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Experts, Sultan of Sokoto blame unending insecurity on intelligence failure

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III has confirmed the assertions of experts who insist that Nigeria’s poor intelligence gathering processes have crippled its ability to nip crime, violence and killings in the bud as done in more advanced climes.

This is in spite of allegations that security operatives were notified about the attack but did nothing.

Raising questions over intelligence gaps and its devastating effects, apparent in the non-stop attacks on communities in different parts of the country, the Sultan while speaking in Bauchi state on Wednesday, December 27, said bandits and other criminal elements attacking Nigerians are always a step ahead of security agencies in gathering intelligence.

Urging the military and other security agencies to step up intelligence gathering, he condemned the recent attack by gunmen in Plateau State which claimed the lives of over 100 persons with several others wounded.

“We only condemned such things but after condemning such activities by these bandits and criminals what next? What are the rest of the government who are supposed to protect our lives and property doing? Why do we keep on having these deaths? The Tudun Biri incident is still fresh with us and now the recent on the Plateau.

“Why can’t you be proactive to stop such attacks before they happen? What happened to our intelligence-gathering mechanism? Are you telling me that nobody knew about such attacks? In various places whether in Sokoto, Kebbi or Kaduna or anywhere, have we lost our sense of gathering information to avert any or such key loss? We must ask our government to be up and doing because these bandits are always a step ahead.” he said

Expressing concern that insecurity had been politicized in the country, the Sultan insisted it does not have anything to do with religion but that of leadership.

“We are all in one big country where we have poverty. Yes, Muslims, Christians and even those who don’t have religion go to the same market and they buy the same foodstuff, enter the same vehicles and pay the same fares. So, it is not the issue of religion, let’s not tell ourselves that anybody is planning anything against Muslims or Christians. No; it is the issue of leadership and I have said many times that let’s have confidence in leadership that within the next few months something will change.”

In the meantime, as the outrage trailing the Christmas eve massacre of no fewer than 195 persons in Plateau State is yet to abate, with none of the perpetrators apprehended, the Middle-Belt Forum, MBF, revealed that the insurgents have written Pushit community in Mangu LGA on a fresh attack.

MBF Deputy National President, Stanley Kavwam, who disclosed this in an interview on Arise TV, said the terrorists were planning to launch the attack on the Pushit community on December 29 adding that anonymous persons dropped letters of previous attacks on Mangu LGA.

Kavwam spoke as the United Nations and Northern Caucus of the House of Representatives and Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, demanded a thorough investigation and probe of the attacks.

Nigeria has been adjudged one of most dangerous places to live with the 2020 Global Terrorism Index identifying it as the third country most affected by terrorism.

Tosin Omoniyi of Premium Times in a special report titled: ANALYSIS: Intelligence failure compounding insecurity in Nigeria threw more light on this question of insecurity and intelligence failure in Nigeria. Below are his findings.

Experts opine that Nigeria’s poor intelligence gathering processes have crippled its ability to nip crime, violence and killings in the bud as done in more advanced climes.

Many of the crimes committed and violence recorded could have been averted if Nigeria had a virile intelligence network and there is greater collaboration, not rivalry, among the government units tasked with providing intelligence and security, say some of these experts.

‘’The truth is that if the obvious lack of actionable intelligence is properly addressed among all the security, intelligence agencies and the military, then insecurity would have been solved 50%,’’ said Timothy Avele, the Chief Executive Officer of Agent-X Security Ltd. ‘’From the president down the ladder of the leadership of various security agencies and the military, all acknowledged this thorny issue of lack of actionable intelligence.’’

‘’The problem I see there is that while everyone wants intelligence, sadly, no one wants to invest in its acquisition. Imagine the military top leadership asking villagers to provide intelligence. Intelligence could only be produced by trained intelligence analysts. Sadly, the entire police force has less than 70 trained modern analysts, the military less than 100,’’ he said in an interview with PREMIUM TIMES.

‘’The intelligence network is apparently not working. The security architecture is obviously inadequate to secure the country. A centralised security architecture cannot secure a country as large as this. It is even against a federal arrangement,’’ said Azeez Olaniyan, a professor at the department of Political Science, Federal University Oye Ekiti.

Oladayo Olujuwon, an academic, described intelligence as the product resulting from the collection, collation, evaluation, analysis, integration, and interpretation of collected information.

‘’Governments try to protect three things regarding intelligence gathering: their intelligence personnel, their intelligence facilities & resources and their intelligence operations,’’ he said.

‘’Collecting intelligence to build up a detailed knowledge of threats to the country is at the heart of secret service work. Security intelligence (SI) is the information relevant to protecting an organisation (nation) from external and inside threats as well as the processes, policies and tools designed to gather and analyse that information. People tend to associate intelligence with crime prevention; meaning probably that the availability of timely intelligence can prevent the occurrence of crime.’’

Other security experts believe that if the three major outfits tasked with providing intelligence cover for security operations in the country: the Nigeria Police Force, the State Security Service and the National Intelligence Agency, were virile and united, the pervasive insecurity would be greatly curbed.

In his paper, ‘Solving Security Challenges in Nigeria Through Intelligence Gathering and Surveillance,’ an academic, Ashaolu Oluwadiya, says the dearth of intelligence gathering capabilities will continue to stall Nigeria’s search for a lasting solution to insecurity.

‘’Nigeria has not come of age. The Nigeria Police do not possess the required skill to secure a crime scene, conduct efficient evidence-gathering procedures such as lifting fingerprints from the crime scene, have no credible criminal database, cannot use forensic science in solving crime, and so on.

‘’Until recently, we could not trace a criminal using his mobile phone records. Policemen are barely literate. Their educational requirement is not high, and it has become the last resort to school drop-outs who probably had no other options in life. The kind of training they receive is abysmal.

‘’There is also a huge level of corruption within the ranks of the Force. People do not trust them, neither do they respect them. And for the other intelligence agencies such as the SSS, people deal with them with suspicions…,’’ he wrote.

An ex-military general, who asked that his name should not be used in the report, however, told PREMIUM TIMES that while the intelligence capabilities of the country could be strengthened, the challenges are much deeper than portrayed.

