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Be Patient With Buhari, Jerry Gana Tells Nigerians

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Be Patient With Buhari, Jerry Gana Tells Nigerians

He Smiles A lot

By Samuel Malik

Former minister of information and stalwart of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Jerry Gana, has counseled Nigerians to be patient with President Muhammadu Buhari and allow him time to settle down to the business of governance.

Gana posited that it is important to for Nigerians to be patient with the President, whom many have described as slow in running the government.

Gana made the remark as the guest speaker at the public presentations of two books, Issues in the Mobilization of Public Support for Military Operation In Nigeria and The Voice and Battles of the Nigerian Military, authored by Chris Olukolade, a Major General and defense spokesman.

The book launch took place at the Nigerian Airforce Conference Centre, Abuja, and had prominent Nigerians in attendance, with former army chief, Abdulrahman Danbazau, representing former head of state, Abdulsalami Abubakar, who was chairman of the occasion.

The Chief of Defence Staff, Alex Badeh, and the permanent secretary, ministry of defence, Aliyu Numan, were in attendance while the army, airforce and naval chiefs were all represented.

About the government, Gana declared: “Let him study the situation, let him choose his priorities. Allow him to govern. He has four years, but people want to criticise every move.”

Rather than focusing on individuals, he said attention should be on building institutions that can outlive individuals.

“(We must) build institutions that will sustain the process of development (and) translate democracy into development so that the people can see that there is progress in their lives in such a way you have peace in the nation because everyone has a reason to defend the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he explained

Speaking on the author of the books, the former minister described Olukolalde as a strategist and someone “who will analyse situations and come out with a strategy”, a key component needed to win wars.

Gana praised the Nigerian military as one of the best in Africa, something he said Nigerians should be proud about.

According to him, it is important for a spokesperson, especially one speaking for a government institution, to be careful how he/she communicates with the public, particularly given the security challenges facing the country, a task he said Olukolade, who is also chairman of Forum of Spokespersons on Security and Response Agencies, FOSSRA, has done with aplomb.

“This man, the good Lord has always given him the wisdom to know what to say, when to say, how to say, where to say,” the former information minister stated.

For Danbazau, Olukolade made an unenviable task seem so easy that he was able to garner public support for the military in its war against insurgency.

“To be able to conduct successful operation, you need the support of the public. So, you have to have somebody who will be able to explain to the public what you are doing and why you are doing it, and I believe that General Chris Olukolade has played that role very well,” he observed.

For Olukolade, who was born in Zaria, Kaduna State, and attended the famous Nigerian Military School, there is no career as fulfilling as the military.

“Give me the Nigerian military or give me nothing else,” he said more than once. For him, the joy of being a soldier was felt a very long time ago and since then, there has been no change in the feeling.

“From my teen, I’ve always felt happy when I wear the beige clothe. For example, at 12 it was as if I was walking on the moon when I wore the Nigerian army uniform in its khaki form. That rough green fabric gave me awesome inspiration, hence, I looked forward to a career in the Nigerian military,” he told the audience, adding that the books were a product of his determination to correct the misrepresentation of information about the Nigerian military and eliminate the distrust that exists between the military and the public.

“Our aim was to promote accuracy in reporting the military but also to inculcate patriotic favour in those who will observe, report or edit military affairs,” he observed.

Zakari Takes Charge As Jega Bows Out Of INEC

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Zakari Takes Charge As Jega Bows Out Of INEC
Zakari
Zakari

By Tosin Omoniyi

President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Amina Bala Zakari as acting head of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

This follows the retirement of Attahiru Jega, who completed his five-year tenure on Tuesday.

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Danladi Kifasi, said the appointment of Zakari was with immediate effect and would remain in force until a substantive chairman for the election body is announced.

The director of communications for the office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Haruna Imrana, announced the appointment in a brief statement on Tuesday evening in an apparent attempt to dispel media reports that another INEC commissioner, Mohammed Wali, had been appointed to act as chairman.

Jega had handed over to Mohammad Wali, another national commissioner, whose tenure ends in August, 2015, in the brief handing over ceremony which took place at the commission’s headquarters.

Zakari was a national electoral commissioner at INEC before her appointment.

According to her bio-data on the commission’s web platform, Zakari is a pharmacist, who hails from Jigawa State. She attended Queens College Lagos and later graduated with a Bachelor of Science, B.sc degree in Pharmacy in 1980 from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

She was adjudged as the best graduating student in her set.

