The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Katsina

  • Police burst armed robbery syndicates in Katsina

    The Katsina state police Command over the weekend announced the successful crack down on a notorious highway armed robbery syndicate based on a tip off.

    The Command succeeded in busting a notorious armed robbery syndicate that has been disturbing Kankia – Kusada – Kano road and robbing innocent commuters of their belongings.

    A press release which signed by the Public relations Officer to the state command Superintendent Isah Gambo said the robbers namely: Rabe Aliyu of Macinjin village, Kankia LGA , Tukur Alhaji Mati and Maharazu Abubakar both of Saifawa village, Kusada LGA,all from Katsina state, were arrested when they blocked the Kusada – Kano highway, armed with dangerous weapons and robbed the occupants of a motor vehicle Volkswagen Gulf, of their money, handsets and other belongings.

    In the course of Investigation, victims have identified the suspected robbers to be the ones that robbed them.

    The release further stated that two handsets and a bag belonging to the victims were recovered from the suspects during police search and that other exhibits recovered from the suspects includes the followings, the sum of N86, 700, Four GSM Handsets and one black Jincheng motorcycle with reg. No. QB 264 KSD

    In another development, the police have announced the arrest of another notorious armed robbery and kidnapping syndicate who were terrorizing Kafur, Danja and Malumfashi LGA areas of Katsina state.

    A statement said those arrested including Ibrahim Ali, aged 18yrs and Usman Yusuf alias ‘GWIWA’, aged 30yrs both of Gozaki village, Kafur LGA of Katsina state and others now at large, were armed with dangerous weapons and attacked the house of Alh. Musa Adamu of Gozaki village, Kafur LGA of Katsina state, robbing him of an unspecified amount of money and other valuables, and also kidnapped his 14yrs old daughter to an unknown destination.

    The report further stated that the suspects confessed to having masterminded the kidnappings of two girls, one at Hunkuyi LGA of Katsina state in which they extorted the sum of five hundred thousand Naira (N500, 000) as a ransom from the family of the victim and another at Gozaki in Kafur LGA of Katsina state which the victim escaped from their custody.

    Another notorious armed robbery syndicate that specializes in hitting motorcyclists with iron hammer was also arrested based on a tip off.

    The duo of Yayaa Suleiman, aged 25yrs of Marabar Kankara village, Malumfashi LGA and Abdulaziz Abdulkadir aged 28yrs of Kukar Sheka village Kankara LGA of, who chattered an Okada commercial motorcyclist from Central Motor Park to Janbango Quarters, Katsina, were said to have brought out a heavy hammer and hit the Okada driver on his head while on motion

  • Masari dismisses state civil service

    The Katsina state Governor, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari, said he has lost confidence in the ability of the state civil servants to help government in the speedy implementation of policies and programmes, saying they have lost touch since the inception of present administration.

    Masari who was speaking when he received the Head of civil service of Katsina state, Alhaji Usman Idris Tune, who led permanent secretaries and other top functionaries of government, to pay him a sallah homage at government house, said the present administration had been making frantic efforts to reposition the civil service for optimum productivity, but that the result had remained dismal

    He however described the civil service as the engine vehicle for the implementation of government policies and programmes, regretting that this laudable objective had been corrupted by the resort to recruiting consultants and contractors to do the civil service work.

    He said ‘’so many people were of the opinion that this administration would operate the civil service in the same manner it was operated by successive administrations, some of the people were even members of the APC administration who were key officers of the struggle, however what APC was preaching was attitudinal change’’.

    ‘’ if government business is to be going properly , all those appointed by the previous administration and the ones appointed presently, except those who committed offence or otherwise would be made to continue in the service’’.

    ‘’ entitlements of the civil servants would continue to be paid as at when due, while the present administration would intensify training and retraining of the workforce. Opportunity for training of civil servants is an investment for the state and the country at large’’.

    He further contended that it is not enough to join the service as a graduate if one is not properly exposed to training, saying that in the past, there was no exception for those who are well connected in government.

