Five die in Bauchi road accident

Five people were killed after two vehicles collided and burst into flames at Panshanu village along Bauchi -Jos highway.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Sector Commander in Bauchi State, Yusuf Abdullahi, disclosed this in a Road Traffic Crashes (RTC) report on Wednesday in Bauchi.

The five victims were burnt beyond recognition.

Mr Abdullahi said the accident which involved one Toyota Hiace bus and Peugeot J5 Boxer vehicle, happened around 6:25 a.m. at Panshanu village in Toro Local Government Area of the state.

He attributed the crash to a tyre burst of one of the vehicles which led to loss of control and collided with the other vehicle.

“Five persons were involved in the fatal road crash and they are all male adults.

“All of them died as they were burnt beyond recognition,” he said.

The corpses and the vehicles were handed over to the police in Toro LGA, the Road Safety boss said.He advised motorists to always obey traffic rules and regulations while plying the roads to avert road crashes.

15 killed, seven wounded in Bauchi auto crash

Tragedy struck on Thursday in the Toro council area of Bauchi State as 15 persons were killed in an auto crash at Nabordo village.

Yusuf Abdullahi, FRSC sector commander, stated in Bauchi that the incident involved an articulated vehicle and a Toyota Hiace bus.

The road crash happened around 3:30 p.m.Mr Abdullahi blamed the crash on the loss of control, speed violation and dangerous driving.

“Twenty-two persons were involved in the road crash. There were 18 male adults, two female adults, one female child and one male child.

Fifteen of the people, 12 male adults, one female adult and the two children lost their lives on the spot,” said the FRSC commander.

He added;

“Seven others, six male adults and one female adult sustained various degrees of injuries.”

He added that the injured were taken to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi, while the corpses were deposited at the morgue of the same hospital.

Elections- Bauchi residents happy about shutdown of universities

Bauchi residents have commended President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime for shutting down universities because of the February 25 and March 11 elections.

A cross-section of the residents who spoke to journalists on Wednesday in Bauchi described it as a “welcome development.”

On February 9, through the National Universities Commission, the regime ordered universities to shut down nationwide for the national and state polls.

Ahmed Shehu, a parent, said the gesture would enable students to participate in the election and exercise their franchise.

“And if the schools are open where lectures would be going on, they would not be able to leave schools to go and cast their votes in their various places of registration,” Mr Shehu explained.

“What this means, in essence, is that the government would be denying them their constitutional rights. So what the government did in this regard is right and commendable.”

Another resident, Ibrahim Ali, said the gesture indicated the regime’s commitment to protecting life and property.

“For the government to have taken the decision after a perceived security threat to the staff, students, and properties of the institutions shows that it is more concerned about the wellbeing of its citizens,” he said.

However, Olubunmi Akintoye, a student, said he wanted more from the decision as students who registered to vote in school, including him, would be disenfranchised.

“Elections would come up on February 25 and March 11. why declare a three-week break for the institutions? One of the reasons why I do not subscribe to the decision is that universities are just trying to balance up the deficit of time wasted during the last industrial action,” Mr Akintoye stated.

“Nothing should have interrupted academic activities in this regard.”

Also commenting, the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) vice-chancellor, Bauchi, Muhammad AbdulAzeez, said the university had closed, adding that the students would resume on March 14 in line with the federal government directives.

“I would like to urge the students to behave well because when you come to the university, the first thing is not about a degree,” Mr AbdulAzeez explained.

“You must be found worthy of character and learning. So, character comes first before learning.”

Five killed, one kidnapped as gunmen invade Bauchi community

Gunmen suspected to be bandits invaded the Gambar Sabon Layi community in the Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchi State and killed five people.

The gunmen stormed the community on Saturday night, January 21, 2023, and shot sporadically into the air to scare residents away before carrying out their nefarious act.

A resident said that the gunmen kidnapped one Mr Daniel and killed the hamlet head of the area and four others.

Police arrest two suspected cultists in Bauchi, recover firearm

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested two suspected cultists, Ezikiel Obot and Mathew Toma, in Gwallameji Area of the state.

Spokesperson of the command, SP Ahmed Wakil, who disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, January 19, 2023, said a locally-made pistol with three cartridges were recovered from the suspects.

“On 08/01/2023 at about 1114hrs, credible information at the Command’s disposal revealed that suspected cultists were gathering around Licking Fingers Joint, Gwallameji Area of Bauchi state,” the statement read.

