Sunday 29 May 2016

BREAKING! FULL TEXT: PRESIDENT BUHARI’S DEMOCRACY SPEECH

MY COMPATRIOTS,
IT IS ONE YEAR TODAY SINCE OUR ADMINISTRATION CAME INTO OFFICE. IT HAS BEEN A YEAR OF TRIUMPH, CONSOLIDATION, PAINS AND ACHIEVEMENTS. BY AGE, INSTINCT AND EXPERIENCE, MY PREFERENCE IS TO LOOK FORWARD, TO PREPARE FOR THE CHALLENGES THAT LIE AHEAD AND REDEDICATE THE ADMINISTRATION TO THE TASK OF FIXING NIGERIA. BUT I BELIEVE WE CAN ALSO LEARN FROM THE OBSTACLES WE HAVE OVERCOME AND THE PROGRESS WE MADE THUS FAR, TO HELP STRENGTHEN THE PLANS THAT WE HAVE IN PLACE TO PUT NIGERIA BACK ON THE PATH OF PROGRESS.
WE AFFIRM OUR BELIEF IN DEMOCRACY AS THE FORM OF GOVERNMENT THAT BEST ASSURES THE ACTIVE PARTICIPATION AND ACTUAL BENEFIT OF THE PEOPLE. DESPITE THE MANY YEARS OF HARDSHIP AND DISAPPOINTMENT THE PEOPLE OF THIS NATION HAVE PROVED INHERENTLY GOOD, INDUSTRIOUS TOLERANT, PATIENT AND GENEROUS.
THE PAST YEARS HAVE WITNESSED HUGE FLOWS OF OIL REVENUES. FROM 2010 AVERAGE OIL PRICES WERE $100 PER BARREL. BUT ECONOMIC AND SECURITY CONDITIONS WERE DETERIORATING. WE CAMPAIGNED AND WON THE ELECTION ON THE PLATFORM OF RESTORING SECURITY, TACKLING CORRUPTION AND RESTRUCTURING THE ECONOMY. ON OUR ARRIVAL, THE OIL PRICE HAD COLLAPSED TO AS LOW AS $30 PER BARREL AND WE FOUND NOTHING HAD BEEN KEPT FOR THE RAINY DAY. OIL PRICES HAVE BEEN DECLINING SINCE 2014 BUT DUE TO THE NEGLECT OF THE PAST, THE COUNTRY WAS NOT EQUIPPED TO HALT THE ECONOMY FROM DECLINING.
THE INFRASTRUCTURE, NOTABLY RAIL, POWER, ROADS WERE IN A DECREPIT STATE. ALL THE FOUR REFINERIES WERE IN A STATE OF DISREPAIR, THE PIPELINES AND DEPOTS NEGLECTED.
HUGE DEBTS OWED TO CONTRACTORS AND SUPPLIERS HAD ACCUMULATED. TWENTY-SEVEN STATES COULD NOT PAY SALARIES FOR MONTHS. IN THE NORTH-EAST, BOKO HARAM HAD CAPTURED 14 LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, DRIVEN THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES OUT, HOISTED THEIR FLAGS. ELSEWHERE, INSECURITY WAS PALPABLE; CORRUPTION AND IMPUNITY WERE THE ORDER OF THE DAY. IN SHORT, WE INHERITED A STATE NEAR COLLAPSE.
ON THE ECONOMIC FRONT, ALL OIL DEPENDENT COUNTRIES, NIGERIA INCLUDED, HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING SINCE THE DROP IN PRICES. MANY OIL RICH STATES HAVE HAD TO TAKE TOUGH DECISIONS SIMILAR TO WHAT WE ARE DOING. THE WORLD, NIGERIA INCLUDED HAS BEEN DEALING WITH THE EFFECTS OF THREE SIGNIFICANT AND SIMULTANEOUS GLOBAL SHOCKS STARTING IN 2014:
A 70% DROP IN OIL PRICES.
GLOBAL GROWTH SLOWDOWN.
NORMALIZATION OF MONETARY POLICY BY THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL RESERVE.
OUR PROBLEMS AS A GOVERNMENT ARE LIKE THAT OF A FARMER WHO IN A GOOD SEASON HARVESTS TEN BAGS OF PRODUCE. THE PROCEEDS ENABLE HIM TO GET BY FOR REST OF THE YEAR. HOWEVER, THIS YEAR HE COULD ONLY MANAGE 3 BAGS FROM HIS FARM. HE MUST NOW THINK OF OTHER WAYS TO MAKE ENDS MEET.
FROM DAY ONE, WE PURPOSELY SET OUT TO CORRECT OUR CONDITION, TO CHANGE NIGERIA. WE REINFORCED AND GALVANIZED OUR ARMED FORCES WITH NEW LEADERSHIP AND RESOURCES. WE MARSHALED OUR NEIGHBOURS IN A JOINT TASK FORCE TO TACKLE AND DEFEAT BOKO HARAM. BY THE END OF DECEMBER 2015, ALL BUT POCKETS AND REMNANTS HAD BEEN ROUTED BY OUR GALLANT ARMED FORCES. OUR IMMEDIATE FOCUS IS FOR A GRADUAL AND SAFE RETURN OF INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS IN SAFETY AND DIGNITY AND FOR THE RESUMPTION OF NORMALCY IN THE LIVES OF PEOPLE LIVING IN THESE AREAS.
EFCC WAS GIVEN THE FREEDOM TO PURSUE CORRUPT OFFICIALS AND THE JUDICIARY WAS ALERTED ON WHAT NIGERIANS EXPECT OF THEM IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION. ON THE ECONOMY, IN PARTICULAR FOREIGN EXCHANGE AND FUEL SHORTAGES, OUR PLAN IS TO SAVE FOREIGN EXCHANGE BY FAST TRACKING REPAIR OF THE REFINERIES AND PRODUCING MOST OF OUR FUEL REQUIREMENTS AT HOME. AND BY GROWING MORE FOOD IN NIGERIA, MAINLY RICE, WHEAT AND SUGAR WE WILL SAVE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN FOREIGN EXCHANGE AND DRASTICALLY REDUCE OUR FOOD IMPORT BILL.
