HURIWA To Malami: You Conceal Names of Boko Haram Terrorists Sponsors Because They Are Moslem Northerners

 
Contrary to the tepid explanation offered by the Minister of Justice and Federal Attorney General Alhaji Abubakar Malami(SAN) that government won’t disclose identity of sponsors of terrorism in Nigeria because that will imperil or undermine investigation,  the CIVIL RIGHTS ADVOCACY GROUP-: HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA) said he was being economical with the truth because his office had already filed the suit before the competent court of law meaning that investigations are concluded just as the Rights group said the government is heavily PRO-MOSLEM NORTH and is just protecting the interest of the region from which key players of the government came from.
 
The Rights group said assuming without conceding that the so called investigations aren’t concluded, how can the naming of sponsors of terrorism that has threatened public safety and national security destroy the investigative process? This doesn’t just make sense, HURIWA insisted just as the Rights group similarly carpeted the chief judge of Federal High Court for not allowing accredited journalists to have unfettered access to the records of the indicted persons because once a matter is filed in court it becomes a public document that can be access using official procedure for filing application and request for the information.  The Rights group said the current minister of justice is working against the spirit and the orjncipkes of the FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT that are found both in the constitution and the legislative piece if law known as the FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT OF 2015. “By the way, naming and shaming suspects already taken to court is both morally and legally permissible “. 
 
HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA) RECALLED that the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, had stated that the administration will not name sponsors of terrorism at the moment so it won’t jeopardise investigations. The AGF stated this while speaking to journalists in New York, according to a statement by his spokesperson, Umar Gwandu, on Wednesday.
 
Responding to the affirmation of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice regarding the concealment of the identities of the sponsors of boko haram terrorists the HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA) also told the Federal Attorney General and Minister of Justice that millions of Nigerians have seen through the government’s unimaginative and poor logic because the same government recently disclosed that 400 sponsors of boko haram terrorists are already dragged to the Federal High Court Abuja division and indeed the Chief judge of the Federal High Court had already assigned both the judge and the date for the commencement of the suit had been communicated to the members of the public. 
 
HURIWA then wonders why the Federal Attorney General is being clever by half by dishing out jaundiced, highly toxic and outrightly despicable tales by moonlight in which he thinks he can deceive even the youngest infant with such an illogical and infantile excuse he has offered for not releasing the NAMES of the sponsors of boko haram terrorists.  The truth is that 99 percent of those doing the bureau de change business in Kano where the bulk of the suspects were allegedly caught are Moslem North and so it is clear that most of the decisions of this government including granting Amnesty to boko haram terrorists that have killed over 33, 000 citizens, these decisions are highly irresponsible and are just NORTHERN SETTLEMENT FOR TERRORISTS  and nothing more. “It is unreasonable that a government is much more interested in protecting terrorists and their sponsors than the victims and indeed against the collective interests of the Nigerian public. This is absurd and comical”. 
 
