₦airaland Forum

No fewer than six persons were confirmed killed and houses razed in a sustained and coordinated attack by gunmen, in the early hours of Monday, in Bagana village, Omala Local Government Area of Kogi State.

DAILY POST recalls that a similar attack occurred barely a month ago leading to the death of about nine persons and property worth millions of naira destroyed.

The attack it was gathered forced hundreds of inhabitants to seek refuge in neighbouring communities.


In the latest incident, DAILY POST gathered that the attackers went straight to the House of one Chief Salifu Anyebe and set it ablaze.

The attackers also shot three persons, including one Madam Achebe Alih, popularly known as Mama Teacher to death.

It was further gathered that Chief Salifu Anyebe is one of traditional rulers, whose stool was upgraded to third class a forth night ago by the present administration.

The early morning raid made the villagers, who were just returning to the village after a similar attack, to scamper for safety in the bushes.

It was gathered that, the attackers, linked to a clan opposed to his ascendancy, had planned to attack him during the proposed ceremony for the new title.

However, our correspondent reliably gathered that the information of the attack leaked to him, forcing the abrupt suspension of the ceremony, but the attackers burnt down his palace, his car and other valuables belonging to the chief and close families that lived in a cluster with him.

Our correspondent equally gathered that immediately the attackers left, some militias from nearby communities were allegedly mobilized, armed with sophisticated weapons and they started razing down houses belonging to the suspected opposing clans.

The reprisal led to the burning down of the palace of the Oga Onu Ife, a paramount ruler and the District Head of Bagana, Chief Alih Haruna. Other houses belonging to some notable inhabitants were also torched.

According to the locals, a house belonging to the Councillor representing the District, Hon. Alidu Usman Idakwo and those of other tribes were not spared.

A local, who could not hold back tears over the wanton destruction of lives and property, lamented the nonchalant attitude of the government.

He added that since 2013, no fewer than 300 persons have lost their lives and property worth millions of naira destroyed.

While speaking with our Correspondent, the Special Adviser on Security to the Omala Local Government Area, Hon. Steve Shaibu confirmed the death of six persons, while one person was critically injured and has been evacuated to undisclosed health facility in a nearby village.

The Special Adviser gave the names of the deceased as Suleiman Baba, Yusuf Lere, Mrs Achebe Alih, others are Abubakar Salifu, Danlami Yahaya and Ugbede Attah on admission.

However, the leader of Indigenous People of Bagana, Alhaji Umar Bagana lamented the recurring orgy of killings and destruction of properties, since 2014, and blamed the violence on the clanish jingoists contending for the soul of the town.

He called on Governor Yahaya Bello to enforce his directives on the Chiefs to relocate to their respective domain as a measure to tame the tide of violence being unleashed on the community.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Idrisu Dauda Dabban in company of the Chairman of Omala Local Government Hon. Ibrahim Aboh had on Tuesday visited the area.

The Police Commissioner urged the people to return home, assuring that they had commenced discreet investigation to bring the perpetrators to book.

One killed, seven shot, two missing as hoodlums attack Ogun community

THREE persons have been arrested by the police in Ogun State, just as one person was feared killed and seven others shot after hoodlums invaded Igbo Oba community in Igbesa area of the state. 

Two other persons were as of Monday evening still missing after residents scampered into different directions when the hoodlums struck. Fourteen expended cartridges and six live cartridges were recovered from one of the arrested suspects, Muibi (surname withheld), who claimed to be a member of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC). 

The attack on the community occurred less than 48 hours after residents raised the alarm of an imminent attack through a Save Our Soul (SOS) message to the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba Alkali. 

Nigerian Tribune gathered that the attack, which occurred early on Monday morning, was the fourth in a month by members of the same gang. 

Policemen from the Special Weapons and Tactical Squad (SWAT), Abuja had some days ago dislodged the hoodlums from the village, but they returned on Monday to attack residents. 

