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Tag: Kaduna

  • Fuel scarcity bites harder in Kaduna

    Fuel scarcity bites harder in Kaduna

    As fuel scarcity continues to bite harder in Kaduna, civil servants are finding it difficult to get to work in time due to hike in transport fares and fewer vehicles plying the roads.

    Some of the civil servants and commercial drivers said in separate interviews that the situation was gradually becoming harrowing and intolerable.

    One of the workers, Ms Ruth Adamu, said it was no longer possible to get to work on time.

    “I left home early so I can get a bus that will take me to town, but unfortunately, I had to wait for 45 minutes before I could get one.

    “There are few vehicles plying the road as a result of the persistent fuel scarcity and this has led to increase in intra-city transport fare.

    “I normally pay N80 for my transport but today,  I had to pay N150,” she said.

    Another civil servant, Malam Aminu Isah, expressed displeasure over the development, stating  that  the situation was going “from bad to worse.’’

    Read More: Nigeria losing trillions to fuel subsidy cabal – Saraki

    “As you can see, most of us waiting for public vehicles are civil servants, we don’t own private cars as such we use public transport to go to work,” he said.

    A commercial driver, Malam Hamza Iliyasu, also expressed disappointment on the prevailing fuel situation in the city, saying it was getting out of control.

    “Most public transport drivers have either parked their cars or are on queue waiting to get fuel, that is why you can only find few commercial vehicles on the road,” he said.

    Another commercial driver, Mr Izzy Chigbu, said that the long queues drivers had to go through daily was “stressful and dangerous” to their health.

    “Some drivers sleep at filling stations to be able to obtain fuel with which to work. I am supposed to be on the road conveying passengers to their various destinations, but here I am waiting on a queue since dawn.

    “With the way things are going, I don’t think I will get fuel any time soon,” he said.

    Chigbu appealed to the Federal Governments to take decisive measures that would permanently tackle problems of fuel supply in the country

  • Court adjourns case challenging Zakzaky’s IMN ban till March 22

    Court adjourns case challenging Zakzaky’s IMN ban till March 22

    A Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna has adjourned to March 22 hearing on the suit filed by the Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky led Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) against Kaduna State government, challenging the ban of the movement in the state.

    Presiding Judge, Justice A. Shuiabu said the adjournment became necessary to enable counsels to the state government and the Directorate of State Security (DSS) prepare their final affidavit.

    Counsel to IMN, Barrister A. U Ajodo stated that the counsels to the government and DSS submitted their response to the case on Thursday and that he would need time to peruse it before reacting adequately.

    According to him, “lawyers to the government, governor and the DSS just submitted their affidavit this morning and I need to go through it”.

    It would be recalled that after the arrest of IMN leader, El-Zakzaky and some members of the group by the federal government for blocking the convoy of the Chief of Army Staff in Zaria. The state government through the governor Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai put a ban on the group’s activities in the state.

    The governor ordered that its members be arrested if they attempt to hold any form of rally or procession in the state. The IMN is in Court to stop the ban and harassment of its members by security operatives, citing freedom of religion and association, urging that with the ban in place, government will be infringing on their freedom as citizens.

    Assistant Director Public Prosecution, M.D Joseph, counsel to the state government and counsel to DSS, Barrister L.A Bulus and counsels to the Inspector General of Police and the Chief of Army Staff were all advised by Justice Shuaibu to get their acts straight when the case comes up for hearing in March 22, 2018, because he will not entertain excuses.

  • Civil society group decries IGP’s handling of Benue killings

    Civil society group decries IGP’s handling of Benue killings

    A civil society organisation, the Sanctity Transparency Peace Initiative (STPI) has called on the Inspector General of Police Mr. Ibrahim Idris to come clean on the alleged complicity of the police and its negligence which has worsened the herdsmen’s killings across the country.

    In a communique issued on Tuesday after its emergency meeting in Abuja, the group bemoaned the deteriorating security situation in the country, particularly in Benue State.

    The communique, signed by its National Coordinator, Sunday Alakho, the group condemned what it called the less than salutary role of the police chief since the killings by suspected herdsmen started on New Year’s day.

    The group said the IGP’s initial description of the mass murder of innocent villagers by herdsmen as a “mere communal clash” is callous and insensitive against people crying out for Justice.

