The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine

Tag: Insecurity

  • Insecurity: Any government incapable of protecting citizens shouldn’t exist

    Leader of the Jama’atu Nasril Islam, JNI, and Sultan of Sokoto, Mohammed Sa’ad Abubakar III, said yesterday that any government that cannot provide security for its citizens had no moral justification to exist.

    He spoke on a day the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, CBCN, asked the Federal Government to rise to its responsibility of arresting and prosecuting those terrorising innocent Nigerians, rather than playing the ostrich on matters of insec

    The Bishops also reminded the government that Nigerians are sick of flimsy excuses and bogus promises to deal with terrorists in the country.

    The Sultan, whose statement was signed by the Secretary-General of the Jama’atu Nasril Islam, JNI, the apex Muslim organisation in Nigeria, Dr Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, was reacting to the terror attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train which claimed eight passengers, injured 41 and left scores of others missing till date.

    The statement read:  “To say the least, Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) is agonized and short of words to express herself over the gory incident of the infamous train attack which happened on Monday, March 28, 2022.

    “The well-orchestrated incident remains highly condemnable, reprehensible and upsetting to every rational mind. It appears that the continuous callous acts of mayhem, killings and arson happening almost on daily or weekly bases around us; either within communities and/or on the roads we ply, have automatically reset our human psyche that we now have accepted such dastardly acts as part of our lives, to the extent that we no longer feel it.

    “The humanity in us is slowly being eroded, thereby making us adapt to the new normal within which we, unfortunately, found ourselves.

    ‘Essence of government’

    “It should be noted that in Islam and by all global standards, the essence of government and governance is solely to protect the five principal cardinal rights of the human race, the most important of which is LIFE!

    “Any government that is incapable of protecting the lives of its citizens has lost the moral justification of being there in the first place; this is enunciated in Section 33(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “We have, however, carefully studied and followed up the unfortunate train blast, especially since another train attack was reported to have occurred on the Lagos-Kano bound train, near Jaji, Kaduna State, on Thursday, March 31, 2022, which inevitably led to the death of the locomotive operator.

    ‘Nigeria heading to an unknown destination’

    “Therefore, this press release is premised on the fact that Nigeria is more or less heading to an unknown destination of multiple cum well-coordinated serial chaos attributable to lack of coordination and synergy from security personnel if the news making the round is to be believed.

    “Nevertheless, history is replete with several astonishing and brave art of governance exhibited over time by leaders. For instance, during the time of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), he battled and expelled Banu Qaynuqa from the city of Madinah, because a woman was molested in the market by one of them and the community-supported his actions.

    ‘’The Prophet (SAW) did not waste time but promptly attacked Banu Qaynuqa and expelled them. This served as deterrence to others with evil intentions. In Nigeria today, how many wives are raped daily in the presence of their husbands, mothers in the presence of their sons?

    ‘’How many daughters are raped in the presence of their fathers and sisters in the presence of their brothers?  This happens a lot. and it is well known. What action did the authorities take in averting and/or remedying such absurd and ungodly happenstance? Why must the country be brought to its

    “Human life is held sacrosanct in Islam, that is why Allah (SWT) declared in the Glorious Quran that if a single soul is killed without just cause, then it is as if the entire humanity is wiped off the face of the earth.

    “We claim to be people of faith and all these occurrences are allowed without any form of prompt intervention. Why? Well, it should be known that an attack on one soul is an attack on all, and this is how the human race should be preserved and protected, but if allowed to continue, we fear the consequence(s) of the innocent souls that were killed without any fault of theirs.

    “Terrorists are now becoming bolder and more belligerent by the day. They operate in any area of their choice(s) at any time they so wish. They even operate for up to eight hours non-stop (as it was reported to have happened in Niger State last Monday), without any fear of being confronted or apprehended. ‘’Most communities are now under the bandits’ absolute control with taxes being paid to bandits–some parts of Borno, Katsina, Zamfara, Niger, Sokoto states and some others yet to be disclosed to the public.

    ‘’In fact, terrorists do what they wish, knowing that there is no gun powder or authority that will defy them.  With all the reported resources allocated to relevant security agencies; intelligent gathering mechanism, military arsenal and tact, can’t the government provide any convincing justification on why the security situation in the country continues to deteriorate?

    “Why are attacks experienced all over the place and continuing unabated without any deterrence? Moreover, why must the security budget and expenditure remain so secretive, despite the reported release of funds?

    ‘’The mind-boggling train attack of Monday, March 28, 2022, the kidnap and sporadic shootings that ensued, thereafter, the attack of the train en-route Kaduna needs to be seriously investigated and punitive measures are taken.

    “Although, without doubt, the security men have exhibited capacity, resilience, determination and dexterity during the rescue operation of the same ill-fated train attack.

    ‘’It is also the firm belief of most Nigerians that the government is expected to know the enclaves and hideouts of these criminals, particularly that only government has absolute control and use of force, and by extension, it also has the machinery to generate genuine information.

