Group seeks Shettima’s arrest over ‘plots to overthrow Buhari’

The Coalition of Buhari Supporters and Friends (CBSF) has called on security operatives to investigate, arrest and prosecute Senator Kashim Shettima over what it described as plots to overthrow President Muhammadu Buhari. 

According to the group, the Borno Central Senator has crossed into treasonable territory with his latest utterances on national security and must be immediately brought to book. 

In a statement signed by its President, Dr Shamsudeen Abu, on Wednesday, the coalition accused Shettima of being behind the security situation in the north-east. 

The Coalition of Buhari Supporters and Friends reminded the lawmaker that as governor of Borno State for eight years, he abused his office and failed to find any tangible solution before rushing off to the National Assembly.  

Instead of a document or seek the audience of the president, the group noted that Shettima has resorted to heating the polity in a bid to discredit and possibly lead a revolt against the current administration. 

The Coalition of Buhari Supporters and Friends, therefore, demanded the immediate arrest of Shettima for treason. 

It, however, urged the Federal Government to immediately direct the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force to act before Shettima does more damage. 

Read the full statement below:

The Coalition of Buhari Supporters and Friends is disappointed at the vilification of President Muhammadu Buhari by former Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, who now represents his state’s Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly. In the desperate bid to undermine President Buhari, Shettima has crossed into the treasonable territory for which he must be immediately investigated, arrested if found culpable and subsequently tried.

We find it most unfortunate that Senator Shettima is still trapped in the impish disposition of ventilating his perceived grievances in the media when he could have sought and gained an audience with President Buhari to constructively make his observations and suggestions for addressing the lingering security situation in the northeast and other parts of the country instead of deliberately heating the polity with engagements that are not meant to yield a positive result.

Shettima’s behaviour is however not surprising because it is consistent with the theatrics of someone who has nothing of substance to offer in the first place. Someone with workable solutions would have documented the same and present to the Federal Government as an asset in addressing the decade-long Boko Haram insurgency.

In other climes, a public office holder like Shettima, who abused his eight-year stay in office as governor to strengthen Boko Haram, would have been sacked from politics by the electorates to insulate the system from further contamination from his treasonable activities. The entire country is much aware of how wanted Boko Haram commanders were harboured in properties linked to Shettima and his associates, a development that enabled them to evade apprehension by law enforcement agencies.  

Our Coalition reminds Shettima that he cannot eat his cake and have it. He is a major factor in the current state of insecurity that Borno state with the entire north-east axis is facing today. He cornered all the funds meant for local government councils in Borno State and refused to build or reconstruct rural infrastructure that would have made it possible for people to return home, which would have prevented the vacuum that Boko Haram insurgent are exploiting.   

As a result, the former governor’s outburst, for us, suggests someone that wants to execute a civilian coup to overthrow President Buhari, which is why he arrogated to himself the power and capacity to determine for Mr President how many military chiefs he should fire and appoint.  Even for a man, who has on many occasions with his allies in the south-west organized prayers with marabouts for President Buhari to become medically incapacitated, this latest round of campaign of calumny has reached a new level of callousness. 

The former governor’s media interview, in which he flayed President Buhari, must not be misconstrued as something geared towards the common good but rather, it should be seen for what it is, which is a media offensive meant to inspire Boko Haram terrorists with the notion that the government is divided on the war against terrorism.

Shettima is also strategically tapping into the prevailing mood in the country in a way that will cause widespread disaffection against the person and office of the President such that there will be an orchestrated breakdown of law and order, result in aob action and physical violent attacks on the government.

The Coalition of Buhari Supporters and Friends, therefore, demands the immediate arrest of Kashim Shettima for treason. The Federal Government must, to this end, immediately direct the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force to act before Shettima does more damage. He should be put on trial for whatever indictment is found against him upon investigation.

CSO writes ICC Prosecutor, alleges misguided view on Nigerian security agencies

Some international civil society organisations have cautioned the International Criminal Court’s Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensou over misguided utterances against the Nigerian military and sister agencies . 

The International Human Rights Protection Forum (IHRPF) gave this warning in a letter to the Office of the Chief Prosecutor on Tuesday.

In the letter signed by its Director of Communication, Zakari Yinusa, the IHRPF said the ICC pre-convicted the military, adding that it was faulty and not in tandem with any known criminal court.  

The group also expressed frustration over reports that the ICC has been compromised by Amnesty International who it claims is “pumping millions of dollars into the Chief Prosecutor’s office to ensure that the military is demoralized to the extent of losing focus on the final defeat of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist groups”. 

The CSO, though, assured that the Armed Force under the current dispensation over the years adhered strictly to the extant laws, rules of engagement and international best practices. 

“As far as we are concerned, the position you have taken is a subtle way of casting aspersions on the military while at the same time strengthening the terrorists and their sympathizers to keep unleashing mayhem on innocent citizens,” the letter stated in part. 

The group, however, advised the ICC Chief Prosecutor to retrace her steps and stop being used against Nigeria. 

It added that “we shall prevail on the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mallam Abubakar Malami SAN through civil actions to cease further cooperation with the International Criminal Court in terms of exchange of classified national security information or legal documents”.

Read full letter below:

As a strategic partner with the International Criminal Court (ICC), our International Human Rights Protection Forum (IHRPF) has always advocated that perpetrators of terrible crimes against the human race must be held to account. To this end, we closely monitored the recent #EndSARS Protests in Nigeria and forwarded not less than three different Criminal Complaints to your office against various individuals, groups and institutions found complicit in escalating the crises which almost ruined our dear country. We are aware that other human right organizations equally wrote and supplied avalanche of incriminating pieces of evidence against some non-state actors for fueling the ill-fated #EndSARS Protests.  

Our expectation is that as the Chief Prosecutor of the ICC, you would within this period that Nigeria is struggling to recover from the severe pains inflicted on her citizens and economy, concentrate on adequately considering the multiple Criminal Complaints piling on your table with a view to bringing the identified culprits to book. Regrettably, you seem to have abandoned the noble purpose for which the ICC was established and allowed yourself to be used by Amnesty International to complicate the precarious security situation in Nigeria. We submit that by all standards, the hasty manner in which the Nigerian Security Forces were pre-convicted through your media pronouncement on Friday, 11th December, 2020 is faulty and not in tandem with any known International Criminal Law, Instrument or Protocol. 

We are surprised that it took you over a decade to analyze the bunch of lies sold to ICC by Amnesty International before coming to the so called conclusion that there is reasonable basis to believe that “members of the Nigerian Security Forces (NSF) have committed acts constituting crimes against humanity and war crimes”. Experience should have taught you that Amnesty International had been working desperately with other foreign enemies to give the Nigerian Security Forces a bad name in order to hang them. A situation whereby you allow leaders of Boko Haram as well as notorious criminals like Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who continually rebel constituted authorities in Nigeria to move freely across the world but rather choose to declare cold legal war against the Nigerian Security Forces is rather unfortunate, wicked and suspicious. It goes to buttress the assertion in various quarters that Amnesty International has been pumping millions of dollars into your office to ensure that the military is demoralized to the extent of losing focus on the final defeat of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist groups.

