News

Police, IMN trade words over alleged Shi’ites killing in Kaduna

Published

10 months ago

May 6, 2024

The Islamic Movement in Nigeria and the Kaduna State Police Command, on Sunday, exchanged words over a clash in Kaduna State.

While the IMN accused the police and the Kaduna State government of killing seven Shi’ites and injuring many during a pro-Palestinian protest in Kaduna, the police insisted that the Shi’ites were the offenders, adding that no live ammunition was used.

The IMN, in a petition to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, accused the Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani, and the state Commissioner of Police, Ali Dabigi, of extrajudicial killing of its members.

The petition, dated April 23, 2024, and signed by Resource Forum of Islamic Movement, Chairman, Prof. Abdullahi Danladi, was also copied to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; and the Chairman Police Service Commission, Solomon Arase.

The petition, sighted by our correspondent on Sunday, was titled: “Petition Against Mr Uba Sani, the Governor of Kaduna State, and the Commissioner of Police, Kaduna for Arbitrary Extrajudicial Killing of Seven and Wounding Over 30 Peaceful Protesters on 5th of April, 2024 in Kaduna and Zaria.”

But the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Alhaji Mohammed Shehu, in a phone interview with The PUNCH, described the allegations against his principal as “baseless, unfounded, and aimed at stirring up unnecessary tension” in the state.

Also refuting the claim, the Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mansir Hasan, denied the allegations of killing any of the IMN members.

He said three of their officers sustained injuries following an attack from the Shi’ite members, adding that the injured officers had been taken to the hospital for treatment.

The police spokesperson said, “We got the information that the members of the proscribed IMN were going to hold a massive protest in the state and the command deployed its men to most of the strategic places to stop them from blocking the road, especially Ahmadu Bello Way Kaduna.

“On sighting our men deployed there, the IMN members started throwing stones, firing catapults, and locally made guns against our men which led to three of our men sustaining injuries and now receiving treatment at a police clinic.”

He said the police used teargas to disperse them, which also led to the arrest of eight suspects.

He listed the items recovered from the suspects to include three locally-fabricated guns, catapults and other dangerous locally-made weapons.

“If they claimed four of their members were killed, where are the bodies and which hospital were they taken to? How can we identify them? Our men didn‘t use live ammunition but only used teargas to disperse them.”

The IMN sect, in its petition, alleged that policemen “opened fire with live ammunition on peaceful pro-Palestinian protesters in Kaduna and Zaria on 5th April 2024.”

It said, “The conflict in the Middle East between Palestine and Israel is a worldwide event that dominates the world and takes over the United Nations activities since October 2023.

“This event gave rise to worldwide protests against the killings of innocent civilian in the Gaza Strip by the Israel Defence Forces.

“Protests have been going on non-stop in USA, UK, France, Germany and other European Nations, including Israel itself.

“In Nigeria, such protests have been going on in several states, including Kaduna, Kano, Lagos, Rivers and the FCT Abuja.

“The last Friday of the month of Ramadan was designated as International Quds Day and it is observed world over.

“The event had been conducted in Nigeria for the past 40 years. This year’s International Quds Day was observed world over on 5th April 2024, including Nigeria where it was observed in more than 30 cities, including Kaduna and Zaria.

“All the processions in all the states were carried out without any event, it was peaceful throughout, including in Lagos, Rivers and Abuja.

“Unfortunately, the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police decided to use his force and attack peaceful procession.

“Thus, he ordered the policemen to open fire with live bullets in broad daylight on unarmed peaceful protesters. This led to the killing of seven persons.

“We see the actions of Kaduna State Governor and the Commissioner of Police in Kaduna State as arbitrary, unconstitutional and in breach of the ethics of the Nigerian Police.”

The sect argued that the Nigerian Constitution provided for and protects the rights of every Nigerian citizen, which includes rights to life, rights to peaceful demonstrations, among others.

“If the actions of the duo are left unchecked, the image of Nigeria will be tarnished in the eyes of the citizens and the international community.

“It is consequent to these that we forward this petition to you to take the necessary action on the Kaduna State Governor and the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ali Audu Dabigi for the breach of citizens’ constitutional rights.

“We look forward to your prompt response.”

Refuting the allegation against the Kaduna governor, however, his media aide, said,

“The Kaduna State Government, under the able and dynamic leadership of Senator Uba Sani, values human life and upholds the rights of citizens to peaceful assembly and protest. However, it also recognises the need to maintain law and order, and will not condone any actions that threaten public safety.

