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Masari’s arms-for-civilians call evidence of Buhari’s failure – SANs

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3 years ago

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Katsina State Governor, Bello Masari

Some senior advocates have described the call by the Katsina State Governor, Bello Masari, for private citizens to bear arms in order to fight bandits, as evidence of the failure of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).

Senior lawyers, including Mr. Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN) and Ifedayo Adedipe, who spoke to our correspondents in separate interviews, said the call was an admission of failure, adding that both Buhari and Masari should resign.

Speaking at a press conference in Katsina on Wednesday, the governor said it was surprising that bandits owned guns and good people didn’t have any. He said Islam encourages people to defend themselves.

“We’ll support those who come with the initiative to procure arms because residents need to also complement the efforts of security agencies. These people (security agents) don’t have the number to protect the people…Even if we say every policeman should go back to his home state, it’ll still not be enough. So, if we fold arms and decide to do nothing, we’ll be the ones to suffer most,” he had said.

But human rights activist,  Adegboruwa (SAN) said the statement from the governor was an indirect call on  Buhari  to resign.

He added that the fact that the charge came from the governor of the President’s home state showed that the All Progressives Congress-led government had failed Nigerians.

Adegboruwa said, “This has further confirmed that the ruling APC has failed the people. The primary purpose of the government is to protect lives and properties and when the governor from the home state of the President has made a declaration of failure of protection by the government then the President  has no business remaining in power.

“In a saner society the calls by the Kastina state governor is an indirect call on the President to resign. They owe us the responsibility to protect us. It is a social contract we made with the government that is why we surrendered our commonwealth to them.

 “The pockets of insecurity we are witnessing are a reflection of the dissatisfaction of the society with governance and I don t think we should take it with a pinch of salt. It is not in the place of a governor to arm themselves that is the reason they are in office.”

Also speaking with The PUNCH, 83-year-old senior advocate, Robert Clarke, said the insecurity being experienced was as a result of poverty ravaging the states.

He, however, called on governors to look for means to eradicate poverty in their states in order to combat insecurity.

He said, “The chicken has come to roost. What they created is coming on them. What they are experiencing is a tip of the iceberg, they caused all the problems. They were pocketing what is meant for the citizens, they are reaping what they sowed.

“Their security votes are enough to have kept these boys from the streets. My advice to the governor is that instead of him calling on them to carry guns let him empower them with his security vote.”

But Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), in a chat with one of our correspondents, said Masari was only being realistic.

Ozkhome wondered how just 3,000 policemen would be able to secure a state like Katsina State.

He added, “No anarchy will be occasioned thereby. Self preservation is the first law of nature. The government having failed in its primary duties of protecting lives and properties and giving welfare to the people as prescribed by Section 14 of the 1999 Constitution, cannot prevent hapless citizens from defending themselves.

“The governor of President Buhari’s home state was merely being truthful and practical by crying out. What can 3000 policemen do for a vast state like Katsina? Nothing at all.”

For senior advocate, Ifedayo Adedipe, the call could lead to anarchy. Adedipe further stated that advising citizens to buy guns was enough grounds for resignation.

He said, “It is tragic and I do not support that call. That call is dangerous, not constitutional and not befitting of a governor. Is he admitting security has broken down under his watch? He is part of the APC tsunami that wrested power from the PDP under the guise of a change.

“The call can lead to anarchy. I cannot find any justification for the call except an admission of failure. Rather than advise us to get guns, they (Masari and Buhari) should leave office and let competent people come in. They brought this calamity on us. They should look for a way to solve it.”

Masari’s call an invitation to anarchy, chaos – Falana

In a statement titled, ‘Government is Duty Bound to Protect the People’, human rights ;lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), said instead of asking the people to take the law into their hands, the affected state governments should proceed to establish community defence brigades, train and equip the operatives to protect the people.

Falana, who is the Interim Chairman, Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond’, said Section 14 of the constitution provides that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of governments. He therefore argued that asking private citizens to bear arms would lead to anarchy.

The activist noted that in addressing the rising wave of terrorist attacks in the North-West, some governors granted amnesty to the so called repentant terrorists and paid huge sums of money to them for rehabilitation but the criminal gangs turned round to use the fund to buy more sophisticated weapons with which they have continued to unleash more dastardly attacks on the people.

The statement read in part, “The Armed Forces, the police and other security forces have not been able to overpower the terrorist groups. Worried over the balance of forces in favour of the terrorists, Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State has asked the people to acquire guns to defend themselves. While the frustration of the governor is understood, the directive that citizens should arm themselves is an invitation to anarchy and chaos.”

A former Director of the Department of State Services, Mike Ejifor, disagreed with the governor, stating that technology should be deployed to tackle insecurity in the state.

He said, “Two wrongs cannot make a right, you cannot use an illegality to confront legality but I think the governor is concerned and worried. I think he is desperately looking for ways to bring an end to insecurity in his state, do not also let us forget that is the President’s state. I condemn citizens buying guns. Instead, he should resort to technology to solve the problem.”

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Suspected IPOB members kill two soldiers in Imo

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6 hours ago

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December 28, 2024

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Nigerian Military Troop

Suspected IPOB members kill two soldiers in Imo

The Nigerian Army has confirmed the death of two soldiers and the theft of their weapons by operatives of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), the militant arm of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

IPOB is a separatist group advocating for the creation of the Republic of Biafra, citing longstanding grievances over the marginalization of Nigeria’s South-East region since the Biafra-Nigeria civil war.

