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Bandits, kidnappers effectively controlling 21 Local governments in Kaduna – Shehu Sani
Former Senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Shehu Sani on Sunday revealed that Kaduna State is the biggest centre of banditry and kidnapping operations such that they control 21 out of 23 Local Governments effectively.
He said, it’s only two Local Governments in Kaduna metropolis that was left to be run by the government.
Sani spoke on AIT on Sunday while being featured by Signature Show which was monitored by CAPITAL POST in Abuja.
The Civil Rights activist lamented that government has been lacklustre in confronting criminal elements wreaking havoc on Nigerians all over the places, noting that government government can not claim to be providing infrastructure, while citizens are being maimed on daily basis.
He said: “No matter the infrastructural development you are able to achieve as a leader, once, the blood of your people is being spilled every day, you have not achieve anyhing.
“Once human life doesn’t matter, nothing matters. Look at what’s happening in Benue, killings every day every where. In Plateau the same thing, in Nasarawa, the same. Coming back to Kaduna, in the whole 23 Local Governments that we have, it only two which are located in the metropolis that kidnappings doesn’t take place. So where is the nation; where is the government; where is the country?
“Government that has responsibility of tackling these problems are also behaving hopeless and helpless.”
Reacting to the idea of negotiation, he said, “I don’t think negotiation can solve the problem completely, but it gives idea of the problem which you are being confronted with and it gives an opportunity to penetrate the bandits in order to destroy them.
He said over 300 villages have been displaced by criminal elements, while they are also targeting the well to do in the society.
“More than 300 villages in Niger and Kaduna States have been displaced. Close to Kotangora people are being killed and it doesn’t even stopped at poor people in our days.
“The son of the Emir of Kontangora was killed; the driver of Emir of Birni Gwari was killed. A lawmaker coming from Zamfara to Kano with his son has been killed and his son who was taken captive is still in captivity as we speak. A businessman was killed in Bauchi State; students, University lecturers, doctors lawyers, engineers, nobody is safe in this country again.
He wondered at how security agents have been defocused at the perilous time in the history of Nigeria, adding that they have delved into establishing personal businesses at the detriment of the nation.
“Then you ask yourself, a country that has Army, Police, Navy, Air force, Civil Defence and myriad of security agents, yet we can’t protect the people, we can’t protect the country, what kind of leaders we have?
“To me, if we are going to tackle these problems, we must unite as a country.
“Our sectional ethnic and religious division is simply destroying us and making it impossible and there is need for a national solidarity. We must unite as a country, whether these danger is herdsmen, whether these danger is banditry, whether this danger is terrorism so that we can do away with gunmen who are known and unknown that have declared war on Nigeria.
“From what I am seeing, it has become a business for some people in Nigeria. Billions upon billions are pumped into banditry and terrorism as ransom and there seems not to be an end in sight and from the side of government, hundreds of billions are being pumped into defence and security apparatus and it’s still not solving the problem.
“The minister of Finance, Hajia Zainab Ahmed made a recent disclosure that she has released N1.3 trillion in 28 months to the Nigerian Army during the last Service Chiefs different from special approvals and allocations which they have been going to the President to get.
“From the beginning till date, security allocation has been the highest in our national budget.
“How can we be pumping millions of dollars without commensurate results? How can we be confronting bandits who are just using AK47, motorcycles and their phones and still be difficult? They are not that sophisticated.
“We need the political will, we need to unite as a country, we need to adopt technologies that will make it impossible for bandits to operate. Nigeria’s defence budget is fifty times higher than Niger Republic, yet, Niger is safer than Nigeria.
“Our security agents before the coming of the new Service Chiefs, what do they do? They’re all establishing Universities in their vvillages. Now security agents are building hotels and shopping malls and business units. Is that what security agencies supposed to do? To build hostels, shopping malls and building of Universities?
“What are we supposed to do as a country? We are over 211 million people. Niger is one and half rimes size of Nigeria. Algeria is a hundred times size of Nigeria in land mass, if they can secure their borders, we should be able to secure our border. I want leaders that would be strong on banditry, on armed herdsmen; and on terrorism.”
The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared that it has been vindicated by recent revelations from the state’s former Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke.
The Rivers APC Chairman, Chief Tony Okocha, stated this in a statement he personally signed and made available to journalists on Wednesday.
The former Head of Service, who recently resigned had alleged that the suspended Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, was directly responsible for the political crisis in the state and the bombing of the State House of Assembly.
In response, the Rivers State APC asserted that Nwaeke’s testimony aligns with the party’s long-held position, as frequently stated by Chief Okocha, that the suspended governor was the architect of the state’s political crisis, including masterminding the October 29, 2023, bombing of the State House of Assembly.
