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Showing posts with label Terrorist Attacks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Terrorist Attacks. Show all posts
Boko Haram used children for Borno bombings – UNICEF
UNICEF, on Monday,
condemned the use of children as suicide bombers in Nigeria.
The UN body said
this in reaction to suspected Boko Haram suicide bombings in Mandarari
community in Borno.
“According to
several reports, three children – two girls and a boy (ages unknown) – were
used to detonate explosives that killed
30 people and injured 40 others at a community football viewing centre in
Konduga, Borno today.
‘UNICEF sends its
condolences to all those who have been killed or injured in this horrific
incident. It is unacceptable that children should be used in this way”, a
statement by UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Peter Hawkins, said.
“UNICEF appeals to
all those involved in this terrible conflict to protect children at all times
and to keep them out of harm’s way.
“This incident
brings the number of children who have been reported as having been used as
human bombs to five, since January 2019. In 2018, 48 children – including 38
girls – were used in suicide attacks.
“We again call on
all parties to the conflict in north-east Nigeria to immediately cease all
attacks against civilians, to stop using children in this conflict, and to
abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law.”
Killings in Nigeria: Fulani group asks Buhari to listen to Obasanjo’s
advice
The Gan Allah Fulani
Development Association of Nigeria (GAFDAN) has called on President Muhammadu
Buhari to as a matter of urgency listen to the advice of former President
Olusegun Obasanjo on how to move the nation forward and halt the numerous
crises bedeviling the country.
Speaking with
newsmen in Jos, the Plateau State capital, the National Chairman of the group,
Alhaji Sale Bayari, said the present administration ought to listen to other
eminent Nigerians too in solving the nation’s problems, but that from the signs
he is getting, things are not in order.
He said considering
the tribal, ethnic, religious and sectional agitations from the South, East,
North and West, things must be done urgently to address and avert national
crises. According to him, there was no part of the country that agitation is
currently not going on.
He stressed that
even the crises that is already happening in the Northern states like Zamfara,
Kaduna, Niger, Sokoto, Taraba, Benue, Nassarawa and so on, are not good for the
country, including that of the other regions like Niger-Delta militants, IPOB,
Afenifere and the rest.
“In moving the
nation forward, the government must listen to some elder statesmen irrespective
of whatever their political views or affiliation is. Former President Olusegun
Obasanjo is one of them. I have found out that if any government in Africa is
to tap one-third of what is in the brain of Obasanjo and use it, Africa will be
better. Similarly, West Africa and Nigeria will be better for it.
“Obasanjo knows our
problem; and then whenever he talks and explodes sometimes, I have found out
that it is because he has made efforts to be listened to without success. He
will then feel that posterity will judge him harshly if he does not come out to
tell Nigerians and the world the truth of things”, he explained.
“Undoubtedly,
Obasanjo is an embodiment of knowledge, experience and he knows very well the
problem of our country, Nigeria. There is nobody dead or alive today that
thinks the way Obasanjo does or knows what Obasanjo knows.
“He knows Nigeria,
Africa and the entire world like the back of his hand. That is why I am
advising this government to tap the brains of people like Obasanjo.
“He is a person
that can lead the government into looking critically at the problem bedeviling
the nation and finding a way forward.
According to him,
“We know that government can do and undo, but any government desiring to move
forward will require the support of statesmen and nationalists like Obasanjo.
“There are other
statesmen the government should listen to; people like Yakubu Gowon, Ango
Abdullahi, Sultan of Sokoto, Oni of Ife, Eze of Onitsha, and others. These are
people that have this nation at heart and would not want it to disintegrate.
Bayeri maintained
that, “If they put their machinery in place, I bet you that peace and progress
will be achieved.
“But unfortunately,
nobody is mobilizing them or seeking their input in solving the national
crises. These people know what to do or the right people to call, among other
things in solving the problems,” he said.
Bayeri said his
fear is that if the government does not carefully handle these looming crises
and they degenerate, the nation does not have the well-withal in terms of
security to tackle it.
