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Tag: Sokoto

  • Bandits kill two, kidnap four after evening prayers in Sokoto

    Bandits kill two, kidnap four after evening prayers in Sokoto

    Two persons have been killed while four others have been abducted by bandits who attacked Tangaza town in the northern district of Sokoto state on Friday.

    According to residents in the area, the bandits attacked the town after the evening prayers and started shooting sporadically, killing a shop owner on the spot.

    A young girl was also shot and was rushed to the hospital, but later died.

    Three other persons who were injured are now said to be receiving treatment.

    In the process of the attack, the bandits carted away foodstuffs and drinks.

    According to residents, the timely intervention of security agencies alongside local vigilantes who rescued one of the kidnap victims helped in reducing the number of casualties.

    About five children were kidnapped, while one was rescued after security personnel chased one of the bandits into the bush.

    Meanwhile, the Sokoto State Police Command PPRO, ASP Sanusi Abubakar confirmed the incident but maintained that only one person was killed and there was no abduction.

    The attack comes a few days following reports that a threat letter was sent to some communities in Sokoto from suspected bandits.

    In the letter written in the Hausa language, the said attackers mentioned five communities – Shuni, Kwanar Kimba, Rikina, and Dange, all in Dange/Shuni Local Government Area, causing panic among the residents.

    Sokoto is one of the states in the North-West region that has recently come under attack by bandits who kidnap for ransom, rape, steal, and murder people.

    Some other states such as Zamfara and Katsina, plagued with similar challenges, have taken up more stringent measures to curb the crime rate such as the shutting down of telecoms services and the closure of some markets and filling stations.

  • Police deploy officers after bandits’ letter to residents

    Police deploy officers after bandits’ letter to residents

    The police in Sokoto State have deployed officers to areas marked for attacks by suspected bandits in the state.

    Premium Times reports that suspected bandits had last week written a letter in Hausa language, informing some communities of their plan to attack them.

    In the letter, the bandits said residents of the communities could invite “over one hundred soldiers to protect them but they would still attack the communities.”

    The communities mentioned in the letter are Kwanar Kimba, Shuni, Dange and Rikina.

    A source in Isa town, Basharu Altine, said there has been apprehension in the communities since the letter was discovered.

    “Some people believe the letter was fake and was written by some boys but we don’t want to take chances because the bandits can do anything,” Mr Altine said.

    He added that the letter was found by some young people in Kwanar Kimba last Saturday.

    However, commenting on the issue, the police spokesperson in the state, Sanusi Abubakar, said the polie not taking the threat lightly.

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    He said more officers have been deployed to the mentioned areas to forestall any attack.

  • Insecurity: Tambuwal invokes Executive Order banning sale, transportation of cattle, firewood, others in Sokoto

    Insecurity: Tambuwal invokes Executive Order banning sale, transportation of cattle, firewood, others in Sokoto

    Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, has invoked an executive order banning motorists from plying Marnona/Issa Road linking the eastern part of the state.

    The Commissioner for Information, Isa Bajini, disclosed this via a statement issued on Wednesday, noting that the move followed the rising challenges in the state.

    Sokoto is one of the few states in the North-West that is affected by the activities of bandits who kidnap for ransom, rape, steal and attack villages.

    But the commissioner said his principal signed the order in exercising the powers conferred on him by Section 176, Subsection (2) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

    The order, known as Security Challenges (containment) Order, also seeks to suspend the sale of all animals and transportation of cattle in trucks/lorries in 13 local government areas of the state.

    It further states that only designated filling stations are allowed to sell petrol and Diesel of not more than ₦5,000 to motorists in the said local council and takes immediate effect.

    The affected local governments include Gada, Goronyo, Gudu, Ilele, Isa, Kebbe, Sabin Birni, Shagari, Rabah, Tambuwal, Tangaza, Tureta and Wurno.

