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HURIWA raises alarm as bandit reportedly enlists as police recruit in Kaduna
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has sounded the alarm over a concerning development unfolding in Kagarko, Kaduna State.
The civil rights group expressed distress over reports indicating that a suspected bandit, known as Abacha, has resurfaced as a police recruit in the area.
This revelation has sparked widespread outcry and raised significant questions regarding the integrity of law enforcement and the protection of citizens’ rights. In a statement released on Saturday, HURIWA, through its National Coordinator Emmanuel Onwubiko, emphasised the urgent need for transparency and accountability within Nigeria’s law enforcement agencies, particularly in light of the unfolding events in Kagarko.
The distressing situation was further highlighted by a petition filed by Y. C. Maikyau & Co. on behalf of two detained individuals, Mustapha Buhari Aliyu and Aliyu Buhari Aliyu. The petition detailed allegations against Abacha, who reportedly threatened the father of the Aliyu brothers, leading to their forceful and unexplained detention by individuals suspected to be from the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Nigerian Police Force.
“According to the petition, Abacha allegedly threatened the father of the Aliyu brothers, prompting forceful and unexplained detention by individuals suspected to be from the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Nigerian Police Force.
“The petition detailed the sequence of events leading to the brothers’ detention, highlighting the lack of official identification, disclosure of alleged offenses, or presentation of warrants by the arresting officers. Despite persistent efforts by legal representatives to secure the release of Mustapha and Aliyu, the police reportedly rebuffed their requests, unjustly labeling the young men as ‘criminal kidnappers.’
“Y. C. Maikyau & Co. emphasised the presumption of innocence and the constitutional right to personal liberty, urging the immediate release of their clients or their fair and prompt trial by due process. Furthermore, the solicitors called for an investigation into Abacha’s purported role as an informant for the IRT Unit of the NPF and demanded either his dismissal or initiation of legal action against him.
“Likewise, the grave complaint lodged by the Kagarko Emirate Council highlighted the alleged alarming activities of Abacha, within Kagarko Local Government Area, Kaduna State.
“According to the Emirate Council’s letter, ‘Abacha,’ purportedly an informant for the IRT unit of the Nigerian Police Force, has been implicated in various (alleged) criminal activities, including kidnapping, attempted assassinations, and gun running. The Emirate Council detailed instances where Abacha allegedly orchestrated kidnappings, participated in banditry.
“The Emirate Council emphasises the urgent need for a thorough investigation into Abacha’s actions, calling for his dismissal as an informant and prosecution to ensure peace and security prevail in Kagarko Local Government,” HURIWA narrated.
Echoing concerns for decisive action against ‘Abacha,’ stressing the importance of upholding the integrity of the Nigerian Police Force and restoring public trust in law enforcement, HURIWA further raised questions on Abacha’s alleged recruitment into the police force, despite his well-documented alleged criminal background and involvement in heinous activities.
The organisation called for full transparency regarding his rehabilitation process, qualifications for police enlistment, and the circumstances surrounding his recruitment.
In response to this flagrant violation of due process, HURIWA condemned the refusal of the IRT unit of the Nigerian Police Force to release the detained Fulani youths or provide concrete evidence to substantiate their kidnapping allegations since March 21, 2024.
The organisation called for strict adherence to due process, urging either the immediate release of the youths or their expeditious arraignment in court to ensure a fair trial and the protection of their fundamental rights.
Furthermore, HURIWA called upon the National Assembly to launch a comprehensive investigation into the alleged recruitment of known criminals into the police force even as it argued that such an inquiry is indispensable for upholding the integrity of law enforcement agencies and restoring public trust in the security apparatus.
“As the controversy continues to deepen, residents of Kagarko anxiously await justice for the detained youths and demand accountability for those responsible for their unlawful arrest. This case serves as a stark reminder of the imperative to uphold the rule of law and safeguard citizens’ rights in Nigeria’s law enforcement efforts,” HURIWA said.
News
Cement price hike causing building collapse – COREN
Cases of building collapse in the country have been attributed to the arbitrary increase in the price of cement by producers of the product.
The President of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, Sadiq Abubakar, stated this on Monday in his remarks at the investigative hearing organised by the House of Representatives Joint Committee on Solid Minerals, Industry, Commerce and Special Duties, to probe the price increase of cement in recent times.
