TheNewsGuru

Tag: Sokoto State

  • Violence erupts in Sokoto as blasphemy accusation claims another life

    Violence erupts in Sokoto as blasphemy accusation claims another life

    In a tragic incident that took place at the Sokoto metropolis abattoir on Sunday,  a butcher Usman Buda, was brutally killed by an enraged mob after being accused of making blasphemous comments against Prophet Muhammad.

    It was gathered that Buda’s alleged blasphemous comments against Prophet Muhammad, triggered a confrontation with the people present.

    Eyewitnesses reported that when confronted about his comments, Buda defiantly repeated them, refusing to retract his statement.

    While some suggested that he may have had mental health issues, his business acquaintances, who were familiar with him, attested that he had no history of such problems.

    As tensions escalated, the mob began to attack and beat him mercilessly, ultimately leading to his demise. However, the precise nature of the blasphemous statement Buda made was not disclosed by the witnesses.

    Confirming the incident, the Sokoto State Police Command released a statement through its spokesperson, Ahmad Rufai, stating that they received a distress call and promptly intervened.

    “On 25th June, 2023 at about 0955hrs, a distress call was received at about 0920hrs that one Usman Buda ‘M’ of Gwandu LGA, a butcher at Sokoto Abattoir allegedly blasphemed the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW); as a result, he was mobbed and attacked by some Muslims faithful and inflicted serious injuries on him,” the police said in a statement.

    Unfortunately, the mob had fled the scene, leaving Buda unconscious. He was immediately rushed to Usmanu Danfodio Teaching Hospital Sokoto for treatment but was later pronounced dead.

    The police have launched an investigation into the matter, aiming to apprehend those responsible for the gruesome act and the situation in the area has since returned to a state of calm.

    Deborah Yakubu lynched over allegations of blasphemy in Kaduna State, Nigeria.

    This horrifying incident follows a similar case in May 2022 when a student at the Shehu Shagari College of Education in Sokoto Deborah Samuel, was lynched by her fellow students on accusations of blasphemy.

    The shocking nature of these crimes has sparked nationwide outrage, with calls for justice and appeals to the government to apprehend the perpetrators.

    These incidents also underscore the urgent need for measures to protect freedom of speech and religious tolerance, ensuring that justice is served and such acts of violence are unequivocally condemned in society.

  • Supplementary election records high voter turnout in Sokoto

    Supplementary election records high voter turnout in Sokoto

    Saturday’s supplementary election being conducted by INEC, recorded high voter turnout as election began early in the affected areas in Sokoto State.

    Voters, especially women, came out in large numbers at the polling units while combined teams of security agencies enforced movement restrictions in Sokoto metropolis.

    The supplementary elections are taking place in some polling units across the 23 local government areas for 10 National Assembly seats not concluded on Feb. 25.

    At Magajin Gari B ward, Garkar Alkali Yahaya 003 polling unit, election had commenced as early as 8 a.m and voters formed queues in oderly manner with cooperation from the party agents.

    The Presiding Officer, Mr Abdulbaqi Abubakar, told NAN that Biomodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) had been working smoothly and voters complied with instructions.

    Abubakar said the four INEC ad hoc staff were present while political parties presented three agents each, adding that the security personnel attached to the polling unit had not showed up.

    He said that accreditation was on going smoothly, BVAS is working well while accreditation and voting were in progress.

    The situation is similar at Rumfar Kyahel polling unit 008, Kofar Atiku, ‘Yargoba and Kanwuri all in Sokoto North Local Government Area.

    Some eligible voters, Aminu Rufa’i, Kabir Nasir and Maryam Bello, commended the process and expressed the hope of rounding off early, without experiencing what occured during the previous election.

  • INEC vows to conduct credible supplementary polls in Sokoto

    INEC vows to conduct credible supplementary polls in Sokoto

    The Independent National Electoral Commission has assured residents of Sokoto State that Saturday’s National Assembly supplementary election will be free, fair and credible.

    Speaking at a stakeholders meeting held on Thursday at the party secretariat, the INEC National Commissioner for the election, Modibo Alkali, assured that the exercise in Sokoto will be one of the best in the country.

    Alkali also insisted that all parties including their agents must adhere to the rules of the game, stressing that the commission was poised to support the advancement of democracy and democratic processes.

