By Salihu Dantata Mahmud

From the National Mosque to Tofa House in central area and other areas within the city center, the rate of criminal activities by some miscreants has become worrisome. These miscreants who often disguise as pedestrians snatch bags and phones from the unsuspecting public.

There were many instances where I had to assist victims to the police division in charge of the areas to report cases of theft.
Just recently, they robbed a young Yoruba lady at the bridge connecting Tofa House and the National Mosque junction. When I conveyed her to make a formal report at the Police Divisional Office at the Federal Secretariat, the crime inspector who documented the incident took us to the Divisional Crime Officer (DCO) and during the process of discussion, an elderly Hausa man walked in and complained about a similar crime in the same area. The DCO asked the man several questions and in response through description of the type of knife the hoodlums used to threaten him before dispossessing him of his valuables was a long knife. The DCO recalled that they once arrested the hoodlum but surprised that same knife he was caught with was same knife the man who came to lay complain was threatened with.

Whenever they snatch valuables from their victims, they normally run across to the Mohammed Abacha Estate bush part connecting the Abuja Intercontinental Hotel (formerly Sheraton). Observers have called on the Police authorities to set up a special task force from the Federal Secretariat Command with coded operation under a CSP to tackle the menace headlong before it degenerates to a serious problem.

The current method applied by the police where they normally come out blowing siren thereby allowing the hoodlums to run away before they get to the scene of the robbery should be discontinued. Therefore, surveillance, undercover and coded operations are needed if the culprits are to be apprehend.
The city center so far cannot be said to be safe. From one chance robbery, kidnapping and now to bag and phone snatching. The FCT Police Command must rise up to the occasion and act accordingly.

Shuaibu Zubair Tatu, Birnin Kebbi

The World Muslim League has disbursed N2.1 billion to support the upbringing of 1,849 orphans in Kebbi State. The funds were transferred directly to the bank accounts of individual beneficiaries, with amounts ranging from N400,000 to N2 million,during a ceremony in Birnin Kebbi

The disbursement was officially flagged off by Kebbi State Deputy Governor, Senator Umar Abubakar Tafida, under the supervision of Ustaz Atiyya Bin Ali Al-Zahrani, head of the delegation from Saudi Arabia.

Speaking at the event, the Acting Director of the Muslim World League Nigeria Regional Office, Mallam Al-Amin Ahmad Hamza, urged the guardians of the orphans to ensure that the funds are used for the intended purposes.

“This substantial fund is solely for the health, education, and overall wellbeing of the orphans in your care, to help them grow into productive members of society,” he said.

Mallam Al-Amin also highlighted the importance of caring for orphans, quoting verses from the Qur’an and Hadith, which emphasize this as a path to Paradise.

He also announced that the World Muslim League has approved a $1 million nutrition program for malnourished children in Jigawa, Kaduna, and Kebbi States, set to begin soon.

In his remarks, theState Deputy Governor Senator Umar Abubakar Tafida, who represented Governor Nasir Idris, commended the World Muslim League and Saudi Arabia for their humanitarian services.

“Governor Nasir Idris asked me to represent him at this important event due to his deep compassion for orphans,” said Tafida.

“The current administration will continue to support orphans and the needy. The Governor is also committed to addressing transportation challenges faced by officials, which will be looked into upon his return.”

He described the N2.1 billion disbursed as a significant investment that would serve as a foundation for the education and productivity of the orphans.

Kebbi State Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Alhaji Muhammad Sani Aliyu, further explained that all 1,849 beneficiaries would receive their payments via bank transfer.

He expressed gratitude to the donors for their generosity towards orphans and the less privileged.

Speaking on behalf of the recipients, Hussaini Abubakar Yahaya and Hajiya Nana expressed deep appreciation to the World Muslim League, the Saudi government, and the Kebbi State Government for their compassion and support.

“We encourage well-to-do individuals to assist in the education, healthcare, and wellbeing of orphans, as advocated by religious teachings,” they said.

After the ceremony, the Kebbi State Government hosted the delegation from the World Muslim League, Makkah, Saudi Arabia, along with the orphans, to a luncheon at a private restaurant in Birnin Kebbi as a token of appreciation for their generosity.

Delight Chinedum

Two local vigilante operatives in Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State have been arrested for allegedly torturing and raping a 15 year old girl, Miss Glory Joseph.

Narrating her daughter ordeal to newsmen, mother to the victim, Mrs Helen Joseph, a widow appealed to Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Commissioner of Police and Women Affairs Commissioner, Hon. Ify Obinabo to come to her rescue before she would be denied justice.

She said, ” I am a widow and mother of six, from Makurdi, Benue State, We live at Nkpor, on the fateful day three vigilante operatives and a girl stormed my apartment.

“The girl accused my daughter of removing #13,000 she kept in a particular place and my daughter told them that she did not understand what they were saying and didn’t take any money.

“Immediately they started beating her and dragged her to their torture camp. That day was like hell to me because she is my only daughter and they kept deaf ears to all my pleas that they should release her.

“In the night, they tortured her and their leader raped her while others held her. Early in the morning the next day they dumped her at the gate of our compound with blood all over her body and she couldn’t talk because she was unconscious.

“I had no option than to rush to Ogidi police station and one of them, the one that raped her, was arrested and the police took my daughter to hospital where it was confirmed that she was raped.

“At the Ogidi Police station, instead of the police to arrest the remaining two, they tried to release the one they arrested without tangible reason and I had to get in touch with the state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Tochukwu Ikenga, and the case was transferred to Awka.

“At Awka, the police arrested one more, making them two as the one at Ogidi was brought to Awka. The leaders of the vigilante group and friends to the vigilante group approached and begged me to take #50,000 and I said no that I want justice for my daughter.

“Next day they came and pleaded with #100,000 and I said I want justice and they boasted to me that since I refused to take #100,000 that they will give it to police and those arrested will be released and true to their words, the two who were detained have been released.

“Because I don’t have anybody on my side, the police told me that they will come to Nkpor and interview people on the incident. Luckily for me, a neighbour, has confessed to me that it was her daughter that removed the controversial #13,000 and and not my daughter and begged me to forgive her.

“I am pleading to Governor Soludo, Commissioner of Police and Women Affairs Commissioner, Hon. Ify Obinabo to come to my rescue before they deny me justice as my daughter now lives in pains,” she pleaded.

Confirming the incident, Police spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga said investigation has commenced.