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You can’t intimidate me from saying the truth, Fani-Kayode replies military high command

Published

4 years ago

July 11, 2022

Former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayod

The former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, on Sunday, said the military high command cannot intimidate him from saying the truth about the worsening security in the country.

Fani-Kayode, who is also one-time Minister of Culture and Tourism, said the military cannot impose a culture of silence on Nigerians, even when it is evident that the military heads had performed woefully in waging war against insecurity.

The ex-minister stated this in a statement he personally released in Abuja in response to the military’s press statement titled: “RE: UNSUBSTANTIATED ALLEGATIONS AGAINST THE ARMED FORCES OF NIGERIA BY MR FEMI FANI-KAYODE IN A VIRAL VIDEO IN CIRCULATION,” which was made available to newsmen on Saturday.

But in his statement titled: “MY RESPONSE TO THE DEFENCE HEADQUARTERS,” Fani-Kayode described the military’s response to his remark as laughable.

“I read the response from the Defence Headquarters of Nigeria (dated 9. 7. 2022) to my video about the insecurity in the country and the attack on Kuje prison and I was utterly amused.

“Given the gravity and seriousness of the deteriorating security situation in our country, I did not know whether to laugh or cry when I read through it.

“I would advise strongly that the military High Command and Defence Headquarters spends its time facing up to and fighting the terrorists that have turned our nation into a functional killing field and horrendous bloodbath and abattoir over the last few years and attempt to carry out their constitutional role of protecting us from enemies within and without rather than trying to engage me in a press war or cow me into silence,” he said.

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He said that if the military commanders know his antecedents as they claim, they will appreciate the fact that attempting to threaten or intimidate him into not pointing out and exposing their abysmal failures can never work.

“For the record, I have nothing but respect and admiration for the ordinary rank and file and junior and middle rank officers of our Armed Forces who have sacrificed so much, including their lives, and who continue to do so even without the necessary backing and support that they need and deserve from the present Military High Command.

“Many of them have fought hard and died on the front line of battle in the most gallant way despite the difficult circumstances they have found themselves in and the uninspiring and poor logistical and moral support they have been offered by their senior colleagues.

“Worse still, thousands of our civilians have been kidnapped, butchered and subjected to the most horrendous acts of evil and violence by the numerous terrorist organisations that have invaded and plagued our land.

“All these, yet we are supposed to sit by idly and clap for our military field and operational commanders when things are clearly going wrong?

“Call it ‘rabble rousing’ if you like (as they did in their press statement) but the overwhelming majority of Nigerians are appalled and disgusted with the degree to which our security situation has degenerated and are demanding that the Military High Command either goes or does far better.

“Their glaring and embarrassing failures are as repugnant to them as it is to me,” he said.

According to him, Nigerians are also utterly disgusted at the disdain and contempt with which they carry out their duties and their utter insensitivity to the plight of their own soldiers and the concerns of our people.

“They speak of my so-called ‘ignorance’ but is there anything more ignorant than attempting to compel a civilian not to criticise the leadership of the Armed Forces of his country where and when they have failed woefully in their duties and obligations?

“We criticised, risked all, suffered to no end and fought military rule for seven long years when their predecessors in office and very senior colleagues annulled the June 12th election and held power from 1993 till 1999 but now that they have left office and we are in a civilian dispensation, they believe we dare not or cannot legitimately criticise them when they get it wrong?

“Such delusion and self-serving, self-seeking and vain fantasies beggar belief,” he said.

According to the former minister, the truth is that “I have no business with any serving military officer but rather with the serving Minister of Defence who though a civilian like me, you must report to under the constitution.

“As a former minister myself and out of respect for his office and person, I will formally and privately raise my concerns and the issue of what I consider to be your glaring incompetence and lack of patriotism and professionalism with him.

“I will also give him my recommendations.

“This is the best that I can do in the circumstances and that way, I would have at least satisfied my conscience and be able to sleep at night,” he said.

