₦airaland Forum

UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Thursday expressed worry over the unchecked power of big tech companies, including social media platforms.

Speaking at a news conference in New York, Guterres said the world could not afford too much powers in the hands of a small number of companies.

He said the issue required a “serious discussion”, adding that one of the objectives of the UN’s roadmap on digital cooperation was to put the matter on the table.

The UN chief was responding to a question on the permanent suspension of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s accounts by Facebook and Twitter over alleged rule violations.

Guterres was specifically asked whether he thought the companies’ actions amounted to censorship or violations of Trump’s right to freedom of expression.

He said: “I think the right question is, should there be a company or entity that has the powers on these issues?

“Or should we create a mechanism for a regulatory framework with rules that allow that to be done in line with law?

“My clear answer is the second. I do not think that we can live in a world where too much power is given to a reduced number of companies.

“I must say that I am particularly worried over the power that they already have, the volume of information that is being gathered about each one of us , and the lack of control we have about data related to us.

“The fact that that (such) data can be used not only for commercial purposes, but also to change our behaviour, and the risk of that to be used also, from a political point of view, for the control of citizens in countries, is worrisome.

“All these is something that I believe requires a serious discussion,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the increasing power of big techs in public discourse has been a subject of debate among politicians and policy makers in the U.S.

There have been growing complaints that Twitter, Facebook and other platforms have too much power to shape public debates and censor speech in an increasingly digital world.

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC)/ Transparency
International (TI) Nigeria on Thursday released its 2020 Corruption Perception Index (CPI).

According to the index, Nigeria experienced a striking decline, the worst the nation has seen since 2015.

The CPI aggregates data from 8 (eight) different sources that provide
perceptions by Nigeria’s business community and country experts on the level of corruption in the public sector.

Transparency International’s 2020 CPI showed that Nigeria scored 25 out of 100 points, dropping to 149 out of the 180 countries surveyed, taking the nation three steps down from the 146 scored in 2019.

A proper examination of the index as published by Transparency International shows that Nigeria’s decline in its corruption fight is predicated on five (5) weaknesses.

Below are the 5 reasons Nigeria dropped on the Corruption Perception Index for 2020.

1. Absence of transparency in the COVID-19 pandemic

According to TI, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic out of Nigeria’s responsibility, there has been a lack of transparency in the emergency response of the government.

Coupled with the gap in coordination, the process has been fraught by the incessant flouting of procurement guidelines, hoarding of relief materials, and diversion of these materials which are then used as personal souvenirs presented to political party loyalists and close associates.

The agency said it is disturbing that in some cases, supplies donated by a group of well-meaning Nigerian business persons, corporate entities, development partners, and others under the Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID) were left inexplicably undistributed, and in some cases rotten, by the federal and state governments.

While these occurrences are not specific to Nigeria, citizens are yet to see concrete action by the anti-graft agencies on these issues.

2. Nepotism in the public service appointments and promotions

In the past year, the anti-corruption agency said it witnessed nepotism and favoritism in the appointment and promotion of some public officers.

For example, all Nigerians remember the controversy which trailed the decision of the National Judicial Council (NJC) when at least 8 (eight) of the 33 judges recommended for appointment by the NJC were either children or relatives of current or retired Justices of the Supreme or Appeal Courts.

The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in itself is not an exception with allegations of individuals promoted on the basis of their relationship and other affiliations as against merit and other criteria stated in the rule books.

Reports around the commercialization of employment into various institutions including admission into various tertiary educational institutions put the nation in a bad light. The extortion for the acquisition of services like healthcare, passports renewal, and obtaining of visas creates a negative perception of corruption in Nigeria.

3. Lack of adequate anti-corruption legal frameworks and interference by politicians in the operation of law enforcement agencies

CISLAC/TI said it is not oblivious of some successes recorded by the Nigerian
government such as the Transparency portal managed and implemented by the Office of the Auditor-General.

According to CISLAC/TI, these activities have the potential to bring corruption and wastefulness of the government agencies at all levels to the end.

“We fully support this initiative”.

Important anti-corruption legislations such as the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA, 2020) and the Police Act 2020 undeniably signal a move in the right direction. However, more needs to be done to enact legislation and implement it.

The repeated failure to enact the Proceeds of Crime Act as a legal framework for the management and utilization of recovered assets in Nigeria which is one of the key pillars of this administration’s anti-corruption strategy is inexplicable!

There is still a lack of accountability in some quarters of government, especially in terms of beneficial owners of lucrative government contracts. Out of millions of corrupt transactions experienced annually, only a few hundreds of offenders are investigated, let alone convicted on corruption
charges.

The current scenario where different institutions like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Code of Conduct Bureau, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency the Nigerian Police, and other agencies overlap with mandates and lack synergy is not sustainable and have proven to be leeway to corruption.

The infighting and politicizing of the anti-corruption agenda may be evident by the way of suspending the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Mr Ibrahim Magu. The accusation that he failed to give a proper account of assets recovered by his agency is questionably provided no clear legal and policy asset recovery framework exists.

CISLAC/TI pointed out that the theatric handling of the suspension of Mr. Magu could have been done better and this greatly contributes to the negative image of Nigeria’s anti-corruption campaign. The absence of a Whistle Blower Protection Legislation leaves Nigerian anti-corruption agencies deprived of key insider intelligence without which an anti-corruption crusade is a mission impossible.

4: Prevalence of bribery and extortion in the Nigerian Police

The year 2020 witnessed the #EndSARS protests which saw young people across the nation demanding an end to police brutality and corruption. A factor that led to this protest was widespread bribery and extortion by law enforcement officials especially the police.

The first and second national corruption surveys conducted by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in partnership with the government’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and released in 2017 and 2019 both showed the Nigerian Police is the institution with the highest prevalence of bribery amongst the institutions measured.

While there have been commendable efforts by the Police Complaints Response Unit (CRU) in reducing police abuses, there is a need to scale up the efforts of the unit to meet the demands of citizens as contained in the Police Act 2020.

5. Security sector corruption

From violent extremism and insurgency to piracy, kidnapping for ransom, attacks on oil infrastructure, drug trafficking, and organized crime, Nigeria
faces a host of complex security challenges.

These threats typically involve irregular forces and are largely societally based. They are most prevalent and persistent in marginalized areas where communities feel high levels of distrust toward the government—often built up over many years. At their root, these security challenges are symptoms of larger failures in governance.

