Bandits Release Five More Students Of Kaduna Baptist School

Five more students of Bethel Baptist School in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State have been released.

Rev Israel Adelani Akanji, President, Nigerian Baptist Convention, confirmed the release of the students on Friday night.

“Glory be to God. Five of our Bethel Baptist High School students and the Matron (Making 6) have just been released to us this evening, October 8.”

“We thank God and trust that the remaining four students will also be released. Thank you for your prayers and support,” he said in a statement.

The abductors, who went away with a total 121 students from their hostels, had demanded N500,000 as ransom of each of the students.

Ever since then, the bandits have been releasing the victims in batches.

The first batch of 28 were released on July 25, 2021 after their parents reportedly parted with undisclosed ransom.

Two of the students had earlier escaped while the bandits had released one on health ground.

The following day on July 26, three of the students also escaped from their captors.

Daily Trust had reported that the students escaped from the camp where they were kept on 19 July 2021.

An aunt to one of the students, who craved anonymity told Daily Trust then that the three teenagers had spent five days roaming inside the forest before they finally met a herdsman who directed them out of the forest.

It was also gathered that one of the escaped students who could recall his father’s phone number borrowed a phone to call home before his father went to pick them up.

Two other students had escaped from the camps before they were recovered by the police.

On 22 August, 15 more of the students were released by their captors.

On 27 August, 32 more of the students regained freedom.

Joseph Hayab, Chairman of the Kaduna State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), confirmed the victims’ release.

Hayab, who said the students have been reunited with their parents, did not go into details.

On Saturday 18 September, 10 of the abducted students were freed, after spending 75 days in captivity.

A senior official of the school said that the students were released after an undisclosed amount of money was paid to the bandits, before they were reunited with their parents and taken to the hospital for treatment.

On September 23 the police arrested three kingpins involved in the kidnap of the students.

The suspects, who dressed in military camouflage, were paraded by the Force Public Relations Officers, Frank Mba, at the headquarters of defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), in Abuja.

The suspects, Adamu Bello, Isiaku Lawal and Muazu Abubakar, told newsmen that 25 of them abducted the students.

They said they carried out the operation in desperate bid to get money.

[DAILYTRUST]

At least 20 Killed, 90 Wounded As Bomb Rocks Shiite Mosque In Afghanistan During Prayers

No fewer than 20 people were reportedly killed and 90 others injured in a mosque explosion during Friday prayers in Kunduz city, capital of Afghanistan’s northern Kunduz province.

Asuicide bomber was said to be responsible for the blast, CNN reports. 

An official with Doctors Without Borders (MSF), Sara Chare noted that some of those killed and wounded were brought to the NGO’s facility in the city of Kunduz, and that the number of dead could be higher.

A Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid on his Twitter handle said “security forces are at the scene, and investigation is underway,” noting that no group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.

Mujahid also said “a number of our compatriots were martyred and injured.”

The explosion took place around 1pm at the Sayedabad Street.

The bombing attack on the Shiite mosque inflicted serious injuries on many people.

A Kunduz resident named Hafizullah who lives near the mosque described the incident as a total disaster stating that, “All the windows of houses close to the mosque have been shattered and I see pieces of flesh on the street.”

Wall Street Journal reports that while there was no immediate claim of responsibility, Islamic State’s regional affiliate has carried out a series of attacks targeting the country’s Shiite community in recent years. 

The group, Islamic State-Khorasan Province, or ISKP has organised a series of attacks since the US withdrawal in August, targeting Taliban officials at a mosque in Kabul last Sunday.

The Taliban and ISKP both seek to implement strict Islamic rules in Afghanistan; the two groups have profound religious and political differences. 

Though the Taliban had previously persecuted Shiites when they ruled the country in the 1990s, their current government includes a member of the Hazara Shiite community as a deputy minister.

Islamic State, by contrast, views all Shiite Muslims as heretics who should be exterminated.

