Sahara Reporters Latest News Thursday 27th December 2018
Sahara Reporters Latest News Today and headlines on some of the happenings and news trend in the Country, today 27/12/18
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target=_blank>Ondo Lecturers Lament Poor Funding Of State-Owned Tertiary Institutions
Trade Unions in the tertiary institutions owned by the Ondo State Government have lamented the under-funding of public universities, polytechnics and monotechnics in the state.
The unions, under the auspices of the Joint Action Committee (JAC), said the inadequate funding which has also led to reduction in monthly subventions to state-owned tertiary institutions since June 2016, had affected the payment of salaries of staff, the capital grants, promotion, accreditation and re-accreditation of courses at the public institutions.
A joint press statement signed by JAC Chairman, the Comrade Chris Olowolade and the Secretary, Temitope Aguda, which was obtained by SaharaReporters, noted that the lack of adequate funding is crippling operations in the affected state government-owned institutions.
They observed that the institutions mostly affected by the poor funding included Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba Akoko (AAUA), Ondo State University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa (OSUSTECH) and Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo (RUGIPO).
The trade union called on Governor Rotimi Akeredolu to see to the release of more funds and address the various challenges facing the institutions to save them from untimely collapse and protect the future of the state education sector from dwindling.
They also demanded a review of an implementation of the retirement age for state-owned universities and polytechnics academic and non-academic staff, as approved by the National Assembly in the amended University and Polytechnic Miscellaneous Act of 2012.
The union, however, asked security agencies to find a lasting solution to the incessant kidnapping and security challenges on the Akure-Owo-Akoko road.
The statement read: “We also want to use this opportunity to inform Mr. Governor (Akeredolu) that tertiary institution workers are not only suffering from insecurity but this inadequate funding has resulted in the instability to pay salary, which has drastically kept members of staff in the institutions in poor conditions as many could not take care of themselves medically, thereby resulting in untimely death of staff.
“The state governor should direct the management of Ondo State tertiary institutions to edit their laws and put into use the 65-70 retirement age for academic and non-academic staff of tertiary institutions, as approved by the National Assembly and the Presidency in the amended University and Polytechnic miscellaneous Act of 2012.
“Subvention of tertiary institutions in Ondo State was slashed in June 2016 under the last administration. For instance, RUGIPO subvention was reduced from N213m to N149m; Capital grants have not been released to RUGIPO since Governor Akeredolu came on board in February, 2017. Money released for accreditation and re-accreditation were grossly inadequate. Promotion of staff was carried out last in 2016 as a result of poor funding.”
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E2%80%99s-socio-politics-kwaghbunde-gbahabo target=_blank>Before Insecurity Becomes The Epitome Of Nigeria’s Socio-Politics By Kwaghbunde Gbahabo
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On Tuesday, 18 December 2018, Alex Sabundu Badeh, a four star flag officer of the Nigerian Air Force who served as the 18th Chief of Air Staff and the 15th Chief of Defence Staff of the armed forces of Nigeria was shot dead by yet-to-be-identified gunmen, at Tudu-Uku, along Abuja-Keffi road, while returning to Abuja from a routine visit to his farm.
On September 3, 2018, Major General Idris Alkali (Rtd), who is the immediate past Chief of Administration (Nigerian Army) was ambushed, murdered and his corpse confiscated by irate youths around Jos – Dura, a community in Du district of Jos South local government. He was travelling to Bauchi from Abuja, en-route Jos, Plateau State. His mutilated and decomposing body was later found in a disused well on October 31, 2018, but not before a massive manhunt initiated by the Nigerian Army led operatives to a shallow grave, from where his remains had been exhumed by the perpetrators of this heinous and dastardly crime, after his car was found in an abandoned mine that was being utilized as a wet cemetery for automobiles of slaughtered victims.
On December 12, 2015, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai was accosted by members of the Shia religious sect along Kaduna-Zaria expressway. His being in full military regalia did not deter them; they barricaded the road, chanted “war” songs and bluntly denied him right of passage. Who knows what fate would have befallen him if not for the timely, active, armed response by his security details.
