Kaduna based Human Rights Lawyer, Gloria Mabeiam Ballason Esq, has sued the Kaduna State Governor, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and 5 telecommunications companies for shutdown of telephone services and the internet; an action she alleges was not backed by law, violated her rights and the rights of affected citizens resident in Kaduna State.
The lawyer who is also alleging that the action of the Kaduna State Governor and the government does not satisfy the constitutional exception of “…any law reasonably justifiable in a democratic society in the interest of defence, public safety and public order…” said more lives who could not call for help from security agents perished while businesses and means of livelihood of citizens in Kaduna State were grossly affected by the shutdown of telecommunication networks in the state.
The Suit also calls the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), an independent national regulatory body established by law, to answer the question whether it is answerable to the Governor of Kaduna State or bound by the law that governs it.
The Suit which was filed at the Federal High Court, sitting at Abuja- F.C.T. is on behalf of the Applicant and affected citizens. She says her litigation work, online HOJRADIO/TV and annual House of Justice Summit & Banquet were greatly affected by the shutdown while Nigerian citizens resident in Kaduna State whose rights have been, is been or likely to be violated due to the network shutdown, suffered astronomic loses without a commensurate improvement in the security situation in Kaduna State.
Others sued in the suit include the Attorney General of Kaduna State, Airtel Networks Limited, GlobalCom Limited, Emirates Telecommunication Group Company (Carrying out business in Nigeria under the name and style of Etisalat and now 9mobile) and MTN Group LTD.
Road users along the dreaded Abuja-Kaduna highway have blamed the deplorable state of the road and the network shutdown embarked upon by the Kaduna state government for the resurgence of mass abductions and killings on the road.
Middle Belt Times reporter on Monday spoke with some road users in Kaduna and Abuja on the matter.
Mallam Salihu Giwa (not real name), a commercial driver who plies the road on a daily basis said the network shutdown in Kaduna state is making the activities of armed bandits easier at the detriment of innocent civilians.
Giwa said that while the citizens who are at the receiving end of both the network shutdown and the bandits attacks, the bandits still find ways to coordinate attacks and also reach out to families for ransom negotiations.
“Before now whenever their is an ongoing operations, we phone to inform our colleagues of the development.
“For instance, if am driving and notice danger, I will call my colleagues, they too will call others and before you know it, people are saved but today that is no longer possible due to the absence of network in the state.
“Let me tell you, in the past we have experienced this kidnapping along this road but the first driver to encounter them might make phone calls and before you know the information circulate and help from the security will come.
“They said they shutdown network to stop banditry but as you can see banditry has only gotten worse with the shutdown. The bandits still launch attacks, kidnap people and still make phone calls negotiating for ransoms.” Giwa lamented.
Another commercial driver, Idoko Francis told MBT that the recent waves of abduction along the Abuja-Kaduna express way seems very coordinated and scary.
He said in times past, you hardly hear of an attack today and another tomorrow.
“Monday’s attacks got many of us surprised because it opened our eyes to a new dimension of kidnapping along the Abuja-Kaduna highway.
“For them to attack on Sunday and did same on Monday, it shows that they are now more daring and coordinated.
“Before, whenever they attack, they don’t come back to attack again immediately because they know that security will be on the road patrolling but this time around they damned every consequences and went back to kidnap more people the next day.” Francis said.
Removal of Female Soldiers from the road
Female soldiers on patrol along the Abuja-Kaduna highway
The withdrawal of the gallant female soldiers from the Abuja-Kaduna express way has also continued to generate reactions among road users who said the soldiers were committed and dedicated to their jobs while on the road.
Recall that, in late January, 2021 the Kaduna state government received 300 gallant female soldiers to mount 24 hours surveillance on the Abuja-Kaduna express way.
This reporter while traveling on the road on Monday observed that the female soldiers have all been withdrawn and efforts were made to speak to road users about the development.
