Islam Watch

[Henlus]

Here, I will post a collection on news that support the theory that says Islam is fighting to dominate Nigeria.

[Henlus]

Ajibola Togun: Fulani Men From Mali, Niger, Chad Have Infiltrated South-West


The Southwest Security Network, codenamed Amotekun on Wednesday raised the alarm that President Muhammadu Buhari has opened borders for Fulani people from Mali, Niger Republic, Chad and Burkina Faso to enter the country.

The Chairman of Amotekun in Oyo state, General Ajibola Togun (rtd) said foreigners have been invading the country from Mali, Niger Republic, Chad and Burkina Faso. He also hinted that such foreigners are already hiding in many forest reserves in the South-West.

The retired army officer who spoke on the theme, “Security Challenge: Holistic approach and the significance of regional security dimensions,” disclosed this while speaking at the annual lecture organised by the students of the Institute of Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ibadan.

Togun warned that people in the six states of Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo should be security conscious.

He described commercial motorcyclists who have made incursions into the states as foot soldiers sent by the invaders to study the geography of the zone.

He accused the Federal Government of inviting them when it declared that its borders were open to them, noting that he was not out to frighten people but to alert them so that they would be watchful.

“The people who are supposed to administer Nigeria to move forward are biased in the aspect of religion. The Fulani that I grew up to know were the native Fulani. But these ones causing problems are non-Nigerians. They are from FutaJallon, Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad, and Niger Republic.

Some of these people were Tuaregs who used to ambush traders in the olden days and rob them of their money and property. These foreign Fulani, somebody had told them that Allah gave Nigeria to them as their heritage and they are coming here to come and take what Allah has given them.”

http://saharareporters.com/2021/06/02/fu...st-forests—

[Henlus]

Fulani Have Surrounded The Entire South West - Former Military Intel Chief


Chairman Oyo State Security Network codenamed Amotekun Corps, General Kunle Togun (rtd) has alleged foreign Fulanis have encamped the entire Southwest region and may strike if nothing is done urgently.

Togun, a former Director of Military Intelligence (DMI) and former Deputy Director-General of State Security Service (SSS), however advised people to be security conscious and prepare to defend themselves
According to the Oyo Amotekun boss, the foreigners have been penetrating localities in the region to monitor the environment over the years to pave way for the big strike.

The strike, according to intelligence report, he said will be aided by local collaborators based on the belief God has given them Nigeria, especially, the Southwest as inheritance.

Togun spoke while fielding questions from journalists after presentation as a guest lecturer at the Institute of Peace and Strategic Studies Student Association (IPSSSA) University of Ibadan.

His lecture was entitled “Security Challenges: The significance of regional security dimensions.”

He said:“The foreign Fulani herdsmen have invaded South West. There is nowhere in the South West that they are not. They are there.

“They are the Okada riders. They are the ones using wheelbarrows to sell carrots and other things. I said they are foot soldiers.

“They said they have come in to take the inheritance given to them by Allah and that is Nigerian land, particularly South West.

“So, they will still strike. I am not just screaming aloud. So, everybody has to be ready.

“It is only a foolish soldier that would say he wants to die for his country. His death cannot help his country. You are to stay alive to help your country.

“When as a soldier, you are sent to capture a particular place, they did not send you to go and die. If he gets there and scared them and the people run away, he has done what he supposed to do.

“But if he was shot at and he fired back, he did not shoot to kill anybody, but to defend himself and keep himself alive, so that he can help his country.

“For over 10 years, I have been saying it that the 10 local government areas of Oke-Ogun and the three local government areas of Ibarapa, both in Oyo State, have been saturated by these foreign Fulanis.
“After that, they brought in their children, selling pepper, tomatoes, carrots and so on with wheelbarrows.

“All of us are looking at them. You cannot say Amotekun will do everything. Members of the public must help with credible information.

“My advice to the Federal Government is that they should support regional security outfits.”

He added: “Before Amotekun took off, this problem has been there. They have invaded all Yorubaland. These people are just starting the plans they already had on ground, not that they are just coming in.

“And these foreign Fulani are still coming in. They have saturated already Yorubaland before Amotekun was established.”

https://thenationonlineng.net/foreign-fu...ssion=true

[Henlus]

Re: Fulani Leaders Boast About Aso Rock, Threaten More Killing Of Yorubas – YOV

Yoruba Diaspora Group, Yoruba One Voice (YOV) has made a strong allegation against Fulani leaders.

On Thursday, the organization alleged that the Fulanis routinely make threats against the Yorubas right inside the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

YOV restated its position for the actualisation of Yoruba Nation, saying attempt to restructure Nigeria under President Muhammadu Buhari “is an exercise in futility”.
At a press conference held at the National Press Club in Washington DC, and aired globally via zoom, the group expressed worry at the spate of insecurity across Nigeria.
YOV said the agitation for Yoruba Nation had become imperative as the race could no longer “tolerate killer herdsmen in the South-West.”
Chairman, Foreign Affairs Department, and organisers of the conference, Debo Adekoya, decried the “killings by Fulani herdsmen, supported by the Federal Government of Nigeria.”

Adekoya drew the attention of the public to videos on social media showing the massacre of Yoruba men, women and children.
He lamented that the palace of a traditional ruler was razed, and business premises vandalized in Oyo.

“The latest was the attack on Chief Sunday Igboho’s residence where eight people were killed with wanton destruction to his property.
“Fulani leaders openly talk about their affinity to Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja, boasting that any attempt to chase them away from Yorubaland will lead to more killings.”
Adekoya noted that the current agitation is not new, and is supported by millions of Yoruba all over the world.

He said to subjugate the Yoruba people in the First Republic, Chief Obafemi Awolowo was jailed by “the Hausa/Fulani oligarchy” on trumped-up charges of treason.
The YOV chieftain recalled that Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, won the 1993 presidential election, defeating his challenger, Bashir Tofa, a Kano native.
Adekoya accused the Hausa/Fulani oligarchy” of arresting and killing Abiola for insisting on the validation of his victory.

Adekoya said in Nigeria, more than 60 million Yoruba who are highly industrious, intelligent and doing exploits all over the Fulani Oligarchy”.

“What we are seeking is simple: we want to direct our own affairs without interference because we have sufficient means for a comfortable livelihood and statehood”, Adekoya stated.

https://dailypost.ng/2021/07/01/fulani-l...v-alleges/

[Henlus]

Youths Flee As Soldiers Invade Enugu Community For Sacking Herdsmen

There is tension in Enugu State as men of the Nigerian Army reportedly invaded two communities in the Nkanu East and Nkanu West local government areas of the state.
PUNCH Metro gathered that the affected communities are Ekpoffo and Akpugo.

Although the reason for the invasion could not be immediately ascertained, villagers who spoke from their hidings told our correspondent on Thursday it might not be unconnected with the recent sacking of herdsmen who were terrorising the area.

Some also believed that the invasion could be the directive of the Presidency to security agencies to hunt down Biafran agitators in the South-East region.

Community sources told our correspondent that the soldiers invaded Ekpoffo on Wednesday and whisked away some youths to unknown destinations.

A source said, “Soldiers numbering over 100 stormed Ekpoffo community in Nkanu East around 7.30pm on Wednesday. They moved from place to place, ransacking houses. Before then, they had blocked major roads leading to the community before swooping on the residents.

“I don’t know how many people were abducted yesterday (Wednesday). They were looking for our youths, but many of them had run away.”

The source also noted that the soldiers returned on Thursday with policemen and personnel of the Department of State Services and blocked all access roads leading to the community.

