The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Kaduna state

  • Kadauna $350m loan: Six Reps dissociate selves from caucus leader’s position 

    Six members of the House of Representatives from Kaduna state have dissociated themselves from the position of their caucus leader, Honourable Datti Babawo that they are in support of the state obtaining a $350 million from the World Bank.

    It would be recalled that the senate rejected the loan request by the state government from the World Bank following similar rejection by three members of the senate from the state.

    But a member of the House of Representatives, Datti Babawo alleged that all but one member of the House of Representatives from the state met and threw their weight behind the loan request.

    Refuting the claim, six members of the House of Representatives from the state alleged that Honourable Babawo spoke in his personal capacity and not on behalf of the group.

    The members who signed the statement included Hon. Jagaba Adams Jagaba – Kachia/Kagarko; Hon Lucas Gwani – Kaura; Hon. Barr. Simon Yakubu Arabo -Kauru; Hon. Nicholas Shehu Garba – Jema’a/Sanga; Hon. Barr. Sunday Marshall Katung – Jaba/Zangon- Kataf and Hon. Barr. Muhammad Musa Soba – Soba.

    According to them, “Our attention has been drawn to stories making the rounds in some National Dailies, Televisions and Social Media alleging that fifteen (15) members of the House of Representatives from Kaduna State have faulted the Senate’s disapproval of a $350m World Bank loan requested by the Kaduna State Government.

    “The news said that the Leader of the Kaduna State House of Reps Caucus, Hon. Datti Babawo (representing Sabon Gari Federal Constituency, Kaduna State), stated that all the fifteen (15) members out of sixteen (16) actually approved the $350m loan for the state because of the enormous benefits the State would derive from it.

    “First and foremost, the Kaduna State Caucus in the House of Reps has not elected a leader. It is therefore strange for Hon. Datti Babawo to arrogate such powers to himself.

    “Secondly, as members of House of Reps from Kaduna State, we never at any given time met to discuss the $350m loan, let alone taking a decision on it.

    “Thirdly, we operate a bicameral legislature in Nigeria, and to that extent, the House of Reps has no business questioning the decision(s) of the Senate. Both chambers operate independently and have mutual respect for each other in the spirit of the Constitution. In disapproving the loan therefore, the Senate acted within its constitutional powers. It is clear mischief and sheer ignorance for Hon. Datti to cast aspersion on the institution of the Senate.

    “Fourthly, in practice, loan approvals or otherwise, are carried out at plenary after exhaustive debate upon presentation by the relevant committee, and not by State Caucuses as mischievously portrayed by Hon. Datti.

    “Fifthly, we wish to reiterate that not all House of Reps members from Kaduna State are in support of the loan issue. It is on record that some members have spoken against incurring such a huge debt on the people of Kaduna State.

    “Finally, in view of the above, we wish to dissociate ourselves from the views expressed by Hon. Datti as they are entirely his own, seeing that he is neither the Leader nor the Spokesman of the Kaduna State Caucus in the House of Reps. The Senate acted within its constitutional powers and in the best interest of a majority of Kaduna State people. We therefore, cannot question its decision,” the group said.

    Read Also: El-Rufai: Kaduna needs $65b to fix infrastructure

  • Kaduna begins Polio immunisation campaign

    The Kaduna State Primary Healthcare Development Agency ( SPHCDA ) on Thursday commenced its first round of Polio immunisation across the state.

    Mr Hamza Ibrahim-Ikara, the SPHCDA’s Deputy Director and Malam Lawal Dogara, the Coordinator of Journalists Initiative on Immunisation against Polio ( JAP ), Kaduna State Chapter, made this known in a joint statement.

    They said that the polio vaccination which started on April 5 would end on April 10.

    According to them, it will be conducted on the streets, house-to-house, markets, motor parks and highways, among others.

    The duo, therefore, called on parents and caregivers to make their children available for vaccination at the nearest health centres.

    Read Also: El-Rufai: Kaduna needs $65b to fix infrastructure

    They said that the vaccination would enable children to grow healthier, urging the parents to ensure that they allowed the vaccinators to attend to their wards.

