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ActionAid Expresses Concern Over Alignment Against Planned Protest on Bas Governance

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ActionAid Expresses Concern Over Alignment Against Planned Protest on Bas Governance

By: Michael Mike

ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) has expressed concerned over the alignment of many governors, politicians, traditional leaders, public office holders, and some high-net-worth individuals with the government’s stance against the planned protest against what the protesters termed bad governance.

The ANN in a statement on Monday declared that it stand in solidarity with Nigerian youths as they plan a nationwide protest starting on Thursday August 1st.

The statement by the Country Director of the nongovernmental organisation, Andrew Mamedu said: “We firmly support citizens’ constitutional rights to peaceful assembly and protest. It is important to reiterate that every Nigerian has the inalienable right to voice their grievances and demand accountability from their government without fear of violence or retribution.

“The End SARS protests of 2020 were a pivotal moment and highlighted the power of peaceful demonstration and the necessity of addressing citizens’ concerns. However, the tragic events that followed, including the killing and mass arrest of protesters, serve as a reminder of the dangers when security forces fail to uphold their duty to protect. This same failure repeated itself at the June 12, 2024, protest, where security agencies meant to protect citizens were involved in the violent clampdown on protesters.”

It warned that: “The federal government must not allow the violent repression of peaceful protesters to continually repeat itself. Any such actions would be a severe violation of human rights and undermine the democratic principles that our nation strives to uphold.”

The statement further read that: “ActionAid Nigeria is also concerned by the alignment of many governors, politicians, traditional leaders, public office holders, and some high-net-worth individuals with the government’s stance against the protest, citing the chaos and destruction from the End SARS protests. These figures overlook that citizens do not protest without cause; severe economic challenges and poor living conditions are driving them to the streets. If the government channeled the same energy and resources currently being used to suppress the protest into addressing these concerns, the protest would likely dissipate.

“Instead, the federal government is mobilising various forces to stifle the protest rather than addressing the root issues. This history of clampdowns on protesters may explain why current organisers of the protest are choosing to remain anonymous and avoid negotiations.”

It demanded that: “The Federal Government must coordinate the three tiers of government, the private sector, and other stakeholders to genuinely address the demands of Nigerians by implementing effective mechanisms to alleviate the hardship that Nigerians are currently experiencing. Economic challenges, unemployment, and poor living conditions are driving citizens to the streets. The demands being made are the constitutional rights of citizens, especially as the ultimate goal is improved welfare and security all Nigerians.

“The Nigerian Police Force and all security agencies must provide adequate protection to all protesters and protest locations across the country. The safety of citizens exercising their constitutional right to peaceful assembly must be ensured at all times. This protection is crucial to maintaining public order and preventing violence during demonstrations.

“The federal government must unequivocally commit, both in its rhetoric and actions, to preventing any recurrence of the violent repression of peaceful protesters by security agencies as witnessed during the last June 12 protests. The government and security agencies must respect the rights of citizens to protest without fear of violence or retribution.

“Governors and all politicians must respect citizens’ rights. Declaring states as off-limits for protests undermines citizens’ constitutional rights and betrays the duty to address the genuine grievances driving these demonstrations. Such statements reflect a troubling disregard for democratic principles and the rule of law.”

ActionAid Nigeria also appealed to all protesters to maintain peace and order during their demonstrations, noting that: “Peaceful protests are a powerful tool for change, and it is essential that they remain non-violent to convey their message effectively and avoid unnecessary harm or destruction.

“We also enjoin citizens and politicians inclined to form anti-protest groups must be reminded to respect the rights of their fellow Nigerians to peaceful assembly, and any violations of these rights must be met with the full extent of the law.”

ActionAid Expresses Concern Over Alignment Against Planned Protest on Bas Governance

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Bandit kill police operative, cart away service weapon in Bukuyum in Zamfara

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Bandit kill police operative, cart away service weapon in Bukuyum in Zamfara

By: Zagazola Makama

A mobile police operative attached to Operation Restore Peace has been killed in an ambush by armed bandits in Adabka village, Bukkuyum Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Zagazola Makama gathered that the incident occurred on Tuesday at about 11:44 a.m. when the officer, deployed from Mopol 15, Ilorin, left his duty location in Adabka en route to Tibis village to purchase essential supplies.

Security sources in Bukkuyum told Zagazola that the operative was attacked at the outskirts of Adabka by armed bandits concealed in the surrounding bushes.

