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In 8 Month, Over 1 thousand Nigerians were Killed by Gunmen-Amnesty International

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Amnesty International’s Nigeria office has described as shameful how the country’s security agencies have been handling repeated attacks by gunmen in villages across the northern region.

 

After speaking with residents of communities in seven northwest and north-central states, the human rights group shared its findings in a statement obtained by an online Newspaper HumAngle on Monday.

 

It observed that, between January and August, 1,126 civilians in the north were killed by rampaging gunmen, out of which 366 were from the south of Kaduna.

“Many of those interviewed described how security forces often arrive hours after attacks have ended, even when officers have been given information about impending attacks,” it said.

 

 

The group said it has also documented an upsetting increase in abductions in the region, with at least 380 people, mostly women and children, kidnapped this year.

Osai Ojigho, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, stated that the failure of the security forces to take adequate steps in protecting villagers “from these predictable attacks is utterly shameful”.

 

“In addition to the security forces’ failure to heed warnings or respond in time to save lives, the fact that no perpetrators have been brought to justice leaves rural communities feeling completely exposed.

“The President claims he has repeatedly tasked security agencies to end the killing so that Nigerians can go to bed with their eyes closed, but clearly nothing has changed,” he added.

 

Witnesses in Kaduna, Plateau, and Kaduna states told Amnesty International that the attacks in their communities were well-coordinated and the invaders, who rode on motorcycles, were heavily armed. They also complained that they received little or no help from security forces even though they might have been pre-informed or called during attacks.

 

One resident of Unguwan Magaji, a community in southern Kaduna, said soldiers who came during an attack got intimidated after seeing the invaders’ firepower.

“Our leaders called and informed the soldiers that the attackers are in the village, so the soldiers did not waste time and they came but when they came and saw the type of ammunitions the attackers had they left. The following morning so many soldiers came with their Hilux pick-up trucks to see the dead bodies,” he reported.

Amnesty International’s release quoted the lamentation of a farmer in Kaduna whose 20-year-old son was killed in Kukum Daji.

 

 

“He had just gotten admission to the University of Jos. He was at home due to the Corona pandemic, then the attack happened,” he said.

Zamfara Banditry: Dialogue remains the best option- Government

“When I saw his dead body, my body became very weak, I started feeling dizzy, I thought I was going to fall, my whole body was on fire but there was nothing I could do, I just told myself that am leaving everything to God. I will never be happy again in this life for losing this boy. His death has really affected me.”

 

Ojigho observed that the series of attacks have led to massive food insecurity and the displacement of civilians. “The majority of the people in these communities depend on farming for their livelihoods, but they are now too afraid to go to their fields,” he said.

 

“This is pushing the region to the brink of a major humanitarian crisis. The Nigerian authorities’ failure to stem the violence is costing people’s lives and livelihoods, and without immediate action, many more lives may be lost.”

 

He urged government agencies against arresting critics who dared demanded adequate security. Instead, he added, the authorities “should be seeking urgent solutions to this crisis and doing all they can to prevent further attacks”.

 

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Rivers Crisis:Former Senate President Urges Tinubu To Call Wike To Order

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Senator Adolpos Wabara ,Former Senate President

Former Senate President and Chairman Board of Trustees, BOT, of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Adolphus Wabara, has told President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to caution his appointee and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr Nyesom Wike to avoid plunging Rivers State into a “needless political crisis”.

This is coming on the heels of the move by pro- Wike lawmakers, to impeach Gov. Siminalayi Fubara.

This is coming on the heels of the move by pro- Wike lawmakers, to impeach Gov. Siminalayi Fubara.

Wabara also condemned the call by APC Chairman in Rivers, Tony Okocha, for the House of Assembly to immediately commence impeachment proceedings against the Fubara.

The former Senate President who accused Wike of stoking the face-off between Gov. Fubara and the lawmakers, warned that Nigeria might not survive any instability in Rivers State considering the state’s economic importance to the country

Senator Wabara appealed to President Tinubu to prevail on Wike to give peace a chance and allow his successor to discharge his constitutional roles without undue influence.

“I want to appeal to Mr President to call his appointee, Nyesom Wike to order so that his actions in Rivers do not confirm the suspicion that APC has an agenda to turn Nigeria into one party state. Wike should allow peace to reign in Rivers State.

” Mr President should appreciate the importance of Rivers as a major revenue base of the country, and should the trouble they are stoking erupt, Nigeria will definitely not escape the aftermath.”

The PDP BoT Chairman, further advised members of the Rivers House of Assembly not to yield themselves as agents of distabilization of the state “because history will not be kind to them.”

He reminded the gladiators to carefully weigh the grave implications of any attempt to forcefully remove a democratically-elected Governor or President from office.

The former Senate President who warned that the PDP would not tolerate any further intimidation or persecution of the Governor, urged “all those involved in the political brouhaha in Rivers to give peace a chance”.

On the mass exodus of PDP members in Abia State, Senator Wabara who said such scenario was not unexpected, however, urged the party faithful not to panic.

He said that the elders of the party had initiated moves to half further exit of members, describing the development as the after effect of the impunity of the last PDP-led administration in the state, and its utter disregard to internal democracy and party supremacy.

Wabara further noted that some chieftains who are leaving the party are doing so for self protection while some join the bandwagon without any deep thought of their action.

He urged PDP members in the state to remain resolute and support the on-going efforts to rebuild and reposition the party for a winning spree in 2027.

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Gombe Schools Are Safe- Prof. Maigari Assures

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Professor Aishatu Maigari Gombe state commissioner for education

 

In response to concerns about the safety of schools in Gombe State,the Commissioner of Education Professor Aishatu Maigari,has assured that schools in the state are safe.

Responding to questions from newsmen regarding school security, the Commissioner refuted rumors suggesting that schools were closed due to insecurity.

She clarified that the government decided to close schools earlier than scheduled due to various factors, including the Ramadan fast, Sallah, Easter breaks, and excessive heat.

Professor Maigari elaborated that the decision was made considering that out of the remaining two weeks, approximately ten days would be devoted to public holidays. Therefore, only four days were deducted from the academic calendar.

The Commissioner gave the public the assurance that the school calendar remained on track, because the government was implementing measures to enhance school security.

Professor Maigari therefore called on the community, stakeholders, parents, and guardians to collaborate with the government in ensuring the safety of schools.

Amidst these reassurances, Professor Maigari’s statements aim to alleviate concerns and reinforce confidence in the safety and continuity of education in Gombe State.

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Port Harcourt school smashes UTME as 50% of candidates score above 300

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Garba Usman Gero

Bishop Okoye Spiritan Secondary School has smashed the just concluded UTME as 35 students accounting for 50 percent of the entire candidates from the school, got above 300. While unveiling the result, the principal Rev. Fr Jude Ekemgba C. S. Sp, said he was filled with joy to announce the superlative performance of the students.

He attributed the success to the collective hard work of the students, staff and management. He praised the staff for their sacrifices and the students for opening their hearts to learn and to prepare adequately, which paved way for the huge success recorded. On his part the Vice principal/Dean of Studies Rev Fr Edoziem John Paul C.S.Sp described the result as a product of hardwork, strategic planning and the blessing of God.

He noted that though the school has always ranked among the best performing schools, the 2024 UTME result is a consolidation. The clergy also thanked the students and teachers for their collective role in producing the heart warming result. Also speaking the student who got the highest score of 366 Emmanuel Jeremiah returned all glory to God and thanked the school for the rigorous training that repositioned them to achieve the feat.

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