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Tag: Nasarawa

  • Police intensify crackdown on criminal hideouts in Nasarawa hotels

    Police intensify crackdown on criminal hideouts in Nasarawa hotels

    The Nasarawa State Police Command has strengthened its efforts to clamp down on criminals using hotels as hideouts for illicit activities.

    Commissioner of Police, CP Shettima Jauro Mohammed, announced the move during a strategic meeting with hotel owners and managers from all 13 local government areas of the state at the command headquarters in Lafia.

    He urged hoteliers to remain vigilant and not allow their premises to be used as safe havens or meeting points for cultists and other criminal elements.

    A statement by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Ramhan Nansel, quoted the Commissioner as ordering a crackdown on all known and suspected criminal hideouts across the state.

    The directive follows credible intelligence indicating plans by cult groups to mark July 7th (7/7) with coordinated criminal operations in parts of the country, including Nasarawa.

    “You are our partners in security. As the eyes and ears of the community, we urge you to be alert and report any suspicious gatherings or bookings immediately. If you see something, say something,” the CP stated.

    The hoteliers, in response, commended the initiative and pledged full cooperation with the Police and other security agencies in curbing crime and safeguarding peace across the state.

    Read Also: Gunmen kill two policemen in Imo

    Following the meeting, CP Shetima ordered intensive, intelligence-led raids on all suspected cultist enclaves and criminal hideouts across Nasarawa State.

    He further instructed all officers involved in the operation to act with professionalism, respecting the fundamental human rights of all citizens while discharging their duties.

    The Nasarawa State Police Command assures residents of its unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all communities, especially in the face of emerging threats. Citizens are encouraged to remain law-abiding and continue supporting the police by providing timely and useful information

  • JUST IN: Tinubu visits Nasarawa, to commission key infrastructure projects in Lafia

    JUST IN: Tinubu visits Nasarawa, to commission key infrastructure projects in Lafia

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday arrived at the Usman Danfodio Airport in Lafia, Nasarawa State, for a one-day working visit to commission major infrastructure projects executed by Governor Abdullahi Sule during his second term in office.

    Accompanying the President were the governors of Kaduna, Borno, Kwara, Benue, Imo, and Ogun states, along with the Deputy Governor of Gombe, former governors, and several serving ministers.

    Read Also: Tinubu hails Gbajabiamila’s role in deepening democracy on birthday

    President Tinubu was warmly received at the airport by Governor Sule, former Governors Abdullahi Adamu and Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, as well as other prominent stakeholders from the state.

    During the visit, the President is scheduled to commission several key projects, including the Lafia Interchange Flyover and Underpass, the new Nasarawa State Secretariat, the dualised Shemdan Road in Lafia, as well as operational vehicles for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), security agencies, and agricultural equipment.

  • NSUBEB boss warns contractors against substandard school projects in Nasarawa

    NSUBEB boss warns contractors against substandard school projects in Nasarawa

    Executive Chairman of the Nasarawa State Universal Basic Education Board (NSUBEB), Dr. Kassim Muhammad Kassim, has issued a stern warning to contractors handling renovation and construction projects in primary schools across the state, insisting that substandard work will not be tolerated.

    Dr. Kassim gave the warning during a meeting with contractors executing the 2024 matching grant projects held at the board’s headquarters in Lafia. 

    He emphasised that the contractors have a three-month deadline to complete their assignments to allow the board to access the 2025 grants.

    The NSUBEB boss expressed disappointment over the state of some projects completed just a year or two ago, which are already in need of repairs—a situation he described as evidence of poor workmanship. 

    He vowed to revoke any contracts that fail to meet the board’s revised standards.

    “This is our state, we don’t have another one. Let’s help our state and our children by executing quality jobs in our primary schools,” he urged.

    Read Also: Send your child to school or risk fine in Nasarawa, says NSUBEB chair

    Dr. Kassim also noted that only a few residents in Nasarawa State can afford private schools with quality facilities, stressing the importance of ensuring public schools meet high standards to serve the majority effectively.

    “We can’t renovate a school this year and slate same school for renovation next year, it’s shows there was no quality job abinitio, we can’t be having 90% of our projects as renovations, let’s also build new schools instead of renovations.

    “Please let’s help Nasarawa State, let’s appreciate the huge counterpart funds Governor Sule is paying to access funds from UBEC office Abuja and them our contractors will do a sub-standard job, I won’t accept that.

    “I won’t pay any sub-standard job done, I won’t hesitate to revoked any contract that does not meet our specifications, this is a new administration in NSUBEB and it’s not going to be business as usual. I will monitor all projects to ensure strict compliance to our guidelines before final payment is made” Dr Kassim said 

    Responding, Alhaji Turaki Ganji, a contractor, who spoke on behalf of the over 30 contractors that attended the meeting, pledged to abide by the rules set by the executive chairman.

