Sahara Reporters Latest News Today Sunday 9th August 2020
Sahara Reporters Latest News Today and headlines on some of the happenings and news trend in the Country, today 09/08/20
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E2%80%99t-escape-death-%E2%80%93obasanjo Despite Evading Justice, Kashamu Couldn’t Escape Death –Obasanjo
Olusegun Obasanjo
A former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has commisirated with the people of Ogun State over the death of an ex-lawmaker, Buruji Kashamu, who died of Coronavirus complications on Saturday.
In a statement by his spokesperson, Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo said while Kashamu’s death was “sad”, his life and history left “lessons for those of all us on this side of the veil”.
Olusegun Obasanjo
He said, “Senator Buruji Kashamu in his lifetime used the maneuver of law and politics to escape from facing justice on alleged criminal offence in Nigeria and outside Nigeria.
“But no legal, political, cultural, social, or even medical maneuver could stop the cold hand of death when the Creator of all of us decides that the time is up.
“May Allah forgive his sin and accept his soul into Aljanah, and may God grant his family and friends fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”
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BREAKING: Former Nigerian Senator, Buruji Kashamu, Is Dead
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A Day With The Enemies Of Nigeria- A Detention Diary After Arrest During #RevolutionNow By Dunnex Samuel
“…When the real enemies that we have are up there and they are the ones stealing our money. So, you can see that in front of the Nigerian people today, they won’t even mind to arrest me for having boldness to talk…”
As heard in the viral clip, this were my last words before I fell into the cold but hard grip of fierce-looking operatives of Department of State Security (DSS) who acted on the instructions of the Nigerian government to arrest others and I, who were protesters at Osogbo on the 5th of August during the #RevolutionNow protest. Interestingly, the point I was buttressing before my arrest was that the real enemies of the Nigerian state are not the security officers, but those who sent them such errands, while they sit back in their offices and steal away the commonwealth of the Nigerian state. Little did I know that the next 31 hours would give me a vivid insight into how Nigerian citizens are not the only victims of systemic corruption and oppression, but how the security apparatuses are also at the receiving end of a backward state.
In a speedy van driven and guarded by armed men with masked faces, we were driven into the DSS facility in Osogbo at exactly 11:52am. On getting to the facility, we were stripped of all items including wristwatch and an eyeglass (recommended) because of the palpable fear of hidden cameras. After all our items were collected, we were transferred to an office apparently used for administrative purposes. Sitting on the floor with our faces to the wall, two officers monitored us at distance with guns.
At about, 3:20 pm, we were called upon to fill a statement form provided by the officers. Still yet to be told what exactly our offences were, the officers kept on hammering their mission to break our spirits for having such audacity in Nigeria. On one hand, the officers tried to argue their actions were within the confines of the constitution, on another hand, they couldn’t hide their disregard for the rule of law.
My first confirmation of that was when I requested a legal counsel for filling of the statement form because I was under duress. Just as a female officer tried convincing me that I was not under duress because the officers were calm. An officer with uniform code ” COBC 29/2016″ immediately flung up from his seat and gas-lighted. He threatened to brutalize and maim me if I insisted on getting a counsel, accusing me of taking their calmness for granted.
While at that, he immediately transferred me to the Torture Room (Room 25). In the torture room, He placed a call to another officer whom he described as the most-dreaded torture officer, codenamed “Ika”. In Yoruba interpretation, “Wicked”. Rather unfortunately, the officer wasn’t available. I was eventually coerced into filling the form after several threats on my life, with a gun in his hands. In his words; “my boss would even commend me if you die in my hands’ ‘.
Upon completion of the statement form, at exactly 6:15pm, four of us were transferred to another room and told we will be granted bail – but with a condition of calling our parents as sureties.
While I pondered silently on what part of the Nigerian constitution or criminal laws stated that parents are the only eligible sureties for administrative bail, I remembered the agency itself is not known for complying with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, hence the liberty to act to any degree of lawlessness. Also, I realised the request for our parents was an attempt to wage a psychological war on us by putting us under parental pressure, since they knew so well that we can never give in to their intimidation.
All efforts to get our parents to come to the facility that day failed. And at exactly, 7:50pm, we were transferred to the cell rooms. Given the popular narrative, there were no surprises to expect from a Nigerian cell room.
High walls, poor-ventilation, rusted bars were the characteristics of the cell room. Six of us, males, were locked individually in the cell rooms. Though, additions were made later. However, the proximity between the cell rooms made it easy for us to communicate.
