Crime Facts

No going back on grazing routes recovery – FG

In spite of the overwhelming outcry against the plan to retrace and recover grazing routes across the country, the Federal Government is not showing signs of relenting. Saturday PUNCH findings revealed that stock routes, popularly called grazing routes, are currently being retraced and recovered by the Federal Government for herders to graze their cattle. The Federal Government said this was meant to address the clashes between herdsmen and farmers. Although some of the routes are believed to have been encroached upon due to human activities, Saturday PUNCH found out that the government had embarked on a process of identifying monuments along the routes in order to get them back as locations for cattle grazing. Contrary to the expectations of many Nigerians particularly in South that the grazing routes retracing and eventual recovery might not see the light of day, officials of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development told one of our correspondents on Friday that the routes’ recovery would go on. They, however, said it would be done mainly in non-conflict zones. They also stated that routes that had been encroached upon as a result of the development of public infrastructure might be left out of the recovery exercise. The acting Director, Animal Husbandry Department, FMARD, Winnie Lai-Solarin, stated that while cattle ranching had been one of the major options canvassed for herders, not every pastoralist would be able to afford ranching at the moment. She said, “There are some stock routes that we have across the country, and in the past, we had monuments along these stock routes, particularly the primary stock routes. “And in the course of farming or other human activities along those stock routes, the monuments were altered, but we know where they are. So we are saying that some of them can be retraced. “And this is particularly for areas that are not encroached upon as of now. The pastoralists know the routes, and on some of those routes, you will see the pieces of the monuments along them.” Lai-Solarin added, “So for those that are not encroached upon and are not in conflict zones, we will go ahead to retrace and guide the pastoralists along them. We didn’t get to where we are today in one day and so we cannot expect that every pastoralist should suddenly start ranching now. “Some would still have to move but let’s keep the movement as safe as possible and in areas that are not conflict zones. That is what I am saying. We are not going to retrace stock routes where there are infrastructures that are for the public good.” Another official at the FMARD familiar with the development stated that the government was not happy with the killings associated with clashes between herdsmen and farmers. The official, who requested not to be named for lack of authorisation, explained that the stock routes were in three classes. The source said, “We need to create safe places that are easy for them (herders) to graze their cattle so that they won’t need to travel on the roads. We have primary and secondary stock routes and in some cases, we have tertiary stock routes.” Providing further explanation on the three classes of routes, the official said, “The primary stock routes are the major routes that run in a North-to-South direction from the Sahel to the coastal market. “And then, there are some major routes that run inter-state from the North, while others run intra-state.” The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Sabo Nanono, had announced on Thursday that the Federal Capital Territory and 22 states had registered for the National Livestock Transformation Plan as part of measures to establish grazing reserves in their domains. He also announced that seven of these states had earmarked 400,000 hectares of land for the initiative, as the establishment of grazing reserves were currently ongoing in Nasarawa, Borno, Niger, Kaduna and some other states. “Twenty-two states and the Federal Capital Territory have registered with the NLTP office, out of which 10 states have created their own teams which have been trained by the federal office,” Nanono stated. He explained that seven of the 10 states earmarked about 19 grazing reserves for the implementation of the NLTP, with a total land size of approximately 400,00 hectares. The NLTP was designed by the Federal Government to address the lingering farmer-herder crisis across the country. The plan was inaugurated by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in 2018 at the Gongoshi Grazing Reserve in Mayo-Belwa Local Government Area of Adamawa State. The plan was designed to run from 2019 to 2028 as a collaborative project among the federal and state governments, farmers, pastoralists, and private investors. In February 2021, the Federal Government said it had mapped out 30 grazing reserves across the country for the NLTP implementation. However, some states, especially in the south, had rejected the idea, saying they had no land to donate to the Federal Government for the initiative. They said any individual who wanted to go into ranching should rather look for land and buy. But in a new twist, the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), during a recent interview with Arise Television, supported open grazing. He said he had directed the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), to produce a gazette which delineated grazing routes in all parts of the country in the First Republic. The President stated, “What I did was to ask him (Malami) to go and dig the gazette of the First Republic when people were obeying laws. “There were cattle routes and grazing areas. Cattle routes were for when they (herdsmen) were moving upcountry, north to south or east to west. They had to go through there.” The President’s statement followed Malami’s recent criticism of Southern governors for banning open grazing, saying their action was like banning the sale of spare parts in the North. However, several Southern states and institutions like the Nigerian Bar Association and the Pan-Niger Delta

