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Some young Nigerians have explained the reasons why they will never join the  Nigerian Army. 

The Army as well as the Nigerian Air Force recently called on Nigerians to enrol for their recruitment exercises. 

Bashir Ahmad, an aide to President Muhammadu Buhari, had in a Twitter post on Monday said Nigerians who 
who possess a minimum of secondary school leaving certificate can apply for the army's exercise. 

But in interviews with SaharaReporters, a cross-section of secondary school leavers said they would rather pursue another career, citing the risks involved and lack of adequate equipment to fight enemies, particularly insurgents.

Ebuka Emmanuel, a secondary school leaver, said: "I won't join the army because looking at the soldiers, they are not well equipped to face the enemy. They don't pay them well and then there is stress involved. They keep deploying someone from state to state. Being in the army also makes one the enemy of some 'street boys.'”

Also speaking, Ekenne, another secondary school leaving certificate holder, said: "Soldiers face lots of risks
For me, I don't want to join the army because there is a lot of risks there. I have other dreams, many other important things in my life than that. It's something that can take one's life at any time. I don't want to join."

On his part, Charles Njoku, said: "It's not my calling. Army! There's something we refer to as 'calling'. Being in the army is not my calling, my calling is in other stuff. If I join the army now, only God knows what will happen, I might die soon. I know they might be making good money, taking care of their families and all but I don't want to join."

In the same vein, Eniola Anthony, a female secondary school leaver, said: "I’m going to further my studies. No, I wouldn't want to enrol in the Nigerian army because I don't like the profession. I’m going to university to take a course in education. I don't like the sight and sound of guns. Irrespective of how much people are being paid, I don't like the job. Nigerian Army is not for someone like me.”

Just like others, Rejoice Okolo, said "I wouldn’t want to join the army, I love the teaching profession and I will rather be in the classroom than on the front. Joining the army is like a waste of time for me, it is also stressful. I don't want to be in the army whether in Nigeria or abroad, even if they will pay me well, I don't want to. I choose academic work over military work.

“I am also a patriot by contributing positively to the education sector. I want to be a professor, be in the academia, and be fulfilled.”

Toeing the same line, Peculiar Iyalode said: “I don't want to do that kind of job, I do not dream of becoming a soldier. The job is stressful, I am scared of guns. I am going to the higher institution instead.”

According to Anu Ojo, her parents will never allow her to join the army. 

She said such a plan would also affect her plans. 

"My Parents Will Never Approve of it. No, I can’t join the army, not in Nigeria, I would rather go to a higher institution to further my studies than join the army. Even my parents will not allow me to join the army. I have other dreams and aspirations. Being in the army will destroy my plan. Well, it is a matter of choice but for me, I can't join.”

Hassan Oluwatimileyin, however, took a contrary stance, stating that she would not mind joining the army.

She, however, said that would be determined by how easy the recruitment process is.

“Yes, I would like to join. If they make the entry process easier. I began to have a strong passion for a military career when I fully understood the difference between right and wrong but, their entry process is not encouraging," she said.

“There are lots of things to do to complete the required demands. This discouraged me. I had to change my plan.”

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The Kano State Police Command has arrested a senior official with the state's Hisbah board after he was allegedly caught with a married woman in a hotel.

According to Freedom Radio Kano, the official was arrested in the Sabon Gari area of the city. His name was not immediately mentioned, but he was described only as police chief when the matter featured on Freedom FM’s popular magazine programme “Inda Ranka”.

File photo used to illustrate story.

The arrested commander is said to be in charge of arresting beggars and prostitutes in Kano metro area. He was taken into custody after the husband of the woman with whom he allegedly had an affair filed complaints. 

According to the station, Kano Hisbah Commander, Muhammed Haruna, while describing the incident as unfortunate, said a two-man committee had been set up to investigate the matter. 

Hisbah officers regularly arrest unmarried people caught in hotels, presumably for sexual activities, as part of their enforcement of the Sharia. 

Established to enforce Sharia, Hisbah recently banned stylish haircuts, sagging of trousers, playing of music at social events by disk jockeys and seized tricycles from riders for adorning them with pictures considered to be obscene and against the tenents of Islam in some states. 

Hisbah also banned commercial motorcycle and tricycle riders from carrying two women at a time.

This was in addition to other unusual directives reeled out by the Islamic police.

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The Osun State chapter of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has berated the 45-year-old National President of the association, Sunday Asefon, for backing the decision of President Muhammadu Buhari to extend the tenure of Mohammed Adamu as Inspector-General of Police for three months.

Asefon had on Monday, during a news conference in Abuja, faulted the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) for instituting legal action against the Presidency, claiming that the tension precipitated by the pervasive insecurity in the country requires that the President exercise discretion in the appointment of a new IGP.

Sunday Asefon

He insisted that the intention of the President, which he said was to avoid a hasty appointment that would aggravate the already tensed situation, should be applauded rather than condemned.

Asefon also dismissed a news report that the IGP purportedly paid N2 billion as a bribe to some persons in the Presidency to extend his tenure in office.

Reacting in a statement by its Chairman, Agbogunleri Seun Michael, and Secretary, Ogunsakin Oluwafemi Sunday, Osun NANS JCC said it was shameful that Asefon who ought to free members of his association from intellectual enslavement was defending fraud.

It asked the NANS President to channel his activism to where it is needed.

The statement read, “The attention of the leadership of NANS JCC OSUN AXIS has just be drawn to a press statement credited to NANS National Secretariat under the leadership of Comrade Asefon Sunday throwing his weight behind the President, Muhammadu Buhari, on the extension of the IGP, Adamu Muhammed.

