The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Zamfara State

  • Bandits kidnap expatriate in Zamfara

    A North Korean doctor, Dr. Jen Sunail, who was attached to Tsafe Local Government General Hospital in Zamfara State, has been kidnapped.

    Sunail, a physiotherapist, was kidnaped by a group of suspected armed bandits on Monday.

    Locals in the area said the bandits came into the town at around 9pm on the faithful day and went straight to the hospital’s staff quarters, where the doctor resides.

    The bandits then whisked him away.

    It was gathered that Dr. Sunail was posted to the hospital based on a contract signed between North Korea and Zamfara State government.

    He has been working at the general hospital for over three years.

    Bandits have been constantly terrorising Tsafe, Danjibga, Yan Doto, Yan Waren Daji, Kwarin Ganuwa and Keta for weeks.

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    One Mustafa Mu’azu, a resident of the local government, appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to curtail activities of the bandits that are kidnapping, raping even married women, looting and killing in the areas.

    He added that without troops’ intervention, the trend of insecurity in Zamfara State might escalate to uncontrollable state, where it could be difficult to handle.

    Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) SP Muhammad Shehu, when contacted,  confirmed the incident.

    Shehu said the abduction was reported to the DPO attached to Tsafe Local Government Headquarters by the doctor’s colleague, Dr. Li Dong.

    The PPRO, in a statement, said: “The state Commissioner of Police  Celestine Okoye has directed the state Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (CIID), State Intelligence Bureau (SIB) and anti-kidnapping squad team to commence investigation, search and rescue and unveil the circumstances behind the missing of the expatriate doctor.”

  • Zamfara Police confirm abduction of expatriate doctor

    The Zamfara State Police Command, has confirmed that the missing expatriate, Dr. Jeng Sunail, might have been abducted by bandits.

    In a press statement signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO) SP Mohammed Shehu, the police said Sunail was reported missing at the Tsafe Divisional Police office by one of his colleagues, Dr. Li Dong.

    “On March 26, Dr. Li Dong reported to the police that his colleague, Dr. Jang Sunail, was missing from his apartment which he shares with three other colleagues from the hospital,’’ Shehu said.

    He said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Celestine Okoye, had dispatched officers from the Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (CIID) State Intelligence Bureau (SIB) and Anti Kidnapping Squad team to commence investigation and a search and rescue operation.

    Read also: Bandits abduct North Korean doctor in Zamfara

    An eye witness in Tsafe town Mustapha Magazu, told journalists that bandits invaded the town at around 9:00 p.m. on Monday and went straight to Sunail’s room and took him away.

    The victim, a Korean, is one of the expatriate doctors engaged by the government on contract at the Tsafe General Hospital as a Physiotherapist. (NAN)

  • Bandits kill policeman, abduct four others

    A group of unidentified bandits attacked a mining site on Wednesday in Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara, killing one of the six mobile policemen on guard and abducting the others.

    Speaking to journalists on phone, one of the eyewitnesses to the attack, Salisu Lawali, said the bandits invaded the site situated in Sunke village after sporadic gunshots, disarmed the policemen, killing one of them in the process.

    He explained that the gunmen abducted the policemen to an unknown destination and released the following day without their guns.

    Lawali said: “I don’t think there was any negotiation, because the abducted policemen just returned to the site unhurt, the only thing missing were their guns which they said were in the custody of their abductors,” he said.

    Confirming the incident, the Chairman of Anka local government area, Alhaji Mustapha Gado, said the policemen were deployed to man the site.

    Read also: Zamfara bandits better equipped than military, says Yari

    He said that the abductees were released after some hours.

    “The Divisional Police officer of the local government told me that the officers were released but their rifles were still in the custody of the bandits.

    “We have earlier ordered for the closure of all the goldmines, but the foreign expatriates can still be found because their machineries are stationed at the sites.

    “We consulted the relevant authorities on the need to close down the sites and we got approval, we served them with quit notice but those operating the sites sourced for security operatives to man the sites for them,” he added.

    Meanwhile, the Police Command in the state could not be reached for comments on the matter. (NAN)

  • Yari presents N135bn budget

    Zamfara State Governor Abdul Aziz Abubakar Yari has presented a budget of N 135, 326, 920 for 2019 to the House of Assembly.

    N72, 610bn is proposed for capital expenditure that will be disbursed to the main sectors, including power supply, transport, commerce, cooperative and finance while recurrent expenditure stands at N62, 716, 920, 578bn.

    Breakdown for the social sector in the budget comprises of education, health, youth and social welfare and information N22, 960bn taking 32 percent of the budget.

    Education has the highest allocation of N11,170bn followed by health with N8, 450bn.

    Information takes N1, 645bn while youth development takes N830m.

    He urged Zamfara residents to cooperate with the incoming administration, which he revealed is a government of continuity.

