TEXT OF A SPEECH OF THE PRESIDENT, CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (CAN), HIS EMINENCE, DR SAMSON AYOKUNLE AT THE WORLD PRESS CONFERENCE ON 23 JANUARY, 2020 AT THE NATIONAL CHRISTIAN CENTRE, ABUJA.
Gentlemen of the Press.
Let me call for a minute silence in honour of all those killed by the Boko Haram terrorists, Fulani herdsmen, bandits and kidnappers in the country.

“If you have ever lost a loved one, then you know exactly how it feels but if you have not, then you cannot possibly imagine it.”

― Lemony Snicket
You are all aware of the gruesome murder of the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Rev. Lawan Andimi, by the terrorist group, Boko Haram, because he refused to be converted to Islam. Although, the group initially demanded for the sum of N50m and, when against all odds, the ransom was ready, they asked for €2m. It was in the process that they reached out to our people in Adamawa State to notify them that since the gentleman had refused to be converted to Islam, they had decided to behead him. And that was what they did. In the same state, just last Sunday, a clergyman, Rev Denis Bagauri was murdered by unknown gunmen in his residence at Mayo Belwa of Adamawa State, all because he was a Christian. You are also aware of the beheading of 11 Christians by Islamic State in West Africa on Christmas Day of 2019 in Maiduguri including a bride to be.
Few days ago, four seminarians of the Good Shepherd Catholic Seminary in Kakau, were kidnapped along Kaduna-Abuja Road and we have not heard anything about them. In Kaduna State, the most recent happenings were those of 35 people killed and abduction of 58 persons when bandits raided 10 communities in the Chikun and Birnin Gwari Local Government areas on January 13, 2020. These criminals are everywhere operating with impunity and they have been stopping commercial and private vehicles asking them to come down and telling them to say what their religion is. Whoever claims to be a Christian is either killed on the spot or abducted and a demand for a ransom issued. Police, Army officers and even judges are not exempted. This is reprehensible, unacceptable and unprecedented since Nigeria came into being. Christians have become endangered species in their own country!
Nigeria is under a siege orchestrated by the murderous blood-thirsty and criminally- minded Boko Haram terrorists, Fulani terrorist herdsmen, bandits and kidnappers who are all armed to the teeth, dressed in army uniforms, and gradually overwhelming our security agencies. They have been going around invading predominantly Christian villages and towns, killing and maiming our youths and elders, men and women; raping our women and daughters, decapitating children and disembowelling pregnant women, and subjecting people to coldblooded murder. Although their atrocities did not begin today, it increased with the advent of of democracy, which gave birth to the Sharia Law in some Northern states, an outright violation of the 1999 Constitution. However, the attacks being witnessed under the current administration are unprecedented. Today, the killers are unleashing terror on selected Christian communities, while sometimes our security agencies appear to be looking elsewhere. It is usually after the evil has been done that our soldiers and policemen invade the communities and in many instances, the victims are locked up, while the criminals are left untouched.
From 1980-2019, the Stephanos Foundation’ record shows a total of 1,785 attacks in 32 states of the country. This led for the death of not less than 28, 878 innocent people. In 121 Muslim-riots in 19 states, the death of 9, 451 lives were. Also, Boko Haram militant groups were responsible for 701 attacks that claimed 12,812 lives in 15 states. Again, 963 attacks from Fulani Militant groups in 32 states were responsible for 6,615 deaths.
The hoodlums have been in Southern Kaduna for years, where hundreds have been killed including a highly placed traditional ruler. And up till today, no one has been brought to book. Instead, it was those who cried out that were subjected to state harassment. A few suspects arrested were later freed to continue with their atrocities. The Fulani herdsmen were in Aghatu land in Benue State and other predominantly Christian communities; killing and maiming their victims. Mass burials have become the order of the day and to add salt to the injury, it was the Federal Government that was justifying the killings of the citizens by accusing some governors of making laws against open grazing. They claimed that the killings were not genocide against Christians but farmers- herders’ clash. President Muhammadu Buhari has not ceased telling us that the criminals are coming from Libya, as though Nigeria shares borders with Libya. As if that were not enough, the Miyetti Allah the Fulani herdsmen have claimed responsibility for the killings and justifying their actions. In other instances, they disown the killers, telling us that there are other herdsmen who are not their members but who also register with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
The Federal Government has never deemed it fit to call them to order, but instead insisted that the herdsmen are stakeholders in the country! This emboldens them and their members who are always attacking predominantly Christian communities in Plateau, Adamawa, Taraba and few states in the South like Enugu. As usual, none of these attackers has been brought to justice to end their atrocities with impunity.
These terrorists have not hidden their goal to Islamize Nigeria and that is what they have in common with the Fulani herdsmen. They have turned the North-East geo-political zone, especially, Borno, Adamawa and Yobe, into killing fields. One of the cardinal programmes of this government is to put to an end the menace of insecurity and terrorism, but that has not been done. Although the government often claims to have defeated the terrorists, what we are seeing on daily basis contradicts that claim. Hundreds of our members, including Leah Sharibu and over 120 Chibok girls are still in the custody of these terrorists and the government has not succeeded in releasing them.
We are not disputing the fact that some Muslims have been killed. However we boldly state here that their primary targets are Christians. The only exceptions are those who are being killed by the bandits in the North-western states like Zamfara and Katsina. In the words of Carrie Jones, “Losing people you love affects you. It is buried inside of you and becomes this big, deep hole of ache. It doesn’t magically go away, even when you stop officially mourning.”
It is reprehensible and saddening that each time the government comes out to claim the defeat of the insurgency, more killings of our people are committed. In the light of the current developments and the circumstantial facts surrounding the prevailing upsurge of attacks against the church, it will be difficult for us to believe that the Federal Government under the present administration is not colluding with the insurgents to exterminate Christians in Nigeria, bearing in mind the very questionable leadership of the security sector that has been skewed towards a religion and region! Is that lop-sidedness not a cover up for the operation of the insurgency? If not, why couldn’t the well-equipped security agents of Nigeria get Rev Andimi out of the captivity of his killers who held him captive for two week.

