TheNewsGuru

Tag: Nasarawa State

  • BREAKING: CAN Chairman in Nasarawa regains freedom from kidnappers den, suspects arrested

    The Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Nasarawa State chapter, Bishop Joseph Masin, who was abducted by gunmen on Thursday in Lafia has regained his freedom.

    Mr Bola Longe, Commissioner of Police (CP) in the State confirmed the release of the CAN chairman to newsmen on Sunday in Lafia.

    Longe said that four suspects have been arrested in connection with the abduction and that investigation was ongoing to arrest all those involved.

    He, however, denied knowledge of any ransom being paid to secure the release of the CAN chairman.

    The CP added that all the suspects would be charged to court for prosecution as soon as investigation was concluded.

    Corroborating the release, Pastor Sam Joseph, son of the CAN Chairman told newsmen that his father regained his freedom at about 11:45 p.m. on Saturday, around Lizhi village in Nasarawa-Eggon Local Government Area of the state.

    He said the bishop, however, arrived his Bukan-sidi residence in Lafia at about 2:00 a.m on Sunday and had been taken for medical examination in an undisclosed hospital.

    Recall that the State CAN Chairman, who is also the Bishop and General-Overseer of World of God Worldwide Gospel City, was abducted by gunmen from his residence in Lafia on May 28, and taken away on a motorcycle according to family source.

    The abductors later contacted the family and demanded a N20 million ransom for his release.

  • JUST IN: Gunmen abduct CAN Chairman in Nasarawa

    JUST IN: Gunmen abduct CAN Chairman in Nasarawa

    The Police Command in Nasarawa State has confirmed the abduction of Bishop Joseph Masin, the state Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), by gunmen in Lafia.

    The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Bola Longe, confirmed the development to newsmen on Thursday in Lafia.

    Longe said the bishop was abducted by the gunmen who stormed his residence in Bukan-sidi, Lafia metropolis, on Wednesday night.

    He said that a Police team had been deployed to trail the abductors to ensure the safe rescue of the victim and possible arrest of the perpetrators.

    Corroborating the incident, Elder Yohanna Samari, a former CAN Secretary in the State, said the bishop was abducted by the attackers at midnight at his Bukan-sidi residence.

    Samari said that the abductors took the CAN chairman away on a motorcycle.

    He said that although nobody was hurt during the incident, the family had been greatly traumatised.

    Meanwhile, Pastor Tayo Samuel, the CAN Vice Chairman in the state, said the abductors had contacted the family demanding for N20 million ransom.

  • Air Force deploys Special Forces to Nasarawa

    Air Force deploys Special Forces to Nasarawa

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Sunday deployed its Special Forces Operatives to Nasarawa to boost internal security in the State and the North-Central zone of the country.

    The troops were deployed to tackle the emerging security challenges, such as banditry, cattle rustlings and farmers and herders clash in the zone.

    The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, who addressed the troops in Lafia, urged them to be professional in their conduct.

    “I urged you to be professional and uphold the core NAF values of integrity, service before self and excellence in all you do,” he said.

    Abubakar, who was represented by AVM Charles Ohwo, the Air Officer Commanding Special Operations Command, told the Special Forces that they were deployed to complement and add value to the already existing security apparatus on ground.

    “You must cooperate with Operation Whirl Stroke. Your deployment not only for Lafia, but for the North -Central,” he said.

    The air chief appreciated the Nasarawa government for the provision of the facility provided for the establishment of the 22 Quick Response Wing in Lafia.

    Abubakar urged the government of Nasarawa to put in place a Refueling facilities to enable helicopters easy access for refueling as they advance for operations.

    Speaking to newsmen, Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa expressed appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari for the quick response to the security challenges of the state.

    According to the governor, the response came just three days after he called for help from the Federal Government.

    Sule gave the assurance that the state would support the troops to ensure that all forms of crimes were eliminated from the State.

  • Troops neutralise criminals in Benue, arrest militia gang in Nasarawa

    Troops neutralise criminals in Benue, arrest militia gang in Nasarawa

    The Defence Headquarters says troops of Operation Whirl Stroke have succeeded in killing two gang members of Gana led criminal elements in Benue arresting members of militia group in Nasarawa state.

    The Coordinator, Defence Media Operation, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

    Enenche said the success was recorded when combined troops of Sector 2 deployed in Gbise and Zaki Biam in Benue and Sector 4 from Taraba State raided the hideout of Gana in Mtan village in Utenge Council Ward of Katsina-Ala Local Government Area (LGA) on Saturday.

    He added that while two members of the gang were killed in the encounter, others fled with various degrees of gunshot wounds.

    According to him, exploitation operation revealed that Gana narrowly escaped death with gunshot wounds.

    “Items recovered include: one locally fabricated machine gun, six locally made rifles, two locally fabricated cartridge guns and one dane gun.

