Fulani Jihadists Have Murdered Over 4,000 Christians Within 270 days in Nigeria-NGO

Human rights group, the International Society for Civil Liberties and the Rule of Law (Intersociety) has accused the Nigerian Muslim Jihadists of killing 4,400 Christians in the past nine months of 2021, a period of 270 days.

In a statement jointly signed by its Principal Officers: Emeka Umeagbalasi, Chinwe Umeche Esq., Obianuju Igboeli Esq., Chidimma Udegbunam, Esq., Intersociety also said that no fewer than 20 Christian clerics have also been killed or abducted by them within the period.

Condemning the raging and untamed anti-Christian genocidal killings and property violence, intersociety explained that the number of Christian worship centres severely attacked by the jihadists since January 2021 has risen to between 350 and 400, adding that not less than 3,500 traveller and sedentary Christians have also been abducted in the nine months of 2021 gone by; with several dozens of them feared killed in captivity.

Speaking on the perpetrators, Intersociety observed that the genocidal violent attacks against Christians in Nigeria have been elevated to a state policy-with the key perpetrators drawn from state actors (jihad enablers and perpetrators in the Government of Nigeria and its security forces) and non state actors (state protected armed jihadists).

It also explained that the non-state actor Jihadists are further divided into ‘international’ and ‘local’ wings.

“The local wing is comprised of Jihadist Fulani Herdsmen and Jihadist Fulani Bandits. The Fulani Herdsmen were infiltrated, armed with sophisticated with weapons and radicalized in early 2000s by the country’s leading radical Muslims to perpetrate religio-sectarian mayhem in Plateau State (2001, 2004, 2007 and 2008) and Southern Kaduna and Benue State (from 2010 and upwards).

“In 2011, the group began to be transformed into instruments for jihad and politico-religious violence. By early 2016, the religious terror group fully transformed into Jihadist killer group and was massively deployed and used to unleash religious violence, hiding under the cover of cattle grazing and rural grazing routes and networks; through which they moved and occupied native farmlands and properties of the country’s indigenous Christians.

“The Fulani Bandits, originally called ‘Zamfara Bandits’, on their part, were raised in 2011 in Maradun, Zamfara State to counter the growing radical influence of the indigenous Hausa ‘Yankasai Vigilante’. The Jihadist group was initially infiltrated and hijacked by financiers of Zamafara illegal mining fields and later by leading Northern radical Muslim leaders including political office holders and senior security personnel.

The international wing of Nigerian Jihadist groups is comprised of Boko Haram and ISWAP and a litany of other internationally affiliated Jihadist group including Ansaru or Movement for the Emancipation of Black Muslims in West Africa. While Fulani herdsmen and Fulani bandits are made up of local terrorists, the Nigerian Government allowed alien Fulanis and acutely illiterate armed Hausa urchins, the Boko Haram, ISWAP, Ansaru and others made up of Kanuris, Bagara/Shuwa Arabs and Maghreb Muslim Jihadists and handful of armed, indoctrinated and radicalized Fulanis and Hausa urchins.

Intersociety alleged that in the past nine months of 2021, Jihadist Fulani Herdsmen were responsible for death of not less than 2,540 Christians, having between 1st January and 18th August 2021 killed 2,259 of them.

It also alleged that the Fulani Bandits, accounted for not less 600 Christian deaths and have targeted and killed Christians majorly in Niger, Kebbi, Taraba and Adamawa States as well as in Southern Kaduna where they killed jointly with Jihadist Fulani Herdsmen.

It also noted that the Jihadist Fulani Bandits accounted for most of the indigenous Hausa Muslim deaths in the Muslim dominated areas of Sokoto, Katsina, Kebbi, Niger, Northern Kaduna and Zamfara states.

It said ISWAP and other foreign affiliated Jihadists also accounted for more than 680 Christian deaths while Northern Muslim dominated and controlled security forces such as Nigerian Army and Nigeria Police Force accounted for the remaining 680 civilian Christian deaths.

(Daily Nigeria)

After Sending Warning Letter to Army, ‘Fulani Terrorists’ Invade Plateau Community

Three residents of Hukke village in the Miango District of Plateau State were killed on Sunday night after a group of Fulani herders sent a warning letter to the Nigerian Army on October 1.

