Agwam Bajju: Southern Kaduna People In The Diaspora (U.S.A) Mourn Monarch

…..Say His Experience and patriotic enthusiasm will be greatly missed

The Southern Kaduna People in the Diaspora, U.S.A have expressed grief over the demise of the Agwam Bajju, His Royal Highness, Nuhu Bature, OON who passed on after a brief illness on Saturday December 18.

In a condolence statement signed by SOKAD Coordinator, Professor Martin Shinkut and President, Ms Alice Chat Osunde, the group described the death of the Agwam Bajju I as a monumental loss not only to the Bajju Chiefdom in Zango-Kataf Local Government Area of the state but to the state and the entire country.

The statement reads;

It is with profound sorrow that we learned of the unfortunate and tragic passing of His Highness Nuhu Bature, the Agwam Bajju who passed on Saturday December 18, 2021. His death is coming at a time that the Kajju Community, Southern Kaduna, Kaduna state and indeed the north needed his service, experience and patriotic enthusiasm the most in addressing the pressing violence that has become endemic to Southern Kaduna and the North as a whole. We have lost a man of wisdom, who was a unifying factor and a worthy ambassador who excelled in his role as a royal father.

Our grief is indeed heartfelt, for we note with great commendation the outstanding contributions of his Royal Highness to the development and peace of Kajju Community in particular, Zangon Kataf Local Government, Southern Kaduna, and Kaduna State as a whole.

From the inception of his rule as the first Chief of Kajju, HH Nuhu Bature showed love for his people and respect for justice. He was a good leader known for his commitment to peace and unity in the community. He made great efforts to ensure that development to areas within his jurisdiction and beyond was evenly spread.

HH Nuhu Bature will certainly be remembered for his leadership qualities that united, strengthened and enhanced the progress of the Kajju people. His untiring efforts at community development and furthering the struggle for peace, his faith in his subjects, his sincerity and commitment to democratic ideals are legacies he would be remembered for. HH was a true Nigerian, a leader of high character and moral values, a good leader with immense prowess and dexterity, with a clean and impeccable record to his credit.

We mourn the loss of this illustrious son of Kajju and pledge our unswerving solidarity, love and support for the ideals he stood for, and resolve to strengthen the bonds uniting the people of Southern Kaduna. Once more, we express our sincere condolence to the family of HH Nuhu Bature, the entire Kajju community, Zangon Kataf Local Government, and the entire Southern Kaduna community. We pray that the Almighty God grant perpetual rest to His Highness, and comfort to the immediate family, Kajju community, and all of us on this mournful moment.

50 Feared Killed as Suspected Terrorists launch 72 Hours attack on Tiv Communities in Nasarawa

…….Tiv Community Dismisses Reprisals Claim, alleges conspiracy against the Tiv people in the state

By Steven Kefas

No fewer than fifty five Tiv farmers have been reportedly killed in 12 communities across Lafia, Obi, and Awe Local Government Areas of Nasarawa State following 3 days campaign of violence by terrorists suspected to be Fulani herdsmen militias.

The attacks began on Friday, November 17 and extended to Sunday, November 19, a Tiv Community leader, Peter Ahemba told Middle Belt Times on telephone.

“The attacks started around 11am on Friday and went on till Sunday evening across three local government areas in the state

“The attacks were unprovoked and well coordinated across various Tiv communities in the state.

“We have so far recovered 35 bodies while about 20 are still missing and we believe they may also have died of gunshots injuries in the bushes.

“This is why we believe that the death toll is around 45 to 50.” Ahemba said.

The Nasarawa state police command had earlier confirmed the attack but said that seven people were killed during in contradiction of the position of the Tiv development association in the state.

The statement reads, “On 17/12/2021 at about 1140hrs, a complaint was received that one Umaru Idrisu ‘M’ of Gidan Washi Village, Obi LGA was attacked and killed by unknown armed men.

“Upon receipt of the complaints, the Commissioner of Police, CP Adesina Soyemi ordered the Divisional Police Officer, Obi Division to move to the scene where the corpse was removed and taken to the hospital for post mortem examination but later released to the family for burial according to Islamic rites.

“Security has been provided in the village to prevent the breakdown of law and order as an investigation has since commenced to unravel the mystery behind the attack and bring the perpetrators to book.