    “We will not waiver our responsibility to doing the needful. We want as much as possible to avoid any confusion in order to safeguard against issues and misunderstandings.

    “Parties should ensure that only one agent or representative is to each PU.

    “We don’t want to experience any loss of life or bloodletting as we witnessed some disruption and disturbance at some PUs in the last exercise,” he said.

    Alkali, flanked by the Acting REC, Barrister Hauwa Kangiwa, and other top officials of the commission, urged party leaders and stalwarts to educate their supporters and members to be on peaceful conduct during the exercise.

    He said INEC remained a neutral body and assured that the security agencies were adequately in synergy to provide needed security throughout the exercise.

    We are holding a second leg of such a meeting with all security agencies to harmonise measures towards a successful supplementary election conduct in the state.”

    However, representatives of all registered political parties in the state in attendance pledged to abide by the rules of the game.

  • 2023: Again, Tambuwal loses aide to APC

    2023: Again, Tambuwal loses aide to APC

    Alhaji Abubakar Kwaire, a Special Adviser to Gov. Aminu Tambuwal has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2023 general elections in the state.

    Kwaire, according to a statement by Bashar Abubakar, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Sen. Aliyu Wamakko (APC –Sokoto North) was received by the state APC governorship candidate, Alhaji Ahmad Aliyu in Sokoto

    Abubakar said the new APC member, who was a former member of the State House of Assembly hailed from Tambuwal Local Government.

    He quoted Kwaire saying that his decision to join APC was motivated by Wamakko’s sterling leadership qualities.

    “Therefore, I believe with Wamakko as APC leader and Aliyu to govern our state, if elected, more dividends of democracy are expected,“ he said.

    Kwaire restated his commitment to support all the candidates of the party to coast to victory for the best of Sokoto State and Nigeria.

    In his remarks, the governorship candidate welcomed the defector and assured him of equal treatment like all other members of the party.

  • AIG assures Sokoto residents of security during Yuletide season

    AIG assures Sokoto residents of security during Yuletide season

    The Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 10 Headquarters, Sokoto, AIG Bello Dalijan, has reassured residents in Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara states that efforts to prevent crime and improve public safety will continue during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

    In compliance with the Inspector-General of Police’s order, Dalijan has instructed the commissioners of police and tactical commanders in the zone to strengthen security during the holiday season and beyond to prevent any incidents.

    The AIG urged and advised that supervisory CPs in Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states with their respective area commanders should ensure adequate deployment of officers and assets to prevent crimes as well as build confidence in the citizens.

    The police boss charged officers to engage in critical assessment of threat prone areas, thorough stop and search, raids on black spots and other anti-crime strategies capable of sustaining peace and public safety in the zone. The AIG further warned that personnel deployed must be professional and mindful of the fundamental human rights of the citizens, and discharge their responsibilities with all sense of decorum and alertness.

    AIG Dalijan also used the opportunity to advise politicians within the zone to play according to the rules and ensure peaceful electioneering campaigns while also admonishing parents not to allow their children to be used as political thugs in the forthcoming elections. He assured the general public that the Nigeria Police Force under the leadership of the IGP had put all security mechanisms in place to ensure peaceful conduct of the 2023 general election.

    The AIG Zone 10, while congratulating the Christian faithful in the zone and the country in general, enjoined them to celebrate and enjoy the beauty of the Christmas season while remaining security conscious. He equally urged them to report all suspicious individuals, movements, or activities to the police for prompt intervention as he admonished them to cooperate with men of the Police and other sister security agencies deployed to duty at strategic places for the Christmas/New Year celebrations across the zone.”

  • 2023: PRP denies collapsing into APC in Sokoto

    2023: PRP denies collapsing into APC in Sokoto

    The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) in Sokoto State has denied the assertion that the party has collapsed into the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the state.

    The PRP governorship candidate, Alhaji Sa’idu Gumburawa, alongside other members of the party on Friday in Sokoto announced their official exit from the party to APC.

    Gumburawa, who was received by Sen. Aliyu Wamakko (APC-Sokoto North), said all the candidates of the PRP and leaders at the state and local government levels had consented to the decision of the party to join APC.

    Addressing newsmen on Sunday in Sokoto, Malam Ibrahim Tudun-Doki, the PRP National Publicity Secretary, said the assertion was unfortunate and misleading.