Three persons also sustained varying degrees of injury as a result of the attack. The deceased residents are Barry Ive, 42; Isaiah Gado, 45; and Weyi Chohu, 40, while the injured ones are Bosco Gbere, Barnabas Lundi, and Moses Bombo.

FIJ gathered that the entire Miango community, which had been deserted since early August owing to several invasions, witnessed a gradual return of indigenes few weeks before the incident.

Both the local vigilantes and the Nigerian Army had agreed to place a warning flag against cattle grazing in Hukke and its neighbouring villages to protect the ravaged agrarian communities.

“This prompted both the local security and the army to mount checkpoints across the entire community,” a source told FIJ. “However, on Wednesday, the Fulani came in the night, removed the flag, and dropped the threat letter there.”

“In the letter, they said the Nigerian Army does not have the right to stop them from grazing. They threatened to attack the soldiers if they didn’t leave the checkpoint.”

FIJ exclusively gathered that after receiving the letter, the Nigerian Army had a meeting with community members and Fulani leaders to reach a truce. Sources revealed that the meeting was held on Saturday at Sector 3 of the army command in Plateau State.

Despite the dialogue, the community was attacked on Sunday afternoon. The attack started with a gun duel between the Nigerian Army and the assailants from 2 pm till around 6 pm.

“They repelled the attackers. It looks like what they did was to actually ensure that the military supply in terms of the ammunition was drained,” an eyewitness narrated.

“After that, they attacked the village, killing three people and injuring two others. One other community resident had already been injured during the gun duel.”

“To me, the whole attack looks like a game plan between the Fulani and the Nigerian Army.”

(FIJ)

Southern Kaduna People in the U.S. Pay Tribute to Dr Obadiah Mailafia

The Southern Kaduna community in the diaspora, United States chapter (SOKAD-USA) has paid tribute to the late former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr Obadiah Mailafia who passed away on the the 19th of September 2021. The group described the Oxford trained Political Economist, Mailafia as a man who represented what was decent and was passionate about the people of Southern Kaduna, the Middle Belt and Nigeria as a whole.

The group in a statement obtained by Middle Belt Times said the death of Mailafia is a huge loss to Southern Kaduna, the Middle Belt and Nigeria as a whole.

The statement reads;

We, the members of Southern Kaduna in the Diaspora resident in the United States of America (SOKAD-USA) have received with profound shock and great surprise, the news of the death of an indefatigable fighter for truth and justice, Dr. Obadiah Mailafia.

We mourn his passing because he represented what was decent, passionate and enviable about the people of southern Kaduna, the Middle Belt and Nigeria as a whole. In him, we witnessed an individual with a strong commitment to the economic, social and political survival of all minorities of the middle belt especially the people of Southern Kaduna.

Dr. Mailafia exploited his knowledge and expertise as a Development Economist, Deputy Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria and politician to champion the cause of the under privileged irrespective of their origins in Nigeria. His pithy columns and hard-hitting interviews decried the violence, economic wastage and corruption that now ravage the country.

Dr. Obadiah Mailafia spoke truth to power, endangering his life as he did so, for to him, no one was beyond reproach. Justice, fair play, equality of opportunities were qualities Dr. Mailafia craved for Nigeria, but failed to realize them in his life time. He condemned the elites for exploiting Nigeria’s diverse ethnic and religious cleavages to inflame tensions for their selfish desires.

His death is a great loss to Southern Kaduna, the Middle Belt, and the whole of the country particularly at a time when we needed voices like his. He is one of the people who could talk or fearlessly tell truth as it is without fear or favor. We surely lost a patriot.

We pray for God’s consolation for his family, the people of Southern Kaduna and all-middle belters. We also hope that those in the corridors of power would embrace Dr. Mailafia’s penchant for truth and justice by eschewing acts of violence, providing purpose driven leadership and reshaping the country’s political structure to benefit both the privileged and the down trodden. We condole the immediate family of Dr. Mailafia and the people of Kaduna State for this colossal loss. It is very unfortunate.

