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Tag: Zamfara State

  • Zamfara APC breaks silence over suspension of chairman

    Zamfara APC breaks silence over suspension of chairman

    The Zamfara Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has described the recent suspension of the state Chairman of the party, Alhaji Tukur Danfulani by the Galadima Ward executives of the party as illegal and undemocratic.

    Recall that eight out of the 27 party executives of Galadima Ward in Gusau Local Government Area had recently suspended Danfulani over alleged irregularities.

    But executives of the party in Galadima Ward on Thursday visited the State APC Secretariat and withdrew the suspension of the state party Chairman.

    During the event, 19 party executives endorsed Danfulani as State party Chairman.

    Speaking while receiving Galadima Ward executives of the party in Gusau on Thursday, the State Secretary of the party, Alhaji Ibrahim Dangaladima described the purported suspension of Danfulani’s suspension as illegal.

    “Your action was illegal and undemocratic. You must know that there is the right channel to register grievances as in any political party.

    “This is very unfortunate that some unpatriotic party members are being sponsored to cause trouble in our party.

    “The APC has been peaceful in Zamfara, over two years, under the present leadership of Tukur Danfulani,” the secretary added.

    Dangaladima told the party members that its leadership would not tolerate indiscipline.

    “We will not fold our hands to allow our members to go beyond their power,” he warned.

    Speaking earlier, the Galadima Ward APC Chairman, Ibrahim Sani, said Danfulani remained the only APC Chairman in the state.

    “We are here to dismiss the suspension of State APC Chairman executives, we regretted the action of some unprogressive party members who don’t want the development of APC in the state,” Sani explained.

  • APC ward officials explain suspension of Zamfara Chairman

    APC ward officials explain suspension of Zamfara Chairman

    All Progressives Congress (APC) ward officials in Galadima Ward of Gusau Local Government in Zamfara have explained why they suspended Alhaji Tukur Danfulani, the State Chairman.

    Alhaji Ahahuraira Ilyasu, the ward youth leader, told newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja that the chairman was booted out because he had no concern for the party.

    He spoke after submitting a letter to Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, the APC National Chairman, listing the sins of the State Chairman.

    The letter was also made available to newsmen.

    The APC National Vice-Chairman, North West, APC Chairman, Gusau Local Government, Commissioner of Police, Zamfara, and Director State Security Service, among others, were also copied.

    The letter was signed by Alhaji Garba Bello, Vice-Chairman, Galadima Ward, Gusau Local Government, Zamfara and 15 out of the 27 ward executives.

    It listed lack of attention to party activities at the ward level and causing disunity among members across all levels in the state as some of Danfulani’s sins.

    The letter also accused Danfulani of segregating among party members.

    “The executive members of Galadima Ward wish to inform you that after due consultation with stakeholders, we have decided to suspend the Chairman, Tukur Danfulani.

    “The reasons behind his suspension include lack of attention to party activities at the ward level,  and causing disunity among party members across all levels.

    “He is also into politics of segregation,” the letter further alleged.

    He declared that the suspension had taken effect and called on the APC national leadership to appoint a caretaker chairman to preside over the party’s affairs before the next convention.

  • Zamfara govt clampdown on workers receiving multiple salaries

    Zamfara govt clampdown on workers receiving multiple salaries

    Gov. Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, has pldged to decisively deal with workers receiving multiple salaries in the state civil service.

    The governor made the disclosure on Wednesday while speaking at the 2024 Workers’ Day celebration held in Gusau.

    He advised them to support the present administration in its determination to sanitise the state civil service and charged them to shun all forms of corruption in view of the fact that the state workforce was overloaded with multiple salary collectors.

    ”I am not impressed with workers’ take home as well as the working condition in the state, but I must first of all, ascertain the actual and genuine figure of workers, to be able to decide what to pay as minimum wage.

    “Therefore, labour should continue to bear with us and support our policies and programmes to achieve better condition for the workers,” he said.

    The governor assured that his administration was in the process of authenticating the real staff of both state and local government, assuring that once it finishes with ghost workers, multiple salary earners and other irregularities, a new minimum wage would be announced.

    “Our policies are not meant to witch-hunt anybody but we are determined to ensure good reform in the public service and other sectors of the economy.

    “So far, we have paid a total of N3.841 billion for the settlement of gratuity and backlog of pension for both state and local government employees.

    “This will continue until all backload of pension and gratuity are paid completely,” he noted.

    In his remarks, the Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Zamfara chapter, Sani Haliru  commended the efforts of Gov. Lawal in addressing the lingering security challenges under low economic status.

    The chairman appreciated the governor for what he described as kind gesture towards retirees, adding that the present administration had paid the backload of gratuity and ensured timely payment of salaries.

    Haliru enumerated some challenges of labour in the state to include; delay in promotion, non implementation of annual increment and non implementation of minimum wage and wage award across board.

    “It is extremely important to inform the governor that it’s only in Zamfara that workers are found receiving less than N7,000 as monthly salary for more than two decades,” the chairman lamented.

  • Fleeing villagers storm Zamfara Govt House to seek refuge

    Fleeing villagers storm Zamfara Govt House to seek refuge

    Hundreds of fleeing villagers of Bini community in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara stormed Government House, Gusau, on Sunday seeking government’s protection against bandits.

    The villagers, mainly women and children said they fled their village following the withdrawal of military security personnel from the area.

    A male among them, Malam Umar Salisu, confirmed that they had to flee from the community following the withdrawal of military personnel from the area.

    “Before now, there were military personnel attached to our village. Some of them were killed by bandits while some were withdrawn on Sunday.

    “There are no security personnel in our area now. That is why we decided to carry all our wives and children to come to Government House and seek for government’s intervention,’’ Salisu said.

    Another fleeing community member, Hajia Aisha Usman expressed displeasure at the condition of people of the community.

    “We are highly disturbed. We receive threats of attacks from bandits on daily basis.

    “There are no security personnel to protect us. We are seeking for government’s intervention,’’ she said.

    Yet another community member, Malam Wakkala Gurgu said: “we decided to come to Government House to inform government about security threats in our community.

    “We want government to take quick action as regards the security situation. Bandits are currently in our communities.

    “We want government to help us and deploy security personnel to our area,’’ Gurgu said.

    Addressing the gathering on behalf of the state government, Commissioner for Science and Technology, Alhaji Wadatau Madawaki explained that the bandits were mounting pressure because government had refused to negotiate with them.

    “The government of Gov. Dauda Lawal maintains its stand that it will not negotiate with bandits.

    “I am happy with the way and manner you have conducted yourselves. I urge you to continue to be patient.

    “Government has been making efforts to end lingering security challenges in the state,’’ he said.

    Madawaki added that government had made arrangements to return the fleeing villagers to their community in the company of security operatives.

  • NAF bombs 3 terrorists camps in Zamfara

    NAF bombs 3 terrorists camps in Zamfara

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), has bombed three terrorists camps in Zamfara on Wednesday, eliminating several of them and their structures.

    The operation was conducted by the Air Component of Operation Hadarin Daji, NAF Spokesman, AVM Edward Gabkwet, said in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

    Gabkwet said the camps destroyed belong to terrorist kingpins, Abdullahi Nasanda in Zurmi, Malam Tukur in Gusau, and another in MaradunLocal Government Areas of Zamfara.

    He said that Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions were conducted on Nasanda’s Camp where terrorists’ activities were sighted and their hidden motorcycles.

    “Having established that their activities were consistent with terrorists’ modes of operation, the location was struck by multiple aircraft passes, thereby neutralizing several terrorists.

    “Similar ISR missions were conducted at Malam Tukur camp, where terrorists’ activities were also observed.

    “Air strikes conducted on the camp neutralised several terrorists and showed several structures set ablaze and destroyed.

    “Air strikes were also extended to Kanikawa in Maradun town, under Maradun LGA of Zamfara, where terrorists, their enclaves and equipment were attacked and destroyed,” he added.

  • FG to deploy more troops to Zamfara

    FG to deploy more troops to Zamfara

    Rep. Kabiru Maipalace (PDP-Zamfara), says the Federal Government will deploy more military troops to Zamfara.

    The lawmaker disclosed this on Saturday when he paid a condolence visit to Tsafe and Magazu communities in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara following recent bandits’ attacks in the area.

    Bandits had killed many and kidnapped scores in the area.

    Maipalace, representing Gusau/Tsafe federal constituency at the National Assembly, said he would do everything possible to facilitate deployment of more troops to the area.

    “I want you to exercise little patience, more security personnel will be stationed here to beef up security.”

    During the visit, the lawmaker held an interactive session with members of the two communities.

    Speaking at the Emir’s palace, Tsafe, the lawmaker described the attack as ugly and disheartening.

    “I am here to condole with you people over the recent bandits’ attacks in this town.

    “It is very unfortunate that the recent attack had led to the killing of our local government Commander of Community Protection Guard (CPG).

    “Apart from that, there were subsequent attacks by bandits in this area, where many people were killed, while many were abducted,” he said.

    The lawmaker said that as a representative of the people, it had became necessary for him to pay condolence visits to the emir of Tsafe as well as the affected families.

    “We just met with traditional rulers, we discussed extensively on how to address these challenges,” he noted.

    Maipalace recalled that in an effort to find a lasting solution to the ugly trend, Gov. Dauda Lawal had recently visited President Bola Tinubu and the Service Chiefs in Abuja.

    “I am working closely with the governor and security agencies towards proffering lasting solution to the lingering challenges,” he assured.

    Condoling with Magazu community, Maipalace said: “I am highly disturbed by the unfortunate incidences of kidnapping and killing in this town.

    “It is very unfortunate, today the town is looking like a ghost town, very deserted.

    “This is a town known for commercial and farming activities, but today, only few people are living here due to insecurity,” the lawmaker lamented.

    Receiving the lawmaker, the Emir of Tsafe, Alhaji Muhammad Bawa, represented by Sarkin Gabas of Tsafe, Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu, commended the lawmaker for the visit.

    Bawa urged people of the area to repent and always seek divine intervention to end the persistent security challenges in the state and the nation at large.

  • Zamfara govt denies taking N14.2b loan

    Zamfara govt denies taking N14.2b loan

    The Zamfara government on Monday denied taking a N14.2 billion loan as indicated in a report by the Debt Management Office (DMO).

    A statement issued in Gusau on Monday by Sulaiman Idris, Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Media and Publicity, debunked the claim it described as false.

    “This is to clarify the DMO report which said that the Zamfara state government borrowed N14.26 billion naira.

    “The Zamfara government has never applied for loan or approached the State Assembly or National Assembly with such request,” Idris said.

    According to the statement, the sum of 14.26 billion, as stated in the DMO report, was not borrowed by Gov Lawal’s administration.

    “The amount was part of the proceeds from a 20 billion naira loan floated by previous administrations in the state.

    “No domestic or external loans have been borrowed since Gov Dauda Lawal came in.

    “It is important to note that the previous Zamfara state government floated a N20 billion bond but failed to collect the total amount.

    “The immediate past government received N4 billion naira out of the N20 billion requested for the Zamfara Cargo Airport project, though the funds were not utilised.

    “Upon assuming office, we discovered that the payment terms made terminating the bond impossible without incurring a significant loss for the state.

    “The balance of N16 billion out of the N20 billion borrowed by the past administration is the N14.26 billion captured by the DMO. The value is reduced due to inflation.

    “The bond balance, which is still in a government account, has not been used and will be reserved for the airport project,” he explained.

  • Why we were suspended, hounded out of Zamfara – Lawmakers

    Why we were suspended, hounded out of Zamfara – Lawmakers

    The eight lawmakers suspended indefinitely by Zamfara House of Assembly, said they have been hounded out of the state by political thugs for exposing the worsening security challenges in the state.

    The lawmakers also claimed that some security agents have been sent to hunt for them without any reason, a situation which made them to go into hiding.

    Bashir Aliyu, who spoke on behalf of the eight suspended lawmakers at a news conference in Zaria on Sunday, said they would not be silenced until action is taken to tame the high level of insecurity in Zamfara.

    Aliyu said when they moved to effect changes in the leadership of the assembly, it was to draw attention to the alleged prolonged absence of the Speaker and his deputy from the state.

    He however said some forces in the state have since been hounding them instead of working  to make the state safe.

    According to him, some of the suspended lawmakers were attacked by thugs linked to a politician in the state during the wedding of the Deputy Governor’s daughter on Feb. 24.

    He said a letter with reference no. ZMHA/ADM/223/Vol. 1, dated March 7, 2024, has now directed them to return the official vehicles in their care to the Clerk of the state Assembly within seven days.

    “We want to notify Nigerians that democracy is in danger in Zamfara despite the prevailing insecurity, poverty and other challenges bedevilling the people of the state.

    “We hence call for the intervention of key stakeholders to salvage the situation,” Aliyu who represents Gumi I constituency added.

    Recall that on Feb. 27, the eight lawmakers were suspended by the state assembly for allegedly holding an illegal plenary.

    The suspension of the eight members was to give room for full investigation.

    The suspended lawmakers are Bashir Aliyu (PDP-Gummi 1); Amiru Keta (PDP-Tsafe West); Nasiru Abdullahi (PDP-Maru South); Bashir Masama (PDP-Bukkuyum North); and Faruku Dosara (APC-Maradun 1).

    Others are Ibrahim Tukur (APC-Bakura Constituency); Shamsudeen Hassan (APC Talata-Mafara North) and Bashiru Sarkin-Zango (PDP-Bungudu West).

  • BREAKING: University students kidnapped in Zamfara released

    BREAKING: University students kidnapped in Zamfara released

    Kidnapped students of the Federal University Gusau in Zamfara State have been released by their abductors.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Senator Shehu Sani, a former federal lawmaker, who represented Kaduna Central in the Nigerian Senate, made this known via X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday.

    It was confirmed that all the female students who were abducted have been safely released.

    “It’s pleasing and commendable to learn that the kidnapped Girls Students of the Federal University Gusau, Zamfara State have been released.

    “Kudos to all those who laboured to accomplish this,” Sani wrote.

     

    Details shortly…

  • Troops rescue 10 kidnapped victims in Zamfara

    Troops rescue 10 kidnapped victims in Zamfara

    Troops of the Joint Task Force Operation Hadarin Daji (OPHD) have thwarted an attempt to abduct 10 people in Tsafe town of Zamfara on Tuesday.

    According to the Information Officer to the Operation, Lt. Suleiman Omale, in a statement issued in Gusau on Wednesday, the troops responded to a distress call and were able to overpower the abductors.

    “Responding swiftly to a distress call on the night of March 12, 2024, OPHD troops engaged in a fierce gun duel with the bandits upon arrival in Tsafe town.

    “Through aggressive tactics and unwavering determination, the troops overpowered the bandits forcing them to flee with gunshot wounds through a rocky bush, abandoning the kidnapped victims.

    “During subsequent mop-up patrols in the area, the resilient troops intercepted and successfully rescued all the 10 victims and reunited them with their families,” Omale explained.

    He said that the General Officer Commanding 8 Division of the Nigerian Army Sokoto, Gen. Godwin Matkut, appreciated the troops for their gallant performance, doggedness, brevity, and professionalism.

    Matkut urged the troops to maintain the momentum in the pursuit of restoring peace and security in the region.