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Tag: Kaduna State.

  • 93 suspects arrested over Kaduna crisis

    The Police have arrested 93 suspects in connection to the crisis in some parts of Kaduna State.

    The suspects arrested, according to the Police were actively responsible for the mayhem that took place in the State.

    Read Also:Kaduna: 32 arrested in renewed violence

    The Police also disclosed that some suspects involved in the abduction and murder of a traditional ruler, Agom Adara, Mr. Maiwada Raphael Galadima have been arrested.

    The Force Spokesman, Ag. DCP Jimoh Moshood disclosed this in Abuja on Monday when he paraded 18 suspects for kidnapping, armed robbery and car snatching.

    Moshood said: “So far, we have arrested 93 suspects for being actively responsible for the crisis in Kasuwar Magani in Kaduna South and for other crisis that occurred in other Local government areas within Kaduna State.

    “43 of the suspects are being prosecuted as we speak, while 50 are currently in Police custody and investigation is ongoing to know the level of their involvement in the activity.

    “The 93 suspects are from different divides and from across borders.”

    Moshood also said that the IGP has directed that no stone be left unturned in ensuring that the perpetrators and sponsors of the mayhem are brought to book.

    He also assured residents and travelers of adequate security within and outside Kaduna State.

    According to him: “The AIG in charge of Zone 7, Taiwo Lakanu is still on ground to supervise the security architecture and we will ensure that permanent peace is sustained.

    “Normalcy has been restored and the period of curfew has been relaxed. Residents and travelers are assured of adequate security.”

    On whether those who killed the Agom Adara were part of the 93 arrested, he said: “We are deep into investigation of that matter and some suspects have been arrested but I won’t tell you the details yet.

    “We want to ensure that anybody who has hand in the killing of the traditional ruler for whatsoever reason are arrested and prosecuted appropriately.”

  • Kaduna: UN urges stakeholders to bring perpetrators to book

    The United Nations Resident Coordinator, Dr Edward Kallon, has appealed to stakeholders to commence processes to amicably address the underlying causes of communal clashes in Kasuwan Magani,Kajuru Local Government Kaduna State and bring the perpetrators to account.

    The resident coordinator made the appeal in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja.

    “I have also learned with sadness, the loss of over 50 lives following communal clashes in Kasuwan Magani area, South of Kaduna State.

    “I urge authorities in the State to seriously look into circumstances leading to these clashes, which have become too common,’’ he said.

    Read Also: Killings: IGP deploys forces as Kaduna declares curfew

    Similarly, the resident coordinator expressed grave concern over news of renewed killings by the armed insurgent group, Boko Haram in Borno.According to him, close to 40 lives were lost in separate incidents over the last few days, when the group attacked civilians in Borno.

    He appealed to the Government of Nigeria and security forces in the region to scale up efforts aimed at protecting civilian communities especially in areas where sporadic attacks had been recorded recently.

    He therefore, noted that the attacks, if unchecked, might reverse the gains made so far in securing lives and property in the region.

    “On behalf of the United Nations  family in Nigeria, I wish to express my sincere condolences to the families and friends of the bereaved.

    “The UN remains ready to support the Government and people of Nigeria in seeking sustainable solutions to related national challenges,’’ he said.

  • Troops arrest suspected cattle rustler in Kaduna State

    …Recover 49 cows

     

    Troops of 1 Division, Nigerian Army, under Operation WHIRL Punch have arrested a suspected cattle rustler and recovered 49 cows from him in Gawgawda village in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

    The Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Muhammad Dole, disclosed this in a statement issued in Kaduna on Tuesday.

    Dole said the troops responded to a distress call on the activities of suspected cattle rustlers in Gwagwada village.

    “While on the pursuit, one cattle rustler was arrested and 49 rustled cows were recovered from him,” he said.

    He also disclosed that troops of 1 Division Nigerian Army (1 Div NA) under Operation WHIRL PUNCH received credible information about a location near Jumu Village in Chukun local government area.

    He said the place was where bandits used as a base to perpetrate criminalities along Kaduna – Abuja road.

