Terrorism !!! Shithole country !!! Fulani Herdsmen Kill Taraba Monarch And 28 Others In Fresh Attacks

A monarch in Taraba State and 28 others were killed during the week in fresh attacks by Fulani herdsmen.

The attacks, which took place between Tuesday and Wednesday, occurred while the dust was yet to settle on herdsmen attacks on some Benue communities early in the year, which resulted in the death of about 70 residents.

Many other people were said to have been injured in the Taraba incidents while scores of other people were displaced after their homes were torched by the invaders.

No fewer than nine people were cruelly killed in separate attacks in Gishiri, Dooshima and Danwaza villages of Taraba State while another attack by the herdsmen on Karmen village, Ibi Local Government Area, left the traditional ruler, Zaki Gabriel Ukovur, dead.

Eleven people, including women and children, were feared killed in Wukari and six others in Gassol.

The Taraba State Broadcasting Service (TSBS) had reported yesterday that two people were killed on Tuesday when gunmen attacked Donnada village in Lau Local Government area where a mass burial of more than 68 persons took place.

The caretaker chairman of Ibi Local Government Council, Bala Bako, who confirmed the attacks and killings to newsmen in a telephone, said the killers operate on the same network as the Fulani gunmen who attacked Logo and Guma local government areas of Benue State in the New Year, killing about 73 people.

In Ibi Local Government Area, Bako said, the gunmen struck when the people of the area had gathered for a security meeting.

He explained that worried by incessant attacks by Fulani militants and other security challenges, the people had converged to seek a solution, but the meeting had hardly begun when some Fulani marauders emerged from the bush and launched a deadly attack on the people.

Bako said: “We are having security challenges in Ibi Council, and we have been making efforts to ensure that all the ethnic groups in our domain accommodate one another and live together peacefully."

“The chief (traditional ruler) of Ibi was able to set up a committee that was sitting to find a lasting solution to the problem. It was in one of the meetings that the Fulani gunmen attacked and killed the monarch."

“The people had gathered and were waiting for us for the security meeting when suddenly an armed Fulani man emerged and started shooting. The local chief was killed during the attack.”

Despite wielding guns, eyewitnesses said, the attackers used sticks to hack the monarch to death in a gruesome manner.

“It was dreadful,” one resident said.

The council chairman said he mobilized security men who went and evacuated the corpse.

Bako shares the same view with Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom, that the killer herdsmen invaded Taraba from Nasarawa State.

“We share a border with Benue and Nasarawa states, and most times, these Fulanis cross over from Nasarawa to attack and go back."

“We are trying to close all the routes they have been using to attack us."

“The killings in Dooshima and Gishiri, near Sarkin Kudu, were also done by the group which attacked Benue."

“On their way back to Nasarawa, they have been killing anyone they meet on the way,” he said.

Confirming the attacks in a telephone conversation with our correspondent yesterday, Taraba State governor, Darius Ishaku, said some communities were being attacked by herdsmen in the state even as he spoke.

“How can you be killing people because of grasses or cows?” he wondered.

“Yesterday, they attacked and killed innocent people in Taraba without provocation. Today, an hour ago, they attacked some communities and killed people. Is that how people should continue to be killed?"

“The killings by Fulani herdsmen in some parts of the country is more than the feud between farmers and cattle pastoralists."

“It is a drive for territorial control, and we need to protect the people. We must protect the country.”

Ishaku yesterday insisted that the “Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law” has come to stay, as unprovoked attacks and killings by Fulani militants have continued unabated after mass burials of 73 persons in Benue and 68 in Taraba State.

The governor urged the elite in Taraba State to join hands and eschew the temptation of playing politics with the security and economic well-being of the masses.

Members of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria are in court challenging the anti-open grazing law which comes into enforcement January 24.

The Taraba State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Sahabi Tukur, told newsmen that the state government has not put in place measures to ensure that herdsmen have a smooth switch from their traditional open grazing to ranching, which he said is a more challenging system of rearing cattle. According to him, ranching requires a commitment of huge sums of money to acquire land and develop infrastructure for the benefit of the animals.

He said: “The timing of the law is wrong because it fails to carry all the major stakeholders along, and the government has also failed to provide some of the basic infrastructures to enable the herdsmen key into the idea of ranching."

“We have few days to the take-off of the law and not even a single foot of land has been allocated for ranching. So, what do you expect the herdsmen to do?”

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State told a delegation of All Progressive  Congress (APC) governors who visited him in Makurdi that all is still not well in the state despite assurances from the federal authorities about boosting security.

“We thank God that peace is gradually returning to the state but there are still pockets of challenges here, we know the challenges will soon be over because our people are always alert to give useful information to security operatives around,” he said.