Please permit me to ask the Federal government the following questions:

• What is the essence of SIM card registration if the authorities cannot use it to track down these killers who rely on phones as a mean of communications to do their criminalities?

• What has become of Intelligence gathering of our security agencies?

• Is this government and the security agencies still claiming that the war against these criminals been won despite all the killings?

• Is the government sincere in fighting these terrorists or merely paying lip service to the war against the insurgency?

• Is there any hope that our security is guaranteed under this government?

• Can the government tell us what they did since Rev. Andimì cried out to them for help?

• If the security agencies claim the terrorists are operating outside the country, why is it possible for these hoodlums to invade the country, kill, maim, burn and kidnap without any convincing checks on the part of the security agencies?

• Since the government and its apologists are claiming the killings have no religious undertones, why are the terrorists and herdsmen targeting the predominantly Christian communities and Christian leaders?

• If the security agencies are not living up to the expectations of the government, why hasn’t it overhauled them with a view of injecting new visionaries ones into the security system?
As long as the government continues to live in denial and fail to face the reality, these criminals will not stop their criminalities. We are almost losing hope in government’s ability to protect Nigerians especially Christians who have become endangered species under its watch. We once again call on the International community and the developed world like the US, the UK, Germany, Israel and others to please come to our aid of Nigeria, especially, the Nigerian Church so that we might not be eliminated one by one.

OUR DEMANDS:

• The President should overhaul the security council with a view of bringing in new heads of all the security agencies and the para-military which no religion or part of the country will dominate.

• The Federal government should either label the Miyetti Allah Fulani Association a terrorist organisation as being regarded in the terror index.

• The Federal Government should order the arrest of the leadership of the Miyetti Allah Groups in who are sponsoring and perpertuating the crime of Nigeria and prosecute them for all the killings in Southern Kaduna, Benue, Plateau and Taraba states, among others.

• The Federal Government should publish names of all kingpins of the terrorists who are in detention and those who are being prosecuted.

• The Federal Government should stop releasing the so-called repented terrorists since they are reportedly joining their colleagues in the forest to unleash terror on the land.

• The Federal Government should reverse the recent controversial Police promotion with a view to balancing religious and ethnic divides in the country.

• The Federal Government should stop sending delegation to all Islamic international organisations and let our Muslim counterparts be doing so as we are doing in all international Christian religious organisations.

• The Federal Government should stop discriminating against our female Youth corps who refuse to wear the NYSC trousers for religious reasons since they allow their Muslim counterparts to wear hijab.
• The victims of the consistent attacks should be assessed and adequately compensated. The victims in various IDPs be provided with adequate security and enough resources for continual survival.
• It is painful and a betrayal to note that the government gives more attention to so called repentant terrorists than the victims of their evil with the claim that they are being reinstated and rehabilitated, even into the Nigerian Army. This is a major contradiction.

OUR DECISIONS

The CAN Leadership has declared Friday, 31st January to 2nd February, 2020 as days for Special Fasting and Prayer for Nigeria in all churches, home and abroad, for the gruesome killing of innocent Nigerians to stop and for our government to develop capacity to overcome the criminals troubling the nation. Sunday 2nd February, 2020 is declared a Special Prayer Walk by Christians in all the States of the Federation in the form of a procession to be led by States CAN Chairmen in their CAN Secretariats and pastors of churches in all churches in Nigeria. Churches should process round their area, pray for God’s permanent intervention and help from all over the world so that all of us might not be consumed one by one. It appears our government is completely overwhelmed. Brutality of Nigerians is happening unabated daily.

All Bloc Leaders, Zonal and States Chairmen, Leaders of Denominations and all Christians and concerned Nigerians should support and come out en-mass for the program.

