No fewer than five traditional rulers have been reportedly killed during an attack by gunmen at Nnenasa community Headquarters of Njaba local government area of Imo State.
According to sources, the traditional rulers from the area numbering over 20 were in a meeting at the local government headquarters in the community when gunmen invaded the the place, interrupted the meeting with sporadic gunshots and killed at least five traditional rulers on the spot.
Those who sustained heavy gunshots injuries have been rushed to nearby hospital for treatment.
When contacted, the Imo state police public relations officer, Mike Abatam, said he was yet to get the full details of the incident.
At least 50 bandits have been killed in Kaduna state on Tuesday.
This was revealed by the Kaduna State Government.
The government said the bandits were killed in Birnin Gwari, through the combined efforts of ground troops and air raids.
Mr. Samuel Aruwan Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Kaduna State confirmed this, in a statement.
“In an inspiring success for the security forces, over 50 bandits have been neutralized during a combined ground and air assault in the Saulawa-Farin Ruwa axis of Birnin Gwari LGA.”
The statement said the operational feedback to the Kaduna State Government from the Command of the Joint Operations, a Nigerian Air Force helicopter gunship provided close air support to ground troops advancing from the Dogon Dawa-Damari-Saulawa axis.
It said following extensive scans, bandits were spotted on five motorcycles, about 4km east of Saulawa, waiting to ambush the ground forces. They were engaged vigorously by the helicopter gunship, and were wiped out.
“After this, armed bandits on about 50 motorcycles were sighted fleeing towards Farin Ruwa, and were struck effectively by the gunship. Fleeing remnants were mopped up by ground forces,” it said
He added that a second helicopter gunship joined the operations, and many more fleeing bandits were neutralized by precise strikes, adding that, an assessment, revealed that more than 50 bandits were neutralized during the joint operation.
Governor Nasir El-Rufai expressed his satisfaction at the operational feedback, and congratulated the ground troops and gunship crews on the rout.
He urged them to sustain the momentum and bring even more bandits to their bitter end.
Governor Aminu Tambuwal has lamented how Zamfara bandits are terrorising Sokoto residents.
The governor stated this when the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Farouk Yahaya, visited him on Monday in Sokoto.
Mr Tambuwal appealed for more efforts to contain the security challenges, confirming that a gang of bandits attacked communities in Goronyo local government area in the state and killed scores of people on Sunday.
He emphasised that more security presence and collective strategies were needed to contain the increasing security challenges bedevilling the state and nation at large.
According to him, bandits flushed out Zamfara are fleeing to Sokoto and other states.
“From last night, yesterday evening till this morning, we were greeted with dastardly attacks in Goronyo local government, particularly Goronyo town, where scores lost their lives and still counting,” said the governor. “We are not sure of the figure, but about 30 persons died.”
Mr Tambuwal appealed for a synergy between the army and other security operatives in the state while requesting more troops and deployment of resources to the state.
He described the visit by the COAS as a homecoming, noting that his appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari as COAS had been widely greeted with cheers in Sokoto, being an indigene of the state.
“You have come at a very trying moment for the army and the Nigerian nation. We are faced and bedevilled by many security challenges in our own area here, particularly banditry, kidnapping and other associated crimes,” added Mr Tambuwal. “We shall continue to pray for your success, the army and its operatives in general, to ensure success over criminals.”
The governor pledged that his administration would continue to support the army and other security agencies toward achieving success.
The Association of Micro Entrepreneurs of Nigeria (AMEN) has urged government to swiftly implement its various policies aimed at massive job creation, youth empowerment and engagements and poverty alleviation. Mr Saviour Iche, National President of the association, gave the advice during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos on the one year anniversary of the #EndSARS protests.
He stated that the protest was expected to bring changes, transformation, new agendas and innovative ideas, in view of the way government had handled previous issues that brought about the protest.
According to him, the call for change appears not to have been fully addressed, hence, the need for government to look into the various demands of the youth for improved national outcomes.
“The second tenure of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration promised the inclusion of more youths and we have seen that trying to come into play with the appointment of the current chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
“However, the government needs to do more in many other cabinet positions, so that the youths feel much included in the affairs of the country.
