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Herdsmen Terrorism, Buhari’s Complicity And Nigerians Survival

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Since May 29, 2015 when President Muhammadu Buhari assumed office, Nigeria has been facing multiples ills from comatose economy, unending scarcity of fuel and its attendant effect, non availability of electricity, inflation, naira depreciation, political instability, Fulani herdsmen terrorism etc. Though the life of an average Nigerian irrespective of ethnic or political standing save the thieving class due to the collapse of the economy, what is troubling Nigerians, especially those of non hausa-fulani muslims is the ravaging motivated terrorists and arsonists, masquerading as fulani herdsmen and inflicting pains and havoc on innocent Nigerians and on their own ancestral land.

It is no secret that apart from being a military man and a politician, Muhammadu Buhari is also an herdsman. In fact, long before became President, he once led hundreds of herdsmen from Katsina state to Oyo state to protest against perceived ill-treatment of his “colleagues” by the government and people of Oyo state. While I’m not disturbed about the President background as an herdsman, I find it in appropriate and an act of treason that the President would continue to look the other way while his kinsmen and colleagues inflict pains and deaths on innocent Nigerians.

The President by his inaction is subtly giving the marauding terrorists moral support and endorsing their carnage.

Is it not an irony that this is the same President that declared tough action against less dangerous Niger Delta militants, Shia movement and non violent IPOB group, one begins to wonder the real agenda of Alhaji Muhammadu Buhari. The silence and inaction of Buhari is in contravention to the oath of office that he swore on May 29, 2015. The President had sworn that “I shall not allow my personal interest to influence my official conduct on my official decisions; that I will to the best of my ability preserve, protect and defend the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; that I will do right to all manner of people according to law, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will.”

In all sincerity, the action of the President did not come as a surprise to some of us. The Interior Minister Abdulraman Dambazau was once manipulated by the people of Berom of Jos that he aided the rampaging Fulani herdsmen to attack and kill the people of Berom in 2008 while he was the Chief of Army Staff of the federation, this is a man that President Buhari entrusted the internal security of Nigeria on. Is it a coincident that fulani herdsmen is descending on the innocent igbos of Enugu state less than one month after the DSS alleged that IPOBs Killed Fulani in Abia state and kept them in mass grave?

What can we do to stop the maurading herdsmen? It is even unfortunate that the system is skewed to favor the terrorists. In fact, the President upon assumption of office deliberately made sure that the security apparatus of the state are exclusively controlled by either his tribesmen or those from him Muslim north region. He appointed Maj Gen Babagana Moguno as National Security Adviser, He appointed tribesman Daura as DG DSS, another tribesman Raman Dambazzau as interior minister(a position that oversee internal security including the police), he went even further to appoint another tribesman Mallam Dan Ali as his Minister of Defence. To ensure the loyalty of the Army, the President had another tribesman Tukur Buratai as his Chief of Army staff. This arrangement means that EVERY SECURITY apparatus of the Nigeria State is fully in the grasp of Buhari’s kinsmen. Is it a coincident that NON of these people his ever condemned the Fulani terrorists herdsmen nor went tough on them. On the contrary, Mr Daura led DSS openly declared a phantom grave in Aba the covered the body of non existing fulanimen, while the Buratai Army would rather arrest innocent Abia men whose land WaS attacked by herdsmen instead of arresting the herdsmen. Nigeria is in a deep poo in this cocount.

It took the Ombatse group to take the fights on behalf of the eggon nation of Nasarawa state to the doorstep of the Fulani herdsmen before the herdsmen flee their land and their people. Though I’m not advocating violence against any group, I believe that the only language the terrorists herdsmen understand is violence. It is however, incumbent on the State to rise up to the occasion and arrest the situation otherwise the victims would be left with no option than to pick up arms against these people and take the fight to their doorstep just like the eggons did. This however, will be tantamous to civil war but Nigerians are already at war with these so called herdsmen. I make bold to state that we shall hold Buhari responsible should things degenerate into such situation.

                                                          Enough is Enough.

Nigerians cannot be at the mercies of any terrorist group. The Agatu and Enugu massacre are deaths too many. The President has the responsibility of rising to the occasion, otherwise the country would burn.

I use this medium to call on Nigerians, especially victims of herdsmen terrorism to resist every move by the State to reward herdsmen with our ancestral lands through the obnoxious Grazing bill. In fact, any representative or senator that support such bill should be declared a persona non grata by coconstituents.

I shall end this piece by expressing my sincere apology to the Nigeria people for the support I gave to then APC Presidential Candidate prior to my February 16, 2015 change of camp to the People’s Democratic Party, even though I never really admired the style of then incumbent Goodluck Ebelemi Jonathan. Indeed, the President is a grave mistake on Nigerians.

May God Almighty Bless Us All And Bless Nigeria

Is the CEO/Founder of Investors King Limited. A proven foreign exchange research analyst and a published author on Yahoo Finance, Businessinsider, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur.com, Investorplace, and many more. He has over two decades of experience in global financial markets.

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EFCC Declares Former Kogi Governor, Yahaya Bello, Wanted Over N80.2 Billion Money Laundering Allegations

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has escalated its pursuit of justice by declaring former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, wanted over alleged money laundering amounting to N80.2 billion.

In a first-of-its-kind action, the EFCC announced Bello’s wanted status in connection with the alleged embezzlement of funds during his tenure as governor.