In my cell room which was the last on the row, the only provision for sleeping was a carton sheet which was spread on the floor as a make-shift bed. Some hours into the night when I could barely see anything in the dark room, some officers came and asked for our choice of food. However, I had no appetite for their food so i declined the offer, but the officer insisted I must eat compulsorily. Some hours later, which I believe to be around 11pm, they came with a loaf of bread and two sachets of pure water. My resolve not to eat from an untrusted source kept me through the night as I remained in high spirits. The remaining hours of the night was a moment of thorough discussion between us (the cell mates) as we all slept off at intervals.
However, some hours into the night, we all woke up because we couldn’t sleep properly. At that point, I had already developed a breathing difficulty due to my asthmatic condition and exposure to certain irritations. Albeit, my utmost concern remained getting my freedom. The prayers from a nearby mosque made us know the time was exactly 4:45pm and the sound of moving vehicles made us realize it was already daybreak. Some hours before 10am, 3 of us were taken from the cell rooms back to the administrative office. There, we were once again told to call our parents, but the officers got infuriated by the report that I refused to eat and promised not to use their inhaler. Upon the instruction of their boss, I was taken back into the cell room at exactly 12:28pm.
However, some hours later, I was transferred back to the administrative block when my parents arrived. And after a lot of attempts to intimidate them to discourage me from subsequent involvement in struggle, my bail was perfected. And i got released some minutes before 7pm.
However, I cannot but highlight a few mental notes I made during my short stay in the facility.
The Nigerian government fears the people more than the people fears the government. Continuous reference was made to the fact that the protest could snowball into a larger demonstration, if the passersby’ joined because most of them are angrier than we are. A notion which i consider right because it takes only the people that steal public funds or benefit from it proceeds to be happy in a country such as Nigeria.
Even the security agencies are victims of poor funding. One would expect highly-digitised systems to be the hallmark of any intelligence agency. Albeit, ink stamps and paper were being used for fingerprint verification, in place of digital fingerprint scanner.
A time will come when the Nigerian masses will be left with no option on the quest of survival than to come together in unity and upturn this oppressive system that was created for the benefit of a few minority. Then, it will become clear that the anger of the masses is greater than a thousand guns and uniforms.
On this note, I cannot but express my unreserved appreciation to the Nigerian people and international socilaists who made all efforts to ensure that our release was immediately secured.
And I cannot fail to mention that, it wasn’t the wish of the DSS operatives to release us as at the time they did, but the pressure mounted on them by well-meaning Nigerians. As I write, Olawale Bakare is still in detention and I join millions of Nigerians to call for his release.
Conclusively, this piece will remain incomplete without referencing the wise words of the sage, Gani Fawehinmi; in a battle between conscious power and powerless conscience, the former may seem to win at first, but the latter will always prevail.
Here, I drop my pen with renewed determination to remain committed to the struggle for a better nation. Till then, I remain grateful to the Nigerian masses who threw their weight behind us. You are the true heroes of Nigeria. And we must all remember that the real enemies of Nigeria are not ready to give up, hence, we must be battle-ready never to surrender this banner of freedom.
Dunnex Samuel(Member, Movement For A Socislist Alternative, MSA).
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CNPP Knocks Nigeria Police Force Over Indiscriminate Arrest Of Protesters
The Conference of Nigerian Political Parties has condemned the indiscriminate arrest of protesters in the country, urging all security agencies to stop militarising Nigerian youth.
The CNPP also called on President Muhammadu Buhari to call his security chiefs to order and end ceaseless killings in the country.
Reacting to the arrest of several protesters in Kaduna State in a statement issued on Saturday by its Secretary-General, Chief Willy Ezugwu, the CNPP said, “Policemen who have been in hiding since the ongoing massacre of citizens in Southern Kaduna have suddenly woken up from slumber to arrest defenceless youths asking them to do their constitutional job of protecting lives.
“Security of lives and property is the only reason a government should primarily exist. If a government cannot protect lives and property as a primary duty as enshrined in Chapter 2 of the 1999 constitution as amended, leaders under such government should hide their faces in shame.
“At a time members of international community are raising red flags to their citizens not to travel to Nigeria, the police and other security agencies are busy arresting frustrated young people who are urging them to protect their lives and that of their parents.
