The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Katsina

  • Two killed in Katsina

    Two security personnel were killed yesterday in Katsina State during the governorship and State Assembly elections.

    One of the victims, Civil Defence personnel CA2 Umar Aliyu was killed in Kannada Local Government Area of the state and the other  Police corporal Mannir Usman was killed in Danmusa another LGA of the state, according to the police.

    The police also confirmed the abduction of three ad hoc staff of INEC.

    The Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent Gambo Isa said bandits attacked Santa’s Amadi village polling unit at Kannada LGA at about 1.30 pm , shooting sporadically and later pursued and shot a civil Defence Officer, CA2 Umar Aliyu on the chest.

    “The victim died on the spot,” Isa said.

    He added:”On 9/03/2019 at about 14:00hrs, patrol team on election patrol along Gobirawa Falale – Maidabino feeder road, Danmusa LGA of Katsina state was ambushed by armed political thugs led by one Mani Doro, ‘m’, aged 40yrs of Dunya village, Danmusa LGA of Katsina State (now at large) as a result of which the driver of the patrol vehicle, F/No.504614 CPL Mannir Usman attached to Danmusa Division was shot dead by the hoodlums. 3 INEC adhoc staff on election duty were also kidnapped by the hoodlums.”

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for the state, Jubril Zarewa also confirmed the death of police personnel.

    Zarewa said that he was at the Federal Medical Centre, Katsina to identify the body of the slain police man.

  • Masari reports vote buying to police in Katsina, confident of victory

    Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State yesterday reported cases of vote buying in parts of Kafur LGA and other areas in the state in the gubernatorial and state assembly elections by the opposition PDP, to the police  Masari, who voted at polling unit 003 ward A in Kafur Local Government Area at exactly 10.54 am, said it’s unfortunate that those accusing APC is rigging are committing worse crimes.

    Speaking to newsmen shortly after casting his vote, the governor commended the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for correcting the shortcomings of the February 23, adding that the turnout of voters is a sign of good things to come in the state

    On his chances of winning the election, he acknowledged that though it’s too early to predict the outcome, he remains optimistic of winning.

    In a related development, the Director General of Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Alhaji Dikko Umar Dadda, has hailed the peaceful conduct of the elections in the state Dikko who spoke to newsmen after casting his vote in Katika polling unit of Masari ward in Charanchi LGA of the state also commended INEC and security agencies for a peaceful poll.

  • Polls: Katsina records low turnout

    Katsina state experienced voter apathy in the Gubernatorial and State House of Assembly elections.The polls were opened as early as 8am in almost all the polling units across the state.

    Besides, the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) had a better arrangement on ground which allowed for smooth conduct of the polls unlike what obtained in the last presidential and National Assembly elections.

    However, there was low turnout by voters, a situation which made the ad hoc staff to be idle for most part of the day.

    A voter in Turin Wada polling unit 001, Ahidjo Sani-Wali said the north attaches more value to the presidential election compared to any other elections.

    Speaking on the election however, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Mr. Jubrin Zarewa said the near perfect conducts of the polls were as a result of the improvement made to its procedures.

    He noted that electoral materials were deployed early as against the previous elections and also the putting the adhoc staff through refresher training on the handling of the Smart Card Readers.

    Zarewa who also reacted to the report of abduction in Danmusa Local Government Area of the state noted that the commission was yet to ascertain the true position of things, explaining that the latest report from the place shows that ten of the said abducted people have returned.

    He however said the security agencies on a red alert in all identified flashpoint areas in the state.

  • 20 abducted in Danmusa, Katsina

    About 20 people have been abducted by armed men in Dan Musa, Local Government Area of Katsina, it was learnt on Saturday.

    There have been security concerns over likely spill over from frontline states sharing boarder with the state.

    Nine Local government areas share borders with some troubled states, including Zamfara state.

     Reacting to the reported abduction, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Jubrin Zarewa said the commission was still trying to get the true position of things.

    He noted the information from the area was still sketchy.

    Read also: 10 held over clash at Ijanikin, says CP Ebrimson

    Zarewa stated the latest report indicated that some people ran away as a result of fear and they have started coming back.

    He therefore said the commission was working to ascertain the true position of things, noting ten of the said abducted people have come out to say that they ran away out of fear.

    The REC however said that the commission was anticipating that there might be some skirmishes and placed the security agencies on a red alert in all identifies flashpoint areas in the state.

    Details later…

  • Kidnapped INEC adhoc staff released- Police

    The Katsina State Police Command on Thursday told newsmen that the INEC adhoc staff, who was kidnapped by bandits during the Presidential and National Assembly polls in Safana Local Government Area of the state has regained his fredom..

    The State’s Police Commissioner, Sanusi Buba while confirming the development said the victim escaped from his abductors and has since spoken with him.

    He said’’ he escaped from his abductors and has spoken with me on his ordeals. Originally he was not officially engaged by INEC but had volunteered to replace someone who was earlier employed by the commission but could not turn up. We have already made an arrest on the matter and shall certainly prosecute the criminal ‘’

     On the preparations for the Governorship and State House of Assembly Elections slated for Saturday, the Commissioner stated that the command is ready for hitch free polls having deployed the necessary men and materials throughout the state.

    He announced the restriction of movement in the state from 6am to 6pm on Saturday and withdrawal of personnel from VIPs he declined to disclose the number of personnel deployed for ‘’strategic reasons’’, while announcing that a number of criminals were arrested for several electoral offence during the last election in the state, excluding ballot box snatching, vote buying and under aged voting.

