TheNewsGuru

Tag: Sokoto

  • Pastor Adeboye shelves Sokoto Light Up crusade

    Pastor Adeboye shelves Sokoto Light Up crusade

    The General overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has suspended the Light Up crusade scheduled to hold physically in Sokoto from May 16 to 17, 2022.

     

    According to Pastor Adeboye, the postponement followed the killing of a student of Shehu Shagari College of Education in Sokoto, Deborah Samuel, for alleged blasphemy against Prophet Muhammad.

     

    The state has seen unrest over the arrest of two persons allegedly involved in the killing, forcing the governor Aminu Tambuwal to declare a curfew.

     

    Pastor Adeboye, in a social media post on Monday, urged members of the church to join the crusade virtually.

     

    “Postponed but God turned it around. We Trust In Our God’s Big Picture Plan! When God turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them in that dream.

     

    “We serve a God who specializes in using the impossible situation for His glory,” Pastor Adeboye wrote.

     

    In the wake of the killing, the Christian Association of Nigeria called for a nationwide protest slated for May 22 to demand justice for the slain Sokoto student.

     

    Deborahl was laid to rest on Saturday in her hometown in Tunga Magajiya, Rijau LGA of Niger state.

    Deborah

     

    Her remains were buried around 6:30 pm at the Christian cemetery in Tunga Magajiya.

     

    Emmanuel Maaji, the uncle of the deceased who is a pastor at ECWA church, led the prayers before she was buried.

     

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that a mob killed Deborah over alleged blasphemy on Thursday.

     

    Videos of the late student being stoned and beaten with sticks were shared on social media.

     

    Her killing had sparked outrage across the country, with Nigerians asking the government to fish out the perpetrators of the crime.

     

    There was also a flurry of condemnation from civil society organisations (CSOs), Muslim leaders and groups, most notably Muhammadu Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto.

     

    The police command in Sokoto had also announced the arrest of two suspects in connection with the killing.

     

    On Saturday morning, some Muslim youths in Sokoto took to the streets to protest the arrest of the suspects.

     

    The protesters were armed with placards that read: “Release our Muslim brothers”, “Muslims Are Not Terrorists”, and “Peaceful riot”.

  • Just In: Court remands two suspects in prison over Deborah’s death

    Just In: Court remands two suspects in prison over Deborah’s death

    A Magistrate Court sitting in Sokoto has remanded two suspects arrested over the murder of a 200-level student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Deborah Samuel, for alleged blasphemy.

    The Police arraigned the two suspects, Bilyaminu Aliyu and Aminu Hukunchi, who are also students of the college, on Monday.

    The Police First Information Report said both suspects were arraigned as a result of the mob action, which led to Deborah’s lynching.

    Both suspects pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against them following their arraignment.

    Against this backdrop, the prosecutor, Inspector Khalil Musa, prayed the court for another date to enable the Police to complete its investigation.

    However, the defence counsels, led by Professor Mansur Ibrahim, who did not oppose the application, pleaded with the court to grant the defendants bail.

    Ibrahim cited sections 157, 161(a,f) and 164 of the administration of criminal justice law of Sokoto state, as well as 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

    The court, however, adjourned ruling on the application to a later date which would be communicated to the lawyers.

    It, therefore, directed the defendants to be remanded at the Sokoto Correctional Centre.

  • Gov. Tambuwal relaxes Sokoto curfew

    Gov. Tambuwal relaxes Sokoto curfew

    Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State on Monday relaxed the 24-hour curfew imposed on Sokoto metropolis on Saturday.

    The curfew will now be from dusk to dawn.

    The governor imposed the curfew to contain the tension that followed the murder of a 200-Level Home Economics student of Shehu Shagari College of Education in Sokoto over alleged blasphemy.

    The lifting of the curfew is contained in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Isa Bajini-Galadanchi.

    He stated that the relaxation of the curfew followed briefing by security agencies in the state.

