NRC Ignored Warnings On Planned Attack On Abuja-Kaduna Train – Newstrends
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NRC Ignored Warnings On Planned Attack On Abuja-Kaduna Train

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Fresh facts in the aftermath of last Monday’s fatal attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train service have shed more light on the failure of officials at different levels to forestall the planned onslaught, which was seen coming months ahead. 

Official correspondences and security reports seen by our reporter reveal how the plot was uncovered following intelligence intercepts leading to the issuance of alerts to different responsible agencies.

Senior security officials are blaming officials of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) for refusing to abide by the advice to restrict train movements to daytime hours.

The latest details corroborate the Daily Trust exclusive story published last Thursday, which indicated that the bombing of the passenger train came after repeated warnings by the intelligence service about the movement of bandits with a mission to attack the train service and other facilities.

The attack on the train, which had on board over 300 passengers was the most devastating coming after at least three previous less successful attempts on the service.

At least nine corpses were recovered from the scene of the attack on Tuesday while some 26 others sustained injuries. A yet-to-be-determined number of passengers were also abducted by the kidnappers. 

Two strands of the security warnings focus on directives for military formations in the area to respond to the threat and for the NRC to suspend night trips along the route. The Nigeria Police, which is in charge of internal security has a command responsible for the railways and usually deploys armed policemen on the train to ensure security.

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But like many states bedeviled by ongoing security challenges, Kaduna State has detachments from the military under different tags taking over security duties in the state.

However, documents seen by Daily Trust and information from informed sources show that three different advisories and a similar warning at least two meetings for the suspension of the evening train shuttle were not heeded by the railway management.

Also, military formations in the area failed to take action to scuttle the impending attack.

Military high commands had issued a clear directive for troops to clear criminals’ hideouts and other enclaves that could be used ahead of the attack.

Long in coming 

In the aftermath of a near-fatal attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train on October 20, last year, which led to the derailing of the train and suspension of the service, the security situation was appraised leading to the issuance of an advisory for the NRC to suspend the evening shuttle. 

In a letter dated November 2, 2022, addressed to the manager of the Rigasa Station of the Nigerian Railway, the Kaduna State government drew attention to a “Thorough review of train operations”  conducted. 

“Following this review and an assessment of the general security situation, the Kaduna State government hereby advises that trains operate during the daytime only. All arrivals after dark, to Kaduna or Abuja, should be avoided completely,” the letter reads in part. 

The government advisory further emphasised the “Urgent rescheduling of train services and the cancellation of all train services, which arrive at their destinations later than 6pm”.  

The idea, according to a senior security officer, was to deny the criminals the opportunity of hiding under the cover of the night to plant explosive devices or deploy their men. 

With the train shuttles continued in spite of the security advisory, the state government wrote another letter to the railway reminding the management of the threat to the evening service. 

“Current developments indicate that the concerns over threats to train services, which prompted this advisory continue to exist,” the follow up letter signed by Kaduna’s Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan states. The second letter was dated January 27, 2022.

Daily Trust gathered that just before the second letter on the request to suspend the evening train shuttle, there was an intelligence report from the Defence Headquarters, which succinctly points to a plan to launch simultaneous attacks on the train service and other critical facilities. 

The military signal revealed that bandits had conducted an “Assessment mission on the Abuja-Kaduna railway corridor with a view to launching attacks on trains” and the railway infrastructure. 

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The intelligence indicated that the bandits were “Mobilising members and finalising plans for the attacks”. 

Following the intelligence from the Defence Headquarters and a meeting of the Kaduna State Security Council, Daily Trust learnt that a meeting was convoked at the headquarters of the Army’s 1 Division in Kaduna with all stakeholders to review the situation. 

The meeting held on February 9, agreed to suspend the 6pm train service pending improvement of the situation. 

“I remember the commissioner of security was even threatening to address the press after the meeting to tell the world the recommendation of the services since the railway authorities were unwilling to comply with all the advisories. Some of us advised against that to avoid causing panic,” a source who was part of the meeting said in confidence. 