  • Benue massacre: Food inflation looms as farmers abandon farmlands in Nasarawa

    Benue massacre: Food inflation looms as farmers abandon farmlands in Nasarawa

    Farming communities along the Benue-Nasarawa border have deserted their villages and farmlands out of fear of further attacks, following the recent massacre of over 200 people by suspected herdsmen in Yelwata, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.

    Investigations revealed that farmers across the border areas have fled to urban centres, abandoning their crops and lands at the peak of the farming season.

    A visit to Keana, Obi, Doma, and Awe local government areas of Nasarawa State, which border Benue, showed that many displaced farmers are now taking shelter in towns. Mr. Tersoo Fatu, a farmer from Tse Agan in Keana, said, “Since the Yelwata attack, everyone has fled. We fear being the next target. This is farming season, yet we have had to leave behind our maize, guinea corn, yam, and cassava seedlings just to stay alive.”

    Our correspondent also observed that Tiv communities in Kadarko town (Keana LGA), Doma, and Lafia are being overwhelmed by an influx of displaced persons from border villages. The Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp at Kadarko Primary School is overcrowded and lacking basic amenities due to the surge of fleeing residents.

    Mr. Simon Tion, speaking from Lafia, confirmed that more than 10 Tiv-dominated communities around Yelwata have been deserted. “Tiv residents in Nasarawa are targets,” he said. “The Fulani herders have repeatedly attacked and killed our people, especially farmers in the border areas.”

    Read Also: Benue massacre: IGP orders deployment of additional manpower

    Amid growing humanitarian concerns, the IDPs are in desperate need of food, clean water, healthcare, and security. The makeshift camp lacks toilets, proper sleeping arrangements, hygiene facilities, and perimeter fencing, conditions that pose severe health risks.

    The victims’ plight calls for immediate intervention from government agencies and humanitarian organisations to prevent further suffering.

  • SUBEB chair pays unscheduled visit to Nasarawa schools

    SUBEB chair pays unscheduled visit to Nasarawa schools

    The newly appointed Executive Chairman of the Nasarawa State Universal Basic Education Board (NSUBEB), Dr. Kassim Muh’d Kassim, has expressed satisfaction with the quality of teaching and learning in primary and junior secondary schools across the state.

    Dr. Kassim made the remarks during an unscheduled inspection of five primary schools and three school-based cluster training centres for teachers and headteachers.

    The visit, he said, was aimed at ensuring full compliance with NSUBEB’s teaching and operational guidelines.

    Among the schools visited were St. Williams Primary School, Lafia, Isiaka Islamiya Primary School, Lafia, CMC Trans Nursery and Primary School, Gudi in Akwanga LGA, Akwanga Central Primary School, and Islamiya Transfer Primary School in Nasarawa Eggon.

    Accompanied by board members and senior directors, the SUBEB chairman interacted with teachers and reviewed their lesson plans and notes. He sat in on ongoing classes and commended the dedication and competence of the teachers.

    “The main goal of this visit is to ensure compliance with teaching standards and to monitor the training of our teachers. That is why we are visiting these centres,” Dr. Kassim stated.

    Read Also: Ahmed’s trial: SUBEB didn’t award contract in 2014, 2015, witness tells court

    At the CMC Transfer Nursery and Primary School in Gudi, where a teacher training session was ongoing, the chairman was particularly impressed with one participant, Mrs. Christopher Funhazon Victoria, and rewarded her with a N20,000 cash gift for her outstanding performance.

    He also urged local communities to take ownership of schools within their areas by safeguarding infrastructure for the benefit of future generations.

    While inspecting some damaged school buildings, Dr. Kassim assured that contractors would be mobilised to carry out immediate repairs, especially on structures affected by recent rainstorms.

  • Abducted monarch in Nasarawa rescued by police

    Abducted monarch in Nasarawa rescued by police

    Nasarawa State Police Command said it has rescued the kidnapped traditional ruler, Sangarin Dari, who was abducted on the 28th May 2025, at his palace.

    The command public relations officer, SP Rahman Nansel, in a statement made available to our correspondent on Tuesday, said the traditional ruler was rescued unhurt.

    The statement read thus, “The Nasarawa State Police Command is pleased to report that the Sangarin Dari, who was abducted on 28th May 2025, was successfully rescued unhurt at approximately 21:00 hours on 2nd June 2025.

    “The rescue operation took place in the Panwasa Mountains, Mada Station, following sustained pressure from the Command’s Search and Rescue Team.

    Read Also: Police, CBN, Abuja’s agency, others owe FCT ground rent

    “Immediately after the rescue, the victim was taken to the hospital for medical evaluation and has since been reunited with his family. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects involved in the abduction”

    The commissioner of Police, CP Shettima Jauro Mohammed, extends his heartfelt appreciation to members of the public for their invaluable support and timely information, which greatly assisted in the rescue operation.

