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Tag: Kaduna state

  • UPDATED: 20 killed in fresh Kajuru attack

    Not less than 20 persons have been reported killed in a fresh attack by unknown gunmen in Angwan Aku village, Kajuru Local government area of Kaduna state.

    A source who resides in the community, took place at about 7:00 am on Monday when the attackers allegedly dressed in military uniform and armed with AK47 rifles, machetes and sticks stormed the village shooting sporadically.

    The Nation learnt that, several others sustained various degrees of injuries from gunshots.

    According to the source, “The attackers stormed the village and started shooting indiscriminately. We all started running to the bush. As we were running, they were also pursuing us as we ran to the bush, some people were killed in the bush.

    ”Some of them were wearing military uniforms with bulletproof vests and they were speaking in Fulani language. I saw them from where I was hiding” he said.

    Read also: Police kill three bandits in fresh Kaduna village attack

    The source further alleged that, the police arrived the village in eight Hilux vans, but could not go into the bushes to pursue the bandits.

    “The police came in eight Hilux vehicles, but instead of pursuing the bandits who ran to the bushes, they just turned back”. He alleged.

    According to him, there had been speculations about an impending attack since last week, which the state government was aware of.

    “We had thought that the government would have taken the speculations seriously and be proactive, but they didn’t take it seriously and this had led to the killing of more of our people. It is rather very unfortunate”. He said.

    A former President of the Adara Development Association (ADA), Danladi Yarima, confirmed the killings in a telephone interview, describing it as unfortunate.

    He condemned the killings and accused the state government of bias in handling the crisis.

    The incessant killings in Kajuru communities started in February 10, 2019 when Fulani herdsmen allegedly attacked Anguwan Barde, an Adara community in the night and killed eleven people.

    The Adara were alleged to have embarked on reprisal attacks, killing many Fulani.

    Yarima, a lawyer, had in a recent statement said about 4,000 people have been rendered homeless following the destruction of their homes by bandits.

    However, efforts to get the reaction of Yakubu Sabo, spokesman of the Kaduna state police command was unsuccessful as his telephone was not connecting and he did not reply to a message sent to him on the Police/Media WhatsApp platform.

  • Police kill three bandits, lose two in fresh Birnin-Gwari attack

    Barely five days after three suspected kidnappers were killed in Kaduna, men of the Nigeria Police have killed three out the armed bandits that stormed Kakangi Village of Birnin-Gwari Council in a gun battle.

    Meanwhile, Kaduna State Police Command lost two of its men in the cross-fire with the bandits.

    The Command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO,) DSP Yakubu Sabo confirmed the development in a statement he issued on Sunday.

    The PPRO said, “the command received a distress call through DPO Randagi on 6/4/19 at about 1900 hrs  that armed men in large number entered  Kakangi village of Birnin Gwari council, who started shooting sporadically and attacking the villagers.

    “Upon receiving hints, combine teams of PMF Personnel,  conventional Police and Vigilante were quickly mobilized to the village to engaged the bandits in fierce gun duel and successfully repelled the attack, but however, “two of our men paid the supreme sacrifice during the intense gun duel with the bandits.

    “Our gallant men gunned down three of the bandits and several others escaped into the bush with bullet wounds.” PPRO confirmed.

    But the chairman of Birnin -Gwari Vanguards for security and good governance, Ibrahim Abubakar Nagwari while narrating the incident said the bandits stormed Kakangi around 5.00 pm on motorcycle shooting sporadically at the police station before proceeding on a house to house attack and torching houses.

    He explained in his statement that a survivor of the attack at Gagumi  Kakangi said: “we were sitting in front of the police station and suddenly bandits heavily started shooting. I jumped through the fence to escape. As I was escaping, thick smoke from several locations overshadowed the sky.”

    Read Also: Police restrict night operation of Okada in Badagry

    Nagwari however added that he learnt from several sources that many people were feared killed, including high profile indigenes of Kakangi who were attending a mass wedding.

    The PPRO said in his statement that “One Inspector Aliyu Mohammed and Sgt Rabiu Abubakar both attached to Randagi Division, as well as Sgt Ibrahim Nasir along with six civilians were injured and are now receiving treatment at the General Hospital B/Gwari. The attackers also torched some houses in the village.”

    He said the Command has mobilized more reinforcement to the area with a view to apprend the perpetrators of the attack and bring them to justice.

