The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Kaduna

  • Abuja Airport Closure: FG assures 24 hours security

    Abuja Airport Closure: FG assures 24 hours security

    The Federal Government has said that it will ensure that road; rail and air space between Abuja and Kaduna are water-tight during the closure and repairs of Abuja airport runway.

    Abuja airport runway will be shut for repairs between March 8 to April 18, 2017.

    During the six weeks closure, Kaduna airport will be used for passenger operation

    This was disclosed in Abuja Thursday by the Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika during the inauguration of the Security Sub-Committee on the Abuja airport runway closure.

    Highlighting the functions of the Committee, he said: “you will note that there is so much hype in our media recently over the proposed closure and repair works to be carried out on the Abuja runway and the perceived security threats on the roads, and rails to Kaduna.

    “You are to provide security at the Abuja and Kaduna airport including road, air and rail transportation, monitor traffic movement from Abuja to Kaduna airport, and provide security to passengers and cargo between Abuja to Kaduna.

    Continuing, he said: “You are required to ensure the safety of lives and property of passengers and other citizens during this period by enhancing your security activities.

    “I hope that this committee will live up to its bidding by making sure that with six weeks period of closure, security should be water-tight for the massive movement of passengers, cargo, luggage and other logistics to and from Kaduna”.

    Sirika also charged members of the Committee to be proactive on any security challenge.

    The committee will be Chaired by Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Alkali Baba and has Director of Safety and Technical Policy, Office of the National Security Adviser, Department of State and Security Services, Nigeria Air Force, Nigeria Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration, FAAN Aviation Security and department of Air Transport management as members.

    Responding, the chairman of the Sub-Committee, AIG Baba assured: “there will be air surveillance, motorised patrol, and we will provide the rail tracks with necessary security from Abuja to Kaduna.

    On logistics needed to ensure the desired security, he said: “We require patrol vehicles and the vehicles will need to be fueled, serviced and we require dry ration for officers who will be on special duty and other things.

    On the present security situation in Southern Kaduna and on whether it will pose threat to passengers, Baba said: “we are assuring Nigerians that we will provide adequate security throughout the movement? We are going to provide security 24 hours throughout the period”.

  • Kaduna Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital union floats football team

     

    The Medical Director, Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Barnawa, Kaduna, Prof. Taiwo Lateef commended the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) of the hospital for floating a football team.

    Lateef, who led top members of staff of the Hospital to watch training of the team on Thursday, said he was impressed with the zeal of the team in projecting the health institution positively.

    He said the team would bring unity of purpose and healthy rivalry within the institution.

    The medical director assured the team of his support whenever necessary and tasked members of staff to take advantage of the sporting facilities provided in keeping themselves healthy.

    The Chairman of the MHWUN in the institution, Mr Atule Emmanuel told newsmen that the team was being funded by the union, adding that the team would be supported to qualify into the national Division One League.

    “Our intention is to form a club that will play in Division One, so that we can discover talents that will play for the national team from our hospital,” he said.

    According to him, other unions will be co-opted to support the team.

    He stated that he was optimistic that the team would get corporate sponsorship and reap from the publicity they would get.

    Earlier, the technical Adviser/Chief Coach of the team, Paul Hossana said the team was working hard to make progress and expressed the hope tat it would blend and become a force to reckon with.

    “We have played several friendly matches and I am convinced that my players are ready to shine.

    “I appreciate the medical director, Prof. Sheikh and I am urging the players and entire management of the hospital to support me fully so that we can move this team to a higher level together,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the institution is billed to host a sports fiesta, as other institutions which include the Federal Medical Centre Lafia, and the National Ear Care Centre, Kaduna have indicated interest to participate.

  • Insecurity: North responsible for own woes, says governors

    Insecurity: North responsible for own woes, says governors

    Governors of the 19 Northern States and the Northern Traditional Rulers Council on Monday met in Kaduna telling themselves what can be regarded as the ‘bitter truth’ that the region was responsible for its own woes.

    The Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Kashim Shettima said, north which is ‘Nigeria’s most thriving region’, has literally conspired against itself to be reduced to the laughing stock of the world.

