The Lagos State Police Command has arrested four (4) police Inspectors that allegedly harassed and extorted 70,000 (seventy thousand naira only) from one 16 year old student, Segun, on 18th January, 202, at NGAB Junction, Isheri Area of Lagos State, in a Toyota Corolla car.
The picture of the policemen, that were caught in the act of unprofessionalism and extortion, had gone viral on the social media which attracted the Complaint Response Unit of the Nigeria Police Force, Force Headquarters Abuja, to track the policemen for necessary police action. The matter was subsequently referred to the Lagos State Police Command for further action.
The police Inspectors arrested are:
1. 223329 Inspr Emmanuel Michael, m, 40
2. 146504 Inspr Subday Odubiyi, m, 40
3. 256496 Inspr Lawrence Amedu, m, 39, and
4. 255043 Inspr Aroye Dickson, m, 40
After due interrogation, the policemen confessed to the crime and refunded the 70,000 (seven thousand naira) to the student, on bond, which forms the key credible evidence/exhibit in the case.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Hakeem Odumosu, has condemned the act of the Police Inspectors which is detrimental to the image of the Police Force and counterproductive to the ongoing reform agenda of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, NPM, mni. He has however ordered for the orderly room trial of the Inspectors with immediate effect so as to serve as deterrent to other criminally-minded police personnel in the command and beyond.
CP Hakeem Odumosu also warned officers and men in Lagos State that the command will spread its tentacles in fighting against such criminal, unprofessional and disgusting act amongst police personnel in Lagos State. He also assured the general public of people-oriented and community-based policing styles in Lagos State, as justice will be done in Segun’s case.
“You may wonder that this counter insurgency operation has lingered for too long. We all know globally that counter-terrorism is very complex. There are some countries that have fought counter terrorism for close to 50years. But, we’re not going to leave it to linger that long. We will have to finish these criminals very soon.”
These were the exact words of Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai while addressing troops of Operation Lafiya Dole at the Army Special Super Camp at Ngamdu, a border town between Borno and Yobe during 2020 Easter celebration.
To achieve this, Buratai vowed to remain committed to the fight against terrorism “until final defeat” even as he admitted that the fight of counter-terrorism all over the world is complex.
The concurrence of the National Association of Online Security Reporters, NAOSRE with General Buratai on the complex nature of fight against terrorism, was the spirit behind the association’s dinner summit which held at Oriental Hotel on December 11, 2020.
At the security dinner summit, speakers unanimously sued for co operation with security personnel and made serious appeal to the government for adequate funding of military operation.
Interesting, that appeal and submission hve been re echoed by another Nigerian writer Yabo Chris Ephraim who cast a retrospective look at 2020 military commitment to the fight against Boko Haran and by extension the commitment of General Buratai at ensuring that Nigeria does not disintegrate.
Without doubt, the year 2020 will forever be a historical reference point for every country around the globe. Every country had a share of the challenges that 2020 came with or at worst felt it impact. In Nigeria, it was not just the global pandemic and its ravaging impact, it was a year the Nigerian Army had a date with history. It was tested in many fronts, but it core mandate of defending our sovereignty, unity and democracy was tested in no small measure. Like Abraham Lincoln said; “only the test of fire makes fine steel”. The Nigerian Army has earned itself a place in history for standing up to the enemies of our nation both internally and externally
In the year 2020, precisely around October, there was an uprising that culminated in the killings of scores of our security personnels by our own citizens, massive and wanton destruction/looting of public and private properties. This uprising was disguised as a peaceful protest, but it was not aimed at pursuing any genuine reforms or good governance. The stated objective was to end police brutality and bring reforms, but the organizers only used that as a smokescreen to lure unsuspecting Nigerians to join the uprising and give it more publicity. The grand design was to topple the government in power by creating and sponsoring chaos and anarchy in the fashion that was used in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Egypt, Syria, Tunisia and Sudan.
The strategy is to sow strife and disaffection among citizenry, which will engender a fertile ground for the evil machination of Western power in collaboration with some of our brothers in Nigeria. Once this is achieved through a combination of propaganda and incitement, then the real bloodthirsty masquerades will surface in the name of democratic institutions and organizations such as Amnesty International, ICC and their propaganda apparatus CNN.
