Home Blog Page 2326

Bloodbath in Iswap Camp Over Disapproval of the Appointment of Amir Aliyu Chakkar as Governor of Lake Chad Region

By
admin
-
0

By David Otto

A deadly mutiny broke out at ISWAP terrorists’ self-proclaimed Headquarters, located at Koyowa, a remote camp in the fringes of the Lake Chad Basin, West and Central Africa region, with routes stretching towards the Sahel via the Niger Republic. Impeccable sources confirmed that the ISWAP jihadist clash occurred on Sunday, December 13th 2020, less than 24 hours after reports emerged of the appointment of a new ISWAP terrorists’ Governor of the Lake Chad region, Amir Aliyu Chakkar.

According to reports, more than 50 jihadists have died and several others seriously injured; from both loyalists and opposing units of the new Governor in a bloody shoot-out that lasted over half an hour. The chaotic but deadly gunfight began in the presence of ISWAP supreme leader, Amir Ba-Lawan. However, reports indicated he had to be whisked out of the fighting location by his bodyguards.

The newly appointed Governor of the Lake Chad Basin region, Amir Aliyu Chakkar, also narrowly escaped assassination. However, he was saved by his loyalist commanders, including Mohammed Maluma, Ali Hussaini and Ali Musak, all high-ranking ISWAP field Commanders staunchly loyal to him.

The Immediate Trigger

Sources say the bloodbath was triggered by bitter disapproval of the process and selection criteria employed in the appointment of Amir Aliyu Chakkar by the Shura. Some ISWAP commanders were not happy with the little-known Amir Aliyu Chakkar to lead what has been described as the most powerful command and control position. They envisage that by implications, he would control ISWAP operations in the entire fringes and countries of the Lake Chad Basin States; Cameroon, Nigeria, Niger, and the Chad Republic also expand into the Sahel region via the Niger Republic. The opposing unit commanders fiercely argued that the appointment of Amir Aliyu Chakkar by the Shura Council was not based on merit, with some commanders pointing fingers on tribal affiliations, friendship and outright collusion pattern within the ISWAP leadership style. The bitter rejection of Aliyu Chakkar as the new Governor by commanders of opposing units turned into a bitter brawl and an ensuing gunfight.

Background to the Crisis

It will be recalled that the ISWAP Shura council had recently appointed Aliyu Chakkar as its new Governor of the Lake Chad region. The newly appointed “Governor” in his determined effort to consolidate his position, he went to Koyowa. He was spotted en route to see their supreme leader, Amir Ba-Lawan, the ISWAP leader at Koyowa, along with three of his trusted lieutenants; Mohammed Maluma, Ali Hussaini Ali Musak, all high-ranking ISWAP field Commanders. Very reliable sources stated that while at Koyowa, the ISWAP Headquarters, Ba-Lawan handed over the Lake Chad region’s mantle of leadership to the new “Governor.” On receiving his official appointment, Chakkar has sworn to consolidate on the command and control successes recorded by late Goni Maina. He promised to sustain previous plans of launching indiscriminate attacks in the coming months; presumably December 2020 and January/February of 2021 on unconfirmed military and civilian targets.

Chakkar and his group of loyalists fighters returned to Sabon Tumbu and Jubularam for a familiarisation tour. He is reported to have proceeded to his newly established command and control base at a location named as Doron Buhari. It is situated around the north of Kirta and east of Bakkassi town, where he was received by some other key ISWAP leaders including Malam Abubakar Dan Buduma, Amir Bin Umar, and Commander Hakilu.

The announcement of his leadership tour at Doron Buhari’ command and control’ hideout camp, led to bitter disapproval and petition by some key ISWAP commanders forcing ISWAP leader – Ba Lawan to summon Aliyu Chakkar back to Koyowa for clarification. While there, fighting broke out as opposing ISWAP commanders refused to pay respect to the new warlord.

Some commanders loyal to Ba-Lawan, the newly appointed “Governor” and Abu Musab Al-Barnawi, one of the surviving sons of Boko Haram terrorists group’s founder Muhammed Yusuf, blamed the incident on commanders who still retain connections and loyalty to the disabled veteran JAS leader, Abubakar Shekau, the ‘mother group’ of ISWAP.

