The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Katsina State

  • Corps member donates drugs worth N150, 000 to Katsina school

    A CORPS member posted to serve in Katsina State, Philip Twadar Kpiripti with state code number KT/18B/3470, has donated drugs and other medical equipment worth one hundred and fifty thousand naira (N150,000) to Government Science Secondary School Health Centre in Bataragarawa Local Government Area of the state.

    Speaking while presenting the items to the school, on Saturday, Kpiripti told newsmen that his interaction with the students of the college informed the gesture. He noted that the centre lacks basic medical equipment and other relevant materials needed both for science practical and treatment of students that fall sick.

    He said he sourced money for the drugs through donations from individual pharmacies and corporate bodies who decided to support the project. He called on well-meaning individuals, philanthropists and corporate bodies to come to assist the health centre, as the school alone cannot do it.

    “I want to use this opportunity to appeal to big time pharmacies in Bataragorawa Local Government Area, philanthropists and corporate bodies to assist in equipping the health centre, so as to be able to cater effectively to the health needs of the students of Government Science Secondary School,” Philip said.

    The state co-ordinator of the NYSC, Alhaji Ahidjo Yahaya, commended the donor and called on other corps members to emulate the good gesture.

    He was represented by the head of Community Development Service, (CDS) Mr Ijelekha Ahonsi.

    Meanwhile, the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) practical training has come alive in camp, with the new 2,168 corps members of the 2019 Batch B deployed to the state participating in various training.

     

  • Masari to corps members: work for development

    Katsina State Governor Aminu Bello Masari on Thursday urged newly sworn in National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members deployed in the state to contribute their quota to the development of the state.

    He advised them to participate in community development service projects (CDSP) and augment the state’s manpower needs in the Education and Health sectors.

    The governor, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Hajia Halima Othman, spoke during the swearing in of this year’s Batch “B” Stream I corps members.

    He also urged them to live up to ensure the progress and development of the state and the nation in general.

    Read Also: Masari advises NYSC members on post-camp training

    Masari said: “It is my firm belief that the orientation programme will strongly equip you for this great task. The programme should stimulate and facilitate your analysis of the wholesome aspirations and socio-economic demands of a greater country.

    “In the course of this orientation, you will be introduced to various issues bordering on good governance, national security, culture, tradition and some paramilitary exercise. They are designed to adequately prepare your body and mind for effective participation in the ongoing effort towards accelerating national development.”

    The governor promised to provide the corps members an atmosphere that will be conducive for their camping as well as ensure adequate materials and financial support for a successful camping and service.

    According to him, Katsina State has always remained home away from home to all visitors.

    The State NYSC Coordinator Ahidjo Yahaya said the orientation course, besides proving mental and physical training, would prepare the corps members for their national service.

  • New Katsina NYSC boss to focus on corps members’ skill acquisition

    Newly Appointed State Co-ordinator for the Katsina State branch of the National Youth Service Corps scheme, NYSC, Mr. Yahaya Ahidjo, has resumed duties in Katsina with a promise to focus on promoting training and skill acquisition for youth corps members under the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Programme, SAAEP.

    Ahidjo, who previously served at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja in the Human Resource Department, also observed that the organisation’s mandate has been expanded from national integration to include partnering INEC on election duties, promoting polio eradication, acting as advocacy vanguards and the training of corps members on orientation programmes as well

    He said: “My focus is on skill Acquisition and training, so that they will not depend on white collar jobs, but on skills acquired from training which can make them self-reliant.’

    ”The NYSC is like a fuel filter; we trim, discipline and train the average youth corps member sent to us before resending them back to the labour market.”

    Read Also: NYSC boss wants corpers to be security conscious

    He promised to promote staff welfare and promotion, noting that he is taking over at a peak period expected to climax with the orientation of new corps members

    Earlier in a welcome address, the Director of Human Resources, Alhaji Muhammad Nakamba, assured the coordinator, on behalf of other members of staff’, maximum cooperation and support to enable him succeed.

    He said, “we are happy to hear that the management has approved our building extension project, we are six in number and shall work together and in full support.”

