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“License Gun for Residents,Terrorists Now in Oyo State”- Gani Adams Cries Out

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Aare Ona Kakanfo Ganiyu Adams

The Aare Onakakanfo Council led by Gani Adams has asked south-west governors to emulate Samuel Ortom, governor of Benue state, by urging residents of their states to get gun licences.

In a communique signed by its members at the end of an extraordinary meeting on the state of Yorubaland on Sunday, the council claimed it had “credible intelligence” on the infiltration of terrorists into the region, particularly in Niger state and Oke-Ogun axis of Oyo state.

The council further asked the federal government to intensify its effort in securing the country’s land borders to prevent the entry of criminals from neighbouring countries.

Ortom recently asked the federal government to allow responsible Nigerian citizens to carry sophisticated weapons like the AK-47 so they can defend themselves when attacked by bandits.

The communique read: “The Ààrẹ Ona Kakanfo-in-Council has in its possession credible intelligence, gathered from within and outside the country, which strongly indicates the infiltration of terrorists and killer Fulani herdsmen in the region.

“More worrisome, the intelligence report also reveals that suspected ISIS operatives have already positioned themselves in Niger state via Ìbàrùbáland and are now within the Òkè-ògùn corridor of Oyo state.

“Indeed, the intel also reveal that about 500 power bikes and assorted armour belonging to the terrorists have been physically sighted along the abandoned Lusada route moving towards Sokoto, from Igbó-ọrà in Ọ̀yọ́ state. The council, therefore, enjoin all southwest governors, as well as the governors of Kwara and Kogi states, to emulate the governor of Benue state, Samuel Ortom, by directing their citizens to apply for a gun licence for self-defence against the marauding terrorists and killer herdsmen.

The council calls for an immediate halt to all ethnic and genocidal killings in Nigeria. No nation prospers on the blood of the innocent. President Muhammadu Buhari, rise to the occasion and put a stop to the senseless killings in Southern Kaduna, Benue, Plateau and Taraba states, among others. Stop this senseless bloodletting now.

“The clamour, by the Yorùbá, for an effective and adequate security architecture for the region goes beyond Àmọ̀tẹ́kùn or any form of self-help. It is all about the preservation of our heritage as a race, our way of life, our patrimony, our culture and traditions that are so precious to us and which we guard so jealously.”

Africa can defeat Coronavirus just like polio – Buhari

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President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed hope that African countries can equally defeat the coronavirus pandemic the same manner it eradicated the Wild Polio Virus on the continent.

The president said this Tuesday at the formal certification of the Wild Polio Virus eradication in the African region during the virtual session of the 70th World Health Organisation (WHO) regional committee for Africa.

“I recall that shortly after assuming office in May 2015, I made a pledge to Nigerians that I would not bequeath a polio-endemic country to my successor. This certification is, therefore, a personal fulfillment of that pledge to not only Nigerians, but to all Africans.

“At a time when the global community is battling the COVID-19 pandemic, this achievement strengthens my conviction that with the requisite political will, investments and strategies, as well as citizens’ commitment, we will flatten the epidemic curve. I can affirm the commitment of all African leaders to this course of action,” he said.

The president assured the global community that Nigeria would sustain the momentum and leverage on the lessons learnt from polio eradication to strengthen her health system, especially primary health care, and prioritise health security.

He said Nigeria used data systems, community engagement and innovative technology to monitor and predict the occurrence of polio outbreaks, adding that these same skills and tools were being used to fight COVID-19 and the multi-country outbreaks of Circulating Vaccine Derived Polio Viruses.

The president, who described the achievement as a truly historic moment, commended President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa and Chairman of the African Union, under whose leadership, Africa crossed the finishing line.

Gombe Governor pledges support for Christian pilgrims

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Gov. Yahaya Inuwa

The Gombe state governor, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has assured of his administration’s commitment to provide support for successful and hitch-free Christian pilgrimage.

Governor Yahaya spoke when he granted audience to the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), Rev Yakubu Pam, who paid him a courtesy visit in Gombe.

He said despite the over N250 million unsettled claims left by the previous government for the State Pilgrims Welfare Board (SPWB),  his government is committed to providing Christians in the state the opportunity and needed support to undertake their spiritual journey.

