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  • Stakeholders advocate united front against violent extremism

    Stakeholders advocate united front against violent extremism

    The Partnership Against Violent Extremism (PAVE) Network has called for urgent collaboration among Nigerians to mitigate violent conflicts.

    Specifically, the network appealed to citizens in the south-western part of the country to be mindful of their actions and utterances that were fuelling ethno-religious discontent among the populace, which could snowball into violent extremism if unchecked.

    At a forum organised in collaboration with Media Against Violent Extremism (MAVE) over the weekend, participants, including CSOs, journalists, community leaders, security experts, and grassroots mobilizers, examined the root causes of extremism and suggested actions to be taken to de-escalate such issues.

    Setting the tone for the discussions, Chairman, Management Team of Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE) Knowledge, Innovation and Resource Hub, Jaye Gaskia, said he group partners with state governments to localize national policies and create action plans through technical working groups.

    Read Also: CJN to inaugurate 57 new SANs September 29

    “Our key priority has been supporting states to implement the Policy Framework and National Action Plan on PCVE.

    “Defeating extremism requires a united effort from all levels of government and society.

    “Through evidence-based interventions and strengthened collaboration, we aim to build safer, more resilient communities across Nigeria,” he said.

    PAVE Coordinator Senator Iroegbu described violent extremism as both a security and development challenge. According to him, poor governance, inequality, and lack of opportunities make young people vulnerable to extremist recruitment.

    “It’s about grievances. If young people don’t have opportunities, they become easy targets,” he said, stressing that addressing extremism required tackling poverty, unemployment, and social exclusion.

    He further noted that extremism thrives where communities have become disconnected, urging Nigerians to revive the traditional culture of looking out for one another.

    Speakers at the forum agreed that security was everyone’s responsibility, not just that of the police or military. Local communities, they argued, must take the lead in spotting early warning signs and preventing extremist infiltration.

    The Southwest was identified as facing peculiar threats such as cultism, land disputes, ethnic tensions, hate speech, and porous borders-all of which, if unchecked, could escalate into widespread violence.

    Founder, Children and Community Protection Network, Prince Awofeso Rasheed Ololade, emphasised the need for stronger government interventions, particularly in arms control, border security, and national data management.

    “We don’t even know how many people are in Nigeria. Without a reliable database, tracking criminals becomes almost impossible,” he said, urging the government to also embed peace education and tolerance into school curricula.

    In her submission, Deputy Crime Editor, Mrs Evelyn Usman said, “The media can be a trigger for violence when we report with bias or sensationalism. But we can also be a force for peace if we focus on victims, promote unity, and report fairly,” urging reporters to prioritize national interest over personal or organizational biases.

  • Plateau Killings: Protest turns violent in Govt House

    A peaceful protest organised by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Plateau North chapter, yesterday turned violent at the Government House, Rayfield, Jos.

    The protesters had gathered at the Old Airport Junction in the city before heading to the Government House to lay their compliants before Governor Simon Lalong.

    The Nation learnt that security agents at the gate barred the protesters from the facility.

    While the protesters were at the gate, the Director of Press, Emmanuel Nanle, was said to have been sent to tell them the governor was out of the Government House.

    The protesters were not pleased with the “cold” reception at the gate. In anger, they forced their way into the premises, scaling the fence and chasing the security men away.

    Hoodlums were said to have hijacked the protest, which turned violent. They smash vehicles at Government House.

    A source from Government House said: “The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) tripartite joint protests led by Rev. Canon Nenman Gowon, Northern Zone, Plateau State, The Pharmacy Markus Kanda Youth Wing (CAN), Plateau State and Evangelist Jerry Dating, Arewa Pastors Forum on the killings was hijacked by thugs, alcoholics, hoodlums who broke into Government House, Little Rayfied, destroying properties, breaking windscreens, smashing cars and throwing stones at the Government House building, resulting into breaking of glasses and hurling stones at security operatives.

    “It is the leadership of the church against the Christian leadership of the state affairs as CAN-led women and youths’  protest turned uncontrollable, violent.

    “At the last count, about seven cars were destroyed and the frontal entrance of the Government house was destroyed.

