₦airaland Forum

Pedro.... goal ball

Carl99:
Next 3 games without Caisedo. Chelsea go feel am o😀

Did he play against Burnley? .... ever heard of Santos

He should buy it so that Las Las those bad guys go seize am & station it far North? Think twice

Yesterday, the Muslim community in Jos commemorated the the mass killings of Muslims on 28th November 2008 in Jos and many parts of Plateau State. Below is the text of the World Press Conference they addressed on the occasion.

I reproduce it here not to open fresh wounds but to contribute in creating a balance in the narrative of the ongoing ‘genocides’ in Northern Nigeria, and proving that both sides have suffered enough to give lasting peace a chance.

We must appreciate that we are one and the same, destined to live together forever and ever after the three years that remains for tenure of Trump.

——

WORLD PRESS CONFERENCE

BEING A TEXT OF WORLD PRESS CONFERENCE, HELD BY THE JASAWA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION, AT THE 17TH ANNUAL COMMEMORATIVE PRAYER OF VICTIMS OF NOVEMBER 2008 POST LOCAL GVERNMENT ELECTION GENOCIDE ON MUSLIMS IN JOS, HELD ON 28TH NOVEVEMBER, 2025 AT THE JNI BOARDROOM JOS, CENTRAL MOSQUE

PROTOCOLS

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press. We welcome you to this World Press Conference after observing the Ismalic Prayer where our revered Quranic scholars have recited the whole Holy Quran and prayed for the response of the souls of our dead ones 0n a day like this 18 years ago now. As earlier on stated, we are gathered here today for two important purposes:

• To observe the 17th Commemorative Prayers for the Jos Massacre of Muslims, and

• To present to the world documented evidence of persistent, targeted, and coordinated attacks against Muslims in Jos and Plateau State from 2001 to 2025.

BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT
For us, every 28th November, is not just another date on the calendar. It is a date that subsumed other dates in which unfortunate crises had befalling us, it is also set aside for sober reflection, mourning, truth-telling, prayer and renewed resolve.

It marks the tragic events following the 2008 local government elections—events in which more than 600 Muslims were killed after security forces opened fire on our people, acting on direct instructions of an erstwhile Governor of the State, to “shoot on sight." Not only that our People have been killed in cold blood, but that our socio economic means of livelihood have also been ruined. Several mass graves at Zaria road Muslim cemetery contained dead bodies from the mayhem.

This date has, therefore, become a symbol of our collective pain and a reminder of the systematic persecution that Muslims in Plateau State have endured over two decades; hence the global conversation about alleged, "genocide," against Christians in Nigeria compels us to speak up on some of our ordeals. The term genocide did not only entails killing or annihilation of human beings; it also entails annihilation of economic activities, education, and denial in large volumes of other fundamentals to human existence.

As stakeholders and victims of repeated atrocities, we believe it is our duty to:

• Present verified facts of what happened to the Muslim community in Jos;

• Provide documented evidence and statistics of killings, displacement, and targeted attacks;

• Allow the international community to critically evaluate the data for itself;

• Correct false narratives and expose long-standing injustices, lies, and distortion of history.

• Importantly to also remind the forgotten minds about all atrocities meted on us.

• Our presentation today covers major incidents from 2001 to 2025.

1. The Jos Crisis of September 7, 2001

The crisis began when Muslim worshippers at a Friday mosque in the Congo-Russia area of Jos were attacked by Christian armed militias wielding bows, arrows, and machetes.

The violence was rooted in longstanding disputes over political power, land ownership, and the indigene-settler divide, which determines access to government opportunities. The immediate trigger was the appointment of a Hausa Muslim as coordinator of a federal poverty-alleviation programme in Jos North Local Government, a decision that indigene groups protested, claiming political marginalization.

Casualties and Damage
Varying degrees of wounds and injuries led to the deaths of many worshippers at the scene, and continued attacks on Muslims across the streets of Jos left an estimated 1,000 deaths. Our collective and individual submissions to the State Government Commission were further verified and confirmed in the Government White Paper of the Justice Niki Tobi Commission of Inquiry, which found that more than 700 Muslims were massacred.