The commission, armed with a 19-count criminal charge, accused Bello and his cohorts of conspiring to launder the hefty sum, which was purportedly diverted from state coffers for personal gain.

The declaration of Bello as a wanted fugitive came after a series of failed attempts by the EFCC to effect his arrest.

Despite an ex-parte order from Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, mandating the EFCC to apprehend and produce Bello in court for arraignment, the former governor managed to evade capture with the reported assistance of his successor, Governor Usman Ododo.

This latest development shows the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in holding powerful individuals accountable for their actions.

However, it also demonstrates the unwavering commitment of the EFCC to uphold the rule of law and ensure that justice is served, irrespective of the status or influence of the accused.

In response to the EFCC’s declaration, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, issued a stern warning to Bello, stating that fleeing from the law would not resolve the allegations against him.

Fagbemi urged Bello to honor the EFCC’s invitation and cooperate with the investigation process, saying it is important to uphold the rule of law and respect the authority of law enforcement agencies.

The EFCC’s pursuit of Bello underscores the agency’s mandate to combat corruption and financial crimes, sending a strong message that individuals implicated in corrupt practices will be held accountable for their actions.

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Concerns Mount Over Security as National Identity Card Issuance Shifts to Banks

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Amidst the National Identity Management Commission’s (NIMC) recent announcement that the issuance of the proposed new national identity card will be facilitated through applicants’ respective banks, concerns are escalating regarding the security implications of involving financial institutions in the distribution process.

The federal government, in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigeria Inter-bank Settlement System (NIBSS), introduced a new identity card with payment functionality, aimed at streamlining access to social and financial services.

However, the decision to utilize banks as distribution channels has sparked apprehension among industry stakeholders.

Mr. Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications at NIMC, clarified that applicants would request the card by providing their National Identification Number (NIN) through various channels, including online portals, NIMC offices, or their respective banks.

Adegoke emphasized that the new National ID Card would serve as a single, multipurpose card, encompassing payment functionality, government services, and travel documentation.

Despite NIMC’s assurances, concerns have been raised regarding the necessity and security implications of introducing a new identity card system when an operational one already exists.

Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo, President of the National Association of Telecoms Subscribers, questioned the rationale behind the new General Multipurpose Card (GMPC), citing NIMC’s existing mandate to issue such cards under Act No. 23 of 2007.

Ogunbanjo highlighted the successful implementation of MobileID by NIMC, which has provided identity verification for over 15 million individuals.

He expressed apprehension about integrating the new ID card with existing MobileID systems and raised concerns about data privacy and unauthorized duplication of ID cards.

Moreover, stakeholders are seeking clarification on the responsibilities for card blocking, replacement, and delivery in case of loss or theft, given the involvement of multiple parties, including banks, in the issuance process.

The shift towards utilizing banks for identity card issuance raises fundamental questions about data security, privacy, and the integrity of the identification process.

With financial institutions playing a pivotal role in distributing sensitive government documents, there are valid concerns about potential vulnerabilities and risks associated with this approach.

As the debate surrounding the security implications of the new national identity card continues to intensify, stakeholders are calling for greater transparency, accountability, and collaboration between government agencies and financial institutions to address these concerns effectively.

The paramount importance of safeguarding citizens’ personal information and ensuring the integrity of the identity verification process cannot be overstated, especially in an era of increasing digital interconnectedness and heightened cybersecurity threats.

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Israeli President Declares Iran’s Actions a ‘Declaration of War’

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Israeli President Isaac Herzog has characterized the recent series of attacks from Iran as nothing short of a “declaration of war” against the State of Israel.

This proclamation comes amidst escalating tensions between the two nations, with Iran’s aggressive actions prompting serious concerns within Israel and the international community.

The sequence of events leading to Herzog’s grave assessment began with a barrage of 300 ballistic missiles and drones launched by Iran towards Israel over the weekend.

While the Israeli defense forces managed to intercept a significant portion of these projectiles, the sheer scale of the assault sent shockwaves through the region.

President Herzog’s assertion of war was underscored by Israel’s careful consideration of its response options and ongoing discussions with its global partners.

The gravity of the situation prompted the convening of the G7, where member nations reaffirmed their commitment to Israel’s security, recognizing the severity of Iran’s actions.

However, the United States, a key ally of Israel, took a nuanced stance. President Joe Biden conveyed to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that, given the limited casualties and damage resulting from the attacks, the US would not support retaliatory strikes against Iran.

This position, though strategic, reflects a delicate balancing act in maintaining stability in the volatile Middle East region.

Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian cautioned against further escalation, emphasizing the potential for heightened tensions and provocative acts to exacerbate the situation.

In response to the escalating crisis, the Nigerian government issued a call for restraint, urging both Iran and Israel to prioritize peaceful resolution and diplomatic efforts to ease tensions.

This appeal reflects the broader international consensus on the need to prevent further escalation and mitigate the risk of a wider conflict in the Middle East.

As Israel grapples with the implications of Iran’s aggressive actions and weighs its response options, President Herzog reiterated Israel’s commitment to peace while emphasizing the need to defend its people.

Despite calls for restraint from global allies, Israel remains vigilant in safeguarding its security amidst the growing threat posed by Iran’s belligerent behavior.

The coming days are likely to be critical as Israel navigates the complexities of its response while international efforts intensify to defuse the escalating tensions between Iran and Israel.

The specter of war looms large, underscoring the urgency of diplomatic engagement and concerted efforts to prevent further escalation in the region.

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