Author: Bala Muhammad

THE Kaduna State government has disclosed plans to merge a total of 359 schools over incessant activities of bandits which had resulted in cases of abduction and kidnapping in the state. Speaking at a stakeholders forum and the training of the Schools’ Protection Squad on Wednesday, Governor Uba Sani represented by his Chief of Staff, Sani Kila, said the schools in vulnerable communities would be merged with those in safe locations, as part of measures to safeguard the schools and children from being attacked by bandits. According to him, the launched school protection squad under the Federal Government’s Safe School…

FOLLOWING the decision by the Kaduna State House of Assembly to investigate the financial dealings and contractual liabilities by the immediate past administration of former Governor Nasir El-Rufai, the adhoc committee set up by the House to investigate the issue has commenced fact-finding clarification sessions. During the commencement of the sitting held behind closed door at the House of Assembly complex on Tuesday, the committee engaged in detailed discussions with several key past and serving government officials especially those who served under the El-Rufai administration between May 29, 2015 to May 29, 2023. Among those invited so far include the…

BANDITS have killed six persons when the assailants attacked the Ambe community of Sanga Local Government Area, Kaduna State, on Sunday night. The spokesman of the Kaduna State Police Command Mansir Hassan confirmed the incident to News Point Nigeria, saying that one suspect has been arrested in connection with the attack. According to Hassan, police operatives from Sanga Divisional Police Station and troops of Operation Safe Haven upon getting a distress call, rushed to the community and engaged the bandits in a gun duel during which one of the bandits was arrested while the rest escaped into the forest with…

THE Nigeria Police Force said its operatives had arrested one Ibrahim Abdullahi, aka Mande, who is believed to be the mastermind behind the March 2022 Abuja-Kaduna train attack as well as kidnapping and murder of students of Greenfield University and the many abductions along the Abuja-Kaduna highway. Mande was nabbed along with several other suspects. The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, revealed this during a press briefing in Kaduna State. Parading the suspects at the Kaduna Police Command Headquarters in on Thursday, the Force Public Relations Officer Muyiwa Adejobi said that Mande was arrested based on credible information…

THE military high command says it has concluded its long-awaited investigations on the bombing of innocent citizens Tudun Biri village of Igabi LGA of Kaduna State. It also said two officers of the Nigerian Army, who were found wanting about the incident would face court-martial, saying the operation shouldn’t have happened in the first place. The Director, Defence Media Operations, Edward Buba, disclosed this at an ongoing press briefing at Defence Headquarters, Abuja on Thursday. This newspaper had reported how the drone bombing mistake, which occurred on Sunday, December 3, 2023, resulted in dozens of casualties and injuries to residents…

AS fuel scarcity continues to bite harder in different locations, the Federal Government says it has begun a 15-day emergency fuel supply to ensure the commodity circulates across the length and breadth of the country. The government also disclosed that vessels importing Premium Motor Spirit would continue to berth at the shore to discharge petrol to different depots, from where the product would be distributed to different filling stations. The Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria had in a statement on Tuesday said its members in Apapa and other locations in Lagos had been receiving 300 million litres of fuel…

ALLEGED bandits negotiator, Tukur Mamu, standing trial for terrorism offences has applied to the Federal High Court in Abuja to transfer him out of the custody of the Department of the State Service (DSS). He pleaded with Justice Inyang Ekwo to vary the remand order against him for a remand at Kuje Prison instead of DSS custody. At the resumption of his trial, Mamu through his lawyer, Abdul Mohammed, alleged that the order of the court made on December 19, 2023 that he be allowed access to his personal physician for medical treatment was not complied with by the DSS.…

THE Ministry of Finance for Kaduna State has been asked to submit details of all financial transactions under the former governor Nasir El-Rufai who governed Kaduna between 2015 and 2023. The demand was made by the Kaduna State House of Assembly in connection with the ongoing investigation of all finances, loans and projects awarded under the ex-governor’s two term administration. Recall that Governor Uba Sani leveled allegations against his predecessor, El-Rufai for leaving a huge debt profile for him in the office. Sani, who spoke during a town hall meeting in Kaduna, lamented that he could not pay workers’ salaries…

THE House of Representatives has said the neglect of scientists and personnel working at Nigeria’s Nuclear Centres is a recipe for disaster that could lead to adverse incidents that would jeopardise the security of the nation. The Chairman, House Committee on Renewable Energy, Rep. Afam Victor Ogene, stated this when the committee met with the representatives of the country’s two nuclear centres at the National Assembly on Thursday. The meeting was in continuation of the investigation into why the hazard and high-risk allowances approved for the scientists in the two centres were withheld by the Budget Office but allegedly, paid…

BANDITS have invaded Angwar Danko community in Kakangi Constituency of Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, forcing abductees into forest. This newspaper gathered that a large number of bandits invaded the community around 6pm, on Wednesday, firing shots indiscriminately. Men and women who were abducted by the attackers are currently being marched into the forest, according to witnesses. Yahaya Musa Dan Salio, representative for Kakangi Ward in the State House of Assembly, confirmed the incident. He stated that he had yet to receive full details regarding the number of villagers abducted but confirmed that it is in the…

