Business

Of Banditry and a Shared Sovereignty (1), by Hassan Gimba

Published

3 years ago

May 8, 2022

August24news.com

Sponsored by: H&H

In the book The Impact of Banditry on Nigeria’s Security in the Fourth Republic: An Evaluation of Nigeria’s Northwest by Rosenje, Musharafa Olapeju (PhD) and Adeniyi, Oluwatobi Peter, both of the Department of Political Science, Tai Solarin University of Education, first published on 30/04/2021, the authors posited that “Banditry is fast becoming alarming in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic to the extent that it poses a serious security threat not only to the Northwest region but to Nigeria as a whole.

The level at which bandits operate within the landscape of Nigeria’s northwest has led to a spree of kidnapping, maiming of people, loss of lives, population displacements, loss of cattle, disruption of socio-economic activities and equally brought about an atmosphere of uncertainty, a situation that has become worrisome to the government and the citizenry.”

The academics have aptly summarised what is happening in the entire country even though their study is for the northwest and north central. They said, “The pervasive banditry and its associated security threats, which have enveloped the Northwest region of Nigeria, particularly, Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, Sokoto and Niger states, have become a worrisome national security issue of public concern” and that “reports show the flourishing of bandit groups, whose members were seen displaying automatic weapons, terrorising herders’ settlements, farms, villages and the highways with the mission of killing people, kidnapping and pillaging cows.”

Their thesis went on: “It was reported that between October 2013 and March 2014, 7000 cattle were rustled from commercial livestock farms and traditional herders in Northern Nigeria while about 330 attacks were made by bandits and 1,460 deaths were recorded between January and July 2019.

“In most cases, the bandits killed and maimed the people and raped the women before dispossessing them of their cows (Akowe & Kayode, 2014) while in some instances, they also kidnapped girls or women in the process (Adeniyi, 2015; Yusuf, 2015). Suffice to say that the northwestern region of Nigeria encompasses seven states, namely Kano, Jigawa, Katsina, Kaduna, Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi. Five of these states, which are Katsina, Kaduna, Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi, have been most affected by the scourge of banditry. Of these five states, Kaduna, Katsina and Zamfara have been the most critical hot spots. It is, however, pertinent to note that the incidences of banditry are not limited to northwestern Nigeria. It is also prevalent in some parts of the north-central region, in states like Niger, Nasarawa, Benue and Plateau which are equally regarded as hotbeds.”

Over the last decade, groups of armed bandits have kidnapped, tortured and killed hundreds of people across northwest and central Nigeria, demanding ransoms and looting citizens, rich and poor. Millions of people have been displaced.

And of late, our country, not only the north, seems to be overwhelmed by insurgents, bandits and separatists. When we take a little inventory, we would see that something needs to be done urgently to save the country from being overrun. For instance, in the space of five months, i.e., between February and July 2021, there were various bandit attacks in Kaduna and Katsina, kidnappings in Zamfara, Afaka and Greenfield University, massacres in Kebbi and Zurmi, and kidnappings in Kebbi and Chikun.

According to the Wisconsin-based Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), one of the world’s most reliable conflict data aggregators, there were 18 abduction events targeting students across northern Nigeria between January 2018 and April 2021.

ACLED data also show that the bandits killed over 2,600 civilians in 2021, an increase of over 250% from 2020. This number dwarfs that of civilian deaths credited to Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the same year.

In the period between December 2020 and August 2021, over 1,000 students and school staff were abducted. Six months afterwards, 343 people were killed, while 830 others were abducted by bandits between July and September 2021 in Kaduna State alone, according to figures from the state government.

On April 5 this year, in a fight that lasted two hours, bandits that came on motorcycles with heavy weaponry, including rocket-propelled grenades, engaged soldiers in a military facility in Birnin Gwari, Kaduna State, killing ten. They had earlier shot down a fighter jet in Zamfara in July last year.

