Kaduna

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.

By Uzair Adam Imam

A Kaduna State Community, Kafanchan of Jema’a Local Government, was thrown into a sheer panic over the outbreak of an unknown disease that kills people.

Our reporters gathered that at least five people died and over ten were admitted at Sir Patrick Yakowa Memorial Hospital, Kafanchan, for medical treatment.

Speaking to journalists about the development, Ezra Joshua, the secretary of the hospital, said the hospital had taken samples to Kaduna to confirm the type of the disease with its treatment.

The Daily Reality learnt that all the nursery and primary schools in the community were locked by the schools’ authorities after sending their pupils back home as the outbreak was reported on Wednesday.

Joshua stated that, “Yes, we received the case of the new disease that starts with fever, headache, sore throat and general weakness of the body that affects zero to 13 years children.

“We learnt that four to five children have already died of the disease in Kafanchan town but we can’t confirm since it was not referred to our facility.

“What we have received now are 10 children that we have kept in isolation and their samples taken to Kaduna as of now,” he said.

Those reported to have died from the disease are, Zulaihat Abdurrasheed 13, Hussaina Aliyu 13, Maryam Mustapha 3, Aliyu Umar 4, and Abdulshakur Umar 2.

By Uzair Adam Imam

A terror struck on Kagarko area of southern Kaduna when bandits reportedly stormed the palace of the Emir of Kagarko and kidnapped nine of his children and his youngest wife.

Several reports from the state indicated that the bandits, who stormed the area around 11:15 pm, also took away the emir`s grand children and three other residents in the area.

An anonymous source revealed that no sooner had the bandits arrived at the area than they headed directly to the Emir`s residence.

He stated that, “They took away his youngest wife, nine children and grandchildren but the wife escaped and returned back home.

”The bandits also went ahead to kidnap a lady, three other young men and subsequently injured one Audu of Ungwan Pah.”

Meanwhile, The Daily Reality gathered that the victim has been taken to the hospital where he is receiving medical treatment.

“The bandits also killed one herdsman in Kuchimi village and looted seven shops in Janjala village (both in Kagarko LG) on their way back,” the source added.

DSP Muhammed Jalige, the Kaduna Police spokesman, could not be reached for a comment at of the time of filing this report.

By Uzair Adam Imam

A Fulani leader, Alh. Aliyu Abdullahi, in Maganda village near Kagarko town in Kaduna state, was abducted by unknown gunmen on Monday.

It was reported that the leader, also known as Ardon Maganda, was going back home on his motorcycle after attending a meeting with other village chiefs on security issues bedevilling their communities.

The Daily Reality reported how handits raided three communities and abducted 37 villagers in Kaduna communities just recently.

A source from Janjala community, simply identified as Ishaq, said, “This morning (Tuesday), someone from Maganda who was coming to Janjala saw Ardo’s motorcycle abandoned by the roadside and suspected that he has been kidnapped.”

He added that the victim earlier visited the families of some of his konsmen to sympathise with them over the recent attacks by bandits which led to the abduction of some of his family members.

As of the time of filing this report, there was no official report from the police in the area.

By Uzair Adam Imam

No fewer than eight bandits have been neutralised during patrols by the Troops of Operation Forest Sanity in the Chikun and Birnin Gwari areas of Kaduna State.

The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, disclosed this in a statement issued Friday.

Aruwan added that the troops then engaged the gunmen in a second mission and recovered two motorcycles.

He said, “The troops made contact with bandits and neutralised eight, while recovering four motorcycles and three mobile phones in the first successful mission.”

He stated that the troops, in a similar operation, neutralised two bandits in the Sabon Birni-Maidaro-Dogon Dawa-Galadimawa-Kidandan-Fatika axes.

By Safiyanu Ladan

The henious activities of bloodthirsty and marauding bandits is taking a new toll in some communities in Giwa LGA, Kaduna state, despite the fact that military has orchestrated a new strategies aimed at mopping them up.

The remnant of these bandits are still lurking in some rural communities unleashing mayhem to the helpless and hopeless villagers.

A joint military and police operation carried out on 18th November, 2022 has foiled kidnap attempt along Funtua-Zaria road and led to the rescue of over 70 people.

In addition to that on 17th November, 2022 the Kaduna state police command has, acting on intelligence report that some armed bandits were sighted on motorcycle along Galadimawa-Tumburku Road in Giwa LGA, deployed its personnel and after an ensued engagement between the bandits and the police, one bandit was apprehended and five of their operational motorcycles were recovered.

The untiring efforts of military and police in checkmating the criminal activities of bandits is glaring as it brings back sanity to some communities. However, much need to be done in order to rid other communities of the clutches of armed bandits.

Some news reports coming out from other communities are disturbing because they indicated that residents in those communities live at the mercy of the dreaded bandits.The horrendous killing of eleven community members and the abduction of 24 others in Sarkin Rafi in Giwa local government area last Friday is a major setback in the security’s ongoing war with bandits.

I was enraged by the news that about ₦10 million ransom was paid to the bandits to secure the release of my cousin who was kidnapped alongside her husband and 7 other couples of just a few months in one of the community at Giwa LGA. They regained their freedom after spending over 40 days in the kidnapper’s dens.

The unreported and underreported incidents like the above-mentioned are going on without interruption in some communities at the detriment of the poor villagers who are always at the receiving end.

It’s on this note that, while we appreciate the efforts of security personnel for deploying the resources to combat the menace of armed bandits, we equally call on them to re- strategize and deal with them ruthlessly.

The life of any Nigerian matters and as such people should be allowed to pursue their legimate goals and ambitions ina peaceful setting as enshrined in the Constitution, without fear of being attacked by the miscreants.

