Features
Reminiscences Of 9/11 Attacks
September 11 is like the millions of other days for all nations, except for the United States of America whose existence and super power myth was threatened 10 years ago on that day by an Islamic fundamentalist group called al-Qaeda. September 11, 2001 was a day of infamy never to be forgotten in the US and across the world. There was despair in the dust borne and depression across the United States.
The horrendous event of that day, which is christened 9/11 in America today, touched people around the globe and evoked reactions of anger, sorrow, incredulity, fear and mourning. It was not a tragedy of a single nation, or of a single person. The whole world was overwhelmed with sadness and shock, watching innocent souls perish in a mindless act of terrorism.
The Ground Zero of the decimated World Trade Centre (WTC) was a site of unbelievable destruction. Shortly after the attack, the WTC became a magnet, drawing people from around the world to share their grieves, disbelief and bewilderment. World leaders came. Ordinary people came; all writing their sentiments and names on an unadorned plywood barrier where the WTC had become twisted steel and ashes, as the US Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs painted it.
As noted by many people, the September 11, 2001 bombing of the twin towers World Trade Centre, and America’s defence operation and security building, Pentagon was not just one of the most saddest events for America, it was a challenge on America’s super power myth.
Yesterday was the 10th anniversary of that mindless attack which left not fewer than 4,000 dead. Expectedly, the pains, agonies and nostalgia of the British attack was re-echoed all over the United States.
In what the US reportedly made the most security fitted national engagement, the American citizens rolled out drums, albeit in sober mood, to recall the hate and mass murder visited on America and its economy by the event of September 11, 2001. While they mourned the victims of the bloody attacks, they also celebrated the heroes who staked their lives to save their fellow country men and women at Ground Zero.
As a pre-event for this year’s anniversary of the 9/11, not fewer than 40 international television channels in US, have been running documentaries and programmes on the 9/11 holocaust, since August 28. Some of these stations such as CNN, Fox TV, History Channel, MSNBC, Science Channel, among others, gave accounts and revived the gory moment of the terrorist attacks in their programmes.
The holocaust masterminded by al-Qaeda at the behest of its kingpin, Osama bin Laden, who US at last tracked and killed in Pakistan on May 2, this year, was so chilling and nearing freezing point; just as the desperation and ingenuity put into use by 19 al-Qaeda agents who hijacked four passenger aircrafts, three of which struck and reduced the twin towers WTC in New York and the legendary Pentagon into a heap of rubble and masonry, was incredible.
From the computer stimulation of the flight track, the first plane had taken off from Boston for San Francisco. A few minutes after take-off, it did a detour to the left towards its targeted destination in New York, and in no time, rammed straight into the first tower of the tall structure building of the WTC. The second aircraft came a little after and struck the second tower.
Forty-five minutes later, the third passenger aircraft came and crashed into the Pentagon at Arlington, Virginia, the very heart of America’s defence operations and security hitherto thought to be invincible, and thus collapsed eight wings of the legendary structure.
In less than one hour, the four hijacked planes had hit three targeted destinations, with the fourth one crash-landed into an open field in Shanksville, the remote woods of the State of Pennsylvania. The speculation is that the fourth airline targeted either the White House or Capitol Hill before one of its hijackers, who was afraid of being overpowered by the passengers, reportedly urged the one piloting to roll over the plane and force it to crash.
For nearly 10 years after the attack, America’s strength to track down the 9/11 masterminds, especially Osama bin Laden was met with cynicisms and doubts. And for the period the hunt for bin Laden lasted, the myth woven around America as an invincible fortress and a country where all things are possible was at its lowest ebb.
In spite of the tough talk by the former US president, George W. Bush, under whose watch the September 11, 2001 event occurred, Osama bin Laden and his al Qaeda group was insurmountable.
On May 2, this year, however, America reaffirmed her timeless creed that out of many, she is one. She finally got her most hunted enemy, Osama.
Since the 2001US attacks, the security of the world, not just America alone, has been on the tenterhooks. Like a contagious disease, terrorism has been touching more nations. America’s bold reactions against the 9/11 assault and its unbridled fury of revenge against the terrorists, have since driven al-Qaeda and global terrorists out of the United States; and has therefore made them find sanctuary in other countries like Spain, Somalia, Sudan, Maghreb, Afghanistan, India, London and Nigeria.
