Crime

Gov. Sani in Kuriga, Pledges Rescue of Abducted Students

By Web News 610

Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna State has pledged to get back all the students abducted by bandits in Kuriga, Chikun Local Government Area of the state, on Thursday.

The governor pledged, when he visited the community, to commiserate with them over the incident.

He, however, said that the total number of those kidnapped has not been ascertained, but the government is working with the school management and the community to get the actual number.

The governor told the community members that he had received assurances of support from President Bola Tinubu and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, to get the students back home safely.

He urged the community members not to despair but to work with the government to secure the release of the children and reinforce security there.

Sani particularly appealed to the parents of the abducted children to exercise patience, assuring that the government would not let them down.

The governor said that he was pained over the incident and would not relent in getting the primary and secondary school pupils and students reunited with their parents.

Sani was briefed by the District Head, Alhaji Lawal Abdullahi, on the incident at LEA Primary and Secondary School in Kuriga, where a valiant vigilante member who confronted the bandits lost his life.

He said that both the President and the NSA have given “strong assurances” that all measures have been taken to bring back the pupils and students.

“A security committee will be established in Kuriga, with membership drawn from key stakeholders in the Kuriga community, security agencies, and the state government.

“I will make a strong case to the Chief of Defence Staff and Chief of Army Staff for the establishment of a military base in Kuriga to strengthen security in the area,” Sani added.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor, in a statement later, said the Kuriga incident has reinforced the need for state police.

“The unfortunate Kuriga incident reinforces our positions in support of the establishment of state police.

“With State Police, there will be a standing police force in Kuriga drawn from members of the community who understand the terrain, the people, and the issues at play.

“They can gather intelligence with ease. They will also be constitutionally empowered to bear arms, including sophisticated ones.

“This is important because vigilante groups are not allowed to carry arms.

“They are always at the mercy of these criminal elements who have scant regard for human life,” he added. (NAN)

Vanguard/Simeon Ugbodovon

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Security

Tinubu Orders Security Agencies to Rescue Abducted Victims

By Web News 358

President Bola Tinubu has directed security and intelligence agencies to immediately rescue the abducted vulnerable victims, internally displaced persons in Borno State, and students in Kaduna State.

The President, who condemned the abduction, also ordered all relevant government agencies to ensure that justice is served against the perpetrators of the abominable acts.

President Tinubu in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale was quoted as saying, “I have received briefing from security chiefs on the two incidents, and I am confident that the victims will be rescued. Nothing else is acceptable to me and the waiting family members of these abducted citizens. Justice will be decisively administered.”

He sympathized with the families of the victims, assuring them that they would soon be reunited with their loved ones.

Vanguard/Simeon Ugbodovon

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Security

Tinubu Departs Abuja for NDA 60th Anniversary

By Web News 327

President Bola Tinubu has departed the nation’s capital, Abuja, to attend the grand finale of a week-long activities to mark the 60th anniversary of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna.

“President Bola Tinubu departs to attend NDA Anniversary in Kaduna,” read an update from the State House media office Saturday morning.

On February 5, the Academy unveiled an emblem and a crest commemorating 60 years since its establishment, as part of activities marking its Diamond Jubilee celebrations which commenced three days earlier at the NDA Auditorium, Afaka.

Present were graduates of the NDA, former Commandants, serving and retired military officers, operatives of other security and paramilitary organisations, as well as representatives of institutions including the Special Guest of Honour, Major General Rabiu Aliyu (retd.), who is a member of the pioneer Regular Course 1 of 1964.

Tinubu is expected to return to Abuja the same day after which he is billed to proceed to Abidjan, the Ivorian capital, to witness the face-off between Nigeria and host Côte d’Ivoire at the AFCON final.

Punch/Simeon Ugbodovon

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Crime

Court Orders Labourer Be Given 12 Strokes for Stealing

By Web News 765

A Kaduna Chief Magistrates’ Court, on Thursday, ordered a 21-year-old labourer, Shuaibu Haruna to be flogged with 12 strokes of the cane for stealing a wallet.