    The Sultan of Sokoto and Chairman of the Northern Traditional Rulers Council, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III said hatred among northerners and the attendant violence are preached from places of religious worship, which he described as sad and worrisome to the traditional institution.

    Governor Shettima in his welcome address to the first ever joint meeting of the Northern elites under the auspices of the Northern Governors’ Forum, Northern Traditional Rulers Council, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Northern Elders Forum and others, said, Northern Nigeria today is blighted by a deadly (albeit retreating) insurgency, rural armed banditry, cattle rustling, ethnic and religious conflicts, the underlying causes of which are poverty, illiteracy, social exclusivity and severely limited economic opportunities.

    The Governors’ Forum leader said the core challenges in the region revolve around intolerance, absence of peaceful coexistence, poverty, illiteracy and lack of unity.

    According to him, “Governors of the 19 Northern States do recognize, respect and cherish the fact that while others serve for certain periods, traditional rulers mostly make lifetime commitments to the service of our communities. This naturally make Your Royal Highnesses very significant stakeholders in the affairs of Government across the 19 Northern States.

    “Even more crucially, it gladdens the heart to note that our traditional rulers have sustained the time tested and noble tradition of championing the causes of their people. To cite one example, only last week, His Royal Highness, the erudite Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi ll spearheaded the thought provoking debate surrounding the significance of the education of the girl-child and how it can positively impact the progress, development, prosperity, peace, security and stability of the North and, by extension, Nigeria.

    “This very fundamental debate bordering on the educational backwardness, pervasive poverty and underdevelopment as well as persistent insecurity of Northern Nigeria should not only form the underlying basis for holding this extraordinary meeting but must continue, in our enlightened self-interest as leaders, to perpetually preoccupy our our thoughts, plans, programmes and actions.

    “Managing multiculturalism and heterogeneity is a major challenge and indeed a litmus test for leadership, good governance and progress not just in Northern Nigeria but in the entire global society. However, as leaders of government, traditional rulers and community as well as religious leaders we must to unite to tackle the challenges that stare us in the face.

    “Like all the Northern Governors acknowledge, development is not just about building roads, bridges, houses or what we refer to as infrastructure and the provision of social services. Yes, these are very important, but then, there are pro-social livelihoods, peace and good life which are the fundamental attributes of meaningful existence.

    “Our core challenges in the North today revolve around intolerance, absence of peaceful coexistence, poverty, illiteracy and lack of unity. How can we address these critical concerns? We, the 19 Governors of Northern States believe that a gathering of some of the key leaders of the North, is more than able to provide solutions to our problems. As Governors, we are more determined than ever, to sincerely walk the talks generated from this important meeting.

    “There is no gain saying the North is a poor, pathetic shadow of its former self. A well endowed, promising geographic space which accounts for 70% of Nigeria’s land mass, up to at least 60% of its population, with huge solid minerals resources, with potentials for hydrocarbon resources, a growing mining industry, rich arable lands, a blossoming agro-industrial economy, Nigeria’s wealthiest region by GDP and the region with the brightest prospects for accelerated economic growth; in short, arguably Nigeria’s most thriving region, has literally conspired against itself to be reduced to the laughing stock of the world. Northern Nigeria today is blighted by a deadly (albeit retreating) insurgency, rural armed banditry, cattle rustling, ethnic and religious conflicts, the underlying causes of which are poverty, illiteracy, social exclusivity and severely limited economic opportunities.

    “The platform is also driving our ongoing commitment with General Electric for the construction of Solar power plants in five States within the North. Kurfi’s group is also going to drive some funding arrangements with financial institutions and development partners on key areas of Agriculture. Thankfully, Dr Kurfi himself is very keen about the north reclaiming it’s lost glory in cotton production and textiles manufacturing which was the predominant industrial activity in Northern Nigeria, as well as the creation of international markets for our farm produce with emphasis on value chain.

    “Our forum’s secretariat has furnished me with a note that gives details of problems confronting most parts of the North and even suggesting ways of addressing them. However, as my colleagues would say, there will be no point inviting Your Royal Highnesses and distinguished elders if we know the problems and the solutions to them. We will rather prefer to hear from you as we go into a closed door session. We look forward to valuable and free minded conversations that should focus on solving our challenges”, Governor Shettima stated.