Nigerian Army through intelligence, discovered this devilish plan by unscrupulous elements and planned a counter strategy to quell the uprising peacefully and without contravening the constitution of our country which guarantees the right of the citizens to protest. On 14th October 2020, it issued a statement to the effect that it will not allow subversive elements destabilize our country. It equally reaffirmed its commitment to protect our democracy at all cost.
Those who masterminded atrocities that ousted the legitimate government of Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya chose a different strategy of accusing the leaders of harboring and sponsoring terrorism which has not been proven till this day. The case of Egypt was plain animosity by the Western power against the Moslem Brotherhood and the government of Mohammed Morsi which started as a protest at Tahrir Square that eventually led to his ouster and death. The other cases were through economic sabotage and perpetually organized insecurity which brought these countries to their knees
Nigeria as the biggest player in Africa with so much potentials became the target of this unscrupulous elements from within and without. Through economic sabotage, relentless recruitments of terrorists, training, arming and funding terrorism, they have clogged the wheels of progress in Nigeria. With the prediction of the disintegration of Nigeria in the year 2020, it was hoped that this government wouldn’t last beyond their projected date for its disintegration. With the support of some international organizations, they project an image of democratic ideals and protection of human rights on the one hand, while fuelling terrorism and insecurity on the other. These Western powers have largely refused to cooperate with the Nigerian government in the fight against insecurity by outrightly delaying or refusing to sale arms to Nigeria, but have continue to supply more than enough arms to the enemies of Nigeria. Many may not quite understand the full scale of the grand design by this satanic forces. With this government surviving more than five years after the said prediction, they have in recent times intensified their effort to keep a date with their prediction of Nigeria’s disintegration, with the collaboration of some political jobbers willing to trade our peace and stability for their selfish ambition.
Despite the setbacks and towering challenges, the Nigerian Army and other security agencies have sacrificed their lives, blood and sweat to manage these internally and externally engineered insecurity, to keep Nigeria standing after their due date. The Nigerian Army has maintained utmost discipline, valour and patriotism even in the face of provocative propaganda, and has continue to ensure that Nigeria’s case did not spiral out of control as is the case with countries mentioned earlier.
We, as a people, must resist the plan to destabilize our country by refuting and disregarding all the negative propaganda against our government and the security agencies. We must be resolute and united in supporting our security agencies particularly the Nigerian Army that is at the forefront of this war and keeping our democracy. We must keep the faith knowing that darkness cannot overcome light and evil cannot triumph over good. I salute the courage and determination of the leadership and all personnel of the Nigerian Army and other security agencies for their sacrifices and doggedness.
In the recently released Forbes Africa billionaires Aliko Dangote still maintain his position as the continent richest person with a worth $12.1 billion, up by $2 billion from last year’s list thanks to a roughly 30% rise in the share price of Dangote Cement, by far his most valuable asset.
The second richest is Nassef Sawiris of Egypt, whose largest asset is a nearly 6% stake in sportswear maker Adidas, while Nicky Oppenheimer of South Africa occupies the number three position. Nicky who inherited a stake in diamond firm DeBeers and ran the company until 2012, when he sold his family’s 40% stake in DeBeers to mining giant AngloAmerican for $5.1 billion.
The biggest gainer this year is Nigerian cement tycoon, Abdulsamad Rabiu, whose wealth increase remarkably by an extraordinary 77%, to $5.5 billion to become the sixth richest person immediately behind Mike Adenuga of Globacom whose wealth is put at $6.3 billion.
Abdulsamad who has seen shares of his BUA Cement PLC, which was listed on the Nigeria Stock Exchange in January 2020, to have doubled in value in the past year and it was this that pushed Rabiu’s fortune up. Rabiu and his son together own about 97% of the company, giving the company a tiny public float. And the laws of The Nigerian Stock Exchange requires that either 20% or more of a company’s shares to be floated to the public, or that the floated shares are worth at least 20 billion naira — about $50 million — a paltry sum, to be sure. A spokesman for the Nigerian Stock Exchange told Forbes that BUA Cement meets the second requirement. (Forbes discounts the value of stakes when the public float of a company is less than 5 %.)
