News

By Muhammad Abdurrahman

Despite the directive of court mandating the Kano State Commissioner of Police to continue to recognise the elected executive officers of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) pending the determination of the substantive case, the Kano State commissioner of police, Mr Sama’ila Dikko, has allegedly refused to obey the court’s injunction.

On July 7, 2021, the Kano State High Court handed down an interim order restraining Police and the National Executive Council of the PCRC from dissolving or purporting to dissolve the leadership of the State committee. The said order also restrained a supposed caretaker committee members or anyone else from parading themselves as new executives. However, the state’s commissioner of police, who findings reveal is heading a state command for the first time in Kano, is yet to obey the High Court’s order despite evidence of service.

Reports gathered by The Daily Reality also revealed that the Police Commissioner, Mr Dikko, has been served with the court order. The said commissioner sued as the 8th Respondent in the suit has even filed several applications before the court through the command’s chief counsel Mr Sunday Ekwe.

On two different occasions after the court’s order, one at Kwalli Division and the other at Takai local government, the Kano Police Commissioner has frustrated functions organised by the PCRC to foster synergy and understanding between police and community. The commissioner of police was also alleged to have gathered all his Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and instructed them not to recognise the court recognised executives of the PCRC.

Speaking on this, Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa said, “Kano Police command has no hand in what is happening in PCRC. The conflict is between the suspended chairman of the PCRC and the national body. Some members of the PCRC wrote a complaint letter to the national headquarter about the gross misconduct of their chairman. After reading the complaint, the national body suspended the chairman, dissolved the entire executive members and appointed a caretaker committee.”

“You also asked about the alleged sale of PCRC ID cards. This is not true; I don’t issue ID cards. Police don’t issue ID cards. So I don’t know where you got this information. This is grievous,” the PPRO protested.

When contacted to comment on the matter, the suspended chairman of PCRC, Dr Saleh Jili, said, “Firstly, DSP Kiyawa was the root cause of all this conflict. He, alone, being the secretary of the PCRC, wrote a complaint against me to our national headquarter for my resistance to his unauthorised issuance of PCRC without proper account and coordination. What he did was an outright contravention of the PCRC Constitution as well as the National Executive Council directive. We caught a suspected thief with a PCRC ID card, and he told us where he got it and who gave him.”

“Secondly, all the allegations he made against me were false, misleading and frivolous. And about my suspension, PCRC National Executive Council has no such power to suspend me and stated by our constitution because they were not the ones who elected me. It is like to say President Muhammadu Buhari impeaches governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State. Can this be possible?”

Counsel to the embattled state chairman, Abba Hikima Esq., said, “The Kano Police Command is out to strangulate the Federal Government’s effort toward effective community-based policing in Kano at a time when Nigeria is bleeding with criminality. The PCRC has, for the past 37 years, championed Nigeria’s community policing project in Kano and Nigeria. Therefore, we shall follow all legally allowed means, including commencing contempt proceedings against the person of the commissioner of police. He is about the only one resisting the order of Kano High Court to ensure that he does not disrespect our courts and get away with it.”

Barrister Hikima added that “The Commissioner’s actions are clearly arbitrary and contemptuous and if not urgently checked by either the hierarchies of the police or the court itself would herald chaos and anarchy. Same also posses a threat to Kano’s community policing program.”

The PCRC is Nigeria’s oldest community policing based organisation, established in 1984 to foster partnership and understanding between police and community members. The committee in Kano State has procured several vehicles for the police, built police outposts and supported the police in various ways.

Earlier this year, the Kano State PCRC organised a state-wide security summit massively attended by dignities, security experts and artisans from the 44 local government councils of Kano state. During the meeting, people received training on “How to report crimes and criminality without getting victimised.”

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Pantami, has said that the Federal Government would soon deploy the Five Generation (5G) network in Nigeria.

The minister made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja.

According to Pantami, the decision to deploy the 5G network followed an outcome of investigations, research and trial, making it clear that it wouldn’t pose any threat relating to security or health.

He stated that the national policy on 5G stands at 95 per cent done and will be presented to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in due course.

The minister also refuted claims that COVID-19 was related to the deployment of the 5G communications network.

“I want to give you the assurance that 5G communication network is in the pipeline,” Pantami said.

By Muhammad Sabiu

The former Nigerian Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode (FFK), has come under fire for posting pictures of him with Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Pantami, at the wedding of President Muhammadu Buhari’s son in Kano.