    The Governor also recalled that the tenure policy introduced by the federal government was copied by the previous administration with negative consequence that helped in crippling the civil service in the state.

    He said ‘’at the federal level, the tenure policy introduced was to check stagnation in the process, even if it was done with good intention, some permanent secretaries took advantage and the casualties were more from the northern part of Nigeria’’.

    The effect of the tenure policy at the state level, he said was that it created a huge gap and almost eliminated middle and Senior level manpower in the state. Right now, he said in the ministries, one could hardly find one or two civil servants that could effectively write a good memo.

    Read Also: Niger spends N930m on new road

    Governor Masari noted that the civil service was supposed to guide the political leadership, adding that the political leadership was to design policies and programmes for the civil service to implement.

    He assured that the civil service profession would also continue to receive government attention for effective service delivery so that not all government jobs would be given to consultants or contractors.

    Earlier, the head of civil service, Alhaji Usman Idris Tune assured the governor that the permanent secretaries would continue to put in their best for the success of government policies and programmes in the state.

    He expressed gratitude to the governor for giving the civil service a level playing ground for optimal production.

  • Police arrest girl, 19, for drugging Okada rider

    The Police Command in Katsina State has announced the arrest of a 19-year-old girl, Zinatu Abubakar,who allegedly drugged a commercial motorcycle operator and attempted to snatch his motorcycle.

    A statement signed by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Gambo Isa, made available to newsmen on Thursday in Katsina, said the suspect belonged to a syndicate operating in the state.

    Isa said the suspect drugged a motorcyclist, Gide Wada, who was conveying her from Kofar-Kaura to Sokoto Rima Quarters in Katsina metropolis.

    The police spokesman said Wada had to park his motorcycle when he started becoming drowsy after he ate a piece of chocolate the suspect gave to him as they were moving to her destination.

    Read Also:Second chance for 6,000 out-of-school girls

    According to him, it was after the victim parked the motorcycle that he became unconscious and the suspects’ accomplices,one Abubakar and Chairman, now at large, attempted to snatch the motorcycle.

    He explained that the accomplices ran into the bush when the condition of the motorcyclist attracted the attention of people nearby, who apprehended Zinatu and handed her over to the police.

    Isa claimed that the suspect had confessed to have been committing such offence in Kaduna and Kano states, adding that the police were on the trail of her accomplices.

    He advised Okada riders and commercial drivers not to take food from people they know nothing about, so as not to become victims of robbery.

  • Buhari to Theresa May: 2019 Election will be free, fair, credible

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday in Abuja assured the United Kingdom (UK) Prime Minister, Theresa May of his commitment to conducting free, fair and credible elections in 2019.

    He made the remark during a bilateral meeting with the visiting Prime Minister at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    President Buhari, according to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, welcomed UK’s support at strengthening democratic institutions in the country.

    He said ‘‘I assure you that I’m all out for free, fair and credible elections. I’m very pleased that my party is doing very well. The High Commissioner will brief you more. The recent successes in polls in Katsina, Bauchi, and Kogi have boosted our morale greatly.

    ‘‘Nigeria has accepted multiparty democracy and that is putting politicians on their toes, forcing them to work harder,’’ he said.

    On the anti-corruption campaign, the President applauded the British support to the country, noting that the success of the fight was very important to ordinary people in the country.

    He went on “We had great opportunities and resources between 1999 and 2014, due to high oil prices. But when we came in 2015, oil prices plunged to as low as 37 dollars per barrel.

    ‘‘What we have been doing since 2015 is to focus on infrastructure development, despite low earnings. Work is ongoing in roads, rail, power, and many others.”

    On Brexit, President Buhari noted that it provides an opportunity to strengthen the historic ties between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

    Read Also: Buhari visits Theresa May in London

    ‘‘We are nervously watching the development about Brexit because we know that the relationship had been on for a long time.  I assure you that I am prepared to strengthen the relationship between our two countries.’’

    The President also thanked the UK government for the support on security and the fight against insurgency in the North Eastern part of Nigeria, and the improved trade relations between both countries.

