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Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba State has been accused of being a Muslim-hater. The allegation was made by an Islamic human rights organisation, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) which claimed it has evidence that the governor has been sacking Muslim workers without following due process and replacing them with his Christian brethren.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by the group on Wednesday, February 9, 2022. The statement was signed by the group’s director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

It reads:

“Contrary to the false public image of a Christian state governor who promotes peaceful and harmonious coexistence between Christians and Muslims under him, we have incontrovertible evidence that Governor Darius Ishaku has been using his office to put Muslims at a disadvantage through several administrative manoeuvres and misadventures.

“The governor recently claimed that the Taraba Muslim Council which accused him of marginalising Muslims in the state was inciting religious tension but that is far from the truth. The governor is simply trying to cover his tracks. But the wind has blown and we have seen the ruff of the hen.

“The truth is that Ishaku’s reckless violation of Allah-given fundamental rights of Muslims in his state is legendary. Although our office has been inundated with complaints of discrimination against Muslims, we will cite just one example today for the economy of space.

“The case of Mallam Nasiru Audu Baba is most striking. He was unceremoniously and illegally removed as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Taraba Microfinance Bank Limited in 2012. But the governor suspended him from office in 2016 without any reason and without a board resolution. The Central Bank rejected the suspension on grounds of lack of due process.

“But Governor Ishaku ignored the Central Bank’s advice and went ahead to set up a kangaroo committee which, however, neither indicted Mallam Nasiru nor the board of the bank. Nevertheless, the governor illegally terminated Mallam Nasiru’s appointment. The termination of his appointment was retroactive as it was issued on 13^th February 2018 but with effect from 30^th September 2016. Expectedly, a Christian woman was appointed in his place.

“Though a federal high court gave judgement in favour of Mallam Nasiru and the board of the bank. Instead of obeying the court order, Taraba State Government went to the appellate court which ruled that the matter should be taken to the industrial court.

“Mallam Nasiru and the board headed to the Supreme Court which is yet to determine the case. This and many other atrocities were committed against Taraba Muslims by Governor Ishaku. Although the board of the MicroFinance Bank renewed his appointment for another five years, his suspension and subsequent backdated dismissal was a manifestation of tyranny while the appointment of a Christian in his place exposed the governor’s tortuous policy of religious discrimination and favouritism.

“Governor Ishaku thinks nothing can be done to him by the Muslims since he is rounding up his second term but he has miscalculated. Many past governors are in the senate today because of their good performance while in office. Some of them are also aspiring to become ministers or the president of Nigeria.

MURIC’s advice to governors who are Muslim-haters like Ishaku, Ortom, Wike and Seyi Makinde is that they should not attempt to occupy any federal office. We have blacklisted Muslim-haters and Nigerian Muslims will ensure that they never get there.”  

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), said reasonable grounds for suspicion had been established against the embattled Deputy Police Commissioner, Abba Kyari.

Malami disclosed this while featuring on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ programme on Monday, February 7.

According to Malami, “Reasonable grounds for suspicion have been established, and that will eventually translate to the possibility of prosecution and conviction if indeed one is adjudged guilty by the law.”

The discussion became necessary due to Kyari’s alleged involvement in a $1 million scam allegedly involving the international internet fraudster, Ramon Abbas, alias Hushpuppi and five others. 

Malami also noted that justice would be done, “It is an issue that has international and national dimensions. Actions have been taken, it is a work-in-process locally and internationally, and we are doing what it takes to ensure justice is done within the context of law regardless of the personalities that are involved,” He said.

By Muhammad Sabiu

On Monday, February 7, 2022, the Kaduna State Government said that troops had rescued seven people in the state who had been kidnapped.

Security forces revealed to the government that the troops rescued seven persons from bandits who attacked Ungwan Garama in the Maraban Rido General Area of Chikun Local Government, Kaduna State, according to Samuel Aruwan, the state’s Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs.

The troops, he claimed, got distress calls alerting them of a bandit raid and swiftly engaged the attackers.

The criminals were forced to flee due to the soldiers’ superior firepower, he continued.

Security authorities, according to him, were able to exploit the criminals’ escape path and recover seven abducted people, adding that all of the rescued victims have been reunited with their relatives.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Students and their parents are worried as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) threatens to embark on a fresh indefinite strike.

Recall that ASUU suspended its nine-month-long strike in 2020 after reaching an agreement with the Federal Government. Still, after a year, the government is yet to fulfil its promises to the union.

The ASUU’s strike has been described as one of the most lingering issues that has been paralysing Nigerian universities, leading to the delay in students’ graduation and the deterioration of the education system in the country.

Not only that, many people argue that the strike has destroyed the future of many promising youths.

In a statement on Thursday, the Chairperson of ASUU Kano State Branch, Comrade Haruna Musa, and the Union’s Secretary, Comrade Yusuf U. Madugu, declared Monday, February 7, 2022, as a lecture-free day.

