Maracas International News Magazine

09/03/2024

NOT TOO LATE TO FELICITATE WITH OUR BOSS; AS WE HEARTILY RECEIVES YOU IN OUR MIDST TODAY... WE SAY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY IN ARREARS...

Amb. Dr. Nicholas Ehimatie (JP) AMIIM, hails from Obodeko, Amahor Kingdom in Igueben Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. He has been an active and viable member of Good Governance Supporters Forum of Nigeria (GGSFN) since August, 2012; won the Kofi Annan Global Integrity Award, (PEACE AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR, 2018), conferred on 26th, September, 2018; by South Africa Integrity Media-Group and Dr. Kwame Nkruma African Genius Award Centre, Ghana; Member, Institute of Information Management (IIM) and was conferred with Doctorate (Honourary Causal) Award by Cornerstone University and Theological Seminary, Jerusalem, Israel & U.S.A campuses; (for his/my viable contributions to the National development for being an Advocate/Crusader for good governance, unity and co-existence through culture and tourism, and has as well delivered several convocation papers/speaches at the institution's events. Though, he talk less but a good listener which has really characterized a good leadership trait. He is indeed cool headed and easy-going entity who has his scope championed in citation/profile writing, editing, and life-coaching. Amb. Nicholas sharpened his professional teeth at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), with Effective Writing And Communications Skills; and Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTEC), now known as the Lagos State University of Technology, where he studied Mass Communications. He is the Director, Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of the Gong Africa News Magazine, (Nigeria), and Maracas Communications Group, (Ghana), the publishing body of Maracas International News Magazine- ground breaking news magazine in Ghana. He was a school class teacher at Methodist School, Oshodi Road; and High Light Group of School, Oshodi, Lagos State. He was enlisted/invited for the MTN Media Marathon, 2006, where he won a consolation prize; this time he was working as a Journalist with the Champion Newspapers. He has attended health, security, education culture and tourism etc, conferences just too many to mention. He has served immensely in several organizations such as,.. Editor, Africa International News Magazine, Editor, Zenith International News Magazine, Associate Editor, Citizens News Magazine, Editor, Badagry News Magazine, (a community news bulletin), Associate Editor, Courier World Magazine, Manager, Funkies Bar and Hotel. Amb. Nicholas Ehimatie, through his media firm, has instituted the young Nigerian artist, Korede Bello's first Award (African Cultural Heritage Award) in 2010, this brought Korede Bello to his limelight. His media organization has been honored /recognized and as well recognized and honored several and notable Nigerian citizens, like HRH Audu Nizazo, the Etsu Kwali, FCT Abuja, HRH Dr. Idris Sero Abubakar, Emir of Okuta Kingdom, Kwara State, HRH Dr. Stephen Bayonga of Tara a State, Chief Dr. Mike Ozekhome (SAN), Dr. Z**i Cardow, late Christy Essien Igbokwe (the Nigerian Lady of songs), just to mention but a few...
You are indeed, a great man who never fear to die for the truth. May God keep protecting you and your family.
CONGRATULATIONS SIR!!!

25/01/2024

EDO 2024: YET ANOTHER CHALLENGE!!!

As an aspirant in the upcoming 2024 governorship election, today, I submitted our Nomination Form at the Wadata Plaza, National Secretariat of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party, in Abuja. I used the term ‘Our Nomination Form’ because the Philip Shaibu campaign represents the people of Edo.

This year's election poses another challenge because of a ploy to hand governance over to businessmen, and we are firmly rejecting that. We cannot return to Egypt and the only way is when power resides with the people, not with businessmen — as PDP declares, ‘Power to the People,’ not to business moguls alone.

I understand the workings of the Edo State government due to my experience in the legislative arm and eight years running as the deputy governor. I am not running for governor due to personal ambition but to save Edo State from businessmen seeking to take control. I am experienced and understand what our state needs in Infrastructure, Education, Creativity, Science & Technology and Social Institutions. Since I became deputy governor, everything the governor has given as an assignment, I have always delivered excellently well — Sports, Immunization, Revenue Generation — in digital form.

