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Terrorists kill 7,000 in five months
Terrorist groups have in the last five months, killed more than 7,000 persons across Africa.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar who disclosed this, urged the Economic Community of West African States to unite in addressing the causes of insecurity in the region.
He noted that between January and May 2024, over 7,000 people have died in more than 800 terrorist incidents across the region, with Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali being particularly hard hit.
Tuggar, who spoke at the opening of the 52nd session of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council in Abuja, on Wednesday, emphasised the need for collective action against terrorism and violent extremism, which threaten the stability and development of West Africa.
The minister, who is also the chairperson of the council, stressed that the fight against terrorism must be a shared responsibility, requiring unwavering commitment from all ECOWAS member states.
He said, “Between January and May 2024, our region has witnessed over 7,000 deaths as a result of more than 800 terrorist incidents. Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali have been particularly devastated by this relentless violence.
“This stark reality highlights the staggering human cost of insecurity and underscores the urgency for coordinated and decisive action to combat this menace.
“Terrorism does not recognise borders. From the Sahel to the coastal States, no country is immune to its devastating impact. It is therefore crucial for every country within ECOWAS, including those in the Sahelian belt, to understand that the fight against terrorism is not the burden of a few but a collective responsibility.
“Therefore, we must remain united and demonstrate unwavering commitment and resolve to safeguard the lives and futures of our citizens.”
Tuggar called for enhanced regional cooperation, effective intelligence sharing, and robust funding for the ECOWAS counter-terrorism force.
He also highlighted the importance of addressing underlying issues such as climate change, migration, organized crime, and economic inequality to build a stable and prosperous region.
“As we join forces to find common solutions to the continuing challenge of violent extremism and foreign interference, we should also remain mindful of the broader challenge of cooperation to help tackle the underlying causes of instability in our region: climate change, migration, organised criminal activity, global terms of trade and access to financing.
“Our task today is to consider how best to meet the immediate symptoms of the condition we face and also how to establish firmer foundations to reduce inequality and poverty and strengthen democracy,” he added.
News
Breaking: Court of Appeal rules in favour of Turaki -led PDP candidate for Osun governorship election
The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, on Thursday, ruled that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Gubernatorial Candidate in Osun State was validly nominated by the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee.
The court also ordered INEC to list the PDP logo on the ballot ahead of Saturday’s gubernatorial election.
The Court held that access code is neither a creation of the Constitution nor the Electoral Act; rather, a creation of INEC’s guidelines and cannot, in any way, override the provisions of the Constitution.
Section 288 of the Constitution does not specify the method for nominating candidates; it only states that the names of candidates should be forwarded to the Commission.
The court further held that the defendant (INEC) should take steps to include the name of the appellant on the ballot paper.
Additionally, the court ruled that the primary election conducted by the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP was a valid primary election in law.
The three-man panel of justices—Justice Mahmud, Justice Jaro, and Justice Ankawere, was unanimous in its judgment.
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Breaking: NHRC sets up situation room to monitor and document hate speech, intimidation, threat to life ahead 2027
The national Human Rights Commission, NHRC, has set up a situation room to monitor and document all incidences of hate speech, intimidation and threat to life by politicians and other actors ahead of the 2027 general election.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed concerns over rising incidences of hate speech, intimidation and outright threat to life by highly placed individuals, especially politicians and religious leaders.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chef Tony Ojukwu, SAN, revealed this on Thursday in Abuja at a press conference.
He said the situation room would enable the Commission harvest data, analysis and document persons, agencies and others involved in the negative statements in order to ensure they are properly tracked and brought to book by relevant agencies.
Ojukwu also took journalists on a tour of the newly set up situation room.
Details later…..
News
Breaking: NHRC expresses concern over rising incidences of hate speech, threat to life ahead 2027 elections
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed concerns over rising incidences of hate speech, intimidation and outright threat to life by highly placed individuals, especially politicians and religious leaders.
At a press conference in Abuja Thursday, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chef Tony Ojukwu, SAN, recalled statements credited to Senator Francis Fadahunsi and Sheikh Yahya Jingir and described the das dangerous with capacity to set the nation ablaze.
He called on politicians, religious and traditional rulers, among other stakeholders to call their supporters and faithful to orders.
He urged government to act before rhetorics turn to violence, saying the forthcoming election in Osun State should serve as example of Nigeria’s capacity to conduct political contest in compliance with international best practices.
Details later…..
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