₦airaland Forum

As the Federal Government moves to recover N614 billion loans extended to states under the budget support facility programme, some governors are already jittery, especially following their failure to abide by the 22-point specification that guided the credit facility. Abdulwahab Isa reports

Between 2016 till date, the 36 states of the federation had received two levels of financial support from government at the centre.

These were necessitated by acute insolvency in their financial position occasioned by huge debts.

Save for Lagos, Kano and Rivers states, majority of others practically live on borrowing to function fully.

Some of the challenges faced by majority of states include huge debt obligations, unpaid salaries, and pension in arrears.

To relieve them of the burden, the Federal Government created financial bailout windows with the Paris Club Refunds and Budget Support Loans.

The Paris Club Refunds are the longstanding claims of over-deductions from Paris Club debts made from state government accounts from 1995 to 2002.

The refunds, authorised by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2016, was to cushion the plight of salary earners and pensioners.

These funds had been over-deducted from the states’ FAAC payments to offset foreign loan contracted by states over the years. The Paris club refunds were paid out in tranches to all the states. However, they never  counted as loans as states were entitled to them.

The second bailout, identified budget support loans, was approved in 2016 for states with a repayment clause attached to it.

A total sum of N614 billion conditional loan facility was extended to be repaid after two years. The Ministry of Finance, the Debt Management Office fashioned the conditions upon which its disbursement was carried out. .

Perspective

Essentially, the loan package was part of Federal Government efforts to reset the  economy that entered recession in 2016. 

The idea was to put more money in the hands of states, to enable them liquidate accumulated workers’ salaries, pension obligation and contractual debt.

At a meeting with state commissioners of finance in Abuja to roll out the scheme, Minister of Finance at the time, Mrs. Kemi Adesoun, was explicit on scope of the loan.

She said the loan was secured from the private sector to state governments through the issuance of bonds.

“The budget support facility is a loan, repayable after one year by states. It’s not a grant,” Adeosun said.

Budget support loan to states was tied to 22-point Fiscal Sustainability Plan (FSP). 

The conditions under which the agreement was structured was unanimously agreed by state governors during the National Economic Council meeting that  held on May, 19, 2016.   

The FSP highlighted five key strategic objectives, which include improving accountability & transparency; increasing public revenue; rationalizing public expenditure, as well as improving public financial management and sustainable debt management.

On their part,  the  states were expected to undertake  fiscal reform action plan similar  to public financial management reforms being undertaken by the Federal Government.

They include biometric capture of all civil servants, establishment of an efficiency unit within each state, implementation of continuous audit, improvement in internally generated revenue (IGR) and other measures to achieve sustainable debt management. Access to the proposed facility will be directly tied to the attainment of the fiscal reform milestones under the FSP.

“This is not a bail out, but rather a necessary short term intervention that is conditional on a comprehensive fiscal sustainability reform plan, and which is ultimately intended to set the states on a path towards fiscal sustainability and to support the federal government’s drive to reflate the economy, ” Adeosun noted.

Rules, violation

At the early stage of implementation, the Ministry of Finance set out a total of 22 conditions contained in the arrangement.

Some of the conditions spelt out are that a restriction would be placed on states borrowing from commercial banks; all states must publish their financial statements, budgets and the quarterly budget performance; state’s finances would no longer be shrouded in secrecy and items like security vote, feeding, travel among others would be made visible. 

Other conditions attached were that states would review obsolete revenue laws and tariffs, and redefine internally generated revenue to include non-tax revenue sources that would reflect local opportunities in each state, especially in solid minerals.    

In the same vein, the states were directed to set targets for recurrent to capital expenditure; set target for personnel costs as a percentage of the total budget; clean up their payroll by eliminating ghost workers as well as set up efficiency unit to reduce the cost of governance. These conditions at best were observed by majority of states in breach. 

Each state was granted N17.5 billion of the budget facility loan.  Regrettably, most states procured the loans without meeting key basic conditions spelt out.  Allegations of bailout diversion have been rife across states.  Salaries are left unpaid till date, pensioners are still groaning while contractors that handled projects in states are in perpetual lamentation.

The Vice- President, Professor Yemi Osinbaj,  who heads the National Economic Council, had in an unmistakable voice declared to states that the loan was repayable at an interest rate of nine per cent over a 20-year period and that  it was “solely for the purpose of paying the backlog of salaries.”

