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Tag: Kaduna state

  • Southern Kaduna community blasts El-Rufai for bias, arrest of leaders

    Adara Community has lambasted Kaduna State Government for what it called ‘failure to arrest the criminals responsible for killings in six consecutive attacks’ on villages in Kajuru and Kachia local government areas.

    The community under the auspices of Adara Development Association (ADA) lamented despite six attacks on different Adara villages with hundreds killed and thousands displaced, Governor Nasir El-Rufai has arrested their ‘sons’, while none of ‘the killers’ has been arrested.

    ADA, in a statement on Monday, accused of arresting and keeping its members in detention wrongfully, instead of apprehending those responsible for killing them.

    The statement by National Assistant Secretary, of the Association, Barr. Waziri Luka explained: “The unfortunate crisis that erupted in Kajuru Local Government provided an opportunity for statesmanlike conduct to flourish from the consciousness of those with the responsibility of dispensing not just justice but good governance. But what we got instead was an aberration.

    “Our leaders were arrested, locked up in police cells and later transferred to the Kaduna Prison under bogus and ludicrous charges.

    “And despite six attacks on different Adara villages happening after their arrests, despite hundreds killed and thousands displaced, none of the killers has been arrested. None. This is despite all the attacks happening for hours in daylight.

    “Adara chiefs from different villages in Kajuru were invited and arrested. But none from those attacking our communities have even been questioned or detained. None!

    “Our governor who was quick to reel out statistic himself to the media has probably not seen that Karamai, Ungwan Barde, Dogon noma, Kymara and Ungwan Gora villages have all been attacked and burnt down to the ground.

    Read Also: Troops deployed in Kaduna community after attack

    “When will he also speak for us? Aren’t we humans too, aren’t we also part of those he swore to protect? Why this unfair and partial treatment to us as a people? Why.

    “A government that is anchored on the principle of economic, social and environmental justice, that glories on the noble pursuit of strengthening the institutions of justice is missing in the Adara crisis.

    “Justice has been rubbished in pursuit of a sponsored hegemonic enthronement. The result: the one-sided perception of justice simply got pronounced in its odoriferous fetidness.

    “Today makes it almost 31 days that our leaders, elders and chiefs of the Adara nation were indiscriminately arrested in a blatant, injurious and a one-sided reckless abuse of state power never envisaged under a democratic government in Kaduna State.

    “The blindfold on Lady Justice depicting impartiality and objectivity in the application of justice has been removed – on the Adara people.

    “Montesquieu said ‘there is no crueler tyranny than that which is perpetuated under the shield of law and in the name of justice,’ and that is exactly what is happening in Kaduna state.

    “The unfortunate aspect is that political and religious considerations have made so many to even turn their backs on the carnage taking place in our villages.

    “Apart from coping with our leaders in prison, we are also digging mass graves to bury our dead, running up and down to provide for the thousands of our displaced ones and tending to those in hospitals. In all these, the state government is not bothered but bent on appeasing the killers while they kill us.

    “We insist that our leaders are innocent and should be released. We reiterate the fact the Kaduna state government is engaged in a punitive exercise to simply humiliate, punish and ensure the destruction of the Adara nation.

    “It should be noted that peace cannot thrive where there is injustice. It is even worse when those in authority openly display a corrosive bias in favour of those they consider as theirs.”

    The Adara people called for urgent steps to be taken to address the challenges facing the over 3,000 displaced people whose homes and everything they laboured for was destroyed.

    “Many others who sustained injuries from gunshots and machete cuts are in the different hospitals across the state,” they lamented.

    Leaders of Adara people in prison, according to the statement, are Engr. Bawa Magaji, Wazirin Adara, acting Agom Adara, arrested on 16th February and retired Commissioner of Police, Mr Sani Magaji, the Baradan Adara, arrested on 19th February (27 days today).