     The Nation recalled that an Adhoc Staff working with the Independent National Electoral Commission,Yazid Abdullahi was Saturday February 23, kidnapped by armed bandits while in the company of other four of his colleagues.

    The INEC Electoral Officer for the Local Government Area ,Malam Sabiu Abdulkadir who confirmed the development to newsmen said the kidnappers didn’t remove anything from their victim and that the incident didn’t affect the election in any way.

  • Buhari leaves Daura for Abuja

    President Muhammadu Buhari has departed his hometown of Daura to Katsina en route Abuja after participating in the presidential and National Assembly elections held on February 23, 2018.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Buhari was seen off at the helipad in Daura by the Emir of Daura Alhaji Farouk Umar ,well-wishers and relations.

    Read Also: Buhari wins Nasarawa for the first time

    Buhari left Daura at 10:am on Monday in a presidential helicopter marked NA-541.

    NAN also reports that the president was expected back in Daura by next week to enable him to participate in the Governorship and State Assembly elections scheduled for March 9.

  • Just in: Katsina, Taraba, Kebbi, Zamfara lead in PVCs collection

    Katsina, Taraba, Kebbi and Zamfara states have the most number of collected Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

    The PVCs will be used for voting in the 2019 general elections.

    Katsina, according to INEC data, records 98 percent collection of PVCs followed closely by Taraba state with 97 percent.

    Kebbi has 95 percent while Kebbi and Zamfara boast of 94 percent collection rate.

    Also, Yobe recorded 92 percent collection.

    Details shortly…

  • Police arrest notorious kidnapper in Katsina

    The Katsina State Police Command said it has arrested a notorious member of a kidnap syndicate in the state.

    This is contained in a statement signed by the command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Gambo Isah, and made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Katsina.

    He said that the suspect had threatened to kidnap a renowned businessman in Malumfashi if he failed to pay N2 million as ransom.

    Read Also: Atiku promises Katsina people’s jobs, security

    Isah said that the suspect, Magaji Gudaji, aged 30, of Yandoka village in Dayi area of Malumfashi Local Government, was arrested five days ago after a tip-off.

    The police spokesman said that the police recovered an Itel mobile phone with the SIM card used to commit the offence.

    He added that a threat note written by the suspect to the victim was also recovered by the police.

    According to him, the suspect had confessed to the commission of the crime.

    The command spokesman said that investigations were ongoing to arrest other members of the syndicate.

  • Keep trust or quit, Buhari tells public officials

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday in Katsina warned public officials, particularly those elected and appointed into office, that they must keep public trust or leave.

    The President spoke at the palace of Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir, as he arrived to an epic reception in his hometown for the grand finale of the APC presidential campaign rally before the elections on Saturday.

    The President had earlier visited all the other 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, the President said “Those who betray the people’s trust, we will not spare them, they would be fished out and dealt with.”

    President Buhari told the Emir and members of the Emirate Council that the promises he made before his election in 2015 have been met, adding with certainty that all he needed was a second term and would not ask for more.

    “There is hope in the future of this great country,” the President said, appealing to all Nigerians to ensure a peaceful conduct of the election.

    The President highlighted his administration’s achievements in infrastructure development including improved power supply, as well as empowering artisans, craftsmen, tailors, barbers and battery chargers to increase output and better their own lives.

    “The local production of rice and the increased agricultural production have helped the country to achieve food self-sufficiency,” he said.

    Read also: Oyo speaker condemns Akala’s son’s defection to ADP

    The President thanked the people of his home state for the “unprecedented” turnout of men and women from both rural and urban areas and the intensity of support shown by them.

    The President said it was humbling to see a mammoth crowd line the streets of Katsina and fill the Karakanda Stadium to see and listen to him give a scorecard of his stewardship in the last three and half years.

    In his remarks, the Emir of Katsina noted that the massive support, enthusiastic following and the hero’s welcome received by the President was a clear testimony of the people’s approval for his leadership, personality and integrity.

    He said no other major political figure in Nigeria was anywhere near the President in popular acceptance, adding that honesty can never be defeated.

    The Emir pledged 100 percent Katsina support to the President’s re-election.

  • Thousands troop out in Katsina for Buhari’s campaign

    Thousands of APC supporters have taken over Katsina, the Katsina State capital, awaiting the arrival of President Muhammadu Buhari for his campaign rally in the state.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that some of the supporters who arrived the city on Wednesday slept on the streets in spite of the cold weather.

    There are reports that the Muhammad Dikko Stadium, venue of the rally, was already filled to capacity.

    Already vehicle owners have to park five to ten kilometres away to trek to the campaign ground due to congestion as a result of massive human and vehicular movement.

    Buhari is expected to wind up his campaign this Thursday in Katsina from where he will proceed to Daura to cast his vote in the presidential election on Saturday in which he is a candidate.

    There are also reports of massive hold up on roads leading to the state capital through Jibia, Batsari, Kaita, Daura, Mani, Dutsinma and Kankia, as the All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters come in from across the 34 local government areas in the state.

    So far, there has been no report of any security breach, as police, military and para military personnel keep vigil in strategic locations.

    NAN observed that traders were making brisk business, even as hundreds of APC supporters move round the city chanting praises of the president.