By Salisu Sani-Idris
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has handed over 22 under-aged children to the Kaduna State Ministry of Human Science and Social Development to be united with their parents.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Director-General of NAPTIP, Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim on Wednesday in Abuja.

Suleiman-Ibrahim has frowned at the increasing rate of child trafficking, employment of children for begging and other exploitative labour in the country.

Suleiman-Ibrahim said that the children were rescued by the military, which intercepted a Peugeot J5, on Jan. 8, conveying them.

She explained that they were being taken from Kwasalo village in Ikara Local Government Area of Kaduna State to Nasarawa State for exploitative labour

Suleiman-Ibrahim further explained that the military handed them over to NAPTIP.

The director-general said that the children were cramped into the bus without windows and were weak at the point of rescue.

The NAPTIP boss said that investigation into the case was ongoing but owing to the age of the children, the agency deemed it necessary to re-unite them with their families through the Kaduna State Government.

“This is important to ensure that the children are available in furtherance of investigation and possible prosecution of their traffickers.

“The driver of the bus is in custody as efforts are being expedited to ensure the arrest of other accomplices implicated in the case,’’ she said.

Suleiman-Ibrahim cautioned parents against giving out their children under any guise as they could be subjected to all forms of abuses and exploitation.

She also advised them to desist from abusing their children as perpetrators would be severely punished.

The director-general called on state governments to device effective strategies in dealing with child trafficking as it impacts negatively on them.

She thanked the military for what she described as highly professional conduct in the interception of the children and handing them over to the agency for appropriate actions.

“I appreciate the existing collaboration between the two institutions.

“We also thank the Kaduna State Government for the prompt response and demonstration of love to its people by coming to the rescue of these children.

“This type of collaboration should be emulated by other states to rid the country of the crime of trafficking in persons,’’ Sulaiman-Ibrahim said.

Responding, Mr Usman Hassan, an official of the Kaduna state ministry of human science and social development, assured that efforts would be made to re-unite the children with their parents.

Hassan promised that all those connected with the trafficking of the victims would be prosecuted in line with the existing law of the state.

By Muhammad Nasir Bashir

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) said on Wednesday that it recorded 1,922 criminal and civil cases in Jigawa in 2020.

Mr Adamu Shehu, the NSCDC Command spokesman in the state, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigerian (NAN) on Wednesday in Dutse.

Shehu said that 608 of the cases were criminal, while 1, 314 were civil.

He listed the criminal cases as theft, burglary, shoplifting, trespass, vandalism, drug abuse/selling, robbery, thuggery, assault, sodomy, unnatural offences and rape.

Others are gross indecency, forgery, breach of trust, impersonation, fraud, armed robbery, kidnapping, murder, homicide, suicide, criminal intimidation and public nuisance.

The spokesman said that of the 608 criminal cases, 229 were prosecuted out of which the command secured 95 convictions.

According to him, 228 of the cases are pending, while 56 were transferred to the relevant agencies.

Shehu said the civil cases included breach of contractual agreement, family disputes, land, farm and tenancy disputes, communal clashes, interpersonal disputes, as well as farmers/herdsmen conflicts.

He said 957 of the 1,314 civil cases were resolved amicably, 58 referred to court, while 299 others were pending.

The spokesman reiterated the resolve of the command to continue to protect lives and property of the people across the state. (NAN)

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Defence Headquarters says Troops of Operation Sahel Sanity have eliminated 10 bandits, arrested their collaborators and informants as well as recovered cache of arms in different encounters in Katsina State.

The Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Brig.-Gen. Benard Onyeuko, in a statement on Tuesday, said the troops had increased momentum of operations against bandits in the North Western zone.

Onyeuko said the troops had on Jan. 2, laid ambush on the bandit’s route at Garin Garus following information that bandits were sighted crossing Garin Inu in Batsari Local Government Area of the state.

He said the bandits were heading towards Bugaje in Jibiya Local Government Area of the state.

According to him, the troops engaged the bandits with overwhelming fire power thereby neutralising five, while others escaped with varying degrees of injuries as indicated by traces of blood along their escape routes.

He said that exploitation of the area led to the capture of three AK-47 rifles and two AK-47 magazines loaded with 18 rounds of 7.62 mm Special ammunition.

Onyeuko disclosed that the troops arrested a suspected bandits’ collaborator named Ya’u Tukur at Sabon Gida village in Kankara Local Government Area.

He said that the suspect confessed to be working for a notorious bandit gang that had been masterminding nefarious crimes including kidnapping for ransom in various places.

According to him, troops are on the trail of other members of the notorious gang.

The spokesperson also disclosed that the troops deployed to Maraban Maigora arrested one Yahaya Aliyu while riding on a new motorcycle following credible information.

He said the arrest was executed following reports from reliable sources on the suspect’s alleged involvement in kidnapping and facilitating payment of ransom for kidnap victims in the area.

