The Adamawa State Police Command has arrested two suspected kidnappers who the command says have been on its wanted list.
A statement on Monday said the command arrested the suspects on Sunday, March 10, in an operation jointly carried out by operatives of the command and some local hunters.
According to the statement signed by the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Suleiman Nguroje, the arrest was made consequent upon the information about the suspects’ hideout in Ngurore, a town in the Yola South Local Government Area.
He gave the names of the suspects as Ahmed Muhammad, 37 years old and resident of Song Local Government Area; and Muhammed Haruna, 25 years old and a resident of Jambutu, Yola North Local Government Area.
“The suspects were arrested for allegedly kidnapping Saddam Ahmadu of Belel in Maiha Local Government and Buba Adamu of Shani Local Government Area, Borno State, and collecting the total sum of N4,700,000 ransom from the relatives of the victims.
“Interestingly, One AK-47 Assault rifle with 25 rounds of live ammunition were recovered from the suspects,” Nguroje stated.
He added: ” The Commissioner of Police CP Dankombo Morris, while expressing happiness, commended Commander Crack Squad and the hunters for the community policing strategy adopted leading to the successes recorded and urged them to sustain the tempo.”
Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has condemned the abduction of 287 students and teachers from GSS Kuriga and LEA Primary School Kuriga in Kaduna State, describing the development as onslaught on education in Northern Nigeria, which must be tackled.
ACF, in a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Tukur Muhammad-Baba on Saturday, said the various cases of kidnappings around schools including that of Federal University Gusau in July last year are indicative of the very parlous state of security in the country, adding that it also showed that school children are a defensively vulnerable population.
The Forum however asked the Federal Government to go beyond bland and sterile directives to insisting on results within specific time frames.
It declared time has long passed when terrorism is fully eradicated in Nigeria.
The body said: “The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) is gravely saddened and exasperated at the news of the mass abduction by terrorists/bandits of about 312 students (20 of whom reportedly are orphans), from the Local Education Authority (LEA) Primary School and Junior Secondary School, along with a principal at Kuriga, Chikun local government area of Kaduna state, on Thursday, March 7th, 2024.
“As a sad reminder about their unabated presence, the terrorists struck again, attacked worshippers, and killed two persons during Friday prayers at Angwar Makera, Kwasakwasa Community in Birnin Gwari local government area, Kaduna state. Together, the incidents looked planned in advance, a most discomfiting reality, given the enormous public resources being allocated to the security sector.
“As ACF had observed in July, 2023, when students of the Federal University Gusau were abducted (and sadly still in captivity), these disturbing incidents point to the very parlous state of security in the country, and specifically that school children are a defensively vulnerable population.
“ACF unequivocally decries and condemns the incidents in strong terms and hereby: Calls for the immediate and unconditional return of the abducted students and pupils, unharmed, to their parents/guardians; Commiserates with the parents/ guardians of the pupils and students.
“ACF calls on all not to be discouraged and not to give the terrorists/bandits any chance to discourage and frighten us with their evil and cowardly tools of terror.
“ACF also extends sympathies to the Kwasakwasa community over the heinous attack on its people; Commends the fast response of the Kaduna state government, through a confidence and reassurance-building visit to the community by its officials, led by the State’s Executive Governor, Senator Uba Sani.
“Calls on the security forces to adopt more effective strategies to end the scourge of terrorism in our communities. Clearly, a regional multi-pronged strategy against the terrorists operating in all contagious state, is called for. In these regards, the security forces should never dither or stay on the course of plain ineptitude and ineffectiveness that characterise the current strategy to contain and stamp out terrorism throughout the country.
“ACF demands the immediate deployment of new measures including the much-discussed Special Schools Security Scheme, the Schools Vigilante Force, Anti-Kidnapping Squads, etc., across the terror-prone states; Calls on the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) to go beyond perfunctory directives to the security forces to rescue the abducted students.
“The FGN must go beyond bland and sterile directives to insist on results within specific time frames; ACF believes that the time has long passed when this terrorism is fully eradicated nationwide.”
Armed bandits surrounded the premises housing two schools – a secondary and primary – in Kuriga, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State in the morning yesterday. They ordered everybody in sight to march into the nearby bush.
A teacher, who escaped narrated the story to Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani.
According to him 287 pupils and teachers were kidnapped.
But, there was no independent confirmation of the number of those abducted given by the teacher last night.
Governor Sani suspended other engagements to visit the Kuriga Primary and Secondary School scene of the abduction for first-hand information late yesterday.
