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Tag: Samuel Aruwan

  • Security council warns against blockage of roads by protesters

    Security council warns against blockage of roads by protesters

    The Kaduna State Security Council has warned against the blockage of public roads and harassment of innocent citizens by persons conducting protests.

    The Overseeing Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr Samuel Aruwan, gave the warning in a statement issued on Thursday in Kaduna.

    Aruwan said, ”This follows the blockage of the Gonin Gora axis of the Kaduna-Abuja road by some protesters on Thursday morning, in response to reports of a bandit attack in Unguwan Auta of Gonin Gora general area, Chikun LGA, thus denying commuters access through the route.”

    He said the members of the council include the Commissioner of Police, Audu Ali, Director of Department of State Services, Abdul Eneche, Garrison Commander, 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Brig-Gen. Muhammad Kana.

    According to Aruwan, in the company of security forces, they dismantled the road blocks erected and subsequently opened up the road for use by motorists.

    He said, “The members of the Kaduna state security council while interacting with the community leaders, expressed dissatisfaction with the menace of blocking roads.
    ”It is a situation which infringes on the rights of the citizens and travelers using these roads and other public utilities.

    “As of the time of this security update, citizens and motorists are plying the Gonin Gora axis of Kaduna-Abuja Road without obstruction.

     

  • Kaduna Govt debunks report of kidnapping on Abuja-Kaduna road

    Kaduna Govt debunks report of kidnapping on Abuja-Kaduna road

    The Kaduna State Government, says stories of kidnapping on the Abuja-Kaduna road are false and misleading.

    The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr Samuel Aruwan, debunked the story in a statement issued on Friday in Kaduna.

    Aruwan said a report published today by a newspaper, alleging that bandits kidnapped scores of citizens on the Abuja-Kaduna Highway is false and misleading, as no such incident occurred on the highway which straddles five Local Government Areas (LGAs) across Kaduna and Niger states.

    “An excerpt from the inaccurate report with the headline ‘Bandits Abduct Travellers On Abuja-Kaduna Highway’ reads:

    “Scores of travellers were abducted after bandits opened fire on motorists in Iche community, some few kilometres away from Kagarko town, along the Abuja-Kaduna highway.”

    He said contrary to the story, reports received from security agencies and the Kagarko Local Government Council indicated that armed men barricaded the Gwaje village axis of the Kagarko-Jere Road on Wednesday, April 5, and kidnapped an unspecified number of occupants from two vehicles, a Volkswagen Golf Wagon, (Reg No. LGT 228 XA) and Volkswagen Passat (Reg No. FSK 556 AV).

    “The vehicles were subsequently found empty,” he said.

    According to him, the coordinates of the scene of the incident (Gwaje village) are 9°29’34″N 7°39’18″E, which gave a location nowhere close to or even off the Abuja-Kaduna Highway as reported.

    From available facts, the incident did not occur at Iche as reported by the media.

    “The description which gives Kagarko town as being along Abuja-Kaduna highway is likewise inaccurate.”

    The Kaduna state government expresses its displeasure over the misleading piece of reportage which has unfortunately gained undue traction on social media and beyond.

    “The government views inaccurate and misleading reports as a major disservice to the campaign against banditry being prosecuted by officers and men of security forces, at the risk of their very lives,” he said.

    The Commissioner said government is following up closely with security agencies on all issues regarding security and safety of citizens.

  • Kaduna State Govt warns against public disorder

    Kaduna State Govt warns against public disorder

    Kaduna State government on Thursday warned people planning to incite public upheaval in the state to shelve the idea or face dire consequences.

    Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr Samuel Aruwan stated in Kaduna that government was in possession of credible intelligence reports of plans by some politicians to sponsor public disturbance.

    “Their plans include activities that could lead to a breakdown of law and order in the state.

    “Government continues to monitor the situation closely in collaboration with security agencies.

    “It must be emphasised that persons or groups who engage in actions which could lead to civil unrest, threat to life and destruction of property, will not be spared.

    “The full weight of the law will be applied on such persons or groups,’’ the commissioner stated.

    He added that the suspension of street protests or processions remained in place in the overall public interest.

    “Parents, guardians and community leaders are also advised to educate their wards against being used by persons who seek to prey on vulnerable emotions and volatile atmospheres to generate chaos,’’ Aruwan stressed.

