How Boko Haram Terrorists Attacked Kogi Prison, Gave Chief Imam In Jail Assault Rifle To Join Attack

Gunmen who recently broke into the correctional centre in Kabba in the Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State, are Boko Haram terrorists, SaharaReporters learnt. 

A source also told SaharaReporters on Monday that after their arrival, the terrorists gave an auto assault rifle to the Chief Imam for the inmates, said to be a Boko Haram commander. 

According to the source, the Boko Haram commander, an inmate of the prison, had taken up the role of Chief Imam at the correctional centre, leading other Muslims to prayer.  

“It was Boko Haram terrorists that broke into Kabba prison,” the source said. 

“The Chief Imam for the inmates is apparently a Boko Haram commander, and when the gunmen arrived, they handed him an auto assault rifle.”

Just a week ago, SaharaReporters reported how some prisoners gunmen attacked the correctional centre in Kabba, freeing inmates.

The prisoners who were in their hundreds were said to have escaped after the gunmen attacked the prison located along Kabba-Lokoja highway late on Sunday, September 12.

Though security officers comprising 15 soldiers, 10 policemen, and 10 armed guards of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) were at the facility at the time of the attack, the gunmen were able to break into it. 

They killed a soldier and a policeman during the attack, Sola Fasure, media adviser to the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, had said in a statement. 

The assailants thereafter set the prisoners free.

The early morning downpour on Monday aided their escape as the building housing the inmates was reportedly submerged by flood.

According to the statement, the Kabba custodial facility had 294 inmates as of the time of the attack, and only 28 inmates did not escape. 

It said many of the 266 inmates initially unaccounted for were able to escape after the gunmen used explosives to destroy three sides of the perimeter fence. 

Later, Sesan Nihi, the Kogi correctional service spokesman said no fewer than 114 inmates from the Kabba Correctional Centre had voluntarily returned or been rearrested.

Nihi was quoted as saying, “We have about 114 inmates back now. Some of the inmates returned themselves but I cannot give a definite figure for that. In fact, two just returned not too long ago. Some of the inmates were brought back by their parents.

“We have a search party with other security agencies to capture the remaining inmates.”

(SAHARAREPORTERS)

Christian Journalists Partners WACC, Others to Advance Rights and Welfare of IDPs in Nigeria

By Steven Kefas

A group under the auspices of Association of Christian Journalists and Allied Media Professionals has gone into a partnership with the World Association for Christian Communication (WACC) and Bread for the world to advance the Rights and Welfare of IDPs in Nigeria.

The group announced the partnership via a press release signed by its President, Mr Lekan Otufodunrin and made available to Middle Belt Times.The Press release reads in full;

JFC/WACC Partner to Advance Rights and Welfare of IDPs in Nigeria

With the support of the World Association for Christian Communication (WACC) and the Bread for the World (German Protestant Agency for Diaconia Development) we announce the launch of a new project aimed at bringing to limelight for institutional attention, the rights and welfare issues faced by Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs in Nigeria.

The project entitled, ‘Advancing the rights and welfare of IDPs through the media’ will help to consolidate our work in alleviating the pitiable living conditions of IDPs will run from September 1, 2021 to August 31, 2022.

It will provide information on the trend in reportage of IDPs and training for journalists and writers on enhanced reporting of IDP issues.

A small team of journalists across the country will be commissioned to write special investigative reports on IDPs issues and engender stakeholders’ engagement; and conduct series of media-driven advocacy to advance the welfare of IDPs.

Overall, the one-year project is expected to drive positive reportage of IDPs in the media and attract policy change to improve the welfare and rights of IDPs.

The new project will build up two earlier projects; Monitoring Media Reportage and Portrayal of IDPs in Africa and Managing Internal Displacements in Nigeria supported by WACC and Otto Per Mille ( Weldesian Church), Italy.

As a media based organization, we are among others, committed to advocating for the communication rights of all citizens, including many who are voiceless.

Across the country, the population of IDPs is growing and there is need for more media focus on their plight.

Lekan Otufodunrin

President

JUST IN: One Killed, Others Abducted as Terrorist Herdsmen Attack Mararaban Rido

Youths Protest incessant Killings and kidnapping by blocking highway.

By Steven Kefas

One person has been reported killed by gunmen suspected to be Fulani terrorists militias in Mararaban Rido community in Chikun local government area of Kaduna state, Northwest Nigeria.

The terrorists were reported to have invaded Ungwan Gajere street in the community on Monday Night and began a search for victims to be Kidnapped. One man was reportedly killed while his wife and two others were kidnapped by the terrorists.

