A socio-political group, Southern and Middle Belt Alliance (SAMBA), has demanded the immediate eviction of Fulanis from 102 communities in Plateau State.
SAMBA has also asked Plateau State governor, Simon Lalong to recover 102 communities allegedly annexed by armed Fulani herdsmen in the state.
SAMBA, in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Rwang Pam Jnr. on Sunday, decried what it called “the continuing invasion of Plateau communities by Fulani militia since 2001”.
“Government should uphold justice for the people of the state who have suffered from Fulani land grabbing and other crimes for many years,” he said.
SAMBA claimed that four local government areas of Barikin-Ladi, Bokkos, Riyom and Bassa were the worst affected by the activities of Fulani militia, which started in 2001.
The group said it is saddened by the development in Plateau State consequent upon which it threw its full weight behind a petition submitted to the Plateau State governor on November 26, 2021.
Emancipation Centre for Crisis Victims in Nigeria (ECCVN) and other associations namely Atakar Development Association (IDA), Berom Educational and Cultural Organization (BECO), Irigwe Development Association (IDA) and Ron Kunlere Development Association (RKDA) have petitioned the governor, anchoring it on the state’s Anti-Land Grabbing Law.
One hundred and two communities were listed in the petition as having been taken over by armed Fulani militia in the state.
SAMBA argued, “It is therefore imperative for the state government under the leadership of Governor Simon Lalong to act as a matter of urgency by declaring a state of emergency on the recovery of those lands.
“The governor must issue an express order of evacuation of all illegal occupants and users of lands, dams, ponds, streams, homes, and other properties; because peace can only reign when the issue of justice is addressed by the state government and its agencies.”
The communities said to have been annexed by the Fulani militia are as follows:
The Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa, established by the Economic Community of West African States, says Boko Haram splinter group, Islamic State West Africa Province, moved about N18bn ($36m) generated from trading and taxing communities in the Lake Chad region through the Nigerian financial system annually.
The group, set up by ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in 2000, stated that both Boko Haram and ISWAP had continued to mobilise, move and utilise funds through the nation’s formal financial and commercial system.
It noted that the government lacked adequate insight into Boko Haram and ISWAP international linkages and abuse of the formal financial and commercial sectors.
It said even though the Department of State Services had significant ability to identify and investigate terrorist financing activity, and that it even conducts parallel financial and terrorism investigation, there was little evidence of the effectiveness of such efforts.
The group, known as GIABA, stated these in its 2021 Mutual Evaluation Report, where it also noted that Nigeria lacked an explicit policy to confiscate proceeds of crime or property of equivalent value, including terrorism financing.
It also said the Nigerian government, led by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), failed to confiscate the assets of terrorists as stipulated in the global anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing standards.
Nigeria has been battling Boko Haram insurgency for about 12 years, during which thousands have been killed, including civilians and soldiers; several persons, including schoolchildren and women, were kidnapped with many still in captivity while millions have been displaced.
Meanwhile, the GIABA report was adopted by the global financial intelligence agency, Financial Action Task Force, whose recommendations help authorities to go after the money of criminals dealing in illegal drugs, human trafficking and other crimes.
The report stated, “Boko Haram/ISWAP pose significant TF (Terrorist Financing) risks that are challenging to disrupt, operating in large part outside the formal financial and commercial system in the conflict zone.
“In these areas, Boko Haram and ISWAP are mainly able to “live off the land” through a variety of means, including kidnapping for ransom, extortion and taxation, raiding and controlling commercial activity.
“As with other forms of illicit financial activity, the pervasive use of cash enables these groups’ funding. A study estimated ISWAP’s revenues, deemed larger than Boko Haram’s, at up to USD$36m annually, much of it from trading activity and taxation in the Lake Chad region.
According to Nigerian authorities, both groups have also continued to mobilise, move and utilise funds through the formal financial and commercial system as well, accounting for a relatively small portion of TF activity. These groups also engage in international trafficking activities and as sworn adherents to the Islamic State, also have links with other regional and global terrorist networks.
“The authorities believe that any external support from ISIS Core may account for a small portion of ISWAP’s overall revenues. However, trade with broader criminal networks that could extend to regional jihadist organisations appears to generate significant income for both Boko Haram and ISWAP.”
The Financial Action Task Force assessment noted that the Nigerian authorities did not prioritise terrorism financing investigations, as there were only a few terrorist financing prosecutions and convictions, which do not reflect the country’s risk profile in terrorist financing.
