Protect Christians Against Boko Haram – Islamic Group Begs Muslims

The Director, Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, Ishaq Akintola, in a statement has called on Muslims across the country to help in protecting Christians against the recent threat by the new Boko Haram leader, Al- Barnawi that Christians and churches would be attacked.

MURIC describing Al- Barnawi’s threat as “despicable,” urged Muslims to “demonstrate solidarity with their Christian neighbours by ensuring that Boko Haram elements are not allowed to launch attacks on Christians in their neighbourhood”.

The statement reads in part, “The new leader of Boko Haram insurgents, Abu Mus’ab Al-Barnawi, has called for the killing of Christians and the blowing up of churches.

“The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) expresses total bewilderment at the depth of barbarism in the recent hate speech emanating from the leadership of Boko Haram. It is totally despicable and exceptionally criminal to target fellow products of the Adamic chromosome for annihilation. We have no doubt that this call could only have come from a twisted mind.

“Islam is love, not hatred. Islam gives life, not death. It builds and does not destroy. The Glorious Qur’an only allows Muslims to fight in self-defence (Qur’an 2:190). It forbids unjust and unlawful killing (Qur’an 6:151). It compares anyone who kills his fellow man to one who kills all homo sapiens (Qur’an 5:32).

“We remind the Boko Haram coercion ideologues of the moderate posture of the Glorious Qur’an towards non-Muslims. Qur’an 2:256 says there should be no compulsion in religion (Laa ikraahun fil diin).

“Qur’an 10:99 completely sweeps the carpet off the feet of agents of belligerence as it declares, “So you forcefully compel people to believe in Allah? But they would all have believed if Allah had wanted it so!”

“Our differences in matters of faith are therefore part of the deliberate and grand design of the Divine Creator. Allah also affirms in Qur’an 11:118 that there would still have been differences even if the whole world follows a single religion. So what is special about belonging to a particular religion if we do not share love?

“This is why Allah reminded Prophet Muhammad to limit his mission to reminding people and never to make any attempt at controlling people’s lives (Qur’an 88:21 – 22).

“MURIC charges Muslims all over the world to limit their religious zeal to the true dictates of Islam as reflected in the verses of the Glorious Qur’an lest they transgress. They should leave those who reject Islam alone. Our hypothesis is that Allah did not give anyone the assignment to punish those who reject Islam

“Finally, we urge Muslims in the country to demonstrate solidarity with their Christian neighbours by ensuring that Boko Haram elements are not allowed to launch attacks on Christians in their neighbourhood. We have a duty to defend our Christian neighbours at this critical stage. This is the way to keep Nigeria united.”

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Stop Denigrating Police Image, IGP Warns Nigerians

Ibrahim Idris, the Inspector-General of Police, has warned the public against denigrating the image of the police whose duty is to protect lives and property.

The IGP said this in his office at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, during a courtesy call on him by members of anti-terrorism civil rights organisation called, Nigerians Unite Against Terror, NUAT, led by its Convener, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin; Director of Publicity, Bako Abdul Usman; General Secretary, Prince Goodluck Obi and Director of Campaign, Huzayn Aliu Adams.

According to him, the image of the Nigeria police has improved going by the recent ranking by a Briton, Bob Arnold, whose independent assessment of the Nigeria Police Force “within the perception of the public”, gave a 98 per cent score.

“Arnold said this is wonderful because it has never been this wonderful and like I said when I went to Lagos, we the policemen, now have to improve on that performance”, he stressed.

He said, “And that is the basic law of nature. If you continue to fight, you will never get any development from it. These are basic things because the police man is there to assist you to maintain law and order in the society, you don’t have any cause to hate him. It doesn’t make sense because these are the people I refer to as people who have the noble call.

“In our job, anywhere in the world, we are just there to protect lives and properties of the people. So the citizens don’t have any reason to detest the police. Most of these issues are as a result of the conduct of a few of us, those of us that unfortunately make the bad image of the police and the perception of the people.

“The perception just came up. Some people have never ever been in the police station before but they don’t want to hear the name of police. That is the perception and perception is not good. We need to address that perception, we also need to address our perception and our conducts, especially those police officers that decide to go outside the norms..

“I have that passion for humanity, when I went to the North East, the little things I have I said let us buy some things and impact positively on the people. It is good to see the vulnerable part of society, you will feel happy when you see them satisfied and the smiles on their faces. You should have that essence of humanity, we should be humane in whatever we do and I believe that is what should happen.

“If we put our hands together, we are going to address more of these issues, particularly the need for the public to appreciate our police force, the need for the police force also to consider the interest of the public. The fundamental human rights of every citizen of this country should be protected and we are the best institution that you will meet because we have a noble cause of protecting lives and properties of every citizen.

“We need to sit down and set up a panel; we are going to start a committee to interface on how to utilise our human resource because it is very important. It is good people hear from the CSOs who are not policemen. People should hear from you on how the public now see the police.