The above chronicle of events is by no means exhaustive; it neither includes the names of over 3,500 people who have either been killed or displaced as a result of Boko Haram insurgency in the North East of Nigeria, nor does it include over 1,500 people who have been killed or sacked as whole communities as a result of the perennial clashes between farmers and armed bandits who masquerade as cattle herdsmen.
We, the National Association of Seadogs, Pyrates Confraternity are profoundly apprehensive about this widespread state of insecurity because everywhere you turn, East, West, North or South; it appears that Federal government has completely lost capacity to secure the lives and property of Nigerians.
It is our considered view that if national security assets like Alex Badeh, a four star flag officer and Air Chief Marshall of the Nigerian Air force, and Major General, Idris Alkali who are both less than one year into their retirement and should statutorily enjoy the highest levels of security and protection can be murdered in cold blood, on open roads, then, where lies the hope for the common masses, whose life and death are by default unheralded.
If the freedom and movement of the serving Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen Tukur Buratai can be impeded by members of a religious sect, what institution, then, can protect the common masses? This near total breakdown of law and order is an ominous sign for national pace and stability, especially, given the imminent 2019 general elections.
To arrest this downward slide to national perdition, it is pertinent to commence addressing the plethora of socioeconomic problems that fuel insecurity; poverty, injustice, ethnicity and illiteracy being topmost on the list. In addition, government needs to wake up to the realism that the security situation has degenerated to a point where it is spiralling out of control and must expediently articulate a wholesome and strategic action plan to tackle this hydra headed monster. The overarching strategy must include a process that mops up and controls the current proliferation of small arms within the country, there is also need to enhance and sustain aerial surveillance and land patrol around borders and notorious blind spots on highways. Essential technology infrastructure should be installed to enhance intelligence gathering and tracking of the armed bandits who perpetrate wanton killings, kidnap for ransom and murder on our highways.
For completeness, law enforcement must play a very strategic and critical role in rebuilding trust and confidence of the citizenry in government’s capacity to provide security. A situation where the perpetrators of these heinous crimes are never apprehended and prosecuted to the full extent of the law, then are severely punished, if found culpable ends up providing incentive for reprisals and emboldens criminal elements and miscreants to be contemptuous of the law and disregard for the sanctity of life.
A resolute and well-resourced investigation must be expeditiously launched to identify, prosecute and punish the killers of Air Chief Marshall Alex Badeh. Other murders, high or low must be vigorously investigated, and their perpetrators brought to book. By failing, the Federal Government will be inadvertently degrading its capacity to secure and protect the lives and property of its citizens.
Guaranteeing security should be made a priority of governance.
The time to begin is now.
Kwaghbunde GbahaboNAS CapoonNational Association of Seadogs, Pyrates ConfraternityDecember 2018
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target=_blank>Soldiers ‘Detain’ Businessman In Jos, ‘Order Him To Withdraw Petition’
The Special Task Force (STF) in Jos, Plateau State have “beaten, humiliated and detained” a prominent businessman, Suleiman Mohammad Dikwa, alongside his lawyer, one Felix Pukuma, over allegations of writing a petition against one Filis Arinze.
The duo were arrested on December 21, 2018. The lawyer, who was also assaulted, but freed after being briefly detained, was later invited by the military to prevail on his client to discontinue the petition against Ms Arinze, as condition for his release.
In a document seen by SaharaReporters, the lawyer stated: “I, Felix Musa Pukuma, ESQ hereby testify that on this day 21/12/2018 at 11.30am, I was arrested alongside my Client, Mr. Suleiman Mohammed Dikwa, in Jos by the JTF military personnel. We were beaten, humiliated, dehumanized, handcuffed and bundled into their Hilux Van and taken to STF Headquarters, Jos, for an offence that, according to my Client’s instructions, I had already filed a petition against one Miss Fillis at the Police Area Command, Jos. Dikwa is still in military detention for failing to agree to withdraw this petition against the lady whom he accused of being a serial blackmailer”.