    “Again, why can’t the government proactively take the battle to the criminals’ hideouts and wipe them off? Why should the government wait until people are attacked, lives and properties lost for them to strike and be issuing empty orders and usual condemnation? The whys are endless!

    Our pleas

    “It is high time the security outfits are directed to ransack the enclaves of all criminal elements and deal with them decisively. Informants should not be spared, as they are more dangerous than the killers. They should be made to face the right punishment befitting their crime.

    “The intelligence community should beef up their efforts in trying to dig to the root of this phenomena.  It is also worth noting that in recent times, scholars of social behaviour have discovered that most acts of terrorism and banditry are carried out under the influence of hard drugs.

    Strengthen anti-drug war’

    “As part of an effort to tackle insecurity in Nigeria, the war on drugs should be placed on the front burner as it is the elixir that spurs criminals to action. Suppliers, vendors and traffickers of hard drugs and intoxicants must be dealt with decisively.

    ‘’The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, and other security agencies should as a matter of national security, note and penetrate into villages, higher institutions’ campuses, motor parks and recreational or viewing centres, because they are now dwellings where hard drugs/substances are being peddled brazenly.

    “Likewise, parents, religious and community leaders have a role to play in the fight against illicit drugs/substances pervading most households within our neighbourhoods. This should be considered a fight for all and not only for the government.

    “Those vested with the responsibility of protecting lives should fear Allah, the Highest and do what is expected of them. Security issues must not be politicized. They should be proactive and firm on all matters relating to security.

    ‘’If the terrorists have the effrontery to attack at any time without fear, why should the government shy away from pursuing and destroying them?”

    “We nevertheless reiterate our several calls to government that there is strong nexus between the Boko Haram insurgency and the ongoing banditry in some parts of the country.

    ‘’We started this in our December 14, 2020, February 18, 2021, and earlier sometimes in 2018 as a result of the repeated perilous insecurity challenges bedevilling the Nigerian nation, hence, the need to urgently revamp the nation’s security architecture and effectively look inward for an appropriate way(s) to avert and/or mitigate the recurring misnomer in Nigeria.:

    “We call on all well-meaning Nigerians not to be deterred, but rather be more optimistic, as with every hardship comes a relief (Qur’anic verse). We should, therefore, continue to pray fervently for the restoration of peace, security, prosperity and development, especially in this blessed month of Ramadan.

    ‘’We pray Allah, the forgiver of sins and the healer of the ill will forgive the shortcomings of those who have lost their lives in the ill-fated train attack, give their families and associate the fortitude to bear the loss. May the injured recover comprehensively and the traumatized strong to continue with their respective lives. Amin.”

    “May He also guide the government and the security agencies, give them the wisdom to tackle all challenges head-on and may He also bring a total end to these repeated orgies of insecurity and every other ill bedevilling Nigeria. We pray for Allah’s continuous protection throughout our sojourn on earth and in the hereafter. Amin.”

    ‘Nigerians are sick of flimsy excuses, bogus promises to deal with terrorists‘

    Speaking in a similar vein, the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, CBCN, also yesterday urged the Federal Government to rise to its responsibility of arresting and prosecuting those terrorising innocent Nigerians, rather than playing the ostrich on matters of insecurity.

    The Bishops were also reacting to the Abuja-Kaduna train attacks by terrorists who killed some of the passengers and injured many others. In a solemn statement signed by the President and Archbishop-Elect of Owerri, Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, the CBCN called on the government to take urgent steps to unmask the marauding terrorists and their sponsors without further delay.

    The statement, titled: ‘’Nigeria: A Nation Groans in Pains’’, read:  “The news of the recent attacks on trains by terrorists has attracted public outcry, outrage and grief. ’Nigerians are still mourning over the brutal slaughtering of fellow citizens during those bloody attacks. We unequivocally condemn those brutal acts of barbarism and brazen assault on our sovereign dignity as a nation.

    “The train route from Abuja to Kaduna has been the safety net for thousands of travellers commuting between both cities. Now, the terrorists have proven that no one is safe on that route anymore.

    “Just last week, there were also reports that over 200 terrorists on motorbikes brazenly rode through the runway of the Kaduna International Airport in broad daylight, killing at least one person. All these occurred shortly after the incessant brutal attacks and killings by faceless terrorists in the communities of Southern Kaduna and many other parts of the Middle Belt.

    That all these atrocities against the people and the nation happen without a single arrest or prosecution seem to give credibility to the widespread belief that the government is complacent, helpless or compromising.

    “Considering the billions of Naira appropriated for security and the fight against terrorism in recent times, it is difficult to imagine that a large number of terrorists, who unleashed terror on unarmed and law-abiding citizens, can disappear in broad daylight without a trace.

    “It is, indeed, very hard to believe that our security apparatus lacks intelligence or the ability to fight and defeat terrorists in our nation. Nigerians are sick of flimsy excuses and bogus promises of the government to deal with terrorists.

    “As a mark of honour, the government should rise to its primary responsibility of protecting the life and property of its citizens.

