How We Conscript People Into Boko Haram Fighting Force – Surrendered Commander

September 13, 2017

An Amir (commander) of the Mamman Nur faction of Boko Haram insurgents, Ibrahim Dala (alias Abu Ali), formerly of Kawar Mela ward in Maiduguri, has confessed that many terrorists fighters were first abducted from their villages and later conscripted into fighting forces.

Ibrahim Dala who voluntarily surrendered himself to the police in Borno state along with nine others, said that they have decided to repent and embrace peace.

Others who surrendered are 20 years old Audu Mustapha Bukar; 25 years old Laminu Mustapha Modu from Talala insurgents camp in sambisa forest, surrendered themselves unconditionally to Borno state police command. Audu Mustapha Bukar and Laminu Mustapha Modu are from Ngallamari village in Borno state.

Others include 25 year old Alhaji Ali of Alagarno village; 30 year old Abubakar Mele of Yasko village; 20 years old Modu Umar of Bursum village; 15 years old Modu Maina of Bursum village; 20 years old Ali Kolo of Alagarno village; 14 years old female, Bintu Abukar of Yasko village; 15 years old female, Falmata Abukar of Yasko village and another 15 years old female, Hauwa Ali of Alagarno village.

There were also 14 years old female, Husam Ali of Alagarno village and 16 years old female, Mallama Modu of Bursum village.

Confirming the surrender by the insurgents and their leader, the Borno State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Dsp Isuku Victor, said there were also five children five of between the ages of one and eight years old who have since made useful statements that will assist in the counter Insurgency campaign of the military.

He said that the insurgents have made confessional statements and revealed the location where the abducted children were kept, even as he said that the surrendered insurgents are presently undergoing preliminary profiling preparatory to their transfer to the military..

This was even as a combined forces of the regular military personnel and local hunters as well as vigilante members had led to the rescue of some captives of the insurgents and recovery of weapons, after about an hour gun battle with the hoodlums in the sambosa forest, near Kumaya village in Buni Yadi general area of Yobe state.

The army said that apart from killing 2 hoodlums following injuries sustained in the gun battle, 2 AK47 rifles used by the hoodlums were recovered while six abducted victims were rescued even as seven other abducted persons were rescued, bringing the total number of persons rescued to thirteen 13.

The army said that two members of the search party were injured in the course of the exchange of fire, and they were said to be responding to treatment and are in stable condition.

“The 13 rescued victims were formally handed over to His Excellency, Alhaji Mamman Durkwa, Deputy Governor of Borno state, today at the Government house.” [myad]

Nnamdi Kanu, Scared Of Arrest, Goes Into Self-imposed House Detention

Greenbarge Reporters

September 13, 2017

Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu has confirmed that he cannot go out to attend any peace meeting with the South East Governor because soldiers are waiting on his route to arrest him.

He declared, in a letter he sent to the governors who scheduled to have a meeting with him on Friday: “I have been reliably informed also, that a detachment of this same soldiers responsible for the murder of innocent unarmed IPOB family members have now been stationed near Enugu to ambush and assassinate me on my way to the meeting with the governors on Friday.”

The leader of IPOB said that he would not attend the second Enugu mediation between his group and the South-East Governors because his security is no longer guaranteed.

Kanu had held similar meeting with the Governors a couple of weeks ago.

Full text of his letter reads thus:

Before now, prominent leaders and groups had insisted that I tow the line of peaceful dialogue and meet with the governors to find a lasting solution to our grievances. I conceded to that request which led to the 30th of August 2017 meeting with the South-East Governors Forum at the Government House in Enugu, in the company of the very eminent Prof. Ben Nwabueze and Evangelist Elliott Ugochukwu-Ukoh.

In view of the concerted effort by the oppressive Nigerian state to shatter the peace and tranquility of the South-East and the rest of Biafraland through military intimidation, it has become necessary for me to clarify why, regrettably, I may not be able to attend Friday’s meeting with the South-East governors as earlier agreed, for three main reasons.

1.) We are currently busy attending to our dead and injured from this latest round of unprovoked military onslaught against innocent civilians in our own land. All the casualties so far were shot by men of the Nigerian Army deployed to my house and those stationed along motor ways leading into Umuahia my hometown.

2.) I have been reliably informed also, that a detachment of this same soldiers responsible for the murder of innocent unarmed IPOB family members have now been stationed near Enugu to ambush and assassinate me on my way to the meeting with the governors on Friday.