He said if the
nation has been unable to tackle Boko Haram since 2009, then it is a greater
danger if crises burst out in other states or regions in the nation.
“Recently, the
Secretary to the Government of the Federal, Boss Mustapha said if the armed
banditry is not carefully handled, it will be worse than the Boko Haram
insurgency. I totally agree with him entirely because if you look at the way
the thing is building up now, then you will understand what I am talking about.
“Very soon, some
religious and insurgent groups may capitalize on it to recruit people for other
nefarious acts. We should not allow this to happen, and we should do everything
possible to halt it,” he warned.
Boko Haram: Amnesty international reacts to Borno multiple suicide
attack
Amnesty
International has condemned the suicide bomb attack at Mandareri-Sambisa ward of
Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State.
Osai Ojigho,
Director Amnesty International Nigeria in a statement described the attack as a
type of Boko Haram’s disdain on the sanctity of life and campaign targeting
civilians.
The statement read:
“These horrific suicide bomb attacks that killed at least 30 people and injured
over 40 more bear all the hallmarks of Boko Haram and its vicious, unrelenting
campaign targeting civilians.
“These unlawful
attacks are typical of Boko Haram’s despicable disdain for the sanctity of
human life. We are calling on Boko Haram and other armed groups to immediately
stop targeting civilians.
“All those
responsible must face justice for all the atrocities it has committed,
including the use of children for suicide missions.
“The Nigerian
authorities must do more to protect civilians, especially in areas like Konduga
that have frequently been targeted by Boko Haram.”
Meanwhile, Borno
State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) while confirming the attack on Monday,
said
30 persons lost their lives, while 42 others were injured when three
suspected Boko Haram suicide bombers detonated Improvised Explosive Device
(IED) in Mandarari community of Konduga local government area.
Usman Kachala,
SEMA’s Director of Search, Rescue and Operations, who disclosed this to newsmen
when he visited the scene of the attack on Monday, said the incident occurred
around 8pm on Sunday.
Kachala said that
the three suicide bombers, comprising two females and a male, detonated the
IEDs in a local tea joint and film centre in the community.
Boko Haram: Borno SEMA gives update on suicide attack, confirms dozens
dead
The Borno State
Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) on Monday said 30 persons lost their lives
while 42 others were injured when three suspected Boko Haram suicide
bombers detonated Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in Mandarari community of
Konduga local government area.
Usman Kachala,
SEMA’s Director of Search, Rescue and Operations, who disclosed this to newsmen
when he visited the scene of the attack on Monday, said the incident occurred
around 8pm on Sunday.
Kachala said that
the three suicide bombers, comprising two females and a male, detonated the
IEDs in a local tea joint and film centre in the community.
He said that about
17 persons died instantly, adding that the death toll increased to 30 on Monday
as a result of lack of immediate medical attention.
The SEMA Director
said that his staff could not reach the spot of the incident as the military
had closed the road to traffic and the hospital in Konduga did not have enough
facilities to handle the situation.
“When I and my team
arrived Konduga early this morning, the military prevented us from gaining
access to the community to assist the victims.
“They told us they
were given order from above not to open the road until 9am,” he lamented.
NAN reporter, who
later visited the scene of the attacks along with SEMA team, reports that
dozens of the wounded victims were seen being conveyed in pick-up vans by
relations to hospitals in Maiduguri, the state capital, a distance of about 80
km from their town.
Zamfara: Buhari reacts to latest killings, issues fresh order
President Muhammadu
Buhari has directed state governments across the Northwest to pursue an urgent
revamp of the national security apparatus in the subregion.
A statement issued
in Abuja on Sunday by Garba Shehu, his Senior Special Assistant on Media and
Publicity, said the partnership followed the infiltration of bandits into areas
that were hitherto secure.
”This is coming on
the heels of the recent killing of 34 persons in an attack on Tungar Kafau and
Gidan Wawa communities in Shinkafi Local Government Areas of Zamfara,” the
presidential aide said.