“People should give us the opportunity to prove ourselves, they will take it more serious from you. So I think we need to interface; the CSOs and the Nigerian police will need to work together. We will set up a working team, let us come out with a strategy on how to improve obviously the public image of the police.”

Idris said, the desire to cleanse the police of bad eggs necessitated the declaration of his assets before becoming IGP, adding that “every police officer must declare their assets.”

The IGP said, “We are are going to be very tough on our police officers who go outside our code of conduct. When I took over and told people that I am declaring my assets, it looked surprising, people took it as if I was doing something magic but that is what the law says. You cannot work without declaring your assets.

“You must declare your assets and as policemen we are the ones checking the vices, so we cannot be part of those that are increasing the vices in the society and I still stand by my word.

“I have declared my assets even before and after I became I-G of police because it is a constitutional requirement. I believe every police officer should do that. What kills most Nigerians is lack of contentment, you will see somebody amassing wealth that he and even his grandchildren do not need throughout their life time. I don’t know what drives people like that. For me, I believe that with contentment, you will have peace of mind.”

Idris said when he took over, he had promised to be guided by two major principles and police core value in line with international best practices and democratic policing.

“The principles are that the police should be humane, that we should respect other people; and we should not look at peoples faces or how they do before we can apply the law. The law covers everybody, whether you are rich or poor. That is why the Nigerian people have to start seeing why they need to appreciate the police, we are your best friends and that is why we say the police is always your friend,” he emphasised.

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Militants Had Fled Arepo, Military Killed Innocent Residents – Niger Delta Avengers

Niger Delta Avengers, NDA, in a statement issued by its spokesman, Mudoch Agbinibo, has accused the Nigerian Military of killing defenceless residents in Arepo and destroying their property.

The statement reads: “The high command of the NDA only bemoaned and condemned the reckless war game that the military is embarking upon with the lives and property of defenceless law abiding citizens in those communities while the criminals have fled the area.

“We should not be linked to activities of criminals and illegal bunkering going on in any part of the country; Nigeria security agencies are the main benefactors and collaborators.

“The military should not use such contrived video clips to justify their killings and destruction of property of defenseless citizens in Ogun State. We cannot be intimidated by these video clips of propaganda and drones.

“The press and the general public should not quote us out of context; we only expressed our concern on the bombing by the government.

“The criminals have already fled the crime scene, which amount to the death of innocent citizens in Arepo. The military should stop justification of extra judicial killings. That is our position.”

Buhari’s Era Won’t Tolerate Corruption – CP Warns Police Officers

The new Commissioner of Police in Bauchi State, Haliru Gwandu, during a familiarisation meeting with officers of the Command, has warned officers in the state to avoid extorting money from citizens.

Gwandu who gave this warning said that any officer caught in any act of corruption will face the full wrath of the law.

He said: “This era won’t tolerate corruption. Wherever you find yourself, the issue of corruption, bribery and extortion should not be there. If you are apprehended, you are on your own.

“It is time for attitudinal change in everything. In fact, policemen are supposed to lead this crusade.”

“It is very essential you declare your assets. Don’t tell lies because that department is a very relevant and strong department in this dispensation. So, declare your assets honestly and with utmost sincerity.

“If you fill lies in your form, you are liable and if you under-declare your assets, you are also liable,” he said.

He therefore Divisional Police Officers to strictly supervise personnel under them.

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Air Force Resumes Air Bombardment Of Vandals Hideout In Arepo, Ogun State

The Nigerian Air Force, NAF, on Friday resumed fresh air strike on suspected militants’ hideouts and suspected vandals in Arepo, Ogun State following gunshots sounds heard earlier in the area.

Punch quoted a source as saying, “The operation is still ongoing. There is still serious military action going on in the place. Even as we are talking, the Air Force is engaging them from the sky,” the source said.

”Shortly after the IGP left, ground forces had also moved there to respond to the gunfire from the vandals and the place was quiet for some time, according to the source.

“Then on Friday, the helicopter started the fire again. Some of the guys are trapped in the thick forest.”

BREAKING: Niger Delta Avengers Announce New Twitter Account, Insist Attacks Will Continue

Niger Delta Avengers, the rampaging militant group which has claimed responsibility for several attacks on pipeline installations in the oil rich region, on thursday announced its new twitter account.

The group had its social media handle blocked recently by Twitter Corporation, in line with Twitter’s policy, which detailed specific rule pertaining to violent threats.

The rule states that, “you may not make threats of violence or promote violence, including threatening or promoting terrorism.”

But spokesman of the group, Mudoch Agbinibo in a statement, said, “We are officially saying that @agbiniboND is our new official twitter account handle. Twitter can block or suspend our account but they can’t stop or block our struggle.”

The IGP Need Not Be A Policeman.

By Owei Lakemfa.

