Terrorism : Fulani Herdsmen killing, sacking Oyo communities – Group

Executive Chairman, Centre for Human Rights and Social Justice (CHRSJ), Comrade Adeniyi Alimi Sulaiman has called on President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State to use their powers and stop what he described as “ongoing mindless” killing of farmers and innocent people in the Oke-Ogun geo-political zone of the state.

Sulaiman in a statement made available to DAILY POST in Ibadan on Tuesday while condemning what he termed as nonchalant attitude of both the Federal and state governments on the reoccurring security challenges facing the people of the area since December 2017, declared that the situation had escalated and led to the killing, maiming and kidnapping of many innocent Nigerians in the area.

He disclosed that no fewer than “13 innocent Nigerians, including farmers, security personnel, traders and hunters have been killed by the herdsmen in the area in the last few weeks”.

Sulaiman specifically alleged that “herdsmen have sacked thousands of villagers from their villages in Irepo, Orelope and Olorunsogo and other local government areas of the state in the last few days”, calling for urgent action to nip the security challenges of the area in the bud before it goes out of hand.

He added that “investigation in the area at the weekend revealed that the villages includin: Ojo-Aro, Pakoko, Alaje, Oopa, Gaa Tahiru,Teesi, Apata and host of other villages in the area have been taken over by the herdsmen and this development had turned the villagers as displaced persons their local communities”.

Sulaiman also “urged the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorbaland, Otunba Gani Adams not to take the issue of security threat of the Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State with levity hands as live of innocent Nigerians are now brutish and shortish, adding that Adams needs to visit the area in order to ascertain the numbers of causalities in terms of loose of lives, injured persons and property, being recorded since January till today”.

He implored the authorities concerned to deploy the team of security personnel comprising of men of Nigeria Army, Mobile Police Force, Air force, DSS, Police and Civil Defence to beef up security around the area so as to forestall re-occurrence.

Speaking further on the development, Sulaiman maintained that his organization would not hesitate to launch a nationwide mass rally tagged “Operation Stop mindless Killing in Nigeria” which would be held across state capitals of the Federation and Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, adding that information at his disposal revealed that the herdsmen had turned the old “Game Reserve and Tick Forest Trees” in the area into their hideout to perpetuate their evil agenda and merciless attacks.

Sulaiman said, “A stitch in time saves nine. This is high time for the government concerned to take the bull by the horn by taking the security challenges of the area with the high sense of responsibility because people of the area are now living in fear. There are recorded cases of killing, maiming and kidnapping of innocent citizens of the area in the last few weeks.”

He also called on the local and international humanitarian organizations in the country “to come to the aid of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the area”, noting that “this would go a long way in ameliorating their present predicament as a result of herdsmen attacks on them.” - Daily Post

West Africa’s economy growing — but it is jobless growth - AFDB

The African Development Bank (AFDB) says the growth experienced by West African countries is “jobless growth” as it has not resulted in the creation of jobs.

In the African Economic Outlook released on Wednesday, the bank advised countries to be disciplined when using sovereign bonds.

“Although West Africa’s growth has been impressive, much of it came from increased primary commodities production, which does not create much productive employment and can lead to jobless growth,” the report read.

“The debt service ratio—the percentage of export revenue used for external debt repayment— is estimated to have grown in 2015–17, mainly due to larger debts. The growth will restrict the region’s fiscal space.

“Changes in aid architecture require high fiscal discipline to avoid larger debts. In particular, the growing finance of development through sovereign bonds requires much stricter discipline to avoid near-term debt.

“Financial flows to West Africa continue to increase through remittances and foreign direct investment.

“But many countries, heavily indebted with long-term non-concessional loans, will face financing difficulties unless they also mobilize domestic revenue better by reforming their revenue authorities.”

The bank projected that growth in West Africa will rise to 3.8 percent in 2018 and 3.9 percent in 2019.