Notably, no individual, body or corporation has been convicted in Nigeria for funding terrorism since the insurgency started in 2009.
The Task Force said in the assessment, “Nigeria has a significant but incomplete understanding of its TF (terrorist financing) threats and risks. It lacks adequate insight into Boko/ISWAP’s international linkages and abuse of the formal financial and commercial sector. The authorities do not prioritise TF investigations, as there are only a few TF prosecutions and convictions which do not reflect Nigeria’s TF risk profile.
“The Department of State Services, Nigeria’s lead counter-terrorism agency, has significant ability to identify and investigate TF activity. It conducts parallel financial investigations in conjunction with terrorism investigations. However, there is little evidence of the effectiveness of such efforts.
“The content of TF-related Suspicious Transactions Reports submitted to the NFIU (Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit) has not been of demonstrable value, appearing to add little to Nigeria’s CFT (Combating the Financing of Terrorism) efforts. The agency maintained that Nigeria did not demonstrate effective legal and operational frameworks for seeking international cooperation, including for the recovery and repatriation of assets.
“Nigeria did not demonstrate that it prioritises and provides constructive information or assistance, including adequate, accurate and current basic and beneficial owner information of legal persons promptly.”
It noted that the nation recently enacted the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Act, 2019 to streamline processes for mutual legal assistance
The financial task force observed that the larger commercial banks and those affiliated with international groups have a good understanding of money laundering and terrorism financing risks.
In this report, Steven Kefas attempted to look at the recent decision of the American government to delist Nigeria from the blacklist of religious freedom violators, He spoke with Award winning investigative Journalist, David Hundeyin, The Kaduna state Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev Joseph Hayab and others on the subjectmatter.
File photo: Terrorists operating in North-West Nigeria
Christians in Zamfara state, North West Nigeria have been told to stop holding worship services and to shutdown churches or risk ferocious attacks by terrorists operating in the troubled state. The state has been ravaged by terrorists activities blamed on Fulani militias and other terrorists elements.
A police spokesman in Zamfara state, DSP Mohammed Shehu, confirmed the threat letter to Saharareporters, saying that “We are on top of the threat.”
“Yes, I can confirm that it’s true, a threat letter was sent to the Christians in Zamfara State to stop worship and to close churches.
“Actually the police informed the Christian leaders about the threat.
“Accordingly the CP has invited the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the state to discuss security measures around the churches.
“In that regard, a special squad has been created by the CP to patrol and protect worshippers, especially on Sundays.
“Additionally, plain-clothes personnel have been deployed for intelligence gathering and to unravel those behind the threat letter,” he said.
The threat is coming few days after the U.S. government delisted Nigeria from its religious freedom blacklist, a decision the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) said it finds ‘unexplainable’.
“USCIRF is disappointed that the State Department did not adopt our recommendations in designating the countries that are the worst violators of religious freedom,” said USCIRF Chair Nadine Maenza. “While the State Department took steps forward on some designations, USCIRF is especially displeased with the removal of Nigeria from its CPC designation, where it was rightfully placed last year, as well as the omission of India, Syria, and Vietnam. We urge the State Department to reconsider its designations based on facts presented in its own reporting.” The Agency said in a statement.
The announcement made by the U.S government on the removal of Nigeria from the CPC list preceded Secretary Blinken’s visit by 24 hours, this has caused some Nigerians to believe that politics and tactical lobbying from both parties may have instigated the decision of the U.S. government to remove Nigeria from the blacklist and not necessarily any improvement in religious freedom in the country.
File photo: Secretary Blinken and President Muhammadu Buhari during the former’s visit in November
Speaking on the removal of Nigeria from the religious freedom violators blacklist, in a report he titled “The Untold Stories of Religious Persecution in Nigeria”, the Chairman Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Kaduna state chapter, Rev. Joseph Hayab said the decision of the U.S. is appalling.
Rev John Joseph Hayab, Kaduna state CAN Chairman
“The US’s delisting of Nigeria from its list of violators of religious liberty is appalling, as the persecution of Christians is still at its peak. Besides, the Nigerian government hardly engages Nigerians to deliberate the challenges of insecurity, possibly because her own hands are not clean. The awful part is not only that the Nigerian government fails to engage Nigerians to find the way out of the insecurity the country is faced with, but that the government is known for blaming victims of insecurity for ‘not being careful enough,’ vindicating banditry and its perpetrators.