In a statement released on Saturday, the Nigerian Army explained that the incident occurred in Osina, Ideator North Local Government Area of Imo State, when troops from the 34 Artillery Brigade, returning from a routine patrol, responded to an emergency call about an attack on Osina Community by IPOB/ESN forces.

The statement revealed that upon arrival, the troops engaged the “terrorists” with overwhelming firepower, resulting in casualties among the attackers. However, the Army did not provide specific numbers, only noting that the “dissidents” eventually withdrew in disarray.

“Unfortunately, two security agents had been killed in action and one other missing in action, with their weapons—a AK-47 rifle and a tear gas launcher—being seized by the terrorists,” the statement said.

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The Army confirmed that the bodies of the fallen soldiers had been recovered, and the troops pursued the fleeing militants.

“Contact was again made with the criminal IPOB/ESN elements at Nkwachi Community, and in the firefight that ensued, one of the dissidents was neutralized while others, unable to withstand the troop’s firepower, retreated into the nearby forest. One AK-47 rifle with a fully loaded magazine was recovered, ” the statement said, adding that the troops continued their pursuit into Umalouma forest, where another intense exchange of fire took place.

“The dissidents eventually abandoned their weapons due to the troops’ superior firepower and scattered into the dense forest with severe gunshot wounds. An additional four AK-47 rifles, one Fabrique Nationale rifle, and two magazines were recovered,” the statement added.

The Army assured the public that operations would continue, with efforts to track down and eliminate the remaining criminals. “Further exploitation is ongoing as troops continue to track down the injured terrorists and flush them out of their hideouts and treatment locations,” the statement stated. “We urge all IPOB/ESN elements and other criminals hiding in the bushes to surrender to the nearest troops or face defeat, as the Brigade will ensure that the people of Imo celebrate the Yuletide season in peace, free from fear or intimidation.”

The Nigerian Army also called on the people of Imo State to continue providing timely intelligence to assist in the fight against criminal elements and help rid the state of lawlessness.

 

Suspected IPOB members kill two soldiers in Imo

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13 passengers burnt to death in Ondo auto crash

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7 hours ago

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December 28, 2024

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An accident scene File photo

13 passengers burnt to death in Ondo auto crash

The Federal Road Safety Corps, Ondo State Sector Command, says no fewer than 13 people were burnt to death along Ikare-Akoko/ Owo Road on Saturday in the state.

Dr Samuel Ibitoye, FRSC State Sector Commander made this known in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria on Saturday in Akure.

“FRSC regrets to inform the public about a road traffic crash that occurred today 28 December, 2024 at Abule Panu before Ose Bridge, on Owo-Ikare highway, Ondo State.

“The fatal crash which occurred at about 10:14 AM claimed 13 lives of commuters in two buses.

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“A total of 14 people were involved, out of which 13 were burnt beyond recognition, while only one was rescued alive with serious injuries.

“Eyewitness account indicates that the bus coming from Ikare axis had a tyre burst which led to loss of control.

“This was resultant in a head-on collision with the bus loaded with fabric coming from Owo axis.

“Immediately after the collision, the two buses went up in flames. The men of FRSC, Police and Fire Service were swiftly at the crash scene for rescue,” he said.

The FRSC boss said that the injured victim was taken to Federal Medical Centre, Owo, while the deceased were deposited at the morgue of the same hospital.

He, therefore, advised drivers to exercise patience on the roads and passionately maintain their vehicles.

“Passengers are also encouraged to speak out against dangerous driving because road safety is a concern of all,” Ibitoye said.

13 passengers burnt to death in Ondo auto crash
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NDDC empowers Niger Delta young entrepreneurs with N30bn

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7 hours ago

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December 28, 2024

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NDDC empowers Niger Delta young entrepreneurs with N30bn

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has pledged to galvanise the Niger Delta Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA) by releasing N30 billion counterpart fund for the development of young entrepreneurs.

The NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku who disclosed this in Port Harcourt, restated the Commission’s commitment to empowering the people of the region through economic programmes. 

He highlighted the NDCCITMA’s role in training youths, supporting SMEs, and designing industry-friendly skill development programmes.

Ogbuku said the NDDC was supporting the NDCCITMA to drive economic growth and development in the Niger Delta region by providing financial support, training and networking opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs.

He said,  “We are providing N30 billion to fund projects and support businesses to ensure the sustainability of our youth development initiatives.

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“We will release the matching funds so the entrepreneurs can access them to boost their businesses. In our 2024 budget, we have provision for N30 billion which we are to use as matching funds for the chamber of commerce. We are working towards releasing this fund so that the chamber of commerce can start work in earnest.

“The Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce will strengthen young entrepreneurs in the region. It is no longer acceptable for our youths to be contented with receiving stipends while at home doing nothing.
Ogbuku remarked that the Commission was collaborating with the Bank of Industry, BOI, to ensure the success of NDDC’s youth development programmes.

“The current NDDC Board and Management choose to look at sustainable options in designing youth programmes. In the past, we did a lot in supporting entrepreneurs in the Niger Delta but these activities were not properly documented and backed with verifiable data.

“Our new strategy is to support genuine entrepreneurs rather than people who are just portfolio entrepreneurs because we know that the government alone cannot employ everybody. Many university graduates are coming out, and the government cannot employ all of them. However, we can empower them by creating an environment where they can engage other persons to expand their businesses.”

 

NDDC empowers Niger Delta young entrepreneurs with N30bn

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