News

Angry ACF says killing of northern drivers in South East unacceptable

Published

17 hours ago

March 5, 2025

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has expressed concern over the attacks on drivers of trucks conveying goods from the North to the South-East by suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The ACF warned that the killings of the drivers and the destruction of their vehicles constitute a serious threat to national security that could lead to the breakdown of law and order and generalised anarchy.

This comes as the Department of State Service (DSS) Tuesday, invited Daily Trust reporters in Plateau State over reportage of the protest over the killing of the drivers.

The media had reported that trucks’ drivers and owners on Sunday, protested in Jos, Plateau State capital, lamenting that many of their members had been killed and their vehicles burnt in the attacks.

The report stated that more than 20 truck drivers had been killed and many others missing in attacks on them in the South-East in the last one year.

In a statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Professor Tukur Muhammad-Baba, the ACF said it had observed that drivers of heavy-duty haulage trucks/trailers conveying goods to and from, or merely traversing roads in the South-East had and were still being subjected to what it called vicious and unprovoked attacks, leading to the murder of drivers, burning of vehicles and looting of goods.

The ACF accused the security agencies and the federal government of doing nothing to tame the attacks.

“The attacks are being brazenly carried out by the euphemistic gunmen/gun-women who openly claim membership of terror groups such as the so-called Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN), with the attacks directed only on northerners and northern-owned property.

“The terror merchants have continued to double down on the savage attacks and even posting video clips of the results of their gruesome actions, with gleeful taunts, on social media. Often, the savagery extends to burning of the corpses of hapless victims. Only a few days ago indeed, members of the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) demonstrated at Jos, the Plateau State Capital, to draw attention to the attacks and the over 50 drivers and about 100 trailers burnt over the last eight years,” it stated.

The ACF added: “Equally worrisome is the silence of national security agencies and the federal and state governments. ACF asserts that the attacks constitute a serious threat to national security with the potential to lead to the breakdown of law and order and generalised anarchy.

“Needless to assert, absolutely, no individual or groups should be allowed free rein to visit murder, looting, arson, vandalism and general brigandage on innocent citizens. ACF is gravely saddened by the development and fully supports the contemplation by NARTO and NURTW to boycott the haulage of goods to and from the South-East until the situation is brought under control.

“ACF further extends condolences to the families and friends of victims of the attacks, calls on the federal and relevant state authorities, as well as the security agencies to step-up to stop the unprovoked and extra-constitutional actions by the terror groups.

“At the very minimum, perpetrators of the dastardly acts must be fished out and brought to justice. The relevant authorities ought to declare a state of emergency on the matter”.

The group added: “The ACF further decries the silence or lip service by South-East elite, politically exposed persons and socio-cultural groups on the issue and calls on them to end the lip service and neglect but publicly condemn the barbarism being visited on northerners and northern-owned businesses in the region.”

It further called on the governments of Enugu and Imo states to pay full compensation for lives and injuries as well as the goods lost to the attacks.

DSS invites Daily Trust’s reporters over story

The Department of State Services (DSS), Jos office on Tuesday interrogated two reporters covering Plateau State, Ado Abubakar Musa and Dickson S. Adama, over the newspaper’s Monday lead story.

The reporters were invited through Ayuku Pwaspo, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Plateau State Council, but no reason was initially given for the summon.

Upon arrival at the DSS office at 11am, an officer escorted them to the Deputy Director’s office, where they were informed that their invitation was related to the story titled “Protest in Jos over killing of truck drivers in S/East”.

According to the DSS officers, the report was disturbing and written in bad faith, particularly criticising the use of the word ‘protest’ in the headline and the accompanying images.

The reporters defended the article, explaining that other media outlets also reported the incident, which was based on the grievances of truck drivers.

They also explained the term ‘protest’ has various meanings in media parlance, and its usage was editorially justified.

The DSS officers revealed that the report had drawn reactions from Abuja, the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), and other parts of the country, prompting them to manage the situation carefully.

During the question-and-answer session, the officers initially stated that one of the newspaper’s reporters would be detained and taken to Abuja the next day while the other should report back to the the media headquarters in Abuja.

However, the reporters were later taken to the director’s office, where he reiterated dissatisfaction with the report, advising journalists to consider that some media terms may be misinterpreted by the public.

The director confirmed that one of the reporters, Ado, would be taken to Abuja for further explanations, but first, had to write a statement regarding the report.

After completing their statements and providing their names and phone numbers, the reporters were released around 3pm.

The DSS director said the reporters would be invited again for questioning if necessary.

Related Topics:chairman DSS Enugu Killed Nigeria

Up Next

AKPABIO’S GATE: Senate turns down Live Coverage As Natasha Appears Before Panel

Don't Miss

Just in: Abuja Court stops Senate from probing Senator Natasha

Click to comment

News

TRUTH! Ex-Gov Fayemi declares, Natasha never accused me of se3ual harassment

Published

5 seconds ago

March 6, 2025

Admin

The immediate past governor of Ekiti state, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has dismissed the declaration made by the lawmaker representing the Ekiti North Senatorial District, Cyril Fasuyi, that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan accused him of sexual harassment.

Fasuyi had, on Wednesday during plenary, disclosed that the Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial district had in the past raised allegations of sexual harassment against Fayemi amidst the ongoing investigation into the allegation against the Senate President, Godswil Akapabio.

However, Fayemi, in a statement by the Head of Fayemi Media Office on Wednesday, described the allegation as misleading and a monumental falsehood that lacks a modicum of truth.

The former governor said that neither Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan nor anyone else has ever accused Fayemi of sexual harassment.

