₦airaland Forum

…Miyetti Allah claims 4 of its members killed, 17 others missing in Anambra
…Only one person killed — Locals

Tension has enveloped the Ogboji, Ndiokpalaeze and other neighbouring communities in Orumba South and North Local Government Areas of Anambra State, following the statements credited to the leadership in Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, on the alleged killings of herdsmen and loss of cows.

Meanwhile, there are conflicting accounts of what transpired in the communities.

Also, the location of the incident was said to be in farmlands bordering several communities and not in Ogboji town as alleged in some media reports.

Chairman of MACBAN South East, Alhaji Gidado Sidikki, had alleged that four herdsmen were killed and many cows lost in the incident.

Police sources, as well as town unions in the communities, said only one person was confirmed dead, while only two calves and one cow were found killed.

Siddiki, who gave the figures in Awka, said a recent attack on its members took place at Mohammed Idris herder’s settlement located at Ogborji Orumba South LGA of the state, on Saturday, where, according to him, four herdsmen were allegedly killed and many cows missing.

He gave the names of those killed as Hadari Umaru, Hamidu Umaru, Aliu Idris and Hassan Idris, claiming that it brought to 21 the number of herders missing between January and March 2021.

He urged the state government and traditional rulers to take action to stem further attacks on his members, regretting a situation whereby Fulani herdsmen were criminalized all over the country.

Meanwhile, state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Haruna Mohammed said the Commissioner of Police, Mr Monday Karyas had ordered a full-scale investigation into the attack on herders in Orumba South, assuring that the perpetrators would be arrested and brought to justice.

Confirming the tension in the communities, Chairman of Ogboji Town Union Caretaker Committee, Mr Marcellinus Emechebe, told Vanguard that what they noticed was an invasion of the farmland by unknown gunmen who scared away vigilante groups and people around the communities on Saturday.

He said the town union executives had to call in the Police to intervene when they discovered that one of the herdsmen had been killed.

Another community leader in the Ndiokpalaze community, who did not want his name in print told Vanguard that the claims of MACBAN have now sent signals to all the communities of possible reprisal attacks on the various communities by the herdsmen, a situation that prompted security alerts across the communities.

On Saturday, Emechebe had reported the incident to the state government through a letter to the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Town Union Affairs, stating: “Early this morning, gunshots were loud in one of the remote forest/farmland of our community.

“The incident was reported to the Divisional Police Officer, Umunze, who was led to the scenes by our vigilante operatives. Two Hausa men joined them and investigated the scenes.

“A corpse was discovered in the first scene while in the second scene two dead calves, one big cow and another with amputated leg were discovered. The Divisional Police has carried away the corpse.

”Following this ugly development, there are palpable fears in the community of reprisal attacks. We are, please, requesting support to reinforce vigilance around the community and environs,” he added.

Eminent Nigerians have been felicitating with Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo on today’s celebration of his 64th birthday.

President Muhammadu Buhari led the felicitation with his deputy, whom he described as reliable and dedicated and who “is not only admirably competent but also exudes confidence and passion in the performance of his job”.

Other national leaders greeting the Vice-President on today’s birthday include All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Senate President Ahmad Lawan, House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, Deputy Speaker Ahmed Idris Wase and Osun State Governor Adegboyega Oyetola.

In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, President Buhari said: “I’m proud to have selected Osinbajo as my running mate and he has given a good account of himself since our journey began in 2015.”

According to the President, “the Vice-President is a cool-headed gentleman who puts the interest of Nigeria above other narrow considerations”.

He stressed that “Osinbajo is an incredibly patient politician who demonstrates remarkable intellectual and mental energy in the discharge of his duties”.

The President wished him many more prosperous years and God’s continued guidance.

Lawan, in a statement by his Special Adviser (Media) Ola Awoniyi, said: “I pray that God Almighty will continue to imbue him with wisdom and good health as he ably supports President Muhammadu Buhari in their patriotic mission to transform Nigeria and unite its people in happiness and prosperity.

“Mr. Vice-President, here is again wishing you a happy birthday and many happy returns of the day.”

