Crime Facts

Security Agencies Carrying Out ‘Genocide’ In South-East – Igbo Elders

The Igbo Elders Council in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Friday accused security agencies of indiscriminately killing Igbo youths in the South-East, in the guise of fighting IPOB and ESN, two separatist groups. Speaking at a news conference in Abuja, Chairman of the group, a former Governor of Anambra State, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife, said dozens of young people, mostly male, are being extrajudicially executed on a daily basis by security operatives in the region. “We condemn without any reservation the destruction of public properties in the South-East, because it is not in our character to indulge in arson, brigandage,” Ezeife said. “We believe however that it is not fair and just to use a sledge hammer to kill harmless flies. “Security agencies now indiscriminately invade private homes at odd hours, in the same guise of fishing out presumed IPOB and ESN members. “They arrest men and sometimes shoot innocent and hapless youths. “We therefore call on President Muhamamdu Buhari, the United Nations, the European Union, African Union, ECOWAS, to take urgent and necessary action to stop the current genocide against the Igbos in the South-East and parts of the South-South.” President Muhammadu Buhari had earlier this month threatened to deal with IPOB “in the language they understand”, a statement that sparked angry reactions from many Nigerians as it referenced Nigeria’s bloody civil war. Millions of Igbos died during the civil war. However, the Muhammadu Buhari administration has since doubled down on its decision to go on the offensive against IPOB members, who have been designated as terrorists. IPOB is advocating the breakaway of a chunk of the country’s southern region to create the Republic of Biafra. “A terrorist organisation (IPOB) poses a significant threat to the safety and security of Nigerian citizens,” the Presidency said in a statement on Saturday. “When the President said that they will be treated ‘in a language they understand,’ he merely reiterated that their force shall be met with force. It is a basic principle of security services response world over. “This is not promotion of hate, but a pledge to uphold citizens’ right to freedom from harm. The government cannot be expected to capitulate to terrorists.”

51 Killed In Fresh Attacks In Zamfara

Suspected armed bandits have killed at least 51 people in attacks on five communities in Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State between Thursday and Friday, Daily Trust Saturday gathered. The communities are Kadawa, Kwata, Maduba, Ganda Samu, Saulawa and Askawa. Hundreds of residents have been displaced by the attacks, with many of the residents, mostly women and children taking shelter in Dauran or Zurmi towns. Residents said several motorbike riding gangs of armed men stormed the communities, firing at people. The armed criminals were chasing the residents into their houses and farms and shooting killing them. In recent weeks, Zurmi Local Government Area has witnessed a sharp spike in deadly raids on rural communities. Last week, aggrieved youths blocked the Gusau-Kaura Namoda-Zurmi road to protest the unending killings by the armed criminals. Even before then, there was a protest at the palace of the Emir of Zurmi, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku by dwellers of rural communities in the local government, over what they described as a massacre being perpetrated by the armed men. The bodies of the slain residents already recovered were brought to Dauran, a community located about 10 km west of Zurmi town, the headquarters of Zurmi Local Government Area. “Several other bodies are yet to be recovered from the surrounding bushes, although effort is being intensified to recover them so that they would be properly buried. “So far, we have buried 28 victims in the community. As I am talking to you, we have just finished the funeral rites. Mass burial was conducted for the victims,” a resident identified as Haruna told our correspondent. The spokesman of the state police command, SP Muhammad Shehu, said the police had brought 14 bodies for burial at the Unguwar Gwaza cemetery in Gusau, the state capital. He said the state commissioner of police, Mr Hussaini Rabiu, was at Dauran community and security operatives there were reinforced. Meanwhile, Governor Bello Mohammed Matawalle of Zamfara has approved the suspension of Emir of Zurmi, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar Muhammad, over his alleged links with insecurity in the state. A statement by the acting Secretary to Zamfara State Government (SSG), Kabiru Balarabe, said Alhaji Bello Suleiman (Bunun Kanwa) has been directed to take charge of affairs of the emirate immediately. He said the governor had approved the constitution of a high powered committee led by a former deputy governor, Ibrahim Wakkala Muhammed, to investigate allegations made against the suspended emir on his alleged involvement in the escalating rate of banditry attacks in the emirate.

