TheNewsGuru

Tag: Zamfara State

  • Police rescue 12 kidnapped victims in Zamfara

    Police rescue 12 kidnapped victims in Zamfara

    The Police Command in Zamfara said its operatives have rescued 11 villagers abducted from Yakofoji village on Aug. 12.

    A statement by the command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Muhammed Shehu on Thursday in Gusau, also said the operatives rescued the Chief Security Officer of College of Health Technology, Tsafe.

    It said that the successes recorded followed ongoing search and rescue operations by the command across the state.

    “The effort that led to the unconditional rescue was sequel to the report of abduction of 11 persons by some group of hoodlums suspected to be bandits at Yarkofoji village in Bakura LGA on 12th August, 2021.

    “In a related development, the command has succeeded in the unconditional rescue of Chief Security Officer of the College of Health Technology, Tsafe.

    “The report of his abduction was reported to the police at the early hours of 18th August, 2021, when group of hoodlums went to his house at around 04:00hrs and abducted him.

    “Police search and rescue team swung into action by combing the surrounding forest. Luckily enough, the victim was rescued safely,” it said.

    According to the statement, the search and rescue strategy employed by the Commissioner of Police, Ayuba Elkana, led to the successful rescue of the abducted victims without any ransom paid.

    “The commissioner of police congratulated the victims for regaining their freedom and urged them to always be conscious of their security and report any suspicious person to the police or any nearest security outfit for prompt response.

    “All the victims have been taken to the hospital for medical checks, later debriefed by the Police and reunited with their families.

    “The CP further assures the people of the state about the ongoing efforts of the command to rescue other victims currently in captivity, so that lives and properties can be adequately protected,” the statement added.

  • Gunmen raid home of ex-councillor in Zamfara, abduct 7-month-old son, mother

    Gunmen raid home of ex-councillor in Zamfara, abduct 7-month-old son, mother

    Daredevil gunmen on Wednesday raided the home of a former Zamfara State councillor, Mr Babangida Ibrahim, leaving him badly wounded, and taking his wife and 7-month-old son hostage.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the gunmen stormed the home of the former councillor at Damba in Gusau at about 12.30 a.m. and after raiding the home, they shot at Ibrahim.

    The Police Command in Zamfara has confirmed the incident, saying the former councillor is currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital in the State.

    Spokesman for the Command, SP Muhammad Shehu confirming the incident said: “The command has been on the trail of the kidnappers to ensure the rescue of the victims”.

    He added: “The Commissioner of Police in the State, Mr Hussaini Rabi’u has directed thorough investigation on the matter to ensure the arrest of the perpetrators”.

  • BREAKING: Court stops House of Assembly from impeaching Zamfara Deputy Governor

    BREAKING: Court stops House of Assembly from impeaching Zamfara Deputy Governor

    The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, restrained the Zamfara House of Assembly from impeaching the Deputy Governor of the state, Mahdi Gusau.

    Justice Obiora Egwuatu gave the order while delivering a ruling in an ex-parte motion with suit number: FHC/ABJ/CS/650/2021 brought by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), through its Lawyer, Ogwu Onoja, SAN.

    Egwuatu, who ordered the defendants to maintain status quo pending the heating and determination of the motion on notice, also stopped the house from impeaching its other members who are still in the PDP.

    He directed the plaintiff to serve all the defendants in the suit before Friday and adjourned the matter until July 23 for hearing of the motion on notice.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), APC, Senate President, Speaker of House of Representatives, Speaker of Zamfara House of Assembly, Governor Matawalle and Chief Judge of Zamfara are 1st to 7th defendants respectively.

    Recall that though Gov. Bello Matawalle of Zamfara recently defected from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC), his deputy, Gusau, did not.

    The lawmakers in the state had threatened to impeach Gusau over activities they considered to be a threat to the security in the state which they claimed he was involved in.

    The PDP, through its lawyer, had urged the court to grant its prayer in the interest of justice.

    The party said the court had the inherent power to grant the order.

    “This is the only place we can run to, especially in a situation of chaos the state has found itself.

  • Gov. Matawalle, CP react to killing of 13 policemen

    Gov. Matawalle, CP react to killing of 13 policemen

    Gov. Bello Matawalle of Zamfara, on Sunday in Gusau, expressed shock at the killing of 13 police officers by suspected bandits.

    The police personnel were gunned down at a mobile camp in Kurar Mota community in the Bagudu Local Government Area of the state.

    The governor’s reaction is contained in a statement by Malam Yusuf Idris, Director-General, Media, Public Enlightenment and Communications, Government House, Gusau.

    The statement said Matawalle expressed “devastation“ when he visited seven injured police officers who were receiving treatment at the Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital, Gusau.

    “It was on receipt of the news of the unfortunate incident that the governor … immediately rushed to the hospital to sympathise with those currently receiving treatment at the facility.