Another community source told our correspondent that the soldiers also invaded Ndiagu- Akpugo community and razed some houses.

“They went to the house belonging to a man popularly known as Bebia at Ugwu-agba in Ndiagu-Akpugo. They didn’t see anyone, so the soldiers set the house ablaze.
“As I am speaking to you, our young men have run away and some members of the community are relocating to the state capital in fear for their lives,” he added.

The traditional ruler of Adamagu Akpawfu community, Igwe Christopher Nnamani, who resides in the Enugu metropolis, said he received several phone calls from his subjects informing him of the invasion.

“I am on my way to my palace; come there so I can see who I am speaking with. I won’t like to speak with someone I have not seen on the telephone,” he said.

The Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 82 Division, Enugu, Col. Abubakar Abdullahi, declined comment when contacted by our correspondent on the incident.
He also did not respond to text messages as of the time of filing this report.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Daniel Ndukwe, when contacted on the telephone also declined comment.
He later switched off his phone.

Source: https://punchng.com/Youths-flee-as-soldi...g-herdsmen

[Henlus]

We Won’t Stop Reporting Terrorist Attacks, Media Chiefs Tells NBC

Media chiefs in the country have said the media won’t be deterred by the directive of the Federal Government that the media should not divulge “details” of the activities of bandits, terrorists and kidnappers in their reports.
The President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mustapha Isah; the National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Chris Isiguzo; and the Executive Director, Centre for Media Law and Advocacy, Richard Akinnola; made this known in separate interviews with Saturday PUNCH on Friday.
According to them, the media reports activities and does not create events.

They advised the regime of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), to tackle the security challenges in the country and desist from its attempts to gag the media through the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed.

The media veterans were reacting to a directive by the National Broadcasting Commission that television and radio stations in Nigeria should not “glamourise the nefarious activities of insurgents” during their daily newspaper reviews.
Broadcast stations in Nigeria review newspaper headlines daily before their breakfast shows.

But the NBC, in a letter dated July 7, 2021,
issued to television and radio stations, stressed the need for “caution” by broadcasters while reporting security challenges in the country.

The letter titled, ‘Newspaper Reviews And Current Affairs Programmes: A Need For Caution’ , was signed by the Director, Broadcast Monitoring, Francisca Aiyetan, on behalf of the new Director-General of the Commission, Balarabe Ilelah.
A copy of the letter obtained by Saturday PUNCH, partly reads, “Headlines of most newspapers on a daily basis are replete with security topics. While bringing information on security to the doorsteps of Nigerians is a necessity, there is a need for caution as too many details may have an adverse implication on the efforts of our security officials who are duty-bound to deal with the insurgency.

“The commission, therefore, enjoins broadcasters to collaborate with the government in dealing with the security challenges by;
“Not glamourising the nefarious activities of insurgents, terrorists, [/b]kidnappers, bandits etc.

“Advising guests and/or analysts on programmes not to polarise the citizenry with divisive rhetoric, in driving home their point.
“Not giving details of either the security issues or victims of these security challenges so as not to jeopardise the efforts of the Nigerian soldiers and other security agents.”
According to Global Conflict Tracker, the insurgents have killed nearly 350,000 innocent women, children and farmers in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, amongst other volatile places, since 2009.

On the other hand, the information minister has in recent times attempted to muzzle the press in Nigeria by prodding the National Assembly to amend the Nigeria Press Council Act and the National Broadcasting Commission Act, one that has been fiercely opposed by media stakeholders who described the move as an information blackout akin to the infamous Protection Against False Accusations Decree, otherwise known as Decree 4 of 1984.

Reacting, NGE President, Isah said he agreed with the NBC that broadcast stations should not glamourise the activities of insurgents but stated emphatically that the government could not tell the media how to tailor its reports.
Isah said, “The NBC said broadcast stations should not glamourise terrorist activities which I agree with but I have a problem with the issue of ‘don’t report details of attack’. I don’t know what the NBC mean by that. If there is an attack and certain people die, are you saying that I should not report it? If there is an attack and 20 students are kidnapped, are you saying that broadcast platforms should not report the number?
“I have not seen any media house report details of a planned operation by the military on bandits and terrorists. The media does not do that for security purposes and I don’t think we will ever do that.
“The government cannot tell us how to do how report. This is why we are clearly against the Nigeria Press Council Act.

“The media does not create events; we report events. If there is a terrorist attack, we will report it. In fact, if we don’t report it, that means we are not doing our job. We will not stop doing that, we will not stop reporting events despite the threats.”

Also, NUJ President, Isiguzo told our correspondent that the NUJ would ensure that the media space was not compressed in Nigeria under any guise.

He said, “This latest directive must be reviewed by the commission. The NBC must also ensure that its actions are in line with international best practices and must conform with time-tested models from other nations.”

Akinnola also described the NBC directive as obnoxious and a subtle attempt to gag the press.

Akinnola said, “It is quite unfortunate but it is difficult to gag the Nigerian Press going by its history, no matter the extrajudicial means. It is not possible. If the military failed, there is no way any government will succeed.

“The government has failed in the aspect of insecurity and this is a subtle effort to cover the inadequacy of the government.”
Also, the Socio-Economic Right and Accountability Project kicked against the NBC directive, and asked the government to withdraw the directive.

SERAP in a statement posted via its official social media handle @serapnigeria urged the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) to withdraw the order.

“We urge President Buhari to instruct the NBC to immediately withdraw its illegal order to TV and radio stations not to divulge “details” of the activities of terrorists and kidnappers in their reports.

“We’ll sue if this sweeping gag order is not immediately withdrawn.”

https://punchng.com/we-wont-stop-reporti...-dare-nbc/

[Henlus]

Southern Kaduna: Herdsmen Kill 100 People In Six Days, Houses, Valuables Destroyed

The Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU), has lamented that suspected armed Fulani herdsmen have killed not less than 100 Atyap natives in the last six days.
They said about 24 villages were also burnt and hundreds of hectares of farmland bearing growing food crops destroyed.

The spokesman of SOKAPU, Luka Binniyat, in a statement said, “For the 6th day running, armed gunmen, identified as Fulani herdsmen by victims, laid siege to several communities in Atyap land, Zangon Kataf Local Government Area (LGA) of Southern Kaduna and left no less than 33 people dead in an ongoing genocide and land grabbing in which 108 Southern Kaduna communities have been displaced and taken over by them since 2019.”
He explained that in the latest orgy of bloodshed, the invaders stormed Magamiya village in the night around 11pm and attacked the family compound of the traditional ruler of Atyap Chiefdom, Agwatyap of Atyap Chiefdom, Sir Dominic Yahaya and other households were looted of valuables and foodstuffs into waited Hilux before setting the buildings on fire, while a 70- year old traditional ruler, Mr Toma Tauna was killed.
The statement further explained that the same assailants attacked Matyei village and 156 homes were all burnt, the Catholic Church in Matei and its pastorium were also burnt, the Catchiest, simply known as Catchiest Yau, and an infant, were killed in the attack, while six (6) other persons were killed in the violence that lasted for over an hour.

The statement stated that the armed Fulani herdsmen then went down to Abuyab Community about 500 metres away and burnt down ECWA church, the home of Former ECOMOG Field Commander, Maj. Gen. Shekari Billyok (rtd) and other homes, adding that their attempt to attack Runji Community was repelled by villagers who got reinforcement elsewhere.