While some got richer by the billions, two persons from the 2020 list of Africa’s richest dropped below the $1 billion mark. In fact, the only two women billionaires from Africa have both fallen off the list. Forbes calculates that the fortune of Folorunsho Alakija of Nigeria, who owns an oil exploration company, dropped below $1 billion due to lower oil prices. And Isabel dos Santos, who since 2013 has been the richest woman in Africa, was knocked from her perch by a series of court decisions freezing her assets in both Angola and Portugal.
The 18 billionaires from Africa this year come from seven different countries. South Africa and Egypt each have five billionaires, followed by Nigeria with three and Morocco with two. Altogether they are worth $73.8 billion, slightly more than the $73.4 billion aggregate worth of the 20 billionaires on last year’s list of Africa’s richest people.
This Forbes list only tracks the wealth of African billionaires who reside in Africa or have their primary business there, thus excluding Sudanese-born billionaire Mo Ibrahim, who is a U.K. citizen and billionaire London resident Mohamed Al-Fayed, an Egyptian citizen. Strive Masiyiwa, a citizen of Zimbabwe and a London resident, appears on the list due to his telecom holdings in Africa.
Net-worth of those on the list is calculated using stock prices and currency exchange rates from the close of business on Friday, January 8, 2021.
Pursuant to the expiration of the 2020 end of the year special patrol operations which lasted between 25 December, 2020 and 15 January, 2021, the Corps Marshal Federal Road Safety Corps, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi has convened the first virtual meeting with road transportation stakeholders across the country. The meeting was targeted at reviewing the impact of the exercise, identifying notable challenges and communicating areas of immediate improvement to the stakeholders, with a view to enhance the safety of lives and properties on the road.
In a statement by Bisi Kazeem, the Corps Public Education Officer, during the meeting coordinated from the national headquarters of the Commission, the Corps Marshal appreciated the efforts of the Federal Government towards the realisation of the safety mandate; as well as the cooperation and contributions of all road transportation stakeholders in ensuring the safety of the highways in the year 2020.
While analysing the 1 month special patrol, the Corps Marshal stated that even though the Corps recorded low road traffic crashes compared to the previous year, there was an observable record of increased fatalities, with heavy fatalities recorded in fewer number of crashes.
He noted that most of the crashes occurred at night and in the early hours of the morning while some high fatality crashes that involved fuel-laden tankers (explosions) and unlatched containerised cargoes, as well as trucks carrying a combination of humans, animals and goods were recorded within the period.
Oyeyemi listed the most prevalent causes of the crashes recorded within the period as; Speeding, Fatigue, Wrongful overtaking, Break failure and lane discipline. According to him, the secondary cause or resultant effect of the above causes is Loss of control.
As a result of that review, all stakeholders must ensure compulsory installation of speed limiting device in their vehicles to curtail incidences of speed related crashes; ensure compulsory observance of precautionary guidelines for safe public transportation amidst the second wave of COVID-19 and also discourage overloading of vehicles with both passengers and goods to reduce fatalities”.
Accordingly, night travels which have cost the country many lives must be discouraged since it is prone to poor visibility, fatigue and could lead to sleeping on the wheels, and drivers must be subjected to regular visual acuity test to fish out those with defects. In addition, strict observance of maximum driving hours and rest period must be complied with, stating that drivers must observe 15 minutes rest after every 4 hours drive.
Responding to the Corps Marshal, the National President, National Association of Road Transport Owners, Alhaji Lawal Yusuf Othman, said that NARTO has already keyed into the installation of speed limiting device (SLD) and safety valves as most of their vehicles have already installed the device.
On his part, Otunba Salimon Oladiti, the National Chairman, NUPENG-PTD also advised State Governments to create road barriers on most of the bridges in there states, as it is obtainable in Lagos and Oyo States so as to mitigate every factor that could lead to crashes.
Other attendees who spoke on the need to ensure that all vehicles assembled in Nigeria have the SLD installed in them and properly calibrated before they are allowed to commence operations include the National President, Public Transport Owners of Nigeria Association (PTONA), Mr Isaac Uhunmwagho, representatives of Peace Mass Transit, ABC transport and NURTW.
The Kano Court of Appeal has set aside the death sentence on a singer, Yahya Aminu, who allegedly blasphemed against the Prophet of Islam, and ordered a retrial.
Justice Nuradeen Sagir, who is the state Chief Judge, and his co-panellist, Justice Nasiru Saminu, gave the directive in their judgement on Thursday.
