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Religious extremism: How poisoned traditions affect sitting positions inside vehicles and Keke napep in Maiduguri
Religious extremism: How poisoned traditions affect sitting positions inside vehicles and Keke napep in Maiduguri
By: Bodunrin Kayode
Some Nigerians are so dangerously and religiously inclined that they hardly know what wrong or right mores are even within their creed. They follow religion blindly and end up sometimes worshipping the very religion instead of the Almighty God. Some fuse their vein traditions to their religions making it quite difficult for none practitioners of over 1000 other religions to understand them. That was why Jesus Christ slammed the traditionalists within the Judaism religion for refusing to recognize Him as the way, the truth and life above what they know as laws draconian or not as spelt out by their progenitor Moses.
When people bend over to add their vein traditions into their religion it becomes deadly especially when young people are involved. When the insertion of human induced traditions are coming from those who should know like Pastors, imams and Ulamas as it applies, none practitioners become more confused if they don’t know the fundamentals of their creed.
Many residents have become slaves to religion such that they hardly know the God they claim to worship and how He reasons and thinks. Some do not even know the thoughts of God towards them which are thoughts of good and not of evil. They turn themselves into guinea pigs of their religion ready to be used for wickedness instead of good like children of God or heir apparent of the kingdom of heaven. That is why many young people fall easy prey to devious politicians who use them to kill one another during electioneer period.
How then do young people process directives to murder a neighbor or just an opposition member during political periods without asking questions. How can one explain why people take the laws into their hands in the name of religion? People killing in the name of a weak God who cannot fight for himself. Killing women and children without a second thought. You try to protect the women and children but rather they feel they should be protecting you in the name of any strange religion. How then do you explain a girl young enough to be your daughter stepping out of a vehicle for his grand father to go in before she sits at the door of the car which is the danger zone for car crashes or even summersaults?
Strange traditions practiced in some climes
If you are a visitor to Maiduguri, don’t be surprised if a small girl little enough to be your daughter stepping out of a Keke napep and forcing her daddy’s mate to go into the keke before getting into the edge of the seat. In sanner climes the men are programmed to protect the women no matter what. Children are not allowed to sit close to the doors because of accident and security reasons. Likewise the men are supposed to take the fall for their female counterparts. This means that if a Keke napep gets into an accident with a vehicle which is stronger, the men who are at the doors are supposed to be the first victims. The women and children are not supposed to be wounded were the men are .But in Maiduguri, the women prefer to be the first victims to be wounded in the case of emergencies rather than allow the men to take the fall for them or even paying the supreme sacrifice for them to stay alive. What a strange and obscene culture not found in other states of northern Nigeria?
Religious extremism: How poisoned traditions affect sitting positions inside vehicles and Keke napep in Maiduguri
JUDGE’S INTERVENTION SAVES IGP EGBETOKUN FROM COMMITTAL TO KUJE PRISON
By: Michael Mike
The committal proceedings instituted against the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun by Mrs Nnena Anozie, the traumatized and frustrated wife of abducted and missing Mr. John Anozie came up for hearing on Tuesday, the 17th February 2025 before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.
At the beginning of the proceedings, Mrs Anozie’s Counsel, Vincent Adodo, recounted the facts of the case from the abduction of Mr. John Anozie from his Lekki Lagos residence on 15th June 2017 by police officers from the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Akwuzu, Anambra State, two separate orders made by the Anambra State High Court directed at the Police to charge Mr. Anozie to court or release him unconditionally, and another directing the police to release his corpse for burial following the claim by the police that Mr. Anozie had died in their custody.
Following an investigation conducted by the IGP X-Squad of the Police Force Headquarters based on a petition presented by Mrs Anozie in 2018, the investigation report indicted four officers in the crime whose names are: ASP Anthony Ikechukwu Obiozor, Sgt. Emeana Uzozhukwu, SP. Sunday Okpe, John Eze and Oriole all from SARS, Akwuzu, Anambra State.
Investigation also revealed that the named officers made heavy withdrawals from Mr. Anozie’s bank account just about 4 days after his abduction.
Despite the issuance of a legal opinion by the then Commissioner of Police in Charge of Legal, CP Tuesday Emienbo recommending the named officers for dismissal from service, arraignment and prosecution, nothing was done to bring the culprits to justice. Another petition written in 2023 by Falana and Falana Chambers led to the re-opening of investigation in the matter which was led by one Chinedu from the IGP-Monitoring Unit.