The attackers reportedly opened fire on the officer, killing him instantly before carting away his service riot gun.

“Field teams deployed to the scene recovered the body of the fallen operative, which was evacuated to Adabka Primary Health Care Centre for documentation,” the source said.

Sources said that the mode of attack aligns with operational tactics used by bandit factions linked to the Dan-Karama Gwaska and Dansadau networks, known for precision ambushes and rapid withdrawal.

Bandit kill police operative, cart away service weapon in Bukuyum in Zamfara

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GSU’s Public Administration Dept hosts maiden int’l conference

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GSU’s Public Administration Dept hosts maiden int’l conference

Stakeholders comprising academics, policymakers, security experts and public-sector practitioners have deliberated ways of tackling insecurity in the country through a multi-faceted approach that includes economic empowerment, improved governance, and enhanced security cooperation.


They made the submission during the maiden International Conference organised by the Department of Public Administration, Gombe State University (GSU).


The conference was declared open on Tuesday by Prof. Sani Ahmed Yauta, the Vice Chancellor of the institution who stated that any engagement aimed at proffering solutions to the security challenges of the country was an engagement borne out of the need to fast-track national development and stability.


Represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration) Prof. Danladi Umar, Yauta urged participants to leverage the conference to contribute to ongoing efforts at addressing security challenges so as to enhance peace and development in the country.


In his keynote address, Prof. Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, Secretary to the Gombe State Government, linked good governance to enhanced security and national development.
Njodi stressed that good governance remained a critical tool to earning citizens’ trust needed to maintain peace and to strengthen development across the country.


He stated that discourse around Nigeria’s governance had become imperative in view of the current security challenges confronting the nation and threatening national development.


He stressed the need for subnational governments to drive national development, adding that they have massive roles to play in determining Nigeria’s progress.
“It is the aggregation of subnational experiences—state successes and failures—that ultimately determines Nigeria’s trajectory.”


Njodi cited the Gombe State governance model and how it had contributed to improvement in human capital development as well as the development of the state and therefore resulting in the peaceful status that the state had enjoyed under Gov Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State’s leadership.


“The state’s development trajectory under Gov. Yahaya offers a practical demonstration of how visionary leadership, institutional innovation and participatory governance can transform a subnational entity within Nigeria’s federal system.


Speaking earlier, the Head of Public Administration Department, Prof. Matthew Funsho Bello, described the event as historic for both the department and the university.
Bello said that the conference’s theme, “Governance, Insecurity and National Development in Nigeria: Issues and Challenges,” was timely given the complexities of the nation’s socio-economic and security challenges.


“This gathering of distinguished scholars, public-sector experts, policymakers and practitioners from across the country marks a major milestone in our collective quest to address the vexing issues affecting our national life,” he said.


According to him, the theme reflects “the urgent need for academia, security agencies and public-sector experts to engage in constructive dialogue on how addressing insecurity and governance can drive sustainable development in Nigeria.


Security experts amongst other professionals made their presentations during the conference which are expected to form part of the recommendations at the end of the two-day event.


Dr Lawal Abdullahi Oladimeji, the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee of the Conference, lauded all participants and invited guests for the success of the maiden event.

Oladimeji said that recommendations from the conference would be given to relevant stakeholders towards enhancing national security and development.

GSU’s Public Administration Dept hosts maiden int’l conference

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21 villagers abducted in kano communities as Security forces intensify search operation

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21 villagers abducted in kano communities as Security forces intensify search operation

By: Zagazola Makama

Twenty-one persons have been abducted by suspected bandits in three villages of Tsanyawa Local Government Area of Kano State.

Zagazola Makama learnt that the coordinated attacks occurred in Sundu, Biresawa and Masaurari villages.

According to community members, two women were taken from Sundu, while five women and two children were abducted at Biresawa.

In Masaurari, nine men and one woman were reportedly seized, bringing the total number of abducted persons to 21 comprising nine men, eight women and two children.

The Police Command in Kano confirmed the attack noting that efforts had been intensified to rescue all victims unhurt.

The sources added that additional operatives had been deployed to the affected axis, while the area was being combed in collaboration with local vigilance groups and other security agencies.

The command assured residents of its commitment to restoring peace and urged the public to provide credible information that could aid ongoing operations.

21 villagers abducted in kano communities as Security forces intensify search operation

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