     He also commends the efforts and collaboration of other security agencies and local vigilante groups, whose support was instrumental to the success of this mission.

  • Police nab notorious car snatching syndicate, recover stolen vehicle in Nasarawa

    Police nab notorious car snatching syndicate, recover stolen vehicle in Nasarawa

    The Nasarawa State Police Command has announced the arrest of a notorious car snatching syndicate operating in Doma Local Government Area and the swift recovery of a stolen vehicle within 24 hours of the incident.

    In a statement issued on Sunday, the Command’s public relations officer, SP Ramhan Nansel, confirmed that the arrest and recovery were made possible through prompt action by officers in the Doma Division.

    He noted that the vehicle was successfully recovered less than a day after it was reported stolen, marking a significant breakthrough in the fight against auto theft in the state.

    The statement read, “On June 1, 2025, at about 1800hrs, acting on credible intelligence, police operatives arrested four suspects along the Doma-Lafia Road. 

    “The suspects includes Ibrahim Dahiru, 30 of Angwan Rogo, Jos, Plateau State, Abdulrazaq Muhammed, 27 of Angwan Rogo, Jos, Plateau State, Muhammad Sani, 28 Potiskum, Yobe State and Mustapha Isah, 23 of Misau, Bauchi State

    “The suspects allegedly conspired and carried out an armed car jacking in Enugu State, during which they forcefully snatched a black Toyota Venza with registration number KWL 668 GN (Abuja) at gunpoint.

    “Through prompt intelligence gathering and seamless inter-state collaboration, the suspects were intercepted and arrested along the Doma-Lafia axis, and the stolen vehicle was immediately recovered” the Statement added.

    Read Also: Police arrest ‘spiritualist’ over N70m ‘fraud’ against Lagos businessman

    The Commissioner of Police, CP Shetima Jauro Mohammed, described the arrest as a major breakthrough in the fight against organised vehicle theft and emphasized that the Command remains resolute in ensuring that criminal activities are swiftly tackled and perpetrators brought to justice.

    He further commended the gallant efforts of the operatives involved in the operation and reassured members of the public of the Nigeria Police Force’s unwavering commitment to the protection of lives and property across the state.

    The suspects are currently in custody, and investigations are ongoing to unravel the full scope of their criminal network and recover any additional stolen property.

  • Environment Commissioner angry with Nasarawa residents over sanitation

    Environment Commissioner angry with Nasarawa residents over sanitation

    Nasarawa Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources Princess Margaret Elayo has expressed dissatisfaction with residents over their inability to keep their surroundings clean.

    She vowed that the state must be kept very clean at all times and that she will re-activate the relevant environmental laws on residents to ensure that unnecessary dumping of refused on unapproved areas were met with resistance.

    The newly posted commissioner stated this yesterday at the monthly sanitation exercise in the state, noting that proper sanctions will be put in place to sanctions okada, Keke Napep riders and other vehicle drivers to seize theirQ movements during the exercise.

    “The experience is great, there is a lot of nonsense that I saw and I’m not pleased, I will seat with my team to re-strategise on what needs to be done, I see no reason when it’s just one month, you are asking to stay home for 2 or 3 hours to get your environment clean, them you are on the street especially the bike riders, Keke Napep.

    “We will go on the Television to educate them, next time if I come out and see that, I will arrest them with their vehicles and we proceed with the legal law that will fix that aspect for us.”

    She promised to provide big waste bin for residents to dump their refuse instead of dumping it on the streets”I see no reason why we will be dumping refuse on the streets irrespective of whether you have waste bin or not, it is unacceptable for you to take your refuse and drop it on the streets, you are creating a big health issue for the citizens of the State”

    The commissioner also directs residents of the flood-prone communities to relocate to higher grounds to avoid any loss of lives if a flood happens.

    The Commissioner said that the steps became imperative because of the prediction by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) as well as the bad experiences of the past where lives and property were lost to flooding.

    She further said that some states have started experiencing flooding, and that is a further call for action to save lives.

    “We are partnering with Chairmen of Local Government Areas (LGAs) and traditional rulers to show those affected by this relocation directive where they should go now for safety.

    “They should pick up their valuables and leave their houses for now so that when flooding eventually happens, no lives will be lost,” she added.

    Read Also: IG inaugurates schools Protection Squad in Nasarawa 

    Abubakar Mohammed, Chief Prosecutor Officer of the ministry said that 168 persons were arrested across the state for violating sanitation laws.

    The Chief Prosecutor said that the offenders were arrested for transacting their private businesses while the sanitation exercise was in progress.

