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Tag: bandits

  • How Police rescued 17 abductees in Zamfara forests

    How Police rescued 17 abductees in Zamfara forests

     

    The police on Saturday said it has rescued 27 kidnap victims from Gando, Bagega and Sunke forests in Bukkuyu, Anka local government area of Zamfara state.

    According to a statement signed by police spokesperson, Mohammed Shehu, the victims were abducted by a group in Akawa, Gwashi, Tungar Rogo and Anka Villages before taken to bandits camps at Gando/Bagega and Sunke forests.

    “The rescue of the victims was sequel to the report received by the Command that, group of bandits terrorist invaded the above mentioned villages and abducted unspecified number of people and took them to Gando/Bagega/ Sunke forests where they spent a week in captivity,” the statement said.

    “On receiving the report, the Commissioner of Police deployed additional Police Tactical operatives to reinforce DPOs Anka/Bukkuyum and vigilante in their rescue operation to rescue the abducted victims. Luckily enough, a well coordinated search and rescue operation was carried out with the full support and partnership of the two LGAs Sole Administrators of Anka and Bukkuyum . The outcome of the rescue operation was the unconditional rescue of Twenty seven (27) kidnapped victims.

    “At the moment, seventeen out of twenty seven were brought to the Police Command Headquarters for showcasing, while the ten (10) other victims are in the hospital receiving medical attention following the trauma they passed through while in captivity. All the victims have been debriefed by the Police detectives and the Commissioner of Police will formally hand over the victims to Commissioner for Security and Home Affairs who will on behalf of His Excellency reunite them with their families.

    “The Commissioner of Police Commended the high level commitment to Security of His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Bello Matawalle MON, for his support and encouragement to the Police and other security Agencies in their effort to rid the state of criminal activities. The CP further congratulated the victims for regaining their freedom, and assured the public that, Police will not leave any stone unturned in ensuring that criminal elements are apprehended and made to face the full wrath of the law.”

  • Insecurity: Now there is evidence our security operatives cannot protect us – Gen Danjuma

    Insecurity: Now there is evidence our security operatives cannot protect us – Gen Danjuma

    Former Minister of Defence, General Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), has said there’s abundant evidence on what he said that our security operatives cannot protect Nigerians.

    TheNewGuru.com, (TNG) recalls that few years back Gen Danjuma had call on Nigerians to arm themselves against insurgents.

    Danjuma spoke on Saturday in Wukari during the installation of a new monarch.

    According to him, Our country is under siege by armed bandits.

    “When some few years ago I warned that the armed forces are either not capable or unwilling to protect us and that we must defend ourselves, the first denial about what I said came from the ministry of defence.

    “They said I was lying and they set up a kangaroo board of inquiry to investigate the truth or otherwise of what I said.“

    They invited me to come and testify but I did not go. They wrote their report which state that I was only speculating and that there was no evidence. But now there is evidence.

    “The whole country now is being overrun and one very clear thing that is happening now is that these foreign invaders are destroying everything and our government allowed them to come into the country.

  • Insecurity: Bandits chop off woman’s breast, kill two in Nasarawa

    Insecurity: Bandits chop off woman’s breast, kill two in Nasarawa

     

    Gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, on Friday night, invaded Gidan Ityotyev, a Tiv farming community in Obi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, and killed two persons as well as injuring another.

    The killings at Gidan Ityotyev occurred barely two weeks after some suspected herdsmen invaded Gidan Sule community in neighbouring Keana Local Government Area of the state and killed about 10 Tiv farmers, displacing thousands.

    The spokesperson of Gidan Ityotyev community, Ukpuu Abaa, gave names of the community members killed during the invasion as Moses Saaku and Aondofa Saaku.

    Abba added that the assailants chopped off the breast of one of the community members, Kwaghdoo Saaku.

    Ukpuu disclosed that the attack on the people of the community occurred at about 11:00 p.m. on Friday.

    He revealed that on arrival at the village, the suspected Fulani herdsmen opened fire and shot sporadically in the community

    “The invaders noticing the resilience from people of the Gidan Ityotyev community, withdrew from their attack immediately and took to their heels after succeeding in killing two persons of the same family, and as well cutting off the breast of another female member of the community with a sword,” he said.