“This would also put them in the best position to carve out polices that would impact the young population and ensure their implementation as well.
“Government should try and look into the demands of the youths and step up efforts that would better the lots of the Nigerian economy and the lives of the ordinary citizens,” he said.
Iche advised against any protest during EndSARS anniversary, saying that the impacts would affect the masses more.
“There are people that if they did not go out in a day, they would not eat.
“The high cost of living will lead many people to suffering and the economy will be totally grounded,” he said.
The micro entrepreneur president urged intensified efforts at creating more friendly business environment by the provision of power, infrastructure and other social amenities to restore manufacturing performance.
He also advised the government to monitor the disbursement of its various intervention funds and palliatives aimed at supporting small businesses.
Troops of the Joint Task Force, North East Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), have killed Boko Haram/Islamic States West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists, says the Nigerian Army.
The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, said this in a statement on Monday in Ábuja.
Mr Nwachukwu said the troops deployed alongside the Cameroonian Defence Force had on Monday killed four terrorists at the Forward Operating Base (FOB), Wulgo in Borno.
He added the “vigilant troops successfully” foiled attempted infiltration of the terrorists into the camp while “on patrol to dominate their area of responsibility.”
According to him, the troops “swiftly responded with overwhelming fire and spontaneous” reinforcement from the battalion headquarters, forcing the terrorists to retreat.
“Troops immediately carried out a hot pursuit and exploitation after the encounter, along the terrorists’ route of withdrawal and neutralised three terrorists. The gallant troops also recovered three AK 47 rifles, six magazines and 50 rounds of 7.62mm special,” he said.
Mr Nwachukwu also stated that four other terrorists were killed the same day, around the 151 Battalion location, noting that they were burnt beyond recognition, “as their gun truck mounted with anti-aircraft guns ran over an improvised explosive device (IED).”
He also mentioned that the troops were currently conducting further exploitation to “clear any surviving terrorists.”
“The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, has commended the efforts of the troops. He charged them to remain aggressive and focused, as they dominate their areas of operational responsibility to ensure complete extermination of the terrorists and restoration of normalcy,” the army statement added.
President Muhammadu Buhari felicitates with the Muslim Ummah, Nigerians of all faiths and the followers of Islam all over the world on the occasion of the Maulud-Un-Nabiyy, the birthday of the Holy Prophet Muhammad Peace Be Upon Him.
In a message to mark the occasion, Tuesday, 19th October, a public holiday throughout the Federation, President Buhari says, “I am delighted to send greetings of peace, unity and goodwill to the Muslim Ummah, fellow citizens and Muslims all over the world as they observe and celebrate Eid-ul- Maulud.”
The President urges Muslims to strive for “forgiveness and closeness to the noble life and teachings of the Prophet (SAW) whose birthday is being marked on this blessed day. On this auspicious occasion, I wish you all the blessings of today.”
The President uses the occasion to give a snapshot of the increased activities the Armed Forces, Police Force, and intelligence agencies have embarked upon to effectively respond to the security challenges in the nation.
He says the government fully expects and intends for these trends to continue, and calls on the media to address the tone, content, and standards of reporting into security and safety measures. Time has come to revise the prefixes “rising insecurity” with “declining insecurity.”
The President adds that increased cooperation and collaboration from the citizenry, coupled with reinvigorated, dynamic, and energized police, security and military leadership is helping the administration score more victories against terror, criminality, and economic sabotage. The reality of declining insecurity should replace the inaccurate narrative of rising insecurity in the country.
“While there is work to do, the men and women in uniform who are helping the nation to achieve this goal, desire our collective appreciation and encouragement to do even more. The whole country and its mass communications systems have a duty in this regard,” the President adds.
President Buhari concludes his message by appealing to road users to drive with care and avoid needless accidents.
For the umpteenth time, the leading civil rights advocacy group-: HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA) has asked the law enforcement agencies in the Country to obey the constitution and put a permanent stop to their practice of pre-trial media parade of accused persons.
In a media statement issued to mark the one year anniversary of the nationwide #ENDSARS PROTESTS, the civil rights advocacy group through the National Coordinator Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko said the continuous parade of suspects increasingly portrays Nigeria as a Banana Republic whereby the Constitution is defecated upon by the same publicly paid employees who should enforce the law just as the Rights group said in developed societies, identity of crime suspects are revealed after they are convicted by competent courts of law.
