Crime

Ex-Boko Haram Fighter, Traditional Ruler Arrested for Drug Trafficking

By Web News 673

By Olaolu Fawole

A rehabilitated ex-fighter of the Boko Haram terror group, Alayi Madu and the traditional ruler of Kajola, a border community between Ondo and Edo state, Baale Akinola Adebayo are among 37 persons arrested over 2.2 tons of illicit drugs seized by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA Ikeja, Lagos and in raids across 12 states in the past week.

Femi Babafemi, Director, Media & Advocacy of NDLEA made this known in a statement on Sunday.

According to Babafemi, as part of ongoing operations to mop up illicit drugs across the country ahead of the next round of elections, NDLEA officers in the early hours of Friday 10th March, stormed Kajola forest in Kajola community, a border town between Edo and Ondo state where they destroyed three cannabis farms measuring 39.801546 hectares.

The owner of the farms who claims to be the Ba’ale of Kajola, Akinola Adebayo, 35, was arrested on the farm at 2:30am, while two other suspects believed to be his workers: Arikuyeri Abdulrahman, 23 and Habibu Ologun, 25, were also nabbed in a hut near the farms.

In the same vein, a 26-year-old Alayi Madu, who was a Boko Haram fighter for 15 years before he surrendered to the Nigerian military in 2021 was intercepted by NDLEA operatives on Thursday 9th March along Abuja-Kaduna express road with 10 kilograms of skunk, which he said he bought in Ibadan, Oyo state and was taking the consignment concealed in a sack to Maiduguri, Borno state.

In his statement, Madu said he is from Banki town, Borno State and joined the notorious terrorist organisation, in 2006 when he was nine years old. He said he repented and surrendered to the military in 2021, after which he underwent rehabilitation and de-radicalisation processes at Umaru Shehu rehabilitation centre, Maiduguri and Malam Sidi de-radicalization centre, Gombe before he was discharged after spending six months. Thereafter, he traveled to Ibadan, Oyo state where he worked as commercial motorcycle rider (Okada rider) before going into drug trafficking and his eventual arrest along Abuja-Kaduna express road.

The Statement also read that at the Lagos airport in Ikeja, operatives acting on intelligence intercepted a consignment of 11.90 kilograms of heroin and 500grams of skunk concealed in deep freezers, which were part of a cargo that arrived from South Africa on Tuesday 7th March onboard Ethiopian airline via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The Agencys sniffer dogs were deployed to locate where the illicit drugs were hidden in the cargo and in no time, they identified the cartons packed in the deep freezers.

A total of four suspects that played active roles in the movement of the drugs and a truck driver have been arrested so far in connection with the seizure. They include: Dairo Quam; Oluwaseun Ogunmene; Adeleke Abdulrasaq; Bamidele Adewale and Oluwafemi Ogunmeru.

Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives attached to the Gate C departure hall of the MMIA on Thursday 9th March intercepted a passenger, Aigbedion Philomena heading to Italy via Addis Ababa on an Ethiopian Airline flight. When her bags containing body cream, hair attachments, drinks, and some food items were searched, a total of 1.20kg tramadol capsules concealed inside gift wrapping sheet and covered with old daily newspapers were discovered.

At the Idiroko land border, NDLEA operatives acting on intelligence on Thursday 9th March
intercepted a commercial Toyota Camry Salon Car with reg. number JJJ 756 HB (Lagos) along Ilase-Akoko road, Idiroko with 34 compressed jumbo size wraps of imported skunk weighing 17kg and concealed in two cooking gas cylinders. Two suspects in the car, Benjamin Ajose, 48 and Oluwatobiloba Ajayi, 37, were arrested.

In Akwa Ibom state, Mrs. Hope Iniobong David, 42, was arrested with bags of cannabis sativa weighing 1,112kg (1.1 tons) in her house at Ediene Abak in Abak LGA, while operatives in Kogi state on Thursday 9th March recovered 25 cartons, containing 50,000 ampoules of pentazocine injection weighing 200kg in a Toyota Hiace bus marked LAM 652 LG, Kogi, travelling from Lagos to Abuja.