The Magistrate, Ibrahim Emmanuel, made the pronouncement after Haruna, a resident of Badiko, Kaduna, pleaded guilty to a  one-count charge of theft levelled against him.

Haruna prayed the court for leniency and vowed to refrain from such acts.

The magistrate held that the court applied leniency because Haruna admitted being guilty without wasting the court’s time.

Emmanuel advised him to be of good behaviour and desist from crime in the future.

Earlier, the Prosecutor, Chidi Leo, informed the court that Haruna stole a wallet containing N45,000, an ATM card and other items belonging to the complainant, Mr Williams Ezekiel.

He said that Ezekiel, who resides at Ungwan Sarki, Kaduna, reported the matter on Feb. 5, at the Gabasawa Police Station.

Leo said that Haruna was caught and handed over to the police following an intelligent report from a member of the public.

He said that the offence contravened the Penal Code of Kaduna State, 2017.(NAN)

Vanguard/Simeon UgbodovonSubscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels and also join our Whatsapp Update Group

Security

Police Deploy Personnel on Abuja-Kaduna Road

By Web News 380

By Tijjani Ibrahim (Abuja)

The police have deployed its officers on the Abuja-Kaduna road to stop a resurgence of kidnappings along the road.

Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun said he increased the deployment of police officers and security equipment that will leverage on advanced technology and strategic resources to bolster the overall security infrastructure along the route.

The IGP, who directed the DIG Operations, DIG Ede Ayuba Ekpeji, to strictly supervise the personnel detailed for operations along the route, restated that proactive steps to keep citizens and travellers safe have been taken.

A statement issued on Thursday by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi said ”In response to the growing concerns regarding security along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, has implemented robust measures to enhance safety and security in the region

“The Inspector-General of Police while emphasizing the collaboration between various security agencies and concerned communities in the region, urges the public to remain vigilant, report any suspicious activities, and cooperate with security personnel as the collective effort is crucial in maintaining the security and well-being of all residents and travellers.

“He assures the public that these strengthened security measures are part of an ongoing commitment to ensuring a secure and peaceful environment.”

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Security

Tinubu Tells Security Chiefs ‘Avoidable Errors’ in Kaduna Bombing Cannot Be Repeated

By Web News 406

President Bola Tinubu has described the recent bombing in Kaduna State as a series of avoidable errors, saying it cannot be repeated.

Addressing security chiefs and heads of intelligence agencies at a Presidential Security Briefing at the State House, in Abuja, on Friday, Tinubu warned the military against failing in their responsibilities.

“The success you are recording is undeniable. Nigerians are seeing it, but the avoidable errors, as witnessed recently in Kaduna, are unacceptable and cannot be repeated,” the President was quoted in a statement by his media aide, Ajuri Ngelale.

“I am pleased that coordination between all agencies has dramatically improved over recent months, but there is no room for celebrations until we can end this; until we can bring our troops back to their localities, and until we can free up resources for our critical economic expansion programme.

“I do not play with my intelligence reports. I have multiple lines of sight. The Navy and sister branches must step up their game to achieve our aims for the benefit of all Nigerians. All malign actors will be aggressively uprooted from our midst. Those working against the national agenda from within and without will meet justice. Your task is clear. We will sustain our momentum. Failure is not an option under my leadership.”

He said while good progress is being made with the elimination of some security threats across multiple theatres, success will ultimately be defined by a final conclusion to the multi-dimensional menace.

Last December, a deadly military airstrike killed at least 85 people and injured several others at Tudun Biri village in the Igabi Local Government Area of the North-Western state. The incident drew condemnation from many, with the army claiming responsibility and apologising.

Channels News

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Human Angle

VP Shettima on Condolence Visit to Kaduna

By Web News 456

Vice President Kashim Shettima has visited Kaduna to condole the state over the recent bombing of civilians in Tudun Biri, which the military has described as a grave combat error.