Confidence MacHarry, a security analyst at Lagos-based geopolitical advisory, SBM Intelligence, said the latest attack was “consistent with jihadist terror ideology of destroying established state institutions which the military represents”.

“An attack on a military facility cannot be swept away as the actions of mere bandits,” MacHarry said. “The goal is to capture territory. The government has to recalibrate its counterterrorism strategy in the northwest to factor this into existence. It also has to review the security of its military facilities in the region to strengthen it against future attacks.”

Even though in its bid to contain them, the government has declared them “terrorists”, bandits have continued to wax stronger and bolder in their fight against the people and state, giving rise to security reports that they are the same as Boko Haram.

On November 1, 2021, writing under the title, “Of Wachakal Airport, Wastage and the Bandits in Government”, we had said: “Now one can see how both those who, through corruption, have brought insecurity upon us and the innocent, who find travelling between Abuja and Kaduna safer through the trains, are now jittery because the products of wastage have turned their evil towards the rails.”

In October last year, they failed to stop a train after they laid explosives on its tracks. Witnesses say that time, the train hobbled on to its destination afterwards. But five months later, they hit the bull’s eye. On the same route, on Monday, March 28, this year, they stopped one heading for Kaduna from Abuja by bombing its tracks and shooting sporadically into it, forcing it to come to a halt. They killed many passengers and abducted dozens. Less than a week earlier, they had stormed the Kaduna airport, killing an official on the runway. Monday’s train attack was the second in six months last October.

Since its launch in 2016, the train has presented an alternative means of movement between Abuja, the nation’s capital, and Kaduna as the “bandits” had taken over the roads along the route. It was not surprising to see military and police rednecks, top government officials and political holders being driven to the railway stations in convoys of well-armed security men for the 200-kilometre journey by train or being picked up after arrival.

These bandits-cum-Boko Haram number in the tens of thousands but go around in dozens, sometimes more. Unchallenged, they invade towns and villages mostly on motorcycles – and sometimes on horses, and always well-armed.

Just last week, contributing to a debate on establishing a national task force to combat insecurity, the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Idris Wase, cried out over how kidnappers and bandits have taken over his constituency, Wase Federal Constituency of Plateau State.

“Virtually every day in my constituency, I have one kidnap report or the other — every day,” he lamented.

But even Abuja, the nation’s capital, is itself not exempt. In the same November 1 article, we pointed out that “bandits operating in Niger State to the West, Kogi to the South, Kaduna to the North and Nasarawa to the East have sandwiched Abuja and there is a need for a clinical onslaught against them. The Fulani settlements in these areas have to be forensically combed. Quite a few of the rugas around Kuje, Lugbe, and close to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport are alleged to be used by bandits to store weapons.”

Within the town itself, you move at your own risk because hoodlums have taken over major spots. Robbery attacks are recurring decimals in dark places, especially on bridges, wooded spots and pedestrian crossings. The ever-busy Apo-Maitama expressway and pedestrian bridges and roundabouts at Area One and Wuse Market area to Zone 7 down, to Berger and up to the Abuja-Kubwa-Kaduna expressway are some of the major areas frequented by criminal elements, and from City Gate to Gwagwalada is one dangerous habitat of these criminal elements.

To show that no one or nowhere is safe, in May 2019, they kidnapped the district head of Daura, President Muhammadu Buhari’s hometown. He was in their dungeon for two months. That incident made Garba Shehu say that Daura was not receiving preferential treatment, and that insecurity was a national problem.

These people now operate as if they are above the law. There are many villages under their control and they have even become the law, levying taxes on the locals regularly. But who are they?

“The bandits are [now] a motley mix of the displaced”, Ayisha Osori, director at Open Society Foundations and former chairperson of Open Society West Africa, told Al Jazeera. “Those displaced by the over decade-long violence in the northeast and those displaced by climate change – unable to farm, fish, trade.