They said the first trial was full of irregularities as the appellant was not given legal representation.
According to them, the judgement by an Upper Sharia Court, Hausawa Filin Hockey, contravened section 2-6-9 of the ACJN.
The judges ordered that the case be retried at the same court but that the appellant should be given a fair hearing and should be fully legally represented.
They also ordered that the appellant should be tried by another judge.
Recall that Yahya Aminu Sharif was sentenced to death by hanging by an Upper Sharia Court on August 10, 2020.
His lawyers filed an appeal at the State Appeal Court on October 15, 2020 challenging the death penalty.
Similarly, the appeal filed by Abdul Umar Faruk on alleged derogatory remarks on the Prophet of Islam has been set aside by the court in view of the fact that the person in question was a minor.
Dave Chappelle has tested positive for coronavirus amid a multi-night standup residency in Austin, Texas.
A representative told TMZ that the veteran comedian is currently in quarantine and is experiencing no symptoms. Nevertheless, he has canceled all of his remaining shows scheduled at Austin concert venue Stubb’s.
Chappelle launched the 10-date residency at Stubb’s last week and had been scheduled to perform there through this weekend. Several of the shows featured Joe Rogan as a co-headliner.
Because of social distancing requirements, no individual seats were sold to the shows. Instead, attendees had to purchase a table of four, six, or eight seats. Upon entry into the event, attendees received a rapid COVID-19 antigen test and were asked to wear face masks at all times.
Prior to testing positive for COVID-19, Chappelle was photographed backstage with Rogan, Elon Musk, Grimes, and restaurateur C.K. Chin. In another photo, he posed alongside Musk, Grimes, and comedians Michelle Wolf, Ron White, and Donnell Rawlings. No one was wearing a mask in either photo.
Grimes herself recently battled coronavirus. On January 9th, she confirmed her positive diagnosis in an Instagram Story, writing, “Finally got COVID, but weirdly enjoying the DayQuil fever dream … 2021.”
Liverpool’s 68-game unbeaten home run in the Premier League came to an end as Ashley Barnes fired in a late winner from the penalty spot to secure a famous victory for Burnley.
Barnes was tripped in the box by goalkeeper Alisson with seven minutes remaining and converted the spot-kick as Burnley won at Anfield for the first time since 1974.
Liverpool’s last league loss on their own ground came nearly four years ago, against Crystal Palace in April 2017, and they are now six points behind leaders Manchester United at the midway point in the campaign.
Divock Origi was given his first start of the season and should have scored when he ran free on goal after pouncing on Ben Mee’s error but struck the crossbar.
The hosts pushed to find the net in the second half but ran out of ideas, Nick Pope making a stunning save to deny Mohamed Salah and fellow substitute Roberto Firmino flicking an effort wide.
Burnley’s shock win lifts them up to 16th in the table, seven points clear of the relegation zone.
Jurgen Klopp said before the game he was “not worried” by his side’s poor run, but the latest setback means this has now turned into a real problem for the Liverpool manager.
After 19 games, Liverpool are out of form and out of confidence, failing to find the net in their last 440 minutes of top-flight action and awaiting their first league victory of 2021.
They looked to be hitting their stride on 19 December when they took apart Crystal Palace 7-0, but have not won in the league since and scored just a solitary league goal in that time, against relegation strugglers West Brom.
Their drop-off from the same stage last season is extraordinary – after 19 games last term the Reds were 13 points clear at the top with 55 points, but they have 21 fewer points now.
Aside from Pope’s save to thwart Salah and stops from Origi and Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool did not look a side who were threatening to find the net.
They had 72% possession but much of it was slow and ponderous, and although they had spaces out wide and put 30 crosses into the box, the resolute Burnley defenders headed and hacked clear every ball that came in.
Davido and Wizkid are at the moment Nigeria’s richest musicians, several sources has been quoting their wealth at several billions of Naira, a source put their wealth at $40million and $30million respectively, while some others put it at $19million and $20million and there are some more using different instruments to determine how wealthy the two of Nigeria’s greatest musical exports are.
It is however surprising that with their hard earned wealth there are some animals that are richer that the two Nigerian superstars combine. This write-up will be looking at 3 pets that are on record richer than this extremely hardworking Nigerian superstars, we will be looking at their source of wealth, their location and the name of their owners.
