As the nation celebrated onslaught by the Nigerian military in decimating bandits who continued to make life unbearable to many citizens, especially the recent bombing by Nigerian Airforce jets in Zamfara where two bandit leaders were reportedly killed,the camp of renowned Islamic Sheikh, Dr.Ahmad Abubakar Gumi has called on the military to further convince the public by showing evidence.
A member of the Gumi camp and traditional title holder of ‘Dan Iyan Fika in Yobe State, Alhaji Tukur Mamu, told journalists in an interview, that “the simple question is that we should ask ourselves…for example these reports that they are saying that they’ve bombarded this camp and that camp,is there any evidence on the ground?”
“There is a particular forest we visited in Niger State. The whole of the settlement had been bombarded. This settlement has nothing to do with bandits Infact they showed us two wells full of innocent people, dead, inside, casualties of these bombardments.”
“That’s exactly what these bandits were telling us.They said “whenever we hear the sound of an aircraft, we run to our caves ,and then run.If they will succeed in killing anybody, it is the small children ,the wives or the cows. “
“That’s their own testimony.So you can imagine a country where,for example, bandits would gather in a forest and be celebrating. You don’t even have intelligence to track them and eliminate them.Then for you to say you will succeed in killing them?”
“I hear them yesterday., celebrating the reported death of bandit leader.So , for example if you kill one bandit leader and another one emerges,what benefit did you derive?”
“For example you killed Dogo Gide, a person more dreaded than him.emerged.When they killed Buharin Daji, Turji emerged. So what’s the success there?And for us to even be celebrating. There is nothing to celebrate,the only thing we can celebrate is that if our military succeeds in crushing them all and they cannot.”
He said if America could go to Afghanistan and spent 20 years, “spending 3 trillion dollars andvwasting 3600 personnel,over 20000 citizens killed after 20 years,they are coming to dialogue with the Taliban…what do you expect in Nigeria?”
“These ( Americans) are people that have so much transparency even in their military spending. You will not hear even the cases of corruption like the one we hear in Nigeria. So if they would do that after all these 20 years, what do you expect from Nigeria?”
“I can tell you without any fear of contradiction, Buhari would spend the next one year 7 months without addressing this issue. And if the next President comes snd he will follow the same process , he cannot succeed.”
“You have to address so many economic issues and so many issues of injustice. And then for you to pursue the path of dialogue. It is not the sign of weakness. That’s what Yar’Adua initiated in Niger Delta. “
“Do you think the silence we used to hear now from Niger Delta,is it because of gun? Is it because of military might?There are many top militant commanders that have been on the payroll of the Federal Government for the past 8 years. They are the richest now, top militants, Commanders,” he alleged.
“But this is a silent issue that nobody knows. But that is the reason why you can explore oil and then.ecploit it.The only reason why their own is different is because the Federal Government knows that if they didn’t do something there,it will affect the whole economy. That’s the issue.”
Speaking further, Mamu who said he was also a media consultant to Sheikh Gumi, said the isue of security has no religious barrier as it affected everybody.
“It is something that is really consuming the society. Our major problem as a nation is how to go about solving this crisis that has defied all solutions,so far.”
“Alot of people are giving their own perspectives, a lot of people are giving their own thoughts about the way they think it is the appropriate way to manage the whole crisis.”
“But for Sheikh Gumi,we believe people are making comments out of either naivety or out of ignorance about the quantum of the problems that we have and how to go about it.”
“I think by now we are authorities especially on issues that have to do with banditry. Genesis of the crisis, how to go about it, and then what we’ve actually seen on the ground. This is because nobody in Nigeria have seen what we saw.”
“We’ve quite alot of experience to narrate, to say it.One may ask what is even the reason why, for example somebody like Sheikh Gumi would leave the comfort of his own house , sacrifice his own life and visit the forest?:
“Is it just for the media publicity?So one would imagine ,how would somebody be so stupid, because he wants to be in the headlines to sacrifice his own life, don’t know whether he will be coming back after visiting the bush or not.”
“So there are certain things that rationally one would find answers to.For the benefit of the audience,Gumi has passed the stage where he will solicit media headlines. That is the truth,first. There is no benefit at all financially,apart from using your own resources,as far as these visits that we used to do.”
He said the primary focus and interest was for the “respected and revered religious leader” to play his own part in making sure that the spill of blood, the quantum of innocent blood being wasted everyday, is stopped which Gumi believes is very dangerous for the nation.
His words:
“If the nation allows that to happen or to continue to happen,only God knows the kind of calamity that will happen. This is because what God dislikes is wasting innocent blood especially of those that did not even know what’s happening. Most of the victims of this banditry and issues of insecurity are very innocent people across the religious divide.They don’t even know what is happening, they’re just victims of the society and the failed leadership that we have,” he alleged.
He recalled an interview in which a Christian clergy spoke on the activities of Sheikh Gumi, saying “coming back to that particular interview,it’s not the first time you will hear people,for example,saying Gumi is protecting bandits, governments are supporting him,he supposed to be arrested, and all sort of comments.”
“We used to laugh when people say government is over protecting or having interest , or something like that regarding the activities of Sheikh Gumi.”
“The reason why I said so, I gave a very clear example. The relationship between the current President and Sheikh Gumi is not a cordial relationship.If it were cordial,the Sheikh wouldn’t spend months trying to see the President and would not be even granted access to see him.This is something they should know.”
“What I emphasised is that if there is anybody, I want to be on record,if there is anybody,that is looking for anything no matter how small in Gumi to arrest him,that person is President Buhari .I want to say it without any fear of contradiction.”
“We know what’s happening. The President is aggrieved with the Sheikh because of so many reasons. For that,no matter what the Sheikh initiated,no matter how laudable anything that will come from the Sheikh,the President will not welcome it.”
“If not we’ve gotten the support of top security officers including the NSA,the DG SSS, Nigerian Police Force, all the top security chiefs,at one time or the other,they had cooperated with what we were doing.”
“But no matter what you do, you’ve to get the encouragement or the approval from the above for you to even succeed. That is why most of the missions ended in failure despite our sacrifice and determination to reach out to these people.”
“For the record, I would have wished for the respected pastor will reflect on so many other things. Part of the things he will reflect is ,for example, if you said you will approach…..what the government has done so far related to bombardment which we believe is more of propaganda than reality.”
“What the government has done so far related to wasting billions of Naira in tax payers money to buy Tucano jets, most of them over inflated projects, contracts that end up enriching few people in the military. What the government has so far succeeded compared to the amount of resources that has so far been spent,is not commensurate at all,” he alleged.
“It is something really , very questionable that every sensible Nigerian should ask himself…there are very few cliques within the military that are really benefitting from these war against insecurity. That is why anytime you will hear the name of Sheikh Gumi.”
“Some of them even sponsored write ups in newspaper houses, for example to either condemn the initiative or to discredit it.To give it a different picture that will even create more division, for example between Christians and Muslims. But the Sheikh is telling them, ..how can you even put religion, for example, on issues that have to do with security?” He alleged.