    Others were Awemi Dio Maisamari, National President of the Adara Development Association arrested on 16th February; Mr Joseph Abdullahi, National Treasurer, ADA; Mr Tanko Maisamari, village head of Maro.

    Others include Mr. Hosea Danladi, Village Head Ungwan Gamo, Mr Joseph Ayuba, Village Head of Kutura, Mr Tanko Wada, Village head of Ayuba and Mr. Ulu Maitumbi, elder Ungwan Barde village.

  • Community frowns at failure to arrest Kajuru killers

    Adara Community has lambasted Kaduna State Government for what it called ‘failure to arrest the criminals responsible for killings in six consecutive attacks’ on villages in Kajuru and Kachia local government areas.

    The community under the auspices of Adara Development Association (ADA) lamented that, despite six attacks on different Adara villages with hundreds killed and thousands displaced, Governor El-Rufai has arrested their ‘sons’, while none of ‘the killers’ has been arrested.

    ADA in a statement made available to newsmen in Kaduna on Monday said, Governor El-Rufai kept arresting and keeping its members in detention wrongfully, instead of apprehending those responsible for killing them.

    A statement signed by National Assistant Secretary of the Association, Barr. Waziri Luka said, “The unfortunate crisis that erupted in Kajuru Local Government provided an opportunity for statesmanlike conduct to flourish from the consciousness of those with the responsibility of dispensing not just justice but good governance. But what we got instead was an aberration.

    “Our leaders were arrested, locked up in police cells and later transferred to the Kaduna Prison under bogus and ludicrous charges.

    “And despite six attacks on different Adara villages and despite hundreds killed and thousands displaced, none of the killers has been arrested. This is despite all the attacks happening for hours in daylight.

    “Adara chiefs from different villages in Kajuru were invited and arrested. But none from those attacking our communities have even been questioned or detained. None!

    “Our governor who was quick to reel out statistic himself to the media has probably not seen that Karamai, Ungwan Barde, Dogon noma, Kymara and Ungwan Gora villages have all been attacked and burnt down to the ground.

    “When will he also speak for us? Aren’t we humans too, aren’t we also part of those he swore to protect? Why this unfair and partial treatment to us as a people? Why.

    Read Also: Dusk to dawn curfew imposed on troubled Kajuru LGA

    “A government that is anchored on the principle of economic, social and environmental justice, that glories on the noble pursuit of strengthening the institutions of justice is missing in the Adara crisis. Justice has been rubbished in pursuit of a sponsored hegemonic enthronement. The result: the one-sided perception of justice simply got pronounced in its odoriferous fetidness.

    “Today makes it almost 31 days that our leaders, elders and chiefs of the Adara nation were indiscriminately arrested in a blatant, injurious and a one-sided reckless abuse of state power never envisaged under a democratic government in Kaduna State.

    “The blindfold on Lady Justice depicting impartiality and objectivity in the application of justice has been removed – on the Adara people.

    “Montesquieu said ‘there is no crueler tyranny than that which is perpetuated under the shield of law and in the name of justice,’ and that is exactly what is happening in Kaduna state. The unfortunate aspect is that political and religious considerations have made so many to even turn their backs on the carnage taking place in our villages.

    “Apart from coping with our leaders in prison, we are also digging mass graves to bury our dead, running up and down to provide for the thousands of our displaced ones and tending to those in hospitals. In all these, the state government is not bothered but bent on appeasing the killers while they kill us.

    “We insist that our leaders are innocent and should be released. We reiterate the fact that the Kaduna state government is engaged in a punitive exercise to simply humiliate, punish and ensure the destruction of the Adara nation.

    “It should be noted that peace cannot thrive where there is injustice. It is even worse when those in authority openly display a corrosive bias in favour of those they consider as theirs.”

    The Adara people called for urgent steps to be taken to address the challenges facing the over 3,000 displaced people whose homes and everything they laboured for was destroyed.