“National Association of Nigeria Students, Osun Axis, dissociates itself from the shameful and irresponsible statement credited to our national secretariat. We are using this medium to dissociate this axis from this reckless statement and it does not represent the interest of our axis and by extension thousands of students who are victims of brutality and unprofessional attitudes of the Nigeria Police Force under the command of the arrogant Mohammed Adamu.

“We want to remind the NANS-NQTRS that great Nigerian students are victims of harassment, extortion, intimidation, and dehumanisation from the supposed security agency. It is shameful that an association that is supposed to free its members from intellectual enslavement is defending fraud.

“With police brutality running rampant in campuses in Nigeria, and protests breaking out across the country, I don't expect a students association to be supporting tenure elongation of Mr Muhammed Adamu.

“The level of inhumanity is just unbearable. Many students have lost their precious lives during confrontations with the Nigeria Police Force on the barricades. National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) should channel their activism to where it is needed. Nigerian petrol price sells at N175 per litre but NANS, a pressure group, refused to talk.

“Nigeria’s educational system is in assorted crises of infrastructural decay, neglect, waste of resources and sordid conditions of service. Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) suddenly increased the electricity tariff from 30.23 naira for one kWh (kilowatt unit of energy per hour) to as much as 62.33 naira per kWh. Where is our organisation?

“Adamu was due to retire from the police on February 1 having spent a maximum of 35 years in service. National Association of Nigerian Students should come out to play her expected role to salvage this country from sinking.”

President Buhari had on February 4 extended the tenure of Adamu in contrary to the provisions of the Police Act 2020, which in Section 7 (6) fixes a single term of four years without an option of extension of tenure for the holder of the office of the Inspector-General of Police.

“A person appointed to the office of the Inspector-General of Police shall hold office for four years,” it read.

Section 18 (8) of the Act signed by the President on September 15, 2020, also read, “Every police officer shall, on recruitment or appointment, serve in the police force for 35 years or until he attains the age of 60 years, whichever is earlier.”

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The Osun State chapter of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has berated the 45-year-old National President of the association, Sunday Asefon, for backing the decision of President Muhammadu Buhari to extend the tenure of Mohammed Adamu as Inspector-General of Police for three months.

Asefon had on Monday, during a news conference in Abuja, faulted the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) for instituting legal action against the Presidency, claiming that the tension precipitated by the pervasive insecurity in the country requires that the President exercise discretion in the appointment of a new IGP.

Sunday Asefon

He insisted that the intention of the President, which he said was to avoid a hasty appointment that would aggravate the already tensed situation, should be applauded rather than condemned.

Asefon also dismissed a news report that the IGP purportedly paid N2 billion as a bribe to some persons in the Presidency to extend his tenure in office.

Reacting in a statement by its Chairman, Agbogunleri Seun Michael, and Secretary, Ogunsakin Oluwafemi Sunday, Osun NANS JCC said it was shameful that Asefon who ought to free members of his association from intellectual enslavement was defending fraud.

It asked the NANS President to channel his activism to where it is needed.

The statement read, “The attention of the leadership of NANS JCC OSUN AXIS has just be drawn to a press statement credited to NANS National Secretariat under the leadership of Comrade Asefon Sunday throwing his weight behind the President, Muhammadu Buhari, on the extension of the IGP, Adamu Muhammed.

“National Association of Nigeria Students, Osun Axis, dissociates itself from the shameful and irresponsible statement credited to our national secretariat. We are using this medium to dissociate this axis from this reckless statement and it does not represent the interest of our axis and by extension thousands of students who are victims of brutality and unprofessional attitudes of the Nigeria Police Force under the command of the arrogant Mohammed Adamu.

“We want to remind the NANS-NQTRS that great Nigerian students are victims of harassment, extortion, intimidation, and dehumanisation from the supposed security agency. It is shameful that an association that is supposed to free its members from intellectual enslavement is defending fraud.

“With police brutality running rampant in campuses in Nigeria, and protests breaking out across the country, I don't expect a students association to be supporting tenure elongation of Mr Muhammed Adamu.

“The level of inhumanity is just unbearable. Many students have lost their precious lives during confrontations with the Nigeria Police Force on the barricades. National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) should channel their activism to where it is needed. Nigerian petrol price sells at N175 per litre but NANS, a pressure group, refused to talk.

“Nigeria’s educational system is in assorted crises of infrastructural decay, neglect, waste of resources and sordid conditions of service. Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) suddenly increased the electricity tariff from 30.23 naira for one kWh (kilowatt unit of energy per hour) to as much as 62.33 naira per kWh. Where is our organisation?

“Adamu was due to retire from the police on February 1 having spent a maximum of 35 years in service. National Association of Nigerian Students should come out to play her expected role to salvage this country from sinking.”

President Buhari had on February 4 extended the tenure of Adamu in contrary to the provisions of the Police Act 2020, which in Section 7 (6) fixes a single term of four years without an option of extension of tenure for the holder of the office of the Inspector-General of Police.

“A person appointed to the office of the Inspector-General of Police shall hold office for four years,” it read.

Section 18 (8) of the Act signed by the President on September 15, 2020, also read, “Every police officer shall, on recruitment or appointment, serve in the police force for 35 years or until he attains the age of 60 years, whichever is earlier.”

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Lieutenant General Azubuike Ihejirika, former Chief of Army Staff under ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, has joined the All Progressives Congress.

The ex-Army Chief declared his membership of the APC at his Isuikwuato country home in Abia North Senatorial District on Tuesday.

He thereafter participated in the party's ongoing registration and revalidation exercise at Ezere Ward 2 where he registered.

His registration was conducted by the APC Ward Chairman, Iheanyi Chukwu, in the presence of several party stalwarts of the party, including Orji Uzor Kalu.

According to Ihejirika, who served as COAS from 2010-2014 under Jonathan, his coming into the APC is to contribute to the progress of the party in the state and at the national level.

