Nigeria Times – Page 549

Gana: Investigate Suswam, Ortom’s links with erstwhile killer, civil rights group to FG

A civil society group, Coalition for Truth and Justice (CTJ) has called on the Federal Government to investigate Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State and his predecessor, Gabriel Suswam over alleged links to slain militia leader, Terwase Akwaza, popularly known as Gana.

Akwaza, who terrorized Benue/Taraba axis, was killed at a roadblock mounted by the army along Gbese-Gboko-Makurdi road following exchange of gunfire on Tuesday.

The Benue State Government had in 2015 granted amnesty to over 500 criminals including Gana, most of whom relapsed into the act.

Gana was later in 2017 declared wanted by the police while the state government placed a N10 million bounty on him.

However, some political leaders in Benue, including Governor Ortom and Suswam, who represents Benue North in the National Assembly have expressed mixed feelings.

In reaction, through a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Timothy Charles, on Thursday, the Coalition for Truth and Justice said the pair and others should be investigated for even suggesting the idea of amnesty in the first place for a notorious militia leader.

The civil rights group said it won’t be surprised if these elites funded Gana’s operations and shielded him from the prying eyes of the security agents who have been on his trail in the past three years.

” The Coalition for Truth and Justice wishes to state that the uproar generated from some quarters in the aftermath of the death of Gana indicates that indeed, he Gana is the darling of politicians in Benue state for the advancement of their political agenda and with total disregard for the lives of the innocent women and children that have fallen victim to the nefarious activities of Gana and his gang of menacing marauders,” the statement reads.

“The Coalition for Truth and Justice indeed smells a rat in the unfolding events in Benue state with regards to the allegation levelled against the Nigerian Army in the death of Gana after a gun duel with soldiers at a military checkpoint.

“It is thus our considered opinion that for the political class to have muted the idea of Amnesty for a notorious militia leader who has killed and maimed hundreds of thousands of people is an indication that he Gana was a stooge of some political leaders in Benue state, who have continually funded his operations and shielded him from the prying eyes of the security agents who have been on his trail in the past three years.

” We also wish to state that we have it on good authority that the proposed Amnesty was a strategy developed by his sponsors and patrons to shield him from the full wrath of the law after using him to settle political scores as well as rig elections”.

The CTJ, therefore, called on the Federal Government as a matter of urgency investigate the links between Ortom and Suswan with the late militia leader.

It added that “Our position is hinged on the allegations by the Governor of Benue state and his co-travellers in the attempt to blackmail the Nigerian Army instead of commending it for this rare feat against ridding the North Central States in Nigeria of activities of militia groups as well as bandits whose activities have become a source of worry and concern in recent times.

“The Federal Government must also investigate the circumstances that warranted granting Amnesty to a criminal who has killed and maimed as well as committed other atrocious acts against the state. We, therefore, urge the Federal Government to do all within its powers to ensure that all those that have funded the operations of Gana and his gang are brought to face the full wrath of the law”.

The Coalition for Truth and Justice, however, commended the Nigerian Army for this feat and encourage the troops not to be distracted by the antics of politicians that have been fueling the crisis in states in North Central.

Group justifies killing of Gana, says nowhere in the world is amnesty granted more than once

The Middle- Belt Civil Rights Congress ( MBCRC) has added its voice to the debate on the killing of Benue criminal kingpin, Mr. Terwase Akwaza notoriously known as Gana.

The group said the security agencies were right to have taken the necessary action that could prevent further threats to lives and property.

Gana was said to have been killed while being transported to Makurdi, the Benue State capital,to be granted amnesty by the state governor, Samuel Ortom.

Controversies however surround the circumstances of his death as some allege he was killed after he surrendered his arms while some claim he was killed in an exchange of gun fire.

But the Middle-belt group in a statement said the controversy surrounding the death of Gana is needless as the late criminal gang leader made himself unworthy of any act of leniency under Nigerian laws having breached the terms of such conditions more than once in the past.

The group says the purpose of amnesty is not to bend the law to protect certain persons no matter how height connected but to ensure justice without going through the rigours of trials.

It says in the case of Gana, it was criminal to grant him amnesty a third time having flouted the prerogative in two previous occasions.

President of the Congress, Barrister Maxwell Godwin said anybody that relapses into crime even after conviction and having served the term is not considered worthy of any form of leniency as that person is considered a serial offender.

He said that is why the court is most times only lenient to first time offenders and not people with criminal records.

He said, “I’ve not come across anywhere in the world where a suspect is granted amnesty more than once.

“Once there’s a relapse into the crime for which forgiveness was given, the beneficiary makes himself a recidivist and unworthy of benefitting from such favours in future.”

He said in the case of Gana, it would appear that the political leaders in Benue are trying to bend the laws to the extent that Gana remains perpetually unprosecuted.