Vice President, Alhaji Kashim Shettima is currently meeting with religious and traditional leaders as well as some leaders of the affected village at the Chamber of Sir Kashim Ibrahim House Kaduna.

President Kashim Shettima at Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital sympathises with the injured people in the recent incident at Tudun Biri in Kaduna State.

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Politics

BREAKING: Tribunal Orders Rerun of Kaduna Guber Polls

By Web News 952

The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Kaduna has declared the 2023 governorship election in Kaduna state inconclusive.

According to report from Vanguard correspondent, the tribunal, during its resumed proceeding on Thursday, in a split decision of a ratio of 2:1, declared the election inconclusive and directed that a supplementary election should be held by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) within 90 days.

The 3-man panel led by Justice Victor Oviawe therefore ordered a rerun of election in 24 polling units in seven wards of four local governments consisting of 16,300 registered voters.

The verdict was announced via Zoom after the judges shunned the physical hall.

Recall that the petition was filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Isah Mohammed Ashiru.

PDP’s Ashiru is challenging the election of Uba Sani as the Governor of Kaduna State on the grounds of alleged irregularities and electoral fraud, saying that its Candidate (Isa Mohammed Ashiru) won the election.

Vanguard/Simeon Ugbodovon

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Security

Security Alert: DSS Warns of Imminent Attack on Abuja-Kaduna Train

By Web News 580

The Department of the State Services, DSS, has in a leaked memo to the Nigeria Railway Corporation, NRC, warned against bandits attack along Abuja-Kaduna Train.

The secret service in memo titled: Security Alert: ‘Impending Threat By A Coalition Of Banditry Syndicate To Attack Abuja-Kaduna Train Service Along AKTS Corridor’, advised other security agents to deploy troops in the stated area, to stop this from happening.

It would be recalled that gunmen on the 28 March 2022, attacked an Abuja–Kaduna train in Katari, Kaduna State, and kidnaped many passengers.

However, in a leaked letter signed by DSS Director FCT Command, R.N. Adepemu, the secret service cautioned train passengers to be careful and security alert.

Vanguard/Simeon Ugbodovon

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Politics

Ministers: El-Rufai, Okotete, Danladi Yet to Scale Through Senate

By Web News 516

After seven days of screening, the Senate has confirmed 45 of the 48 ministerial nominees presented by President Bola Tinubu.

Those who were denied confirmation, yesterday, over security report or pending security checks are immediate past governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir el-Rufai; former Deputy Governor of Taraba State, Senator Abubakar Danladi; and Stella Okotete, from Delta State. The trio had petitions against their nominations.

Specifically, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, said the Senate did not clear them because of security reports that must be cleared.

However, the senators confirmed immediate past governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike; Deputy Majority Senate Leader and former Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi; former Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo SAN; Lateef Fagbemi, SAN; Mr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Simon Bako Lalong and Mr. Dele Alake as Ministers-designate.

Also confirmed were Abubakar Momoh; Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, Arch. Ahmed Dangiwa, Mr. Hannatu Musawa, Chief Uche Nnaji, Dr. Betta Edu, Dr. Dorris Aniche Uzoka, Alhaji Badaru Abubakar, Ekperipe Ekpo, and Nkiru Onyejeocha.

The lawmakers also cleared Uju Kennedy Ohaneye, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, Muhammad Idris, Olawale Edun, Waheed Adebayo Adelabu, Mrs Iman Suleiman Ibrahim, Professor Ali Pate, Professor Joseph Utsev, Senator Abubakar Kyari, and Senator John Enoh.

The rest are Lola Ade- John, Bosun Tijani, Dr. Isiaka Salako, Professor Tahir Mamman, Uba Maigari Ahmadu, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud Mairiga, Adegboyega Oyetola, Ibrahim Geidam, Senator Sabi Abdullahi, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Senator Alkali Ahmed Said, Senator Atiku Bagudu, Bello Matawalle, Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, and Honourable Zephaniah Jisalo, and Tunji Alausa.