    “The review is to enable people to go about their legitimate businesses and other means of livelihood,’’ he added.

    The commissioner quoted Gov. Tambuwal as advising residents to maintain peace and warned that government would not condone any breach of the law.

  • Curfew: Sokoto Govt suspends schools resumption by one week

    Curfew: Sokoto Govt suspends schools resumption by one week

    Sokoto State Government has announced the suspension of the resumption of basic and secondary schools in the state by one week.

    Thenewsguru.com reports that schools are supposed to resume on Sunday and Monday, for boarding and day students.

    The suspension was announced via a statement by Malam Ibrahim Iya, spokesperson of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, on Sunday in Sokoto.

    It said that the suspension was a sequel to the 24-hour curfew declared by the government.

    It added that the Commissioner of Basic and Secondary Education, Dr Bello Guiwa, directed all public and private schools to resume on May 22, for boarding and May 23, for day students.

    “However, final year students who are supposed to begin their WAEC examination on Monday, 16th May 2022, are not affected.

    “Parents, teachers, SBMC’s and PTAs are expected to comply with the directive please,” it added.

    In a related development, corps members serving in Sokoto State, especially those in Sokoto metropolis, have been advised to remain at home due to the 24-hour curfew.

    This was contained in another statement from the spokesperson of the scheme in Sokoto State, Malam Sani Idris, on Sunday in Sokoto,

    It said that the management of the scheme had contacted all the security agencies, to ensure the safety of its corps members throughout the curfew period and beyond.

    “Arrangements have also been made for the Police and Army patrol vehicles to intensify surveillance in all of the corps members’ locations.

    “Management urged corps members to remain calm and law-abiding at all time and also assured them that things would soon return to normalcy in the state,” it added.

    The government had on Saturday, declared a 24-hour curfew on Sokoto metropolis, following violent protests by some youths.

    They were seeking the release of some suspects arrested by the security agencies due to the alleged killing and burning of Miss Deborah Yakubu, on Thursday.

    Yakubu, a 200-level Home Economics student of the Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, was alleged to have committed blasphemy in a school WhatsApp group.

    Her remains were said to have been buried on Saturday in her hometown, Tungar Magajiya, Rijau Local Government of Niger by her family.

    The Sokoto State Government and other security agencies are also conducting investigations into the incident.

  • BREAKING: CAN writes church leaders to embark on nation wide protest over Deborah’s death

    BREAKING: CAN writes church leaders to embark on nation wide protest over Deborah’s death

    …says enough is enough

    …as Sokoto boils

    The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN has written to its leaders requesting for a nationwide peaceful protest over the killing of Deborah Samuel in Sokoto by irate youths over alleged blasphemy.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) recalls Deborah Samuel was killed on Thursday by Sokoto youths over alleged blasphemy.

    In the letter addressed to all Block leaders and signed by CAN Secretary General, Joseph Daramola, the body requested for a peaceful demonstration over the killing of Deborah.

    The body declared that “enough is enough of killing in the name of God”.

    In the letter dated May 14, CAN demanded for justice to redress the killing of Deborah.

    Meanwhile, irate youths have taken over the streets of Sokoto demanding that suspects arrested in connection to her death should be released.

    See letter below:

    Request fork Protest for the killing of Deborah

  • Reflect on how relevant your actions are in a troubled democracy – Oby Ezekwesili tells NBA

    Reflect on how relevant your actions are in a troubled democracy – Oby Ezekwesili tells NBA

    Former education minister, Oby Ezekwesili, has urged Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), whose annaul conference is scheduled to hold in Sokoto, to use the moment to reflect on “how relevant its actions are in a troubled democracy.”

    The annual NBA conference is scheduled to hold from Sunday, May 22 to Thursday, May 26, 2022.

     

    Following Thursday’s killing of a student, Deborah Samuel, in Sokoto for alleged blasphemy, the former education withdrew from participating at the NBA’s conference.

