THE President Muhammadu Buhari’s Government, through the Office of the Special Assistant to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, paid the sum of N2.63 billion to 10 different personal accounts between March and May 2021, daily payment data from the Open Treasury Portal (OTP) have revealed.
Data obtained from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation through Govspend.ng reveal that the monies were stipends to delegates who were mostly ex-militants in the Niger Delta region.
Govspend.ng is a new visual platform launched by BudgIT to provide daily government spending in a simplified way.
According to data curated from the platform, N1.6 billion was paid in March, N452.2 million in April, and N574.8 million in May, of which most payments were described as ‘bulk payment of stipends to camp leaders…’ and ‘bulk payment of stipends to ex-agitators for the month…’
Names of individuals whose accounts were credited with these payments included: Awotongha Princewill B – N99 million, Cyril Harry- N79.2 million, Dasimaka Adokiye Sami- N914.9 million, Ebikabowei Victor Ben- N716.9 million, and Harry Tonye Ikemenjeme- N197.4 million.
Others were: Joseph Evah- N110.4 million, Odiki Jacob- N241.3 million, Reuben C. Wilson- N130.6 million, Sylvester A. Tambo- N10 million, and Torughedi Selky- N128.3 million.
To identify those behind the names listed, The ICIR searched each of the names on social media platforms. While it was difficult to connect some of the names on the list to the results on our query, some names appeared to be the real receivers of these monies.
For Instance, Dasimaka Adokiye Sami received the highest sum of N914.9 million as a stipend for 2,802 ex-militants in the Ateke Tom camp. Ateke Tom was the former leader of the Niger Delta Vigilante, a militant group in the Niger Delta region.
Joseph Evah is the current national coordinator of the Ijaw Monitoring Group (IMG). He received the sum of N110.4 million into his personal account as stipends for ex-militants.
Ebikabowei Victor-Ben, also known as ‘General Boyloaf,’ is the former commander of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND). According to the data, Ebikabowei received the second-highest sum of N716.9 million on behalf of over 200 ex-militants in his camp.
UPDATE: NIGERIAN ARMY NEUTRALIZES BANDITS IN ZAMFARA AS STATE GOVT BANS ALL ILLEGAL MOTOR PARKS.
05/09/2021.
Nigeria Air Force Jets are currently engaging some notable bandit camps with heavy air bombardments in Zamfara state and beyond.
The State Commissioner of information Ibrahim Dosara announced their success while briefing newsmen on new measures taken by the state government to address the issue.
He said that, some identified camps ware destroyed by the Air Force including that of notable bandit’s leader known as ‘Dankarami’ in Shinkafi Local Government Area of the State, who some months ago released a video celebrating victory over the Nigerian Army.
Meanwhile, Nigerian Army are also on ground neutralizing those who managed to escape through foot paths.
Based on that, state government has ordered the immediate closure of all illegal motor parks and road side markets across the State especially those at kauran Namoda-Jibia road, Lambar Bakura junction, Kwanar Mayanchi-Anka junction, Garejin Mai Lena as well as Filin Jirgi rice and vegetables market in Gusau Metropolitan.
A source from the Zamfara State Government House who pleaded anonymity said, Governor Bello Muhammad Matawalle is full of joy over the successful operations.
The Governor is also monitoring the successes recorded by the Nigerian Army in his office and calling on the good people of Zamfara State to remain calm, law-abiding, and go out for their normal businesses.
Army colonel on Guinean TV says govt dissolved, borders shut
A Guinean army colonel seized control of state television Sunday and declared that President Alpha Conde’s government had been dissolved and the West African nation’s borders closed, an announcement that came after hours of heavy gunfire erupted near the presidential palace.
The dramatic developments Sunday bore all the hallmarks of a West African coup d’etat. After seizing the airwaves, the mutinous soldiers vowed to restore democracy and gave themselves a name: The National Committee of Gathering and Development.
Col. Mamadi Doumbouya sat draped in a Guinean flag with a half dozen other soldiers in uniform alongside him as he read the statement, vowing: “The duty of a soldier is to save the country.”
He made no mention of Conde’s whereabouts and it was not immediately known where the 83-year-old leader was after Sunday’s attack. Conde’s popularity has plummeted since he sought a third term last year, saying that term limits did not apply to him.
“The personalization of political life is over. We will no longer entrust politics to one man, we will entrust it to the people,” Doumbouya said, adding that the constitution would also be dissolved and borders closed for one week.
Doumbouya, who has headed a special forces unit in the military, said he was acting in the best interests of the nation of over 12.7 million people. Not enough economic progress has been made since independence from France in 1958, the colonel said.
“If you see the state of our roads, if you see the state of our hospitals, you realize that after 72 years, it’s time to wake up,” he said. “We have to wake up.”
Heavy gunfire had erupted early Sunday near the presidential palace in the capital of Conakry and went on for hours, sparking fears of a coup attempt. The Defense Ministry claimed that the attack had been repelled but uncertainty grew when there was no sign of Conde on state television or radio.
His re-election in October had prompted violent street demonstrations in which the opposition said dozens were killed. Sunday’s developments underscored how he had also become vulnerable to dissenting elements within his military.
Conde came to power in 2010 in the country’s first democratic election since independence from France. Many saw his presidency as a fresh start for the country, which has been mired by decades of corrupt, authoritarian rule.
Opponents, though, say he has failed to improve the lives of Guineans, most of whom live in poverty despite the country’s vast mineral riches including bauxite and gold.
In 2011, he narrowly survived an assassination attempt after gunmen surrounded his home overnight and pounded his bedroom with rockets. Rocket-propelled grenades also landed inside the compound and one of his bodyguards was killed.
Armed bandits in their large numbers, on Friday night invaded Magami community in the Shiroro local government area of Niger state killing no fewer than 20 villagers in what source close to the community said was a reprisal attack by the gunmen.
A number of the villagers are said to be missing after the night attack while several others fled to neighbouring communities for safety.
It will be recalled that on Wednesday night, the men of the Special Security Task Force, comprising the Police, Local Hunters and Vigilante, launched an attack on the bandits, killing about 40 of them and recovered 16 motorcycles including arms and ammunitions mostly AK47 rifles.
However a spokesman of the Concerned Shiroro Youths, Mallam Yusuf Abubakar Kukoki who confirmed the latest killings by the bandits to our correspondent on a telephone on Saturday morning, said the bandits came in their numbers, unleashing terror on members of the community in the night.