3.) On that same Friday the 15th of September 2017, the leadership of IPOB through the instrumentality of the Directorate of State (DOS) headquartered in Germany, will be meeting to vote on the viability or otherwise of continuing our struggle in this non-violent manner. There is urgent need to begin the process of defending ourselves in the face of relentless murderous attacks from the Nigerian state.

It is impossible to engage in any meaningful conversation with the governors in the midst of so much bloodshed, abductions and military siege of our town and villages. Accordingly, we will not engage in any meeting with anybody until the atmosphere is conducive and peaceful enough to allow for such.

The siren-blaring military convoys and armoured vehicles occupying the entire region is not only designed to intimidate our people but also deliberately primed to scuttle the IPOB/South-East governors meeting of Friday 15th September.

I would like to use this opportunity to thank all men and women of good conscience from all over the world that have risen to condemn the barbaric slaughter of innocent Biafrans by the Nigerian military. Above all, I salute the steadfastness, devotion and total commitment to freedom from eternal slavery by the great IPOB family in Biafraland. I assure you that I remain resolute and dedicated to our shared vision of freedom regardless of the cost and visionless antics of the mindless oppressor.

We have since crossed the Red Sea and arrived at the shores of the promised land. We have our trumpets ready to begin the great march around the evil walls of Jericho, and I assure you that in no distant time, the walls of Jericho will come crashing down.

We can still hear the cries of Pharaoh and his horsemen as they are swallowed up by the Red Sea, chariots and all. Victory is ours! Victory is assured!!

Collaborators and agents of the oppressor are hereby advised to embark on self exile as there will be no hiding place for them.

Signed: Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. [myad]

Dangote Plans $800 Million Diary Production In Nigeria

Greenbarge Reporters

September 13, 2017

President and Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote has announced plan to establish $800 million dairy production in Nigerian with a view to raising the bar on agriculture generally.

Delivering a good-will message to the National Conference on The Transformation of the Nigerian Livestock Industry, yesterday, in Abuja, Dangote said:”It is in line with the current administration’s commitment to livestock development that the Dangote Group plans an investment of $800 million in dairy production, having finalised plans to invest $4.6 billion in growing the Group’s agriculture business in the country.”

Represented by the Group Executive Director, Engr. Mansur Ahmed, Dangote said that transforming the livestock system is critical to the nation’s economy as it is currently one of the fastest growing agricultural sub-sectors in developing countries.

According to him, with the dwindling fortunes of the oil and gas sectors, it is doubtful if the country will be able to feed its teeming population at some point if it does not improve other sectors like the livestock agric sub-sector.

Dangote called for the adoption of modern technologies to meet World standard in livestock production in order to increase government revenue and contribute substantially to the quality of diet of Nigerians.

He said that the adoption of massive modern technology will help tackle beef deficiency, satisfy dairy production and serve as revenue from hides and skin business for improved economy.

The President of Africa’s conglomerate said: “transforming today’s livestock practices alone, without adopting the strategies and modern technologies across the world will not get us there.

Stressing the need to urgently resolve the challenges currently facing the industry like the intractable clashes between herdsmen and farmers with serious implication on peaceful coexistence and food security, Dangote commended the current policy direction of private sector involvement in livestock.

He said that the policy has contributed towards actualising the national conference after an all encompassing national policy draft that would address livestock matters like the grazing reserves and systematic cattle breed improvement in the country. [myad]