    “Many others who sustained injuries from gunshots and machete cuts are in the different hospitals across the state,” they lamented.

    Leaders of Adara people currently in prison according to the statement are Engr. Bawa Magaji, Wazirin Adara, acting Agom Adara, arrested on 16th February. (Locked up now for 30 days and retired Commissioner of Police, Mr. Sani Magaji, the Baradan Adara, arrested on 19th February (27 days today).

    Others were Awemi Dio Maisamari, National President of the Adara Development Association, arrested on 16th February, Mr Joseph Abdullahi, National Treasurer, ADA, Mr. Tanko Maisamari, village head of Maro. Mr. Hosea Danladi, Village Head Ungwan Gamo, Mr Joseph Ayuba, Village Head of Kutura, Mr Tanko Wada, Village head of Ayuba and Mr. Ulu Maitumbi, elder Ungwan Barde village.

     

  • Kaduna: 6,000 babies at risk of HIV in 2019 – UNICEF

    The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has revealed that about 6,000 newborn babies in Kaduna State are at the risk of getting infected by HIV in 2019.

    Dr. Adam Zakari, UNICEF Chief of Field Office, Kaduna, made the revelation in Kaduna on Monday at a “one day Feedback meeting with the Wife of Kaduna State Governor and Spouses of Local Government Chairmen/Chairpersons on level of Kaduna implementation of 2018 Demand Creation activities for the Elimination of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV in Kaduna State.

    Dr. Zakari, said, though Kaduna has recorded a lots of achievement of consistent increase in Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV, coverage from 16% in 2012 to 66% in 2017, however, HIV in children has become a critical health problem undermining the positive impact of child survival intervention efforts of the state.

    “This increase is as a result of joint evidence-based planning and coordinated implementation of home grown LGA specific strategies and interventions across the state.

    “However, there are about 6,000 babies at risk of getting HIV infected this year in Kaduna State if appropriate and innovative PMTCT interventions are not implemented. It is there evident that transmission of HIV in children has become a critical health problem undermining the positive impact of child survival intervention efforts of the state.” He explained.

    Dr. Zakari noted that, Kaduna State is one of the four states in the country being supported by UNICEF to pilot elimination of Mother to Child Transmission (eMTCT) of HIV by 2020 and end adolescent AIDs epidemic by 2030.

    He also said the state is still challenged by low Antenatal Care (ANC) attendance and hospital delivery and is equally battling with low awareness about the benefits of eMTCT and inadequate human resources for quality health services.

    “Currently, there are 6,000 babies at a risk of getting HIV infection in 2019 if appropriate and innovative eMTCT interventions are not fully implemented.

    “This meeting, therefore, provides an opportunity to lay bare all the eMTCT challenges with a view to take proactive measures to tackle them,” he said.

    Read Also: UNICEF accuses Boko Haram of violations against children

    He however expressed happiness over the way the wives of LGA chairmen are committed in their resolve to help in eliminating HIV in the State.

    Earlier in his remark, the state Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Dogo, said that the state has achieved a giant stride in reducing the prevalence of HIV in the state.

    Dogo explained that HIV prevalence has reduced from 11.6 per cent in 1999 to 1.1 per cent in 2018 adding that the state has moved from prevention of mother to child transition of HIV to elimination.

    He stressed that the government has put all necessary measures to ensure that attainment of zero mother to child transmission by 2020.

    “To achieve this, the state government had in 2012 established 126 eMTCT sites and currently we have 927 eMTCT sites.

    “All we need is increase demand for such services, which is where the wives of the local government chairmen come in.

    “We need you to support the wife of the governor to create the needed awareness and enlightenment to our mothers in all LGAs to demand for HIV services which are readily available in health centres,” he said.

    The commissioner commended UNICEF and other development partners for supporting the state in the fight against HIV and AIDS.

    He however noted that, partners funding was decreasing, stressing the need to increase domestic funding for HIV intervention to sustain the progress so far achieved.

