Nigeria Times

On October 1, 2024, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu delivered a national broadcast to commemorate Nigeria’s 64th Independence Anniversary. In his speech, the president acknowledged the economic and security challenges facing the nation but reassured Nigerians that reforms are starting to yield positive results. Tinubu announced that Nigeria attracted over $30 billion in foreign direct investments within the past year and outlined efforts to combat terrorism and improve security across the country. He also emphasized agricultural advancements, youth empowerment initiatives, and fiscal reforms aimed at boosting economic growth and reducing the cost of living. Despite the challenges, Tinubu urged Nigerians to remain patient and united in the pursuit of a stronger, more prosperous future.

…Accuses Organisers for Non-Disclosure of Financial Inducement by Divisive Politician.

The Amalgamated Civil Society Organizations of Nigeria (ACN) has strongly condemned the planned October 1st protest, accusing its organizers of receiving funding from a notorious former North West Governor to destabilize the country.

Comrade Gbenga Ashiru Abiodun, National President of ACN, in a press statement issued to newsmen on Monday, said, “We urge Nigerians not to participate in this protest, as it is driven by a hidden agenda to undermine the government. The organizers have collected huge sums of money from a divisive North West Governor for the purpose of purveying their hidden agenda to unsuspecting Nigerian citizens.”

Abiodun emphasized that the protest’s primary aim is to cause chaos and anarchy, taking advantage of the country’s current economic challenges. “This protest is not about addressing the country’s problems but about advancing the interests of desperate politicians,” he added.

The ACN criticized the organizers for failing to disclose their financial backing, alleging that they have received foreign funding under the guise of protecting democracy and free speech. “We have received critical actionable intelligence on the foreign funding given to some select NGOs,” Abiodun revealed.

Abiodun expressed concern that the protest would only worsen the country’s economic situation and cause unnecessary harm to citizens. “Nigerians are going through a lot of hardship due to hunger and unusual hyper-inflation, but participating in a protest funded by a divisive politician is not the solution,” he said.

Instead, Abiodun advocated for constructive dialogue with the government to address economic challenges. “We must learn from past experiences and avoid actions that undermine our democracy,” he emphasized.

The ACN also criticized local rice producers and essential commodity traders for arbitrarily increasing prices of goods and services, exacerbating the country’s economic woes. “They are solely responsible for the hardship, hunger, and hoarding of foodstuff in our country,” Abiodun stated.

Abiodun praised political leaders who have patiently reclaimed their respective states through democratic principles, citing Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Governor Isa Yuguda, Governor Aliyu Magatakarda Wammako, Senator Ahmed Sani Yerima, Governor Dauda Lawal, Governor Seyi Makinde, and Dr. Alex Otti as examples.

The ACN warned that relevant security agencies must deal with the shadowy characters involved in the protest, including those hiding under the guise of mediators, lawyers, and interlopers. “Anyone hiding behind transactional protest to cause breakdown of law and order is a security risk,” Abiodun said.

Abiodun declared that the ACN will not be a party to the subterranean plot by politicians masquerading as champions of democratic ethos. “We have resolved to declare organizers of the planned protest persona non grata for collecting money from politicians without disclosing such transactions to other stakeholders,” he announced.

The ACN urged Nigerians to resist the protest and instead advocate for peaceful and democratic means of addressing grievances. “Let us call a spade a spade for once. The sponsors of the protest should blame themselves for the backlash and whatever ugly outcome that may likely transpire during their protest,” Abiodun concluded.

Comrade Yakubu Abdullahi, General Secretary of ACN, echoed Abiodun’s sentiments, emphasizing the need for Nigerians to unite against divisive forces. “We must reject this protest and work towards a united and prosperous Nigeria,” Abdullahi said.

Furthermore, the ACN emphasized that the planned protest is a deliberate attempt to destabilize the country, and Nigerians must be vigilant. “We will not allow desperate politicians to hijack our democracy,” Abiodun warned.

The ACN called on all patriotic Nigerians to join forces in rejecting the protest and promoting peace and stability. “We must prioritize the interest of our country over personal interests,” Abiodun urged.

In conclusion, the ACN reaffirmed its commitment to promoting democratic values and rejecting any attempt to undermine the country’s stability.

The Jika da Kolo community in Yadin Kidandan, Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State, is mourning the loss of over 25 people, reportedly killed in a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) airstrike aimed at combating terrorists. The incident, which occurred over the weekend, has ignited tension between local villagers and the military.

Local sources claim that 23 worshippers in a mosque and several others at a nearby market were killed during the airstrike. However, the NAF maintains that the operation targeted a known terrorist enclave in the Yadi Forest area and denies the presence of civilian structures, such as mosques, within the strike zone.

The Air Force stated that the airstrike successfully eliminated terrorists and destroyed a logistics base used by bandits, but villagers insist that innocent civilians were among the victims. Abdullahi Ismail, a local councillor, confirmed the incident, acknowledging the presence of bandits in the area but noting that many innocent residents were also caught in the attack.

Witnesses from the community describe a scene of devastation, with 23 mutilated bodies recovered and buried according to Islamic rites. One survivor recounted hearing a loud explosion near the mosque and local market around 2 p.m., resulting in widespread casualties, including farmers and children.

Villagers have called on the Federal and Kaduna State governments to investigate the airstrike, urging the authorities to ensure such incidents do not happen again.

In response to the allegations, NAF’s Deputy Director of Public Relations, Group Captain Kabiru Ali, asserted that the airstrike targeted a terrorist logistics base. He emphasized that intelligence and surveillance confirmed the presence of terrorists in the area, adding that no mosque existed in the targeted zone.

The NAF reiterated its commitment to eliminating terrorist activities in the North-West and North-Central regions and vowed to continue its operations to dismantle bandit networks.

In a recent social media disclosure, Princess Banke Oniru has accused coordinators of the #EndSARS protest of improperly distributing millions of naira generated during the movement against police brutality in Nigeria. The protests, which gained global attention in late 2020, were sparked by widespread allegations of extrajudicial killings, extortion, and torture by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigeria Police Force. The movement culminated in the tragic events at Lekki Tollgate, where unarmed protesters were allegedly shot by security forces.

In her posts on X (formerly Twitter), Oniru claimed that, despite initially rejecting financial offers from the Lagos State Government, some protest coordinators eventually accepted and shared substantial funds. She indicated that these included payments of 1.5 million naira and 1 million naira, which she later distributed as giveaways to supporters. Oniru stated, “The #EndSARS coordinators shared millions of money severally,” providing details about collecting cash from prominent social commentator Sarah Ibrahim.

Oniru expressed her initial reluctance to accept government funds, fearing it would compromise the integrity of the movement. However, she later altered her stance when it became apparent that the funds could be used to benefit the victims of the protests.

In contrast, Sarah Ibrahim responded to Oniru’s claims, asserting that she did not accept the 100 million naira offer made by the Lagos State Government. Instead, Ibrahim mentioned that after consulting with her lawyers, she advocated for the funds to be directed toward supporting the families of victims and those injured during the protests.

In her detailed account, Ibrahim explained that she had repeatedly refused meetings with the government due to her anger over the Lekki incident. However, after discussing the situation with legal counsel, she eventually attended a meeting where officials proposed the financial offer. Despite the initial offer, Ibrahim maintained her position, stating, “I did not want anything to do with the money,” and insisted that any compensation should be handled transparently and through appropriate channels.

The allegations have raised further questions about the management and accountability of funds raised during the #EndSARS protests. Efforts for clarity from the Lagos State Government regarding these claims have yet to receive a response.