    ‘’Our country has long teetered on the precipice of a failed state. Government should, therefore, stop trying to play the ostrich as the nation profusely bleeds and take urgent steps to unmask these marauding terrorists and their sponsors without further delay.

    “At this moment of nationwide sadness and sorrow, the Catholic Bishops of Nigeria stand together in solidarity with the bereaved, the wounded, and those still missing.

    ‘’We pray that God grants eternal rest to the departed, consolation to bereaved families, healing to the wounded and a safe return to those still missing.”

    The Catholic Bishops also expressed concerns over the lingering face-off between the government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, saying the industrial dispute left frustrating effects on young students, whose academic aspirations and ambitions had been disrupted by the strike. They also called on the government to take effective measures to address the hardship and suffering in the land.

    (Vanguard)

  • Insecurity: Reps furious with security agencies over inability to perform their duties effectively

    Members of the House of Representatives are furious with security agencies over their inability to halt the spate of attacks and killings of defenceless citizens in various parts of the country by terrorists.

    The lawmakers expressed the angst while contributing to a debate on a motion by Shehu Balarabe on continuous attacks and killings in Birnin Gwari Federal Constituency of Kaduna State, yesterday, saying security agencies have not justified budgetary allocations to the sector.

    They condemned the country’s security agencies for failing to justify the huge budgetary allocations to the sector to fight banditry and terrorism.

    Balarabe, in his lead debate, informed the House that “the entire communities in Giwa Local government area and the entire communities of Birnin Gwari local government area of Kaduna State have been ravaged with series of attacks by armed bandits who indulge in killings, kidnapping, raping, robbery and destruction of properties” without commensurate response from the security agencies.

    Another lawmaker, Ahmed Jaha described the prevailing insecurity as serving as a “cash out business” to some interests, recalling that in the last few years, billions of naira had been voted to various security agencies, especially the Army, without results.

    ‘”In 2021, we budgeted N460 billion for Nigerian army alone, only N29 billion was for capital expenditure, the remaining were for recurrent expenditure.

    In 2022, we budgeted N571 billion for Nigerian army alone, only N37 billion is for capital expenditure, the remaining were recurrent expenditure. Mr speaker, it is a cash out business, they don’t want it to finish,” he said.

    House Leader, Alhassan Ado-Doguwa, said it was time Nigerians are allowed to bear arms to protect themselves. He said security agencies had no excuses to offer for the worsening security situation given the funding provided for them.

    Nasiru Ahmed called for the resignation of the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, over worsening security situation in the country.

    “The Army, Navy, Police, DSS all of these agencies are accountable to the National Security Adviser. From what I heard, most of these criminals were 16, 18 years old boys. Are we saying that the Nigerian Army , police, DSS, Airforce with all the training that they have had, all the international training, they have gone for peacekeeping. Are they now saying these eighteen year old boys are more powerful than them? You travel by road you are kidnapped, you go by train you are kidnapped, you sit at home you’re kidnapped so where are we going to stay. You can be kidnapped right in this chamber.”

    Deputy Speaker, Idris Wase, who presided said: “In few days, we have lost over 150 people in one location. We should observe a minute silence. It is my utmost opinion that a lot needs to be done to improve security to ensure that it doesn’t happen again.”

    He said the House would have to adjourn plenary to Tuesday next week because of the mood of the country following recent killings by terrorists.

    (Sun)

  • Tambuwal describes bandits as ‘devil’s incarnates’

     

    Sokoto State Governor, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, had described notorious bandits terrorising the people of Kebbi and Sokoto states and the entire Northwest of Nigeria as devil’s incarnates who require united forces to be defeated.

    Tambuwal stated this during his condolence visit to Kebbi State Governor, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, over the killing of some vigilante members and military personnel by bandits at Kanya town in Dankowasagu Local Government Area of the state.

    Become a partner with USA companies, promote their offers and get paid in US Dollars weekly, Nigerians are earning about $465 weekly. Click here to see how you too can get paid .

    Tambuwal said: “We are here, in Birnin Kebbi, on behalf of the people and government of Sokoto State, to condole with ourselves because we see ourselves as part of Kebbi state. Sokoto and Kebbi are the same. But we are here to commensurate with the direct families affected by the bandits attack where many lives were lost.

    “And one of the incidents involved His Excellency, the Deputy Governor of Kebbi state. His efforts, that of the governor and other stakeholders in the state are encouraging towards the establishment of peace in the state.

    “We commensurate with you and pray that the souls of the departing heroes and those who have lost their lives will rest in peace. And I pray that Almighty Allah will give the relatives of those who lost their beloved ones the fortitude to bear the losses.”

    Tambuwal, who described the perpetrators of the attacks as agents of the devil, said all stakeholders, irrespective of their religious, tribal and political affiliations, must unite to defeat them.

    The governor donated N30 million to the victims of the bandits attack and prayed to Almighty Allah to grant them Alijanah Firdausi and fortitude for their families to bear the losses.

