National News
Jos Killings: Nigerians, Wake Government From Sleep And Stop Poking Religious Fingers On Each Other

Jos Killings: Nigerians, Wake Government From Sleep And Stop Poking Religious Fingers On Each Other
By: James Bwala, Maiduguri
Nigerians of conscience have been asking questions over the recent killings in Jos. Not only about the killings of 25 Muslim travellers but also about killings of some innocent Christians – farmers and travellers, whose blood the earth sucks in want for the killers but never satisfied for the ten, for one hundred and for the thousands killed. Wailing in the mosque and wailing in Church has not stopped the wailing on our streets and the poking of fingers continued. But what has the government done and what is the government doing now?
An audio record has been on circulation since Sunday the 15th of August 2021 and barely a day after the sad Saturday incident 14th of August, 2021 when a convoy of five buses, conveying Fulani Muslim travellers, who were travelling from Bauchi to Ondo state in Southwest Nigeria were stopped along Rukuba road and hacked to death. Some had asked what is the connection between going to Ondo with Rukuba road? But that is left for investigation another day.
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Muslims and Christians with long voices have been calling for the heads of those who perpetrated this ugly act of damnation. But the audio being circulated did not portray the presumed innocent Muslims killed as innocent as we have been echoing since the dastatible and unfortunate blood spilling along the Rukuba road if that audio was the true genesis of the attack in Jos, the Plateau State Capital.
The audio in which two indigenes of Plateau state and Christians were caught discussing or rather one asking the other the truth about the resultant attack on the Hausa-Fulani travellers was never captured in all the statements, Press Conferences and Police as well as Government explanations to the current situation. This brings a lot of probes about the sincerity of those clamouring for the heads of those arrested if that audio was the fact that is being hidden to the public.
Like I said in my previous writings. I still condemn in totality whatever situation that warrants whatever action that informed many unfortunate situations in Nigeria today. I believe it is time for both Christians and Muslims to stop blaming each other over the circumstances that are bringing rage in the hearts of people. Nigeria is not a lawless country thus it is time for the people to begin to demand from the government about the bloodletting in the country.
The reaction of the Nigerian Police and both the Federal and State government in swiftly acting on the attack on Muslim travellers raises a lot of questions looking at their actions on similar attacks prior to the current matters on the ground. One may be tempted to ask if this government is sincere about allegations of lopsidedness on the part of the administration of the Nigerian states.
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The monumental failure of this government has further expanded trust amongst Nigerians especially Christians and Muslims of the far wings. Liberal Christians and Muslims still enjoy good relationships but it would be an honour if they begin to talk to those far wing believers who are willing at all times to go for the punch.
I have reported incidents boiling and heart failing in the Bassa local government area of Plateau state. And I have also reported about those travellers who were said to be returning from a religious programme in Bauchi organised by the Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi Foundation to mark the Islamic new year.
According to the audio in circulation, there was an ambulance in front of the travelling buses. The audio, as well as sources in Jos, claimed that when the buses were asked to stop for checks following suspicion of their movement, the said ambulance moved ahead disengaging from the rest of the convoy but the youths barricade the road ahead forcing the ambulance carrying a casket to stop.
One of the speakers in the audio said when that casket has opened the youths discovered that it was not carrying a corpse after all but guns, a situation which resulted in the youths pounding on those travellers resulting in the ugly events on that fateful Saturday 14 of August 2021, to say the least. This is from lowly voices not heard on the matters arising from the attack that once again if not treated with caution may result in a clash between the two religions in Nigeria who is claiming to be the champions of peace.
It is rather unfortunate that 25 travellers were killed. No one can bring them back no matter the blood for blood suggestions making the round. Whether they are innocent and victims of religious intolerance that is brewing in the country or some mercenaries employed to carry out another unforgiven act in the name of religion is left for whoever wants to take the side he or she deems it fit. But the truth is that taking sides and not standing by the truth has been the problem of Nigeria and its people from time immemorial and nothing was achieved in the game but bloody hands on each other’s neck. This has bred more and more hatred as we see among the people fashion to live in an indivisible nation as we always claimed.
The lopsided approach in dealing with matters of the religion concerned by our government and security operatives is fast dragging Nigeria into another civil war. And like the late General Odumegwu Ojukwu would say, ‘ There is no pride in war!’ Therefore, it is time for the like of the Northern groups and people like Nasirudin Sheriff as well as others whose media addresses was basically speaking from one side of their lips to know that on that fateful day ahead of the 25 travellers killed in Plateau state, there were corpses of Christians heading for the burial who was also killed in cold blood by blood-seeking far wing Muslims down the road.
While Nigeria and Nigerians mourn their death, the President will indeed go into history as a failure, a situation which he told the security chiefs he wouldn’t want to happen. If his words were coming from a bleeding heart as the nation was at rage with emotions running high and voices of condemnation renting the atmosphere with people running to the press to air their voices over the sad incidences then and only then would President Buhari leave in peace with himself after leaving office and not be tagged as a failure.
It was believed that the actions and inactions of the Nigerian Security especially the police in Plateau state
has continued to fuel ethnic and religious crises since the killing of 70 Christians in Yelwa, 2001. Tension amongst both the Christians and Muslims in Jos grow dangerously and informing attacks and counter-attacks between the indigenes and settlers.
In Bassa local government recently a school headmaster loved by all villagers was killed near a military checkpoint and his corpse was buried and the government was quiet about it. Within the same week, so many people were killed in a snake attack and their villages were burnt. This the government did not react to calm nerves around and amongst villages and villagers boiling over the inaction of our security agencies. This is a failure of the state and its government because non of these attacks brought the kind of stereotyping acts being put on display over the killing that happened along the Rukuba Road in Jos. The government must be held responsible by both the Christians and Muslims in Plateau state over this unfortunate and barbaric blood spilling.
The Saturday attack was not the first time travellers would be so attacked and hacked to death. Many attacks had happened not only in the Jos axis with blood on the hands of both Muslims and Christian youths who carried out such attacks and killed innocent travellers. From the time of Obasanjo a so-called Christians to this time under Buhari a so-called Muslim, Nigerians have died in thousands but the people instead of waking the government from sleep they are shouting and reminding each other how deceitful they have been contrary to the teachings of their religious beliefs.
National News
Eid-el-Kabir: IPCR Calls on Nigerians to Peace, Harmony