    The SPHCDA and JAP also explained that adequate arrangement had been made for the smooth conduct of the exercise by the state government, SPHCDA, development partners and other stakeholders.

    They appealed to traditional rulers and religious leaders to give the needed support and cooperation to ensure the success of the polio campaign in the state.

    NAN

  • Police recover over 70 arms, ammunition in Kaduna

    The Kaduna State Police Command on Wednesday said that it had recovered no fewer than 70 illegally acquired arms and ammunition from individuals and suspected hoodlums in the state.

    The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Austin Iwar, made the disclosure at a stakeholders meeting with the state Hunters Volunteer Association and some traditional rulers.

    Iwar, who did not display the recovered items, said that more recoveries were being expected daily from other parts of the state.

    According to the police boss, the items will be displayed before the end of the week.

    He said that the command was aimed at mopping up arms that were illegally in private hands.

    He assured the stakeholders that the tempo would be sustained to ensure that peace and development of Kaduna State was guaranteed in Kaduna.

    Earlier, the state Chairman of the hunters group, Alhaji Baba Wuro, commended the commissioner for introducing community-based policing.

    Wuro said the police had given them the necessary support which in return had given positive results.

    Read Also: Police arrest 300 over gun stolen from Delta deputy governor’s house

    He added that the various communities in the state had shown willingness to work with the police in addressing challenges facing them.

    The leader of the hunters, however, identified some of the challenges as kidnapping, armed banditry and cattle rustling.

    “Our aims and objectives are to help the security operatives to dislodge criminals from their hideouts.

    “We remain committed to work with the police, military and other stakeholders to address the menace in the state,’’ he said.

    The News men reports that members of state hunters association were drawn from Kudan, Lere, Saminaka and Kubau Local Government Areas.

    NAN

  • My people are being killed on daily basis – Emir of Birnin-Gwari 

    The Emir of Birnin-Gwari in Kaduna State, Malam Jibril Zubairu Mai-Gwari II has cried out that people are being killed in his Emirate on daily basis.

    He therefore asked the Federal Government to intensify efforts at getting rid of the bandits terrorizing the area.

    The Emir made the call at his palace on Tuesday evening while receiving the Minister of Interior, Lt. General AbdulRahman Danbazzau (rtd) and Deputy Inspector General of Police Operations, Habila Joshak who both visited Birnin Gwari.

    The Minister and DIG were is Birnin Gwari on assessment of the security situation of the area, where killings and kidnap of innocent citizens have become the order of the day.

    It would be recalled that, 11 soldiers on Operation ‘Ayem Akpatuma’ were killed in the area two weeks ago, while nine persons, including a bride were kidnapped last Sunday after killing of two persons.

    Speaking on the situation, the Emir said, armed bandits terrorizing his domain hibernate in Zamfara and come to attack in Birnin Gwari and hibernate in Birnin Gwari and go to Zamfara to carry out attacks.

    He said, he had to cry out about their predicament, because until the coming of the Minister, they felt they were not part of Nigeria.

    He however expressed optimism that, with the coming of the Minister, the security situation will improve, saying that, “people are being killed here on daily basis. Just day before yesterday, two people were killed and nine others, including a newly wedded bride were kidnapped.”

    The Emir also asked the Minister of Interior to tell President Muhammadu Buhari to rehabilitate Kaduna-Birnin Gwari-Jebba road, which has been in a deplorable state for a long period.

    According to Emir of Birnin-Gwari, “the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano road has been awarded for rehabilitation because big people like Senators and Governors pass through the road. Yes, we know they don’t pass here, but the road is very strategic to the economy of the country. Finished goods and raw materials are transported through here to and from Lagos.” He said.

    In his response, General Danbazzau said that Federal Government was very concerned about the situation in Kaduna State, particularly the Birnin Gwari axis.

    He however disclosed that his coming to the area alongside the DIG Operations and Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, Austin Iwar was to assess the security situation of the area. “God willing, we are going to map out strategies to address the continuous killings of innocent lives, kidnapping and cattle rustling”.

