Tag: Nasarawa

  • CBN staff, three others killed inside supermarket in Nasarawa

    CBN staff, three others killed inside supermarket in Nasarawa

    One man village near Mararaba in Nasarawa state was thrown into confusion when suspected armed robbers stormed a popular Abdullahi Supermarket killing four customers, including a staff of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    The CBN staff was identified through his Identity Card as Daniel Adefemi Okunade placed on his body.

    Findings revealed that Okunade was shot in the head while trying to buy something and he died instantly.    

    Three others gruesomely murdered along with him could not be identified.

    An eyewitness account said that the robbery operation lasted less than two minutes during which the CBN staff, who is said to be the choirmaster of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) also in One Man Village, was gunned down.

    He was said to have had a stopover at the Supermarket to buy bread for his family when the robbers found their way into the ever-busy store and took the lives of the four customers.

    His Toyota Venza Car parked outside the Supermarket was not touched by the men of the underworld.

    The late Okunade was said to be returning from work when he met his untimely death at the hands of the suspected robbers.

    Read Also: Abducted LG chairman regains freedom in Nasarawa

    At the time of this report, the atmosphere in the area was tense as people kept trooping into the Supermarket to identify the robbery victims.

    Meanwhile, police operatives from New Nyayan Divisional Police Station have moved the corpses of the robbery victims to the Mararaba Medical Center mortuary in Mararaba.

    However, hundreds of sympathizers, including church members, have been trooping to the house of the late CBN staff to sympathize with his family.

    No information has yet been made public by the police in Nasarawa state and the FCT on the incident.

  • Abducted LG chairman regains freedom in Nasarawa

    Abducted LG chairman regains freedom in Nasarawa

    Mr Safiyanu Isah-Andaha, Chairman, Akwanga Local Area of Nasarawa State, who was abducted by gunmen on Monday has regained freedom.

    DSP Ramhan Nansel, spokesperson of the  Nasarawa State Police Command confirmed the release of the chairman and three other victims to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lafia.

    The local government chairman and three others were abducted by gunmen at about 8:30 p.m., in Ningo village, Akwanga LGA.

    Read Also: Gunmen abduct council chair, godfather in Nasarawa

    Nansel said that the chairman and three others were released at about 8:45 p.m., on Tuesday in Andaha village, Akwnaga as a result of sustained pressure from the combined security agencies search-and- rescue team.

    The police spokesperson explained that no ransom was paid to secure the release of the chairman and other victims.

    He said that upon receipt of information about the incident on Monday night,  the Commissioner of Police, Umar Nadada, immediately deployed a team, whose effort in collaboration with other sister agencies had paid of with the release of the victims unhurt.

    Nansel said that the victims would be reunited with their families after receiving medical attention.

    (NAN) 

  • BREAKING: Gunmen kidnap LG chairman in Nasarawa

    BREAKING: Gunmen kidnap LG chairman in Nasarawa

    The chairman of Akwanga local government area of Nasarawa state, Safiyanu Isa Andaha has been kidnapped by gunmen.

    Our correspondent gathered that the council chairman was kidnapped alongside his political godfather Adamu Umar Custom at Bingo village in Akwanga on the evening of January 1.

    The two political figures from Akwanga local government were traveling together in a vehicle without a driver and security personnel when assailants reportedly emerged from the bushes, abducting the victims and transporting them to an unknown location.

    Confirming the incident, the special adviser to the Nasarawa governor on local government and chieftaincy affairs, Haruna Kassimu said the two politicians were abducted at about 8:30 pm on New Year’s Day.

    He explained further that security agencies had responded swiftly by chasing after the gunmen who forcefully fled with the council chairman to an unknown destination.

    The state police public relations officer, DSP Ramhan Nansel said the police in collaboration with other security agencies were on the trail of the kidnappers to ensure the release of the council chairman and his political godfather.

    The PPRO said the police commissioner in the state, Umar Nadada had already mobilised personnel to pursue the hoodlums and ensure the safe release of the kidnapped chairman.

    Read Also: Police to investigate abduction of Akwanga LG chairman

    Speaking exclusively to our correspondent, the special adviser to the governor on political matters, Kassim Mohammad Kassim, who equally hails from Akwanga local government, condemned the barbaric act, noting that the youths should resist taking human beings for money.