Imo nightlife returns, Hoteliers, Night club owners happy

Hoteliers, night club owners in Owerri, Imo State, on Friday said that they were happy that the Imo state nightlife activities have gradually returned. This was their expression as captured by the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Bala Elkana, during their meeting in Owerri, with the Imo state Commissioner of Police, CP, Abutu Yaro, to say thank you to the CP, for the improved security situation in the state. Vanguard gathered this is coming weeks after “unknown gunmen” caused panic, fears and created insecurity in the state. But, with the reorganization of the security architecture most of the suspected “unknown gunmen ” were said to have been neutralised. However, according to the Police, PPRO, he said: “Following the improved security situation in the state, as it affects Night Clubs/Hotels services in the state, especially in the metropolis. The Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Abutu Yaro, fdc, held a security meeting with all Night Club/Hotels owners/managers at the State Police Headquarters, Owerri, Imo State. “The Commissioner of Police used the medium to inform them of the security measures already emplaced in the state which is presently yielding results. And he solicited for an all-society approach to improved security. “The Commissioner of Police further assured them that some of the security measures put in place includes visibility policing and robust vehicular patrol within the metropolis and its environs. This is to ensure that night life which the people of Imo State are known for is returned back in full scale.” “The Commissioner of Police commended the good people of Imo State and the Night Club/Hotel owners for their support and enjoined them to feel free to come out at night to enjoy themselves without fear of any molestation, as adequate security measures has been put in place to protect lives and properties. Moreso, he advised all and sundry to go about their lawful businesses on June 12, 2021, as there is no restriction of movement,” Police said.

Obasanjo, Ooni, Sultan, General Abubakar, Onaiyekan, others keep mum after 8-hour closed-door meeting

The meeting of the Committee for the Goodness of Nigeria (CGN) was held behind closed door in Abuja on Thursday. The CGN is a coalition that included the Interface Initiative for Peace led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar and former Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan; National Peace Committee under the leadership of former military Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar and the Sociocultural Consultative Committee led by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. The eminent Nigerians met behind closed doors at the Transcorp Hilton Conference room. Others in attendance at the meeting were the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; the Etsu Nupe, Dr Yahaya Abubakar; former Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi; Chief Tunde Fasawe, former Minister of Agriculture and Chairman, Arewa Consultative Forum,( ACF) Chief Audu Ogbeh. Also sighted at the meeting were President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Ayuba Wabba and President of Ohanaeze Ndi’gbo, Professor Ralph Obiozor. The eminent Nigerians declined comments at the end of the closed-door meeting which lasted for over eight hours. No communique was issued at the end of the meeting but the spokesman of the CGN, Ahmed Magaji, told newsmen that a communique would be issued. It was however not released as of press time last night. Checks revealed that the eminent Nigerians have scheduled a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari. Asked to confirm the date for the audience with President Buhari, Chief Ogbeh said, “no time has been fixed yet.”

FG begins moves to sell looters’ seized assets

THE Federal Government has commenced the bidding process for the sale of recovered and forfeited assets from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice and the Inter-ministerial Committee set up by the government to handle sales of the assets under the Ministry of Justice opened the bid for the sales of the assets in Abuja on Thursday. This was disclosed in a statement issued by the National Association of Auctioneers on Thursday. The National President of the association, Aliyu Kiliya, expressed his satisfaction with the manner in which the opening of the bid was conducted. Kiliya also urged the committee to uphold uprightness in the process of selling the assets. He said, “All the procedures for Bureau for Public Prosecution and the Stores Regulation should be followed to the latter. The committee should do a diligent job not to allow any space for litigation in future as the items involved are very sensitive. “Knowledgeable persons should handle the sales which involved items not only in Nigeria but overseas, so as not to put all the efforts in disrepute.” In his remarks, the association’s General Secretary, Isibor Abhulimen, pointed out that the process of recruitment of professionals was key in conducting sales which involved huge sums of money.

