Local

By Muhammadu Sabiu

Mokwa Local Government Area, Niger State, witnessed a devastating boat accident on Sunday, leaving 24 lives tragically lost and many more in distress. 

Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago expressed his profound shock at the incident and has since called for immediate safety measures. 

The accident occurred between 7:30 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. in communities situated between Jebba and the Kainji dam. Most of the victims were women and children.

Over 30 individuals have been rescued so far, thanks to the combined efforts of the marine police, local divers, and the Niger State Emergency Management Agency. 

Governor Bago, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, conveyed his deep condolences to the affected families.

He described the incident as “terrible and undesirable” and prayed for the souls of the departed to rest in Aljannah Firdausi. 

Expressing his concern, Governor Bago called for the mandatory use of life jackets by anyone boarding a boat in the state.

He strongly condemned overcrowding on boats, emphasizing the need for strict adherence to safety guidelines. The exact number of passengers on the ill-fated boat is still unclear, but reports suggest that many were not wearing life jackets, which may have contributed to the tragedy. 

The Chairman of Mokwa Local Government Area, Jibrim Muregi, confirmed the ongoing efforts by divers to rescue victims and recover more bodies from the scene.

Meanwhile, the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, led by Alhaji Salihu Garba, is collaborating closely with local authorities and divers in search, rescue, and recovery operations. 

As the rescue operation continues, the affected communities are plunged into mourning, with residents anxiously searching for their missing loved ones.

The cause of the boat mishap remains unknown, underscoring the urgency of improving safety measures and enforcing strict compliance with regulations governing water transportation in the state.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has expressed gratitude to Allah and the Kaduna state people for their enormous supports and confidence reposed on the administration in the crucial first 100 days in office.

Govenor Sani’s first 100 days in office has taken several key interventions across security, health, education, infrastructure and rural development.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Muhammad Lawal Shehu, disclosed this in a statement he issued on Wednesday.

The statement reads, “To mark this milestone,several activities were lined up and several projects cutting across the 7 pillars of the SUSTAIN manifesto were announced and commissioned.

“With safety and security as the first pillar of the SUSTAIN manifesto, the Kaduna State Government in partnership with other security agencies commenced the training of 7,000 recruits of the Kaduna Vigilance Service (KADVS).

“The recruits were drawn from the 23 Local Government Areas of Kaduna State. This move to strengthen the Kaduna Vigilance Service to assist the police and other security agencies in the state in combating crime has been welcomed by all well-meaning citizens.

“In efforts to upgrade infrastructure, the construction of 32 rural roads covering about 406km across our 23 Local Government Areas has commenced as part of efforts to transform our rural areas, a main policy thrust of this administration.

“In health, state-of-the-art-mobile diagnostic trucks purchased by Kaduna State Government were commissioned and essential medical equipment are currently being distributed to our 290 Primary HealthCare Centres. The mobile trucks come fully-fitted with medical diagnostic equipment to render integrated health services in hard-to-reach and underserved communities across Kaduna state.

“Similarly, a fully-equipped Women and Child Shelter at Katuru Road was commissioned ,to serve as a transit home for children and women who are subjected to violence abuse by offering them medical, psychosocial and legal support.

“In continuation of activities marking the first 100 days in office, and as evidence of his commitment to education especially girl-child education, Governor Uba Sani commissioned a constructed/renovated 200-bed capacity hostel block, 16 classrooms, and a sickbay at the Government Girls Secondary School, Kawo, Kaduna North LGA.

“The Governor to the delight of parents state-wide also performed the groundbreaking for the construction of 62 Junior and Secondary Schools across the state, where he used the opportunity to reiterate that in Kaduna state,primary and secondary education in state-owned schools is free,” the statement added.

By Aminah M. Abubakar 

The crackdown on women begging for alms or food in Arewa communities has raised questions and fears of human rights violations. Attacks on innocent women, based on fear-mongering claims of a group of women trained as cultists to carry out nefarious missions, are becoming increasingly alarming.

Several audio clips circulating on social media alleged that about 100 women were trained by a secret society group to infiltrate Arewa communities, posing as beggars or impoverished individuals needing financial assistance. It is claimed that if you allow them into your home and offer any assistance, whether money or food, you will instantly collapse or die.

How was this baseless and manipulative statement conceived?

Who is responsible for perpetuating the fear-mongering that endangers women’s lives in Northern Nigeria?

Why do many, including the educated class, believe such a narrative paves the way for the blatant abuse of vulnerable women?

Why haven’t religious scholars and traditional leaders investigated to uncover the truth behind this notorious fear-mongering, which poses a threat to innocent women struggling with poverty and hunger?

