Soyinka on school abductions: We’re very close to accepting an unacceptable culture

 

Wole Soyinka, Nobel laureate, has called for urgent efforts to reverse the trend of school abductions in Nigeria. 

Soyinka made the comment in reaction to the series of kidnappings of schoolchildren in several northern states.

In the latest on such abductions, 317 students of Government Girls Secondary School, Jangebe in Talata-Mafara local government area of Zamfara, were abducted by bandits on February 17.

Their whereabouts have remained unknown.

TheCable had reported that at least 1,157 students have been abducted over the course of seven years in northern Nigeria.

Speaking during an award lecture and public presentation of his latest book, ‘Chronicles of the Happiest People on Earth’, held in Ogun state on Saturday, Soyinka said though his suggestion may be extreme, he cannot think of what else can be done.

He also noted that states may need to shut down some of their activities in solidarity whenever a child is kidnapped.

The literary icon added that the government has repeatedly failed in its responsibility to protect the citizens.

“The abductions of our children, when will it end; how will it end? I don’t think anyone of us can tell. But it is important that we continue to stress and to remind ourselves that, not only are these abnormal times, but it seems to be, to me anyway, times of the shirking of responsibility in very key areas,” Soyinka said.

“We cannot permit ourselves — we just cannot — to continue in this fashion. Something drastic, meaningful has to take place, and it has to be collective.

“This is no longer the responsibility of those at the top (who are) supposed to be in charge of security, in charge of governance; they have clearly failed the populace. They’ve failed us. There is no point in trying to reason it out, to find excuses, to lay blame.

“The important thing is that we are very close to accepting a culture of the unacceptable.

“I think we are reaching the point where, in any state where any child is kidnapped, that state should shut down completely. And other state, in solidarity, should at least shut down some of their activities.

“We shouldn’t wait for an enemy, faceless, airborne, unpredictable enemy like COVID, to make us shut down. In protest and as a statement of the unacceptable, we are shutting ourselves down until this situation is resolved.

“Sounds extreme, but we don’t know what else one can propose at this particular time. Yes, life must go on, but even those activities will generate and enhance our very existence.”

Soyinka expressed optimism that the Jangebe schoolgirls would be rescued and reunited with their families.

He added that what worries him, however, is “the permanence of those scars on our collective psyche”.

“We’ll get those children back; I know that. It is a price we pay and the consequence, the permanence of those scars on our collective psyche — that is what worries me,” he said.

The event was put together by the Ogun state chapter of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), in collaboration with Abeokuta Club.

- THECABLE

Reports: Kagara students exchanged for 4 jailed bandits

 

The bandits that kidnapped 38 people, including 24 Kagara students were paid with prisoner swap to free their captives.

According to Daily Trust, some members of the bandits’ gang being held in Nigerian prisons, were released before a deal could be struck

After days of working to establish contact with the abductors and subsequent negotiations, the victims were released to a team of police and other security agents around 7am on Saturday.

Daily Trust reported that the bandits demanded the release of six members of their group arrested at different times by security agents.

Four of the six named persons, were identified in different detention facilities in Katsina, Kaduna and Niger states.

However Niger state Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Muhammad Sani Idris, denied there was a prisoner swap.

He also denied that ransom was paid to the kidnappers. 

But Daily Trust insisted that two of the prisoners were released to the bandits before the students were set free.

- PM NEWS

Golden Shoe: Top 10 Europe’s highest goal scorers

 

Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski is currently leading the race for this season’s Europe Golden Shoe.

The striker added to his tally with a tap in against Koln on Saturday, taking him to 28 league goals.

The Golden shoe is mostly given to the top goal scorer in the Europe’s top five leagues with Barcelona ace winning the highest number of the individual award – six times.

Players featuring in the Premier League, LaLiga, Serie A, Bundesliga and Ligue 1 are mostly considered.

Closest to Lewandowski in the chat is Frankfurt’s Portuguese international, Andre Silva followed by Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona’s Lionel Messi.