“This government inherited a liability of about N120 billion. And that is just for the liabilities that were booked and recorded. Issues to do with unsettled liabilities of pilgrimage of close to N250 million is not part of our assessment. Despite this, we will make sure we continue to fulfil our obligations to provide support to those who wish to perform pilgrimage.”

He appreciated the leadership of the NCPC for their choice of Gombe to host the North East zonal meeting and to also flag-off the next pilgrimage to Jerusalem, adding that this would not have been possible without the peace and tranquillity the state enjoys, as well as its centrality and neutrality.

NDLEA intercepts 607 cartons with over 11m tramadol tablets

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted another 607 cartons containing 11, 785, 800 tablets loaded with tramadol in Lagos.

A statement by the NDLEA Head of Public Affairs, Mr Jonah Achema, said the Chairman, Muhammad Abdallah, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Police detectives in Apapa Area Command of Lagos State had intercepted a 40-foot container laden with drugs suspected to be tramadol and codeine on Aug. 6.

NAN also reports that the investigation further revealed another 40 foot container and the joint examination also revealed 255 cartons of different types of tramadol and other banned medicines on Aug. 19. Abdallah noted that the interception and investigation was with the assistance and cooperation of the Customs Area Command, Apapa.

“This was discovered in another container number TCNU 9465832 belonging to the same suspect transferred to NDLEA by the Police.

“This is making it 3 containers used to carefully conceal illegally imported tramadol and other medicines to Nigeria,” he said.

Abdallah said that the NDLEA would do everything within its powers to get to the root of the drug trade and enjoined other security agencies to collaborate with the agency in its ongoing investigation.

Ebonyi Goes Tough On Herdsmen, To Establish Court For Grazing, Rape Cases

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David Umahi
Governor Dave Umahi
The Ebonyi State government has directed the state chief judge to establish a special court to try matters arising from herders and farmers’ clashes as well as rape cases across the state. It also banned underage pastoralists from operating in the state, warning that they would henceforth be arrested while their bosses or guardians prosecuted.
These were among the resolutions arrived at after the state security meeting held in Abakaliki, which was chaired by Gov David Umahi.
Presenting the communiqué, the state deputy governor, Dr Kelechi Igwe, said the measures became necessary to stem the tide of increasing cases of herders, farmers’ clashes, as well as rape cases in the state. The leadership of the Myetti Allah in the state, according to the deputy governor, was also directed to liaise with local government chairmen to provide identities for all cattle rearers in the state. He also said community leaders were mandated to produce killers/attackers of herdsmen in their domains within seven days for prosecution.
Television Nigerian reports that the meeting had in attendance leaders and members of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, heads of various security agencies in the state and local government chairmen, among others.
According to the communiqué read by the state deputy governor, “The various communities are by this meeting empowered to arrest and hand over to the police any underage herder within your community and the chief herder who is the custodian of such underage persons must be prosecuted by the police, in accordance with our law.
“Henceforth, members of Miyetti Allah and their leadership must take responsibility for any destruction of farms, crops, property, including any attack on any community in Ebonyi State; rape cases are not exempted from this. They must produce within seven days for arrest and prosecution the perpetrators of such dastardly acts from amongst their membership.”
It also warned that, “Community leaders and traditional rulers, development centre coordinators, local government council chairmen, and political office-holders must take responsibility and produce attackers and killers of herdsmen or the cows for arrest and prosecution within seven days whenever such occurs.”
Our correspondent reports that the communiqué also made it compulsory for herders to reside in communities where they graze their cattle, adding that, “All persons carrying cows by foot on the tarred road, on our concrete roads must be arrested and handed over to the police within seven days of prosecution by the community within which such infractions come.”

UK Parliamentary group report targeted at creating ethnoreligious divisions in Nigeria, Yoruba elders, patriots warn

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Concerned Yoruba Elders and Patriots (CYEP)

The Concerned Yoruba Elders and Patriots (CYEP) has expressed shock over a report by the United Kingdom’s parliament, adding that such is targeted at creating ethnoreligious divisions in the country.

CYEP at a press conference on Tuesday said allegations of genocide against Christians in Nigeria are not only false but capable of provoking crisis among religions.

