Gang Of Criminals Gradually Taking Over Nigeria – Archbishop Onaiyekan

February 21, 2021

The former President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria and the Archbishop of Abuja, John Onaiyekan has expressed concern that a gang of criminals are gradually taking over Nigeria.

“We have a gang of criminals that are almost taking over our country and the government should either do it or allow others to do it,” Onaiyekan stressed, during an interview with newsmen after the ordination of the Auxillary Bishop of Minna Diocese yesterday, February 20.

According to him, the war against bandits, Boko Haram and other criminal gangs has nothing to do with religion, politics, ethnicity, saying: “this has nothing to do with APC or PDP, it is not political and we have also seen that it has nothing to do with Islam or Christianity, not even with our ethical differences. “

He warned however that if the government does not take a definite step, there will be a revolt that would be dangerous to the people.

“The fact remains that we are not where we should be. We should not be living in a country where we are always with our hearts in our mouth when we are moving from one place to another”

“We should not be living in a country where the children cannot study in schools and where bandits can come and cart away students and their teachers into the bush and sit there and boast for dialogue.

“Sadly, we have people who claim to be our leaders; who during elections forced us, begged us and cajoled us to put them in power, now that they are in power, do your work for goodness sake.”

“If the government cannot secure the lives of the people, they should call for a kind of national cohesion. They should stop pretending that they are the ones ruling. In some countries when these incidents happen, it gets to a stage where the government will call for national unity where everyone comes on board to proffer solutions.”

Onaiyekan said the government has no excuse for the current insecurity in parts of the country.

EFCC Promotes Designated Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, 88 Others

Editorial staff

February 20, 2021

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has promoted its designated Acting Chairman, Abdulrasheed Ahmed Bawa and 88 others.
Information has it that they have been promoted from Grade Level 13 Principal Detective Superintendent (PDS) to grade level 14 Deputy Chief Detective Superintendent (DCDS) Grade Level 14, effective from January 1, 2021..
The ‘swift’ promotion offered the anti-graft agency’s nominated boss, and other EFCC operatives is coming less than two weeks after Mr. President nominated Bawa to replace Ibrahim Magu, the former acting Chairman.
An internal memo, signed by one Femi Peter Gbarufu, issued yesterday and titled, “Release of Promotion List” said that promotion letters would be issued to the affected staff as soon as possible by the Human Resources Unit.
A source in the EFCC said that with the promotion, Bawa’s new rank is equivalent to the position of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), a qualification for the position of Chairman in the agency.
“Bawa was recruited into EFCC in 2005 as one of the pioneer cadets and has spent 16 years as an operative. By virtue of his new rank, he is now equivalent to Assistant Commissioner of Police and qualified to be a Chairman of EFCC.
“The EFCC Establishment Act, especially Section 2a (ii) stated that a candidate for appointment as the Chairman of the agency should be a serving or retired member of any security or law enforcement agency not below the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police or equivalent.”
“The DCDS in EFCC is equivalent ACP in Police. For instance, the operative cadre entry-level in the police is Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) equivalent to Assistant Detective of Superintendent (ADS); Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) is equivalent to Deputy Detective Superintendent (DDS); Superintendent of Police (SP) is equivalent to Senior Detective Superintendent (SDS); Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) is equivalent to Principal Detective Superintendent (PDS) while Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) is equivalent to Deputy Chief Detective Superintendent (DCDS).
“There are other senior officers in EFCC who are not detective operatives but with routine civil service ranks for administrative purposes. The Detective operatives currently in the service of EFCC are either course mates or junior to the Bawa who has just been promoted to qualifying level for the position of the Chairman,” the officer concluded.

Source: PRnigeria.

Soldiers Storm Shekau’s Farm In Sambisa Forest, Share Produce To Locals, Destroy Farm

Editorial staff

February 20, 2021

Nigerian soldiers have stormed a farm allegedly owned by Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau in the Sambisa forest just as the military successfully repelled ISWAP Terrorists who attacked Dikwa town on yesterday evening.

In a video, the soldiers who stormed the farm in the Sambisa axis, invited some people in the locality to help themselves with edibles after which they destroyed the farm.