In one of the mass graves at Rusau Muslim cemetery, more than 300 deaths were buried, others in separate mass graves, too.

Houses, religious buildings, shops, and markets, mostly belonging to unsuspecting Muslims were also destroyed.

The underlying issues indigene‑settler tensions, political rivalry, religious mistrust, and socioeconomic inequalities, remain unresolved and have fueled additional crises in 2002, 2008, 2010, 2011, and subsequent years.

2. The Eto Baba Crisis of 2002

Originally a PDP internal party affair, the crisis erupted during the local government congress to elect the party’s chairmanship candidate for Jos North. The venue of the largest ward primary was moved to a volatile Christian-dominated area, despite the heightened religious tension following the previous year’s crisis. Muslims were attacked, hundreds were killed, many were injured, and several went missing. Numerous vehicles belonging to Muslims were also burnt to ashes.

3. The Yelwa Shendam Massacre of 2004

This crisis was an extension of the 2001–2002 Jos conflicts and reflected the vulnerability of groups labelled as “settlers” in Plateau State. Yelwa Shendam and surrounding communities became flashpoints for violence rooted in indigene-settler tensions, political struggles, land disputes, and Christian–Muslim divides.

Human Rights Watch documented the events extensively. The May 2004 Yelwa massacre alone claimed an estimated 600–700 lives of the Muslims. Tens of thousands were displaced, fleeing to Bauchi, Nasarawa, Taraba, and other neighbouring states. The crisis deepened mistrust, radicalised youth militias, and contributed to later conflicts in 2008, 2010, and 2011. Many displaced persons never returned home.

We are hopeful that the world has not forgetting the 2004 massacre of Six (6) Muslim traders from Ningi, Bauchi State, passing through Langtang LGA, while returning from a market in Yelwan Shandam.

4. The Post–Local Government Election Crisis of 2008

This remains the most devastating incident for us, as it was coordinated and executed with the involvement of the Plateau State Government and supported by elements within the state police command.

The crisis followed the November 28, 2008 local government elections, rumours of electoral malpractice escalated tensions, leading to violent clashes. More than 761 people were reported killed, and thousands displaced. Homes, mosques, churches, and schools were destroyed. Notably three (3) Schools namely Al-Iman secondary, Al- Bayan secondary school and Jaba-ul Noor situated at Dogon Dutse (a pre-dominantly Christian area at that time) where attacked overnight and the students in the schools where set ablest while sleeping in their hostels leading to the death of twenty – Five (25) students.

Muslims boycotted the government-set commission of inquiry, alleging bias. A suit was later filed at the Plateau State High Court challenging the legitimacy of the commission. The Justice Bola Ajibola report, however, echoed the state government’s preferred narrative.

Human Rights Watch described the events as state-supported arbitrary killings. The Jos Muslim leadership compiled a detailed register of Muslims killed—many shot by individuals in security uniforms. The list remains annexed as part of the community’s documented evidence.

Our submissions to the Presidential panel of investigation as well as to the Senate Ad-hoc committee on the 2008 Jos crises, have both captured the extent of damage to lives and property of the Jos Muslims.

5. The 2010 Sectarian crises within Jos and environs

It is a record fact, that it all started when Christian mob attacked Muslims construction workers at Dutse Uku, while renovating the house of, Alhaji Kabiru Muhammad, that was earlier destroyed during the 2008 crisis.

The situation escalated into violence, with both Christian and Muslim groups clashing, resulting in the destruction of houses, churches, and mosques. The crisis spread to other parts of Jos and surrounding communities, leaving more than 1000 Muslims dead, across villages including, Gero, Sabon Gida Kanar, Sabon Gidan Foron, and Kuru Jentar (Kuru Gada-biyu) where more than 300 lives were killed, with 150 pulled out of water wells.

At Narkuta cemetery, more than 700 people were buried in mammoth mass grave. An estimated 20, 000 Muslims were displaced from the villages.