The former COAS said having served in the Army for almost 38 years, it is important for him to be in politics with all the sufficient experience gathered over the years. 

He said he would contribute to the democracy of the nation and the fortunes of the party.

He said: "I am delighted by the presence of the leader of the party in our state, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, to honour this event.

“Having served almost 38 years in the military, I am convinced that it will be a waste of experience for me to remain outside government activities.

“Thus is because I have a lot to offer and assure you all that I will operate an open-door policy.

“I will also learn fast. My first goal is to unite the party. Unity is very important because if we are united, we can achieve all our goals for the state and the nation at large.”

On his part, Kalu, who is the APC leader in Abia State, commended the former COAS. 

The senator had in November 2020 urged Ihejirika to join the party.

Kalu said, “General Ihejirika’s decision to join us today in the APC is no doubt a great one and I must commend him for taking the bold step after over a year of convincing him to join the party.

“He should be assured that his membership in our party will be a very fruitful one. I am loyal to the party."

The development comes around the same time a former governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel, also dumped the Peoples Democratic Party for the APC.

The ex-governor of Ogun had earlier claimed that the move was in the best interest of “our people”.

In a related development, ex-deputy Governor of Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore, defected to the APC from the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

Ihejirika's APC move comes at a time when the spotlight has continued to beam on Jonathan over the pressure being put on him by APC to also join the ruling party.

Top sources within the APC had told SaharaReporters that the party was considering giving a joint ticket to Jonathan and Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, for the 2023 presidential election.

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Lieutenant General Azubuike Ihejirika, former Chief of Army Staff under ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, has joined the All Progressives Congress.

The ex-Army Chief declared his membership of the APC at his Isuikwuato country home in Abia North Senatorial District on Tuesday.

He thereafter participated in the party's ongoing registration and revalidation exercise at Ezere Ward 2 where he registered.

His registration was conducted by the APC Ward Chairman, Iheanyi Chukwu, in the presence of several party stalwarts of the party, including Orji Uzor Kalu.

According to Ihejirika, who served as COAS from 2010-2014 under Jonathan, his coming into the APC is to contribute to the progress of the party in the state and at the national level.

The former COAS said having served in the Army for almost 38 years, it is important for him to be in politics with all the sufficient experience gathered over the years. 

He said he would contribute to the democracy of the nation and the fortunes of the party.

He said: "I am delighted by the presence of the leader of the party in our state, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, to honour this event.

“Having served almost 38 years in the military, I am convinced that it will be a waste of experience for me to remain outside government activities.

“Thus is because I have a lot to offer and assure you all that I will operate an open-door policy.

“I will also learn fast. My first goal is to unite the party. Unity is very important because if we are united, we can achieve all our goals for the state and the nation at large.”

On his part, Kalu, who is the APC leader in Abia State, commended the former COAS. 

The senator had in November 2020 urged Ihejirika to join the party.

Kalu said, “General Ihejirika’s decision to join us today in the APC is no doubt a great one and I must commend him for taking the bold step after over a year of convincing him to join the party.

“He should be assured that his membership in our party will be a very fruitful one. I am loyal to the party."

The development comes around the same time a former governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel, also dumped the Peoples Democratic Party for the APC.

The ex-governor of Ogun had earlier claimed that the move was in the best interest of “our people”.

In a related development, ex-deputy Governor of Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore, defected to the APC from the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

Ihejirika's APC move comes at a time when the spotlight has continued to beam on Jonathan over the pressure being put on him by APC to also join the ruling party.

Top sources within the APC had told SaharaReporters that the party was considering giving a joint ticket to Jonathan and Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, for the 2023 presidential election.

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Akinade Ajani, Baale of Shasha community in the Akinyele Local Government Area of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, has identified eight persons as mischief-makers in the community.

According to the PUNCH, the traditional ruler said peace and calm had started to return to the once crisis-ridden community.

The Yoruba and Hausa communities clashed in a popular market in the area last Friday, resulting in the death of some residents, destruction of properties, and displacement of people in the area.

Consequently, the state governor, Seyi Makinde, ordered the closure of the market and enjoined the warring factions to embrace peace and dialogue.

Makinde also led some northern governors to the leaders of the Yoruba and Hausa communities in the market on Tuesday.
See Also Trade I Lost Over N20million To Shasa Crisis, Not Going Back There— Market's Traders Association Chairman 0 Comments 1 Hour Ago

The governors are Kebbi State Governor, Abubakar Bagudu; Kano State Governor, Abdulahi Ganduje; Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle; and Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sanni.

Speaking after meeting with the governors, the traditional ruler of the Shasha community said he told the governor to root out the eight mischief-makers bent on disrupting the now-returning tranquility in the area.

Ajani said, “There can be smooth co-existence once again between the Yoruba and Hausa communities in Shasha. There are just about eight persons causing the commotion. Once the eight persons leave this place, other residents will live harmoniously.”

The traditional ruler, who didn’t disclose the names of the eight persons, insisted that “those causing commotion in Shasha must leave the community, whether Hausa or Yoruba indigenes”.

“These eight persons pursue their selfish interests. I told the governors all these when they visited today and they assured me that they would work on it,” he added.

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The Chairman of Shasha Traders Association (STA), Alhaji Usman Nyako, on Tuesday said he lost more than N20 million to the crisis in the Shasha market in the Akinyele Local Government Area of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The crisis, which occurred in the Shasha market last Thursday, led to loss of lives and property. 

Nyako, who has been the chairman of the market for three years, said even if the crisis is resolved, he will not return to the Shasha market again because of what he experienced. 

The businessman, who deals in tomatoes, said the day the crisis started, he had made over N10 million in his shop. 

He added that his house, cars and trucks were set ablaze.