As many of Nigeria’s security threats are domestic in nature, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) is often the primary security interface with the public. However, low levels of public trust in the police inhibit the cooperation needed to be effective against these societally based threats.

Nigeria’s security system is also perceived to be politicized. Leaders are often appointed based on their political allegiances rather than on their experience or capabilities in law enforcement. As a result, the quality of leadership at the helm of affairs suffers. Appointees under such circumstances feel loyalty to their political patron rather than to their institutions or citizens. How and to whom the law is applied is not consistent. Norms of professionalism and ethics are weakened.

The problem of non-meritocratic leadership is exacerbated by a command-and-control structure that is opaque, centralized, and often chaotic. security leaders who have not earned their position lose the respect of their colleagues, who are then more likely to abandon a unit when facing an armed threat. Insufficient understanding or commitment to effectiveness among a force’s leadership often
results in the neglect of training. Problems of police engagement with
communities are thus perpetuated.

The continuous opaqueness in the utilization of security votes contributes to corruption perception in the country and this process must be reformed especially when we have security agencies living and working in very poor conditions.

Multiple reports of police officers protesting non-payment of allowances for election duties are now seen. The result of this is the widespread kidnappings, banditry, and terrorism ravaging different parts of the country.

The Federal Government said it would spend the sum of thirty billion Naira on the upgrade of Umaru Musa ‘Yar’adua International Airport, Katsina.

The Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika disclosed this at an empowerment program organised by the National Directorate of Employment, NDE, in Katsina.

The minister added that within the next one month, his ministry will begin work on the establishment of a fire fighting vehicles assembly and repairs plant in Katsina.

Sirika added that the plant which will cater for the whole country would be a source of employment for 2500 youth, adding that there was no government in the history of the country that supported the down trodden more than the present government.

Other works to be done at the airport, the minister disclosed include the repairs of runways and the perimeter fence.

We welcome the appointment of new service chiefs following the resignation and retirement of the outgoing service chiefs.

We are confident that the new service chiefs will consolidate on the remarkable achievements of their predecessors in keeping the country safe and peaceful.

The Party calls for public support for the new service chiefs as they perform their constitutional roles of protecting our country's territorial integrity and tackle emerging security threats. We also urge increased synergy among the armed forces in achieving these tasks.

Recent incidents in the country has triggered quite divisive rhetoric in some quarters. It is counterproductive and dangerous to national security when we put ethnic spins to issues affecting us. In tackling security threats, we should criminalise crime, not ethnicity.

As a nation, our strength remains in our diversity and we should continue to forge unity in that diversity. We urge peaceful coexistence and mutual understanding among Nigerians, irrespective of the part of the country we chose to live and work.

The Federal Government has warned Nigerians against selling their SIM cards that are already linked with the National Identity Numbers (NIN), asserting that crimes committed with any SIM card would be traced for appropriate action.

Sounding the warning, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ibrahim Pantami said this has become necessary as 47.8 million Nigerians have linked their SIM cards with their NINs.

Dr Pantami after a review of the on-going NIN registration exercise with the Ministerial Task Force commended Nigerians for massively turning out for the exercise.

The Minister in a statement signed by the Director of Public Affairs of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Dr Ikechukwu Adinde, urged Nigerians to be mindful of the need to protect and secure their NINs and SIMs.

The Technical Implementation Committee under the Ministerial Task Force has reported significant progress in the ongoing NIN-SIM linkage exercise, the statement noted.

“So far a total of 47.8 million NINs have been collected by the mobile operators. At an average of 3 to 4 SIMs per subscriber, this means many millions will be linked up before the deadline in February 2021,” it added.

The report of the committee noted that the Minister expressed satisfaction with the achievement.

Adinde said the Federal Government expressed appreciation for the commitment demonstrated by all stakeholders and citizens and urged them to submit their NINs before 9th February, 2021 deadline.

The Minister urged the technical team to fast-track the processes so that the project is delivered soonest.

Adinde said: “The Technical Committee drew attention to the App developed by FGN which allows subscribers to link up to a maximum of seven (7) SIMs to their NIN.

“The Minister concluded by reminding Nigerians to secure and protect their NINs, urging subscribers to desist from selling their NINs or allowing others to use their NINs for registration.

“For any action committed with the SIM good or bad it will be officially traced and attached to the NIN owner,” the Minister warned.

About 15 brand new Hilux vehicles were given to leaders of different repentant bandits in Zamfara State by Governor Bello Muhammad Matawalle, SaharaReporters has gathered.

The Governor also approved millions of naira to be given to the 'repentant' bandits as compensation.

Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara-state
The Zamfara State Government had in 2019 entered a peace agreement with the gunmen.

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

A top military officer told SaharaReporters that the bandits now carry out attacks with some of the vehicles given to them by Matawalle.

The officer said, “Those bandits have different group, so if they say they repent, the governor will give them a Hilux vehicle but unfortunately they are now using the vehicles to carry out attacks.

“On Sunday, they attacked Jankara but were resisted by the local vigilantes, so they fled and left one of those Hilux vehicles and the motorcycles they came with behind.

“It’s so sad, he called it peace and reconciliation programme, but all you need to be rich now in Zamfara is to take up arms against the people.”

Zamfara, like other North-West states, has in the last 10 years faced devastating attacks from armed bandits.

A committee set up to investigate the menace of armed banditry in the region, headed by Mohammed Abubakar, a former Inspector General of Police, reported that in Zamfara State between June 2011 and May 2019, 4,983 women were widowed; 25,050 children were orphaned; and more than 190,000 people were displaced as a result of armed banditry.

Last year, Governor Aminu Masari, Matawalle's counterpart in Katsina State, said his administration had to pull out of the peace deal it had with bandits that had been terrorising residents of the state.

Masari said despite the peace deal, the gunmen continued to carry out attacks with their accomplices from Zamfara, Kaduna and Niger Republic, leading to “indiscriminate killings” and kidnappings in the state.

He said, “The armed bandits have betrayed our trust in them, following a peace agreement earlier negotiated with them, in our quest to find a lasting peace in the state,” he was quoted as saying.

"We chose dialogue for peaceful coexistence in the state and we have done our best; yet, the attacks continue.

“As a result of the peace agreement, the government banned vigilance groups and identified cattle routes and facilitated free movements of bandits to convey their livestock to the markets.”

There is uncertainty in the Cross River State Judiciary as the tenure of the Acting Chief Judge, Justice Eyo Effiom Ita expires today.

