The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Zamfara

  • Bandits kill three in Zamfara

    The Police Command in Zamfara on Wednesday confirmed the killing of three persons at Bawan Daji village in Anka Local Government Area of the state.

    The Command’s Spokesman, DSP Mohammed Shehu, told our correspondent in Gusau that the killing was perpetrated by gunmen.

    Shehu said the gunmen who came in large numbers attacked the village in the early hours of Wednesday shooting sporadically which led to the death of the three persons.

    He said  the villagers who were taken unawares were quick to alert a nearby mobile police patrol team which came and engaged the bandits in a gun battle.

    The PPRO said the policemen overpowered the bandits and many of them escaped with gunshot wounds.

    He urged members of the public to be on alert to report to the nearest authority anyone seen with bullet wounds and seeking medical attention.

    Shehu said normalcy had returned to the affected village with people going about their normal businesses.

    NAN

  • President Buhari arrives Zamfara, addresses traditional rulers

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday in Gusau, Zamfara, presided over a town hall meeting in continuation of his tour of troubled areas across the country.

    The News men reports that the President in company of his aides landed at the Gusau helipad at about 10.40a.m after taking off from Umaru Musa Yar’Adua international airport Katsina.

    The governors of Sokoto and Kebbi states, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal and Atiku Bagudu respectively, some cabinet ministers, traditional and religious leaders, top government officials were among those that received the president.

    President Buhari reviewed a parade mounted by the Army and Air Force.

    Read Also: Former Delta commissioner hails Buhari’s anti-graft war

    He is scheduled to address traditional rulers and other stakeholders during the visit, and condole with families and communities that suffered from various forms of violent crimes in the state.

    Zamfara has witnessed cases of attacks by armed bandits with hundreds of innocent people killed and property worth billions of naira carted away or destroyed.

    The recent attack by bandits at Birane village in Zurmi Local Government area of the state left over 50 people dead.One of the most notorious bandits, Tsoho Buhari, popularly referred to as Buhari Daji, was recently killed by a repentant cattle rustler in the state.

    NAN

  • FG distributes relief materials to insurgency victims in Zamfara

    FG distributes relief materials to insurgency victims in Zamfara

    The Federal Government has distributed relief materials and empowerment items to the victims of insurgency in Zamfara.

    The distribution was made to the victims at Zurmi, Moriki and Shikafi emirate councils in Zurmi and Shikafi Local Government Area of the State.

    Speaking during the event, the Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees Migrant and Internally Displaced persons ( NCRIM ), Hajiya Farouq  Saadiya expressed her condolences to the emirates, families of the deceased and entire community.

    Saadiya said the relief materials were provided to ease the victims’ hardship and assist them in returning to normal life.

    She said before now the staff of the commission were in the areas to train victims on different types of skills with the aim of making them economically self-reliant.

    She said that the empowerment was considered the best form of assistance.

    According to her, the commission sees it very necessary to train IDPs and other victims of insecurity in the area on various skills acquisition.

    The areas of training for the victims included rice milling, clothes sowing, soap making and agricultural businesses.

    She said that the items distributed was a massage from President Muhammadu Buhari as part of his concern to the plight of victims.

    The relief materials distributed included food items such as rice, maize, beans and millet.

    Others were clothing materials, house holds items, kitchen utensils and health care materials.

    The empowerment items distributed at the event were sowing machines, rice milling machines, general granding machines, plough and animals such as ram, sheep and cows for livestock and animals husbandry.

    She, therefore, called on the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the items given to them, so as to sustain the effort of the government in reducing poverty among IDPs and other victims of insecurity.

    Responding at the event the Emir of Zurmi, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku thanked the commissioner and the Federal Government for the kind gesture and assistance.

    The Emir said the emirate was not the only area faced with the banditry attack in the state but we received the highest concern.

    He said since the time of the attack they have been receiving visitors from within and outside the state.

    Smillaly the Emir of Moriki, Alhaji Samaila Muhammad and that of Shikafi, Alhaji Makwashe Idaho both expressed stisfaction with commissioner and thanked the Federal Government as well.