[Saharareporters]

JUST IN: Villagers Killed, Monarch’s Palace Razed As Angry Soldiers Raid Imo Community

At least three people have been killed while 15 houses, including the palace of the traditional ruler of Aborshi Izombe Community in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo, have been razed.

Witnesses blamed soldiers on reprisal for the incident.

The soldiers were said to be angered by the killing of two of their colleagues by youths of Izombe.

A witness said youths protesting the killing of a young man identified as Chukwunoso Iherue, a native of Umuokwu Izombe, Oguta LGA, was suspected to have been killed by soldiers.

In protest, they were said to have killed two soldiers.

Another source in the community told our correspondent that the soldiers and the youths were engaged in supremacy tussle over oil bunkering in the community.

The source said, “I was informed that two military men were killed and their vehicle set ablaze after the military killed one young man in Umuokwu Izombe, Oguta Local Government Area of Imo, this morning.”

“The problem arose from misunderstanding between the boys and soldiers over crude oil bunkering. Lately Izombe, Eziorsu, Osobod communities in Oguta have been notorious for bunkering operation. Civilians ad security men are all involved in the illegal business.

“The soldiers were said to have killed one Chukwunoso Iherue before the youths fought back leading to the military personnel storming the palace of HRH Eze Pius Muforo of Aborshi Izombe Community, where they were attacked.

“Latest information is that soldiers have burnt down the palace of HRH Eze Muforo and two others now in Umuokwu Izombe.

“The soldiers attacked the community in 18 Hilux vans carrying petrol and three war tanks. My cousin living next to our compound told me that her house was burnt down after which the soldiers went and burn down Chief C A Onyeukwu’s buildings.”

Spokesman of the 34 Artillery Brigade, Capt Joseph Akubo, when contacted said he had not got a clear picture of what actually happened.

He promised to get back but had not done so as at the time this report was filed.

[DAILYTRUST]

Suspected Bandits kill five MOPOL officers in Niger

Five mobile policemen have been reportedly killed in an attack by suspected gunmen on Tuesday in Pangu community of Rafi Local Government Area of Niger state, 

The gunmen were also accused of burning down the Pangu primary healthcare centre and two vehicles belonging to the mobile policemen.

The gunmen according to sources from the community invaded the town on motorcycles shooting sporadically to scare people away. 

It was gathered that the gunmen began shooting the mobile policemen who tried to stop the attack and that led to the death of the security agents.

The bodies of the deceased have been taken to the IBB Specialist Hospital.

The Niger State Commissioner for Information, Mohammed Sani Idris, while responding to questions from newsmen about the attack did not confirm nor deny the attack.

He said, “There have been attacks here and there” while no specific information was given on the Pangu community attack.

Also, the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, could not be reached to confirm the attack and death of the policemen.

[Punch]

Gunmen Kill Two Policemen, Lawyers, Seven Others In Ebonyi

Unknown gunmen have reportedly shot dead two police officers, two lawyers and seven others in Isu and Onicha-Igboeze communities, in the Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

It was learnt that the cops were reportedly killed in Isu while others were killed in Onicha Igboeze during an invasion by the gunmen.

It was gathered that two lawyers who were passing with a vehicle, ran into the gunmen during the attack.

The police in Ebonyi State have confirmed the attack, although the details of the incident are still sketchy.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Aliyu Garba, has dispatched a team of policemen to the area.

[Saharareporters]