According to the statement, as they retreated, they attempted to destroy part of the main bridge linking the communities with Zangon Kataf town and other Atyap Communities.
It said the same armed herdsmen came in Hilux vans and attacked the Atyap of Makarau and Kachechere Communities leaving 10 people confirmed dead, 12 houses burned after looting them, stressing that the ECWA Church and the Anglican Church pastoriums that serves the communities were set ablaze.
It said in a nutshell, “20 Atyap natives were killed by attackers (who all the villagers that saw them) identified as armed herdsmen between afternoon and today’s morning, Tuesday, 13 July, 2021.”

The statement explained that “in the past 6 days, at least 33 Atyap natives of Zangon Kataf Area were massacred, 4 churches and 215 homes burnt by assailants always identified as armed herdsmen in a genocidal campaign that became so intensive since 2016.”

SOKAPU condemned what it described as “this wicked act and the complicit silence and inaction of government from taking steps to bringing the perpetrators and their leaders to justice”.

The statement said the Atyap people have been consistent in accusing the Hausa settlers of Zangon Kataf semi urban town of harbouring killer herdsmen, lamenting that yet no authority has done anything about it.
SOKAPU called for humanitarian assistance for the thousands of displaced Atyap women and children who are still moving away from several villages to various places around Samaru Kataf, Zonkwa and environs.
SOKAPU also called on NEMA and SEMA to provide immediate relieve materials to the displaced persons.

It called on the Nigerian Human Rights Commission, Amnesty Internationals, the United Nations and all relevant international organizations, to mount pressure on the Federal Government and the Kaduna State Governments to stop the genocide in Atyap land and bring the culprits to justice.

https://dailypost.ng/2021/07/14/southern...destroyed/

[Henlus]

Abbas Tafida: Taraba Emir Gives Herdsmen 30-Day Ultimatum To Vacate Forests - Politics

The Emir of Muri Empire in Taraba State, Abbas Tafida, has issued a 30-day ultimatum to herders terrorising residents of the state to vacate forests within the state or be forced to do so. The Emir gave the ultimatum on Tuesday after Eid prayers.

This follows a rising spate of kidnappings, killings, and attacks in the state by criminals suspected to be herders. He claimed that Fulani herders are responsible for perpetrating crimes in the state and should therefore vacate forests in the state within 30 days or be forced out.

The Emir, who spoke in the Hausa language, urged the leadership of Fulani herdsmen to fish out the bad eggs among them.

“Our Fulani herdsmen in the forests, you came into this state and we accepted you, why then will you be coming to towns and villages to kidnap residents, even up to the extent of raping our women?

“Because of this unending menace, every Fulani herdsman in this state has been given 30 days ultimatum to vacate the forests. We are tired of having sleepless nights and the hunger alone in the land is enormous and we will not allow it to continue,” the Emir said.

Taraba, located in the Northeast, is faced with heinous crimes ranging from kidnapping to bandit attacks.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/guardian.ng...orests/amp

[Henlus]

Anti-Open Grazing Law: Herders Want 750,000 Square Metres Of Land In Delta
.
Anybody who wants to ranch should buy land—Delta govt

…As herdsmen killings in Enugu spark outrage

…S’East youth leaders charge DSS to produce murderous herdsmen in Enugu community

…Want S’East govs to enforce ban on open grazing

…Ohanaeze youths worry over killings, ask military to fish out perpetrators
By Levinus Nwabughiogu, Festus Ahon & Ikechukwu Odu

Following move to ban open grazing of cattle in Delta State, the state chapter of Cattle Dealers Association yesterday demanded at least 30,000 square metres of land in each of the 25 local government areas of the state, totalling 750,000 square metres.

The cattle dealers want the lands designated for livestock breeding and markets across the state. But the state government in a swift reaction, said lands for ranching in the state are for sale and advised the dealers to buy for their business.

The development came on a day youth leaders in the South East, under the aegis of Coalition of South East Youth Leaders, COSEYL, asked the Department of State Services, DSS, to produce the murderous herdsmen who killed four farmers and injured six others in an attack on the agrarian community of Opanda at Nimbo, Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State on Monday.

The youths also urged the South-South governors to enforce the ban on open grazing to avoid people taking them as unserious persons.

This is even as Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council, OYC, yesterday, expressed outrage over the attack by suspected killer herdsmen on Opando in Enugu State.

Cattle traders demand 750,000 sqr metres of land

The Cattle Traders Association, which made the demand during a public hearing on a bill to ban open grazing in the state titled, “Bill for a Law to provide for the Regulation of Livestock Breeding, Rearing and Marketing and to Prohibit Open Grazing and related matters in Delta State,” said the provision of lands by the state government will help them stop open grazing.

At the hearing organised by the Delta State House of Assembly’s joint committee on special bills and that of agriculture and natural resources, the association of cattle dealers in a memorandum signed by the chairman, Alhaji Musa Shuwa, lamented that the 5,000 square metres designated as grazing area contained in the draft bill were grossly inadequate.

Shuwa explained that at present, the association maintained livestock (cattle) markets in seven towns in the state, adding that the smallest was situated on a parcel of land measuring about 4,500 square metres, while the biggest was about 7,000 square metres.

He said: “This is only for the markets. Also, each market takes delivery of not less than 800 cattle every week. Our members hardly sell all their cattle at the market, hence the need to feed the cattle by grazing.

“With the intendment of the draft of this bill being to ban open grazing, it is our respectful view that to have cattle within enclosed grazing (for the purpose of ranching) area would mean that a large space of land is needed for this purpose.
“While we acknowledge that the 5,000 square metres mentioned in Section 8 (2a) is only in the minimum, it is our modest view that even in the minimum, 5,000 square metres of land may not be the best starting point.

“We, therefore, recommend that to practically satisfy having an abattoir, veterinary clinic, livestock market, administrative office and security post as provided in Section 2 (b) to (g), Section 2 (a) should provide that the designated area shall comprise a minimum of 30,000 square metres of land.”

Chairman of the joint committee, Mrs. Pat Ajudua, had earlier at the public hearing, explained that the public hearing was to garner the inputs of the public, particularly major stakeholders in the making of the proposed law.

Anybody who wants to ranch should buy land —Delta Govt

However, reacting to the cattle dealers’ demand, the state’s Commissioner for Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, said: “Well, they are talking to the lawmakers but the fact is that we have made it very clear that anybody who wants to do ranching should buy land and then start his ranch.

“If I want to do poultry business, I get a place, pay for it and start my poultry farm. For those who are doing piggery, they get a place and start the piggery. If you want to do cattle business, get your ranch but if the Federal Government wants to assist people to get a ranch, no problem just as they are doing FADAMA for some cultivations.

“If the Federal Government also wants to have ranching-assisted programme, there is nothing wrong with it.

“The business of animal husbandry and animal rearing is also the business of our people, whether they are Fulani or not. But for anybody to think that the government has that kind of land to give is not true. The local government in our system does not own land. The lands belong to individuals and families.

“If the only land I have is just 1,000 square metres, will the local government ask me to donate it? And perhaps, that is the only land I have to either build or farm. Will the local government tell me, this land we are taking it from you, for me to be doing what thereafter? That is why people need to be reasonable in making this kind of demand.”

. S’East youths charge DSS to produce murderous herdsmen at Enugu community

In a similar development, youths who alleged that four persons were killed during the attack on Nimbo community in Enugu State, said at least 10 others were still missing, while six sustained various degrees of injuries.

They also charged South East governors to enforce the ban on open grazing of cattle in the region, as enunciated by Southern governors in their meeting in Asaba, Delta State, about two months ago.

