Human Angle

NYSC Secures Release of Corps Member among 7 Kidnapped in Zamfara  

By Web News 459

The Management of the National Youth Service Corps says it has secured the release of one of the seven female prospective corps members abducted in Zamfara.

This was made known in a press statement by NYSC spokesperson, Eddy Megwa, on Saturday.

According to the statement, the said female corps member was rescued on Friday night at 12:30pn “through the help of security agencies”, while expressing optimism that the rest of the abducted corps will be released.

Part of the statement reads, “Management of the National Youth Service Corps wishes to convey to the general public that the Scheme, through the help of security agencies on Friday, 20th October, 2023 at about 12.30 pm secured the release of one of the female Prospective Corps Members abducted in Zamfara, out of the seven in captivity and the bus driver.

The scheme is confident that with the combined efforts of security agencies, the remaining will be released”.

The PUNCH reports that gunmen had on August 19 2023, abducted eight prospective corps members on a highway in Zamfara state, en route to the NYSC Orientation Camp in Sokoto.

The NYSC earlier announced the release of three of the abducted corps members on the 18th of September 2023, a month after they had been kidnapped.

Punch/Simeon Ugbodovon

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Crime

Security Operatives Begin Search for Corps Member Abducted in Zamfara

By Web News 403

The National Youth Service Corps has said its Director General, Brig. Gen. Yusha’u Ahmed is working with the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, and the military brigade to secure the release of eight corps members kidnapped in Zamfara State on Saturday.

The NYSC Director, Press and Public Relations, Eddy Megwa, made the development known on Wednesday.

“As I speak to you, the NYSC DG is in Zamfara state, and the NYSC is currently working with the police, the military brigade, and the DSS to release the eight corps members that were kidnapped in Zamfara,” Megwa said.

Gunmen had abducted eight members of the NYSC on a highway in Zamfara on Saturday. The corps members were travelling inside an AKTC bus from Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, to Sokoto State, en route to Zamfara State, to take part in the mandatory national service.

Punch/Simeon Ugbodovon

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Crime

Court Remands Agriculture Commissioner

By Web News 428

Zamfara State High Court II sitting in Gusau has remanded the state Commissioner of Agriculture and Natural resources, Alhaji Ibrahim Magayaki for contempt of court, punishable under section 6 of the penal code.

The commissioner was accused for disrespecting court order in a suit between Zamfara State Government and Dumbulum investment which secured court approval to attach some of the state government movable properties included tractor parts.

Presiding Judge, Justice Bello Shinkafi said the commissioner be remanded in Correctional center, relied under section Six of the penal code.

Barrister Misbahu Salauddeen of Judgement creditors/applicants led by Barrister J.C Shaka who granted exclusive interview to Radio Nigeria said, the accused commissioner was remanded based on their application that requested the judge to remand him to enable acceleration of the proceeding.

“He refused to appear before the court in two sessions which delayed the proceeding of the court” Barr Misbahu said

Misbahu noted that, the commissioner sold some attached tractor parts which were already attached by the court.

When contacted, judgment debtors led by Barrister M S Sulaiman said they were not authorized by the Attorney General of the state to grant interviews.

The court has adjourned the case to Friday 16th December, 2022 for continuation of the hearing.

FRCN Abuja/ Titilayo Kupoliyi

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Politics

Matawalle Shuts Media Houses over Coverage of Zamfara PDP Rally

By Web News 589

Governor Bello Muhammad Matawalle of Zamfara State has shut down all federal and private media Houses in the state for covering PDP’s political rally.

This is contained in a statement signed by the Commissioner of Information Ibrahim Magaji Dosara.

The statement also directed the State Commissioner of Police to arrest all pressmen that attended the event organized by the PDP governorship candidate Dr Dauda Lawal Dare.

Radio Nigeria Pride FM Gusau, NTA Gusau, Gamji Television, Al’Umma TV are among the media affected by the order.

Zamfara State government earlier announced a suspension of all political activities in the state over the resurgence of insecurity.

However, the PDP went ahead with its inaugural rally which enjoyed media coverage by the affected media.

Sani Dutsinma/Abdulrazak Kaura

Security

Breaking: Oyo on Red Alert as Amotekun Intercepts Over 140 Travellers

By Web News 2132

Concerned about the growing cases of insecurity in the country, the Amotekun corps in Oyo state has intercepted a truck load of over 140 travellers in Ibadan.


Radio Nigeria gathered that the travellers, who were intercepted around Bodija-UI axis, were allegedly coming from Zamfara state and heading to Ogere town, Ogun state.


Radio Nigeria further gathered that some of the travellers jumped off the truck and ran away on sighting the corps.

As at the time of filing this report, the Amotekun corps in collaboration with other security agencies are searching the intercepted truck to ascertain their mission.


Details later……..