Our investigations also reveal that Nigerian Armed Forces under the current dispensation in carrying out counter terrorism operations within the North East and other parts of the country have over the years ensured that their troops do everything possible to adhere strictly to the extant laws, rules of engagement and international best practices. On no account shall we allow the ICC to dampen the morale of military troops who have been fighting tirelessly to keep Nigeria and her people safe. As far as we are concerned, the position you have taken is a subtle way of casting aspersions on the military while at the same time strengthening the terrorists and their sympathizers to keep unleashing mayhem on innocent citizens. This we condemn in its entirety and call on other sister organizations to join in the struggle to save Nigeria from another foreign oppression.

Until you retrace your steps from being used against Nigeria, we shall prevail on the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mallam Abubakar Malami SAN through civil actions to cease further cooperation with the International Criminal Court in terms of exchange of classified national security information or legal documents. We will equally prevail on the Federal Republic of Nigeria to opt-out of being a signatory to the Rome Statute and adopt a new policy of protecting her military personnel, officials, and nationals from your illegitimate use of the powers inherent in the ICC. After all, the core issues of when Nigeria can lawfully resort to armed force, how that force may be applied, and whether particular actions constitute serious international offences of war crimes, crimes against humanity, or genocide are duly covered by local laws. 

In particular, Section 217 (1) and (2) (a) – (d) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) no doubt clothes the Armed Forces with the authority to take charge of defending Nigeria from external aggression, maintaining its territorial integrity and securing its borders from violation on land, sea or air. The Armed Forces are also empowered to suppress insurrection and act in aid of civil authorities to restore order when called upon to do so by the President, but subject to such conditions as may be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly. Section 3 of the Armed Forces Act Cap A20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 fortifies the powers of the Armed Forces when it provides that they shall be charged with the defence of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by land, sea and air and with such other duties as the National Assembly may from time to time prescribe or direct by an Act.

On the whole, we urge you to always maintain neutrality in handling affairs of State parties. The need for the ICC to remain accountable to the United Nations Security Council in line with Chapter 5, Article 24 (1) of the UN Charter for purposes of maintaining international peace and security cannot be overemphasized. Massive atrocities have been committed by terrorists in Nigeria under your nose yet you kept mute, only to regain your voice where the military is mentioned. It is, therefore, our prayer that you take urgent steps to correct the erroneous impression which your publication has made concerning the hitherto highly esteemed reputation of the ICC. The best thing we envisage from your office in the coming days is to prove to the world that ICC is indeed not being subjected to undue pressure from Western Nations hiding under the cover of Amnesty International to bankroll the hatchet job of throwing Nigeria into complete anarchy through the promotion of terrorist activities.

We do hope that you will be properly guided!

EndSARS and Our Missing Conscience

By Idoko Ainoko

Nigeria is a country where citizens delight in unrewarding drudgery. As a nation, some persons believe Nigeria has no existential codes or laws, which confers on citizens the obligation of compliance. Disorderliness has deeply entrenched its roots in the country. That’s the vignettes of the bleakness of life in Nigeria.

It depicts the nocturnal symbolism of bleakness or nothingness in the poem, “Rhapsody on a Windy Night,” published in 1917 by celebrated American master poet, T.S Eliot. The everyday struggles of committed leaders to make Nigeria a better country and a proud nation are devitalized by the subversive actions of a few.

And when one looks at the personages influencing and flaunting these aberrant actions against the state, it becomes clear as expressed by the confused speaker in T.S Eliot’s cited poem, who talks about “lunar synthesis,” a symbology of “madness” reflective in meaningless incantations and exertions on the State.

It expresses the despair and depressions caused genuine leaders by “mad” egoists and conmen flagging the portrait of patriotism. But inside their hearts are actively functional chambers of the devil’s office, pushing them to mendacities and spiteful siege on the state. A nation or state exits because there are citizens and vice versa.

Nigerians started a fresh week, on Monday December, 14th 2020, with assailing media reports credited to the disgusting civil society organization by the nomenclature, Alliance for Survival of COVID-19 and Beyond, (ASCAB). It claims the flagship of a coalition with 80 other civil rights organizations’ operating in the country. Whether Nigeria has 80 civil society organizations numerated today, appears more like fantasy. Perhaps, others in the conglomeration of 80 have their identities and offices located in the skies.

But Nigeria’s human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, who has a record of dubiously conniving with some of his clients to feign “severe ailment,” to create escape path against justice is also a leading leader of ASCAB. He has drafted a few lawyers, some of whom are also Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) like Mr. Chino Obiagwu (SAN) into the flagrant abuse of Nigeria’s extant laws and scamming of their country.

In a public statement, titled a “Call for Complaints of Human Rights Violations by Police, Military and Other Law Enforcement Agencies in Nigeria,” ASCAB boldly and dubiously usurped the powers of the state and law courts to institute independent probes on public matters of legal status outside their jurisdiction. What is most intriguing is not really, the foolishness of the intended actions; but the mulishness of some learned men of the silk and gown to desecrate the law in the pretext of seeking of justice.

And the pig- heads of this deliberate violation of subsisting laws of Nigeria and mindless/illegal eroding of powers of the state in commanding the instruments of law and justice for the citizenry are Falana and Obiagwu, but both of them parades the distinctive title of SANs. Indeed, ASCAB’s public statement as signed by Chino Obiagwu (SAN), assigned the bogus position of ASCAB’s “probe” panel’s chairman. So, Obiagwu serves both as Panel chairman and ASCAB Secretary or its publicist? One-man show for those who can denote the diction.

Cast any Nigerian in the most noxious lion’s den like the Holy Scriptures reveals of Daniel, he won’t recant his decision that both Falana and co-travellers in this disreputable outing are oblivious of the consciously unlawful infringement on the exclusive rights/powers of the State and the Judiciary. What does Falana and members of his odious sect want for Nigeria?

An excerpt from ASCAB public statement reads; “All interested victims regardless of whether they have approached the OFFICIAL (emphasis mine) commissions of inquiry set up by the State Governments or not can submit memos to the Citizens Tribunal.” By this implicative confession as reflected, Falana and his gang also knows, the ASCAB independent probe is a scam of Nigeria and Nigerians.

It is Falana who is a lawyer. So, he is challenged to explain to Nigerians and the world which section or clause in the Nigerian Constitution which allows civil society organizations or individuals to institute judicial probes in matters of state security; and more feloniously, simultaneously with JCIs constituted by the State?

And in open propagation of emptiness or brainlessness, ASCAB again persuades and quips; “To this end, all victims that have submitted a petition to the official commissions of inquiry should indicate if they have, and specify which of the commissions they submitted their petitions to. This will enable us follow up and track petitions at the official commissions.”

Only madmen, embark on a voyage without making the necessary arrangements to get to the destination. Its foolhardy to depend on a system which Falana’s actions have already discredited. Let ASCAB and Falana be told that they would never be allowed to strike the unholy and criminal alliance with any official and lawful JCIs.

