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Category: North West

  • Bandits Invade Nigerian Mosque During Jumat Prayers, Kill Worshippers

    Bandits Invade Nigerian Mosque During Jumat Prayers, Kill Worshippers

    Gunmen suspected to be bandits have attacked a mosque at Anguwar Makera in Kwasakwasa community of Birnin Gwari local government area of Kaduna State.

    The bandits killed two worshippers during Friday’s Juma’at prayer.

    The incident happened around 2pm, according to locals in the area.

    A community leader, Hudu Kwasakwasa, who confirmed the incident, said the bandits opened fire on worshipers during the Juma’at prayer.

    “The two worshipers killed were among other Muslims attacked at the Juma’at Mosque in Angwar Makera when the bandits opened fire on them and abducted others today (Friday). The victims have been buried at Old Kuyello cemetery,” he said.

    He said the people were in the second raka’at of the salat when they were attacked, which forced other worshippers to run for their lives.

    He added that a few days ago, the same bandits abducted about nine people at a community called Angwar Kanawa under the same Kwasakwasa area.

    He appealed for help from authorities concerned, saying the bandits were raiding the communities unchallenged.

    The latest attack on the worshipers came less than 24 hours after bandits abducted over 287 students in the neighbouring Chikun local government area of the state on Thursday morning.

  • Kaduna Govt Begins Negotiations For Release of Abducted Pupils, Teachers

    Kaduna Govt Begins Negotiations For Release of Abducted Pupils, Teachers

    Kaduna State government has begun negotiations for the release of the recently abducted 287 pupils and teachers in the state.

    The pupils were abducted from the Government Secondary School and LEA Primary School, Kuriga 1, in the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State. 

    According to investigations carried out by Punch newspapers, a highly influential private negotiator who has been involved in negotiating several abductions with bandits in the past, has been contacted by the state government for the assignment. 

    A highly placed source in the Kaduna State Government House, who is close to the negotiations but pleaded anonymity due to security reasons, confided in newsmen said the state government had reached out to the bandits through a private negotiator (names withheld) for the release of the pupils and their teachers.

    The source said, “The military has begun combing the forests in search of the children kidnapped by the bandits. Security agents have cordoned off the area and they have started searching for the abducted pupils.

    “The government is doing all it can for the speedy release of the abducted school pupils.

    “The government has established contact and reached out to the bandits for negotiation through a popular bandit negotiator. The negotiator was the one who worked for the return of some of the students abducted some years back.

    “He (the negotiator) had negotiated the return of so many abductees in the past. He negotiated the return of those students abducted in Katsina State years back.”

    Two other government officials also confirmed the development secretly to newsmen, but insisted on not being identified because of the sensitive nature of the issue.

    They also refused to provide additional information as they insisted that doing so might frustrate the ongoing efforts to secure the victims’ release and put them in harm’s way.

    Bandits, on Thursday, shortly after the assembly gathering at around 8.30am, stormed the LEA Primary School, Kuriga, abducted the pupils and some staff members of the schools.

  • ‘Enough is Enough, Kidnappers deserve death penalty, Remi Tinubu fumes

    ‘Enough is Enough, Kidnappers deserve death penalty, Remi Tinubu fumes

    Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has said that anyone convicted of abduction deserves capital punishment.

    The first lady stated this in her reaction to the news of 200 women who were kidnapped in Borno State, and over 280 pupils and teachers kidnapped in Kaduna State.

    Remi Tinubu, also described kidnappers as cowards, saying “Whoever is kidnapping young people is sick, cruel, and a coward.

    “Enough is enough and I call on the state governors that once we take hold of them, they deserve capital punishment.

    “Why don’t they take people their size? Why are they torturing our children? What they are trying to do is kill our future.

    “We all know parents, when we are old we rely on our children.

    “Why would you go and take them from schools? Right now, I think enough is enough. As a former lawmaker, I believe that any one of them captured deserves capital punishment.

    “They (kidnappers) are animals, they are evil and we should take them out of our midst.

