Tag: Kano

Troops Arrest 13 Suspected Boko Haram Terrorists In Kano

A file photo of soldiers on a military vehicle. Photo: Channels Television/ Sodiq Adelakun.

 

Thirteen suspected Boko Haram terrorists have been apprehended around Filin Lazio in the Hotoro axis of Kano State, authorities said on Sunday.

The suspects were arrested by troops of 3 Brigade of the Nigerian Army during an operation in the north-west region of the country.

Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima, who is the Director of Army Public Relations, explained that the operation conducted on Saturday was part of ongoing efforts to flush out all forms of criminality within the area of responsibility.

According to him, the ongoing operations are predicated on the need to apprehend criminals who may want to hibernate in any part of Kano.

The army spokesman called on the people of the state, especially the residents of Filin Lazio to go about their lawful businesses without fear.

He assured them that the security forces were working relentlessly to ensure the security of the lives of residents and their properties.

Brigadier General Yerima, however, asked the people to keep a high level of vigilance and continue to report any suspected movement of strange persons or groups in their environment to the relevant security agencies for prompt action.

Attacks by Boko Haram terrorists spanning more than a decade have left thousands killed and millions displaced in the North East.

Known for the deadly attacks majorly in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa States in the past, the insurgents have renewed their activities recently.

These include the takeover of some communities in Yobe State, with fears that they may be working to expand their operations to other regions in the country.

On April 26, Governor Abubakar Bello confirmed that Boko Haram insurgents have hoisted their flag in Kauri community in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.

He confirmed the presence of the insurgents in the community to reporters, lamenting that they may be strategising to make Kauri their stronghold just as they did to Sambisa forest in Borno.

According to the governor, the situation is critical and it is time for well-coordinated actions in order to address the problem of insurgency in the country.

NDLEA Seizes Heroin Worth N10bn In Lagos, Kano Airports

A file photo of an official of the NDLEA backing the camera.

 

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos and the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano have intercepted and seized consignments of heroin and khat with a value of over N10 billion.

At the MMIA, Lagos, during cargo examination at SAHCO Import Shed, a freight agent had presented a cargo from South Africa with an Ethiopian Airline ET 3901 Airway Bill no: 071-40689003 for examination before NDLEA operatives attached to the beat. The officers subsequently conducted a search of the cargo during which a suspected brownish substance was discovered concealed inside a red bag popularly called “Ghana-must-go”.

During a preliminary interview of the suspect, it was gathered that another freight agent sub-contracted the clearing job to him and eventually six suspects have so far been arrested in follow-up operations, while the substance had tested positive to heroin with a total weight of 24.05kg.

Another consignment in the consolidated cargo has also proved to be methamphetamine with a weight of 1.25kg, bringing the total weight of illicit drugs seized in the cargo to 25. 3kg. Though the cargo arrived at the airport on the evening of 16th April, properly searched the following day, 17th, follow-up operations leading to a number of arrests lasted till the weekend.

According to the Commander, MMIA Command of the Agency, Ahmadu Garba, “the heroin and methamphetamine consignments were tagged in different names to deceive our officers but we still uncovered them and neutralised their plot.”

In a similar development, the MAKIA Command of the Agency in Kano has intercepted and seized a consignment meant for export to Manchester, the United Kingdom at its Cargo shed. A sample of the suspected substance in the consignment was sent for laboratory analysis, the result of which came out positive to khat, weighing 36kg. This brings the total weight of illicit drugs seized at the two international airports to 61.3kg.

Mohammed Ajiya, the Ag. Commander, MAKIA Command, said further investigations still ongoing to ascertain the true owners of the illegal consignment.

Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA on Sunday 25th April 2021 commended the officers and men of the Lagos and Kano airports Commands of the Agency for not allowing the illicit substances to escape their watch either into Nigeria or foreign jurisdictions.

He assured them that he would continue to do his best to improve their welfare and take the anti-drug law enforcement agency to an enviable height.

Fire Guts INEC Data Processing Unit In Kano

The Kano State Office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was on Tuesday gutted by fire.