Nyako, who said he left his house with only one piece of clothing, commended the Kano State government for donating N100,000 to each of the about 200 indigenes of the state affected by the crisis.

He said, "I am not going back to that place again. Many people were killed in my presence. I lost my house, money, and even cars and trucks. As the chairman, I can only blame the crisis on the insincerity of some of our people."

He urged the government at all levels to come to the rescue of the victims, saying many have been displaced.

Another victim, Kabiru Tambuwal, described the incident as unfortunate and embarrassing.

"I am a small boy. As little as I am here, I lost over N1 million to the crisis. I am a pepper seller. My boss lost everything he had to the crisis. Some of my friends were killed while some have gone back to Kano. We cannot go back to Shasha again," he said

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Not less than seven children are feared dead in an explosion that rocked Magami village in the Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The Commissioner for Security and Home Affairs in the state, Abubakar Dauran, while confirming the incident said the victims ignorantly picked an explosive device in the bush when they went searching for firewood.

File photo

According to Channels TV, it exploded when they were playing it and six were said to have died instantly while others were left with various degrees of injury. 

Those who sustained injuries were immediately taken to an undisclosed hospital in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, for treatment.

Dauran later got information that one of the victims taken to the hospital also died, pushing the number of deaths to seven. 

He said the state had put measures in place to prevent future occurrences of the such an incident.

Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police, Abutu Yaro, has created 10 additional police outstations in different villages of the state.

He has also positioned tactical and conventional police personnel to the recently created outstations to promptly respond to distress calls and offer effective and efficient security services to the communities so that members of the public can have confidence to go about their various activities.

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The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has recommended the creation of a Nigerian government agency that will regulate the activities of herdsmen.

Malami said this while delivering his address as a special guest of honour at the Peace, Unity, and Security Lecture Series at the ECOWAS main auditorium, Abuja on Tuesday.

Abubakar Malami

The minister admitted that the crisis between herders and farmers had become a pressing issue and steps were needed to be taken to tackle it.

According to Punch, he also said there was a need to revitalise the Nomadic Education Commission.

He stated, “Nigeria is predominately agricultural in nature and by geography. To that extent, there is constant mobility of herders across the different belts of Nigeria. It is perhaps time to consider the setting-up of a commission for pastoralism regulated by law.

“This might provide recipes for resolving protracted farmer-herder conflicts. The commission may even engage in or facilitate in-depth analytical studies with a view to providing lasting solutions for the benefit of people and the country.”

He also called for the “revamping of the activities of the Nomadic Education Commission with a view to complementing the efforts of the government in resolving the farmer-herder clashes.” 

Malami restated the commitment of the Nigerian government in supporting initiatives and programmes that would help resolve the lingering farmer-herder crises in the country.

The AGF argued that some of the ways for a peaceful Nigeria include strict adherence to the rule of law, respecting the sanctity of the fundamental human rights in all ramifications, including freedom of movement and the right of citizens to stay at whatever part of the country they choose to and other provisions as contained in Chapter 4 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria remain fulcrum for a peaceful society.

‌
The minister said the farmer-herder crisis is real, adding that it requires real-time and practically-oriented solutions.

He stated, “The better approach towards resolving the crisis over the short, medium and long terms is to directly involve the stakeholders in coming up with solutions at the conception, implementation and monitoring faces.”

Malami also recommended the creation of regulated grazing reserves to replace the “Burtali” or “Hurumi” pastoral system.

He called for the “intensive enlightenment to livestock breeders on the need for sedentary farming and transhumance agriculture as a complementary economic process to nomadic farming.” 

The minister further recommended the provision of water holes in remote grazing locations, subsidised veterinary care, and mobile ambulatory services for surgeries and other medical interventions for livestock.

He said there was also a need for the provision of infrastructure – social amenities, educational facilities, and cattle markets at central locations to accelerate nomadic settlements. 

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The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has recommended the creation of a Nigerian government agency that will regulate the activities of herdsmen.

Malami said this while delivering his address as a special guest of honour at the Peace, Unity, and Security Lecture Series at the ECOWAS main auditorium, Abuja on Tuesday.

Abubakar Malami

The minister admitted that the crisis between herders and farmers had become a pressing issue and steps were needed to be taken to tackle it.

According to Punch, he also said there was a need to revitalise the Nomadic Education Commission.

He stated, “Nigeria is predominately agricultural in nature and by geography. To that extent, there is constant mobility of herders across the different belts of Nigeria. It is perhaps time to consider the setting-up of a commission for pastoralism regulated by law.

“This might provide recipes for resolving protracted farmer-herder conflicts. The commission may even engage in or facilitate in-depth analytical studies with a view to providing lasting solutions for the benefit of people and the country.”

He also called for the “revamping of the activities of the Nomadic Education Commission with a view to complementing the efforts of the government in resolving the farmer-herder clashes.” 

Malami restated the commitment of the Nigerian government in supporting initiatives and programmes that would help resolve the lingering farmer-herder crises in the country.

The AGF argued that some of the ways for a peaceful Nigeria include strict adherence to the rule of law, respecting the sanctity of the fundamental human rights in all ramifications, including freedom of movement and the right of citizens to stay at whatever part of the country they choose to and other provisions as contained in Chapter 4 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria remain fulcrum for a peaceful society.

‌
The minister said the farmer-herder crisis is real, adding that it requires real-time and practically-oriented solutions.

He stated, “The better approach towards resolving the crisis over the short, medium and long terms is to directly involve the stakeholders in coming up with solutions at the conception, implementation and monitoring faces.”

Malami also recommended the creation of regulated grazing reserves to replace the “Burtali” or “Hurumi” pastoral system.

He called for the “intensive enlightenment to livestock breeders on the need for sedentary farming and transhumance agriculture as a complementary economic process to nomadic farming.” 