Here are players that make up the top 10:

1. Robert Lewandowski – 28

2. Andre Silva – 19

3. Cristiano Ronaldo – 19

4 Lionel Messi 19

5 Kylian Mbappe – 19

6. Mohamed Salah – 17

7. Erling Haaland – 17

8. Romelu Lukaku – 17

9. Luis Suarez – 16

10. Bruno Fernandes – 15

- DAILY POST

Kagara students: Those who have military parents were beaten badly by bandits

 

The students abducted from Government Science College, Kagara, Niger state, said they were beaten and starved by their abductors.

On February 17, gunmen attacked the school and kidnapped 38 students, staff members, and their relatives.

The abductees — 24 students, six workers, and eight relatives of the workers were finally released on Saturday.

Recounting their ordeal, the students said they had very little to eat.

According to them, the bandits inquired about the occupation of their parents and those who are children of military personnel were beaten seriously.

“We didn’t get food to eat till night the first day but they later fed us, and after feeding us they asked us about our parents’ occupation. ‘If you father is a policeman, come here.’ ‘If your father is a soldier, come here’,” Abubakar Sidi, an SS3 student, said.

“They beat us seriously but the beating was based on the occupation of our fathers. I wish I could die because the beating was too much. It was really tough in the forest.”

Another student identified as Suleiman Lawal said given the kind of suffering he experienced in captivity, it was unlikely he would return to the same school.

“We suffered so much. I had never faced this kind of situation in all my life. I don’t think I will like to go back to that school again,” Lawal said.

Abubakar Bello, governor of Niger state, told the students when he received them at the government house not to be discouraged in their educational pursuit.

The governor said no ransom was paid for the release of the students.

- THECABLE

Nigeria to become gold exporter in June

 

The Nigerian-Canadian company, mining gold in Nigeria’s Osun State is to start exporting the precious metal in June this year.

The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Mr Olamilekan Adegbite, made the announcement in Abuja on Sunday.

Speaking at a forum of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Adegbite described the Segilola Gold Project as a strategic investment for Nigeria’s economic diversification.

He described the company as a ‘poster child’ and the first foreign investor that was doing genuine and serious business in Nigeria.

Adegbite said that the firm was supposed to have started gold exportation in the first quarter of 2021 but that the date was shifted, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The company will start exporting gold from Nigeria in June,’’ he stated.

According to the minister, the project is being executed by Segilola Resource Operating Ltd., a licensed operator and Canadian company, located in Iperindo in Osun.

He said that the company was listed and quoted on the Toronto Stock Exchange in Canada, the eighth largest exchange in the world by market capitalisation, commanding some 3.1 trillion dollars.

Adegbite said that the company was making a positive impact, borne out of its desire to ensure compliance with the economic diversification agenda of the Federal Government.

“Mining is a bit capital intensive. So, we need to attract serious players, people who can put in the money and then of course, begin to make money after some investment because it has gestation period.

“Mining is not like trading where you put in your money today and then realise profit tomorrow.

“When you do exploration, it can take a year to three years, then you discover the mineral and then start the exploitation before money begins to roll in.”

- PM NEWS

PTF chairman: 4m doses of COVID vaccine expected in Nigeria on Tuesday

 

Boss Mustapha, chairman of the presidential task force (PTF) and secretary to the government of the federation, says Nigeria will receive four million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine on Tuesday.

This was disclosed in a message on Saturday night.

Bashir Ahmad, media aide to President Muhamadu Buhari, confirmed the development in a post on his Twitter handle, adding that the shipment expected will contain doses of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine.

“Barring any change in the delivery plan, Nigeria is expected to receive four million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines on Tuesday, the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, SGF Boss Mustapha, disclosed that tonight,” he wrote.

Barring any change in the delivery plan, Nigeria is expected to receive four million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines on Tuesday, the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, SGF Boss Mustapha, disclosed that tonight.

— Bashir Ahmad (@BashirAhmaad) February 27, 2021

Nigeria’s vaccine delivery is expected through the COVAX facility, which is co-led by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI).

The vaccine delivery comes one year after the country recorded its index case of the coronavirus.

The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) is expected to organise the distribution of the vaccine doses, in collaboration with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

Meanwhile, as of February 27, 2021, the country has confirmed over 150,000 coronavirus infections, but more than 130,000 patients have recovered.