Bagudu: We got intel of bandits’ movement — but security operatives were overpowered

Atiku Bagudu, governor of Kebbi, says from reports he has received, the “bandits” who attacked the Federal Government College, Birnin Yauri, came in their hundreds. Gunmen, on Thursday, invaded the school and kidnapped a yet-to-be-confirmed number of students and teachers. In a joint operation in the early hours of Friday, security operatives rescued two teachers and five students. While addressing parents of the kidnapped students on Friday, Bagudu explained that the state heard about bandits’ movement around the school weeks before the attack, and deployed additional security operatives. He, however, noted that the gunmen overpowered the officers. In a statement by Yahaya Sarki, spokesman to the Kebbi governor, Bagudu assured the parents that efforts are on to ensure the safe rescue of the remaining victims. “The state government will do everything humanly possible to bring these children and the staff back safely,” he said. “Since this unfortunate incident occurred, all hands are on the deck to ensure that these our children and the staff are rescued alive, hale and hearty. “This abduction was a brazen and tragic incident, where bandits confronted the policemen who were providing security to the school. Unfortunately, they made away with some students and teachers. It is an unfortunate incident. “About two weeks ago, there was the news of bandits’ movement and they were sighted around this area. We consulted with the federal authorities here who told us that the school has about two weeks to finish its terminal examinations. It was agreed that if security can be stationed in the school, it is better to support the children to finish their examinations before going home.” Bagudu added that the police commissioner had deployed 22 security operatives from the special anti-terrorism task force, prior to the attack. “They were around even during the attack yesterday. Unfortunately, they were overpowered, because on different accounts, the bad elements came in hundreds,” he said. “These children are all ours and we are obliged to pray to seek for their safe return. I am glad that the parents who also spoke expressed courage. “They have also acknowledged that the security agents did the best they could and they are still doing their very best, Equally, the school authorities, principal, teachers and other staff. By God’s grace, our children will come back to us.”

EndSARS: Lagos, Bayelsa, Imo, Kwara Award N1.1bn As Judicial Panels Settle Police Brutality Victims