WE RESOLVED TO KEEP THE NAIRA STEADY, AS IN THE PAST, DEVALUATION HAD DONE DREADFUL HARM TO THE NIGERIAN ECONOMY. FURTHERMORE, I SUPPORT THE MONETARY AUTHORITY’S DECISION TO ENSURE ALIGNMENT BETWEEN MONETARY POLICY AND FISCAL POLICY. WE SHALL KEEP A CLOSE LOOK ON HOW THE RECENT MEASURES AFFECT THE NAIRA AND THE ECONOMY. BUT WE CANNOT GET AWAY FROM THE FACT THAT A STRONG CURRENCY IS PREDICATED ON A STRONG ECONOMY. AND A STRONG ECONOMY PRE-SUPPOSES AN INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTIVE BASE AND A STEADY EXPORT MARKET. THE MEASURES WE MUST TAKE, MAY LEAD TO HARDSHIPS. THE PROBLEMS NIGERIANS HAVE FACED OVER THE LAST YEAR HAVE BEEN MANY AND VARIED. BUT THE REAL CHALLENGE FOR THIS GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN RECONSTRUCTING THE SPINE OF THE NIGERIAN STATE. THE LAST TWELVE MONTHS HAVE BEEN SPENT COLLABORATING WITH ALL ARMS OF GOVERNMENT TOREVIVE OUR INSTITUTIONS SO THAT THEY ARE MORE EFFICIENT AND FIT FOR PURPOSE:
THAT MEANS A BUREAUCRACY BETTER ABLE TO DEVELOP AND DELIVER POLICY
THAT MEANS AN INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY, ABOVE SUSPICION AND ABLE TO DEFEND CITIZEN’S RIGHTS AND DISPENSE JUSTICE EQUITABLY.
THAT MEANS A LEGISLATURE THAT ACTUALLY LEGISLATES EFFECTIVELY AND
ABOVE ALL; THAT MEANS POLITICAL PARTIES AND POLITICIANS COMMITTED TO SERVING THE NIGERIAN PEOPLE RATHER THAN THEMSELVES.
THESE ARE THE PILLARS OF THE STATE ON WHICH DEMOCRACY CAN TAKE ROOT AND THRIVE. BUT ONLY IF THEY ARE STRONG AND INCORRUPTIBLE. ACCORDINGLY, WE ARE WORKING VERY HARD TO INTRODUCE SOME VITAL STRUCTURAL REFORMS IN THE WAY WE CONDUCT GOVERNMENT BUSINESS AND LAY A SOLID FOUNDATION ON WHICH WE CAN BUILD ENDURING CHANGE.
AN IMPORTANT FIRST STEP HAS BEEN TO GET OUR HOUSEKEEPING RIGHT. SO WE HAVE REDUCED THE EXTRAVAGANT SPENDING OF THE PAST. WE STARTED BOLDLY WITH THE TREASURY SINGLE ACCOUNT, STOPPING THE LEAKAGES IN PUBLIC EXPENDITURE.
WE THEN IDENTIFIED FORTY-THREE THOUSAND GHOST WORKERS THROUGH THE INTEGRATED PAYROLL AND PERSONAL INFORMATION SYSTEM. THAT REPRESENTS PAY PACKETS TOTALING N4.2 BILLION STOLEN EVERY MONTH. IN ADDITION, WE WILL SAVE TWENTY-THREE BILLION PER ANNUM FROM OFFICIAL TRAVELLING AND SITTING ALLOWANCES ALONE.
FURTHERMORE, THE EFFICIENCY UNIT WILL CUT COSTS AND ELIMINATE DUPLICATIONS IN MINISTRIES AND DEPARTMENTS. EVERY LITTLE SAVING HELPS. THE REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF MINISTRIES AND WORK ON RESTRUCTURING AND RATIONALIZATION OF THE MDAS IS WELL UNDERWAY. WHEN THIS WORK IS COMPLETE WE WILL HAVE A LEANER, MORE EFFICIENT PUBLIC SERVICE THAT IS FIT FOR THE PURPOSE OF CHANGING NIGERIA FOR THE GOOD AND FOR GOOD.
AS WELL AS MAKING SAVINGS, WE HAVE CHANGED THE WAY PUBLIC MONEY IS SPENT. IN ALL MY YEARS AS A PUBLIC SERVANT, I HAVE NEVER COME ACROSS THE PRACTICE OF PADDING BUDGETS. I AM GLAD TO TELL YOU NOW WE NOT ONLY HAVE A BUDGET, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, WE HAVE A BUDGET PROCESS THAT IS MORE TRANSPARENT, MORE INCLUSIVE AND MORE CLOSELY TIED TO OUR DEVELOPMENT PRIORITIES THAN IN THE RECENT PAST. 30% OF THE EXPENDITURE IN THIS BUDGET IS DEVOTED TO CAPITAL ITEMS. FURTHERMORE, WE ARE PROJECTING NON-OIL REVENUES TO SURPASS PROCEEDS FROM OIL. SOME CRITICS HAVE DESCRIBED THE BUDGET EXERCISE AS CLUMSY. PERHAPS. BUT IT WAS AN EXAMPLE OF CONSENSUS BUILDING, WHICH IS INTEGRAL TO DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT. IN THE END WE RESOLVED OUR DIFFERENCES.
WE HAVE, THEREFORE, DELIVERED SIGNIFICANT MILESTONES ON SECURITY, CORRUPTION AND THE ECONOMY. IN RESPECT OF THE ECONOMY, I WOULD LIKE TO DIRECTLY ADDRESS YOU ON THE VERY PAINFUL BUT INEVITABLE DECISIONS WE HAD TO MAKE IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS SPECIFICALLY ON THE PUMP PRICE OF FUEL AND THE MORE FLEXIBLE EXCHANGE RATE POLICY ANNOUNCED BY THE CENTRAL BANK. IT IS EVEN MORE PAINFUL FOR ME THAT A MAJOR PRODUCER OF CRUDE OIL WITH FOUR REFINERIES THAT ONCE EXPORTED REFINED PRODUCTS IS TODAY HAVING TO IMPORT ALL OF ITS DOMESTIC NEEDS. THIS IS WHAT CORRUPTION AND MISMANAGEMENT HAS DONE TO US AND THAT IS WHY WE MUST FIGHT THESE ILLS.
AS PART OF THE FOUNDATION OF THE NEW ECONOMY WE HAVE HAD TO REFORM HOW FUEL PRICES HAD TRADITIONALLY BEEN FIXED. THIS STEP WAS TAKEN ONLY AFTER PROTRACTED CONSIDERATION OF ITS PROS AND CONS. AFTER COMPREHENSIVE INVESTIGATION MY ADVISERS AND I CONCLUDED THAT THE MECHANISM WAS UNSUSTAINABLE.