HURIWA said it is in discussion with stakeholders on what legal steps to take to compel law enforcement agencies to follow the law and stop media parade of accused persons in Nigeria.
The following are our determination regarding media persecution of suspects:
What is Parade?
The word ‘parade’ means to display (someone or something) while marching or moving around a place. Synonyms include, procession, march, display, spectacle, escort, etc. The word “suspect” in legal parlance means a person thought to be guilty of a crime or offence, but who has not yet been proven to be so.
What is Media Parade?
Media consists of means of mass communication (broadcasting, publishing, and the internet) regarded collectively. The term “parade” is a noun and a verb. As a noun, it means a public procession. When used as a verb, it means to display. Regardless of the form in which it is used, a parade is an over act.
Media parade is therefore, a practice of displaying or communicating to the public about an incident or development. In the case of people arrested for certain crimes, it is a means of informing the public, usually through publishing on the internet, the identities of these suspects.
The practice has become notorious in Nigeria, that once security agencies arrest anyone suspected to have committed an offence, such suspects are immediately paraded before the public, in the full glare of cameras.A clear case is the case of chidimma ojukwu a 21 years old undergraduate of Lagos state university mass communication who was alleged to have killed the CEO of super TV ,Usifo Ataga ,in Lagos recently. But in another trending follow – up video,the young lady made a dramatic U- turn , curiously recanting her earlier “confession” before the media during her initial parade in the police premises.she denied ever killing Ataga.
Media parade is therefore, a practice of displaying or communicating to the public about an incident or development. In the case of people arrested for certain crimes, it is a means of informing the public, usually through publishing on the internet, the identities of these suspects.
The practice has become notorious in Nigeria, that once security agencies arrest anyone suspected to have committed an offence, such suspects are immediately paraded before the public, in the full glare of cameras.
such crude practice undermines the investigation process. Worse still, it defames the suspect’s reputation in an irreversible manner, where such a suspect is eventually proven innocent.
The courts have consistently cautioned the law enforcement agencies, to desist from parading criminal suspects before the media.
It is more worrisome that these parades and media trials by the Police, of people who are at best suspects, usually take place even before investigations begin, or are concluded. This act is patently unconstitutional and unlawful. It is curious that such practice has since been accepted as normal, by individuals and the society. For the avoidance of doubt, every suspect enjoys the constitutional protection of ‘presumption of innocence’ until proven guilty under Section 36(5) CFRN 1999. The suspect is also entitled to dignity of his human person, by virtue of Section 34(1)(a) of the CFRN 1999.
Right of Suspects to Presumption of Innocence
The presumption of innocence inures in favour of criminal suspects by virtue of Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights Act. Even the ACJA makes ample provisions for dignity of human treatment of suspects, in addition to Section 34 CFRN1999, which provides for the right to dignity of the human person. The Nigeria Police Force and other law enforcement agencies in Nigeria have, however, continued to expose accused persons to media trial before arraigning them in courts. Thus, the practice of subjecting suspects to media trial and parade before arraignment in a criminal court, is an infringement of their fundamental rights to fair hearing and dignity. To compound these human rights abuse inclination, such suspects are subjected to gruelling sessions of interviews and what appears to be “cross-examination” by law enforcement officials and the media crew at crowded press conferences, without being accorded human dignity and the services of a Lawyer as required by law.
Supreme Court expounded on them in the case of SAUDE v ABUDULLAH (1989) 4 NWLR Pt. 116 page 387 @419, as:
“Fundamental rights are important, and they are not just mere rights. They are fundamental. They belong to the citizen. These rights have always existed, even before orderliness prescribed rules for the manner they are to be sought….”
It is a right which stands above the ordinary laws of the land, and which in fact is antecedent to the political society itself. As Kayode Eso, J.S.C of blessed memory succinctly stated, “[i]t is a primary condition to a civilised existence”. (RANSOME KUTI & ORS v A.G. OF FEDERATION & ORS (1985) 2 NWLR P. 211 at 230). He further pronounced that “[i]t is a right which stands above the ordinary laws of the land and which in fact, is antecedent to the political society itself.”
