The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Kaduna

  • Five die in Kaduna church blast

    Five die in Kaduna church blast

    A suicide bomber drove a vehicle packed with explosives into a Catholic church in Kaduna on Sunday, killing at least five people, wounding nearly 100 and triggering reprisal attacks that killed at least two more, officials said.

    Reuters reports that the bomber drove a jeep right inside the packed St Rita’s church, in the Malali area of the city early on Sunday morning.

    A spokesman for the National Emergency Management Agency in Kaduna said that five people had been confirmed killed, while 98 people were receiving treatment for wounds at two local hospitals.

    There was no immediate claim of responsibility but Islamist sect Boko Haram has claimed similar attacks in the past and has attacked several churches with bombs and guns since it intensified its campaign against Christians in the past year.

    “The heavy explosion also damaged so many buildings around the area,” said survivor Linus Lighthouse, saying he thought there had been two explosions in different parts of the church.

    Other witnesses and the police said there was just one bomber. A wall of the church was blasted open and scorched black, with debris lying around. Police later moved in and cordoned the area off.

    Church attacks often target Nigeria’s middle belt, where its largely Christian south and mostly Muslim north meet and where sectarian tensions run high. Kaduna’s mixed population lies along that faultline.

    Shortly after the blast, angry Christian youths took to the streets armed with sticks and knives.

    A Reuters reporter saw two bodies on the roadside lying in pools of blood.

    “We killed them and we’ll do more,” shouted a youth, with blood on his shirt, before police chased him and his cohorts away. Police set up roadblocks and patrols across town in an effort to prevent the violence spreading.

    Another witness to the bombing, Daniel Kazah, a member of the Catholic cadets in the church, said he had seen three bodies on the bloodied church floor in the aftermath.

    A spokesman for St. Gerard’s Catholic hospital, Sunday John, said the hospital was treating 14 wounded victims. Another hospital, Garkura, had 84 victims, the NEMA official said.

    Many residents rushed indoors, fearing an upsurge in the sectarian killing that has periodically blighted Kaduna.

    A bomb attack in a church in the state in June triggered a week of tit-for-tat violence that killed at least 90 people.

     

  • Kaduna killings: Yakowa cancels foreign trip

    •‘Govt will arrest perpetrators’

    Kaduna State Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa yesterday called off his foreign trip and visited Dogon Dawa community, which was attacked on Sunday by some criminals said to be on a revenge mission.

    The governor said his administration would pick up the medical bill of the injured.

    Yakowa said the government would collaborate with states sharing boundary with Birnin Gwari to drive out the criminals in the area.

    The governor told the residents that the state would fish out those responsible for the killings.

    Yakowa was received by the Emir of Birnin Gwari, Alhaji Jubril Maigwari.

    The governor said a special State Security Council meeting would be held to plan how to drive away criminals away from the area.

    He said Kaduna State would collaborate with the security agencies in Niger, Zamfara, Kebbi and Katsina states to curtail criminality.

    The governor was accompanied by the Genaral Officer Commanding (GOC) One Mechanised Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Wahab; the State Director of the State Security Service (SSS), Mr. Yomi Zamba; Police Commissioner Olufemi Adenaike; the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), senior security officers, among others.

  • Youths partner Kaduna on jobs

    Youths partner Kaduna on jobs

    Kaduna state Governor Patrick Yakowa has received a delegation of youths willing to partner the state in the provision of jobs.

    The youths, drawn from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) visited him seeking to help bring down unemployment in the state by engaging the unemployed in what they called Youth-2-Farm Project.

    The visitors called PDP Youth Reap, also commended the governor for his efforts in protecting life and property in the state.

    The National Coordinator of the group, Solomon Godwin who led the team, stated that the group is a well structured organisation, determined to champion progressive ideas and policies as well as engage members to galvanize support for the present administration.

    The group also expressed their sympathy with the state on the security challenges it has faced, involving loss of life and destruction of properties.

