Security

NAF Neutralises Terrorists in Kaduna

By Web News 329

Several terrorists were killed during an air operation conducted by the air component of Operation Whirl Punch in the Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The operation was carried out following an intelligence report that a terrorist kingpin, identified as Boderi and his members, was at the location.

 The Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, Air  Commodore Edward Gabkwet, said, in a statement on Sunday, that the air operations were successful, prompting the service to embark on another operation targeted at Boderi’s brother.

He said the two brothers were responsible for several attacks on communities in the state and its environs.

He said, “Nigerian Air Force aircraft under Operation Whirl Punch have sustained air strikes against terrorists operating in the North-West and North Central region of the country, leading to the decimation of several terrorist elements at Tsauni Doka at Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

“The strikes became necessary following credible intelligence revealed the presence of a terrorist kingpin known as Boderi and his foot soldiers at Tsauni Doka.

“Subsequently, air strikes were carried out on the location in the early hours of 16 November 2023, with devastating consequences on the terrorists. Similar strikes with positive outcomes were also carried out at a location about 500 metres east of Boderi’s hideout, believed to be the hiding place of Boderi’s brother, Nasiru. Both strikes were termed very successful as several terrorists were neutralised and their motorcycles destroyed.

“Boderi and his brother, Nasiru, alongside their cohorts, have been blamed for several attacks and abductions along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway, Kaduna-Birnin Gwari Road as well as in several communities in Niger and Kaduna states.“

Punch/Oluwayemisi Owonikoko

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Security

Police Arrest Female Gun Peddler, Neutralize 4 Bandits

By Web News 568

Four suspected bandits have been killed by police operatives of the Special Tactical Squad Force Headquarters, Abuja (STS) in conjunction with Operation Yaki of the Kaduna State Command.

A woman, who allegedly supplied firearms and ammunition to the criminals, was also arrested by the operatives.

Kaduna State Police Command’s spokesman, Muhammad Jalige, said: “On June 15, 2022, at about 0650hrs while on the trail of suspected armed bandits, the operatives intercepted their target along Saminaka–Jos expressway in a Sharon vehicle, blue in colour, driven by one James Dawi 31yrs old of Vom town, Jos South LGA, Plateau State.

“The suspected bandits on sensing an unavoidable danger posed in their way to deliver some dangerous weapons to their cohorts engaged the operatives, firing sporadically. However, the operatives with tactical precision were able to terminally injure four suspects.

“The injured suspects were evacuated to Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital Kaduna where they were pronounced dead by a medical doctor.

“The encounter lasted about 30 minutes as the firepower of the Police forced them to retreat into the forest with bullet wounds.

“When a search was conducted in the vehicle and around the vicinity, the following exhibits were recovered: one AK-49 rifle loaded with six rounds of live ammunition, AK-47 rifle, one empty magazine, 134 rounds of different calibre of live ammunition and operational motor vehicle.

“The operation led to the arrest of a female accomplice, who during investigation, confessed to supplying arms and ammunition to bandits within Kaduna State.”

Vanguard/ Oluwayemisi Owonikoko

Transportation

Kaduna Airport Reopens Two Months after Attack

By Web News 531

The Kaduna airport has resumed flight operations two months after shutting down over an attack by gunmen.

, Acting General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, Faithful Hope-Ivbaze said this on Monday .

“Flight operations to Kaduna airport have commenced today, with Azman Air,” she said.

In March, gunmen attacked the airport and killed a security guard.

They were, however, repelled by security operatives.

On its official Twitter account, Azman Air announced the resumption of flights to the Kaduna airport, making it the first airline to resume operations on the route since the incident.

The airline had halted flight operations into Kaduna following the attack.

“Azman Air landed at Kaduna Airport on Monday 23rd May, 2022, to the elation and cheers of passengers, stakeholders, and staff,” Azman Air tweeted.

“It was a defining moment for the aviation community as the airport is reopened after being closed for two months. It’s so exciting to be back!”
It would be recalled that, the attack on the airport occurred on the same day a train on its way from Abuja to Kaduna wasattacked by gunmen in the Kateri-Rijana  area.

Cable/Taiwo Akinola

Transportation

Kaduna Train Service resumes May 23

By Web News 550

The Federal Government has disclosed that the Abuja-Kaduna train service will resume operations on May 23.

Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), spokesperson, Yakubu Mahmood, revealed this in a statement, on Monday.
March, the government suspended operations on the route after an attack on the train by gunmen.

Eight passengers died in the attack, while many were kidnapped.

Mahmood said the decision to resume operations does not mean efforts to secure the safe release of those abducted would be shelved.

“The government wishes to assure the relatives of the abducted citizens still in captivity that the safe rescue of these passengers is a top priority and not to misconstrue the resumption of train services, like abandonment or non-chalant attitude of the government towards their plight.
“The Federal Government will never abdicate its responsibility in rescuing these valuable citizens, however, the government assures of its resolve not to succumb to threats by any faceless group,” the statement read.