“We call on President Muhammadu Buhari to call the Nation’s security chiefs to order and save the country from impending violence as these peaceful demonstrators could be forced to become confrontational, leading to a serious threat to law and order.
“Mr President, it’s time to end the incessant killings in Southern Kaduna and other parts of the country and restore the confidence of Nigerians and the international community in the ability of Nigeria to take charge of her internal security.
“Nigerian security agencies should learn to be more civil and stop manhandling and militarisation defenceless young citizens for demanding good governance and responsible leadership. Enough of bloodshed.”
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BREAKING: Former Nigerian Senator, Buruji Kashamu, Is Dead
Senator-elect, Buruji Kashamu
Former lawmaker representing Ogun-East Senatorial District and businessman, Buruji Kashamu, is dead.
It was gathered that Kashamu died at the First Cardiology Hospital, Ikoyi, Lagos.
He was said to have been on a life support machine for weeks at the hospital after slipping into a coma following Coronavirus complications.
Buruji Kashamu
“I have just lost my good friend of forever to #COVID19. Until his death, Sen. Buruji Kashamu and I were inseparable. He died today at First Cardiology Consultants, in Lagos. May his gentle soul rest in peace. I pray his family and loved ones the fortitude to bear this heavy loss,” Ben Murray-Bruce, a former senator, posted on Twitter.
I have just lost my good friend of forever to #COVID19. Until his death, Sen. Buruji Kashamu and I were inseparable. He died today at First Cardiology Consultants, in Lagos. May his gentle soul rest in peace. I pray his family and loved ones the fortitude to bear this heavy loss. pic.twitter.com/OJGIt0VK3n— Ben Murray-Bruce (@benmurraybruce) August 8, 2020
Kashamu has added to the growing list of high profile Nigerians, who died at First Cardiology Hospital.
Recall that late Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Abba Kyari, was treated for Coronavirus at the same hospital until he died in April.
Also, former governor of Oyo State, Abiola Ajimobi, and lawmaker representing Lagos East Senatorial district at the National Assembly, Adebayo Osinowo, both died at the hospital in June.
The hospital is a top choice among wealthy Nigerians seeking cardiovascular treatment and has been in operation since 2008.
It had handled a handful of Coronavirus patients among Nigerian politicians and elites in recent times.
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Sowore Slams Pastor Tunde Bakare Over Silence On Bad Governance In Nigeria
The author, Omoyele Sowore
Human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, has criticised the General Overseer of the Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare, for keeping mum over bad governance, corruption and oppression under the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
Sowore expressed his views in a Twitter post on Saturday.
Omoyele Sowore
He said, “Where are the liberation theologists in these times of tyranny, particularly, where is Pastor @T_Bakare? Why has the man gone totally quiet as oppression, death and destruction ravage the land? #RevolutionNow.”
Where are the liberation theologists in these times of tyranny, particularly, where is Pastor @T_Bakare? Why has the man gone totally quiet as oppression, death and destruction ravage the land? #RevolutionNow pic.twitter.com/NCBathCClw— Omoyele Sowore (@YeleSowore) August 8, 2020
Bakare, Convener of the Save Nigeria Group, was a known critic of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
In an interview in 2012, he said he would never tone down his preaching or succumb to pressures until President Jonathan became aware that he was representing the people of his country.
He was running mate to President Buhari during the 2011 presidential election in Nigeria.
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Stranded Nigerian Lady In Lebanon Falls Sick
Nigerian ladies stranded in Lebanon
Bukola Owolabi, one of the 30 Nigerian ladies trafficked and left stranded in Lebanon is sick.
SaharaReporters gathered that Owolabi from Ifedayo Local Government Area of Osun State could not access a doctor because of her visa status.
“A Nigerian girl almost died yesterday at the embassy. Apparently the girls can’t access hospitals because of the visa status. Thankfully she is seeing a doctor today,” Omotola Fawunmi, Executive Director and Co-founder of Rescue Africans In Slavery, disclosed told SaharaReporters.
Nigerian ladies stranded in Lebanon
The stranded ladies had in a video obtained by SaharaReporters last week, said they regretted travelling to Lebanon.
“We are stranded. Please, we are pleading. We need your help. We are living and sleeping in one room.
“We regret coming to this place (Lebanon); we want to return to our father’s land. Please help us,” they said.
The Nigerian Government on Tuesday revealed that the girls have been rescued by the Nigerian Mission in Lebanon.
