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Tag: Killings

  • Killings: IGP orders deployment of three additional mobile units to Zamfara

    The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, has said that three additional mobile police units would be deployed to Zamfara to beef up security.


    Idris made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen on Saturday in Gusau after a condolence visit over Thursday’s attack in Birane village, Zurmi Local Government area in which over 40 people died.


    The IGP also said the police had set up a committee to investigate the incident and suggest measures to end such attacks.


    Idris added that the Federal Government has approved the recruitment of 6,000 policemen in 2018, to further strengthen security in the country


    “We believe the recruitment would assist in the government efforts to address security challenges facing the country.
    “We are here to commiserate with Zamfara State Government, Zurmi Emirate Council over this incident.


    “We received complaints of shortage of personnel from the stakeholders; we are going to deploy additional three units of police mobile to the state to strengthen the state police command in tackling security challenges.


    “We are going to set up a committee to investigate the incident aimed at avoiding the re-occurrence of the menace in the future; the committee is coming to this state next Monday Insha Allah.’’


    He commended the state government for its support to the police and urged stakeholders to assist all security agencies with relevant information to tackle the security challenges bedevilling the state.


    The IGP was received by the state Deputy Governor, Malam Ibrahim Wakkala at Government House, Gusau.


    He had earlier paid similar visit to Emir of Zurmi to commiserate with the families and relatives of the deceased.

  • Benue killings: Fayose visits graveyard of 73 victims, says Buhari ruling with double standard

    The Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, on Thursday called on the Federal Government to stop ruling the country with double standard.

    Fayose made the call during his visit to Benue State to commiserate with the people of the state over the loss of 73 people to herdsmen attacks.

    He said, “Those who committed less offence like hate speech are made to face the wrath of the law while those unleashing mayhem on others are treated as sacred cows.”

    He described the crisis in Benue State as ethnic cleansing and urged the people not to allow others to cow them, saying, “This nation belongs to our forefathers and they bequeathed it to us and we should not allow anyone to chase others away, this country belongs to all of us.

    “I went to the graveside today and I was moved to tears. How can people be slaughtered like cows? There is no terrorism more than what has happened in Benue.

    “I charge the Federal Government to stop ruling Nigeria with double standard. Killing innocent souls, sacking their communities is nothing but terrorism.”

    He urged Ortom not to be weary but to ensure that the anti-grazing law succeeds in the state.

    In his response, Ortom regretted that the authorities did not heed the warning from Benue, saying if they did, the 73 souls and others would not have died.

    While reiterating the call for the resignation of the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, Ortom described him and the defence minister as bare-footed people who were not capable of carrying out their responsibilities.

  • Herdsmen killings: I’m not sitting in air-conditioned office doing nothing – Buhari

    As concerns continue to grow over planned grazing colonies by the Federal Government, President Muhammadu Buhari has explained that the policy as proposed by Federal Government is not meant to colonize any part of the country.

    Receiving the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) led by Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama at the Presidential Villa on Thursday in Abuja, President Buhari said the intention of government is to create grazing locations for cattle rearers, which has now been misconstrued as another form of colonization.

    In a statement by Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President, Media & Publicity, Buhari is said to have regretted that the well-thought out policy of the Federal Government, which was conceived after wide consultations with stakeholders, had been largely misunderstood by a section of the public.

    He, however, assured the Catholic Bishops that the Federal Government will continue to explore all opportunities and support initiatives to ensure peace and stability in restive areas.

    Condemning recent spate of killings in Benue, Adamawa, Taraba, and Zamfara states, the President said security operatives would ensure prosecution of perpetrators and all those found with illegal arms in the affected areas.

    ‘‘The impression created that I was sitting in an air-conditioned office and home, enjoying myself while these things happened, is dishonest.

    ‘‘At every step, I have tried to foresee these problems because I have the experience as a former military officer who commanded three out of the four divisions of the Nigerian army, in Lagos, Ibadan and Jos.

    ‘‘I am quite aware of the problems we have and I am doing my best to get law enforcement agencies to be on alert,’’ he said.

