Tag: Katsina State

Terrorism: 22 Katsina LGAs not safe, – Governor tells IGP

Aminu Imam

Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has described the extent of the state of insecurity in the area, lamenting that 22 out of the 34 local government areas (LGAs) are not safe due to activities of terrorists. Radda stated this when he paid a courtesy visit to the Inspector- General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, at the Police Headquarters, Abuja, last Friday. A statement by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, said, Radda noted that eight of the LGAs share boundaries with the notorious Rugu Forest, a bandits’…

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Organized Crime:  Global report tags Jibiya, Katsina State criminal hotspot for illegal arms, drug markets

Aminu Imam

The Global Initiative against Transnational Organised Crime (GI-TOC) has identified Jibiya, Katsina State, as one of the 193 major hubs across the world with flourishing illegal markets for drugs, arms ammunition and other prohibited items. Jibiya, which is one of the terrorists’ enclaves in Katsina, shares borders with the Republic of Niger as well as with the notorious Rugu Forest, which equally transverses Sokoto, Zamfara, Kaduna and Niger States in Nigeria and the Republic of Niger, and reportedly stretches to as far as Burkina Faso. With headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland,…

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Katsina: “Defend yourselves against bandits” – Cleric tells communities 

Aminu Imam

A Katsina-based cleric, Sheikh Musa Ibrahim Faskari, has advised communities ravaged by banditry to take up arms and defend themselves. In a Friday sermon that went viral on social media, the Islamic scholar said Islam encouraged people who were being attacked and killed to take arms and defend themselves. According to him, communities were allowed to take up arms in order to defend five things: religion, lives, wealth, dignity and family. He further said, “We have seen how our towns and villages are full with security agents; but we are…

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Katsina: Gov. Radda rules out negotiation with bandits

Aminu Imam

…Recruits 1,500 Community Watch Corps Katsina State Governor, Umar Radda, has expressed his administration’s readiness to end banditry within the shortest possible time despite the renewed attacks in some parts of the State. Briefing newsmen yesterday to mark 100 days in office of his government, the governor said the State Government would no longer negotiate with the criminals. He said as part of his government’s eagerness to confront the menace headlong, he recruited 1,500 Community Watch Corps, and purchased 700 motorcycles, armoured carrier vehicles and several Hilux vehicles worth over…

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‘Katsina will not negotiate with terrorists’, Says Governor

Aminu Imam

Governor Dikko Umaru Radda, of Katsina State, yesterday said his government would never embark on peace negotiations or engage terrorists in any dialogue in the State. He reiterated that his administration has no intention of engaging any leader of terrorists or their agents in the name of a peace deal that has never worked before. Radda, who spoke at a special prayer session on sustainability of peace in Katsina, which was held at the People’s Square, said: “We have no plan to negotiate with bandits; but bandits who are ready…

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Insecurity: Katsina recruits 2,400 youths to secure communities

Aminu Imam

In its resolve to ensure a secure environment, the Katsina state government has concluded plans to recruit 2,400 dedicated and capable youths that would bolster security efforts across the eight affected frontline local government areas of the State. This is contained in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, which was made available to newsmen in Katsina yesterday. According to the statement, the state Deputy Governor, Faruk Lawal Jobe, initiated the distribution of application forms to the respective Local Government Area Chairmen, marking…

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Eid-el-Kabir: Katsina Gov. rejects 100 rams’ gift from philanthropist

Aminu Imam

An offer of 100 rams from a philanthropist in Katsina State is said to have been rejected by the Governor, Dikko Radda. According to reports, Radda was offered the rams on Tuesday in preparation for today’s Sallah festival, but he declined. According to the locals, the governor was irritated by the donation and warned them not to bring him similar gifts in the future. Another philanthropist, Muhammed Kabir, said he was with the governor when the rams were brought to him, but the governor asked that the animals be returned…

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Katsina new governor promises to introduce TSA to tackle corruption 

Aminu Imam

Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, has promised to introduce a Treasury Single Account, (TSA), to block leakages and fight corruption. Radda disclosed this yesterday afternoon, immediately after he was sworn-in as the Governor of the State by the Chief Judge, Musa Danladi. According to the Governor, the planned introduction of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) is to consolidate the state finance and strengthen accountability in all our financial systems…“This will ensure public finances are handled efficiently for the benefit of the people of Katsina State”, Radda stated. He also said…

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?an?ara Killings: Buhari breaks silence; decries 84 vigilantes massacre by terrorists

Aminu Imam

President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the killings of vigilantes at Yargoje forest, in ?an?ara local government area of Katsina State. The President described the attack, where many lives were lost, as “horrific”. The insurgents ambushed a convoy of vigilantes in the forest as they went to recover stolen cows leading to the killings of 84 of them. The President, in a statement issued by his spokesman, Garba Shehu yesterday, paid tribute to all those vigilantes and family members who had been martyred. He said that the sacrifices of the brave…

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Buhari’s Visit: Youths embark on protest in Katsina

Aminu Imam

Some aggrieved youths in Katsina have staged a peaceful protest to express their grievances over the state of the nation yesterday. The protest took place shortly after President Muhammadu Buhari commissioned the ?ofar-?aura underpass bridge project executed by the Masari-led administration in Katsina metropolis. An eyewitness, Mustapha Muhammad Boss, who spoke to newsmen, said immediately the President left the ?ofar-?aura area, the irate youths began making bonfires on the newly constructed road. According to him, they were also chanting “Bamuyi, Bamuyi!”, which in Hausa language, translates to: ‘We are not in…

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