News
Court of appeal frees jailed orphanage owner Solomon Tarfa in Kano
Court of appeal frees jailed orphanage owner Solomon Tarfa in Kano
By Bodunrin Kayode
On Friday, the Court of appeal discharged and acquitted Prof Solomon Tarfa, who had been imprisoned on charges of forgery by a Kano High Court.
Tarfa’s incarceration and vindication on appeal was the second time in 22 years of persecution by Kano state government for running a Christian orphanage in the state.
Tarfa had similarly been charged with running a fake orphanage in year 2000 by a mobile magistrate court which conviction was overturned on appeal to the high court.
Almost 20 years later on Christmas Day, 2019 Kano state again arrested him and charged him for the same offense contrary to the law against double jeopardy.
According to the Presiding Justice of the court of appeal Kano, Justice Mbaba the evidence of a grown former orphan at DuMerci was helpful to the appeal.
“I believe that was the evidence that formed the basis on which the charges of abduction and kidnaping against Appellant were dismissed, as the evidence of the Prosecution, rather presented Appellant as a man on the role of honour and fame, instead of infamy, in my opinion.”
His Lordship concluded that,
“I set aside the conviction of the Appellant, and hold that this case was very unfortunate, going by the evidence of PW1, I cannot understand why it was taken out, in the first place, against the Appellant. Appellant is hereby discharged and acquitted of the said charge.”
According to International human rights lawyer Emmanuel Ogebe who was part of a global advocacy effort for Prof Tarfa, “this was an outstanding verdict from the court of appeal. The court rightly noted that this was an honorable man conducting humanitarian deeds and this case should never have been brought against him as I stated previously.
“At a time when paid professors were on strike for better conditions, Prof Tarfa had committed his life to catering for unwanted babies. Rather than receive a national honor, he was imprisoned on fake charges.
“What a country! Kano state is an embarrassment to religious freedom in Nigeria.
“I commend my learned colleague Sunny Akanni and his team for a successful outing and urge Kano state to release the Christian orphans they took and islamized since 2019.”
Ogebe added, “I want to alert my Lords Justices in Nigeria that they too and not just politicians are subject to scrutiny and visa bans by the United States government for anti-democratic and unjust rulings.
“That notwithstanding I want to be clear that the US failed by not designating Nigeria a country of particular concern (CPC) for religious persecution when Kano state’s actions against prof Tarfa amongst others prove that terrorists are not Nigeria’s only problem.
“It’s unfortunate that Prof Tarfa missed the wedding of one of the orphans he raised during his time in prison. I hope Kano state will stop the persecution.”
Court of appeal frees jailed orphanage owner Solomon Tarfa in Kano
News
Troops Foil ISWAP/JAS Attack on Military Position in Borno, Recover UXOs
Troops Foil ISWAP/JAS Attack on Military Position in Borno, Recover UXOs
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 3 Battalion (Mechanised)/24 Task Force Brigade have successfully repelled an attack by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in Ngala Local Government Area of Borno State.
Security sources said the attack occurred at about 2:44 a.m. on June 12 when terrorists launched coordinated assaults on the troops’ location from Wurge, Manawaji and Kinuba.
According to the sources, the troops engaged the attackers with superior firepower, supported by reinforcements from battalion headquarters, as well as mortar and artillery fire support, forcing the insurgents to withdraw.
Following the encounter, the fleeing terrorists retreating and scampered into the bushes.
At about 5:45 a.m., troops and auxiliary forces conducted a follow-up exploitation along the withdrawal route towards Wurge, during which three RPG-7 high-explosive unexploded ordnances (UXOs) and two torchlights were recovered.
The sources further disclosed that a main battle tank developed technical faults during the aftermath of the engagement, while one soldier sustained injuries from fragments of an RPG blast.
The wounded personnel was evacuated to the 3 Battalion Regimental Aid Post (RAP) for medical treatment.
Military authorities said clearance and follow-up operations were ongoing in the area to consolidate gains and prevent further terrorist regrouping.
They reaffirmed commitment to sustaining aggressive counter-terrorism operations across the North-East theatre.
Troops Foil ISWAP/JAS Attack on Military Position in Borno, Recover UXOs
News
Katsina Govt Confirms Death of Retired Major General Rabe in Bandits’ Captivity
Katsina Govt Confirms Death of Retired Major General Rabe in Bandits’ Captivity
By: Zagazola Makama
The Katsina State Government has announced the death of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar while in the captivity of bandits.
The government, in a statement issued on Friday by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr Nasiru Mu’azu, described the development as tragic and a major loss to the state and the nation.
According to the statement, the retired senior military officer died from complications arising from diabetes and hypertension while in captivity.
The government said that despite sustained efforts by the state government and security agencies to secure his release, the situation ended in tragedy.
“The deceased retired general died a natural death from complications of diabetes and hypertension,” the statement said.
It noted that the late officer’s abduction and subsequent death represented not only a loss to his immediate family and Katsina State but also a monumental loss to the country.
Governor Dikko Umaru Radda expressed deep condolences to the family of the deceased, describing the incident as a dark moment and a reminder of the need for intensified efforts against criminal elements threatening peace and security.
The governor reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to working closely with the Federal Government and security agencies to ensure that those responsible for the abduction are brought to justice.
He also assured residents that the government remained resolute in its determination to eliminate banditry and safeguard lives and property across the state.
The government prayed for the repose of the soul of the late retired Major General and urged citizens to continue supporting security agencies in the fight against insecurity.
Katsina Govt Confirms Death of Retired Major General Rabe in Bandits’ Captivity
News
Zulum Delivers Relief, Cash Support to 434 Ngoshe Residents Rescued from Boko Haram
Zulum Delivers Relief, Cash Support to 434 Ngoshe Residents Rescued from Boko Haram
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Government has distributed relief materials to 434 indigenes of Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area who were recently rescued by security agencies after spending three months in Boko Haram captivity.
Governor Babagana Umara Zulum visited the victims in Pulka on Monday and directed the immediate distribution of food and non-food items to support their recovery and reintegration.

In compliance with the Governor’s directive, the Director General of the Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Alhaji Ali Abdullahi Isa, promptly supervised the distribution exercise.
Each rescued person received a bag of rice, a bag of maize grits, a mattress, a wrapper, and a shadda, while children received two pairs of clothing.

In addition, 208 heads of households received N50,000 each, fulfilling Governor Zulum’s earlier pledge of financial assistance.
Speaking during the distribution, the SEMA Director General said the intervention was part of the government’s immediate response to ease the hardship faced by the rescued victims.

“I am here at the instance of His Excellency, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, who was here some few days ago, and to deliver the items he directed that it should be given to you as emergency relief,” Ali stated.
The rescued individuals are currently receiving medical care and psychosocial support at a government facility. Upon completion of the rehabilitation process, they will be reintegrated into their respective communities.
The exercise was carried out alongside the Chairman of Gwoza local government, representatives of the Ngoshe community, and other officials.
Zulum Delivers Relief, Cash Support to 434 Ngoshe Residents Rescued from Boko Haram
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