Ohanaeze, Biafran Masquerade Undressed, By Yusuf Ozi-Usman

Greenbarge Reporters

September 13, 2017

I am not an Igbo man but I have a lot of Igbo people as not just friends but confidants. In fact, my house was filled up by such confidants on the just concluded Sallah day, so much that you might conclude easily that I am more at home with those confidants than people from my side of the country. You may not be faulted.
For one reason or the other, I grew to respect the current leadership of Ohanaeze, the umbrella body of all Igbo speaking people in, and from, the Southeast, based on what I perceived to be the excellent personal and leadership qualities of Chief John Nwodo, the current President General of the body.
Though I have never met him one-on-one, but my distant assessment of him was that he is a complete gentleman, a nationalist, a lover of humanity and peace in all its ramifications and a father figure to all Nigerians, including your sincerely.
However my respect for the same Chief Nwodo and the Ohanaeze, by virtue of such respect, came crashing down like a pack of card yesterday after reading (and publishing on this platform), a statement he issued condemning the Nigerian federal government for deploying soldiers to the Southeast to carry out operations, including maintaining the internal integrity of Nigeria, which is their constitutional role.
The Nwodo’s Ohanaeze started by describing the military operations, tagged: ‘Python Dance 11’ as invasion of the Southeast, aimed at intimidating the Igbo people. He insisted that such operations should be called off immediately, even with a veiled threat.
Chief Nwodo said that Nigeria does not need such deliberate and proactive escalation of tensions and crisis at this moment and that rather than resort to the use of brute force in resolution of issue of self determination: “there are more civilised and established practices to resolve our democratic and security challenges”
On behalf of Ohaneze, Nwodo threatened: “if” this act of intimidation is not discontinued immediately, it (Ohanaeze) would be left with no alternative than to conclude that this is a containment policy aimed at the Southeast to intimidate our people from freely expressing their anger and angst at their marginalization and treatment as second class citizens.”
He even gave a lecture on democracy, saying that in a democracy, the level of disenchantment expressed by the people of the Southeast of Nigeria ought to have provoked a serious dialogue “between our people and the Federal Executive and the Legislature.
“History teaches us that the continuous use of force to silence dissent and free speech will only accelerate the growth of dissent and dissatisfaction. Fundamental Rights of freedom of expression are critical for a successful democracy.”
Ohanaeze’s clothed masquerade got undressed with open confession of Nwodo that the body was uncomfortable and indeed, angry with the Nigerian army for surrounding the house of a young man, a none entity that is leading the Indigenous People of Biafran (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
Nwodo described the action of the army as unfortunate and that “we believe that it is a deliberate invasion of a quiet homestead (of Nnamdi Kanu), an act of provocation and a continuing policy of intimidation.”
Now, the Ohanaeze and its leadership have shown that all along, they were the ones that pushed Nnamdu Kanu and his fellow thugs to disrupt the peace and unity of this country for what is clearly selfish and self-serving purposes.
The Ohanaeze cannot claim to be ignorant of the international law that forbids two leadership with two set of laws and military formations in the same country with no clear defined reasons other than marginalization, which of course, people in other parts of the country are also complaining of.
Ohanaeze cannot claim ignorant of the fact that its arrow head, Nnamdi Kanu, has formed his own government and controls his own army and other security apparatus within the sovereignty of a supposedly one country called Nigeria. And, Nwodo wants such nuisance to be invited for a dialogue!!!
As a matter of fact, Ohanaeze, in its haste to assert its hidden agenda that has now come into the open, even accused the federal government of not deploying similar number of soldiers to deal with Boko Haram in the Northeast and other security flash points, making it to look as if the government is unnecessarily against the Igbos.
Hear Nwodo: “crimes of monstrous proportions are occurring in other parts of Nigeria. Such crimes include ravaging killings by Fulani herdsmen in the Middle Belt, Secret cult killings in Lagos and the South West, bunkering and armed resistance in the Delta, wanton kidnappings and killing of military personnel in Kaduna State and environs as well as Boko Haram insurgency in the North East. The Nigerian Army has never embarked on Operation Python Dance in any of the other five geo political zones on account of these incidences. Innocent civilians living in these other parts of Nigeria have not witnessed the type of invasion Umuahia witnessed Sunday night.”
Nwodo, the man I respected before, and his sponsored Nnamdi Kanu, might have taken for granted, a statement made by President Muhammadu Buhari early last year that his government would give the same treatment he had given to Boko Haram insurgents in the Northeast, to any uprising anywhere in the country that disrupt the peace and unity of Nigeria. And what are the IPOB and Nnamdi doing? Singing P-Square music?
Ohanaeze, the sponsor of Nnamdi Kanu and his ragtag IPOB with its military formation, might just be sarcastic by turning blind eye to the serious military operations that have been going on in the Northeast to route out Boko Haram, for more than two years now, and in other parts of the country where peace and unity are threatened. Nwodo is advised to go to Northeast, Northwest, part of North Central and even Southwest and South South and ask civilians there, what they have been going through simply on account of the miscreants, like Nnamdi Kanu, that are disrupting peace.
And, so, Nwodo, who, by all intent and purposes has now openly declared support for the manifestation of Biafra through the Ohanaeze’s sponsored Nnamdi Kanu, should be ready to face the consequences of their misadventure.