She worked as a pharmacist in various hospitals between 1983 and 1996 before she moved into the consultancy field to serve in various capacities as a consultant in health and social services.

She served in this capacity from 1997 till her appointment as national commissioner in INEC.

She was a former special assistant to President Olusegun Obasanjo before she was deployed to the Federal Capital Territory Administration where she also served as Secretary of Health, Human Services and Social Development, and later that of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Zakari’s emergence signals the end of the tenure of Jega who was appointed in June 2010 by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Jega, who retired from office alongside six other national commissioners, headed the commission for five years.

The commissioners who ended their tenure alongside the former INEC boss include, M.K. Hammanga, from Adamawa State, Ishmael Jikiri Igbani, from Rivers State, Lai Olurode from Osun State, Gladys Nne Nwafor, from Abia State, Thelma Amata Iremiren, from Delta State and Nuru Yakubu, from Yobe State.

Jega successfully conducted two general elections while in office, the 2011 and 2015 polls.

The respected former INEC chairman who was born on 11 January 1957 in Jega, Kebbi State graduated in 1979 from the Ahmadu Bello University after which he worked as a teaching assistant at Bayero University before winning a fellowship at Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois in the United States where he earned a PhD in Political Sciences.

He subsequently returned to the Political Science Department in Bayero University in 1984 to work as a lecturer.

Jega is equally credited for being a part of the Justice Mohammed Uwais Electoral Reform Committee, which submitted a far reaching report that recommended the establishment of commissions to deal with electoral offences, constituency delimitation and political parties registration and regulation.

The committee also recommended proportional representation at INEC and that the head of the electoral body should be appointed by the judiciary rather than the President.

The former vice chancellor of Bayero University has been lauded both nationally and globally for conducting largely peaceful and credible polls in 2015 that birthed the current administration.

Jega, immediately after the March 28 and April 11 polls said he would not be seeking for a fresh term in office adding that he would also reject such an offer.

Court Adjourns N150 Billion Suit Against AIT

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Court Adjourns N150 Billion Suit Against AIT

dokpesi
An Ikeja High Court on Tuesday adjourned the N150 billion libel suit filed by former Lagos State Governor, Bola Tinubu, against the African Independent Television, AIT, till September 30.

Presiding judge, Iyabo Akinkugbe adjourned the suit for further direction on the court processes served by counsel to both parties in the suit.

According to reports monitored on the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, during Tuesday’s hearing, counsel for AIT, Jeffery Kadiri, told the court that he had filed all the necessary documents in the matter.

Tinubu’s counsel, Ademola Adesiyun, however, had asked the court in a motion dated June 26 for extension of time in which to file a reply to AIT’s statement of defence and counter-claim.

In the counter-claim, AIT listed its chairman emeritus, Raymond Dokpesi, and seven others as witnesses to testify against Tinubu.

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Others listed to testify were Namure Edoimioya, Medan Tenke, Ajibola Adewusi, Olumide Idowu, Stanley Odidi, an engineer, Nwabueze and Stanley Bassey.

The television station had also denied each and every allegation contained in the claimant’s amended statement of claim.

Dokpesi, earlier in his statement on oath, averred that Tinubu’s claim was founded on a non-existent ground because the said documentary was not titled “The Lion of Bourdilion”, but “Unmasking the Real Tinubu”.

He noted also that the documentary was not false and was not aired out of malice to the person of the claimant.

Dokpesi said AIT, as a member of the Fourth Estate of the Realm, was empowered by Section 22 of the Constitution to at all times, hold those in government accountable and responsible to the people of Nigeria.

He further affirmed that the content of the documentary were facts which had been in the public domain for over two decades.

It would be recalled that Tinubu had instituted the suit against Daar Communications Plc, owners of AIT, for airing of a documentary titled “Lion of Bourdilion”.

He had alleged that the documentary aired on the television station’s channel was not only offensive but libelous and was aimed at tarnishing his image.

Trigger Happy Cop Kills Two Nursing Mothers At Funeral

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Trigger Happy Cop Kills Two Nursing Mothers At Funeral

Edo Police Commissioner
By Jefferson Ibiwale, Benin

A policeman over the weekend killed two nursing mothers and injured a two-month old baby at a burial ceremony which held in Ivhiokhile quarters in Etsako Central local government area of Edo State.

