The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Kaduna state

  • Father rapes own two-year-old daughter in Kaduna

    Father rapes own two-year-old daughter in Kaduna

    A biological father, Daniel Joseph, 31-years have been handed over to the Kaduna Police Command for raping own two years old daughter name withheld.

    The incidence was said to have occurred in Gonin-Gora, Chikun local government area of the state and leading to the daughter discharging.

    Joseph, a Carpenter was said to have been exposed by his Neighbours who reported the case to the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development after which he was handed over to the police command (CID).

    It was also gathered that mother of the girl is late and giving room for the father to allegedly have carnal knowledge of his daughter.

    Upon interrogation, the suspect was said to have denied it but people in the area testified that he is fond of the ungodly act.

    It was however gathered that a Doctor who examined the little girl confirmed penetration & serious infection.

    Efforts to reach the Kaduna Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Zubairu Abubakar for formal confirmation of the development proved abortive as he was not picking his calls.

    Earlier, the Commissioner of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajia Rabi Abdulsalam expressed shock and condemned the act in totality.

    She however directed that the little girl be given proper medical treatment.

    Meanwhile, the Nigeria Association of Women Journalist, NAWOJ through it state Chairperson, Juliet Nwogu Oyoyo also condemned the act and disclosed it plan to organize a rally to kick against rape and molestation of the women folks.

     

  • Beggars protest against El-Rufai’s anti-begging, hawking law

    Beggars protest against El-Rufai’s anti-begging, hawking law

    As Kaduna State Assembly passed the law on banning street begging in the state, beggars Wednesday protested against the law as they give the government seven days ultimatum to withdraw the law or they will occupy the government house.

    The beggars who stormed the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Kaduna State Secretarial said they are ready to sacrifice their lives against the law.

    The beggars who comprised of blind, deaf, crippled, both elderly, young and women with their babies said nobody can stop them from begging without providing them with alternatives.

    The protesters raised placards with inscription such as “El-Rufai before stopping street begging, pass state disability bill.

    “Begging can never be stopped by persons with disability in Kaduna. “El-Rufai, fulfil your campaign promises before stopping begging in Kaduna”. “Give us 10 percent job opportunity as you promised before stopping street begging,” among others.

    The State Governor Malam Nasir El-Rufai had last week assented to the bill banning street begging and hawking in the state. The governor’s decision didn’t go down well with the disables in the state which forced them to protest his decision.

    Commenting on the protests Chairman Concerned Citizens with Disabilities, Julius Shemang said the passage of the street begging and hawking bill in the absent of adequate provisions made for the street beggars first contradict the agreed process reached between them and the government  that solutions will be proffered before the law come into effect.

    “We are therefore writing to register our concern before you and the State assembly categorically that the signing and passage of the street begging and hawking Bill without our Bill signed with a commission in line with Article 4 of the United Nations convention on the rights of persons with Disabilities ( UNCRPD) will spell more hardship for our members.

    “Before the 2015 general elections you mentioned during your campaign that if elected as governor of the state you will make life comfortable for our members by signing our bill with a commission.

    “Again at a town hall meeting with stakeholders and representatives of different organizations and community leaders last year in which Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities (JONAPWD)  and JNI the bill issue and street begging and hawking was tabled.

    “The assurance you gave us again was that street begging and hawking won’t be banned until solutions are preferred or put in place to improve the living conditions of our members,” he said.

    Earlier, Former National Vice Chairman, of JONAPWD, Comrade Rilwanu Mohammed Abdullahi said they will soon occupy the state government house if after seven days they state governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai refused to pass the bill to set up a disability commission in the state.

    “We don’t like street begging but we have no choice than to beg for arms to take care of our family members.  Let the governor pass the bill to set of disability commission in the state.

    “If the government failed to do that within seven days from today we will continue with the protest and take over the government house until our demands are met,” he said.

  • El-Rufa’i promises to end kidnapping in Kaduna

    El-Rufa’i promises to end kidnapping in Kaduna

    Governor Nasir El-Rufa’i of Kaduna State has promised to end incessant cases of kidnapping to guarantee the safety of lives and property of the citizens in the state.

    El-Rufa’i made the promise on Saturday during a town hall meeting in Kachia, Kachia Local Government Area of the state.

    He said the state government had noted with concern the spate of kidnapping, especially in Kaduna metropolis, adding that “the ugly scenario would soon be a thing of the past’’.

    He said the state had recorded significant stride in addressing indices of insecurity, including killings of innocent persons and cattle rustling.

    The governor expressed regrets that perpetrators of such acts had resorted to kidnapping of persons.