    Read Also: Why governors will cooperate with Buhari – Yari

    Yari further assured the incoming administration of Mukhtar Shehu Idris, the Governor- elect will continue with the infrastructural development in the state.

    He pointed out his government has over the last seven years impacted on lives of the people of the state positively.

    He called on residents to shun some self- appointed groups and individuals that blackmail his administration, using the insecurity problems bedevilling the state as weapon.

    The Speaker of the State House of Assembly Hon. Garba Rikiji assured the governor of speedy passage of the budget.

  • Why governors will cooperate with Buhari – Yari

    Zamfara State Governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), Abdulaziz Yari, on Friday said that governors must cooperate with President Muhammadu Buhari because of the assistance he has given to state governments, especially in the areas of salaries payment.

    He made the remark while speaking with State House correspondents after observing juma’at prayers with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    He also advised that the next leadership of the NGF must work based on the president’s agenda.

    According to him, the present membership of the forum under his leadership had cooperated in full with the President who has been magnanimous enough to provide bailouts that enabled the states to pay workers’ salaries.

    Asked what type of NGF leadership he would like to see emerge after him, Yari said: “I will like to see a leadership that will perform better than I did, the type that will work in tandem with the Presidency.

    “I appreciate my colleagues for giving me the cooperation and within the forum, there was no break up, and there was no crisis between the presidency and the forum.

    “We worked together for our economy to grow and to support the president on his agenda to fight corruption and insecurity.

    “You are fully away of what the President has done to the state, the bailouts to ensure that workers can be paid their salaries. We are all from the states including Mr. President himself.

    “I can give the governors pass mark. Mr. President has commissioned a number of projects in the states, at times he sent representative.

    “So, I hope the NGF will remain united and work in tandem with the federal government’s agenda,” he said.

    He attributed his electoral victory and that of the state governorship candidate who he supported, to his ability to manage the direct primaries adopted by the All Progressive Congress (APC).

    Read Also: Shettima, Ndume, Kyari win Senate seats

    He said “I have said it times without number, I am the first chairman, who oversaw the pioneer direct primaries in Osun State with 18 candidates contesting for the governorship position of the state.

    “They were all high profile candidates including the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, many former permanent secretaries, the speaker of the state, the secretary to the government of the state.

    “I have said it repeatedly that if my colleagues can accept direct primaries, it is the simplest system that will involve every member of the party.

    “In my state, there were only seven or eight people contesting for the governorship position and I have said it that if I could preside over primaries where 18 people contested and succeeded, why can’t I manage eight, nine or 10 in my state?

    “I have been on ground since 1999 to date and I know the system and how it works. I have been party secretary, party chairman, House of Representatives and a two-term Governor. It is with this experience that I was able to manage.

    “Unfortunately there were a lot of misunderstanding between the party in the state and the national body but in the end, we ended in the court and the court gave the verdict and INEC compiled.

    “Though it came late, but if you are with the grassroots, definitely, everything must work well. The people appreciated what we have been doing and when it came to voting, they voted wisely,” he said

    He said that he was very delighted at the outcome of the Zamfara election and thanked the people of the state for their resilience.

    He said, “I am very happy with the outcome of the elections. I also want to appreciate my people, despite the fact that some people felt I was carried away by the activities at the center, insinuating I abandoned the seat especially with the security problem, but the people are aware of what the administration has been doing and they appreciate it.

    “Despite the daily attacks, the security agencies were up and doing and their presence in the state was well appreciated by the people and the people appreciate the efforts of Mr. President which took us to where we are. Like I said, only God could have done it,” he stated.

  • Troops recovered four AK47, one rocket propelled gun, others in Zamfara

    THE troops of “Operation Sharar Daji” in Zamfara State have recovered four AK47, 168 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunitions from bandits that are terrorising and kidnapping villagers.

    The operation’s spokesman, Major Clement Abiade, said from February 15 and March 11, the troops recovered 47 motorcycles, a golf wagon, one rocket-propelled gun and three pounds of marijuana from the bandits in towns and villages.

    He stated that the army neutralised 55 suspects and 24 bandits’ informants were arrested.

    Also, cattle rustlers, logistics suppliers and kidnappers were also arrested and handed over to the police for prosecution.

    Abiade, in a  WhatsApp message, added that air component of “Operation Sharar Daji” carried out several air strikes around Kagara, Gando, Fankama, Fete and Dumburun forests, which resulted in the recovery of 61 rustled cattle and rescue of 760 men, women and children abducted from various communities across the state.

    The troops’ operation has led to the return of over 1,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Maru Local Government Area to the Bini village deep into the forest.

    Read also: Killings: Zamfara Govt. donates N60m to victims’ families

    Abiade lamented that the feats achieved led to one officer, two soldiers and members of the vigilance group being killed during an encounter with bandits in Kadara forest.

    He added that the last one week had been very traumatic for the people of Zamfara State, especially in Shinkafi, Anka and Zurmi local government areas, where bandits carried out coordinated attacks that led to the death of civilians.