Twenty five days before the attack, an intelligence report dated March 3, 2022, titled “Plans to Simultaneously Attack Rigasa Train Station, Other Critical Infrastructure and Security Forces” also drew attention to the impending attack.  

“Intercepts and human intelligence sources around Kaduna-Niger interstate boundaries, have confirmed plans by terrorists to attack the Rigasa Train Station, and other critical infrastructure, simultaneously,” it reads in part.  

“The intelligence also revealed plans to attack security force units, especially on the Kaduna-Abuja Road general area, imminently. 

“The security forces targeted for attack are mainly troops deployed at Rijana in Kachia LGA and personnel carrying out aggressive fighting patrols on the Kaduna-Abuja highway, spanning Chikun, Kachia and Kagarko LGAs of Kaduna State.” 

The report recommended that “The management of the Rigasa Train Station should be persuaded by the Kaduna State government to suspend operations, which extend into night time and promptly upgrade the immediate security structure of the terminal”. 

Ignored intelligence 

Findings by Daily Trust indicate that those who were in positions to act did not take the warnings seriously as the railway service refused to act on the multiple warnings.  

It was also unlikely, sources say, if the directive from the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Leo Irabor, for sweeping operations to counter the planned attack was duly complied with. 

In the January signal from the Defence Headquarters, the CDS directed the leadership of Operation Thunder Strike (OPTS) and Operation Whirl Punch (OPWP) to “Urgently emplace measures to thwart the planned attacks along the railway corridors”. The two commands are active military operations operating between Kaduna and Niger States. 

Specifically, the military high commands directed the two theatre commands to “Piquet vulnerable points along the railway corridor as well as identify and destroy all suspected bandits’ bases along the axis”.   

In the March 3 intelligence briefing, it was reported that “Virtually all the villages at the far end of Rigasa Train Station – covering about 40 to 50 kilometers radius – and other villages around Buruku general area in Chikun LGA have been deserted. 

“It is the same situation in Kabrasha general area of Chikun LGA (linking with Kusaso areas of Niger State) and in Kabula Hills of Mangoro area, which shares contiguous boundaries with Kachia LGA of Kaduna State.” 

This situation, according to senior security sources, made the general area under the “full control” of the bandits and also presented an opportunity for a more vigorous military operation.    

While there are doubts in some quarters if the security forces had taken adequate steps to thwart the attack, as directed, a security source in Kaduna said clearance operations had always been carried out saying the bandits who carried out the train attack moved there for the purpose. He said the spot where the attack happened was also, specially selected as it would be hard to reach for any rescue mission. 

Also, a senior military officer had told Daily Trust that security agents had been on alert following reports from intercepted communication pointing to the possible attack but added that it was impossible to deploy troops permanently without specific knowledge of when the attackers will deploy. “They will get tired and demoralized,” he said. 

“The early arrival of the troops on that day was because there was some level of alertness in view of the information at hand. It could have been worse”.

He said the many areas in Kaduna, especially around Rijana and Kasarami are infested with regrouping Boko Haram elements, accusing residents of not providing helpful information to aid the work of security agents.  

Speaking to Daily Trust last week, the Managing Director of the NRC, Engr. Fidet Okhiria, admitted that the NRC was written to stop the evening train, denying receiving any latest warning. 

“They wrote to us that they suspected that they wanted to attack the train but that was in December/January. But we looked at it and said if there is something like that, they should find a solution to it and stopping the train is not the solution.

“And we don’t run night train. The last train leaves in the evening. We believe if we stop the running of trains, it means the terrorists have won.”

Poor response to intelligence worrisome – Expert

A security and intelligence expert, Umar Yakubu, bemoaned poor response to intelligence, describing it as worrisome an inimical to success in the fight against insecurity.

Yakubu, who heads a think tank, Counter Fraud Center, said “no war can be won without credible intelligence. The intelligence agencies seem to be gathering a lot of actionable intelligence but the issue of poor response is worrisome.”

“Strategic units need to be well positioned to effectively act on credible intelligence. The governor (of Kaduna state) and Daily Trust had reported that information was relayed to concerned authorities about the attack but somehow, maybe due to bureaucracy, action was not taken. The Joint Intelligence Board needs to create a more efficient layer where tactical operations can be swiftly executed without delay.”