     

    Mrs Ezekwesili, who was billed to speak during a session on ‘democratic evolution and nation-building, noted that she would be boycotting the event in protest against the killing of the student.

     

    The former World Bank executive added, “I shall no longer participate. NBA owes citizens like #DeborahSamuel #EuniceOlawale #BridgetAgbaheme the judicial activism to enforce Justice.”

     

    “I have decided to withdraw my Speaking commitment to @NigBarAssoc for its event holding in Sokoto. I was billed to speak from abroad via Zoom but even now will no longer do so,” she noted.

     

    Those scheduled to speak in the session alongside Ezekwesili are INEC chairman Prof Mahmood Yakubu, Rivers State Governor and presidential aspirant Nyesom Wike among others.

     

    Earlier, rights lawyer Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa called on the NBA to cancel the conference over the killing of Samuel.

  • Sultan declares Monday as new date for Eid-El-Fitr

    Sultan declares Monday as new date for Eid-El-Fitr

    The Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, has declared Monday as the first day of Shawwal following the inability of the National Moon Sighting Committee to sight this year’s Shawwal moon.

    The Secretary of the National Moon Sighting Committee (NMSC), Mallam Yahaya Muhammad Boyi, made this known in a terse statement on Saturday night.

    He said, “The Sultanate Council Sokoto, has declared Monday 2/5/2022 as the first day of Shuwal 1443 AH”.

    With the fresh development, Ramadan fast may continue on Sunday in Saudi Arabia and some other countries across the world.

    “Monday… is the first day of the blessed Eid al-Fitr for this year,” with Sunday the last day of Ramadan, the official Saudi Press Agency said Saturday, citing a royal court statement.

    Nigeria, including some Gulf states like the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain did not sight the moon.

    The timing of Eid is determined by the sighting of the crescent moon, in accordance with the Muslim’s Hijrah calendar.

    The holiday is normally celebrated by families gathering together.

  • Boat mishap: Sultan of Sokoto reacts to death of 29 teenagers

    Boat mishap: Sultan of Sokoto reacts to death of 29 teenagers

    The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, says the death of 29 teenagers in a boat mishap at Gidan-Magana village, Shagari Local Government Area of Sokoto State, as tragic.

    Abubakar III expressed his feelings on Friday during a condolence visit to the bereaved families, people and government of Sokoto state on the tragedy that occured on Wednesday.

    The Sultan, who was represented by the Sarkin Kabin Yabo, Alhaji Muhammadu Maiturare, however described the incident as an inevitable act of Almighty Allah.

    “All of us mortals must die, must at one time or the other die, and we pray to the Almighty Allah to grant them Aljannat Firdaus.

    “We are also fervently praying for Him to grant the families, people and government of Sokoto state the formidable fortitude to bear the irreplaceable losses.”

    The Sultan is currently in Saudi Arabia performing Umrah (lesser Hajj/pilgrimage).

    Meanwhile, Rep. Abubakar Umar (APC-Sokoto) on Friday also condoled with the people of the village over the death of the teenagers.

    Umar expressed shock over the tragic death of the teenage firewood hawkers.

    Umar beseeched the Almighty Allah to grant them eternal rest as well as give their families the fortitude to bear the irreparable losses.

    He donated N300,000 to the bereaved families, N100,000 to the residents and two hundred bags of cement for the rehabilitation of the village cemetery.

    The deceased lost their lives on Wednesday when the boat they were traveling in on Shagari river in search of firewood capsized.

    Out of the figure, 23 were females, six males, while six victims were rescued alive.

  • Killings: Buhari’s delegation meets Tambuwal, vows to flush out bandits in Sokoto, other troubled states

    Killings: Buhari’s delegation meets Tambuwal, vows to flush out bandits in Sokoto, other troubled states

    President Muhammadu Buhari has restated the Federal Government’s commitment to flush out banditry perpetrators and protect citizens from the onslaught of all forms of criminal activities in the country.