“Consequently, in a bid to prevent a breakdown of law and order in the area, a team of detectives led by the Divisional Police Officer, Yelwa Division promptly drafted and swung into action to the scene and succeeded in arresting two suspects, namely; Ezikiel Obot ‘m’ aged 22yrs of Sabon Tasha Kaduna State, and Mathew Toma ‘m’ aged 23yrs of Jos Plateau State.

“During a thorough search of the area, a black bag containing locally-made pistol with three cartridges was recovered. The investigation is discretely ongoing to explore all the intricacies connected with the suspect in the case.”

18 passengers burnt as bus collides with trailer in Bauchi

18 passengers were burnt to death when a bus collided with an articulated trailer at Narbodo village in Toro local government area of Bauchi State.

A total of 21 travellers were involved in the accident, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said on Thursday, Jan. 5.

A statement from the Bauchi Sector Commander, Yusuf Abdullahi said that the accident involved a Toyota Hiace bus and a trailer with three occupants who survived the crash. Yusuf said that the accident happened at 4:40 pm on Wednesday, Jan. 4.

He said:

“21 people were involved in the road crash and there were 18 male adults and three children. 18 people who were all inside the Toyota Hiace bus were burnt beyond recognition as the vehicle went up in flames after having a head-on collision with the trailer.”

Abdullahi also stated that mass burial was immediately carried out for the victims by the Nigeria Police Force.

He attributed the cause of the crash to a speed violation which led to a head-on collision between the two vehicles.

The Sector Commander, however, advised road users to always be conscious of traffic rules and regulations while plying the roads.

He urged vehicle owners and drivers to ensure they have good tyres, average speed, routine vehicle maintenance and sound state of mind while driving.

Fraudster arrested with 31 ATM cards in Bauchi

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 44-year-old suspect, Michael Joseph, for attempted fraud and recovered 31 Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards of different banks in his possession.

Spokesperson of the command, SP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil, who disclosed this in a statement on Monday, December 5, 2022, said that Joseph, of Gada Biyu, Jos Plateau State was arrested by detectives attached to the B’ Divisional Police headquarters.

According to the PPRO, the suspect specialises in defrauding people by swapping their ATM cards and withdrawing money from their accounts.

“Reports available at the Command’s disposal indicated that on the 30th November 2022 at about 1320hrs that on the same date at about 1054hrs Salome Aliyude ‘f’ of Yandoka Barracks, Bauchi went to the first bank main branch situated along Banks Road for a transaction,” the statement read.

“While at the ATM queue, the suspect insisted to know the type of ATM card she was using for the transaction.

In this manner, she was not comfortable with his curiosity and she quickly reported him to the bank securities.

“Following this development, an investigation was instituted where the suspect found in his possession thirty-one Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards of different banks.

“On interrogation, the suspect revealed he hails from Benue State, and came to Plateau state for seeking a job. He has been a bus driver for 3yrs in Jos, Plateau State.

He was introduced to the fraud activity by one Magaji ‘m’ of Kano State when they met at a beer parlor in Jos, Plateau State.

“It was revealed that the suspect gathered ATM cards from different banks and went to a nearby bank and hunt for a help-seeking person who cannot operate ATM.

“The suspect easily gets the ATM card pin of his victim when he assisted a non-consenting person with an ATM transaction, where he quickly swaps the victim’s ATM card with old an ATM card from the same bank in his possession.

“Further investigation revealed that the suspect had successfully defrauded the sum of eighteen thousand naira (N18, 000.00) of his first victim at Access Bank Plc, while the second victim defrauded twenty-five (N25, 000.00) at Micro Finance Bank, all in Plateau State.

“As the suspect succeeded at two distinct fraudulent activities, he decided to fly to Bauchi State in a bit to further his fraudulent activities but met his waterloo when he attempted to defraud a lady at the First Bank ATM gallery situated at banks road, Bauchi.

The investigation is in progress after which the suspect will be charged in court.”

Two dead as Bauchi Commissioner’s convoy collides with motorcycle

About two persons have been confirmed dead following a crash that involved the convoy of Bauchi State Commissioner for Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Abdulrazak Nuhu Zaki.

Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps in Bauchi state, Yusuf Abdullahi, said the fatal crash was caused by speed violation which led to a loss of control.

Abdullahi told newsmen on Thursday, November 17, that the accident occurred on Wednesday, November 16 at about 2.25pm, at Miya town, along Miya-Warji in Warji local government area.