  • Insecurity: Northern Governors, monarchs meet in Kaduna

    Insecurity: Northern Governors, monarchs meet in Kaduna

    …Says north responsible for own woes 

    Governors of the 19 Northern States and the Northern Traditional Rulers Council on Monday met in Kaduna telling themselves what can be regarded as the ‘bitter truth’ that, the region was responsible for its own woes.

    This was as the Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Kashim Shettima said, north which is ‘Nigeria’s most thriving region’, has literally conspired against itself to be reduced to the laughing stock of the world.

    While the Sultan of Sokoto and Chairman of the Northern Traditional Rulers Council, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III said, hatred among northerners and the attendant violence are preached from places of religious worship, which he described as sad and worrisome to the traditional institution.

    Governor Shettima in his welcome address to the first ever joint meeting of the Northern elites under the auspices of the Northern Governors’ Forum, Northern Traditional Rulers Council, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Northern Elders Forum and others, said, Northern Nigeria today is blighted by a deadly (albeit retreating) insurgency, rural armed banditry, cattle rustling, ethnic and religious conflicts, the underlying causes of which are poverty, illiteracy, social exclusivity and severely limited economic opportunities.

    The Governors’ Forum leader said, the core challenges in the region revolve around intolerance, absence of peaceful coexistence, poverty, illiteracy and lack of unity.

    According to him, “Governors of the 19 Northern States do recognize, respect and cherish the fact that while others serve for certain periods, traditional rulers mostly make lifetime commitments to the service of our communities. This naturally makes your Royal Highnesses very significant stakeholders in the affairs of Government across the 19 Northern States. 

    “Even more crucially, it gladdens the heart to note that our traditional rulers have sustained the time tested and noble tradition of championing the causes of their people. To cite one example, only last week, His Royal Highness, the erudite Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi ll spearheaded the thought provoking debate surrounding the significance of the education of the girl-child and how it can positively impact the progress, development, prosperity, peace, security and stability of the North and, by extension, Nigeria.

    “This very fundamental debate bordering on the educational backwardness, pervasive poverty and underdevelopment as well as persistent insecurity of Northern Nigeria should not only form the underlying basis for holding this extraordinary meeting but must continue, in our enlightened self-interest as leaders, to perpetually preoccupy our thoughts, plans, programmes and actions.

    “Managing multiculturalism and heterogeneity is a major challenge and indeed a litmus test for leadership, good governance and progress not just in Northern Nigeria but in the entire global society. However, as leaders of government, traditional rulers and community as well as religious leaders we must to unite to tackle the challenges that stare us in the face.

    “Like all the Northern Governors acknowledge, development is not just about building roads, bridges, houses or what we refer to as infrastructure and the provision of social services. Yes, these are very important, but then, there are pro-social livelihoods, peace and good life which are the fundamental attributes of meaningful existence.

    “Our core challenges in the North today revolve around intolerance, absence of peaceful coexistence, poverty, illiteracy and lack of unity. How can we address these critical concerns? We, the 19 Governors of Northern States believe that a gathering of some of the key leaders of the North is more than able to provide solutions to our problems. As Governors, we are more determined than ever, to sincerely walk the talks generated from this important meeting. 

    “There is no gain saying the North is a poor, pathetic shadow of its former self. A well-endowed, promising geographic space which accounts for 70% of Nigeria’s land mass, up to at least 60% of its population, with huge solid minerals resources, with potentials for hydrocarbon resources, a growing mining industry, rich arable lands, a blossoming agro-industrial economy, Nigeria’s wealthiest region by GDP and the region with the brightest prospects for accelerated economic growth; in short, arguably Nigeria’s most thriving region, has literally conspired against itself to be reduced to the laughing stock of the world. Northern Nigeria today is blighted by a deadly (albeit retreating) insurgency, rural armed banditry, cattle rustling, ethnic and religious conflicts, the underlying causes of which are poverty, illiteracy, social exclusivity and severely limited economic opportunities.