It said economic growth in West Africa stagnated at 0.5 percent in 2016 but rebounded to 2.5 percent in 2017, adding that household consumption and the relative price recovery of certain materials are expected to contribute to this performance. - Cable Nigeria 

Stephen Hawking 16 Inspirational Quotes About Life, the Universe and More

 To remember Hawking, some of his most inspirational quotes have been shared below:

1. “It surprises me how disinterested we are today about things like physics, space, the universe and philosophy of our existence, our purpose, our final destination. It's a crazy world out there. Be curious.” 

2. “My goal is simple. It is a complete understanding of the universe, why it is as it is and why it exists at all.” 

3. “One, remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Two, never give up work. Work gives you meaning and purpose and life is empty without it. Three, if you are lucky enough to find love, remember it is there and don't throw it away.” 

4. “One of the basic rules of the universe is that nothing is perfect. Perfection simply doesn't exist.....Without imperfection, neither you nor I would exist” 

5. “People who boast about their I.Q. are losers.”

6. “My expectations were reduced to zero when I was 21. Everything since then has been a bonus."

7. “Quiet people have the loudest minds.” 

8. “We are just an advanced breed of monkeys on a minor planet of a very average star. But we can understand the Universe. That makes us something very special.” 

9. “Life would be tragic if it weren't funny.”

10. “For millions of years, mankind lived just like the animals. Then something happened which unleashed the power of our imagination. We learned to talk and we learned to listen. Speech has allowed the communication of ideas, enabling human beings to work together to build the impossible. Mankind's greatest achievements have come about by talking, and its greatest failures by not talking. It doesn't have to be like this. Our greatest hopes could become reality in the future. With the technology at our disposal, the possibilities are unbounded. All we need to do is make sure we keep talking.” 

11. “Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change. ” 

12. “The victim should have the right to end his life, if he wants. But I think it would be a great mistake. However bad life may seem, there is always something you can do, and succeed at. While there's life, there is hope.”

13. “I believe the simplest explanation is, there is no God. No one created the universe and no one directs our fate. This leads me to a profound realization that there probably is no heaven and no afterlife either. We have this one life to appreciate the grand design of the universe and for that, I am extremely grateful.”

14. "If aliens visit us, the outcome would be much as when Columbus landed in America, which didn't turn out well for the Native Americans. We only have to look at ourselves to see how intelligent life might develop into something we wouldn't want to meet."

15. "I have noticed that even people who claim everything is predetermined and that we can do nothing to change it, look before they cross the road."

16. "There is a fundamental difference between religion, which is based on authority, [and] science, which is based on observation and reason. Science will win, because it works." - Newsweek 

Ogun police command arrests mad man who hacked pupils to death

The Ogun police command has arrested the suspected lunatic who hacked to death two pupils of St. John’s Anglican School, Agodo in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area of the state.

The suspect had on Monday stormed the primary school at break time and hacked two pupils to death. He, however, fled the scene immediately after he carried out the gruesome act.

In a statement released Wednesday, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the State Police Command, Abimbola Oyeyemi, confirmed that Adebisi has been arrested through the combined efforts of policemen attached to Ogbere Area Command, led by ACP Makinde Kayode and local hunters.

“In compliance with the CP’s order, the Area Commander mobilized policemen and local hunters for the manhunt of the suspect.

“Their efforts paid off in the early hours of today (Wednesday), when the suspect was seen in a bush around the community. While they wanted to arrest him, the suspect who was brandishing a sharp cutlass, attacked them, consequent upon which he was shot and injured on the leg. He has been taken to hospital for medical treatment.

“Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Iliyasu, has directed that the case be transferred to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) for proper investigation,” Oyeyemi said.- Daily Post

Terrorism : Fulani Herdsmen kill two brothers in Benue

Suspected Fulani herdsmen on Tuesday killed two brothers – Aondowase Uma and Ahanbee Uma – in Guma local government area of Benue State.

An eyewitness, Peter Igbor, said the deceased were ambushed and killed by the herdsmen while returning from a local market in the area.

“They were returning from Yelewata Market on a motorbike at about 8:00 p.m. when they were ambushed and killed and their motorcycle burnt by the Fulani herdsmen,” Igbor said.