  • Killings: Katsina prays against banditry, kidnapping

    Residents of Katsina state on Sunday thronged the ‘’Hajia Hindatu Abdullah’’, Multi-Purpose Women Center at ‘’Filin Sanji’’ in Katsina to pray against banditry attacks, which had threatened lives and properties in the state for quiet sometime now

    The Prayer which was organised by a Nongovernmental Organisation, ’Muria Talakawa’’(Voice of the Masses), was seen as response to the rising spate of insecurity particularly in the state including among others, banditry, farmer-herder’s upheaval, kidnapping and robbery that continued to claim lives and unquantifiable economic loss in the state

    The Chairman of the NGO, Comrade Kabir Shehu Yandaki, told newsmen in an interview shortly after the prayers that his organization is concerned that in the last five months more than four hundred lives were lost, courtesy of insecurity in the state.

    He further reiterated his believe that prayer was necessary and considered the best weapon as government’s efforts to stop the wanton killings, kidnappings, banditry and other heinous crimes seems not yielding the needed results.

    Read Also: Banditry: 18 victims buried in Katsina

    He said ’’Katsina is one of the North Western states in Nigeria facing serious security challenges such as kidnapping, cattle rustling and banditry among others’’.

    ‘’This special prayer is organized for the first time by our organization in partnership with concerned citizens in the state to coincide with the last ten days of the month of Ramadan, the ten most beautiful and blessed days in the life of Muslim faithful within which the Holy Quran was revealed’’.

    ‘’Irrespective of gender, religious leaders, traditional rulers, members of coalition of civil society organizations, members of the political and business class and other well-meaning citizens in the state converge here to pray for the state and the country at large’’.

    A participant at the prayer session, Hajia Miriam Abubakar, said she is worried about the persistent killings in the state and wants the security agencies to step up their engagements and ensure a quick end to the situation.

    In the meantime, the chairman of the Coalition of Civil Society Organizations in the state, Comrade Bashir Ruwangodiya describes the prayer as significant considering the calibre of people in attendance.

    He reminded the people of the fact that it’s not time to dwell on blames, but rather to look inward and think of the factors that might have led to the present predicament.

  • 18 farmers killed by bandits in Katsina

    The remains of the 18 farmers killed by bandits in Batsari local government area of Katsina State have been buried in Katsina amidst tears by families and sympathizers.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the farmers were killed in their farmlands at Yar-gamji community on Tuesday morning.

    The police later evacuated the corpses and dropped them at the palace of the District Head of Batsari, Alhaji Tukur Muazu Ruma, which triggered a protest by angry youth.

    The angry youth later took the corpses in vehicles to the palace of the Emir of Katsina and Katsina Government House, where Gov Aminu Masari addressed them and called on them to remain calm as the government was taking steps to address the problem.

    The funeral prayer was led by the Chief Imam of Katsina, Sheikh Mustapha Ahmad at about 11:00 am, on Wednesday, at the palace of the Emir of Katsina.

    Read Also: ‘Bandits kill five vigilante members in Katsina’

    Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir, transition Committee Chairman of Batsari, Alhaji Mannir Muazu, traditional and religious leaders were among hundreds of people that attended the prayer.

    The Chief Imam prayed to the Almighty Allah to forgive their sins and grant them eternal rest.

    He also prayed to Allah to avert future occurrence.

    The District Head of Batsari and the Transition Committee Chairman of the area, respectively urged security agents to intensity efforts towards protecting people’s lives and property in the area.

    They also urged people in the area to continue to be law abiding as the government was taking steps to address the problem.

    The deceased were buried at Dantako cemetery in Katsina town.

    NAN

  • Masari inaugurates 28 member committee for May 29

    The Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari on Saturday inaugurated a 28 member committee headed by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Mustapha Inuwa and charged with the task of ensuring a smooth transition to his administration’s second term in office

    Mustapha Inuwa while inaugurating the committee on behalf of the Governor, said members were drawn from divergent professional backgrounds and experiences to ensure timely and quality delivery of their terms of reference

    He said “The committee members were drawn mostly from party elders and individuals who played active role during the 2019 campaigns and the subsequent re-election of the Governor. The Director of Security is the secretary to the committee ’’

    “The members were given terms of references and were expected to establish six subcommittees broken down into publicity, venue logistics, protocol, entertainment and so on. The Committee is expected to submit its report on Tuesday May 14’’

    Read Also: Katsina: APC’s Masari in early lead

    On the non-inclusion of members of the opposition into the committee in fulfillment of Governor Masari’s speech of running an inclusive government, Alhaji Inuwa said the opposition was deliberately left out because they were in court challenging the election.