Mararaban Rido has been in the news for frequent Killings and kidnappings. It would be recalled that in July over at least 100 students of the Bethel Baptist High School located in the community were abducted after terrorists broke into their school, a boarding facility owned by the Nigerian Baptist church.

Youths Protest incessant killings and kidnappings

Youths in Mararaban Rido on Tuesday blocked the high way linking Kaduna the state capital to Southern Kaduna. The youths in their number said the government seems to have abandoned them to their fates.

Buhari regime will not name, shame Boko Haram financiers: Femi Adesina

President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime will not name and shame Boko Haram financiers and other sponsors of terrorism in Nigeria, says his media aide Femi Adesina.

President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime will not name and shame Boko Haram financiers and other sponsors of terrorism in Nigeria, says his media aide Femi Adesina.

“Naming and shaming will not be the motive. Bringing malefactors to justice will be it,” Mr Adesina told Channels TV on Monday. “Nigeria is not interested in naming and shaming anybody. Rather, it wants to bring them to justice.”

In May, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, announced that high-profile Nigerians were financing terrorism in the country.

“In essence, it is indeed true that the government is prosecuting, and it’s indeed initiating processes of prosecuting those high-profile individuals that are found to be financing terrorism. It is indeed true,” Mr Malami had said.

Contrary to many Nigerians’ expectations, Mr Buhari’s regime failed to reveal the identities of the terrorism financiers.

But Mr Adesina stated that “rest assured that these people will be dragged before justice, and justice will have its way.”

He added that investigations were ongoing at various security agencies before arraigning the suspects.

“Investigations are going on at different levels; it will be at the level of the EFCC, it will be at the level of the NIA,” the presidential spokesman stated. “All the security agencies will be working on it so that when those people eventually appear in court, there will be a prima facie case against them.”

Last week, EFCC chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, said he could not reveal the identities of Boko Haram sponsors.

Asked to name the financiers during an interview with Channels TV, Mr Bawa said, “If you are my adviser will you advise me to come on national television to tell the whole world regarding matters of sensitive national security issue? Certainly, not.”

Kunle Olawunmi, a former navy commodore, in August, alleged that the Buhari regime was familiar with sponsors of terrorism but yet to bring them to book.

“The government has developed cold feet in fighting the insurgency because some of those backing Boko Haram are now top-ranking government officials,” the military intelligence expert had said. “Why can’t this government, if not that they are partisan, bring those people out for trial?”

(GAZETTE)

UNGA: China, Russia, other nations pay tribute at 9/11 museum

UN nations have paid tribute at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum in New York to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks.

UN nations have paid tribute at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum in New York to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks launched against the U.S. that changed the course of history.

UN Counter-Terrorism chief, Vladimir Voronkov, in his message to commemorate the anniversary on Monday, said the UN would continue to stand in solidarity with all victims of terrorism.

Speaking at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum in downtown Manhattan where the twin towers once stood, Voronkov highlighted the significance of the commemoration.

“We have gathered from all over the world on this sacred ground in the host city of the United Nations to pay tribute to the victims and survivors of the terrible attacks that occurred here just over 20 years ago,” he said.

The special ceremony brought together heads of state, ministers and delegates representing more than 120 member states and international organisations in New York for the opening of the 76th UN General Assembly.

Mr Voronkov stated that the UN was committed to continue placing victims at the heart of the global counter-terrorism effort, speaking for those who can no longer speak, and amplifying survivors’ voices.

“We will continue to stand in solidarity with all victims of terrorism. They will not be forgotten. No day shall erase them from the memory of time,” he added.

The commemoration demonstrated the UN commitment never to forget the 2,977 people from over 90 countries whose lives were taken when hijacked airliners brought terror to New York, Washington and beyond, and the thousands more that were injured or sickened.

Alice Greenwald, President and CEO of the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, said, “Your presence here is a powerful demonstration of global solidarity with the victims of 9/11 and their families, indeed with all victims of terrorism. You recognise that the human impacts of terrorism and extreme violence are universal and collectively acknowledging the absolute illegitimacy of terrorism as a response to political grievance.”

Expressing sympathy and solidarity with grieving families, José Albares, Spain’s foreign affairs minister for the European Union and Cooperation, restated their commitment to fighting terrorism.

The ceremony included a minute of silence, following which Messrs Voronkov and Albares laid wreaths in memory of victims of the September 11 attacks and all victims of terrorism worldwide.

(NAN)/(Gazette)

How B/Haram Crisis Killed 300,000 Children In N/East

More than 300,000 children lost their lives in the last 12 years because of the insurgency ravaging the North East region, the latest statistics released by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) revealed.

This is just as the Nigerian military said the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP), a rival terrorists’ organisation has started massive recruitment of jobless youths into its fold to continue wreaking havoc.

