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Soldiers killed three persons, 100 cows in our community – Kaduna villagers

Published

4 months ago

August 23, 2024

Soldiers killed three persons, 100 cows in our community – Kaduna villagers

Villagers at Sabon Birnin Daji in Igabi Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State have accused soldiers of killing three persons and over 100 cows at a weekly cattle market on Sunday.

Some of the villagers who spoke to Daily Trust on Thursday, demanded compensation.

This is just as the Nigerian Army has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident.

Reports had said the incident occurred when villagers were engaged in buying and selling at the weekly cattle market.

Witnesses alleged that some persons in army uniform, suspected to be soldiers, opened fire on the cattle, leaving three persons, as well as about 100 of the animals dead.

A video on social media showed the animals scattered across the market along with the three bodies, while some villagers looked on.

A resident, Shehu Sabon Birni, said some of the soldiers involved rode on motorcycles to the location.

“It was a horrific scene when the soldiers arrived at the market, some of them on motorcycles, and started shooting the animals. Two people were killed in the chaos.

“Now, over 100 dead cows are scattered throughout the market, and the nearby houses are overwhelmed by the stench. We are still unsure why the soldiers took such drastic action”, he said.

Dr Ahmad Gumi, who shared the video on his verified Facebook page, said: “Banditry has a cause. And this is part of it. Two wrongs don’t make a right, especially when committed by those entrusted with our protection”.

Residents demand compensation

Shamsudeen Sabon Birni, an orange seller at the market, said over 140 cows were killed and over N50 million worth of goods destroyed.

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“I was at the market around 2:30pm (on Sunday) when the soldiers arrived. They went straight to meet with the Sarkin Pawa, who was in charge of the market. Before we knew what was happening, they started beating him up before he was shot dead,” the eyewitness recounted.

Shamsudeen described the uniformed men’s actions as indiscriminate, saying they forced traders to lie down before opening fire on the animals and damaging their goods.

“We deserve compensation if they are going to pay us,” he said.

Another resident, Usman Sabon Birni, called for compensation for the families of the deceased and the traders who suffered losses.

“The Sarkin Pawa, Shitu Kaura was killed at close range. He left behind three wives and 10 children.

His body was packed inside a sack and buried because the body was mutilated after being left outside for days. This is why we want the authorities to pay compensation to those killed, including those whose cows were killed on that Sunday,” he said.

It was gathered that two other people who went to the village searching for their cows were among those killed.

Youths in the village were said to have burnt the dead animals and threw some into a nearby river because of the stench.

Army chief orders investigation

The spokesman of the Nigerian Army, Major-General Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement yesterday, said the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, had directed that the incident be thoroughly investigated.

Nwachukwu noted that the probe was with a view to establishing the immediate and remote causes of the incident, and unraveling those behind it.

He said the army sympathises with Sabon Birni community and the families of the affected persons.

He said the allegation would be thoroughly investigated and that any personnel found culpable would be appropriately sanctioned.

“It is also necessary to add that the Nigerian Army, which is constitutionally mandated to protect lives and property of the citizenry, cannot tolerate doing otherwise,” he said.

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“We, therefore, appeal for calm and assure the general public that the outcome of the investigation will also be made public,” Nwachukwu added.

The spokesperson of the Kaduna State Police Command, Mansir Hassan, could not be reached for response as his mobile phone line was unavailable.

Amnesty Int’l, HURIWA demand independent, open probe

Speaking to Daily Trust on the incident, Isa Sanusi, Director, Amnesty International Nigeria, said while carrying out security operations, the army must abide by human rights standards in line with international laws.

“While it is good that the army announced that it will launch an investigation, but that is not enough. It is difficult to trust that the Nigerian Army can investigate itself; as in the past, such investigations did not lead to justice for victims and their families.

“The investigation must be open, impartial and transparent. The Nigerian Army must not cover up this atrocity and must ensure that soldiers suspected of responsibility for these killings are brought to justice in fair trials,” he said.

Sanusi said that the Nigerian military must change its ways and stop “incessant violations for which, at the end, no one is held to account.”

Similarly, National Coordinator, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), Emmanuel Onwubiko, in an interview with Daily Trust, decried that there had been too many extrajudicial killing of citizens, “and these incidents do go on without the killers in military uniform facing charges for mass murders.

“These extra-legal executions of citizens are absolutely reprehensible, despicable and primitive. The military authority can’t have credible investigative process when their operatives kill Nigerians. Let there be an independent commission of investigators to independently probe these latest killings by the military,” Onwubiko said.