    According to them, the assistance will surely touch the lives of the victims and assist them in returning to normalcy.

    Some of the beneficiaries commended the Commission and assured that they will make good used of the assistance.

    NAN

  • Council approves two courses for Zamfara School of Nursing

    Council approves two courses for Zamfara School of Nursing

    The Zamfara Government says the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria ( NMCN ) has accredited the state’s School of Nursing and Midwifery, Gusau to run general nursing and basic midwifery courses.

    The state Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Lawal Liman, disclosed this after receiving the accreditation letter from the management of the school on Wednesday in Gusau.

    We recall that the accreditation team from NMCN visited the school in December, 2017.

    The commissioner said that the accreditation was for a period of five years after which the accreditation would be reassessed.

    He said the accreditation was timely and in line with the state government’s aspiration to develop the health sector.

    “This is great achievement because it will assist in increasing the number of qualified health personnel in our health facilities,” he said.

    Earlier, the Director of the school, Alhaji Tukur Shehu, thanked the NMCN for the approval and promised to work in accordance with the guidelines to justify the council’s confidence in the schools.

    He said that the two courses could admit 175 students annually.

    NAN

  • Police kill suspected kidnapper in Zamfara

    Police kill suspected kidnapper in Zamfara

    The Zamfara State Police Command yesterday said it killed a notorious kidnapper, arrested eight and recovered arms.

    Commissioner of Police Kenneth Embrimson, who displayed the body in Gusau, said he was killed in a gun battle.

    According to him, the command received reports that a gang of criminals stormed Ruwan-Gizo and Yartasha in Talata-Mafara Local Government Area, and kidnapped Bilyaminu Abdullahi.

    “The police quickly responded and laid ambush, and after an intense gun battle, which lasted for more than two hours, Abdullahi was rescued.

    “One of the bandits was killed while another escaped with gunshot wounds.

    “Two AK-47 rifles, 75 rounds of 7.62 MM and two motorcycles were recovered from the kidnappers,” he said.

    Embrimson added that a police team, on February 24, arrested two persons – a suspected bandit and kidnapper – at Daraga and Dankurmi areas in Maru Local Government.

    He said: “A locally-made gun and one round of 7.62 MM of AK-47 rifle were recovered from the suspects.

    “Five suspected kidnappers were arrested at Magarya in Zurmi council on February 23, while another suspected kidnapper and a robber were arrested on February 19.”

    The duo, he said, were arrested in Kabala and Yangaladima villages in Maradun and Maru councils.

    A suspected gunrunner, believed to be in charge of collecting ransoms for kidnappers, was also arrested.

    “We recovered N2.6 million and 21 pieces of Nigerien currencies from the suspect,” he said.

  • Over 3,000 repentant bandits surrender weapons in Zamfara, says deputy governor

    No fewer than 3,000 repentant bandits have surrendered their arms at the instance of the state’s Dialogue, Reconciliation and Disarmament Committee, Deputy Governor Ibrahim Wakkala said yesterday.

    Wakkala who is the committee chairman spoke in Gusau at an interactive session with the Governor Dave Umahi-led National Economic Council (NEC) Committee on Farmers/Herdsmen Clashes.

    The NEC committee was in Zamfara on a fact-finding mission over insecurity challenges faced by the state where 31 people were killed by hoodlums during a recent attack on some villages.

    The deputy governor said that the committee also succeeded in restoring peace and stability among communities in the state.

    “With these efforts, our communities are now leaving peacefully and cooperating with security agencies in sustaining peace in the state,” he said.

    “Our economic activities at local communities who were displaced are now improved, our local markets are now functioning.”

    The deputy governor commended the state government, security agencies and traditional rulers and all other stakeholders for their efforts.

    Also exchanging views with the visiting committee members, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Alhaji Sanusi Rikiji, said that 1,321 people have been killed and 1,881 others injured in bandits attacks in the state over the last seven years.