One of the survivors, Idris Hamzat, who was rushed to the Ota General Hospital, said: “I was in our house when I discovered that petrol had finished from our power generating set. 

“I could not come out alone for the fear of armed robbers, but as soon as we came out, there heard sporadic gunshots and we all ran into different directions. 

“I then felt a sharp pain in the middle part of my body and my thigh, but I kept running into the bush until I discovered I had been shot.” 

Another victim, Oladimeji Akande, who was also rushed to the same hospital, said: “There were about 100 of them with sophisticated weapons. 

“They thought that I was dead because they shot me in the leg and other parts of my body. I struggled to creep into the bush.”

 A resident of the village, John Oloru Odo, said: “The hoodlums were led by one Akogun and Ewe .This is the fourth time that they have attacked us in the last one month. 

“The attack came less than two days after we raised the alarm that these people were planning to invade our village after they were chased away by SWAT officers from Abuja.” 

The arrested OPC member, Muibi, in his confessional statement to the police at Agbara police station, admitted to have gone to the village with the gang, but denied taking part in the attack. The suspect also claimed that the cartridges that were recovered from him were given to him by an unidentified member of the gang. 

He also claimed that he was not holding any gun, but that he was holding the live cartridges in case more were needed. 

The suspect said: “I was told that we were going for a security job. It was when I got to that area that I knew that they planned to use us as land thugs. 

“I am a member of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC). I am a security guard. It was one Azeez who took me to the site. He lied to me that we were going for a security job. “When I discovered that they wanted to use us as land thugs, I stayed back around the village and it was later that my friend and I were arrested. 

“There were many of us from different places. Some came from Idimu, Ikotun, Sango, while my friend and I joined them from Okokomaiko.” 

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Ogun State, Abimbola Oyeyemi, could not be reached for his reaction as calls to his mobile phone line were not answered as of the time of filing this report.

Three travellers have been abducted in Ayedun-Ekiti, in the Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State following a gun duel between gunmen and soldiers in the area.

Those kidnapped were said to have been held at Ayedun-Ekiti, a town located along the same axis, after the soldiers succeeded in botching the kidnapping attempts at Ayebode.

The police spokesman, Sunday Abutu, who confirmed the incident to newsmen in Ado-Ekiti on Friday, said the gunmen abducted three persons during the confrontation.

Abutu stated that the combined forces of the military and the police rescued six other captives from the gunmen.

The statement read, “The information we heard was that four persons were abducted. Security operatives responded swiftly to the situation and rescued six persons.

“We have begun investigation and we will try and ensure that the abductees are brought back safe and sound.”

It was gathered that though the solders foiled kidnap attempts in the two communities, three commuters were later picked up by the gunmen as they escaped into the bush.

The Federal Government has identified the sponsors of self-acclaimed activist, Sunday Adeyemo, better known as Sunday Igboho....

The Federal Government has identified the sponsors of self-acclaimed activist, Sunday Adeyemo, better known as Sunday Igboho.

Attorney General Of The Federation And Minister Of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, disclosed this at a press conference in Abuja on Friday.

According to Malami, a committee set up by the Federal Government unravelled how Igboho got monies from 43 bank accounts, across nine banks.

“The Federal Government has received the report on financers of Adeniyi Sunday Adeyemo a.k.a Sunday Igboho.  The report revealed that Sunday Igboho is a Director and signatory to Adesun International Concept Limited registered on 23rd April, 2010.”

“Adesun International Concept Limited also has Oladele Oyetunji and Aderopo Adeyemo as Directors. Sunday Igboho is linked to 43 bank accounts in 9 banks.

“The major financier of the fugitive and separatists was found to be a Federal Law Maker in the National Assembly. A total sum of ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SEVEN MILLION, ONE AND FORTY-FIVE THOUSAND NAIRA ONLY (N127, 145,000.00) was received by Igboho from his financiers between 22nd October, 2013 and 28th September, 2020 through Adesun International Concept Ltd accounts.