Judicial panels of inquiry set up to determine the extent of human rights abuses by the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) have been turning in their verdicts, with compensations paid to victims in some states. The National Executive Council (NEC), chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, with state governors as members, had passed a resolution for the setting up of the panels in the wake of the #EndSARS nationwide protest. The panels, which were mostly set up between December 2020 and January 2021, include personnel from the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), National Human Rights Commission, Ministry of Justice, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and police community relations committees. The #EndSARS protest, which rocked the country in October 2020, was organised over years of police brutality and extrajudicial killings in most states of the federation while enforcing the law against criminality. The protest was eventually hijacked by hoodlums, resulting in the loss of lives and property across the federation, forcing at least 28 states to set up the panels. States States that set up the panels include Abia, Adamawa, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Benue, Cross River and Enugu. Others are Kaduna, Katsina, Kogi, Kwara, Ekiti, Osun, Ogun, Lagos, Ondo, Oyo, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Bauchi, Gombe, Plateau, Nasarawa, Enugu, Ebonyi, Rivers, Taraba and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). So far, Bayelsa and Lagos panels are near conclusion of hearing and have awarded a cumulative sum of N163 million to victims of police brutality. The Bayelsa panel awarded a total of N109 million to six families of the victims killed by police and other security operatives in the state. The panel, which is still expected to give more judgements in the upcoming days, has so far delivered about eight verdits on their findings. The panel, in May, awarded a total sum of N36million to victims and families of deceased in both police and soldiers’ brutality in the state. Delivering judgements on the two matters brought before Justice Young Ogola, the panel awarded compensation in the destruction of property in Toru-Ndoro community in Ekeremor Local Government Area and shooting of peaceful protesters at Amassoma community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area in 2018. According to one of the victims, Mr Agorowei Tukuwei, whose house was razed during the incident about three years ago, soldiers had invaded Toru-Ndoro community in Ekeremor in search of a suspected notorious militant identified as Karowei. Unable to apprehend the suspect, who was later arrested and killed, the soldiers reportedly resorted to the destruction of houses and other property in the area. Mr Tukuwei took the case to the Bayelsa State Panel of Inquiry on Police Brutality and other Related Matters to seek justice. Others awarded compensation include N22m to Richman Gburu, N14m to the families of the late Sunday Gbom and the sum of N29mn to the Niger Delta University, Amassoma, over shootings during the protest. Others awarded include the family of Godgift Odoki, a four-year-old boy shot by the police in 2016 and N31m to Chibuzor Okere; and N13m to the family of a 17-year-old Innocent Kokorifa, who was shot dead by the police in 2016. In Lagos, N57.25m, out of the N200m fund set up by Governor Babajide Sonwo-Olu, was awarded to victims of brutality by security agencies by the Justice Doris Okuwobi-led judicial panel. The beneficiaries include the widow of the late Rasheed Olanrewaju Kareem, N10m; Yinka Austin Adebayo, N1m; Adebayo Abayomi and Hannah Olugbodi, N10m. Others are Mark Nwadu, N7.5m; Mrs. Felicia Opara, N750, 000; Tolulope Openiyi, N10m; Mrs. Blessing Omoregie Esanbor, N5m; Tella Adesanya, N500, 000; Ndukwe Ekekwe, N7.5m; Isaac Adeshina, N3m and Andrew Okon, N3m. In Kwara State, the Justice Tunde Garba-led panel, in February, received 25 petitions of rights violations by security agencies and has submitted its report to Governor Abdulrahaman Abdulrazaq. However, the government set aside N500m to compensate business owners affected by the #EndSARS protest. Of this amount, a total of N180.7 million was disbursed. In Rivers State, about 171 petitioners that appeared before the Rivers State Judicial Panel of Inquiry on ENDSARS demanded monetary compensation from the police. Chairman of the Rivers State Judicial Commission of Inquiry into police brutality and extrajudicial killings, Justice Chukwuneye Uriri, had disclosed that it received 171 petitions at its inaugural sitting in Port Harcourt. So far, the number of petitions appears to be the highest in the country for torture, murder and violation of human rights by police operatives. Justice Uriri said the panel would ascertain and identify acts of violence, torture, brutality, murder and violation of fundamental rights of citizens by officers of the Nigeria Police, especially operatives of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). One of the victims of police brutality, Lucky Eze, had asked the panel to compel the Nigeria Police to pay him N20 million as compensation for damaging his ear after sleeping him at his place of work in a Filling Station in Ahoada Town, Ahoada Council Area on January 28, 2018. Two petitioners had presented demand for compensation amounting to N300 million, a 27-year-old pensioner, Fubara Briggs, who demanded for the sum of N200 million from the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) over the death of his friend identified as Monday Burabari, whom he alleged took ill and died after he was tortured by policemen at the Borikiri Police Division, Port Harcourt. Festus Osuagwu, told the commission of inquiry how he lost his ability to walk, and his job, and also suffered partial memory loss, after he was allegedly attacked by operatives of the disbanded SARS. In Ogun State, the Judicial Panel of Investigation on Police Brutality has concluded its sitting after conducting hearing in 58 cases, but it is yet to submit its report to the governor. The panel chairman, Justice Solomon Olugbemi, while speaking at the end of the six months sitting period, said, “The panel received a total of 106 petitions, out of which 58 were treated and the remaining