THE Kaduna State House of Assembly has set up a fact-finding committee to probe all finances, loans and contract projects awarded under the former Governor Nasiru El-Rufai administration. This newspaper reports that Governor Uba Sani, during a town hall meeting on Saturday, lamented the huge debt inherited from his predecessor, El-Rufai, on May 29, 2023. Sani had said the state was left with a few amounts, not enough to pay salary, adding that his administration inherited a total of $587 million, N85 billion, and 115 contractual liabilities from the ex-governor. “Despite the huge debt burden of 587 million dollars, 85…

THE Zazzau Emirate Council has announced the death of Engineer Aminu Umar, Walin Zazzau and District Head of Ikara in Ikara Local Government Area, Kaduna State. He died after participating in all the Sallah durbar and other Eid-el-Fitr activities. Late Engineer Umar is a descendant of late Emir Dalhat from the Barebari ruling dynasty of Zazzau Emirate. He was onetime Chief Executive Officer of the Kaduna State Water Board. As Walin Zazzau, late Engineer Umar was one of the most senior titleholders in the emirate. Confirming the death in a statement, Abdullahi Aliyu Kwarbai, Media and Publicity, head of Zazzau…

THERE was pandemonium in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, on Wednesday, as personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) allegedly shot and killed a woman while attempting to pursue hoodlums. The tragic incident, which occurred while Muslim faithful gathered to observe Eid prayer, has sparked outrage and unrest among residents, leading to an escalation of tensions in the area. An eyewitness narrated that the NSCDC personnel, in their pursuit of suspected hoodlums armed with dangerous weapons, opened fire indiscriminately, resulting in the tragic death of an innocent woman. In response to the shooting, an angry mob gathered…

FOUR months after the tragic military drone bombing that claimed over 100 lives from three communities in Tudun Biri village of Igabi LGA of Kaduna State, residents say they are still waiting to be compensated for their losses, Daily Trust Saturday reports. The drone bombing mistake, which occurred on Sunday, December 3, 2023, resulted in dozens of casualties and injuries to residents of Tudun Biri, Ugara and Sabon Gida after they converged at Tudun Biri to celebrate the Maulud. Musa Umar, who lost six children to the unfortunate incident, sat quietly in his empty mud house in the community. He…

AT least four people reportedly lost their lives when the police fired shots to disperse a procession by members of the proscribed Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), otherwise known as Shiites, in Kaduna, on Friday. The movement embarked on the procession to mark the International Quds Day. The Shi’ites reportedly trooped out in a large number in the state metropolis when the law enforcement operatives, particularly the Nigeria Police, moved to stop them. This newspaper reports that the Shiites had assembled near the Katsina roundabout along Ahmadu Bello Way prior to the arrival of the police. The situation caused tension…

THE Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani has dismissed attack by the son of the immediate-past governor, Nasir El-Rufai, Bashir. This was as Governor Sani’s spokesman, Alhaji Mohammed Shehu, told this newspaper that the governor would not dignify Bashir’s attack with a response. The Kaduna State governor had, on Saturday, during a Town Hall Meeting, lamented the huge debt inherited from his predecessor, El-Rufai. Sani said the state was left with a lean purse and too broke to pay workers’ salaries. The governor said El-Rufai left him $587m, N85bn and 115 contractual liabilities. “Despite the huge debt burden of $587m,…

THE Kaduna State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has suspended its state women leader, Maryam Suleiman, for alleged gross misconduct. A suspension letter dated March 31st, signed by the APC chairman and secretary of Badarawa/Malali ward, Ali Maishago and Zakkah Bassahuwa respectively, says the women leader was suspended for allegedly defaming the character of Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna state, and unauthorised publicity of the party’s dispute that discredited the personality of the governor. She was also alleged to have sent thugs to attack the political adviser to the governor, Manzo Maigari. The letter noted that the women…

SEGUN Olatunji, Editor of FirstNews Online Newspaper, has regained freedom after spending 12 days in custody. Gunmen in military uniform had invaded Olatunji’s residence at Iyana Odo, Abule Egba area of Lagos state, on March 15, and abducted him. While the journalist’s family did not receive any communication from his abductors, the management of the media platform linked the incident to a story published by FirstNews. Concerns about his location continued until the International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria) said its checks showed the editor was in custody of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), an agency under the command of Major…

THE 137 schoolchildren abducted from Kuriga, Chikun Local Government Area, Kaduna State, who were released on Sunday, have arrived at the Government House in Kaduna. On Sunday, the Kaduna State Government announced the release of the schoolchildren. This was contained in a statement signed by the state governor, Uba Sani. The statement partly read, “I wish to announce that our Kuriga school children have been released.” However, the governor clarified that 137 schoolchildren were abducted on March 7, 2024, and not 287 schoolchildren, as was previously reported. See photos below:

THE death toll in a tragic stampede during a Zakkah (almsgiving) programme in Bauchi over the weekend has risen to seven, police authorities in the state say. Six of the victims were pronounced dead at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital while one died at home. The spokesman of the Bauchi Police Command Ahmed Wakilin said this on Monday while giving an update about the incident. He gave the details of the deceased as follows: 1. Aisha Usman ‘f’ aged 13yrs of Gwang Gwang Gwang, Bauchi 2. Sahura Abubakar ‘f’ aged 55yrs of Anguwan, Bauchi 3. Aisha Ibrahim Abubakar…