“A total sum of TWO HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-THREE MILLION, ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY-EIGHT THOUSAND, TWO HUNDRED NAIRA ONLY (N273,198,200.00) transaction outflows was recorded from Sunday Igboho’s account between 15th March, 2013 and 11 the March, 2021.

“Investigation reveals that Adesun International Concept Ltd (belonging to Igboho) transferred the sum of twelve million seven hundred and fifty thousand naira (N12, 750,000) to Abbal Bako & Sons.

“It might be recalled that Abbal Bako & Sons and its promoter Abdullahi Umar Usman are suspects in the on-going Joint Terrorist Financing Investigation. Abdullahi Umar Usman is by way of financial transaction connected to SURAJO ABUBAKAR MUHAMMAD (who was sentenced to life imprisonment in UAE on charges of financing terrorism [Boko Haram]).

“This report shows the nexus between separatists’ agitation, terrorism financing and disruptions of peace in the country.

The report found connections of financial transaction between Adesun International Concept Ltd (belonging to Igboho) and some construction companies and businesses among others.”

A farmer, identified as Cordelia Utazi, was allegedly hacked to death on her farm at Ugwujoro Nimbo, Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State Monday.

The deceased, popularly known as Oyee Eze, was weeding her farm with her daughter, Onyinye, when suspected herdsmen attacked them, leading to her death.

Vanguard gathered that her daughter drew the attention of her late mother to the presence of the herdsmen, but sensing they were going to be attacked by the fast-approaching herdsmen, the young girl took to her heels and alerted other villagers.

A source, who participated in taking the dead body of the victim to the Faith Foundation Hospital in Nsukka metropolis told Vanguard, “They were weeding in the farm when her daughter looked up and saw herdsmen with their cattle on their farm.

“The daughter, Onyinye, saw the herdsmen moving very fast towards their direction and took to her heels.

“The mother, Cordelia Utazi, also wanted to run but the herdsmen shot her. When they got to where she was lying helpless, they used cutlass to cut off her hands.

”They equally used something to smash her skull.

“It was the daughter who ran to the village to inform others of what had happened to her mother.

“In that state of confusion, the villagers rushed to the scene and discovered the woman in a pool of her blood.

“Before they could reach there, the herders had disappeared into nearby bushes with their cattle.

“It was a terrible incident in our community.

Confirming the incident, the spokesman of Enugu State Police Command, Daniel Ndukwe, said the command has commenced investigation to fish out the hoodlums who allegedly murdered a middle-aged woman on her farm.

“Investigation has been launched to fish out the hoodlums, alleged to have murdered a middle-aged woman in Ugwujoro Nimbo, Uzo-Uwani LGA in the afternoon hours of 18/10/2021. Further development will be communicated,” he said.

Also, in his reaction, the South East chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, MACBAN, Gidado Siddiki, distanced members of his association from the attack, insisting that “there are no herdsmen at Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State as at today.”

While saying that those who carried out the attack are not members of his association, he added that not every herdsman seen in the bush is a member of MACBAN.

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, has asked the security services in the country to “arrest, prosecute and jail” the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed for allegedly defending armed Fulani herdsmen.

The rights group alleged that the Minister had, during a broadcast, referred to armed Fulani herdsmen as ‘nationalists’ who believe in the sovereignty of Nigeria.

“The criminal act of actively soliciting support for terrorists offends the extant anti-terror law of Nigeria which the information minister has breached with reckless abandon.

“From empirical evidence, it may take international pressure to dissuade the central government from going ahead with its entrenched active support for Fulani terrorists going by public utterances of key officials of the current administration in Abuja which appears to be heavily sympathetic to Islamist and Fulani terrorists,” HURIWA said in a statement on Tuesday.

Angered by the recent massacre of over 43 villagers in Sokoto State by armed men suspected to be herders, HURIWA slammed Lai Mohammed over the alleged comments.