The Church is matching on and the gate of hell shall not prevail against it!

Life at best is very brief.
We are deeply saddened with the untimely death of our beloved brother Mr Daciya Ropvil Dalep who was grisly murdered by the scoundrel Boko Harram sect. Before the icy fingers of death snatched him from us, Mr Daciya Ropvil Dalep was a 200 level Biology student of with the reputable University Of Maiduguri, Nigeria.

Our hearts go out to his family, relatives and friends. Also, we condole with the Mupun nation, Pankshin L. G. A. Plateau and Nigeria citizens over this unfortunate lost and pray that his soul will find rest with the Lord. Daciya Ropvil Dalep, the crown of glory await you.

The purulence upsurge of atomic pile by the Boko Haram sect is an abhorrent deed. The truth is that we are tired of everyday verbal condemnation by the government and the meretricious lip service by politicians without any action that will bring an end.

There comes a time when we must take a position that is neither safe, nor politics, nor popular but we must take it because conscience tells us it is right.

Power without love is reckless, abusive, sentimental and anemic. Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice and justice at its best is power correcting everything that stands against love.

Gone were the days when the perpetrators of such dastard act will evaporate through the thin air. Whoever has hand in it must surely face the effectual wrath of the law no matter how high placed.

We call on the government and stakeholders at all levels to ensure peace saturates the entire state and the country at large.
DAUDA GOTRING SUPPORTERS are pained whenever and wherever injustice is dispensed.

Plateau citizens, religious and traditional leaders, we pray that God Will give us the fortitude to bear the irreparable lost. Meanwhile, let us not be divided by the antics of the insurgents even in the face of this needless persecution and threat to our harmonious existence.

Sign by Dauda Gotring Supporters forum

TEXT OF A PRESS CONFERENCE ADDRESSED BY THE SECRETARY GENERAL NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIAN STUDENTS NANS ZONE COMPRISING 11 STATES OF NORTH EAST AND NORTH CENTRAL NIGERIA INCLUDING FCT ABUJA, ON THE 24 JANUARY 2020 AT NUJ SECRETARIAT JOS.

NANS is a non-religious, party, ethnic or culture affiliated association but an independent body that shelter over all Nigerian Students in the country at large primarily the welfare of its members.
Gentlemen of The Press, Security Personnel and My Dear Comrades
We are terribly in pains to address the world today on the unfortunate and painful execution of one of us Mr. Ropvil Daciya Dalep a 200 level Biology / Education student of the university of Maiduguri which sad event occurred on Tuesday 21st January 2020 by the inhuman Boko Haram sect in Borno State on his way resuming back to school from the home of peace and tourism, the beautiful Plateau.
While we are regaining consciousness from the last year execution of two native of Kumbun in Mangu Local Government, two others from Kazuk and Amper respectively in Kanke Local Government and other Plateau indigenes. Here we are again with this gruesome murder of a promising Nigerian full of hope for a brighter future Mr. Ropvil Dalep who met his untimely death because of his quest for knowledge and other two reasons as clearly Stated in the video.

1. Because he is a Christian.
2. Because he is from Plateau State.
   It is obviously clear that Boko Haram who initially claimed to be fighting on an ideology is now resorting to toy the path of a religious fundamentalist, as evidently stated in the video with plateau Christians as a target.
   We, in Student Community deeply sympathise with the immediate family of our late brother, the Mupun Nation, NAPSS, Pankshin LGA and the hospitable people of Plateau State. We pray that God grant us the fortitude to bear this irreparable and monumental loss. we pray for the repose of his soul and the innocent souls of all the faithful who died as a result of Nigerian Government irresponsibility in the protection of lives and property as primary function of every Government Rest In perfect Peace with the Lord.

NANS Zone C condemned in strongest possible terms the uncivilized and uncultured act of cowardice perpetrated by that mindless beast who is supposed to be in school and acquire knowledge, but was used on the part of destruction who has no moral right to take the life of any Nigerian, while we have make a deliberate effort not to allow them win us nor dance to their ungodly ways of taking laws into our hands, we have gathered here to sound this very clear to the federal Government of President Mohammadu Buhari GCFR with pains and bitterness that if this assailants are not check and their activities put to stand still, we will never again fold our arms to allow any of our innocent student fall in vain.
We call on the Governor Rt. Hon. Barr. Simon Bako Lalong and National Assembly Members from Plateau State to come together as a matter of urgency to meet the Federal Government and the Government of Borno State to ensure that our students and all Nigerians are protected within their domain, we plead to the Government of Plateau State to enhance the admission of indigenes within the state tertiary institutions as a solution to reduce this act of killings.

we also appeal to their conscience to cry for justice for our slained brothers , we beg that they should stand for the voiceless and speak truth to power, they should tell the whole world there is a systematic conspiracy against plateau state and its people particularly plateau Christians as stated in the video as release by Boko Haram and if serious steps are not put in place to check the excesses of this inhuman act, we shall therefore demand the possible transfer or relocation of our members and indigenes of plateau residence in the north eastern part of the Country back home. Let it also be on record that Plateau State accommodate students from other part of the Country including Borno State. If we must live together then we must learn to respect the sanctity of Human Lives, Freedom of Religion, Education, Speech and Movement.

