The Nation Newspaper

Category: Abuja Review

  • Winding down

    With about 24 hours to the inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari’s second term administration, not a few Nigerians expect the movement to the ‘next level’ to start earnestly on May 29.

    The promise to move Nigerians to the next level of progress and prosperity was believed to have played a great role in the electoral victory of the President in the February 2019 Presidential polls.

    So many Nigerians are anxiously waiting for the continuation of the CHANGE agenda of the government that will immediately eradicate poverty and hunger in the land.

    They want fast development of various essential infrastructures and facilities in the country to at least correspond to the huge human and natural resources Almighty God has blessed Nigeria with over the years.

    Above all, they want Nigeria not only to become the real Giant of Africa indeed, but become a true force to be reckoned with globally on all fronts, especially in technology, manufacturing and industrialisation.

    Knowing what Nigerians expect of it, the Buhari administration appeared to be leaving no stone unturned towards shedding every weight that will likely slow it down from moving Nigeria and Nigerians to the next level in the next dispensation.

    To this end, the government towards winding down the first term successfully has held series of emergency Federal Executive Council (FEC) meetings in the past few weeks.

    Apart from some of the FEC meetings ending around 10pm in the night, it was also believed that the longest FEC meeting was held in the last few days.

    The outgoing cabinet was believed to be meeting to give the next political heads of the various ministries clean slates to operate without complexities in the next dispensation.

    In efforts to wind down successfully, the ministers were believed to have given account of the various approvals and status of the various projects approved by the government in the first term.

    Also towards winding down the first term administration of President Buhari, valedictory session was held for the outgoing cabinet members last week Wednesday.

    One common point all the 31 ministers revealed during the valedictory session was that Buhari’s integrity, humility and leadership style have impacted their lives in the past three and half years.

    Seeing the valedictory session as graduation ceremony, they felt  the tenure was a unique school that will reshape their lives and careers for the rest of their lives.

    But none of them, during the valedictory session, gave any indication they wanted to repeat the Buhari’s school of integrity, unlike in the past when ministers shed tears during such valedictory sessions and won’t want the experience to come to an end.

    The outgoing ministers, last Wednesday, appeared to be ready to move ahead and face what the future holds for them.

    The valedictory session, however, did not end without kind words for them from President Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, whose positions are already guaranteed in the next dispensation.

    Buhari said, “Our first meeting in this chamber was in November 2015. Over the past three and a half years, we worked together to deliver our campaign promises.

    “I strongly believe that it is this team work that led to the successes recorded during our first term.

    “Many would have given up. Indeed, many outside commentators said our situation was well-nigh hopeless. However, we all came together and pushed forward to deliver our campaign promise to rescue our country from its parlous state.

    “Although we all had a common vision, we frequently had heated debates in this room on the best way to achieve our goals.

    “These differing views are what made the decisions we took all the more rational. It is this quality that made me retain my cabinet for the full term. Each of you in this room has a unique skill and strength.

    “We are a reflection of the Nigeria we aspire to achieve. A diverse but tolerant nation where no one is silenced and where every opinion should be heard and considered.

    “I want you all to leave this meeting proud to have served your nation to the best of your ability. You should be proud to have been part of the Government that liberated the local governments previously under Boko Haram rule.

    “You should be proud to have contributed to our food security and economic diversification agenda which led to the revival of our rural agrarian economy

    “You should be proud to have been part of the team that developed the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan which led Nigeria exiting its worst recession in decades.

    “You should be proud to have introduced the social investment program that enhanced livelihoods of millions of Nigerians.

    “You should be proud to have participated in settling outstanding pensions of many senior citizens abandoned by previous governments while supporting state governments to meet their salary arrears.

    “And of course, you should all be proud to have overseen the most ambitious road, rail and airport rehabilitation programs in the history of our country.

    “I want to put on record, that your achievements in the last three and a half hears has guaranteed your position in the history books of this nation. You have certainly built the foundations for an improved economy and a more purposeful government.” he stated

    Also the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo said “I thank Almighty God for preserving our lives to serve our nation this past four years.

    “I will like to thank Mr. President for the opportunity to serve as your vice president and your running mate twice. My deepest gratitude come from the great trust that you reposed in me at all times.

    “I want to use this opportunity to greet our cabinet colleagues, this has been an exceptionally patriotic and talented team.

    “Everyone brought experience, knowledge, wisdom and selflessness to council deliberations at all times.

    “I pray that you will all go from glory to glory, that you will never fail or fall. As we all depart from council, I pray that the lord that has guided us this far will be our help in the years to come, in Jesus name.”

    While the President and Vice President have commended the outgoing cabinet members, some Nigerians have continued to guess how the next cabinet will be made up.

    With the way the ministers have been commended for their contributions in the last three and half years, some Nigerians believed that the President may eventually retain all the ministers, even though they are first expected to submit their handover letters to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation today.

    Other Nigerians want only the ministers that have performed excellently well to be retained.

    Some Nigerians also want complete new set of technocrats for the next dispensation.

    While the President is at liberty to pick any of the options to constitute the next cabinet, and as usual keep the list to his chest, this should be done in a way that will urgently speed up Nigeria’s movement to the next level as promised.