    “We all, of course, know these issues. What is of considerable importance to the Northern Governors Forum and I am sure, to our Royal Highnesses, our most respected elders and other stakeholders, is how to urgently and collectively, address these problems starting with our priorities. While we look forward to tapping from the priceless experiences, vast knowledge and eternal wisdom of Your Royal Highnesses and elder statesmen, we have since began doing  some ground work. For instance, the Northern Governors Forum has last year, set up a committee of Attorneys General of the 19 Northern States to review the criminal justice system of Northern Nigeria with a view to amending the penal code to stipulate penalties for criminal offences prevalent in the North today which were not envisaged by the penal code.  

    “The Forum verily recognizes the direct correlation between the collapse of education, industries and agriculture with most of the violence and restiveness in the north. Individual States are deploying different measures to address their peculiarities but as a Forum, we have established the Northern Nigeria Global Economic Re-integration Programme under the leadership of Dr Tanimu Yakubu Kurfi, a very resourceful, internationally connected Northerner, and Chief Economic Adviser to late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua. Dr Kurfi and his team are already following up with the Islamic Development Bank on areas of science education in northern Nigeria.

    “The platform is also driving our ongoing commitment with General Electric for the construction of solar power plants in five States within the North. Kurfi’s group is also going to drive some funding arrangements with financial institutions and development partners on key areas of Agriculture. Thankfully, Dr Kurfi himself is very keen about the north reclaiming it’s lost glory in cotton production and textiles manufacturing which was the predominant industrial activity in Northern Nigeria, as well as the creation of international markets for our farm produce with emphasis on value chain.

    “Our forum’s secretariat has furnished me with a note that gives details of problems confronting most parts of the North and even suggesting ways of addressing them. However, as my colleagues would say, there will be no point inviting Your Royal Highnesses and distinguished elders if we know the problems and the solutions to them. We will rather prefer to hear from you as we go into a closed door session. We look forward to valuable and free minded conversations that should focus on solving our challenges”, Governor Shettima stated.

    The Sultan of Sokoto in own remarks said, “we at the Northern Traditional Rulers Council are very worried and sad with the situation of insecurity in the north, especially the happenings in Southern Kaduna, kidnapping, cattle rustling, the state of IDPs in the North East in particular and other parts of the country.

    “We are more worried with the usage of places of religious worship to preach hatred, violence and other issues that tend to divide us, rather than strengthen our unity as a people created by one God. 

    “We believe, one of the numerous reasons why violence continue to thrive in our midst is the impunity that is allowed to thrive in our midst. Nobody is punished for criminal doings they commit.

    “We are therefore strongly supporting more measures taken and to be taken by Governors of the Northern States, especially the Governor of Kaduna State.

    “We must all strive to achieve lasting peace in the north in particular and the whole country in particular.

    “We look forward to a very robust, blunt and honest discussion today. Let us collectively as one people say enough is enough. We believe the position paper from this council would be presented later to the Northern Governors’ Forum to make our points on these issues and many more”, he said.

    Meanwhile, the Host Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai in his own welcome remarks said, all political, traditional and religious leaders must rise in condemning the incessant killings and destruction of lives and properties in the region, saying, “The security situation has become ever more worrisome, as people who have co-existed peacefully for several years have now allowed some unscrupulous elements to instigate them to take arms against one another, leading to the wanton destruction of the lives of innocent and law abiding citizens”.

    “This is not only reprehensible but most condemnable. It therefore, becomes incumbent on us to assist Government and Security Agencies in bringing all kinds of criminal elements in our midst to justice, without regard to their ethnic and religious pretensions.

    “I wish to call on my colleagues, the Northern States Governors in collaboration with our Royal Fathers to join hands together and never give up in the pursuit of peace and progress for the region. We must strive and restore our region to the status of its glorious past of peace, progress and development.

    “On our part, we have not relented in our efforts in encouraging our diverse people to bridge the communication gaps between and amongst them. We must not allow religion or tribal differences to be a barrier between us and our common humanity”, he stated.

  • One killed, five injured in fresh attack in Kaduna

    The Police in Kaduna on Sunday confirmed that unknown gunmen attacked Zankan village, a Fulani settlement in Kaura Local Government of the state.

    Spokesman of the command, ASP Aliyu Usman, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna that the incident occurred at about 8.30 p.m. on Saturday.

    He said that one person was killed and five others injured in the attack.