    “The police shot in the air to disperse the rampaging protesters.”

     

  • Why Anambra APC congress was violent, by Ngige

    The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, has broken his silence on the violence that marred last weekend’s ward congresses in Anambra State.

    In a statement in Abuja, Ngige said the violence was a well-planned action aimed at discrediting the party as a violent party.

    In the statement, which was signed by the Head of the Senator Chris Ngige Media Office, Chikwelugo  Obidiwe, the minister said those who perpetrated the violence displayed a well rehearse “rogue ideology”.

    He condemned the violence, saying his only interest as the leader of the party was to ensure the peaceful conduct of the congresses and to appeal to all party members to remain calm and resolute.

    The statement reads: “We have carefully reviewed all that took place at the last weekend’s All Progressives Congress (APC) ward congresses in Anambra State and wish to clearly state that the interest of the Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, in the entire process as the leader of the party in the state was to ensure that members were not disenfranchised and that people freely elected their leaders.

    “Therefore, the subsequent violence that marred the stakeholders meeting in Awka on Sunday is not only condemnable, but a weird and dangerous phenomenon, completely unknown to opposition politics in Anambra State.

    “We wish to put on record that Sen. Ngige has been in the opposition politics since 2004 when he left the PDP and so are some other members of the APC in the state. He in fact started from ACD, AC to ACN and now the APC. We must add that thuggery, violence, wanton destruction of property and general threat to life are alien in their fold.”

    Ngige said what transpired in Awka last Sunday was deliberate and well-planned to discredit the APC in Anambra. He said: “It was a desperate determination by Hon. Tony Nwoye to rebrand the Anambra APC the violent way. It was a rehash of a rogue ideology which has been a trademark of his former party.

    “Many were shocked by the swam of cultists, arsonists and deadly thugs that accompanied him to the venue of the meeting, because they thought  the aphorism of ‘behaving like the Romans while in Rome’ had impacted some lessons on this political proselytes in the opposition fold.  How erroneous they were!

    “What happened? Four out of six members of the Anambra State Ward Congress Electoral Committee were swapped with another four from Imo State as a result of the problem in the Imo State chapter.

    “Before the swap however, by Friday evening the sale of forms had commenced and congress progressed effectively in 285 out of 326 electoral wards in the state by night of Saturday, even though the four persons billed to come from Imo that morning did not turn up; hence  leaving the two men from the previous committee to supervise.”

    The statement added that when the four officials expected from Imo eventually arrived, the party leadership reasoned that they should join the two remaining members of the former committee to bring their assignment to a fruitful conclusion; since the exercise had advanced in most of the electoral wards, it reasoned that there was no need to abort a peacefully progressing process.

    It continued: “Hence, the four new persons, including the Acting Chairman, took brief from the State Chairman, as well as from the two persons still left of the previous committee – that is, Engr. Musa Yunusa and Engineer Aloma Nzeocha.

    “However, a quick stakeholders meeting was requested  by Hon. Nwoye and the party leadership obliged him for reasons. One was in the spirit of openness which democracy entails. The next was to avoid unbalancing his sense of self or offend his vanity.

    “However, little did it occur to any that the forum was to afford him the much-needed opportunity to unleash his brigand hordes and cause mayhem.

    “A simple explanation by the Minister of Labour that congresses had successfully held in most wards before the arrival of the new team was all that provided Nwoye and his gang a trigger. That innocuous explanation was all that flipped the lid.”

    But, Nwoye maintained that there was no congress in his wards; that he was waiting for the new congress committee members to start the process afresh. The minister, however, believed that Nwoye’s excuse was an alibi, to call for a fresh start to give him enough latitude to hijack the process.

    But, before Nwoye could finish his statement, the minister said, the lawmaker’s band of thugs descended on the high table.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Why crime, violent conflicts are on the increase —IG

    Why crime, violent conflicts are on the increase —IG

    The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris and other stakeholders, have called on the Federal Government to curb the peddling of small arms and light weapons (SALWs) among the civilian populace.