    “I want to assure you that, the Federal Government remains committed to protecting lives and property of every Nigerian. We will not take banditry, we will deal with them accordingly,” he assured.

    Read Also: Emir of Daura warns youths against drug abuse

  • Kaduna Reps fault senate’s rejection of $350m loan

     

    Fifteen members of the House of Representatives from Kaduna state have faulted the Senate’s rejection of the $350m World Bank loan request by the Kaduna State Government.

    The Senate had on Thursday rejected the request by the State for the $350m loan, saying it would worsen the debt profile of the state.

    The rejection was based on the recommendation of the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debt and the three senators from the state.

    However, the caucus members of the House of Representatives from Kaduna State thought otherwise.

    The caucus comprises of members drawn from the All Progressives Congress and the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party in the House of Representatives from the state.

    The Leader of the House of Representatives Caucus, Datti Babawo, (representing Sabon Gari Federal Constituency,Kaduna State), insisted that all the fifteen members out of sixteen, actually approved the $350m for the state because of the enormous benefit the state would derived from the loan.

    Babawo noted that the Senate’s rejection of the loan was purely political which would at the long run, do the state no good.

    Speaking in an interview with newsmen on behalf of the fifteen other members on Tuesday in Kaduna, the lawmaker added that his colleagues supported the government’s plan to access the loan because they believe it would boost infrastructural development in the state.

    He described the Senate’s rejection of the loan as not only political but a reflection of the abuse of power by the three senators from the state who are supposed to put the interest of the people above their personal interests.

    He said: “On a monthly basis, the Governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai whenever he comes to Abuja we always call for a meeting; the national assembly caucus, both the House of Representatives and the Senate; and tell about this loan. Initially, the three senators do attend the meeting but the two stopped coming, leaving only Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi to attending. But later, he too decided not to come.

    “We as caucus of the House of Representatives, about 15 of us out of 16 have approved the loan because we were fully briefed by the governor. He told us why he is looking for the loan. He is so passionate with the issue of education. He told us how he would want to revive education.

    “He had renovated more than 480 primary schools. When they found out that it was not easy after renovating over 480 schools. And the renovation was a full one; with chairs, toilet, water and many facilities and he had invited development partners, including telecommunication giant, the MTN, to assist.

    “But you find out that it was not that easy for the government alone to renovate the over 800 primary schools in the state. That led  the governor making proposal of $100m  to the World Bank. But the World Bank was impressed and asked that after the renovation of primary schools, what about the secondary schools, tertiary  the comatose industries and so on in the state.

    “On this basis, he then made another proposal to increase this loan to $350m to Kaduna State. The governor truly briefed us. It was that submission that the Minister of Finance saw and took it to her own governor(Ogun State) because of the enormous benefit to her state.

    “Her governor also applied for the same $350m. It was the same senate, condition and the same amount of money they approved but refused that of Kaduna State.

    “It is strictly political. It has nothing to do with development. The interest of those who were opposed to it were strictly for their own personal and selfish reason and for the benefit of the people of this state.”

    Babawo added, “People that don’t want to see the development of the education sector. The governor had planned to revived the education system. He has also made provision to build a comprehensive health centres for each of the 255 wards in the state with partnership with General Electronic of the USA.

    “They are the ones to equip these hospitals. And he has comprehensive plans for road development and Metrolines within the Kaduna Metropolis and how to revive the comatose industries. So, it is exactly what has happened.

    “That’s why we in the House of Representatives, are so enthusiastic and pass this without only one opposition, including the Peoples Democratic Party member. We sat, looked at all the agreement and we discovered that the loan is almost free. Even the interest is half percent and has a repayment period of 50 years. That’s why we supported the governor.

    “Anybody who knows our governor knows him as somebody that us hard working and straight forward. He is somebody that is not given to pretence. Whatever he wants to do, he goes straight and do it. We are convince and we positive on our side and that is why we supported that the loan be obtain by Kaduna State. Why is it that all the states’ loan were approved with the exception of Kaduna State. It is politics.” He argued.

