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Tag: Zamfara State

  • ‘How Nassarawa, Zamfara, Borno are tackling insecurity’

    ‘How Nassarawa, Zamfara, Borno are tackling insecurity’

    The all-inclusive approach of Gov. Bello Matawalle in addressing insecurity was yielding tremendous result in Zamfara, the state Commissioner for Security and Home Affairs, retired DIG Mamman Tsafe, has said.

    Speaking with newsmen at the Annual Lecture and Fourth Investiture of the Institute of Security and Strategic Studies (ISSS) on Saturday in Abuja, Tsafe said that Matawalle “inherited a very turbulent state”.

    “That is why he started with negotiations and inclusiveness to ensure that the level of insecurity was reduced.

    “He has succeeded tremendously because, hitherto, the area was increasingly becoming inhabitable, but with the deployment of an all-inclusive approach, he has been able to ameliorate the situation,“ the commissioner said.

    Tsafe represented Matawalle at the event where the governor received “Best Governor of collective Security Advocate 2020” award.

    Also speaking, Deputy Speaker, Borno House of Assembly, Alhaji Abdullahi Askira, who represented Gov. Babagana Zulum, said that courage and confidence had been the governor’s secrets in confronting insecurity in Borno.

    Askira said the governor’s approach to security had endeared him to the electorate and citizens of Borno, adding that Zulum had continued to ensure that all internally displaced persons(IDPs) were returned to their ancestral homes.

    He urged all Nigerians to support the fight against insecurity in parts of the country, adding that security required collaborative approach.

    “One of the governor‘s secret is that he is courageous and when there is courage and confidence you can do almost everything.

    “With the people’s support and the governor’s courage and attitude towards the people, he has been able to achieve a lot in security, and the electorates and Borno citizens have been with him.

    “The security situation in Nigeria is not an individual, sectional, religious or ethnic problem, it is a collective security problem, and all hands must be on deck for us to succeed.

    “I believe that if we come together and fight insecurity collectively, we will succeed,” he said.

    Askira further disclosed that the humanitarian crisis in Borno had different dimensions.

    He explained that while some people benefit from it, the majority were losing, adding that it had produced thousands of orphans, widows and homeless people.

    He said the governor had tried his best to ensure that the IDPs went back to their ancestral homes.

    “As of now, I think maybe it is one local government that the IDPs have not returned to their ancestral homes.

    “Even up till now, there are pockets of wars in some parts that there are no inhabitants but the governor has assured us that by the end of this month, IDP camps will be closed in Borno.

    “With all the necessary arrangements, IDP camps are closing in Maiduguri by end of this month,” he said.

    Also, Yakubu Lamai, Director General, Strategic Communications to Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, said that the state used a corporate approach to handle its security challenges.

    Lamai said the governor started with a blueprint called Economic Development Strategy to secure investment, using security, peace building, fence mending and human capacity development.

    “That is why in Nasarawa State today, there is a clear success in security because his approach had been one that is well informed and built on intelligence gathering.

    “Even in his first month as governor, he went over to Benue State on peace mission where he met with the governor to see if we can strengthen the enabling relationship and he has done same across states in the North Central zone.

    “That is why Nasarawa held the mediation meeting between Tiv and Jukun people at a point.

    “Also, there has been very robust synergy with the Federal Government,” he said.

    ISSS inducted the three governors into the fellowship of the institute and honoured them for their outstanding contributions to national security.

    While Zulum was awarded the best governor on Security and Humanitarian Sservices for 2020, Sule was awarded the Security Pro-active, and Matawalle, the Best Governor of collective Security Advocate.

  • No court order restraining Zamfara APC congresses – Party chieftain

    No court order restraining Zamfara APC congresses – Party chieftain

    Dr Sani Shinkafi, a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara, on Sunday said that there is no order from the Federal High Court restraining the party from conducting congresses in Zamfara.

    Shinkafi stated this at a news conference, in Gusau on Sunday, while commenting on the Nov. 13 ward congresses conducted by the party in the state.

    The APC leadership in the state, under the Gov. Bello Matawalle faction, led by Sen. Hassan Nasiha, on Saturday conducted congresses in the 147 wards of the state.

    The Congresses took stakeholders by the storm as there was a Federal High Court Order restraining the APC from further action, pending the determination of a suit filed by 10 local governments party chairmen in the state.

    The chairmen had filed the matter before the court to contest their dissolution from office before their tenure of ended.