‘’The challenge of insecurity is beyond laying blames on the military of allied security organisations. Pensioners are owed salaries across the states and their concerns are not being addressed. It is the children of these and the readily available army of unemployed youth who have increased since the return to democratic governance that provides ready fodder for those who are behind insecurity,’’ he said.

He said the increasing number of young people who are ‘hopeless’ amidst narrowing economic opportunities needs to be addressed first to solve Nigeria’s security challenges.

‘’There is a limit to what the military can do. We need an all-society approach that involves the re-orientation of everyone, the leaders, the led and security outfits,” the retired general said.

Intelligence units

Nigeria, like other countries across the globe, does not lack relevant outfits tasked with providing intelligence. The Nigerian police have the Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID) and the Federal Investigations and Intelligence Bureau (FIIB).

The FCID conducts investigations and prosecutes complex crimes within and outside the nation. The FIIB carries out intelligence gathering and surveillance to aid other police units.

The SSS (also known as DSS), formed in 1986, operates under the presidency and answers directly to the National Security Adviser (NSA). It manages domestic intelligence and ensures the national security of the country is not compromised.

The SSS is also empowered to eliminate ‘national threats’ and provide security for top government officials and visiting dignitaries.

The National Intelligence Agency (NIA), also under the NSA, is charged with gathering international intelligence. Established also in 1986, it is responsible for foreign intelligence and counterintelligence. It collates external intelligence aimed at protecting Nigeria’s security interests outside its shores.

There is also the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) established in 1986 to provide an efficient system of obtaining military intelligence for the Armed Forces.

The NSA, Babagana Monguno; defence spokesperson, Nwachukwu Onyema, and Force spokesperson, Frank Mba, did not respond to calls and messages seeking reactions to the report.

‘‘It is not correct to conclude that the government and/or security agencies lack intelligence capabilities,’’ Peter Afunanya, the spokesperson of the SS said in a response to comments. ‘’Security challenges have become global without the exception of any particular country. We are committed to the safety of life and property and call on the media to play a positive role in ensuring peaceful coexistence in our country, Nigeria.’’

Additional reports by Premium Times.

Bourdillon, Almajiris and poverty in Yorubaland

The Politics of Collective Immiseration

By Moses Oludele Idowu

“There are only two families in the world, the Haves and Have-Nots.”
– Miguel de Cervantes

“A man may imagine things that are false, but he can only understand things that are true.”
– Isaac Newton

The large crowd I saw at Bourdillon, in front of the house of Bola Tinubu, President of Nigeria and one of the leading politicians who have heavily profited from politics in this political dispensation, made me sad and caused my heart to sink. The long line of crowds of multitudes waiting for crumbs from one of the biggest political profiteers of this era is a reality to what I have been saying for a long time. Poverty is real in the land. But this is not the issue; the real issue is, if nothing is done to arrest this drift, if nothing is done to redirect the economic program and policies in more progressive and practical ways, poverty will envelope everyone soon, – except the very rich.

I have been told and have seen it firsthand myself the truth of what many are saying that this is the worst Christmas in living memory. There is poverty everywhere.

“But there has always been poverty in Nigeria and Jesus said, ‘The poor you will always have with you’ “, some wiseacre who are poor in theology would say. Yes, there has always been poverty in Nigeria; but it is poverty that can be managed. Poverty that most often could be hidden. But now poverty is visible and no one can hide it.

Some well- dressed men gatecrashed to a christening ceremony of a child and begged the woman in charge of food to just give them soup, out of the leftovers. She should not even bother with meat but just only soup which they would take home to make garri. This is not in Hausa or Igboland, it happens here in Yorubaland, and they are Yorubas – land of culture and honour, now under siege of poverty, extreme poverty as a result of gross misrule by pseudo- progressives of APC.

A northern politician once said something that Yorubas ought to ponder seriously about if we are still a thinking people. He said if Bola Ahmed Tinubu had come before Obafemi Awolowo, most Yorubas would be almajiris today.

Did you hear that? I never heard a word so true from the mouth of a politician of the Fourth Republic. If destiny had pushed this man ahead and he was the first then most people in this Yoruba land will be beggars by now. Because everything will be priced out of the reach of the poor: housing, market, schools, colleges, universities… With scholarships only for children of those who are ready to ‘ranka dede’ him and lick the boot of his aides and foot soldiers.

All over Yoruba land and even Nigeria the reports coming are not good. Poverty, institutional, multi-level, multi- dimensional poverty is on the march and Nigerians are shrinking and shrinking into their holes and shells.

That poverty is on the march is not the issue. That is not the problem. Even as bad as things are they can be turned around. Poverty is not the issue. The real issue, the real trouble that I see now is that there is no political will and no intellectual capacity and moral sagacity to understand the real trouble bedeviling the economy, to arrest and address what Professor Eskor Toyo calls “Nigeria’s basic economic deformities” and set this nation on the path of progress. And unless this is done, unless the economic war is won poverty will continue to spread and deepen.

It is not about prayer or confessing positive things. Often times we muddle these things because we neither understand true Religion or Theology and Logic. Theology is compatible with Reason, in point of fact, it is built on it. This is why the more Nigerians pray the poorer they become; because both leaders and followers are operating outside of Reason.

Can I be honest with you? Poverty will be worse in 2024 than even 2023 that people are crying about. Because there is nothing in place to avert recurrence, to arrest the march of poverty, to put people back to jobs, to put industries back in motion. Now Nigeria is on fast pace to de-industrialization. As the currency continues to weaken and more money required to purchase raw materials the prospect of survival will become narrower and foreign investors will begin to leave amidst other uncertainties.
The same ruinous policies that Buhari pursued for 8 years – borrowing, printing money ( ways and means), doling out N20,000 to imaginary beneficiaries and numbers and party members…, these are the same policies being pursued by this dumb government. Poverty will continue. Poverty does not end because someone wishes it or prays about it. This is where Nigerians miss it and why they suffer so much. Poverty is arrested by deliberate programs of attack, calculated schemes of intellectual, industrial, moral and financial empowerment, social stability and collective engagement. It requires an assortment of weapons to kill and defeat this hydra- headed enemy of man.