There is no better explication of Falana’s actions other than the barefaced reality that #EndSARS protests was planned to be executed in phases. The first phase was the experience of Nigerians waking up to encounter the violent protests, bloodbath, rape of women, awful destructions to public and private properties. Nigeria initially mistook it as peaceful protests and so, it succeeded with even relics of gruesome murders of soldiers, policemen and civilians by the protesters.

Phase II of #EndSARS protests manifested in the feeble attempts by the likes of Sowore to stage another round of violent protests in Abuja, and other mega cities in Nigeria. But it did not succeed. Thanks to the eagle eyes of security agents. In all these versions of #EndSARS, Falana, the godfather and the same people regrouping now were the overt and covert forces behind it in the guise of fighting human rights.

And now, the demigod, Falana feeling frustrated enough has decided to take the bull by the horns by personally. The present chants by ASCAB to constitute independent panels of inquiry across Nigeria into allegations of police brutality and extra-judicial killings as symbolized by SARS is another doomed reincarnation of #EndSARS protests.

The intendment of Falana and coy is to undermine and discredit the lawful and official probes into SARS malfeasances as currently investigated by Judicial Commission of Inquiries (JCIs) set up throughout the 36 states of the federation, including Abuja, as directed by the Presidency. And Nigerians are expecting official reports, with recommendations when the panels conclude sittings.

Nigeria is truly a wasteland! The excitement of Falana and his gang of reneges are pursuing a mission, activated by some foreign forces, who are relentless in seeing to the destabilization of Nigeria. The US Dollars believed to have been offered them is the irresistible bait. But they should be reasonable enough to enjoy their bounty and allow other Nigerians have some peace or respite from psychological torture.

And in order not to disappoint their foreign sponsors, Mr. Obiagwu SAN, generously revealed the spread of tentacles by the ASCAB illegal probe panel to flaunt a sign of seriousness in these words; “…the panel will hold public sittings at various locations across Nigeria to hear oral testimonies of complainants and demand accountability from the concerned law enforcement agency.” What guts?

But Nigerians know what the likes of Falana and the destructive allies, plot in dark rooms against Nigeria. The financiers are no longer secret, same as what motivates the likes of Falana. The detailed programming of the execution of the third phase of #EndSARS protests as spearheaded by Falana’s ASCAB are also open secrets now.

Impeccable security sources, which have painstakingly monitored the planned phase III reinvigoration of #EndSARS protests have alleged that Falana and ASCAB have taken custody of substantial dollars pushed to the group by these foreign actors against Nigeria. The grand plot is to destabilize Nigeria and discredit the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari by all means possible, using compromised citizens like Falana.

The truth is that the Lagos judicial probe panel so far, has nothing incriminating to indict the Army over the Lekki incident of October 20, 2020 as expected by the Falanas. Angered deeply, Falana and his goons, including DJ Switch are jittery that their poorly contrived lies would eventually be exposed when the Lagos probe panel releases the official report.

These unpatriotic elements are bent on tarnishing the image of security agencies especially the Nigerian Army. It’s obvious, leading promoters and sponsors of #EndSARS like Falana are targeting the COAS, Lt. Gen. TY Buratai, whom they want to crucify at all cost. The conspiracy to persecute leaders of Nigeria’s security agencies is impenetrable.

Therefore, Falana, his acolytates and masters are less concerned about the killings of soldiers, police personnel; the destructions, the lootings, vandalizations, theft of private and public properties by #EndSARS protestors by launching an illegal and diversionary independent probe. Or else, how could anybody figure an independent body of inquiry by individuals, unlawfully competing with the JCIs set up by Government?

Security sources have also alleged that ASCAB probe would have some hired military men, with their faces covered to present damaging reports against the COAS and their foreign co-conspirator in the media, CNN is already waiting to give the panel exceptional coverage and publicity alongside pliant local media.

So, part of the Phase III of #EndSARS tacit protests is evident in the illegal ASCAB independent probe panel, hence the dollars have already landed in their kitty. Falana, what again do you want from Nigeria and who is beating the drums for you and your clique to destabilize Nigeria? Is Falana saying that the various probe panels can’t do their work again? Are they saying that they have no confidence in the eminent Nigerians that are on the panels at various levels in different states in Nigeria?

Is Falana the most credible Nigerian alive today? It can never be true because a lawyer with integrity will not connive with his client facing trial on breach of national security to assist him escape judgment. Enough of Falana’s destructive plots and noise.

Ainoko wrote this piece from Kaduna.

What else does Falana want?

By Mohammed Jega

Lagos based lawyer, Femi Falana lives in a cage. He has like the character, Malone, in Arthur Conan Doyle’s science fiction, The Lost World, who realising he had lost his fiancee to another man, gave up on trying to make meaning out of civilisation and chose to go back to the jungle.

Like Malone, Falana, who delude in the deception of a vacuos label of a civil rights defender, had not always abode in his present habitat. He only moved there after losing out a coveted prize.

Falana started inhabiting a grotto only in 2015, when his name got missing from the list of ministerial nominees President Muhammadu Buhari was supposed to have sent to the Senate for screening.

Obviously expecting a reward for his inconsequential but self acclaimed support to the APC in the build up to the 2015 General election, the Lagos based lawyer had assumed wrongly that his opaque outbursts and discombobulated gibberish were enough to cast him in the mould of a progressive and had to be compensated for his loquaciousness.

When that didn’t happen, definitely due to the confirmation through various screenings that his alignment with the Progressives prior to the 2015 election were mere pretences that were only surface deep, the man who was expecting to be sent to the justice ministry lost his cool and since then detested everything that civilisation stood for and changed his address metaphorically to start living in a cave.

By doing that, Falana fitted the character of the person Mehmet Murat Ilddan in his poem ‘If,’ counseled, when he said, “If you’re after the truth, leave your cage.” But it was obvious that Falana is not after the truth hence refused to leave the cage.

Rather than take the counsel and  leave the dark crevices for light, truth and justice, Falana prefers to position himself in the dour of lies thereby travelling farther from civilisation.

The beef, from the benefit of hindsight, is what made him to take up the brief of a religious sect that has constantly been harassing its neighbours, incessantly refusing to obey the laws of the land and was operating as a state within a state in Nigeria.

After failing woefully to prove anything against the Nigerian State over the clash between the Nigerian Army and the sect after several court processes,  Falana has refused to heed the call by Ilddan but like a squirrel in a hole prefers to dig deeper to cover himself with dust only to confirm the words of Liba Bray that, “If you stay in your little cave, that’s one less fighter on the side of fair.”

Falana has been one less of a fighter on the side of fair as he has continued in ways that portray him as being on the path of legal recidivism by taking up unpatriotic and illogical briefs.

The latest is the setting up of a so called independent panel of inquiry on alleged SARS brutality and human rights violations during the EndSARS protests by Falana and his friends at a time the Lagos State Government which is empowered by law to do so has done so and has gone far with that task and is about concluding sitting after taking evidence from various parties. 