Panic over pay back

As it is today, there is unease across states,   given that the larger portions of budget support loans were frittered into unproductive ventures.  Most states never implemented a single provision of the 22 conditions designed as basis for the loans.

Last week, the Federal Government hinted of its intention to recoup from 35 states, the sum of N614 billion of the loan.

The declaration jolted some governors as many states are still battling to pay the new minimum wage increase.  Majority of states are lock up in a battle with the leadership of labour over     new wage minimum wage.

Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, confirmed government’s intention to recoup the loans while briefing State House Correspondents after the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting presided over by the vice-president.

To fast track the refund process, the minister said NEC had agreed to set up a committee comprising members of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) that will consult with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the ministry of finance to finalise modalities for commencement of the repayment. 

Ahmed said each of the affected 35 states received N17.5 billion as bailout.

The minister of finance briefed NEC on the progress of the facility, detailing how the Federal Government has made a total of over N614 billion available to 35 states being N17.5 billion each.

Way out

The only way out now is for state government to look inward, tap into abundant opportunities for additional revenue sources to augment monthly subvention from federation account.

The Revenue Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) during several interface with the representatives of states presented a robust roadmap on untapped potential lying untapped in each state. There isn’t any better time than now to maximally utilize additional sources of revenue at the disposal of states.

Last line

Loans are contracted on binding agreement. It is, therefore, expedient for the Federal Government to apply the relevant portions of the agreement to recoup the loans from states.

The Ghanaian police have reportedly asked for the extradition of a Nigerian, Chika Nnodim, who was mentioned in the alleged kidnapping of four Ghanaian girls.

The move is in collaboration with the Ghanian Criminal Investigation Division (CID) and the Nigerian arm of Interpol, a Ghanian newspaper, Graphics Online, reported on Monday.

The report said the Ghanaian High Commission in Abuja, through the CID, the Attorney-General’s office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, had written the Nigerian government requesting the arrest and extradition of the suspects who had allegedly trafficked three of the kidnapped minors to Nigeria.

According to the report, four girls were said to be kidnapped by the suspects. But in a statement, the National Agency for the Prohibition in Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) on Saturday said three girls were kidnapped.

The girls are Priscilla Blessing Bentum, 21, Ruth Love Quayson, 18, and Mantebea Koranchie,18. They were reported missing in Takoradi, a metropolitan district and capital city of Sekondi – in Ghana, between August and December 2018. The fourth girl, Ruth Abakah, 19, was reported missing since July 2018.

However, operatives of NAPTIP announced that it arrested the three Nigerians, Chika Nnodim, Samuel Udoetuk and John Oji, in connection with the case.

According to the agency, the suspects were arrested and handed over to the office of the Inspector-General of Police for further investigation, following a thorough investigation carried out at various locations in Nigeria and Ghana.

“The suspect, who is believed to be part of a cross-border criminal gang and have been under security watchlist of the government of Nigeria and Ghana, was nabbed by NAPTIP officials after a very painstaking investigation at various locations within Nigeria and Ghana.

“He and two other Nigerians, Udoetuk-Willis and Oji, were alleged to have been involved in the kidnapping of three Ghanaian girls aged between 15 and 21 years.

“The case was reported to the Agency by the Ghana High Commission in Abuja on April 2019 alleging the kidnap of their citizens from Ghana to Nigeria.”

“Tomatoes must not go; oil must not go, corn must not go; but cattle can go. What kind of enforcement is that? That is why I call it discriminatory and insensitive.”

According to Asiwaju, the officials stopped the Imeko tomato farmers and traders from moving their produce, on the misunderstanding that tomatoes were imported.

Oladimeji Ramon

The Balogun of Imeko in Ogun State, Emeritus Prof. Anthony Asiwaju, has accused the Federal Government of being insensitive and discriminatory in the enforcement of its policy on increased border security to check the influx of imported food items into the country.

In an interview with The PUNCH on Sunday, Asiwaju lamented that tomato farmers in Imeko, a border town in the Imeko Afon Local Government Area of Ogun State, were being prevented from moving their produce into markets in Ogun and Lagos states by the Customs and Immigration officers manning the border.

According to Asiwaju, the officials stopped the Imeko tomato farmers and traders from moving their produce, on the misunderstanding that tomatoes were imported.

