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One Reportedly Killed As APC, PDP Supporters Clash At Bauchi Gov’s Village

Published

2 years ago

March 9, 2023

One person was reportedly killed while about 15 others sustained injuries from gunshots and machetes attacks at a campaign rally of the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Sadique Abubakar, at Duguri town on Wednesday.

The PUNCH reports that Duguri, a village in Alkaleri Local Government Area, is the hometown of the Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed.

The incident, which happened a few minutes before 6pm, came barely five hours after seven out of nine governorship candidates met at the Bauchi State Police Headquarters and signed a peace accord ahead of the governorship and state Assembly elections.

The candidate of the APC who was absent at the venue of the signing of the peace accord was however represented by his running mate at the event.

Speaking to journalists at a press conference held at the Media Unit, Government House, Bauchi at 11.50 pm on Wednesday, the Director-General, Peoples Democratic Party Campaign Council, Farouk Mustapha, accused the APC and its candidate of being responsible for the attack.

He alleged that Abubakar, the immediate past Chief of Air Staff, led thugs belonging to his camp and party to unleash terror on the governor’s kinsmen and also destroyed billboards of the PDP.

Mustapha said, “Today (Wednesday) is one of the saddest days in the political history of Bauchi State. All governorship candidates of various political parties in the state were at the State Police Headquarters with all the security agencies to sign a peace accord as has been the practice in every election season. However, the candidate of the APC was conspicuously absent with only his deputy in attendance, showing no respect for the peace and harmony to reign in Bauchi State.

“To our dismay, while the candidates were signing the peace accord, Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar, took a campaign tour to Duguri town, the hometown of His Excellency, Senator Bala Mohammed, who doubles as the sitting governor as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the forthcoming election.

“His gang leaders who led today’s thuggery, unleashed terror, intimidation on the people of Duguri town. They were chanting abuses and breaking all PDP billboards carrying His Excellency’s pictures, buses and even Keke NAPEP and the office of the PDP were all burnt down.

“This barbaric act was resisted by the people of Duguri led by the thugs and even the armed security men to open fire on the unarmed and innocent people of Duguri. They left several people injured and killed one Mallam Mai Ungwan Shata through a gunshot and also macheted others, about 15 of them, who sustained different degrees of injuries, and they are right now at the Teaching Hospital here in Bauchi.”

However, in reaction to the incident, the Director of Media and Publicity of the APC Campaign Council, Salisu Barau, accused the PDP of hiring thugs who opened fire on the campaign team of the APC governorship candidate.

“Suspected hired thugs, using dane guns, opened fire on the convoy of the Bauchi State governorship candidate of APC, Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar, in Duguri the birthplace of the incumbent Bauchi state, Sen. Bala Mohammed.

“According to eyewitnesses, sounds of sporadic shootings were heard around the premises where the campaign lecture was being held, which made the security operatives at the venue rush to the scene of the shootings where, in an attempt to disarm the thugs and retrieve the guns from them, three people were shot: one Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps; one from a vigilance group and one from the hunters union.

“However, the NSCDC operatives succeeded in recovering two dane guns from the thugs while others escaped with their own guns,” Barau said

Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer, Bauchi State Police Command, Ahmed Wakil, who confirmed the incident however, said there was no record of any death pointing out that only 14 people sustained various degrees of injuries.

He said, “Today (Wednesday), APC governorship candidate went out on a rally at about 17.4500hrs, while in Duguri Village, under Yuli-Yin Ward, Alkaleri Local Government Area, violence ensued during the rally in which 14 people were injured. Among the 14 injured, six were taken to Primary Health Center in Duguri, where they were treated and discharged.

“Among the eight that were treated and discharged, was Suleiman Adamu, Danlami Musa, Kabiru Sani, Rabi, Abdulrasheed Bala and Tanko Wakilin Pawa, all residents of Duguri Village. These are the six that were taken to the Health Center in Duguri.

“Eight others were seriously injured, they were referred to the General Hospital, Alkaleri. Because of the severity of the injuries, the doctor could only attend to one Mohammed Abdullahi, who is also a resident of that Duguri. The remaining seven were transferred from the General Hospital Alkaleri to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital, Bauchi for medical treatment.

“Among those attacked were part of the personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps attached to His Excellency’s entourage. But their details were not yet made available to us. Furthermore, two Sharon Galaxy buses were damaged.”

