The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Katsina State

  • Fracas as Police on VP convoy engage customs officials in Katsina

    There was a mild drama along Katsina -Jibia road as Police officers attached to the convoy of the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbanjo attacked and beat up three customs officials on border checking point at Daddara village, Katsina state.

    The incident occurred at the village, when the vice president who was in the area on behalf of President Buhari to condole with victims of recent flood disaster in the area was returning to Katsina after the visit.

    Read Also:Police foil attack on Zamfara community

    Trouble started when the customs officials had apprehended a vehicle with which a group of youths had allegedly smuggled contraband goods from neighboring Niger Republic.

    It was while the customs officials were struggling to impound the vehicle belonging to the suspected smugglers that the vice president’s convoy passed by the village while on its way to the metropolitan area.

    An eyewitness said the customs officials were threateningly brandishing their rifles to ward off several youths who stormed to the scene in show of sympathy to the smugglers.

    According to him, the police in the convoy of the vice president, on seeing what the customs officials were doing with their weapons, perceived it as a security threat.

    He said “Several policemen immediately came down from their vehicles and descended on the customs officials. One of them even fired a shot into the air’’.

    “I saw one of the policemen struggling to collect a rifle from one of the customs officials, but when he couldn’t, he continued to slap the customs official,” he added.

    He said that the suspected smugglers however used the opportunity of the commotion to tow their vehicle away.

    “Some of the youths that had gathered threw stones at the customs officials’ vehicle and continued to boo them till they left the area.”

  • FG to assist, compensate victims of Jibia flooding – Osinbajo

    The Federal Government, on Tuesday pledged to assist victims of flood disaster in Jibia Local Government Area (LGA) of Katsina state.

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo made the pledge when he visited the scene of the disaster to commiserate with the victims in Jibia.

    “I am here on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari to commiserate and condole with the Katsina State Government and victims of the disaster.

    “The President asked me to assure you that everything will be done to ensure that every victim is taken care of and this never repeats itself again.

    “We are here with the Director General of National Emegency Management Agency (NEMA), to provide all the relief materials that will be needed.

    “As Nigerians, we deserve to live our lives happily, we deserve to be treated well,’’ Osinbajo said.

    Read Also: 2019: North West lawmakers endorse Buhari/Osinbajo

    He prayed to Almighty God to avert future occurrence of the disaster.

    “We will work with the state government where compensation is necessary, we will compensate and rebuild where necessary,” Osinbajo

    The disaster occurred last week, leading to the death of over 50 persons and rendering over 1,000 homeless.

    NAN

  • Masari decries scourge of water borne diseases in Katsina

    Directs the provision of clean water

    Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina state has decried the upsurge in cases of water borne diseases in the state, including the cases of Cholera and Diarrhea that is currently ravaging the state, attributing it to unsafe drinking water.

    Masari who made the disclosure while commissioning a solar motorized borehole donated to Bagaruwa village in Mani Local government by a Non-Governmental Organisation, NGO: NIREK Nile foundation, noted that if clean potable water would provide to communities most of the diseases ravaging the state would be curtailed.

    He said “with clean water the country can save money, time and energy wasted in looking for it”.

    Read Also: Masari, Badaru commissions Max Air domestic flights

    Masari further directed relevant agencies of government to ensure the provision of clean to both the rural and urban areas as part of measures aimed at controlling the cases of water borne diseases

    He equally tasked the community to form an 11- member committee to supervise the operations of the borehole and ensure its judicious use.

    In his remark, the chief executive of the foundation, Mr. G.S Reddy said the donation is part of their corporate social Responsibility in supporting rural communities.

    Also speaking, the district head of Mani, Alhaji Babani Isa Mani, praised the state government for the many projects executed in his domain.

  • Cholera outbreak’ KSHA wants urgent Katsina govt’s intervention

    The Katsina State House of Assembly, KSHA, has called on the state government and the Primary health care Development agency, PHCDA to urgently intervene to tackle the cholera outbreak in the state which has so far killed about 17 people with 50 others currently hospitalized in the General Hospital Funtua.