Social Media: Oyedepo, Nigerian youths and the time to focus

By Ibe Pascal Arogorn Every nation or group of nations has its own tale to tell. Knowledge of the trials and struggles is necessary to all who would comprehend the problems, perils, challenges, and opportunities which confront us to-day. What the Living faith general overseer, David Oyedepo said on Friday about the Nigerian’s govt plans to regulate the social media came as a bump to me. As public speaker and head of his congregation, he should have applied prudence and discretion to certain comments especially on the freedom of speech. According to Oyedepo, “It unconsciously robs people of their future by robbing them of their time — no time to think; no time to plan; no time to programme.” “This generation may lose her heroes to social media disaster. Here is one creeping serpent that is eating up the destinies of many individuals. “We must wake up from our slumber to deal with this monster. Young people, beware! Addiction to social media is like addiction to drugs. It can render a whole destiny useless. “This social media saga has eroded the substance of destiny of most youths today. What is supposed to be a plus has suddenly become a major minus, because everything of value delivers through investment of time. “Suddenly, we are faced with a generation on the wrong side of history; the honour of this generation has been wiped off — chatting all day with no time left to think, plan, programme and engage productively in the pursuit of any task. “Many youths spend less than 10 to 20 percent of their time on their tasks per day. They can never match a generation that spends 70 percent to 80 percent of their time on their tasks. “We must devise means to put a check on free access to social media, particularly those that are not adding values. Life is a race. Everyone should get on the track, ready for the run of their lives.” In 2019, the preacher had said it was archaic to attempt regulating social media. However, in May, Oyedepo said the excessive use of social media has made many lose focus and rob them of their destiny. What focus can a Nigerian youth lose to social media? Nigeria that is currently marred by afflictions, debacles and exigencies can’t give Nigerian youths breathing space for opportunities. The best place for a Nigerian youths to seek opportunities is on social media. Over 120 million Nigerians are online, according to the Nigeria Communications Commission. Seventy percent or over 80 million of them are young, between 18 and 35 years. If this group of young Nigerians were a country, they would be the fifth populated in Africa, just behind DR Congo with 89 million citizens. For most of them, the internet, especially social media, is where they live and work. Their lifestyles and work are woven round, recorded, influenced, amplified and facilitated by and on the internet. This army of young Nigerians is talented and hardworking. For example, a study of Africa’s internet economy (it’s estimated to be worth $180 billion in 2025) by Google and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) revealed that Nigeria with 83,609 software engineers is number three among top-ten African countries, behind Egypt (86,599) and South Africa (118,541). However, this crop of Nigerians doesn’t live and work online alone, but they also use it as a means to voice out their concerns about their country. Young Nigerians are dissatisfied with the government. Only 14.7 million of the 40 million-active youth population are employed according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics. They are angry that the country with so much potential is so poor, insecure, has a large poorly educated population, and lacks opportunities for their enormous talents and energy. The figures released by the country’s statistics office this year revealed that over forty percent of the population is living in extreme poverty; other sources like the Brookings Institute say the numbers are more. Nigeria ranks third on the Global Terrorism Index, just behind Iraq and Afghanistan. Terror-related activities claimed 1,245 lives last year alone and kidnapping for ransom has reached an all time high across the country. At 10.5 million, one in every five out-of-school children is in Nigeria. Their anger stems from the belief that the Nigerian state’s dysfunction holds them down and puts them at disadvantage with their peers globally. For example, Nigeria’s Next Generation, a report by the British Council and Harvard School of Public Health revealed that most of its young people end up living less-productive lives. The report states that, “A Nigerian only produces more than he or she consumes for an average of 30 years of their life, compared to 34 years in Indonesia, 35 years in India, and 37 years in China.” OYEDEPO IS EVER READY TO PROTECT HIS BUSINESS When the Company And Allied Matters (CAMA) bill was signed by president Buhari in 2020, the cleric clamored vigorously for the bill to be amended, stating that that the bill was Antichrist in mature. Is the church an enterprise? Yes. Is the church a place of spiritual alliance with the creator? Yes. Naturally, the church as an industry should be detached from incorporeal control. Both must not be conflated. There is the tabernacle of God, which no mundane or terrestrial order has power over, and there is the venture of mammon which must submit to the laws of the land. Caesar must be given his due. The righteous one, Jesus Christ, said so. Bishop David Oyedepo, the redoubtable preacher, took umbrage against the government over a section of the recently signed Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) which warrants the Corporate Affairs Commission to suspend the trustees of an association or a religious body and appoint an interim manager or managers to coordinate its affairs where it reasonably believes that there has been any misconduct or mismanagement, or where the affairs of the association are being run fraudulently or where it is necessary or