Soldiers killed three persons, 100 cows in our community – Kaduna villagers

metro

Horror in Ogun as twin brothers kill, dismember sex worker

Published

8 minutes ago

January 1, 2025

Trends Admin

Taiwo Yemitan

Horror in Ogun as twin brothers kill, dismember sex worker

Operatives of Ogun State Police command, on Tuesday, said it arrested one Kehinde Yemitan, a murder and ritualist suspect at his hiding in Ilogbo Ota community of Ogun State.

The suspect’s twin brother, Taiwo had earlier been arrested on December 22 alongside one Kazeem for the alleged murder and dismembering of one Darasimi.

The victim is a commercial sex worker, who was lured to the suspects’ Abeokuta residence and killed.

The spokesperson of the state police command, Omolola Odutola, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.

Odutola said, “Having been fingered as one of the accomplices to the tragic crime, the police surveillance team in collaboration with the So Safe Corps were said to have been on the look out for Kehinde until intelligence gave out his hideout on Monday.

“On December 30, 2024, at about 5 p.m., the Divisional Police Officer of Sango Otta received a tip from a volunteer informant indicating that Kehinde Yemitan, the twin brother of Taiwo Yemitan, was hiding in the Ilogbo community.

“The Police launched a manhunt for Kehinde in connection with murder and the mutilation of one Darasimi, surname unknown, on the 22nd of December, 2024 when his twin brother, Taiwo, and Kazeem were arrested at about 1 p.m., by the Divisional Police Officer of Lafenwa after the duo lured their victim Darasimi, a night sex worker in Abeokuta to their house for ritual purposes.

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“Following this information, a surveillance team, in collaboration with the So Safe Corps, promptly mobilized to the community and apprehended the suspect.

“He admitted to conspiring with others to carry out the crime in Abeokuta.

“Several community members also confirmed his involvement in criminal activities.”

Yemitian was said to have been been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for discreet investigation.

Meanwhile, Odutola has urged young women to desist from engaging in casual friendship or relationship for pecuniary gains otherwise called “hookup’, given the perennial danger inherent in such unholy relationship.

The police spokesperson urged parents to also join the police in raising awareness about the danger of getting involved in vices such as prostitution that could readily cut people’s life short.

“He admitted to conspiring with others to carry out the crime in Abeokuta.

“Several community members also confirmed his involvement in criminal activities.”

Yemitian was said to have been been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for discreet investigation.

The police spokesperson urged parents to also join the police in raising awareness about the danger of getting involved in vices such as prostitution that could readily cut people’s life short.

She said, “A further appeal goes to the teeming young females to see this unfortunate incident as a big lesson and be cautious not to fall victim to another ritual killing.”

Horror in Ogun as twin brothers kill, dismember sex worker

metro

Tinubu to establish credit firm to bring down food, drug prices

Published

20 minutes ago

January 1, 2025

Trends Admin

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Tinubu to establish credit firm to bring down food, drug prices

President Bola Tinubu said yesterday the Federal Government hopes to bring down the price of food and promote local manufacturing of essential drugs and other medical supplies through the establishment of a National Credit Guarantee Company in the new year.

Tinubu, who disclosed this in his New Year nationwide broadcast to the nation, also asked states to key into the federal government’s Compressed National Gas, CNG, programme to reduce the cost of transportation for Nigerians.

The President equally said the youth confab he promised in the aftermath of the #EndBadGovernance protests across the country, would begin in the first quarter of 2025, as a testament of his government’s commitment to youth inclusiveness and investment as nation-builders.

This is as the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, charged the President not to taint the new year with an address that will not proffer immediate and concrete steps to reduce the price of fuel and address widespread hunger.

New coy to partner BOI, NSIA, others

According to the President, the new company, which is expected to begin operations before the end of the second quarter of the new year, is a partnership of government institutions, including the Bank of Industry, BOI, Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation, the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Agency, NSIA, the Ministry of Finance Incorporated, the private sector and multilateral institutions.

Tinubu, who noted that the initiative will strengthen the confidence of the financial system, expand credit access and support under-served groups such as women and youth, said the new company will help expand risk-sharing instruments for financial institutions and enterprises.

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The President said: “As the new year dawns, it brings many hopes, aspirations, and prospects for better days. By the grace of God, 2025 will be a year of great promise in which we will fulfil our collective desires.

“Though 2024 posed numerous challenges to our citizens and households, I am confident that the New Year will bring brighter days. Economic indicators point to a positive and encouraging outlook for our nation.