“While the investigation was ongoing, a suspected reprisal attack was carried out by unknown persons in Hangara village, Lafia East Development Area, Lafia LGA and crossed over to the neighbouring Kwayero Village of Obi LGA and the following persons namely: Sani Dauda, Danjuma Liambee, Uloho Jerry, Shedrack Kente, Tersoo Clement, Gwanje Soja and Ayuba Ali were attacked and killed; their corpses were recovered and taken to the hospital by the Police.

“In view of the foregoing, the Commissioner of Police, CP Adesina Soyemi has moved to the scene of the incidents, contacted and held meetings with critical stakeholders in the various communities and urged them to suspend further hostilities and live in peace and assured them that a comprehensive investigation is ongoing, as the perpetrators of the act will not go unpunished”. He said.

The Tiv Development Association in Nasarawa state has dismissed the claim that the attacks were reprisals saying that the dead body of the Fulani man found could have been killed by anyone since it was found on the road side.

Chief Clement Ibo, the paramount ruler of the Tiv people in Nasarawa state told Middle Belt Times that the killings that befell the Tiv community over the weekend cannot be said to be reprisals. He said he suspects a conspiracy against the Tiv people in the state.

“How can they say it was reprisals, this seems to me a pure conspiracy against the Tiv people.

“Even the dead body of the Fulani man they claimed was killed, there was no injury on him, therefore he could have collapsed or anything could have happened to him leading to his death.

“Come to think of it, if it was truly a reprisal as claimed, why didn’t it stop at the community where the man was found dead, why did it spread to other Tiv communities in other local government areas”? Ibo asked.

The Nasarawa state government on Monday convened a security meeting with the affected communities in an effort to prevent further excalation of violence in the area.

JUST-IN: Military Raids Turji’s Hideout, Kill Scores Of Bandits In Zamfara, Sokoto Forests

The notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji, is reportedly ‘incapacitated’ after sustaining severe injuries when military fighter jets raided his hideouts and bandits camps in the North-West.

The attack jets of the Air Task Force, (ATF), Operation Hadin Kai, also killed several bandits in the raid carried out at some forests in Zamfara and Sokoto States, early Saturday morning.

A military intelligence source told PRNigeria that the Air Task Force aggressive operation, in conjunction with ground troops of the Nigerian Army, took place at Shinkafi town in Zamfara State, and Bafarawa, Isa, Sabon Birni areas of Sokoto State.

According to the intelligence source, the actual number of bandits who were eliminated by the dawn airstrikes could not be ascertained.

PRNigeria, however, gathered that some bandits who sustained serious injuries attempted to flee, but were ambushed by ground troops.

“Apart from spontaneous operations in Katsina and Zamfara, from 16-17 December 2021, strikes were conducted by NAF aircraft at bandits camps in Isa, Sabon Birni axis and East Tozei where several bandits were eliminated while others escaped in disarray.

“Furthermore on the morning of 18 Dec 21, airstrikes were carried out in Gebe Village, Sokoto State where bandits were hitherto harassing innocent citizens were also mercilessly dealt with. Yet, few of the bandits still escaped, abandoning their weapons, in the process,” the source added.

Revealing how their military operation was conducted in the two North-West States, another intelligence operative of the Nigerian Army, said recent joint operations by air and ground troops a
were yielding positive results.

He said a General Officer Commanding (GOC) led troops to strongholds of the bandits in Sokoto and Zamfara States, while at the same time multiple airstrikes of the military attack jets pounded the criminal bandits.

“Many of them were neutralized. Credible reports indicate that Turji was badly wounded by today’s strike and if not dead. There were civilians that were also set free, after our military raids at the bandits’ forest camps,

“There may likely be collateral damages in communities where bandits are harboured and protected because some community leaders are reluctant to provide useful information on the bandits in their areas,” he stated.

[Leadership]

Bandits Kill 20 Villagers In Kaduna

At least 20 villagers were killed when bandits raided0 villages in Giwa local government area of Kaduna State.

The villages attacked were Kauran Fawa, Marke and Riheya villages in Idasu, Giwa.

The state Commissioner Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, confirmed the attack in a statement issued on Sunday.

According to him, houses, trucks, and cars were also burnt, along with agricultural produce at various farms.