A road user who gave his name as Mathias said that the withdrawal of the female soldiers was shocking to road users because there was no reason for such withdrawal considering the importance of their presence on the road.
Female Soldiers conducting a search on a vehicle along Abuja-Kaduna highway
“Why did they remove the female soldiers in the first place if they don’t have sinister motives?
“Those female soldiers were very dedicated, they were always on this road providing security, they were fearless and provided an intimidating presence on the road.
“Throughout their stay on this road, I never heard of any kidnapping operations because they were up and doing.
“Who ordered their removal and why ? These are questions Nigerians should be asking the government.” Mathias said.
Citizens Plead for Network Restoration
Residents living in Kaduna state are pleading with the state government to reconsider her decision to shutdown telecommunications network in some parts of the state, saying that the shutdown has made life more difficult for them.
Some residents of Chikun local government area who spoke to MBT reporter said they have been living in total darkness since the network shutdown. They also lamented that since the shutdown has failed to achieve it purpose, it will be unfair to sustain the shutdown.
A resident of Gidan Bussa who spoke to this reporter on condition of anonymity said that the network shutdown has achieved nothing in the area and therefore should be restored.
“Since they shutdown this network, life has been hell for us here, we can no longer communicate with friends and relatives in other places, we can not call for help during emergencies.
“Since the network shutdown has obviously failed to achieve any meaningful result, the government should restore network back. He said.
This reporter spoke to a resident of Gonin Gora who compared the shutdown of telecommunication networks which is affecting their community to life during the pre GSM era in Nigeria.
She said, most businesses are shutdown due to unavailability of network in the community.
“We are just here, we can’t make calls, we can’t do transactions on the POS yet we don’t have any bank in Gonin Gora.
“Those who sell recharge cards to survive also can no longer sell because no one buys recharge cards when there is no network to use their phones.
“The whole thing is troubling for us, it is like living in the pre GSM era and to make matters worse, the bandits are still operating, some of our relatives that were abducted from Emmanuel Baptist church in October are still with the bandits.” She said.
Recall thst on Sunday, armed bandits launched a broad daylight operation along the Abuja-Kaduna express way, killing a former APC governorship aspirant in Zamfara state before abducting dozens.
Late Alhaji Sagir Hamidu’s bullet ridden car
On Monday, a similar operation took place around Gidan Bussa along the same road leading to the abduction of many travellers.
Improved Security Presence
This reporter, on Tuesday 23, November observed improved security presence on the Abuja-Kaduna express way.
An armoured vehicle belonging to the Nigerian army and dozens of soldiers riding on motorcycles were seen patroling along the road, giving road user some confidence to travel.
The police and Civil defense operatives in their numbers were also sighted patroling the express way. This is coming after the Kaduna state commissioner of Police announce the deployment of more personnel and armoured vehicles to the road.
Speaking during a visit to the scene of Sunday’s attack, Commissioner of Police, Mudashiru Abdullahi ordered the deployment of additional four armoured vehicles and more troops to the the Abuja-Kaduna highway.
The just concluded Lagos #EndSARS Panel of Inquiry has described the October 20, 2020 incident at the Lekki toll gate as a massacre.
The panel of inquiry also stated that contrary to Governor Sanwo-Olu’s claim that he didn’t invite soldiers to the toll gate, the governor actually invited the Nigerian soldiers who carried out a massacre against unarmed and peaceful protesters during the October 20th, 2020 EndSARS protest at the Lekki Tollgate in Lagos.
“The panel found that there was an invitation of the Nigerian Army to Lagos State made by the Lagos State government through the governor,” the just-released panel’s report stated unequivocally,
“before the hierarchy of the Nigerian Army deployed its soldiers to the Lekki Toll Gate on the night of October 20.”
Mr Sanwo-Olu had claimed that he knew nothing about how Nigerian soldiers were mobilised to the tollgate. He had repeatedly deflected any blame of what happened at the Lekki tollgate to the Nigerian Army, playing the victim that he had no control over the military force that invaded the tollgate and killed the protesters without any provocations.
