Category: News

Ukandi Odey, Jos

Plateau State Governor, Barr Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has said the spirit of the Plateau people to survive as one is not broken in spite of the coordinated terrorist attacks on Mangu, Bokkos, and Barkin Ladi local government areas that left more than 70 dead and several others injured on the Holly Night of 2023 Christmas.

Speaking on an international news channel monitored in Jos this morning, a sober and gloomy Governor Mutfwang said the nature of orchestration of the attacks, and the use of heavy and sophisticated weaponry suggest that the attacks are being sponsored, and to find an enduring solution to the challenge, the Federal Government should have the political will to deploy and unravel the sponsors, and arrest and prosecute them.
Explaining why these attacks on communities in Plateau continue to reoccur in spite of previous peace talks and initiatives, Mutfwang said although the efforts made by his administration since he took over about seven months ago had restored peace substantially, it also appears that “some people are not happy with the progress we have made so far”.

Pointing out that the response to distress calls by the security agencies when the attacks started on Sunday night were passable in average, he also reiterated the need for security reinforcement and equipping as the latest experience of these attacks show clearly that the terrorists are armed with state-of-the-art weapons, and could resist state security with superior fire power.

Mutfwang also pointed out that the security challenges of the region are daunting and even overwhelming, hence the need to upgrade training of troops and recruiting more to respond adequately to growing security demands.
Regretting that innocent people, including women and children, had to die in such gruesome and savage circumstances, the governor said it is discernible that the motive of the perpetrators of these deadly campaigns is land grabbing and forceful take over and occupation, adding however that as a government and civilize people, the state urges those who want to acquire land anywhere in the state to follow due land acquisition regulations, discuss with the people, and accept to respect their values system.

Saying the sponsors and perpetrators of these attacks are not spirits but certainly people lurking within, Mutfwang explained that the trend over the years indicate that once attacks are carried out and the natives and home owners are displaced, the attackers and their collaborators move in and take over such homes.

He said the situation is so bad that over 67 communities, including primary schools and primary health centers, are being forcefully occupied and kept out of public use.
Governor Mutfwang, who commended the security agencies for their counter offensive that staved the terrorists’ plan for a more comprehensive and devastating damage, said the situation would have been more deadly but for the timely and determined efforts of the security that repelled the attackers.
Nevertheless, according to Mutfwang, to bring this challenge under control, the security agencies have to be mobilized, equipped, and deployed “to be more proactive than reactionary, if these criminal elements must be flushed out our mist”.

Expressing hope that he would be meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to discuss the development and subsisting security challenges in Plateau, the Governor also said the government is taking responsibility for the medicals of those injured in the attacks, including security personnel, who are receiving treatment in different hospitals.

He said despite the challenges, the people of Plateau are undaunted, as he solicited prayers to back up the resolve of his administration to secure Plateau as “the home of peace and tourism”.

Former Military Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida, has shared that his experience during the Nigerian Civil War was neither pleasant nor palatable. Popularly known as IBB, he recounted fighting alongside classmates and colleagues who were on the opposing side, making the situation deeply saddening.

In an interview with Search FM, a radio station in Minna, the capital of Niger State, Babangida expressed that the wartime experience was uncomfortable but deemed necessary for the purpose of uniting the country.

He remarked, “It’s not a very nice experience I must say. First of all, you had people you went to school with, people you trained with, people who were your friends; suddenly, as a result of the war, you find yourselves facing each other on opposite sides. It was not very comfortable, but then, we had to do it. The purpose was to unite the country, to keep it one, not to break it. So that’s the uniquely sad aspect of a civil war, and I pray it never happens again.”

Babangida also shared that if he hadn’t pursued a military career, he would have become a civil engineer. He highlighted one of his achievements as serving the country to the best of his ability, acknowledging that it may not be universally satisfactory but leaving the judgment to history. Additionally, he emphasized that he related well with the people of the country, traveled extensively, made friends nationwide, and considered this as one of his greatest achievements.

By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna

Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah has said blasphemy laws has no place in democracy as long as Nigerians are not in a theocracy.

He also strongly advised President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria to lay the foundation for the discontinuation of unnecessary sufferings of Nigerians, saying Nigerians are tired of promises and stories and want evidence they can see and touch.

Bishop Kukah who made the assertions in a Christmas message entitled, “Time to Reclaim Nigeria’s Greatness”, noted that the problems of country are deep and are structural, calling on President Bola Tinubu not to 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”, he lamented.

Kukah also called on the President to stop the killings of Nigerians by whatever name, saying, that is a must end, and now.

“These senseless killings, abductions, extortions and kidnappings have to end and the sacredness and sanctity of human life restored.

