TheNewsGuru

Tag: Nasarawa State

  • Police nab 3 fake EFCC operatives

    Police nab 3 fake EFCC operatives

    The Police Command in Nasarawa State says it has apprehended three fake Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) personnel.

    The command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Ramhan Nansel, made the disclosure in a statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Lafia.

    Nansel said that on April 17, at about 3:45 p.m., the command received a distressed call that four persons in a green-coloured Toyota Corolla, with registration number: Abuja: YAB 509 TT, abducted a student of Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa.

    “The suspects robbed and abducted one ND II student at their lodge behind Government College, Nasarawa Local Government Area.

    “On receipt of the call, the police immediately gave the suspects a hot chase and a road block was mounted at Laminga junction to stop them from escaping with the victim, but they hit the barrier and fled.

    “Police operatives at Anguwan Madugu mounted another road block, which the suspects sighted from a distance, abandoned their operational vehicle and the abducted student and fled,” Nansel stated.

    The police spokesperson said that luck, however, ran out of one of the suspects, as he was caught and beaten mercilessly by an angry mob before the arrival of the police, while others fled.

    He said that the suspect was rescued from the mob and rushed to the Primary Healthcare Centre, Laminga, where he died while receiving treatment.

    Nansel added that the operational vehicle of the suspects was recovered and taken to the station where a search was conducted and two identification cards identifying the fleeing members of the syndicate were recovered.

    He said that follow-up investigation into the case led to the arrest of three other members of the gang who were residents of Custom Quarters and Up Market area, Masaka.

    The police spokesperson said that one iPhone 12 Promax, Huawei and one Tecno Spark 5 earlier robbed from some of their victims and fake EFCC identification cards were recovered from them as exhibits.

    He said that the suspects had confessed to being the syndicate responsible for robbing and terrorising student areas in Keffi and Nasarawa Local Government Areas.

    Nansel said that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Umar Nadada, had directed that the case be transferred to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Lafia, for further investigation.

    The suspects, he said, would be charged to court upon conclusion of investigation.

  • Restore electricity or quit – Nasarawa Assembly tells AEDC

    Restore electricity or quit – Nasarawa Assembly tells AEDC

    The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) to restore electricity to communities across the state or quit.

    The Speaker of the House, Mr Danladi Jatau, made the call when officials of AEDC and Nasarawa Electricity Power Agency (NAePA), appeared before the House on Tuesday in Lafia.

    He said that the invitation extended to the AEDC and NAePA was to enable them brief the House on the power blackout and outrageous bills in the state.

    “Our resolution is that AEDC is hereby given 14 days to restore normal light to communities across the State and failure to do that, we will be left with no option but to ask them to quit.

    “In their place, we will invite competent hands that will give the people of the state normal light.

    “Secondly, the Area Manager, PowerGen Interconnected Energy ltd., handling electrification project in Toto Local Government, is hereby directed to appear before the House on May 21st, 2024, to explain their role in power distribution in the area,” he said.

    The speaker commended Gov. Abdullahi Sule for his efforts at ensuring power supply in the state, especially through his efforts that ensured the full take-off of Akurba power sub-station, but expressed dismay that the Governor’s effort had been sabotaged.

    “The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has empowered us to invite anybody on public issue for questioning, that is why we have invited you.

    “There is power blackout and outrageous bills across the state by AEDC as our people are in pains and suffering. We cannot take it any longer,” he said.

    He said that the activities of the AEDC is creating hardship and poverty to the people of the state.

    “Your company is giving our people poor services. Our people have been sleeping in darkness.

    “Our people are in pains because they are paying for light without enjoying the light,” he said.

    All members who spoke also urged the AEDC to sit up or quit the state.

    On his part, Mr Adeyemi Jonathan, the AEDC Chief Business Officer in charge of Kogi, Niger and Nasarawa, admitted that the company was not 100 per cent in replacing damaged transformers and cables among others to communities across the state.

    The Chief Business Officer assured of improvement in electricity supply to the state.

    “I want to assure you that we are ready to do our best in improving power supply across the state,” he said.

    Also speaking, Engr. Yakubu Umar, the General Manager, Nasarawa Electricity Power Agency (NAePA), said that the agency was established to ensure adequate power supply to communities across the state.