    ‘‘I am very grateful to the British government under you leadership for the help in security, particularly your training team that is in our institution in Kaduna,’’ he said.

    Speaking earlier before the bilateral meeting, the Nigerian leader underscored the need for UK support on reviving of Lake Chad, which is a means of livelihood for millions of people.

    The President told the visiting Prime Minister that Europe and China were already conducting an in-depth study on recharging the Lake through inter-basin transfer from the Central African Republic.

    In her remarks, Prime Minister Theresa May, who welcomed the assurance by the Nigerian government on credible elections in 2019, said she was pleased to be in Abuja to continue the ‘‘excellent discussions’’ she started with President Buhari in London in April, this year, particularly on security, trade, asset recovery and the fight against corruption.

    ‘‘Security and defence cooperation are very important steps to address Boko Haram and Islamic State in West Africa,’’ May said.

    On asset recovery, the Prime Minister told President Buhari: ‘‘We do not want to hold anything that belongs to Nigeria people, but we follow the judicial process, which can be slow.’’

    The Prime Minister appealed to President Buhari to use his position as ECOWAS Chair to keep the issue of human trafficking on the front burner in the sub-region.

    President Buhari and Prime Minister May witnessed the signing of two agreements: Security and Defence Partnership and Economic Development Forum Agreement.

     

  • Katsina procures N140m ICT facilities for schools

    The Katsina State Government yesterday said it has spent about N140 million on the procurement of science textbooks, equipment and ICT facilities for its secondary schools.

    Commissioner for Education Dr Badamasi Lawal said this when he received Old Students of Usman Nagogo College of Arabic and Islamic Studies in his office.

    Lawal said the textbooks were purchased in 2018 to boost science and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) education.

    According to him, the government plans to spend additional N136 million to equip 18 science and technical schools across the state.

    Lawal told the visitors that the government had recruited 500 science teachers and renewed the services of others on contract to enhance science education.

    The commissioner restated the commitment of the administration towards supporting such associations to enhance teaching and learning in the state.

    Earlier, the Chairman of the old students association, Malam Mustapha Lawal, informed the commissioner that they had initiated programmes to complement government efforts in moving the sector forward.

    Lawal said that the association undertook programmes like career guidance and counseling in secondary schools and lectures for students on the dangers of drug abuse.

    He said that the association also conducted extra lessons for Senior Secondary School Students, adding that they were ready to assist government in any capacity to move the education sector forward.

  • Recent APC victory is sign of things to come -Buhari

    …Says APC will win 2019 elections

     

    President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura on Friday said that the string of victory recorded by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in bye-elections in Bauchi, Katsina and Kogi States is sufficient proof that 2019 elections will be won by the party.

    He spoke while receiving the representatives of the 34 Chairmen of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Katsina State.

    Buhari, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, said: “coming against the backdrop of the victory in Ekiti governorship election, the string of victory by our party, the APC, is a clear indication of the way things will go in 2019.

    Read Also:Buhari canvasses economic support for rural women

    ‘‘For those who are discerning; those who have ears and eyes they will see, hear and understand. Those who don’t understand are entitled to their mistaken assumptions.” he said

    Buhari, therefore, emphasized that the victories in the recent polls are indeed “the sign of things to come.”

    He thanked the leaders of the association for paying Sallah homage to him and for their message of congratulations on the performance of the party and the administration, assuring them that he would continue to do his best for the nation.

    Speaking on behalf of the members, the Chairman of ALGON in the State, Alhaji Mohammed Na’Allah, expressed their support and commitment to the success of the Buhari Administration.

    At another meeting with the leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Katsina State, President Buhari expressed his continued determination to respect the diversity of the country, saying that he will run a government that is fair and just to all Nigerians.

    The President thanked the CAN leadership in the State for living in peace and harmony with other religious groups, and for supporting his administration in its policies and programmes

    The CAN leaders who spoke during the visit, the State Chairman, Rev. Nelson Onyeakachukwu, and an elder and coordinator of the Christian Pilgrimage in the State, Haruna Danjuma expressed happiness with the President’s performance.