    “The troops embarked on fighting patrol, located and raided the identified hideouts.

    The deputy director, however, said the bandits fled the area on sighting the troops.

    ” After ransacking the hideouts, one AK47 rifle; one locally made pistol and one fabricated Dane Gun were recovered,” he said

    He assured the general public that the troops would continue to dominate the Kaduna – Abuja and Kaduna – Birnin Gwari general areas with patrols and raids on the suspected bandits’ routes and hideouts.

    Dole also assured that the pressure on the bandits would be sustained in order to ensure safe passage for commuters and motorists.

    NAN

  • Heritage Bank restates commitment to agriculture

    Heritage Bank Plc says it is committed to the sustenance, growth and development of the nation’s agricultural sector.

    Mr Fela Ibidapo, Divisional Head of Corporate Communications, Heritage Bank, said this in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos.

    Ibidapo said the bank was committed to leading the way in agricultural financing in the country.

    He said that the bank was currently funding various agricultural projects in several states of the country, especially in Oyo, Kaduna and Zamfara states.

    He said Heritage Bank had entered into a partnership with the Oyo State Government to support the multi-billion Oyo State Agricultural Initiative ( OYSAI ), a programme designed to revive agriculture.

    According to him, it will also boost agro-allied businesses and empower the youth and women across the state through the creation of thousands of jobs in the sector.

    “Heritage Bank is also supporting an agro-investor, Triton Aqua Africa Ltd ( TAAL ), with a N2 billion facility, in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria ( CBN ), under the Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme ( CACS ).

    “The facility will enable TAAL to set up a fishery production chain in Lagos, Oyo and Osun states,” he added.

    Ibidapo said support to the agro-investor became imperative after research showed that Nigerians consume about 2.7 million metric tonnes of fish yearly, compared to 800,000 metric tonnes, produced locally annually.

    “Consequently, the country has had to rely on importation to augment the shortfall with an estimated cost implication of about $700 million yearly in foreign exchange.

    “The partnership between Heritage Bank and TAAL will help reverse the trend; and the firm will use the facility to expand its aquaculture businesses.

    This, he also said would be done by setting up a nursery or hatchery for the production of fingerlings and brood stock, as well as earthen ponds for catfish and tilapia in the three states.

    Ibidapo said that “Under the arrangement, TAAL is expected to assist small-scale farms in the three states to increase their fish production by making fingerlings available to them.

    “In the short term, the loan is expected to help the group double its current production capacity of 25,000 metric tonnes with a projection to scale it up to 100,000 metric tonnes in five years.’’

    “Ultimately, the partnership between Heritage Bank and TAAL will help to boost local production, conserve scarce foreign exchange and enhance food security, and ultimately result in the creation of hundreds of new jobs.

    Read Also: Heritage Bank partners CeLD Innovations on Cashtoken

    “Heritage Bank is also supporting thousands of smallholder farms in Kaduna and Zamfara states.”

    The spokesman said that smallholder farmers stand to benefit from the bank’s financial support for rice and soya beans production under the CBN’s Anchor Borrowers Programme  ( ABP ).

    Ibidapo said the bank’s drive to support the agriculture sector was an act of patriotism aimed at helping government’s desire to achieve food security and sufficiency in the country.

    It is also based on the conviction that agribusiness could be profitable, he said.

    He noted that there were myriads of constraints facing the agriculture sector such as poor road network and electricity supply to farmlands that were mostly located in the rural areas, “while majority of the smallholder farms are financially excluded with no access to banking services.’’

    He said the bank was taking steps to clear the bottlenecks for smallholder farmers who wished to gain access to banking services.

    NAN

     

     

     

  • Army arrest kidnap kingpin in Kaduna

    The Nigerian Army on Friday said it had arrested a kidnap kingpin, Filani Auta, at Ligari village of Kaduna State.

    The Army Spokesman, Brig.-Gen. Texas Chukwu, said in a statement that the kingpin was arrested along with his two sons during a raid by troops following a tip-off.

    According to Chukwu, items recovered from the suspect are two Dane guns and four mobile phones.

    “The suspects will soon be handed over to the police for prosecution,” he said.