    On the allegation that he uses a transformer alone, he said that the transformer was given to him as gratification by one electricity company.

    The General Manager assured of his continued determination to do his best to improve on the situation.

    On April 23, the House  summoned the Area Manager, AEDC, to appear before it on April 30, over persistent power blackout and over billing of customers across the State.

    The House also summoned the General Manager, Nasarawa Electricity Power Agency (NAePA) to appear before it on April  30.

    The House said the invitation was to enable them tell the House why there is persistent power blackout and outrageous billing in the State.

    The Speaker of the House gave the ultimatum after Mr Solomon Akwashiki (SDP- Lafia Central), raised the issue on the matter of public importance during the House proceedings.

  • Troops foil kidnap attempt in Nasarawa

    Troops foil kidnap attempt in Nasarawa

    Troops of the Nigerian Army on Thursday, foiled a kidnap attempt on Nasarawa- Keffi Road,  close to the Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa in Nasarawa State, rescued the victim and apprehended the suspect.

    This is contained in a statement by the Director, Army Public Relations, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, on Friday in Abuja.

    Nwachukwu said the troops carried out the operation during a routine patrol along Nasarawa- Keffi road in Nassarawa Local Government Area of the state.

    He said the suspects launched an attack on the unsuspecting civilian in an attempt to abduct him but the troops who were alerted by vigilant members of the neighbourhood, intervened and rescued the civilian.

    According to him, the troops also apprehended one of the kidnappers, who sustained injury in a shootout with the criminals.

    “The injured suspect and the rescued kidnap victim who also suffered minor injuries during the foiled kidnap,  have been promptly evacuated to a hospital for medical attention,” he said.

  • Police disown Miyetti Allah security outfit in Nasarawa

    Police disown Miyetti Allah security outfit in Nasarawa

    The Commissioner  of Police in Nasarawa State,  Umar Nadada, has said that the  vigilante group recently inaugurated by the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, a Fulani Socio-Cultural Association in the state, is not recognised by the police.

    The Fulani socio-cultural group unveiled the vigilante group on Jan. 18, in Lafia, Nasarawa State.

    The Commissioner of Police said this when members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) visited him on Tuesday in Lafia.

    According to the commissioner, no formal letter was  written to  inform  the police of the group`s  intention to register any Nomad Vigilante Group.

    “It is our duty to attend any gathering to provide security and ensure that hoodlums did not hijack the event or the organisers themselves will not do anything illegal.

    “Even when they came to our headquarters, I addressed them outside the headquarters of the command because there was no formal notification” he added.

    Nadada said that the police had been working with vigilante groups that were recognised,  and would not work with any group not recognised by the state,” he said.

    On the synergy with NUJ, Nadada said that the police was ready to work with the media for proper policing in the state.

    The commissioner said that the contributions of journalists to the development of any society, and of course policing of the society cannot be undermined.

    “Media practitioners in the state have proven to be true professionals in their reportage, and have always contacted us to get clarification before publishing or airing their reports.

    “The coverage of police activities in the state has been unprecedented and we need to commend you and appeal that it should be sustained.

    “Without the coverage of our activities the public will not know the efforts we are making in fighting crime, and the feat we have achieved,” he said.

    He said that the command had concluded plans to expand the anti-kidnapping unit of the police from two to five for more efficiency.

    Earlier, Mr  Salihu Alkali, NUJ Chairman in the state, congratulated Nadada on his posting as the commissioner of Police in the state, and promised to support him to succeed.

    He commended the Police for their relentless effort toward fighting crime, and appealed that patrol should be stepped up on Nasarawa State Polytechnic Lafia and Federal University of Lafia.

    The chairman said that this would tackle the increasing robbery in the area.

    He said that the people in the state were not happy with the formation of the Nomad Vigilante group, and urged the police to address it before it gets out of control.

  • Nasarawa postpones LGA elections indefinitely

    Nasarawa postpones LGA elections indefinitely

    The Nasarawa State Independent Electoral Commission (NASIEC) has postponed indefinitely the Local Government Area (LGA) elections scheduled for Aug. 31 in the state.

    Mr Ayuba Wandai, Chairman of the commission made the disclosure during an emergency meeting with the Nasarawa State chapter of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) on Monday in Lafia.

    He said that the postponement was sequel to an originating summon served on the commission by a Federal High Court, Lafia.