It involved five male adults. The government’s vehicle, a White Toyota Hilux with plates number: BA18 A08, collided with a commercial motorcyclist identified as one Muhammad Muawuya.

He said;

“There was a multiple fatal crash yesterday, November 16th, 2022 at about 2:45 pm, involving a government vehicle and a commercial motorcycle.

“The government vehicle is a white Toyota Hilux with registration number: BA18 A08 which collided with a commercial motorcycle rode by one Muhammad Muawuya.

“The multiple crash was caused by speed violation which resulted in a loss of control and, subsequently, a collision between the vehicle and the motorcycle at Miya town along Miya-Warji route, involving five male adults.

“The victims, who were in the entourage of the Commissioner, Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Nuhu Zaki were rushed to the Kafin Madaki General Hospital (by the Commissioner) for treatment and confirmation.

“It was there in the hospital that a medical doctor confirmed two people dead.

“One other person sustained bruises and a fracture.”

Male students protest over separation of boys and girls in Bauchi secondary schools

Male students protest over separation of boys and girls in Bauchi secondary schools Male students of secondary schools are currently protesting on the streets of Bauchi over a new policy by the state government to separate boys from girls in schools.

The Bauchi State Commissioner for Education, Mr Aliyu Tilde, had said that the government has concluded plans to separate male and female students in secondary schools in the state.

Tilde, who disclosed this while addressing newsmen after a State Executive Council (SEC) meeting in Bauchi, noted that the plan would only be executed whenever and wherever it is possible.

He explained that the idea was to address moral decadence which has become prevalent among students of secondary schools.

According to him, private schools would take a cue from the initiative and separate the males who would be attending their academic activities in one institution and the females in another separate institution.

Why we killed lawmaker and former DPO – Terrorists arrested in Bauchi state confess

Four terror suspects arrested in Bauchi State by the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) have said they murdered a former Divisional Police Officer (DPO) CSP Garkuwa because he gave them a tough time while they carried out their nefarious activities.

The suspects, Hashimu Galadima alias Kan Wuka, Abduwahab Abdulhassan alias Emeka, Hamidu Saleh, and Abdulwahab Ahmed alias Dan Mama were arrested by the DCP Tunji Disu-led elite squad following an investigation into high-profile murders, kidnappings and armed robbery incidents in the State.

The Nation reports that three members of the gang were arrested at Dass Local Government area of Bauchi State and their confessions to the police led to the arrest of the fourth suspect.

In his confessional statement, Hashimu, 48, who’s the gang leader said all members of his gang hated the DPO because he usually arrested them and prevented their operations within his jurisdiction.

He said the lawmaker’s murder was masterminded by Abdulwahab Alhassan because he offended them. The ex-convict said the lawmaker usually gave people money but never gave him even when he requested.

“My gang killed Honourable Mante and kidnapped three of his family members. He offended me but I am not the only one that he offended.He used to give people money but he never gave me. That is why I don’t like him. I have begged him for money many times.

He did not give me but he was giving other people money.I did not want to kill him but Abdulhassan also told me that he hated the honourable and we should kill him. It was even Abdulhassan that facilitated how we located him and gained entrance into his house” he said.

Hashimu who said he served two-year jail term for criminal conspiracy, armed robbery and kidnapping, said he continued the acts when he was released from prison. Alhassan claimed that he did not follow them to the lawmaker’s residence but provided the gang with information.

“I am into sale of hard drugs. I know most of these criminals and sell hard drugs to them. My problem with Honourable Mante is that he refused to help me when I had problem with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Bauchi.

I sent people to him with the hope that he will assist me by using his position to facilitate my release from the NDLEA but he ignored me. I spent one year in prison and I was released to go and unite with my family” the suspect said

The spokesperson of the state police command, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the arrest of the suspects, assuring that the service under Inspector General (IG) Alkali Usman was committed to the protection of lives and properties in all parts of the country.

Man set to marry his fiancee’s younger sister a week after her death

A Nigerian man, Sufiyanu Abubakar Salihu is set to marry Fatima Ibrahim Kani, the younger sister of his late fiancée, Rukaiya Ibrahim Kani.

It was reported that Sufiyanu and Rukaiya, were set to be married on August 12, 2022, in Bauchi State but she passed away on Wednesday, July 27.

Sufiyanu also took to Twitter on July 28, to announce the death of Rukaiya.