The report submitted to the Lagos government on November 15, over one year after the #EndSARS protesters were massacred, pointed out that the soldiers and police shot, injured and killed protesters holding national flags and singing the national anthem at the Lekki tollgate.
Information minister Lai Mohammed had also denied any protesters’ killing on the night of October 20, 2020, accusing the peaceful demonstrators of orchestrating anarchy.
#EndSARS, a nationwide protest against police brutality championed by young Nigerians, ended on a sad note as Nigerian soldiers shot and killed protesters waving the national flag and singing the national anthem.
Some gunmen attacked Ikpomolokpo palace in Gege ward of Ado Local Government Area in Benue State early on Monday, 15th November, killing the son of the monarch.
The assailants abducted the daughter of the traditional ruler.
It was learnt that villagers heard several gunshots coming from the residence of the palace.
Chairman of the local government area, Chief James Oche, who confirmed the incident to journalists in Makurdi, said, “Some gunmen at about 2am today (Monday) entered into the residence of the clan head of Ipomoloko through the fence and asked for the wife of the clan head from the son whose name is Thompson.
“The young man told them that he did not know the whereabouts of his mother and they shot him dead and they now took the sister away.”
The council chairman said though he alerted troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), the gunmen had gone into Atiga forest before they arrived, Daily Trust reports.
He, however, added that the troops had launched a manhunt for the gunmen.
In keeping with its commitment to continuously keep stakeholders in the country’s telecoms sector informed, educated and protected, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) wishes to, once again, notify the public of the existence of another hacking group orchestrating cyberespionage in the African telecoms space.
An Iranian hacking group known as Lyceum (also known as Hexane, Siamesekitten, or Spirlin) has been reported to be targeting telecoms, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and Ministries of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in Africa with upgraded malware in a recent politically motivated attacks oriented in cyberespionage.
Information about this cyber-attack is contained in the latest advisory issued by the Nigerian Computer Emergency Response Team (ngCERT). The ngCERT rated the probability and damage level of the new malware as high.
According to the advisory, the hacking group is known to be focused on infiltrating the networks of telecoms companies and ISPs. Between July and October, 2021, Lyceum was implicated in attacks against ISPs and telecoms organisations in Israel, Morocco, Tunisia, and Saudi Arabia.
The advanced persistent threat (APT) group has been linked to campaigns that hit Middle Eastern oil and gas companies in the past. Now, the group appears to have expanded its focus to the technology sector. In addition, the APT is responsible for a campaign against an unnamed African government’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
By the attackers’ mode of operation, Lyceum’s initial onslaught vectors include credential stuffing and brute-force attacks. So, once a victim’s system is compromised, the attackers conduct surveillance on specific targets. In that mode, Lyceum will attempt to deploy two different kinds of malware: Shark and Milan (known together as James).
Both malware are backdoors. Shark, a 32-bit executable written in C# and .NET, generates a configuration file for domain name system (DNS) tunneling or Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) C2 communications; whereas Milan – a 32-bit Remote Access Trojan (RAT) retrieves data.
Both are able to communicate with the group’s command-and-control (C2) servers. The APT maintains a C2 server network that connects to the group’s backdoors, consisting of over 20 domains, including six that were previously not associated with the threat actors.
According to reports, individual accounts at companies of interest are usually targeted, and then once these accounts are breached, they are used as a springboard to launch spear-phishing attacks against high-profile executives in an organization. The report suggests that not only do these attackers seek out data on subscribers and connected third-party companies, but once compromised, threat actors or their sponsors can also use these industries to surveil individuals of interest.
However, to guard against this kind of threats, the NCC wishes to re-echo ngCERT reports that multiple layers of security in addition to constant network monitoring is required by telecom companies and ISPs alike to stave off potential attacks.