On March 11, 2004, the al-Qaeda merchants unleashed terror on Spain where they bombed some trains that left about 200 people dead and almost 2000 injured. The same scenario was painted in London on July 7, 2005, when train bombing killed over 52 people in the centre of the city.
Mumbai, India’s largest city had its own share of the gory tale on November 28, 2008, when Pakistan Islamists painted the city red and crimson in 10 coordinated attacks that killed 164 people and wounded at least 308. The latest of this suicide epidemic was hosted by New Delhi, also in India last Wednesday, September 7.
Of all the countries that suicide bombings have found sanctuary in the last 10 years, Nigeria appears to be the most safe haven. Between October 1, 2010 and now, about seven major suicide bombing attacks have been unleashed on the nation.
The October 1, 2010 attacks said to have been perpetrated by al-Qaeda happened near the Eagle Square, Abuja, the venue of Nigeria’s 50th independence anniversary celebration, killing not fewer than 12 people. On December 24, 2010, another set of 38 Nigerians was killed and 74 injured in a series of bomb attacks in the central city of Jos and north-eastern Maiduguri; while the December 31, 2010 bomb blast at a beer garden of a military barracks in Abuja left four persons dead.
Suleija town, near Abuja had its own gory tale to tell on April 8, this year, when suicide bombers detonated a bomb at an electoral agency office, killing 11 and injuring 38 persons.
On May 29, this year which marked Nigeria’s Democracy Day and the swearing-in day of President Jonathan as newly elected president, Nigerians woke up to the rude shock of another bomb blasts in two places – one at an open air beer drinking spot in northern Bauchi and another one on the outskirts of Abuja. About 18 people lost their lives, while 31 were injured in the attacks. Meanwhile, on June 16, 2011, at least, two people including the suspected suicide bomber and a police officer were killed and seven people wounded during a bomb attack on the police headquarters in Abuja. The same day, four children lost their lives in a separate attack in the northern town of Damboa, near Maiduguri.
The latest of these suicide bomb attacks in Nigeria was recorded on August 26, when the terrorists attacked and decimated the United Nations (UN) office in Abuja, leaving 23 dead and many people injured.
All of these attacks, except the October 1, 2010, were said to have been perpetrated by a northern based Islamic fundamentalist group, called Boko Haram, who claims is fighting against Western education.
The spate of these terror attacks has begun to stretch the world’s economy. For instance, for the past 10 years, America has been battling with a weakened economy because of the costs of fighting the war against terrorism. The recent bitter debt ceiling debate between the US presidency and the US Republican dominated Congress lends credence to this.
In Nigeria too, several millions of naira have been deployed into fighting terrorism. But unlike the US which has succeeded in checking further attacks since the September 11, 2001 attacks, Nigeria is still confused as to how to route out this terror group or at least deplete its rank.
Boye Salau
From the fore going, the fight against drug trafficking should be treated as an international challenge with open collaboration, if the world leadership must win the fight!.
The circumstances or should I say the improvement on drug related activities are modifying and updating on daily basis. A close friend of mine in the United States of America who recently visited Jamaica, came with a lot of complicated information about drug trafficking and transaction. Being a qualified Nurse in US and on a visit to the Reggae Country (Jamaica), she said she was put aback when a man approached her and introduced himself as a Pharmacist. According to her, she immediately picked interest due to her professional background. To her, a business partner is birthed. But she was shocked to the narrows on learning that drug dealers or traffickers and subriquited Pharmacist in that Country. From her account, they ( The Jamaican Pharmacists), are the first set to people to meet and greet you at the Airport. No government or authority challenges them in the open due to the sophisticated nature of their transportation
Come to think of it, who would want to attack a Pharmacist on duty? Nigerians are not left out in the improvement on drug deal. A chat with a confident in the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA) Rivers State Command, so revealed. The Officer draw my attention to the movement of Dispatch Riders. He said part of the reasons they ride with almost speed equivalent of the thunder lightning, is to meet up with the appointment of delivering hard drug consignment to a client of theirs. According to him, those guys popularly referred to as Yahoo Boys are the ones who now payroll dispatch riders so that they can deliver their consignment ( hard drugs) on schedule no matter the sort of traffic or weather condition. The fear of loosing rich clients and that of the unknown treatment that may come of the Boys, as the officer puts it, drives the Riders crazy thus the reason to speed even at the expense of their lives.