In a statement signed by the President-General, and Secretary-General of Coalition of South East Youth Leaders, COSEYL, Goodluck Ibem, and Comrade Kanice Igwe, the youths called on Nimbo, and other South-East youths to mobilize themselves and guard their communities against any form of invasion by herdsmen.

While calling on the international community to come to the aid of Christians and southern Nigerians who they claimed had been allegedly marked for extermination, the group called on Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State to form a strong security outfit to guard border communities against intrusion by herders.

The statement read: “The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders, COSEYL, the apex socio-political youth organisation in the South-East geo-political zone, condemns in strongest terms the attack by murderous herdsmen/terrorists that led to the death of four persons and missing of 10 at Opanda in Nimbo community, Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu state.

“This is the second time in 2021 that murderous terrorists parading as herdsmen are attacking this very community for not allowing the murderous terrorists to feed their cattle in their farm settlements.

“The Department of State Services, DSS that is very good in attacking the homes of activists and killing their supporters should move into action and arrest those killer herders and bring them to court to face charges for murder and other offences committed against humanity.

“The law, they say is not a respecter of persons. Is the law now respecting murde-rous herders terrorists that up till this moment, we are yet to hear of the arrest of those killers?

‘’The DSS that has the capacity to go all the way to Kenya and abduct Nnamdi Kanu, and who moved from Abuja to Ibadan to attack the home of Sunday Adeyemi (aka Sunday Igboho) should also move immediately to apprehend the murderous herdsmen that killed the people of Nimbo community on Monday, July 26, 2021, by 2 am.

“We call on the good people of Nimbo community and other communities in the South East geopolitical zone to immediately mobilise their youths and guard their communities to avoid a repeat of what just happened at Nimbo community.

“The governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, should immediately form a strong and active indigenous security outfit to guard border towns of Enugu State to avert another invasion of the state.

“The governors of Southern Nigeria should stamp their feet on the ground and enforce the ban on open grazing, otherwise nobody will take them seriously in the future.
“What happened at Nimbo community happened because the leader of Miyetti Allah openly instructed his members to disregard the resolution of Southern state governors banning open grazing.

‘’The killer herdsmen/terrorists should be arrested for the killings at Nimbo community in Enugu State. This brazen madness of killing innocent Nigerians for refusing cattle owned by herdsmen to feed on farmers’ crops must stop forthwith.
We, therefore, call on the international community to come to the aid of Christians and Southern Nigerians who have been marked for extermination without the federal government doing anything to stop the massacre of innocent farmers and Christians.”

Ohanaeze youths express worry, ask military to fish out perpetrators.

Also reacting to the killings at Nimbo yesterday, Ohanaeze Youth Council, OYC, in a statement by its President-General, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike and the Secretary-General, Comrade Obinna Achuonye, stated that the attack was unacceptable.
The Igbo group also stated it was now time for the military to prove its mettle and arrest the perpetrators.

The statement read: “We woke up yet again to another orgy of killings by marauding herdsmen. This is not the first time Uzo-Uwani is experiencing this kind of carnage, as we have not forgotten in a hurry how Nimbo in the area came under a similar deadly attack, leaving scores dead.
“Now, we have a repeat of such gruesome and dastardly killings. We are in deep pain, we are in agony over this heartbreaking report.

“This is the kind of situation that necessitated IPOB’s formation of Eastern Security Network, ESN, as they watched helplessly over the years and our people were being slaughtered.’’

While knocking security agencies for doing little in the face of the mindless killings by suspected killer herdsmen, the youth group said: “It is quite regrettable that Nigeria security agencies display weakness anytime herdsmen are involved in crime but they become pythons when it comes to the ESN.

“We saw just a few days ago how the Army announced that they have smashed the camp of ESN in Amagunze, Enugu State, but the same military is unable to enter the bushes and capture herdsmen who are sending our people to their graves and raping our women.”

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/07/anti...-killings/

[Henlus]

Bandits Travelling From Zamfara To Borno For Terrorist Training

Bandits from Zamfara State have begun travelling to Borno State to receive training from terrorists.

This is according to an internal memo by the Nigeria Immigration Service marked, NIS/HQ/CGI/943, which was addressed to comptrollers.

The memo obtained by PR Nigeria titled, ‘Movement of Armed Bandits from Zamfara to Borno for Intensive Boko Haram Training’ was signed by Assistant Comptroller General, UA Auna.

The ACG confirmed that the service was in receipt of credible intelligence intimating the agency of movements of bandits from Zamfara to Borno for intensive Boko Haram training.

Comptrollers were directed to ensure the prompt submission of valuable information for the attention of the Comptroller General of Immigration Service as they unfold.

They were also asked to intensify monitoring and surveillance around their areas of jurisdictions with the view to gathering information that would help protect lives and properties.

Last week bandits shot down a Nigerian Air Force fighter jet

Bandits have killed over 300 people in the last four months in Zamfara State despite the Federal Government’s ban on flights within the state’s airspace.

Meanwhile, former Boko Haram terrorists who left for Libya for various reasons were returning to join Islamic State for West African Province, a report by Institute for Security Studies has said.

The institute is an African organisation whose aim is to enhance human security by providing authoritative research.

According to the report, about 80 former Boko Haram fighters in two batches arrived in Nigeria from Libya in April, adding that the first set were based in Shuwaram in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State for verification and later deployed to Timbuktu in Damboa Local Government Area, where fighters from the Lake Chad Islands later joined them.

It added that with the support Islamic State, a terrorist organisation, about 120 more, including Arabs who would be permanently based in the region as part of the leadership, are now expected from Libya.

The report said, “As part of the consolidation, former Boko Haram fighters who left for Libya over the years for different reasons are returning to the Lake Chad Basin to rejoin ISWAP. Interviews with individuals familiar with these movements revealed that about 80 fighters in two batches arrived in Nigeria from Libya in April.

“Among other reasons, some fled after the 2016 Boko Haram split, having been disillusioned by what they saw as the selfishness of leaders in both factions, JAS and ISWAP.

“With support from IS, ISWAP relies on an elaborate network of contacts and routes cutting across West and North Africa (Libya-Algeria-Mali-Niger-Nigeria) to facilitate the movements of fighters. About 120 more, including Arabs who will be permanently based in the region as part of the leadership, are now expected from Libya.”

The report also said the Islamic State was proposing to set up four caliphates in Borno to oversee its activities in the Lake Chad Basin area and beyond.

https://punchng.com/bandits-travelling-f...ium=Social&

[Henlus]

We Were Not Ordered To Stop Attacks - Soldiers Tell Plateau Monarch, Ronku Aka
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Soldiers said they weren’t ordered to stop invaders from attacking Plateau communities – Monarch

Highness, The Bra Ngwe Irigwe, Rt Rev Ronku Aka, has lamented the tragedy that befell his people in the Bassa Local Government Area following the recent invasion of their communities by gunmen suspected to be herdsmen.

According to the monarch, some security operatives who were deployed in the communities during the attacks told the residents they had no instruction to repel the invaders.

The monarch stated this when the President of the Para-Mallam Peace Foundation, Rev Gideon Para-Mallam, led other officials of the non-governmental organisation on a sympathy visit to his palace in Miango.

The group had earlier taken relief materials to internally displaced persons on Friday
The traditional ruler said the destruction that took place in his kingdom had further exposed the handicap of the governors and the council chairmen as chief security officers in their respective areas of jurisdiction in the country
Aku said, “I don’t blame the local government chairman in Bassa or the governor of the state over the calamity that has befallen my people.
“At peace meetings, the governor will give order but the security men will go and do a different thing.