I thanked the Deputy National Organising Secretary of our great party, the PDP, Hon. Pascal Adigwe for the warm reception and for recognising my records and giant strides over the years. He also wished me well in my ambition to become the next Governor of Edo State.





Copied!!!

21/12/2023

*FROM COMRADE CASELY OMON-IRABOR (ESQ.) A.P.C GOVERNORSHIP ASPIRANT FOR EDO 2024*

*MY CHRISTMAS MESSAGE TO EDO PEOPLE*

I am stoic and dare to be different.

I am not a conventional politician.

My word is my bond, bold, blunt and care not a hoot about any godfather/ so called sponsor.

1. We will not build road where there are already many roads but repair the bad ones there.

2. We will not build hospitals where there are already enough but equip and renovate existing ones there.

3. We will not provide electricity and water where they are already surplus.

4. We will not build schools where there are enough.

5. We will develop rural areas of the state with the provisions of schools, roads, water, hospitals, sustainable industries, grants and soft loans for peasants and petty traders, trades man/ woman, technicians, tailors and others for sustainable development in the rural areas of Edo State so as to discourage mass movement to the urban areas of the State and going abroad to suffer.

I say this, not just because of your nomination and vote but to be counted among those who stood up for justice when the chips are down.

*MERRY CHRISTMAS*

*Comrade Casely Omon-Irabor Esq. (Dr. of Letters and Literature)*
National Chairman of the Human Rights Defenders Organisation, United Nations Ambassador for peace and conflict resolution send his greetings from Ebudin Land.

20/11/2023

OJODU COMMUNITY HONOURS CHIEF (ENGR.) BABATUNDE BAMIDELE WITH PHILANTHROPIST AWARD FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT...

The phrase, "charity begins at home" is a figurative word, meaning that one should deal with the needs of the people close to them before extending a helping hand to others outside the home or community.
This was one of the reasons why the Lights Up Communities Ador (LUCA), an initiative of Ojodu Community, Lagos State, has deemed it paramount to honour one of it's philanthropist, Chief (Engr.) Babatunde Bamidele, the Chairman/CEO, Glister Success Ltd with a Philanthropist Award of Excellence and Development of the community.
Chief Bamidele who was aptly represented by Bar. (Chief) Eroyalesun Johnson, was recognized and as well honoured at the maiden edition of the Ojodu Communities Award, 2023, organized by LUCA-ADOR, at the Excellence Hotel, Ogba-Ikeja, Lagos State.
According to the organizers, this grass-roots development and in recognition of his generous support to the Ojodu Communities.
While presenting the award, on behalf of LUCA-ADOR, (Ojodu Community), one of the awardees, Mr. Adoga Victor, Director, Victor Fitness, along side, Hon. James Abiodun Faleke, Honourable Memeber, House of Representatives, unreservedly commended this dexterous engineer, Chief (Engr.) Babatunde Bamidele for his philanthropic and viable contribution towards the community and beyond. Urging him not to rest on his oases, but to facilitate more developmental and selfless contribution to the community.
"This honour is indeed timing and well deserved for such a calibre of integrity like Chief Bamidele, who have the people at heart.
Though, I am one of the recipients of this great award, but I must confess that I have nothing else but admiration for all the nominees and their dedication to this community. There are some remarkable stories of individuals like Chief Bamidele who goes the extra miles to support others and so I am delighted that he is being recognized and honoured here today", he said.

05/11/2023

The Otunba Mayegun & Yeye Otunba Mayegun of Inisa, Chief Bamidele Babatunde and Chief (Mrs) Christiana Babatunde, heartily rejoice with the Olunisa of Inisa, Oba Joseph Oladunjoye Oyedele, Fasikun II, Oba-in-Council, IDU, IDC, Sons and Daughters of Inisa in diaspora, on the occasion of the 32nd INISA DAY celebration. Aseyi samodun o.

29/08/2023

All the way from Ghana, we will be joining this trend as the situation unravels.... Watch out!!!

29/05/2023

Media guru, the founder of DAAR Communications Plc, owners of AIT and Raypower FM, Chief Raymond Dokpesi is dead.