    Wambai said one Paul John and 12 others had dragged the Nasarawa State House of Assembly and the Commission to the court challenging section 8 (e) of the LG election Law, 2018 and the 2024 elections guidelines as released by the commission.

    “As a law abiding institution, we have studied and analysed the originating summons and issues contained therein and decided to postpone the election indefinitely, to face the court case.

    “The commission has consulted its lawyers and has been advised that a party to a suit is not expected to do anything that can tamper with the resolutions of the court.

    “The commission has directed its lawyers to apply for an accelerated hearing of the matter to enable it resume normal election activities,” he said.

    Wandai also disclosed that all scheduled activities leading to the conduct of the elections had been postponed indefinitely.

    Responding on behalf of the political parties, Mr Cletus Ogah, IPAC Chairman in the state, commended the commission for always carrying them along in its activities.

    He said many political parties had gone far in their preparation for the election based on the-time table released by the commission in 2023.

    Ogah said that they however have no option than to wait for the commission to deal with the court case.

    Recall the incumbent chairmen and Councillors were inaugurated on October 8, 2021 for a three-year tenure ending October 7, 2024.

  • APC will rule Nasarawa State beyond 2027 – Ex-Speaker boasts

    APC will rule Nasarawa State beyond 2027 – Ex-Speaker boasts

    Immediate past Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi has said the All Progressives Party (APC) will rule the State beyond 2027.

    Abdullahi expressed optimism that Gov. Abdullahi Sule would hand over power to another APC governor in the state come 2027.

    He stated this during a reception organised by White Cap Progressive Movement (a political movement) in Nasarawa Local Government Area of the State on Sunday.

    The ex-speaker hinged his optimism on the grace of God and the development that will be witnessed during Sule’s administration.

    Abdullahi said that Sule has done so much for the people of the state and would make sure that he hand over power to another APC governor in 2027 for continuity, consolidation and good governance in the state.

    Alhaji Aliyu Tijani, the Federal Commissioner/Chief Executive Officer of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) is the Leader of the White Cap Political Movement.

    The former speaker, who is the chairman of the occasion, appreciated the Chairman, Nasarawa Local Government Council, Mr Sani Otto, and other members of the movement for organising the event and prayed God to bless them.

    “We thank God for the victory of His Excellency, Engr. Abdullahi Sule and APC at the Supreme Court.

    “This is our affirmation, the affirmation of votes of the people of Nasarawa State which they freely gave to Engr. A A Sule on March 18, 2023,” he said.

    He appreciated the people of the area and others for massively voting for Gov. Sule and APC in the March 18 general election.

    The former speaker also appreciated the governor for his developmental strides in the state.

    “I have worked with  His Excellency, Engr. A A Sule, very closely, he has the passion of the people of the state at his heart.

    “Let’s continue to pray and give him the maximum support to succeed,” the former speaker urged.

    On local government election, he said that the party and the people of the state would only field and support credible and competent aspirants.

    “What the people want is what His Excellency, Engr. A A Sule, will support during the local government election in the state,” Abdullahi said.

    The former speaker called on the people of the area and the state at large to continue to pray and support Sule to succeed.

    On his part, Otto explained that the event was organised in order to celebrate the victory of Sule at the Supreme Court.

    “We thank God for the victory of His Excellency, Engr. A A Sule at the Supreme Court.

    “It is a victory for all of us because without the victory we and those holding political positions and benefitting from the government have gone.

    The council chairman said that the movement was formed in order to create political awareness and direction to the people in the state.

    “I want to call on the people of the state to join the movement for political awareness and direction,” he said.

    He appreciated the people of the area and the state for supporting him and Sule to succeed.

    The chairman commended the governor for his efforts in developing the state.

    “His Excellency, Engr. Abdullahi Sule is doing well in the areas of peace, security, education, health and empowerment, among others.

    “Let’s continue to pray and support His Excellency to succeed in order to enjoy more dividends of democracy,” he said.

    The chairman called on the people of the area and the state to continue to live in unity, peace and tolerate one another irrespective of their affiliations.

    Other guests who drummed support for the APC included Dr Musa Ahmed, the state Accountant General, represented by his Wife, Hajiya Maryam Musa; Mr Isaiah Agah, APC Nasarawa West Zonal Chairman; andMr Abdullahi Aliyu, Toto LGC Chairman.