“During the recent attacks in my communities, the soldiers and other security operatives were around. As the invaders were carrying out the attacks in Jebu Miango and advancing to other communities we expected them to confront the invaders and stop the destruction going on but that did not happen.

“When I enquired what was happening, some soldiers cried to me that they did not receive the order to repel the attackers on the communities.

“Some of them who expressed frustration over the situation wondered the essence of holding guns which they could not use and left the scene while the attackers continued with their destruction in the communities.

“If the security agents were deployed and allowed to do their job, may be, the attackers would not have succeeded with their evil plans and my people would not be suffering what they are experiencing at the moment.
“But we don’t want more deaths in the communities. I have told my people not to retaliate what was done to them but we need justice going forward.”

The President, Gideon & Funmi Para-Mallam Peace Foundation, Para-Mallam, while condemning the incident, said the violence in the communities must not be allowed to continue.

He called on the government to double its efforts towards protecting citizens’ lives and property.

The PUNCH had reported that gunmen last week invaded over 10 communities in the Bassa Local Government Area and set over 400 houses on fire.

Over 40 people were said to have been killed during the attacks which also left several people injured with 22,000 others displaced.

https://punchng.com/soldiers-said-they-w...s-monarch/

[Henlus]

Kaduna: Thousands Flee Zangon Kataf, Kauru As Herdsmen Sustain Massacres
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Govt Sues For Calm • ‘My Husband Was Burnt To Ashes By Our Assailants’

In the last few weeks, thousands of villagers in Zangon Kataf and Kauru local councils, in Southern Kaduna attacked by militias have fled the area to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps and other places where they can find refuge.

Several villagers trooped to Kagoro, Kafanchan, neighbouring Jos in Plateau State, Kujama and Kaduna metropolis to avoid further attacks by the armed men.

The spokesman of the Southern Kaduna People’s Union (SOKAPU), Luka Binniyat, while reacting to the exodus of the people, yesterday, lamented the attitude of the state government towards the humanitarian crises perpetrated by armed Fulani herdsmen.
According to him: “Shockingly, the humanitarian crises generated by this crime against humanity seems in the least to have bothered Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State.

“Since the siege on Atyap land started last year, with that of Chawai that has been dragging on for over six years now, Governor el-Rufai has never visited any of the scenes of the violence and has never offered any form of assistance to the victims,” he said.

Binniyat noted that, “in the last one week, atrocities have been committed in two local government areas; that is Kauru and Zangon Kataf, where 32 people were killed and four villages sacked. Unfortunately, the government has not shown any concern to victims of the attacks by the herdsmen.”

Narrating her ordeal, one of the victims, 45-year-old Mbiya Christiana Augustine, from Matyei Village in Atyap Chiefdom, said that she was sleeping at night when barking of restless dogs woke her up as armed herdsmen invaded the village.

Speaking with The Guardian at the ECWA Widows Training School, Samaru Kataf, Zangon Kataf Local Council, which was converted into an IDP camp in July, Madam Augustine said: “My husband was shouting outside that we should all come out and run. We heeded the instruction without delay. We ran into the dark through fields of growing corn. We ran as far as we could and hid in the bush. From there we could see the fire and the smoke coming from our village as houses were being burnt.”

Continuing, she said: “In the morning, we returned home and there were many other women and children coming from the bush as we walked with fear of the unknown to our village. As we got near, I could hear the voices of wailing women from Matyei, meaning that terrible things must have happened.”

As she walked on with her children, she discovered that every compound they passed by had been burnt completely. In trepidation, they hurried to their home to find it completely burnt. A small crowd had gathered.

“I asked about my husband. No one answered me. A woman came and held me and started crying. Then I heard one of my children screaming and calling the name of her father. She rushed into his room and I followed her in fear of the worst that could have happen to him,” she said in tears,

“He was nothing but a pile of ashes,” she said. “They shot him after he exhausted his bullets. Then they brought him inside and burnt him with the whole compound. We only buried his ashes,” she lamented.

Her husband, Augustine Arege, 50, was one of eight casualties recorded in the Matyei and the Abuyab attacks, which took place in Atyap Chiefdom that night.

Binniyat disclosed that there is now a new pattern of attack by the militia, adding, “there are attacks on farmers in their farms, just as one happened at a village called Machudu, close to Zangon Kataf on Thursday.
“The assailants are still lurking in bushes and preying on people who are isolated. So, the violence is not over. People in their communities are now fleeing in droves for refuge in IDP camps or staying with relatives in all parts of the state and even outside Kaduna.”

Meanwhile, when The Guardian contacted the Police Spokesman in the state, ASP Mohammed Jalige on phone for his reaction on the exodus of villagers from communities in Southern Kaduna to IDP Camps, and general insecurity in the area, he said “please let me contact the DPO in the area, I will get back to you.”

However, the Kaduna State government has renewed appeals to citizens to end the recurring violence following reports from security agencies that five people were killed in another series of attacks within Zangon Kataf Local Council.

A statement by the state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, said following the disturbing cycle of violence, the Kaduna State government has appealed to all residents to embrace recourse to the law, and break the brutal cycle of killing and reprisal, to adequately support government’s peace-building efforts in the area.

https://guardian.ng/news/thousands-flee-...-massacres

[Henlus]

CONAECDA To Herdsmen: We Are Coming After You To Reclaim Our Lands, Communities
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We’re Coming After You To Reclaim Our Lands, Communities – Coalition Of 400 Northern Groups Threatens Herdsmen
A coalition of Northern groups under the auspices of Conference of Authoctonous Ethnic Nationalities Communities Development Associations (CONAECDA) has vowed to repel further attacks and killings in their region by murderous herdsmen.
The organisation has a coalition of 400 indigenous groups spread across 15 Northern states.

The coalition on Thursday vowed to put an end to wanton killings and all forms of criminalities in the North.

The statement was made at a press conference in Jos on Thursday, by the Secretary-General of the group, Suleman Sukukum.

Sukukum noted that the region had suffered the worst forms of criminality in the hands of herdsmen including kidnapping for ransom, trade in human flesh and parts, human trafficking, and sex slavery, banditry and cattle rustling with the government doing little or nothing to put an end to it.

He said, “Millions are displaced with over 1.5 million in Benue State alone. Thousands of women are raped with over 700 women in Kebbi State alone; thousands of houses have been destroyed with over 2,500 homes in Irigwe land alone between 2nd and 12th of August.

“Our girls are being trafficked because they are internally displaced. Our ability to farm, attend school and carry out our legitimate businesses is being denied by these terrorist activities.

“Our experience indicates a weakness in the level of engagement and sincerity of public officials in dealing with these issues; the role of corruption and the failure of our security system to use information or Intel in responding on time and adequately to various early warning signals.

“We have also observed with certainty that some public figures, while embarrassed by the security and humanitarian situation, prefer to white-wash or deny the extent and impact of the crisis rather than act decisively in addressing the relevant issues.

“As stakeholders in the Nigerian society and leaders of the over 400 indigenous communities of Central and Northern Nigeria, we are key stakeholders in the Nigerian Project and must play our part in addressing these national issues.

“The CONAECDA conference had decided to immediately commence a project to secure, reconstruct and protects such communities. We, therefore, use this occasion to notify all trespassers and occupiers of our communities that we are coming after them and shall recover through every legitimate means our communities and lands.”

http://saharareporters.com/2021/08/13/we...ern-groups

[Henlus]

Kidnappers, Bandits Rake In N20bn In 500 Attacks –investigation
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Governments and relations of kidnap victims may have paid over N20billion as ransom in various parts of the country in the last two years, Sunday Telegraph can now reveal. Information gleaned from an Intelligence Tracking Company in Nigeria also revealed that no part of the country was spared by the activities of the criminals.

