Nigeria’s E-payment transactions hit N56.85trn
Reports from the Nigerian Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS), have indicated that Nigeria’s electronic payment (e-payment) services, recorded transactions worth N56.85 trillion from January to September, 2018.
The report, obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday, showed an increase of N16.4 trillion when compared to the N40.45 trillion that was recorded in the corresponding period of 2017.
The report showed that most of the electronic transactions were done through the NIBSS Instant Payment (NIP), Point of Sale (PoS), Automated Transfer Machines (ATMs), Mobile Money, Electronic Bills Payment (E-Bills) and Web payments.
A breakdown of the report showed that ATMs transactions grew from N4.61 trillion in 2017 to N4.76 trillion at the end of the third quarter of 2018.
Also, the volume of transactions on ATMs under the period in review grew from 560.86 million in 2017, to 650.06 million in 2018.
The report showed a rise of about N635 billion in the use of POS machines to carry out payments by Nigerians.
Under the review period, 98.73 million transactions worth N975 billion were carried out using POS in 2017, while in 2018, the volume grew to 196.83 million, valued at N1.61 trillion.
Similarly, the volume of transactions carried out by Nigerians, using mobile money rose from N795.18 billion in 2017, to N1.22 trillion as at Sept, 2018.
Also, using the web payment channel, the total value of transactions under the review period rose from N129.24 billion in 2017, to N183.07 billion in 2018.
However, the value of such transactions on e-bill payments, which allowed customers to pay utility bills such as power, cable and so on online, declined from N420.73 billion in 2017 to N370 billion in 2018.
Meanwhile a Financial analyst, Dr Patricia Auta, has said that the NIBSS report showed an increased awareness and use of technology by individuals and businesses in the country.
Auta urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), to intensify efforts on cashless economy, especially in states, to further grow the electronic payment space.
She also advised banks to stay competitive and drive growth by providing innovative alternate payment channels to customers.
CLARIFICATION ON INVITATION OF MEDIA TRUST STAFF BY THE SECURITY AGENCIES
The Nigerian Army wishes to clarify on alleged invasion of Media Trust Headquarters in Abuja and regional office in Maiduguri. We would like to state that soldiers of the Nigerian Army along with elements of Nigeria Police Force and other Security Agencies were indeed at Abuja and Maiduguri offices of the publishing company to invite the staff of the company over its lead story on Sunday Trust publication, which divulged classified military information, thus undermining national security.
In it, the newspaper made disclosed details of planned military operations against the Boko Haram terrorists. The disclosure of classified security information amounts to a breach of national security and run contrary to Sections 1 and 2 of the Official Secrets Act. It afforded the Boko Haram terrorists prior notice of our plans and giving them early warning to prepare against the Nigerian military, thus sabotaging the planned operations and putting the lives of troops in imminent and clear danger.
We would like to state that the invitation of those responsible for divulging military plans was done with the best of intention in order to make them realise the import of such acts to our national security.
We therefore advice all, particularly journalists, not to worry but engage in their responsive reportage and to be professional as the Nigerian Army has no intention of muzzling the press or jeopardising press freedom. We however, wish to enjoin further that they should eschew jeopardizing national security in their reportage. We would not tolerate situation where a publication would consistently side with terrorists and undermine our National institutions.
We wish to appeal to all, especially the media, to join hands with the Nigerian military and security forces to end terrorism and insurgency in Nigeria. We would like to further assure that the invitation is for further investigation and if need be, all those culpable of jeopardising operations security will be prosecuted by the relevant law enforcement agency.
You are please requested to disseminate this information to the public through your medium.
Thank you for your kind cooperation.
SANI KUKASHEKA USMAN
Brigadier General
Director Army Public Relations
Terrorism: Time for Introspection in the Media
By Philip Agbese
Where terrorism and the war against it is concerned, the mainstream media in Nigeria are competing on at least four fronts. These contests, while they may be seen as typifying a robust media that is unencumbered by censorship, are growing to become a serious threat to the country.