HURIWA has therefore told the Federal High Court to publicise the NAMES OF THE SUDPECTED SOONSORS OF BOKO HARAM TERRORISTS BECAUSE THE COURT HAS THE JUDICIAL POWERS OF THE FEDERATION IN LINE WITH Section 6 OF THE 1999 CONSTITUTION which states thus: 6(1) The judicial powers of the Federation shall be vested in the courts to which this section relates, being courts established for the Federation. (2)  The judicial powers of a State shall be vested in the courts to which this section relates, being courts established, subject as provided by this Constitution, for a State. (3)  The courts to which this section relates, established by this Constitution for the Federation and for the States, specified in subsection (5) (a) to (1) of this section, shall be the only superior courts of record in Nigeria; and save as otherwise prescribed by the National Assembly or by the House of Assembly of a State, each court shall have all the powers of a superior court of record. (4)  Nothing in the foregoing provisions of this section shall be construed as precluding:- (a)                        the National Assembly or any House of Assembly from establishing courts, other than those to which this section relates, with subordinate jurisdiction to that of a High Court; (b)                        the National Assembly or any House of Assembly, which does not require it, from abolishing any court which it has power to establish or which it has brought into being.(5)  This section relates to:- (a)  the Supreme Court of Nigeria; (b)  the Court of Appeal; (c)   the Federal High Court; (d)  the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja; (e)   a High Court of a State(f)   the Sharia Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja;(g)   a Sharia Court of Appeal of a State; (h)  the Customary Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja; (i)    a Customary Court of Appeal of a State;(j)    such other courts as may be authorised by law to exercise jurisdiction on matters with respect to which the National Assembly may make laws; and (k)  such other court as may be authorised by law to exercise jurisdiction at first instance or on appeal on matters with respect to which a House of Assembly may make laws.(6)  The judicial powers vested in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this section – (a)  shall extend, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this constitution, to all inherent powers and sanctions of a court of law (b)  shall extend, to all matters between persons, or between government or authority and to any persons in Nigeria, and to all actions and proceedings relating thereto, for the determination of any question as to the civil rights and obligations of that person; (c)   shall not except as otherwise provided by this Constitution, extend to any issue or question as to whether any act of omission by any authority or person or as to whether any law or any judicial decision is in conformity with the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy set out in Chapter II of this Constitution; (d)  shall not, as from the date when this section comes into force, extend to any action or proceedings relating to any existing law made on or after 15th January, 1966 for determining any issue or question as to the competence of any authority or person to make any such law.  

HURIWA recalled that the Federal High Court Abuja division had fixed September 17th for arraignment of the 400 suspected sponsors of boko haram terrorists for their roles in funding terrorists in the last ten years that has killed over 33, 000 Nigerians.
HURIWA recalled that the Presidency had in March announced the arrest of the suspects, mainly Bureau De Change operators for allegedly facilitating the transfer of money to Boko Haram terrorists.
Some Nigerians were said to be transferring the funds to the sect from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in conjunction with the BDC operators.
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), had announced that arrangements had been concluded to arraign the suspects who were arrested and interrogated by the State Security Service (SSS).
There have been public concerns over the delay in commencement of the trial with human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), writing to the AGF seeking fiat to the attorneys general of states for the prosecutions.
Falana expressed concerns that sponsors of terrorism arrested for taking part in the kidnapping, armed robbery and extrajudicial killing of unarmed citizens had not been prosecuted by the attorneys-general of their respective states
“It is such official impunity that has accentuated the violent attacks on innocent people by the so-called bandits and unknown gunmen. In many instances, the suspects were arrested and paraded by the police and other law enforcement agencies but released to continue their criminal activities,” he said.
 

Herdsmen Abduct Pregnant Woman, two Others, Demand N30m Ransom in Ogun

Suspected Fulani herdsmen were said to have kidnapped a pregnant woman and two others in Ogun, demanding a ransom of N30 million.

DAILY POST gathered that the abductees were taken away on Sunday evening along Igbo-Ora-Sokoto road, Abeokuta North Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The victims had paid a visit to their friend who resides at Rounder area of Abeokuta, the state capital.

A source informed that the kidnappers laid an ambush for three persons at an area known as Karigo, saying the pregnant woman is in her eighth month.

According to him, the herdsmen had contacted the families of the victims on Tuesday, asking them to pay N10 million each for their release.

It was said that two other persons on the trip escaped when the kidnappers accosted them.

“We got information that at the abattoir in Rounda that kidnappers abducted three persons.

“The kidnappers did not call immediately but they called on Tuesday, asking for N10 million on each victim as ransom. There is a pregnant woman among them, who would soon give birth,” the source said.

“It was gathered that the victims parked their car because the road is bad, but while trekking, they were ambushed by their kidnapers

“The abductees were two women and one man, identified as Baba Sandra.

“One of them is a thrift collector in the market here (Itoku market ); one is a civil servant but we don’t know where the other one works,” it was learnt.