28/05/2023

FAREWELL SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA

My fellow Nigerian brothers, sisters and friends of Nigeria.
2. I address you today, in my last assignment as a democratically elected President of our great and well-endowed nation, with a deep sense of gratitude to God, a great deal of appreciation to the Nigerian people and a modest sense of fulfilment.
3. Today we mark and celebrate another peaceful transition of power from one elected government to another in our steady march to improve and sustain Nigeria’s democracy.
4. This year we witnessed the most keenly contested Presidential Elections since the first Republic and this demonstrates that our democracy is getting better and more entrenched with each election.
5. We must as a nation improve and sustain gains we make in the electoral process, on an incremental basis for Nigeria to take its rightful place among Nations.
6. Our democracy provides for, allows and encourages seeking redress for perceived injustices, enabling some candidates and political parties that did not agree with the results to go to court.
7. Irrespective of the outcome of the various cases, I urge all parties involved to accept the decision of our courts and join hands to build a better Nigeria.
8. I salute the doggedness and resilience of all the Presidential Candidates and their political parties for believing in our judicial system by taking their grievances with the election results to court.
9. In the course of the campaigns, we had argued and disagreed on how to make Nigeria better but we never disagreed or had any doubts that Nigeria has to be better.
10. As your President, I call on all of us to bring to bear the strength of our individualism, the power of our unity, the convictions of our beliefs to make Nigeria work better and together with one spirit and one purpose.
11. To my brother, friend and fellow worker in the political terrain for the past ten years - Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu -, I congratulate you on the realisation of your dream, which was propelled by a burning passion to put Nigeria amongst the leading nations of the world.
12. You have indeed worked for this day and God has crowned your efforts. I have no doubt that your passion for excellence, reliance on competence, fairness in relationships, commitment to equity, loyalty to the country and desire for Nigeria to be globally relevant would come through for you, under God’s guidance, as you lead our country to levels higher that I am leaving.
13. You are the best candidate among all the contestants and Nigerians have chosen well.
14. The last eight years have been an exciting experience in my desire and commitment to see a Nigeria in which public goods and services are available, and accessible within a united, peaceful and secure nation.
15. Fellow Nigerians, on the strength of your overwhelming support for me and my political party, I started this journey with a great deal of promise and expectation from you. I never intended to be just politically correct but to do the correct things that will make meaningful impact on the lives of the common Nigerian.
16. This high expectation was not misplaced because, like the ordinary Nigerian, I had grown tired of watching the country progressively moving away from the path of correctness.
17. To ensure that our democracy remains resilient and our elected representatives remain accountable to the people, I am leaving behind an electoral process which guarantees that votes count, results are credible, elections are fair and transparent and the influence of money in politics reduced to the barest minimum. And Nigerians can elect leaders of their choice.
18. We are already seeing the outcome of this process as it provided an even playing field where persons without any political God-Father or access to money defeated other well-resourced candidates.
19. The Nigerian economy has become more resilient due to the various strategies put in place to ensure that our economy remained afloat during cases of global economic downturns.
20. You would all recall the supply chain disruptions and economic downturn that the world witnessed between 2020 and 2022 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The deftness of our response to the pandemic still remains a global best practice.
21. Furthermore, we increased the ability of the poor and rural Nigerians to earn a living, provided more food for millions in our villages and gave our women opportunities to earn a living.
22. Young men and women in urban centres were also supported to put their skills into productive use. Our administration also provided an enabling environment for the private sector to engage in businesses for which their return on investments is guaranteed.
23. The private sector proved a strong partner in our drive to build a resilient and sustainable economy as evidenced by the growing number of turn-key projects in various sectors of the economy.
24. In the course of revamping the economy, we made some difficult choices, most of which yielded the desired results. Some of the measures led to temporary pain and suffering for which I sincerely apologised to my fellow countrymen, but the measures were taken for the over-all good of the country.
25. Mindful of the need to ensure adequate infrastructure to drive economic growth, we completed age-long projects and processes notably amongst which are the Petroleum Industry Act, completion of some power projects, completion of the second Niger bridge and various important roads linking cities and states.
26. Our battle to ensure that all Nigerians live in a safe and secure environment has achieved considerable results. As I complete my term in office, we have been able to reduce the incidences of banditry, terrorism, armed robbery and other criminal activities considerably.
27. To sustain the gains made so far, I call on all Nigerians to be more vigilant and support the security agencies by ensuring that our values defined by being your brothers’ keeper govern our actions.
28. Up-till now, I still grieve for our children still in captivity, mourn with parents, friends and relatives of all those that lost loved ones in the days of the senseless brigandage and carnage. For all those under unlawful captivity our Security Agencies are working round the clock to secure their release unharmed.
29. Fellow Nigerians, you know how dear the desire in my heart is, to rid the country of corrupt practices that had consistently diminished our efforts to be a great country.
30. I did pursue this commitment relentlessly, in spite of the expected push back. I am happy that considerable progress had been made in repatriating huge sums of money back to the country and also taken over properties illegally acquired from our common wealth.
31. To improve service delivery, we began the implementation of a number of reforms aimed at producing an Efficient, Productive, Incorruptible and Citizen-oriented (EPIC) Federal Civil Service and the results are beginning to show.
32. On the international scene, Nigeria’s influence continues to grow as exemplified by notable Nigerians occupying headship and leadership positions in renowned global bodies.
33. Our democracy is built on and continues to thrive on the principles of separation of powers. The leadership and members of the National Assembly deserve my appreciation for their patriotism which did not detract from their roles as a check to the executive arm.
34. I also want to use this opportunity to express my appreciation to a good number of Nigerians who provided their support and encouragement to help me navigate the exciting journey in moving Nigeria forward.
35. I cannot and will not forget the millions who prayed for me during my illness in my first term of office. I am constantly praying for you and for Nigeria to thrive in peace.
36. As I retire home to Daura, Katsina State, I feel fulfilled that we have started the Nigeria Re-Birth by taking the initial critical steps and I am convinced the in-coming administration will quicken the pace of this walk to see a Nigeria that fulfils its destiny to be a great nation.
37. I am confident that I am leaving office with Nigeria better in 2023 than in 2015.
38. I thank you all. And may God Bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