According to him, “blasphemy laws have no place in a democracy” adding that Nigerians 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 institutionalized and states must take full responsibility while criminals or those who hide them are fished out.

A member of Nigeria Peace committee, Kukah noted “We cannot go on this way as the seeds of hatred that have sprouted in Gaza show us the consequences of allowing a culture of distorted narratives to grow among us.

He also asserted that President Bola Tinubu 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 dead weight of corrupt oga’s at the top who use corruption as their oxygen!

He also told the President that this surgery must happen, “if you are to succeed in any of your dreams of delivering much-needed services to our people.

He also took a swipe on the 2023 elections and its consequences on the nation, and called on leaders to as a matter of urgency start the healing process as soon as possible.

“Our injuries are not invisible. Very many National Conferences have been held to chart a way forward. The trove of grievances and hopes is there and all the government needs to do is to dust them up. No need to reinvent the wheel or attempt some new diagnosis.

“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.

”Mr 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.

“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. 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.

To this end, he charged the President to “Lay the foundation for ending the unnecessary sufferings of our people”

Kukah also appealed to Nigerians to continue to have faith in the country and 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.

“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’s not born in your heart, his birth has no meaning for you, as far as he’s concern.

The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has urged recently promoted military officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces to take decisive actions to bring an end to insecurity in the country. In his congratulatory message, Matawalle emphasized the expectations of the Nigerian people, urging the new generals to use their leadership, strategic vision, and dedication to restore peace, unity, and prosperity to the nation.

Addressing the critical role the promoted officers are poised to play in addressing insecurity challenges, Matawalle stated, “As you ascend to higher ranks, the nation places an even greater trust in your capabilities. I charge each of you to redouble your efforts and collaborate across services to decisively tackle the security challenges facing our country.”

He acknowledged that their promotions were a recognition of their unwavering dedication and meritorious service to the nation, reflecting the values of discipline, bravery, and professionalism within the Nigeria Armed Forces. Expressing confidence in their abilities to lead with integrity, courage, and excellence, Matawalle reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to providing the Armed Forces with the necessary resources and support.

A comprehensive security report reveals that between May 31 and December 24, 2023, Nigeria experienced 4,258 incidents of insecurity across 573 local government areas (LGAs). The data, compiled by indigenous security firm Beacon Consulting, highlights the impact of non-state actors, resulting in 5,691 fatalities and 2,719 kidnappings during this period. The military successfully rescued 721 of the kidnapped victims.

Breaking down the incidents on a monthly basis, the report indicates that May saw 13 fatalities, four kidnappings, and six injuries. In June, 854 lives were lost, 239 were kidnapped, and 158 sustained injuries. July recorded 597 fatalities, 330 kidnappings, and 140 injuries caused by non-state actors.

August witnessed 615 deaths, 369 kidnappings, and 215 injuries, while September reported 594 fatalities, 348 abductions, and 217 injuries. October recorded 1,164 deaths, 518 kidnappings, and 584 injuries. November saw 1,309 lives lost, 464 kidnappings, and 334 injuries. Up to December 24, at least 545 people were killed, 434 were kidnapped, and 248 sustained injuries.

In response, the military conducted operations rescuing a total of 1,987 kidnapped citizens between June and December 24, 2023. This included 721 rescues between June and August, and an additional 228, 127, 412, and 499 rescues from September to December 24.

Security expert Jackson Ojo emphasized the need for economic improvement to address the root causes of insecurity. Ojo stated that the issue had been inherited, linking it to economic hardship and poverty. He stressed the importance of political will to combat criminality effectively, emphasizing the role of security agencies in maintaining national security.

By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna

It was a horrific Christmas when armed terrorists reportedly invaded and killed 76 persons in fresh attacks on several communities of Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi local government areas of Plateau state.

The Transition Implementation Committee Chairman of Bokkos local government area, Monday Kasa, who confirmed the story said that the coordinated attacks occurred on Saturday and lasted into Christmas Eve when residents were already in the festive mood.

The local government boss explained further that the casualty figures is increasing as more dead bodies are been recovered by the team of security personnel, local vigilantes and hunters who are still going through the bushes combing the communities in search of missing persons who were ambushed during the attacks.

He added that several houses were set ablaze by the attackers who also looted farm produce and destroyed properties in the process.

“Several houses were said to have been set ablaze by the attackers who also looted farm produce and destroyed properties in the process”, he stated.

The unprovoked attacks attracted the attention of Governor Caleb Mutfwang, who condemned the act and called for swift action and community vigilance in the communities.

In a statement signed by the Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere, the governor directed security agencies to promptly apprehend the perpetrators responsible for the heinous acts and ensure they face the full force of the law.