The governor assured that all the abducted pupils would be rescued unhurt “by the grace of God”.
Mr. Sani Abdullahi, who teaches in the secondary school, gave the graphic details of the gunmen’s invasion before the governor, senior government officials and top security chief.
The team also visited the palace of Kuriga Village Head, Sarki Ilyasu Mohammed.
Abdullahi said: “I resumed at the school today (yesterday) at exactly 7:47am. I entered the Acting Principal’s office and signed. All of a sudden, the Acting Principal asked me to look at my back and when I turned, we discovered that bandits had surrounded the school premises.
“We were confused; we didn’t know where to go; then, the bandits asked us to enter the bush, we obeyed them because they were many and the pupils, who were about 700, were following us. So, when we entered the bush, I was lucky to escape alongside many other people.
“So, I returned to the village and reported what happened to the community. Immediately our vigilante and personnel of Kaduna State Vigilante Service (KADVS) followed the bandits, but they did not succeed. In fact, the bandits killed one of the vigilante, we just buried him.
“It was when we came back from that pursuit that we briefed the Village Head and we started making efforts to know the actual number of pupils and teachers taken away by the bandits.
“At GSS, Kuriga, 187 pupils are missing. In the primary school, 125 pupils were initially missing, but 25 of them escaped and returned home,” he narrated.
The governor, who likened the abducted children to his own, said everything possible would be done to ensure all the children return home unhurt.
Sani said: “In my capacity as your elected governor, I am assuring you that, by the grace of God, all the children will return unhurt.
“Before coming here, I spoke with the National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu and we are making efforts, the security forces have swung into action and by God’s grace, we will rescue the children.
“We will do whatever we need to do to ensure safe return of these children, even if it means coming to Kuriga to stay with you. The essence of government is protection of citizens’ lives and property. We recognize the fact that, we are holding this position in trust for the people and by God’s grace, we will protect the citizens’ rights.
“I am one of the prominent voices on the issue of security. When I was in the Senate, I moved the motion for the creation of state police. We have realized that, there are not enough men on ground; that is why we feel that with state police, every community, like Kuriga, will have people in the police and they would be armed with AK47 rifles. That is the only way we would be able to protect the lives and property of the citizens.
“The vigilantes are not as armed as the bandits because they have AK47; that is why the bandits are constantly causing us destruction. They come in to humiliate, kill and abduct our citizens.
“Since I received the sad news of this incident, I have not had rest of mind because every child in Kaduna State is my child. So, I don’t want to you people to be disturbed. Let’s us pray to God to help and on our part as a government, we will not rest until these children return home.
“We are going to select seven people from this community, who will be part of a committee, where we would be having discussions,” the governor said.
He also promised to facilitate the establishment of a police station and build a permanent camp for the military within the community.
The village head, pleaded with the governor to improve security in their community and ensure quick and safe return of the pupils.
He said: “All that is needed, the governor has done it. By coming to sympathize with us shows how he cares about his people, most especially the vulnerable.
“I am pleading that you should do everything possible to bring the children back home and provide security for the people of the village.”
The villagers, who were at the palace, applauded Governor Sani for coming to Kuriga to identify with them during their trying moment.
Details have emerged of how bandits kidnapped 287 pupils of Kuriga Primary and Secondary School in Local Government Area of Kaduna during an attack on Thursday.
One of the Government Secondary School Kuriga teachers, Sani Abdullahi, narrated the incident when Governor Uba Sani led senior government officials and security top brass to the Kuriga Village Head’s palace.
Abdullahi said: “I resumed to the school today at exactly 7:47am. I entered the Acting Principal’s office and signed. All of a sudden, the Acting Principal asked me to look at my back and when I turned, we discovered that bandits had surrounded the school premises.
“We became confused, we didn’t know where to go. Then, the bandits asked us to enter the bush, so we obeyed them because they were many and the pupils, about 700 were following us. So, when we entered the bush, I was lucky to escape alongside many other people.
“So, I returned to the village and reported what happened to the community. So, immediately our vigilante and personnel of KADVS followed the bandits but the vigilante did not succeed. In fact, the bandits killed one of the vigilante, we just buried him hours ago.
“It was when we came back from that pursuit that we briefed the Village Head and we started making efforts to know the actual number of pupils and teachers taken away by the bandits.
“At GSS Kuriga, 187 students are missing. In the primary school, 125 pupils were initially missing, but 25 of them escaped and returned home,” he narrated.
Governor Uba Sani assured the community he would do everything possible to ensure all the children return home unhurt.