The fight against insurgency should be more practical than lip service, it is our prayer that those who make gains out of the security challenges we are facing in this country will be disgrace and expose (Amen).

We call on the Federal Government and Security Agencies to intensify more functional approach to free those who are still held in captivity by the Boko Haram Sect, the Government Should Rehabilitate those who have been freed as we urge the Government to reconsider their action on concentrating more on rehabilitating the repentant criminal Boko Haram Members as priority than the victims of insurgencies. Never again shall we witness this kind of barbaric attitude, this we say without Fear nor Favour, the Plateau State stakeholders and the traditional council should standup and Fight for Justice. Enough is Enough! We appeal to all students to please be peacefull and law abiding in these troubling moment that we find ourselves, and to contribute their quota towards the growth of this beautiful country Nigeria.
Thank you and God bless.
Aluta Continua Victoria Aserta.
GOD BLESS NANS
GOD BLESS PLATEAU STATE
GOD BLESS FEDERAL REPUBLIC NIGERIA..

Prince G.M Bedir CNS.
Secretary General NANS Zone C.

Prince G.M Bedir CNS secretary General of National Association of Nigerian students NANS zone C comprising the 11 states of north east and north central Nigeria including fct abuja reacted on the killing of Daciya Ropvil Dalep a plateau son who was killed by Boko Haram .

Plateau Elders and leaders speak now or forever remain Silence until all of us get down 6ft by the inhuman Boko Haram .

It is so very clear the fight is against the Christendom on the plateau and nothing more , the video of our murdered brother and the ones last year who hails from Kombun in mangu LGA in itself a very clear message to plateau stakeholders and youths. Killing us One by one is a strategy we must deliberately act fast and resist.

The Governor Rt Hon Simon Bako Lalong , the minister Representing plateau at the FEC Dame Mrs Pauline Tallen ,the Rt Hon Deputy speaker Hon Idris Maje Wase and all our National Assembly members from plateau state speak and act now , your level of cowardice and fruitless loyalty to the central Government is enough , there is a conspiracy against our land and in unison you must come together to think plateau and act plateau ” Gov Lalong should take the lead and exemplify his words .

While I commiserate with the immediate family of our murdered brother Ropvil Dalep and pankshin LGA , the students committee on the plateau is deeply saddened and worried by the continuous attack on its members and plateau state as a whole , we want to let the world know that we have loss confidence on the security architecture under president Buhari GCFR and request for immediate shake up .

We mourn the untimely death of our brother ( student ) whose only sin is his quest for Education and resilient effort in acquiring knowledge for the advancement of this great Nation freely given to us by God.

its sad that the territorial integrity and protection of lives and property of citizens by Government has been highly compromise where some inhuman sect of people are seen and treated more a Nigerian than others , enough is enough. Actions must be expedite to bring this murderers to book and their activities to stand still.

We throw our support on the issue of Amotekun in the south as an alternative of the already failing security of this nation under president Buhari GCFR , and with a loud voice call on middle belt Governors to come together and take a cue from the Amotekun initiators in ensuring that our region is protected from this beast and blood suckers.

An injury to one is an injury to all.

RIP a future leader we never had .

Prince G.M Bedir CNS secretary General NANS Zone C comprising 11 states of North east and north central Nigeria including fct abuja.

The Plateau State Youth Council (PYC) has condemned in strong terms, the gruesome murder of a law abiding Nigerian and a Plateau son, Ropvil Daciya Dalep by the rabid and blood thirsty Boko Haram.
Chairman of the council, Dr. Fabong Jemchang Yildam, in a statement made available to newsmen in Jos said the Council received with sadness, the gruesome murder of a law abiding Nigerian and a Plateau son Ropvil Daciya Dalep by the rabid and blood thirsty Boko Haram.
The statement read: “We condemn the killing of Ropvil, a 200L Biology student of the University of Maiduguri who was abducted while returning to school two weeks ago. This is one death too many to bear.”
“Recently, we issued a statement condemning the killing of three (3) Plateau youths and the constant harassment of innocent Nigerian youths by these senseless elements. We are indeed pained that our young people have become targets for terrorist despite our peaceful and receptive nature.”
“This gruesome murder of an innocent Plateau son is totally unacceptable and unjustifiable. It is an outrage to freedom of religion movement and respect for human lives.”
Fabong further said, “This is a serious setback for us in the quest for religious freedom. As a group We seek a day where all persons irrespective of religious beliefs become great allies in the quest for a safe and free society for all humans. We strongly believe that humans are born free and equal and should enjoy their full human rights and achieve their full potentials in a safe and loving society irrespective of background and belief.”
In the same manner, we also wish to unequivocally condemn the gruesome murder of another CAN official by the same Boko Haram within the week.
“We demand that the perpetrators be brought to justice and receive punishment commensurate with the crime they have committed. Government must intensify the war against Boko Haram and other terrorist groups in Nigeria and must ensure the safety of Nigerians anywhere in the country.”
The PYC Chairman further said, “We wish to declare a three (3) days mourning period for Ropvil and other compatriots who have lost their lives to the dastardly acts of these terrorist. We call on Plateau youths to have black armbands or wear black clothes as a sign of mourning starting today Wednesday 22 to Friday 24th January 2020. We remain law abiding even in this period of darkness and mourning.”
“We also commiserate with the immediate family of the martyr and others whose lives were untimely snuffed out. For the victory of evil over good can only be temporary. ”