Pukuma also stated that they have decided to write a petition to the Chief of Army Staff and, subsequently, file a case in the court, “suing the military for this unimaginable impunity and lawlessness” against himself and his client.
“We were duly informed that the lady in question has the backing of a military general, who has ordered the continued detention of Dikwa until he backs down,” said the lawyer.
“I have never seen a situation where someone writes a petition to the Police seeking redress over a matter and the military abducts the petitioner and hold him against his will to withdraw the petition in question. Sadly, even the Police seem helpless,” said one of Dikwa’s family members.
The family member continued: “This is happening at a time the Nigerian military is facing accusations of human rights abuses by Amnesty International and other NGOs in Nigeria. They are holding our relative at gunpoint, as if he is a criminal for writing a petition against a fellow citizen to the Police. We are not saying he innocent or the lady is guilty,” said a family member of Dikwa, adding that, “why would a lady report a lawyer and client to the military for writing a petition to the Police. Why won’t she go to the same Police to clear her name? What is she afraid of?”
Dikwa has remained in custody for five days now without being charged as at the time of filing this report. All efforts to secure his release have been unsuccessful, according to his friends, family and neighbours in Jos.
“We fear for his life, because we have heard reports of people allegedly being arrested and detained by the military and are never seen again,” the family member added.
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target=_blank>Two Months After Commissioning, $111m Port Harcourt Airport Yet To Become Operational
The commissioning of the Port Harcourt International Airport (PHIA), Omegwa, Port Harcourt on October 25, 2018 was with fanfare, but two months after the inauguration, the airport is yet to be opened for use.
Investigation revealed that the airport, which was constructed by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation Ltd. (CCECC) Nigeria, for $111.1million was yet to be completed by the contractor.
A source close to the Ministry of Transport, Aviation Unit, told our correspondent on Wednesday that the new terminal may not be ready for use until March 2019.
According to the source, Hadi Sirika, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Aviation, had “hoodwinked President Muhammadu Buhari to commission the terminal after the crisis that trailed the failed attempt on a new national carrier for the country”.
It was gathered that the contracting firm had told Sirika that the new terminal was not ready for use, but the minister had insisted on commissioning the terminal at the time in order to get commendation from the president.
Investigation by SaharaReporters revealed that intense work was still ongoing at the new terminal, as several equipment were still being fixed by the contractors.
Speaking on the state of affairs at the airport, the source said: “It is bad that two months after the commissioning of Port Harcourt airport, we are yet to use the new terminal. We all knew from the beginning that the terminal was not ready, but the minister forced the contractor to commission it.
“Now, months after the forceful commissioning, no one is able to use the terminal. As at Monday, serious work was still ongoing at the terminal and it may not be ready by March next year. That is the challenge we have been facing in this sector.”
At the commissioning in October, President Muhammadu Buhari had said that the new terminal would further open up the economic activities in the state as goods and cargo movement would increase in the state and other neighbouring states.
Buhari said the new terminal would accommodate at least seven million passengers annually, adding that it would further bring the nation’s aviation industry up to international standards.
He emphasised that plans were underway to link the Port Harcourt Airport to the ongoing construction of the Warri railway line, noting that this would also make air travel affordable and convenient for passengers.
Speaking at the commissioning, Buhari had said: “The concession of four international airports in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano and Abuja will improve infrastructure in Nigeria. Our desire is to make air travel more affordable to all and this we are achieving with the commissioning of these new terminals. I want to commend the Chinese Exim Bank for their financial support towards the completion of this project”.
Also, Nyesom Wike, Governor of Rivers State, had stated that the South South region was happy with the project, stating that it would foster further investment in the state.
“I can tell you this today that the people of Rivers State and the Niger Delta are happy with you Mr. President. This terminal here will help the drive of the state to grow the economy and it will attract investment to the state. What has happened here shows that Rivers State is safe, Rivers State is secure and if it was not, CCECC will not have been here to construct this,” Wike said.