The Governor said: “In my capacity as your elected Governor, I am assuring you that, by the grace of God, all the children will return unhurt.
“Before coming here, I spoke with the National Security Adviser (NSA) Malam Nuhu Ribadu and we are making efforts, the security forces have swung into action and by God’s grace, we will rescue the children.
“We will do whatever we need to do to ensure safe return of these children, even if it means coming to Kuriga to stay with you. The essence of government is protection of citizens lives and property. We recognise the fact that we are holding this position in trust for the people and by God’s grace, we will protect the citizens’ rights.
“I am one of the prominent voices on the issue of security. When I was in the Senate, I moved the motion for the creation of State Police.
We have realised that there are not enough boots on ground that is why we feel that, if State Police, every community like Kuriga will have people in the Police and they would be armed with AK47 rifles. That is the only way we would be able to protect the lives and property of the citizens.
“The vigilantes are not as armed as the bandits, because they do have AK47, that is why the bandits are constantly causing us destructions. They come in to humiliate, kill and abduct our citizens.
“Since I received the sad news of this incident, I have not had rest of mind because every child in Kaduna State is my child. So, I don’t want to you people to be disturbed. Let’s us pray to God to help and on our part as a government, we will not rest until these children return home.”
While addressing the community members, Governor Sani also promised to establish a Police Station and build a permanent camp for the military in the community.
The Kaduna State Government has confirmed five deaths following the Lassa fever outbreak in the state.
The confirmation was in a report on the outbreak of the disease made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) by the state’s Commissioner for Health, Hajiya Umma Ahmed, yesterday.
She said that an initial six samples were collected to confirm the outbreak, followed by another six samples from contacts, which were sent to Bayero University, Kano, for analysis, “with a 24-28 hours turnaround time for the result.”
She indicated that the index case was a 26-year-old youth Corps member who took ill on February 9, presented at the 44 Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna, and died on February 20.
“Symptoms presented included fever, headache, convulsion and bleeding. Thereafter, a total of 32 suspected cases were line-listed and samples collected. Six cases were confirmed positive, with five deaths and a male-female ratio of 1:1.
“The result also showed five were negative, while 21 results are being awaited.”
According to the report, 99 contacts have so far been line-listed and were being followed up, adding that 19 others also developed some form of symptoms and their samples were collected.
The commissioner said that the state government had so far taken some measures to combat the outbreak of the disease.
She listed the deployment of state and local government areas’ Rapid Response Team, and activation of Incident Management System at the Infectious Disease Hospital, Mando, Kaduna.
Other measures are: active case search, contact tracing, follow up, risk communication activity and media management, as well as the supply of drugs and consumables to the 44 Army Reference Hospital and the IDH, Mando.
Some other measures taken, Ahmed said, were the supply of rodent equipment by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), as well as interventions for rodent control by a team from the Federal Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with the state team.
She listed challenges encountered in combating the spread of the disease to include late presentation of patients to hospital, poor adherence to infection prevention control in health facilities and non-adherence to the use of triage points.
She reiterated the state government’s determination to intensify surveillance at all levels, as well as follow-ups on listed contacts.
Matawalle: It’s evidence military’s efforts yielding fruit
As residents of the troubled communities in Chikun, Igabi and Birnin Gwari local government areas of Kaduna State, have applauded the Nigerian Army over the killing of notorious bandits Isyaku Boderi, Governor Uba Sani, has assured of continuous support for the security forces.
Boderi, who was said to have masterminded several high-profile attacks, including the kidnap of Yauri school girls, Greenfield University, and breach of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), had abducted and killed many villagers and prevented them access to their farms.
The communities members who said they now feel a sense of relief, as they will now be able to sleep with both eyes closed and return to their farms, urged the security forces to go after Boderi’s foot soldiers who are already demoralised.
Some of the villagers along the Buruku, Birnin Gwari axis who spoke to journalists on Friday expressed happiness that Boderi’s long reign of terror is over.
The infamous bandit kingpin Boderi Isyaku was killed by troops of 1 Division, Nigerian Army around Bada/Riyawa general areas of Chikun and Igabi LGAs in Kaduna state on Wednesday.
Boderi and his associates were ambushed and neutralised by military troops after a fierce gun battle.
The state Governor, Senator Uba Sani, who spoke through the Overseeing Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, expressed gratitude to the Nigerian Army for eliminating the notorious bandit kingpin who had been a source of terror for years.