“If these bandits are attacking or are on rampage,are they targeting Muslims only or both Muslims and Christians?They don’t care who you are.They don’t care whether you are a Muslim or a Christian,what faith you belong to.Most of them that have,in one way or another,became victims, they can tell you how barbaric they are. How criminal they can be.”
“So, what the Sheikh is saying is that,if for example as a nation,we know that we are honest in our military spending, we know that we are prudent in our military spending,if as a nation we know that most of this money is not diverted to the pockets of few military officers,if we know as a nation we have proper intelligence,to extract information and then ,apprehend these criminals head on,if we know that as a nation, for example we have the capacity to crush these elements once and for all ,so that the nation will live in peace,then go ahead and do it.”
“But in a country whereby,you are lacking in all these things that I’ve mentioned,then what option do you have as a responsible leader to ensure that you preserve even one single soul?”
“Is negotiation, is dialogue, is amnesty, not the best option as long as you will protect innocent lives from being killed everyday?From being kidnapped everyday? “
“So that is what the Sheikh is saying everyday and that’s what alot of critics failed to understand. And what difference does it make , for example now out of media blackmail,…bandits are terrorists today. And then tomorrow, you don’t have any new method that will make sure it ends the terror action..What difference does that make?”
“So,what we are saying is that,if for example there will be something new,for example the announcement of the prescription of anything that has to do with banditry or terrorism,…we know it is a terror act.But he is afraid, these people have not being indoctrinated like Boko Haram. Because Boko Haram people believe if they die they are going to heaven. So this is a religious war,as far as they are concerned.”
“These people are fighting economic war because of so many things that happened in the past. Most of them are victim.of cattle rustling,you will find that one Fulani man will have more than 200 cows. He will wake up in a day they’ve been rustled. At the end of the day a Fulani man values his cow more than his religion. “
“So what option do you have, if for example somebody that is dispossessed of everything he has,then he got AK 47.He doesn’t have Islamic knowledge,no conventional knowledge, a completely ignorant person and you think he cannot be exploited?”
“So that is why the approach of the Sheikh is that for you to even bring this thing to an end,you must go back to the drawing board. You have to understand the genesis of the crisis. If there’s any issue of injustice that’s been done to these people,you’ve to address this injustice first.”
“For example if you say you will condemn any idea of educating the Fulani,which as a result of lack of education that they have so much ignorance to even go into this kind of criminality,then what are you encouraging in the next ten to twenty years? More banditry,more kidnapping,anything of that nature will also increase.”
“But as the Sheikh is saying, when you educate a society,like the Martin Luther Kings are saying,once somebody is educated, I’m telling you no matter how the society cheats him, he will not go into criminality.He will, instead, adopt a very civil means of earning a living.”
“But living in ignorance,these people even during visits,they used to say since the nation was created,they don’t know anything about Nigerian budget. It has never benefits them.They don’t have water,they don’t have schools ,they don’t have clinics.Anything that you see that government has the responsibility to provide,they don’t even know it exists. They live virtually,the whole of their lives in the forests.”
“And then ,they are catering for themselves and at the end of the day,their means of livelihood is no longer there. That’s the reason why the insecurity persists.”
“That’s why we are saying that when for example you don’t put rationality in analysing security issues, honestly there is so much danger. One of the dangers is you will succeed in creating division among the Christians and the Muslims. That’s the area of concern I discussed with my colleagues in the South when I went there.i said if we people did not come together as media men,see the kind of crisis we have and have a common way of reporting,honestly we would end up,the bandits would destroy us,we would destroy ourselves at the same time.”
“That’s exactly what’s happening now because,for example the tune of reports of the Northern media and the Southern media for example,related to issue of banditry or insecurity,you will see it ,they are coming out along religious line.”
“Instead of us to confront the whole issue as it is and then find a solution,that will benefit the entire society.”
When asked that during one of their visits to the forests, the Governor of Zamfara welcomes them wholeartedly and the Governor of Sokoto too, bought in.
But why was it that the President don’t want to accept their proposal?
He alleged that the President was not in touch with basic realities.
” He is somebody,for example,that relies hundred percent on security reports. As a President you don’t rely hundred percent on security reports. The security reports can be distorted Security reports can be made in a way that can favour certain interests.”
“You’ve to try certain channels of communication. Channels of getting additional information as a President,especially regarding sensitive issue’s to do with security.”
“Most of the problems we used to have especially during the former service chiefs, with even these present ones,is that,you know ,most of them,sadly to say,they don’t want this war to end because there’s alot of money inside A lot of billions inside,” he alleged.
“Infact, apart from top politicians in this country that are really in strategic positions,the richest people in Nigeria today are the military.That is why they are quite.
So much money is been diverted in the name of security,our security spending is one of the most corrupt in the history of the whole world.So with this for example ,if a commander or chief executive did not understand this line of politics,I tell you there’s no way we can eliminate or tackle the issue of this kind of banditry,” he alleged.
“From what the state government and the Federal Government..,there is no way …because a Governor,for example would say I’ve released N2 billion for security vote;at the end of the day he will take half and then, they will also share there own…” He alleged.
“This is what is happening in most of these states.As an ex military officer,these are some of the things that Gumi understands and that is why he has been consistent in trying to educate even those that didn’t understand for them to understand the politics and then, the reason why a lot of people especially in those position of power and authority would not support these kinds of initiatives. “
The Retired Deputy General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor J.H. Abiona, is dead, The PUNCH has learnt.
An official of the church confirmed the death of the 96-year-old retired DGO of the church to The PUNCH on Saturday.
According to the official who craved anonymity, the church would make an official statement on the passing of Abiona soon.
Abiona was one of the respected elders of the church. He was appointed acting General Superintendent after the death of the founder, Pa Josiah Akindayomi.
Abiona had handled the transition of the church leadership from Akindayomi to the current General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, in 1981 and weathered the storm generated by people who were eager to lead the church, despite God’s plan, which had earlier been made known to them.
Respected for his humility and commitment to the work of God in the church, Abiona was known as one of the very few people to pray for Adeboye and his wife, Pastor Foluke, during church programmes.
In an earlier interview with a magazine in the church, he had said, “I thank God that we insisted on doing God’s will and today everyone can see that the successor was God’s choice.”
Nine months after NAF 475, an Alpha jet belonging to the Nigerian Air Force, went missing with John Abolarinwa and Ebiakpo Chapele, the two pilots on board, the force is yet to brief Nigerians on its investigation into the strange incident.
The aircraft went missing on March 31, after losing radar contact with an air force base in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State. But two days later, Abubakar Shekau’s Boko Haram faction released a video claiming it brought it down.
Edward Gabkwet, the NAF spokesperson, refuted the insurgents’ claim. He said, “It is obvious that the Boko Haram sect, in its characteristic manner of employing false propaganda, is seeking to claim credit for what was obviously an air accident that could have been caused by several other reasons, particularly at a time when the capability of the group to inflict mayhem has been significantly degraded by the Armed Forces of Nigeria,” Gabkwet said.
Meanwhile, in the Boko Haram video, the ruins of an aircraft named NAF 475 is seen alongside what looks like the body of a military officer in camouflage. A masked officer also says the ambushed aircraft is the ‘jet fighter of the Nigerian Air Force 475’. He goes on to describe the death of the pilot as an act of God in defence of his servants to whom he was sent to attack.