“Moreover, whenever any Nigerian openly speaks against the insecurity in the country, particularly the failure of government to tackle the bandits, he or she is branded as ‘antigovernment’, typifying why most pastors and bishops of megachurches in Nigeria are afraid to speak out. Thus, the U.S. State Department ignored the worsening insecurity in Nigeria, declaring that placing the country on the list of “Countries of Particular Concern” (CPC) for religious freedom could jeopardize the work of the US Office of International Religious Freedom in Nigeria.” Hayab said.
Rev. Hayab who was among those privileged to meet with the visiting secretary Blinken during his visit to Nigeria, said he expressed the disappointment of Christians in Nigeria over the U.S.’ decision to delist Nigeria from the CPC list.
“When I met with Antony John Blinken, the US Secretary of State, during his recent visit to Nigeria, as one of the five civil society representatives, I expressed how disappointed the Christians in Nigeria were following the US’ deletion of Nigeria from the CPC list. What I said to Blinken was that because Nigeria still has grave problems with religious persecution, his action was like that of a doctor discharging a patient from the hospital, even though the patient was critically ill. What that signifies is telling the patient to go home and die.
“Manifestly, the US was either ill-advised or purposely does not care about what happened to Christian in Nigeria. It also appears that the State Department does not fully comprehend that there is a grand plan by the current regime in Nigeria to impoverish and weaken the Christian community without letting the international community notice it. To achieve the grand plan, the government employed highly professional lobbyists to convince the State Department to arrive at such an unpopular decision, removing Nigeria’s name from the list of countries violating religious freedom.” He said
“As a Nigerian, I do not wish our country evil, but the reality is that citizens are daily persecuted because of their religious leanings. When I read the statement that the US Secretary of State removed Nigeria from the CPC list, it seemed to me that he wanted to make a statement that would water down whatever tension there was before he arrived in Nigeria, as that statement was not issued until a day or two before his arrival.” Hayab said.
Hayab further stated that religious freedom cannot be said to have improved in Nigeria going by the realities on ground.
“For the record, Nigeria at this moment cannot be said to have improved in its handling of people and issues based on faith. Only a day before the meeting with Blinken, the bandits who kidnapped 66 worshippers at the Emmanuel Baptist Church (Kakau Daji, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State) released a video showing themselves killing some of their captives.
“In the video, the bandits took five young men between the ages of 15 and 24 from among the kidnapped, acting as if they were to be released. When the victims came near to their homes, the bandits opened fire, killing two instantly. The third died later. All three have been buried by the church.
“In the same video, in which many of the captives in the bush were forced to appear, the bandits said they were attacking Christians and that Christians will suffer at their hands. How could a country where such a crime is ongoing without any tangible efforts by the government(s) to halt the evil be removed from the list of countries where religious persecution is a problem? Therefore, the decision has no basis. I add that when we talk about insecurity, there is often a misconception among Nigerians that it is a question of Muslims versus Christians, but I see what is happening to the Shi’ites as religious persecution as well.
“Today, we have so many IDP camps all over the country. Religiously motivated killings are taking place, as well as the religiously motivated sacking of communities by bandits. I can tell you categorically that those violations are ongoing. For instance, just this week, bandits in Zamfara State issued a threat to Christians to “shut down churches or risk attacks.” The story, reported by Sahara Reporters online on the 29th of November 2021, is said to have been confirmed by the State Police, saying that they were “on top of the threat.” The fact is that insecurity is growing by the day. So, let’s call a spade a spade.” He said.
Religious and Non-faith persecution in Nigeria
Religious Freedom and freedom to practice faith of choice has remained a source of major concern for Christians, some Muslim sects and other non-faith citizens in Nigeria.
In September this year, a Christian cleric, Rev. Shuaibu Yohanna was gruesomely murdered by Muslim youths in the ancient city of Kano following little misunderstanding bordering on his missionary works in the Muslim dominated state.
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 extremists 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? Religious intolerance of course is the answer.
Rev. Yohanna Shuaibu: Facebook
Similarly, a self-proclaimed atheist, Mubarak Bala has been in a Kano detention facility over alleged blasphemous Facebook post even though his supporters believed he is being detained for being an atheist in a Muslim dominated state like Kano.
Bala who is also the president of Nigerian Humanist Association is being accused over a Facebook post criticizing prophet Muhammad an act that is considered blasphemy and can carry a death sentence in Nigeria’s mostly Muslim society where Sharia laws are enforced along with the common laws.