“[There are] also herders who – tired of their cattle being rustled and the fights with farmers – have found a more lucrative revenue-generating operation: kidnapping for ransom and trading terror for community payoffs.

“The bandits also include the opportunistic – so criminally minded men, who may, or may not, be supported by some members of the Nigerian security force who, in a gradually collapsing economy, also find this a lucrative way of exploiting Nigerians.”

There is also the possibility that some bandits are remnants of the Abubakar Shekau faction of Boko Haram in the northeast who have been dislodged by the group’s other faction, ISWAP, which is affiliated with ISIL.

Business

How Nestlé and the Swiss Consulate in Nigeria are upskilling and creating job opportunities for Nigerian youth

Published

1 week ago

December 14, 2024

august24admin

How Nestlé and the Swiss Consulate in Nigeria are upskilling and creating job opportunities for Nigerian youth

For the thirteenth consecutive year, Nestlé Nigeria has empowered more than twenty young Nigerians through the Technical Training program in its factory at Agbara.

The participants received scholarships and training to attain the highly recognized City & Guilds certifications.

In addition, the top five students were given the opportunity to conclude their training with an eight-week apprenticeship at two of Nestlé’s technical sites in Switzerland (Orbe and Broc).

Equipped with their newly acquired skills, the graduating batch are ready to embark on their engineering careers with Nestlé in Nigeria.

The Nestlé Technical Training Program in Nigeria is part of Nestlé’s global Needs YOUth initiative. Its objective across the three centres in Agbara, Abaji and Flowergate is to enhance the employability of young Nigerians by providing them essential skills in Mechanical, Electrical, and Automation Engineering. The Agbara training centre is run in collaboration with the Swiss State Secretariat of Migration (SEM).

“Africa has the largest population of young people globally, with 70% of sub-Saharan Africa under the age of 30,” commented Remy Ejel, Nestlé Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer for Zone Asia, Oceania, and Africa. “It is crucial to help the younger generations reach their full potential and support economic growth by offering opportunities for skill development and employment.

Nigeria is an important country to Nestlé. We’ve been there for more than 60 years and are proud of our contributions to its development.

This partnership not only helps meet the demand for skilled labor in Nigeria but also supports the local economy and aligns with Nestlé’s broader objectives of enhancing youth employability.”

Since its inception in 2011, the program has received an overwhelming response, with an average of 10,000 applications annually. Each year, up to 60 apprentices are selected through a rigorous assessment process to ensure quality training and personalized attention.

The program includes 18 months of intensive theoretical and practical training for participants, who receive certifications in level 3, 4 and 5 of City & Guilds of London upon completion.

Dolapo Adedoyin Okunola, 25, is a program graduate aspiring to become a Technical Manager. The highlight of her experience was participating in impactful projects aimed at improving energy efficiency and machine validations, while collaborating with a diverse and talented team.

She also enjoyed the opportunity to learn basic French and explore the picturesque Swiss landscapes. “The Nestlé Technical Training Program has significantly enhanced my abilities and expanded not just my skills and academic knowledge but also my experiences of different cultures and languages,” Dolapo explained. “The comprehensive training I received in Nigeria, combined with my internship in Switzerland provides me a competitive edge in the corporate world. I am confident that this program has laid a strong foundation for my career.”

The program not only enhances the technical skills of talented young Nigerians but also fosters cultural understanding and knowledge sharing between Switzerland and Nigeria.

His Excellency Osuobeni Rawlings Krobari, Chargé D’Affaires of Nigeria to Switzerland and Liechtenstein added: “I am delighted to see the program’s success in enhancing the employability of young people in Nigeria. A skilled workforce is vital for our long-term growth.

I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the graduates on their achievements. I encourage them to view their new skills as not only a foundation for their careers but also an opportunity to be ambassadors for their generation, by sharing knowledge and best practices with their peers.”