    Abiade stated that the operation’s Force Commander and men were resolute in tackling armed banditry in Zamfara State.

  • 20 abducted in Danmusa, Katsina

    About 20 people have been abducted by armed men in Dan Musa, Local Government Area of Katsina, it was learnt on Saturday.

    There have been security concerns over likely spill over from frontline states sharing boarder with the state.

    Nine Local government areas share borders with some troubled states, including Zamfara state.

     Reacting to the reported abduction, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Jubrin Zarewa said the commission was still trying to get the true position of things.

    He noted the information from the area was still sketchy.

    Read also: 10 held over clash at Ijanikin, says CP Ebrimson

    Zarewa stated the latest report indicated that some people ran away as a result of fear and they have started coming back.

    He therefore said the commission was working to ascertain the true position of things, noting ten of the said abducted people have come out to say that they ran away out of fear.

    The REC however said that the commission was anticipating that there might be some skirmishes and placed the security agencies on a red alert in all identifies flashpoint areas in the state.

    Details later…

  • APC, PDP ready for elections in Zamfara, as INEC distributes materials

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Zamfara said they are ready for Saturday’s governorship and state assembly elections.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the agents of the two parties disclosed this to newsmen in Gusau on Wednesday at the unveiling and distribution of election materials by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

    NAN further reports that the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Asma’u Maikudi led the distribution of sensitive election materials at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    The APC Agent, Alhaji Umar Abbas said his party is satisfied with the arrangements by the INEC ahead of the elections.

    Abbas, who is the State APC Collation officer for the 2019 general elections, said, “We are here to witness the distribution of the materials by the INEC, we are satisfied with the arrangements, the REC is seated with us monitoring the exercise, security agencies are also present.”

    He debunked the allegations against his party by other political parties that the APC was conniving with INEC to divert some election materials.

    He said, “I don’t want to comment on this, let them prove the allegations.”

    The State PDP Secretary, Alhaji Abubukar Maradun said the party was set to participate in the governoship and state assembly elections in the state.

    “We have challenged the commission’s mode of distribution of election materials so that the happenings at the last Presidential and National Assembly elections would not be repeated in the state.

    Read also: Electoral materials in safe custody, INEC assures Lagosians

    “We have made adequate arrangements, we have qualified agents across the 14 local government areas of the state.

    “You know in the last Presidential and National Assembly elections, materials were not allocated appropriately, in Kaura there was a polling unit with 1000 voters but they were given 100 ballot papers.

    “We insisted that before any materials will be moved from here, we must know the number allocated to each of the local government areas, especially the ballot papers and broadsheet,” he said. (NAN)

  • 40 feared killed as bandits attack Zamfara communities

    RENEWED attacks by bandits on two communities have allegedly claimed 40 lives in Zamfara State.

    The attacks came less than 24 hours after Governor Abdulaziz Yari swore to deal with bandits troubling the Northcentral state.

    Governor Yari also directed security agencies to unmask those behind such attacks and bring them to justice.

    The fresh attacks occurred on Sunday afternoon in Danjibga and other communities, in Shinkafi and Anka local government areas.

    The bandits reportedly operated on motorcycles.

    Read also: PDP to petition UN over role of military in elections

    The Police Public Relation Officer in Zamfara State, Muhammad Shehu, a Seperintendent of Police (SP), could not ascertain the casualty figures and the extent of damage in the affected communities.

    He told reporters that a news conference will be held later on the development.

    When contacted on phone Army spokesman of the Operation Sharar Daji, Major Clement Abiade, confirmed the incidents, saying  the casualty figures will be released later.

    According to him, the commander in charge of the operation had arrived in the area to provide security and to assess the situation.

  • 21 killed in Zamfara community’s bandit attacks

    •40 abducted

    Sixteen people have reportedly been killed and 40 others abducted when bandits attacked Kawaye village in Bagega community of Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

    The attack was said to have occurred at 5 p.m on Tuesday in what the residents called a reprisal.

    The bandits reportedly torched several cars, houses and shops as well as stole an unspecified number of animals and foodstuffs.

    The spokesman of Operation Sharar Daji of the Army, Major Clement Abiade, confirmed the incident but said the Army could not immediately ascertain the casualty figures, the number of property damaged and the number of the injured.

    Read also: Buhari’s victory: Maryam Abacha Varsity students shut down Niger town in jubilation

    Abiade, who also confirmed that it was a reprisal, added that troops attached to Operation Sharar Daji were immediately deployed in the area and killed five of the bandits.

    The spokesman said the Army was investigating the attack and assessing the level of damage.

    According to him, the Army will soon announce the official record of the incident.

    Abiade said the Army will address reporters today at 2 p.m.

    A resident, Aliyu Muhammad, said one of his relatives was killed during the attack, adding that 40 others were abducted.