    The spokesperson, however, expressed worry that the people of the community were in trauma following the invasion by the suspected herdsmen, and appealed to the Nasarawa State Government to provide the villagers with security personnel that will wade off another envisaged attack.

    Speaking on the incident, the Nasarawa State Police Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ramhan Nansel, said he could not confirm the attack, adding “it was yet to be reported to the state Police Command”.

  • 72hrs after his release, bandits kill Abuja -Kaduna train attack freed passenger

    72hrs after his release, bandits kill Abuja -Kaduna train attack freed passenger

     

    72 hours after his release, bandits have killed one of the recently freed Abuja-Kaduna train passengers along Funtua-Gusau road enroute his home town in Kebbi State on Saturday.

    The victim whose name has not been made public spent over six months in terrorist captivity following attack on Abuja-Kaduna bound train on March 28, 2022.

    The victim was killed while on his way to his home town in Kebbi State alongside his relatives who were reunited with him by authorities in Kaduna State after being rescued last week.

    He was killed three days after being released by the Ansarul Faction of the Boko Haram Terrorist Group after spending over 190 days in captivity.

    It was gathered that one of the relatives driving the vehicle was also abducted by the terrorists to an unknown destination as at the time of this report.

    The last batch of the kidnap victims whom the deceased was among regained their freedom last week on Wednesday, October 5, 2022 after six months in captivity

    It was also gathered that the victim was earlier shot on his head by gunmen who laid ambush on the ever busy Funtua – Gusau road and died a few hours after he was rushed to Tsafe General Hospital, along same highway.

    He has since been buried in his hometown according to Islamic rites.

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  • Lalong commends security agencies over rescue of kidnapped victims

    Lalong commends security agencies over rescue of kidnapped victims

    Plateau state Gov. Simon Lalong has commended security agencies for rescuing 10 persons kidnapped by bandits in Bashar, Wase Local Government Area.

    The governor gave the commendation in a statement by his Spokesperson, Dr Makut Macham, on Monday in Jos.

    He said that the agencies worked in collaboration with the vigilante and hunter groups for the success of the operation.

    He said that the prompt action of the agencies ensured that all the kidnapped persons and other stolen items were recovered.

    Meanwhile, Lalong also directed security forces to immediately confront attackers threatening the lives of people in villages around Bokkos Local Government Area, describing the recent spate of attacks as unacceptable.

    “The attackers must be fished out and not allowed to go unpunished.

    “On 8th October 2022, gunmen attacked Kuliyas Village in Butura, Bokkos killing 4 persons including the village head.

    “This is coming after other reported isolated killings in other villages of Follo, Karara, Bokkos, and Mangor as well as the kidnap of some students at All Nation’s Academy who were eventually rescued by security forces,” he said.

    Lalong also decried the level of criminality being perpetrated, saying it must be addressed holistically by security agencies in collaboration with the traditional and community leaders through the structures of community policing and vigilante groups.

    He warned criminals that his administration would not allow them to return the days of darkness to the state under any guise.

    The governor sympathised with the families of the victims and assured them that those behind the attacks would pay for their actions.

    He also called for vigilance among the residents and timely dissemination of intelligence to security agencies for pragmatic action to prevent such attacks.

  • Police nab armed bandits, who attack hotels, rape victims in Anambra

    Police nab armed bandits, who attack hotels, rape victims in Anambra

     

    The Anambra State Police command has confirmed the arrest of a criminal gang of armed robbers led by one Okechukwu Okpo that specialized in robbing and raping hotel guests.

    Recovered from Okpo, aged 24 years of Ndobasi village, of Ebonyi State and his gang a locally fabricated pistol, two live cartridges and three plasma television sets among other items.

    “The police who acted on tip off, stormed their base which was an uncompleted building overlooking the Ndikelionwu-Oko Federal highway.

    The gang, according to the release from the Anambra Police Public Relations Officer(PPRO), Ikenga Tochukwu,
    on sighting the police vehicles opened fire on the operatives.

    They eagle-eyed officers consequently responded swiftly, engaging the robbers in a gun battle and they ran.

    The PPRO disclosed that the gang recently robbed a hotel in Ndikelionwu, Orumba North Local Government Area of the state, where a female staff was also raped during the robbery incident.

