Lifestyle

Tight security as Abuja-Kaduna train station resumes operations

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After eight months of suspension as a result of terrorists’ attack on the rail lines, Abuja-Kaduna train station finally begins operations today (Monday).

The correspondent in Abuja who was present at the train station as early as 7am to catch up with the resumption activities observed that there were armed police officers at the train station.

NPG had reported that terrorists attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train on March 28, 2022, kidnapping 168 passengers and killing eight others.

The release of the victims had been in batches since then, with the last 23 freed in October.

While observing activities at the Idu rail station, passengers accompanied by their loved ones were seen carrying luggage moving towards the ticket hall to obtain boarding tickets for the first train scheduled to take off to Rigasa in Kaduna by 9:45 am.

World News

UK warns its citizens to avoid 22 states in Nigeria over insecurity issues

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The United Kingdom has warned its citizens against traveling to 22 states in Nigeria over insecurity issues.

This was announced by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) in a statement published on its website on Monday, November 7, 2022.

Back in October, the UK government warned of an increased threat of terrorist attacks in the Federal Capital Territory, after which it restricted access to the British High Commission in Abuja.

In the statement titled “Updated Foreign Commonwealth Development Office Travel Advice to British Nationals Traveling to the FCT,” the UK said the warning is to help its nationals make better-informed decisions about international travel and plan for a trouble-free trip.

The statement read,

“FCDO travel advice exists to inform British nationals so they can make decisions about travelling abroad.

There continues to be a number of states in Nigeria where we advise British Nationals against all but essential travel.

These include: Bauchi, Kano, Jigawa, Niger, Sokoto, Kogi, Abia, Plateau, Taraba, within 20km of the border with Niger in Kebbi State and non-riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers States.

“We also advise against all travel to: Borno State, Yobe State, Adamawa State, Gombe State, Kaduna State, Katsina State, Zamfara state, and the riverine areas of Delta State, Bayelsa State, Rivers State, Akwa Ibom State, and Cross River State.

“The UK keeps its travel advice under regular review and in making these assessments and uses information from a wide range of sources.

The travel advice is constantly reviewed to make sure it reflects the current situation in Abuja and Nigeria.

Although the FCDO Travel Advice no longer advises against all but essential travel to the Federal Capital Territory, including the city of Abuja, it makes clear that some risks remain.”

The UK advised its citizens to monitor the latest updates and stay in contact with their travel provider.

Lifestyle, Politics

Insecurity: The worst is over. Nigeria is safe – Lai Mohammed

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Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has said that Nigeria is ‘safer today than at any time in recent times,’ as the worst is over as far as insecurity is concerned.

The Minister said this when he spoke at a Ministerial Session at the ongoing UNESCO Global Media and Information Literacy Week.

According to him, the military and other security agencies are up to the task of protecting Nigerians and non-citizens.

“I can assure all that our military and other security agencies have continued to do everything possible to secure and protect Nigerians and foreigners living in Nigeria.

Terrorists have been hard hit and put on the run. Bandits have been decimated and scattered. Our country is safer today than at any time in recent times, thanks to the sacrifice of our men and women in uniform.

Nigerians too should continue to be alert but must not panic. Like I said in a recent statement, as far as insecurity is concerned, the worst is over for Nigeria.”

Mohammed also said some media outlets and social media personalities, spread unverified information on their platforms just for ‘clickbait.’

“Talking of clickbait, this may be what informed the spread of the supposed security alert issued recently by some foreign embassies in Nigeria.”

One would imagine that if indeed this kind of security alert was issued, it was for the attention of citizens of the issuing countries in Nigeria.

Suddenly, this alert found its way into the media, both new and traditional, thus creating panic in the polity.

Schools were shut, businesses were closed, travel plans were altered, lives were disrupted. No one cared to find out about the authenticity of these alerts.

They just published, got the benefit of massive clickbait and damned the consequences.”he said

Politics

I’ll hand over a Nigeria free of insecurity – President Buhari assures

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President Buhari has once again reassured Nigerians that he would hand over a Nigeria free of insecurity to the next set of leaders in 2023.

The President gave the assurance while speaking at the 2022 National Honours Award Investiture held at the International Conference Centre in Abuja on Tuesday, October 11.

Buhari said his administration would root out all forms of banditry, criminality, terrorism and insurgency before leaving office in May 2023.