Shehu quoted
President Buhari as expressing sorrow over the renewed attacks and extended his
sympathies to the governments and people of Sokoto and Zamfara states.
The president
charged all stakeholders, including the federal security agencies and the
states involved in drawing up the long-term strategic defence plan to begin its
immediate implementation.
”Under the plan,
states are joining the federal government in supporting the security and
military operations by providing logistical support.
”States are
providing additional vehicles in addition to those provided from the center.
”The federal
government is establishing new forward operation bases and when all of these
come together, the ongoing operations will be scaled up,” the presidential aide
added.
According to him,
the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the various State Emergency
Management Agencies (SEMA) are expected to streamline their operations to
provide succor to displaced persons.
He noted that
thousands of the displaced persons were taking refuge in the neighboring Niger
Republic.
Shehu expressed the
hope that the full implementation of the plan would provide security for
residents to return to their deserted communities.
He reiterated the
determination of the Buhari administration to safeguard lives and property of
all citizens, assuring that the government ”will not fail in that regard”.
At least, 14 people
have been reported dead and 38 others seriously injured following a suicide
bomb attack at Mandareri-Sambisa ward of Konduga Local Government Area of Borno
State.
According tosome residents of
the area, who spoke to newsmen on Sunday
night, said the suicide bombers were two in number, who attacked the community
few minutes after eight O’clock.
According to the
residents, the area attacked by the two suicide bombers is a crowded area where
young men usually gather to while away time during the evening.
A political women
leader in the area, who identified herself as Hajiya Fatima, said she was at
the hospital in Konduga at the time of calling, adding that “people are just
dying.”
From the background
there was so much noise and confusion as people seemed to be calling for
helping hands to carry those injured.
Hajiya Fatima said,
“the situation is very bad as there are not many hands in the hospital to help
the injured.
” We are hoping
that the wounded would hold still before morning when help is hopefully going
to come. Already Police and some soldiers have arrived the area,” she said.
For now there was
no official details from either police or the military, but residents have said
situation is bad as at the time of this report.
Suspected Fulani
herdsmen have allegedly killed a 35-year-old farmer, Mr. Ariyo Aina, on his way
to the farm at Ogga community, in Yagba West Council of Kogi State.
National president
of Ogga Progressive Union (OPU) Mr. Bamidele Olure, told journalists yesterday
in Lokoja that Aina was murdered on Saturday.
According to him,
Aina left home for the farm about 9 a.m. on Saturday, but his lifeless body was
later found by other farmers.
“There were several
machete cuts on his head and body, and we believe it is the handiwork of Fulani
herdsmen, because they are known for such killings in the area.
“Aina had had
several altercations with Fulani herdsmen in his farm over the destruction of
his crops by cattle.
“The deceased had
reported the matter to the police up to 11 times, but the police had insisted
that he provided an evidence to show that destruction in his farm was done by
cattle.
“However, last
year, Aina was able to capture one calf in his farm and took it to the police
station as evidence. That was when the police arrested the Fulani herders and
they were made to pay compensation to the late Aina,” he said.
The Police Public
Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, DSP William Aya, has confirmed the
alleged murder.
“The incident was
reported at the police division in Odo-Ere on Saturday,” he said.
Yoruba group raises alarm
as herdsmen allegedly take over South West
A pan Yoruba socio-cultural group, Yoruba
Koya Leadership and Training Foundation, has raised the alarm over alleged
taking over of states in the South West region by some people suspected to be
herdsmen.
The group made this known via a statement
sent to the current and governors-elect in the region on Monday.
There are six states that make up the South
West region. They are Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti and Lagos.
Yoruba Koya Leadership and Training
Foundation in the statement sent to the Governors and Governors-elect, urged
the chief executive officers in the states to be vigilant, stating that the
entire region has been surrounded by criminals from within and outside the
shores of Nigeria who pretend to be herdsmen.
The group called on the governors to rise
above partisan interest and take actions aimed towards safeguarding their
people against internal and external aggressions, stressing that posterity and
history would never forgive any of them who, for the sake of party politics, stare
helplessly while their land is annexed.