The minister further recommended the provision of water holes in remote grazing locations, subsidised veterinary care, and mobile ambulatory services for surgeries and other medical interventions for livestock.

He said there was also a need for the provision of infrastructure – social amenities, educational facilities, and cattle markets at central locations to accelerate nomadic settlements. 

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Some Nigerians have asked the Senate to reject the nomination of Abdulrasheed Bawa for confirmation as Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

President Muhammadu Buhari had on Tuesday asked the Senate to confirm Bawa as the substantive Chairman of the anti-graft agency.

“President Muhammadu Buhari has asked the Senate to confirm Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa as substantive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

“In a letter to President of the Senate, Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, the President said he was acting in accordance with Paragraph 2(3) of Part1, CAP E1 of EFCC Act 2004,” a statement by Femi Adesina, presidential spokesman, read.

But some Nigerians on social media asked the President to rescind his decision on Bawa.

SaharaReporters had earlier reported a story by the Peoples Gazette of how the EFCC chairman-designate was arrested and detained by the anti-graft agency in 2019 for selling at least 244 trucks worth between N20-30 million each to his proxies at N100,000 per unit.

Bawa’s handling of dozens of petrol-bearing trucks that were confiscated from suspected looters was reported to have deprived the country of at least N4.88 billion in potential loot recovery. 

The new EFCC chairman who was then in charge of the Port Harcourt zonal office allegedly abruptly auctioned the trucks in 2019 to his proxies at “ridiculous prices”.

While some of the 244 trucks have been declared as proceeds of corruption by the Federal High Court, Peoples Gazette learnt that forfeiture proceedings on most of them had yet to be concluded before Bawa sold them off.

Angered by the move, Ola Olukoyede, then EFCC secretary, confronted Bawa about the whereabouts of petrol tankers that were under forfeiture by the Port Harcourt zonal office in late 2019.

Olukoyede had received complaints that the deputy chief detective superintendent was tampering with seized assets that were still undergoing forfeiture proceedings in court.

“It is illegal to take possession of a citizen’s assets without a due process, which involves getting a federal judge to declare such assets as proceeds of public loot.

“He was asked to explain what happened to over 240 trucks that the zonal office was trying to secure their forfeitures, But he was unable to explain,” a source said.

The source said Bawa initially told Olukoyede that he got the directives to sell the trucks from the then acting Chairman, Ibrahim Magu, but he declined to write that claim in his statement. 

“It turned out that he was just dropping names, or he was trying to protect Magu,” a source said.

“He refused to write it in his statement that it was Magu who sent him.” 

The source said Olukoyede immediately called Magu, who was away on an official trip at the time, with details of what transpired in Port Harcourt. After concluding his findings, Olukoyede returned to Abuja, expecting Magu to take action upon his return from the trip. 

When Magu returned, it was learnt he made an urgent trip to Port Harcourt, and Bawa was removed as the zonal head the next day.

“He was ordered to be detained in Port Harcourt for several days,” another source familiar with the matter said.

“He was then asked to report at the training school in Abuja, which we thought would be the end of his career.”

Reacting to the allegations, a Twitter user, @DanielRegha, said, “With all due respect I believe a lot of people are more qualified than Abdulrasheed Bawa to become the next EFCC Lagos branch boss; I see no reason why someone who was arrested & exposed for his criminal act should occupy such office. The govt should stop playing politics.”

Another user, @DigitalQueenn wrote, “A trained EFCC investigator who was also formerly arrested by Magu's EFCC for Oil Theft to replace Magu as EFCC Chairman. Wait, are you sure Ababakar Shakau's name won't be sent to the Senate for confirmation, just asking.”

@oduhj1 said, “If there is a Senate for Nigeria, the confirmation will be denied but there is none but a Buhari senate. Sad.”

@ola_olanath wrote, “Must we accept this appointment? Is it only the North that must head the EFCC? Have we all being tied in one place at the mercies of this bad governance? In sane democracies, the citizens have a say. But here, those in power do anything they like without looking back. Things have to change.”

@MichaelBiafra wrote, “Imagine people being selected from ‪@NGRPresident‬ since all this while; 1st it was chief of army staff who was fire for not leading the war against Boko Haram now someone who is official thief. Nigeria?”

“My country, my beloved country! A criminal appointed to pursue criminals. Let's see what the Senate will do,” @eebuchi said.

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Some Nigerians have asked the Senate to reject the nomination of Abdulrasheed Bawa for confirmation as Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

President Muhammadu Buhari had on Tuesday asked the Senate to confirm Bawa as the substantive Chairman of the anti-graft agency.

“President Muhammadu Buhari has asked the Senate to confirm Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa as substantive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

“In a letter to President of the Senate, Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, the President said he was acting in accordance with Paragraph 2(3) of Part1, CAP E1 of EFCC Act 2004,” a statement by Femi Adesina, presidential spokesman, read.

But some Nigerians on social media asked the President to rescind his decision on Bawa.

SaharaReporters had earlier reported a story by the Peoples Gazette of how the EFCC chairman-designate was arrested and detained by the anti-graft agency in 2019 for selling at least 244 trucks worth between N20-30 million each to his proxies at N100,000 per unit.

Bawa’s handling of dozens of petrol-bearing trucks that were confiscated from suspected looters was reported to have deprived the country of at least N4.88 billion in potential loot recovery. 

The new EFCC chairman who was then in charge of the Port Harcourt zonal office allegedly abruptly auctioned the trucks in 2019 to his proxies at “ridiculous prices”.

While some of the 244 trucks have been declared as proceeds of corruption by the Federal High Court, Peoples Gazette learnt that forfeiture proceedings on most of them had yet to be concluded before Bawa sold them off.

Angered by the move, Ola Olukoyede, then EFCC secretary, confronted Bawa about the whereabouts of petrol tankers that were under forfeiture by the Port Harcourt zonal office in late 2019.