The troops could be heard mocking the sect leader and asking him to come out from the hiding.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian troops in Dikwa after repelling the attack by ISWAP nabbed two men suspected to be terrorist informants living in the community.

An intelligence source revealed that the terrorists invaded a military Super Camp unit on the northern axis of the town on several light trucks mounted with Heavy Machine Guns (HMGs).

“The terrorists suspected to be aided by informants approached the base from two axes.

“One of the groups attacked from the northern axis towards Marte road, while the other group approached the base from the north-eastern axis towards Gajibo road.

“The troops on the ground had got a signal of the attempted invasion and retreated to Ajiri Community in the Southern axis, where they relaunched counter-attacks with troops from Gulumba.

“A Ground Force Close Air Support (CAS) component deployed also attacked the terrorists from the air destroying their guntrucks and makeshift camps.”

It was gathered that the terrorists are coordinating their recent attacks from their new base in Andakar with some commanders and mercenaries from neighbouring countries.

Source: PRnigeria.

FCT Minister Of State Begs New Ambassadors To Attract Investments To Abuja

Editorial staff

February 20, 2021

The minister of State in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu has appealed to the new Ambassadors Designate, Consuls General and Charge d’Affaires of Nigeria to aim at attracting investments to Abuja, from their countries of posting.

Speaking when the envoys visited the FCT headquarters in Area 10 as part of their induction, Dr. Ramatu advised them to use their vantage positions to market the abundant investment opportunities available in the FCT.

Such investment opportunities, she said, include agriculture and agro-allied businesses, tourism and recreation, sustainable energy, housing, healthcare and transportation amongst others.

She also called on the envoys to drum into the ears of potential investors the favourable climactic conditions, the high standard of functional infrastructure and the peaceful co-existence amongst the residents of the FCT to come over and invest in the Territory.

This was even as the minister, Muhammad Musa Bello advised the envoys to carry the message of peace in Nigeria to their various countries of posting.

According to him: “we are better off together and united, and I hope that as our Ambassadors, our Consul Generals, Charge De Affairs and Heads of Missions, you will take this message across.”

The Minister also advised the new envoys to build on the positive activities of their predecessors, saying: “my advice to you is, instead of trying to create new things, look inwards within your mission and consulates and see the works in progress. I think if you are able to do that, you will cut down the time it takes for you to acclimatize and then you would be able to push for so many things that would be of benefit to our dear country”

While congratulating the envoys on their appointments which, he said were well deserved, Muhammad Musa Bello wished them successful tours of duty in their countries of posting

Ex CBN Gov, Soludo, Formally Declares To Run November Anambra Governorship

Editorial staff

February 20, 2021

The former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Professor Charles Soludo has officially declared his intention to run the Anambra governorship race come November 6, 2021 on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

Soludo who is also the Chairman of Anambra Vision 2070 Committee made his intention known in Awka, at the State secretariat of the party with the APGA Chairman, Sir Norbert Obi present.

Professor Soludo, while addressing party faithful at the event, explained that he was optimistic that there would be a free and fair process.

He was accompanied to State party secretariat by top APGA stakeholders and functionaries including member representing Anambra East and West federal constituency, Hon Chinedu Obidigwe; former member representing Idemili North and South Federal Constituency, Ifeanyichukwu Ibezi; member representing Anaocha, Njikoka and Dunukofia federal constituency, Chief Dozie Nwankwo; Deputy Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly, Dr Paschal Agbodike and other Assembly members; APGA BoT Member and Spiritual Leader, Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka (Ogilisi Igbo); former Deputy Governor of the State, Dr Emeka Sibudu; some members of the State Executive Council; the Director General of Inter-Party Office, Anambra State and Chieftain of APGA, Chief Ben Obi; wife of late Dr Alex Ekwueme, Chief Mrs Ifeoma Ekwueme; Transition Committee Chairmen, among others.

Speaking to journalists shortly after the event, Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka said that Anambra State had witnessed an unprecedented success in the past years under APGA, and that a new Governor of APGA extraction is needed at this time, to uphold good governance, security of lives and property, rural and urban development as well as massive infrastructural development, which he said were the hallmarks of the APGA-led Government in Anambra State.