    On his part, a resource person at the meeting, Malam Lawal Abubakar, said that inadequate finding was grossly affecting eMTCT activities in the state, leading to inadequate test kits and other HIV commodities in eMTCT facilities.

    “There was also weak linkage of pregnant women tested HIV positive from health facilities to HIV treatment.

    “As at 2017, 56 per cent of antenatal care facilities were provided with eMTCT service and only 66 per cent of HIV pregnant women were placed on treatment.” Abubakar added.

    Wife of Kaduna State Governor, Hajiya Ummi El-Rufai, in her own speech appealed to the wives of the LG chairmen to redouble their effort toward ensuring that no child is infected with HIV.

    “Take this as a personnel responsibility in ensuring that all pregnant women in your domain are enlighten on the benefits of eMTCT, attends ANC and demand for HIV services.

    “This is the only way we will continue to make progress toward achieving zero new infections of HIV among newborn in Kaduna state,” he said.

     

  • Catholic Bishops to Buhari: implement laws, policies for credible elections

    Catholic Bishops have advised President Muhammadu Buhari to enact, endorse and implement laws and policies that will ensure free, fair and credible elections in the future.

    One of the reported phenomena during the 2019 general elections, the Bishops said was the: “crude and reckless use of money to buy votes; showing how desperate politicians and political parties are determined to get political power at all cost.”

    They demanded government should acknowledge the inadequacies that characterized the 2019 elections and embark on a course for redress.

    According to a communique at the end of the First Plenary Meeting of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) held in Abuja and jointly signed by the President, CBCN, Most Rev. Augustine Akubeze and the Secretary, Most Rev. Camillus Umoh: “We affirm that elections are an opportunity for people through the ballot to freely choose those who will serve them.

    “We denounce the unfortunate incident of loss of lives and destruction of property, which is ongoing even now. We however, admonish that elections should not be turned into a battle between warriors fighting to capture power and conquer territory and people at all cost.

    “We observe that many of the challenges that emerged during the electoral process were as a result of inadequate electoral laws, which made implementation problematic and at times offered lacunae for evil minded people to exploit the situation to their own advantage.

    “Even where the rules were clear, they were not always adhered to. One of the reported phenomena during the elections was the crude and reckless use of money to buy votes; showing how desperate politicians and political parties are determined to get political power at all cost.

    “Bad elections do not lead to good governance. We demand that the government acknowledge the inadequacies that characterized the 2019 elections and embark on a course for redress.

    “We urge her to enact, endorse and implement laws and policies that will ensure free, fair and credible elections in the future.”

    They added: “We enjoin all Nigerians, leaders and the led, to abide by democratic principles such as respect for human life, human rights and the rule of law.

    “We also encourage the electorate to ensure that those who hold public offices in our country are held accountable.

    “We equally urge all Nigerians to eschew all forms of indiscipline and corruption and be resolute rather than lose hope in our struggle for a better future and nation.”

    Read Also: Buhari condemns internecine violence in Kaduna

    On apathy, they said: “It may not have been unconnected with among other things, the violence, malpractice and the unnecessary militarization of the process, all of which contributed to eroding the people’s confidence in the electoral process.

    “We have taken note of those who have been declared winners, and commend the civility of those who rejected the results but have chosen to express their grievances through legitimate means under the law rather than through violence.

    “Whatever the outcome, justice must be seen to have been done. We admonish whoever holds power at the end of the day to remember that power belongs to God and to Him alone.

    “God demands strict accountability for how anyone takes power and uses it, for God cannot be deceived or challenged (Lk 16:2).”

    On the recent killings in Kaduna and other states, the bishops said: “We have received with deep sorrow, the tragic news of the resurgence of further horrific killings in some parts of Kaduna State, Taraba, Benue, Kogi, Edo, Rivers, Zamfara, Adamawa and other states.