Specifically, telecom consumers and the general public are advised to:
Ensure the consistent use of firewalls (software, hardware and cloud firewalls).
Enable a Web Application Firewall to help detect and prevent attacks coming from web applications by inspecting HTTP traffic.
Install Up-to-date antivirus programmes to help detect and prevent a wide range of malware, trojans, and viruses, which APT hackers will use to exploit your system.
Implement the use of Intrusion Prevention Systems that monitors your network.
Create a secure sandboxing environment that allows you to open and run untrusted programs or codes without risking harm to your operating system.
Ensure the use of virtual private network (VPN) to prevent an easy opportunity for APT hackers to gain initial access to your company’s network.
Enable spam and malware protection for your email applications, and educate your employees on how to identify potentially malicious emails.
For further technical assistance, contact ngCERT on incident@cert.gov.ng.
The NCC, as the operator of the telecom sector’s cyber threat response centre (CSIRT), hereby reiterates its commitment active surveillance and monitoring of cyber activities in the sector and will always keep stakeholders in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector updated on potential threats within the cyber space. This is to ensure that the networks that deliver essential services are safe and that telecom consumers are protected from being victims of cyber-attacks.
“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.”
Challenges Military Chiefs to show Remains of Terrorists Killed By Soldiers in the Northwest
“A situation whereby Nigerians are taken for granted by the heads of the security architectures who are all of the same Northern Moslem extractions and we are told that the armed forces are waging military actions targeted at eradicating the terrorists in the North West who are mostly Fulani by ethnicity same as the heads of the security institutions under Muhammadu Buhari who appointed only his kinsmen into those strategic national institutions but in actual fact these same terrorists that the government has refused to classify appropriately as terrorists but prefers to call them bandits are still carrying out massive attacks on soft and military targets”.
“HURIWA as well as millions of rational Nigerians are not convinced that the armed forces headed by persons of same section of Nigeria and same religion are actually carrying out any military actions targeted at eradicating the terrorists in the North West”.
“Few days ago, the newspapers reported that no fewer than 20 operatives of Nigeria security agencies were butchered in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State and bodies set ablaze by the notorious bandits operating in the state.”
HURIWA said It was gathered that the security operatives were sent to a village where bandits have been ravaging for a long time without any security stoppage. It was gathered that bandits ambushed the security operatives, killed scores of them and set the corpses on fire in the early hours of Friday.Among the victims was Alhaji Shehu Mallami, a resident of the community. When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Mr. Aminu Mary confirmed the incident, saying that the state commandant of the corps had already left to the scene to ascertain what really happened.”
HURIWA said the above factual accounts makes it necessary that the heads of the security agencies must transparently show clear evidence that the terrorists in the North West are actually been targeted in series of alleged military actions because the military is often in a hurry to display corpses of Igbo boys murdered by soldiers in alleged military shootouts but the same soldiers have never displayed the corpses of the terrorists in the North West therefore creating doubts in the minds of discerning Nigerians that any military actions are going on in the North West.
Specifically, the HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA) carpeted the minister of Defence for providing defense for the terrorists in the North West on why the government has yet to classify them as terrorists whereas the same government did not waste anytime in classifying the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra as a terrorist group.
HURIWA recalled that the Minister of Defence, Maj. Gen. Bashir Magashi (Rtd), said that the need to follow due process was responsible for the delay in declaring bandits as terrorists.
Magashi, who stated this on Friday, in Maiduguri, while fielding questions from newsmen, added that there was a procedure that needed to be observed before such a declaration.
“We are not declaring them terrorists because there is a procedure for doing that.
“When the procedure is followed, they will be classified as terrorists. We are waiting for the procedure to be completed,” NAN quoted him as saying.
Magashi who was in Maiduguri with the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor and Service Chiefs on an assessment visit of the fight against insurgency in the North east, expressed satisfaction with the successes so far recorded.
