₦airaland Forum

Tension In Zamfara Over Killing Of Islamic Scholar Arrested By State Guards

There is tension in Zamfara State after suspected members of the state’s Community Protection Group (CPG) killed a religious scholar, Abubakar Hassan, in Mada, a town in Gusau Local Government Area, on Tuesday.

Mr Hassan, a respected Islamic teacher, was picked up by the guards in the evening “for questioning” but was allegedly killed.

A source in the community told BBC Hausa, as monitored by PREMIUM TIMES, that Mr Hassan was arrested by five members of the group a few minutes after 4 p.m. on Tuesday.

“Yesterday in the evening some of them came on motorcycles. We were told they were members of the group from Tsafe (another local government area). They teamed up with some of their colleagues here in Mada and asked Malam to follow them for investigation.

“We didn’t suspect anything because they were in a friendly mood and made everyone believe that it was just a normal investigation. But when they went out of the community, they stopped, slaughtered him like a ram and left his dead body there,” the BBC Hausa source, who was anonymous, said.

Terrorists have been active in Zamfara and other North-west Nigerian states for over a decade that had led to the death or displacement of hundreds of thousands of people.

The terrorists, who mostly live in the forests, procure information from residents about the movements of security agents and rich people in the community to attack.

Suspected informants have been arrested by both conventional and unconventional security agents but several innocent people have also been wrongly tagged as informants.

This is the second time the guards have killed an influential person in the state over allegations of supporting terrorists.

PREMIUM TIMES reported last month how a traditional title holder in Yandoto, Magaji Lawali, was also picked up and later killed by the guards.

Planned murder
Sources in Mada, who asked not to be named for security reasons, told PREMIUM TIMES that the deceased had a long-running battle with a member of the CPG in the community.

“The Malam (Mr Hassan) was not arrested with any exhibit, he was never associated with the terrorists. His only offence was when Malam intervened when some innocent youths who were arrested by Yan Sakai were about to be killed.

“Malam and some elders in the community, including the district head, stood for the two boys and they were released. The boys were arrested by the vigilante members (before the formation of CPG) while they were returning from the South-west where they went to do some menial jobs to get money,” he said.

The source, who said, the situation has thrown the community into confusion, insisted some of the CPG members who were part of the vigilante group, were unhappy with Mr Hassan.

We are investigating

Commenting on BBC Hausa on the development, the commander of the CPG in the state, Rabiu Yandoto, said the state government and the group would take action against those who killed Mr Hassan.

“We have ordered that all the CPG members around Mada should be brought forward so that we can make a comprehensive investigation into the killing.

“We have not given order to any of our members to arrest any person and kill. We are not made to kill people because we are not supposed to take laws into our hands,” he said.

Testiebobo:
We are all surviving, we are not living in this countrrrrry.
Congratulations! To myself because I guess I will have to scrape away lunch for a while until this tribulation is over. Afterall, 1 cup of garri is N300 in my area without groundnut and sugar calculations. What about you?

Northernblood7:
How una d take upload pictures for Nairaland. It doesn't work Seun. Please fix this

superCleanworks:
NYASH not yansh

abi dem no teach you how to spell for primary school?

The Taraba police command says its operatives have arrested 10 suspected kidnappers and rescued 40 kidnap victims in Yorro LGA of the state.

David Iloyanomon, commissioner of police in Taraba, spoke on Monday during a media briefing in the state.

Iloyanomon said the police partnered with local hunters who are familiar with Gongomaliki mountain where the kidnappers’ hideouts are located.

He said during the raid, the security operatives were able to kill some of the kidnappers.

“We deployed another strategy of using the local hunters and vigilantes, who dislodged them, neutralised some and rescued 40 victims, while police operatives at strategic locations arrested 10 suspects, who were fleeing the mountain,” NAN quoted him as saying.

The police commissioner said one of the victim’s eyes was plucked out by the kidnappers, while another survivor had a gunshot injury.

He said the victims have been taken to the police clinic in Jalingo, the state capital, for proper medical attention.

He added that the police would continue to collaborate with local hunters and vigilantes to ensure the safety of the lives and properties of citizens.