According to him, during preliminary investigations, the suspect admitted his involvement in the alleged crimes, adding that the motorcycle he was riding was part of a bounty as ransom from a kidnapped victim.

Onyeuko further disclosed that troops also arrested a suspected bandits’ collaborator, Alhaji Adamu Mamman, alleged to be involved in harbouring bandits in his house around Yankara in Faskari Local Government Area.

He said the troops had on Jan. 10, engaged bandits in a fierce gun battle at Unguwar Rimi, supported by helicopter gunship and killed scores of bandits.

According to him, during the exploitation phase of the operation, five bodies of neutralised bandits were found while several others were suspected to have escaped with gunshot wounds as indicated by blood stains on their escape route.

He disclosed that one soldier died, while two others sustained minor injuries during the encounter.

“The wounded soldiers are in stable condition and currently responding to treatment in a military medical facility.

“To this end, the gallant troops of Operation Sahel Sanity are commended for the successes and their unequaled commitment.

“They are further urged not to rest on their oars until the Northwest zone is rid of all criminal elements.

“Additionally, the good people of the Northwest are once more assured of the Nigerian Army’s commitment to safety of lives and properties within the zone.

“They are also encouraged to avail the troops with timely and credible information that will assist in the conduct of their operations,” he said. (NAN)

By Yakubu Uba

The 7 Division General Court Martial sitting in Maiduguri has sentence a trooper, Pte. Azunna Mmadu-Abuchi to death by firing squad for killing an officer, Lt. Babakaka Ngorgi.

Delivering judgement on Tuesday, the President of the Court, Brig. -Gen. Arikpo Ekubi, said the prosecutor has proved his case beyond reasonable doubt that the accused intentionally shot and killed Ngorgi, who was the Adjutant of 212 Battalion, Bama.

“You intentionally opened fire and empty your magazine of nine rounds of ammunition on the deceased officer, Lt. B.S Ngorgi, who was the Adjutant of 212 Battalion, Bama, which led to his instant death.

“You betrayed the trust and confidence reposed on you by the Nigerian Army to ensure dignity and respect for human life.

“Your action is therefore viewed with displeasure and as affront to efforts of the present leadership of Nigerian Army which emphasised the protection of human rights and professionalism in the discharge of its constitutional roles.

“While condemning your action of unlawfully killing the deceased officer in a gruesome manner, this court consider the plea in mitigation punishment by your counsel, the General Court Martial takes cognisance of all your counsel has said and the fact that you are involved in the Theatre of Operation.

“However, the gravity of the crime that you have committed against the innocent officer which by application is a crime against humanity and an attempt to drag the good name of Nigerian Army into mud must be sanctioned appropriately.

“The general court martial for the offence of murder as provided by Section 106 of the Armed Forces Act is death. This sentence is to be carried out by firing squad,” he said.

Ekubi also convicted four soldiers for manslaughter for their involvement in torturing a civilian, one Peter Apogu to death over a missing car battery.

Based on their nature of involvement in the act, Sgt. Sani Ishaya who is the leader of the team was sentenced to four years in prison, Lance Cpl. Fabiyi Bidemi is to serve two years, while Pte. Adamu Abdulrashid and Pte. Musa Bala are to serve one year each.

The court also sentenced one Pte Mohammed Kuru to three years in prison for accidental discharge at a civilian wedding ceremony that killed a 12 year-old-boy.

One Lance Cpl. Aja Emmauel was demoted to private for assaulting a civilian causing him “grievous bodily harm”.

The court president, however, said that all the sentences are subjected to confirmation by the appropriate superior authority as provided under Section 151 Sub Section 1b and Section 152 Sub Section 1b of the Armed Forces Act.

Speaking at the end of the sitting, the Borno Coordinator of Nationl Human Rights Commission, Mrs Jummai Mshelia, lauded the Nigerian Army for its professionalism and show of respect for human rights. (NAN)

By Sumaila Ogbaje

Wounded soldiers receiving treatment at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna, have expressed readiness to return to the frontline, after being treated at the hospital.

A cross section of soldiers interviewed by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on their hospital beds on Tuesday, commended the military authorities for ensuring their welfare.

Sgt. Yakubu Gajawa, a soldier serving with Operation Lafiya Dole deployed in Magumeri, in Borno said that he was transported to the hospital after sustaining injuries at war front.

Gajawa thanked the authorities for the adequate treatment at the hospital, adding that the medical attention provided was excellent.

“We are receiving good attention here, I think that it is excellent and I am happy about it.

“I am ready to go back to the war front, am not afraid because what happened to me was destined by God and I thank my God that I still have my legs.

“If I get well today, I will go back to my duty post to continue the fight. If I don’t go back what then makes me a soldier?

“My duty is to fight at the battle front and I must fight and win by the grace of God,” he said.

Pte. Afolayan Sunday, another soldier serving at 29 Task Force Brigade, Operation Lafiya Dole, said sustained injuries after an ambush on Dec. 25, 2019 at Jakana in Borno.