02/04/2023

01/03/2023

WE CELEBRATES YOU ON THIS AUSPICIOUS DAY. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU AMB. NICHOLAS...

Amb. Nicholas Ehimatie (JP) AMIIM, hailes from Obodeko, Amahor, in Igueben Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria.He has been an active Member of Good Governance Supporters Forum of Nigeria (GGSFN) since August, 2012; won the Koffi Annan Global Integrity Award, (PEACE AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR, 2018), conferred on 26th, September, 2018; by South Africa Integrity Media-Group; Member, Institute of Information Management (IIM) and was conferred/honoured with Doctorate Honourary Causal Award by Cornerstone University and Theological Seminary, Jerusalem, Israel & U.S.A campuses; (for his viable contributions to the National development, for being an Advocate/Crusader for good governance, unity and co-existence through culture and tourism... He had his education at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), in Effective Writing And Communications Skills; and Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTEC), now the Lagos State University of Technology (LAUTECH) in Mass Communication. Since 2010, he established a media firm in Nigeria; and thereafter,, he set up yet another in Asokwa, Ghana. As a Publisher/ Editor-in-Chief of the Gong Africa News Magazine, (Nigeria), and Maracas International News Magazine -ground breaking news magazine in Ghana. Before then, he has been a class teacher at various schools in Lagos State. He was invited and participated in the MTN Media Marathon, 2006, where he won a consolative prize; this time he was working as a Journalist with the Champion Newspapers. Before then, he has garnered and acquired several wealth of experience in media organizations, as the Editor, Africa International News Magazine; Editor, Zenith International News Magazine; Associate Editor, Corporate Citizens News Magazine; Editor, Badagry Newspaper; Editor/Consultant, Courier World News Magazine etc. He has organized several conferences/summit on good-governance; Integrity and Accountability; Culture & Tourism; etc. He has also invited by Cornerstone University and Theological Seminary, Jerusalem, Israel/Lagos Campus and other notable organizations, respectively to deliver speech on leadership, health, security, education, culture/tourism at several conferences just to mention but few.

