: No life lost in Katsina – Police

    Protests: No life lost in Katsina – Police

    The Police Command in Katsina State said there was no loss of life recorded in the state during the nationwide hunger protests.

    ASP Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu, the command’s spokesman, made this known in a statement issued in Katsina on Saturday.

    “The command wishes to address a misleading viral video circulating on social media platforms of a security agent lying motionless on the ground alleged to have been shot dead by a police officer while trying to disperse protesters.

    “The video is manipulated and taken out of context as there was no such shooting incident throughout the command during the protest.

    “The fact is that the security agent shown in the video is an officer of the NSCDC who fell from a patrol vehicle due to an accident involving the vehicle at the scene of the protest.

    ”He was immediately rushed to the Federal Teaching Hospital (formerly Federal Medical Centre), Katsina, where he was treated and discharged,” Sadiq-Aliyu said.

    He further called on the members of the public to disregard what he described as a ‘misinformation’, and always verify information through the official channels.

    According to him, the command assures them of the strength of their synergy with sister security agencies in the state as they work together to maintain public safety and order.

    “We are also assuring the public of our highest level of professionalism in the discharge of our duties, and we will continue to work tirelessly to maintain peace and stability in Katsina State,” he assured.