The decision to resume train services on the route comes amid reports that most of the kidnapped passengers are still being held captive by their abductors.

Families of the abducted passengers had also warned the Federal Government not to resume operations along the route until their loved ones were rescued.

Newspeak /Oluwayemisi Owonikoko

Security

11 Soldiers Killed in a Fresh Attack

By Web News 606

About 11 soldiers have been killed in an attack by suspected gunmen on a military base in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna state.

The gunmen who came in large numbers were said to have invaded the base at Polwire village on Monday, 4 April, and engaged the troops in a fierce gun battle.

According to The Cable, military sources stated that the bandits came on motorcycles, carrying heavy weapons including rocket-propelled grenades (RPG).

The fight was said to have lasted for about two hours before the soldiers were dislodged.

“We lost 11 men while 19 soldiers were wounded in action after they overwhelmed the troops. They also burnt down three armored personnel carriers (APC) after they overwhelmed the troops,” one of the military sources said.

The gunmen were also said to have carted away several weapons from the troops.

According to reports, the wounded soldiers were evacuated to Birnin Gwari General Hospital and 271 Nigerian Airforce Medical Center while those who were killed have been evacuated to the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital Kaduna (44 NARHK) in Kaduna.

The Cable/ Oluwayemisi Owonikoko

Economy

Minimum wage bill will help devolution of powers – El-Rufai

By Web News 895

Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, says the new minimum wage bill sponsored by Garba Datti, representing Sabon Gari Federal Constituency in Kaduna, was a concrete step towards devolution of power in the country.

El-Rufai in a statement on Wednesday said decentralisation of the judiciary, police and labour matters are among the items recommended by the APC True Federalism Committee which he chaired.

He said this entailed moving the constitutional provisions of the matters wholly or partly from the exclusive list to the concurrent list, so that powers and responsibility over them can be devolved.

Minimum wage part of ILO Convention

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) had said it is aware of the forces behind the bill seeking to transfer minimum wage from the exclusive list to concurrent list.

The President, Ayuba Wabba, spoke at a meeting with the leadership of the House of Representatives on Tuesday in Abuja as the bill passed second reading on February 23.

He stated that the bill, if passed into law, would return Nigeria to slavery, arguing that the minimum wage was part of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention.

Wabba insisted Nigeria must respect the convention being an ILO member state.

FRCN Abuja

Crime

FG Appeals for Release of Abducted School Girls

By Web News 791

Minister of Women Affairs Dame Pauline Tallen, has condemned in strong terms, the adoption of some school girls of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Afaka, in the Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna state, during the early hours of Friday March 12, 2021.

In a statement, the Minister said the adoption of school children especially young girls, had become one too many and affecting the sanctity of womanhood.

Dame Pauline expressed the confidence that the Federal Government will as usual defend its citizens especially children and expedite action for their release.

She further called for calm and prayed the girls return unhurt while appealling strongly to the abductors to abandon the heinous act and return their abductees unharmed.

Azizatu Sani

Security

Troops Rescue 180 Abducted Students, Staff in Kaduna

By Web News 736

The military in the early hours of Friday has rescued 180 citizens, many of them students, at the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, Afaka, Igabi local government area of Kaduna State.

A statement by the State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs Samuel Aruwan said
the armed bandits in large numbers attacked the institution at around 11:30 pm on Thursday and kidnapped several students and staff.

According to the statement, the armed bandits broke into the institution by breaching a perimeter fence and then encroached about 600 meters to attack the first facility.

Mr Aruwan said the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs on receiving a distress call, alerted the 1 Division Nigerian Army and the Air Training Command of the Nigerian Air Force.

He explained that the troops of the Nigerian Army immediately moved to the school and engaged the armed bandits accordingly.

The troops successfully rescued 180 citizens; 42 female students, eight staff and 130 male students.

However, about 30 students, a mix of males and females, are yet to be accounted for.

Some of the rescued students were injured and presently receiving medical attention at a military facility.

Receiving the report, Governor Nasir El-Rufai thanked the troops for their swift response and the rescue of the 180 citizens.

He also wished the injured students a speedy recovery.

As at the time of this update, a combined team of Army, Air Force, Police and DSS troops are conducting an operation to track the missing students

FRCN Abuja

Security

Only 107 Herders from Oyo Relocated to Kaduna, not 4000 — Fulani Leaders

By Web News 637

Some Fulani leaders at Ladduga grazing reserve in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna state, together with other stakeholders, have disputed the 4,000 figure published by the media, saying that only 107 herders from Oyo state relocated to Kaduna.