Biafra Apparel: HURIWA Carpets Army For Brutalizing Actor Chiwetalu Agu

The alleged brutalization and physical harassment and torture of the popular Nollywoods Actor Mr Chinwetalu Agu over his recent viral photo of him putting on the clothes made from the flag of the defunct Biafra Republic has been described as animalistic, insensitive, irresponsible, irrational, despicable and reprehensible.
Canvassing immediate redress by the military high command, the prominent Civil society and pro-democracy group:- HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA) said it was illegal to harass, a law abiding citizen like Mr. Chinwetalu Agu who has deployed his monumental creative talents as an actor to mobilize the society and to advocate for an ethically sensitive and humane society, must not be allowed to be swept under the carpets of impunity.
“Where is that valid law within the federal Republic of Nigeria under constitutional democracy that denies the citizens their choice of apparel? Why is the flag of the defunct Biafra if turned into a clothe now made offensive and why is the Nigerian Army seeking to polarize the society and deepen the misperception that the military exercise in the South was meant to subject the citizens to ordeals of gross Human Rights Violations when this is not so? We condemn this overzealous tendencies of the military troop that undertook this abysmal and primitive act of humiliating a citizen for putting on his choice clothes when the primary duty of the Army is to protect the territorial integrity of Nigeria? In which way has Mr. Chinwetalu Agu disrespected any provisions of the law and assuming without conceding that the putting on of apparel displaying the flag of the defunct Biafra Republic is unlawful, are there no human rights and law based procedure for bringing him to justice without metting out such level of brutality despite his age and his immense contributions to the entertainment industry?” 

HURIWA spoke further: “We hereby appealed to the Chief of Army staff Lieutenant General Yahaya Faruk to arrest  and sanction the Soldiers captured on the viral video for harassing and torturing the elder statesman or alternatively, we urge the victim of this Human Rights violation to seek redress in the Court of law under section 6 of the Constitution”.
Specifically, section 6 states thus: “(1) The judicial powers of the Federation shall be vested in the courts to which this section relates, being courts established for the Federation. (2)  The judicial powers of a State shall be vested in the courts to which this section relates, being courts established, subject as provided by this Constitution, for a State. (3)  The courts to which this section relates, established by this Constitution for the Federation and for the States, specified in subsection (5) (a) to (1) of this section, shall be the only superior courts of record in Nigeria; and save as otherwise prescribed by the National Assembly or by the House of Assembly of a State, each court shall have all the powers of a superior court of record. (4)  Nothing in the foregoing provisions of this section shall be construed as precluding:- (a)                        the National Assembly or any House of Assembly from establishing courts, other than those to which this section relates, with subordinate jurisdiction to that of a High Court; (b)                        the National Assembly or any House of Assembly, which does not require it, from abolishing any court which it has power to establish or which it has brought into being.(5)  This section relates to:- (a)  the Supreme Court of Nigeria; (b)  the Court of Appeal; (c)   the Federal High Court; (d)  the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja; (e)   a High Court of a State(f)   the Sharia Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja;(g)   a Sharia Court of Appeal of a State; (h)  the Customary Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja; (i)    a Customary Court of Appeal of a State;(j)    such other courts as may be authorised by law to exercise jurisdiction on matters with respect to which the National Assembly may make laws; and (k)  such other court as may be authorised by law to exercise jurisdiction at first instance or on appeal on matters with respect to which a House of Assembly may make laws.(6)  The judicial powers vested in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this section – (a)  shall extend, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this constitution, to all inherent powers and sanctions of a court of law(b)  shall extend, to all matters between persons, or between government or authority and to any persons in Nigeria, and to all actions and proceedings relating thereto, for the determination of any question as to the civil rights and obligations of that person; (c)   shall not except as otherwise provided by this Constitution, extend to any issue or question as to whether any act of omission by any authority or person or as to whether any law or any judicial decision is in conformity with the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy set out in Chapter II of this Constitution; (d)  shall not, as from the date when this section comes into force, extend to any action or proceedings relating to any existing law made on or after 15th January, 1966 for determining any issue or question as to the competence of any authority or person to make any such law.                     
HURIWA condemned the action of those soldiers because it violates section 42(1) which provides thus: “A citizen of Nigeria of a particular community, ethnic group, place of origin, sex, religion or political opinion shall not, by reason only that he is such a person:- a)    be subjected either expressly by, or in the practical application of, any law in force in Nigeria or any executive or administrative action of the government, to disabilities or restrictions to which citizens of Nigeria of other communities, ethnic groups, places of origin, sex, religions or political opinions are not made subject; or b)   be accorded either expressly by, or in the practical application of, any law in force in Nigeria or any such executive or administrative action, any privilege or advantage that is not accorded to citizens of Nigeria of other communities, ethnic groups, places of origin, sex, religions or political opinions.(2)                        No citizen of Nigeria shall be subjected to any disability or deprivation merely by reason of the circumstances of his birth.  Section 36. (1) In the determination of his civil rights and obligations, including any question or determination by or against any government or authority, a person shall be entitled to a fair hearing within a reasonable time by a court or other tribunal established by law and constituted in such manner as to secure its independence and impartiality.  Section 35.(1) Every person shall be entitled to his personal liberty and no person shall be deprived of such liberty save in the following cases and in accordance with a procedure permitted by law – a)    in execution of the sentence or order of a court in respect of a criminal offence of which he has been found guilty; b)   by reason of his failure to comply with the order of a court or in order to secure the fulfilment of any obligation imposed upon him by law; c)    for the purpose of bringing him before a court in execution of the order of a court or upon reasonable suspicion of his having committed a criminal offence, or to such extent as may be reasonably necessary to prevent his committing a criminal offence; d)    in the case of a person who has not attained the age of eighteen years for the purpose of his education or welfare; e)    in the case of persons suffering from infectious or contagious disease, persons of unsound mind, persons addicted to drugs or alcohol or vagrants, for the purpose of their care or treatment or the protection of the community; or f)      for the purpose of preventing the unlawful entry of any person into Nigeria or of effecting the expulsion, extradition or other lawful removal from Nigeria of any person or the taking of proceedings relating thereto: Provided that a person who is charged with an offence and who has been detained in lawful custody awaiting trial shall not continue to be kept in such detention for a period longer than the maximum period of imprisonment prescribed for the offence. And Section 34. (1) Every individual is entitled to respect for the dignity of his person, and accordingly – a)    no person shall be subject to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment; b)   no person shall he held in slavery or servitude; and c)    no person shall be required to perform forced of compulsory labour.” 
HURIWA cited news reports  that popular Nollywood actor, Chinwetalu Agu, was reportedly brutalized by Nigerian soldiers for wearing an outfit with colours of the Biafran flag.