    This was contained in a statement from the PPRO issued to newsmen on Sunday.

    The statement read in parts: “Police Operatives attached to Oko divisional headquarters acting on a credible information in the early hours of 6/9/2022 bursted a criminal hideout, in an uncompleted building along Oko – Ufuma expressway in Orumba North L.G.A.

    “Operatives arrested one Okechukwu Okpo ‘M’ age 24 years of Ndobasi village, Ebonyi State. One locally fabricated pistol, two live cartridges and three plasma television were recovered.

    “The criminal gang on sighting the police vehicle opened fire on the operatives, who responded swiftly, engaging the armed robbers in a gun battle. While other gang members fled the scene, Okechukwu was captured.

    “Preliminary investigations show that the gang was responsible for over 25 armed robbery, kidnapping, and car-snatching incidents that have happened along Oko—Ufuma—Uga—Amaokpala Expressway, among others .

    “The most recent, according to the confessional statement of the suspect (Okechukwu) was an attack in a hotel at Ndikelionwu on 13/8/2022, where a female staff was raped and the gang also made away with three television and other items. Efforts are ongoing to arrest other fleeing gang members.”

    The PPRO noted also that four other suspected criminals arrested in a separate incident; he said the suspects were arrested in conjunction with local security, and include; one Chukwubike Anieto ‘m’ aged 20 years from Agulu, Chukwuemerie Ike ‘m’ aged 36 years from Agulu, Chidera Muo ‘m’ aged 25 years from Neni and Chukwuma Israel ‘m’ aged 28 years all residing at Umuezeani village Akwaeze.

    “We recovered one berreta pistol, three motorcycles, one axe, three machetes, one police belt, one Sumec generator, thirteen different brands of phones and other incriminating items.

    “Interrogation by the police operatives revealed that the gang attacked a police Constable, dispossessed him of his personal belonging on 29/8/2022 along Umukabia Okofia village, Neni. Also most recently, the gang were caught in the act on 9/9/2022 in an attempt to rob a lady of her belonging along Okofia village, Neni

  • Troops gun down several bandits in Kaduna

    Troops gun down several bandits in Kaduna

    The Kaduna State Government, says Troops of the Nigerian Army have gunned down several bandits at Tollgate general area of Chikun Local Government in the state.

    The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr. Samuel Aruwan, confirmed the development in a statement on Saturday in Kaduna.

    Aruwan also disclosed that notorious bandit Boderi Isiya narrowly escaped being neutralized, but his deadly second in command and several other fighters were gunned down by the troops.

    According to him, security agencies informed the Kaduna state government of this development in operational feedback.

    He explained that a painstaking check with credible human intelligence sources further confirmed that Boderi and his terror group had a bad day at the hands of the combat-ready troops.

    According to the reports, the troops engaged the bandits around the Tollgate general area of Chikun LGA.

    “The bandits scrambled in retreat, only to run into another ambush laid by the troops in Sabon Gida general area.

    “The troops engaged the bandits ferociously and ultimately subdued them.

    “Corpses and weapons were recovered at the scene, while some of the terrorists eventually died from bullet wounds.

    “Boderi’s deadly second in command, one Musti, was among those identified to have been eliminated, alongside one Yellow Mai-Madrid and one Dan-Katsinawa, with others yet to be identified,” he said.

    The commissioner also said some of the terrorists are battling life-threatening wounds.

    Aruwan disclosed that Musti and Boderi were responsible for the security breach at the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna.

    He added that they were also responsible for the kidnapping of students of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, the Emir of Bungudu and several other citizens in 2021.

    The commissioner said Gov. Nasir El-Rufai praised the troops for the commendable feat under the leadership of the General Officer Commanding, 1 Division, Maj.-Gen. Taoreed  Lagbaja.

    He noted that it was the latest of notable breakthrough recorded since the GOC took command of the Division.

    “The Kaduna state government will keep the public updated on further developments.

    “Citizens with useful information regarding the bandits reported to be seeking medical attention in the general area and elsewhere, are encouraged to bring such information forward via the following numbers: 09034000060, 08170189999,” Aruwan said.

