Terrorism : SERAP asks UN Council label killer herdsmen as terrorists

Nigeria’s human rights group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sent an open letter to the UN Security Council and its members  asking that they appeal to the government  to end killings and destruction of property by suspected herdsmen across Nigeria.

The organisation urged the council members to visit Nigeria for an on-the-spot assessment.

The organisation also asked the Council to: “treat the atrocities by herdsmen as terrorist acts, in line with the UN Security Council resolution 2349 (2017), which addresses Boko Haram’s presence in the Lake Chad Basin and calls on all states to combat all forms and manifestations of terrorism.

“Declaring attacks by herdsmen as terrorist acts would help wake up the authorities to seriously address the threats posed by herdsmen and combat the crimes against humanity being committed against Nigerians.”

In the letter dated 16 March 2018 and signed by SERAP deputy director Timothy Adewale,  the organisation expressed “serious concern that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari is failing to uphold its responsibility to protect the citizens from increasing atrocities by the herdsmen.

To SERAP,  the continuous atrocities would pose serious threat to regional peace and security, and by extension, international peace and security.

“The Security Council must act now to protect Nigerians, including women and children, if the Council is not to be accused of failing the people of Nigeria.”

SERAP said:  “The attacks by herdsmen have uprooted families, destroyed communities’ socio-economic activities, and taken away their livelihoods and common heritage. These attacks undermine the very purposes and principles of the UN Charter. If not urgently combatted, such attacks may rise to the level of threat to international peace and security. SERAP notes that the first ‘purpose’ listed for the UN is to maintain international peace and security, and to that end: to take effective collective measures for the prevention and removal of threats to the peace.”

 “SERAP urges the Security Council and its members to publicly condemn these terrorist attacks, express concern about the protection of Nigerians and communities affected by the violations of international humanitarian and human rights law and press the authorities to put in place special mechanisms for bringing those suspected to be responsible to justice, and victims to receive redress, including adequate compensation and guarantee of non-repetition.”

“The Security Council and its members should reaffirm that terrorism of all forms and manifestations, such as the growing attacks by herdsmen in Nigeria, are criminal and unjustifiable regardless of their motivations. They should also recognise that security, development and human rights are interlinked and mutually reinforcing and are vital to an effective and comprehensive approach to countering all forms of terrorism in Nigeria.”

“The Security Council and its members should adopt a resolution to: Characterise killings by herdsmen as terrorist acts and mobilise international support for Nigeria to combat these attacks, including for the authorities to adopt and implement measures to tackle the causes and consequences of these attacks and end all forms of terrorism in the country.”

“The resolution should also call on the UN Secretary-General to carry out a joint visit to Nigeria with the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, and the African Union Peace and Security Council to investigate allegations of killings by herdsmen and to better understand the root causes of these killings and put pressure on the Nigerian authorities to end them.” - The Nation

Amnesty ‘uncovers’ serious negligence by Shell, Eni in Niger Delta oil spills

Amnesty International (AI) has accused Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and Italian oil giant Eni of “serious negligence” in cases of oil spills in the Niger Delta region.

In its latest research, AI said the “irresponsible approach” of the two companies to oil spills in the Niger Delta is worsening the environmental crisis and the plight of those affected.

Mark Dummett, business and human rights researcher at AI, said while the two companies claim they are “doing everything they can to prevent oil spill,” it was found that “they often ignore reports of oil spills for months on end”.

“On one occasion Eni took more than a year to respond. The Niger Delta is one of the most polluted places on earth and it beggars belief that the companies responsible are still displaying this level of negligence,” he said in a statement made available to TheCable.

AI said the discovery – “which was verified by Accufacts, an independent pipelines expert” – also showed that Shell and Eni “publish misleading information about the cause and severity of spills, resulting in communities not receiving compensation”.

It said while Shell and Eni claim the 1,010 spills recorded since 2011 and 820 spills recorded since 2014 were caused by theft and sabotage, the claim is contested by communities in the Niger Delta “who stand to lose compensation if the companies attribute spills to third party activity”.

The statement further read: “Amnesty International asked Decoders (the researchers) to review and describe all the photographs of spills published by Shell and Eni, and to highlight anything that looked unusual.

“They identified at least 89 spills (46 Shell, 43 Eni) about which there are reasonable doubts surrounding the cause provided by the oil companies. For example, Decoders highlighted photos where spills which appear to have been caused by corrosion were attributed to theft. If confirmed, this could mean that dozens of affected communities have not received the compensation that they deserve.”

It said the slowest response to a case of oil spill was recorded “when Eni took an incredible 430 days to respond to one spill in Bayelsa state. When the company finally showed up, it calculated the amount of oil spilled by measuring the area that was visibly contaminated”.

AI accused the oil companies of “adding insult to injury” of the Niger Delta residents.

“We consider Shell and Eni to be deliberately reckless and therefore willfully negligent in their operations in Nigeria – their failure to operate in line with Nigerian law and best practice standards is having a devastating impact on the human rights of Niger Delta communities,” Dummet said.