Witnesses at the event said the policeman who had accompanied a traditional ruler from Uzairue clan to the venue had handled his rifle carelessly as he opened the door of a car for his principal to alight.

One of the women who were hit by the stray bullets, simply identified as Mrs Saliu, a native of Fugar died instantly.

Another one, Sandra Imhaku, who strapped a baby to her back was hit in the neck and died at a hospital in Irrua, where she was later rushed

Imhaku was said to have lost her husband last year while expecting the baby.

The incident ignited a pandemonium as angry youths descended on the policemen.

The policemen however managed to escape in the ensuing confusion.

The Edo State Commissioner of Police, Samuel Adegbuyi, who confirmed the incident, said a case of accidental discharge which led to the death of the victims was reported to him on Saturday.

He said that the officer involved had already been detained and the police authorities were carrying out investigations into the matter.

Illegal Oil Deal: Trial Of Foreigners Postponed

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Illegal Oil Deal: Trial Of Foreigners Postponed

oil deal arrests

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has adjourned the trial of 14 foreigners arraigned for allegedly dealing illegally in petroleum products till July 7, 8, 9 and 10, 2015.

The accused persons are Artur Pakhladzhian, Sergo Abbgarian, Vasily Shkundich, Vitaliy Bilours, Hlarion Teofilo Regipor, Laguta Oleksiy and Cadavis Gerarado.

Others are Kretov Andry, Badurian Benjamin, Chepikov Olksan, Naranjo Allian Antero, Patro Christian, Alcayde Joel and Caratiquit Michael Beyan.

The 14 are citizens of countries such as Russia, Ukraine, Japan and the United Kingdom.

The foreigners are being arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on four counts of conspiracy and illegal dealing in petroleum products.

The presiding judge, Ibrahim Buba, said on Monday that the court would not be able to accommodate any trial for the day as earlier planned and subsequently adjourned the trial till July for continuation.

Counsel for the anti-graft agency, Rotimi Oyedepo, had on June 10 told the court that the accused persons were arrested along with their vessel, MT Anukpet Emerald, with which they allegedly carriedout unlawful business.

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According to court records, the accused persons had on March 27, 2015 being caught dealing in petroleum products estimated at 1,738.087 metric tons without appropriate license.

They were also accused of dealing in 1,500 metric tons of automated gas oil and 3,035 metric tons of low power fuel oil without lawful authority.

The prosecution said the offence was a contravention of Section 4 of the Petroleum Act, Cap 10 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria and Section 19(6) of the Miscellaneous Offence Act, Cap M17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria , 2004.

When they were initially arraigned in early June, they had pleaded not guilty and were granted bail.

Buhari Inaugurates Economic Council, Charges Members On Service Delivery

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Buhari Inaugurates Economic Council, Charges Members On Service Delivery

buhari and osinbajo

President Muhammadu Buhari, on Monday inaugurated the National Economic Council, NEC, charging members to ensure transparency and integrity in the distribution of funds from the nation’s coffers.

He also told the members of the committee to coordinate the implementation of sound economic policies that would re-engineer the dwindling fortunes of the country.

At the inauguration ceremony which held at the Presidential Villa, Buhari, also told the council to make sure that all revenue accruing from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Nigerian Customs Service, Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety and the Liquefied Natural Gas, LNG, and other government revenue yielding outfits must henceforth be remitted into the Consolidated Revenue fund.

The President also counselled members of the council to be objective in the discharge of their duties and to also not politicize any of their subsequent deliberations.

The council which is expected to be chaired by Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo was also charged to explore efficient means of paying the salaries of government staff and suggest ways of plugging the wastage of government funds.

The council is constitutionally expected to draw up the economic blue print for the current administration.

U.S. Report Confirms Abuse By Nigerian Security Forces

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U.S. Report Confirms Abuse By Nigerian Security Forces
U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry
U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry

 

By Samuel Malik

The recently released Country Report on Human Rights Practices for 2014 by the United States Department of State, which discusses human rights issues in different countries of the world, shows that Nigerian security agents committed human rights abuses, further lending credence to an earlier report by Amnesty International, AI.

According to the report handed over to the U.S. Congress by Secretary of State, John Kerry, the Nigerian military committed serious abuses in prosecuting the war against terror, including arbitrary arrest and detention, torture and extrajudicial killings.