Olukoyede had received complaints that the deputy chief detective superintendent was tampering with seized assets that were still undergoing forfeiture proceedings in court.

“It is illegal to take possession of a citizen’s assets without a due process, which involves getting a federal judge to declare such assets as proceeds of public loot.

“He was asked to explain what happened to over 240 trucks that the zonal office was trying to secure their forfeitures, But he was unable to explain,” a source said.

The source said Bawa initially told Olukoyede that he got the directives to sell the trucks from the then acting Chairman, Ibrahim Magu, but he declined to write that claim in his statement. 

“It turned out that he was just dropping names, or he was trying to protect Magu,” a source said.

“He refused to write it in his statement that it was Magu who sent him.” 

The source said Olukoyede immediately called Magu, who was away on an official trip at the time, with details of what transpired in Port Harcourt. After concluding his findings, Olukoyede returned to Abuja, expecting Magu to take action upon his return from the trip. 

When Magu returned, it was learnt he made an urgent trip to Port Harcourt, and Bawa was removed as the zonal head the next day.

“He was ordered to be detained in Port Harcourt for several days,” another source familiar with the matter said.

“He was then asked to report at the training school in Abuja, which we thought would be the end of his career.”

Reacting to the allegations, a Twitter user, @DanielRegha, said, “With all due respect I believe a lot of people are more qualified than Abdulrasheed Bawa to become the next EFCC Lagos branch boss; I see no reason why someone who was arrested & exposed for his criminal act should occupy such office. The govt should stop playing politics.”

Another user, @DigitalQueenn wrote, “A trained EFCC investigator who was also formerly arrested by Magu's EFCC for Oil Theft to replace Magu as EFCC Chairman. Wait, are you sure Ababakar Shakau's name won't be sent to the Senate for confirmation, just asking.”

@oduhj1 said, “If there is a Senate for Nigeria, the confirmation will be denied but there is none but a Buhari senate. Sad.”

@ola_olanath wrote, “Must we accept this appointment? Is it only the North that must head the EFCC? Have we all being tied in one place at the mercies of this bad governance? In sane democracies, the citizens have a say. But here, those in power do anything they like without looking back. Things have to change.”

@MichaelBiafra wrote, “Imagine people being selected from ‪@NGRPresident‬ since all this while; 1st it was chief of army staff who was fire for not leading the war against Boko Haram now someone who is official thief. Nigeria?”

“My country, my beloved country! A criminal appointed to pursue criminals. Let's see what the Senate will do,” @eebuchi said.

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The Christian Association of Nigeria has urged the newly appointed Director General of World Trade Organisation, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, to emulate the impeccability of a Bible character, Daniel in leading the WTO.

In a statement on Tuesday, CAN President, Samson Ayokunle, said such will ensure that the positive impacts of the WTO will be felt in all countries of the world.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

He described her appointment as a giant stride and rare appointment for African women.

The statement read, “Your appointment is a giant stride for all women all over the world, being the first time a woman is so appointed. It is much more a giant stride and rare achievement for African women in particular. 

“Your appointment is a pride to the black race all over the world and a greater pride to Nigeria, your home country which you had served so well before with utmost integrity. Your appointment has demonstrated that with God all things are possible. 

“The initial snare to your appointment was broken by Him who rules in the affairs of men. Power and promotion belong to God. Yours is a lesson for us all to be our best and that at the fullness of time, no opposition can stand our elevation. 

“God has blessed our country with great human resources any country can be proud of and we are happy that some of them are now playing global roles to the glory of God. 

“Our dear Sister, we urge you to lead the WTO with impeccability like Daniel did (Daniel 6) in Babylon so that the footprint of WTO might be positively felt in all countries of the world as it was never felt before. With your antecedents, professionalism, commitment, focus, determination and dedication to duty, with God on your side, we have no doubt that you will succeed in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. On behalf of CAN, once again, I say a very big CONGRATULATION.”

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A Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday refused to vacate an interim order through which the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) seized properties belonging to Businessman, Jimoh Ibrahim, for an alleged N69.4 billion debt. 

Ibrahim, NICON Investment Ltd and Global Fleet Oil and Gas Ltd, had contended that the court granted the order in error, alleging that AMCON concealed material facts in its ex parte application leading to the seizure order.

Jimoh Ibrahim

They further urged the court to order AMCON to pay N50 billion indemnity for alleged failure to conduct due diligence before obtaining the said order and for misrepresentation and concealment of facts.

However, AMCON’s counsel, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), opposed them and prayed the court to dismiss the motion on notice, contending that AMCON’s counter-affidavit revealed “copious reasons” why the order should not be set aside.

He argued that AMCON’s exhibits established that the properties attached belong to Ibrahim, “therefore he cannot claim innocence of them.”

Pinheiro further stated that AMCON made “full and substantial disclosure of all material facts in relation to the subject matter of this suit,” at the time of obtaining the orders on November 4, 2020.

Justice Rilwan Aikawa, in a nearly two-hour ruling, upheld Pinheiro’s arguments.

The judge held, “I have carefully studied the respective applications and arguments for or against of parties.

“I agree totally with the counsel for the claimant, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN) that this suit is sui generis as Section 49(1)(2) of the AMCON Act says that the order made on the 4th of November, 2020 can be made ex parte on mere suspicion that the rest is about to be dissipated.”

The properties include the NICON Investment Limited building (Plot 242, Muhammadu Buhari Way, Central Business District, Abuja), NICON Hotels Limited building (Plot 557, Port Harcourt Crescent, off Gimbiya Street, Abuja), and the building of NICON Lekki Limited (No 5, Customs Street, Lagos).