Falana claims he is leading a coalition of some 80 civil society groups, including the country’s leading labour movements to hear afresh cases on human rights violations and is calling for complaints of human rights violations by police, military and other law enforcement agencies in Nigeria.

He claimed the ‘Citizen Panel’ is open to all Nigerians, including the media and that it will employ best global practices to unravel the misery encountered by many victims of SARS and that it would employ litigation where necessary to enforce justice, which may include compensation for victims. 

The whole idea shows how far a man who lusts after relevance can go to get back at an administration whose only fault is doing everything right but has refused to do as he wished.

Otherwise as a lawyer, Falana understands very well that two ‘ courts ‘cannot sit on the same matter at the same time. 

Everyone is aware that the Lagos State Government did the most responsible thing by setting up a panel of inquiry into alleged claims of SARS brutality and that it is doing a good job of it by hearing from every side.

This, ordinarily should have demonstrated to every responsible person that the government is desirous of establishing the truth in order to ensure justice to all concerned including the accused. 

So far, the panel has heard from virtually all the parties including the alleged victims and even the security agencies.

But because Falana and co have come to realise that their lies are being gradually exposed, they could not wait for the legally constituted panel to conclude sittings before they rushed to set up a parallel body just to introduce chaos and unleash a regime of disorder in the process.

The question is, how could there be an independent body of inquiry by whatever guise or name sitting at the same time with that of the government on similar cases?

What is the aim of this body and what does it intend to achieve if the intention is not to pervert justice and twist facts towards a premidated aim?

From all indications, it is clear that Falana and his co-travellers, having lost the gravitas to sustain their lies and innuendos at the legally constituted panel, now want to make mockery of the entire judicial system by setting up a kangaroo body that has no place in the statutes.

Falana and his friends want to be the accusers and the judges in their own case thereby denying other citizens especially the security agents who were brutally murdered and their flesh eaten by some of the protesters justice.

They want to have a platform to hide the truth about what happened at the Lekki Toll Gate to the world by projecting only a DJ Switch kind of infantile narrative which escalates between fiction and mischief claiming at a point that 74 people were shot and later 17 with no evidence to show other than a painted flag.

They want to suppress the damage done by some of these sponsored criminals who ran amok and destroyed private and public property worth billions of naira who also stole from both the government and private individuals.

The fact is that Falana knows he has no case to prove so the only way to cover the eyes of Lady Justice is this bringandage he is trying to introduce.

But because he is being sponsored like the hoodlums that destroyed public and private property in the name of protests he must be seen to be doing something. 

For a start, the claim of leading over 80 groups in this futile attempt to thwart the course of justice is a lie.

Falana’s campaign from reliable sources has been rebuffed by reputable lawyers and he is virtually alone with only a sprinkle of hangers on egdging him on.

The Lagos based lawyer does not know that as he tries to play a fast one on the public, some of the people he is working with, who have been shortchanged financially in the deal, have started singing and have confirmed that substantial amounts in hard currencies have been provided to sponsors the panel just to cause confusion in the polity due to their selfish ambitions.

The word is already out in the streets that some hooded ‘military men’ would be brought to appear at the Falana ‘Panel’ to give damaging reports about respected state institutions and security agencies which would be covered by the CNN all in the bid to achieve this selfish aim. The aim, some of the insiders have also confessed is to put together these junk for possible presentation at the ICC.

Falana and his co-travellers forget that evidence is never contrived and that all the histrionics they are introducing to the legal process would expose them as unfortunate mercenaries who for filthy lucre would sacrifice patriotism and nation building for self comfort. It was the Greek philosopher, Plato who once wrote that the cave is a bit cold and someone coming out of it should be welcomed. It is high time Falana takes the advice and comes out of his cave.

Jega wrote this piece from 19 Balewa street, Bauchi.

Group accuses CNG of plotting to undermine Buhari, Armed forces

The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has been found at the centre of a fresh plot to blackmail and undermine President Muhammadu Buhari and the Armed Forces of Nigeria across the north. 

According to the Northern Patriots (NP), in disguise of fighting for the security of the region, the CNG secretly sponsors banditry. 

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday in Abuja through Secretary-General, Samuel Daloba, the group revealed that the aim is to instigate a tribal war which would ultimately lead to a coup to oust President Buhari.

The Northern Patriots said it came to this conclusion after critically observing the recent activities of bandits in the northwest. 

Recall that the CNG has launched countless scathing attacks on President Buhari and the nations Armed Forces, with many observers alleging a sponsored and political undertone. 

While acknowledging security challenges confronting the region, the Northern Patriots noted that it is driven principally by the CNG members to steal and plunder. 

The Northern Patriots, however, implored Nigerians not take heed to “lugubrious media assertions that are peddling false news about insecurity updates from the north”. 

The group further admitted that the president has so far proffered solution to the security situation and assured that very soon, the CNG will be exposed.

Read the full statement below:

This press conference is scheduled on the dismal objectives on informing Nigerians of the activities of desperados and people acting under political instigation to undermine and blackmail President Buhari.

The Northern Patriots having critically observed the recent activities of bandits in the north to the activities of the coalition of Nothern groups and their plans which have been encrypted in the disguise of fighting for northern security.

The Northern Patriot’s state without mincing words that, It’s not special news that for more than two years now, northwestern Nigeria has faced devastating attacks from armed bandits, particularly in the states of Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, Niger, and Sokoto. So many of these attacks are driven by many overlapping factors, including cattle rustling, the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, illicit artisanal mining, youth unemployment, poverty, and inequality. This has been further compounded by the weakened, stretched, and demoralized security services, who are deployed in thirty-five of Nigeria’s thirty-six states and will soon enter the second decade of their war against Boko Haram, one of Africa’s deadliest terror groups. It is estimated that many of the armed bandits are of Fulani origin, as are many of the victims.

Banditry, which includes armed robbery, murder, rape, and cattle-rustling, is present in Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Cameroon, Senegal and Mali. This shows that these security matters are not only faced in Nigeria alone but also other African nations.

Of lately, we have observed that banditry has been on the increase in northern Nigeria. This is a region we know that is with many security problems, chief among them being Boko Haram’s insurgency. While the northern patriots were chanting the eulogy of the president and Nigeria Armed forces for their undisputed strategical efforts in bringing Boko Haram activities to great decline, we are shocked by the uprise and resistance that banditry has taken over time, and these actions have begged the question “How are they getting support?”

We know that Boko haram has counted a lot of casualties, and felt decapitated in their technicality. Hence, they have resolved into using rural banditry as a supportive plan, this they have achieved by having a coalition with unpatriotic Northern Nigerians, who are being supported by Northern political desperados and persons under political instigation to blackmail president Buhari and to cause another trend of #EndSARS in northern Nigeria. They know that these are the people that have sufficient knowledge of the terrains and the security weak spots; these are the people that can easily be trusted to perpetuate their evil acts. For one thing, some of these communities are located in remote areas where there is little or no government presence. More importantly, households are in some cases separated by and interspersed with forest areas. This renders the people there vulnerable to banditry.