Justice Akon B. Ikpeme was Acting Chief Judge of the State for three months, followed by Justice Maurice O. Eneji for six months. Justice Eyo Ita also acted for three months.

A source told DAILY POST that the National Judiciary Council (NJC) has declined extending the tenure of Justice Effiom Ita for another three months.

The NJC recommended Justice Akon Ikpeme but the State House of Assembly refused following alleged security threat.

Ntufam Mba Ukweni, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, spoke to our reporter on the development.

“When the Governor appointed Justice Eneji, as acting state Chief Judge, it was because he refused to accept the recommendation of the NJC. The NJC and the Chief Justice of Nigeria were deceived to extend the tenure of Justice Eneji for another three months.

“From all indications, the NJC has refused to recommend another Justice to be appointed to the substantive capacity because from the feelers we are getting it is because they have already made a recommendation for that office.

“It will be inconsistent and in fact, it would look funny for them to make a second recommendation since the Governor has refused to appoint the person they recommended. He can go ahead and appoint all the Judges in the state in an acting capacity” he said.

Ukweni added that Governor Ben Ayade can appoint acting chief judges but only at the instance of the NJC.

“The Governor cannot, on his own, extend the tenure of the Acting appointment beyond the period stated in section 274 (5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.

“The Governor can appoint the most senior person as acting chief judge. The law says if the office of the Chief Judge in a state is vacant and for any reason, the Governor can appoint the most senior Judge of the High Court to perform that function”

Ntufam Ukweni regretted that the judiciary in Cross Rivers has returned to a state of confusion.

“The Governor may go to the next Judge, Hon. Justice S. M. Anjor, if he still insists on not swearing in Hon. Justice Akon B. Ikpeme.”

The SAN wondered how long the state will continue to roam “in this unholy circle of shame”.

“Let the Governor assist himself, the judiciary, the legal profession and Cross River by doing the needful. He should retransmit his request for the House of Assembly to clear Hon. Justice Akon Ikpeme to be sworn in as the substantive Chief Judge of Cross Rivers State” he urged.

A year after shutting down all of its dilapidated refineries to figure out how to fix them, Nigeria still can’t say how much it will cost to do the work or where the money will come from.

Nigerian National Petroleum Corp. said it has finished the appraisal of its largest facility, but hasn’t completed the process at two others. Refining experts said the extended halt means the plants are at risk of rotting away and unlikely to restart on time.

“Things haven’t been looking good lately,” with Nigeria’s plants probably “completely out of action for some 18 months,” said Elitsa Georgieva, Executive Director at Citac, a consultant that specializes in African refining.

The dysfunction of its domestic refineries has long put Africa’s biggest oil producer in an ironic situation. It exports large volumes of crude to plants overseas, then pays a premium to import the fuels its customers produce.

Failed Attempts

Pledges to fix the facilities have been made and broken again and again over the years. For at least a decade, NNPC’s 445,000 barrels a day of refining capacity barely processed 20% of that amount.

The latest effort to fix the refineries was supposed to be different to the failed attempts that came before. The company had totally shut all three plants down by January 2020 to do a comprehensive appraisal, and set the ambitious target of having them all back up and running at 90% of capacity by 2023.

“The refineries have been deliberately shut down to allow for a thorough diagnosis,” said Kennie Obateru, an Abuja-based NNPC spokesman. “They can be fixed based on what the diagnosis reveals.”

The appraisal of the 210,000-barrel-a day Port Harcourt refinery has been completed and NNPC has called for bids for the necessary repairs, Obateru said. The company hasn’t determined how much the work will cost.

“It is when we close the bids, everything is analyzed and presented that we will know how much we need,” he said.

The diagnosis is underway at the 125,000-barrel-a-day Warri facility and should be complete before the end of the year, he said. After that, the study of the 110,000-barrel-a-day Kaduna plant will commence.

Major Challenge

One year into the process, refining analysts are skeptical that all this work can be done by 2023.

“I don’t think anyone has a good understanding technically of what’s wrong with those refineries,” said Alan Gelder, vice president of refining, chemicals and oil markets at Wood Mackenzie Ltd. “They’re probably corroding, which makes it a very difficult proposition.”

NNPC reaffirmed its deadline and said there’s no reason the refineries, which are at least 40 years old, can’t be restored to full operation.

“There are refineries that are over a hundred years old still running, so age is not necessarily an impediment,” Obateru said.

There are parallel efforts backed by private companies to add to Nigeria’s capacity. Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest person, is building a state-of-the-art 650,000 barrel-a-day refinery, which Citac estimates will start production in 2023.

Bringing NNPC’s Port Harcourt refinery to the same clean-fuel standards as Dangote’s modern plant would cost about $1.3 billion for the equipment, on top of whatever other repairs are required to get the facility running, Georgieva said.

NNPC is talking to oil-trading firms about $1 billion of prepayment deals that could finance the repairs at Port Harcourt, Reuters reported last week. Obateru declined to comment on the report, but said “I don’t envisage that we will have a problem getting people to invest.”

A branch of First Bank Plc in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, has been sealed off by the state government.

The action taken following a Supreme Court judgement in favour of Ejama-Ebubu community after the bank’s inability to pay the sum of N210 billion it guaranteed Shell Petroleum Development Company Nigeria Limited in a lingering litigation.

Briefing journalists after the enforcement of the court judgement at the bank, Emmanuel Asido, one of the lawyers representing Ejama-Ebubu community, said the exercise was a lawful execution of the Supreme Court judgement of 11th of January, 2019 in suit no. SC/731/2017.

Emmanuel Asido noted that the genesis of the case dates back to 2001 when the community filed a court case following an oil spill in the community caused by a Shell facility.

He said, "Ejama-Ebubu community took an action against Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited in 2001 in suit no. FCH/PH/CS/231/2001 and got judgement on the 14th of June, 2010.

The judgement sum together with interest is N210 billion. Shell refused to pay the money and appealed at the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt in suit no. CA/PH/396/2012.

"In the appeal which Shell lodged, they sought for the leave of the court to present a bank guarantor (First Bank Nigeria Plc) to the judgement creditors (Ejama-Ebubu) community.

"Shell lost on the appeal on the 6th of June, 2017 and rather than meet their obligation by paying the judgement sum as promised, they filed a further appeal to the Supreme Court on suit no. SC/731/2017. That appeal was also dismissed by the Supreme Court on the 11th of January, 2019.”

He noted that in spite of the court judgement, Shell, rather than obeying it, filed another appeal asking the Supreme Court to set aside its own judgement.

