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Tag: Niger State

  • Student of IBB University killed in robbery attack

    Student of IBB University killed in robbery attack

    A student of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) University, Lapai in Niger State, identified only as Jafar has died, after he was stabbed in a robbery attack on Sunday.

    It was gathered that the armed robbery incident happened at the university’s student lodge located in Ndakitabu area via Lapai.

    This has resulted in a protest and some students have barricaded the Agaie-Lapai road.

    Confirming the incident, the Police Command in Niger disclosed that it received information at about 3 a.m, that at about 2.30 a.m, some hoodlums attacked the lodge.

    According to a statement by the Niger Police Public Relations officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, on Monday in Minna, when Police operatives from the Lapai Division, immediately rushed to the scene, the suspected robbers had escaped.

    “Unfortunately, one Jafar, a student of IBB University, Lapai, was stabbed on the neck and he was rushed to the General Hospital Lapai, where he was later confirmed dead.

    “As a result of this, some students barricaded the Agaie-Lapai Road, protesting against the incident.

    “However, tactical teams of the Command had been dispatched to Lapai to ensure that normalcy is restored to the area,” Abiodun said.

    He also added that investigation into the unfortunate incident has commenced as the CP,  Adamu Elleman, had directed that the perpetrators of the heinous crime must be arrested and brought to book.

    In his response, the Public Relations officer, IBB University, Lapai, Mr Baba Mohammed-Akote, confirmed the incident, but assured that the university’s authority was doing everything possible to restore normalcy to the institution.

    “You see, the issue of insecurity has permeated everywhere, but I can assure you that to the best of our ability, we will plead with the protesting students to remain calm and ensure normalcy returns,” he promised.

  • My son wanted to be a lecturer -Bereaved father whose son was killed by vigilantes speaks

    My son wanted to be a lecturer -Bereaved father whose son was killed by vigilantes speaks

    Jibrin, the Father of Musa Sama ’Ila Yakila (12) who was killed by a vigilante group chasing a suspected criminal in Kagara town of Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, has disclosed that  his late son was heading back home from Sabon Gari market where he sent him to buy onions before bullets ended his life on June 3.

    On June, 3, 2025, Jibrin’s families were already preparing to leave Kagara town to Yakila village for Muslims’ festive season, but the deceased was sent to run a quick errand to Sabon Garri market to buy onions.

    “He was sent on an errand to buy onions from Sabon Gari market in Kagara. We were preparing to leave for Yakila town for sallah before he was shot The onions were still in his hand when he was shot in the stomach”.

    “Vigilantes were chasing criminals. The unknown criminal ran away, but while chasing him, they fired a bullet, which made my son become a victim. He was hit in his stomach and died instantly”, the deceased father said amid tears.

    Recounting the incident, he said , “After maghrib prayer, I was in my shop when I received a call from one of my friends that I should return home saying my son was shot with a gun.

    “They brought out the dead body and we left to see the monarch before going to the police station to report the incident, and we were told to take the dead body to bury.

    “But no one has said anything or condoled with me except the DCO that was sent by the DPO of the area. I was told to take it as the will of God. I seek justice for my son as those who shot him are still walking freely.”

    Wasiu Abiodun, the police spokesman in the state, was not available for comment. SMS and WhatsApp messages sent to him were not replied.

    Jibrin, still traumatized by the loss of his son, recalled his conversations with him.

    “Whenever he talked about his career dream, he often talked about becoming a university lecturer”, adding that “he was a brilliant student.

    According to him, the deceased boy was loved by his teachers who often gave him books to read at home.

  • Mokwa floods: 700 persons still missing- Niger Govt

    Mokwa floods: 700 persons still missing- Niger Govt

    The Niger State Government has disclosed that over 700 persons are still missing following the recent flooding in Mokwa Community in Mokwa Local Government of the State.

    The State Governor, Umaru Bago disclosed this when he received Maj. Hamza Al-Mustapha, former Chief Security Officer to Gen. Sani Abacha, and his friends on a condolence visit over the recent flood in Minna on Tuesday.

    Bago, represented by the Deputy Governor, Mr Yakubu Garba, also disclosed that 207 people had been confirmed dead and over 3,000 households displaced.

    “Over 700 persons are still missing and we are yet to ascertain where they are. The flooding has caused extensive damage,” he said.

    He noted that the flood caused extensive damage with 400 houses damaged while 283 houses and 50 shops were completely destroyed.

    He appreciated individuals and corporate organisations for their donations and contributions noting that the incident was a national disaster.

    Bago said the state government was working with professional organisations to determine the root cause of the flood and was awaiting assessment results.

    Earlier, Al-Mustapha said the visit was to sympathise with Niger government and the people of Mokwa following the devastating flood incident.