“The husband of the pregnant woman was one of the two that escaped being kidnapped,” the source informed.

Contacted, the Ogun police spokesman, Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, has confirmed the incident.

However, Oyeyemi said the victims had organised a prayer session in the forest where they were captured.

“Since that very day, our people have been on their trail. In fact, while I was discussing with the OC (Officer in-charge), they were still in the bush in that area trying to get all those people.

“But, our people should also be careful, they should stop organising prayers inside the forest,” he said.

(DAILYPOST)

My constituency under siege by kidnappers, bandits – Abia lawmaker Cries Out

The member representing Umunneochi constituency in Abia State House of Assembly, Hon Okey Igwe has expressed worries over the resurgence of kidnapping, banditry and armed robbery in the area.

The Abia lawmaker lamented that his constituents now live in fear as the current trend has taken a dangerous toll on Umunneochi Local Government Area of the State.

Igwe disclosed that the perpetrators of the nefarious activities in Umunneochi constituency now use Lokpanta cattle market as their den from where they unleash terror on innocent citizens and residents of the area.

He spoke while presenting a matter of urgent public importance on the floor of the Abia State House of Assembly during its plenary session on Wednesday.

The legislator called on the security heads in the area to urgently restore the security checkpoints along the vital points in Umunneochi constituency and to add more men to their patrol teams.

Igwe further urged the Abia Ministry of Homeland Security to liaise with the local vigilante groups in the area to complement other security agencies stationed at the crime prone areas.

In the same vein, the Abia State House of Assembly has directed the Clerk of the House to, as a matter of urgency send a letter of invitation to the Executive Chairman of Umunneochi Local Government Area, the permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Homeland Security and the Chain of Lokpanta Cattle Market for an interaction with the House.

The Speaker, Rt. Hon Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji while reeling out some resolutions of the House at its sitting, said the invitation is aimed at finding lasting solutions to the menaces posed by criminal elements in the local area.

Hon Orji implored the security heads in Umunneochi Local Government Area to restore the security check-points at strategic locations in the vicinity in order to curb the activities of criminals in the area.

Meanwhile, the leadership of Abia State House of Assembly has adjourned to Monday, 27th September, 2021 for continuation of plenary.

(DAILYPOST)

BREAKING: El-Rufai Wants to Export Banditry to South -Akeredolu

The Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum and Governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has berated Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State for his attack on governors within the southern region.

Akeredolu described the attack on Southern governors by his Kaduna State counterpart as devious and a hysteric ploy to externalise banditry.

El-Rufai had mocked the southern governors over their position to pass the Anti-Open Grazing Law.

Akeredolu in a statement issued by his Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Donald Ojogo, said anyone making such a statement made by the Kaduna State Governor should be classified as “unenviable ilk masquerading as leaders.”

He added that El-Rufai statement was capable of encouraging anarchy under the guise “of resentment of a Law by affected stakeholders”.

While emphasizing that the Anti-open Grazing Law has come to stay in the state, Akeredolu maintained that those without evil plots have nothing to be worried about.

The statement partly read “From all indications, Governor Nasir el-Rufai, if he was properly quoted and his views not misrepresented, is struggling hard to export banditry to the South under an expressed opinion that is laced with mischief.

“Perhaps, it is apt to state clearly that the likes of Governor El-Rufai are already in a hysteric ‘mode’ of escalating and indeed, externalising banditry, especially as the military onslaught against criminal elements and other terror variants suffices in the North.”

(DAILYPOST)

How Boko Haram Terrorists Attacked Kogi Prison, Gave Chief Imam In Jail Assault Rifle To Join Attack

Gunmen who recently broke into the correctional centre in Kabba in the Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State, are Boko Haram terrorists, SaharaReporters learnt. 

A source also told SaharaReporters on Monday that after their arrival, the terrorists gave an auto assault rifle to the Chief Imam for the inmates, said to be a Boko Haram commander. 