He said as a result of this, the farmers, who are in the middle of their annual harvest, had become agitated seeing their farm produce rotting away.

He said all the efforts made by the Onimeko to intervene had  been up against a brick wall.

While describing the new border policy of the Federal Government as insensitive and discriminatory, Asiwaju said cattle from neighbouring countries were exempted from the enforcement.

He said, “We are in the middle of the harvest season, the harvesting takes just a few weeks, but there is a glut of tomatoes in the farms now; and all the tomatoes are wasting.

“Meanwhile, Imeko is also at the head of the route of cattle trade into Nigeria from Niger, northern part of Benin Republic, Mali and Burkina Faso. This border closure enforcement does not stop the inflow of cattle but the farmers, with their tomatoes, cannot move.

“Tomatoes must not go; oil must not go, corn must not go; but cattle can go. What kind of enforcement is that? That is why I call it discriminatory and insensitive.”

He said, “My advice to the Federal Government is to immediately stop the insensitivity and discrimination in the enforcement of the border closure.

“The enforcement here, as in other border communities of Ogun State, must recognise produce that are produced on the Nigerian side of the border. Fresh tomatoes from Imeko are typical. We produce tomatoes here but the markets to which they are taken are in Obada, Owode, Lafenwa in Abeokuta, and Mile 12 in Lagos.

“Loads of harvested tomatoes are ready for movement to the markets only for the farmers, traders and the transporters to be stopped. We are almost going into a situation where the farmers and the traders are revolting at the house of the Onimeko.

“If the government wants to stop everything, they should also stop the cattle. But the cattle are coming in day and night from Iwoye, north of Imeko, where the Fulani cattle herders are settled by the Federal Government in the 1990s and to which those who are coming from across the borders in Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso are taking their products into the Nigerian market at Olodo.

“The border closure does not affect that. This discrimination and insensitivity is not giving a good image to the Federal Government.”

Also, a former Chairman of the Imeko Afon Local Government Area, Mr Albert Asipa, said the Imeko tomato farmers had started selling their produce at give-away prices.

By Adedayo Akinwale

Abuja — The federal government has confirmed the arrest of the attackers of the former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu in Germany.

Ekweremadu was attacked last week by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The attack occurred when the former deputy Senate president was attending the 2nd Annual Igbo Cultural Festival as a speaker and special guest of honour at an event organised by the Ndi-Igbo Community in Nuremberg, Germany.

The attack led to the advice by the federal government that dignitaries travelling out of the country should endeavour to bring to the notice of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Missions about their impending travel schedules to enable the ministry thoroughly scrutinise the security status of the organisations inviting them for the meeting, and to make adequate preparation.

This, the ministry said was also aimed at taking concrete steps to ensure that the host law enforcement agencies are on hand to guarantee their comprehensive security.

This advice is not to monitor their activities but to ensure their safety.

However, THISDAY gathered that the attackers of Ekweremadu have already been arrested.

When asked if it was true that the police have arrested Ekweremadu's attackers in Germany, the

Spokesperson of the ministry, Mr. Ferdinand Nwonye, who was out of the country didn't respond to THISDAY message sent to him on WhatsApp.

But another staff of the ministry confirmed the arrest of the attackers.

The ministry had assured Nigerians that the federal government would work with relevant authorities in Germany to ensure that the perpetrators of the dastardly act are brought to book, to serve as deterrence to others.

Alhaji Abdulkareem Lafene, who disclosed this in Minna on Thursday said in June this year all the buoyant local governments had to “contribute” to bail out the financially deficient local governments to enable them settle all their financial obligations.

Some of the local governments Lafene added also resorted to obtaining bank facilities to enable them remain afloat.

By Laleye Dipo in Minna

At least 12 out of the 25 local governments in Niger state cannot pay their staff salaries even with the the direct allocation policy by the federal government.

This is also as the Niger state government has been accused of not remitting 10 percent of its Internally Generated Revenue IGR to the state joint local government accounts for upwards of ten years as provided for by law.

Some of the local governments that cannot pay workers’ salaries include Chanchaga, Bida, Suleja Kontagora, Mokwa, Paikoro, Shiroro Lavun Lapai Agaie among others.

The state chairman of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees NULGE, Alhaji Abdulkareem Lafene, who disclosed this in Minna on Thursday said in June this year all the buoyant local governments had to “contribute” to bail out the financially deficient local governments to enable them settle all their financial obligations.

