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Tag: Kaduna State.

  • Two die, 20 children sick as measles outbreak hits Kaduna community

    Two die, 20 children sick as measles outbreak hits Kaduna community

    Two children have been confirmed dead and over 20 others sick, as measles outbreak hits Ungwa Kanawa in Tankarau of Dutsen- Abba Ward of Zaria local government area of Kaduna State.

    The discovery was made during a visit to the community as part of activities commemorating the African Vaccination/World Immunization Week which commenced on the 24th and will last till the 30th April, 2025 with the theme: “Vaccination for all is Humanly Possible”.

    The visit to the community, which was also to carry out immunisation, was also meant to be an opportunity to monitor executive supervision of the ongoing Polio campaign, and to observe and document impact of mobile outreaches in a zero-dose ward/LGA as part of an integrated primary healthcare system.

    Speaking on the outbreak and efforts to address it, the Director, Disease Control in the Kaduna State Primary Healthcare Board, Hamza Ibrahim Ikara, who confirmed the outbreak, said, the visit was part of the ongoing process to ensure proper and quality intervention for polio immunisation across the country.

    He said part of the effort included intensifying routine immunization, which is one of the key strategies for reducing maternal and infant mortality rates nationwide.

    “As you have seen in the committee meeting, we have many children who have fallen victim to measles cases, because they have either never received any immunisation or missed the measles vaccination we conducted a few months ago.

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    “Despite outreach teams visiting them, many parents have not been bringing their children for immunisation. This situation stems largely from refusal and non-compliance related to immunisation.

    “In this community, we have been making strong efforts to create awareness among committee members. They have shared reasons why they have not been taking their children for immunisation or accepting vaccinators when they come”.

    In response to this outbreak, he said he has directed the Local Government Surveillance Officer to strengthen surveillance efforts and ensure that they cover all the communities within the Ungwan Kanawa area to ensure no child showing symptoms is missed.

    Earlier, the United Nations Children Education Fund (UNICEF) Chief of Field Office Kaduna, Dr. Gerida Birukila corroborated the outbreak of the Measles in the community.

    She appealed to husbands to allow their wives present their children for the various immunisation as at when due.

    The African vaccination and world immunisation week in Kaduna is championed by the World Health Organizations (WHO) GAVII, KDPHC and UNICEF.

  • JUST IN: Six killed in fresh attack on Kaduna village

    No fewer than six people have been killed in a fresh attack on Fadaman Rimi village in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna state.

    It was gathered that the attack occured in the early hours of Saturday, as the armed bandits, in tens, stormed the village with rifles and started shooting sporadically.

    Though Kaduna State Police Command was yet to confirm the casualty figure as at the time of filing this report, its spokesman, DSP, Yakubu Sabo told our correspondent that he was still trying to getter facts about the incident.

    Sabo however said he would issued a statement to that effect before the end of the day.

    An eye witness said that six people were killed by the attackers while many other villagers sustained various degrees of injuries, including gunshots wounds.

    Read Also: We lost 15 members in Kaduna, Gombe, Bauchi others – IMN

    According to the source: “The attackers came to our village around 6:00am and killed six of our people and even stole our property and rustled our cows. When they came, we were inside our houses when they started shooting at everybody they saw.

    “Many of us escaped by miracle, because as people were running for their dear lives, they were shooting at us. It was a terrible situation.”

     

  • Soldiers kill six bandits in Kaduna

    The troops of “Operation Thunder Strike” and “Operation Harbin Kunama III” have killed five suspected bandits and arrested four others during two separate operations in Chikun and Igabi Local Government Areas of Kaduna State.

    In another operation, soldiers also arrested 17 bandits in Katsina and killed one of them during a clearance operation, the Army announced on Sunday.

    In all, the soldiers killed six bandits and arrested 17 others in the two states.

    Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 1 Division, Nigerian Army Colonel Ezindu Idima, in a statement issued in Kaduna yesterday, said the troops also rescued two kidnap victims.

    The Army Division’s spokesman said: “Troops of Operation “Harbin Kunama III” have dislodged bandits’ camp in Dagu village of Igabi Local Government, following credible information and during the operation, two bandits were neutralised and one was apprehended while others escaped with gunshot wounds.

