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Tag: Sokoto

  • Pandemonium in Sokoto as bandits Abduct scores of students, kill monarch

    Pandemonium in Sokoto as bandits Abduct scores of students, kill monarch

    Confusion in Sokoto state as bandits abducted scores of students in Tsangaya, Gidan Bakuso in Gada Local Government area of the North-West state.

    They also killed a monarch and two others in Turba Village, Isa Local Government Area.

    The abduction and killings came about 48 hours after bandits abducted more than 200 pupils and teachers of Government Secondary School and LEA Primary School at Kuriga, Kaduna State.

    The proprietor of the school in Tsangaya, Liman Abubakar, confirmed the abduction.

    He said it occurred around 1am.

    “Some of our students are unaccounted for so far but we are still counting. They invaded our town around 1am, shot one person and abducted a woman.

    “As they were leaving the town, they sighted our students rushing into their rooms and they kidnapped many of them.

    “We have so far counted 15 who are missing and we are still searching for more,” he said.

    Abubakar added that this was not the first time the village was attacked by bandits.

     

  • Cement price hike: Umahi, Tambuwal inspect BUA’s 5th plant in Sokoto

    Cement price hike: Umahi, Tambuwal inspect BUA’s 5th plant in Sokoto

    Sen. David Umahi, Minister of Works, and Sen. Aminu Tambuwal (PDP-Sokoto), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Housing, on Thursday inspected the newly constructed BUA Cement’s fifth plant in Sokoto State.

    Umahi, who was in Sokoto to inspect the reconstruction of a 372 km dual road from Sokoto to Zaria in Kaduna State, urged BUA cement’s management to reduce the prices of cement in the market.

    He emphasised the government’s commitment to stabilizing the Naira’s value and assured the public that efforts were underway to address the rising costs of commodities.

    The minister disclosed that President Bola Tinubu was deeply concerned with the escalating prices of commodities including cement.

    He revealed that the president had directed cement companies to revert to the previous prices during a meeting with the manufacturers.

    “I encourage them to comply with the President’s directive, facilitating a massive housing programme and the national agenda for concrete roads,” he stated.

    Regarding the fifth plant, Umahi commended the company’s commitment and expressed confidence in the product’s quality, aligning with the government’s objectives.

    In his remarks, Tambuwal emphasised the importance of cement production in the housing sector, praising the collaboration between the government and BUA cement.

    “I believe this partnership will greatly support the Federal Government’s initiative to provide affordable housing, addressing the significant housing gap in the country,” he said.

    Tambuwal congratulated BUA for its steadfastness, saying that it will contribute significantly to the government’s initiative.

    The Managing Director of BUA, Mr. Yusuf Binji, assured that the fifth plant would significantly increase the daily cement production, contributing to lower market prices.

    “The new plant will add 165 trucks to our daily production capacity, further driving down the product’s price in the market,” Binji affirmed.

  • JUST IN : Supreme Court dismisses Umar’s appeal, affirms Aliyu as Sokoto Governor

    JUST IN : Supreme Court dismisses Umar’s appeal, affirms Aliyu as Sokoto Governor

    The Supreme Court has affirmed the election of Ahmed Aliyu as the governor of Sokoto State, dismissing the appeal of Saidu Umar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The judgement of the apex court panel led by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun was delivered by Justice Tijani Abubakar.

    The appellant had challenged the election of Governor Ahmed Aliyu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Umar and the PDP had asked the Supreme Court to set aside the concurrent judgements of the Court of Appeal of the Tribunal.

    He cited malpractices, non-compliance with the Electoral Act as grounds to nullify the election of Aliyu.

    He asked the court to declare him as the authentic winner of the election, or in the alternative, declare the election as inconclusive and order a re-run in about 138 polling units.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had last year declared Aliyu, the governorship candidate of the APC as the winner of the March 18 governorship election.

    Aliyu polled a total of 453,661 votes to defeat his closest rival and PDP candidate, who polled 404,632 votes.

    Dissatisfied with the outcome, Umar approached the Sokoto Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal and dismissed Umar’s petition against Governor Aliyu and his deputy, Idris Gobir.