The rights group said, “Lai Mohammed’s defence of armed Fulani attackers confirmed that there is an official agenda in Aso-Rock to pamper, defend, protect, promote and sponsor the increasingly expansive terrorist attacks all across the Country targeted largely at Christians or non-Fulani such as Hausa farmers in the North West”.

Following the massacre which occurred on Sunday when the assailants invaded the Goronyo Market in Sokoto State, HURIWA said, “It will be difficult to convince any right-thinking and objective Nigerian Worldwide that the current central government is actually carrying out any concrete and factual, verifiable and determined, precise and transparent attacks targeting Fulani terrorists.

“The terror attacks in Sokoto by the Fulani terrorists have shown that maybe Nigerians are being deceived by the military who keep dishing out tissues of Media propaganda claiming to have decimated certain numbers of Fulani terrorists around the North West and the North Central states.

“These may just be audio and deceptive military phantom attacks. Now the national interview by Lai Mohammed has further confirmed the suspicion by millions of Nigerians that the Federal Government harbours terrorist sympathisers including one that is a minister who was caught on tape supporting Al-Quaeda and the murderous Taliban terrorists”.

Durring the attack, they killed the man and his children while another resident reportedly sustained serious injuries from gunshots.

Residents of Nkiendonwro village in the Miango District of Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State have yet witnessed another sorrowful day as suspected Fulani herdsmen on Thursday, invaded the village and unleashed terror on it.

A source told SaharaReporters that the herdsmen waylaid a father and his two children who boarded a motorcycle on their way to the farm.


During the attack, they killed the man and his children while another resident reportedly sustained serious injuries from gunshots.

The spokesperson of Miango Youth Development Association, Nuhu Bitrus Nga, also told SaharaReporters that the attack happened at about 8am when the family members were planning to go to their farm.

He identified the dead victims as Amos David, 42years, Reuben Sunday, 28, and Abednego Amos aged 8 years while 12-year-old Emma Amos was injured by gunshot.

Emma Amos had been rushed to a nearby hospital where he is currently undergoing treatment.

It was learnt that Nkiendonwro village had been deserted due to an attack which led to the death of over 29 people in 2017 while the entire village was razed down.

The larger number of inhabitants of the village therefore, abandoned the area to seek refuge in some other parts of Rigwe land.

Insecurity, separatist agitations undermining Nigeria’s unity, corporate existence, says Ex-COAS Ihejirika

…Elites stoking hatred among Nigerians for selfish gains – Methodist Archbishop

…Why Nigeria is not working – NIREC, Sheikh Maraya

…What politicians must do to fix Nigeria – Emir of Bichi, Ahmed Lawan

…Abolish ‘State of Origin’, ‘Religion’ concepts,  Bishop Onuoha tells govt

…Nigeria’s peace, unity not negotiable, says SGF


Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika (Rtd), has warned that the spate of insecurity and the clamour for self-determination in parts of Nigeria could destabilise the country, if urgent actions were not taken to address the challenges.

The ex-COAS blamed the situation on mutual distrust, intolerance, poor socialisation and deterioration of the value system, insisting that the crises facing the nation posed an existential threat to its unity and corporate existence.

Speaking at the Interfaith Roundtable on Building a Culture of Peace and Unity in Nigeria, which was organized by the Methodist Church in Abuja weekend, Ihejirika observed that peace and stability could only be achieved when the causes of conflict in society are well-managed.

He said, “The security situation and spate of security challenges in the country should give any reasonable and patriotic Nigerian a sense of worry and concern. More worrisome is the occasional clamour for self determination by a few individuals within some ethnic groups in the country. There is no doubt that the current situation is not the best. It poses a serious threat to our unity and corporate existence as a nation.

“As elders, community and religious leaders, we can contribute to the efforts of government by helping to shape the opinion and reasoning of the people, especially our youths towards peace and unity in the country. We must, through our words and actions, preach peace, love compassion and unity. 