    “Against the backdrop of the violence and bloodshed that characterized the last elections, we are pained that the culture of death is becoming embedded into our daily lives.

    “This persistent devaluation of human life and property poses an existential threat to our personal survival and that of our nation. How can government continue to appear helpless in the face of such shameful tragedy?

    “We strongly appeal to the President, in collaboration with the Governors of Kaduna State and other affected States to seriously take steps to arrest this drift before total anarchy and mayhem consume the entire nation.”

  • ‘Why FG must revive cotton farming in Nigeria’

    The Kaduna State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KADCCIMA) says increasing cotton farming is the first step towards reviving local textile companies in the country.

    The Director-General of KADCCIMA, Alhaji Usman Saulawa said this when the leadership of the chamber paid a courtesy visit on the Management of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

    The visit was to part of the chamber’s activities to garner publicity for the upcoming 40th Kaduna International Trade Fair scheduled to hold from March 28 to April 7.

    Saulawa said that in the 1960s, Nigeria was on its way to becoming an African leader in textile manufacturing, with about 2 million cotton farmers in the country’s production belt.

    He recalled when the Kaduna State Chamber of Commerce used to issue an average of 40 “Letters of Origin” to cotton growers who export their produce.

    However, he said that unfavourable policies and price fluctuations in the late 1990s dramatically affected the fortune of the textile industry, to the extent that textile mills began to shut down.

    He also recalled that in Kaduna state, thousands of people working at these textile companies lost their jobs, while cotton farmers, left with little patronage, abandoned the trade and moved to other products.

    Saulawa praised the new initiative of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to place restrictions on the importation of textile goods into the country.

    He said that such plan would lead to the revival of cotton farming and garment production, just as it did to rice production in the country.

    He recalled that when the CBN placed restrictions on rice importation, many people were angry because they were all used to eating foreign rice, “but now, more than 60 per cent of Nigerians consume local rice.”

    Saulawa predicted that the same would happen in the cotton, textile and garment sector of the economy if cotton farmers are empowered with sufficient funding and quality seeds.

    Read Also: Farmers begin dry season rice farming

    “So for us at KADCCIMA, it’s a good development. I know those who are importing these things will not be happy, but we believe that certain sacrifices must be made.

    “This is because the importation of textile and substandard garments are part of the things that destroyed the textile industries in the country.

    “Those who import textile goods are contributing to destroy the textile companies that are already barely surviving.

    “The restriction will also force those who are into textile importation to try and establish factories in Nigeria to help grow the economy,” he said.

    Saulawa said also that the initiative would help preserve the country’s foreign exchange reserves for use by critical sectors especially manufacturing.

    Also, the President of KADCCIMA, Dr Muheeba Dankaka, said that with the new development, the local textile producers will be able to compete favorably with foreign producers.

    “Foreign fabric importers are now forced to either abandon the business or use their hard earned money to buy foreign exchange on the streets, which is definitely more expensive.

    “With time you will find out that foreign fabric like laces, hollandaise, etc will become more expensive and the local ones, cheaper.

    “This will lead to improved local patronage just like it happened with rice,” she said.

    Available CBN statistics show that over four billion dollars is spent annually on imported and other ready-made clothing, while many of the country’s textile and clothing factories are dying.

    This led to the recent decision of the CBN to add all forms of textile materials on the list of items restricted from accessing foreign exchange at official exchange rate of N306.95.

    In 2015, the CBN restricted the availability of foreign exchange to the importation of 41 items which could be competitively produced within the economy and the list has increased overtime.

    Since then, the CBN has raised the number of items affected on the list to 43, with the inclusion of fertiliser and textile products.

    NAN

     

  • Police vow to fish out perpetrators of Kaduna attack

    The Police Command in Kaduna State on Sunday vowed to fish out the attackers of Nandu village of Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State and bring them to justice.

    The Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Yakubu Sabo, who made this known to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna, said the command had mobilised operatives to the scene of the incident and taken the injured and dead to the hospital.