“We look forward to a transparent party primaries, and we are confident that APGA would be retuned elected at the November guber poll.”

Why We Kidnap, Kill In Niger, Militant Fulanis Tell Sheikh Gumi

Editorial staff

February 19, 2021

Sheikh Gumi met with bandits in the forest

Armed bandits terrorizing some local government areas and communities in Niger State have informed a popular Islamic scholar, Sheikh Abubakar Gumi why they are angry, kidnapping and killing people in the State.

In a mediation chat with the cleric today, February 19, about four days after the abduction of staff, students and relatives of the Government Science School in Kagara, the Fulani bandits said that they are not happy that several of their cows have been stolen by robbers.

They alleged that their fellow herdsmen have been killed by some villagers, adding that vigilante members in some communities attack Fulanis and their family members whenever they sight them going to markets and towns.”

The bandits took Gumi round locations where bodies of their Fulani relatives and family members, killed in aerial bombardments, were dumped.

Notorious bandits leaders, including Dogon Gida, Kachalla, were in attendance at the meeting that took place at an isolated area inside a forest in the Niger State,” a security source said.

The bandit leaders told Sheikh Gumi that they were ready to end killings and abductions.

They expressed willingness to be part of any deradicalization exercise or programme that the government will unveil for “our boys.”

Yoruba Oba Warns: War With Fulanis Is War With Hausas, Says Yorubas Will Lose Much

Editorial staff

February 19, 2021

The Oluwo of Iwo in Osun State of Southwest, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, has warned Yorubas against going into war with Fulanis because it will be translated into a war with entire Hausa people in the North.

“Declaring war against the Fulanis will be derogatorily translated to war against the Hausas. Fulanis are just a section of the Hausas. What will be the fate of billions of investments and properties of the Yorubas in the northern States?”

In a statement today, February 19, which he personally signed, Oluwo said that the lifestyle of many Fulanis is not worth fighting as they tend to lose nothing except their cows.

“The lingering Yoruba-Fulani saga is a fragile issue that demands a witty, technical approach. No doubt, the activities such as killing, kidnapping, raping perpetrated by the bad eggs among the Fulanis are condemnable.

“As a people, we must understand who to fight. I see Fulani as a section of the Hausas. And most Fulanis are not stationed in their origin. They have relocated and settled.

“Their most valued item is cows. Most of their properties are movable. Is this who we want to declare war against?”

“If their cows could be moved, how will our innocent sons and daughters in the northern states move their investments and properties? I see Yoruba losing more should there be war.

“I’m appealing to all and sundry to dignify human lives and toe the path of honour in sustaining a peaceful co-existence. War is an enemy of humanity. What war can do, peace can do better.”

Sunday Igboho Surrenders, Says He’s Not Leading Again

Editorial staff

February 19, 2021

A Yoruba activist, Sunday Igboho has surrendered, saying that he will no longer lead the quest to rescue the Yoruba nation from criminals, bandits and killer herdsmen.

In a recent interview with a Yoruba journalist, Mrs. Esabode, Igboho said that he’s no longer leading anymore.

In the interview, which was shared in a Youtube, he complained that his account was frozen because his activism.

Igboho confirmed however that the Federal government had unfrozen his account and his bank manager told him he could now make withdrawals.

He spoke on the attack on Professor Wole Soyinka’s house, saying that he learned of the attack and that two of those who attacked Soyinka’s house have been apprehended.

Igboho expressed disappointment on the leaders he claimed have not done good justice to the Fulani-herdsmen for their invasion of Yoruba soil.

According to him, nowhere is safe again for anyone, adding that even Nigerians in the Diaspora cannot come home because of the insecurity that is taking over the country.

“I’ve played my part; I’m not leading anything anymore if others don’t rise up. If they rise up, I will follow them. Others must stand up to do the needful.”

Bandits Promise To Free Kidnapped Kagara Students, Staff, At Meeting With Sheikh Gumi

Editorial staff

February 19, 2021

Armed bandits terrorizing some Local Government Areas and communities in Niger State, have promised to release all the kidnapped victims in their captivity, within the State, including students and staff of the Government Science College in Kagara.

