Features
2015: The Security Question In Rivers
The A.K. Horsefall Foun
dation and the Rivers State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, on Thursday, March 20, 2014, held a joint one-day Peace and Security Conference at the Omni Events Centre, Eastern Bypass, Ogbunabali, Port Harcourt.
The conference was aimed at promoting peaceful atmosphere in the state, especially as political activities begin ahead of the 2015 general election. A conglomeration of critical stakeholders reached a consensus at the conference on how best to ensure a crisis-free Rivers State before and after the election.
During the occasion, the ugly scenario that characterised the 2003 general election in the state was articulated and a resolution reached never to return to the dark days of hostility and desperation.
Participants at the conference included students union leaders, religious and political leaders, women and youth groups, professional associations, security agencies, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, among others.
In his opening remark, the chairman of the conference, Ambassador Chukwudi Orike, described the theme of the conference as apt and thanked the conveners. Defining peace as an occurrence of harmony characterised by the absence of violence, Orike described it as something that was difficult to achieve.
He outlined bad governance, marginalisation, abuse of power, insensitive governance, criminalisation of politics and the politicisation of crime etc as the causes of violence in the state.
“The theme of this conference, ‘Peace and Security in Rivers State’ would not have come at a better time, especially when highly volatile issues of state and national concerns are currently in the frontburner of our national politics. Peace is a necessary pre-condition of life on earth. It is a necessary pre-condition of life on earth. It is a necessary condition for success, for development, for prosperity and progress. It is therefore not surprising that all religions of the poor preach peace. Peace appears to be very difficult to achieve in spite of the efforts made by various religions,” Orike said.
In a keynote address, the founder of A.K. Horsefall Foundation and facilitator of the conference, Chief Albert Horsefall, said the conference aimed at sounding the warning of an impending conflict much earlier in order to avert a crisis. He took a swipe at bad politicians and described a good politician as one who seeks victory through the ballot box. The security chief also described the bad politician as one who uses deception to win election and end up representing no one.
“Let us save our state from bad groups. We should stand up and challenge those who exhibit bad behaviour in our state. Security affects everybody. We should challenge those relatives of ours who take up guns and take others’ lives.
“Our youths should reject bad politicians and ask for education. Rivers State has suffered too much harm for no fault of the people. When elections are gone, they abandon the youths with their guns. The youths face the society and become a problem. We must act now and not wait for the calamity to befall us,” Horsefall indicated.
The NUJ, Rivers State Council, was not left out from the search for peace in Rivers State particularly ahead of the 2015 general election. Its chairman, Mr Opaka Dokubo, commended Chief A.K. Horsefall for the initiative and stated that it was time for peace. He recalled the role the union had played in the maintenance of peace in the state and said the conference offered a platform to discuss peace and security. He advised Rivers people to mobilise their constituencies for peace.
“Deep down in our hearts every individual here do not feel we are where we ought to be. It is no longer fashionable for us to sit down and watch. There is a need for us to act. It is time for peace. We don’t want the ugly experience of the past again,” Dokubo declared.
On his part, the regional co-ordinator, Nigeria Security and Reconciliation Programme warned that 2015 was a season to make or mar the state. He emphasised the benefits of peace and security in the state and described the mission of the conference as one to stop the escalation of violence.
The Assistant Secretary-General, National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, Zone B, (South South/South East), Comrade Ledogo Amabu, saw the emergence of a two-mega party system in Nigeria as having altered the political equation and “carry-go” philosophy ahead of the 2015 general election. According to him, this change required a new set of thinking and strategy to contain the ensuing challenges in Rivers State in order to avoid a repeat of the ugly incidence that trailed the 2003 election.
Amabu advised youths and students, who he described as the most vulnerable group during election, to shun quick monetary and material rewards by politicians or godfathers.
“The youths and students are the most vulnerable group during election. They are lured with quick monetary and material rewards, by sweet-talking godfathers, who conscript them to do their biddings at their own risk. These unsuspecting youths who are in most cases armed with dangerous weapons by their principals, lose relevance as soon as elections are over.
“In their bid to maintain certain false social standards, they graduate into armed robbery and illegal bunkering, creating crisis. This trend must not continue. We must take steps to salvage our communities, LGAs, State and country,” Amabu admonished.
A journalist and women’s representative at the conference, Constance Meju, lamented the situation where young people were armed with guns while girls were abused during politically-induced crisis in the State. She recalled that Rivers State used to be peaceful, but had been overtaken by violence. She called on the police and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in the State to be neutral in the discharge of their duties.
“Rivers women are afraid because of 2015. We want a very neutral security. A police that will do to A what it will do to B. INEC should help Rivers people to enjoy democracy. If this is done, there will be no need for crisis. They should give us peaceful election,” pleaded Meju.
The National President of Rivers Youth Federation, Comrade Adokiye Mujiton, spoke in a similar vein and admonished security agencies to take responsibility for any breakdown of law and order in the state.
The state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) INEC, Rivers State, Elder Aniedi Ikoiwak, used the platform to declare that INEC was making innovations that would make election rigging difficult. According to him, the process, when completed, would make the electorate the main deciders and owners of the election. Hear him:
“It is expected that if these innovations of INEC are applied in 2015 general elections, free, fair and credible elections will be achieved. People-centred election will also be achieved because rigging will be difficult, snatching of ballot boxes, thuggery will not be fashionable. Actual voting will be the issue in 2015 general elections. This process will, no doubt, make the electorate the main deciders and owners of the election.”
The Rivers State Police Commissioner, Mr Tunde Ogunsakin, who spoke through his representative at the conference, DCP Alkali Shaka, agreed that there were security challenges in the state relating to the 2015 election. He said the constitution makes it clear that security is the primary purpose of government and assured that the police would provide security adequately.
“The constitution makes it clear that security is the primary purpose of government. Security is the live wire of any society. Without peace and security, the socio/economic aspiration of the people cannot be attained. And it is the duty of the police to provide same,” Ogunsakin assured.
Ogunsakin was not alone in the promise of providing security for the state during the election; his army counterpart and Brigade Commander 2nd Amphibious Brigade, Bori Camp, Port Harcourt, Major-General A.Y. Sambo, who was represented by Major Micheal Etete, assured that the Nigerian Army would work to ensure that there was peace and security in Rivers State.
Also at the occasion, the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) representative, Pastor M.O. Etete, asserted that security was everyone’s business and that the provision of good governance, he said, would attract security. He called on the government to provide jobs for the youths in order to resist the offer to take up guns. He, however, assured that the PDP would ensure that security was provided.
Similarly, his All Progressives Congress (APC), counterpart, Mr Andy Nweye, said members of both parties were one, and denounced the need for violence. He asked law enforcement agents to perform their duty by arresting offenders.
Arnold Alalibo
From Left: Director, News, Rivers State Television, Mr Obele Chu, Public Relations Officer, 2 Brigade, Maj. Micheal Etete and Assistant Secretary, Trade Union Congress, Rivers State, Mr Raymond Benson, at the Peace and Security Conference in Port Harcourt last Thursday. Photo: NAN
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