    The next cabinet members should be ready to hit the ground running as no time should be wasted from 29th of May, 2019, knowing that four years will move like a twinkling of an eye given the enormity of work to be done.

     

    • This instalment was meant for publication last week

  • Winding down

    With about 24 hours to the inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari’s second term administration, not a few Nigerians expect the movement to the ‘next level’ to start earnestly on May 29.

    The promise to move Nigerians to the next level of progress and prosperity was believed to have played a great role in the electoral victory of the President in the February 2019 Presidential polls.

    So many Nigerians are anxiously waiting for the continuation of the CHANGE agenda of the government that will immediately eradicate poverty and hunger in the land.

    They want fast development of various essential infrastructures and facilities in the country to at least correspond to the huge human and natural resources Almighty God has blessed Nigeria with over the years.

    Above all, they want Nigeria not only to become the real Giant of Africa indeed, but become a true force to be reckoned with globally on all fronts, especially in technology, manufacturing and industrialisation.

    Knowing what Nigerians expect of it, the Buhari administration appeared to be leaving no stone unturned towards shedding every weight that will likely slow it down from moving Nigeria and Nigerians to the next level in the next dispensation.

    To this end, the government towards winding down the first term successfully has held series of emergency Federal Executive Council (FEC) meetings in the past few weeks.

    Apart from some of the FEC meetings ending around 10pm in the night, it was also believed that the longest FEC meeting was held in the last few days.

    The outgoing cabinet was believed to be meeting to give the next political heads of the various ministries clean slates to operate without complexities in the next dispensation.

    In efforts to wind down successfully, the ministers were believed to have given account of the various approvals and status of the various projects approved by the government in the first term.

    Also towards winding down the first term administration of President Buhari, valedictory session was held for the outgoing cabinet members last week Wednesday.

    One common point all the 31 ministers revealed during the valedictory session was that Buhari’s integrity, humility and leadership style have impacted their lives in the past three and half years.

    Seeing the valedictory session as graduation ceremony, they felt  the tenure was a unique school that will reshape their lives and careers for the rest of their lives.

    But none of them, during the valedictory session, gave any indication they wanted to repeat the Buhari’s school of integrity, unlike in the past when ministers shed tears during such valedictory sessions and won’t want the experience to come to an end.

    The outgoing ministers, last Wednesday, appeared to be ready to move ahead and face what the future holds for them.

    The valedictory session, however, did not end without kind words for them from President Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, whose positions are already guaranteed in the next dispensation.

    Buhari said, “Our first meeting in this chamber was in November 2015. Over the past three and a half years, we worked together to deliver our campaign promises.

    “I strongly believe that it is this team work that led to the successes recorded during our first term.

    “Many would have given up. Indeed, many outside commentators said our situation was well-nigh hopeless. However, we all came together and pushed forward to deliver our campaign promise to rescue our country from its parlous state.

    “Although we all had a common vision, we frequently had heated debates in this room on the best way to achieve our goals.

    “These differing views are what made the decisions we took all the more rational. It is this quality that made me retain my cabinet for the full term. Each of you in this room has a unique skill and strength.

    “We are a reflection of the Nigeria we aspire to achieve. A diverse but tolerant nation where no one is silenced and where every opinion should be heard and considered.

    “I want you all to leave this meeting proud to have served your nation to the best of your ability. You should be proud to have been part of the Government that liberated the local governments previously under Boko Haram rule.

    “You should be proud to have contributed to our food security and economic diversification agenda which led to the revival of our rural agrarian economy

    “You should be proud to have been part of the team that developed the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan which led Nigeria exiting its worst recession in decades.

    “You should be proud to have introduced the social investment program that enhanced livelihoods of millions of Nigerians.

    “You should be proud to have participated in settling outstanding pensions of many senior citizens abandoned by previous governments while supporting state governments to meet their salary arrears.

    “And of course, you should all be proud to have overseen the most ambitious road, rail and airport rehabilitation programs in the history of our country.

    “I want to put on record, that your achievements in the last three and a half hears has guaranteed your position in the history books of this nation. You have certainly built the foundations for an improved economy and a more purposeful government.” he stated

    Also the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo said “I thank Almighty God for preserving our lives to serve our nation this past four years.

    “I will like to thank Mr. President for the opportunity to serve as your vice president and your running mate twice. My deepest gratitude come from the great trust that you reposed in me at all times.

    “I want to use this opportunity to greet our cabinet colleagues, this has been an exceptionally patriotic and talented team.

    “Everyone brought experience, knowledge, wisdom and selflessness to council deliberations at all times.

    “I pray that you will all go from glory to glory, that you will never fail or fall. As we all depart from council, I pray that the lord that has guided us this far will be our help in the years to come, in Jesus name.”

    While the President and Vice President have commended the outgoing cabinet members, some Nigerians have continued to guess how the next cabinet will be made up.

    With the way the ministers have been commended for their contributions in the last three and half years, some Nigerians believed that the President may eventually retain all the ministers, even though they are first expected to submit their handover letters to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation today.