WE ARE ALSO ENGAGED IN MAKING RECOVERIES OF STOLEN ASSETS SOME OF WHICH ARE IN DIFFERENT JURISDICTIONS. THE PROCESSES OF RECOVERY CAN BE TEDIOUS AND TIME CONSUMING, BUT TODAY I CAN CONFIRM THAT THUS FAR: SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF ASSETS HAVE BEEN RECOVERED. A CONSIDERABLE PORTION OF THESE ARE AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF RECOVERY. FULL DETAILS OF THE STATUS AND CATEGORIES OF THE ASSETS WILL NOW BE PUBLISHED BY THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND UPDATED PERIODICALLY. WHEN FORFEITURE FORMALITIES ARE COMPLETED THESE MONIES WILL BE CREDITED TO THE TREASURY AND BE OPENLY AND TRANSPARENTLY USED IN FUNDING DEVELOPMENTAL PROJECTS AND THE PUBLIC WILL BE INFORMED.
ON THE NIGER DELTA, WE ARE COMMITTED TO IMPLEMENTING THE UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME REPORT AND ARE ADVANCING CLEAN-UP OPERATIONS. I BELIEVE THE WAY FORWARD IS TO TAKE A SUSTAINABLE APPROACH TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES THAT AFFECT THE DELTA COMMUNITIES. RE-ENGINEERING THE AMNESTY PROGRAMMES IS AN EXAMPLE OF THIS. THE RECENT SPATE OF ATTACKS BY MILITANTS DISRUPTING OIL AND POWER INSTALLATIONS WILL NOT DISTRACT US FROM ENGAGING LEADERS IN THE REGION IN ADDRESSING NIGER DELTA PROBLEMS. IF THE MILITANTS AND VANDALS ARE TESTING OUR RESOLVE, THEY ARE MUCH MISTAKEN. WE SHALL APPREHEND THE PERPETRATORS AND THEIR SPONSORS AND BRING THEM TO JUSTICE.
THE POLICY MEASURES AND ACTIONS TAKEN SO FAR ARE NOT TO BE SEEN AS SOME EXPERIMENT IN GOVERNANCE. WE ARE FULLY AWARE THAT THOSE VESTED INTERESTS WHO HAVE HELD NIGERIA BACK FOR SO LONG WILL NOT GIVE UP WITHOUT A FIGHT. THEY WILL SOW DIVISIONS, SPONSOR VILE PRESS CRITICISMS AT HOME AND ABROAD, INCITE THE PUBLIC IN AN EFFORT TO CREATE CHAOS RATHER THAN RELINQUISH THE VICE-LIKE GRIP THEY HAVE HELD ON NIGERIA.
THE ECONOMIC MISFORTUNE WE ARE EXPERIENCING IN THE SHAPE OF VERY LOW OIL PRICES HAS PROVIDED US WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO RESTRUCTURE OUR ECONOMY AND DIVERSIFY. WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF PROMOTING AGRICULTURE, LIVESTOCKS, EXPLOITING OUR SOLID MINERAL RESOURCES AND EXPANDING OUR INDUSTRIAL AND MANUFACTURING BASE. THAT WAY, WE WILL IMPORT LESS AND MAKE THE SOCIAL INVESTMENTS NECESSARY TO ALLOW US TO PRODUCE A LARGE AND SKILLED WORKFORCE.
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA WILL OFFER MORE FISCAL INCENTIVES FOR BUSINESS THAT PROVE CAPABLE OF MANUFACTURING PRODUCTS THAT ARE INTERNATIONALLY COMPETITIVE. WE REMAIN COMMITTED TO REFORMING THE REGULATORY FRAMEWORK, FOR INVESTORS BY IMPROVING THE EASE OF DOING BUSINESS IN NIGERIA.
MEANWHILE, THE FIRST STEPS ALONG THE PATH OF SELF-SUFFICIENCY IN RICE, WHEAT AND SUGAR – BIG USERS OF OUR SCARCE FOREIGN EXCHANGE – HAVE BEEN TAKEN. THE LABOUR INTENSIVE FARMING ENTERPRISE (LIFE), WILL BOOST THE ECONOMY AND ENSURE INCLUSIVE GROWTH IN LONG NEGLECTED COMMUNITIES. SPECIAL INTERVENTION FUNDS THROUGH THE BANK OF AGRICULTURE WILL PROVIDE TARGETED SUPPORT. CONCERNS REMAIN ABOUT RISING COST OF FOODS SUCH AS MAIZE, RICE, MILLET, BEANS AND GARI. FARMERS TELL ME THAT THEY ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE COST OF FERTILIZERS, PESTICIDES AND THE ABSENCE OF EXTENSION SERVICES. THE FEDERAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTS ARE ON THE SAME PAGE IN TACKLING THESE HURDLES IN OUR EFFORTS AT INCREASED FOOD PRODUCTION AND ULTIMATELY FOOD SECURITY.
I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS MY APPRECIATION FOR THE INCREASING ROLE THAT OUR WOMEN ARE PLAYING IN REVITALIZING THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR. MODERN FARMING IS STILL HARD AND HEAVY WORK AND I SALUTE OUR NIGERIAN WOMEN IN SHARING THIS BURDEN. IN THIS RESPECT I AM VERY PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL SHORTLY BE LAUNCHING THE NATIONAL WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT FUND, WHICH I HAVE APPROVED TO PROVIDE N1.6 BILLION IN MICRO-FINANCE LOANS TO WOMEN ACROSS THE NATION TO ASSIST IN REHABILITATING THE ECONOMIES OF RURAL COMMUNITIES, PARTICULARLY THOSE IMPACTED BY THE INSURGENCY AND CONFLICT.
WITH RESPECT TO SOLID MINERALS, THE MINISTER HAS PRODUCED A ROADMAP WHERE WE WILL WORK CLOSELY WITH THE WORLD BANK AND MAJOR INTERNATIONAL INVESTORS TO ENSURE THROUGH BEST PRACTICES AND DUE DILIGENCE THAT WE CHOOSE THE RIGHT PARTNERS. ILLEGAL MINING REMAINS A PROBLEM AND WE HAVE SET UP A SPECIAL SECURITY TEAM TO PROTECT OUR ASSETS. SPECIAL MEASURES WILL BE IN PLACE TO PROTECT MINERS IN THEIR WORK ENVIRONMENT.
