Edo Election: US Calls on Stakeholders to Support Electoral Processes

By: Michael Mike

The United States Embassy has called on all stakeholders in the just ended Edo State gubernatorial election to support established electoral processes and respect legal procedures to challenge results.

A statement by the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Richard Mills Jr. on Tuesday on the just concluded Edo State Governorship election, read: “The U.S. Mission in Nigeria commends the people of Edo State for the widely peaceful conduct of gubernatorial elections on September 21 and reiterates calls for calm following the announcement of results.

“We commend Governor Obaseki’s appeal for peace and urge all stakeholders, including INEC, to support established electoral processes and respect legal procedures to challenge results.”

The Ambassador in the statement insisted that: “Transparency and due process are crucial to maintaining public confidence in any democratic system.

“The United States reaffirms our commitment to supporting free, fair, transparent, and credible elections in Nigeria and will continue to monitor the situation closely.”

Edo Election: US Calls on Stakeholders to Support Electoral Processes

NDLEA intercepts ex-convict with over N4.6 billion worth of cocaine at Lagos airport

By: Michael Mike

Barely 16 months after he was arrested and convicted for ingesting 93 pellets of cocaine, a 48-year-old businessman Christian Ogbuji has been intercepted by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos for importing 817 wraps of the same Class A drug weighing 19.4 kilogrammes with an estimated street value of over N4.6 billion.

According to a statement by the spokesperson of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi, Ogbuji was first arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Wednesday 10th May 2023 upon arrival from Uganda via Addis Ababa, onboard Ethiopian Airlines flight ET 951 for ingesting 93 pellets of cocaine with a gross weight of 1.986 kilogrammes. He was subsequently arraigned before Federal High Court 12 Abuja presided over by Hon. Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon in charge no: FHC/ABJ/CR/192/2023 and convicted on 13th July 2023. Ogbuji was sentenced to two years imprisonment with an option of paying a fine of N3 million, which he paid and was set free.

Babafemi said Ogbuji on the court order also forfeited the seized 1.986 kilogrammes cocaine, his international passport, 14 US dollars and 9000 Uganda shillings found on him at the time of his arrest.

The spokesman said: “Not done with crime, Ogbuji was again arrested at the Lagos airport on Wednesday 18th September 2024 during an inward clearance of Ethiopian Airlines flight passengers from Addis Ababa to Lagos. The suspect had approached the joint examination table with a black travelling bag which was searched by an NDLEA operative who cleared the luggage. In a dubious move, Ogbuji sneaked back to the carousel area to put inside the cleared bag a black backpack he left on the conveyor’s belt.
As he made his way out of the arrival hall, vigilant NDLEA officers intercepted him and subjected him to a second search. It was then large wraps of excreted cocaine were found concealed inside the backpack hidden in the black travelling bag that was earlier found with the suspect.

He said a total of 817 pellets of cocaine excreted by many traffickers in Addis Ababa weighing 19.4 kilogrammes belonging to different members of a drug cartel were recovered.

Babafemi said during interrogation of the suspect, he stated that he initially left the backpack containing the drug at the carousel area as a strategy to beat NDLEA operatives, adding that he never knew there could be a “secondary search” since he had presented his bag for search previously and nothing incriminating was found. He claimed he had to procure a new international passport to continue his criminal trade.

The spokesman said investigations revealed Ogbuji is an unrepentant kingpin within the network of drug cartels operating between Brazil, Ethiopia, Nigeria and others in the West African sub-region like Benin, Togo, Ghana, Liberia, and Cote d’Ivoire.

In his reaction to the arrest of Ogbuji, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended the officers and men of the MMIA Strategic Command for an excellent job done, adding that the seizure of such a large consignment of cocaine at the airport is a milestone that will send a strong message to the international drug cartels trying to find footholds in Nigeria.

He however assured that the agency will continue to work to disrupt the activities of drug cartels operating in the country.
Ends

NDLEA intercepts ex-convict with over N4.6 billion worth of cocaine at Lagos airport

The Banditry Menace in the North West: Challenges, Kingpins, and the Way Forward

By: Zagazola Makama

Banditry has become a persistent and deadly problem in the North West and North Central regions of Nigeria. Unlike the insurgency in the North East, where Boko Haram and the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) operate based on an ideological drive, the violence in the North West is mainly criminal in nature. This criminality, often referred to as “BARAYIN JEJI” (forest bandits), has terrorized local communities through raids, cattle rustling, kidnappings for ransom, killings, and the imposition of illegal levies on farming communities.