    “The dead and the injured persons have been taken to the nearest medical centre in Ganawuri town, Plateau State,” Usman said.

    He, however, said that investigation into the incident had commenced.

    “We are trailing the suspects behind the attack, but so far, no arrest has been made.

    “We are, however, optimistic that the additional police operatives deployed in the area will fish out the culprits very soon,” he said.

    The spokesman reiterated the commitment of the command to secure citizens and property in the state, saying “we will not allow lawlessness to thrive.”

    He appealed to the public to always assist security agencies in the state with useful information to enable them to take proactive measures. (NAN)

  • Politics of figures in Kaduna

    Politics of figures in Kaduna

    DAYS after Ibrahim Yakubu, Vicar General of the Catholic Archdiocese of Kafanchan, told the media last December that over 800 people in four local governments had been killed in Southern Kaduna as a result of Fulani herdsmen attacks, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) responded by disclosing that only 204 people in two local governments had lost their lives. The NEMA North West zonal Coordinator, Musa Ilella, identified the affected local governments as Kafanchan and Chikun LGAs, and the period of his report as October, November and December, 2016 and early January, 2017. According to him, “Four districts in Kafanchan LGA namely: Linte,Goska,Dangoma and Kafanchan town recorded 194 deaths; while Chikun LGA on the other hand recorded about 10 deaths, making a total of 204 so far.”
    The police were the first to rebut the Catholic Church’s figures. During a visit to a part of the affected areas, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris also disputed the Catholic Church’s figures, insisting that 808 people could not have died in the attacks. He, however, offered no statistics of his own, a ringing indictment that either the police did not compile figures when they should have, or that they deliberately refused to publish the figures in order not to give a true and probably worrisome picture of the macabre killings. Many in the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) think there is actually underreporting of the death toll.
    The Catholic Church, which had earlier reported the death toll as covering ‘the past weeks and months’, later clarified its position by indicating that the figure covered the entire period of the crisis when they began to compile figures. That period, the church said, covered 2011 to 2016, and it involved many communities in about four local governments. There was no indication whether its inability to give specific dates when it first addressed the press was an innocent act of omission or simply because they expected everyone to understand and make do with a general figure, for after all, a general figure of that magnitude was troubling enough.
    NEMA on its own, though a federal agency, inexplicably limited its compilation to only two local governments, when even by the admission of the governor of the affected state, Nasir el-Rufai, more than two local governments were embroiled in the crisis. NEMA offered neither excuse nor justification for restricting its study to only four months in a crisis that had been raging for years, nor yet a plausible excuse for limiting themselves to only a part of the affected areas when in fact they knew other areas affected by the attacks.
    Sadly, apart from the police which indefensibly gave no figures at all, Kaduna State itself offers no help whatsoever in that regard, whether estimated or authentic figures. The state perhaps does not think it important to keep a tab on the tragedy unfolding in a part of its jurisdiction. Or, worse still, both the police and the state do not think the exercise of compiling an accurate figure of the human and material losses was important. At least, until the Catholic Church gave their own figures, even NEMA, which is saddled with responding initially and immediately to crises wherever they may occur, did not also think it a part of their responsibilities to compile the necessary figures.
    The state government has also given indication that the crisis in Southern Kaduna is partly caused by dispute over grazing rights, reserves and routes. There were no figures to back their argument. Individuals and associations have, therefore, assumed the responsibility of producing figures of unproven accuracy. In one of such figures, the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) suggests that the state government unfairly proposed 180,000 hectares of grazing reserves in 16 places in the entire state, with Southern Kaduna expected to provide about 130,000 hectares of the reserves. They think this is an iniquitous plan to dispossess them of their lands, for once herdsmen settle in a place, according to them, there is always a tendency to claim the land.
    So far, nothing suggests that the government, whether at the federal or state level, is firmly in control of the crisis. The crisis needs both firmness and fairness to handle; and above all, the state also needs to operate from the position of knowledge. Neither Kaduna state nor the federal government has acquired any of the mentioned tools to settle a problem that is fast becoming intractable for its multitudinous interpretations.

