Metro
Gunmen Attack Kaduna School, Kidnap Principal
Unknown gunmen have kidnapped the Principal of Government Technical College, Mararaban Kajuru in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, in a raid which took place in the wee hours of Thursday.
The Kaduna State Police Command confirmed the incident and gave the name of the abducted principal as Mr Francis Maji.
This incident occurred just a week after gunmen kidnapped six female pupils, Vice Principal and a Matron at the Engravers College, Kakau Daji in Chikun Local Government Area of the state.
A teacher in the school, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the gunmen, numbering over 20, had stormed the school compound around 12.00am, shooting sporadically into the air and made their way to their victim’s residence and took him away.
He said the incident forced the pupils, who were asleep when the gunmen arrived in the compound, to scamper for safety.
“The pupils, their teachers and other members of the school’s staff to wake up from sleep. They ran in different directions for their dear lives. It wasn’t a pleasant experience at all,” he said.
Confirming the incident, the Deputy Public Relations Officer of the State Command, ASP Suleiman Abubakar said the Divisional Police Officer received information about the invasion.
He said, “The Command received information through DPO Kajuru, in the early hours of today 10/10/2019,at about 0220hrs , group of Armed Men Invaded Government Technical College Kajuru, a Boarding Secondary School in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna state and started shooting sporadically in the process abducted one Mr. Francis Maji the Principal of the school.
“On receipt of the information, team of Policemen were immediately mobilized to the area with a view to rescuing the victim and arresting the perpetrators. The Police timely intervention help in preventing the hoodlums From gaining access to the students hostel. The Command has also fortified security within the general area.”
The spokesman added that the assurance that the command was working round the clock to tame the recent change of tactics by the enemies of peace who now resort to soft targets.
The CP, he said, also called on the general public and particularly parents not to be deterred by the recent attack by hoodlums on schools, as the Command was making relentless efforts to prevent future occurrence of the unfortunate incident.
“The Command wants to assure the good people of the State that, it remained resolute in its commitment to safety of all citizens, as that is, its onerous responsibility,” he said.
The Punch
A member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Joe Igbokwe, has called for the dismissal of the soldier who resisted the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The soldier had blocked Wike and officials of the FCTA from accessing a portion of land in the FCT.
The officer, claiming he was acting on instructions, told Wike that he would not be allowed into the property. Wike, however, questioned his authority, leading to a heated confrontation and name calling.
Reacting on Facebook, Igbokwe questioned who was behind the military officer in challenging the FCT Minister.
He wrote, “Who is this man in uniform? Of what meat is he fed? Who is beating the drum for him? This is unacceptable? His uniform has to be removed.”
The Lagos State Police Command has vehemently denied reports making the rounds that it was involved in the attempted release of a Lebanese national, who is in custody for the defilement of eight children.
The Police made the rebuttal via a statement signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, on behalf of the Commissioner of Lagos, and made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP).
In the statement titled, RE: OUTRAGE AS LAGOS POLICE ALLEGEDLY ATTEMPT TO RELEASE LEBANESE ACCUSED OF DEFILING EIGHT CHILDREN, the Police noted as follows:
“The Lagos State Police Command is not involved in any alleged attempt to release a Lebanese accused of defiling eight children.“
The story is therefore inaccurate and misleading.
The above case is being handled discreetly by the Gender Unit of the Command with the highest level of professionalism, diligence, and in line with international best practices, by specially trained gender case specialists.
Furthermore, the investigation strictly follows the standard operating procedures for cases involving children and young persons. The Gender Unit of the Command remains firmly committed to child protection and upholding due process in the pursuit of justice, without fear, favour, or sentiment toward anyone involved, whether a foreign national or Nigerian.
The case in question, which is under thorough investigation, does not involve any Lebanese, but rather a national of one of the Southern African countries. Every necessary step has been taken to ensure that justice is served in the matter. It is important to inform the public that both the biological mother of the child and the child herself made statements to the Police affirming that the child was neither molested nor defiled by the accused person.
However, the complaint by the child’s father, who has custody of the child, on his allegations against the accused person, is being carefully investigated to ensure justice in the matter and prevent any miscarriage of justice. The outcome of the investigation will definitely be made public.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, has directed a discreet investigation into the allegations highlighted by the reporter in the report to ensure that no stone is left unturned in getting to the root of the matter . The writer of the story has also been contacted and briefed on the steps being taken by the Police to ensure that justice is achieved.
The Commissioner of Police furthermore wishes to reiterate his full confidence in the impartiality, competence, and high level of professionalism in the Officer-in-Charge of the Gender Unit, Lagos Police Command,Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Toyin Kazeem, who was officially out of the country on IACP in the United States when the matter was reported to the Gender Unit. Her exemplary track record, both locally and internationally, exemplifies her integrity, dedication, and commitment to handling gender-related and other sensitive cases. Under her leadership, the Gender Unit has brought pride to the Command and provided justice to numerous vulnerable persons, including women and children.
The Lagos State Police Command therefore urges the public and the media to continue to repose trust and confidence in the ability of the Command to deliver justice in all cases, particularly those involving children and other vulnerable groups. The outcome of this case will be made known to the public on completion of the investigation.
The family of former President Shehu Shagari has announced the death of his last surviving widow, Hajiya Saratu Shehu Shagari.
She passed away on Monday at the age of 89, after a prolonged illness.
A statement signed by the eldest son of the former president, Captain Mohammed Bala Shagari, confirmed that Saratu died at about 3 pm.
He described the late Hajiya Saratu as an embodiment of grace, humility, and quiet strength, who lived a life of dignity and service.
The family also said details of the funeral arrangements would be announced in due course.
