CRIME
NGO Wants Accelerated Trial of Hanifa’s Killers
As Nigerians continue to mourn the five year old girl, Hanifa Abubakar who was allegedly kidnapped and murdered by her teacher, a Non Governmental Organization (NGO), the Kano LEADS DaRUWANA, has called on government and relevant authorities to be firm in ensuring justice and accelerated judicial trial of the arrested kidnappers and killers of a five-year-old, in Kano State.
The NGO made the call in Abuja on Monday at a press conference addressed by its President, Hajiya Aisha Dankani.
Hanifa was abducted by her school teacher, Abdulmalik Tanko, held hostage for over a month, then poisoned and killed her after a N6 million ransom claim was collected by the kidnappers on Dec.
4, 2021.Dankani, who condemned the heinous crime, said that in such a straight forward case where the major culprit had already confessed to his crime and all available evidences adduced, government must see fast track the judicial process.
“Such celebrated cases have over the years been left unattended to, leading to problems and often contrives miscarriage of justice.
“Such failings are the excuses for some misguided elements to take the law into their hands, leading to a breakdown of law and order. We can’t afford to continue this way,” she said.
Dankani, who commended Gov. Abdullahi Gandaje of Kano State for weighing in quickly, urged him to quickly ensure that whatever the court decides gets executed with firmness.
He urged Ganduje to lead the way for other governors to ensure that all genuinely-certified cases of those on death row are confirmed for final conclusion, to serve as a deterrent to those who would commit capital crimes believing they could get away with them.
Dankani saluted the committee set up by the Kano State government to tackle the issues that have to do with the murdered Hanifa and her teacher, Tanko.
She said that it is gratifying that the committee is to review and revalidate registration of all private schools as ordered by Governor Gandaje in the aftermath of Hanifa’s horrific murder.
Dankani said while Kano LEADS Social and Education Clusters had been mandated to follow the case of Hanifa to logical conclusion, NGO called on the State Government to undertake a deep and critical study of the Child Rights Act.
This, according to her, is to see what it could do to help the plight of out of school children and those who are inadequately catered for by the State and those literally abandoned by their parents.
“We urge the State House of Assembly to subject it to rigorous and broad-based stakeholder scrutiny and public debates.
“This is with a view to facilitating its domestication and establishment of an appropriate implementation agency by the State Government, if this has not yet been done.
She also called on all stakeholders to, as a matter of urgency, do a critical review of education and how to avail its opportunities to all, saying collective action is what is needed to revamp the entire sector to meet contemporary challenges.
“In particular, parents must be sensitized on the critical value of modern functional education. They need to invest in it, the same value they grant Islamiyya and Qur’anic education,” she said.
“For us in Kano LEADS, mourning Hanifa means getting involved in all that happens around us”.
CRIME
Police Detain 2 Suspects, Recover 25 Stolen Phones in Borno
The Nigerian Police Command in Borno has apprehended two suspects and recovered 25 stolen mobile phones during a stop-and-search operation along Damboa Road, in Maiduguri.
The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Nahum Daso, disclosed this in a statement in Maiduguri on Wednesday.
Daso explained that the suspects, identified as Ibrahim Abubako, and Ibrahim Mohammed, were intercepted by the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) on Dec.
10 while riding a tricycle.He said that during the search, the operatives uncovered various mobile phones reportedly stolen from individuals across communities and villages along the Borno -Adamawa State border.
He identified some of the communities as Mubi, Tashan Alade, Miringa, Kwaya Kusar, and Biu Local Government Area of the state.
The spokesman said that during interrogation, the suspects confessed to snatching the phones from their victims.
“The police have initiated efforts to return the recovered devices with their rightful owner.
“Also, the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” he said.
Daso reiterated the commitment of the Police Commissioner in the state, Yusufu Lawal, to maintain public safety during the Yuletide season. (NAN)
CRIME
Niger Police Command Arrests Three Suspects over Assault on Council Boss
From Dan Amasingha, Minna
Days after the Chairman of Katcha local government area of Niger State, Danlami Abdullahi Saku was assaulted and seriously injured over his inability to settle a campaign loan he obtained, the State Police Command said three suspects were now in their custody over the incident.
Niger State Police Command Spokesman, Wasiu Abiodun in a release on Wednesday said On 16/06/2024 at about 1800hrs, information was received at Katcha Div that the Chairman Katcha LGA Hon.
Danlami Abdullahi Saku was attacked by some miscreants along Saku-Gadza village after the Sallah prayer at his village Saku, Katcha LGA.According to the Police Public Relations Officer, the attack was allegedly reported to be linked to a debt issue between the Chairman and one Yanda of the same area.
He noted that the Chairman sustained serious injury during the attack and he was taken to Gen. Hospital Bida, and later referred to another hospital for further treatment.
A preliminary investigation was conducted at Katcha Div and three suspects were later identified, apprehended and transferred to Bida Area Command.
The suspects arrested are; Alh. Abdullahi Kasimu 68yrs of Gadza village, Katcha, Alh. Baba Moh’d 30yrs of the same village and Ahmadu Moh’d 25yrs.
The suspects were transferred to SCID on June 21st for discreet investigation and prosecution.
“During interrogation, Kasimu narrated that he lent the victim over a million naira since August, 2023 and that several attempts to recover the money proved abortive.
“He further said that on June 16th, the victim promised to come and see him, and while he was on the way after the Sallah prayer, his son Ahmadu Moh’d, his in-law Alh. Baba Moh’d among others accosted the Chairman, had an altercation and inflicted serious injuries on the victims”
The State Police Command acknowledged that the victim was about to transfer the money to him at the point before being rushed to the hospital.
However, the suspects are under investigation in SCID, Minna. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend others at large, and they will be charged to court for prosecution immediately after investigations.
CRIME
Chief Imam’s Sallah Ram Stolen in Jos
There was a drama as the sacrificial ram of the Chief Imam of the Mista Ali community in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, Imam Abdulkadir went missing on the eve of the Ed-el-Kabir.
Abdulkadir’s ram was reportedly stolen during a downpour in the area on the eve of the Ed-el-Kabir.
An Imam in the community, Haruna Yaqub, disclosed this during the sermon, shortly after the two Raka’at prayers.
Yaqub, who condemned the incident, described it as “insensitive”.
He added that the act showed that people lack fear for God.
The Imam said, “The Ram of our Chief Imam, which he purposely brought to sacrifice, has been stolen in the night.
We are really shocked by the incident. We were surprised to hear this story. This means that people are not God-fearing.“It is scary that people have gone to the extent of stealing ram meant for religious activity.”
Speaking further, he urged people to be God-fearing and not engage in either stealing or any act of criminality.
He stressed that everyone will account for their actions on earth and hereafter.
“It is high time people repented and took the path of Allah. It is not too late. People should stop committing bad things and act according to Allah’s commandments,” he urged.