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target=_blank>Don’t Renew BEDC Licence Until Affected Ondo Communities Get Power After Five-Year Blackout, Group Tells NERC
Worried by epileptic services and erratic power supply to customers, a group, Bring Back Our Light (BBOL) in Ondo State, has restated its call to the Nigerian government not to renew the licence of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC).
The Bring Back Our Light stated this on Wednesday after the sudden restoration of electricity to Ode-Aye community in Okitipupa Local Council Area, one of the five communities in the southern part of the state plunged into total darkness for five to ten years.
The communities were plunged into darkness and disconnected from the national grid due to the refusal to pay their outstanding electricity bills owed from the days of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) to that of the Benin Electicity Distribution Company (BEDC).
On Tuesday, the BEDC had restored electricity to Ode Aye, sparking jubilation among the locals. However, the group has advised the people not to be carried away by the euphoria of celebrating the Yuletide season following the restoration of electricity to just one of the five communities affected by the total blackout.
A press statement issued by the convener of the group, Olumide Akinrinola, welcomed the restoration of electricity to Ode Aye, but noted that the agitatation is far from over, as most communities within the senatorial district are still without power.
SaharaReporters obtained the copy of the statement entitled ‘Struggle on Electricity Restoration is Not Yet Over, Stop Celebrating As The Battles Continue’, which read: “We thank the Almighty God that He has delivered his people from the hand of Pharaoh called Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) following the restoration of Ode Aye community to the National Grid in line with the directive of Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) in a letter addressed to the chairman Due Diligence Audit Committee (S.T. Aderehinwo), with a copy of same made available to Hon. Mike Omogbehin, with Ref. Number: NERC/05/CA/CCU/BEDC/33/17/1112, following the proof of illegal cut-off presented to NERC on July 6, 2017 by our people.
“We are happy for the breakthrough, most especially the intervention of the Federal Government in helping the incompetent and ever failing agent of darkness called BEDC in the major repair of the electrical facilities in Ondo South. We want to say that this battle is not yet over, hence we advise all the residents of Ondo South not to be carried away with this little development occasioned by community agitations.
“We need not to be overjoyous over the case until the following conditions are met: All the Transformers (TFs) in Ode Aye must be energized (it is only Orokin TF that has been energised for now); We still have the market street, unity areas, Oke-Oriota axis, Garage/Baptist areas, just to mention a few.
“After all these TFs are serviced and energised by BEDC, then every household will have electricity in Ode Aye.”
The group also advised the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to be extra careful of the antics of BEDC on making the commission believe electricity has been fully restored in the senatorial district.
The statement continued: “BEDC may claim they have energised Ode Aye now, and give wrong information to NERC in Abuja and tactically escape the punishment they are undergoing now at NERC if we keep celebrating this frivolity. We know the restoration is a gradual process, but we are informing the general public that it is only fractional parts of the transformers in Ode Aye that were energised.
“All the conditions stated above are also applied to the rest of the communities under Okitipupa LG before moving to other LGs like Ilaje, Irele and Ese Odo. We also advised our people not to give room for any ‘enumeration’ now. They should not be allowed to start enumeration in any part of our communities until we conclude the pending account reconciliation of electricity debts, and sign an MoU on the debt profile.
“We must not score BEDC any cheap marks which may earn them renewal of their licence which is still under contention by us and sister states like Edo and Delta. We are seriously in collaboration with Edo State in the fight against non renewal of BEDC’s licence, knowing fully well that Ekiti State is sold out now. If we allow BEDC to to stay, they will bite us high through their monthly and fraudulent estimated billing system.
“As we write, BEDC is romancing our people in Ode Aye to continue with estimated billing, claiming that prepaid meters are not yet in stock. As such, they resorted to group metering, which is yet to be accepted by our people.”
The Bring Back Our Light group has been at the forefont for the struggle for the restoration of electicity to communities in Ondo State.
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target=_blank>Christmas Fiesta And Why Gov. Ortom Must Apologize To The Fulanis By Prince Enenche
It is becoming clearer by the day to every Benue indigene and Nigerians, Gov. Samuel Ortom’s hypocritic content, politicization and commercialization of the herders killings in Benue state. The death of every Nigerian or human being is condemnable. But where some persons embalm it with political interests to fester their ambitions is also unacceptable.