James Gwani, NAF’s Chief of Training and Operations, representing Isiaka Amao, Chief of Air Staff, in a virtual meeting with newspaper editors in October, said efforts were still on to find the missing fighter jet. The efforts, according to him, were in collaboration with foreign partners.
“The combat search and rescue for the aircraft brought down in the northeast is still ongoing. It will also interest you to know that we are working with our foreign partners,” James said.
“We have had a series of meetings at the Air Force Headquarters, seeking the support of not only our immediate neighbours, but also our strategic partners in trying to locate where that aircraft went down. The process is ongoing and when the airplane is found, we will tell Nigerians.”
President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed DCG Karebo Samson as the new Acting Controller General of the Federal Fire Service.
The Acting CG, DCG Karebo Samson in his address thanked the President for the opportunity to serve while recognising the forthrightness of the Honourable Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola who ensured his emergency as the Acting Controller General.
Acting CG Karebo promised to ensure that men of the operational department are motivated to be at their best in the discharge of their duty.
He called on officer and men to maintain a high level of discipline assured them that he will carry everyone along to move the service forward.
The outgoing Controller General, Dr. Liman Ibrahim thank President Muhammadu Buhari for given him the opportunity to serve. Stating that the current administration of President Buhari has lifted the Fire Service from sorry state to world class standard. He said his successes at the Federal Fire Service wouldn't have been possible without the vision of the president to protect lives and property of Nigerians.
He appreciated officers and men of the Service while calling on them to give the Acting CG maximum support to succeed.
The Retired CG also admonished the Acting CG to work to accomplished some of the ongoing projects while assuring him of his support anytime he is called upon.
The mysterious death of the Islamic cleric, Tunde Olayiwola arrested last week with fresh human by detectives of the Ondo state police command in police custody is generating controversy.
Reports said that the suspect reportedly slumped and died at Special Anti-cultist Section of the state police command.
Recall that the suspect was paraded alongside eight other suspected criminals alleged to have committed various offences ranging from murder, kidnapping and cultism.
The suspect was apprehended with the fresh human head at Ajagbale Area of Oka, Ondo town.
Sources said that the suspect allegedly fell sick the second day he was detained and was taken to the police clinic where he eventually died.
The suspect during an interview with newsmen at the state police command when paraded said that he bought the fresh human head for N60,000 to use it for money rituals.
Olayiwola who said he hailed from Oshogbo, Osun state said “It was delivered to me at home by a man i met at a social function on Thursday morning. I was about to commence the ritual when I was arrested by the police detectives.
” I purposely ordered for the human head to make my life better and it was delivered to me. This is my first time but I want to do it to become rich and live a better life. The head was delivered to me today.”
The suspect declined to name his other accomplices saying he wanted to be rich just as his counterparts.
Speaking, the state police commissioner, Oyeyemi Oyediran said that said “the suspect was arrested by men of the state police command after intelligence report that the suspect was about to receive a consignment.
The state Police command image maker, Funmilayo Odunlami confirmed the death of the suspect in police custody adding that he became indisposed while in detention. Odunlami did not give details when pressed further.
The Anambra governorship election petitions tribunal has relocated its sittings from Awka to Ilorin in Kwara.
Mr Surajo Gusau, Secretary of the tribunal, disclosed this when he spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria in Awka via telephone on Tuesday.
Gusau said that the movement took place on Dec. 17 saying that the tribunal had already settled down in Ilorin.
He, however, did not disclose the reasons for the relocation, saying it was based an administrative directive.
Gusau said that the tribunal was handling 12 cases apart from the one filed by Accord Party which was withdrawn on December 9.
The tribunal was set up to handle petitions arising from the Anambra governorship poll, won by Prof. Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance.
As deadline for the expected presidential assent to the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2021, elapsed last Friday, report reaching DAILY POST indicates that President Muhammadu Buhari has written to the National Assembly, explaining reasons he didn’t assent to the bill.
The President pointed out the high cost of conducting primary elections as reasons he withheld assent to the bill.
Buhari also cited heightened insecurity as another reason, saying that it would be too risky to monitor direct primary elections, which may result in violation of people’s rights.
According to him, small political parties that lack capacity and structure would be marginally denied which he said, he has taken his time to study the bill and wasn’t in the interest of the country.
DAILY POST is monitoring the situation and would bring details after the plenary on Tuesday.
Seventeen governorship aspirants under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State, on Monday, converged at the national secretariat of the party in Abuja as its leadership seeks to forge a common front going into the June 2022 poll.
The meeting was at the instance of the National Working Committee (NWC) led by the National Chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, who threatened sanctions on any aspirant who resort to anti-party activities.
The aspirants were invited to the inaugural meeting of the Reconciliation Committee on the Ekiti State Governorship Election also attended by PDP governors and other prominent party stakeholders.
In his opening address, Ayu warned that all aspirants must support any of them the party decide field in the election.
According to him, doing otherwise will amount to anti-party that he said was the bane of the PDP in the previous elections it lost.
The party boss said: “The mood of the party is that of a united house. The mood of the party is that of a party that will fight together as one united force and hopefully, we should be able to recapture as many states as possible, as many members of the National Assembly, both the two houses as possible or state houses of assembly.
“We’re not going into any election to lose. We are going into every single election with the determination to win and I think that should be the mood of every member of the PDP family. It is not important to us in the leadership of the party whether you like a particular candidate or not.
“Once the party decides on the candidates, it is the responsibility of every member of the PDP family to fight for that candidate because you’re not just fighting for that candidate you are fighting for the PDP.
“So, you have a responsibility to support him. Anybody that does otherwise we’ll be considered as working against the PDP. So, it will be regarded as anti-party.
“The mood of the PDP today is that anybody who works against the PDP will not just walk away because we don’t want members of our party fighting against members of the party.
“We lost the election because the leaders in various states and the followership were divided, with PDP winning or losing against PDP.
“That trend has to stop. We are very certain that the reconciliation process which we are going to carry out in virtually every state will enable us to unify the party at the ward level, at the local government level and at the state levels because we believe that as a family, as a party today, that no single individual can go out there and win an election, even if you are a governor.
“The governor’s must work with their colleagues, critical stakeholders right from the ward. Every order party leader in every state must be prepared to work as a team player because party politics is like football, it is not tennis is a team game. And it’s only when you work as a team that you are assured of victory.”
Ayu explained that the Ekiti reconciliation meeting was a follow up of the successful national convention of the party.
He revealed that the party would take the reconciliation efforts to all the state chapters where there are disputes.
The former senate president stated: “This meeting is a follow up to a very successful national convention. We showed to Nigerians clearly that the PDP family is a united family and is capable of resolving whatever problems within the family.
“After the national convention, we didn’t want any break in communication with Nigerians and we have since been carrying out series of activities to build on that. One of such important activities has been the first meeting of the National Working Committee which was chaired by my humble self.
“At the end, the NWC took a crucial decision that we will start a process of sorting out whatever problems we have in the state chapters so that will have a united and formidable force to go into any election, including the forthcoming presidential election and other national elections in 2023.