  • Herdsmen: ‘Defend yourselves against further attacks’ Ortom tells Benue residents

    Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has Tuesday charges residents in the state to defend themselves against further attacks by Fulani herdsmen.

    Ortom said this on a radio programme in the state on Tuesday.

    The governor noted that in spite of the presence of policemen in the state, killings were still going on in two local government areas.

    He flayed the statement credited to the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, which blamed the anti-open grazing law for the New Year attacks, saying it encouraged the herdsmen to carry out more attacks on the state.

    He said, “I think the people should have the right to defend themselves and not to make themselves easy preys to be killed in their homes.

    “So any lawful means you can adopt to defend yourself, just go ahead in Benue State. We are not going to wait for the Inspector-General of Police to do it.”

    The governor however commiserated with the families of the policemen killed in the attacks.

    “It is unfortunate, the people are dying and the Inspector-General of Police is playing politics with the issue. The man should resign because he has failed woefully. He doesn’t have the capacity.

    “There are many good police officers who can take over that job and perform creditably by turning around the security architecture of this country, making things work and protecting lives and property. That man has no business being the IGP,” Ortom lamented.

    Meanwhile, the governor has lifted the curfew imposed on Gboko town.

    Ortom had last Wednesday imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on the town following the killing of seven travellers.

    Ortom announced the lifting of the curfew at a meeting he held with the leaders of the Benue Motorcycle Association and heads of security agencies at the Benue Peoples House, Makurdi.

    He condemned the killing of the travellers and maintained that the victims were not Fulani people as reported

     

  • Benue, Rivers massacres: Adeboye condemns killings; says culprits will soon be exposed

    Benue, Rivers massacres: Adeboye condemns killings; says culprits will soon be exposed

    Worried by the incessant cases of killings and kidnappings in the country, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor E.A Adeboye has condemned the act while assuring that God will soon arrest the perpetrators.

    Leading his congregation in prayers, at the February 2018 Holy Ghost Service tagged “Stronger than your enemies – Part 2”, held at the Redemption Camp, Adeboye asked the congregation, which included the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, to pray that God should expose and deal with those that are shedding blood, and those that are sponsoring them.

    In his words “Father, wherever those who are shedding bloods are hiding, please expose and deal with them. All those who are condoling evil or colluding with them, wherever they may be please expose and deal with them. All those who are sponsoring evil and bloodshed, please expose and destroy them.”

    Responding to those who have accused him of being silent on the issue, the General Overseer said “I am a Christian and I belong to the Christian Association of Nigeria which has a President. So whatever the President says is what I say. I am also a Pentecostal and I belong to the Pentecostal Association of Nigeria. So whatever the President says is what I say. That is how to be under authority.”

    Recall that over 50 persons were murdered by Fulani herdsmen in Benue State in the first two days of January, 2018. There have also been several cases of kidnappings in some parts of the country. Reports say that the herdsmen started attack since the Benue State Government implemented the anti-grazing law, giving the herdsmen no space to feed their cows.

     

  • Killings: Benue increases ransom on gang leader from N10m to N50m

    The Benue State Security Council has jerked up the ransom placed on a terror gang leader and most wanted criminal in the state, Mr. Terwas Akwasa, aka Gana, from N10m to N50m.

    The state security council had, in 2016, declared Gana wanted and placed a ransom of N10m on his head.

    Commissioner for Information, Mr. Lawrence Onoja Jnr, made this known on Thursday when he was briefing newsmen on the outcome of the state security council meeting held at Government House, Makurdi.

    Onoja said the upward review of the ransom was necessitated by the elevated crisis going on in Katsina Ala-Ukum axis.

    The commissioner further said the state security council had placed a ban on the use of covered number plates and indiscriminate use of siren in the state.

    He added that traditional rulers across the state have been given up to the end of February to stop concealing their number plates.

    The commissioner reiterated that the state government neither owns nor sponsors any militia, stating that no member of Livestock Guard in the state is allowed to carry arms.

    The state security council condemned the killings in Gboko on Wednesday and explained that the victims of the attack were not Fulanis.

    He assured residents of adequate protection of lives and property.

    The council appealed to people of the state to continue to obey the law and not to take law into their own hands.

