The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Abdulgafar Alabelewe

  • Zaria clash: Zakzaky’s brother backs Army action

    Zaria clash: Zakzaky’s brother backs Army action

    Elder brother of the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria otherwise known as Shiite group, Sheikh Ibraheem Yaqoob El-Zakzaky, Muhammad Sani Yaqoob, yesterday said he is very happy with the actions taken by the Nigerian Army in the last December clash between the Army and the Shi’ites in Zaria.

    Muhammad Sani Yaqoob, made this submission at the ongoing Judicial Commission of inquiry probing the clash in Kaduna on Monday.

    He continued when he said, the Nigerian Army would have been useless if they had made a u-turn on the spot of the Zaria clash where the members of the Shi’ites group barricaded the convoy of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai.

    Muhammad, who spoke in Hausa told the gathering that he shared the same father with El-Zakzaky, but different mothers. He said there was no clash between him and El-Zakzaky while growing up except that he has different ideology.

    He said El-Zakzaky is 4th child in the family of 16, describing him as very sharp and intelligent.

    Muhammad Sani Yaqoob who is also the Chairman of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa’iqamatis Sunnah, (JIBWIS) in Zaria  said the Shiite group were being funded by Iran.

    According to him, “They are funded by Iran. They go to Iran twice in a year and they meet there. I have people who after they come back from their trip do come and tell me,” he said.

    He said the Second in Command to Sheikh El-Zakzaky, Muhammad Turi fueled the Army/Shiite clash, with the Sheikh himself as the root cause.

    However, he recommended to the sitting that whoever is found wanting after compilation of its report should be made to face the wrath of the Law.

  • Kaduna: Police nab 15 kidnap suspects

    Kaduna: Police nab 15 kidnap suspects

    • Rescue two victims

    Against the backdrop of incessant high profile kidnap cases in Kaduna State, the Kaduna State Police Command has nabbed 15 suspects, including those terrorising Kaduna-Abuja Express Way where three Pastors were recently kidnapped and an Army Colonel killed.

    The Police however rescued two kidnap victims, one Engr Mansur Musa and Elijah Afolabi from deadly kidnappers.

    The Police Commissioner, Umar Shehu while addressing Journalists shortly after parading the suspects said the gang included those who kidnapped Engr. Mansur Ahmed along Abuja/ Kaduna express way.

    According to the Commissioner, some of the suspects were in possession of foreign currencies and valuables suspected to have been snatched from their victims.

    Some of the suspects paraded before  newsmen confessed to be members of kidnapping gangs operating along Kaduna-Abuja express way.

    One of them told newsmen that he was among members of the gang that kidnapped a Pastor in Jere, Kaduna state.

    The Commissioner said the police were still investigating involvement of the suspects in alleged kidnapping of late Army Colonel Ismail Inusa, killed last week along the same road.

    According to him, “In two to three days all necessary information as regards to the suspects will be revealed as investigation is ongoing.”

    According to him, another suspects were arrested by the Anti-Crime Patrol team in Kabala West for threatening some prominent personalities from their village and demanding for Ransom.

    The Commissioner further reasured members of the public of police readiness to make Kaduna safe and habitable.

    He urged residents to assist the police with useful information to track down criminals in the state.

    The Nation recall that, three HEKAN Pastors were recently abducted at the site of their church permanent site along Kaduna-Abuja express way. While, Nigerian Army Colonel, Samaila Inusa was equally kidnapped at Kamazo area of Kaduna metropolis and killed along Kaduna-Abuja Road.

  • Kaduna youths protest one year blackout

    Youths numbering over 1000 on Friday blocked the Ibrahim Yakowa expressway around the popular Kamazo, a suburb of Kaduna metropolis to protest lack of electricity in their area for nearly a year now.

    The youths who came from Janruwa community said they had only one transformer covering the whole area and that the transformer broke down over one year, leaving the area in total darkness.

    ‎The youths, both male and female carried leaves and placards with different inscriptions. They also blocked the road on both lanes, hindering all vehicular movements.

