Major General AE Abubakar Alerts Plateau State of Criminal Networks Aggravating Regional Crisis

In a recent assembly with traditional rulers and community leaders across 13 Districts in Barikin Ladi, Riyom and Jos South Local Government Areas of Plateau state, Major General AE Abubakar, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division and Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH), voiced his concerns regarding the escalating impact of criminal networks on Plateau’s ongoing crisis. He advocated for a unified approach to solidify state peace, emphasizing the importance of synergy among all stakeholders to eradicate the harmful elements within their communities.

During the meeting at the Headquarters 3 Division Jos, the GOC/Commander OPSH underscored the destructive influence of these syndicates on regional stability and security. He detailed their criminal activities, including arms trafficking, armed robbery, cattle rustling and poisoning, drug smuggling, deliberate farm destruction and other organized crimes, which are intensifying the crisis.

Highlighting the broad repercussions of these criminal networks, which include loss of life, property destruction, and displacement of innocent citizens due to counterattacks prompted by the criminals’ actions, the Commander warned that these criminals, who are part of organized syndicates, span across ethno-religious groups. He highlighted the critical role of collaboration in resolving these issues to ensure enduring peace and progress in Plateau State.

The Commander urged for a collaborative effort among traditional rulers, community leaders, security agencies, and government institutions. He identified the common thread among the criminals as being the result of poor parental guidance and the lack of robust traditional institutions to monitor youth activities. He called for collective action to disrupt these criminal networks, share intelligence, and support law enforcement agencies to uphold long-term peace and security. “We cannot permit a handful of criminals to jeopardize societal peace for their personal gain,” he stated.

The Commander urged residents to report suspicious activities and provide information to aid in identifying and apprehending those involved in these syndicates. He reported that over 60 suspects have been apprehended, many neutralized, and a significant amount of weapons and ammunition has been seized in the past month through a series of operations conducted by OPSH and local security networks.

The meeting concluded with a reinforced commitment from all attendees to ramp up efforts to combat the criminal elements instigating violence in the state.

Major General AE Abubakar expressed his confidence that through coordinated collective action, Plateau State would overcome, maintaining enduring peace and setting the stage for future growth and prosperity.

The meeting included remarks from traditional rulers and a group photo session.

Domestic Violence: 63-Year-Old Kills Wife For Denying Him Sex

In a disturbing incident, Aminu Mahdi, a 63-year-old retired employee of the Adamawa State Universal Basic Education Board, has been detained by law enforcement following allegations of fatally assaulting his wife.

Mahdi, a resident of Yelwa Ward in Mubi North Local Government Area, is reported to have aggressively attacked his second wife, 46-year-old Hadiza Zubuchi, after she refused to share her bed with him.

State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Suleiman Nguroje, revealed that Mahdi admitted to the act, asserting that he did not contemplate his actions would result in his wife’s demise.

Nguroje, during a media briefing late on Thursday, detailed the tragic sequence of events. Mahdi, after returning to his home at around 9:00 pm on Sunday, the 27th of August 2023, found himself in a situation that spiraled into a fatal outcome.

According to Nguroje, after having his meal and changing his clothes, Mahdi attempted to retire for the night with his wife. When Zubuchi refused to share her bed, a conflict ensued. Reportedly, as Zubuchi began to hit him with a stick, Mahdi forcefully took it from her, assaulting her heavily with it. The severity of the assault led to the death of Zubuchi, whom Mahdi married in 2016.

Expressing remorse during his police statement, Mahdi stated, “I didn’t expect that this kind of incident would happen to me. It was a mistake.”

HURIWA PRAISES COURT FOR SENTENCING TO DEATH KILLERS OF DAUGHTER OF YORUBA LEADER

…TASKS Federal High Court to free itself from executive shackles

As news emerged that Killers of Afenifere Leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti’s daughter, late Mrs. Funke Olakuri, have been sentenced to death by hanging by Ondo High Court, Akure, Ondo State, the leading Civil Rights Advocacy Group- HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA) has applauded the Ondo State Judiciary for this uncommon feat and phenomenal justice. 