Fani-Kayode said it is left to the minister “and President Muhammadu Buhari, our President and your Commander in Chief, to exercise their discretion and do what they want with it.

“They can either take the necessary action or not.

“Either way, I have NO respect for the leadership of the Armed Forces as presently constituted and neither am I compelled to do so by decency, morality, the constitution or the law.

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“The truth is that I am disgusted by their poor performance and utterly ashamed of their shameless impunity.

“A citizen complains about the fact that our people are being killed and instead of showing remorse for the dereliction of their duty, they are spending their time issuing puerile, infantile and meaningless press statements and trying to rationalise their recurrent and consistent failures.

“If you want our respect, then do please better. If you do not want to be criticized, then work harder.

“If you do not want people to demand for your sacking or resignation, then do your job and stop seeking to intimidate, attack, discredit or undermine those that criticise you.”

He said he is not an enemy of the military but rather, a true friend who is candid and courageous enough to speak the bitter and plain truth even where others dare not.

“I am merely saying what millions are thinking and know.

“Again, I am merely a concerned citizen who is genuinely worried about the way things are going in our country when it comes to security and other matters.

“When the leadership of our Armed Forces have got it right on past occasions, I have commended their gallantry, professionalism and courage and this is on record.

“Given this when they do not rise up to the occasion and their performance is below expectation, I reserve the right to criticise them, point out their shortcomings and call for their resignation or removal.

“That is the way things work in a nation which prides itself on free speech and given the fact that this is a democracy with laws and a constitution.

“We are not under a military dictatorship and the Military High Command or Defence Headquarters who speak for them cannot silence us or expect us to remain silent when they get things wrong.

“I believe that if they had any honour and integrity, they would have resigned for their abysmal performance rather than spitting in the wind, beating their chests and pretending that all is well,” he said.

Fani-Kayode, who is also a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), therefore called on President Buhari to sack the military chiefs for their poor performance.

“Given the fact that they have refused to do this, I once again call on President Muhammadu Buhari, as I did in my video, to retire them and appoint Service Chiefs that can do the job properly and meet the expectations of Nigerians.

“For this I offer no apology and I stand by everything that I said in that video including the assertion that the leadership and rank and file of the DSS, NIA and NPF have continued to give the necessary intelligence, confront and tackle the terrorists and do their job as best as they can but the Military High Command have not.

“Others may be intimidated and compelled to remain silent but I will not,” he said.

He noted that it is as a result of their poor performance that different state governors designed ways of tackling the security challenge.

“Numerous Governors, including the Governor of Zamfara state, have publicly and privately called for Nigerians to arm themselves whilst others, like the Governors of Kaduna state and Niger state, have called for greater efforts on the part of the military to seek out, uproot and confront the terrorists.

“Other Governors, like the Governor of Ondo state and indeed ALL the Governors of the South West, have gone as far as to demand that the states and zones have their own Armed militias and police because you have not been able to protect the people.

“Such is the level of angst and anger in the land and it is essentially a referendum on your performance.

“If all was well, not one of these respected individuals or anyone else have cause to complain or demand more from you,” he said.

According to him, instead of rectifying the situation, the only thing you can do is issue a press statement telling me not to complain?

“Do we not have the right to call a spade a spade?

“This is especially so when lives are involved and so many have been lost.

Should we suffer this indignity and pain in silence?

“Are these incessant attacks and slaughter of innocent people not a disgrace to our nation and to our Armed Forces?

“Have we lost all sense of pride, dignity and self respect that our soldiers and civilians are being killed and kidnapped by motorcycle-riding rag-tag bandits and we should just remain silent?

“Can we not tell you when we are tired, fed up and have had enough of your failures?” he asked.

Fani-Kayode said instead of showing remorse and assuring us that they will do better in the future, the military high command issued an “angry and insolent press statements in an attempt to silence and intimidate.

“The truth is you have simply put salt in our wounds and added insult to injuries.”