According to Aruwan, “We are very happy with the recent victory of the military. For over eight years, we have been trailing that bandit element called Boderi. He has caused our state so much; he killed so many citizens, so many cases of abductions. So many communities suffered so much as a result of his terrorism activities.
“So, we are grateful to the military, particularly the Nigerian Army who brought his reign to an end. We are happy and this is clear message that whoever is doing anything against national security and safety of our citizens, no matter how long, the long arm of the law will catch up with them. For years, Boderi caused a lot of havoc, but as you can see, at the end of the day, we got him.
“The Government of Kaduna State under the leadership of Senator Uba Sani has been supporting the security agencies that are carrying out internal operations across the state. We are also mobilising our citizens to be providing intelligence to the security agencies operating in the various locations within the state.
“We are assuring that the government of Kaduna State under the able leadership of Senator Uba Sani, will continue to support the security forces operating in Kaduna state. This is the position of His Excellency, Governor Uba Sani,” Aruwan assured.
However, the General Officer Commanding 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Valentine Okoro, during an operational tour of his area of responsibility commended troops for their bravery and professionalism while urging them to do more.
Reacting, the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, Friday, said the killing of Boderi and his foot soldiers is a signal that the military is winning the battle against terrorism in the North-West and the entire country, stating that Boderi for nearly a decade propagated a reign of fear, death and destruction in Kaduna State and neighbouring Niger State.
According to the Minister, the killing of Boderi and his cohorts was a major breakthrough in Nigeria’s fight against banditry and terrorism.
Matawalle commended the bravery and professionalism of the military, adding that such a feat needed to be sustained “so that we can stem out insecurity from the country.”
He said President Bola Tinubu was committed to providing adequate security in every part of the country.
While reiterating the Federal Government’s “unflinching support and readiness to sustain cooperation towards eradicating terrorism in Nigeria ”, the minister charged other state actors to cooperate with the Federal Government in the fight against insurgency and terrorism.
The Kaduna State government has said it is closely monitoring the situation to avert further spread.
A statement yesterday in Kaduna by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Muhammad Lawal Shehu, said the government was doing everything possible to contain the outbreak.
“The Kaduna State Ministry of Health and management of 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital are working assiduously to contain the situation, as all those who came into contact with those infected have been identified and are closely monitored while receiving urgent medical treatment.
“Furthermore, samples have been carefully collected from contacts and sent for confirmation to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) laboratory, where they are closely being followed up.
“Additionally, all infection prevention and control (IPC) measures have been instituted at the facility while it remains closed to the public until full containment has been achieved.
“Members of the public are hereby advised to maintain proper food and environmental hygiene as they remain hyper-vigilant to immediately report any suspected cases of Lassa fever to the nearest health facility.
“Kaduna State Ministry of Health has further been directed to enhance surveillance across the state in collaboration with local government health departments,” the statement said.
A strange disease has killed three members of staff and a patient at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital Kaduna (NARHK).
The Nigerian Army Medical Corps (NAMC) on Thursday, February 22, revealed this in a circular to all hospitals and units under it, urging them to be cautious.
The memo signed by the acting Corps Commander, Brig.-Gen. SO Okoigi, and seen by The Nation, described the disease as febnile illness.
It said the deceased were suspected to have died from Acute Viral Hemorrhagic Fever (VHF), assuring that samples from them and other suspected contacts had been sent to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) laboratory in Kano for analysis.
According to the circular, the index case was managed at the Accident and Emergency (A&E) department of the hospital 10 days ago and the patient did not survive it.
It said: “The Accident and Emergency (A&E) Dept of 44 NARHK has witnessed the loss of three members of staff and a patient in the last 48 hours with some in critical condition. They are suspected to have died from Acute Viral Hemorrhagic Fever (VHF).
“This followed the management of a patient with febrile illness thought to have been the index patient with the disease 10 days ago, having presented with a febnile illness. The patient also died from the suspected disease condition. “The common symptoms in those affected included fever, and nonspecific symptoms likened to malaria. However, the illness was complicated by abnormal liver function, acute kidney failure, encephalopathy, microangiopathy, and elevated D-Dimer among others.
“The A&E has been dosed for a thorough disinfection process and samples have been taken from suspected contacts and the deceased and sent to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) laboratory in Kano for analysis.
“Similarly, the Kaduna State Epidemiologists have been invited to help in unraveling the aetiology of the febrile illness with a view to curtailing the spread of the disease.