    See the full statement below:

     

    PRESS RELEASE

    SOKOTO STATE ON INSECURITY

    Due to the prevailing insecurity in the state, occasioned by armed banditry which has led to huge loss of lives and properties, undermining free movement of people, goods and services in the affected areas, the Governor of Sokoto State, Rt Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, CFR, Mutawallen Sokoto has approved an Executive Order in response to the situation.

    The Governor is in the exercise of powers conferred upon him by the Subsection (2) of Section 176 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, to issue the order to be known as: Security Challenges (Containment) Order.

    The Order takes effect immediately today, September 1, 2021 and directs as follows:

    1. Immediate total closure of Isa Marnona Road to all motorists until further notice. Travelers plying that road are advised to go through the Goronyo-Sabon Birni axis.
    2. Lorries/Trucks or other vehicles carrying firewood from the forests are hereby prohibited;
    3. Suspension of the sale of all animals at the markets of Gada, Goronyo, Gudu, Ilela, Isa, Kebbe, Sabon Birni, Shagari, Rabah Tambuwal Tangaza, Tureta and Wurno Local Governments Areas;
    4. Prohibition of transportation of cattle using trucks/lorries in Gada, Goronyo, Gudu, Illela, Isa, Kebbe, Sabon Birni, Shagari, Rabah Tambuwal Tangaza, Tureta and Wurno Local Governments Areas;
    5. Prohibition of carrying 3 persons on motorcycles and more than 3 passengers on a tricycle throughout the State;
    6. Prohibition of the sale of second-hand motorcycles at Gada, Goronyo, Gudu, Ilela, Isa, Kebbe, Sabon Birni, Shagari, Rabah Tambuwal Tangaza, Tureta, Achida, Gande, Gwadabawa and Wurno Markets;
    7. Prohibition of operation of commercial tricycles and motorcycles from 10:00 pm to 6:00 a.m in the State Capital, and 6:00 p.m 6:00 a.m in Gada Goronyo, Gudu, Gwadabawa, Illela, Isa, Kebbe, Sabon Birni, Shagari, Rabah Tambuwal Tangaz, Tureta and Wurno Local Governments Areas.
    8. Prohibition of the sale of petrol in jerrycans at filling stations.
    9. Only designated Filling stations are allowed to sell petrol and diesel of not more than N5,000.00 to motorists in Gada, Goronyo, Gudu, Ilela, Isa, Kebbe, Sabon Birni, Shagari, Rabah, Tambuwal Tangaza, Tureta and Wurno Local Governments Areas
    10. Only authorized essential workers (health personnel, security personnel and Journalists) could use tricycles and motorcycles beyond the banned periods.

    The State Governor, Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal urges the people of Sokoto State to adhere to the provisions of the order, which is passed after wide consultation with all Stakeholders and constituted authorities as well security and law enforcement agencies.

    The Government has taken the measure out of the need to introduce additional countervailing measures in the affected areas in order to contain the banditry and mitigate the damages it is causing to social and economic activities and preserve peace;

    SIGNED:

    Alhaji Isa Bajini,

    Hon. Commissioner for Information, Sokoto State

  • Stomach flu outbreak kills 23 in Sokoto

    Stomach flu outbreak kills 23 in Sokoto

    No fewer than 23 people have died as a result of the outbreak of gastroenteritis, also known as stomach flu, in some communities in Sokoto State.

    The Commissioner for Health in the state, Mohammed Iname, confirmed the deaths to reporters at a briefing on Tuesday.

    He disclosed that the outbreak has affected 13 out of the 23 local government areas of the state, adding that over 260 people have been infected with the disease.

    Some of the affected local government areas are Dange/Shuni, Kebne, Gwadabawa, Tangaza, Isa, Bodinga, Wamakko, and Silame.

    Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines caused by bacterial toxins or viral infection and marked by diarrhoea, cramps, nausea, vomiting, and fever in an infected person.

    It is typically spread by contact with an infected person or through contaminated food or water.

