Local

By Uzair Adam Imam

The 12-year-old Boko Haram insurgency in North-Eastern Nigeria, especially Borno State, has led to a vast humanitarian disaster as it claimed more than 35,000 lives and displaced millions of people, according to local and international reports.

But one side of this catastrophe that is neglected is how hunger forced children orphaned by the insurgency and neglected by the Muslim community to be converted to Christianity.

Some of those children had witnessed how insurgents gruesomely killed their parents, leaving in them the hands of the helpless mothers.

The victims roam the silent streets of the suburb of Maiduguri bare-footed and are poorly and raggedly dressed, with nobody to even voice their frustration to. A large percentage of them have nowhere to call home or someone to brother or sister.

Such children were abandoned or taken to IDP camps to face other forms of abuse, torture, including sexual harassment for girlchild.

Giving an eyewitness account of this tragedy, a Borno-based scholar, Sheikh Muhammad Mustapha, narrated that after the mass killing of people by Boko Haram in Maiduguri, some Christian organizations came and took some of these orphans to their respective states.

Sheikh Muhammad Mustapha, who spoke on Sunday, December 26, 2021, during the graduation of 20 orphans trained and empowered by Khairat Islamic Trust (KIT), said the situation is unimaginable.

The foundation brought the orphans to Kano from Borno to help them open a new chapter in their lives.

He said if Muslim communities fail to take care of their [orphans] responsibilities, they will wake up and see all these orphans converted to Christianity one day.

He said, “Some of these orphans witnessed how their parents were merciless being killed by Boko Haram militant. As a result, they are left with no family – no one to call a brother or sister.

“After the mass killing by Boko Haram in Maiduguri, some Christian organizations came and took some of these orphans to their respective states.”

“Their aim is to convert them to Christianity and send them back to destabilize us in future because they look like us and speak our language. So we should try to stop this from happening.

Speaking also, the former Vice-Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano, who commended the foundation, decried how the orphans were.

Prof. Yahuza Bello lamented that many people do not consider helping orphans as something important.

“That is why Khairat Islamic Trust came up with this idea of supporting these orphans financially and also worked hard to ensure that they acquire moral, spiritual, skilful and academic training which would enable them to progress further,” he said.

Orphans recount ordeal

“I was growing up as an orphan. There was a time I came to my mother crying that I didn’t have new clothes to wear on a Sallah [Eid] day.”

“Pity was my mother who also burst into tears saying had it been my father was alive; I will not have cried for Sallah clothes.”

Many of them recalled how their life became hard after the demise of their parents and how they roamed streets endlessly until the foundation decided to give them a helping hand.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Kano based non-governmental organization, Khairat Islamic Trust (KIT), has trained and empowered 20 children who lost their parents to the insurgency in the North East, Nigeria.

At the event titled: “Graduation, Empowerment and Re-integration of Orphans” held at Bayero University, Kano, on Sunday, December 26, 2021, the foundation donated a sewing machine worth N70,000 to each of the orphans.

Also, the foundation offered the students, who have completed their Qur’anic education, admission into western schools to complete their secondary schools.

Speaking at the event, the Emir of Kano, His Highness, Alh. Aminu Ado Bayero, represented by Alh. Aliyu Harazimi, Dan Amal, called on the general public to put hands together in helping orphans.

Bayero said that the reward for those who help orphans is Paradise.

Speaking also, the former Vice-Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano, and Chairman KIT Board of Trustees, Prof. Yahuza Bello, said the foundation is a safe haven for orphans.

He added that KIT’s activities are purely humanitarian and has brought many orphans whose parents were killed by Boko Haram insurgents from Borno to Kano.

Prof. Yahuza Bello lamented that many people do not consider helping orphans important.

He added that many Christian organizations went to Borno and took these orphans to their respective states, converting them to Christianity.

“That is why Khairat Islamic Trust came up with this idea of supporting these orphans financially and also worked hard to ensure that they acquire moral, spiritual, skilful and academic training which would enable them to progress further,” he said.

Orphans voice out their excitement

The orphans who looked very excited said that they could not thank Khairat Islamic Trust enough.

“To be honest, I am very much happy today. I couldn’t have expected more than this even if my parents were alive,” one of the orphans Isma’il Salisu, said.

He added, “I call upon Muslim Ummah to join such a foundation in helping those who lost their parents. If good education is not provided for us, our thought [for a better future] might be lost.

“But now, what most of us wish to be are doctors, engineers, lawyers and the like. We think differently.”

While expressing his gratitude, Mustapha Muhammad Ibrahim said, “Not only me, all of us are extremely excited today.”

“We cannot actually thank this foundation enough. People should, en masse, join programs of this kind.”

On her part, Fatima Usman Hassan expressed how happy she was, saying that: “I pray that we will also do the same to other orphans in the future.”

Muhammad Sabiu

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has urged people to try as much as possible to get vaccinated against coronavirus, especially “at a time when Omicron variant is surfacing.”

This was disclosed by the group’s project manager, Hamza Ibrahim, during a press conference held on December 8, 2021, in Kano.

The enlightenment exercise is part of the group’s project, tagged “Public Education on COVID Vaccine.”

Lamenting how people reject the vaccine, CITAD said, “There are misconceptions and conspiracy theories around the vaccine that some government officials in the state have which has also been a serious problem to getting people vaccinated, this has not only demoralized many people, but it has also reinforced their disbelief and rejection of the vaccine.”

Mr Ibrahim raised the alarm that despite the negative impact the pandemic has on the country, only 3% of Nigerians are vaccinated, adding that this is disturbing at a moment when Omicron has emerged.