According to the source, the Boko Haram commander, an inmate of the prison, had taken up the role of Chief Imam at the correctional centre, leading other Muslims to prayer.  

“It was Boko Haram terrorists that broke into Kabba prison,” the source said. 

“The Chief Imam for the inmates is apparently a Boko Haram commander, and when the gunmen arrived, they handed him an auto assault rifle.”

Just a week ago, SaharaReporters reported how some prisoners gunmen attacked the correctional centre in Kabba, freeing inmates.

The prisoners who were in their hundreds were said to have escaped after the gunmen attacked the prison located along Kabba-Lokoja highway late on Sunday, September 12.

Though security officers comprising 15 soldiers, 10 policemen, and 10 armed guards of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) were at the facility at the time of the attack, the gunmen were able to break into it. 

They killed a soldier and a policeman during the attack, Sola Fasure, media adviser to the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, had said in a statement. 

The assailants thereafter set the prisoners free.

The early morning downpour on Monday aided their escape as the building housing the inmates was reportedly submerged by flood.

According to the statement, the Kabba custodial facility had 294 inmates as of the time of the attack, and only 28 inmates did not escape. 

It said many of the 266 inmates initially unaccounted for were able to escape after the gunmen used explosives to destroy three sides of the perimeter fence. 

Later, Sesan Nihi, the Kogi correctional service spokesman said no fewer than 114 inmates from the Kabba Correctional Centre had voluntarily returned or been rearrested.

Nihi was quoted as saying, “We have about 114 inmates back now. Some of the inmates returned themselves but I cannot give a definite figure for that. In fact, two just returned not too long ago. Some of the inmates were brought back by their parents.

“We have a search party with other security agencies to capture the remaining inmates.”

(SAHARAREPORTERS)

Buhari regime will not name, shame Boko Haram financiers: Femi Adesina

President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime will not name and shame Boko Haram financiers and other sponsors of terrorism in Nigeria, says his media aide Femi Adesina.

President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime will not name and shame Boko Haram financiers and other sponsors of terrorism in Nigeria, says his media aide Femi Adesina.

“Naming and shaming will not be the motive. Bringing malefactors to justice will be it,” Mr Adesina told Channels TV on Monday. “Nigeria is not interested in naming and shaming anybody. Rather, it wants to bring them to justice.”

In May, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, announced that high-profile Nigerians were financing terrorism in the country.

“In essence, it is indeed true that the government is prosecuting, and it’s indeed initiating processes of prosecuting those high-profile individuals that are found to be financing terrorism. It is indeed true,” Mr Malami had said.

Contrary to many Nigerians’ expectations, Mr Buhari’s regime failed to reveal the identities of the terrorism financiers.

But Mr Adesina stated that “rest assured that these people will be dragged before justice, and justice will have its way.”

He added that investigations were ongoing at various security agencies before arraigning the suspects.

“Investigations are going on at different levels; it will be at the level of the EFCC, it will be at the level of the NIA,” the presidential spokesman stated. “All the security agencies will be working on it so that when those people eventually appear in court, there will be a prima facie case against them.”

Last week, EFCC chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, said he could not reveal the identities of Boko Haram sponsors.

Asked to name the financiers during an interview with Channels TV, Mr Bawa said, “If you are my adviser will you advise me to come on national television to tell the whole world regarding matters of sensitive national security issue? Certainly, not.”

Kunle Olawunmi, a former navy commodore, in August, alleged that the Buhari regime was familiar with sponsors of terrorism but yet to bring them to book.

“The government has developed cold feet in fighting the insurgency because some of those backing Boko Haram are now top-ranking government officials,” the military intelligence expert had said. “Why can’t this government, if not that they are partisan, bring those people out for trial?”

(GAZETTE)

UNGA: China, Russia, other nations pay tribute at 9/11 museum

UN nations have paid tribute at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum in New York to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks.