In the statement signed by Otunba Deji
Osibogun (Convener) and Senator Tokunbo Ogunbanjo (Trustee), the group urged
the governors to as a matter of urgency, call for an emergency meeting and
invite relevant stakeholders to take a common position on how Yoruba Nation
will be protected against attacks.
The group said, “We say with all sense of
responsibility and without any fear or intimidation devoid of sensationalism
that the entire Yoruba Land has been encircled by external criminals
masquerading as Herdsmen. Empirical intelligence available to us has it that
these criminals who are mainly from Kebbi, Katsina, Kano, Sokoto and some West
African Countries, are being dropped daily in Yoruba Land by Heavy Duty Trucks.
“Presently, these criminals are in multitude
living inside forest in Oke-Ogun axis of Oyo State; Ido/Osi, Ikole, Oye,
Irepodun/Ifelodun, Ijero and Efon-Alaaye areas of Ekiti State; Obafemi Owode,
Remo and Ayetoro-Imeko in Ogun State; Ife/Ijesha in Osun state and
Akoko-Owo-Akure land in Ondo state, pretending to be Herdsmen who rear cows
during the day but investigations conducted by our intelligence team have it
that these criminals are responsible for 80% of the recent reported cases of
kidnapping and armed robbery in Yoruba Land.
“Recently, some Farmers in Imeko, Ogun West
Senatorial District of Ogun State were attacked by these hoodlums and even
killed a Police DCO and an Inspector who dare challenged them.
“Deyoruwa, a village in Isara-Remo, Ogun
State was completely exterminated by these criminals because the villagers
resisted them. School, Church and 25 buildings were totally burnt down without
resistance despite that a police post is less than 2 kilometres to the village.
“A Canadian, Jurgis Morris was kidnapped
recently at this same Deyoruwa Junction, along Lagos-Ibadan expressway,
Isara-remo, Ogun State in April. The victim claimed to have paid N2.5million to
regain his freedom from the Herdsmen who railroaded him and his wife into the
bush and later released his wife, a Nigerian to go look for money to secure his
release.
“On May 5th, an orthopaedic Surgeon from
Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile/Ife identified as Professor
Adeyinka Adegbehingbe, was kidnapped while on his way to Ile-Ife in the company
of his wife, Victoria. Also, an Ibadan-based senior lawyer, Musibau Adetunmbi
was on April 16th 2019, kidnapped at Iwaraja junction, Osun State while on his
way to attend a court session in Akure.
“Our on the spot assessment reports have it
that at least, five people who are mostly farmers are kidnapped daily in Oke
Ogun area of Oyo State. We were also informed that Herdsmen are already
threatening to crown an Emir at Iseyin, Igbeti and Otu in Oke-Ogun.
“The Baale of Apese, Eti Osa Local Government
Area of Lagos State, Chief Razak Olaseinde Adamson was on April 28, 2019
kidnapped within his community. Also, a Director in Lagos State Fire Srvice,
Mr. Rasaki Musibau was on April 7th 2019 kidnapped along Itokin-Epe road.
“The Chairman, Ikosi-Ejinrin Local Council
Development Authority (LCDA), Mr. Ajijedidun Samson Adebisi and the
Vice-Chairman, Lekki LCDA (name with-held) were both unlucky as they were
kidnapped along this deadly Itokin-Epe road in the month of March, an
indication that the commercial nerves of Nigeria has been enclosed.”
“Consequently, we call on all Governors in
Yoruba Land, including the incoming ones, to as a matter of urgency, set
machinery in motion to ensure that these criminals are flushed out from all
forest in South West through formulation of policies that will protect and
safeguard their people from attacks.
“To start with, we suggest that all heavy
duty trucks and trailers coming into Yoruba Land are thoroughly searched at
border towns before they are allowed in. All herdsmen in Yoruba Land must be
duly registered, wear jacket/uniform and their thumbprint taken. Additional
intelligence made available to us has it that these criminals are now
penetrating into Lagos State under the guise of riding commercial motorcycle
whereas, they are digging for information to be delivered to their partners in
crime.
