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Tag: Killings

  • Insecurity: Redeemed Church joins CAN in nationwide prayer protests tomorrow

    Members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) are embarking on prayer walk across the country tomorrow to express displeasure at the “gruesome killings of innocent people in the country.”

    The action is also to pray for “the government to develop capacity to overcome the criminals troubling the nation.”

    Consequently, all parishes of the church have been enjoined to end their service not later than 11am on Sunday to enable members “march round their immediate environment, praying for God’s intervention in the ongoing situation in Nigeria.”

    The protests are at the instance of the RCCG General Overseer, Pastor Adejare Adeboye.

    The Assistant General Overseer (Admin and Personnel) of the church,Pastor J.F Odesola said in a January 29, 2020 circular to all regions and provinces of the RCCG said: “The Christian Association of Nigeria, the umbrella body for all Christians and Christian organizations in Nigeria, has made a clarion call for prayers and advocacy to all Christians in Nigeria in response to the inhumane acts against Christians in the country.

    “The General Overseer has therefore directed that all members of RCCG should participate in this prayer and advocacy with details as stated here under:

    Since RCCG is currently on a fasting and praying programme, the prayer focus within this period should be against the gruesome killings of innocent people in the country and prayer for the government to develop the capacity to overcome the criminals troubling the nation.”

  • Taraba killings will never happen again, Buratai assures

    The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt Gen. Tukur Buratai has declared that the recent killings of three police detectives in Ibi, Taraba state by soldiers attached to the 93 Battalion would never happen again as decisive actions would be taken against all the actors in the matter.

    The COAS, who gave the assurance while declaring open the combined second and third quarter Chief of Army Staff Conference 2019 at the Army Headquarters Command Officers Mess, Asokoro, Abuja, said investigations on the Taraba episode by the DHQ Joint Investigation Panel has been concluded.

    Describing the Taraba episode as unfortunate and unhealthy for cooperation and collaboration among security agencies, Buratai charged Army commanders at all levels to “adhere to the rule of engagement at all times and also respect all extant laws and fundamental human rights of citizens as enshrined in the Nigerian constitution .”

    Buratai said: “It is imperative that we become more proactive in ensuring the discipline and professionalism of our personnel, in our dealings with other agencies of government and indeed the larger society.

    “We should all note, the Nigerian Army as part of the Armed Forces of Nigeria is mandated to support the civil authority and the Nigerian Police Force in internal security operations.

    “However recent occurrences have shown that there is need for more reorientation on civil military relations and interface with cooperation at the junior cadre level.

    “Unfortunately incidences such as the recent one at Ibi in Taraba state which generated intense media comments are not healthy for the smooth cooperation and operations of our security forces. Investigation of the incidence has been concluded and decisive action will be taken to ensure it never happened again.

    “Similarly the recent case of a rape of a lady by soldier in 34 Brigade and the shooting of a motorcyclist by another soldier are examples of unwarranted events which we must guide against. Nigerian Army will not condone any form of indiscipline or actions that would tarnish its good image

    “I hereby charge commander at all levels to continue to educate personnel on the need to adhere to the rule of engagement at all times and also respect all extant laws and fundamental human rights of citizens as enshrined in the Nigerian constitution “.

    Speaking on the various military operations going on across the country, Buratai said a lot of successes have been achieved, asserting that there is however the need for officers and soldiers to be more proactive in their approaches.

    He said more equipment and manpower have been deployed in the northeast to complement the ones on ground, while the Minister of Defence Major Gen. Bashir Magashir had visited the northeast to boost the morale of troops by interacting with them.

    The COAS said: ” A major challenge that has continually faced Nigerian army is the ever growing issue of insecurity occasioned by global factors, those actions or factors could be traced to economic , social and political factors affecting almost all part of the world.

    “In our duty to curtail some of the contemporary security challenges such as banditry , kidnapping in the north west , we lunched operation Hadin Kunama 3 in the first quarter of 2019, the operation which stand through the second and the third quarter has recorded successes in covering the rampaging activities of bandits and kidnappers.