In any case, is it not foolish for Nwodo and his Nnamdi Kanu’s IPOB to think that President Muhammadu Buhari, a war military general, who fought to keep Nigeria one, would, at the turn of this century, be the one that would also preside over the division of the same country? Why are some leaders not using their God-given brains to calculate well? Why the sudden agitation for Biafra in Buhari’s regime? Why not during the regime of Goodlcuk Jonathan, who of course, was still pounding Otuoke street without shoes during the civil war which Buhari fought with all his strength and might? Why, therefore, IPOB would not be qualified to be treated like Boko Haram as promised by President Buhari? A version of Boko Haram to disrupt or derail his government.

When Nwodo was speaking for the Ohanaeze, the sponsored of Nnamdi Kanu for the manifestation of Biafra, in the way he did, he never thought the people listening have brains.

Too bad that they take other Nigerians for a ride for too long. [myad]

Army Promises To Discipline Soldiers Who Damaged Journalists’ Working Tools in Abia

Greenbarge Reporters

September 12, 2017

The Nigerian Army has promised to discipline soldiers who damaged the working tools of Journalists at the press centre of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Umuahia, capital of Abia state.
In a statement today, Tuesday, debunking the social media reports that soldiers invaded the NUJ press centre, the
Assistant Director of Public Relations for the 14 Brigade of Nigerian Army, Major Oyegoke Badamosi, said that though it is true that there was an issue between some soldiers on routine patrol but that the magnitude is not as was reported.
“What happened was that while the soldiers on patrol near the Abia State NUJ press centre, they noticed some people filming them.
“Unfortunately, they seized and damaged their recording devices; an iPad and two mobile phones.
“Preliminary investigation shows that the items belong to journalists on their legitimate duties. Consequently, the Commander 14 Brigade and Deputy Director Army Public Relations 82 Division waded into the matter which has since been resolved amicably.”
The statement asked members of the public to eschew rumour mongering and go about their lawful business.[myad]

FCT Minister Makes President Ado-Akufo A Nigerian

Greenbarge Reporters

September 12, 2017

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello (right), confers honorary citizenship of Abuja on the President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo at the Presidential wing of Abuja International Airport in Abuja when he arrived in Nigeriatoday, Tuesday on a visit to President Muammadu Buhari. [myad]

Soldiers, Biafran Clash: Abia Gov Imposes Curfew, Supports Military Operation

Greenbarge Reporters

September 12, 2017

Following a clash in Umahia, the capital of Abia state between the Nigerian soldiers on professional operation in Abia state and Nnamdi Kanu led Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), the Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has declared a three-day curfew in Aba, the commercial nerve centre of the State.

Ikpeazu emphasized that the curfew was necessitated by the attack on the officers and men of the Nigerian Army by members of the IPOB even as he faulted the attitude of members of IPOB. He added the operation by the Nigerian Army was ordered by the Federal Government and that Abia State as a component of Nigeria cannot raise objections to it.

The statement, which Okpeazu personally signed, reads in full:

“Abia State has for the past few days been the focus of security searchlight occasioned by the reported skirmish between some groups in the State, especially Indigenous People of Biafra with men of the Nigerian Army.

“Government notes and has observed the frenzy of activities of members of IPOB within Afara – Umuahia, the ancestral home of the leader of IPOB for some months now.

“Government is equally aware of the recent proclamation by the Nigerian Army of Operation Python Dance II within the South – East geopolitical region of Nigeria.

“The operation as declared by the Army is intended to check kidnapping, banditry, assassination, secessionist activities within the region, amongst other forms of criminal activities.

“The recent confrontation between the Nigerian Army and members of IPOB on Sunday, 10th September, 2017, could presumably be attributed to the commencement of the said Operation Python Dance II.

“The Abia State Government unequivocally states that Abia is a component State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and subscribes to the supremacy of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and all other extant laws.

“While the Government of Abia State recognizes the right of the Nigerian Army and other security agencies, to perform their statutory duty of protection of lives and property of Nigerian citizens, such duties must be carried out within acclaimed Nigerian and international standards of engagement with the civil populace, with due respect to the human rights of citizens and sanctity of human lives.