However, while AI focused on Boko Haram-related cases, the U.S. report is broader, covering such issues as corruption, press freedom, prison condition, religion, child labour, sexual exploitation, etc.

Inhuman treatment by Boko Haram, security forces and Civilian-JTF  

The report noted that Boko Haram carried out some of its most violent attacks in 2014, with several raids, bombings and shootings, kidnappings, and other attacks on villages and military facilities.

“The terrorist group continued almost daily attacks on villages and cities in the three state-of-emergency states of Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa. It also carried out attacks resulting in mass casualties among civilians in Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, and Plateau states. Between April and June, Boko Haram carried out three separate bombings in the FCT.

It observed further: “On April 14, it detonated a car bomb at the Nyanya Motor Park, a bus station located approximately seven miles from central Abuja, killing at least 70 persons; on May 2, it detonated another car bomb in Nyanya, killing at least 19 persons; and on June 25, it bombed the popular shopping center Banex Plaza in the Wuse district of Abuja, killing at least 21 persons.”

The report also observed that the terrorists carried out several abductions, with the Chibok Girls case the highlight. Before the Chibok incident, on February 17, between 30 and 40 girls were abducted from a school in Konduga, Borno State. On August 11, 97 men and boys were taken from Doron Baga, also in Borno State.

The report contends that the military and its local vigilante partner, popularly called Civilian-JTF, responded to Boko Haram’s reign of terror with highhandedness, resulting in several cases of atrocities.

“The government and its agents committed numerous arbitrary or unlawful killings. The national police, army, and other security services committed extrajudicial killings and used lethal and excessive force to apprehend criminals and suspects as well as to disperse protesters,” it said.

It added that “authorities generally did not hold police, military, or other security force personnel accountable for the use of excessive or deadly force or for the deaths of persons in custody.”

Of particular note, it stated, was the event of July 25, 2014, when soldiers opened fire on a procession of followers of Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, reportedly killing 35 people, including three of El-Zakzaky’s sons. There has been no conviction.

In September 2013, operatives of the Department of State Service, DSS, and some soldiers killed eight squatters in Apo district in the nation’s capital, claiming they were Boko Haram members who had shot at them. Even though the National Human Rights Commission’s investigation found that the victims were not members of the sect and ordered that compensation be paid to family members, the government did not take action against the agents that carried out the attack and elected instead to appeal the ruling.

The report also referred to cases of torture and operation of such facilities by security forces. Amnesty International had in September 2014 released a report accusing the military and police of operating “torture chambers” and using methods like “beatings, shootings, nail and teeth extractions, and rape and other sexual violence.”

Relying on press and NGO testimonies, the report alleged that the army’s 7th Division illegally detained and killed suspected members of Boko Haram in the Giwa Barracks military facility in Maiduguri, Borno State, and Sector Alpha and the Presidential Lodge facilities in Damaturu, Yobe.”

“Former detainees alleged that torture, starvation, and other forms of mistreatment by security services led to the death of detainees in some cases. Authorities publicly denied the claims, describing them as inaccurate or unbalanced,” it stated further.

Corruption and government’s lack of transparency

The issue of corruption has over the years earned Nigeria an ignominious reputation, especially abroad and according to the U.S. report, “massive, widespread, and pervasive corruption affected all levels of government and the security services.”

It noted that the ICPC has only secured 76 convictions since its establishment in 2000, with eight of those convictions secured between January and October 2014.

The EFCC on the other hand has fared better, the report concluded as the commission was only able to get “convictions in 117 cases that involved more than 150 individuals” in 2013 alone.

However, cases such as the Ekiti State governor, Ayo Fayose’s N400 million suit, former aviation minister, Stella Odua’s N255 million bullet-proof scandal, former lawmaker, Farouk Lawan’s bribery case, former police boss, Sunday Ehindero’s fraud, etc. all suffered setback under the previous administration, the report noted.

While Fayose is now governor, having been supported by former president Goodluck Jonathan, who campaigned for him, Stella Odua is now a Senator.

Press Freedom

While the press in Nigeria is seen as free in the report, it said that government nevertheless arbitrarily censors it under the guise of intelligence, adding that 2014 was a particularly bad year for the Nigeria media.