    “Troops also rescued two kidnapped victims, Mallam Yakubu Hamidu and Alhaji Isa Saidu, from the bandits’ den around Makarfi Farm junction in Igabi LGAs, where two motorcycles belonging to the criminals were also destroyed during an exchange of fire.”

    He noted that the residents of Dagu village hailed the Army for destroying hideouts of the bandits, who have been terrorising villages in the area.

    Similarly, in another operation by troops of “Operation Thunder Strike” around Kubuso, Kuso and Kakumi general area in Chikun Local Government Area, Idima said: “Following the operation, three bandits were neutralised, three were arrested and two kidnapped victims were also freed.

    “Items recovered from the bandits include one AK47 riffle, a single barrel rifle, one Dane gun and 28 rounds of special ammunition, two motorcycles, one camouflage uniform, two ATM cards, a Techno Phone, one Airtel Sim card and empty cases of 5 x 7.62mm special ammunition.”

    In another statement by Assistant Director Army Public Relations, Lt Mohammed Isa Yahaya, said the troops recovered arms and ammunition from the bandits in Katsina.

    He added that the bandits have been terrorising Katsina communities and also engaged in cattle rustling in the area.

    Lt Yahaya said: “Troops of ‘Harbin Kunama III’ have successfully conducted a joint operation with troops of ‘Operation Hadarin Daji’ and personnel of the Nigerian police to clear bandits and other reported cases of robbery, cattle rustling and kidnappings in Katsina State.

    “The clearance operation, which is aimed at destroying all bandits’ camps in Katsina State, has yielded tremendous results.

    Read Also: Troops kill five, arrest four bandits in Kaduna

    “In the course of the operation, troops conducted a cordon and search exercise while acting on credible intelligence reports at Yar Santa village in Kankara Local Government Area and its environ.

    “At the peak of the exercise, one Mr. Monday Chikwunka, 36 years old, an indigene of Delta State, alongside 16 other bandits specialising in rustling cows, killing and kidnapping of citizens were intercepted.

    “Preliminary interrogation and confessional statements by the suspects revealed that the gang was responsible for most criminal activities in the state and its localities.

    “The ring leader (Monday Chikwunka) also served as medical aide of these criminals by providing medical assistance to the wounded bandits who sustained gunshot wounds and their families.”

    He confessed treating the pregnant wife of one of the most notorious bandits, Dogo Nahalli, who is still at large.

    The suspects have been handed over to the appropriate security agency for further investigation and prosecution.

    In a similar development, troops while on clearance operations, encountered a group of fleeing bandits and neutralised one of the criminals, who tried to escape.

    Many camps belonging to the bandits were destroyed.

    The troops recovered from the scene two AK 47 rifle, four AK 47 Magazines and 10 rounds of 7.62 mm. Others are six locally made Dane guns, one revolver pistol, one locally-made revolver rifle, 20 handsets and two motorcycles.

     

  • Air Force loses two personnel in ambush

    The Air Force has lost two of its personnel to an ambush laid by bandits in Birni-Gwari axis of Kaduna State.

    According to a statement signed by the Spokesman of the Air Force, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, the personnel fought their ways through the ambush mounted by the bandits, but in the process lost two gallant men.

    Daramola said: “Troops of 271 Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Detachment, Birnin Gwari on Monday, July 22, 2019, at about 5p.m. dismounted an ambush set up by armed bandits at Kawan Pole Waya, about 20km from Birnin Gwari on the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari Road.

    “The gallant troops were able to fight their way through the ambush to the side of Birnin Gwari and called for reinforcement. Unfortunately, two NAF personnel paid the supreme price in the process.

    “The personnel, Flying Officer Abdulrahman Bayero and Aircraftman Saidu Bawa, are scheduled to be buried today in accordance with Islamic rites.

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    “The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, on behalf all officers, airmen, airwomen and civilian staff of the NAF, commiserates with the families of the fallen heroes and prays that the Almighty grants their souls peaceful repose.

    “The CAS, who was at Birnin Gwari on Saturday, July 20, 2019, on an assessment visit, has urged all NAF personnel to remain resolute and continue to work assiduously, in synergy with sister services and other security agencies, to rid the Northwest of all criminal elements.”