 

Nigerians are in their usual season of lamentation which follows the retirement or removal of an Inspector General of Police (IGP) Like a king  whose funeral requires human sacrifices, the exit of a Nigerian IGP also means the exit of the top echelon of the institution. This occurs because traditionally, the President reaches  down the line of Assistant Inspectors General (AIG) to pick the Acting IGP and then the entire crop of Deputy Inspectors  General (DIGs) and AIGs senior to the chosen one are  compulsorily retired on the basis that discipline cannot  be maintained if they are to work under their junior in service. This way, generations of highly  trained, experienced and usually, competent officers are prematurely retired.  Since those sacrificed in this  periodic ritual will be leaving a vacuum, lower rank officers are quickly taken into an incubator and hatched to fill the DIG and AIG vacancies.

Solomon Ehigiator Arase who was appointed IGP in April, 2015  retired this June and was replaced in acting capacity by AIG  Ibrahim Kpotun Idris. With that, six DIGs and twenty one AIGs - some of the brightest and best officers - senior to Idris were exited from the service.

So, to be elevated to the position of AIG or DIG  in Nigeria, has become both a thing of joy, and the sad reality, that almost all officers so elevated, no matter their age, brilliance or commitment, are on their way out. Therefore, the promotion  is both a career progression and a road to premature retirement. This was one of the fears when a young police officer, Nuhu Ribadu was airlifted by the Obasanjo administration from amongst his peers,  flown over his seniors and superiors and dropped amongst the AIGs in the country. In three years (February 2004 – April 2007), Ribadu was against Police guidelines, required training, constitutional provisions  and good judgment, promoted four times; Assistant Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, Commissioner  of Police and AIG. That is a new promotion an average of every nine months. But for a change of government, he might have become the IGP and the largest tsunami in Nigerian Police history would have occurred as multiple generations of police officers would have been swept away. But the   Yar’Adua administration on August 5, 2008 restored some sanity  by  demoting 140  very senior police officers including Ribadu who was demoted to a Deputy Commissioner. The Ribadu  case reinforced my belief that the appointment of the IGP which is political, should be by the Senate and  for a non-renewable four-year term.
The tenure is very important as IGPs can, and are sacked or retired at will leading to serious instability in the system. The country has had 18 indigenous IGPs, four of them; Etim Inyang, Ogbonna Okechukwu Onovo, Suleiman Aba and Solomon Arese   served for an average 14 months. Seven of them; Louis Edet, Adamu Suleiman, Sunday Adewusi, Sunday Ehindero, Mike Okiro, Hafiz Ringim and Mohammed Dikko Abubakar, served an average two years. Although he was barely two months in office as IGP when the Buhari administration came into office on May 29, 2015, Arese said he expected to be sacked any second. So he lived in daily trepidation that he would hear he has been sacked. How can an IGP give his best or plan ahead if he does not think he would survive the next twenty four hours in office?
In other words, to be the Nigerian IGP, a DIG or AIG, is to be one leg out of the door. This lack of job security maybe responsible for some of these officers dabbling in political  matters and, to use a local slang ‘cornering resources’ to cushion their fall when thrown out of the service. The high turnover of these officers would also account for the huge army of retired police officers. So unwittingly, we have built an insecure   police  force led by vulnerable men and women, imbued with a sense of job insecurity, leading to some of them being attracted to corruption. Admittedly, this is also the  state of affairs in the Armed Forces. However, part of the problem of the Nigeria Police, is that it is primarily, a force rather than a civil institution. Because it is the Nigeria Police Force, the institution is inclined to the use of force and military strategies, rather than civil policing. Given this chosen path, the police has lost focus and balance, and daily, labours to convince a skeptical populace that ‘the police is your friend’
Modern policing is linked with  the ancient Greeks who called  it the Politeia meaning citizenship administration or civil polity. It was carried out by slaves who in Athens were known as the Scythian or rod bearers. Very much as they are known amongst the Yorubas as Olopa and the Hausas as Dansada  (those who weild the  baton) It was of course civil, but  where force was required, citizens were called to arms or the army used.

The Romans adopted the Greek model calling the service the Politia. The French took it from there calling it the Police, the name that has become universally recognized. A primary solution to our policing problems is to make it civil rather than a military outfit like the Americans, their gun culture and their Special Weapons Attack Team (SWAT). Making the Police civil,  will also weaken the  stiff opposition to local policing. Also to check the periodic sack of the police crème, we should adopt the system in our public service. The terminal level in the Civil Service is Director. There are many Directors, but the few who make it to be Permanent Secretaries, are political appointees and the fact that a junior Director is so appointed, does not mean all the senior Directors  are sacked, yet discipline in the system, is not compromised. Even if one of the Permanent Secretaries is made the Head of Service, it does not mean those senior in the service are compulsorily retired. An alternative to this is to appoint a retired judge  or conscientious Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) the IGP and make the  DIG, the terminal point. The primary duties of the Police are to preserve and enforce law and order, and protect life and property. The job of the IGP is basically to supervise the Police to  carry out these functions. To do this, the IGP does not need to be a policeman just as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces does not  come from the  military.

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