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Tag: Kaduna

  • Kaduna Gov Sani says, 137, not 287 school children were kidnapped at Kuriga

    Kaduna Gov Sani says, 137, not 287 school children were kidnapped at Kuriga

    • …confirms 1 teacher died in captivity 

    Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna state has said that, contrary to reports, 137 schoolchildren, and not 287, were abducted on March 7, at Kuriga in the Chikun Local Government Area of the state.

    The governor, who made the clarification on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics programme, said all the schoolchildren abducted by marauding bandits have been rescued by the military in collaboration with local authorities from neighbouring Zamfara state, where the hostages were moved to by their kidnappers.

    The relieved governor said the number released by the military is the authentic figure, describing “287”, as a figment of some people’s imagination.

    “I don’t want to join issues with anyone in terms of numbers. What is more important to me is the safe return of the children. Today, I am happy that they are back safely, in high spirit, but those numbers were just figment of some people’s imagination,” the governor stated.

    “Today, I met with the families of the children and they confirmed to me that the numbers given by the military are the correct numbers,” he added, describing the “287” as works of propangadists.

    Sani, however, regretted that, a teacher who was kidnapped alongside the pupils couldn’t make it out alive as he developed some complications while in captivity.

    He commiserated with the family of the deceased teacher and consoled the families of the released schoolchildren.

    He said: “It’s only one person that has not returned and that is the teacher. That is the fact of the matter but all of the 137 children are safely back. We had the unfortunate incident that the teacher couldn’t make it because he had some complications; he was sick — that was the report we got from the military and the security agencies but the rest of the children, all of them are back with us.”

    The governor also said Kaduna-based Muslim cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, was not involved in the safe return of the pupils, though the cleric had offered to negotiate with bandits for the release of the pupils.

    Sani said: “All those speculations you are hearing today are figment of some people’s imagination. I can tell you that without any fear of contradiction. There was nothing like Gumi in this operation. I can tell you. I won’t undermine the efforts of our Armed Forces.”

  • IGP Special Squad arrives Kaduna hours after rescue of Kuriga schoolchildren

    IGP Special Squad arrives Kaduna hours after rescue of Kuriga schoolchildren

    Few hours after the announcement of the rescue of 137 kidnapped Kaduna schoolchildren, the IGP Special Intervention Squad sent in response to the resurgence of banditry in the state, have arrived Kaduna.

    The Squad which consists of two hundred officers and personnel were received by Governor Uba Sani at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House Kaduna on Sunday, March 24.

    The Squad is armed with Armoured Personal Carriers otherwise known as APC and other sophisticated weapons.

    IGP Egbetokun had recently during his visit to Governor Sani after the kidnap of the Kuriga school children, promised deployment of a Police Mobile Force (PMF) against banditry in the state.

    The governor, while receiving the Squad, expressed appreciation to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetekun for fulfilling his promise on the deployment of the Squad.

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    Governor Uba Sani also expressed appreciation to the federal government, perticulerly President Bola Tinubu and the security agencies for the successful rescue of the kidnapped Kuriga School Children.

    The reception of the IGP Special Intervention Squad came while the rescued School Children were being expected at Kaduna Government House.

    As at the time of filling this report, Governor Uba Sani, his Deputy and other top government officials were in a closed door meeting with heads of security agencies in the state and leaders of Kuriga community.

  • North’s senators demand action on kidnap of 448 persons in Kaduna in 30 days

    North’s senators demand action on kidnap of 448 persons in Kaduna in 30 days

    The Northern Senators’ Forum (NSF) has decried the abduction of 448 persons in Kaduna State in less than one month.

    It called for concerted efforts to rescue the victims.

    NSF Chairman Abdulaziz Yar’adua said this in a statement, titled: The recent spate of Kidnappings in the Month of March 2024, yesterday in Abuja.

    Read Also: 10 killed, 48 injured in Abuja-Kaduna road accident

    He said: “The distressing state of affairs concerning the recent wave of violence and kidnappings in the North is a major concern to the Northern Senators’ Forum (NSF).