It will be recalled that Amir Aliyu Chakkar replaced Amir Goni Maina after the ISWAP then “Governor” was eliminated in a Nigerian Army and Nigerian Air Force coordinated military bombardment. Goni Maina was killed alongside more than 100 jihadists in an intelligence led parallel operation while in the process of conducting a strategic leadership and operational meetings at Sabon Tumbu, Ingilwa, Tundun Wulgo, Jubularam and Abbaganaram fringes of the Lake Chad on December 1st, 2020.

Immediate Impact

Fierce leadership disagreements leading to bloody infighting amongst ISWAP jihadist-leads to confusion, distrust, temporary suspension of coordinated planning, and a limited engagement in violent activities. Depending on the severity of the rupture and the influence of the shura council on unit commanders involved, splinter units could emerge with enthusiasm and or desperation to launch soft and hard target attacks useful for structural setup. This could lead to kidnapping for ransom, setting up of illegal road blogs, cattle rustling and other locally viable organised crime activities in their areas of operation and control.

Advisory notes

The appointment and leadership of Amir Aliyu Chakkar by the Shura council and the ensuing bloody infighting will undoubtedly trigger a wave of planned and directed attacks against soft civilian and hard military targets. This is to consolidate his controversial appointment amongst the leadership at least. Deliberate attacks could target military positions, routes and vulnerable towns around the Timbuktu triangle and the Lake Chad basin states. New alliances are likely to be forged with external jihadists units in the Sahel via links with Niger Republic units. From a counter-insurgency perspective, there is no better time for the Nigerian security services and regional lake chad basin states to pounce on ISWAP leadership headquarters than now. The group was experiencing low morale, confusion and operational disarray and were busy burying their dead and licking big self-inflicted wounds.

If you see something- say something immediately. This is the people’s war – the security services can only win if the people are willing and protected to play an active role in timely information sharing.

#EndSARS: Falana’s group sets up independent panel, asks Nigerians to submit petitions

By
admin
-
0

Nigerians have been asked to submit complaints of human right violations encountered, witnessed or heard during the #EndSARs protest, which rocked the country in October.

The Alliance for Survival of COVID-19 and Beyond in a statement at the weekend asked victims of human rights abuses to approach the independent panel set up by the coalition in the wake of the nationwide protests.

ASCAB, led by Nigeria’s foremost civil rights defender, Femi Falana (SAN), is the country’s leading coalition of some 80 civil society groups, including but not limited to the country’s leading labour movements.

The statement, titled: “Call for complaints of Human Rights Violations by Police, Military and Other Law Enforcement Agencies in Nigeria,” asked Nigerians to come forward to submit reports of human right violations linked to #EndSARs. The call was not restricted to victims who already submitted to panels set up by the government since outcomes and investigations might defer in form or content.

ASCAB said the Citizen Tribunal will enrich the investigations into the age-long abuses suffered by Nigerians in the hands of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad. ASCAB’s panel is backed by eminent resource persons drawn from labour, civil society and a retinue of experts from the international community. “The Panel is to receive complaints from the general public of violations, before, during and after the #EndSARS protests across Nigeria. To this end, the panel hereby calls on the general public, especially families of those who lost their lives or who suffer one form of human rights violation or another” ASCAB stated in a statement signed by the panel’s Chairman, Chino Obiagwu (SAN).

The complaints are expected to contain the names of the victim(s), date, time and place of violations, type of violation suffered, name of the perpetrator (if known), name of agency of the perpetrator and any action already taken in the matter. Falana said the ASCAB Citizen Panel is open to all Nigerians, including the media. He said the panel will employ best global practices to unravel the misery encountered by many victims of the disbanded anti-crime outfit.

He said ASCAB would employ litigation where necessary to enforce justice, which may include compensation for victims. ASCAB also wants victims to submit contact details of the petitioner, including name, residential and office address, functional numbers, including WhatsApp number, if available, and email address.

The group said: “All interested victims regardless of whether they have approached the official commissions of inquiry set up by the State Governments or not can submit memos to the Citizens Tribunal.

“To this end, all victims that have submitted a petition to the official commissions of inquiry should indicate if they have, and specify which of the commissions they submitted their petitions to.

“This will enable us follow up and track petitions at the official commissions.” It said: complaints can be submitted in writing or by SMS, WhatsApp message, email or telephone call through the following means: [email protected], [email protected], 09153684686 (WhatsApp), 09025243545, 08098944313 and 09134868681.