Wakil, a Superintendent of Police, said that immediately after the Command received the distress call, the state Commissioner of Police, Aminu Alhassan, directed the Area Commander Metro and the Divisional Police Officer, Mainamaji and that of Alkaleri to commence investigation.

Asked to react to allegations that two people were killed in the incident, he said, “I have mentioned all that was here, I mentioned six first that were injured and I have mentioned eight that were transferred out of which one is in Duguri. I don’t have knowledge about any of them that are dead. All of them were taken to the hospital by the police and up to this moment that I am giving you this report, none of them has died.”

He called on members of the public to be calm as the situation was under control. He vowed that the Command would not leave any stone unturned to deal with anybody who wanted to disrupt the peace that the state was presently enjoying.

News

UNICEF Advocates Six Months Maternity Leave From Working Mothers In Bauchi

Published

11 hours ago

August 4, 2025

Editor

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called on the Bauchi state government to initiate a six months paid maternity leave to working mothers in the state.

Dr Nuzhat Rafique, UNICEF’s Bauchi Chief of Field Office, stated this in a news conference in Bauchi on Tuesday to market the 2025 breastfeeding week.

According to her, the six months maternity leave would help the mothers to initiate the six months exclusive breastfeeding for their children and help in improving their health status in general.

“We really need the state government, the health system to play their roles to support the mothers.

“If the state government has a policy for six months paid maternity leave, that would play a huge role in the better nutritional status of children and initiation of exclusive six months breastfeeding for the mothers.

“Staying with the child automatically ensures better care and hygiene of the child, making them free from diarrhea which is one of the major causes of malnutrition,” she said.

Rafique added that unless women were fully supported, it would be difficult for them to do the right things like initiate breastfeeding on time, continue exclusive breastfeeding for six months, and initiate complementary breastfeeding till 24 months.

She, however, called on the state government to also come up with breastfeeding corners for working mothers to feed their children after resumption from the six months maternity leave.

Rafique said that if mothers didn’t have a good private place to feed their children, it would be difficult for them to continue feeding by working, performing and contributing towards the state’s progress and the country at large.

“These are the foundation for having a healthy, intelligent, productive next generation.

“There is a formula we need to promote which is one, six and 24.

“One means that the first hour of the baby must be initiated with breastfeeding, six means that a child must be exclusively breastfed for a good six months and then the initiation of complementary feeding along with the continuation of breastfeeding till 24 months,” she explained.

Earlier speaking, Mrs Philomena Irene, UNICEF’s Nutrition Specialist in Bauchi, revealed that over 15 states have extended paid maternity leave to working mothers across the country like Kebbi, Borno, Kaduna, Plateau among others.

“We want the media to help us amplify the benefits of breast milk, the benefits of breastfeeding both to the mother, the child and even the society at large,” she said.

On his part, Mr Abubakar Sale, the Bauchi state Nutrition Officer, appreciated UNICEF for supporting the state in terms of improving the healthy living of pregnant women and children, not only on nutrition but other aspects of health.

“The government is trying its best to see to the improvement in especially exclusive breastfeeding and other nutrition indicators in the state.

“We are doing our part together with other partners and media practitioners are very important to amplify or inform the members of the society the importance of exclusive breastfeeding so that in our next survey, we will be able to improve,” he said.

News

Tinubu Gives D’Tigress $100,000 Each, Flats, National Honour

Published

12 hours ago

August 4, 2025

Editor

President Bola Tinubu has honoured Nigeria’s national women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, with a reward package that includes $100,000 for each player, $50,000 for every member of the 11-man coaching and technical crew.

Tinubu also rewarded all team members and staff with a three-bedroom flat at the Renewed Hope Estate.

In addition, the President conferred on the players and their technical crew the prestigious national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger.

This was announced by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the presidential reception in their honour at the State House Banquet hall, Abuja.

The triumphant D’Tigress alongside their officials, were warmly welcomed by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, supported by the wife of the Vice President, Nana Shettima, at the New Banquet Hall in the Presidential Villa at 5:05 pm.

On behalf of President Bola Tinubu, Shettima received the team in recognition of their outstanding achievement.

Also in attendance at the reception were Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Chairman of the Senate Committee on Youths and Sports Development, Garba Maidoki; and Chairman of the House Committee on Sports, Kabiru Amadou.