    “While lamenting the attack, Matawalle promised to partner with other security agencies in the state to track down the attackers and all their sponsors and collaborators with a view to bringing them to justice.

    “The police officers were ambushed at a mobile police camp set up as part of the measures taken by the government to fight bandits in the state.

    “Matawalle, who was highly devastated by the sad incident, said the troops are doing very well at the war front … and had decimated the number of insurgents in the area,” the statement said.

    It said the governor would make the attack his major priority until the perpetrators are apprehended or a good level of success made towards their arrest.

    Meanwhile, the Zamfara Police Command had confirmed the killing of the 13 officers with seven others injured by the attackers.

    SP Mohammed Shehu, the command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), gave the confirmation in a separate statement issued on Sunday.

    “The attack occurred on Sunday at about 1230hrs, when Police Mobile operatives deployed at Kurar Mota Village were responding to a distress call with regards to an attempt by the bandits to attack some nearby communities.

    “The police personnel, who ran into the ambush, exhibited resilience and gallantry by engaging the hoodlums, an effort that deterred the bandits from attacking the communities.

    “Unfortunately, 13 personnel paid the supreme price. However, the bandits on their part suffered heavy casualties,” Shehu said.

    According to the PPRO, the command had launched a manhunt aimed at apprehending the bandits.

    “The Zamfara State Police Command has reaffirmed its commitment and determination to sustain its ongoing operation against the activities of recalcitrant bandits and other criminal elements in the state.

    “A Special Anti-Banditry Operation is currently ongoing with a view to tracking down the assailants.

    “The Commissioner of Police, Hussaini Rabiu, while visiting the injured policemen at the hospital reaffirmed that the unfortunate incident will not discourage the officers and men of the command from discharging their mandate of protecting lives and property of citizens.

    “The Police Commissioner called on every law abiding citizen to join hands with security agencies to successfully end the menace,” the statement said.

  • APC dissolves caretaker committees in Zamfara

    APC dissolves caretaker committees in Zamfara

    The All Progressive Congress (APC) Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) has dissolved the party’s executives in Zamfara.

    Sen. John Akpanuodedehe, National Secretary of the CECPC, announced the dissolution in a letter dated July 9, 2021 and addressed to the dissolved Caretaker Chairman, Alhaji Lawal Liman.

    The letter released on Sunday in Gusau has it that the dissolution was with immediate effect.

    “I write to please inform you that following recent development within the party in the state, the APC Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) has approved the dissolution of all the leadership organs of the party in the state (ward, local government and state executives).

    “This development is with immediate effect,” the letter read in part.

    It further said that a three man caretaker committee has been constituted to run the affairs of the party in the state.

    The new consituted caretaker committee has Sen. Hassan Mohammed as Chairman with former deputy governor, Alhaji Muntari Anka as Deputy Chairman while Prof. Abdullahi Shinkafi, former Secretary to the State Government, would served as member/secretary.

    The CECPC extended its appreciation to the dissolved executives and urged them to give necessary support to the new leadership of the party in the state.

    The change in leadership followed the defection of Gov. Bello Matawalle from the PDP to the APC.

    Matawalle was received into the APC on June 29, by his Yobe counterpart and Chairman of the CECPC, Mai Mala-Buni.

    Matawalle was also declared the party’s leader in the state as enshrined in the APC constitution.

  • BREAKING: Gov. Matawalle fires all his Special Advisers

    BREAKING: Gov. Matawalle fires all his Special Advisers

    Gov. Bello Matawalle of Zamfara, has relieved all his Special Advisers of their appointment.

    This is contained in a statement by the acting Secretary to the State Government and Head of Service, Alhaji Kabiru Balarabe in Gusau.

    Balarabe, however, said the Special Adviser on Security, retired DIG Mamman Tsafe was not affected by the development.

    “It is hereby notified for general information that Gov. Bello Matawalle, has relieved all Special Advisers of their appointments, except the Special Adviser on Security matters.

    “This decision is in line with the recent defection to the APC and to allow for an in-depth search of more but competent hands in the administration of the state, irrespective of political affiliations,” he said.

    Balarabe directed all the affected Special Advisers to hand over affairs of their respective offices, and government property under them to their Directors General and/or Accounting officers.

    He also extended the governor’s appreciation to them for their contributions towards the development of the state.

    The Governor had in February, sacked all Commissioners, Special Advisers and Directors-General, but re-appointed some of them in April.

    On June 29, he formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), after several months of speculations.

  • Defection: 18 APC Govs, others set to receive Matawalle

    Defection: 18 APC Govs, others set to receive Matawalle

    No fewer than 18 All Progressives Congress (APC) governors are expected to receive Gov. Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State on Tuesday.

    The Chairman, Publicity Sub-Committee of the organising ceremony and Zamfara Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Ibrahim Dosara, disclosed this in Gusau on Monday.