“The Abia State Government is committed to the protection of the lives and properties of its citizens and others residing and doing business within the geographical entity called Abia State.

“Abians and others living within Abia, are advised to remain law abiding and carry on their lawful business without fear, as efforts by Government will be made to reduce friction between the civil populace and military personnel in the State.

“Meanwhile, Aba residents are advised to observe a curfew from 6pm to 6am from today 12/09/2017 to 14/09/2017.

“Persons residing within the State are strongly advised to remain law abiding, while going about their lawful business without fear of molestation, and, not engage in any form of confrontation with military personnel or other security agents.

“The Government recognizes the constitutional Right to Freedom of Movement for all Nigerians, but objects to the influx of people into Abia State for purposes of unsettling the enduring peace in the State.

Finally, Abia State will co – operate with security agencies to maintain the rule of law and order in the State. [myad]

I’m Going To Tell Ghanaians How Vibrant Buhari Is – President Akufo

Greenbarge Reporters

September 12, 2017

PRESIDENT BUHARI RECEIVES GHANA PRESIDENT 3A&B. L-R; President Muhammadu Buhari Chat with The President of Ghana, H.E Nana Dankwa Akufo-Addo in a close door during a visit to the State House in Abuja.PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE/STATE HOUSE . SEPT 12 2017 — President Muhammadu Buhari Chat with The President of Ghana, H.E Nana Dankwa Akufo-Addo in a close door during a visit to the State House in Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE/STATE HOUSE . SEPT 12 2017

President of Ghana, Mr. Nana Akufo-Addo has said that he would return to his country with a cheering news of how President Muhammadu Buhari is vibrant after his return from over 100-day medical vacation in London.

President Ado-Akufo, who visited Buhari today, Tuesday, at the Aso Presidential Villa, Abuja, said: “I am happy that I have this opportunity to come and I am going back to Ghana very fortified and am going to tell Ghanaians that our big brother Nigeria is well and things are well.”

The Ghanaian strong man said that he had decided to come and see President Buhari personally to confirm his wellness after a medical sojourn in London.

“I came from Accra today to visit my senior brother, President Buhari. All of us have been very anxious about his well being and it was very good news that he had returned.

“As an African, I have to come and see for myself how he was. I am very delighted to see that he is back, very vigorous as always; very engaging on the issues of our day.

“We had a good half an hour together, reviewing matters both in Ghana and Nigeria as well as immediate matters about what is going on in the ECOWAS community.” [myad]

Igbo Group Describes Military Operation In Southeast As Invasion, Wants It Withdrawn

Greenbarge Reporters

September 12, 2017

Ohanaeze, which is the umbrella body of Igbo people, has described the military operation in the South East, tagged: ‘Python dance 11’ as an invasion aimed at intimidating the Igbo people and called on the federal government to direct the military to call it off.

In a seven point statement, signed by its President General, Chief John Nnia Nwodo, today, Tuesday, the Ohanaeze said that Nigeria does not need such deliberate and proactive escalation of tensions and crisis at this moment.

It said that rather than resort to the use of brute force in resolution of issue of self determination: “there are more civilised and established practices to resolve our democratic and security challenges”

Ohaneze said that if this act of intimidation is not discontinued immediately, “it would be left with no alternative than to conclude that this is a containment policy aimed at the South East to intimidate our people from freely expressing their anger and angst at their marginalization and treatment as second class citizens.”

The Igbo umbrella body said that in a democracy, the level of disenchantment expressed by the people of the South East of Nigeria ought to have provoked a serious dialogue “between our people and the Federal Executive and the Legislature.

“History teaches us that the continous use of force to silence dissent and free speech will only accelerate the growth of dissent and dissatisfaction. “Fundamental Rights of freedom of expression are critical for a successful democracy.”

Ohanaeze stressed that the claim that the program is aimed at checking increasing crime in the region has no empirical support because the first Python dance was used to extort money from the people and never addressed the issue of crime as the Police record showed that the South East is not the worst in crime rate in the country.

“Our people were shamelessly intimidated and harassed at these check points. Operation Python Dance 1 procured no arrests of criminals that were prosecuted for any of the criminal activities that Operation Python Dance II is supposed to address. Instead it witnessed reckless and indiscriminate murder of self determination agitators in Asaba,Aba,Nkpor,and Porthacourt numbering up to 191 by the estimates of Transparency International and shattered public confidence of South Easterners in the Nigerian Army and Police.”