Media orgnizations are in a race among themselves to see who will dish out the goriest details, divulge the most military operational details, give the highest casualty figure, and of course be the first with the news – breaking news! The mainstream media have placed themselves neck to neck with bloggers, social and new media accounts in the race to see who delivers the most salacious occurrence about the cat and mouse between the military and Boko Haram terrorists not minding that they do not have the same legal challenges as their new found competition.
The international media are equally a competition for the local media that now try to outdo their foreign counterpart in reproducing anti-Nigerian Forces rhetoric. Add to that the more recent and certainly bizarre context between the media in Nigeria and international non-governmental organization that they want to outstrip in activism forgetting that with this practice goes their fairness, balance and objectivity, since they must necessarily take sides to do activism.
This unhealthy contest has manifested in media organizations dropping the ball in too many instances. Recent weeks has seen major newspapers reporting about plans by the military to carry out operations in Baga. A newspaper reported how the military was preparing a massive operation to retake Baga and other towns. The argument of whether Baga and the other towns are under Boko Haram control is subject to debate since the Army had clarified that these towns were not under terrorists’ control, but that is not so much the issue.
The concern here is whether it is appropriate to report in a manner that alerts the terrorists that the military will soon launch an attack on them. It is even more worrisome that the reports in question went on to give details of what battalions are mobilizing, where they were located and what areas they will likely carry out their operations in addition to, for the trained mind, hints about the military inventory being deployed.
It is logical to argue that Boko Haram terrorists would have, through their own intelligence gathering and fifth columnists in the military, learn about the deployment. This would imply that the reports announcing the impending military operations would not necessarily contain what the terrorists do not already know. But if this is the case one would question why these newspapers are not regaling their readers with news about Boko Haram’s planned attacks. The same crack investigative journalism skills that allowed the reporters and editors to quote unnamed “military sources” should naturally place them in position to quote unnamed Boko Haram sources.
News organizations have to ask themselves about the extent to which their reports form part of intelligence gathering for Boko Haram terrorists. It is amazing how media outlets rush to report the acquisition of new hardware with specifications that practically tell the terrorists how to counter the newly acquired capabilities. Again, the same organization do not report on delivery of new weapons to Boko Haram terrorists and by who.
Another worrisome development is the choice of words, expressions, terminologies and context. Because a more and more contents are being taken from foreign news wires and also from social media accounts, sometimes of persons with affiliation with terrorists, the copies that get published end up sounding like something edited by Abu Qaqa, or whoever is the current official spokesperson of Boko Haram. In other climes, groups that are attacking a country are properly designated to reflect their anti-state profile unlike the growing trend where even respectable media houses are beginning to accord Boko Haram the status of a sovereign nation going by the expressions used for reporting them. For instance, there is a sense of glee beneath the way many newspapers have reported the concept of terrorists levying residents of communities in the Lake Chad region. Conversely, the same outfits presents the Nigerian military as the occupation force.
An expected reaction to this piece, or anyone that questions this failure to respect the time honoured requirement not to report in a manner that compromises the nation’s military, is for some reactionaries to bring up about the freedoms guaranteed by democracy. A befitting answer to this is to draw attention to a piece by Judy Silverstein Gray in Poynter which stated that “While freedom of speech remains an inalienable right, issues of homeland security sometimes pose a challenge in war coverage. Military public affairs specialists often have to juggle getting the word out with homeland security threats.”
Peter Y. Sussman in an article, “Resolving Ethical Conflicts in Wartime” published by the Society of Professional Journalists, identified areas in which journalists should be asking questions before publishing a story in a war situation. These questions are tailored to “Assessing Our Motivation in Publishing or Suppressing Information or Graphics, Assessing the Government’s Motivation in Seeking Suppression, Assessing the Reliability of the Information, Balancing the Importance and Harm of Publication, and Considering Alternatives.” It is arguable if media organizations, local or international, bother about interrogating these issues anymore where Nigeria’s war on Boko Haram is concerned.
But given the potential for harm, it is time for a deep introspection in the media in Nigeria. Practitioners should begin to question why they have unwittingly, wittingly for some, become propaganda staff of Boko Haram in the way they do their jobs. It should take more than a desire to beat the competition, measure up to foreign news organizations, or be seen as outshining bloggers to reduce oneself into a full blown terrorist by conduct.