A survivor, Orihyev Nyaga, who was shot on the left hand, said he was returning from the market on a motorcycle when he ran into a road block mounted by the herdsmen.

He said they tried to attack him with a machete but narrowly escaped before he ran to the bush. - The nation

EU asks Buhari to bring Fulani herdsmen killers to justice

The European Union has charged the federal government of Nigeria to bring perpetrators of the recurrent clashes between herdsmen and farmers in the country to justice.

According to the EU in a statement on Tuesday by its Heads of Mission in Nigeria, this is the necessary first step towards creating peace in the country. 

The clashes have spread across the country and resulted in hundreds of deaths in states including Benue, Taraba, and Kaduna but with no one yet prosecuted by the authorities for their roles.

The EU said it was alarmed by “the escalating and disturbing killings” and called for urgent measures that would allow Nigerians to live together in peace and security in the country.

“While we welcome the visit of President Buhari to affected states, we encourage the government and all stakeholders to engage decisively in order to promote a constructive dialogue with the aim of finding viable solutions and sustainable economic policies that would permit all to live in peace, whatever their ethnicity or religion." 

“As a first step, the perpetrators of violence must be brought to justice,” the statement said.

The EU expressed its full support “to the Nigerian government and people in their fight against violence in all its forms and expresses its condolences and sympathy to the families of those killed and injured".

President Buhari is currently on a tour of the states most affected by the conflict. The itinerary which began in Taraba and has taken the president to Plateau and Benue will also see him in Zamfara where a senator alleged more carnage had occurred there than elsewhere. - Premium Times 

Land of mass Killing !!! Plateau attacks : Gunmen killed 25 people

No fewer than 25 people were killed in an attack by gunmen in Bassa local government of Plateau state on Monday night.

The gunmen attacked Kimakpa, Zirshe and Dundun villages in Kwall district of the local government.

The killing were carried out as people were preparing to burry 18 of their people killed last weekend who bodies were deposited at the morgue of the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH).

Plateau State Police Spokesman Terna Tyopev, said policemen had been deployed in the communities to prevent further attack.

He said: “The gunmen stormed the village at about 11pm and took residents unaware. Some residents were able to escape, but the gunmen killed 25 people before the information got to us”

However, the special military task force code named operation safe haven (OPSH) said 21 people were killed and two injured

Some of the villagers who escaped the Bassa attack said the gunmen that came were more than 200 and they were heavily armed.

Many of the residents were reported missing after the attack; a rescue team put up by the villagers have been combing the nearby bush in search of the missing ones.

Media officer of OPSH Major Adam Umar said the task force had launched a manhunt for the killers. “With the deployment of men of the OPSH to the affected villages, residents can be assured of safety”

Spokesman of the Irigwe Development Association Ivy Gulu, said 23 persons were killed at Dundu, another village in Kwall District of Bassa.

“Twenty-three persons were killed in an attack on Dundu village last night. We are already preparing for a mass burial,” Gulu said.

He said that many others were missing and were feared killed.

Gulu said that many houses were burnt down by the invaders.

A correspondent of NAN, who visited the village, observed that smoke was still billowing from some of the houses set ablaze while many residents had fled to villages considered safer.

Gulu expressed sadness that the attacks came on a day slated for the mass burial of those killed last week.

Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong has sacked Mr Simon Angyol, the Management Committee Chairman of Bokkos Local Government over incessant killings in the locality.

Lalong made this in communication forwarded to the State’s House of Assembly and was read at Tuesday’s plenary by its Speaker, Mr Peter Azi.

“Following certain unpleasant development in the management of Bokkos local government council, I wish to seek approval for the removal of Mr Simon Angyol as Management Committee Chairman of the Council.

“I also wish to seek your approval to appoint Mr Tamai Simon as the new Management Committee Chairman of the Council,” he stated.

Members of House, in a voice vote, approved the removal of Angyol and the subsequent appointment of Simon - The Nation

No increase in vehicle particulars, number plates fees - Lagos state

The Lagos state government says it has not increased the cost of processing motor vehicle particulars and application for number plates.