    One hundred and eighty-five cars and motorcycles were lost to the attacks during the same period, he said.

    Rikiji, who is the Chairman of the state government Damage, Assessment and Relief Committee, added that over 10,000 cattle were lost to rustling and 2,688 hectares of farm lands and 10,000 houses were destroyed within the period under review.

    The speaker said the state government established the committee to ascertain the number of dead and injured persons as well as properties lost to banditry and cattle rustling with the aim of assisting victims.

    “Within the period under review, the state government has, through the committee, spent huge amount of money in providing cash, food items, as well as assistance to families of deceased, and sponsoring medical bills to victims of disasters in the state,” he said.

    In his remarks, Gov. Abdul’aziz Yari urged the federal government to address the problems of shortage of security personnel in the state which he described as the major challenge to government efforts in tackling insecurity in the state. He said the state, with over four million people, has only 2,000 policemen, 315 soldiers, 400 mobile policemen and less than 100 Air Force personnel which he described as ‘highly inadequate’.

    In his response, the Chairman of the visiting committee and Ebonyi State Governor, Chief Dave Umahi, thanked the state government and all stakeholders who contributed during the meeting.

    He said that the committee had identified major issues concerning security challenges in the state and would present its findings to the federal government for further actions.

    Various stakeholders including farmers/herdsmen associations, women groups, members of the National Assembly, Council of Ulama and vigilance groups presented papers at the meeting.

     

  • FG committee on farmers, herdsmen clashes visits Zamfara

    FG committee on farmers, herdsmen clashes visits Zamfara

    The National Economic Council Committee on Farmers and Herdsmen clashes on Saturday visited Zamfara on a fact-finding mission over security challenges in the state.

    The committee was led by its Chairman, Gov. Dave Umahi of Ebonyi.

    Speaking during the courtesy visit at government house Gusau, the Umahi said “we are in Zamfara today for fact finding over the recent security challenges faced by the state”.

    He said Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, constituted the committee on behalf of the Federal Government.

    Umahi said the committee is expected to interact with the government and major stakeholders in the state.

    According to him, the aim is to find solutions to the security problems in the state and country at large.

    “The committee since inception have been working hand in hand with the governor’s forum to address security challenges in the country.

    “We have earlier visited Benue, Nasarawa,Taraba and Adamawa and we have recorded great successes during the visits.

    “We are in Zamfara today and from what we have seen we are expecting good outcome from the people of the state.

    “I am using this opportunity to call on Nigerians irrespective of our differences to continue to cooperate with the Federal Government under the leadership of President Muhammad Buhari to improve security of the country,” he said.

    Responding, Gov. Abdul’aziz Yari who described the visit as timely, commended the Federal Government for establishing the committee.

    Yari said the state government would support and cooperate with the committee to end security challenges in the state and country at large.

    The committee also met with the major security stakehokders in the state.

  • Teacher flogs student to death in Zamfara

    Teacher flogs student to death in Zamfara

    A teacher at Government Day Secondary School Sankalawa in Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara has allegedly flogged a student to death.

    The incident was revealed on Wednesday by Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar-Gummi, Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly.

    The deputy speaker, who spoke under matters of urgent public importance during the assembly’s sitting in Gusau, said that the house had received several reports on the issue.

    According to him, another incident at Government Female Day Secondary School, Kwatarkwashi, had led to the injury of a student in the school after the Vice Principal allegedly subjected her to heavy punishment.

    Gummi said: “These problems apart from discouraging our children from acquiring education, also revealed poor attitude to work on the part of teachers in this state.”

    He urged the House to invite the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology to explain steps taken to address the issues.

    The Speaker, Alhaji Sanusi Rikiji described the actions of the teachers as unfortunate and vowed that the assembly would not allow the matter to pass.

    “It is part of our responsibilities to ensure effective security and good learning atmosphere for our children for their future development, therefore, we cannot allow teachers to continue harassing our children from schools,” he said.

    The Speaker directed the House Committee on Education, Science and Technology to invite the commissioner to appear before it on the matter.