It is war. Poverty must be fought and defeated. Else, we will all lose. I shall come to this at the end.
The more debts increase the lower the quality of currency will be and the more will be required to service existing debts that are matured. Governors who are largely economic illiterates have mapped out strategies to borrow another 2-3 trillions in the new year. They have lost it. The federal government now shells out billions to states on palliative and the states too shell out to those they wish. That is what the largest community of black in the world has become: from hand to mouth. Just borrowing and sharing. An economy based on such transaction is an economy of doom for everyone. It is collective Immiseration.

In a way it serves the political class for people to be poor because it gives them leverage. An economically- empowered and liberated person cannot be told who to vote for. He cannot be pushed to do the bidding of politicians. Because he doesn’t need them. Politicians fear and hate such category of persons. They are dangerous, too dangerous to their survival. They possess independent minds and Nigerian politicians dont like people with independent minds.

That is why democracy is actually designed and can only function best among people who are economically empowered and politically literate. Those two things: economic empowerment and political literacy are crucial.

Poverty serves the interest of Nigerian politicians. The crowds of have- nots thronging their houses and queueing on their streets gives them a sense of empowerment and self- assurance. It boosts their ego, that these “slaves” depend on them for survival and need their favour.

That is why they prefer to dole out cash, crumbs to crowds rather than govern well and wipe out poverty among the masses. We have known cases where as crowds struggle to collect pittance lives were lost. It happened a couple of time in Kwara State during the era of Bukola Saraki where on each occasion as many as 30 people died. Over pittance.

I ask the man who shared the Bourdillon video whether the crowds got anything? Nothing, he told me. They got nothing. They would trek back the long distance home on empty stomachs. They have no need of them now. Elections are over and no election is in sight or coming till another four years. This people are cruel. They have no mercy. They don’t care about people as they pretend to be.

Nigerians deserve their fate. Everyone gets what he deserves with leadership.

However, there is something dangerous about this which everyone needs to watch out for. If poverty is not tamed or arrested everyone will lose at the end. Even the rich will also cry. If nothing is done to arrest this rampaging poverty that is spreading all over the land; then there could be a boomerang effect. I don’t know what it would be. When a river course is blocked and it is not allowed its natural flow, it will cut out another channel elsewhere and return with vengeance.

These children who are crying to sleep now because of hunger will grow up one day and may join the army or somewhere else. The teenager who is dropping out of university today because his parents could not afford the new fees won’t forget and will not forgive. Nigeria is taking a big risk.
Who knows where a Jehu or Hitler or Rawlings may spring or come from?

Now there is hunger in the land. That much is certain. Soon hunger will turn to anger and anger will crystallize into popular action, and action to…

It is really amazing that Nigerians have to come to this sorry state under civilians. What excuse will politicians give now for the state of things? That the military spoiled everything and destroyed everything… And 25 years are not enough to undo what the military “destroyed”? Everything of value today that Nigeria has was built by the military – national hospital, Third Mainland Bridge, Aso Rock, Alscon etc. And they never sold oil for the fraction that is now selling today or in the last 24 years.
What is the excuse that poverty has deepened in the same period when oil sold for a hundred dollars per barrel under the politicians for a substantial period of time?

Pay day does come. Yes, there shall be a payday. I don’t know how but I know eternal principles that cannot fail. Seedtime and harvest wont cease. The one who sows must also reap. Politicians will reap in full and with compound interest what they have sown in the last 25 years to Nigeria.

© Moses Oludele Idowu
December 26, 2023
All Rights Reserved

[Video] Family and friends gather as Justice Anyanwu hosts 13th carol service

Ahead of her birthday and exit from judicial service tomorrow 28th December 2023, the Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division, Hon. Justice Uzo Ndukwe-Anyawu hosted family and friends to her 13th Christmas Carol service.

It is annual event she instituted since 2010 but this years edition was particularly special as it was her last as a judicial officer.

The event took place in Abuja on Christmas eve.

Watch the video

NBA President mourns Akeredolu, Lucky Aiyedatiwa sworn in as substantive governor of Ondo State 

President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Yakubu C. Maikya, SAN has expressed great sadness over the death of Arakurin Ouwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, who until this morning (Tuesday) was the Governor of Ondo State. He was also an Ex- President of the NBA.

In the meantime, Akeredolu’s deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has been sworn in as the substantive governor of the State.  

Aiyedatiwa took the oath of office during his inauguration which was held at the Ondo State House, Akure, on Wednesday. 

Maikyau’s tribute reads:

A TRIBUTE TO HIS EXCELLENCY, ARAKUNRIN OLUWAROTIMI ODUNAYO AKEREDOLU, CON, SAN, BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION, MR YAKUBU CHONOKO MAIKYAU, OON, SAN,

It is with a heavy heart that I pay tribute to His Excellency, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, CON, SAN (Aketi), the Executive Governor of Ondo State and Past President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), whose transition took place on 27 December 2023 after a protracted ill-health.

His Excellency was called to the Bar in 1978 and had served the NBA in several capacities. He variously served as Secretary and Vice Chair of Ibadan Branch and went on to become the 24th President of the Association from 2008 to 2010 – one of the most influential and courageous Presidents ever to lead the NBA. The late learned Senior Advocate also served the nation in various other capacities at different times, one of which was as Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice from 1997 to 1999 and later as two-term Governor from 2017 till his demise.

Aketi, as he was popularly called, was in our lexicon a true Bar man who firmly believed in the ability of the legal profession to make a difference in our society. It was this belief that led him into politics resulting in being elected twice has the Governor of Ondo State. Aketi will mostly be remembered for his forthrightness and down-to-earth perspectives especially on matters of national importance.

He will be positively remembered for his several contributions to the growth and development of Ondo State and the entire region. As Governor, Aketi was at the forefront of the establishment of the regional security network, Amotekun, to address security concerns in the western region. So far, the network has been effective in stemming the tide of terrorism, armed robbery, kidnapping, banditry, etc., within the region and currently stands as a model for other regions to emulate. For his contributions to the progress of Nigeria, he was recognized by the Federal Government and conferred with the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) in October 2022. There is no denying that the
learned Senior Advocate left indelible footprints in the sands of time.