“Security services detained and harassed journalists, sometimes for reporting on sensitive problems, such as political corruption and security. Security services and police occasionally arrested and detained journalists who criticized the government. Reporting on matters such as political corruption and security problems proved to be particularly sensitive,” the report stated.

National newspaper like The Punch, The Nation, Daily Trust, Leadership, and Vanguard, all suffered from the military’s excessive control, with several of their copies confiscated and their employees detained between June 6 and 9. Defence spokesperson, Chris Olukolade, said the military action was based on intelligence report.

“On August 21, soldiers detained two managers of the Daily Trust newspaper’s Maiduguri office and detained them for an hour at army headquarters for publishing a story on August 20 alleging soldiers refused to fight Boko Haram until they were provided with adequate equipment. The military issued a statement ordering the Daily Trust to retract its story and to consult with military personnel before publishing any story related to the army or national security. The newspaper refused to retract its story. On August 27, the Defence Ministry spokesperson stated the Daily Trust would not be sanctioned for publishing the story,” the report said.

It also recalled that on May 28, unidentified men attacked members of the #BringBackOurGirls campaign at the Unity Forum during their sit out. The men broke equipment belonging to journalists while the policemen nearby watched.

The U.S. report, the 39th, is released annually and is mandated by Congress. This document helps the U.S. in dealing with countries, particularly with regards to rendering assistance, and John Kerry said, while delivering the document, that the U.S. will continue to demand from governments that human rights and freedom are upheld.

“We remain committed to advocating on behalf of civil society and speaking out for the protection of human rights for all individuals,” Kerry said.

 

ICPC Nabs Fake Medical Doctor Over Visa Scam

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ICPC Nabs Fake Medical Doctor Over Visa Scam

FAKE DOC

The operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, have arrested and detained a fake medical practitioner alleged to be involved in visa issuance fraud.

Investigatorssaid George Dawari who has been illegally operating as a doctor claimed to be a member of staff of the National Hospital, Abuja, a claim that was also been found to be false.

Dawari was arrested on June 5, 2015 after a petition against him was filed before the ICPC.

In the petition, it was alleged that the accused demanded the sum of N450,000 from a couple with a promise to procure five -year visas to the United States for them and members of their family.

It was gathered that after a warrant was obtained by the ICPC, a subsequent search on the residence of Dawari was carried out.

It was in the course of the operation that operatives found out that Dawari had earlier offered to administer drugs on one female patient, under the pretence of being a medical doctor.

Eagle eyed operatives equally discovered some medical equipment, including a stethoscope and medical overall with his name engraved on it,on his premises.

Also discovered in the suspect’s house were six Nigerian passports, four of which had been stamped with United States visas.

Investigators said the passports were subsequently sent to the American Embassy for authentication where it was discovered that the process for their issuance was fraudulent.

The suspect is to be charged to court for violating Section 16 of the ICPC Act 2000 and Section 321 of the Penal Code.

Meanwhile, the ICPC has requested members of the public that have had any medical or visa transactions with the Dawari to immediately seek remedial medical attention in hospitals and to also volunteer such information to the ICPC.

Italian Coast Guard Again Rescues 2900 Migrants

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Italian Coast Guard Again Rescues 2900 Migrants
Migrants rescued from the sea
Migrants rescued from the sea

Italian coast guard ships, alongside British and Irish military vessels, have again rescued at least 2,900 migrants from 21 smugglers boats in the Mediterranean, north of Libya.

An Irish military statement said the Irish vessel Le Eithne was involved in six of the operations on Sunday, rescuing migrants from inflatable rubber dinghies.

In a statement, the Italian coast guard also confirmed the number.

About 100 of the migrants have been taken to the tiny island of Lampedusa, off Sicily andauthorities are determining which larger, southern Italian ports would receive the others on Monday.

This year alone, about 60,000 migrants saved by ships in a multi-nation search and rescue mission have been brought to Italian ports.

Many seek asylum from wars or persecution in Africa or the Middle East, and hope to reach families in northern Europe.

Of this multitude, many have died in shipwrecks at sea.

President Buhari, Crack The Whip Now!

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President Buhari, Crack The Whip Now!
President Muhammadu Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari

By Godwin Onyeacholem

Of Buhari’s presidency so far, one thing is clear: the pace is inversely proportional to the quantum of public anger bred by decades of horrible post-colonial leadership. And at no time is this sense of indignation and cynicism more intense than in the last sixteen years.

