The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Samuel Aruwan

  • El-Rufai condemns burning of church and police station

    ….orders investigation into death of laborer

     

    Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai has condemned in strong terms, the burning of a church and Police post in Narayi, Chikun Local government area of the state on Thursday by angry mob.

    El-Rufai however ordered full investigation to unravel the circumstances leading to the death of the young Sylvester, whose death prompted the riotous conduct.

    The Governor in a statement through his media aide, Samuel Aruwan condemned the burning of the church and police station, saying that, “it is wrong for and illegal for anyone or group to take the law into their hands.

    According to the statement, the Governor also ordered an investigation into the circumstances of death of the labourer whose demise allegedly prompted the riotous conduct, as well as the apprehension of all those who partook in or enabled the acts of arson.

    The protesters had on Wednesday and Thursday in Narayi, Chikun local government area, burnt down a Celestial Church and the Narayi Police Post while protesting the death of the laborer.

    The pastor of the church, one Babatunde Shittu, was protected from being lynched by the mob by police and some residents of the community.

    “The governor commiserated with the family of the deceased, but added that everyone who had concerns about the circumstances of his death would allow the law enforcement agencies to handle the matter.

    “Kaduna State Government will not tolerate attacks on places of worship and public property such as the police post. In a state that has endured four decades of violent conflict, there can be no condoning an attack on the offices of security agencies or a place of worship, an act that has often invited needless reprisals and escalation.

    “The government is determined to ensure vigorous prosecution of anyone indicted by the police investigation into the matter.” The Governor said.

  • Kaduna: El-Rufai directs prosecution of culprits in Magani mayhem

    Kaduna: El-Rufai directs prosecution of culprits in Magani mayhem

    The Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai has directed the prosecution of persons responsible for the Monday mayhem that occurred at Kasuwan Magani in Kajuru local government area of the state.

    The government said the security agencies must investigate “this unfortunate incident, arrest and make available for prosecution the perpetrators.”

    Samuel Aruwan, Gov. El-Rufai’s spokesman, disclosed this in a statement issued in Kaduna, shortly after receiving preliminary report of the mayhem.

    Aruwan said government condemned the violence and regretted the wanton killing of people.

    He said the government expressed sympathy to the victims and their families.

    He said government has directed the State Emergency Management Agency ( SEMA ) to take inventory of damages and provide relief materials with immediate effect.

    Aruwan said that security personnel had also been deployed to contain the situation, protect lives and properties as well as prevent any further breakdown of law and order.

    He said that government urged all citizens and communities to reject violence and division and uphold their neighbours in peace and harmony.

    NAN

  • Teachers’ strike will not stop education reform – Kaduna Govt.

    Teachers’ strike will not stop education reform – Kaduna Govt.

    Kaduna State Government on Tuesday said the ongoing strike by the Nigerian Union of Teachers ( NUT ) in the state would not stop its education reform.

    In a statement issued in Kaduna by Samuel Aruwan, Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity to Gov. Nasiru El-Rufai, the state government said it would not allow unqualified teachers in its schools.

    He said the state government was determined to protect the future of the students as more than two million pupils were enrolled in public primary schools.

    Aruwan commended teachers who reported to work in spite of efforts by the NUT to unlawfully prevent them from working.

    He said the government had begun collation of reports from education administrators on teachers and reiterated that teachers who absented themselves from work would be sanctioned according to the law.

    “Appropriate reminder of the potency of these rules (laws) has been issued in previous government statements.

    “Across the state, the illegality of the NUT’s strike action is being compounded by physical attempts to frustrate those teachers who wish to work.

    “No law permits any worker to tamper with another’s right to work. The attention of the security agencies has been drawn to this dangerous pattern of conduct,” Aruwan said.

    Read also: Court stops El-Rufai from sacking Kaduna teachers

    He said the state government had concluded marking of scripts of 43,000 applicants who applied for teaching positions, disclosing that 25,000 qualified teachers would be employed.

    NAN

  • El-Rufai’ appoints heads of agencies

    El-Rufai’ appoints heads of agencies

    Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has approved the appointment of new heads of three government agencies in the state, a statement by his media aide, Samuel Aruwan, has said.

