The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Kaduna state

Southern Kaduna Crisis: Bishop tasks govt. to sanction perpetrators

Bishop Joseph Bagobiri of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan, Kaduna State, has advised the administration of Gov. Nasril el-Rufai to develop the political will to sanction those that had been fomenting crises in the state.

According to Bagobiri, there was the need for the state government to address the human rights abuses in the state by bringing the perpetrators to book.

“Those who abuse the sanctity of innocent lives and abuse human rights must not be allowed to go scot-free,’’ he said.

He was reacting to the recent clash in Southern Kaduna between suspected Fulani herdsmen and local farmers in which some villagers lost their lives and properties.

The bishop who was abroad on medical check-up while the last attack happened said that sanctioning culprits would curb the perennial crises in the state and serve as deterrents to others.

A similar attack had occurred in late 2016 that recorded fatalities with several houses, churches, shops and cars destroyed in Jema’a, Sanga, Kaura, and Kauru Local Government areas.

Bagobiri also said that the state government could initiate dialogue to resolve the crises.

“While one cannot rule out the positive side of dialogue, things such as these require proactive actions from the state government.

“I have been involved in initiating dialogues for over 20 years now involving national and international organisations on issues like this.

“The people you dialogue with are the elite that do not have any problems in relating with believers of other religions, they will be willing to sit with you and resolve the issues.

“But the extremists never believed in dialogue and they are the ones perpetrating the crimes, they are the real problems we have.

“I feel very strongly that what we need now is for the state government to address the human rights abuses and bring the perpetrators to book, instead of bringing people to a roundtable conference,’’ he said.

Bagobiri also advised the state government to be cautious in its utterances and actions so that a section of the state would not conclude that it hated them.

He advised that the government should always address its citizens in conciliatory and persuasive manners to give them a sense of belonging in state affairs.

February 23, 2017
NIIT to empower 1000 youths with ICT skills in Kaduna

The Nigerian Institute of Information Technology (NIIT) on Thursday said it would equip 1000 youths from Kaduna State with Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills for free.

Ms Onyedikachi Aruma, Head, said the gesture was to give back to the society as part of NIIT’s Corporate Social Responsibility.

Aruma said the training would be held in batches from Feb. 9 to Feb. 11, adding that the first batch tagged: “ICT EXPO 2017’’ had already commenced.

Aruma said that no fewer than 80 people had registered with room for more.

She explained that the participants would be trained on the whole Microsoft Word package, database management, software development and networking engineering.

“The training is open for everyone interested in ICT and they will only have to pay a token of N1000 as commitment.

“Our main goal is to give back to our host community, particularly as ICT is currently the driver of global economy,’’ the NIIT officer said.

NIIT was established in 1998 as a global leader in skills and talent development.

It offers multi-disciplinary learning management and training delivery solutions to corporations, institutions, and individuals in over 40 countries.

It established its presence in Nigeria in 1999 with offices in Abuja and Kaduna, and has trained over 16,000 students annually and shaped the career of 160,000 students in the past 16 years.

February 9, 2017
Kaduna Govt. orders FRSC off streets

The Kaduna State Government has barred personnel of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) from erecting checkpoints in Kaduna and other urban centres in the state.

The directive is contained in a statement issued in Kaduna on Wednesday by Mr Samuel Aruwan, Special Assistant to Gov. Nasiru El-Rufai on Media and Publicity.

It said that the decision was taken by the state Security Council after a meeting in which it reviewed complaints from the general public against the road marshals.

“The council acted following complaints that FRSC officials were acting in ways reminiscent of the VIO that was dissolved by the state government following widespread unease at their acts of disrespect for the public and penchant for extortion,” it said.

The government stressed that the FRSC personnel have been barred “from indiscriminately stopping vehicles for inspection in Kaduna town, a situation which has been responsible for avoidable traffic congestion and accidents.”

The government further directed the FRSC officials to, henceforth, concentrate their activities “in ensuring safe travel on highways such as the Abuja-Kaduna expressway.”

It also barred petrol tankers from loading firewood, tomatoes and other goods on top of their vehicles throughout the state, because of the danger the practice pose to lives and property.

“The Security Council, therefore, mandated security agencies to ensure compliance with these directives, and relevant agencies were also directed to impound defaulting tankers.”

The meeting of the Security Council was chaired by the governor, and had in attendance his Deputy, Mr Barnabas Bala, and heads of military and paramilitary agencies in the state.

February 8, 2017
Kaduna: Police forms Special Tactical Squad to counter gangsterism

The Kaduna State Police Command on Tuesday said it had formed a Special Tactical Squad to counter the menace of street gangs, cultism and other related crimes in the state.