The company tracked over 2000 incidences of kidnap and other violent crimes across the country in the past five years. According to the information, Nigerians have paid out billions to kidnappers and bandits in different areas of the country. Sunday Telegraph investigations revealed that kidnappers and bandits made over N20 billion in 500 attacks they carried out in two years from January 2019 to May 2020.

This is up from the N9 billion which they made in nine months between June 2011 and March 2012. A survey by S B Morgan recently said families of victims and government paid N9 billion. From the North to the South and the East to the West, kidnappers are emboldened daily to carry out their nefarious activities.
It is said that currently, Nigeria has the highest rate of kidnap-forransom cases besides Venezuela, Mexico, Yemen, Syria, the Philippines, Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia. Experts attributed this to the involvement of organised violent groups, such as militants, bandits and Boko Haram insurgents, who use abduction as the oxygen of their insurgency. They engage in single or group abduction as a means of generating funds for their activities.
Recall that families of the recently released students of the Greenfield University said they parted with N280 million to secure the release of 14 students who were kidnapped along with nine others on April 14, 2021. In addition, they also gave eight motorcycles were to the abductors who had demanded for 10 and the sum of N500 million as ransom. Currently families of over 130 students of an Islamiya School in Tegina, Niger State , are running from pillar to post in order to raise the ransom which the kidnappers of the pupils who are between the ages of four years and 10 years are demanding for.
Initially, they asked for N105 million but the parents said they were able to rake in N11 million, but this only irked the abductors to increase the ransom to N200 million. President, Southern Kaduna People’s Union (SOKAPU), Jonathan Asake, early in the year told a bewildered nation that the members of his community paid N900 million as ransom to abductors across the 12 local government areas in their locality. This, he said, has continued to impoverish them as they can no longer go their farms. He said: “Our poor, vulnerable people paid over N900m as ransom to criminals in 2020.

This is a minimal and conservative estimate. These are cases reported to us. There is a particular point between Kafanchan and Kwoi which came up recently and over N60m was paid there in less than two months. Our people are being impoverished every day by kidnapping and abductions.” There are fears that the figures may be more than this as there have been more cases of abduction after then. For instance, 65 people were kidnapped on the night of 22 April, 2021 in Adara. Ten of them were able to escape.

For this the abductors demanded for a sum of N350 million. Also , one time Super Eagles Head Coach Samson Siasia’s mother Madam Beauty Ogere, who spent 10 weeks in the den of her abductors, regained her freedom after the family parted with N15million. After the release of over 300 students of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, Katsina State, who were abducted on December 11, 2020, the federal and Katsina State governments denied paying ransom. However, students and abductors involved in what was dubbed Kankara abduction contradicted the official denials.
Reports had it that Katsina State government paid N30million to secure their release. Over N200m ransom paid in Ekiti Although, it is difficult to say the exact amount that has been paid in ransom in Ekiti, but an estimate families of victims of kidnapping which has been on the rise in the state since 2019, have paid, will be not less than N200 million. In early 2019, two staff of Emure Local Government Area, simply identified as Pastor Onaade, an accountant and Dr. Fasina who headed the Primary Health Care Centre, were kidnapped. Their abductors demanded the sum of N10 million for each of them from their families. They were released one week after.

The Ekiti State Police Public relations officer (PPRO) ASP Sunday Abutu and State Commandant of Amotekun Corps, Brigadier General Joe Komolafe (rtd) in separate interviews said his release was secured at Obbo Ayegunle, Ekiti Local Government Area, Kwara State. However, they neither confirmed nor denied that any ransom was paid.

In April 2020, then Commissioner of Information and Values Orientation, Muyiwa Olumiluwa, announced the release of his counterpart in the Ministry of Agriculture, Olabode Folorunso, was released unhurt after he was kidnapped. Also, he did not mention that the state government paid the N15 million the abductors of Folorunso demanded, but stressed that government would do all possible to “rid the state of criminal elements.”

A Chinese and one of the contractors the state government engaged to construct the new Ado Ekiti- Iyin – Ekiti road was also abducted late last year. The gunmen killed one of the policemen attached to the contractors, while the victim was released four days at Ilawe – Ekiti road after payment of N100m ransom. Families of victims in Ondo State were always eager to secure the release of their loved ones whenever they were kidnapped. Sunday Telegraph’s findings revealed that over N14m was paid as ransom between December 2020 and May this year. In January, this year, a 35-yearold man, Olatunbosun Johnson, was abducted within Uso Community in Owo Local Government Area.

After spending one week in the kidnappers’ den, he regained his freedom, but not without his family parting with the sum of N10 million. Also, a couple who were kidnapped on their way from Ebonyi got their freedom after the payment of N2million ransom. The couple, Mr. and Mrs. Gbenga Ibikunle, was kidnapped at Uso along Owo- Akure highway.

Similarly, two reverend sisters, Perpetual Idowu Apo and Bukola Roseline Familade alongside their driver Yohanna Zibai, who were kidnapped at Onipetesi axis of Ondo State along Benin-Ore-Lagos expressway, paid N1m to secure their freedom.

The victims were held hostage for 11 days in the bush, until the ransom was paid to the secure their release. Oyo State is a hot bed of kidnapping, especially the Okeho in the northern part of the state. On April 24, 2021, some unknown gunmen kidnapped a hotelier, Olukunle Oyedokun, and his nursing wife, Juliana, at their hotel in Ajaawa, Ogo Oluwa Local Government Area of the state. The sum of N15m ransom was demanded by the kidnappers who got a sum of N2.5million upon negotiation.

On Sunday May 23, 2021, wife of the Oyo State All Progressives Congress (APC) youth leader, (Mogaji Isiaka Ajibola Areokuta), Dr. Mrs Arikeade Oni-Salawu, was also kidnapped by some gunmen. She was kidnapped in front of her residence while she was driving and her husband was driving behind. As she got down to open their gate, the kidnappers who had lurked around, swooped on her and whisked her away. In Kogi State, there were not many cases of kidnap this year except the recent abduction of Yagba West Local Government Chairman, Mr. Pius Kolawole that led to the killing of Commissioner, Kogi state pension board. Though he had since reunited with his family, Sunday Telegraph learnt that the kidnappers had demanded for N50 million ransom. It was not certain if the sum was paid before his release.

https://www.newtelegraphng.com/kidnapper...stigation/

[Henlus]

Lieutenant-Commodore Wulah & Okoronkwo Killed By Bandits In Attack On NDA
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Bandits who attacked the Afaka barracks of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna State, shot dead at least two officers and went away with another personnel in an onslaught on the country’s foremost military training institution.

SaharaReporters learnt that the bandits invaded “in their large number” and shot dead two officers identified as Lieutenant Commodore Wulah and Flight Lieutenant CM Okoronwo.
They also abducted Major Datong while 2 Lieutenant Onah sustained gunshot injuries and currently receiving treatment, SaharaReporters was told.

SaharaReporters earlier reported that the bandits who attacked the barracks around 1am on Tuesday are still believed to be inside the academy.

A reliable source within the barracks said security had been beefed up within and around the barracks to stop the bandits from escaping with the officers.

“It was a terrible experience; the bandits took advantage of the time when most people had gone to bed to attack the barracks.”
“Right now, the whole barracks is under lock and key and security has been beefed up so that the bandits cannot leave the barracks because it is believed that they are still within,” the source had said.

One of the officers who was injured in the attack is currently being treated at a hospital within the barracks.