“Fuel prices have gradually decreased, and we recorded foreign trade surpluses in three consecutive quarters. Foreign reserves have risen, and the naira has strengthened against the US dollar, bringing greater stability.

“The stock market’s record growth has generated trillions of naira in wealth, and the surge in foreign investment reflects renewed confidence in our economy. Nevertheless, the cost of food and essential drugs remained a significant concern for many Nigerian households in 2024.

“In 2025, our government is committed to intensifying efforts to lower these costs by boosting food production and promoting local manufacturing of essential drugs and other medical supplies. We are resolute in our ambition to reduce inflation from its current high of 34.6% to 15%. With diligent work and God’s help, we will achieve this goal and provide relief to all our people.

“In this new year, my administration will further consolidate and increase access to credit for individuals and critical sectors of the economy to boost national economic output.

“To achieve this, the Federal Government will establish the National Credit Guarantee Company to expand risk-sharing instruments for financial institutions and enterprises.

The company, expected to start operations before the end of the second quarter, is a partnership of government institutions, such as the Bank of Industry, Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation, the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Agency, and Ministry of Finance Incorporated, the private sector, and multilateral institutions.

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“This initiative will strengthen the confidence of the financial system, expand credit access, and support under-served groups such as women and youth. It will drive growth, re-industrialisation, and better living standards for our people.

“On a personal note, thank you for placing your confidence in me as your president. Your trust humbles me, and I promise to continue serving you diligently and wholeheartedly.

“We will continue to embark on necessary reforms to foster sustainable growth and prosperity for our nation.

‘’I seek your co-operation and collaboration at all times as we pursue our goal of a one trillion-dollar economy. Let us stay focused and united.

‘’We are on the right path to building a great Nigeria that will work for everyone. Let us not get distracted by a tiny segment of our population that still sees things through the prisms of politics, ethnicity, region, and religion.

‘’To achieve our national goals and objectives, we must become better citizens and uncompromising in our devotion and allegiance to Nigeria.

‘’Citizens’ moral rectitude and faith in our country are fundamental to the success of the Renewed Hope Agenda. In 2025, we will commit to promoting adherence to ethical principles, shared values, and beliefs under the National Identity Project.

‘’I will unveil the National Values Charter, already approved by the Federal Executive Council, in the first quarter of 2025. I will launch an ambitious national orientation campaign that fosters patriotism and love for our country and inspires citizens to rally together.

‘’The Charter will promote mutual commitments between the government and citizens and foster trust and cooperation among our diverse population and between the government and the citizens.

Youth confab for the first quarter of 2025

‘’The Youth Confab will begin in the first quarter of 2025, a testament to our commitment to youth inclusiveness and investment as nation-builders. The Ministry of Youth will soon announce the modalities for selecting the conference’s representatives from our diverse, youthful population.

‘’Let me use this New Year’s message to urge our governors and local council chairpersons to work closely with the central government to seize emerging opportunities in agriculture, livestock, and tax reforms and move our nation forward.

‘’I commend governors who have embraced our Compressed Natural Gas initiative by launching CNG-propelled public transport. I also congratulate those who have adopted electric vehicles as part of our national energy mix and transition. The Federal Government will always offer necessary assistance to the states.

“To all citizens, your sacrifices have not been in vain over the past 19 months. I assure you they will not be in vain, even in the months ahead. Together, let us stay the course of nation-building.
The New Year will bring us closer to the bright future we all desire and the Nigeria of our dreams.

Tinubu to establish credit firm to bring down food, drug prices

metro

Tension as Anambra community union asks monarch to stop Ofala Festival

Published

42 minutes ago

January 1, 2025

Trends Admin

Tension as Anambra community union asks monarch to stop Ofala Festival

A crisis is brewing in Enugwu-Agidi Community of Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State, following an order by the community’s union, ordering its monarch to halt activities on his proposed Ofala Festival.

This has resulted in tension as arrangements had been concluded by the monarch before the news of the abolition of the exercise.

Ofala festivals are annual traditional festivals presided over by duly coronated monarchs to celebrate themselves and also commemorate their time on the throne. It is also a time when monarchs confer titles on deserving individuals.

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But a letter signed by David Onuora, the President General of Enugwu-Agidi Brotherly Union and Israel Chineze, the Secretary-General, and sent to the monarch, His Royal Highness Igwe Michael Okekeuche, ordered him to desist from holding the festival.

The duo also wrote to the Anambra State governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matter, TonyCollins Nwabunwanne, alerting them of their decision, saying that going ahead may cause a breakdown of law and order.