    “PRP in Sokoto State is intact and the decision taken by the governorship candidate and two others came to our notice when we saw the report in the media.

    “This led to our emergency stakeholders meeting today to express our position regarding the governorship candidate’s exit.

    “As you are all aware, we are in a democratic system in which everyone has his own right, so we cannot deny anybody of his or her right.

    “But our party is intact in Sokoto, all the party leaders with the exception of the Vice Chairman and Sokoto East Senatorial candidate that joined the governorship candidate are with PRP.

    “Therefore, we want to inform the good people of Sokoto State that PRP is fully intact and will continue to pursue our mandate for the victory of our party,” he said.

    Tudun-Doki, who is also the PRP House of Representatives candidate in Gwadabawa/Illela Federal Constituency, said the state chapter would officially inform the National Headquarters of the party for possible replacements.

  • 2023: Sokoto PRP collapses into APC, as another Tambuwal’s Aide dumps PDP

    2023: Sokoto PRP collapses into APC, as another Tambuwal’s Aide dumps PDP

    The leadership of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) in Sokoto state led by the party’s governorship candidate, Sa’idu Gumburawa, had joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

    This development is contained in a statement issued to newsmen on Saturday by Bashar Abubakar, the Special Assistant to Sen. Aliyu Wamakko (APC Sokoto- North), the APC leader in the state.

    According to Abubakar, the new APC members include all the candidates of PRP, state executives and officials from the state to local governments.

    “They include the three Senatorial candidates of the party, Garzali Abdullahi, Bello Holai and Shehu Ibrahim of Sokoto North, East and South Districts, respectively.

    “Also involved are the 11 candidates for the House of Representatives and 30 members of the State House of Assembly,” he said.

    Abubakar added that the PRP leaders and their supporters were received by the APC leaders in the state on Friday in Sokoto.

    Abubakar quoted Wamakko as saying that the development was one of the greatest successes of APC ahead of the 2023 general elections in the state.

    The lawmaker, while welcoming the new members described their decision to join the APC struggle as a wise choice in ensuring the emergence of the right leadership at the right time.

    “I am highly delighted to receive a friend and partner in progress, Gumburawa, who is returning home to join us in our dedication to the development of Sokoto state.

    “Today, I want to assure you that APC and all its members will continue to work closely with you and your supporters to enable our collective success in the 2023 general elections,” he said.

    Also speaking, the Sokoto APC governorship candidate, Alhaji Ahmad Aliyu, congratulated the new members, while assuring them of equal treatment with all other party members.

    “In APC, we are one family, we support and protect one another and work closely together towards achieving our goal of safeguarding our state and Nigeria at large,” he said.

    Aliyu further pledged to ensure the provision of quality healthcare delivery, education, trade and investments, agriculture, civil servants’ welfare and other developmental aspects, if given the mandate to govern the state.

    Earlier, Gumburawa, stated that their decision to join APC was in order to contribute their quota towards ensuring the victory of the party at the 2023 general elections.

    “We considered the situation the people of the state found themselves under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led government.

    “As such motivated our decision to join the APC so that the state will come back to its lost glory like during the administration of the former Gov. Aliyu Wamakko,” he said.

    In a related development, the APC leader had also received Bello Yarima, the Special Adviser to Gov. Aminu Tambuwal on Sokoto Marshal Agency, a paramilitary Agency of the state.

    The party also received Alhaji Umaru Chori, another PDP stakeholder from Sanyinna town of Tambuwal LGA.

    The events which held at Wamakko’s residence in Sokoto were attended by Alhaji Maigari Dingyadi, the Minister of Police Affairs and Senators representing Sokoto East and South, Ibrahim Gobir and Danbaba Dambuwa, respectively.

  • NSCDC rescues 4 minors from human trafficking in Sokoto

    NSCDC rescues 4 minors from human trafficking in Sokoto

    The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) says it has rescued no fewer than four minors from human traffickers and arrested one suspect over the act.

    Mr Mohammed Dada, the NSCDC Sokoto State Commandant, confirmed this st a news conference in Sokoto on Tuesday.

    Dada said that the children were sighted by the NSCDC personnel at the Sokoto Central market planning to board a vehicle to Illela Local Government Area with the suspect.

    “The suspect, Abdulfatai Adeyemi, told our men that they are from South West heading to Niger Republic through Illela border.