  • Street gangs clash: Police arrest 23 in Kaduna

     

    The Police Command in Kaduna State says its officers have arrested no fewer than 23 persons in connection with the alleged killing of a member of “Sara Suka’’, a street gang in the state.

    ASP Muhktar Aliyu, the Police Public Relations Officer in the command, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna that the arrest occurredon Sunday at about 6:30 p.m. in Kawo area of Kaduna.

    “What happened was that a member of the street gang, Ibrahim Ashiru, 27, lost his life when he allegedly claimed to have renounced his membership of the gang.

    “So, for that, some members of the gangs from different groups allegedly attacked him, stabbed him and ran away.

    “He was taken to hospital and later died because of the injuries he sustained,’’ he said.

    Aliyu said after Ashiru was taken to cemetery for burial, another group went out for reprisal.

    “They went to the houses of those that they suspected had hands in his death, burnt two houses and a bakery,’’ he said.

    He said that with the prompt intervention of the police, 23 suspects were arrested and investigation was in progress on their activities.

    “The command under the leadership of Commissioner of Police Austin Iwar will not allow any group of criminals to take law into their hands,’’ he warned.

  • Street gangs clash: Police arrest 23 in Kaduna

    The Police Command in Kaduna State says its officers have arrested no fewer than 23 persons in connection with the alleged killing of a member of “Sara Suka’’, a street gang in the state.

    ASP Muhktar Aliyu, the Police Public Relations Officer in the command, told our correspondent in Kaduna that the arrest occurred on Sunday at about 6:30 p.m. in Kawo area of Kaduna.

    “What happened was that a member of the street gang, Ibrahim Ashiru, 27, lost his life when he allegedly claimed to have renounced his membership of the gang.

    “So, for that, some members of the gangs from different groups allegedly attacked him, stabbed him and ran away.

    “He was taken to hospital and later died because of the injuries he sustained,’’ he said.

    Aliyu said after Ashiru was taken to cemetery for burial, another group went out for reprisal.

    “They went to the houses of those that they suspected had hands in his death, burnt two houses and a bakery,’’ he said.

    He said that with the prompt intervention of the police, 23 suspects were arrested and investigation was in progress on their activities.

    “The command under the leadership of Commissioner of Police Austin Iwar will not allow any group of criminals to take law into their hands,’’ he warned.

    NAN

  • 11 slain soldiers buried in Kaduna amidst tears 

    ….as Buratai vows to fish out killers

     

     

    The remains of the 11 slain soldiers killed by armed bandits at Kampanin doka village in Birnin Gwari local government area of Kaduna State have been laid to rest amidst tears at the Commonwealth cemetery, Kaduna.

    Armed bandits attacked the said village on the 20th March, 2018 and in the process killed 11 soldiers who were deployed there on military operations against arm banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling among other forms of criminalities, code named “Exercise Ayem AKpatuma” (Cat Race).

    The late soldiers are, Private Olabode Hammed (Ogun state), Private Bamidele Adekunle Emmanuel (Ogun State), Private Owochukwu Christian Chigoziri (Rivers State), Private Adamu Muhammed (Bauchi State) Private Lamara Ahmed (Jigawa State), Private Mubarak Suleiman (Plateau State), Private Bashir Sani (Katsina State), Private Usman Abubakar Jalo (Gombe state), Private Nafiu Iliyasu (Jigawa State), Private Safiyanu Ahmed (Jigawa State) and Private Alhassan Ibrahim (Kaduna State).

    The chief mourner and Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai represented by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division Army Headquarters Kaduna, Major General Mohammed Mohammed in his speech described the death of the soldiers as painful but a sacrifice and supreme prize for the people of Birnin Gwari, Kaduna State and Nigeria.

    While condoling the families of the deceased soldiers, he said the military will stop at nothing to fish out the perpetrators of the attack and bring them to justice accordingly.

    Meanwhile, he urged the deceased family not to be discouraged in sending their children to the army as a result of the death of the soldiers.

    “We will remain committed towards guaranteeing the peace and security of Nigeria and Nigerians regardless of situations such as this, we will not run away”.