But surprisingly, whether in the social, political and economic sphere, none of the actions so far taken under this government appears far-reaching enough to clear the trauma of accumulated rage and disillusionment tormenting the people of this beleaguered country.

Buhari has indicated that he wants to be seen as operating from a clean slate. But truth is there are some pasts he cannot afford to let go. For the kind of devious democracy that Nigeria and most developing countries practise, a well-intentioned leader like him would need to unleash some measure of favourable dictatorship over time for a semblance of genuine democracy to be attained.

Such dictatorships, while not threatening the corporate entity, should instantly send a clear message that the era of impunity, the unacceptable era of “anything goes,” is indeed over. Unfortunately, that has yet to happen in one month of the Buhari administration.

For instance, consider the pressing issue of ensuring the integrity of our elections. Isn’t it shocking that for all the reverberating shame brought on to Nigeria by the scandalous electoral manipulation of the 2014 Ekiti governorship election perpetrated by high-ranking military officers and top PDP politicians and government officials, Buhari seems not to be outraged? For goodness sake, what is our president waiting for?

For a government that waved the banner of change to get the people’s vote, a government in which the people are virtually drowning in the official sputum of “it’s not longer going to be business as usual,” you would expect Buhari, himself a certified victim of serial electoral fraud under the verminous PDP governments, not to waste one second in demonstrating that change is indeed here. In other words, by now, Buhari is supposed to have rounded up all those whose names featured in the Ekitigate scandal and brought them to justice.

A government that truly hopes to be believed as it reels out that endless chant of change or “no business as usual,” ought to have dismissed the top hierarchy of the military and the police which operated alongside sponsored party thugs as the armed wing of the PDP.

By now, the trial of the Chief of Army Staff, his pitiable man Friday, Brigadier-General Aliyu Momoh and the foot soldiers, as well as all the politicians and government officials implicated in rigging the election for PDP ought to have commenced, with Captain Sagir Koli ferried in from wherever he is exiling as key witness. A final nail should be on the way to being hammered on the coffin of election rigging in this country, and Buhari should quickly start from Ekiti. This society deserves no less.

Not forgetting the ignoble role played by men and women of the State Security Service, a government truly primed for change should this moment be getting thumbs-up and a pat in the back for using its symbolic broom to sweep away all the undesirable elements who, together with a section of the military, did everything to squelch the APC and carried on as if PDP was the best thing to happen to Nigeria.

This is not about vendetta, or heating up the polity unnecessarily. As they say, to make an omelette eggs must be broken. The signal for a re-energized culture of accountability ought to have been out there from the first day of Buhari’s government through firm actions. This government should really awaken people to the fact that for every wrong action there would be consequences, in contrast to what obtained under the PDP. And Examples abound. The police officers fingered in the extra-judicial murder of Mohammed Yusuf, the Boko Haram founder, should be fished out now, under this government, and made to face the law.

The same treatment should be meted out to Sam Chukwu, the controversial police officer, fugitive of the law linked with high-profile kidnapping and murder. Chukwu went underground and got protection from his superiors when the Enugu State Ministry of Justice linked him with the 2009 kidnap and subsequent murder of Lota Ezeudu, a second year student of accountancy at the University of Nigeria Nsukka.

Surprisingly late last year, Chukwu was promoted to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police by the Police Service Commission headed by former Inspector-General of Police, Mike Okiro. Such a character should not be in the police, not to talk of circulating in a normal society.

And just about a week ago under the watch of this government, one Bernard Ogedegbe of Ethiope West Local Government of Delta State, was said to have been murdered by soldiers of the 19th Battalion, Koko Military Base, who are said to be engaged in extortions, torture and working hand in hand with criminal gangs in the area. Ogedegbe was said to have been killed for informing the police about the criminal gang operating in this area.

In all these cases, nobody has returned a guilty verdict on anyone yet. Buhari and his APC government should promptly show to Nigerians that though they inherited quite a healthy sum of PDP members, this administration is by far different from PDP’s. All the people or groups identified with these brutal killings must be arrested and brought to book immediately. It is the least Buhari can do to show that the APC dog – unlike the PDP’s – can hunt, and bite. That is the true meaning of change.

Godwin Onyeacholem, a journalist, can be reached on gonyeacholem@gmail.com

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