Connect with us

News

Matawalle gives ultimatum to unrepentant bandits, as FG set to deploy 6000 troops

Published

5 years ago

on

Governor Bello Matawalle

 

Ahmed Attahir, Gusau

 

Governor Bello Mattawale of zamfara state has issued a two months ultimatum to unrepentant bandits to key into peace Dialogue as federal government set to deploy additional six thousand troops to the state.

 

Addressing newsmen on Tuesday evening during a statewide broadcast at Government house Gusau,the governor insisted that activities of informants are becoming worrisome in the state.

 

He said the sad episode of jangebe school girls abduction has shook the people of Zamfara State Nigerians, and the entire world.

 

“It brought to the global attention the type of security challenges our state and many others in the north are battling with and  the urgent need to take further steps to deal with the situation comprehensively”.

 

“We have already secured the release of all the 279 abducted students, hale and hearty. They have all been reunited with members of their families”

 

“As a fall out of my discussion with President Muhammadu Buhari and security high commands in Abuja, it was resolved that six thousand additional troops are to be deployed to the state to complement the current efforts by the security forces in the state”.

 

He revealed that the troops will soon arrive  the state for their operations.

 

He further explained that Zamfara State has been declared by the national security council as a “no-fly zone” in addition to banning  all mining activities in the state.

 

“Again, the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, has agreed to a timeframe within which the recalcitrant bandits should accept peace truce and surrender their weapons to the government”.

Advert

 

The governor maintained that the peace initiative of his administration has recorded a number of successes which include disarmament and recovery of weapons from the repentant bandits, securing the release of hundreds of kidnapped persons, opening of markets, and resumption of other economic activities across the state, and reducing the wave of attacks and killings of our innocent people, most especially in the rural communities.

2019 General Election: Lawyers Commence Legal Action Against Kano APC Over Unpaid Legal Services

“Even though we are enjoying relative peace as a result of the dialogue and reconciliation programme, many bandits have refused to key into the programme and elected to sustain their attacks and other nefarious activities against our communities”

 

“Government has equally observed that there is sabotage by some unscrupulous elements, both within and outside the state.”

 

He said  It was also observed that informants are becoming rampant and their callous activities undetected due to some people’s attitude of indifference.

 

“As a further push to bring to an end the activities of the recalcitrant bandits so as to bring lasting peace to the state, the government has decided to take the following measures:

 

The recalcitrant bandits have been given two months from today within which to embrace the peace process and surrender their weapons to the government;

 

“All political actors are hereby advised to desist from any acts capable of endangering the state’s security, as security agencies have been directed to monitor the activities of all the political actors and take appropriate action against the violators”

 

“Traditional rulers and Local Government Councils’ sole administrators are hereby directed to always remain in their respective domains to monitor the influx of any suspicious characters.

 

“Conveyance of more than two persons on a motorbike is hereby banned with immediate effect. Security agents are directed to arrest and arraign the violators of this order for prosecution.

 

“Government also prohibits the movements of a large number of motorbikes in all the nooks and crannies of the state. Security forces are hereby directed to ensure total compliance.

 

“Government observed, with dismay, the persistence of the activities of some yansakai, despite the banning of such vigilante groups.  This order still remains in force”

Related Topics:

News

EFCC Secures Arrest Warrant for Former Humanitarian Minister, Permanent Secretary

Published

15 hours ago

on

April 16, 2026

By

 

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja has ordered the arrest of a former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, following her failure to appear for arraignment.

Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie issued a bench warrant for the ex-minister on Thursday after the prosecution informed the court that she had repeatedly failed to attend proceedings. The judge also ordered the arrest of Bashir Alkali, a former Permanent Secretary in the ministry, who is facing trial alongside Farouq.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting the two defendants on a 21-count charge that includes criminal breach of trust, abuse of office, and diversion of public funds. According to the anti-graft agency, the alleged sums involved are approximately $1.37 million and ₦748 million.

Advert

At the resumed hearing, EFCC counsel Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) told the court that the defendants had been granted administrative bail and served with the charges. “However, they have failed to appear before this honourable court for their arraignment,” he said.

Jacobs added that efforts to secure their attendance had proved unsuccessful, with only one of the defendants present in court. He also drew the court’s attention to the former minister’s failure to return her international passport after being permitted to travel abroad for medical reasons. “The first defendant has failed to return her international passport after travelling abroad on medical grounds, and no medical report has been presented before this court to justify her absence,” Jacobs stated.

Defence counsel Abdul Ibrahim (SAN) attributed his client’s absence to ill health and urged the court to consider an affidavit to that effect. He further requested a six-week window to produce the former minister in court.

Justice Onwuegbuzie rejected the request and granted the prosecution’s application for a bench warrant.