“What they were doing with Gana has no backing in law. A person cannot be too powerful to the state that you’re perpetually afraid to prosecute him even when he has demonstrated in words and deeds that he has no respect for such arrangements,” he said.

Godwin said what the Benue State governor was trying to do is a very dangerous dimension that should not be allowed.

“You wave prosecution and granted a man reprieve for his alleged crime, he breaches that; after some time you look for him and extend the same gesture, he abandons it again and goes back to his crime and you’re looking for him again to grant him the same favour of which there is no guarantee that he would honour.”

The group president said precedents are taken very seriously in negotiating conditions for settlement saying Gana by his past conduct has failed in every material way to show that he deserves such favours.

He said, “That is why amnesty usualy comes with a deadline for acceptance.

“It is at the discretion of the authorities to give and not for suspects to propose.

“If however the authorities propose and the suspect accepts, it is left for the authorities to examine the intentions for acceptance and if suspect is found to be incapable of keeping to the terms the authorities may also take the necessary action to avoid further damage on the citizens.”

Godwin said what the security forces have done in the case of Gana is defensible in court as they have the right to take actions that would protect other citizens at any given time.

He added: “Can you imagine the number of people whose lives were put in danger the first and second times that Gana reneged on the amnesty agreement?

“And can you imagine the lives that would be under threat if he again pulls out of another agreement?”

Godwin said what happened to Gana is not extra judicial killing as some people have termed it as he said Gana in agreeing to an amnesty deal in the first and second instances admitted to committing those crimes.

“Extra judicial killings is said to have occurred when a suspect is not availed the opportunity to defend himself in a court of law. But what we have seen in the case of Gana is that twice he has admitted to committing the crime by accepting amnesty and then going back to the crime again.

“He has in the eyes of the law made a statement of defence and when the security agencies saw that he is a character who could not be trusted and could pose further threats to the lives of hundreds of people, they did what was right, as the laws permits the security agencies to bear arms and use it when there’s are such threats.”

My North-East experience and prayers for President Buhari

By Brown Adeyemi

“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayer, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence” 1 Timothy 2:1-2.

I am excited about the happenings in North-East, Nigeria. I also marvelled at what I saw on the ground, which is a complete departure of what we read on the pages of newspapers every day. I must add that I was somewhat confused and wondered if it was the same North-East Nigeria that was ravaged by the Boko Haram insurgents that I had visited.

In Nigeria, we must admit that it has been such a herculean task when it comes to leadership. Since the advent of our democratic experience in 1999, Nigerians have reeled under various leaders whose actions and inactions brought out the best, as well as the beast in us. In all of these, I can’t help but heap praises on President Muhammadu Buhari for his leadership strides, especially in the rebuilding of the economy of North-East Nigeria.

I know some might be wondering why I started this piece with prayers from the scriptures. Some might also want to ask what is in North-East Nigeria that is worth celebrating given the wanton level of destructions occasioned by the Boko Haram insurgency. But I have a shocker for this category of people.

Since the Boko Haram crisis started in North-East, Nigeria, it has been quite an emotional one for me having lived my childhood years in the region. In those years, I recall how we use to transverse Borno to Yobe, Gombe and Bauchi States. I also remember how bubbly the region was in terms of agricultural activities and when its harvest time it is also a beehive of activities with Nigerians from various parts of the country trooping en masse to for commercial purposes. Then boom. All of that stopped and the order of the day was sorrow, tears and blood—quite a sad episode.

Since then, I hadn’t had the opportunity to revisit North-East Nigeria until recently when I took the bulls by the horn and embarked on a road trip from Abuja. Even though I was advised against a road trip, I still went ahead. I must confess that it was worth every inch of it and I indeed fed my eyes with nature at its purest form given the fact that we are in the raining season.

Life has indeed returned to North-East, Nigeria. Farming activities have commenced in droves, and, amazingly, this fact in North-East Nigeria does not make front pages in the newspapers. All through my journey through states in the North East, I would say that the presence of security operatives on the highway was minimal. You could travel for close to 50-kilometre stretch before encountering soldiers on patrol.
You are not harassed or intimidated. You are only questioned if you looked suspicious. My journey was smooth, and I could not believe my eyes. I also wondered where the bulk of the information from North-East Nigeria emanates from. Could it be that some people somewhere sit in the comfort of their offices and conjure situations in their heads and pass such misinformation to the general public?

I also wondered why the governors of states in the North East also have not found it expedient to tell the real situation of things in the region. Maybe they find it politically necessary for such silence. But whatever be the case, and with what I saw on the ground in North-East Nigeria, my joy knew no bound and I could not but sing the praises of President Muhammadu Buhari to high heavens.

For those that have not had the opportunity to visit any of the states in North-East Nigeria, it might sound too good to be true that indeed peace had returned to the region. But that is what it is, and all credit must go to President Muhammadu Buhari, as well as the Nigerian Military for bringing hope alive and for ensuring that the activities of the Boko Haram insurgent group are curtailed to the barest minimum.