“Our differences should not be a source of division and distrust, but a source of unity, strength and tolerance to engender national building. I wish to call on all patriotic and peace loving Nigerians to raise their voices and show concern in the various communities to support any initiative that could foster peace and stability in our nation.”

Speaking also, the Methodist Archbishop of Abuja, His Grace, the Most Rev. (Dr) Joseph Oche Job, however, accused the elites of exploiting the religious and ethnic fault lines in the country for selfish gains

He stated, “To us, there are three problems besetting Nigeria. They are ignorance, poverty and hatred. If we are able to overcome these challenges, terrorism will no longer be a problem for us. However, the elites in the country are not ignorant, but they seem to be fueling the problems for their own advantage. They want more money and power. Let us pray for everyone to understand the need to love this nation more than money.”

In the same vein, the Executive Secretary, Nigeria Inter-religious Council, Fr. Prof. Cornelius Omonokhua, explained that the reason why Nigeria seemed not to be working for all citizens had nothing to do with either religion or ethnicity but greed.

He, therefore, called for greater societal emphasis on modesty and proper religious and secular education, stressing that greedy politicians would stop at nothing to brainwash the ignorant and exploit them to foment trouble.

Also, the Northern Coordinator, Global Peace Foundation (Nigeria), Sheikh Haliru Maraya, identified injustice among the people as a key driver of conflict and instability in the country.

To address these challenges, the Co-Chair, Interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace, Bishop Dr. Sunday Onuoha, said: “I strongly recommend that the country and its leaders must commit to expunging the ‘State of Origin’ and ‘Religion’ concept when our information/biodata is required for filling forms, applying for jobs or on our international passports.

“It negates the concept and orientation of ‘Nationhood’ and the unity we profess and pledge allegiance to. Where one is born, where their parents were born, or where their ancestors come from, should not determine or limit the equitable opportunities available to them; but rather where they reside or have been raised. 

“We must de-emphasize our faith leanings and rather, emphasize our common humanity and not bring religious sentiments to governance. Nigerians must face the issues of national development and rise above religious sentiments if we are to be listed among the developed nations.

“Also, politicians must remember that they have a role to play in punishing those who offend the laws of the land. There should be no sacred cows and there should be no selective justice in dealing with offenders.”

In addition, the Emir of Bichi, HRH Alhaji Nasiru Ado Bayero, noted that Christians and Muslims in the country have developed mutually beneficial businesses as well as economic and political relationships without crisis, disagreement or violence in company boardrooms, legislative chambers and political meetings.

“We ought to export the same comradeship and mutual interaction to the larger society so that we can help our people build trust, tolerance, harmony and friendship across religious fault lines,” he stated.

On his part, the Senate President Ahmed Lawan said that achieving complete peace in a diverse country like Nigeria was not an easy task, but with the right commitment, dedication and support, lasting solutions to its problems could be found.

 “Achieving complete peace is not a day’s job, but a continuous effort. But what is important is our readiness to carry it out with a sense of belief. This principle is best preached in our  religious and family institutions. That’s why the role of religious institutions in peace-building cannot be over-emphasised. So, we have to work together to make this happen,” Lawan, who was represented by Senator Philip Aduda, stated.

The Secretary to Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, in his remarks, said Nigeria’s unity cannot be negotiated, adding that the Federal Government has done so much to ensure the country does not split. 

Mustapha, who was also represented by the Permanent Secretary (General Service) in OSGF, Maurice Mbaeri, argued that leadership alone was not the cause of insecurity in Nigeria, noting bandits and kidnapper were the products of the larger society.

He said, “The unity of Nigeria is not negotiable. Nigeria is a very great and peace-loving country.

We have actually witnessed some challenges in the area of security, economy, and recently, Nigeria has experienced the most challenge disturbing in the area of health which is the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite all these, Nigeria remains one indivisible nation ready to forge ahead.