It was gathered that the incident occurred in the Upper Iweka area of Anambra state.

According to an eye witness, the Nigerian soldiers had stopped the Nollywood actors, bringing him out of his vehicle for interrogation.

Recall that Chinwetalu Agu had recently rocked the Biafra flag attire in a post on social media.

Nigeria’s Christian Association President, Ayokunle, Sultan Of Sokoto Demand Arrest Of Muslim Mob That Killed Kano Pastor

The Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) has appealed to the Nigeria Police Force to thoroughly investigate the murder of Pastor Shuaibu Yohanna who was killed by an irate mob in Kano last month. 

Astatement signed by Cornelius Omonokhua, the Executive Secretary of the council, NIREC condemned the brutal killing of the pastor and attack on his residence, stating that there is no justification for the attack. 

It further said justice must be served while calling for calm in the affected area. 

The statement reads, “NIREC under the leadership of the co-chairmen, His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, the President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Dr Samson Olasupo Adeniyi Ayokunle, received the sad news from the Kano State Branch of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Wednesday, September 22, 2021, that Pastor Shuaibu Yohanna was murdered by some irate youths of Masu community where he had lived and pastored the New Life for All Nations Church for about 10 years. 

“NIREC appreciates the leadership of Kano State Branch of the Christian Association of NIGERIA (CAN) and the Assistant Coordinator, CAN, Sumaila LGA for being proactive in visiting Masu to manage and prevent further conflicts and reprisal. 

“NIREC also appreciates the role of the security agents in ensuring peace by protecting lives and property in the community. Those who did not take the law into their own hands by contacting the DPO of the Gani Police Division are well appreciated.