Also, in Ogun state, operatives arrested a female drug dealer, Bola Egbebi in Ota LGA, with different quantities of Cannabis Sativa, Methamphetamine, Tramadol 225, Skuchies, Molly and Codeine cough syrup, while in Gombe state, another female drug dealer, Fatima Hassan (a.k.a Boss) was arrested on Saturday 11th March in her house at New Mile 3 area of Akko LGA with three and half blocks of skunk weighing 3.245kg. Two other female drug dealers: Folake Ladipo and Adeola Babatunde were arrested with 49.5kg skunk on Friday 10th March in Mushin area of Lagos state.

In Kwara, operatives on patrol along along Ilorin-Jebba highway on Tuesday 7th March arrested two suspects: Ismaila Saidu and Dahiru Abdullahi with 50 bags of cannabis sativa weighing 578 kilograms, while in the FCT Abuja, 15 suspects were transferred by the Nigerian Army with 35 bags of cannabis weighing 384.3kg.

A 56-year-old suspect, Shinayemà Kelenku was arrested at Tse-kelenku village, Logo LGA, Benue with 36.7kg skunk, while in Delta state, operatives intercepted a suspect, Chimeze Ndukaire, 56, conveying psychotropic substances worth over N30 million in a white Toyota Hiace bus with registration number Lagos FST 279 XS coming from Onitsha to Warri. The vehicle was intercepted on Friday 10th March at G.S.M junction, Asaba based on a tip-off.

Recovered from the bus include 267.3 litres of codeine (2,673 bottles); 25,110 pills of tramadol and other opioids.


Also, in Kano state, NDLEA operatives on Saturday 11th March raided the Sabon-gari area of Kano where they arrested a suspect, Chukwuebuka Christopher and recovered from him 7,740 bottles of Codeine based syrup, measuring 774 litres, concealed inside 43 sacks of garlic.

Reacting to the development, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) commended the officers, men and women of MMIA, Idiroko, Edo, Kaduna, Akwa Ibom, Kogi, Ogun, Gombe, Lagos, Kwara, FCT, Benue, Delta and Kano Commands of the Agency for their diligence and commitment to work and charged them and their compatriots across other commands not to rest on their oars.

Crime

Kuje Prison Escapee in Police Net

By Web News 524

Police in Nasarawa State have recaptured one of the escaped inmates following the recent attack on Kuje Maximum Custodial Centre in Abuja.

A statement by the State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ramhan Nansel says the recaptured escapee, Hassan Hassan, whose name and picture is among the inmates in Boko Haram and Terrorism case, was apprehended in Keffi Local Government Area of the state.

The statement further indicates that the State Commissioner of Police, Soyemi Adesina had ordered the transfer of the recaptured escapee to a safer location while the intensive search for the remaining escaped inmates and handing over process continued.

It also calls on residents of the state to intensify vigilance and report any strange faces with suspicious movements around their areas to the security agencies for swift action.

Chris Nyamtu/ Muzha Kucha

Lifestyle

UN Pledges Support for Reintegration of Repentant Boko Haram

By Web News 478

The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has promised to support the reintegration process for repentant Boko Haram fighters into society.

The Secretary-General made the promise when he paid a courtesy to Borno state Governor Babagana Zulum at the Government House, Maiduguri. 

The war against the Boko Haram insurgency had in the last one year assumed a different dimension with the mass surrendering of fighters and members of their families. 

So far more than fifty thousand combatants and non-combatants have surrendered to authorities in Borno state and are currently undergoing rehabilitation. 

This unprecedented act has attracted global attention and the United Nations Secretary-General is personally leading a delegation to assess the situation. 

Mr Antonio Guterres during a courtesy visit to Governor Babagana Zulum commended the state government for putting in place the right mechanism to fighting terrorism.

According to him, investing in the livelihood of victims of insurgency and reintegration of repentant Boko Haram fighters remains the greatest way of ending the crisis. 

