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Violence In Kaduna: Govt Imposes 24-Hr Curfew …Scores Killed, Houses Destroyed …Atiku,Saraki, Others Condemn Mayhem …As Boko Haram Kills 38 In Borno
The Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai has again imposed 24- hours curfew in the state.
“This is a notice of a 24-hour curfew imposed on Kaduna town and its environs, with immediate effect’ the governor said on his Twitter handle yesterday.
He advised residents to comply with this directive, saying “the decision has been taken in the best interest of the state.”
Fifty-five people were killed on October 18 crisis at Kasuwan Magani in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
A similar crisis in February left more than 10 people dead in Kasuwan Magani, while 65 suspects involved in the crisis were arraigned in court but the case is still ongoing.
Acting DCP Jimoh Moshood, the Force Public Relations Officer disclosed this while addressing newsmen on the violence yesterday in Abuja.
He said that the police deployed included four Police Mobile Force (PMF) units, Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), Conventional policemen, Federal Special Anti Robbery Squad (FSARS), Intellegemce Response Team (IRT) and Technical Intelligence (TIU) among others.
Moshood said that the operations would cover the entire Kasuwan Magani and its environs and other flash spots in the state.
“The intervention force will be working in synergy with the Kaduna state police command to ensure that peace and normalcy returns to the area.
“To achieve success, the force will be proactive and strict in the enforcement of its mandate, police standard operations procedures and rules of engament,” he said.
He said that the force would carry out a 24 hours surveillance and patrol, stop and search, continuous raid of identified criminal hideouts and black spots.
The spokesman said that operation would cover communities, towns, villages, vulnerable points, government and private infrastructure.
He enjoined traditional rulers, religious leaders, politicians, parents and guardians to support the police in the discharge of their responsibilities.
Moshood said that 22 suspects directly involved in violence have been arrested and are in police custody assisting the police in the investigation.
The spokesman said that some prominent personalities kidnapped during the violence have also been rescued and reunited with their families.
Meanwhile, the former Vice President and Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar says he is saddened by the loss of 55 lives in a conflict at Kasuwan Magani area of Kaduna State.
Atiku, on his twitter wall, @atiku, said the conflict was avoidable, while he commiserated with the families of the victims.
“I’m saddened by needless loss of scores of lives following avoidable conflict in Kasuwan Magani, Kaduna State, in a pattern that has become too familiar.
“May the souls of the deceased rest even as no efforts should be spared to bring the perpetrators to justice,” he said.
The Kaduna State Police Command, had last Friday, said 55 people were killed in the communal crisis at Kasuwan Magani in Kajuru Local Government Area of the state.
The state Commissioner of Police, Ahmad Abdur-Rahman said that the police had arrested 22 suspects in connection with the mayhem.
Abdul-Rahaman said mobile and conventional policemen, as well as a team of the state joint security operatives, Operation Yaki, despatched to the town had restored normalcy in the area.
According to him, he has also visited the town and engaged youth leaders, traditional and religious leaders in the efforts to stop the crisis and prevent its spread
Similarly, President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the latest communal violence in Kasuwan Magani in Kaduna State which claimed 55 lives.
Reacting to the violent clashes in a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity), Garba Shehu, Buhari said the frequent resort to bloodshed by Nigerians over misunderstandings that can be resolved peacefully, is worrisome.
According to the President, “No culture and religion support the disregard for the sanctity of life,” adding that “peaceful coexistence is necessary for the progress of any society and its wellbeing.”
He noted that without communal harmony, the environment for the conduct of “our everyday businesses would be impossible to achieve.”
Buhari explained that “violence cannot be an alternative to peace. On the contrary, reliance on violence leads to ultimate self-destruction. Violence is an ill wind that blows nobody any good. Embracing peace is a necessity.”
In commending the Kaduna State Government for its rapid response to the crisis, the President appealed to community leaders to engage in regular dialogue to nip imminent crises in the bud, while admonishing the people to develop the spirit of tolerance and patience at all times.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris has ordered the deployment of Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Zone 7, Taiwo Lakanu to lead Police Special Intervention Force in Kaduna State.
Lakanu is to restore lasting peace to Kasuwar Magani area in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, a statement by Police spokesman DCP, Jimoh Moshood said.
Yesterday afternoon, trouble spilled from the flash point at Kasuwar Magani, where the traditional leader was kidnapped last week, into parts of the city centre.
The Police statement also condemned the attack and killing of innocent people, while calling for calm as the Police Special investigation Team has made significant progress in the investigation into the incident.