Safiyanu Ladan writes from Zaria. uncledoctor24@gmail.com

By Abubakar Suleiman

Many topics that have been generating rancour or heated arguments on Facebook or any other platform today have been discussed or debated exhaustively in the past. Lately, even if I have an opinion about a topic today, I do tarry a while before I write because I have this strong feeling that someone must have written virtually all the things I have in mind. This gives me the pleasure of saving myself the stress of writing; hence I mainly read opinions and sometimes laugh.

One such controversial topic raising dust today is the celebration of Mauludun Nabiyy (S.A.W). Some respected writers, ‘elders’ and creative minds took exceptions in discussing maulud and all it entails, particularly on social media. Maybe they find it counter-productive or think it won’t change anything because people will keep celebrating maulud and embracing anything that comes with it while others won’t celebrate it. Some would say regurgitating this topic or argument year in and year out is needless. I beg to disagree.

This logic or take, in my opinion, is flawed. The fact that some people will keep celebrating Maulud while others won’t should not make us shy away from discussing its legality, Islamically or otherwise, whenever the need arises. A replica of this kind of skewed opinion is Christians should not call Muslims to Christianity and vice-versa hence let’s just concentrate on politics and economy. Impliedly, da’wah is needless.

For sure, people will keep being Christians, Muslims, Atheists etc., and divisions in the understanding of religious diktats will continue till the end of time, but that shouldn’t hinder a sincere call or an honest critique of a creed, ideology or religion. It should also not stop us from enjoining people to do what we believe is good or the truth and forbid what we believe is bad or falsehood based on our understanding. I think discussions on religious matters, and even other matters, should be done with the utmost wisdom, refined words, and sincerity of purpose, and they should also be devoid of ad hominem.

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was reported to have said: “Whosoever of you sees an evil, let him change it with his hands; and if he is not able to do so then [let him change it] with his tongue; and if he is not able to do so, then with his heart – and that is the weakest of faith.” Yes, one should choose his audience wisely so as to avoid unnecessary ruckus, and one should know when, where and how to say the truth and even who to tell the truth. Thus, one must not force his/her ideology or creed down someone’s throat.

In his book, “Think Again,” Adam Grant espoused that “our opinions can become so sacred that we grow hostile to the mere thought of being wrong, and the totalitarian ego leaps in to silence counterarguments, squash contrary evidence, and close the door on learning.” In another place in the book, he informed us that, “wisdom is also recognizing that we are wrong more often than we’d like to admit, and the more we deny it, the deeper the hole we dig for ourselves.”

Therefore, we should be open to discussions around some ideologies we hold so dear and be willing to stomach an honest critique of these ideologies, especially when these discussions are premised on mutual respect, wisdom and verifiable evidence or facts. Overall, we learn more from these kinds of discussions and/or dispositions. But insulting or talking down on people with a contrary understanding of our ‘cherished ideology’ will only yield a fertile ground for extreme tendencies, and this will further push us away from objective truth.

Unlike political or economic views, you don’t just seek religious knowledge; you practise it and call people to it while you embrace patience in doing so. Consequently, it is not an effort in futility to engage people in such discussions. And what does one gain after discussing all the political or economic issues on earth and ending up in hell for going against a religious teaching rooted in Islamic primary sources of knowledge.

We seem to underestimate the power of information put out on social media platforms and the influence it carries. We have gullible people who join these platforms, and they could be lured into any kind of creed or sect. In fact, these days, more people get radicalised or lured into a sect through social media than the masjids. On these platforms, many people have had discussions with some people, and such has led those people to denounce or accept their religion, maulud etc. However, we can peacefully stay away from toxic discussions after putting out our understanding.

Therefore, it is not about proving to be more intelligent than anyone who holds a contrary religious view or trying to be the gatekeepers of heaven or hell. It goes beyond that. It is about discussing our differences for a good understanding of our religion. Let us simply embrace sincerity and decorum in our discussions while we stay away from toxic people who aren’t ready for honest and open discussions.

Interestingly, opinions or ideas could change due to contexts or circumstances. Over time, people learn from exposure, old age or new knowledge. We may find ourselves opposing some views or ideas we hold so dear today. Conversely, we may be less hostile to contrary views when we continue to seek knowledge or begin to rethink our stands on many issues in the future.

May Allah show us the truth and give us the conviction to embrace it, and may He also show falsehood and give us the courage to turn away from it.

Abubakar Suleiman writes from Kaduna and be reached via abusuleiman06@yahoo.com.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has decried over the menace of insurgency rocking the North-Western part of the country while lamenting that the bandits use better weapons than the Nigerian security forces.

The governor who described bandits as “massive monsters” stated this while reacting to some questions on banditry and kidnapping in the North- West. El-Rufai spoke on Thursday in Abuja during the weekly briefing organised by the Presidential Communication Media.

He reiterated that insurgency in the North-West is far more severe than the Boko Haram crisis, going by the growing number of people killed and kidnapped every day.

“I am persuaded that the insurgency in the North West is far more serious than Boko Haram, both in terms of the numbers of the people affected. I have shown you the numbers in Kaduna. I can assure you that the numbers on Zamfara and Katsina are up to three times. The numbers in Sokoto, Niger, and Kebbi are also very alarming.

“We are talking of tens of thousands of people getting killed, getting kidnapped. It is far more serious than Boko Haram. The only thing is that these guys don’t occupy territory. They are in the forest and ungoverned spaces.

“So, they do not attract the kind of single-minded attention that Boko Haram does. And because Boko Haram’s ideology is religious, intentionally religious, it elicits more passion, but really, this is a far more serious problem.

“Because, this is a situation largely in which people of about the same ethnicity, same religion are killing each other, stealing each other’s property, creating an industry out of criminality. It’s very serious, and it requires single-minded attention,” said El-Rufai.