     

  • I’m saddened over persistent killings, kidnappings in Nigeria – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday said he is saddened and worried over the incessant killings and kidnappings across Nigeria.

    He promised to ensure they are stopped and those indicted brought to justice.

    The President spoke in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, yesterday during the Ninth Assembly of the National Council of traditional rulers. It was with the theme:‘Community Policing as a Catalyst to Crime Prevention – The Role of Traditional Rulers.’ He was represented by Minister of Interior Abdurahman Dambazau.

    Buhari said: ”We were seriously heaving a sigh of relief over the degradation and dismantling of Boko Haram, but we are now witnessing increasing cases of kidnapping, cultism, ethnic militia activities and herdsmen/ farmers’ conflicts.

    “I am saddened and very worried over the persistent killings and kidnapping across the country, especially the wastage of innocent lives in different parts of the country, by whatever name, it is sad and particularly condemnable. I have therefore directed that no efforts should be spared in identifying and bringing to justice, all those who have been involved in these killings.

    “I have earlier directed the Army to relocate to Borno state to ensure that the activities of Boko Haram is brought to an end, likewise, I have directed the Inspector General of Police to relocate to Benue state to ensure that the herdsmen incessant killings are not only contained but the culprits are brought to justice.

    “These actions amount to declaration of war on our peaceful co-existence and a deliberate attempt to undermine the authority of the Nigerian State and threaten her sovereignty and territorial integrity.

    “As a responsible government, we will never tolerate or condone all trouble makers, criminals and killers; they should be ready to face the consequences of their acts. While the Federal Government is doing everything possible to tackle the root cause of violence and crime in Nigeria, we expect citizens to respect and obey the laws governing our society.”

    The Chairman of NCTRN and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar, said: “As we are meeting, if what is happening is failure of governance, we will discuss it in details and come up with an appropriate report to help government and the Nigerian society.

    He said the traditional rulers are capable of saying things the way they are without sentiment. “We existed before 1914, so we have seen it all. We are there permanently unlike the political office holders that have tenure.

    “We must close ranks as traditional rulers to help build Nigeria;

    “Let us build the comradeship we have among us down to the communities and let’s mean what we say, and say what we mean.

    “Our coming together is unique. It implies that nothing can divide us. So, let us reduce the tension in the country because this is the time for statesmen to work for Nigeria.

    “Let us stand and face the people that want to destroy our country,” he added.

    The Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, said “some sections of Nigeria are aggrieved and some feel oppressed; let us come together and take up this challenge so that no one will blame us.

    “Let us put politics aside, engage in peer review, apply sense of right and wrong, and speak the truth.

    “The responsibility lies on our head; we must stop the blame game and stop talking the talk but walk the talk.”

    King Dandeson Jaja, the Amayanabo of Opobo and Chairman, Local Organising Committee, said Nigerians were eager to hear from the traditional rulers.

    Jaja urged the federal government and the royal fathers to rise above ethnicity and sentiments to tackle the challenges in the country.

    “The Federal Government should tackle the economic challenges and deteriorating security situation in the country,” Jaja said.

    River State Governor Nyesom Wike said it would be ungodly for traditional rulers to maintain silence while killings are going on in the country.

    “Indeed the Nation is fast becoming a country in shambles, with the numerous multi- dimensional crisis it is facing, traditional institutions must wake up to their responsibilities by lending their voices to the national agitations for true federalism, resource control, greater delineation of power, as well as stated and community policing and good governance in the country.

    “At a time like this, it will be ungodly for mean men to remain silent while nation is dangerously shamble…

    He called on the Federal Government to decentralize policing, adding that the security of the nation would be achieved if the governors are given charge to control the security of their states.

    He said: “The Benue killings have exposed the weakness of our system centralization of policing, because the states governors do not have the right to take charge of the security.”

    Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Idris, in his keynoted address noted that the issues of community policing were relevant to the security challenges and in line with President Buhari’s resolve to provide adequate security to the nation.

    Idris noted that effected policing of the nation cannot be achieved easily without the assistance of the traditional rulers, adding that they (traditional rulers) command the respect of their subjects.

