Witnesses said she arrived in critical condition and needed oxygen urgently. A cashier reportedly declined to receive a transfer or issue a receipt because the hospital’s policy allows only cash payments.

According to reports, a man who tried to help pleaded with the cashier to accept a transfer, and another witness even offered extra money and, later, a $100 note, but the cashier still refused. The woman cried for help until she died around 11:30 p.m.

Hospital management said they have not received a formal complaint except through a human rights organisation.

Read Also: FRSC Urges Hospitals to Prioritise Treatment of Accident Victims

Cashier Aminu Kofar-Bai, a representative of the hospital expressed condolences and promised an investigation.

Officials defended the cash-only rule, saying government TSA guidelines forbid transfers into personal accounts and the hospital lacks POS machines. They also cited a shortage of medical oxygen.

The Head of Pharmacy admitted the staff member may have been overly strict with policy out of fear of misconduct accusations, adding that some patients fail to pay after receiving emergency help.

Source: Channels

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According to Zagazola Makama, counter-insurgency expert, the dialogue, which took place at Kakumi Village in Bakori LGA, brought together representatives from Bakori, Kafur, Malumfashi, Kankara, and Funtua LGAs, alongside known bandit leaders operating within the Funtua zone.

According to reports, the meeting aimed to restore sustainable peace and security across communities that have been affected by years of violence and bandit attacks.

Those representing the communities included Abdurrahman Kandarawa (Bakori), Abubakar Musa Barde (Kafur), Bature Dan Kanjiba (Malumfashi), Audu Goya (Funtua), and Kasimu Dantsoho (Kankara).

Traditional rulers also participated, among them the Ado Bello, district head of Bakori; Galadiman Katsina, Abdullahi Mahuta (Malumfashi); Danejen Katsina, Abdulkadir (Kafur); and Sarkin Maskan Katsina (Funtua).

Representing the bandits were Ado Aleru of Yankuzo in Zamfara state, Isiya Kwashen Garwa of Guga Ward (Bakori), Babaro of Gidan Gamji (Kankara), and Iliya Zango Dan Sabau (Kankara).

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Resolutions reached included a cessation of hostilities, restoration of law and order, and a commitment to peaceful coexistence between the communities and the repentant bandit groups.

This is not the first such meeting between bandit leaders and community representatives in the state. In June, a similar meeting was held in Katsina.

Source: Thecable

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A statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed stated that the decision was taken at the 14th regular meeting of the State Executive Council.

In a chat with journalists after the meeting, the Commissioner for Information, Bala Zango, said the move was aimed at bolstering collaboration between formal security agencies and local groups already assisting in counter-banditry operations.

“This initiative strengthens collaboration with our security operatives and enhances public safety, allowing residents to live without fear of banditry,” Mr Zango said.

Beyond security, the council also approved projects in transport, education, and social welfare.

The Commissioner for Works and Housing, Sani Ingawa, said the government would acquire 30 hybrid buses to ease student commuting and reduce emissions, adding that the council also gave the go-ahead for the construction of the Daura Western Bypass Dual Carriageway, a 11.43-kilometre road project with a 3-km spur connecting the Daura–Katsina federal highway.

On education, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Zainab Musawa, announced that the government will install solar-powered water systems, science and technical equipment, CCTV cameras, solar streetlights, and backup generators at the Special Model School in Radda.

Read Also: Katsina Cracks Down On Salary Fraud: 3,488 Staff Stacked, ₦4.6M Recovered

She further disclosed that the council declared a state of emergency on dilapidated primary schools. Under the first phase, 10 of the most run-down schools in each of the 34 local government areas will undergo rehabilitation.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hadiza Yar’adua, said the council approved empowerment training and settlement packages for widows and other vulnerable women, particularly those affected by banditry.

Source: PremiumTimes

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Governor Dikko Radda, who received the committee’s report said the screening covered 50,172 staff, out of which 46,380 were verified, while the rest were found with fake credentials, ghost postings, absenteeism or declined to appear.

The report was formally presented at the State Executive Council meeting, where top government officials and members of the Biometric Screening Committee were in attendance.

The exercise has created the first-ever unified digital database of all LGC and LEA staff in the state’s history while projecting monthly savings of N453.3 million if recommendations are fully implemented.

The 10-member committee uncovered falsified birth certificates, underage employment, illegal promotions, and cases where staff positions were sublet to others.

It also recovered ₦4.6m from officers drawing double salaries or collecting pay while on leave of absence.

Committee chairman Abdullahi A. Gagare said the exercise also exposed the Education Secretary of Zango LEA, who allegedly connived with others to insert 24 ghost workers, describing it as a “serious breach of trust.”

The governor said, “We have been in the system for a long time, and we know these things exist. Many people complained and even warned me that the Committee’s work could damage my politics and cost me elections.

“But I was not worried, because the situation in Katsina required reforming the system and doing the right thing.”

Radda directed that the findings be turned into a White Paper for full implementation.

Radda disclosed that local governments currently have about half a billion naira saved, which will reach ₦5.7 billion with the committee’s findings.

“Despite high revenue allocations, many local governments in Katsina still struggle to pay salaries. Councils such as Kafur, Malumfashi, and Daura carry very heavy wage bills, mostly due to workers who are not genuine,” he stated.

The governor emphasised that reducing this burden will free up more funds to support grassroots development.

Read Also: Katsina Gov Radda stable after minor road crash

“I did this to save the state from the grip of a few. This is how we can have money to work for the general people in our local governments,” Radda said.

The screening exercise was conducted by a 10-member committee, including four retired Permanent Secretaries and six Directors, supported by 16 co-opted members and security personnel.

Source: Punch

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This was confirmed by a member representing Malumfashi constituency in the Katsina State House of Assembly, Aminu Ibrahim, during a plenary session, saying that the attacks took place across several communities, including Gidan Adamu Mantau, Unguwar Yar Mai Dabo, Makera in Karfi ward, and Burdigau in Yaba ward.

“Thirty people were gunned down during morning prayers, and another 20 were burned alive in their homes, our people can no longer live in their villages because of these relentless attacks. The situation has become unbearable.”

A resident of Burdigau who spoke on the condition of anonymity said the villagers alerted the soldiers when astrange movement was noticed around six in the evening.

“But the soldiers came, stayed a short while, and left. By dawn, the bandits came back.” The lawmaker also clarified the story.

Following the attacks, the Katsina State Government sent a delegation, led by the Secretary to the State Government, Abdullahi Faskari, to condole with the bereaved families.

While speaking on behalf of the governor, who is on medical leave, Faskari expressed sadness over the killings, calling it a “deeply painful and heartbreaking tragedy”.

He further affirmed that the administration is committed to strengthening security and restoring peace.

The government confirmed that 32 people were killed while praying, but it said the final death toll was still being verified.

Officials said an airstrike by the Nigerian Air Force disrupted the attackers as they attempted to abduct residents, leading to chaotic scenes in which captives scattered into the bush.

The massacre comes amid a wave of rural violence in Nigeria’s North-west, where bandits have terrorised farming communities through kidnappings, extortion, and mass killings.

Source: Premium Times

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