Happy birthday to you!!! From all of us, media crew, Maracas International News Magazine. Congratulations sir

15/06/2022

"An investment in knowledge pays the best interest"

THE INSTITUTE FOR UNIVERSITY PREPARATORY STUDIES INVITES PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS TO APPLY AND JOIN THIS RARE EPOACH-MAKING EDUCATIONAL MOVING TRAIN. WE ARE SIMPLY THE BEST AMONG THE REST.
COME JOIN US TODAY WITH JUST #7, 000 FORM, AND WE WILL TAKE OFF YOUR STRESS/BURDEN OF SEEKING ADMISSION.
CONTACT US @ VIA CATHOLIC COMPREHENSIVE HIGH SCHOOL, ONIKOLOBO ABEOKUTA, FOR YOUR ADVANCED LEVEL PROGRAMS AND UTME COACHING FOR STUDENTS SEEKING ADMISSION INTO NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITIES

BASIC REQUIREMENTS ARE: WAEC, NECO, GCE, OR NABTEB, and must not be more than two sittings.

REGISTRATION & ENROLLMENT IS CURRENTLY ONGOING FOR THE NEW SESSION
For More Information, Call/WhatsApp
08169447979

200 LEVEL ADMISSION INTO ANY UNIVERSITY OF YOUR CHOICE IS IS SURE!!! .

01/03/2022

Happy birthday to our great boss. The man who never talks because others are talking.. You only talk when necessary and without minding whose ox is gored. We love, we cherrish you. We wish you many more fruitful and joyous years ahead, may God continue to guide and uplift you... Once again, happy birthday to you.. Congratulations sir.

07/02/2022

BREAKING NEWS:

BENIN REPUBLIC EXTENDS SUNDAY IGBOHO’S DETENTION BY 6 MONTHS.
... After 202 days in detention...
(Submitted by : Amb. Nicholas Ehimatie JP AMIIM)

Contrary to statement made by Barrister Pelumi Olajengbesi, one of the lawyers defending the Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Sunday Igboho, will soon be released by the Benin Republic government, report said the detention of Yoruba nation activist, has been extended by six months.

The Counsel for the detained activist, Chief Yomi Aliyu SAN confirmed the extended incarceration of his client, Sunday Igboho.

But this is contrary to the claim by an Abuja-based human rights lawyer Pelumi Olajengbesi on Saturday that the 49-year-old agitator, Sunday Igboho, would soon regain freedom.

Olajengbesi, in a report, stated that Igboho’s freedom would attract wild jubilation across Yorubaland.

Igboho has been in detention in Benin Republic since he was arrested at an airport in Cotonou by the neighbouring country’s security forces while trying to allegedly flee to Germany in July 2020.

He fled Nigeria for Benin Republic after the Federal Government declared him wanted.

Aliyu noted that there was no criminal charge or extradition request from Nigeria against Igboho, but all efforts to release him after spending about 202 days in detention proves abortive.

He said: “Contrary to what was speculated in the news by a lawyer, the government of the Republic of Benin has renewed the incarceration of Chief Sunday Adeyemo a.k.a Igboho, after detaining him for about 202 days, and yet, for another six months even though there is no criminal charge in their file in Cotonou and without extradition request from Nigeria”.

Aliyu further disclosed that he would approach the court of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS Court) to challenge the extended incarceration of his client.

18/01/2022

BREAKING:

COURT ADJOURNS NNAMDI KANU’S TRIAL TILL WEDNESDAY
…orders DSS to allow him change cloth, do exercise

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja today being Tuesday, 18 January, 2022 adjourned further proceedings in the case against the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu, till Wednesday, 19 January, 2022.
Kanu, through his team of lawyers led by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Mike Ozekhome, further accused FG of denying him the necessary facility to defend the charge against him.
Ozekhome told the court that the amended charges were served on them barely 24 hours to the scheduled hearing.
“My Lord, the proposed amended charges were served on us yesterday (Monday) evening. As I speak to you my lord, the defendant, who was just brought in, has not even seen the charges which he is being told to enter his plea.
“With due respect, that is not justice. It is ambushing. I know that the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, allows FG to amend, but this is the sixth amendment they are making, and each time they do it, they serve us a day to the hearing, just to frustrate the trial,” Ozekhome added.