The Commissioner of Police Mr Agyole Abeh revealed this to the News Agency of Nigeria in an interview in Kaduna.

NAN reports that residents of Kaduna now live in fear following the resurgence of the gangs, especially in areas such as Rigasa, Sabon Tasha, Angwan Sanusi.

Mr. Abeh said the menace of the street gangs, locally known as, known for molesting and attacking innocent citizens with knives and other dangerous weapons, “would no longer be tolerated.”

“The new unit is also tasked with the responsibility of identifying and raiding all known black spots which serve as notorious hideouts for the gangs.”

According to him, the unit will intensify raids on the identified criminal hideouts and flash-points to ensure the safety and security of lives and property.

He also state that “a robust and elaborate security arrangement and crime prevention strategies has been adopted by the Command to ensure crime free society.”

The police commissioner appealed to the public to continue to support the operations by availing the police with useful information that will assist in checkmating crime and criminality in the state.

February 7, 2017
Army establishes Operation Base in Southern Kaduna

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has laid the foundation stone for the Forward Operation Base (FOB) of 2 Battalion of the Nigerian Army in Zango Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna state.

The Nigerian Army School of Artillery in Kachia Local Government Area of the state had been the military formation in Southern Kaduna.

Speaking at the occasion, Buratai said the army was committed to peace and security in all parts of Nigeria.

He said the need to find a lasting solution to incessant herdsmen/farmers crises rocking Southern Kaduna in recent times necessitated the setting up of the base.

Buratai urged Nigerians to learn to co-exist peacefully, adding “we need each other”.

Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna state in a remark noted that 11 similar clashes had been recorded in the state, but vowed to put an end to it.

He said all those behind the recent farmers/herdsmen crisis will be brought to book no matter how highly placed.

“Whether they are my son or daughter or relations, whether they are Muslim or Christian, someone will be jailed to put an end to the crisis. And this will be the end of the crisis in the state,” El-Rufai said.

Earlier during a courtesy visit to the Emir of Jama’a, Alhaji Muhammadu Isa Muhammadu, the chief of staff directed troops stationed in Southern Kaduna to move deep into the forest to fish out perpetrators of violence in the state.

”The troops have been working seriously to ensure that attacks and counter attacks are brought to an end.”

Buratai also visited the Chief of Kagoro, Dr Ufuwoi Bonet, and appealed to the traditional ruler to assist in finding a solution to the crisis in the area.

He also visited Ninte village, the scene of the most recent herdsmen/farmers clash, where he addressed troops of 101 Special Force battalion stationed in the community.

He noted that the Hausa and Fulani had been living together in the community for centuries, but wonder why they resorted to killing themselves.

“There is a need for understanding. It is a family issue that can be resolved amicably,” warning, however, that those responsible for killings and violence would not go unpunished.

“We will deal with anyone that foments trouble,” he further warned and called on traditional rulers and other leaders to join the effort to bring peace to the area.

The army chief charged the troops to be professional and respect human rights in the discharge of the duties.

February 5, 2017
Kaduna gets new Head of Service

Gov. Nasiru El-Rufa’i has announced the appointment of Mrs Bariatu Mohammed as the Kaduna State Head of Service.

A statement issued on Friday in Kaduna by Samuel Aruwan, media aide to the governor said Mohammed succeeded Mrs Alisabatu Dada-Onazi who retired from service on December 31, 2016.

The News Agency of Nigeria [NAN] reports that until her elavation, Mohammed was the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport.

“Mrs Mohammed, from Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area, joined the Kaduna State Civil Service on 7th August, 1984 and rose to the rank of Permanent Secretary on April 1, 2012,” the statement added.

She was at various times Permanent Secretary Public Service Office; Bureau of Establishments, Management Services and Training, as well as in the office of the Head of Service.

The governor commended the retired Head of Service for her hard work and foresight, and in driving on-going reforms in the state civil service.

He also said that the government was indebted to her for her resilience towards the success of the staff verification exercise, which laid the foundation for the reforms of the service.

January 6, 2017
Kaduna communities cry out over damage to farmlands

Two communities in Kubau Local Government Area of Kaduna State cut off by over flowing water from Galmo river, have urged the state government to construct a bridge to link them with other communities in the area.

The News Agency of Nigeria [NAN] reports that some of the residents of Gagarekutare and Gajagaja said they had been cut off for over three years since the river was expanded to provide water to Galma dam.

The dam was constructed to supply potable water to Zaria and eight other local government areas of the state.

The residents said that since the dredging, the river had overflowed its banks and took over farmlands and access roads in the area.

NAN reports that the water had covered about two kilometres of the road linking the two communities with Anchau, by Yadi Junction along Jos road.