    Meanwhile, the Assembly has passed into law the bill for the establishment of Zamfara State University, Talata-Mafara.

    NAN

  • Attempts to force emergency rule on Zamfara aborted in Senate

    Attempts to force a state of emergency in Zamfara State over the killings in the state were yesterday aborted in the Senate.

    The Senator representing Zamfara Central, Kabiru Marafa, prayed the upper chamber to resolve to ask President Muhammadu Buhari to declare a state of emergency in the state as part of the measures to deal decisively with those behind the killings.

    Marafa, who used unprinted words to describe the handling of security in the state by the government, insisted that those behind killings were known.

    Although Marafa argued the declaration of state of emergency was the only way out of the worrisome situation, the motion was not seconded.

    Because the proposition was not seconded, it was dead on arrival.

    Marafa again moved that the Senate should adopt a resolution calling on Governor Abdulazizi Yari to stay in the state and do his work instead of always travelling out.

    The motion was also not seconded.

    The Senate however agreed that its ad-hoc committee on security situation in the country should go to Zamfara to ascertain the extent of destruction of lives and property in the state.

    This followed a motion on the “Urgent need to look into the killings that took place in Zurmi Local Government Area (LGA) of Zamfara State” sponsored Senator Tijjani Yahaya Kaura (Zamfara North).

    Kaura, in his debate, noted that cross border banditry had triggered an orgy of violence in Zamfara State, which left 39 people dead in the LGA on Wednesday February 14, 2018.

    The lawmaker regretted that despite the notice and warnings to the law enforcement agencies on the impending attack by the Zamfara State Government 24 hours before the attack, no precaution was taken to avert the unfortunate event.

  • Reps to investigate killings in Benue, Rivers, others

    Reps to investigate killings in Benue, Rivers, others

    Worried by the killings in Benue, Rivers, Zamfara and other states across the country, Nigerian military service and intelligence chiefs are to face the House of Representatives over killings across the country.

    The service chiefs are to avail the lawmakers’ details of their intervention and strategies aimed at preventing future occurrence, it emerged Tuesday.

    The lawmakers however expressed concerns over a stereotypical attribution of every killing to a particular group irrespective of where they took place.

    They said such conclusions hinder paths to enduring solutions to the challenge.

    Speaking at a press briefing Tuesday, Chairman of the ad hoc committee mandated to carry out the investigation, Pally Iriase said the House was not unaware of a number of efforts and approaches by other organs and agencies of government to tackle the problem.

    Iriase who is also the Deputy Chief Whip of the House however regretted that the efforts, while still ongoing, are being impacted by strait – laced narratives, political innuendos and ethno-religious distrust.

    He said: “In fact some of these strait – laced narratives have tended to ascribe all killibgs to a single cause, thus jettisoning the need to rigorously interrogate the happenings with an open, unbiased and nonpartisan mind.

    “The seven-man Committee is bipartisan, multi-ethnic and multi-religious in composition and we are enjoined to approach this important national assignment with an open mind and adopt an Intelligence gathering focus.

    “To achieve our goal in this onerous task, we have adopted a proactive approach that will see us embark on visitation and interaction with victims by visiting a number of carefully selected areas that have been attacked severally, interact with the victims, survivors and other critical stakeholders.

    “We will also interact with the security chiefs, in addition to our foreign partners.

    “To assure Nigerians that it is going to be an all – inclusive engagement, a public hearing that will afford Nigerians the opportunity to air their grievances and proffer solutions will also be conducted.

    “It must however be emphasized that intelligence gathering is going to be our major focus because the aim is to identify the remote and immediate causes of these killings enable us proffer solutions from informed position”.

    Saying that the approaching 2019 electioneering activities would not affect the commitment of the Committee members, Iriase noted that the issue is more important to the country.

    “2019 election and activities towards its prosecution will not affect us because it is only in an atmosphere of peace that election can hold.

    “To us this assignment is more important than the election and this is the reason why the House will make the report available to Mr President when we are done,” he added.