According to him, “Realizing that the combined team of Police Special Force, Hunters and local Vigilantes who had earlier inflated heavy casualties on them had returned to their Base at Galadima Kogo, the bandits mobilized and returned like a pride of wounded lions killing people at sight. They murdered and butchered their victims with dangerous weapons. Unfortunately, the unarmed, peaceful and defenseless locals are now at the receiving end.
“By a reliable records, no fewer than fifteen people have gruesomely been murdered by the marauding criminals. Six people were confirmed dead at Unguwan Magiro under Madaka Ward, Rafi local government area, four people at Farin Hula and five people at Magami and environs all under Manta Ward of Shiroro local government while scores of others are still missing – probably killed too” Kukoki said.
The Kukoki stated further that many villagers have now fled to Kuta headquarters of the local government and other neighboring villages where they are now staying as Internally Displaced People.
“Kuta the headquarters of Shiroro local government which is considered a safer ground is swelling up with fleeing IDPs who have since vacated the troubled areas scampering helter skelter for shelter, peace and security” Kukoki said in the statement.
Kukoki suggested that the “Onslaught against criminals need to be a sustained one in order to avoid a replica of this nature” adding that: “sustained operation can go a long way in halting or avoiding any possible reprisal that could result into unwanted casualties”.
The Concerned Shiroro Youths, he said is therefore calling with “a loud voice on the authorities concerned to immediately mobilize security personnel as well as local Vigilantes and station same at Magami which is now the epicenter of atrocities being perpetrated by dreaded criminals so as to restore security in the area”.
This, according to him, will guarantee peace and enable the locals to continue with their lawful and legitimate activities.
All efforts to get the reactions of the Chairman of the Local Government Council Alhaji Sulaiman Chikuba on phone was abortive as he did not pick up his cell phone despite several calls made to it
A Government official who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed the attacks on Kukoki, Bassa, Magami and Madaka villages saying “they attacked and kill many people but the number is yet to be ascertained”.
Police Public Relations Officer Niger State Police Command DSP Wasiu Abiodun when contacted promised to get back to our correspondent but did not do so until the time of going to press.
Unknown Gunmen killed one of our staff, Chief Engineer, Engr. Abubakar Garba Muhammad (Babangida Birshi) of Directorate of Physical Planning around 2:30am at his resident in Burshin Fulani.
His Funeral (Jana'iza) prayer as announced by the family will hold by 9:00am in Burshin Fulani Mosque, behind his house.
May Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant his soul Jannatil Firdausi.
Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom today instituted the N60 billion suit against Minister of Special Duties and Inter Governmental Affairs, Senator George Akume at the Makurdi High Court.
The suit No. MHC/268/2021 was filed by Okon N. Efut, SAN and four other lawyers.
Governor Ortom is seeking N50 billion as general damages for libel and N10 billion as exemplary and aggravated damages.
The writ of summons was backed by 17 paragraph statement of claim.
In the statement of claim, Governor Ortom is seeking a declaration that the text of Senator Akume's press conference on 30th August, 2021, in Abuja and the reports in various national dailies is scandalous, malicious and injurious of his person.
He complained that the press conference was intended to lower his estimation before right-thinking members of the society and to expose him to hatred, contempt and ridicule.
The Governor is seeking perpetual injunction restraining the defendant by himself or through any agent, servants or privies from similar or further publication of any defamatory statement against him.
KDSG bans transportation of livestock from Kaduna State.
-Ban on felling/transporting of trees, selling of petrol in jerrycans in select LGAs still in force
After wide consultations and series of thorough security reviews, the Kaduna State Government has banned the transportation of livestock from the State to other States in the country.
This ban also prohibits the transportation of livestock into Kaduna state from other states. Both bans take effect immediately, from today 2nd September 2021.
The government also wishes to reiterate that the transportation of donkeys into the state is a criminal offence and anyone found engaging in this will be prosecuted accordingly.
Furthermore, the Kawo weekly market which usually holds every Tuesday in Kaduna North LGA has been suspended with immediate effect.
The Government of Kaduna State wishes to highlight that the previous directives suspending weekly markets, and selling of petrol in jerrycans in Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Chikun, Igabi and Kajuru LGAs, as well as banning the felling of trees for timber, firewood and charcoal and other commercial purposes in Birnin Gwari, Kachia, Kajuru, Giwa, Chikun, Igabi and Kauru LGAs, are still in force.
Citizens are hereby informed that all these directives will be vigorously enforced by security agencies.
A day after the sacking of two ministers by Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday, it was rumored that one of the sacked Ministers, Sale Mamman had collapsed after receiving his resignation letter.
According to reports, the ex-Minister of Power has been admitted to a hospital in the Nation's Capital, Abuja.
Several online newspapers in Nigeria have cited the Minister's close associates as reliable sources.
But the BBC is investigating to find out if this is the case or if the story is a hoax.
In a telephone interview with Sale Mamman, he explained to us his current situation.
The former minister said he had been unwell since last weekend.
"Even before this step was announced I was very unwell, because I did not even go to the office earlier this week."
The former Minister said he had not been well enough for a long time because he often went to see a doctor on a regular basis.
“So, yesterday (Wednesday) and today (Thursday) I also went back to the hospital for another round of check-up; and the doctor instructed that I needed some ‘rest’ so I remained at one place to rest,” he said.
The former Minister of Power says he is not in hospital as usual, but is not at home.
"I found a serene and quiet environment to rest and take medication as recommended by the doctor. I didn’t stay at home because sympathisers are trooping to console me; this would prevent me from resting and convalescing on time.
“But I was also not hospitalised, and I didn’t faint as reported.”
Sale Mamman also added that the President had called him on phone on Monday night to inform him of the impending sack.
He said the president thanked him for his support for his (Buhari) administration.
He said in his knowledge, it was not a crime that led the President to fire him, "right or not If I wasn't fired now, I have to still step down in two years," he said.
He then turned his attention to 2019 when he was appointed minister, saying he did not apply, he was just called and told to submit his CV, "and within two hours of the appointment he was said to have been appointed minister."
Sale Mamman, a native of Taraba State in Northeastern Nigeria, said he was proud of the work he did during his tenure, especially the changes he made to the hydro plant in Mambila.
"And I am developing the APC that is about to reach the ground in Taraba State," he said.
He concluded by saying that he wants to continue his political career and that he would return to politics one by one.
The Zamfara State Police has confirmed the abduction of 73 students of Government Day Secondary school, Kaya in Maradun LGA of the state by bandits.
This was contained in a statement issued by the command’s spokesman, SP Shehu Mohammed on Wednesday.
