Former Nigerian president, Olusegun Obasanjo went on his knees to pay homage to the new Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III.

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Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has on Saturday, condemned the Politicians of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and those of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for spending millions of Naira just to attend the wedding of the son of President Muhammadu Buhari, Yusuf, on Friday, when Nigerians, especially School Students, are wasting away in the captivity of killer Fulani bandits in the bushes, until they can raise the ransoms demanded by their captors, Page 36 learnt.

His exact words: “Some people are in captivity in bushes dying silently, as kidnappers are holding unto them until ransom is paid. Others are suffering from hunger, as it is everywhere. People are facing all manner of problems, yet Politicians spend public funds on private jets.

“When Prophet Mohammed married off his daughter, who came from Mecca or Yemen? In the entire Medina, no righteous persons to oversee the solemnisation?
“Some Politicians are spending money to hire jets to go to a wedding, while criminals are holding people to ransom in the bush. The criminals (bandits) are milking the people.
“Some people have never earned N1 million in their life, but bandits would demand N10 million. Many people have sold their houses, farms, everything, and paid bandits for ransom, yet, some are not lucky to have their loved ones released unto them.

“Some Religious lEaders cannot survive without behaving in a servile manner towards Politicians. Politicians have spoilt the Clerics. Atrocities are committed in the country, but no one can speak up.

“People think only those in the bush (bandits) milk us dry, no! Even our Leaders milk us dry. Where did they get the money to hire all these jets?
“In one of the States, some pictures of a dilapidated Hospital were sent to me. The roof was blown off, and a patient was lying on the bed. That Governor is in Kano, to attend a wedding.

“How many Schools were rehabilitated? The money that should be used to cater for the people is the one they hire private jets to junket around. Are you not also a bandit?
“We vent our anger against ourselves, other tribes. People are left killing themselves, because of poor leadership.”

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The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said Nigeria will not prosecute repentant terrorists “because there are international conventions” that must be followed.

Lai Mohammed stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Washington.

Lai Mohammed said: “I personally spoke to the military authorities before I left Nigeria and they said what they were doing is what the global practice dictates about soldiers that surrendered that should be treated as prisoners of war.

“You cannot just shoot them because there are international conventions that give rights also to prisoners of war
“What the military is doing is that, when they surrender, they profile them to ensure that they are genuine and reintegrate them into the society.’’

He, however, admonished fifth columnists and naysayers to stop spewing negative and false narratives around Boko Haram members who are surrendering in droves in the North-East.

The minister also berated those who claimed that the surrendered insurgents were not actual Boko Haram fighters.

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Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Thursday said bandits ravaging the country with growing impunity would soon register formally with the Corporate Affairs Commission and the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

On the insecurity ravaging the country, Atiku said, “But who would have thought that our country would become a haven for kidnappers and all manner of bandits to the extent that their nefarious activities would become a major industry?

“They have been allowed to operate so openly and brazenly that it would surprise no one if they applied for registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission and listing on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

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The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has joined Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State in appealing to both the Federal Government (FG) of Nigeria and the Nigerian Army to do everything possible in assisting the state government in resettling and reintegrating Boko Haram insurgents and ISWAP fighters who are surrendering.

The Islamic group wants the FG and the Nigerian Army to treat the returning Boko Haram insurgents and ISWAP fighters like brothers newly found, adding that they should be trained in invocations that can enable them cater for themselves and their families in future.

MURIC’s appeal was contained in a statement forwarded to DAILY POST by its director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Thursday.
The statement reads: “Nigeria’s North-East war zone has witnessed a dramatic change with Boko Haram insurgents and ISWAP fighters laying down their arms in their thousands. Consequently, the zone has been inundated with an unusually large number of ex-insurgents and former ISWAP fighters.

“This has created a humanitarian responsibility for the state government. Consequently, the state governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, yesterday appealed to both the Federal Government (FG) and the Nigerian Army to assist the state in resettling the surrendering fighters.

“MURIC joins the hardworking Governor Zulum in appealing to both FG and the Nigerian Army to do everything possible in assisting the state government in resettling and reintegrating. A governor who spends most of the day with troops at the war front and most of the night walking around the city, visiting hospitals and teaching in classrooms to ensure that all sectors are working needs to be supported.

“We lay emphasis on the fact that peace-making is cheaper than fighting wars while meaningful development and growth can only occur in a peaceful environment. FG should therefore go all out in ensuring that its deradicalizing process is accompanied by stomach infrastructure and economic resettlement.

“Boko Haram insurgents and ISWAP fighters who are surrendering should be resettled and trained invocations that can enable them to cater for themselves and their families in future. Quick and meaningful resettlement will encourage the remaining insurgents and fighters to embrace peace.

“MURIC also appeals to the civilian population in Borno to manifest a spirit of accommodation and integration of remorseful insurgents and fighters. We warn against the stigmatization of any sort. Returning fighters should be treated like brothers newly found. What they need is our understanding, cooperation and kindness.

“As we round off, we remind both FG and the Nigerian Army that it is more important to win the war than to win the battle. Battles are won in trenches, but the war can only be won in the minds of men. Only a swift, effective and meaningful resettlement of remorseful Boko Haram insurgents and ISWAP fighters can win the real war.”

Credit: PressExpress