He alleged continued threats by herders to unleash more terror on the people.

”Let me tell you that our people are still living in fear and under siege; living in fear because of the series of threat by Kautal Hore which started the threat since seven months ago, they are not mere threats,” Ortom said.

“We have evidence against them, what we are saying is that federal government should arrest the leadership of Kautal Hore.”

The delegation which was led by Governor  Shetima Kashim of  Borno State also comprised  Simon Lalong  (Plateau), Mallam El Rufai  (Kaduna), Yahaya Bello  (Kogi), Mohamad Abubakar  (Jigawa) and Osun State deputy governor, Titilayo Tomori.

Governor Kashim commiserated with the government and people of the state over the recent killings but warned against attempts by “some political dinosaur from Abuja or any part of the country to cause unnecessary issues.”

Meanwhile, Police Inspector-General, Ibrahim Idris yesterday removed Mr. Bashir Makama as the Benue State Police Commissioner.

The immediate past Lagos State Police Commissioner, Mr.Fatai Owoseni was named as Makama’s successor. - The Nation

Under Buhari, lives of cows more important than humans - Gov Wike

Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers state, has faulted the handling of insecurity under President Muhammadu Buhari, saying it looks as if the lives of cows are more important than those of human beings.

Speaking when he received some bishops at government house, Port Harcourt, Wike blamed Buhari for not attending the mass burial conducted for the 73 victims of herdsmen attack in Benue state.

Wike said if it were in some countries,  the president would have visited the state to personally assess the situation, even if 10 persons were killed.

He alleged that Nigeria had become a security nightmare.

“Human lives are not respected. In fact, the lives of cows and chicken appear to be more important than human lives,” he said.

“This has nothing to do with politics. Let us not trivialise the catastrophe that has befallen Nigeria.”

Wike said when he visited Buhari in the past, the president told him that he was under pressure to declare a state of emergency in Rivers.

“When I went to see the president, he told me that he was under pressure to declare a state of emergency in Rivers state,” he said.

“Those things they planned to use in declaring a state of emergency in Rivers state fell on their own states and it became difficult to do so.

“When you sit and plot evil against Rivers state, you will not know peace. If they don’t apologise for plotting and executing evil against Rivers state, they will never know peace.”

 Wike is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He once squared off with Samuel Ortom, his Benue counterpart, who is an All Progressives Congress (APC) member.

Alleging that Ortom had lost control, Wike called for the declaration of a state of emergency in Benue. - Cable Nigeria

3 yrs gone ! Unprepared fellow !! Buhari: I went into a coma when Jonathan called me after election

President Muhammadu Buhari says he went “temporarily into a comma” when ex-President Goodluck Jonathan called him on phone to say he had conceded the 2015 election.

Buhari said his predecessor had stayed long enough in office to have caused problems at the round off of the election.

Buhari said however, Jonathan’s decision to concede defeat was great.

He added that he won the election because of the commitment of Nigerians and the use of permanent voters cards (PVCs).

Buhari was speaking when he hosted some top members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to a dinner at the presidential villa in Abuja.

“The PVCs worked well in 2015. That was why when the former president rang me, I went temporarily into a coma,” Buhari said.

“I will never forget the time. It was quarter past 5pm and he said he called to congratulate me and that he had conceded.

“He asked if I heard him, and I said yes. I thanked him for his statesmanship.

“The truth is after being a deputy governor, a governor, vice-president and president for six years, and he took that decision is great. He could have caused some problems. He had stayed long enough to cause problems.”

John Odigie-Oyegun, the party’s national chairman, urged Buhari to continue beyond 2019.

He said doing otherwise would mean that all what the president had struggled for would come to nothing.

“We are firmly, totally and completely behind you and when you make up your mind soon as I hope you will, you will find an army behind you,” Oyegun said.

“Those who wish you well are already working and it is my hope that you will agree eventually that continuity is important and critical. Otherwise, all what you have struggled for will come to nothing.

“You have said it that you are not an ethnic jingoist. I know this because I have known you for a very long time.

“For some of us, when these things are said, we find it painful but I hope there will be proper rendition of what you said today and it will start clearing the air.

“The only thing I will add is that you have had a most challenging 2017 in every respect, including your son’s predicament.

“It is our prayer that all the struggles you have been through, all the efforts you have put in for this country, the mind that you have to improve the lot of the ordinary man of this country, that we will begin to see results in 2018 and see the essence of the man, Muhammadu Buhari.” - Cable Nigeria

Transfer updates : Mourinho, Wenger expect imminent Sanchez deal

Mourinho and Arsene Wenger each expect the transfer of Alexis Sanchez to Manchester United to happen in the coming days.

