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Journalist narrates how Katsina State Hisbah detained, threatened him for requesting an interview

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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

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VP Shettima, Governor Buni attend Zulum’s children’s wedding Fatiha in Maiduguri.

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VP Shettima, Governor Buni attend Zulum’s children’s wedding Fatiha in Maiduguri.

By: Yahaya Wakili

Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Alhaji Kashim Shettima GCON; His Excellency, Governor Mai Mala Buni CON, COMN; the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudden Abbas; Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin; governors; emirs; and other dignitaries attend the wedding Fatiha of the children of Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum in Maiduguri, Borno State capital.

Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State became the Wali of the groom, Muhammad Idi Barde Gubana, the son of the deputy governor of Yobe State, while Alhaji Muhammad Indimi was the Wali to the bride, Aisha Babagana Umara Zulum, the daughter of the governor of Borno State.

The marriage contract was finally sealed after the confirmation of the presentation of the medical certificate of fitness and 12 gold coins, and it was officiated by Imam Shettima Mamman Saleh, the chief imam of the Borno State Emirate Council, who offered prayers to Almighty Allah for the success of the marriage.

Also in attendance were the governors of Gombe, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Kebbi, Zamfara, Sokoto, and Jigawa states as well as the deputy governor of Imo state.

Other dignitaries in attendance include the minister of budget and economic planning, former secretary to the Yobe state government Alhaji Baba Mallam Wali MNI, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe, Speaker of the Gombe state House of Assembly, Yobe state Head of Civil Service Alhaji Abdullahi Musa Shehu, and heads of agencies and parastatals.

The wedding Fatiha also witnesses the royal highnesses and fathers included. His Highness, the Emir of Fika and Chairman of the Yobe State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Dr. Muhammad Abali Muhammad Idriss, CON, CFR; Emir of Tikau, Alhaji Abubakar Muhammadu Ibn Grema II; Emir of Machina; Damaturu; Gudi; Fune; Jajere; Ngelzarma; as well as over thirty emirs from Borno State

VP Shettima, Governor Buni attend Zulum’s children’s wedding Fatiha in Maiduguri.

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Troops conduct clearance operation in Borno

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Troops conduct clearance operation in Borno

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have carried out a clearance operation targeting suspected insurgent enclaves in Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State.

Security sources said the operation was conducted on April 19 at about 1000 hrs by troops of 29 Task Force Brigade in conjunction with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).

The troops, mounted on Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles, Armoured Personnel Carriers and gun trucks, advanced from Benisheikh through key routes including Qwayari, Karnakasari, the Camel Route and Mainok axis.

According to the sources, the operation was aimed at clearing suspected Boko Haram enclaves and denying insurgents freedom of movement within the corridor.

However, for now, no contact was made with insurgents during the operation, as the operation continues.

Military authorities said the exercise was part of sustained clearance and domination operations across the North-East theatre.

They added that the overall security situation in the region remained calm but unpredictable, while troops’ morale and operational efficiency remained high.

Troops conduct clearance operation in Borno

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Troops arrest four Berom criminal youths involved in causing havoc in Barkin Ladi LGA

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Troops arrest four Berom criminal youths involved in causing havoc in Barkin Ladi LGA

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Sector 4 (Sub-Sector 41) under Operation Safe Haven have arrested four suspected criminals during a raid operation on an identified hideout in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau state.

Security sources said the operation was carried out at about 2115 hrs on April 18 at the NTV Mazat area in Gashish District, following credible intelligence on the activities of suspected criminal elements in the locality.

During the raid, troops stormed the location and apprehended four suspects identified as Aaron Joshua, 21; Ernest David, 21; Ishaya Haruna, 19; and Kyenshak Yakubu, 28.

It was gathered that the suspects were involved in several atrocities and part of the wider network of youths causing havoc in several communities.

The suspects were reportedly taken into custody and subjected to preliminary profiling as part of ongoing investigations to determine their involvement in criminal activities within the area.

Security sources said the raid was part of sustained efforts to dismantle criminal networks and deny them freedom of action in the general area.

Troops arrest four Berom criminal youths involved in causing havoc in Barkin Ladi LGA

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