    “As part of the core objectives of the Youth Reap to promote peaceful coexistence, the leadership and members sincerely sympathise with you and the good people of Kaduna State over the recent and multiple loss of lives accredited to the recent security threat in the country; it is our solemn belief that this [terror] will definitely come to an end.”

    He told the Kaduna State government that the group has established an agreement with the Isreali embassy and other organisations to help train young Nigerians on improved agricultural practices. He said 37 youths from across the states and FCT will be trained in Isreal and deployed to priority areas.

    Solomon also disclosed plans of establishing model youth farm settlements and catchments across the federation through a strategic partnership with the federal, state and local government.

    Yakowa who  received a delegation of the PDP Youth Reap in the state recently said he has the responsibility of protecting his citizens and will never look back.

    The governor who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Abokie Galadima, praised the agricultural development concept of the PDP, lauding its developmental inputs in the development of the nation and ensuring food security.

  • Anti-America protest rocks Kaduna

    Anti-America protest rocks Kaduna

    Islamic faithful came out in large numbers yesterday to protest against the anti-Islamic film released in America. They said they were prepared to defend the name and personality of Prophet Mohammed with the last drop of their blood.

    The peaceful demonstration, which was organised by the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (Shiites), covered about four kilometres and was conducted under the watchful eyes of men of the Kaduna State Police Command.

    Men wore all-white clothes. Women were dressed in an all black uniforms.

    The protesters carried placards with the inscriptions, such as “Death to America”, “Death to Israel” and “No to blasphemy against Prophet Muhammad”.

    They distributed a leaflet, with the message “a great catastrophe has befallen the world when from the country of the Great Satan (United States), an Israeli was commissioned to produce an anti-Islam film that mocked and ridiculed Islam, Prophet Muhammad and followers of this great religion.

    “The film, apart from outward mockery on tenets and beliefs of Islam, presented Prophet Muhammad in a display of an unspeakable immoral manner and personality.

    “Similarly, the release of this movie at this material time, was a move to institutionalise September 11 event as an annual ritual to portray Islam as a religion of terrorists.

    “We are aware of the covert operations of agents of America in Nigeria, who are bent on defending American interests at all cost. They should know that we are ready to defend the personality of our beloved Prophet with the last drop of our blood.”

    Addressing the protesters, the leader of the Movement in Kaduna, Malam Mukhtar Sahabi, called on Muslims to live up to their responsibilities.

    According to him, “this procession is not for any particular sect or group of Muslims but for all Muslims because there is only one Prophet Muhammad and he is for all.

    “Our procession is peaceful and we extend our message to the world that we condemn the United States for harboring the perpetrators of the blasphemous clip. America is guilty of the crime. If the west will not tolerate showing the royalty of England naked on the front pages of newspaper, they should equally not tolerate abusing the personality of the holy Prophet Muhammad SAWA who is revered by more people than the entire people of Europe.”

  • Ex-Sultan Dasuki not fair to northern governors

    SIR: I can recall vividly that Friday, a sunny day it was, Jumma’at prayer at Sultan Bello Mosque in Kaduna. The Imam for a reason unknown to us, couldn’t make it. Some portion of the people delegated someone to lead the prayers, while others were not comfortable with the delegation. It was chaotic. Then from no where appeared this gentleman, a close associate of the late Sir Ahmadu Bello, former  Sultan of Sokoto and a very respectful northern elder, Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki. He led the prayers as every body followed obediently without incidence. Such a gentleman respected by all!
    But the exclusive interview granted by the former Sultan to the Daily Trust and The Nation newspaper of September 4, wherein he accused the Northern Governors of not doing enough on security was rather surprising. The former sultan must have been misinformed.
    While the giant strides by the Northern Governors to end the crisis is common knowledge, it is however unfortunate that our father could not appreciate the simple fact: his optimism, appreciation and of course blessing would definitely boost the governors efforts to resolve the crisis.
    Despite the fact that security is an exclusive responsibility of the federal government as enshrined in the 1999 constitution, the Northern States continue to contribute immensely to the security of the nation. Its no news that the states donate vans to their respective state police commands.
    Since the governors were elected by their people, with uncountable expectations from the electorates, it can only be achieved on a peaceful atmosphere. The Northern Governors’ Forum, recently inaugurated a committee on peace and reconciliation headed by Ambassador Zakari Ibrahim, to look into the security situation in the north. The committee is saddled with the mandate to resolve the crisis in dialogue and amicable manner.
    Luckily, the National Security Adviser (NSA) is from the royal family, and from the north. The committee constituted by the northern governors is to his advantage. Its a well known fact that insurgency and other forms of militia, can never be fought with the barrel of guns, hence, the need to include community leaders.
    If one is objective enough, he would really appreciate the fact that, the governors have gone great lengths to accommodate justice and fairness in their activities. For instance youths are given unprecedented support to be fully engaged in different kinds of endeavors such as “Lafiya Jari” in Kano, youth’s empowerment programmes in Nasarawa and graduate empowerment in Niger State, to mention but few.
    Needless to say, in terms of providing social amenities, the northern states are doing their best despite the meager amount they receive from the federation account. It therefore borders on injustice to point accusing fingers at the governors.
    As an elder statesman, he should be admonished that remonstration of the governors in the newspapers is unhelpful.
    Auwal A. Dankano.
    Kano

