Crime

Release of Boko Haram terrorists: We are unaware, FG insists

Published

2 years ago

October 16, 2022

One week after the discreet release of about 100 Boko Haram terrorists from the Kirikiri medium and maximum security facilities in Lagos, the Nigerian government kept mum and refused to acknowledge there was any such incident.

The prisoners of state were allegedly set free as part of a swap deal for the release of the 23 remaining passengers who were abducted in the Abuja-Kaduna bound train on March 28. But since the release, there have been varied reactions, mostly condemning Federal Government’s action and querying its rationale.

Just as there has been no word from the Ministry of Interior, which supervises the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCOs) nor the Ministry of Information and Culture, the military top brass have also refused to admit the prisoners’ release or give any information regarding the incident.

Disturbed by the deafening silence across the board, The Guardian sought answers to some questions being asked by Nigerians from government officials who ought to know, with a view to ascertaining why the terrorists were released, whether it was indeed part of a swap deal for hostages and why the release was shrouded in secrecy.

While the office of the Minister of Interior said that the custodial centres were in no position to answer the queries of Nigerians, directing that they be sought from the police and the army, the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCOs), in whose care the alleged terror suspects were kept and released, offered little or no explanation either.

Specifically, Sola Fasure, who is the Special Assistant (on media) to the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, explained that the information being sought regarding the said release of over 100 Boko Haram terrorists awaiting trial at the Kirikiri prison and related issues, could only be obtained from the police, the NigeriaAarmy and the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), who are usually the agencies that bring the terrorists for holding pending their trial and sentencing.

He said: “The custodial centres don’t determine who comes in or goes out. It is not for them to release and detain but for those who come with the warrant. The Police, the NSA or the army are the government agencies to know the answers.”

He explained further: “If it is awaiting trial inmates, it is those who brought the inmates that can take them away, the custodial centres have no business with who takes them out or brings them in and suspects are routinely moved.”

In his response, the NCoS, Public Relations Officer (PRO), Abubakar Umar told The Guardian that he is yet to be briefed on the development.

Responding to a WhatsApp query on the issue one week after, he replied: “Not on my desk yet, as such it’s difficult to comment.”

On his part, the Public Relations Officer (PRO), Lagos Command of the NCoS, Rotimi Oladokun directed our reporter to the national PRO, claiming he was unaware of the development.

Recall that the actual release of the prisoners happened at Kirikiri Prisons, which is under the Lagos Command of NCOs.

Contacted to confirm if indeed, the terrorists were released as part of a swap deal for hostages and also whether there was a monetary exchange before the government could secure the release of the Abuja-Kaduna train passengers, the Defence headquarters insisted that the passengers were rescued through a non-kinetic operation by the Nigerian Armed Forces, in conjunction with security agencies in the country.

Director of Defence Information, Major General Akpor told The Guardian on the telephone that the response of Defence headquarters on the issue in its last Defence Media Operations (DMO) briefing remained its position on the matter.

He, however, disclosed that it would send more reaction on a later date soon. According to him, “We would get back to you soon with our reaction.”

The Director, Defence Media Operation (DMO), Major General Musa Danmadami, had refused to give details on the rescue operations.

Gen Danmadami, while responding to questions from newsmen on how the hostages regained their freedom had said: “Wanting to know details is not the issue for now. The important thing is that these people have been held captive for six months and the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), in collaboration with other security agencies, through the committee that was set up by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Muhammadu Buhari, secured their release.

“We already know the trauma that the abductees and their family members went through. Giving you more details will subject them and their families to more trauma.”

Reacting on the issue and how government officials have been dodgy with information or owing up to the release of insurgents, former Army Intelligence Officer, Col. Hassan Stan-Labo (rtd.) said the Minister of Information or the authorities of the Nigeria Prison Service should ideally speak up on the issue.

He decried running a country where the government of the day does not feel citizens are entitled to be briefed on developments regularly. “Things just go on. Those running the administration have turned themselves into the masters, rather than the citizens being the masters. In a democracy, the concept is that power rests with the people. But it is different with this administration and sadly, Nigerians have accepted the position too.”

To change the situation, Stan-Labo said Nigerians must continue to hold the government accountable, including journalists who could sue the government for breaching the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act.

Stan-Labo noted that there are certain government/military actions that could be shrouded in secrecy, he however said Nigeria got to this stage because “we allowed the insurgents to fledge.

“If Nigeria had been proactive from the beginning of the war against terrorists, we would not find ourselves where we are busy negotiating with them because we have to save the lives of innocent Nigerians. Nigeria Army is a force to be reckoned with in terms of operational capabilities. I talk as someone who has been involved in battles; I fought with this military in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Dafur, Bakassi Penisula and other places.”

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Africa

Customs hands over illicit drugs worth N117.59m to NDLEA

Published

1 hour ago

November 22, 2024

Matthew Eloyi

Customs hands over illicit drugs worth N117.59m to NDLEA

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun Area 1 Command, has handed over illicit drugs worth N117.59 million to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

The Comptroller of the command, Mr James Ojo, disclosed this during the handing over of the drugs to Mr Olusegun Adeyeye, the Commander of NDLEA, Idiroko Special Area Command, in Abeokuta, Ogun, on Friday.

Ojo said the customs handed over the seized cannabis and tramadol tablets to the Idiroko Special Command for further investigation in line with the standard operating procedures and inter-agency collaboration.