“This is in addition to strict disease Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures that have been directed to be emplaced. Ribavirin injection (antiviral agent) has also been commenced on other suspected cases and those identified on contact tracing. “44 NARHK has also been directed to suspend accepting new cases from the general! public in the interim while the situation is being contained.
“The significant risk of contracting VHF among healthcare workers underscores the need to strengthen IPC practices across all NA health facilities. Prevention remains the best approach in dealing with such outbreaks since treatment options are limited against a background of high mortality often recorded as in the current case at 44 NARHK.
“This can be achieved by raising the level of hospital preparedness for VHF outbreaks through capacity building and ensuring the use of universal precautions when dealing with all patients. “Sequel to the foregoing, it is imperative that all units put in place strict IPC measures immediately to safeguard hospital staff and patients. Furthermore, IPC guidelines are to be strategically located for all members of staff to see and adhere to.
“This is forwarded for your information and strict compliance. Commanders and Commanding officers are to disseminate this information to their subunits,” it said.
Reacting to the incident, spokesman for the Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu said there was no cause for panic, identifying the disease as suspected Lassa Fever.
He said: “The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to public concern and apprehension resulting from a leaked correspondence by its medical experts over a suspected outbreak of what presents as Viral Hemorrhagic disease aka Lassa Fever, in one of its medical facilities in Kaduna State.
“While it is yet unclear what we are actually dealing with, the Nigerian Army wishes to confirm that there was indeed some suspicion of what presented as acute Viral Hemorrhagic disease in the Accident and Emergency unit of the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna (NARHK), which has resulted in the death of a couple of its medical staff serving in the hospital.
“In line with best practice in managing such a situation, contact tracing to what is believed to be the index case has been made to a non-military patient who was referred to 44 NARHK from a peripheral medical facility.
“The suspected index patient was managed but subsequently died two weeks ago in the hospital. Sadly, three medical staff of the hospital that had direct contact with the suspected index case have also died within the past 48 hours.
“In response to the suspected outbreak, directives have been passed that Prevention Control (IPC) measures in and around all military health care facilities in Kaduna be stepped up as part of measures to curtail further spread and loss of lives.
“In this wise, all medical staff of the hospital, their family members and other patients on the contact tracing list have commenced appropriate management and so far nothing of concern has been observed.
“Furthermore, the entire hospital facility has been disinfected, while immediate closure and evacuation of the Accident and Emergency ward of the 44 NARHK have been ordered to allow for thorough fumigation, decontamination, and emplacement of other measures of Infection Prevention Control (IPC).
“As a responsive and responsible organization, the Nigerian Army has also escalated the development to other relevant national and state agencies…
“It is imperative to point out, that the Nigerian Army as part of its civil-military relations welfare scheme offers medical services to civilians in its host communities.
“Thus, about 500 civilians receive medical attention weekly at 44NARHK. This unfortunate development is only a setback in our efforts to give back to society and will not stop the Nigerian Army from continuing this moral obligation to the host communities.
“As of now, all Nigerian Army medical facilities in Kaduna and environs have been put on alert on the need to emplace necessary IPC measures and closely monitor patients, staff, and family members.
“The Nigerian Army urges members of the public to not panic, as adequate measures have already been put in place to contain the suspected outbreak. It equally assures that its collaboration with all relevant stakeholders is open, transparent, and in tandem with international best practice.”
Two soldiers have been killed and three injured as troops of the Multinational Joint Taskforce (MNJTF) in the Lake Chad region continued their onslaught against terrorists, The Nation learnt yesterday.
The deceased soldiers said to be from Nigeria and the Republic of Chad, were killed by terorrists in operations conducted between February 10 and 20.
It was gathered that the four sectors of the MNJTF also neutralised several suspected terrorists and recovered high caliber firearms, ammunition and other weapons in the simultaneous clearance operations that denied the terorrists the freedom to wreak havoc.
Confirming their deaths in a statement yesterday, the Chief of Military Public Information, Lt.-Col. Abubakar Abdullahi, commended their gallantry in battle.
He noted that the MNJTF significantly stepped up its clearance operations within the Lake Chad basin, with a view to strengthen free movement and rejuvenate economic activities.
He said the initiative led to the surrender of many terrorists and the interception of a major arms haul meant for insurgents’ use.
According to him, all four sectors recorded various successes which portrayed the surge in troop effectiveness through the surrender of terrorist elements, offensive operations and curbing of arms smuggling.
He said MNJTF troops of Sector 1, Mora, Cameroon, triumphed in a notable engagement at the locality of Soueram.
This offensive, Abdullahi said, resulted in the death of two Boko Haram terrorists and the seizure of 92 linked ammunition belts.