    Kassim said no religion allows the youths to trade human beings for money, and pray for the safety of the council chairman, he called on security agencies to ensure that the council chairman is released unhurt.

    An unconfirmed report from a close aide to one of the abductees revealed that the abduction was not unconnected with the local government elections coming up later this year, noting that it was “politically motivated.”

    Hon Andaha became the chairman of the council after the death of late Emmanuel Joseph Laweh who was originally elected the council chairman alongside Hon Andaha as his deputy. Still, Hon Laweh died suddenly three months after their inauguration.

    Hon Andaha who has been the council chairman for over two years is planning to seek another tenure in August 2024

  • Police rescue abducted lecturer in Nasarawa

    Police rescue abducted lecturer in Nasarawa

    The Police Command in Nasarawa State  has rescued Mr Isaac Igbawua, a lecturer at the Department of Micro Biology, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, from his abductors.

    This is contained in a statement signed by the command’s  Public Relations Officer, DSP Ramhan Nansel, on Friday in Lafia.

    Nansel said that the command, on Wednesday (Dec. 27), received information that gunmen invaded the residence of the lecturer at Old Barracks, Kokona LGA of Nasarawa State, at  4:14 a.m. and took him to an unknown destination.

    “Reacting to the unpleasant development, Umar Nadada, the Commissioner of Police  in the state, ordered an immediate and intensive manhunt for the abductors.

    Read Also: Tinubu celebrates Nasarawa Gov Sule at 64

    “The search paid off on Thursday (Dec. 28), at 4:30 p.m.,  when information was received that some strange people wearing face masks were sighted in a forest at Ogba Village, Nasarawa-Eggon LGA.

    “Our personnel,  in collaboration with a vigilante group, mobilised to the scene and,  on sighting the team, the hoodlums opened fire but were gallantly repelled.

    “The victim was rescued unhurt and reunited with his family after undergoing a  medical examination at the Police Clinic, Lafia,” the police spokesperson said.

    In another development, the command has arrested a suspected notorious criminal and second year  student of the Federal University of Lafia.

    Nansel said in the statement  that the police searched the student’s  residence and found one locally-fabricated Beretta pistol, four live ammunition and charms.

    (NAN)

  • Sule appoints Jega as Pro-Chancellor of Nasarawa Varsity

    Sule appoints Jega as Pro-Chancellor of Nasarawa Varsity

    Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule has approved the appointment of Prof. Attahiru Jega as the Pro-Chancellor of Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK).

    A statement by Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Mr Aliyu Ubandoma, yesterday in Lafia, said the appointment was based on the powers bestowed on Sule as the visitor of the institution, adding that the governor approved the appointment in furtherance to the commitment of the administration to achieve academic excellence in the university.

    Read Also: Yuletide: Don’t think of vacation this season, we’ve burden of Nigerians on our shoulders, Shettima tells NEC

    He said the governor had also approved the appointment of Mr Shuaibu Kore, Mr Thomas Ogiri and Mrs Mary Enwongulu as members of the governing council. He said that the governing council would be inaugurated on a date to be announced later.

  • Electricity Act 2023: Nasarawa partners NOMAP to enhancepower, sustainability agenda

    Electricity Act 2023: Nasarawa partners NOMAP to enhancepower, sustainability agenda

    Nasarawa State Government has entered into collaboration with the Nigeria Off-Grid Market Acceleration Programme (NOMAP) to enhance its power and sustainability agenda.

    The collaboration was formalised yesterday with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the state government and NOMAP carried out by the state’s one-stop shop for investment, the Nasarawa Investment and Development Agency (NASIDA) with the Nasarawa Electricity Power Agency (NAEPA) as the technical lead.

    The Managing Director of the Agency, Ibrahim Abdullahi while giving his remarks said the partnership is a step towards bringing the Nasarawa vision of becoming amongst the top three most competitive economies in Nigeria to actualisation.

    As the haven for mini off-grid projects in Nigeria, Ibrahim added that the support from NOMAP will further strengthen the offering of the state, improve the business environment, offer certainty to prospective investors as well as deliver tangible benefits to hard-to-reach communities.