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The Christian Association of Nigeria and Muslim Rights Concern have said prayers are also effective in the fight against insecurity in the country in addition to having requisite weapons.

The reactions came after a statement made by the governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, who said Nigeria’s security agencies need superior weapons to fight insecurity and not prayers. 

Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai

Speaking at a town hall meeting organised by the National Security Adviser on Monday, El-Rufai had stated that security should be the number one priority of the government and the collective responsibility of all citizens.

“We need to support our security agencies not with prayers, but with superior weapons. Security is a collective responsibility.”

But speaking with SaharaReporters on Tuesday, the Kaduna CAN Chairman, John Hayab, said the governor should understand that even with superior weapons, prayer is an effective and powerful weapon.

Condemning the stance of the governor on faith matters, Hayab said he was not surprised that such statements came from El-Rufai, who he described as "having a negative attitude towards God and faith”.

He said, “If a man tells you the clothes you are wearing are not good, don’t get angry at him, he may possibly be a blind man so he may not see the quality of the clothes; that’s the way I see the governor’s reaction. His attitude towards God and faith has always been negative. We know that prayer is effective but we are also not stupid so we know that as we pray for the security agencies, we also want them to back their actions with superior weapons but if we say prayer is not important, we are speaking like blind people.

“We have trust in prayer, we walk in prayer, we know that prayer and action go together. El-Rufai has not said anything different from all that he has been saying, he is that human being that doesn't see anything good outside what he is doing. Unfortunately, his superior talk has not helped Kaduna State because if the rhetoric was to give us peace or give us good governance, Kaduna would have been like another Dubai but we are still here because our governor is just a talkative, not an action person.”

Also speaking with SaharaReporters on Tuesday, the Director of MURIC, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, said it is very essential to pray but also to be realistic, according to the command of the Prophet Mohammed.

He said, “We need to pray, prayer is the weapon, the sword of the believer. But while we are praying, we have to be realistic. The Prophet said put your faith in Allah and then tie your horse, we know you are praying to Allah and he can protect your horse but don't forget to tie it, don't leave it to stray away. 

“While we pray, we must do something to actualise the wishes in the prayers and that is where the statement of the governor becomes relevant. He is a pragmatic person, frank to a fault, he is realistic, when he says we should support them with superior weapons, he knows what he is saying.”

Akintola recalled that in 2013, soldiers were leaving the army because of a lack of equipment to fight insurgency. According to him, the situation has changed since 2015 but there's still more to be done in terms of security to protect the lives of Nigerians.

“The army generals couldn't face Boko Haram and were dying in their hundreds, money meant for the purchase of arms was siphoned into private pockets by some. They had no weapons and were fleeing from Boko Haram fighters. I think the situation has changed, we have a different army, they are not running when they meet Boko haram, it is even Boko Haram that is playing hide and seek, trying to hit soft targets. Boko Haram no longer plants bombs as easily as they used to, they no longer plant suicide bombers as easily as they used to."

He said the way forward is for the government to be prepared to provide better weapons. 

He however urged wealthy individuals to be willing to donate money, vehicles, facilities, and others to support security agencies. 

“There are over 210 million Nigerians, we have only 317, 000 police officers; 100, 000 soldiers while the Department of State Services has a little above 33, 000 men. We need to triple the number if we want to protect Nigeria effectively,” he said. 

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Governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Bello Matawalle (Zamfara), Abubakar Bagudu (Kebbi), and Abubakar Bello (Niger) on Tuesday visited the troubled Shasha Market in Ibadan to proffer a lasting solution to the recent clash between Yoruba and Hausa communities there.

Arriving at the market, the governors visited the palace of Seriki Shasha, Alhaji Haruna Maiyasin.

There was a heavy presence of security in strategic places within and outside the market with aerial surveillance by the Nigeria Police Force.

The team, which included security heads in the state, Special Adviser to Governor Makinde on Security, Mr. Fatai Owoseni; Chairman, Advisory Council, Senator Hosea Agboola; and former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Senator Monsurat Sumonu, were received warmly to the palace of Seriki Shasha.

The Serikin of Ibadanland, Alhaji Ahmodu Zugeru, who regretted the unfortunate incident, however, lauded Governor Makinde for his peaceful relationship with the Hausa community since the beginning of his administration.

Speaking at the palace, Governor Makinde sued for peace and promised that his government would find a way to restore peace to the community.
"Hausa and Yoruba are one. We are family and we must learn to live in peace. This is unfortunate," he said.

Kebbi State Governor, Bagudu, described the alleged leadership tussle between Yoruba and Hausa communities as one of the factors that triggered the ethnic crisis at the market that is predominantly dominated by the two tribes.

Governors Bagudu, Ganduje, Matawalle and Bello had on Monday evening paid a solidarity visit to their Oyo State counterpart, Makinde, on the Shasha crisis, which ultimately snowballed into loss of lives and property. 

Bagudu, while answering questions from journalists shortly after they visited the market, disclosed that investigation showed that the leadership tussle at the market also contributed to the killings and destruction of property in the area.

He noted that there was a case of a cart pusher whose tomatoes fell in front of a woman’s shop, widely believed to have been the cause of the problem. He however said the spat between the cart pusher said to be a Hausa man and the woman said to be a Yoruba woman, was not the major cause of the crisis. 

He blamed the problem on a leadership tussle between the Hausa and Yoruba communities there, saying the ethnic nationality of the person that would be the leader of the market was the bone of contention.

Bagudu said it was a thing of joy that normalcy and peace had returned to the place and its environs, adding efforts taken by Makinde to ensure peace, oneness, and togetherness shouldn't be taken for granted.

He said he and other northern governors who were on a solidarity visit to Oyo State, had without mincing words, hailed Makinde for his proactiveness and charisma to ensure that the crisis was prevented from degenerating into something uncontrollable.