    Sabo said that a joint patrol team of the Police and the Army were in the area to forestall possible break down of law and order.

    He added that the Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr Ahmad Abdurrahaman, had condemn the killing and commiserated with the families of victims of the attack.

    According to him, Abdulrahaman has advised the affected community against taking the law into their hands and to allow justice to take its course.

    He explained that unknown gunmen entered Nandu village on March 16, shot dead nine persons, injured two others and torched several houses. (NAN)

  • Buhari condemns internecine violence in Kaduna

    President Muhammadu Buhari has urged actors in the communal and persistent violence in Kaduna State to come to terms with the fact that mutual violence has no winners, but losers on both sides of the conflict.

    Reacting to the endless carnage in Kaduna State on Saturday, President Buhari said: “I am deeply troubled by the fact that sanctify of life is now treated with such reckless disregard that people derive joy in shedding the blood of others or perceived enemies.”

    The President, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, noted that “inhumanity has replaced compassion in the hearts and minds of the perpetrators of these atrocities.

    “No responsible leader would go to bed happy to see his citizens savagely killing one another on account of ethnic and religious bigotry,” he further noted sadly.

    According to him: “Violence cannot be the solution to these persistent conflicts as long as people resort to deliberate provocations, revenge and counter revenge.”

    “While the government remains committed to protecting its citizens, the communities involved must also put their shoulder to the wheel in order to find a lasting solution.”

    The President noted “lack of cooperation by those involved might frustrate government’s efforts towards finding a lasting solution, especially if those efforts are politicised.

    Read Also: Buhari`s CSO, Abubakar to proceed on course

    “If the people resist government’s efforts to hold the perpetrators and their sponsors accountable, it would be very difficult to bring the violence to a permanent end.”

    He described hate, bigotry and prejudice as “deadly poisons that have infected the human psyche on such scale that people now don’t have any moral inhibitions about taking life.”

    The President also appealed to the warring communities to stop inhibiting the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA’s efforts to deliver food, medicines and temporary shelter to the victims of the violence who are in urgent need of assistance.

  • Nine killed, 30 houses razed in renewed attack on Kaduna village

    No fewer than 10 bodies have been recovered and about 30 houses confirmed burnt in another attack by unknown gunmen on Nandu Gbok community in Sanga Government Area of Kaduna State on Saturday.

    But, Kaduna State Government while confirming the attack said nine citizens were killed by criminal elements who attacked the village in the early hour of Saturday.

    A government signed by Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s media aide, Samuel Aruwan condemned the killings.

    It read that, Governor Nasir El-Rufai has commiserated with the survivors and the families of the victims after being briefed by the security agencies.

    “The Kaduna State Government has been briefed by the security agencies on the killing of nine persons by criminal elements who attacked Nandu village in Sanga LGA in the early hours of today.

    “The security agencies have so far recovered nine corpses, including children. The attackers also burnt several houses in the village. The government condemns this attack on the live and security of citizens and appeals to our communities to resist those who do not want peace.

    “The governor, on behalf of the government and people of Kaduna State, commiserates with the families of the victims and prays for the repose of their souls.

    Read Also: El-Rufai’s re-election: Kaduna women demands 40% representation in cabinet

    “Government, security agencies, traditional and religious institutions will continue to work towards sustainable peace. In this moment of grief, we must come together todefeat the machinations of those who have no notion of respect for the lives of others.

    “Violence has left an unacceptable toll of death and injury, loss of livelihoods, pain and fear. We must overcome this by respecting our common humanity, settling differences peacefully and promptly reporting threats and suspicions to the appropriate authorities. Evil will never triumph over our common humanity.

    “Security agencies have been deployed in the area, and the State Emergency Management Agency has been directed to immediately provide relief materials to the affected community.”