I commiserate with the entire Akeredolu clan, particularly his wife, Betty, and children, on this very painful loss. I also extend my condolences to the Ondo State Executive Committee and the entire people of Ondo State. Aketi’s departure is our collective loss. My prayer is that God Almighty will comfort the hearts of all members of his family, his colleagues, and friends. May the peace of God which is beyond human understanding, protect our hearts and minds through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, OON, SAN
PRESIDENT

How Lawn Tennis coach allegedly defiled, impregnated 14-year old trainee at Lagos competition

  • Said to have been having carnal knowledge of his two daughters

A lawn tennis coach in Osun State, Yinka Akinrinade, has been accused of defiling and impregnating his 14-year-old trainees during a tennis competition she participated in, in Lagos State.

He also reportedly had carnal knowledge of his 13-year old daughter on the same day in September this year. It was gathered that the two girls are athletes under the coach’s supervision. Meanwhile, the 14-year-old trainee, was confirmed pregnant a month after the incident.

Narrating how the incident happened, the trainee (name withheld) who is now 13 weeks pregnant, said that her coach, Akinriande, allegedly took advantage of her on the pretence that he wanted to conduct fitness training on her. He allegedly called her from her room in the hotel where they lodged to his own room.

“We went for a competition in Lagos State. And during our stay, the coach called me to his hotel room and said he wanted to carry out fitness test on me; that he always does the same to all girls under him.

“He told me to lie on the bed and remove my dress. That was how he defiled me and told me not to tell anyone. He threatened to deal with me if I told my parents. After that, he told me to call his daughter too for the same ‘fitness’ training.

“I asked Mary what happened when she came back to our room and she was just smiling. The coach was the one who defiled me. I have never had any intimacy with a man before. The coach even told me that, that was how he always had sex with his two daughters.

“I got to know I was pregnant when I started falling sick and my parents took me for a test. He was not drunk as he claimed. I want justice from the government, he should face the consequence of his action,” the pregnant victim said.

Some stakeholders in the Osun State Sports Council, however, confided in The Point that the coach had been committing incest with his two daughters before the incident in Lagos.

Meanwhile, Akinrinade did not deny or confirm raping the young girls because, according to him, he was under the influence of alcohol when the incidents happened.

He said in an interview, “I remember that when we went for a competition in Lagos, I complained of pile and my colleague, Coach Saka, introduced a herb to me, he said it was non alcoholic and that I wouldn’t be intoxicated. I don’t drink alcohol, but unfortunately, I didn’t know the said pile herb was prepared with alcohol.

“Immediately I drank the herb, I was unconscious. I can’t remember what happened after that. I have never tasted alcohol in my life, that would be the first time I would experience alcohol. So, I can’t remember what I did with the girls. It was the following morning that I found myself naked in their room. I asked them if anything happened between us and they said nothing happened. Everything ended there.

“After we returned from another competition in Delta State, the two trainees fell sick. I took my own to hospital and it was revealed that she had typhoid and ulcer. I called the mother of the other trainee to take her to the hospital and I was persistent on that till after two weeks before her mother could take her to the hospital.

“When the mother called to inform me that the trainee was pregnant, I questioned who owned the pregnancy and how it came to be. Her mother later called back and told me they were given a wrong test result, that her daughter was not pregnant.

“Later, I received a call to come to the Sports Council, Stadium, Osogbo where I met the trainee and her mother. A colleague of mine called me aside and informed me that I was accused of having carnal knowledge of the trainee. Then, my mind went back to what happened in Lagos. I cannot say if I am responsible for the pregnancy or not. I didn’t know what happened that night.”

However, the parents of the 14-year-old girl have called on the Osun Sports Council and the state government to investigate the allegations and ensure justice is served.

Christmas Eve Killings: Declare state of emergency on insecurity, apprehend, prosecute perpetrators— NBA SPIDEL to FG

With over 150 dead and more than 10,000 persons displaced after the Christmas Eve attacks on communities in three local government areas of Plateau State, the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public interest and Development Law, NBA SPIDEL has called on the President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of Emergency in the security sector in Plateau.

Outraged by the dastardly act, NBA SPIDEL in a statement signed by its Chairman and Secretary, John Aikpokpo-Martins and Funmi Adeogun said “the need for more proactive measures to be put in place in securing the lives and property of persons, especially those living in attack – prone areas of the country, can not be over emphasised.”

The full statement reads:

CHRISTMAS EVE KILLINGS: A CALL FOR A DECLARATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY IN THE SECURITY SECTOR AND AN URGENT AND SUSTAINABLE ACTION FOR JUSTICE IN PLATEAU STATE.

The joy of Christmas was cut short in the most cruel manner for the indigenes of Bokkos and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau State as bandits invaded the homes and environs of ill-starred villagers residing in several villages in the two local government areas on Christmas eve, the 24th day of December 2023 and committed brutal and serial acts of arson, bloodshed and murder without restraint. The official record of deaths as of when this statement was issued was approximated at about 115 persons. This is in addition to the burning down of about 221 houses, 27 motorcycles, and 8 cars.

NBA-SPIDEL condemns these atrocious and brutal killings and notes that these attacks which occured from Saturday night to the early hours of Monday, have left an open wound in the hearts of peace loving citizens of not just Plateau State but the whole country. The spate at which these attacks reoccur further suggests a pattern by unfazed and emboldened savages who do not fear for the consequences of their gruesome acts, having repeatedly carried out their attacks successfully in different villages and communities in Plateau State in particular and other neighbouring States.

NBA-SPIDEL states that the government cannot just keep making ineffectual statements whilst folding its arms while these repeated acts of unjustifiable and beastly killings continue to spread all over the country. This incident must, therefore, become the wake-up call for some proactiveness from the government and for the security forces to stamp their feet on every act of terrorism, banditry, and indiscriminate violent attacks in Plateau State. Nigerian citizens should be able to celebrate the festivities and go about their daily activities without fear of sudden and unprovoked attacks from armed men. This is a duty the government owes to each and every citizen of the country; that their lives and properties are secured, and that every element of violence is eliminated from the society.

