News
Amnesty Int’l Report On Genocide Credible -Danjuma …As Boko Haram Kills 17 Persons In Zamfara
Former minister of defence, General T.Y Danjuma (Rtd), has decried the deplorable security situation in the country, saying there’s too much killings in Nigeria.
Danjuma Danjuma, who stated this at the 11th Festival of Praise with the theme “Sing out! Our God reigns” which held in Abuja yesterday, cited the latest Amnesty International Report on the security situation in the North east as being credible.
He charged Nigerians to eschew bitterness and imbibe the virtue of peace and tolerance as the nation prepares for the 2019 General elections. He said, “Nigerians should use the season as an opportunity to pray for Peaceful coexistence and tolerance among one another in the country.”
The elder statesman used the occasion to extol the outstanding qualities and capacity of Prof Jerry Gana to get things done thoroughly, and consequently endorsed his bid for the Presidency in 2019, saying, “May you be our next President”.
In his remarks, the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) Prof. Jerry Gana who was the Chairman of the planning committee for the Festival stated that “We chose the theme ‘Sing out! Our God reigns’ because of the challenges around the country and to build people’s faith and hope for them to understand that God is in charge.
“We believe that God is everything, next year general elections in Nigeria is going to be peaceful. We are going to be successful. many people are having different thoughts about the election but God will over rule, because he rules in affairs of the world.
He encouraged Nigerians to have faith in God, to trust one another and to remove this increasing problem of killings in the land, because human life is very important and sacred. He prayed that God should answer the prayers of Nigerians as they prepare to elect a President who have the interest of the people at heart.
The event had in attendance many prominent Nigerians including Gen.Yakubu Gowon, former Head of State who was the chairman of the occasion.
Meanwhile, the police in Zamfara have confirmed 17 people killed in an attack by armed bandits on a community in the state.
The attack occurred in Magami Village, Faru District of Maradun Local Government Area.
A statement by the Zamfara police spokesperson, Muhammed Shehu, said the attack occurred on Saturday evening.
Our correspondent reports that the attack occured at about 4 p.m.
Mr Shehu said more police officers have been deployed to the area.
He said the Acting Governor of Zamfara State, Sanusi Rikiji; the police commissioner and other heads of security agencies were at the scene in the early hours of yesterday.
The officials were there “for on the spot assessment with a view to putting in more proactive security measures that will bring lasting solutions to the security challenges in the area and other parts of the state,” he said.
“In view of the visit, the commissioner of police has deployed additional unit of Tactical teams which comprises PMF/CTU Personnel to the affected area to complement the existing security emplacement.
“The unit of the PMF/CTU personnel has already arrived the village and they were directed to operate in collaboration with the military and other security personnel to restore normalcy and prevent any security threat by any disgruntled person or group of persons.
“While the command condoles the government and people of Zamfara State over the unfortunate incident, it has also vowed to arrest and bring to justice the perpetrators of this dastardly act.
“The command in this regard appeals for continued collaboration with all the security agencies in the state to bring lasting peace, safety and security to Zamfara State,” the spokesperson said.
Mr Rikiji also on Sunday attended the funeral prayer of some of the victims killed by the bandits.
Mr Rikiji, who is the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, condoled with the families of the victims and people of Maradun Emirate and described the incident as unfortunate and worrisome.
He said the state government was concerned about security matters.
“It is very disturbing, so distracting the way our people are being killed by terrorists.
“More often than not, we could not even concentrate and face our work, due to pressures of insecurity in our communities,” Our correspondent quotes the acting govenrors as saying.
He urged security operatives in the state to maximise their efforts in tackling the challenges.
Mr Rikiji noted that the state government had been providing all necessary support to security agencies in the state.
“We are ever ready to continue to offer any support to security agencies, at whatever cost, in order to address the current security situation in the state,” he said.
He urged people of the state to continue with prayers to seek Allah’s interventions to end the situation.
The acting governor also appealed to communities to provide information on security to security agencies for prompt response.
The heads of security agencies in the state were also in attendance during the prayers.
In their separate remarks, the Emir of Maradun, Garba Tambari, and Chairman Maradun Local Government Area, Yahaya Shehu, called for the deployment of more security personnel in the area.
Hundreds of people have been killed by armed bandits in Zamfara in 2018. The killings have continued despite the deployment of thousands of security personnel including soldiers as well as air force personnel and equipment to the state.
In another development, four persons were feared dead in a herdsmen attack of some communities in Logo Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State.
The incident, which took place at Tse- Ibor and Tse-Dzungwe, Tombo ward, Logo LGA of the state, our correspondent gathered was a reprisal attack, following a raid on camps of herdsmen by some soldiers.
According to our findings the herdsmen were reacting to the shooting to death of their cattle.
Even, though the Army confirmed the raid on a herdsmen camp, it did not mention the killing of cows belonging to the herders.
Our sources in Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) described the report as “rumour”, while a family member of the victims who does not want his name in print said the OPWS was playing politics “with the blood of Tiv farmers.”
The family member of the victims gave the names of those killed as Terlumun Uke, Apaagu Mlange, Samuel Dwem and Delaba Dwem.
“OPWS troops conducted an overnight operation during which an open camp set up by some armed herdsmen along River Benue bank at Anyibe was destroyed.
“Some of the armed elements that attempted to cross back into Nasarawa got their boat capsized during the exchange of fire. It is therefore likely that the armed group might have suffered some casualties during the encounter.
However, our source was emphatic that four persons were killed in the attack by the herders, insisting he is a family member of the victims.
He said, “Soldiers had invaded their (herders’) settlement killed some of their cows. A reprisal led to the death of four person (in his village.)”
“Four people were killed. This is my village and my brothers so I know what I’m talking about.”
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.