He said: “And whether you like it or not I and millions of others will continue to point out the failures of our Military High Command without fear or favour because they are meant to work for us.

“We do not work for them. Rather, we pay and maintain them with taxpayers money and they do not pay or maintain us.

“They cannot impose a culture of silence on us and neither will we accept it.

“Most importantly in a civilian dispensation, the military are subordinates of the political class and the people and are meant to live up to their expectations.

“Where they do not, we can and must protest and demand for their removal.

“They are not above the law, they are not superior to those of us that are not in the military and neither are they immune from criticism or lawful and legitimate sanctions.

“Permit me to end with the following.

“The way to honour the families and assuage the hurt, sensibilities and pain of the relatives and colleagues of our fallen heroes who the Defence Headquarters referred to in their press statement and the way to heal the wounds of the loved ones of the civilians that have been massacred by terrorists all over the country over the last seven years is for the military to fight the terrorists with everything they have got in a disciplined, patriotic, professional and honest manner and crush them.

“It is not by issuing angry and nonsensical press statements to members of the public and concerned Nigerians and it is not by feigning affection for the families of the victims of your own incompetence and all those dear and gallant souls that we have lost.”

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FG Declares Two-Day Public Holiday for Eid-ul-Adha Celebration

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May 25, 2026

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Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo

Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo

FG Declares Two-Day Public Holiday for Eid-ul-Adha Celebration

The Federal Government has declared Wednesday, May 27, and Thursday, May 28, 2026, as public holidays to mark this year’s Eid-ul-Adha celebration across Nigeria.

The declaration was announced by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in a statement issued on Monday through the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Magdalene Ajani.

According to the statement, the public holiday declaration reflects the Federal Government’s recognition of the spiritual significance of Eid-ul-Adha, one of the most important festivals in Islam, observed by millions of Muslims in Nigeria and across the world.

The minister congratulated Muslim faithful both within Nigeria and in the diaspora, describing the festival as a solemn period of sacrifice, devotion, obedience to God and compassion for humanity.

He noted that Eid-el-Kabir, also known as Eid-ul-Adha, commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah’s command, a symbolic act that remains central to Islamic teachings on faith and submission.

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Tunji-Ojo urged Nigerians to use the holiday period for prayers and reflection on the country’s unity and collective progress.

“The Federal Government urges all Nigerians to use this period for prayer and sober reflection, asking for divine guidance upon the country as it continues its pursuit of peace, security and prosperity for every citizen,” the statement said.

He also encouraged citizens to embrace the values of brotherhood, tolerance, peaceful coexistence and national unity, stressing the importance of religious harmony and mutual understanding among Nigerians.

The minister called on Muslims to reflect the true spirit of the celebration by extending kindness to the less privileged and promoting acts of charity, which remain key teachings of the festival.

The Federal Government further reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring national peace and stability while wishing Muslims across the country a peaceful, joyous and spiritually fulfilling celebration.

The announcement is expected to trigger increased travel movement across the country as many Nigerians prepare to celebrate with family and loved ones, with transport operators and commercial centres likely to experience heightened activity ahead of the festivities.

Security agencies are also expected to intensify surveillance across major cities, highways and public gathering points to ensure a peaceful celebration nationwide.

Eid-el-Kabir is one of the two major Islamic festivals celebrated annually and is traditionally marked by congregational prayers, animal sacrifice, charity and communal festivities.

FG Declares Two-Day Public Holiday for Eid-ul-Adha Celebration

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Ex-Governor’s Aide Linked to Kidnap Syndicate in Katsina

Published

39 minutes ago

May 25, 2026

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Ex-Governor’s Aide Linked to Kidnap Syndicate in Katsina

The Katsina State Government has confirmed that a former Senior Special Assistant on Community Development, Nura Aliyu Garwa, who is currently under police investigation over alleged involvement in a kidnapping syndicate, had earlier been suspended from office before seeking election into the Katsina State House of Assembly.