    It further accused the IGP of flouting the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari to relocate to Benue State and also rated the intervention of the police as a monumental failure, as according to the group, the killings have continued unabated.

    The group also expressed concerns over remarks credited to the IGP that the implementation of the Open Grazing Prohibition Law in Benue was responsible for the killings.

    It wondered if the same law was responsible for the herdsmen’s similar killings in Plataeu, Zamfara, Edo, Ogun, Kaduna and Oyo States where such laws do not exist.

    The STPI maintained that the complicity of the police was confirmed by the reference to Benue’s Governor Samuel Ortom as a “drowning man” by Force spokesman, Mr. Jimoh Moshood.

    It demanded for a full public explanation from the police authorities on what it meant by branding an elected governor “a drowning man”.

    The group urged the Nigerian people not to take the characterisation lightly, as it could be interpreted to mean the safety of the Governor is endangered. It demanded a public pronouncement by the police guaranteeing the safety of Governor Ortom.

    The STPI joined other Nigerians in calling for the immediate arrest of leaders of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore which it accused of masterminding the killings, following an earlier threat issued by the herdsmen.

    It charged the IGP to impartially execute his presidential mandate by ensuring the safe return of villagers who have been moving to Internally Displaced Peoples (IDP) camps and to ensure the safety of their communities failing which he should resign.

    The STPI warned the police authorities to refrain from dragging the noble force into the murky waters of politics in order to disabuse the minds of citizens who suspect that the role of the police in this crisis is a manifestation of a hidden agenda against particular ethnic groups.

    It also recalled with dismay an earlier statement credited to the Minister of Defence, Gen. Dan Ali, citing the Anti Open Grazing law law passed by the state as being responsible for the killings.

  • World Bank supports primary school in Kaduna with facilities

    World Bank supports primary school in Kaduna with facilities

    The World Bank has supported the most populated primary school in Kaduna, LEA Rigasa,  with educational facilities worth more than N30 million.

    The school, which has a population of 22,240 pupils, would benefit from  facilities which  include  500 chairs and  50 mats.

    Malam Dahuru Anchau, the Director of Schools, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, disclosed this in an interview with  News men on Tuesday in Kaduna.

    He said that the items would assist in improving the teaching and learning of the students.

    Anchau, who is also the Project Coordinator, Global Partnership for Education (GPE) in the state, said that the remaining chunk would be used to purchase books and other writing materials for the school.

    He recalled that the bank had in October  2017 ordered the immediate release of the amount during the bank’s midterm review of the N6 billion granted to the state under the bank’s GPE project.

    According to him, the bank’s representative, Dr Olatunde Adekola,  was moved to take action after he saw the pressure the over populated pupils had put on teaching and learning facilities in the school.

    “Adekola immediately announced the intervention for immediate upgrade of facilities at the school.

    Read Also: World Bank: Fed Govt showing more interest in social investment

    “Yesterday,  we supplied the school with over 500 chairs, 50 mats, bookshelves and other items for children’s playground with the first chunk of the money.

    “The remaining amount would be used to supply the school with books and other reading and writing materials as directed by the bank,’’ he said.

    Reports also have it that the bank is spending N20 billion under GPE to support girl-child education in the five states of   Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa and Sokoto where all indexes on education appeared to be very low.

    The partnership is being  supported by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and UK Department for International Development (DFID).

    The target is to increase reading and writing skills for pupils in nursery and those in primary one to three, and strengthen community activism and local governance.

    It is also aimed at expanding access to education through community initiatives and to increase the number of qualified female teachers in areas with high gender disparities.

    The state coordinator said that  over 3,400 primary schools have so far benefited from the programme.

    According to him, a total of 8,050 primary school girls from poor homes had received N45,000 scholarship grants to continue with their education, with 1,170 female teachers also getting similar amount to further their studies.

    NAN

  • Police say ban on rallies, procession still in force in Kaduna

    Police say ban on rallies, procession still in force in Kaduna

    The Police Command in Kaduna State says the ban on all forms procession and rallies in the state is still in force.

    The Public Relations Officer of the command, ASP Muktar Aliyu,  said this in a statement made available  in Kaduna on Tuesday.

    Aliyu warned that any deliberate act to violate the ban and cause breakdown of law and order  would be met with full weight of  the law.