    In Sokoto, authorities say Gwadabawa Local Government Area has recorded the highest infection rate with over 47 confirmed cases.

    Iname asked residents to be very careful during this period as the disease is highly contagious and easily transmitted from person to person through casual contact.

    He advised them to limit the rate of visitation to affected areas as this has been discovered to be a major source of transmission.

    The commissioner also warned medical practitioners and other health workers to stop treating infected persons at home.

    He said the state government has made adequate provisions to tackle the outbreak and seeking help from experts and relevant agencies to curb the spread.

    Residents should go about their normal activities as the state government is monitoring the situation closely, Iname averred.

  • NSCDC arrests wanted bandit in Sokoto

    NSCDC arrests wanted bandit in Sokoto

    The Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), has arrested a suspected bandit, Bello Galadima in Sokoto State.

    Mr Saleh Dada, the Commandant of NSCDC in the state told newsmen on Wednesday that Galadima, 40, had been on the wanted list.

    Dada said that the suspect was apprehended on Tuesday at his hideout at Aliyu Jodi in the Sokoto metropolis.

    The commandant said that the suspect was arrested when he came out to buy drugs, mostly sexual enhancing medicaments for his group members.

    He explained that the suspect’s arrest followed an intelligence report on his activities and movement of his group members around Hamma Ali community.

    The commandant commended the community for providing information on security challenges in their environment and assured them of maximum protection.

  • Bandits kidnap over 60 travellers in Sokoto, kill two

    Bandits kidnap over 60 travellers in Sokoto, kill two

    Over sixty travellers have been abducted by bandits along the Sokoto-Gusau highway.

    An official of the Sokoto Mass Transit said one of their buses was attacked by the bandits.

    The official who spoke under condition of anonymity with Channels Television said the bandits blocked the highway on Sunday Morning wielding sophisticated weapons and eventually kidnapped over sixty travellers.

    A bus driver and one other passenger escaped the attack but the rest of the passengers were taken away into the bush by the bandits.

    Local residents also explained that the bandits blocked Wurno-Goronyo road around 5:00 p.m. the same day, killing two people and abducting others.

    The attack on Wurno-Goronyo road was confirmed by the Chairman of Wurno Local Government Area, Abubakar Arzika.

    He said two people, including a lady, were killed by the bandits.

    He, however, could not confirm the abduction of other passengers along the road, saying police were still investigating the matter.

    Police authorities in the state are yet to release a statement on the incident.

    Kidnapping for ransom has become commonplace in Sokoto and many other states in Nigeria.

    The attacks are carried out by armed bandits whose aim is to terrorise residents and make money.

    Apart from the kidnappings, the bandits also kill residents of communities at will. A group of bandits recently shot down an alpha jet the military was using to attack the bandits in Zamfara State.

  • Court orders final forfeiture of N1.3bn to FG in EFCC vs Zenith bank, Aishatu Magaji, others

    Court orders final forfeiture of N1.3bn to FG in EFCC vs Zenith bank, Aishatu Magaji, others

    Justice Mohammed Mohammed of the Sokoto State High Court has granted a final Order, forfeiting the sum of N1.36bn to the Federal Government through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

    The respondents in the charge are Aishatu Bandado Magaji, First Ninety Degrees Continental Ltd, Priceless Legacy Hub Ltd, ABM International Ltd and Zenith Bank Plc.

     

    The Judge had on July 2, 2021 granted an interim Order of forfeiture of the said amount following an exparte application by the Commission and directed that the order be published in a national newspaper for any one with interest in the said asset to show cause, why it should not be finally forfeited the Federal Government of Nigeria.

    At yesterday’s hearing, counsel to the EFCC, S. H Sa’ad informed the Court that the Commission had complied with its order for the publication of the interim Order and urged the Court to Order the final forfeiture of the said amount to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

    Counsel to the five respondents, Shamsu Dauda did not oppose the application. Justice Mohammed consequently ordered the final forfeiture of the sum to the Federal Government.