Garwa is among the suspects recently paraded by the Katsina State Police Command over the alleged abduction of an eight-year-old boy at Sardauna Estate in Katsina metropolis, a case that has sparked widespread concern across the state.

The government’s position was made known in a statement issued on Sunday by the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Salisu Zango, who clarified that Garwa had already been removed from office over misconduct before his political ambition to contest for a legislative seat in Batsari Local Government Area.

According to the statement, Garwa was suspended for his alleged involvement in the diversion of empowerment materials meant for distribution to communities under the state’s Community Development Programme.

The commissioner explained that the suspension was part of Governor Dikko Umaru Radda’s commitment to accountability and transparency in public service.

“The suspected mastermind of the kidnapping syndicate, Nura Aliyu Garwa, had earlier been suspended as Senior Special Assistant on Community Development before his intention to contest for the position of member of the Katsina State House of Assembly representing Batsari Local Government,” the statement said.

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It added that his suspension followed allegations bordering on the diversion of items meant to empower vulnerable communities in Batsari.

Governor Radda described the allegations linking Garwa to criminal activity as disturbing, especially given his previous role in government and his political aspirations.

The governor condemned the activities of the suspected syndicate and commended the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies for their swift action in dismantling the criminal network.

He also urged residents to continue supporting security agencies with credible intelligence to help combat kidnapping and other criminal activities in the state.

The development follows the recent parade of suspected kidnappers by the Katsina State Police Command, during which security operatives announced the arrest of members of a syndicate allegedly responsible for the abduction of the eight-year-old victim in Katsina metropolis.

Police authorities identified Garwa as one of the principal suspects and alleged that investigations had uncovered his connection to the criminal operation.

The arrest has generated intense public reaction due to Garwa’s previous status as a government aide and his attempt to secure elective office.

Security agencies say investigations are ongoing to establish the full scope of the syndicate’s operations and determine whether additional arrests will be made.

The case comes amid intensified efforts by the Katsina State Government and federal security agencies to curb kidnapping, banditry and other violent crimes that have continued to challenge security in parts of the state and the wider North-West region.

Ex-Governor’s Aide Linked to Kidnap Syndicate in Katsina

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Bandits Storm Kwara Emir’s Palace, Abduct Wives, Children in Midnight Raid

Published

57 minutes ago

May 25, 2026

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Kwara Police Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo

Bandits Storm Kwara Emir’s Palace, Abduct Wives, Children in Midnight Raid

Suspected bandits launched a coordinated assault on Yashikira community in Kwara State’s Baruten Local Government Area, setting the Emir’s palace ablaze and abducting at least 10 persons including multiple wives and children of the traditional ruler in an attack that has heightened tensions across the state’s northern region.

The Kwara State Police Command has confirmed that suspected armed bandits launched a coordinated midnight attack on Yashikira community in Baruten Local Government Area, burning part of the Emir’s palace and abducting 10 people, including wives and children of the traditional ruler, Alhaji Umar Seriki.

The command said the attackers struck at about 2:00 a.m. on Monday, May 25, 2026, in a simultaneous assault on the Yashikira Police Divisional Headquarters and the Emir’s palace, describing it as a “coordinated and desperate operation.” According to reports, about 15 suspected bandits were involved in the invasion, which occurred just days before the Eid el-Kabir celebrations.

In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the command said the attack resulted in the abduction of 10 persons, while security operatives successfully repelled the assault on the police station. The police noted that the swift response of the officers prevented the bandits from overrunning the police facility.

The Kwara State Police Command condemned what it called “the cowardly and audacious attack,” stating that the armed criminals, in a “coordinated and desperate assault,” simultaneously attacked the Yashikira Police Divisional Headquarters and the Palace of the Emir of Yashikira. The statement added that during the attack, part of the palace was set ablaze, while ten people were abducted and taken to an unknown destination.

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Following the incident, Commissioner of Police, CP Ojo Adekimi, immediately ordered a full-scale, intelligence-driven tactical operation involving the military, police, forest guards, vigilantes, and other security stakeholders to comb the surrounding forests and criminal hideouts with the sole objective of rescuing the victims unhurt and bringing the perpetrators to justice.