Some of the local governments Lafene added also resorted to obtaining bank facilities to enable them remain afloat.

Lafene blamed the inability of the LGs to meet their financial obligations on the series of deductions from the allocations of the local governments which had gone a long way to deplete their income saying some of the deductions from the allocation to the local governments did not have direct bearing on the councils ” yet they are being made to make these compulsory contributions”.

The NULGE boss asked why the local governments should still be contributing to the running of the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida university Lapai when the state is the owner of the institution and why local governments should still pay salaries of traditional rulers and their staff after 5% had been deducted for the institutions from each local governments fund.

He also queried why teachers salaries should be the responsibility of local governments after the mandatory deductions made to the state Universal Basic Education Board.

“There are other deductions that don’t have direct bearing on the local governments if all these deductions are removed local governments will function effectively”.

He said despite the fact that the state government had been presiding over the sharing of monies in the state local government accounts monthly it has not been bringing its 10 percent to the pool for sharing “without anyone giving any reason”.

Lafene though said the direct allocation policy was already being implemented and had achieved close to 90 percent success in the state, “we still have some lacuna in the guidelines that the NFIU should address”.

The NULGE boss suggested that the NFIU should set up a monitoring committee that “will go round the country to ensure strict compliance with the set guidelines” adding that ” punishments should be put in place for those not implementing the NFIU guidelines to the letter.
He announced that stakeholders in the local government business are to meet in Keffi Nadarawa state on the 4th of next month and in Abuja on the 26th of the same month to dialogue on the implementation of the NFIU guidelines.
The meetings would be a follow up to that held in Lagos late last month.

KidsNEXTdoor:
A country where human lives means nothing except you are a politician

A reverend father was killed recently and it hardly made the news

But a senator was beaten and it went viral

Yet our neighbors can't see that politicians don't care... They are there worshipping Tinubu and lai Muhammad

Last month, Gabonese fisheries enforcement officers in conjunction with Sea Shepherd’s Bob Barker crew arrested Chinese flagged Haixin 27 for illegally fishing in Gabonese waters.

In 2016, 51 vessels were inspected, and six arrests occurred. In 2017, that number increased to 80 vessels and nine arrests.

About two years ago, a village chief was arrested for illegally catching 12 turtles in a marine park and was sentenced to three months in jail. The chief was apprehended by none other than his nephew, an eco-guard,

An international illegal fishing vessel was recently arrested in Gabon, representing a landmark achievement in marine enforcement, just five years after President Ali Bongo Ondimba declared the creation of nine national marine parks and one year after WildAid began supporting Gabon with technical expertise and equipment.

Last month, Gabonese fisheries enforcement officers in conjunction with Sea Shepherd’s Bob Barker crew arrested Chinese flagged Haixin 27 for illegally fishing in Gabonese waters. The ship crossed into Gabon from the Republic of the Congo and carried no logbook despite having a vessel full of fish. Although not actively fishing at the time of apprehension, electronic evidence seized on board proved the Haixin 27 had fished illegally in Gabon in the past.

A Canon EOS 7D Mark II DSLR Camera with a 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens and a Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 L IS USM Telephoto Lens were provided by WildAid and are central to supporting the investigation, which is currently underway in Port Gentil, the second-largest city of Gabon, and its largest seaport.

“The arrest of Haixin 27 further proves that Gabon’s investment in protecting its national marine parks is paying off,” says WildAid Marine Director, Meaghan Brosnan. “By making conservation a pillar of development, the Gabonese people are both safeguarding their stunning natural environment and creating a more resilient economy.”

Economically, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU) results in a roughly $610 million net loss to the total Gabonese Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per year. In 2016, 51 vessels were inspected, and six arrests occurred. In 2017, that number increased to 80 vessels and nine arrests.

Illegal trawlers and commercial fishers, like Chinese Haixin 27 and its sister fishers Haixin 23 and Haixin 25, illegally enter Gabonese waters during tuna fishing season while artisanal fishers, which come from neighboring countries, such as Nigeria, Benin, and Ghana, tend to fish in tributaries and mangroves. Safeguarding these habitats is essential as an estimated 80% of the global fish catch relies on mangrove forests, where spawning fish seek shade and juveniles are protected until fully grown.

