REFUSAL TO CLASSIFY FULANI MILITIA AS TERRORISTS IS A DISSERVICE TO NIGERIA-: SAYS HURIWA

“That armed Fulani militia continue to decimate and degrade operatives of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and President Muhammadu Buhari continues to delay the classification of these mass murderers as terrorists is a grave disservice to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and amounts to a violation of the countrr terrorism law because it portrays the Federal government of President Buhari as a sponsor of terrorists and a terrorism sympathiser”. 

With the above citation the prominent Civil Rights Advocacy Group-: HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA) has once again condemned the tolerable tendency of the Federal government towards the daredevil mass killings of armed Fulani bandits who are yet to classify as terrorists and who have continued to unleashed violence in Zango Kataf Southern Kaduna State and most parts of North West including Zamfara where I the last few days, scores of armed security operatives and soldiers have been slaughtered hy the armed bandits.

“HURIWA is shocked that the soldiers were killed while trying to repel the attack of armed Fulani attackers in Zamfara State and some villages in the Christian dominated Southern Kaduna were attacked and many villagers killed but the government is still pampering these terrorists. The bandits were said to have abducted many motorists and carted away guns and ammunitions of the soldiers.  A resident, Abubakar Bala Tsafe, confirmed the attack  “I heard that they blocked the Wanzamai – Kucheri road and they killed soldiers. The attack took place around 2:45 p.m. and they (bandits) were said to have closed down the road to ensure that security personnel did not come to the rescue of the motorists or villagers being attacked.”

HURIWA is convinced that the failure of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to classify the North Western armed Fulani bandits as terrorists even when they have shot down a military jet and have continued to kill off operatives of the Nigeria Police and Nigeria Army amounts to being SYMPATHETIC TO TERRORISTS.  

” For the avoidance of doubts, terrorism is the unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government or its citizens to further certain political or social objectives.

CAUSES OF TERRORISM. Thus, the causes of terrorism suggested include “poverty,” “inequality,” “globalization,” “technology,” “energy,” “oil,” “Islam,” “Islamic fundamentalism,” and “psychopathy,” among others. There are also widespread challenges to each of these causes on both scientific and ideological grounds.

Nigeria is no stranger to the activities of terrorists, and in particular, Boko-Haram. … Nigeria has a national legislation against terrorism, Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013, which provides measures for the prevention, prohibition and combating of acts of terrorism, and the financing of terrorism.”

HURIWA says ignoring persistent call by Nigerians on government  to classify armed bandits as terrorists is itself a crime of terrorism. Declaration of Fulani militia members as terrorists will allow the judicial system to be employed to deal decisively with them. This is because the

Federal terrorism penalties can include a death sentence even where a state has banned the death penalty. Even if no one is harmed or killed, an individual can face a long prison sentence. A conviction for providing material support or resources to a terrorist organization can result in imprisonment for 20 years.”

“As stated above the penalties can range from a 20-year jail term to death sentences depending on the severity of cases. The Act also facilitates help from foreign governments by way of mutual assistance, information sharing, and extradition with regard to that.

According to Federal High Court Practice Direction it is only the High Court that has the exclusive Jurisdiction on Matters on Terrorism. Laws guiding Terrorism in Nigeria. 

-Terrorism prevention Act ( TPA)2011.

-Terrorism prevention  (Amendment )Act 2013.

-Criminal code ( in the south ) Cap 38.

-Penal code ( in the North )Cap 89.

-Administration of criminal justice Act 2015.

THE POSITION OF LAW ON THE GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS TO COMBAT TERRORIST. 

The Terrorism Prevention Act 2011 and 2013  as amended  provides for the prevention and combating of Acts of terrorism and the finacing of terrorism in Nigeria.All states have obligation to prosecute  any individual alleged to have committed  Terrorism crimes and  extradicte The suspect to a third state for prosecution,just like in the extradition of Amino Sadiq Ogwuche from Sudan to Nigeria in 2014 to face terms charges In Abuja relating to the bomb attack on Nyanya bus terminal, Abuja in 2014 is an example of the obligations to prosecute or extradite. 

The ground against terrorism in Nigeria ;

The constitution,  court system and anti – terriorism laws. 