    The house which began its New Year legislative seating for the Fourth and final quarter presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Alhaji Shehu Dalhatu Tafoki, was reacting to a motion of urgent state importance moved by Hon Mohammed Abubakar representing Funtua constituency in the state house of Assembly

    Honorable Abubakar had told the house that currently 50 persons are hospitalized at the general hospital, especially from the worst affected areas including Goya, Dikke, Maska, and some parts of Funtua town and wanted the house to intervene on the matter.

    The Nation recalls that no fewer than 11 persons were said to have been killed by cholera outbreak which struck and affected six local government areas of Katsina State on Sunday July 1st.

    Read Also: Police arrest 8 suspected kidnappers in Katsina State.

    News report reliably gathered revealed that while five out of the 11 persons died in Funtua LG, the remaining six died in Kusada LG as a result of the outbreak.

    Although when contacted, the State Commissioner of Health, Mariatu Bala Usman confirmed the incidence in Kusada, she however advised that the Executive Secretary, State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Idris Muhawiya be contacted for further confirmation

    She said” “I advise that you contact Executive Secretary of the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Maawiya’’.

    “The outbreak in Kusada is known to us since last week. Adequate steps have been taken to curtail the spread including public enlightenment, live phone in radio tv programs, on the spot assessment by State Epidemiologist and his team, provision of drugs and commodities for the treatment of patients free of charge. Intensive radio and tv jingles are scheduled to commence this week Insha Allah,”.

    As at press time, efforts to reach the Executive Secretary, SPHCA, Dr. Muhawiya for comments on the development proved abortive.

    A source who spoke on a condition of anonymity said, “As at 29th and 30th of June, 2018, the death figure from cholera stood at 11 from 132 cases recorded in 6 local government areas of the state.

    “We are already fully on ground to curb the spread of the disease,” the source reliably said.

  • Killings: Police boss tasks operatives on Vigilance

    The Katsina State Commissioner for Police, Muhammad Wakil, on Thursday charged over 1oo newly promoted Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP, to be more vigilant and remain pro-active especially in the wake of rising security challenges facing the country

    Apparently referring to the killings in Plateau state, the CP  further warned against complacency on the part of the operatives adding that the wanting killings in the country can be addressed with a proactive security  arrangement that is ready to counter miscreants

    He said ’’at a time the security challenges in the country are mounting, you are being called to contribute your quota in ensuring the protection of lives and property; you must justify this promotion by ensuring that the crime rate goes down’’

    Read Also: Police arrest 48 suspected cultists in Lagos

    Wakili also warned against trampling on the people’s right or acting outside the provisions of the law, saying doing so will leave the officer defenseless and unjustified

    He said’ if you are guided by the law in your actions you are not liable, because the state will protect you, but if you acted outside the law, you are on your own, don’t trample over your subordinate’s right, be guarded by the laws of the land’’

    The CP  announced that the performance of the officers  and men of his command will henceforth be assessed based on the statistics on crime rate, adding that  if the rate report is high ,it means such an officer is not performing while the reverse is the case if the rate is low

    He said ’’give people their rights, crimes are captured by law, I cannot wake up and say this action is a crime, crime has to be captured bylaw’’

    In a related development, security agencies in the state are stepping up arrangements to ensure a safe trip for President Buhari, during his visit to the state today, as heavy military presence has be mounted in several strategic points in the city

     

  • Police decorates 51 newly promoted officers in Katsina

    The Katsina State Police Command on Thursday decorated 51 newly promoted police officers, comprising Chief Superintendents, Superintendents, Deputy Superintendents, Assistant Superintendents and Acting Assistant Superintendents of Police respectively

    Addressing the newly promoted Officers, the State commissioner of Police, Muhammad Wakili challenged them to join hands in tackling the issue of insecurity, criminality and maintenance of law and order in the state.

     CP Wakili further urged them not to relent in their efforts to ensure that security challenges in the state were properly addressed.

     He reiterated that the current security trends in the country require proactive measures to combat such crimes as armed robbery, herdsmen/farmers clashes, and communal clashes arising from boundary disputes.

    He said “As we are aware of the security situation of the nation and Katsina state. It is a serious challenge that we must wake up to do our work to the best of our ability with the fear of God. So I urge you to work harder”.

    Read Also: Police arrest suspected armed robbers in Anambra

     The Katsina police chief, while urging the officers to champion the cause of community policing, assured that the command would take necessary measures to restore security to the state.