    Other Nigerians want only the ministers that have performed excellently well to be retained.

    Some Nigerians also want complete new set of technocrats for the next dispensation.

    While the President is at liberty to pick any of the options to constitute the next cabinet, and as usual keep the list to his chest, this should be done in a way that will urgently speed up Nigeria’s movement to the next level as promised.

    The next cabinet members should be ready to hit the ground running as no time should be wasted from 29th of May, 2019, knowing that four years will move like a twinkling of an eye given the enormity of work to be done.

     

  • Abuja residents apprehensive of kidnaping

    The authorities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are tackling criminals who seize residents and demand ransom, reports GBENGA OMOKHUNU

    Majority of residents in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) now live in fear of being kidnapped. This is due to the increasing rate of abductions in Abuja and the dreaded Abuja-Kaduna Expressway.

    Findings revealed that kidnapping has now become the most lucrative business that can catapult the poor into affluence overnight.

    When the first cases of kidnappings involving expatriate oil workers were reported in the Niger Delta in the early 2000s, not many knew that it would grow to become a national malaise in less than two decades.

    Apart from the militancy in the Niger Delta, the deadly Islamic insurgency in the North orchestrated by Boko Haram, the activities of hostage-taking Fulani herdsmen, as well as the swelling pool of criminals who are making a fortune from it have all contributed to exacerbation of the national epidemic, which kidnapping has become.

    Today, not just expatriates are at risk of being kidnapped for ransom; everybody and anybody is, as shown by the list of victims, which include day-old infants, professionals, including medical doctors, lawyers, journalists, administrators, clerics, traditional rulers, artisans, para-military and military officers among others. While some of these victims were rescued after paying huge amounts of money as ransom, some of them were able to escape after being tortured or raped and others died in mysterious circumstances.

    Now, hardly does a week pass without innocent citizens being forcefully moved away by deadly gangs, who take fun in pulling the trigger at the slightest refusal to obey their commands. People now sleep with one eye open, not knowing what would happen next.

    John, a security expert who spoke with The Nation on the issue said: “Kidnapping now happen on a commercial scale in the country. Even though kidnapping happens in other parts of the world, it does not happen on such a large scale like Nigeria where mass kidnapping takes place regularly. Many years ago, we said there is strength in numbers, but this is not true today. Kidnapping of Chibok girls and Dapchi girls come to mind. Boko Haram even stop buses on the way and carry out their kidnapping. There is general lack of security in the country. The Federal Capital Territory is now experiencing this sad development.

    “I think impunity is the biggest cause, because people commit the crime and don’t get punished. If someone commits a crime and he/she gets away with it, then there is every chance that the person will continue. But if the person commits a crime, gets caught and is punished, it will definitely serve as a deterrent to others. Most cases are lost in court because of sloppy investigation and policing in Nigeria. We no longer teach religious education in schools. So, people are not morally conscious; but they now worship the god of money and justify it.”

    An Abuja resident, Ibrahim Udu who also spoke with The Nation lamented that part of the reason that kidnapping remains a thriving business in the country is because many Nigerians have come to believe that being rich is the ultimate life goal.

    REad also: Govt to shut down Abuja cooperative societies over certification

    Udu went further, saying, “It is a pity that Nigerian youths have been brainwashed into believing they need to get money to have their way. So, this has spurred them to get money by hook or by crook. This is also responsible for the high rate of kidnapping and ritual killings in the country. I heard recently of a wife who took to kidnapping to get money from the husband. Many of us are not content with what we have. We want to have a good life and the definition of good life is to go into this heinous crime to make money. Greed is a psychological problem. Some in the older generations have not laid the foundation of hard work for our youths, rather, they have demonstrated that to have money is power to live a flamboyant life.”

    Seun, another Abuja resident said another cause of kidnappings in the country is eroded values adding that People no longer want to follow the path of dignity of labour.

    He said they do not care how they make money.

    She said: “The enduring spirit of due process of attaining wealth is no longer there as only a few people ask questions when they observe something does not add up. People celebrate those who acquire ill-gotten wealth and give them chieftaincy titles. In some cases, they are given major responsibilities in the society. The societal implication of this is that it spreads like wild fire. I don’t think it is too bad to ask someone who had nothing, but all of a sudden is living the big life, what he or she does for a living. It is not a good news that kidnapping is on the increase in Abuja. kidnapping is on the rise because of high rate of poverty, hopelessness, joblessness and majorly, the lack of the fear of God.

    “Another factor to this epidemic is the celebration of wealth, fame and materialism without questioning the sources. For example, a jobless young man suddenly becomes wealthy, buying houses and cars without any traceable investment, no accountability to friends, families and the government, and yet he is celebrated. A generation has emerged that is only interested in the get-rich-quick syndrome, rather than hard work, skill acquisition and education.”

    While urging religious leaders, family and relevant government agencies to come together to condemn and tackle these barbaric acts, instead of celebrating materialism, another Abuja residents who spoke under anonymity believes that people need to be security conscious, mind the company they keep, while the government should devise ingenious ways of catching up with perpetrators.

    He said conscious efforts must be made to stamp out the menace of kidnapping before the entire country is overrun by kidnappers.

