The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Sokoto State

  • Balarabe, Makarfi, others react to Buhari’s decision to seek re-election

    Some Nigerians have welcomed the decision of President Muhammadu Buhari to seek re-election in 2019, saying it was a good decision, as it would help consolidate the gains recorded by his administration, if re-elected.

    However, some members of the opposition political parties said in separate interviews with the News men in Sokoto and Kaduna that the President won’ t find it easy going for second term.

    Alhaji Sidi Ali, Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress ( APC ) in Sokoto State, said, “Buhari has all it takes to re-contest and the decision is a welcome development.

    “He is governing well and has the capacity to continue with the good work, and I am sure more good transformations will happen in the country, if he is re-elected.”

    Malam Kasimu Chiyama, Chairman Dadin Kowa Youth Association in Kwannawa, Sokoto state expressed joy over the announcement.

    “We will support him fully because he is the only candidate that has been good to Nigerians.”

    Two Sokoto residents, Hajia Hauwa’u Magode and Abdullahi Maiyogot expressed excitement over President Buhari’s position and prayed Allah to continue to guide him.

    However, Mr Samson Samuel, a student, faulted the decision, saying the President should consider his age and health status.

    “The APC will surely make a mistake by nominating Buhari to re-contest.

    “Buhari is a good leader but in recognition of his age and health status he should have rested, as he had spent most time during this tenure on medical treatment abroad.”

    Read Also: Buhari secure soft landing for Oyegun, others

    Also, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, former Governor of Kaduna State welcomed the declaration by President Muhammadu Buhari to seek re-election in 2019.

    Musa, a chieftain of the Peoples Redemption Party ( PRP ) said in a telephone interview that his party would, however, come up with a strong candidate to challenge Buhari in the elections.

    “President Muhammadu Buhari is welcome on board, but we want to assure Nigerians that the PRP has a presidential candidate to field in the 2019 general elections,” he said

    Similarly, Alhaji Ahmed Makarfi, former National Caretaker Committee Chairman of the People Democratic Party ( PDP ), said in a text message that: “It’s no news that he is contesting, it would have been news if he had announced the opposite.”

    The Sokoto state Secretary of PDP, Alhaji Kabiru Aliyu, said Nigerians should vote out the APC or prepare for “another four years of hunger.”

    “Buhari’s age and health condition are all in Allah’s hand, but what is more of concern is good governance and ability to transform the country better.

    “Nigerians should vote PDP to avoid continuous hunger and maladministration that subject people to hardships,” Aliyu said.

    President Buhari had announced his intention to go for second term at the National Executive Council meeting of APC held in Abuja.

    NAN

  • NSCDC arrest suspected cattle rustler, two vandals in Sokoto

    The Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) in Sokoto State said it has arrested a suspected cattle rustler, Aliyu Danzuru who terrorized some parts of the state.

    The corps also arrested two suspected electricity cable vandals, Shehu Ibrahim and Abubakar Sani.

    The Commandant of NSCDC in the state, Mr Babangida Dutsinma, made the disclosure while briefing newsmen on arrest of the suspects on Monday in Sokoto.

    He said that the arrest of Danzuru who have been on the security watch for long period followed a tip off on March 24.

    The commandant said that Danzuru was popular among notorious bandits and was said to have masterminded numerous cow rustlings in Raba Local Government Area and environs.

    Dutsinma explained that on investigation, Danzuru led the corps to arrest the gang’s arms supplier, one Alhaji Yale, who died after being hospitalised from high blood pressure.

    He said before Yale’s death, four locally made rifles, ammunitions and machetes were recovered from his house.

    The commandant said that the deceased refused to disclose the whereabouts of some AK 47 rifles mentioned by Danzuru.

    He said that Danzuru had named eight other gang members that included Babangida Audu, Amadu Bello, Isa Kusar-Hausawa, Jammu Kusar-Fulani, Basiru Bello, Gyade Dutesen-Kusra, Lawwali Kusar Gobirawa and Salisu Hanci.

    He said all the suspects were residents of various settlements in Raba Local Government Area.
    Dutsinma added that the arrest was made possible by the joint security agencies against kidnappings and cattle rustling in the state.