“I was amazed to see today in a centre those that have been terrorists they want to integrate into the society, want to contribute to the society and the policy that has been here, is a policy of reconciliation, the policy of reintegration is a policy aiming at a development perspective to allow for terrorism to be eliminated,” Mr Guterres said.

The UN Secretary-General called on the international community to support Borno state in addressing the humanitarian needs of internally displaced persons and returnees. 

He noted that humanitarian aid is not the major concern of IDPs in Borno, rather providing favourable conditions to enable them to return back to their ancestral homes in safety and dignity. 

Borno state Governor Babagana Zulum appreciated the United Nations system for rendering life-saving humanitarian and development assistance during the twelve years of insurgency. 

He appealed to the United Nations to assist in resuscitation of the Lake Chad and strategic humanitarian support to IDPs outside Maiduguri. 

Governor Zulum assured that his administration would continue to partner with the United Nations to ensure victims of insurgency live in dignity and be productive members of the society. 

The UN Chief and members of his delegation had earlier visited Gubio road IDP camp and one of the facilities for the repentant insurgents.

 Dauda Iliya/Daniel Adejo

News

Video : Terrorists Release Kidnapped Agriculture bank MD In Honour Of Ramadan

By Web News 616

Terrorists who kidnapped some Passengers during an attack on Abuja-Kaduna Train have released the Managing Director of the Bank of Agriculture, Alwan Ali-Hassan.

The kidnappers said he was released in the spirit of Ramadan.

The terrorists made this known in a video posted on Twitter by a Senior Conflict Analyst at the Tony Blair Institute, Bulama Bukarti.

In the video, Ali-Hassan was flanked by four heavily armed men dressed in military camouflage.

After a short prayer, one of the Terrorists said, “We are the ones who kidnapped the people on the train. We decided to release this man (Ali-Hassan) because of the honour of the month of Ramadan and because he is old. He has been pleading since we kidnapped him.

“The government should know that the train attack is just a little of what we can do.”

Also, Ali-Hassan, in the video, said he was freed because of his age.

The video released by the Terrorists

Analysing the video, Bukarti said that early evidence suggests that Abuja-Kaduna train attackers are Boko Haram fighters.

The Kaduna-bound train officially had over 362 passengers though unconfirmed reports claimed the passengers were more than that.

Some of the passengers have been confirmed dead, many injured and others still held hostage by the Terrorists.

Net/Olaolu Fawole

Security

Boko Haram Attack Plot on National Assembly, VIP Locations Causes Scare

By Web News 551

Lawmakers have been notified of a possible attack by Boko Haram insurgents on the National Assembly complex and other public buildings in Abuja,

Several members of the House of Representatives, on Wednesday, confirmed to our correspondent that they had been notified of the imminent attack by the terrorist group.

One of them, who is from a state in the South-West, said his presence would henceforth be limited on the premises.

“That is the security alert I saw today. I’m already moving out of here. I’ll only be around when there is a major reason to do so. Nowhere is safe in the country anymore,” he said.

Already the notice on the impending attack has been made available to the lawmakers.

The notice, a copy of which our correspondent obtained, was sent to the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, other principal officers and all members of the House.

The ‘security alert’, dated May 4, 2021, was issued by Chairman of the House Committee on Internal Security, National Assembly, Mr Usman  Shiddi.

It was titled ‘Re: planned insurgent attacks on VIP locations, government facilities and assets in Abuja.’

The alert read, “I refer to the above subject of which a copy of the intelligence report from the Force Intelligence Bureau of the Nigeria Police Force in the National Assembly Complex has been made available to my office.

“The report indicates planned insurgent attacks by some elements of Boko Haram on some VIP locations, government facilities and assets in Abuja, including the National Assembly complex.

“In view of the above intelligence, I have considered it paramount to advise that all members should, henceforth, use the presidential gate for ingress and egress.

“This is to avoid the unforeseen congestions that are sometimes encountered at the main gates, since such congestions could easily be the targets for these insurgent elements.

“Security agencies are, however, actively on top of the issue to unravel and to contain the intended menace. Accept the assurances of my highest regards, please.”

Security has been beefed up in and around the complex since Thursday last week.