The Police said it is concerned over the attack and killings of Fifty-Five people, and the disturbance of peace in Kasuwar Magani on the 18th of October, 2018.
Moshood said the AIG is leading the Police Special Intervention Force comprising Four (4) Units of Police Mobile Force (PMF) specially trained Anti-Riot Policemen, Counter Terrorism Unit, Conventional Policemen and Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS).
Other units in the force include; Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Technical Intelligence Unit (TIU), State Intelligence Bureau (SIB), detachment of EOD and Police K9 (Sniffer Dogs Section) are already on ground at Kasuwar Magani.
He said, “Twenty-two suspects directly involved have been arrested and now in Police custody and some of the prominent personalities kidnapped during the incident have been rescued by the Police.”
He said, “The operations will cover the entire Kasuwar Magani and environs, and other flash/trouble spots in Kaduna State.”
He also added that the Police Special Intervention Forces will be working in synergy with the Kaduna State Police Command to ensure that total peace and normalcy are restored and sustained.
He said the Force will ensure the full enforcement of the curfew imposed on Kasuwar Magani and environs by the Kaduna State Government.
Moshood said the police will carry out twenty four hours surveillance and patrol, stop and search and continuous raids of identified criminal hideouts and black spots.
He said, “Traditional rulers, religious leaders, public office holders, politicians, opinion leaders, parents and guardians are hereby called upon to prevail on their subjects, supporters, children and wards to support the personnel of the Police Special Intervention Force in the discharge of their responsibilities.”
In a similar development, Boko Haram insurgents also stormed some hamlets close to the food reserve silos around Molai, along the Maiduguri-Damboa road, killing about 28 persons.
Details were sketchy at the time this report was filed, but a civilian JTF source, who participated in evacuated the corpses from the scene of the attack, said the insurgents tied their victims to stakes like animals and slaughtered them.
He told newsmen yesterday that many people sustained injuries in an ensuing stampede as the residents fled in all directions.
The source said the corpses and the injured were taken to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
Also, in two attacks earlier in the day, suspected Boko Haram insurgents killed at least 10 persons while 20 others were injured, according to vigilante and CJTF sources said.
The first incident occurred on the outskirts of Molai village in Jere Local Government Area at about 9:30am yesterday. Daily Trust on Sunday gathered that the gunmen opened fire on famers, killing eight of them.
A vigilante source said the attackers stormed the farmlands where the people were harvesting their farm produce.
“As I am speaking to you, eight persons have been confirmed dead, while 15 sustained serious injuries as a result of gun shots by insurgents who attacked our people this morning on a farm land near Molai.
“Most of the people affected are from Mondugannari area, who went to the farm early morning to harvest their farm produce,” the vigilante source said.
And at about 1 pm yesterday, the insurgents carried out a second attack. They attacked an area called Caterpillar near Ajilari cross, Airport Area in Maiduguri, and killed two persons and injured five others.
They also burnt down three tricycles and a motorbike.
When contacted the North-east Zonal Coordinator, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Bashir Garga, said “something like that happened”, adding that he would get back to our correspondent on the matter.
“I am still working on it but something like that happened.
Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) of his administration’s commitment to supporting and strengthening the scheme in the State.
Fubara gave the assurance last Friday at the NYSC permanent orientation camp, Nonwa-Gbam, Tai Local Government Area in the State, during the swearing-in ceremony of 2026 Batch B Stream II orientation course.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Bureau, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Promise Oguzie, the governor said the State Government would remain intentional in providing the necessary support to improve the NYSC scheme and enhance the experiences of corps members deployed to the state.
He charged the corps members to be role models and quality nation-builders in their service to the good people of Rivers State in particular, and Nigeria at large.
“I charge you to be exemplary, dedicated and committed in all you do. Take full advantage of all the camp programmes and activities to enrich yourselves”, he said.
In his welcome address, the State Coordinator of NYSC in Rivers State, Mr. Moses Oleghe, urged corps members to see their deployment to Rivers State as a “veritable opportunity to make meaningful contribution to the growth of the State in particular and Nigeria at large.”
He further charged them to serve with all sense of “integrity, discipline, and the fear of God, especially when they will be engaged as INEC ad-hoc staff that will conduct the 2027 general elections.”
A total of 3,584 corps members composed of 1,421 males and 2,163 females were sworn in by the Chief Judge of Rivers State, who was represented by Justice Godspower Aguma.
Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, says Nigeria needs God-fearing leaders for the nation to move in the right direction and make meaningful progress.
The Governor stated this yesterday when he received in audience, the World President of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Pastor Erton Kohler; his wife, Andriene Marques Kohler; daughter Mariana Marques Kohler and a retinue of ministers of the church at Government House, Port Harcourt.
Fubara who hailed the Seventh Day Adventist Church for its contributions to education and the grooming of future leaders in Nigeria, expressed delight that the Church had over the years, been investing in education at various levels and currently runs two universities in the country.
He commended the church for not only using its institutions to spread the gospel of Christianity but to groom future leaders for the country.
According to him, religion should not be just about defending one’s faith, but also making meaningful impact on the lives of the people.
He said that by floating these educational institutions, the church has demonstrated capacity to support Nigeria in the task of producing not only educated people but a breed of God-fearing leaders.
“Our country is where it is today because we lack the fear of God. If you have the fear of God, there should be a limit to what you can do because you understand the supremacy of God. But when God is not in your equation, you’ll go beyond the line and that is what has brought us to where we are today.
“So, I feel very happy that you are contributing to the development of our future leaders in this country. We need the right people being in the right place; prepared properly with good minds; that is what we need, not just in Nigeria but round the whole world.,” he said.
Governor Fubara further observed that the absence of God-fearing people in high places to take the right decisions that could impact positively on the society, has also given rise to other problems such as social inequality, poverty, corruption and criminality. According to him, Nigeria needs a system where the average parent could afford quality education for their children and a guarantee that upon graduation, the average child will have the capacity to compete favourably with anybody, anywhere in the world.
“If we have a situation where the little money that you’re being paid as wage can also afford you quality healthcare and after working at least for 15-20 years, you have a roof over your head, tell me why you should be involved in any kind of crime? At that point, you’ll feel secured and this attitude of insecurity about the future that leads to all the social vices we have today won’t be there,” he said.
Governor Fubara expressed appreciation to the delegation for the visit and for their prayers for Rivers State, assuring them of his continued support for their programmes in the state.
Leader of the delegation and World President of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Pastor Erton Kohler said he was in Nigeria for a special conference of the church during which thousands of the church’s ministers will be undergoing an empowerment programme to further equip them for the task of herding their flocks and serving the society.
He expressed gratitude to the Governor for the warm reception accorded his entourage, saying the memory of the visit will linger in his mind for a lifetime.
Kohler disclosed that the Church has over twenty -four million (24,000,000) members and more than 182,000 places of worship, spread across 212 countries of the world.
The Rivers State House of Assembly has approved the 2026–2028 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) submitted by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
This reaffirms the lawmakers’ commitment to enacting laws and taking legislative actions geared towards the overall development of the State.
The Assembly gave the approval during its Second Legislative Sitting of the Fourth Session held last Friday.
Speaking on the MTEF document during plenary, the House Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, noted that by the provision of Section 10(1)(b) of the Rivers State Fiscal Responsibility Law No. 8 of 2010, the MTEF ought to have been laid before the House in September 2025.
Amaewhule explained that traditionally, the document is expected to be presented four months before the commencement of the next financial year and immediately after the expiration of every three-year fiscal cycle.
He, however, stated that in the interest of the State and its people, the House considered it necessary to deliberate on the document, describing it as a precursor to the 2026 Budget Estimates.
The Speaker expressed concern that the year had already progressed significantly before the presentation of the framework.
During deliberations on the document, members examined the assumptions and projections contained in the MTEF and observed that strict adherence to the outlined fiscal parameters would ultimately serve the interest of Rivers people.
The lawmakers maintained that effective implementation of the framework would promote prudent financial management and enhance developmental planning across the State.
Following the debate and positive consideration by members, the Speaker put the question to the House and members voted overwhelmingly in support of the approval of the MTEF.
Meanwhile, during the same sitting last Friday, the House also received a petition from the Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr. Gift Worlu.
The petition was presented by the member representing Obio/Akpor Constituency II, Hon. Emilia Amadi.
According to the petition, concerns were raised over an imminent security breach, threats to lives, destruction of property and alleged forceful takeover of property by some lawless persons within parts of the Local Government Area.
Presenting the petition before the House, Hon. Amadi appealed to the lawmakers to revisit the matter and take necessary steps aimed at safeguarding lives and property in the affected communities.
The House is expected to further deliberate on the petition and consider measures to address the concerns raised in order to sustain peace and security in the area.
King Onunwor