    “Other items recovered are two revolver pistols, two cartridge pistols, 27 rounds of 9mm ammunition two motorcycles, one camouflage shirt, one generator set, one bag of gun powder and assorted charms.

    “Gana’s personal belongings, other items and thatched houses were destroyed,” he said.

    The Coordinator further disclosed that the troops of Sector 3 deployed at Ondori in Doma LGA of Nasarawa State raided the Bassa Militia camp at Kpelebewa village in Rukubi area and arrested seven gang members.

    He added that the raid followed a credible information that the militia group were planning to attack a Tiv community over land dispute.

    According to him, the troops apprehended seven members of the militia dressed in red shirts in the camp.

    “Items recovered include one locally fabricated machine gun, six locally fabricated rifles, two locally fabricated cartridge guns, one Dane gun, two revolver pistols, two cartridge firing pistols, 57 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 29 rounds of 9mm ammunition, and 22 cartridges of ammunition.

    “Other items are one dagger, poisoned bows and arrows, desert camouflage head gears and pouch, six phone handsets and some charms.

    “The suspects are currently undergoing interrogation to be handed over to the police.

    “The Military High Command congratulates the Troops and requests the general public to continue to provide the Armed Forces with credible information to facilitate its operations in the Country,” he said.

  • NCDC driver gets infected with COVID-19 while transporting samples

    NCDC driver gets infected with COVID-19 while transporting samples

    A driver of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has been infected with the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has said.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Governor Sule, who made the disclosure during an expanded State security meeting on Tuesday in Lafia, said the case brings the number of active cases in Nasarawa to 12.

    He said the driver, who resides in Ado in Karu Local Government Area of the State, was declared positive on Tuesday morning, and that the driver transports test samples for the NCDC in Abuja and was infected in the process.

    According to the Governor, the patient had been moved to the isolation centre at the Federal Medical Centre, Keffi for treatment.

    The Governor explained that all the patients are currently receiving treatment at the Dalhatu Araf Specialist hospital, Lafia and the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Keffi.

    He also said that the state had taken delivery of 6,000 Personal Protective Equipments (PPE), 50,000 imported face mask as well as another 50,000 locally produced face mask by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

    He encouraged the people of the state adhere to all government’s directives on COVID-19 in order to stem the tide of the virus.

  • SAD! Nasarawa Assembly loses member

    Alhaji Suleiman Adamu, a member representing Nasarawa Central constituency at the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, is dead.

    Alhaji Mohammed Okpoku, representing Udege/Loko constituency, announced the death of the lawmaker to newsmen on Friday in Nasarawa, Nasarawa Local Government Area of the State.

    Okpoku said that Suleiman died in the late hours of Thursday, April 30th, following a brief illness at Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Keffi.

    He said that the remains of the lawmaker would buried by 9am on Friday in Nasarawa local government area.

    “I am very sad to announce the death of my colleague, Hon Suleiman Adamu, who is from the same local government with me.

    ” His death is a painful loss to us and we will continue to pray for the repose of his soul,” he said.

    The deceased left behind one wife and five children.

  • COVID-19: Nasarawa quarantines over 200 travellers

    COVID-19: Nasarawa quarantines over 200 travellers

    The Nasarawa government says it has quarantined over 200 people coming from states with high number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

    Abdulkarim Kana, state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, disclosed this during a press briefing newsmen on Tuesday in Lafia, to give update on measures taken to contain the spread of the virus in the state.

    Kana, a member of the state Task Force on COVLD-19, said the people coming into Nasarawa from states with high confirmed cases of the virus were intercepted and quarantined for observation for 14 days at a facility in Lafia, based on the directive of Governor Abdullahi Sule.

    “Samples from some of them were taken for testing and the results turnout negative.

    “Those whose results turnout negative were released already and we are still awaiting some results,” he added.

    Similarly, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Bola Longe, who spoke on behalf of the security agencies, said over 400 persons were arrested and prosecuted for violating the restriction order by the government within the last three weeks.

    He added that security operatives would ensure the full enforcement of the Federal Government’s directive on interstate travel.

    He, therefore, warned the residents to adhere strictly to government directives on the partial lockdown and restriction of movement in their best interest as the security agencies would arrest and prosecute all violators.

    Also, Dogo Shammah, Commissioner of Information, Culture and Tourism, assured that the government would rollout more palliatives to cushion the effects of the lockdown.

    He added that the government had received support of about 40 trucks of rice, sugar and maize from some private donor and would soon distribute them to the people.

    Shammah also disclosed that the government would address the press regularly to keep the people informed of developments concerning COVID-19 as its unfold.

    Governor Abdullahi Sule had earlier announced the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the state

    He said the patient is a 25-year-old woman, who recently traveled from Kano state to Garaku in Kokona Local Government Area of the state.