01/01/2022

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
KEEP UP THE HOPE...

13/12/2021

VACANCY

A medium size Solid Mineral Processing Company located in Lagos State and Ilorin, Kwara State has vacancy for Workshop Manager and Personal Assistant to the Managing Director (M.D), in its Lagos office
1. WORKSHOP MANAGER (Location: Ilorin, Kwara State).
2. PERSONAL ASSISTANT TO THE MANAGING DIRECTOR (M.D) (Location: Lagos State).
Applicants must possess
1) an HND/BSC degree in a relevant field or Mechanical /Automobile Engineering from reputable institutions of higher learning and must have good experience of not less than five (5) years in a similar position.
2) Minimum qualification: BSC or HND in Social Sciences or Business Administration with minimum of three (3) years cognate experience.
Must be computer literate in relevant application softwares.
* Salary is negotiable and very attractive
Applications should be sent to [email protected]
PLEASE NOTE THAT APPLICANTS WITH HIGH INTEGRITY/HONESTY ONLY, SHOULD APPLY.

20/11/2021

ORPHANAGE: RENO OMOKRI HAILS DAVIDO

"Those people saying Davido only donated the money as an afterthought are very pathetic haters. Look at the calibre of people on the committee to disburse the funds. It would have taken days, if not weeks, to contact them and get their approval to serve on the committee. Those are not hungry people that you just call and incorporate them into such an effort lightly. This was a carefully thought out act of goodness. Accept it. Davido deserves universal commendation for this. Universal. Nobody, whatsoever, should cast aspersions on him. In our county, we have people who are ten times richer than Davido. And they have not done this. Let’s give honour to whom it is due".

28/10/2021

FACEBOOK CHANGES ITS NAME...

Facebook is changing its company name to META as it confronts wide-ranging scrutiny of the real-world harms from its various platforms after a whistleblower leaked hundreds of internal documents. .
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg made the name change announcement at the company’s Connect event that the company’s new name will be Meta. .
“We are a company that builds technology to connect,” Zuckerberg said. “Together, we can finally put people at the center of our technology. And together, we can unlock a massively bigger creator economy.”.
“To reflect who we are and what we hope to build,” he added. He said the name Facebook doesn’t fully encompass everything the company does now, and is still closely linked to one product. “But over time, I hope we are seen as a metaverse company.”

08/10/2021

BOKO HARAM ISSUES NEW LAW IN NIGER STATE CONQUERED COMMUNITIES, PEGS MARRIAGE AGE FOR GIRLS AT 12

Suspected Boko Haram terrorists who have infiltrated many communities in some local government areas of Niger State have reportedly directed residents to remove their children from formal schools.

The terrorists had also directed the residents, both Muslims and Christians, to marry off their daughters at the age of 12 or face consequences.

Residents who disclosed this expressed fears that the onslaught would escalate in the coming days if nothing was done.

The recent developments climaxed the arson by gunmen in Niger State, who were being described as “bandits” for a very long time. The terrorists had killed hundreds of people in Niger and contiguous states of Kaduna, Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto and Kebbi.

Governor Abubakar Sani-Bello on Sunday alerted of the presence of Boko Haram insurgents in Niger, citing recent security breaches in the state.

“We have every reason to believe that we are not dealing with bandits. From the latest operation, the way they coordinated and planned the attack has also confirmed to us that they must have had some kind of training,” the governor said.

Several bomb mines, allegedly planted by Boko Haram were uncovered in Shiroro Local Government Area of the state.

The governor had severally described the bandits as Boko Haram fighters.

For instance, after series of attacks on villages in Shiroro and Munya LGAs on Sunday, April 25, and Monday, April 26, the governor told newsmen that, “The attackers included not only bandits but also Boko Haram members and their next target would be Abuja, a mere two hours away by road.”