    The Sokoto Zonal Office of the EFCC had through intelligence traced the funds, suspected to be proceeds of illicit activities to the account of the first respondent, Aishatu Bandado Magaji domiciled in a new generation bank.

    The respondents in the charge are Aishatu Bandado Magaji, First Ninety Degrees Continental Ltd, Priceless Legacy Hub Ltd, ABM International Ltd and Zenith Bank Plc.

  • Boat mishap kills 13 in Sokoto, Tambuwal, Wamakko mourn

    Boat mishap kills 13 in Sokoto, Tambuwal, Wamakko mourn

    The Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal, and Chairman, Senate Committee on Defence, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, have mourned the death of 13 people in a boat mishap on Thursday.

    The victims were said to be travelling from Doruwa to Ginga when the boat capsized.

    The Chairman of the Shagari Local Government Council, Alhaji Aliyu Dantine Shagari, said eight of the victims were married women and the remaining five were children and elderly men.

    He revealed that investigations are still ongoing as to find out what caused the mishap.

    The chairman noted that all their bodies had been recovered and buried in line with the Islamic rites.

    The state governor who condoled with the people on Friday promised to provide them with motorised boats and life jackets.

    Senator Wamakko in a statement expressed shock at the death of the people and lamented that it happened barely nine days after the deaths of over one hundred people in a similar tragedy in Warrah Local Government of Kebbi State.

    He prayed to the Almighty Allah to grant the deceased persons Aljannat Firdaus.

  • Constitution review: Sultan canvasses unrestricted usage of the Hijab

    Constitution review: Sultan canvasses unrestricted usage of the Hijab

    Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, Sultan of Sokoto, has advocated the use of Hijab by Muslim women, without restrictions and in total observance of the freedom of religion in the country.

    The Sultan, who is also the President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), stated this in Birnin Kebbi, on Tuesday, at the North West Zonal Public Hearing on the Constitution Review organised by the House of Representatives for Stakeholders from Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara.

    Abubakar wondered why the wearing of the Hijab would be a problem for others who were not using it, stressing that the other religions could also be encouraged to adopt what their religions ordered them to do.

    “The most important issue is the issue of religion. Almighty God created us to worship Him and you must protect my rights as a Muslim, in whatever documents you are going to bring and there are no two ways about it.

    “I must have freedom to worship Allah the way Almighty says I should worship Him. So, why do people make too much noise about Shariah and its implementation?

    “It is all about our lives as Muslims from the day of our birth till we die. So, look at the way to protect the interests of Muslims that constitute over 50 per cent of this nation’s population. Whether in the North, East, South or West.

    “I believe Nobody should stop me from practising my religion and I must practice it to the best of my ability, without tampering with other religions or their freedom. You can pick a stone and keep it in your home; that is the problem between you and your God, not me.

    “There are so many cases where young girls were denied the right to use their Hijabs in schools. Why is it that the use of the Hijab becomes a problem to those people who are not using Hijab?

    “On the other hand, we should even encourage persons of other faiths to do what their religions ordered them to do. And that is how we will live in peace,” he said.

  • Gunmen invade Sokoto Commissioner’s residence, abduct family members

    Gunmen invade Sokoto Commissioner’s residence, abduct family members

    Unknown gunmen suspected to be bandits in the early hours of Wednesday stormed the residence of Bashir Gorau, Sokoto State Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development.

    Gorau disclosed this on Wednesday via his verified Facebook account.

    He said that the armed men took away his sister-in-law and brother.

    His post reads, “Innalillahi wa Inna wa innalillahi Rajiuun!!!.

    “It was about 12:45 am, bandits attacked our House in Gorau Town, Goronyo local government area and abducted the wife of our elder brother Alhaji Lawali Gorau and one of our brothers, Hassan Manya.

    “May God protect and return them to us safely, Amin. We are in need of your prayers fellow Muslims.”

    Gorau did not disclose if anyone else was taken from the village.