    The Gov Mai Mala Buni-led APC National Caretaker and Convention Committee announced the dissolution of all the party executives in the state on June 28, shortly before Gov Bello Matawalle defected to the APC.

    The chairmen had instituted the suit against the APC and the National Caretaker Committee chairman as first and second defendants.

    They had also joined the Independent National Electoral Commission as the third defendant.

    The Court had, however, asked the two parties to maintain the status quo, pending the determination of the substantive suit before it.

    At the resumed hearing of the matter on Nov. 9 in Gusau, the court adjourned to Nov. 17 for ruling on the matter.

    The APC leadership under former Gov. Abdul’aziz Yari-led faction, in a statement, however, urged its members in the state to boycott the congresses, organised by the Matawalle faction to respect the court order.

    The Senator Kabiru Marafa faction had conducted a parallel ward congresses in parts of Gusau and Tsafe Local Governments.

    Shinkafi, in his briefing, however, said that the order given by the federal high court was that both factions should maintain the status quo, pending on the outcome of the judgement in the case of dissolution of the state caretaker committee, led by the Lawal M Liman.

    “Therefore as far as I am concerned, the order does not mean to stop the APC leadership in the state from conducting its congresses.

    “I am therefore calling on the people of the state to ignore any comments from those who don’t want political stability to reign in the state,” he said.

    He said there was no faction in the APC in Zamfara and those claiming they belong to a faction of the party in the state are wasting their time.

    “We have only one lawful APC leadership in the state with Gov Bello Matawalle as the leader in the state,” Shinkafi added.

  • Zamfara State creates more ministries, appoints commissioners

    Zamfara State creates more ministries, appoints commissioners

    Gov. Bello Matawalle of Zamfara has approved the establishment of four additional ministries and assigned portfolio to newly appointed commissioners in the state.

    This is contained in a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Kabiru Balarabe, in Gusau on Monday.

    According to Balarabe, the four ministries include; Ministry of Forestry and Livestock Development and Ministry of Wealth Creation Empowerment and Employment Generation.

    The others are Ministry of Tourism and Hotels Management as well as Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.

    Balarabe also announced the posting and redeployment of commissioners to ministries as follows;

    1- Ahmad Sharu Anka – Ministry of Science and Technical Education.
    2- Abubakar S/Pawa Dambo – Ministry of Local Government Affairs.
    3- Muh’d Umar Birnin Magaji – Ministry of Art and Culture.
    4- Nasiru Zarumi Masama – Ministry of Youth and Sport Development.
    5- Abdulaziz Ahmad Nahuce – Ministry of Special Duties.
    6- Zainab Lawal Gummi – Ministry of Education.
    7- Sufyan Bashar Yuguda – Ministry of Finance.
    8- Fa’eka Marshal – Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management.
    9- Rabiu Garba Gusau – Ministry of Works And Transport.
    10- Yazeed Shehu Dan Fulani – Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
    11- Ibrahim Abdullahi Gusau – Ministru of Forestry and Livestock Development.
    12- Dr Nuradden Isah Gusau – Ministry of Environment and Solid Minerals.
    13- Junaidu Kaura – Ministry of Justice
    14- Ibrahim Jibo Magayaki – Ministry of Agriculture
    15- Ibrahim Magaji Dosara – Ministry of Information
    16- Yahaya Chado Gora, Ministry of Higher Education
    17- Yahaya Muh’d Kanoma – Ministry of Wealth Creation Empowerment and Employment Generation.
    18- Lawal Abubakar Zannah Badarawa- Ministry of Social And Community Development.
    19- Sheik Tukur Sani Jangebe – Ministry of Religious Affairs.
    20- Aliyu Muh’d Tukur (ES) – Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.
    21- Aliyu Abuabakar MC Tsafe – Ministry of Health.
    22- Retired DIG Mamman Tsafe – Ministry of Security and Home Affairs.
    23- Abubakar Abdullahi Tsafe – Ministry of Tourism and Hotels Management.
    24- Ibrahim Isah Mayana – Ministry of Water Resources.
    25- Abdullahi Gurbin Bore – Ministry of Rural Development and Cooperatives.

    He said that the posting was with immediate effect.

  • Emir of Bungudu regains freedom after 32 days in captivity

    Emir of Bungudu regains freedom after 32 days in captivity

    The Emir of Bungudu, Alhaji Hassan Attahiru, Sarkin Fulanin Bungudu, Zamfara state, has regained his freedom after 32 days of captivity in the hands of kidnappers.