But what has hit consistently hard in the much publicized herders and farmers clashes in Benue state is Gov. Ortom’s shadowy manipulations or outright sponsorship of the killings to veil his leadership deficiency in the four years of governing the state. The Governor has designed it to hoodwink unsuspecting indigenes of the state into blindly voting him for a second term in 2019.
Therefore, Ortom has devoted much energy into negative profiling of the Fulani ethnicity and campaign of calumny against an entire race. Gov. Ortom is also a cattle rearer and has the highest number of cattle in Benue state, just like his friend, the PDP Presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who leads in number of herds in Nigeria.
The wisdom of casting aspersion on the Fulani tribe is difficult to understand. In fact, herding is a livestock business practised by all ethnicities in Nigeria and the world. But how Ortom and his negligible apostates have infected their senses to reduce the problems associated with cattle herding in Benue or Nigeria to an exclusive Fulani affair baffles endlessly.
In pursuit of this demonic agenda against the Fulani, Ortom has contrived an array of antics to de-market the Fulanis and promote his 2019 re-election project. He consciously defames the Fulanis by branding them killers, murderers’ and invaders on annexation of the ancestral lands in the Benue valley. The Governor cannot justify any of these claims beyond the peripheral entrepreneurial and political values he has crafted to service his selfish motives.
So, quite ironic, he vilifies President Muhammadu Buhari, as a Fulani; but courts another Fulani man, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who he is serving as his 2019 campaign Co-ordinator, North Central Zone. Such posturing is unveiling the vaunted secrets behind the farmers and herders clashes as well as the ensuing killings in the state.
Every day, Gov. Ortom reminds Benue of his double-faced portrait on the herders killings. And his simple, but the unexpressed message is that aside propagating the herders’ menace to gain political mileage against opponents in the 2019 governorship race, he knows what is reeled out from his camp is baseless propaganda against Fulani.
Former Governor of Benue State and Senator, representing Benue Northwest Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Sen. George Akume has reiterated at several fora that Gov. Ortom is responsible for the herders killings in Benue state.
Even recently at a party function in Makurdi, the bold and audacious Senator Akume alleged that Gov. Ortom is the leader promoting the herders killings in the state through his Livestock Guards, led by a “repentant” Boko Haramists, Alhaji Aliyu Tashaku. Ortom shares clannish ties with Tashaku.
Elsewhere, Sen. Akume had thundered that when Tashaku was arrested with five others over the killing of two Catholic priests and 17 parishioners in Mbalom, Gwer East LGA of Benue; charged to court and remanded in prison custody, the tempo of the herders killings in Benue waned to point of vanishing.
How Tashaku regained his freedom after months of incarceration remains a mystery. But barely three weeks after his release, the herders killings in Benue resumed again. It blends too perfectly to be assumed as coincidence.
Akume has ceaselessly prodded Gov. Ortom to answer this fundamental question. But the Governor shirks each time he is confronted. The best he has ever done are threats to drag Sen. Akume before Ijir Tamen, (the Tiv Supreme Assembly). But a conscience haunted by guilt has not freed him to embark on such a futile exercise.
As a cattle rearer, Gov. Ortom allegedly romances with Miyetti Allah in secret. He reportedly attends their meetings and pays levies. The Governor is only anti-Miyetti Allah in the day time to promote his political ambitions; but a staunch member of the group at nights. He has allegedly sworn an oath to protect their business interests in the state. And the Governor religiously adheres to these commitments.
Many may not understand. But in the aftermath of the herders massacres of Benue people in Guma and Logo LGAs on New Year Day, January 2018, pressure groups and originators of the anti-open grazing law like MAFO and VINTIM sent out an appeal to all Tiv people to desist from consumption of beef from Fulani cattle, as subtle protest against the gruesome killings.