A Dog named Gunther IV (V, VI) worth $375 million
The world’s richest animal is a German Shepherd from Germany — who is living anything but a ruff life.
Gunther was the pet of Karlotta Leibenstein, a German countess who had a multi-million dollar fortune. She never had any children but cherished her pet dogs throughout her lifetime. Karlotta passed away in 1992. At the time, she had no close family to share her fortune with except for her dog—Gunther III—and she made sure he would be well taken care of for the rest of his life. She willed her entire fortune of 80 million dollars to him. When Gunther III passed away, the inheritance was passed along to his son, Gunther IV.
Over the years, Gunther’s caretakers have accumulated even more wealth for the dog through strategic investments and surprising ventures, and today the dog has a net worth of $373 million. By the way, Gunther IV is supposedly 28 years old today, but the average lifespan of a German Shepherd is 10 to 13 years, so it’s likely that it’s actually Gunther 5 or 6 by now, but the dog is still referred to as Gunther IV.
Gunther’s wealth is in a trust that is managed by the Gunther Corporation, which Gunther is the CEO of. It doesn’t appear that they are very limited in how they spend or invest Gunther’s money. Although the purpose of the corporation is to ensure that Gunther is taken care of, they have used his money in a number of unusual ways.
For example, they put together a theatre show called the Burgundians, which toured in South Florida in 1999. They spent millions producing a television musical special called Global Revolution, which aired once on Italian television. In 2006, they purchased the Pontedera Football Club, an Italian association football club in Tuscany. Officially, Gunther is the owner of the football club and all other assets of the Gunther Corporation. This includes a number of properties that have been purchased in his name.
Gunther owns a number of properties, including several villas in Italy, properties in the Bahamas, and a German estate. His highest profile purchase came in 2000 when he purchased a 7.5 million dollar mansion from Madonna in Miami. The Gunther Corporation also looked into buying Sylvester Stallone’s 27 million dollar Miami villa before deciding on Madonna’s mansion.
The 7,000 square foot Mediterranean-style home has nine bedrooms and eight and a half bathrooms. It was purchased by a group that called themselves the Burgandians, who revealed Gunther as their mystery investor in a press conference after the sale had been finalized.
When in Miami, Gunther mainly stays in the master bedroom while the rest of the house is rented out for movie and television shoots. This is just one way that Gunther’s net worth steadily increases.
Gunther is waited on paw and foot constantly. He has a personal maid who cleans up after him in addition to a butler who attends to his every need along with his many other caretakers. A typical day might see him taking a swim in his customized pool, taking a drive in his luxurious limousine, eating the finest steaks, caviar, and truffles, relaxing in one of his many enviable estates, drinking the finest bottled waters, and perhaps going to the spa or a high-end groomer.
He even goes to the occasional auction. In 2001, Gunther along with two of his staff showed up at a high-dollar auction in northern Italy. He even successfully bid on something—a 1.1 million dollar truffle. Gunther also has around the clock security. You can definitely say that Gunther is living the good life as the world’s richest dog.
Grumpy Cat worth $99.5 million
As opposed to Gunther IV, who got his money via trust fund, Grumpy Cat is a self-made millionaire.
Grumpy Cat who died in 2019 due to complications with her urinary tract infection at age 7 was self-made rich pet, she was owned Tabitha Bundesen from Arizona and her real name is Tardar Sauce but she became Grumpy Cat because of a few posts on Reddit showing off the cat’’s disdainful-looking mug by owner Tabatha’s brother, Bryan. The Reddit audience quickly posted their own takes on this grumpy cat, photoshopping sardonic text and backgrounds, spreading the cat’s popularity. According to Know Your Meme, within 24 hours, the Grumpy Cat Reddit page received over 25,000 upvotes and, within 48 hours, its Imgur page received over a million views. Grumpy Cat was causing an internet stir, and this internet stir would soon break into the mainstream.
Funny cats were by no means novel on the internet or the mainstream (YouTube was practically built on cat videos). However, Grumpy’s popularity was not only stable but growing. Soon, Grumpy was meeting famous celebrities, guest starring in television shows, writing (well… inspiring) her own books, and starring in her own Lifetime Christmas movie. She was given her own wax statue at Madame Tussaud’s, and at SXSW Interactive, she outdid the likes of Steve Carell and Elon Musk in drawing in crowds.