Fatima had mourned her sister a day after she died, writing; “Indeed, life is ephemeral and death is inevitable and certain end.

I lost yet another sister Ruqayya Ibrahim Kani (Aunty Ummi), her marriage was scheduled to take place in two weeks from now but now she’s gone forever. Ya Allah kagafarta mata kamata rahama kasa inna mu yazo mucika da imani. Plz pray for my sister.”

The elder brother of the sisters, Aliyu Ibrahim Kani, took to Facebook on Wednesday, August 3, to announce that the wedding will hold on same date between Sufiyanu and Fatima.

Late Sister Rukayya Ibrahim Kani issa a graduate of public health and so zara too issa graduate of public health from Bauchi State University. She’s an immediate sister to late Aunty ummi same father, mother. Everything about them is equally the same. It’s happening again. This is a lesson and all thanks to our parents and a special one to both malam sufiyan and sister zara.

Hoodlums attack lawmakers, injure 6, destroy cars in Bauchi

Hoodlums, on Monday, attacked Bauchi State lawmakers at a guest house, damaging cars and windows during a function in the State.

NAN reports that the House was embroiled in a leadership crisis last Thursday, with 22 members passing a vote of confidence on the Speaker, Abubakar Suleiman, and principal officers of the Assembly.

Babale Abubakar, the Majority Leader of the House, told newsmen in Bauchi on Monday that the latest attack, which happened at about 4pm as the lawmakers were having a meeting, left six of them injured.

Abubakar said, “At least six vehicles were destroyed by the invaders who also smashed window glasses.

“They were over 100 and were carrying guns, sticks and machetes.”

“It was terrifying. Some of us ran towards the exit door and were badly hurt,” he added.

Abubakar disclosed that no sooner than the Special Adviser on State and National Assembly Liaison to the State governor, Sani Mohammed Burra left them, that the hoodlums unleashed their mayhem.

He also said that one of them held him by the neck and asked if he was still a leader in the House.

Abubakar said, “He said they were ready to kill me. Six members were injured in the process. Some were taken to the hospital and l believe they would be fine.

“It was a scary situation. It’s sad.”

Abubakar, however, said the matter had been reported to the Commissioner of Police in the State.

Over 62,000 PVCs unclaimed in Bauchi —INEC

Bauchi State office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has lamented that a total of 62,680 Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) are laying unclaimed in its vault awaiting collection by the owners.

INEC also said that so far, only a total of 6,000 PVCs have been distributed across the state, while appealing to all those who have registered to go to the nearest INEC office to confirm their status and collect their PVCs.

The disclosure was made by the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Ibrahim Abdullahi on Wednesday during a stakeholders engagement on election matters in the state held at the INEC office in Bauchi.

He warned against double registration saying that the Commission as at 13th May 2022 had registered a total of 175,177.

The Commission lamented that the unclaimed PVCs piling in the INEC office in the state would amount to waste of efforts, resources and time if they remain unclaimed.

Ibrahim Abdullahi further warned that all political parties in the state must strictly adhere to the guide lines of internal democracy as any defaulting party would be excluded in the forth coming 2023 general election.

According to him, the election guidelines, Electoral Acts and other regulations have been issued to the parties for the 31 state Constituencies, 12 federal Constituencies, and 3 Senatorial districts including one governorship seat in the state.

The Commissioner then said that the Commission had evolved some innovations that would make the process smooth, including face Verification instead of thumb printing in order not to disenfranchise anyone including persons with disability.

Bauchi accident claims 3 lives, 16 others injured

A ghastly lone motor accident in Kurosha village, Bauchi State has claimed the lives of 3 Male adults while 16 others were injured.

A report from the Bauchi State Sector Command of the Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC) from Ganjuwa Station office stated that the accident occurred at about 1813hrs and was reported at 1820hrs while operatives arrived at the scene for rescue operation at 1828hrs.

The accident which involved a Toyota Hiace commercial bus belonging to the fleet of Jigawa Sunrise occurred at Kurosha village 8mins, 1km away from Gadar Maiwa in Ningi LGA of Bauchi State along the Bauchi – Kano highway.

According to the FRSC, the cause of the accident was speed limit violation (SPV) and lost of control (LOC) by the driver.

A total of 20 passengers, 18 male adults, 1 female adult and 1 female child were involved in the accident out of which 16 comprising 15 male adults and 1 female adult were injured at various degrees.