A statement signed by Gabriel Odu of the Media, Public Relations and Protocol Unit of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, said the 30 rescued ladies would be part of 150 others trafficked and stranded in Lebanon to be evacuated back to Nigeria.
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Southern Kaduna Women Protest Over Incessant Killings, Accuse Military Of Bias
Hundreds of Southern Kaduna women on Saturday in different communities took to major roads to display their displeasure over the incessant killings of their people by Fulani militia.
The protesters, who trooped out in large numbers in Samaru Kataf in Zango Kataf Local Government Area, called on government at different levels to tackle the situation.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Mrs Dorcas David called on the Kaduna State Government to remove the curfew imposed in the area as a matter of urgency.
She said it was as a result of the curfew that the killers were gaining access to their villages to kill them.
She stated that, “The military that was deployed has been baised in protecting lives and properties and has become a tool that is used in killing them.
“It is unfortunate that our killers could still beat security check-points, invade our communities and carry out all kinds of heinous acts for hours without any interruption.
“We have called the military on several occassions when our communities are under attacks but they only come when the attackers must have finished their operations and left.
“We’re letting the whole world know that the military sent to guard us have now formed part of the problem we are facing in Southern Kaduna.”
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Why Is Comedy A Manifesto Now? By Adeola Soetan
Adeola Soetan
The corn eaters and other comedy groups on the political stage looking for votes constantly remind me of the vacuity and lack of ideology in our politics.
I covered for NTA the campaigns of Chiefs Obafemi Awolowo, Olabisi Onabanjo (UPN) and Alhaji Sheu Shagari, Toye Coker (NPN). I was also practically involved in the presidential campaign of Chief Gani Fawehinmi. Honestly, I cannot remember when any of these popular candidates adopted comedy as their manifesto like many of our politricksters especially in the South do nowadays.
I didn’t see Jakande invade a bukateria like a pro tem madman to eat Ponmo or a Bola Ige who always emitted classic intellectualism to suddenly stop at Ekotedo or Beere barbing salon to cut his hair all sideshow for the cameras. When Ajasin moved to campaign ground with his aura of spartan lifestyle , the crowd cheered the man for his deep wisdom and integrity not because of money. Prof Ambrose Ali looked every inch an academic despite his foray into politics not like the many jejune bolekaja, corrupt and violent academic now on the political field of rough play.
Despite their limitations, at least the voters knew what their leaders were saying, what their promises and manifestoes were which they could simply relate with. Their supporters and many members of the public could easily recite manifestos of their preferred parties.
Adeola Soetan
Before the era of “jeun soke” “te so jue” “gbe fun” “gbasi be” “ba n’mun” “see & buy” “dibo ko sebe” and other motorpark and hard drug induced campaign slogans, South-West used to be a political ground for constructive political engagement and decent slogans. Violence or money was not the main option of political engagement particularly in the real progressive camp.
The street, motor parks, bus stop, hard drug centres now define our politics and slogans, instead of politics defining street morals. Winning at all cost is the ultimate and that is mostly determined by balance of terror.
I cannot imagine a campaign committee presided by Awolowo, Jakande or Onabanjo and slogans like “Gbe fun” “Jeun Soke” or “Dibo ko sebe” will be adopted.
Nigeria is now a big motor park ruled by touts, political bandits, certificate forgers, drug barons, rapists, shameless public fund thieves and a mix of very low percent of quality.
Politicians with this type of political warriors, politics can never be defined by issues, values or substance. They can’t give what they don’t have. The drama will continue until the system is changed.
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August 5: Reigniting The Hope Of Nigerian People On A Saner Clime By Akingbondere Babatunde
Turning and turning in the widening gyre, the Falcon cannot hear the Falconer. Things have fallen apart, the center cannot hold. Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world. Things Fall Apart
The late sage, Achebe Chinua, succinctly conceived a thought as it pertains to the issue with Nigeria. He called Nigeria’s problem squarely the problem of leadership this, heralded some criticisms though, picking seriously on him was a weapon for those who thought this statement was not in order.
Uncountable decades after a blockbuster book was dropped by this fine potential as writer is the reality of his thoughts which, came in the likeness of heartless military governments, obnoxiously crazy policies, hike in the price of most basic facilities, not when we have been endowed with the gut in raw materials.
A lot of people assumed the reality of their stupidity, some who are yet to die were made to bear the brunt of some ignorance: maybe by being victimized unjustly, starved and robbed by those they unknowingly endowed with their responsibilities.