The data processing unit was burnt down to ashes while the main building is still intact as men of the Fire Service tried to put the fire out.

Men of the Fire Service put out the fire at the INEC office in Kano

Although the cause of the fire has not been ascertained.

A staff of the commission assured that all hope is not lost as the burnt data can be retrieved from the national headquarters in Abuja.

An investigation is still ongoing to know the cause of fire and measures taken to forestall a repeat of such incident.

A photo of a burnt section

10 Confirmed Killed In Boko Haram’s Latest Attack On Damasak

 

Ten civilians have been confirmed killed in Tuesday night’s attack on Damasak, the headquarters of the Mobbar Local Government of Borno State.

This is according to the Chairman of the local government, Mustapha Bako Kolo.

An unspecified number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) were also injured during the attack, according to Kolo.

Although sources say fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province met stiff resistance from the Nigerian Army who were supported by the Airforce, the encounter left many civilians injured.

According to sources, the terror group stormed the area in over a dozen gun trucks and could be seen heading towards the Army base in Damasak, as residents were forced to flee for safety.

Last night’s attack on Damasak is the second within the week.

The insurgents had shared a video of their weekend attack on Damasak town during which they burnt UN buildings and food storehouses.

As of the time of filing this report, an official statement from the military was yet to be released.

READ ALSO: Damasak Attack: Civilians, Aid Workers Should Not Be Targets For Terrorists – UN

Nigeria’s military has struggled to end a jihadist insurgency in the northeast for more than a decade, with two million people displaced from the homes by fighting.

The latest attack prompted residents to flee towards the border.

“The locals are currently relocating to Niger Republic due to state of insecurity in the town,” said the military officer, who asked not to be identified.

Many residents had fled the town towards the regional capital Maiduguri or into the town of Diffa across the Niger border following three previous attacks, but other residents decided to stay back.

On Wednesday, residents who remained left the town across the border when militants in several trucks fitted with machine guns engaged troops in a fight outside the military base in an attempt to overrun it.

“This is the situation we found ourselves again, as you can see now we are going to take refuge in another country that is not even our own,” a resident said in a video clip sent to AFP by sources.

In the recording, hundreds of residents are seen on foot and on donkeys moving along a winding bush path with personal effects.

Jihadist warning

The fleeing residents wanted to seek refuge in nearby Gamari village across the border but were told that the jihadists had warned the villagers not to host anyone from Damasak.

“The insurgents went to Gamari last night (Tuesday) and gathered the people and warned them not to accept any humanitarian aid from NGOs and not to accommodate anyone from Damasak,” said another Damasak resident.

“The only option left to us is to go to Diffa where most of our kinsmen fled to in the past two days,” the resident said.

Meanwhile, fighting between the jihadists and troops was continuing around the base, said the resident and the military officer.

The insurgents had attacked the town on Saturday and Tuesday, causing the destruction of humanitarian facilities and at least four deaths, including a soldier.

Late on Tuesday, the jihadists stormed Damasak, burning a divisional police station after a failed attempt to raid the base, residents and military sources said.

Damasak has repeatedly been targeted by ISWAP militants who have made several failed attempts to overrun a military outpost outside the town.

ISWAP, which split from the jihadist group Boko Haram in 2016, has become a dominant threat in Nigeria, attacking soldiers and bases while killing and kidnapping passengers at fake checkpoints.

Nigeria’s 12-year-old jihadist conflict has killed 36,000 people and forced around two million more to flee their homes to escape fighting.

Colloquium: I Chose Kano To Prove Yoruba, Fulani Can Live In Peace – Tinubu

 

 

Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said that the choice of Kano State as a venue for his 12th colloquium is to establish the fact that the Fulanis and Yoruba people can co-exist in love and peace. 

Speaking at the event which also marks his 69th birthday, the political stalwart said his choice of Kano as a celebration venue stems from a longing to unite the two ethnic groups.

While addressing the crowd in Kano, Tinubu said Nigeria at this critical time needs such a move as his, to see if other people “will have peace of conscience and live in harmony and be lovely to one another”.