UN nations have paid tribute at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum in New York to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks launched against the U.S. that changed the course of history.

UN Counter-Terrorism chief, Vladimir Voronkov, in his message to commemorate the anniversary on Monday, said the UN would continue to stand in solidarity with all victims of terrorism.

Speaking at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum in downtown Manhattan where the twin towers once stood, Voronkov highlighted the significance of the commemoration.

“We have gathered from all over the world on this sacred ground in the host city of the United Nations to pay tribute to the victims and survivors of the terrible attacks that occurred here just over 20 years ago,” he said.

The special ceremony brought together heads of state, ministers and delegates representing more than 120 member states and international organisations in New York for the opening of the 76th UN General Assembly.

Mr Voronkov stated that the UN was committed to continue placing victims at the heart of the global counter-terrorism effort, speaking for those who can no longer speak, and amplifying survivors’ voices.

“We will continue to stand in solidarity with all victims of terrorism. They will not be forgotten. No day shall erase them from the memory of time,” he added.

The commemoration demonstrated the UN commitment never to forget the 2,977 people from over 90 countries whose lives were taken when hijacked airliners brought terror to New York, Washington and beyond, and the thousands more that were injured or sickened.

Alice Greenwald, President and CEO of the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, said, “Your presence here is a powerful demonstration of global solidarity with the victims of 9/11 and their families, indeed with all victims of terrorism. You recognise that the human impacts of terrorism and extreme violence are universal and collectively acknowledging the absolute illegitimacy of terrorism as a response to political grievance.”

Expressing sympathy and solidarity with grieving families, José Albares, Spain’s foreign affairs minister for the European Union and Cooperation, restated their commitment to fighting terrorism.

The ceremony included a minute of silence, following which Messrs Voronkov and Albares laid wreaths in memory of victims of the September 11 attacks and all victims of terrorism worldwide.

(NAN)/(Gazette)

How B/Haram Crisis Killed 300,000 Children In N/East

More than 300,000 children lost their lives in the last 12 years because of the insurgency ravaging the North East region, the latest statistics released by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) revealed.

This is just as the Nigerian military said the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP), a rival terrorists’ organisation has started massive recruitment of jobless youths into its fold to continue wreaking havoc.

The latest statistics released by UNICEF also disclosed that over one million persons have been displaced within the period under review.It said no fewer than 5,129 out-of-school children were currently battling mental health challenges as a result of the conflict in the North.

When one of our correspondents attempted to get more information on the factors responsible for the death of 300,000 children, the UNICEF Media Contact in Maiduguri said that the deaths were a summation of direct and indirect attacks on children.

He said, “Children killed in crossfires, Improvised Explosive Device (IEDs), children used as suicide bombers, children killed by malnutrition among others.”

Salihu Bakhari, who is a retired security officer, said he was not surprised by the figures released by UNICEF.

“We are just coming to terms with the reality because the attention in the past was on the frequency of attacks and destruction. We paid little attention to the humanitarian crises including how children were affected.

“I believe more figures would be reeled out in the coming months but the most important thing is for various stakeholders to start thinking on how to address the challenges.

“There are many children that are missing; some have been stolen and others are in the hands of terrorists. They are nurturing them to become fighters.

“So, while we frown and lament the killing of children, there must be a deliberate effort to save those in captivity and make life meaningful for them,” he said.

Attacks against children must stop

UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Peter Hawkins, advocated that every stakeholder must ensure attacks against children stop immediately.

He said his organisation and the European Union (EU) were working together to provide community-based psychosocial services.

He said, “The scars of conflict are real and enduring for children. Too many children in North East Nigeria are falling victim to a conflict they did not start. Attacks against children must stop immediately.

“In the meantime, we are committed to working with our partners to provide psychosocial and other support to conflict-affected children, so they can regain their childhood and restart their lives.”

