Security

By Uzair Adam Zamfara

State Police have taken into custody a member of the state assembly, a district head, and a former local government chairman due to alleged ties to kidnapping and banditry.

The arrested lawmaker, Aminu Ibrahim, is suspected of involvement in the kidnapping of an elderly man, Alhaji Ibrahim Sarkin Fada, in Kasuwar Daji village.

Additionally, the district head of Kaura Namoda, Alhaji Jafaru Abdullahi Kumburki, and the former chairman of Kaura Namoda LGA, Nasiru Muhammad, are also in police custody.

According to the Commissioner of Police, CP Muhammad Shehu Dalijan, the district head of Kaura Namoda allegedly colluded with two suspected associates of bandits and kidnapped nine locals in Gidan Sambo village, receiving a ransom of N800,000.

The former council boss is accused of collaborating with two others to abduct Alhaji Ango in the Kumurya community of Zamfara State.

Furthermore, three district heads from Danjibga, Bukkuyum, and Unguwar Gyauro in Tsafe and Bukkuyum LGAs are under investigation for alleged involvement in kidnapping and banditry.

The police commissioner has confirmed these arrests and stated that the investigation is still ongoing.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Lagos State Police Command has successfully recovered a two-month-old infant from a couple, Mr. and Mrs. James Uwam, during a naming ceremony in the state.

According to a statement released by the Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, the couple had purchased the baby from a suspected human trafficker, Loretta Nelson, for a sum of N2,350,000.

The statement further disclosed that Nelson had previously acquired the baby from a pastor, Peter Udoh, for N1,450,000.

Udoh, in turn, had bought the baby from another suspected trafficker, Gloria Sunday, for N500,000.

It added that Sunday had allegedly kidnapped the baby on July 11, 2024, prompting the baby’s mother to report the incident to the authorities.

Following the report, the police launched an investigation and arrested Sunday, who led them to apprehend other suspects involved in the crime.

The PPRO stated, “Our detectives took swift action, leading to the arrest of Gloria Sunday, who confessed to selling the baby to Pastor Peter Udoh for N500,000.

“Udoh, who was arrested in Ikene Town, Ogun State, admitted to reselling the baby to Loretta Nelson for N1,450,000. Nelson was subsequently arrested in Festac Town, Lagos.

“The statement further revealed that Nelson confessed to selling the baby to the Uwam couple for N2,350,000 during the naming ceremony.

The police have commenced investigations and will arraign the suspects in court upon completion of the investigation.

By Uzair Adam Imam

President Bola Tinubu has convened an emergency meeting with APC governors at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, commencing at 1:01 pm.

The gathering occurs amidst escalating demands for nationwide demonstrations against economic adversity.

Although the meeting’s objectives remain unclear, it may be linked to the impending protests slated for August 1-10.

Despite the organisers’ anonymity, the ‘EndBadGovernance’ protests have garnered considerable online attention.

This meeting succeeds a prior conclave of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum on Wednesday evening and a last-minute cancellation of the National Economic Council meeting scheduled for Thursday at noon.

Notable attendees include National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Finance Minister Wale Edun, and Budget & Economic Planning Minister Abubakar Bagudu.

Details later…..

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Defence Headquarters has stated that the right to protest is guaranteed, but warned that anarchy and violence will not be tolerated.

Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, stated this while addressing the journalists in Abuja on Thursday.

Buba said that intelligence suggests the planned nationwide protest may be hijacked by unscrupulous elements.

He noted that the aim of the protest appears to be similar to the situation in Kenya, where protests have turned violent and remain unresolved.

Buba warned that the military is prepared to deploy if the police are overwhelmed and emphasized that a state of anarchy will not be tolerated, as it has the potential to destabilize the country.

He added that the intended outcome of peaceful protests should not be undermined by violence.

The military’s statement comes as President Tinubu has appealed to youths to shelve the planned protest.

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has also promised improved healthcare delivery in response to the planned hardship protest.

By Uzair Adam

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has announced the redeployment of new Sector Commanders to 20 states across Nigeria.

According to a statement by the Acting Corps Public Education Officer, Olusegun Ogungbemide, the redeployment is part of the Corps’ strategic intervention mechanisms aimed at enhancing operational activities and quality service delivery.

Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed approved the redeployment, which is designed to drive the policy thrust of the Corps and reposition it for greater performance.