The attacks on Muslims spiraled to major highways, at which travellers were waylaid and killed mostly a long Riyom LGA, and with the aide of security personnel using sniper dogs, some decomposing dead bodies were exhumed from shallow graves found within houses in Tahoss.

EID PRAYER GROUND ATTACK AT RUKUBA ROAD 2011

The August 11, 2011, attack on Muslims attending Eid prayers at the Rukuba Road Izala Eid prayer ground in Jos, Plateau State by Christian youths who had warned Muslims not to pray in their Mosque was a tragic incident. The attack, which occurred during Eid-el-Fitr celebrations, resulted in the deaths of over twenty (20) people, fifty (50) cars and other vehicles belonging to the congregations where set ablaze.

No formal or informal investigations were carried out by the government. The Jos Muslim Community wrote a formal complaint to the office of the Inspector General of the federation attaching a video CD with clear faces of the many key actors who displayed the most barbaric aspect ever seen in the history of Jos crisis where they burnt some Muslims corpses butchered the corpses and openly ate the flesh in the said video that went viral. No arrest was ever made despite the incidence being localized within a narrow confine of that community.

6. ATTACK OF TRAVELLING MUSLIMS THAT VISITED SHEIKH DAHIRU USMAN BAUCHI FROM ONDO STATE PASSING THROUGH JOS AT THE SAME RUKUBA ROAD IN 2021

The August 14, 2021, attack on Muslim worshippers at Rukuba Road in Jos, Plateau State, was a tragic incident that resulted in the deaths of 22 people and injured 14 others.

The victims were Muslims traveling in a convoy of five buses, returning from an Annual Zikr prayer in Bauchi State, when they were attacked by a group of suspected Irigwe youths and their sympathizers. The travellers were in a convoy of buses with banners covering their buses clearly indicating they were travellers on a religious mission.

Deceased bodies were also buried in a mass grave at Dadin Kowa Muslim cemetery. Ten of them remained missing till date.

The Plateau State Police Command confirmed the incident and arrested six suspects, while the military and other security agencies were deployed to restore order. Nothing was heard about the prosecution of those arrested.

7. ATTACK ON WEDDING GUESTS AT MANGU, 2025

The attack on the wedding guests from Zaria occurred on June 20, 2025, in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria.

The group, consisting of 31 people, including men, women, and children, were traveling in an 18-seater bus owned by Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, were from Zaria traveling to attend a wedding ceremony in Qua’an Pan LGA when they were attacked by a Christian mob. 12 people were killed at the spot. The corpses of two more declared missing were later found making the number of those killed 14. 18 others were wounded. The ABU Zaria Bus was set ablaze with some corpse of the passengers. They were attacked, as usual because they are Muslims.

It is instructive to note, that over the years, there were pockets of such atrocities were innocent Muslim travellers were waylaid notable amongst such incidences where:

a. On 24th June 2018, Seven (7) travellers, including the late Zayyanu A.A Gwandu (a former aide to Senator Adamu Aliero) and his friend late, Zayyanu Shalla (a staff of the NCC) were killed and set ablaze by Christian youths who had barricaded the Bukuru bypass in Jos South LGA. The victims were buried in a mass grave at Dadin Kowa Muslims cemetery.

b. On September 3, 2018, at Dura Du, Jos South – Late General Idris Alkali was intercepted and murdered simply because he was a Muslim.

c. On 24th May, 2014, five (5) Innocent travellers, citizens of Nasarawa State, returning from Maulud festivities in Gombe, were ambushed and killed by mobs at Rayfield in Jos South LGA.

d. It is freshly green in our memories, the interception at Mararaban Foron, and killing of Eight ( Muslims residents of Ali Kazaure in Jos North LGA, on their way to attend a wedding in Mangu LGA.

OUR POSITION
Based on two decades of documented events, we affirm the following:

Muslims in Plateau State have suffered repeated mostly state sponsored coordinated targeted attacks amounting to genocide.

These attacks were not random; they were driven by ethnic, religious, and political motives deeply rooted in discriminatory indigene–settler narratives.