“We will continue to root out all forms of banditry, criminality, terrorism and insurgency in the land.

As I stated earlier in my in- dependence address to the nation, I will hand over a Nigeria that is free from insecurity to the next generation of leaders” President Buhari said

According to the president, the national honours were not mere decoration but a reminder of citizens’ responsibility, saying that, “we must always endeavour to do our best for our country.”

Lifestyle, Politics

245 killed in Kaduna community attacks

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The paramount ruler of the Atyap Chiefdom, Agwatyap, Dominic Yahaya, has raised the alarm that 245 locals have been killed while 623 houses were burnt in attacks within his domain in Zango-Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The monarch stated this on Wednesday at the Kaduna Catholic Social Centre during the commemoration of the International 2022 Peace Day organised by the Liturgy and Social Justice in Kaduna.

The ruler said, “The recurring attacks, which have become most distressful and disturbing as the alleged killers who are known to have lived among the communities, will often call names of their victims to notify them of their mission to kill before committing dastardly acts on the innocent and harmless farmers.

“The genesis, which many considered premeditated, started in early 2019 when isolated individual killings of farmers became rampant, and before we knew what was happening, about 14 of such incidents had occurred.

“This snowballed into a major crisis on June 16, 2020. Thereafter, massive attacks occurred in villages whereby people were killed and houses and property were burnt by herdsmen, which some uninformed people termed as farmer/herders clashes, whereas this narrative has been most painful as the attacks which occurred in the dead of the night left many communities desolate.”

The Executive Vice Chairman of the Kaduna State Peace Commission, Dr Saleh Mamale, while commenting on the International Peace Day, maintained that the socio-economic pursuit of individuals, communities and nations significantly varies over time and space, and the ability and/or inability to manage these diversities is the major driver of peace or violence.

Lifestyle, Politics

Villagers fleeing from bandits drown in Abuja

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Five persons, comprising four male adults and a housewife, drowned while fleeing from bandits who stormed Chakumi village in Gurdi ward of Abaji area council of Abuja and attempted to kidnap them on Wednesday, September 21.

Daily Trust reports that the village chief of Chakumi, Mohammed Magaji, who confirmed the sad incident, said the bandits stormed the village at about 11 am.

Magaji stated that the deceased victims, including a middle-aged house wife were working on the farm, when they sighted the bandits.

He said they rushed to board the canoe in order to escape to neigboring Daku village, but in the process of trying to cross the river Gurara, the boat capsized.

“And even as I am talking to you right now, the corpses of the victims have not been recovered yet as fishermen from Daku and my village are still searching for the corpses” he said.

Magaji, who decried activities of bandits in the area, said farmers could no longer go to their farms over fear of being kidnapped by bandits.

Vice-Chairman of Abaji LGA, Ibrahim Abubakar, also confirmed the incident, disclosing that one of his relatives was among those who drowned.

“In fact, one of my relatives was among those that got drowned and their bodies are yet to be recovered up till this moment that I am talking to you,” he said

Lifestyle

Suspected Fulani militias kill 60-year-old woman in Plateau community

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Gunmen suspected to be Fulani militias have killed a 60-year-old woman identified as Laraba Dauda, at Mere village, in Rahoss community, Riyom local government area of Plateau State.

A witness said the incident occurred on Monday, September 19, 2022, when the deceased went to fetch firewood.

“The deceased woman went to fetch firewood yesterday, but was not back home up to late evening hours.

The alarm was raised and the villagers went out in search of her, but couldn’t trace her until this morning when we were able to stumble on her corpse in the bushes this morning,” the witness narrated.

“After a vigorous search when there was still heavy dew, we never knew we were almost getting to the spot where the slaughtered woman was laying.

We spotted armed Fulani amongst whom is one of the suspects arrested. He threatened to fire at us immediately the dew varnished but we hurriedly took to our heels for escape until the arrival of security agents shortly after the suspected attackers had fled,”

The witness added that security men who arrived the community pursued the armed men and eventually arrested eight of the militia.

The eyewitness further commended the men of the Operations Safe Haven alongside the personnel of Divisional Police Headquarters in Riyom local government for their swift response when intimated about the incident.

Meanwhile, the national leadership of the Berom Youth Moulder Association has called for calm and made a passionate appeal to the security agencies to fish out other militias still hibernating in the locality.