In all of my stay during the trip and the places I visited in these states, I must add that there is however an urgent need for infrastructural development in some of the communities that were left devastated during the thick of the Boko Haram crisis. The various states government must rise to this occasion by ensuring that these destroyed infrastructures are rebuilt to complete the resettlement process in these communities. This is on the fact that since there has been the massive return of those that were displaced back to their communities; it would only be fair if the government ensures that life returns to normalcy for them through the provision of necessary infrastructures.

My experience in North-East Nigeria is worth the while, and I am glad that President Muhammadu Buhari has indeed provided that leadership needed in the country to overcome our challenges. The experience has also opened my eyes to the realization that the task of making Nigeria great is not for the leaders alone. It is a task that requires all hands to be on deck and without exemption.

I also wondered who would have ever thought that the situation in North-East Nigeria can improve with the experiences of past administrations where over 16 local government areas were under the control of the Boko Haram insurgents, where monies meant for the prosecution of the war ended up in private pockets while the casualty figures increased dramatically daily.

I must also add that if the Muhammadu Buhari administration had continued in the same fashion as previous administrations, restoring peace and normalcy in the North East region would remain a mirage for eternity. If the leadership of the Nigerian Military had diverted monies meant for the welfare of troops, as well as the purchase of arms, displacing the Boko Haram group from their operational headquarters in Sambisa forest would have been grossly impossible. And if the Nigerian Army has not risen to the occasion, my trip by road to states in North-East Nigeria would have been impossible.

I returned from my trip across states in North-East Nigeria with nothing but admiration for President Muhammadu Buhari for his extraordinary efforts towards the return of normalcy to North-East Nigeria. I also commend the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai for the way and manner he has led the troops in confronting the Boko Haram threat since 2015 and for no betraying the trust of the people unlike in times past.

What the generality of Nigerians might not be aware of is the fact that the Muhammadu Buhari administration indeed got it right with regards North-East Nigeria and as citizens, we duty-bound to extend our support at all times. We must continue to appreciate the sacrifices of our troops in the trenches that have laboured day and night to ensure that North-East Nigeria is what it is today.

In all of these, I can only pray that God, in His infinite mercies, continues to be with President Muhammadu Buhari as he pilots the affairs of the country. I pray for good health and a sound mind. Indeed President Muhammadu Buhari redefined leadership.

Adeyemi is a development consultant wrote from Lokoja.

Deregulation: Nigeria to earn ₦1tr annually, create massive jobs – Minister

…Says conversion of petrol cars to gas begins October

The federal government has explained its decision to fully remove subsidy from petrol, saying the country stands to rake in over ₦1 trillion annually which would be deployed to fund other critical components of the economy.

Minister of state for Petroleum and Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, during an interview with some political correspondents Thursday in Abuja, also revealed that from next month (October) Nigerians can now convert cars using petroleum to gas, which he said will be more cheaper.

“It is time for Nigerians to face reality and do the right thing. What is deregulation going to do? It is going to free up a lot more money. At least from the very beginning it will save us up to a trillion and more every year. Already, we have taken up the budgetary provision for subsidy which is about N500 billion in the budget. Also, we have taken off the excess forex price that special rate that was given to NNPC which also came at a cost. So, all the money that we used to defend the naira at that time to subsidise the dollar will now be freed up for development.

“I believe that this discussion around subsidy has been a vexed issue that has captured the imagination of this country for a long time now. Successive administrations have attempted to deregulate. But sometimes, some administrations lacked the political will and at other times, the time was not good for it. And why did I say the time was not good for it? Does that imply the time is good for it now? The problem around deregulation is that people must understand first, that the product we are talking about is a derivative of crude oil. It is refined from crude oil. Therefore, it has a direct relationship with the price of crude oil. If the price of crude oil goes up, then you expect that it would reflect in the price of the derivative.

“So, the best time to achieve this we looked at was the time when crude oil prices are low so that Nigerians will get the benefit of those low prices. In March, when we announced the deregulation, the prices were low and that advantage was transferred to the consumer. So, we brought down the price of petrol. The unfortunate thing is that when we brought down the price of petrol, nobody reacted in the market place. The prices were the same. Nobody reduced their prices because price of petrol had reduced. Even bus fares, taxi fares were the same. It did not go down when we reduced the pump price of petrol. We thought that those people in the market; the transport drivers and transport owners would reduce their price. But nobody reduced their prices. But anytime there is even a kobo increase in the pump price of product, you see that people will increase their prices triple fold and four fold.”

On the plan to roll out car conversion next month, the former Bayelsa state governor said: “To give it (Deregulation) a human face, we are introducing an alternative fuel. We are giving auto gas. Gas will now become a fuel for our cars. This programme will be rolled out within the next one month. So, if you go to a filling station and you convert your car to dual capability or dual fuel, then you drive into a typical filling station you will find gas LPG, you find CNG and NLG being sold. So, if you look at the price of PMS versus the price of gas and you think that gas is cheaper which of course, it is going to be cheaper.