    “However, despite the successes , there are cases in Sokoto, Katsina , Kebbi and Kaduna states still occurring unfortunately , to continue to support the civil authorities , the troops employed and indeed the code man deployed has now been put into Operation Mesa,

    “We have also redefined the conduct of Operation Lafiya Dole with a new scheme of maneuver using the Super Camp concept of operation . A total of 20 Super Camp have so far been established in the Northeast and Commanders are required to key into the already circulated laid down Standard Operating Procedures and Directives .

    “The concept entails the concentration of formidable fighting forces in strong holds that have the capacity for swift mobility which requires the process to be proactive , rugged and capable of taking bold alternatives at all times to defeat the adversary by denying them freedom of action within a strong response areas or response areas as the case may be.

    “To support the Super Camp concept , we have inducted more man power and equipment into the theater and have planned to within the remaining days of the third quarter 2019 to deploy more troops towards achieving the desired end .

    The COAS pledged the loyalty of the military to the President Muhammadu Buhari and the constitution of Nigeria, asserting that the leadership of the military is determined to make the Armed Forces of Nigeria the best.

    He said ” Before I conclude we all know that the President and Commander in Chief had recently appointed Major Gen. Bashir Magashir as the new Hon Minister of Defence. I had the opportunity to brief him on the state of NA and our operations.

    “Also his first official assignment has been the visit to Northeast and the Headquarters and Command of Operation Lafiya Dole to see things for himself and interact with soldiers and officers in the frontline .

    “And I therefore on behalf of all of you pledge our loyalty and cooperation to make the Armed Forces of Nigeria the best they can be. I can assure you that the minister has good and lofty plans to transform the armed forces. I urge you to support him in this vision and plan.

    “Finally I convey our gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari for his support for the Army. He has continue to demonstrate his love for the Army. The promotion of two officers is an impetus to continue to be loyal and hardworking and we shall continue to demonstrate loyality and commitment to the defence of Nigeria”.

  • Benue evacuates students from Taraba varsity after killing

    Benue evacuates students from Taraba varsity after killing

    The Benue Government announced on Wednesday that it had commenced the evacuation of Benue State students at the Federal University, Wukari in Taraba.
    The evacuation followed the closure of the university after the alleged killing of two Benue students in the institution on July 30 by people suspected to be members of the Jukun militia.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that hundreds of people have been killed over the years in recurring communal clashes between ethnic Jukun and Tivs in the agricultural belt of Northern Nigeria.
    The bloody conflict has taken its toll on the two ethnic groups with many lives lost and property estimated at millions of naira destroyed.
    Speaking in a telephone interview with a NAN correspondent in Makurdi on Wednesday, the Benue Commissioner for Education, Prof. Dennis Ityavyar, said the evacuation of the students was due to the closure of the university.
    He said that relevant security operatives and the government of Taraba had been notified about the evacuation.
    Ityavyar said that the Benue Government was hopeful that the Taraba Government would provide adequate security for all Benue citizens, including students residing in Taraba.
    He said the Benue Government had since started making arrangements to provide for the needs of Benue students affected by the crisis.
    “The Government of Benue State has contacted the Government of Taraba State, police commissioner, the army and other security formations in Taraba State to ensure the safety of Benue State indigenes in Taraba State.
    The commissioner appealed to Taraba indigenes schooling in Benue to remain calm, assuring that the Benue Government was on top of the situation to ensure safety for everyone.
    “There should be no panic moment of students of Taraba State origin who are schooling in Benue State. We are on top of the situation,” he stated.
    Benue and Taraba Governments have held series of meetings over the years to find a lasting solution to the crisis but the killings have not abated.