Hawkins said that the EU-funded Support to Early Recovery and Resilience Project, implemented by UNICEF, was aimed at improving the mental health of 5,129 out-of-school children in Borno State.

He also said that stress and violence had been linked to poor brain development, depression and poor self-esteem and children exposed to conflict and violence were at risk of long-term mental health and psychosocial issues.

The UNICEF chief said that the conflict-affected out-of-school children in the state, which cut across six local government areas were receiving services including mental health support in safe spaces to strengthen their well-being, resilience, literacy skills and self-reliance.

The project, according to him, also supported vulnerable children across Borno with protection and health services, vocational and basic literacy skills, access to justice and security, under a holistic humanitarian intervention.

He said the intervention had so far provided 15,552 out-of-school children with vocational training; 1,610 out-of-school children with literacy and numeracy skills and 5,194 children enrolled into integrated Qur’anic schools across focus LGAs.

On his part, the EU Head of Cooperation, Cecile Tassin-Pelzer, said, “Addressing the psychosocial well-being and development of children and teachers in conflict situations is an important part of re-establishing education provision and enabling children to re-enter schools safely.”

Daily Trust reports that apart from the huge number of children who were killed during the twelve-year conflict, thousands of adults also lost their lives while many properties including schools, markets, hospitals, electricity and many other social amenities were destroyed.

Governor Babagana Zulum recently said over 100,000 people have been killed by Boko Haram, amplifying what his predecessor, Kashim Shettima said in 2017.

(DAILYTRUST)

Nursing Mother, Two Others Abducted In Jalingo

Nursing Mother, Two Others Abducted In Jalingo

A Nursing mother identified as Salamatu and two other persons have been abducted in Jalingo, Taraba State capital.

Daily Trust gathered that gunmen numbering about 10 stormed the area at midnight on Sunday and abducted the victims.

The gunmen were said to have picked up the woman after failing to find her husband who is suspected to be their target.

The gunmen, Daily Trust gathered, forced their way into the second house and abducted a businessman and his brother.

The abduction happened a few days after gunmen were prevented from abducting people around Specialists Hospital, Jalingo.

The area, which is located close to a mountain situated along Mallam Audu-Pantisawa road, is used by kidnappers as their den.

Residents interviewed expressed concern over refusal of the authorities to launch operations against kidnappers.

Contacted, the police spokesperson in the state, DSP Usman Abdullahi, said he was in a meeting and he would call back but he had not done so at the time of filing this report.

Dailytrust

Army Raises Alarm Massive ISWAP Recruitment

Army Raises Alarm Massive ISWAP Recruitment

The Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) has started recruiting massively, according to the army.

The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Onyeama Nwachukwu, disclosed this at the Headquarters of the Theatre Command, Operation Hadin Kai Maimalari, during a tour in Maiduguri, Borno State, on Sunday.

He advised the members of the public to be on the lookout within their immediate environment, adding that it is very important to engage the media to block this recruitment.

“I will like to mention that the ISWAP, very recently, haven been depleted by the surrendering of their member, as well as and conflict between them. They have embarked on what I will call a massive recruitment drive and I consider it very important to engage the media to block this recruitment.”

“The Boko Haram insurgents have been surrendering. People have questioned the authenticity of the surrendering of these insurgents and why they are surrendering at this time.

“There are also the questions on the reintegration of these insurgents. Another question is what the plight of the victims of the insurgency is.

“That is the essence of this tour. The military is not resting on its oars in the fight to end insurgency and insecurity in the country,” Nwachukwu said.

Nwachukwu also said the fight against insurgency in the North-east had recorded success.

“At some point, the insurgents almost took over the three state capitals of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe in the North-East. Some three years back, Boko Haram was advancing towards the Federal Capital Territory. Today they have been boxed in to the Timbuks” he added.

The theatre Commander, Theater Command, Operations Hadin Kai, Maj. Gen. Christopher Musa, also said the military have been trying their best in handling the issue of Boko Haram within the international laws.

Dailytrust