“Gas will even be cheaper that PMS as it is today. So you see that we are also giving an alternative to the ordinary Nigerians. You now have a situation where tricycle, I pass my neighbour generators etc will convert to gas. So, you connect your gas cylinder in your house to your generator and it becomes easier for you, cheaper and cleaner. We are not just deregulating, we are also giving you an alternative to make it easier for the average Nigerians. What I want you to begin to really understand more is how you are going to transit from fuel to gas, and you will see that you will not miss much. The average transporter will probably even be better off with gas. So we are introducing it as an alternative at least to cushion the effect so that when you go to a filling station you have options. And that programmes will be rolled out within the next one month. And it is going to create a lot of opportunities and jobs. So, you see that deregulation has not taken away the human face from this government. This government is still a government of the people and by the people.”

While urging Nigerians not to listen to the antics of the opposition elements, the Minister said: “At this moment, let Nigerians not be fooled; there are people who are ready to take advantage of every situation to create anarchy and chaos. And it is this people that are at work now. Is anybody saying that this policy direction is a wrong policy direction? That is the discussion we should be having. If it is a wrong policy direction, why has every successive government attempted to do the sane thing? Because it is something that is unsustainable. Subsidy is unsustainable. Let us look at it: Subsidy means that you buy the product at a certain price and then you reduce the price and sell it at a loss to the people. It is something that is good to do. It is something that our president would like to do so much because of his love for the common man. But is it something that can be sustained in perpetuity? You get the product and sell it less at the pump. And that is not the only subsidy. You also subsidise the effects that is used to import the product. So at the end, the subsidy is going on two ways. It is like burning your candle from both ends. How long can that candle last? So in the wisdom of the President and all of us, we felt that it was time because this subsidy is something that cannot be sustained in perpetuity. It is time for Nigerians to face reality and do the right thing.

“What is deregulation going to do? It is going to free up a lot more money. At least from the very beginning it will save us up to a trillion and more every year. Already, we have taken up the budgetary provision for subsidy which is about N500 billion in the budget. Also, we have taken off the excess forex price, that special rate, that was given to NNPC which also came at a cost. So, all the money that we used to defend the Naira at that time to subsidise the dollar will now be freed up for development. And, I believe that going forward, we will begin to see a lot more developments, a lot more money available to the government that will be put into critical infrastructure instead of being burnt in our cars.”

Sylva added that the subsidy regime was very fraudulent as only a few benefitted from it at the expense of the public.

“Let us look at subsidy critically. Who are the beneficiaries of subsidy? When a few years ago you had this subsidy scam all over the place, all the monies that were taken by all the subsidy thieves and so on, how many poor people were among those people? Subsidy only provides opportunity for rich and unscrupulous Nigerians to steal and enrich themselves at our expense, at your expense. So, ladies and gentlemen, deregulation is actually a policy direction that is good for the common Nigerian”, he added.

Security: GAW assessment scores Buhari, military high over Adamawa

Following an assessment tour round the state, the Global Amnesty Watch has scored President Muhammadu Buhari and the Nigerian military high in their quest to rid Adamawa of Boko Haram terrorists.

In a townhall briefing on Thursday in Yola after transversing the entire state together with civil society groups, non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders, the GAW said all parts of the state have been liberated from the enclaves of the terrorists.

Adamawa was one of the worst-hit states by Boko Haram terorists during the peak of its vicious activities which left hundreds dead and thousands homeless between 2013 and 2015 .

In 2014, the militant group renamed Mubi, the second largest town in the state, Madinatul Islam – City of Islam and took full control of Michika, a trading centre not far from the Cameroon border.

However, in the last five years, the northeastern state has witnessed a dramatic turnaround and GAW said it owes it to the president and the gallant troops.

According to the groups, normalcy have been fully restored as people now live their normal lives all over the state.

” The millitary has recaptured all the local councils in the state hitherto taken by the insurgents and freed all the captives and the state has remained peaceful till date while law and order have been restored,” the groups said.

“People now live their normal lives in Mubi, Maiha, Yola, Ganye, Lamurde, Madagali etc with law and order, return of constitutional governance and healing process for those affected in the past.

” Our team interacted with many citizens and confirmed in summary that the military has fully restored law and order in all the affected local government councils. The CSOs on their independent tour of the affected local governments:

” We, the members of the Civil Society Organisations took note of the prevailing inhuman conditions the people of Adamawa were being subjected to before the coming of the present administration.

” The loss in economic terms were un-quantifiable as markets and many business premises were shut down while many could not access their farmlands in the mainly agrarian setting.

” The psychological effect on citizens were also telling as the closest unit of the human society, the family, was shattered as family members ran in different directions to preserve their lives. Some are yet to be fully united till date.