All the accident victims including the dead were evacuated to Ningi General Hospital for treatment and confirmation of death after which the corpses were deposited at the mortuary.

The confirmation was jointly done by the FRSC STO in NINGI headed by DRC KM Chadi, STO of Ganjuwa LGA and the NPF, Kafin Madaki Division.

The FRSC therefore warned road users particularly commercial drivers to always adhere to the speed limit provision in order to minimize casualties in the cause of accident.

Six die in Bauchi auto crash

At least six persons were confirmed dead in an auto crash along the Jama’are-Azare road in Bauchi on Sunday.

The Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in the state, Yusuf Abdullahi the Sector Commander, who confirmed the accident to journalists on Monday, said 15 others were seriously injured in the crash that occurred at Kwanan Digiza village on Sunday morning.

He said a Toyota Hiace bus belonging to the Kano Line transport company was involved in the lone accident.

Abdullahi said: “There was a crash yesterday (Sunday) involving a Kano line commercial vehicle and six people lost their lives to the crash. The six people that died were all females.”

“The crash was caused by speed violation. A total of 21 persons were involved in the crash, including four males, 14 females, one male child, and two female children.

“Among the 15 injured persons were four males, eight females, one male child, and two female children.

“The injured and the corpses had been taken to the Jama’are General hospital for treatment and confirmation.”

JTF operatives assault soccer fan at Bauchi viewing centre

The operatives of the Joint Task Force (JTF) in Bauchi State last month brutalized a 30-year-old soccer fan, Adamu Sodangi Aliyu, during a UEFA Champions League game in the state.

Sodangi, who was watching a UEFA Champions League game at a viewing center in Rinjin Gani, Toro local government area of the state on September 28, got what he never bargained for when he was attacked by some JTF personnel.

The young man, who addressed journalists at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Bauchi on Friday, said he was dehumanized and completely brutalized by the security agents.

He said: “On Tuesday, September 28, 2021. I was watching the UEFA Champions League at a public viewing house in Rinjin Gani, Toro LGA of Bauchi State. Behind me, there was a man, just towards the end of the first 45 minutes of the game, he put his hand on my shoulder and pressed me down.

I perceived the act annoying and turned around to look at him inquisitively without a word. The man said, ‘Yes, you are blocking my view!’

“How and what am I to do then? I asked him. Then he said; no, he did not mean fight oo! I said I didn’t mean to fight either. Then he said that I should reduce my height. I told him I don’t know how, I can reduce my height, when it went further I told him that he came and met me there and I also told him that he didn’t pay for me.

“When it was time for the 15 minutes break, as I rose up to go out with my brother (who was sitting with me), the man also rose and followed me. He then grabbed my arm this time around and said he wanted to talk to me. I told him I don’t want to talk to him. He persisted, then I freed myself and told him I have something to do he should excuse me.

By that time people have gathered, then I heard them saying to him ‘officer please sorry, please it is okay’ (it was at that moment that I discovered that the man is a security agent.

“I told them I didn’t do anything wrong to him and that I’ll not apologize to him and left. At the commencement of the second 45 minutes, the man came back, this time around with others (I don’t know their number at that time, but I was later informed they were three), they were holding whips and canes.

“He pointed at me and one of them grabbed and drew me to follow them saying, ‘na you wan fight Soja ba? Muje zakaci ubanka’ (there I realized that the man is a soldier).

“I told them, I am not going anywhere. The next thing I heard was flogging, punches, and kicking from every angle.

They carried me up in the football viewing house and were taking me to their camp but I managed to force myself down, insisting that I did nothing wrong to anyone and I’m not following them. They beat me till I was almost dead in the presence of over 100 people watching the ball in that viewing house.

“They left after realizing that I was no longer conscious and dumped me inside a pond of mud water and returned back to their camp. Nobody was able to stop them, except for few individuals that were pleaded with them not to kill me.

“A friend sent me details of the Nigerian military to report their personnel unprofessional conduct and he also advised that I should complain to the police, which I did.

” Meanwhile, someone at the viewing house went to inform the head of the JTF in Rinjin Gani. He came and confirmed what he heard and promised me that he will do something about it. I went to the police that night. After hearing my complaint, the police said I should go to Magama Gumau to complain to one Captain (as they said) he is the head of the military in Toro LGA.”

Bauchi lawmaker accuses Gov Mohammed of demolishing house, revoking rice mill allocation

The member of the House of Representatives member representing Bauchi Federal Constituency, Yakubu Shehu Abdullahi has alleged that the State Government has demolished his building situated at the GRA in Bauchi metropolis as well as revoked the allocation of his rice mill in what he described as political vendetta.