The prescribed introspection required that the media arrived at the understanding that rules of engagement are needed when reporting the war on terrorism. The rules must not just be framed and adopted, the media must adhere to whatever is agreed as their rules of engagement. The military does. The judiciary does. Even thieves and bandits do too. But hardly do one see journalists making the efforts to observe such even when the security of the country is at stake.
The media and its practitioners must realize that assuming the terrorists successfully destroy the Nigerian state, the media will be the next because a liberal media is an antithesis to the extreme beliefs held by Boko Haram terrorists. So the media will be saving more than Nigeria, it will be saving itself, if it presses a reset button that places the reporting the war on terrorism in proper perspective today
Boko Haram: Inter-Faith group salutes Buratai, troops’ patriotism
….calls on religious leaders to back Nigerian Army with prayers
The National Inter-Faith and Religious Organization for Peace (NIFROP) has saluted the Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen Tukur Yusuf Buratai and his men for sense of patriotism and dedication in their fight against insurgency in the country.
The religious group admitted that members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect had intensified their attacks on the country in the last few weeks of last year, but the Nigerian Army, as usual, rose to the task and sent them packing.
Bishop Sunday Garuba, President of NIFROP at a press conference on Sunday, called on other religious leaders in the country to back the Nigerian troops with prayers as they sweat it out to restore peace to the nation.
The cleric observed that the damage the Nigerian troops inflicted on the terrorists in the past year might have been underreported but patriotic citizens that are interested in the truth are still able to read between the lines to appreciate what has been done on their behalf.
According to him, “It is reassuring that the military has proven that the sacrifices of these ones were not in vain as they had shown the terrorists that the army of a sovereign nation is not to be toyed with by terrorists even when they have foreign support.
“The Nigerian Army has been able to rise above the blockade against its ability to procure weapons to dedicatedly deploy its inventory to tackle the menace of Boko Haram irrespective of how the group has rebranded to incorporate other killers from the Middle East and North Africa in their folds.
“The Nigerian Army has triumphed against the evil support that the terrorists enjoy from organizations that masquerade as good when the essence of their work reeks of evil. The merchants of lies that offer the terrorists help by way of making their crimes appear lesser have failed to prevail against the Nigerian state and it is all thanks to the professionalism of the Nigerian Army, which has remained dedicated in spite of the scheming against it by these foreign merchants of grief.
Speaking on the efforts of the COAS, Garuba said, “It is on this note that we salute the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Tukur Buratai. We commend the efforts of the Nigerian troops fighting Boko Haram under the COAS’ direction. The superlative delivery of valour could not have been possible without the commitment of the commander, his officers and troops.
“The message of the National Inter-Faith and Religious Organization for Peace (NIFROP) for the year 2019 is a charge to General Buratai and the troops to sustain their offensive against fleeing elements of Boko Haram. These killers had thought they could use the Yuletide to inflict pains on Nigerians but their plot was defeated by the Nigerian Army. We anticipate similar and more intensive defeat of whatever evil the terrorists plan in the year 2019.”
The group urges General Buratai and indeed the Nigerian Army not to be daunted by the seeming difficulties that stand in the way of fighting the terrorists to a conclusive end, saying “we are also not unaware of the apparent lack of appreciation from certain quarters and individuals that should know better. It is akin to the scenario of a prophet not being honoured in his homeland but those that know what is good are already appreciative of the great job the military is doing and we believe that this great work should continue.”
“We appeal to Nigerians to increase whatever support they had been given the army in the past. Those that do not previously support should count it as part of their New Year commitment to turn a new leaf and contribute their own quota to an organization that is making them safe.”
Special Analysis: Ahmad Salkida, the linkman and the voice of Boko Haram/ISWAP
In many forums, it has been stated that guns and tanks are not the only weapons of war, that propaganda is as well a weapon of war. According to credible information, Ahmad Salkida, the former reporter with Daily Trust can as well be said to be the “linkman and the voice of BH in the wilderness. “
Ahmad Salkida who is known for speaking on behalf of the sect has now carried on a campaign to change the Boko Haram/ISWAP narrative all in an attempt to bolster the image of the group through propaganda.