  • Abuja on lock down as Shittes celebrate El-Zakzaky’s birthday, detention

    Members of Islamic Movement of Nigeria  (IMN ) popularly known as the Shiites on Tuesday locked down human and vehicular traffic in the ever busy Central District of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to mark the 68th birthday anniversary and 224 days of Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky’ s detention.

    The group in their usual fashion of filling according to age grade and sex trooped out in hundreds chanting war-like songs as they marched through major roads demanding justice for their detained leaders.

    Though the procession was peaceful, they accused President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration of trampling on the rights of the members of IMN,  especially El Zazaky and his wife that have been illegally kept behind bars for 1,224 days despite court orders they should be released.

    Abdullahi Musa, the spokesperson of the group, said that IMN will not relent to demand for justice over the Zaria massacre of its members by soldiers.

    According to him: “Despite the recommendation made by the report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry (JCI) of July 2016 for the prosecution of the perpetrators of Zaria massacre, the Nigerian Government under Buhari is yet to prosecute the perpetrators of these great atrocities.”

    Shittes have been having a running battle with security forces in Kaduna and Abuja since 12 December 2015, when Army reportedly killed over 1000 members of the group after at Zaria, Kaduna State.

    Read Also: Court rejects El-Zakzaky’s bail application

    They claimed the invasion of their procession then was “a planned and systematic attack on Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky  launched by the Nigerian Army under a hoax of road blockage.

    “The attack lasted for more than 48 hours and led to the killing of more than 1,000 people, including women and children” .

    They also alleged that sons of Sheikh Zakzaky namely, Ali, Hamid and Humaid died during the attack.

  • Kajuru crisis: Release Adara leaders in detention, stakeholders tell El-Rufa’i

    Some stakeholders in crisis ridden Kajuru Local Government, Kaduna  State, on Monday urged the State Peace Commission to prevail on Gov. Nasiru El-Rufai to facilitate the release of Adara leaders arrested after recent killings in the area.

    The News  Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that members of the peace commission led by the Chairman, Rev. Josiah Idowu-Fearon, visited the area in their push for reconciliation among the warring communities.

    Both the Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the area, Mr Makama Danjuma and Mr Patrick Maigari, Chairman of the local reconciliation committee, said the release of Adara community leaders would fast track reconciliation and engender confidence in the process.

    Maigari in particular said reintegration of the people for lasting peace was possible, but the first step should be the release of those in detention.

    He called on all communities in the local government to shun all forms of violence, ethnicity and religious bigotry and ensure peaceful coexistence.

    Idowu-Fearon, said the commission would continue to play its part until peace is achieved in the state.

    “We are also investigating the situation that brought about the reoccurrence of the crisis in the area.

    ”We are here to help government to resolve the situation and also give out recommendations for lasting peace,” he said.

    Read Also: Kadun: El-Rufa’i vows to punish perpetrators of crisis

    The Executive Vice Chairman of the commission, Priscilla Ankut while commensurating with victims of the crisis, said the commission would continue collaborating with the stakeholders to jointly bring about solution to the crisis in order to bring about meaningful development in the area.

    Ankut explained that the meeting was to discus with stakeholders to commit themselves to proper and lasting reconciliation.

    The Chairman, Kajuru LGA,  Mr Cafra Caino, represented by his deputy, Mr Jagaba Kutara, thanked the commission for the encouraging engagement towards peace building in the area.

    According to him, over 40, 000 internally displaced persons are currently taking refuge in eight camps in the area.

    Also, JNI Chairman, Kajuru LGA, Sheikh Dahiru Kabir, expressed regret over recurring attacks in the area after each reconciliation meeting

    He called on all to shun sentiments, be sincere and committed to the peace process, and “expose those behind the crime irrespective of who they are”

    NAN

     

  • Polls: Voting begins in Maiduguri, parts of Southern Kaduna State

    Voting into the Governorship and State House of Assembly elections has already commenced in Maiduguri, Borno State, and some parts of Southern Kaduna State.

    In Maiduguri polling booth opened at about 8: 00 am; in most polling units visited amid tight security.

    At Bulama Yusuf I and II polling units in Bolori area of Maiduguri, election workers arrived the centers as early as 7: 00 am and commenced the exercise at 8: 00 am.