For the first time, security operatives on that day  checked vehicles entering the premises, causing traffic congestion especially at the third (and last) gate, a process that has continued till date.

Before now, the security operatives were only after the identities of  drivers and passengers to confirm that they were staff members, legislative aides, journalists or persons working in private businesses in the complex.

It is observed that soldiers joined the regular sergeants-at-arms and men of the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Federal Road Safety Corps that manned the gates.

The Chairman of the Committee on Rules and Business, House of Representatives, Abubakar Fulata, confirmed the development in plenary.

The Speaker  called on Chairman of the House Committee on Treaties, Protocols and Agreements, Nicholas Ossia, to lay the report on the ‘Bill for an Act to Repeal Treaties (Making Procedure, Etc.) Act, Cap. T20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and Enact Treaties (Making Procedure) Bill.’

Fulata, however, notified the Speaker that Ossai was not in the chamber, saying several lawmakers were still stuck in the traffic because of the security checks.

“It is very difficult today to get in, so a lot of members are stranded at the gate because of the very serious check-in process that the security men are conducting. A lot of members are there stranded at the gate,” Fulata said.

Gbajabiamila had asked, “For what reason? Stranded for what?”

Fulata had said, “This morning, it is very difficult to come in. It has been very difficult to come in today. They are doing security checks.”

Recall that the Governor of Niger State, Sani Bello, had on April 26, 2021, raised the alarm over Boko Haram terrorists taking over a part of the state, hoisting their flag in Kaure village from where they had made incursions into more than 50 villages.

Bello said Abuja was not safe, with Boko Haram’s presence in Kaure – a two- hour journey from the Federal Capital Territory.

He said, “I am confirming that there are Boko Haram elements here in Niger State. Here in Kaure, I am confirming that they have hoisted their flags here.”

Same day,  Gbajabiamila, had met with the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), at the Presidential Villa, in company with the Majority Leader, Alhassan Ado-Doguwa.

The House the next day held a long executive (closed-door) session to discuss the rising spate of insecurity across Nigeria, calling on Buhari to declare a state of emergency on security.

At the secret session that lasted over three hours, the lawmakers unanimously adopted a series of resolutions, one of which was that “the Federal Government should ensure the protection of national infrastructure and assets, particularly the Shiroro and Kainji Dams in Niger State.”

PUNCH

Security

President Buhari Pledges to Defeat Terrorists, Bandits

By Web News 543

President Muhammadu Buhari has promised to take ensure profound measures are taken to deal with elements responsible for insecurity in the country.

The President made the resolve during a meeting with Service Chiefs at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

A Statement by National Security Adviser to the President, Rtd. Major-General Babagana Monguno, says the crucial meeting with the Serviçe Chiefs, was borne out of the President’s concern about the persisting security challenges In the country.

Text of Statement

I WILL DO ALL IT TAKES TO DEFEAT TERRORISTS, BANDITS & KIDNAPPERS

Concerned about the persisting security challenges in parts of the country, Mr. President summoned a crucial meeting of the National Security Council today as he continues to frontally confront the situation in the country.

At today’s meeting the President made it abundantly clear that while the insurgents, bandits and criminals are still at it, he has no doubt that the Nigerian Security agencies and all of us as a nation will certainly overcome all the current security problems and defeat the forces of evil marauding about in different parts of the country.

While the criminals continue to test the will of the Nigerian government, the President and the Council which adjourned today’s critical meeting until Tuesday morning to receive further briefings from the Security Chiefs, are set and determined to decisively end the assault on the nation and will do all that it takes.

Mr. President is very prepared to take profound measures in the wider interest of the people and the Nigerian nation. There shall be no relenting until peace and security is significantly restored in our communities.

Signed:
Rtd. Major-General Babagana Monguno,
National Security Adviser to the President,
30th April 2021.

News Analysis

Tackling Security Challenges in Nigeria

By Web News 1026 Post a comment

For sometimes now, Nigeria has been grappling with numerous security challenges ranging from kidnapping, insurgence, banditry, armed robbery, herders/ farmers clash, communal clash and other crime-related issues.

