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
Troops rescue two teenage boys escaping suspected terrorist camp in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 25 Brigade, operating from Forward Operating Base (FOB) Azir in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State, have rescued two teenage boys who reportedly escaped from a suspected terrorist camp in Dusula.
A military source told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 10:00 a.m. on April 1 after the village head of Azir alerted troops to the arrival of two minors in the community under suspicious circumstances.
The source said troops immediately mobilised to the village and apprehended the boys, who were later taken to the Forward Operating Base for interrogation.
He identified the teenagers as Abuna Yammadu Kala, 15, and Abulkaka Yammadu Kala, 10.
According to preliminary interrogation, the boys reportedly disclosed that they recently escaped from a suspected terrorist camp located in Dusula.
The source said the children stated that they fled the camp due to harsh conditions and fear for their lives.
He added that the minors have been moved for profiling and further necessary action.
Troops rescue two teenage boys escaping suspected terrorist camp in Borno
Troops arrest three suspected terrorists in Adamawa, foil alleged attack plan on Mubi barracks
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 232 Battalion (Tactical), in collaboration with professional hunters, have arrested three suspected terrorists during a cordon-and-search operation in Mubi North Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
A military source told Zagazola Makama that the operation was conducted at about 1:15 a.m. on April 1 in Angwan Rami general area based on credible human intelligence on terrorist activities.
The source said the troops apprehended three suspects identified as Ado John, 27; Umaru Yunusa, 22; and Alhaji Saleh Mamman Ibrahim, 44.
He added that preliminary investigation confirmed the suspects to be members of terrorist elements operating in the area.
According to him, one of the suspects, Alhaji Saleh Mamman Ibrahim, who was previously documented as a repentant terrorist, allegedly confessed to participating in the attack on Ngoshe in Borno State.
The source further disclosed that the suspect also admitted to acting as a double agent and allegedly planning an attack on Mubi barracks with the intention of carting away weapons.
He said the suspects are currently in the custody of 232 Battalion for further investigation and intelligence exploitation.
He reaffirmed the commitment of security forces to sustain ongoing operations aimed at denying terrorists freedom of action in the North-East.
Troops arrest three suspected terrorists in Adamawa, foil alleged attack plan on Mubi barracks
China, Pakistan Unveil Five-Point Initiative to Restore Peace in Gulf, Middle East
By: Michael Mike
China and Pakistan have jointly proposed a five-point initiative aimed at de-escalating tensions and restoring stability in the Gulf and broader Middle East region.
The proposal was unveiled following a high-level meeting in Beijing between Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and China’s Foreign Minister, and Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister.
Both sides reviewed the deteriorating security situation in the region and stressed the urgent need for coordinated international action to prevent further escalation.
At the core of the initiative are five key measures:
First, China and Pakistan called for an immediate cessation of hostilities, urging all parties to halt ongoing conflicts and prevent further escalation, while ensuring unhindered humanitarian access to affected populations.
Second, both countries advocated for the urgent commencement of peace talks, emphasizing that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable solutions. They reaffirmed the need to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations in the region, including Iran, and urged all sides to refrain from the use or threat of force during negotiations.
Third, the initiative stresses the protection of civilians and non-military targets, calling for strict adherence to international humanitarian law and an immediate halt to attacks on civilian populations and critical infrastructure such as energy facilities and nuclear installations.
Fourth, China and Pakistan underscored the security of vital shipping lanes, particularly the Strait of Hormuz, urging all parties to ensure the safety of vessels and crews and to restore normal maritime operations as quickly as possible.
Fifth, the two nations emphasized the primacy of the United Nations Charter, calling for strengthened multilateral cooperation and support for a comprehensive peace framework rooted in international law.
The joint proposal signals a renewed diplomatic push by Beijing and Islamabad to play a more active role in stabilizing one of the world’s most volatile regions amid rising geopolitical tensions.
China, Pakistan Unveil Five-Point Initiative to Restore Peace in Gulf, Middle East
Troops rescue two teenage boys escaping suspected terrorist camp in Borno
Troops arrest three suspected terrorists in Adamawa, foil alleged attack plan on Mubi barracks
China, Pakistan Unveil Five-Point Initiative to Restore Peace in Gulf, Middle East
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