The command stated that it remains battle-ready and fully determined to confront these “enemies of peace” with every lawful operational asset and strategy at its disposal. The police vowed: “These criminals have declared war against peace-loving citizens, and we are fully prepared to hunt them down relentlessly. We will deploy everything within our operational capacity to smoke them out of hiding, dismantle their networks, rescue all abducted victims, and ensure they face the full wrath of the law.”

However, earlier accounts from residents painted a more harrowing picture of the attack. Sources said the attackers stormed the community between about 12:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m., firing sporadically before advancing on the palace and surrounding areas. Eyewitnesses reported that the gunmen arrived on motorcycles and moved directly to the palace complex, overpowering local vigilantes and operating for hours while terrified villagers fled into nearby bushes for safety.

A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said three wives and four children of the traditional ruler were among those abducted during the invasion. “I just finished communicating with my father right now. In his report, he said three of the wives of the Emir and four children were abducted, including some resident members of the community,” the resident said.

Another witness, Tukur Ahmed, corroborated this account, stating: “They came on motorcycles and went straight to the palace. They were shooting into the air and broke into the inner quarters where the Emir’s wives and children were. They took three of the wives and four children, alongside some other residents, before setting the cars on fire and leaving the town.”

Sources also confirmed that several vehicles belonging to the palace were set ablaze during the raid, causing extensive property damage estimated in millions of naira. It was further gathered that the Emir was not present in the palace at the time of the attack and escaped unharmed.

A senior police officer at the Baruten Divisional Police Headquarters located at Kosubosu, who sought anonymity, confirmed the development, stating that security agencies had commenced efforts to rescue the abducted victims and track down the attackers. “We have sent signal to the state police headquarters in Ilorin and we have commenced manhunt of the suspected bandits,” the officer said.

Meanwhile, security agencies have commenced bush-combing and surveillance operations across the area as part of ongoing efforts to rescue the victims and apprehend the attackers. The police command has assured residents of Yashikira and other parts of Kaiama Local Government Area that security operations have been intensified across vulnerable communities, with surveillance, intelligence gathering, and aggressive bush-combing operations ongoing.

This attack came barely 48 hours after another deadly incident in Kwara State. On Saturday night, armed men invaded a prayer ground at Ori-Oke Ajaiye on the outskirts of Ikiran village in Ekiti Local Government Area, killing three worshippers and abducting 15 others during a vigil. These two attacks, happening within days of each other, have raised significant concerns over worsening insecurity in parts of North Central Nigeria.

Kwara North has in recent months witnessed a significant escalation in banditry, with repeated attacks on rural communities, highways, and traditional institutions across Baruten, Kaiama, Edu, and Patigi local government areas. In February 2026, youths from Kwara North staged a protest demanding an end to incessant killings and bandit attacks ravaging communities in the region. The protesters alleged that recent attacks on Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area claimed between 162 and 200 lives within two days.

More recently, in April 2026, armed bandits attacked the Nuku community in Kaiama Local Government Area, killing five forest guards. The bandits, who reportedly stormed the community in large numbers at about 3:00 am, also destroyed property worth millions of naira, including setting motorcycles belonging to forest guards ablaze and burning patrol vehicles operated by mobile police.

Residents have repeatedly blamed the recurring attacks on the porous border routes around Baruten Local Government Area, alleging that armed groups frequently infiltrate communities using the difficult terrain and proximity to inter-state routes. Some residents have also accused security agencies of failing to provide adequate protection despite repeated warnings over increasing bandit activities in surrounding villages.

The police command has urged residents to remain calm but vigilant, adding that useful information from members of the public would assist security agencies in rescuing the abducted victims and apprehending those behind the attack. CP Adekimi vowed that the command would not bow to threats, intimidation, or acts of terror orchestrated by bandits and criminal elements operating within any part of the state.