    “The Commissioner of Police CP Ahmad Abdurrahman has condemned the attack and assured members of the public that the Command will fish out the culprits. He however appealed to the good citizens of the State to support the Police with prompt and relevant information that could help in getting rid of the bandits in the State.”

    The Commissioner of Police prayed for the repose of the souls of the gallant officers who lost their lives in the operation and quick recovery of the injured persons.

     

  • Court orders farmer to pay back N61,600 to ex-lover

    A Sharia Court II sitting in Magajin Gari in Kaduna State on Thursday ordered a poultry farmer to pay his ex-lover N61,600, being amount he borrowed from her to start a poultry business.

    The Judge, Musa Sa’ad-Goma, ordered Shu’aibu Rani, 33, to pay, Zulaihat Umar N10,000 on the spot and subsequently pay her N5000 monthly to exhaust the amount.

    Umar, 24, had prayed the court to recover the amount from her ex-lover.

    Read Also: Court didn’t decide in favour of Omo-Agege – SAN

    Umar said that she borrowed Rani the sum of N86,600 to start up a poultry business in 2014, adding that the defendant agreed to pay her N5000 monthly until the amount was exhausted.

    “He had promised to pay me back after he sells the birds but he only gave me N25,000 and failed to pay the balance,” she said.

    Rani, who did not deny owing his ex-lover, said he separated from Umar after he got married to another woman.

    NAN

  • We’ve attracted $500m investments into Kaduna – El-Rufai

    Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai has said that his government has attracted both local and international investments of over $500 million into the state in the last three and half years.

    Governor Nasir El-Rufai stated this in Kaduna on Wednesday at the opening of the 4th edition of the Kaduna Economic and Investment Summit (KadInvest).

    Governor Nasir El Rufai said some of the investments have already became reality and hundreds of thousands of youth are benefiting from them.

    He added that the feat was possible because his government has been able to make the state an investors destination.

    El Rufai disclosed that some of the policies put in place to make the state investors haven is creating conducive atmosphere for business to prosper.

    He added that his Government has put in place a 35 years infrastructural plan to transform the state. This according to him is backed up by the industrialization plan of the state.

    He cited companies like Olam Factory, Zaria Feed Mills and the partnership with Dangote conglomerate to revive the comatose Peugeot factory in Kaduna as outcomes of the investment friendly environment.

    Speaking on why Investors should invest in Kaduna, Governor El Rufai said the state is blessed with experienced and educated work force, because it has the highest number of tertiary institutions in the North.

    Read Also: El-Rufai debunks accident rumour, says I’m alive

    According to the Governor, “KadInvest has become a critical vehicle for driving investments in Kaduna and providing the condusive environment for the private sector to thrive.

    “Through this platform, in the last three and the half years, we have attracted over $500 million in local and foreign investments in this state,” he stated.

    “We also have abundant natural resources, large labour force that will provide the required work force. Our state is also investors friendly and a gateway to other Northern States.

    The governor noted that this year’s KadInvest is the fourth of its kind, revealed that “the investments have generated over 100, 000 jobs.”

    Governor El-Rufai however stated that the government is faced with the challenge of creating better opportunities to match its population, hence the investment drive.

    “The biggest challenge we face as a government and as a state is job creation. We, therefore, have to come up with numerous policies and reforms that will make Kaduna the first choice of investors in Nigeria.

    “We know we are competing with 35 other states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). We also know we are competing for investable funds around the world. So we have to be better than the best to be able to attract more investments.” He added.

    Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari in his message sent to the Summit, commended the state government’s investment drive, hoping that, fruitful Public Private Partnerships and beneficial collaborations that would usher in economic prosperity for the people of Kaduna State and Nigeria would be the outcome of the summit.

    “It is my utmost pleasure to once again extend the sincere goodwill and unflinching support of the Federal Government of Nigeria to the Government and people of Kaduna State, on the occasion of the fourth edition of the Kaduna

    “In the past four years, I have closely followed the determined efforts of Kaduna State given the intense global competition for investment funds.

    “The Federal Government shall accord priority to the implementation of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan across the sub-national level, along with private sectors to help create sustainable jobs and prosperity for our people.

    “In line with our efforts to diversify the economy away from undue reliance on Oil and Gas, as you focus on the theme of Kadinvest 4.0- Expanding Investment Frontiers, it is my hope that the Summit will result in additional fruitful Public Private Partnerships and beneficial collaborations that would usher in economic prosperity for the people of Kaduna State and Nigeria at large.” President Buhari said.