With the development, the North-West and South-West have nine ministers-designate each; the North-Central has eight, South-South and North-East seven each, and South-East has five.

When El-Rufai appeared before the Senate for screening, the Chairman, Senate Services Committee, Senator Sunday Karimi ( APC, Kogi West), said he had a heavy petition against the former Kaduna governor.

Senator Karimi, who disclosed that the petition which he had in a brown envelope, bordered on the issue of insecurity, said: “Mr President, I have a petition written against the nominee over the issue of insecurity in Southern Kaduna when he was governor. If I am permitted, I will like to read the petition.”

However, Senate President Akpabio, who refused to take the petition, said a number of petitions were submitted against some of the ministerial nominees, adding that it was not time to entertain petitions against any nominee.
He said: “This is not the place to consider petitions, we will sit with the petitions later and refer them to relevant authorities. Please, take a bow and go, my brother,” he told el-Rufai

Speaking with journalists after the confirmation yesterday, Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu (APC, Ekiti South), said of the 48 ministerial nominees sent to the Senate for screening, the legislators confirmed 45 whose names would be forwarded to the President for other necessary action.

Prior to the confirmation, the Senate threw its weight behind Bunmi Tunji-Ojo, the nominee from Ondo State and a serving member of the National Assembly following claims last week that he allegedly forged his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate.

Some senators, who spoke to journalists, described Tunji-Ojo as one of the young people screened by the Senate to join the National Executive Council of President Tinubu.

Tunji-Ojo was among the first set of nominees to appear before the Senate.

Asked to speak on the controversy surrounding the nominee, a ranking senator, who pleaded to be anonymous, dismissed media reports against Tunji-Ojo, describing them as mere political intrigues emanating from other interests within his home state.

Vanguard/Simeon Ugbodovon

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Crime

35 Abducted Victims in Kaduna Regain Freedom

By Web News 402

35 persons kidnapped three weeks ago at Millennium City, Cikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State have regained their freedom.

The victims returned on Friday evening and were received by hundreds of people.

An eye witness told Radio Nigeria that one other victim is still in captivity as the bandits have demanded two motorcycles before his release.

Meanwhile, the witness confirmed that N2.5 million was paid before the other victims were released.

Similarly, the kidnapped Doctor and 15 others including women and children from the Sabon Gero community, also within the Millennium City have also regained their freedom.

The leader of JTF of the community, Uwasu Yunusa who confirmed this to Radio Nigeria, noted that no money was paid to secure their release.

Adamu Yusuf

Crime

Bandits demand N20m, Threaten to Kill More Victims

By Web News 672

Residents of the Angwan Bulus community in the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State are in great fear, following threats by bandits to kill some of those kidnapped recently because of the failure of their relatives to pay the ransom demanded.

There has been so much fear, due to the killing of three out of the 26 kidnapped victims by bandits on Monday night, as they
threatened to kill more of the hostages, especially women, if the N20m ransom they demanded was not paid.

Confirming this, the Chief of Angwan Bulus community, Gideon Goni, told newsmen that, the bandits informed the community to go and pick up the corpses of those they killed.

According to the monarch, the bandits killed the victims around the Dutse community, along the Kaduna-Abuja expressway.

“The one that was released was based on health grounds. He has a liver disease.”
The monarch recalled that the bandits on March 31, 2022, invaded the community, killed two residents and abducted 26 persons.

Culled/Taiwo Akinola

Crime

Terrorists Abduct 2 in Kaduna

By Web News 748

Terrorists have launched yet another attack on Gwantu Kurmi Community, the headquarters of Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State, and kidnapped a student of the Kaduna State University and a passer-by, while one other person sustained injury from gunshot.