     While lauding the Nigeria Police Service Commission (NPSC) and the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris for promoting the officers, he noted that the promotion was the first of it kind in the history of Katsina state command.

    A further breakdown of the list of the 51 promoted shows that there are 19 Superintendents of Police (SPs) promoted to the rank of Chief Superintendents of Police (CSPs), 11 Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs) elevated to Superintendents of Police (SPs).

     Also there are 18 Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASPs) promoted to Deputy Superintendents of police (DSPs) and three Inspectors promoted to ASPs.

    The events was well attended by heads of security agencies in the state and heads of parastatals

     

  • Masari decries high rate of kidnapping

    Katsina State Governor, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari has expressed concern over the high rate of kidnapping of innocent people in the state, which he maintained, has reached a frightening scale

    Masari who make the declaration on Monday in the government house chambers while receiving senior members of judiciary and heads of security agencies in the state, who paid him Sallah homage, said kidnapping has remained one of the most threatening security challenges facing the state at the moment deserving urgent attention.

    He said “we have common problems involving all the states in the South West, yesterday it was Boko Haram, to cattle rustling, which made farming and live difficult for ordinary Fulani man, We collectively arrested these situations to the barest minimum, with armed robbery already eliminated, now it is kidnapping which has reached a frightening stage’’

    The governor tasked security agencies to map out plan towards dealing with the problem and install levels of normalcy. He also advised both the security agencies and the judiciary to work together and prosecuting and convicting the suspected criminals, adding that effort to deal with security challenges in the state would not succeed if there is no conviction of criminals.

    Read Also: Masari tasks Judiciary on quick dispensation of Justice

    He said “No matter how we try, if there is no conviction of the criminal then it makes no sense of our justice system and gives encouragement to criminals to continue in their nefarious acts’’

    Earlier, leader of the delegation and chief Justice of the state, Justice Musa Danladi Abubakar assured the governor that the judiciary and security agencies would assist him in addressing the problems facing the state.

    Justice Danladi further commended governor Masari for his commitment and zeal in running the affairs of the state, adding that his tenure has recorded remarkable achievement in many sectors of the economy.

  • Eid-el –fitr: Masari, Emirs wants Muslims to shun religious intolerance

    Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State has urged Muslims in the country to shun religious intolerance, be their brother’s keeper and imbibe the lessons of the recently concluded Ramadan fasting period

    Masari who felicitated with Muslims over the successful completion of the Ramadan fast, in a Sallah massage in Katsina yesterday signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Abdu Labaran Malumfashi, also urged them to make a life habit of the lessons the month of Ramadan teaches, having gone through the fasting period in devotion, obedience, charity, perseverance and respect for others,

    He said ‘’these traits should be a life time habit that should outlive the limited period which the Ramadan fast was observed, these virtues should also form the foundation upon which Muslims and adherents of other faiths anchor their affairs and conduct with and among each other’’.

    The Governor further maintained that a life of devotion limited in time and scope could only be but of momentary utility to the larger society, unless there is conscious effort to sustain the positive narrative by all at all times.

    Read Also: Masari swears-in new CJ, Grand Khadi

    Masari insisted that Nigeria and the leadership were in dire need of everyone’s collective goodwill in prayers, action and utterances so that together, the country may survive the adversity and move in the right direction.

    The Governor also commended the non Muslims for being their brothers keepers by joining in feeding the indigent fasting Muslims in many parts of the country, saying that this is exactly the attitude that we should strive to imbibe to make our country great and shame the enemies of Nigeria’s progress.

    Also in their Sallah messages, the Emirs of Katsina and Daura, AlhajiAbdulmumin Kabir Usman and Alhaji Umar farouk Umar respectively, urged the youths to shun violence and reject every invitation to be used as political thugs more especially during electioneering

    The Monarchs further urged Nigerians to promote peaceful co-existence and respect for the rule of law as we march towards 2019.

    The Sallah celebrations in Katsina state was peaceful, and marked with fanfare including the traditional Durbar ceremonies which was held across the state

  • No mortal power can stop Buhari’s re-election – Emir

    The Emir of Daura, Katsina State, Alhaji Umar Farouk Umar, declared on Friday that President Muhammadu Buhari looks unstoppable in his re-election bid next year, as  no mortal power can constitute any obstacle in his quest.