He said Governor Abdullahi Ganduje and himself are trying to show to Nigerians that some of the agitations rocking the country at this time are misplaced.

READ ALSO: Proceeds Of Banditry And Kidnapping Used To Fuel Boko Haram War – Fayemi

“If we can encourage support to go and spend a couple of days with my brother an in-law in Kano and demonstrate that he has not quarreled with me, he has not seceded from Nigeria, I didn’t need a passport or visa to get to Kano, maybe others will have peace of conscience, live in peace and harmony and be loving to one another. That is what Ganduje and I are showing to Nigerians and that is the purpose of this colloquium end of the story.”

“All of you here should thank Ganduje for what we have been able to show Nigerians together. That a Fulani man and a Yoruba man can show the entire nation that in harmony, we can show Nigerians that perseverance creates understanding. It is a common blood that flows through our veins,” the former governor stated.

Ganduje Receives COVID-19 Vaccine

Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, takes the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine jab at the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital in Kano on March 11, 2021.

 

Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, on Thursday received his first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine at the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital in Kano.

The vaccine was administered to him by his personal physician, Dr Fakhraddeen Muhammad, in the presence of some members of the State Executive Council, representatives of the Kano Emirate, and some frontline health workers, among others.

Governor Ganduje registered officially for the vaccine before his personal physician administered it to him.

He called on the residents of the state to cooperate with health officials in the course of exercise.

The governor gave an assurance that the state government would not relent in making sure that COVID-19 was adequately tamed in the state.

In his brief remarks, the Commissioner for Health in Kano, Dr Ibrahim Tsanyawa, thanked the governor for the investment of his administration in the fight against COVID-19 in the state.

“Sir, we are very grateful that you provided many things needed in this area; we are glad for your good leadership in the fight against the pandemic,” Dr Tsanyawa told the governor.

He gave an assurance that the state Ministry of Health was ready for the vaccination exercise in the state.

“As His Excellency is having his vaccine now, it shows that the vaccine is safe and exclusively meant for the purpose it is provided for – that is to prevent people from contracting the pandemic.

“We want people to be aware that His Excellency, the governor, is taking the lead in the state,” the commissioner added.

The vaccination of the governor, which marks the beginning of the exercise in the state, comes two days after he held a series of sensitisation meetings with different sections of stakeholders, including the security agencies and healthcare professionals.

During the meetings, Governor Ganduje made it very clear that the state government would follow all possible strategies to ensure that the fight against the pandemic was stronger.

With the governor taking his vaccine, the exercise has commenced officially in Kano.

Kano-Based Lady, Saadat Aliyu Develops Android App For Reporting Rape Cases

Saadat Aliyu, the Founder of ‘Helpio App’

 

A Kano-born young lady, Saadat Aliyu has developed an android application ‘Helpio App’ for reporting cases of sexual abuse.

‘Helpio App’ was launched on August 6, 2020, on Playstore.

Ms Aliyu who is the founder of Shamrock Innovations, Women and Youth-Centric Tech Innovation Hub in Kano, said that any person can visit Playstore on an android phone and install the app.

“You can go to the Play store, search for it and install it. After Installation, you can sign up using email and password either in Hausa or English language,” she told Channels Television on Monday.

READ ALSO: COVID-19: FG Frustrating Abuad’s Efforts To Develop Vaccine, Says Afe Babalola

“So far the Initiative for Support of Victims of Sexual abuse, Orphans and Less privileged (ISSOL) and Equity Destitute, Child Right and Welfare initiative (EDCRAWI) have signed up in the platform.”

She recalled that she started learning IT skills from her brother when she was in junior secondary school and subsequently became a self-taught developer.

The young lady said her next project will be launched very soon and is fintech-oriented conceived to continue making an impact on women and people’s lives by advocating and developing solutions.

Kano Govt Identifies 509 Healthcare Centres For COVID-19 Vaccination

A file photo of the Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje.

 

The Kano State government has rolled out its COVID-19 Vaccination Plan and identified 509 health facilities that will be used as vaccination centres.

Some of the centres proposed for the exercise include the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Muhammadu Abdullahi Wase Teaching Hospital, and Dala Orthopaedic Hospital, among others.

