Suswam And The Burden Of Endless Killing Of Farmers In Benue

 

 

Senator Gabriel Suswam's passion for the protection of his people knows no bound. That passion almost drove him to early grave in 2014 at Umenger, Guma Local Government of the state where armed Fulani herdsmen ambushed his convoy and engaged his security details in gun battle when he went visiting communities raided by the herders in the state.

 

On that fateful day, the former governor also visited Uikpam in Mbabai, Guma LGA where the armed herders had killed 28 farmers and destroyed houses.

 

Exasperated, Suswam had remarked thus: We are being attacked, our foodstuffs including yam barn and farms burned and destroyed without anyone coming to our aide. Some of our people were killed and taken away while some captured and taken alive.”

 

Today, as senator representing Benue North East, the former governor is confronted with a worse scenario as more farmers are falling to the herdsman's dagger in his senatorial constituency.

 

In Gbeji, Ukum Local Government Area, for instance, where 36 bodies, including two policemen have so far been recovered and many more missing after an onslaught by pastoralists last Wednesday, October 19, 2022, the ex-governor expressed dismay with the lackadaisical attitude of the federal government in the face of mayhem perpetrated by the herders. 

 

Addressing families of victims and other survivors, Sen Suswam berated the Federal Government for what he described as its irresponsibility and failure to provide security for citizens.

 

According to him, "the Federal Government has failed woefully in the protection of lives and property," lamenting that the rising insecurity has exposed the country's nakedness.

 

The senator who said he had visited Mchia which is the same radius as Gbeji where 22 persons were murdered and several others injured two weeks ago, described the incessant killings as highly unacceptable.

 

His words: “The Federal Government has gone to sleep and do not care about the security of the people. These are peasant farmers whose property has been destroyed and their lives have been decapitated.

 

“I commend the bravery and gallantry of our security agencies but they are overstretched under the circumstance. I cannot sleep in Abuja while our mothers who farm food that we eat are killed in this way.”

 

"So far 36 bodies have been recovered from this dastardly attack by herdsmen. This is totally unacceptable by all standards. It is a clear indication that the Federal government has failed in protection of lives and property of the people that they swore to protect.

 

"What this means in effect is that power has been transferred to non-state actors. They are totally in charge now and as they come to kill people at will and go freely and no person has ever been arrested," he lamented.

 

The Senator went on, "How can such a government say that it is a government? We don't have a government. Because when you swear to either the bible or the quran that you will protect lives and property of the people and the people have been consistently killed and no decisive action has been taken.

 

"Nothing has been done, no person has been arrested, it means that we don't have a government."

 

The Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Professor Anthony Ijohor, SAN, who represented Governor Samuel Ortom on the trip, expressed sadness over the unfortunate incident.

 

He reiterated the stand of the Benue State Government that since the Federal Government has failed to provide security for the people, a license should be approved for the State Government to procure sophisticated weapons for the Community Volunteer Guards to protect the people.

 

The Governor insisted that the limited conventional security agencies were overstretched and were unable to provide adequate protection for people of the state.  

 

"We are standing on our request for the Federal Government to give us a license for our Volunteer Guards to bear AK-47 and other sophisticated weapons. The security agencies have been overstretched, that being the case, our people have to defend themselves," he said.

 

The Governor urged young people to stand firm and protect their lands, stating that self help is the only option left, since the present administration at the centre has shown that it is incapable of providing security for the people.

 

He sympathized with those who lost loved ones in the attack on Gbeji and encouraged them not to lose hope no matter the circumstances, saying the State Government would provide palliatives to offer succour to the affected persons.

 

In his remarks, Speaker of Benue State House of Assembly and PDP Governorship candidate, Engr Titus Uba, who also was on the senator's entourage, expressed sadness over the unprovoked killings which he said have gone on for too long without the Federal Government arresting the situation.

 

The Speaker insisted that since the Federal Government is not ready to provide security to stop the Benue killings, the authorities should grant license to the State Government to procure firearms for Volunteer Guards to complement conventional agencies in tackling insecurity in the state.

 

Uba also advocated the creation of state police to enable each state of the federation to deal with rising security challenges.

 

House of Representatives Member for Ukum/Logo/Katsina-Ala Federal Constituency, Dr Richard Gbande, State Assembly Member for Ukum, Thomas Mlanga, Chairman of Ukum Local Government Council, Derick Kaatyoo as well the Acting Ter Ukum, Chief Utambe Nyagba who also spoke during the visit, unanimously said, “What has been done to us as a people is that we have to protect ourselves."