The statement noted that the abduction followed the invasion of the school by a large number of armed bandits that occurred today at exactly 1122hrs.
“The Command under the leadership of CP Ayuba N Elkanah has deployed search and rescue team that was mandated to work in synergy with the military to ensure the safe rescue of the abducted students
“The CP further appealed to the general public especially parents and relatives of the abducted students to exercise patience and continue to pray for the success of the ongoing rescue operation.
“Security has also been beefed up at Kaya Village and environ to forestall a further attack on the communities.
“Further development will be made known to members of the public,” the statement declared.
The Peoples Democratic Party Ward 5 in Ikuru town, Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State has suspended the embattled National Chairman of the party, Uche Secondus.
Secondus is a prominent politician from Andoni in Rivers State. He was a former Chairman of the PDP in Rivers and a former National Organising Secretary of the party.
The Ward Chairman of the Party, George Christopher, announced this at the party’s extraordinary meeting at the party’s Secretariat at Ikuru town, Andoni Local Government Area.
The chairman said eleven executive members out of the 17 endorsed Secondus suspension from the party.
Christopher said the national chairman had not attracted development to the area despite his high political profile and inability to manage the party
Christopher stated, “The Ward executive of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ward 5, Ikuru town, and the leaders met on the 31st of August, 2021 issues that affect the party.
“Suspension of Prince Uche Secondus was done by the Ward executive after a duly constituted Ward meeting called by the Secretary on the instructions of the Chairman, according to the Constitution of our great party.”
Also speaking, former chairman of Andoni LGA and chairman, Disciplinary Committee in the Ward, Benson Alpheous, noted that Secondus was suspended for disobeying the party’s decision for him to step down as national chairman.
“Until further notice, our brother, Prince Uche Secondus remains suspended. I want to thank you for coming and again, reaffirm the suspension of Uche Secundus.
“For now, until you hear from us again, Prince Uche Secondus remain suspended,” he added.
Efforts to reach the State Chairman of the PDP, Desmond Akawor, for his comments concerning Secondus’ sacking were unsuccessful.
Although it is short on details, the Department of State Services has raised the alarm that some disgruntled individuals and groups in the country are scheming to discredit it.
The Spokesman for the DSS, Dr Peter Afunanya, sounded the alarm bell in a late-night statement made available to Vanguard on Tuesday.
Although the statement is silent on the specific elements involved in the plot, it claims the subversive persons are out to undermine the service.
“The Department of State Services (DSS) has uncovered plans by some subversive groups and individuals to undertake a negative media campaign against the Service.
“The aim is to further use fake news, propaganda and malicious narratives through sponsored articles, among others, to undermine it.
“The Service has steadily monitored these activities, their perpetrators and therefore wish to inform the public to disregard the emerging trends and patterns.
“The Service reassures its commitment to the discharge of its mandate. It will not be distracted or silenced.
“Those engaged in the deliberate efforts to run it down are, however, advised to desist from doing so or be ready to face the full wrath of the law,” the statement warned.
Like Kaduna and Katsina States, the Niger State Government has issued a set of directives to curb the rising insecurity and banditry bedevilling the State.
Niger State Government has announced the suspension of all weekly cattle markets across the state as part of measures to curtail the rising cases of armed banditry and kidnappings, effective from September 1, 2021.
The Secretary to the State Government, Ahmed Ibrahim Matane, also said in a statement on Tuesday, that any vehicle carrying cattle into the state must show a Way-bill and evidence of origin where cattle were purchased and their destination.
The State had also banned the sale of petroleum products in Jerry Cans or any other containers at filling stations and operations of trucks carrying firewoods and timbers.
He said movement of motorcycles in Minna and environs are only allowed from 6am to 6pm.
Matane further said all petroleum stations were not allowed to sell the product of more than N10,000 to a vehicle at a time.
He also directed filling stations to be vigilant of vehicles or motorcycles coming for repeat purchases.
It was also gathered that the ban on motorcycles would be extended to areas where banditry and kidnappings have persisted.
These measures came five days after the State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, vowed while receiving the Tegina Islamiyya Children at the Government House in Minna that he would put in place necessary measures to deal with the criminals in the state.
The SSG said: “Government is aware of the inconveniences the measures would cause the people, but the decision was taken in the overall interest of the State.”
Ban on sales of used clothes
Daily Trust, however, gathered that the state government is also planning to ban the sales of fairly used clothes especially the cardigan and distribution of loaves of bread using cartons on motorcycles as part of measures, as some were alleged to serve as informants and suppliers of guns to the bandits and other criminals.
“Government is still contemplating on the ban on hawking and supply of loaves of bread with cartons on motorcycles and the sales of cardigans, popularly known as Sweater.
“It is believed that those guys conceal guns in the bread while they are suppliers of sweaters to bandits,” the source said.
Measures too stringent
But a Minna-based Civil Society Organisation, the Blue Resolution Initiative, said the measures were too stringent unless the government was ready to provide alternatives to cushion the hardship the masses might face.
The President of the initiative, Mohammed Danjuma Abubakar, said; “even small scale businesses that are trying to thrive will die because the owners close around 10pm.
“The ban on movement of motorcycles in Minna is not ideal. And for markets, no attack has taken place in any markets. So the livelihood of many rural people is also at a stake.”
Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari CFR has issued a set of security guidelines, as the menace of insecurity continues to rise in the State.
KATSINA STATE GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA SECURITY CHALLENGES (CONTAINMENT) ORDER
In the exercise of powers conferred upon me by the Subsection (2) of section 176 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended and all other powers enabling me on that behalf, I, Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari CFR, the Governor of Katsina State, do hereby make the following:
1. This Notice may be cited as the Security Challenges (Containment) Order and shall come into effect on the 31st day of August 2021;
2. Immediate total closure of Jibia-Gurbin Baure road to all motorists until further notice. Travelers plying that road are advised to go through Funtua;
3. Immediate closure of Kankara-Sheme road to all commercial vehicles, who are advised to go through Funtua. Only private non-commercial vehicles are to ply the road;
4. Lorries /Trucks carrying firewood from the bush are totally banned;
5. Suspension of the sale of all animals at the markets of the following Local Government Areas: Jibia, Batsari, Safana, Danmusa, Kankara, Malumfashi, Charanchi, Mai'adua, Kafur, Kafur, Faskari, Sabuwa, Baure, Dutsinma and Kaita;
6. Ban on transportation of cattle trucks from Katsina State to any State in Nigeria;
7. Total ban on carrying three (3) persons on motorcycles and more than three (3) passengers on a tricycle;
8. Total ban on the sale of second-hand motorcycles at Charanchi market;
9. Re-enforcement of the ban on the operation of Commercial tricycles and motorcycles from 10.00 p.m to 6.00 a.m in the State Capital, and 6.00 p.m to 6.00 a.m in the frontline Local Government Areas;
10. Re-enforcement of the total ban on the sale of petrol in jericcans at filling stations;
11. Only two (2) designated Filling stations are allowed to sell fuel of not more than N5,000.00 to motorists in Jibia, Batsari, Safana, Danmusa, Kankara, Faskari, Sabuwa, Dandume, Musawa, Matazu, Dutsinma, Kurfi, Danja and Kafur Local Government Areas;
12. Identified essential workers (health personnel, security personnel and Journalists) could use tricycles and motorcycles beyond the banned periods.