  • 3,000 displaced in Kaduna

    More than 3,000 persons have been displaced by flood in the Kaduna metropolis following a torrential rain. Over 750 families were rendered homeless.  The Nation learnt that property worth millions of naira were also destroyed by the rain, which lasted for several hours. The affected areas are Ungwan Romi, Trikania and the communities along the river bank.

    Narrating his ordeal, a victim, Lucky Inanse, who claimed to be a public servant, said his home was submerged. He described the incident as a tragedy.
    Residents of the Lusawa areas of Romi and Turaki, Musa Yarima, Ayuba Bako, Zarmai and Wambai streets were affected. About 200 persons are taking refuge at the Government Day Secondary School, Romi.

    The village head of Gonin-Gora, Mr. Yusuf Doma, said 60 buildings were affected and 180 families and 900 people displaced. He said most of the victims are staying with relatives.

    Babatunde Adebanjo, who claimed to be a naval officer in Port Harcourt, said: “My credentials and other property were submerged.” The Commandant of the Nigeria Red Cross Society, Charles James and the Executive Secretary of the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Ishaku Dogo Makama, confirmed the incident. The Public Relations Officer of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ali Zakari, said the flood has wreaked havoc. They assured that the relevant agencies would assist the victims.

     

  • Anti-Islam film: US flag burnt as soldiers open fire to disperse protesters

    Anti-Islam film: US flag burnt as soldiers open fire to disperse protesters

    •Tight security in Kaduna, Kano, Borno, Yobe

    Soldiers opened fire  in Jos yesterday to disperse youths who had gathered to protest a film critical of the Prophet Muhammed.
    Protesters in Sokoto, the Islamic spiritual headquarters  in Nigeria, burnt a US flag, but Kano, Kaduna,  Maiduguri and Damaturu, which have been flash points of religious violence in the country, were generally calm.
    The short-lived demonstrations in Jos,  where hundreds have been killed in religious and ethnic violence, began after the jumat  prayers.
    The youths, some wearing white shirts that read “To Hell With America, To Hell With Israel,” chanted slogans and called for the arrest of the makers of the film that has sparked protests across the Middle East and North Africa.
    Satisfied that they had a sufficient number to commence a protest, the youths approached a police officer to inform him that they were ready for a peaceful rally around the Central Mosque. They promised to make it peaceful.
    They were still discussing   when a patrol van filled with Special Task Force (STF) soldiers arrived the scene.
    The soldiers quickly disembarked and asked the youths to disperse.
    The protesters were apparently too slow in leaving the  scene  or angry at the soldiers’ position and within seconds gunshots rang out. So ended the protest.
    There were no reports of injury to anyone on account of the gunshots or the melee.
    Many residents kept indoors following rumour of a likely  protest after the jumat while those who went to work had to return home by 1 pm when the jumat would have been over.
    Motorists also avoided  roads leading to or out of Masalanchin Juma’at and other worship centres as well as Muslim-dominated areas, causing massive traffic jam.
    Spokesman for the STF, Captain Salisu Mustapha, said: “Even as I am talking to you now, I am among the troops surveying Zololo area and Bauchi Road. Our men are fully on ground and we are on top of the situation.
    “We have since restored peace and we will not fold our arms to allow any protester sabotage  all the peace we have laboured to build so far.
    “The survellance will continue in the city even after today.”
     It was a different situation in Sokoto where protesters burnt a US flag.
    “Time has come when the world should respect Islam as religion, because Muslims respect other people’s religion,” protester Abubakar Ahmed Rijia said.
    Another protester, Nai’u Muhammed, said he believed people were deliberately trying to instigate Muslims into violence through criticising the Prophet Muhammad.
    “Islam is a religion of peace, but we cannot tolerate somebody abusing it,” Muhammed said.
    In Maiduguri, the spiritual home of the Islamist sect, Boko Haram, the streets were generally quiet yesterday.