He noted that on their way to Shasha market, they branched at Bodija market to see how different tribes were conducting their business transactions cordially, which he described as proof of the oneness and unity between the Yoruba people and other tribes residing in Ibadan and the entire state.

Asked about the threat of reprisal in the North, Bagudu said the needful would be done at the level of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) to prevent such and ensure there is peace across the nation.

He warned the agents and carriers of fake news to completely desist from the publication of fake and unsubstantiated news capable of causing tension and ethnic crises.

He said an undisclosed amount of money would be provided for the victims of the violence to alleviate their suffering. 

Bagudu revealed that further assistance to the victims will be made known after the issue has been tabled before other colleagues in NGF.

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Former Head of State and Chairman of the National Peace Committee, Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), has said the growing tension in the wake of the herdsmen and ethnic crises in the country will affect farm harvests in 2021.

Abdulsalami added that such frictions could also lead the country to a point of no return.

Speaking with journalists at his Hilltop residence in Minna, Niger State capital, the former head of state described the recent happenings in some parts of the country as unfortunate.

According to Daily Trust, Abdulsalami said, “We appeal to the citizens of our dear country who have borne so much pains and suffering to remain resilient and patient.

“Thousands of our people are homeless and refugees across the length and breadth of their own country. We know what farmers have faced in the last few years and the harvests will be a serious challenge this year.

“Therefore, let us all rally together in these hard times, make the required sacrifices and remain vigilant, standing by one another.”

He appealed to governors to tone down their rhetoric and take full responsibility for managing the divergent voices and frustrations within their states.

He said, “It is true that we are all in a state of fear and collective anxiety. However, the last thing we need is for the enemy to sense a lack of unity on our part or a break in our ranks.

“We appeal to the new service chiefs and Inspector-General of Police to rise to the urgent demands of the moment by rallying their troops and designing the best strategy for ending the tragic war that has continued to consumed and destroy the foundations of our dear country.

“We hope that based on their field experiences in the war, they can draw up a well-coordinated programme to ensure that all our resources are deployed to achieve the much-needed victory in this avoidable war.”

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The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, and some northern governors have visited Shasha Market in Ibadan to assess the destruction at the scene of the clash between Yoruba and Hausa communities.

The governors who joined Makinde were Kebbi State Governor, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu; Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje; Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle and Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sanni.

They came into Ibadan on Monday night to visit the area where violence raged last Friday and Saturday, leading to destruction of lives and property.

Makinde, who had expressed shock at the level of destruction during his earlier visit to the market on Sunday, said those who suffered losses would be compensated.

Makinde and his Ondo State counterpart, Rotimi Akeredolu, who is also the chairman of South-West Governors’ Forum, had visited the place on Sunday and urged the two factions to embrace peace.

Governor Bagudu, who lamented the sad incident between the two groups, however, promised that the northern governors would give necessary support to Governor Makinde in restoring normalcy and redeeming the lost property.

He said, “The Nigeria Governors’ Forum will also support him (Makinde) to ensure that those who have lost their livelihoods are supported in this trying period.”

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The Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu has ordered a probe of the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Olanrewaju Akeredolu, for allegedly detaining her half brother, Olupelumi Fagboyegun, for three years

Fagboyegun had in a trending video accused the Chief Judge of causing his arrest and detention because he went to their father’s home.

Ondo Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.

He said, “The Honourable Chief Justice of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I am calling you to please rescue me from the hands of the Ondo State Judiciary that is being run like a family affair that if you don’t know anybody you cannot get justice.

“I have been living abroad for the past 30 years, I came on holiday to Nigeria to my father’s house because I share the same father with the Chief Judge of Ondo State. I was arrested at my father’s place. I was locked up, was charged with forceful entry into my father’s house.

“Even if I was convicted of this crime, it only carries one year prison penalty but I am being on open remand for the past three years. This case has been going on for the past three years because the Chief Judge is using her power to influence the judicial system. I have been unable to get justice. They have changed judges five times, they have re-arraigned me five times, they have changed their charges five times case and up till today February 15, 2021, that I am talking to you, the case is still pending. Please, come and rescue me.

“The Ondo State Government cannot help me because the Ondo State Government is a family business. Buhari, help me from the hands of this woman to go back to my family. I want to go back to my children. I am a single parent. This woman is keeping me here for the past three years for coming to my father’s house. Please, help me, I want to go back to my family.”

Reacting to the video, Akeredolu said he had instructed the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Titiloye Charles, to investigate the allegation.

“I have instructed my AG to investigate the allegation. We will ensure the investigation is thorough, fair and transparent," the governor posted on Twitter.

In view of this, the AGF in a statement on Tuesday directed the Department of Public Prosecutions to immediately investigate the allegation made against the Chief Judge.

“The Attorney General of Ondo State and Commissioner for Justice, Sir Charles Titiloye, has directed the Department of Public Prosecutions to immediately investigate the allegation made against the Chief Judge of Ondo state, Hon. Justice 0. O. Akeredolu, by Mr Olupelumi Fagboyegun (her brother) in a video that went viral on social media platform on the 15th of February, 2015 wherein he alleged that Ondo State judiciary and courts were being used by the Chief Judge to persecute him and keep him in custody for the past three years on trumped-up criminal allegation of unlawful entry into his father’s house.

“The Attorney General, Sir Charles Titiloye, noted that the investigation into the matter will be thorough, fair and transparent in order to assure the public that Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) administration in Ondo State is determined to preserve the integrity of the courts and the judiciary and ensure that it remains the last hope of the common man.

“The Hon. A.G. who assumed office on the 30th November 2020 (two months ago) said his office has yet to be briefed of the criminal case and have directed the Department of Public Prosecution in the Ministry of Justice to investigate the allegation contained in the online video clips and report back to him within 24 hours.”

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