This much was revealed by a close associate of Ahmad Salkida who pleaded anonymity. He stated that since his return to the country from Dubai, Ahmad Salkida had maintained close contact with the Abubakar Shekau faction of Boko Haram, always acting as the linkman between it and some organizations. This much was highlighted by Ahmad Salkida himself in his special report titled “Why Troops are losing Ground to ISWAP.”
He indeed confirmed that “The terror groups, in recent times, have received a flush of funds from ransom paid to them allegedly by the government.”. in the same report, he revealed some intricate details about the operations of Boko Haram/ISWAP such as “In fact, the situation appeared so dire as Nigerian troops facing the onslaught of the combined affront of insurgency from terror groups, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram forces, beat a steady retreat, incurring monumental losses of locational facilities.”
“Within two weeks, the Nigerian troops had retreated tactically or been overrun in strategic military bases. Out of 20 military bases in northern and central Borno where Nigerian troops were in control, 14 had been overrun or altogether shut down.” This much Ahmad Salkida revealed. While there was a bit of exaggeration in the prose, the fact remains that he is privy to sensitive government information. For example, he was quoted as saying there are 20 military bases in Northern and Central Borno.
The question thus us how did he know the number of military bases in Northern and Central Borno? And how did he know the exact figure that had been overrun or shutdown? The conspiracy theorist would argue that it is either Ahmad Salkida is supplied information by the Sect, or he is carrying out espionage activities on the military and passing same to the sect.
Ahmad Salkida’s analysis indeed confirmed the position of the military when it stated that Boko Haram terrorist now employs the use of drones to monitor the movement of troops in the battlefield. Though covet in delivery, it nonetheless passed a powerful message from an insider to the outside world of the activities of the group. As regards this, he said
“The insurgents are riding the momentum and are motivated in manners that are completely alien to the military. With an enlarged war chest, strategic control of the economic mainstay of the Chad Basin cross-cutting fishing, all season farming, water and control of cross-border trade routes, the insurgents are looking formidable.”
“No wonder, they have recently scaled up recruitment of new fighters across both English and French-speaking countries in the surrounding countries of Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria. Information gleaned from contacts within the fold of ISWAP paint an insight that seems to have challenged the position of politicians and the military in respect of holding territory. ISWAP always considered the territories of Northern and Central Borno their Caliphate territories. The presence of the Nigerian troops and particularly military bases were considered invasion by the military.”
This brings us to the propaganda angle to the whole episode. As a flashback, governments during the First World War devoted massive resources and vast amounts of effort to producing material designed to shape opinion and action internationally. The efforts of actors to justify their actions, and to build international support, resulted in some of the most potent propaganda ever produced. They also shaped attitudes towards propaganda itself in the years following the end of the War.
In addition to press reporting, groups and individuals attempted to influence opinion using a wide range of pamphlets, cartoons, and longer books. German efforts in the USA centred on the production of vast numbers of publications. This explains the recent special report by Ahmad Salkida on why troops are losing ground to ISWAP.
It is consequently instructive to state that Ahmad Salkida was indeed a linkman for the ISAWP/Boko Haram when he alluded that Boko Haram/ISWAP “have secured the economic lines in the territories they control. The Lake Chad territories have become more fertile for farmers and more viable for commercial fishing activities. They have largely crippled the fish and onions markets in Maiduguri. In its stead, they have opened secured trading locations in Kinchandi, in the Niger Republic and another in Kusiri, in Cameroon. Nigerian traders rely on the market in Kusiri, Cameroon through Mubi, in Adamawa. The other in Kinchandi, in the Niger Republic. The Nigerian market in Hadeja, Jigawa state depends heavily on the market in the Niger Republic.”