    Abubakar Mustapha, an imam, asked  Muslims to be restrained in their actions, no matter how angry they may feel over the film.
    “How can we earn the respect of others when we as Muslims kill ourselves, when we do things that smear the name of our religion?” Mustapha asked while preaching yesterday.
    “We have to go back to the basic and hold firm unto our religion with love and true devotion so that others will respect our religion and our prophet.”
    Security remained tight across the city before, during and after the prayers with the Joint Task Force (JTF) saying it has “taken pro-active security measures, increased surveillance and 24-hour patrol in and around Maiduguri.”
     Kano was peaceful with residents moving about their businesses. Security was also tight. Armoured vehicles  were deployed in the streets.
    Chief Chris Osuji, President-General of the  Imo Community Association in Kano, was happy  at the development.
    “It is indeed a welcome development and a different scenario from the experience we used to have before in Kano. God has really intervened and we are now living in peace and harmony with our Muslim brothers,” he said.
    The state Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Idris, said the police and religious leaders were liaising to ensure continued peace.
    “I want to tell you that there is no cause for alarm. One of our major strategies is to adopt preventive measures, and that is what we are using to control the situation. We are meeting with leaders of all the Islamic sects and they have  assured us of their full cooperation to ensure that peace continues to reign in the state.
    Kaduna was similarly calm despite the circulation, the previous day, of a text message  by some Muslim groups calling for protest.
    The  foremost Islamic group in the North, Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), appealled for caution, saying Nigeria could not afford any form of unrest at this point in time.
    In a statement in Kaduna, Secretary General of the organisation, Dr. Khalid Aliyu Abubakar said: ”Jama’atu Nasril Islam, under the leadership of His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, JNI, expressed its shock and consternation on the film released on You-tube, aimed at belittling our noble Prophet (peace be upon him) in a derogatory manner and smearing his dignity.
    “It is  disrespectful to Muslims, intended to cause their anger, and therefore unacceptable not only to Muslims but to all right thinking people. It is, however,  condemned in the strongest terms.
    “However, Muslims are enjoined to pertinently persevere for the sake of the Almighty Allah, the way our revered Prophet used to whenever his personality was attacked by his foes.
    “He was called all sorts of derogatory names and persecuted, but he never revenged and forwarded his complaint to Allah the Almighty for relief.
    “It is rather unfortunate at this time when all efforts should be geared towards peace and calm, some elements want to create tension by insinuating that non-Muslim interest will be attacked.
    “We cannot afford any upheaval in this trying moment of insecurity our country is passing through.
    Therefore, all Muslims are called for restraint and perseverance.
    May Allah the Exalted console all.”
     Civil Rights activist, Mallam Shehu Sani, described  the movie as an unprovoked attack against Muslims and the peace loving people of the world.
    “The producers and actors of such a movie are anarchists and men of evil attempting to incinerate the world.
    ”The movie threatens world peace and stability. This movie and the culture of inciting attack on Muslims and Islam as prevalent in some western countries must be halted by all means in the interest of peace and mutual respect,” he said.
    He said while Muslims have the right to object and peacefully protest, ”retaliatory attacks against innocent persons or institutions are detrimental and unacceptable. There is no justification for any violence against Americans or any westerner  resulting from this.”
  • Floods sack Kaduna, Benue communities after days of rains

    Floods sack Kaduna, Benue communities after days of rains

    At least 178 homes have been swept away in Kaduna metropolis following 350 days of torrential rainfall.