    They described him as the State’s good ambassador who had made everyone proud.

    “Christians in Katsina are happy with both Governor Masari in the State and yourself at the center. We will continue to support both of you,” the CAN leaders told the President.

  • Igbo in Katsina greet Kalu on turbaning

    The Igbo community in Katsina State has lauded former Abia State Governor Orji Kalu for his contributions to nation-building.

    The Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Farouk Umar, on Tuesday turbaned Kalu as the Dan Baiwan Hausa of Daura.

    The Eze Igbo Daura, Igwe Ferdinand Osunkwo, said Kalu’s outstanding qualities are worthy of emulation.

    In a congratulatory letter addressed to the former governor, Osunkwo urged Nigerians to embrace peace and unity.

    He said: “It is not incongruous to applaud the giant strides you recorded in the governance of Abia State as Governor and your unrelenting efforts for the transformation of the political arena of Nigeria through the All Progressives Congress (APC) positive change mantra.

    “Your laudable development ideologies are always in the front pages of national and international newspapers, as well as social media, which prove that you have taken national issues to a higher pedestal where the opposition and detractors cannot refute.

    “Your efforts in nation-building have earned you the Dan Baiwan Hausa of Daura (Blessed Gift to Humanity).

    “I, Igwe Fredinand Osunkwo, Eze Igbo II of Daura Emirate, the Eze cabinet members and the entire Igbo community in Katsina State, appreciate your leadership acumen and wish to celebrate you in greater capacity soon.”

  • Buhari marks Eid -El-Adha with prayers, 800 metres walk

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday joined the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Farouk and other Muslim faithful, to observe the Eid prayers at Kofar Arewa Eid Ground, Daura, Katsina State.

    Buhari, according to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, had the honour of performing the symbolic slaughtering of the ram at the Eid ground, signifying total obedience to the will of Allah as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim.

    After the prayers, the President shunned protocol and opted to trek some 800 metres, acknowledging cheers from Nigerians who had trooped out en masse to attend the Eid prayers and also catch a glimpse of Mr President in his hometown.

    Speaking to reporters at his residence after the walk, the President said he didn’t expect anything less from his ‘immediate constituency’ even as he thanked the almighty God for a bumper harvest and Nigeria’s steady progress towards food sufficiency.

    ‘‘I am very happy about it (the warm reception) and I do not expect anything less from my immediate base.’’ he said

    The President who wished all Nigerians a happy and successful Sallah celebrations, expressed delight that the country was spending less on food imports, noting that it was a major boost to the agricultural policies of his administration.

    At a separate event, the President received members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) currently serving in Daura community- an audience that has become part of his schedules during the Sallah celebrations in the past years.

    Reaffirming his support to the scheme established in 1973, the President told the corps members: ‘‘It is better to know all the country than for people to be state-inclined.

    ‘‘I always look forward to meeting the NYSC team because since I served mostly in the south when I was in the military, some people in Lagos the only thing they know is the sea.

    Read Also: Eid-el-Kabir: Buhari slaughters his Sallah ram (Photos)

    ‘‘For them (NYSC members) to be brought to the desert or near the Sahel region is a very difficult thing but it will make an impact on Nigeria.

    ‘‘I have personally spoken to Gen. Gowon to thank him for having the initiative to start the NYSC programme. It is very good for Nigeria,’’ he said.

    The President formally welcomed the Corps members to the ancient town of Daura and asked them to enjoy their national service year.

    In his remarks, the Corps Liaison Officer, Jibrin Ishak, thanked the President for prioritizing the welfare and a secured future of the Nigerian Youths through his style of leadership and developmental initiatives.

    ‘‘The voice of the people is the voice of God and by the grace of God, we pray that in 2019 you will continue to be President of Nigeria to do more for us,’’ Ishak said.

    The representative of the Corps members prayed God to sustain the President with good health, long life and prosperity.

    In his usual tradition, the President, in the spirit of the season, donated a bull, 10 bags of rice and half-a-million Naira to the Corps Members.