Whilst acknowledging that this vicious attack has, quite unfortunately, already been carried out, we urge on the security agencies to quickly fish out the perpetrators of these dastardly acts of carnage. Not one of them should be spared. This is the only way these deaths can be avenged and the confidence of not just the survivors but every peace loving citizen of the country in the ability of the security agencies to protect them, can be restored.

The need for more proactive measures to be put in place in securing the lives and property of persons, especially those living in attack – prone areas of the country, can not be over emphasised. In the light of the foregoing, we call on the government and the respective security agencies to immediately take steps to ensure that the perpetrators of these horrendous acts are brought to justice and that such attacks do not occur again.

NBA-SPIDEL notes that Plateau State has suffered many incidents of insecurity, especially in its villages located in the hinterlands. It is observed that hardly does any festive season pass by without Plateau State recording a case of insecurity such as the instant one and in monumental proportions.

NBA-SPIDEL also notes that under the immediate past administration of Muhammedu Buhari, many incidents such as this were recorded in Plateau State. The question that appears to beg for an answer is how much the Buhari administration fared in ensuring an end to these nasty incidents particularly in empowering the relevant law enforcement agencies and the institutions of justice administration to bring to justice the criminal elements responsible for these terrible acts?

The current situation where hapless citizens who have been improverished by the harsh economic situation of the country (which situation is attributable to the impact of acts of monumental corruption and mismanagement of the country’s resources) are also subjected to the harrowing experience of killings and arson such as that which has continuously been witnessed in Plateau State, is totally unacceptable. No government, seriously concerned with the welfare of its citizens, should condone or sleep over such situations.

It is unfortunate that despite the intimidating record of the many occurrences of killings of citizens and razing of houses and properties of hapless and innocent citizens by bandits and armed men both in Plateau and other States of the Federation during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, there are no traceable records of thorough investigations and/or arrests and prosecutions of suspects arrested for these heinous crimes, hence the impunity on the part of the criminal elements to constantly perpetuate and continuously indulge in these eggregious crimes.

It is the expectation of every Nigerian that President Bola Tinubu would ensure that those involved in the shedding of the blood of innocent villagers in Bokkos and Baki Lardin Local Government Areas of Plateau State on Christmas eve would be brought to have their day in the appropriate courts as no justice could be said to have been done to the victims of these satanic acts if their assailants and their accomplices are walking the street free.

Consequently, NBA-SPIDEL calls on the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR to immediately direct the heads of the security agencies to forthwith, commence a high powered investigation into this incident with the purpose of apprehending and prosecuting the perpetrators who participated in the brutal killings of the innocent natives of those villages.

NBA-SPIDEL urges the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR to declare a state of emergency in the security sector in Plateau State given these incessant, brutal and satanic attacks which seem to have defied all previous solutions, if indeed any solution were attempted in the first instance. These security breaches can only be condoned in a failed state.

NBA-SPIDEL calls on the Federal Government to immediately provide relief materials to the victims and rebuild the villages for occupation.

Finally, NBA-SPIDEL condoles with the families of those who lost their lives in these gory incidents and prays for the repose of their souls.

Dated the 26th day of December, 2023.

John Aikpokpo-Martins
(Chairman)

Funmi Adeogun
(Secretary)

Christmas in the valley of death and more death: Visiting US Humanitarians say genocide on steroids of Nigerian Christians is worst since 2011

Emmanuel Obiukwu lost his four daughters on that dark Christmas Day at Madalla a suburb in the Federal Capital Territory. Many also lost their loved ones. Emmanuel Obiukwu’s four daughters were among the worshippers at St Theresa’s Church Madalla where 26 were killed in a suicide bombing 12 years ago. that day. Obiukwu died recently.

In another terrifying and morbid attack, hundreds have been left dead in Plateau state after several villages were again struck on Christmas eve.

As insecurity continues unabated in Nigeria, two US presidential award-winning humanitarians, Dr. William Devlin (2022) and Emmanuel Ogebe, Esq (2009) have bemoaned the horrific atrocities on Nigeria’s Christians this Christmas.

The pastor and lawyer attended the 12th anniversary of the 2011 Christmas day bombing of St. Theresa’s church Madalla only to learn of new attacks this Christmas claiming almost 200 lives.

At the memorial service

Plateau state Governor Caleb Mutfwang said the “terrifying Christmas was well coordinated with heavy weaponry burning 17 villages” killing over a hundred Christians in three provinces.

“Monitoring the 2011 Christmas atrocities from the US, I saw coordinated attacks in Yobe, Plateau & Niger states killing hundreds and which my cousins barely survived. 2023 is the deadliest Christmas since 2011,” Nigeria expert & human rights advocate Emmanuel Ogebe said.

US Humanitarians at burial site and St Theresa’s church Madalla on 12th Christmas since the deadly bombing

“This Christmas eve was the 20th anniversary of Boko Haram’s terror campaign. Now the Fulani killer militia have perpetrated their own Christmas terror massacres rivaling their triple digit slaughters in Benue (New Year’s day) and Plateau states (June) 2018,” said Ogebe, Special Counsel, Justice for Jos Project that has documented and investigated atrocities since 2010.

“I wanted to go to Gaza next however what I am witnessing here in Nigeria is genocide on steroids but the world isn’t paying attention,” Dr Devlin Volunteer CEO of Widows & Orphans USA stated. “Our plans to help rebuild is held up by the continuous cycle of bloodletting since our June visit to Plateau state. The scale of humanitarian aid required can’t keep up to the level of ongoing devastation.”

Ogebe and Devlin maintain that more Christians have been killed in Nigeria than the rest of the world combined for 11 out of the last 12 years per data of World Watch Monitor & Justice for Jos Project. On average, a Christian is killed every two hours making it the deadliest country for Christians. The US government under Biden has omitted Nigeria from an annual religious freedom review and sanctions regime required by the International Religious Freedom Act.