    Vice President Namadi Sambo’s house and the zonal office of the Nigeria National Petroleum Cooperation (NNPC) along Gabarau Road near the new Kaduna Bridge are in danger of being submerged because of the rising water level.

    In Benue State, about 350 hectares of rice farm along the bank of River Benue has been destroyed by flood.

    Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) said yesterday that more houses may be affected in the coming days as the level of water on the Kaduna river continues to rise.

    Executive Secretary of the Agency, Ishaku Dogo Makama, however, said the agency has no record of death so far, even though many residents of the metropolis believe that the figure of houses affected is more than the figures given.

    A Senior Lecturer with the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Dr. Mhamud Umar, said: “In the Zaria, area where I live, one family lost their apartment. The entire house collapsed. The owner of the house had to sleep outside because of their property while his family went to take refuge somewhere”.

    Weather experts had predicted that Kaduna will be affected by flood, especially between September and October, compelling the government to issue a warning on August 7, to residents of flood-prone areas to evacuate.

    Some of the areas affected by the floods include Abubakar Kigo Road extension, Rafin Guza, Nasarawa, Bashan Road, Tudun Wada and Unguwan Rimi GRA, among others. The areas are flood-prone, but attract lots of people annually.

    Makama said a combined effort of the agency and officials of the Nigeria Red Cross came with the figure of the affected houses saying “after the assessment of these areas by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Red Cross, we confirmed 178 homes submerged. We have not heard of any reported death or injury. We are writing a report to government, so, we can be helped to set up camp for affected people. We are still appealing to people living in flood-prone areas to please leave, as the danger of flooding is not yet over”. It was gathered that some of the houses affected at the high brow Unguwan Rimi GRA, New Extension, were homes of the rich who build houses not too far from the Kaduna River which is already on the tip of the bridge.

    One of those affected by the flood along Abubakar Kigo Road and a Reporter with The Road , Miss Amina Anebi said: “I was woken up by a roaring sound. When I woke up, I heard the sound of water gushing from my doors and windows, so I jumped out of bed. “I discovered that the water had risen close to my ankles. I started to move my things and put them on top of the table. I carried some on my head. When I opened the door, more water flowed in. I managed to wade through it. By this time, it was waist-high.

    “This was around 2am and there was water everywhere. As I speak now, my things are still there. I saw people moving out their things in vehicles, some carrying their children moving their things about that night. It came as a surprise to many of us”, she said.

    Unguwan Rafi, housing the state legislative quarters was not left out as the flood turn the place into an overnight lake. Men in canoe were seen doing brisk business, moving people out and recovering some valuables for them. At the time of this report, the water level was still rising and there was no immediate succour to those affected who are taking refuge with friends and family members across the metropolis.

    About 50 kilometre stretch of Rice farm ,cultivated on 350 hectares of land along the Bank of River Benue has been destroyed by flood from water released from Lagdo dam in cameroun.

    Most of the farmers affected by the floods are those engaged in out growers scheme of Mess Ashi Foods limited ,owners of Ashi Rice Mill, with biggest rice processing plant at Anyiin, Local Government Area.

    With the flooding, the hope of harvesting this season is dashed and the fear of rice scarcity ,which would also scuttle the government effort on rice importation.

    There is also the fear of food crisis as Benue is considered as the food basket of the nation and a major rice-procession region in the country, accounting for 45 per cent of local rice production .There are two modern rice milling plant in operation.

    Ashi Foods limited, owners of Ashi Rice Mill are already counting losses as a result of the flooding.

    The Project Coordinator of the company, Joesph Tsavsar estimated the loss at over N500 million.