The account of a prominent Party Promoter, Wayne Anthony, as obtained online recently, also pointed out that ‘No Legislation Will Stop Clubbers From Doing Drugs’ Party promoter, Wayne Anthony, arrived in Ibiza, a Spanish Island in 1988, at the same time as dance music and the party drug ecstasy. Despite hallucinating badly enough to make him give up the lifestyle forever, he says laws will never stop clubbers taking drugs. “I don’t think you can control these things,” said former party promoter Wayne Anthony. He arrived in Ibiza in 1988 and began setting up club nights and raves in some of the island’s most iconic venues. In the years that followed, the sleepy Spanish island turned into a raver’s haven of clubbing and hedonism, with party drugs like ecstasy commonly found. “What Ibiza represented was this beautiful, hot island which was visually stunning and we knew you could party there quite legally,” said Wayne. “You didn’t have to look over your shoulder. You could just be as free as you possibly could be.”
That freedom came with a price. Along with the lavish clubs, all-day-benders and hot Spanish sun came drug cartels and crime. The city transformed into one the world’s most vibrant party capitals, “fuelled by a dangerous and lucrative drugs trade which drew as many criminals to its shores as it did party animals”. Wayne, one of the contributors to the documentary, spoke to Sky News ahead of its release.”I’m not going to sit here and say the cartels aren’t there. They are all there and they’ve been there from the ’90s,” said Wayne. But he said most people tried to ignore the organised crime going on around them. According to Wayne, clubbers usually took the approach of: “‘Give me 10 E’s . Behind the scenes of the filming of Ibiza Narcos with Wayne Anthony. Behind the scenes of the filming of Ibiza Narcos with Wayne Anthony. Hallucinating giant spiders Although he described the Balearic island as the “motherland”, it was eventually a bad experience with drugs that convinced Wayne it was time to leave Ibiza.
He’d been partying for days when he realised he’d taken too many drugs. A friend told him to drink cough medicine, dangerous advice that he now says could have killed him. “I saw the worst hallucination I’ve ever seen in all of my life. I ended up locking myself in the villa with all the shutters down. When he sobered up, he realised he had “come to the end” of his party life on the island. “I never looked back. I never took another drug. I got away from the club world.” ‘I don’t think you’re going to be able to stop it’ Despite his life-changing experience, he doesn’t think criminalising drugs is a good idea – or particularly effective. “If you’re old enough to vote for who’s going to be a world leader, if you’re old enough to put your name down on debt for 25 years, I feel like you should be old enough to govern what you put inside your own body, you know?” said Wayne.
Back to Nigeria, some illicit drugs worth over N30billion seized at Onne Port in Rivers State.
This blood chilling development forced the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency at the Onne Port, following what authorities described as repeated incidents of importation of dangerous cargo, including arms and ammunition through the said port. To this effect, the government said it was immediately implementing emergency protocols at Onne Port for the next three months by conducting thorough examinations of all suspected containers in the premises.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, in charge of the port via a press conference, said it henceforth, unveiled the seizures of illicit goods by the Nigeria Customs Service, Area 2 Command, Onne in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State. In defence for his action, Adeniyi said the recurring incidents posed a threat to national security, adding that the health of citizens at the Onne Port is increasingly being used as a destination for dangerous and illicit cargo, describing it as a disturbing trend.
The customs boss stated, “Earlier today, I joined numerous stakeholders to take a significant step towards the cause of trade facilitation through the inauguration of upgraded facilities provided by the West Africa Container Terminal, Onne. “As I express delight that trade facilitation is getting traction in Onne Port, I cannot help but call your attention to a grave concern. This has to do with the repeated incidents of national security breaches unfolding in Onne Port. I appreciate your presence, as we all have a shared responsibility in safeguarding our national security. As we are all aware, the policy thrust of Mr President supports the re-energising of our business environment to drive faster import clearance and grow our capacity for exports, Our emphasis has been to promote initiatives that speak to Trade facilitation and economic development. “It is a matter of regret that criminal elements in the international supply chain are exploiting our pro-trade stance to commit atrocities bordering on national security breaches”.
“The attempts to test our will through the importation of dangerous cargo through this port has necessitated the declaration of a state of emergency in Onne Port, coming on the heels of a seizure of a huge cache of arms a couple of months ago. It is disheartening that perpetrators have not backed down on their illegal acts. Recent intelligence and seizures have revealed a disturbing trend; Onne Port is increasingly being used as a destination for dangerous and illicit cargo. The scale and nature of these illegal importations pose a significant threat to our national security and the health of our citizens. Today, we are here to showcase yet another series of significant seizures made by the diligent officers of the Area 2 Command. On display are twelve containers of illicit goods intercepted through a combination of intelligence gathering, inter-agency collaboration, and meticulous physical examination. Seizures on Display include: Three (3) x 40-feet containers: Containing 562,600 bottles of 100ml cough syrup with codeine and 3,150 pieces of chilly cutters, with a Paid Duty Value (DPV) of N4,716,573,846.