Obiagwu said the panel will hold public sittings at various locations across Nigeria to hear oral testimonies of complainants and demand accountability from the concerned law enforcement agency. He added: “Where it is not possible to have physical meetings with any victim and his or her family, the panel will arrange virtual meeting.”

Electoral College certifies Joe Biden as president-elect with 306 votes

By
Toby
-
0

The Electoral College decisively confirmed Joe Biden as the next US president on Monday, ratifying his November victory in an authoritative state-by-state repudiation of President Donald Trump’s refusal to concede he had lost.

The presidential electors gave Mr Biden a solid majority of 306 electoral votes to Mr Trump’s 232, the same margin that Mr Trump bragged was a landslide when he won the White House four years ago.

Heightened security was in place in some states as electors met to cast paper ballots, with masks, social distancing and other pandemic precautions the order of the day.

The results will be sent to Washington and tallied in a January 6 joint session of Congress over which vice president Mike Pence will preside.

For all of Mr Trump’s unsupported claims of fraud, there was little suspense and no change as every one of the electoral votes allocated to Mr Biden and the president in last month’s popular vote went officially to each man.

On Election Day, the Democrat topped the incumbent Republican by more than 7 million in the popular vote nationwide.

California’s 55 electoral votes put Mr Biden over the top. Vermont, with three votes, was the first state to report. Hawaii, with four votes, was the last.

“Once again in America, the rule of law, our Constitution, and the will of the people have prevailed. Our democracy — pushed, tested, threatened — proved to be resilient, true, and strong,” Mr Biden said in an evening speech in which he stressed the size of his win and the record 81 million people who voted for him.

He renewed his campaign promise to be a president for all Americans, whether they voted for him or not, and said the country has hard work ahead on the virus and economy.

But there was no concession from the White House, where Mr Trump has continued to make unsupported allegations of fraud.

Mr Trump remained in the Oval Office long after the sun set in Washington, calling allies and fellow Republicans while keeping track of the running Electoral College tally, according to White House and campaign aides.

The president frequently ducked into the private dining room off the Oval Office to watch on TV, complaining that the cable networks were treating it like a mini-Election Night while not giving his challenges any airtime.

The president had grown increasingly disappointed with the size of “Stop the Steal” rallies across the nation as well as efforts for the GOP to field its own slates of electors in states.

A presidential wish for a fierce administration defence led to TV appearances early on Monday by Stephen Miller, one of his most ferocious advocates, to try to downplay the importance of the Electoral College vote and suggest that Mr Trump’s legal challenges would continue all the way to Inauguration Day on January 20.

Late in the day, he took to Twitter to announce that attorney general William Barr was leaving the administration before Christmas.

Mr Barr’s departure comes amid lingering tension over Mr Trump’s unsupported fraud claims, especially after Mr Barr’s statement this month to The Associated Press that the election results were unaffected by any fraud.

APC has capacity to put Nigeria right –Tinubu

By
Toby
-
0

The National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu, said the party cannot afford to be disunited because it has a destiny to put Nigeria right.

Tinubu, who led some party men to Maiduguri to pay condolence on the government and people of Borno State on recent killing of rice farmers by Boko Haram at Zabarmari rice field, said “any remaining rats and cockroaches should be sprayed out of the party.”

He added that the party must live to its symbol, the broom which signifies the importance of unity and work to take out any form of disunity.

The APC leader said the covenant of APC with the Nigeria people is to work together in unity to bring about development and progress and that they must work for at all times.

He insisted that there is unity in the party, noting that anything that would however work contrary to the progress of the party and Nigeria should be weeded out.

On the purpose of their visit to Borno State, Tinubu said it should be seen not “as a condolence visit only, not only as a sympathy visit but as a solidarity and commitment that we must defeat all evil doers.

“To show solidarity to the governor of Borno State, who is a man of courage, brilliance, talent and great character.”

He said that conceited effort should be put in place to get urchins off the street by investing in their future.

He noted that street urchins are easy recruits to violence monger and those who do not mean well for the nation.

Tinubu also called for the involvement of technology to curb the spate of violence across the country.

Responding, Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum commended the former Lagos Governor for the visit.