“The Kaduna State Government remains committed to protecting the rights and security of all citizens.”

News

First Lady Support Historic Bill to Reserve Seats for Women in Parliament

Published

16 minutes ago

March 4, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

…as Office Of Deputy Speaker, ElectHer hold art exhibition in Abuja

By Gloria Ikibah

In a significant step towards promoting gender inclusion in governance, Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has thrown her weight behind the seat reservation bill for women in the parliament, urging members of the national assembly to expeditiously pass the bill into law.

The bill sponsored by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin Kalu is currently before the House of Representatives for consideration and passage.

Speaking at the Art for Governance Exhibition organized by the Office of the Deputy Speaker in conjunction with ElectHER, an advocacy group for women empowerment in Abuja, Monday night,

Senator Tinubu represented by Hajiya Fatima Tajudeen Abbas, wife of the Speaker, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, emphasised the importance of women’s leadership in shaping the country’s future.

She said: “In the context of governance and inclusion, it offers a unique and compelling way to spotlight the urgent need for greater female representation in leadership and decision making processes. The artworks being displayed today serve not only for a Nigeria where political leadership is truly inclusive and reflective of its people. The emphasis on affirmative action bill is essential to amplifying the message of inclusion contained in this exhibition.

“Women constitute a vital part of our nation’s progress yet their representation in governance remains limited. Ensuring that women have a stronger voice in shaping policies, making decisions and driving national development is not just a matter of justice, it is a necessity for stable growth.

“Therefore, I support the affirmative action bill that mandates at least 35 percent of seats in the legislative and executive arms being occupied by women. I urge the national assembly to expedite the passage of the bill. I am committed to supporting initiatives that promote gender inclusion, women and nation building. This has been my mission during my mission as first lady of Lagos, as a senator and now as the first lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I firmly believe in the importance of women voices in governance. I urge my former colleagues, the civil society organization and the public to embrace the message of exhibition and collaborate to ensure that women’s voices are heard”.

In his remarks, the Deputy Speaker decried the underrepresention of women in governance.

“Today, we wield the transformative power to address one of the most pressing issues in Nigeria’s democracy: the systemic underrepresentation of women in governance. We see the struggles, the resilience, and the undeniable strength of women who have fought to lead, only to be met with barriers. But barriers can be broken. That is why this exhibition is not just a cultural moment—it is an advocacy tool, a visual argument, a movement in motion.

“The Art for Governance exhibition is anchored on a pivotal legislative effort:

The Constitution (Alteration) Bill, 2024—popularly known as the Additional

Seats Bill. This bill is not merely about numbers or political arithmetic; it is

about justice. And as we push for its passage in the 10th Assembly, we

recognize that legislative success is not achieved through legal arguments

alone, but through the mobilization of hearts and minds, and this exhibition

does precisely that. Because this is not just about passing a bill; it is about shaping a legacy”, Kalu said.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ElectHER and Lead Curator, Art For Governance Exhibition, Ibijoke Faborode, highlighted the importance of gender-inclusive governance in fostering stronger democratic institutions, improved policy outcomes, and broader socio-economic growth.

“Nigeria, Africa’s largest democracy, has one of the lowest rates of female political representation on the continent. With women comprising nearly 50% of the population but less than 4% of the National Assembly, the underrepresentation of women in governance remains a critical challenge to achieving inclusive democracy and sustainable development. As Nigeria moves toward the 2027 elections, bold legislative reforms like the Reserved Seats Bill can be a game changer for socioeconomic transformation. We are building the momentum needed to mainstream the Reserved Seats Bill, shift public discourse, and drive its passage. This is not just about a policy change. It is about reshaping Nigeria’s democratic landscape to reflect the full strength of its people”, she said.

The Minister of Women Affairs and other notable personalities who spoke at the Exhibition also expressed their commitment to ensuring the passage of the Special Seats Bill, which aims to increase women’s representation in governance.

The Exhibition produced top 3 artists from over 150 other competitors who won special prizes for their extraordinary artworks.

The artists included Segun Owolabi who won the first position for N2 million; Chidinma Mordi, second position for N1. 5 million and Precious Samuel, third Position for N1 million but the prizes were later doubled by the Deputy Speaker.

The prize winners will also exhibit their work at the Echoes of Equity; Art For Governance event and display their works at the National Assembly Library for about 3 weeks.