According to him, the Supreme Court further dismissed Shell's application on the 27th of November, 2020.

"Instead of Shell to obey the judgement of the Supreme Court, they decided to go on another exercise where they filed some clearly abusive application in the Supreme Court asking it to set aside its own judgement despite the fact that there was a bank guarantee which they have brought from First Bank,” he said.

Mr. Emmanuel Asido noted that the claims by First Bank that its facility had not been sealed and that the people of Ejama-Ebubu community were only carrying out a protest was diversionary, emphasising that First Bank was fully aware of the court judgement as copies of the judgement were duly signed by the Managing Director and Secretary of the bank.

Also speaking, King Emere George Osarobo Osaro, a leading claimant in the suit, said the action taken against the bank was an enforcement of the judgements sought by the Ejama-Ebubu community and granted in the favour of the community up to the Supreme Court.

Some people in the community, who besieged the bank while it was being sealed, displayed placards with various inscriptions like: "First Bank, you’re on the wrong side of history for not paying Ejama people’s debt", "First Bank, redeem your corporate image, pay Ejama people their money", "First Bank, respect Supreme Court judgement, pay Ejama people their money".

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday said it was reviewing its adopted technologies for elections, with the view of introducing new ones...

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday said it was reviewing its adopted technologies for elections, with the view of introducing new ones to improve conduct of the elections ahead of 2023.

The INEC Director of Voter Education and Publicity Department (VEP), Mr Nick Dazang, disclosed this at a workshop for the department on the “Review of National Voter Education Manual” held in Keffi, Nasarawa State.

The five-day workshop is organised by INEC in partnership with the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD).

Dazang, speaking with newsmen on the sideline of the workshop, said INEC began the process for electronic voting since 2004 when it introduced optic map registration forms.

“After that in 2010, the commission introduced the use of direct data capture machines, and then expanded the use of the machines in the conduct of the 2011 election.

“So, we have started the process as far back as 2004, culminating in the use of the Smart Card Reader (SCR) and the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) that we also used in 2015.

“But the commission is reviewing this process with a view to upgrading and improving the conduct of elections in 2023.

“The commission wants to introduce new technologies that will help deepen the conduct of the elections, and also improve on them. So the commission is working assiduously on that.

“Very soon, when the Commission has taken a position, it will come out and explain to Nigerians how this is going to be done,” Dazang said.

He said that in introducing the new technologies, INEC would revisit the use of card readers and likely to introduce other technologies that will work seamlessly with electronic voting in 2023.

“The commission has been working on that in the past few months and God’s willing in the next few months the commission will make its position known to the public.”

He said that INEC would continue to introduce new technologies to the electoral system, not for the fancy of it, but the technologies that worked.

He noted that the commission had no regrets on the technologies it had so far introduced for the conduct of elections in Nigeria as they had helped in deepening the process and the transparency.

Dazang said that the commission was also reviewing its voter education to enable it to explain better the planned technologies to Nigerians.

Commission to review voter education

“In reviewing our voter education, we are looking at certain dynamics including the technologies that the commission intend to introduce.

“We have to be on top of the matters so that we can explain the application of these technologies to Nigerians as we did when we introduced SCR, direct data capturing machines and PVCs.

He described voter education as key part of the electoral process that needed concerted efforts not just from INEC, but all stakeholders.

“If you look at what is happening around the globe including Nigeria, so many changes are happening that necessitate the urgency to review voter education.”

This, according to him, include the issue of changes in technology and COVID-19, saying we need to change our communications process to respond to the changes.

“We need to change our communications in response to growing youth population. We need to use strategies that resonate with the youth and women population.”

Amendment of Electoral act

On the amendment of the Electoral Act, Dazang said that the commission was working seriously with two committees of the National Assembly, adding that substantial gains were being made on the amendment.

He expressed optimism that the NASS would rise to the challenge in meeting up with its promise to Nigeria to amend the Electoral Act before the end of the first quarter of 2021.

On the Anambra governorship election, Dazang said that the commission would at the appropriate time issue the date and timetable for the conduct of the election, latest by six months to the conduct.

He urged the staff members of the commission to always upgrade themselves on new technologies as well as continue to obey the COVID-19 safety protocols.

Speaking earlier, the WFD Country Representative in Nigeria, Mr Adebowale Olorunmola, assured of the foundation’s continuous support for INEC to deepen voter education in Nigeria, especially at the grassroots.

According to him, the foundation started its partnership with INEC in 2015, ensuring more inclusion of women and people living with disability in electoral process.

Olorunmola commended INEC for deepening voter education and expanding the inclusive electoral process for women and people living with disabilities and also ensuring that the electorate exercise their rights in more informed manner.

“There is nothing like advanced democracy anymore but work in progress. If you look at what has been happening in USA even with their decades of practising democracy they are still moving to deepen voter education,” he added.

The court-martial sitting in Maiduguri, Borno State capital has sentenced Trooper Uzonna Maduabuchi to death by firing squad.

Maduabuchi was sentenced for killing the adjutant of his unit, one Lieutenant Babakaka Ngorgi.

Trooper Maduabuchi was arraigned for murder after shooting Lieutenant Ngorgi in July 2020 at close range in Bama Local Government of Borno State for refusing to grant him a welfare pass.

He was on Tuesday sentenced to death by firing squad after he was found guilty at the court session held at the Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri.

Four other soldiers arraigned for manslaughter were sentenced to various years of imprisonment. Sergeant Sani Ishaya was sentenced to four years, Bidemi Fabiyi sentenced to two years while Private Musa Bala and Private Abdulraheed Adamu were sentenced to one-year imprisonment.

Another soldier Mohammed Kudu was sentenced to three years imprisonment shooting a 12-year-old boy at a wedding.

Lance Corporal Aja Emmanuel arraigned for a lone charge of assault has been de-ranked and now a private soldier.

The arraignment and sentencing of the erring soldiers is in accordance with Section 106 of the Armed Forces Act.

Like all of you, I have reflected on the past year and how the invisible enemy, Covid-19, swept across our beautiful country. All Nations have experienced the loss of loved ones, economic pain, and the negative impacts of isolation.

As your First Lady, it has been inspiring to witness firsthand what the people of our great Nation will do for one another, especially when we are at our most vulnerable.

With nearly every experience I have had, I found myself carrying many individual’s stories home with me in my heart.