    Among those appointed is Alhaji Sani Abbas as pioneer Chairman of Kaduna State Mortgage and Foreclosure Authority.

    Abbas was the Chairman of the state Industrialisation and Micro Credit Management Board before the new appointment.

    The statement added that Mr. Ben Kure has been appointed as Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency.

    Read Also: Kaduna rail: Obasanjo not Jonathan’s idea – El-Rufai to Bruce

    Kure was a former caretaker chairman of Jaba Local Government and Director-General of State APC Campaign Committee in 2015.

    According to the statement, the governor has also appointed Mr Musa Usman as Director-General, Kaduna State Facility Management Agency.

    Usman was until his appointment, the Executive Director, Operations of the agency and had served as maintenance engineer with Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

    NAN

  • Kaduna vows to track those circulating violence-inciting false images

    Kaduna vows to track those circulating violence-inciting false images

    Kaduna State Government on Wednesday said it would punish those circulating false images of crisis victims on social media platforms aimed at inciting people to violence in the state.

    The government spokesman, Samuel Aruwan said at a news briefing in Kaduna that the decision was taken at the end of the State Security Council Meeting.

    He said that the meeting had appraised security situation in Birnin Gwari, Southern Kaduna, Kaduna-Abuja Road and Zaria-Kubau-Giwa axis, and adopted plans to enhance security in the areas.

    The spokesman said the meeting was particularly concerned over the massive circulation of disturbing images of dead bodies and injured victims of the recent violence in Kajuru Local Government Area.

    “It is clear, that those circulating these inciting images are hell-bent on deepening the unfortunate incident that occurred last month.

    “The security council condemned the ongoing circulation of the call-to-revenge images and warned those engaging in the act to desist.

    “Anyone found will not be spared and will be prosecuted accordingly without fear or favour.”

    According to him, some of those involved in the Kajuru killings had been arrested, with some being prosecuted while security agencies are close to making more arrests.

    He urged families of victims to ignore those wishing to incite more violence, assuring them that the administration would not spare those involved.

    “While Kaduna state government is involved in multi-dimensional approach towards mediation and peace building, the governor wishes to appeal to the affected communities to resist appeals for reprisals and also refrain from taking laws into their hands. 
    “Furthermore, the government wishes to reiterate, that no one found complicit in the Kajuru killings of last month will be spared.
    “The ongoing prosecution is a testament to the will to ensure justice and rights in the state, therefore, resort to self-help or jungle justice breeds nothing but a vicious cycle of bloodletting and desecration of human life.”
  • El-Rufa’i denies muzzling media, warns against divisive reports

    El-Rufa’i denies muzzling media, warns against divisive reports

    Gov. Nasiru El-Rufa’i of Kaduna State, on Tuesday denies that his government is muzzling the media and impinging on the rights of people to free speech.

    The governor made the denial in Kaduna in a message to the opening of a workshop on conflict prevention and peace building for civil society organisations.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 3-day workshop was organized by the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution and the United Nation Development Programme.

    El-Rufai who was represented by his media aide, Samuel Aruwan, however said the administration would not accept any report that incites violence and ignites crisis in the state.

    “Contrary to the false assertions from some quarters, the government of Kaduna state does not seek to muzzle the free press or journalists in the performance of their duty.

    “As a government, it is our constitutional mandate to protect against actions that disrupt the society such as irresponsible journalism that spread falsehood, publishes inciting stories and turn our people against one another.

    “I am convinced that the active participation of Civil Society Organizations in conflict prevention, resolution and peace building will help the government in fostering harmonious living and peaceful co-existence in our country.

    “We must all rise against voices that promote division and those who promote hate speeches which incites people to violence against those they differ from.

    “People must learn to tolerate one another and respect others even when they differ on political ideology, religion or tribe,’’ he said.

    El-Rufa’i disclosed that the state government would set up a peace commission to manage conflicts in the state.

    He said it was one of the steps taken by government to address the recurring conflicts, adding that the peace commission would also handle prevention and non violent interventions as wells as render support to security agencies.

    The governor said the administration had partnered religious and traditional leaders in ongoing peace building efforts across communities.