    “The series of events that have unfolded in Kaduna State, beginning with the kidnapping of 286 students and staff members from a school on March 7, the despicable attack on worshippers in a mosque on March 8, the abduction of 61 more persons on March 12, followed by 14 individuals on March 17, and a staggering total of 87 individuals in Kujuru on March 18, amongst others, are not only reprehensible but demand urgent and resolute action.

    “We are committed to pursuing a lasting solution to this menace. We will not rest until the security situation is significantly improved and the perpetrators of these heinous acts are brought to justice.

    “It is our core duty and mandate, and we will spare no effort in fulfilling it for the greater good of our people and our nation.”

  • Northern Senators’ Forum demands action over incessant kidnapping in Kaduna

    Northern Senators’ Forum demands action over incessant kidnapping in Kaduna

    The Northern Senators’ Forum has lamented the kidnap of 448 persons in Kaduna state in less than one month and demanded urgent action to rescue the victims.

    The chairman of the NSF, Senator Abdulaziz Yar’adua gave the call in a statement in Abuja.

    Yar’Adua in his statement titled: “The recent Spate of Kidnappings in the Month of March 2024” said: “The distressing state of affairs concerning the recent wave of violence and kidnappings in the North is a major concern to the Northern Senators Forum (NSF).

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    “The series of events that have unfolded in Kaduna State, beginning with the kidnapping of 286 students and staff from a school on March 7th, the despicable attack on worshippers in a mosque on March 8th, the abduction of 61 more persons on March 12th, followed by 14 individuals on March 17th, and a staggering total of 87 individuals in Kujuru on March 18th, amongst others, are not only reprehensible but demand urgent and resolute action.

    “We are committed to pursuing a lasting solution to this menace. We will not rest until the security situation is significantly improved and the perpetrators of these heinous acts are brought to justice.

    “It is our core duty and mandate, and we will spare no effort in fulfilling it for the greater good of our people and our nation.”

  • I speak to Tinubu twice daily over Kaduna insecurity – Gov Sani

    I speak to Tinubu twice daily over Kaduna insecurity – Gov Sani

    Kaduna Governor Uba Sani has stated he speaks to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu twice daily over the security breaches in the State.

    Uba Sani stated this during an interview on Channels TV’s Politics Today on Monday.

    The Nation reported that bandits on Friday, March 18, invaded the LEA Primary and Junior Secondary School, Kuriga in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State and abducted at least 312 students and a principal, Abubakar Isah in broad daylight.

    The bandits also kidnapped at least 86 persons in Tantatu and Aguba communities in the Kufana District of Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, on Sunday, March 17.

    Read Also: Bandits abduct 86 in Kaduna

    Sani, during the interview, assured that Tinubu and the service chiefs were committed to ending insecurity in Nigeria.

    According to him: “Mr President is worried and concerned. I speak to Mr President twice daily on this issue and he showed a lot of concern.

    “He is committed and I have a tremendous belief in what the president is doing.

    “I also believe in the armed forces. I have no doubt in my mind that we will overcome this problem.

    “We had a meeting with the NSA and the service chiefs and everyone of them is concerned. Mr President is worried, too.

    “He calls me twice daily, sometimes four times a day, to ask me about the situation in my state.

    “I have no doubt in my mind that Mr President under his able leadership will address this problem. It is a matter of time.”

  • Troops rescue 16 kidnap victims in Kaduna

    Troops rescue 16 kidnap victims in Kaduna

    Troops of 1 Division of the Nigerians Army have rescued 16 kidnap victims in Tantatu Community of Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

    The victims were rescued after the troops responded to “actionable intelligence” around 10:30pm on March 17.

     Army spokesperson, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, announced this in a statement on Tuesday, March 19.

    He said: “ The troops swiftly tracked the insurgents who had earlier attacked the community in numbers and abducted some of the villagers as hostages. 