Yakubu advised on deployment of technology to more effectively secure the rail line.

“The Kaduna – Abuja route is about 200 kilometres. There are so many ungoverned spaces that law enforcement would find difficult to reach. Luckily, most of the terrorists move within the bush using motorcycles. The most efficient way is to utilise unmanned aerial vehicles to easily spot them and neutralise any threat. It is cheaper, more efficient and effective and also minimises collateral damage.

“The same technology is need across all hot spots. We should not be endangering the lives of troops by making them patrol dangerous areas when you can get intelligence in a more efficient manner.” 

DAILY TRUST

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Osun man on death row for fowl theft shares how police subjected 17-year-old self to torture

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December 22, 2024

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Osun man on death row for fowl theft shares how police subjected 17-year-old self to torture

Segun Olowookere, a man who was sentenced to death for stealing fowls in Osun State when he was 17, has recounted how the police tortured and gave him a cutlass used as an exhibit against him as a minor in court.

FIJ had earlier reported that Governor Ademola Adeleke planned to pardon Olowookere after news of how Justice Sakariya Oyejide Falola sentenced Olowookere and Morakinyo Sunday to death in 2014 broke out.

Olowookere was charged in court with conspiracy, armed robbery and stealing. It was on these grounds that Falola delivered his judgment.

Olowookere and Sunday spent some days at a police station in Okuku before their arraignment and conviction. Olowookere said that the police gave them one cutlass each while at the station for weeding the premises.

However, the two of them were later transferred to Osogbo, the state capital, with the cutlasses. These cutlasses were later presented before the judge as exhibits of an armed robbery offence, Olowookere told The Punch in an interview on Sunday.

HOW HE WAS ARRESTED

Now in a custodial centre working with a medical team, Olowookere said he gave himself up for the arrest in November 2010.

“I was at my father’s shop in Oyan after returning from school. My dad and I were discussing my university admission and suddenly, we heard gunshots, and everybody ran away except my dad and a few others,” he narrated.

“My father was taken to a police van where there were some children. I was peeping out and could hear and see what was going on. The police asked my dad where I was and he asked them what my offence was. When they couldn’t give him a satisfactory response, my father shouted at the top of his voice that I should run away because the police wanted to arrest me.

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“But I was wondering what my offence was. So, I came out and went to meet them. I was detained at the police post in Oyan and was taken to Okuku Divisional Police Headquarters the following day. I met the children who were in the police van when they came for me sitting on the ground and eating rice.”

THEY WERE GIVEN CUTLASSES

Olowookere recalled that the divisional police officer (DPO) heading the station at the time accused him of being a leader of an armed robbery gang consisting of teenage children.

Some days after his arrest, his parents were still making efforts to secure his bail. While this was ongoing, the police engaged them in labour, giving them a cutlass each to cut the grasses at the station.

“The DPO told me that one of the children confessed to stealing two broilers and some crates of eggs. I met the broilers and the eggs at the station,” he said.

“The children were eight in number. He told me the children said I was their gang leader, which I denied. The children he was talking about were around 12 and 13 years old, while I was 17 then. I told him I knew the children but I didn’t have anything to do with them other than greeting them in the community.

“I met Sunday Morakinyo at the station, and he told the police that he didn’t know me nor had anything to do with me. I don’t even know where he was arrested. All the children were released but Morakinyo and I were not.

“We were seriously tortured from the first day I got to the Okuku Police Station under the supervision of the DPO. The children who allegedly committed the crime were not beaten. He repeatedly asked me to admit and confess to a crime I didn’t commit.

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“After some days, we were given cutlasses to cut the grass at the police station premises despite having injuries on every part of our body as a result of the torture.”

BAIL SUM BEYOND HIS PARENTS

Olowookere’s father was asked to produce N30,000 for his bail, but his father could only raise N20,000, and the police would not cut down this financial bail demand.

His father then left the station, perhaps to gather the shortfall of N10,000. Before his father could return, the police had ferried them to Osogbo.