    El-Rufa’i stressed that “peace is everybody’s business’’, as such there was need to leverage on the roles of the CSOs to collectively build peace in Nigeria.

    He appealed for reason and moderation from all persons in the country to reinforce peace, tolerance and cooperation for the unity and progress of the country.

    The governor urged the CSOs to cooperate with government to denounce hate speeches, radicalization and violent extremism as well as ensure effective enforcement of laws to punish offenders.

    Earlier, the Director General of the institute, Prof. Oshita Oshita, urged Nigerians to embrace peace and help to build a strong and united country.

    He said that the workshop was to build the capacity of CSOs for continuous dialogue, collaboration and peace building across the country.

    In her goodwill message, Mrs Hannatu Ibrahim, a peace ambassador, said civil societies must compliment government in its peace building efforts.

    According to her, individuals and communities must also learn to dialogue in addressing contentious issues among them.

  • 41 gangsters to face trial for homicide, terrorism in Kaduna

    41 gangsters to face trial for homicide, terrorism in Kaduna

    Kaduna State Security Council has announced the arrest of gangsters suspected of attacking innocent citizens with dangerous weapons, leading to culpable homicide.

    The Council also named four persons who will be charged and prosecuted for acts related to terrorism and possession of dangerous weapons.

    This was contained in a statement issued by Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s spokesman, Samuel Aruwan.

    According to the statement, the suspects were arrested in different locations in Zaria and Kaduna town by security operatives.

    “The gangsters who are popularly known as ‘Yan Sara-Suka’ or ‘Yan Shara’ are to be prosecuted for causing deaths and injuries.

    “The Security Council also directed that the suspects be charged for illegal possession of weapons, disturbance of public peace, homicide and unlawful assembly”.

    It gave the breakdown of the suspects arrested in Tudun Wada, Zaria areas to include, Salisu Abubakar, Kabiru Auwal, Isyaku Ibrahim, Salisu Musa, Shamsudeen Ahmed, Mohammed Ibrahim, and Ali Tukur.

    Others arrested in Kabala Doki and Kawo areas of Kaduna include, Aliyu Auwal, Abba Yusuf, Sadiq Balarabe, Sharif Abdullahi, Mustapha Aliyu, Bashir Ibrahim, Najib Yusuf, Daddy Yusuf.

    They also include Ahmed Abdurasak, Ibrahim Hassan, Abdulsalam Mohammed, Umurana Shuaibu, Mohammed Ibrahim, Hamisu Umar, Sadiq Ismail, Gadafi Yusuf, Hassan Shuaibu,  Zailani Magaji, Jibril Idris.

    Others are Mansur Sani, Ismail Dahiru, Mukailu Yusuf, Sani Nasiru, Aminu Sanusi,

    Rabiu Musa, Umar Tanimu, Ibrahim Idris, Mohammed Abdurahaman, Mohammed Abdullahi and Shabale Adamu.

    The Security Council also named three persons who will be charged and prosecuted for acts related to terrorism and possession of dangerous weapons.

    It gave thier names as Haruna Usma, Badiya Garba, Saleem Shuaibu, and Ashiru Abdullahi.

     

  • Ecological Fund: Learn to take responsibility, El-Rufai replies Jonathan

    Ecological Fund: Learn to take responsibility, El-Rufai replies Jonathan

    Gov. Nasiru El-Rufai of Kaduna State on Tuesday blasted former President Goodluck Jonathan on his recent comment on the N2 billion Ecological Fund granted PDP states during his tenure.

    El-Rufai said in Kaduna through his media aide, Samuel Aruwan, that the former President had failed to justify why he released the fund only to his cronies instead of all the states.

    The governor lamented that instead of addressing the moral issues raised in the interim report of the investigation instituted by the National Economic Council, Jonathan chose to resort to personal attacks.

    “He is not a man that can take responsibility for anything.

    “In March 2015, not long after making concession call to President Buhari, he summoned his pecks and ask them to reject the result of an election whose winner he had congratulated in private.

    “That effort and publicity failed spectacularly and the will of people prevailed.

    “So no one should be surprised that he is denying presiding over the discrete distribution of the ecological funds.

