Amidst the spate of abductions and payments of ransom, a suspected terrorist was seen in a viral Tiktok video displaying some of the monies he collected from victims as ransoms.

The video was shared by Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency expert and security analyst in Lake Chad, in a series of posts on his X handle on Monday.

According to Makama, the user of the account has over 3000 followers, noting that some of them are bandits who openly show off their rifles and are dressed in military or police uniforms.

He further lamented that the Tiktok platform has given space for insurgents to promote their campaign of terror without any form of restrictions.

He wrote: “Audacity: Bandit on Tiktok flaunting and showing off ransom money he collected from his victims.

“The user of the account has 3000 followers, some of them are bandits who openly show off their rifles and are dressed in military or police uniforms.

“Tiktok platform has given room for insurgents to promote their campaign of terror without being restricted.”

Watch the video on X.

Daily Post

Jaafar Jaafar, the Nigerian journalist who published a controversial video clip showing former Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje receiving $5 million bribe in October 2018 has alleged that the Nigerian government paid through the nose to secure the release of abducted Kaduna pupils.

Jaafar in a post via his X handle on Sunday stated that no lobbying, persuasion, flattery, charm or conning could have convinced the bandits to release the abducted persons without the payment of ransom.

On Saturday night, Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani announced the release of 137 Kuriga schoolchildren who were kidnapped by bandits to the media.

The abductors had demanded N1 billion as ransom being the only condition for their release but the terms of this release remains shrouded.

But Jaafar claimed that President Bola Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani’s choice of words after the “rescue” of the Kuriga schoolchildren, suggested that the government paid through the nose.

“The reality is that no lobbying, persuasion, flattery, charm or conning will convince the ruthlessly avaricious bandits to release hostages without payment of ransom.

“From President Tinubu to Governor Uba Sani’s choice of words after the ‘rescue’ of the Kuriga schoolchildren, you know the government paid through the nose to simply rescue its image, held hostage by the worsening insecurity.

“Our leaders hardly bother taking proactive measures to stop these abductions. In hindsight, the money the government paid the bandits should have been used to resettle villages that were prone to attack.

“Government is more concerned about its image than the security of lives and property. Whenever you see a government in turbo action, its political image is concerned,” Jaafar said.

With the return of over 137 abducted pupils of the LEA Primary School and the Government Secondary School Kuriga in the Chikun Local Government Area, Kaduna, within Zamfara State after more than two weeks in captivity (the defence Headquarters claim they were rescued from some forest in Zamfara State); not a few have wondered how a crowd of 287 pupils and teachers were taken from two different schools in Kaduna state and marched all the way to Zamfara State even if the two states shared borders without the slightest trouble, intervention or interruption.

Among the puzzled Nigerians is a former First Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeazor Akaraiwe, SAN who is asking amongst other questions, “Where are the 150 other children?!”

Hear him.

• You mean these kids trekked from Kaduna to Zamfara through treacherous forests and law enforcement did not detect them!?
• No citizen reported a huge mass of children herded by gun-wielding men marching resolutely through the bushes, forests and grasslands for several kilometres, possibly hundreds!?
• Did all of them survive the trek?!
• Or were they moved in buses?
• ⁠Did they get water to drink, and food to eat for the entire period?
• ⁠What are the demographics of those who were released – Muslim, Christian, animists or mixture of all?

• 137 out of 287 were rescued, what happened to the others

Senior Advocate of Nigeria and ex-UN Special Rapporteur on Human Trafficking, Prof. Joy N. Ezeilo has called for more explanations into the rescue of 153 Nigerians by the military on Sunday.

Conveying her concerns through X (formerly Twitter) the Law Professor in a long post said:

“I am grateful to God and commend the military for rescuing 153 Nigerian children and women on Sunday. This is a huge relief for their parents, families, and all well-meaning Nigerians, including the international community. However, there remain many unclear details regarding this rescue operation. For instance, we have learned that only 137 (76 females and 61 males) of the rescued individuals were Kaduna pupils, despite earlier reports indicating that 287 pupils were abducted. This raises several questions that need to be answered. It also highlights the recurring problem of poor record-keeping, data management, transparency, and information sharing in Nigeria.

“How many children were kidnapped from Kaduna School? Was it that all the abducted children were rescued?  How did they move them from Kaduna to Zamfara state? What about the kidnappers or abductees? Was there no single arrest or casualty? There may be more to this than meets the eye. Was this a case of negotiation and ransom payment? No one knows, as a lot is still shrouded in secrecy.