President Bola Tinubu has directed the creation of a Social Security Unemployment Programme where unemployed Nigerian youths will be paid to ease economic hardship.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, announced this while addressing reporters at the State House yesterday in Abuja after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Tinubu.

He said: “At this period of heightened food prices, Mr. President has committed to doing all that can be done to assist in giving purchasing power to the poorest. In that line, he has committed and instructed that the Social Security Unemployment Programme be devised, particularly to cater for the youth, for unemployed graduates, as well as the society as a whole. So, we have coming, in the nearest future, an unemployment benefit for the young unemployed, in particular.”

The minister also said there were plans for setting up of a Consumer Credit Scheme to alleviate the pains of economic adjustment.

“Finally, in the same line to emphasise that there is empathy… There is a feeling for those who are less well off or a feeling, particularly the pains of this adjustment, there is coming a social consumer credit programme.

“So, by making consumer credit available, of course, goods become more affordable, the economy even gets a chance to revive faster because people have the purchasing power that allows them to order for goods, products,” he said.

Edun also spoke on the review carried out by a special presidential panel on the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP), which has submitted a preliminary report to the president.

On various social investment programmes, the minister said what was done was “a review of existing mechanisms, a review of existing programmes, and where there have been successes, such as the 400,000 beneficiaries of the GEEP programme, and so on and so forth”.

He said: “Those have been identified and recognised. The School Feeding programme is another example of relative success. Whilst there is still some further work to be done, particularly as regards availability of the financial data, which is still being looked at, the interim report has been submitted and a key recommendation of the panel was that, especially given the heightened, limited household purchasing power at this time, rising prices, particularly elevated food prices, it’s important to restart the programme.

“The direct payment to 12 million households, comprising 60 million Nigerians, is to resume immediately with the important proviso that every beneficiary will be identified by their National Identity Number (NIN) and the Bank Verification Number (BVN)…”

“Therefore, payments will be made into bank accounts or mobile money wallets so that whether it is before or after, there is verification of the identity of beneficiaries.”

“Each person that receives N25,000 for a total of three months will be identifiable, even after they have received the money. It will be clear who it went to and when it went to them. That is the big change that has allowed Mr. President to approve the restart of direct payments to beneficiaries programme,” Edun said.

garriAndsugar:
The normal lamba from Nigeria police.

Police in Niger State have neutralised a suspected bandit in
Borgu LGA of Niger State while trying to pick the N3 million
ransom demanded from a businessman.

The police command’s Public Relations Officer in the state,
DSP Wasiu Abiodun who made this known on Thursday, said
the suspect’s AK-47 rifle with empty magazine was recovered.
Abiodun explained that four suspected kidnappers threatened
to kidnap a businessman in Bako-Mission village, Pissa District
of Borgu LGA if he failed to keep N3 million within three days
at a particular location around Tunga-Umoru village, via Pissa
District.

He said, “Immediately this information was received, the police
tactical team, including vigilante members led by the DPO
New-Bussa Div swung into action, mobilised to the purported
location, adopted appropriate operational strategies and
engaged the kidnappers in a gun battle, while one female
victim of about 22years earlier kidnapped was rescued unhurt.
“Fortunately, the team combed the bush and one of the bandits
was neutralised during the gun battle and his AK-47 rifle with
an empty magazine was recovered. Other members of the
gang fled the scene with various gunshot injuries and a
concerted effort is ongoing to nab the fleeing members. Public
confidence was restored and the area was stabilised.”

The Zone ‘B” Federal Operations Unit of the Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted two Niger Republic bound trucks loaded with grains, on Thursday.

In the last few days, officials of the Nigeria Customs Service have intercepted grains being taken to Niger Republic in Katsina, Sokoto, Kano and Jigawa states.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered through a service intelligence report that the trucks were intercepted around 1 p.m. by Kebbi and Kangiwa/Argungu Natsini “FOU roving team”

Grains in the two trucks include maize, millet and beans.

