Kaduna

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Hausa entertainment industry mourns the loss of Usman Baba Fategi, popularly known as Samanja, who passed away on Sunday at the age of 81 in Kaduna’s Garden City Hospital after a prolonged illness.

A retired Nigerian soldier, Samanja made significant contributions to the broadcasting industry at the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Kaduna broadcasting station.

Survived by two wives and 14 children, his funeral is set to take place later today at the Jaafaru Estate Juma’at Mosque, Kabala Costain, Kaduna. The entertainment world bids farewell to a true icon.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

Amed bandits stormed a mosque during early morning prayers on Tuesday, taking the lives of the mosque’s imam and a worshipper identified as Kabir. 

The attack took place at Sabon Layi, Kakangi ward, in the Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State. 

Two other worshippers, Bilya Mairabo and Ashiru Mairabo, sustained serious injuries and are currently receiving medical treatment at the Jibrin Maigwari General Hospital, Birnin-Gwari. 

The tragedy was said to have unfolded at approximately 5 a.m. Zubair AbduRrauf, the Danmasanin of Birnin-Gwari, expressed the community’s anguish, highlighting the escalating violence perpetrated by bandits in the region. 

AbduRrauf emphasized that the Birnin-Gwari communities faced daily threats, especially farmers, and the situation had become dire along the Birnin-Gwari-Kaduna highway, making it perilous for travelers and commuters. 

“We are in a precarious situation in Birnin-Gwari,” AbduRrauf stated. “The bandits’ attack is on a daily basis. Security personnel are really trying their best to see that the attacks are being curtailed, but we need a change of strategy from them.” 

Despite the gravity of the situation, there has been no official confirmation or statement from the state government or the state police command at the time of this report. 

The residents, gripped by fear and mourning, are calling for urgent and effective security measures to curb the rising menace of banditry that has plagued their community. 

When reached for comment, the state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mansir Hassan, promised to provide further information, indicating the gravity and urgency of the situation that has befallen the Birnin-Gwari community.

By Sabiu Abdullahi Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has approved the release of N3.1 billion to provide financial relief to retirees and families of deceased workers.

The funds, allocated for gratuity payments and death benefits under various pension schemes, reflect the state government’s commitment to supporting its elderly citizens.

Governor Sani emphasised the importance of timely access to these benefits for retired workers who have diligently served the state.

The State Pension Bureau will oversee the distribution, with details of beneficiaries to be released shortly.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

The Kaduna State Police Command arrested 10 suspected kidnappers between September and October 3, 2023.

Acting on credible intelligence, the police recovered three AK47 rifles, three fabricated 10-round revolvers, 448 rounds of live ammunition, and a cache of 15 rounds. A vehicle linked to the suspects was also seized. 

The suspects are currently being interrogated and will face legal consequences after investigations.

Police Commissioner Musa Garba commended the officers for their dedication and warned criminals to steer clear of the state.

This operation underscores the police force’s commitment to ensuring safety and security in Kaduna State.

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari 

A ministerial nominee, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, collapsed during his screening by the Senate. 

Mr Balarabe passed out on the floor of the Red Chamber of the National Assembly during interrogation by senators on Wednesday. 

Concerned senators rushed to the aid of the 65-year-old ministerial nominee while they called for help. 

As soon as the incident occurred, the Senate President, Godswil Akpabio, was heard requesting water and sugar to revive the ministerial nominee. 

“Water, water! Can you give him sugar and water? Can someone bring water and sugar? Please, call Dr Wale!” Akpabio exclaimed. 

He also requested that members of the press exit the hollow chamber while the senators tried to help Abbas get a seat. 

He was taken to the hospital at the time this report was filed, but his condition remains unknown. 

Recall that Balarabe Abbas Lawal was nominated by President Bola Tinubu as a replacement for former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai.

By Sabiu Abdullahi A former governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, has resigned from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). 

Malam Yero forwarded his resignation to the PDP today in a letter he personally signed. 

The letter read, “With grateful to Almighty Allah, I write to extend my sincere greetings and to formally inform you of my decision to leave the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). 

“In view of this, I hereby tender my resignation as a member of [the] People’s Democratic Party (PDP) with effect from 30th September 2023.” 

The former governor did not categorically state a reason for tendering his resignation.

Mansur Hassan Ph.D

The Nigerian Judiciary system, often regarded as the third arm of government, holds a pivotal position as the last resort for the common citizen seeking for justice.

However, concerns have arisen recently about its impartiality, with allegations of undue influence from the executive branch of government.

A prime illustration of this ambiguity is the recent verdict delivered by the Kaduna state Gubernatorial Elections Tribunal, which appears to contradict what transpired last week in Kano.

