metro

Yoruba, northern elders fight over Fulani herdsmen

Published

5 years ago

February 13, 2021

The Nothern Elders Forum (NEF) and the Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) on Friday exchanged hot words over the lingering security challenges posed by criminal herdsmen in the country.

NEF, in a statement signed by its director of publicity and advocacy, Dr Hakeem BabaAhmed, accused YCE and other similar southern groups of eroding the security and integrity of Nigeria through what it called unfounded allegations of genocide.

“Allegations of planned or actual genocide are being made with reckless abandon, and even the international community is being lobbied in futile efforts to sell the fiction that some groups are intent on mass extermination of other groups.

The latest communication by the Yoruba Council of Elders to the United Nations is an example of lamentable desperation of some groups to erode our security and integrity as a country, and it is more regrettable that it is the handiwork of so-called elders who should forfeit all rights to that honour.”

But the YCE fired back through its secretary general, Dr Kunle Olajide, describing the northern elders as reckless and unfeeling, keeping mum in the face of mass murder in the South West by their children.

NEF also said that there were plans by elites and some elected individuals to incite people against one another and cause breakdown of law and order.

NEF said the individuals had gone as far as lobbying the international community in an effort to sell the fiction that some groups were intent on mass extermination of other groups. In a statement signed by its director of publicity and advocacy, Dr Hakeem BabaAhmed, NEF alleged that there were ongoing efforts to create multiple sources of falsehood in videos and other inflammatory materials with the aim of inciting people to act violently against each other. It said “now the nation is facing imminent threats from persons who are bent on pushing all of us nearer to disaster, to help them achieve their nefarious goals.”

On herdsmen, NEF said: “We repeat our demand that Fulani who have broken no laws must be protected from abuse wherever they are.

“We ask all governments to identify criminals among the Fulani and subject them to the laws of the land.

“Similarly, we demand the cessation of threats and attacks by local ethnic defenders on Fulani communities. “People who have broken the law by attacking and harassing Fulani for just being Fulani must be brought to book.

“We encourage all law-abiding herders to stay put and seek protection, and if they cannot be protected, to relocate to safer areas in the country.

“We urge northern governors to prepare to receive law-abiding Fulani herders who may be compelled to relocate. We urge all northerners to assure Nigerians from other parts of the country that they are safe and welcome to continue to stay in the north.

“The Forum repeats: it is not a crime to be member of any ethnic group, and no one has the right to attempt to expel any Nigerian from places where they live lawfully.”

On the alleged destabilisation plot, the statement said: “The Forum particularly notes that continuing narratives and threats, including comments from seemingly responsible Nigerians and even elected officials who swore to protect the rights of all citizens and the survival of the country, are raising fears and passions that could make it easy to break more laws of the land and pitch citizens against each other.

“There are efforts to create multiple sources of falsehood in videos and other inflammatory materials in the media clearly targeted at inciting people to act violently against each other.

“Northern Elders Forum commits to continue to work to retrieve the country from the dangerous cliff where it has been placed by irresponsible people, many of them in positions of responsibility.”

NEF said it had plans to meet with governors in the North and South to improve collaboration and synergy and it also intends to visit communities where it has influence to lower tensions and provide assurances and comfort.

The forum, however, advised President Muhammadu Buhari and governors to consult and explore measures that would lower tensions and assure all Nigerians that they live in a country where laws have meanings, and all citizens have equal rights to live under secure environments.

“The fight against armed criminals must be pursued on all fronts and with a lot more seriousness. The criminal must not reap from the suspicions and fears which his activities also generate,” the statement added.

The NEF had, earlier this month, issued a similar advice to Fulani herdsmen asking them to move to northern region if their security could not be guaranteed in their host communities in the South.

Northern elders reckless, condone mass murder in S/ West —YCE

Dr Olajide of the Yoruba Council of Elders, reacting to the statement by the Northern Elders Forum, said: “The YCE is by far more patriotic and nationalistic than the Northern elders. In the YCE, we believe in a truly federal republic of Nigeria where equity fairness and justice will be available for all citizens of this country and where no citizen of this country will be regarded as inferior and where appointments will be based on merit; where there would be no ethno religious sentiments openly expressed by those in power.

“In the last three to four years, it actually started in 2016, the criminal herders have been so brazen in their invasion of Yorubaland, carrying sophisticated weapons, raping our women, kidnapping for ransom and murdering our people, destroying farmlands; the economic means of survival of our farmers. We have been shouting at the rooftops almost on a daily basis and the Federal Government seems to turn deaf ears to these complaints, giving gross insensitivity to the plight of our people here.

“So, we had to appeal to the global community to intervene in restoring normalcy into the Nigerian nation state. it was becoming obvious, especially in the last two years, that this country has been polarised along ethno-religious lines. In fact, we have never been so divided like this. We have made several appeals to Mr. President to speak to Nigerians to reassure us that he stays committed to a truly Federal Republic of Nigeria where justice, equity and fairplay will reign supreme, but not a word from the presidency. The statements coming from the presidential aides, in fact, polarise the nation the more. You hear all sorts of things, like ‘farmers should obtain permission before going to their farms’ when 43 farmers were killed in Borno State.

“And we don’t know where farmers take permission and who from… so we have such statements that give credence that this government is only for a particular ethnic part of the country and when you get to this particular situation, we have to appeal to the United Nations because virtually all countries in the United Nations have citizens in Nigeria and they must be made aware of the level of insecurity in this country in the interest of the entire world.

“So, what YCE did was to call attention of the global body to what appears to be the insensitive nature of the powers that be in Nigeria to the plight of Yoruba farmers, women, children and citizens. It is because we believe that a truly federal, united Nigeria will be the best for every part of the country.