Insecurity remains a snag, but Buhari has done well on infrastructure

By Frederick Nwabufo Is a critic oathed to only hunt for faults? Should he be impervious to hope, optimism and positivity or should he be amenable to fairness, truth and sanguinity – even if the facts are not in harmony with his public posture? It is customary here once you are branded a ‘’critic’’ of the government you are expected to only breathe fire like a dragon – ‘’see no good, speak no good; – just attack and attack’’. By Frederick Nwabufo This is the fallout out of militarised socialisation – a hangover of military-era opposition. During Nigeria’s military rule, scorched-earth activism/criticism was the definitive approach to the government and rightly so. Down with the Kaiser! If you betray any emotion for the Kaiser, then you are a traitor who must be hanged ‘’comrade-style’’. I used to be that guerrilla critic; always hungry for an attack. And truly so, there were always reasons – good reasons. But I realised that if you prime yourself for complaints and fault-finding, you will always have reasons. You only see what you want to see. This does not vitiate the very important task of holding the government to account. No! Insecurity remains a detraction to the achievements of the Buhari administration. While most of us agree that the performance of the government on security has not been impressive, very few may want to acknowledge the fact that President Buhari has made appreciable gains on infrastructure. The Buhari administration has done well on infrastructure. It is a leap from where we used to be. We can agree that security remains a challenge but still acknowledge the good outcomes when we see them. At a time Nigeria was fortuned by favourable crude oil prices – in the past administration – funds for infrastructure were either diverted or frittered away. Contracts were awarded as a meal for political cronies. I am aware that the contract for a famous road in Abuja was awarded without a design – but funds were paid to the contractor who happens to be a cousin of the former president. That road was abandoned afterwards. Let me get down to brass tacks. On rail, the 157km Lagos-Ibadan standard-gauge rail was inaugurated today. The benefits of this infrastructure are immense. The project is a relief for those who ply the tortuous Lagos-Ibadan road. The 327km Itakpe-Warri standard-gauge rail was completed and inaugurated 33 years after construction began. Abuja light rail was completed in 2018. Financing negotiations for Ibadan-Kano standard-gauge rail project are also in progress. Some road projects have been completed and more are in progress. Also, more than N360 billion worth of Sukuk Bonds was raised in 2017 for many crucial road projects across all the six geopolitical zones. New terminals for international airports in Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt were completed. The construction of new runways for Abuja and Enugu international airports was also completed. Yet it appears insecurity is eclipsing the achievements of the Buhari administration in this area. The basic responsibility of any government is to protect lives and property. We can only ride on the train and use the roads if we are alive. In fact, road trips have become an attempt at self-murder. The roads are gravely unsafe. Security comes first in the hierarchy of needs. It is the nucleus. The Buhari administration must do well to address insecurity – for its own reckoning. Any achievement it records in other sectors will be obviated and dampened by daily episodes of killings and kidnappings. The administration will be cheered and applauded by more Nigerians for its achievements when it saves Nigeria from the grim reaper rampaging everywhere in the country. By Fredrick ‘Mr OneNigeria’ Nwabufo Twitter @FredrickNwabufo

Onyema Nwachukwu is new spokesman as army carries out major reshuffle

The Nigerian army has appointed Onyema Nwachukwu as its new director of public relations. In a statement on Thursday, Mohammed Yerima, former army spokesman, announced the posting and appointments of senior officers in the military. According to the statement, Nwachukwu takes over from Yerima, who assumed duty as the spokesperson in February. Also, F.O. Omoigui, a major general, was moved from the headquarters of theatre command of operation Hadin Kai (formerly known as operation Lafiya Dole) and appointed as the director-general of the Land Forces Simulation Centre Nigeria. “Those affected in the reorganisation include; Brigadier General O. Nwachukwu from Defence Headquarters (Director Defence Information) to Headquarters, Directorate of Army Public Relations, and appointed Director; Brigadier General A.E. Abubakar from Department of Training and Operations (Defunct) to Headquarters 22 Brigade and appointed Commander,” the statement reads in part. “Major General F.O. Omoigui from Headquarters, Theatre Command Operation Hadin Kai, to Land Forces Simulation Centre Nigeria, and appointed Director-General; Major General C.G. Musa from Nigerian Army Resource Centre to Headquarters, Theatre Command Operation Hadin Kai and appointed Theatre Commander. “The Chief of Army Staff, Major General Faruk Yahaya, urged all the affected senior officers to justify the confidence reposed on them. All posting and appointments are with immediate effect.” Until his appointment, Nwachukwu was the acting director of defence information at the defence headquarters. He was also the deputy director of public relations at the headquarters of the theatre command operation Hadin Kai The new army spokesperson is an alumnus of the University of Ibadan and holds a Masters degree in international affairs and strategic studies from the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) postgraduate school, Kaduna. He also has a postgraduate diploma in advertising and public relations from the International Institute of Journalism, Abuja. He is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, and has attended several military and professional courses, as well as seminars within and outside the country. Nwachukwu once served as the media coordinator of the Joint Task Force Operation Pulo Shield.