Speaking on behalf of the group, converner Arokoyo Sunday warned that the implication of such claim could have a devastating effect on the peace and unity among Nigerians.

While admitting pockets of violence in some parts, CYEP said it has no religious colouration as Christians are targeted just like Muslims and other religious groups.

” We were shocked to read the statement credited to some foreign organizations accusing the Nigerian government of supporting genocide against Christians. Firstly the accusation of genocide in Nigeria is false, secondly, the notion that the Nigerian government is in support of such heinous crime can only be regarded as a joke and nothing more,” Mr Sunday said.

Related: Why Nigerians Deserve An Apology Over APPG Report

” There is no genocidal killing of Christians in Nigeria, it is a hoax. There are definitely some security challenges in Nigeria where Christians are murdered and we admit that just as Muslims are equally killed in some conflicts but these murders are not carried out because either of the parties involved is Christians or Muslims. In most cases, there are several deep-seated underlying community issues involved in these conflicts.

” With the continuous increase in population and massive desert encroachment ongoing along the Sahel of the Sahara, the contention for arable land for farming activities, grazing and other economic activities become more intense. This has led to an escalation of hostilities between herders and farmers. Which sometimes results in violent clashes.

” For those who are ignorant of these facts they may quickly buy into the one-sided narration of Christians only being murdered or the genocide hoax. There are also the second group of people who know the truth but choose to be mischievous for whatever parochial reasons. These second group of mischief-makers are actually the fuel for the false narrative and propaganda of genocide against Christians, currently ongoing.

” Whilst they may or may not know the implications of their actions, we are however clear and very much aware of the implications of such evil propaganda. The impact of such fake news on the current harmonious peace we are enjoying amongst the different faiths and religions in the country can be very devastating.

‘ As a nation, we have to remain united as a people and avoid playing into the hands of the enemies of the country, we have to be careful not to aid those who are after the complete disintegration of the country. We must remain eternally vigilant otherwise we fall prey to the enemies of the state.”

The Concerned Yoruba Elders and Patriots, however, urged the United States, UK and international community at large to take notice of organizations and institutions that weaponize fake news to twist the Nigerian reality to suit their wishes and caprices.

It assured that “President Muhammadu Buhari since coming into power has always made his intentions clear. His determination to fix the security challenges in the north and in fact all of Nigeria. What the government needs now is support from all of us. This is a very wrong time to begin to stir up or whip religious conflicts across the country. The devastation of the effect of such may consume everyone”.

The group further urged religious leaders across the country to continue to preach unity and tolerance amongst their followers.

Attack on Journalist: Fani Kayode apologises

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A former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, who went ballistic against Eyo Charles, the Daily Trust journalist at a press conference in Calabar, has finally apologised.

Femi Fani-Kayode on 26 August, wrote on his Twitter handle: “I met with my advisors & I wish to say the following. I hereby withdraw the word “stupid” which I used in my encounter with a journalist in Calabar”.

“I have many friends in the media who I offended by losing my cool & using such words. I hereby express my regrets for doing so.”

Also on his alleged threat against the journalist, he wrote further: “I would never seek to physically harm a journalist. For the last 30 years, I have defended & worked with journalists & fought for the right of freedom of expression.

“I would be the last to seek to disparage those that are honourable and noble within its ranks. I hope that this will assuage the pain and anger of anyone that was hurt or offended by this ugly episode. I have now put this matter behind me and moved on.”

Innosson Motors Donate Operational Vehicles to Nigerian Police

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Nigeria’s automobile manufacturing company, Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Limited, has donated three operational vehicles to the Nigeria Police Force, NPF.

Television Nigerian reports that the company, located at Nnewi, Anambra State, is owned by a business mogul, Dr. Innocent Chukwuma.

Receiving the vehicles on Tuesday in Abuja, the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, commended Mr Chukwuma for the gesture, assuring that the gesture would enable the police to meet its operational and infrastructural needs in combating crimes and criminality in the country.

 

Kano residents lament rising cost of rice in the state

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Residents of Kano State have lamented the high cost of rice in the state despite mass production by farmers.

Rice, the most popular staple food in the country, is gradually becoming unaffordable to the common man, most of the residents lamented.

Merchants in rice, on their part, attributed the recent high cost of rice despite the proliferation of mega and small rice mills in the state to hike in the price of paddy as well as the introduction of middlemen in the business.