    In his reaction, Kebbi State Governor, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, commended Tambuwal for the visit and described the incident as a national and global challenge.

    He said: “An attack on one is an attack on all. Regrettably, this is not the first time this would happen, and you are very prompt in coming home to show solidarity, to encourage us.

    “I must commiserate with you as well, and pray to Allah to accept all the prayers for those who lost their lives. May Allah continue to bless you,” he said.

    Bagudu observed that security challenges were highly frustrating but required maximum cooperation, advising that people must avoid coining issues of security into politics, religion or ethnicity.

    “Issue of security is a pure criminality where civilised people need to unite and cooperate with one another and, by God’s grace, we shall defeat them.”

    The governor observed that security challenges still remained a global issue and stressed that all West African countries face one security challenge or the other, which required synergy to effectively tackle the menace.

    (Sun)

  • Niger State Governor urges Military to intensify efforts in Operations

     

    The Governor of Niger State and Chairman North Central States Governors’ Forum, Abubakar Sani Bello, has urged the Military to intensify efforts in their operations in the state as directed by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).

    Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mary Noel-Berje, said the plea followed the incessant and sporadic increase in attacks by the terrorists in Shiroro, Munya, Rafi and Paikoro Local Government Areas of the state recently.

    Noel-Berje said, “The Governor decried and lamented the constant attacks on many communities and consequential loss of lives and property, including military bases in Allawa and Galadiman Kogo.

    “He expressed displeasure over the heightened nefarious activities of the terrorists, noting that the criminality is carried out with reckless abandon in a manner that undermines the efforts of the security agencies drafted to the area.”

    Governor Bello was quoted as saying, “With these recent attacks, the terrorists are daring the capability and capacity of the military, hence we must demonstrate our military might through the approved coordinated Air and ground assault to flush out the miscreants from our forests, their hideout.”

    “If we must win this battle against the terrorists, which we will, we must increase and sustain military operations to comb the forests. This is expedient because our people are dying and the living are becoming more agitated and hopeless,” the Governor added.

    While appreciating the efforts of the Joint Security Taskforce stationed in the embattled communities, the Governor renewed his call to the people to assist the security agencies with credible intelligence that will enhance effective operations against the terrorists.

     

    (Punch)

  • Nigerian Security in a State of near Collapse- Edwin Clark

    Leader of Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Chief Edwin Clark, has disagreed with the claim by President Muhammedu Buhari that his administration has succeeded in improving the state of security and bringing peace in the North East and South-South from what he inherited.

    Clark who is also the Chairman, Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum, in an open letter to President Buhari said rather than improve, security under the present administration was in a state of near collapse.

    Clark also faulted the claim by President Buhari that he was the architect of the peace witnessed in the Niger Delta, saying the credit righly belongs to former President Godluck Jonthan.

    “Your Excellency (President Buhari) was specifically quoted to have said that your government has succeeded in improving upon peace in the North East and South-South, from what you inherited. Your Excellency, I beg to, somewhat, disagree with you on the general state of insecurity in the country, which is presently, in a state of near collapse. Of more concern to me is your claims with respect to the Niger Delta or the South-South zone.

    “No doubt, a good amount of peace has come to the Niger Delta in the past few years. However, your claim as having been the main architect that brought the peace, does not properly convey what transpired. If you will recall, before your government came on board, insecurity which had reduced substantially during the tenure of your predecessor, resumed in a very alarming rate. The period saw the emergence of a new group, the Niger Delta Avengers, which virtually held your government hostage, oil production went down to as low as about 800,000 barrels per day. Your government adopted a military approach to quell the agitations, by deploying the so-called ‘Operation Crocodile Smile’ in August, 2016, which did not in any way solve the problem.”

    He also accused the president of abandoning the Niger Delta in terms of infrastructure development even as he decried the use of stolen funds recovered from politicians from the region for projects in other parts of the country. He also warned against ending the amnesty programme for repentant militants.

    “Mr. President, may I make it very clear to you that the area is sitting on a keg of gunpowder, and any attempt to scrap the amnesty program may produce unpleasant consequences to all. Our people are very conscious of the developments that your government is carrying out in other areas of the country with monies derived from oil exploration in their area.

    “Meanwhile, federal roads in the Niger Delta region have mostly collapsed and applying these funds to rehabilitate these collapsed roads, would have gone a long way to solve some of our problems.

    “Please Mr. President, I respectfully wish to state that your claim of bringing peace to the South-South geo-political zone, is untenable, untrue and without foundation. The deliberate neglect of the South-South, can lead to the explosion of the keg of gunpowder upon which we are sitting in the Niger Delta,” he said.

     

    (Sun)

  • President Buhari urges for Protection of Highways

     

    President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, commissioned the 40.27 kilometres Nenwe-Oduma and Ishiagu-Mile 2 roads connecting Enugu and Ebonyi states.

     

    Buhari, who was represented by the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Ogbonnaya Onu, said the project was a demonstration of his administration’s commitment to improve road transport infrastructure in the country.