He strongly advised all unvaccinated Nigerians to, as a matter of urgency, quickly go and take the vaccine, adding that authorities concerned should do everything possible to enlighten the public on the misconceptions making the rounds about the vaccine.

“We urge stakeholders and opinion leaders in Plateau state to work together to address misconception theories on COVID and its vaccination as well as enlighten the public on the relevance of the vaccine.”

“We plead to authorities in Borno state to ensure the provision of sufficient seals to the vaccination spots and motivate vaccination staff by paying their allowances.”

“We advise people to disregard fake narratives around the vaccine as the narratives were not scientifically proven. Reputable health agencies have confirmed the efficiency of the vaccine as such people should disregard the rumours,” he said.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The police in Katsina State have confirmed the arrest of one of the suspected killers of Alhaji Abubakar Atiku Maidabino, the former District Head of Yantumaki.

Recall that late Maidabino was shot to death on June 1, 2020, alongside his night watchman.

The police spokesman in the state, SP Gambo Isah, made confirmation Tuesday while parading the suspect, Yusuf Abdulla.

He said: “In the course of an investigation, the suspect confessed to have participated in the crime along with the following suspected bandits: Shamsu, Ibrahim, Salmanu and Kabir (now at large, hibernating in the forest).

“The suspect would be charged with terrorism, murder, kidnapping, criminal trespassing and other related offences as soon as the investigation was concluded,” the SP added

In another development, reports have indicated that the command yesterday revealed that it succeeded in smashing a notorious gang of “transborder car thieves” which operated in Kano, Jigawa, Kaduna and Katsina states and transporting them to the Niger Republic for sale.

“Nemesis caught up with members of the gang when they were accosted with a stolen motor vehicle, Toyota Camry, light blue, with registration number JJJ 340 EF and another motor vehicle, Honda CRV, ash in colour, with registration number DKA 980 AH at a mechanical workshop at Kofar Sauri-Kaita Road, Katsina,” Isah said.

He added that the names of the suspects include: Usman Sani, 50, Lukman Magaji, 20, and Yakubu Ismail, 25.

“In the course of the investigation, suspects confessed to have stolen the motor vehicles from Kano and on their way to dispose of them at the Niger Republic. Suspects confessed to having disposed up seven motor vehicles at the same Niger Republic,” he added.

Adamu Ibraheem Jimeta

The Adamawa State Governor, His Excellency, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has declared the Association of Professional Hunters in Adamawa as illegal. In a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary, Humwashi Wunisiko on Monday, December 6, 2021, stated that “The operations and activities of the hunters have become a source of concern and insecurity instead of the security it is fashioned to provide”.

He further said the hunters’ abuse of rules of engagement and lack of regard to the traditional institution and security agencies in the state, especially in the five local governments of Numan, Demsa, Lamurde, Guyuk and Shellenge have made the decision unavoidable.

The statement reads: “More worrisome is the fact that the association operates independent of any security organization in the 5 Local Government Areas, thereby giving room for suspicion of their motive and intentions especially that they operate in uniforms of our security agencies and at odd hours.”

While emphasizing that security is everyone’s business, Fintiri added, “No group or anybody will be allowed to take the Law into their hands, disrespect to security agencies and traditional institution.”

He finally directed security agencies and traditional institutions to collaborate and ensure that peace is maintained across the state before, during and after the Yuletide and new year festivities.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Following the boat mishap on Tuesday, 30th November, 2021 in Bagwai Local Government of the state, the Kano State Government has announced a ban on the use of commercial boats in transporting passengers in the river.

The Daily Reality has reported the incident that had claimed the lives of twenty nine people. Adding to that development, Kano State governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje disclosed the ban in a statement issued to journalists by the State Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba.

In her effort, the Kano State government has provided two buses for passenger shuttle between Badau and Bagwai, while three new boats would be procured for effective water transportation in the area.

He added that: “Other control measures are expected to be instituted when the investigation committee set up by the state government submitted its report for implementation.”

Kaduna state government announced its decision to restore telecommunication networks in some parts of the state which were cut off due to insurgency. It can be recalled that due to the current security threats faced by many Northern states, the Kaduna state government decided to cut off the telecommunications operations in some areas of the state on the 30th of September.

In a press briefing by Samuel Aruwan, Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat, Kaduna, announced the restoration of telecommunication network services. Below is the full excerpt:

“My dear colleagues:

I am here to inform you that the Kaduna State Government has contacted the relevant federal agencies to effect the immediate restoration of telecommunication services which were suspended in some local government areas.

Security agencies had requested the shutdown in October 2021, among other measures, to assist ongoing operations against armed bandits and other criminals. The security agencies have now notified the government that telecoms services can be restored.

Along with the other measures in the security containment order, the telecoms shutdown had helped the security agencies to achieve some results, which the security forces will reel out soon. The prolonged application of this measure was always out of the question, due to its impact on the legitimate activities of citizens and businesses.

Residents are advised that the restoration of full services in the affected areas may unfold over a few days, as the service providers mobilise to power and boost their transmission systems accordingly.

The Kaduna State Government regrets the inconveniences residents of the affected LGAs may have encountered as a result of the shutdown. The state government wishes to commend the sacrifices made by residents while this temporary measure lasted.

Notwithstanding, the government wishes to reiterate that the other measures announced as part of the security containment orders remain in force. These include the prohibition of motorcycles all over the state, the ban on weekly markets, transportation of cattle, and the prohibition of sale of fuel in jerrycans in specified local government areas.

Thank you for your kind attention.”