Metro
CCT boss gives reasons why 9 northern forests must be cleared to end terrorism
The Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Dr. Mainasara Kogo, has called for aggressive military action against bandits and terrorists in Nigeria, including the bombardment of nine forests across the North.
Speaking at the 2025 Sir Ahmadu Bello National Annual Memorial Conference held at the Arewa House in Kaduna on Saturday, Kogo emphasised the need for decisive action to tackle terrorism and insecurity across the region.
The conference, which attracted dignitaries from the North, was with the theme: ‘Nigeria’s Leadership for National Cohesion and Stability, Under The Contemporary Governance.’
The CCB Chairman, who was the guest speaker on the occasion, noted that in order to address the security challenges, the nine forests in northern Nigeria that provide shelter to terrorists be bombed to ashes by the military.
He identified the forests as Sambisa(Borno) Mandara mountains(located in Lake Chad), Falgore forests(Kano), Rugu forests(Katsina), Sabon Birni forests(Sokoto), Dansadau,(Zamfara) Birnin-Gwari(Kaduna) and Kontagora(Niger) and Birnin Kogo forests in Katsina states.
According to him, once these forests, which harbour the bandits and terrorists are bombed, the activities of these hoodlums would automatically cease.
Umar said, “The nine bushes that provide shelter to the terrorists in northern Nigeria (the Sambisa, the bushes around Mandara mountains up to the enclave of Lake Chad, the Falgore forests, the Rugu forests up to Shinkafi, the Sabon Birni forests, the Dansadau down to Birnin Kogo forests, the Birnin Gwari, the Kontagora to Yau’ri back to Funtua), must be bombed into ashes! This will automatically kill the terrorists and deny the remnants of the shelter they get from the bushes.
“Then, turn the area into belts of industrial commercial agriculture, which will take care of the 2nd terrorist (hunger) through bumper agricultural production, which will equally gain employment for our teeming unemployed youths.
“Then create industrial farms with a network of roads, farming housing settlements, the nucleus of which will spring up new hamlets and towns Then cluster industries will spring up, e.g. textiles, confectioneries, noodles, factories, flour industries, oil milling factories, will beef up economic activities that will gain foreign exchange earnings for the country.”
The CCT chairman also called for a comprehensive overhaul of the nation’s security architecture while recommending the creation of specialised security bodies, such as “National Border Security Police, National Ports Police, National Airports Police, National Cyber Crime Police, and National Anti-Terrorism Police.”
He also emphasised the importance of auditing security spending over the past 20 years to ensure accountability and transparency.
The CCT boss said, “Punish the guilty; punish the perpetrators e.g. several container loads with Arms and Ammunition have, at different times, been arrested, apart from the informants and international collaborators, but to date, we do not know if anyone has ever been convicted. The leadership in Nigeria must be ready to punish.
“Re-jig the security architecture; the President should unbundle the provisions of Section 153 of the Constitution that provides for the National Security Council, the National Police Council and the National Defense Council and make the councils to create the following security bodies:
National Border Security Police, National Ports Police, National Airports Police, National Cyber Crime Police, National Anti-Terrorism Police
“After this, incorporate all the changes in sections 214 – 216 of the Constitution, which gives the power of territorial internal security to the Nigeria Police and sections 217 – 219 of the Constitution that says the police can seek reinforcement from other security formations if the problems before them are overwhelming. In short, leave the police to coordinate all matters of internal-security.
“We want a comprehensive audit of all the monies released for security in the past 20 years. By the time you audit all the monetary spending vis-a-vis what is on ground, you then find out why despite ‘purchase of drones’, Torcanos, and no rat has visibly been brought to public glare.”
Earlier in his welcome address, the National President of Gamji Heritage, Ahmed Abdullahi, called on Nigerians to unite and find lasting solutions to the country’s pressing challenges.
Abdullahi highlighted the achievements of the late Sir Ahmadu Bello, including transformative institutions and projects such as Arewa House, Ahmadu Bello University, and the Kainji and Jebba Hydroelectric Projects.
“Our commitment to progress remains unwavering. With Allah’s guidance, we will overcome these challenges and build a stronger, united Nigeria,” he said.
Other speakers at the conference included the Vice Chairman of the Arewa Consultative Forum, Ambassador Ibrahim Mai Sule; Justice Mainasara Kogo Umar; and the Director-General of the Centre for Democratic Development Research and Training, Zaria, Prof. Abubakar Mohammed.
The District Head of Odugbeho in Agatu Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue state, Chief Anthony Adejoh has been murdered by suspected armed herdsmen.
Reports have it that the royal father and one Jerry John were gruesomely murdered Wednesday afternoon by the marauders at Otobi-Akpa in Otukpo LGA.
The duo were said to be working in their farms in Otobi when the marauders stormed the area and opened fire on them.
They were later discovered dead when the people who heard the sound of gunshots dashed to the scene and found them dead.