     

    Breaking News, Nigerians can now work in Nigeria and get paid in US Dollars Click here to apply today .

     

    “As you can all see, we are handing over today the 40.27 Kilometres Road which is Nnenwe-Oduma-Uburu Road Section I (26.27km) and Section II: Spur to Ishiagu – Mile 2 Road (14km).

     

    “This road links Enugu and Ebonyi states, and it is a critical component of our national road network. This road has been built to the highest quality of design and workmanship and if it is well used and not abused, it should last for the designed service life,” he said.

     

    He, however, cautioned against all forms of road abuse such as overloading of vehicles, spilling of petroleum products on the roads and converting the road shoulders to permanent parking places among others.

     

    “We must all do our best to avoid these practices, report them when they occur and act in a lawful manner to stop them.

     

    “The road is also a story of the capacity of our people. The patriotic Nigerians who were employed directly to build this road, the scores of suppliers employed indirectly who are responsible for providing the machines utilised in the construction.

     

    “This road is also a statement of economic efficiency and ease of doing business. Of course, this road is part of our many roads to prosperity because reduced journey times means reduced expense on travel, because time is money,” Buhari said.

     

    Earlier in an address, the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, said the progressive train of the Federal Government and President Buhari administration has arrived the South East.

     

    “It, therefore, gives me great pleasure to bring the good tidings of our administration, to the people and governments of Enugu and Ebonyi states, that will be impacted by the Nnenwe-Uduma road sections I and II that our president will hand over today.

     

    “After the handing over of the Sokoto-Tambuwal-Jega- Kontagora-Makera road and the Vandeikya-Obudu Cattle Ranch road within the last 10 days. I am happy to reiterate that this is the third of many more project completion and handovers our country will experience in the next few weeks and months as we enter what I call a season of completion and impact,” he said.

     

    According to Fashola, the projects, and many more in various parts of Nigeria, represent major investment in road transport infrastructure, which is a commitment of the Buhari administration as a driver for economic growth and prosperity.

     

    “They are visible and incontrovertible assets in proof of what Nigeria’s resources are invested in, from a combination of our earned resources and borrowings,” he said.

     

     

     

     

     

    Source: www.sunnewsonline.com

  • Tackle the menace of abandoned street children in the north in order to curb the country’s security problems. – Cardinal John Onaiyekan

     

    Emeritus Archbishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, has called on the Federal Government to tackle the menace of abandoned street children in order to end the country’s security problems.

     

    Onaiyekan made the call in Abuja yesterday while speaking at the premiere of ‘’The Oratory’’, a movie raising awareness on the plight of street children in the society.He expressed regret that the nation had been witnessing a seemingly intractable security woes as most children abandoned by their parents become easy targets for radicalisation and recruitment by terrorists.

     

    He said:  “We have a major issue right now in the North about the Almajiri system. These are young boys mainly who have been abandoned by their respective parents. We know that many of them end up as Boko Haram terrorists.

     

    “But this question of abandoned children is not new. It has been in the world almost from time immemorial, in this age and year 2021, there ought not to be any more children abandoned.

     

    “Right now, where are all the criminals coming from? Go to Kuje prison and find out the ages of the people who end up in jail, those who are now insurgents and bandits.

     

    ‘’Information reaching us indicated that many of the heads of those bandits are all young people, because of the way they have been trained.

     

    “So, the consequence of abandoning children on the streets shows immediately, and you don’t have to wait for 10 or 20 years to see the implications of not doing anything to tackle the menace of street children.

     

    “Today, we are already facing it, and if we say that security is very difficult, this is one of the reasons..  But, it is not too late, if we decide to work seriously about it.”

     

    The Emeritus Archbishop, however, blamed northern leaders for the worsening scenario in the region, saying they ought to be more concerned about the millions of young people in the region who are out-of-school.

     

    “10 years ago, these youths were children, but today they are teenagers and young men who have no skill of any sort, and they are ready to be recruited to do anything,” he added.

     

    While stressing the need for all hands to be on deck, Onaiyekan urged the government to collaborate with the church, and parents to check the menace.

     

    He said:  “The menace of street children concerns every part of our society, starting from the family. Even within the church, there are people who just feel that there are certain categories of people who don’t belong, and they look down on them.

     

     

    ‘’Even the priests themselves are not too sure how far we can go. Then, of course, there is the government who ought not to abandon the youth.

     

    “It’s not only the children of the rich people who deserve to be alive, the children of the poor also have a future. Some of the poor children of today can be important people tomorrow.

     

    ‘’I think the film has made the case very strongly and very clearly. These children are the future.”

     

    In his remarks, the Executive Producer of the movie, Dr. Cyril Odia, who is a Roman Catholic priest of the Salesian Order, noted that the number of out-of-school children in Nigeria was in millions

     

    He, therefore, explained that the movie was an attempt to call for action.

     

    “As Salesians, we believe in faith, in action. If we don’t multiply that effect and get more partners to come on board, we can foresee that there is going to be disaster. The more young people are increasing on the street, the more the threat of insecurity,” he stated.