    Read Also: Bandits abduct 86 in Kaduna

    “On arriving the scene of the incident, the troops tenaciously pursued the insurgents, engaging them in a ferocious exchange of fire and consequently rescuing 16 kidnapped victims.”

    Nwachukwu said the troops were still exploiting the bushes in continuation of the search and rescue operations to extricate other victims and balk the nefarious activities of the insurgents.

  • Bandits abduct 86 in Kaduna

    Bandits abduct 86 in Kaduna

    • CDS warns those behind insecurity

    Bandits on Sunday night abducted no fewer than 86 persons from the Kajuru-Station community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

    Kajuru is in the Southern part of the state.

    The police confirmed the attack but could not confirm the number.

    Command spokesman Mansir Hassan said officers were on the trail of the bandits.

    The incident occurred less than 48 hours after 15 women and a man were abducted in the Dogon-Noma community in the same council.

    Kaduna has become a hotbed of abductions.

    On March 7, 287 pupils were abducted from the Local Education Authority (LEA) primary school in Kuriga, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna.

    They are yet to be rescued.

    Last Monday, no fewer than 61 people were abducted by suspected terrorists who attacked the Buda community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna.

    The member representing Kajuru constituency in the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Usman Danlami Stingo, said 86 people were kidnapped on Sunday night.

    He told reporters: “On March 17, 2024, bandits invaded Kajuru Station a community in Kajuru LGA of the State, kidnapping 86 people.”

    Read Also: Northern elders commend Senator Lawal’s parley with Tinubu over Kaduna security

    A member of the Kajuru-Station Youths Association, Harisu Dari, said the bandits also broke into some shops and carted away food items and other valuables.

    He said they invaded the village with sophisticated weapons at about 10 pm.

    “When I visited the community this morning (yesterday), security operatives had not been drafted to help restore the confidence of the villagers.

    “The villagers are traumatised. The government needs to re-strategise in tackling these terrorists,” he said.

    Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, said the military was working tirelessly to free the abducted pupils.

    He said security forces would expose those behind the evil machinations and bring them to justice.

    He spoke when he visited Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani to commiserate with the people over the Kuriga school abduction.

    “What is happening will end soon. Some individuals don’t want to see the nation develop; they are after causing rancour and mayhem.

    “Their wish is that by the time the state is in rancour, nobody will want to invest in the state or the nation at large.

    “They are working on their evil plan, but God is on our side and we are working tirelessly to ensure we secure the state, the country, the citizens and most especially to free all the abducted ones,” the CDS said.

  • UPDATED: Bandits abduct 87 persons in fresh Kaduna attack

    UPDATED: Bandits abduct 87 persons in fresh Kaduna attack

    No fewer than 87 persons have been reported kidnapped as bandits on Sunday night attacked another community (Kajuru-station) in Kajuru local government area of Kaduna state.

    Kaduna State Police Command confirmed the latest attack, saying it has deployed its men to the affected community.

    The Command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Mansir Hassan however said the police was yet to ascertain the number of persons kidnapped.

    The attack was coming barely 48 hours after 15 women and a man were abducted in the Dogon-Noma community in the same local government area.

    Also confirming the development, the member representing the Kajuru constituency in the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Hon. Usman Danlami Stingo said that 86 were kidnapped on Sunday night by rampaging bandits.

    Read Also: Kaduna’s peculiar banditry/terrorism

    According to the lawmaker, “On Sunday night, March 17, 2024, bandits invaded Kajuru Station a community in Kajuru LGA of the State, kidnapping 86 people.”

    Speaking further on the attack to journalists on Monday, a member of the Kajuru-Station Youths, Harisu Dari, said the bandits also broke into some shops and carted away food items and other valuables.

    He said the bandits wielding sophisticated weapons, invaded the village around 10 pm on Sunday.

    According to him, “As of the time I visited the community this morning, security operatives have not been drafted to help restore the confidence of the villagers.