    NAN.

    Read Also:Army sets up four-member investigative committee on Maiduguri attack

  • Mega rally: Police warn NLC to stay away from Kaduna

    Mega rally: Police warn NLC to stay away from Kaduna

    Ahead of the mega rally planned by the national leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Kaduna on Thursday to protest sack of 21,780 primary school teachers in the state, Kaduna State Police Commissioner, Mr, Agybole Abeh, has warned the organisers of the mega rally to stay away from Kaduna.

    This was even as he said the police cannot guarantee their security and safety.

    It will be recalled that the national leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has summoned all its national officers as well as executives of its branches across the country to Kaduna on Thursday.

    The governor had on several occasions expressed his determination to revive the ailing education sector, saying he would not mortgage the future of its two million primary school pupils for unqualified teachers who failed primary four exams.

    The police commissioner told the union leadership to note that the state had just come out of series of crises, warning that, they should stay away from the state.

    According to him, “we cannot guarantee your safety. We advised you to find a way of reaching and engaging with the relevant authorities in solving whatever grievances, you might be having”.

    Abeh assured the citizens of the state of the readiness of the police to protect their lives and property, calling on them to go about their normal activities without fear.

    “We will deploy our men to protect public buildings and ensure that they are no break down of law and order”, he stressed.

  • Made-in-Nigeria military boots, global best – DG

    Made-in-Nigeria military boots, global best – DG

    Dr Eucharia Ngozi-Oparah, Director-General, Nigerian Institute of Leather Science and Technology, (NILEST) says the military boots produced by the institute, ranked as one of the best globally.

    She made the disclosure on Monday while receiving participants of the National Defence College (NDC) Course 26, Abuja during a visit to the institute in Zaria, Kaduna State.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the members of the course 26 of the NDC were in Zaria for a study tour of strategic establishments.

    “In 2016, the Nigerian Army Depot, Zaria awarded us a contract to produce 2,000 pairs of military combat black boots for its 76th Regular Recruits Intake and 350 officers’ shoes.

    “I am pleased to inform you that NILEST was able to deliver to the extent that the Nigerian Army Officers’ Course ranked the boots as one of the best globally.

    “Permit me to also inform you that because we were able to achieve this, the Nigerian Army awarded us another contract for 3,000 pairs of boots this year,” she said.

    According to her, the 3,000 pairs are for the training of 77th Regular Recruits Intake.

    She added that the institute had satisfactorily delivered the goods.

    “At this juncture, it is my pleasure to inform you that NILEST mission is to provide globally competitive and environmentally friendly technology for leather and leather products and allied industry among others.

    “Our goal also is geared towards innovation, recycling technology and waste management in leather and leather industry.

    “Nigeria is blessed with abundant resources in raw hides and skin, NILEST is equally blessed with the expertise and technical know-how enough to convert the available raw materials into wealth,” she noted.

    The director general said NILEST was constrained by inability to acquire modern technology equipment and machines to facilitate the institute’s production processes.

    She appealed to the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force and other paramilitary outfits to patronise NILEST products to enable it maintain its leading role in Africa.

    Earlier, the leader of the team, Brig-Gen. Martin Obiora-Enendu, said the NDC was established in 1992, then as a National War College in Lagos.

    He said that the college was moved to Abuja, precisely in 2005, adding that the name was changed to National Defence College, Nigeria in line with global trend.

    “The college is the apex military training institution in Nigeria and in sub-Saharan Africa, offering different strategic courses for officers from the rank of Colonel and its equivalent in the Nigerian Armed Forces.

    “We also have participants in the cadre of directors from the departments, ministries and agencies, equally participants in the same cadre from friendly foreign nations, four of them are here with us in this team.

    “It is part of our curriculum that after instructions in the college, we go out to the field try to align instructions with practice,” he said.

    The team leader said that the course was broken into nine blocks across 11 months, adding that the visit was in line with block three and four which dealt with economy, science and technology.

    “Your institution had been chosen as a strategic establishment that can avail the participants the opportunity to be able to marry up instructions with practice.