     

    According to him, the movie has received a very positive and heartwarming response from two categories of viewers.

     

    Odia said:  “For some viewers, the positive ending of the story confirms the desire for good to always overcome evil, especially in the light of modern-day Christian persecution.

     

    ‘’For other viewers the movie gives hope about the Catholic mission to young and poor people who often have little or no hope in politicians. Many got a validation of the idea that religion has a lot of capacity to bring about social change.”

     

     

     

     

    Source: www.vanguardngr.com

     

  • Legalise rights to keep and bear firearms for defence – AVM Ararile

     

    The Ovie of Umiaghwa-Abraka Kingdom, Delta State,  HRH Air Vice Marshal Lucky  Ararile (retd),  has said the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government has failed  to secure lives and property in the country, urging the National Assembly to legislate into existence the rights of Nigerians to bear arms for self defence.

     

    The monarch, yesterday, in his keynote address at the 12th conference of the Urhobo Historical Society, UHS, at  the Urhobo Cultural Centre, Uvwiamuge, Agbarho, Delta State, also called on the Federal Government to begin the process of evicting foreign Fulanis largely at the root of crime, kidnapping in the country.

     

    He said:“The primary purpose of government is the preservation of lives and property. The current government has failed to provide these.

     

    “This government must start the process of disarming and expelling these criminals. ECOWAS protocol cannot be used as an excuse. After all, when our economic interests were threatened by smuggling along our borders, we closed them.

     

    “If the government is unwilling to expel them, Nigerians should be allowed to bear arms to defend themselves.

     

    “The Minister of Defence has implicitly confirmed the rights of Nigerians to defend themselves. I add my voice to that of General T. Y. Danjuma (retd) that Nigerians must organise to defend themselves and the National Assembly must legislate the rights of Nigerians to bear arms since foreigners do so unchallenged by the security agencies.”

     

    Calling for restructuring of Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, the apex Urhobo platform, to include security of Urhobo communities as a cardinal focus of the body, the monarch among others also called for creation of a robust security outfit across Urhobo lands to be known as Delta Central Security Network, DCSN, adding that it should be established in alliances with neighbouring ethnic nationalities that share common vision.

     

    Earlier in his address, President of UHS, Dr. Aruegodore Oyiborhoro, said the body was formed in 1998 to document the history, culture and lifestyle of the Urhobo people, adding that in the 20 years of the existence of the body, it had published five books.

     

    Member representing Ughelli/Udu federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Francis Waive, who was the guest of honour, said all sections of the country should continue to push for fiscal federalism, commending the keynote speaker for his address.

     

     

     

    Source: www.vanguardngr.com

     

     

  • Senate asks Buhari to wage war against bandits and declare them terrorists

     

    The Senate has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to declare bandits operating in different parts of the country terrorists and wage a war against them.

     

    It also asked the president to approve aerial bombardment of locations of terrorists to annihilate and eliminate them.

     

     

     

    It further urged the President to declare all the known leaders of bandits wanted and track them whenever they are for arrest and prosecution.

     

    The decision of the Senate followed the consideration and adoption of a motion tagged: “Banditry in Sokoto State, particularly Sokoto East senatorial district”, sponsored by Ibrahim Gobir. He hails from the State.

     

    In his contribution, Kabiru Gaya, said bandits were now attacking village at would without any resistance bybthe relevant authorities.

     

     

     

    “There are some many people being killed. We have invited security agents here several times and we have approved money. But nothing appears to be happening. Bandits are attacking village and killing people.”

     

    Lilian Uche Ekwunife, urged President Buhari to address Nigerians, warning that the issue was getting out of hand. She said people in Abuja and other parts of the country are being killed at will

     

    “Security has gone so bad and we have to to careful. Across the country, Security has be taken seriously. Armed robbers go to hotels in Abuja and kidnap people at will. In the South East and South West, it is the same thing. I think President Muhammadu Buhari must address the nation. Things are getting out of hands.”

     

    Mohammed Ali Ndume, while contribution, said: “The situation in North West and North Central is worrisome. What we are faced with is very different. What we are faced in the North is also about humanitarian crisis.”

     

    President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, in his remarks, said the National Assembly may increase security budget to N1 trillion in next year’s budget.

     

    “The issue of security is one we can never stop talking about. As a Government, we need to give our security agencies the needed money they need. Since we have approved about N800 Billion for security agencies, think we can increase it to N1 trillion,” he said.

     

    The motion was adopted after Lawan put it to a voice vote.

     

     

     

     

    Source: www.sunnewsonline.com

  • Ngige blames growing Insecurity on unemployment and under employment

     

    Labour and Employment Minister Chris Ngige has attributed Nigeria’s worsening insecurity to unemployment and underemployment.

     

    He urged the elites, particularly employers of labour, to address the twin problems so that peace and security could prevail across the land.

     

    Ngige spoke yesterday in Abuja while hosting the national officers of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), led by their National President Chinedu Okoronkwo, who was accompanied by the association’s consultant, Dr. Maurice Ibe of The Benham Group.