At times of every new power shift in Nigeria, there has been different tribulation and tension. Hence, rumourmongers have a role to play in creating chaos and instability.

Islam condemns rumour-mongering. It is well known that Islam enjoins its followers to act cautiously and verify any story or news that comes to them according to Shari’ah because Allah says in the noble Qur’an:

“Believers, when a dishonest  person brings you a piece of news, carefully ascertain its truth, lest you should hurt a people in ignorance and afterwards you become regretful for what you have done.” ~ Surah Al-Hujuraat 49:6.

While I may be mistaken, my instincts compel me to question the authenticity of the initial stories that struck fear into the hearts of people, creating tension and distrust towards women seeking financial assistance at a time when most families struggle to afford decent food.

I wonder if the fabricated fear-mongering was aimed at silencing people and preventing them from voicing their grievances toward government policies that exacerbated the existing economic breakdown caused by the previous administration. It’s always difficult to discern the extent to which those in power will go to manipulate and conceal their shortcomings.

Just two days ago, I witnessed a disturbing video on Facebook where two destitute women were mercilessly beaten by a group of teenage boys for no apparent reason other than their quest for food or to visit another community. Similar incidents can be found on WhatsApp groups, where women have been stripped almost naked and beaten by groups of youths over flimsy allegations, such as causing the collapse of someone merely through conversation. Treating vulnerable women is unjust and unwarranted, as any form of human rights violation is profoundly concerning and illegal.

Those who pushed the fabricated narrative that 100 or 1000 occultic women were capable of killing people by simply greeting or begging have now created the violent “monsters” that are now taking advantage of the situation to attack or even kill poor women – widows & mothers whose means of survival depend only on going out to beg for food or financial support.

We are all aware that the harsh economic situation created by the new government has increased the number of people seeking food and financial assistance. This group includes mentally ill and poverty-stricken citizens. Millions of Nigerian families have been enduring significant hardships due to the new government’s policies and are unsurprised.

It has always been the usual norm in Nigeria: the politicians and elites live in luxury, indulging in the finest pleasures – lavishly eating the best whenever they desire, living in luxurious homes they build, while the ordinary citizens who entrusted politicians with their votes suffer from poverty and the consequences of self-serving decisions made by the elites.

I hope this brief piece sheds light on the fabricated fear-mongering prevailing in Arewa communities, emphasising the gravity of human rights violations. It also underscores how impoverished and hungry women have been made scapegoats by a nonsensical false alarm intended to divert attention from the harsh economic realities that adversely affect people’s health and well-being.

Aminah M. Abubakar sent the article via mbubakar.minah@gmail.com. She can also be contacted via her X handle (formally known as Twitter): @MinahMbubakar11.

These days, there are purported audios and videos circulating on social media platforms such as WhatsApp and Facebook. In these videos, some malicious individuals claim that there is an outbreak of 100 witch women going around sucking people’s blood in northern Nigeria. 

The rumor was believed and shared by many concerned citizens, leading to the dissemination of misinformation among a large number of people.

In a particular audio, a man explained the emergence of some magical women assigned to be sucking people’s blood, cautioning the general public to refrain from assisting anyone who comes to their door seeking help. 

Eventually, the fake story will create chaos in various communities where certain women are being falsely accused of witchcraft. In Kano, Katsina, and some other states, there have been several unconfirmed reports of vicious attacks on women that coincided with similar incidents. 

I appeal to government authorities and traditional rulers in northern Nigeria to intervene in order to investigate the matter, put an end to the rumors, protect the accused women, and punish anyone responsible for such attacks. 

Our ulamas and human rights groups should also create adequate awareness to eliminate the spread of disinformation in society, as it continues to increase day by day. 

Nazir Muhammad Saulawa writes from Gombe and he can be reached via ajiyanwaka@gmail.com

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

A pentecostal evangelist, Prosper Igboke, has reportedly committed suicide.

The pastor jumped to his death from a two-story building in Nnewi, Anambra State on Friday.

Relatives of the deceased cited heartbreak from the pastor’s lover as the reason for his action.

A relative of the deceased who spoke to the press on Saturday, said the 30-year-old man from Leru community in Umunneochi Local Government Area, Abia State, had trained his lover in the university, after which she declined his marriage proposal.

He said, “The incident happened last month. The man (Igboke) was 30 years old at the time of his death. His girlfriend, whom he intended to marry disappointed him after seeing her through the university.”

By Uzair Adam Imam

A 15-year-old Adamu Ibrahim has been arrested by the Bauchi State Police Command for amputating the hand of a farmer in Jital village in the state.

SP Ahmed Wakil, the Spokesman of the Command, disclosed this Saturday in a statement he made available to journalists in the Bauchi.