    “We see you as a cardinal part of the nation’s hub of research and development technology towards attaining national goals and objectives,” Obiora-Enendu said.

    NAN reports that the team also took a facility tour of the institute’s machinery and equipment.

  • Sleeping sickness cure, nine other things about late Kaduna Commissioner

    Sleeping sickness cure, nine other things about late Kaduna Commissioner

    • Andrew Jonathan Nok, was born  on the  11 February 1962 , in Nok Village in Jaba Local Government Area,Kaduna State. 
    • He was a Nigerian Professor of Biochemistry and the public affairs secretary of the Nigerian Academy of Science.
    • In 2010 he was a recipient of the Nigerian National Order of Merit Award, in the Science category.
    • He was a one-time Vice Chancellor of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria .
    • He once served as the Dean of the Faculty of Science at Kaduna State University.
    • He was appointed Commissioner for Health and Human Services in August 2015.
    • He was deployed to the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology in 2016 as its commissioner.
    • Professor Nok won the Alexander Humboldt prize in 2013 for his research into finding a cure for trypanosomiasis.
    • In 2009, he won the NLNG prize for identifying the gene responsible for the enzyme which causes sleeping sickness (trypanosomiasis).
    • He died on the 21st of November, 2017 at the age of  55 years.

    Read Also: Kaduna Education Commissioner is dead

  • Road, airline to link Nigeria, Uganda

    Road, airline to link Nigeria, Uganda

    President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda on Friday disclosed plans to establish air and rail links between his country and Nigeria.

    Speaking with State House correspondents at the end of closed door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, he said that the plans are to further consolidate the bilateral relations existing between the two countries.

    According to him, his country would soon revive its airline so as to immediately establish the air link between his country and Nigeria.

    He said “We will like to revive our airline so that we establish an air link because that one is also easier.

    “But, ultimately we would have to have physical linkages through the railways that will be done for the future,’’ he said.

    Stressing that he was in Nigeria with his wife to honour invitation by the National Defence College, Abuja, he said that his country would continue to patronise the training programmes of the college and that of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji, Kaduna State.

    He said that some Ugandan universities had been providing various opportunities for many Nigerians wishing to acquire university education in Uganda.

    He said “On the issue of the bilateral relations, what is easier now is sharing institutions like this National Defence College.

    “Some Ugandans have already graduated from there – six of them. But, we can send more and we normally send officers to the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji, Kaduna State.

    “And I was informed by the ministers in Nigeria here that many Nigerians go to Uganda to study in the universities.

    “So, sharing institutions is easy because that one involves just movement of human beings,’’ he stated.

    He thanked President Buhari for the hospitality accorded him and his wife.

     

  • Resignation: Pro Buhari youths hold peaceful rally in Kaduna

    Resignation: Pro Buhari youths hold peaceful rally in Kaduna

    Hundreds of youths on Monday held a peaceful rally in support of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in Kaduna State.

    The youths, drawn from various states in the Northern region, asked the President to ignore the call for his resignation.

    The spokesman for the group, Ibrahim Garkuwa, said they are happy with the manner which President Buhari’s administration has governed the country in the last two years.

    A member of the group, Mohammed Sani, also noted that in spite of repeated attempts to portray the present administration as not performing, the President has achieved far better than his predecessors.

    The group insisted that President Buhari has fulfilled his campaign promises to Nigerians, especially in areas of anti-corruption fight and security despite the challenges he met on ground.

    They described those calling for his resignation as enemies of the country who are not happy with the successes recorded by his administration in ridding Nigeria of corruption.

    The group maintained that the President has not violated the Constitution to warrant the call for his resignation after he had properly handed over to Acting President Yemi Osinbajo.

    After taking the rally to the Government House in Kaduna, Commissioner for Stakeholders affairs, Shehu Balarabe addressed the youths on behalf of the state governor, Nasir El-Rufai.

    The rally is coming after over 90 days the President left the country for the United Kingdom where he is receiving medical attention.

    His absence from office has, however, triggered the call for his resumption or resignation by a group of youths, as well as a counter protest by another group among several demonstrations across the country.