This was as the Chairman of the Joint Committee and member representing Karu/Keffi/kokona Federal Constituency, Nasarawa State, Gaza Gbewfi, summoned the Chairman of the Cement Producers Association of Nigeria, David Iweta, for questioning over the development.
Iweta, who did to turn up for the investigative hearing on Monday, was summoned after previously turning down two invitations by the committee.
The committee also charged the association to desist from using frivolous court injunctions to interfere in its work as guaranteed by the provisions of the 1999 constitution (as amended)
“You will agree with me that an increase in the price of cement is one of the key culprits of building collapse. I am trying to connect the hike in the price of cement with the standardisation in our building and the direct connection of building collapse.
“There is a connection with that, and I think this something we must interrogate,” the COREN President said.
Gbewfi, while agreeing with Abubakar, also argued that the cost of cement has also brought about an increment in housing rents across the nation.
“Anything that has to do with livelihood should be treated as an emergency’” the committee chairman said.
At the investigative hearing, the joint committee also queried representatives of the Nigeria Building and Road Research Institute and the Federal Competition and Consumers Protection Council on the arbitrary price increase.
Gbewfi also chided the representative of the Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC, Boladale Adeyinka for not doing enough to protect the consumers of cement in line with the Act establishing the agency, saying, “You are a mother that has forgotten your children.”
News
Osun State Assembly okays salary increase for political office holders
The Osun State House of Assembly is to send a bill to Governor Ademola Adeleke to increase the salary package of some political office holders.
This was made known by the Speaker of the Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, during plenary on Monday.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the salary increment bill titled, ‘Osun State Public/Political Office Holders Reviewed Remuneration Package (Amendment No. 2) Bill 2024,’ was presented to the Assembly on April 30, 2024.
The Majority Leader and the lawmaker representing Ede North State Constituency, Kofoworola Adewunmi, presented the bill to the House as a private member bill.
While reading the policy thrust of the bill, Adewunmi stated that the last time the salaries of public/political office holders in the state were reviewed upwards was in 2007.
He said the salaries stipulated for public office holders in the Osun State Public/Political Office Holders Remuneration Package Law 2007 was, however, no more in tandem with the current economic realities.
“You will agree with me that the current economic reality is not the same as what was obtainable 17 years ago when the law was passed.
“It has, therefore, become imperative to review upwards, the salaries of some public/political office holders to better their living standard which is in tandem with the five points agenda of Governor Ademola Adeleke.
“In addition, the State Assembly resolution taken on May 8, 2008 wherein there was an upward review of the remuneration package of some public/political office holders not covered by Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, as proposed by the state government, has been further reviewed and subsumed under this bill.” he stated
He equally clarified that the salary increment didn’t affect or cover the lawmakers’ salaries, explaining that state lawmakers’ salaries are statutorily reviewed by the National Assembly.
News
Minimum wage: Labour issues two-week ultimatum to defaulting states
The organised labour comprising of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress, on Monday, ordered state chapters to issue two weeks ultimatum to states that have failed to implement the old N30,000 minimum wage.
The NLC and TUC took this decision during a jointly held National Executive Council meeting which took place on Monday.
“NEC-in-session further directed all state councils whose state governments are yet to fully implement the N30,00 national minimum wage and its consequential adjustments to issue immediately a joint two-week ultimatum to the culpable state governments to avert industrial action,” NLC’s National President, Joe Ajaero; and TUC’s National President, Festus Osifo, said in a statement.
Speaking further, the unions also called for a one-day action in Anambra State following what was described as the failure of the state government to meet the demands of civil servants in the state.
“Consequently, the NEC-in-session accordingly reaffirms the NLC and TUC joint ultimatum earlier issued to the Anambra State Government by its Anambra State councils. It therefore directed all affiliates and workers in the state council to mobilise their members to ensure a successful action in the event the state government fails to meet the demands of workers by Thursday, the 23rd of May, 2024.
“In the event that the government fails to meet the demands outlined within the stipulated timeframe, the NEC authorises the leadership of the NLC and TUC to take appropriate actions, including but not limited to the mobilisation of workers for peaceful protests and industrial actions, to press home these demands for social justice and workers’ rights.
“NEC therefore calls on all affiliate unions, and workers including Civil Society Organisations across Nigeria to remain united and steadfast in solidarity during this critical period. Together, we shall prevail in our pursuit of a fair and just society that guarantees the dignity and well-being of all its citizens,” the statement added.
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