Aruwan said Governor Nasir El-Rufai, who received the reports with sadness, had sent condolences to the families of the victims of the brutal attacks while praying for the repose of their souls.

The Governor also commiserated with the affected communities and directed the State Emergency Management Agency to conduct an urgent assessment of the area towards providing relief.

[Dailytrust]

SOKAPU, Sowore Call For Sanction, Travel Ban On El-Rufai, Demand Immediate Release Of Journalist Luka Binniyat

Human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, has called on the international community to sanction Kaduna State governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai, over the continued detention of a journalist, Mr Luka Binniyat.

Binniyat is also the spokesperson for Southern Kaduna Peoples Union.

Sowore also called on the Kaduna governor to order the release of the journalist as matter of urgency and necessity.

He made the call on Saturday in Abuja during a press conference organised by Southern Kaduna Peoples Union and civil society organisations
over the continued detention and persecution of the journalist.

Sowore said it had become official policy of the President Muhammadu Buhari regime to do everything to silence, victimise and frustrate journalists and activists opposed to terrorism in Nigeria.

He said Governor el-Rufai had a penchant for gagging citizens and journalists, who cross his path or have critical view of his administration.

Sowore said, “It is known that the governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai, is one of the most intolerant governors when it comes to free speech in Nigeria.

“It is important not just to call on international community to sanction Nigeria but in particular I want to call for sanction of el-rufai as violator of free speech.

“I know for a fact that el-Rufai cannot travel to too many decent countries around the world anymore. I am aware he has been banned from entering the United States. But I think it is time he is banned from entry into any country around the world that have respect for fundamental rights particularly press freedom.

“I want to call on the Committee for the Protection of Journalists to declare el-Rufai one of the major violators of media freedom around the world.”

The activist added that there was no end in sight for attacks on journalists and violation of press freedom until individuals were held accountable for their atrocities and ignoble behaviour towards journalists.

He added that the Kaduna governor was not only known for ordering the arrest and detention of journalists in the state but also known for filing ‘libel suits’ against them despite the fact that he was a public office holder.

Sowore explained that the governor was in the habit of manipulating and abusing courts in the state for his selfish agenda.

He added, “Not only does el-Rufai engage in bullying online but his children are also bullies.  So, it is almost a psychological problem running in his family to be intolerant of posting views and I think the world should take note of this before it becomes a murderous act.

“It is dangerous because he is using official channels to mobilise criminals against these reporters.

“It is also urgent that Luka Binniyat is released immediately. Not only should he be released, but his security should be guaranteed because I am very sure that the governor of Kaduna State will use official and unofficial means to silence this particular individual.”

On his own part, National President of SOKAPU, Jonathan Asake, said Binniyat had been arrest and detained for five weeks without being  granted bail.

Asake called on el-Rufai and other government  officials responsible for his continued detention without trial to allow the courts to do their work and stop the persecution.

He said the journalist was arrested and charged for cyberstalking at a magistrate court that had no jurisdiction and since then he had been held despite his health challenges.

He said, “For over six years running, communities in Southern Kaduna have incessantly come under severe attacks by Fulani killer Herdsmen.

“These attackers usually invade our vulnerable and defenseless communities at odd hours unprovoked, where they mercilessly massacre the hapless villagers (mostly women and children being the greatest casualty), they maim, rape our women, destroy our properties, food stores and crops, abduct many more people into the bushes and often time occupy our lands with the government of the day doing nothing about it with no effort to bring perpetrators to justice.

“These atrocious and barbaric attacks on our communities which often times are of genocidal scale, have become the norm where presently we have over 108 identified communities have been displaced and living in dehumanising conditions as internally displaced persons without food or any social amenities like schools for the children and health care facilities.

“It is these kind of atrocities regularly meted out on our people that comrade Luka Binniyat, a journalist and true son of Southern Kaduna has refused to be silent about but committed himself to relentlessly expose them against the apparent complicit posture of the government authorities in Kaduna state which has continued to clamp down on press freedom and free speech as opposed to provisions of our national constitution.

“We are hereby calling on the government in Kaduna that are responsible for his continuous detention without trial to allow the courts to do their work and stop the persecution.

“We also call the attention of all media practitioners, the civil society and the international community to be on notice that free speech and the press are under siege in Kaduna State.”