    He called for a synergy between the traditional rulers and the security agencies, adding that the rulers know their citizens know their subjects and can help in provision of useful information that would help the police achieve its mandate.

  • Killings: Don’t play politics with lives of Nigerians, CAN warns govt

    President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Dr Supo Ayokunle, yesterday said the killings and bloodshed across the country is without comparison in Nigeria’s history.

    The CAN leader, who is also the President of Nigerian Baptist Convention, spoke in Sagamu, Ogun State, in his sermon at the 13th annual New Year Thanksgiving and Memorial service organised by former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel.

    He advised Nigerians to desist from politicising the killings and urged them to close ranks and prevail on President Muhammadu Buhari and his administration to take decisive steps to arrest the situation. The service, which took place at Abraham’s Tabernacle, Sagamu,was attended by prominent traditional rulers, eminent personalities and political bigwigs.

    Ayokunle lamented the almost routine clashes between herdsmen and farmers in some parts of the country, saying without peace, the nation would not experience genuine progress and development.

    Ayokunle said: “Things are not working in the best way we have thought of. This is a very difficult time in the history of Nigeria, especially the continuous bloodshed. Communities decimated and human beings killed like chickens. “The way it is happening now, it has almost not happened before. It is so barbaric, so unbelievable that in a nation with government, things like that will continue to happen with reckless abandon.

    It is so unacceptable. “We have been speaking about it. It is not a matter of politics, you don’t play politics with the lives of human beings. We have no other life to live. So, all of you (Nigerians) have to be praying that our government is going to do the best and what is right so that this nation can experience peace because without peace, there won’t be progress.”

    He urged politicians to respect and heed the admonition of the clerics. He said: “We are the conscience of the nation. Politicians need to humble themselves when we speak to them. It is because we look for the good of this nation. Not everything we say to you, you will want to hear. Not everything will be palatable but we are responsible to God and to all these people, we are accountable.

    “The life of every individual is very important. And God has created each person to live his life to His glory. Nobody can give life and nobody has the right to take it. Therefore, beloved people of God, let us say no to the evil in our midst. It is not a matter of politics. It is happening to some people now, who knows the next person? I pray that evil will not swallow us up.” Ayokunle, who revealed that yesterday (Sunday) marked the end of the one-week national prayer declared by CAN, appealed to Christians to donate to the association’s relief fund for victims of ethno-religious crises.

    In his remarks, Daniel said his experience during the campaign for national chairmanship of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had further opened his eyes to different perspectives of the challenges confronting the country. He, however, pointed out that Nigerians must have the spirit of thanksgiving irrespective of the prevailing challenges.

    In Abuja, the President of the Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN), Apostle Nyeneime Andy urged the President to end killings by herdsmen in some states. Nyeneime gave the advice in his address after he was elected. Other elected officers are: Vice President, Pastor Adegbegi Ayodeji, General Secretary, Abel Ogwuche, Treasurer, Ekom Lydia and Peter Galdzana as Assistant secretary. He urged Buhari to involved Christian youths in all his plans to bring about peace in the country.

    The YOWICAN leader expressed sadness the way at which youths are engaged negatively to perpetrate violence during elections, adding that he will soon tour all the 37 states of the federation to admonish the youth on the need to shun violence and reject being used as political thugs during the forthcoming 2019 elections.

  • States enacting anti-open grazing law to blame for herdsmen killings – FG

    The Federal Government on Thursday blamed the passage of anti-open grazing law in some states as the cause of the recent killings by Fulani herdsmen in the affected states.

    Recall that the herdsmen recently murdered over 60 people in Benue State. Governor Samuel Ortom had also alleged that he had earlier informed the federal government of the impending danger but was not responded to. A statement that was vehemently denied by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

    The federal government furtther noted that the “remote” cause of the violence was the violation of areas demarcated over the years as grazing reserves.

    Benue, Taraba and Ekiti are some of the states where the anti-open grazing law has taken effect.

    The laws were enacted after several states suffered deadly violence often blamed on herdsmen.

    Hundreds of Nigerians were killed in the first two days of this year in some of these clashes in Benue and Taraba states.

    The Benue State government organised a mass burial on January 12 for 72 of the victims of the killings in Logo and Guma local government areas of the state.