Journalists Barred From State-Of-Nation Parley In Abuja

Journalists from across the nation’s medium were barred from covering the high-profile meeting on the “state of the nation” convened by a former President Olusegun Obasanjo. The nine-hour marathon meeting held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja started 11.00 am and ended 8.15 pm with two breaks for prayers and meals. Also at the meeting were a former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd); Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, and Emeritus Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan; President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Dr. Samson Ayokunle; a former National Security Adviser (NSA), Gen. Aliyu Gusau (retd) and a former Attorney General of the Federal (AGF), Kanu Agabi (SAN) among others. Journalists who waited to cover the parley were denied access by security agencies who claimed that journalists were not invited to cover the meeting when the personalities were arriving in the morning. They were also not allowed in during the breaks that even led to the ‘eviction’ of some aides of the personalities and some others before the meeting went to another ‘closed-door’ meeting with selected leaders of the various groups invited for the meeting. At the end of the meeting, none of the leaders or other attendees were willing to talk, despite the persistence of the reporters. However, a former minister of agriculture, Audu Ogbe, who said a communique would be released, decline further comments on the expected content or when it would be released. Daily Trust reports that the invitation for the parley was originally not meant for public consumption, as it was planned to be held in secret before the meeting representatives would meet with President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday. The details of the meeting were, however, leaked in an invitation letter addressed to the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ayuba Wabba by the conveners. According to the letter, issues like national unity, security, peace, integration, economic revitalisation and development would be discussed at the meeting. A dependable leader who was part of the meeting and requested not to be named told Daily Trust that the meeting was stormy and that it took the intervention of Obasanjo who presided over the meeting to calm frayed nerves which occurred more than six times during the meeting.

Gunmen attack police station, kill Inspector in Anambra

Unknown gunmen, Thursday, attacked Ojoto Police station in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State. DAILY POST gathered that one Police Inspector was killed in the attack, which took place Thursday afternoon. Policemen on duty, however, prevented the attackers from setting the station on fire. When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Ikenga Tochukwu, failed to confirm the incident. Again, gunmen attack another Abia police station, kill two officers He told DAILY POST that he was planning to visit the area immediately, adding that he would respond after the trip. But a Senior Police Officer in the state, who spoke with journalists in confidence, confirmed the attack on the police station, adding “we lost one Inspector today again.” The source said the State Police Commissioner, Chris Owolabi, was preparing to visit the Police station already. An eyewitness said the hoodlums came in three Sienna vehicles, but were repelled by the Policemen on duty. “We are in trouble in this state now. Nobody knows which way to follow again. The problems and tension being created in Anambra are too much for us to bear,” the eyewitness lamented.

Scores of travellers allegedly kidnapped by herdsmen in Imo

At least, twenty travellers on their way to Enugu State have reportedly been kidnapped by suspected Fulani herdsmen. DAILY POST gathered that the kidnappers were operating along the Okigwe-Onuimo axis in Okigwe LGA of Imo State. One of the passengers who allegedly witnessed the incident said the herdsmen, disguised as police officers, intercepted the 18 seater bus they were travelling to Enugu in and ordered three passengers into a nearby bush. He said the herdsmen also commandeered a sienna bus fully loaded with passengers, including the driver. Gunmen kidnap Abia Varsity students, other travellers in Imo He said, “Fulani herdsmen were armed and disguised as police officers at a checkpoint along Okigwe road. “They surrendered us and took away three travellers from the 18 seater-bus and all the travellers in a sienna bus also going to Enugu. “The worst is that there was no sign of security agents and no available means of contacting them. “As you can see, passengers who are lucky, are still in a panic mode because nobody knows where the others were taken to,” he narrated. Meanwhile, efforts to reach the Imo State Police Public Relations Officer, Bala Elkana, proved abortive as his number was not reachable.