Spokesman of the State Police Command, DSP Alfred Alabo, who confirmed the incident, stated that seven people have been arrested in connection with the killing.

He added that the community is under the surveillance of the security agencies with the aim of arresting more of those terrorising the local government area.

The corpse has been evacuated to the village for funeral according to Christian rites as directed by license Pst. Caleb Gandu of COCIN LCC Mere.

Lifestyle

Police arrest two kidnappers behind killing of personnel and attack on Immigration officers in Jigawa

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The Jigawa State Police Command in collaboration with a local vigilance group, have arrested two suspected kidnappers in in Taura Local Government Area of the state.

Spokesman of the command, DSP Lawan Shiisu, who disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, September 20, said the suspects, aged between 35 and 40, were arrested on Sunday following reliable intelligence and credible information.

“Those arrested are believed to members of criminal gang that have been terrorising parts of the state and neighbouring Kano,” he stated.

“The police arrested them during a special operation in Larabawa village, Gabasawa area of Kano and Larabar Gurgunya village in Taura, Jigawa,”

The PPRO said that preliminary investigation showed that the suspects were responsible for the August 9 attack on personnel of the Nigeria Immigration Service.

“Investigation is also showing that the suspects killed two police officers at Kwalam village in Taura on January 23,” he said.

The police spokesman further stated that four magazines with 83 rounds of 7.9mm live ammunition, two locally made pistols, bows, arrows and two sticks were recovered from them.

He also said that cellular phones, clothes, lubricating oil, three Nigerian National Identity Cards and four photographs were recovered from the suspects.

Shiisu urged the public to always avail the police of credible and reliable information concerning suspicious persons around their environment.

He said the suspects would be arraigned in court as soon as investigation in the matter has been concluded.

Lifestyle, Politics

FCT rural schools is not safe for resumption of academic activities – PTA Chairman

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Alhaji Usman Abubakar, Chairman of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) has said that primary and secondary schools in rural communities in the capital territory are not safe for resumption of academic activities.

Speaking to Daily Trust on Friday September 16, Abubakar said activities of bandits and kidnappers in some rural communities especially at Abaji rural communities, which share boundaries with neighbouring villages in Niger State, are quite worrisome.

He said;

“In fact, schools within Yaba axis and some other communities that share boundaries with neighboring villages in Niger State are still shut because report coming from those axis over security threat as a result of activities of bandits and kidnappers is quite worrisome.”

Abubakar also told the publication that even before the resumption of academic activities, some of the rural schools across the axis had been facing security threat.

He added

“we expected that before resumption, government should be able to put in place security measures in these schools.”

The PTA Chairman who disclosed that they are happy with FCT administration’s directive for schools to resume, further stated that the administration ought to have put in place security measures in such rural schools.

He called on the FCT administration to liaise with community leaders in mobilizing local vigilantes to safeguard the affected rural schools to facilitate resumption of academic activities.

Politics

Military will tackle security challenges, Buhari assures Nigerians

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The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Thursday, urged Nigerians to trust the ability of the country’s armed forces to quell the violence and insecurity nationwide and restore lasting peace.

He also said, under his watch, the military would maintain its operational drive to degrade terrorists and their activities, especially in the troubled north.

According to a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the President spoke in Lagos when he inaugurated the 12th Nigerian Navy Games, LAGOS 2022, as well as its new Sports Complex.

The President was said to have called on citizens to “believe in the capability of the armed forces to safeguard and bring long-lasting peace and stability to the country.”

He also assured Nigerians that “the armed forces would continue to sustain their operational tempo to contain the security challenges in the country.”

Buhari also re-emphasised the importance of synergy between the armed forces, other security agencies and the general population for peace and security.

While inaugurating the newly constructed Nigerian Navy Sports Complex, he commended the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, for investing in sports development.

He said,

“Over the years, sports have remained a tool to strengthen the ties between troops, instilling discipline and readiness to serve a common cause in the military.

I am sure that these games will create a forum for the Nigerian Navy to achieve these objectives and more.

“The construction of this sports complex has provided a standard venue for the Nigerian Navy to host major games as well as an appropriate venue for naval personnel within Lagos to use for training and other recreational purposes.

“I am therefore confident that besides the conduct of the games, the Nigerian Navy and its personnel will continue to make good use of the facilities in this complex.”