On the incident at the country home of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, Ohaneze said that it was unfortunate, adding: “we believe that it is a deliberate invasion of a quiet homestead, an act of provocation and a continuing policy of intimidation.

“Crimes of monstrous proportions are occurring in other parts of Nigeria. Such crimes include ravaging killings by Fulani herdsmen in the Middle Belt, Secret cult killings in Lagos and the South West, bunkering and armed resistance in the Delta, wanton kidnappings and killing of military personnel in Kaduna State and environs as well as Boko Haram insurgency in the North East. The Nigerian Army has never embarked on Operation Python Dance in any of the other five geopolitical zones on account of these incidences. Innocent civilians living in these other parts of Nigeria have not witnessed the type of invasion Umuahia witnessed Sunday night.” [myad]

Case Of Dog Bites Dog, As Police Detains Its PR Specialist, Shuaib And His Wife

Greenbarge Reporters

September 12, 2017

A case of dog biting dog has been established with the detention, harassment and embarrassment by police, of its external Public Relations specialist, Malam Yushau Shuaib and his wife.

Shuaib, in protest, has written a 30-paragraph petition to the Inspector General of Police, Idris Ahmed, complaining of police harassment and intimidation of his family members living in Abuja, “especially the Gestapo style his family members were subjected to by a team of Policemen and woman from Lagos.”

Shuaib wrote: “The ridiculous treatment of myself and my wife with the detention in Wuye Police Station (Abuja) before our eventual release is not only appalling and scandalous but a calculated attempt to rubbish our hard-earned reputation, having used the last five years protecting and promoting the activities of security agencies in Nigeria.

“In fact, through PRNigeria Platform alone, we have syndicated and published over 300 official Press Releases from the Police in the last two years of the current administration as part of our social responsibility to our fatherland.”

Full text of the petition is reproduced here:

September 11, 2017

Inspector General of Police

Nigeria Police Headquarters

Abuja

Sir,

LAGOS POLICE’S HARASSMENT AND INTIMIDATION OF FAMILY OF YUSHAU SHUAIB IN ABUJA

I write to report the harassment and intimidation of my family by a Police Team from Lagos who claimed to be from the Governor’s Office, Alausa Ikeja.