The Northern Patriots are convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that this armed violence is driven principally by the criminal intent to steal and plunder. It is motivated by the selfish quest for economic accumulation in destabilizing the calmness in the Northern states. From the information we got from some disarmed bandits that went on unsuccessful operations, with the help of the Nigeria armed force that subdued them, they confessed to being paid and sponsored by some elite group, who do not have the country’s interests at heart. 

It is heartbreaking to us, knowing that these bandits are no outsiders, but people in the same community and culture with us, that have allowed themselves to be used as weaponry for the cause disorderliness which is a menace to our security.

To this effect, the incidence and prevalence of rural banditry in northwest Nigeria raise a fundamental question about the hidden plans of National coup which some have been nursing in their heart. The state security machinery has so far failed to tackle the scourge of banditry and this failure stems from a lack of political will and operational challenges.

Unfortunately for them, Many Nigerians and Northern patriots are not oblivious of the fact that President Muhammadu Buhari has been relentless on his fight against banditry and insurgency. We can rightly say that billions of dollars have gone down in these great fights in other to achieve this monumental task, but these groups have been building strong resistances over time, which is fueled from hidden support being channelled to them from northern political desperadoes.

Therefore, it is inconceivable to believe that no efforts are being made to overcome insecurity, banditry is an insurgency in the northern state. The Northern patriots believe that all the vile incidents happening in the northern parts is, as a result, the efforts made by irresponsible savage northern beasts that also occupy the helm of security affairs in a bid to frustrate the President and to instigate tribal war in discrediting the Muhammadu Buhari.

We want to clearly state it to Nigerians that, the insecurity in Nigeria under President Muhammadu Buhari is at a great decline. The president has implemented grassroots community policing, where the people involved are properly trained, equipped, supervised and enriched by local personnel and intelligence under the supervision of Nigeria Armed forces. 

Northern patriots are imploring other patriots in Nigeria to not take heed to lugubrious media assertions that are peddling false news about insecurity updates from the northern parts of Nigerian. We are pleased to tell you that the President is have made lots of impacts and have proffered solution to tackling banditry and insurgency. Very soon, the bad one will be fished out and made open for all to see.

We remain patriotic northern compatriots of this great nation.

God bless the president, God bless Nigeria.

ICC Investigation: Group accuses AI, others of sponsoring fictitious evidence

Amnesty International, Transparency International and other acclaimed international NGOs have conspired with several Civil Society Organisations in the country to fabricate and present false evidence against the Armed Forces of Nigeria to the International Criminal Court, a rights group has said.

According to the Civil Rights Advocates of Nigeria (CRAN), both foreign groups have already paid a whopping $1,750,000 to the ICC to arrive at a verdict against Nigeria. 

The CRAN further revealed that the local CSOs are the next in line to receive their share of the fortune in exchange for fake evidence and malicious reports that would align with the ICC’s position. 

This damning revelation was made public at a press conference on Tuesday in Abuja by CRAN’s president, Daniel Obaje. 

The CRAN noted that the said funds would be disbursed similarly as during the #EndSARS movement to recruit, train and empower actors to discredit military personnel. 

The group said the ultimate is to weaken the Armed Forces ahead of the second wave of politically instigated protests across the country which has been slated to commence in Mach 2021. 

The rights group, however, vowed to expose AI, TI and their cohorts to show the world their true colours. 

Read the full statement below:

Gentlemen of the press, we wish we have good news to share with you are here to honour our invitation, but sadly, there is no good news here. We have sombre news for you, and it is to the effect that those that are out to sabotage Nigeria have not relented. They have instead perfected their plan in a manner that shows that there has to be a radical shift in the way Nigeria relates with known enemies so that it can better manage the security breaches that are taking different dimensions with each passing day.

We want you to recall the #EndSARS protests, the sheer scale of violence inflicted on Nigeria by those protests, and the seeming inability of the military services with their other counterparts to respond. Please note that by the virtues of the bank accounts that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) later secured court orders to freeze we have now become aware that people were paid to carry out those protests.

The second thing to note is that the inability of the military and the police to stop the orgy of destruction did not befall them overnight.  The demoralization and incapacitation of these institutions took a long time in the making. It was insidiously done over a period using fabricated reports that indict the security apparatus of the country daily. They have created an atmosphere of fear that makes it impossible for the relevant agencies to respond without being afraid of the woke brigade that has been positioned to second guess their every move and labels them as the offending party even when fighting with terrorists. 

Further note that during and after the protests, there was a full-fledged command and control operation that churned out fake news against the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and its agencies. That command-and-control operation reportedly functioned from Canada where NGOs, particularly the international ones and their local affiliates vocally presented alternate fact in a bid to stack on one more layer of lies to discredit the military establishment and other security agencies. In achieving this, all stops were pulled as these NGOs even canonized know terrorist organizations like the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) with the toga of respectability. 

It is therefore not surprising that the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has joined the chorus of those executing these false flag operations. The ICC recently declared that it plans to investigate the Nigerian military for a wide range of human rights violation, even though it made clear that the military was nowhere near the crimes committed by Boko Haram, it nonetheless decided to work with partners who focused on the military and blew the accusation out of proportion. The reality is that the ICC has proven itself to be an organization that has tied itself to the hem of Amnesty International and the interests it represents, globally and here in Nigeria.

Like every other right-thinking person who was puzzled at the decision announced by the ICC, we find it odd that the creation of the Rome Statute has become a willing tool in the hands of the highest bidder, one that would stand logic on its head, support terrorists by failing to order their arrest and vilifying agencies of the Nigerian State. 

What is surprising is the extent to which the ICC is in bed with organizations that run campaigns that are in clear violation of what the Court stands for. We have learnt that Amnesty international and Transparency international provided the sum of $1, 750,000, out of which officials at the ICC were facilitated to arrive at a recommendation that will be damning of Nigeria. we have credible information that the amount was paid into an account outside Nigeria while more fund is still being expected into the account. This same approach was adopted in financing the #EndSARS protests hence the subversion related transactions that made the CBN order the freeze on some accounts. 

We have reliably gathered that the Nigerian Armed forces are now the new target of character assassination to weaken it before the second wave of politically instigated protests across the country which has been slated to commence in Mach 2021. 

Nigerians should be concerned at this substantial dollar amount was provided by entities acting for Amnesty International and Transparency International. Please, we urge you to go and research the boards of both organizations and you will discover that the same set of people are running this gig. The investigation that the ICC said it wants to launch has been paid for and bought. They want the ICC investigation to end up with a report that fits into their agenda. These organizations have recruited, trained and empowered actors and discredited military personnel with their faces covered; their objective is to present damaging reports against the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The media arm of this cartel is on standby to manipulate public perception of any resulting investigation. CNN and Sahara Reporters are waiting in the wing to run negative coverage of same. 

Gentlemen of the press, we, therefore, find it pertinent to expose Amnesty International and Transparency International and show the world their true colours. We demand to know from these two organizations why they are sponsoring covert operations against the institutions of the Nigeria state. We want to know their motive in the country.