Most recently, my heart goes out to: Air Force Veteran, Ashli Babbitt, Benjamin Philips, Kevin Greeson, Roseanne Boyland, and Capitol Police Officers, Brian Sicknick and Howard Liebengood. I pray for their families comfort and strength during this difficult time.

I am disappointed and disheartened with what happened last week. I find it shameful that surrounding these tragic events there has been salacious gossip, unwarranted personal attacks, and false misleading accusations on me – from people who are looking to be relevant and have an agenda. This time is solely about healing our country and its citizens. It should not be used for personal gain.

Our Nation must heal in a civil manner. Make no mistake about it, I absolutely condemn the violence that has occurred on our Nation’s Capitol. Violence is never acceptable.

As an American, I am proud of our freedom to express our viewpoints without persecution. It is one of the paramount ideals which America is fundamentally built on. Many have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect that right. With that in mind, I would like to call on the citizens of this country to take a moment, pause, and look at things from all perspectives.

I implore people to stop the violence, never make assumptions based on the color of a person’s skin or use differing political ideologies as a basis for aggression and viciousness. We must listen to one another, focus on what unites us, and rise above what divides us.

It is inspiring to see that so many have found a passion and enthusiasm in participating in an election, but we must not allow that passion to turn to violence. Our path forward is to come together, find our commonalities, and be the kind and strong people that I know we are.

Our country’s strength and character have revealed themselves in the communities that have been impacted by natural disasters and throughout this terrible pandemic that has affected all of us. The common thread in all of these challenging situations is American’s unwavering resolve to help one another. Your compassion has shown the true spirit of our country.

As I said over the summer, it is these defining moments that we will look back and tell our grandchildren that through empathy, strength, and determination, we were able to restore the promise of our future. Each of you are the backbone of this country. You are the people who continue to make the United States of America what it is, and who have the incredible responsibility of preparing our future generations to leave everything better than they found it.

It has been the honor of my lifetime to serve as your First Lady. I want to thank the millions of Americans who supported my husband and me over the past 4 years and shown the incredible impact of the American spirit. I am grateful to you all for letting me serve you on platforms which are dear to me.

Most importantly, I ask for healing, grace, understanding, and peace for our great Nation.

Every day let us remember that we are one Nation under God. God bless you all and God bless the United States of America.

Sincerely,

Melania Trump

Nana Akufo-Addo and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia have officially been sworn-in as President and Vice President, respectively.

The duo was sworn-in by the Chief Justice, Kwasi Anin-Yeboah, on Thursday, January 6, 2021, at the precinct of Parliament.

As part of the swearing-in process, the President took his oat of office before delivering a inaugural address.

A host of dignitaries were present at the swearing in of Akufo-Addo and Bawumia as President and Vice President, respectively.

These include Members of Parliament (MPs), newly-elected Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin and other African Heads of States.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Bagbin was sworn-in as Speaker of the 8th Parliament after beating incumbent Prof. Aaron Mike Ocquaye in a vote.

There was some confusion when Tema West MP snatched the ballot papers while counting was ongoing and attempted to bolt with it.

He was, however, chased by some legislators from the National Democratic Congress (NDC), sparking chaos in Parliament.

Despite the chaos that marred the counting process, the Clerk of Parliament later announced Mr. Bagbin as the elected Speaker.

This is the first time in Ghana’s historic that a candidate from the opposition party has been elected Speaker of Parliament.

Meanwhile, Akufo-Addo and Bawumia are serving in their second term after securing re-election in the 2020 general elections.

A magistrate, Richard Bassey, collapsed on Tuesday at the gate of the Governor’s office on Day Two of the magistrates’ protest over unpaid 24 months salary.

He was, however, immediately revived by his colleagues who later took him to a hospital.

Unlike on Monday, the magistrates were in their full regalia with various placards on Tuesday.

Speaking on behalf of the magistrates, Solomon Abuo, said no government official had addressed them since they began the protest.

He said they had been tossed about for the past two years with nothing concrete coming from the government.

“As I speak we are still working. We will continue to protest until we are paid. This is our last resort,” he said.

As of the time of filling this report, the magistrates were still awaiting the government’s response.

The state Deputy Governor, Prof Ivara Esu, drove past the protesting magistrates without stopping to attend to them at the moment the magistrate collapsed.

•Ex-VP sells shares for $100m, may be ready for another presidential bid

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has divested from Integrated Logistic Services (INTELS) Nigeria Limited, the country’s largest logistics company that provides comprehensive integrated services for the nation’s oil and gas industry, THISDAY learnt at the weekend.

Intels spokesman, Mr. Tommaso Ruffinoni, said Atiku exited the company with his family as at December last year.

The former vice president was said to have sold his interests through a series of transactions executed by his family Guernsey Trust, in deals that began in December 2018 and concluded last year.

Atiku was said to have sold his shares in Intels to Orleal Investment Group, the parents company of Intels, for various amounts totalling over $100 million in the deal that spanned two years.

It was learnt that Atiku was paid $60 million, $29 million $24.1 million in three instalments.

Analysts believed that with that amount of cash, Atiku may be ready for another presidential bid.

According to Ruffinoni, with Atiku’s divestment of his interest in the company, two of his children working in the organisation, Mr. Adamu Atiku Abubakar and Mr. Aminu Atiku Abubakar, have ended their working relationship with the organisation.

Efforts to reach Atiku in Dubai, where he is currently based, proved abortive as he was said to have travelled to Saudi Arabia.

The former vice president had in 2015, described Intels as his most successful business.

But Intels, in the last few years, has been having a running battle with the federal government, culminating in the cancellation of its 17-year-old contract with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) for pilotage monitoring.

The federal government had in October 2017 directed the NPA to terminate the boats pilotage monitoring and supervision agreement that the agency has with Intels, saying that the contract was void ab initio.

The NPA had also accused Intels of refusing to remit to the federal government service boat pilotage revenue in the firm’s custody, which amounted to $207.646 million (N78.905 billion) as at September 30, 2019.

NPA said the money was aside from service boat pilotage revenue for January 1, 2020 to July 31, 2020 amounting to $97.029 million, which adds up to $307.675 million (N115.775 billion) in the custody of Intels.

However, Intels had denied owing NPA to the tune of $145.8 million, insisting that NPA owes it over $750 million, giving to a possible recourse to litigation to resolve the dispute.

The Ogbobula Isaac-led Caretaker Committee of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers State on Saturday, suspended Sen. Magnus Abe, Hon. Igo Aguma, Barr. Wogu Boms and Livingstone Wechie

They were suspended for alleged anti-party activities.