    The stakeholders made this declaration at the end of the National Security Summit organised by the Nigeria Police Force in collaboration with the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria and The Leadership Newspapers Group Limited in Abuja.

    Idris, who read the declaration in Abuja yesterday, said the availability of SALWs had sustained crimes and violent conflicts.

    He also said the availability of SALWs had further heightened the fragile nature of peace building initiatives through effective implementation of global best practices and conventions on illicit SALWs in Nigeria.

    Idris said: “The government should curb the easy availability of small arms and light weapons (SALWs) among the civil populace, which has sustained criminalities and violent conflicts, further heightening the fragility of peace building initiatives through the effective implementation of global best practices and conventions on illicit SALWs.

    The IGP also called on the federal government to strengthen security agencies in the country, calling for adequate funding of the force.

    He said: “The government should strengthen the security and law enforcement agencies, especially the Nigeria Police Force through capacity building, equipping and funding to face the onerous task of maintaining internal security for sustainable peace and democracy.”

  • FUTO reopens three months after violent protest

    Three months after the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) in Imo State was shut in response to a violent students’ protest, the school has re-opened for activities. The resumption followed the recommendations by a panel set up by the school Senate to look into the violence.

    There were several botched attempts by the school to resume after the panel concluded its findings, but the resumption was delayed till last week.

    Students were asked to pay reparation fee of N12,500 as part of the conditions for resumption. There was also no reduction in the school fees – the cause of the protest.

    As they returned, students were required to present evidence of payment of approved school fee, evidence of payment of surcharge fee, and signed letters of undertaking to be of good conduct.

    Postgraduate students were exempted from praying the reparation fee. The school said the first semester exams would start three weeks after the resumption.

    The students demonstrated against fee increment. The protest started peacefully before it resulted in destruction of school properties.

    Fifteen students were arrested in connection with the violence that marred the protest.

  • 2019 elections may be violent, says IPAC

    2019 elections may be violent, says IPAC

    The Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has warned that violence may mar the 2019 elections, unless stringent actions are taken by  stakeholders to stem the tide of politically motivated killings.

    It said that steps should be taken immediately to discourage rising political violence in elections in the country.

    IPAC said severe sanctions should be meted out to those who sponsored political violence during the recent legislative rerun in Rivers State.

    Massive violence was reported to have marred the elections. A senior police officer and others were said to have been killed during the election.

    The Chairman of IPAC, Mohammad Nalado, in a statement in Abuja, said the violence that marred the polls was unnecessary.

    He said the political parties that participated in the election had subscribed to a code of conduct containing the guidelines for a peaceful exercise.

    Nalado said the violators of the guidelines should be brought to justice in accordance with the law.

    He said if drastic actions are not meted out to the sponsors of violence, the security of lives and properties in subsequent elections cannot be guaranteed.

    Nadalo recalled how IPAC championed and sustained the campaign for peace in Ondo State before its recent  governorship elections.

    The IPAC boss, who is also the Chairman of the Accord Party, enjoined other stakeholders to support  IPAC’s efforts at ensuring peaceful elections.

    He, however, commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies for their commitment, which prevented the escalation of violence in Rivers State.

  • Kaduna residents agree to end violent conflicts

    Residents of Kaduna South Senatorial zone comprising of 29 ethnic communities from five local governments have reached an agreement to put an end to violent conflict and allow peace to reign in the zone and the State.

    The peace agreement was brokered by a Jos-based Center for Humanitarian Dialogue (CHD) at a peace parley held in Jafanchan, Jemaa local government of Kaduna state.

    A copy of the communique signed by the 29 communities and made available to THE NATION in Jos read thus: “Worried by the recent communal clashes in southern Kaduna, twenty nine communities spread across five local government areas of the state have signed an agreement to remain in peace and not to allow such ugly incidents to happen again.

    “Leaders from the  five local government areas, made up of Kachia, Kaura, Jema’a, Sanga and Zangon Kataf, signed the pact after a parley brokered by Swiss government sponsored Nairobi based inter governmental organisation, Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue. HD has been involved in peace and conflict mediation process in Plateau and Kaduna states.”