AI called on the federal government to strengthen its regulation of the oil industry, including “making sure that the government oil spills agency (NOSDRA) has the tools to ensure that the companies are taking all reasonable steps to prevent and clean up spills”.

SHELL: ALLEGATIONS ARE FALSE AND LACK MERIT

When contacted for response, Shell described AI’s claims as false and “without merit”.

The oil company accused the organisation of failing to recognise that security – a sole prerogative of government – “remains a major concern” in its working environment.

In a statement sent to TheCable, the company said there are “persisting incidents of criminality, kidnapping, vandalism, threats from self-described militant groups” experienced by the company in its operations.

“As operator of a joint venture, where the government-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation has a majority interest, SPDC continues to work with federal and state government agencies, communities and civil society to create a safe operating environment,” the organisation said.

“SPDC, in collaboration with government regulators, responds to spill incidents as quickly as it can and cleans up spills from its facilities regardless of the cause.

“We regularly test our emergency spill response procedures and capability to ensure staff and contractors can respond rapidly to an incident. However, response to spills, clean-up and remediation depend on access to the spill site and ultimately on the security of personnel and equipment while work is ongoing.

“SPDC reiterates its commitment to carrying out operations in line with best practice in a responsible and environment-friendly manner.”

ENI ALSO DENIES THE ALLEGATIONS

Reacting to AI’s report, Eni said it aims to achieve “zero spills target” in its operations.

It said it has put measures in place to prevent oil spills, including “replacing pipelines, removing old clamps and early detection through increased surveillance and community engagement.

“Containment and recovery by: improved oil spill tracking system and customized technology for prompt pipeline repair.”

In the response sent to AI and signed by Massimo Insulla, vice-chairman of Nigerian Agip Oil Company Limited, its Nigerian subsidiary, Eni said regardless of the cause of oil spill, it is usually responsible for limiting its harm “by acting promptly to prevent the contamination, and then cleansing up of all pollution”. - Cable Nigeria

La Liga : Zidane confirms Bale is happy at Real Madrid

Chelsea, Manchester United and Bayern target Gareth Bale is happy at Real Madrid, according to his manager Zinedine Zidane.

According to a report from the Daily Mail, Zidane has played down suggestions that the player could leave the club this summer.

“Bale is not a sad player at Real Madrid. Everyone can have their opinion, but I believe he is here and happy to be at this club. He has shown he is an important player in this team.”

Reports in Spain have stated that the player is widely expected to leave the Spanish capital, with Chelsea and United named as possible contenders to sign him.

Bayern Munich have also been credited with an interest after the former Spurs winger had fallen out of favour at Madrid.

Persistent injury problems have seen regular starts hard to come by for Bale, who has scored just 11 goals in all competitions this season.

Despite Madrid struggling domestically, Bale has started just 14 times in the Premier League.

Paris Saint-Germain’s Neymar has been linked with a big-money move to Madrid this season, casting further doubts of Bale’s immediate future in Spain. -Read Sport

PL news : Conte believes that Hazard will stay at Chelsea

Chelsea do not need to worry about losing players like Eden Hazard this summer, according to Antonio Conte.

The Chelsea head coach told reporters on Friday that he believes the Belgian, among other key first-team stars, will stay at the club, even if they do not secure Champions League football next season.
“Don’t forget two years ago Chelsea finished 10th with many players of this season…they decided to continue to play for this club, many players they were here when we finished 10th. This is not a question for me, it is a question for the players.”

Real Madrid are long-term admirers of the player and there had been some suggestions the current Premier League champions could be forced into selling Hazard this summer.

Hazard is out of contract at the end of next season and remain in talks with the player to extend his stay at the club.

The Blues face the prospect of playing in the Europa League next season with a place in the top four looking unlikely.

Chelsea currently sit fifth in the Premier League, five points behind fierce rivals Tottenham, who they meet in a couple of weeks time at Stamford Bridge. - Read Sport

Romanian court rejects man's claim he's not dead

A Romanian courtroom has rejected a man's claim that he is alive, despite him standing before them.

"I am officially dead; I am a living ghost," Constantin Reliu, 63, told The Associated Press on Friday.

In 1999, after discovering his wife had been cheating on him, he moved to Turkey. In January this year he returned home only to discover his wife had him officially registered as dead in 2016.

On Thursday he pleaded to a courtroom in Vasliu to overturn his death certificate, but the decision is final, a judge told him.

The bizarre situation is anything but amusing for Mr Reliu.

"I have no income and because I am listed as dead. I can't do anything," he told The Associated Press, on the verge of tears.

His wife now lives in Italy and he has no idea whether he is divorced, or whether she has remarried.

"Nobody will tell me."

Mr Reliu wants to file another lawsuit but has no money, and suffers from diabetes, which he says makes everything more difficult.

He also now cannot return to Turkey, but wants to appeal this decision. - Newshub

Dapchi schoolgirls: We have no faith in Buhari’s promises – Parents

Some parents of the 110 Dapchi missing schoolgirls have expressed their lack of faith in President Muhammadu Buhari’s promise during his visit that the girls would be rescued.

DAILY POST reported that President Muhammadu Buhari last week Wednesday visited families of the 110 schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram insurgents at Government Girls Science and Technical School, Dapchi, on February 19.