    “The Command wishes to remind the general public that the ban on all forms of rallies, procession is still in force.

    “Persons with intent to disrupt the peace of the state are warned to desist from the act.

    Read also: Police rescue South Africans kidnapped in Kaduna

    “As the command in  collaboration with relevant security agencies is adequately prepared to deal with such attempts in accordance with the law,” he said

    The Spokesman said law abiding citizens are free to go about their lawful business without fear or hindrance as adequate security measures had been  put in place to guarantee their security and safety.

    Aliyu appealed to the public to offer useful information, be  security conscious and report any suspicious activities to the nearest security agency.

    NAN

  • Accident claims 20 lives along Kaduna-Abuja expressway

    Accident claims 20 lives along Kaduna-Abuja expressway

    No fewer than 20 people died in a ghastly motor accident along Kaduna-Abuja expressed way on Sunday night.

    The Sector Commander of the Federal Roads Safety Corps in Kaduna State, Umar Ibrahim said in Kaduna on Monday that the accident occurred around 7 p.m. at Dutse U-turn, 22 kilometres from Kaduna metropolis.

    Ibrahim said the accident involved a white DAF articulated vehicle with registration number: AJG118XA and a white Toyota HAICE bus with registration number: XA866MLF.

    He said that the 16-seater bus was overloaded with 30 passengers, 29 males and a female going to the southern part of the country.

    According to him, the accident occurred when the truck that was coming from Abuja axis was trying to make a u-turn at Dutse when the bus coming from Kaduna axis rammed into it, killing 17 people instantly.

    Read also: Police rescue South Africans kidnapped in Kaduna

    “Ten others sustained injuries and were rushed to the hospital by an FRSC official, where three of them also died.”

    The sector commander said that the truck was going to evacuate cows from a broken down truck closed to the accident scene.

    He said that the number of the death was this high because the bus was extremely overloaded.

    “The bus was not only overloaded with passengers but also choked with dismembered motorcycles belonging to the passengers, “he said.

    He said that the accident caused a trafficking gridlock that lasted for about four hours, saying, “we had to divert traffic to single lane before we were able to clear the wreckage and allow free flow of traffic.”

    An eye witness, Kabiru Mohammed, said that he was on his way to Abuja when he came across the accident.

    “Initially I thought it was armed robbery in progress, because I saw motorists turning back and taking the other lane, before I saw the articulated vehicle by the u-turn that obstructed traffic.

    “On getting there after I took the other lane, I saw a lot of people laying dead, while FRSC officials were trying to take the injured to the hospital.

    “It was really a terrible sight, “Mohammed said.

    NAN

  • Police rescue South Africans kidnapped in Kaduna

    Police rescue South Africans kidnapped in Kaduna

    The police yesterday rescued two South Africans kidnapped at a mining site in Maidoro Village, Kaduna State last Tuesday.

    The rescued victims have been handed over to the South African High Commission in the presence of their company’s representatives.

    A statement by the Force Public Relations Officers, CSP Jimoh Moshood, explained the rescue operation was carried out with police helicopter.

    “The operation, which lasted several hours in the forest in Birnin Gwari area of Kaduna State that led to the release of the two (2) South African nationals, was made possible through coordinated efforts led by Commissioner of Police, Kaduna State.

    “The IGP Intelligence Response Team, Police Special Forces, Police Airwing (Police Aerial Surveillance Helicopter) and Police personnel from Kaduna State Command overwhelmed the kidnappers and the two (2) victims were released,” he added.

    He said investigation was ongoing to arrest the fleeing kidnappers.

     

  • Army launches operation in Kaduna, Niger

    Army launches operation in Kaduna, Niger

    The 1 Division in Kaduna State has launched a special operation in parts of Kaduna and Niger states to tackle kidnapping, robbery and cattle rustling.

    The operation, code named ‘Karamin Goro’, will  cover Minna-Birnin, Gwari-Pandogari and Minna-Sarkin Pawa general area, a statement by the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Muhammad Dole, said yesterday.

    Dole said the operation involved the Air Force, Police, Department of State Services (DSS) and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

    His words: “These criminals use the thick forests as hideouts and major highways as staging areas to perpetuate their nefarious activities.

    “As a result of their dastardly acts, some remote villages were completely deserted, as residents abandoned their ancestral domains for safety.