  • Kajuru crisis: Adara community requires N50m to rebuild 545 houses

    The Adara Community in Kajuru Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna state says it requires about N50 million to rebuild 545 houses destroyed by gunmen following series of attacks.

    The Chairman of the community Mr Mumini Madugu, disclosed this while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna on Sunday.

    He said the attacks left thousands of the Adara people homeless.

    Madugu said the community came under attacks few days after a statement from the Government House Kaduna on Feb. 15, alleging that a number of Fulani people including women and children have been killed by the locals.

    He said series of attacks launched between Feb. 10 and March 11, left 148 people dead and 545 houses destroyed

    “The attackers in their hundreds first invaded Unguwan Barde, killed 35 people and destroyed 90 houses and proceeded to Karamai village on Feb. 2, killed 42 people and destroyed 196 houses.

    “On March 11, Dogon Noma community was also attacked, 71 people were killed, and 259 houses destroyed, making a total of 148 people killed and 545 houses destroyed.

    “In all the attacks, 65 people were seriously injured and currently in hospitals receiving treatment, while about N28 million worth of grains and other food stuff were also burnt.
    “These attacks have displaced thousands of our people including 2,000 children who are currently taking shelter in eight camps across three LGAs of the state -Chikun, Kajuru and Kachia,” he said.

    The chairman called on government at all levels and well-meaning Nigerians to come to their aid and help them rebuild their houses so they can return home.
    He thanked government agencies, Non-Governmental Organisations, community organisations and civil society organisations for supporting them with relief materials.

    Read also: Community frowns at failure to arrest Kajuru killers

    One of the elders, Mr Usman Stingo that the area has a history of peaceful coexistence with settlers including the Hausa and Fulani people.

    Stingo, a retired teacher particularly described the relationship between the Adara people and the Fulani as a symbiotic one dating far back to the days of their fore fathers.
    He, however, said that the relationship began to deteriorate in 2017 over a relationship between a Hausa boy and an Adara girl which led to a communal clash resulting in loss of lives and property.

    “Also, on Oct. 18, 2018, another misunderstanding occurred at Kasuwan Magani and escalated into serious crises that claimed more than 100 lives.
    “A day after that, the Chief of Adara was kidnapped and murdered. And since then, Kajuru LGA and the Adara people have always been on the news but for the wrong reasons,” he said.

    The elder blamed the series of attacks in the community on government’s inability to perform its duty of protecting lives and property.

    “Hardly will anyone convince us that local Fulani in Kajuru are responsible for these attacks, because the accent of the attackers was completely different from that of the Fulani people who live with us.

    “We do not believe that the Fulani that we lived with for ages can suddenly have a change of attitude and turned brutal.

    “We are of the view that the attackers might have been hired mercenaries, but who hired them is a question we do not have answers to,” he said.

    On how to restore the lost relationship, the elder stressed on the need for the Adara and Fulani elders to close ranks whenever something of this nature comes up and fish out the culprits.

    “But leaving one group to go searching for who attacked only gives room for suspicions and mistrust which if not properly managed could escalate into a serious crisis with unimaginable consequences.

    “The State Government must also ensure justice and fairness to all and be a government for all by particularly improving security in the state and bringing the assailants to book,” he said.(NAN)

  • State governments key allies for successful businesses – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday described state governments as key allies for successful businesses in the country.

    Buhari made the statement at the opening of the 40th Kaduna International Trade Fair, organised by the Kaduna Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KADCCIMA).

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the fair had the  theme, “Consolidating Interface Between Industry and Agriculture for Nigeria’s Sustainable Development”.

    Buhari, who was represented at the occasion by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Okechukwu Enelama, said that the commitment of state governments was required for businesses to stay on course.

    “For instance, we rely on state governments to provide access to land, act as mediators in conflict prevention and resolution, link local Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to the supply chains of processing companies.

    “States also provide the needed infrastructure to link farms to processing plants and markets, and above all, provide a conducive environment for businesses and their host communities to thrive.

    “I am glad to say that we have such a partner in the Kaduna State Government,” he said.

    He gave the assurance that the Federal Government would continue to engage KADCCIMA and the organised private sector  to catalyse investment and improve the ease of doing business.

    According to him, agriculture contributes 25.5 per cent of Nigeria’s GDP and almost 50 per cent of its labour force.