  • Southern Kaduna: Set back for peace as hoodlums attack Emir

    • 3 killed in Tuesday night attack

    There was set back for the efforts to restore peace in the southern part of Kaduna State within the week as three persons were reported killed in a fresh violence, while the Emir of Jema’a, Alhaji  Muhammad Isa Muhammad’s convoy was attacked by hoodlums.

    Meanwhile, the Muslim community from Kafanchan has come out to condemn the alleged denial of the Emir’s attack by the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU), demanding the investigation into the Emir’s convoy attack.

    Saturday Nation recalled that three people were reported killed and several others injured at Samaru-Kataf, in Zango Kataf Local Government Area Kaduna State on Tuesday.

    Violence had erupted at about 8:00pm on Tuesday night at Samarun Kataf, few hours after the state security council had relaxed curfew on the area to 11 hours.

    An eyewitness account had it that the attack occurred around 9:30 p.m. at a beer parlour close to Samarun Kataf market.

    According to the eyewitness who identified himself as Musa Israel, “We heard several gunshots from the direction of a beer parlour close to the market, we at first ran away from the area, but we later realised that three people were killed and their corpses were taken to General Hospital. Many other people were injured while running for their dear lives,” Israel said.

    The Kaduna Police Command PRO, Aliyu Usman, confirmed the incident but could not confirm the casualty.

    Meanwhile, the government had restored a 24-hour curfew on the local government shortly after the violence.

    A statement by the state government said, “The restoration of the curfew follows renewed security threats in Samaru-Kataf where the market was attacked by hoodlums. Security forces have taken steps to restore calm and vigorously enforce the curfew.”

    On the attack on Emir of Jema’a, Saturday Nation gathered that the attackers destroyed three vehicles including the pilot car while the Emir was returning to Kafanchan from the weekly security council meeting at the Government House in Kaduna.

    The Ciroma of Jema’a Emirate, Alhaji Kabiru Tanko, who escaped by the whiskers told newsmen in Kafanchan that, they were attacked around 8:00pm at Samaru Kataf after attending a meeting with the governor.

    According to the Chief, “when we reach Samaru Kataf, some armed youths surrounded us with all kind of weapons and started attacking our convoy. We immediately turned back to Kachia for our safety”, he said.

    The Ciroma commended Governor El-Rufai’s administration and the federal government for deploying security personnel in Southern Kaduna.

    He tasked the government to fully investigate the Southern Kaduna crises holistically, adding that the people behind the crises should be punished without fear or favour.

    He also called on both Muslims and Christians in the state to embrace peace, as all religions teach peace, in order to move the state forward.

    Meanwhile, the Jema’a Emirate yesterday addressed a world press conference calling on the ‎security agencies to investigate the attack on the convoy of the Emir of Jema’a, Alhaji Muhammad Isah Muhammad.

    The emirate also berated the Southern Kaduna people’s Union (SOKAPU) executives for denying that there was an attack on the Emir on the Hausa service of BBC.

    Deputy Chief Imam of the Emirate, Alhaji Muhammad Kabir Kassim also faulted SOKAPU ‎for not making a call to the emir or pay a visit to him over the attack.

    Similarly, the umbrella body of the Fulani community, Miyyeti Allah Cattle Breakers Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has threatened to sue the Vanguard Newspapers and it’s Kaduna State Correspondent over report alleged to be concocted and malicious.

    MACBAN at a joint press conference addressed yesterday by the National Headquarters, Kaduna State Chapter and Zone 3 Chapter, said the decision to seek legal action against the newspaper and it’s Kaduna State correspondent was sequel upon what it termed malicious and provocative article circulated by some media in which it was claimed that MACBAN will retaliate on attacks on its members in Southern Kaduna.

    Ibrahim Abdullahi (Assistant Nationa‎l Secretary General), Haruna Usman Tugga (State Chairman), Musa Mohammed Gambo (State. Secretary) and Abdullamid Musa (Zonal Chairman, Zone 3) who jointly addressed the press said, at no time did MACBAN issued such ‘irresponsible’ article to any media outlet.

    “MACBAN as a peace loving Association which has contributed immensely to the peace and reconciliation efforts not only in Southern Kaduna but also throughout the nation in general, will never decent so low as to advocate for the crisis by way of supporting reprisal attacks on innocent people under any pretext.