The residents said it now takes them two hours to get to Anchau, the main town in the area, for a journey which of about 10 minutes across the river.

A resident, Malam Adamu Audu, said the villagers now use ferry and canoes to access other communities.

“Before the arrival of the ferry and canoes, it used to take us hours to get to Anchau.

“This is because we have to go to Pambegua, from there to Dutsenwai before we get to Anchau, about two hours journey.

“But now, once we cross the river using the ferry, we can get there in just some few minutes.”

Mrs Mary Elisha, a widow and mother of five, said farmers, whose land was overtaken by the water, have been left to seek for alternative means to feed their families.

She said government intervention was needed to cushion their hardship, especially in sourcing for food.

Another resident, Malam Muhammadu Usman, said they have not cultivated their land for three years beacuse it was submerged.

“The only farmland we had was taken over by the river, thereby, making life very difficult for us, especially when we have to buy food since we can no longer produce the food we need.

“Government should please look into our plight and come to our aid,” Usman said.

Meanwhile, ferry and canoe operators, have taken advantage of the situation to make brisk business.

A ferry operator, Malam Aminu Aliwasi, said he makes an average of N11, 000 daily, and as much as N60, 000 every Tuesday during Anchau market day.

“It takes 10 to 15 minutes to cross the river on the ferry depending on the weight of the load and is even faster by canoe.

“Alternatively, it takes those who avoid the river about two hours to get to Anchau, because they would have to go round through Pambegua to Dutsenwai before getting to Anchau,” Aliwasi said.

He also urged the state government to construct a bridge to ease the problem of transportation faced by residents.

Malam Ibrahim Zaria, Coordinator, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in the local government, said the problem of the communities started in 2013 when the government dredged the river to enhance outflow of water to Galma dam.

“It used to be a small river which usually overflows its banks, destroy houses and wash away farmlands during the rainy season.

“The state government expanded it in 2013 to provide water to Galma dam which was constructed to address the challenge of access to clean water in parts of the state.

“As far as I can remember, the people living close to the river have been compensated and asked to relocate,” he said.

December 30, 2016
Kaduna Assembly approves N15bn 2016 supplementary budget

Barely a week to the end of the 2016 fiscal year, the Kaduna State House of Assembly on Friday approved a supplementary budget of N15.3 billion for the state government.

The News Agency of Nigeria [NAN] reports that the supplementary budget was the second approved by the assembly in 2016.

The Speaker, Aminu Shagali, explained that N7.65 billion was for recurrent expenditure and N7.65 billion for capital.

He said N7.65 billion earmarked for recurrent expenditure in 2016 would be handled by the Ministry of Finance.

According to him, N2.18 billion would go to the Ministry of Works, Transport and Housing, and N5.47 billion to the Ministry of Rural and Community Development for capital projects.

Mr Nuhu Shadalafiya, Chairman House Committee on Information, said the money would be used to address “issues of insecurity, leave grant and overhead.”

NAN reports that Gov. Nasiru El-Rufa’i had signed the state’s 2017 budget of N214.9 billion into law.

December 23, 2016
El-Rufai faults CAN President over Southern Kaduna killings

Governor Nasir El Rufai of Kaduna state has said that the killings in Southern Kaduna by suspected herdsmen is pure criminality and has nothing to do with ethnicity and religion.

Speaking to a group of journalists, the governor faulted the statement credited to the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev Supo Ayokunle, who had earlier described the attacks as religious cleansing.

El-Rufai pointed out that, ‘’the same Fulani are killing Fulani in hundreds in Zamfara state. It has nothing to do with religion or ethnicity. It is pure banditry.’’

According to the governor, the perpetrators of the attacks in both Southern Kaduna and Zamfara state are just criminals, adding that, ‘’their ethnicity and religion do not matter.’’

El Rufai pleaded with leaders to be mindful of their utterances and to stop encouraging their people to resort to self-help. ‘’Lets fight the problem; let’s not bring sentiments, sensationalism and division into it,’’ he added.

The governor narrated the steps that his administration had taken in order to understand the root cause of the killings in Southern Kaduna, beginning with the setting up of the retired General Martin Luther Agwai Committee.

He said that the committee found out that the killings in the area was rooted in the 2011 Post Election Violence, where Fulani from Cameroun and Niger republic were killed in Southern Kaduna while they were returning to their countries.

‘’They organized themselves and came back for revenge,’’ El-Rufai said, adding that ‘’a lot of what was happening in Southern Kaduna and Plateau State is actually from outside Nigeria.’’

El-Rufai said that Governor Patrick Yakowa had sent emissaries to some of these Fulani communities in neighboring countries in order to make peace ‘’but after his death, the whole thing stopped.’’