He said the illicit drugs were seized in various strategic locations between January and November 21, 2024, in Ogun State.

He added that the illicit drugs were abandoned at various locations, including the Abeokuta axis, the Agbawo/Igankoto area of Yewa North Local Government Area, and Imeko Afton axis.

Ojo said that the seizure of the cannabis sativa and tramaling tablets, another brand of tramadol, was made possible through credible intelligence and strategic operations of the customs personnel.

“The successful interception of these dangerous substances would not have been possible without the robust collaboration and support from our intelligence units, local informants and sister agencies.

“These landmark operations are testament to the unwavering dedication of the NCS to safeguard the health and well-being of our citizens and uphold the rule of law,” he said.

He said the seizures comprised 403 sacks and 6,504 parcels, weighing 7,217.7 kg and 362 packs of tramaling tablets of 225mg each, with a total Duty Paid Value of N117,587,405,00.

He described the height of illicit drugs smuggling in the recent time as worrisome.

This, he said, underscores the severity of drug trafficking within the borders.

“Between Oct. 13 and Nov. 12 alone, operatives intercepted a total of 1,373 parcels of cannabis sativa, weighing 1,337kg and 362 packs of tramaling tablets of 225mg each,” he said.

Ojo said the seizures had disrupted the supply chain of illicit drugs, thereby mitigating the risks those substances posed to the youth, families and communities.

He lauded the synergy between its command, security agencies and other stakeholders that led to the remarkable achievements.

Ojo also commended the Comptroller General of NCS for creating an enabling environment for the command to achieve the success.

Responding, Adeyeye, applauded the customs for achieving the feat.

Adeyeye pledged to continue to collaborate with the customs to fight against illicit trade and drug trafficking in the state.

Africa

Ann-Kio Briggs Faults Tinubu for Scrapping Niger Delta Ministry

Published

2 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Matthew Eloyi

Prominent Niger Delta human rights activist and environmentalist, Ann-Kio Briggs, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s decision to scrap the Ministry of Niger Delta, describing it as ill-advised and detrimental to the oil-rich region.

Briggs expressed her concerns during an appearance on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political programme aired on Channels Television.

“The Ministry of Niger Delta was created by the late (President Umaru) Yar’Adua. There was a reason for the creation. So, just removing it because the president was advised. I want to believe that he was advised because if he did it by himself, that would be terribly wrong,” she stated.

President Tinubu, in October, dissolved the Ministry of Niger Delta and replaced it with the Ministry of Regional Development, which is tasked with overseeing all regional development commissions, including the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), North-West Development Commission, and North-East Development Commission.

Briggs questioned the rationale behind the restructuring, expressing concerns about its feasibility and implications. “But that’s not going to be the solution because who is going to fund the commissions? Is it the regions because it is called the Regional Development Ministry? Is it the states in the regions? What are the regions because we don’t work with regions right now; we are working with geopolitical zones,” she remarked.

She added, “Are we going back to regionalism? If we are, we have to discuss it. The president can’t decide on his own to restructure Nigeria. If we are restructuring Nigeria, the president alone can’t restructure Nigeria, he has to take my opinion and your opinion into consideration.”

Briggs also decried the longstanding neglect of the Niger Delta despite its significant contributions to Nigeria’s economy since 1958. “The Niger Delta has been developing Nigeria since 1958. We want to use our resources to develop our region; let regions use their resources to develop themselves,” she asserted.

Reflecting on the various bodies established to address the region’s development, Briggs lamented their failure to deliver meaningful progress. She highlighted the Niger Delta Basin Authority, the Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission (OMPADEC), and the NDDC as examples of ineffective interventions.

“NDDC was created by Olusegun Obasanjo…There was OMPADEC before NDDC. OMPADEC was an agency. Before OMPADEC, there was the Basin Authority…These authorities were created to help us. Were we helped by those authorities? No, we were not,” she said.

Briggs further described the NDDC as an “ATM for failed politicians, disgruntled politicians, and politicians that have had their electoral wins taken away from them and given to somebody else.”

Her remarks underscore the deep-seated frustrations in the Niger Delta, where residents continue to advocate for greater control over their resources and improved governance.

Crime

Court remands 2 brothers for alleged culpable homicide, armed robbery

Published

1 week ago

November 12, 2024

Matthew Eloyi

A Kaduna High Court on Tuesday ordered that two brothers be remanded in a correctional centre for alleged culpable homicide and armed robbery.

The police charged Hamza Jibrin, 27 and Yusuf Jibrin 24, with conspiracy, armed robbery and culpable homicide.

Justice Aisha Shagari ordered the remand of the defendants, after they pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against them.

Shagari adjourned the matter until Dec. 12 for hearing.

Earlier, the Prosecutor, James Edward, said that the defendants and two others at large, while armed with matchete and other dangerous weapons along Airport Road, Kaduna, on Nov. 7, robbed and caused the death of a 26-year-old man, Rabiu Sani.

He said the defendants stole the deceased’s HP laptop, two cell phones, his wallet which contained two ATM cards and cash sum of N30,000.

Edward said that the offence is punishable under the Robbery and Firearms ( Special Provision) Act LFN, 2004.

The Defence counsel, Habiba Usman, had pleaded with the court to grant her clients bail.

Usman while moving her bail application, urged the court to gtant her client bail on literal terms, adding , that the defendants would be of good behaviour and would not jump bail.