The move is also intended to reinvigorate the Corps’ operational activities in the field Commands.

The Corps Marshal explained that the redeployment was propelled by the renewed zeal to reposition the Corps for greater performance and quality service delivery.

The affected states include Kano, Rivers, Plateau, Gombe, and 16 others.

Corps Commander Maxwell Lede, formerly the Principal Staff Officer II to the Corps Marshal, has been deployed as the Sector Commander in Plateau State. Meanwhile, Tijani Muhammed, the outgoing Zonal Head of Operations in Sokoto, takes over as Sector Commander in Kano State.

Other redeployed officers include Saliau Ibrahim, who moves from Kano to Jigawa; Adeoye Irelewuyi, who takes over as Sector Commander in Ogun State; and Yahaya Adikwu, who has been redeployed from Yola to Adamawa State.

The Corps Marshal has charged the newly deployed Sector Commanders to report to their new posts immediately and “hit the ground running” to enhance safety on the roads.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Governor Dauda Lawal has approved an Executive Order to restrict the movement of motorcycles in Zamfara State.

The governor signed the Executive Order on Thursday at the Government House in Gusau, the state capital.

A statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, revealed that the Security Council decided to restrict motorcycle movement in Zamfara during an emergency meeting on Wednesday.

According to him, to legally enforce the restriction, the state’s Attorney General, Abdul’aziz Sani SAN, presented Executive Order No. 07, 2024 to the governor which was subsequently assented.

“Today, Governor Dauda Lawal signed an order to restrict and prohibit the movement of motorcycles from 8:00 pm to 6:00 am in Zamfara State.

“This is in an effort to protect the lives and property of the people, as well as to curb security challenges and broaden the scope of government measures to strengthen the fight against banditry and other forms of social vices in the state.

“Effective immediately, all motorcycles are now restricted within the state between 08:00pm and 06:00am.“No motorcycles are allowed to travel on any road in the state during these hours. Security agencies are instructed to arrest anyone who violates this order.

“The Attorney General of Zamfara State is authorized to prosecute those who disobey the restriction order.”

By Uzair Adam Imam

An Osun State High Court sitting in Ede has convicted and sentenced five men to death by hanging for the kidnap and murder of Alhaji Ibrahim Adamu, a Fulani man.

The convicts, Ibrahim Issa, Lateef Bello, Abdul Ramon Soliu, Bello Ibrahim, and Abudu Mumini Jolaanobi Saheed – were arraigned on four charges, including conspiracy to kidnap and murder.

In her judgement, Justice Kudirat Akano found the convicts guilty on all four counts and sentenced them to death by hanging.

The prosecuting counsel, Faremi Moses, presented evidence that the five men kidnapped Alhaji Ibrahim Adamu on April 17, 2018, around 7:45 pm from his home in Owode-Ede, Ede North Local Government Area, Osun State.

Adamu was abducted in his Toyota Corolla and subsequently killed after his family paid a ransom of N3 million.

Faremi called three witnesses, including the investigating police officer, Mr Ganiyu Taofeek, who submitted several exhibits, such as extrajudicial statements and a mask recovered at the scene.

Counsel to the convicts, Bola Ige, argued that the prosecution failed to prove the accusation beyond a reasonable doubt.

Justice Akano ruled, “The prosecution has proved beyond a reasonable doubt that the convicts committed the offences. They are hereby sentenced to death by hanging.

“The convicts were led out of the courtroom in handcuffs, sobbing and begging for mercy.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini 

The military high command has established new commands in Kaduna State to address insecurity. 

The three new commands are located in Samaru Zango-Kataf, Giwa, and Birnin-Gwari. Additionally, the Air Force will establish a base in Millennium City, in Chikun local government area. 

The Southern Kaduna Journalists’ Forum (SKJF) has praised the collaboration between the State governor, Uba Sani and the Chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher Musa, for their efforts in addressing insecurity in the State. 

In a statement issued by SKJF chairman, Ango Bally and Secretary, Lilian Silas, the forum expressed joy over the establishment of the military bases. 

The statement read in part: “These strategic moves will significantly help in addressing the protracted banditry, kidnapping and other security threats in the region and enhance agricultural activities in the State”. 