    In a unanimous judgement on September 30, the Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Haruna Mshelia, dismissed Umar’s petition, saying the petitioners failed to prove their case beyond reasonable doubt.

    Still not satisfied with the ruling, the PDP candidate filed an appeal before the appellate court in Abuja but still lost.

    Last November, the Court of Appeal in Abuja affirmed the election of Ahmad Aliyu as governor of Sokoto State.

  • Kano Pillars beat Sokoto 14-1 to setup a quarter final clash with Lagos

    Kano Pillars beat Sokoto 14-1 to setup a quarter final clash with Lagos

    Kano pillars   Para-soccer team on Sunday pipped Sokoto team 14-1 to advance to the quarter final of the para-soccer at the ongoing Para-Sports Games in Abuja.

    The para soccer match was played at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

    The games which started on Saturday is expected to end on Dec.12.

    The Kano Pillars team appeared more determined and relaxed as they capitalised on the mistakes of the Sokoto team to score quick goals.

    Mubarak Ibrahim score four goals, Umar Dahiru, score six goals and Ibrahim Hashim scored a brace.

    Sani Gimbiya and substitute Auwalu Shuaibiu scored one each for Pillars in the 14-1 against Sokoto team while Lawali Mohammed scored the only goal for the  Sokoto team.

    Speaking after the match, Ibrahim Musa, Kano pillars para soccer coach said that he is optimistic of winning the trophy.

    “ My next game is 4.30pm against  Lagos team and I will also beat them with the same margin that I  beat the Sokoto team.

    “ We are all in high spirit and are committed to bring positive results to Kano state.

    “ My confidence is in my team winning all subsequent matches.I am happy, ” he said.

    A total of nine states are participating in the Para-soccer competition. They are Kwara team,Lagos team,FCT Abuja team,Bauchi team,Kano team,Sokoto team, kaduna team, Jigawa team and Plateau team.

    NAN reports that a total of 15 sports events are featuring in the second edition of the Para-Sports Games holding at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium.

    The sports are Amputee football, Nigeria Shooting Sport Federation, sitting Volleyball, para table tennis, para swimming, wheelchair basketball, para taekwondo, and wheelchair tennis.

    Others are para badminton, powerlifting, deaf sport, para athletics, para soccer, para karate and para canoe

  • Strike: Sokoto workers disregard union’s directives

    Strike: Sokoto workers disregard union’s directives

    Workers in Sokoto State on Tuesday defied the directives of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), proceeding with their official duties in spite of the nationwide indefinite strike call.

    Routine operations were conducted at the federal and state Ministries, banks, and schools.

    Malam Ismail Dayyabu, a classroom teacher, said that they were not served notice of the strike and they were only aware of a Court order restraining the union from striking.

    “We can do nothing but wait for proper communication. That’s why we went to work as usual, with no official engagements halted,” he explained.

    Similarly Alhaji Bala Dankasuwa, a trader, said he was ignorant of any strike action, emphasising that their leaders had not communicated such a decision.

    Meanwhile, the NLC and TUC, Sokoto State chapters have assured their commitment to enforcing total compliance with the nationwide strike in the state.

    Mr Hamisu Hussain, the state NLC Secretary, acknowledged the delayed communication of the strike information to workers in the state.

    He explained, “Due to the delayed notice, many workers in banks and Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) could not join the strike today.

    “However, I can assure you that by tomorrow, we will have a total compliance as we have notified all of them. No excuse will be accepted,” he said.

    Mr Bello Garba, the state TUC Secretary, condemned the alleged assault on the NLC President, Mr Joe Ajaero, during the union’s rally in Imo.

    Garba warned that such incidents could recur nationwide, if not properly addressed, while assuring the strike

  • VC clears air on bandit attack on Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto

    VC clears air on bandit attack on Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto

    The management of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, has reacted to viral reports that the institution has been taken over by bandits.

    The institution noted that the report is fake and emanated from mischief makers.

    The vice chancellor of the university, Prof.Lawal Bilbis, who spoke to journalists on Tuesday, said the Sunday incident was a robbery case and not a bandit attack.