    The military and police personnel who arrived the scene saw that it was a peaceful demonstration and did nothing to disperse the crowd. The leader of the military advised the youths to go about their demonstration peacefully after they explained their grievances to the security personnel. They‎ did not leave the road until a government functionary came and addressed them, assuring that their matter will be taken up.

    One of the demonstrators said: “We came out since 5:00 am to protest over the black out in our area for over a year now. Since last year we have not seen light with our eyes. Our transformer got spoilt and we were promised another. We did not get the other transformer neither did we see light. We have made repeated attempts to get the attention of the government, but all to no avail. That is why we decided to come out en mass to protest peacefully. With this, we are sure of getting government’s attention. Our protest is peaceful; we are not destroying anything and we are not harassing anyone. Our only aim is to make our predicament known, that is all.”

    ‎Meanwhile, a swift reaction from the Head, Corporate Communication of Kaduna Electric, Abdulazeez Abdullahi, has assured the Janruwa community of restoration of normal power supply through a statement.

    ‎”The Management of Kaduna Electric wishes to express its deep concern over the power supply situation in Janruwa, a community in the suburb of Kaduna. It is pertinent to state that since the failure of the transformer serving the community in August last year, the company has not rest on its oars. On two different occasions within the period under discussion, the company took transformers to the community to ensure restoration of normal power supply, but unfortunately the two transformers failed.

    “The current Management of Kaduna Electric appreciates and accord significant importance to constructive engagements with its customers and other stakeholders alike. It is in recognition of this fact that on Tuesday this week, 29th March, the Company held a very fruitful meeting with leaders of Janruwa community led by the Dakachin Janruwa at our Barnawa Area Office. The meeting of course among other things, reviewed the situation and the community leaders were properly briefed on the efforts being made by the company to ensure early restoration of power supply to the community,” the statement read.

     

  • Be conscious in discharge of duty: Security agents urged

    Be conscious in discharge of duty: Security agents urged

    Following the new spate and dynamism of Kidnapping, and insurgency‎, currently facing the National Security, the Nigerian Military has commenced a joint inter-security agencies and other security stakeholders training to properly manage counter revolutionary warfare.

    Declaring the training, tagged ‘Operation Haske Biyu 2016″ open, Commandant, Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, Air Vice Marshal Suleiman Dambo charged Security Agents in the Country to always be conscious and observant at all times as they go about their respective duties.

    ‎He said the exercise has become imperative in the face of treats posed by the dynamism of the current security challenges in the country, where kidnapping and insurgency is the other of the day.

    “In view of the dynamics of global security and the dictates of our current national security challenges, the security agencies have found themselves deployed regularly on Internal Security Operations.

    “Such deployments require them to carry out operations against a blend of conventional, irregular, terrorist and criminal groups. Most of the groups are organised and they employ asymmetric tactics in carrying out their violent activities.

    “Thus, the relevance of an exercise such as HASKE BIYU, which engages all security agencies, the media and other stakeholders in the business of security.

    “The exercise is therefore apt and timely because it provides a platform for the cross fertilisation of ideas thereby allowing all stakeholders of the national security architecture to cooperate and collaborate for the development of sustainable conflict resolution and management mechanisms.” Air Vice Marshal Dambo, noted.

    He urged them, to ensure that their disclosure of information to outside sources, movement, association and other actions to reflect that of security personnel, saying, “this is in view of the current trends of suicide bombings, particularly when so much security agencies are mustered in one place.”

    The three weeks exercise which has one hundred and two (102) participants, we’re drawn from all security agencies, the media other civil agencies in the security sector, with the Nigerian Police having the bulk of participants.

  • Zaria clash: Shi’ites drag Army to International Court

    Zaria clash: Shi’ites drag Army to International Court

    Members of Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) otherwise known as Shi’ites, on Monday said that they have taken the Nigerian Army to International Criminal Court (ICC) in Hague for alleged war crimes in the December 2015 clash with its members in Zaria, Kaduna State.

    Addressing Journalists, Spokesman of the Islamic group, Ibrahim Musa said the Zaria clash was a war against the Shi’ites where over 1000 of them were allegedly killed by the Army.