    “But we continue to face the challenge of meeting domestic food requirements, providing raw materials for the manufacturing sector and export.

    “Therefore, creating a strong linkage between agriculture and industry is a sure way of bringing about sustainable growth by creating new jobs, improving value addition.

    “The move will also create wealth for farming communities, improve manufacturing output and enable roll-out of infrastructure around farming communities which will industrialise our country in the long run,” he said.

    Read Also: I’ll leave Nigeria better than I met it, says Buhari

    Earlier, Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, reiterated the state government’s commitment to building a business-friendly environment.

    El-Rufai, who was represented by Dr Hadiza Balarabe, the state  Deputy Governor-elect, congratulated KADCCIMA for 40 years of organising the private sector in the state to contribute to national development.

    He said that the state would continue to build the needed human capital by equipping teeming youths in the state with skills for entrepreneurship development.

    The President of KADCCIMA, Hajiya Muheeba Dankaka, said that the theme of the fair was chosen to support government efforts toward boosting the nation’s economy through the promotion of the non-oil sector.

    Dankaka described the 40th edition of the fair as unique, considering KADCIMA’s 40 years of contribution to the development of Kaduna State and the country.

    She thanked the Federal  Government and the Kaduna State Government for promoting the growth of the private sector in the state through various business-friendly policies.

    Also speaking, Mr Iyalode Lawson, National President, Nigeria Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), congratulated KADCIMA for its 40th anniversary.

    Lawson, who was represented by  NACCIMA’s First Deputy Vice President, Mrs Saratu Aliyu, called on the federal and state governments to strengthen power supply and boost access to roads and capital.

    NAN

  • El-Rufai drums up support for EFCC

    Kaduna State Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufa’i has called on Nigerians and Kaduna indigenes in particular to support the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the fight against corruption.

    The governor stated this yesterday at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim Goverment House, Kaduna, while receiving officers of the Kaduna Zonal Office of the commission, who were on a courtesy visit.

    El-Rufai assured the commission that the state would work hand in hand with the EFCC in tackling corruption by giving the commission the necessary support, saying transparency is key in his government.

    He added that the state government has enacted laws that would help in regulating corruption cases ravaging the state.

    Read also: New judge to hear Patience Jonathan’s suit against EFCC

    The EFCC, team led by the Kaduna Zonal Head, Mailafia Yakubu, told the governor that the commission was ready to get rid of corruption.

    He said: “Our job is to get rid of corruption for the betterment of our generation and the generation yet unborn.”

    Mailafia stated that the fight against corruption “is a fight for all and the commission needs everyone’s support to achieve its mandate”.

    He lauded the state government for creating Kaduna State Geographical Information System (KADGIS), which helps in dealing with land cases.

  • CAN condemns reverend father’s kidnapping in Kaduna

    THE Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has condemned the abduction of the Parish Priest of St. Theresa Catholic Church, Ankwa Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Reverend Father John Bako Shekwolo.

    The religious body also lamented that Kaduna has become the centre of kidnapping, with the security challenge becoming a big business.

    But, the state police command, in a statement by its Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Yakubu Sabo, confirmed the kidnaping of the reverend father.

    He said a team of Police Mobile Force (PMF) and the Anti-Kidnapping Unit (AKU), led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), have been mobilised with a view to comb the area to rescue the priest and apprehend the kidnappers.

    Read also: CAN condemns kidnap of Catholic priest

    The police spokesman added that Police Commissioner Ahmad Abdurrhaman has urged people with useful information as well as the general public to assist in apprehending the culprits as well as rescuing the kinapped priest.

    CAN, in its own statement issued in Kaduna yesterday, by its state chapter chairman, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, equally alleged that the government has failed in tackling the state security threat.

     

  • Kaduna killings: coalition protests in Abuja

    Hundreds of indigenes of Kaduna State gathered in Abuja last week for a peaceful procession to bring to the attention of President Muhammadu Buhari and the international community what they called the horrendous attacks by herdsmen militia on many Adara communities in Kajuru Local Government Area of the state.

    Convener, Coalition Against Kajuru Killings, Rev. Fr Williams Abba said, “The latest death toll of this mindless carnage has already surpassed 130, with several communities reduced to rubbles, and setting the stage for a major humanitarian crisis that has so far displaced no fewer than 10,000 persons now living in four camps.”