Successive governments failed to address the injustices or to prosecute perpetrators.


CONCLUSION
We call on:

1. The Federal Government of Nigeria to:

a. Establish an independent judicial panel to revisit all crises from 2001–2025.

b. Ensure accountability for security personnel involved in arbitrary killings.

c. Guarantee the safety and rights of all citizens irrespective of religion or ethnicity.

2. The International Community:

a.To examine our presented data and support impartial investigations.

b. To resist false narratives that distorts the realities of decades-long persecution of Muslims in Plateau State.

3. The Media:

a.To uphold accuracy, fairness, and ethical reporting.

b.To stop amplifying propaganda and biased narratives.

CONCLUSION
Our goal is not to escalate tensions, but to place truth on record. For 24 years, Muslims in Jos and Plateau State have endured violence, loss, displacement, and state-enabled injustice.

Today, we call on the world to acknowledge these documented events and support efforts for justice, peace, and genuine reconciliation.

Thank you for honouring this invitation as we invite you to spare some minutes to watch some slides to buttress all we have said.

May God guide us toward truth and healing.


Yawale Muhammad
President JCDA
28th November 2025
Jos.
——n

The Lonely End of a Good Man

He started early. Graduated top of his class. PhD before his peers even finished their Masters. A man of discipline no smoke, no drink, no scandals. He chose one woman, married his best friend, stayed faithful. He raised four brilliant children, sent them all abroad on merit. Gave them everything he never had. They now live good lives in foreign lands married, thriving, far away.

He is now over 70. A professor. A man respected in academic circles but forgotten in the quiet corners of his own home.
Today, he stands in his kitchen, cooking eba alone.

His wife the woman he built everything with left for a routine visit to help their daughter with childbirth. That was three years ago. She never came back.
Now she belongs to the children. She FaceTimes him on birthdays and sends love in group chats. But her heart no longer lives here. He has become a bachelor again by abandonment, not by choice.

This is the lonely end of a good man.

A man who did everything right.
Who never cheated.
Who never strayed.
Who lived by the book.
Who believed love and duty were enough.

And yet, here he is.

Alone. Heartbroken. Still in love with a woman who forgot to come home.
And this is not just his story this is the silent fate of many “good men.”

Now the hard questions must be asked:

If he was a polygamist, would one wife have stayed?

If he mingled with friends, built strong social networks, joined the staff club, would it have made the silence less deafening?

If he had a side chick someone who also cared would he feel less invisible now?

If he lived a little less for others and a little more for himself, would this end still look the same?

This is not a call to abandon virtue, but a call to reexamine balance.
Because loyalty is beautiful, but loneliness is brutal.
And love, when it is not mutual in old age, becomes a slow heartbreak no medicine can cure.

To the men reading this;
how do we escape ending up like this?
What structures, relationships, and self-preservation must we build today to ensure we’re not cooking eba alone at 75, asking where everybody went?

Because being good is not enough.

Not anymore.

Prayers For Men
May we not labour in vain
May the hearts of good men never grow bitter from being forgotten.
May those who give love, loyalty, and strength never end up alone in silence.
May your sacrifices be seen, your pain understood, and your presence valued.
May you build bonds that endure, even when the children leave.
May you find companionship, peace, and joy in the later chapters of life.

May your story not end in loneliness, but in love returned.

Amen.

(Copied)

Good morning fam!
Please anyone with PH study Centre? I urgently need the contact of Mr. Made. Kindly PC me and thanks in advance.

Exactly. You are very correct our distinguished Senator from Borno State but what can you or any other person do about it? Nothing!

The masses is watching and will act appropriately at the right time

I hope this level of scrutiny shall be applied in Federal Government Colleges admission and cutoff marks

Merely looking at the number of NairaLanders and others viewing and commenting on this thread, clearly shows that NPF has lost the people's sympathy and empathy.