“Others are, three x 40-feet containers containing 380,000 bottles of 100ml cough syrup with codeine, 24,480,000 tablets of Royal Tramadol Hydrochloride, 5,350,000 tablets of Tapentadol and Carisoprodol, and other items, with a DPV of N17,432,506,000 were seized”.
According to the report, more seized items were, “Five (5) x 40-feet containers; Containing 892,400 bottles of 100ml cough syrup with codeine, 1,300,000 tablets of 50mg Really Extra Diclofenac, 7,250,000 tablets of 5mg Trodol Benzhexol, and other items, with a DPV of N8, 128,568,295,90. This very action of the Nigeria Customs Service, further complicated the hope of how soon the fight against drug trafficking could be brought to a halt owing to its high profile nature.
Another hair-raising report of the illicit drug deal has it that when NDLEA bursted a Snake-Guarded Shrine Used For Storing Illicit Drugs sometime ago in Edo State. This very news report was published in The Tide Newspaper on June 24, 2024. According to the report, NDLEA said its operatives uncovered a shrine, guarded by a snake, being used for storing illicit drugs, during an operation in Edo State. The Agency in a statement by its spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, added that its operatives discovered a specially constructed large hole in a wall, hidden behind wallpapers and fetish objects used for drug storage. It further noted that methamphetamine, Loud, Colorado and Arizona, all strong strains of cannabis with a total weight of 8.743kg among others, were recovered from the shrine.
To be cont’d
King Onunwor
The persistent clash between farmers and herders in Nigeria has been a longstanding issue. These conflicts, often, over resources like land and water, have led to loss of lives, destruction of property, displacement of large numbers of people, deep-seated mistrust between communities and insecurity. Herders, traditionally nomadic, move their livestock in search of grazing land and water. Farmers, on the other hand, require the same resources for their crops. This competition often leads to clashes, especially in areas where land is becoming increasingly scarce due to population growth, climate change, and environmental degradation. As these clashes intensify, there has been a growing call for sustainable solutions. Two weeks ago, President Bola Tinubu took a bold step towards tackling the issue by inaugurating the Presidential Committee on Implementation of Livestock Reforms and creating the Ministry of Livestock Development.
The committee which has the president as the chairman and the former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega as the deputy chairman has the mandate to address obstacles to agricultural productivity and open up new opportunities which benefit farmers, herders, processors, and distributors in the livestock-farming value chain as well as propose recommendations aimed at fostering a peaceful co-existence between herders and farmers, ensuring the security and economic well-being of Nigerians.The establishment of the Ministry of Livestock Development was part of the recommendations of the National Livestock Reforms Committee. Part of the 21 recommendations submitted to the president include: “This agenda should include the establishment and resuscitation of grazing reserves as suggested by many experts and well-meaning Nigerians and other methods of land utilisation.
“Create the Ministry of Livestock Resources in line with practice in many other West African countries. In the alternative, Federal and State Governments should expand the scope of existing Departments of Livestock Production to address the broader needs of the industry,” among others. Experts in the agricultural sector have posited that the livestock industry can create millions of jobs directly in farming, processing, and distribution, and indirectly in related sectors like feed production, veterinary services, and marketing. It provides livelihoods for rural populations, helping to reduce poverty and improve the quality of life in rural areas. It also increases the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and foreign exchange earnings through the exports of livestock and livestock products such as meat, dairy, wool and leather.
According to them, a well-funded livestock industry supports the growth of agro-processing sectors, such as meat packing, dairy processing, and leather manufacturing, adds value to raw products and creates additional economic activity as well as stimulates the development of supply chains, including logistics, packaging, and retail, contributing to broader economic growth. It enhances economic resilience by diversifying the agricultural sector and providing a buffer against crop failures or other agricultural shocks and many more. Some other agriculturists have also opined that the livestock industry in Nigeria is currently underdeveloped and that by the creation of the ministry of livestock development will open up the industry which will be a huge money spinner for Nigeria.
