Headlines

Borno Dep Gov Abducts Another Church Leader

Published

9 years ago

May 17, 2016

Youths Petition IG, Accuse police Of Complicity, Demand Release

Barely four months after the police abducted a church secretary, John Anjili Mbaya, on the orders of Deputy Governor of Borno State, Usman Mamman Durkwa, which nearly led to breakdown of law and order in Marama Community, a lead vocalist in the Church choir has again been abducted by the police on the same orders.
Sunday Yapadawa, who also doubles as Chairman of Marama youth Volunteer Group, popularly called civilian JTF, was ambushed and taken away by Police from the Area command in Biu, and later transferred to Maiduguri where he is being detained for yet unknown reasons.
Our correspondent reports that, Yapadawa’s abduction may not be unconnected with the clampdown on the church by the Deputy Governor, following a political clash with his thugs in Marama town, for which he described people from the area as unrepentant infidels.
In a five page petition to the Inspector general of Police, Sunday Arase, the second such petition, the Marama Youths Association demanded for the immediate and unconditional release of Mr Sunday Yapadawa, and the calling of the police in Borno and the deputy governor to order.
Signed by Aaron Hamman Mbaya and David Ishaku Mshelia, Chairman and secretary of the association, the youths described the series of arrests from their area by the police on the orders of the Borno deputy governor as an affront on their religion, and a threat to the peace with which the area is known for.
According to them, with the recent arrest of church leaders, coupled with the attack on the community by the deputy Governor and his thugs, “It is very clear to us now that the target of Borno State Government is the church of God at Marama because the intention is to make us vulnerable and prone to the Boko Haram attack, while the federal Government on the other hand is making efforts to bring peace and sanity” , they stated.
While calling the attention of the inspector general of Police to the use of policemen from the Borno state Command to intimidate and arrest youths and church leaders over a political clash on the eve of the 2015 elections, the youths reminded the Federal government that the issue could get out of hand unless it is looked into.
In outlining the contributions of the detained Sunday Yapadawa to the maintenance of peace and security of their area, the youths also argued that, Marama Community remains the only town in Borno where there has never been any Boko Haram attack, as a result of the vigilance of the youth under leadership of the detainee.
It may be recalled that, the deputy Governor led a group of thugs to Marama town shouting, “Allahu Akbar, A Kashe Arna”, meaning God Is Great, Infidels must be killed, which culminated into resistance by youths from the area, who beat up the then commissioner for religious affairs, in the ensuing milieu.
Since then, the Deputy Governor has been trying to seek vendetta on the youths especially those involved in church activities, out of his hatred for Christians: a development that led to the targeted arrests of youthful Church leaders by the Police on the orders of Usman Mamman Durkwa, the Deputy Governor.
nationalTRAIL had earlier reported that tension has been building in the town following the onslaught on youth church leaders by the police, who have been making arrests without arrest warrants, rather in response to the whims and caprices of the Deputy Governor.

Headlines

“Nigeria Is in a Hurry to Celebrate Victory Over Enemies of the State,” Says Tinubu as He Decorates New Service Chiefs

Published

1 day ago

October 30, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged the newly appointed service chiefs to discharge their duties with utmost dedication and renewed commitment, declaring that “Nigeria is in a hurry to celebrate victory over enemies of the state.”

The President made this statement on Thursday during the decoration ceremony of the new service chiefs with their ranks at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Those decorated were General Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant-General Wahidi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff, Air Marshal Kennedy Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and Vice Admiral Idi Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff.

The ceremony was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima and the spouses of the newly promoted officers, who joined the President in performing the decorations.

In his address, Tinubu underscored the central role of security in fostering national development and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting the lives and property of all Nigerians.

“Security is an essential element without which everything else becomes meaningless,” the President stated. “There can be no sustainable development if this fundamental need is not met. Our people and our nation must remain secure to enjoy the dividends of governance.”

The elevation and decoration of the new military chiefs followed their confirmation by the National Assembly on Wednesday, after a closed-door screening session with lawmakers.

It will be recalled that, in a recent overhaul of the nation’s military hierarchy, President Tinubu appointed:

Lieutenant General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff,
Major General Waidi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff,
Rear Admiral Idi Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff,
Air Vice Marshal Sunday Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and
Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye retained as Chief of Defence Intelligence.

The new appointments mark a strategic restructuring of Nigeria’s security leadership aimed at strengthening the fight against insurgency, banditry, and other threats to national stability.

Headlines

FG Dismisses Coup Rumour, Reaffirms Confidence in Nigerian Military

Published

2 weeks ago

October 20, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

The Federal Government has dismissed widespread rumours of an alleged military coup plot against President Bola Tinubu, declaring its full confidence in the loyalty and professionalism of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made this known in an interview with The Punch on Sunday, insisting that the administration has “no reason whatsoever” to doubt the assurances given by the Defence Headquarters, which had earlier denied reports linking the detention of 16 military officers to a coup attempt.

“The Federal Government has no reason to doubt the military on what it has said,” Idris stated.
“We believe the Armed Forces of Nigeria remain committed to protecting the nation’s territorial integrity and strengthening the fight against insecurity. The government commends their sacrifice and will continue to support them in safeguarding the country.”

The minister’s remarks came a day after the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, firmly debunked a report by Sahara Reporters alleging that the detention of 16 officers was connected to a failed coup plot and the cancellation of the 65th Independence Day parade.

Gusau described the publication as “false, mischievous, and deliberately aimed at creating unnecessary tension and public distrust.”

He clarified that the cancellation of the October 1 Independence Day parade was a purely administrative decision — taken to allow President Tinubu attend a key bilateral meeting abroad and to enable military units sustain ongoing counterinsurgency operations nationwide.

On the issue of the detained officers, Gusau said their case was “an internal disciplinary process” and not related to any political matter.

“The investigation involving the 16 officers is routine, aimed at upholding discipline and professionalism within the ranks,” he explained. “An investigative panel has been constituted, and its findings will be made public in due course.”

Reaffirming the military’s constitutional role and unwavering commitment to civilian rule, Gusau stressed emphatically:

“Democracy is forever.”

Headlines

FG Moves to Reform Civil Service Disciplinary System for Greater Efficiency

Published

3 weeks ago

October 14, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

The Federal Government is set to overhaul the disciplinary control system in the civil service to promote efficiency, accountability, and timely resolution of cases.

The Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), Prof. Tunji Olaopa, made this known during a one-day joint retreat between the FCSC and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF).

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Commission’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Taiwo Hassan, Olaopa emphasized that the review would drive culture change, value reorientation, and improve the overall disciplinary framework in the public sector.

He likened the relationship between the FCSC and OHCSF to that of “Siamese twins,” noting that both bodies share crucial responsibilities in policy implementation, regulatory enforcement, and leadership across the service.

Olaopa also underscored the need for stronger collaboration and communication between the two institutions to avoid misunderstandings, build trust, and enhance service delivery.

The FCSC chairman further advocated for an integrated system that links merit-based recruitment, competency-driven human resource management, and performance evaluation with the civil service wage structure, saying such reforms would help reposition government as an “employer of choice.”

Speaking on behalf of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, Esther Walson-Jack praised Olaopa’s reform initiatives, describing the retreat as a renewed commitment to strengthening collaboration and efficiency within the civil service.

The renewed push for reform follows rising concerns about bureaucratic bottlenecks, delayed disciplinary actions, and weak accountability mechanisms in Nigeria’s public administration.