The president of Gwantu People’s Progressive Union, Prince Bala Audu, who confirmed the incident on Monday, said Joshua Victor Arumbus of the Department of Architecture, Kaduna State University, and a passer-by, Mr. Simon, were kidnapped, while one person was critically injured.

According to him, the armed men invaded the community on Saturday at around 9:13pm on foot and started shooting indiscriminately at the residents.

Prince Audu decried the increasing incidents of kidnapping within Sanga Local Government, while calling on the security agencies to improve on their response to distress calls from the communities.

“It is most unfortunate that this incident happened just a half kilometre away from the Gwantu Police Divisional Headquarters and the Headquarters of the Operation Safe Haven in Gwantu,” Audu said, while calling on the Kaduna State Government to take drastic measures in curtailing the security menace ravaging the state.

Prince Audu also urged the Local Government authorities to form a local task force in each community within the Local Government Area that will use any available legal means in defending themselves.

Punch/Olaolu Fawole

Transportation

One dies as Lagos-Kano Train derails in Kaduna

By Web News 1144

A narrow gauge train conveying soft drinks from Lagos to Kano has derailed at Farin Ruwa, near Jaji in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, killing the train driver.

Public Relations Officer, Northern Regional District of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), Zaria, Mallam Abdullahi Alhaji confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday.

According to Mallam Alhaji, the driver of the train, Bala Kawu died during the incident.

He said the incident happened as a result of the vandalism of slippers and other accessories on the rail track in the area.

Malam Alhaji added that rescue efforts are currently ongoing to recover the remains of the deceased to salvage the situation for the train to continue its journey to Kano.

NET/Olaolu Fawole

Yoruba

Ilésẹ́ Ìrìnà Ojúrin Nílẹ̀ Nàijírìa, NRC, Fòfinde Ìrìnà Láti Abuja Lọ Sí Kaduna

By Web News 736

Ilésẹ́ tón rísí ìrìnà ojú irin ti fòfinde ìrìnà láti Abuja lọ sí Kaduna, tí kò sì ní gbèdéke.

Ilésẹ́ náà ló jẹ́ kọ́rọ̀ yí di mímọ̀ nínú ọ̀rọ̀ tó fi síta lójú òpó abẹ́yẹ fò twitter rẹ̀ lóòrọ yi.

Ó sọ pé ìfòfindè náà ló wáyé fún àwọn ìdí tí wọ́n kò lérò, tó sìní wọ́n yo sọ̀rọ̀ lórí rẹ̀ láipẹ.

Ilésẹ́ náà tún sọpé àwọn agbésùnmọ̀mí kan tún ju àdó olóró sí ojúrin Abuja lọ sí Kaduna, tí wọ̀n sì kojú ọkọ̀ ojúrin tó ní ọ̀pọ̀ èrò nínú lálẹ́ ọjọ́ ajé.

Bákanà ni wọ́n filéde pé àwọn ilésẹ́ alábo ti lọ sí ibi ìsẹ̀lẹ̀ náà.

Ikọ̀lú ọ̀hún ló wáyé, lẹ́yìn ọjọ́ diẹ, táwọn agbésùmọ̀mí kọlu pápákọ̀ òfurufú Kaduna, níbití wọ́n kò ti fàyè gba kí ọkọ̀ báàlù kó fóò.

Ololade Afọnja 

Security

Gov. Oyetola Assures Nigeria Airforce of His Administration’s Support

By Web News 674

As part of efforts in achieving its vision, the Nigeria Airforce is seeking the collaboration of the Osun State government concerning its Research and Development Centre being built in the state.

The centre is to carry out research into manned and unmanned aircraft, missiles, rockets and other war items.

The Principal Director, Airforce Research and Development Centre, Kaduna, Air Vice-Marshal Moses Onilede stated this during a courtesy visit to Osun State governor, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola at the state Government House, Osogbo.

While expressing appreciation to Governor Oyetola for allocating land to the centre, Air Vice Marshall Onilede said the centre would contribute to the socio-economic development and already established security architecture of the state.