    “It is on record that MACBAN has contributed immensely not only in reaching out to all the victims of the 2011 post-election violence and all other subsequent crisis in Southern Kaduna both within and outside the country.

    “MACBAN wish to strongly and in an unequivocal terms, condemned this article and its authors and also called on the general public to disregard such irresponsible article.

    “We want to strongly warn those behind this provocative article in the interest of peace to desist from using our good name to create mischief in the society. We do hereby call on the security agencies to investigate this faceless undesirable element that are behind this write-up in order to bring them to book.

    “MACBAN would continue to reach out to all critical stakeholders and other individuals and groups with the view to working together to insure total reconciliation between these communities that have been co-existed peacefully together for many decades.

    “We wish to condemn a Concocted story by Kaduna State Correspondent of Vanguard Newspapers in 2016 during Godogodo attacks that our Chairman said Fulani have claimed responsibility for the attacks.

    “Our Chairman did not talk with him and we challenged him to provide evidence or retract that fake statements attributed to our Chairman and apologize our great Association or may face a legal action.

    “We call on our members nationwide and in particular those affected by the crisis in Southern Kaduna to disregard this article and always remain peaceful law abiding. We call on everyone to support the Federal Government, Kaduna State Government and all the security agencies in their efforts to return peace and normalcy to the area,” they said.

  • Three feared dead in fresh Southern Kaduna violence

    • as hoodlums attacked Emir’s convoy

    Three people have been reported killed and several others injured in a fresh unrest at Samaru-Kataf, in Zango Kataf Local Government Area Kaduna State.

    This was also as the Emir of Jema’a (Kafanchan), Alhaji Muhammad Isa Muhammad II was attacked by hoodlums same Tuesday night at Samaru-Kataf, destroying three cars in his convoy.

    The Nation gathered that violence erupted at about 8:00pm on Tuesday night at Samarun Kataf, few hours after the state security council hSouthern Kadunaad relaxed curfew on the area to 11 hours.

    An eyewitness account had it that the attack occurred around 9:30 p.m. at a beer parlour close to Samarun Kataf market.

    According to the eye witness who identified himself as Musa Israel, “We heard several gunshots from the direction of a beer parlour close to the market, we at first ran away from the area, but we later realised that three people were killed and their corpses were taken to General Hospital.

    “Many other people were injured while running for their dear lives”, Israel said.

    The Kaduna Police Command PRO, Aliyu Usman, confirmed the incident but could not confirm the casualty.

    Meanwhile, the government had restored a 24-hour curfew on the local government shortly after the violence.

    A statement by the state government said, “The restoration of the curfew follows renewed security threats in Samaru-Kataf where the market was attacked by hoodlums. Security forces have taken steps to restore calm and vigorously enforce the curfew”.

    On the attack on Emir of Jema’a, The Nation gathered that the attackers destroyed three vehicles including the pilot car while the Emir was returning to Kafanchan from the weekly security council meeting at the Government House in Kaduna.

    The Ciroma of Jema’a Emirate, Alhaji Kabiru Tanko, who escaped by the whiskers told newsmen in Kafanchan that, they were attacked around 8:00pm at Samaru Kataf after attending a meeting with the governor.

    According to the Chief, “when we reach Samaru Kataf, some armed youths surrounded us with all kind of weapons and started attacking our convoy. We immediately turned back to Kachia for our safety”, he said.

    The Ciroma commended Governor El-Rufai’s administration and the federal government for deploying security personnel in Southern Kaduna.

    He tasked the government to fully investigate the Southern Kaduna crises holistically, adding that the people behind the crises should be punished without fear or favour.

    He also called on both Muslims and Christians in the state to embrace peace, as all religions teach peace, in order to move the state forward.

  • 20,000 people unjustly killed in Kaduna since 1980 -El-Rufai

    20,000 people unjustly killed in Kaduna since 1980 -El-Rufai

    Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, said on Tuesday that no fewer than 20,000 lives had been lost to the various crises that rocked the state since 1980.

    Governor El-Rufai stated this when he received a delegation of the Nigerian Bar Association who paid him a visit at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House, Kaduna.