“Amotekun. This issue has dominated recent discourse and media headlines. Distilled to its basics, it concerns how best state governments can assist with the safety and security of their residents. This is a matter of serious concern entitled to sober thought. However, it has been turned into a political tug-of-war. Fierce, often unthinking rhetoric, for and against, has crossed the lips of too many Nigerians. More subjective talking than objective thinking has been the fuel of this outburst.

“Question those in favour of Amotekun. Most have but the vaguest notion about it. They know few details yet vigorously attribute to its opponents the most negative intentions. Ask those who oppose Amotekun. They are equally ignorant of its provisions. They oppose the initiative not on its merits but merely because it was proposed by their political opponents or because they don’t see an avenue for personal gain from it.

“While colourful, the rhetoric has been disconcerting. How people have mishandled this matter demonstrates that we still have far to go in perfecting this democracy. Too much energy has been spent distorting this issue instead of seeking a resolution that supports local enhancement of security while keeping the constitution intact. If this becomes the standard for how we handle disagreements then we will obscure Nigeria’s path forward with our own rubbish.

“In this matter, I do not see malign intent in the differences of opinion between the SW Governors as authors of Amotekun and the Attorney-General as the primary law enforcement officer of the Federal Government. Shorn of the overly dramatic language, what lies before us is but a step in the evolution of our federalism. This is an opportunity to more clearly define that federalism; but one cannot attain this better, more functional definition through overblown, emotional language. Objectivity and calmness are required. To a significant degree, the enduring quality of our republic will be established by the sagacity with which we handle disagreements regarding the division of power between federal and state governments. Such disagreements are inevitable. This is not the first. Nor will it be the last. We must devote our energies more toward solving problems rather than amplifying them.

“Seeking to fulfil their mandates by helping protect their people, the governors of the Southwest collectively established a program to buttress existing security mechanisms. Seeking to protect the constitution as best he could, the Attorney-General offered his opinion on what he believed the governors have sought to do. No one can blame either party for seeking to fulfil what they genuinely see as their public duty.

“Until now, I have deliberately maintained a studied silence regarding Amotekun. Many have tried to goad my swift public reaction. Those who have taken this road did so not because they care about Amotekun or even the people it intends to help protect. They did so knowing this had become a delicate and emotional issue for many. These cynics did so with the adversarial hope that, in haste, I might misspeak or misstep in a manner they could twist to their political advantage.

“Such people are possessed of a mercenary aspect that permits them to sacrifice almost anything, even jeopardize the very foundations of our political unity, if they might exact personal gain from the upheaval. In that they know no nobler purpose than their own appetites, we should feel sorry for them. However, we must not allow our sympathies for their barren condition to persuade us that there is worth in their destructive misconduct. They must be left to the consequences of their own devices.

“If truly I am a political leader as I am often described, then I have not the luxury of hasty, ill-conceived utterances. There are those who will use inflamed words to spark the passions of others. This may bring transient applause. But when the cheers fade, we shall only have further descended because their words were never inclined toward resolution and long-term improvement but toward short-term popularity and perpetual confrontation.

“I believe in this nation and its benign prospects. I dearly love its people, all of them. Over the years of our existence, they have suffered much. Yet they still hold forth with heroic patience and an extraordinary optimism born of strong faith. To these people I owe my best. I shall not treat them cheaply or bandy their emotions like some errant football. The welfare of this good and decent people is my overriding concern.

“Equally, I do not cow to the demands of those who press for me to make a premature statement on an important issue. Again, that is a game devised by those who care more about political cleverness than the quality of governance. I chose to talk when my position has been made ripe by a collection of the facts and a reasonable assessment of those facts.

“As I view it, this matter can be divided in three major parts: 1) Substantive merits of Amotekun, 2) Decision-making and consultative process and 3) Recommendations on the way forward.