“Nigeria’s unity and peace cannot be negotiated. The manner with which we have been tackling the challenges that have come our way as a nation is a clear demonstration of the oneness and togetherness of our people. What is required to make Nigeria great are partnerships, tolerance, engagement and dialogue in situations like this.

“The Federal Government has actually been doing so much to ensure the unity and oneness of  this country. This is demonstrated in the series of engagements and policies the administration has introduced. We have to avoid mutual suspicion, misinformation, ethnic bias, and blackmail. We have to support our leaders at all times to ensure that they succeed and the unity of this country is not negotiated.

“Our religious and traditional leaders should carry-out aggressive advocacy in our rural communities towards ensuring that value reorientation is brought to our youth, because these bandits, kidnappers did not fall from the moon. They are the children of society.”

He, then, cautioned them not to deploy much energy on the laws, adding that it would take time for it to materialise.

The governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has stated that it is difficult to execute the Anti-Open Grazing laws which his counterparts in the Southern part of Nigeria have passed to curb insecurity in the region. 

He, then, cautioned them not to deploy much energy on the laws, adding that it would take time for it to materialise.

Speaking during a visit to the headquarters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday, El-Rufai revealed that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has backed his state with N7.5 billion out of the N10 billion required to build a ranch.

He also disclosed that since there are over 14 grazing reserves in Kaduna State, he would be glad if the Nigerian Government can support his state with N140 billion to develop the grazing reserves.

According to El-Rufai, it is needless for the Southern states' governors to politicise grazing rights and pass laws they know cannot be implemented.

Speaking on the anti-open grazing laws, he noted, "The northern state governors forum has already taken a position that open grazing is not a sustainable way of livestock production. And we must move towards ranching.
 
"But moving towards ranching cannot be done overnight. We have to have a plan, we have to have resources and we have to implement it sensibly. It is not a matter of populist legislation or saying tomorrow this or that. It is not a solution.

"We have taken a position as northern state governors and we are implementing that.

"And in my state, for instance, we are developing a huge ranch to centralise the herders. And that is the solution, a long time. But can it be done overnight? No.

"This project we are doing will cost us about N10 billion. The CBN is supporting us with about N7.5 billion. And it will take about two years to do. We will be settling about 1,500 Fulani herder families.

"And I hope that they will see that there are alternative ways of producing livestock instead of running up and down with cattle going to people’s farms to cause all kinds of problems. We want to solve the problem.

"What is unhelpful is to politicise the situation and pass legislation that you know that you cannot implement. So, we have taken a position and we are working round the clock to implement that position.

"And these herders emanate from the north and we are going to centralise them. We cannot do it overnight. We need billions of naira. This is just one ranch that is causing 10 billion. I have 14 grazing reserves in Kaduna State and I will like to convert them into ranching. Do I have 14 times 10 billion naira? I don’t have.

"If the Federal Government will give me N140 billion, I will convert the other 13 into ranches and make sure that nobody comes out with a cow or sheep in Kaduna State because I will have enough ranches to take care of everybody. That is the solution. You can legislate but let us wait and see. And I wish them the best of luck."

If cattle are bred in one place, the price could go up to about two million naira each.”

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN) has warned that the price of a cow could go up as high as N2 million if the Lagos State Government passes the proposed anti-open grazing law.

The association’s zonal secretary for South-West, Maikudi Usman, made the disclosure on Wednesday during a one-day public hearing organised by the state House of Assembly on the anti-open grazing bill.

Mr Usman said ranching, as being proposed by the government, was capital intensive and his members could not afford it.

“If cattle are bred in one place, the price could go up to about two million naira each. We agreed with some local chiefs in other states that anyone who wants to rear cows in a location should register and should indicate when he is leaving,” he disclosed.

The Miyetti Allah leader added that the best way to breed cattle was to move them from one place to another, saying that they were moved to different places during the rainy and dry season.