  • Soldiers bombard terrorists’ hideouts, set free kidnap victims in Kaduna

    Soldiers bombard terrorists’ hideouts, set free kidnap victims in Kaduna

    Ten kidnap victims have been released by the security operatives at locations in the Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Igabi and Chikun local government Area of the state.

    This information was made public by the Kaduna state government on Friday in the state.

    The Commissioner of the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan confirmed the release of the victims through a statement signed and released by him.

    Aruwan disclosed that ten persons were set free  from different locations across the state during the raid and bombardment.

    He gave their name  as Muhammadu Maitireda, Musa Adamu, Dahiru Garba, Badamasi Halilu, Malam Alawiya, Maimuna, Adama, Garba, Ahmad and Luka.

    According to him, the reports received from the troops indicated that the air component of Operation Whirl Punch dislodged bandits as they recovered motorcycles, and weapons in Birnin Gwari LGA.

    He said reports from the troops showed that the hideouts of bandits identified as Alhaji Ishiaka (in Igabi LGA) and Dan Rani (in Birnin Gwari LGA) were targeted and destroyed with rockets.

    Similarly, troops of Operation Forest Sanity conducted fighting patrols along the Gyam-Kuriga-Manini-Udawa-Buruku road in Birnin Gwari LGA and exchanged fire with the bandits who ran into the bush, while AK47 rifle, seven motorcycles, nine rounds of ammunition and one Baofeng radio charger was recovered.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that  president Buhari had earlier in the year during the meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) warned of tougher security measures in restive parts of the country and review of operations and strategy.

  • NAF destroys 10 bandits camps in Kaduna State

    NAF destroys 10 bandits camps in Kaduna State

    The Air Component of Operation Whirl Punch has destroyed about 10 camps and neutralized several bandits during air interdiction missions in three local government areas of Kaduna State.

    A statement issued on Sunday in Kaduna by the state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr Samuel Aruwan, said the operations were conducted within a week.

    He said the hideout of a bandit, Alhaji Ganai, was struck and destroyed south of Kidandan in Giwa Local Government Area (LGA).

    “The bandit and several others were neutralized in the strike,” Aruwan said.

    He added that the hideout of another bandit, Ali Kawaje in Birnin Gwari LGA, was similarly targeted and destroyed.

    The commissioner said two other camps belonging to Musa Pajelo and Kachalla Bello, and other targets in Walawa area, Fadaman Kanauta and Kuduru were also destroyed.

    “Bandits were sighted and neutralized in locations 4km southwest of Alhaji Ishiaka, 6km northeast of Maguzawa, and 2km west of Yelwa.

    “Several bandits were also sighted and neutralized at Dankero, Giwa LGA,” he added.

    Aruwan said areas covered by the air operations in Chikun LGA include Gwagwada Forest, Kugosi, Godani, Twali, Gwagwada, Sarkin Pawa, Kabai, Kabusu Hills, Amara Hills, Sabon Gayan and Polewire.

    He said an active location was engaged and destroyed about 4km south of Godani.

    He further disclosed that armed reconnaissance was carried out over Rima, Riyawa, Rumana, the Kaduna Airport area and adjoining locations in Igabi LGA.

    “Other areas covered by aerial patrols  include Galadimawa, Kidandan, Dogon Dawa, Saulawa, Maidaro, Maganda, Goron Dutse, Sararai, Kushaka, Kuriga, Manini, Kuduru, Yelwa and Sabon Birni, spanning Birnin Gwari, Giwa and Igabi LGAs.

    “The reconnaissance continued along the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari Road, Buruku, Kurmin Dande, Damba, Ungwan Yako, Udawa, Gagafada, and Kamfanin Doka,” he added.

    The commissioner also said the aerial missions extended to the Kaduna-Abuja Road and Railway, including Jaka da Rabi, Olam Farms, Rijana, Katari and Jere.

    He said normal human and vehicular activities were observed in those areas.

    “The same was the case in Hanawanka, Kukoki, Kadaga, Durumi, Pongu Geri and Kundu.

    “Fighter jets maintained presence over Ungwan Madaki in Kamazou, Chikun LGA. Kutura, Iburu, Kajuru, Kachia and Kankomi were also covered,” he said.

    Aruwan said, Gov. Nasir El-Rufai noted the report with gratitude and praised the fighter crews for their thoroughness and consistency.

    “Ground and air patrols will continue in these and other locations around the dtate,” Aruwan said.