Its essence is for ASUU to use the day to sensitise university students, parents and other stakeholders on the brewing crisis arising from the Federal Government’s failure to implement the existing agreements with the union judiciously.

Educational sector at the receiving end

A lecturer at the Department of Nigerian Languages, Bayero University, Kano, Dr Muhammad Sulaiman Abdullahi, said that the strike was killing the country’s educational sector and the economy.

Dr Abdullahi cried: “It is a sad development. It looks childish and an endless menace, especially to the Nigerian educational system. Strike has become a thorn in the flesh of Nigeria’s general development. No nation can prosper morally in such a nasty situation. It is, indeed, unfortunate.”

He added that the situation “generally makes people, teachers, students and their parents to become very dull and uncertain of their future. You can take it to the banks that crime rate will somersault, and new bad things will manifest within the wider community”.

Students at risk

The president of the Mass Communication Students Association (MACOSA), Bayero University, Kano chapter, Comrade Sadisu Sada, decried that industrial action in Nigerian universities had been there for quite a long time.

He said, “It is worrying. The issue affects students directly. And for me, the government is to blame.

“ASUU is doing her best to give the educational system all that it requires. If not, education would have died.”

Umar Isah Dandago, an undergraduate of the Department of Mass Communication in the university, also voiced his grievance, saying this would delay his graduation.

Dandago said: “We would have graduated if not for the 2020 strike. This is a serious problem. A lot of people want to do something, like setting up a new business after university, but because of the strike, it’s becoming almost impossible.”

He, therefore, urged the Federal Government to give ASUU what it demanded, saying, “I believe it’s not even half of what’s being squandered in some things that are not important to us. So let’s get the education we deserve as Nigerians so that we’ll be proud of our leaders and our country.”

Also speaking, Comrade Ibrahim Mukhtar Sulaiman, a level 300 student, said: “Sadly, students taking a four-year course will graduate in five, six or seven years. And this affects not only their academic careers but also their personal life.”

Parents raise alarm

As the strike looks imminent, some parents lamented that the brewing crisis between the government and ASUU jeopardises their children’s future.

A parent, Malam Adamu Kolo, who looked disturbed by the imminent strike, said that his son would have graduated if not for ASUU incessant strike.

Malam Adamu Kolo said, “My son would have graduated this year if not because of ASUU incessant strike. You can see that I am poor. I am hopeless. Our hope is on this boy.”

By Muhammad Sabiu

Ali-Modu Sheriff, the former governor of Borno State, has refuted charges that he has ties to Boko Haram terrorists, claiming that security services have been probing him since leaving office in 2011.

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja, Victor Lar, the Ali-Modu Sheriff Campaign Organisation director, refuted the charges.

Mr Sheriff, a frontline All Progressives Congress (APC) national chairmanship aspirant, a two-term former governor of Borno, and a former senator had no ties to Boko Haram, according to him.

“Sheriff’s name is not on the list of sponsors of Boko Haram released by the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Security agencies have been investigating him since he left office in 2011 and had not found him guilty of the allegations.

“If he was involved, he would have been arrested, or his involvement made public. In any case, I challenge anyone with information proving his involvement to come forth with such,” he added.

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

The alleged kidnap Kingpin, Chukwudimeme Onwuamadike, alias Evans, said his confession was obtained under duress and threat to his family by the embattled suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari and his team.

Speaking during his hearing at Ikeja Special Offences Court on February 4, 2022, Evans made the allegations against the suspended police chief.

Evans said, “One day at the IG Guest House, the police brought some documents and asked me to sign. I asked what the documents were for, but they didn’t answer me. They said if I didn’t cooperate with them they would kill me.

They killed about six persons in my presence and I signed the document, I was not allowed to read it. I think it is the document that was used to bring me to court.”

He was also asked why he was looking undisturbed and he said, “The police told me to laugh and smile in the video. You do not know what I encountered in the hands of Abba Kyari and his boys. My eyes saw hell.”

Evans is presently standing trial on a four-count charge of kidnapping and unlawful possession of firearms alongside a dismissed soldier, Victor Aduba.

The case has been adjourned until March 11 for the continuation of the trial.

By Muhammad Sabiu

Smugglers are now conspiring with terrorists to attack operatives stationed in border settlements across Katsina, according to the Nigeria Customs Service’s Katsina Area Command.

Dalha Wada Chedi, the Katsina Area Commander, revealed this to reporters on Thursday during a Customs/Community Consultative Forum.

Chedi explained that desperate smugglers now partner with bandits to assault us, resulting in casualties among our men.

He further said that certain members of the community are hell-bent on blackmailing customs officials by making false accusations and spreading rumours.

Chedi, on the other hand, warned the smugglers to stop doing so and find a lawful and sustainable business to engage in, stating that no matter what tactics they use, the law will catch up with them sooner or later.