The State Chairman, Caretaker Committee of the party, Isaac Abbot-Ogbobula, announced that the suspension of Abe, Aguma, Wogu Bom, was based on a communication from the wards and local government.

Isaac also recommended the expulsion of Sen. Abe and others from the party.

The ruling party also expelled persons, who were inaugurated as caretaker committee leaders in wards and local government areas by Igo Aguma.

The APC members took the party to court despite the moves and interventions of the national leadership of the party.

The Chief Medical Director, CMD, of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital has directed all those who had close contact with the late Cross River Police Commissioner to report for isolation.

Professor Ikpeme Ikpeme gave the directive while reacting to the death of Mr Abdulkadir Jimoh the Cross River State Police Commissioner at the COVID-19 Isolation Centre in the hospital this morning.

He said Ibrahim was brought to the hospital practically dead and advised all those who were with him to report for COVID-19 tests and self isolation.

Mr Ibrahim who is from Kwara State died at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, UCTH, reportedly of pneumonia complications.

A source close to the man, Mr Rasheed Olariwaju, the AIT reporter in Cross River told newsmen that the man was rushed to the UCTH this morning where he gave up the ghost.

He said as a Muslim, plans are afoot to take his body to Kwara State for Muslim rites and subsequent burial.

Ms Irene Ugbo, the Cross River State Police Command spokesman did not pick calls but another police source said the man was diabetic and had complained of not feeling well for some time.

The Cross River State Commissioner of Police, Abdulkadir Jimoh, has died of COVID-19.

HumAngle gathered that Jimoh died at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital Isolation centre.

Cross River State Commissioner of Police, Mr Abdulkadir Jimoh, has passed on.

Mr Jimoh who is from Kwara State died at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, UCTH, repeatedly of pneumonia complications this morning.

A source close to the man, Mr Rasheed Olariwaju the AIT reporter in Cross River told newsmen that the man was rushed to the UCTH this morning where gave up the ghost.

“Nobody should tell you he died of COVID-19 but the doctors said he died of pneumonia”.

He said as a Muslim plans are afoot to take his body to Kwara state for Muslim rites and subsequent burial.

Ms Irene Ugbo, the Cross River State Police Command spokesman did not pick calls on his gsm but another police source said the man was diabetic and had complained of not feeling well for some time.

“They have told us to report today at State Police Command headquarters by 3.00 pm to solidarity with him as he is to be given an award for excellent services but nobody told us he is dead.”. The source said.

Governor Bello Matawallen of Zamfara State has congratulated the parents of the once abducted children of Government Science Secondary School Kankara, Katsina State, who have now been released.

This was even as he regretted the statement credited to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on the role of Zamfara State in the fight against banditry in the North-West.

A statement issued by the Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Zailani Bappa on Friday, noted that the governor had dedicated the whole of his precious time and efforts in the last 100 hours to ensure the release of these innocent children.

He, however, said he was taken aback over a statement in the media credited to the National Publicity Secretary of the APC accusing him of harbouring bandits who terrorise the North-west.

“This is incidentally a similar statement credited to the Katsina State Governor Hon Aminu Bello Masari sometimes ago when in a similar effort, Governor Matawalle rescued 26 innocent girls abducted by bandits in Faskari Local Government Area of the same Katsina State.

“Although Governor Bello Mohammed has resisted temptation to join issues with anyone on these developments, the unfounded accusations are becoming one too many.

To correct this jaundiced perception, therefore, the records need to be straightened once and for all.

“It is a known fact that Zamfara State under the APC was the worst hit in terms of banditry in the North-west until the coming of Governor Bello Mohammed on board.

The statement noted his peace initiatives, which is in tandem with proven records in history across the globe as a viable and necessary option to ending guerilla warfare and similar menace of its kind, is hated and rejected by those who fail or lack the capacity to implement it with honesty, resilience and tact.

To this end, the statement disclosed that “Today, Zamfara State is more peaceful than most of its neighbours because Governor Bello Mohammed has been honest in the approach, a path which could have been the final solution to the problem the region is facing.

“It is very uncharitable due political differences to attribute the semblance of peace enjoyed in Zamfara state to criminality of harbouring the bandits to terrorise neighbouring States.

The statement added that “It is heart-warming to note that His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari is quite in tune with every step being taken by Governor Matawalle and has more than once, commended him for the measures he’s been taking to end banditry in the state.

“Governor Bello Mohammed wishes to inform the General public that his “carrot and stick” approach to dealing with the bandits has succeeded in the recent past by settling with those who accepted the deal and has dealt with the recalcitrant ones leading to the elimination of over 300 bandits in only two months.

“It is therefore, ignorance or mischief to attribute the Zamfara forests as safe haven for criminals. It is also an unfortunate and indirect indictment of the Nigerian Military which is in control of the Federal Government.

“Governor Matawalle wishes to also call on all stakeholders, especially those of the region, to join hands together and find a lasting solution to the problem at hand instead of the blame game which is totally diversionary and counter-productive.

The Emir of Kaura Namoda in Zamfara State, Alhaji Sanusi Muhammad Asha, on Thursday night escaped death while two palace guards, his driver, three policemen and two others were killed by suspected gunmen along Zaria-Funtua road.

It was gathered that the suspected gunmen on Thursday night attacked and killed the eight persons on their way back to Kaura-Namoda in Zamfara State.

Sources close to Kaura-Namoda Emirate Council told Tribune Online that the Emir’s convoy was ambushed while he was on his way from Abuja to Zamfara State.

According to the sources, the Emir was in his official vehicle with a Toyota Hilux forming part of the convoy, he didn’t sustain any injury but we lost eight occupants of the Toyota Hilux including the driver, two palace guards, three police escorts and two traditional title holder, they were all killed by the gunmen.”

Tribune Online further gathered that the incident which occurred close to midnight made the Emir to spend the night at Funtua police station.

As of the time of this report, it was gathered that Kaura Namoda Emirate Council was making arrangements to convey the bodies of those killed for burial later today.

Cart Away Gold Jeweleries

Gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram insurgents have today afternoon stormed Kusur Community, Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State search houses and carted away Gold Jeweleries.

Resident of the area who spoke on the condition of anonymity revealed to Daily Independent that “the gunmen around 2:00pm came on convoy of Motorcycles and search for Gold Jeweleries, took it away from our wives and mothers and ran away. We have been living in panic throughout this week as people keep telling us that they sighted their movements not fat away from our community, we have flee our houses for fear of the unknown”

ASP Dungus Abdulkarim, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Yobe Police Command, Damaturu confirmed the incident saying that “yes we have received an intelligent report that some gunmen paired on motorcycles were sighted around the Kusur area, our men are fully on alert and are on top of the situation.”.

