Killings: Nigeria designated ‘country of particular concern’ — alongside Syria, Pakistan

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has designated Nigeria as a ‘country of particular concern’ (CPC) following the recent spate of killings.

In its 2018 report on religious freedom, the commission asked the US department of state to declare Nigeria a CPC, along with 15 other countries including Syria, Iran, Pakistan, Vietnam, and China.

In 2018 alone, hundreds have been killed in clashes between herdsmen and farmers, attacks by suspected herders, bandits, among others.

The USCIRF report noted that religious freedom conditions in Nigeria remained poor in 2017 and that both the federal and state governments “continued to tolerate violence and discrimination on the basis of religion or belief”.

“Sectarian violence between predominantly Muslim herders and predominantly Christian farmers increased, and the Nigerian federal government failed to implement effective strategies to prevent or stop such violence or to hold perpetrators accountable,” the commission said.

It said although there were gains made by the Nigerian military in the fight against Boko Haram, the government’s “non-military efforts remained nascent, and Boko Haram’s attacks continued”.

“Other religious freedom abuses continued at the state level, including coercive official or societal actions to enforce particular religious norms,” the report added.

“Based on these violations, in 2018 USCIRF again finds that Nigeria should be designated as a “country of particular concern,” or CPC, under the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA), as it has found since 2009.”

It also recommended that the US government should: “Seek to enter into a binding agreement with the Nigerian government, and provide associated financial and technical support, to obligate the Nigerian government to take substantial steps to address violations of religious freedom.

“Enhance training for all military and police officers on international human rights standards, and ensure security officers accused of excessive use of force and other human rights abuses are investigated and held accountable

“Conduct professional and thorough investigations of and prosecute incidents of sectarian violence and terrorism and suspected and/or accused perpetrators.

“Develop effective conflict prevention and early warning mechanisms at the local, state, and federal levels using practical and implementable criteria.

“Encourage politicians and religious leaders to participate in conflict management training and projects to prevent violence and counter divisive and inciting messages; and devise and support the Nigerian government in the development of counter- and deradicalization programs.” - Cable Nigeria

60 year old man stabs, kills daughter a day to her marriage

Oyinye Aguluka was only 24 hours away from becoming a wife when death struck her tragically.

Oyinye was allegedly stabbed to death in bed by her own father at Ndiagu Igboezue in Osikwu village Awgbu, Orumba North local government of Anambra State in the early hours of Friday.

Sources said her traditional wedding was scheduled for yesterday.

The suspect, Cletus Aguluka, is now in police custody.

He was arrested by members of the community’s vigilance group while trying to flee the village moments after committing the offence.

Giving an account of the incident, mother of the deceased, Georgina, said the suspect returned home late on Thursday looking drunk.

He asked for his torch from his children, none of whom gave him a satisfactory answer about its whereabouts.

The household thought it was all over and everybody went to bed.

“We thought he had forgotten about the torch until he woke up around one o’clock in the night, went inside his room and brought out a machete and stabbed Onyinye who was fast asleep,” Georgina said.

The suspect’s younger brother, Sebastine Aguluka, said Cletus had lately indulged in molesting almost every member of the extended family.

Twin brothers of the deceased, Sochima and Chidera, said they had to leave home that night when they saw the way their father was behaving and they did not want to give him an excuse to molest them.

The state police public relations officer, PPRO, Mr Haruna Mohammed, confirmed the killing yesterday but told reporters that investigation was still in progress.

He said that once the investigation was concluded, the suspect would be charged to court. - The Nation

Insane man ‘rapes’ married woman in Delta market

There was drama at the popular Ogbeogonogo market in Asaba, Delta state on Saturday as a suspected insane middle-age man attempted to rape a married woman right inside the market.

It was gathered that the suspect allegedly committed the rape moves around 2pm on the wife, who trades on palm oil and other food stuff.

Eyewitness, Janet Agbou told DAILY POST that the suspect identified as Simeon was clad in suspicious dress practically torn to shred as he walked to the House wife from behind clearing many of the bottles filled with red oil, removed her wrappers afterwards allegedly “entered” into her.

She said, “the mad man came from behind with his clothes torn to shred, a clear indication that he was insane. He was talking nineteen to the dozens, suddenly, he grabbed the woman, oil seller, and was ruff handling her, forcing his manhood into her, passers-by rescued the woman and started beating the suspect”.

The suspect was said to have been beaten mercilessly by the angry mob who got wind of the taboo.

The randy mad man was later handed over to the police at “A” Division who upon close examination discovered the suspect was seemingly insane.

Speaking to DAILY POST, the victim, who did not want her name in the print, said, “I was shocked. Somebody grabbed me from behind, and was forcing his manhood into me, I fell down with him as I shouted for help. He was beaten mercilessly by angry mob who later handed him over to the police. I am a married woman with three children. It was the devil’s work. Thank God, it was Just that. Please, I have never seen such act”.