FOR TOO LONG, OURS HAS BEEN A SOCIETY THAT NEGLECTS THE POOR AND VICTIMIZES THE WEAK. A SOCIETY THAT PROMOTES PROFIT AND GROWTH OVER DEVELOPMENT AND FREEDOM. A SOCIETY THAT FAILS TO RECOGNIZE THAT, TO QUOTE THE DISTINGUISHED ECONOMIST AMARTYA SEN “POVERTY IS NOT JUST LACK OF MONEY. IT IS NOT HAVING THE CAPABILITY TO REALIZE ONE’S FULL POTENTIAL AS A HUMAN BEING.”
SO, TODAY, I AM HAPPY TO FORMALLY LAUNCH, BY FAR THE MOST AMBITIOUS SOCIAL PROTECTION PROGRAMME IN OUR HISTORY. A PROGRAMME THAT BOTH SEEKS TO START THE PROCESS OF LIFTING MANY FROM POVERTY, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME CREATING THE OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO FEND FOR THEMSELVES. IN THIS REGARD, FIVE HUNDRED BILLION NAIRA HAS BEEN APPROPRIATED IN THE 2016 BUDGET FOR SOCIAL INTERVENTION PROGRAMMES IN FIVE KEY AREAS. WE ARE COMMITTED TO PROVIDING JOB CREATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND TEACHERS AND ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND ARTISANS ACROSS THE NATION. 5.5 MILLION CHILDREN ARE TO BE PROVIDED WITH NUTRITIOUS MEALS THROUGH OUR SCHOOL FEEDING PROGRAMME TO IMPROVE LEARNING OUTCOMES, AS WELL AS ENROLMENT AND COMPLETION RATES. THE CONDITIONAL CASH TRANSFER SCHEME WILL PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR UP TO 1 MILLION VULNERABLE BENEFICIARIES, AND COMPLEMENT THE ENTERPRISE PROGRAMME – WHICH WILL TARGET UP TO 1 MILLION MARKET WOMEN; FOUR HUNDRED AND SIXTY THOUSAND ARTISANS; AND TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND AGRICULTURAL WORKERS, NATIONWIDE. FINALLY, THROUGH THE EDUCATION GRANT SCHEME, WE WILL ENCOURAGE STUDENTS STUDYING SCIENCES, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHS, AND LAY A FOUNDATION FOR HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT FOR THE NEXT GENERATION
I WOULD LIKE TO PAY A SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO OUR GALLANT MEN AND WOMEN OF THE ARMED FORCES WHO ARE IN HARM’S WAY SO THAT THE REST OF US CAN LIVE AND GO ABOUT OUR BUSINESS IN SAFETY. THEIR WORK IS ALMOST DONE. THE NATION OWES THEM A DEBT OF GRATITUDE.
ABROAD, WE WANT TO ASSURE OUR NEIGHBOURS, FRIENDS AND DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS THAT NIGERIA IS FIRMLY COMMITTED TO DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES. WE ARE READY PARTNERS IN COMBATING TERRORISM, CYBER CRIMES, CONTROL OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASES AND PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT. FOLLOWING ON THE PARIS AGREEMENT, COP 21, WE ARE FULLY COMMITTED TO HALTING AND REVERSING DESERTIFICATION. ELSEWHERE, WE WILL INTENSIFY EFFORTS TO TACKLE EROSION, OCEAN SURGE, FLOODING AND OIL SPILLAGE WHICH I REFERRED TO EARLIER BY IMPLEMENTING THE UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME (UNEP) REPORT.
WE ARE GRATEFUL TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY NOTABLY FRANCE, THE US, UK AND CHINA FOR THEIR QUICK RESPONSE IN HELPING TO TACKLE THE RECENT EBOLA OUTBREAK IN OUR SUB-REGION. WE ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE THE HUMANITY SHOWN BY THE ITALIAN AND GERMAN GOVERNMENTS IN THE TREATMENT OF BOAT PEOPLE, MANY FLEEING FROM OUR SUB-REGION BECAUSE OF LACK OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY. WE THANK ALL OUR PARTNERS ESPECIALLY SEVERAL COUNTRIES IN THE EU.
WE APPRECIATE THE VALUABLE WORK THAT THE UN AGENCIES, PARTICULARLY UNICEF, ICRC, THE WORLD FOOD PROGRAM HAVE BEEN DOING. WE MUST ALSO APPRECIATE THE WORLD BANK, THE GATES FOUNDATION, THE GLOBAL FUND AND EDUCATE A CHILD OF QATAR ARE FOR THE EXCELLENT WORK IN OUR HEALTH, EDUCATION AND OTHER SECTORS.
FELLOW CITIZENS LET ME END ON A HAPPY NOTE. TO THE DELIGHT OF ALL, TWO OF THE ABDUCTED CHIBOK GIRLS HAVE REGAINED THEIR FREEDOM. DURING THE LAST ONE YEAR, NOT A SINGLE DAY PASSED WITHOUT MY AGONIZING ABOUT THESE GIRLS. OUR EFFORTS HAVE CENTRED AROUND NEGOTIATIONS TO FREE THEM SAFELY FROM THEIR, MINDLESS, CAPTORS. WE ARE STILL PURSUING THAT COURSE. THEIR SAFETY IS OF PARAMOUNT CONCERN TO ME AND I AM SURE TO MOST NIGERIANS. I AM VERY WORRIED ABOUT THE CONDITIONS THOSE STILL CAPTURED MIGHT BE IN. TODAY I RE-AFFIRM OUR COMMITMENT TO RESCUING OUR GIRLS. WE WILL NEVER STOP UNTIL WE BRING THEM HOME SAFELY. AS I SAID BEFORE, NO GIRL SHOULD BE PUT THROUGH THE BRUTALITY OF FORCED MARRIAGE AND EVERY NIGERIAN GIRL HAS THE RIGHT TO AN EDUCATION AND A LIFE CHOICE.
I THANK YOU AND APPEAL TO YOU TO CONTINUE SUPPORTING THE GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS TO FIX NIGERIA.