  • Bagudu lauds Zuggu community for routing bandits

    Bagudu lauds Zuggu community for routing bandits

    Gov. Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi has hailed the bravery of Zuggu residents in Maiyama Local Government Area, for routing some bandits who attacked the community.

    This is contained in a statement issued on Saturday in Birnin Kebbi by Bagudu’s Special Adviser on Media, Malam Yahaya Sarki.

    The governor who visited the community on on Friday, commended residents for standing up to the bandits and defending themselves.

    He said that their courageous response to the attack by the bandits was worthy of commendation and emulation by others.

    Bagudu said that even though some members of the community had sadly lost their lives, the fact that they routed the bandits and killed some of them was heartwarming.

    He urged them and other communities in the state to remain courageous and resilient in ensuring peace and security in their area.

    The governor said those who lost their lives in defending the community did not die in vain, but died as martyrs.

    “We are here to sympathise with you over the unfortunate incident and also to commend your extraordinary effort of defending yourselves.

    “People of Zuggu, I commend you for displaying courage to defend yourselves,” he added.

    Bagudu said there has been a spill into the state of bandits displaced by recent military onslaught in neighbouring states.

    He warned that government would deal decisively with those spreading false information capable of scaring people away from their homes.

    “We should be our brothers keepers in period of despair, not to pass false information that could instill fear,” he added.

    He commended security agents for their efforts in sustaining peace across the state.
    Special prayers were offered for the repose of those who lost their lives during the attack.

    The village head of Zuggu, Alhaji Hamisu Magaji, appreciated the governor for the visit and provision of relief materials to the community.

    Meanwhile, Bagudu was also at Yar Besse village in Shanga Local Government Area, to assess the level of damage caused by flooding.

    He sympathised with those who lost their farms and houses, and urged them to regard the disaster as destined by God.

    He said that the government would offer more assistance to the victims and prayed Allah to guard against a recurrence of the disaster.

    Responding, the District Head of Shanga, Alhaji Nasiru Jafaru expressed gratitude to the governor for the visit.

    Also The Vice Chairman of the local government, Alhaji Adamu Ladan thanked the governor for his compassion and provision of relief materials to the victims.

  • Insecurity: The worst is over – FG

    Insecurity: The worst is over – FG

    The Federal Government says the worst is over with regards to the daunting security challenges in the country. It added that terrorists, bandits and their cohorts will never hold sway anywhere in the country.

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed gave the assurance on Monday in Abuja at a media briefing he jointly addressed with some of his colleagues.

    Others are Ministers of Defence Maj.-Gen. Bashir Magashi (rtd), Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, and Police Affairs, Alhaji Mohammed Dingyadi, as well as the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor.

    Mohammed said the security challenges the country had faced were daunting and ranged from terrorism to banditry, kidnapping, separatist violence, crude oil theft, armed robbery and sundry crimes.

    He added that the challenges were undoubtedly the greatest to the peace and security of the country since the 1967 to 1970 civil war.

    “It is the kind of challenge that would have overwhelmed many nations, but thanks to the purposeful leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “Today, we are here to tell you that while we may not be there yet, our military and other security agencies have succeeded – and are succeeding – in substantially restoring security across the nation.

    “We can say, I want to repeat, that the worst is over and peace and security are gradually returning to the land.

    “Please don’t misunderstand or misrepresent this assertion because we may still witness isolated cases of security challenges here and there, but it will not be on the scale that we have witnessed in the past,’’ he assured.

    The minister said the successes recorded was sequel to the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari to the military to crush those terrorising the citizens and there should be no hiding place for them.

    He thanked the President for his purposeful leadership as well as the military for their ability to rise to the occasion.

    Mohammed also commended the media for their watchdog role and called on them to endeavour to give a big part to the successes being recorded by the security agencies.

    Speaking in the same vein, Aregbesola said the security challenges the country faced mostly preceded the President Buhari’s administration.

    He equally commended the security agencies for rising to the challenges and for largely degrading the groups and persons constituting the threats.

    “What we face now mostly are flashes of cowardly attacks from the rumps of groups that have been routed in one location, moving to another to give the false impression that they are still strong.

    “Our ultimate goal is to eliminate them altogether and restore total and lasting peace over every inch of Nigerian soil.