“NIREC condemns the killing of the Pastor, the attack on the Church building, School, staff office and the destruction of his house. No reason can justify this criminality.

“NIREC, therefore, condoles with the family of Pastor Shuaibu Yohanna and prays that God grant him eternal repose. We pray that those arrested and all those involved in this criminal act must be seen to be dealt with in accordance with the law of the land. 

“NIREC appeals to the Kano State Command of the Nigeria Police Force to honestly do the needful. NIREC also calls on all the relevant security agencies to properly investigate this gruesome murder and ensure that those found culpable are made to face justice. 

“NIREC calls on the citizens of Kano and Nigeria to continue to strive for peaceful coexistence in the various communities of the nation. We call for calm as NIREC is already in touch with Rev. Adeolu Samuel Adeyemo, CAN Chairman, Kano State, and the Emir of Kano, His Highness, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, to find the way forward out of this unfortunate incident.”

A Muslim mob had killed a pastor Yohanna Shuaibu in Massu, a village in the Sumaila Local Government Area of Kano State.

According to the Hausa Christian Foundation (HACFO) in a statement, the mob also burnt down the slain pastor’s house, church, and mission school.

The incident reportedly happened when a young Muslim man who had converted to Christianity allegedly killed his brother’s wife during a fight and the mob suspected that the pastor had a hand in his alleged conversion.

[Saharareporters]

Attorney-General Malami, Others Sacrifice Presidential Ambitions For Buhari’s 3rd Term Agenda As President Plans To Visit Scotland, France, Others

Members of the Aso Rock cabal are pushing a third-term agenda for President Muhammadu Buhari and for the amendment of the Nigerian Constitution to allow the President to stay beyond 2023, Presidency sources have told SaharaReporters.

Section 137 (1)(b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), provides that “a person shall not be qualified for election to the office of President if he has been elected to such office at any two previous elections”.

A similar move was made about 14 years for former President Olusegun Obasanjo, which failed.

The so-called Third Term Agenda collapsed on May 16, 2006, when the Nigerian Senate threw out the Constitutional Amendments Bill. Obasanjo left office a year later on May 29, 2007.

Sources in the Presidency told SaharaReporters on Wednesday night that members of the Aso Rock cabal are in on it and that some of them who had presidential ambitions ahead of 2023 elections had been told to step down.

One of them is the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, who had been eyeing the Presidency, as SaharaReporters had earlier reported. 

The cabals comprising some members of the President’s extended family, friends, and some northern governors and leaders are described as the powers behind the throne. 

The recent clamour by Northern elites has also been linked to the third-term agenda, with strong northern voices stressing that the region could retain the Presidency following Buhari’s departure from office. 

One of the sources added that Buhari is expected to visit Glasgow, Scotland; Paris, France, and Dubai, the United Arab Emirates before the end of 2021.

The source, however, did not disclose if the trips have anything to do with the President’s third-term agenda.

“Recently, members of the cabal with interest in Presidency were told to step down. Malami is now back as Kebbi State APC (All Progressives Congress) Governorship candidate after initially telling people he could run for President,” one of the sources told SaharaReporters.

“Also, the recent strong clamour for the presidency to remain in the Northern part of the country is as a result of this. Guess who they want to use to push the agenda? It’s the same person you know, the APC candidate in the November governorship election in Anambra, Andy Uba. 

“Uba is expected to start the third term campaign when he wins as Anambra governor. He did it before for Obasanjo, paying off lawmakers in the failed third term campaign. He is the one being used by the cabals to do the dirty job again many years after.”

“Buhari to visit Glasgow, Scotland, Paris, France and Dubai, UAE before the end of 2021 amidst strong rumour of third term agenda,” another source said. 

This comes two years after an APC chieftain, Charles Enya filed a suit, seeking the amendment of the constitution to allow Buhari to get another term in office.

Enya, who served as Organising Secretary to Buhari during the 2019 general elections had filed the suit (FHC/AI/CS/90/19) before a Federal High Court in Abakiliki, Ebonyi State.