  • Those who politicise isolated killings aren’t patriotic – Buhari

    Those who politicise isolated killings aren’t patriotic – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari has frowned at those criticising his administration over “isolated security challenges” in some parts of the country.
    The President spoke while hosting the National Executive of the Buhari Campaign Organisation in the State House, Abuja, on Tuesday,
    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the killing of Mrs. Funke Olakunri, daughter of Afenifere leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, has continued to attract comments from individuals and socio-cultural groups in the country.
    Olakunri was killed on Friday on the Kajola-Ore road in Ondo State by those the Police described as “armed robbers.”
    Buhari, however, said: “Every country in the world has security challenges. While we have made significant progress in the fight against terrorism, we acknowledge that there are also new and emerging challenges like kidnapping and banditry.
    “I assure you and Nigerians that we will not relent in our efforts to secure the country from criminal activities. Those who politicise the isolated cases of insecurity are not patriotic Nigerians.
    “I’m confident that this administration uses all resources at its disposal to protect the lives and property of all Nigerians and not just prominent Nigerians or those who make headlines.’’
    In his remarks, the coordinator of the group, Danladi Pasali, said the BCO was at the Presidential villa to congratulate the President for his electoral victory in the February presidential election.
    He maintained that the President’s electoral victory was ordained by God, hence it is a bounden duty of all well-meaning citizens to support the Buhari administration.

  • Enough is enough of herdsmen killings in Southwest – Ooni

    Enough is enough of herdsmen killings in Southwest – Ooni

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi has declared that the South West has heard enough of the killing by the herdsmen.
    He declared it was time for the region to be united in purpose in combating the security challenges headlong.
    Oba Ogunwusi, who spoke on Sunday in Kota Ekiti, Ekiti East Local Government area of Ekiti State, at the thanksgiving ceremony of Olufemi Bamisile, who represents Ekiti South Federal Constituency 11 in the House of Representatives.
    He said Yoruba people could no longer fold its hand and allow people to be killed, urging the Yoruba people to unite and defend itself against bandits from killing people.
    “I call on all the people of Yoruba race at this time to be united. The time has come end this killing. This killings must end, enough is enough.
    “We could no longer fold our hand and allow people to be killed. So, we must be united at this time and protect our territory,” Ooni added.
    Bishop Diocese of Ekiti, Reverend Emmanuel Abejide of Methodist Church Nigeria, Ekiti State, declared that the current security situation in the country was unfortunate.
    He warned that unless the leaders put on their thinking caps things might get worse.
    He said: “W have failed so much. Many of our political leaders have failed to develop our potential. If by God give you have opportunity to be in a position, its by God grace please use it for the benefit of mankind “.
    As for Bamisile, he said that the various stakeholders in the South West are already talking, adding that the region would defend itself against any aggression.
    “The death of Pa Fasoranti’s daughter is one of the greatest mistake that ever happened in the South West. With the step that we are taking, we are moving ahead to stop the killings. “

  • Northern governors commiserate with Ortom, condemn fresh killings in Agatu

    The Northern Governors Forum has condemned the killing of 25 people in Agatu, Benue.
    The people were killed on Sunday at a Church service at Okokolo Village of Agatu Local Government Area of the state.
    The forum in a statement by its Chairman, Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau,described the killings as a heinous crime that must not go unpunished.
    The forum expressed regret that the incident occurred when relative peace had returned to the state.
    The northern governors also commiserated with the Government and people of Benue over the petroleum tanker explosion in Ahumbe village along the ever busy Makurdi-Aliade-Otukpo road of Gwer West Local Government Area of the state.
    The tragedy occurred on Monday during which 50 people were killed while 100 others were injured.
    “The northern governors are deeply saddened by the two ugly incidents and prayed for the repose of the souls of the victims,” the statement said.
    The forum urged Gov. Samuel Ortom to rise above the tragedies and provide the leadership that brings hope to the people of the state.

  • Killings in North not caused by religion – ACF

    The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), has said the killing of innocent persons by insurgents, armed bandits and militia groups in the North has nothing to do with tenets of religions.

    A Sallah message by the forum’s National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim Biu, wishing Muslims happy Eid-el-Fitr celebration, called on elected public officers in both executive and legislative positions to hit the ground running by ensuring that they deliver on their campaign promises.

    Biu, who lamented that security situation in the country has become more worrisome, said: “ACF wishes to observe that the killings of innocent souls by insurgents, armed bandits, by clashes between herds men and farmers as well as cult and militia groups and kidnapping in parts of the North and Nigeria are inconsistent with the tenets of all religions.

    “While commending the efforts of the security agencies, we urge them to redouble their efforts in combating the crimes, which have continued to be worrisome to Nigerians.