  • Eid-el Kabir: Masari doles out N72, 231, 350 gift to Pilgrims

    Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina state, on Tuesday announced a cash gift of N72, 231, 350, to about 2500 pilgrims from the state who were performing this year’s Haj in Saudi Arabia, as Sallah gift

    Each Pilgrim was given the sum of three hundred Saudi Riyals, equivalent to N28, 892.54, when converted at the rate of N96.31 to the Riyal

    The Amirul hajj and leader of Katsina state delegation and Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Abubakar Yahaya kusada disclosed the donation when he visited the rants of the pilgrims at Arafat ground while they are performing their prayers.

    Kusada who further expressed happiness over the way and manner the pilgrims conducted themselves during the period, called on them to continue in that regard. He also urged them to pray for President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Masari so as to enable them continue their good works

    Meanwhile Governor Aminu Bello Masari has felicitated with Muslims over the Eid-el Kabir, calling for more sacrifice and obedience to leaders in the true spirit of the religious occasion.

    A press release from the Special Assistant (Media),to the governor, Abdul Labaran, quoted the him as saying that religious occasions were moments which citizens should use for both merriment and sober reflection for the advancement of the society.

    He said “For Muslims across the globe the importance of the Eid-el Kabir cannot be over emphasized, as it signifies sacrifice and unquestioned obedience to the command of Allah (SWT) by Prophet Ibrahim( AS)’’.

    Read Also: Eid-el-Kabir: Buhari felicitates with Muslims, urges harmony, tolerance

    “For us in Nigeria, regardless of creed, the significance of the lesson of the occasion cannot be more poignant, coming at a time when our nation requires from each of us the twin virtues of sacrifice and obedience’’.

    “There is no doubt that Nigeria is facing serious challenges which the leadership under President Muhammadu Buhari is pulling out all the stops to address. The APC administration means well for all Nigerian citizens’’.

    Masari further urged the citizens to assist the leadership to successfully navigate the country out of the dire straits in every positive way and not allowing differences in religion, region and ethnicity to be used by those averse to the advancement of the nation to divide the country.

    He said “We must resist, reject and renounce politics of negative instincts, and put a distance between us and the proponents and promoters of such divisive tendencies, as their interest is at variance with the Nation’s”.

  • NIS rescues victim of human trafficking in Katsina

    For the second time in two weeks, the Nigerian Immigration Service, NIS, on Monday in Kongolam border in Katsina state, rescued Mrs. Adeoye Oluwaseyi, aged 23 years, from suspected human traffickers who were taking her to Niger republic

    The Katsina state controller of immigration, Mr Ajisafe Joshua Olusola, who briefed newsmen in Katsina, said the victim who is a Nigerian citizen from Omiamu Village in Akure, Ondo state, was lured by one Seun who is resident in Niger Republic, on the promise of providing job for her

    He said ’’Seun who is suspected to be the king –pin of the syndicate connected the victim with other members of the syndicate who were to facilitate her trip from her village to Niger republic’’

    ‘It was revealed that the victim is in possession of ECOWAS Travel Certificate No.232/338738 issued in Kano on 17th August,2018 and temporary voter’s card’’

    The Immigration boss further disclosed that the syndicate deliberately changed the name of the victim from Adeoye Oluseyi to Hadiza Bello and her home address from Omiamu village in Akure, Ondo state to Kofa Ruwa quarters in Dala Local government of Kano state.

    Read Also: NIS arrests suspected human trafficker in Katsina

    He said‘’ you may wish to know that the syndicate requested from the victim the sum of N50, 000 which according to the victim was sourced from her parents and sister. The money was paid into the bank account of one Afolabi Sakirat on 22 July, 2018’’

    He warned parents on the dangers of trafficking in persons which according to him, has become known in the international community as modern day slavery

    On the fate of the arrested trafficker, Mr Ajisafe said he will be handed over to the immigration service headquarters for further investigation and necessary action

    He assured that the service will continue to rid the country of the menace of human trafficking and irregular migration