Since 2009, Boko Haram had killed thousands of people while about two point five million people had fled their homes and towns, and the direct consequence of the conflict was that the north-east was plunged into a severe humanitarian crisis.

 in his first term, President Muhammadu Buhari  said his government would bring an end to Boko Haram insurgence and other security challenges.

 The government has made significant military gains, reducing the number of Boko Haram attributed deaths in the past couple of years.

Nevertheless, the crisis is not yet over, and it would be a grave mistake for anybody to disregard the conflict.

It is important that the government should not just focus on security but invest in peace-building, reconstruction and rehabilitation and socio-economic development.

The new security chiefs have a task of finding inclusive and creative ways of addressing and deescalating these challenges facing the country.

There is every reason for the government to make efforts to foster peace and development given the havoc that these challenges have on the lives and economic impact on the citizens.

The government needs to be proactive in its response to the conflict by helping to mediate and deescalate the conflict and making proper arrangements for displayed people.

Nigeria, given her economic, cultural and demographic must use her influence and power to contribute to peace in West Africa and the broader African continent especially as its stability has an inextricable impact on the peace, progress, and prosperity of the continent.

Nigerian foreign policy has historically focused on this.

In recent decades, Nigeria has contributed to the de-escalation of conflicts in Liberia, Sierra Leone and most recently in the Gambia. Nigeria must continue along this path.

 To live up to the title of the ‘Giant of Africa’, it is imperative that Nigeria gets her priority right.

It is pertinent that Federal Government take these issues seriously and ensure that Nigeria moves away from this seemingly perpetual cycle of conflict and instability and realizes its potential as a formidable African power.

Rasheedah Makinde

News Analysis

Armed Forces Remembrance Day: Ensuring Unity in the Country

By Web News 1825

The Armed Forces Remembrance Day, AFRD, is observed on the 15th of January every year to commemorate fallen heroes and servicemen of the Nigeria Armed Forces.

To celebrate the day, military personnel from the army, navy, air force and the Nigerian Legion, along with the national and political leadership converge at the National Cenotaph in Abuja and Cenotaph of the thirty-six states of the federation to lay wreaths.

As the nation marks 2021 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, there is no denying the fact that it is a time of security challenges of high magnitude.

This can be gleaned from the global terrorism report that the country is ranked as the third terrorist country in the world, after Iraq and Afghanistan.

Incessant attacks against civil populace and security personnel by Boko Haram and Islamic States West African Province, ISWAP, along with activities of kidnappers and bandits lead credence to this unfortunate terrorism ranking.

The security threats have undermined Nigeria in areas of trade, investment, economy, education, health as well as agriculture and frequently denied citizens the freedom of movement.

While inaugurating the 2021 Armed Forces Remembrance Day emblem and appeal fund, President Muhammadu Buhari had appealed to Nigerians to desist from actions and comments that could jeopardize the unity of the country.

The president reminded Nigerians of the need to guard jealously the unity of the nation which was won at a great cost.

To achieve this, no doubt, calls for the collaboration of all and sundry even as security forces strive to tackle insurgents, with some level of successful operations in the Northwest, North Central and North East geo-political zones.

It is worthy of note that combats which include Operation Lafiya Dole, Hadaran Daji, Harbinkunama, Whirl Stroke and others such as Accord, Sahel Sanity and Katsina had led to the return of normalcy in some of the affected states where terrorists and armed banditry were on the increase.

As the country celebrates the nation’s fallen heroes who served gallantly and paid the ultimate price, there is the need to ensure the wellbeing of personnel who are in the forefront of the battle to keep the nation secured and other members of the armed forces..

While military authorities should promptly address issues such as promotion and housing to motivate the officers to perform optimally.

It is equally vital that government sufficiently provide logistics support for the armed forces to operate with the best modern warfare equipment and military technology.

Also, families of the armed forces personnel who died in active service should be promptly supported and benefits of their deceased breadwinner paid in full.

Nigerians on their part should always endeavour to be committed to ensuring the nations unity despite differences in religion, ethnicity, political affiliations and other diversities.      