Some Judicial Decisions on Media Parade of Criminal Suspects
The Judiciary has always risen to the occasion, castigating suspects’ parade. It has, in a plethora of cases, serially condemned the illegal practice of parading mere criminal suspects before the media. The “jungle justice” inherent in it, is that it adjudges them already as guilty convicts even without any trial. In NDUKWEM CHIZIRI NICE v AGF & ANOR (2007) CHR 218 at 232, Banjoko J. (as she then was) (then of Federal High Court, Abuja), tongue-lashed the Police, holding that:
“The act of parading him (the suspect) before the press as evidenced by the Exhibits annexed to the affidavit was uncalled for, and a callous disregard for his person. He was shown up to the public the next day of his arrest, even without any investigation conducted in the matter. He was already prejudged by the Police who are incompetent, so to have such function, it is the duty of the court to pass a verdict of guilt, and this constitutes a clear breach of Section 36(4) and (5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 on the doctrine of fair hearing
Further, the courts have in several decisions condemned such public parade of criminal suspects as an illegal practice. For example, in Ndukwem Chiziri Nice v. AG, Federation & Anor. (2007) CHR 218 at 232 Justice Banjoko held that ‘The act of parading him (the suspect) before the press as evidenced by the Exhibits annexed to the affidavit was uncalled for and a callous disregard for his person.’
“Similarly, Femi Falana, Senior Advocate of Nigeria and human Rights Activist in a 2017 article,gave an example of one of such court cases: the Ecowas Community Court of Justice sitting in Abuja in Dyot Bayi & 14 Ors. v. Federal Republic of Nigeria (2004-2009) CCJLER 245 at 265 the Community Court of Justice, ECOWAS Court condemned what it called ‘media trial’ of the Applicants in the following words: ‘The Court is of the opinion that for the fact that the Defendants presented the Applicants before the press when no judge or court has found them guilty, certainly constitute a violation of the principle of presumption of innocent.the court proceeded to award damages of US $42,750.00 to each of the 10 Applicants and the US $10,000.00 as costs payable by the Federal Government for the illegal actions of the Naval personnel who carried out the illegal parade of the applicants.”
COMRADE EMMANUEL ONWUBIKO:
NATIONAL COORDINATOR:
HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA).
At least 49 persons have been killed after gunmen invaded a market at Goronyo town in the Goronyo local government area of Sokoto State.
One of the villagers told SaharaReporters that residents have fled the community following the insecurity in the area. He noted that gunmen rounded up villagers in the market and opened fire on them.
He said: “Gunmen on Sunday evening killed at least 49 at Goronyo town of Sokoto State.
“The incident happened yesterday evening on the market day of the town. The gunmen rounded up people in the market while it was full of activities and started opening fire randomly. The town is now deserted.”
SaharaReporters had reported that the assailants attacked the market in large numbers on Sunday night, shooting sporadically and killing several persons.
In the past two weeks, bandits have launched attacks on a village market in Sokoto.
Earlier this month, at least 19 traders were killed by bandits who raided a weekly market at Unguwan Lalle in the Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The attack also left several others injured, the majority of whom were taken for treatment at the General Hospital, Sabon Birni.
Unguwan Lalle, a community located along Goronyo-Sabon Birni Road, has suffered a series of bandits’ attacks in recent months.
Five soldiers who were on a rescue mission in the area were ambushed and killed by bandits a few months ago. A resident had said the attack happened during market hours.
For several weeks, troops have been conducting air and ground operations on bandit camps in neighbouring Zamfara state where authorities have shut down telecom services to disrupt communication between the gangs.
Bandits fleeing the military operation in Zamfara have set up camps in the Sabon Birni district from where they raid villages.
The influx of bandits from neighbouring Zamfara state prompted authorities in Sokoto to suspend weekly markets and shut down telecom towers in areas on the border with Zamfara, including Sabon Birni.
Last week, some youths of Goronyo town in the Goronyo local government area of Sokoto State flooded the streets to protest against the abysmal level of insecurity in the area.
A source said the youths were demonstrating against the insecurity in the area, which had forced many residents to flee the town.