“My father could only raise N20,000 out of the N30,000 they demanded. The police rejected it and insisted on the N30,000,” Olowookere said.

“My dad left the station to look for the money. But before he returned the following day, we had been moved to the SARS office in Osogbo. The cutlasses that were given to me and Morakinyo to cut the grass were presented to SARS as exhibits and they were told we were armed robbers.

“After 17 days in the SARS cell, we were taken to a magistrate court and charged with robbery, and from there to the High Court, where we were sentenced to death.”

The poultry farm from which they were alleged to have stolen fowls belonged to one of his uncles.

Despite initially promising not to pursue the case against him, the uncle went on to testify in court against him.

“We are from the same Ajerotutu Compound in Oyan. He was summoned to a family meeting where he said I was not among those who stole the fowls, but my name was mentioned by the children who were arrested,” Olowookere explained.

“He told the family that he would discontinue the case. But he later came to court to testify against me.

“I never wrote any statement to the police. My parents never had a flat, not to mention a six-bedroom flat. I lived with my parents until I was arrested.”

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Asked why his lawyer didn’t object to the statement during the trial, Olowookere said, “I didn’t know anything, but I am sure I didn’t write any statement.”

SUNDAY SUFFERS MENTAL ILLNESS

As a result of the torture they received at the police station before arraignment, Sunday began to bleed from several parts of his body.

Eventually, this bleeding led to his becoming mentally ill, according to Olowookere.

“He is now a mad person. He is at Ibara Prison. He developed mental issues when we were tortured at the police station in Okuku and by the officers of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad. I am just lucky, and I believe God’s grace is over me,” he said.

“Morakinyo was bleeding from the anus, ears, nose and on the head. The police did not treat him despite that. I cleaned the cell every day because his blood stained the floor. He was bleeding for the entire six days we spent inside the Okuku police cell before we were transferred to the SARS cell in Osogbo.

“We spent 17 days with SARS and Morakinyo bled every day. Some of the SARS officers noticed that he was not mentally normal again but others thought he was pretending, and from there, he developed full mental issues.

“When we were remanded at Ilesa Custodial Centre, the warders tried to manage his mental health but they didn’t have the capacity. His condition then worsened. As I am talking to you, he doesn’t recognise anybody again. His mother has stopped checking up on him.”

Olowookere said he was hopeful that he would regain his freedom someday to pursue his academic studies and become useful to the world.

“I first enrolled in Yewa College of Education, Abeokuta, Ogun State, after my sentence. It is my dream to study medicine, but it is not available at a college of education. I was later transferred to a maximum prison in 2016. But due to financial constraints, I couldn’t study my dream course,” he explained.

“However, I was encouraged to train under the medical practitioners in the prison. So, I applied and I was accepted into the medical line in 2017. Since then, I have been working with the nurses, pharmacists and doctors inside the prison.

“I believe I will be free one day, and when I regain my freedom, I will definitely go for medicine. I pray to God to set me free because I am innocent.

“I don’t know anything about the crime I am convicted for. I pray to God to give me the opportunity to prove my innocence to the world and be useful to society. I am not a criminal; I have never stolen anything in my life, not to talk of robbing somebody.”

Osun man on death row for fowl theft shares how police subjected 17-year-old self to torture

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Oil cabal sponsoring blackmails against Tompolo, Otuaro, Kyari, say Ijaw youths

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December 22, 2024

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Chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo)

Oil cabal sponsoring blackmails against Tompolo, Otuaro, Kyari, say Ijaw youths

Stakeholders under the Ijaw Youths Network (IYN) have alleged a well-coordinated international blackmail campaign against High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo), Chairman of Tantita Security Services; Mele Kyari, Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL); and Dr. Dennis Otuaro, Chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP).

In a statement issued on Sunday by its President, Frank Ebikabo, and Secretary, Federal Ebiaridor, the IYN accused a cabal of oil thieves of sponsoring the campaign to undermine the successes of Tantita Security Services and other security outfits in combating oil theft.

The group specifically condemned a staged protest outside the United Nations headquarters in New York, describing it as a smear campaign filled with false criminal allegations against Tompolo, Kyari, and Otuaro.