The governor claimed that in Kaure, a village in Shiroro LGA, the attackers had hoisted a Boko Haram flag and were in control of the area.

Recall that members of the Ansarul-Islam and Darul-Salam were dislodged from parts of Niger State a few years ago.

Shiroro, Munya, Rafi communities under siege

The alarm raised by Governor Bello on Sunday was re-echoed by the Chairman of Shiroro LGA, Suleiman Chukuba, on Monday.

In the last few weeks, communities in Shiroro, Munya and Rafi local government areas had witnessed renewed attacks by suspected Boko Haram fighters leading to the loss of several lives.

Chukuba said, “On the issue of influx of Boko Haram in Shiroro, four wards have been affected.”

He said the residents were made to believe that the invaders were Boko Haram insurgents because of their mode of preaching.

“They told villagers that they have money to help them and that they also have guns to give them to fight the government. And that is the same doctrine we know Boko Haram elements promote,” he said.

He said information coming from the affected areas indicated that the Boko Haram elements were coercing communities to marry off their daughters at the age of 12 years.

The Director-General, Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Ahmed Ibrahim Inga, while confirming the recent surge in attacks, said the incidents had increased the number of people in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps.

He said major camps in Gwada and Kuta towns in Shiroro LGA had witnessed a mass influx of victims.

Witnesses and victims told our correspondent that the modes of recent attacks were different from those by bandits, saying that the attackers were members of the Boko Haram sect.

They also lamented that the invaders had directed them not to recognise any constituted authority.

A resident of the area and co-convener of Concerned Shiroro Youths, Bello Ibrahim, told our correspondent that the terrorists had invaded many communities.

“At a time, they were in Kawure, the village of former senator representing Niger East, David Umaru. But there was an operation by the joint military task force which dislodged them.

“They were sacked during the operation but after a while, since there is no military base in the area, they reconvened. For now, they are not only in Kawure. They have also extended their tentacles to other communities like Kuregbe, Awulo and others.”

He said the terrorists were carrying out nefarious activities.

“In Awulo and Kuregbe communities, they assembled the locals, both Muslims and Christians and gave them matching order that any girl that is 12 years old should be married off.”

Another resident who spoke in confidence said the criminals were operating freely.

“They are mingling with the villagers. They have become the constituted authority in those villages. They coerce locals to obey them as their leaders.

“In the entire Chukuba and Kuregbe ward, it is Boko Haram elements that are operating there not bandits that we know,” he said.

Abubakar Sani Yusuf Kokki, a resident of Shiroro, said the appearance of the attackers in some communities recently confirmed that they were members of the Boko Haram sect.

“During the recent attack on Magami village in Shiroro LGA, they first entered the mosque and started reciting the Quran… So, their approach is different from that of bandits.”

It was also learnt of the presence of the terrorists in Audu Fari Forest in the Borgu LGA of the state.

A resident who spoke in confidence said the sect members had been in the forest for a very long time.

Also, an audio message addressed to the Emir of Audu Fari, further confirmed the presence of the terrorists.

The man in the audio said in Hausa, “We are in this forest because of the authority that you (emir) service which is the government of Nigeria, which is not worthy of service. We are calling people to the path of Allah. White men have imposed their culture on you. Anybody supporting government is seen by us as an infidel and an unbeliever even if you call yourself a Muslim,” the man said.

He said any citizen found aligning with security agencies would not be spared including vigilantes. When contacted, Niger State Police Command declined comments.

A security source said the attackers are loyal to the late leader of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, who killed himself at his enclave in Sambisa forest in May 2021.

The source said since then, many of Shekau’s foot soldiers had moved down to parts of North Central and North West and operating in smaller groups while others had infiltrated sundry bandits and continued with their nefarious activities of raiding communities, killing people and abducting others for ransom.

Many security experts and some political leaders had called for the designation of bandits terrorising the North West and North Central as terrorists.

The latest call was by the National Assembly which called on President Muhammadu Buhari to call them terrorists and use all instruments of coercion to decimate them.

Gong Africa News Magazine...