Chronicle market survey revealed that a bag of locally milled rice is now sold at between N22, 000 to N24, 000 per 50kg as against the N16, 000 it was sold in January 2020.

It was also gathered that a bag of paddy which was sold at N9, 500 in January 2020 is now sold at N16, 000 per bag.

A resident of Hotoro quarters, Isa Shehu told Chronicle that “We thought with the ban on rice importation and the federal government intervention in rice production, the common man will be able to buy rice at an affordable price. We are made to believe that the essence of the border closure has been defeated completely as rice is now becoming like gold to the average Nigerian.”

Similarly, a small-scale rice mill owner, Musa Idris, stated that the hike in paddy was gradually forcing many mini rice mills to increase their rice price or halt production because they lack the capacity to buy and process the paddy at such an exorbitant price.

A rice paddy merchant, Bala Sani Maitan, said most of the merchants were purely businessmen who buy and store paddy just to mop it out of the market as well as sell at an exorbitant price after creating artificial scarcity in the market.

When contacted on the issue, Kano state Commissioner of Commerce and Industry, Alhaji Ibrahim Mukhtar said the government was aware of the development, adding that as a measure to address the issue, the ministry would be holding a meeting with all relevant stakeholders along rice value chain including the millers to see where the problem lies and how the problem could be rectified.

 

Why Nigerians Deserve An Apology Over APPG Report

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By Sarah Adetokunbo

I am not one of those that are quick to jump into the fray to comment on issues of national concern. But, the recent report by the UK All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) got me thinking as a Nigerian, and what the future holds for Nigeria.

After reading the about 56-page report, it was clear in my head that indeed we are in big trouble if there is no rebuttal to the report which was lacking in objectivity. To make matters worse, there was nowhere, it was stated in the report the method of data collection and if the data collated were indeed subjected to verifications before putting the report out in the public space.

The title of the report NIGERIA: UNFOLDING GENOCIDE? Is the most uncharitable thing I have read about Nigeria in recent history. I could not place a finger on the overall objective of the report other than the fact that there is an attempt to pitch the Christians and the Muslims communities against each other in Nigeria.

There was also an ethnic slant ascribing the activities of bandits to the Fulani group. I should have thought that such anomaly should not come from supposed enlightened members of the APPG. But I was wrong. I think it would be too hasty to say the report was a sponsored one and targeted at the government. But I won’t be wrong if the overarching objective is aimed towards the fulfilment of the doomsday postulation that Nigeria would disintegrate.

The word genocide is such a strong word to use in my opinion and that the APPG elected to make that insinuation leave a lot to the imagination and why the Nigerian authorities must do all necessary to ensure that the objectives of the APPG is nipped in the bud as soon as possible.

Taking the time to read through the 56-page report was emotionally drenching to me, and I imagined if Nigeria in reference was the same Nigeria we live in or there is another country called Nigeria. The postulations in the report were imaginary and very puerile. The choice of words was also uncouth and inciting. Paramount the report was filled with half-truths and illogical conclusions.

One of the highlights of the report was where it alluded that “the APPG received numerous reports that Christian pastors and community heads are specifically targeted. During many of the attacks, herders are reported by survivors to have shouted ‘Allah u Akbar’, ‘destroy the infidels’ and ‘wipe out the infidels.’ Hundreds of churches have been destroyed, including over 500 churches in Benue State.”

This is indeed an uncharitable statement not because the statement is false; it is also worse than a situation where a bomb is detonated in a busy motor park and the resultant mass casualties on innocent people. It is instructive to state that the victims of terrorist and militant activities have been Christians as well as Muslims. Churches, as well as mosques, have been attacked on numerous occasions across the country. Probably the APPG elected to rely on one side of the story and not bothering to balance their argument because that is not the overarching objective.

Let me take another point raised in the report as regards the response of the government. The APPG stated that “the inability of the Nigerian Federal and State Governments to protect Christian farmers, and the lack of political will to respond adequately to warnings or to bring perpetrators of violence to justice, has fostered feelings of victimization and persecution.

The blunt categorization of Christians as farmers is ignorant and laced with mischief because the farmer-herder conflict in Nigeria is a function of the struggle over grazing land and scarce resources which have over the years resulted in perennial and growing violent conflicts in terms of frequency, intensity and geographic scope.