But the police spokesman in the state, DSP Aniamaka Andrew said, “upon all the beaten, he (the suspect) did not utter a word. We believed by investigation that the suspect is mad. It is the hand work of the devil, we could not detain him, we only took him to the hospital for treatment”.

In her reaction, Mrs Omashola Williams, the state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Community Development, said “Government has come to conclusion to remove destitutes from the streets, particularly these insane men and women, it’s painful for a suspect to embarrass a housewife sexually”. - Daily Post

Delta : Angry youths lynch grandmother over alleged witchcraft

A 65-year-old grandmother, Madam Clara Ndukwe, was at the weekend beaten to a pulp in Ejeme Aniogor, Aniocha South local Government Area of Delta state on suspicion of allegedly engaging in witchcraft and related acts.

It was gathered that two children last Monday died in the community under mysterious circumstances with the granny reportedly linked to the children’s bizarre death.

Mother of the two children, who spoke to DAILY POST in Asaba on condition of anonymity, said, “The woman is my husband’s relation. She was once caught in a similar act and she confessed to the evil act. My kids were killed in the witchcraft coven. They complained of fever and I took them to the clinic in the community, only for them to give up few hours later.”

DAILY POST learnt that the suspect was dragged out of her room where she was having a rest by angry youths, and was given a severe beating. But for the intervention of the police, she would have been lynched to death.

The suspect, Mrs Ndukwe, while speaking to DAILY POST, said, “I’m almost 70years and they are accusing me of being a witch. I’m not a witch. I know nothing about witchcraft. They almost killed me, but thank God that I escaped, those kids are my brother’s children, why should I kill them?”

Unconfirmed sources said the community has been bedeviled by litany of witchcraft accusations in the last few years.

But a chieftain of the community, Chief Frank Akugba told our correspondent, “We had to stepped into the action of the aggrieved youths. We are investigating the suspect. If she is found guilty, she will be banished from the community. We have subjected the woman to taking oath. And if lied, she will face the wraths of the gods”.

Investigations revealed that youths of the community are passionate about development in their community, and in the recent times “hijacked powers from elders of the community with fierce mobilization to beat and banish any evil perpetrators in the community.”

However, an executive member of the youth forum, Mr Justus Ndah, said, “We will bring to book all evil persons in my community. No hiding place for the wicked, there are enough evidence against the woman, so she cannot escape, but the police are already handling the matter. There is nothing we can do again.”

It was further gathered that the suspect was allegedly flogged by the angry youths who almost set her ablaze if not for the timely intervention of the police.

As at the time of this report, hue and cry over the sudden death of the two children still enveloped the community, as there were war songs by the angry youths who threatened to bring to book all evil persons in the community. - Daily Post

Two Nigerian-born pharmacists indicted in $9.6m prescription drug scheme

Two Nigerian-born pharmacists have been indicted by a US court for being involved in the illegal distribution of addictive drugs.

Enitan Sodiya-Ogundipe, 42, and Abiodun Fabode, 56, were said to have conspired with Amir Rafi, another pharmacist, and Vasan Deshikachar, a medical doctor, to distribute more than 344,737 dosage units of Schedule II opioid prescriptions to vendors who sell them on the streets.

The controlled drugs were said to have a street value in excess of $9,600,000. The scheme ran from January 2015 through March 2018.

Deshikachar is accused of prescribing oxycodone and oxymorphone, two of the most addictive opioids, to vendors who would take the fake patients to pharmacies owned by Sodiya-Ogundipe, Rafi and Fabode where the drugs are dispensed.

Commenting on the case, Jeff Sessions, US attorney-general, said: “It’s incredible but true that we have seen that some of our trusted doctors, pharmacists, and medical professionals have chosen to violate their oaths and exploit our unprecedented drug crisis for profit.

“Last summer, I sent a dozen of our top federal prosecutors to focus solely on the problem of opioid-related health care fraud in places where the epidemic was at its worst — including Eastern Michigan.

“In this case, three pharmacists and one doctor allegedly conspired to distribute nearly $10 million worth of opioids into the community, potentially spreading addiction and causing untold damage to Michigan families.

“I want to thank the FBI, DEA, our fabulous prosecutors Brandy McMillion and Brant Cook, the IRS, the Oakland County Sheriff’s office and all of our state and local partners for their hard work on this case. As this indictment makes clear, we are determined to reduce opioid fraud and to ultimately end the drug epidemic.”

Schneider, an attorney, said the diversion of prescription pills to the street market is a direct cause of the current opioid epidemic facing the US.

“We are focusing on charging doctors, pharmacists and the networks that are contributing to the opioid problem in our district,” he said.

“As we are in the midst of the worst opioid epidemic in our lifetime, it is important we team up with our federal partners and target those who peddle this death.”

Meanwhile, Sodiya-Ogudipe was also charged with money laundering for diverting proceeds of the illegal deal to her pharmacy.

She is the treasurer of the Nigerian Pharmacists Association of Michigan. - Cable Nigeria