Kaduna State

By Sumayyah Auwal Ishaq

The Kaduna State Government, under the leadership of Governor Nasir El-Rufa’i, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on gas utilisation and expansion with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Gas Aggregation Company of Nigeria (GACN).

During the signing ceremony today in Kaduna, the governor said the MoU has brought nearer the availability of a significant additional energy source for businesses and residents in Kaduna State.

“For the Kaduna State Government, this project is a welcome boost to our investment and job creation strategy. It will create jobs and provide skills for artisans who will work on the gas pipelines and associated infrastructure. Beyond that, this project will power the industries that have responded with enthusiasm to our investment promotion campaign,” El-Rufai said.

On his part, the General Managing Director, NNPC, Mele Kyari, said the management of NNPC would make sure the partnership work. He also commended the governor for his excellent leadership skills.

The military officer identified as Major Dalung abducted Tuesday at the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, was reportedly found dead.

The officials of the Academy or the Army Headquarters, Abuja, have yet to confirm the murder of the officer.

The Chronicle, among other news channels, reports that other victims of the daring attack include a Lieutenant Commander, Wulah and a Flying Lieutenant, CM Okoronwo. They were shot dead during the invasion of Afaka barracks of the NDA. Another victim, 2nd Lieutenant Onah, sustained is currently at the NDA hospital with injuries from gunshots.

Recall that the Defence Academy earlier promised to track the shooters and rescue the kidnapped officer after the attack.

The attack was the first of its kind, which the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) described as “embarrassing” to the nation.

By Muhammad Abdurrahman

A statement signed by the Academy Public Relations Officer, Major Bashir Muhd Jajira, confirmed the early morning reports of the deadly attack at the Kaduna facility.

It states that “the security architecture of the Nigerian Defence Academy was compromised early this morning by unknown gunmen who gained access into the residential area within the Academy in Afaka. During the unfortunate incident, we lost two personnel and one was abducted.

“The Academy in collaboration with the 1Division Nigerian Army and Air Training Command as well as other security agencies in Kaduna state has since commenced pursuit of the unknown gunmen within the general area with a view to tracking them and rescue the abducted personnel.”

The statement adds that the community and the cadets undergoing training at the military school are safe. It finally assures the public that the shooters will be arrested and the abducted officer rescued.

The security situation continues to deteriorate in especially parts of Kaduna and other northwestern states of Nigeria. However, the government and its security operative claim to be doing everything to tackle the situation.

By Sumayyah Auwal Usman

Three people died in Zangon Kataf, Monday, in an outbreak of fresh hostilities. The attack happened in Goran Gida, Gora District of Zangon Kataf LGA.

According to the Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr. Samuel Aruwan, the unidentified attackers entered the village late last night, killed three people, and injured one.

The Acting Governor of Kaduna State, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, has condemned the mindless attack on innocent citizens. She sent condolences to the families of the deceased as she prayed for the repose of the departed.

By Muhammadu Sabiu

Reports have indicated that no fewer than five people have been killed in the recent violent attacks launched on some Zangon Kataf communities of Kaduna State.

This was stated in a statement made available to journalists on Saturday by Samuel Aruwan, Commissioner for Internal Security and Internal Affairs. He said that among those killed is a 10-year old by unidentified persons.

Confirming the unfortunate incidents, Mr Aruwan said, “The boy (identified as the son of one Alhaji Dare Mato) was attacked while herding cattle. The corpse of the young herder was recovered and buried.

“An attack was also reported in Kurmin Masara along Bakin Kogi in Atyap Chiefdom.

“One resident, Philip Magu, was killed during the attack before the assailants were repelled by a combined team of Operation Safe Haven and Police Special Tactical Squad.

“Furthermore, gunmen attacked the Jankasa general area around the Zangon Kataf/Kaura LGA boundaries. Troops also repelled the assailants, but one resident (identified simply as Haruna) was shot dead in his farm by the fleeing miscreants.

“The troops also repelled an attack in Ungwan Rana in Zonzon District, after a fierce exchange of fire with bandits. One resident, Bitrus Kauna, sustained serious gunshot wounds during the attack and eventually died in hospital.