“So, what we have started today, with Ekiti state, is actually a process. It is not directed specifically at only Ekiti but is directed at our party as a whole.
“We think there is a need for dialogue with critical stakeholders and the party is going to do just that so that by the time we are going into the elections, whatever election we’re going into, we want to go into such election as the united force, a force that is capable of fighting and winning elections.
“The essence of every political party is to win elections, not just to participate in elections. The party started on the note of winning virtually every election that we went into. That was why we built our strength from capturing 21 states in 1999 to about 28 states in 2007. It is often believed that if we put our house in order, we’ll still be able to go back to those winning ways.
“We have included a significant number of the BoT, the chairman of BoT graciously nominated key members of BoT to join in this process. So did the National Assembly and significantly the governor’s led by the chairman of the governor’s forum himself, is here plus other governors that have been nominated.
“I think more are still on their way to join us in this interaction which we’re going to have with colleagues, brothers or sisters from Ekiti State.”
In attendance at the meeting were the chairman of PDP Governors Forum and governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal; governors Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), and Sam Ortom (Benue).
Also, there were former governors of Ekiti state, Ayo Fayose; Segun Oni; Senator Biodun Olujimi, Olusola Eleka, among others.
Andy Uba, APC will appeal the High Court Judgment -Campaign Organisation
…Says APGA is doing everything possible to take Andy Uba/APC out of the tribunal knowing that they have a bad case
… Urges supporters to remain calm
The Senator Andy Uba Governorship Organisation(SAUGCO) has stated that Senator Andy Uba and his party, APC will appeal the judgement of Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court that nullified his nomination as the candidate of All Progressive Congress (APC) for November 6, Anambra governorship election.
"While we remain law abiding in the face of the latest development, It is rather not surprising to many that the APGA members could turn themselves as the spokespersons of the Federal High Court with their tented report about the judgment and abuse of our party, APC with a view to blur and distort this grave miscarriage of justice because they(APGA) are to be the direct beneficiaries of judgement.
“The APGA part in this script appears very glaring. Of course, they are aware that they have a bad case in the tribunal and are doing everything possible to take Andy Uba and APC out from the tribunal, but they will fail.
"We are not surprised that APGA members are celebrating the Justice Ekwo judgement like a child that received Christmas clothe from his father. They believe that the judgement will stop Andy Uba from proving his petition at the tribunal. The good thing is that this is not the last court in this instant. We are heading to appeal court to prove them wrong."
The Senator Andy Uba Governorship Campaign Organisation (SAUGCO) therefore urge APGA led government of ANAMBRA State to keep herself busy with challenges facing the state than investing on ‘Operation Stop Andy Uba’ dance.
Ikechukwu Emeka Onyia Deputy Director Media and Publicity, Senator Andy Uba Governorship Campaign Organization (SAUGCO)
Quite a few readers requested me to offer a perspective on the protests that seem to be sweeping the North over insecurity, especially in light of the observation I made in last week’s column that “there are only muffled, barely audible voices of outrage from everyday northerners” and that “there are no mass protests in the streets and no consistently violent maledictions against Buhari in mosques—like there would have been if the president were a Christian.”
Well, firstly, the protests are not “mass,” don’t seem to resonate widely, and are already caving in before they have even started. Give it a few more days and all will be quiet. Until another cascade of mass killings grips us.
Secondly, this isn’t the first time that half-hearted protests have erupted in the North to call attention to insecurity in the region. Recall the “we-are-a-little-pissed” protests of April 2019 and another series of lukewarm protests in June 2020 that stopped after the arrest and detention of one Nastura Sharif who led a PEACEFUL protest in Katsina to call attention to the serial, unpunished mass murders of his people?
In spite of the protests, I have seen video clips of quite a number of northern Muslim clerics exonerating Buhari of responsibility for the mass deaths in the region, and they seem to be resonating with a wide stratum of the society. Religion is the most effective driver of mass action in the North.
The cynical, unpleasant truth is that the only thing that will make Muslim northern Nigeria revolt against Buhari and demand his ouster from power is if he were to convert to Christianity—or any other religion—or if he were to commit “blasphemy” and the clerical establishment in the region validated the fact of his “blasphemy.” Everything else is immaterial.
We have been socialized to “fight” for God against fellow humans but ask God to fight for us when we’re being murdered by other humans who share our ethnicity and religion. The same Nigerians who fly into a tempestuous holy rage and ask for the blood of their fellow humans when their God is “blasphemed” are the same people who’re asking for their God’s intervention— instead of acting— now that their relatives and friends are being murdered like animals by terrorist bandits.
If you have the capacity to defend God, shouldn’t you have even greater capacity to defend yourself since self-preservation is said to be the first law of nature? Or is “God-preservation” and self-annihilation the first law of nature in Nigeria?
If God, with his omnipotent powers, can’t deal with blasphemers on his own but needs your defense, why and how do you think he can defend you against people who’re smoldering you?
A week ago, a Facebook friend from the North wrote on my timeline that the mass deaths of northerners in the hands of murderous brutes while the state looks away is less important than the “un-Islamic” dressing of a Kannywood female star! I kid you not. I was too weak to respond to him. But he captures the mindset of the average northern Muslim man.
Even former Sokoto State governor Attahiru Bafarawa, in calling attention to the callousness of Buhari’s decision to attend a book launch while the North burned, couldn’t help injecting religion into his thoughts. “People were burnt in a vehicle after they were shot, but President Muhammadu Buhari went to Lagos for a book launch. A book that is neither the Qur’an or [sic] the Bible. It is just a biography,” he said.
In other words, it would have been defensible for Buhari to attend, say, a Quranic recitation competition anywhere in the world while people are killed in the North.
So, there’s nothing new happening now to suggest that anything is going to change. In a May 11, 2019 column titled “The Revolution Won’t Start from the North—Or Anywhere,” I made the following observations, which are now even more relevant in light of the tepid demonstrations going on in the North:
Northern Nigeria’s cascading descent into the abyss of anarchy, particularly with the ongoing indiscriminate abductions of moneyed aristocrats in the region, has stimulated a flurry of prognostications that “the revolution” will start from there; that it foretells the nascence of a revolt from below; that the forgotten, despised, and hungry almajirai are striking back. That’s wishful, erroneous thinking.
The emerging picture of the demographic profiles of the kidnappers that have been tormenting northern Nigeria does not square with the image of distraught, economically disaffiliated almajirai. They are former herders, from within and outside Nigeria, who have lost their cattle for any number of reasons, and who have taken to mindless, avaricious, and self-interested banditry. Anyone who expects the seeds of a revolution to sprout from the thoughtless brigandage of these sorts of insensate philistines must be clueless about what revolution entails.
Disparate strands of resentments might coalesce into a mass resistance, then blossom into a protest, and culminate in a rebellion without ever achieving the status of a revolution. In a revolution, a vanguard takes ownership of the rebellion and uses it as a ladder to climb to substantive power. The kidnappings in the far north are not a mass resistance. Nor are they a self-conscious, systematic protest, or even a rebellion. So, they have not a snowball’s chance in hell of ever transforming into a revolution.