This Day

Nasarawa gov. off to U.S. for medical check

By
Toby
-
0
Gov Sule, Nasarawa youths and thenigerian

Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has travelled to the United States for medical check-up, leaving administration of the state in the hands of his deputy, Emmanuel Akabe.

He notified the House of Assembly that he would be away from December 13 to 29, 2020.

Speaker of the House, Ibrahim Abdullahi, made this known while reading the governor’s letter to members.

“In my absence, the deputy governor would oversee the affairs of the state pending my return,” the letter read in part.

Sule is handing over to his deputy for the first time since he took over the mantle last year.

17 missing Katsina students found

By
Toby
-
0

Seventeen out of the students missing from Government Secondary School Kankara, Katsina State have been reunited with their families, the State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari has said.

Governor Masari made this known on Monday in an interview with Deutsche Welle (DW) Radio, saying that majority of the students were in the Forest in Zamfara.

He stated that efforts were in place to rescue the students safely and that he was told that the abductors spoke with a teacher whose son was also kidnapped.

According to the teacher, the bandits said they would collect ransom but are yet to specify before ending the call.

The Governor said, “As at today (Monday), information available to me shows that 17 of the missing children have been found. 15 of them were found around Dinya in Danmusa, I was informed by the DPO. One other was found through them and the last, the father called that his son has returned home.

“All these missing children who have been found have been reunited with their families since we have shut down the schools.

““I was told that they spoke with a teacher whose son was also kidnapped that the bandits said the helicopter should stop roving and that they will collect ransom but they didn’t specify. And so they ended the call.

“Majority of the missing children are in Forest in Zamfara. By God willing, the children will be returned safely.

“Efforts ongoing to secure their release within two to three days. We solicit for prayers and urge the parents to remain calm and patience as we are doing everything possible to rescue the children”.

Odumeje: Abia youths protest against suspension of gov’s chief of staff

By
Toby
-
0

Some youths on Monday took to the streets of Umuahia, Abia State capital, urging Governor Okezie Ikpeazu to recall his suspended chief of staff Anthony Agbazuere.

Mr Ikpeazu had on December 6 ordered Agbazuere’s suspension following a viral video that captured him spraying naira notes on a controversial cleric Prophet Odumeje inside the Government House.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Donatus Obiukwu said although the chief of staff abused his office, Ikpeazu should have mercy on him.

“We know the chief of staff guffed by his actions. But we beg you, Governor Ikpeazu, our loving father, please forgive Agbazuere for his offence,” Mr Obiukwu said.

“We are begging you to recall him back because we can guaranty you that such a thing will never happen again, please, our governor, recall the suspension and give him back his job.”

Secretary to the State Government Chris Ezem assured the protesters he would pass their message to the governor.

QED

IGP orders immediate deployment of SWAT officers

By
Toby
-
0

The Inspector-General of Police, (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, on Monday, ordered the immediate deployment of recently trained officers of the special Weapon and Tactical Team, (SWAT) for routine patrols across the country.

The IGP’s directive was addressed to the 17 Assistant Inspector Generals of Police in the Force and Commissioners of Police in Nigeria

A statement with reference number CH:5350/IGP.SEC/ABJ/VOL.20/340 was tagged “Deployment of Newly Formed Special Weapon and Tactical Team operatives, ”

The statement says: “The Inspector General of Police directs that all recently selected and trained Special Weapon and Tactical Team (SWAT) operatives are to be deployed for routine duties across areas of responsibility immediately.

The IGP had announced the formation of SWAT following the disbandment of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, (F-SARS).

F-SARS was disbanded following #EndSars protest by Nigerian youths across the country against their brutality and extortion in October.

ICC, AI, others plot to prolong war against insurgency and terrorism in Nigeria — CNM

By
Toby
-
0

 

The International Criminal Court, Amnesty International and their cohorts plan to prolong the war against insurgency and terrorism in Nigeria, the Coalition for Nigeria Movement (CNM) has said.

The coalition’s position trails the criminal court’s allegation of crimes against humanity and war crimes levelled on the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

According to the CNM, the ICC’s claims discrediting the noble gains recorded by the troops is not only mischievous but an agenda well-intentioned to cause international embarrassment to the Nigerian government.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday in Abuja, National Coordinator, Patriot Sabo Odeh, revealed that AI has conscripted the ICC to undermine the efforts of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, hence fuelling the insurgency.