It'll take another century to rebuild lost trust and character

S for Slot

S for sack

Slot and Lost are same and one word... Just interchange the alphabets

Federal University of Lafia Teaching Hospital, Lafia

Soon, very soon... They will reap that seed they sown and still sowing.. Harvest time is near

Aiming For Senate After Serving As Governor Is An Abuse Of Privilege -Bafarawa
***
“Why would you serve eight years as governor of a state and then you come again and take one part of the state and say you are going to the National Assembly? After serving for eight years, why don’t you allow others to go to the National Assembly? As a former governor, the only thing you can look forward to is the presidency. Anything less than that is an abuse of privilege.

“Out of 200 million people, you are one of the few chosen to become governor, and after two terms, you come back again and say you want to go to the Senate. What are you going to the Senate to do? As a former governor, ask somebody to go and represent the people there. Then you give the person your wisdom.” -Mallam Attahiru Bafarawa, Former Sokoto Governor

2el:
Which organisation??

Same question I'm asking

I saw the post somewhere online

Another draw soup cooking

Forest it's okay please... Don't be so heartless... haba, in front of their fans oo

I saw this text somewhere and I kept wondering how many parastatsls can run this package. Any idea






This is our Package, where I work, a government Parastatal: Salary entry level is N230k, Monthly Allowance N80K, Free accommodation but we only pay 20k monthly for maintenance, Free Bus back and forth, Free Internet, We run on shift, and we get Free Meal everyday 22 times a month, During festive period, it's a must for them to give us Rice and oil, or cash incase the rice and oil is not available, it's a tradition. Once a while we have happy hour, where everybody just sit and dine, During Ramadan fasting or lenting season Christians close 1pm for 40days, and Muslims close also close 1pm until after Ramadan, December period once it's 20th December, We will be divided into 2, first batch will go for holiday break for 10days another batch for 10days also, Our leave is 30 working days, and we have a free Clinic. These are the few I can remember.

An X handle ( Nigeria Stories) just broke the intentions of the President to visit America at the right time.

JUST IN: The Federal Government has said President Bola Tinubu would visit the White House when the “situation is right,” dismissing insinuations that president Tinubu is avoiding Washington amid recent diplomatic tensions triggered by United States President Donald Trump’s designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” and his Christian genocide claim in Nigeria



https://x.com/NigeriaStories?t=ltd8_gsltfHshNlSu7K3Zg&s=08https://x.com/NigeriaStories?t=ltd8_gsltfHshNlSu7K3Zg&s=08

Slot when rearranged becomes Lost

Looks more like the gathering of "en daudu"

Boko Haram literally means that Western Education is forbidden, ... It means the demonic elements are now 3 goals and 3 points ahead of the government

Whoever God has blessed, no man can bring down

C7 Ronaldo no be dem mate... Any day.. Anywhere.. Anyhow

The list is not complete without mentioning that

1. Millions of Nigerians and their families are hungry over 75% of Nigerians sleep on empty stomach

2. Millions of Nigerian youths are jobless without any hope or help in sight

3. Millions are homeless yet Wike and his cohorts are busy destroying homes, communities and villages


I'm just tied

Mazi Kanu walked into court with only his convictions. He told the judge he had no defence because the charges were illegal. Even when the judge urged him to get a lawyer, he stood alone, dismissed his entire legal team, trusting his voice against the weight of the law.
His story is a reminder: the courtroom is not a place for pride or emotion. It is a battlefield of procedure and evidence. No matter how right you feel, facing the law without a legal guide can turn courage into vulnerability.
I'm not sure appealing the sentence will workout any difference. FG legal team can appeal for death sentence as well.
Mazi Kanu have succeeded in making the Biafra an ideal that may manifest one day, unfortunately,
Mazi Kanu’s journey feels like that of Moses in the bible, he laboured for the promised land, he caught a glimpse of it, yet the gate was never opened for him to step inside.
May he find favour before Asiwaju and other political stalwarts from the south east.


C O P I E D

And when he drew near and saw the city he wept over it,

saying, "Would that even today you knew the things that make for peace! But now they are hid from your eyes.