“Very few things on the planet show America’s betrayal of the present day martyrs of the Christian faith than the inaction, non-recognition and in fact active suppression of the harsh reality of death, death and more death in Nigeria. It’s past time to end the blood torrents of innocents,” the humanitarian duo declared during their 15th relief mission to Nigeria post-COVID.

“Nigeria’s Christians face double travesty. They are devoured in life and ignored in death. It’s deeply troubling that these massacres by the Fulani terror militia which occurred freely under Gen. Buhari (their kinsman former ruler) continue when non-Fulanis are in power. Credible sources tell us security forces had intelligence on these impending attacks 12hours ahead,” Ogebe disclosed.

“Like Hamas also just did, the Fulani terrorists video recorded their atrocities and posted them online. This is a first for the Fulani terrorists and possibly a sign of collaboration with the more media savvy ISIS West Africa and Hamas. INTERPOL should investigate this. Plateau state has seen a long history of Boko Haram and Fulani killer militia collaboration.

“Sadly, again, just like they initially did with Boko Haram, the US and the world fail to recognize the barbaric acts of the Fulani militia as terrorism,” he concluded.

“Also on Christmas eve, a Catholic Church was attacked in southeast Nigerian Ebonyi state killing worshippers & broadening the religious violence beyond the notorious northern hotbed – putting it fully at par with the 2011 multi-state attacks,” they said.


BREAKING: Ondo Gov Akeredolu is dead

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State is dead.

While some reports claim he died in Lagos on Wednesday, PREMIUM TIMES reports that Akeredolu died at about 2 a.m. on Wednesday at a German hospital where he was receiving treatment.

“A senior government official in Ondo State told PREMIUM TIMES Akeredolu died at about 2 a.m. on Wednesday at a German hospital where he was receiving treatment. He died of leukemia and prostate cancer, two ailments that had made him incapacitated for several months.”

The Ondo governor died at the age of  67.

Vanguard however reports that he was managed by State House doctors up to his death because they could not fly him abroad. “Akeredolu is dead; he died in Lagos,” a reliable source told Vanguard.

“They were looking for dialysis machines to be sent to his secret location in Lagos last week.”

Background:

Akeredolu experienced health issues after seeking medical treatment abroad in June. Although he returned to Nigeria in September, he remained in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.

On Wednesday, December 13, he proceeded on another medical leave and wrote a notice formally transferring power to his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa who later assumed the responsibilities of the governor in full acting capacity.

Following his return to Nigeria in September, Akeredolu stayed in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital and tried to govern his state from there, leading to public outrage. 

Akeredolu’s wife, Betty announced the suspension of activities lined up to celebrate her 70th birthday.

The Ondo first lady announced the suspension of the activities in Twitter posts after questions were raised over plans to have a fanfare despite her husband’s ill health.

Betty, in a statement via her X handle, said, “Hello Family and Friends. This is to inform you that all activities lined up to mark my 70th birthday are hereby suspended till further notice due to unforeseen circumstances beyond my control. Sorry for any inconvenience caused by this development.

 “Nevertheless, be assured that I will be celebrated in style upon my return. Thank you for your understanding. I remain Arabinrin a.k.a Ada Owere I,” she added.

Hope has worn thin in our dear nation —Bishop Kukah

The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Hassan Matthew Kukah, has asked President Bola Tinubu to establish the payment of compensation to victims of insecurity across the country as a way of getting the State take responsibility for securing its citizens while pointing out that hope has worn thin in Nigeria.

“A culture of compensation to victims must be institutionalised and states must take full responsibility while criminals or those who hide them are fished out. We cannot go on this way,” Bishop Kukah said in his 2023 Christmas message.

Again, Kukah told the President that: “You have promised us a Renewed Hope Agenda, but know that hope has worn thin in our dear nation. Nigerians have almost lost hope in the fact that a government can really and truly care for them.”

The fiery priest also urged the president to purge Nigeria of corrupt public servants if “you are to succeed in any of your dreams of delivering much-needed services to our people.”

“You must rid the public service of criminals who have turned the opportunity to serve into an ignoble enterprise. We concede that there are millions of decent men and women who genuinely wish to serve but are crushed by the deadweight of corrupt ogas at the top who use corruption as their oxygen!”

In the message which he titled Time to reclaim Nigeria’s greatness, Kukah also condemned the war in Gaza noting that some of President Tinubu’s policies had brought suffering to Nigerians.

Read the full message below.

Time to reclaim Nigeria’s greatness

Christmas Message By Bishop Matthew Hassan KUKAH,

Catholic Diocese of Sokoto

1. Muted Joys of Silent Night in Bethlehem:

On the very first Christmas night in Bethlehem, an angel of the Lord announced to the poor and lowly shepherds keeping watch over their flock in the fields that a Saviour had been born. Joined by a multitude of the Hosts of Heaven, the angel blasted the first Christmas carol, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to men and women of goodwill” (Lk. 2:8-14). In Bethlehem, the City of David the Great King, the birthplace of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, there is no celebration of Christmas this year 2023. The “good news of great joy for all the people” (Lk 2:10) which the angel brought to the shepherds is not going to be heard this year by the men, women, and children who are the brothers and sisters of Jesus in Gaza and the whole of Palestine. This is because of a senseless act of violence that has left more than 20,000 people dead, with children and women as the main casualties. Early February this year, Pope Francis reminded us, while visiting the Democratic Republic of Congo, that “Violence against women and mothers is violence against God himself, who from a woman, from a mother, took on our human condition.”

2: Bethlehem: The Manger is in Ruins:

The Christmas crib as we know is embedded in the spirit of Christmas. It usually has the baby Jesus, surrounded by Joseph and Mary along with the goats and the sheep in the manger. Today, however, the crib that lies in the Nativity Church has the baby Jesus buried in rubble, as a metaphor to the destruction that is the reality of today’s holy land. The Parish Priest said the idea is to call attention to the mind-boggling, barbaric, cruel, frightening savagery that has shaken the foundation of Gaza. In other words, if the Magi came looking for Jesus today, the priest noted, they would have to dig through the rubble! Christmas night will be a silent night in Bethlehem. No carols. No lights. No celebrations. The place is a graveyard with the signatures of death, sickness, hunger looming. Yet, we Christians believe that there will be a resurrection. All we need to do is to stay awake in faith.