U.S. military flights have ended and our troops have departed Afghanistan. A new chapter of America’s engagement with Afghanistan has begun. It’s one in which we will lead with our diplomacy.
As of today, we have suspended our diplomatic presence in Kabul and transferred our operations to Doha, Qatar. For the time being, we will use this post in Doha to manage our diplomacy with Afghanistan.
The United States will continue to support humanitarian aid to the Afghan people. It will not flow through the government, but rather through independent organizations, like @UN agencies & NGOs. We expect that those efforts will not be impeded by the Taliban or anyone.
We will hold the Taliban to their commitment on freedom of movement for foreign nationals, visa holders, and at-risk Afghans. The international chorus on this is strong, and it will stay strong.
We continue to honor all those brave men and women, from the United States and many other countries, who risked or sacrificed their lives as part of this long mission in Afghanistan, right up to today.
Hurricane Ida blasted at Category 4 on Sunday as one of the most powerful storms ever to hit the U.S., lashing at Louisiana and knocking out power to all of New Orleans, Entergy can confirm.
Entergy is New Orleans City Power Supplier.
As a result of Hurricane Ida’s catastrophic intensity, all eight transmission lines that deliver power into the New Orleans area are currently out of service. When this occurred, it caused a load imbalance in the area and resulted in generation in the area coming offline.
We are currently working to assess damage and identify a path forward to restore power, to those who can take it, in the area.
We have provided back-up generation to the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board. Power will not be restored this evening, but we will continue work to remedy.
Shortly after 8:30 p.m. deputies received reports of a citizen possibly injured from a fallen tree at a residence off of Highway 621 in Prairieville. Deputies arrived on scene and confirmed that the victim is now deceased.
Gunmen suspected to be bandits have assassinated Captain Abdulkarim Bala Na Allah, who is the eldest son of former Deputy Majority Leader in the 8th Senate, Bala Na’Allah.
The newly married pilot was discovered dead in his bedroom today.
An aide to Senator Na’Allah, Alhaji Garba Mohammed said Abdulkarim was tied and strangled by the killers.
“The killers took his vehicle and personal belongings.They gained entrance to the house through the roof behind the house and entered his section through the ceiling”, he said.
Muhammad also said a neighbour’s security guard had noticed the gate of the deceased’s home opened and raised the alarm which led to the discovery of the remains of the pilot.
Some Senators of the 8th Senate also sent their condolences to their colleague, Senator Ibn Na'Allah.
Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un! My heartfelt prayers are with my friend, Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah of Kebbi State, over the sad demise of his dear son, Captain Abdulkarim Bala Na’Allah.
I pray that Almighty Allah grants Captain Na’Allah a place amongst the righteous ones in Al Jannah Firdaus, and gives Senator Na’Allah and his family the much-needed strength that they need at this difficult time.
The news of the killing of Captain Abdulkarim Bala Ibn Na’Allah the son of Senator Bala Na’Allah in Malali GRA Kaduna is tragic and https:///IoASFsri22 used to be the outskirts of our city that is unsafe and now it has gotten into the City.May Allah forgive his soul.Amin.
I just received news of the killing of Captain Abdulkarim Bala Na Allah, son of my colleague and friend Senator Bala Na’Allah. Captain Na Allah was a jolly fellow with a great heart. His death saddens me. My condolences to his loved ones and family.
Thirty-two of the remaining sixty-three abducted students of Bethel Baptist High school, Damishi, in Nigeria’s northern Kaduna state have been released from captivity.
The chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Kaduna state chapter, Joseph Hayab confirmed this to ARISE News.
He said the students were released Friday evening and have reunited with their parents.
An undisclosed sum of money was paid before their release. The remaining students still In captivity are now thirty-one.
President Buhari Approves Appointment of Dr. Simon Harry As Statistician-General of the Federation
President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Dr. Simon B. Harry as the new Statistician-General of the Federation to head the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
Dr. Harry is to succeeded the out-going Statistician-General, Dr. Yemi Kale, whose second term tenure of five years expires on 16th August, 2021.
Currently, Dr. Harry is the Director, Corporate Planning and Technical Coordination Department of NBS with almost three decades of statistical experience.
He joined the erstwhile Federal Office of Statistics as Statistician 11 in 1992 and rose to the position of a substantive Director of Statistics in 2019.
In the course of his civil service career, Dr. Harry has contributed to several reform initiatives including the reform of the then Federal Office of Statistics which transformed to the current National Bureau of Statistics, the reform of the Nigerian Statistical System which resulted to the creation and establishment of State Bureaus of Statistics at the sub-national level.
OPERATION HADIN KAI: TROOPS FOIL BOKO HARAM ATTACK IN BABANGIDA ... CAPTURE GUN TRUCK ARMS AMMUNITION
Troops of Sector 2 Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI have foiled an attempted attack on Babangida town in Yobe State on Wednesday 25 August 2021 by Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists, prowling for logistics replenishment. The criminals made futile effort to infiltrate the town, but were met with a fierce counter attack from the vigilant troops, forcing them to retreat in disarray.
In the counter attack, the gallant troops captured one gun truck, one Dushka Anti Aircraft Gun, two AK 47 rifles and unprimed Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) from the fleeing terrorists. Further exploitation by the troops is still ongoing.
The dogged troops have been commended by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya for their vigilance and swiftness in countering the attack. He also encouraged them to remain focused and avoid any form of distraction from the terrorists, who are desperate to make face saving moves, having suffered enormous depletion in their ranks.
Law-abiding people of Yobe State and North East in general, are assured of the Chief of Army Staff's determination to finally rout the Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province terrorists from their hideouts. They are also encouraged to continue to avail troops with actionable information that would enhance speedy execution of ongoing Counter Terrorism Counter Insurgency operations in the region.
