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Insecurity: Nigeria Bleeding, Create Anti-terrorism, Banditry Units, Activist Tells Buhari

Published

2 years ago

March 30, 2022

Editor

Deji Adeyanju of the Concerned Nigerians advocacy group, has raised an alarm over the state of insecurity in Nigeria.

Adeyanju lamented that Nigeria is currently bleeding due to the activities of bandits and kidnappers.

He called for the establishment of a special anti-terrorism and anti-banditry unit.

Lamenting that the insecurity situation has overwhelmed the security agencies, the Abuja-based activist, noted that Nigerians can no longer travel safely by air, road, and rail.

The Abuja-based lawyer spoke in an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari on the state of insecurity in Nigeria.

Citing the bandits’ attack on a train along the Abuja-Kaduna route, the activist said criminals have devised means of attacking Nigerians travelling across the country.

According to Adeyanju: “It is no longer news that Nigeria is presently being ravaged by insecurity, and Kaduna State is gradually becoming the capital of insecurity in Nigeria. As the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and a one time resident in Kaduna, a city where you spent the bulk of your youthful days, it is imperative that we draw your attention to the carnage currently ravaging our country, as it appears that your aides do not bring these issues to your attention.

“Mr. President, Nigeria is bleeding. For some time now, bandits have taken over the entire North-West, North-East and North-Central Nigeria, while kidnappers are having a field day in the Southern part of the country. Sadly, the situation appears to have overwhelmed the nation’s security architecture. In an attempt to avoid being caught in the crossfire, citizens have often resorted to rail and air transportation. However, it appears that as the citizens’ device other means of staying safe, the criminal elements equally device other means of causing mayhem to innocent citizens.

“The resultant effect of these criminal acts is the recent attacks on the Kaduna airport and the Abuja-Kaduna rail line. As of today, the average Nigerian cannot travel by air, road or rail to Kaduna. The state has been literarily cut off from the country. Sadly, the security situation in Kaduna is just a reflection of what is happening in the entire country.”

The activist urged Buhari to take decisive action against bandits and criminals in the country.

He stressed that the security architecture and intelligence unit of the country have failed.

Adeyanju called on the President to reorganize Nigeria’s security architecture.

“It is, therefore, time for you to take decisive actions, Mr. President. Our intelligence units have failed. Our armed forces are overstretched. The average Nigerian is left at the mercy of bandits and kidnappers. Sequel to the foregoing, we, therefore, call for the total reorganisation of our security units in order to effectively tackle the present insecurity.

“We suggest that a special anti-terrorism or anti-banditry unit be created. In addition to the foregoing, we suggest that an executive bill be immediately sent to the National Assembly with a view to amending the Constitution toward the creation of state police. Lastly, the government must address the root cause of the insecurity by providing employment and basic amenities for the average Nigerian.

“Mr. President, please remember that the protection of life and property is the government’s primary responsibility!

Related Topics:Deji Adeyanju Kaduna train attack

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Iran President Had ‘Lot Of Blood On His Hands’ – White House

Published

11 hours ago

May 20, 2024

Editor

Iran President Ebrahim Raisi had a “lot of blood on his hands”, the White House said on Monday despite Washington offering condolences after his death in a helicopter crash.

“This was a man who had a lot of blood on his hands,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters, saying Raisi was responsible for “atrocious” rights abuses in Iran and had supported regional proxies including Hamas.

Kirby said, however, that “as in any other case, we certainly regret in general the loss of life and offered official condolences as appropriate.”

Earlier, Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, announced on Monday five days of mourning for President Ebrahim Raisi who died in a helicopter crash.

“I announce five days of public mourning and offer my condolences to the dear people of Iran,” said Khamenei in an official statement a day after the death of Raisi and other officials in the crash in East Azerbaijan province.

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Iran Gets Interim President After Raisi’s Death

Published

20 hours ago

May 20, 2024

Editor

Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei assigned vice president Mohammad Mokhber to assume interim duties after the death of president Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash a day earlier.

“In accordance with Article 131 of the constitution, Mokhber is in charge of leading the executive branch,” said Khamenei in a statement, adding that Mokhber will be required to work with the heads of legislative and judicial branches to prepare for presidential elections “within a maximum period of 50 days”.

Recall that President Raisi was confirmed dead on Monday after his helicopter crashed in a mountainous region of the country.

Raisi was travelling with Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian who also died in the accident.

Rescue teams had been scouring the area since Sunday afternoon after a helicopter carrying Raisi, the foreign minister and other officials had gone missing.

Early Monday, relief workers located the missing helicopter, with state TV saying the president had died.

“The servant of Iranian nation, Ayatollah Ebrahim Raisi has achieved the highest level of martyrdom whilst serving the people,” state television said Monday, with Mehr news agency also saying he was dead.

State television broadcast photos of Raisi, with the voice of a man reciting the Koran playing in the background.

Iran’s vice president for executive affairs Mohsen Mansouri posted on X a Koranic verse used to express condolences.

Meanwhile, Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has announced a five days of mourning for President Raisi.

“I announce five days of public mourning and offer my condolences to the dear people of Iran,” said Khamenei in an official statement a day after the death of Raisi and other officials in the crash in East Azerbaijan province.

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UK Threatens To Deport Physically-challenged Nigerian After 38 Years

Published

20 hours ago

May 20, 2024

Editor

The United Kingdom has threatened to deport a physically-challenged Nigerian man, Anthony Olubunmi George, over an alleged forged entry stamp in his passport.

George who has lived in the UK for 38 years, after he left Nigeria at the age of 24 in 1986, according to the Guardian UK.

The 61-year-old Nigerian has no criminal convictions and made several applications for leave to remain in the UK, which the Home Office has rejected, most recently on 7 May.

George’s case became the second African facing a huge disappointment with the UK Home Office after spending several years in Britain.

Vanguard reported last week that a 74-year-old Ghanaian Nelson Shardey, who has resided in the UK since 1977, was refused indefinite leave to remain despite being in the country for most of his adult life.

As the case of the Nigerian, he has never left the UK and has no criminal convictions, with the reports of having two strokes, which left him with problems with speech and mobility in 2019.

When George arrived, Margaret Thatcher was prime minister and Rishi Sunak is the ninth to hold office since George has lived in the UK.

He has endured many periods of homelessness and disclosed he has lost count of the number of friends who have given him shelter over the years, adding that he no longer has any close family in Nigeria.

The Guardian UK said in 2005, his previous solicitors submitted a forged entry stamp in his passport and have subsequently been reported to the police and the legal regulatory bodies.

George told the Guardian he knew nothing about the passport stamp until many years later. His current lawyer, Naga Kandiah of MTC Solicitors, cited his poor previous legal representation as the reason for George’s problems.

In his most recent refusal, Home Office officials said: “Unfortunately this is not something that is considered an exceptional circumstance.”

Kandiah has lodged an appeal against the latest refusal.

A previous Home Office rejection of his case states: “It’s open to your family and friends to visit you in Nigeria.”

George said, “I don’t know how many different sofas I’ve slept on – too many to count. I don’t have my life, living the way I’m living now. My health problems since I had my stroke are my biggest worry. All I’m asking for is some kindness from the Home Office.”