The northern hoi polloi who bear the real brunt of Buhari’s cruelly strangulating and escalating incompetence won’t resist, protest, rebel, much less revolt, because they have been socialized into accepting their economic suffering with equanimity. The only thing that rouses their passions, that animates them to mindless violence, is religion.
You can smolder the Northern masses with economic asphyxiation, as Buhari is doing now, and they would make peace with their fate with listless acquiescence, but blaspheme their religion, or even icons of their religion, and they would rise up in arms and murder indiscriminately. Appeal to religion is the easiest way to ignite the raw emotions and solidarity of the northern masses. The region’s elite know that intimately and habitually exploit it to perpetuate themselves in power.
With a few honorable exceptions, the region’s clerical elites, known as the Ulama, are in bed with the political elites to keep the masses perpetually in a state of suspended animation. Amid the inexorably intensifying breakdown of security in the region, compromised clerical elites are also intensifying fraudulent theological rationalizations for the rise of kidnappings— and, of course, exculpating Buhari of responsibility for this.
Many people were scandalized when the Chief Imam of the Presidential Villa, Sheikh Abdulwaheed Sulaiman, was reported to have said, on May 8, [2019] that the widening and deepening of insecurity in the North was a “test from God.” The imam didn’t implore Buhari, who sat by him, to devise creative ways to contain the insecurity that has made people prisoners in their homes; he instead shifted the burden to the very people who are traumatized by a problem that is aggravated by the president’s incompetence. He beseeched beleaguered Northerners “for repentance and prayers to avert the current security challenges confronting the nation.”
The Aso Rock Imam’s exasperatingly bald-faced theological fraud is unfortunately the template the vast majority of the Ulama in Northern Nigeria deploy when they protect leaders who feather their nests. And it’s intended to keep the masses in check and to anesthetize them into not just accepting the incompetence of their leaders as an inescapable divine design but to bear responsibility for it.
In other words, Northern masses are fed the sterile, mendacious theological staple that the avoidable tragedies that befall them are not the consequence of the ineptitude of their leaders but a product of divine punishment for the iniquities of the masses. So, in addition to the trauma of living with the disabling dysfunctions created by their elites, they are blackmailed by cold, calculating, conscienceless clerical aristocrats into internalizing moral guilt for their conditions….
Now, if the revolution can’t come from the North because the masses of the people there are under the grip of a corrupt clerical establishment, is there hope from other parts of the country? None that I can see. Much of the rest of Nigeria is beset by a different iteration of the same problem in the North.
The deeper the nation descends into the nadir of despair, the more fatalistic, superstitious, and pre-scientific many people tend to become. Nigerian Christian Pentecostalism has particularly predisposed many people in the South to believe that they can “pray” all their problems away, that they don’t need to take their destinies into their own hands. It’s akin to what anthropologists call cargo cult mentality, that is, the superstitious belief, first recorded among pre-modern tribes in Melanesia, that all the goodies of this world will magically and effortlessly appear because people wish it into existence through staid rituals.
That’s not the way the world works. Any society where the vast majority of the people recoil in fatalistic resignation while their oppressors have a field day will be stuck in protracted infancy. Revolutionary tremors are good for every society every once in a while.
Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, has advised all the traditional rulers in Imo State to resign their position without further delay.
HURIWA said the call becomes imperative following the persistent terrorist attacks targeting the lives and property of traditional rulers in the State and the clear inability and unwillingness of the government to find a practicable solution to it.
The human rights group wants the traditional rulers to quit until such a time that governor Hope Uzodinma would put a framework in place to effectively stop the killings and punish the murderers.
HURIWA, has for the umpteenth time, urged governor Uzodinma to make peace with the stakeholders and groups in the state including the indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB).
HURIWA said the Governor who, according to it, is seen frequently in Abuja and is being rumoured to be running Imo State’s Government machinery from the FCT, should live in Owerri, the Imo State capital to be able to coordinate practical meetings with every known and identifiable groups and individuals playing a role in the insecurity tearing apart the Heartland of Igbo nation.
“Although we are not convinced that the people responsible for the series of assassinations of traditional rulers are affiliated to either the IPOB or the Eastern Security Network, ESN, because we suspect the involvement of members of the deep state from Abuja but we think the Imo State governor must hold peace talks with identifiable groups to find workable panacea to the systematic degeneration of security and the evolution of impunity, lawlessness and collapse of law enforcement mechanisms in Imo State. No amount of sacrifices is not worth making to put an end to the cocktail of coordinated murders of traditional rulers in Imo State,” the group said.
HURIWA expressed disappointment that even with the presence of the Department of State Services, DSS in Imo State, the secret police have yet to come to terms with the characters executing the systematic killings of traditional rulers in Imo State.
HURIWA said if the Imo State governor refuses to organize far-reaching meetings to discuss, negotiate and reach a deal or deals with all the identifiable groups and stakeholders in the Imo State debacle including political actors, then Imo State traditional rulers should save their lives by resigning from their apparently non-rewarding positions.
HURIWA wondered why traditional rulers should become prime targets when indeed they are so financially oppressed and marginalised by the Imo State government to an extent that if one considers what a traditional ruler earns in Katsina State, the paltry amount of fees paid to selected first-class traditional rulers in Imo State pales into insignificance.
“We appeal to every aggrieved group and persons to please stop the violence in Imo State and embrace constructive dialogue.
“The Primary duty of every government is the protection of lives and property of the citizens and since Imo State is degenerating to an arena and theatre of assassinations, no solution should be discountenanced.
“If on the other hand the Imo State Governor continues to hibernate in the federal capital territory and is relying on military force to restore law and order in Imo State, then we are hereby asking Imo State traditional rulers to immediately throw in the towel to avoid becoming unnecessary collateral damage.
HURIWA in a media statement by the National Coordinator Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko and the National Media Director Miss Zainab Yusuf said Imo State’s insecurity has reached such a dimension that a state of emergency should be declared.
It condemned the incessant killings of Imo citizens and traditional rulers and urged the governor to stop his excessive reliance on military forces which has always been misdirected and misapplied to carry out extra-judicial killings of Imo youths.
HURIWA recalled that the traditional ruler of Atta community, Njaba Local Government Area of the State, Edwin Azike, who was kidnapped last Thursday, was murdered by his assailants.
The National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, said that the annual inflation rate dropped for the seventh consecutive month to 15.4 per cent in November from 15.99 per cent in October.
This represents a 2.77 percentage point decline since March when the inflation rate peaked at 18.17 per cent.
The NBS disclosed this in its Consumer Price Index report for November 2021.
The report stated, “Consumer price index, (CPI) which measures inflation increased by 15.40 percent (year-on-year) in November 2021. This is 0.51 per cent points higher than the rate recorded in November 2020 (14.89) percent. Increases were recorded in all COICOP divisions that yielded the Headline index.
“On a month-on-month basis, the Headline index increased by 1.08 per cent in November 2021, this is 0.10 percent rate higher than the rate recorded in October 2021 (0.98) per cent.
“The percentage change in the average composite CPI for the twelve months period ending November 2021 over the average of the CPI for the previous twelve months period was 16.98 percent, showing 0.02 percent point from 16.96 percent recorded in October 2021.