The latest statistics released by UNICEF also disclosed that over one million persons have been displaced within the period under review.It said no fewer than 5,129 out-of-school children were currently battling mental health challenges as a result of the conflict in the North.

When one of our correspondents attempted to get more information on the factors responsible for the death of 300,000 children, the UNICEF Media Contact in Maiduguri said that the deaths were a summation of direct and indirect attacks on children.

He said, “Children killed in crossfires, Improvised Explosive Device (IEDs), children used as suicide bombers, children killed by malnutrition among others.”

Salihu Bakhari, who is a retired security officer, said he was not surprised by the figures released by UNICEF.

“We are just coming to terms with the reality because the attention in the past was on the frequency of attacks and destruction. We paid little attention to the humanitarian crises including how children were affected.

“I believe more figures would be reeled out in the coming months but the most important thing is for various stakeholders to start thinking on how to address the challenges.

“There are many children that are missing; some have been stolen and others are in the hands of terrorists. They are nurturing them to become fighters.

“So, while we frown and lament the killing of children, there must be a deliberate effort to save those in captivity and make life meaningful for them,” he said.

Attacks against children must stop

UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Peter Hawkins, advocated that every stakeholder must ensure attacks against children stop immediately.

He said his organisation and the European Union (EU) were working together to provide community-based psychosocial services.

He said, “The scars of conflict are real and enduring for children. Too many children in North East Nigeria are falling victim to a conflict they did not start. Attacks against children must stop immediately.

“In the meantime, we are committed to working with our partners to provide psychosocial and other support to conflict-affected children, so they can regain their childhood and restart their lives.”

Hawkins said that the EU-funded Support to Early Recovery and Resilience Project, implemented by UNICEF, was aimed at improving the mental health of 5,129 out-of-school children in Borno State.

He also said that stress and violence had been linked to poor brain development, depression and poor self-esteem and children exposed to conflict and violence were at risk of long-term mental health and psychosocial issues.

The UNICEF chief said that the conflict-affected out-of-school children in the state, which cut across six local government areas were receiving services including mental health support in safe spaces to strengthen their well-being, resilience, literacy skills and self-reliance.

The project, according to him, also supported vulnerable children across Borno with protection and health services, vocational and basic literacy skills, access to justice and security, under a holistic humanitarian intervention.

He said the intervention had so far provided 15,552 out-of-school children with vocational training; 1,610 out-of-school children with literacy and numeracy skills and 5,194 children enrolled into integrated Qur’anic schools across focus LGAs.

On his part, the EU Head of Cooperation, Cecile Tassin-Pelzer, said, “Addressing the psychosocial well-being and development of children and teachers in conflict situations is an important part of re-establishing education provision and enabling children to re-enter schools safely.”

Daily Trust reports that apart from the huge number of children who were killed during the twelve-year conflict, thousands of adults also lost their lives while many properties including schools, markets, hospitals, electricity and many other social amenities were destroyed.

Governor Babagana Zulum recently said over 100,000 people have been killed by Boko Haram, amplifying what his predecessor, Kashim Shettima said in 2017.

(DAILYTRUST)

Northern Governors Forum mourns Ex-CBN Executive, Obadiah Mailafiya

Northern Governors Forum mourns Ex-CBN Executive, Obadiah Mailafiya

Northern Governors Forum says the death of former CBN Deputy Governor, Dr Obadiah Mailafiya, is a great loss to the nation.

Chairman of the Forum and governor of Plateau, Simon Lalong, said in a statement issued in Jos on Monday by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Dr Makut Macham that Mailafiya’s death was saddening.

Lalong said the death of Mailafiya was a loss not only to his family and the people of Kaduna State, but also a loss to the nation because of his enormous contributions to socio-economic pursuits of Nigeria.

He said the deceased was a consummate financial expert and vibrant intellectual whose local and international reputation was highly acknowledged.

The governor observed that Mailafiya’s intellect was sought and deployed for the benefit of governments and the private sectors around the world.

The chairman commiserated with the family of the deceased and urged them to take solace in his legacies, saying he showed passion for development, emancipation, truth, justice and equity in all his interventions on various platforms.

He noted that his vision for a better Nigeria and the uplifting of the downtrodden motivated him to contest for the Office of the President in 2019.

Gov. Lalong condoled with Gov. Nasir El-Rufai, the government and people of Kaduna State over the loss of Mailafiya and prayed for his soul to rest in peace.