- THECABLE

Abductions: Buhari should tell Nigerians if criminals have taken over – CAN

 

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) wants President Muhammadu Buhari to inform Nigerians if outlaws have taken over the country.

The organization’s question is coming as a reaction to the abduction of more than 300 schoolgirls of Government Secondary School in Jangebe, Zamfara State.

CAN President, Rev. Samson Ayokunle, in a statement, said the recurring kidnapping of students was shocking and must be stopped.

Ayokunle decried, “the ease” with which bandits and insurgents carry out daily attacks.

“It is totally embarrassing. When will this government give the citizens of Nigeria assurance that their lives and property are safe?

“Mr. President, where shall we go from here? Have the criminals taken over where there is legitimate government?”

The CAN leader said prayers were being offered but faith without hard work from the authorities would be in vain.

Ayokunle advised that all public secondary schools in the North be closed until security is guaranteed. He suggested additional recruitment into the Police.

“We also call for adequate funding, training, equipment for our security forces in order to enhance their performances nationwide.

“It is high time the government declared a state of emergency in the security sector of the country,” he added.

On Saturday, staff members, students and relatives abducted from Government Science College, Kagara, in Niger State, regained their freedom.

- DAILY POST

SHIEK OF BANDITS !! Banditry: Arrest Gumi now – NANS tells Buhari

 

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Ogun State chapter, has called on the Federal government to immediately arrest and prosecute an Islamic cleric, Sheikh Abubakar Gumi, for allegedly promoting banditry in the country.

The students’ body said it was not pleased with the manner in which the Federal Government is treating Gumi like a Messiah.

NANS opined that Gumi should be treated like a “criminal” for supporting armed bandits who have been kidnapping and terrorising the country.

DAILY POST recalls that Gumi has in recent times been negotiating with bandits, while also stating that most bandits are not criminals.

On Thursday, President Muhammadu Buhari joined some northern governors in saying all bandits should be treated like criminals.

In a statement made available to DAILY POST by the Chairman of NANS in Ogun, Damilola Simeon, it was alleged that Gumi was justifying the criminal activities of armed bandits in the north.

Gumi, a renowned Islamic cleric had accused the Nigerian military of triggering the raging banditry in parts of the North.

The Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, who claimed to have been meeting with bandits in forests across Northern states, alleged that non-Muslim soldiers had carried out orchestrated killings in some communities, precipitating anger.

But, NANS described Gumi’s claims as baseless and false.

The NANS chairman expressed fear that Gumi’s recent comments and attitude could embolden the bandits and further jeopardise the peace and unity of the country.

The student leader called on the military and other law enforcement agents to investigate him for his association with “criminals and enemies of the State.”

“We call on President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately order the arrest of Gumi for his alleged support and association with armed bandits.

“Gumi should be treated as a criminal and not as a Messiah. His acts have further exposed the military and the entire country to further attacks by marauding bandits,” the statement read in part.

- DAILY POST

ICYMI: US convicts Nigerian student of fraud

 Oyindamola Akinrinola, a Nigerian studying in the United States, has been convicted after she pleaded guilty for her role in an international online fraud targeted at US-based citizens.

The 23-year-old Kansas-based student was granted legal permanent residency in the US in 2018.

But in a statement on Monday, the Kansas district office of the US department of justice said the Nigerian pleaded guilty to the charges against her when she appeared before a federal court.

Stephen McAllister, US attorney, said Akinrinola and her co-conspirator in Nigeria victimised “individuals, several elderly, through a variety of online scams.”

According to McAllister, the student’s co-conspirator in Nigeria “orchestrated several scams, such as tricking victims into believing they were eligible for fictitious awards or establishing purported (but false) romantic relationships with victims and exploiting their affections.”

The attorney added that the co-conspirator in Nigeria directed victims to send money in amounts ranging from hundreds of dollars to as much $20,000 to Akinrinola.

“While in Kansas as a college student, she received funds from the scam victims—in amounts ranging from hundreds of dollars to as much $20,000—via wire transfers, money orders, financial applications, Wal-Mart money grams, Western Union, the United States Postal Service, and various other means,” the attorney added.