Confirming the development, the Chairman of Agatu LGA, Mr. Marvis Ejeh, said Chief Adejo was gruesomely killed on his farm at Akpa-Otobi by armed herders who invaded the area at about 10 am.
He described late royal father as a peace builder, an astute community builder and a community leader who would be greatly missed by all.
The Chairman said, “I can confirm to you that the district head of Odugbeho, Chief Tony Adej,o has been killed. He was killed by some armed herdsmen while working on his farm at Otobi in Otukpo LGA of the State.
“Despite hearing this ugly news, Odugbeho community is calm, our people are calm because we will not take law into our hands.
“Nobody is taking the law into their hands, there is no need for a reprisal attack because the incident did not happen at home. Agatu is calm and peaceful.”
The Agatu Chairman, who enjoined the people to be security conscious wherever they find themselves said “Agatu people residing and farming in other LGAs should be careful and watchful.
“They should liaise with the local authority and know the areas that are safe to work for now, since the government is trying to curb the issue of insecurity in the entire Benue South District or Zone c.”
Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent, CSP, Chatherine Anene said she had yet received reports of the incident.
The Lagos State Government has announced plans to prosecute 74 individuals apprehended for violating environmental regulations within the state.
According to the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, the suspects were arrested during a coordinated enforcement operation by the state’s Taskforce in the early hours of Tuesday around 1 a.m., targeting key locations across the Lekki axis of Lagos Island.
The enforcement sweep covered areas including the Falomo Bridge, Eko Hotel Roundabout, Oniru Beach, Lekki Phases 1 and 2, and the 1004 Estate. A total of 72 men and two women were taken into custody.
Wahab explained that the operation aimed to restore order and sanitation in the affected areas.
He added that the suspects will face prosecution in accordance with state laws and urged residents to remain law-abiding and committed to maintaining a clean, orderly environment for all.
The police in Benin City, Edo State, on Tuesday arraigned 30 persons before a Benin High Court for alleged murder and cultism.
The 30 persons are standing trial on a seven-count charge bordering on conspiracy, murder, cultism, armed attack, and belonging to unlawful society.
The defendants were arraigned in three batches with the same seven-count charges.
The defendants arraigned in the first batch are Paul Elekun 25, Muetinyan Osagbovo 25, Opkala Bernice 22, Nnajiofor Francis 23, Imuetinyan Osanogara 21, Christian Augustine 22, Aniyea Choice 33, Saturday Umukoro 20.
The second batch are Gmogbo Ufoha 22, Emoh Emmanuel 29, Olavwola Gchinamen 32, Eriator Osaihon 44, Isaac Michael 32, Festus Arihian 37, Tedius Jude 25., Emmanuel Okhie 29, Daniel Oyakhilome 29, John Umoren 28.
The third batch are Ogoigbe Richard 33, Omokwua Cliton 32, Solomo Peisi (No specific age), Ezebuke Bright 29, Okoloagu Chicks 45, Ajuja Frank 25, Onemu Oghenekome Michael 19,
Jerry Lazarus 27, Patrick Arneka Joshua 22, Daniel James 28, Moses Peter 37, and Ewalefoh Prosper Osamudiahen 20.
The Prosecutor, Polycarp Odion told the court that the defendants and others, allegedly on May 1, did conspire to commit a felony.
Mr Odion alleged that on the same day within Benin City, without lawful authority, the defendants allegedly carried out armed attacks against a section of residents of the Benin metropolis.
The defendants were also alleged to have conspired among themselves to commit murder.
According to the prosecutor, the defendants and others at large, at different dates within Benin City did conspire and belong to an unlawful society.
He said the offences contravened Sections 412 (2), 64, and 247 of the Criminal Law of Edo State Law, 2022.
The prosecutor urged the court to remand the defendants in the Correctional Centre for an initial 14 days, pending the advice of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).
Counsels to the defendants prayed the court to grant them bail as they were presumed innocent until proven otherwise.
According to the counsels, the defendants were picked in indifferent areas in the metropolis, which includes Ugbowo axis, Sapele road axis and Garrick Memorial College axis.
They said some were picked while they were eating, some inside the bus on their way home from work, some were arrested while driving and their vehicles impounded.
They said that the judge has the right to grant the defendants bail, urging the judge to exercise the same to grant the defendants’ bail.
They added that they all have reasonable surety to stand for their bail and ensure their presence in court on an adjournment date.
Among the defence counsels for the defendants who spoke were a former Chief Magistrate, Peter Asemota (retd), Ede Asenoguan, a former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Benin City Branch, Paul Badaki, J.E. Igunma, A.D.Ajeka, O.J.Odi, E.B.KiKa, among others.
The presiding judge, Justice Williams Azeigbemhin, however granted the defendants bail in the sum of N1 million each with one surety in like sum.
Mr Azeigbemhin said both the defendants and surety must produce their NIN card, valid ID cards, and three passport photographs each.
He said that the surety must be a senior staff member of a recognised establishment.
He added that the surety must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and all information must be verified by the court registrar.
He then adjourned the case until May 19.
(NAN)
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