Nigeria
Buhari’s Home State, Katsina Pays ‘Repentant’ Bandit Arrested For Armed Robbery, Cattle Rustling, Others N100,000 Monthly Salary
The Katsina State Government had in 2016, 2017, and 2019 entered a peace agreement with the gunmen.
Some ‘repentant’ bandits in Katsina State are paid at least N100,000 monthly by the Aminu Bello Masari-led state government, SaharaReporters has gathered.
The Katsina State Government had in 2016, 2017, and 2019 entered a peace agreement with the gunmen.
President Muhammadu Buhari with Katsina State Governor Aminu Bello Masari
But despite the accord, communities in Katsina despite being the home state of President Muhammadu Buhari are still being attacked and residents kidnapped and/or killed.
A source in the state government told SaharaReporters that some of the ‘repentant’ bandits who dropped their arms and ammunition were employed by the government through the office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security and paid at least N100,000 monthly.
“They were employed as casual staff after they repented and being paid monthly with an allowance of like N100,000 but unfortunately one of them was arrested recently for collaborating with some other people to commit crime,” a source told the media.
The Katsina State Police Command had recently arrested three ‘repentant’ bandits for robbery and cattle rustling in the Ingawa Local Government Area of the state.
The command’s spokesman, Gambo Isah said that the trio allegedly attacked a herdsman, Alhaji Gide Suleiman, on August 11, 2021, at Dammarke forest, in Ingawa.
He said the men rustled 20 cows valued at N7.5 million from him.
The suspects were also alleged to have stolen N40,000 and four mobile phones from the victim.
According to him, the suspects were among the ‘repentant’ bandits now working with the state government.
Nemesis, however, caught up with them on August 24, 2021, when they allegedly attacked the victim again. They wanted to rustle another set of cows from him when the police arrested them.
Isah said two cows and N444,000 were recovered as exhibits from them.
Early in January, the media exposed how about 15 brand new Hilux vehicles were given to leaders of different ‘repentant’ banditry groups by the governor of neighboring Zamfara state, Bello Muhammad Matawalle.
The governor also approved millions of naira to be given to the ‘repentant’ bandits as compensation.
“Those bandits have different groups, so if they say they repent, the governor will give them a Hilux vehicle; unfortunately they are now using the vehicles to carry out attacks,” a military source had told SaharaReporters.
“It’s so sad, he called it a peace and reconciliation programme, but all you need to be rich now in Zamfara is to take up arms against the people.”
Nura Ibrahim Zarumi, the State Commissioner for Justice, claimed the publication embarrassed the government but refused to deny the story’s authenticity.
A former Chairman of Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Alhaji Abubakar Maradun, added that a recent attack on a community in the state was facilitated by three new Hilux vans the bandits got from the government.
Maradun revealed that the bandits, who besieged the community in their hundreds, met stiff resistance from the villagers, forcing them to retreat and abandon one of the vehicles containing three rifles and assorted ammunition.
Culled from the Sahara Reporters
- OPINION: What Has Quality Got to Do With Soludo’s Made-in-Anambra Brands - February 5, 2022
- Buhari Appoints Olatunji NDPB Pioneer National Commissioner - February 5, 2022
- Why ‘Side-chicks’ Remain in Business – Benin Residents - February 5, 2022
ABUJA, NIGERIA — Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Women Affairs says it is investigating a plan by a lawmaker in central Niger state to marry off some 100 female orphans of unknown ages later this month.
Speaker of the Niger State Assembly Abdulmalik Sarkin-Daji announced the mass wedding last week but called off the ceremony following widespread outrage.
Minister of Women Affairs Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, speaking to journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, condemned the plans.
Kennedy-Ohanenye said she had petitioned the police and filed a lawsuit to stop the marriages pending an investigation to ascertain the age of the orphans and whether they consented to the marriages.
“This is totally unacceptable by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and by the government” of Nigeria, she said.
Last week, Sarkin-Daji announced his support for the mass wedding of the orphans, whose relatives were killed during attacks by armed bandits. He said it was part of his support to his constituents following an appeal for wedding funding by local traditional and religious leaders.
The mass wedding had been scheduled for May 24.
“That support I intend to give for the marriage of those orphans, I’m withdrawing it,” he said. “The parents can have the support [money], if they wish, let them go ahead and marry them off. As it is right now, I’m not threatened by the action of the minister.”
Despite national laws prohibiting it, forced or arranged marriage is a common phenomenon in Nigeria, especially among rural communities in the predominantly Muslim north, where religious and cultural norms such as polygamy favor the practice.
Poor families often use forced marriage to ease financial pressure, and the European Union Agency for Asylum says girls who refuse could face repercussions such as neglect, ostracism, physical assault and rape.