“Akinrinola kept a portion for herself as her reward and sent the bulk of the funds to her co-conspirator in Nigeria. To do so, she generally used the Sendwave, WorldRemit, or Boss Revolution mobile applications.”

McAllister added that the Nigerian now faces “time in federal prison for her crimes. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of fraud schemes like these, no matter where they originate.”

The hearing of the case is billed for June 15, 2021, and will be presided over by Holly L. Teeter, US district judge.

- THECABLE

Attack on Northern schools are war crimes – Amnesty International

 

Amnesty International has described the attack on schools in the Northern part of Nigeria as war crimes and a hindrance to education.

The right group said this while condemning the abduction of students of the Government Girls’ Secondary School in Jangebe, Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State just few days after Kankara boys were kidnapped.

According to the group, the kidnap of students was a serious violation of international humanitarian law and undermined the right to education for children in the north.

Amnesty International urged the Buhari-led government to ensure that the students were safe and returned to their homes in due time.

Part of the statement read: “Amnesty International condemns this appalling attack, which is the latest in a string of attacks on schools in northern Nigeria. Attacks on schools and abductions of girls are war crimes.

“The abduction of girls at Government Secondary School Jangebe is a serious violation of international humanitarian law, and it undermines the right to education for thousands of children in northern Nigeria.

“The girls abducted are in serious risk of being harmed. Nigerian authorities must take all measures to return them to safety, along with all children currently under the custody of armed groups.

“Education is under attack in northern Nigeria. Schools should be places of safety, and no child should have to choose between their education and their life. Other children have had to abandon their education after being displaced by frequent violent attacks on their communities.”

- DAILY POST

Zamfara schoolgirls: Oby Ezekwesili calls for evaluation of President Buhari’s mental capacity

Oby Ezekwesili, a former Minister of Education, has again called for the mental and physical evaluation of President Muhammadu Buhari’s health.

The former Minister made the call following the growing level of insecurity in the country and increasing rate of kidnapping in the North.

Ezekwesili, a former presidential aspirant in the 2019 general elections, said her demands went beyond asking Buhari and his government to bring back the missing Chibok girls, rescue the recently abducted students of Government Girls’ Secondary School, GGSS, in Zamfara and others.

She said there was the need to commence the process of checking the President’s mental and physical health.

Ezekwesili, by this call, may be suggesting that the President may have lost control of the security architecture of the country.

“My demand goes beyond asking @NigeriaGov of @MBuhari to #BringBackJangebeGirls,” she tweeted.

“My demand goes beyond asking Justice of Rescue for our schoolgirls.

“My demand is to commence the process for an independent medical evaluation of @MBuhari’s physical and mental capacity to govern,” she wrote.

- DAILY POST

Wike: ‘One guy carrying Ak- 47’ blocked my convoy

 

Governor Nyesom Wike on Friday alleged that a man who was not in police uniform but was armed with AK 47 blocked his convoy at Waterlines Junction, Port Harcourt and trailed his convoy until his security details  stopped him.

However, the Governor who made the unbelievable revelation when the new Rivers Commissioner of Police, Eboka Friday visited him in his office did not say whether the man was arrested or the action taken by his security aides against the suspect.

Nevertheless, he asked the new police commissioner to step up his game as incidents of crime are increasing in Rivers State.

He said, “Yesterday (Thursday), I was going out for inspection. We saw one guy carrying Ak47, not on Police uniform. He was on mufti, blocking us from Waterlines Junction when we went to inspect the Rivers State Assembly’s quarters on-going project.

“We moved on to inspect the Speaker’s residence project, and the man was still following us. So,the security wondered what’s going on and stopped him.”

Wike therefore urged the new Police Commissioner (CP) Eboka Friday, to shun politics and  stay within his professional mandate to fight crime without fear or favour.

Citing the abduction of over 300 school girls in Zamfara state on Friday, the governor said there is so much criminality in the society and professional Police Officers should not abandoned their duties of doing their best in protecting life and property for any other interest.

He added that nobody should be above the law and if any criminal is arrested, such person should be charged to court not even a politician demands for such favour.