The President who noted that LAGOS 2022 would provide the avenue to discover new talents to represent the Navy and Nigeria in international competitions urged the 1,800 participating athletes to inculcate fair play and exhibit a high level of decorum during the eight-day competition.

In his goodwill message, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, described the Nigerian Navy as a strategic partner to the “coastal state of Lagos” in the security of lives and property.

He, therefore, thanked Buhari for approving the establishment of a new Forward Operating Base in Lekki axis, one of the fastest growing industrial, commercial and residential development areas in West Africa.

In his remarks earlier, the Chief of Naval Staff, pledged that the Navy would sustain the fight against crude oil theft and other maritime crimes, ensuring that the country maintains its delisting from nations of high piracy risks.

Gambo, who noted that Nigeria exited the International Maritime Bureau’s Piracy List early this year, said no incidence of piracy has been recorded in the last one year.

Lifestyle, Politics

43 Zamfara kidnap victims freed after spending days in captivity

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The 43 Muslim worshippers who were kidnapped at Zugu community in Bukkuyum Local Government Area of the state have been freed.

Sources told Channels Television that the kidnap victims were freed on Tuesday night September 6, at about 10:30 pm after the payment of five million Naira ransom.

It was disclosed that the bandits also requested and got supplies of several jerry cans of petrol.

Members of the Zugu community disclosed that 44 persons were kidnapped from the village but one person died in the bandits’ camp as a result of torture.

The other 43, however, returned to the village unhurt and have since been reunited with their families. While the police is yet to give full details of the release, however, after the abductions, the Zamfara command deployed additional tactical operatives to the area to ensure that normalcy returns.

Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Kolo Yusuf who reiterated that the command is committed to rid the state of criminal activities, appealed for continuous support and collaboration to all the security operatives in an effort to achieve this mandate.

Politics

Abducted Plateau LGA chairman regains his freedom

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The chairman of Kanke LGA in Plateau state, Henry Jan Gotip, who was kidnapped on September 6 by unknown gunmen has regained his freedom.

A statement released by DSP Alfred Alabo, spokesperson of the state police command, says Gotip was released by his abductors unhurt yesterday September 7 at about 11pm.

The gunmen stormed Gotip’s residence at Kwang, shot sporadically and later abducted him to an unknown destination.

”The Kanke Local Government Council Chairman has been reunited with his family and will soon be debriefed by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Command to build up to available intelligence that will lead to the arrest of his abductors.” Alabo said

Lifestyle, Politics

Gunmen kidnap LG boss in Plateau

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Gunmen, on Wednesday, kidnapped the Executive Chairman, Kanke Local Government Area, Plateau State, Henry Gotip, from his residence around Kwang, in the Jos South area of Plateau State.

The kidnap of the council boss was coming barely two days after gunmen kidnapped a traditional ruler, Dauda Suleiman, in Pinau community, in the Wase LGA of the state.

Although the traditional ruler was said to have been rescued by troops of the military taskforce, Gotip’s abduction, according to multiple sources, occurred around 1am.

A family source said the council chairman’s whereabouts had been unknown, adding that the victim’s wife had been contacted.

“He was in his house in Kwang when some armed men came and abducted him on Wednesday around 1am.

I learnt that those who abducted the LG chairman allowed him to speak with the wife on the phone some moments ago.

I’m yet to get details of what the kidnappers discussed with her,” the source said.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Alabo Alfred, could not be reached on his phone. However, the Military Information Officer, Operation Safe Haven, Major Ishaku Takwa, said that the taskforce had commenced a rescue operation.

Politics, World News

India offers to help Nigeria fight insecurity

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The Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Shri Balasubramanian, on Monday, pledged his country’s readiness to provide the needed support to end insecurity in Nigeria.

This is as he promised to further deepen the India-Nigeria relations and economic ties with social investments in solar energy, artificial intelligence, fintech and scientific intelligence.

He stated this while speaking with journalists at the flag-hoisting to mark the 75th independence of India which was held at the High Commission of India in Abuja.He said,

“As you know, much of the defence training has been given in India; various security outfits have been trained in military installations and training institutes.

“So, we will be happy to continue the partnership in cooperation with the Nigerian government, and we are ready to assist in that direction.”