“The urban inflation rate increased by 15.92 per cent (year-on-year) in November 2021 from 15.47 percent recorded in November 2020, while the rural inflation rate increased by 14.89 percent in November 2021 from 14.33 per cent in November 2020.
“On a month-on-month basis, the urban index rose by 1.12 per cent in November 2021, up by 0.10 the rate recorded in October 2021 (1.02) percent, while the rural index also rose by 1.04 percent in November 2021, up by 0.09 the rate that was recorded in October 2021 (0.95) percent.
“The corresponding twelve-month year-on-year average percentage change for the urban index is 17.55 per cent in November 2021. This is higher than 17.53 per cent reported in October 2021, while the corresponding rural inflation rate in November 2021 is 16.42 percent compared to 16.39 percent recorded in October 2021.”
Pa Ayo Adebanjo, the leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, has berated former Osun State Governor, Chief Bisi Akande, over allegations levelled against him (Adebanjo) in his book, “My Participations.”
Akande, who was the premier chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had presented his book to the public last week, revealing many secrets among stakeholders of Nigerian politicians.
In one of the accounts in the book, Akande claimed that Adebanjo pestered Bola Tinubu to build a house for him.
However, Adebanjo in an interview on Arise Television on Tuesday, debunked the accusations.
He claimed that Akande was lying and selling Yoruba race out in a bid to ensure Tinubu becomes President in 2023.
Adebanjo said, “He (Bisi Akande) is too junior to me to be commenting on political matters. He is a political neophyte. He is already known to me as a pathological liar.
"His colleague, Akinfenwa, in his book said that is who he is. And those of us who know him also know. He is just an apron string of Tinubu.
“He is too junior for me to be commenting on what he said. I signed his papers to be governor. And the condition we gave for him to become governor was that of sovereign national conference for the restructuring of the country back to federalism. That was the condition he was elected in 1999 and he reneged on that.
“We call all of them – Bola Tinubu, Segun Osoba to warn them when they reneged. They have sold out the Yoruba race to Muhammadu Buhari all because they want Tinubu to be president. That is not my business.
“But telling lies is the one I don’t know and I don’t know how a man like Akande who claims that we all come from the root of Obafemi Awolowo be taking pride in his participation in the Government of one Buhari, who they know is a disaster when all those who supported him initially are now regretting that they supported him.
“There is no sensible man who will come out now and say he is proud of Buhari. It shows the type of character he is. So, he is too junior for me to be commenting on what he said.”
Biafra National Guard Army Claims Responsibility For Monday's Attack On Abia Police Headquarters, Vows To Avenge Killing Of Igbos
Biafran National Guard (BNG), one of the groups agitating for the secession of the South-East from Nigeria, has taken responsibility for the attack launched on Monday on the Abia State Police Command Headquarters, Umuahia.
Gunmen on Monday morning attacked the headquarters of the state police command in Umuahia, the capital of Abia State.
SaharaReporters gathered that during the attack, one person suspected to be a police inspector was killed.
A source who lives close to the station told SaharaReporters that he heard gunshots around 1 am.
"Around 1 am, we could hear gunshots. Initially, we thought the policemen at the station were the ones shooting because sometimes they shoot to scare potential assailants.
"By daybreak, we heard it was an attack and that a policeman was killed," the source said.
The BNG, in a statement issued on Tuesday, explained that it attacked the headquarters to effect the arrest of the Commissioner of Police, Janet Agbede to explain the reasons behind attacks on Biafrans.
The group added that it harboured no intention to bring down anyone at the station.
The BNG in the statement signed by its Head of Media, Elemamba Eberechukwu, further reiterated that it had declared war on the Nigerian government and announced October 30, 2021, as the independence day of the region.
The statement reads, “We the Biafran National Guard wish you merry Christmas and want to also use this opportunity to urge you to continue to be unbiased in your reports. As you all already know; we redeclared the sovereign state of Biafra on 30th of October 2021, by virtue of that re-declaration, Biafra became a sovereign state and we the Biafran army would like to maintain cordial relationship with you all.
“Our army will soon officially start exercising our full right as an independent state and wish to continue to enjoy professional relationships with you all as referees and also the eyes of the world. Biafra is a legitimate course and there is no way to freedom; every way leads to freedom, depending on what the oppressors threw at us.
“The occupational government of Muhammadu Buhari threw death at us, force and oppression. We are dying every day and our people experiencing all kinds of suffering. It is our inalienable right to choose to die no more. It is our right to defend our lives and we have fully triggered it.
”Remember we called for the release of prisoners of conscience being dehumanized for preaching Biafra but they refused. They chose this path because they settled like the alpha and omega that decide our fate. They did not release them and they have given us the impression they will never release them.
“These people killing us must be brought to book and that is what we are doing. They must face justice and that prompted the invasion of Abia state police headquarters to arrest the commissioner of police of occupational government of Nigeria who has overseen deaths of thousands of Biafrans there.
”We have no intention to burn down the police headquarter or seize it for the time being. Our plan was to get the commissioner; so he could explain why killing Biafrans became a thing of pride and joy to him.
“We are disappointed that policemen that ought to run away engaged us, despite seeing we were heavily armed. We lost no soldier neither did any of our soldiers sustained injury. We took control of the headquarter briefly and neutralized many of the state-sponsored terrorists firing at us. The commissioner escaped but justice is inevitable.
“Furthermore; we encountered vigilante groups while travelling from Nsukka to Abia state but refused to open fire at them. We appreciate the effort of vigilante groups but it is high time they left the roads and go into our communities. They should guide our communities and leave major roads.
“Because we won’t leave them next time because they work with the occupational government and are a threat to the people’s army. We are warning them to resign or go into our communities alone; we will protect our roads and should they continue their vigilante whatsoever; we will see them as enemy link.
“The people of Biafra should not panic; everybody should remain calm because we are on top of the situation. It is a gradual process; we will protect our people from the terrorists terrorizing them. We have seen enemy soldiers burning down houses, shops and killing innocent Biafrans. We will work harder to protect our people from the occupational soldiers.
“Finally, Biafra is a sovereign state and we will not hesitate to stamp our sovereign authority. The first line of that sovereignty is the defense of our lives being taken at will by the occupational forces of the federal government of Nigeria. We will not relent until there is peace and safety of lives in our land.”
Zoom Video Communications, Inc. (Zoom) says it will begin to charge 7.5 percent value-added tax (VAT) on customers in Nigeria from January 1, 2022.
Zoom said this in a statement issued on Monday.
Last week, TheCable had reported that Nigerians will pay the same amount on Facebook ads from January 1.
The company said the additional charge is due to the new VAT policy in Nigeria.
“For customers with a sold to address in Nigeria, Zoom will begin applying VAT to invoices and remitting the VAT collected through Zoom’s VAT registration in Nigeria in accordance with the new rules relating to Value Added Tax for Non-Resident Suppliers of Electronically Supplied Services,” the statement reads.
“Zoom is routinely evaluating its indirect tax collection and remittance obligations. The application of these taxes to businesses with online activities is a complex and evolving area.
“This applies if you are registered for VAT in Nigeria and if you are not registered for VAT in Nigeria.