    “No mortal power will prevent Buhari’s re-election. He has five  more years to go from date,” Umar said while receiving a former governor of Abia State , Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu in his palace.

    “At the end of his second term tenure , Nigerians will even crave for his third term, because of what he might have achieved, God will shame any one against Buhari’s re-election,’’ he added.

    The Emir warned those he said were out to frustrate Buhari’s re-election bid, and said God will shame them

    Kalu had earlier told the emir that some people are bent on frustrating Buhari’s re-election bid, but that their effort would not come to fruition.

    He said a prominent figure from the southern part of the country was among those spearheading the issue, but that Buhari’s noble cause would prevail at end of the day.

    He said the President had “performed excellently in various sectors especially in addressing the problem of corruption” which had given the county a bad name for many years.

    Read Also: Buhari to Nigerians: Shun individualism, sectionalism

    The former governor was in the state as part of sensitization for the actualization of another term for the president, an effort he was making through the National Movement for the Re-election of Buhari.

    Kalu also visited Governor Aminu Bello Masari, and the Emir of Katsina, Abdulmumini Kabir Usman to promote the president’s re-election bid.

    Kalu said Buhari deserves another term in office in view of the people-oriented programs carried out in the country, even as he condemned those unduly criticizing him over his ambition.

    He said “Buhari deserves re-election not criticism to enable him complete the good work he has begun for the country.”

    He added that come 2019 general election; there was no amount of intimidation, blackmail or attacks that could stop the president from seeking another term in office.

    Also speaking, governor Aminu Bello Masari called on Buhari not to be bothered by criticisms, but give attention to his good work for Nigeria.

    Masari described Buhari’s critics as enemies of democracy, with call on Nigerians to come out enmass next year and vote for Buhari, to enable him consolidate on his achievements.

  • Shema: Katsina High court reserves ruling till July 9

    A Katsina High Court on Tuesday reserved till July 9, for ruling on the admissibility or otherwise of the report of committee that investigated Local Governments Finances as evidence against the former governor of Katsina State, Ibrahim Shema for misappropriating about N11 billion during his tenure.

    During the court proceedings on Tuesday, Chairman of the committee, Alhaji Ibrahim Dabo, was called to testify where he presented the document before the court. Dabo told the court that he was appointed chairman of the committee in 2015.

    He said that the committee discovered irregularity in payments and misappropriation of public funds from the State and local Governments Joint Account.

    He said ‘’That Joint Account committee never held a single meeting and there is no single minute of meeting, ’’.

    The lead counsel to the defendants, Joseph Daudu, SAN, told the court that the only admissible document is oral testimony as such the document is faulty.

    He further maintained that prosecution must prove beyond reasonable doubt to provide evidence that the offense was committed.

    He said ‘’The witness is not a clearing house of a court, I urged the court to reject it,’’

    Mr Akinlolu Kehinde, counsel to the then commissioner for local government, Sani Makana, said that written documents are required to supply missing links on oral testimony.

    He said ‘’the document is incomplete because it contained 25 anecdotes and I have not found anyone in it,’’. He urged the court to reject it.

    Read Also: June 12: Katsina Govt backs Buhari as Atiku’s ex-aide threatens law suit

    The lead counsel to the prosecution, Sam Ologunarisa, SAN, argued that the document is not a report of the Commission of Inquiry, adding that all what the witness said was that a committee was set-up to investigate the Local Governments Finances and SUBEB, ‘’no more, no less’’.

    He said that section 1 and 4 of the Evidence Act revealed that the document is admissible and is applicable under section 67 of the same act. He urged the court to overrule the objection of the defendant counsels.

    The judge, Justice Ibrahim Maikaita Bako, adjourned the sitting to July 9, for ruling on the document presented before the court as evidence.

    Recall that Ibrahim Shema, the former governor of Katsina state has been standing trial over  alleged money laundering case amounting to N11 billion

    Shema alongside the former Commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs Hamisu Makana, former Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government Lawal Rufai, and the then Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) chairman Lawal Dankaba were arraigned before the court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 24-count charge.