    “The state governors and the lawmakers should do something.”

    Recall that about 200 women were reportedly kidnapped by Boko Haram terrorists in the Gamboru-Ngala and Dikwa local government areas of Borno State.

    The women, who were Internally Displaced Persons, were said to have been kidnapped while they went into the bush in search of firewood.

    Also, over 280 pupils and teachers of Government Secondary School and LEA primary school at Kuriga, Kaduna State were abducted by bandits on Thursday, triggering national outrage.

    The bandits reportedly invaded the Kuriga area of the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Thursday, shooting at their victims before taking away at least 280 of the pupils and teachers from both schools.

  • Police Give Update On Kidnap Of 287 Kaduna Students By Bandits

    Police Give Update On Kidnap Of 287 Kaduna Students By Bandits

    The Kaduna State Command of the Nigeria Police Force has assured that the 287 students kidnapped from a school in Kaduna would be rescued.

    The spokesperson of the Command, Mansir Hassan, gave the assurance while reacting to the unfortunate incident.

    It would be recalled that not less than 287 students from the LEA Primary and Secondary School in Kuriga, Kaduna State, were kidnapped on Thursday when bandits attacked the school premises.

    Reacting to the development, the Kaduna Police spokesperson said operatives have been deployed and are combing the bushes to rescue the victims.

    ”I’m attending a security meeting, but the police tactical team has been deployed to go after the criminals by combing the bushes to rescue the victims,” he said, as quoted by Vanguard.

    Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has vowed that all efforts would be put in place to ensure the students return home safely.

  • Bandits Invade Kaduna Primary School, Kidnap Scores Of Students

    Bandits Invade Kaduna Primary School, Kidnap Scores Of Students

    Chaos ensued in Kuriga town, Kaduna State, unknown gunmen stormed LEA Primary School, Kuriga (1) on Thursday, kidnapping numerous students.

    Although the exact number of abducted individuals remains unverified, local residents estimated it to be around 100.

    The victims reportedly included the head teacher of the school and some other staff members.

    The incident occurred at 8:20 am immediately after the morning assembly, leaving the school community in shock and distress.

    It was revealed that most pupils managed to flee from their classes upon sighting the armed bandits on the school premises.

    The LEA Primary School, Kuriga (1), relocated its junior and secondary sections to the town’s inner building a few years ago due to security concerns, abandoning the former school building outside the city.

    A resident named Shitu confirmed the abduction, saying that many pupils fled their classes upon realizing the presence of bandits.

    Another resident, Lawal Kuriga, mentioned that the kidnapped victims were forcefully taken into the nearby forest.

    As of the time of reporting, there has been no official statement from the state government.

  • Kano Hisbah Boss Resigns, Gives Reason

    Kano Hisbah Boss Resigns, Gives Reason

    The Commander-General of the Kano State Hisbah Board, Sheikh Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa has resigned his position.

    Giving reasons for the resignation, Daurawa cited “discouragement” from the state governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf.

    He expressed disappointment at the governor’s remarks despite his efforts to uphold societal morality during his time at Hisbah. 

    In a video shared on social media, he mentioned being in Kaduna State discussing the implementation of mandatory pre-marital health checks in Kano, similar to other states. 

    He highlighted his efforts to engage with Kannywood and TikTok personalities, providing guidance and financial support. 

    However, he acknowledged facing criticism from Kano and apologized to the governor for his frustration, announcing his resignation from his position at Hisbah.

    His words:

    ” I’ve encountered discouraging comments from Kano, despite my efforts at Hisbah to promote societal morality.

    “I’ve actively engaged with Kannywood and TikTok celebrities, offering guidance and even providing financial assistance to some TikTokers. I even extended advice to Murja too.

    “Unfortunately, those who disregarded our guidance faced consequences.

    “But I am saying sorry to the Excellency Governor for being angry, I sorry to say I have resigned from the position he gave me in Hisbah, I wish him best in his leadership.”