    He said “Had it been they were not in court contesting our victory at the polls, we would have simply invited them to join the government and nominated their candidates for appointments’’

    “But they chose the other way rather than congratulating us .so we wait till after the court, then we see what happens’’

    The Nation recalled that the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, which came a distant second in the March 9 governorship election, had petitioned the electoral outcome at the State Election Petition Tribunal which began sitting on Monday May 6

    As the countdown to the inauguration of Governor Masari for a second term in office draws nearer, anxiety are mounting particularly on whether the current political office holders will be retained, or dissolved

  • Katsina NIS arrests three human traffickers, rescues five victims

    The Katsina State Command of the Nigerian Immigration Service, NIS, Tuesday arrested three Libyan bound human traffickers, at Kongolan and Farin Gida patrol base, all along Daura road in Katsina state

    The Controller, Katsina state Command, Mr Ajisafe Joshua Olusola, while briefing newsmen on the arrest which he said is the second within five days, said the mission of the traffickers and their victims is to cross the border to Niger republic from where they will then move into Libya.

    He listed the names of the three unrepentant human traffickers to include: Emeka Gideon Okaeri, 39 from Imo state, Obinna Emmanuel, 30 from Abia state and Obumese Murphy obi, 40, from Imo state.

    The names of the recued victims were given as: Emmanuel Eziuche Justina, 31 from Abia state, Ugochukwu Anthony Chilaka, 28, from Imo State, Okike Chigekwu Daniel from Imo state, Daniel glory Chinonso 24, from Abia state, Francis Hillary, 29, from Delta state.

    The Controller further disclosed that the leader of the trafficking cartel, Emeka Okaeri have been living in Libya  for the past 9 years and a frequent traveler criss-crossing Niger, Libya and Nigeria

    Read Also: Bandits kill 10 in Katsina

    He said ’’Emeka represents a trafficking cartel based in Libya and Nigeria and who specializes in trafficking and smuggling. All the suspected human traffickers, smugglers and rescued persons are Nigerians and in possession of their travelling documents’’

    ‘’According to Emeka, the two ladies, Justina and Chinonso were connected to him by one man, who is presently residing in Libya. The man in Libya is the one sponsoring the victims’ journey while Emeka is the one facilitating the journey’’

    The controller assured that the arrested traffickers and their victims will be handed over to NAPTIP zonal Office in Kano, the agency with the core mandate on trafficking in persons, for further investigation, rehabilitation, counseling and prosecution as they may deem appropriate.

     

     

     

  • Bandits kill ten in Katsina communities – Police

    The police in Katsina State have confirmed the killing of 10 persons by bandits at Gobirawa and Sabawa villages in Safana Local Government Area of the state.

    This is contained in a statement issued by the command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Gambo Isah, on Wednesday in Katsina.

    He said that the bandits came on about 150 motorcycles at about 6.10 pm on Tuesday, and attacked the two communities.

    Read Also: Police parade three kidnappers in Osun

    Isah also said that the bandits rustled a number of animals and took away other valuables after killing the Innocent persons.

    He revealed that the command immediately dispatched police patrol teams to the affected communities, engaged the hoodlums in gun duel and chased them away.

    According to him, the police are making efforts to arrest the hoodlums.

    “We will do everything possible to bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to justice and bringing to an end the activities of these rascals”, he said.

    NAN

  • Banditry: Police arrests more criminals in Katsina

    The Katsina State Police Command on Sunday announced more arrest of criminals and syndicates terrorizing the state in most recent times especially in the area of kidnapping, cattle rustling and banditry

    The Police Command’s Public Relations officer, Superintendent Gambo Isah, told newsmen in Katsina that the arrests are part of the  clampdown on all forms of crime and criminality thriving in Katsina state adding that the Command under the leadership of CP Sanusi Buba has being recording tremendous achievements during the period under review

    Gambo further provided the details of the arrests to include a notorious member of cattle rustling/ armed robbery/kidnapping syndicates which led to the recovery of one locally made pistol and axe were recovered in his possession

    Those arrested include one Jafaru Yahaya, aged 40 from Mallamawa village, Tsafe LGA of Zamfara state, for armed robbery and kidnapping and terrorizing Tsafe LGA of Zamfara state and Faskari LGA of Katsina state.