  • No attack on Kaduna-Abuja highway – KDSG

    No attack on Kaduna-Abuja highway – KDSG

    The Kaduna State Government on Thursday debunked reports of an attack on the Kaduna-Abuja highway.

    The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr Samuel Aruwan, in a statement issued in Kaduna, dismissed the report as mischievous, fake and unfounded.

    “The attention of the Kaduna state government has been drawn to a widely circulated message raising alarm on an alleged blockade of the Kaduna-Abuja road by bandits.

    “The Kaduna state government wishes to firmly debunk this message and advises citizens to completely disregard the mischievous circulation,” he added.

    Aruwan said that the government has been in constant touch with security agencies in the general area and fully abreast of the security situation along the road and other locations.

    He condemned the purveyors of the fake news, saying their action was very unfortunate and deliberately concocted to undermine the sacrifices of security agencies and government.

  • Gov. El-Rufai condemns mob-killing of two herdsmen in Kaduna

    Gov. El-Rufai condemns mob-killing of two herdsmen in Kaduna

    The Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has condemned the killing of two herdsmen by a mob in Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area of the state on Sunday.

    Samuel Aruwan, the state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, disclosed that the mob forcefully seized two herders allegedly linked to banditry and killed them.

    “The mob then lynched and burnt the herders, even though they had not been found complicit in the allegations,” he said.

    The governor, he said, strongly expressed concern over the extra-judicial killing of the herders.

    While appealing to families of the victims to remain calm, the governor directed security operatives to embark on a thorough investigation of the matter.

    The Commissioner said, “The Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, has condemned in the strongest terms the killing of two herders by a mob in Birnin Gwari, LGA.

    “Security agencies reported that the mob forcefully seized the two herders from security personnel, on unsubstantiated claims that they were linked with banditry. The mob then lynched and burnt the herders, even though they had not been found complicit in the allegations.

    “Governor El-Rufai expressed deep concern at the violent actions of the mob, and strongly condemned the extra-judicial killings. He reiterated the place of lawful methods as the only acceptable option in confronting any suspicions of criminality.

    “The Governor appealed to the families of the victims to remain calm, and directed security agencies to conduct thorough investigations towards fishing out the perpetrators.

    “The Governor has also directed the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs to liaise with the military, police and DSS to contact the victims’ families for further engagements toward averting counter-attacks.”

    He added, “The Governor cautioned against further actions of self-help, and warned against dangerous stereotyping, labeling and similar lawless dispositions capable of stirring up violence. He renewed appeals for consistent recourse to constituted agencies.

    “Similarly, the government has received reports from security agencies regarding the conduct of some individuals and groups in the general area, who unwittingly complicate the security situation with insensitive public commentaries. Such actions have been judged by security agencies as unhelpful in the ongoing operations against terrorists and bandits.

    “While the government of Kaduna State is not against commentaries on security challenges, the government’s position remains that individuals and groups with useful information should liaise with security agencies, rather than expose citizens to extreme danger through supposed advocacy.

  • Kaduna Govt douses heightened fear in Zaria

    Kaduna Govt douses heightened fear in Zaria

    The Kaduna State Government has said there is no presence of hundreds of bandits at Dumbi and Jaji along the route to Zaria that stops citizens from entering or exiting the metropolitan northern Nigeria city.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the Kaduna State Government made this known, dousing heightened in Zaria in a statement released on Wednesday by Samuel Aruwan, the State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs.

    A message had been circulating widely via the WhatsApp social messaging app that advise citizens not to enter or exit Zaria, alleging the presence of hundreds of bandits at Dumbi and Jaji along the route to Zaria.

    “The Kaduna State Government wishes to firmly debunk that message and urges citizens to disregard it completely. It is an obvious attempt to spread panic.

    “The Kaduna State Government assures all citizens and travellers that the Kaduna-Zaria route is safe for travel. Residents are urged to go about their normal activities and pay no attention to the false report,” the State Government clarified.

     

  • 1,837 killed in Kaduna in 18 months – Kaduna says

    1,837 killed in Kaduna in 18 months – Kaduna says

    Kaduna State government says 1,837 citizens of the state have been killed in the last 18 months due to banditry, terrorism, communal clashes, violent attacks and reprisals.

    The state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan made the revelation in a remark at the public presentation of a Peace Reports on Inter – Religious Harmony.

    The project is titled, ‘Southern Kaduna Pilot Peace Project on Inter – Religious Harmony, Kaduna State.

    The government noted that 1,192 persons were killed in 2021 alone while 645 persons had been killed between January and June 2022.