In a statement released on Tuesday by Kehinde Bamigbetan, commissioner for information and strategy, the state said the rumoured increase is being peddled by mischief makers who want to take advantage of the situation with the reviewed land use charge.
The state government recently reviewed land use charge in a bid to increase internally generated revenue.

The action was not accepted by some residents of the state with the Nigerian Bar Association leading a protest on Tuesday.
“Although the cost of maintaining the roads and expanding infrastructures which ease the operations of vehicles is enormous, the Lagos state government shall continue to bear the burden of keeping the roads motorable and safe for all users,” the statement read.

Bamigbetan said anyone with evidence of an increase in the rates from any of the official centres managed by the Lagos State Motor Vehicle Administration Authority (MVAA) should report to the agency or the ministry of transportation.
Speaking with journalists after a walk against sexual and domestic violence on Monday, Akinwumi Ambode, governor of the state, said efforts being made by the government were in the best interest of residents.

“We have over 300 tax items for which nothing has been touched apart from this land use charge and maybe one other. But again, we are a very responsive government; we are very sensitive because at the end of the day, governance is about the people; it is about what they want,” he said.
“Yes, people might like that infrastructural development is on the progressive chart in Lagos but also it comes with a price. But notwithstanding in the middle of all that, a responsive government will listen to the yearnings of her people.

“At the end of the day, it’s all for the development of Lagos. It is not about today, it is about the future and if there is going to be permanent prosperity in Lagos, some things have to be done.” - Cable Nigeria

Terrorism : Fulani herdsmen attack Benue community, kill traders

Suspected herdsmen, late last night ambushed traders in Guma LGA of Benue State, killing many of them, including market women and children.

DAILY POST gathered that the victims were returning from the popular Yelewata Market when the attackers laid ambush on them, hacking some of them to death and inflicting injuries on several others.

Earlier, the suspected herdsmen had attacked Tse Igbe at Nyiev Council Ward in Guma Benue State, killing one Christopher Unenge, a Catholic catechist and another villager identified as Ayem Mbakuughur and many others.

Among those killed in the latest attack, DAILY POST gathered, was a man identified as Aondowase Uma, market women and some children.

“They killed Aondowase Uma, many other persons and even injured four people who were returning from Yelewata Market last night.

“As we speak, several persons are still missing; as at this morning, search is still ongoing,” a fleeing resident told our reporter Wednesday morning.

Meanwhile, several calls to the Benue State Police Command Police Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, ASP, for comment were not responded. - Daily Post

UK will be paying Brexit divorce bill until 2064 - OBR

The Office for Budget Responsibility estimates the UK will be paying its Brexit divorce bill until 2064.

Published to coincide with Philip Hammond's Spring Statement today, the OBR puts the final figure at £37.1bn - squarely in the middle of government estimates of £35bn-£39bn. 
The body estimates that for the years 2019 and 2020 the UK will contribute "as if it had remained in the Union" -  a total of £16.bn. From 2021-2028, the UK will pay £18.2bn as part of "reste a liquider", in other words the EU's unfunded future liabilities.

Between 2019 and 2064, the UK is also down to pay £2.5bn for "other net liabilities", mostly linked to pensions. 

But the OBR noted that a key feature of the joint agreement struck by Theresa May and Jean-Claude Juncker in December was that the UK would "not be required to incur expenditures earlier than would be the case if it had remained a member state, unless agreed by both sides". 

It also noted that these direct payments did not include "the indirect effects of changes in trade, migration and other policy regimes on the economy and its capacity to generate tax receipts".

"Such effects are impossible to quantify now, since there is no meaningful basis upon which to predict the precise end-point of the negotiations that are underway," the OBR said, echoing points made previously by Brexit secretary David Davis. 

The Treasury has also revealed its breakdown of the £3bn government departmental spend allocated for the next two years to help prepare for Brexit. 

The Home Office takes the largest slice, pocketing £395m as it prepares for a new immigration system. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), headed by Michael Gove, receives the second largest chunk of money - £310m in total. HMRC comes third, with £260m.