While narrating what happened to a group of Journalists in Bauchi on Saturday, Yakubu Abdullahi alleged that, “The Governor went and demolished my house. We have been dragging about this for about two weeks. Finally, the day before yesterday (Thursday), he sent them in the night and they came with guns and they shot four of my security men there. We reported the matter to the Police and they were taken to the hospital where the bullets were removed”.

He added that, “A day after that (Friday) the same group went to the house around 6pm. They came with a bulldozer from BASEPA, he (the Governor ) went there himself and ordered them to demolish the house” .

When our correspondent asked if he had evidence to back his claim that the governor was personally there where he allegedly ordered for the demolition of the house he said: “He went their personally. Of course, he went there, it is not something hidden. I was not there but people saw him when he went there. Many government officials including the SSG and his Commissioners, they were all there” .
According to him, “Initially, the SSG, Commissioners of Works and Housing and the GM, State Development Board, were the first to go there where they showed those who did the demolition the building” .

When Asked who were the people he claimed came with the guns and shot his security men guarding the house, he said: “They are not Police but a group of hunters called Garu Hunters Association, created by the governor and working under his government. The government officials came and wrote on the fence of the house “revoked by the State Development Board”, and they came and said they want to demolish it”.

The embattled politician opined that “There is a process for demolition. If government wants to revoke your title, they have to issue revocation notice to you and when it expires, then it can be revoked. It is either it is revoked for overriding public interest and it has to be specified exactly what it is”.

Quoting relevant laws to buttress his argument, he said that, “Section 29 of the Land Use Act gives the Governor the power to revoke a title but if that will be done, they have to compensate you based on the value. If you refuse to accept the value they are putting on your property, then, you go and bring your own professional to do the valuation for you, then you go into negotiation”.

“Infact, even before they go for the valuation, they have to send you an invitation letter after the notice and it is either for you to be there or you send your representative to stand for you. Unfortunately, all these steps were not taken before the demolition”, he added saying that there are just finishing touches to be done in the house. It is about 70 to 75 percent completed.

The politician popularly called ‘Yakubu Wowwo’ added that, “When they came about two weeks ago, I told them that I have already filed a case against the government, Ministry of Lands, Bauchi State government, Commissioner for Works and they all know that the matter is in court, but yet, they went ahead and demolished it’.

On why the demolition was done, he said: “it is pure politics because my piece of land attached to my factory, a rice mill, he also revoked it about one month ago. He revoked it for the same purpose, overriding public interest. I know he will go ahead and revoke my other lands because I have many of them. I didn’t acquire that land through allocation, I purchased it from somebody who was genuinely allocated the land by owner-occupier. I bought the land between four and five years now”.

He further claimed that, “I didn’t even buy the land directly from the man who got the allocation, I am the third person that bought the land. I did all the necessary documentations and I followed due process. I paid building approval issued by the government, I paid ground rates to 2024, even the Certificate of Occupancy was not even issued in my name. I then did a deed of assignment registered by the Governor.

“Before I even bought the house, I conducted a legal search to see if there is any encumbrance but there was none. All the legal processes to acquire the land, I did all of them”, the politician said.

Yakubu Abdullahi whose political life has remained controversial ever since he joined said that, “This is victimization being done to me personally, because of politics. It is not only me, but also to APC chieftains, their lands were also revoked. He revoked that of the former governor, Isa Yuguda, he revoked Yakubu Dogara’s land, he revoked my own land and now, he has demolished my house”.

Efforts to get reactions from the State government proved abortive as all top government officials contacted declined comment but another top functionary who spoke under anonymous condition told our correspondent that the governor has directed that no official should respond to the allegation.

Another top functionary of government confided in our correspondent that by Monday, government will officially react to the allegation saying all relevant MDAs have been directed to prepare their submissions for presentation to the public.

When contacted over the development, Bauchi State Police Command denied knowledge of the situation as claimed by the politician who said that he promptly reported the matter to the Police.

State Police Commissioner, Sylvester Abiodun Alabi who spoke to our correspondent vide phone conversation said that, “as far as the Command is concerned, there is no official report of the situation by anyone. We are only reading it in the media based on which we have taken proactive measures to avert any breakdown of law and order”.

