IPOB lawyer kicks against bill for FRSC to carry guns

The lawyer to the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, on Wednesday called on Nigerians to reject the proposed bill to arm the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC.

Ejiofor made this while speaking to newsmen in Owerri, about the said proposed bill.

His reason was that the bill if passed would lead to more troubles and tragic incidents in the country.

According to him, “The proposed bill to arm the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) is deeply troubling and should be rejected. This attempt to turn a civilian agency responsible for traffic management into an armed force poses a serious risk to public safety and threatens to escalate violence on our roads.

“We have already witnessed the tragic consequences of armed officials misusing their power. Instances of trigger-happy law enforcement officers have marred the nation’s peace, leading to the needless loss of innocent lives. The majority of them have turned their various checkpoints across the states into mobile ATM Machines. Oftentimes, non-compliance with their illegitimate demand to part with one’s hard-earned stipends at their various checkpoints usually leads to the untimely death of citizens. Allowing the FRSC to carry guns will only increase the likelihood of such tragic incidents.”

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“We also need to think about the psychological impact of arming road safety officials. The main duties of the FRSC as clearly defined under the law establishing the Agency, are to guide, educate, and enforce traffic regulations in a calm, orderly manner; not to incite fear or foster an environment of intimidation. When we are deliberately raising the possibility of violence on our highways, how can we say that we are protecting public safety?”

He was of the view that; “Instead of arming the FRSC, the FRSC should invest in contemporary technology, improved training, and coordination with security agencies to address the underlying causes of insecurity. Hence, I urge all well-meaning citizens to reject this bill in its entirety. The focus should be to ensure our roads remain a place of safety, not a battlefield. Lawmakers and other elected leaders must focus on pressing issues bedevilling the country.”

IPOB lawyer kicks against bill for FRSC to carry guns

Hunger could lead to anarchy, ex-minister warns Tinubu

Former Minister of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development, Nduese Essien, has called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently reconsider his administration’s economic policies, which he warns are intensifying hardship across Nigeria.

Essien voiced his concerns in a statement released in Abuja, stressing that the prevailing hunger and poverty could lead to widespread discontent and even anarchy if left unchecked.

Essien criticised Tinubu’s approach, especially the swift removal of the fuel subsidy, which he described as a trigger for the current economic distress.

He argued that the decision, coupled with other recent policies, has led to a steep rise in inflation and left millions struggling to meet basic needs.

“The level of suffering across the country is unprecedented, except perhaps during the Nigerian Civil War,” Essien observed.

“Families are struggling to meet basic needs. The policies, while perhaps well-intentioned, are exacerbating poverty, increasing inflation, and hurting the most vulnerable among us.”

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Essien urged the Federal Government to take immediate steps to rethink its approach and alleviate the economic strain on Nigerians.

He advised the government to balance efforts to reduce fiscal deficits with measures to prevent further hardship for citizens.

“It is inhuman to continue down this path without a clear plan to ease the burden on the citizens,” he stated.

Essien emphasised the need for fiscal discipline, calling for cuts to government expenditure while cautioning that the sacrifices should not disproportionately affect the most vulnerable.

Essien noted a warning of possible civil unrest: “If urgent action is not taken to stem the hunger, poverty, and discontent in the country, we risk losing the patience of the people, and that could result in dire consequences.”

Essien’s remarks add to a growing chorus of voices calling for economic reforms that prioritise the welfare of ordinary Nigerians, a critical issue as the administration faces mounting public scrutiny over its handling of the economy.

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HURIWA condemns senator claims of most corrupt against NDLEA

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has condemned recent allegations credited to Kwara South Senator, Oyelola Ashiru, branding the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) as the most corrupt and compromised government agency in Nigeria.

Debunking the claims as baseless and politically motivated, HURIWA, during a press conference, on Wednesday, described the senator’s accusations as a figment of his imagination, further noting that such a presentation does not befit a distinguished representative of the people.

HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, in his statement, expressed dismay at the senator’s comments, questioning how a legislator could stand on the floor of the National Assembly and make sweeping allegations without presenting concrete evidence to support his claims.

According to HURIWA, Senator Ashiru’s remarks lack any form of credibility as they are not backed by specifics, evidence, or facts but rather appear to be driven by sentiments and possible ulterior motives.

“We find it alarming that a lawmaker would make such a ‘reckless’ and generalized allegation against one of Nigeria’s most hardworking agencies. This is simply based on nothing but sentiment and perhaps hatred for certain individuals within the NDLEA,” Onwubiko stated.