Like customarily, Patriot Sabo regretted that such move comes when substantial gains are being recorded by the troops in the war against insurgency and terrorism.

The Coalition for Nigeria Movement,  therefore, charged the troops to avoid distractions from ICC, AI and others, remaining focused on the task of clearing the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists.

The coalition, however, advised ICC to endeavour to redeem its credibility by apologising to Nigerians and admitting that it erred substantially on its statement.

Read the full statement below:

The leadership of the Coalition for Nigeria Movement welcomes you all to this press conference convoked to shed light on some issues of strategic importance in the efforts of Nigeria in the war against insurgency and terrorism.

This press conference is scheduled on the overarching objective on informing Nigerians of the plot by the International Criminal Court (ICC) and its cohorts to prolong the war against insurgency and terrorism in Nigeria.

The Coalition for Nigeria Movement having dissected the issues raised and canvassed by the ICC wishes to state that the position of the ICC is laced with mischief and an agenda well-intentioned to cause international embarrassment to the government of Nigeria, by discrediting the noble gains recorded by the Armed Forces in Nigeria in the war against insurgency and terrorism in the country.

The Coalition for Nigeria Movement wishes to state in unequivocal terms that there is a high tendency Amnesty International has conscripted the ICC to discredit the efforts of the Armed Forces of Nigeria in the prosecution of the war against insurgency and terrorism in the country.

This is on the heels that whenever the Armed Forces are recording substantial gains in the war against insurgency and terrorism, the promoters and sympathizers of terrorist and insurgents groups in Nigeria would do all within their means to distract the Armed Forces by making unsubstantiated allegations in the public space.

It must also be stated that Amnesty International is one of such organizations that has been notoriously involved in this enterprise. We are therefore constrained to believe that since the activities of Amnesty International has been exposed; the use of proxies to continue their nefarious activities is responsible for the recent enterprise of the ICC on behalf of Amnesty International.

The Coalition for Nigeria Movement is convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that the position of the ICC with regards to the operations of the Armed Forces of Nigeria is indeed the voice of Jacob and the hands of Esau.

This much Nigerians must come to terms within the sense that the conspiracy to prolong the war against terrorism and insurgency has reached an alarming stage with the conscription of the ICC at a time when substantial gains are being recorded in the war against insurgency and terrorism.

It is our considered opinion that Nigerians must understand that there is a need for collective action in defeating insurgency and terrorism in Nigeria. The Armed Forces, aside from engaging the insurgents and terrorist in the trenches, are also dealing with a well-orchestrated slander campaign enforced by Amnesty International and most recently the International Criminal Court.

The Coalition for Nigeria Movement is using this medium to sound a note of warning to those vested interests that are keen on prolonging the war against insurgency and terrorism in Nigeria to desist from their nefarious ways as the Armed Forces of Nigeria have the full support of Nigerians.

Nigerians also recognize the patriotic efforts of the Armed Forces in addressing the threats posed by terrorist and insurgent groups in Nigeria and as such the position of the ICC is egregious and must be resisted by the relevant authorities in Nigeria.

The Coalition for Nigeria Movement is therefore encouraging the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to remain focused in the task of clearing the remnants of the Boko Haram terrorist group in the country.

We are also charging the troops to refuse to be discouraged by the slander campaign launched by some unscrupulous elements hell-bent on causing a distraction so the already degraded insurgents’ elements can regroup to prolong the war against insurgency and terrorism in Nigeria.

Consequently, the ICC must recant and redeem its credibility by apologizing to Nigerians that it erred substantially on its statement on the operations of the Armed Forces of Nigeria in the prosecution of the war against insurgency and terrorism.

The ICC must not look further in identifying the promoters of terrorism such as Amnesty International and begin its prosecution for crimes against humanity. This is indeed what is expected from the ICC instead of forming an unholy alliance with notorious groups to prolong the war against insurgency and terrorism in Nigeria systematically.

The Coalition for Nigeria Movement charges Nigerians to stay vigilant as there would be more scathing attacks on the efforts of the government and the Armed Forces in the war against insurgency and terrorism in Nigeria.

We thank you for your attention and time. Nigeria shall defeat insurgency and terrorism to the chagrin of those vested interests that do not wish the country well.

