Crime
Northern elders hail sultan for courage to speak to power

Northern elders hail sultan for courage to speak to power
**Maintain call for Service Chiefs’ Removal
For summoning the courage to speak truth to power over the deplorable security situation in the troubled region some Northern elders have lauded the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar 111.
The elders indicated that the Sultan’s position is a true reflection of the state of insecurity in the North, which is largely responsible for the food crisis besetting the nation.
On Thursday, the Sultan had, during a meeting organised by the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) decried the precarious security situation in the North, saying the region is now the worst place to live.
Reflecting on bandits’ activities in the North West, the Sultan said: “People leave foodstuff in their houses for bandits. There is a need for urgent action through actionable engagement, as the security situation in northern Nigeria has assumed a worrisome dimension.
“A few weeks ago, over 76 persons were killed in a community in Sokoto in a day. I was there alongside the governor to commiserate with the affected community. “Unfortunately, you don’t hear these stories in the media because it’s in the North.
“We have accepted the fact that the North doesn’t have strong media to report the atrocities of these bandits.”
“People think the North is safe, but that assumption is not true. In fact, it’s the worst place to be in this country. Bandits go around villages, households, and markets with AK47 rifles and nobody is challenging them. They stop at the market, buy things, pay and collect change, with their weapons openly displayed. These are facts I know because I am at the centre of it. I am not only a traditional ruler; I am also a religious leader…
“We have to sincerely and seriously find solutions to the problem; otherwise, we will find ourselves soon, in a situation where we will be losing sleep over insecurity. As religious leaders, we must promote peace, love, unity, and tolerance among our followers… “
Lending their voices to the monarch’s declaration, the elders under the aegis of the Coalition of Northern Elders for Peace and Development, in a statement signed, yesterday, by its national coordinator, Engr. Zana Goni and the National Women Leader, Mario Bichi, said the Sultan vindicated their consistent alarm on the state of insecurity in the region.
The elders, therefore, called on other prominent leaders in the region to join voices in projecting the true position of things in the North, to attract relevant authorities’ attention.
They reiterated their call on President Muhammadu Buhari to rejig and restructure the country’s security architecture, to cause meaningful change in the status quo.
Crime
Abdulmalik presents 23 refurbished operational vehicles to security agencies in Kogi

Abdulmalik presents 23 refurbished operational vehicles to security agencies in Kogi
By Ojochide Audu
In an effort to combat crime in the state, Chairman, Kogi State Security Trust Fund, Hon. Teina Abdulmalik, presents 23 refurbished operational vehicles, to Security Agencies in the State to enhance their operational efficiency in the fight against crime and criminality in Kogi State..
Making the presentation to the benefiting Agencies in Government House, Lokoja the Chairman, who was represented by the Public Relations Officer, Mallam, Aliyu Abubakar Musa, aknowledged the immense efforts and contributions of the Security Agencies to stem criminality in the State.
According to the Chairman, ” Kogi State has witnessed its fair share of criminal activities ranging from kidnapping, Cultism and communal crisis, but, our security agencies have been working round the clock to nip them in the bud.
” And with these vehicles, I know that they will do more in that regards. I urge them not to relent in their efforts in ridding the State of all forms of crime”
Abdulmalik, promised that, more operational vehicles would be procured for the security agencies and and appealing to them to ensure regular maintenance of the utility vehicles.
He thanked Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello, for providing all the enablement to ensure the State Security Trust Fund achieve its mandates.
Speaking on behalf of the Security Agencies, the Comptroller of Correctional services, Kogi State Command Alhaji Ahmed Musa, lauded the proactive efforts of the Trust Fund, in curbing criminality in the State.
He reiterated the fact that they were motivated by the gesture to redouble their efforts in the fight against crime and pledged that, the vehicles would be maintained to help the government achieve the purpose for which they were meant for.
Crime
Kogi State Police Command debunks reports that 18 Kano traders were Kidnapped in Kogi

Kogi State Police Command debunks reports that 18 Kano traders were Kidnapped in Kogi
The Nigerian police Kogi State command has described as fake news reports that eighteen (18) traders from Kano travelling to Aba were kidnapped in Kogi State.
This was coming against the backdrop that the Market Traders Association of Nigeria (MATAN) had appealed to the Federal Government and security operatives to rescue its members, kidnapped along Okene-Auchi road in Kogi.
The President of the association, Alhaji Jamilu Abbas made the appeal in a statement in Abuja on Thursday.
He indicated that 27 traders of Kantin Kwari Textiles Market in Kano were reportedly kidnapped by gunmen on their way to Aba town in Abia State.
Abbas explained that the traders left Kano for Aba for their legitimate businesses before they were kindnapped after Okene town in Kogi state.
He said the kidnapped traders, were from Kofar Wambai, Sabongari markets and some from Zamfara who joined those from Kantinkwari for the trip.
In a swift reaction the Kogi State Police Command indicated that no such incident occurred any where in Kogi State.
In a press statement that was signed by the command public relations officer DSP William Ovye Aya said the news of the purported kidnap of the 18 Kano traders in Kogi State is fake and capable of misleading the public on the Security situation in the State.
“It is pertinent to let the public know that, the Kogi State Police Command in collaboration with other Security agencies is determined to guarantee the protection of lives and property in the State.
“The Commissioner of Police Ede Ayuba Ekpeji urges members of the Press as well as social media handlers to always find out the true nature of incident and its location before publishing the story so as not to misinform the general public and create mistrust among the good people of Kogi State and Nigeria in general.”
Crime
Association appeals to FG, security operatives to rescue kidnapped traders in Kogi

Association appeals to FG, security operatives to rescue kidnapped traders in Kogi
By Mustapha Sumaila
The Market Traders Association of Nigeria (MATAN) has appealed to the Federal Government and security operatives to rescue its members, kidnapped along Okene-Auchi road in Kogi.
The President of the association, Alhaji Jamilu Abbas made the appeal in a statement in Abuja on Thursday.
No fewer than 27 traders of Kantin Kwari Textiles Market in Kano were reportedly kidnapped by gunmen on their way to Aba town in Abia State.
Abbas explained that the traders left Kano for Aba for their legitimate businesses before they were kindnapped after Okene town in Kogi state.
He said the kidnapped traders, were from from Kofar Wambai, Sabongari markets and some from Zamfara who joined those from Kantinkwari for the trip.
“I am appealing to the government and security operatives to do everything possible to rescue our members unharmed.
“Though, the kidnappers have reached out to the families of the abductees demanding for N50 million ransom and they later came down to N27 million before they free all of them” he said (NAN)
-
Personality5 days ago
Coalition of civil Societies calls for Sack Of SP Mohammed Musa for gross Misconduct
-
Crime2 weeks ago
How Saudi Arabia based oil expert was assassinated in Idah, Kogi State
-
News2 years ago
PDP asks Kogi Finance Commissioner to bury his Head In Shame as no Single Project Executed
-
Media4 years ago
Igala nation rejects alleged inclusion in Map of Biafra
-
Metro3 years ago
SARS kills Notorious Criminal in a gun duel in Kogi, as gang members burns down police post
-
News3 years ago
Kogi State University commences recruitment of fresh lecturers to replace striking ones
-
Metro3 years ago
Police parades Naval rating, two serving Police officers over attempted kidnap of 5year old
-
Features4 years ago
The many (mis)adventures of Gov. Yahaya Bello