    “For instance, the Kaduna-Abuja road is a danger zone now where kidnapping has been thriving for years. So, the legislature should compel the Nigerian Police to make its presence felt there. We urgently need to get to a point where serious people govern Nigeria because governance means providing services based on facts and not fiction.

    “Everybody is now talking about Kaduna-Abuja road. It is on this same Kaduna-Abuja road that about 30 persons were kidnapped recently including the General Manager, Public Relations, Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMET), Muntari Ibrahim. His son, Ibrahim, who made the disclosure said his father, along with his brother, Tasi’u Isah, were returning to Abuja when the kidnappers double- crossed his Peugeot 408 car, shot into the air and whisked him away. Like Abuja, several other state across the country have paid a heavy price as a result of the incessant activities of kidnappers.”

    The above instances have become commonplace along the notorious Abuja-Kaduna Expressway, especially around Jere, Katari and Rijana towns. In the last three years, the road has becoming one of the most dangerous roads in the country as clergymen, military officers and an ex minister, a serving senator as well as a diplomat, including not-so-prominent persons, have at various times been kidnapped along that road. The Sierra Leone Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, retired Major General Alfred Nelson Williams, was abducted along the notorious road on his way to attend an event at Command and Staff College, Jaji.

    Similarly, Malam Lawal Maidoki, the Chairman of Sokoto State Zakat and Empowerment, was seized in October. That same month, precisely on October 6, six armed men kidnapped Mrs Laurentia Laraba Malam, the immediate past Minister of Environment and her husband, Mr. Pius Malam along the same Kaduna Abuja express way.

    Early March, a journalist with the DailyTrust newspaper was kidnapped and released after payment of ransom. He narrated his ordeal and all the modus operandi of the kidnappers based on his experience. Till today, no one has ever to dig or investigate or act on how to get them arrested. Not only on the highways, kidnappers now follow people into their towns and villages, knock their doors and abduct them.

    Not too long after that was the kidnap that happened within Abuja city center of Friday Okeregbe, a Channels TV reporter who covers the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. Okeregbe was kidnapped along Games Village in Abuja while on his way from his mechanic’s workshop on March 22, 2019.

    Those who saw him at work on March 22, which was on Friday said he was wearing the same clothes as in the photo on the news when he was kidnapped.

    Thought, Friday was released by the kidnappers a week after which ironically was on Friday, it was not confirmed if the family paid the N50 million ransom that was demanded by the kidnappers.

    The experience, according to Friday was something he do not want to share. Findings also revealed that if took the intervention of different quarters to secure his release.

    Government’s efforts to curb the menace  

    Minister of the FCT, Malam Muhammad Bello told The Nation about the administration’s latest efforts at putting an end to kidnapping among other crimes in the nation’s capital.

    Bello was furious about the sad development, saying that his administration will ensure that Abuja and its environs are safe for everyone.

    He said, “The incident of kidnapping along Abuja-Kaduna Road…there was an existing regional security arrangement which was called the G-7. So with the development all the states that are around the FCT are going to revive the regional security arrangements. This will also help. If for instance the FCT administration had a way of checking but if our neighbours routes are porous then it will still come back to us. So we have to come together in form of technical tactics. All the commissioners of police and security agencies within the seven states [need] to come and draw an agenda as regards securing the region. This G-7 states consist of Niger, FCT, Plature, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and Kaduna. With that, the efforts of all the state governments will help deal with kidnapping issue. These are the arrangement we are putting in place.”

    The minister who spoke with our correspondent through the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA’s) Deputy Director of Security, Adamu Gwary said: “The FCT administration at the last EXCO meeting when we made presentation on community policing, we know the helplessness situation of our Nigerian police as regards to manpower and other logistics. So the best way to get results is to have self-help community policing. And we paid a visit to all the 17 Chiefs and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Malam Musa Bello directed that the reports of the visits and other findings be presented at the EXCO meeting. The report is advocating the issue of neighborhood watch and community policing. At least to ensure that information gets to the security agencies on time on issues that are related to crimes or any intention to commit crime.

    “With that the administration will ensure that the community policing and neighborhood watch is seriously supposed to aid the police in achieving the set target of getting FCT rid of crime and criminality especially this issue of kidnapping. In addition, the Commissioner of police recently discussed with the minister that the force is going to embark on a special operation exercise on some area councils in the FCT. That is Gwagwalada, Abaji, Kwali and Kuje. Where there is so much reported cases of kidnapping. This administration is willing to assist the FCT police command in ensuring that such exercise records a huge success. We are serious working round the clock to ensure that the issue of kidnapping in FCT is arrested.

    “The minister is very serious about this development and wants implementation of the plans as soon as possible. Members of the public should also compliment the efforts of our security operatives especially the police as regards information sharing. We want to have a section where information will be given in confidence and it will be transmitted to the police. Even with the United Nations standard of ratio of police to members of the public we are far behind. So even if police is not complaining it is glaring. During my last visit to Zuba police station, they had only one functional vehicle. We understand the gaps and we are trying to assist. The committee report like I said earlier is advocating community policing as solution to the issue of crimes especially kidnapping.