The source said that there are, however, fears that the bandits may decide to kill the officers in a bid to escape.

The Academy Public Relations Officer, Major Bashir Jajira, did not respond to calls put across.

http://saharareporters.com/2021/08/24/ex...ce-academy

[Henlus]

Famine Hits Zamfara As Bandits Warn Residents To Avoid Farms, Kill Three
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Famine is currently hitting some parts of Zamfara State as gunmen suspected to be bandits have warned residents of Kurar Mota in the Bungudu Local Government Area of the state against going to the farms.

SaharaReporters gathered that the gunmen also killed three persons while destroying growing food crops on a farm in the village.
“They came on Monday evening and killed three villagers. They also abducted 11 persons and warned anybody against going to the farm,” a resident told SaharaReporters.
Deadly attacks have raged across Zamfara state where bandits have thrived.

Farming and herding communities in the state have long been terrorised by gangs who raid villages, stealing cattle and kidnap residents for ransom.

Dozens of farmers have been killed as hundreds of hectres of farmlands remain uncultivated.

Most of the slain victims were trapped on their farmlands and got killed.
In 2019, the state government entered a peace agreement with the gunmen.

About 15 brand new Hilux vehicles and cash gifts were also given to leaders of different “repentant” gangs of bandits by the governor in 2020.

But despite all these, communities in the state are still being attacked and residents kidnapped or killed.

http://saharareporters.com/2021/08/25/fa...kill-three

[Henlus]

Olawunmi: Boko Haram Named Governors, Senators, Aso Rock Officials As Sponsors
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Terrorists named current Govs, Senators, Aso Rock officials as sponsors during interrogation – Ex-Naval Officer

A former Navy Commodore, Kunle Olawunmi, has said that Boko Haram terrorists mentioned names of current governors, senators and Aso Rock officials as sponsors during interrogation but the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has demonstrated unwillingness to go after the high-profile politicians for reasons best known to it.

Olawunmi spoke on Wednesday when he featured on Channels Television’s ‘Sunrise Daily’ breakfast programme monitored by The PUNCH.

He described as an “aberration”, Tuesday attack by bloodthirsty bandits on the Kaduna campus of Nigeria’s foremost military university, the Nigerian Defence Academy, where two military officers were killed and another kidnapped.

“It is an aberration; you don’t attack the Nigerian Defence Academy and get away with it,” he lamented, adding that the NDA, like other military environments in the country, carelessly opens its doors to everyone on Friday for Jumat prayer.
‘Terrorists profile security environments during Muslim prayer on Friday’

Olawunmi said terrorists and criminals profile military environments during Muslim prayers on Fridays.

He said, “In 2017, I carried out an investigation by the minister of defence that wanted me to check what was going on with the training and the security there (NDA). I remember I spent about a week in the NDA with the commandant and the staff but something struck me: every Friday, the gate of NDA is thrown open and everybody has access to pray in the mosque.

“On Fridays, you are going to see same thing happening across all military formations in the country…If you go to Defence Headquarters, I served at the Defence Headquarters as the Deputy Director, Defence Administration between 2015 and 2017, throughout my two years at the Defence Headquarters, I received visitors twice because of the strict security architecture there but every Friday, the gate of the Defence Headquarters is thrown wide open for everybody to come in and observe Jumat.

“That is the time the terrorists have the time to profile our security environment. It has always been the case. I have served the military intelligence for the past 35 years. Our problem is religion and socio-cultural.”

Furthermore, Olawunmi, a Professor of Global Security Studies, said he was a member of the Intelligence Brief at the Defence Headquarters during the leadership of the then Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin (retd.).
The intelligence expert said he told the then CDS that the centre of gravity of the Boko Haram insurgency ravaging the North-East and spreading to other parts of Nigeria was the sponsors.

“I told General Olonisakin then that the centre of this problem cannot be solved the same way we solved the problem of the Niger Delta. The Niger Delta problem was solved during (Ex-President Umaru) Yar’adua basically by me and I told them that we can’t use that same template for Boko Haram.

“I told General Olonisakin to look at the centre of gravity of the problem. I was made a member of the committee in 2016-2017 including (Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Ibrahi) Attahiru that died.

“I told them that the centre of gravity of Boko Haram in Nigeria is the sponsors of the programme. It was beyond us because the job we needed to do was kinetic but we cannot resolve issues of sponsors of Boko Haram that were in Buhari’s government that we know them. That was why we couldn’t pursue that aspect that could have resolved the issue because we need to arrest people.”

‘Why Buhari refused to prosecute 400 Boko Haram sponsors'
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, had earlier in the year said the Nigerian Government arrested some Bureau De Change operators who were facilitating the transfer of money to Boko Haram terrorists.

Olawunmi said the government has not been able to prosecute the sponsors because it is allegedly partisan.

He said, “Recently, 400 people were gathered as sponsors of Boko Haram, why is it that the Buhari government has refused to try them? Why can’t this government bring them to trial if not that they are partisan and part of the charade that is going on?

“You remember this Boko Haram issue started in 2012 and I was in the military intelligence at that time. We arrested those people. My organisation actually conducted interrogation and they (suspects) mentioned names. I can’t come on air and start mentioning names of people that are presently in government that I know that the boys that we arrested mentioned. Some of them are governors now, some of them are in the Senate, some of them are in Aso Rock.

“Why should a government decide to cause this kind of embarrassment and insecurity to the sense of what happened yesterday (Tuesday at the NDA)?” he queried, adding that terrorist financiers want to turn Nigeria to Taliban type of country.
‘DSS has information on terrorism sponsors but can’t act without Buhari’s order’

Olawunmi also said that the Department of State Services has tremendous information on terrorists but they can’t do anything except the body language of the Commander-In-Chief.

He, however, expressed hope that the next Nigerian President in 2023 might have the willpower to bring the high-profile sponsors of Boko Haram to book.

The PUNCH had earlier reported that a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Obadiah Mailafia, said in August 2020 that repentant terrorists revealed that a serving northern governor is a Boko Haram leader.

For over 10 years, the Boko Haram terror group had killed hundreds of Nigerians in the North-East. The sect had also burnt down and bombed scores of villages as well as churches. The Nigerian Army and the Presidency had at several times claimed the group had been ‘technically defeated’ and ‘weakened’ but the bloodthirsty terrorist faction continues to strike with daring effrontery and crude savagery.

https://punchng.com/terrorists-named-cur...l-officer/

[Henlus]

Insecurity: Villagers Stockpile Arms For Self-Defence
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Many communities in North West and North Central are contributing money to buy guns and other weapons to protect themselves against bandits, terrorists and other criminals, Daily Trust reports. Wealthy individuals are also reportedly buying personal guns to protect themselves against aggression or buying weapons for groups.

Villagers in Niger, Zamfara, Kaduna, Plateau and Katsina States are on the lead as many communities in States having security challenges have stockpiled assault rifles to protect themselves. The states have been in the spotlight for many years as most of the stories coming from there are about killings and destructions mostly by sundry criminals.
While the residents could not go to farms or markets for fear of invasion, some of them rarely sleep in their houses at night.

Community leaders and residents who spoke to our correspondents said they resorted to self-help because security operatives have not been deployed to protect them or the few deployed are overstretched.
Daily Trust reports that the community leaders were only amplifying the position of their governors who at different times expressed frustration with the level of insecurity in their domains.

As chief security officers in their states, they had said they were helpless when it comes to security matters even as in some cases they “formalise” the activities of vigilantes, hunters and other non-state actors to beef up security.

