Kaduna

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled by-elections for 16 vacant legislative seats, including the Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency in Kaduna State, for Saturday, August 16, 2025.

The polls follow the death of Hon. Ekene Adams, the former representative of Chikun/Kajuru.

The elections will cover five federal and 11 state constituencies across 12 states.INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, announced the date during a meeting with political parties in Abuja.

Over 3.5 million registered voters in 32 LGAs, 356 wards, and 6,987 polling units will participate, with 30,451 officials deployed for the exercise.

Yakubu assured that INEC remains committed to conducting a free, fair, and credible election to fill the vacant seats.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State on Tuesday visited survivors of the recent violent attack in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, where some citizens of Kaduna State were killed and others injured.

The governor, who met with the victims at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna, reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that the perpetrators are brought to justice.

He disclosed that arrests have already been made and that security agencies are actively pursuing other suspects involved in the attack.

Governor Sani also announced that the Kaduna State Government will cover all medical expenses for the survivors and provide psychosocial support to help them recover from the trauma before reuniting them with their families.

“We will not relent until everyone responsible for this brutality faces the full weight of the law,” he stated.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Kaduna State Government has expressed shock and condemnation over the killing of 12 of its citizens in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The victims were reportedly attacked while traveling to Quan Pan LGA for a wedding ceremony. Eleven others sustained injuries in the incident.

In a strongly worded statement, the Kaduna State Government described the killings as “acts of savagery” and called on security agencies to hunt down the perpetrators.

“These criminals must be fished out and dealt with accordingly. There is no justification for such violence against innocent citizens,” the statement read.

The government urged Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, to take decisive action by overseeing security operations until justice is served.

“We will follow up on investigations to ensure the murderers face the law. Impunity must no longer be tolerated,” the statement added.

While calling for calm among Kaduna residents, the government reassured citizens that efforts were underway to secure justice for the victims.

It also highlighted Kaduna’s progress in peacebuilding, expressing hope that Plateau State could overcome its security challenges. Condolences were extended to the families of the deceased, with assurances that the injured would receive proper medical care.

“We stand with the bereaved and will do everything to lessen their pain,” the statement concluded.

Authorities have yet to release further details on the attack as investigations continue.

By Uzair Adam

The Kaduna State Police Command says security operatives have stormed criminal hideouts in the Kawo area of Kaduna, arresting 27 suspected criminals and recovering weapons and hard drugs.

In a statement on Monday in Kaduna, the command’s spokesperson, DSP Mansir Hassan, said the operation was part of the Commissioner of Police’s directive to identify and dismantle criminal elements threatening peace in the area.

Hassan stated that the command carried out several raids in a joint operation with the Military, DSS, and the Kaduna State Vigilante Service, resulting in multiple arrests and the seizure of weapons.

“On Sunday, around 10:30 pm, a joint tactical operation was launched across Kawo and neighbouring areas, leading to the arrest of 27 suspects and the recovery of significant caches of weapons,” he said.

Exhibits recovered included knives, axes, cutlasses, and large quantities of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, as well as other hard drugs.

Commissioner of Police, CP Rabiu Muhammad, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to maintaining law and order in the state. He warned that miscreants would not be given any breathing space.

“Kaduna remains a peaceful state, and we will not allow anyone to disrupt the peace. Those with violent intentions should desist or leave the state,” he said.

The Christian community in Nigeria has been thrown into mourning following the death of Reverend Azzaman David, a popular Kaduna-based preacher and staunch Christian faith advocate.

Rev. Azzaman, who was the senior pastor of The King Worship Chapel and Ministry, Inc., died on Saturday in a fatal car accident while traveling from Makurdi, Benue State, back to Kaduna.

His death has caused deep shock through the religious community, particularly among young Christians and scholars who followed his theological discussions online.

Though details surrounding the incident are still emerging, Rev. Mohammed Mohammed, a close associate of the late cleric, confirmed his passing via a Facebook post.

“REV Azzaman Azzaman had an accident on his way back from Makurdi. He died alone in the car. May he rest in peace. May the Lord comfort us in the name of Jesus,” the post read.

Known for his strong presence on Facebook, Rev. Azzaman gained widespread recognition for his approach to religious debates, often engaging Muslim scholars and atheist thinkers.

Tributes have continued to pour in since news of his passing broke.

He is survived by his wife and children. Funeral arrangements have not yet been made public.

By Sumayyah A. Usman

Academic activities have been paralysed at the Kaduna State University, KASU, Kaduna, as the strike embarked upon by the institution’s branch of Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, enters its third week.

TDR visits to the two campuses at Kaduna and Kafanchan revealed that both lecturers and students were not in the classes and many students seized the opportunity of the strike to travel home.

However, some few students were found at the institution’s sport complex engaging in sport activities It would be recall that on April 24th, 2025, the union branch declared a “total, comprehensive & indefinite” strike action in response to several unfulfilled promises made by the Kaduna State Government.

By Sumayyah A. Usman

The Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, on Monday launched the power supply reconnection project in Kagarko Local Government Area, in a move seen as a major step towards the actualization of his campaign promise during the 2023 electioneering campaigns.

The governor who was represented by the Kagarko LG Chairman, Honourable Muhuyideen A. Umar, said the reconnection project would help alleviate power challenges faced by residents as well as boost economic activities and the overall quality of life of the people of the LG.

He further stated that “the project is in line with the promise made by Governor Uba Sani to restore power supply in Kagarko after years of darkness”.

He assured residents that with the availability of needed materials, equipment.and commitment from the workers, the job would be completed in record time.