    While assuring the family and next of kins of the deceased of military support, he further reiterated that their death is not and will not be in vain.

    “We will continue to fight against all forms of arm banditry, cattle rustling, kidnapping and other criminalities in the country”.

    On his part, Kaduna state Governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai represented by the Secretary to the State government Lawal Balarebe also expressed his condolence to the family of the deceased.

    The Governor who promised the support of the government also donated Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500, 000:00) to each of the next of kin to the slain soldiers in a single cheque amounting to 5.5 million naira.

    Responding, one of the next of kin to the slain soldiers, Sani Leman Kila described their death as unfortunate and painful but attributes it to the will of God.

    Read Also: Burial for 11 soldiers killed in Kaduna

  • El-Rufai condemns burning of church and police station

    ….orders investigation into death of laborer

     

    Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai has condemned in strong terms, the burning of a church and Police post in Narayi, Chikun Local government area of the state on Thursday by angry mob.

    El-Rufai however ordered full investigation to unravel the circumstances leading to the death of the young Sylvester, whose death prompted the riotous conduct.

    The Governor in a statement through his media aide, Samuel Aruwan condemned the burning of the church and police station, saying that, “it is wrong for and illegal for anyone or group to take the law into their hands.

    According to the statement, the Governor also ordered an investigation into the circumstances of death of the labourer whose demise allegedly prompted the riotous conduct, as well as the apprehension of all those who partook in or enabled the acts of arson.

    The protesters had on Wednesday and Thursday in Narayi, Chikun local government area, burnt down a Celestial Church and the Narayi Police Post while protesting the death of the laborer.

    The pastor of the church, one Babatunde Shittu, was protected from being lynched by the mob by police and some residents of the community.

    “The governor commiserated with the family of the deceased, but added that everyone who had concerns about the circumstances of his death would allow the law enforcement agencies to handle the matter.

    “Kaduna State Government will not tolerate attacks on places of worship and public property such as the police post. In a state that has endured four decades of violent conflict, there can be no condoning an attack on the offices of security agencies or a place of worship, an act that has often invited needless reprisals and escalation.

    “The government is determined to ensure vigorous prosecution of anyone indicted by the police investigation into the matter.” The Governor said.

  • Angry mob raze church, Police post in Kaduna over death of colleague

    ….five arrested 

     

     

    There was tension and breach of security at Narayi, a community in Chikun Local Government area of Kaduna State on Thursday, when a group of angry youth razed a Celestial Church of Christ ‎and part of a police outpost in the area over mysterious death of their friend.

    The Nation gathered that, the burning of the church and Police outpost in the area was as a result of the alleged involvement of the 78-year-old Prophet in charge of the Parish, Steven Babatunde Shitu in the death of 21-year-old ‎Sylvester Friday who was working in the church until his death.

    It was learnt that, the accusation, protection and escape took place Wednesday evening but the church and the police outpost were set on fire because police gave the Pastor protective custody which prevented him from being lynched by angry mob.

    The youth alleged that, the late Sylvester must have been used for ritual by the septuagenarian in charge of the Parish.

    Meanwhile, Kaduna State Police Command’s

    Public Relations Officer, ASP Aliyu Mukhtar, who confirmed the incident said, five persons have been arrested in connection with the incident.

    According to him, “Yes it is true that some miscreants set ablaze a Celestial church and a police outpost in Narayi. The church was razed but only a part of the police outpost was touched.

    “The youth were angry that police gave the church pastor 78-old-Steven Babatunde Shitu protective custody.

    “They demanded for his release so as to lynch him. But our personnel refused to hand him over to them so they decided to take laws into their hands.

    “But our men were able to dispersed them on Wednesday. But they later regrouped around 4: am on Thursday to attack the church and the Police outpost. So far five people have been arrested”, the Police spokesman for the command said.

    According to him, the State Commissioner of Police, Austin Iwar has already gave a directive that anybody who took part in that incident should be arrested and charged to court to serve as deterrent.

    However, Normalcy has since returned to the area just as Police  assured that the command will get all those involved in the act.