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Tag: Nasarawa

  • Inferno razes house, kills three siblings in Nasarawa

    An early morning inferno on Saturday in Ado village, Karu Local Government Area Nasarawa State has burnt three children of the same parents to death, the News Agency of Nigeria  reports.

    A correspondent of the NAN in the area reports that the incident, which has thrown residents of the area into mourning, also razed a bungalow.

    The fire started at about 6:30 a.m. but the cause of the fire could not be ascertained as at the time of this report.

    However, an eyewitness, Mr Cambric Ayet who lost property to the fire said: ‘‘My wife was the first person who came out to see heavy smoke coming out of a neighbour’s room and started shouting fire, fire.’’

    The victim said on hearing his wife’s voice, he went out to shout for help and to rescue his co-tenant, who unknown to him was not at home except the children who were sleeping in the room while the inferno was on.

    ‘‘On going to the room, l noticed that it was locked and l thought my neighbour was cooking, locked the room and went out since there was no electricity throughout the night.

    ‘‘It was when we were trying to break the door to have access to the room that we saw our neighbour, (the mother of the children) coming toward the house.

    ‘‘As she saw people and the incident, she started shouting my children, my children; that was when we got to know that three children were inside the room.’’ he said.

    Mr Sunday Ugwa, the father of the deceased children, gave their names as Chimobi, Chinonso and Destiny: three, five and eight yeras.

    He said he was confused when he got the news of the incident through a neighbour.

    Read Also; Fire razes family apartment days to mum’s burial

    Ugwa said, ‘‘My wife explained that she went to buy a recharge card and she was not cooking before she went out; what then could be the source of the fire?

    ‘‘My wife does not cook inside, our kitchen is outside; we don’t use gas to cook because of the children, how come about such fire,?’’ he asked.

    Commenting on the event upon his arrival at the scene, Mr Zaks Wambi, DSP, in charged of New Nyanya Police Station, Karu, described the incident as unfortunate.

    Wambi, who condoled with the victims, advised members of the public to desist from using inferior gas cooking equipment.

    ‘‘We have experienced series of such incidents resulting from keeping gas inside the kitchen to cook which is not proper,“ he said.

    NAN reports that with the approval of the parents of the deceased, their corpses were conveyed in the police van for burial.

  • Police arrest 23 suspected kidnappers in Nasarawa

    The Police Command in Nasarawa State has arrested 23 suspected armed robbers and kidnappers in August, the Commissioner of Police, Yahaya Bello, said on Friday.

    Bello told newsmen in Lafia that the suspects were arrested following distress calls and privileged information from courageous members of the public.

    According to the him, 17 of the suspects were arrested on August 2, for alleged armed robbery and kidnapping around Mararaba Udege in Nasarawa Local Government area of the state.

    Bello added that four others were arrested on August 9, at Kadarko in Keana Local Government area by a combined team of F-SARS operatives, Counter Terrorism Unit and conventional policemen.

    He said that the four of those arrested were believed to be among the gang terrorizing commuters along Lafia-Makurdi road.

    Bello, however, said that two policemen sustained severe injuries during one of the operations.

    Read Also: Army kills 14 terrorists, rescue 21 hostages

    The commissioner disclosed that one Ali Mohammed was arrested along Akwanga-Keffi on Aug. 29, with an Ak47 riffle while allegedly on his way to Dogon Daji village in Kaduna State to avenge the killing of his brother.

    Similarly, Bello said another suspect, Timothy Jija was arrested on August 30 with an AK 47 riffle at the yam market in Kadarko village along Lafia-Makurdi road.

    He listed the items recovered from the suspects to include: Four AK 47 riffles, One G3 riffle, Two revolvers, 30 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, knives and charms.

    Other items recovered are 26 mobile phones, Two IPads, a laptop and wraps of dry leaves suspected to be ‘Indian Hemp’.

    He appealed for more support from the public towards curbing violent crimes in the state.

    The commissioner urged residents with useful security information to call 08108795930, 08112692680 and 08108795980, for quick intervention by the police.

  • Nasarawa APC settles for indirect primaries

    The All Progressives Congress in Nasarawa State has joined league of states opting for indirect primaries to choose candidates for all elections in the state.

    The decision was arrived at during a high profile stakeholders meeting held at the Government House, Lafia, which had state party officials, persons elected on the ticket of the party, governorship aspirants, senatorial aspirants and House of Representative aspirants in attendance.