“Complementing this success, on the 10th and 19th of February 2024, two Boko Haram members each surrendered to troops in Sectors 2 and 3, stationed in Litri, Chad, and Doron Baga, Nigeria respectively.
“The items recovered from these 4 repentant insurgents included a collection of arms and ammunition, significantly consisting of an AKM rifle, an AK-47 rifle, 3 magazines, and 29 rounds of 7.62-millimetre special ammunition.
“The MNJTF’s persistence in offensive campaigns brought additional victories, with notable operations conducted by the troops of Sector 2 Bagasola, Chad.
“During a high-impact offensive at the locality of Tchokou, a Lake Chad Island, the troops inflicted casualties on Boko Haram elements and recovered three “teke-teke” canoes among other terrorists’ logistics items.
“Furthermore, in separate operations on 19 February 2024, troops recovered five 155 millimetre high explosive shells used for making Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs, debilitating the operational capabilities of the terrorist factions in the region.
“In a concurrent strategic move, the Chadian Air Force, guided by reliable intelligence, conducted a successful air strike on 20th February 2024. The mission targeted Boko Haram strongholds along the southern rim of Lake Chad, near the Chad-Cameroon-Nigeria border, resulting in the neutralisation of several terrorists and the destruction of terrorist equipment on waterways. “Several terrorists were seen jumping into the Lake from their boats and are believed to have died.
“In Sector 4 Diffa, Niger Republic, capitalizing on precise intelligence, the troops effectively disrupted an arms smuggling attempt north of Nguigmi near the Niger-Chad borderline on 10th February 2024.
“Their timely intervention led to the confiscation of a substantial arms cache comprising
six AK-47 rifles, 11 magazines, and 50 rounds of 7.62 millimeter ammunition, dealing a substantial blow to the clandestine network supporting the insurgency.
“Sadly, despite these achievements, two soldiers, one each from Nigeria and Chad paid the supreme price while three others sustained various degrees of injuries.
“We commend their gallantry and pray for the souls of the deceased to rest in peace.
“The MNJTF remains devoted to its mandate of restoring peace and security while fostering the conditions necessary for economic growth and the free movement of people within the Lake Chad basin.
‘These recent achievements underscore the task force’s resolve and effort in confronting the challenges posed by terrorist activities. “The MNJTF will continue its comprehensive approach, combining military action with collaborative efforts to support affected communities in overcoming the threats to regional stability,” said Abdullahi.
Relatedly, the Nigerian Army said troops on operations at Yadi Forest, Kaduna State, neutralised a suspected terrorist and destroyed the criminals’ camps concealed along the river lines in the forest.
The troops recovered arms and ammunition during the operation that was conducted on Tuesday, February 20, the army said.
Spokesperson, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement yesterday, said troops encountered an ambush staged by the terrorists during the operation.
“But responded with a heavy volume of fire neutralizing one of them, while others scattered in disarray,” Nwachukwu said.
According to the army spokesperson, the troops, during the operation, recovered two Ak-47 rifles, six Ak-47 magazines, five rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 331 rounds of 7.62mm x 54 PKT machine gun ammunition, and two PKT machine gun ammunition links.
“Other items recovered include three motorbikes, two power generating sets, two desert camouflages, a pair of desert boots, leg and hand chains used for fastening kidnap victims, nine Baofeng radios with none chargers, one Talisman vest, one International Passport, two Voter’s cards and two National Identity cards,” he said.
Nwachukwu said troops were still on the trail of the fleeing terrorists to “rid the forest of terrorists’ activities in a renewed effort to restore peace and stability.”
It is true that most of the members of the highly revered Kaduna Elders’ Forum are well aware of the uncommon intellect of the young and the level-headed Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani. Not a few of the elders were however confounded, albeit positively, on Monday February 5, when the governor hosted the Elders’ Forum at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House, Kaduna, the state capital.
The very influential members of the Kaduna Elders’ Forum, who were led by the duo of Gen. Zamani Lekwot (rtd) and Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha, were ostensibly at the Kaduna State Government House to felicitate Governor Sani following the affirmation of his resounding victory at the gubernatorial polls by the nation’s apex court, the Supreme Court; but the very profound Governor Sani seized the rare opportunity of the visit to present what many now regard as the state-of-the-state address to the respected elders. Curiously, the governor spoke largely off the cuff, underscoring his administrative depth and firm knowledge of the issues that matter.