Self-aclaimed Atheist, Mubara Bala: Facebook
Members of the Islamic Movement I Nigeria otherwise known as Shiites have repeatedly come under intense persecutions by the Nigerian state. In 2015 at least 348 members of the sect were killed by a combined team of the Nigerian police and military after some fracas with the convoy of then Chief of Army staff, Lt. Col Tukur Buratai. It’s national headquarters otherwise known as Hussainiya was also destroyed by the government. Leader of the movement, Sheik Ibraheem El-Zakzaky whose children were among those killed was arrested alongside his wife and detained for over five years despite several court rulings ordering their release.
In an interview with Iranian government owned Television, Sheikh El-Zakzaky narrated his ordeals in the hands of the Nigerian state.
“I have a total of 38 bullet fragments in my body, and also my wife has several gunshot on her stomach and thigh.” Zakzaky said.
Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, Leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria
The Nigerian government has made it a sort of point of duty to always attack the Zakzaky’s members whenever and wherever they are protesting or holding processions peculiar to their sectarian calendar.
In September, the sect said that 8 of its members were killed by the police in Abuja during an annual procession, an accusation the police denied even though images circulated on the social media proved otherwise.
What Some Nigerians think about the U.S.’ delistment of Nigeria from the CPC
Speaking exclusively to Middle Belt Times, popular award winning Investigative journalist, David Hundeyin, said that religious freedom violation in Nigeria has worsened since the country was designated a country of particular concern (CPC) by the Trump administration in the year 2020. Hundeyin who has repeatedly said he is faithless also described the delisting of Nigeria by the Biden administration as political.
David Hundeyin: Facebook
“From my understanding, not only has the situation not improved since 2020, it has actually worsened. The delisting of Nigeria by Secretary Blinken to my eyes, is a strategic mistake driven by politics and lobbying, as against the force of reality, facts and verifiable data.
“I believe that there is a significant disconnect between urban Nigeria and the rest of the country, which is why to many urban Nigerians as well as to foreigners who only visit urban Nigeria when they come here, there appears to be no significant restriction on religious freedoms.
“What these people need to understand is that in rural Nigeria, particularly in the Middle Belt and the North, practicing Christianity or any other faith other than Sunni Islam can be, and often is a literal death sentence. That is no exaggeration.” He said
The “Conflakes for Jihad” author who is currently on exile over repeated threats to his life, also made reference to a publication titled “Silent Slaughter”, saying that the report speaks volume about the religious persecution ongoing in the Middle Belt region and other parts of Northern Nigeria.
“The report titled “Silent Slaughter: Genocide in Nigeria and its Implications for the International Community” details an ongoing campaign of directed terror attacks and genocidal actions against Christian groups in these parts of the country. This report was presented to former US VP Mike Pence, as well as former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and it contributed to the listing of Nigeria among countries of particular concern for violating religious freedoms.” Hundeyin said.
Also speaking exclusively to Middle Belt Times, Zacham Bayei, a memeber of the Atheist Society of Nigeria (ASN) and a staunch advocate for the fundamental human rights of freethinkers in Nigeria, Africa and the world at large said it is inhuman and illegal to arrest people for freely expressing their views on religion or ideology
Freethinker Zacham Bayei
“My brother, you know it is inhuman, illegal and wrong to arrest a person that freely expresses his or her views on religion or any ideology.
“If their god or deity is active, let him or her attack those that criticize him or her, why are his or her faithful doing the attack? Something is wrong somewhere!” Bayei said
When asked to comment on the recent removal of Nigeria from the list of religious freedom violators by the U.S. government, Bayei said that the United states was wrong to have remove Nigeria from the blacklist, saying that religious freedom is still under threat.
“They were wrong for doing that because it is crystal clear that Buhari’s led APC government has and still violating the rights of religious and non- religious groups in this country.
“Take for instance, the broad day killing of Shiite Muslims minority under his watch. They are citizens of Nigeria and have the right to peaceful protest, but we see armed state actors shooting life bullets into them whenever they come out to protest the illegal detention of their leader Sheik Ibrahim El-Zazzaky.
“Also, we’ve seen mass killing of Christians in their homes and churches destroyed by Fulani jihadists in Southern Kaduna, Plateau, Benue, Kogi, Taraba, Adamawa, Niger states without arrests, and the perpetrators being brought to book.