     

    The IPMAN leaders were in the minister’s office to seek his support for the association’s plan to enrol its over 2.5 million members into the Federal Government’s Micro Pension Plan (MPP). Officials of the National Pension Commission (PENCOM) were also present.

     

    Ngige said: “A lot of the insecurity problems that we have are caused by unemployment and underemployment.

     

    “In underemployment, people are not making money up to the minimum wage of N30,000 monthly or they are not working up to eight hours in a week, which is the International Labour Organisation (ILO) standard. For full employment, that person must be in a workplace and doing eight hours.

     

    Read Also: Strike: NARD gives FG 72 hours to pay withheld salaries, others

    “Insecurity is caused by people who feel cheated by the society. They carry arms, they carry daggers, among other things, to vent their anger against the elites.

     

    “So, the elites in Nigeria are endangered, including me, all of us. So, the sooner we start talking to the elites in employer organisations, like yours, the better, so that we can cure this malady and prevent it from escalating,” he said.

     

    Ngige lauded the initiative by IPMAN leadership and urged other sub-groups in the informal sector, particularly the proprietors of private schools, to emulate the association in formalising their labour relations and ensure that they comply with the minimum wage requirement.

     

    Okoronkwo said the visit was informed by IPMAN’s understanding that Ngige and his ministry were central to realising the association’s plan to enrol its over 2 million members into the MPP of the Federal Government.

     

    “In trying to see how we can add value to the welfare of our workers, we discovered the Micro Pension Plan (MPP) of the Federal Government. We deemed it necessary that IPMAN must key into this programme, having got the approval of the National Executive Council (INEC) of our association,” he said.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Source: www.thenationonlineng.net

  • Again, Dan Orbih calls on South-South Govs to establish regional security outfit

    Again, Dan Orbih calls on South-South Govs to establish regional security outfit

    The wanton killings and general insecurity pervading the country, especially the northern half of Nigeria, have once again forced Chief Dan Orbih, National Vice-Chairman (South-South) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to demand the immediate establishment of a regional security outfit for the region.

    Orbih spoke Tuesday in Abuja, the federal capital territory, while addressing journalists on what he said were concerns of the people of South-South region over rising insecurity and failure of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), led by President Muhammadu Buhari, to ameliorate the situation.

    Speaking against the backdrop of calls by the Governor of Katsina State, Bello Masari, for residents to arm and defend themselves, and the heightened insecurity in Plateau State that has led to the evacuation of non-indigenes, Orbih reiterated his appeal for governors of the South-South States to urgently take steps to create a regional security outfit in the mould of Amotekun and Ebubeagu.

    The PDP chieftain said, “APC has failed woefully to checkmate terrorists and bandits. In the North-West and North-East, they have become so bold as to march on Nigeria’s premier military training institution (NDA), just as Governor Masari has asked Katsina residents to pick up arms and defend themselves against terrorists and criminal gangs.

    “Only recently, we received the sad news of the murder of the son of Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah, Captain Abdulkarim, in very unclear circumstance. The situation is not any better in the North-Central State of Plateau where inter-ethnic killings have forced non-indigenes, especially students of University of Jos, to be evacuated by various State governments.

    “Governors of the South-South region must act now to protect our people before these elements and bandits take hold of our lands. We cannot afford to procrastinate any longer. The signs are ominous. A regional security body needs to come into force quickly.”

    Orbih warned that the country risks total implosion if the ruling party continues to pamper the twin issues of insecurity and economic recession without a strategic plan on how to contain them.

    “APC is like a bull in a China shop. Our country runs the risk of total implosion. The ruling party, APC must be guided out of power before it is too late,” Orbih said.

  • Insecurity: Unknown Gunmen invade NDA, kidnap a Major, kill two officers

    Insecurity: Unknown Gunmen invade NDA, kidnap a Major, kill two officers

     

    The attack on the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in Kaduna by bandits in the early hours of yesterday, which led to the death of two officers and abduction of a Major, has sparked outrage and tension across the country.

     

    The bandits reportedly entered the NDA premises disguised in military uniforms and passed through the security gate into the academy officers quarters and started shooting sporadically.

     

     

     

    The Academy spokesman, Major Bashir Muhammad Jajira, in a statement said: “The security architecture of the Nigerian Defence Academy was compromised early this morning by unknown gunmen who gained access into the residential area within the Academy in Afaka. During the unfortunate incident, we lost two personnel and one was abducted.”

     

    The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Iraboh, who has been on tour of the North East was said to have made a stopover at the NDA, yesterday. Iraboh, who arrived the academy at about past 5pm was taken round the academy by its commandant, Major General Yusuf and other officials to have a first hand information on what really happened.

     

    Security has been beefed up in and around the academy just as the Academy in collaboration with the 1Division Nigerian Army, Air Training Command and other security agencies have begun pursuit of the gunmen with a view to tracking them and rescuing the abducted personnel.