 

Recall that Gov Ortom, in order to stem the tide of killings by armed herdsmen promultigated the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law 2017.

 

In spite of that, the herders have remained adamant and continued with the killings.

 

Consequently, the state government constituted the Benue State Community Volunteer Guards to complement conventional security agents in the fight against criminality and banditary.

 

During the inauguration of the second batch Benue State Community Volunteer Guards, BCVGs, Gov Ortom gave one month deadline to the federal government to approve his letter to procure AK-47 license for BCVGs, failure which said he should seek the advice of his people on what to do.

 

The governor said that he had applied for approval of AK 47 riffles license but regretted that over three months he was yet to get response from federal government.

 

"If there is no reply in the next one month, I will revert to my people to advise on what to do because the Federal Government is complicit on the issue of herders’ attacks on the state,” he said.

Flood: 21 States Have Received Relief Materials -Umar Farouq

 

 By Ere-ebi Agedah

 

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq has confirmed the distribution of relief items to 21 states affected by the floods .

 

The Minister made this known at a Briefing to keep the public abreast of response and interventions made so far by the ministry and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on the flood situation across the country.

 

Umar Farouq stated that distribution of food and non-food items to other states were already ongoing.

 

“ A total of 21 States have received relief materials so far. These States are Abia, Adamawa, Anambra, Bayelsa, Ekiti, Enugu, FCT, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Kwara, Lagos , Nassarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo,  Oyo , Sokoto, Taraba and Yobe.

 

“While specialized teams are on ground, there are still some States and local governments that are inaccessible and hard to reach. To address this, we are working with the Military Disaster Response Units and other stakeholders with specialized skills and equipment to ensure that we use other means to reach hard-to-reach areas and people at risk.

 

“Distribution to other states affected by floods in Nigeria is ongoing. The materials being distributed are emergency food items and non-food items  including rice, maize, garri, vegetable oil, tin of tomatoes, seasoning and beans. The non-food items are materials used to assist with temporary shelters for displaced communities including roofing sheets, cement, nails, ceiling boards, blankets, nylon mats and zinc”.

 

The Minister also said that the Search and Rescue Operations have been on their toes since the flooding started and have continued to evacuate, relocate and refer victims to hospitals for immediate care. She called on other stakeholders to join in efforts to assist affected flood victims.

 

“We hope that other Ministries, Departments and Agencies such as Water Resources, Health, Works and Housing, Agriculture and Environment will join us in the next briefing with their own updates on operations to resolve this emergency we are facing. I also implore government at all levels, especially State and Local Governments, to share information with us and also play their role in the response, in line with the National Flood Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan.

 

 “I commend local communities for their resilience. We received a report that in 144 LGAs, local communities worked together to provide the first response to their families and neighbors. The Search and Rescue Team, which is responsible for evacuating people and providing life-saving first aid and medical support and referrals to hospitals has so far been able to reach 199 local government areas within 25 states.

 

“These operations are ongoing and I urge communities at risk to adhere to warnings and instructions issued by these teams as they work to protect and save lives.

 

“Our express our sincere appreciation to his Excellency President Muhammadu BUHARI for his support and timely special intervention in addressing the flood intervention”.

 

“A high-level delegation will visit some states next week  to follow up on operations and to identify any new challenges and gaps in the operations that need to be addressed. This will enable government to access the situation  on  ground and provide and meet with victims and families that have been affected.”.

 

As 24th October 2022,  3,219,780 persons were reportedly  affected by floods in 2022.

 

1,427,370 persons have been internally displaced, approximately 2,776 persons were  injured, approximately  612 people lost their lives, 181,600 houses were partially damaged and another 123,807 houses  totally damaged. 176,852 hectares of farmlands were partially damaged while 392,399 hectares of farmlands have been totally damaged.

 

 Daily situation reports can be accessed on the Ministry’s  and NEMA Websites.

Nigeria's DSS Boss And His Well-Deserved Medal Of Honour

By Kenneth Atavti 

While a section of Nigerians queried President Muhammadu Buhari's 437-or-so-man list of recipients for National Honours, almost no one muttered against the consideration of Alhaji Yusuf Magaji Bichi (CFR), the Director-General of Nigeria's Department of State Services (DSS).