“It is not because we want to secede. No, we have made too much sacrifice to keep Nigeria one. We are not into wanting to divide it at all because all parts of this country would feel the pain. On NEF’s advice to Fulani to come back to the North if they felt unsafe in the south, Dr Olajide said “there is freedom of movement. Anybody can go anywhere. We have not said Fulanis should leave. We said the criminal ones… we have Aliko Dangote in Lagos for example; nobody has said he should leave. We have some Fulani in the universities here who are contributing and adding value to society. But those ones killing and maiming citizens, raping women and kidnapping for ransom and destroying the means of livelihood of our farmers are the ones we said should vacate our forests.”

“They are in power today and they are in charge of all the security. If the security agencies allow what they call ‘genocide’ to go on, then whose fault is that? They should talk to the commander in chief of the armed forces and the Inspector-General of Police. In fact, if anything, we should accuse them of keeping mum and maintaining silence in the face of genocide and mass murder in the South West.

-Tribune

metro

Libya Arrests Two Nigerians Over “Inciting” Social Media Posts

Published

14 hours ago

June 18, 2026

Trends Admin

Libya Arrests Two Nigerians Over “Inciting” Social Media Posts

Security forces in Tripoli, Libya, have arrested two Nigerian nationals in the coastal town of Qarabouli over allegations of spreading inciting content on social media. The suspects were detained for allegedly circulating videos and other online materials described by authorities as having an “inciting nature” that promoted violence and criminal activity. Libyan authorities said the content violated the country’s laws and posed a risk to public security and social stability, leading to the swift intervention of security forces in the coastal town.

According to security officials, both suspects have been formally charged and all preliminary legal procedures have been completed. They have since been referred to the Public Prosecution Office for further investigation and possible prosecution in accordance with Libyan criminal laws. The identities of the two Nigerians have not been disclosed by authorities at this time, and it remains unclear whether they have legal representation or have been in contact with the Nigerian embassy in Tripoli.

The arrests come amid increased scrutiny of social media activities in Libya, where security agencies have stepped up surveillance of digital platforms in recent years, citing concerns over content that could fuel unrest, promote violence, or undermine public order. In July 2024, the GNU-affiliated Presidential Council established the Public Morality Protection Agency, granting it broad, vaguely defined powers to police social media for content deemed immoral or harmful to Libyan values. According to human rights groups, the move threatens to infringe on Libyans’ freedom of expression online while also hindering online privacy and encouraging self-censorship, creating an environment where citizens are increasingly fearful of expressing their opinions online.

Libya Arrests Two Nigerians Over “Inciting” Social Media Posts

metro

Court Declares PENGASSAN Strike Against Dangote Refinery Illegal, Labels Crude Supply Disruption ‘Economic Sabotage’

Published

16 hours ago

June 18, 2026

Trends Admin

Court Declares PENGASSAN Strike Against Dangote Refinery Illegal, Labels Crude Supply Disruption ‘Economic Sabotage’

An industrial court sitting in Garki, Abuja, has declared the nationwide strike embarked upon by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) against Dangote Petroleum Refinery illegal, ruling that the union failed to follow due process before commencing the industrial action.

In a landmark judgment delivered on Wednesday, the presiding judge, Justice E.D. Subilim, held that the strike, which disrupted operations at Africa’s largest refinery project, was null and void.

The court also ruled that PENGASSAN had no legal authority to prevent crude oil and gas suppliers from carrying out their contractual obligations to the refinery, describing the union’s actions in cutting off supplies as capable of causing significant economic damage.

Justice Subilim stated that the disruption of crude and gas supply amounted to an act of economic sabotage because it could force suppliers to breach legally binding agreements with the Dangote Refinery.

The suit was instituted by the refinery through its counsel, George Ibrahim (SAN), following the industrial dispute that erupted late last year.

The conflict was triggered by the dismissal of more than 800 Nigerian workers by the refinery. PENGASSAN had alleged that the affected employees were targeted because of their decision to join the union, a claim that sparked nationwide protests and threats to the refinery’s operations.

Court Declares PENGASSAN Strike Against Dangote Refinery Illegal, Labels Crude Supply Disruption ‘Economic Sabotage’

metro

Kebbi Police Arrest School Guard for Alleged Defilement of 10-Year-Old Girl

Published

18 hours ago

June 18, 2026

Trends Admin

Kebbi Police Arrest School Guard for Alleged Defilement of 10-Year-Old Girl

The Kebbi State Police Command has arrested a 36-year-old security guard attached to an Islamiyya school in Jega Local Government Area for allegedly defiling a 10-year-old girl. The Commissioner of Police, Umar Hadejia, disclosed the arrest during a press briefing in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, where he paraded the suspect alongside others arrested for various crimes. The suspect, identified as Faruku Muhammed of Tungar Zabarmawa area in Jega, was arrested following a complaint lodged by the victim’s family. According to police reports, the incident occurred on June 14, 2026, at about 4:30 p.m. when the suspect allegedly lured the girl into his room located within the Islamiyya school premises where he worked as a security guard. The police did not disclose the name of the school involved in the incident.

Reading from the official police report, CP Hadejia detailed the allegations: *“On 14/06/2026 at about 1630hrs one Faruku Muhammed M aged 36yrs of Tungar Zabarmawa area Jega, LGA, lured one Naja’atu Surajo F aged 10yrs of the same address in to his room located inside an Islamiyya School where he works as a Security Guard and had sexual intercourse with her by inserting his finger inside her vagina. Case under investigation and will be prosecuted accordingly.”* The young girl reportedly sustained injuries and was subsequently taken to a medical facility for treatment and evaluation, though the police did not disclose the extent of her injuries or the name of the hospital where she received care.