A whistleblower, who exposed alleged fraud at the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron in Akwa Ibom State, Adamu Jibrin, has been sacked.
SaharaReporters gathered that Jibrin’s appointment was terminated on February 17, 2021, to cover up the nefarious activities of the Rector of the institution, Emmanuel Effuade.
“He was sacked by the board of the institution. The Rector is also sponsoring the media to castigate Jibrin as a blackmailer. He is as well ignoring EFCC call to defend the petition against (him).
“On a phone call with Jibrin on 23rd, August 2021, he expressed concern about his life and possible attack on him by agent of the Rector, saying that he told the EFCC Zonal representative that he is ready to defend his petition at EFCC headquarters in Abuja and not in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State,” a source told SaharaReporters.
Jibrin had petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC ) to investigate and prosecute the management of the institution over multiple fraud, as well as systemic and perennial corruption.
In a two-page petition through his lawyer, Michael Edet and Associates and titled, “Petition of Fraud, Embezzlement, Misappropriation and Criminal Conversion of Public Funds to Personal Use by the Rector of Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron,” he alleged that millions of naira have been siphoned from the treasury of the academy.
In its 18 paragraphs, the petition said inter Alia: “…about a year after assumption of Commodore Duja Emmanuel Effedua (Rtd), as Rector of Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, in 2018, there was a fraudulent scheme put in place by the office of the Rector, Bursar, Head of Procurement and Cashier to siphon public funds using me (Mr. Adamu Jibrin) and other willing staffers of the academy in the scheme.
“That the above dubious practice involved payment of monies into selected staff accounts and asking the said staff to retain a little fraction or small part of the sum, and thereafter asked to return the bulk sum to the Finance/Bursary Department through some select staff via cash, including Onnoyom Etebong (Cashier), Ezike Nkemdiri Anthony, Clement Ukoyonoh, Patrick Boco Archiving and Egwu Divine and several other staffers.
“That on October 23, 2018, the amount of N1,406,000.00 was paid into my account under the fraudulent scheme and on the same date I was made to withdraw the sum of N1,305,000.00 and give it to Mr. Onoyom Etebong, the Cashier for onward remittance to the Bursar, Acting Registrar, Rector and some other members of the cartel of the management team of the academy.”
The petitioner explained that money of various amounts were transmitted through a personal account they asked him to open at United Bank for Africa (UBA), Oron Branch, with No.: 2115867327 till September 2020, when he met with the Academy cashier, Mr. Onoyom Etebong, for financial assistance to pay the medical bills of his mother and the cashier referred him to other members of the syndicate.
According to him, “I protested to Mr Onoyom that after using my account to divert over N62m between 2018 and 2020 that it was unfair for management and the cartel not to assist him in time of needs.”
The petitioner called on the EFCC and the office of the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice to investigate, invite and prosecute the persons closely or remotely involved in the brazen and large-scale corruption and embezzlement of funds in the Academy, Oron from 2018 till date.
Muhammadu Buhari is the most incompetent commander-in-chief of any “armed force” in the whole wide world. This fumbler can’t even defend his future commanders! #RevolutionNow #BuhariMustGo
Enslaved 21-year-old Glory Okolie Sues Nigeria’s Police Boss, Others Over Unlawful Detention, Demands N100billion
In a suit instituted at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, Okolie also seeks her immediate and unconditional release from the custody of the police.
Joining the second and fourth respondents – Baba and Malami in the suit are the Nigeria Police Force and Tunji Disu, IRT commander.
Okolie asked the court to mandate the respondents to pay her the sum of N100,000,000,000.00 (One hundred billion Naira) as general and punitive damages separately for infringing on her rights.
“A DECLARATION of this honourable court, that the act of the Respondent in detaining the 1st applicant from the 13th June 2021 till date, without an order of any court permitting same, is a violation of the 1st Applicant’s right to fair hearing and Personal Liberty as enshrined in articles 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act Chapter A9 LFN, 2004,” the court document read.
“A DECLARATION of this honourable court, that the act of the Respondent in detaining the 1ST applicant from the 13th June 2021,and beyond 71 (seventy one) days till date ,without an order of any court permitting same, is a violation of the 1ST Applicant’s right to fair hearing and Personal Liberty as enshrined in articles 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act Chapter A9 LFN, 2004
“A DECLARATION that the beating/slapping, torturing, physical assault and verbal/vulgar abuse of the Applicant by the 1st Respondent and the respondents igp irt officers, without the applicant committing any crime known to law whatsoever, is illegal, unconstitutional and amounts to a violation of the 1st Applicant’s right to fair hearing and Personal Liberty as enshrined in articles 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act Chapter A9 LFN, 2004.
“A DECLARATION that the usage of the Applicant by the respondent IGP IRT officers by sexually assaulting the 1st applicant, usage of the 1st applicant to wash the respondent officers clothes and usage of the applicant to cook for the respondents IGP IRT officers ,even when the applicant was in the illegal custody of the respondent, and without the applicant committing any crime known to law whatsoever, is illegal, unconstitutional and amounts to a violation of the Applicant’s right to fair hearing and Personal Liberty as enshrined in Section 35 & 36 of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and articles 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act Chapter A9 LFN, 2004.
“AN ORDER of this Honourable Court restraining the Respondent to desist from engaging in untoward, violent and irrational conducts against the 1st Applicant.
“AN Order of this honourable court, granting bail to the 1st applicant on liberal terms to wit: unconditionally and conditionally pending the time the respondent deem it fit, to charge the 1st applicant to court in this regard.
“AN ORDER of this Honourable Court mandating the Respondent to pay the 1st Applicant the sum of N100,000,000,000.00 (One Hundred Billion Naira) as general and punitive damages separately for infringing on the rights of the 1st applicant.
“AN ORDER of this Honourable Court mandating the Respondent to pay the 1st Applicant the sum of N50,000,000.00 (Fifty Million Naira) as punitive damages for its recklessness, bias, malice, failure to perform its statutory duty when the Respondents officers within his knowledge, wholly infringed on the fundamental rights of the 1st Applicant in this regard.”
According to the court document, Okolie, 21, went missing on June 13, 2021, while running an errand in Imo state, “and never returned home on that day”.
It read in part, “That from the 17th June 2021, the family members started making all frantic search of the 1st applicant in hospitals, churches, and mosque, all to no avail.
“That the family members, in search of the 1st applicant actually approached the Owerri command of Nigeria Police Force, who charged the uncle of the 1st applicant, the sum of N50,000,00k to track vide telephone tracking the last known address of the 1st applicant.