HURIWA however accused the federal government of pampering the terrorists in the North West only because they are of same ethnic Fulani and Muslims with the President and virtually all the heads of the internal security architectures in the Country under President Muhammadu Buhari since 2015.
HURIWA said: “The undue zest exhibited with respect to dealing with IPOB members in Orlu and Ihiala, should therefore be extended to the north-western states. To do otherwise would give the impression that the Federal Government is applying double standards. Such practice would also give impetus to the conspiracy theorists of a hidden agenda, as the majority of the security heads are from the north-west zone, where palliatives instead of ammunition are being offered to bandits.The Federal Government must therefore do everything to avoid giving the impression that crime pays in certain parts of the country. The consequences could be very devastating in the long run. Nation
The perception out there is that while the president is soft both in words and actions against the armed herdsmen that have been wreaking havoc in several rural communities across the country, he has been vehement and trident in condemning separatist groups, like IPOB. While the president is entitled to his private idiosyncrasies, he must exercise due diligence in matters of national importance and public perception.
A double standard arises in politics when the treatment of the same political matters between two or more parties (such as the response to a public crisis or the allocation of funding) is handled differently. This could occur because of the nature of political relationships between those tasked with these matters, the degree of reward or power that stands to be gained/lost, or the personal biases/prejudices of politicians.
Double standard policies can include situations when a country’s or commentator’s assessment of the same phenomenon, process or event in international relations depends on their relationship with or attitude to the parties involved.”
Gov. Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi says the anti-banditry operations of the Nigerian Army have increasingly enabled farmers in the state access to their farms without threats.
The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement, said the governor made the observation when he received the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya in Birnin-Kebbi on Tuesday.
Bagudu said the farmers in Danko Wassagu in the southern part of the state had returned to their farming occupation, urging army to sustain the operations and bring about lasting peace in the state and Nigeria.
He commended the Nigerian Army for providing aid to civil authority at a critical period when non-state actors who were engendering insecurity in the society were being shielded by unpatriotic citizens.
Bagudu urged the army to continue to synergise with other security agencies and stakeholders to rid the north-western part of the country of banditry.
He pledged the state government’s commitment to collaborating with the Nigerian Army and other security agencies to tackle insecurity in the state.
The governor introduced some reconfigured operational vehicles constructed by the state government to the COAS.
He said the operational vehicles were reconfigured with the supervision of the Deputy Governor, retired Col. Samaila Dabai, to provide operational platforms for troops.
He assured the COAS that the vehicles would soon be handed over to the troops for deployment.
The COAS commended the state government and people of Kebbi for their support to Nigerian Army.
Yahaya added that renewed measures would be taken to address the security challenges affecting the state while calling on the government to sensitise the public to the danger of colluding with bandits to create panic within their communities.
He also noted that all hands must be on deck to resolutely deal with the prevailing security situation.
At the palace of the Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Muhammadu Bashar, the COAS appealed to traditional leaders to guide the conduct of members of their communities against providing tacit support to bandits.
He added cooperating with troops would add value to the relentless effort of security operatives to restore law and order in the north west geopolitical zone of the country.
Responding, the emir commended the COAS for embarking on an operational tour of formations and units to give direction and guidance on how to overcome security challenges confronting the country.
Duringoperational visit to 1 Battalion in Birnin Kebbi, the COAS urged the troops to remain focused and professional in the conduct of every operation.
He assured them of adequate provision of more and modern equipment to enable them to carry out their mandate effectively…
CAN members during a Protest against killings in Nigeria
By Steven Kefas
When Gideon Akaluka, an Igbo trader was gruesomely murdered and dismembered in Kano on the 26th of December, 1994 by some irate muslim youths, some of whom prison authority said scaled the fence of the Goron Dutse prison in the ancient city of Kano to carry out the barbaric act, many like myself where toddlers or were not even born and didn’t have any knowledge of what the scenario looked like on that day.