AMOTEKUN, GOVERNORS AND SECURITY

“As the highest elected official in his state and thus the individual embodiment of the will of the people, a governor must view safety and security as a foremost priority, integral to his mandate. To turn a blind eye to these concerns would be a grave dereliction. That the SW Governors seek to work together to complement the extant security architecture is, in principle, a commendable undertaking. In embracing this concept, they have acted in consonance with spirit of their offices for the better interests of their people.

“As Governor of Lagos State, I confronted a burgeoning criminal menace. I could not sit idly in the face of the violence and property destruction that struck genuine fear in the hearts of the people. The police tried as best they could; but their coverage was thin. They simply did not have the personnel or material wherewithal to be everywhere at once. We formed Neighbourhood Watch to help fill the gap.

“Our aim was not to replace existing structures but to complement and augment them. The mission of Neighbourhood Watch was to monitor the wards and neighbourhoods of the state. The group would gather information and intelligence to pass to the police and security authorities. The Neighbourhood Watch also provided an early warning system to keep citizens from harm’s way. The idea worked. Crime and violence reduced significantly. Even the overreaching Obasanjo government did not contend against Neighbourhood Watch.

“Judging from the public statements of the governors, Amotekun is meant to be structured along similar lines. As I understand it, Amotekun is to be another set of eyes and ears to assist the police. As such, it is but the second generation of Neighbourhood Watch expanded to a regional scale. Conceptually, there is nothing wrong with this. It does not appear to insult the constitution. However, my position regarding Amotekun is not blind or uncritical; there are several organisational and functional aspects of the proposal that could cause some problems if left unresolved.

“First, the stated mission is information gathering by civilians. Such tasks are always and everywhere best done in low-key fashion. Some aspects of Amotekun seem to undermine rather than enhance this function.

Second, equipping Amotekun with showy paraphernalia may cause the public to misconstrue the role of Amotekun, incorrectly believing its mandate is more expansive than it is. This possible disconnect could impede the good aims of the program.

“We also should consider that the Buhari administration has approved implementation of a policy of community policing wherein additional recruits from all 774 local government areas will be added to the force to help protect their own communities. As the Federal Government emphasizes grassroots policing it is uncertain how well Amotekun can complement the police force as the force moves toward greater decentralisation when Amotekun is organisationally leaning in the opposite way.

“We have been fighting for local and decentralised policing for a long time because we know that too much centralisation impedes performance. In regard to actual performance of its appointed tasks, Amotekun should have focused on grassroots local organisation at the state level without a regional command hierarchy. The regional approach may undermine efficiency. There is no compelling logic why the same personnel providing security & informational assistance in Ado-Ekiti should be under the same functional and operational leadership as those providing assistance in Lekki or Akure. This will not lead to optimal performance.

“The regional approach has only limited benefit with regard to the procurement and maintenance of vehicles and communications equipment because this wider approach allows for economies of scale. The regional approach also helps tackle the growing incidences of interstate criminal activity. Some things need to be corrected before Amotekun becomes operational. If not, it will not live up to expectations. Thus, the current formulation of Amotekun is in need of repair before it takes to the road only to quickly slip into a ditch.

CONSULTATIVE PROCESS BREAKS DOWN

“The governors state that they consulted regularly with the police and security agencies. This was the right thing to do. However, their failure to include the office of the Attorney-General in these discussions is the fount of the current public uproar. This was an unfortunate omission the governors should regret and seek to remedy. However, the conceptual merits and positive functional aspects of Amotekun should not be tainted by this procedural defect.

“While the Attorney-General is a conscientious public servant, he is also human. Not having been consulted, he was suddenly faced with an unexpected public announcement regarding a matter within his official ambit. He likely feared the failure to consult him meant that federal prerogatives were being encroached. To blame him for this conclusion would be to blame human nature itself. Though his negative reaction was understandable it was also unhelpful.

“The Attorney-General acted hastily in rendering a public statement that was more inaccurate than it should have been. Amotekun was never proposed as a “defence” agency; the Attorney-General erred in using this description. The use of uniforms and brightly coloured vehicles may not be the best ideas but they do not render Amotekun a defence agency or paramilitary group any more than a designated school van carrying uniformed students constitutes a paramilitary deployment.

“Believing the governors had crossed the line, the Attorney-General should have reached out to them. Before going public, he should have sought a private meeting so that he could have a better factual understanding of Amotekun. This would have enabled him to give the governors any specific constitutional or other objectives he might have. In this way, the two sides would have engaged in private consultations to reach agreement on the way forward. This cooperative process might have helped to correct some of the organisational lapses above identified. Such a diplomatic and wise step also would have prevented the current public acrimony now surrounding the issue.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR RESOLUTION

“This matter cannot be resolved on the pages of newspapers or by attributing negative motives to either side. The best way to resolve this is still for the two sides to enter private discussions. Either the governors should seek an official but private meeting with the Attorney-General, or the Attorney-General can initiate the contact. Since Amotekun is their initiative, the governors bear the greater onus in seeking the meeting.

