Tag: Niger State

Insecurity: “Defend yourselves”, Gov. Bago charges Niger residents

Aminu Imam
Bago to Niger residents

Niger State governor, Mohammed Umar Bago, has urged residents to take up arms and defend themselves against the increasing wave of bandit attacks across the state. The governor emphasised that his administration will not negotiate with kidnappers or pay ransom for victims, warning that such actions only encourage further criminal activities. During a visit to the communities of Rijau and Magama in Kontagora, recently affected by bandit attacks, Bago stressed the urgency of self-defense measures. He stated: “The state has reached a point where the people must stand up and…

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CAN reacts, as Niger Gov. introduces licence for preachers 

Aminu Imam
CAN reacts Niger

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State chapter, said it will not take legal action against the state government over the introduction of a licence for preaching. The state’s Bureau for Religious Affairs had recently introduced a ‘Da’awah Registration Form and Certification Process’ for preachers, sparking reports that the state government had banned religious preaching. However, CAN’s spokesman, Daniel Atori, said, in a statement on Sunday, that the directive did not affect Christian clerics, and therefore would not warrant a lawsuit. “The Christian Association of Nigeria, Niger state chapter,…

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Niger: Panic, as bandits in hijabs abduct school principal, woman

Aminu Imam
Niger banditry

Armed bandits have kidnapped two individuals, including the Principal of Junior Secondary School Melehe, during a late-night attack on the Melehe community, in Kontagora local government area of Niger State. According to reports, the incident occurred on Friday night, when the attackers, numbering about four, stormed the community between 9:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. According to sources, the gunmen disguised themselves in hijabs and sat casually at the entrance of the victims’ residence, pretending to be ordinary women. Around 11:00 p.m., they reportedly removed the hijabs and forcefully entered the…

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MURIC condemns mob killing of woman in Niger

Aminu Imam
MURIC condemns

The Muslim Rights Concern, (MURIC), has condemned the lynching of a woman, identified only as Amaye, over alleged blasphemous statement in Kasuwan-Garba town, Mariga local government area of Niger State. The organisation, in an issued statement signed by its Founder and Executive Director, Professor Is’haq Akintola, yesterday, described the attack as “extra-judicial, barbaric, and un-Islamic” and urged immediate Police action. According to Akintola, Amaye, a food vendor, was accused of making blasphemous remarks about the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) during an exchange with a customer. Recall that the incident occurred on…

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Niger: “I won’t negotiate with bandits” – Gov. Bago

Aminu Imam
Gov. Bago on bandits

Niger State governor, Muhammad Umaru Bago, has vowed not to negotiate with bandits, stressing that it is unacceptable and that he will instead seek the intervention of the President and the National Security Adviser (NSA) on the issue of frequent banditry attacks plaguing some local councils in the state. Bago had also observed that negotiations with bandits in some states have led to an increase in cattle-rustling. The governor made his position known at a stakeholders’ consultative meeting on the implementation of the ‘State Trade Animal Movement Security and Veterinary…

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IBAN slams Niger State governor over “military-style” shutdown of Baddegi FM

Aminu Imam
Niger State gov. Bago

…Threatens nationwide boycott Aminu Imam The Independent Broadcasters Association of Nigeria, (IBAN), has issued a scathing condemnation of Niger State governor, Mohammed Umar Bago, following the reported shutdown of Baddegi FM, a privately owned radio station, in what it describes as an “unlawful and undemocratic” action executed by force. In a press statement released on Sunday, IBAN decried the governor’s alleged use of military personnel to seal off the licensed station without recourse to legal or regulatory procedures. The association called the move “high-handed,” warning that it amounts to a…

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SERAP gives Niger Gov. 48 hours to reopen Badeggi FM

Aminu Imam
SERAP gives Niger

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, (SERAP), has given Governor Umar Bago, of Niger state, 48 hours to reverse what it described as the “arbitrary and unlawful” shutdown of Badeggi FM 90.1, an independent radio station in Minna, the state capital. In an open letter dated August 2 and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation asked the governor to reinstate the station’s licence, withdraw threats to demolish its premises, and stop profiling its owner, Shu’aibu Badeggi. “Your vague, unfounded and unsubstantiated allegations of ‘inciting violence’ against Badeggi…

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IBAN, NBMOA slam Niger State govt. over closure of Badeggi FM station

Aminu Imam
IBAN, NBMOA slam Niger Govt.

…Demand immediate reopening Aminu Imam Media industry stakeholders have strongly condemned the closure of Badeggi FM 90.1, a privately owned radio station in Minna, Niger State, following an order issued by Governor Mohammed Umar Bago. The action, which involved the sealing of the station, demolition of its building, and arrest of its owner, has sparked outrage from the Independent Broadcasting Association of Nigeria, (IBAN), and the Northern Nigeria Media Organisation, (NBMOA). In separate but coordinated statements released yesterday, both groups described the governor’s actions as a gross abuse of power…

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13% derivation: Niger State drags FG to Supreme Court over exclusion 

Aminu Imam
Niger State drags FG

The Niger State government has filed a suit against the Federal Government at the Supreme Court, seeking to be included among beneficiaries of the 13 percent Derivation Fund allocated to states producing natural resources. In the originating summons filed by a legal team led by senior advocate Mohammed Ndarani, the state listed the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice as the sole defendant. The state is asking the apex court to determine whether it qualifies as a resource-producing state under Section 162(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as…

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Niger: Many feared dead as another boat capsizes 

Aminu Imam
Niger capsized boat

At least 25 people are feared dead, after a boat carrying traders and goods capsized in Gunu village, in Shiroro local government area of Niger State on Saturday, in yet another tragic incident highlighting the dangers of inland water travel in Nigeria. According to the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, (NSEMA), the boat was en route to Kwata, Zumba Market, when it capsized around 11:45 a.m.  NSEMA’s Director of Information and Special Duties, Ibrahim Hussaini, said the exact number of casualties remains unconfirmed as search and rescue operations continue.  However,…

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