(NAN) 

OBADIAH MAILAFIYA MAY HAVE BEEN KILLED EXTRALEGALLY- HURIWA ALLEGES

CALLS FOR INDEPENDENT AUTOPSYTO ASCERTAIN CAUSE OF DEATH

Exactly one year ago on September 11th 2020 at the height of the incessant  harassment by the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police Force, the former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and a critic of the current administration Dr OBADIAH Mailafiya raised alarm of death threat as follows: “Please, pray for me. I have reasons to believe that my life is in danger and that some powerful political forces want to silence me forever for speaking the truth. For speaking on behalf of the Holy Martyrs — of thousands of innocent children, women, elderly and youths that have been killed in our beloved country”. 

There are very unassailable reasons to believe that the alarm he raised which was never investigated may be the harbinger of his sudden demise in Abuja on Sunday September 19th 2021, argues the HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA which is calling for independent investigation on his death. 

With the above preamble,  the leading CIVIL SOCIETY GROUP-: HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA) has asked the CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (CAN)  and the SOUTHERN KADUNA PEOPLES UNION (SOKAPU) to jointly hire top notch forensic investigation teams to independently probe the immediate and remote circumstances of the death of OBADIAH MAILAFIYA so as to ascertain the exact cause of the death of a man who since the past few Years became the voice of truth against the powers- that -be and the champion of the PRINCIPLE OF RULE OF LAW IN NIGERIA.  

In  media release endorsed by the National Coordinator Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko and the National Media Affairs Director Miss Zainab Yusuf,  HURIWA regretted that Nigeria seems to have become the killer of her best citizens just as the Rights group said indeed persons who speak truth to power in the past six and half years have come under persistent attacks and pressure from forces embedded within the Nigerian Security Forces and the political class in charge of government at all levels to an extent that even the central ruling party – ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS has gone all out to try to sponsor many toxic, obnoxious and unconstitutional bills all aimed at curtailing the enjoyment of the constitutionally guaranteed fundamental human rights recognised in chapter 4 of the Nigerian constitution. HURIWA confirmed that its officials have similarly being threatened by forces working for the federal government and the officials of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association that are being protected by officials working in the office of the President.  “We call on the President to immediately fish out the blood thirsty officials working in Aso-Rock who are issuing personal threats to human rights campaigners. The Rights group said it got many calls from the Presidency in the past few months warming our officials to stop causing distractions. Of truth, there are individuals in this government who do not wish their Principal President Muhammadu Buhari to quit on a high notes but they are working to stain the image of the President and it looks like the President does not read opinions of critical stakeholders who are clearly interested in guiding the government to the path of legality and lawfulness “. 

HURIWA expressed disappointment that months after the erstwhile Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria OBADIAH MAILAFIYA raised the alarm that government agents were after him, there was never any effort made in the direction of unraveling the forces who wanted him dead and he was overlooked and allowed to be wasted in such a callous manner and we are only being told that he died after brief illness. HURIWA said there have been several of such suspicious deaths that have been covered up such as the death of the Executive Secretary of National Examination Council in Minna Professor Obioma from Abia State whose suspected murder has been hidden from the public scrutiny. 

The Rights group said the persistent attacks of political rivals by the current Federal government is the reason a lot of robust brains are migrating legally and on high demands to the United States of America,  Canada and other Western Societies to pick up specialised jobs as University professors just as the Rights group Condemned the United Nations General Assembly and the Secretary General of the United Nations for abandoning Nigerians in the hands of tyrants and a brutal dictatorship that does not tolerate plurality of opinions and the security agents are adopting extralegal means including suspected  gas poisoning. “The death of OBADIAH MAILAFIYA is highly suspicious and must be investigated “. 

The Rights group noted that even the detained leader of the self determination group – the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has just told the Court of law that he was physically tortured and his faeces used to smear on his face but unfortunately the United Nations has done nothing about the fact that a citizen faced illegal rendition and abduction from Kenya to Abuja against natural and international laws. . 

HURIWA said: “It is so unfortunate that the National Human Rights commission is dead and buried and the security forces are simply playing football with the human rights of citizens. It is unfortunate that the National Assembly does not provide adequate oversight functions and has not sufficiently exercised its oversight responsibility over the different security forces which is why the Department of State Services keep invading houses of citizens,  killing, maiming and destroying lives and property at will. The court of law has just justifiably slammed a well desrved N20 billion damages against the DSS for invading the Ibadan home of the leader of the Yoruba Nation self determination group Mr. Sunday Igboho in which his associate were murdered in cold blood.” 

“In Owerri and other South East of Nigeria States, Amnesty International found out that there are credible evidence of over 1, 000 cases of extralegal killings by security operatives but the Federal government which has a policy of permitting extrajudicial killings by security operatives has done nothing to investigate these atrocities. Too many citizens are getting killed by State sponsored assassination and executions. Nigeria has become officially a killer of good citizens.  This must not be allowed to continue. “