“The meeting will initiate further discussion on how to resolve what appears to be a misunderstanding caused by an unfortunate lack of communication. Remedy the gap in communication and the misunderstanding will begin to disappear.

Last, I again stress to well-intentioned Nigerians to shun those who employ heated language to inflame emotions. It does us no good to rush toward exaggerated statements that suggest calamity of the highest order. Don’t allow yourselves to be fodder for those who seek to divide us.

“The fabric of the Republic has not been put at stake by Amotekun. However, that fabric could be torn by the dangerous rhetoric of those who should know better. Those claiming that this limited, inoffensive addition to security threatens the Republic have taken themselves upon a madcap excursion. Those claiming that the Federal Government seeks to terribly suppress the Southwest have also lost their compass. Those who occupy these two extremes have sunken into the dark recesses of fear and political paranoia that can undo a nation if such sentiments are allowed to gestate.

“We are one nation, 200 million strong with 36 states and a great complex of federal authority residing in dozens of federal ministries and agencies. If everyone is allowed their democratic expression, there are bound to be disagreements. This is inherent in the federal structure. Nations that have practiced federalism much longer than us still frequently debate over where the line between state and federal power is to be drawn. They have hundreds of court cases each year on this very issue. Yet they do not attack each other as we do. We must all learn to be more restrained and judicious in our reactions when such disagreements arise.

“Before leaping from our seats to lift our voice to the high rafters in profound indignation, we first would be wise to properly discern the situation. We must ascertain whether it merely is a tempest in a teapot or whether our house and all its teapots are swirling in a real tempest. Despite the ominous headlines and heated talk, an objective analysis points more clearly to the former than the latter. The resolution of this matter is not beyond us if only we allow ourselves to be the democrats that our better conscience and the very documents of our national existence call us to be.

“In trying to help resolve this matter, I have initiated communication with the Chairman of the South West Governors’ Forum, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, with a view to meeting the South West governors to explore amicable solutions to the avoidable controversy. I am sure that, at the end of it all, peace, security, and progress shall reign in our nation. Thank you.”

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu

National Leader, APC

Former Youths and Sports Minister, Barrister Solomon Dalung has condemned the murdered of Chairman of Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN) Adamawa State Chapter, Rev. Lawan Andimi by the group of insurgents known as Boko Haram. Rev. Lawan Andimi was kidnapped by Boko Haram and was earlier demanded ransom of 2 million Euros for his release but later rejected N50 million offered from the CAN and beheaded him. While Ropvil Daciya, a Student of University of Maiduguri from Pankshin Local Government Area of Plateau State was also kidnapped by the same group of insurgents and was killed by the Boko Haram insurgents.

Barrister Dalung condemned the murdered of Rev. Andimi, and beheaded of bro Ropvil Daciya, describing it as barbaric, cruel, inhuman in the face of humanity and deliberately provocative. He called on government across all levels to double cross their efforts to urgently put an end to terrorism in Nigeria.
“The unfolding developments in the North East, Nigeria is worrisome and requires urgent action from the government”. The dimensions it has taken should not be ignored or merely “condemned” by government and stakeholders in the Nigerian project. It is ominous to our corporate existence as a people. Boko haram which had wrecked unprecedented havoc on the psyche of the nation over the last decade, however the strategic profiling of people of a particular ethnicity and religion for either beheading or execution sends threatening signals of the future of this federation”.

“Of course a lot has happened including the abduction of school girls in Chibok and Dapci alongside numerous abductions of helpless citizens, some have been killed while the whereabouts of many remains unknown. I have not been devastated since the abductions of Chibok girls than now, looking at the evolving trends employed by the insurgents to profile, abduct and either behead of execute fellow Nigerians in a dreaded ISIS style”.

Dalung described the strategy put in place to end the activities of insurgents as weak and no longer working. “It seems to me that we have lost the victory over the war against terrorism with the emerging horrific developments. During Christmas celebrations, 13 Christians abducted by boko haram were executed, not long thereafter, Rev Lawan Adimi, CAN Chairman abducted from Munchika LGA was beheaded, then Ropvil Dapel, student of University of Maiduguri, abducted along with three others from Plateau State was executed. There’s no doubt that the sequence of these acts cast questionable aspersions on the credibility of the defeat of the boko haram”.

“Available reports from the North East suggest that the security situation has deteriorated beyond official confirmation thereby reinforcing the concerns of people from the frontline communities. There seems to be coordinated attacks on chosen targets by the terrorists to provoke national chaos and confusion. We must not fall into this evil plan by merely condemning or dismissing it as usual, rather government must immediately respond with concrete security measures to reclaim the dwindling confidence of fellow Nigerians”.

“The profiling of Christians and Plateau people is a deliberate ploy by terrorists to escalate their nefarious activities employing divide and conquer tactics. They may profess a religion but we should not fall prey to their antics as they do not have the mandate of the religion to perpetuate these atrocities. And in any case, there’s no known religion that tolerates killing of innocent lives. Christianity frowns at the shedding of innocent blood with a categorical injunction “thou shall not kill”, I believe that Islam is against taking of life of the innocent.”