    “Let me first and foremost appreciate your coming for an on-the-spot assessment of what really happened in the university so as to douse the tension as being speculated on social media.

    “I was alerted by security officials in the school to an incident and when I arrived at the mini-mart where the incident happened at about 11 pm on Sunday, it was observed that the case was a robbery and not a bandit attack.

    “They took two cartons of Maltina drinks and eight phones of students, which were being charged in some of the shops at the mart.

    “I immediately alerted the security agents, including the police, and NSCDC officials, and they all responded by sending their men to the scene.”

    The vice chancellor commended the security agents as well as the internal security architecture of the school for their prompt response to the incident.

  • Tribunal dismisses PDP’s petition against Gov. Aliyu, APC

    Tribunal dismisses PDP’s petition against Gov. Aliyu, APC

    The Sokoto Governorship Election Petition Tribunal on Saturday dismissed the petition against Gov. Ahmed Aliyu and his Deputy, Idris Gobir, filed by Sa’idu Umar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The petitioner, Umar was challenging the election of Aliyu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Gobir over an alleged non qualification and electoral fraud during the March 18, 2023 governorship election.

    In a unanimous judgement, the Tribunal Chairman, Justice Haruna Mshelia, said the petitioners were unable to prove the six grounds formulated in the petition.

    He said that the grounds bordered on alleged ineligibility for Aliyu and Gobir to contest, falsification of certificates, variation of names, election frauds and non compliance with electoral guidelines.

    Mshelia said also said that the petitioners were unable to prove the allegations beyond reasonable double as required by the law as 70 per cent of the exhibits were out of context because they related to State Assembly elections conducted on the same dates.

    According to him, to prove forgery, two different documents or persons needed to be presented and the petitioners failed while the variation of names issue was  settled Supreme Court provisions.

    Mshelia said that three subpoened witnesses were not tenable as they were not makers of the documents from the alleged primary school while other 28 polling units agents who testified could not fully  identify themselves along with thier roles.

    The triunal chairman said that the alleged 138 polling units’ frauds were not adduced to indicate how substantial non compliance of the elections had marred the election’s outcome.

    Mshelia added that the tribunal  dismissed all the preliminary objections on competency to institute the case by the respondents as the petitioners duly linked the grounds in the petition.

    He dismissed the petition for lack of merit and failure to prove the allegations by the petitioner.

  • Four killed, 18 others abducted by gunmen in Sokoto

    Four killed, 18 others abducted by gunmen in Sokoto

    The police in Sokoto state has confirmed the killing of four persons and abduction of 18 others during an attack by gunmen  in Giyawa village, Goronyo Local Government Area of the state.

    It was gathered that assailants also carted away valuables including livestock during the attack.

    The development was confirmed by the Spokesman of the Command, ASP Ahmed Rufai, said the assailants also carted away valuables including livestock.

    According to Rufai, seven of the abducted victims later escaped and returned to the community.

    However, he disclosed that many residents have fled the community.
    Rufai assured that operatives of the Command are on the trail of the assailants, adding that efforts are being made to ensure that normalcy is restored in the community.

    Although the Police maintained that only 11 persons are still being held by the bandits, a source in the community alleged that over 30 persons were abducted.

  • Tribunal reserves judgment in Sokoto governorship tussle

    Tribunal reserves judgment in Sokoto governorship tussle

    The Sokoto Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has reserved judgment in the petition against Gov. Ahmed Aliyu and Dep. Gov. Idris Gobir, filed by Sa’idu Umar of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The Tribunal Chairman, Justice Haruna Mshelia, reserved judgment after parties adopted their final written addresses on Saturday, adding that a date would be communicated to parties in September.

    The Petitioner, Umar is challenging the election of Gov. Aliyu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Gobir over alleged non qualification and electoral fraud during the March 18 governorship election.

    At the sitting, lead Counsel to the petitioner, Aare Akinboro SAN, urged the Tribunal to consider the evidences and witnesses from party agents that proved gross irregularities in the election, mostly marred by violence.

    Akinboro argued that more importantly, the evidence that showed discrepancy in Gov. Aliyu’s secondary school and university certificates that were different from Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) presented documents.