He noted that Fasuyi’s allegation was a misrepresentation of facts, adding that the senator representing Ekiti North may have inadvertently conflated the events, leading to a misrepresentation of facts.

The statement reads, “We have become aware of a statement made by Senator Cyril Fasuyi during today’s Senate plenary, in which he alleged that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan had previously accused Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the immediate past Governor of Ekiti State, of sexual harassment.

“We categorically state that this claim is entirely false. At no time has Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan—or anyone else, for that matter—ever accused Dr. Fayemi of such misconduct. It appears that the Distinguished Senator from Ekiti inadvertently misrepresented the facts, as no such allegation has ever been made against Dr. Fayemi.

“Consequently, there is no basis for Senator Fasuyi’s further assertion that Dr. Fayemi would be submitting a petition to the Senate in this regard. We would like to believe that, in his enthusiasm to defend the Senate President, Senator Fasuyi inadvertently conflated events, leading to a misrepresentation of facts.

“For the record, the only professional engagement Dr. Fayemi ever had with Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was during his tenure as the Honourable Minister of Mines and Steel Development, when he oversaw matters related to the Ajaokuta Steel Company. While they may have held differing views on the future of the company at the time, their interactions remained strictly within the realm of policy discussions. At no point did Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan make any allegations of misconduct against Dr. Fayemi.

“We urge Senator Fasuyi to exercise greater diligence in verifying facts before making public statements, especially on sensitive matters that could damage reputations.

“Dr. Fayemi remains committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity in public service, and we reject any attempt to tarnish his name with baseless allegations”, it added

News

Expect heavy decisions as Tinubu summons back to back FEC meeting

Published

11 minutes ago

March 6, 2025

Admin

President Bola Tinubu is presiding over the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, the second in less than a week, at the State House, Abuja.

Shortly before the commencement of the meeting at the Council Chamber, Council members observed a minute silence in honour of two former members of Council.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, had informed the Council of the passing of Mrs. Adenike Ebunoluwa Oyagbola, Nigeria’s first female minister.

Oyagbola, who served as Minister of National Planning from 1979 to 1983, passed away on Friday at the age of 93.
The council was also informed of the demise of elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, a former FEC member who served as Federal Commissioner for Information.

Clark, passed away on Monday, February 17, at the age of 97.

The ongoing Council session, which commenced upon the President’s arrival, marks the fourth meeting in 2025.
On Monday, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, had announced that council members would reconvene for another session.

Present at Wednesday’s FEC meeting are the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Walson Didi-Jack; Chief of Staff to the President, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila; and many Ministers.

News

Akpabio Gate: Lawyer gives Senate President 7 days to step aside for probe

Published

28 minutes ago

March 6, 2025

Admin

Nigerian Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has been asked to step down pending an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment made against him by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

In a letter dated March 3, 2025, human rights lawyer, Myson Nejo, Esq demanded that Senator Akpabio step aside to allow for a thorough investigation by the Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petition Committee.

The allegations against Senator Akpabio surfaced after Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s interview on Arise Television on February 28, 2025.

According to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, Senator Akpabio made inappropriate comments and advances towards her during a visit to his residence in Akwa Ibom on December 8, 2023.

Senator Akpabio’s alleged actions have sparked widespread concern, with many calling for his resignation.

However, Nejo, a pro-democracy campaigner, maintained that “pending the commencement and conclusion of investigation, it is required that you step aside as the Senate President and allow the Deputy Senate President to preside affairs in the red chambers. This is the prudent and appropriate thing to do in the interest of our country”.

Nejo who said he wrote on behalf of millions of concerned Nigerians passionate about democratic governance and ethics, stated that their attention was drawn to an Arise Television Interview granted by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (“Senator Natasha”) on February 28 2025.

“In the said interview, Senator Natasha made allegation suggesting that you sexually harassed her and crossed the line decency in the discharge of your duties as the Senate President of Nigeria. Senator Natasha stated as follows:

“My issue with Senator Akpabio commenced on December 8, 2023, when my husband and I visited Akwa Ibom to attend Senator Akpabio’s birthday celebration. During our visit, Senator Akpabio was escorting me around his residence, holding my hand while my husband followed behind, and remarked that he would like me to visit his home regularly to share special moments. My husband overheard the comment and subsequently advised me to refrain from traveling alone or being in the company of the Senate President without accompaniment.

“Godswill Akpabio wanted to spend quality time with me ALONE in his Ikot Ekpene home. I’m the chief presiding office of the Senate and you can enjoy a lot of you take care of me”

“As you are aware, these allegations levelled against you are damning. They have, without doubt, brought shame and ridicule to the highest legislative body in Nigeria. The institution of the Nigerian Senate is sacred and allegations of this nature diminishes the sanctity of the Hallowed Chambers.

“This allegation of national importance requires immediate and thorough investigation by the Ethics, Privileges and Public Petition Committee (“Ethics Committee”) of the Nigerian Senate. This allegation demands that you appear before the Ethics Committee and make presentations in respect of the allegation in the interest of fair hearing and the sanctity of the Nigerian Senate.”

He added, “You will recall that in 2017 when former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, was accused of importing bullet proof car by one of his colleagues, he stepped aside and gave room for transparent investigation, the outcome of which absolved him of any wrongdoing. This is an admirable precedent that must be followed.

“On the strength of the foregoing, we hereby demand that you step aside as Senate President pending the conclusion of investigation, in order to save the institution of the Senate from ridicule of this magnitude.

“We are confident that you will accede to our demand within 7 days of receipt of this letter. In the unlikely event that same is not done, we will be compelled to take all appropriate legal and revolutionary actions against you which include protest, mass action, petition to foreign embassies and public interest lawsuits.”