Therefore, I urge us to understand the trap set by evil to destroy our harmony. I am personally devastated by this unwholesome situation but we cannot compromise our sense of reasoning to the dictates of evil.

The Ex-Minister called on religious leaders to cooperate with security agencies in order to bring an end to Boko Haram. “I called on all religious leaders to exercise restraint by providing good guidance to the people who have been panicked by these horrific events. I employed Islamic leaders to show love to the Christian community by restating their commitments to peace and distancing Islam from terrorism. It will enhance bond of solidarity if they also exchange visits to each other. It is time to practically conquered hate with love. We must act now before we all are consumed by evil.”

“Even though it’s a trying moment for the country, we must redouble our efforts to forge a strong front to deal with these dangerous trends. It took a coalition of different countries of the world to defeat ISIS caliphate, but there are still over ten thousand ISIS fighters spread all over the Middle East. It is also reported that the Sahel Magreb is a likely budding ground for terrorists regrouping, so these may be some of the symptoms of we may be dealing with. “

“The Nigerian government as a matter of urgency must overhaul the current security strategy which has failed to deliver the expected dividends. The days of living in denial is running out and we must admit that the security situation demands a pragmatic approach.”

May the spirit of the victims these dastardly act continue to hunt their killers and may God admit them into paradise amen.

DR SIPAK SHASE’ET IN A PRESS CONFERENCE EXPRESS HIS SADNESS OVER THE GRUESOME KILLING OF ROPVIL DACIYA A PLATEAU SON

Dr SIPAK SHASE’ET has expressed his sadness over the gruesome murder of a promising son of Plateau State, Ropvil Daciya.
Dr Sipak in a press conference with Nigerian union of journalist alongside YUSUF GAGDI totally condemns the execution of master Ropvil Daciya, in a video circulated throughout the social media.

Dr Sipak further declares his solidarity with the family of the deceased, the people of Mupun nation, Pankshin Local Government and the entire good people of Plateau State against this vicious act of hate, describing such as barbaric, despicable, brutal and inhumane. which shows how evil people has antagonize plateau state and it’s peace loving people which led to gruesome murder of our bright and promising brother Ropvil Daciya

He therefore, conveys his warmest sympathy and deep condolences to the family of master Ropvil Daciya, the Mupun nation and the good people of Plateau State.
While calling on Government and all security bodies sadden with the responsibility of pretecting lives and properties of its citizens to rise up to its responsibility.

He Dr SIPAK prays God to rest his soul, comfort and protect the peace loving people of Plateau state in every part of the country and beyond.

Sign SD Sipak Shase’et (media team)

Hon Gagdi, the Member representing Pankshin Kanke Kanam in the House of Reps is ushering a new paradigm of leadership on the Plateau and Nigeria. His ecumenical view point to leadership is most befitting to the plurality that characterize our society. Gagdi seem to be in tune with reality and the very essence of the state, he is not only alive to his obligation but sensitive to the very crux of why the state exist in the first place. Gagdi’s Press Briefing held in His today 23rd Jan. 2020, remains a reference point and indeed one that was done out of responsiveness, responsibility and accountability to the security needs and precious lives of his people. Such need to respond to prevailing national security breaches is different from those window dressing moves to either please some big names or score cheap political points, Gagdi was frontal to the very issues that bugged the minds of not only his constituency but Nigeria at large. What more could one expect from a law-maker? Gagdi is simply in concert with the expectations of the people, he has proved to understand the roadmap to security governance. Am proud to reckon with him. We need more of Gagdi among the political class of today if Plateau must make any inroad into mainstream national politics and the gains that follows.

Danjuma Jise.

Today, the member representing Pankshin, Kanke and Kanam federal constituency Rt. Hon Yusuf Gagdi off set the hospital bills for all the in patient at General Hospital Pankshin who are currently hospitalised.

The member in a surprise stop over at the hospital during his visit to Pankshin today went round all the wards of the hospital to greet and identify with the patients and their care takers and the hard working staff that are giving their all towards seeing to the medical needs of the patients there.

He prayed for God healing hands to be on those suffering from different ailments in the hospital.

He instantly negotiated with the chief Nursing officer of the hospital who was on ground and received him and immediately hands out a cash donation to the hospital which will pay for the bills of the patients as his own modest contribution towards ameliorating the hardship the families might had incurred as bills for the treatment.

The Chief Nursing Officer on behalf of the hospital management appreciated the honorable member for such great act of humanity. He reiterated the need for politicians and other well to do citizens to be coming to the aide of patients in hospitals as many are not finding it easy to access proper healthcare due to the inability to pay for the cost of the treatment.

The member was accompanied by his wife Haj Maryam Yusuf Gagdi, his aides and teaming supporters.

GAGDI MEDIA TEAM