Sunday said he was given adequate attention at the hospital, adding that his allowances and other entitlement were also paid on time.

“Since I was brought here, our feeding, our allowances and everything have been well taken care of.

“I feel good and ready to return to the battle front to go and finish the fight because it is what I signed for,” he said.

Pte Ali Magoro, also serving with Operation Lafiya Dole, commended the military authorities for ensuring the welfare of wounded soldiers, saying that the situation was quite different from what it was it the past.

“I feel like dying for my country now because we lack nothing in terms of treatment and welfare since our admission at the hospital.

“All our entitlements have been paid, I thank God for this and am looking forward to return to my duty post as quickly as possible,” Magoro said.

Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, Chief of Army Staff, recently visited the wounded soldiers after inaugurating the Remodeled Accident and Emergency Department of the hospital.(NAN)

Idowu Gabriel

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti has advised residents in the state to go about their normal activities without any fear of threat to their lives and property.

Mr Ade Ajayi, the APC Publicity Secretary, appealed to residents not to be daunted by the recent pockets of security challenges in a statement in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday.

Ajayi was reacting to a statement credited to the opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), that: “citizens are no longer safe in the state under the current administration of Dr Kayode Fayemi.”

The APC scribe said that insecurity was a national challenge and not peculiar to Ekiti State.

“It is like comparing Satan with Jesus when the situation under which PDP governed this state is compared to the present situation under the APC government.

“There are several unresolved day light assassinations and clear cases of robberies which happened during the immediate past government.

“Residents of the state should ignore the statement. Ekiti is more secured under Fayemi unlike when Fayose and PDP were in the saddle.

“Insecurity is a national challenge. The south west security network, code named “Amotekun” outfit, is well equipped and motivated by the state government.

“This is a pointer to the seriousness of the administration to safe guard lives and properties in the state.

” The opposition is so idle and mischievous so much that members are daily deserting the party and defecting to our party (APC) daily and in droves.

“PDP is too neck deep in matters that do not concern them. The umbrella is torn and their party is going to perpetual extinction,”Ajayi said.

The APC said it was confident that security agents in the state were capable of dealing with any unfortunate incident and had already swung into action.

“In the case of the oil magnate who was kidnapped on Monday, very soon the security agents shall bring succour to the family of the victim.

“Just like they did during the Yuletide when a travelling businessman was rescued by the Amotekun outfit in cooperation with other security agents in the state.

“There have been so many success stories that can be attributed to the Fayemi’s government since its inception in 2018,” Ajayi  said.  (NAN)

By Mohammed Tijjani
The Senate Committee on Army has lauded the medical treatment on wounded soldiers at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna.

The soldires were wounded by insurgents during the fight against terrorists.

Sen. Abdu Kwari, a member of the committee, who visited the hospital, said the committee was encouraged by the care given to the wounded soldiers.

“From what I have seen, I have seen something that is akin to a first class treatment and care for these wounded soldiers.

“First, we want to appreciate our fallen heroes and those of them that have fought in the field and are still alive.

“I am here on behalf of the Senate Committee on Army to visit these facilities that have long history; it is the reference hospital of other reference hospitals around the country.

“It is in peculiar position as one housing the highest number of wounded personnel from our various battle fields.

“We thought we should be here to see and appreciate the management of the facility and the gallant men and women among them that have been brought here for care.

“The surroundings are kept very neat and also the people being cared for are well catered for and we have seen various facilities and spoken to some of them and they are appreciative of how they are adequately being cared for,” he said.

Kwari implored the hospital to continue its best for the wounded soldiers.

“What is important here is to note that bullets wounds are not the same as other wounds being treated in our conventional hospitals.

“The processes taken in this facility is good and we hope at the end of it, those being cared for in this facility will come out better,” the senator said.

Kwari also appreciated the rehabilitation efforts in the facility, which was meant for the men to go back to full life after treatment.

According to him, the senate will review existing laws to ensure that those whose productive lives are truncated as result of their involvement in wars get full compensation in line with global best practices.

“I will try to see how we can urge our colleagues to come on board and see how we can adequately compensate our young men and women who fight battles on our behalf,” he said.

Kwari also said that the funding for the military would be sustained, including funds for more reference hospitals.

“Developing references hospitals such as this will cost money and if the provisions are there, we will welcome it.

“We will continue to give our support and appeal to our colleagues for the budget to be reviewed upward from time to time.

“There is going to be a review of the budget sometimes in the year, that is the essence of seeing these facilities and then we make our case,” he added.

Earlier, the acting Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Col. Augustine Omogbethai, explained that the Chief of Army Staff had approved more equipment worth millions of Naira for effective service delivery in the facility.

He said that the hospital was doing everything necessary in terms of surgery, medication and fortified meals for the wounded personnel with a view of boosting their morale.

He pointed out that 51 nurses were recently recruited so that the soldiers would be adequately taken care of.

He noted that 52 wounded personnel who sustained lifelong injuries were currently taking a computer training to engage them in meaningful ventures.