Olusola Otunuga

Security

Gbajabiamila Seeks Intense Military Action over Killing of Farmers

By Web News 620

Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, has condemned in the strongest terms, the killing of about 50 Rice farmers in Zabarmari, Borno State by Boko Haram insurgents.

Mr Gbajabiamila, who expressed sadness over the killings of the innocent rice farmers, said the incident had once again brought to the fore the need for more military action against the terrorists.

He said it was unfortunate that at a time the country was focusing on self-sufficiency in rice farming; about 50 of the farmers were killed in a most gruesome manner.

In a statement by his spokesman, Mr. Lanre Lasisi, the Speaker commiserated with the families of the victims, the people and government of Borno State over the sad incident.

The Speaker said the House was determined and ready to provide all necessary support, including the ongoing budgeting process to ensure that funds were allocated for the security agencies to carry out their mandate of wiping out the terrorists.

Ibrahim Shehu

Security

Gov Zulum Leads Kinsmen to Bury 43 Farmers Killed by Boko Haram

By Web News 828

Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum was at Zabarmari early morning on Sunday, to lead residents for the funeral of 43 farmers ‘slaughtered’ by Boko Haram insurgents.

Though the victims lived in Zabarmari, a farming community in Jere Local Government Area, famous for rice cultivation and local processing, they were attacked on Saturday, at Koshebe village, a place in Mafa Local Government Area.

Governor Zulum, during his visit was told that death toll was yet to be fully ascertained.

“Your Excellency, as you have seen here, 43 corpses were buried, but others have not been retrieved from the scene of the incident. Nobody can tell you the exact number of people killed. Some of the victims are still missing” a resident (name concealed, told the Governor).

Zulum addressed the bereaved community saying; “the carnage affects all of us and every human with a conscience. I am told some persons are still missing. We have been discussing with the military since yesterday, Insha Allah the remaining people will be traced soon.

He told journalists it was disheartening that more than 40 citizens were slaughtered while they were working in their farmlands.

“Our people are in very difficult situations, they are in two different extreme conditions, in one side they stay at home they may be killed by hunger and starvation, on the other, they go out to their farmlands and risk getting killed by the insurgents. This is very sad.”

We are still appealing to the Federal Government to ensure recruitment of more of our youths in the CJTF and hunters into the Nigerian military and the Civil Defence so that they can form part of the agro rangers that will protect farmers, he said.

“We will not lose hope because we have to remain optimistic about ending the insurgency” Zulum added.

FRCN Abuja

News Analysis

Lessons From The Rescue Of The Kidnapped American Citizen In Nigeria

By Web News 1190

Recently, the Naval Special Warfare group in the United States of America rescued her citizen, Philip Walton, held hostage in Nigeria on October twenty-six, this year.

In a covert operation by the U.S special forces Philip Walton was freed unharmed in the Boko Haram territory in Borno state while six of the seven abductors were killed and none of the six elite officers was hurt.

The way and manner the operation was carried out reflects the efficiency of the officers of the American Armed Forces and responsive governance which Nigeria and her Armed forces need to draw lessons from.

On the eve of a Presidential election in the United States, when the entire machinery of the country could have been diverted to internal security and covid-19 pandemic ravaging the country, the rescued Walton, an adventurous small-scale farmer, could have been abandoned to his fate.

By this, The American government was able to demonstrate that an American in distress anywhere in the world means much more to them.

In the words of the U.S. Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo: “the United states is committed to the safe return of all U.S. citizens taken captive.

This has shown again that where there is a will, there is a way, for any nation that takes the security of her citizens as paramount.

It is necessary that Nigerian government be more proactive and responsive to the plight of her citizens who are either in captive or kidnapped.

For instance, at least one hundred and twelve out of the two hundred and seventy-six Chibok schoolgirls are still missing six years after they were taken into captivity.

Also, the Dapchi girl Leah Sharibu has not returned two years after her abduction, despite the federal government’s promises and attempts to secure her freedom.

With military intelligence, precision, and bravery as well as the political will on the part of the government, many of the hundreds of Waltons held captive could have been freed.

