News

Insecurity: Over 5,000 Nigerians killed Jan 2023 – March 2024, 3,110 kidnapped — Report

Published

4 months ago

May 10, 2024

Nextier, a research organisation, has released its first quarter “2024 Nigeria Violent Conflicts Report”, which reveals a staggering 5,319 casualties, 3,110 kidnap victims, and 1,500 incidents of violent conflict between January 2023 and March 2024.

Presenting the report in Abuja, Dr. Ndubuisi Nwokolo, Partner at Nextier, lamented the devastating impact of conflicts on Nigeria’s economy, education, and humanitarian crises. “Nigeria’s ongoing violent conflicts have inflicted severe wounds on the nation’s economy, impacting livelihoods, food production, infrastructure, and overall development,” he said.

He emphasised that prolonged insecurity erodes trust in government institutions, leading to the emergence of ethnic militias and non-state armed groups. “When the state fails to protect citizens, it risks losing legitimacy. As a consequence, ethnic militias and other non-state armed groups have emerged, operating in various regions,” he said.

The report calls for collaborative efforts from state and federal institutions to address the root causes of conflict and insecurity while fostering socioeconomic development and enhancing security measures.

Senior Policy Research Analyst, Kenn Maduagwu, noted that despite a decline in Boko Haram’s insurgency, terrorism remains a significant concern in Nigeria, with ISWAP and other groups posing ongoing threats. “While fatalities have decreased in 2023, the overall toll remains significant. The conflict has resulted in widespread displacement of people, which can exacerbate existing vulnerabilities and push families deeper into poverty,” he said.

The report identifies Gunmen Attacks, Banditry, Farmer-Herder Conflict, and Kidnapping as high-risk conflicts, while Civil Unrest, Maritime Piracy, Armed Robbery, Secessionism, and Communal Clashes are classified as low-risk conflicts.

To mitigate the conflicts, the report recommends strategic investments in education, job creation, and poverty reduction initiatives, particularly in high-risk regions. “The importance of proactive partnerships between law enforcement agencies and communities cannot be overstated. Enhanced intelligence gathering and apprehension efforts, along with a focus on strengthening existing operations such as Operation Puff Adder, are deemed essential in combating armed groups and banditry,” said Senior Consultant Nextier, Ndidi Anyanwu.

The report also emphasises the need for conflict resolution mechanisms to facilitate dialogue between historically tense communities, particularly between herders and farmers. “Addressing land disputes and resource allocation issues, alongside investigating funding sources and networks supporting gunmen, are identified as pivotal steps towards sustainable peace,” the report stated.

Addressing the multifaceted nature of kidnapping in Nigeria, Nextier advocates for broad-based combative and non-combative approaches tailored to the unique manifestations across states and regions. “Criminal gangs and terrorist groups will continue to use ransom kidnap as a means to finance their operations. The current ongoing agitation and government response might persist without significant changes, potentially leading to prolonged tension and instability,” the report stated.

The report stresses the importance of analysing and addressing historical injustices, economic inequalities, political marginalisation, and lack of trust in government institutions. “Highlighting shared values, history, and cultural diversity through education and community engagement is deemed essential for fostering national unity and resilience,” the report stated.

Overall, the report highlights the need for a comprehensive and collaborative approach to address the complex security challenges facing Nigeria.

News

Rupture In PDP Governors’ Forum deepens

Published

1 hour ago

September 20, 2024

Austin Ojomah

By Ojomah Austin.

The evolving fall-out, which comes barely days to the contentious National Executive Committee (NEC) of PDP, followed a back and forth between the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike and the Governors forum, who declared support for Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara to be made leader of the party in the state.

After a meeting with some members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) in Bauchi on Wednesday, Governor Mohammed, said “According to our party’s constitution, any leadership vacancy should be filled by someone from the region where it originated,” stressing that Damagum would be replaced soon considering that he hails from North East and not the North Central.

Same day, Makinde, during the groundbreaking of the upgrading of Ladoke Akintola Airport, Ibadan, to an international airport, which was attended by another set of NWC members, led by Damagum, said he would support whatever decision the Damagum-led NWC would take to reposition the party.

Damagum, who is considered a close ally of Nyesom Wike, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, was appointed acting national chairman after the removal of Iyorchia Ayu in June 2023.

Meanwhile, the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the PDP led by Senator Adolph Wabara, met with members of the National Assembly caucus in Abuja.

The close door meeting comes barely hours after the BoT met with Wike in Abuja.

While Wabara refused to comment on the essence of the meeting with the lawmakers, it was noticed that most of the lawmakers didn’t honour the invitation.

News

Tears As Man Takes Own Life Over Tinubu’s Govt Hardship

Published

1 hour ago

September 20, 2024

Naijablitznews

By Mario Deepromoter

Sad development in Marika village, Kiyawa Local Government, Jigawa, where a 40-year-old man, Jibrin Adamu, committed suicide by hanging himself.

According to eyewitnesses, Adamu’s lifeless body was discovered in a classroom at Miftahul Khairat Islamiyya and Primary School Gurdiba on Thursday.

Police spokesperson DSP Lawan Shiisu Adam confirmed the incident, stating that preliminary investigations revealed Adamu had struggled with mental health issues.

“Police received a report on Thursday that at about 1830hrs, a tragic incident was reported at the Command headquarters that one Jibrin Adamu ‘m’ age 40yrs of Jigawar Maroka village, Kiyawa LGA has committed suicide by hanging himself over the ceiling at Islamiyya school,” the Police spokesperson told Daily Post.

The Jigawa State Commissioner of Police, CP AT Abdullahi, has instructed officers to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.

News

Just in: Dangote Petrol Now Available at N765.99 Per Litre

Published

1 hour ago

September 20, 2024

Naijablitznews

By Mario Deepromoter

11plc, Total Energies, AA Rano, and other marketers have begun lifting Dangote Petrol through Nigerian National Company (NNPC) Trading Limited for N765.99 to retail outlets nationwide.

Findings showed some petroleum marketers who were able to complete their payment process on the NNPC trading payment portal commenced the lifting of petrol earlier this week under the existing agreement between marketers and the refinery.

Tunji Oyebanji, managing director, 11Plc confirmed to BusinessDay on Thursday evening that some marketers have started lifting the products at N765.99 from Dangote Refinery through NNPC who remain the sole off-taker of product.

“We were among the first marketers to complete the payment on the NNPC portal. We have no direct arrangement with the refinery,” Oyebanji said.

It was gathered that NNPC Retail, 11plc, Total Energies, A.A Rano are among the marketers that have picked up products from the refinery.

He added, “We don’t know the contractual financial arrangement between NNPC and the refinery but what I can confirm is we are buying at N765.99 from NNPC to lift Dangote petrol”.

Efforts to get the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) to confirm if its members have picked up products at the Dangote Refinery proved abortive at the time of writing this report.

See also Nigeria’s Petrol Landing Cost Revealed
Adedapo Segun, executive vice-president, downstream at NNPC said marketers cannot purchase petrol directly from the refinery because the product is still sold at a subsidised rate.

“That is the same thing happening with Dangote. I said earlier that Dangote is a company and it is going to sell at market price,” he told Journalists.

According to Segun, “The market value of PMS is still higher than what N766 or N765 or N799 that NNPC is selling.

“The situation has not changed there. So, NNPC’s off-taking is only because the others would not buy at the price Dangote will be willing to sell, which is reasonable.

“As soon as the price allows for it, you will see the marketers go to Dangote and buy.”