    “As we work to achieve our set goals, members of the public should try at all times to be security conscious. Our findings showed that people do not want to go and report criminal matters to the police that is why we have the FCT call center. They should also use that window to relate information which is usually transmitters to security agencies. We also censor where the information is coming from to avoid any form of intimidation because members of the public are always scared to report.”

  • Journalists urged to tackle fake news

    A training session has been held in Abuja to eradicate fake news.

    The facilitator of the event Mr Taiwo Obe, urged journalists to remain vigilant in the face of the growing challenge of fake news.

    The one day media capacity building workshop with the theme: Online Journalism in the Era of Fake News was organized by Polaris Bank.

    Obe also asked journalists to embrace the age-old practice of being cautious until one is sure of the facts.

    He said, “The pursuit of facts and truth must remain the essential  driving force for good journalism.”Participants were taken through an exciting session that was interactive and illuminating. They were also exposed to some tool kits essential for fact-checking fake images among others.

    Several newspaper editors and online publishers were at the workshop. Mr Obe,  himself a well-respected veteran journalist urged media practitioners to acquaint themselves with the code of ethics of the profession.

    Speaking at the event, Osazuwa Igbinoba, Group Head, Abuja Commercial Banking described the theme of the workshop as apt.

    He said, “The theme of this workshop could not have come at a better time. It is indeed  very apt: online journalism practice in an era of fake news.

    He said: “As bankers, we have had a fair share of fake news which has been on the front burner globally and believe that as members of the fourth estate of the realm, you all owe it a duty to practice journalism responsibly for the good of society.”

    On his part, Nduneche Ezurike, Head, Strategic Brand Management explained that the workshop was the bank’s own commitment to enhance capacity of media practitioners while impacting on responsible journalism adding that: “It also serves as a direct feedback mechanism with our stakeholders in the media community which the bank values highly.”

  • Police raids raise concerns over women’s safety

    ROSE OKEKE investigates the frequent raids by the Federal Capital Territory Administration’s joint task team, the convictions, sexual molestations, and human rights abuse of 71 women

    Abuja Police in Action

    Many Nigerians are well aware that the police and law enforcement agents are notorious for perpetrating illegal acts such as bullying and extorting workers, drivers, and traders, among others, and threatening non-compliers with imprisonment. Often, the aggressors physically attack and abuse their victims.

    The police extort ludicrous sums of money from citizens, and have now graduated to making unlawful arrests of women in order to achieve monetary and sexual gratification.

    The process of illegally arresting and detaining young women in Nigeria’s capital city of Abuja is a trend which has been occurring for years, the most notable case being that of Dorothy Njemanze versus the Federal Government of Nigeria in 2015, judhedt by the ECOWAS Court. The ECOWAS Court ruled that arbitrary arrest, leading to the violation of right to liberty, is in contradiction of international human rights law and the Nigerian constitution.

    Following the April 17th-26th arrest and detention of 71 women from public spaces in Abuja based on suspicion of prostitution, various non-governmental organisations such as Education as a Vaccine (EVA Nigeria), Partnership to Inspire, Transform, and Connect the HIV response (PITCH), International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), and the Dorothy Njemanze Foundation (DNF) convened at Abuja on Thursday, May 2, 2019 to demand accountability following police raids targeting women in the FCT, calling for an end to sexual harassment and unlawful detention of women by the law enforcement agents in Nigeria. At this press briefing, eight of the victims shared their harrowing experiences, facing away from the cameras in order to maintain anonymity.

    In light of these events, protests social media campaigns, and new stories of police brutality and violence against women are being brought to the light, news of the Federal Capital Territory Authority (FCTA) raiding bars, restaurants, and night clubs around Abuja to arrest women on suspicion of being sex workers.

    Women who witness these arrests took to media interviews and social media under the hashtags #AbujaPoliceRaidonWomen and #SayHerNameNigeria to acknowledge the fact that the officials check for wedding bands, only arresting women presumed to be single.

    The perpetrator of these heinous acts is the FCTA Joint Task Team, which is made up of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board, AEPB, the Department of Development Control, and the Social Development Secretariat, SDS.

    According to reports by Civil Society Organisations, social media activists, witnesses, and the testimony of the victims, the officials not only illegally arrested and detained them, but they were also beaten mercilessly, teargassed, their phones and belongings confiscated, and they were sexually assaulted and molested.

    One of the victims recounted her experience on April 26, 2019.

    “It happened on Friday last week,” she said. “We were in a club in Gwarimpa. A crowd emerged from the entrance and they told all the girls to stand up. They dragged us and bundled us into a van, with cameras flashing around us. When we asked them what our crime was, they said once we get to the police station we will know our crime.

    “They even arrested and beat up a woman with a 2 month old baby and refused to let her breastfeed. They took us to Utako police station on Friday/Saturday morning. They unleashed tear gas on us and beat us relentlessly. There is a policeman they call Yellow. He used a baton and koboko whip on us. They took us to a mobile court and told us to please guilty or else we would return to prison for six months.”