He also commended the relationship between the two countries, describing it as one of the best.“India-Nigeria relationship is one of the best. We started our relationship even before Nigeria’s independence in 1958 when we had established our office in Lagos.

Since then, our relationship has developed; we have partnered in human capacity development, we are very happy that with the cooperation of the Nigerian government, we can now say that our relationship is strong and very cordial,” he said.

The recently appointed commissioner noted that although India had invested $14.9m in the country, he is looking forward to strengthening relationship with Nigeria in all areas.

“Whether it is training or trade, economic relations, political relations, I am looking forward to improving bilateral ties in all these areas,” he added.

Lifestyle

Ajasin’s son, others protest insecurity in South-West, preach self-defence

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Chief Tokunbo Ajasin, one of the children of a former Governor of Ondo State, late Chief Adekunle.Ajasin, on Monday led other elderly residents and youths in a protest to demand an end to insecurity in the South-West.

The protesters, who wielded placards with various inscriptions, stormed the streets of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital to sensitise the people on the need to begin to prepare to defend themselves due to killings, kidnappings, rape and destruction of properties being witnessed in the region.

They said the recent massacre of worshippers at St Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State was not an isolated case, saying similar killings had happened in Igangan, Ibarapa North Local Government Area of Oyo State and other parts of Yorubaland.

They said Yorubaland had been surrounded by terrorists from other countries who were waiting to strike at any time warning that the people must not be caught unawares.

Ajasin, in an interview with journalists, said the Federal Government was not doing enough to protect the people.

He said, “Why will the Federal Government recruit pardoned Boko Haram members into the Army and expect them not to be sympathetic to their terror group? There are many youths with no link to terror groups or criminal records who should be recruited.

“Apart from that, flushing the criminals from the forests can be done with the aid of equipment like drones and other equipment like that. There must be seriousness on the part of all stakeholders to end terror.”

The Coordinator, Coalition of Yoruba Self-Determination Groups, Johnson Ajilore, while addressing the people, said Yorubaland had been surrounded by terrorists and criminals who were killing daily across the South-West.

He said, “We are staging this rally to sensitise the people to be vigilant. We are being killed every day but this must stop. We have to defend ourselves if the government is not ready to defend us.

“We say no to these killings. Our hospitality, civility and tolerance should not be mistaken for cowardice.

“People went to church to worship and some terrorists went there and killed them. Similar incident happened in Igangan a year before the Owo incident.  They have killed many and kidnapped many more in many towns and villages in the South-West.”

The coalition’s Secretary General, Chief Steve Abioye, while addressing residents during the protest at Oje, said Yoruba people should wake up and be ready to protect themselves from being slaughtered daily by bandits.

“Our people should wake up, they are being killed every day. Yorubaland has never been conquered and that is why we are calling on our people to defend themselves,” he said.

A 75-year-old protester, Dr Tunde  Arogunmasa, said the youth and the elders must be prepared to defend themselves and their land.

Politics

INEC raises concern over insecurity ahead of 2023 elections

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The Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has expressed concern over the escalating insecurity in the country as the 2023 general elections draw near.

Nigeria has been beset by insecurity with the Boko Haram insurgents and bandits killing and abducting citizens in the Northern part of the country.

Yakubu, who addressed stakeholders at the second quarterly meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) in Abuja, however, noted that with just nine months to the elections, there was still enough time to tackle the insecurity.

He also urged political parties to keep to the time table for the elections.

The INEC chief said: “The general security situation in the country and its impact on the electoral process is a source of concern to the commission.

However, we are confident that with nine months to the 2023 general election, there is enough time to respond to the security challenges and secure the nation for elections to take place nationwide.

“The timetable for the election has also been released. Let us not wait until a few weeks to the election before we realise that time is not on our side and begin to seek for extension of timelines. The time to act is now. We wish to reassure the security agencies that we will continue to work cooperatively with you to ensure the success of all forthcoming elections and electoral activities.

“We have tasked our Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) to provide basic data on areas of security challenges in their states, including citizens living in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps.

“Our idea is to harvest the data as a basis for further engagement with the security agencies as well as devising the best way to provide electoral services to all Nigerians under all circumstances.”

Politics

Lack of accountability, injustice fuelling Nigeria’s insecurity ― Saraki

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Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, said on Monday lack of accountability and injustice were responsible for the country’s crippling security challenges.