With over 40 years experience in security and intelligence gathering matters up his sleeves, there was never any doubt that Bichi would deliver when he was drafted to replace Mathew Seiyefa in 2018. 

His conferment with the award of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) was well-deserved.

"Today, 11th October, 2022, the Director General, Department of State Services, was conferred with the National Honour Award of COMMANDER OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC (CFR) by the President and Commander-in-Chief President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR. The honour is in recognition of DGSS' sterling leadership qualities and particularly for his tremendous contributions to the national security management of the country. 

"The Management and Staff of the DSS rejoice with the DG on this momentous occasion and wish him good health and greater heights. 

"Congratulations, DG, Sir: Alhaji Yusuf Magaji Bichi CFR, fwc," Peter Afunanya, DSS Public Relations Officer wrote in hearty felicitation. 

Because of the classified nature of their dealings, many of the DSS achievements, especially under the helms of Bichi, remain unsung. Except on very rare cases, their successes are not escalated across the media space. “My vision is to create a friendly work environment, enhance staff capacity through training and welfare, as well as ensure that the DSS remains a democratically-complaint intelligence agency in Nigeria”. These were his watch words to which he has largely lived up to.

On October 11, 2022, when the man of valour was rewarded for his professional diligence, the Presidency noted that the honour was in recognition of his "sterling leadership qualities and particularly for his tremendous contributions to the national security management of the country".

*His Achievements*

His era birthed a new wave of professionalism and precision in Nigeria's elite secret police. His leadership has brought organisational change and development. His skill and capacity has been tested in the ways he has managed the existential threats confronting the country. From the EndSARS protests in 2020, to kidnapping, armed bandits, insurgency, economic crimes, etc. Bichi championed the synergy between other security agencies to take constructive actions that addressed threats that came before, during, and after the EndSARS protest.

So many high profile crimes have been busted with the aid of intelligence shared among sister security agencies under his leadership. Some of these include the case of pension thief, Abdulrasheed Maina who was nabbed and brought to his knees to answer for his crimes. Also, he has inspired successes in counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations across the North East and North West regions. His leadership has steadily provided intelligence for anti-corruption agencies as part of efforts in the fight against financial crimes.

DG Bichi's recognition and award confirms the postulation that the reward for a good work done, is more work. But of course his reward is a prestigious gold medal that he can wear with dignified pride. Under his watch, Nigeria's secret police is now getting commendation and positive feedbacks from fervent critics for their many successful operations and exploits that are all geared towards ensuring that Nigeria’s internal security and indivisibility is guaranteed. 

Security experts have posited that the DSS under Bichi's leadership, have become thecountry's five senses and the pillars upon which the security of the country is solidified. It would be recalled that after the 2019 presidential election, an election monitoring group- International Human Rights Commission in Geneva, Switzerland, honored Bichi, with an award. "The award was in recognition of the exemplary performance by the Service and its personnel during the just concluded 2019 general elections," the group said.

The DSS boss has continued to ensure the protection of democratic institutions in the country. This would in turn strengthen the country's democratic culture, provide policy support to all levels of government through timely dissemination of intelligence, providing timely security education for the public through effective information and communication management. 

Truth be told, his many reforms has improved overall public confidence in the DSS and reversed previously held notions that it is unfriendly. There has been routine training and capacity building for staff, acquisition of new tools and technological capacity to meet contemporary challenges, partnership with strategic groups, strategic communication and robust fight against terrorism and insurgency.

Courtesy of Bichi, the Service now has improved documentation systems; Information Technology (IT) facilities for various administrative and operational purposes; massive conversion and upgrading of qualified staff; landscaping and beautification of the national headquarters; sponsorship of local and international training programmes for personnel to enhance their capacity to surmount emerging threats.

He has also overseen the formation of the Special Intervention Squad (SIS) and Tactical Teams to respond to emergencies; continuous expansion of health facility and purchase of modern medical equipment for enhanced staff welfare; sustained collaboration with sister agencies as well as effective collaboration with strategic stakeholders and partners; and attraction of projects from strategic stakeholders.

*About Bichi*

Born on February 23, 1956 in Hagagawa Qtrs of Bichi Local Government, Kano State, Bichi attended Kano State College of Advanced Studies between 1975–1977, and later Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria from 1977–1980 where he bagged a degree in Political Science.

He later attended strategic training at the National Defence College, Abuja, where he obtained a certificate with the authorization to use Fellow War College (FWC).