The IYN called on the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and others entrusted with the nation’s security to ensure a thorough investigation of persons behind the blackmail and bring them to justice in the interest of national security.

The stakeholders also urged President Ahmed Bola Tinubu to be resolute in sustaining the reversal of the evils of oil theft against Nigeria and her citizens.

The IYN stressed that oil thieves and their operatives armed with billions of ill-gotten resources were funding the recurrent attacks on Tompolo, Kyari and Otuaro.

The youths insisted that a virulent cabal of oil thieves with a vast network across international boundaries was on the  rampage to orchestrate the campaign targeting the economy of the country and its leadership.

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The IYN said that the oil thieves were pooling resources together with their international collaborators to undermine the President, national security and the nation’s economy.

The group said that it was not unexpected that the deadly cabal that almost ruined the economy of the country by stealing billions of petro dollars would not give up their lucrative crime without a fight.

The IYN said that the achievement of the Tinubu Administration which had been able to attain 1.8m barrels of crude oil per day, after serious efforts into the battle against oil thieves should be protected from such influential, deadly gang.

The IYN added some of those fighting Tompolo, Kyari and Otuaro were persons, who pressed to be appointed Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme without success.

The Ijaw youths groups said that the antecedents of Otuaro and his capacity to deepen consultations and sustenance of peace in the Niger Delta might be hurting those behind the campaign of calumny in the region.

The group called on all sister organizations in the Niger Delta to support the campaign against oil theft, Tantita Security Service Limited, the NNPCL and the PAP leadership.

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The group said: “We are shocked at the extent to which this deadly cabal of oil thieves can go to orchestrate a campaign of calumny against hardworking people carrying out their lawful responsibilities in the Niger Delta.

“Of course, nobody expects a group of extremely wealthy, connected and influential people who has been involved in oil theft, stealing billions for years to go away without resistance.

“The show of shame in front of the UN headquarters is a most reprehensible attack on the country image, the President, national security and our economy.

“The unpatriotic characters are conniving with enemies of Nigeria in their criminal bid to bring back the dark days of oil theft and its impact on the nation’s economy.

“We call on the President, to be firm in sustaining what is good for Nigeria. Tompolo, and Tantita have shown that it is not impossible to stop the menace of oil theft as shown by the daily production of oil to 1.8 million barrels per day,

“We also urge the Mr Kyari and Dr Otuaro to be firm in carrying out their official responsibilities to this great country. That oil thieves are focusing attacks on the, shows in clear terms that their actions are suffocating their evil activities in the region.”

Oil cabal sponsoring blackmails against Tompolo, Otuaro, Kyari, say Ijaw youths

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NURTW scribe felicitates Nigerians on Xmas, urges caution 

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December 22, 2024

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NURTW scribe felicitates Nigerians on Xmas, urges caution 

 

The General Secretary of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Comrade Kayode Agbeyangi, has enjoined Nigerians to imbibe the virtues of peace, love and compassion as taught through the birth of Jesus Christ.

He stated this in his Christmas and end of the year goodwill message to felicitate members of the union and Nigerians in general.

Agbeyangi urged Nigerians to use the festive season to reflect on the values of love, compassion, and sacrifice that Jesus Christ embodied.

“This period is not for merry making alone; we should also spare time to reflect on the birth and life of Jesus Christ.

“His birth teaches humility, love compassion and sacrifice. As Nigerians, we must show love to our fellow county men. We must love our country. As Nigerians, we must be ready to make sacrifices for the nation.”

The NURTW scribe also used the opportunity to appeal to members of the union and other road users to always exercise caution and adhere to all safety protocols while travelling during the festive season.

“As we celebrate, let us not forget the importance of road safety. The roads can be treacherous, especially during the festive season.

“I urge our members and all road users to drive safely, avoid overspending, overtaking at dangerous bends and overloading, and be courteous to other road users,” he stated.

He also advised drivers that all their vehicle papers should be up to date to avoid embarrassment from law enforcement officers on the highways.

Comrade Agbeyangi prayed for a peaceful and joyous celebration, and wished members of the union and Nigerians, a happy prosperous New Year.

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