    Meanwhile, House of Representatives member representing Jema’a/Sanga constitutency, Hon Shehu Nicholas Garba, in a statement said the Chairman of the Council and other Stakeholders are assessing and trying to deal with the unfortunate situation.

    He said, ‘the renewed and ferocious attacks on communities in Southern Kaduna’ calls for the urgent attention of the nation and the international community.

    According to him, “We woke up this morning to the sad news of an attack by gunmen on Nandu Gbok, a Community in Sanga LGA of Kaduna State. At the time of this statement, about 10 bodies have been recovered and about 30 houses confirmed burnt down.”

    “Our Communities are helpless and are pleading that all persons of conscience should speak out.” He said.

    The lawmaker stressed that, “the latest attack is coming while we are mourning and trying to deal with the devastating massacre wrought on the Adara People has, once again, brought to the fore the plight of the indigenous people of Southern Kaduna.

    “My condolence to the Families of the Victims and the People of Sanga LGA . I am appealing to our Communities to remain calm and not to contemplate any reprisal actions  Meanwhile,I am appealing to the Security Agencies in our State to reinforce their presence in Sanga especially in the affected Community with the aim of  stopping further attack and fishing out the Perpetrators of this heinous crime.

    “I am also appealing to Sanga Local Government Council and the State Government for immediate  provision of Relief Materials to the displaced Victims.” He said.

     

  • El-Rufai reacts to accident rumour, says claims are false

    Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna state has reacted to the rumour that he was involved in an accident.

    The Governor who attributed the rumour to the opposition party members said, neither was he in coma, nor his driver dead as being speculated.

    It would be recalled that from Wednesday night, rumours were rife in hush tones that Governor El-Rufai was involved in an accident. The rumours however, became louder on Thursday, as it was been carried that, the Governor was injured, while his driver died instantly.

    The Governor said, he remains the opposition’s permanent nightmare and not about to disappear any time soon, until they are permanently retired and ‘buried’.

    El-Rufai on his official Facebook page, wrote: “I woke up after a rare 8-hour bout of deep sleep to learn that some bigotry-driven, PDP-affiliated fake news platform has declared my driver dead and my humble self in coma. Both claims are false.

    “I thank them for reducing the days in their lives and adding them to mine. I remain their permanent nightmare and not about to disappear from their wretched and corrupt lives any time soon by the Grace of Almighty Allah, until they are permanently retired and buried. – Nasir @elrufai.” The governor said.

    Read Also: El-Rufai urged to be magnanimous in victory

    Earlier, El-Rufai’s Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Muyiwa Adekeye had equally debunked the rumour.

    Muyiwa on his Twitter handle described the rumour of the governor involving in an accident as an act of hatred, which according to him moves people to peddle lies.

    According to him, “It is hatred that moves people to peddle lies, concoct rumours of accidents and try to pass off their ill-will as God’s doing is a burden on those who have permitted reason to exit their minds and have given their hearts to a constructing narrowness.”

  • 12 feared killed, nine injured as armed men attack Kaduna community

    No fewer than 12 people have been killed, as armed bandits attacked Layin Maigwari village along Funtua road in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area, Kaduna State.

    The Nation gathered from a source in Dogo Dawa, Alhaji Ahmed Rufai, that the first attack happened on Monday, when the armed bandits ambushed and opened fire on some people travelling from Zamfara to Niger State.

    Rufai said two persons were killed and nine others injured in the attack.

    According to him, another set of bandits, numbering about 80, also stormed Hayin Gada village Tuesday night and started shooting sporadically, leaving 10 persons dead.

    Read also: Police confirm 16 people killed by gunmen in Kaduna

    “As I speak with you, residents of the village have fled to a neighbouring community for fear of further attack, because the attackers were so many. They were up to 80,” he said.

    Kaduna State Police Command could not confirm the incident as at the time of filing this report.

    The command’s spokesman, DSP Yakubu Sabo, said he was on board a helicopter and promised to get back to The Nation.