    “We have been doing this and will continue to do so through the operations of the four agencies under the Ministry,’’ he said.

    The Minister of Defence who gave accounts of the military operations across the country said they were achieving greater results through synchronised ground and air bombardments of the terrorists.

    “We have been forcing many of them, including Commanders to surrender in droves, with members of their families.

    “Areas where terrorists hitherto had some freedom of action are being cleared, socio-economic life is gradually returning to most parts of the North East.

    “Erstwhile Internally Displaced Persons are now returning to their ancestral homes to start life all over, in dignity, under safer and more secure environment,’’ Magashi said.

    Specifically, the minister said in the past four weeks, more than 3,407 Boko Haram Terrorists including members of their families have surrendered.

    Additionally, he said 66 terrorists were neutralized including one of the key ISWAP Commanders, Modu Chaka Bem Bem and 20 of his fighters, while 55 were rrested and 52 civilians rescued.

    He said troops recovered large quantities of ammunition and illicit drugs while the surrendered and arrested terrorists have been subjected to profiling and the relevant legal processes.

    Magashi said for the first time, no single incidence of piracy was recorded in the country’s waters in one full year.

    He said in the past four weeks, several illegal oil refining sites, consisting of 493 dugout pits, 512 storage tanks, 413 cooking ovens and 59 wooden boats were destroyed.

    Additionally, he said several weapons, vehicles, vessels and equipment were recovered.

    The minister said about 25,800 barrels of crude oil, 3,200 liters of Premium Motor Spirit and 2,000 liters of Dual Purpose Kerosene were recovered during various operations while 21 pipeline vandals were arrested.

  • Conversation Nigeriana (5) – By Hope Eghagha

    Conversation Nigeriana (5) – By Hope Eghagha

    Bishak: Enough of this insulting and arrant nonsense that is ASUU! This is unbecoming! El Rufai’s son has already said ASUU is ‘useless’ and should be ‘scrapped!

    Modupe: Like father like son! They are both diminutive basket mouths! They talk before they think and that is why part of his state is under the control of bandits!

    Bankole: Hehehehehe! Yes, unbecoming. Very unbecoming. But in the words of Dr. Kingsley Mbadiwe, the come has become the come and unbecoming in an unbecoming manner!

    Bishak: Stop jesting my friend. This is a serious matter. The whole educational system is under threat! ASUU has declared an indefinite strike!

    Bankole: Jesting? You think I’m just jesting?

    Anayo: Our elders say that when you want to say something serious, we use laughter to reduce tension.

    Bankole: If we all were to carry the sorrows of the land in our faces and hearts, we would die before our time. Let’s allow all the jokes jor! After all the federal government under Buhari is a joke, joking with the lives of two hundred million people!

    Professor: Back to the real issues Mallam Bishak. What is new in all this that is unbecoming my friend? Is it the prolonged strike or the government’s lukewarm response? We should be used to government’s penchant for allowing ASUU strikes to go on and on!

    Amakiri: I don’t care what you say. We cannot afford to keep our undergraduate children at home because some cantankerous and irascible lecturers are in love with strikes, forgetting that their first duty is to impart knowledge. The world is laughing at us. Can our kids compete with their counterparts from other countries?

    Anayo: If it’s just laughing at us, I won’t lose sleep. We have lost respect as businessmen. They won’t let us into Dubai. Even ‘Chinkos’ treat us like filth in Beijing. In Thailand, Nigerians are arrested and tortured at the drop of a hat.

    Bishak: It is unacceptable. ASUU’s stubbornness and unreasonableness are a threat to the nation. The government must proscribe ASUU immediately. Haba!

    Professor: Hahahaha! You make me laugh! You think proscribing ASUU will solve the crisis in the university system? Let the government go ahead. Proscribe ASUU. ASUU was banned by the military in 1988 when it called out its members on a national strike over wages and university autonomy. It was restored in 1990 and was banned again in August 1992 when it organized another strike. On 3rd September 1992, the ban was lifted after government met its demands. There were strikes in 1994, 1996, 1999 (5 months) 2001 (3 months) 2002, 2003 (6 months) 2005, 2006, 2007 (3 months), May 2008, 2009 (4 months), 2010 (5 months), 2011. In 2013, there was a five-month strike just as the strikes in 2017, 2018, 2020 and now 2020. The 2020 strike last for nine months. Is this not indicative of something fundamentally wrong in the system?