“I will never come to you to say Mr. CP go and do what is illegal. I will never come to you to say so and so person is my friend,  he was arrested for kidnapping, so release him. In fact, I’ll even say take him away.

“Because if I support the person who is kidnapping, it may be my turn tomorrow, I won’t always be Governor.

“So, whatever you can do with your team, please I beg you in the name of God, provide security. Don’t come here and play politics.”

The governor said he is not unmindful that some persons  may have recommended him to be posted to Rivers State, but he admonished the CP to let his conscience guide him.

He commended the CP for reorganising the C4I  unit of the State Police Command and pledged to support the team to succeed in their task to combat crime.

Wike observed that the level of kidnapping in the State has increased because the immediate past CP  abandoned his duty and was hobnobbing with non-state recognised Chiefs.

He noted that innocent citizens are killed needlessly by such police officers and asked the new CP to rid the Police of such bad elements and ensure sanity is restored.

“The level of kidnapping has gone high in the society. Your former colleague abandoned the job and was being deceived by some people who feign that they are traditional rulers.

“It’s most unfortunate that the former CP will be going to traditional rulers to be hosting him. It’s a shame. Now,  Nigerians don’t have confidence anymore in security agents.”

Wike disclosed to the new CP that his administration has provided the State Police Command not less than 150 vehicles. But, he regretted that most of the vehicles have been mismanaged and some diverted.

In his speech, CP Eboka said he has dissolved the E-Crack team of the State Police Command because of the uncanny report against it and redeployed the officers to other units.

He told the governor that he needs an effective synergy with all stakeholders,  especially the Rivers state government to succeed on his mission of crime fighting.

“My duty, essentially in this State is to fight crime and criminality. I know I cannot do that work alone without synergy with other stakeholders.

“I want to assure you (Governor) that any assistance given to us will be used to improve the security of this State. I’ve told my men,  that there is no arm chair policing in my administration. My officers have been warned to shun corruption, be civil with the public, and we will not tolerate accidental discharge.”

- PM NEWS

Jangebe abductions: DSS ‘arrests’ Ganduje’s aide after he called APC a failure

 The Department of State Services (DSS) has reportedly arrested Salihu Tanko-Yakasai, spokesperson of Abdullahi Ganduje, governor of Kano, after he called the All Progressives Congress (APC) a failure.

On Friday, Tanko-Yakasai expressed frustration at the news of the abduction of 317 schoolgirls from a secondary school in Jangebe, Zamfara state.

“Clearly, we as [the] APC government, at all levels, have failed Nigerians in the number 1 duty we were elected to do which is to secure lives & properties. Not a single day goes by without some sort of insecurity in this land. This is a shame! Deal with terrorists decisively or resign,” he had tweeted.

Clearly, we as APC government, at all levels, have failed Nigerians in the number 1 duty we were elected to do which is to secure lives & properties. Not a single day goes by without some sort of insecurity in this land. This is a shame! Deal with terrorists decisively or resign. https://t.co/L5YCvik1Eb

 — Peacock (@dawisu) February 26, 2021

Hours later, the whereabouts of Ganduje’s spokesman was not known.

But in a tweet on Saturday, an official of the Kano state government said Tanko-Yakasai is with the secret police.

“Alhamdulillahi we just confirmed @dawisu is at DSS office,” the official tweeted.

Alhamdulillahi we just confirmed @dawisu is at DSS office

— Abubakar (@sadeqhenry) February 27, 2021

 TheCable also made attempts to reach Tanko-Yakasai by phone but his lines were switched off.

Peter Afunanya, spokesman of the DSS, is yet to comment on the development.

This is not the first time Tanko-Yakasai has criticised the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.

Last year, Ganduje suspended him for criticising Buhari.

At the height of the demonstrations against police brutality in October, Ganduje’s aide asked the president to address the country over calls to disband the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) at the time.

“To speak to ur own ppl over issues that are bedevilling them has become something like a favour u’re doing to them. Over & over again, u cannot spare 5mins & address the nation to calm them down, the same people u went to the 36 states to beg for their votes, its heartbreaking,” Tanko-Yakasai wrote on Twitter.