Eid-el-Kabir: IPCR Calls on Nigerians to Peace, Harmony
By: Michael Mike
Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has called on Nigerians to promote peace and harmony in their communities, recognizing that peace is essential to national development and progress.
The advice was given by the Director General of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, in his message on Eid-el-Kabir.
The Institute, while extending warm greetings to Nigerians, wished them a joyous and peaceful celebration, marked by love, compassion, and unity.
The Institute while noting that Sallah is a significant occasion in the Islamic calendar, symbolizing the values of sacrifice, gratitude, and community, emphasized that the spirit of Sallah should guide Nigerians in their interactions with one another, fostering a culture of peace, tolerance, and understanding.
The IPCR urged Nigerians to promote peace and harmony in their communities, recognizing that peace is essential to national development and progress, while
encouraging individuals to embrace the values of Sallah, including forgiveness, empathy, and kindness, in their daily lives.
According to IPCR, peace is critical to promoting national stability and cohesion.
The Institute also urged Nigerians to use this period of Sallah celebration to address conflicts and promote dialogue, which could help to build trust and understanding among Nigerians and also contribute to a more peaceful society.
It recognized that the country’s many ethnic and religious groups can work together to build a more harmonious society, celebrating their differences and promoting a culture of tolerance.
End
National News
Community Leader Seeks Tinubu’s Urgent Intervention in Incessant Plateau Killing