Even though the murder of Akaluka may have been forgotten by many, recent events that have to do with religious killings in the Northern city of Kano bring to mind what happened in the past, what is happening today and what may likely happen in the future if nothing drastic is done.
Slain Reverend Shuaibu Yohanna
On the night of 22nd September, 2021 Christians who are minority in Kano were visited with the news of another gruesome and barbaric murder of a Christian missionary by name Reverend Shuaibu Yohanna who until his death was the chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Sumaila Local government area of Kano state. His murder is a reminder to the fact that Christians are now an endangered species in Northern Nigeria.
The slain Reverend, a Northeastern Evangelist of the New life Church, lived in a village called Massu in Sumaila local government area of Kano state with his wife and children.
Testimonies abound about his exploits in the vineyard of the Lord. Mobilising funds to build schools, providing potable water to both Christians and Muslims in his community.
His good works couldn’t make him immune to the barbarity of the Kano Muslim youths who at the slightest or no provocation descend on their victims with utmost cruelty even before ascertaining their guilt.
Reverend Shuaibu, believed to have facilitated the conversion of many Muslims in the area to Christianity met his untimely death when some muslim youths, over 50 in numbers according to his daughter, accosted him and began butchering him like ram to be used for barbecue.
Eyewitness accounts revealed that the Missionary was killed because, one of his converts who recently got converted but neither attends church service nor mosque had a fight with his sister in-law (brother’s wife) and he hit her with a piston and she died.
Why would Reverend Shuaibu pay for a crime he didn’t commit? Why wasn’t he given the opportunity of being tried by a court of competent jurisdiction? These are questions begging for answers.
Late Mrs Bridget Agbaheme, beheaded in Kano
Just like Reverend Shuaibu, 74 years old Mrs Bridget Agbaheme was on the 2nd of June, 2016 beheaded by some muslims in Kano for allegedly blaspheming Prophet Muhammad.
Mrs Agbaheme, who sells plastics at the local market, was in the company of her husband when she was murdered.
According to some eyewitnesses, Mrs Agbaheme’s only crime was refusing a Muslim co-trader from performing ablution at the entrance of her shop, an act the Muslims in the market deemed blasphemous and punishable by death.
The suspects responsible for her murder were eventually, reluctantly arrested but instead of facing the capital punishment for murder, the five suspects were on 3rd November, 2016 released from detention. At a court session on the day if their release, the Chief magistrate, Mr. Jibrin Muhammad discharged the five suspects and terminated the case ‘in line with the directive of the attorney-general of Kano state’.
The Kano state government also failed to tell Nigerians why the suspects were not arraigned before a higher court considering the gravity of the offence.
Gov. El-rufai during a visit to Francis Emmanuel in the hospital
Few days after the murder of Mrs Agbaheme, a carpenter by name Francis Emmanuel, 41, was stabbed by some youths along Sokoto Road in Kakuri area of Kaduna South on Tuesday for not participating in the ongoing fast accoeding to a dailytrust publication of June 9, 2016.
Francis, a witness said, had gone to buy food from a woman along the road in the afternoon after taking a break from his cabinet making work when four young men accosted him as he was eating and asked him why he was not fasting.
A fight soon ensued after some exchanges and one of the four boys was said to have brought out a dagger and stabbed Francis in several parts of his body.
Even though the Kaduna state government condemned the attack on Francis and also a high powered delegation led by the governor, El-rufai and the then Deputy Governor, Bala Bantex went to see Francis in the hospital, no suspect was arrested.
Late Evangelist Eunice Elisha, slain in Kubwa, Abuja
One month after the gruesome murder of Mrs Bridget Agbaheme, in July 2016, a 42 years old Christian preacher and mother of seven, Eunice Elisha in Kubwa, a satellite town in the Federal Capital Territory. Kubwa is just about 20 minutes drive from the Presidential villa in Abuja. Mrs Elisha had on the day of her killing gone out topreach the gospel like she does every MORNING, unfortunately she met her untimely death in the hands of Muslim fanatics.