“Markets and schools have now reopened and people have gone back to their farms thereby deescalating the threat to food security. The people all confirmed that the military has been of tremendous help towards achieving this.

” Many say the battle turned against the insurgents when they were made to flee their stronghold at the Sambisa Forest when the military captured the camp Zairo base.

” President Muhammadu Buhari has proven that he is a war tested General by giving the armed forces the order to relocate the operation headquarters to the theatres of war and crush the terrorists.

“We have heard how communities were liberated and set free through military engagements. We could not hold back our tears seeing how happy people are now having returned to their communities and reunited with their families”.

The GAW, Civil Society and stakeholders, however, urged the people of Adamawa to remain vigilant and continue to cooperate with the military in ensuring adequate security in the state.

It further called on state and local governments to train the youths to acquire skills that would make them productive and keep them away from crime.

” The military deserves commendation for the role it played in securing Adamawa and its people and should not relent,” the statement added.

“President Buhari has done a good job and should be commended for keeping to his promise to provide adequate security for Nigeria”.

Killing Gana: Group says Nigerian troops deserve commendation

The Benue Good Governance Crusade (BGGC) says the military deserves commendation for ridding Benue of its most-notorious militia leader, Terwase Akwaza popularly known as ‘Gana’.

The Commander, 4 Special Forces Command, Doma, Nasarawa state, Monday Ali, told journalists on Tuesday that Gana was killed at a roadblock mounted by the army along Gbese-Gboko-Makurdi road following exchange of gunfire.

The Benue State Government had in 2015 granted amnesty to over 500 persons including Gana, who were terrorising parts of Benue and Taraba states, but most of them relapsed into criminality.

Gana was later in 2017 declared wanted by the police while the Benue State Government placed an N10 million bounty on him.

In a press statement signed by its President, Comrade Boniface Terkula, on Thursday, the Benue group welcomed the killing of Gana, saying it marks the “end of the reign of terror perpetrated by the now-deceased militia leader”.

“We commend the Nigerian troops of Operation Ayem Akpatuma and the military for neutralizing the notorious killer that Terwase Akwaza “Gana” was even as we urge them to note that their job is not yet done on account of the terrorist’s many lieutenants that have taken flight and possibly hiding among the civilian population,” Terkula wrote.

“Gana with his fighters have been responsible for killing many indigenes and other Nigerians during his reign of terror and extortion with him and his gang known to have been responsible for many of the killings around the Benue/Taraba axis. Many of these killings were staged to have ethnic colouration such that even more lives are lost in their aftermath as communities and ethnic nationalities carry out counter-attacks against the wrong enemies because they are unaware that Gana’s evil was at work.

” He was responsible for cattle rustling in the areas where he operated and this had in several instances led to numerous crisis between the Tiv and the Jukun, and on several occasions bloody and catastrophic strife between Tiv farmers and Fulani pastoralists who attack communities where their cattle have been rustled without realizing that Gana’s militants were responsible.

” We note that Gana had prior to his death reportedly surrendered, was received by prominent leaders in Katsina-Ala and was on the way to Makurdi, the state capital, before he met his end on the way.

” However, we are aware that Gana staged a similar embrace of amnesty at the Benue State Government House in 2015 when he and his fighters turned in as many as 200 AK-47 rifles and other guns. But Benue people to get the shocker that Gana’s surrender then was a cover to move close up and exterminate those responsible for security in the state with the killing of the Senior Special Assistant to the state Governor on Security, Denen Igbane, in 2016 being the start of Gana’s return to dealing terror.

” We are not ruling out the possibility that Gana’s last embrace of amnesty was a repeat of his old trick, which would have allowed him moved the supposedly surrendered weapons into the capital and do maximum damage to a state painfully reeling from strings of violence including the ones for which he was responsible.

” The conflicting accounts of how Gana met his end, however, calls for investigation so that all concerned can get closure. While the Commander, 4 Special Forces Command, Doma, Nasarawa State, Major General Moundhey Ali, said Gana was neutralized when he engaged troops at a roadblock other accounts said he was arrested on the way to Makurdi in the company of some those who earlier received him in Katsina-Ala.

” We believe an investigation will get to the root of what truly transpired. Where the investigation establishes that there was an extra-judicial execution, anyone found culpable in the act should be dealt with in accordance with the law”.

The Benue Good Governance Crusade, however, urged the military and the law enforcement agencies not to dwell on this controversy, allowing the militants under Gana’s command to flee and regroup to do more harm as was the case after the demise of Mohammed Yusuf, Boko Haram founder.

” We appeal that the last of Gana’s followers be hunted down and brought to book now unless of course they embrace the amnesty programme and submit themselves for rehabilitation and reintegration into society,” the statement added.

” We further appeal to political, religious and traditional leaders in Benue state not to comment on Gana’s demise in a manner that idolizes him and become rallying cries for his militants since the state will pay dearly for such indiscretion”.