    The commandant said the two electricity cables vandals, Ibrahim and Sani were also arrested on the same day with electricity cables stolen from installations on Raba-Sokoto road.

    He said investigation on the matter was ongoing.

    He enjoined the people to support security agencies with useful intelligent information in order to track reoccurring criminal activities in Raba areas.

    NAN

    Read Also: NSCDC deploys 50 motorcycles for patrols in Taraba

     

  • Police arrest five over abatement, forgery in Sokoto

    Police arrest five over abatement, forgery in Sokoto

    The Police Command in Sokoto State has arrested five suspects for alleged abatement and forgery of the National Identity Card.

    The Spokesperson of the command, ASP Cordelia Nwewe, said this while presenting the suspects to newsmen in Sokoto on Friday.

    Nwewe said that two of the suspects were staff of a bank, while the other three were business centre operators.

    She said that based on information and intelligence report, operatives of the State Investigative Bureau (SIB) arrested five suspects in connection with the crime.

    “One Nasir Sifawa went to open a bank account in Sokoto, were he met the accounting officer, Mudassiru Taofeeq, who enquired from him about the National Identity Card.

    “In the process, the officer intimated his colleague at the bank, Perez Percy, who in turn demanded N4,000 and Sifawa’s details together with his passport photograph.

    “Eventually, a temporary slip of the National Identity Card was produced for Sifawa by the said bank officer and was used to open the account,” Nwewe said.

    She added that Sifawa innocently and ignorantly took the forged slip to the National Identity Management Commission ( NIMC ) office in Bodinga Local Government Area of the state.

    “This was with the aim of collecting the original National Identity Card, but when the NIMC staff collected the slip they discovered that it was a forged document.

    “As such, he alerted the NIMC head office in Sokoto who in turn informed the command about the incident and both suspects were cooperating with the Police in their investigation,” the Spokesperson added.

    In another development the command has also arrested five armed robbery suspects in the state.

    According to the police spokesperson, information about the suspects was reported at Gudu Police Division in Gudu Local Government Area.

    “That they blocked travelers from Niger republic coming to Sokoto on the road near Boto village in Gudu Local Government Area.

    “The hoodlums that were armed with guns and cutlasses robbed the travelers of the sum of N 289,720, four cell phones, some cloths and provisions,” she said.

    Nwewe added that a torch light used in the operation was recovered while efforts were being made to recover their firearms and arrest the remaining suspects who had fled to Niger republic.

    NAN

  • The need for a functioning Law Clinic cannot be overemphasized – Justice Usman

    The need for a functioning Law Clinic cannot be overemphasized – Justice Usman

    As part of the line up of activities scheduled  to promote justice and fairness in Sokoto state, the Law students of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto have  visited the Attorney General of Sokoto State, Justice Usman Suleiman and the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Bello Abbas, respectively.

    The visitation was done to enhance the chance of interviewing of pre-trial detainees of Sokoto prisons, advocation on ending violation against women, promoting girl child education, among others.

    In an interactive session with  Justice Suleiman Usman, the group of law students, who were lead by their staff adviser, Ibrahim Sheu emphasised the need to have a functioning Law Clinic in Usmanu Danfodiyo University so as to enhance their studies as law students of the school.

    Responding,  the Attorney General expressed excitement over the attempts made by the students. The need to have a functioning Law clinic he said,  cannot be overemphasised. He furthermore pledged to employ all legal means to support the idea of the students.

    While with Justice Bello Abbas, he pledged his support towards the advancement of the clinic by providing decided cases of the court and giving out research materials to build up the clinic library.

    The students however spoke to our correspondents,  expressing their delights over the new development.

    “The clinic would benefit tremendously from the visitation by giving law clinicians the opportunity of interviewing detainees through Alternative Dispute Resolution ( ADR ),” Sulaiman Amina, a 300level student proclaimed.

    Attahiru Haruna who is a 400 level student explained that the advocacy visit is aimed at presenting the caliphate judicial clinic to the ministry of justice and the state high court, in an effort to have them partner with with the students in different activities.

