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Kaduna Communities Pay Millions Of Naira To Bandits Before Accessing Farms-BEPU

Published

4 years ago

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Governor Nasiru Ahmad El-rufai

 

Birnin-Gwari Emirate Progressives Union (Union) observes how farmers in various communities in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State have became so helpless and resorted to negotiations with Armed bandits for them to be allowed to access their farmlands and cultivate crops. Investigation revealed that the armed have been contacting these Communities for negotiations for about three years ago but did not accepted until all hopes for help from the Government were lost.

In the last three years, farming activities in Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area have been seriously crippled whereby about 70 percent of farmlands were not accessible by farmers. In many Communities in the area, farmers have paid millions of Naira individually and in groups before they were allowed to access their farmlands. This has continued up to present in some Communities.

In other situations, locals have to go for free labour in the farms of some bandits warlords for their freedom to live in their Communities and access to their farmlands. This despite several calls by the people to the Government to come to their help.

These communities are presently being governed by armed bandits. The armed bandits are seeing going round freely wielding different types of riffles unchallenged. Infact, the non-presence of democratic Government in the area is undoubtable.

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It therefore based on this situation that the helpless locals were left with no other option than to accept the offer by the bandits for negotiation on access to farmlands.

These negotiations have allowed farmers in various Communities that were sacked before by the armed bandits (such as Katakaki, Ganda, Mashigi, Ginsa, Biskin, Layin Mai-Gwari, Kwasa-Kwasa and many others) access to their farmlands that were not accessible for about three years ago.

However, many farmers are in a state of uncertainty on whether these negotiations will last to allow all the farmers to harvest their crops at the end of the season.

Some of the agreements reached at the negotiations on the side of the farmers include allowing the farmers to access their farmlands without kidnapping or any form of intimidation or harm by the armed bandits while the armed bandits should be allowed to be coming to towns and villages where the peace deals were entered for healthcare, buying and selling as well as any other normal business.

Investigation revealed that, many bandits also farm in those Communities where these peace deals were entered. For instance, the notorious bandits warlord, Dogo Kachalla Gide, farms in Mashigi area where about five Tractors harrowed his large farm in the area. The farm, though under Birnin-Gwari soil, is neighbouring Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Findings also revealed that, despite the negotiations, though bandits may be said to have suspended kidnappings and attacks in some of these Communities, there are many cases where the armed bandits continued to snatch motorcycles and other valuables they found from farmers; though, with continuous consultations and discussion between the two sides’ negations teams, the breach of agreements are being addressed gradually by both sides.

However, BEPU observes these negotiations as temporary short time measure because the helpless Communities entered it on the side of weakness which is also tantamount to total anarchy.

In a statement by BEPU Spokesperson Ishaq Usman Kasai said they wouldn’t relent on our continuous call to Government to adopt any measure, carrot or stick, it finds suitable and capable in controlling and preventing criminal and terrorist activities vis a vis bringing an end to anarchy in Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area and other parts of Nigeria.

 

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Kano Ex-Deputy Governor Gawuna Joins ADC After Resignation from APC

Published

38 minutes ago

on

March 31, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Nasiru Gawuna, the 2023 governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State, has formally joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Gawuna, a former deputy governor of the state, received his membership card on Tuesday at his ward in Gawuna, Nasarawa Local Government Area. The event drew a large gathering of supporters and notable political figures, including former Governor Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, immediate-past Deputy Governor Aminu Gwarzo, and the state ADC chairman, Musa Ungogo.

Speaking after the registration, Gawuna thanked his supporters and party leaders, pledging his commitment to strengthening the ADC in Kano State.

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His defection follows a formal resignation from the APC, which he described as a personal and voluntary decision. In a letter dated March 29, 2026, addressed to his ward chairman, Gawuna expressed appreciation to the APC for the opportunity to serve.

The move also comes after his resignation as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, effective March 31, 2026. His departure from the role complied with a directive by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu requiring political appointees to resign in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act.

Gawuna thanked the president for the trust reposed in him, noting it was an honor to serve in various capacities, including as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Bayero University, Kano.

Political observers view Gawuna’s entry into the ADC as a significant boost for the party, given his political influence and strong showing in the 2023 governorship election, where he secured 890,705 votes.

The development is the latest in a series of political realignments in Kano State ahead of the 2027 general elections, signaling continued shifts in the state’s political landscape.

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JUST IN: Senate Approves Tinubu’s $6 Billion Loan Request

Published

47 minutes ago

on

March 31, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Senate on Tuesday approved President Bola Tinubu’s request to secure $6 billion in external loans, granting legislative backing for the facilities hours after the Executive formally sought approval to finance critical infrastructure and address fiscal gaps.

The approval followed the consideration of a report submitted by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, Senator Aliyu Wamakko (APC, Sokoto North).

In a letter read during plenary, President Tinubu sought approval for two separate facilities: a $5 billion loan from Abu Dhabi Bank to support budget deficit financing and meet existing debt obligations, and a $1 billion loan from UK Export Finance through Citibank London to fund the rehabilitation of the Lagos Port Complex and Tin Can Island Port.

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According to the President, the port rehabilitation projects aim to address longstanding operational challenges, improve efficiency, enhance safety standards, support non-oil trade diversification, and position Nigeria as a regional trade hub.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio referred the requests to the committee for expedited consideration, a directive that culminated in Tuesday’s approval.

The latest borrowing comes amid the Federal Government’s sustained reliance on domestic and external loans to finance budget deficits. Four months ago, the National Assembly approved a separate request to raise N1.15 trillion from the domestic debt market to fund the 2025 budget deficit.

In its report, the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts noted that the 2025 Appropriation Act provides for total expenditure of N59.99 trillion—an increase of N5.25 trillion from the Executive’s initial proposal—highlighting the widening fiscal gap driving the government’s borrowing strategy.

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El-Rufai’s Bail Hearing Adjourned to Wednesday as Security Tightens Around Kaduna Court

Published

1 hour ago

on

March 31, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Federal High Court in Kaduna has adjourned the bail hearing for former Governor Nasir El-Rufai until Wednesday, March 31. Justice Rilwanu scheduled the new date after hearing arguments from both the defense and prosecution.

El-Rufai was arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on a 10-count charge involving the alleged conversion of public property and money laundering. The former governor pleaded not guilty to all charges.

In a separate case, El-Rufai also appeared before a Kaduna State High Court on charges of abuse of office, fraud, and intent to commit fraud. The ICPC filed charge number KDH/KAD/ICPC/01/26 against him and one other defendant, Amadu Sule, from the Kaduna State Development Agency (LEDA).

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According to the News Agency of Nigeria, El-Rufai arrived at the Federal High Court premises at approximately 9:40 a.m. in the company of ICPC officers.

Security was heightened across the Kaduna metropolis ahead of the proceedings. Armed personnel from the police, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Kaduna State Vigilance Service were deployed to strategic locations. Access to the court was restricted to accredited journalists and court officials, though media representatives were barred from entering the courtroom to cover the proceedings.

Counsel for El-Rufai, Abdul Adamu, declined to comment after the session, stating only that the case “has been adjourned till tomorrow.”

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