He asked Malami, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, as well as the National Assembly, to remove constitutional clauses hindering elected presidents and governors from seeking a third term in office.

The APC member sought for possible expungement of both sections. According to him, “that section 137(1)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,1999 (as amended) restricting the president to only two terms of four years each, is inoperative by virtue of its discriminatory nature in relation to the executive and legislative branches of government in Nigeria, and therefore null and void and thus inapplicable”.

He also sought an “order of the court nullifying and setting aside Sections 137(1)(b) and 182(1) (b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended). And directing the first and second defendants to delete and expunge sections 137(1)(b) and 182(1)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, (as amended).”

A few days after, Buhari claimed he wasn’t going to make the mistake of attempting a third term.

“I’m not going to make the mistake of attempting a third term. Besides the age, I swore by the holy book that I would go by the constitution and the constitution said two terms,” the President had said during the APC NEC meeting on November 22, 2019.

[Saharareporters]

Bandits Kill Eleven in Latest Katsina Attack

At least eleven persons have been reported killed after deadly armed bandits launched an attack on Yasore community in Batsari local government area of Katsina state, North West Nigeria.

The attack was made known by Activist Yusuf Anka who has been consistently reporting the activities of bandits in the North-West region of Nigeria.

According to a tweet put forward on his twitter handle, Anka reported that the bandits also injured ten villagers during the deadly attack. He further said that houses were destroyed by the bandits.

This attack is coming barely 24 hours after bandits killed 18 people in Kuryan Madaro communit in Kaura local government area of neighboring Zamfara state.

Katsina the home state of President Muhammadu Buhari has been under repeated armed bandits attack with almost a dozen local government area alleged to be under the control of the bandits despite ongoing military operations in the region.

Nigeria’s Police Inspector-General Brings Back Notorious Police Unit, SARS

The Inspector-General of Police, Alkali Baba Usman has revived a notorious unit of the Nigeria Police Force, which was disbanded last year after #EndSARS protests, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). 

SARS was notorious for brutality, extrajudicial killings, and human rights abuses. 

In a statement obtained by SaharaReporters, the IGP was said to have released new terms and conditions on the operation of SARS officials. 

The Police Force also made phone numbers available for citizens to report harassment.

According to Baba Usman, SARS has been reformed and the new rules of engagement are stated below:

“No SARS personnel is allowed to interface in any civil matter.

“They are not allowed to interfere in cybercrime (yahoo yahoo).

“No SARS personnel is allowed to conduct a stop and search exercise unless there is a distress call from victims or members of the public.

“They are not allowed to be involved in commercial matters, debt recovery, (landlord vs tenant issues).

“They are not allowed to interfere in any social/relationship cases (marital matters, boyfriend/girlfriend relationship).

“They are strictly for armed robbery and kidnapping cases!”

Also, citizens are encouraged to report cases of harassment by any of its officials to the following office: DIG, Department of Operations:

08037025670, IGP X-SQUAD 0902 690 0729, 08078662130, 08174041000 – CALLS.

0903 227 8905 – SMS.

0903 562 1377 – WhatsApp

Last October, there were massive protests in some states tagged #EndSARS, largely organised by youths, to call for an end to police brutality. 

They also demanded that SARS, a police unit, notorious for human rights abuses, extrajudicial killings, and other atrocities should be disbanded.

But during the protests against police brutality, the Nigeria police unleashed more terror on peaceful protesters in many parts of the country, including at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos, the epicentre of the struggle. 

The repressive regime of Muhammadu Buhari was forced to disband SARS. 

It thereafter introduced the Special Weapons and Tactics Team, which many Nigerians described as not different from the disbanded SARS. 

Meanwhile, the police inspector General, Baba Usman once said the disbandment of SARS had created a vacuum in policing the country.

He added that the morale of police officers in the country had been low since the #EndSARS protests in October 2020.

[Saharareporters]