Nigeria is a confluence of environmental and demographic forces, especially desertification caused by climate change and population explosion. There is no role of religion in the farmer-herder conflict and this much the report by the APPG erroneously failed to capture for self-evident reasons. I must add that with the depletion of arable land for subsistence farming largely as a result of increasing urbanization, the adverse effect of climate change intensified the struggle between herdsmen and farmers – leading to violent confrontations and conflicts, deaths and forced displacement, as well as the destruction of agriculture and livestock.

Another area where the APPG goofed in their report is the assumption that the government has not done enough to address the farmers-herders conflict in Nigeria. This again buttresses the point that the report was not well-researched before making it public.

The inaccuracies in the report are too numerous to mention. It is indeed baffling how some group of persons that probably have not visited Nigeria or the areas where these conflicts have happened would sound authoritative in making wide accusations and blind suppositions. At best, they relied on some disjointed news reports, and lazy researchers skilled in the art of desk research to arrive at their rambling conclusion that Christians in Nigeria are targets of genocidal actions.

I dare to say that there is every possibility that the report by the APPG was indeed written by some vested interests in Nigeria and given to the APPG to make public using their medium to provide it with some form of credibility in the desire to heat the polity and ignite a sectarian crisis in the country. It is indeed unfortunate that what the APPG didn’t realize is that Nigerians have indeed taken note of this despicable plot to cause mayhem in the country because there is no iota of truth in the report and all the issues canvased are figments of the imagination of the writers. Sadly, it must also be noted that the APPG by this action has elected to stand the truth on its head by taking sides with those individuals and organizations that are bent on destabilizing Nigeria at all cost.

Hear this: “The Institute for Economics and Peace published figures in their Global Terrorism Index that so-called “Fulani extremists” are responsible for more deaths than Boko Haram since 2015” This was also contained in the report as unbelievable as it sounds. I guess the APPG was not referring to the same Boko Haram terrorist group that we know in Nigeria whose activities has led to the death of thousands of Nigerians and displaced millions across states in North-East Nigeria. This should indeed tell us that there is more than meet the eyes as regards the motives behind the report by the APPG.

However, there is a revelation and Nigerians need not look too far to understand those behind the APPG. “As sponsorship for a trip to Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir” between February 18 and 22, the APPG on Kashmir (APPGK), chaired by Labour MP Debbie Abrahams, received a “benefit in kind” of amounting £31,501 (Rs 29.7 lakh) and £33,000 (Rs 31.2 lakh) on February 18, 2020, from the Government of Pakistan.” Only God knows how much they must have received to publish this report on Nigeria. Maybe some millions of pounds of blood money.

In a report published by the Guardian newspaper of UK in 2017 titled “Are APPGs a ‘dark space’ for covert lobbying? The report stated thus: “Campaigners say that despite greater scrutiny by the parliamentary authorities, APPGs are still being used by big businesses and groups to reach lawmakers and influence policy.”
“Tamasin Cave, from the Alliance for Lobbying Transparency, said APPGs could still provide “a dark space” for covert lobbying. “Like other ‘third party’ lobbyists, APPGs should be required to make public their accounts, minutes of meetings, and details of their lobbying activity. Are they flying MPs around the world, providing private dinners with industry, or freebie tickets? It’s in the public interest to know” https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/jan/06/are-appgs-a-dark-space-for-covert-lobbying.
I agree in totality with this position because their report on Nigeria indeed buttresses the fact that some powerful and vested interests in Nigeria must have doled out some hefty amounts of monies in return for whatever it is what.
I think at this point, Nigerians deserve an unreserved apology from the APPG for attempting to insult our intelligence in a report that could best be described as toxic, unprofessional, inciting, and despicable and the height of mischief.
I also strongly advise the Nigerian authorities to ignite all known international diplomacy to unravel those behind the APPG report and the subsequent classification of it as a threat to the unity and sovereignty of Nigeria. The implication of a non-action by the relevant authorities in Nigeria is that the promoters of violence would ultimately have their way, and Nigeria and Nigerians would indeed bear the brunt.

Adetokunbo is a UN trained peace and conflict manager based in Lagos.

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