LAW AND CASES  AGAINST SUPPORT TO TERRIORISM. According to Section 15(1-3) of ECONOMIC AND FINACIAL CRIME COMMISSION  (established ) Act 2004.

(1) – A person who wilfully provides or collects by any means directly or indirectly  any money by any other person with intent that the money shall be used for any act of Terriorism commits an Offence under this act and shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for life.

(2)- Any person who commits or attempt to commits a terrorist act ,commits an Offence under this act and liable on conviction to imprisonment for life.

(3)- Any person who makes funds,finacial assets or economic resources or finacial or other related services available for use of any other person to commit or attempt to commit,facilitie or participate in the commission of a terriorist act is liable on conviction to imprisonment for life. 

In the Federal Republic of Nigeria Vs Sauaibu Abubakar,Salisu Ahmed,Umar Babangida ,Mohammed  Ali,Musa Adam and Umar Ibrahim, the accused were charged under section 15 (2).of the Economic and finacial crime commission.”

ALASTOR ( a call into reality)

By

Favour Emmanuel

Was up all night watching a scary movie, Edna my roomie was already out… her boyfriend’s, she would be spending the night. I was alone..

Now I’m not one to scare easy so watching horror movies alone  had no creep effect on me. I am not a spiritual person, I don’t believe in superstition or supernaturals, however, I do find such movies quite interesting.

The movie ended at around 2am, past mid night, going morning. I turned off my system and tucked myself in my blanket as scenes from the movie played in my head repeatedly. The fact that they even claimed it was from actual life events made me chuckle a bit and I unconsciously, reluctantly called out the demons name just as they did in the movie Alastor, Alastor!

Few seconds later i felt warm breath in my left ear. It smelled like rot from a sea of corpses. It didn’t make any sense because I was the only person in the house, I gently pushed my finger into my left ear and lightly itched it and then smelled my armpits since I hadn’t really taken a bath that day, I did smell just not like rot…

I ignored and went straight to bed but a disturbing feeling woke me, a twitching on my left foot… It felt like something wet was rubbing under my foot, I quickly reached for my phone, turned the torch on and flashed towards my feet… I saw something, I don’t know what it was. Blind with no eye balls yet it stared directly at me, It had its wet creeping tongue under my foot but i hurriedly pulled my feet from it and it disappeared,

Quickly, off the bed I jumped and turned the lights on, hoping to get some comfort but there it was… Standing right in front of me, with eyes black as the darkness it hailed from. I could see a thousand deaths in it’s gaze. No more than 2inchs away from mine, I could feel it’s thick cold breath against my lips, breath that smelled like death…

It had weird markings on its face, markings that looked like they were carved with a hot iron….  Wait, This creature looked familiar, like I’ve seen it somewhere, the movie I watched earlier.. at this point I was shaking, my feet trembling as sweat rolled down my body like rain drops. Still in shiver I called her name “A…Al…Alastor” She screamed loudly, so loud it could ruin any eardrum, her mouth was wide and wild, she could swallow me in an instant…

At this point I woke up. Breathing heavily…sweat emitted from my body..  It was a dream. Thank God it was only a dream. I said to my self still shaking. “Beep Beep” my heart almost flew from my chest, I grasped my chest breathing twice as fast as I was “chill out girl it’s just your phone” I said to myself,

I took my phone and checked … it was a message from an unknown number “You have summoned me here and now I shall dwell in you till the end of time.”
I immediately started to feel this burn in my left arm… I could smell my burning skin as letters started to appear one by one till they spelt her name  A_L_A_S_T_O_R

What have I done…

PDP chieftain urges IPOB to stop violent campaign in South East

Alhaji Lawal Usman,  a  Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaduna State,  has advised the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to stop its  current violent  campaign in the South East.

Usman,  popularly called ‘Mr LA’ told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Zaria that the campaign lacked support from the leaders of the South East.

He also faulted the group’s threats to break away from Nigeria, saying it was not real.

“We have Igbo people living and doing business in all parts of the country,  are you saying that this people are ready to fold their businesses and fortunes and just go back empty handed from Nigeria.