“That the phone tracking above showed that the 1st applicant was detained by the respondent IGP IRT officers at their Owerri Tiger base unit of the respondent, and when the uncle approached this office, the respondent Owerri Tiger base unit denied ever arresting the 1st applicant, nor was she in their custody.
“That not till the end of June 2021, that a certain Izuchukwu Okeke, having just been released from the respondents unit Owerri Tiger base cell, informed the family and uncle of the 1s applicant, that the 1st applicant was in custody of respondents Owerri unit cell, and in the said cell, she was cooking for the IGP IRT police officers, washing clothes for them and sometimes that therein the respondent Owerri command unit officers occasionally take turns to abuse the applicant sexually.
“That afterward the respondent officers then demanded monetary commitment from the uncle of the 1st applicant, for the release on bail of the 1st applicant, wherein the 1st applicant uncle thereafter in cash and POS bank transactions actually advanced to the respondents IGP IRT officers in Owerri Tiger base unit, different financial sums in this regard, copies of this aforementioned POS transactions are marked as annexure a herein.”
She was later transferred to Abuja, despite the efforts of her parents to secure her release.
After pressure from the public regarding her illegal detention, the police later alleged that Glory Ogolie worked with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Hon. Ismaila Abdulmummuni Kamba, Speaker of the Kebbi State House of Assembly and his deputy, Muhammadu Buhari Aliyu, have been impeached.
Twenty out of the 24 members of the assembly endorsed the impeachment.
Muhammad Abubakar Lolo, member representing Bagudo West, has been sworn in as the new speaker while the new deputy speaker is Mohammed Usman Zuru, member representing Zuru constituency.
After 53 days in the custody of the Department of State Services, the 12 aides of embattled Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo aka Sunday Igboho, are set to taste freedom again as Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, Abuja on Monday signed their Release Order.
The PUNCH learnt that the presiding judge ignored the persistent argument of the DSS lawyer, Idowu Awo, and signed the Release Order of the four contested detainees.
They are Amudat Babatunde, Abideen Shittu, Jamiu Oyetunji, and Bamidele Sunday.
The detainees’ lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi, confirmed the development to our correspondent on Monday.
He said the judge could not sign the Release Order of the other eight detainees because three of the sureties withdrew before concluding the process of perfecting the bail conditions of his clients.
The eight detainees are Abdullateef Onaolapo, Tajudeen Irinloye, Dikeola Ademola, Ayobami Donald, Uthman Adelabu, Olakunle Oluwapelumi, Raji Kazeem, and Taiwo Tajudeen.
Olajengbesi, however, expressed optimism that the three sureties that pulled out would be replaced and the judge would sign their Release Order too.
The lawyer also urged the DSS to comply with the court order and release his clients immediately.
Recall that the DSS had approached a Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja to revoke the bail earlier granted by the Federal High Court in Abuja to the contested four — Babatunde, Shittu, Oyetunji and Sunday.
The secret police had expressed strong dissatisfaction against the ruling of Justice Egwuatu on August 4, 2021, granting bail to all the detainees, against the objection of the DSS lawyer that Babatunde, Shittu, Oyetunji and Sunday should not be granted bail.
While Awo did not oppose the bail of the other eight, he had said investigations revealed that the four contested detainees — Babatunde, Shittu, Oyetunji and Sunday — were heavily involved in the alleged offence of arms stockpiling and other criminal activities of their boss, Igboho.
But Justice Egwuatu had on August 4 admitted all the 12 applicants to bail including Babatunde, Shittu, Oyetunji and Sunday.
The court had categorised the bail granted to the applicants into two:
Eight of the detainees were admitted to bail in the sum of N5m, two sureties each resident in Abuja, with evidence of two years’ tax payment.
The remaining four – whose bail the DSS opposed – had their bail terms in the sum of N10m, two sureties each resident in Abuja with one of them being a civil servant in a Federal Government ministry or any of its agencies with grade-level not less than 12.
The 24 sureties had been secured last week but the presiding judge who was to sign their Release Order was said to have travelled abroad.
But Justice Egwuatu on Monday signed the Release Order of the contested four who had their complete eight sureties. He is also expected to sign the Release Order of the remaining eight once their 16 sureties were completed.
All the detainees were arrested around 1am on July 1, 2021, when the DSS “raided” Igboho’s Ibadan residence in a Gestapo style.
The secret police also said its operatives killed two other associates of the activist in a “gun duel.”
The 12 detainees had approached the court to seek their release.
Igboho, wanted by the DSS, has been in detention in Cotonou, Benin Republic, since July 19, 2021 when he was arrested at an airport as he tried to board a Germany-bound flight.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday morning broke into former BBNaija housemate, Dorathy Bachor’s apartment.
Dorathy disclosed this on her Instagram story as she lamented the sad incident.
Narrating the incident, Dorathy expressed frustration at how unsafe it is to be a Nigerian.
On her Instagram story, she said: “I feel like my head is about to explode.
“At 4:35 I heard a loud bang and voices, I rushed out to see five armed EFCC men in my living room and one of them saying ‘Oh na that Big brother girl be this’.
“In my confused state I was trying to understand why they broke down my door. Then one of them said they were looking for someone who ran into the estate and I should lock my door and stay indoors and not say a word.
“I’m shaking at this point and so confused because at what point is this Okay.
“What is the need of being a citizen of this country when I can’t feel safe in my own house.”
The gallant Troops of Sector 3 of Operation Hadin Kai on routine patrol with elements of 19 Brigade Garrison to Gajiram Borno State today 22 August 2021 annihilated several Bokoharam/ISWAP Terrorists who laid an ambush at Ali Gambari village. Items recovered from the terrorists include: 3 x AK47 rifles, 10 x 7.62mm special rounds of ammunition,1 x 36 Hand Grenade, 1xMagazine carrier, assorted drugs and other personal items. The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya, has commended the troops for gallantry.
Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has dispatched a team led by his Special Assistant on Students Affairs, Mr Chibuzo Ndom, to the University of Jos, Plateau State, to evacuate students of Abia origin who are currently stranded as a result of the recent violence and subsequent closure of the institution.
The contingent from Abia which includes security personnel are expected to ensure the safe return of the over 200 students of Abia origin back to the state capital, Umuahia, where the evacuees will be welcomed by the Governor.
On July 31, Abba Kyari, a Deputy Commissioner of Police and head of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Inspector General of Police, was suspended from the Nigeria Police Force pending the outcome of an investigation into his indictment by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of the United States.