He stated that the suspect was arrested for causing grievous hurt and mischief along Gombe road in Bauchi State.

According to Wakil, “A disagreement ensued in the course of which the suspect stabbed the victim upon asking him to vacate his farmland.

“In addition, the suspect drew his machete and chopped off the left hand of the victim.“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect had on several occasions trespassed into the victim’s farmland with his cows while rearing,” he said.

The Police Spokesman explained that the unfortunate incident followed a series of complaints to the suspect’s father by the victim for intrusion into his rice farmland by the suspect.

“The investigation revealed that on the 24th of August, 2023, the suspect who was armed with a stick and machete, again went to the victim’s farmland and destroyed crops, whose value is yet to be ascertained.

“The victim was rushed to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital, Bauchi, for medical attention and he is responding to treatment,” he said.

By Muhammadu Sabiu 

The Auren Zaurawa Mass Wedding Initiative will get N854 million from the Kano State Government. 

According to the government, this was approved on Wednesday at the state executive council meeting, looking at the nation’s economic situation. 

Abba Kabir Yusuf, the governor of the state, announced this on his verified X handle, formerly known as Twitter, on Thursday. 

He wrote, “Also from yesterday’s meeting. The Kano State Executive Council has approved the release of the sum of N854 million for the first phase of the Auren Zaurawa Mass Wedding Initiative. 

“And the sum of N700 Million for tuition fees of 7000 students of Bayero University Kano (BUK).” 

Recall that the governor also made an allocation for 7,000 native students at Bayero University Kano (BUK), who will receive N700 million to cover their tuition. 

By Muhammadu Sabiu 

The Police Command in Bauchi has apprehended 24-year-old Furera Abubakar in connection with the alleged murder of her four-day-old stepchild in Bantu village in the state’s Ningi Local Government Area. 

On Tuesday in Bauchi, SP Ahmed Wakil, the command’s spokesman, made a statement that confirmed the incident. He revealed that they had detained the suspect in connection with an alleged case of culpable homicide. 

“The incident was reported to the Ningi Divisional Police headquarters on the 19th of August, 2023 which revealed that the four-day-old baby was born on the 15th of August, 2023 and was murdered by the suspect (Furera) on the 19th of August, 2023 before the naming ceremony. 

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect is a co-wife to the nursing mother (deceased mother). 

“The suspect entered her co-wife’s room with liquid insecticide and applied it to the unhealed baby’s umbilical cord. 

“The liquid suspected to be corrosive substance led to the deterioration of the baby’s health and eventual death,” he said. 

He added that the suspect would be charged in court once the investigation is completed.

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

The Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani, has reduced the school fees of higher institutions in the state.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Muhammad Shehu Molash, made the development known in a press release on Monday.

According to the CPS, the governor has announced the downward review of the current fees in state-owned tertiary institutions .

The spokesperson cited welfarism and the interest of the populace as the reason for the governor’s decision.

The administration of the former Governor of the State, Mal. Nasir El-rufai, had hiked school feels of state-owned institutions.

The new administration of Governor Uba Sani has decreased the school feels by 30%.

Below is the new school fees of higher institutions in the state:

a) Kaduna State University – Current Fee: N150,000 – Reduction (%): 30% – New Fee: N105,000

b) Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic – Current Fee: N100,000 – Reduction (%): 50% – New Fee: N50,000

c) College of Education, Gidan Waya – Current Fee: N75,000 – Reduction (%): 50% – New Fee: N37,500

d) Shehu Idris College of Health Sciences & Technology, Makarfi •HND Courses – Current Fee: N100,000 – Reduction (%): 30% -New Fee: N70.000 •ND Courses – Current Fee: N75,000 – Reduction (%): 30% – New Fee: N52,000

e) Kaduna State College of Nursing – Current Fee: N100,000 – Reduction (%): 30% – New Fee: N70,000

By Muhamamad Suleiman Yobe

Jigawa state task force on petroleum products says it will reveal the identity of filling stations found tempering with their litres to short-charge consumers.

The chairman of the task force, Alhaji Alhassan Muhammad, gave the warning when members of the committee visited some filling stations in Gumel, Jahun and Kiyawa local government areas.

He also warned that any filling station that does not possess Sarafin Gauge would be sanctioned.

He said a number of filling stations visited by the committee have no standard measuring gauge.

Alhaji Alhassan Muhammad advised marketers to always check their litres before dispensing fuel to consumers.

The chairmen said that from the inception of the task force to date, more than 30 filling stations have been warned for engaging in various unwholesome activities.

He commended some marketers in Hadejia and Gumel for possessing Sarafin gauge and maintaining proper litres in their filling stations.