    Magaji Rafin Bungudu, Alhaji Abubakar Sahabi, disclosed this in an interview with NAN in Bungudu, on Sunday, saying that the emirate and family wished to thank everyone for their prayers and support during the trying period.

    Sahabi commended the efforts of the Zamfara and Kaduna state governments for their tireless efforts in securing the safe release of the emir.

    He added that although the emir was still in hospital in Kaduna for medical check up before returning home; “we are comfortable with his health condition.

    “We salute the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) and Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) for their support in facilitating the release of the Emir”.

    Sahabi said the emirate wished to plead with the public to respect the privacy of the Emir in the coming weeks as he receives medical attention and post-trauma management.

  • Zamfara govt to restore telecom services in Gusau Friday

    Zamfara govt to restore telecom services in Gusau Friday

    Gov. Bello Matawallen of Zamfara has agreed to restore telecommunications services within the state capital of Gusau effective Friday 1st Oct.

    This is contained in a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Enlightenment, Media and Communications, Mr. Zailani Bappa, and made available to newsmen in Gusau on Friday.

    Bappa said the restoration of the telecom services in the state capital became necessary following the tremendous successes recorded in the fight against banditry in the state.

    He added that restoring telecommunications to Gusau would ease the hardship faced by both the private and public sectors in their daily businesses.

    He said, “The state government finds it necessary to ease the tight measure having recorded the desired success of destabilising the syndicate of criminals terrorising the state by the security operatives.”

    According to him, the governor promised that his administration would continue to monitor closely the unfolding developments and would announce further decisions and measures being taken.

    In a related development, the Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Ibrahim Dosara, while briefing newsmen said over 2000 informants and bandits’ collaborators were arrested and investigations were ongoing.

    He said the fight against banditry was successful as the measures had forced about 80 per cent of the bandits to move out of the state.

    He expressed belief that if the neighbouring states could adopt the same measures, the menace would be crushed totally.

  • Bandits kill soldier, police, kidnap Emir, others on Kaduna-Abuja highway

    Bandits kill soldier, police, kidnap Emir, others on Kaduna-Abuja highway

    A soldier has been reported killed and four persons abducted by bandits who attacked Milgoma, a community near the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital in Zaria, Kaduna State.

    Those kidnapped by the gunmen in the Monday night attack weer a woman, her daughter and two sons.

    In another development, Emir of Bungudu in Zamfara state Hassan Attahiru has been reported abducted by bandits along the Kaduna-Abuja highway on Tuesday evening.

    The Secretary of Milgoma community, Malam Sani, said the bandits invaded the area in large numbers at about 9:00pm on Monday and went straight to the residence of a male lecturer working with the Kaduna State University to kidnap him.

    One of the soldiers, who advanced to the residence of the lecturer, was said to have been shot by the gunmen who already laid an ambush around the compound.

    The security operative was later rushed to a hospital where he was reported to have died.

    On the other hand, the body of one of the bandits who died from bullet wounds was later discovered by soldiers.

    Sani stated that the soldiers were able to stop the bandits from kidnapping the lecturer.

    He said the gunmen later moved to another location within the community where they took away a woman and her three children.

    In another development, the Paramount Ruler of Bungudu Emirate in Zamfara state, Alhaji Hassan Attahiru was reported abducted by bandits along the Kaduna-Abuja highway Tuesday evening.

    The first class chief was said to have been abducted while traveling along Kaduna – Abuja highway this Tuesday’s evening

    It was also gathered that a police escort who accompanied the Emir was killed in a shootout with the bandits, while the gunmen whisked away only the Emir.

    Meanwhile, the Kaduna Police Command has confirmed the abduction of the Emir of Bungudu and an unspecified number of commuters, along the Kaduna – Abuja highway.

    The Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Mohammed Jalige, confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Tuesday, in Kaduna.

    “Today, Sept 14, at about 3.10 pm, the Kaduna Police Command received a tragic report of an attack and kidnapping incident around Dutse village along the Kaduna-Abuja road.

    “An unspecified number of people were suspected to have been kidnapped, while two others sustained varying degrees of injuries and are currently receiving medical treatment.

    “Equally, available information indicated that the Emir of Bungudu, Zamfara State, His Royal Highness (HRH) Alhaji Hassan Atto, is among the people abducted to an unknown destination,” he said.

    Reports reaching the command indicated that the commuters were intercepted by the bandits, who fired shots at random, before abducting their victims.