He was later reinstated.

- THECABLE

BOY BOY GOVERNOR !! Ogun community remains under siege by Fulani herdsmen despite Gov Abiodun’s visit, promise

 

Fulani herdsmen have continued to attack Yewa community in Ogun State despite the recent visit of Governor Dapo Abiodun.

Consequently, stakeholders in the community have described the state government’s intervention as ineffective.

One of the community leaders, the CDA Chairman of Oke-Agbede, a village in Imeko-Afon Local Government of Ogun State, Prince Adebisi Peter Obaagbo, stated that, “the recent visit of Governor Dapo Abiodun to the affected areas, and his promise to provide adequate security are of no value.

Suspected-Fulani-Criminal

He explained that, “since the visit of the Governor on Monday 15th February, 2021, Fulani herdsmen have not stopped the killing and maiming of the people.

“For example, Mr Segun Abiodun, 32, sustained a machete cut injury inflicted on him by the herdsmen while on his farm at Asudodo village, Imeko-Afon Local Government on Tuesday, 23rd February, 2021, because he wouldn’t allow them to gain access to a well on his farm.

“The farmers in Asudodo village had warned herdsmen not to fetch water for their cattle from the community’s well as it is always drying up during dry season.

“Also, at a nearby Idufe village on Wednesday, 24th February, 2021, two farmers; Mr Adeogun and Mr Asebi were attacked because they told the herdsmen not to graze cattle on their farmlands.”

He further said, “on the same day, another farmer, Mr Ayinde Oguntade, a native of Imeko was beaten to stupor by herdsmen when he asked them not to enter his farmland at Olumoro valley in Imeko area.

“But presently, one of the suspected herdsmen is in the custody of the police at the Imeko police station,” Obaagbo stated.

When contacted, the DPO of Imeko, CSP Simon Odidi, confirmed the arrest of one of the suspects, adding that he will be charged to court for prosecution.

But the CDA Chairman added that, “the unfortunate thing is that the three victims were among the survivors of the last invasion by herdsmen but decided not to relocate to Republic of Bénin as others”.

One of them, Mr Adeogun regretted his decision to continue staying in Nigeria.

“Had I know that Governor Dapo Abiodun will not walk his talk of making provision for adequate security to protect us, I wouldn’t have endangered my life in the hands of Fulani marauders by trying to maintain my Nigerian identity,” Adeogun lamented.

DAILY POST reliably gathered that residents of Iwoye, Oke-Agbede, Moriwi, Wasinmi, Asudodi, Idufe, Jabata, Ogiri, Lafenwa, Bakinni, Igbo Igo, Igbo Nla, Onisugudu, Gbayin, Boogie, Janpa, are under terrible siege by marauder herdsmen who migrated from Igangan, Ijio, Agbaruru, Budo, Musa, Ayegun, all in Oyo State during the Sunday Igboho’s last month eviction exercise.

- DAILY POST

SHEGE BUHARI !!! Report: Nigeria’s number of IDPs rivals that of countries at war

 

A new report by SBM Intelligence, Nigeria’s geopolitical intelligence platform, says the number of internally displaced people (IDPs) in Nigeria is almost the same with countries that are officially at war.

The organisation said it conducted a study on how the proliferation of small arms in the country is linked with mass atrocities and mass migration.

The intelligence gathering group also said a toxic mix of small arms proliferation, youth under/unemployment and general disaffection is likely to drive future agitations in Nigeria.

“The proliferation of small arms and light weapons has driven the rise in violence in Nigeria. This violence has led to mass displacement, and has resulted in Nigeria having a number of internally displaced people that rivals countries which are officially at war. Over the course of a year between May 2019 and April 2020,” the report said.

“The proliferation of arms in Southern Nigeria has driven the increasing rate of violence in the region. This includes, but is not limited to; communal clashes, cultism (Nigerian speak for gang violence), kidnappings, ethnic and religious clashes, and militancy in the Niger Delta.