Saturday 28 May 2016

No Difference Between Boko Haram and The Niger Delta Avengers





All things considered, the Niger Delta Avengers are no different from the Boko Haram criminality in the Northern part of Nigeria and if I wanted to be too strict I will say that the Niger Delta Avengers are more deadly, more destructive,  more dangerous and consequently more devilish . Boko Haram has been on a hit and run warfare that derives pleasure in hitting and killing soft targets but the destructive Avengers of Niger Delta targets oil installations and the Power Sector, the two most critical sectors of our economy today.

As I write this Nigeria has lost at least one million barrels of crude oil daily in the past one month or so. The power sector output hovering around 3000 to 5000 MW of electricity has been brought down to miserable level of less than 1000MW. What this means is that we have no economy any longer. Nigeria runs a mono economy that depends on crude oil sales and if anything happens to that critical sector , it will affect every strata of our society. There will be no foreign exchange earnings , no money to pay salaries at the federal, state and the local levels, no money to service importation, no money to buy arms , no money to service foreign debts, no money to service foreign missions and no money to build infrastructure etc.

Without electric power no nation on earth will be said to be serious in building its economy, attracting foreign investments or creating jobs. Most of the nation’s power stations are driven by gas , a product of crude oil production process. Much of the gas comes from the Niger Delta. Before the advent of gas turbines we had hydro power stations in Shiroro and Kainji in the North and a coal powered stations in Enugu State and these are now almost obsolete as gas powered plants have proved to be more efficient , cheaper, cleaner and cost effective. This is what these criminals are exploiting to continue to punish 160 million Nigerians.

They are blackmailers, exploiters, oil thieves, kidnappers, murderers, destroyers, oppressors, armed robbers, liars from the pit of hell, corrupt entities, reprobate minds , dolts, cultural savages , embezzlers etc. I lack words to describe these workers of iniquity. They blackmailed President Obasanjo, they blackmailed president Yar’Adua. They blackmailed and held president Jonathan by the throat and squeezed it without mercy until he helplessly and hopelessly surrendered. They got everything, . They got NDDC , they got the Ministry of Niger Delta, they got 13% Derivation, they stole billions of barrels of crude oil, and got billions of dollars, they got oil wells without paying a dime, they robbed oil companies at gun point, they kidnapped for money, they got amnesty from president Yar’Adua and a deal worth more than a billion dollars. Former President Jonathan opened the nation’s Treasury for them and they carted away billions to build Universities, mansions and even buy arms and warships.

The school drop out called Asari Dokubo is building a University in Benin Republic and so is the silly old man called Edwin Clark. Oh My God , these shameless idiots have had it all and have thoroughly enjoyed themselves. They married many wives like Asari Dokubo, owned night clubs, big hotels, estates, all kinds of Special Utility Vehicles, they painted the cities red and intimidated other Nigerians. They wished that the party and the bazaar continue until the 2015 general elections drew near. When it dawned on them that Jonathan may not make it they began to issue threats and intimidation. They got desperate and fear gripped them that a president Buhari may not accept their criminal enterprise and excesses any longer. A president Buhari came on board and removed the feeding bottles from their ugly mouths and hell was let loose. The corruption called the amnesty has to go. Easy money is gone . Extortion is gone . This is president Buhari’s sin.

My take here is that there is no need negotiating with those who have had it all in the past 17 years. The battle has to be fought . We cannot win the battle and lose the war. This president is for everybody and for nobody. These people will not listen until they see that war brings death. There is no difference between Boko Haram and the Niger Delta Avengers. If President Buhari can fight Boko Haram and Shiites to a standstill , these so called Avengers in the Niger Delta should face the same treatment. They have destroyed government installations and facilities , they have killed soldiers and policemen and they have killed many innocent people through the destruction of power installations. This is subversion . This is economic sabotage . This is treason and an open declaration of war on Nigeria as a political entity. Nigeria’s armed forces must apply the doctrine of necessity, intelligence, tact and common sense in the war to reclaim the integrity and honour of Nigeria. We must take war to their doorsteps. If they defeat us let them go with their useless oil  and if we defeat them  and they must be defeated, then other ethnic groups will learn yet another lessons from the war.

Since the massive destruction of facilities in the Niger Delta started, the Governors in the region have not met to condemn the brigandage.  The elders have not met to issue a statement to call the killers and destroyers to order. What we have heard has been cacophony of weak voices drowned in deceit and lies. I saw complicity by this criminal silence . The grave silence is sending a potentially dangerous signals. It is shocking and at best unbelievable. Nigeria can survive without oil and gas. This is the truth we must accept with courage  and call the bluff of these exploiters and blackmailers from the Niger Delta.

I repeat once again that there is no zero tribe, zone, ethnic group, state or culture in Nigeria. Every tribe  or zone in Nigeria has something to bring to the table. Niger Delta is bringing oil and gas to the table while others are bringing food, technology, commerce, intelligence, ideas,workforce etc to the same table. Ours is a case of symbiotic relationship.

Joe Igbokwe
Lagos

Friday 27 May 2016

The Oba of Benin is born and not made, Oshiomhole's statement, a sacrilege



By - Thompson Omorodion, Ph.D.

There is no debating the fact that an Oba in Benin is installed by the Benin king makers(Usama N’Ihinron), not the governor of Edo State.
The governor of Edo State, following the military inherited Section 19 of the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Law, 1979, is only to recognize a duly installed Oba and present the ceremonial staff of office after the traditional authority has concluded the coronation process. The statement by Edo State Government regarding the appointment of Oba of Benin by Adams Oshiomhole is therefore another “iconoclastic” blunder, executive rascality, administrative arrogance and apparently disdainful display crude use of brute power him - a slap on the face of the Benin monarchy and the good people of Benin.