HURIWA said the sentencing of the armed Fulani terrorists in Ondo State is a signal that although Justice may be very slow but with determination and diligence in prosecution, the judiciary that is not encumbered by executive interference would surely deliver Justice and bring closure to such a case of mindless murder of a completely innocent person. 

The Rights group wonders why this is not the same with the way the office of the Federal Attorney General and Minister of Justice prosecutes terrorists even as the Rights group accuses the Federal Attorney General and the Inspector-General of Police of cover up in casesnof terrorism and kidnappings in which many Fulani armed herdsmen were involved, arrested and paraded by the force headquarters in Abuja. “We suspect that the IGP often parades arrested armed Fulani herdsmen but as soon as they are reported in the media it would seem that those paraded are released from the backdoor and return to carry out more of their mindless killings all over the Country. This is because there is no openness regarding the fate of all the armed Fulani terrorists previously paraded by the Force Headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force”. 

HURIWA also accused the Federal High Court of becoming an appendage of the office if the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by giving up its powers and independence especially in cases in which the Federal government is the defendant. 

HURIWA has therefore asked the Federal High Court to exorcise itself of executive interference and become independent so cases brought to them by Nigerians seeking redress from human rights violations are not impeded by corrupt bureaucratic bottlenecks tearing down the Federal High Courts.  

The Rights group showered encomiums on the Ondo State Judiciary for standing up to be counted amongst those who have defended their inherent independence.  

“We call on all other State jucial arm to wake up and bring Justice to mass murderers and terrorists who are unleashing devastating violence on innocent People. States such as Plateau, Kaduna, Benue States whereby Fulani terrorists have massacred thousands of Indigenous farmers and natives  must wake up from slumber, shake off executive slavery and become independent so as to deliver Justice to the thousands of victims of terrorism in those States. The police must be allowed by the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to carry out their law enforcement functions in all cases of mass killings even when armed Fulani terrorists are implicated because for 7 years, these Fulani terrorists have been enjoying executive protection and pampering which endangers the rule of law. 

HURIWA recalled that the deceased, Olakunri, was killed in July 12, 2019 along Ore/Ijebu-Ode Road in Odigbo Local Government Area of the state when she was traveling to Lagos from Akure for a social function by armed Fulani terrorists.

Her driver, Femi Ajayi, was kidnapped and released after he had spent seven days in their captivity.

HURIWA recalled that Justice Williams Olamide convicted and sentenced Muhammed Shehu Usman, Mazaje Lawal and Adamu Adamu, to death by hanging for offences ranging from conspiracy to murder, kidnapping and armed robbery just as the prosecution established beyond reasonable doubts that the same convicts attacked and killed a hunter identified as Matthew Ogunbiyi in the forest and took a German-Nigerian hostage, who was released after payment of ransom.

HURIWA citing news report stated that the now convicted terrorists were also charged with conspiracy to commit armed robbery and actual commission of armed robbery contrary to Section 1 (2a&b) for the Robbery and Firearm Special Prohibition Act CAP R11, Volume 14, Laws of the Federation. Besides, they were charged with conspiracy to commit felony to wit kidnapping, contrary to and punishable under Section 516 of Criminal Code CAP 37, Volume 1, Laws of Ondo State.

HURIWA recalled that the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Charles Titiloye, had levied eight-count charge against four suspects, listing them as aiding and abetting, armed robbery, kidnapping and murder. The first to three suspects were charged with murder contrary to Section 316 and punishable under section 319 of the Criminal Code CAP 37 Volume 1, Laws of Ondo State, Nigeria, 2006.

HURIWA recalled that the judge convicted them on the eight count charges while he discharged the fourth suspect, Awalu Abubakar, for conspiracy, aiding and abetting even as Justice Olamide ordered the convicts to die either by hanging on the murder counter, and added that they would spend the remaining part of their lives in prison for the offence of kidnapping.