“We’ve also seen the arrest and detention of the then President of Humanist Association of Nigeria (HAN) by security agents over his Facebook post without trial in prison for over a year.” He said
Just like Hndeyin, Bayei believes that the delisting of Nigeria from the religious freedom violators blacklist is both political and economical, saying that it may not be unconnected with the Buhari led administration to accept the IMF’s recommendations concerning the removal of fuel subsidy rumoured to be in effect by early 2022.
“My take on the US removing Buhari’s government from the list of religious right violators is that, it is a ploy for him to blindly accept the IMF recommendations of the removal of fuel subsidy by 2022, which was tipped to create more hardship on the toiling masses of Nigeria. In other words, Buhari’s government body language over the persecution of other religious and non- religious groups speaks volumes.” Bayei said.
Way forward for the U.S. and Nigeria
The U.S. government must reconsider it’s decision on the removal of Nigeria from the CPC list, if indeed America wants to continue to be seen by the different faiths and religions under persecution in Nigeria as a country that supports the rights of people of diverse faiths and religion.
The Nigerian government on the other hand must show political will and courage in fighting all forms of religious and other faith based extremism in the country. Terrorists who use religion as guise to perpetrate crimes against humanity must be dealt with using the full wrath of the law of the country and not being rewarded.
Government polices such as Operation Safe Corridor which gives room for reintegration of terrorists into the Nigerian society must be reviewed considering the fact that some of these reintegrated terrorists often return back to their vomits.
Government officials at all levels must desist from making incendiary utterances that are capable of pitching one faith against another in the country.
The Nigerian parliament also needs to come up with laws that will make extremism and terrorism unattractive to both existing and prospective terrorists in the country.
The Nigerian judiciary must give priority to cases related to violent extremism and terrorism, and maximum punishments must be meted out to those found guilty of such.
The Youth Wing of the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) has renewed it call for self defense amongst communities that have been repeatedly sacked by terrorists and jihadists group they believe migrated from the Northeastern part of the country and are ravaging the area.
In the statement signed by it’s national Youth Leader, Isaac John, the group condemned in strong terms the latest killings of two people and the abduction of 28 people from Ungwan Gimbiya by terrorists.
Recall that on Friday 3rd December, terrorists suspected to be Fulani herdsmen militias launched a ferocious attack on Ungwan Gimbiya community in the Sabon Tasha, Chikun local government area of the state.
“The Youth wing of the southern Kaduna Peoples union has continue to observe with sadness the unabated sacking of its communities by terrorists disguising as bandits.
“The recent killings of two of our kinsmen and the adoption of countless others at Ungwan Gimbiya in Sabon Tasha, a town within Kaduna metropolis has left us perturbed as to the functionality of our Security architecture and the readiness of Government at all levels to tame the rising wave of criminality across the state and the country at large.” The group said.
The group also berated the manner with which terrorists now launch attacks even in urban areas unabated and also called on the security agencies to rid the area of terrorists.
“The rate at which criminals now freely go about committing crimes is alarming. While we sincerely wish to condole with the immediate families of those who lost their lives as a result of this heartless and barbaric attack, we wish to call on the Nigerian police, Nigerian Air force, Nigerian Army and the Department of State Services to as a matter of urgency carry out a rescue operation to ensure the safe return of all the adducted persons. More importantly we want to use this medium to challenge the security forces to comb the entire forest surrounding Southern Kaduna.” The group said.
SOKAPU Youth also alleged that terrorists and jihadists have found safe haven within the forest in the region from where they launch attacks on unsuspecting communities.
“It is our believe that criminal elements, terrorist groups and Jihadists from the North East have found safe haven within these forest areas. Brethren it is only biblical to sale off your pair of shoes to afford the necessary means of protecting your homes and offspring.” The group said.
The youth group also called on the people of Southern Kaduna to be vigilant and defend their communities against terrorists, saying that no one goes to sleep knowing that the thief comes afterwards to rob them.
“How then thou goeth to bed with your eyes closed when thou knoweth the devil cometh not just to steal but to destroy. We urge you all to be vigilant and pro active at this perilous time, avoid keeping late nights and report any suspicious movement to the relevant authorities.
“May our good Lord continue to protect us and may the souls of the departed rest in peace in Jesus name.” The statement concluded.
Terrorists suspected to be Fulani herdsmen militia in the early hours of Friday, 3rd December invaded Ungwan Gimbiya Community in Sabon Tasha area in Chikun local government area of Kaduna state, North West Nigeria and abducted 28 residents.