He said, “Protest is going on at Goronyo town in Sokoto State. The youths took to the streets protesting rampant insecurity that is forcing people to flee the town. The protest is currently ongoing.”
Photos obtained by SaharaReporters show roadblocks and burning tyres as the youths expressed their displeasure with killings and kidnappings going on unchecked in their area.
Sokoto is one of the states ravaged by insecurity in the North, a situation that has worsened under President Muhammadu Buhari-led government. Just recently, the state government ordered the shutdown of telecommunications services in some parts of the state to curb the prevailing banditry in the state.
The ban on mobile phone services is effective in Dange Shuni, Tambuwal, Sabon Birni, Raba, Tureta, Goronyo, Tangaza and Isa local government areas amongst others.
Meanwhile, some bandits operating in the Eastern Senatorial District of the state recently resorted to writing letters to reach out to families of their victims to demand ransoms.
A source, who was privy to the bandits’ new antics in Sokoto, said a letter was written to a traditional ruler in Burkusuma, demanding a ransom to secure the release of 20 persons kidnapped from two communities in the Sabon Birni Local Government Area.
Attacks on police stations in the South-East region of Nigeria continued on Monday as unknown gunmen attacked the Divisional Police Headquarters situated in the Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
SaharaReporters gathered that the gunmen “stormed the station around 2 am, releasing all the suspects in custody in the police facility”.
Some operational vehicles were also set ablaze by the hoodlums while some officers escaped with bullet wounds.
Other circumstances surrounding the attack, including the identities of the attackers could not be ascertained at the time of filing this report.
Loveth Odah, Ebonyi State Police Command spokesperson confirmed the incident to SaharaReporters, saying the police commissioner was on his way to the scene to ascertain the level of damage.
The incident is the latest in what appears to be a growing trend of attacks on police stations and security personnel in the South-East region of the country.
The governors in the region recently announced the establishment of a joint security outfit, codenamed ‘Ebube Agu’ to “battle rising insecurity”.
Gunmen have invaded the Mararaba Akunza community area of the Federal University of Lafia in the Lafia Local Government Area of Nasarawa State and abducted four people believed to be students of the institution.
Daily Trust learnt that the incident occurred between 7-8pm when it was raining heavily on Saturday night.
An eyewitness, who spoke to our reporter in confidence, said the gunmen came in their large number and started shooting sporadically into the air before abducting their victims to an unknown destination.
It was gathered that the kidnappers have made contact with the family of the victims around 11.30pm last night, demanding N25 million ransom.
The source said: “The gunmen came in their large number and started shooting sporadically into the air, scaring residents of Mararaba Akunza community, before abducting four students.
“But nobody knows whether they are students of Federal University of Lafia.”
“It was raining heavily on Saturday night when the suspected kidnappers came in with their AK 47 riffles and carried out their operation successfully that lasted for several hours and succeeded in kidnapping some students, but no one knows whether they are students of Federal University of Lafia.”
Our correspondent learnt that one of the victims is Zafir Yahaya, the first son of a prominent politician in the state, Mr Yahaya Adams, popularly called Majo.
When our correspondent visited the Anti-Kidnapping Unity, Police Area Command in Lafia at exactly 11:am on Sunday, he saw the Chief Security (CSO) of the Federal University of Lafia, Wing commander Umar Mohammed (rtd) alongside some students of the institution making a complaint before the OC anti-Kidnapping, Mr Eyoh Anette.
While confirming the incident to our correspondent in an interview on Sunday, the Public Relations Officer of the institution, Mr Abubakar Ibrahim, denied that those victims were students of the Federal University of Lafia.
He said: “None of our students was kidnapped by suspected kidnappers. The incident happened outside the university.
“No report from any parent regarding the abduction of their children schooling in our institution,” he stated.
The Police Public Relation Officer in the state, ASP Nansel Ramhan, said the command only had about the incident on social media, but immediately drafted men to the scene of the incident to investigate how it happened.
He said no official complaint has been made yet to the command, assuring that an investigation was ongoing to unravel the rationale behind the invasion of the area.
He said no arrest has been made to that effect.He said: H“The command is yet to receive an official complaint from the institution.”