    The ICC is believed to be  the court of last resort for prosecution of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.

    According to Musa,  “International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) has on behalf of Shiites called on the International Criminal Court to open a preliminary enquiry into the events in Zaria last year.

    “In the filing submitted to the ICC today IHRC writes: ‘The crimes committed between the 12th and 14th December 2015 in Zaria, Kaduna State, by the Nigerian army amount to crimes against humanity. The crimes committed by the Nigerian army meet all the necessary legal requirements to warrant a preliminary investigation by the ICC prosecutor’.

    “The International Criminal Court is being urged to investigate the massacre of nearly 1000 civilians in Nigeria last December at the hands of the country’s armed forces.

    “IHRC has called on the international tribunal which has a mandate to prosecute people for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, to open a preliminary enquiry into the events in Zaria last year in which soldiers attacked the Islamic Movement of Nigeria’s (IMN) supporters, symbols and property.

    “The assault over two days in the northern Nigerian city left a trail of bloodshed and destruction including the shooting of the movement’s leader Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky and his wife Zeenat. Both are currently believed to be in military custody, detained without charge.

    “Information obtained by IHRC indicates that 217 people were confirmed killed in the attacks, another 219 are in detention, and 482 are still missing. The number of injured is believed to run into many hundreds. IHRC’s filing to the ICC is largely based on eye-witness evidence of the army’s assault.

    “The majority of deaths were caused by gunshots fired by soldiers. Cases of people being burnt alive have also emerged. Injuries caused by machetes or other knife wounds have also been found on the corpses, and could be the work of the criminal groups that perpetrated acts of looting and mutilation alongside the military. Signs of torture and electrocution have been evidenced on the body of the IMN leader Sheikh Zakzaky and other detainees, two of whom died as a result thereof.

    “Sexual violence has also been reported, including cases of rape against women affiliates of the IMN. A 14-year old female witness told IHRC that the military shot her in her private parts when she resisted attempts by soldiers to rape her. Some women reportedly had their breasts cut off and others were deliberatelly shot in the pelvic region damaging their uteri.

    “Photographic evidence has been obtained along with testimonies of mass graves where the army is reported to have buried fatalities from the killing spree. Some corpses were allegedly incinerated, apparently in order to conceal any evidence.

    “In its submission IHRC says that the evidence suggests that the army’s assault was a systematic and pre-planned attempt to snuff out the IMN whose growing popularity have made it a thorn in the side of Nigerian governments.

    “A similar army assault in July 2014 during a religious procession led to the deaths of 34 IMN members including three sons of Sheikh Zakzaky who were apparently singled out for execution.

    “During the  December’s violence soldiers were seen celebrating and chanting slogans against the IMN, such as ‘we have finished with the Shia and Zakzaky’ and ‘no more Shias in Nigeria’. Although the IMN has support among Nigeria’s Sunnis and Shias it is often portrayed by its detractors as a Shia organisation.

    “During the violence soldiers used automatic weapons, explosives and armoured vehicles against unarmed civilians. This, along with the destruction of places of worship, graves and other buildings associated with the IMN, appears to support the contention that the attack was aimed at fatally damaging or eliminating the IMN.

    “Although the state government in Kaduna has set up a Judicial Commission of Inquiry IHRC believes it is insufficiently independent and impartial to be able to hold those responsible to account, nor is there any reasonable prospect of any prosecutions.

    “In his speech announcing the inquiry state governor Malam Nasir el-Rufai listed a range of grievances against the IMN, which is indicative of bias against the IMN from the start. He was also responsible for demolishing IMN properties before setting up the commission of inquiry”. He said.

  • Lassa Fever: Health worker infected, patients on the run in Kaduna

    Another health worker has been infected with the Lassa fever virus in Kaduna State and is currently being  isolated at the Infectious Disease Centre (IDC), Kakuri‎, Kaduna South Local Government Area of the state.

    Chairman Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) Dr. Muhammed Sani Ibrahim who disclosed this said the whereabouts of   two patients suspected of having the virus, a male from Kachia Hospital and a female from Kawo General Hospital ‎who were referred to Barau Dikko Specialist Hospital cannot be ascertained.