    “In the spirit of the seasons, ACF calls on Nigerians to embrace peaceful dialogue and forgiveness as the most religious and civilised means of addressing grievances, rather than engage in hate speeches, threats and intimidation, which are capable of degenerating into avoidable conflicts and conflagration that do no one or group any good.

    “ACF wishes to appeal to those beating the drums of succession, separation and balkanisation of Nigeria along ethnic and religious lines to have a rethink, as we are all better in a united larger Nigeria than in small confederation of regions.”

  • Killings: Presidency reacts to cleric’s statement describing Buhari ‘Sleeping on duty Commander-in-Chief’

    Presidency on Sunday described the comment made by the Catholic Bishop of Yola Diocese, Rt. Rev. Fr. Stephen Mamza against President Muhammadu Buhari as an ”unfair comment”.

    Recall that the Bishop described President Buhari as ”sleeping on duty Commander-in-Chief.”

    Malam Garba Shehu, the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, stated this in a statement in Abuja on Sunday.

    The presidential aide observed that it was unbecoming of a religious leader, like Mamza, to engage ”in an action that broke the old tradition of staying above politics”.

    He said: ”In an action that broke the old tradition of staying above politics, the Catholic Bishop of Yola Diocese, Rt. Rev. Fr. Stephen Mamza delivered a homily in which he spoke angrily against President Muhammadu Buhari, whom he described as ‘sleeping on duty as Commander-in-Chief.’

    ”This is not a fair comment.

    ”There is so much that has changed in the past three to four years in and around Yola, and the Catholic Church in particular that a true assessment would show that but for the Change Administration of President Buhari, things would have continued the way they were, or even get worse. These could not have happened if a Commander-in- Chief was asleep.”

    Shehu, however, noted that Mamza was part of the success story recorded by the Buhari administration in Northeast, especially in Adamawa.

    ”Bishop Mamza was, and is still a strong member of the Adamawa Peace Initiative (API), composed of religious and community leaders which did the lovely work housing and feeding 400,000 displaced people from Northern Adamawa and Borno States in 2015.

    ”The API also did the extraordinary work of easing tensions between Muslims and Christians during that period and ensured that both groups did not turn on one another based on suspicion.

    ”As widely reported by the local and international press, in the premises of St. Theresa’s Cathedral where Rev. Mamza ministered, there were more than 1,500 IDPs, mostly women and children on whom the church administered food rations and issued bags of maize, cooking oil and seasoning.

    ”We are truly touched and very grateful for the work that the Bishop and the others had done in that difficult period,” he said.

    The presidential spokesman maintained that as ”the Boko Haram has been degraded, the more than 400,000 displaced people absorbed by the Adamawa community have all gone back to Borno State and to those council areas in northern Adamawa.

    ”In addition to the capital,Yola, the towns of Michika, Madagali and Mubi which had been occupied by Boko Haram during their military advances have since been retaken by the Nigerian military”.

    According to him, the military personnel are also clearing litters of Boko Haram’s carnage and are, through the support of the administration as well as local and international partners, rebuilding roads and bridges, power lines, burnt schools, markets, destroyed churches and mosques.

    ”Without an iota of doubt, the Northeast is better off with President Buhari than it was under the previous administration.

    ”That should explain the massive turnout of voters in the region, in spite of threats to life and property, to vote for the return of the President for a Second Term of four years.

    ”Sadly, one of the realities of today’s Nigeria is that it easy to blame President Buhari for the violence all around us,” he added

    Shehu condemned situations were community leaders were ”too scared to blame the warlords and the sponsors of killings” because they fear for their own lives.

    He said: ”What is happening in several communities racked by inter-ethnic and religious violence is arising from the refusal of community leaders to point at known criminals in their midst for the law enforcement agencies to act against them.

    ”They rather blame President Buhari for their woes.

    ”It is indeed an irony that in the week that Bishop Mamza was speaking, another Bishop with a known commitment to peace, and results to show for his work in neighbouring Plateau State, is being dispatched to go to Taraba, Adamawa and Benue to work in collaboration with security agencies in mending broken inter-communal relationships.”