Jubilation in Benue over killing of crime kingpin, Gana

There were jubilation in several parts of Benue State following the reported killing of Terwase Akwaza known as Gana.

Gana who terrorised several communities in Benue State was reported to have been killed by soldiers on Tuesday, September 8, three years after Governor Samuel Ortom-led government placed a N10 million bounty on information that could lead to his arrest and capture.

Commander of the Four Special Forces Command of the Nigerian Army in Doma local government area of Nasarawa state, Brigadier-General Maude Ali Gadzama, who confirmed the killing said :there was an engagement with the convoy of Gana, a shoot out ensued and the bandit was killed.”

Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom further explained that Gana was killed during a crossfire with the Nigerian Army and was awaiting full briefing by the head of the military operations .

The crime kingpin has been declared wanted for over three years.

Our reporters in parts of Benue affected by the criminal activities of Gana reported that many have been jubilating since it was announced that that the criminal kingpin has been killed.

There were reports of wild jubilation in Ukum, Logo, Gboko, Tarka and Makurdi among other places immediately news of his naturalisation went round.

Gana’s criminal activities had affected virtually all sectors of the economy in Benue including farming and agriculture, road transportation, trading, and general night life.

He had in 2015, flouted an earlier amnesty condition given him by the Benue state government after he surrendered arms only for him to withdraw to his hideouts from where he resumed his attacks on communities.

Gana is believed to be behind the security problems in Benue state for several years engaging in allaged kidnapping, armed robbery, assassinations, gun running and other criminal activities

He admitted in a television interview at a time, that he colluded with rampaging herdsmen to organise attacks on communities.

Many Benue communities have suffered from such attacks often described as farmers/ herders clash.

He was quoted as saying that he turned down an offer running into millions of naira because the attackers could not raise the amount he demanded.

Residents of Zaki- Biam say they can now live their normal lives without fear of being attacked by armed men as they are now sure that the man behind most of the attacks has been silenced.

A trader at the Zaki- Biam yam market, George Terver, said he received the news with gladness because he always travels on the Zaki-Biam – Gboko- Makurdi road with goods and cash after sales .

“Whenever we are travelling to Jalingo, Makurdi and other places, we use to fear a lot because some of these people can attack on the road and one can lose his all property,” he said.

He commended the security agencies for their prompt intervention which is yielding results.

A farmer in Adikpo, Kwande LGA , who gave his name as Mbayoon Terhide , said Gana has succeeded in creating fear among residents just because of his selfish desire.

He said people remember the late kingpin for only the negative things hence are happy that he has been silenced.

“If not working as a thug for politicians he is said to be the one leading herdsmen to attack communities. So why shouldn’t we be happy that he can no longer harass us?” he asked.

Other residents of Markurdi said the controversy over his death is needless as the most important thing is that he can no longer continue his criminal activities.

“Some people are saying that he wanted amnesty before he was killed but those people did not remember that he once did not honour an amnesty agreement. So how are we sure he will honur this one?” a businessman in Makurdi asked.

Analysts posit that the naturalisation of Gana would serve as a deterrent to other criminal elements operating in the state and discourage youths from taking to crime as they would see that it does not pay.

An expert who does not want to be mentioned said it is not unusual for people to be celebrating the death of criminals as they see it as representing an ugly aspect of their lives that they want forgotten.”

He said Gana was “trying to glamourise crime and this is a very dangerous dimension because if he had succeeded in doing that he would have convinced the teeming number of impressionable youths that that is the way to go,” he stated.

Some of thr comments that greeted news of his killing on social media monitored by our reporters include:

“Gana remained most wanted, slain blood sucker and murderer in the entire middle belt. Those tivs people whose relatives suffered the criminalities of Gana wouldn’t have shielded him as you did. “Only heartless person can support this killer. If his so called repentance is worth of freeing him, ortom shouldn’t accepted him in secrecy he should had informed military and made him surrendered before them just like the case of repentant boko Haram. But for hypocrisy the governor drove the criminal in his convoy.”

Another said, “This should be treated as the best news after killing of Boko Haram because there was no difference between him and the terrorists.”

While another said: “The people of Benue can now sleep with their two eyes closed.”

Buhari, North-East and the Uncommon Transformation

By Alexandra Amuta

On the 28th of July, 2020, Nigerian governors elected under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his achievements in securing the lives and properties of Nigerians. This by no means is a significant development given its emphasis by the Constitution and how past administrations have failed in that aspect.

The APC governors that gave the commendation included those of Borno, Gombe, and Yobe States which were the most affected by the Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorism in Northeast Nigeria between 2012 and 2015. The only state which has suffered almost equal devastation but was missing at the meeting is Adamawa.

The APC governors at the virtual meeting involving the President and members of the interim National Working Committee of their party assessed the prevailing situation in the Northeast and resolved that it would be uncharitable if they fail to commend the president for what he has done in defending the country’s territorial integrity; restoring law and order.

Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, the Governor of Kebbi State and Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum, Senator Atiku Bagudu, thanked President Buhari for his initiatives which have brought peace, succour and relief to the people of the Northeast.

Those who are not aware of the extent of devastation in the region are bound to pass the commendation as a non-event but the governors knew what they were pointing their fingers at.

While those sceptical of the achievements of the current administration are bound to underestimate the extent of the intervention in the Northeast, the facts, however, speak of an uncommon transformation.

At the height of the Boko Haram devastation of the Northeast, many schools were forced to shut down as they were being attacked and burnt. The number of out-of-school children rose to about eight million representing 60 per cent of the figure in Nigeria.

People were compelled to live in perpetual fear with many abandoning their homes to go and squat in other parts of the country. Boko Haram destroyed everything that represents development in the region.

The group had since 2013 serially obliterated telecommunication equipment in a number of LGs in the Northeast as part of their techniques to prevent communities from alerting one another and reaching out to security agencies.

One of the telecoms operators which quantified the damage on its facilities said 57 of its sites have been destroyed by the insurgents and require urgent attention.

Life became a living hell for the people, cut off from other parts of the country who were subjected to living under the most dehumanizing conditions.

Boko Haram also frustrated movements by destroying roads and blowing off bridges. Where they couldn’t erode, they mount roadblocks to kill unsuspecting travellers.

In the past, many roads in the Northeast were avoided as they had become death traps where the insurgents could appear and slaughter people at will.

Not just the ordinary people but even political leaders such as governors and senators could not travel to their hometowns by road. Worse still, Nigeria lost territories as 20 local government councils came under the terrorists’ control, administered as states under their caliphate. People became refugees in their own country as they fled from violent attacks.

The loss in economic terms was even more enormous. But with the coming of the current administration, such attacks have been halted and people are breathing fresh air. Fear has been eliminated as major towns in the Northeast like Biu, Gombe, Ashaka, Mubi, Yola, Potiskum, Gashua, Geidam and Damaturu, have been peaceful and cannot recall the last time it went through such terrible experiences. All the local councils in the state hitherto taken by the insurgents have been recaptured and people now live their normal lives.

In all these, President Buhari has proven that he is concerned about the problems in the Northeast and that he is for the masses of this country. Beyond the military conquest, his administration has initiated interventions for the rebuilding of the infrastructural facilities in the region.

The result is that schools have been rebuilt, roads reconstructed and reopened, while hospitals have been equipped and communication gadgets reinstalled. The uncommon transformation going on in the Northeast is such that taps are now running in major towns and electricity restored.

Amuta is a development analyst and wrote from Lagos.

Petrol, Electricity deregulation: APC describes PDP, Atiku comments hypocritical

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had described the condemnation of deregulation policy of the federal government by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and it’s Presidential candidate at the last general election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as the the height of hypocrisy.

The party also noted that Atiku’s outburst revealed his two-facedness and portrayed him “as a man not only acutely lacking in integrity but one that should never be trusted.”

Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena of APC in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja said the condemnation of the opposition party and it’s presidential flag bearer on the deregulation of electricity tariff and pump price of petrol smack nothing but hypocrisy of the highest order.

The statement reads in part: “As genuine patriots, reputable groups and organizations, make honest contributions to the reactions about the deregulation of electricity and petrol prices, we receive with some amazement comments attributed to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, condemning the decision of the Buhari administration to deregulate the PMS sector.

“The PDP and Atiku’s reaction to what has been adjudged an inevitability by many experts clearly depicts the height of hypocrisy demonstrated by them on many issues relating to the progress and wellbeing of Nigeria.

“Worrisome is the action of the PDP’s presidential flag bearer at the 2019 general elections. It’s rather unfortunate if truly, the comments reported by a section of the media, condemning the removal of petrol subsidy, is attributed to Atiku Abubakar.

“Atiku’s comments clearly reveals his two-facedness and portrays him as man not only acutely lacking in integrity but one that should never be trusted. Atiku continues to justify the majority of the Nigerian people who rejected him at the polls. This stems majorly from the fact that he was part of the government that created the “corrupt petrol subsidy” monster and also the chaos in the electricity sector.”

The ruling party also noted that Atiku’s hypocrisy was his pretentious promise to deregulate the downstream petroleum sector by privatizing the NNPC during the electioneering campaign of 2019.

According to APC, “Atiku made the sale of NNPC to his friends and the deregulation of both the PMS and the electricity sector the hallmark of his 2019 presidential election misadventure.

“Atiku argued at different forums in 2018 and early 2019 that NNPC and the power sector must be disbanded through privatization if they must be efficient.”

Quoting from his specific words about the privatization of the NNPC as a springboard for the deregulation of the downstream sector, Atiku said, “Privatising NNPC would be to our advantage. We are not going to lose anything, but we will rather gain a lot,” according to a Guardian story of January 17, 2019.