On August 21, 2017, my wife received a phone call purported to be from an MTN Team coming to deliver a seasonal gift to her. Suspicious of such gifts at a period of insecurity, their calls were ignored. With persistent calls, she told them she was going towards Wuye Market with her sister where they were accosted by four hefty men and a woman claiming to be from the Police.
When they attempted to bundle her into their white saloon car, she resisted by raising her voice, shouting for help. She learnt the trick of ‘shouting’ to evade abductions by suspected kidnappers who use names of security agencies to whisk away innocent victims.
Realising the implication of her “shout” that could attract a mob action, they accepted her request to trek together to a nearby Wuye Divisional Police Station for fear of abduction.
When I was alerted to the incident, I rushed to the police station on a pyjamas and bathroom slippers only to be detained by the policemen who now seized our telephones and were dialling different telephone numbers from them.
When I insisted on what offences we committed for our detention and search on our phones, they claimed that Governor Ambode of Lagos was aware of an alleged massive fraud committed in Lagos involving my Son, Gidado Shuaib.
Though shocked and traumatised by the experience and the so-called massive fraud in Lagos, I can conveniently without an iota of doubt, vouch and defend the integrity of all my children, who were not only trained to be of good character but were groomed to imbibe value of simplicity, humility, hard-work and sacrifice.
Gidado had travelled the previous day as Member of MediaTeam for the coverage of Hajj Pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
The police team insisted we should write official statements about our son and some of his friends who are mostly university students. They further insisted that my wife could be granted a bail, while I must follow them to Lagos that day in my pyjamas.
Intervention from well-meaning senior security officers, whom I have worked with over the years by virtue of my professional callings saved me from being taken to Lagos that morning. The DPO of Wuye Police Station, CSP Solome Hardy (Mrs.) was very categorical when she told them point-blank that she would never allow them to take me to Lagos because I was not the suspect of their investigation.
The police Team reluctantly accepted DPO’s position, especially on health ground and that I should bring my son to Lagos upon his return from the foreign trip.
Gidado, my first son and his siblings are not only well-brought up, they are exceptionally humble, simple and very obedient that they hardly go out to seek for favours.
On the police allegation of fraud in Lagos, Gidado has never spent a night in Lagos in the last five years. In fact, he was only in Lagos on a transit to connect with a foreign airline on a trip to New York to attend the annual United Nations Youths Assembly where he was invited as a delegate in 2015. He didn’t even return through Lagos but through Abuja Airport. He has therefore never spent a single night in Lagos in the last five years.
Since September 2016 to May 2017, Gidado had been in the United Kingdom pursuing a Master Degree Programme on Communication at the University of Westminster. He started the programme immediately after his graduation from the Baze University Abuja.
Apart from the fact that I opened Bank Accounts for my Children, I closely monitor their transactions which give me ideas on their spending.
I deliberately arranged for Gidado to be staying with a very humble guardian in London who guarded and guided him throughout his stay. Most of his expenses were routed through the same guardian.
As a father, I subjected him to live an austere life in London so that he could imbibe the spirit of endurance, piety and independence rather than develop an ostentatious lifestyle.
As the Publisher of PRNigeria, Economic Confidential and other media outlets, I ensure Gidado earns extra allowances by writings, proofreading, editing and publishing.
While at the Baze University Abuja, Gidado introduced a magazine, YouthsDigest which focuses on students, education and youths engagements. He doesn’t engage in any other business apart from that.
In recognition of his entrepreneurship skills, Gidado was recently voted and honoured by SME100 as one of the 25 Young Nigerians under the age of 25 who have inspired others to greatness.
It is painful, however, that I have to write this letter over supposedly unproven allegations against an innocent young Nigerian for an offence in an environment he was not used to.
It is also shocking that in this age of technological advancement with affordable tools for intelligence gathering, the police in Lagos have to waste human and material resources to identify and locate a young man that can be simply and easily identified and traced through the common ID Caller App and the social media Platforms. This is terribly embarrassing.
The ridiculous treatment of myself and my wife with the detention in Wuye Police Station, before our eventual release, is not only appalling and scandalous but a calculated attempt to rubbish our hard-earned reputation, having used the last five years protecting and promoting the activities of security agencies in Nigeria.
In fact, through PRNigeria Platform alone, we have syndicated and published over 300 official Press Releases from the Police in the last two years of the current administration as part of our social responsibility to our fatherland.
While we have been threatened by terrorists and their sympathisers in the cause of our services, it is rather unfortunate that the police are now our tormentors.
My fear, currently is not about me, my family or my son who will surely confront the Police with his lawyers over the reckless allegation on his return. My fear is: what may be happening to other ordinary Nigerians who do not have people in police or security agencies to put words on their behalf.
Only God knows how many lives could have been lost with the kind of recklessness exhibited by the Lagos Police Team that engages in the gestapo-like operation of picking up people without providing the information on their alleged offences.
I am writing this letter to request the Office of the Inspector General of Police over the unnecessary harassment and unjust intimidation from Police Team from Lagos.
I wish to, therefore, request your office to:
Demand the reason and justification for the harassment of myself and especially my wife who has been traumatised since then and undergoing medication and counselling
Provide clear information of the alleged offences purported committed by my son
Direct one Inspector Babatunde (08056506863, 08081700099) to stop threatening me with phone calls insisting I must be in Lagos in the absence of my son
Tender unreserved apology for treating my family like a common criminal without adequate proof of the allegations.
Note that my ordeal contravenes a clear provision of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 which prohibits the arrest of another person in place of a suspect.
Note that with the unprofessional and questionable manner of the Lagos Police Team, I wish you would transfer the case to any of your Special Investigation Units or to the FCT Police Command
With my strict monitoring and parental guidance over my children, I should also be held liable if my son is found guilty of the alleged offence. I am not only a guardian but a Father in every sense of the word.
I, therefore, submit this for your prompt intervention, as the Gestapo-police team insists on my presence in Lagos this week which I will not honour in the absence of my son who is yet to return from Hajj.

Yushau A. Shuaib

Publisher PRNigeria, Economic Confidential

Copy:

Governor Ambode of Lagos State

Commissioner of Police Lagos State

Commissioner of Police Federal Capital Territory

Force Police Public Relations Officer

Divisional Police Officer, Wuye District

Executive Secretary Centre for Crisis Communication

Chief Press Secretary to Governor of Lagos State. [myad]

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