FFK, a staunch critic of President Buhari, had some months ago described Pantami as an “unrepentant jihadist, cold-blooded beast, a psychopathic and clearly insane individual.”

Attending President Buhari’s son’s wedding by Mr Fani-Kayode took many people by surprise.

Responding to his critics via his verified Facebook account, FFK said politics“is not war.”

“Buba Galadima with Ahmad Lawan, GEJ with PMB, GEJ with VP & Atiku with PMB. Politics is about bridge-building regardless of your differences.

“It is not war. You can be friends with your political adversary & still disagree. It’s called politics without bitterness & being civilised,” he wrote.

Eleven abducted persons have been rescued by men of the Nigeria Police Force in Zamfara State.

The kidnap victims were taken away by their abductors on Thursday, 12 August.

Zamfara State police public relations officer, SP Mohammed Shehu, said, “The effort that led to the unconditional rescue was sequel to the report of abduction of 11 persons by some group of hoodlums suspected to be bandits at Yarkofoji community in Bakura Local Government Area of the state on 12th August, 2021.”

Also, in yet another rescue effort, the Chief Security Officer of the College of Health Technology, Tsafein, regained his freedom.

SP Shehu said, “The report of his abduction was reported to the police at the early hours of 18th August, 2021, when a group of hoodlums went to his house at around 0040hrs and abducted him. The police search and rescue team swung into action by combing the surrounding forest. Luckily enough, the victim was rescued safely.

“The search and rescue strategies employed by the Commissioner of Police Zamfara State Command, Mr. Ayuba Elkana, led to the successful rescue of the abducted victims without any ransom paid by the relations of the victims.

“The Commissioner congratulated the victims for regaining their freedom and urged them to always be conscious of their security and report any suspicious person to the Police or any nearest security outfit for the prompt response. All the victims have been taken to the hospital for medical checks. Later debriefed by the Police and reunited with their families.”

The police spokesperson further reiterated their readiness to protect the lives and property of people.

Zamfara is one of the northwestern states suffering from the activities of bandits and kidnappers, despite security agencies’ efforts and Governor Matawalle’s vow to bring an end to it.

By Muhammad Sabiu

On Monday, suspected gunmen killed seven people, including a police inspector, in an ambush when some workers were being conveyed to a Shell Petroleum Development Company facility in Imo State, southeastern Nigeria.

Imo State police spokesperson, Mike Abattam, confirmed the incident to the press on Wednesday.

“They were ambushed, they came out from the bush and started firing at them. They (the victims) were all in the vehicle.

“The seven people include a police inspector who was providing security for them,” Mr Abattam said

As of the time of filing this report, no one or group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

According to Bamidele Odugbesan, a Shell spokesperson, the oil giant has shut down the site and its other facilities around the area as a “precautionary measure.”

South-east has been hit by attacks by suspected members of the proscribed separatist group, IPOB, which agitates for the breakaway of Biafra in recent months.

IPOB’s leader, Nnamdi Kanu, is standing trial in Abuja on treason charges and illegal possession of firearms.

By Muhammad Sabiu

President Muhammadu Buhari will on Thursday meet with the security service chiefs.

Femi Adesina, a presidential spokesperson, announced the meeting today in a statement via his Facebook account.

According to Mr Adesina, the meeting, which will be held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, will focus on the recent security achievements across the country.

He said, “The security forces have in the past few weeks taken the battle more robustly to insurgents, bandits, and all other criminals troubling the country, and they are now surrendering in droves.

“The President will be brought up to speed on developments at the Thursday meeting, while plans to bring a decisive end to the challenges will be formulated.”

Recall that recently Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters in their hundreds have surrendered to the Nigerian troops in the northeastern part of the country, thereby marking a tremendous development in the fight against insecurity in Nigeria.

This is coming a few days after the president returned from the United Kingdom, where he spent 18 days during which he attended an education summit and had some check-ups.

By Sumayyah Auwal Usman

Former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ibrahim Nasiru Mantu, Wazirin Pyrm, died. A family source confirmed the demise of the former legislator.

According to reports, Mantu died at a private hospital in Abuja after nine days of sickness and isolation.

He was in 2001 elected Deputy Senate President under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), a position he held till 2007 when he did not return to the senate.

By Sumayyah Auwal Usman

Three people died in Zangon Kataf, Monday, in an outbreak of fresh hostilities. The attack happened in Goran Gida, Gora District of Zangon Kataf LGA.