In a megalomaniac statement dated 24th May 2016, issued by what has become known as the iconoclastic government led by Adams Oshiomhole, published in many national dailies, a supposed professor of Political Science and Secretary to the Government of Edo State announced, albeit arrogantly, the “appointment of HRH Edaiken N’Uselu, Crown Prince Ehenede Erediauwa as Oba of Benin without prior consultation nor input of the Crown Prince, Benin Traditional Council or the Palace of the Oba of Benin, to which such matter relates – while the obsequies was still on for the former Oba. This is the apogee and height of disrespect, and callous disregard to our revered traditional institution.

It is therefore not surprising that within twenty four hours, there have been massive outpouring of both emotive and rational reactions to the gaffe of the government that is ever acting as alien to us, a reaction which has led the government withdrawing the cursed statement today in a letter signed by the same Secretary to the government of the state. The wording of the withdrawal betrayed evidence of the true intentions of the government in issuing the statement in the first instance.

“The said letter was issued in error as the rites of passage of His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba of Benin are still on”.
The withdrawal came without apology. This may also have been deliberate. The true intention of the APC and Adams Oshiomhole led Edo State government was egoistic, nay – megalomaniac - futile attempt to denigrate the Benin crown, reduce the dignity, prestige and majesty of the Benin crown, and attempt to demystify the glorious mysteries of the Benin Kingdom. This ulterior motive of Adams Oshiomhole and his outgoing iconoclastic APC government in Edo State can be deduced by the x-raying the three main patterns described in the following paragraph and that that have played out within the last 30 days or so.

First, the Edo State government released an article last month describing Oba Erediauwa as an iconoclastic Oba. Shortly after the announcement on Friday April 29 of the passage of Oba Erediauwa, Adams Oshiomhole caused an iconoclastic condolence message to be released which offended the palace and the Benin people. Upon reaction by the public, the government through an aide (rather than the governor making such apology himself) apologized to the palace but he ignored the Benin people who he also offended.

Secondly, the Edo State government, on May 3, disturbed the peace of Benin City by violently removing the former Speaker with thugs, urchins, gunshots and tear gas at the Oba palace area during the mourning period. This is further demonstration of the suspicion that it is a deliberate slight to the Benin people and disregard for the sorrowful mood at the time. Why could Oshiomhole not ask his legislators to sheathe their swords in respect of the mourning of the Oba?

And thirdly, Oshiomhole hurriedly announced that he was appointing the Oba of Benin. The statement by the Edo State government that HRH Prince Ehenede Erediauwa has been “appointed” as the Oba of Benin is not only an abomination but a sacrilege to everything reverent about Benin Kingdom. This is the apogee of disrespect. Oshiomhole, and indeed the governor of Edo State, does not have the right to ‘appoint’ the Oba. The Oba of Benin does not derive his legitimacy or authority from any government anywhere in the world, let alone a state governor like Edo State government.

Can Oshiomhole appoint an Oba? Even if there was a so-called Section 19 of the contentious and pointless 1979 Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Law that purportedly empowers the government to recognize (not appoint, in the case of Oba where there is no contention) an Oba who is corronated by the traditional authority of Benin. In Benin, we call them Uzama N’Ihinron.

We agree that no one is perfect. However, there are higher degrees of responsibility expected from certain high office holders, especially those who have aides and assistants provided for them by tax payers’ money for the purpose of minimizing errors and maximizing effectiveness. A state government is one of such high offices. The plethora of errors, nay blunders, that have characterized this government of Adams Oshiomhole and the APC in Edo state, in recent times, leaves decent and intelligent people to begin to wonder whether this government hasn’t broken down irreparably or its chief officer gone berserk.

We the Benin people are still offended by these gaffes by the Edo State government, and even more annoyed for the following reasons.

1. The governor, not the Secretary to the Government, should have done the withdrawal, and apologized, in light of the gravity of the grievous harm that the announcement has caused our Benin people and our monarchy.
2. The governor has belittled the significance of the coronation of a Benin monarch, usurping the traditional functions of the Uzama N’Ihinron of Benin kingdom.
3.The governor is making the highly cherished traditional rites of ascension to the Oba of Benin of no effect.
4. The governor is giving non-Benins, and even some unsuspecting Benins, the wrong impression that he is the one that has the capacity to appoint an Oba for Benin thereby downplaying the well-known primogeniture ascension rule of Benin kingdom, and most of Edo state peoples.
5. The governor, by his repeated acts of subtle aggression, is daring the Benin people, overstretching our patience and spoiling for a dirty war which would most likely consume him, his party and everything he stands for. Onyearuegbulem is a ready case study in the Benin principle of Aiguobasimwin.

In light of the above identified further flaw of a thoughtless non-remorseful withdrawal by Edo State government in light of such grievous, provocative and denigrating announcement which the government calls ‘error’, I am calling the leadership of the APC, particularly the Comrade Governor, Adams Aliyu Eric Oshiomhole, to come out and publicly apologize, not only to the Benin monarchy - but also, to the Benin people who feel particularly socially embarrassed, psychologically deflated and generally hurt by the grievous harm that that erroneous and annoying announcement has done to the Benin psyche; our collective pride, our cultural heritage and our public image locally, nationally and internationally. Anything short of this further clearly defined apology would make the now popularly held belief to stick for fact, that Adams Oshiomhole is doing all these things to deliberately spite us the Benins and also to denigrate our Crown. But the Enikaro of Benin will resist anyone who seeks to embarrass the Benin or our ancient institutions.