WildAid’s marine protection program supports in-country partners to prevent illegal fishing by providing equipment, expertise, and resources in a cost-effective and efficient manner. In Gabon, in addition to the equipment used to investigate Haixin 27, WildAid has provided a thermal monocular, which helps catch poachers at night, VHF radios, night vision binoculars, smartphones, and emergency beacons, which allow fishing vessel observers to call for help.

Later this year, WildAid will be involved in a robust training program with its Gabonese partner, the National Agency of National Parks (ANPN), which protects roughly 10% of the country’s land and marine parks and builds relationships with local fishing villages to ensure well-maintained fisheries.

“Gabon has been going through a historical transformation,” says Karima Cherif, Regional Project Manager for WildAid Gabon. “New political appointments and confiscations of illegally caught fish are sending a clear message that corruption will no longer be tolerated and the environment will come first.”

The impact of this transformation is evident in local villages, says Cherif. About two years ago, a village chief was arrested for illegally catching 12 turtles in a marine park and was sentenced to three months in jail. The chief was apprehended by none other than his nephew, an eco-guard, who then stepped in as the family’s breadwinner until the uncle was released.

“Luckily, his uncle understood that his nephew was only doing his job, and they still have a solid relationship,” says Cherif.

The ripple effect of this new, shared responsibility to protect the environment is paying off. Due to investments in new infrastructure and technical training, 250 tons of tuna was discharged last month in Gabon – the first time in the nation’s history. The added capacity is no doubt needed as Gabonese annually consume on average 40kg of fish per person, more than double the global average.

The economic impact and potential for growth in well-managed fisheries is clear. Legal fisheries contribute to roughly $1.3 billion to the Gabonese economy, around 9% of the Gabonese GDP while small-scale fisheries alone contribute $800 million to the total economy.

“Conservation management and marine protection are vital factors in Gabon’s socio-economic growth,” says Brosnan. “With more than 160 years of cumulative enforcement experience on our team, we’re committed to helping Gabon defend its wildlife and make the promise of their MPAs a reality.”

WildAid’s work in Gabon is part of its ambitious plan to strengthen enforcement of 250 marine and coastal areas by 2025. These areas have been designated as protected but lack crucial support, thereby leaving local marine wildlife and coastal communities vulnerable to overexploitation.

Already, the USA women’s team have since begun legal action against the US Soccer Federation over equal pay and their agitation received even more credence after retaining the World Cup at France 2019.

In yesterday’s World Cup, participating teams received over 22 per cent of the revenue, whereas men only received seven per cent of the revenue in last year’s World Cup in Russia. Women are actually earning over three times more than men.

[url=https://humanevents.com/2019/07/08/there-should-be-equal-pay-for-the-world-cup-that-means-paying-men-more/?utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F]Source[/url]

Super Falcons captain Desire Oparanozie has argued that the Nigeria female national team deserve to be paid equally like their male counterparts, the Super Eagles.

The Super Eagles rank high among the highest-paid teams in Africa and for Oparanozie since the achievements of the Super Falcons dwarf that of their male counterparts, it is not out of place to demand equal pay at the least.

The Super Falcons are the continent’s most successful national side with nine titles and remain the only African team to have played at all eight Women’s World Cup finals.

Presently, the Super Falcons are due to get US$3,000 for a win and $1,500 for a draw at major tournaments. The men’s team receives $10,000 and $5,000 respectively.

“We are the most successful female team in Africa, yet we have the largest disparities between men’s and women’s pay,” Oparanozie said at the 2019 Ladies In Sports (LIS) Conference in Lagos.

“I think we deserve equal pay. This big gap tells a different story and a proper rethink of this mode of payment could also help the women’s game.”

Oparanozie, who plays professionally in France with En Avant Guingamp, believes the women’s team are on the right track in their quest for treatment that reflects their achievements and contributions to the sport.

“We have done the nation proud and I think the results over the years are there for all to see,” she added.

“With positive results and more success, I believe we will get there, it’s one step at a time.”

The call by Oparanozie for equal pay with the men’s team is not in isolation as some have already been leading similar campaigns in their various national teams across the world.

Already, the USA women’s team have since begun legal action against the US Soccer Federation over equal pay and their agitation received even more credence after retaining the World Cup at France 2019.

It was the fourth World Cup triumph for the American Ladies while their male counterparts are struggling to qualify for their own World Cup let alone win.