    Buhari gave the assurance on Friday when the Federal Government delegation paid a condolence visit to Gov. Aminu Tambuwal over the killings of 23 travellers by suspected bandits.

    This is contained in a statement by Malam Muhammad Bello, Special Adviser to the governor on Media and Publicity, on Saturday in Sokoto.

    The president’s condolence message was delivered through the Head of the Federal Government delegation and National Security Adviser (NSA), retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno.

    Monguno commended Tambuwal for shoving an official trip, to receive the federal government delegation at a short notice.

    ”We are in Sokoto on a specific mission instructed by President Buhari, to condole you and the very good people of Sokoto State as well as the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, over the unfortunate incidents that have been occurring over the last couple of weeks.

    ”Mr President views the occurrence as unfortunate series of developments in which very innocent lives have been lost.
    “Every life of a citizen is important, it gives great concern to the president that lives are being lost in inhuman conditions.

    “Mr President is conveying his profound condolence over the loss of all the citizens who have departed.
    ”He also wants us to express his deep sympathy as well as his determination that the perpetrators of this gruesome, wicked activities are apprehended and brought to book.

    “Mr President is deeply troubled that fellow citizens had to go through this trauma. He has charged to make sure that all the relevant agencies do not rest until we are able to flush out the perpetrators of not just these last two incidents that occurred, but also previous incidents.

    “Each of the top security chief in the country is here, an indication that Mr President wants us to address this issue in order to provide comfort to the people of Sokoto State,” Monguno was quoted as saying in the statement.

    Responding, Tambuwal said Sokoto State was in the appalling grip of bandits and kidnappers marauding and scaring the populace in recent times.

    Tambuwal said the situation was exacerbated by the influx of bandits and criminals displaced by the ongoing “Operation Hadarin Daji,” to end the nefarious activities in neighboring Zamfara.

    ”This has left Sokoto State vulnerable to the deadly and inhuman activities of criminal elements.

    ”The consequences of Operation Hadarin Daji has resulted, before now and in the last four days in broad daylight attacks and kidnappings occurred in parts of Isa, Sabon Birni, Tangaza, Illela and other local government areas of the state.

    “The timing of the operation might not be conducive as security agents might not have enough equipment to move and contain those that moved to Sokoto State. So the timing and way the operation was being carried out left Sokoto vulnerable.” the governor said in the statement.

    According to the statement, members of the federal government delegation include the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Usman Baba-Alkali, Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI), Maj.-Gen. Samuel Adebayo, Director-Generals of the State Security Service (DSS) and National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Mr Yusuf Bichi and Amb. Ahmed Rufa’i, respectively.

  • Buhari dispatches security, intelligence heads to Sokoto, Katsina States over incessant attacks, killings

    Buhari dispatches security, intelligence heads to Sokoto, Katsina States over incessant attacks, killings

    President Muhammadu Buhari Friday dispatched a high-level delegation, made up of the heads of the nation’s intelligence and security services to Sokoto and Katsina States in response to the recent spike in bandit activities.

    According to senior special media aide, Garba Shehu, the president is expecting an immediate situation report and recommendations on actions to follow to effectively deal with the worrying situation.

    The delegation led by the National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Munguno (Rtd) is made up of the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, the Director-General of the DSS Yusuf Magaji Bichi, the Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Ahmed Rufa’i Abubakar and the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major General Samuel Adebayo.

    The president’s latest action was prompted by the recent gruesome killing of several travelers in Sokoto and the assassination of a commissioner in Katsina State.

    President Buhari in an earlier statement expressed sadness and condemned the killings saying it shows that the evil his administration is confronting is one that requires the support and involvement of all Nigerians.

    He extended deep condolences to the families of the victims, assuring Nigerians that security agencies would continue to give their all to bring to an end the operations of the criminals.