At the core of her popularity was her loyal following on social media and the thousands of creators that produced new Grumpy Cat memes daily. Grumpy Cat was one of the first internet sensations to straddle the real and online worlds, known by both your tech-addicted 9-year old brother and your cat-loving aunt. The meme was so widely known that even President Obama made an allusion to the meme at the 2015 White House Correspondent Dinner. Grumpy really did, as her owners stated, help “millions of people smile around the world.”
Grumpy Cat also made money and lots of it, putting millions in the hands of her owners. According to the Washington Post, Bundesen’s company, Grumpy Cat Limited, monetized the cat, bringing in between $1 million and $100 million through merchandising, Grumpy’s books, and her various appearances. With this new money and business opportunity, Bundesen was able to quit her job waitressing at Red Lobster.
The monetization of Grumpy Cat led to one of the first spats over the intellectual property of memes. In 2018, Grumpy Cat Limited sued Grenade Beverage for using Grumpy’s image to market Grenade’s new Grumpy Cat Grumppuccino without permission and won $710,001 from the case. The underlying issues with intellectual property we see today with Jerry Media and Fortnite were present the moment that Grumpy Cat Limited began to make money.
Taylor Swift’s Cat Olivia Benson worth $97 million
In June of 2014, Taylor got a new cat she named Olivia Benson after the character portrayed by Mariska Hargitay on Law & Order: SVU, one of Taylor’s favorite television shows.
She is the younger “sister” to Meredith Grey, and older “sister” to Benjamin Button.
Like Meredith, Olivia Benson is a Scottish fold cat that lives in luxury, this notwithstanding the cat still makes her own money.
Olivia was featured in one of Taylor’s Diet Coke, Keds, and AT&T commercials, and has also appeared in many of her Instagram videos/photos. She and Meredith even appeared in an Instagram photo taken by Taylor’s then-boyfriend, Calvin Harris, which he captioned “Moment”.
Olivia is also seen at the beginning of the music video for Taylor’s 2019 single, “ME!”
Olivia has been nominated for 3 awards
2015 Australian Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards with Meredith Grey as Aussie/Kiwi’s Favourite Animal
2016 Nickelodeon UK Kids’ Choice Awards as UK Favourite Famous Cat
2018 iHeartRadio Music Awards as the Cutest Musician’s Pet
A popular Ghanaian witch doctor who is revered as the most powerful Witch Doctor in Ghana has drop a bombshell that has got people talking.
The witch doctor during an interview with their local television station mentioned the names of the four Nigerian top pastor who according to him he is afraid of them both in the physical and spiritual realm and also mention other three that come to him for spiritual powers to do miracles and make more money.
The witch doctor, Chief Naatia Salifu mentioned Bishop David Oyedepo, Pastor Enoch Adeboye among other two pastors he fears.
Bishop David oyedepo of the living faith Church, according to chief naatia is a gifted man of God that is sent by God and has been tested both physical and spiritual, I’ m very very afraid of him because he is the most powerful and fearless man of God Nigeria has.
Another man of God was pastor Paul eneche of the Dunamis Church, according to him he recognized pastor Paul as a young but very powerful man of God which no forces of the enemy can temper with him he possesses very strong power of God that cannot be compared to any.
Chief Naatia also in his statement made mention of apostle Sulaiman saying he is also a very respected man of God that cannot be tampered with in the spirit realm, he went further to say that they have tried to bring him down in all means but could not.
And finally he made mention of pastor Adeboye saying that this particular man of God is a grandfather of Nigeria that he solicits for Nigeria a lot in the spirit realm, he said he respects pastor Adeboye so very much.
The witch doctor also said that there are many of the Nigerian pastors he has helped with charms to succeed in their various ministries saying, some of them have been caught and exposed because they didn’t follow the instructions of the spirit he gave to them.
Bishop David OyedepoPastor E.A. AdeboyeApostle Johnson SuleimanPastor Paul EnecheChief Naatia SalifuChief Naatia Salifu
Femi Oyewale, President, National Association of Online Security Reporters, NAOSRE and Thomas Uzah, Head of Department, Mass Communication, Kwararafa University Wukari, take an overview of Nigerian 2020 security outlook vis-a vis the role of Lieutenant General Buratai, Chief of Army Staff in relationship with the well deserved African Steward Man Of The Year honour
A major plank of the collective resolution by stakeholders and industry players at the December 11 National Association of Online Security Reporters, NAOSRE, Security Discourse Dinner at Oriental Hotel, Lagos was the urgent need for more citizens’ supports for military operatives.