God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

God bless the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Blacklist: Review hasty terrorism-clad conclusion on Nigeria, Northern Christain leaders tell U.S

By
Toby
-
0

 

 

 

 

 

Some Christian leaders have expressed disappointment with the United States over the inclusion of Nigeria among countries violating religious freedom in the world.

The group, under the auspices of Northern Christian Leaders of Nigeria (NCLN), urged the Donald Trump-led administration to review and reaccess its earlier position which it believes inferred support for terrorist sympathisers in the country.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday in Abuja, through President, Rev. Job Idoko, the NCLF said Nigeria’s inclusion is unacceptable and illogical owing to the politics of bitter opposition “who have deployed every means to run down the current administration”.

According to the group, the same aggrieved politicians are in support of the blacklist, playing the religious card openly while surreptitiously supporting the masked evil against Nigeria for partisan reasons.

While admitting to sponsored armed gangs and criminals in the country, the Christian leaders said it bears no religious undertone as being portrayed by the U.S.

The group, therefore, demanded an immediate review and removal of Nigeria’s name from the repulsive blacklist, adding that the country is among the safest to practice any religion.

The NCLF, however, urged all Nigerians to join the Federal Government to “reject resoundingly, the generalized foreign tagging of their country by anyone as a terrorist’s nation”.

Read the full statement below:

“USA’s blacklist of Nigeria among countries violating religious freedom is extremely faulty; inferred support for terrorist sympathizers in Nigeria.”

Being full text of a Press Conference addressed by the Northern Christian Leaders of Nigeria (NCLF) President, Rev. Job Idoko, which frowns at United States of America’s glaringly deceptive lure into the politics of Nigeria’s internal terrorist’s sponsors, sympathizers and agents of terror acts and call for its immediate reversal, held on December 14, 2020, in Abuja.

Read the full statement below:

We wish to welcome you to this brief Press Conference. We also thank you for the prompt response and may Almighty God bless all of you and Nigerians abundantly.

We have summoned this urgent interaction with you to speak to Nigerians on a very serious matter of national and international dimension. And our greatest worry is the conscious revival of our permanently sentimental and destructive fault-lines of ethnicity and religion.

Most of you must have heard about the USA’s inclusion of the name of Nigeria among countries, the White House approved as blacklisted for what it calls “systematic” violation or stifling of religious freedom. With American’s latest list, Nigeria has now been paired alongside countries like Eritrea, Myanmar, North Korea, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Pakistan, Iraq, Afghanistan and others.

As Christian leaders, we find the latest categorization of Nigeria among these countries very unacceptable and illogical.  The debate of whether or not Nigeria should be included in the defaming and demeaning black/watchlist of Nigeria by America on targeted countries famed for violating religious freedom is not new to us.  We want to believe the USA is hoodwinked into taking the hasty decision on Nigeria at the moment.

NCLF’s is aware of the US Law which has permitted this blacklist, and its threats sanctions on countries in the blacklist, if they fail to improve. But if the USA has ever blundered, anytime in its history, it is on this score. We are surprised that with all its claims to sophistry, it cannot denote the internal politics of bitter opposition members who deploy every weapon at their disposal to run down an incumbent Government in Nigeria.

These soulless politicians can unconscionably seek the backing of even a blind man or cripple to push the devious agenda.  It is what is happening to Nigeria now. And it is expected that America with its global aura of significance and desire to see a better world on the principles of freedom, liberty, fairness and justice would condescend to listen to gutter gossips on Nigeria and adopt or stamp an official decision based on it.

Let us crave the indulgence of the world to elucidate President Donald Trump and indeed, the American Government of the recurring games politicians play in Nigeria. These are antics they have been unknowingly goaded to believe its Government stifling of religious freedom or persecution of Christians in Nigeria.

Of course, Nigeria is under heavy and near unbearable conspiratorial pressures by armed gangs and criminals. These armed criminals whether as Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists, herdsmen, armed bandits, insurrectionists, armed robbers/kidnappers and the likes have a common agenda- it is to destabilize Nigeria, cause the general breakdown of law and order, increase the tempo of lamentations’ in the land to discredit all incumbent leaders especially, President Muhammadu Buhari who is only guilty of their blackmail by his faith as a Muslim.

These are sponsored armed gangs by disgruntled politicians in the country. And once the armed gangs go out to commit atrocities and horrendous crimes against humanity, there is no distinction between Christians and Muslims. Their swords of blood affect everybody indiscriminately, depending on where and when they descend their fury on innocent citizens.

