News

Establish Special Security, Stakeholders Committee, Ajulo Tells Tinubu

Published

9 months ago

December 29, 2023

Eric

Human rights lawyer, Dr. Olukayode Ajulo SAN, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to take decisive action towards addressing the ongoing violence in Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi local government areas of Plateau State.

Ajulo expressed his deep concern for the communities grappling with a wave of “incessant killings, heinous and brutal attacks” in an open letter to the president on Friday.

Ajulo, a recipient of the national honour Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), recounted his time in Jos during the 90s, highlighting the “resilient and peace-loving people” of the region. He emphasized that their “hard work and low income should never be an excuse for them to be denied the protection they so desperately need.”

Drawing an alarming picture of the current situation, Ajulo described the communities as living in a constant state of “fear and anguish,” with innocent lives lost, families shattered, and the very foundation of their existence threatened. He implored the President to “move beyond mere rhetoric and embrace real action” to address this “grave situation.”

The crux of Ajulo’s appeal lies in his urging for the establishment of a dedicated “special security and stakeholders committee.” This committee, envisioned as a collaboration between community security experts and individuals with deep understanding of the region, would serve as a critical step towards finding a lasting solution.
Ajulo outlined a multi-pronged approach for the committee:
Investigation and root cause analysis: The committee would delve into the underlying factors fueling the violence, providing valuable insights for addressing the source of the problem.
Collaboration with law enforcement: Close cooperation with police and security agencies would be crucial in apprehending the perpetrators and ensuring justice prevails.
Community engagement and dialogue: Fostering open communication and understanding between communities, religious leaders, and stakeholders would be key in promoting peaceful coexistence and preventing future conflict.

“Mr. President, the people of Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi, and indeed all Nigerians, deserve better. They deserve to live without the constant fear of violence and bloodshed,” he said.

Ajulo urged the President to utilize his legal authority to protect these vulnerable communities and restore their faith in the government’s ability to safeguard their lives and property.

The SAN’s plea comes at a crucial moment, echoing the anxieties of many Nigerians affected by ongoing violence. His call for a multifaceted approach, encompassing security measures, community engagement, and a commitment to justice, provides a roadmap for the government to navigate this complex situation and bring lasting peace to the region.

News

#FearlessInOctober: Sowore Tells Tinubu to Expect More Protests

Published

7 hours ago

September 17, 2024

Eric

The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2023 presidential election, Omoyele Sowore, has told the Federal government to expect more protests despite the latest attempts to suppress dissenting voices in the country.

This followed his arrest by officers of the Nigerian Immigration Service at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, on Sunday.

He was released a few hours later.

Sowore, who appeared in an interview programme on Arise TV late on Sunday, insisted that the planned “FearlessInOctober” protest slated to begin on October 1, and other demonstrations, will still go ahead.

He said the protests are organised by Nigerians against the “oppressive” administration of President Bola Tinubu..

The activist said: “We started on August 1, which was part of the ‘End Bad Governance’ protest. It was supposed to be a continuation.

“There were 15 demands that the government did not even attend to. Instead of that, the Federal government arrested and detained a lot of people. They tied them with bogus offences, very outrageous offences of treason – for carrying placards.

“So, this is going to be a continuation of that.

“Everybody is aware, the government is aware of this. Everybody is looking forward to it because it’s a matter of right that Nigerians have to not allow this government to obliterate them with hunger, starvation, and incompetence

“It is treason to arrest, detain, and forcibly charge citizens with crimes that the government committed. And it’s not the first time I was accused of treason. In fact, I heard about the offence of treason in 1992 at the University of Lagos when we went and did Babangida Must Go.

“And the police arrested us at Western Avenue Police Station, asked us to start writing statements under duress, and said that we wanted to overthrow the government. That was the period that Olusegun Mayegun was President of NANS.

“I was charged with treason in 2019 by Buhari, so I’m not new to these bogus offences of treason. But that is not our focus. Our focus is that we have a country to liberate and a people to save. So whatever offences are thrown our way, we should not be discouraged.

“It’s up to the people to determine what constitutes the offence of treason. And I must say to you also that in 1994, Tinubu was accused of treason. If you remember he was accused of bombing the Ejigbo depot by Abacha.

“So that was why he left Nigeria on exile. But in our case, we are not going to go on exile simply because the government is afraid of our package.”

News

Sowore Arrives Nigeria, Arrested, Detained

Published

2 days ago

September 15, 2024

Eric

Convener of #RevolutionNow protest and former presidential candidate if the African Action Congress (AAC) has been detained by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).

Sowore was reportedly detained on Sunday at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, upon his arrival in Nigeria.

Sowore’s arrest may be connected to the 10-day #EndBadGovernance protest which was held across the country in August.

The protest was spearheaded by the Take-It-Back Movement and several other civil society organisations.

Sowore is also the convener of the movement.

Another protest is being planned by organisers of the #EndBadGovernance protest — scheduled for October 1.

In a post via his X page, Sowore said his passport was also seized by the service.

“I had just arrived in Nigeria from the USA to the MMIA in Lagos; upon reaching Nigerian Immigration, my passport was seized, and they told me they had orders to detain me,” he wrote.

“This is not un expected because i have always known that It is part of the broader clampdown by the fascist Bola Ahmed Tinubu regime on dissent and their fear of the upcoming #FearlessINOctober revolt.

“In case this becomes another prolonged and protracted detention, I urge our citizens to ensure they ALL stop tyranny by all means acceptable and necessary, by engaging in the planned series of direct actions slated for October 1st and beyond.”

News

Troops Neutralize Notorious Bandit Leader, Halilu Sububu

Published

3 days ago

September 14, 2024

Eric

Troops of Operation Hadarin Daji have neutralised a wanted bandits’ leader, Halilu Sububu.

He was reportedly killed on Thursday in an ambush by the troops in Kwaren Kirya, a community under Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State

Halilu Sububu was a citizen of Niger Republic but resident in a forest of Zamfara State, and often escaped to the Niger Republic after operating in Nigeria.

Sububu was notorious gunrunner who allegedly owned a thriving illegal gold mining operation in Bagega and other communities around Sumke forest in Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Sububu had a camp on the western side of Bagega and controlled communities and all mining sites in the area.

He was declared wanted by the Defence Headquarters in May this year.

In a coordinated operation by the combined troops of sector one, Northwest Operation Hadarin Daji, the notorious bandits’ leader was killed alongside his 50 fighters.