Suspects were arrested by the police but like in the case of Mrs Agbaheme, they were released by the police in Abuja in January 2017. The police concealed the identities of the suspects all through the investigation and said they were released because they could not be linked to the murder.
“What happened is that when the incident occurred, arrests were made. But during the course of the investigation we found that the persons arrested could not be linked to the said murder. And we cannot keep them if we do not have any case against them,” Mr. Anjuguri told PREMIUM TIMES on January 14th, 2017.
“They were released under the condition that they will be invited for questioning whenever the need arises. The commissioner has instructed the Divisional Police Officer for that region to intensify efforts on the matter; the case has not been closed. The investigation is still ongoing,” said Mr. Anjuguri.
The police claimed that the suspects could not be linked to the murder of Evangelist Eunice Elisha contradicts her earlier statement that the suspects were helping in the investigation.
Nigeria, theoretically ought to be a secular state with freedom of religion and other forms of association guaranteed by the constitution but that is not the reality as Christians are oftentimes attacked either as a community or individuals.
Hundreds of Christian communities in Northern Nigeria have been held under siege by Fulani terrorists. Killings of Christians in genocidal proportion have continued unabated with no one being prosecuted for such crimes against humanity. The Nigerian Fulani government headed by Maj. Gen. Muhammad Buhari Rtd has done nothing serious to put an end to the carnages against Christians in the Northern part of the country.
With the Nigerian government’s poor handling of the crisis, the international community must as a matter of urgency begin to call out the Nigerian state for abating genocides in the country.
The governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has stated that it is difficult to execute the Anti-Open Grazing laws which his counterparts in the Southern part of Nigeria have passed to curb insecurity in the region.
He, then, cautioned them not to deploy much energy on the laws, adding that it would take time for it to materialise.
Speaking during a visit to the headquarters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday, El-Rufai revealed that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has backed his state with N7.5 billion out of the N10 billion required to build a ranch.
He also disclosed that since there are over 14 grazing reserves in Kaduna State, he would be glad if the Nigerian Government can support his state with N140 billion to develop the grazing reserves.
According to El-Rufai, it is needless for the Southern states’ governors to politicise grazing rights and pass laws they know cannot be implemented.
Speaking on the anti-open grazing laws, he noted, “The northern state governors forum has already taken a position that open grazing is not a sustainable way of livestock production. And we must move towards ranching.
“But moving towards ranching cannot be done overnight. We have to have a plan, we have to have resources and we have to implement it sensibly. It is not a matter of populist legislation or saying tomorrow this or that. It is not a solution.
“We have taken a position as northern state governors and we are implementing that.
“And in my state, for instance, we are developing a huge ranch to centralise the herders. And that is the solution, a long time. But can it be done overnight? No.
“This project we are doing will cost us about N10 billion. The CBN is supporting us with about N7.5 billion. And it will take about two years to do. We will be settling about 1,500 Fulani herder families.
“And I hope that they will see that there are alternative ways of producing livestock instead of running up and down with cattle going to people’s farms to cause all kinds of problems. We want to solve the problem.
“What is unhelpful is to politicise the situation and pass legislation that you know that you cannot implement. So, we have taken a position and we are working round the clock to implement that position.
“And these herders emanate from the north and we are going to centralise them. We cannot do it overnight. We need billions of naira. This is just one ranch that is causing 10 billion. I have 14 grazing reserves in Kaduna State and I will like to convert them into ranching. Do I have 14 times 10 billion naira? I don’t have.
“If the Federal Government will give me N140 billion, I will convert the other 13 into ranches and make sure that nobody comes out with a cow or sheep in Kaduna State because I will have enough ranches to take care of everybody. That is the solution. You can legislate but let us wait and see. And I wish them the best of luck.”
