“After the burial service, scores of youths from the affected villages, including members of the Christian clergy from the affected communities, rushed to meet us with stories of how the army may have been used in the killings.”
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Yuletide turns funerals in Southern Kaduna, gunmen sustain killing spree
Over the years, Southern Kaduna has been on the receiving end, facing incessant ruthless attacks on its communities by assailants identified as armed herdsmen.
The attacks, which in most cases have resulted in the loss of many lives, especially the breadwinners of many families, children, and women, have forced them to become internally displaced persons in their own land.
The lives of these survivors of attacks and those of the victims’ families are irreparably damaged; they don’t know when they’ll recover physically from their injuries or come to terms with their losses, and many remain deeply traumatised.
The Kaura Local Government communities have been subjected to the most heinous attacks and unending killings of their loved ones.
The most deadly that became more pronounced and now poses a daunting challenge that must be tackled was the one that occurred on September 26, 2021, in Madamai Community, where 38 people were killed, and the recent one that took place on December 18, 2022, where another 38 lives were gruesomely killed and 104 houses were completely razed down.
Life has become so brutal and nasty for the people of southern Kaduna, who are mostly farmers. They can no longer boast of their lives, farm crops, or even their settlements.
While other states take terrorism very seriously as a security threat in order to provide assistance to victims, the Federal and Kaduna State governments, on the other hand do not render adequate support to victims and their families.
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Most of these victims of terrorism and their families are left at the mercy of their own predicament. Their rights as individuals are not upheld and protected.
Some of the victims, in separate interviews that recounted their ordeals, described the carnage in their communities as the worst they have experienced.
Mr Rikichi David, who narrowly escaped the attack, told The PUNCH that before the day that the incident took place, the military usually comes around for patrol throughout the day and leaves by 10pm, but on that day, the military patrolled the community till after 10.30pm, which we even applauded them for adding 30 minutes to the time.
“We saw one of the trucks leisurely cruising inside the community, and we thought they came back to continue with their patrol, but suddenly they went out again at a very slow speed toward the town.”
“We didn’t know if they were observing if our people are sleeping or not, and at that time I vowed to myself that I am going to stay out till 11pm because other days, from 10pm to 10.30pm, I retired home.”
Rikichi, who said he lost six family members during the sad incident, said the army trucks left the community a few minutes before 11pm and he went back home 10 minutes later, lied down on his couch, and started hearing gunshots.
According to him, they were preparing to bury one of their family members on Wednesday, and people came from outside for the burial and became victims. About three women were sleeping in my house when they were all killed.
He explained that when the attack took place, “the military was close by because gunshots can be heard from kilometres away. The soldiers couldn’t have gone anywhere because they were moving at a very slow pace,” Rikichi said.
“We manage to crawl into the bush for safety. From where I was, I could see the attackers having a field day inside our community, killing people, burning our houses, and shouting “Allah Akbar.”
“While they were perpetrating their evil act, they were advancing towards the hill, which was their escape route because they started from the highway. When they got to the hill, the last person shot into the air for a while and left,” he further narrated.
According to him, they’re suspecting foul play by those who are supposed to be their defenders. When the attack was going on, these people were moving as if nothing were happening, and when it got to the village, it fired four times after the attackers had already left.
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“The attack was well coordinated, orchestrated, and executed by professionals because all the entry points to the village where help can come from were blocked and the men used sophisticated weapons and shot sporadically,” Rikichi, who is also the Chairman of the Kagoro Development Association, Malagum 1, stated.
Another victim, Mr. Linus Utung, a traditional title holder, described the carnage infiltrated into his community as ruthless to the sanctity of humanity.
He said, “The community was thrown into disarray when they heard gunshots and some of the locals were killed while the military was present.”
According to him, a village head told him that they saw how two boys who were running for safety were gunned down by the military.
He said his house and motorcycle were burnt down while he watched helplessly.
Also, Rev. John Hayab, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Kaduna State Chapter, captured the agony of the people of Kaura during the 60th birthday anniversary of Apostle Emmanuel Kure, saying the killing of the 38 innocent, defenceless people of the Mallagum community was another piece of evidence that the killers have yet to be neutralised, as claimed by the government.
Amid the bloodletting, a series of peace talks have been organised by the traditional institutions, religious leaders, politicians, and other critical stakeholders to identify the conflict triggers and chart a way forward.
Some sympathisers who spoke to our correspondent in separate interviews during the funeral mass for the 38 gruesomely killed in Malagum and Sogwong communities lamented the neglect of the Kaduna State government in providing relief materials to the victims.
Their reactions echoed, “This has shown the ineptitude of the government towards the people of southern Kaduna.”
The councillor representing Malagum 1 community, Hon. Atuk Stephen, who spoke to our correspondent, said residents had deserted their communities to seek refuge in neighbouring villages.
He called the situation “barbaric” and urged the government to act quickly to provide relief materials to the victims.
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“As I am talking to you now, none of these villagers escaped with a single cup of beans; all of their food stuffs were burnt down.