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    It admitted that besides the rural banditry confronting most states in the Northwest, another layer to the general insecurity is violence stemming from a lack of recourse to the law in some mixed communities.

    “Grievances and mutual distrust in these areas are fed into the intermittent attacks by armed bandits, leading to reprisals, and cycles of ethno-religious or political violence” the government stressed.

    “Clashes between farming communities and herder communities also add a critical dimension to insecurity, as they can trigger conflict directly, or spiral into the involvement of armed criminals.

    “The Kaduna State Government is acutely aware of the devastating impact that conflict and violence have had on communities.

    “In the first six months of 2022, 645 people lost their lives in such circumstances across the State; 234 of these occurred in the Southern Kaduna area.

    “Besides the loss of life and limb, there are the grim socio-economic effects of violence, eroding the viability of affected communities. Food insecurity is a close reality in frontline areas where farmers are threatened and attacked by bandits.

    “The situation also presents a persistent threat to education; students and teachers have been attacked in several incidents over the last 18 months.

    “Healthcare delivery has been affected, as health workers and facilities in frontline locations face the threat of marauding bandits.”

    All of these portend the near-total collapse of the local economy in frontline areas, which is mainly sustained by crop and livestock farming. Residents have been dispossessed of their foremost means of sustenance. Vibrant weekly markets have been disrupted.

    Amidst all of these, the Kaduna State Government has remained unrelenting in its initiatives for peace and participatory security management, through the Kaduna State Peace Commission. Relative stability is now enjoyed in many usually turbulent communities in the Southern Kaduna area.

    It has been very pleasing to hear of the recent peace accord instituted between the Fulani and Irigwe groups in Bassa local government area of Plateau State. These are two groups that populate the stretch between Kauru LGA in Kaduna State and Bassa LGA of Plateau State, with the frequency and intensity of clashes bringing real concern over the last few years.

    Following this encouraging development on the Plateau State end of things, the Kaduna State Government will follow through with a similar accord involving the groups in Kauru local government area, to ensure an all-encompassing peace in the general area between the states.

    I wish to reiterate our appeal for the establishment of a Theater Command in the Northwest, similar to what obtains in the Northeast, so that the banditry and terrorism permeating the Northwestern states and some Northcentral states will receive more dedicated action, added to existing kinetic and non-kinetic efforts.

    Furthermore, we appeal for an extension of the operations of the Multinational Joint Task Force to cover international borders spanning the Northwest and Northcentral parts of the Country, from their existing operations in the international borders around the Northeast sector. Setting up the Theater Command to cover the Northwest and Northcentral and the extension of the Multinational Joint Task Force Operations to these zones, will go a long way in enhancing existing efforts, and also help in curtailing the proliferation of small arms and light weapons.

    I conclude with the Kaduna State Government’s commitment to the promotion of peace and building of bridges between our erstwhile opposed groups. Along with our close collaboration with security agencies, and improved intelligence gathering, we will continue to nurture the spirit of hope and cooperation among all our residents. Through meaningful dialogue and positive action, we will continue to propel our State towards the vision of total safety, peace and security for our residents.

  • Improvised device explodes in Kaduna, injures two persons

    Improvised device explodes in Kaduna, injures two persons

    Two persons were injured on Friday in an explosion recorded at Hayin Danmani area in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

    Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr Samuel Aruwan, confirmed the incident in a statement he issued on Saturday in Kaduna.

    “Security agencies reported that a suspected Improvised Explosive Device was detonated around Yazufa Junction, Hayin Danmani, Igabi Local Government Area, after it was planted in a motorcycle belonging to one Mohammed Hassan, a POS operator.

    “According to preliminary investigations, Hassan, at the close of business, went to pick up his motorcycle where it was parked close to his shop, and upon starting the motorcycle, it exploded.

    “The explosion resulted in serious injuries to Hassan and a passer-by.

    “There was also damage to the roof of a nearby structure,’’ Aruwan stated.

    The commissioner added that police personnel of the Explosives Ordnance Department arrived at the scene to remove the debris and also disabled a second device found in the motorcycle.

    He stated also that the two injured persons were receiving treatment in a medical facility as investigations proceeded.

    Aruwan added that Gov. Nasir El-Rufa’i expressed shock and sadness at the report and wished the injured persons speedy recovery.

    He reiterated government’s calls for increased vigilance by citizens to the threat of explosives being placed by terrorists to cause harm and destruction.