“Another interception at about 1300hours fou B kebbi Roving and kangiwa Argungu/ Natsini has intercepted two canters loaded with grains comprises maize, millet and beans going to Niger Republic.
Both vehicles were taken to customs house Kebbi,” a part of the report read.

According to another memo sighted by PREMIUM TIMES, the FOU Zone ‘B’ Kaduna has deployed more officers in its area of responsibility to ensure no movement of goods or people in and out of the country.

The memo, prepared by S M Mansur, the Unit Staff Officer, was approved by Wasa Chedi, the Zonal Comptroller.

“All borders in our AOR (Area of Responsibility) under Zone ‘B’ remained closed pending federal government directives. All officers in charge should ensure nothing goes out or comes in including grains of all sort,” the memo read.

Mr Mansur warned officers in charge of units to ensure compliance as “any breach of this instruction, the O/C will be held responsible.”

Backstory
Following the 2023 coup that ousted Mohamed Bazoum as president of Niger Republic, Nigeria shut its land border with the country and cut its electricity supply as part of sanctions against the military junta.

Security has been intensified on the border and around border communities especially in the north, where Nigeria shares an expansive border with Niger Republic covering Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Jigawa, Yobe and Borno states.


In recent months, Nigerians have been grappling with inflation and economic hardship that was exacerbated by the removal of fuel subsidies and devaluation of the naira last year.

The prices of foodstuff and other commodities have been soaring, weakening the already fragile economy of the country.

The Nigeria Customs Service said it now intends to intensify surveillance to stop grains from being taken out of the country, which it said was aggravating the situation.

About 15 trucks of grains were intercepted in Sokoto State on Sunday, while 50 more were intercepted in Zamfara State on Monday and four intercepted in Kano State, also on Sunday.

A flexible work plan for civil servants, 25 per cent rebate on
transport fares and distribution of food to 300,000
households are some of the palliatives announced yesterday
for lagosians by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu .

Other measures to cushion the effects of economic hardship
announced by the governor included free healthcare missions by the
six health districts and removal of the N8,000 Tax Clearance
Certificate (TCC) for enrolment in public schools.

To ensure these measures achieve their intended objective, Sanwo-
Olu said a bipartisan advisory team will be instituted to monitor the
process, ensure transparency and give feedbacks to the government.
He said: “This team will include myself, the deputy governor, State
Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), former chairman of
the Labour Party (LP), Chairman of the Nigerian Guild of Editors
(NGE), Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC),
representative of the civil society, representative of the House of
Assembly, religious leaders (one Christian, one Muslim), economists
and others.”

The governor, during a live media chat, ‘Sanwo Speaks’, said ‘the
measures are to ensure that everyone is touched and can then say
the government is truly working for me’.

Sanwo-Olu said from next week, civil servants from Level 1-14 will
begin to work three days a week while those from level 14 upwards
will work four days a week. Also, teachers will work for five days due
to the nature of the sector. He, however, said that government will
ensure additional transport support.

The governor announced a 25 per cent rebate on fares on
government-owned transport schemes, including BRT, ferry services
and rail. He also disclosed that discussions were on with the private
transport sector to see how they can also key into the initiative.
The governor will also collaborate with the local governments to
rehabilitate dilapidated inner roads and procure more vehicles for
security agencies.

On food palliatives, Sanwo-Olu said the government would explore
three major avenues to ensure Lagosians get affordable foodstuff. He
said the government is expecting 100 trailer loads of rice from the
North for distribution.

He said: “We will be having food purchase and redistribution to cover
about 300,000 households. Each household will get a box containing
staples and some condiments. Procurement has started and we will
work out distribution logistics.

dollarsplenty:
I'm talking about the best grade available in kalgo market. no difference between it and tomato/vitali

dollarsplenty:
68k- Thailand 63k- Indian 57k-Lake 60-Lolo 60-Big Bull 58-Rayhan 54-Grade A local rice at 1800 per mudu 48- '' B Source;Kebbi Market today

delpee:
That's because we don't hold them accountable. People waste so much time and energy on BAT and FG in general instead of monitoring how the highly increased monthly allocation to their states are being utilised.

Rotation Amaechi said it all. They continue to steal because we don't respond appropriately.