The state of security in Nigeria has been a source of concern to both the government and the governed. The unfortunate situation has left the citizens looking up to the security organizations in the country to nip the escalating levels of violence, criminality, and killings happening across the nation in the bud. But what happens when those charged with the task of protecting and defending the country and its citizens are now under attack themselves?
This has been the question on the minds of so many Nigerians as they waited for the reaction of the Commander In Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Mohammadu Buhari, who has since responded to the attack by the so-called ‘bandits’ on the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in Afaka, Kaduna State through a spokesperson.
On Tuesday, August 24, 2021, news about an attack on military property in Kaduna State broke and it seemed like a rumor until major media houses started reporting it. It was reported the armed bandits stormed the NDA premises in Afaka in the early hours of the morning – around 2 am to be precise.
Having breached the security and the gate and gained entrance, the brutes wounded and killed some military personnel while abducting others. The Nigerian Army, later that day, confirmed the fears of millions of Nigerians as they corroborated the story, revealing that two of its officers were killed and one senior officer was kidnapped from the Defence Academy.
The Presidency also responded to the NDA Kaduna attack, calling it was a ploy to discourage, distract, and dampen the morale of the officers with regards to the fight to curb the insecurity challenges in the country. He vowed not to give in to their ploy as he said instead of giving up the fight, the unfortunate incident has further strengthened his resolve to ‘uproot of evil in the polity’. The President also commiserated with the families who lost their loved ones as he prayed for God to give them the strength to bear their loss.
Here is the statement from the Presidency:
“The attack launched on the facility of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) on Tuesday, rather than throw a dampener into the morale of our Armed Forces as it is intended to, will buoy their determination to make a decisive end of criminality in the country, President Muhammadu Buhari has said.
“Noting that the attack, which led to the loss of lives, came at a time that the military had put insurgents, bandits, kidnappers, and other types of criminals on the retreat, the President says the heinous action would accelerate the total uprooting of evil in the polity, which members of the Armed Forces are solidly resolved to accomplish in the shortest possible time.
“Commiserating with the families who lost their loved ones, and praying God to comfort them, President Buhari vowed that the deceased would not die in vain, as the degenerate act would have consequences that will eventually clean the country of vermin, and emancipate the polity from deliberate, targeted and contrived atrocious acts.
“The President thanks all Nigerians who value and appreciate the efforts of our military, and urges those playing hateful politics with the dastardly act to desist, noting that rather than recriminations, this is the time for all patriots and people of goodwill to support and encourage those who are in the vanguard of the battle against wickedness in the land.”
Nigeria’s image isn’t worth protecting when school children are being kidnapped – Davido
In a new interview on the BBC, multi-award-winning superstar Davido explained why he chose to use his platform to bring global attention to the kidnapping of school children around the country.
During his performance on one of the side events at the ongoing FIFA World Cup hosted in Mexico, the United States of America, and Canada, Davido wore a jacket with the names of the school kids from the Oyo Kidnapping pinned all over the black leather jacket
Davido’s choice of outfit and activism generated both criticism and praise, with some commending him for using his platform to amplify the plight of Nigerians confronting record levels of insecurity. Other critics, including popular Hausa praise singer Dauda Adamu Kahutu, popularly known as Rarara, accused Davido of a lack of patriotism for airing the country’s dirty laundry on the global stage.
The award-winning star, however, doesn’t agree with the idea of protecting the country’s image. According to him, there’s no image to protect when school kids are being kidnapped.
A lot of people don’t really want to talk about what goes on in my country (Nigeria) simply because they want to protect the image, but there’s no image to protect if the little kids are being kidnapped,” Davido said, strongly communicating his stance.
As much as I was happy to do the World Cup, we also have to understand that things are going on back home in our country, which we have the power to let the world know through our own means. My own means is music and performances, so I used my platform to project what is going on.”
Davido’s decision to use the World Cup stage for his activism continues his trend of joining his voice to echo Nigeria’s sociopolitical crisis. During the famous ENDSARS protest against police brutality and corruption in 2020, he took part in the protest, and his smash hit record ‘FEM’ became the unofficial anthem.
As Nigerians at home and in the diaspora continue to await the return of the school children and teachers of the Orile kidnapping in Oyo, Davido and other celebrities are speaking up on the rising insecurity and economic hardship across the country.
67-year-old Nigerian grandma arrested with 13kg cocaine hidden in plantain peels
NDLEA has arrested 67-year-old Nigerian grandmother Mary Yetunde Barek after allegedly discovering 13kg of cocaine concealed inside fake plantain peels in her luggage at Lagos airport. Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested her after allegedly discovering 13 kilograms of cocaine concealed inside fake plantain peels packed among food items in her luggage at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.
According to the NDLEA, Barek, who works as a caregiver in the United Kingdom, was arrested at the departure hall of Terminal 2 on Sunday, June 28, while attempting to board a Virgin Atlantic flight to London.
The agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, said a detailed search of the suspect’s luggage uncovered 31 large wraps of cocaine ingeniously packaged to resemble hands of plantain.
The drug, weighing a total of 13 kilograms, had been carefully concealed among other food items in what investigators described as one of the more sophisticated concealment methods recently uncovered at the airport.
Babafemi said the fake plantain peels were designed to closely resemble real plantains in an apparent attempt to evade airport screening and security checks.
According to him, the suspect admitted ownership of the cocaine during interrogation.
“A thorough search of her bags resulted in the discovery of 31 big wraps of cocaine which were packaged to appear like plantain hands, weighing a total of 13 kilograms,” Babafemi said.
“In her statement, the elderly woman admitted full ownership of the recovered cocaine exhibits.”
The arrest formed part of a series of nationwide anti-narcotics operations announced by the NDLEA on Sunday.
In a related operation, the agency arrested 45-year-old Nwabueze Felix Onyeka, a PhD student at the University of Putra Malaysia, over an attempt to export 5.8 kilograms of cocaine hidden inside the walls of nine cartons of Orijin Bitters destined for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Nollywood Veteran Hanks Anuku captured roaming the streets of Abuja
A viral video showing veteran Nollywood actor Hanks Anuku on a roadside in Abuja has sparked concern among Nigerians on social media. The footage, believed to have been recorded recently, shows the 64-year-old actor appearing distressed, holding a disposable cup and seemingly talking to himself. Some social media users speculated that he may have been under the influence of alcohol, though this remains unconfirmed.
Sharing the clip online, eyewitnesses appealed for support, writing:
“Please Nigerians, Nollywood actor Hanks Anuku needs our help. Please repost and share so he can get help.” The video has generated mixed reactions, with some expressing concern for the actor’s well-being, while others urged the public not to jump to conclusions.
One user said, “He made his choice. Donate for him and he will still visit his drugs and drinks. Best advice na the one wey person advice himself.”
Several fans called on his fellow actors and the Nigerian Actors Guild to provide the actor with the necessary medical and financial support.\
Anuku previously made headlines in November 2022 after a viral video showed him dressed in worn-out clothing while wandering the streets, prompting widespread speculation about his mental health. The actor later dismissed claims that he was battling mental illness. However, this latest video shows concerns over the state of his mental health and well-being.
During his time in Nollywood, Hanks Anuku was known for playing the archetypal bad-boy role, which earned him fame through his performances in movies like ‘The Senator.’ The actor’s current situation sheds light on the issues confronting movie stars and other celebrities who often battle with depression and financial crisis after leaving the limelight.
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