    “We are here to register our condolences over the flood incident that happened in Mokwa, looking at the heavy loses and its impact on the state

    “We will meet with the traditional council, especially the chairman in Mokwa, and pray that the incident doesn’t happen again,” he said.

    He noted that  the delegation comprised of influential individuals from different parts of the country aimed to offer sympathy and support to the state government and affected communities.

    He added that the delegation would meet with traditional council with a focus of finding ways to prevent similar incidents in the future and to improve town planning and living conditions.

    Al-Mustapha and his delegation earlier paid a visit to former Military President Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (Rtd).

  • Niger govt moves to rebuild Mokwa after devastating flood

    Niger govt moves to rebuild Mokwa after devastating flood

    The Niger State government says it has awarded the construction of a 12 km road project from Mokwa to Rabba worth N7 billion.

    The state governor, Muhammad Bago, made this known during an on the spot assessment and sympathy visit to the people of Mokwa over the recent flood disaster in the area.

    The floods had killed many people and destroyed property worth millions of naira.

    Bago said that the road project, which would commence immediately would include the construction of four bridges to connect the two communities.

    The governor directed relevant MDAs to take a complete survey of waterways and topography of the state with the view to relocating people off coastal lines to avert a repeat of the disaster.

    He urged the people to stay united in these trying times, while assuring them of continued government commitment to the wellbeing of its citizens.

    Meanwhile, a symbolic distribution of relief items was made to selected households.

    Bago was also in Rabba to assess the bridge that was cut-off by the flood, where he used the opportunity to sympathise with the people of the community.

    Bago donates N1bn, 50 trucks of grains to Mokwa flood victims

    Meanwhile, Governor Bago has donated one billion Naira to the victims of the recent flood disaster in Mokwa Local Government Area of the state.

    The governor announced the donation during an on the spot assessment of houses destroyed by the flood, where he subsequently addressed the people of the community.

    He said that the state government would provide ten trucks each of rice, beans, maize, millet and sorghum to the flood victims.

    While commiserating with the victims, he promised that all donations made would be judiciously distributed to them through a committee that would be headed by his deputy, Mr Yakubu Garba.

    Bago said that the government would also provide resettlement land and services to them.

    He directed the Ministry for Land and Survey to issue a certificate of occupancy (C of O) to the Federal Government to facilitate immediate construction of the resettlement homes for the victims.

    According to Bago, while the state government awaits the construction of the resettlement homes by the Federal Government, necessary arrangement will be made to move them from the IDP camp.

    He appreciated the Federal government, donor partners and other government agencies, as well as spirited individuals that had upported the victims.

    Earlier, the Speaker, Niger State House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Daji, sympathised with the people of Mokwa especially, the victims of the flood.

    Daji encouraged them to remain steadfast in the will of God at all times.

    Also, the Etsu Nupe, and Chairman, Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, and the former Deputy Governor of the state, Alhaji Mohammed Ketso commended the governor for his kindness to the people.

    They also appreciated the support and solidarity from all those that had made donations.

  • Mokwa flood: Additional bodies recovered as death toll continues to soar

    Mokwa flood: Additional bodies recovered as death toll continues to soar

    The Niger state Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) has released an update on the devastating flood disaster in Mokwa town, in Mokwa Local government area.

    Dr Ibrahim Hussaini, Overseeing Director General of NSEMA, disclosed this in Minna on Sunday, saying two more dead bodies were recovered late on Saturday under the bridge, bringing the death toll to 153.

    He said that the bodies were buried in the early hours of Sunday.

    Recall the flood incident occurred on Wednesday morning after heavy downpour on Tuesday night which had claimed 153 lives so far with property worth millions of Naira destroyed.

    The flood also washed away part of the Mokwa bridge that links north with southwest leaving motorists and passengers stranded on both sides.

    President Bola Tinubu had sent a federal delegation led by Mohammad Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation to commiserate with Niger government over the incident.

    Officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in collaboration with NSEMA with support from the community were conducting search and rescue operations.

  • Mokwa flood disaster: Motorists stranded as bridge linking north, southwest collapses

    Mokwa flood disaster: Motorists stranded as bridge linking north, southwest collapses

    Motorists are currently stranded as part of the bridge at Mokwa linking the North and Southwestern part of the country collapsed due to flooding in Niger State.

    The bridge collapsed on Wednesday after a heavy downfall on Tuesday night.

    Government agencies’ report have it that no fewer than 100 persons have lost their lives with property worth millions of Naira destroyed as a result of the flood.

    It was when the flood subsided that it was noticed that the bridge had collapsed.

    One of the motorists, Awual Mohammed, told NAN that many motorists have been stranded since Thursday on both sides of the bridge, which made it impossible for motorists to continue with their journey.

