metro
308 killed, 746 kidnapped in Kaduna within three months
308 killed, 746 kidnapped in Kaduna – Report
A total of 308 persons were killed in Kaduna State between January and March this year.
Kaduna State Government said this in a new report, adding that 214 of the victims were killed by terrorists during attacks on their areas and communal clashes.
It stated that 94 terrorists also died during clashes with security agents or fratricidal clashes within them.
The state government also said 746 other persons were abducted within the same period.
It said the 214 people killed by bandits/terrorists comprised 196 males, 14 females and four minors across the three senatorial districts.
These details are contained in the Annual Security Report for 2023 presented by the state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, on Wednesday in Kaduna.
The report said 89 bandits were killed during engagements with ground forces, military and police across the state within the period.
It said five bandits died due to fratricidal clashes within them, bringing the number of bandits’ deaths to 94 with scores killed in air strikes.
Kaduna Central Senatorial District recorded 115 deaths with 108 of them occurring in Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Igabi, Chikun, and Kajuru LGAs.
Giwa and Birnin Gwari LGAs each recorded 32 deaths, Chikun LGA 25, Igabi 13, and Kajuru six deaths within the first quarter.
Kaduna South Senatorial District recorded 61 deaths, but most were due to reprisal and communal clashes in Zangon Kataf with 19 deaths and 12 killed in Sanga LGA.
Kaduna North District recorded 38 deaths, with 22 occurring in the Zaria LGA.
A total of 746 people were kidnapped in the first quarter with Kaduna Central Senatorial District accounting for 492 (about 66% of the total). All of these occurred in Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Igabi, Chikun and Kajuru LGAs.
Also, 137 people were kidnapped from Birnin Gwari LGA, and 131 from Igabi LGA.
Giwa LGA recorded 100 kidnapped persons, Chikun LGA 83, and Kajuru LGA 41, the report stated.
Southern Kaduna Senatorial District recorded 221 kidnapped persons, with Kachia LGA reporting the highest number of 95. Sixty-three people were kidnapped in Kagarko LGA, and 46 from Kauru LGA.
The Northern Senatorial District recorded 33 kidnapped persons with 17 of these from Lere LGA.
In total, 254 women and 42 minors were kidnapped in the first quarter across the state.
In the 2023 annual report, 3,247 animals were rustled within the period, with 2,353 stolen from Kaduna Central Senatorial District.
According to the report, 12 rape cases were reported within the period, with two females and 10 minors affected, with only five rape cases reported in the 4th quarter of 2022 security report.
Aruwan also said within the period under review, gunrunners were intercepted and arrested with quantities of arms and ammunition.
Meanwhile, the Kaduna State governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, has appealed to the Federal Government to intensify security operations across the North West.
The governor recalled the military initiated offensive security operations against bandits in the last half of 2022, which helped to improve the security situation in many communities.
He emphasised that the operations must be widened and sustained as the most effective way to protect the people and uphold law and order.
metro
Mob lynches woman accused of witchcraft in Benue
Mob lynches woman accused of witchcraft in Benue
The Benue State Police Command has arrested two men in connection with the m8rder of an elderly woman accused of witchcraft in Egba village, Agatu Local Government Area of the state.
Spokesperson of the command, SP Catherine Anene, who confirmed the incident in a statement on Thursday, January 2, confirmed the suspects, Bako, 50, and Oyaje Clement, 40, were arrested for their alleged roles in the k!lling which occurred on Christmas Eve.
Anene described the incident as a troubling trend of mob justice in the state, particularly targeting elderly individuals accused of witchcraft.
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“Another worrisome situation in the state is the case of people taking the law into their own hands, particularly young people killing the elderly for alleged cases of witchcraft,” she stated.
“On December 24, 2024, around 7:00 p.m., we received information about the killing of an aged woman over allegations of witchcraft in Egba village, Agatu LGA. Following investigations, two suspects were arrested in connection to the case.”
She reiterated the police commitment to bringing the perpetrators to justice and urged the public to refrain from jungle justice.
Mob lynches woman accused of witchcraft in Benue
metro
Mosques should be research centres – Varsity don
Mosques should be research centres – Varsity don
Muslims have been urged to turn mosques to research centers, where people can learn many things as it is done in some foreign countries.
This was stated by Dr Saheed Timehin of the Department of Foreign Languages, Faculty of Arts, Lagos State University, Ojo at the inauguration of Jama-At-Ul-Islamiyya of Nigeria Division 7 Central Mosque, Lagos Branch, Magodo and N500 million fund raising for J.I.N International Schools.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ibrahim Layode, hailed the organization for peaceful promotion of the Islamic religion in the state.
Dr Timehin said Muslims don’t take care of mosques,
“All mosques belong to God and it is a place dedicated to worshipping God no matter the name given to it. It should be a research center. A Muslim can pray anywhere he wants, but the place where Muslims gather that we call mosque must be a place to remember God.
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“It is not where you talk about yourself, it is about God. Here, in Yorubaland, we don’t have a better understanding of mosques. They think it is a place to compete with money. It is where you fear God. It is the first school, it was where Prophet Muhammed taught people,” he said.
The scholar stressed that a mosque is not just about religion, and that the first university in the world started from a mosque.
Dr Timehin said that in those days, all mosques had libraries, classrooms and that scholars lived there.
He added that it was a place for Muslims to resolve issues, adding that the first parliament in Islam started from a mosque.
“A mosque should be revered. We can do all sorts of learning in a mosque. In Iraq, all their mosques have libraries and all the Imams have offices. The Imam should have visiting hours to attend to people. We should have all these in our mosques. Mosques are known for good things generally. We don’t even get good messages in many mosques these days. An Imam should be able to talk to anybody. An Imam should know something about everything because you will be talking to a lot of people.
“In some countries, they have places for research and people see mosques as a place for social engagements. This mosque has several features and we can add others. It should not be for Jumat prayers or marriages alone. They should organise workshops and seminars there,” he said.
Mosques should be research centres – Varsity don
metro
Kidnappers demand additional N60m to release couple after family raise N10m ransom
Kidnappers demand additional N60m to release couple after family raise N10m ransom
The abductors of a retired civil servant, Mallam Yakubu Dada and his wife, have refused to release them after payment of N10m ransom.
The couple was kidnapped along Kontagora-Tegina road in Niger State in October, 2024.
According to a journalist with Daily Trust, Akote Sadeeq Abubakar, Dada’s family sold his house, car, and household items to raise the N10m they paid to the kidnappers.
However, the kidnappers demanded an additional N60m ransom and ten motorcycles which they said they cannot meet as they have sold all their valuables.
“As we celebrate the New Year in peace, let us not forget that many residents of Niger State remain in captivity, with their families losing hope of their return,” he wrote in a Facebook post on Thursday, January 2.
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“One such victim is Mallam Yakubu Dada, a retired civil servant, and his youngest wife, who were kidnapped on the Kontagora-Tegina road in October. In a desperate attempt to secure their release, his family sold everything they owned—his house, car, televisions, and furniture—to raise the N10 million initially paid to the abductors.
“However, while awaiting their freedom, the kidnappers have now demanded an additional N60 million and 10 motorcycles. The family simply cannot meet these new demands.
“Furthermore, 23 women from Allawa in Shiroro Local Government Area have been in captivity since February 2024, along with many farmers from Kontagora and Mariga who are also being held hostage.
“The Niger State government must act immediately to intervene and ensure their safe release.”
Kidnappers demand additional N60m to release couple after family raise N10m ransom
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