This voluntary rule has been substantially obeyed throughout Tiv land. It has gravely reduced the market of cattle in Benue state. The profit decline to cattle rearers has been impactful. It is alleged Miyetti Allah tabled the issue in one of their meetings, which had Gov. Ortom in attendance. And he promised the leaders to resolve matter gradually.
It is, therefore, not a co-incidence that Gov. Ortom flouted with impunity, the MAFO appeal against consumption of Fulani cows during the 2018 yuletide. Fulani cows were the major gifts Gov. Ortom generously dished out to people during the Christmas, a Christian feast which commemorates the birth of the Lord and Savour, Jesus Christ.
A leader committed to the opposition to Miyetti Allah as Gov. Ortom feigns and preaches everywhere should not have been in the forefront of violating the MAFO restriction on consumption of cows. He deliberately danced to the tone of his covert Miyetti Allah leaders. So, when it pleases him, he mounts the podium with sermons of Fulani herders killing Benue people to score cheap political points.
That Gov. Ortom has not attempted to answer the questions posed to him by Sen. Akume over Tashaku implies that he is the sponsor of the herders killings in Benue state for selfish political pursuits. And it is gleaned from the reality that as a Governor who cannot pay salaries and pensions (including select payments in December 2018) and his zero rating on capital projects, reelection for him is glaringly elusive.
Therefore, blackmailing the Fulanis, an entire race over killings to gain public sympathy for his reelection bid is no big deal. The truth would continue to saunter into the open to illuminate hearts charmed by Gov. Ortom’s satanic agenda on Benue. Now that part of this truth is unveiled by Gov. Ortom by his violation of MAFO restriction on beef consumption from Fulani cows, he should demonstrate the virtues of a true Christian he claims by apologizing to the Fulani folk.
Enenche wrote from MAKURDI, Benue State.
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target=_blank>Banditry And Killings: Why Is Zamfara Different? By Idoko Ainoko
Protest rocks Zamfara town over killings by bandits.
Protest rocks Zamfara town over killings by bandits.
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Zamfara State is in the news again. So much so that I am tempted to ask if the state is jinxed with misfortunes. I am quite appalled with the security situation in the state. I am also somewhat at a loss as to why the killings in the state have refused to abate despite the numerous intervention of our security agencies. As a start, I have been one of those that have stated that the killings in Zamfara are a function of two variables. One bothers on failure in governance, and the other on a covert power struggle between two supposedly political heavyweights, Governor Abdul-Aziz Yari and Mansur Dan-Ali, the Minister of Defence.
Political egos have turned the state into a killing field. On the part of the governor, his abysmal performance has further entrenched a regime of agitations that has manifested in the senseless killing and maiming of innocent civilians. And as the level of poverty intensifies, frustrated youths are everywhere taking to antisocial behaviour by way of political thuggery, drug addiction, armed robbery, and the likes. The rural folks are also not left behind. They have even resorted to banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling, produce theft, ransacking of villages, and genocidal killings. All just to make ends meet.
According to Data from the NBS National Corruption Survey for 2017 published in August 2017, it reflected that Crime and Insecurity was the most critical issue affecting Nigeria with 38.3% recorded by Zamfara State. Isn’t this mind-boggling with regards to the fact that the defence minister is from the state and, as well as a democratically elected governor and chief security officer of the state as stipulated by law.
And yet, there is supposedly a governor who spends the bulk of his time in Abuja, roaming between countries and buying up properties like the world is coming to an end, while his state is up in flames. And guess what? As comical as he is, he would come up with a flimsy on how he has resigned as the chief security officer of the state from his abode in Abuja. Wonders shall indeed never end.
According to an inside source within the security agencies, it described the governor as a monumental failure and one that does not listen to advise but instead prefers to see things from the prism of his selfish interest. As a fact, the governor was once quoted as stating that he cannot spend a full week in Zamfara state because of the level of underdevelopment. To say I was astonished by this is more of an understatement because here was a man that was not under any form of coercion when he aspired to govern the state. And the last time I checked, the state capital is in Gusau and not Abuja.