“Zoom continues to review such developments, as well as the nature and extent of its activities in different jurisdictions, and, based on such regular review, will start charging indirect taxes where applicable.”
In carrying out this action, Zoom said customers who are registered for VAT in Nigeria are advised to provide their valid Taxpayer Identification Numbers (TINs).
“To provide your TIN, please complete the following steps:
Sign in to the Zoom Portal.
“In the navigation panel, click Account Management, then Billing.
Click the Billing Information tab.
“Under Sold to Contact, choose to edit the TIN (which appears after the Sold to Contact Address field).
“Enter your TIN and click save.
“You are required to notify us if there is a change in your VAT registration status.”
The company said it will only be collecting VAT for invoices generated on or after January 1, 2022.
“Invoices prior to this date will not be impacted,” it added.
Operatives of the Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the EFCC, have arrested twenty- two (22) suspected internet fraudsters in an early morning sting operation in Asaba, Delta State. . . The suspects are: Saviour Francis; Samuel Okonkwo; Justice Onokeya; Christian Addeh; Collins Addeh; Ifeanyichukwu Ramsey; Kingsley Ikechukwu Nnubia; Great Unuafe Ogaga; Chibuike Chukwuka, Dominic Chukwuka and Precious Omvnogor. . . Othere are: Oreva Ferife; Stephen Kwushue; Emmanuel Daniel; Paul Ugwu; Ochuko Zion; Shedrack Godshelp; Barnabas Ossai; Ekwere Joseph Onyeka; Andrew Ochei, Kelechi Uwaegbu and Ifeanyi Afoma.
President Muhammadu Buhari is yet to communicate to the National Assembly on the Electoral Act Amendment bill, the presidency has said.
There has been a cold war between federal lawmakers and governors over the inclusion of direct primaries in the bill, with the latter mounting pressure on the president not to sign the bill.
The harmonised version of the bill was passed by the National Assembly last month and transmitted to the President for his assent.
A national daily had reported that President Buhari had returned the bill to the National Assembly in a letter addressed to the two presiding officers.
But Buhari’s aides on National Assembly matters said they were not aware of any communication to the parliament to that effect.
Any official communication from the president to both chambers of the National Assembly passes through their office.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Babajide Omoworare, in a telephone interview with Daily Trust described the report as “speculation”.
He said, “If there is a communication from the president to the National Assembly, I should know. Let’s just still take it (the rejection) as speculation.
‘If there is a communication to the effect that the president has rejected the Electoral bill, I’m not aware, and I should be aware, and we are still waiting for the 30 days within which the president should communicate to the National Assembly if he wants to.”
Also, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on National Assembly matters (House of Representatives), Ibrahim El-Yakub, said he was not aware of any communication to the parliament to that effect.
He said, “What I know is that it will not be returned through the back door.
“If the President assented to a bill, it will be known. He has 30 days from the day a bill is transmitted to the time he will assent to it.
“If he declined assent, the bill will just lapse and people will know that he has not assented.
“He will write to the National Assembly about it that he has not assented, stating his reasons.
“If he sent the letter, it must pass through me and I must be aware.
“It is not something that will be transmitted in secret and they keep quiet. That cannot be done.
“This government is not a Kangaroo government. There are rules and processes and the President always tries to follow those rules.”
Three suspected kidnappers have been arrested at their hideout near Ossra-Irekpeni communities along Okene-Lokoja-Abuja highway.
One of the local hunters who carried out the operation told Daily Trust that there was an exchange of gunfire.
He said the hunters alongside the chairman of Adavi Local Government Area of Kogi, Joseph Samuel Omuya, stormed the forest based on a tip-off, late Wednesday.
The source said while combing the forest, the kidnappers opened fire and the hunters returned fire for fire.
“We immediately engaged them in shootout and three of the kidnappers were arrested,” he said.
According to him, some other gang members escaped with with bullets wounds while those arrested have been handed over to security operatives in Lokoja, the state capital.
The Chairman of Adavi local government confirmed the arrest of three kidnappers, saying he led the operation.
He said the kidnappers were among the gangs that have been terrorising residents and travellers along Okene-Lokoja-Abuja highway.
“One of the kidnappers have confessed about their mode of operation, the nature of sophisticated weapons they use, and listed the names of other gang members,” he said.
The chairman, while commending the the local hunters for their efforts and determination in discharging their duties, urged villagers residing in the area to be security-conscious and provide useful information to the appropriate security agents.
The spokesman of the Kogi state police command, DSP Williams Ovye Aya, did not pick calls or reply text message sent over the incident.
Events of fatal motor/pedestrian accident at Ojodu involving students’ - By Ojodu LCDA
On December 7, 2021, at about 02:15 pm, a DAF truck with Registration No. APP 438 YA driven by one ‘Bolaji Kabiru’ rammed into some pedestrians at Grammar School Bus Stop along Ogunnusi Road later identified as students of Bab Fafunwa Millennium School, Ojodu Junior Grammar School, Omole Junior High School.
Corpses of the dead students have been evacuated with the support of officers of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and were deposited at the Morgue of the Mainland Hospital, Yaba, for autopsy.
As of now, we can confirm that all the injured students are in stable conditions and are receiving medical attention at the following Hospitals,
The erring driver has been apprehended and is in police custody.
However, the angry students who were later joined by hoodlums set the accidented vehicle ablaze, vandalised the Ojodu Police Station, operational vehicles of the men of Nigeria Police Force, the Vehicle Inspection Service, and some private articulated vehicles along Ogunnusi road.
“My heart is broken for the families and friends of students who lost their lives in this horrible accident. This is a devastating tragedy, my thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by the horrible accident.
“My heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families, May God grant them the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.
“While I give assurances that justice will be done, we have also commenced proper examination and analysis of the survivors.
“I implore us all to maintain the peace and remain calm, rather than take to wanton destruction of properties and facilities let us remember the bereaved families in prayer, allow the police to carry out a thorough investigation, and avoid seeking self help.
“I appeal that we respect the family’s privacy. There’s a need for calm at this trying time.”
- Segun Odunmbaku Executive Chairman of Ojodu Local Council Development Area December 8,2021
President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the sack of the management of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).
Ofem Uket, spokesman of Goddy Agba, Minister of State for Power, announced this in a statement on Tuesday.
According to the statement, the president also approved a new interim governing board to oversee the day-to-day operations of the company.
This action follows the industrial action by the Nigerian Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) workers to protest unpaid allowances, salaries and unremitted pension deductions.
The strike has left many areas serviced by AEDC in dark, which include the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Kogi, Nasarawa and Niger states.
The statement said, “The presidential directives as conveyed also directed the Bureau of Public Enterprises to set up a new management team of the AEDC”.
“In a memorandum of understanding MOU, jointly signed by the minister of state power Goddy Jedy Agba, the chairman Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission NERC, Sanusi Garba, director-general, Bureau of Public Enterprises, Alex Okoli, comrade Joe Ajaero on behalf of the union, the federal government ordered the suspension of the strike [and asked to] given 21 days within which the outstanding emoluments and entitlements of staff will be paid.”
Over one hundred vehicles and thousands of motorists were said to have been stranded in Yakila and Garun Gabas near Kundu in Rafi Local Government Area on Saturday as gunmen took over the Kontagora-Minna road of Niger State.