    Read Also: Shettima inaugurates core working group on fight against malnutrition

    “The collaboration with NOMAP provides an opportunity to enhance our state’s off-grid energy landscape, attract investment, and promote sustainable development.

    “We are excited about the prospects of this project, and welcome all players within the electricity value chain to prepare and engage,” Ibrahim added.

    The program will support the Nasarawa State government with the development of the Nasarawa Off-Grid energy policy, build capacity for relevant state government institutions, support in implementation of the policy, and facilitate further private sector and development partner support for Off-Grid clean energy projects in the State.

    NOMAP which is supported by Shell Foundation, UKaid and USAID is primarily aimed at tackling the barriers limiting the growth of the off-grid energy sector in Nigeria and to promote the creation of a favorable environment for clean energy such as off-grid solar solutions especially in the rural areas.

  • My emergence end religious,tribal politics in Nasarawa, says Speaker

    My emergence end religious,tribal politics in Nasarawa, says Speaker

    Newly elected speaker, Nasarawa State House of assembly, Danladi Jatau said, he will work hard as the number three citizen of the state to close religious and tribal politics in the state which has undermine unity of the state.

    He also assured the people of the State of open door and all inclusive leadership devoid of any sentiment.

    Speaker Jatau gave the assurance while playing host to Jama’atul Nasri Islam (JNI) and Tijaniyya Movement, Nasarawa State Chapter in his office yesterday in Lafia.

    He advised religious leaders against inciting sermons capable of threatening the existing peace being enjoyed in the State.

    Read Also: Nasarawa Assembly elects majority leader, two other principal officers

    ” I want to appreciate you for the visit and to assure you of my readiness to operate an open door policy.

    ” I want to thank God for making me to be the leader of the House, I will work hard to close religious and tribal differences undermining unity, peace and progress of the State,the entire situation is worrisome ” he said.

    ” I came from a background without religious sentiment, in my immediate family, there are both Muslims and Christians and we operate as one united entity,” he added.

  • My emergence end religious, tribal politics in Nasarawa, says Speaker

    My emergence end religious, tribal politics in Nasarawa, says Speaker

    Newly elected speaker, Nasarawa State House of assembly, Danladi Jatau said, he will work hard as the number three citizen of the state to close religious and tribal politics in the state which has undermine unity of the state.

    He also assured the people of the State of open door and all inclusive leadership devoid of any sentiment.

    Speaker Jatau gave the assurance while playing host to Jama’atul Nasri Islam (JNI) and Tijaniyya Movement, Nasarawa State Chapter in his office yesterday in Lafia.

    He advised religious leaders against inciting sermons capable of threatening the existing peace being enjoyed in the State.

    ” I want to appreciate you for the visit and to assure you of my readiness to operate an open door policy.

    ” I want to thank God for making me to be the leader of the House, I will work hard to close religious and tribal differences undermining unity, peace and progress of the State,the entire situation is worrisome ” he said.

    ” I came from a background without religious sentiment, in my immediate family, there are both Muslims and Christians and we operate as one united entity,” he added.

    The Speaker appreciated Governor Abdullahi Sule for his developmental strides in the state and called on all to give him the maximum support to succeed.

    Read Also: Nasarawa Assembly elects majority leader, two other principal officers

    ” I want to appreciate His Excellency, Engr. Abdullahi Sule for being up and doing in developing the state.

    ” Let’s continue to support His Excellency to succeed ,” he said.

    Earlier, Caliphate Mallam Muhammad Buhari, the Leader of Tijaniyyah Movement, Nasarawa State said that the visit was to congratulate Rt. Hon Jatau on his emergence as Speaker of the state legislature.

    ” We are here to congratulate and rejoice with you on your emergence as Speaker of the House

    ” You have the experience and capacity to lead the House as God gives leadership to whom he wishes,” he said.

    He assured the speaker of their loyalty and support at all times, urging him to operate an open door policy.

  • Sokoto, Nasarawa unveil N270.1b, N199.9b spending plans respectively

    Sokoto, Nasarawa unveil N270.1b, N199.9b spending plans respectively

    Sokoto State governor, Ahmad Aliyu yesterday, presented a budget proposal of N270.1 billion for the 2024 fiscal year to the state Assembly with the education sector topping the allocation with N42.8 billion.