By Muhammad Abdurrahman

Muslim students of Baptist High School, Ijagbo in Oyun Local Government of Kwara State, who were protesting for the right to use hijab were reportedly attacked by hoodlums and security agents yesterday, Thursday, 3rd February 2022. Four people were allegedly injured while one has been hospitalised.

As usual, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has reacted to the incident by condemning the attack on the protesting students.

MURIC’s condemnation was contained in a statement issued by its director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on the afternoon of Thursday, 3^rd February 2022.

MURIC said:

“Muslim students of Baptist High School, Ijagbo in Oyun Local Government of Kwara State, who were protesting for the right to use hijab were reportedly attacked by hoodlums and security agents today, Thursday, 3^rd February 2022. Four people were allegedly injured while one has been hospitalised.

“Although it was rumoured that one person was killed, we prefer to be silent over that until we receive more details from our Kwara branch (https://tribuneonlineng.com/police-nscdc-quell-hijab-protest-in-kwara/; https://www.ekohotblog.com/2022/02/03/breaking-hijab-many-injured-as-peaceful-protest-turns-violent-in-kwara-photos/). We will update our statement immediately we have a full report.

“We strongly condemn this attack on innocent and underaged children. It is irresponsible, barbaric and inhuman. The protesting girls were not violent. It was a peaceful protest and a peaceful protest is a legitimate tool for the expression of grievances, particularly when it is peaceful.

“MURIC singles out the principal of the school for insubordination, willful disobedience and disrespect for constituted authority. This is in view of his high-handedness and his refusal to recognise the state government’s circular which approved the use of hijab.

“In the meantime, and in the interest of peace, we make the following demands:

1.     The school must be shut down immediately to forestall further breakdown of law and order.

2.     The school principal must be summoned to the Ministry of Education to personally collect his quarry letter for insubordination, willful disobedience and disregard for constituted authority.

3.     The school principal must be suspended with immediate effect.

4.     Government should decide other disciplinary action or actions to be taken against the school principal for disobeying the government’s circular which approved the use of hijab.

5.     A probe must be instituted into the circumstances surrounding the commotion.

6.     All those injured should be treated at the expense of the state government.

7.     In case of death from injuries sustained during the attack, full compensation should be paid to the parents of the victim or victims.

8.     Expenses incurred by the government in handling this case should be deducted from the principal’s gratuity on his retirement.

9.     The state government should add its identity to the names of all schools in the state, e.g. Oyun Baptist High School should become ‘Oyun Government Baptist High School’.

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

Lawrence Aklogado, a final year student of the Faculty of Law, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, has launched a campaign to donate cardigans for Almajiri roaming the streets of Zaria in the harmattan cold.

Mr Aklogado launched the kind and caring campaign on Monday, January, 31 and tagged it as “One Almajiri, One Cardigan.”

In an interview with The Daily Reality, Mr Aklogado stated his reasons for the campaign.

“Zaria was 4° degrees sometime last week. I walk to lectures every morning by 7 o’clock and see two categories of people. The student, staff and workers all rolled up in thick clothing yet complaining of the cold and the Almajiris who are putting on thorn clothing and yet not complaining of the cold.

These guys are white from head to toe, some of them not even having footwear. I only imagined how this period is hard for them. So I sat down and thought of how I could help. I don’t have money to buy cardigans and share because, truly, I was broke, and I don’t want to start telling anyone to please donate money for the almajiri. So the idea came to tell people to donate a cardigan for the almajiri.”

I designed the flier and started sharing it. The response was huge on the first day. And I am glad.” Mr Aklogado said.

When asked further on his target, he said, “My target is 100 plus cardigans for the Almajiris, and I have gotten 25 thus far. I go from hostel to hostel, and the main challenge is most students have just a cardigan too, but I am not giving up though”

The campaigner has been applauded by many people for the thoughtful and kind gesture.

By Muhammad Sabiu

A bill in the House of Representatives has been raised to abolish the National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

Shina Peller (APC, Oyo) sponsored the measure, which was read for the first time on Tuesday. It proposes repealing the NSCDC Act of 2007 and transferring the agency’s staff and assets to the Nigeria Police Force.

Mr Peller proposes, according to the bill’s description, to establish a transition management committee to oversee the NSCDC, write regulations, and implement processes for the transfer of the Corps’ assets and employees to the Nigeria Police Force.

Mr Peller claims that the NSCDC’s expanded functions are a duplication of police mandates, noting that “Fragmentation of security resources across multiple competing agencies is counterproductive.

“The mandate of the NSCDC has expanded that it has now become a duplication of the Nigeria Police Force. This has led to avoidable conflicts.

“Every single function of the NSCDC can be done or is being done by the Nigeria Police Force”. He added that” it is a “waste of scarce resources which has an annual budget of almost 100 billion.”

Mr Peller noted that “the assets and personnel of the NSCDC will be absorbed by the Nigeria Police, hence, no loss of job.”