Raquel Kasham Daniel escaped being married off as a teenager when her father died and now runs a nonprofit helping children, especially less-privileged girls, get a formal education for free.
She said the ability of women to avoid forced marriage in Nigeria depends on their income and education.
“I was 16 when I lost my dad and I was almost married off, but then I ran away from home. And that gave me the opportunity to complete my education, and now I have a better life,” Daniel said.
“So, the reason why I prioritize education is to make sure that other girls have access to quality schooling so that it will help them make informed decisions about their lives. Education not only increases our awareness as girls about our rights but also enhances our prospects for higher income earning,” she said.
Thirty percent of girls in Nigeria are married before they turn 18, according to Girls Not Brides, a global network of more than 1,400 civil society groups working to end child marriage.
- OPINION: What Has Quality Got to Do With Soludo’s Made-in-Anambra Brands - February 5, 2022
- Buhari Appoints Olatunji NDPB Pioneer National Commissioner - February 5, 2022
- Why ‘Side-chicks’ Remain in Business – Benin Residents - February 5, 2022
- OPINION: What Has Quality Got to Do With Soludo’s Made-in-Anambra Brands - February 5, 2022
- Buhari Appoints Olatunji NDPB Pioneer National Commissioner - February 5, 2022
- Why ‘Side-chicks’ Remain in Business – Benin Residents - February 5, 2022
Meghan and Harry spent three days in the African country, Nigeria in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex spent time in Nigeria as part of a three-day tour, in celebration of the 10th anniversary of The Invictus Games.
The couple were personally invited on the trip by Nigeria’s chief of defence staff, General Christopher Musa; they are not there in any official capacity on behalf of the royal family or the UK. The tour schedule, which started in the bustling capital of Abuja, has been jam-packed, including a visit to primary and secondary school Lightway Academy, where they met with students, and experiencing the work of Nigeria Unconquered, a charitable foundation dedicated to aiding wounded, injured, or sick servicemembers.
Naturally, the trip also provided the opportunity for Meghan to showcase a multi-day “tourdrobe”, the likes of which we haven’t seen since the couple stepped down as senior working royals in early 2020 – and she hasn’t disappointed, in a series of summery maxi dresses, elegant tailoring and striking separates.
See highlights from their trip so far, below.
On day three, the couple arrived at Lagos airport, where they were given an official state welcome.
The couple posed for a photo with children and Nigerian dignitaries.
The couple were greeted by the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
They then attended a basketball exhibition training match at Ilupeju Grammar School in Lagos. After the match, they posed for a photo with the Toronto Raptors basketball team president, Masai Ujiri, and the principal of Ilupeju Grammar School, Josephine Egunyomi.
The couple attended a reception hosted by the charity organisation Nigeria Unconquered, held at the Officers’ Mess in Abuja.
A visit to the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.
- OPINION: What Has Quality Got to Do With Soludo’s Made-in-Anambra Brands - February 5, 2022
- Buhari Appoints Olatunji NDPB Pioneer National Commissioner - February 5, 2022
- Why ‘Side-chicks’ Remain in Business – Benin Residents - February 5, 2022
‘I’ll bring my plane… I plan on keeping it for another four years’ – Biden on second debate with Trump
Nigerian officials probe plan to marry off scores of female orphans
Shell investigates smoke near Gbaran oil facility in Nigeria
Corruption at the Nigerian Consulate Atlanta – A Victim’s Nightmarish Experience
Video of Murdered Nigerian Billionaire Michael Usifo Ataga Released —Viewer Discretion Advised
Peter Obi: Between the Politics of a Delegate and the Downing Street Photoshoot
Enough is Enough! O’Rourke Confronts Gov. Abbott during the Uvalde Press Conference
Fans are outraged as acclaimed Nigerian sex therapist unveils baby bump
Video of Murdered Nigerian Billionaire Michael Usifo Ataga Released —Viewer Discretion Advised
-
Column2 weeks agoSecuring Truth: The Intersection of Investigative Journalism and Cyber Security in Global South Nations
-
Entertainment2 weeks agoStephcynie’s “No Lie”: A Soulful Anthem Redefining Love
-
News2 days ago‘I’ll bring my plane… I plan on keeping it for another four years’ – Biden on second debate with Trump
-
Education3 days agoBlack teen in Georgia awarded over $14m in scholarships, accepted at 231 colleges
-
Lifestyle3 days agoThe Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s Nigeria tour: A Round Up
-
News3 days agoSlovakia’s prime minister expected to survive assassination attempt
-
News2 days agoNigerian officials probe plan to marry off scores of female orphans
-
News3 days agoBarge slams into Galveston bridge causing collapse as oil spills into water below