News Editor
…Says Enugu and Edo governors have excelled in fight against gunmen
Civil society activists: HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA) has applauded men and officers of the Nigerian Army over recent successes against armed terrorists and kidnappers across the country and especially in the North East.
“We are very impressed and we wish to put it on record as one of the most credible civil rights campaign platforms in the Country that speaks truth to power. From available credible information from trusted sources, the gallant efforts of the Nigerian army around the BENIN/AUCHI axis to wipe out terrorists and kidnappers making life uncomfortable for travelers are worth applauding. We urge that this evidence-based, intelligence-guided military operations should be sustained even as the military operations should be sustained even as the military need to be circumspect to minimize collateral damage to innocent civilians on the line of fire. We call on the service chiefs to procure Information technology driven crime fighting facilities like drones to assist in gathering intelligence on terrorists and their activities.”
In a media statements by the National Coordinator Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko and the National media Affairs Director Miss Zainab Yusuf, HURIWA stated that it can attest to the fact that millions of Nigerians are proudof Nigeria Army on the manner they confronted these dare devil terrorists, kidnappers that were kidnapping travelers on Auchi/Benin Highways.
HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA) hereby appeals to the Army chief of staff lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya to consistently provide logistical supplies to his operatives and ensure that the welfare of his combatants and operatives become the most strategic programme similar to how the then Army Chief of staff L.T General Tukur Yusuf Buratai upgraded staff welfare to the pedestal of excellence.
HURIWA recalled that on December 3, It was reported that a member of a vigilante group in the Urhokosa/Obagie area of the Benin-Auchi highway was killed by kidnappers after several passengers were kidnapped. Several cases of kidnapping have been reported in the last few weeks along the road and many parts of the nation.
HURIWA recalled too that Following the escalating rate of kidnapping and armed robbery incidents along the busy road, Johnson Kokumo, the state Commissioner of Police, on December 13, said more policemen had been posted from the force headquarters in Abuja ”to dominate the troubled highway and scare hoodlums”.
But the rate of kidnapping and robbery along the road, which leads to Abuja, has remained unabated.
Flashpoints for robbery and kidnapping on the axis over the years are Urhokosa, Obagie, Ogbemudia Farm, Agbede, Aviele, and the boundary between Edo and Kogi states at Okepella. Recent kidnap cases in the state add to the worsening insecurity across Nigeria. At least 349 people were killed and 290 others kidnapped in November in violent attacks across Nigeria, a report by a non-governmental organisation, Nigeria Mourn, shows. At least 57 of those killed were in Edo State.
HURIWA however said it was a thing of pride to now observe that the Nigerian Army has teamed up with other law enforcement agencies and the Edo State funded vigilante group to upgrade the intensity of the combats against armed kidnappers who have made life unbearable for Nigerians just as HURIWA canvassed for partnership between the Army and state governments to train states funded and vigilante groups to work in synergy with law enforcement agencies to combat terrorists and kidnappers in their jurisdictions.
HURIWA commended the Edo and Enugu State governors Obaseki and Rt.Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for showing excellent and innovative working partnership with the Nigerian Army and law enforcement agencies in their States to maintain law and order and battle armed kidnappers, Unknown gunmen and kidnappers threatening the stability of their states.
*Says Enugu and Edo governors have excelled in fight against gunmen:
Civil society activists: HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA) has applauded men and officers of the Nigerian Army over recent successes against armed terrorists and kidnappers across the country and especially in the North East.
“We are very impressed and we wish to put it on record as one of the most credible civil rights campaign platforms in the Country that speaks truth to power. From available credible information from trusted sources, the gallant efforts of the Nigerian army around the BENIN/AUCHI axis to wipe out terrorists and kidnappers making life uncomfortable for travelers are worth applauding. We urge that this evidence-based, intelligence-guided military operations should be sustained even as the military operations should be sustained even as the military need to be circumspect to minimize collateral damage to innocent civilians on the line of fire. We call on the service chiefs to procure Information technology driven crime fighting facilities like drones to assist in gathering intelligence on terrorists and their activities.”
In a media statements by the National Coordinator Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko and the National media Affairs Director Miss Zainab Yusuf, HURIWA stated that it can attest to the fact that millions of Nigerians are proudof Nigeria Army on the manner they confronted these dare devil terrorists, kidnappers that were kidnapping travelers on Auchi/Benin Highways.
HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA) hereby appeals to the Army chief of staff lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya to consistently provide logistical supplies to his operatives and ensure that the welfare of his combatants and operatives become the most strategic programme similar to how the then Army Chief of staff L.T General Tukur Yusuf Buratai upgraded staff welfare to the pedestal of excellence.
HURIWA recalled that on December 3, It was reported that a member of a vigilante group in the Urhokosa/Obagie area of the Benin-Auchi highway was killed by kidnappers after several passengers were kidnapped. Several cases of kidnapping have been reported in the last few weeks along the road and many parts of the nation.
HURIWA recalled too that Following the escalating rate of kidnapping and armed robbery incidents along the busy road, Johnson Kokumo, the state Commissioner of Police, on December 13, said more policemen had been posted from the force headquarters in Abuja ”to dominate the troubled highway and scare hoodlums”.
But the rate of kidnapping and robbery along the road, which leads to Abuja, has remained unabated.
Flashpoints for robbery and kidnapping on the axis over the years are Urhokosa, Obagie, Ogbemudia Farm, Agbede, Aviele, and the boundary between Edo and Kogi states at Okepella. Recent kidnap cases in the state add to the worsening insecurity across Nigeria. At least 349 people were killed and 290 others kidnapped in November in violent attacks across Nigeria, a report by a non-governmental organisation, Nigeria Mourn, shows. At least 57 of those killed were in Edo State.
HURIWA however said it was a thing of pride to now observe that the Nigerian Army has teamed up with other law enforcement agencies and the Edo State funded vigilante group to upgrade the intensity of the combats against armed kidnappers who have made life unbearable for Nigerians just as HURIWA canvassed for partnership between the Army and state governments to train states funded and vigilante groups to work in synergy with law enforcement agencies to combat terrorists and kidnappers in their jurisdictions.
HURIWA commended the Edo and Enugu State governors Obaseki and Rt.Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for showing excellent and innovative working partnership with the Nigerian Army and law enforcement agencies in their States to maintain law and order and battle armed kidnappers, Unknown gunmen and kidnappers threatening the stability of their states.