Kyari was named as a co-conspirator with Ramon Abass, also known as Hushpuppi, an Instagram celebrity, in a $1.1million fraud. Before his suspension, Kyari was a celebrated policemen officer who once headed the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Lagos. However, Kyari is not the first celebrated cop to experience a change in fortune.
Fidelis Oyakhilome was a celebrated Deputy Inspector-General of Police when he was appointed the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in 1988.
However, Oyakhilome was dismissed three years later after being accused of having a relationship with Jennifer Madike, a Lagos businesswoman and socialite who had been arrested for drug-related offences. Madike was arrested after she allegedly collected $80,000 from three men, claiming she was going to give the money to Oyakhilome to secure the release of two suspected drug dealers.
Tafa Balogun, Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police between 2002 and 2004, was much applauded for launching Operation Fire For Fire, an initiative aimed at curbing the rate of armed robbery and other criminal activities in the country during his tenure.
However, Balogun resigned from office in 2004 over allegations of corruption by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Balogun faced trial on an eight-count charge bordering on diversion and embezzlement of public funds.
In 2005, after pleading guilty to the charges levelled against him, he was sentenced to six months in prison by an Abuja high court. He had already spent 67 days in custody of the EFCC before the judgment.
Balogun was ordered to pay a fine of N500,000 on each of the eight charges against him. He was also ordered to forfeit all his assets, shares and landed properties acquired with the fund stolen from the police treasury. The assets totalled $150 million, including money stashed in banks, shares in blue-chip companies and 14 luxury buildings.
In the same year, Nuhu Ribadu would announce that the EFCC had recovered N17bn From Tafa Balogun.
Nuhu Ribadu was the pioneer Chairman of the EFCC, following his appointment in 2003. Under Ribadu, the EFCC recorded several landmark convictions, including the jailing of prominent banking executives, former state governors and other high-ranking politicians.
Ribadu’s appointment was renewed in 2007 by the Olusegun Obasanjo-led government for what was deemed a commendable service as the head of the nation’s anti-corruption body. He was also promoted to the rank of Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) after securing a second time in office.
However, Ribadu’s second appointment did not last for long as a new government, led by the late Umar Musa Yar’Adua, was sworn-in months later. Yar’adua’s Government described Ribadu’s promotion as “Illegal, unconstitutional, null and void, and of no legal effect” and in December of the same year, Mike Okiro, the then Inspector-General of Police, stated that Ribadu would be removed as EFCC Chairman and sent to a one-year training course at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies in Kuru, Plateau State.
He was subsequently demoted from AIG to the rank of an assistant commissioner by the same Government in 2008. In the same year, Ribadu fled the country after two failed assassination attempts on his life.
Suleiman Abba was made acting Inspector-General of Police on August 1, 2014, by the Goodluck Jonathan-led Government and was later confirmed as substantive IGP on November 4, 2014. However, Abba was sacked in April 2015 because of what the Jonathan administration termed ‘noticeable indiscipline’ in the Nigeria Police Force in the buildup to the 2015 general election.
Abba’s removal in 2015 was first announced via a tweet by Reuben Abati, the then President’s spokesman. Solomon Arase, a Deputy Inspector General of Police, was made his replacement. However, for several hours after the announcement, Abba received no communication or brief from either the President or any Senior administration official and remained at his desk.
This particular manner of dismissal seemed to confirm past reports of Abba’s bias for the ruling party. For instance, after PDP lost the presidential election, the party privately accused Abba of not doing enough to help the party despite receiving huge funding, instead deliberately favouring the APC. A secret arrangement was said to have been made by Sambo Dasuki, the then National Security Adviser (NSA), allowing all of the nation’s security units to submit budgets and proposals for how they could (deliver) Jonathan and the PDP at the polls. PDP believed that despite the funding, Abba worked for the opposition.
In his days as acting IGP, Abba had controversially announced, in 2015, that politicians with criminal records would be stopped from contesting that year’s General Election. This was despite a 2007 Supreme Court ruling that only a court of law could stop a candidate from contesting. Well, Abba somehow got a taste of his own medicine: when he contested for an APC senatorial slot in Jigawa in 2018, the party screened him out before the primary!
Ibrahim Magu, a Deputy Commissioner of Police, first rose to prominence when he was appointed acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in November 2016.
However, his nomination by the Muhammadu Buhari Government as EFCC Chairman was rejected by the National Assembly. The Senate said that the security report made available to it showed that Magu was not fit to be Chairman of the body.
The objection from the National Assembly notwithstanding, Magu continued in his capacity as Acting EFCC Chairman. In March 2017, the Senate again rejected his nomination, citing allegations of abuse of human rights by the commission under him and allegations from the Department of State Security (DSS) that Magu failed an integrity test.
In its summary, the Senate stated that he would be a liability to the Federal Government’s anti-corruption campaign.
In spite of this second rejection, Magu continued as EFCC head, overseeing scores of high-profile corruption cases that saw many politicians and businessmen convicted and sentenced to prison.
In July 2020, Magu was arrested and later suspended as EFCC Chairman as a result of a series of corruption allegations levelled against him.
By June 2020, 22 corruption allegations, including failure to properly account for N431million security votes/information funds released to the office between 2016 and 2020, had been made against Magu.
Magu was accused of corruption, fund mismanagement, lack of transparency in managing recovered assets by the commission and abuse of office by Abubakar Malami, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF). Like many of the supercops before him, the end of Magu’s public life was quite unpalatable.
We were shocked and disappointed to read a statement from the Presidency indicating that President Muhammadu Buhari has approved recommendations of a committee to review “with dispatch,” 368 grazing sites across 25 states in the country, “to determine the levels of encroachment.”
In a country where insecurity has reached an all-time high with hundreds being killed by armed herdsmen, bandits and other terrorists, the Presidency is only bordered about animals and their safety and is deploying all machinery and arsenals of government to impose grazing reserves and cattle routes on Nigerians. This is unacceptable!
The Buhari administration has turned a blind eye to the unimaginable levels of encroachment on lands belonging to Nigerians by cattle. Mr President has never come out even once to condemn activities of herdsmen and the attacks they visit on innocent people. The only time the President is heard speaking about atrocities of the herders is when he defends them.
It is now clear that the Presidency wants to plunge the country into avoidable crisis. Otherwise, what is the justification for President Buhari’s insistence that grazing reserves be established across the country when Nigerians have openly kicked against the policy and have embraced ranching in place of open grazing?