For the days shall come upon you, when your enemies will cast up a bank about you and surround you, and hem you in on every side,

and dash you to the ground, you and your children within you, and they will not leave one stone upon another in you; because you did not know the time of your visitation."


Luke 19: 41 - 44

EXCLUSIVE:


*How Tinubu’s Defence Minister Matawalle Maintains Contact With Bandit Leaders, Ordered Them To Compel Communities To Vote For APC — Former Aide*


The "mobilisation" had included providing “36 brand new Hilux vehicles” and buying stolen livestock from bandit groups.

The whistleblower, whose identity SaharaReporters is withholding for security reasons, spoke in an exclusive interview on Wednesday, detailing a sprawling web of political, financial, and operational links between Matawalle and terror kingpins in Zamfara State.

The former aide revealed that these connections have continued even after Matawalle became President Bola Tinubu’s Minister of Defence.


According to the source: “I was appointed as SA to the Zamfara State Governor, Dr Bello Matawalle. My village is among the areas affected by banditry activities. So, my role as SA gave me the opportunity to meditate between the government and bandits.”

His role, he said, exposed him to the inner dealings between the Matawalle administration and terror leaders.

“These appointments gave me the chance to know many of these terrorists and their activities,” he said.

He alleged that Matawalle now wants to silence him “because I knew all the atrocities he carried out with bandits during his tenure as Governor.”



Buying Stolen Cows Directly From Bandits

The former aide claimed the governor routinely purchased rustled cattle from terrorists at discounted prices, especially during festive seasons.

He said bandit leaders complained that when they took stolen animals to the market, owners often identified them, prompting Matawalle to buy directly.

“He uses to buy rustled animals from bandit with cheaper rate during sallah festive season… he decided to buy directly from them. And he bought them at flat rate… N150,000 each.”

He alleged that Matawalle regularly invited bandit commanders into Government House despite their involvement in killings, kidnappings, and mass displacement.

“He used to invite bandits to the Government House Zamfara during his tenure and discussed even political issues with them and how they would compel the communities to vote for him for the second tenure.”


*36 Hilux Vehicles For Terrorist Leaders*

One of the most explosive allegations is that the former governor procured dozens of government vehicles for leaders of terror groups.

“He bought 36 brand new Hilux vehicle to the bandits leaders in Zamfara State including Kachallah Turji and late Halilu Sububu among others.”

According to him, the people of Shinkafi were aware of these dealings:

“Even the people of Shinkafi Zamfara State they are aware.”


*Continued Contact As Defence Minister*

The source said Matawalle’s relationship with terror leaders has continued even after joining Tinubu’s cabinet.

“After he left the office as governor and his appointment as minister of defence, it is suprise that he is chatting these people. They always contact him for help.”

He specifically named one notorious commander: “There was one Bello Tugoje… they use to communicate through Whatsapp. The same guy is very close to the minister. And he was in Zamfara State payroll during his tenure as governor.”

He added that Matawalle still communicates with notorious terror kingpins: “He also communicates with Bello Turji and Kachallah Haru Dole via Whatsapp.”


*Election Influence And 2027 Plans*

The former aide claimed the minister maintains the relationships for political leverage.

“Those of us that are close to him, we are suprised why would a minister be doing this but it is clear why he is holding them.”

He alleged that Matawalle used bandit groups to secure votes in 2023 and intends to do so again in 2027.

“Because they are still using them during political periods and 2027 election is coming.”

He added that many terrorists voted for the ruling APC on Matawalle’s orders: “Many of these terrorists voted for APC in 2023 because the minister was the governor and he told them to vote for APC and Tinubu also won them, because of their votes.”

SaharaReporters days ago reported that Matawalle claimed that most bandit leaders and their foot soldiers had been neutralised, adding that "what remains now are a few scattered elements."

He had added that President Bola Tinubu has directed troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA to eliminate the remaining bandit elements in the North-West.

SaharaReporters earlier reported that the Kebbi State Police Command confirmed that no fewer than 25 students were abducted from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area, early Monday morning.

The attack, carried out by heavily armed bandits, left one staff member dead and another injured, according to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Nafi’u Abubakar Kotarkoshi.