65-year-old man arrested in Ekiti for raping 85-year-old stepmother

The Police Command in Ekiti State has said it has arrested a 65-year-old man, Durodola Ogundele for allegedly raping his stepmother twice. The command’s spokesperson, ASP Sunday Abutu, who revealed this in a statement said the suspect carried out the act in Ayetoro-Ekiti, Ido-Osi local government area of the state. He reported that the suspect had, on June 15, allegedly had canal knowledge of his 85-year-old stepmother in her room. Abutu explained that Ogundele is a son to the victim’s late husband. According to him, the suspect on a fateful day entered the victim’s room to assist her in applying for herbal medicine on her legs to ease her pain. “The victim alleged that after applying for the herbal medicine on her legs, the suspect forcefully had sexual intercourse with her twice,” Abutu said. He said the Ekiti police commissioner, Mr Tunde Mobayo, had ordered that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for proper investigation. The spokesman said the suspect would be charged to court accordingly if found culpable.

El-Rufai: My Successor Will Demolish More Houses Than Me

Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has said his successor will demolish more houses than he has done in the state. He said some people were seeing him as a demolisher and seem eager for his tenure to end. The governor, who made the comment at a media chat aired on radio stations on Thursday, said residents of the state now appreciate the urban development being executed across the state by his administration. He also said his administration prefers to provide infrastructural development rather than sharing money with people in the name of empowerment or human development. “When we started working on school construction they said we are not providing roads now we are working on roads they said we are not empowering people. “If sharing money in the night is what they mean by empowering people, they should keep insulting us. “The masses who we are working for appreciating what we are doing for them. “You know the election is approaching and they see me as a demolisher “Mai rusau” so they think that maybe the next person that will come after me will not demolish but he will demolish more than I do, God willing,” he said. He urged the people to continue supporting and praying for his administration to succeed. Critics have accused the governor of plunging people into hardship by demolishing their houses but El-Rufai has defended his action, saying it is in public interest.

Military retires 343 soldiers

The Nigerian military has retired 357 non-commissioned officers (NCOs) after empowering them with skills for self reliance. The retirees comprised 258 from the Nigerian Army (NA), 70 from the Nigerian Navy (NN) and 15 from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF). They have either reached statutory age of retirement or attained 35 years of service. They were disengaged from service at a well attended function at the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC) where they underwent a six-month pre-retirement training to prepare them for life outside the uniform. Addressing the retirees, the Chief of Defence General, Gen. Lucky Irabor reminded them their passing out parade signified a setting dusk in their distinguished military career as well as a.testimony of their determination, commitment and discipline. Irabor,who was represented by the Chief of Defence Training and Operations, Rear Admiral George Eyo, said the pre-retirement course was designed to give trainees the requisite rudiments for a successful reintegration into civil life after a meritorious service to the country. “It is our hope that on completion of this training, our gallant discharging servicemen and women seated here today will apply the knowledge and skills they have acquired and by so doing, comfortably enjoy the post service life,” he said. He urged the retirees to remain good ambassadors of the Armed Forces, maintain highest level of integrity and ensure they contributed towards nation building as they go about their businesses. “You will from now on take full charge as planners and executors of your personal daily activities, This may sound exciting and promising but beware; you need to properly manage your freedom in order to be successful. “The society will expect a high moral standard and discipline from you. You will also have to prove in your relationships that you passed through a highly disciplined system. As our well-grounded ambassadors, I believe you are all capable of excelling in your future endeavors and positively influence your environment for the economic development of our dear country.” The CDS urged them to put to good use, the various entrepreneurial, business development and management skills they had learnt at NAFRC for economically productive and successful life after retirement. He commended NAFRC leadership for its relentless efforts at ensuring that discharging Armed Forces personnel were exposed to the latest trends in global entrepreneurship and management training. In this wise, your reviewed curriculum has enabled trainees to benefit from the modern trends of doing businesses.