Katsina Boys: Group prayers for safe return, armed forces leadership

The National Inter-Faith and Religious Organizations for Peace (NIFROP), on Tuesday, held a one-day national prayer session for the safe return of abducted Katsina students and the leadership of the Armed Forces of Nigeria. 

According to the group, the best way to get the nation out of the clutches of agents of darkness hell-bent on bringing sorrows, tears and blood to Nigerians is to return to God. 

While extending its thoughts and prayers to the families and relatives of the students, the NIFROP called on all Nigerians to join in this spiritual exercise against those undermining the peace of the country. 

In a statement signed by National Coordinator, Bishop Sunday Garuba, the group also hailed the proactive response of the military and other security agencies attempting to rescue the abducted children. 

Heavily armed with the prayers of Nigerians, Bishop Garuba, however, expressed optimism that soon the kidnapped children shall reunite with their families. 

Affirming its support for the Armed Forces, the inter-faith group, therefore, called on all well-meaning Nigerians to do likewise, providing useful information that would lead to the successful rescue of the abducted children. 

Read the full statement below: 

The National Interfaith and Religious Organizations for Peace wishes call on the attention of Nigerians from all walks of life on the need for a One-Day National Prayers for the safe return of the kidnapped students in Katsina state recently. 

Our country is in the middle of a great battle, and we know that the best way for us to battle is on our knees. And the best source to turn to is the Word of God.

We are told in James 5:6 that “The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” We may not have the power to meet the President or other authorities in our government, but we can pray for them, and God can do mighty things through our prayers. We may not be able to change other peoples’ hearts or minds with our words, but we have the power to pray for them and see God do miracles in their hearts through our prayers.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and relatives of these innocent students that were kidnapped from their dormitories by agents of darkness that are hell-bent on bringing sorrows, tears and blood in the country. 

The National Interfaith and Religious condemns in its totality acts of sabotage aimed at disrupting the peace and tranquillity in the country by some individuals and organizations that do not mean well for the growth and development of Nigeria. 

The reward for those that are bent on destabilizing Nigeria can be seen in the book of Psalms 34; 21 “Evil shall slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.” 

I declare that those that have conspired against the peace of Nigeria would meet their waterloo in the fullness of time and the righteous in the land shall indeed sing songs of praises to the host of heaven. 

The National Interfaith and Religious Organizations for Peace is urging Nigerians from all walks of life and various religious bodies to embark on a one-day national prayer for the safe return of the abducted children. 

The National Interfaith and Religious Organizations for Peace commend the proactive response by the military and other security agencies in the efforts to rescue the abducted children. We are optimistic that very soon; the abducted children shall reunite with their families by the grace of God. 

We, therefore, call on all well-meaning Nigerians to extend their support to the military and other security agencies by providing useful information that would lead to the successful rescue of the abducted children. 

Our firm belief is in God, and we wish to assure Nigerians that God is not a man that he should lie for his promises are yes and amen and by his special grace, the military operations to rescue the kidnapped children shall be very successful to the glory of God. 

The National Interfaith and Religious Organization for Peace also affirms its confidence in the leadership of the Armed Forces to ensure that the abducted children are rescued and united with their parents and loved ones.  

As contained in the book of Isaiah 61; 1 “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek. He hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound,” 

I declare the captives free and assure Nigerians that the students and any other Nigerian held captive by the terrorists anywhere in Nigeria will return home and alive. 

GICN criticises ICC over allegations against Nigeria security forces

A Nigerian based pro-democracy, human rights and justice sector group, Global Integrity Crusade Network (GICN), has condemned in strongest possible terms what it described as the attempt by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to blackmail the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security forces presently fighting the war against terrorism in some parts of Northern Nigeria.

While speaking to newsmen in Abuja today, the Compliance Officer of the group, Barrister Peter Alake noted with bitterness that ICC under the leadership of Madame Fatou Bensouda as Chief Prosecutor is beginning to lose focus from being the international court of last resort for the common man that it used to be.

According to Alake, the planned move to investigate Nigerian security forces for so called “crimes against humanity” and war crimes is a shot in the dark, caricature and headless task which will yield no useful results. It rather exposed the ICC as giving tacit cover to Boko Haram terrorists so they can continually perpetrate their dastardly acts against innocent citizens. He added that Amnesty International, a crisis merchant with headquarters in London, United Kingdom over the years hoodwinked ICC into believing that the Nigerian Army being at the forefront of the counter-insurgency war violated rules of engagement in Northern Nigeria by abusing the rights of unarmed civilians.

In his words; “We at GICN are not unaware of the antics of Amnesty International which is being used by their paymasters in the Middle East to destroy Nigeria. They practically resorted to the continuous writing of damaging reports and petitions against the Nigerian Army years ago. On several occasions, Amnesty International accused our security agencies before the ICC of using brutal force and human rights violations while turning a blind eye to the nefarious activities of Boko Haram terrorists which have led to the death of more than 20,000 Nigerians since the year 2012”.

The group wondered why the Chief Prosecutor of ICC will choose to direct her powers towards distracting the military, and by extension, President Muhammadu Buhari led Federal Government of Nigeria from sustaining the gains so far recorded in restoring peace and security to Northern Nigeria. Obviously, Boko Haram terrorists are known for using the unconventional strategy of launching attacks on soft targets. This makes it extremely difficult to identify and isolate its members; hence attempts to repel them had often cost security agencies the lives of many personnel. We are therefore worried that the International Criminal Court is insisting that terrorists should be treated with kid’s glove and probably served tea at the theatre of war, even as they unleash mayhem on military officers.
Alake stated further; “As far as we are concerned, the hasty stance taken by Madame Fatou Bensouda as Chief Prosecutor of ICC to open investigation against the military points to pre-conviction. It has not been shown to our satisfaction that Nigerian Courts are unable to handle any human rights litigation that may have emanated from military-civilian relationship. What the Chief Prosecutor of ICC has done by her lopsided report gives us reason to suspect that she is part of the grand conspiracy to subtly expand neo-colonialist tendencies in Nigeria purely for selfish gains. The bitter truth is that ICC has found the African Continent a fertile ground for its sort of imperialist campaign. If we may ask; for how long will ICC continue to bully Nigeria with reports and threats of prosecution as though we are not a sovereign nation? To what extent has the self-serving ICC frowned at terrorist groups such as Boko Haram, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN)”?
“Let it be known that the attempt by enemies of Nigeria using ICC to destabilize our democracy through promotion of insecurity and reckless killings in various parts of the country will never work. We shall vehemently resist any attempt at dampening the morale of our military forces and strengthening the terrorists. As a group made up of patriotic citizens, GICN has resolved to do everything possible to defend democracy in Nigeria not minding the cost. We submit that Fatou Bensouda, the ICC Chief Prosecutor, erred in her Annual Report on Preliminary Examination Activities (2018) wherein she posited that there is a reasonable basis to believe that Nigerian Security Forces committed crimes punishable under various Sections of the Rome Statute 2002. Judges of the International Criminal Court who have the final voting power must not grant approval for further harassment of our dear country”.
On the whole, we encourage the ever gallant Chief of Army Staff and leader of the counter insurgency war in Nigeria, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai to remain focused on the task at his hand. The soldiers who laid down their own lives that we may sleep with our two eyes closed are highly appreciated. We want them to be assured that our prayers are with them, especially at this crucial period when they are working round the clock to rescue Nigerian students abducted from the all-boys Government Science School in Kankara District, Katsina State on Friday, December 11, 2020.