3. Let Us Look to the East:

Faced with the horrifying shadow of the Cross which has fallen over Palestine, we must pause, bow our heads in sorrow, and pray. For every victim of the ongoing carnage in the Holy Land, we must bend our knees to the Lord in prayer on this Christmas Day, imploring him, “Spare your people, Lord. Do not make your inheritance an object of scorn, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’” (Joel 2:17). May “the Sun of Justice arise with healing in his wings” (Mal. 4:2). May “the Prince of Peace” (Is. 9:6) bring peace to the Land of His birth. May “Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Cor. 1:24) grant wisdom to all working for a peaceful resolution of the conflict in the Holy Land and in all theatres of violence in our world. “May justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream” (Amos 5:24).

4: The Shepherds and God’s Revelation:

For us Christians, the complex mystery of our salvation as manifested in the coming of Jesus can never be fully comprehended by human imagination nor can it be explained by history or philosophy. Christianity itself is a religion of serious ironies that are often seen as scandals in the human imagination. Yet, it is the very things that non-Christians see as scandals that are the bedrock of our faith. A few examples: How, many non-Christians ask, could God become a human being? (Jn. 1:1-14). How can we say that Jesus is the son of God? (Jn 5:19-20). How is it possible for a dead man to rise from the dead? (Jn 2:19, 21-22). If Jesus is God and came from Heaven and is prince of the world, how could he have been born amidst such misery? (Jn 1:11). This irony is further explained in the fact that the birth of Jesus was not announced in the temple to holy Priests at prayer but to poor Shepherds who were out in the misery of a cold winter night. Yet, amidst their vulnerability, God chose them as the first hearers of the good news of the birth of Jesus, the Saviour of the World and the Prince of Peace. In truth, God’s thoughts are not our thoughts, his ways are not our ways (Is. 55:11).

5: The Powerlessness of Power:

Every Christmas seeks to enact this seemingly incomprehensible history of ironies. Yet, rather than diminish, millions of persons around the world continue to give their lives to Jesus daily. Indeed “to all who receive Him He has given the power to become children of God” (Jn 1:12). Despite being sought after, murdered, imprisoned, thrown to wild animals, tortured in bonfires, ridiculed, with no earthly power or resources at their disposal, his almost illiterate followers, firing no human weapon, finally converted the Roman Empire. Their moral authority derived from the gift of the Holy Spirit that Jesus had promised them (Acts 1:8). Today, the irony of His life, his seeming powerlessness by human standards, his rejection of earthly power have offered the world a compass with which to navigate the hills and valleys of life’s uncertainties. For as He declares, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (Jn 14:6). “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Mt. 11:28). “Come and see” (Jn 1:39). “Taste and see that the Lord is good” (Ps 34:8). Christianity has continued to spread despite oppression and persecution even among us in Nigeria. The blood of martyrs has continued to nurture the growth of our faith. To God be glory and power for ever and ever. Amen.

6: The Message of Christmas is Joy not Happiness:

When the angel appeared to the Shepherds to announce the news of the birth of Jesus, he said: Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy for all people (Lk. 2:10). As human beings, we often use Joy with Happiness interchangeably. The two mean different things. For example, Happiness is spontaneous, fleeting, momentary, ephemeral, short-lived and passing, often marked by open gesticulation. Joy on the other hand is very deep, reflective, solemn, awe-inspiring, sacrificial, meditative and often impossible to put into words. Money can buy happiness as we see when a rich man purchases an expensive car, builds a new house or buys a private jet. Yet, none of these can give joy. Money cannot buy sleep or give contentment because the human mind will always want more toys. Happiness is external while joy is internal. Joy guarantees contentment and peace. Joy enables you to swim the tide of tragedy with calmness, knowing that the rainbow of joy banishes the dark clouds of fear, doubt and uncertainty. In his first encyclical, Pope Francis, titled, The Joy of the Gospel, the holy father warned Christians not to allow themselves to be robbed of the joy of the Gospel.

7: Nigeria: A Nation Still in Search of Healing:

The 2023 elections have come and gone, well some might say, not quite. Despite the controversies, most of the processes have been concluded. In the course of the elections and their aftermath of violence, Nigeria did look like a crime scene. We cannot gloss over any of these deep wounds and scars. We must find healing. This is not an easy job for any nation and there are no shortcuts to nation building. However, the last few years did test our collective resolve to stay united. Now, the government must devise strategies for achieving reconciliation which has eluded us. Our injuries are not invisible. Very many national conferences have been held to chart a way forward. The trove of grievances and hopes are there and all the govern needs to do is to dust them up. No need to re-invent the wheel or attempt some new diagnosis.

8: Now, all Eyes on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu:

Mr. President, Sir, congratulations and a happy Christmas. Now, you have what you prayed for, what you dreamt of, what you longed for. For the better part of over twenty years, you have plotted to be our President. For years, you campaigned for a new Nigeria through restructuring or overhauling the defective machinery of the Nigerian state. For years, you fought the military and other forms of dictatorships. For years, you fought for the victims of a deep state. For years, you sought to create an egalitarian society. For years, you sought a just society. For years you have built networks with individuals, communities and institutions. Now is harvest time.

You are on the driving seat now. Under your watch, Nigeria must turn the corner. Under your watch, we must end the ugly instrumentalization of religious, ethnic or regional identities. You have had enough time to think of the answers to many questions that are crying for answers. Your future and that of our country is in your hands. M. President, you have no excuses before God or the people of Nigeria. Neither God nor history will not forgive you if you fail. This is our moment, our date with history. Now, all eyes and ears are on you. Our prayers for a united country are with you.

We have seen the first faltering steps of policy decisions which have elicited a mixture of controversy, anxiety and praise. This is to be expected. You have promised us a Renewed Hope Agenda, but know that hope has worn thin in our dear nation. Nigerians have almost lost hope in the fact that a government can really and truly care for them. Nigerians have lost hope in the fact that our politicians will put our interests first and find a way to deal with the cancer of corruption. We had lost hope in being united again given the seeds of division that had been sown. Ignite our hope again, Sir.