Not surprisingly, the red-hot issues of banditry, kidnappings and other shades of insecurity and criminality in the state took the centre stage. Governor Sani did not only trace the root causes of the multifaceted crisis of insecurity in the state, he proffered workable solutions and gave the elders up-to-date steps his administration has so far taken, the results already achieved and the projections for the future.
For starters, the governor traced the security challenges in Kaduna State and the North-west zone of the country at large, to poverty, unemployment and poor leadership or governance at several tiers of the people’s being.
“What are the factors that have brought about this unfortunate state of affairs? Hopelessness, lack of education and lack of economic prosperity. Over 85 per cent of the people in the North-west are either not educated or financially excluded.
“No matter how much we talk and try to bring about peace, if we don’t look at the area of good governance, we will never end the problem of insecurity in Northern Nigeria in particular. People always talk about how the problem of insurgency ended in the North-east, but the insurgency is not the same as the problem of banditry and kidnapping that we have in the North-west. The North-east issue was about people that came from nowhere and talked about the ideology of Boko Haram. However here in the North-west, there is so much poverty; and if we don’t address the poverty by supporting our farmers and increasing productivity, we will not address the problem of insecurity,” he averred.
The governor also bemoaned the huge number of out-of-school children in the North-western part of the country, especially in Kaduna State, saying: “In Kaduna State, we have over 600,000 out-of-school children. This is unacceptable and we, in fact, view the situation as a ticking time bomb.”
The governor was however quick to inform the elders that since assuming office, his administration has been deploying very effective measures to stem this ugly tide, an example being the proactive collaboration between the Kaduna State Government and the Kuwait Fund. He said the Fund is currently supporting the state with $28 million to return hundred of out-of-school children back to school under the Qatar Sanabil Project.
Pursuant to the Sanabil Project, Qatar has also commenced the construction of 500,000 housing units for the less privileged residents of Kaduna State. The Mega Economic City project was officially inaugurated by Governor Sani and Qatar’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Ali Bin Ghanem Al-Hajri, in Kaduna in August 2023.
The project aims to improve the living conditions for underprivileged families in the state. Aside from the construction of the housing units, Qatar Charity shall be undertaking an array of interventions and empowerment programmes for the less privileged across Kaduna State. These programmes, many of which have commenced, include scholarships for orphans and children of the poor, distribution of sewing machines, welding machines, irrigation pumping machines, salon kits, and drilling of hundreds of boreholes across the 23 local government areas of Kaduna State.
According to Governor Sani, “The Economic City will provide world-class infrastructure and make Kaduna a reference point in modern and affordable accommodation with adequate security and a conducive atmosphere for business activities.
“It will facilitate international trade while serving as a platform for local entrepreneurs and traders. It will also harness product value chain opportunities and improve economic growth.” The governor said the project extends beyond housing, it also provides clinics, shops, poultry farms, and farmlands for the rainy season and irrigation farming.
On insecurity, he informed the elders that his administration is currently working hand-in-hand with the Armed Forces of Nigeria to fight and win the war against banditry, kidnapping and all other forms of criminality in the state. The governor recalled his visits to the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa (who incidentally is from Kaduna State), all the Service Chiefs as well as the National Security Adviser (NSA) in his quest to garner support to stamp out the multifaceted insecurity in Kaduna State. Members of the Kaduna State Elders Forum were visibly enthused when Governor Sani announced that the collaboration with the nation’s Armed Forces and other security agencies was already paying off.
“They (Armed Forces) have decided to set up two Forward Operation Bases in Kaduna, one in the Southern Kaduna, in Zangon Kataf to be precise and the other one in Birnin Gwari to serve Birnin Gwari down to Giwa. The FOBs will be set up in the next three weeks,” he told the elders.
The Kaduna State Governor was unequivocal in his assurances to the Kaduna Elders’ Forum that the days of bandits and other criminal elements, who have for a long while been terrorizing the state, were numbered.
A firm believer in good governance being the most potent weapon against insecurity, Governor Sani has tailored his administration to bring sustainable development to every nook and cranny of Kaduna State. Indeed, the governor’s topmost priority areas are the rural and underserved areas of the state. “The central policy thrust of our administration is Rural Transformation. We are committed to revitalizing our rural economies through massive infrastructural development,” the governor recently reiterated.
“Our people have been struggling to stay afloat in this harsh economic climate. As a government, we have been unrelenting in fashioning and implementing policies, programmes and projects to bring succour to the poor, underserved and the vulnerable. We are determined to reverse the negative development indices of Kaduna State. We are creatively and innovatively addressing the challenges of poverty and youth unemployment. We are prioritizing women and youth empowerment,” the governor assured stakeholders during the Kaduna State Core Security Council meeting with traditional rulers and local government chairmen of frontline areas, held in January this year.