    Mr Danladi Madaki, former state Assembly lawmaker; and Mr Yusuf Auta, the APC Chairman, Nasarawa Local Government Council, among others, commended the organisers for the celebration and prayed God to reward them abundantly.

    They assured of their readiness to support the movement to succeed.

    They called on the people of the area to continue to support Sule’s administration to succeed.

    Praise singers and various cultural dancers of Agatu, Tiv, Gwandara and Hausa Fulani, among other tribes in the area, added colour to the event.

  • CAS opens up, takes responsibility for 2023 Nasarawa airstrike on civilians

    CAS opens up, takes responsibility for 2023 Nasarawa airstrike on civilians

    The Nigerian Air Force has taken responsibility for the Jan. 23, 2023 airstrike in Rukubi Community, Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, which claimed 37 lives.

    Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), while meeting to condole with the families of the victims at the Palace of the Emir of Lafia on Friday, said the airstrike was accidental.

    He said that a series of criminal activities and terrorists attacks including the abduction of primary school pupils necessitated the air operation in the area.

    Abubakar, while recalling the incident, explained that the Air Force, acting on intelligence that some terrorists on motorcycles were operating in the area, carried out an airstrike which unfortunately killed innocent civilians.

    “The airstrike was conducted after series of intelligence sighting terrorists elements on motorcycles operating in the area.

    “Thereafter, there was a lot of outcry by well meaning Nigerians that a number of innocent civilians may have been killed during the airstrike.

    “This agitated our minds because there is no military the world over; no matter what, the military is employed and paid to protect the lives and property of citizens and whenever the military is accused of killing innocent civilians its painful to us.

    “So, we had to go back and initiate a detailed and more thorough investigation into that incident.

    “Sadly, further investigation into the incident revealed that truly, a number of innocent civilians were killed in the airstrike.

    “This is what prompted our visit to Nasarawa State today to offer our condolences to the government and the families of those affected and bring closure to the unfortunate accident,” he said.

    He also noted that the visit would help the Air Force to be accountable and ensure transparency in all their operations.

    The Chief of the Air Staff, therefore, said that they had taken measures to forestall the repeat of such incident in future.

    On his part, Gov. Abdullahi Sule, thanked the Chief of the Air Staff  and the Nigerian Air Force for the initiative to condole with the families of the victims and seek to bring closure to the unfortunate incident.

    Sule described the move by the Air Force as novel saying it would bring closed to the matter.

    The governor also commended the Air Force and other security agencies for their roles in keeping peace in the state and promised to continue to support them in their operations.

    Responding on behalf the the families of the victims, Retired Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad, the Emir of Lafia, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government and Chief of the Air Staff for the condolences.

    He said the families and the people of the state have accepted the apology by the leadership of the Nigerian Air Force, saying that it would go a long way in the healing process.

    “We express our deep appreciation to the Nigerian Air Force under the leadership of the Chief of the Air Staff for this visit.

    “This is something new, that an authority like the Nigerian Air Force having conducted an authorised duty but an accident occured on the line of duty, for them to accept and come back to apologise is something that has not happened before,” he said.

  • JUST IN: Protest rocks Nasarawa over Supreme Court judgement on guber dispute

    JUST IN: Protest rocks Nasarawa over Supreme Court judgement on guber dispute

    Protesters take over Lafia, Nasarawa State capital, following the Supreme Court verdict which affirmed the election of Governor Abdullahi Sule in the March 18, 2023 election in the State.

    “The Lafia-Jos road has been completely blocked as the protesters lit bonfire to prevent travelers and other road users,” says a national daily report.

    Motorists had to take alternative routes out of Lafia to avoid the rampaging protesters.

    An automobile mechanic, Mallam Dogo Audu, called for the deployment of security operatives to restore calm and avert escalation.

    “Shop owners and business centres have shut down,” according to the report.

    Recall women had last year protested over INEC results that declared the incumbent governor.

    The protest erupted following the Supreme Court ruling that upheld the election of Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa.

    Shortly after the five-man panel of the Supreme Court unanimously upheld the election of Sule, supporters of the People’s Democratic Party candidate in the election, David Ombugadu barricaded the Lafia-Jos to register their displeasure.

