Kaduna

By Anas Abbas

The Kaduna State Security Council, led by Governor Uba Sani, has imposed a 24-hour curfew on Kaduna and Zaria metropolitan cities, effective immediately.

This decision comes after a review of the state’s security situation, which revealed that ongoing protests have been hijacked by criminal elements.

According to the council, these criminal elements have resorted to looting shops and destroying private and public property. To maintain safety and security, citizens are advised to remain indoors while security forces work to contain the situation.

The curfew will be continuously monitored, with the possibility of review as necessary. The Kaduna State Government has urged citizens to cooperate with security forces to restore peace and order in the affected areas.

This development follows a wave of protests that have turned violent, prompting concerns about public safety. The government’s swift response aims to prevent further escalation and protect citizens’ lives and property.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini 

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has welcomed the release of two Kaduna-based journalists who were abducted from their homes in the outskirts of Kaduna last weekend.   

Speaking when he received the two journalists, AbdulGafar Alabelewe of The Nation newspapers and AbdulRaheem Aodu of Blueprint newspapers, from the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the minister commended security agencies for the timely rescue of the victims. 

The two journalists were released along with Mr. Alabelewe’s wife and two children.  

Mohammed expressed sympathy for the two families.  

“We are most grateful of what you have done. We are aware that this is part of your ongoing effort to ensure that all kidnapped victims are rescued alive and reunited with their families.  

“I want to urge Nigerians to keep faith with the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and our security agencies. The security agencies under the coordination of the NSA are working tirelessly to ensure that all those who have been taken into unlawful custody are freed without paying any ransom,” he said.  

Speaking earlier, the NSA said the five victims were rescued following a combined effort of security agencies, which led to swift search and rescue operations.  

Responding, one of the rescued victims, Mr Alabelewe thanked the NSA and his team for the swift intervention.  

“The rescue mission which brough us out of the bush yesterday gave us hope in our country and gave us confidence to believe that the government is serious about tackling this problem of kidnapping. I never thought that within a week of our kidnap we could get out.  

“We are grateful that the government swung into action and ensured that we were released,” he said.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini 

Comrade Shehu Sani, on his X (Twitter) account, said no amount of falsehood and disinformation would change the facts and figures that from 2015–2023, Kaduna State was looted, and our children and grandchildren have been left with a huge burden of debt. 

He was quoted as saying, “They shamelessly left behind a litany of uncomplicated projects and contractual liabilities that has suffocated the economy of our state.

“They pocketed billions for non existent light rail projects, tied our IGR to fraudulent Bank loans.  

“Kaduna is like a woman raped and the rapist wants honour. Every reasonable resident of Kaduna can clearly see and attest to the properties and wealth amassed by those who claimed to have served the state.

“The spirit and the blood of the people they wasted and the lives and livelihoods they destroyed will continue to haunt them. We shall recover every penny of our state funds looted by those rodents and their larcenous head.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini 

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said no fewer than 25 persons died while 53 persons were injured in an accident that occurred along the Kano-Kaduna highway on Monday. 

The corps’ public education officer, Olusegun Ogungbemide, said this in a statement in Abuja. 

He said the crash involved a trailer conveying about 90 persons at about 03:15 a.m. Mr Ogungbemide said the accident was caused by a speed violation that eventually led the vehicle to lose control. 

“However, the FRSC emergency and rescue team was able to rescue 12 persons without injury from the crash. 

“The rescued victims have been taken to the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital in Kano for proper medical attention,’’ he said. 

Mr Ogungbemide said the truck driver had been arrested and handed over to the police for further investigation and possible prosecution. 

The spokesman, however, quoted the FRSC corps marshal, Shehu Mohammed, as calling on traditional and religious leaders to join FRSC in the campaign against conveying humans, goods, and animals by trailers. 

Mr Shehu also implored them to caution their subjects against travelling on such trailers.

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 Uzair Adam Imam

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has responded to the Kaduna State House of Assembly’s recommendation to probe his 8-year tenure as governor.

El-Rufai’s Special Adviser on Media, Muyiwa Adekeye, issued a statement expressing disgust at the “show of shame” exhibited by the State House of Assembly during the sitting of the ad-hoc committee.