Despite ongoing military operations by the Nigerian Security Forces, bandits continue to engage in these sinister activities, creating a seemingly unending cycle of violence and terror in the region. Military campaigns, including Operation Hadarin Daji and other special operations led by the Defence Headquarters’ Joint Task Force (JTF) and ad-hoc military formations such as the 1st, 3rd, and 8th Divisions, have made significant progress. Hundreds of bandits, including top kingpins, have been neutralized in the past year. Yet, banditry continues to plague the region, as new criminal leaders quickly rise to replace those who are taken down.

Notable Kingpins Neutralized

In the last twelve months, the Nigerian military, in collaboration with local militias and security forces, has killed several high-profile bandit leaders, including Kachalla Ali Kawaje, the mastermind behind the abduction of students from Federal University Gusau.

Others include; Kachalla Jafaru, Kachalla Barume, Kachalla Shehu, Tsoho, Kachalla Yellow Mai Buhu, Yellow Sirajo, Kachalla Dan Muhammadu, Kachalla Makasko, Sanda, Abdulbasiru Ibrahim, Mai Wagumbe, Kachalla Begu, Kwalfa, Ma’aikaci, Yellow Hassan, Umaru Na Bugala, Isyaka Gwarnon Daji, Iliya Babban Kashi, Auta Dan Mai Jan Ido, and Yahaya Dan Shama.

Those that were recently nutrialised include; Kacalla Ɗan Baleri, Kacalla Dogo Kwaɗɗi, Lawalli Dodo, Kacalla Naguru, Kacalla Ɗan-Babirki, Kacalla Hana-Zuwa, Kacalla Adamu and the most recently was Kachallah Buzu aka Sububu.

One of the most recent and high-profile deaths was that of Kachalla Buzu, also known as Sububu, a notorious bandit leader. This success, attributed to the intensified efforts of Operation Hadarin Daji in collaboration with Zamfara State’s government-backed militia, has sent ripples through the criminal underworld.

However, despite these victories, the fight is far from over as the bandits continued to engage in hit and run as well as pockets of attacks in vulnerable communities. Rivalries and power struggles between bandit groups have further complicated the situation, leading to violent clashes between factions. For example, since April 2024, a violent feud has broken out between bandit leaders Sani Dangote and Dankarami (also known as Gwaska), leading to the deaths of dozens of bandits. These internal struggles for dominance among the criminal factions, though deadly, only serve to destabilize the region further.

The Rising Threat of Gwaska Dankarami

Gwaska Dankarami, who has emerged as one of the most dangerous and influential bandit leaders in the North West, is currently at the center of the power struggle. His recent attacks on rival bandit factions, including the killing of Sani Dangote’s associates, have positioned him as a major threat not only to the bandits themselves but also to security forces and local communities. Dankarami’s growing power highlights a disturbing reality: as long as one bandit leader is killed, another, often more dangerous, will rise to take their place.

The Turji Question

For many Nigerians, the hope is that the death of Bello Turji, one of the most infamous bandit leaders, would be the turning point in the fight against banditry. Turji’s terror campaign has left a trail of destruction and anguish across the North West, and his demise would undoubtedly bring relief to the families of his many victims.

However, experts warn that the killing of Bello Turji would not mark the end of banditry in the region. There are other bandit leaders, such as Alhaji Shingi, Alhaji Nashama, Ado Allero, Dogo Gide, and Dankarami, who are just as dangerous, if not more so. While Turji’s approach is driven by youthful aggression, older bandits like Nashama command respect and loyalty from other bandit factions, making them even harder to defeat.

Beyond Military Solutions: A Multi-Dimensional Approach

Ending banditry in the North West requires more than just military operations. Although the military has achieved significant victories, their efforts only address a portion of the problem. Banditry is deeply rooted in socio-economic issues such as illiteracy, poverty, and poor governance. The government must address these root causes if there is to be any lasting solution to the conflict.

The Nigerian government has made some efforts to engage local communities in the fight against banditry, notably through initiatives such as the Zamfara State Security Watch, which involves local youth in community security efforts. While this has yielded some positive results, more needs to be done. Authorities must adopt a deliberate and targeted approach, going after the key sponsors of banditry, who operate behind the scenes, often involved in illegal mining and other illicit activities. These sponsors are the true drivers of the conflict, using bandits as pawns to achieve their broader criminal objectives.

The government must also invest in long-term solutions such as education, job creation, and poverty alleviation. These efforts would help to prevent young people from being drawn into banditry in the first place. Furthermore, there must be a political will to tackle corruption and impunity, ensuring that those who support or profit from banditry are brought to justice.

Conclusion

While the military has made significant strides in combating banditry in the North West, the problem remains far from solved. As long as socio-economic issues persist and criminal sponsors continue to operate with impunity, banditry will remain a serious threat to the region’s stability. A multi-dimensional approach, combining military action with governance reforms, community engagement, and economic development, is the only way to ensure long-term peace and security in the North West.

The Banditry Menace in the North West: Challenges, Kingpins, and the Way Forward