    “In response to these re-emerging security concerns, the Division launched Operation Karamin Goro to clear the remnants of the criminals from their bases and ensure the safety of life, properties and safe movement of the people.”

    Dole said arrangements and measures have been put in place to ensure safe passage of persons, motorists and their property along the areas of operation.

    He solicited the understanding, cooperation and support of the public to ensure a successful operation.

  • Kidnapping: Army launches operation ‘Karamin Goro’ in Kaduna, Niger

    Kidnapping: Army launches operation ‘Karamin Goro’ in Kaduna, Niger

    The 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Kaduna has launched a special operation in parts of Kaduna and Niger States to tackle rising cases of kidnapping, armed robbery and cattle rustling.

    The operation, code named ‘Karamin Goro’, will cover Minna-Birnin Gwari-Pandogari and Minna-Sarkin Pawa general area, a statement by the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Muhammad Dole said on Thursday.

    Dole said in Kaduna that the special operation involved the Nigeria Air Force, Police, DSS operatives and Nigeria Civil Defence Corps.

    He said emerging cases of armed robberies, cattle rustling and kidnappings in the affected areas have continued to pose serious security threats to Nigerians.

    “These criminals use the thick forests as hideouts and major highways as staging areas to perpetuate their nefarious activities along highways,   major roads, adjoining towns and villages.

    “As a result of their dastardly acts, some remote villages were completely deserted, causing the residents to abandon their ancestral domains to unknown destinations for their safety.

    “In  response  to  these  re-emerging  security concerns,  the Division launched Operation Karamin Goro to clear the remnants of the criminals from their bases and ensure the safety of lives, properties and  safe movement of the people within these general areas.’’

    Dole said arrangements and measures had been put in place to ensure safe passage of persons, motorists and their properties along the areas of operation.

    He solicited the understanding, cooperation and support of the general public to ensure hitch free and successful operation.

    Dole also urged the general public to provide credible information to the security agencies that would lead to speedy execution of the exercise.

    He said that those with useful information should call 193 from any network provider for prompt response by security agencies.

  • Kogi to evolve Cassava Value Chain Policy

    Kogi to evolve Cassava Value Chain Policy

    The Kogi Government has partnered with Synergos Nigeria to evolve a Cassava Value Chain policy as part of efforts to reposition the agriculture sector in line with the Federal Government’s policy.

    Mr Victor Adejoh, Synergos Nigeria’s Field Manager for Kogi, Benue and Kaduna states, implementing the State Partnership for Agriculture (SPA), disclosed this in an interview on Monday in Lokoja.

    Adejoh said the government has also concluded arrangements to organise a Mini Summit on Cassava from where the policy would evolve.

    He said that aside evolving a policy on cassava value chain, the summit was also aimed at promoting the Agriculture sector towards eventual diversification of the economy.

    Read also: Kogi ’s IGR hits N1b monthly

    According to him, the summit, a brainchild of the Agricultural Vision Group ( AVG ) and Agricultural Innovation Group ( AIG ) of the SPA, will also help reposition the state on the world map in Cassava Value Chain.

    “The mini-summit will through a participatory and inclusive panelist engagement, elicit inclusive steps to evolve a Cassava Value Chain Policy to position Kogi on the world map in the Cassava Value Chain”, he said.

    Adejoh said that the summit would be chaired and co-chaired by the state Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Kehinde Oloruntoba and the All Farmers Association of Nigeria ( AFAN ) President in the state, Mrs Rabi Emaiku respectively.

    He said that the Ministry of Agriculture in partnership with key ministries, departments and Agencies of government and non-state actors in the Cassava value chain were promoters of the mini Cassava summit billed for Jan.24.

    The Synergos Field Manager said Kogi Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Development Project ( ADP ), Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the State Bureau for Public Private Partnership ( BPPP ) would be participating in the summit.

    Other participants, he said, included Kogi Chapter of AFAN, FADAMA, Nigerian Cassava Growers Association, CrestAgro Farms Ltd., Unicane Ltd, Bank of Agriculture and NIRSAL.

    Also listed are Kogi Network of NGOs, Kogi Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agricultural ( KOCIMMA ), Federal Ministry of Environment and Small-Scale Women Farmers Organization of Nigeria ( SWOFON )

    NAN