Checks revealed that the gunmen did not kill nor hurt anyone in their operations.

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the reopening of four land borders in three of the six geopolitical zones of the country with immediate effect.

These include Seme border in the South- West, Illela and Maigatari borders in the North- West, and Mfun border in the South-South.

However, the ban on importation of rice, poultry, among others remained enforced, the federal government said on Wednesday.

With the latest development, import and export of approved goods would begin in earnest after months of closure, a development that impeded businesses and social activities.

Our correspondents report that the news of the reopening of the borders had elicited thunderous applause in the affected communities with residents saying life will come back to normal.

Millions of Nigerians had decried the closure of the borders, saying the development had aggravated poverty, made the cost of basic needs high and crippled the source of livelihood of many.

The closure of the borders had also grossly affected the economic fortunes of neighbouring Benin and Niger Republics, Chad, Cameroon, Ghana, among others.

Government had at the onset said the borders were closed to stop importation of contrabands including arms and ammunitions, boost agriculture and protect local economy.

A big reprieve
The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed disclosed the reopening of the four borders after the 28th virtual Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Council Chamber of State House, Abuja.

President Buhari participated at the meeting virtually from his country home in Daura, Katsina State.

Hajiya Zainab said the remaining officially recognised borders would be reopened on or before December 31, 2020.

She said: “The president has approved the recommendations of the committee that I chaired with the ministers of trade and investment, interior, foreign affairs, national security adviser and comptroller general of Customs.”

The finance minister said the committee was mandated to review and advise on the reopening of the Nigerian borders and after they submitted their recommendations, the president agreed that the borders should be reopened.

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, while fielding questions from State House reporters on the advantages in the border closure, said: “It allowed the security agencies to access the problems at the borders particularly concerning smuggling.

“As you are all aware before the border closure, a lot of petroleum products were being smuggled out from the borders to West African countries and the border closure has created a situation that has tactically stopped that. They have been able to calculate the number of petroleum products being smuggled out by calculating the amount that is being lifted now compared to what was being lifted before”.

Nigeria, the largest economy and the most prosperous of the 15-member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), closed its land borders in August last year on account of the proliferation of illegal importation of drugs, small arms and agricultural products coming from neighbouring West African countries.

Daily Trust reports that besides the items announced by the finance minister, key items on the prohibition list on the Customs website include live or dead birds like frozen poultry; pork, beef, bird’s eggs, excluding hatching eggs; refined vegetable oils and fats (includes mayonnaise); cane or beet sugar and chemically pure sucrose; spaghetti/noodles.

Others include bagged cement; medicaments like paracetamol: carpets and other textile material, used cars of over 15 years, parboiled rice; toothpick, among others.

Border reopening long overdue- Experts
The President of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Alhaji Al-Mujtaba Abubakar said the federal government should have reopened the borders long ago.

“The border closure was hastily taken without adopting the standard practice in the policy formulation process,” he said on Wednesday.

He said many SMEs had collapsed and many genuine businessmen ran out of the market even as the closure did not stop smuggling, leading to a double loss for the nation.

The industrialist said it was sad that even when the policy failure was established, the government waited until compelled by AFCTA to reverse the border closure decision.

“In the spirit of AfCTFA, Nigeria has no choice than to reopen the border. We hope that policymakers will learn a very bitter lesson from this particular case,” he said.

Similarly, the Managing Director of BiC Consultancy, Dr Boniface Chizea, who is an economic and business development consultant told Daily Trust that the decision to close the border was not good for the image of the country or the growth of the economy.

He said while the country witnessed some activities in hitherto abandoned production capacities, there was also a spike in food prices as a result.

“The closure wasn’t a total success in the sense that things were being smuggled in from here and there. I hope we never go this route again given that we were the major champion of the Africa Continental free trade agreement. We cannot be promoting free trade and at the same time be closing borders.”

The Chairman of Export Group, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Chief Ede Dafinone, said that the government had lost an incredible amount of goodwill. “Most of us manufacturing for export did not see the benefit and reason for the closure,” he said.

“Investors that have plans to situate their plants in Nigeria to take advantage of West Africa have to rethink because they cannot put in all that funds only for the government to wake up tomorrow and shut down again,” he said.

The Director-General of Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Dr Muda Yusuf, said the decision would be beneficial to the economy.

He, however, stressed the need to strengthen the border policing and management mechanisms to avoid a relapse into the conditions that led to the closure in the first place.

“The biggest challenge with border management is an institutional issue. We need to demand accountability from the institutions that have the responsibility for border policing and management,” he said.

Excitement in Seme, Maigatari, Illela
Residents and members of the Seme-Karke community in Badagry have expressed excitement with the reopening of the borders by the federal government.

They said the decision would give succour to the people who had been affected by the lull in economic activities since the border was closed.

Alhaji Akeem Sani, Asiwaju of Seme and leader of the Yoruba community described the reopening of the borders as the best thing the government has done in recent times.

Sani, who is also the branch chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), said the border closure had triggered an increase in transport fare even as it allowed the value of CFA (the Beninese currency) to go higher.

He said, “Our currency has been so bastardized. But we are happy the government has reopened the border and we would have relief.

“Government can ban rice and poultry products to encourage the local farmers since we have the capacity and we support this, but we must encourage trade between Nigeria and other African countries so that other countries especially the West Coast would not see us as enemies. We must build a cordial relationship with our neighbours,” he said.

The news of the re-opening of land borders has received applause from some residents of Jigawa State, particularly those who carry out businesses at the Maigatari border.

Nigeria exports commodities like millet, guinea corn, eggs, watermelon, among others to Niger, while it imports commodities like beans, goats, sheep, cows, camels, horses and donkeys among others to the country.

Malam Danjummai Saidu, who imports rams into Nigeria from the Niger Republic through Maigatari border said many people had been thrown into an economic quagmire.

“I used to buy rams from the Niger Republic at relatively cheaper prices to resell and make some income to feed myself and my family, I suffered after the closure,” he said.

Malam Musa Ahmed, who deals in clothing and textiles materials, welcomed the reopening of the borders, noting that more revenues will be earned by the local government and the people.

There was a wild celebration at Illela town in Illela Local Government Area of Sokoto State over the reopening of the border. Illela shares border with Kwanni of Niger Republic.