Speaking at a stakeholder sensitisation meeting on Monday, the state governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, explained that the exercise would follow the same pattern used during the polio vaccination in order to reach the entire people of the state.

“We also need to follow the same pattern with that of our effort during the first wave of the COVID-19 and to achieve this, our health workers are well trained for that and they are recognised to be one of the best in the country.

“They performed wonderfully well before and during the first wave of the pandemic; they are still sustaining the tempo,” the governor said.

He noted that for effective administration, all categories of people would be involved in the sensitisation programmes, especially the health-related professional associations.

Governor Ganduje says the state government is working hard to win the fights against COVID-19.

 

Governor Ganduje also gave an assurance that the state government, along with all the stakeholders, would ensure they win the fight against the pandemic.

On his part, the Technical Coordinator of the Kano State COVID-19 Response Team, Dr Tijjani Hussaini, noted that there would be four phases for the proposed vaccination exercise in the state.

“The first phase will focus on frontline health workers, the second phase focuses on the remaining health workers and people above 50 years, the third phase will focus on people with underlying health issues, and the fourth phase will focus on other target population,” he outlined.

Dr Hussaini, however, stressed the need for people to come forth and register online, using the link – http://t.co/85Rj6MbZYU.

He explained that this was important for the Federal Government to make the vaccines available as much as possible for the state.

A Professor of Public Health at the Bayero University in Kano, Mukhtar Gandanya, made a presentation titled ‘COVID-19 Vaccine: Facts, Misconception and Myths’.

He insisted that the vaccine was safe and condemned the insinuations that it was not safe for use.

Others at the meeting included heads of security agencies in the state, such as police, army, air force, civil defence, and immigration service.

Reps Majority Leader Asks FG To Reopen Kano Airport

A file photo of the Majority Leader of the House, Ado Doguwa.

 

The Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Alhassan Ado-Doguwa, has asked the Federal Government to reopen the Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano State.

Ado-Doguwa, who represents Doguwa/Tudun Wada constituency in the House, made the appeal while leading other lawmakers to inspect the airport on Sunday.

He expressed worry over the continuous closure of the airport while its contemporaries in other parts of Nigeria have resumed operations after the COVID-19 lockdown.

The House Leader lamented that the continuous closure of the airport is adversely affecting the economy and livelihood of the people of the two states.

While applauding the efforts of the aviation ministry and agencies under it towards fixing identified problems bedevilling the airport, the lawmaker also assured of the House readiness to approve the needed funds for the job.

On behalf of his colleagues in the delegation, the house leader further appeals to his constituents to remain calm while they continue to engage with relevant stakeholders towards the timely reopening of the airport.

Insecurity: DSS Arrests Ganduje’s Aide Yakasai

Salihu Tanko Yakasai, an aide to Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje.

 

 

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested a Special Adviser to Kano State Governor, Salihu Tanko Yakasai.

Yakasai’s arrest followed his demand for the resignation of President Muhammadu Buhari and governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) due to increasing insecurity in the country.

On Friday, he had in a series of tweets criticised the Buhari-led administration over the nation’s security challenges, saying “Buhari is insensitive and lacks empathy.”

Channels Television gathered that the governor’s aide was declared missing yesterday evening by his families and friends.

READ ALSO: #EndSARS: Lagos Panel To Hear Petitions Against Military Despite Their Absence

Abubakar Sadiq who is the handler of the Twitter handle and official website of the Kano state government, in a tweet posted on Saturday morning, disclosed that Salihu is with the DSS.

Meanwhile, the secret service is yet to confirm or deny his arrest.

Activist, Aisha Yesufu and others have taken to Twitter to demand his release.

Few months ago Salisu was suspended by Governor Ganduje following a related tweet but was later reinstated.

Kano Govt Approves Additional Funds To Construct Cancer Treatment Centre

A map of Kano state in northern Nigeria.-Kanooooo
A map of Kano, a state in north-west Nigeria.

