DSS state directors meet in Kano over security threats

Security chiefs from the Directorate of State Services (DSS) convened in Kano State to address the escalating security challenges in the North West region and Nigeria.

Alhassan Muhammad, the DSS director in Kano, highlighted that the 14th Quarterly Conference of State Directors of Security in the North West Geopolitical Zone was convened under the directive of the DSS Director General, Yusuf Magaji Bichi. The aim was to tackle the spate of insecurity gripping the nation proactively.

Muhammad emphasized that the conference served as a platform for exchanging knowledge, sharing insights, and exploring innovative solutions to address the myriad security challenges prevalent in the region.

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He underscored the complexity of contemporary security concerns, ranging from cybersecurity threats to physical security challenges, terrorism, armed banditry, farmers’/herders clashes, youth restiveness, environmental tensions, and political disputes.

Muhammad stated, “The evolving security landscape necessitates collaboration, knowledge exchange, and strategic planning among security agencies and stakeholders.”

In his remarks, Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf urged security agencies to intensify efforts to identify and apprehend individuals behind the country’s security challenges. He called for thorough intelligence gathering to uncover the perpetrators, regardless of their affiliations.

DSS state directors meet in Kano over security threats

Kano Disco official narrates how he killed colleague over N3m

A staff of the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO), Saadiq Zubaru, has narrated how he allegedly killed Bello Adamu, his friend and colleague, after reportedly collecting N3 million to help him secure job at the Federal Inland Revenue Service.

Recall that Adamu, a Kano resident, was declared missing after receiving what was supposed to be an urgent call from Saadiq.

Two days later, his corpse was found at a backstreet location in Kumbotso Local Government Area of Kano.

Abdullahi Abubakar, Adamu’s younger brother, had said that his late bother was at home around 12pm on Sunday, May 5, 2024, when he received an urgent call from Sadiq.

He said they were aware that Adamu had a job deal with some people and he was confident of securing the offer.

In a chat with Daily Trust, the deceased’s brother said, “Bello was desperately looking for a Federal Inland Revenue Service job offer. He was so hopeful. He was working with Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) and wanted to join FIRS. And somebody was soliciting the offer for him.

“When he received a phone call in relation to the job offer, he asked his wife to bring his car key and went to the person waiting from him. Since then we never heard from him.

“Since he did not return that Sunday. We decided to track his calls. The last word of his conversation with the person on the other end was Alhamdulillah. From this we understood that he was lured into believing that the offer was ready made.”

Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Abdullahi Kiyawa, had told our correspondent that Zubairu had been arrested and investigation was ongoing.

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In a statement on Thursday night, Kiyawa gave further update on the matter.

“On 05/05/2024 at about 10:00 am, report was received from a resident of Zawaciki Quarters in Kumbotso LGA, Kano State that his elder brother, Bello Bukar Adam, a KEDCO staff, aged 45 years old of Zawaciki Housing Estate, Kano had left his home with his Toyota Corolla Motor Vehicle, Ash in Colour since on 04/05/2024 and his whereabouts is unknown.

‘’On the evening of the same date, there was a report that the deceased body of a male adult has been discovered abandoned at the outskirts of Eastern Bypass, around Bechi Village in Kumbotso LGA, Kano State. The body was removed from the scene by a team of crime-scene Policemen led by Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Kumbotso Division, SP Mustafa Abubakar, who brought the corpse to Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, where a Medical Doctor certified the body dead.’’

The statement added that on the developments, the Commissioner of Police, Kano State Command, Mohammed Usaini Gumel raised a team of detectives led by the Officer in Charge (O/C), Anti-Kidnapping Squad, SP Aliyu Mohammed Auwal and directed that the suspect’ be trailed and arrested within 24 hours.

“Accordingly, the team immediately swung into action and arrested one Sadiq Zubairu, aged 35 years old of Hotoron Arewa Quarters, Nassarawa LGA on 06/05/2024 at 9:00 am.”

“During preliminary investigations, the suspect confessed that he conspired with two others, and jointly lured the victim to his house who until his death were intimate friends. He narrated that he tied him up, and hit him with sticks and sharp iron on his head and other parts of his body until he became motionless. Thereafter, he loaded the motionless body inside the boot of the deceased’s vehicle, threw him off by the roadside along Eastern Bypass, around Bichi village and left away with the motor vehicle, a Toyota Corolla, 2015 Model including his Mobile Phone.

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“The suspect further confessed that what led to this regrettable incident was after he deceitfully collected the sum of three million naira (N3,000,000:00) from him on the pretext that he would secure a job offer for him. But having realised that he had no means of returning the money to him he hired two hefty guys, conspired with them killed him and hid the Motor Vehicle at a Garage in Hotoro Quarters, Kano. The Vehicle has since been however recovered by the Police.”

On Tuesday hundreds of relatives and well-wishers gathered at Gama B where Bello was buried.

The deceased’s brother said the family members were in severe pain because Adamu trusted Zubairu.

He said, “When Saadiq was sacked from KEDCO, Bello called him back. And they worked together. When Bello was promoted, he made sure Sadiq was reinstated. They worked together until his death. We saw him as our brother’s confidant and subordinate.”

The accused not our staff –KEDCO

Sani Bala, spokesperson of KEDCO, said the news of the passing of Malam Bello Bukar was very tragic and shocking, saying he was one of the most hardworking and dedicated officials of the company.

He said, “It was very shocking and sad for the company. He was one of the most hardworking and dedicated staff of the company. Honestly the deceased and the suspect had a cordial working relationship, even though the suspect was not our staff at the time of the incident.

“The cause of the death is currently being investigated by the police. But we understood that it is a personal thing between them not official. The accused is not our staff.”

Kano Disco official narrates how he killed colleague over N3m

(DAILY TRUST)

Army arrests soldier with explosive, illegal ammunition in Borno

The Nigerian Army has confirmed the arrest of a soldier for alleged possession of illegal ammunition and explosives in Borno State.

The Director of Army Public Relations, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, said in a statement on Thursday in Abuja that the soldier was arrested during a routine search operation by the Military Police K9 Team in Maiduguri.

He added that the soldier, Lance Cpl. Mubarak Yakubu, was found in possession of 756 rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition and four 36 hand grenades, ingeniously concealed in a small bag of rice.

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Nwachukwu said the arrest was in line with the army’s commitment to upholding the highest standard of conduct and ethics in its personnel.

The spokesman said the soldier was de-inducted from active theatre operations in March and had de-induction training at the Nigerian Army School of Infantry.

“He was on a welfare pass from April 30 to May 13 when he was arrested.

“The soldier in question is currently in custody and a thorough investigation has commenced to ascertain the full circumstances surrounding this incident and to apply appropriate disciplinary measures,” Nwachukwu added.

Army arrests soldier with explosive, illegal ammunition in Borno