Air Vice-Marshal Onilede explained that the centre’s temporary site in Kaduna could no longer support its goals hence the need to shift to Osun State considering the state’s peaceful nature and development.

Responding, Governor Oyetola expressed the state’s readiness to support the Airforce Research and Development Centre as its presence in the state would help the state’s ambition of having a functional airport.

Governor Oyetola expressed optimism that the collaboration between the centre and the state would help in resuscitating the Nigerian Machine Tools, Osogbo.

Abiodun Adeoye

Security

Troops Rescue Major Abducted By Bandits

By Web News 746

Following the directive of the Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs for 1 Division Nigerian Army in conjunction with the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and all security agencies to conduct decisive operations to rescue Major CL Datong who was abducted at Nigerian Defence Academy, NDA, Permanent Site on 24 August 2021 and find the perpetrators dead or alive.

The division in conjunction with the Air Task Force, Department of State Services and other security agencies, immediately swung into action by conducting operations in the Afaka general area to find and rescue the officer.

The operations were being conducted based on several leads received from various sources regarding the abductors and likely locations where the officer was being held.

The operations which have been sustained since the abduction of the officer proved quite successful and led to the destruction of several identified bandits’ camps in the Afaka-Birnin Gwari general area and neutralization of scores of bandits particularly, in the late hours of Friday 17 September, 2021, the troops arrived at a camp suspected to be the location where Major C. L. Datong was being held.

At the camp, the troops exchanged fire with the bandits for overwhelmed them. In the process, the gallant troops were able to rescue the abducted officer.

However, the officer sustained a minor injury but has been treated in a medical facility and handed over to NDA for further action.

The Division wishes to commend the efforts of the NAF, DSS, Nigerian Police and patriotic Nigerians for their invaluable support which contributed to the success of this operation.

Our operations will continue until we capture or neutralize the assailants that killed two (2) officers in the NDA on 24 August 2021.

Ezindu Idimah,

Colonel, Deputy Director Army Public Relations,

1 Division,Nigerian Army

Security

Nigerian Troops Eliminate Bandits, Repel Attacks in Kaduna Communities

By Web News 915

Nigerian army troops have killed four notorious bandits as part of ongoing operations to rout non state actor kidnapping and terrorizing residents of Kaduna State.

This is contained in a statement by the state’s Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan

The statement says following painstaking human intelligence checks, the four notorious bandits were neutralized via air interdictions when the military engaged the bandits at the location, as part of combined ground and air assaults on identified bandit enclaves in a valley popularly known as ‘Maikwandaraso’ in Igabi local government area.

The four notorious bandits are Alili Bandiro, Dayyabu Bala, Bala Nagwarjo
and Sulele Bala.

Several other bandits were eliminated in the same cycle of air interdictions and ground offensives.

Maikwandaraso is close to Karshi village, and shares boundaries with the infamous Kawara and Malul forests in the same Igabi LGA, which have been identified as the hub of several armed bandit camps and hideouts.

According to the statement, Governor Nasir El-Rufai has expressed his satisfaction at the development, and thanked the military for their concerted efforts at ridding the identified areas of armed bandits.

The Governor has also commended the troops and personnel involved in the successful strikes, and encouraged them to sustain the tempo of operations towards a comprehensive sweep of all hideouts.

Adewumi Faniran

Health

FCT, 6 States On Red Alert Over COVID-19 Delta Variant

By Web News 662

The Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, PSC, has put six States and the Federal Capital Territory, Lagos, Oyo, Rivers, Kaduna, Kano, Plateau and the FCT, on red alert as part of preventive measures against a third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic following the confirmation of the Delta Variant and the rising number of infections and hospitalization in the country.

Chairman of the PSC and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, in a statement urges States to heighten preparedness and continue to enforce safety protocols, “given the renowned greater ease of spread of the Delta variant”.