Yes! we have lost a voice, a man of courage and a brilliant intellectual; someone who had passion for Nigeria and who was ready to lay down his life for Nigerians both at home and abroad. Indeed, we have lost a man of integrity, a voice for the voiceless, but we are comforted because God is in control of all situation. Therefore, your messages of truth will continue to remain and serve as a catalyst for justice and peace with those of us who will continue the struggles for a better Nigeria, Middle and Southern Kaduna.

Adieu Dr. Mailafia.

Nnamdi Kanu: Yoruba Groups Meet On Sunday To Decide On Joining IPOB’s One-month Sit-at-home

The spokesperson of the Ilana Omo Oodua, Maxwell Adeyemi has explained that the group will have a meeting on Sunday to decide whether or not to accept the invitation of the Indigenous People of Biafra to join the proposed one-month sit-at-home.

Recall that IPOB, in a statement issued by the Media and Public Secretary of the group, Emma Powerful, enjoined other agitators for self-determination from other ethnic nationalities in the country to join its one-month sit-at-home protest commencing on October 21.

According to him, the one-month protest would be subject to the refusal of the Directorate of State Services to bring its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, to court on the said date.

The group alleged that it had learnt that there was a plan by the Nigerian Government not to bring Kanu to court on that day as a ploy to continue to incarcerate him.

When SaharaReporters reached out to Ilana Omo Oodua, the umbrella body for the Yoruba self-determination groups, the spokesman, Adeyemi said he could not make a statement at the time due to its sensitive nature.

According to him, there is a meeting scheduled for Sunday where the IPOB’s proposal will be discussed and a decision taken as to whether the group will join in the sit-at-home protest or not.

Speaking with SaharaReporters, he said, “That is a very sensitive issue. When we have our meeting on Sunday, we’ll let you know our position. It is a very sensitive matter, and I cannot solely speak about it. We’ll have our meeting on Sunday.”

In June, Kanu leader was arrested in Kenya and extradited to Nigeria to face treason charges.

He was subsequently arraigned and brought before Binta Nyako, a judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja, who asked him to be remanded in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).

Kanu is facing charges bordering on treasonable felony instituted against him at the court in response to his agitation for the Republic of Biafra.

The scheduled trial in July suffered a setback, with the judge adjourning till October 21.

(Saharareporters)

First new treatment for sickle cell in 20 years

The first new sickle-cell treatment in 20 years will help keep thousands of people out of hospital over the next three years, NHS England has said.

Sickle-cell disease is incurable and affects 15,000 people in the UK.

And the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence said the hope of reducing health inequalities for black people, who are predominantly affected and often have poorer health to start with, made the drug worth recommending.

It called it “an innovative treatment”.

Painful episodes

The drug, crizanlizumab, made by Novartis, is injected into a vein and can be taken on its own or alongside standard treatment and regular blood transfusions.

And in a trial, patients taking the crizanlizumab had a sickle-cell crisis 1.6 times a year on average, compared with nearly three times a year normally.

These painful episodes, which can require hospital treatment and lead to other health complications, are caused by by sickle-shaped red blood cells blocking the small blood vessels .

But because the trial was small and lasted only a year, it remains unknown how long the benefits last for – and that makes it difficult to judge how cost-effective crizanlizumab is.

Nevertheless, NICE, which recommends treatments in England and Wales, is recommending its use for over-16s, albeit under a special arrangement rather than routinely, on the NHS.

And additional data on the treatment will be collected through clinical trials.

The charity Sickle Cell Society said the new treatment brought “new hope” for people living with the world’s most common genetic blood condition.

NHS chief executive Amanda Pritchard said: “The moment that a new drug comes that is approved to be used, our job is to make sure that we can do a deal to ensure it’s affordable and get it out as quickly as possible.”

(BBC)

Gunmen Attack Enugu Security Office, Kill Two Personnel, Injure Scores

Unknown gunmen have invaded a security office at Central Body Neighbourhood Watch, Ogrute, Enugu-Ezike, in the Igbo–Eze North Local Government Area of Enugu State leaving two dead. 

According to reports, the gunmen invaded the office in the wee hours of Tuesday killing one security personnel and a former Commander.

Many others reportedly got injured while some patrol vehicles and the office were set ablaze by the gunmen.

This comes barely 48 hours after unknown gunmen burnt the offices of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Nnewi, Anambra State on Sunday.