CNM alleges ICC, AI plotting to prolong anti-insurgency, anti-terrorism war

The International Criminal Court, Amnesty International and their cohorts plan to prolong the war against insurgency and terrorism in Nigeria, the Coalition for Nigeria Movement (CNM) has said. 

The coalition’s position trails the criminal court’s allegation of crimes against humanity and war crimes levelled on the Armed Forces of Nigeria. 

According to the CNM, the ICC’s claims discrediting the noble gains recorded by the troops is not only mischievous but an agenda well-intentioned to cause international embarrassment to the Nigerian government.  

Speaking at a press conference on Monday in Abuja, National Coordinator, Patriot Sabo Odeh, revealed that AI has conscripted the ICC to undermine the efforts of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, hence fuelling the insurgency. 

Like customarily, Patriot Sabo regretted that such move comes when substantial gains are being recorded by the troops in the war against insurgency and terrorism. 

The Coalition for Nigeria Movement,  therefore, charged the troops to avoid distractions from ICC, AI and others, remaining focused on the task of clearing the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists. 

The coalition, however, advised ICC to endeavour to redeem its credibility by apologising to Nigerians and admitting that it erred substantially on its statement. 

Read the full statement below:

The leadership of the Coalition for Nigeria Movement welcomes you all to this press conference convoked to shed light on some issues of strategic importance in the efforts of Nigeria in the war against insurgency and terrorism. 

This press conference is scheduled on the overarching objective on informing Nigerians of the plot by the International Criminal Court (ICC) and its cohorts to prolong the war against insurgency and terrorism in Nigeria.  

The Coalition for Nigeria Movement having dissected the issues raised and canvassed by the ICC wishes to state that the position of the ICC is laced with mischief and an agenda well-intentioned to cause international embarrassment to the government of Nigeria, by discrediting the noble gains recorded by the Armed Forces in Nigeria in the war against insurgency and terrorism in the country. 

The Coalition for Nigeria Movement wishes to state in unequivocal terms that there is a high tendency Amnesty International has conscripted the ICC to discredit the efforts of the Armed Forces of Nigeria in the prosecution of the war against insurgency and terrorism in the country. 

This is on the heels that whenever the Armed Forces are recording substantial gains in the war against insurgency and terrorism, the promoters and sympathizers of terrorist and insurgents groups in Nigeria would do all within their means to distract the Armed Forces by making unsubstantiated allegations in the public space. 

It must also be stated that Amnesty International is one of such organizations that has been notoriously involved in this enterprise. We are therefore constrained to believe that since the activities of Amnesty International has been exposed; the use of proxies to continue their nefarious activities is responsible for the recent enterprise of the ICC on behalf of Amnesty International.   

The Coalition for Nigeria Movement is convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that the position of the ICC with regards to the operations of the Armed Forces of Nigeria is indeed the voice of Jacob and the hands of Esau. 

This much Nigerians must come to terms within the sense that the conspiracy to prolong the war against terrorism and insurgency has reached an alarming stage with the conscription of the ICC at a time when substantial gains are being recorded in the war against insurgency and terrorism. 

It is our considered opinion that Nigerians must understand that there is a need for collective action in defeating insurgency and terrorism in Nigeria. The Armed Forces, aside from engaging the insurgents and terrorist in the trenches, are also dealing with a well-orchestrated slander campaign enforced by Amnesty International and most recently the International Criminal Court. 

The Coalition for Nigeria Movement is using this medium to sound a note of warning to those vested interests that are keen on prolonging the war against insurgency and terrorism in Nigeria to desist from their nefarious ways as the Armed Forces of Nigeria have the full support of Nigerians. 

Nigerians also recognize the patriotic efforts of the Armed Forces in addressing the threats posed by terrorist and insurgent groups in Nigeria and as such the position of the ICC is egregious and must be resisted by the relevant authorities in Nigeria. 

The Coalition for Nigeria Movement is therefore encouraging the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to remain focused in the task of clearing the remnants of the Boko Haram terrorist group in the country. 

We are also charging the troops to refuse to be discouraged by the slander campaign launched by some unscrupulous elements hell-bent on causing a distraction so the already degraded insurgents’ elements can regroup to prolong the war against insurgency and terrorism in Nigeria.

Consequently, the ICC must recant and redeem its credibility by apologizing to Nigerians that it erred substantially on its statement on the operations of the Armed Forces of Nigeria in the prosecution of the war against insurgency and terrorism. 

The ICC must not look further in identifying the promoters of terrorism such as Amnesty International and begin its prosecution for crimes against humanity. This is indeed what is expected from the ICC instead of forming an unholy alliance with notorious groups to prolong the war against insurgency and terrorism in Nigeria systematically.  

The Coalition for Nigeria Movement charges Nigerians to stay vigilant as there would be more scathing attacks on the efforts of the government and the Armed Forces in the war against insurgency and terrorism in Nigeria. 

We thank you for your attention and time. Nigeria shall defeat insurgency and terrorism to the chagrin of those vested interests that do not wish the country well. 

God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 

God bless the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 

Religious Blacklist: Northern christian group urges review by US

Some Christian leaders have expressed disappointment with the United States over the inclusion of Nigeria among countries violating religious freedom in the world.

The group, under the auspices of Northern Christian Leaders of Nigeria (NCLN), urged the Donald Trump-led administration to review and reaccess its earlier position which it believes inferred support for terrorist sympathisers in the country. 

Speaking at a press conference on Monday in Abuja, through President, Rev. Job Idoko, the NCLF said Nigeria’s inclusion is unacceptable and illogical owing to the politics of bitter opposition “who have deployed every means to run down the current administration”. 

According to the group, the same aggrieved politicians are in support of the blacklist, playing the religious card openly while surreptitiously supporting the masked evil against Nigeria for partisan reasons.

While admitting to sponsored armed gangs and criminals in the country, the Christian leaders said it bears no religious undertone as being portrayed by the U.S. 

The group, therefore, demanded an immediate review and removal of Nigeria’s name from the repulsive blacklist, adding that the country is among the safest to practice any religion. 

The NCLF, however, urged all Nigerians to join the Federal Government to “reject resoundingly, the generalized foreign tagging of their country by anyone as a terrorist’s nation”. 

Read the full statement below: 

“USA’s blacklist of Nigeria among countries violating religious freedom is extremely faulty; inferred support for terrorist sympathizers in Nigeria.”