To date, the program has benefited close to 230 trainee graduates, with 98% securing employment at Nestlé Nigeria. Nestlé and SEM jointly invest in the program, reflecting their commitment to provide more economic opportunities to youth.

Ms. Valérie Gass, Policy Advisor, State Secretariat for Migration SEM, said: “This program was launched the same year as the migration partnership between Switzerland and Nigeria, which aims, among other things, to create greater economic opportunities locally.

The program is an excellent example of a successful Swiss public-private partnership that effectively addresses challenges and creates meaningful opportunities. We take great pride in this initiative and remain committed to supporting youth in Nigeria.”

The Nestlé Technical Training Program consists of three programs run by Nestlé Nigeria in its factories in Agbara, Flowergate, and Abaji. In 2024, a total of 70 top-performing young Nigerians from these programs completed apprenticeships.

This initiative is just one example of how Nestlé is helping youth become more employable across Asia, Oceania, and Africa. Drawing inspiration from the Swiss dual education system to combine theoretical and practical training, Nestlé aims to create a positive impact in the countries where it operates by leveraging global expertise alongside local insights.

The global Nestlé Needs YOUth program was launched in 2013 and aims to help 10 million young people around the world access economic opportunities by 2030. As part of this ambition, it aims to reach more than 5 million youth across Asia, Oceania and Africa.

Business

ACCESS BANK PLC SIGNS AGREEMENT TO ACQUIRE 100% EQUITY STAKE IN SOUTH AFRICA-BASED BIDVEST BANK

Published

1 week ago

December 14, 2024

august24admin

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

Business

Alleged Blackmailing of GTCO, CEO: Bloggers’ trial moved to January

Published

2 weeks ago

December 13, 2024

august24admin

Adenle Ahmed Abiola

The trial of four bloggers: Precious Eze, Olawale Rotimi, Rowland Olonishuwa, and Seun Odunlami, charged with allegedly blackmailing Guaranty Trust Holding Company and its Group Chief Executive Officer, Segun Agbaje, was on Thursday adjourned to January 13 and 14, 2025.

They were dragged before Justice Ayokunle Faji of the Federal High Court, Lagos by the Special Fraud Unit of the Nigeria Police Force.

They are facing a 10 count amended charge for allegedly publishing false information about GTCO and Agbaje through various social media platforms.

They had pleaded not guilty to the charges and were denied bail because Eze was accused of being a serial offender.

However, Justice Faji ordered an accelerated trial of the four bloggers.

At the resumed hearing of the matter on November 13 and 14, 2024, Justice Faji dismissed their bail applications, citing the serious nature of the alleged offences, which included charges that could lead to up to 14 years in prison.

The judge also held that Eze has shown the tendencies of committing the offence again if let out as he is currently charged with a similar offence in another court and was only out on bail when he went ahead to commit the alleged offence for which he is now standing trial.

He also highlighted the potential destabilising impact such actions could have on the banking sector, particularly since some of the charges involved cross-border activities on the internet.

He also noted that the defendants’ actions challenged the authority of regulatory bodies, including the Central Bank of Nigeria, which had approved GTCO’s audited statements.

At the resumption of trial on Thursday, the defence counsel, O. A Afolabi, called Eze, the 1st defendant, to the witness box to give his testimony concerning the circumstances surrounding the recording of his statement at the police custody after his arrest.

The witness said: “I was arrested on September 21, 2024 at Gbagada and was taken to the SFU office in Ikoyi.

“When we got there, I was taken to the office on the first floor by the right, where we met someone called Abu, who later called Mr. Yakubu to conduct my interrogation.

“He then took me to another office where there were many files.

“He then asked me if I knew why I was arrested and I answered that I had no idea.

“A file was then shown to me and I didn’t know how the file applied to me.

“Yakubu then replied that it was a petition written against me and a few others from GTB.

“We sat down and discussed.