Gone  are the days when the Nigerian Army executed such gallantry with successes and this can still happen with a well-trained, equipped and result-oriented military  personnel to  curb insecurity bedeviling the country.

Moreover, the military with its main responsibility of preserving territorial integrity is overstretched, as the personnel with a limited number of recruits, is fighting in all states, from tackling insurgencies, clashes between farmers and herders, religious, tribal conflicts, and down to civil disturbances like the #end SARS protests.

With the state of Nigeria Police Force, the Army has been more preoccupied with the primary functions of the police, this cannot yield the desired result of preserving the territorial integrity of the country.

Nigeria as the giant of Africa should reposition and retool her armed forces with a view to making it efficient and effective in the discharge of its constitutional duties.

Anything other than this will not engender the confidence of Nigerians in their ability to defend and protect the citizens both at home and abroad.

Fawzeeyah Kasheem

Lifestyle

Fact Check: Did Abdulwahab, an ex-Boko Haram insurgent, say he killed many Christians?

By Web News 1035
Claim: An online news medium “ecocitynews” on August 2, 2020 published a story wherein a Boko Haram insurgent, Abdulwahab Usman, was reported to have confessed to killing many Christians.

Verification: The headline of the story alluding that Usman, an ex-Boko Haram member killed many Christians is misleading.

An online news medium Ecocity News on August 2, 2020 published a story wherein a Boko Haram member, Abdulwahab Usman, was reported to have confessed to killing many Christians while another platform also published the story with the same headline.

A screenshot of “Ecocity News” web page showing the headline

In July, about 602 repentant Boko Haram members graduated from the Federal Government’s de-radicalization program otherwise dubbed “Operation Safe Corridor”.

The Punch newspaper wrote a feature on one of the rehabilitated Boko Haram members, Abdulwahab Usman, who admitted that he had killed many people.

He however did not specify the victims’ ethnicity or religion.

Reproducing the news, an online medium “ecocitynews” on August, 2, published a version of the story with the headline “I have killed many Christians to the extent, I can’t remember the lives I have wasted – Freed Boko Haram member said.”

The ecocitynews attributed the source of the story to Punch newspaper. 

Being a religiously diverse country, unguided utterances and misinformation such as this has in the past resulted in religious violence and claimed lives, hence the need for a verification.

Verification

Going through the report from Punch, it was noted that Usman indeed submitted that he had killed many people, however, he did not specify the religion of his victims.

“I was forced into the group for about five years. I can’t remember the number of people I killed as a Boko Haram member because they are many,” Usman was quoted as saying by Punch.

A closer look at the Ecocity News’ version shows that the headline of the story, which claimed that Usman had killed many Christians, did not align logically with the body of the story.

So while the headline suggests killing of Christians, Usman, never mentioned any of his victim’s religion all through the story.

From all indications, Ecocity News culled the story from Punch, gave it its own, but misleading, headline.

Conclusion

While Abdulwahab Usman, a deradicalised Boko Haram insurgent, admitted to killing many people, did not say he killed Christians. The headline of the story by Ecocity News is misleading.

Adedayo Adelowo

Security

Gov Zulum Describes Attack on His Convoy as Sabotage

By Web News 656

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum has described Wednesday’s attack on his convey in Baga town, Kukawa local government area as an act of sabotage. 

The Governor made this known while briefing newsmen shortly after completing his four-day working visit to Monguno and Kukawa Local Government Areas.

Professor Zulum was in northern Borno to officially reopen Monguno-Baga road and also assess the level of damage to Baga town devastated by Boko Haram insurgents. He disclosed that while on the assessment visit, sporadic gunshots ensued that caused pandemonium which forced him to abort his working visit to the area.

The Governor charged the military to rise up to the occasion in the fight against insurgency and ensure civil authority return to all liberated areas of the state.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army says it has launched an investigation to unravel the circumstances that led to the attack. 

In a statement by Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Sagir Musa regretted the attack and assured the public the incident will be interrogated to prevent future occurrence. 

Ciroma Ibrahim