    He said that the police recently arrested a kingpin of kidnappers in the state and arms were recovered from the suspects.

    “We have put in place as part of our statutory function, security measure to put an end to the menace once and for all,’’ he said.

    In another development, El-Rufa’i has said the state government will launch a tree planting campaign as a measure to secure the environment.

    El-Rufa’i said the state government had concluded plans through the Ministry of Environment to engage women throughout the Local Government Areas in the state.

    “The aim of this initiative is to safeguard our environment for the generation yet unborn,’’ he said.

    He assured the people that plans have been concluded to construct 255 new health facilities throughout the state to guarantee the health of the people.

    “We are concerned about reducing maternal mortality rate, especially among pregnant women,’’ he said.

    On agriculture, the governor assured that fertilisers would be made available to farmers to boost farm produce.

    “We want to ensure that our farmers compete favourably with modern agricultural practices.

    He said the Kachia Ginger Company would be opened for bidding for interested investors to revive its production.

    El-Rufa’i urged the people to be patient, and assured that electricity, provision of drinking water, accessible roads and payment of salaries and wages among others would be addressed.

    NAN reports that the meeting had in attendance, government officials, including, commissioners, permanent secretaries, local council chairmen, traditional rulers, youths and women groups, among others.

  • Fight over woman turns bloody in Kaduna 

    Fight over woman turns bloody in Kaduna 

    Fight over woman went bloody between two neighbouring communities of Badarawa Kwaru and Unguwar Yero both in Kaduna North Local Government Areas of Kaduna State.

    The Nation gathered that, not fewer than six persons have died since the eruption of fight on Sunday night, while several others were injured.

    Meanwhile, as at the time of filing this report on Wednesday afternoon, heavy presence of Police and soldiers forced residents of the area to remain indoor, as several gunshots were fired into the air at interval.

    Eye witnesses accounts said, the fight started between two men on Sunday night over a woman.

    Emmanuel Kaja told our Correspondent that, a man from Kwaru community came on motorbike to Unguwar Yero to see his alleged concubine who is wife of a man in Unguwar Yero.

    According to him, “The woman was girlfriend of the Kwaru man who used to give her money when they were dating. But the lady in question married another person. But after their marriage, the lady and her ex boyfriend were still going out.

    “On that Sunday evening, the Kwaru man came as usual to look for his concubine. They met as usual, but the husband who was already suspecting his wife trailed her to where they were standing. So, when he accosted them, the Kwaru man kicked his bike and stabbed his concubine’s husband in the stomach.

    “The man later died before he could be rushed to the hospital. But, what got people of the area angry is that, the Governor later came begging the people to be patient without taking action to bring the culprit to book.

    “That was why Unguwar Yero people also started attacking people suspected to be Hausa-Muslim.” He said.

    Another eye witness also told The Nation that, Governor Nasir el-Rufai who at Unguwar Yero on Sunday night to broker peace was stoned by angry youths.

    He said, “when the governor arrived, the area, the angry youths didn’t even allow him to speak, they just started chanting ‘bama so’, meaning, ‘we don’t want’.

    Meanwhile, after the Governor’s visit, the crisis started taking religious and ethnic dimensions since Monday, as groups from the neighboring Kwaru and Unguwar Yero resulted to attacking people identified as members of the opposite ethnic or religious group.

    As at Wednesday morning, normalcy had returned to the areas, as group suspected to be of Kwaru extraction stormed Ghana Road area of Malali and Unguwar Yero, attacking two traders, one of whom is feared dead.

    However, as at the time of filing this report, casualties figure according to eye witnesses stood at six.

    Meanwhile, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Zubairu Abubakar said, “Many arrests have been made, but I cannot tell you the number of the arrest until I find out from the office. However, calm has returned to the two communities and under control.”

    The Police did not also confirm that number of casualties.

  • No intention to ban evangelism in Kaduna – El-Rufai

    No intention to ban evangelism in Kaduna – El-Rufai

    Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai Tuesday told stakeholders that the preaching bill he sent to State Assembly has no intention of banning evangelism in the state but only to curb emerging religious extremism.

    Speaking on the intention of government at a religious bill roundtable organised by a nongovernmental organisation, Carefronting Nigeria in Kaduna, Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s who was represented by his spokesman, Samuel Aruwan, posited that, security of lives and property formed the basis of government’s intention.

    According to him, the government appreciates the reservations and contributions of religious leaders and other critical stakeholders who have made their genuine positions, adding that some people have started politicizing the good intention of government to restore peace in Kaduna.