He further stressed that this trend of politically motivated smear campaigns against government institutions is becoming rampant and must be checked.

The advocacy group further raised concerns about the timing of the allegations, suspecting that there is a larger conspiracy behind Senator Ashiru’s outburst.

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HURIWA emphasized that the NDLEA, under the leadership of Brigadier General Buba Marwa (Retd.), has seen unprecedented success in its war against narcotics and drug trafficking. The rights group insisted that the agency has made significant strides in arresting drug barons, prosecuting high-profile individuals involved in drug-related crimes, and strengthening Nigeria’s international standing in the fight against drugs.

Comrade Onwubiko pointed out that NDLEA’s recent successes have rattled several powerful individuals who may now be resorting to political maneuvers to destabilize the agency’s operations.

He stated that the genesis of the bill to establish a National Institute for Drug Awareness and Rehabilitation, which Senator Ashiru supports, appears to be part of a coordinated effort to undermine NDLEA’s accomplishments and weaken the current counter-narcotics strategy.

“We at HURIWA suspect that the introduction of this bill is a game plan orchestrated by certain forces who are unhappy with the current NDLEA leadership’s determination to intensify the drug war. Under General Marwa’s leadership, no one has been above the law—not even high-ranking politicians or politically exposed persons. This is why we believe there may be political forces at play here,” Onwubiko argued.

HURIWA further bolstered its position by citing remarks made by Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, earlier this year.

In January, Governor Soludo warned that drug barons and internet scammers have infiltrated politics, using it as a haven to evade law enforcement and continue their illicit activities. Soludo’s cautionary words, according to HURIWA, give credence to the notion that there are vested interests behind the push to derail the NDLEA’s counter-narcotics efforts.

Governor Soludo had said, “Many drug barons now see politics as the next easy alternative. Appointment or election into public office is seen largely as an opportunity to ‘eat’ rather than a call to selfless service.” HURIWA believes that the current debate in the National Assembly on the creation of a new agency is potentially being fueled by these same forces, seeking to destabilize the NDLEA and prevent it from achieving further victories in its war against drug trafficking.

“Governor Soludo’s statement carries significant weight given his elevated position in both political and economic circles and his access to critical intelligence. For him to raise such concerns shows that there is indeed a serious issue at play. We cannot allow a bill with no altruistic or nationalistic value to derail the progress the NDLEA has made,” Onwubiko remarked.

HURIWA said it strongly opposed the establishment of a new drug-related agency, arguing that it would be a needless duplication of functions.

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“The NDLEA already has departments dedicated to drug awareness and rehabilitation, which have performed exceptionally well. The proposal to create another agency with similar functions would only serve to weaken the NDLEA’s capacity and could be seen as a deliberate attempt to destabilize its operations.

“This bill is not just redundant; it is a direct attack on the NDLEA. The NDLEA’s public awareness programs and rehabilitation efforts are already effective, so there is no need for another agency. The only thing this bill will achieve is to divide resources and energy, ultimately weakening the fight against drug barons,” Onwubiko explained.

In light of these developments, HURIWA called on the Department of State Services (DSS) to launch a thorough investigation into the motivations behind the proposed bill and those sponsoring it.

The organization insisted that the bill’s proponents must be scrutinized to determine whether there are links to individuals or groups seeking to undermine the NDLEA’s fight against narcotics.

“A few months ago, HURIWA raised concerns about a coordinated campaign to discredit the NDLEA, and now we are seeing this bill emerge. The DSS must investigate the true intent behind this bill and uncover whether there is a conspiracy to sabotage the counter-narcotics war. The NDLEA has been praised by international bodies, including the U.S., U.K., and the EU, for its efforts, and we cannot allow a few disgruntled individuals to derail this progress.” HURIWA recounted.

HURIWA, also called on the National Assembly to act with greater responsibility and ensure that bills brought before it serve the nation’s best interests, stressing that Nigeria cannot afford to play politics with critical issues like drug enforcement, and the NDLEA’s remarkable progress should be supported, not sabotaged.

“HURIWA remains resolute in its defense of the NDLEA and we urge the government to dismiss Senator Ashiru’s baseless accusations, which are devoid of facts and evidence. We also warn that passing such a bill would be a monumental scandal, one that would harm Nigeria’s efforts to combat drug trafficking and further undermine public trust in the nation’s institutions,” Onwubiko concluded.

HURIWA condemns senator claims of most corrupt against NDLEA