The Ward Councillor of Sabon Tasha, confirmed the attack to Middle Belt Times via telephone, describing it as unfortunate.
“I can confirm to you that Ungwan Gimbiya was attacked early this morning and 28 persons were abducted while two others were killed.” Honourable Makama Dauda said
According to another source in the community, the terrorists came in while the people were fast asleep and visited about a dozens families.
The attack lasted for about 2 hours with heavy gunshots another resident who pleaded anonymity told Middle Belt Times.
Friday’s attack is said to be the worst in recent times as more people were abducted than ever before, says another resident who gave his name as Timothy.
“This is the worst we’ve ever had, they used to come here to kidnap people but today’s own was something else.” He said
Timothy also confirmed that two people were killed by the terrorists during the attack.
Kaduna state has been in the news for incessant attack on communities and highways across the state.
The state government, last week lifted a ban imposed on telecommunication networks in some parts of the state after over one month of network shutdown.
Terrorists suspected to be Fulani herdsmen militia in the early hours of Friday, 3rd December invaded Ungwan Gimbiya Community in Sabon Tasha area in Chikun local government area of Kaduna state, North West Nigeria and abducted 28 residents, Ward Councillor says.
“I can confirm to you that Ungwan Gimbiya was attacked and 28 persons were abducted while two other people were killed.” Honourable Makama Dauda said
According to another source in the community, the terrorists came in while the people were fast asleep and visited about a dozens families.
The attack lasted for about 2 hours with heavy gunshots another resident who pleaded anonymity told Middle Belt Times.
Friday’s attack is said to be the worst in recent times as more people were abducted than ever before, says another resident who gave his name as Timothy.
“This is the worst we’ve ever had, they used to come here to kidnap people but today’s own was something else.” He said
Timothy also confirmed that two people were killed by the terrorists during the attack.
Kaduna state has been in the news for incessant attack on communities and highways across the state.
The state government, last week lifted a ban imposed on telecommunication networks in some parts of the state after over one month of network shutdown.
At least 15 people have been reportedly kidnapped by gunmen suspected to be fighters of the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP), near Gumsuri village in the Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State.
The insurgents, who mounted a checkpoint and dressed in military camouflage, waylaid motorists and forcibly took them into Sambisa Forest, a source told Daily Trust.
Some staff members of international non-governmental organisations were among the victims, the report revealed.
The victims, said to be mostly young people, had reportedly left Damboa town for Adamawa on Wednesday.
“It is unfortunate that the insurgents continue their nefarious activities on the fringe of Sambisa forests, we have received reports that ISWAP kidnapped at least 15 persons (passengers) near Gumsuri village while allowing two others to go.
“They are desperate to recruit more people into their criminal activities. They deceived people because they dressed in military attire. It is sad and shocking,” a security source said.
Five officials of the Borno State government had earlier been abducted by ISWAP terrorists.
The victims who were supervising the construction of Chibok-Damboa Road, were forcefully taken away on Wednesday.
The incident occurred near Wovi, a remote village in the Chibok Local Government Area of the state.
A Super Tucano jet in the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fleet have eliminated ISWAP terrorists and destroyed their gun trucks in Gajiram, Borno State. PRNigeria gathered the terrorists in several gun trucks attempted to overrun the town when the aircraft arrived at the scene.
During a coordinated military offensive between the air task force and the ground troops, large sophisticated weapons were also recovered. A military intelligence officer told PRNigeria that at least 26 bodies of the terrorists were recovered after the aerial bombardment.
“The aircraft arrived timely and bombarded the locations of the terrorists and burned some of them beyond recognition. “We have so far counted 26 bodies of the terrorists but unfortunately we lost two gallant soldiers while tackling other fleeing enemies. “More bodies of the terrorists could be seen from afar in their burning trucks along Kunli village road and on the eastern side of the town.”
PRNigeria recalls that the Nigerian military recently took delivery of the batches of A-29 Super Tucano aircraft from the United States to aid the fight against insecurity in the northeast and other parts of the country. The A-29 Super Tucano performs intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and precision air-to-ground strikes, strengthening Nigeria’s ability to fight terrorism.
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has lambasted the Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi for comparing the group with bandits.
IPOB stated that Gumi was supposed to have been jailed for advocating for bandits if Nigeria were a sane country. The group noted that it has not kidnapped innocent people, taken ransom or killed defenceless citizens.