    He said, in the bill Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Jama’atu Nasir Islam (JNI) if passed will have a framework where some strange ideological beliefs that are not in tandem with both faiths will be checked, stressing that the bill is not a law and everybody should make contribution.

    The Governor equally pointed out that, just before the present government came on board there were Killings in Southern Kaduna and Birnin Gwari axis of the state but now under firm control.

    “Government wants to curb extremism associated with religious beliefs and not to stop evangelism in the state or stop people from practicing their faith.

    “Kaduna State Government means well for the people and wants to secure the lives and property of the residents of the state. There are emerging threats and we need to take drastic measures now. We should all support this bill,” El-Rufai stressed.

    On his part, Carefronting Nigeria, Coordinator Maji Peters said, they were moved to call stakeholders for discussion because of the issues the bill has generated.

    Peters said the roundtable forum tagged Kaduna State Religious preaching regulations Bill: Intention and perception was aimed at getting the views of the critical stakeholders and finding the way forward for peace and development of the state.

    On his part, Director General Interfaith Mediation, Engineer Namadi Musa, noted that they have gone round the three Senatorial Zones in the state to sensitize the people, calling on the State House of Assembly to make use of the public hearing so that people can make inputs.

    Among the stakeholders present at the preaching bill roundtable included, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ja’amatu Nasir Islam (JNI), Christian Lawyers Fellowship of Nigeria (CLASFON), Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and other religions and Non Governmental Organizations.

     

  • NITT inaugurates Distance Learning Programmes

    The Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT) in Zaria has started Distance Learning Programmes (DLP) in Abuja and Lagos.

     

    This is contained in a statement by the Assistant Director, Press and Public Relations, Mr Paul Mshelizah, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Zaria, Kaduna State on Monday.

     

    It said the inauguration ceremonies for the programmes, which took place at Lagos and Abuja learning centres, were part of plans to reposition the institute to meet the dynamism of transportation industry.

     

    Performing the inauguration, the NITT Director-General, Dr Aminu Musa-Yusuf, said it became imperative to commence the programmes in order to diversify the institute`s courses.

     

    He said that the programmes would help to cater for students who might be unable to come to Zaria because of the distance.

     

    “Prior to this development, the institute has been running such programme on Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement with other training providers in the industry in Abuja and Lagos.

     

    “That arrangement was, however, discontinued since I assumed the mantle of leadership of the institute and management had since then been planning for the development of the outreach learning centres.

     

    “The flag-off of the Distance Learning Programmes signifies the commitment of the institute at bringing the programmes to the door steps of its clients, “ he said.

     

    While assuring participants of quality programmes equal to what were being delivered in Zaria, Musa-Yusuf congratulated them for being the pioneer participants of the institute’s Distance Learning Programme.

     

    He enjoined other employees in the transport and logistics industry to take advantage of the opportunity to improve their skills by enrolling in the programmes, which he said, were convenient and flexible.

     

    NAN reports that courses under the Distance Learning Programmes included Certificate in Transport and Logistics (CTL), Diploma in Transport and Logistics (DTL) and advanced Professional Diploma in Transport and Logistics (PDTL).

     

    The duration of the programmes is one and half years or three semesters.

  • Suspected kidnapper burnt to death in Kaduna

    At Barnawa, Kaduna South Local Government area of kaduna State, angry mob, Wednesday burnt to death a suspected kidnapper (identity yet unknown) for allegedly attempting to kidnap a four-year-old boy in the area.

    Eyewitnesses account at the scene of the incident said the suspect had successfully conceded his victim, Almustapha Aruna, in a sack and kept in his tricycle (Keke NAPEP).

    It was further learnt that the boy was shouting from inside the sack which eventually attracted the attention of people in the area and his subsequent interception and questioning.

    The Nation observed that a video had on Tuesday evening gone viral on social media showing two men at Ngwan Sunday, Television garage in Chikun local government area of Kaduna State who were arrested over the same offence even though timely intervention of security men saved them from been lynched.

    The mob who were still angry when The Nation visited the scene of the Wednesday incident said the suspect could not give them any reasonable response including the name of the victim.

    Meanwhile, at the residence of the boy at No 27, Indian road, Barnawa, Kaduna, which is just a stone-throw from LEA primary school where the boy was kidnapped, the boy and his parents were still in huge shock.

    Mother of the child, Hanatu Almustapha, said she was never suspicion that anything of such had happened to her child until sympathisers thronged their apartment congratulating her.

    “My son left for school this morning. I never know that someone was planning to throw us into mourning. I would have waited for him to come back home after the closing hour. But thank God, my son was saved”.