  • JUST IN: Nasarawa Govt defends vehicles bought for legislators

    The Nasarawa State Government says the vehicles purchased for 24 members of the state House of Assembly were ordered before the outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the country.

    The government offered the explanation in a statement by Mr Yakubu Lamai, the Director General, Strategic Communication and Press Affairs to Gov. Abdullahi Sule in Lafia on Monday.

    Lamai emphasised that the vehicles were purchased long before the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic and in accordance with extant laws.

    He urged the public to disregard insinuations that the state has no single ventilator but has purchased vehicles worth N500m for the state lawmakers.

    The spokesman said the state government had ordered for the ventilators and was awaiting delivery.

    The director-general described the report as ‘false and misleading’.

    “The ventilators have been ordered and we are expecting them anytime soon,” as confirmed by the state Commissioner for Information, Mr Dogo Shammah, he stated.

    “Nigeria recorded its first case of Coronavirus on the 27th February, 2020, in Lagos and while many other states were still grappling with what to do.

    “Engineer Abdullahi A. Sule instinctively mandated staff of the Ministry of Health to immediately transport and escort 832 students on Exchange Programme from 18 participating states schooling in Government College, Keffi, and Government Girls College, Wamba, back to their respective states.

    “Before COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic, Nasarawa State became one of the earliest states in Nigeria to develop an actual case Management Protocol to handle symptoms of Covid 19 at Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital (DASH) in Lafia, ” Lamai said.

    He therefore urged the people of the state to disregard the speculation that the state government purchased brand new Toyota vehicles worth N500m for the state lawmakers.

  • Prison service spends N275 million to feed inmates in Nasarawa

    Prison service spends N275 million to feed inmates in Nasarawa

    The Nigeria Prison Service (NPS) spends N275 million annually to feed inmates across six prisons in Nasarawa state.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Mr Patrick Dalyop, Controller of Prisons in the State, disclosed this on Thursday in Lafia.

    He was addressing a summit on criminal justice reforms and human rights when he said NPS spends N818,550 daily to feed the 1,819 inmates across the six prisons in the state.

    Dalyop, represented by ACP Rabiu Ibrahim, decried the level of congestion in prisons across the state.

    He disclosed that the state’s six prisons had a carrying capacity of only 908 inmates, but currently housed 1,819 inmates.

    According to the controller, each inmate is fed with N450 daily.

    He identified inadequate health personnel as a major challenge facing the prisons, and called for government intervention in that direction.

    “None of the prison formations in the state can boast of a single doctor as we have to refer ailing inmates to hospitals for treatment,’’ he said.

    Dalyop stressed the need for stakeholders to increase free legal services as part of efforts to decongest the prison, saying that most inmates awaiting trial in the state could not afford legal services.

    He commended Gov. Umaru Al-Makura’s recent intervention in securing the freedom of over 60 inmates by paying their fines.

    The controller appealed to magistrates and judges in the state to consider options such as fines, unconditional bail, community service, parole and suspended sentences as alternative to remand orders and imprisonment to decongest the prisons.

    He harped on the need for criminal justice reforms that would decriminalise certain offences that are not very serious, but often resulted in remand and imprisonment.

    “The state ministry of justice should consider proactive sentencing, guidelines for judges and magistrates.

    “The state government should also support the Legal Aid Council with logistics in order to assist indigent offenders languishing in the various prisons in the state,’’ Dalyop said.

    Mr Nor Chia-Shaku, Nasarawa State Coordinator, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), urged stakeholders to embrace alternative conflict resolution mechanism.

    Chia-Shaku said that alternative conflict resolution mechanism was an integral aspect of the criminal justice reform.

    Also, the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Suleiman Dikko, said the judiciary in the state had taken far-reaching measures towards speedy dispensation of justice aimed at decongesting the prisons.

    Dikko directed lower courts to reject cases beyond their jurisdiction as well as conduct regular prison visits to release inmates that were wrongly detained.

     

  • Union disrupts court sitting in Lafia

    Union disrupts court sitting in Lafia

    Nasarawa State Chapter of Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), on Tuesday disrupted proceedings at the High Court 1, Lafia, where the Chief Judge, Justice Suleiman Dikko, was sitting.

    Members of the union, who were protesting the non-constitution of the state’s Customary Court of Appeal, Lafia, also complained of poor welfare.

    Mr Jimoh Musa, state JUSUN Chairman, who spoke, said they would stage protests from time to time until their demands are met.

    He said that the National Judicial Council (NJC) has given the state the nod to appoint three judges into the Customary Court of Appeal, to enable the court form quorum.

    Musa alleged that till now, nothing was done to reopen the court. He added that the union was demanding stoppage of all illegal deductions.

    Musa added that the union was only struggling for better welfare for its members and not fighting with anybody.

    All efforts to get the reaction from the chief judge failed.