The D’Tigress arrived after clinching their historic fifth consecutive AfroBasket title, outplaying Mali 78–64 in the final held at the Palais des Sports de Treichville in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

This win marks their seventh overall championship, reinforcing their supremacy in African women’s basketball.

The ceremony at the Presidential Villa mirrors a similar reception President Tinubu hosted a week earlier for the national female football team, the Super Falcons, who recently secured their tenth WAFCON title in Rabat, Morocco.

Tinubu’s remarks, delivered by Shettima at the reception noted, “Beyond being ambassadors of our nation and symbols of excellence, you have reminded us all of the power of sports to unite a diverse nation. Your victory is a testament to what we can achieve when we work together. You have brought home not just a trophy, but valuable lessons for all Nigerians.

“It is a great honour, on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, to welcome our formidable D’Tigress to the State House. Once again, you are continental champions and now the top African team to qualify for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup pre-qualifying tournament. You conquered Africa with a score of 78 to 64—showcasing not just tactical skill, but remarkable determination and resilience. The entire nation stands behind you with pride and support.

“My dear daughters, you faced challenges bravely, especially in the final quarter, responding not with panic but with poise. When you wore the green and white, it was more than just a uniform—you wore it with purpose, and now you wear the crown of African basketball for the fifth consecutive time.”

The President hailed Rena Wakama’s strength and inspiring young girls in the country.

“Coach Rena Wakama, you embody the evolution of leadership in Nigerian sports. Your quiet strength and remarkable achievements have shattered ceilings and inspired countless young girls across Nigeria. You truly deserve your accolades as the best coach in Africa and beyond.

“To Amy Okonkwo, the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, and Ezinne Kalu, the top scorer in the final, your brilliance lifted the whole team, but most importantly, you played for Nigeria and made us all proud.

“Let us reflect on one profound truth: Nigerian women have never failed the nation in sports. From the Super Falcons on the world stage, to record-breakers on the track, and now a basketball dynasty, our women have consistently been a source of pride and have proven that where preparation meets opportunity, Nigerian excellence prevails.”

Tinubu said the administration is prioritizing sports as a crucial driver of national development and economic growth, viewing it as more than entertainment but also infrastructure, education, diplomacy, and a tool for youth employment and transformation.

He also recognised the National Sports Commission, led by Mallam Alabi, for its efforts in athlete welfare, institutional reform, grassroots support, and performance-driven development, with visible positive results.

“Special appreciation goes to the National Sports Commission, under Mallam Alabi, for renewed focus on athlete welfare, institutional reform, grassroots support, and performance-based development. The results are evident, and we are proud of you. The Nigerian Basketball Federation, led by Malam Ahmadu Musa Kida, also deserves recognition for consistent team development and dedication to Nigeria’s sporting glory.

“Our government will ensure that D’Tigress, their technical team, and sports leadership in Nigeria are appropriately recognized and rewarded. You have made us proud, and we will stand by you as you prepare for the global stage.

“To all Nigerian youth, let the story of D’Tigress inspire you. Greatness stems from hard work, discipline, and belief. Nigeria belongs to those who dare to dream and are willing to give their all to realize those dreams.

“D’Tigress: you are champions, role models, pathfinders, and true daughters of this land. It is my honor and privilege, on behalf of President Tinubu, to announce national honors for the team, coach, and technical staff; $100,000 for each player; $50,000 for the coach and technical team; and more rewards to come.

“This is true leadership—recognizing and rewarding those who have excelled for our nation. May God bless you all, may God bless Nigerian sports, and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he concluded.

News

Step-by-step Guide For Checking 2025 WASSCE Results

Published

12 hours ago

August 4, 2025

Editor

Following the release of the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination results on Monday, the West African Examinations Council has provided a step-by-step guide to help candidates access their results online.

To check your results, candidates are required to visit the official result portal at http://waecdirect.org and follow the instructions carefully.

Here is the step-by-step guide for checking 2025 WASSCE results.

Enter your 10-digit WAEC Examination Number.
(This is your 7-Digit centre number followed by your 3-digit candidate number eg. 4123456789).
For examination year < 1999, enter your 8-digit WAEC Examination Number.
(This is your 5-Digit centre number followed by your 3-digit candidate number eg. 19865001)
Enter the 4 digits of your Examination Year eg. 2002
Select the Type of Examination
Enter the e-PIN Voucher Number
Enter the Personal Identification Number (PIN) on your e-PIN
Click Submit and wait for the results window to come up