Very conscious of the fact that the nefarious activities of bandits and other criminal elements, in especially rural communities in the state, will all-too certainly imperil his vision of aggressively curbing poverty and underdevelopment in underserved parts of the state, Sani has in addition to his administration’s fruitful collaboration with the nation’s armed forces and other security agencies, revitalized the Kaduna State’s Vigilante Service (KADVS). He beefed up the Service with 7,000 able-bodied persons who were trained by the Nigeria Police Force and he has since procured assorted security assets for the rebooted service.
The recruitment and screening of the trainees were in collaboration with critical stakeholders including local government chairmen, traditional and religious leaders. Governor Sani has also affirmed that the initiative, apart from being a major step towards restoring security and development in the state, is also geared towards providing jobs for the teeming youth population in the state.
Poised to give the needed financial muscle to several security efforts his administration is undertaking, Sani recently signed into law the Kaduna State Security Trust Fund Bill, created to provide funding support to the efforts being made towards degrading terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements. The new law repealed Kaduna State’s Security Trust Fund Law No. 22, of 2018.
The Kaduna State Governor believes that the legislation would help to raise funds for the acquisition and deployment of security equipment, personnel and materials, as well as their training.
The governor explained that the private sector would play a prominent role in the management of the trust fund in collaboration with critical stakeholders in the security sector. “The new law is also designed to align with global best practices. It is a model for other sub-nationals, as well as a clear demonstration of the state government’s commitment towards degrading terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements who have been laying siege to some communities in our state,” he added while appealing to corporate organisations and public-spirited individuals to donate generously to the security trust fund.
Interestingly, the Federal Government and other states are keying into Sani’s long-running advocacy to alter Nigeria’s constitution to enable states to establish and run their respective police forces or services as is the case in most developing and developed countries of the world. It is on record that as a vibrant lawmaker in the 9th Senate, Sani sponsored series of bills seeking to have the nation’s constitution altered to accommodate State Police. Sani’s pro-state Police Bills while he was in the Senate include:
Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (Alteration) Bill 2020 (SB. 592) – This Bill sought to alter the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 to amongst other provisions establish State Police Force in the 36 states of the Federation, change the name of the Police Service Commission to the Federal Police Service Commission, establish the State Police Service Commission and amend the Second and Third Schedules of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.
Police Service Commission Act 2001 (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill, 2020 (SB. 594) – This Bill sought to repeal the Police Service Commission Act 2001 and enact the Federal Police Service Commission (Est. Etc) Bill to amongst other provisions establish a Commission which shall be charged with discipline of all officers except in state police force and to dismiss and exercise disciplinary control over any person holding office in the Nigeria Police Force (other than the inspector-general of police).
Nigerian Police Act (Amendment) Bill, 2020 (SB. 593) – This Bill sought to alter the Nigeria Police Act 2020 to amongst other provisions establish an operational structure for State Police Force in the 36 states of the Federation, change the name of the Police Service Commission to the Federal Police Service Commission, and address new issues that are not covered under the Nigeria Police Act 2020.
State Police Service Commission (Establishment) Bill, 2020 (SB. 595) -This Bill sought to enact the State Police Service Commission (Est. Etc.). The Bill was sculpted to amongst other provisions, establish a Commission which shall be charged with discipline of all officers in state police force and to dismiss and exercise disciplinary control over any person holding office in the State Police Force (other than the Commissioner of police).
Indeed, these Bills scaled the requisite hurdles in the Senate and were referred to the 9th National Assembly’s Joint Committee on Constitutional amendment. Their enactments into law suffered mainly due to the apparent lack of national consensus or political will at the time, to have the states establish their respective police outfits. However, now that the Federal and State Governments seem to be finally coming to terms with the imperative and even the urgency of altering the nation’s constitution to enable the 36 states of the federation to establish and run their respective Police Force or Service, to complement the efforts of the Federal (Nigeria) Police Force, the vast knowledge of Governor Sani of Kaduna State on this score would be very crucial.
In general it is becoming apparent that both the Federal Government and other sub-nationals in Nigeria may have to study, understand and harness Sani’s well-thought out panacea for insecurity in Kaduna State in particular and the country at large.
Dr. Kareem, a security expert, is based in Kawo, Kaduna State