“A combination of proliferation of small weapons, already existing state corruption, large tracts of ungoverned spaces, and mass unemployment has largely been responsible for the rising criminality and violence in Northern Nigeria. In the Northern Central region, there have been tensions between sedentary farmers and nomadic Fulani herders who are increasingly moving southwards due to climate change pressures to access pastureland.

“The drivers of mass displacement include, generalised violence, violations of human rights, high rate of insecurity, mostly in the Northern part of the country; Boko Haram attacks, the continuous Fulani herdsmen and Farmers crisis which has spread across the six geopolitical zones in the country.

“SBM Intelligence also confirmed other reasons for the extremely high numbers of IDPs in Nigeria to include natural or human-made disasters (like floods) and in most cases, scarcity of resources. IDPs live within the local populations but are pressured to flee their homes and in some instances, to seek refuge in border countries.

“In 2014, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) estimated that as many as 1,000 refugees a week flee Nigeria mainly because of violence from Boko Haram; crossing the border into Niger’s Diffa region to seek refuge.”

SBM intelligence added that the tensions in the county have led to armed confrontations, mass killings and further displacement of some farming communities.

- THECABLE

Ronaldo is best player in history – Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Former Swedish International and Milan star Zlatan Ibrahimovic has named Brazil legend Ronaldo as ‘the best player in history’.

Ibrahimovic expressed his admiration towards the former Real Madrid, Barcelona, PSV, Inter and AC Milan star.

He put the World Cup winner ahead Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo who are believed to be the greatest of all time.

Ibrahimovic, 39, believes Ronaldo Nazario, who led Brazil to World Cup glory in 2002, transcended the game of football with his unique talents.

Speaking with Discovery Plus, Ibrahimovic who has won over 30 trophies, said, “I don’t need to describe Ronaldo, ‘The Phenomenon’.

“I always say you have the players that play the game, and the players that are the game.

“For me, Ronaldo is the game. When you watch him play, everyone wanted to play like him and become like him.

“The way he was moving, the way he did his stepovers, the way he did ‘the snake’. The way he was moving, for me he’s the greatest player through history, no doubt.”

Ronaldo scored 296 career goals in 452 matches in total, and won three FIFA World Player of the Year awards and two Ballon d’Or.

His first Ballon d’Or was historic as the youngest player to have won at 21.

- DAILY POST

Bandits brought into Nigeria by people who wanted to oust Jonathan, Mailafia claims

 

Obadiah Mailafia, former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), says bandits were brought into Nigeria in 2015 by powerful people who wanted former President Goodluck Jonathan out of power.

In an interview with The Punch, on Thursday, Mailafia said those powerful individuals intended to deploy the bandits for war if Jonathan did not concede the 2015 presidential election.

Mailafia did not provide any proof and is known for making unsubstantiated claims.

The former CBN deputy governor also said there should be no amnesty for the bandits because they are only out to destroy.

“During the 2015 elections they brought in thousands of foreigners into this country, armed them because it was a case of if Goodluck Jonathan doesn’t surrender, there will be war. They were ready for civil war; they were not ready for peace,” Mailafia said.

“Of course, Jonathan handed over to them and then they turned their backs on the hoodlums and the hoodlums said ‘look, you brought us here and we are still here’.

“There are certain world powers that want to destroy our country. That is what I believe. There was a container load of weapons that were brought in from Turkey. Another time some were brought in from Iran. But nobody probed further and everything was swept under the carpet and that was the end of it.

“I do not believe that the Niger Delta militancy can be compared to the terrorists. These people (terrorists) are not even bandits. A bandit is a common thief or a brigand. The ‘agbero’ are bandits. These people carrying sophisticated weapons and rockets are not bandits. They are terrorists.

“They have killed, they have maimed, they have raped and they have wreaked havoc.”

In August 2020, Mailafia was invited by the Department of State Services (DSS) over his claim that a governor from the north is the leader of Boko Haram.

After his release from DSS custody, Mailafia said he was ready to lay down his life for the country like Nelson Mandela, former president of South Africa, did for his country.

But in an interview with BBC Hausa, Mailafia later said he got the information from “some traders” in the market and did not know that his statement would go viral.

He admitted that he had no evidence to back up the claim.

- THECABLE