    The protest later led to blocking of roads and burning of tires. Shops and business centres, including schools within the Lafia metropolis immediately closed for fear of attacks.

    Meanwhile, the police have deployed heavily armed personnel to dispel the protesters, but the situation appears to be raging as the protesters appear to be defiant.

    A woman was seen in a video protesting naked while charging towards the position of policemen who halted her with bullet shots in the air.

    The Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule has urged the aggrieved protesters to accept the ruling of the Supreme Court.

    Sule who met with Tinubu moments after the Supreme Court pronounced its verdict on the Nasarawa election petition appeal, acknowledged the dissenting views of those unhappy with the verdict while praising the justice system in ensuring “fairness without undue interference”.

  • BREAKING: Supreme Court declares Abdullahi Sule as Nasarawa Governor

    BREAKING: Supreme Court declares Abdullahi Sule as Nasarawa Governor

    The  Supreme Court on Friday affirmed Abdullahi Sule as duly elected governor of Nasarawa State.

    Justice Kudirat Kekere-Eku who delivered the judgement dismissed the appeals by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Emmanuel Ombugadu.

    The PDP had appealed to the apex court to set aside the November 23 judgement of the Court of Appeal which upheld Sule as the lawfully elected governor.

    It canvassed that the October 2, 2023 judgement of the Nasarawa State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal granted in favour of PDP and Ombugadu be restored.

    It claimed that the Court of Appeal unjustly nullified the Tribunal’s judgement and unjustly declared Sule as winner of the March 18 gubernatorial election.

    It appealed that the votes of Nasarawa state people should count and be meaningful by declaring PDP and Ombugadu as winners as rightly done by the Tribunal.

    The Appeal Court had on November 23 2023 reversed the sack of Gov Sule by the State Election Petitions Tribunal in its judgement delivered on October 2.

    The appellate court held that the Tribunal headed by Ezekiel Ajayi acted in grave error in using witness statements on oath, not front-loaded as required by law to arrive at the unjust conclusion of nullifying the election of the governor.

    In a judgement delivered by Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam, the Court of Appeal had said the Tribunal was legally bound to act on witness statements filed along with the petition or front-loaded within 21 days stipulated by law.

    The court held that no petition can lawfully be amended outside the 21 days allowed by law as wrongly done by the Tribunal.

    “Since the statements used by the Tribunal to sack the Governor were not front-loaded in compliance with the law, the statements were a product of illegality with no probate value for a law Court to act upon”.

    The court also dismissed the over-voting issues used to annul the election, adding that the allegations were not established by law.

    Onyemenam held that the petition by the Governorship candidate of the PDP was a nullity and invalid on the grounds that the jurisdictional issues raised by the governor were unlawfully ignored by the Tribunal.

    The Court of Appeal ruled that the Tribunal denied the Governor a fair hearing by not considering and making findings on the issues of jurisdiction raised at the hearing of the petition.

    Onyemenam agreed that the denial of a fair hearing against the governor was fatal and tendered all decisions of the Tribunal invalid.

    In all, the Court of Appeal reversed all orders made against the governor and INEC and affirmed Sule as the lawfully elected governor of the state.

    INEC had declared Sule the winner of the governorship election on the grounds that he polled a total of 347,209 votes to defeat his closest opponent David Emmanuel Ombugadu who secured 283,016 votes.

  • Gov Sule restates commitment to welfare of ex-service men, families of fallen heroes

    Gov Sule restates commitment to welfare of ex-service men, families of fallen heroes

    Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, has restated his administration’s commitment towards the welfare of ex-service men and families of fallen heroes in the state.

    Sule stated this at an event to mark the 2024 Armed Forces Remembrance Day in Lafia on Monday.

    He said that his administration had taken steps towards improving the welfare of ex-service men in the state and the families of soldiers who died in defence of the nation.

    ”As a government, we are aware of the sacrifices made by men of the Nigerian legion. We are doing our part to make them happy,” he said.

    The governor described the Armed Forces Remembrance Day as historic, following the sacrifices made by the fallen heroes to maintain the unity and integrity of the country.

    ”They fought very hard for our freedom and our independence. They have continued to promote the unity of our dear nation, they are worth celebrating,” he said.

    The theme for this year’s celebration is: ”We Remember Our Fallen Heroes”

    The event featured special prayers and gun salutes in honour of the fallen heroes.