    The NMA Chairman while briefing newsmen on Monday  on the Lassa Fever outbreak ‎ which has so far claimed the lives of three persons called on the public to observe a good community hygiene including food hygiene and food protection practices.

    As part of measure to address the situation, Dr Ibrahim said, the association is creating awareness on preventive measures, sensitizing the clinicians both in public and private set up to observe a. Very high index of suspicion and to observe universal precautions as they handle patients in all facilities.

    He assured that the medical association intend to sustain their sensitization and awareness creation efforts as a sure way to forestall spread and reduce death from infection.

    “We are aware of the various efforts of the Federal and state governments in the creation and circulation of management protocols as well as supply of the antiviral drug( Ribavirin)‎ which if given early can reduce morbidity and mortality.

    “We are also aware of the efforts of the state Epidemiology Unit and the State Rapid Response team who have ensured a timely response to all reports in the state.”

    He also urged all to ensure that they avoid contact with rats as well as food or objects contaminated with rat secretion/excretions, “people must avoid drying food in the open and along the road side and also to cover all food to prevent contamination,” he added.

    “Family members and health care workers are advised to always exercise caution and avoid contact with blood fluids while caring for sick persons, while suspected cases should be reported immediately because the treatment outcome is best if the treatment is commenced early.”

    Meanwhile, he said the 10 primary contacts and 28 Secondary contacts of the Doctor and Nurse that died as a result of the lassa fever virus are currently placed on surveillance.

  • Lassa fever: Pregnant woman, two others die in Kaduna

    Three persons including a pregnant woman have been confirmed dead of Lassa Fever disease in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

    The state Commissioner for Health, Professor Andrew Nok who disclosed this on Monday said the two other people who lost their lives include a nurse and a Medical Doctor in the state.

    Professor Nok said the nurse and Medical Doctor contracted the disease after administering medication on the pregnant woman at Saint Loius Hospital, Zonkwa in Zangon Kataf Local government area of the state.

    In a related development, Kaduna State Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry, Dr. Manzo Maigari said the state has no case of anthrax disease.

    Dr. Maigari disclosed this at a one day workshop organized by the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association, (NVMA) in collaboration with Africa Media Development Foundation, AMDF to train Journalists on reporting Zoonosis diseases (Animal related diseases) and sponsored by the Ministry.

    Represented by his Permanent Secretary, Abdulkadir Kassim, Dr. Maigari said the association has taken proactive measure of acquiring 150,000 doses of vaccines in the state.

    It has already stationed doctors and other veterinary staffs to monitor movement of livestock coming in from borders to the state.

    He urged the breeders of animals to report cases especially with symptoms of animals bleeding from nose, anus or ears immediately to appropriate authorities.

    Dr. Maigari said anthrax disease is deadly, saying the animals and also human who contract this disease die within one or two days just as he said zoonosis related diseases are serious and needs all hands on deck to combat it.

    Presenting a paper titled “Overview of Zoonoses,” a Professor of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Prof. Junaidu Kabir said poverty and ignorance predisposes people to zoonosis.

    He said the people out of poverty and ignorance eat improperly cooked foods, unhealthy animals and consume unconventional animals among others.

    Chairman of Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association, Kaduna State chapter, Dr. Yila Umar said there are cases of zoonosis in the state, hence the needs for the training of the journalist.

    Earlier, AMDF Program Officer, Sekyen Dadik said the essence of the workshop is to train the journalist to report from well informed position. 

  • ‘How pilgrims died in Saudi Arabia’