Community Leader Seeks Tinubu’s Urgent Intervention in Incessant Plateau Killing
By: Michael Mike
A community leader and the Waziri Mushere of Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, Chief Yohana Margif has expressed dismay over the incessant killing of innocent citizens of the community.
Margif made this known in an interview with journalists on Thursday in Abuja.
He called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene to halt what he described as genocide against the people, which he said was being perpetrated by suspected herdsmen.
Margif also called on Malam Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser, and other security chiefs in the country, to rein in the alleged culprits.
He said: “I would like to draw the attention of the topmost leadership in Nigeria to the deteriorating dire security situation in Plateau, particularly in Mushere Chiefdom of Bokkos LGA.
“I urge President Tinubu to take immediate decisive action to halt these endless and senseless killings, protect lives and properties, and secure the future of the Mushere people, and other victims of obvious genocide against the people.
“Herdsmen are killing our innocent people, burning their homes, looting their foodstuff, property, livestock, and taking over their ancestral lands,” he said.
According to the Abuja-based real estate mogul, the attacks and attendant killings have intensified recently since the onset of this year’s farming season.
Margif further said that the people had been displaced from their villages and ancestral homes and were forced to become internally displaced persons in the country.
He emphasised that the situation required immediate intervention by all stakeholders in order to prevent further escalation and inflict an irredeemable harm by wiping out the entire community from the surface of the earth.
He lamented that: “Since President Tinubu’s administration began, Plateau State has witnessed an unprecedented escalation of violence and loss of lives.
“This is the current sad reality. Our people are constantly under the threat of the enemy’s bullets and can’t sleep with two eyes closed due to the perpetual unleashing of violence against them by external forces.
“Something urgent must be done to stem the tide of violence and end this war against the people in order not to
harm this administration’s reputation,” Margif said.
In the past couple of days, suspected herdsmen militia killed no fewer than 35 people in the localities of Hokk, Pangkap, Fokoldep, Kopmur, Margif, Horop, Mbor, Mushere and Kwahas localities in Mushere Chiefdom.
Chairman, Bokkos Community Peace Observers, Kefas Mallai, who confirmed the killings to newsmen, said the victims included a 70-year-old Pastor of COCIN LCC Kwakas-Mushere, Mimang Lekyil, who was attacked and killed in the church.
He said that the pastor’s wife was also shot in the leg and was admitted at the Jos University Teaching Hospital for treatment, he said.
“Bokkos has never been this insecure, with the people being butchered as we are currently witnessing,” Lilian Madaki, from the Mushere community told journalists.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Emmanuel Adesina, also confirmed the incident in a statement saying security forces including police and military personnel, had been deployed in the affected communities.
Community Leader Seeks Tinubu’s Urgent Intervention in Incessant Plateau Killing
National News
VP Shettima Leads Mourners At Funeral Prayers For Late Prof. Jibril Aminu

VP Shettima Leads Mourners At Funeral Prayers For Late Prof. Jibril Aminu
** Says Nigeria has lost an intellectual giant
By: Our Reporter
Vice President Kashim Shettima today led other Muslim faithful for the Jana’iza (funeral prayers) of the late elder statesman, renowned medical scholar and former Minister of Education and Petroleum, Prof. Jibril Aminu, at the National Mosque in Abuja.

Prof. Aminu, a one-time President of the African Petroleum Producers’ Organisation (OPEC), passed on in Abuja on Thursday after a prolonged illness.
The Vice President, who arrived at the National Mosque at 1:52 pm, commiserated with the family of the deceased and prayed Allah to comfort them and make Aljanna Firdaus the final abode of the late elder statesman.

Noting that the late Prof Aminu’s demise is a great loss to the nation, VP Shettima described the late surgeon, educationist and administrator as a man who saw it all, just as he said the deceased was an intellectual giant who can hardly be replaced.
“It is a very sad loss. Prof Jubril Aminu was the last of the great titans, an iconic figure who enormously contributed to the development of the nation.
“He was variously the Executive Secretary of NUC, Vice Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri and Honourable Minister of various ministries across the country and left his landmarks on the sands of time.
“He is irreplaceable. May Allah grant him Aljanatul Firdaus and give the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. His loss is not just to the good people of Adamawa State but to the nation and Africa at large,” the Vice President prayed.

Born in Song, Adamawa in 1939, Prof. Aminu was a towering figure in Nigerian public life.
The late Consultant Cardiologist served the nation in different capacities, including as Federal Minister of Education and later Federal Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources (1989–1992), Ambassador of Nigeria to the United States (1999–2003), and Senator representing Adamawa Central (2003–2011).
He was also President of OPEC in 1991 and President of the OPEC Conference between 1991 and 1992 while he was Petroleum Minister.
Other mourners who joined the Vice President at the National Mosque in Abuja for the Jana’iza included former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Special Adviser to the President on General Duties (Office of the Vice President), Dr. Aliyu Modibbo; former Secretary to the Federal Government, Yayale Ahmed; former Governor of Adamawa State, Admiral Murtala Nyako; former Governor of Gombe State, Senator Danjuma Goje; former Chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Buratai (rtd); former Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman; former Minister of State for Health, Dr. Aliyu Idi Hong, among many others.
VP Shettima Leads Mourners At Funeral Prayers For Late Prof. Jibril Aminu
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