    More than 20 people were killed when clashes erupted among communities in Jema’a local government area of the state. The areas affected were Godogodo, Ninte, Gada Biyu, Gidan Waya, Antang and Dogon Fili as well as Kagoro in Kaura local council.”

    The communities said that they were committed to peaceful resolution of the issues that led to the clashes and assured their people and leaders and the wider community of their continued commitment to uphold the peace in Southern Kaduna.

    “While acknowledging that inter communal dialogue process, which focused on, among other issues, the prevalent farmer/grazer issues and the return/ settlement of internally displaced persons, is a continuous process, the leaders said that they were committed to sustaining the peace through ensuring the implementation of the dialogue recommendations.

    “The inter-communal dialogue between the twenty nine ethnic groups has succeeded in helping us begin to jointly find solutions to our issues and concerns. The community-driven approach has given us much more direct involvement in finding these solutions. The dialogue cut across all levels of civil society and has sought the buy-in and support of key stakeholders (Federal, state and local government, the business community, traditional rulers, community and religious leaders, women and young people).

    “The bottom up approach provided a different model for addressing the issues and was received positively by our communities. We cultivated a new culture among ourselves of embracing dialogue as the mechanism for dealing with our disputes, hoping to ultimately lead to peaceful co-existence between us.

    The peace pact, entitled ‘Kafanchan Peace Declaration’, also assured that every attempt must be made to end the attacks and ensure that there were no reprisals, stressing, “We are conscious that the failure to implement an agreement is worse than not reaching an agreement at all”

    “Thus the communiqué outlines one key issue that has affected the implementation and explains how to shore up factors that can positively affect its implementation and eliminate, contain or manage those which may undermine it.

    “As part of fence-mending, the leaders agreed on joint condolence visit to affected families, resettlement of displaced Fulani and natives and to hold perpetrators accountable so as to end impunity”

    To ensure permanent end to the conflict, the communiqué asked state and local governments to define specific conflict prevention and goals and factor the promotion of conflict prevention objectives into polices and legislations. The communities are to intensify the dissemination of information to the broader community.

     

  • UFUK Dialogue seeks end to violent extremism in Nigeria

    UFUK Dialogue, an Abuja-based non-governmental organisation has called for an end to violent extremism in Nigeria through love and tolerance.

    This is a major resolution of an international conference on Love and Tolerance organised by UFUK Dialogue in collaboration with the Institute of Peace and Conflict Resolution in Abuja.

    Major speakers at the conference include Cardinal John Onaiyekan, the Archbishop of Abuja, and Dr Rachel Rudolph, an international expert on religious extremism.

    Minster of Youths and Sports, Solomon Dalung, who was a panellist, said: “Boko Haram insurgents took advantage of our impatience and intolerance to cause havoc. The Qu’ran does not encourage killing and likewise the Bible.”

    Prof. Oshita Oshita, director general of the IPCR said: “The event was aimed at highlighting love and tolerance as veritable tools towards countering violent extremism in the society.

    “We cannot ignore the role of tolerance and love in every functional society. And it must be stated emphatically that what Nigeria needs at this point in time is love and tolerance” he stated, adding:  ”with love in our hearts, we would be able to tolerate one another, including our religious affiliation and cultural inclination”

    Cardinal Onaiyekan commended UFUK Dialogue for its insight, saying: “UFUK Dialogue must be commended for this wonderful initiative. This is very timely especially in this period of our existence”

    On the objective of the conference, director of UFUK Dialogue, Mr. Kamil Kemanci, said: “The conference is aimed at ensuring that love and tolerance continues to dominate our actions, inactions and relationships in the quest to build a better society for all”.

    The technical session was chaired by Mrs Sardutu Shehu Mardi, of the Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA).

    Ufuk Dialogue was founded in 2011 with the mission to foster inter-faith and inter-cultural dialogue, stimulate thinking and exchange of opinions on supporting and fostering democracy and peace all over the world and to provide a common platform for education and information exchange.