    Death toll now 736

    The Saudi Arabian authorities have confirmed that at least 453 pilgrims taking part in the ongoing Hajj have died while 405 others sustained injuries Thursday on their way from Muzdalifa to Jamrat, where the symbolic stoning of devil takes place near the city of Makka.
    However, as at the time of filing this report, a Saudi Television Channel, ‘Saudi 2’ said death toll has risen to 736.
    According to various accounts, the incident was caused by a stampede close to Jamrat owing to the high number of pilgrims who have converged in Saudi Arabia for the annual pilgrimage.
    Speaking to The Nation, Alhaji Muhamadu Ilela, a pilgrim from Sokoto state who was at the scene, said that the deaths occurred because the Saudi police blocked one of the gates leading to the Jamrat area.
    ‘’For over one hour, the queue didn’t move and we were in the scorching sun. After some time, people started collapsing because of the heat wave. This was what caused the initial deaths. A stampede followed which caused the deaths of most pilgrims,’’ Ilela stated.
    The eye witness said that the victims were of different nationalities.
    Speaking to our correspondent on phone, the Public Relations Officer of the state National Hajj Commission, Uba Mana said that Emir of Kano and Amir of the Hajj team and all other stakeholders were meeting at the time of filing this report.
    Another respondent alleged that the incident occurred at one of the tents at Muna and not Muzdalifa.
    The Saudi Civil Defence Directorate did not state the cause of the deaths and where the incident precisely occurred. However, it reported on Twitter that 4,000 personnel had been sent to the scene of stampede, along with more than 220 emergency and rescue units.
    It will be recalled that last Sunday, the Head of Nigerian delegation for this year’s Hajj and Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi II, urged pilgrims to accept the arrangement which the
    Saudi Authorities have put in place over ‘’the stoning of the devil’’ at Jamrat.
    Amirul Hajj Sanusi revealed that performing the stoning of the devil in batches and spreading the time for the Islamic rite to include the period of Zawal (sun rise) is necessary to protect the lives of pilgrims.
    The Emir noted that ‘’on many occasion, pilgrims have been killed at the stoning site from stampede arising out of thousands of pilgrims converging to do the throwing at the same time, among number of causes.’’
    Emir Sanusi II recalled that 266 pilgrims had died in 1994 while 98 others were injured at the
    stoning site that year. Ten years later, 251 pilgrims died in 2004 and in 2006, 346 had also lost their lives, he added.
    According to him, ‘’all these incidents happened at the Jamarat. The frequency and sheer enormity necessitated the following arrangement of the concerned authority, by performing the ritual in a way that will protect human life.’’
    The Emir argued that if lives will be protected by performing the ritual before sun rise, then one of the fundamental objectives of Sharia will be fulfilled at the level of absolute necessities.

  • Northern Govs meet on dreaded forest again

    Governors of North Western States and Niger met in again in Kaduna on Saturday to review the security approach towards ending cattle rustling and other security challenges in Kamuku and Kuyanbana Forests.
    It would be recalled that, five Governors of Kaduna, Niger, Katsina, Kebbi and Zamfara states met in June to form a joint security operation against dreaded Kamuku Forest.
    Meanwhile, at the Saturday’s review meeting held alongside security chiefs, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State and his Sokoto counterpart had joined the five Governors to avoid spillover of security challenges around their states when criminals are smoked out of the forest.
    Briefing newsmen after the close door meeting which lasted for three hours, Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwwal said they will leave no stone unturned to ensure maximum security in their domain.
    He noted that, the collaborative approach adopted by the states surrounding Kamuku and Kuyanbana Forests has paid off, as it has started yielding positive results.
    According to Tambuwwal, “We have resolved to support the security agencies both material, financially and morally to improved security situation and ensure that there is no hideout for criminals in the North-west sub-region.
    “The collaboration between the states and Federal Government has been very helpful. So, we just sat to review the way forward and how to bring about peaceful coexistence in our region.
    “With reports reaching us so far from the security operatives, we are satisfied that the operation is successful and moving smoothly. And we are hopeful that in no distance future, peace will return to the region.
    “Initially, it was only five states of Kaduna, Niger, Zamfara, Katsina and Kebbi but today other states like Sokoto and Kano have decided to join hands with the movement to ensure that no hideout for the criminals or terrorists.
    “So far, we have made lot of arrests and recovery of property belonging to innocent persons and were returned back to their owners. But it is still ongoing and we will brief you adequately at the end of the operations on the successes recorded.
    “We are calling on the people to cooperate and support us by making available necessary information and by reporting suspicious movement around their neighbourhood to security operatives to ensure they are apprehended.” Tambuwwal said.