The figures do not include the Department for Exiting the EU (Dexeu). - City AM

Government to consult on ditching 1p and 2p coins

The Government will consult on whether to scrap 1p and 2p coins, along with the £50 note.

As part of his spring statement on Tuesday, the Chancellor announced a call for evidence on encouraging cashless and digital payments.

In documents released alongside Philip Hammond's update on the UK economy, it was revealed the Government wants to know whether the "current denominational mix meets the needs of cash users".

In a paper titled "Cash and digital payments in the new economy: call for evidence", Treasury officials highlight how - as the use of cash declines and contactless payment increases - the continuing processing and distribution of coppers may not be cost-effective.

It is noted how 60% of 1p and 2p coins are only used in a transaction once before leaving circulation, with coppers then either saved or, in 8% of cases, thrown away.

It is estimated the Royal Mint has needed to produce more than 500 million 1p and 2p coins each year to replace those falling out of circulation.

But the cost of processing and distributing these low denomination coins is the same as higher denomination coins.

This means there is a high cost to keeping 1p and 2p coins in circulation relative to their face value and continuing usage, the paper adds.

It is also highlighted how some businesses are rounding prices to avoid the need for coins such as 1ps and 2ps, or setting vending machines not to take some low denominations.

Meanwhile, the Government also wants to know whether to keep the £50 note in circulation.

The Treasury document states the UK's highest-value note is "believed to be rarely used for routine purchases".

Despite "significant overseas demand" for the £50 note, the paper highlights how it is "mainly held as a store of value alongside other currencies such as the dollar and euro".

Officials also suggest there is a "perception among some that £50 notes are used for money laundering, hidden economy activity, and tax evasion".

On rethinking the UK's cash denominations, the paper states: "From an economic perspective, having large numbers of denominations that are not in demand, saved by the public, or in long term storage at cash processors rather than used in circulation does not contribute to an efficient or cost effective cash cycle."

The call for evidence will be open for 12 weeks and close on 5 June this year, with the Government welcoming responses from "anyone with an interest in the questions raised".

Rupert Harrison, former chief of staff to ex-chancellor George Osborne, revealed on Twitter the Treasury had previously considered scrapping some denominations but had been vetoed at the time by Number 10.

"But, it's still a good idea," he posted, highlighting how there is a "global move to phase out big notes" due to fears they are mainly used illicitly.

Sarah Coles, personal finance analyst at investment management firm Hargreaves Lansdown, said: "The writing looks to be on the wall for 1ps and 2ps.

"When it costs more to produce and distribute a coin than the coin itself is worth, governments tend to decide it's a spent force - and we're rapidly heading in that direction for coppers." - Sky News

Probe Obasanjo to prove your anti-corruption war, Kalu tells Buhari

Ex-Abia State Governor Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu has challenged President Muhammadu Buhari to convince Nigerians of his anti- corruption war by probing former President Olusegun Obasanjo on the multi-million naira he allegedly wasted on power projects.

He said Buhari should arrest Obasanjo for Nigerians to believe he is fighting corruption.

Kalu said: “Unless Buhari arrests Obasanjo, anti-corruption war has not started.”

He spoke yesterday in Abuja while delivering a paper on the topic: ‘Culture, Economy and Good Governance: The Nigerian Experience’, at a quarterly public lecture organised by the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO).


The event was held at the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, Abuja.

Kalu dismissed his trial by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as political, saying it was one of the consequences of his fight against Obasanjo’s third term agenda.

Said he: “I was the first governor to make his account public. That EFCC is trying me is political and it is because I fought the third time agenda of Obasanjo. If there is opportunity tomorrow to fight third term, I will fight it. If President Buhari wants to be president for life, I will never support him again. The people knew my account in Abia is open and transparent. The US, UK and China know and they give me red carpet each time I am in those countries. That is a statement of fact.

“In fact, I am stronger to fight corruption than President Buhari because he is not fighting it well. I am stronger to recoup people’s money and return it to them. I am a creator of wealth at any level from when I was in the university. If any court pronounces that I am corrupt, I should be jailed. A corrupt politician or a judge is like an armed robber.” - The Nation