    Another victim, in her own testimony, said, “I was invited to a birthday party. I was inside the hotel. I came outside to get some water to drink. The next thing I knew, a policewoman grabbed me and dragged me by the hand, slapping and beating me. She dragged me outside where cameras were flashing wildly. I saw the policemen hike up one girl’s long dress and they took pictures of her naked.

    “I was on my period during all this and the policewomen refused to bring me pads in the cell. When my sister came to visit me, she brought pads and when I went to change, a male policeman entered into the bathroom with me and watched me naked the entire time I changed my pad.”

    The policewoman was later identified as the Director of Social Development Secretariat.

    When asked what happened during their detention, the victims confessed that they were forced to pay N3000 to 5,000 naira as bail before being taken to the AEPB mobile court, and that the girls who could not pay the money were taken to a separate location to be raped in lieu of payment.

    One of the victims narrated her former encounter with policemen which occurred earlier this year on February 15th.

    “I was with two of my friends when we were accosted by four policemen,” she tearfully recounted.

    “They said they were military men and that we should pay them N4000 each. We refused and they beat us. We were behind the National War College They took us to the back of their police van turn by turn.

    “Two policemen held me down, pinning me to the ground and all four of them raped me. And they still robbed us after raping us without protection.”

    The victims also maintained that a mobile court was set up with plastic chairs and table and they were arraigned before this makeshift court.

    All of the victims reported that there was a blatant refusal by the police for them to access legal representation. Prior to their arraignment, they also reported to have been advised by the government officials to plead guilty or risk facing up to six (6) months in prison. Upon the guilty plea, they were sentenced to 3 months in jail with an option of fine.

    The FIDA representatives affirmed that these AEPB arrests are a contravention of Nigerians’ constitutional rights under Sections 34, 35, 36, 41, and 42, which affirm Nigerians’ freedom from torture, right to free movement and fair hearing, innocence until proven guilty and legal representation.

    The Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Woman (CEDAW) and the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol) which have been ratified by the Nigerian government also protects the human rights of women to dignity, equality, liberty, and freedom from violence.

    Also applicable to the FCT, Violence against Persons Prohibition Act 2015 prohibits all forms of violence against all persons.

    Speaking to Lawyer, Activist, and CEO of Tap Initiative, Martin Obono, The Nation gathered that the victims were coerced and threatened by the officials who told them that the NGOs and activists would not be there when they are locked up.

    “They told these girls that it would be better for them to plead guilty,” Obono said in an interview. “They said, ‘Just say you are a prostitute, it is better for you. Just plead guilty and pay your fine.’ And these girls fear for their lives and pay up or face imprisonment.”

    When asked if legal action could be taken against these officials, Obono replied that the girls must be ready to come out, which most are not, especially those that have been molested as they are afraid of being attacked or killed.

    “The most important thing is to stop the arbitrary arrest in the streets,” he stated. “Why should people be arrested in the streets because they ‘look’ like prostitutes? How do prostitutes actually look?

    “Abuja is crawling with male prostitutes who women pay to have sex with. What happens to them? Where would you ever find them? How do you identify them?”

    Speaking on the issue of the conviction, he affirmed that that the mobile court went out of its jurisdiction with the trial, labeling the convictions unlawful.

    “The mobile court set up by the AEPB is for dealing with road safety and FRSC matters. They cannot hold a trial on prostitution. That is completely unlawful.

    “In Nigeria, we have the criminal and penal codes. The criminal code does not criminialise sex work, but it prohibits pimping, the act of assembling girls to pimp them out. In the penal code, however, there is provision for the payment of sex. This is a huge gray area because that means that at one point in time, just about everybody has engaged in payment for sex, be it in cash or in kind. That is arguable.”

    He said that the mobile court should stick to its jurisdiction, as prostitution is a civil offence, and not a criminal one.

    He continued to dispute the validity of the FCTA Joint Task Team’s mission to tackle prostitution in Abuja.

    “You cannot can a person a prostitute unless the person fesses up themselves. And even at that, if you are arresting someone for sex work, that implies that somebody paid for the sex. So what happens to the person who paid? Where is the evidence that a transaction even occurred?”

    Obono also challenged the idea of arresting women on presumptuous ideology.

    “There was a bill presented to the National Assembly some time ago about indecent dressing and it was thrown out because what can be classified as indecent?

    “Arresting citizens based on suspicion is illegal, unlawful, and is equivalent to kidnap. Those girls were kidnapped. Arbitrary arrest is a crime on its own. People are living in fear. This is killing the social life of the city and, thus, there is also a negative economic impact.”

    The lawyer opined that Nigeria should follow the leadership of several developed countries to decriminalise sex work for the sake of the welfare of actual sex workers, non-sex workers, and for the benefit of the country as a whole.

    “Frameworks should be put in place, and every sex worker should be registered with medicals, so that they can be tracked and their medical conditions known to the government. It also guarantees their security and would make the country plan better, not to mention reducing sex-related crimes.”

    Currently, through preliminary investigations carried out by the federal government, the Utako DPO has laid claims that only 39 women were registered to have been arrested on April 26, 2019. According to the testimony of the victims, it means that over 30 women remain unaccounted for.