  • Bandits Invade Nigerian Mosque, Kidnap Worshippers

    Bandits Invade Nigerian Mosque, Kidnap Worshippers

    Bandits have abducted about 30 worshippers in one of the mosques in Tsafe town, the headquarters of Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

    The bandits invaded the mosque around 5 a.m. on Thursday when the people were about to start the morning prayer.

    ”We were about to start the morning prayer today, Thursday when suddenly they (bandits) entered into the mosque and directed everybody to go out and follow them.

    “Everybody scampered for safety but the bandits blocked everywhere and warned us that they would kill anybody who tried to run away.

    “I was able to jump out of the window and ran quickly into one of the uncompleted buildings near the mosque where I hid myself”, an eyewitness, Garba said.

    Garba maintained that the bandits left their motorcycles far away from the mosque so that the worshippers would not notice their movement.

    “They came on foot, leaving their motorcycles outside the town so that they would not attract the attention of the people of the area.

    “They later marched the worshippers to their motorcycles and took them to the forest,” he added.

  • Road Blocked As Kaduna Residents Protest Bandits Attack

    Road Blocked As Kaduna Residents Protest Bandits Attack

    Residents of Goningora in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State have blocked the Abuja-Kaduna highway following the attack on the community by bandits.

    Following the attack on the night of Wednesday, February 28th, 2024, several members of the community were said to have been kidnapped and several injured.

    Channels Television reports that angry residents took to the streets on Thursday morning, blocking the busy Abuja-Kaduna highway.

    The development has caused heavy traffic on the road, with many motorists stranded.

    Two people, including a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force, were reportedly killed in the attack.

    The latest attack on the Goningora community comes barely a week after soldiers killed a notorious bandit, Kingpin, Boderi Isyaku and some of his fighters in the same Chikun local government.

    A military armoured vehicle was said to have been set ablaze by the bandits when soldiers attempted to repel them.

  • Ten Injured As Explosion Rocks Kaduna Community

    Ten Injured As Explosion Rocks Kaduna Community

    Tension gripped Kidandan Village in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State as 10 children sustained injuries in an explosion on Saturday afternoon.

    The incident occurred while the children were playing with an object found in a nearby bush, suspected to be a bomb, leading to a sudden detonation.

    Disturbing images depict the victims covered in blood, receiving aid from local residents before being urgently transported to Shika Hospital in Zaria for medical attention.

    The Village Head, Alhaji Abubakar Umar Ruka, confirmed the incident, stating that 10 people were injured but thankfully, there were no reported fatalities.

    He mentioned ongoing efforts to compile the victims’ names, as the police had visited the community.

    Councilor Representing Kidandan Ward, Abdullahi Ismail, explained that the children discovered the object while searching for firewood in the bush, resulting in a severe explosion causing significant injuries.

    A community leader, choosing to remain anonymous, shared the grim details, noting one victim had visible injuries to their intestines, while others suffered broken limbs.

    The State Police Command Public Relations Officer, ASP Mansir Hassan, is yet to comment on the incident.

  • Abba Yusuf  Sacks Eight Directors At Internal Revenue Service

    Abba Yusuf  Sacks Eight Directors At Internal Revenue Service

    In a significant move to enhance its revenue-generating capabilities, the Kano State Government has terminated the services of eight directors from its Internal Revenue Service (KIRS).

    Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, recently affirmed by the Supreme Court, sanctioned the dismissals in alignment with the government’s ongoing efforts to achieve its objectives.

    This is  according to a KIRS circular signed by Chairman Sani Abdulkadir Dambo.

    The sacked directors include the Director of Assessment, Muhammad Kabir Umar; Director of Human Resources, Kabiru Magaji; Director of Government Business, Ibrahim Sammani; Aminu Umar Kawu, Director of Road and Other Taxes, and Muhd Auwal Abdullahi, Director of Tax Audit, Investigation and Debt Management.

    Others affected are Abubakar Garba Yusuf, Director of ICT, Hamisu Ado Magaji, Director of PAYE, and Bashir Yusuf Madobi, Director of Legal and Enforcement.