The PSC also notes its plan to continue to minimize the risk of importation of Variants of Concern into the country by strengthening Surveillance at all Points of Entry, enforcing extant quarantine protocols and sustaining the current restrictive measures against travelers arriving from India, Brazil, Turkey and South Africa.

While felicitating with the Muslim Ummah on the occasion of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration, the statement stresses the need for Religious Leaders to be mindful of the potential for the wider spread of the virus during large gatherings.

The statement recommends decentralization of Eid prayer to neighborhood Friday prayer mosques, suspension of durbar activities and limitations on indoor gatherings, as preventive measures for a safe Eid-el-Kabir celebration

Emmanuel Kutara

Economy News

Embrace skill acquisition: FG tells youths

By Web News 557

The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, on Thursday, asked Nigerian youths to embrace the various skill acquisition programmes of the government in order to reduce restiveness and unemployment among them.

The development, the ministry noted, remained the only way designed by the Federal Government to pull 100 million Nigerians, mostly youths, out of poverty in the country.

The Minister, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouk, spoke at the graduation of trainees drawn from the restive North-East zone of the country at the PAN Learning Centre, Kaduna on Thursday.

She also insisted that the government alone could not provide the teeming Nigerian youths with the needed white-collar jobs.

No fewer than 150 youths were drawn from the six states in the North-East – Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Bauchi – who had over the years been ravaged by the deadly activities of the Boko Haram insurgents, for the programme

However, out of the 150 youths signed for the programme, 76 graduated.

The youths were trained in automobile repairs and were sponsored by the North-East Development Commission.

They had three months of rigorous training in various fields such as welding and fabrication, spraying and painting, vehicle maintenance, air conditioner maintenance as well tyre and wheel balance.

Punch

News

Baptist President Reacts To Bandit Attack On Kaduna School

By Web News 557

We received a distress call in the early hours of Monday, 5th July 2021, that bundits had attacked Bethel Baptist High School, Dumishi, Kaduna.

We immediately contacted security operatives and mobilized other stakeholders for a rescue mission.

To the glory of God, Twenty eight (28) students have been re-united with their families, while 125 students are yet to be accounted for.

We have been reliably informed that search and rescue operations are ongoing, involving the Nigeria Army, the Nigeria Airforce and other security agencies and we strongly believe that, by the grace of God, these students will safely return to their parents soon.

The situation in which we have found ourselves is indeed pathetic, particularly for the parents of the kidnapped students and the school community.

We feel their pain and our prayer is that God Almighty will arise and intervene in this unfortunate incident.

We commend the efforts of the Executive Governor of the State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufii, his commissioners and security operatives in the state who acted swiftly upon receiving our report and who are working closely together and urge them not to leave any stone unturned to rescue all the students still in the hands of the bandits.

We also commiserate with the families of the two (2) gallant soldiers of the Nigeria Army who lost their lives while trying to protect the school and appreciate the Vigilante group who put in much effort to defend the school although they were over-powered.

Our trust is in God and I urge all parents to remain calm and keep faith in God for there is nothing He cannot do.

I appeal to the Federal and State governments to intensify their efforts to ensure a total discontinuation of this dangerous life-threatening and embarrassing trend in our country.

I call on all members of the Baptist family both within and outside the country; and all well meaning Nigerians, to unite in prayer for the rescue of these children and other people in similar situations.


God bless you!

Reverend Dr Israel Akanji
President, Nigerian Baptist Convention

News

Insecurity: Kaduna Govt Orders Closure Of 13 Schools

By Web News 616

Following the abduction of over 100 students from the Bethel Baptist High School in the early hours of Monday, July 5, the Kaduna state government has ordered the immediate closure of 13 schools in locations vulnerable to bandit attacks.

According to a statement released by the Director-General of Quality Assurance Authority in the Ministry of Education, Umma Ahmed, the closure of the schools which are privately owned is with immediate effect.