“We, therefore, suggest that a law is enacted
to ensure that all Okada riders operating in Lagos State be registered at
designated centres across the state with their Bank Verification Numbers and
thumb-printing taken. Jacket with registration number must be issued to them
after meeting all requirements and payment of registration fees done. Thus,
anyone riding commercial motorcycles in Lagos state without uniform will be
taken as a criminal who must be arrested and charged into court in accordance
with edit law.”
Troops arrest 3 police officer, rescue 29 women, 25
children from Boko Haram terrorists in Borno (photos)
Troops of 22 Brigade, Operation LAFIYA DOLE
have rescued 29 women and 25 children from Boko Haram terrorists in Borno
state.
A statement from the Nigerian Army says the
troops in collaboration with local vigilantes on the 11th of May 2019,
effectively cleared Ma'allasuwa and Yaga - Munye villages in Borno State. No
encounter with Boko Haram terrorists was made as they ran away before troops'
arrival leaving behind 54 suspected kidnapped victims. Out of the number, 29
are grown up women and 25 are children of various ages and sex. They have all
been rescued.
Similarly, at Zari - Kasake and Jumachere
villages in Damasak general area of Mobbar Local Government Area of Borno
State, troops of 145 Battalion Operation LAFIYA DOLE on clearance operation
discovered and destroyed two Boko Haram terrorists' logistics vehicles.
Deserted BHTs make up shift accommodation was also destroyed.
Additionally, Mopol Sergeant Markus John -
Personal Number - PNo 383106 was arrested at Njimtilo check point along
Maiduguri - Damaturu road in possession of 2 magazines, 146 rounds of 7.62 mm
Special ammunition and one round of Anti Aircraft Gun concealed in his bag
while on transit to Lagos State.
The statement adds that on the 10th of May,
troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE in conjunction with the Nigerian Police,
arrested 14NA7113208 Private Paul Ojochegbe and 12NA672586 Lance Corporal Oko
Eke in possession of one disassembled AK 47 Rifle at the same N'jimtilo check
point.
Nigerian Army will remain resolute in ending
terrorism and other forms of insecurities across the country, and reiterate its
appeal to the public to continue to provide useful information about suspicious
movement of terrorists/criminals wherever they are seen hibernating in Nigeria.
Gunmen attack Catholic church, kill
priest, worshippers in Burkina Faso
Unknown gunmen have killed six people
including a Catholic priest as Mass was being celebrated in a church located
in Dablo, northern Burkina Faso.
According to a government statement, the
worshippers were attending morning mass when at least 20 men surrounded them
and shot six dead.
"These terrorist groups are now
attacking religion with the macabre aim of dividing us," the statement
said.
"Towards 9 a.m. during mass, armed
individuals burst into the Catholic Church," the mayor of Dablo, Ousmane
Zongo said. "They started firing as the congregation tried to
flee."
The attackers then burned down the church, a
shop, two vehicles, and also looted a health centre.
No one has claimed responsibility for the
church attack, but fighters affiliated to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group,
as well as the local Ansarul Islam, have been active in the region, according
to BBC.
Last month, attackers targeted a Protestant
church in the town of Silgadji, killing at least six people and earlier in
April, four people died when a Catholic church was attacked in a nearby
village, the bishop of Dori in northern Burkina Faso told Vatican news agency
Fides.
The Nigerian Army has
reacted to the viral video of some soldiers attacking a civilian man. In the
video which has been making the rounds on social media, the soldiers could be
seen breaking the leg of the man and attempting to force him to eat his flesh.
In a statement released
this morning. the Nigerian Army says the soldiers in the viral soldiers are not
their members.
Read the statement below
MUTILATING FELLOW HUMAN
BEINGS NOT IN OUR CHARACTER, TRAINING, MANDATE & STANDARD OPERATING
PROCEDURES
The Nigerian Army (NA)
has observed with dismay a video clip circulating on some social media
platforms showing some persons in camouflage uniform mercilessly disfiguring a
leg of a fellow human being, with some others shabbily, carelessly and
variously dressed. Some are wearing bathroom slippers.