The armed bandits in their number, DAILY POST gathered, blocked both motorists and travellers along the road in an operation that lasted for about an hour.
It was learnt that while the operation lasted, there was no security presence close to rescue the situation, thereby leaving the travellers in panic.
However, an eyewitness told our correspondent that the bandits succeeded in abducting undisclosed number of persons.
“We were strand for some hours as the bandits took their time to operate. At the end of the operation, some number of persons were kidnapped. The development was so pathetic, as we all watched helplessly.
“We were all afraid because, there was nothing we could do. No security operative was around to help us. Even members of the communities all went into hiding. We are praying to God to help Niger and Nigeria to bring this situation to an end,” the source lamented.
When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, promised to get back on the incident, but yet to do so as at the time of filing this report.
Senior Pastor of House on The Rock Church, Pastor Paul Adefarasin has apologized to the Lagos State government after youths booed Sanwo-Olu’s representative at The Experience on Friday night
Sanwo-Olu’s representative was booed on stage while giving his speech after he was introduced during ’The Experience’ held at the House on the Rock Cathedral, Lekki.
Adefarasin displeased with the crowd’s behavior, apologized to the Lagos State government, describing the attitude as unscriptural.
He cautioned youths to pray for leaders in order for peace to reign in the country.
“I must honestly caution that we must pray for those who lead us that we may dwell peacefully in the land
“You must never disrespect authority because they beat the sword.
“I apologise to the leaders of Lagos state on your behalf,” Pastor Adefarasin said.
A Federal High Court in Ibadan, Oyo State, presided over by Justice Uche Agomoh on Thursday December 2, 2021 convicted and sentenced two internet fraudsters, Ogunrinde Olugbenga Akanbi and Olusegun Akinwunmi Eyinade to ten months and three months in prison respectively, on separate charges bordering on fraudulent impersonation.
‘Offa Boy’, Arowosegbe Jailed 12months for Impersonating German National
The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, December 2, 2021 secured the conviction of one Arowosegbe Feranmi, who claimed to be a native of Offa in Offa Local Government Area of Kwara State for posing as a citizen of Germany to defraud unsuspecting victims.
Arowosegbe was prosecuted on two counts before Justice Mahmud Abdulgafar of the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin.
The defendant pleaded guilty when the charge was read to him.
Barely 24 hours after an Abuja-based Federal High Court ordered the Kano State Government to apologise and pay the sum of N10 million to the deposed Emir of Kano, Lamido Sanusi, for violating his fundamental human rights, his counsel, Nureni Jimoh, who secured the judgment, was on Wednesday locked up inside his office in Kano.
When contacted on phone to comment on the development on Wednesday, Jimoh said he was locked up and could not come out from his office, saying he had notified the Director of State Security.
A source, who preferred anonymity, on Wednesday morning, said the backlash of the All Progressives Congress judgment against Governor Abdullahi Ganduje and the Sanusi judgment had begun.
“Nureni Jimoh, who is the lead counsel in the APC case and part of the legal team for Emir Sanusi, has been attacked by Kano State Government,” the source said.
Furthermore, the source disclosed that, “a team of policemen and some staff of the Ministry of Land stormed the counsel’s office and locked him inside with a padlock.”
“For now, the counsel and his staff cannot go in and out of the office, as the two access gates to his office have been padlocked and sealed.”
He, however, stated that the counsel remained mute and was preparing to get out of office by scaling the fence so as to leave the state for fear of further attack.
However, a source who declined his name on print, said Mr Jimoh might have been owing his tenement rate, which he had not paid and the authorities might have been there to effect the order of sealing off the office for non-payment of the purported amount he was owing
But another source queried, “Why should that action be within 24 hours after the judgment?”
As of the time of filing this report, Jimoh had remained silent over why he was locked up inside his office, on whether it was due to non-payment of alleged tenement rate or it had anything to do with an Abuja Federal High court judgment he secured in favour of ex- Emir Sanusi.
Boat accident claims over 40 lives in Kano Also, efforts to contact the state police command and the Ministry of Land were unsuccessful, as of the time of filing this report
When our reporter visited Jimoh’s office, located at No. 16, Murtala Muhammad Way, the seal placed on the entrance to the main building had been removed.
An official of the Ministry of Land told newsmen that, “the Ministry sealed the building based on the directive from the Permanent Secretary.”
The official further disclosed that the Permanent Secretary directed them to remove the seal and unlock the premises.
However, many occupants of the office said the people who came to seal off the main building came along with fully armed security operatives.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, DSP Haruna Kiyawa, said, “From investigations and interviews conducted with some of the occupants of the office, they said no police were among those that came to seal off the office.”
He further disclosed that the investigation was ongoing and as soon as the police concluded their investigations, newsmen would be briefed.
A former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, was on Tuesday re-arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) within the premises of the Federal High Court in Lagos over alleged forgery.
The scenario played out after Justice Daniel Osiagor adjourned further hearing in his trial over alleged N4.6 billion fraud to January 24, 2022.
Fani-kayode was still at the corridor of the court when an EFCC investigator, Shehu Shuaibu, walked up to him alongside a lawyer in the Commission and after some discussions, the former minister entered his vehicle and followed the operative.
The operative, who confirmed the arrest to journalists, said Fani-Kayode was in EFCC’s Lagos office for questioning over alleged forgery. It would be recalled that the former minister was also recently quizzed over the allegation.
Prior to his arrest, further hearing in trial of Fani-Kayode alongside a former Minister of Finance, Mrs. Nenadi Esther Usman, a former ALGON Chairman, Danjuma Yusuf, and a firm, Jointrust Dimentions Nigeria Limited, over an alleged N4.6 billion fraud was stalled before Justice Daniel Osiagor.
The matter was adjourned owing to the absence of one of the defence lawyers, Chief Ferdinand Orbih (SAN), who wrote a letter to the court requesting for another hearing date.
Responding, EFCC’s lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo, was not opposed to Orbih’s request. He, however, informed the court that the prosecution was glad that the court has figured out from its records that Fani Kayode had sought repeated excuses from the court. He added that the prosecution had recently discovered that all letters sent by Fani-Kayode were fake.
At this point, Justice Osiagor intervened saying it was a matter the agency ought to have thrashed out before the court acted on the letters to grant an adjournment. The judge said having granted an adjournment on the letters, the court has become ‘functus officio’.
In response, Oyedepo told the court that the EFCC was currently working on the report and will do the needful.
The prosecution of Fani-Kayode and others had commenced since 2016 before Justice Muslim Hassan. The judge later recused himself from the case following a petition by Fani-Kayode alleging that he was formerly a legal officer with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The case was subsequently transferred to Justice Rilwan Aikawa. However, midway to the defendants’ trial, Justice Aikawa was transfered out of Lagos to another jurisdisction of the court. This led to the transfer of the case to Justice Osiagor for the matter to commence afresh.
The EFCC in a 17-count charge marked FHC/L/C/251c/2016, alleged that the accused persons had on or before January 2015, unlawfully retained the total sum of N4.6 billion said to be proceeds of an unlawful act.
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