    He said that the defaulters were prosecuted by various mobile courts because their actions violated the provisions of section 9 (2) of the State Environmental Sanitation Law

  • 2027 mandators and reluctant aspirants

    2027 mandators and reluctant aspirants

    When it comes to ambition for political office in this country, you never really know with many politicians. There seems to be a perceived virtue in showing unwillingness while supporters press you to go for a particular office, so it gets said in effect: “It was my people who forced me to serve.” This accounts for the syndrome of reluctant public office holders, which unfortunately vitiates accountability for performance in the office ‘reluctantly’ aspired to. But is that the best for our democracy? We need willing aspirants to office, not reluctant ones.

    Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule has repeatedly debunked indications that he will contest a senatorial position in 2027, but supporters just won’t let him be. Early last week, he was out again to restate his resolve not to seek the Nasarawa North constituency seat in the Senate in 2027 when his governorship tenure expires. Recent reports cited him as having agreed to run for the seat, but he again denied the report and said he hadn’t asked anyone to announce otherwise.

    Read Also: FG to equip 12 universities with high-fibre internet, 24-hour electricity

    Few hours earlier, Director-General of the Nasarawa State Bureau for Pension Administration, Suleiman Musa Nagogo, disclosed that Governor Sule had agreed to run for the Senate. Speaking to All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders in Wamba council area, he said the governor had notified him of his intention to run for the legislative seat and raised a panel to handle the project across the senatorial district concerned. “That committee is still a committee of work in progress because we have yet to reach any reasonable milestone in the process of execution of this project. But I consider it imperative that, as the saying goes, charity begins at home. I should take it upon myself to call on my own people of Wamba Local Government and inform them about this project,” he told the constituents.

    In apparent rejoinder, spokesman for the governor, Ibrahim Addra, said his principal did not send anyone to declare his intention to contest the Senate seat. Referencing social media publications, Addra said: “For avoidance of doubt, Engr. Sule has never invited anyone to confirm that he is running, or to sell his candidature for Senate or any other office.” He acknowledged “several calls by individuals and groups on the governor to declare interest and run for the Senate seat,” adding however: “In all instances, Governor Sule politely but firmly declined such calls, maintaining that his attention remains focused on delivering on his covenant with the people of Nasarawa State as their democratically-elected governor.”

    You would wonder why the spokesman did not call out the particular official who made the claim, or could it be they were codeswitching on a decision already made? If not, supporters should let Mr. Governor come to his own conviction and spare him the ritual of mandating the unwilling.

  • Send your child to school or risk fine in Nasarawa, says NSUBEB chair

    Send your child to school or risk fine in Nasarawa, says NSUBEB chair

    The newly inaugurated executive chairman of the Nasarawa State Universal Basic Education Board (NSUBEB), Kassim Muh’d Kassim, has urged parents of school-age children in the state to either send their wards to school or face a fine.

    Kassim made this statement on Wednesday at his office while addressing senior staff of the board, friends, APC stakeholders, and traditional rulers who accompanied him shortly after his inauguration by Governor Abdullahi Sule.

    The new NSUBEB chairman emphasised that every child has the right to free, compulsory, and universal basic education, asserting that the government must provide this education. Under his leadership, the board will do everything possible to ensure that teaching and learning environments are conducive for children.

    He further explained that he will ensure that Almajiri children, who are scattered throughout the state, are included in his programme to receive compulsory and free education at that level.

    Kassim stated that this initiative is part of efforts to ensure that every resident of the state is literate and to improve their quality of life.

    “Therefore, parents have no excuse not to send their children to school, as the board under my leadership is determined to reposition the basic education system of the state. The law stipulates that any parent or guardian who fails to send his or her child to school commits an offence and would be fined

    “As such, sending your children to school is no longer a choice, but compulsory, and failure to do so is an offence.”

    “Any parent who failed to send his child to school must be fine, education in Nasarawa must not only be free but compulsory, the issue of almajiri will be squarely tackled, we will shift attention from SUBEB contracts to other areas that will also benefit the people of the state and staff of the board,” he said

    He warned that on no account should any parent deny his or her child the right to education, which would unlock the child’s full potential for a better future.

    Read Also: NAF thrills Lagos pupils, residents, donates hospital in Nasarawa

    Speaking earlier, while swearing in the chairman and members of the board, Governor Abdullahi Sule charged the new chairman to quickly settle down and review the staff strength of the primary school teachers with a view to adding fresh hands to strengthen the manpower of the primary and junior secondary education board.

    Governor Sule said, “since our assumption of office in May 2019, we have continue to accord high premium to the education sector, particularly the basic education component, it is based on our believe that basic education is the foundation for an egalitarian society hence the need the need to sustain our efforts towards repositioning of our primary and junior secondary school for enhance quality deliverance of service.”

    Governor Sule equally inaugurated the chairman and members of the state local government service commission.