That Zamfara is still reeling in underdevelopment is not surprising, and that the killings have refused to abate is also a manifestation of how meaningful governance has eluded the people thereby leading to increased crime rate and insecurity. Some school of thoughts would argue that poverty exists because of the inadequacy of government and the system we live in. And I would agree, and if we must tell ourselves the truth, people like Abdul-Aziz Yari should bury their heads in shame because they have failed woefully. Imagine a situation where killings are ongoing in the state and the governor is busy travelling from pillar to post or addressing press conferences in Abuja.
The minister of Defence, Mansur Dan Ali is also culpable in the Zamfara trajectory in my opinion. As a start, it is most despicable that the home state of the defence minister has been bedevilled with security challenges. I am also at a loss as to what qualified him to be so appointed as the minister of defence as colourless as he is. I mean, his foray in the military does not speak of any tangible contribution, both intellectually or otherwise. The closest he got to it was when he was appointed an acting director, military training. And that is the man that was so selected as defence minister. I wonder what we expect from such, hence why his home state has been on fire, and he seems confused.
The appalling angle to the whole story is that the Defence Minister has refused to come to terms with modern strategies in warfare, so much so that despite the intervention of the armed forces, there seems to be no headway in Zamfara because of what the duo of the defence minister and the state governor are doing. Some say they are in a superiority contest. Some say they are struggling for control of security budget. So also say both parties have been covertly fuelling the crisis so as they undermine themselves. In all of these, I think there is more to the drama in Zamfara state. The power struggle, the money, the control of political structures and resources, the quest for relevance and many others have made the Zamfara case different.
This is also despite the military operations like Operation Sharan Daji and Operation Whirl stroke II and others. Interestingly, one would have expected that since the defence minister is from Zamfara, he ought to have extended all the necessary support to the Armed Forces in securing lives and properties. But from what I have gathered, it appears the military has not enjoyed that support from the defence minister especially when it comes to military interventions in the state for reasons best known to him. Maybe he prefers the statuesque so he can further advance his political battles. While it is okay to fight political battles, but not at the detriment of the lives of innocent people, the killings in Zamfara must stop. And those in positions of authority that have in one way or the other through their actions and inactions contributed to the degradation of human lives in Zamfara state should bury their heads in shame.
Ainoko wrote this piece from Kaduna.
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E2%80%98without-training%E2%80%99-escape-police-force target=_blank>EXCLUSIVE: 190 Policemen Mobilised For Boko Haram ‘Without Training’ Escape From Police Force
At least 190 policemen being mobilized for the war against Boko Haram have fled for their lives.
Worried by the development, the Force Headquarters, Abuja, has ordered for the arrest and prosecution of the officers.
A security source familiar with the matter told SaharaReporters that the said officers were to be sent to battle without appropriate training, and also observed that nearly all of them are southerners and Christians.
“Those are the names of policemen who were mobilised without any serious training to be sent to the front lines to fight Boko Haram who ran away,” said the source.
“Nearly all of them are southerners and Christians; 96% of the total number mobilised are southerners and Christians too. This has raised so much dust and outcry in the NPF.”
However, the Police presented a slightly different account of the incident. A ‘Police Wireless Message’ sent from the Force Headquarters to MOPOLS in 22 states, which was seen by SaharaReporters, said the policemen were being trained at the Special Forces school, Buni-Yadi, where they absconded from. The MOPOLS were urged to treat the matter as “very important”.
The 190 officers may have been intended to be part of the group of 2,000, which the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, deployed to the North East late last month to fight Boko Haram.
Announcing the deployment, Force Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Moshood, had said the policemen comprised personnel of the Police Mobile Force (PMF) and Counter Terrorism Units (CTU), as well as those of the Force and the Sniffer Dog Sections.
Moshood also stated that the new deployment was consistent with Section 4 of the Police Act and Regulations.
The section, he said, “specifies the general duties of the Nigeria Police Force as follows: The police shall be employed for the prevention and detection of crime, the apprehension of offenders, the preservation of law and order, the protection of life and property and the due enforcement of all laws and regulations with which they are directly charged, and shall perform such military duties within or outside Nigeria as may be required of them by or under the authority of this or any other Act”.