    Speaking at the meeting, Governor Umaru Tanko Almakura commended the stakeholders for their sense of followership, loyalty to the party and appreciated the peace being enjoyed and for unanimously opting for indirect primaries as a way to select the party flag bearers for the 2019 elections.

    He admonished the governorship aspirants not to have doubt in the indirect mode of the primaries, saying as believer in the spirit of oneness, justice and fairness, there would be a level playing ground for all and sundry.

    Read Also: 2019: Plateau APC adopts indirect primaries

    The governor who applauded the stakeholders particularly the governorship aspirant for their good conduct and understanding at the meeting, however warned them against listening to speculations concerning their aspirations.

    One of the governorship aspirants interviewed after the meeting, Aliyu Ahmed Wadada said that he fully subscribed and aligned himself with the decision by stakeholders opting for indirect primaries for the party in the state .

    He argued that indirect primaries was the best mode of selecting credible aspirants to fly the ticket of the party and expressed confidence that he would win the governorship ticket of the party if it is conducted in a free and fair atmosphere.

     

  • Nasarawa Deputy Gov bags chieftaincy title

    The Nasarawa State Deputy Gov., Silas Ali Agara, has been conferred with the chieftaincy title of ‘Kafisu’ of Uke in Karshi Development Area of Karu Local Government Council.

    The chieftaincy title was conferred on the deputy governor by the Yakanajeh of Uke Chiefdom, Alh. Ahmad Hassan, at his palace in Uke in Karu Local Government area of the state on Wednesday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria  reports that the deputy governor was at the palace of the traditional ruler as part of his annual Sallah homage to palace of traditional rulers in the state.

    The traditional ruler said that he conferred the title on Agara in the spirit of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration and in recognition of Agara’s sterling leadership qualities which, according to the traditional ruler, stands him out from other politicians in Nasarawa State.

    “This title is in recognition of your numerous contributions to the society, your unique leadership qualities and your firm belief in justice, equity, fairness, peace and the rule of law,” he said.

    The traditional ruler appealed to Agara to use his position and resources at his disposal to play key role in promoting peace, religious and tribal tolerance in the state.

    “With the 2019 general election fast approaching, we need respectable stakeholders like you to join us in advocating for peaceful coexistence.

    “We know the administration of Governor Umaru Al-Makura, which you are a part of, has already done a lot.

    Read Also: Okorocha calls for free and fair election

    “But we urge you on a personal capacity not to relent in your efforts to promote peaceful co-existence in the state,” he said

    Responding, Agara said he was unaware of the honour and promised to reciprocate the gesture by contributing positively to the development of Nasarawa State.

    He appealed to well meaning citizens of the state to renew their commitment to promoting peaceful co-existence in the state, adding that a society of rancour would benefit no one.

  • Sallah: Cattle dealers decry low patronage in Kano

    Some cattle dealers in Kano who had stocked domestic animals such as goats,rams and cows for sale ahead of Sallah, are complaining of low patronage.

    Some of them who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) on Sunday in Kano‎ lamented that their hopes for brisk business had been dashed as a result of the poor state of the nation’s economy.

    Malam Ali Sani, a dealer at Yan- awaki‎ market in Kumbotso Local Government Area, said they had been forced by the situation to be  selling some of the rams on credit due to slow pace of business.

    Another livestock seller, Haladu Yusuf in Gama cattle market of Nasarawa Local Government area in Kano, lamented the situation and attributed the development to non-payment of salaries by many employers, resulting in low purchasing power of potential customers

    He said although similar development was experienced the previous years, that of 2018 is the worst.

    A livestock dealer in Tarauni cattle market , Malam Sani Ali, also said business was not moving as expected as biggest ram cost about N110, 000 while the smallest was N30, 000.

    Ali however said that the prices of the animals had increased by an average of 40 to 80 per cent compared with what obtained last year. adding that the same size of ram, which now sells for N100,000, was sold for about N70,000 last year.

    Saidu Bako, a dealer, also said that it might not be possible to get huge returns from the business this year due to low sales, but was hopeful that the situation might change.

    “People are coming to buy rams and goats; some came in groups and bought cows to be shared among themselves.

    “By this time last year, I had sold about over 45 rams few days to Sallah, but as I am talking to you now, I have only sold 15,” he lamented.