    “We really appreciate the efforts of the Caliphate  Law Clinic for embarking  on such initiative program,” he added.

  • Sokoto: Police arrest notorious robbery suspects, illicit drug sellers

    Sokoto: Police arrest notorious robbery suspects, illicit drug sellers

    The Sokoto state police command on Wednesday confirmed the arrest of three of a gang of six suspected notorious armed robbers terrorising people and residents in and around Bodinga in Sokoto state.

    Similarly, the command said it recovered from the gang among others; 2 locally made pistols, 1 AK47 rifle with two live cartridges, matchet, sticks, 1 hintch bar and knife.

    Those arrested include: Ali Abubakar (22), Ahmed Abubakar (27) and Nafi’u Umar (24) while those at large are: Kirwa, Abubakar and Jammo.

    Parading the suspects while briefing newsmen, the Command’s PPRO, ASP Cordelia Nweke said the gang which has been terrorising the area in the last five years led by Ahmed Abubakar said to be from Kwara were arrested on February 8, 2018 after storming the premises of one Alhaji Bello of Saketa village and robbed him of unspecified huge amount of money.

    “Nafi’u Umar is their pointer who leaks information to the gang for operations in Saketa village. He received N1.2m as his share of the loot.

    “Ahmed Abubakar who was roaming the town of Tureta with deep cut in his right hand  was intercepted by our men on patrol and could not give reasonable explanation when questioning and was suspected to be an armed robber.

    Similarly, the command’s spokesperson confirmed the arrest of four of a gang of six robbers in a separate raid on Februray 9, 2018 and recovered a dane gun from them.

    According to her, they attacked and demanded N3 million from their victim, Alhaji Abubakar Umaru of Kuringa village in Yabo local government of Sokoto state.

    “They also stole his Kasea motocycle valued at N250, 000 and raped his wife. Already three suspects are in custody and have confessed to the crime

    She continued: “Abubakar Muhammad, Ali Usman a.k.a Ja’o, Aliyu Abubakar and Kiruwa Shuaibu were arrested while two others; Abubakar and Jamo who are said to be from Kebbi state are still at large.”

    Also in a separate operation, the command said it arrested two persons; Emmanuel Joseph of Tamaje area and Ikwejulious Chido of Old airport area in Sokoto in possesion of 15 cartons and 18 rolls of illicit substances totalling 461 bottles suspected to be Codeine.

    However, the police image maker said during the course of investigation the suspects took the police to Sahara area where a search was conducted in a shop and the items were discovered in cartons and rolls.

    While calling on the public to always be on the alert and report suspicious persons on their midst,  the police spokesperson said Sokoto command of the force will continue to make it difficult for crime and criminals to find as hiding place for their nefarious activities.

    “We will continue to be proactively decisive in our operations in the fight towards crime prevention and control,” She said.

     

  • Sokoto defunct CPC members cry marginalisation in state affairs

    Sokoto defunct CPC members cry marginalisation in state affairs

    MEMBERS of the Sokoto state chapter of the defunct  Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Saturday regrouped to lament over alleged total marginalisation  from affairs of governance and appointments by the Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal led administration in the state.

    They unanimously appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene by requesting the presidential panel to mediate in the matter with a view to addressing the problems.

    Similarly, they accused the current government in the state for metting gross injustice ranging from victimization as well as subjecting them to various criminal abuses.

    Addressing a press conference in Sokoto, the Convener, Professor Muhammad Lawal Bashir said after their painstaking sacrifices in the electoral processes that saw to the victory of the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC) both in the state and at the centre, they were side lined.

    Bashir maintained that after the electoral victory, the PDP decampees under the leadership of Governor Tambuwal formed the government  without any one of our members. They have extricated themselves from all the merger agreements.

    ” Out of the sixty nine elected offices, none has been given to us from the office of the Governor to councils chairmen.

    ” Also, out of eighty eight political appointments, only one is given to CPC even though, he was a former member of the PDP who decamped to CPC after loosing relevance in the party at that time”, he pointed out.”