    While sympathising with families of those who lost loved ones as well as those injured, Shehu said this senseless violence could never be condoned by the Buhari administration.

    He added that the administration’s intense security efforts and peace building would not only continue, ”but will expand in response to such explosions of violence in the country.”

  • Killings: Police to retrain officers, men on arms handling

    In a bid to stem the tide of police brutalities against the civil population, the police authorities have concluded plan to return all officers and men to the range from retraining on arms handling and proficiency.

    The Assistant-Inspector General of Police for Zone 11, Adeleye Oyebade, who made the disclosure at the inauguration of the “Operation Puff Adder” at the Zonal Headquarters along Gbongan-Ibadan road in Osogbo, Osun State capital, said the police could not allow the little mistakes and errors continue to affect the achievements of the Force.

    The Police Commissioners for Osun, Oyo and Ondo States comprising the Zone 11 Police Command, Mrs. Abiodun Ige, Mr. Sina Olukolu and Mr. Undie Adie, were present at the inauguration.

    He said the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, in compliance with President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive have rejigged “our security architecture by launching “a new operational outfit code named ‘Operation Puff Adder.”

    According to him, the new outfit, since its inauguration, has begun to yield positive results, adding that the IGP has directed that the outfit be replicated in all the zonal and state commands to complement existing security structures.

    Oyebade, who said the police has the resources to prosecute the operation, assured that the Force has upgraded its technical platform to fight crimes, including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism among others.

    He said the new face of the Nigeria Police is proactive and will not allow crimes to overwhelm its officers and men.

    Disclosing that the police has identified flash point and was battle ready to curtail criminal activities across the nation, he maintained that the police is strategic in its planning and operations.

    He further disclosed that the police is sharing information with sister security outfits including the Nigeria Army, Department of State Security Service, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Nigeria Prisons Service, the Nigeria Immigration Service among others to combat crimes.

    He said the Zone 11 Police Command will soon hold a security stakeholders’ conference, where the Civil Society Organizations, Labour and Industrial Unions, Non-Governmental Organizations will be in attendance.

    The police boss, therefore, called for patience and understanding of members of the public, advising them to always reach out to the police via the control rooms whenever they are in distress.

    He assured that the police will respond promptly whenever called upon by members of the public.

  • FCT indigenes protest over killings of natives by Army

    By Gabriel Okoro, Abuja

    Coalition of Federal Capital Territory indigenous groups on Tuesday carried out a protest at the National Assembly gate over recent killings of its native people allegedly perpetrated by the Nigerian Army.

    The protest which lasted for hours resorted to traffic gridlock at various entry point of the National Assembly around the Eagle Square, Presidential villa and Office of the Secretary to the Federal Government thereby leaving many whose offices are situated there stranded.

    The protesters said they have already written to the presidency. They further threatened to storm the presidential villa soon if the Army is not called to order.

    They revealed that no less than Seven of their kinsmen , women and children have been killed, adding that their crops destroyed and lands had been forcefully taking over the Army.

    Giri, Kpakuru, Ido Garki, Zuba and Tugan Maje are amongst affected areas the group claimed that the Army is committing the genocide.

    Speaking at the protest, Dalhatu Ezekiel,who led the group expressed dismay that they were at a loss over why the FCT natives will continue to suffer just for relinquishing their ascenstral lands to government to build the capital territory.

    ” we are helpless, we want Justice” that is why we are here”, Ezekiel decried.

    He disclosed further that they have also written to the Villa and would visit there, notwithstanding today’ protest which they have carried to the door step of the National Assembly.

    According to him, the Army were illegal occupants and were laying false claims to the lands they don’t have or own titles.

    ” Each time we demand their allocation letters, their responses usually are the allocations letters have been burnt”

    He noted that the natives will keep on demanding justice through every legal and constitutional means.

    Meanwhile, Chairman Senate committee on FCT, Dino Melaye, while addressing the protesters in company of other senators, said a committee will be set up by the Senate leadership to interface with group’s leaders.

    Dino assured the group that a meeting will be held on the same day of the protest to resolve all the issues and pass to the leadership to make a resolution.