Group seeks termination of Kaduna deputy gov’s son appointment for drug addiction, murder

A group under the aegis of Kaduna State Concerned Citizens on Wednesday called on Governor Nasir El-Rufai to terminate the appointment of Ibrahim, son of his deputy, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe.

The group also urged law enforcement agencies to prosecute him, following alleged drug-related offences which include abuse, dangerous driving, and rascality.

Ibrahim is a staff Kaduna State Contributory Health Management Authority.

According to a press statement signed by the Chairman of the group, Musa Haruna, and the group’s Secretary, Jatau Hakuri, which was obtained by punch correspondent, the group lamented the consequences of Balarabe’s actions.

They also alleged that Ibrahim has on several occasions exhibited actions not befitting of a true citizen of the country, not to talk of one occupying the public position, adding that he has been a notorious ‘drug addict’.

While enumerating various incidence where Ibrahim was culpable, the group stressed that the Police and other security agencies have failed to arrest him nor prosecute him because of the influence of his mother as Deputy Governor of the state.

The statement partly read, “Ibrahim has no regard for the sanctity of human life, which he has shown several times by the way he often recklessly ram into people with his car, with impunity.

“In 2019, Ibrahim drove Government vehicle attached to his mother and hit a person who had parked beside the road. The man died, but nothing was done.

“In Sept 2021, he had three incidences of accidents where he hit people. The most fatal was that of 30th September 2021, when he hit a KASTLEA officer, in which the officer sustained 5 fractures. Yet Ibrahim began to fight other KASTLEA officers. Even at the hospital, he was not remorseful, as he was openly taking drugs. The KASTLEA officer was hospitalised at Barau Dikko.”

They expressed dismay that such a person is given a public position, in government with a track record of integrity, commending the governor for landmark achievements recorded, it urged him to terminate his appointment.

“We express shock at how Ibrahim has gotten away with serious crimes he has committed, such a person is a stain to a government renowned with integrity, justice, equity, and fairness,” the group added.

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Lady, 5 others bag 141 years imprisonment for drug trafficking in Edo, Ogun

A 25-year-old lady, Chioma Okocha and five men: Ndubuisi John, Haruna Aliyu, Saddam Abdullahi, Bashir Usman, and Usman Ibrahim have been sentenced to a total of 141 years imprisonment for trafficking in Cocaine and Cannabis Sativa by Federal High Courts sitting in Benin, Edo and Abeokuta, Ogun state respectively.

Chioma Okocha was convicted and sentenced to 15 years in jail by Justice AC Obiozor of the Federal High Court, Benin for trafficking 200grams of crack cocaine following her arrest in the Edo state capital on 24th September, 2021 by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA and her subsequent arraignment in suit no. FHC/B/136c/2021. The convict pleaded guilty to a one-count charge when her case came up in court on Monday 15th November.

The judge however granted her the option of paying N2million fine or spend 15 years in jail effective from 24th September when she was arrested while trying to deliver 200grams of Crack Cocaine to a customer at an eatery in Benin city.

The five men: Ndubuisi John; Haruna Aliyu; Saddam Abdullahi; Bashir Usman, and Usman Ibrahim were also convicted and sentenced to 126 years imprisonment by a Federal High Court in Abeokuta presided over by Justice Ogunremi Omowunmi Oguntoyinbo in suit no. FHC/AB/105c/2021.

The convicts were arrested on 14th of September 2021 along Lagos -Ibadan expressway conveying 46 bags of Cannabis Sativa weighing 552 kilograms in a truck and subsequently charged on three counts of transportation, possession and dealing in the illicit drug.

In her judgment delivered on 9th November, Justice Oguntoyinbo sentenced the 1st, 2nd and 3rd accused persons to 30 years imprisonment each while the driver of the truck bagged 21 years and the motor boy/driver’s assistant 15 years in jail.

While Ndubuisi, Haruna and Saddam were sentenced to 10 years on each count charge, Bashir got seven years on each count charge and Usman 5 years on each count charge. The jail terms are to run concurrently.

FEMI BABAFEMI
Director, Media & Advocacy
NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja
Tuesday, 16th November 2021