    Dosara said, “the Progressive governors will be led by the APC Chairman Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) and Gov. Mai Mala-Buni.

    “We are also expecting all our national assembly members as well as state legislators to declare their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC during the occasion.

    “Similarly, all the 14 local government caretaker committee chairmen who just finished their tenure, council members and teeming supporters will join the hundreds of thousands of the Matawalle loyalists, friends and supporters in our movement to our new party, the APC.’’

    According to him, the event which is considered a historic one in the stat,e will further unite politicians and strengthen the APC in the state.

    Also speaking, Mr Mohammed Mamman, the Director-General, Press Affairs, to the Gov. Mala-Buni said the governor has has been able to convince three governors to defect to the APC.

    ”With Matawalle joining the APC, it means Mala-Buni, as the Chairman of the Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee, has been able to convince three governors into the party.

    “They are Dave Umuahi of Ebonyi, Prof. Ben Ayade of Cross River. This is also a confirmation that the APC is doing well both at the national and state levels under the purposeful, focused and people oriented leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari,’’ Mamman said.

  • Yes, Gov Matawalle is set to join APC – Media DG

    Yes, Gov Matawalle is set to join APC – Media DG

    Gov. Bello Matawalle of Zamfara, plans to formally defect from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to All Progressives Congress (APC) on June 29, an official has said.

    Mr Yusuf Idris, his Director-General, Media, disclosed this in Gusau on Sunday.

    “All is now set for our governor to move from the PDP to the APC.

    “All the committees that are charged with responsibility for a smooth transition of the governor have reported from their various committees that things have taken shape for the event which is scheduled to hold at a grand reception in Gusau on Tuesday, June 29,” he said.

    The media aide said the governor’s planned defection to APC would further strengthen the party in the state.

    “Let me emphasise to you that Zamfara politicians have always been a single family and even as a PDP governor, my principal, Gov Bello Matawalle has always related very well with those in the opposition parties.

    “Many people from high and low have followed the governor into the PDP in order to offer their positive advices for the growth and development of the state, some of such persons were given top government positions and responsibilities which they held very well too.

    “Under this new development of joining the APC, which will be witnessed by 18 APC governors, the governor will come along with all the National and State Assembly members as well as the PDP executives from all levels of the state,” Idris said.

    He said the governor would be received by Gov. Mai Mala Buni of Yobe, who double as APC Caretaker Committee Chairman alongside his supporters.

  • Bandits kill police officer, 25 others in deadly attacks on Zamfara State

    Bandits kill police officer, 25 others in deadly attacks on Zamfara State

    Bandits have killed 26 persons including a police officer in another deadly attack on some communities in Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State on Saturday.

    The spokesperson of the Zamfara Police Command Shehu Mohammed who confirmed the attacks explained that the assailants were armed with sophisticated weapons and invaded Tofa village in large numbers, shooting sporadically and killing some of the villagers.

    Shehu noted that the gunmen were on their way to carry out another attack in Samawa when they were engaged in a gun battle with the police tactical operatives stationed in the village.

    Some of the bandits, he said, were wounded in the duel. The attackers were said to be returning to the community on Saturday, preventing the villagers from burying their own.

    The latest assault on the northwestern state follows a similar incident in the area on Thursday where 12 farmers were killed and nine others severely wounded.

    According to reports, the armed bandits launched the attack when the farmers were in their respective farmlands trying to clear their lands in preparation for this year’s farming activities.

    The incident which took place in Magami and Mayaba communities in Gusau local government area of Zamfara State saw the bandits also carting away livestock and other valuables.

    It was also said that the twelve persons killed were buried according to Islamic rites while those injured are receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital.

    A day before the incident, bandits had attacked a Fulani settlement on the outskirts of Anka town along the Bagega-Anka Road in Zamfara State.

  • PDP reacts to emergence of new splinter group ‘New PDP’

    PDP reacts to emergence of new splinter group ‘New PDP’

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Zamfara State has pledged to take appropriate action against members of the “True PDP” who recently set up a parallel office in the state.

    The state PDP Chairman, Alhaji Tukur Danfulani, said at a news conference in Gusau on Saturday that the party has no faction in the state.

    “We don’t know those claiming to be the faction’s leaders, we are not even sure if they are PDP members.

    “I am using this medium to urge PDP members and general public to disregard such claims.

    “The party is going to investigate the matter and deal with it legally,” he said.

    Danfulani also dismissed speculation that the faction was created by the party to pave way for Gov. Bello Matawalle to defect to the All Progressive Congress (APC).

    “We are not aware of any move by Matawalle to defect to APC, he has never told us that he will defect from PDP to any political party,” the state PDP chairman added.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that members of the “True PDP” recently inaugurated their state secretariat in Gusau citing neglect by leaders of the party in the state.