“Our breeders are not used to breeding cattle in one place.

They move from here to another place.

When we say we will keep cattle in one place, the owner of the cattle will not have funds to feed the animals in one place.

Making further excuses, Mr Usman pleaded with the government for more time to enlighten herdsmen on breeding cattle in one place rather than encroaching on farmlands.

“We are pleading with the Lagos State government to give us more time to go tell our people and train them how they will be breeding cattle in one place and not encroach on farmers’ land,” he said.

Mr Usman further urged the state government to subsidise the cost of raising the animals in one location.

He detached his group from criminal herdsmen that have been destroying people’s farm among other criminal activities such as armed robbery and kidnapping.

“A Fulani man moves from one place to another to ply his trade, but we have some bad eggs that are fomenting trouble.

The government should allow us to tell our people that they don’t want our cows to destroy people’s farmlands,” he pleaded.

“We have met with stakeholders in Ekiti, Ondo and even Oyo States and we reached agreements with them.”

In his own remarks the president of the Lagos State Sheep Farmers Association, Mustapha Ibrahim, said that the bill was not meant to attack anybody, but that it was all-embracing.

Mr Ibrahim noted that land resources were very important to the state, adding that the relationship between cattle herders and farmers should be symbiotic.

He also called for legislation to promote the creation of farm estates across the state.

Also, chairman of Lagos State Butchers Association, Alabi Kazeem, urged the assembly to support the cattle breeders as breeding cattle in one location could be expensive.

Earlier, the Lagos Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, in his keynote address, said it was important to address the issue of cattle rearing, which could affect security of lives because it was a pointer to peaceful co-existence and other human desires.

Mr Obasa, represented by the Deputy Speaker, Wasiu Eshinlokun-Sanni, said that the issue of cattle rearing and open grazing called for concerted efforts for stability and economic development.

In his welcome address, Chairman, House Committee on Agriculture, Kehinde Joseph, said the proposed law was meant to ensure peace between herders and farmers in the state.

Mr Joseph said it was meant to ensure the registration of herders and prohibit cattle roaming and imposes stiffer punishment on those who carry arms to rear cattle.

“It will forestall herders-farmers clashes and redefine social and economic activities in the state.

“Members of cattle breeders association will be sensitised on the new development and we will ensure strict compliance with the law, when it is passed,” he said. 

Over the years, criminal invasion of farmlands by herders has resulted in deadly clashes around the country. 

In the past few months, governors from southern Nigeria have pushed for outright ban of open grazing in the region, setting a deadline for the enactment of enabling laws.

Fulani herdsmen have been accused of perpetrating criminal activities such as rape, kidnapping, destruction of farms etc. in forests and highways in the country, especially the South.

The bill was entitled: “A bill for a law to Prohibit Open Cattle Grazing In Lagos State, the Trespass of Cattle Land And For Other Connected Purposes”.

(NAN)

Boko Haram Fighters Attack Borno Town, Kill 17 People, Raze Houses

Boko Haram terrorists and Islamic State-aligned fighters have invaded Rann community in Borno State, killing at least 17 people, including a soldier and an aid worker.

Security and militia sources told AFP on Tuesday that hundreds of fighters from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) stormed the town of Rann on the border with Cameroon, pushing troops out of a base and occupying the town for several hours.

The attack provoked a mass exodus of residents towards Cameroon before the Nigerian troops regained the town with aerial support.

ISWAP which split from Boko Haram in 2016 has been consolidating its control since the death in May of Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau in clashes between the two rival factions.

Heavily-armed fighters "came in around 1:30 am on foot like a swarm of locusts and overwhelmed soldiers who had to abandon their base", said an anti-jihadist militia leader in the town.

"The insurgents killed 11 people in the attack," said the source who asked not to be identified.

The jihadists stole weapons before setting fire to buildings and vehicles, added the militia leader, in an account supported by a second militia member in the town.