But the parents have now said that they were not convinced by the president’s words and promise to use military operation to rescue their daughters.

Kachalla Bukar, secretary of the forum of parents of abducted Dapchi girls, said only the rescue of the girls could convince them of government’s efforts.

He told Sun, “We are not convinced about efforts to rescue our girls because we haven’t seen anything. We haven’t seen much of the military work.

“The Buhari that we know is a gentleman. I don’t think he will stand before us and promise to rescue our girls without fulfilling it. Of course, we are not convinced about the efforts to bring them back since we’ve not seen anything.”

Similarly, Zara Adamu, one of the parents, said only the safe return of her daughter could convince her.

“Baba Buhari has spoken. I don’t know what they are doing to bring our daughters back, but he said they are doing something. I will be convinced when I see my daughter back alive,” she said.

Mother of one of the girls, Harira Damagun also said, “Only Allah cannot fail, not human being,we have taken the incident as an act of God.

“We see it as an act of God. Oh Allah, help us from this predicament and save our children!

“All we plead is for the government to help us secure the release of our daughters,” she said. - Daily Post

Fulani herdsmen kill five in Edo

Suspected herdsmen have reportedly killed a student of the Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma in Edo state identified as Collins Ojierakhi.

Collins was allegedly killed on Friday night by herdsmen at Ugboha village in Esan South East Local government.

The deceased was said to be returning home from Uromi alongside his friends when they were attacked.

All three of them were killed.

Late Collins was said to have just gained admission into the university.

Father of the deceased, Mr Festus Ojierakhi, who narrated the incident said,  “I am just confused. I was actually in the house eating at about 8pm and I started asking about my son who was not there. I was told he went to Uromi with his friends on a motorcycle.

“It was around 9pm that the mother of my son´s friend started shouting, crying that herdsmen have killed her son. I rushed out of the house and I asked about my own son. I was told he died too with his friend.

“We immediately detailed boys and ran to the place. When we got there we were told that the police has come to take the corpse to Ubiaja mortuary. I was told my son and two others including the friend died. They said the other person that died is an Igbo person.

“The information we heard was that as my son was driving home with his Okada, the herdsmen and their cattle blocked the road and they waited for them to leave the road. Immediately they passed, some of their people in the bush opened fire on my son and his friends and they died at the spot.

“I have been to the Area Commander office and they said they are investigating the matter. I don´t know what to do. This is a young boy that just entered university¨ he lamented.

At Odighi and Odiguete community in Ovia North East local government, herdsmen were said to have invaded the community on Saturday and killed two persons.

Other persons who were wounded in the attack were taken to the Benin Central hospital for treatment.

Edo Police Commissioner, Johnson Kokumo, could not be reached for comments as  calls made to the CP were unanswered. - The Nation

Most deadly and dangerous agency !! Did You Know Police Put $45K Bounty On Kudirat’s Killers Even When They Knew It Was An Inside Job?

I have been researching on political killings and state-sanctioned hits in Nigeria. It is tragic where we are coming from. The murder of these people - Pa Alfred Rewane, Bola Ige and Kudirat Abiola was like a scene in the action movie - The Mechanic.

Luckily, Alex Ibru and Pa Abraham Adesanya, though both late now, survived hits ordered by the Abacha regime.

But what is more depressing for me is the irresponsibility and complicity of the Nigeria police in the barbarous executions.

In July 1999, at the Oputa Panel, Sergeant Rogers, Abacha's hitman, confessed to have carried out the killing of Kudirat. He also confessed to have carried out the hits on Adesanya and Ibru at the behest of Major Hamza Al Mustapha.

But did you know that the police in these cases arrested innocent Nigerians, some of whom were killed in detention?

For example, in the case of Pa Rewane, two of the innocent suspects were only released in 2011 - most of them died in police custody. The police did all they could to bury the case.

Did you know the police, under the Abacha regime, which killed Kudirat, put a $45,000 bounty on the killers of the woman even when they knew the perpetrators?

I believe most Nigerians in prison today are innocent. But our police are not a law enforcement organisation, but a regime-protection agency. And it has been so since the military era.
In addition, most Nigerians have no faith in the Nigeria police. I was discussing getting police security for an estate with a neighbour. This is what he said:

"That is dangerous. The police security could mastermind an armed robbery here or even carry out the robbery. Halogen security is better."

I was reminded of how some policemen guarding former President Jonathan's house in Abuja butchered the place and looted its content.

The hierarchy of the Nigeria police is perhaps oblivious of citizens' revulsion or just insouciant about it.

In the days of the protest against SARS, I did not join the campaign against the dreaded squad because I knew the hierarchy of the Nigeria police was not amenable to reforms. I believe the police need a total purge now.

I have devoted some of my time to criticise the police because I want a better organisation. And I know there are good men in the force.
However, in the past few days of my onslaughts on the police, I have been receiving strange calls. It is really surprising. We need a better police. I want a better police.
Fredrick is a journalist, writer and media entrepreneur.

He can be reached on Twitter: @FredrickNwabufo, Facebook: Fredrick Nwabufo