Gbajabiamila described Osinbajo as a patriot and democrat, whose services to his fatherland have been commendable.

In a congratulatory message he personally signed, Gbajabiamila said: “His Excellency, the Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, is one Nigerian that should be celebrated at every point in time, but the occasion of his 64th birthday calls for more celebration.

“I, therefore, wish to join millions of Nigerians to celebrate the Vice-President on this memorable occasion. On this memorable day, I wish the Vice-President continuous good health and God’s protection.”

Wase, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Umar Muhammad Puma, said: “…Osinbajo has been a pillar of strength to the party.

“The Vice-President has come a long way in his service to the nation. As Commissioner of Justice and Attorney General of Lagos State, he contributed immensely in reforming the justice system.”

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ismail Omipidan, Governor Oyetola described Osinbajo as a patriotic Nigerian, an accomplished administrator and an exemplary leader, whose commitment to nation-building is commendable.

He said: “…Your humility, intelligence, excellent leadership traits and uncommon commitment to nation-building is commendable and worthy of emulation.

“We appreciate you for being a dependable ally of President Buhari and for your selfless service to our nation. I must also commend you for your contributions to the growth and stability of Nigeria’s economy in your role as Head of the National Economic Council (NEC).

“As you mark your birthday today, we thank Almighty God for your life and pray He grant you longer life, more wisdom and strength to continue to serve the nation and humanity.”

Also, the Chief Executive Officer of Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Mr. Bismarck Rewane, will deliver a special public lecturer today to mark Prof. Osinbajo’s 64th birthday.

The lecture, titled: Building the Future of Nigeria Through Enterprise and Innovation, is organised by a Pan-Nigerian Coalition, Building the Future Forum (BTFF).


A statement yesterday in Abuja by the Conveners, Mohammed Abdullahi and Dr. Grace Ugochukwu, said the public lecture was a product of a collaboration among Nigerians in the Diaspora, professionals and private sector operators within the country.

Also, a group, “Friends of Prof.”, which comprises friends and associates of Vice-President Osinbajo, has announced the commencement of this year’s edition of its empowerment programme.

In a statement yesterday in Abuja, the group said it was building on the success recorded in 2020 with an expansion in the scope of the programme in honour of Osinbajo’s 64th birthday.

It advised young Nigerians to use the opportunity created by the group to benefit from the programmes.

The statement said on Osinbajo’s 63rd birthday, 100 young entrepreneurs received grants of N1 million each to help grow and advance their businesses, among other incubator support services from the group.

The “Friends of Prof” conceptualised “The March 8th Initiative” to inspire and promote communal, entrepreneurial and public-spirited endeavours within Nigeria to celebrate the birthday of Osinbajo.
It said, in addition to the Entrepreneurship Development Programme, the March 8th Initiative would recognise health workers nationwide.

According to the statement, health workers to be recognised are those who, in the face of a global pandemic, demonstrated exemplary courage and professionalism in carrying out their duties.

“The March 8th Initiative” is expanding its reach and scope with a view to impacting a broader spectrum of Nigerians.

“First, the Annual Entrepreneurship Development Programme has been reorganised into four categories providing more opportunities for young Nigerians between 18 and 35 years old, giving one-off business grants, ranging from N100,000 to N1 million to small businesses in Nigeria.

“The four categories cover varying stages of small business growth as follows: Big Idea Business Challenge, Business Support Challenge, Catalyst Support Challenge, and the Bold Innovation Challenge.

“Individuals are requested to nominate any health worker who has shown these qualities for a reward of N1 million under a Health Grant Reward category that acknowledges their invaluable service to our communities.

“Additionally, the “March 8th Initiative” is undertaking a nationwide ophthalmological intervention to provide succour in the form of surgeries and other therapeutic care for cataract and other eye defects,” the statement said.

It said that entries would open at midnight on March 8 and close at 11:59 p.m on March 14.

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, charged the newly appointed service chiefs to speed up their actions in freeing the country from the current state of insecurity.
President Buhari gave the charge at a ceremony to decorate the new service chiefs with their ranks at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja.