Though opinions have been divided over this disparity in pay for men’s and women’s team, it has often been argued that the men’s football is far more lucrative, hence the justified higher pay for the actors.

Nonetheless, in Africa, South Africa seems to have led the way having offered their women’s team the same bonus as its male counterparts at the last World Cup.

Unfortunately, Bayana Bayana lost all their games in France.

Cletus77:
Unimportant politically? Pls elaborate

Cletus77:
What could be the reason?

blujoi:
CC; geoafrikana

You were looking for a police report, there you have it

GeoAfrikana:
There's no specific mention of fulani as kidnappers. He mentioned that banditry is spread across different parts of west Africa and specifically some people from Niger enter Nigeria.

How does that imply that fulanis are all kidnappers? Except you want to tell me that Niger is 109% fulani or even majority.

In summary, this isn't a proof, in honesty.

But since the assumption of Governor Bello Matawalle in office, the bandits had been surrendering their arms and releasing their captives after the government engaged the hoodlums in a dialogue.

On Sunday, Matawalle in Abuja, said the bandits had freed 300 people they kidnapped.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security, Alhaji Abubakar Dauran, said the government decided to employ the repentant bandits and empower some of their illiterate members because they had embraced peace.

He said most of the bandits were Fulani.
Source

Zamfara State Police Commissioner, Barrister Usman Nagogo, has given an insight into the enormity of security challenge Nigeria is currently contending with, detailing how bandits from Niger Republic invade the nation to wreck havoc. The police chief is the one coordinating the Dialogue and Peace Initiative of the state government. He believes that the ongoing dialogue with bandits is gradually returning sanity and total peace back to the state after several years of insecurity. In this interview with MOHAMMED MUNIRAT NASIR in  Gusau, he spoke about the challenges and the reason for his adoption of dialogue, in place of brutal force, against the bandits.

 
As a police officer, you are trained to use force to combat evil. So what motivated you to decide to dialogue with bandits?

The impression you have that we are trained to use force is not correct. We police officers are civil police. We are subjected to civil procedure and processes in tackling issues because we intermingle with civil populace. Ours is to follow things in such a way that the use of force should not arise in the first place. We are to persuade, to lecture and, in some instances, to interact so that we influence issues, just like what we are doing in Zamfara.

How do you recognise a bandit to negotiate with because anybody can claim to be one just to take advantage of the situation?

Prior to this time in 2016, the immediate past administration set up a special committee on Disarmament and Amnesty. I chaired the committee as the then Deputy Commissioner of Police, Zamfara State Police Command. The committee succeeded to some extent, because we were able to build a trust between the government and the bandits. Channel of communications were opened and contact was made easy. The committee was able to recover different calibres of arms including rocket launcher. However, the committee has to wind up prematurely due to some reasons. In fact when I met with the most notorious bandit, ‘Buharin Daji’, I met him in his enclave in a place they call ‘Bokani forest.’ I was there. It took me about four hours to reach without having even a needle on me, because I believe he is a human being and I believe for you to advance you need to identify your target. When I got there, I was able to identify him and start negotiating. That opened my eyes to other bandits because a lot of bandits attended that gathering. That gave me an ample opportunity to recognise a lot of them and also to discover that they are humans like any other person and that they are not as dangerous as we see through their acts. The gathering also showed that they can easily be intermingled with and easily influenced, if you have the power of persuasion which I did have. So through that I was able to identify these bandits. When I came in as the Commissioner of Police, I had a lot of their names. I got their phone numbers. I built trust and confidence and that trust that I have built allowed me to have their direct contacts to interact with them and to have control over them.

What do you have to say about the objection particularly by top politicians that dialogue with bandits is not the way out?

When I came in June, the first shock I received six hours after I took over was about 34 people being killed in one of the villages in Shinkafi Local Government Area. So you can see the level of agony for a man who had just taken over, to have to contend with this kind of devastation. I have to sit down and think of what to do. That’s what led to the first press conference. In my first briefing, I promised that my stewardship will be that of engagement and interaction with all the stakeholders in the state in order to nip in the bud all forms of militia groups, armed banditry and other act of savagery in Zamfara State. I also stated that my priority would be community participation and interaction in achieving peace in the state. This is because, policing in the modern world, in this age of technology where the world has become a global village, community partnership and intelligence-led policing approach is more than necessary. I’ve got the support of the state government and the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Mohammed Adamu. So I am not bothered or distracted by anybody who thinks the use of dialogue is not the best. Whoever has contrary view, that is his own opinion and that opinion has not worked in the past but my dialogue and resolution has worked and is still working.