Millions of Nigerians have been displaced following attacks by armed herders and are currently suffering in IDP camps. Benue State for instance has over 1.5 million displaced people with thousands living in camps and many more forced to flee their ancestral lands to stay under dehumanizing conditions in open fields. The Buhari administration does not seem to be worried about the food crisis already ravaging the country. Farmers have been chased into IDP camps by herders and children are dying of starvation in addition to being denied education, yet what is more important to their President is the well being of cows.
We expected the pitiable condition of the displaced people to be the preoccupation of the President whom they voted in 2015 and 2019. It is unfortunate that the people’s genuine show of love, trust and votes for Mr President are being rewarded with hate, cruelty and dictatorial policies aimed at grabbing their lands to donate to herders and cows.
We challenge the Presidency to name what it has done to alleviate the plight of those displaced by herdsmen in Benue and other states since 2018.
What is the difference between the Buhari administration’s approach to insecurity and the Taliban agenda in Afghanistan? It is now evident that the government at the centre prioritizes the welfare of cattle over human beings and is bent on taking Nigeria back to the precolonial era with some snippets of a society where in the words of Thomas Hobbes, life has become 'solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short'. The country has been turned to a cow republic by the present administration and the basic principles of equality, justice, fairness and equity which engender peace and suppress anarchy are non-existent.
President Buhari has refused to prove wrong, those who accuse him of being a Fulani President. He has instead proven that he indeed belongs to somebody. But Buhari is not the first Fulani man to be President of this country. Nigeria had Presidents Shehu Shagari and Umaru Yar’Adua who were also of Fulani ethnicity; but were Presidents for all Nigerians and treated citizens of this country fairly and equitably.
Our country has never been more divided on ethnic lines and sentiments as it is under President Buhari who was thought to be the most prepared to lead the country at this time. Under President Shagari and President Yar’Adua, Nigerians were not chided by a horde of presidential spokesmen and social media hirelings for simply expressing their views on government policies.
Perhaps Mr President is not aware that most of the northern states, including his home state Katsina and the entire southern states have unanimously rejected open grazing of livestock and approved ranching. The Presidency is therefore whipping a dead horse on the issue of grazing reserves. It is hypocritical for the Presidency to support and fund ranching in Katsina State and turn round to impose grazing reserves on other states.
Those saddled with the duty of advising Mr President have apparently failed in their responsibility. They ought to have told the President that though grazing reserves existed in some parts of the country before independence, there have been several reviews and laws which, in addition to the years of social and infrastructural development as well as population growth, have superceded and rendered the reserves null and void. Additionally, the Land Use Act provides that Governors are the custodians of all lands in their states.
The Federal Government has no constitutional right to appropriate lands for itself or anyone else for that matter without the approval of State Governors. Nigeria is practicing democracy; not despotism or feudalism. The President is obligated to listen to the yearnings of the people and lead according to the constitution. Leaders are elected to solve problems, not create more problems for the people.
Nigeria is grappling with numerous security and economic challenges that should ordinarily worry the President. The Federal Government introduced the National Livestock Transformation Plan, NLTP and Nigerians accepted the policy. Why has the Buhari administration dumped the programme and opted for grazing reserves and cattle routes? That is the question agitating the minds of discerning Nigerians who suspect foul play.
The Federal Government’s posture has emboldened armed Fulani herdsmen who go about maiming and killing innocent Nigerians. That the government has turned deaf ears to calls for the licensing of responsible Nigerians to own sophisticated weapons is another pointer to a hidden motive.
We also read the President’s comments yesterday at the National Security Council meeting where he threatened to sack Security Chiefs for what he termed failure to tackle insecurity in the country. Why won’t the Security Chiefs fail when the body language of the Commander-in-Chief points to a clan of sacred cows who must be spared and given protection to perpetuate evil? How will the Security Chiefs succeed when their formations are not well funded and the troops are left to confront terrorists who have superior weapons? Why will the military commanders be decisive when those who kill their personnel and other Nigerians are given preferential treatment on the pretense of “repentance”? We hope that Mr President was misquoted. But if indeed he made the statement attributed to him, he was not being fair to the security agencies.
President Buhari’s spokesman Femi Adesina once asked Nigerians to choose between holding onto their lands or losing their lives. What is happening now is confirmation of that threat from the Presidency. They introduced Cattle Colonies, Ruga and National Water Resources Bill but Nigerians rejected all the policies. The latest push for grazing reserves and cattle routes is surely the final onslaught against majority of Nigerians who must be deprived of their God-given lands to accommodate foreign herdsmen moving into the country for the occupation agenda.
Governor Samuel Ortom has repeatedly stated that there is no land for grazing reserves or cattle routes in Benue State. Though the Federal Government craftily concealed the names of the states where Mr President has ordered that grazing reserves be foisted on the people, we wish to categorically state that no part of Benue will be allocated for grazing reserves or cattle routes! The stand of the Governor is not personal; it is the collective decision of Benue people. There is no gazetted land or cattle route in Benue State. Our state should be counted out of the proposed grazing reserves programme.
If President Buhari must actualize his cattle agenda in Benue State, he should be ready to kill all of us! We know that grazing reserves and cattle routes are the only project that the President has for Nigeria, but Benue is not interested in such a project.
We are equally disappointed with members of the committee which recommended that grazing reserves be established in parts of the country. They are the real enemies of Nigeria. Theirs is hypocrisy of the highest order. Members of the committee should know that posterity will judge everyone according to their deeds here on earth. Above all, there is God.
The Buhari administration will not be in power forever.
Two lecturers at Abia State University, Uturu, lecturers, and others were late Thursday robbed and kidnapped by gunmen suspected to be herdsmen along ABSU-Isuikwuato Road.
According to the Chairperson of ABSU’s Academic Staff Union of Universities, V U. Nkemdirim, the incident took place about 6.00 pm.
According to him, the lecturers involved are Rev. Prof. S.O Eze of the Department of Industrial Chemistry and a Methodist minister, and Don Chris Afulike of the Department of Mass Communication, who were travelling in their different cars.
According to Nkemdirim, the two lecturers ran into Fulani herdsmen, when they were robbing vehicles.
“After the robbery, the herdsmen took the two lecturers and some others away.
“As of now, they’re yet to be seen. However, the Camry belonging to Dr. Chris Afulike has been seen with his phone inside the vehicle,” the lecturer said.
According to the ABSU ASUU boss, the families of the lecturers confirmed the incident, and the University management has been involved in the matter.
He also said ASUU national body and necessary security agencies have been contacted.
Politics › Buhari’s Government Pays Ex-Militants N2.63bn As Stipends In 2 Months - ICIR by HonNL(op): 10:30am On Sep 06, 2021