A video seen by SaharaReporters shows a burning building said to be the DSS office.

A man speaking in the video says, “DSS office on fire live on Sunday morning. Both Road Safety office and DSS office are on fire this Sunday morning.”

(Saharareporters)

EFCC arrests Ganduje’s wife over bribery, land fraud case reported by her son

The Economic Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) has reportedly arrested Hafsat Ganduje, the wife of Kano state governor, Abdullahi Ganduje.

According to a report by Premium Times, Mrs Ganduje was reported to the anti-graft agency by her son over her alleged involvement in bribery and land fraud.

According to sources who saw the son, Abdulazeez’s petition, he reported that he was approached by a property developer to help facilitate the acquisition of some plots of land in Kano with some hundreds of thousands of US dollars and at least 35 million Naira as “facilitation commission”.

Abdulazeez said he paid the sum in dollars to his mother, Mrs Ganduje.

She however failed to honour the anti-graft’s invite after weeks it was extended.

A person, who has the knowledge of the arrest but asked not to be identified, said “she was arrested this (Monday) evening.”

Mrs Ganduje was still at EFCC headquarters as of 6a.m. on Monday, this newspaper learnt.

More details soon…

(Newswire)

Nigerian Soldiers Invade Cross River Community, Brutalise Youths For Rejecting Fulani Herdsmen

Residents of Nde village in the Ikom Local Government Area of Cross Rivers State have lamented that they were brutalised by soldiers over the sacking of Fulani herdsmen who were terrorising the area.

In a video seen by SaharaReporters, residents narrated that the soldiers flogged no fewer than 10 youths for daring to prevent the herders from grazing.

They claimed that the youths “pleaded with the herdsmen” to leave their land after their cattle destroyed almost all their produce.

They added that consequently, soldiers from the Amphibious battalion allegedly arrived in the community and beat the youths mercilessly, leaving them with serious injuries, for asking the herdsmen to leave.

“The herdsmen then went to Edor Army Barracks which is about three kilometers away to report that youths of Nde attacked them and sent them away from the Community.

The herdsmen then went to Edor Army Barracks which is about three kilometers away to report that youths of Nde attacked them and sent them away from the Community.

“Soldiers from the barracks came in truckloads on Sunday, rounded up youths and took them to the barracks, flogged them severely, leaving them injured.

“Our community is currently on fire as military men dehumanised the youths with the intent to provoke us but we pleaded with the herdsmen to leave our land after destroying our crops to avoid further attacks,” a villager said.

The Nigerian Army has yet to officially react to the invasion by its personnel.

(Saharareporters)

JUST IN: Governor Ortom Raises Alarm over Assassination Threat, Reveals those Behind Plot

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state on Sunday, October 3, claimed that some persons are plotting to assassinate him.

Orton made this allegation at the Sesugh Maria Pilgrimage Center Ayati, Gwer East local government area of the state, AIT News reports.

The Benue governor also claimed that those who are behind this plot are planning to hire killers from Sudan to attack him.

However, Ortom said he has made up his mind to serve the people of the state even if he dies in the process.

He stated:

“No going back on this matter. It doesn’t matter; if I perish I perish. With all the threats against me. If I perish, I perish. I’m just like Shedrack, Mishack and Abednego.

“Last week I was told that people were hired from Sudan to come and eliminate me…”

“I remain committed to the service of my people. I’m committed because they elected me and I will do their bidding. No one will intimidate me. and make me stop until justice is given to our people in Benue state.”

(Legit)

Gunmen kill two in Southern Kaduna: Nigerian Army

Gunmen suspected to be terrorist herdsmen have killed two persons in an attack on Ungwan Taila, Zangon Kataf local government area, Kaduna, says the Nigerian Army.

Specifically, troops of Operation Safe Haven announced the attack and casualty.

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

Mr Aruwan stated that the troops arrived in the village to find that the bandits had killed two residents.

“Receiving the report, Governor Nasir El-Rufai expressed deep regret at the further loss of life from such attacks in the area. He prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased and conveyed his heartfelt condolences to their family,” said the statement.

It added, “In the meantime, the troops will continue search-and-rescue operations in the area. Citizens will be briefed on further updates.”

(NAN)