    Accordingly, the health sector got the allocation of over N31 billion with capital expenditure attracting N172.2 billion while recurrent gulps over N98 billion.

    Presenting the budget tagged “Budget of Hope and Resilience for Infrastructural Development,” Sokoto said the incoming year would focus primarily on the administration’s 9-point smart agenda to ensure the economic prosperity of the state through the execution of human-oriented projects that would open the horizon for citizens in the state.

    He explained that the budget was driven by the reflection of the views of the people of the state, hence the need for the administration to be focused with determination for the benefit of all.

    Sokoto stressed that “we will do everything humanly possible to transform all sectors for the state’s economic growth.”

    Read Also: Obaseki congratulates Shaibu on 54th birthday

    Receiving the proposal, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Tukur Bala Bodinga, commended the governor for the timely presentation assuring that the budget will receive the necessary blessing to brace the administration’s desire to achieve its 9-points smart agenda with ease.

    He stated: “We will also ensure a harmonious and smooth working partnership for the governor to sustain the tempo of hard work for the benefit of our dear state.”

    However, dignitaries in attendance included the Sultan of Sokoto Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the immediate past Speaker of the state Assembly, former of Police Affairs, Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi, former Deputy Governor, Abdullah Chiso Dattijo, former speaker Lawali Labbo Maigai, Aminu Manya Achida.

    In a related development, Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, also yesterday presented the 2024 budget of N199.9 billion to the State House of Assembly for approval.

    The governor, while presenting the budget  said it was made up of N112 billion in recurrent expenditure, representing 56 per cent and N86 billion in capital expenditure, representing 44 per cent.

    He noted that the budget was aimed at completing ongoing projects as well as initiating new ones for the overall development of the state.

    His words:  “I am delighted to lay before you a total budget size of N199. 8 billion or the 2024 fiscal year. A total of N112. 9 billion, representing 56 per cent of the total budget, is earmarked for recurrent expenditure. A total of N86, 954,019,755.50, representing 44 per cent of the total budget, is set aside as capital expenditure for the year 2024,” he said.

    Sule said that the administration had prioritised infrastructure development to improve the standard of living of the people.

    “The budget for the various sectors is as follows: Administrative Sector: Education, N41.9 billion; Health, N27.5 billion; Environment, N5.5 billion; Local Government, N6.3 billion; Finance, N13.1 billion.

    “Trade and Investment, N3.8 billion; Ministry of Science and Technology, N1.7billion; Ministry of Works, N22.7 billion; Water Resources, N41.9 billion; Lands and Urban Development, N8.6 billion; State Assembly, N4.3 billion; and Information, Culture, and Tourism, N2.6 billion,” he said.

    The acting Speaker of the House, Mr Abel Bala, assured that the budget would be given accelerated passage.

  • Nasarawa Assembly gets new speaker, deputy

    Nasarawa Assembly gets new speaker, deputy

    Members of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly have elected Danladi Jatau who represents the Kokona East state constituency as the new speaker.

    Jatau, who is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), became the number three citizen of the state less than 48 hours after the Appeal Court sacked the former speaker, Ibrahim Balarebe Abdullahi.

    Mohammed Oyanki, representing the Doma south state constituency on the platform of the PDP was elected deputy speaker.

    Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja on Tuesday, November 28, in its verdict, sacked the speaker.

    Before his removal by the court, Abdullahi was a member of the APC, who first came to the Assembly in 2015 and was elected speaker.

    He was re-elected as a member and speaker in 2019 and returned in 2023, both as member and speaker.

    Read Also: Sule to Nasarawa PDP: Protest against Appeal Court won’t make you governor

    He was a member representing the Umesha/Ugya state constituency of Toto local government area of the state.

    The Court of Appeal Abuja had declared Sa’ad Abdullahi Ibrahim of the PDP as the rightful winner of the March 18 2023 election for the Umaisha/Ugya state constituency.

    The action is not unconnected with tomorrow’s budget presentation by Governor Abdullahi Sule to the Assembly where a speaker will preside over.

    Governor Sule is billed to present the 2024 budget before the members of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly tomorrow Friday, 1st November, 2023.