Atuk expressed concern that the carnage perpetrated by the communities would prevent the elections from taking place.
However, he noted, “There are ongoing plans to disenfranchise our people from participating in the 2023 general elections, and the government must show its might in ensuring these terrorists are crushed while sanity returns.”
He said there has been no security stationed in the affected communities until now, calling on the government to deploy security in the vulnerable communities to help reduce tension.
In one of their emergency meetings, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Southern Kaduna chapter, through its chairman, Alhaji Haruna Usman condemned the ceaseless killings among farmers and herdsmen in the state and resolved to do everything possible to ensure that the people live in mutual respect, understanding, and peaceful coexistence irrespective of any difference.
He noted with sadness that the lives of farmers and herdsmen are wasted incessantly in the communities over trivial issues that can be solved amicably.
The chairman reiterated the association’s willingness to contribute and support efforts to restore normalcy and lasting peace to all nooks and crannies of the area, against which he appealed to all associations to organise meetings and dialogues that would aid in uniting the people.
On his part, the Catholic Bishop of Kafachan, His Lordship Bishop Kundi, lamented, during the burial of the 38 victims, the level of killings and government ineptitude towards the people of Southern Kaduna.
The Southern Kaduna Peoples Union, in a press statement issued to newsmen over the weekend, said that during the mass burial for the slain victims, they heard very disturbing allegations against the personnel of the Nigerian Army in the massacre.
The union lamented that there was no representation by the Kaduna State government.
“No message of any sort was sent. No relief material has been sent to the displaced,” the union stated.
According to SOKAPU, six families were wiped out and 102 houses were totally burnt. Homes were looted of grains and valuables before being burned down by the assailants, whom survivors identified as armed Fulani herdsmen working with men they claimed to be from the Nigerian Army.
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Delta lady dies after 2 friends pushed her into pot of boiling pepper
Delta lady dies after 2 friends pushed her into pot of boiling pepper
A Nigerian man identified as Israel Joe, has revealed how his friend, Roseline, died after she was pushed into a boiling pot of fresh pepper and tomatoes by her two female friends in Sapele, Delta State.
Joe stated that Roseline, a caterer, went on a trip with her friends to Sapele for a catering job where she tragically passed away on Saturday, April 13.
In a Facebook post on Friday, Joe said that before her untimely death, Roseline confided in him about two of her friends who were treating her coldly.
He urged the Nigeria Police to investigate and arrest the killers of Roseline, pointing out that no progress has been made in the case since her murder.
Joe’s post read, “She was pushed into a big boiling pot of fresh pepper and tomatoes by her friend on Saturday, 13th April. She battled for about two weeks with her roasted/boiled body and finally ḍíęɗ last week Friday 26th April.
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“Nobody in the neighborhood in Otokutu knew Roseline had been allegedly kíIIed by these same friends. She was buried with no one to bid her goodbye and with no single bųríaI poster to honour her. Just two days in the morgue, the mørtųarƴ attendants demanded she be carried away to be buried.
“She traveled with them for a catering job in Sapele where they were speaking their local language with this Yoruba girl, Rozzy, not understanding their conversation.
“All of a sudden, she landed in a very big pot of boiling fresh pepper and tomatoes where they even still delayed in rescuing her. She was later rushed to Sage Hospital by Estate in Warri, where they managed the situation, but my friend couldn’t make it.”
Joe said he was pained that those responsible for her death were still walking free.
He added, “What pains me is that these two girls are still walking and gallivanting everywhere like nothing happened. I hate intimidation and oppression, especially against non-indigenous persons. The police must smoke them out so they can face the law. Na God dey help who nor get helper.
“We shall fight for Rozzy. You can not just be kíIIęɗ like a chicken and bųřried like an aŋímąl. Nobody deserves such a hørribIe dęąth. We never got to meet Rose, only chatting on Facebook due to endless busy schedules only to see you, at the most disgusting sight at Sage Hospital, hoping for your recovery, but dęąțĥ stole you Justice shall prevail, including if you would be exhumed.”
Delta lady dies after 2 friends pushed her into pot of boiling pepper
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My wife slept with our plumber, connived to dupe me — Man tells court
My wife slept with our plumber, connived to dupe me — Man tells court
Grade A Customary Court, Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State has adjourned till June 3, further hearing in the divorce suit brought before it by a man, Ige, against his wife, Sikira, whom he accused of irresponsibility and infidelity.
Ige added that Sikira was a dupe.
According to Ige, Sikira lacked the ability to take proper care of him and their children and always carried out her duties towards them in a lackadaisical manner.
The plaintiff explained further that the defendant encouraged him to employ the service of a particular plumber when he was building his house, but unknowing to him, the man was her lover.
Ige stated that Sikira was having s3xual affair with the plumber on a regular basis while he was at work.
The plaintiff added that the defendant connived with the plumber to dupe him by adding extra amount to every item he bought when carrying out plumbing work at his site.
Ige said that Sikira eventually moved out of his house and went with all his property.