Prior to his appointment by President Buhari on September 14, 2018, Bichi was Director of Administration and Finance at the DSS Headquarters from 2015–2017.

He began his career in the Security Division of the Cabinet Office in Kano State from 1981 to 1984, and in 1984, he joined the defunct Nigerian Security Organization, the precursor of the present State Security Service, now renamed Department of State Services, where he rose to the rank of Director and served in several states, including Niger, Sokoto, Abia, Bauchi, Lagos and the FCT.

Atavti, is the Crime/ Judicial Editor of Nigerian pilot Newspaper in Abuja.

Gov. Diri Laments Flood Devastation In Bayelsa

Presents Cash Gifts To Communities 

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has bemoaned the devastation of property and the hardship visited on people of the state by flood.

Governor Diri, on Thursday, undertook an on-the-spot assessment of the flood situation in some communities and described it as very dire.

The governor, who was accompanied by the state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Solomon Agwana, the Commissioner for Environment and chairman of the Task Force on Flood Mitigation and Management, Mr. Eselema Gbaranbiri, his Works and Information counterparts, Moses Teibowei and Ayibaina Duba respectively as well as other top government functionaries, made stops at Tungbo, Sagbama town and Adagbabiri, all in Sagbama Local Government Area.

He also visited Odi and Kaiama communities in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area.

While addressing the people in Izon dialect, the governor said he wanted to get first hand knowledge of what the people and the communities were going through.

He encouraged them not to despair even as he acknowledged that it was a trying period for everyone.

Diri presented cash gifts to the affected communities and assured them that relief materials will immediately get to them through the task force on flooding.

He equally called on Bayelsans to look out for one another and accommodate victims as homes and communities were being sacked.

His words: “I felt this was not the time for me to sit in my office while my brothers and sisters are in pains, hunger and in want. So I came to see things for myself. 

“Roads have been overtaken by flood, houses submerged and the people are now internally displaced.

“We have sought out some high grounds where some of them will be resettled temporarily. We have also made palliative and medicines available.

“I came out in order to comfort the people so that they will know that their government stands with them in their time of trouble.

“Water has no respect for anybody as my house is also flooded in my community. So, everybody should be strong and be careful this period, particularly the women. Your children should not go into the water. It is a very tempting period but I know God will see us through. 

“I have approved N450 million to provide succour for the people, which is the first tranche. Having seen things for myself, we will approve more money so our people can have something to eat while they go through this experience.”

The governor called on the federal government to come to the aid of the state as the present situation was beyond the resources of the state government just as he restated his call for the building of a dam around the River Niger.

The state’s helmsman also said he would consider inviting state governors in the low areas of the country to brainstorm on a lasting solution to the perennial flooding affecting the people along river lines.

In separate responses, the member representing Sagbama Constituency 3 in the House of Assembly, Salo Adikumo, the Amananaowei of Sagbama community and the Community Development Committee chairman of Adagbabiri community, Mr. Oyinke Ekiye, expressed their profound gratitude to the governor for his magnanimity towards them.

They prayed God to give him the strength, vigour and mind to attend to the needs of the people at this discomforting times of the state.

Bayelsa Task Force on Flooding Visits Affected Communities

Promises Succour For Victims

The Bayelsa State Task Force on Flood Mitigation and Management, at the weekend, visited some affected communities for an on-the-spot assessment of the impact.

Communities visited in Yenagoa and Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Areas included Tombia-Ekpetiama, Odi, Sampou, Kaiama, Gbaranma  Sabagreia, Okoloba, Biseni and neighbouring communities as well as some areas within the Yenagoa metropolis.

Speaking after the exercise, the Commissioner for Environment and chairman of the task force, Iselema Gbaranbiri, lamented the impact of the flooding in Biseni community, which he said was almost totally submerged. 

Gbaranbiri sympathised with people of the area on behalf of the Governor, who he said was passionate about their wellbeing hence the setting up of the task force on flood mitigation on Wednesday during the state executive council meeting.

On the situation in parts of Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA such as Odi and Sampou, Gbaranbiri said both communities were relatively safe at the moment due to the water barrier built by the government while areas like Gbarama, Sabagreia, Okoloba and Kaiama were heavily impacted with institutions such as the Ijaw National Academy, the Girls Secondary School in Kaiama and the Bayelsa State Sports Institute at Asoama flooded. 

The Environment Commissioner explained that the essence of the on-the-spot assessment was to get first-hand information about the situation and identify areas of need for government to provide succour to the people. 