According to him, “During our four-hour security meeting, on Tuesday, I had taken the responsibility as Commander-in-Chief for you to go out into the field and secure the country.
“You have got a few weeks to do that because by the rainy season, we expect people to develop confidence and go back to the land, so that we don’t get into trouble by being away from the field and therefore unable to produce enough food for the nation.”

He told the service chiefs to see their appointment, clearance and decoration as a vote of confidence in them.

“For those (of you) that have been confirmed by this ceremony, the decoration, in front of your spouses, is a further confidence loudly expressed in you on behalf of the nation, to respond to the insecurity the country is in, and the nation looks up to you for rapid relief.”

President Buhari in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Chief Femi Adesina, assured them of his firm support as they deliver on their responsibilities.
He said: “I have accepted responsibility for your actions in the field; it’s up to you to identify your competent officers irrespective of seniority and paper qualification and deploy them to make sure that we secure this country.

“We all look forward to you to perform and I as the Commander-in- Chief, I am backing you 100 per cent, and I expect you to effectively deploy your officers and men to secure the country.”

Responding on behalf of the other service chiefs, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor assured the President that they will not fail in their responsibilities as the mandate is clear.

“Nigeria will have peace again. Based on the mandate, we will address all issues, working with all other security organisations,” he said.

Speaking to State House correspondents, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, said that the Nigerian Armed Forces will never in any way leave peace and security of the nation in the hands of the terrorists.

General Irabor said instead, the Armed Forces will determine the peace and will not leave it in the hands of the terrorists.

He was before his appointment as CDS a Major General.
Fielding question on the role played by the Nigerian military in the recent negotiations that led to the release of abducted school children by their abductors, he said that the security agencies built bridges across various divides.

According to him, “Peace and security is not just the security of the boarders alone. It comes with having to build bridges across various divides.

Also answering question on the the next big step to be taken to secure the country, General Irabor said: “ I’m glad you talk about the next big step. Nigerians expect us to bring about peace and security in concert with other security agencies, that we will do. We can’t live in fear. And we will ensure that whatever brings fear to Nigerians before now will be a thing of the past.”

He, however, declined to reveal how he intends to achieve that, and simply said,” that is the trump card that I will not reveal to you.”

Asked what he will be doing differently from his predecessors, the Chief of Defence Staff said,”I will rather say what we will not do. What we will not do is to give instructions to our subordinates and not do the same. By extension, we will command the troops based on the expectations that we have of them and they will do it according to the expectations that we have of them too.”

Further asked whether he would consider changing strategies, he said: “Strategies are not sacrosanct. Of course, there are dynamics that we need to begin to look at, what needs to be reviewed, and that is precisely what we are doing currently. And we will review various strategies and of course come up with new ones to be able to meet the demands of the current realities.”

He said that the President has given the Service Chiefs marching orders to achieve results in few weeks and that they will work assiduously towards achieving that.

Asked what Nigerians expect in the next 100 days, he said: “No doubt, next 100 days is not as important as today. I believe that as members of the Armed Forces working in concert with the rest of the security agencies, we will bring Mr President’s expectations to bear in terms of our task.

“But let me also let you know that the inevitable is that Nigerians will indeed experience peace and security across the land.”

Others decorated are Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru as Chief of Army Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo as Chief of Naval Staff and Air Marshal Isiaka Amao as Chief of Air Staff.

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo has said that he will be the first person to be vaccinated in the state to boost the citizens’ confidence in taking the Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine.

Obaseki disclosed this on Friday in Benin while addressing journalists on the need for residents not to be scared of the vaccines.

The governor said “I will take mine and if I take mine and am okay, that will give confidence to Edo people.

“The preventive protocol will still be in place, don’t forget that it will still take a while to vaccinate almost 80 per cent of the population that is expected to be vaccinated.
“The fact that you have taken the vaccine does not mean you should be careless, you should not wear a mask, you should not protect yourself because many more people may have not received their own vaccination.

“So, we will still continue to insist and advocate that our people should conduct themselves and behave to prevent COVID-19 from spreading,” he said.

The governor, however, assured that he would provide adequate logistics and security at the state medical facilities during the vaccination exercise.