    The group however, applauded the move by the President for recognising the exigency to appoint a mediator to finetune and salvage the ruling APC from imminent disintegration and utumate collapse.

    ” We acknowledge and express our support and joy for a mediator in the person of our National party Leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed  Tinubu to assist in salvaging our great party, the All Progressives Congress from imminent disintegration and ultimate collapse”, the convener said.

  • Sokoto defunct CPC members cry marginalization, injustice, seeks Tinubu intervention

    Sokoto defunct CPC members cry marginalization, injustice, seeks Tinubu intervention

    Members of the Sokoto state chapter of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), today regrouped to lament over alleged total marginalization  from affairs of governance and appointments by the Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal led administration in the state.

    They unanimously appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to earnestly intervene by requesting the presidential panel to mediate in the matter with a view to addressing the problems.

    Similarly, they accused the current government in the state for meting gross injustice ranging from victimization as well as subjecting them to various criminal abuses.

    Addressing a press conference in Sokoto, the Convener, Professor Muhammad Lawal Bashir said after their painstaking sacrifices in the electoral processes that saw to the victory of the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC) both in the state and at the center, they were side lined.

    Bashir maintained that after the electoral victory, the PDP decampees under the leadership of Governor Tambuwal formed the government without any one of our members. They have extricated themselves from all the merger agreements.

    “Out of the sixty nine elected offices, none has been given to us from the office of the Governor to councils chairmen.

    ” Also, out of eighty eight political appointments, only one is given to CPC even though, he was a former member of the PDP who decamped to CPC after losing relevance in the party at that time”, he pointed out.”

    The group however, applauded the move by the President for recognizing the exigency to appoint a mediator to finetune and salvage the ruling APC from imminent disintegration and ultimate collapse.

    “We acknowledge and express our support and joy for a mediator in the person of our National party Leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed  Tinubu to assist in salvaging our great party, the All Progressives Congress from imminent disintegration and ultimate collapse”, the convener said.

  • 11 die in 533 fire incidents in Sokoto

    11 die in 533 fire incidents in Sokoto

    The Sokoto State Fire Service said on Thursday that it recorded 11 deaths and saved 77 lives in 533 fire incidents it responded to in the state  in 2017.

    Alhaji Murtala Muhammad, the Director-General of the State Fire Service, gave the figures  in an interview with our reporter in Sokoto.

    He said six persons were rescued while properties valued at N3.1 billion were lost, with the agency being  able to save N4.2 billion worth of properties during the period under review.

    Muhammad blamed the fire incidents on electrical sparks and  negligence, urging residents  to be vigilant and embrace safety measures.

    He said the organization has  18 functional fire-fighting vehicles and 13 operational fire stations  equipped with modern fire-fighting tools within Sokoto metropolis.

    According to him, the Aminu Tambuwal-led administration bought 10 new vehicles, refurbished the existing ones and constructed eight fire stations.

    He said the administration also drilled two boreholes and provided two water tankers as back-up to facilitate the agency’s activities.

    Muhammad also lauded the state government for the prompt supply of chemicals used in putting out fires as well as the provision rain boots and jackets.

    “ At present, the organisation has 142 workers whose salaries are being paid regularly  and also enjoying shift  and hazard allowances,’’ the fire chief said.

    He, however, appealed to the state government to provide the organisation with an ambulance  to complement its  services to  victims without waiting for responses from hospitals which may delay emergency services.

    Read Also: Search Sokoto IMN leader, Kasimu dies, laid to rest at residence in Mabera, Sokoto

    The director-general also requested for the employment of additional 300 or  400 workers to effectively man the vehicles  as 24 personnel were needed to handle each fire-fighting  vehicle  in the three shifts.

    Muhammad, who noted that each of the 23 local government areas in the state has  a fire-fighting vehicle, urged  the government to promptly deploy them equitably after refurbishment.

    He commended the cordial working relationship existing between the organisation and other security agencies such as  the Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

    The fire chief, who noted that  the state government was the sole financier of the agency, pointed out  that it was also not accessing  support from national and international bodies.

    He, however, said  that assistance on manpower training, advocacy and equipment would enhance the agency’s  operations.