“The  whole thing about IPOB is a great joke, they just want attention from the Federal Government.

“I don’t take them seriously, left to me, they won’t last more than one week, especially if the government is serious about them.

“There are great people in South East who believe in oneness of Nigeria, I think that IPOB is made up of some trouble makers, making noise trying to seek government attention,” Usman said.

He said that the group had no knowledge of Nigeria’s politics.

“They are young men who have no knowledge of the  country’s  history, especially the Civil War, I think they needed to be educated on the history of the country, because they are acting blindly.

“They are also seeking for foreign funding from enemies of Nigeria who do not wish the country well,” he said.

Usman said that Igbo business men were scattered across the country,  doing legitimate businesses and  ownership property.

“There are Igbo businessmen and women in Kano for example doing business and living peacefully for years and they are not talking of Biafra.

“There are Igbo businessmen in Abuja,  in Yola,  Kaduna, Sokoto and all-over the North owning property and living like Kings in the areas,  they are not  talking of Biafra.

“The Anambra election was also held peacefully where people voted for their choice candidates, without thinking of Biafra, ” he said.

Usman advised IPOB to channel it grievances through the South East representatives at the  National Assembly rather than engage in violent campaign without results.

(NAN)

Your allegation of terrorism sponsorship a disgusting distraction – FG replies GATE

The Federal Government has described the allegation byGlobal Advocates for Terrorism Eradication (GATE) that its officials are sponsors of terrorism, as a disgusting distraction.

This is contained in a statement on Sunday by the Minister of Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.Mohammed said that the allegation by the U.S-based non-profit organiation,  was orchestrated by those seeking to weaken the ongoing massive onslaught against terrorists and bandits in the country.

He said the so-called GATE “is a pesky irritant that should beignored, especially because it is as confused as it is irresponsible”

“This organisation called GATE is not even worth the ink with which its name is written.

“How can a serious organisation accuse agovernment that is tackling the twin evil of terrorism and banditry with uncommon determination of sponsoring terrorism?”

“Is it not curious that this organisation has chosen this particular time, when terrorists are either surrendering in droves or running helter-skelter, as a result of a renewed offensive against them by the military, to orchestrate a distraction?

“What could be GATE’s motive if not to weaken the fight against terror and banditry?”

“GATE and its sponsors should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves and should quit trying to distract our gallant troops who are doing everything possible, including making the supreme sacrifice, to keep our country safe,” the minister said.

Mohammed said the fact that GATE, in making its absurd allegation, relied on the words of a thoroughly-discredited, fake-news-peddling former Nigerian Navy intelligence officer has shown the hollowness of its allegation.

“In the fight against terrorism, Nigeria has availed itself creditably by tackling home-grown terrorists with links to globalterrorist organizations.

“We make bold to say that no administration in Nigeria has risen to the challenge of terrorism like the Buhari Administration has done.

“The acquisition of a myriad of platforms, the boost to the morale of our fighting forces and the leadership provided by President Muhammadu Buhari have combined to put our gallant troops in good stead.

“These have also helped the troops to frontally confront and put on the run the terrorists.

“Fittingly, Nigeria’s efforts at tackling terrorism have been hailed globally.

“What our gallant men and women need at this time is the support, encouragement and prayers of all, not the distracting antics of a relevance-seeking, feckless organisation masquerading as a terrorism eradication advocate,” he said.

(NAN)

Gunmen kill 4 mourners in Benue – Police

The Benue Police Command said gunmen attacked and killed four mourners and injured one at Imande Abur village, Mbategh ward of the Logo Local Government Area of the State.

This is contained in a press statement on Sunday, signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Catherine Anene, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Makurdi.

According to the statement, three gunmen attacked the mourners on Saturday at a wake “and shot sporadically at mourners who were assembled at a funeral ceremony.”

“Police teams within the area swiftly moved to the area but the suspects took to their heels on sighting the police.

“Five persons sustained gunshot injuries and were rushed to hospital for treatment but unfortunately four of them lost their lives while receiving treatment.”

The Command further commiserated with families of the victims and assured that justice would definitely be served as detectives are already on the trail of the suspects.

(NAN)