    Dressed in black and displaying various inscriptions like “stop the Kajuru massacre now,” “why kill children?”, “Southern Kaduna needs freedom”, “end the bloodshed”, “Sanga lives matter”, “where is your humanity?” and “enough of the killings in southern Kaduna”.

    Addressing the crowd Rev. Fr Williams Abba said: “This peaceful procession today reveals our commitment to the restoration of peace in not only Adara communities, but other areas of Southern Kaduna and indeed Birnin Gwari now under siege by these criminal elements. We call on fellow Nigerians and the international community to mount pressure on the Nigerian government to come to our aid by ending the genocide that is rippling across Adara communities and other areas of Southern Kaduna where there is a resurgence of violence, such as Gerti and Sanga where no fewer than 12 persons have been killed by these rampaging herdsmen. Most disturbingly is the fact that while Adara Nation mourns, Governor El-Rufai rounded up and put in jail Adara leaders and elder statesmen, including the Waziri Adara who’s next in the line of seniority in Adara chiefdom on phantom charges.”

    He expressed sadness that the governor’s allegations over killings of Fulani is still an allegation that is yet to be proven, as he has neither shown the world the pictures of recovered Fulani corpses nor commenced investigation to prove his allegation.

    Abba said: “The Kaduna State Police commissioner recently debunked the death toll as announced by the governor, insisting that investigation into Fulani killings is still at “embryonic stage.”

    “The allegation by El-Rufai over killings of our brothers of Fulani extraction set the stage for reprisal killings and weaved the labyrinth of insecurity over the besieged Adara communities such as we are currently witnessing. Within the space of one month, we have been horror-stricken at the barbaric attacks carried out by these merchants of death against children, men, women, including the aged. Communities have been reduced to rubbles and insecurity now stalks these towns and villages unchallenged.

    Read also: Lamentations as stakeholders proffer solutions to KADUNA KILLINGS

    “The present spate of killings started on Sunday February 10, 2019 when herdsmen militia, without any form of provocation, attacked Ungwar Barde in Maro ward of Kajuru LGA. In that blistering attack, 10 persons, including a pregnant woman, were killed. To our shock and consternation, not a single word over the killing was issued by the Kaduna State Government. Five days after the attack, exactly on February 15, 2019, Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, on National Television disclosed that security agencies had recovered bodies of 66 Fulani killed by Adara natives. He was later to increase the death toll to 130.

    “We cannot remain silent in the face of these gruesome killings and deliberate agenda to annihilate Adara people whose only crime is being natives. The bourgeoning human carnage has the propensity of spreading to other areas of the state if not effectively checkmated. If we must save our shared humanity and salvage what is left of humankind, we need to close ranks and insist on relevant organs of government to perform their obligations without fear or favour.”

    The gathering prayed that Government should, as a matter of urgency, deploy more security forces into these hinterlands, including consistent aerial surveillance to track down the terrorists and consequently end the carnage.

    They said government at both Federal and state levels must muster courage and the political will to halt the incursion of these non-state actors adding that: “It is our firm belief that powerful retrogressive forces are funding and supporting these well-coordinated militia who come in and strike at our sleepy and peaceful communities and retreat without consequences.

  • Court adjourns Zakzaky’s trial indefinitely

    A Kaduna State High Court yesterday adjourned the trial of Leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), also known as Shi’ites, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, and his wife, Zinat, indefinitely.

    Justice Gideon Kurada adjourned the case due to his appointment to serve as a judge in the Presidential and National Assembly Elections Petitions Tribunal in Yobe State.

    El-Zakzaky and wife, who have been in custody since December 2015, were arraigned at the state High Court for culpable homicide, unlawful assembly and disruption of public peace, among others.

    Speaking to reporters after the adjournment, lead counsel to the defendants, Femi Falana (SAN) said the case was adjourned because Justice Kurada is serving as a judge on election petition tribunal.

    The rights lawyer said aside absence of the trial judge, El-Zakzaky and his wife were in dire need of medical attention – the reason they could not appear in court.

    Read also: Federal Govt closes ‘illegal arms importation’ case

    He alleged that the IMN leader and his wife had not been given adequate medical care since December 14, 2015, when they were detained.

    According to him, “So the court has adjourned sine die, meaning indefinitely. My clients are yet to access any form of medical attention, even after the court had ordered so.

    “The case had to be adjourned as both my clients need time to attend to their health.”