    The director-general said that Gov. Aminu Tambuwal’s efforts on  fire prevention and safety of  lives and properties  fetched him a  prestigious fire safety award.

  • Tambuwal effects major cabinet reshuffle

    Tambuwal effects major cabinet reshuffle

    …Deputy Governor now oversees Works, Transport Ministry

    Sokoto state Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal on Monday announced a major cabinet reshuffle, assigning portfolios to four recently-appointed commissioners while nine others were reassigned to different ministries.

    Announcing the decision in a statement issued in Sokoto, Tambuwal’s spokesman, Malam Imam Imam, said the little delay in assigning portfolio to the four appointed cabinet members was due the budget defense by various ministries at the state legislature.

    “All commissioners and other heads of parastatals have successfully concluded their budget defense and the House of Assembly has now passed the 2018 budget,” the statement stated.

    It added: “In a bid to re-energise the work of government and bring new impetus to service delivery, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has assigned portfolios to Professor Aishatu Madawaki, Hon Ahmad Barade Wamakko, Hon Garba Yakubu Tsitse and Hon Bello Isa Ambarura who were recently sworn-in as members of the Sokoto Executive Council. They will be in charge of the ministries of Basic and Secondary Education, Social Welfare, Youths and Sports; and lastly Commerce, Industries, Trade and Investment respectively.

    “Dr. Muhammed Jabbi Kilgori has been moved from the ministry of Basic and Secondary Education to that of Higher Education, Bello Goronyo Esq is now the commissioner in the newly-established ministry for Energy, Hon Musa Ausa Gidan Madi is now in charge of the ministry of Solid Minerals while Hon Mani Maishinku Katami is the new commissioner in the ministry for Rural Development.

    “Hon Abdullahi Maigwandu is now in charge of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Hon Surajo Gatawa has been redeployed to the ministry of Science and Technology, Hon Isa Saidu Achida is the new commissioner of Information while HonAbdulkadir Jeli Abubakar III is now in charge of the ministry of Home Affairs.

    “Hon Aminu Bello Sokoto has been reassigned to be the commissioner of Special Duties.

    “All other commissioners not mentioned above retain their portfolios.

    “Governor Tambuwal urges all the appointees to prioritise service delivery to the people. He equally wishes both the old and the new appointee’s success in their assignments,” the statement added.

    However, the full list of ministries and their respective  commissioners the statement said include  Hon Ahmad Aliyu, Sokoto Deputy Governor is to oversee  the ministry of Works and Transport; Hon Umar Nagwari Tambuwal, Agriculture and Natural Resources; 
    Hon Saidu Umar,Finance;  Hon Muhammad Arzika Tureta, Water Resources while  Dr. Muhammad Jabbi Kilgori, Higher Education.

    Also are:  Hon Abdullahi Maigwandu, Religious Affairs; Hon Surajo Gatawa, Science and Technology;  Hon Abdulkadir Jeli Abubakar III, Home Affairs;  Hon Tukur Alkali, Animal Health and Fisheries Development and Hon Mani Maishinku Katami,Rural Development.

    ‎Others include:  Hon Muhammad Bello Sifawa, Environmen; Hon Muhammad Bello Abubakar Guiwa, Lands and Housing;  Hon Sulaiman Usman SAN, Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice;  Hon Isa Sadiq Achida, Information; 
    Hon Aminu Bello Sokoto, Special Duties;  Hon Bala Kokani, Budget and Economic Planning with Hon Bello Goronyo Esq, Energy‎.

  • Sokoto: Court orders IMN members to obey laws on procession

    Sokoto: Court orders IMN members to obey laws on procession

    A Federal High Court in Sokoto has told members of Islamic Movement of Nigeria ( IMN ) otherwise called Shi’ites to comply with all existing laws while performing their religious activities in Sokoto state.

    The presiding Judge, Justice Saleh Idrissa issued the order in his judgment Wednesday on the enforcement of fundamental human rights suit filed before the court by Prof. Shehu Maigandi, Kasimu Muhammad and Sidi Umar on behalf of IMN members.