  • Insecurity: FG shuts down telecom sites in Zamfara State [Leaked memo]

    Insecurity: FG shuts down telecom sites in Zamfara State [Leaked memo]

    The Federal Government through the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has asked some major telecommunications firms to shut down some communication sites in Zamfara State.

    A leaked memo signed by the Executive Vice-Chairman of the NCC, Prof Umar Danbatta, which was addressed to one of the telecoms operators, stated that the shutdown of the telecoms sites had become necessary due to the insecurity in the state.

    In the letter titled, ‘Re: Shutdown of All telecoms Sites in Zamfara States’, it was stated that the shutdown would last from September 3 to September 17.

    It read in part, “The pervading security situation in Zamfara has necessitated an immediate shutdown of all telecommunications services in the state from today, September 3, 2021. This is to enable relevant security agencies to carry out the required activities towards addressing the security challenge in the state.

    “In line with this requirement, Globalcom is hereby directed to shut down all sites in Zamfara State and any states in neighbouring states that could provide telecommunications services in Zamfara State. The site shut down is for two weeks from September 3 to September 17, 2021 in the first instance. Your urgent action in this regard is required.”

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG recalls that in 2013, the Federal Government blocked GSM networks in Borno State for several months in a bid to curb the activities of Boko Haram.

    President Muhammadu Buhari had earlier had on March 3, 2021 declared Zamfara a no fly zone due to the crisis which is believed to be fuelled by illegal gold mining.

    It was, however, learnt that despite the no fly order, over 500 persons have been killed in Zamfara while hundreds including schoolchildren have been kidnapped within the same period.

  • Bill for compulsory HIV, hepatitis, sickle cell test passes second reading in Zamfara assembly

    Bill for compulsory HIV, hepatitis, sickle cell test passes second reading in Zamfara assembly

    A private member’s bill to provide a law for compulsory free pregnancy, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, sickle cell tests, before marriage in the state, has scaled its second reading at the Zamfara House Assembly.

    This was contained in a statement issued in Gusau, on Thursday, by Malam Mustafa Jafaru-Kaura the Director- General, Press Affairs and Public Relations of the house.

    Jafaru-Kaura said that the house considered the bill, which also included prohibition of all forms of discrimination and stigmatization, against those who tested positive in the state and for other related matters 2021.

    The private bill was sponsored by Yusuf Kanoma (APC, Maru North).

    Presenting the bill before the house at plenary on Thursday, Kanoma urged members of the house to support the motion on the bill.

    After long deliberations on the matter by the lawmakers, the Deputy Speaker, Alhaji Musa Bawa, who presided over the plenary, said the bill should be allowed to scale its second reading, considering its importance, in protecting the lives of the people.

    “As lawmakers, we must ensure effective laws to guarantee good health care delivery for our people”, he said.

    After giving the bill its second reading by the house, the Deputy Speaker directed the House Committee on Health and Human Medicine to scrutinise the bill and report back to the house in one month.

    He also warned that a public hearing must be conducted to seek the opinions of Islamic scholars and opinion leaders on the bill.

  • Police rescue 8 kidnapped persons in Zamfara

    Police rescue 8 kidnapped persons in Zamfara

    The police command in Zamfara has rescued eight kidnapped persons from bandits in Bungudu Local Governments Area (LGA) of the state.

    This is contained in a statement by the command Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Muhammad Shehu in Gusau on Tuesday.

    “The police command in Zamfara, in its determination to protect lives and property of the citizens, secured the unconditional release of eight victims, who were abducted on Aug. 25 at Kangon Sabuwa in Bungudu LGA.

    “The victims were abducted and taken to Kungurmi bandits’ camp. They were rescued safely by the police without any financial or material gain.

    “The victims were medically checked, debriefed by the police and reunited with their families,’’ Shehu said.

    He assured that the police would continue to collaborate with other security agencies to rescue kidnapped victims in bandits’ captivity.

    The PRO appealed to residents to cooperate with the police and the other security agencies in the effort to restore lasting peace in the state.

  • Zamfara gets new Head of Service

    Zamfara gets new Head of Service

    Gov. Bello Matawalle of Zamfara has approved the appointment of Alhaji Kabiru Gayari as the state new Head of Service.

    This is contained in a statement issued in Gusau on Tuesday by the Director General, Media, Public Enlightenment and Communication, Alhaji Yusuf Idris.

    The statement said the appointment takes immediate effect.

    Gayari, until his appointment, was the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance.