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Tag: zaria

  • Kaduna Govt douses heightened fear in Zaria

    Kaduna Govt douses heightened fear in Zaria

    The Kaduna State Government has said there is no presence of hundreds of bandits at Dumbi and Jaji along the route to Zaria that stops citizens from entering or exiting the metropolitan northern Nigeria city.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the Kaduna State Government made this known, dousing heightened in Zaria in a statement released on Wednesday by Samuel Aruwan, the State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs.

    A message had been circulating widely via the WhatsApp social messaging app that advise citizens not to enter or exit Zaria, alleging the presence of hundreds of bandits at Dumbi and Jaji along the route to Zaria.

    “The Kaduna State Government wishes to firmly debunk that message and urges citizens to disregard it completely. It is an obvious attempt to spread panic.

    “The Kaduna State Government assures all citizens and travellers that the Kaduna-Zaria route is safe for travel. Residents are urged to go about their normal activities and pay no attention to the false report,” the State Government clarified.

     

  • Again, Kano-Zaria highway claims another 12 lives

    Again, Kano-Zaria highway claims another 12 lives

    No fewer than 12 people were burnt to death in a ghastly auto crash, which occurred on Monday along Kano-Zaria highway in Kano, the Kano State Fire Service has disclosed.

    Spokesperson for the Service, Saminu Yusuf, said in a statement on Tuesday that the incident involving two commercial buses, occurred at Tsamawa town in Garun Mallam Local Council of the state, barely 40 kilometers away from the capital city.

    “Our men from Kura reached the area at about 15:12 hours and found that two commercial vehicles, a Hiace bus and J5 bus, all with unknown registration numbers, collided and were engulfed in fire. 12 people were involved in the accident – 11 from the Hiace bus which was coming from Zaria to Kano and one person inside the J5, heading towards Kano,” Yusuf said.

    He added: “All recovered victims were unconscious and found dead. Their names and ages were unidentified”.

    Recall that on January 6, 19 persons lost their lives in an auto-crash along the same Kano – Zaria highway in an area called Bagauda, near the Nigeria Law School campus when two commercial buses collided.

    The accident which allegedly resulted from over speeding, reckless driving and loss of control, involved forty-five passengers, claimed 19 lives while the remaining 26 passengers sustained various degrees of injuries.

    The FRSC has said that apart from insurgency and banditry, road crashes is among the leading cause of death in Nigeria, killing a total of 5,574 persons in 2020 and 3,648 persons in the first half of 2021.

     

  • After Hanifa’s murder, another innocent child killed in Zaria by abductors

    After Hanifa’s murder, another innocent child killed in Zaria by abductors

    …despite payment of N3m ransom

    Again, abductors have killed an eight-year-old identified as Asma’u after collecting over N3m ransom in Zaria 42 days after she was kidnapped.

    This is coming after five-year-old Hanifa Abubaka was kidnapped and poisoned to death by her teacher in Kano.

    Asma’ u was believed to have been abducted by one of her neighbours on December 9, 2021.

    The father of the deceased, Alh Shuaibu Wa’alamu, narrated how she was abducted to newsmen in Zaria.

    He said: “My daughter was abducted on the 9th of December and when she failed to return home, I lodged a formal complaint with the police.

    “After some days, the abductors began to call my number and demanded for N15m. But we negotiated and I first gave them N2m.

    “They collected the money in Rigasa area of Kaduna. Later, they called me again and demanded for another N1. 045m as the only condition to release my daughter. I did not argue. But I gave the money to them.

    “However, after paying the ransom as demanded on the 19th of January, they called me to tell me they had killed my daughter. And they immediately switched off their phone.

    “You see since from the initial stage, I was following her abductors and doing their bidding because of the fear of losing my daughter. Now, they have killed her.

    “I know those who abducted her and killed her. They are around us. I have strong evidence. I have told the police. And they are on it. In fact, the suspects have been arrested,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the Kaduna Police Command has confirmed the incident.

    The Command’s spokesman, ASP Muhammed Jalige, said investigations were ongoing on the incident.

    But Jalige could not immediately confirm the arrest of the suspect.

  • Buhari salutes El-Rufai after inauguration of projects in Zaria

    Buhari salutes El-Rufai after inauguration of projects in Zaria

    President Muhammadu Buhari has continued the inauguration of projects executed by the Kaduna State Government, with stops at Zaria, heaping encomiums on Gov. Nasir El-Rufai.

    Speaking at the palace of the Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Ahmed Bamalli, the president noted that within the context of scarce resources and prevailing economic reality, the Kaduna State Government has done well for the people.

    ‘‘I am pleased to be associated with your successes and initiatives.

    ‘‘As they say in Hausa ‘Gani ya Kori ji’ (seeing is believing),’’ he said.

    The president, who is on a four-day official visit to the state, had on Thursday inaugurated projects in Kafanchan and Kaduna metropolis of the state.

    On Friday in Zaria, the northern senatorial district of Kaduna, the president inaugurated the remodelled Sabon Gari market with 3,400 shops; the Circular road with two spurs on River road and Kufena road; and the Queen Elizabeth Way.

    At the Sabon-Gari market, Buhari appreciated the governor for rebuilding one of the oldest markets in the state and paying compensation of over N300 million to traders.

    Inaugurating the market, the president jocularly said he would consider opening a consultancy service in the market, where a ‘‘Presidential Block’’ is named after him.

    In his remarks, El-Rufai recalled that in August 2019, the president was in Zaria to inaugurate Phase 2 of the Zaria water project, providing a basic amenity that was not available for residents of Zaria for over 30 years.

    ‘‘Our state is an agricultural State and this Emirate is associated with farming. We know Mr President’s passion for agriculture and we are grateful you appointed a son of the state to head the Federal Ministry of Agriculture.

    ‘‘We look forward to more agricultural interventions in the state,’’ the governor said.

    He pledged that the people of Kaduna and their elected representatives would continue to stand by the principles and values associated with the president, including honesty, integrity and commitment to public service.

    Responding, Bamalli thanked the president for the intervention of the Federal Ministry of Health in providing a functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine at Ahamdu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria, in line with the desire of the people of Zazzau.

    ‘‘Today our people don’t have to travel to Kano, Sokoto or Abuja for medical screening with MRI machine,’’ he said.

    The traditional ruler also commended El-Rufai for the Urban Renewal Projects embarked upon by his administration, acknowledging that the Emir of Zazzau’s Palace which has been in existence for centuries, was a major beneficiary of the projects.

    ‘‘We will be grateful if Mr President will thank and bless our Governor for the gigantic legacy project ongoing in the Palace.

    “Equally, Zaria people have benefitted in other areas like road construction and bridges which have expanded road networks as well as decongested traffic significantly,’’ he said.

    On security, the Emir acknowledged efforts of the government, and solicited for more intervention by the federal government in safeguarding the area.

    According to him, Zaria emirate is a gateway to all the states in the North West and neighbouring Niger Republic.

  • 9 persons killed, 5 injured over bandit’s attacks in Kaduna – Commissioner

    9 persons killed, 5 injured over bandit’s attacks in Kaduna – Commissioner

    Nine persons were killed while five others sustained injures, following attacks by bandits in Igabi and Zaria Local Government Areas of Kaduna State.

    Mr Samuel Aruwan, the state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs who made the disclosure in a statement on Tuesday in Kaduna, said the attacks happened in Igabi and Zaria on Monday, Jan. 3.

    He said that security operatives killed two of the bandits and recovered some firearms from them.

    Aruwan who was giving update on security situation in the state, commended efforts of security operatives in repelling the attackers.

    “Bandits killed seven persons in Kudu da Gari settlement in Sabon Birni, Igabi, while five others were left critically injured in the same area.

    “In another attack at Ruggar Goshe on the outskirts of Kangimin Sarki village, Rigachikun, Igabi, one person was shot dead and they also killed one at Filing Odin Barr are, Zaria area,” he stated.

    Aruwan explained that five other persons sustained gunshot injuries and were now receiving medical attention.

    He hinted that the bandits were retreating to the Malul forest when security operatives intercepted them.

    The commissioner quoted Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna state to have prayed for the repose of the souls of the citizens who lost their lives in the attacks, while condoling with their families.

    He also said that the governor commended the troops for their swift response during the attacks which saw two bandits killed.

    A top police official in the state equally confirmed the report, describing it as very horrible, adding that adequate security arrangements had been put in place in the affected areas.

  • Kaduna LG Polls: APC wins Zaria chairmanship seat

    Kaduna LG Polls: APC wins Zaria chairmanship seat

    The Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission (KADSIECOM) has declared Alhaji Idris Ibrahim of All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the Zaria Local Government Council chairmanship seat.

    The Returning Officer (RO), Dr Aliyu Yamusa, announced the result in the early hours of Sunday in Zaria.

    Yamusa said Ibrahim satisfied the requirements of the law and scored highest votes of 34,006 to defeated his closest contender, Alhaji Yusuf Sambo, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who polled 14,019 votes.

    “Therefore, Alhaji Idris Ibrahim of the APC is hereby returned elected,” Yamusa declared.

    The KADSIECOM conducted the council elections on Sept. 4 across the 19 local government areas of the state.

  • Emir of Zazzau raises alarm: ‘Zaria under bandits’ siege’

    Emir of Zazzau raises alarm: ‘Zaria under bandits’ siege’

    The Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmad Nuhu Bamali has decried the security challenges occasioned by banditry and kidnapping in his domain, particularly in Zaria, saying it is under the siege of bandits.

    The Emir who described the security situation as unacceptable and situation no one prays for, added that, Zaria residents now feel vulnerable and are in a state of fear.

    Speaking while receiving heads of Security agencies in the state led by the State’s Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr Samuel Aruwan in his palace on Monday, the emir lamented that children can no longer go to school as bandits are moving about unchecked.

    He called for urgent security action, saying that, it will not be good for his people to remain under the fear of bandits for a long time.

    “We are calling on security personnel and agencies to rise up to the challenge and put an end to this sad situation.

    “We have several military formations in Zaria and environs yet our people are feeling unsafe due to banditry,” the Emir said.

    The security heads however said that, the aim of the visit was to douse tension and build the confidence of Zaria residents.

    They said they also came to commiserate with the Emirate over the recent spate of attacks and kidnappings of residents in the area.

    They however assured the Emir that, they were working hard to put and end to all forms of criminality ravaging the area.

    The Security Commissioner assured the Emir that, there is heavy presence of security in the 12 local government areas that make up the Zazzau Emirate.

    Aruwan however noted that, it is not possible for security to be at every nook and cranny of the communities, hence the need for community leaders to collaborate with the security agencies in the area of intelligence gathering.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that a student was killed and 10 others were kidnapped when bandits attacked Kaduna State owned Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic in Zaria last Thursday.

    Twelve other persons were kidnapped by gunmen in an attack on a new residential area of Kofar Gayan/Kofar Kona axis of Zaria in the early hours of Sunday.

  • Again, gunmen attack Zaria again, abduct residents

    Again, gunmen attack Zaria again, abduct residents

    Barely two days after an attack on Bamalli Polytechnic, Zaria, Kaduna state, unknown gunmen have again attacked Kofar Gayan and Kofar Kona areas of Zaria and abducted some residents.

    ASP Mohammed Jalige, Police Public Relations Officer, Kaduna State Command, who confirmed the incidence, said he was trying to gather details to update the press.

    However, an official of Kaduna State Vigilance Service (KadVS), who spoke on condition of anonymity Sunday in Zaria, said the incident occurred between 12.01 and 1.00am on Saturday night.

    The official, who did not give details on the exact number of people abducted by the kidnappers, said the incident occurred around Government Girls Secondary School, Kofar Gayan.

    An eyewitness, Malam Abdullahi Mohammed, a resident of the area,told NAN that no fewer than 12 people were abducted during the operation.

    He added that about eight people were kidnapped from a single house, while others were picked separately.

    Similarly, daughter of one of the victims, Hafsat Kusfa,said the bandits broke into their home around 12.01 am and assembled them in front of the house.

    She added that the bandits, who were about seven in number carrying guns and marchets, took away eight members of her family,including her father, mother, sisters and brothers.

    Kusfa said her father and mother, as well as some of the kidnapped victims, were later released through the efforts of security men who intercepted the hoodlums.

    Recall that the attacked is coming barely two days after similar incident at Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, Zaria, where one student was killed, while two lecturers and eight students were abducted.

  • PHOTO: 34-year-old mother of 13 children gives birth to quadruplets in Kaduna

    PHOTO: 34-year-old mother of 13 children gives birth to quadruplets in Kaduna

    A 34-year-old housewife, Hauwa’u Sulaiman, of No. 70 Alfadarai in Zaria, also a mother of 13, gave birth to a set of quadruplets at the Gambo Sawaba General Hospital, Zaria, on Friday, June 5.

    Sulaiman on Tuesday in Zaria stated that she had now been blessed with 17 children, adding that the set of the new quadruplets she was recently delivered of was her eighth delivery.

    The mother and the babies were transferred to the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH) for better care after she had been delivered of her latest pregnancy.

    Sulaiman, however, said that the only male among the quadruplets died before they arrived ABUTH.

    She said that the remaining three infants had been placed under observation at the pediatrics care unit and she (the mother) had been receiving medical care at the maternity ward.

    She said that she received two bags of blood during the delivery processes.

    Mother of 13 gives birth to quadruplets in Zaria
    Sulaiman said the only male among the quadruplets died before they arrived ABUTH

    “I am very healthy and strong but the medical experts advised that I need to be monitored very well before they can discharge me,’’ she told NAN.

    Her husband, Malam Sulaiman Mohammed , also said that his wife had twice in the past given birth to a set of triplets; a set of twins two times, and given birth to three babies at different times before the quadruplets.

    Mohammed, a driver, expressed gratitude to Allah for the wonderful gift of the babies.

    He added that it was his senior brother that was assisting him with the children whenever such needs arose.

    Similarly, his mother , Saudatu Haruna; said that the birth of the quadruplets was not a surprise to them attributing it to inheritance, adding that she gave birth to a set of twins at three different occasions.

    Haruna added that her mother was a triplet and her father was a twin stressing that the quadruplets were not coming to the family as a surprise to her.

    Dr Isa Abdulkadir, the leading Consultant in the Pediatrics unit at ABUTH, said that the three babies were in good condition.

  • ABU to migrate from undergraduate to postgraduate university – VC

    The Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria on Tuesday disclosed it resolve to migrate from an undergraduate university to postgraduate university inline with global academic practices.
    The ABU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ibrahim Garba stated this while declaring open the 2018 School of Postgraduate Studies Biennial National Conference held at the university’s main campus, Samaru-Zaria, Kaduna State.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the conference is: “Paradigm Shift in Postgraduate Studies for Service and Development.”
    He said: “What we are facing today and what we set for ourselves may sound revolutionary. It may sound unattainable but I think if you are one of us that believe, then nothing is impossible.
    “That’s why if you begin to believe that some certain things are impossible, then you will remain where you are. This university has gone through removable adjustments in recent times.
    “Some of the things that we did, believe me sometimes I wonder how God Almighty was merciful to us to have been able to succeed in dislodging or disrupting some of things we have been doing for decades without any commensurate benefits,” he said.
    According to him, some of the changes came with all the cooperation of both staff and students including those that were rigid but gradually agreed to transforming the character and landscape of the university.
    “You remember, three years ago or so, when we started to attempt to readjust and restructure the university, of course, we are mindful that new things are very difficult to absorb.
    “But I remember very well how we starts with splitting of Faculty of Science into today’s Physical and Life Sciences Faculties, then came the creation of the ABU College of Health Sciences from one single faculty to four faculties.
    “About same time, the more difficult one, we sent our bulldozer to Kongo campus, I attempted to reconfigure Kongo Business Administration with all so much emotions,” he noted.
    He recalled that people had taken the management down memory lane of the then Premier of Northern Nigeria who established the place, adding that “the question is do we remain where we are?”
    Garba noted that if the Premier had survived, today, he would have done things differently and brought new things into light.
    “It reached a point where Kongo had been chocked up, there is no space for expansion. Kongo had lived 70 years or so. In the next 70 years how would it look like? Or do you think life will begin and end with us? It is not possible,” he said.
    The VC said that was how the management succeeded in transferring and creating the new ABU Business School, adding that it was expanded from two departments (Business Administration and Public Administration) to six departments.
    “Business Administration alone had been broken into four different departments. All these that we are doing translated into more imperatives, you cannot have one and break it into four and expect that many things that will come after will remain one, it is impossible.
    “These are some of the things we have done, we have also created new programmes particularly in the Faculty of Engineering, so many programmes have come on stream.
    “All these programmes that are coming at the undergraduate level, give them four, five years, they will begin to require post graduate expansion.
    “Remember also, the Distance Learning Centre has come on stream now and well grounded and runs both post graduate and undergraduate courses and its still expanding to create more access to our teeming candidates,” he said.
    The VC said ABU remained number one in Nigeria in all ramification, adding that the expectation on the university was enormous in terms of capacity to take both undergraduates and postgraduates.
    Garba said the university had internationalised its education, adding that 45 students were recently sent to China for dual degree programmes between ABU and such universities.
    Earlier in his welcome speech, the Dean, School of Post Graduate Studies, Prof. Sadiq Zubairu-Abubakar had said the PG School underscored the importance of conforming with the global best practices in the delivery of postgraduate studies in university system.
    “Thus, we sought to obtain approval to include in the regulations governing the postgraduate studies in this university that PG students must publish scientific articles from their theses and dissertation to enable them graduate.
    “To facilitate easy attainment of this requirement, the SPGS delayed the effective date for the commencement of the policy and further sought and obtained approval of the university administration to introduce: 1. Biennial Conference in 2016 and 2. establishment of 2 SPGS journals in sciences and humanities.”
    The dean said the four-day event promised exiting activities relevant for the audience and central for the future growth of the university.
    Zubairu-Abubakar said the university administration had given approval for major restructuring and reforms of the SPGS to enable the school introduce and sustain the needed changes in PG studies.
    He identified the needed changes to include; physical restructuring of school to create conducive learning environment and improve delivery and review of the regulations to enhance quality and improve graduation rate.
    Others, according to him, are; deployment of ICT tools to improve effectiveness and efficiency of school operations and development of new portal, website and established call/help centre for enhanced visibility and effective administration of PG programmes.
    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that over 500 participants from across the country are attending the conference.
    NAN