Chief Okocha further emphasized that Nwaeke’s account, given his high-ranking position in the state, cannot be dismissed as mere speculation.
He said attempts to discredit the former Head of Service will not deter him from exposing the alleged corruption and misconduct that the APC has repeatedly highlighted.
“What is most interesting to the APC in Rivers State as a responsible political party is that Dr. George Nwaeke’s revelations and testimonies of how suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his squad bombed the Rivers State House of Assembly is an eye witness account.
“Again , it has clearly vindicated the APC in Rivers State as the only visible and viable opposition political party in the State, and has cemented the love for the party in the heart of well meaning Rivers people as the voice of the voiceless, and the hope for a better Rivers State.
“The revelations made by the former Head of Service in Rivers State has further positioned her as a political party with high level of integrity, and the hope of Rivers people for a viable alternative to produce the Governor of Rivers State in 2027.
“The verbal attacks staged against the resigned Head of Service will not deter him from exposing the corruption within Sim Fubara’s administration, which we have consistently highlighted as the opposition party. On this matter, the APC shall function as watchdogs”, the party stated.
Chief Tony Okocha expressed confidence that security agencies would thoroughly investigate the matter.
“The APC in Rivers State strongly believes that the relevant security agencies will be professional enough to get to the root of the matter and make their findings public”, he said.
A coalition of civil rights organizations, the Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness (CCLCA), has called for an immediate and thorough investigation into the allegations leveled against suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, by Dr. George Nwaeke, the former Head of Service of the state.
During a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, Dr. Gabriel Nwambu, Director General of the CCLCA, urged the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), Department of State Services (DSS), and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to take swift action in probing the allegations. He emphasized that if proven true, these claims pose serious risks to governance and democracy.
The coalition, comprising 30 civil society organizations, stands in solidarity with Dr. Nwaeke, who has expressed willingness to provide evidence of alleged corruption and constitutional breaches involving Governor Fubara and his Chief of Staff, Mr. Edison.
“We collectively urge the relevant authorities to act swiftly and transparently. Addressing these allegations is critical to restoring public confidence in governance at both the state and national levels,” Dr. Nwambu stated.
He commended President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for his intervention in Rivers State, which led to the declaration of a state of emergency, a move he described as crucial for stabilizing the region.
Dr. Nwaeke’s accusations against Governor Fubara include:
Arson and Sabotage: Allegedly instructing his Chief of Staff to burn down the Rivers State House of Assembly to prevent impeachment proceedings, a violation of Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution.
Corruption and Financial Misconduct: Claims of large sums of money being used for personal and illegal activities, contravening Section 15(5) of the Constitution.
Threats to Public Safety: Alleged plans to sabotage state infrastructure, potentially inciting public disorder, which falls under Section 1 of the Terrorism Prevention Act (2011).
Collusion with Militant Groups: Alleged meetings between the governor, his Chief of Staff, and militant leaders, posing a threat to national security and violating Section 43 of the Constitution.
Suppression of Labour Rights: Alleged attempts to bribe labour leaders to silence dissent, contravening Section 40 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of assembly.
The coalition has urged law enforcement agencies to ensure a thorough, transparent, and expedited investigation into these allegations.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu has appointed Sam Ifeanyi Hart, Esq. as his new Chief of Staff (CoS).
Hart replaces Hon. Toby Okechukwu who was recently appointed Executive Director, Projects of the newly established South East Development Commission (SEDC).
Prior to his appointment, Hart served as Special Adviser to the Deputy Speaker on Public Affairs and has an extensive background in training and consultancy.
Hart also previously served as Director-General, Abia State Marketing and Quality Management Agency from 2019 to 2023 after occupying other appointive positions.
He was also a member of National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS), Kuru where he attended the Senior Executive Course 45, serving as Course Secretary-General.
He has also served on the Boards of several corporate and non-governmental entities.
Hart brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his new role, with a distinguished career spanning law, leadership, and public service.
A lifelong learner, he holds multiple academic qualifications, including a Master’s Degree in Environmental Law (LLM) and a Bachelor’s Degree in Law (LLB) from Abia State University.
The new Chief of Staff is also currently pursuing a Doctorate Degree in Law.
A seasoned professional, Hart has attended prestigious institutions, including the GOTNI Leadership Centre, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS), and the School of Politics, Policy and Governance (SPPG).
He is also a member of several professional bodies, including the Chartered Institute of Directors of Nigeria (M.IoD), Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators (ACIArb), and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
As Chief of Staff, Hart will provide strategic guidance and support to the Deputy Speaker legislative activities, leveraging his expertise to drive policy initiatives and promote good governance.
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