“The outlook of the map in the battle theatres is grim. The territories that constitute Northern Borno are 10 Local Government Areas lying north of Maiduguri and bearing natural land borders with three countries namely the Niger Republic, Chad, and Cameroon. ISWAP have full sway in these territories currently. The territories that constitute Borno Central are made up of eight Local Government Areas, and both ISWAP and Boko Haram have significant footholds in these territories. Southern Borno, made up of nine Local Government Areas, is the least affected, except flashpoints such as Gwoza, Damboa, and Chibok. With barely 45 days to the presidential election in Nigeria, there seems to be more energy at official quarters to cover up the tragic situation than acknowledging it.”
The above analysis not only raises a red flag; it also questions the sources of the quantum of information at the disposal of Ahmad Salkida. Even though the bulk of the information provided by Ahmad Salkida are half-truths, it reinforces the assumptions that there is more than meets the eyes in his analysis, and also the timing of his report.
He also confirmed earlier suspicion that he was under the radar of the international network determined to destabilize Nigeria through the unfounded report released by the International Strategic Studies Association (ISSA) when he quoted a part of the story in his analysis.
GAW Faults Amnesty International’s report on Farmers/herdsmen conflict
The Global Amnesty Watch (GAW) has faulted the claims by Amnesty International (AI) that the government and armed forces in Nigeria did not do enough to prevent clashes between herders and farmers in Nigeria. This was contained in a statement issued by the president of GAW at a world press conference on the activities of the Global Amnesty Watch in Nigeria, held in London, United Kingdom on January 3rd, 2019.
Mr. David Falt stated that under the present government of President Muhammadu Buhari, the tempo and efficacy of Nigeria’s fight against Boko Haram’s brand of terrorism increased and kept pace following this change in leadership.
“GAW is taken aback by “Harvest of Death Three Years of Bloody Clashes between Farmers and Herders in Nigeria,” a report by Amnesty International on the farmers/herders’ clashes in Nigeria. That organization took the simplistic position that the Nigerian Government and military did not do enough to protect communities from the massacre. The information available to GAW makes the position adopted by Amnesty International to appear as a clear-cut case of incitement. The organizations conveniently ignored the reality on the ground to suggest that Nigerian authorities should have done more to stop the “killer herdsmen.”
He further stated that “it appears Amnesty International was resolved to create a blockbuster report as against providing details that will make meaningful contributions to peacebuilding. While the entire report is replete with over dramatization, certain specific aspects expose the intentions of AI could cause strife in Nigeria and perhaps move onwards from there to disrupt the entire West African sub-region.”
Mr. Falt averred that the use of certain expressions could put one on the line being accused of being homophobic, misogynist, sexist, ageist, racist or any other orientation that the contemporary world finds unacceptable.
“Society’s criminalization of those that engage in these anti-social behaviors is not unconnected with the harms that their victims often suffered like in the case of homophobic attacks.”
“Amnesty International singled out some ethnic groups in Nigeria and passed death sentences on them. Nigeria must now race against time to do crisis management and prevent the reprisals that will follow the identification of certain ethnic groups. There is a danger of the report sparking fresh rounds of killing, which is most unfortunate as it would roll back the progress that group like GAW have made in building peace across ethnic divides.”
“We want to warn the Nigerian authorities that the situation is precarious. In the course of past interviews with military personnel on the field, the feedback from them is that they are discouraged from giving their best when confronting terrorists and militia members because they fear that Amnesty International will blackmail them with its reports and threats of prosecution.”
The president of GAW also stated that even though they perceive the NGO as a fraud, they nonetheless feel distracted by its activities.
“The implication of this is that should there be a resumption of hostilities between farmers and herders, troops that would be sent to control the situation would again stand by helplessly unable to do much because they worry about what report Amnesty International will write.”
GAW further stated that “Harvest of Death Three Years of Bloody Clashes between Farmers and Herders in Nigeria, is a lapse in judgment that would have cost Amnesty International its license to operate if it were practicing in a regulated sector.
“Even when it does not operate in a regulated sector, and the absence of an ombudsman, it remains a duty for Amnesty International not to abuse the sanctity of the expectations the world has in it. Amnesty International must, therefore, take steps to make amends for its error in judgment so that it does not jeopardize the peace efforts in Nigeria.”
GAW advises the Nigerian authorities – military and government to reject the report as a work of fiction that failed to take into account the reality on the ground.