Continue Reading

News

Dangote Spotlights Refinery, Vision 2030, Others, At Nasarawa Trade Fair

Published

15 hours ago

on

April 16, 2026

By

Regional Director/Senior Adviser to Aliko Dangote, Fatima Wali-Abdurrahman.

 

Africa’s leading conglomerate will feature its flagship Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Company at the 2026 Nasarawa Trade Fair, which will be officially declared open by the State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, on April 20.

Dangote Industries Limited will also showcase its Vision 2030, which focuses on driving innovation and Africa’s industrialization.

The Dangote Group is the major sponsor of the Nasarawa Trade Fair and Exhibition (NASTFE) with the theme: Unlocking Industrial Synergy: Deepening the Value Chain and Driving Inclusive Growth in Nasarawa State.

A statement from the company’s spokesman, Anthony Chiejina, said other Strategic Business Units of the company will be participating at the annual event in the state capital, Lafia.

Anthony Chiejina stated that products to be featured at the Fair will include those from the Group’s Strategic Business Units, such as Dangote Cement, Dangote Sugar, Dangote Salt and seasonings, Dangote SinoTruk, Dangote Packaging, and Dangote Fertiliser.

Advert

The statement quoted the Regional Director/Senior Adviser to Dangote Group President, Fatima Wali Abdurrahman, as saying that Nasarawa State is key to the Group’s overall investment in Africa.

“It is home to Dangote’s Nasarawa Sugar Company Limited (NSCL). The sugar project, when completed, will be one of the biggest sugar investments in Africa,” she said.

Mrs. Wali-Abdurrahman noted that the Trade Fair provides a valuable platform for the company to engage with key stakeholders and Nigerians interested in exploring business opportunities with the organization.

She stated that a dedicated Help Desk will handle inquiries, enabling the company to effectively engage participants on the Dangote Group’s Strategic Business Units.

Speaking to newsmen in Lafia, Chairman and Council members of the Nigeria Association of Small-Scale Industrialists (NASSI), Nasarawa State Chapter, Nidan Sambo Manasseh, said the theme for this year’s Trade Fair aptly aligns with Dangote Group’s vision.

“We align strongly with the vision of Aliko Dangote, whose leadership continues to shape Nigeria’s economic future. His focus on industrialization, local production, and value creation inspires our efforts to connect MSMEs to structured value chains.

“Through this partnership, we are building a bridge between grassroots businesses and large industries, driving inclusive growth,” he said.

He said the third edition of NASTFE is designed as a practical business, industrial, and human capital development platform, adding that it is not just an exhibition.

According to him: “A major highlight of this year’s programme is the Empowerment Skill Acquisition Programme (ESAP), now structured as a package project for sponsorship support.

“ESAP is a yearly initiative from July-December targeting 2,000 beneficiaries across the 13 Local Government Areas of the State.

“The programme is strategically designed as a mobile training system, moving from one Local Government to another to ensure inclusive grassroots participation.”

Speaking on the Dangote Group’s Vision 2030, he said: “Our strategy is to align local enterprise development with large-scale industrial systems.”

Continue Reading

News

Al-Istiqama University Secures Full Accreditation for 11 Academic Programmes

Published

16 hours ago

on

April 16, 2026

By

 

The Management of Al-Istiqama University, Sumaila, Kano State, is pleased to announce that the National Universities Commission (NUC) has granted Full Accreditation status to a total of eleven (11) academic programmes following the comprehensive accreditation exercise conducted in November and December 2025.

According to the official report released by the NUC, the programmes were assessed based on the Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS), with emphasis on curriculum content, quality of academic staff, physical facilities, library resources, and employers’ rating.

The programmes granted Full Accreditation are:

Faculty of Health Sciences:
• Community Health Science
• Nursing Science
• Public Health

Advert

Faculty of Arts, Social and Management Sciences:
• Shari’ah
• Criminology and Security Studies
• International Relations
• Sociology

Faculty of Science and Computing:
• Biology
• Biotechnology
• Computer Science
• Software Engineering

This achievement affirms the University’s unwavering commitment to delivering quality education and reflects the dedication and professionalism of its academic and administrative staff in building a centre of excellence. With this development, all accredited programmes have secured full recognition for a period of five (5) years.

The Management expresses its profound appreciation to the Founder, Senator Sulaiman Abdurrahman Kawu Sumaila, OFR, Ph.D., the Governing Council, Faculty Members, Heads of Departments, staff, and students for their collective efforts and commitment, which made this milestone possible.

Al-Istiqama University remains resolute in sustaining and further enhancing the high standards that have earned it this prestigious recognition.

Signed:
Professor Abdulhadi Sale Kumurya
Vice-Chancellor
Al-Istiqama University, Sumaila, Kano State

Continue Reading

Trending