This followed a ‘mediation parley’ between a popular Islamic Cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Gumi, and the criminals.

Notorious kidnapping warlords such as Dogon Gida, Kachalla, and others, it was gathered, attended the reconciliation forum with Gumi.

They expressed willingness to part of any deradicalization exercise or programme that the government will unveil for their repentant ‘boys’.

“The meeting took place at an isolated area inside a forest in the State, yesterday,” a security source said.

The bandits, he said, told Gumi, that they are tired of the atrocities and killing of innocent persons, they have been carrying out.

“They are not happy that several of their cows have been bombarded, and some stolen by robbers. They alleged that their fellow herdsmen have been killed by some villagers,” he added.

According to the source, who declined giving his name, the bandits took Gumi round some wells were bodies of their fulani relatives and family members, killed in aerial bombardments, were dumped.

“They also let Sheikh Gumi know that vigilantee members in some communities always attack their fulani relatives and family members, whenever they sight them going to markets and towns,” he said.

Source: PRNigeria

Amotekun, Other Security Outfits Must Include None Indigenes, Presidency, Govs Agree

Greenbarge Reporters

February 19, 2021

The presidency and governors have agreed to include none indigenes of a particular community in the recruitment of personnel for local and conventional security outfits across Nigeria, including Amotekun, a Southwest security outfits.

They also agreed to ensure that perpetrators of crime of any type are promptly arrested and prosecuted, to reconstruct destroyed homes in the recent communal clashes, and pay compensation where appropriate for damage to property and livelihoods during targeted attacks on communities, as well as the unequivocal condemnation of manifestations of hatred, hate crimes and related violence against communities.

These agreements were reached yesterday, February 18, at the first physical meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC), presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, with governors of 36 State, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and other key members of the federal executive as well as appointees of the President as members.

Other recommendations and agreements by NEC include the protection of all residents of all States, including non-indigenous communities and religious and ethnic minorities within State jurisdictions;

The arrest and prosecution of all perpetrators of crime;

In collaboration with federal authorities, the reconstruction of destroyed homes and payment of compensation where appropriate by State authorities for damage to property and livelihoods sustained during targeted attacks on communities within their jurisdictions;

Ensuring that deceased victims of such violence are duly accorded dignified burial rites;

The immediate public and unequivocal condemnation of all manifestations of hatred, targeted violence, and other hate crimes against ethnic, religious, and minority groups;

Ensuring that local security initiatives – whether they are State government law enforcement agencies or local vigilante groups or the Community Policing programme of the Nigeria Police Force – are inclusive and are composed with due consideration given to adequate representation of non-indigenous/minority resident communities;

Ensuring that all State, local and communal security initiatives operate according to guidelines consistent with State legislation and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and other relevant laws and are subjected to rigorous oversight;

Ensuring that innocent citizens and entire communities are not slandered, harassed, or victimized for the crimes perpetrated by criminal elements within those communities on the basis of ethnic or religious affiliation.

The continued organization of and participation in town hall meetings in the localities where ethnic strife has taken place by Governors representing all geopolitical zones.

That State Governments have statutory jurisdiction over forest reserves and will seek federal support for efforts to eradicate forest-based crime. (Council deliberated on how forests should be better managed and secured against criminals and criminality.)

That the National Livestock Transformation Plan is a comprehensive strategy for addressing the farmer-herder conflict developed by the States in collaboration with the Federal Government and Governors will seek its full implementation. (States are encouraged to promote modernization of livestock and Council, therefore, called for the strengthening of the National Livestock Transformation Plan.)

The strengthening of border controls to discourage cross-border crimes and the effective observation of ECOWAS Transhumance protocols.

According to a presidential spokesman, Laolu Akande, other discussions at the NEC meeting included the presentation of the strategy for the realization of the President’s vision to bring 100million Nigerians out of poverty.

“The presentation was made to the Council by the Presidential Economic Advisory Council, PEAC.

“Council resolved that the Technical Committee of NEC be set up with 3 Governors and representatives of the Federal Government to look at details of States’ involvement and how their concerns could be addressed regarding the presentation and the implementation of the strategy.”

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