Rasheedah Makinde

Politics

Fire Guts INEC Office in Zamfara

By Web News 626

The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC Office, in Kaura Namoda LGA of Zamfara State was on Monday night gutted by fire

It was difficult to quickly put out the fire by Fire Fighters as only one fire fighting truck is available in the whole town.

Concerted efforts by different security agencies were on to put our the fire.

FRCN Abuja/Olaolu Fawole

Politics

Yari, Marafa dump APC for PDP in Zamfara

By Web News 932

A former Governor of Zamfara state, Abdulaziz Yari, has joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) alongside some of his supporters from the state’s chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Chairman of PDP in Zamfara State, Mr. Bala Mande, made this known to newsmen in Gusau, the state capital, on Sunday afternoon.

Mr Mande said the former governor would be joined by other APC bigwigs, including , a former Senator, Kabiru Marafa.

He said the party met with representatives from Mr Yari’s faction of the APC and an agreement was reached.

“We met with our members today,” Mr Mande, who was a former military governor said. “And I informed them that the immediate former governor of the state, Abdulaziz Yari and all his supporters as well other party chieftain have agreed to decamp to the PDP.

“As I speak with you now, the deal has been sealed because they’ve agreed to join us and we’ve agreed to welcome them so that we can continue the process of salvaging the state. Their decision to join PDP has no doubt motivated us and it will improve our chances of winning the election in 2023,” Mr Mande said.

“We have also agreed to work extra hard to reclaim the lost mandate of Zamfara State in 2023 and save its people from their present predicament.

“I have given the stakeholders a complete update of where we are as a result of this development.”

The chairman noted that the two political heavyweights in the State would be officially received in Gusau, the State capital.

Premium/Dailypost/Olaolu Fawole

Crime

Zamfara Police Intercept Woman with Ammunition for Delivery to Bandit Kingspin

By Web News 768

The Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba psc+, NPM, fdc, who in his magnanimity and enthusiasm to restore peace and security to Zamfara, deployed Police Tactical Team from FIB/STS Force Headquarters Abuja, headed by DSP Hussaini Gimba.

The Tactical team who is working in collaboration with the operatives of Zamfara State Police Command in the ongoing Police operations across the State. We are therefore grateful to the Inspector General of Police and members of his Management Team, as well as the Executive Governor of Zamfara State Rt. Hon. Dr. Bello Muhammad MON, Matawallen Maradun Barden Kasar Hausa, Sarkin Yakin Daular Usmaniyya, who has been un tirelessly supporting Police and other Security agencies in discharging their duties effectively, that led to all the successes recorded by the Police Operatives.

 During these joint operations, arrest of notorious bandits, bandit’s collaborators/informants and other suspects was effected. While we parade some of the suspects arrested having completed their investigation, others who are undergoing discreet investigation could not be paraded now until investigation about their matter is concluded.

Following interrogations of the suspects arrested, the Police Tactical Operatives carried out tactical operations at different bandit’s enclaves in the State.

The operations led to a serious gun battle with the bandits where unspecified numbers of bandits were fatally injured with others escaped with possible gunshot wounds. Ten (10) assorted AK-47 rifles with magazines containing one hundred and forty three (143) rounds of live ammunition were recovered from the scene.

Adewumi Faniran/PR Nigeria

Crime

Police Parade 6 in Zamfara for Supplying Weapons to Bandits

By Web News 758

The Zamfara State Police Command has paraded six notorious people involved in various criminal activities ranging from banditry, armed robbery, supply of drugs, motorcycle snatching, and gun runner among others.

Parading the suspects before journalists at the command headquarters, the state Commissioner of Police, CP Abutu Yaro said the command would rid the state out any form of criminality.

He said the command arrested one Lawal Ibrahim at Biyabiki village Tsafe Local Government area of the state in possession of AK47 rifle and a magazine with 2 rounds of live ammunition adding that, one Murtala Yusuf from Funtua was also arrested with a stolen motorcycle and a sharp Iron.

Zamfara State Police Commissioner CP Abutu Yaro

Similarly, the command also arrested one Nnanna Uchenna and Aminu Mohammed residing in Shinkafi town, who are supplying hard drugs and injections to bandits in the bush through operating unlicensed pharmacy store.

The Commissioner of police further explained that, the pharmaceutical analysis indicated that the injections (pentazocine) is used as anesthesia for surgery and to treat moderate severe pain for adult and children who are at least twelve years.

Abutu Yaro also explained that, a gun runner was also arrested with one million seventy thousand naira meant for the purchase of AK47 rifles while Tsohon Dandela and Dogo Alo, who are collaborators, were now at large.

The command also arrested one Abubakar Mohammed of Falaila Quaters GRA Gusau, with a large quantity of dry leaves suspected to be Indian hemp and other hard drugs mostly used by bandits and other criminal elements.

All the suspects are in police custody undergoing further interrogation and investigation before being charged to Court for prosecution.