    “The villagers are traumatized with the sad development. The government needs to re-strategise in tackling these terrorists,” he said.

    Kajuru and Chikun local government in the Kaduna Central Senatorial zone have come under several bandits’ attacks in the last three weeks, with 465 persons

  • JUST IN: 87 feared kidnapped in fresh Kaduna attack

    JUST IN: 87 feared kidnapped in fresh Kaduna attack

    Terrorists have reportedly kidnapped 87 people in a fresh attack on the Kajuru-Station community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

    The attackers were said to have invaded the village around 10 pm on Sunday. 

    Read Also: Military officers found culpable in Kaduna attack will be punished, CDS vows

    This comes barely two days after 15 women and a man were abducted in the Dogon-Noma community of the same local government.

    Details shortly…

  • We can’t raise N1b ransom, say parents of abducted Kaduna pupils

    We can’t raise N1b ransom, say parents of abducted Kaduna pupils

    • ’We’re reading Qur’an, praying for our children’s safe return’

    Parents of the abducted schoolchildren at Government Secondary School and LEA Primary School, Kuriga, Chikun Local Government Area, Kaduna State have resorted to prayers for the safe return of their kids.

    Their resolve followed their inability to meet up with the sum of N1 billion demanded as ransom by the bandits responsible for the children’s abduction.

    The parents said with the demand of N1 billion ransom made by the bandits and the threat to kill the children if they fail to pay the ransom within 20 days, the community has come to the conclusion that only God and government can rescue their children.

    To this end, they said, they have decided to seize the opportunity provided by the Ramadan period to pray, fast and constantly recite the Qur’an as a way of seeking God’s face and securing His intervention for the safe return of the innocent children.

    They also called on the state and federal governments not to renege on their promise to rescue the 287 children.

    One of the parents, Nasiru Zakari Kuriga, who expressed confidence that the government would keep its promise to ensure safe return of their children, urged the government to focus on its promise.

    Kuriga also called on government to shelve pronouncements that are capable of worsening the traumatic conditions of the affected parents.

    He said: “The government has promised us to do whatever is possible to rescue our children.

    “We believe in the government and we are confident that it is making efforts.

    “However, the government should stop pronouncements that are capable of sending us, especially our women, to the hospital.

    “Some women have four children in the bandits’ captivity.”

    Kuriga also confirmed earlier reports that the bandits who abducted the schoolchildren had called to demand a billion naira as ransom.

    “Truly, these people have called. But the government has promised us, particularly when Governor Uba Sani came here, that, it will bring back our children safely.

    “We as a community believe in the promise made by the government and we don’t want to interfere in what the government is doing.

    “We the parents of these children, especially women, have not been in stable conditions since this unfortunate incident happened.

    “What we want is for the government to quickly follow all the necessary steps to secure the freedom of these children.

    “We are not talking about four or five children here. We are talking of about 300 children.

    “So, the government should concentrate on the rescue effort,” he said.

    Reacting to the news of Federal Government’s resolve against payment of ransom, Kuriga said: “The government should please not come out clear to us on what it will do and what it will not do, because coming out to tell us that government will not pay ransom is like spoiling 10 things while attempting to repair five things.

    “If government tells categorically that it will not pay ransom, it will cause more damage than the one on ground. This is because there is no one capable of securing the release of these children, other than the government.

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    “If government makes such pronouncements, parents that would be hospitalised will be more than the number of children in captivity.

    “This is because some women have up to five children in the bandits’ captivity. So, it will be disastrous for government to tell such women that government is not ready to pay ransom.

    “So, government should follow it step by step. We know government is trying and we believe in the efforts of the government to rescue the children.

    “We are supporting the government in its efforts. Every day now, we recite complete Qur’an. We are praying that God will make the children come safe and sound,” he said.

    Another parent, Abdullahi Umar, said even the bandits know that even the entire community cannot raise N1 billion, because they are poor farmers whose economic activities have been destroyed by the same bandits.