Records of such killings in Nigeria by these armed gangs bear no special imprimatur of haunting for a particular religious sect or ethnic groups in the country. It is just a manifestation of the crimes some Nigerian elites have decided to visit their country. From Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists to armed bandits, the sectarian crisis in Kaduna to herdsmen invasions, the story is the same. Both Christians and Muslims are caught in the crossfire of bloodshed and all have been killed by these agents of the devil in competitive numbers, including traditionalists or believers in traditional religion.

We believe America has such details in their kitty before now.  Therefore, we shall not bore anybody with a repetition of such past gores. But let us recount the latest violent incident of gunmen invasion of a boarding school in Katsina state a few days ago. Katsina happens to be the home state of incumbent President Buhari.

But about three days ago (last Friday night), some armed and unidentified persons stormed Government Science Secondary School, in Kankara LGA area of the state, a strict boarding school with a population of slightly above 800 students. It was in the night and they started shooting, ending this violence with the kidnap of over half the population of the school.  The BBC even reported on Sunday, 12th December 2020, that about 400 kidnapped students are still missing from the incident.

Katsina state in Nigeria’s Northwest is near 100% or predominately a Muslim state and Mr. President’s home state.  So, could anybody reasonably conclude that the over 400 students kidnapped in the boarding school at Kankara were all Christians? Could Mr. President be so callous and insensitive as to allow gunmen kidnap children of his own kith and kin, also Muslims like him?  This is what some hired Nigerians are doing to their own country and playing the religious card of persecution to the global community.

We are, therefore, cautioning America to re-watch, and deeply reassess to review its hasty decision. It should rather explore ways to possibly assist Nigeria to get out of this insecurity quagmire than bow this low to charlatans campaigning for selfish agenda.

We wish to openly reiterate that the internal supporters/campaigners of America’s blacklist of Nigeria are aggrieved politicians who are simply, playing the religious card openly; while surreptitiously supporting the masked evil against Nigeria for partisan reasons. These deviously cursed souls are after the heart of Nigeria, intent on causing its total ruination. And the global attention they seek, by playing the religious card is because President Buhari happens to be a leader of Nigeria now, who belongs to the Islamic faith and the tales.

That’s why some leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), most of whom are also politicians, so in support of the blacklist of Nigeria on America’s blacklist of countries violating religious freedom. But members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) (Shiites Muslims) have also accepted the wrong American decision on Nigeria.  But are Shiites a Christian sect in Nigeria? How, then do they claim religious persecution, under a President of Muslim extraction?

These are the salient issues which should guide America’s review and next decision. It’s just the evil which has perverted our land. It is courted and romanced by the non-state actors gleefully.

Consequent upon this, we wholeheartedly back up the FGN’s total rejection of the allegations of Christian persecution in Nigeria and describe the U.S’s decision as very unripe, unthoughtful and unreasonable. We, therefore, boldly inform the U.S. Secretary of State. Mr. Mike Pompeo to delist Nigeria from its freshest list of suspected violators of religious freedom among the   nine other nations as “countries of concern.”

It is an attempt to prevent America from withholding the supply of the 12 Tucano Fighter Jets, which Nigeria paid in 2017 to fight Boko Haram terrorists. And also, other possible Military assistance the USA might want to render to Nigeria to defeat Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists.

NCLF therefore, call for an immediate review and removal of Nigeria’s name from the repulsive blacklist. Nigeria and Nigerians deserve her respectful position amongst the comity of nations. Nigeria doesn’t and hasn’t violated anyone’s religious or human rights on freedom of worship.

Nigeria remains the freest country in religious tolerance. We should avoid mixing politics with insecurity and American is in the best position to understand it better.  Once again, we reject the resentful tagging of Nigeria by America.  They are propelled by the handiwork of Nigeria’s enemies and we again, repeat the call for an immediate retraction.

Lastly, we are calling on all Nigerians to reject resoundingly, the generalized foreign tagging of their country by anyone, as a terrorist’s nation. We are only battling invading terrorists, but we are neither a terrorist nation onora country which violates religious freedom.  Thank you and may God bless you and Nigerians.

1...2,3252,3262,327...2,856Page 2,326 of 2,856

EDITOR PICKS

POPULAR POSTS

POPULAR CATEGORY

©