    “He confessed that he received the minor girls from one Alfa in Lagos State, who asked him to deliver them to somebody in Sokoto,” the commandant said.

    He added that the command is on track to ensure all other suspects in connection with the crime are apprehended.

    He called on parents and guidance to avoid putting their children into such dangerous journey, describing such act as harmful and cannot end well with the victim even if they make it alive.

  • 2023: Again APC receives more defectors in Sokoto state

    2023: Again APC receives more defectors in Sokoto state

    The All Progressives Congress (APC), in Sokoto State on Sunday received more defectors ahead of the 2023 General Elections in the state.

    The latest defection was another set of scores of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members from Dundaye, Gumburawa and Gidan Bubu districts in Wamakko Local Government Area of the state.

    Speaking at the event, Alhaji Maigari Dingyadi, the Minister of Police Affairs, described the development as a success, following the achievements recorded by the APC-led Federal Government.

    “The APC administration under the watch of President Muhammadu Buhari has brought positive developmental projects aimed at impacting the lives of people.

    “The government had for the past seven and half years continued to roll out sustainable programmes that impacted positively to the lives of the less privileged in the country.

    “Therefore, I called on all of you to sustain more support for the victory of APC in order for the party to continue to provide more democratic dividends for our people,” he urged.

    Dingyadi further said that those achievements recorded by the government at the center were the reasons why members of other political parties were trooping into the APC across the board.

    Receiving the defectors, Alhaji Isa Sadiq-Achida, the state APC Chairman described them as pillars of democracy in the area.

    Sadiq-Achida urged the new members to feel free and work for the success of the party in the forthcoming elections in the state.

    Earlier, Alhaji Ahmad Aliyu, the APC governorship candidate in the state, solicited the support of the electorate, while assuring to bring back more development for the state.

    Aliyu told the gathering that he would follow the footsteps of the APC leader in the state, Sen. Aliyu Wamakko (APC -Sokoto North) and sustain his legacies when he served was governor for eight years.

    Some of the defectors, Alhaji Labaran Gidan-Ruwa, Hajiya Balkisu Dundaye and Malami Mai-Sojoji revealed that they left PDP in the state following its alleged failure to deliver on all the promises made.

  • 2023: 9,800 supporters dump PDP, NNPP for APC in Sokoto

    2023: 9,800 supporters dump PDP, NNPP for APC in Sokoto

    Over 9,800 supporters of the PDP and NNPP in Goronyo local government area have dumped their parties for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    This is contained in a statement issued on Sunday in Sokoto by Bashar Abubakar, Special Assistant on New Media to APC leader in the state, Sen. Aliyu Wamakko (APC-Sokoto North).

    Abubakar said that the defectors included NNPP State House of Assembly candidate in the area, Alhaji Maniru Malami, alongside hundreds of his supporters.

    Abubakar said that Malami dumped the party alongside all his local government and 11 ward executive committee members.

    The new entrants into the APC also included an ex-State House of Assembly aspirant, Alhaji Shehu Dan-Tsamaye and the incumbent Financial Secretary, Alhaji Hamza ‘Yar-Dole.

    Others were the Chairman, Forum of wards Chairmen in the area, Alhaji Amadu Dan-Kansila and another PDP bigwig, Alhaji Hamisu Mai-Alewa.

    Abubakar said that they were received into the fold of the APC by the party’s Gubernatorial candidate for the 2023 General Elections, Alhaji Ahmed Aliyu.

    Aliyu said that the mass exodus into the APC was a sign of the increasing acceptability of the party.

    Aliyu said,” PDP in the state has failed to redeem all the promises it had made to the people of the state since 2019.”

    The state Chairman of the party, Alhaji Isa Sadiq-Achida pledged to treat the defectors equally with the older members of the party.

    Sadiq-Achida said,”we are hopeful that APC will emerge victorious during the forthcoming general polls at all levels.”

    APC Zonal Secretary, North West, Alhaji Bello Goronyo and it’s Senatorial candidate for Sokoto East, Alhaji Ibrahim Lamido, said the party at the national level was strategising towards successful campaigns in the country.

    APC Chairman in Goronyo Local Government, Alhaji Kabiru Sarkin-Fulani lauded the defectors for “ taking the right decision, at the right time.”

    A cross section of the defectors cited the alleged failure of the PDP-led state government to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of the state as one of their reasons for dumping it.