The Nnamdi Kanu-led group stated this in a statement by its spokesman, Emma Powerful, which was made available to SaharaReporters on Sunday.
Controversial Islamic scholar, Gumi had said on Friday that designating bandits as terrorists by the Nigerian government cannot change anything.
Gumi had said, “If you can remember IPOB was also declared a terrorist organization, the declaration was even backed by the order of the Court but as you can see even the international community did not recognize the Federal Government’s declaration of IPOB. So it has failed to be effective or to achieve the desired results.”
In reaction, IPOB described the statement by Gumi as both sacrilegious and insane.
“This is not only sacrilegious but insanity taken too far.
“In case Gumi has forgotten, Fulani bandits and herdsmen are already designated the fourth deadliest terror organisation in the world. But IPOB as a peaceful Movement maintains its presence in over 100 countries of the world without any molestations.
“It’s only in Nigeria that Gumi and his likes will liken IPOB to a terror group that it is not. What blackmail!
“Gumi should hide his face in shame for his open support for mass murderers while on the other hand claiming to be an Islamic cleric.
“Were Nigeria to be a sane society, Gumi and his types should have been serving their jail terms for their unhidden sympathy for terrorists.
“But we assure him that definitely one day he and his likes will have to tell the world all they know about bandits and terrorists and how much that passed through them to the mass murderers as ransom.
“Can the mischievous Gumi be honest to tell the world if IPOB has kidnapped anybody at any time and demanded ransom for him to liken us with bandits? Can he swear by Allah that IPOB has carried out any terror attack against anybody at any time?
“IPOB remains a peaceful movement with the mandate of restoring the Sovereign State of Biafra. We believe in peaceful restoration of Biafra and our philosophy has not changed.
“Sheikh Gumi should tread with caution. The world is watching him for hobnobbing with bandits and terrorists.
“He should stop deceiving himself, the world already knows who he is working for, and whose interest he defends. Sheikh Gumi, tell us your friend, and we will tell you who you are! An advocate of bandits can’t claim to be a true Islamic cleric,” the statement partly read.
Kaduna-based controversial Islamic scholar, Ahmad Gumi has said designating bandits as terrorists will result in more violence in the country.
He also said it cannot solve the insecurity problems, adding that banditry is a part of socio-economic challenges confronting Nigeria.
Gumi said bandits are herdsmen, and thus labelling them as terrorists is just a decision taken for political expediency.
The Islamic teacher said all these in a statement issued by his Media Consultant and the Dan-Iyan Fika, Malam Tukur Mamu.
He said, “I think the federal government has succumbed to media blackmail by a section of the country. It will not have any practical value because even before the declaration, they are being fought and treated as terrorists.”
He continued, “So it’s just a nomenclature which I believe will not change the dynamics on the ground.
“If you can remember IPOB (Indigenous People of Biafra) was also declared a terrorist organization, the declaration was even backed by the order of the Court but as you can see even the international community did not recognise FG’s declaration of IPOB. So it has failed to be effective or to achieve the desired results.
“They have not been banned from travelling to other countries while their citizenship remains intact, it has not been denounced. So what type of declaration is that?
“I sincerely hope that Nigerians will not take the herdsmen as terrorists but should regard the criminality of the few among them against innocent people as acts of terrorism just as we see IPOB and their attacks on security agencies and other northern citizens as acts of terrorism. Very few herdsmen are bandits if you go through their population.
“I hope this declaration will not give the license to people to be profiling herdsmen in general as terrorists and taking the law into their hands against them.
“It will cause more mayhem. The declaration will not change anything, it will not change the dynamics. Already the military is engaging them. It didn’t stop them from kidnappings and killings. The declaration will not end their aggression against the society.
“The Fulani banditry is a socio-economic problem. We have seen it, we interacted widely with them. We told the federal government the way out.
“It can only be won through engagement, dialogue and justice. That is why today there is relative peace in the Niger Delta because government has accepted the painful reality of rehabilitating and empowering them.
“There has to be equitable distribution of wealth in Nigeria and justice for everyone. People don’t want to accept it, before the issue of banditry that now affects all of us, the Fulanis have suffered so much.
”They have lost their legitimate means of livelihood, I mean their cows through cattle rustling and extortion by security agencies. That has to be addressed as a means of genuine reconciliation and integration. They should have a sense of belonging.”