According to reports electricity supply had been disrupted for over two years in the local government area as a result of vandalism.

But news of the reconnection was warmly received by Kagarko residents, who expressed their gratitude to the governor for his efforts to restore power.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Six soldiers and two civilians have been taken into custody by the Nigerian Police over the alleged torture and death of a 65-year-old man named Surajo, affectionately known as “Alhaji M.”

This tragic event unfolded in Millennium City, Kaduna State.On May 3, 2025, two residents from Unguwan Rimi—Alhaji Adamu Jinjiri and Ibrahim Yakubu—accused Surajo of being involved in the theft of a cow and an electrical distribution box.

They alleged that he was assisting a suspect, Yahaya Aleiru, who is still on the run.Surajo was reportedly handed over to the Millennium City Strike Force, a local military security unit.

Sources indicate that he endured severe torture at a military checkpoint, allegedly at the hands of Lieutenant Alhassan Musa and five other soldiers, which ultimately led to his collapse.

He was rushed to Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital but was sadly pronounced dead upon arrival.

The Kaduna State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of all eight individuals involved, including the two civilians who initiated the complaint.

A police source mentioned that the case has now been handed over to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) for a thorough investigation.

Authorities are committed to ensuring that justice is served as the investigation unfolds.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Security operatives from the Kaduna State Police Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit, in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser, have successfully rescued 17 individuals who were kidnapped on March 3, 2025, in Sarkin Pawa, Niger State.

According to the police, the operation was carried out using a non-violent method and reflects the determination of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to promote intelligence-driven strategies and cooperation among security agencies in combating crime.

The rescued individuals include Williams Ubadia (15), Samuel Ezekiel (15), Duza Ezekiel (13), Ishaku Ishaya (12), Sunday Ezekiel (8), Jessy Friday (6), Rebecca Ezekiel (32), Jummai Ishaya (32), Terriza Friday (30), Alice Ezekiel (35), Victoria Ishaya (32), Blessing Ezekiel (20), Gloria Ubadia (13), Gift Ubadia (10), Charity Ezekiel (9), Alheri Ishaya (5), and Favour Ezekiel (1).

All those rescued were taken to the Police Clinic in Kaduna for medical evaluation.

The police confirmed that they are in stable and healthy condition.

In a statement released by the Force Public Relations Officer, Assistant Commissioner of Police Olumuyiwa Adejobi, he said: “In line with the operational directives and strategic vision of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, geared towards tackling violent crimes, dismantling criminal networks, and enhancing public safety across the country, the Nigeria Police Force has recorded significant breakthroughs in recent operations conducted in Kaduna State.”

He added: “On April 9, 2025, in a remarkable feat of inter-agency collaboration and strategic intelligence deployment, operatives of the Kaduna State Police Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit, in conjunction with the Office of the National Security Adviser, successfully rescued 17 victims who had been abducted on March 3, 2025, from Sarkin Pawa, Niger State.”

On the same day, officers intercepted a commercial Volkswagen Sharan vehicle at Kawo Central Motor Park in Kaduna.

Following a detailed search, 21 fabricated AK-47 rifles were found hidden inside the vehicle.

The police arrested a 27-year-old man, Jamilu Suleiman, from Rafin Guza, Kaduna. During initial questioning, he reportedly confessed that he had been directed by a union member to transport the weapons to an unidentified individual in Kaduna.

Authorities have begun a thorough investigatio n aimed at uncovering the full network behind the arms trafficking.

In a separate incident on April 9, 2025, around 5:00 a.m., the police responded to a distress call about a robbery in progress at Doggi Farm along the Kaduna–Abuja Expressway.

The Divisional Police Officer of the Tafa Division led a patrol team to the scene. Upon arrival, they exchanged fire with a gang of about 30 armed robbers who had stormed the premises.

Two suspects were shot dead during the confrontation, while others fled toward nearby hills.

Two additional suspects, who sustained injuries, were taken to Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Memorial Hospital in Sabon Wuse.

One of them later died, and the other remains in custody, aiding the investigation.

The police have assured the public that efforts are underway to capture the remaining members of the gang.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Kaduna State Police Command has responded to allegations made by former Governor Malam Nasiru El-Rufai, who claimed that his former Commissioner, Malam Jafaru Sani, was abducted by a group of kidnappers he referred to as the “Uba Sani Group,” allegedly connected to the police.

The police dismissed the claim, emphasizing that there is no such group within the Nigerian Police Force.

According to the police, the Nigerian Police Force was established under the 1999 Constitution, with the primary responsibility of maintaining law and order.

They further urged the former governor to verify the truth of any allegations before making public statements.In a press release issued by the police spokesperson, DSP Mansir Hassan, he stated:

“We have taken note of a statement made by the former Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasiru El-Rufai, on his X platform, where he accused his former Commissioner, Malam Jafaru Sani, of being abducted by a group of kidnappers known as the ‘Uba Sani Group,’ whom he claimed to be police officers.”El-Rufai also alleged that Jafaru Sani was detained in prison without any police report (FIR) or charges filed by the state Ministry of Justice.

“There is no such group of kidnappers within the Nigerian Police Force. The police is a lawful body established by the constitution to uphold law and order.”

The police further explained that they are authorized to arrest and investigate anyone accused of committing a crime under the provisions of the law.

They noted that any individual, company, or government body has the right to file a complaint with the police, and if a crime is committed, the matter will be taken to court for trial.

The police urged the public, especially those in positions of authority, to exercise caution and avoid making baseless accusations against security agencies.

They warned that such unfounded claims could create confusion and undermine the integrity of security institutions.