It also recalled that during the campaign Reuters reported on November 19, 2018, Nigeria’s Abubakar promises to boost oil investment, cut subsidies if elected.” The news report added “Abubakar said he would eliminate subsidies on imported fuel and let the market determine the price.”

Again, his campaign platform, during the electioneering also disclosed: “The liberalization of the downstream sector of the petroleum industry to, among others, allow market-denominated prices for Premium Motor Spirit and eliminate subsidies for its consumption.”

APC further noted that in June, Atiku, in a tweet, hailed the Buhari administration’s drive to remove subsidy on petrol, saying that “the stoppage of subsidy and price-fixing is a right move, although it should have come earlier when the economy was stronger.”

According to Atiku, “FG and state governments should proceed to remove other impediments and roll out incentives to spur investments in the sector, especially the numerous refineries that have been licensed but yet to be built. Then ensure the quality of fuel meet set standards.”

The ruling party maintained that the PDP lacks the moral credentials to question an honest and transparent move by the Buhari-led administration to find lasting solutions to the problems caused by the party in the years that it led the affairs of the country

“Describing the deregulation of the price of petrol by the APC-led government as callous and cruel is rather sarcastic and tongue-in-cheek, given the pain and anguish suffered by Nigerians on long queues at petrol stations when the PDP-led government presided over a very corrupt subsidy regime.

“It is therefore laughable that the same set of people will turn around and condemn decisions taken to fix the mess they created in the system. The PDP’s outburst indeed exposes once again its real fraudulent character and plot to patronize Nigerians and make them suffer in perpetuity by keeping a fraudulent subsidy arrangement that feeds a few individuals at the expense of the masses.

“Judging from the foregoing, the PDP, Atiku Abubakar, and comments attributed to them should not be taken seriously as they simply lack the decency required to guide Nigeria and Nigerians to the path of prosperity and progress.

“Compared to PDP’s failed past, under the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC administration, the reviewed petroleum products pricing template has resulted in a more transparent, efficient and realistic pricing system for petroleum products and also resulted in constant availability of fuel nationwide.”

The ruling party then concluded that “in line with the drive to deregulate the oil sector, the petroleum products pricing template now reflects competitive and market driven components which has inturn freed up cash to fund the ongoing development of critical infrastructure across the country.”

APC govs commend Buhari over P&ID judgement, economy, others

The governors of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have commended President Muhammadu Buhari for successfully getting the UK Commercial Court to order stay of execution, which also suspends any penalty against Nigeria in respect of the $9.6 billion Process and Industrial Development (P&ID) debt judgement against Nigeria.

The Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) also commended the President for managing Nigeria’s economy, which the governors said has led to giant strides in the execution of major national projects that include the revival of railways, the 2nd Niger Bridge, Ajaokuta Steel, road projects across all parts of the country, among many others.

In a statement signed Tuesday in Abuja by its Chairman and governor of Kebbi state Atiku Bagudu, said the efficient management of the economy has strengthened the capacity of the federal government to control the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Progressive Governors Forum as held an emergency teleconference meeting on Sunday, September 6, 2020.

The statement reads: “Commend the Federal Government for successfully getting the UK Commercial Court to order stay of execution, which also suspends any penalty against Nigeria in respect of the $9.6 billion Process and Industrial Development (P&ID) debt judgement against Nigeria. The ruling, which was given by presiding judge Rose Cranston of the Royal Courts of Justice Strand, London is a victory for all Nigerians. Progressive Governors in particular commend Nigeria’s legal team led by the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami SAN;

“In addition, Forum also commend President Muhammadu Buhari for efficiently managing Nigeria’s economy, which has led to giant strides in the execution of major national projects that include the revival of railways, the 2nd Niger Bridge, Ajaokuta Steel, road projects across all parts of the country, among many others. The efficient management of the economy has strengthened the capacity of the Federal Government to control the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic;

“Applaud Nigeria’s certification by World Health Organisation (WHO) as polio-free country and restate the commitment of all Progressive Governors to continue to work with Federal Government for the eradication of all communicable diseases in the country;

“Congratulate the Federal Government for the re-election of Dr. Femi Adesina as President of the African Development Bank for second term. Forum also notes with much appreciation and commendation to the Federal Government’s nomination of Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Eweala for the position of Director General of the World Trade Organisation.”

Bagudu also said APC governors commended President Buhari for setting up the APC, Executive and Legislative Tripartite Consultative Committee under the Chairmanship of Vice President, Prof. Yomi Osinbajo.

“This is a welcome innovation to enhance the capacity of APC to resolve all our political challenges and therefore develop our democracy.

“Forum members unanimously re-affirm commitment to continue to support President Muhammadu Buhari, the Federal Government, APC and all our party leaders to expedite delivery of all our electoral promises to Nigerians.”