    Speaking on the plans by the federal government to check the deadly clashes between farmers and herders, the Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, said the anti-open grazing law sparked off the clashes.

    Mr. Dan-Ali, who was briefing State House correspondents at the end of a meeting of security chiefs with President Muhammadu Buhari, urged Nigerians to learn to accept foreigners in their areas.

    He also said it is illegal for state governments to set up and arm forest guards.

    “Whatever crisis that happened at any time, there has to be remote and immediate causes,” the minister said.

    “What are the remote causes of this farmers/herders crisis? Since Independence, we know there used to be a route whereby these cattle rearers use.

    “Cattle rearers are all over the nation, you go to Bayelsa, you see them, you go to Ogun, you see them. If those routes are blocked, what happens? These people are Nigerians, it’s just like you going to block river or shoreline, does that make sense to you?

    “These are the remote causes. But what are the immediate causes? It is the grazing law. These people are Nigerians, we must learn to live together with each other, that is basic.

    “Communities and other people must learn how to accept foreigners within their enclave, finish!” he said.

    Mr. Dan-Ali faulted the decision by some states to set up and arm forest guards, saying it is illegal.

    He said fully armed militia were arrested in some states, adding that killings were from all sides.

    To check the crisis, the minister said the quarterly security meeting with President Buhari decided to set up a commission on small arms proliferation in the country.

    He said the decision was “in compliance with the presidential directive for the establishment of National Commission on the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons in the country.”

    He said the Ministry of Defence, in conjunction with the office of the National Security Adviser, “has set up a committee to work out modalities to transform the Presidential Committee on Small Arms and Light Weapons, PRESCOM, to a National Commission”.

    He said the committee will be inaugurated Thursday at the office of the NSA.

    Mr. Dan-Ali also said the meeting discussed the issue of the purchase of “Super Tucano” aircraft from the United States of America, USA.

    He said the meeting discussed the terms and conditions of the purchase “and agreed that the conditions are a bit stringent”.

    He said the meeting resolved that the Defence Minister and the NSA should meet with the USA Ambassador to Nigeria to review some of the conditions.

    He said the cost of the aircraft is $494 million, including for training and maintenance capabilities.

    “However, deadline for the payment was given as February 20, this year,” he said.

    The Defence Minister said the meeting discussed “some of the issues at hand, that is the farmers/herders crisis, which the IG gave full details”.

    Mr. Dan-Ali said the formation of the commission on small arms proliferation is one of the key measures being taken to curb the wanton killings in the country.

     

  • Benue massacre: Miyetti Allah cattle breeders responsible for gruesome killings – Ortom

    Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State on Tuesday accused the leadership of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, a group of Fulani cattle breeders in the country, for the gruesome killings of innocent souls in the state.

    The governor spoke on Tuesday after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja.

    “I had to brief him, he is also doing further investigation to know the next line of action. I believe that my request that the leadership of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, who had earlier threatened and I accused them directly, since June last year, I have been writing to the leadership of security agencies, that these people are a threat to our collective interest and they must be dealt with,” the governor told journalists after the meeting.

    “They must be arrested and prosecuted because we cannot allow impunity to continue to thrive. And of course threat and no action has resulted in this killing and I think that Mr. President will also do the needful to ensure something is done.”

    His comments come amidst reports of continued attacks in the state. On Monday, two policemen were killed by herdsmen who had earlier exchanged gunfire with the police, Mr. Ortom said.

    He said the officers were “slaughtered like goats” in Logo local government area, one of two areas at the centre of the crisis, while another officer was left badly injured.

    “And it is taking a different dimension. Just yesterday (Monday) in Logo local government, mobile policemen that were deployed to Logo to keep vigil to protect the people and the land; these militia came, exchanged fire with them, caught two of them and slaughtered them like goats — mobile policemen!” he said.

    “They shot another one, ‘machete’ him and left him in the pool of his blood but luckily he did not die. We have taken him to the hospital, we are treating him, the other one that was declared missing was found today (Tuesday).”

    However, the presidency on Tuesday insisted that President Muhammadu Buhari does not have a hand in the killings.