    However, 38-year-old father of Haruna, Haruna Daudu Almustapha, said he couldn’t believe his eyes and ears when people rushed to his house to inform him of how his son luckily rescued.

    When contacted, Police Public Relations Officer in the State, DSP Zubairu Abubakar could not give details of the incident as at time of filling the report.

     

  • Labour to El-Rufai: publish names of those aiding ghost workers

    Labour to El-Rufai: publish names of those aiding ghost workers

    The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Kaduna State has urged Governor Nasir El-Rufai to substantiate his claims and publish the names of the workers aiding and abetting ghost workers.It said the call became imperative, considering the huge sum of money alleged to be involved monthly, which was big enough to assist the government in its developmental programmes.

    In a statement issued yesterday by Comrades Adamu Ango and Shehu Mohammed, chairman of NLC and TUC, the leaders said union membership was a constitutional issue, which was above the jurisdiction of any state government. “Labour unions will resist any attempt to polarise and create disharmony among their members.”

    The leaders said: “No amount of campaign of calumny from any quarter will deter us from demanding our right.”

  • El-Rufa’i meets CAN over preaching Bill

    El-Rufa’i meets CAN over preaching Bill

    Amidst growing outrage over plans to regulate religious preaching, Gov. Nasiru El-Rufa’i of Kaduna State on Wednesday met with officials of the state branch of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to seek their support.

    The governor, represented by his deputy, Mr Barnabas Bala, met with the CAN officials for about 40 minutes behind closed doors at the Government House, Kaduna.

    Briefing newsmen after the meeting, the state CAN Chairman, Bishop George Dodo, confirmed that the meeting was on the controversial bill, but said the association would not make any comment for now.

    “When we are through with the study, memo will be sent to the state Assembly; on the day of public hearing we will explain more, but now it would be premature to say the position of CAN,” he said.

    On concerns raised by the public that the government is trying to muzzle religious freedom, the CAN chairman said: “I don’t think any governor has the power to enact law that will supersede what is in the constitution.

    “The constitution guarantees every person the right to practice his/her religion; I don’t think there is any governor that can enact a law in that regard.

    “Governors ask for prayers in all places of worship, so how would they enact a law that will ban the practice of religion.”

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that already several Islamic groups, including the state Council of Imams and Ulamas, had rejected the controversial bill.

    In spite of the protests, the state government insists that the Religious Preaching Bill is to “protect the state from religious extremism and hate speech”.

    The governor’s spokesman, Mr Samuel Aruwan, in a statement after the closed door meeting with CAN officials, said the government is going ahead with the bill.

    “This is not a new law, it has existed since 1984, with amendments in 1987 and 1996.”

    According to him, the bill has not in any way affected people’s right to religious freedom.

    “The bill, by virtue of Section 45(1) of the 1999 Constitution, is in order and does not offend the provisions of the constitution. The provisions of the bill are in tandem with the Constitution.

    “There is nothing in the bill that suggests any effort to abolish, stop or derogate on the freedom of religion and religious beliefs.

    “It merely seeks to ensure that religious preaching and activities in the state are conducted in ways that do not threaten public order, public safety, and to protect the rights and freedom of other persons,” he emphasised.

     

  • Chief Judge releases 56 prison inmates in Kaduna

    Chief Judge releases 56 prison inmates in Kaduna

    The Kaduna State Chief Judge, Justice Tanimu Zailani, on Wednesday released 56 inmates from the Kaduna Central prison as part of efforts to decongest prisons in the state.

    The Chief Judge attributed the high number of inmates to the failure of judges to be fair and just in the discharge of their duties.

    He stressed that only justice would prevent the current situation where people were sent to jail for trivial offences.

    “Most of the prisoners are in prison for simple theft, but were branded with armed robbery just to keep them in prison.

    “As Judges, we are supposed to be professionals and should not be found truncating justice in whatever guise. We are expected to uphold justice and that is what we must do.

    “For those with offence of court contempt, you can punish the offenders’ right there in the court. There is no need putting them in jail, “he said.

    On those released, Zailani explained that they were first time offenders arrested for non capital offences, those unable to meet their bail conditions, and those whose case records were neither with the Ministry of Justice nor the Police.

    “As such there was no point keeping them in jail. Other offences were mainly court contempt that the judges could have settled them in court,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a total of 82 inmates appeared before the Chief Judge for review of their cases, out of which 26 were turned down because of the criminal nature of their offences.

    NAN also reports that the Kaduna central prison, established in 1915 for 547 inmates, currently has a total of 954 prisoners as at March 16.

    Out of the figure, 576 are awaiting trial; 241 convicted; 103 condemned to death and 28 on life sentence, among others.