Tagged 2021 Nigerian Security Issues, Funding and Prospects,” discussants were of the view that apart from increase funding for military operatives, citizens’ understanding of the patriotic efforts of the military would create a balanced movement towards a safer Nigeria.
In his submission at the NAOSRE Dinner, Major Osoba Olaniyi, who represented Brigadier General Sagir Musa, Director, Army Public Relations, disclosed that “Nigerian Army is conducting internal security operations in 34 states.”
Major Olaniyi, Acting Deputy Director, 81 Division Army Public Relations, stated: “We accept criticism because we are a professional institution. However, what we don’t want is casting aspersion on us, because it has the tendency to weaken the resolve of those still fighting and dishonour the memories of our fallen heroes; it also has the tendency to undermine national unity.”
Olaniyi, responding to concerns raised about members of Police and Army impunity when dealing with civilians affirmed: “Irrespective of whatever uniform we wear, we still share the same humanity with members of society. And we shall try to remain humane with you.”
Tony Akposheri, veteran Nollywood actor, who represented Prince Honourable Ned Nwoko, Grand Patron, NAOSRE, pointed out that the public has roles to play in the security of our society.
“We cannot leave everything to government,” he noted and further submitted: “Nigerian security discourse is timely at this time of our nation, not the issue of sacking service chiefs; if they are sacked and the right things are not in place the situation will not improve.”
Dr Akposheri noted further that: “Our security personnel are not adequately well taken care of and the number of security operatives in this country is not adequate,” he said, pointing out other deficits including working with obsolete tools and technology.
A reflection of these submissions at the NASORE Dinner calls for increase encouragement for military personnel as demonstrated by Africa Steward honour on Lieutenant Tukur Buratai, given their affront against insurgent in 2020 and previous years.
Indeed, the Year 2020 grudgingly dragged to an end. It was a difficult and tough year for all Africans. From economic meltdown to wars, conflicts and the blight of the global Covid-19 pandemic. In the continent, Nigeria also had her fair share of these troubles. These predicaments were varied and complex.
As already known, the position of Nigeria in the continent is very strategic and sensitive. It is a country with a large landmass and huge population. And it is not disputable that the African continent is troubled and threatened anytime a misfortune adversely affects Nigeria.
What troubled Nigeria deeply and almost brought the country to her knees last year was the nagging spate of resurgent insecurities. Nigeria was confronted with the menace of resurgent Boko Haram insurgency and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists. The armed gangs regrouped and came back like a bad penny in what appeared in every countenance like a revenge mission over their defeat by soldiers.
And also, emerging from a general election year, Nigeria grappled with the challenge of the infiltration and proliferation of weapons; intrusion of hired armed mercenaries, ethnic militias, armed bandits, the scourge of kidnappers, oil pipeline vandals, buccaneers, ethno-religious eruptions, vicious secession agitations, communal skirmishes and the bloody #EndSARS protests.
Certainly, the peace, security and stability of the country was extremely tested by these organized armed criminal gangs. They registered presence in most parts of the nation and in overwhelming numbers, perpetually overpowering civil security. And in all instances of internal security breaches, the magnitude consistently attracted the deployment of soldiers on special assignments on Internal Security (IS).
These forces of darkness pushed Nigeria to the cusp of total destabilization and disintegration. There were glaring signs of the absolute compromise of national security, like the #EndSARS protests, had Government failed to take proactive steps to extinguish the smokes of these insecurities and disable the brigands. But at the end of the year, Nigerians gracefully crossed into 2021 with less of such troubles or precisely, their absolute obliteration based on the interventions of the Army.
Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and leader of the counter-insurgency operations, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai dispensed himself in these troubled times as Nigeria’s loyal and trustworthy Salvationist. He deserves the most endearing and profound eulogies for imposing security sanity in Nigeria today.