    “If the bridge is not fixed immediately, it will disrupt trade activities between the North and Southwest regions,” he said.

    He called on the authorities to urgently repair the bridge and provide alternative solutions to mitigate the impact of future floods.

    Meanwhile, Mrs Zubaida Umar, Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), who visited the community, confirmed that over 100 bodies had been recovered from the floods.

    “The agency has confirmed 100 dead bodies have been recovered and  search rescue operation is still ongoing.

    “We need to keep our waterways clear, and it is very important that we do that. Our town planners also need to live up to expectations,” she said.

    She said NEMA officials had been on the ground since Thursday, assisting with search and rescue operations.

    Umar said the agency provided food and non-food items, including rice, blankets, and mats, handed over to the state government through the Deputy Governor, Mr Yakubu Garba.

    She said 11 people were admitted in the hospital, out of which 10 had been discharged and one woman who recently gave birth was still receiving treatment.

    She added that search and rescue operation was ongoing, with NEMA officials working to clear debris and recover more bodies.

    According to her, NEMA is working with the Red Cross and Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) to support the affected community.

  • Niger flood disaster: FG breaks silence as death toll escalates

    Niger flood disaster: FG breaks silence as death toll escalates

    The Deputy Governor of Niger State, Mr Yakubu Garba, has visited victims of the flood disaster in Mokwa community as death tolls rises to over 100.

    Garba disclosed the casualty figure in an interview with newsmen during the visit to Mokwa on Friday.

    Recall that at least 21 person lost their lives and several houses were destroyed following a torrential downpour on Wednesday night.

    The affected areas were Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa in Mokwa town, Mokwa Local Government Area of  the state.

    Garba said that the visit was based on the directive of Gov. Umaru Bago for an on-the-spot assessment of the incident.

    He said that over 100 bodies had been recovered, adding that search and rescue operation was still ongoing.

    “I have been briefed by officials from NEMA and NSEMA, who have been on ground since the incident occurred for search and rescue operations.

    “I was told that over 100 people lost their lives and some are yet to be buried as search and rescue operations are still ongoing,” he said.

    Garba, while addressing the victims at the Internally Displaced Camp (IDPs), urged them to exercise patience as the state government was working out modalities to provide relief materials to those affected.

    He said that the state government had received relief materials from NEMA, which had been handed over to the council chairman for onward distribution to the victims.

    He assured the victims that he would communicate his findings to the governor to secure additional support for those affected.

    He, however, cautioned against building structures on waterways and emphasised the need for residents to respect natural water pathways to prevent future disasters.

    Also speaking, Mrs Zubaida Umar, Director-General of NEMA, said that officials of the agency were on ground coordinating ongoing search and rescue operation.

    Umar said that the agency provided food and non-food items, including rice, blankets, and mats which had been handed over to the state government through the deputy governor to support victims.

    She also said that NEMA was working with the Red Cross and Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) to support the affected community.

    One of the victims, Anas Usman, told NAN that 17 members of his household lost their lives to the disaster, saying the flood came on Thursday morning after heavy downpour on Wednesday night.

    “We were preparing to go to the farm in the morning when our house was suddenly submerged by floods, we did not know where the flood came from.

    “The flood submerged our house, causing the structure to collapse, we lost children, women and men, who are family members,” he said.

    Mokwa flood: FG mourns victims, mobilises relief efforts

    Meanwhile, the Federal Government has condoled with the families and victims of flood that occurred in Mokwa, Niger, which tragically claimed the lives of several persons.

    This is contained in a statement signed by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris,  on Friday in Abuja.

    “Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families and all those affected by this tragic event.

    “President Bola Tinubu has been fully briefed on the situation and has directed all relevant emergency and security agencies to intensify ongoing search and rescue operations.

    “The immediate priority of the Federal Government is to save lives and provide urgent relief to survivors.

    “The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in collaboration with the Nigerian Armed Forces and the Niger Government is working round the clock to ensure that no effort is spared in bringing help to those in need,” Idris said.

    He commended the courage and dedication of first responders and volunteers, who were risking their lives in the ongoing rescue efforts.

    Idris also urged residents in the affected areas to cooperate fully with emergency officials and adhere to all evacuation directives that were issued.

    “The Federal Government extends its heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. In this moment of grief, the nation stands united with them in solidarity.”

  • Anniversary: Niger govt unveils achievements in 2 years

    Anniversary: Niger govt unveils achievements in 2 years

    Government of Niger has unveiled its administration achievements with the various commissioners highlighting key achievements in their respective ministries.

    The commissioners took turn, at a news conference on Thursday in Minna, to unveil their achievements in the last two years.