El-Rufai is confident in his records, assures integrity and competence during his tenure, and dismisses the probe as a politically motivated witch hunt.

According to the statement, El-Rufai led a government of integrity and competent governance, and he is immensely proud of his record of governance and the legacy he left in Kaduna State.

The statement also mentions that many officials who served in the El-Rufai government appeared before the ad-hoc committee, confident in the quality of their service and the rectitude with which they served Kaduna State.

The statement concludes by assuring discerning Nigerians that El-Rufai has served Kaduna State with integrity and to the best of his capacity, assisted by a hardworking and patriotic team, and that he complied with all extant laws in all his activities while he was governor.

By Uzair Adam Imam

A newlywed woman, Habiba Ibrahim, has been arrested for allegedly cutting her husband’s manhood while he was asleep.

The incident occurred in Kaduna State, Nigeria, on May 26.

The husband, Salisu Idris, 40, a commercial motorcycle rider, said the attack came without warning and that he was rushed to several hospitals for treatment.

Idris stated that they had been married for four months and that he could not understand the reason for her action, as they loved each other and had no prior misunderstandings.

His mother, Rabi Salisu, said her son had never complained about his wife, and that the wife’s parents are willing to settle his medical bills.

The police have arrested Habiba Ibrahim, and the case is under investigation.

The reason behind the attack is still unknown.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Bello El-Rufai, the House of Representatives member for Kaduna North Federal Constituency, asserted that he was not involved in awarding contracts during his father, Nasir El-Rufai’s tenure as Kaduna State governor.

In an interview with Yaya Abba on “With Shuraim,” Bello clarified his non-involvement, highlighting his father’s efforts to keep him away from political influence.

He stated that his father’s integrity and leadership, noting his own exile to avoid conflicts of interest.

Bello also recounted his work experience at Huawei, which helped him understand organizational structure.

This comes amid allegations of significant debts left by Nasir El-Rufai for his successor, Uba Sani.

By Uzair Adam Imam 

Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has said that more than 1,500 schools across the state, particularly in the eight frontline local government areas, are without proper fencing. 

Speaking to stakeholders from all 23 local government areas, Governor Sani stated the urgency of addressing this issue for the safety and security of students. 

The governor unveiled a plan to address this shortfall by enlisting the support of prominent Kaduna-based business figures, Alhaji Adamu Atta of Fifth Chucker and Alhaji Bukar Shettima of Barbados.  

Together, they will fund the construction of fences for 100 schools as part of the Safe School Initiative.  

Governor Sani noted that education is a top priority for his administration, seeing it as the key to unlocking potential and opportunity. 

The need for action became even more apparent following a tragic incident in Kuriga, where 137 children were kidnapped.  

Governor Sani cited this event as a catalyst for a comprehensive assessment of school infrastructure across the state, revealing a dire need for security measures, particularly in junior secondary and primary schools. 

Highlighting security as paramount, Governor Sani commended the efforts of the service chiefs, singling out the Chief of Defence Staff for establishing a military base in Kachia. 

By Uzair Adam Imam

Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State recently spoke at a town hall meeting, shedding light on the hurdles impeding his administration’s ability to pay workers’ salaries.

Sani attributed this predicament to the substantial debts inherited from his predecessor, Nasir El-Rufai.

During the meeting, Sani revealed that his administration inherited a colossal debt burden totaling $587 million, N85 billion, and 115 contractual liabilities from the previous government.

He disclosed that a significant portion of the federal allocation for Kaduna State in March, amounting to N7 billion out of N10 billion, was diverted to service the state’s debt.

Consequently, only N3 billion remained to cover expenses, falling short of the state’s monthly salary bill of N5.2 billion.

Sani emphasized the adverse effects of the exchange rate fluctuations, resulting in the state paying back nearly triple the amount borrowed by the previous administration.

Despite these challenges, he asserted that his administration had refrained from borrowing any funds in the past nine months.

The governor underscored his commitment to steering Kaduna State towards progress and sustainable development despite the inherited debt burden.

He highlighted key priority areas for his government, including safety and security, housing, education, healthcare, and support for micro, small, and medium enterprises.

Additionally, he pledged to prioritize inclusive development by investing in human capital, stimulating the economy, and providing affordable housing.