Lessons from Oba Erediauwa’s life


By Editorial Board   
The late, Oba of Benin
The late, Oba of Benin
Given the strong cultural effusion and the personality cult around the traditional Benin monarchy, the passing on of the Oba of Benin, Omo n’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa, provides an auspicious moment to reflect on the dignity, discipline and patriotism which the principled life and respectable leadership of the Oba brought to bear on the Benin people and traditional institutions in general. Erediauwa’s journey to the ethereal enclave of his forebears depletes the quality of sagacious and dignified traditional rulers so direly required as moral voices for the people.
Oba Erediauwa belonged in the caravan of honourable servants. He was the ultimate carrier of royalty, who served, ruled, and led an ancient city with the finest virtues. Despite his exposure and education, he was puritanical about preserving his Bini heritage. Besides their ancient history, the infectious pride of the Bini regarding their culture and monarchy rests on the undiluted richness of the Benin tradition, the unapologetic allegiance to its cultic purity and the long historical diplomatic relationship with other nations, especially European ones. Anyone who aspired to lead such a people must have the moral stamina of a genuine custodian of traditions, the wisdom of a true repertoire of cultural history, and an instrument of justice and peace. Oba Erediauwa exuded all this in one iconic personality.
Born on June 22, 1923, this scion of Oba Akenzua II, ascended the throne as the 38th Oba of Benin, on March 23, 1979. Before then, he was an illustrious super civil servant and public officer by the name of Prince Solomon Igbinighodua Akenzua. For his formal education, he attended the Government College, Ibadan, between 1939 and 1945, and later studied at the Yaba College of Technology, before proceeding to King’s College, Cambridge University, in the United Kingdom, where he studied law and administration.
After graduating from the university, he joined the Eastern Nigeria Civil Service as District Officer, and later moved on to the Federal Civil Service where he retired as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health in 1973. Erediauwa served as a regional representative of Gulf Oil, and had a stint as Bendel State Commissioner of Finance under the military administration of Brigadier George Innih.
As a public servant, he was noted as an administrator of high professionalism, exemplary probity and candour. Perhaps, these were the qualities that informed government’s choice of making him part of the high-powered delegation to the Aburi Conference during the Nigerian Civil War.
Upon his occupation of the Oba stool, he held court with equanimity and justice, settling disputes amongst Edo kin and between the Bini and other ethnicities. Government and state administrators tapped from his wise counsel for a peaceful tenure. In his reign, Benin City rose from a rustic and sleepy town to a sprawling modern city. He also maintained a kingdom of peace and tolerance without sacrificing traditional culture.
In recent times, owing to the sweeping effect of westernisation, the role of traditional institutions has wrongly been viewed as simply symbolic in this part of the world. Apart from being primarily a living form that signposts the cultural history of the people, traditional institutions have succumbed to the pre-eminence given to civil government by the dominant western political order. The effect of this is that traditional rulers have given in to the whims of devious political powers.
A reference, in the not too distant past, was the infamous military regime of Gen. Sani Abacha, when traditional rulers were blackmailed and hoodwinked to support obnoxious policies against the people. When the dictator summoned traditional rulers to Abuja to well up support for an extended tenure, amongst other atrocious plans, Oba Erediauwa, alongside other royal fathers, answered out of respect. But that would turn-out the only time he went to Aso Rock. Having listened to the dictator’s plea, he came back to his people, and vehemently criticised Abacha’s intention. While other monarchs lay low, cowed by the irascible and mercurial Abacha and his killing machine, Oba Erediauwa stood up against Abacha and the military.
One of the lessons to be learnt from the Oba is this: If we want to redeem Nigeria, we need people who will represent the traditional institution this way. As Nigerians can observe today, traditional rulers collude with politicians and public office holders to oppress the people. Some are so power-seeking that they want to be both custodians of their traditional values and promoters of alien culture. This is demeaning of the authority and position of the monarch even as it demystifies the efficacy of traditional institutions.
The life and times of the late Oba Erediauwa also pose a challenge for the Crown Prince Edaiken N’Uselu Eheneden Erediauwa. Judging by conventional standards, the elder Erediauwa seemed to have left shoes too big for anyone to fit into. Yet, it is these shoes that posterity is inviting the Crown Prince to step into as Oba one day soon.
Just as his father, whose firm paternal grip of the Benin Kingdom was like the solicitude of a gentle giant, the Crown Prince is beckoned by the demands of the throne and the times, to display uncommon courage, sacrificial empathy, and eloquent wisdom in the service of the land. He is also challenged to advance the traditional institution with equal integrity, royal distinction, and class which his father fittingly bestowed it by his character and moral finesse. As a distant but respected voice in the affairs of state, the oracular admonition of the traditional monarch is expected, like his father’s, to guide the polity onto the part of values and genuine leadership.

TheGuardian

Thursday 26 May 2016

THE NATIONAL PROSECUTION CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE (NPCC)



OBJECTIVE
The objective of NPCC are to-
Co-ordinate efficient, effective and result oriented investigation and prosecution of High Profile Criminal Cases in Nigeria;
Ensure early contact and synergy between investigators and the prosecutors of High Profile Criminal Cases in Nigeria;
Manage information to the public on High Profile Criminal Cases;
Ensure strict compliance with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 (‘‘the Act).
STRUCTURE
The structure of NPCC is as follows-
Honourable Attorney-General of Federation
The Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation is by virtue of Section 174(1) of the 1999 Constitution the Chief Law Officer of the Federation. Therefore, he is responsible for the overall policy formulation and implementation of the entire scheme.
Section 174(1) of the 1999 Constitution provides-
The Attorney-General of the Federation shall have power
To institute and undertake criminal proceedings against any person before any court of law in Nigeria, other than a court martial, in respect of any offence created by or under any Act of the National Assembly;
To take over and continue any such criminal proceedings that may have been instituted by any other authority or person;
To discontinue at any stage before judgment is delivered any such criminal proceedings instituted or undertaken by him or any other authority or person.