“They should approach the relevant international organizations to call Amnesty International to order if it fails to walk back the report.”
“GAW will continue to monitor the situation in Nigeria to making useful input in the early warning system that will prevent the kind of instability that the Amnesty International report could have caused.”
ISSA: The disaster Nigeria must avoid
By Richards Murphy
In the numerous years, I have been a researcher; I haven’t come across a disjointed research work as the one released by the International Strategic Studies Association, ISSA on how corruption amongst the top brass of the military is fuelling Boko Haram war. The report was more of conjectures than facts. Its conclusions were also legendarily defective. And to put succinctly, it was indeed an abysmal job, both in plot and execution.
I recall I took the pain to peruse the report for fresh insights into the Boko Haram insurgency given the fact that I have written extensively on the phenomena and gaining more insight into it would not have been a bad idea. But I was disappointed so much so that I had to pen this article to raise concerns on why the relevant authorities in Nigeria should not allow organizations or individuals to make a mess of the psychology of Nigerians.
As mentioned earlier, the ISSA report falls short of a quality research work and also capable of misleading members of the unsuspecting public. I think the report was released ostensibly to cause disaffection among Nigerians in the build-up to the general elections. And what I found curious was the attempt by the writers to paint the Muhammadu Buhari administration in a bad light by making a string of accusation on the death of Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh and Major General Alkali. They also touched on former NSA Sambo Dasuki. It was such a weak plot in my opinion.
I stand to be corrected; there is more than meets the eyes in that report released by the ISSA. There is every reason to believe it was a hatchet work by those that are desirous of seeing to the disintegration of Nigeria. Just as I have mentioned in numerous forums, the Boko Haram dynamics has transcended the borders of Nigeria. The level of external support it garners is mind-boggling. And one of such external support is in the deployment of propaganda.
The ISSA report can thus be classified as propaganda for Boko Haram. I drew this conclusion because, in the opening paragraphs, it stated thus “The present situation is that the Nigerian Government has completely and comprehensively lost control of the engagement with Boko Haram and can show no instance when the Government presently has tactical, theatre, strategic, or information dominance of any aspect of the conflict. Moreover, the insurgent groups grow stronger, and the Government forces grow weaker and more beset by morale collapse.”
I could not come to terms with such and wondered how the ISSA could be privy to such information. Some questions needed answers in my mind. Questions such as do they have an office in Nigeria? Do they have researchers on the ground in North East Nigeria? How qualified are these researchers if any? And how long did it take for the ISSA to put the report together? Needless I add that the report which was released on 28th December 2018, quoted an incident that happened the previous days. Yes, it was that bad a report.
This is a disaster Nigeria must avoid in its totality. Nigeria as a fact must rise against such agents of destabilization. If this is not the case, I wonder what else should be the case when organizations hide under the umbrella of for the good of humanity to perpetuate evil.
I think some of these organizations that pride themselves as international organizations have outlived their usefulness. They have also lost focus and made itself available to agents of destructions in return for monetary gains.
The ISSA is a disaster Nigeria must avoid as there is no iota of truth in what was published as a report. The insinuations, the half-truths, the hastiness, the lack of coherence, the poor execution of the plot, the missing links, and the plenty question marks all point to the fact there is an ulterior motive. The ISSA is no any different for the likes of Amnesty International that has continued to spread falsehood in Nigeria especially about the Boko Haram war. As it stands, it seems the easiest way for some of these organizations to get funding for their activities, is when they create a narrative on Boko Haram that negates the gains recorded by the Muhammadu Buhari administration since it came on board in 2015.
To make matters worse, the report by ISSA didn’t have footnotes or references. What it had were quotes lifted from some newspapers. And this is supposed to be a report by an international organisation. Is this what Nigerians should take seriously? Doesn’t it further state the obvious that it might be one of those hatchet jobs?
Whichever way we look at it, the truth remains that the report was very uncharitable and of poor taste meant to discredit the present administration as well as the hierarchy of the Nigeria military, and also in a way dampen the morale of the troops fighting Boko Haram terrorist in North East Nigeria.