It is highly nauseating, that these people and their generation had been confined to their slave masters, they got to a critical point in history that, they have been forced to resign to the fate of these callous people. How do we substantiate the fact that they try to kill whoever races his head to fight them? To buttress this are daring personalities who, seems too allergic to some oppressive tendencies: the same people received the radical blood of Ken Saro Wiwa, just for the sake of the Ogoni people. Dele Giwa was killed via a letter bomb, suspected to have emanated from the government of his time. How I wish the excellence in Bola Ige can still remain active in my generation, I could have been so happy to learn from the source.
In the mist of all these is the rhapsody of a lone voice from the wilderness, the voice that had been prophesied via the mouth of a Prophet. The Prophet puts it so succinctly; that one Omoyele Sowore would race his head to obstruct, turn down the table of the moneychangers. That the moneychangers shall be so scared of him that, they will try every possible means to bribe the Revolutionary out of him, all to no avail! Having failed with all these would be their eventual attempt to take the spirit being out of his flesh this, is for him to remain dead to the oppressive reality of our Nigerian world. Unknown to them is the fact that he built a network of Revolutionaries too who, would fight without him. It later dawned on them on the 5th of August.
Dont be deceived, brethren! There is vision, a coverage of that which is to happen in the near future. Sowore truly came, introduced pragmatism at the Presidential Debates, it is a prototype of the Jesuit debate with the Pharisees and the Sadducees at the synagogue. This they couldn’t behold, it surprisingly led to an enmity, hate speeches and against the eventual movement to revolt against every oppressive tendencies in our places of responsibilities. Jesus was the first Comrade to do this, just at his converted father’s house, they made it the most lively of markets.
It must be on record, succinctly imprinted on the soul of the book that, Omoyele Sowore left the luxury, the convenience of this world to rebuild our Jerusalem. He rapped with the wealthiest of this world but had found no motivation in them, in bringing back sanity to Nigeria is the truest motivation for him. The awareness is going viral, Comrades are joining the selfless mission: a time would come in the history of our country when, none would be forced to join a protest for good government.
Nigeria is becoming a banana republic where anything goes, the deliberate move by a league of noble Nigerians, commandeered by Omoyele Sowore and Mandate suffered so much of intimidation, victimization and incarceration. The struggle has not been so easy since last year as, our government is making matyrs out of our peaceful protesters.
The movement is not also stopping here, it shall continue to wax stronger, not until Nigeria has yielded to sanity. This movement must also be addressed as a reignition of our collective hope in leadership.
No retreat! No surrender!
RevolutionNow!!!
AKINGBONDERE BABATUNDE
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Nigerian Government Providing Security For Our Attackers In Southern Kaduna, SOKAPU Alleges
President of Southern Kaduna Peoples Union, Jonathan Asake, has said that security operatives deployed to secure communities in Southern Kaduna were providing cover for Fulani militia killing them.
He said the bandits were given unfettered access to traverse the communities to unleash terror on residents despite the 24-hour curfew put in place.
Asake, who spoke with SaharaReporters over the weekend, described the attacks as ‘conspiracy theory’ between the Fulani militia, Kaduna State and Nigerian governments to wipe out and eliminate their people from their land.
He faulted the attitude of security operatives towards the intelligence report given to them prior to the attacks by bandits during the Sallah break.
He said, “There was an intelligence report that was widely circulated, that they were going to strike after Sallah break. The members representing those areas in the National Assembly had a press conference where they raised this fear but government did not do anything.
“Infact the governor came out and insulted the sensibility of Southern Kaduna people by calling our representatives ‘irresponsible’.
“The security that is in Southern Kaduna is not there to protect the people that are being killed, the security there are to protect perpetrators.”
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How Fulani Militia Group Beat Military Checkpoints To Kill 33 Persons In Southern Kaduna Communities
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Asake explained that the locals knew and recognised many of the attackers by names but the security operatives have refused to arrest or prosecute them.
The former lawmaker condemned the arrest of some youths from Kibori Village by security agents on June 26, who went to their farms to get food for their families.
He also chided Governor Nasir el-Rufai for calling on residents living close to River Kaduna and other flood-prone areas to temporarily relocate to safer areas without providing alternative accommodation.
He added, “It is the responsibility of the government at this time of disaster to provide alternative places and support for people to be able to live their life until this crisis is over.”
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