The plaintiff stated that he desired a fresh start and therefore wanted a clean cut from his wife, which was why he was in court.
The defendant denied all the allegations brought against her but gave in to divorce.
The defendant described the plaintiff as the pot calling the kettle black.
According to the defendant, the plaintiff was in the habit of drinking himself to stupour and beating her.
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She told the court how she caught her husband having sex with a teenager in their apartment.
Sikiral further explained that he once came back home drunk and that he beat and tore her clothes to shreds.
She added that he took the nude pictures of her and sent it to his girlfriend.
The defendant also said that the plaintiff’s girlfriend urged him to seek a way of afflicting the defendant with madness.
According to his girlfriend, it would cost just N200 to perpetrate the evil.
Ige gave his testimony, saying, “My lord, I came to court today because I want a clean cut from my wife.
“Sikira has ridiculed me enough. My life is also not safe with her.
“I met and fell in love with her, and went to her parents with my family to ask for her hand in marriage.
“I paid her bride price and provided all that her family demanded as marital rite.
“Sikara, after all I have spent, got to my house and started misbehaving.
“I realised after we got married that she lacked the ability to run a proper home.
“My wife was lackadaisical concerning my welfare and that of our children.
“The attention and dedication of a loving mother and wife was obviously missing in our lives.
“Sikirat preferred to be out all day than stay back home to keep me and our children company.
“My lord, I stopped trusting my wife a long time ago.
“Sikira is wicked and was unfaithful to me.
“She introduced a plumber to me when I was building my house, and I employed him to do the plumbing work.
“I never had an inkling that the man was her lover.
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“They were consistently having s3xual affair while I was away at work.
“Sikira went further to connive with this man to dupe me.
“She would ask him to add an amount to the items he purchased for the plumbing work and collect this from him.
“My wife made our home a hell to live in and also made my life miserable.
“She later left with all my property.
“My lord, I want to put my past behind me and start life afresh.
“I, therefore, pray that this court grant me a clean cut from my wife.
“My lord, I pray that you dissolve our marriage and grant me custody of our children, who she hardly showed affection towards.”
Sikira stated, “My lord, my husband is the pot calling the kettle black.
“All he said about me are lies.
“Ige is irresponsible. He was always drinking himself to stupour and punching me.
“I once caught him having sex with a teenager in our room.
“He once came back home drunk and, as usual, descended on me with punches.
“He went further to tear my clothes, took my nude pictures and sent them to his girlfriend.
“His girlfriend urged him to afflict me with madness.
“She told him it would only cost him N200 to do so.
“I did not pack out of his house. He threw my belongings out.
“I am also no longer willing to stay married to him.
“I pray that our marriage be dissolved.”
The court president, Mrs S.M Akintayo adjourned the case.
My wife slept with our plumber, connived to dupe me — Man tells court
(TRIBUNE)
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Ex-FCMB manager sentenced to 121-year imprisonment
Ex-FCMB manager sentenced to 121-year imprisonment
Justice S. N. Odili of the Anambra State High Court sitting in Onitsha, Anambra State, has convicted and sentenced a former manager with First City Monument Bank, FCMB, Onitsha branch, Nwachukwu Placidus, to a cumulative 121 years imprisonment.
A statement issued by the anti-graft agency on Saturday said Placidus bagged the jail term for diverting fixed deposit funds of a customer to the tune of N112,100,000 for his personal use.
He was arraigned on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 on 16-count charges bordering on forgery, stealing, obtaining by false pretence and uttering, by the Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
One of the counts reads: “Nwachukwu Placidus between February 2009 and November 2014 in Onitsha, Anambra State within the jurisdiction of the Anambra State High Court of Nigeria with intent to defraud obtained the sum of (N112,100,000) One Hundred and Twelve Million, One Hundred Thousand Naira only, from Idemili Microfinance Bank under the false pretence that you have placed the said money in a fixed deposit account with First City Monument Bank PLC for it, which pretence you knew to be false and you thereby committed an offence”.
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He pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to him, thus setting the stage for his trial.
In the course of trial, the EFCC, through its counsel, Mainforce Ekwu presented four witnesses and tendered several relevant documents which were admitted in evidence.
In his judgment, Justice Odili held that “the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt” and sentenced the convict to nine years imprisonment on count 3, 4 years on count 4 and 9 years on counts 5 to 16 respectively. He was discharged on counts 1 and 2. The sentences shall run concurrently.
The court further ordered the convict to restitute the said sum to his victim, Idemili Microfinance Bank.
Placidus ’journey to the Correctional Centre began when a petitioner , Idemili Microfinance Bank LTD, alleged that the sum of N112, 100, 000 was handed over to him as the branch manager of FCMB in Onitsha, for fixed deposit. However, when the petitioner approached the bank to terminate and withdraw the deposit, the bank denied receiving the said funds.
Upon receipt of the petition, the EFCC swung into action and investigations revealed that the convict diverted the money for his own use and issued a fake fixed Deposit Certificate to the petitioner.
Ex-FCMB manager sentenced to 121-year imprisonment
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