News
Journalist narrates how Katsina State Hisbah detained, threatened him for requesting an interview
Journalist narrates how Katsina State Hisbah detained, threatened him for requesting an interview
By: Zagazola Makama
A Katsina-based journalist, Jamil Mabai, has narrated his ordeal in the hands of officials of Katsina State Hisbah Board for requesting a follow up interview on an incident that led to the death of a resident.
He said he was at the Hisbah office to get a clearer picture of what transpired at a wedding ceremony last week in which shots were fired by Hisbah operatives who stormed the event to disrupt it because a disc jockey (DJ) was performing. According to him, Hisbah officials fired AK47 guns which sadly took the life of a guest, Mallam Gambo and injured many others.
The Katsina State Hisbah Board had for no specific reasons banned the activities of DJs in the state.
At the office to learn more about the unfortunate incident involving Hisbah operatives, Mabai was tricked into a corner where he was arrested and his phones confiscated on the orders of the Commandant.
“Following the ungly incident at the wedding ceremony, I contacted the Katsina Hisbah Public Relations Officer (PRO) to request a follow-up interview regarding Mallam Gambo’s death.
“Upon my arrival at the Hisbah office, I couldn’t find the PRO. Unknown to me, it was a setup. Soon enough some Hisbah officers approached me, claiming they were instructed to detain me.
“Despite explaining that I was a journalist there for an interview, they insisted that they had orders to detain me and confiscated my phone. I thereafter herded into a cell.
“I was later brought before the Commandant in his office where he threatened to deal with me for fighting with religion and God. He said there is nothing I or anybody can do to stop him and his officers from carrying on with their activities. He warned me to steer clear otherwise I will have myself to blame.
“Even when I informed them that detaining a journalist in their premises without any reason or opportunity to write a statement is a clear violation of press freedom, the arrogant officials were not bothered.
“I was released to be released after more than an hour of tongue-lashing and threats”.
The entire ordeal suffered by the journalist Mabai in the hands of Katsina State Hisbah once again raises serious questions about the activities of the so-called moral police in the North and also stirs concerns about what the proposed state police could be used for in the states if eventually created.
A civil servant in the state who pleaded not to be named for fear of harassment said it is rather worrisome that the Katsina State Government is watching while Hisbah operatives are running riot in the state with their provocative actions.
“The Katsina State Hisbah operatives who are mostly illiterates who barely understand their mandates are known and reviled for provocative actions against residents of the state all in the name of instilling morals.
“They go about the streets harassing innocent citizens; they flog people, forcefully cut people’s hair, destroy and cart away people’s wares and so on”.
Even more worrisome is that these barely literate, poorly-trained individuals wield assault rifles in the caliber of AK 47 with which they are terrorizing residents.
A number of people whose opinions were also sought on the activities of the organization are of the view that the State Government must rein in on them before they cause serious crisis in the state.
They wondered why a resident should lose his precious life simply because a bunch of moral thugs are against a DJ performing at a wedding. What is the offense in having a DJ perform in someone’s wedding? What Nigerian law did that contravene? they ask.
Journalist narrates how Katsina State Hisbah detained, threatened him for requesting an interview
One killed as gunmen attack passenger bus in ohimini, Benue
By: Zagazola Makama
The Benue State Police Command has confirmed that one passenger was killed when suspected armed bandits attacked a commercial bus in Ohimini Local Government Area of the state in the early hours of Wednesday.
A police source said the incident occurred at about 2:00 a.m. on Feb. 5 at Ojali community in Ohimini LGA.
The bus, an 18-seater Hummer Bus with registration number GME 911 XE (Gombe), was reportedly conveying passengers from Akwa Ibom State to Gombe State when it came under attack.
“The vehicle was driven by one Musa Jibrin. On reaching Ojali, unknown gunmen opened fire from the bush on the moving bus. One passenger, identified as Sanusi Danmaji, 30, was shot and killed,” the source said.
He added that no passenger was abducted during the attack.
Following the incident, the Divisional Police Officer in Ohimini mobilised a patrol team alongside other tactical units to the scene.
Photographs were taken and the surrounding bushes were combed in a bid to track down the attackers for possible arrest.
The driver and the remaining passengers were later allowed to continue with their journey.
The command said the case had been transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further investigation.
Police urged travellers to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements to the nearest security formation.
One killed as gunmen attack passenger bus in ohimini, Benue
Ten killed, five missing as police assess attack on abandi community in Benue
By: Zagazola Makama
The Benue State Police Command says the death toll from the attack on Abande community in Kwande Local Government Area has risen to 10, while five persons are still missing.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Okon Asuquo, in charge of Operations, led a reinforcement team on a spot assessment to the border community on Feb. 4 at about 5:10 p.m., following the attack which occurred on Feb. 3 at about 3:20 p.m. on the community’s market day.
The assessment team, which included officials of the Benue State Government, the Director-General of Homeland Security and the Executive Chairman of Kwande LGA, faced difficulties accessing the area by road due to the terrain and its proximity to the Cameroon border and Taraba State.
During the visit, two additional bodies were recovered, bringing the total number of confirmed deaths to 10. The corpses were evacuated to the Jato-Aka Mortuary.
Police said the president of the Nyier-Ya Development Association, Dr Joseph Hembafer Akanyi, spoke on behalf of the community and alleged that some elements across the Mengeh Mountain had been conspiring with armed Fulani bandits to attack Abande community over the years.
In his response, DCP Asuquo assured residents of adequate security, stressing the need for sustained military and police presence to protect the Nigeria–Cameroon border and block suspected access routes used by bandits.
He urged youths to remain calm, shun actions that could provoke further violence and cooperate with the tactical teams already deployed to the area.
“As of now, five persons are still missing, and search-and-rescue operations are ongoing,” a police source said.
Traditional rulers, elders and youths of the community, including Zaaku Zegelu Yengen and Zaaki Agba, were present during the assessment.
The command said the area remained relatively calm as monitoring and security operations continued.
Ten killed, five missing as police assess attack on abandi community in Benue
News
Two security personnel killed, two missing in attack on operation enduring peace team in Plateau
Two security personnel killed, two missing in attack on operation enduring peace team in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Suspected bandits attacked a joint security team of Operation Enduring Peace in Zurak community, Wase Local Government Area, killing two personnel and carting away their rifles.
Sources said the incident occurred on Feb. 3 at about 1:00 p.m. when unknown gunmen ambushed the team while on duty in the area.
The victims were identified as Inspector Igba Terseer (AP/No. 302410) of the 66 Police Mobile Force (PMF), Shendam, and a soldier attached to Operation Enduring Peace.
“The attackers opened fire on the personnel, killed the inspector and a soldier, and made away with their rifles. Two other soldiers are still missing,” the source said.
On receipt of the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Bashar mobilised and led a team of police officers, in collaboration with other security agencies, to the scene.
The sources said intensive efforts were ongoing to rescue the missing personnel, arrest the perpetrators and recover the stolen firearms.
Two security personnel killed, two missing in attack on operation enduring peace team in Plateau
One killed as gunmen attack passenger bus in ohimini, Benue
Ten killed, five missing as police assess attack on abandi community in Benue
Two security personnel killed, two missing in attack on operation enduring peace team in Plateau
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