    The delegation was led by the President, NBA, Abubakar Balarabe Mahmoud (SAN), first Vice President, Caleb Dajan, National Executive members and other prominent lawyers in the state.

    Addressing the NBA delegation, El-Rufai said, apart from the Justice Benedict Okadigbo Tribunal on the Zango-Kataf Religious Crisis, no government had prosecuted anybody over their involvements in the various crises in the state.

    According to him, “the administration of former Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida established the Benedict Okadigbo Tribunal to try all those that were implicated in the 1992 Zango-Kataf crisis in which Babangida himself, described as hundreds of lives perished and property worth million of Naira destroyed  in that crisis”.

    El-Rufai, however, vowed to prosecute all those found to be behind the recent killings in the three local governments of Jema’a, Zango-Kataf and Kaura, in the southern part of the state.

    He said a number of arrests have been made and more people in connection with the crisis would soon be picked.

    He said, there was no need of setting up of any Commission of Inquiry over the Southern Kaduna crisis: “but we need to enforce the rule of law in the state. I read all the reports which recommended the way out but there is no single person ever prosecuted to the later. “

    He noted that those encouraging the crisis should be mindful that there are consequences for their actions.

     “Since 1980, about 10,000 to 20,000 were killed in Kaduna State during crisis and government did not prosecute anybody. We are determined to end the killings in Kaduna. Henceforth, the law will fully apply without fear or favour. We have made some arrests and you will be shocked to see the calibre of perpetrators that we are going to arrest and prosecute. No matter highly the person is we will bring him or her to face the full wrath of the law to serve as deterrent to others whom may want to sponsor crisis.

    “Some of the things you are hearing are not true. Some people have made up their minds to spread hatred and falsehood especially in the media. We thank you for your visit to Kaduna. Don’t stop at Kafanchan, go to communities to see things for yourself and also interact with all the stakeholders to have correct and accurate facts. By doing so,  your delegation will know the truth. Let me correct this impression, it is not the entire Southern Kaduna that is under attacks, we have problem in three local government areas now under control”, he said.

    Earlier, the NBA President said in his remarks that he led the delegation to express their concern and show solidarity with state over the killings in Southern Kaduna.

    Mahmud, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, expressed grave concern over the continued attacks especially in the southern part of the state.

    He said, “the objective of our visit this morning is a much more sober issue of some of the recent happenings in some of the local governments in the south of the state.

     

  • 6,000 displaced in Gbagys-herdsmen clash in Niger

    6,000 displaced in Gbagys-herdsmen clash in Niger

    At least 6,000 people were displaced in the communal clash between the Gbagys and Fulani herdsmen in Rafin Baruna, in Bosso local government area of Niger State.

    Four people were reportedly killed and property worth millions of naira destroyed on January 10.

    Alhaji Ibrahim Inga, Director-General of the state Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) told newsmen on Friday that the clash had displaced over 6,000 people already.

    Inga said the displaced persons were seeking shelter in Nomadic School in Sabon Gada while others escaped to the neighbouring communities for safety.

    “On Tuesday, four persons were killed, during the Thursday night attack, two people were also killed. Others are receiving treatment in the camp.

    “Relief materials have been given to the IDPs to assist them to cushion the effect of the crisis.

    “It is unfortunate that people are no longer patient with one another. As you can see, the communities are empty, people have left their homes out of fear,” he said.

    He said that security agencies were in the affected communities to ensure the safety of lives and property.

    Inga called on the traditional rulers and community leaders in the state to sensitise the people on the importance of peaceful coexistence.

    NAN reports that Maj.-Gen. Adeniyi Oyebade, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Mechanised Division of the Nigeria Army, Kaduna, visited the affected communities to access the level of the clash.

    The Commissioner of Police in Niger, Alhaji Muazu Zubairu, also visited the communities to ensure normalcy in the areas.

    Malam Danlami Aliyu, a victim of the clash, told newsmen that “ all the farmer produce and houses were burnt down.

    “As you, all can see, all our yams, maize, millet and other property worth millions of naira have been burnt down.

    “All the women and children have run away only some few men are left in the left community.

    “We thank the security men for coming to our rescue and we called on the government to assist us because we have lost food and shelter to the clash,” he said.