“The deployment is also to support the strength of the military to defeat the Boko Haram insurgency,” he added.
“Before now, the Nigeria Police Force has on ground 47 PMF units (63 X 47 = 2961) in Borno State in addition to the Police Mobile Force (PMF) Squadron in Borno State. Twenty-six units (63 X 26 = 1638) on ground in Yobe State in addition to the Police Mobile Force (PMF) Squadron in Yobe State.
“Eighteen units (63 X 18 = 1134) on ground in Adamawa State in addition to the Police Mobile Force (PMF) Squadron in Adamawa State.”
Names of the 190 police officers below:
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target=_blank>BREAKING: Boko Haram Razes Village Near Chibok On Christmas day
Boko Haram insurgents have razed another community near Chibok — the second in three days — according to residents.
Witnesses told SaharaReporters that the insurgents laid siege on the remote village of Mbolakel, some six kilometres away from Chibok town, at about 11:45pm on Christmas Day, injuring at least three persons and burning down the whole village.
Chibok residents said the deafening sound of gunshots roused them from sleep and the smoke could still be seen from distance hours after.
“The heavy gunshots woke us up,” one, who simply identified himself as Musa, said. “We saw the flames from faraway. Early this morning, we went to the Mbolakel Village; it was burnt down, three wounded, there was no loss of lives.”
Three days ago, suspected insurgents attacked Makalama community, also near Chibok, and razed some houses.
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Why Nigerian Govt. Must Probe Corruption Allegations Against Military – Sagay
Itse Sagay
Itse Sagay
Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN), has urged the Federal Government to cause investigation into allegations that funds appropriated for procurement of arms and other military equipment, to prosecute the counterterrorism and counterinsurgency war in the North-East, may not have been properly applied. Asked what he thought was responsible for series of attacks on troops in the North-East in recent time, and attendant loss of lives, Sagay said: “Well, I believe the saying that ‘a dying snake is very vicious’. I believe the Boko Haram is dying, and this is their last set of vicious attacks, to give us the wrong impression that they are still potent.
“You will find that after this spate of attacks, they will just die quietly. Very soon, they will be extinguished.” When reminded that some individuals and groups had alleged that corruption was partly responsible for the losses incurred in the theatre of operation, the professor of law responded: “Corruption in what respect? “No, I don’t have any ev-idence on that. You know, we, Nigerians, always have a way of jumping to conclusion on sentiments, rather than on facts.
“It’s not impossible, but there is no evidence. And so, I won’t come to that conclusion, as of now. “But, I will expect the government to investigate these allegations, to make sure that all the money (funds) being voted for the military, are being channeled towards their training and weaponry; rather than being diverted. “I will expect the government, as a responsible government, to do that. And then, after that, we will know what to say.”
But, the Military has said it was not afraid of any form of investigation, insisting that it does not buy arms. It added that procurement procedures had been the watchword. Acting Director of Defence Information (DDI), Brig-Gen. John Agim, who stated the position in a brief telephone interview with our correspondent, said: “I don’t have any take. You should ask the chairman what informed his doing that. So, if they want to investigate; the military don’t buy. There are procedures for procurement. “So, if anybody wants to investigate, they can go ahead”. Meanwhile, Sagay has expressed support for President Muhammadu Buhari’s refusal to sign the Electoral Act (amendment) bill that was transmitted to him by the National Assembly.
This was as he noted that the opposition Peoples Democratic Party’s support for the amendment, made the President’s decision more compelling. “Let me tell you the truth. In my mind, my suspicion; the enthusiasm of the PDP for this amendment, frightens me. It gives me the impression that there is something in it somewhere, which they intend to use in a corrupt and fraudulent manner, to overturn the actual results of the election. That is my personal feeling; nobody told me that. “Anything the PDP is anxious about, you will always have something (allegedly) corrupt; something they want to use to upstage the actual votes of the people.
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