While calling on the Federal Government to assist the state government in alleviating the sufferings of victims, he stated that other local governments areas will be visited and that succour would be provided for those affected in form of building of higher grounds, provision of relief materials and medicals. 

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Moses Teibowei, said the concrete water barrier built in three communities was a pilot project based on the advice of his ministry.

He noted that the trial water barrier has proved to be effective so far, saying government was still monitoring its effectiveness.

He assured that a decision will be taken by the government to replicate them in other communities and possibly improve on them. 

Teibowei stated that the state government also implemented a home-grown technology in parts of Yenagoa such as the Epie creek in Okutukutu area, which has prevented the area and parts of Opolo from being flooding so far.

He said a similar measure will be replicated around down Yenagoa, Obele, the Law School at Agudama and other parts of Yenagoa. 

He expressed optimism that by the time the home-grown technology, which has been implemented in parts of Yenagoa metropolis, was fully implemented, the issue of flooding will be mitigated in the state. 

Also, the Director of Operations, Bayelsa State Emergency Management Agency (BYSEMA), Mr. Ayii Aziowei, sympathsed with those affected, stating that the government would do its best to provide relief for victims.

PDP ‘Crisis’ Over Soon - Gov Diri

Bayelsa state Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has expressed the conviction that the feud within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would soon become a thing of the past.

Senator Diri stated this on Sunday during the PDP South-South Zonal Stakeholders meeting at the Ibom Hall in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State ahead of the party’s presidential campaign flag-off on Monday.

The Bayelsa governor, who described the PDP as a big family that has held sway in the South-South geo-political zone, noted that in such large families there were bound to be disagreements.

His words: "South-South is the only zone that has a preponderance of PDP governors. Therefore,  it should be the zone to kick-off the PDP presidential campaign. 

“We have also been lucky to produce the vice presidential candidate. 

"PDP will continue to demonstrate strength in the six states of the South-South. Our party is a big family and in any of such families, it is normal to have differences. I strongly believe that the differences would be settled soon and we will come back as one indivisible party.

"Our region is blessed with human and material resources as well as politically and we will continue to add value to Nigeria and the party."

In his remarks, the PDP Vice Presidential candidate and Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, said the essence of the meeting was to strategise on how to mobilise the people at all levels to ensure a landslide victory for the party in next year's general election.

Senator Okowa also acknowledged the role of the PDP governors in development of the region, stressing that time had come for the party to rescue the country from insecurity and economic downturn.

Also speaking, the Director General of the PDP Presidential Campaign and Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, noted that with the impressive turnout of stakeholders at the meeting, it was a clear indication that the party was ready to clinch victory in 2023.

According to him, the outcome of the Edo and Osun elections was a clear testimony that the PDP was the party to reckon with in the election.

In his contribution, Chairman of the Presidential Campaign Council and Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, described the PDP as the pillar of the South-South region

Mr. Emmanuel underscored the need to go into the election as a strong team not only to make a strong impact but also to ensure that the party took over the leadership of the country in order to reposition the economy.

Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, former governors of Edo, Chief Lucky Igbinedion, Cross River, Senator Liyel Imoke, Rivers State, Celestine Omehia, and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Tom Ikimi, were among party leaders that delivered goodwill messages at the meeting.

Northwest Ireland: Seven Killed In Petrol Station Blast

By Ebi Kesiena

Seven people have been killed in an explosion at a petrol station in County Donegal in Ireland’s northwest, police said on Saturday.

The Garda Siochana police force said eight people were hospitalised as “the search and recovery for further fatalities continue” at the site in the village of Creeslough.

Rescue efforts by Ireland’s emergency services went on through the night at the scene where on Friday afternoon an explosion had ripped through a petrol station forecourt and the facade of a nearby apartment complex.

Ireland’s police, fire, ambulance service, and coast guard, and the air ambulance service from Northern Ireland as well as a specialist team from the UK-run province were in attendance.

Letterkenny University Hospital, 24 kilometres (15 miles) from the explosion was placed on an emergency footing as it said in a statement it was dealing with “multiple injuries”.

Ireland’s Premier Micheal Martin said in a statement that his “thoughts and prayers are today with those who have lost their lives, and those injured in the devastating explosion”.

“People across this island will be numbed by the same sense of shock and utter devastation as the people of Creeslough at this tragic loss of life,” 

Also, thanking members of the emergency services who are working throughout the night in extremely traumatic circumstances.