The NA wishes to
emphatically state that having thoroughly examined the video and investigated
further, it has reached the factual conclusion that all the characters involved
in the despicable act are not personnel of the NA.
The action of the
characters in the video clip particularly the act of meting out cruel
punishment, talk less of decapitating a part of a fellow human being is not
licensed, encouraged or condoned by the NA and is entirely against NA's
training, Code of Conduct (COC), Rules of Engagement (ROE) and Standard
Operating Procedures (SOP) in or out of conflict situations.
Instructively, the
camouflage used by the characters in the video is not the type been used in the
NA and does not in any way conform to the dress code of the NA.
Similarly, NA troops are
not allowed to wear bathroom slippers and civil outfits during operations.
NA troops fighting
insurgency in Nigeria, have severally captured many terrorists, took custody of
many surrendered terrorists some of whom have been prosecuted, while those that
voluntarily surrendered are undergoing de-radicalization and rehabilitation
under the Federal Government programme codenamed Operation SAFE CORRIDOR.
NA wishes to once again
remind members of the public that not all photos and videos being circulated on
social media and other outlets are truly members of the NA. NA has also
severally and consistently made it clear that it monitors and will continue to
monitor the actions of its personnel to ensure they are in conformity with
extant laws and in line with International best practices.
Under the present
leadership of the NA, sufficient efforts have been made to ensure personnel
respect human rights in line with the ROE, COC and SOP. Any violation attracts
appropriate punishment in accordance with the extant military justice system.
Members of the public
are requested to note that the barbaric act (as shown in the video clip), has
often been associated with the terrorists either as a punishment to one of
their own or to send out powerful message to their followers and the larger
public with the sole aim of instilling fear which is one of the major basis and
aims of terrorists/terrorism.
SAGIR MUSA
Colonel
Acting Director Army Public Relations
Benue Killings, Herdsmen Not Responsible - Doyin Okupe
Doyin Okupe, a former aide to former president
Goodluck Jonathan has absolved herdsmen of any wrong doing in the gruesome and
countless killings going on in some parts of the country.
Okupe, in a Facebook post declared that the
terrorist group, Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) or Islamic State of
Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), are responsible for the killings in Nigeria.
He also revealed that arming of local vigilante and
backing of the police or Army is the only solution to end the killings.
Okupe wrote, “For God’s sake, Benue killings not by
herdsmen. These are ISIS terrorists.
“Armed local vigilante backed by police or army is
the solution.
Recall that Rev
Fathers Gor Joseph and Felix were on Tuesday killed after suspected herdsmen
attacked the village.
Again, no fewer than 20
persons were reportedly killed and several persons declared missing after
herdsmen attacked Tse Agudu in Mbawa Council Ward, Guma LGA Area of Benue
State.
Five people have been confirmed dead as bandits
attacked Bena, a town in Danko-Wasagu local government area of Kebbi State.
The state Commissioner of Police, Kabiru Ibrahim
confirmed the incident to journalists in the state on Tuesday.
He said 11 of the bandits, 10 of who are Zamfara
indigenes and one from Kebbi had been arrested.
He said “The bandits invaded the Kebbi town to carry
out their attack on border villages at Bena district two days after they had
attacked Kaboro, a village bordering Kebbi and Zamfara states.
“However, 11 of the bandits, 10 of who are Zamfara
indigenes and one from Kebbi had been arrested.
“The suspects are; Lawal Ibrahim, Nasiru Lawali,
Yahaya Mohammed, Haliru Shantali, Hussaini Hamisu, Mohammed Nuhu, Habibu Sani,
Rilwanu Mohammed, Mohammed Sanusi, Mohammed Bara’u and Abubakar Haruna.”
Ibrahim added that the command had deployed police
mobile force, SARS, Safer High Way Patrol teams and a surveillance team to the
affected areas to checkmate the activities of the bandits.