[Saharareporters]

Gunmen kill vigilante, abduct DSS officer in Abuja

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a Department of State Services operative during an attack on residents in Abaji, Abaji Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, on Saturday.

The hoodlums also reportedly killed a vigilante member during the incident which occurred overnight.

The armed men were said to have invaded the community in their numbers and attacked a DSS outpost in the area.

During the exchange of gunshots with the DSS operatives, the gunmen successfully kidnapped a DSS operative.

Our correspondent could not confirm if the gang had demanded a ransom for the abducted officer.

The FCT police spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, said she did not have information on the incident and referred inquiries to the DSS.

But the spokesman to the secret police, Peter Afunanya, had yet to respond to inquiries as of the time of filing this report.

Our correspondent reports that Abaji has become notorious for criminal activities, including abductions of residents and travellers on the Abuja-Lokoja highway.

[Punch]

Terrorists Impose levies on Farmers in Niger

Terrorists operating in Niger State, North Central Nigeria have imposed levies on farmers before they can harvest their crops.

In the Rumbun Giwa community in the Mashegu Local Government Area, a terrorist group, Kungiyan Manuma, ordered all farmers to pay some specific levies and taxes before they can access their farms.

But the state government has urged farmers and communities not to comply with the demands.

Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Internal Security, Mr Emmanuel Umar, assured the farmers of protection.

“The bandits want farmers to pay some levies to access their farms. It is criminal.“We call on every farmer not to comply with this directive.

“No farmer should comply with this directive.“They should not give space to the criminals to change their lifestyles,” he said.

(Nation except header)

THE TRUTH IS: THIS GOVERNMENT IS NOT FIGHTING TERRORISTS: SAYS HURIWA

FAULTS NSA ON NAMES OF TERRORISTS FINANCIERS
 
Prominent Civil Rights Advocacy Group:- HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA) has blamed the Federal Government and the North West States for the unrelenting terror attacks being unleashed against soft targets in the North West of Nigeria including the recent bloodshed in Zaria, Kaduna State.
Relatedly, the Civil Rights group:- HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA) carpeted the National Security Adviser (NSA) for issuing very deliberately ambiguous list of the so- called financiers of terrorism in Nigeria in which case he was lavishly reported in the media even when he never listed the over 200 alleged Bureau De change operators reportedly charged before the Federal High Court for terrorism financing.
The National Security Adviser (NSA), Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd), identified Jama’at Nasr al-Islam Wal Muslimin (JNIM), Islamic and Muslim Support Group (GSIM) and ISGS as groups fuelling terrorism in Nigeria and other Sahel nations.
The NSA spoke at the 14th Workshop of the League of Ulamas, Preachers and Imams of Sahel countries in Abuja. He said: “Terrorism and the rapid escalation of violent activities by militant Islamist groups in the Sahel since 2016 have been primarily driven by the Islamic State in Greater Sahara (ISGS), which mainly operates in Mali and extends to Niger Republic and Burkina Faso.
 
Monguna said: “It is bolstered by activities of groups such as Jama’at Nasr al-Islam Wal Muslimin (JNIM), the Islamic and Muslim Support Group (GSIM) and ISGS, which have continued to pose an imminent threat to the stability of the region. In Nigeria, Boko Haram and Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) dominate terrorist activities, especially in the North-eastern part of the country. The situation in the Sahel has never been grimmer, extremist violence continues to spread, the number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPS) is growing; and food insecurity is affecting more people than ever before. There are several not entirely congruent working hypothesis underpinning foreign and regional government strategies.”
 
Reacting to this disclosure by the NSA, HURIWA said the disclosure is opaque and irrelevant just as the Rights group said it was laughable that the Federal Attorney General and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami who has been singing daily in the media and making all kinds of allegations against the detained leader of the pro- secessionist Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has so far failed to release the identities of the over 200 Nigerians said to have been dragged to the Abuja division of the Federal High Court for financing Boko Haram terror attacks.
“The attitudes of the top officials of the current administration demonstrates deliberate cover up and the deficit of the will-power to eliminate terrorists in the North which is the reason for the proliferation of attacks including the killing of a Kaduna based Pastor and a member of the Kaduna State House of Assembly. Let the truth be told, the Federal Government is unwilling to combat terrorists of Northern extraction for whatever reason that totally offends the constitution of Nigeria. This is a government that is in unholy communion with terrorists so can not fight terrorists.”