“He told me my name was mentioned that I wrote a story against the bank and he said if I should cooperate with him, the issue will be settled seamlessly.

“He said if I give the full details of the issues, I’d be free to go.

“He said I should write my statement and I asked that my lawyer has to be here before I write and he replied that it doesn’t matter since all that he asked was for me to write what happened.

“I was insistent on having my lawyer around and he got offended.

“He said I should write my statement If I want to leave the station that same day.

“I agreed eventually and he brought a sheet of paper for me to write.”

On whether the interrogation room captured in the video played for the court was the same room he was taken to immediately he got to the SFU office, the witness replied that he had seen the video and the room was different from the initial one he was taken.

Afolabi further asked the circumstances surrounding the writing of the two statements shown in court.

Eze replied: “The statement I wrote in the first office I was taken to was the same one I was given to rewrite the same thing in another form.”

Objecting, the prosecution counsel, Chief Ajibola Aribisala (SAN), urged the court to play the video recording of the statement to ascertain the authenticity of the witness’s claims that he copied his first statement in his second.

Chief Aribisala informed the court that the two statements, in contrast to what the witness said, were two different statements without same narration and meaning.

In continuation of his cross-examination, the prosecuting counsel urged the court to allow the witness to read out a few lines from the two statements to determine if it was copied or rewritten.

The defence counsel raised an objection to the suggestion of reading out the content of the statements to the court by the prosecuting counsel.

Aribisala insisted that the statement is yet to be admitted before the court and as such cannot be read out.

After few deliberations, the trial judge admitted the statement as evidence to be used in the trial within trial.

The prosecuting counsel, after the careful comparing and contrasting of the two statements, asked the witness the similarities between the two statements to ascertain it as being copied or rewritten.

The witness replied: “I’m not a child and I’m learned to know that I’m not expected to write the statement verbatim.

“And as a writer, I can write on the same subject matter or topic with different approaches or words.”

Eze added that the initial part of the second statement he was seen writing in the video played in the court was dictated to him by Investigating Police Officer Yakubu, who later gave him the first statement to copy into the second one he wrote.

Opposing, Chief Aribisala told the court that the two statements are the original thoughts of the witness and not dictated as the witness had alleged in his testimony.

Justice Faji thereafter adjourned the case until January 13 and 14, 2025 for further cross-examination of witnesses.

The Eagle Online recalls that at the resumption of trial on Tuesday, a police witness, M. Yakubu, who was still under oath, was cross-examined by the defence counsel.

Adeniyi had asked him: “Are you familiar with international laws and practices that guide investigators and the implications of not adhering to such laws and practices?”

The witness replied: “I am aware,” adding that he had been an investigator since 2001.

On whether he knew that each column in a statement form has its importance to the investigator and the suspects and as well familiar with his right to guide and not induce or promise the suspect through the process, the witness replied that he was certainly aware.

Adeniyi further asked for the starting and ending time of each statement recording of the defendants from the 1st to the 4th and the reason for the process without the presence of their lawyers

The witness replied that the maximum time spent in recording the statement of each defendant was an hour and it was done in the absence of their legal representatives, which he said was as the defendants agreed to do.

He further probed: “How many interrogation rooms do you have at your station?”

Witness replied: “We have only one.”

Defence counsel: “How did you record the statement of the four defendants?”

Witness: “It was done one after the other and I was the one who conducted it.”

Defence counsel: “Do you have an observation room at your station? How many?”

Witness: “We only have CCTV footage of the interrogation room, which can only be viewed from the office of the CP, DSP and ACP.”

The defence counsel then prayed the court to give room for more witnesses for cross examination.

Opposing the application, Chief Aribisala urged the court to reject the request or mandate the defence counsel to make available the list of witnesses before they appear in court.

In delivering his ruling, Justice Faji ordered the defence counsel to update the prosecuting counsel on the list of the witnesses that will be summoned at the next hearing slated for Thursday, December 12, 2024.