Atiku Speaks On The Murder Of Rev. Fathers, Parishioners In Benue
Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has reacted to
the killing of two Reverend Fathers and 19 others in Gwer East Local Government
Area of Benue State by suspected herdsmen.
The Rev
Fathers, Gor Joseph and Felix were on Tuesday killed after suspected
herdsmen attacked the village.
Reacting, Atiku on his Twitter page offered his
condolences to Catholic dioceses in Benue, describing the killings as heartbreaking.
He wrote “It was heart-rending to hear about the
invasion and killing of worshippers in Benue State today. My condolences to
Catholic dioceses of Benue State. May the deceased rest.”
Buhari
had on Tuesday described the killings of the Catholic priests as a plot to
stoke up religious conflict and plunge communities in the country into endless
bloodletting.
Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose has reacted
to the arrest and manhandling of Senator representing Kogi West, Dino Melaye on
Tuesday.
The
Senator representing Kogi West was admitted in the hospital after he
attempted to escape from police custody on Tuesday.
Reacting, Fayose writing on his Twitter page, stated
that if the police utilised same ‘aggressiveness in Dino’s arrest’ in fighting
killer herdsmen, the incessant killings in Nigeria would be brought under
control.
He wrote ”If half of the level of aggressiveness
being shown by the Police on arrest of Dino Melaye is shown on the killings by
herdsmen across the North Central & other parts of the country, the
rampaging killer herdsmen that are even killing policemen would have been
brought under control.
”Armed bandits have taken over Zamfara State.
Communities are constantly being invaded in Kogi State and people are being
brutally killed, with properties destroyed. Yet, it is Senator Dino Melaye that
our policemen are flexing muscle with.”
Benue State Acting Gov, Abounu Laments Benue Is Under Siege By Insurgents
The Acting Governor of Benue State, Engr. Benson
Abounu, has declared that the state is currently under siege by insurgents.
Engr Abounu, who spoke yesterday after an emergency
security meeting at his office, said Benue was at the moment under attack from
all corners as insurgents had invaded the state, picking their targets at will
and spilling blood everywhere.
The meeting followed Tuesday early morning attack by
bandits, suspected to be herdsmen on Ayar Mbalom, Gwer West local government
area and the killing of 19 persons, including two Catholic priests, who were
officiating the morning mass at St. Ignatius Catholic Church, Gwer East.
The Acting Governor, who described the day as a dark
one for Benue state and its people, said, “The attack was a calculated one;
well planned and well executed by the bandits who first attacked the church,
killed the priests, a catechist and some parishioners, then went to a venue of
a burial ceremony and killed some of the mourners.”
He said the attack on the church was a new dimension
to the farmers/herdsmen crisis and one that needs a determined and appropriate
response from the federal government and the security agencies the way
insurgency in the North East is being tackled, adding that what they are
experiencing today is insurgency.
The Acting Governor, who stated that the bandits,
who numbered about 30 might still be lurking around the bushes directed the
security agents to pursue them, flush them out of the area and get them
apprehended so that they can be investigated to know the root causes of the
killings.
He disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, who
has visited the area himself, has deployed his men to the area, the same thing
as the Commander of the 72 Special Forces battalion who has also dispatched
soldiers there.
While appealing for calm, he called on people of the
state to be extra vigilant and to report any suspicious movement to the
security agencies.
Doyin Okupe, a former aide to former president
Goodluck Jonathan has absolved herdsmen of any wrong doing in the gruesome and
countless killings going on in some parts of the country.
Five people have been confirmed dead as bandits
attacked Bena, a town in Danko-Wasagu local government area of Kebbi State.
Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has reacted to
the killing of two Reverend Fathers and 19 others in Gwer East Local Government
Area of Benue State by suspected herdsmen.
Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose has reacted
to the arrest and manhandling of Senator representing Kogi West, Dino Melaye on
Tuesday.
The Acting Governor of Benue State, Engr. Benson
Abounu, has declared that the state is currently under siege by insurgents.