    Dr Bello Tukur, Commissioner for Secondary and Tertiary Health, said that when the Bago-led administration came on board, the state was facing lack of medical doctors and healthcare workers and the governor immediately approved recruitment of 1,000 healthcare workers.

    Tukur said the administration had employed 36 doctors, bringing the total number of doctors to 219.

    He said the state government had commenced the remodeling and equipping of the IBB Specialist Hospital, with plan to installed an MRI machine, the first in a government hospital in Northern Nigeria.

    He said the governor approved a 100 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) for medical staff and aligned the entry point for doctors with the Federal Government practice, at CONMESS 3.

    The commissioner added that the state government was working to address infrastructure challenges, including the fencing of General Hospital in Kuta and commencement of general renovation.

    Also speaking, Dr Ibrahim Dangana, Commissioner for Primary Healthcare, before the coming of Bago children in 12 local governments had not been immunized.

    Dangana said that as of now children in 11 out of the 12;local government areas had been immunized except those in Mashegu Local Government, which would be accomplished soon.

    “We have built an emergency operations center with support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation,” he said.

    He added that the ministry had rehabilitated 20 primary healthcare centres, with plans to revitalise 40 more with the support from development partners.

    Dangana said the governor recently inaugurated 20 level two primary healthcare centres, with a plan to build 100 primary healthcare centres across the state.

    Also, Mr Elizabeth Shaba, Commissioner, Ministry for Smal Medium Enterprise in Niger, said the ministry through the Micro Medium and Small Enterprise Agency had disbursed over N8 million so far under NG-CARES.

    She added that the ministry also trained youths and women in entrepreneurship skills and empowered 200 youths with N100,000 each and provided loans to women under cooperative societies.

    Similarly, Mr Musa Bawa, Commissioner for Agriculture, said the ministry provided extension services and mechanisation to Nigerlites and procured over 3000 machines and equipment for agriculture.

    Musa, who was represented by Malam Ali Maikasuwa, the Director of Agricultural Services, said the ministry also distributed fertilizers at 50 per cent subsidy, harvested over five million metric tonnes of grains, and trained farmers on carbon credits.

    Also, Commissioner for Homeland Security, Brig.Gen Mohammed Bello (Rtd), said the administration of Gov. Bago had prioritise security because security was the primary responsibility of the government.

    He said part of the achievements was the provision of operational vehicles for security agencies and shifted focus from kinetic to non-kinetic approaches.

    Similarly, Dr Murtala Bagana, Special Adviser to Niger Governor on Special Duties, said the Bago-led administration had attracted foreign investment through his foreign trips with countries like Russia.

    He said the state government had embraced agriculture and livestock for sustainable development and embarked on urban renewal projects through overhaul of road infrastructure amongst others.

  • JUST IN: 21 dead, 10 missing in Niger flood disaster after severe rainfall

    JUST IN: 21 dead, 10 missing in Niger flood disaster after severe rainfall

    Niger State Emergency Management Agency says 21 people have lost their lives following a severe rainfall that resulted into a flood disaster in Mokwa Local Government of Niger.

    The Director General of the agency, Dr Ibrahim Hussaini, disclosed this to newsmen in Minna on Thursday.

    He said the incident occurred during a torrential downpour on Wednesday night, causing widespread destruction.

    Hussaini said three people were rescued alive, a woman and her two children and were receiving treatment for wounds and shock at Mokwa General Hospital.

    He said 21 bodies have so far been recovered in the incidence while over 10 persons were still missing as search and rescue operation continued.

    He said the affected communities were Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa communities in Mokwa town.

    He added that over 50 residential houses were submerged and washed away with their occupants.

    He said NSEMA in collaboration with Mokwa Local Government, local divers, and volunteers were conducting search and rescue operations to rescue survivors and recover corpses.

  • Accident claims 7, injures 16 in Niger

    Accident claims 7, injures 16 in Niger

    A ghastly accident involving an articulated vehicle has claimed seven lives with 16 others injured along Agaie-Badegi Road, in Katcha Local Government Area of Niger.

    The Director-General of Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Alhaji Abdullahi Baba-Arah, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Minna.

    He attributed the accident to a bad portion of the road on Lambata/Bida axis.

    Baba-Arah stated that the truck was carrying Federal Government grains with passengers numbering about 36, all male, heading to Kano from Lagos state.

    “As of the time of filing this report, seven people were confirmed dead, 11 people with high degree of injuries, while five people sustained minor injuries.

    “Some of the injured were taken to Badeggi and Agaie health centres, and others were taken away by their fellow colleagues,” he said.

    The director general added that most of the dead have been taken away by their relatives.

    He said that search and rescue operations was carried out by NSEMA alongside commuters and some villagers near the scene of the incident.