 

 

Kano state Executive Council has approved the release of N1, 235, 777, 282.70 billion being revised estimated cost for additional works that involves the construction of concrete roof slab at the Kano Cancer Treatment Centre (KCTC) situated at the premises of Muhammadu Buhari Specialist Hospital, Giginyu, Kano.

The state commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba, who disclosed this in a press statement on the outcome of the council meeting held at the Africa House, Government House, Kano, said the world-class cancer centre is a brainchild of the administration of Governor Abdullahi Ganduje aimed at improving healthcare delivery and facilities to the teeming populace of the state.

He said the approval followed a recommendation by the Technical Review Committee set up to come up with a comprehensive Bill of Quantities, programmes of works and harmonized contract document.

Malam Garba stated that other additional works include the construction of second-floor roof slab and roof trusses option; ventilated louver façade; led-lining in CT-simulator; aluminum cladding in bunkers; perimeter wall fence and entrance gate; road network/civil works/landscaping among others.

The commissioner also revealed approval by the council amounting to “the sum of N647, 615, 810.00 million for the settlement of 2017, 2018 and 2020 external examination outstanding registration fees for the National Examination Council (NECO); National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS) and the National Board for Technical Education (NABTEB).”

The council, he added, has ratified executive approval of N171, 482, 476.12 million granted for the equipping/furnishing of the upgraded Dandalama and Kachako Cottage Hospitals in Dawakin Tofa and Takai local government areas of the state respectively.

He said while upgrading works Dandalama Primary Health Care (PHC) has practically been completed waiting for equipping/furnishing works to facilitate its commissioning, the Kachako PHC has reached an advanced stage of completion.

Malam Garba also disclosed that “the council has ratified the executive approval granted for the relocation of street light facilities from Miltara Roundabout-Dawanau-Dawakin Tofa at the total reevaluated sum of N152, 838, 221.88 million, the displacement exercise was informed by the ongoing construction of works along Kano-Katsina Road dualisation project by the federal government.”

The commissioner revealed approval by the council for the release of the sum of N22, 450, 000.00 million for the procurement of special education instructional materials.

The materials, which include, among others, Joy signing language, hearing aids single code, hearing aids double code, hearing behind the ear, braille embosser would facilitate effective teaching and learning conditions at Tudun Maliki Special Education School.

The commissioner stated that approval has also been given by the council for the constitution of a visitation panel to two state-owned universities and six institutions of higher learning in the state with a view to reviewing their performance, assess equipment, manpower, and facilities for teaching-learning.

Malam Garba also stated that approval has been given by the council for the release of the sum of N17, 671, 200.00 million being amount for the obsolete high table at the Africa House, banquet hall and other executive items.

Kano Govt Inaugurates Over 1,000 COVID-19 Marshals

The marshalls will also address issues of hygiene and will work closely with health personnel in the State.

 

Following a surge in the number of COVID-19 infection in Kano State, the state government has inaugurated special marshals numbering over 1,000.

The marshals according to the government were selected from the state’s various health institutions, security agencies, student representatives, and members of the communities to ensure enforcement of the COVID-19 protocols across the state.

The marshalls will also address issues of hygiene and will work closely with health personnel in the State.

READ ALSO: Cattle Movement From North To South Should Be Banned, Says Ganduje

The state governor Abdullahi Ganduje in his address at the event held over the weekend in the state said he believed that unless a completely new approach is adopted, Kano State may be at the risk of going back to the drawing board in handling the virus.

The Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero said the traditional rulers will give the necessary support to the marshals as they carry out their duties at the community level.

“We are calling on these marshals to make public enlightenment a top priority and ensure punishment of anyone who failed to observe the protocols, we, therefore, assured the state government our total support to any policy and program aimed at preventing the spread of this virus among our people,” the Emir said.

The technical coordinator of the COVID-19 response team in the state, Tijjani Hussain said the surge in the number of cases is alarming with 1,157 cases recorded within four to five months.

In order to achieve the desired results, the Marshals will be supported by traditional rulers at the community level, while mobile courts are provided to prosecute anyone who fails to comply with the protocols.

 

See photos from the inauguration of the marshals below…