As it stands, it behoves on all well-meaning Nigerians to resist such groups from destabilizing our country. Members of the fifth estate of the realm must also play a part by refusing to do the bidding of these organization by promoting their propaganda against Nigeria. And not just that, they should also go the extra mile by exposing some of the half-truths contained in the report. Nigeria is home, and there is nowhere else to go, and as such we must remain and salvage it together.
Murphy wrote this piece from Calabar.
When will the PDP come clean on Badeh?
By Andrew Jimoh
One of the events that shocked Nigerians most in 2018 was the Offa Robbery in which 33 citizens, including policemen, were killed by a bloodthirsty gang that carried out what in reality amounted to a terrorist attack going by a review of the CCTv video footage that emerged in its aftermath. Two days after the April 5, 2018 robbery, Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki was at the palace of the traditional ruler of Offa on a condolence visit. Police was to later confirm that leaders of the gang, Ayoade Akinnibosun aka AY, Ibukunle Ogunleye aka Arrow and Adeola Abraham were on Saraki’s entourage to Olofa’s Palace during the condolence visit.
Later in 2018 the disappearance and later confirmed death of a former Chief of Administration of the Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Idris Alkali (retired) in Du-Radu Jos, Plateau state was another shocker for the year that ended with the sad killing of former Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh (retired) on his way from his farm in Nasarawa state. These are sad deaths considering their violent nature but the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, has been dancing Hula Kahiko practically on the graves of the departed.
The song the PDP is dancing to was composed by and performed by the International Strategic Studies Association (ISSA), apparently directed by the party. The report ridiculously concluded that Badeh and Alkali were killed to cover up corruption in the military. This was even as useful arrests have been made by law enforcement agencies and the suspects have confessed to the roles they played in the separate incidents. This same report, with all the gaping holes in its analysis, is what the PDP has been all over town ululating over.
There can be no greater definition of double standard. Since the PDP is now saying the people that have been separately arrested for the two deaths, and those arrested for the other deaths insinuated in the ISSA report, are not the right suspects, it should be able to help. The investigation should examine any photographs and video clips of condolence visits to the families of the deceased to profile those on the entourage of PDP chieftains. Saraki’s outing in Offa offers experience and precedence that should hold true in these cases since the PDP believes that the right killers are yet to be apprehended.
There is something else the party probably knows that the rest of Nigerians do not know. After all, the alleged corruption that Badeh was standing trial for took place under the PDP’s watch. He would have kept a date with the court sometimes this month had his life not been cut short. Since the period he was standing trial for was under the PDP there is no knowing how his testimony in defence of himself would have damaged the PDP beyond repairs.
The indictment of former National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (retired), over the $2.1 billion armsgate has taught the PDP how one person can land the entire architecture of the party in trouble. It is something they are not willing to risk with Badeh, another top military brass that served the party’s government. If his death is then motivated by a quest to silence him from revealing the names behind the corruption that was alleged to have prevailed under his watch it is logical to hold the PDP as the party with a motive to snuff life out of him.
The PDP should then tell the world all that they know about the killing of Badeh. The party’s leaders should tell the rest of us what they know about Alkali’s death. They should come clean about who else they have murdered to keep a lid on the corruption that was the hallmark of their time in power. The PDP should explain why the former Chief of Defence Staff only met his untimely death when he was due to open the lid on what went down in a matter of days.
From what happened in Offa, it is glaring that the party’s chieftain have in the past mobilized and commissioned criminals that kill Nigerians without restrain. They have also shown the track record for keeping straight faces even when their hands are dripping with fresh blood. The knowledge of this is perhaps behind the stridency with which they are trying to pin Badeh’s death on others when the pointers are all in their direction, assuming those that have confessed to the killing are not the actual suspects. It has the means, it has the experience and it certainly have the motive to kill Badeh and Alkali too.
The question then is: when will the PDP come clear of Badeh? When will they find the decency even in their depravity to give the family and his nation closure? The PDP should be kind enough to immediately explain its role in Badeh’s and Alkali’s deaths. It is the kind thing to do, an act of kindness that might yet redeem the troubled souls of the PDP leaders.
Jimoh is former PDP Youth Leader writing from Abeokuta.