For instance, Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State had severally noted that the use of local vigilantes had helped in addressing the numerous security challenges in his state.

While receiving an award in Owerri in May this year, he had said: “We in Borno State have been experiencing security challenges for over 12 years, however, a lot of transformation is taking place but part of what we are doing to put under control the security situation in the state is to engage the local vigilante; they have taken over the policing of the state to the extent that they had driven the insurgents far away from the state to Sambisa Forest.”

Daily Trust reports that while some communities bought Dane guns, others buy pistols, revolvers, pump-action and in some cases AK-47 rifles.

Many of those who discussed the matter with our reporters said apart from reaching consensus at the community level, they rarely push to get a licence from relevant authorities before buying the arms.

Niger

A source from a community that had suffered from several attacks in Shiroro Local Government told Daily Trust that even though they did not have access to the type of sophisticated weapons being used by bandits, they have already resorted to self-defence using locally made weapons.

“Recently, we killed about 10 bandits when they came to attack us,” he said. Another source from a community in Rafi Local Government, which had also been attacked severally said they did not support arms procurement.

“It was suggested that we should buy arms but our community didn’t support it because if it solves the problem now, it will lead to another problem in the future,” he said.

“If communities have problems with one another in future, they will use it against each other,” he said. An effort to get the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim Matane to speak on the matter proved abortive as of the time of filing the report.

Kaduna, Plateau communities arming selves
In the last three years, some communities bedevilled by insecurity in Kaduna State have found ways of acquiring arms to defend themselves against banditry.

Our correspondent reports that communities in Kaduna’s Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Igabi and Chikun Local Government Areas have narrated how they now assign young men to keep night vigil of their communities against impending attacks by bandits.

A member of a community in Giwa LGA told Daily Trust that, “We know for a long time that government cannot protect us and so, we now protect ourselves and we don’t need any permission from anyone to do so.”

Another villager from Igabi LGA told our correspondent that when they defended their communities sometimes in a shootout with bandits, the bandits then shift their attention to other vulnerable communities who do not have the firepower to defend themselves.
“We have noticed that there is no point running from our homes because they will still come back. So, it is better to stay back and defend our homes even if it will cost us our lives,” he said.

Daily Trust reports that it has been the same in some communities of Plateau State where local blacksmiths make local firearms for communities to defend themselves against attacks.

“Some of us have obtained a licence from the relevant authorities and went ahead and bought pump-action,” a merchant who does not want his name mentioned, said.

“Even AK-47 is not difficult to buy these days because some people import them provided you are ready to pay. This is the only way to protect yourself, your family and your wealth,” he said.

In Zamfara too
Residents of many communities across the fourteen local government areas of Zamfara State are also stockpiling arms to defend themselves against bandits. Checks across the communities in the state revealed that residents have since discarded the idea of relying on federal security operatives to defend them.

For instance, in one emirate, there are communities known for their bravery when it comes to self -defence to the extent that the armed criminals also suffered losses whenever they raided the communities.

“We are stockpiling our arms…Every household or every individual has a gun and if we sense trouble we come out en mass to defend ourselves and this is helping us,” a community leader, who does not want his name mentioned for security reasons, said.
“There was a time they launched a daring attack on this community. We inflicted severe loss on them and they were forced to limp away in defeat,” a resident told our correspondent.

Our correspondent learnt that in some local government headquarters and other relatively bigger towns, some well-to-do individuals are buying arms for vigilantes or Yan Sakai.
The individuals with relatively good financial standings are sponsoring the vigilantes by purchasing locally made arms, torchlights, mackintosh, clubs and machetes for them,” he said.

Our correspondent reports that residents had earlier formed and armed local vigilantes or Yan Sakai but authorities in the state disarmed them during the last botched peace deal with the armed criminals.

Later, when they realised that the armed men were not willing to surrender their arms, the vigilante groups rearmed themselves again vowing that they would never give in to intimidation by criminals.

In Katsina, some residents who spoke to our reporter said though the call by the governor to acquire arms for self-defence could serve as a confidence booster, it was rather late as most of the villages that suffered banditry attacks don’t have the means to acquire arms.

A resident of Batsiri, a town that was attacked recently, said, “Even if we are to acquire arms, we cannot acquire the ones that can match that of the bandits. Some of the weapons they carry we don’t see them even with our security agents,” he said.
Also speaking, a resident of Kurfi, Salisu Sani (not real names), said some well-to-do individuals had acquired top action guns with which they protect themselves in the event of an attack.

“I am a member of our local security committee and I know a lot of what is going on. I can assure you that the situation is similar in most of the affected LGAs such as Batsari, Safana, Danmusa and Jibia because we work in synergy with them through intelligence sharing and I know some of those who have licences to hold a gun for self-protection,” he said.

Source https://dailytrust.com/insecurity-villag...lf-defence

[Henlus]

Plateau Assembly Asks Residents To Take Up Arms, Defend Themselves
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The Plateau State House of Assembly has asked residents in troubled areas in the state to take up arms and defend themselves.
Hundreds have been killed in the crisis engulfing several areas in Plateau State.

Chairman, House Committee on Information, Philip Dasun at a news conference on Friday said the Assembly sympathised with the government and people of Plateau State on the barbaric and dastardly killings that have been taking place in different communities of Bassa, Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, Jos North, Jos South, Mangu, Riyom, University of Jos Community and recently that of Yelwa Zangam.

He said the House condemned all these killings in totality, as they were not acceptable and condemnable.

“We commiserate with the families of all those who lost their loved ones during these attacks. We strongly call on Plateau people to practically stand up and defend themselves and their communities, as the conventional security design is no longer guaranteeing our safety as a people.

“We commend the youths on the Plateau for sustained coordinated and organized campaigns against the killings and as well the courage to make it go viral by sending strong messages to the world using the dead bodies of the mayhem on the social media and the streets of Jos; the display of the corpses in the House is a sign that they recognized the authority of the House of Assembly as an institution that can speak for the people. We greatly appreciate that action,” he said.

https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2021/08/27/pla...hemselves/

[Henlus]

Ortom: I Have Document, Fulani Want To Takeover Nigeria
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Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has insisted that the agenda of Fulani herdsmen in Nigeria is to conquer the entire nation.

The Governor, while speaking with BBC pidgin at the weekend, said he has documents to back up his claims.

According to him, the Fulani Nationality Movement who claimed responsibility for his recent attack, said that Nigeria is their only country.

He said, “Fulani Nationality Movement, FUNAM were the people who attempted to kill me recently. They said Nigeria is the only country that belongs to them. It is written and I have the document.

“I have sent copy of the document to the president, police, DSS. The FUNAM said they wanted this revolution in 1800 but could not achieve it through Usman Danfodio.
“They claimed that they have the power, money and all it takes to achieve it”.

Ortom, who has been in a face-off with the presidency over his criticism of President Muhammadu Buhari’s inability to tackle the security challenges facing the nation, lamented that terrorism is beginning to takeover the country like Afghanistan and other waring countries in the world.

“The terrorism that we used to hear in far away countries like Afghanistan Iraq and other warring countries has surfaced in Nigeria.

“And as it is, it seems the presidency is in support of what is happening because it is not saying anything.

“Like I always say, if the Federal Government has the power to stop secessionists like Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Igboho then the should have the power to stop banditry in the country too.

“They call the attackers unknown gunmen but for me, I know that they are Fulani people coming to kill us. And the presidency is involved in this agenda.

“The Fulani people have claimed that they want to capture the entire country”, he added.

Source: https://dailypost.ng/2021/08/30/i-have-d...m-insists/