He further said that his administration continued from where Yakowa stopped, by sending some people to go round these countries to explain to the Fulanis that ‘’there is a new governor. He is also Fulani like you and he has no problem paying compensation for loss of lives and livestock. But he is begging you to stop the killings.’’

According to the governor, most of the communities forgave the killing of their relatives during the Post-Election Violence, after hearing this explanation.

‘’There were one or two that asked for monetary compensation for cattle. They said that they had forgiven the deaths of human beings but they should be compensated for their lost cattle. We said no problem and we paid,’’ he added.

The governor said that there was peace when these steps were taken ‘’but what is happening now, I don’t want to restrict it to Southern Kaduna, is a case of pure banditry.’’

According to the Governor, these renewed killings have nothing to do with the fall- outs of the post-election violence. ‘’It was a small problem that started in Ninte, Godogodo, that could have been handled better by both the Fulani and community leaders,’’ he said.

El-Rufai further said that the killings in Kaura was triggered off when youths attacked a police station and killed the very Fulani man who had reported his brother to the police for suspected criminal activities.

While appealing for restraint on both sides, he said that as governor of Kaduna state, ‘’I am very sad over the loss of life because the burden is on me. I am supposed to defend everyone. We regret the loss of lives and property.’’

November 29, 2016
Why we declared Shi’ite group illegal – El Rufai

Governor Nasir El Rufai of Kaduna state has said that he decided to declared the famous Shi’ites group, the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) an unlawful society because its activities was an insurgency waiting to happen.

Governor El Rufai who spoke to a select-group of journalists Monday, said that IMN leader, Sheikh Ibraheem El Zakzaky was not practicing the doctrine of Shi’ism but was gathering enough members in order to stage an Iranian-type Islamic revolution in Nigeria.

The governor clarified that he neither banned the Shiite sect nor Shi’ism in Kaduna state but merely invoked the powers conferred on him by the penal code which was enacted in 1963, to declare IMN an unlawful society.

According to El Rufai, the government only declared IMN illegal but there are two other Shi’ite sects that are carrying on with their activities freely in Kaduna state. He argued that it is wrong to equate only IMN with Shi’ism, adding that IMN is just one group that professes the doctrine but there are several others.

‘’There is also a misconception that IMN is the same thing as Shiites; it is only one sect out of many Shiite organizations. There is one Shiite group that is headquartered here in Kaduna, which is headed by Sheikh Hamza Lawal. He used to be with IMN but he left them when he realized that IMN is more interested in political struggles than religious development, ‘’ he said.

El Rufai said that Sheikh Hamza appeared before the Justice Lawal Garba Judicial Commission of Inquiry and gave evidence by saying that ‘’there is nothing in Shia doctrine that says that you should not recognize the government of your country.’’

He pointed out that the government cannot ban any religious organization or practice in the state but that the penal code gives him the powers to declare any organization as an unlawful society ‘’if it poses a threat to the security, peace and governance of the state.’’

‘’We concluded, after receiving the report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry that looked into the clashes between IMN and the army, that IMN poses a threat to the security, peace and governance of the state,’’ he said, adding that ‘’we did not ban Shiism, we did not ban Shiites, we did not say that they can’t practice their religion.’’

Adducing more reasons why he declared IMN an unlawful society, the Governor said that the group ‘’does not recognize the constitution of Nigeria. They do not recognize Buhari as president. They do not recognize me as governor of Kaduna state, they had their own governor in Tudun Wada.’’

According to him, IMN have their own paramilitary personnel which they call ‘’Hurras’’ and they used to bear arms in violation of the Nigerian laws. ‘’And they do not accept that any law in Nigeria applies to them,’’ he further said.

The governor pointed out that ‘’because they do not recognize any law in Nigeria, IMN is not registered with Corporate Affairs Commission. So, they cannot be sued or held responsible for their actions. They build anywhere they find land, they do not even bother to apply for land titles.’’

El Rufai also said that IMN used to block public high ways and occupy schools during their processions. ‘’In the practice of their religion, they infringed on the rights of others and that is completely wrong in Islam.’’

‘’So, if you put all these together, you will realize that IMN was an insurgency that was waiting to happen. IMN was a political organization. The intention of El Zakzaky was to gather enough followers to effect an Iranian-type revolution in Nigeria. Nigeria is not a 100% Muslim country that you can do that kind of revolution,’’ El Rufai said.

In spite of the fact that IMN has been declared an unlawful organization, El Rufai however said that it is wrong for citizens to take the law into their hands by attacking them. He said that those who attacked some IMN members during the last Ashura celebrations have been apprehended and being prosecuted in court.

November 28, 2016