     

     

    Meanwhile, unconfirmed report said the abductors have contacted the NDA demanding N200 million ransom.

     

    Piqued by the development, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said the citizens has lost hope in the ability of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration to combat terrorism.

     

    In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, it said security situation has deteriorated so much that suspected bandits now attack military formations.

     

    “Bandits and terrorists are now freely ravaging our communities in Kano, Kaduna, Kogi, Benue, Zamfara, Adamwa, Taraba, Borno, Yobe, Imo and other states of the federation, including Mr. President’s home state, Katsina, where the governor, Aminu Bello Masari, has now asked victims of terror attacks to defend themselves.

     

    “It is distressing that having lost hope in the capacity and commitment of the President Buhari-led APC administration to protect their citizens, state governments are now sending vehicles to the University of Jos, Plateau state, to evacuate their citizens,” PDP said.

     

    This is as the Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) through its Senior Elders’ Forum, raised the alarm that bandits may overrun Aso Rock, Nigeria’s seat of power in Abuja, if proactive steps are not taken to safeguard the Presidential Villa and the entire country, while the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) expressed regret that the nation’s security system was operating on reverse gear. The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, pan-Yoruba group, Afenifere and the Middle Belt Forum (MBF) described the attack as a national calamity as it showed that bandits were becoming superior to the military.

     

    Former national president of YCE, Dansaaki Samuel Agbede, who spoke with journalists in Ibadan, Oyo State, said the invasion was unprecedented in the history of the Nigerian military.

     

    Agbede, retired colonel of the Nigerian Army, stated that the attack signified that “chicken is coming home to roost. All our calls and cries for proactive actions against insecurity have been confirmed by this worrisome invasion. It is very worrisome that bandits could have the audacity to attack military academy and kill officers. This has never happened in the history of the military that bandits could have the effrontery to attack military academy.

     

    “This is too disgraceful and it is just confirming what we have been saying about the fifth columnist. We have seen why we should not allow those Boko Haram insurgents into the military. It is like putting fire on our thatched roof.

     

    “It is time to look up and gather elders together to do something about this issue. It is dangerous to leave governance of 200 million people in the hands of one man. To say that we have a Major-General as our Commander-in-Chief and this is happening is worrisome.

     

    “Just like we have been crying, these bandits are everywhere. We should stop dancing around for politics. It is disgusting. We really have problems and we should not wait until they overrun Aso Rock. We still appeal to the Federal Government to gather people together to address this issue.”

     

    Reacting, spokesman of ACF, Emmanuel Yawe, said in a statement that the incident was an embarrassment to first generation of northerners who fought hard to bring development to the north.

     

    “We of the ACF have said it again and again that there is everything seriously wrong with management of our security. The other day, a Nigerian Airforce fighter aircraft was shot down by the so-called bandits. Today, the factory where all Nigerian military officers are produced has been invaded and desecrated. What else do we need to show that our national security system is running on reverse gear?

     

    “The latest security breach is another embarrassment to the ACF. The NDA is a proud monument of the efforts of the first generation of northerners who fought hard to bring development to the north; the likes of Muhammadu Ribadu, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa and Sir Ahmadu Bello who brought the institution to Kaduna. They did not bring it here for our generation to hand it over to bandits or whatever we call them.

     

    “This is an institution that is not only a pride of the north but a pride of Nigeria. Many African countries train their military officers here. It is really sad that ordinary street bandits will invade a military institution of such high national and international repute, outwit the security system and men there, kill officers and take one away to an unknown destination.

     

    “We of the ACF are particularly sad because Kaduna is our home not only because our headquarters is located here, but for a long time, even after the split of our Northern region, Kaduna remained home to all northerners. The NDA is a proud reminder of the achievements of our fathers. Is that how our present generation of northerners will seat and watch as these legacies are destroyed?

     

    Speaking through its national publicity secretary, Alex Ogbonna, Ohanaeze Ndigbo described the country’s security as scaring to any average Nigeria and called on the government to sit up because the development is threat to the corporate existence of the country.

     

    “It is a national calamity for this kind of attack to happen to the nation’s defence academy because the armed forces are the symbol of national unity and last line of the country’s defence,” he said.

     

    For MBF, the fact that the Air Force has not been allowed to bomb the bandits and mop up their bases means there is complicity on the part of the government.

     

    “Government has to come clean because it is getting worrisome. If the government will allow the bandits to get this far, it means that something is wrong somewhere. To attack a defence academy where military offices are being trained is going too far. Government has to rise up and bomb the bandits out of existence,” national publicity secretary, Alex Ogbonna, submitted.

     

    The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, said the development is shocking and disturbing.

     

    Afenifere National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, said the NDA is the heart of Nigeria’s military and should elicit fear in the hearts of criminals.

     

    Ajayi, who spoke on behalf of the group’s leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, said for the attack to happen few days after President Muhammadu Buhari had a meeting with his security chiefs was an indictment on the security architecture.

     

     

     

     

     

    Source: www.sunnewsonline.com