People from the area, particularly youths had stormed the main border post celebrating the development on Wednesday.

A former chairman of the area, Alhaji Abdullahi Haruna, described the general mood in Illela as “ecstatic”.

“The area will come back to life now because business activities, which have been dormant for over a year now will resume,” he said.

According to Haruna, people have started going in and out of Nigeria since around 1 pm yesterday, including trucks.

He, however, expressed fear that the development could worsen the fragile security situation in the area because Illela was among the areas with the reported cases of kidnapping in recent time.

However, residents of Jibiya and Kongolam in Katsina State said they, too, deserved some reprieve.

Lawali Planner, a resident of Kongolam said they appreciated the efforts of President Buhari in making Nigerians self-sufficient, but wondered why the border between Nigeria and Niger in their area will not be opened.

“It is now difficult to cross to Niger even for social interaction even though we have the relationship of intermarriages,” he said.

On her part, Saádatu Dan Kani in Jibia said she hopes the president will give them some relief by reopening the border.” Basic things are cheaper there,” she said.

Citing the loss of confidence in the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and alleged disobedience to the party constitution, the erstwhile Edo State Chairman, Mr Anselm Ojezua led other members of the party to resign en masse.

Ojezua and the leaders of the party expressed their intention to join the main opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

The resolution was reached at an enlarged meeting of the State Executive Council (SEC) of APC Committee members and the Chairmen of all the Local Government Area chapters of the Party and the State Leaders of the Party in Edo State held on Wednesday in Benin City.

The resolution which was signed by 22 members of the Executives of the party led by Ojezua and Chairmen of the party across the 18 Local Government Areas of the State, said over 150, 000 supporters of their supporters have concluded plans to defect to the PDP.

The resolution read in part: “Having reviewed the said activities, particularly the romance between the National Caretaker Committee and leaders of a parallel-group called the Edo People’s Movement (EPM) who have been parading themselves as members of the All Progressives Congress in the State inspite of their suspension from the party.

“It is hereby further resolved that our members should join other leaders and members who have earlier relocated to the People’s Democratic Party (POP) with His Excellency, Mr Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki and his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu.

“Consequently, we encourage our teeming members and leaders at all levels of the party numbering over one Hundred and Fifty Thousand (150,000) to also renounce their membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC).”

Our newsroom has been reliably informed that 19 suspected armed robbers, kidnappers has escaped from Police custody.

The 19 were cooling their feet at Police Headquarters, Diamond Hill in Calabar.

The suspects were said to have escaped between Saturday night and Sunday morning after using a hack saw to cut the key to the cell.

As at press time the station guard on night duty and some other officers on duty have been detained but the Police authorities are keeping the incident under wraps.

Katsina State Governor, Aminu Masari has confirmed that three hundred and thirty-three students are missing following an attack on Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, Katsina on Friday night.

The governor gave the figure when he received a Federal Government delegation led by the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno on Sunday.

The governor who explained that the school has a population of 839 students said so far, those kidnapped cut across the state with the boarding school housing all children from all parts of the state and outside the state.

“Based on the available record we have, we are still searching for 333 students through either the forest or their parents to ascertain the actual number that has been kidnapped,” Governor Masari said.

“We are still counting because more are coming out from the forest and we are calling through the numbers those parents that have phone numbers to find out whether or not their children have gone back home.

“We as a government we are yet to be contacted by any group or person responsible for the kidnap of the students.”

On his part, the leader of the delegation and Minister of Defence, General Bashir Magashi, asked the armed forces, the police and other security agencies to move faster to ensure that the speedy rescue of the students.

The Defence Minister warned that Bandits must not be allowed to rest for a moment, adding that it is high time to declare the bandits as terrorists to encourage people to seat up.

“Today we are here also to sympathise with you over the recent abduction of secondary school students which is a more or less ruthless exercise conducted to temper with the education of the students,” he said.

“With the brief, we received from the sister security agencies in the state, this task will be very simple to accomplish.

“Within the next few hours, we will ensure that these people are back without any collateral damage to the people of Katsina State.

“All hands are on deck to ensure we accomplish our tasks within the armed forces and the police. I was here around August on the same kind of mission to sympathise with the government regarding the farmers/herders clashes.”

A wave of protests has continued to rock Kankara town, from where suspected bandits abducted an unspecified number of students at the Government Science Secondary School on Friday night.

A cross section of women and youth from Kankara took to the streets on Sunday morning demanding immediate release of their children even as the Coalition of Northern Groups has threatened to mobilise Katsina residents on continuous street protest if government fails to secure the release of students of the students in due course.

“Failure of the government to rescue the missing students within the shortest period of time, the Coalition of Northern Groups will not hesitate to mobilise hundreds of thousands on the streets of Katsina State for a continuous protest, until the students are fully rescued, even if it’s going to cost our lives,”the group said on Sunday at a press conference in Katsina.

The group’s North-West Coordinator, Jamilu Charanchi, said some 400 of the students were feared missing after the bandits’ attacks, a development he described as the highpoint of the inability of the state government to handle the, “disabling challenges that include dwindling economy, rising poverty and more worrying, a crippling security situation that has taken a huge toll on lives and property.

“The culmination of these security challenges has for the past few years turned the entire state into a house of horror with violent killings reported on daily basis, communities displaced with formal and informal IDP camps spreading all over the state.

“The deafening silence in the state to our people’s suffering is not only morally wrong but it nourishes, validates and perpetuates the failings of our political leaders.

“We owe it to our future generations to continue to act within the ambit of law in the hope that things will change for better.”

The group equally accused the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government of failure in discharging it’s
primary responsibility of protecting lives and property of the people.

Bandits reportedly attacked the school at about 10.30 pm on Friday, hours after Buhari arrived his home state on a private visit.

Governor Aminu Bello Masari who visited the school and received a briefing from the principal on Saturday morning said he could not ascertain the exact number of students abducted.

Kankara is among the eight of the 34 local government areas in the state reported to be under the control of bandits, cattle rustlers and kidnappers.

As part of measures to check the menace of attacks by the hoodlums, the Nigerian Army in June 2020, raised a special squad, Operation Sahel Sanity, with headquarters at Faskari, a border community between Katsina and the equally troubled state of Zamfara.

A recent report by Network for Justice indicates that bandits killed a total of about 500 people with about 200 others kidnapped and about 40,000 cattle stolen in Kankara Local Government Area alone.