Islamic groups; JNIM, GSIM, ISGS behind terrorist organizations— NSA Monguno Says

National Security Adviser (NSA), Babagana Monguno, has identified Jama’at Nasr al-Islam Wal Muslimin (JNIM), the Islamic and Muslim Support Group (GSIM) and ISGS as groups bolstering activities of terror g in Nigeria and other Sahel countries.

The NSA enjoined Islamic preachers and Imams to deploy their vantage positions to canvas support for ongoing counter-terrorism operations.

He observed that alliances between the clerics and Security Forces “should be the backbone to rebuilding our terrorism infested communities”.

The NSA spoke at the 14th Workshop of the League of Ulamas, Preachers and Imams of Sahel countries in Abuja.

According to him, “terrorism and the rapid escalation of violent activities by militant Islamist groups in the Sahel since 2016 have been primarily driven by the Islamic State in Greater Sahara (ISGS), which mainly operates in Mali and extends to the Niger Republic and Burkina Faso.

“It is bolstered by activities of groups such as Jama’at Nasr al-Islam Wal Muslimin (JNIM), the Islamic and Muslim Support Group (GSIM) and ISGS, which have continued to pose an imminent threat to the stability of the region.

“In Nigeria, Boko-Haram and Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) dominate terrorist activities, especially in the North-Eastern part of the country.

“The situation in the Sahel has never been grimmer, extremist violence continues to spread; the number of internally displaced persons (IDPS) is growing, and food insecurity is affecting more people than ever before. There are several not entirely congruent working hypothesis underpinning foreign and regional government strategies”.

The NSA added further that, “It is imperative to reassess and reset the strategy towards the Sahel, setting aside faulty assumption. Particularly, the international community and its Sahelian partners should prioritize governance, press for or pursue an expanded peace process, cautiously through dialogue, and push for the adoption of more non-kinetic measures through affected communities.

“Nonetheless, the possibility of Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) creating an established caliphate to rival Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) countries has been checkmated by series of concerted and reinvigorated efforts of the countries of the Region.

“The adoption of both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches by LCBC countries to stem the conflict has yielded tremendous success. The adoption of propaganda videos by Terrorist groups to project themselves as contending powers in the region, is a mere attempt to garner support from sympathizers, as they struggle to maintain relevance.

“Thus, it is assessed that while the groups maintain the long term strategic goal of creating a caliphate, the efforts of LCBC countries will continue to frustrate that goal.

“In that regard, it is imperative that Ulamas, Preachers and Community Leaders in your localities key in to support efforts of our Security Forces, in order to end this menace. Just as collaborations between governments are boosting the advance of Security Forces in the fight against terrorism, alliances and group effort like LOPIS should be the backbone to rebuilding our terrorism infested communities. There’s no gun more powerful than enlightenment and education at the grass root level”.

[Source: Guardian with the exception of the header]

Traveller Shot Dead, Many Abducted As Terrorists Block Kaduna-Zaria Highway

At least one person was shot dead while dozens of travellers were abducted when bandits blocked the Kaduna-Zaria highway in Kaduna State.

Daily Trust reports that the incident happened around Mawai village also known as Gonar Magajin Gari, on Monday night.

A source identified the victim killed as one Alhaji Sani Dogara, who was heading for Kaduna from Zaria.

The armed men were said to have operated unchallenged for almost three hours.

The Kaduna State Police Command is yet to comment on the incident as several calls to the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mohammed Jalige, were unanswered.

However, an eyewitness told our correspondent that the bandits, who came in vehicles, stationed them around Tudun Gaude village.

The witness said the vehicles were used to evacuate their captives to an unknown destination.

“We were by the roadside when we noticed vehicles making abrupt U-turns on the lane to Kaduna from Zaria while other vehicles ran into the bush.”

“We also saw several motorists alighting from their vehicles in confusion and running on foot into bushes and we also ran,” the source said.

The eyewitness, however, said at the time they ran into the bush, there was no gunshot fired during the operation but confirmed that he later saw that one person had been shot on the hip.

The scene of the incident is about 15 kilometres from Zaria.

(Dailytrust)