News

Benin City boils as CSOs protest killing of physically challenged man

Published

44 minutes ago

March 4, 2025

Naijablitznews

Angry members of Civil Society Organisations on Tuesday protested and decried the gruesome murder of a physically challenged man in Obazagbon community, Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State.

The victim, identified as Efe Ogbeide and a deaf, was said to have been murdered at a project site by invading gunmen.

The community is said to be embroiled in violent leadership crisis, leading to the destruction of property and loss of lives.

Speaking on behalf of the aggrieved protesters, the Executive Director, Network for the Advancement of People with Visible Disability, Omasah Melody said the victim was deaf and could not hear when the alarm of the invaders was raised.

He added, “While others ran away, but because he could not hear, he fell in the hands of his murderers.”

Melody continued, “we are pained. We are touched because Mrs. Betty has lost a very dear husband. His children have been made fatherless.

Ogbeide’s crime was that he went around to fend for himself and his family in spite of his disability so that he will not to be a liability to society.

It was in the quest of struggling to put food on the table of his family that death met him absolutely.

“The frequency of communal clashes over land and its related issues is becoming one too many. It has to stop. Security agents must rise to the occasion.

When there are crisis in community, the physically challenged suffer more. People with disabilities are worse hit.”

Reacting to the development, the Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu said three suspects have been arrested over the mayhem in Obazagbon community, adding that investigation is still ongoing.

News

PSC endorses appointment of six DIGs, elevates one CP to AIG, others

Published

1 hour ago

March 4, 2025

Naijablitznews

The Police Service Commission has endorsed the appointment of six Deputy Inspectors General of Police and the promotion of the Commissioner of Police Enugu State Command, Uzuegbu Kanayo to the next rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police.

The new Deputy Inspectors General of Police are Sadiq Idiris Abubakar, Commandant Police Academy , Wudil, Kano. He was former Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory; CP Peace keeping Operations and Coordinator, Police Special Forces; Benjamin Nebolisa Okolo, former AIG, Zone 16, Yenagoa and presently AIG Department of Information Communication Technology, Force Headquarters Abuja and Williams Adebowale, Commandant, Police Staff College Jos.

Others are Bzigu Yakubu Kwazi Bali, AIG FCID, Annex Enugu; Idegwu Basil Ukuoma, AIG Zone 14, Katsina and Adebola Ayinde Hamzat, AIG Zone 16 Yenagoa and former Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command. He was also a former CP Border Patrol, Force Headquarters, CP Crime Prevention and Community safety; Deputy Force Secretary and currently AIG in charge of NPF Counter Terrorism Unit, CTU, Force Headquarters Abuja.

CP Kanayo Uzuegbu Commissioner of Police Enugu State Command promoted to the next rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police was a former Assistant Commissioner Operations Zone 9, Umuahia; Area Commander, Owerri; Area Commander Karu, Nasarawa state; Commander Switch Operation Switch, Portharcourt; Deputy Commissioner Finance and Admin Edo State Command, DCP, state CID, Osun State and Commissioner of Police Operations, Communication, Force Headquarters, Abuja.

The Commission also approved the appointment of Commissioners of Police for Oyo and Enugu State Commands. CP Ademola Johnson, Principal Staff Officer to the Inspector General of Police was appointed CP Oyo State. He was also a former Deputy Commissioner of Police Delta State Command. CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa was appointed CP, Enugu State to take over from newly promoted AIG Kanayo Uzuegbu. CP Giwa was former DCP Operations Kaduna and Imo State Commands; ACP Police Mobile Force, Force Headquarters Abuja; and CSP A, Commissioner of Police Mobile Force, Force Headquarters among other postings in the Police Mobile Force.

The Commission also approved the promotion of eight Chief Superintendents of Police to the next rank of Assistant Commissioners of Police. They are Abdullahi Kamba Usman; Sani Abdu; Ifeanyi Owo; Vincent Orole; Elisha Atikinkpan and Margaret Okonkwo. Others are Alhasan Aliyu Guga and Imo Owinizi Ezekiel.

The newly promoted senior Police Officers were subjected to Written examinations and interactive oral interview.

The Chairman of the Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu rtd mni, presided over the sessions with Justice Paul Adamu Galumje, Justice of the Supreme Court rtd and Honourable Commissioner representing the Judiciary in the Commission; DIG Taiwo Lakanu rtd fdc, Honourable Commissioner representing the Police and Chief Onyemuchi Nnamani, Secretary to the Commission in attendance.