    Many of the 70 victims are still in police custody and have not been allowed to access legal representation as granted by the Nigerian constitution.

  • Minister to monarchs: work with government

    The Minister, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Bello has called on traditional rulers to work with government for the overall development of their subjects and areas of domain.

    Bello made the call when he received the Estu of Karu,HRH (Dr) Luka Panya-Baba who paid a courtesy visit to the Minister in his office.

    The Minister also said the FCT Administration was working with all stakeholders inclusive of traditional rulers in states neighboring the FCT to ensure the mutual growth and development of both the FCT and those areas.

    The Minister commended the leadership of Karu Chiefdom for ensuring that the ingredients needed for growth were present in Karu.

    The Minister said: “Karu Chiefdom is a community that is destined to grow because you have opened your arms to people from all over the country. They are bringing development to your place and thus, it is a vibrant economic community.

    He continued: “all that is needed is minimum intervention with respect to needed infrastructure and then it will be like any other developed community because the ingredients for growth and prosperity (which include) solid and focused leadership, an open minded community… and more importantly, peace are already there in your kingdom and I congratulate you for that,” he said.

    Bello expressed confidence in the leadership of Nasarawa state, adding that the FCT was willing to interface with the state government for the mutual benefit of both the FCT and Nasarawa State.

    Earlier, the Etsu of Karu who came with a delegation made up of distinguished Karu indigenes had solicited the help of the FCTA for intervention projects aimed at reducing the strain on existing infrastructure, occasioned by sharp increase in population in Karu Community.

    He attributed the population increase to the proximity of the community to the FCT and the relatively cheap accommodation cost in the area.

  • Hoodlums attack Fire Service men

    The Controller General (CG) Federal Fire, Dr. Ibrahim Alhaji Liman has condemned the attack on men of the Federal Fire Service (FFS), who responded to a fire call at Federal Housing Authority (FHA) Estate Lugbe, Abuja.

    They were attacked by hoodlums on arrival at the scene.

    The unfortunate incident which took place last week Sunday at about 6 in the evening led to the damaging of the fire truck that was taken to the scene.

    According to a statement issued by the FFS spokesperson, Ugo Huan, the incident has since been reported to the Nigerian Police for investigation and prosecution of those involved in the criminal act.

    The Controller General who expressed sadness over the unfortunate incident  wondered why individuals will want to destroy Fire Trucks which are procured for the purpose of extinguishing fire and  the safety of lives and property.

    He warned that on no account should any body attack Firemen or Fire trucks at fire scene, narrating that the late response to fire scenes are as a result of late calls been put across to the Fire Service as  last option after personal efforts to put out fire has yielded no result.

    He went on to advice every Nigerian to have the Fire Service emergency number nearest to them and also call in good time.

    The CG Fire while condemning the attack in very strong terms, warned that henceforth no attacks and assault on its personnel or facilities will be tolerated.

    He charged all community leaders to warn their subjects on the attack on Firemen which is becoming a trend, because the Service will not hesitate to stop its Men from responding to fire incidences in places that are known for attacking Firemen as the safety of Men of the Service as well as equipments is paramount.

    He therefore warned that henceforth individuals with the habit of always attacking Firemen at fire scene should desist or be ready to face the full wrath of the law, as the Federal Fire Service will ensure the prosecution of such individuals.

    Furthermore he advised motorists to give way to  Fire Trucks when they hear the siren, as obstruction of the truck is also been responsible for the delay in getting to fire scene.

    The Federal Fire Service is doing its best in ensuring the safety of lives and property with the available manpower and equipments and we will continue to do so  as we also call on all Nigerians who are also stakeholders to support us.

  • Total, NNPC fight malaria in FCT

    Total Nigeria has joined forces with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and other stakeholders in the health sector to kick malaria out of the country.

    The collaborators carried out series of intervention activities in Kutunku, a village on the outskirts of Gwagwalada, a suburb of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, to ensure prevention and elimination of malaria.

    Total Nigeria, in collaboration with its partners and some residents of the community, carried out environmental sanitation exercise, house-to-house net hanging exercise, diagnosis testing and treatment of malaria and distribution of thousands of Long-Lasting Insecticide-treated Nets (LLIN) to residents.

    The programme, which was held at the Primary Health Center, Kutunku was part of activities to mark this year’s World Malaria Day observed every April 25 globally.

    Executive General Manager, Total Nigeria, Mrs. Bunmi Popoola-Mordi, during the sensitisation exercise, said malaria was responsible for 92 percent of death in Sub-Saharan Africa.

    She said that there was an increase in malaria cases, especially in the Sub-Saharan Africa, describing the situation as “worrisome.”

    She said: “The Sub-Saharan Africa continues to carry a disproportionately high share of the global malaria burden, making the region home to 90 per cent of malaria cases and 92 per cent of malaria deaths.

    “That is why Total group in Nigeria is determined to join forces with all stakeholders and other corporate organisations in the push to prevent and eradicate malaria.”

    According to her, the selection of the community in the FCT was due to the high prevalence of malaria in the area, adding that its ultimate goal is to ensure a malaria-free environment.