In the aforementioned case, the tribunal declared that it lacked the authority to invalidate votes announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Yet, perplexingly, a similar tribunal, convened in Kano nearly one week ago, asserted the power to cancel over 165,000 votes that had been cast in favor of HE Abba Kabir Yusuf , the duly elected governor and leader of the most populous state in Nigeria.

These inconsistent judgements have left many citizens bewildered and concerned about the integrity of the judicial system. The judiciary, often seen as a beacon of hope for justice, now faces scrutiny for potentially yielding to external pressures, particularly when it comes to cases involving the executive arm of government.

This has raised doubts about the judiciary’s ability to uphold the principles of fairness, transparency, and the rule of law, leaving individuals like yourself understandably perplexed about the state of affairs in Nigeria’s legal landscape.

Dr. Mansur Hassan Is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Mathematics, Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Kano

By Muhammadu Sabiu 

Troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) have successfully apprehended a notorious gun manufacturing syndicate in Kaduna State, leading to the recovery of a cache of 26 weapons, including pistols, rifles, and ammunition. 

The operation was carried out following a week-long intelligence effort and was announced by Captain Oya James, the media officer for the Special Military Taskforce, in a statement issued on Friday in Jos. 

The primary target of the operation was Napoleon John, a wanted gunrunner who had long evaded authorities. 

Captain Oya James stated that, “This operation is in line with the commitment of Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, the Commander of Operation Safe Haven, to decisively address criminal activities and eliminate illegal weapons within the OPSH Joint Operations Area.” 

The breakthrough came when the suspect, Napoleon John, confessed to his involvement in the gun manufacturing trade and led the troops to a concealed factory located in Kafanchan, Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State. 

Inside the factory, authorities discovered a wide array of weaponry, including seven pistols, two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles, two military-grade AK-47 rifles, nine revolvers, one submachine gun, and various types of ammunition. The cache also included machine tools and a gas cylinder. 

In a subsequent operation carried out in the early hours of September 22, 2023, troops raided a hideout in Adua 1 village in Kafanchan, resulting in the capture of two AK-47 rifles, two revolver rifles, live rounds of 9mm and 7.62 ammunition, six dangerous daggers, one hacker axe, several empty cases of 7.62mm special rounds, two police uniforms, and one military camouflage trousers, among other items. 

While the major kingpin behind the syndicate remains at large, Captain Oya James assured the public that efforts were ongoing to apprehend him.

Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, the GOC/Commander OPSH, praised the troops for their unwavering dedication and resolve and vowed to ensure that all members of the syndicate were brought to justice. 

He issued a stern warning to sponsors and perpetrators of criminal activities, urging them to abandon their illegal endeavours and embrace lawful means of livelihood. 

The successful operation represents a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to combat illegal arms proliferation and maintain peace and security in Kaduna State and neighbouring Plateau states.

By Muhammadu Sabiu 

In a significant move aimed at improving healthcare services in Kaduna State, His Excellency Senator Uba Sani, the Governor of Kaduna State, has approved the immediate implementation of the 2014 Consolidated Medical Salary Scale (CONMESS) for resident doctors working under the Kaduna State Ministry of Health.  

This decision was made during a media chat held on Sunday, September 3rd, 2023, as part of the governor’s 100 days in office celebration. 

The announcement comes after extensive negotiations with striking doctors, which revealed that resident doctors in the Ministry of Health were receiving only 75% of the 2014 CONMESS, while their counterparts at Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital enjoyed 100% of the CONMESS. 

Starting in September 2023, this approval ensures that resident doctors in the Ministry of Health will now be on par with their peers at Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, potentially boosting productivity and attracting more medical professionals to the state. 

Governor Uba Sani also disclosed during the live media chat, broadcast across major radio stations in Kaduna, that the recruitment of 89 medical doctors was authorised to address the staffing gap identified in 2017.

This initiative reflects the administration’s commitment to enhancing doctors’ morale and improving access to quality healthcare for Kaduna residents. 

Furthermore, Governor Sani emphasised the administration’s dedication to primary healthcare, noting the recent distribution of advanced medical equipment to upgraded primary health centres, aimed at ensuring every citizen or resident has access to primary healthcare within a kilometre of their residence.

By Muhammadu Sabiu 

The Wusasa neighbourhood of Kaduna State’s Zaria Local Government Area saw a gang of suspected bandits ambush and kidnap a health worker and his brother. 

According to reports, the incident occurred on Friday night. 

Engineer Isiyaku Ibrahim, the village chief of Wusasa, confirmed the incident. 

He bemoaned that the kidnappers have so often made their area the target of their attacks, abducting many of the people in the neighbourhood. 

Mr. Isiyaku added that Wusasa village, which is outside of the historic city of Zazzau, has seen a number of attacks recently.

Recall that a recent attack left an army officer and a vigilante member dead.