Malam Ardo Goge, leader of the Fulanis at Ladduga, told some Peace builders and Journalists, who visited four of the new settlements of the Fulanis from Oyo state, due to the quit notice given to them, that only 107 of them relocated with their children, women and elderly.

Goge explained that the returnees were initially from the community before they left for the South, saying: “They left the area eight years ago to the South in order to feed their animals and now they are back.”

According to him, the returnees were peace loving herders, with a good record of promoting peaceful co-existence, even before they left Ladduga community to the South, saying that no herder would arrive Ladduga without the knowledge of the community leaders.

He challenged journalists and NGOs to prove that over 4000 herders had arrived Ladduga as earlier published in the media, saying that the media should always cross check their facts before posting their news, to avoid unnecessary suspicions.

“These herders were our own people and we have been living with them in peace and harmony for many years, before they migrated to the south, and now they are back due to threat of attack.

“They are not foreigners, they are Kaduna state indigenes, it is the crisis that brought them back.

“we have given them place to stay and we have cleared the bush for them to build new homes with their families,

‘”But they lack many things like social amenities, clothes, foods as they came into the state without their normal cows and other animals we are used to seeing them with”.

 Dr Saleh Momale, a former Permanent secretary of the Kaduna state peace commission, who is also a resident of the community, said he had been part of the fact finding mission to Ladduga community.

Momale said that since the report that over 4000 Fulani herdsmen arrived Ladduga community, he had spent a whole day in the forest with some Fulani Leaders moving round to ascertain the number of those Fulanis that relocated from the south.

“From the facts and figures, we only received the report of only 107 Fulani migrants from the South, who were originally Fulanis from the area that came back home” he said. He stated that some of the Fulani herdsmen complained of lack of shelter, food and warming cloths against the harmattan.

Ibrahim Abdullahi, one of the returnees, reiterated their needs to include food and shelter, as their children were sleeping in open spaces and the ”weather is really cold”.

He called on Non-Governmental organizations (NGOs), Civil society organizations, NEMA, SEMA, The Red Cross, Interfaith mediation centre and public-spirited individuals to come to their aid.

Abdullahi also appealed to Miyetti Allah and all Fulani organizations to come to their rescue as they were really in need of help.

 NAN, Vanguard


Lifestyle

JIFORM Mourns The Passing On of Musa, Rawlings

By Web News 732

The Journalists International Forum for Migration, JIFORM, has mourned the passing away of former Ghana President, Jerry Rawlings describing him as a great liberator and one of the greatest pan-Africanists who ever lived.

The media foundation with over 250 journalists covering migration across the world also expressed condolences to the people of Nigeria over the death of former Kaduna State Governor, Alhaji Balarabe Musa.

President of JIFORM, Ajibola Abayomi, in a statement said Jerry left his footprint on the sands of time as a game changer in Ghana.

He explained that during his lifetime he spoke against the enslavement of Africans on several occasions through irregular migration.

“Regrettable JIFORM missed not meeting in person in Ghana having set up meeting to engage him January 2021 in Ghana during a proposed African media summit on migration. It is not how far for Jerry, but we can attest to how well he had served his people. Our prayers are with his family, Ghana and entire Africa at large”. He said.

JIFORM President also acknowledged the late Balarabe buried as an icon of progress and a nation builder, stating that both him and Rawlings were fallen heroes. 

“Balarabe was a man that stood for the common good of the society. He was committed to a united Nigeria beyond the rhetoric of others who played politics of tribalism and destruction.”

“Balarabe was a journalists’ delight that would never shy away from attending to media issues at any hour of the day” Ajibola added.

Adedayo Adelowo

News

Gov. Dapo Abiodun Eulogises Late Balarabe Musa

By Web News 696

Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun has described second Republic Governor of Kadunna State late Balarabe Musa as a selfless humanist who served his people with all sense of responsibility during his lifetime.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary Mr Kunle Somorin, Governor Abiodun said that the late Elder statesman lived an exemplary life dedicated to the service of God and humanity. 

He pointed out that the deceased made Nigerians his primary concern and served his people with dignity and sense of purpose. 

Governor Abiodun prayed that God Almighty would give the family and the people of Kaduna State the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.

Late Alhaji  Balarabe Musa became Governor of Kaduna State under the umbrella of the People’s Redemption Party in October, 1979

Bolanle Adesida

Lifestyle

El-Rufai Loses Aide Dies In Accident

By Web News 1299

Hafiz Bayero, a special adviser to Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai, has died in an accident on the Kaduna-Abuja Highway on Monday.

Details of the accident were still sketchy at the time of this report but a photograph of the accident scene obtained by SaharaReporters showed the extent of damage.

Hafiz Bayero’s body being removed from the crashed vehicle

People around the scene managed to bring the body of Bayero out of his vehicle with number plate 12E-04KD.

Sahara Reporters