“I’m relieved but still a mixed grill as we hear (unconfirmed)  that some of the children may also have died in captivity and that some are now orphans. How do we ensure accountability and prosecution of suspects? How do we prevent future abduction in what appears to be now a lucrative business that is destroying lives and adding to the country’s overwhelming insecurity? How do we ensure safe schools and safe cities?  We hope that no child is left behind like the Dapchi and Chibok schoolgirls kidnappings, amongst others.  We also plead and demand the rescue of women in IDP camps in Borno state.

“Kudos again to the military. We don’t know how you did it. Still, please do it again concerning Borno women IDPs and all others in captivity, especially the most vulnerable women and children.

“Prof. Joy Ngozi Ezeilo (OON, SAN)”

At about midnight of Saturday, terrorists suspected to be members of Boko Haram attacked a military base in Gujba town, Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State, and killed a soldier.

Spokesperson of the Yobe State Police Command, DSP Dungus Abdulkarim, who confirmed the attack disclosed that a military patrol vehicle was also burnt by the suspected terrorists.

According to The PUNCH, reliable local sources revealed  that the suspected insurgents, who stormed the town by 12 midnight, shooting sporadically and subsequently attacking the military base, were later repelled by troops who chased them out to the surrounding bush.

A resident of Gujba, Modu Bahna, while narrating his ordeal, said, “They (suspected terrorists) stormed the town some minutes after midnight, shooting sporadically and the majority of us took to our heels into the surrounding bushes for dear lives.”

Another source at Gujba, Dala Bukar, said, “The attackers did not kill any civilian or looted food or other essential commodities stores.

“They only attacked the two patrol vehicles in the military base where a soldier was killed.”

Confirming the attack, the police spokesman, Abdulkarim, said, “The only thing I can confirm to you now is the attack, a soldier was killed and troops and CJTF engaged the suspected terrorists.”

The Maiduguri-Damaturu-Gujba-Biu Road, The PUNCH could recall, has been suffering a resurgence of attacks by suspected Boko Haram terrorists in recent months.

PUNCH

For the promotion of “safe, secure and trustworthy” artificial intelligence (AI) systems that will also benefit sustainable development for all, the UN General Assembly on Thursday adopted a landmark resolution.

Adopting a United States-led draft resolution without a vote, the Assembly also highlighted the respect, protection, and promotion of human rights in the design, development, deployment, and use of AI.

The text was “co-sponsored” or backed by more than 120 other Member States.

The General Assembly also recognised AI systems’ potential to accelerate and enable progress towards reaching the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

It represents the first time the assembly has adopted a resolution on regulating the emerging field. The US National Security Advisor reportedly said earlier this month that the adoption would represent an “historic step forward” for the safe use of AI.

The assembly called on all Member States and stakeholders “to refrain from or cease the use of artificial intelligence systems that are impossible to operate in compliance with international human rights law or that pose undue risks to the enjoyment of human rights.”

“The same rights that people have offline must also be protected online, including throughout the life cycle of artificial intelligence systems,” it affirmed.

The assembly also urged all States, the private sector, civil society, research organisations and the media, to develop and support regulatory and governance approaches and frameworks related to safe, secure and trustworthy use of AI.

The assembly further recognised the “varying levels” of technological development between and within countries, and that developing nations face unique challenges in keeping up with the rapid pace of innovation.

It urged Member States and stakeholders to cooperate with and support developing countries so they can benefit from inclusive and equitable access, close the digital divide, and increase digital literacy.

Speaking before the adoption, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN, introduced the draft resolution.

She expressed hope that the “inclusive and constructive dialogue that led to this resolution would serve as a model for future conversations on AI challenges in other arenas, for example, with respect to peace and security and responsible military use of AI autonomy.”

Thomas-Greenfield noted that the resolution was designed to amplify the work already being done by the UN, including the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Human Rights Council.

“We intend for it to complement future UN initiatives, including negotiations toward a global digital compact and the work of the Secretary-General’s high-level advisory body on artificial intelligence,” she said.

Thomas-Greenfield also highlighted the opportunity and the responsibility of the international community “to govern this technology rather than let it govern us”.

“So let us reaffirm that AI will be created and deployed through the lens of humanity and dignity, safety and security, human rights and fundamental freedoms.

“Let us commit to closing the digital gap within and between nations and using this technology to advance shared priorities around sustainable development,” she said.

NAN

Following the emergence of Asiwaju Adegboyega Solomon Awomolo, SAN last week as the 52nd Chairman of the prestigious Body of Benchers, the Nigerian Bar Association, Abuja Branch (Unity Bar) is in a celebratory mode.

The Senior Advocate is a member of the branch.

The congratulatory statement from the branch signed by its Chairman, Afam Okeke, Esq. reads:

The Nigerian Bar Association, Abuja Branch (Unity Bar) heartily congratulates Asiwaju Adegboyega Solomon Awomolo, SAN on his emergence as the 52nd Chairman of the prestigious Body of Benchers.