Sani Haruna

Yoruba

Iko Agbebon Ji Odunrun Awon Omoleewe Obinrin N’ipinle Zamfara Gbe

By Web News 1196

Iko ajinigbe ti gbe awon akekobinrin to je odunrun niye n’ilewe Government Girls Secondary School, Jangebe, n’ipinle Zamfara.

Iroyin fidi e mule pe amugbalegbe pataki lori lila araalu loye, Ogbeni Zailani Bappah lo fidi isele naa mule f’awon akoroyin ni Zamfara.

Isele yi lowaye leyin ose kan ti won ji akeko mejilelogun atawon osise nilewe kan ni kagara, nipinle Niger.

Awon ajinigbe yi, ni won wo aso ologun lati sise nla ibi won lose to koja lara awon ti won jigbe nipinle Niger latiri akeko kurin metadinlogbon ati oluko meta.

Ololade Afonja/Blessing Okareh

Security

7 Bandits Surrender, Return Weapons in Zamfara

By Web News 1302

In Zamfara state, seven bandits have willingly repented and surrendered fourteen AK47 rifles and ammunition to the state government.

The repentant bandits according to the state commissioner of security and home affairs Abubakar Muhammad Dauran migrated from neighboring states and settled in Zamfara for some years.

He explained that it is the outcome of the recent security meeting which reaffirmed the state government stand on peace dialogue that motivated the seven bandits to repent.

Receiving the repentant bandits at government house Gusau, the state governor Bello Muhammad Matawalle expressed optimism that peace dialogue will bring arm banditry to end in the state and urged people to accept repentant bandits and integrate them in the society.

The seven repentant bandits were made to swear with the holy Qur’an that they will not go back to their nefarious activities for ever.

Shehu Sani

Security

PMB Directs NSA to End Banditry in Zamfara

By Web News 677

President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered for an immediate response to rising cases of bandit attacks on communities in Zamfara State.

In a directive to the National Security Adviser, retired Major-General Babagana Monguno, the President ordered that there must be a clear pathway to ending the “resurgent banditry that has continued to cost lives and the displacement of families.”

A statement by the Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, says the order is in response to a recent letter by the Speaker of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Alhaji Nasir Magarya, calling for intervention.

It says security officials and other stakeholders will meet soon to deliberate on security and illegal mining, believed to be the factor fueling the crisis.

The statement says there are more than 20,000 illegal miners undermining the economy and operating in a manner that is extraordinarily harmful and destructive.

Abdalla Bello

Economy

FG, Zamfara Govt. to Engage 70,000 Youths in Mining

By Web News 913

No fewer than 70,000 youths are expected to be gainfully employed by both the Federal Government and the Zamfara Government in mining activities in the state.

The Governor of Zamfara, Bello Matawalle, made this known in Maradun, Zamfara, on Tuesday when members of the state’s Council of Chiefs, paid him Salah homage at his country home in Maradun.

Matawalle said the measure was aimed at curbing illegal mining activities which had defied several government orders in the state.

“The youths in the state will be engaged in proper mining activities on how best to tap the abundant mineral deposits in the state as part of measures to improve the economy of the state and the nation in general,” the governor said.

He told the traditional rulers that 5,000 youths would be drawn from each of the 14 Local Government Areas of the state who would be engaged in the sector which would also encourage and guarantee self-reliance among youths in the state.

The governor also charged all the 17 members of the council to ensure that all forms of mining activities taking place in their domain were stopped forthwith.

He urged them to file and forward a report immediately there was a breach.

Matawalle who said the situation was improving, noted that the peace and reconciliation he introduced at the beginning of his administration was still open for bandits to repent and embrace peace.

The governor, in a statement by Jamilu Iliyasu, his Press Secretary, warned that recalcitrant criminals in the bushes would continue to face fire power from the armed forces.

He thanked the royal fathers for the visit and appealed for their continued support to his administration, as it strived to meet the yearnings of the people.

Earlier, Chairman of the state’s Council of Chiefs and Emir of Anka, Alhaji Attahiru Muhammad, said they were at the governor’s residence to felicitate with him at the Eid-el-Fitr celebration, marking the end of the Ramadan fast.

He reiterated the council’s continued cooperation and support to the Matawalle-led administration in the state.

NAN

Security

NAF Airstrikes Kill 135 Bandits in Katsina, Zamfara

By Web News 688

The Nigerian Military on Saturday said it has killed at least 135 armed bandits and neutralised their camps during air-raids across Katsina and Zamfara states.

The air raids, according to statement by the military spokesman, Major General, John Enenche, was executed by the air component of Operation Hadarin Daji, took place between May 20 and 22.

He explained the mission attacked areas that include Abu Radde Camps 1 and 2, Dunya in Jibia and DanMusa Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Katsina State as well as Hassan Tagwaye’s Camp; Alhaji Auta’s Camp and Maikomi in Birnin Magaji and Zurmi LGAs of Zamfara State.

According to the military spokesman, the air-raids was conducted based on credible intelligence reports, intended to rid the north-west of the armed bandits. 

FRCN Abuja