    Read Also: NDLEA arrests 818, seize 452.4kg of Cannabis in Katsina

    He said the criminals were caught up while trespassing into the house of one Alhaji Garba Gajere, of Faskari LGA of Katsina state and intimidated him that, he has been paid the sum of three hundred thousand naira (N300, 000) to kidnap or kill him but that because of cordial relation he had with him, he will not kill him, demanding that he should refund the three hundred thousand naira.

    There were also arrests of members armed robbery and kidnapping syndicates leading to recovery of one fabricated rifle by the Police patrol team attached to Kankara Division who responded to a distress call at Yan-Geme village, where bandits numbering about six (6) trespassed into the house of one Alhaji Salmanu Abdullahi, of Yan-Geme village and whisked away his wife to unknown destination.

    Also an armed robbery syndicate that specializes in strangulating commercial motorcycle riders also known as ‘’okada’’ and robbing them of their motorcycles was smashed and the suspects one Harisu Audu,  aged 23yrs and Tanimu Abdu, aged 18yrs both  of Kubulen Gada village of Niger Republic were arrested. According to the report, an Okada commercial rider, one Mustapha Alto of Sharifawa village, Daura LGA of Katsina state to Dan-Nakola village, Daura was chattered and while on their way the suspects used cable wire and strangulated   the victim to a state of unconsciousness and made away with his motorcycle Daylong, unregistered, valued at one hundred and ninety three thousand naira (N193, 000:00K).

    The suspects were apprehended with the said motorcycle at Birnin Kudu, Jigawa state where they confessed to the commission of the offence.

    Gambo assured that all the arrested criminals will be charged to court

  • Customs officer allegedly stabs graduate in Bayelsa

    A custom officer, identified as Mr. Pereto Ayabowei, from Sagbama Local Government area of Bayelsa state, has reportedly stabbed a graduate on his stomach and leg following an argument at a popular relaxation centre in Yenagoa, the state capital.

    The suspect, said to be serving in Katsina State, was allegedly under the influence of alcohol when he engaged in the act.

    Trouble was said to have started when the bar attendant asked the suspect, who wanted to play the game of snooker, to book his turn.

    But the angry suspect reportedly seized some of the snooker balls boasting that he would deal with anybody, who dared him in a military style.

    Recounting the incident, an eyewitness, who spoke in confidence said: “We were playing snooker, when the suspect came. At first he was friendly with us.

    “But we noticed his tongue was coloured blue and smelling of alcohol. He requested to play a set on the snooker board and he was told to pay and wait for his turn but he rather became agitated and seized the white ball.

    “We pleaded for him to return the ball but he rather left us stranded on the board. That was all I know before we heard noise that he was killing someone”.

    The victim, a graduate of River state polytechnic, identified as Mr. Anthony Amangala said: “I was only pleading with him to return the ball when he seized the other ball.

    “We tried to talk to him because the people were waiting to play but he used the seized ball and hit my nose which made me bleed profusely.

    “The people even told me to leave him and go get myself treated since I was bleeding and I had left him.

    Read Also: Bayelsa urges youths to shun crime

    “But the next thing I heard was a loud shout from people telling me to run that he was coming with a dagger.

    “I couldn’t run since he was close, and the next thing was a stab on my stomach.

    “He brought it out after the first stab and wanted to stab again but I pushed his hands before he stabbed my leg.  If not for the people I would have been killed and left in my pool of blood.

    “I was left unconscious on the floor and the next thing I woke to find myself in the hospital with severe pains.”

    A close relation to the victim, who was at the clinic, said that the victim had been restless and prayed against internal bleeding.

    The lawyer to the suspect, Nwanchukwu Peter, claimed it was a civil matter of two fighting, adding that his client wasn’t under the influence of alcohol but was only defending himself.