The incident reportedly occurred around 4am when the assailants stormed the school and engaged police officers on duty in a fierce gun battle.

Meanwhile, the Minister of State Matawalle during a visit to the Theatre Command Headquarters, conveyed Tinubu’s appreciation for the troops’ patriotism, courage, and “remarkable successes in decimating bandit formations across the Northwest.”

He told the soldiers: “Mr. President specifically asked me to tell you that you have done exceedingly well.

“Most of the key bandit leaders and their foot soldiers have been neutralised through your gallant effort. What remains now are a few scattered elements, and the Commander-in-Chief has directed that these remnants must be wiped out completely.

“He assures you of every necessary support — logistics, equipment, welfare, and morale — to finish the job,” he said.

Matawalle was received by the Theatre Commander, Major-General Warrah Bello Idris, who briefed him on recent operational achievements, including the neutralisation of high-value targets and the recovery of communities previously under bandit control.


( c ) *SaharaReporters'*

WE HAVE GIVEN AWAY 12 LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN KATSINA: THE GRADUAL DEATH OF A NATION

When peace deals replace law, and bandits become partners in governance, the soul of a nation is already bleeding.

By Colonel Emeritus IA Okereke

The news that twelve local governments in Katsina State — the home of Nigeria’s immediate past President — have signed a peace deal with bandits is not just shocking; it is a national confession of failure. When elected leaders and security agencies, constitutionally empowered to defend lives and property, must negotiate with killers and kidnappers, sovereignty itself has been traded for survival.

This development is not a peace process; it is a surrender document. It exposes the naked weakness of a State that has lost its monopoly over legitimate force. In any functioning democracy, peace is built upon justice, law, and the firm authority of the State — not upon appeasement of armed criminals. Once non-state actors dictate the terms of coexistence, the State has effectively abdicated its constitutional responsibility.

THE SYMBOLISM OF KATSINA

That this is happening in Katsina — the home state of the immediate past Commander-in-Chief — is both symbolic and shameful. If peace cannot reign there without the blessings of bandits, then what hope remains for the rest of the North? The so-called “peace accord” is not a breakthrough; it is a tragic epitaph for a broken republic.

THE DEEPER ROT

This did not start today. It is the bitter harvest of reckless, visionless, and irresponsible leadership over decades.

Leadership without courage or accountability.

Intelligence corrupted by ethnic bias and greed.

Soldiers neglected, underpaid, and demoralized.

Bandits elevated to stakeholders, while victims are forgotten.

The Nigerian State is bleeding from within — not because we lack brave men and women, but because we lack truth, discipline, and direction at the top. Every peace deal with bandits is a betrayal of justice and of every soldier who died defending this nation.

ONCE WE ENFORCED PEACE, NOW WE BEG FOR IT

We must remember: Nigeria once enforced peace across Africa. We did not beg rebels for mercy; we restored sovereignty, authority, and governance in nations torn apart by war.
In Liberia, Sierra Leone, and other crisis zones, Nigerian troops — disciplined, courageous, and respected — restored law, order, and hope.
Today, in tragic irony, those who once enforced peace abroad are watching helplessly as their own homeland signs peace deals with criminals.

What a shame. What a people. What a fall from grace.

ACCOUNTABILITY MUST COME

Our leaders owe Nigerians an explanation — a truthful account of how they brought this nation to its knees. The people deserve to know why a country that once projected stability and leadership has become a playground for terrorists and bandits.

The first step to redemption is honest admission of failure. The second is the political will to rebuild — not through pacts with bandits, but through justice, courage, and national rebirth.

Unless we awaken from this nightmare, the Giant of Africa will not fall suddenly; it will decay silently, piece by piece, until nothing remains but the memory of what could have been.

©️ Colonel Emeritus IA Okereke, All Rights Reserved

IT SHALL NEVER BE WELL TO & WITH ALL THIEVES

AfahaAbia:
That's NAFDAC job not NDLEA.

Including the duties of SON as well

Who the cap fits, let him........ Well deserved