    Bankole: This government is known for being highly discriminatory in proscriptions, like it did with IPOB and Miyetti Allah. It is not likely to ban ASUU because of the national spread of the union. Did you read the press release issued by the Bayero University Kano branch of ASUU on the strike?

    Anayo: Tell them oo! Tell them. IPOB is banned. Miyetti Allah is walking free supervising AK47 totting herdsmen who are attacking and killing innocent people in the north and in the south. See the mess in Southeastern Nigeria now.

    Bishak: My friend, don’t mix apples with oranges!

    Professor: In Nigeria of today, apples could be oranges and oranges apples once the government says so. That’s how degenerate we have become! Is APC an apple or orange? Ditto for PDP. Apple or arrange?

    Modupe: They are birds of the same feather!

    Bankole: You don’t have to be so cynical.

    Professor: Cynical you say? Is the country not in a cynical state? Look here, our universities are underfunded. Government does not give them enough funds yet the same government rules out asking students to pay for tuition. Salaries are miserable. If you know how lecturers struggle to make ends meet by developing multiple sources of income, then you will understand the enormity of the problem and appreciate the sacrifices of our eggheads. It’s the reason some teach in three places, pursue grants, and serve as consultants in different places.

    Barr. Nyerovwo: Aside from eating pretty, little girls for breakfast before awarding grades?

    Professor: Come on! Not everyone is so tainted. That’s the popular myth. We find unacceptable sexual practices in all institutions where there are men and women, including Mosques and churches. Let us focus on the real issues. Students must pay fees. In State-owned universities, students pay for tuition. The world has not come to an end.

    Modupe: But ASUU is opposed to students paying for education. You know, they are all socialists who believe that education should be free.

    Barr. Nyerovwo: There is nowhere in the world where education is free! Someone pays for it. Who pays for it in Nigeria?

    Professor: That is exactly the problem. If the government doesn’t want students to pay for tuition enough funds should be given to the universities. But funds are scarce. So the government doesn’t have enough money. It is my view that instead of doling out grants to universities, the fee payable per student should be paid into a National Education Bank from where students can borrow to pay fees. After graduation they can then repay the loan!

    Orezime: See this wicked man o! students should take loans abi? How will they repay the loans? Did you take a loan when you were in the university? Didn’t you get support through the state bursary funds? Now you want students to take loans whereas you got free money!

    Professor: The times have changed my sister; times have changed. Students were fewer, universities were fewer, and oil flowed and brought in money.

    Orezime: …and stealing or looting the nation’s treasury was not as rampant as it is now!

    Professor: In a sense yes. Those politicians in uniform were interested in ten percent or twenty percent. These days, government officials simply cart away everything!

    Bankole: What can the nation do to reopen the universities? Life is already harsh on those longsuffering students. We should not make it harder!

    Professor: Meet ASUU halfway on UTAS, new salary scale and release of funds. The way forward is not to award an increase arbitrarily like an emperor. Mr. Adamu Adamu is behaving like the Adamu in the butt of jokes about ‘wetin Musa no go see for gate!

    Orezime: Hahahaha! Prof! Adamu and Musa are different persons!

    Professor: Aboki is Aboki! But seriously, Adamu is streaming a cultural narrative- that of ethnic ignorance! He has become the issue, sadly. He must learn to manage his temper. He is the same man that walked out on representatives of the students’ community because he thought they were rude. Now he has asked the same students he treated with contempt to take ASUU to court!

    Anayo: The students know who their enemies are. They know the outrageous allowances and salaries which legislators allocate to themselves, and the stupendous amounts stolen by politicians either directly or by proxies.

    Bankole: We need to adopt a new model on funding education. As a nation, we allocate less than 10% of our resources to education. Yet, we know that education is key to building a new Nigeria. We shouldn’t allocate anything less than 25% to education.

    Bishak: You are right. I don’t know why my Oga at the top is more interested in building ranches than building schools!

    Modupe: GBAM!