The governor also urged members of communities across the state to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to security operatives for immediate action.

Both the police force and the joint security task force Operation Safe Haven are yet to comment on the attacks as rescue operations are ongoing at the affected communities.

In a heartbreaking incident on Christmas Day, nine passengers lost their lives in a road accident along the Ikirun/Offa Expressway in Inisa, Osun State. The fatal crash occurred when a truck, transporting bags of beans and passengers from Niger State to Edo State, veered off the road and into the bush.

The truck, which reportedly lost control, resulted in the instant death of nine individuals. The tragic incident unfolded at Yidi Junction, Inisa, in the early hours of Monday. The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) confirmed the details, with the Public Relations Officer, Kehinde Adeleke, providing information about the accident.

Adeleke stated that the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) promptly responded, evacuating the three injured passengers to Orotunde Hospital in Ikirun. Meanwhile, the bodies of the deceased were deposited at the hospital’s morgue. Additionally, the bags of beans and the involved vehicle were removed from the accident site and taken to Inisa Police Divisional Headquarters.

Mr. Philip Agbese, the Deputy Spokesman of the House of Representatives, has appealed to Nigerians to continue praying for President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly, emphasizing the importance of these prayers for the successful delivery of services to the nation.

In a special Christmas message, Agbese underscored the biblical teaching urging Christians to pray for those in authority, stating that such prayers have significant impact. Rather than engaging in criticism or murmuring, Agbese emphasized the Christian obligation to pray for leaders at all levels, wishing for their wellness, good judgment, safety, grace, and success.

Regarding security, the deputy spokesperson expressed gratitude to the military for their successes against insurgents and credited the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, for leading efforts to reduce insurgencies and banditry in Nigeria. Agbese commended the armed forces’ commitment, acknowledging that Nigerians are celebrating Christmas in a more peaceful environment this year.

He called on Nigerians to appreciate the sacrifices of the security and armed forces, urging support, prayers, and expressions of love for those dedicated to keeping the country safe. Agbese emphasized the need for collective responsibility in supporting those who work tirelessly, day and night, to maintain security in Nigeria.

By Odey Ukandi

May we note with dismay the lethargic manner governments at all levels have responded to this crisis. It is regrettable that in the face of an international crisis such as this which threatens the territorial integrity of our country, the response of the Federal Govt has been tragically slow and sluggish.

As we speak, neither soldiers nor any other security forces are on ground in Belegete. So the place remains open to be further ravaged and plundered by that marauding band of Ambazonia terrorists from Cameroon.

In fact, even NEMA, the national intervention agency in crisis like this one is not yet on ground in Belegete more than 2 weeks after our people were savagely brutalized, chased out of their homes, and rendered destitute without food and shelter.

We are reasonably sure that this kind of lethargy in responding to the crisis could not have occured if it were anywhere else other than in Cross River State.

The people of Cross River North Senatorial District deprecate in vehement terms the apparent neglect of the welfare and interest of Cross River State by the Federal Government.

We fear that it was this kind of attitude that led to the ceding of Bakasi to Cameroon a few years back with the attendant displacement of our people and colossal loss of revenue to the State. We of the Cross River North wish to stress that we would not, under any circumstances, cede any inch of our ancestral homes to anyone, groups or country.

We therefore implore Mr. President to urgently direct the Military and relevant agencies to pay attention to the crisis in Belegete not only to ensure that no inch of our land is lost , but also to guarantee that our people are restored to their homes and they resume living peacefully in their community duly protected by our national security agencies as it is the case in all our international boundaries.

We consider it imperative to also call on the Cross River State Government and the State Emergency Management Agency, particularly, to deploy men and materials to Belegete to address this emergency to ameliorate the hardship our people are going through at the moment as a result of the mindless destruction of their homes and property.

May we end by assuring you, our brothers and sisters of Belegete that the people of Cross River North that we represent stand with you and share your agony and shall continue to identify with you every step of the way until this crisis is fully resolved.

In this regard, it is pertinent to state that this intervention is just the first phase. Your brothers and sisters under the auspices of Who is Who in Cross River North are still pooling funds together from far and near to help you. We are therefore optimistic that early in the new year we shall be back here to carry out the next phase of the intervention to address some specific needs that may arise from our interaction with you today.

Once again, we bring you sympathy and warm compliments from your brothers and sisters across the length and breadth of Cross River North Senatorial District, from those at home as well as those in diaspora.

We consider this crisis most unfortunate and it is our hope and prayer that the crisis will be resolved quickly so that you will all return to your homes and reorganise your lives.

We wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

Signed: for Who Is Who in Cross River North

HRH Chief Mrs Martina Odom Chairman

Prof Joseph Ushie Alt.Chairman