    “His denial begs the question, what special circumstance ensured that only states that were controlled by the PDP and its allied parties qualified for the N2 billion each.”

    El-Rufa’i accused Jonathan of running Nigeria while in power for his party and family.

    “Jonathan cannot argue with fact that the payment are in the record of ecological fund.

    “He knowingly engaged in discriminatory disbursement of federal fund; the legality of that is open to question.”

    He dismissed as disingenuous, the former president’s argument that money was also disbursed for the Green Wall Project in some northern states.

    El-Rufa’i also noted that Jonathan had failed in his response, to show where he lied regarding the disbursement of N2 billion to each of the affected states as contained in the NEC interim report on the utilisation of the Ecological Fund.

    The governor reminded the former president that the investigation being carried out was at the instance of NEC and not a personal initiative

  • El-Rufai orders probe of rifles found in accident car

    El-Rufai orders probe of rifles found in accident car

    Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai has ordered an investigation into the discovery of five locally made AK 47 rifles and a magazine in a car that was involved in an accident last week.
    The Nation recalled that, the fatal accident, involving two vehicles, occurred on the 12th May, 2017 at Mazuga, Kachia local government area.
    Meanwhile, Governor El-Rufai in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Samuel Aruwan, said his government has received a briefing on the accident from the Kaduna State Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps and security agencies were charged to ensure thorough investigation and diligent prosecution.
    According to the statement, “On 15th May 2017, the Kaduna State Government received a brief from the Kaduna State Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corp on the discovery of a weapons in a car that had been involved in an accident. The government has therefore directed a thorough investigation of the matter.
    “According to the Sector Head of Operation, Salisu D. Galadanci, the FRSC on 12th May, 2017 at about 16:07 hours received information of an accident at Mazuga, KM10, Kachia-Kafanchan road and it quickly proceeded to the scene to rescue the victims.
    “On reaching the scene, some people around the area had already started helping by bringing the victims out from the accident’s vehicles. Two vehicles were involved, an Audi Salon car AG 60MKR, one Opel Vectra car without registration. Of the seven persons involved in the accident, three died while four persons were rescued. Five locally-made AK47 rifles and a magazine were also recovered from the Audi car.
    “The driver of the Audi, Mr. Sabo Goni, was among the rescued accident victims. All the victims were rushed to Kachia Hospital. The Kachia Divisional Police Officer, CSP Faruk Umar, was alerted about the discovery of five rifles in the Audi car. The recovered arms have since been handed over to Kachia DPO for further investigation.
    “The Kaduna State Government commends Mazuga community for reporting the matter to security agencies and for preserving the recovered arms till the arrival of security agencies”, the statement read.
  • Kaduna Govt. orders FRSC off streets

    Kaduna Govt. orders FRSC off streets

    The Kaduna State Government has barred personnel of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) from erecting checkpoints in Kaduna and other urban centres in the state.

    The directive is contained in a statement issued in Kaduna on Wednesday by Mr Samuel Aruwan, Special Assistant to Gov. Nasiru El-Rufai on Media and Publicity.

    It said that the decision was taken by the state Security Council after a meeting in which it reviewed complaints from the general public against the road marshals.

    “The council acted following complaints that FRSC officials were acting in ways reminiscent of the VIO that was dissolved by the state government following widespread unease at their acts of disrespect for the public and penchant for extortion,” it said.

    The government stressed that the FRSC personnel have been barred “from indiscriminately stopping vehicles for inspection in Kaduna town, a situation which has been responsible for avoidable traffic congestion and accidents.”

    The government further directed the FRSC officials to, henceforth, concentrate their activities “in ensuring safe travel on highways such as the Abuja-Kaduna expressway.”

    It also barred petrol tankers from loading firewood, tomatoes and other goods on top of their vehicles throughout the state, because of the danger the practice pose to lives and property.

    “The Security Council, therefore, mandated security agencies to ensure compliance with these directives, and relevant agencies were also directed to impound defaulting tankers.”

    The meeting of the Security Council was chaired by the governor, and had in attendance his Deputy, Mr Barnabas Bala, and heads of military and paramilitary agencies in the state.