We now have seen some renewed hope in your effort to run an inclusive government. We want an end to partisanship. The problems of Nigeria are deep-seated and they are based on a culture of corruption that has become the foundation stone of governance. This evil structure has to be dismantled. Nigeria’s problems will not be resolved by palliatives. The problems deep and are structural. Please do not be afraid to reset the template of power no matter the cultural or historical myths. We are tired of promises and stories. We want evidence we can see and touch.

Mr. President the killings of Nigerians by whatever name must end and end now. These senseless killings, abductions, extortions and kidnappings have to end and the sacredness and sanctity of human life restored. Blasphemy laws have no place in a democracy. We are not in a theocracy. Those who take life by whatever means must be fished out and punished. A culture of compensation to victims must be institutionalised and states must take full responsibility while criminals or those who hide them are fished out. We cannot go on this way. The seeds of hatred that have sprouted in Gaza show us the consequences of allowing a culture of distorted narratives to grow among us.

You must rid the public service of criminals who have turned the opportunity to serve into an ignoble enterprise. We concede that there are millions of decent men and women who genuinely wish to serve but are crushed by the deadweight of corrupt ogas at the top who use corruption as their oxygen! This surgery must happen if you are to succeed in any of your dreams of delivering much needed services to our people.

To be able to have credibility, your Renewed Hope agenda must be based on a solid foundation of faith and hope for the restoration of glory for our country. Scripture says that Faith is based on things hoped for, evidence of things unseen (Heb.11: 6). So far, a few of your key policies have unleashed a raft of suffering on the masses of our people. There must be a deliberate effort to restore hope on the faces of the poor and vulnerable in our society. We have heard the familiar stories of empty treasuries, and the efforts at investigations. We wait to see if anything will be different. Lay the foundation for ending the unnecessary sufferings of our people.

9: To all Nigerians:

I appeal to you all, let us stay the course in hope. God will do great things for our nation, but we each must renew our commitment towards self-examination and repentance. Good politics and good politicians can bring about change, but all of these require the commitment and honesty of citizens to be honest at all levels. I therefore call on Christians in particular in this season to become real models of our faith. Heed the words of Jesus to be, salt of the earth and light of the world (Mt. 5:13). The call to be a Christian is not a call to join an Association or a Club. The fourteenth century English poet Alexander Pope who said, “Christ may be born a thousand times in Bethlehem, but if he is not born in your heart, his birth has no meaning for you.”

It is Christmas! Sing with Bobby McFerrin, Don’t worry, be happy. Eat rice, have picnics, dance and drink mildly. But beyond that, let us find Joy. Roll up your sleeves and let us start the building of a nation of unfinished greatness called Nigeria. We can, we should and we must.

I know that our hope in our nation has been severely put to the test, but we must renew our faith in God. When the cylinder of the oxygen of hope seems drained, listen to Prophet Isaiah who said: Have you not heard, do you not know? The Lord gives power to the faint and to him who has no might, he increases his strength. Even the youth faint and are weary, and young men fall exhausted. But they who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint (Is. 40: 28-31).

10: Our Lady Queen of Nigeria, Pray for Us

At the heart of this celebration is the Virgin Mother of Jesus, a symbol of the purity of womanhood, a symbol of obedience and a reminder of the sacred womb that bore Jesus whom we celebrate today. May she intercede for our dear country. May our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ let the glory of God shine in us and our country. Peace to the world, peace to Gaza and a blessed Christmas to you all.

We need purposeful leadership to chart the course for rebuilding our nation —Maikyau, SAN

Dear Colleagues,

 Christmas is the season when we commemorate and celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ – a fulfilment of the prophesies of about 750 years prior, for the specific cause stated therein; to redeem mankind from the sinful nature and its consequences, occasioned by the fall through Adam which led to spiritual death – separation from God (Adam was separated from God). By this, all men took on the nature of sin and suffered spiritual death. But God, through Jesus Christ, in His death, burial and resurrection accomplished the redemptive, reconciliatory work and by that, gave to all mankind the gift of eternal life. This gift, when accepted establishes the reconciliation between divinity and humanity; transforms and translates one from the dominion of darkness to the kingdom of God’s Dear Son, Jesus Christ. This gift of eternal life is primarily given for the purpose of bringing all men to Christ and to the knowledge of the truth. We must therefore graduate from our traditional celebration of Christmas, where we focus on the festivities, merriments, and celebrations, to making the season a time of stock-taking; assessing the use to which we have put the gift of eternal life that we have in-Christ. Our nation, no doubt, is passing through difficult times. The peace of the nation is greatly challenged, the economy is struggling despite huge human and natural resources at our disposal as a nation. We need purposeful leadership to chart the course for rebuilding our nation. We must, without abdicating our civic responsibilities and the need to apply ourselves fully from the human standpoint to the business of recovering, reforming, and repositioning our nation, pay very close attention to the command in the scripture, that we pray for our leaders without any qualification. The combination of our honest, purposeful, and sincere work as a people, with the discharge of our divine obligation to pray for our leaders for wisdom, courage, boldness, and discernment, will no doubt lead us to the productive nation that we all desire to build. As we go into the New Year, 2024, let us do so with a renewed vigour, energy, focus and hope for a better nation. We must continue to civilly engage and demand for the discharge of all constitutional responsibilities entrusted on our leaders for the benefit of the people of this nation. Nigeria must succeed, Nigeria cannot fail under our watch, and I call on all Nigerians to brace up for the challenges ahead. Let us make the necessary sacrifices for the future of our nation. On their own part, our leaders must from their actions, convince Nigerians that the sacrifices and sufferings of today are to bring about a better future for us and the generation to come.   To all my colleagues, let us commit to our primary call of giving direction to the people and advancing the cause of Nigeria, as our default mode to Nigeria’s nation building. I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a glorious 2024 and beyond. Long Live the Nigerian Bar Association!Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!!May God Bless the Good and Hardworking People of Nigeria!!! 

 Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, OON, SANPRESIDENT

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