  • Ondo 2016: APC leaders move against violent supporters

    Ondo 2016: APC leaders move against violent supporters

    The leadership of All Progressives Congress (APC) has moved to curb the excesses of some supporters of its governorship aspirants for the forthcoming governorship election in Ondo State, reports Assistant Editor, Dare Odufowokan

    Ahead of the 2016 governorship election in Ondo State, tension continue to mount within the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) with governorship aspirants engaged in accusations and counter accusation over the activities of violent supporters and party members. According to reliable party sources, the leadership of the party is worried that the current unhealthy rivalry within the aspirants, if not curtailed, may work against the APC at the general election.

    The Nation learnt that the leadership of the party recently summoned APC aspirants to a close door meeting where the issue of violent attacks and provocative statements were addressed. The purpose of the meeting, according to the party, was to douse mounting tension within the party caused by negative politicking by the aspirants and or their supporters.

    According to Hon. Fola Ademuwagun, a chieftain of the party in the northern senatorial district, there is an urgent need for the APC in Ondo State to stem the tide of negative political rivalry if it intends to defeat the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the next governorship election in the state.

    “The aspirants are tearing our party apart in words and deeds. There is an urgent need to caution them. Not too long ago, the party leadership summoned all of them to a meeting and urged them to toe the path of peaceful rivalry. They all pledged to caution their supporters. But rather than improve, the situation went from bad to worse. When they talk, they destroy each other; when they act, they target one another. Such politics is not in the interest of the party,” Ademuwagun said.

    Aspirants already jostling for the party’s gubernatorial ticket include Senator Ajayi Boroffice; Tayo Alasoadura; Olusola Oke; Rotimi Akeredolu; Segun Abraham; Foluso Adefemi; Awodeyi Akinsehinde; Victor Olabimtan; Odunayo Akinrinsola; Niran Sule; Bode Ayorinde; Derin Adesida; Bukola Adetula and Paul Akintelure, among others.

    A season of attacks, allegations

    Recently, some suspected political thugs attacked the convoy of Segun Abraham, a frontline APC governorship aspirant, at Iwaro-Oka,  Akoko South West Local Government Area of Ondo State. According to reports, Abraham was in the community to solicit for support from party men and women ahead of the gubernatorial poll that will come up later in the year.

    It took the swift intervention of security men attached to him to save him from being hurt by the rampaging hoodlums who swooped on his convoy midway into the campaign exercise. While no life was lost, several persons sustained injuries of various degrees. Also many of the vehicles in the convoy were damaged.

    “The attack was so sudden that nobody saw it coming. The windscreens of the three vehicles in the convoy, including two others belonging to Peace Corps officers were smashed. Many people were injured,” an eye-witness said of the incident that is now widening the crack within the party.

    “They first attempted to attack Abraham after he addressed APC members. But he was swiftly led back into his vehicle by his security men. From that point, they started chasing the convoy all over town.  They were throwing some harmful objects like, sticks, cutlasses, stones and others,” he added.

    Abraham said they started suspecting strange faces with daggers, sticks, machetes in the hall when he was addressing the party members. He said he could not be frightened by the attack but that he would go ahead with his ambition, claiming he enjoyed large support from the party members.

    “Some of those harmful objects were seized by my security men. I am so surprised that Boroffice and his people could do these kinds of things to us. I have been to five local government areas and there was no one where I was attacked. What are we talking? I understand that they were calling him and he was given them instructions.

    I have been to South and Central and other parts in Akoko; why is it that it was only here that we were attacked and machete was seized from one of them? They cannot subdue people’s wish because I have large number of supporters in the party but it is too early for an attack and we must stop encouraging violence in politics,” he alleged.

    Senator Borrofice however denied the allegation. He said he was not in the state when the incident occurred. “I am highly embarrassed and scandalized by the allegation. How could I have done that to a fellow party man when I was not even in the state at the time of the incident? It is a very embarrassing allegation,” he said.

    “When it happened, I tried to find out what led to it. To me, it is an embarrassment because as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Asiwaju of Akoko land, I cannot mastermind attack on a fellow party man. When I heard about it, I asked people to investigate the incident and I was informed that when Segun Abraham got to the community, he went to St. Catherine Hospital in the community.

