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CSO, rights activist give Buhari 7 days to order probe into alleged killing of Benue tax officer by Nigerian Army
The Save Nigeria Group and a human rights activist, Solomon Semaka, have issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to commence investigation into alleged killing of one Sixtus Terfa Akure by officers of the Nigerian Army.
The Late Akure, who was a Senior Inspector of Taxes with the Benue State Internal Revenue Service, BIRS, was said to have been found dead in the early hours of January 16, 2022, around Aper Aku Estate in Makurdi, the state capital.
In a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari, date January 17, 2022, and copied to the Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, the Senate president, Speaker of the House of Representatives, British, American, German, Japanese, Chinese Embassies and the National Human Rights Commission, the group alleged that Mr Akure was killed on Friday, January 15, 2022, by men of the Nigerian Army and his mangled body found the next day.
The letter, signed by T.D. Sorkaa Esq., a solicitor to Mr Semaka and the Save Nigeria Movement, noted: “Our brief further reveals through the chairman, BIRS, in a statement after his death that ‘the late Sixtus was whisked away last night by military personnel in what has become a regular occurrence, and his body was found early hours of Friday around Aper Aku Estate by the roadside.’
“Moreover, our brief reveals, according to Ukan Kuru, a social media activist, from information he gathered from the late Sixtus’ close relative who revealed to him that some men of the Nigerian Army came in their truck at the North Bank tax point to intimidate BIRS officers on duty. The junior colleagues of the late Sixtus all fles but as a senior officer he stood his grounds to know what the problem is.
“The Nigerian Army officers descended on him, beating him blue black before forcing him into the their vehicle and took him to unknown location, only for his body to be seen the following morning by the roadside.”
While appealing to the President to use his position as commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces to within seven days set up an inquiry to unravel the root cause of Mr Akure’s death and the Nigerian Army’s involvement.
The group, therefore, demanded a compensation in the sum of N500 million to the family of the deceased.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has reported its seventh partial grid collapse in 2024. Despite the recurring issue, TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, reassured the public that efforts to restore power are well underway, with about 90% of substations receiving bulk power.
Mbah noted that the Azura Power Station initiated the grid recovery, although a minor setback occurred. However, power supply has been restored to the Abuja region and other key distribution centers. The Ibom Gas Generating Station remained unaffected, continuing to supply power to the South-South region.
An investigation into the cause of the collapse will commence once full grid restoration is achieved.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic tanker explosion in Jigawa State, which claimed over 100 lives. In a statement issued by his media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima, on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, extended condolences to the affected families, praying for strength and comfort in their time of grief.
Shettima assured the public that the federal government is mobilizing resources to support the injured and assist those affected. He has directed the immediate deployment of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide aid. The Vice President also stressed the need for a review of fuel transportation safety protocols to prevent future incidents.
In a separate statement, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu offered her condolences to Jigawa Governor Umar Namadi and the people of Jigawa, praying for peace and comfort for the families affected. She called the incident “unfortunate” and extended prayers for the recovery of the injured and the repose of the souls lost in the tragedy.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has revealed that it intercepted a total of 10,598 pieces of arms and 114,929 rounds of ammunition valued at N9.58 billion over the past six years. Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, made this disclosure during a press conference on enforcement activities in Zone A.
Adeniyi highlighted that 60% of these seizures occurred in 2023, reflecting the Customs’ increased efforts to curb arms smuggling. He also mentioned that recent operations such as Operation Whirlwind and Operation Swift Sting are part of a strategic response to tackle evolving smuggling tactics.
In addition to arms seizures, the Customs CG announced the largest pangolin scale seizure since 2020, with 9,493 kg of scales confiscated in collaboration with the Wildlife Justice Commission. The joint operation led to four arrests across Kano, Kaduna, and Lagos. The NCS continues to intensify efforts against wildlife trafficking, targeting supply routes in northern Nigeria and border areas.
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