    Read Also: Over 30, 000 fresh IDPs arrive Maiduguri – UN

    The situation was the same in several polling units visited at Gwange, GRA Gomori areas of Maiduguri.

    Similarly in parts of Southern Kaduna State, voting commenced as witnessed in Jema’a, Kaura and Zangon Kataf local government areas.

    Also, security agencies were at their duty posts while voters conducted themselves peacefully while the exercise progresses.

    NAN

  • No card reader, no vote, says Kaduna INEC, Police

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the State Police Command have the read riot act to the voters in Kaduna State.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Alhaji Kaugama Abdullahi has warned that there will be no voting without card readers.

    The Commissioner of Police, Ahmad Abdulrahman also warned those who have no business to move around on Election Day to stay off the streets.

    The INEC boss and the Police Commissioner addressed a joint press briefing at the INEC headquarters in Kaduna on Friday.

    Abdullahi said all INEC ad-hoc staff are drawn from higher institutions and that they are men of integrity who are equally capable of handling the election processes.

    He assured the issue of late arrival of election materials to some polling units and wards have been taken care of, adding that 8,012 card readers have been dispatched for the elections.

    The REC said: “The card reader is election itself, no card reader, no voting.

    “This is just to let you know that card reader operators were given refresher training.

    “We have 34, 000 Ad-hoc staff to conduct the elections and out of this figure, 10,000 staff are members of the NYSC, while the rest number are from other higher institutions.

    “Our staff are people of high integrity who capable to conduct the election process.

    “We sourced them from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, so they are capable for the election jobs.”

    According to the police commissioner: “We have finished our deployment, we have banned food vendor from poll unit areas in order to stop them from the likelihood of accommodating vote-buyers.

    “We have ordered for good number of helicopters to hover around the State during the election.

    “We will pick anybody wandering about without PVC and keep him or her where necessary until the election is over.

    “We have equally banned members of the vigilante from coming out with dangerous weapons during the election.

    “In fact, we have arrested 34 of them so far, they look deadly”.

  • Buhari condemns attacks in Sokoto, Kaduna

    President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with the families of the victims of the latest bandits’ attacks in Sokoto and the inter-communal conflict in Kaduna State.

    He warned that mass murder of innocent people by criminals would be met with full force.

    Buhari, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, said: “The death of one innocent Nigerian is no less important than the death of a hundred.

    “It is a matter of time before these murderous gangs of criminals meet their Waterloo.”

    Read Also: Okorocha congratulates Buhari, berates Ohaneze

    He added: “The criminals cannot be lucky always because the law will ultimately catch up with them and deliver justice ruthlessly.”

    “Let no group of outlaws doubt the will and resolve of my administration to confront criminals who have no iota of regard for the sanctity of life.”

    He also reassured Nigerians that their security remained a top priority of his government.

    The President said: “Our security personnel are being trained, retrained, motivated and provided with essential equipment in order to improve their capacity to respond to our security challenges.”

    He prayed that God Almighty would grant rest to the souls of the unfortunate victims of the killings in Sokoto and Kaduna States.

     

  • Army offers free medical treatment in Kaduna

    The Nigerian Army Artillery Corps on Thursday offered free medical treatment and donated 2,000 treated mosquito nets to Adara community in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

    The outreach included health education, diabetic screening, dental consultation, eye screening and issuance of eye glasses.

    The three-day medical exercise is expected to end on Nov. 15.

    The Chief of Army Staff,Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, said the free medical treatment for the community was part of activities to mark the annual exercise Vulcan Glow six.

    Buratai disclosed that no specific number of people are targeted but based on records, so far, over 1,700 people have been attended to and more are coming.

    Read Also: Army redeploys top commanders

    Buratai, represented by the Commander Infantry Corps, Maj.-Gen. Hakeem Otiki, solicited the support of the civil populace within their localities to enable it carry out its constitutional role effectively.

    He explained that the outreach was part of army’s efforts towards promoting civil-military relations, and urged well-meaning individuals and agencies to emulate the gesture of assisting the downtrodden.

    The army chief expressed delight over the large turnout of beneficiaries and assured that the exercise would be sustained.