According to the Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr. Samuel Aruwan, the unidentified attackers entered the village late last night, killed three people, and injured one.

The Acting Governor of Kaduna State, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, has condemned the mindless attack on innocent citizens. She sent condolences to the families of the deceased as she prayed for the repose of the departed.

Barrister Lawal Ishaq is a resident of the area where Irigwe militias massacred scores of Muslim travellers. The Daily Reality (TDR) newspaper had an interview with him, thus:

TDR: Nigerian newspapers, blogs and so on have reported different figures as numbers of Muslim travellers massacre while passing through Jos, Plateau State. Can you tell us how many people were actually killed?

Barrister:  So far, the actual number is 26, and security operatives and good Samaritans rescued about 34 people.

TDR: Jos is known as a volatile state where religious crises have become a norm. Was this a sort of reprisal attack or what?

Barrister: Recently, there had been some misunderstanding and skirmishes between Fulani and Miyango tribe in Bassa Local Government. There have been attacks and counter-attacks between them for ages.  Recently, it was said that four people were killed, and their corpses were deposited at Plateau Special Hospital. They planned their funerals on Saturday. After they picked the bodies from the hospital, instead of conveying their corpses in the vehicle, they opted to come in large numbers and carried them on foot and were heard chanting war songs in their language. They were over two thousand. They trekked from Plateau hospital, passing “Operation Safe Haven” headquarter, but nobody said anything to them. Their large number was a warning signal, but fortunately, nobody cares.

As they were passing through Rukba Road, unfortunately, their victims were coming back from their annual Zikr event in Bauchi under the leadership of Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi. The event takes place on the first Friday of every new year of the Islamic calendar. So, most of the people killed came from Ondo State. Most of them are Fulani, but they speak Yoruba more than even Fulfulde, and they were followers of the Tijjaniyya sect. They spent a night in Bauchi and left Bauchi early morning. The typical road for them to follow through Jos. They were in five buses, each containing eighteen passengers. So imagine the number.

TDR: You mean they attacked all those five buses?

Yes. All buses were attacked, killing 25 people instantly. One died later in the hospital.

TDR: How did they identify them?

Barrister: Unfortunately, their buses were all carrying the pictures of Sheikh Ibrahim Inyas to indicate that they were on a religious trip. And some of them were chanting Zikr. But there was nothing suspicious about them. It was apparent that they were only passing through Jos. And according to what they have told us, ordinarily, they would have passed Inuwa Nsunde (name of the street) peacefully. But because of the traffic gridlock caused by those people, that was how they met their death.

TDR How long did the attack last?

Barrister: It didn’t last long because already there was tension in that area. So the security operatives are always on high alert. And in this social media era, before you know it, some people were able to record and share images and videos on Facebook and WhatsApp groups.

TDR: Was there any gunshot in their bodies?

Barrister: No! No, any gunshot at all. They used machetes, knives and anything that can kill.

TDR: Any action from the state government?

Barrister:  The State Government had reacted promptly. The secretary to the state government came to the place immediately. The police commissioner was there, the director department of security service was there, and the Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps was also there. So we were together when they dispatched the security personnel team to the area. They retrieved the dead bodies and the injured, who were soon conveyed to the general hospital.

TDR: Was there any arrest?

Barrister: We stayed at the hospital until we were told to go and bury the bodies at 04:30 pm or thereabout. The burial took us more than an hour because we had to put them into a mass grave. We, later on, received information from the police command that about seven people were arrested. But the most important thing is that the resident of that area did not carry out the killing. Those people from Miyango village did this massacre.

TDR: What is the name of their tribe?

Barrister: Irigwe Tribe. They are predominantly Christians. That gives the whole thing a religious colouration because their victims were all Muslims. It took us a great deal to control the situation because some people were so agitated. That is why instead of burying them at the central burial ground, we took them to Dadin Kowa cemetery. That is about fifty kilometres from Jos.

TDR: Thank you, sir.

Barrister: You are welcome.

By Misbahu El-Hamza

When I was listening to the Annual Muhammadu Sanusi II Colloquium online at around noon on Saturday, a call from a Jos-based friend interrupted my network. His heart was panting as he told me about an attack on travellers in Jos. However, he said he had no additional information; he only added that corpses, drenched in blood, had been brought to the Jos Central Mosque.

I immediately began to make calls, hoping I could speak directly with some survivors if there were any. But, unfortunately, I could not get any until the early hours of Sunday when I received an SMS from my source in Jos with the phone number of one survivor named Haruna Muhammad.