Are the stakeholders living up to expectation in the fight against crime?

The zeal and enthusiasm displayed by the governor of Zamfara State, Bello Mohammed, Matawalle Maradun, is very commendable because since he came on board, he has shown leadership by example. He has taken on anybody that matters in assisting him to achieve peace in Zamfara. To him, achieving lasting peace in the state is his cardinal principle in the first tenure. That gave me confidence. I briefed the governor on my plans about the use of dialogue which he said coincided with his plans. That’s why he gave me the nod. I appreciate the IGP Mohammed A. Adamu for having confidence in me in assigning this important assignment to me as the Police Commissioner of Zamfara State. I owe him a lot for continuing to guide every bit of my action in the state.

How were you able to bring the Yan Sakai and the Fulani together to embrace peace?

I started with the volunteer vigilante groups ‘Yan Sakai’ and all other militia groups associated with these groups. These are the people that are triggering the Fulani to go for a kill. You kill one Fulani and the Fulani kill the whole village and destroy the whole village through their reprisal attacks. The meeting with the leaders of Vigilante, Yansakai, and Civilian JTF drawn from all the 14 LGAs of the state had positive impact in the peace that followed. During the meeting, which you, journalists, witnessed, I took the initiative by using persuasion and, in some instances, threats, and it worked because as soon as they left the forum they allowed peace to reign in market places and other recreational areas where Fulani used to visit. I also invited all the cultural associations of the Fulani that comprised Miyetti Allah, Sarakunan Fulani and Ardos for a similar meeting and interaction which even some bandits attended. That meeting yielded same result as they ceased attacking. The Fulani after the meeting immediately held another meeting among themselves and came out with mini committees in different sectors to contact their kinsmen that engaged in banditry activities. The resultant effect of this was the stoppage of banditry activities by about 98 percent in the state. Finally, I called Yan Sakai, the Vigilantes, Civilian JTF, Miyetti Allah, Sarakunan Fulani and Ardos to a meeting at the same time, same venue in order to reconcile the warring factions. In this meeting, and in the interaction that followed, the Governor and all Security Council members in the state were in attendance. The meeting, no doubt, brought out tempers, grievances, and in some cases, insinuations by one group against the other. But at the end of the day, they all agreed that Zamfara State is at the receiving end of their egocentric tendencies. They then forgave and embraced each other. That was the magic. I felt the use of force is not feasible in this. The only thing left for us to use is dialogue. Dialogue is what is used all over the world. It is dialogue that is solving the problems in Afghanistan and Iraq. It is dialogue that is being applied in all war zones in all parts of the world. Dialogue is what leads to peace and I applied it and it worked.

How many people have so far been released from captivity by their abductors?

As at August 2, 2019, 303 people who were previously abducted in various parts of the state have been released by their abductors without them paying a kobo or we firing a single bullet. These 303 people do not include many others that were released by the kidnappers to go home without going to the government medical facilities. If you put together the number of those officially received by us and those who did not report to us the figures are astronomical. The 303 victims are those we documented as being treated by government in heath facilities since the release of the kidnapped victims began on 4th July. We are still expecting many more to be released.

Don’t you think there is foreign connection regarding the banditry in the state?

Banditry in almost in all parts of West African sub-region, I can say, is interwoven. Those perpetrating the evils are everywhere in the West African sub-region, so, naturally the influence of foreigners will not be ruled out. Even the bandits we interact with, some of them told us that there are some of them who came from Niger Republic who also participate in these activities. So the influence is always there. They have that cooperation to come to Nigeria to attack and also have another cooperation to go to Niger Republic to attack. So the influence of foreign elements is there in the crisis.

Apart from negotiating with bandits, what are you doing to curb crimes and criminality in Zamfara State?

We have put a very good structure on ground to tackle crimes not only in Gusau but in the entire state. We are making some in-roads; in fact, a lot of arrest has been made. One of the arrests we made was the kingpin who was supplying drugs to the bandits. That shows that we are not only concentrating our attention on negotiation but also vigorously fighting all forms of crimes in the state.  As we are here, we also spread our dragnet to other sections. We are able to make some arrests in Niger State which led to the recovery of over 281 cows and arrest of three suspects who have been charged to court for prosecution. So our concern is not only bandits. We have not neglected the urban areas as testified by the one we had. The chairman of Miyetti Allah in the state said people can now sleep with their eyes closed because we have put good security architecture in place in the state.