The Forum expressed optimism that the deployment of additional military personnel will significantly improve security and enable farmers to access their lands without fear, especially in communities like Maro-Kajuru, Kauru, Sanga, Giwa and Birnin-Gwari, which have been witnessing persistent banditry attacks.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini 

The newly appointed Kano State Commissioner of Police, CP Salman Dogo Garba, has convened a strategic meeting with Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers (DPOs), Tactical and Operational Commanders.

This meeting is part of a broader effort to strengthen security and safeguard the lives and properties of all residents in the state. 

The Commissioner of Police appreciates the officers for their commitment and dedication to crime fighting and maintaining peace despite the daunting security situation in the state.

He further charged them to remain resolute and redouble efforts towards surmounting the scourge of thuggery and other violent criminal activities that had hitherto bedevilled the good people of the state. 

He charged the officers to continue with the community policing engagements with their stakeholders and to ensure no thuggery (Daba) incidents are recorded in their areas of responsibilities.

They are also warned to always be available to supervise their men, as the CP will be going around on supervision. 

Dogo reminded the officers that accountability and professionalism will be his driving forces.

In addition, he urges all the supervising officers to ensure the cleanliness of their offices, including detention facilities. 

The CP reiterated that “I can not be sitting in my office to allow thugs (Yan Daba) and other perpetrators of criminal activities to disrupt the peace being enjoyed in the State.”

By Abdullahi Algasgain

The attention of the Sokoto State Government has been drawn to a malicious publication credited to the Muslims Rights Concern (MURIC) alleging a plan by the sttate government to dethrone the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar.

The state government wondered how a responsible body like MURIC, claiming to be protecting the rights of the Muslims would descend so low and cheaply as to join hands with deluded mischief makers and enemies of progress to fabricate such a false and unsubstantiated story just to create an unfriendly atmosphere and fear in the minds of the law-abiding and peaceful citizens of the state.

We believe that MURIC is not the type that will be dancing to the tunes of enemies and mischief makers who are trying to take away the attention of the good people of Sokoto state and Nigerians on the transformative initiatives taking place in Sokoto State over the last one year.

We also like to assure MURIC that the present administration just like the previous administrations in the state cherishes and respects the Sultanate Council long before MURIC was established.

The Sultanate Council, which has a long standing historical importance is so reverred to all the people of Sokoto State, therefore we still hold the institution in very high regards and esteem.

This is not the first time stories such as this were fabricated to show that all is not well between the state government and the Sultanate Council, as some few months back we had a similar obnoxious story which the state government categorically condemned and denied in whole.

From the look of things,those nefarious detractors and distracting enemies of progress have not relented in their failed efforts to smear the cordial relationship existing between the state government and the Sultanate Council.

MURIC should have cared to find out if there was ever any query, warning or any threatening documents served on the sultan by the state government.

We equally like to remind MURIC that promoting Islamic affairs is the second item on the Ahmed Aliyu’s nine-point Smart Agenda,therefore Islam means so much to the present administration, coupled with the fact that Sokoto being the Seat of the Caliphate, is a 100 per cent Muslim-dominated society.

It is on record that no administration in the history of Sokoto State has done to Islam what the present administration has done in just one year. This we say without any fear of contradictions.

Therefore, for any one to think that the present administration could engage in acts or actions that could jeopardize the development of Islam is not only unfair but unjustifiable.

To put the records straight, we would like to tell the world that the relationship between the Ahmed Aliyu-led administration and the Sultanate Council under the leadership of our most respected monarch, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar has been very cordial.

The present administration always consulted with His Eminence, the Sultan on issues affecting the state, and his invaluable contributions and inputs are always respected and included in policy implementation.

On the issue of sacking and transfer of some District Heads in Sokoto State, MURIC should know that the affected District Heads were accused of some unbecoming behaviours,such as land racketeering, aiding insecurity as well as insurbodination to the constituted authority.

In order to give them fair hearing the committee summoned all the affected District Heads, after which it came up with a whitepaper report, advising the government on what to do. And it was based on that and also in the public interest that the state government acted in conformity with the recommendations made by the whitepaper committee.

It is equally important for MURIC to note that nobody is above the law, therefore,the sacked District Heads are just reaping what they saw, and that the action taken by the Sokoto State Government was indisputably in the best public interest.

Abubakar Bawa
Press Secretary to
Sokoto state Governor
25/06/2024.