Reports have shown that a Livestock Ministry can play a pivotal role in mitigating conflicts between farmers and herders by implementing policies and programmes aimed at fostering coexistence and sustainable resource management. The Ministry can work towards clearly demarcating grazing routes and farming areas. This would reduce instances of trespassing and accidental crop destruction, a common flashpoint for conflict. While introducing rotational grazing systems can ensure that land is used sustainably, preventing overgrazing and land degradation, establishing water points and boreholes specifically for livestock can reduce competition for water resources. Similarly, promoting the development of pasturelands through reseeding and controlled burns can improve grazing conditions.
According to a veterinary doctor, Dr Andrew Obadiah, by providing training for herders on sustainable livestock practices and for farmers on conflict resolution, both parties can understand the importance of coexistence. He said that extension services of the ministry can offer advice on improving livestock health and productivity, reducing the need for large herds and extensive grazing. “Setting up local committees involving both farmers and herders to mediate disputes can provide a platform for dialogue and peaceful resolution. Encouraging community-based conflict early warning systems can help prevent clashes before they escalate”, he emphasised.For Mrs. Stella Ugwu, a farmer, having a ministry dedicated to the development of the livestock industry can help in diversifying income sources for both farmers and herders and in turn reduce dependence on land.
”For instance, promoting agro-pastoralism can provide farmers with livestock and herders with agricultural produce”, she explained, adding that providing incentives for adopting sustainable practices, such as subsidies for fodder production or crop insurance, can ease economic pressures. Ugwu was however of the opinion that the creation of a new ministry to handle livestock affairs was uncalled for, since the job can effectively be done by the Technical and Service Department of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and food security and its equivalent on the states level.In some countries, the establishment of a Livestock Ministry or similar bodies has shown promising results. For example, Ethiopia’s Ministry of Agriculture includes a dedicated department for livestock which has successfully implemented programmes to improve pastoral livelihoods and reduce conflicts.
In Kenya, the establishment of the National Drought Management Authority has helped manage resources better, thus reducing clashes between herders and farmers during dry seasons.The president of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Othman Ngelzarma, sees the Ministry of Livestock Development achieving the same feat for Nigeria in the near future. He told newsmen that, “MACBAN expresses its deepest appreciation to the Federal Government for creating a ministry of livestock to unlock the trillion-naira livestock economy and create qualitative and productive jobs across the value chain to improve the Nigerian economy. With this development, MACBAN believes the hope of the Nigerian pastoralists is now achieved under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
However, the Middle Belt Forum took a different view of the proposed Ministry of Livestock Development, saying it was not enough to sustainably resolve the decades-long farmers-herders crisis in the country. According to the National President of the association, Mr. Bitrus Pogu, what is needed to end the perennial farmers/herders clashes is a deliberate action by regulatory bodies and the government to stop criminal elements from carrying out deadly attacks on innocent Nigerians, mainly farmers. Hear him: “If the reason for creating the Ministry is to stop clashes, I think it is wrong because all of these attacks and killings that are happening have nothing to do with conflicts between farmers and herders. “Farmers have never connived at any given time to go and attack herders, but rather, criminals who happen to be Fulani gang up and attack farmers, kill, maim and chase them out of their ancestral homes.
“Then, the Fulani will come and occupy them. So, it is more about invasion, criminality, and terrorism. And the majority of those they hire to do these evils are not even those who have cattle. So, a deliberate action has to be taken by the government against the perpetrators, which will address the criminality.” Mr. Pogu suggested that the government should adopt ranching for productivity and enduring peace between the pastoralists and farmers in particular and the entire country in general.While the establishment of a Livestock Ministry presents a viable solution, it is not without challenges. Funding constraints, bureaucratic inefficiencies, and corruption can hamper its effectiveness. Additionally, deeply ingrained cultural practices and mistrust between farmers and herders can be difficult to overcome.
Critics argue that without a holistic approach that includes land reform, climate change adaptation, and broader economic development, a Livestock Ministry alone may not be sufficient. Therefore, it must work in tandem with other governmental and non-governmental bodies to ensure comprehensive solutions. “A dedicated Livestock Ministry, with its focus on sustainable resource management, conflict resolution, and economic incentives, offers a promising avenue to address the root causes of these clashes. However, its success depends on effective implementation, adequate funding, and the cooperation of all stakeholders involved. With the right strategies and commitment, devoid of any political or selfish interest, it can play a crucial role in fostering peace and prosperity in affected regions”, they advised.
Calista Ezeaku