“Finally, one Samson Sunday was killed by unidentified persons on his farm in Ungwan Gaiya.

Mr Aruwan added, “Following the disturbing cycle of violence, the Kaduna State Government has appealed to all residents to embrace recourse to the law, and break the brutal cycle of killing and reprisal, to adequately support Government’s peace-building efforts in the area.”

Kaduna State is a northwestern state known for ethno-religious violence, kidnappings and killings by suspected gunmen.

By Sumayyah Auwal Usman

Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufa’i, has condemned the attack on Monday, which spanned Ungwan Magaji, Kigam, Kisicho and Kikoba villages in Kauru local government area.

In a statement signed by the commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Kaduna State, Mr Samuel Aruwan, El-Rufa’i “expressed his sadness over the attack and condemned it as an action of depraved entities stripped of every shred of humanity. He prayed for the repose of the souls of the victims and sent his condolences to their families. The Governor tasked security agencies working in the area to sustain thorough investigations into the incident.”

According to the Defence Headquarters Operation Safe Haven report, armed assailants attacked the mentioned villages early on Monday morning and swiftly left six residents dead. The deceased have been identified as:

• Joseph Maza
• Timvan Cibi Ciwo
• Monday Titus
• Asabe Magani
• Laraba Danladi
• Yosi Danladi

In addition to the casualties, it was reported that eight houses, six huts, one motorcycle and a generator were razed during the attack. Some maize crops were also destroyed.

The Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission has on Monday rescheduled the state local government council elections from August 14 to September 2021.

More details later.

By Muhammad Sabiu

Men of the Nigeria Police Force in Kaduna State have on Thursday succeeded in apprehending two suspected armed robbers and a gunrunner, the police spokesperson in the state, ASP Mohammed Jalige, said in a statement.

Mr Jalige said, “The operatives of the Kaduna police, attached to the Kafanchan divisional headquarters, acted on information from a good Samaritan and intercepted an Opel Vectra vehicle with registration number KAF 733 MK driven by one person on July 28 at about 4:00 p.m.

“When a careful search of the suspicious vehicle was conducted, an AK47 rifle and two packets of 12-gauge shotgun shells that were concealed in the engine compartment of the car were recovered.

“Investigations are ongoing and the suspect has provided useful information to the police that will facilitate further breakthroughs.”

He also said that among those apprehended are two suspected armed robbery and car-snatching syndicates.

“The two suspects were arrested on July 26 and July 28.

“While on surveillance patrol within Sabon Gari area of Zaria, operatives of the command intercepted a Honda Civic vehicle with registration number NSR 92 HH driven by one person.

“A search of the said vehicle resulted in the recovery of an English Makarov pistol with one round of live 9mm ammunition and two fabricated revolver pistols.

“Investigation is being diligently carried out to retrieve some of their stolen vehicles, apprehending other gang members and equally recovering more of their operational weapons.

“The suspects will be charged to court upon completion of the investigation,” added Mr Jalige.

He also urged members of the public to report any suspicious activity in their communities.

A Kaduna State High Court is expected to rule on the trial of the embattled leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Sheikh Ibrahim Elzakzaky and his wife, Malama Zeenat, today.

It will be recalled that El-Zakzaky and his wife are standing trial on an eight-count charge bordering on alleged culpable homicide, unlawful assembly and disruption of the public peace, among others. Among the witnesses who testified against the IMN leader were two army officers, a retired director of State Security Service (SSS), police officers and a medical doctor.

Security around Kaduna metropolitan area has been intensified as men of the Kaduna State Police Command, and the Civil Defense Corps blocked all the roads leading to the court, diverting vehicles to alternative routes. According to top sources, the move is to avert any breakdown of law and order.

The traditional ruler of Jaba, the Kpop Ham of Jaba Chiefdom in Kaduna State, Jonathan Danladi Gyet Maude, has been abducted by gunmen suspected to be kidnappers.

The brother of the kidnapped monarch, Anthony Maude, has confirmed the development. He said the victim was kidnapped on his farm located at Gitata community in Nasarawa State.

Kpop Ham Jonathan Danladi Gyet Maude is among the first-class monarchs in Kaduna State.