Kebbi students in hospital after rescue by security operatives

Students and teachers of Federal Govermment College, Yauri, Kebbi, who were rescued from gunmen in the early hours of Friday, are currently receiving medical treatment. Gunmen had invaded the school on Thursday, and abducted some students and teachers. Following a joint operation by security operatives, two teachers and five students were rescued, while one female student died after the attack. The state government is yet to confirm the exact number of persons still in the custody of the gunmen. On Friday, Atiku Bagudu, governor of Kebbi, paid a visit to the Yauri General Hospital, where the rescued victims are recuperating.

Oyedepo backs regulation of social media

David Oyedepo, presiding bishop of Living Faith Church Worldwide, says unlimited access to social media platforms is robbing youths of their future. Speaking on Friday at the seventh convocation of Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara state, Oyedepo called for urgent steps to check unrestricted access to social media. The popular cleric, who is also the chancellor of the institution, lamented that many young people spend most of their time chatting, with lesser time to engage in productive tasks. “It unconsciously robs people of their future by robbing them of their time — no time to think; no time to plan; no time to programme,” Oyedepo said. “This generation may lose her heroes to social media disaster. Here is one creeping serpent that is eating up the destinies of many individuals. “We must wake up from our slumber to deal with this monster. Young people, beware! Addiction to social media is like addiction to drugs. It can render a whole destiny useless. “This social media saga has eroded the substance of destiny of most youths today. What is supposed to be a plus has suddenly become a major minus, because everything of value delivers through investment of time. “Suddenly, we are faced with a generation on the wrong side of history; the honour of this generation has been wiped off — chatting all day with no time left to think, plan, programme and engage productively in the pursuit of any task. “Many youths spend less than 10 to 20 percent of their time on their tasks per day. They can never match a generation that spends 70 percent to 80 percent of their time on their tasks. “We must devise means to put a check on free access to social media, particularly those that are not adding values. Life is a race. Everyone should get on the track, ready for the run of their lives.” In 2019, the preacher had said it was archaic to attempt regulating social media. However, in May, Oyedepo said the excessive use of social media has made many lose focus and rob them of their destiny. On Wednesday, the federal government asked the house of representatives to enact a law to regulate social media in the country. The decision came less than two weeks after Lai Mohammed, minister of information, announced the suspension of Twitter’s operations in Nigeria.

Place bounty on bandits not Nnamdi Kanu, Northern groups slammed

Some Nigerians on social media have slammed some Northern groups for placing a bounty on the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu. The PUNCH had earlier reported that a coalition of 75 Northern groups under the aegis of the Northern Consensus Movement placed a N100 million reward for anybody who could produce Kanu, for him to be tried over alleged treason. The NCM specifically accused Kanu and IPOB militant wing, Eastern Security Network of masterminding the recent spate of attacks on Northern communities in the South-East. This claim did not go well with some Nigerians as they have taken to Facebook to slam NCM, asking the group to place bounty on Boko Haram and bandits instead. A Facebook user, Oyebode Funmilayo, wrote, “How much did they place on their bandits and terrorists’ kinsmen disturbing the peace of the Northern region? Charity begins at home. You shouldn’t love your neighbours more than yourself. They should channel their energy and resources to fight insurgency, terrorism, banditry and kidnapping in the North.” Another user, Olanrewaju Olubayo, wrote, “The same groups that have remained quiet over Fulani herdsmen, Boko Haram and bandits menace in the North are placing a bounty on Nnamdi Kanu, a business that obviously isn’t theirs. God have mercy on a failing country!” “How much have they placed on bandits, Boko Haram, herdsmen and the criminal elements disturbing the peace of the people in the North?” Obigbesan Olufemi asked. “All the mass kidnappings going on in the North is all about fundraising to enable them place N100m bounty. Anyway, the bounty is too small I suggest they increase it,” Godsgift Christopher mocked. Hannah Samuel, wrote, “Of all the problems ravaging the North, it’s Nnamdi Kanu that’s their major headache. Northerners need deliverance!” Solarin Olusegun asked, “What bounty are you going to place on bandit leaders who have been killing mercilessly and robbing people of their hard-earned money?