The refusal of the police authorities to arraign and prosecute the culpable officers despite the avalanche of evidence indicting them in Mr. Anozie’s disappearance prompted Mrs Anozie to request under the Freedom of Information Act 2011 for the certified true copies of the two investigation reports and the legal opinion of Mr Emienbo and for same to be forwarded to the office of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation. The request also included a demand to the IGP to handover the officers to the AGF for prosecution. The police authorities failed to honour the request, further prompting the institution of an action before the Federal High Court under the Freedom of Information Act in SUIT NO: FHC/ABJ/CS/865/2025: Mrs Nnena Anozie v. Inspector General of Police to compel the release of the case files and the officers for prosecution.
On 24th September 2025, the Federal High Court, Abuja presided over by Hon. Justice B.F.M. Nyako delivered judgement in the case ordering the IGP to, among others, release the investigation reports and legal opinion to Mrs Anozie and the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation while also awarding the sum of #2,000,000.00 as damages against the police.
Despite service of the judgment with Form 48 on him, the IGP failed to obey the judgment, prompting the service on him of form 49 and subsequently a motion to commit the IGP to Kuje prison for contempt.
At the proceedings on Tuesday, the 17th February 2026, Stanley Nwodo appearing for the IGP informed the court of the receipt of the judgment and that he filed a counter Affidavit to the committal motion. The presiding Judge, Justice Nyako after listening to Mrs Anozie’s story offered to intervene in the matter with a view to obtaining a lasting result on the case. Consequently, the court adjourned the contempt proceedings to the 23rd April 2026 for hearing.
JUDGE’S INTERVENTION SAVES IGP EGBETOKUN FROM COMMITTAL TO KUJE PRISON
IPCR Sees Lent, Ramadan Overlap as Call for National Healing
By: Michael Mike
As Christians begin Lent and Muslims commence Ramadan, the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has urged Nigerians to use the rare overlap of the two sacred seasons to strengthen unity and reject divisive tendencies.
In a statement released on February 18, 2026, the institute described the simultaneous observance as more than a calendar coincidence, calling it a powerful symbol of shared values and collective responsibility in a nation grappling with insecurity and social strain.
IPCR said both seasons—marked by fasting, prayer and reflection—offer an opportunity for citizens to look beyond religious differences and recommit to peaceful coexistence. It stressed that the moral lessons of compassion, self-restraint and generosity embedded in Lent and Ramadan should translate into everyday interactions among Nigerians.
The institute warned against extremist narratives that distort religious teachings for narrow interests, noting that such interpretations undermine national stability. Instead, it encouraged faith leaders and communities to amplify messages that promote tolerance, dialogue and mutual respect.
According to the institute, true spirituality is measured not only by acts of worship but also by how individuals treat neighbours of different beliefs. It added that Nigeria’s diversity should be seen as a strength capable of fostering resilience rather than division.
“With both faiths engaged in solemn reflection at the same time, Nigerians are presented with a timely reminder that we share a common humanity and destiny,” the statement noted, urging citizens to work together toward a more peaceful and prosperous society.
The Director-General of IPCR, Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, who signed the statement, extended goodwill wishes to Christians and Muslims, expressing hope that the sacred period would inspire reconciliation, understanding and renewed commitment to national unity.
IPCR Sees Lent, Ramadan Overlap as Call for National Healing
Operative dies in accidental discharge in Niger
By: Zagazola Makama
An operative attached to a security unit in Niger State has died following an accidental discharge of a rifle at his duty post in Shiroro Local Government Area.
Sources said the incident occurred at about 10:00 p.m. on Feb. 16 when the operative, identified as Abubakar Iliya, 35, who was attached to a special hunters unit stationed at Galadiman-Kogo, reportedly fell from a sentry post.
During the fall, his cocked rifle disengaged and discharged, striking him in the abdomen and causing fatal injuries.
His remains were later evacuated by his unit for burial in accordance with customary rites.
Operative dies in accidental discharge in Niger
Police arrest 19 suspected bandits, recover 370 cows, 58 goats in Kwara
Police repel bandit attack, recover 82 cows and 21 sheep in Katsina
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