    Tajudeen Sule, buyer at Yan-awaki cattle market, said he was at the market for the second day but could not afford the price.

    “I was here on Saturday but I cannot buy because the same size I bought last year at N30,000 is being sold for N40,000. I am here today prepared to see that I get one,” he said.

    ‎Another buyer, Garba Dauda, expressed hope that the prices would fall when more rams flooded the markets between today and tomorrow.

    He said that medium and big rams now sold at higher prices when compared to last year.

    Meanwhile, prices of chicken, fruits, beans, cooking oil ,rice and perishable items did not record any significant increase.

    NAN observed also that chicken sellers were, however, making brisk sales as many people now go for it.

    Several rams were seen being dragged about in Kano metropolis by sellers, who were also seeking potential buyers.

    Eid- el-Kabir is a festival celebrated annually by Muslims worldwide, with the offering of rams as sacrifice.

  • Police bursts four man armed robbery gang in Katsina

     The Katsina state Police command yesterday has announced that they successfully burst a 4man armed robbery gang and that one of the suspected fleeing armed robbers died in a lone ghastly accident involving the vehicle that he and his colleagues snatched from a woman in Katsina.

    According to the command, the dead suspect in his early twenties, had on Wednesday,27, June,2018,along with his colleagues ,earlier stormed the house of the owner of the vehicle at about 7.30 p.m, where they snatched  the vehicle, along with other items.

    Katsina Police Commissioner, Muhammadu Wakili who confirmed the incident to newsmen during a press briefing , said the corpse of the suspect was later found inside the vehicle where it was involved in a lone accident .

    He said “On 27/6/2018 at about 19.45 hrs,patrol team attached to Sabon Gari Division received a distress call that armed robbers were attacking one Hajiya Aisha Abdullahi in her house at Sabuwar Unguwar Quarters ,Katsina ,who robbed her of motor vehicle Toyota Highlander ,2003 model,ash in colour with Registration number AS 579 KTS.

    Read Also: Police nab official of fake recruitment agency in Edo

    “The police team swung into action and while moving towards the scene sighted a motor vehicle with the said description in an accident scene adjacent to GRA Jummat mosque, Katsina’’.

    “The only occupant, suspected to be one of the robbers died in the accident.”

    Wakili said investigation revealed the identity of the armed robber which also led to the subsequent arrest of other three suspects who are now in police custody. 

    He gave the names of the suspects as Sanusi Abdullahi,22;Mansur Abdullahi 21 and Aliyu Salisu,22,all ,residents of Katsina.

    The police boss further recalled that Salisu was caught with another stolen vehicle, a Honda CRV with Nasarawa state Registration number:BE 788 NSR said to belong to one Nasiru Lawal ,a resident of Katsina.

    “All the suspects will soon be charged to court after our investigation,” he said.

  • ASUP gives Nasarawa 14 days ultimatum

    The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP), Nasarawa State Polytechnic, Lafia Chapter, has given the state government 14 days notice of strike.

    Mr Paul Usaini, ASUP Chairman of the Polytechnic stated this on Thursday in an interview with Newsmen in Lafia.

    According to him, the 14 days ultimatum followed the expiration of the 21 days ultimatum earlier given to the government in line with labour laws.

    He said that the grievances of the union include; lack of accreditation of all courses at the polytechnic, implementation of four years promotion and annual increments.

    He listed lack of payment of pension and gratuity to retired staff and lack of office accommodation to academic staff among others as other grievances of the union.

    He said that all these issues were tabled before the investigative panel set up by the government for redress.

    He, however lamented the delay in the release of the White Paper report of the committee for implementation.

    “The union believed that the reports will help in addressing issues of lack of accreditation, outstanding promotion arrears and corruption in the system among others,” he added.

    He said that the reports should be released urgently in order to save the institution from total collapse because things were currently in bad shape.

    The union also condemned the appointment of unqualified persons outside the system into the management of the three institutions.

    The union, therefore, advised the state government to follow due process in any subsequent appointments of management staff.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Gov. Umaru Al-Makura had on November 2, 2017 set up three panels to investigate state owned tertiary institutions.

    NAN also reports that the panels submitted their reports to the government on Jan. 19.(

  • ‘Government must stop killings’

    Pan-Igbo socio-cultural group, Igboekulie has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to address the orgy of killings in the country.