Haruna, 36, was the only man from Ogun state who joined other 53 Ondo and Kogi states based Muslims to travel to Shaikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, a renowned Islamic scholar of the Tijjaniya Sufi Order in his home in Bauchi state. The 54 Muslim faithful travelled in a convoy of 5 hummer busses from Ondo state through Jos and arrived at Bauchi in the early hours of Friday “for a Friday litany with the Shaikh,” said Haruna.

“We left Bauchi for Ondo at around 7 am through Jos.” The journey was peaceful until around 10 am when “we arrived at a place blocked by some youths searching every car passing by. And when it came to our turn, we were asked to all step down of the cars.”

The youths began asking the drivers questions about where the convoy was coming from and where they were heading. “It was obvious they didn’t trust us,” Haruna said, but above all, the youths were angry. Before Haruna or any of his brothers speaks, the youth began shouting, hitting them with sticks, and suddenly, all the convoy dispersed into the nooks of Rukuba for their lives. “None of us has any idea where he’s running to, but we had to try and save our lives,” Haruna recounted.

While in hiding, Haruna watched in dread how the youth used sticks and stones to massacre some of his co-travellers. A viral video shared online by an unknown perpetrator shows how they used to smash and shatter the victims’ heads on the road. Haruna also heard a gunshot but could not identify who was shot at the moment. Twenty-five people were butchered at the spot before the military came to rescue those in hiding, like Haruna and 25 others. One other sustained severe injuries and died later at Plateau Hospital, according to Haruna.

The State Director, Fityanul Islam of Nigeria, Mallam Adam Hamza, who supervised the preparation and burial of the deceased, confirmed that they buried 26 bodies at Dadin Kowa Cemetery of Jos South. The graveyard is a 19-minute drive from the Jos North Central Mosque. The other injured victims are still at the hospital receiving treatment.

I asked Haruna why they chose to follow Rukuba Road since that wasn’t the road they followed to Bauchi. “One of us proposed that Rukuba Road would be better,” he said, “and then one of the drivers said he too knows the road. So, he led the convoy.” None of the five drivers, however, sustained an injury. All 5 were non-Muslim Yorubas from Ondo state. Before the military arrived at the scene, Haruna confirmed that one of the cars was set on fire, and another driver luckily drove off his car to safety. As of this morning, that driver set off for Ondo. Haruna and other survivors are still in Plateau State, kept at a hotel under the protection of the state government. He assured me they are well taken care of under the supervision of Fityanul Islam of Nigeria.

All this appeared to come to the authorities with shock, according to Mallam Adam. Some government officials who attended the burial include Secretary to the state government, who was said to have represented the state governor, Simon Bako Lalong. Others include the state police commissioner, CP Edward Egbuka, and General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Jos 3-Division, General Ibrahim Ali. The CP and GOC also visited the scene of the massacre on Saturday.

All efforts to speak with one of the government officials were not successful. However, in a press statement, the Plateau State Government, in response to the massacre and avoidance of counter-reprisal, imposed dusk-to-dawn (6 pm – 6 am) curfew in Bassa, Jos South and Jos North local governments at 3 am on Sunday. But unconfirmed reports coming from Jos North this morning indicate that the atmosphere is intense.

It’s no wonder that through its Director of Press, Dr Makut Simon Machan, the state government released another statement at exactly 11:02 am today that imposing a 24-hour curfew in Jos North “to contain further security threats”.

It could be recalled that on Wednesday, August 4, 2021, an attack on travellers was recorded where a truck full of animals was set ablaze at Gada Biyu, a trekking distance from Rukuba Road. That attack was said to be a reprisal as Fulanis were said to have attacked Irigwe houses and destroyed farms in other state villages.

Yesterday’s attack could also be a continuation of the previous reprisal. Survivors and locals call on the Plateau state government to look into the root cause of these killings as a matter of urgency and ensure justice is served. Any delay could return Jos North to its dark days when people get killed sporadically if they (mistakenly) entered territory belonging to another ethnicity or religion other than theirs.

Haruna Muhammad further urged the Federal and State government to ensure the arrest of all who were responsible for the merciless killings of his innocent brothers on August 14 2021. He said whatever misunderstanding is going on between the tribes in Plateau state, his brothers know nothing about it, and their killings shouldn’t be unchecked. The massacre yesterday left 26 people dead and 33 survivors, including the drivers.