    He addressed the people and they listened to him. Then he announced a donation of N5milllion to the hospital. I think it was at this point that the community boys, Okada riders and others felt that if he has N5m for the hospital, he should also give them their own share too.

    I leaned that they approached him but some of his security men prevented the youths from reaching him and they started banging his cars and his police men fired shots. In fact, one of the boys was injured and he drove away in a dangerous manner. It was not masterminded by anybody; many aspirants have been to Akoko South West. Olabimtan, Jamiu Ekungba, Bode Ayorinde have all been to the council and they were not attacked.

    “It was just an unfortunate incident and I took it up with Segun Abraham. I told him that I can never be part of it because I don’t work around with thugs. I told him I was sorry but also worried that he went on air to say I was behind the attack and that I want him to reverse that statement but he said he would not do so”.

    Caution urged

    The Nation learnt that the incident has heightened the tension within the party with supporters of the two aspirants threatening to continue the reign of terror as the campaign rallies continue across the state. Party sources said the situation is so bad that the leadership of the APC may be forced to halt all forms of campaigns by its gubernatorial aspirants till further notice.

    “We have a worrying situation on our hands. The incident that happened in Iwara-Oka is not a good one at all. The effects are still being felt by the party as supporters are now bent on retaliation. This is not good for the party and we must find a way of halting the trend and returning the party to the path of peace,” a chieftain of the party said.

    The Nation also learnt that the APC in the state has issued a stern warning to all governorship aspirants ?in the party and their supporters to desist from any action that could cause division among members of the party and jeopardise its victory at the polls during the forthcoming governorship election.

    According to party sources, the development might not be unconnected with the tension generated by the Iwara Oke incident. While Abraham has consistently said he will not be engaging Borrofice or any other aspirant for that matter in a violent rivalry, there are fears that his supporters may be bent on retaliating the treatment meted out to them in Iwara Oke.

    “The strength of the APC after the governorship primaries is seriously threatened by the bad manners of some aspirants and their supporters are going about their own brand of politics.  The desperation some of them have brought to the contest for the governorship ticket of the party is alien to us in our party.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, APC appreciates the contributions of all the governorship aspirants to the growth of the party so far. We appeal to all aspirants to control their supporters, both genuine and otherwise. Those whose supporters beat war drums and fan the embers of discord in our intra-party contest endanger their chance of winning the primaries.

    “The leadership of APC is committed to ensuring that the party remains united and formidable after the primaries. Therefore no aspirant should attempt to crush his opponent as the support of all will be needed towards winning the actual election. Besides, every wise aspirant should appreciate the fact that he will jeopardize his chances if, in the build up to the primary, he portrays himself as someone who will not tolerate opposition should he become governor,” he said.

    Also of serious concern to party leaders, according to findings by The Nation, is the fact that as the APC struggles to keep its house in order, ahead of the governorship contest, fifth columnists are busy fanning the embers of the budding intra-party squabbles.

  • Violent herdsmen aren’t Nigerians, says Arase

    Violent herdsmen aren’t Nigerians, says Arase

    Inspector General of Police (IGP) Solomon Arase at the weekend said most troublesome herdsmen were not Nigerians but foreigners, who entered the country with their cattle due to the porous borders.

    Arase spoke while reacting to a question raised by a farmer on “persistent attacks of herdsmen” at an interactive section with stakeholders on community policing in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

    He noted that most of these violent herdsmen are either from Mali or Chad, saying Nigerian herdsmen are law abiding.

    Arase urged the farmers to be careful and take caution in dealing with them.

    The IGP said the police and states now partner on how to build ranches for herdsmen, adding that he earlier discussed with Governor Olusegun Mimiko.

    His words: “I have taken suggestions about how we can develop big ranches so that they can stop grazing on farmlands.

    “We should also know about the history of migration. Most of these herdsmen are not Nigerians. They are people from Mali, Chad, who came into our system. So that is why we have to be careful. Our borders are porous. Predominantly, our own herdsmen are law abiding people.

    “But when people come from outside with their cattle, we should not deny them entry because of ECOWAS protocols, good neighbourliness but at the same time we should not allow them to embark on criminal activities.”