    The president of Igboekulie Prince Ben Onuora in a statement said last Saturday’s killings in Plateau State, where over 100 citizens were killed was condemnable.

    He said Nigerians were becoming hopeless on security

    He added:  “Our President cannot continue to do the same thing all over again and expect a different outcome. After each round of killings in Benue, Taraba, Zamfara, Nasarawa, Kogi, Enugu, Delta, Ondo and other places, Mr. President, Muhammadu Buhari condemns the killings, promising to improve on the security of the nation.  These promises are hardly kept because nothing seems to change beyond the presidential commiseration.”

    The group said government’s failure to arrest and prosecute the killers and their collaborators was making the situation hopeless.

    “Igboekulie condemns in very strong terms the unabating massacre of innocent Nigerians by invading and rampaging herdsmen who appear to have immunity against arrest or prosecution.

    Read Also: Killings: Buhari to put more pressure on security chiefs

    “We also, condemn the unwholesome nonchalance of the Federal Government of Nigeria to the unprecedented loss of lives in the past three years.  An FGN that has successfully dealt with restive groups across Nigeria cannot suddenly be helpless, unless out of mischief, when it concerns the murderous herdsmen.

    “After three years of unrelenting bloodshed, it is time for the President, as Commander-in-Chief, to critically evaluate the performance of the security agencies and rejig same to reflect the diversity of the country in line with the federal character principle.

    “This nation is being brought to its knees daily with unprovoked violence by people who insist on illegally grazing their cattle on the farmlands of other Nigerians.  If this journey to anarchy is allowed to continue, no one is sure of how it would end.”

    “We call on all other socio-cultural groups to rise and condemn the spate of killings by the protected invaders against the weak in our society and the contrived helplessness of the FGN.  An injury to one is an injury to all.  If this madness is not halted, it could be the turn of your community tomorrow.”

  • Ranching: Nasarawa offers FG seven grazing reserves

    The Nasarawa State government has offered the seven grazing reserves in the state to the federal government for its proposed ranching programme.

    Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Mohammed Abdullahi, announced this in a statement yesterday in Lafia.

    Abdullahi said the state government has keyed into the federal government’s ranching initiative aimed at finding sustainable solution to the recurrent farmers and herdsmen crises in the country.

    “Governor Umaru Al-Makura has approved the utilisation of all the seven gazetted grazing reserves in the state located at Awe, Keana, Doma, Assakio, Keana, Gitata and Kurudu for the purpose of the ranching programme in Nasarawa State.

    “Consequently, the state Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning, affected Local Government Councils and communities where these grazing reserves are located are not only requested to note this development but also to accord all the necessary support and cooperation for the successful implementation of the programme in the state,” he said.

    He added Nasarawa State completely supported the federal government’s initiative and willing to provide all the necessary support for the success of the ranching programme.

    “We see this initiative as an important proactive step towards assuaging and finding a lasting solution to the age-old challenge of farmer-herder conflict,” Abdullahi added.

  • NiMet predicts thunderstorms, rains on Thursday

    The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted prospects of thunderstorms with rains over the central states such as Makurdi, Jos, Taraba, Kaduna, Adamawa, Nasarawa, Abuja, Bauchi and Gombe on Thursday morning.

    NiMet’s Weather Outlook by its Central Forecast Office in Abuja on Wednesday also predicted day and night temperatures in the range of 26 to 30 and 18 to 24 degrees Celsius respectively.

    It added that Bida, Minna, Abuja, Lafia, Lokoja, Jos and Ilorin axis were envisaged to experience thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening hours.

    The agency predicted that the southern states would experience moderate rains over the entire coastal cities and southeast inland such as Enugu, Owerri, Awka and Abakaliki axis in the morning hours.

    It also predicted localised rain/showers over the coastal and inland states later in the day with day and night temperatures in the range of 28 to 30 and 21 to 24 degrees Celsius respectively.

    According to NiMet, northern states will experience thunderstorms with rains over Maiduguri, Nguru, Katsina, Kano and Dutse axis in the morning hours.

    “Sokoto, Gusau, Yelwa and Kebbi will have prospects of thunderstorm with rains in the afternoon and evening hours with day and night temperatures of 33 to 37 and 21 to 27 degrees Celsius respectively.

    “There are prospects of thunderstorms and rains over several parts of the country with varying intensities in the next 24 hours,” NiMet predicts.