The Army Chief led soldiers to accomplish these difficult security tasks professionally, and distinctively. Gen. Buratai doggedly ensured the berth of peace and security in Nigerian and by implication, the African continent. He rescued Nigeria from the hands of armed captors, sanitized the country and opened fresh vistas of security regeneration or rebirth.
As Punchman of the counter-insurgency operations in the country, Gen. Buratai discharged his stewardship to fatherland with dexterity, distinction and splendor. He salvaged Nigeria and restored lost hopes. His works erased the feeling of hopelessness harboured by most Nigerians over insecurity. And surely, with him still on the saddle, Nigerians have settled with the reality that it is possible to live in the previously tormented country, free of security threats or molestations from armed gangs.
The last quarter of 2020 was particularly challenging for the country. Political desperadoes ignited a carnival of fires in the guise of #EndSARS protests. Almost the entire Southern part of the country was engulfed by the heat of the violent #EndSARS protests. The quantum of destructions and bloodbath orchestrated by the sponsors and promoters of #EndSARS was appalling.
Nigeria was on the verge of complete anarchy, and the total breakdown of law and order. But Gen. Buratai staged out and effectively quenched the destructive fires triggered by the pig -heads of the #EndSARS campaigners. The Army marketed itself as Nigeria’s redeemers.
In the wake of resurgent insecurities in April 2020, Boko Haram insurgents’ and ISWAP terrorists bounced back with venom. Gen. Buratai relocated to the Northeast region. He spent two months in the trenches, directing and personally leading troops of the “Operation Lafiya Dole” in the battle against terrorists in the frontlines. And the positive results within a week were incredible. He was able to neutralize over 2,000 terrorists, destroyed their re-established camps and confiscated numerous weapons from insurgents.
Armed bandits and allied criminals terrorizing the Northwest region groaned and numerously met their waterloo, when Gen. Buratai launched “Operation Sahel Sanity.” Within weeks, troops dislodged them from their hideouts in the various forests; neutralized hundreds of the bandits in fierce battle encounters with troops. The Army impounded the weapons abandoned by fleeing bandits. Scores of the criminals, logistics suppliers and connivers were also arrested in the course of these operations. Gen. Buratai saved Nigeria from this nightmare.
The kidnap of the Kankara schoolboys and later, the Mahuta school children by bandits, sparked national uproar and outrage. Tongues sharpened even in the international community to discredit President Muhammadu Buhari, if the abductees do not regain their freedom. But Gen. Buratai saved the day. He immediately marshalled out troops which moved fiercely after the abductors.
And in a skillfully executed unarmed operation, soldiers rescued all the kidnapped school children within six days. Also, none of them was either injured or wounded in the course of the operations. They were reunited with their families in a presidential ceremony. State Governors whose states were tormented by armed bandits and cattle rustlers have attested to the restoration of peace and security by soldiers.
Similarly, the ethnic warlords and militias tormenting communities of the North central region were also repressed by Gen. Buratai. Hordes of the gang leaders and the foot soldiers of these criminal sects were apprehended; while many of them kissed death in battle encounters with troops.
Southern Kaduna has known peace from ethno-religious conflagrations now because Gen. Buratai refused to shirk. He doused the restiveness, imposed peace and security in the warring areas. At this instance too, Gen. Buratai discharged his stewardship to Nigeria with enviable patriotism and dedication.
Furthermore, violent campaigners for secession also attempted several times to disrupt the public peace by breaching security. They were essentially an assembled band of criminals, who operated as armed robbers, kidnappers, and indulged into other repulsive acts of criminalities. The COAS again sauntered unto the stage and never allowed the armed criminals perpetrate any form of evil against Nigeria. He rescued an entrapped people of the Southeast.
Therefore, Gen. Buratai deserves the medal of African Steward Man of the Year 2020. He has proved faithful military service to his country. He has always intervened in the darkest hours in the history of Nigeria with the candle of illumination.
Nigerians who never believed that it is possible to exist in Nigeria and insulated from lethal insecurities are loudly testifying to Gen. Buratai’s exceptional prowess and unique military competence in tackling Internal Insecurity (IS) threats. Whether these security threats manifested the character of resurgence or freshly created, the Army boss descended on the criminals. The ombudsman of the counter-insurgency operations is incontestably the winner of the African Steward Man of the Year 2020. Congratulations, sir and may you soar higher in bringing peace and security to Nigeria and Africa