As a branch, we are elated on his emergence though we are not surprised, considering his selfless service to the legal profession and humanity . He was Chairman of NBA Ilorin branch in 1990, and, Chairman of Committee of Chairmen and Secretaries of the 44 NBA Branches in 1996 (the Committee that revived the NBA after the 1992 Port Harcourt crisis)

Asiwaju is an elder and a true leader .He is also a role model and mentor to so many Legal Practitioners. He is an epitome of perseverance. A worthy ambassador of NBA Abuja Branch.

We celebrate him today as always and wish him a very eventful and successful tenure as the 52nd Chairman of the prestigious Body of Benchers

Congratulations Sir, Mr Chairman BoB!

Afam O. Okeke, Esq. AICMC Chairman NBA Abuja Branch

Although the students of Nasarawa State University has been blamed in some quarters for not conducting themselves well in the event leading to the death of two students of the institution, activist and human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), maintains that negligence led to the deaths.

The Senior Advocate of Nigerian in a statement  released on Sunday said: “Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nassarawa State was reported to have ordered the distribution of two 7.5 kg bags of rice and N5,000 to each student of the State University at Keffi.

“The distribution of the palliative was scheduled to hold at the state university’s convocation square last Friday morning. As the distribution exercise was not well organised, there was a stampede of thousands of students at the venue. The stampede led to tragedy as many students were injured.

“As the university health centre was ill-equipped to treat the injured students, they were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre in Keffi, Nassarawa State.

“As the injured students were not promptly attended to, two female students were pronounced dead while at least 17 others were left with varying degrees of injuries arising from suffocation at the venue of the distribution of rice. Our thoughts and condolences go to the families and friends of the deceased students.

“According to the state government, the tragic incident occurred “when suspected hoodlums and some misguided students forced their way into the school’s convocation ground to cart away the rice kept at the venue meant for distribution as palliatives to students.”

“But the Vice-chancellor of the University, Prof Suleiman Bala decided to blame the tragedy on the victims of the official negligence. He was reported to have said that “our students were not patient enough to follow the process of accessing these palliatives.”

Falana described the students’ death as unfortunate, adding that the authorities of the University failed to draw any lesson from the recent stampede which claimed the lives of seven persons during the distribution of 25kg bags of rice in Lagos by the Nigeria Customs Service.

According to Falana: “No doubt, the tragedy would have been averted if the University management had distributed the 7 kg bags of rice to the students through their departments. Indeed, there was no justification to have assembled thousands of students without a standby ambulance.

“As if that was not enough, the university health centre was not equipped to attend to the injured students. Hence, they were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre in Keffi where two female students were certified dead.”

He however remarked that given the facts and circumstances of the tragedy, the Nassarawa State police command should be directed to investigate the allegations of criminal negligence which led to the unfortunate death of the two students.

“The culprits should be prosecuted without delay. In view of the official statement that hoodlums hijacked the distribution exercise the state government and the university management are required by law to compensate the bereaved families of the two students,” He said.

After the Lagos incident, Falana demanded that the Nigeria Customs Service compensate the families of seven persons who died in the stampede that ensued during the sale of low-cost rice at the Customs office in Lagos.

The Nigeria Customs announced the sale of  25kg bags of rice for N10,000, following a directive by President Bola Tinubu that rice seized from smugglers should be sold to Nigerians at a cheaper price to ease the food crisis in the country.

During the sale, which began on February 23, seven persons died in a stampede at the Customs Zonal Headquarters in Yaba, Lagos State.

The tragic incident led to the immediate suspension of the low-cost rice sale.

Falana, in a statement on Sunday, stated that it was sad that up till now the authorities of NCS had not deemed it fit to identify the families of the victims to at least commiserate with them.

The SAN said the NCS must take full responsibility for the incident.

“Since a bag of rice was selling for N77,000 at the material time, it ought to have occurred to the Nigeria Customs Service that its zonal headquarters in Yaba would not be able to contain the crowd that had been invited to purchase a 25kg bag of rice at N10,000.

“Therefore, the authorities of the Nigeria Customs Service should take urgent steps to identify the bereaved families of the seven deceased citizens with a view to paying them adequate monetary compensation.

“However, if our advice is ignored by the authorities, we shall not hesitate to approach the Federal High Court to enforce the fundamental right of each of the deceased persons to life as guaranteed by Section 33 of the Nigerian Constitution and Article 4 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights,” Falana said.

The senior lawyer, however, urged  NCS to lift the suspension of the sale of the remaining bags of rice without any further delay.

“To avoid another stampede, the distribution should be carried out through the appropriate local government councils and local government development areas in Lagos State and other states of the federation,” he said.