    She noted that since the firm launched its malaria elimination programme, it has supported the efforts of the Federal Government through the donation of 2000 treated mosquito nets, environmental fumigation, clearing of drainages and refuse collection and disposal.

    She advised residents of the community to take personal hygiene seriously by ensuring that their surrounding are kept clean so they would not have any breeding ground for mosquitoes carrying malaria.

    Responding, the High Chief of the community, Muhammadu Sani commended Total Nigeria for choosing the community for the intervention programme.

    Sani assured the firm that he would work with his cabinet members to ensure that environmental sanitation was carried out in the community on a regular basis.

  • ‘Uniform youth groups’ll curb crime’

    To ensure reduction of social vices among young people, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has disclosed plans to resuscitate uniform youth organisations in all public and private schools in the nation’s capital.

    Acting Director, Youth Development Department of the Social Development Secretariat (SDS), Hajarat Titilayo Alayande, who disclosed this, described such platform as the best instrument to tackle crime.

    Alayande who spoke at the 2019 National camp of National Association of Uniform Voluntary Youth Organisations in Abuja, said the measure would help redirect young people to embracing positive ways of life.  “Uniform Voluntary Youth Organisations are in the business of instilling discipline in youth people. We will encourage all young people to belong to the uniform youth organisations, anyone they find interesting.

    “So, we are going to collaborate with the FCT Education Secretariat, in order to ensure resuscitation of Uniform youth organizations in all public and private schools in FCT.

    “Because, we feel that it is the best instrument to reduce social vices among young people. It ensures that we have coordinated activities around the uniform youth groups and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

    “And we are still going to encourage them further to establish such activities within their neighbourhoods, so as to support conventional security agencies. We want to inculcate the volunteering spirit especially in the youth.

    “We need total re-orientation of the youth, to enable us address issues of drugs abuse, violence, kidnapping killings, gangsterism affecting our youth, so we want to put them back on track,” she stressed.

    Acting Secretary of SDS, Hajiya Safiya Umar, described the programme as very significant to the advancement of youth in FCT and Nigeria at large.

    Umar decried that today’s youth are not shown the way to be fully involved in volunteerism, hence they have continued to look for what to do, which has led to the all social vices in the society.

    She noted that when youth are completely engaged meaningfully, it will help remove redundancy, laziness and helplessness.

    She said, “The youth are the leaders of tomorrow, and we need to build them; we need to rekindle activities such as volunteerism back to the society so that the youth will feel belonged, inclusive of all, to enable them give their best.

    “Volunteerism is a sure way to start thinking what to do contribute to the society, because youth will now channel their youthful energies into during certain things that will be beneficial to the society.”

    On his part, Coordinator, National Association of Uniform Voluntary Youth Organizations, Abraham Kwaghfan, said the Association has a basic aim of bringing all youth together for a common goal.

    He revealed that the Association organised 2019 National camp with the theme: “Volunteerism, the role of uniform voluntary youth organisation in Nigeria,” in partnership with SDS Department of Youth, security and forensic studies of Nigeria and national youth council of Nigeria.

  • Easter relief for orphans in need

    With Easter came a soothing balm for orphans in a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) home. ROSE OKEKE reports

    On their first outreach mission to a secluded orphanage at Gishiri, Maitama, Abuja, The City Club Abuja (TCCA), a social charity club, were excited by the prospect of helping less-privileged children.

    As the nation shut down activities in commemoration of the Easter holiday, TCCA spent the first day of the weekend break donating food and grocery packages to the Hope for Survival orphanage located at Gishiri, Abuja.

    The President of TCCA, Ariyo Maiye, during the outreach, explained that although the club was created as a social support system for its members, the drive behind its philanthropy stems from the need to reduce the reliance on government to solve all the problems of the people by impacting the society through individual capabilities.

    Maiye said, “We have not solicited any help from the government. This was outreach was funded by individual contributions from within our club. This marks our first outreach activity and we have a few more planned.

    “We bought groceries and food items for the orphanage. We also identified a case of a baby that needs dialysis for a period of one week to see how the baby responds to it. We have identified more orphanages and IDP camps and are making plans to visit them as well.”

    TCCA, which is due to celebrate its one-year inception in June 2019, uses the contacts of one Nuhu Kwajafa, Coordinator of the Global Initiative for Peace, Love, and Care (GIPLC), to locate orphanages and other people in need.

    Kwajafa, whose NGO boasts of raising over $5 million for children in need, also spoke to Abuja Review stating that the groups relying on crowdfunding as a way to complement efforts of the government.

    He said, “We don’t have sponsors. We use the power of volume, crowd funding from within the NGO and social media.”

    Cephas Thaddeaus, the Administrator of the beneficiary Hope for Survival orphanage, Gishiri, expressed his profound gratitude at what he termed “an unexpected, amazing visit.”

    He was full of praises for the items and urged other well-meaning Nigerians to assist the orphanage.

    He said, “Lots of items were brought for the upkeep of the children. We sincerely did not expect this today. We are quite grateful.

    “The children were so happy. They came to announce to me that there are visitors everywhere.”

    He also said that while this wasn’t the first instance of the orphanage receiving donations, it was definitely the most bountiful.