He gave the names of the affected schools as Faith Academy, along Kachia Road adjacent to Jakaranda; Deeper Life Academy, Maraban Rido; ECWA Secondary School, Ungwar Maje and Bethel Baptist High School, Damishi. Others are St. Peters Minor Seminary, Katari, Prelude Secondary School, Kujama, Ibiso Secondary school, Tashar Iche, Tulip International (Boys) School and Tulip international (Girls) School.

Also on the list are Goodnews Secondary School, St. Augustine, Kujama, Comprehensive Development Institution (CDI), Tudun Mare and Adventist College, Kujama.

“You are hereby advised to adhere to the contents of this letter as appropriate sanctions shall be meted out to schools that are found wanting for non-compliance, please” the statement reads.

FRCN, Abuja

Energy

NLC Strike: Kaduna in Total Blackout

By Web News 888

There is total blackout in Kaduna as electricity workers join a strike called by the Nigeria Labour Congress, to protest the sacking of civil servants by the state government.

Kaduna Electric Distribution Company (KAEDCO), Head of Corporate Communication, Abdulazeez Abdullahi, in a statement explained that the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has knocked off all its 33KV lines in Kaduna State.

The statement appeals to communities, security agencies and vigilante groups to be weary to prevent vandalism of power supply installations.

“We have the collective responsibility to protect these critical national assets in our neighborhood”, the statement adds.

Adamu Yusuf

Crime

Bandits Threaten To Kill 17 University Students

By Web News 782

Kidnappers of the students of Greenfield University, Kaduna have threatened to kill the remaining students in their custody, if a ransom of N100m is not paid on or before Tuesday (today).

A leader of the bandits, who abducted the students, Sani Jalingo, spoke to the Hausa service of the Voice of America on Monday. He insisted that a ransom of N100m and 10 motorcycles must be provided for the students to stay alive.

Jalingo issued the threat as herdsmen on Monday killed 19 persons, including children, in fresh attacks on some communities in the Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State.

The communities attacked included Tse Amgbem, Udam near  Aondoana and Agbanu  Seghev/Ukuse all in the Gwer West LGA  area of the state. Groups, including the Arewa Consultative Forum, the Middle Belt Forum, the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union and a Tiv group, condemned the killing in Benue State and the threat by bandits to kill students of Greenfield University, Kaduna State.

Recall that 23 students and a member of staff of the privately-owned university, located along the Kaduna-Abuja highway were abducted from the school on April 20, 2021.  Few days later, five of the students were killed by the bandits.

Jalingo, in the interview with the Hausa service of the VOA, demanded a ransom of N100m and ten motorcycles.

He warned that the failure of the Kaduna State Government or the students’ families to meet the demands by Tuesday, would lead to the killing of the remaining students.

He insisted that if the money (N100m) and the items (motorcycles) demanded were not provided on Tuesday, trucks would be used to evacuate the lifeless bodies of the remaining students.

He said 17 of the abducted students, including 15 females and two males, were in their custody. Jalingo disclosed that the families of the remaining students had so far paid N55m.

Jalingo said the N55m was used to feed the abductees. Following the kidnap of the students and a staff member of the school, the bandits had made contacts with the parents and demanded N800m ransom for the release of the students.  But five of them were later killed for failure to meet the demand.

PUNCH.

Crime

Gunmen Attack Kaduna Hospital, Kidnap 2 Nurses

By Web News 576

Two nurses were kidnapped on Thursday by Gunmen at the General hospital in Idon of Kajuru Local Government.

The Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Shingyu Shamnom, who confirmed the incident to newsmen, disclosed that the bandits stormed the general hospital through the fence with deadly weapons.

According to him, while the bandits shot sporadically in the premises of the hospital, two nurses on night duty came out to identify themselves as medical workers and the bandits took them away.

The executive chairman of Kajuru local government area, Cafra Casino, also confirmed the kidnap of the two nurses from Kajuru General Hospital.

He said investigation was ongoing on the matter and urged people in the area to remain calm.

FRCN Abuja