In all these, what can you say is the greatest lesson you have learnt?

The greatest lesson I have learnt is that as a leader, you select the right type of person at the right time. Always take advantage of vintage position given to you to bring desired result to end crisis.

tsdarkside:
i dont understand you,you dont understand me....even your amelika that you think can do no wrong is importing bullets....

its called over demand....

i understand were you are arguing from....

you think nigeria doesnt produce bullets,drones and other stuffs....whats not true....

“DICON, the main statutory manufacturer of arms and ammunition in Nigeria, has suffered neglect over the years and has been virtually non-operational. Consequently, the defence sector has to rely on external influence to determine the types of equipment to be sold or acquired.

Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali

Source

tsdarkside:
then why do you need amelika to battle pirates....??

oo my...pirates are your least problems....

you have problems comin your way that will make you tremble for fear....

tsdarkside:
and you seem to dont understand what am sayin....

you have the capacity to build this things yourselves....

what what....??
you want to hunt pirates with submarines and battleships....??

tsdarkside:
and you cant do that yourselves....??

sink anything that has no right to fish in in sea borders....!!

you have the ships,you even build boats sef....you have no excuse to dont do it yourselves....

The U.S. Coast Guard helped train and equip these governments to enforce fishing restrictions. These were not complex operations: Each country’s navy had two patrol boats and two surveillance aircraft used to search for and confront illegal fishing boats.

tsdarkside:
bullshitt....

people that stole you blind,you wan put in charge of your stuff....??

ridiculous idea....

The U.S. Coast Guard helped train and equip these governments to enforce fishing restrictions. These were not complex operations: Each country’s navy had two patrol boats and two surveillance aircraft used to search for and confront illegal fishing boats.

Washington ought to pressure foreign governments to end these subsidies.

Yet without the resources necessary for maritime protection, there is little that African coastal governments can do to protect their waters. This is where the U.S. military could be especially helpful, and there is precedent. In 1978, USAID financed a project in Guinea-Bissau, Senegal and Mauritania in which the U.S. Coast Guard helped train and equip these governments to enforce fishing restrictions. These were not complex operations: Each country’s navy had two patrol boats and two surveillance aircraft used to search for and confront illegal fishing boats. It ought to be possible to do something similar again, with even more impressive results.

Washington will need to act for AFRICOM to address this issue with the vigor it deserves. Diplomacy will also play a key role. “It is unlikely that foreign fishing would persist at its current intensity in Africa if subsidies were phased out,” writes the ACSS. Washington ought to pressure foreign governments to end these subsidies, and instead invest in sustainable fisheries. Otherwise, this global food crisis will deepen, with dire implications for human security.

Herman J. Cohen is a former ambassador and adviser to presidents who served 38 years in the Foreign Service. He is president and CEO of Cohen and Woods International.

AntiBalaka:
Fool.

When your useless president has refused to tackle his fulani jihadist compatriots why won't the governor grant the terrorist their wish so that peace will reign.

You remain the biggest fool and hypocrite on this forum with your stupid comments

He promised to work in line with his administration's determination to save the Fulani from themselves and the wrath of the larger society.

"I am one of you and I know you are not terrorists.

Zamfara State Governor, Dr. Bello Matawalle, will grant amnesty to 100 Fulani in Gusau prison as part of the ongoing peace process in the state.

The Fulani, who are detained for offences related to the banditry menace

AntiBalaka:
And I see how your useless PDP vs APC rubbish post made sense.

Who is in charge of the security forces? Is it not your Ruga Chief Priest?

S
Was it not under the chronic vice grip of your sharia APC that all these bandits reared their heads?

Fulani ass licker

He promised to work in line with his administration's determination to save the Fulani from themselves and the wrath of the larger society.

Kingosytex:
Must party sentiments be brought into every issue? How long will it take you to understand that they are thesame. The political elites always capitalise on the gullibility of their followers to wreck havoc.

Xisnin:
Are you blind to see that it was a North-West governor decision?
Why single out the only PDP member?