A United Nations security source in the region said a soldier and a local volunteer with a foreign aid agency were among the casualties.

The Nigerian military confirmed the attack on the base, saying troops restored calm after they were initially dislodged.

Earlier on Monday the jihadists attacked nearby Ajiri town, killing six residents, the two militia sources said.

Rann, home to 35,000 people displaced by the jihadist violence, has been repeatedly targeted by ISWAP and rival Boko Haram.

In May, ISWAP attacked the town and killed 35 people, including five troops and 15 militia members.

The 12-year-long insurgency which has separated into parts of neighbouring Niger, Chad and Cameroon has killed at least 40,000 people and displaced around two million from their homes.

The incident happened on Sunday evening and those killed include an engineer and Director of Works at Kaura Namoda Local Government Area, Umaru Nabita Moriki and a local businesswoman identified as Hajia Rumba Jengeru.

Gunmen suspected to be bandits have killed two travellers along Zamfara Road.

The incident happened on Sunday evening and those killed include an engineer and Director of Works at Kaura Namoda Local Government Area, Umaru Nabita Moriki and a local businesswoman identified as Hajia Rumba Jengeru.


The gunmen were said to have “opened fire on the travellers on the Kaura Namoda-Moriki-Shinkafi Road”.

A former sole administrator of Shinkafi Local Government Area was also caught in the attack but escaped with minor injuries.

The incident comes a few weeks after bandits killed 13 persons, including a mother and her infant in Randa, Dansadau district of the Maru Local Government Area.

Deadly attacks have raged across Zamfara state where bandits have thrived.

Farming and herding communities in the state have long been terrorised by gangs who raid villages, stealing cattle and kidnapping residents for ransom.

In 2019, the state government entered a peace agreement with the gunmen.

About 15 brand new Hilux vehicles and cash gifts were also given to leaders of different 'repentant' gangs of bandits by the governor in 2020.

But despite all these, communities in the state are still being attacked and residents kidnapped and/or killed.

THE Spiritual Director, Adoration Ministry Enugu Nigeria, AMEN, Rev. Father Ejike Mbaka, has said that the attack on the Nigerian Defence Academy was just the beginning of what will befall Nigeria if the regime of President, Major General Muhammad Buhari (retd.) did not change and God did not intervene.

He also called on the Federal Government to release the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, from detention.

Mbaka, who made the call in a homily during Sunday mass, queried whether the attack on the NDA was carried out by the IPOB leader.

He warned that the attack on the NDA was still elementary to what would happen if something drastic was not done urgently to avert it.

In the homily, which had gone viral, Mbaka stated, “Did you not hear that yesterday (Saturday), bandits entered into our most secured place in this country, Nigerian Defence Academy? The NDA, the impenetrable place in Nigeria and killed some Nigerian military officers.

“And people are still talking of Father Mbaka and Adoration. And some Catholics are still attacking the worship of Blessed Sacrament through adoration; what are they going there to do?  The country is sinking just as I told them last time. The arrest of Nnamdi Kanu; will it solve any problem? Will it stop any agitation? Now, the attack on the NDA; is it Nnamdi Kanu now?

“Is it not better he is released. Since he is still under their custody and NDA could be perforated, violated and mesmerised, what is the hope of this country if it can happen in Nigeria Defence Academy? Where else is safe?

“As I told you people last two months that what you are seeing is just the beginning of the trouble and that the main trouble is coming. This one that they did (NDA attack) is just the elementary part of it. The secondary part of it is still coming.

“I am only asking God to intervene because what is happening in Afghanistan right now; if God is not ready to help us, Nigeria’s situation will be worse in the future. You are free to attack Father Mbaka and criticize me, that one is your problem.

“I am doing my prophetic work, and I don’t need apology or affirmation or support or approval from anybody apart from the Holy Spirit who sent me on this risky assignment. Even if I want to stop it, I can’t even stop it.”