National Prosecution Co-ordination Committee (NPCC)
The National Prosecution Co-ordination Committee is a body comprising of nineteen (19) members; twelve (12) ex officio members and seven (7) external lawyers experienced in administration of criminal justice in Nigeria and other commonwealth jurisdictions. All members of the Committee shall be paid sitting allowances as may be determined by the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

The members are as follows-
Mr. Taiwo Abidogun (Permanent Secretary / Solicitor General)      - Chairman
Dipo Okpeseyi, SAN                          
                                        Co-Chairman
Professor Bolaji Owansoye (Executive Secretary, PAC)              Vice Chairman
M.S Diri (Director of Public Prosecution)                                           Member
Chukwuma Machukwu, SAN                                                            Member
Chief Okoi Obono-Obla                                                                   Member
Pius Oteh, Esq)                                                                                 Member
Mrs Juliet Ibekaku                                                                             Member
Abiodun Aikomo, Esq                                                                      Member
Kehinde Oginni, Esq                                                                         Member
Mr. Salihu Othman Isah                                                                     Member
Al-Amin Ado Ibrahim                                                                        Member
Nafiu Yakubu, Esq.                                                                            Member
Tunji Oluborode, Esq.               Member
Eric Onokif Ifere, Esq           Member
Mrs. Diane Okoko                                                      Member
Temitope Adebayo, Esq.                                             Member
DIG Abdulrahman Yusuf (Rtd)                                                         Member
Sylvester Imhanobe, Esq.                                            Member /Secretary
     The terms of reference of the NPCC include to-
Advice the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (HAGF) on the exercise of his prosecutorial powers in section 150 and 174 of the 1999 Constitution;
Prepare the policy strategy document for the co-ordination of investigation and prosecution of High Profile Criminal Cases in Nigeria;
Collect the list of High Profile Criminal Cases in Nigeria and assign the cases to prosecution teams;
Scrutinize the proof of evidence and charges in High Profile Criminal Cases in Nigeria before arraignment;
Coordinate investigation activities of High Profile Criminal Cases in Nigeria
Receive and analyse reports from the investigation and prosecution teams engaged to handle High Profile Cases in Nigeria;
Prepare and submit to the HAGF monthly report of High Profile Criminal Cases supervised by the committee;
Serve as liaison between the HAGF and the investigation and prosecution teams engaged to handle High Profile Criminal Cases in Nigeria;
Sensitize the public on the conduct of High Profile Criminal Cases in Nigeria;
Make rules for its proceedings ;
Carry out any other directives issued by the HAGF;
To undertake any other matter incidental to the achievement of the objective of the Committee as approved by the HAGF.

The Committee is a major thrust of the fight against corruption. The Committee shall be inaugurated by His Excellency, Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Friday the 27th May 2016 at the VP Conference Room

Wednesday 25 May 2016

FCT Minister sacks all Environmental Board management staff



FCT Minister, Muhammed Bello
FCT Minister, Muhammed Bello

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Muhammad Bello, has sacked the director, Abuja Environmental Protection Board, AEPB, Baba Lawan.
The minister appointed Oluwatoyin Olanipekun as replacement.
The minister also removed all heads of department as well as Heads of Unit under the board and directed their deputies to immediately take charge.
The Minister made these changes on Wednesday after he and the FCT Permanent Secretary, Babatope Ajakaiye, met with the former management team of the AEPB.
Mr. Bello directed the Director of the FCT Establishment and Training who was also part of the meeting to issue the new appointees with their appointment letters.
He warned that lackadaisical attitude to work must be stopped forthwith as Abuja must be rid of filth, street beggars, street hawkers and all other environmental nuisances immediately.
The Minister said a lot of things were not going on well at the Board and further warned the new team to work to change the tide immediately.
He said that the former Director and his management team should ensure all handing over processes are completed by Friday.
Meanwhile, the Minister has also directed that the former management team of the Board to be constituted into a Special Task Force on the Recovery of N9.8 billion Debt owed AEPB.
Mr. Bello instructed that the new Task Force be headed by the former Director of the Board and was given eight weeks to do the recovery into FCT administration’s coffers.
At the meeting, the Minister also approved the appointment of Abdullahi Adamu Monjel, a retired Air Force Squadron Leader, to head a special team of 200 security personnel drawn from the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to assist in the enforcement of environmental laws in Abuja.
The Minister was however quick to warn the new management and special team to conduct their duties within the ambit of the law.
Mr. Bello further warned that the FCT Administration would not tolerate any act of abuse of fundamental human rights of the residents in the discharge of their duties.
He urged them to diligently do their job by following and applying the law and due process.
The new Acting Director, Oluwatoyin Omolola Olanipekun, was formerly the Deputy Director, Environmental Degradation & Development Monitoring in the Abuja Environmental Protection Board.

Nigeria Police ‘arrest Nimbo attackers, recover video of attack’ – Spokesperson


PIC. 11. FULANI'S HERDSMAN  CARRYING A CALF DURING THEIR MIGRATION ALONG 

WUNDI/RISHI TORO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF BAUCHI STATE ON  THURSDAY 

(29/12/11).
PIC. 11. FULANI'S HERDSMAN CARRYING A CALF DURING THEIR MIGRATION ALONG WUNDI/RISHI TORO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF BAUCHI STATE ON THURSDAY (29/12/11).
The Nigerian police say they have arrested five suspects involved in the midnight raid on Nimbo community in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State on April 25.
The attack on the Enugu left at least 20 people dead.
Police said in a statement on Wednesday that operatives of the police Inspector General’s Intelligence Response Team (IRT) arrested the suspects based on “credible intelligence”.
The statement signed by spokesperson, Olabisi Kolawole, said the response team arrested Mohammed Zurai, Ciroma Musa, Sale Adamu, Suleiman Laute and Haruna Laute.
Police said they also recovered one Gionee L88 mobile phone with memory card containing the video recording of the massacre in the community.
The police said the team, on May 6, also arrested a three-man syndicate of bank robbers/kidnappers and recovered arms, ammunition, dynamites and rifle servicing tools from them.
“The gang members, Gogo Daniel Ume, Ikado Michael and Ifeanyi Kalu had been terrorizing Rivers, Imo and Enugu State, respectively,” the statement said.
“Items recovered from them include 3 AK-47 rifles; 1 LAR rifle; 310 rounds of live ammunition; 12 rifle magazines; rifle servicing tools; cache of dynamite explosive; 1 Toyota Highlander Jeep; 1 Toyota Venza jeep; and 1Ford Edge Jeep.
“In continuation of the IRT anti-kidnapping operations in Kaduna State, the team on 20/05/2016 as well arrested Babangida Ibrahim; Idris Abubakar and Idris Mai Anguwa in the State for allegedly involved in kidnapping and robbery, while different calibre of weapons were also recovered from the bandits,” the statement added.