The Chile star was left out of Arsenal's squad for their 4-1 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday, with the forward reportedly having said his goodbyes to his team-mates late on Friday.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan was likewise not involved for United in their 1-0 win over Burnley, with the Armenian expected to join Arsenal once Sanchez's move is confirmed.

Mourinho remains wary of stating that Sanchez is now a United player but he is confident executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward will finalise a deal for the former Barcelona man.

"It's so close, so close, so close," said the United boss after the victory at Turf Moor. "I'm positive, I know my people are doing everything, absolutely everything they can.

"The owners [have given] the green light, Mr Woodward is working hard, everybody is giving everything they can, and I think they will be successful."

Wenger also expects Sanchez to leave, suggesting he left the 29-year-old out of his plans against Palace as he expected him to travel to Manchester to conclude the deal, although he insists an agreement must be reached for Mkhitaryan first.

"I didn't take him because of this question of him moving to Manchester United. You cannot drive up north and as well play football," the Gunners manager said.

"I expect it to happen, but I can't announce it. In the next 48 hours, it will be decided. Until it's over the line, you can't say it will happen.

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"It happens only one way, if the other [deal] happens as well. That's why it takes longer as well because it is coordinated."

Nothing happening with Aubameyang - Arsenal Manager

Wenger has claimed "nothing is happening" surrounding Arsenal's potential move for Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

On a day where Alexis Sanchez was left out of Wenger's matchday squad for the second week running ahead of an impending move to Manchester United, Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke claimed the Gunners had made a bid for Aubameyang.

Arsenal were far from distracted by any transfer talk at Emirates Stadium as Crystal Palace were swatted aside 4-1, but Wenger insisted the Gabon international's absence from the Dortmund squad was nothing to do with their reported interest.

"Aubameyang no, nothing is happening," he said after Saturday's victory.

"He can be left out of the Dortmund team for different reasons, certainly not for transfer reasons at the moment.

"January has been difficult for us, destabilising. We have had big players concerned with moving away which causes uncertainty."

Arsenal boss also claimed that Sanchez's switch to United will only go through if Henrikh Mkhitaryan moves in the opposite direction, while the Frenchman is expecting a resolution to the situation within the next two days.

Amid all the speculation surrounding Sanchez and Aubameyang, one man who made a timely return to form was Alexandre Lacazette, who netted his first goal in 10 games against Palace.

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"Not scoring had played on Lacazette's mind, it was starting to get heavy for him so that is a relief," Arsene Wenger said. -Goal

Shocking !!! 45-year old Man rapes daughter in Oyo

A  carpenter, Olumide Akinleye, was on Friday arraigned before the Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan for raping his daughter.

Akinleye, who lives in Odo-Ona Elewe in Ibadan, is facing a charge of having unlawful carnal knowledge of his biological daughter.

The police prosecutor, Sunday Fatola, told the court that Mr. Akinleye had a carnal knowledge of his 18-year-old daughter in their apartment.

“Akinleye, who is cohabiting with his daughter in his one-room apartment, raped her several times between September and December 2017.

”The girl had confessed during investigation that she confided in her father’s friend about the several sex bouts against her will,” he said.

The Magistrate Modina Akanni, said Akinleye should be kept in police custody until when hearing would begin.

Akanni, however, adjourned until Jan. 25 for facts and sentence.

The offence contravened Section 214 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Oyo State 2000.

South Africans launch fresh attacks on Nigerians, kill two

The Nigerian community in South Africa has said that a mob has destroyed four shops and several houses belonging to their members at Krugersdorp, near Johannesburg.

Cyril James, the Ward Chairman of the Nigerian Union in the area, told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN on Saturday that the attacks began on January 18.

According to James, the mob alleged that a Nigerian abducted a South African girl and raped her.

“The South Africans attacked our homes and shops, destroyed all we have.

“Many Nigerians suffered severe injuries during the attack. We have left our homes for safety because they (South Africans) are regrouping to attack us again,” he said.

He called on the Nigerian mission to urgently intervene before the mob kill more Nigerians.

He said the safety of Nigerians in Krugersdorp was no more guaranteed because there was no help.

Also, the president of union, Adetola Olubajo, told NAN that the situation in the area was bad.

“I can confirm that Nigerians in the area have been attacked. I am amazed and emotionally down as calls from panicked Nigerians flooded my phone from various Provinces.

“The South African government needs to be engaged at the highest level to avoid further loss of lives and property of our citizens,” he said.

Olubajo disclosed that two Nigerians had been killed in South Africa in Rustenburg and Durban since the attacks began.

“Two Nigerians have been killed, many displaced and injured in fresh Xenophobic attacks and extra-judicial killing,” he said.

Two weeks ago, more than five Nigerian owned shops and houses were burnt at Rustenburg, North West Province by Taxi Drivers.