When told that the politician claimed that he reported to the Police, the Commissioner responded that, “which Police station did he report to, who took his complaint? As far as I know, nothing of such is before the Command as of now that we are talking. The thing happened Friday evening, who did he report. Ours is to maintain law and order, we are ready to do that”, he stated.

13 die, scores injured as floods ravage Bauchi

13 people have been confirmed dead, with several others injured as floods continue to ravage parts of Bauchi State.

The state Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA) in a statement on Friday, announced that five bodies were discovered in Jama’are and Darazo Local Government Areas of the state on Thursday following the discovery of eight bodies in other parts of the state during the week.

According to an official of the BSEMA. four bodies were recovered in Jama’are LGA, while the remaining one was found in Darazo LGA, bringing the total death recorded so far this year to 13, with 24 persons sustaining varying degree of injuries in floodings recorded in 18 local government areas of the state.

“Out of the 13 deaths recorded, five were from Jama’are LGA, three each in Gamawa and Toro LGAs, while Toro and Darazo LGAs had one death each,” the official said.

Out of the 13 deaths recorded, five were from Jama’are LGA, three each in Gamawa and Toro LGAs, while Toro and Darazo LGAs had one death each,” the official said.

The BSEMA Coordinator, Dr Abubakar Umar Gabarin, who also confirmed the incident, said there were new deaths from flooding in the state, but was silent on the number.

“Initially, we told you that the number of dead people is eight but we heard that some people died. We are still collecting information,” he said.

Gabarin added that of the 24 injured people, some were treated and discharged, while few were still receiving treatment in hospitals across the state.

According to him, 2, 000 people were affected by floodings in which property worth N9.3m were affected, adding that a total of 1,600 houses were destroyed and over 5, 000 farmlands washed away.

He revealed that those who lost their lives to floods had been buried after due process was followed, while information was still being gathered with a view to ascertaining the actual number of those affected.

“Some of the affected settlements are hard to reach, while in some areas the bridges that linked the affected communities or culverts were washed away by the flood, and it is still raining,” he said.

The coordinator, however, appealed to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Presidential Taskforce on Flood, philanthropists and donor agencies to come to the aid of the state government considering the magnitude of damages done by floods in the state so far.

Minister for Industry, Katagum, slumps at event in Bauchi

The Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Ambassador Maryam Katagum, was on Monday, rushed to the Trauma Centre of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) Bauchi, after she reportedly slumped at an official event in the state.

The Minister was in the state to inaugurate an empowerment programme at the NAADI office, Sani Mallam Shopping Plaza, when she was said to have suddenly collapsed while she was delivering her speech.

It was gathered that the Minister who is from Katagum local government area of the state, had featured in a live programme on Globe FM radio on Sunday and also had other personal engagements in the state.

Reports quotes an eyewitness who was at the event as saying that when Katagum got to the venue of the event, she looked withdrawn and touched her head occasionally as the programme went on, indicating that she may not have been feeling well.

“She (Katagum) just held her head and went down flat. Her aides and other officials quickly intervened and rushed her to the hospital,” the eyewitness said.

At the Trauma Center where she was rushed to, a medical officer who did not want his name mentioned said she was in a stable condition.

“The Minister is in the Trauma Centre and in a stable condition.

There’s a section of the hospital that is an exclusive area, more like a VIP section, that is where she is. She was admitted to the Trauma Centre and is on admission there.”

Two APC House of Assembly members defect to PDP in Bauchi

Two All Progressives Congress (APC) members of the Bauchi State House of Assembly have defected to the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

The members are Hon. Yusuf Muhammad Bako, representing Pali Constituency from Alkaleri LGA, and Hon. Umar Yakubu, representing Udubo Constituency.

This disclosure was made by the Spokesperson for the Speaker of the Assembly, Abdul Burra, after the plenary held late Wednesday and made available to journalists.

According to Burra, Yakubu and Bako made their intentions known in a letter dated March 2, 2021.

He said, “Yakubu’s decision to quit APC was based on the issues arising in the party at both state and national levels.

“He pledged his continued commitment toward salvaging the plight of the citizen and contribute to the developmental goals of the present administration in Bauchi State.

“Bako said his defection came after series of consultations with his constituents in which they decided that he should join political forces with PDP to ensure the success of the present administration considering the developments being brought to the state.

“According to him, there is need for him to have a clear political direction in line with the demands of his people hence the reason of his movement to PDP.”

With the development, the PDP now has 11 members in the state assembly while the APC has 19.

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