Being full text of a Press Conference addressed by the Northern Christian Leaders of Nigeria (NCLF) President, Rev. Job Idoko, which frowns at United States of America’s glaringly deceptive lure into the politics of Nigeria’s internal terrorist’s sponsors, sympathizers and agents of terror acts and call for its immediate reversal, held on December 14, 2020, in Abuja.

Read the full statement below:

We wish to welcome you to this brief Press Conference. We also thank you for the prompt response and may Almighty God bless all of you and Nigerians abundantly.

We have summoned this urgent interaction with you to speak to Nigerians on a very serious matter of national and international dimension. And our greatest worry is the conscious revival of our permanently sentimental and destructive fault-lines of ethnicity and religion.

Most of you must have heard about the USA’s inclusion of the name of Nigeria among countries, the White House approved as blacklisted for what it calls “systematic” violation or stifling of religious freedom. With American’s latest list, Nigeria has now been paired alongside countries like Eritrea, Myanmar, North Korea, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Pakistan, Iraq, Afghanistan and others.  

As Christian leaders, we find the latest categorization of Nigeria among these countries very unacceptable and illogical.  The debate of whether or not Nigeria should be included in the defaming and demeaning black/watchlist of Nigeria by America on targeted countries famed for violating religious freedom is not new to us.  We want to believe the USA is hoodwinked into taking the hasty decision on Nigeria at the moment.  

NCLF’s is aware of the US Law which has permitted this blacklist, and its threats sanctions on countries in the blacklist, if they fail to improve. But if the USA has ever blundered, anytime in its history, it is on this score. We are surprised that with all its claims to sophistry, it cannot denote the internal politics of bitter opposition members who deploy every weapon at their disposal to run down an incumbent Government in Nigeria.  

These soulless politicians can unconscionably seek the backing of even a blind man or cripple to push the devious agenda.  It is what is happening to Nigeria now. And it is expected that America with its global aura of significance and desire to see a better world on the principles of freedom, liberty, fairness and justice would condescend to listen to gutter gossips on Nigeria and adopt or stamp an official decision based on it.

Let us crave the indulgence of the world to elucidate President Donald Trump and indeed, the American Government of the recurring games politicians play in Nigeria. These are antics they have been unknowingly goaded to believe its Government stifling of religious freedom or persecution of Christians in Nigeria.  

Of course, Nigeria is under heavy and near unbearable conspiratorial pressures by armed gangs and criminals. These armed criminals whether as Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists, herdsmen, armed bandits, insurrectionists, armed robbers/kidnappers and the likes have a common agenda- it is to destabilize Nigeria, cause the general breakdown of law and order, increase the tempo of lamentations’ in the land to discredit all incumbent leaders especially, President Muhammadu Buhari who is only guilty of their blackmail by his faith as a Muslim.

These are sponsored armed gangs by disgruntled politicians in the country. And once the armed gangs go out to commit atrocities and horrendous crimes against humanity, there is no distinction between Christians and Muslims. Their swords of blood affect everybody indiscriminately, depending on where and when they descend their fury on innocent citizens.

Records of such killings in Nigeria by these armed gangs bear no special imprimatur of haunting for a particular religious sect or ethnic groups in the country. It is just a manifestation of the crimes some Nigerian elites have decided to visit their country. From Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists to armed bandits, the sectarian crisis in Kaduna to herdsmen invasions, the story is the same. Both Christians and Muslims are caught in the crossfire of bloodshed and all have been killed by these agents of the devil in competitive numbers, including traditionalists or believers in traditional religion.

We believe America has such details in their kitty before now.  Therefore, we shall not bore anybody with a repetition of such past gores. But let us recount the latest violent incident of gunmen invasion of a boarding school in Katsina state a few days ago. Katsina happens to be the home state of incumbent President Buhari.

But about three days ago (last Friday night), some armed and unidentified persons stormed Government Science Secondary School, in Kankara LGA area of the state, a strict boarding school with a population of slightly above 800 students. It was in the night and they started shooting, ending this violence with the kidnap of over half the population of the school.  The BBC even reported on Sunday, 12th December 2020, that about 400 kidnapped students are still missing from the incident.

Katsina state in Nigeria’s Northwest is near 100% or predominately a Muslim state and Mr. President’s home state.  So, could anybody reasonably conclude that the over 400 students kidnapped in the boarding school at Kankara were all Christians? Could Mr. President be so callous and insensitive as to allow gunmen kidnap children of his own kith and kin, also Muslims like him?  This is what some hired Nigerians are doing to their own country and playing the religious card of persecution to the global community.

We are, therefore, cautioning America to re-watch, and deeply reassess to review its hasty decision. It should rather explore ways to possibly assist Nigeria to get out of this insecurity quagmire than bow this low to charlatans campaigning for selfish agenda.

We wish to openly reiterate that the internal supporters/campaigners of America’s blacklist of Nigeria are aggrieved politicians who are simply, playing the religious card openly; while surreptitiously supporting the masked evil against Nigeria for partisan reasons. These deviously cursed souls are after the heart of Nigeria, intent on causing its total ruination. And the global attention they seek, by playing the religious card is because President Buhari happens to be a leader of Nigeria now, who belongs to the Islamic faith and the tales.   

That’s why some leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), most of whom are also politicians, so in support of the blacklist of Nigeria on America’s blacklist of countries violating religious freedom. But members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) (Shiites Muslims) have also accepted the wrong American decision on Nigeria.  But are Shiites a Christian sect in Nigeria? How, then do they claim religious persecution, under a President of Muslim extraction? 

These are the salient issues which should guide America’s review and next decision. It’s just the evil which has perverted our land. It is courted and romanced by the non-state actors gleefully.

Consequent upon this, we wholeheartedly back up the FGN’s total rejection of the allegations of Christian persecution in Nigeria and describe the U.S’s decision as very unripe, unthoughtful and unreasonable. We, therefore, boldly inform the U.S. Secretary of State. Mr. Mike Pompeo to delist Nigeria from its freshest list of suspected violators of religious freedom among the   nine other nations as “countries of concern.”

It is an attempt to prevent America from withholding the supply of the 12 Tucano Fighter Jets, which Nigeria paid in 2017 to fight Boko Haram terrorists. And also, other possible Military assistance the USA might want to render to Nigeria to defeat Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists.

NCLF therefore, call for an immediate review and removal of Nigeria’s name from the repulsive blacklist. Nigeria and Nigerians deserve her respectful position amongst the comity of nations. Nigeria doesn’t and hasn’t violated anyone’s religious or human rights on freedom of worship.

Nigeria remains the freest country in religious tolerance. We should avoid mixing politics with insecurity and American is in the best position to understand it better.  Once again, we reject the resentful tagging of Nigeria by America.  They are propelled by the handiwork of Nigeria’s enemies and we again, repeat the call for an immediate retraction.

Lastly, we are calling on all Nigerians to reject resoundingly, the generalized foreign tagging of their country by anyone, as a terrorist’s nation. We are only battling invading terrorists, but we are neither a terrorist nation onora country which violates religious freedom.  Thank you and may God bless you and Nigerians.