    He prayed the tribunal to take cognisance of the School Register of Town Primary School, Sabon Birni, from 1986-1987 and a letter from Town Model Primary School Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

    He highlighted that records of all registered schools in Sabon Birni Local Government from Federal Ministry of Education, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and Local Government Education Authority and other related exhibits should be perused.

    He added that non of the government agencies had records of existence of Model Primary School  as stated by Gobir to be the school that issued him primary certificate.

    Akinboro argued that the petitioners had successfully established facts in proof of all the grounds as 32 competent witnesses that comprised INEC officials, State PDP chairman, headmaster of the Town Model Primary School Sabon Birni, and others were presented and admitted documents.

    He further urged the tribunal to dismiss all the preliminary objections on competency to institute the case.

    He also urged the tribunal to disregard objections on the admissibility of documents tendered as they were relevant and germane.

    The petitioners counsel said based on the submissions, the respondents at the time of the election, were not qualified to contest the election and prayed that by virtue of the non qualification, votes were wrongfully attributed to them.

    According to him, respondents abandoned facts as they presented two defence witnesses who were unable to counter or prove otherwise the facts presented by 32 witnesses and bundle of evidences.

    He prayed the tribunal to void Gov. Aliyu’s election and declare Umar the winner of the March 18, 2023 governorship election.

    Petitioners also prayed the tribunal to mandate INEC to issue a new certificate of return to the petitioner as the duly elected Governor of Sokoto State, having scored the majority of the lawful votes cast or order for another election, excluding the respondents.

    The respondents counsel, led by Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN, also adopted their final written addresses, disagreeing with arguments and urged the tribunal to dismiss the petition.

    Olanipekun averred that relevant documents and right witnesses have been presented along guiding laws.

    APC Counsel, Mr Hassan Liman SAN, argued that “mere variation of name does not validate candidacy as arrangement of names does deter Gov. Aliyu’s  qualification”.

    The respondents prayed the tribunal to dismiss the petition and uphold the election of Gov. Aliyu and Gobir.

  • Troops destroy bandit camps, rescue kidnapped victims in North West

    Troops destroy bandit camps, rescue kidnapped victims in North West

    The Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation Hadarin Daji covering Sokoto, Katsina, Kebbi, and Zamfara states have neutralised scores of bandits, rescued kidnapped victims, recovered items and destroyed bandits’ hideouts in the ongoing clearance operation in the Northwest.

    A statement issued Friday by the army headquarters, armed bandits attempted to infiltrate and attack Isa LGA of Sokoto state, the vigilant troops deployed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) responded swiftly and repelled the attack with superior firepower which forced the bandits to flee with gunshot wounds as traces of blood stains were seen in their routes during the pursuit.

    The statement reads: “Similarly, troops of Team 8 of Sector 3 Operation Hadarin Daji deployed at Sabon Birni in Sokoto state conducted clearance operations, discovered and destroyed bandits’ hideouts at Kusabunni Forest, Tafkin gawo, Alumdawa, Ungwar Mailele and Malamawa villages in Sokoto state.

    “However, bandits fled and abandoned their hideouts before the arrival of the troops. Items recovered from the bandit’s hideouts are 3 Motorcycles, 3 AK-47 Magazines and Ammunition.”

    Other items recovered included varieties of pairs of both military and foreign camouflage uniforms including Police uniform and a Radio.

    Also, responding to a distress call on bandits kidnapped activities and rustling of a large number of animals, yroops of Sector 2 in Katsina state swiftly mobilized an offensive operation along the withdrawal routes of the abductors at Kore town in Batagarawa LGA of Katsina state.

    The army headquarters said on sighting troops, bandits fled and abandoned the kidnapped victims and the rustled animals.

    In addition, troops of Operation Hadarin Daji in Katsina state successfully rescued four persons who were captured from their farm lands by armed bandits along Ungwan Madugu of Dandume LGA of Katsina state.

    “The victims were abandoned by their captors and fled when the troops in conjunction with vigilantes mobilized to the scene and successfully rescued the victims. The victims have been handed over to their families while the recovered cattle were handed over to the rightful owners.”