Saraki, who is eyeing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential ticket at next month’s primary, stated this during a meeting with the party’s delegates in Plateau State.

He stressed that the time was ripe for the North-Central to produce the country’s President.

He said: “I was Senate President for four years, we sat down with the security agencies and we wrote a roadmap to address the issue of insecurity but today that report is still there. Maybe God wants one of us from the North-Central to implement it.

I want to assure Nigerians that with your support that comes May 2023 if I become the President of this country, I will bring to an end the insecurity that is going on in the North-Central and the nation at large, people will be held accountable to do what is right and I will not accept injustice.

“For somebody who has been the victim of injustice for four years, I know what injustice is all about, with me as your President it will be an end to injustice.

“When it is time to get something, they will call us, but once it is done they forget us. We need to unite this country, this country has been so divided. We need a man that has the capacity, not a man that will say I am not aware or somebody that does not know what is happening.

“I am one of you, if you can give me the mandate I am ready to replicate what I have done in the past because in all where I have worked I have never failed.”

Lifestyle

ECWA slams Buhari’s govt over corruption, insecurity

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The Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) on Sunday slammed President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration over alleged widespread corruption in the system.

In a communiqué issued at the end of its 69th General Church Council Meeting in Kaduna, the church expressed concern over the worsening insecurity, corruption, and the near-total collapse of the Nigerian economy.

It also decried the recent attack on Abuja-Kaduna bound train as well as the incessant killings and abduction of innocent Nigerians by terrorists in various parts of the country.

The communiqué read: “The unabated heinous activities of radical Islamic terrorist groups as well the continuous activities of radical Islamic terrorist groups including Fulani Jihadist Militia, Boko Haram, ISWAP and bandits terrorising the North, Middle Belt and other parts of the country are condemnable.

The Council expressed great worry on the conspicuous silence of the Federal Government of Nigeria under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, and its reluctance to descend heavily on the perpetrators of these heinous crimes.”

ECWA also urged the Federal Government to address the demands of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and wake up to its responsibility of making the country a beautiful place for all the citizens.

Politics

Shehu Sani decries worsening insecurity in Kaduna

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A former federal lawmaker, Shehu Sani, on Friday decried the worsening insecurity in Kaduna State.

Kaduna is currently mired in security crisis with bandits killing and terrorizing people across communities.

The criminals killed at least 34 people including two soldiers during attacks on four communities in two local government areas of the state.

Sani, who reacted to the latest attack by bandits on Twitter, said the terrorists were having a free day in the state and urged the government and the security agencies to show more commitment in the fight against the criminals.

He wrote: “Mass killing and destruction in Giwa Local Government of Kaduna State by terrorists today. A horrific and bloody act of evil in Central Kaduna.

“They kill and spare the lives of those they want, at the time they want.”

Politics

All governors in Nigeria are helpless on insecurity – Gov Ishaku

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The Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku, said on Friday all the governors in Nigeria are helpless on the protection of lives and property in the country.

The governor was responding to the killing of 11 people in a community in the state by a Cameroonian separatist group called the Ambazonia soldiers.

Ishaku, who stated this in an interview on Channels Television on Thursday, said there was nothing his administration could have done to prevent the attack since he does not control the security agencies.

Ishaku said before the incident, he had complained to the Federal Government and the military about the threat posed by the group.

He said: “We are under the federal government when it comes to the military and police. There is nothing a state government can do. We rely on them.

What else can a governor do, if I had complained? What else can I do? I wish I knew if this thing was going to happen yesterday. It is not only me that is helpless. All the governors in Nigeria are helpless. I have said it, times without number.

All the governors in Nigeria are helpless that is why we are saying give us state police. If we have state police, I will have ordered the police. All the governors — not only Darius Ishaku — are helpless; not only the Taraba state government that is helpless, all of us.

“The governors are helpless. Go and ask other governors and tell me who has a solution to give. We have to depend on the federal might when it comes to security.

“We have vigilantes but what will a vigilante do when he does not have an AK-47? And people are charging at him with AK-47.

“I just told you that even the immigration tried their best. I don’t know which gun the immigration was using. Apparently, may be the type of normal old gun of cork and fire.

To be frank with you, even the military needs to be equipped, even the police need to be equipped. All these para-military (agencies) need to be equipped. The federal government must decide to equip them and equip them properly”

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