The drivers alleged that Nigerians sold drugs to a gang that attacked their members and that a Nigerian abducted and raped a 16-year old South African girl.

The Nigerian Union, however, denied the allegations. - Daily Post

Old cargoes ! Failures !! 2019: Why Buhari, Atiku, others should be retired from politics – Adamu Garba

A presidential aspirant in the forthcoming 2019 elections, Adamu Garba, has stated that it was high time Nigerians sent some politicians into retirement.

Adamu opined that the likes of incumbent president, Muhammadu Buhari, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar and other political leaders needed to be retired from active politics, noting that they have nothing or less to contribute to the progress of Nigeria.

“These people should be sent into retirement. Enough of us recycling leaders, who will add nothing to the progress of our nation.

“Buhari, Atiku and others, who are eyeing the presidential seat should understand that Nigeria has gone beyond analogue age. They needed to be retired so the youth can come to the centre stage,” he told DAILY PIST in Abuja over the weekend.

The youthful presidential aspirant stated that he would strategically change the country from its current six geopolitical zones into nine economic zones.

Adamu noted that Nigerians should see the country as a marketplace where buying and selling of goods and services can be done freely.

“We need to redefine the principle of the country and understand that if we make this country a marketplace, where people can buy and sell to each other freely, where there is a free flow of goods and services; I believe Nigerians would have more reasons to be happier and to stay stronger together,” he added

On how to combat the protracted clashes between herdsmen and farmers in the country, Adamu, a native of Adamawa, said he would combat the clash by providing ranch for herdsmen and introduce a peace treaty which would be signed by herdsmen and farmers.

Hear him, “If you go deeply into the herdsmen and farmer issue, you would see that the root cause of this is economics. You need to make sure to create a pathway for the herdsmen by defining a ranch, concentrate them in ranches as they don’t need to be moving around. When you put them in ranches, make sure there is an availability of grasses and water.

“After this he would invite them (herdsmen and farmers) to Aso Rock and make them sign a peace treaty and define it clearly that whoever violates any of the treaties, we are going to respond with the full force of the law.”

Asked on what he’s bringing on board, the 35-year-old ICT expert said, “I am bringing on board a manifesto that tends to transform Nigeria as one of the greatest nations of heart. For me, I don’t think you need to attain a certain age before you lead a nation.

“So long you have what it takes, there should be no barrier.”- Daily Post

US Court Convicts Nigerian For Killing His Fiance'

Nigerian in the United States, Osa Alohaneke, faces the prospect of spending the rest of his life in jail after he was convicted by a court in Fort Bend County, Houston for the 2015 stabbing to death of his fiancée, a Cameroonian.

After deliberating for some 13 hours, a jury late Friday afternoon convicted 59-year-old Osa Alohaneke in the slaying of Evelyne Ebane Epiepang, 52.

Alohaneke looked down and showed no emotion when the verdict was read in court.

Prosecutors alleged that Alohaneke used a kitchen knife to attack Epiepang, his fiancée, and her friend, Veronica Taku.

Alohaneke, who was living at the time in a section of southwest Houston that lies in Fort Bend County, was charged with first-degree murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Jurors acquitted Alohaneke of the assault charges.

Epiepang was stabbed more than 30 times and died as she called 911 operators for help. Screams echoed in the courtroom for more than four minutes when prosecutors played the 911 call for jurors last week.

When police arrived, Alohaneke was on the phone with an attorney, his hands covered in blood. Blood was splatted on his arms up to his elbows, Assistant District Attorney Amanda Bolin told jurors during her closing arguments.

“His mission was pain and devastation and he accomplished his mission,” Bolin said.

Defense attorney Eric Ashford pointed to what he said were weaknesses in the case against Alohaneke, many of which he alleged were caused by a haphazard investigation by the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office.

“Was this case taken seriously by investigators? They didn’t even do the forensic analysis needed to determine the murder weapon,” Ashford told jurors.

Ashford told jurors that detectives took several knives from the scene but that no testing was done to figure out which was used in the killing. In addition, the attorney said, detectives took Alahoneke’s clothes when he was arrested but never tested them for blood or DNA. Neither were fingernail scrapings were taken from the victim.

Also, he noted that detectives took Alahoneke’s phone but that jurors were never shown text messages as proof he was involved in the attack.

Ashford also attacked the credibility of Taku, the only witness to the killing. She had testified she saw Alohaneke “turn white like a ghost after the murder”.

“This could have been a hallucination,” Ashford told jurors. “But did detectives investigate Taku’s mental status? No, during testimony they said they didn’t think it was important.”

Jurors now begin the penalty phase. Alohaneke faces a sentence of up to life in prison. - Punchng