OPERATION SAFE MISTAKES; AN OPERATION OF MANY MISTAKES….

This Is An Online Petition Against Operation Safe Haven To Defense Headquarters.
15TH MAY,2020.
(SHARE, UNTIL IT GETS TO THE MILITARY AUTHORITIES).

Dear sir,
This is a petition written by a patriotic citizen of this Noble country, who’s tax is used to train and pay the Security forces. I am an indigene of Plateau where the operation headquarters of your ancient operation code named “Safe Haven” is domiciled.

Sir, as PLATEAU people, we should ordinarily feel safe and more comfortable with your men on our soil but their excesses over time has left us not only in despair about the security of this country but also about the kinds of personnels our nation’s sovereign wealth is spent on training.

Despite loosing counts of the very many people that your men have cut short while in their prime, permit me to bring to your notice few Touching cases of young, vibrant and strong youths that were killed in cold blood amongst many other (reported and unreported) cases by your “Killer Boys” who go around flaunting their “Trained To Kill” T-shirts.

Sir, on the 5th of October 2018, an 18 year old promising young man was gunned down by a Soldier of operation Safe Haven who’s in his livery amongst colleagues on patrol around the students hostel for no offense than being a Plateau man.

Again, some few months ago, a 31 year old man by name Benjamin Arum Izang was tortured by Soldiers At Tina Junction Market until He gave up the ghost. His offence again was only that He is from Jos, the headquarters of Operation Safe Haven.

Sadly, and most shocking is the gruesome murder of a 20 year old Rinji Peter Bala, which happened in the late hours of 12th May 2020 for your men’s crass unprofessionalism.

These are few amongst the many scary tales of disappearances of young boys within Barkin LGA who would be picked up by your men and end up not returning till eternity.

The disservice is that, you never can tell what this young boys would have turned out to be in the future, perhaps becoming Generals that could lead wars and conquer countries or better still defeating the long Boko Haram war that has taken its toll on this country. But they are now lying in their graves and their bloods crying from the depths of the Earth Against their killers mistakenly trained to be Nigerian Soldiers.

How long shall this trend continue??

Your Soldiers have made our people to resort to making jest of you, making jest of the operation and making jest of the military for shooting people at will and for the lame excuses they keep giving to cover what I call “professional negligence and NATIONAL unpatroitism”.

Sir, the ridicule to the face of the military here is conspicuous enough that the Social media space is inundated, billboards and placards everywhere carrying innuendo to the khaki they wear in killing, all this for the misdoings of your boys.

Though there is a statement by the OPSH taking responsibility apologizing for the killing, PLATEAU people will not fold their hands and allow the details be swept under the carpet. Saying that the personnel at the Sentry who shot the victim mistook him for escaping detainee is a grave insult to our sensitivities. Mistakes has always been the excuse, hence Operation Safe Mistakes.

This further tells us that the Nigerian military sentries do not have communications with the duty room or command centers so that when they observe danger, they fire without alerting their colleagues. Again why would you pick up people from a far off distance and after interrogating them, release them and tell them to go without being escorted out of the vicinity? This tells a lot about why so many operations in the country have always lingered for decades without meaningful success. Or were the 5 released people as claimed by the OPSH told to go so that they could fine their way out of the sector by themselves and gather more Intel if they wish against the military if they were “An Enemy”

Many questions begging for answers

Sir, your Soldiers in my state have made the people not to trust them, there’s serious apathy for your men here.

How long shall the whole media space continue to make caricature of the military.

How long shall the pundits continue to expound on extrajudicial killings, how long shall the cartoonists continue to paint a picture of a Killer Armed Forces paid and trained by the Nation’s sovereign wealth.

No wonder a friend said he has since stopped praying for the Nigerian armed forces since the day he watched a brother assassinated in his presence by a supposedly sane soldier. (This shows the state of despair amongst civilians)

The popularity of the military is at all time low…

One wonders why banditry, kidnappings, Insurgency is still booming since our military can Fire and kill with this kind of accuracy and frequency.

Do you not think it is time to take stock of activities?

An operation that has lasted over a decade but with no physical improvement in Security but only increase in “shoot at sight”.

RECOMMENDATIONS!

1. Thorough investigation should be launched and culprits be made to face the full fury of the law and the punishment be announced to the general public for trust building.
2. Trigger Freak Soldiers should be redeployed to war front, let them go to the heart of Sambissa so they could be showcasing their firing abilities there and not to be left here to feast on innocent bloods.
3. Military should at all cost ensure increased budgeting for civil Military engagements so as to win back the trust of the citizens they are dying to protect.
4. Soldiers should constantly be put to psychology and emotional tests to ascertain their state of mind there by reducing friendly Blue on Blue attacks, Soldier to CIVILIAN fire as a result of depression.
5. Rigorous courses and trainings for Soldiers deployed in Civil operations on the concept of maintaining internal law and order and on how to react to situations in civil matters.

CONCLUSION!
The Civil Military unit of the Nigerian Military is spending millions on civil Military engagements, seminars, and enlightenment campaigns in other to breed patriotism of the citizenry towards the military, but with unabated killings of innocent civilians in this nature, their efforts will not only be futile but counter productive.

The military should and must win back our trust, take us back to those good all days that the military is feared, celebrated and revered by the sundry.

I am writing in pain and anguish as avoidable deaths are becoming unavoidable, my tone is tough because the pain I am having to endure is tougher. PLATEAU IS BECOMING AN ENDANGERED SPECIE AMONGST THE COMMUNITY OF STATE IN NIGERIA.

Note;
This piece was written out of patriotism for the country, love for the military and solidarity to the fallen heroes (those who have died in the course of fighting for the country and most importantly those extrajudicially killed by people whom they should have ordinarily run to for safety.

Cc;
Minister of Defense,
Minister of Justice,
Chief Of Defense Staff,
Chief Of Army Staff,
Chief Civil Military Affairs,
Commandant OPSH.

Signed;
Chamzy Jos,
A Concerned Plateau State Citizen,
Plateau Youth Activist.

The National President Mupun Cultural and Development Association MUCDA, Chief Pedro Ardiyel Dafur, FCA says it is an unacceptable act cutting short the life of a human being due to recklessness or overzealousness of one.

He made this known while reacting to the killing of a 20yr old boy,Rinji Peter Bala by a personnel of the Operation Safe Haven in Jos the Plateau State Capital.

Describing the act as senseless and inhuman, Dafur said this was purely an issue for the Police to handle but the STF took it upon itself wrongly which has resulted in this loss.

“The Mupun Nation mourns the death of yet another promising Nigerian amongst so many that have been happening unabated as a result of recklessness from those saddled with the responsibility of protecting lives and calls for a full investigation saying a precedence must be set with this so as to check more that may occur”.

The Mupun Nation offers condolences to the family of the deceased, the Ngas Nation,Plateau State and Nigerians over this unfortunate incident and prays God consoles us all.

” We are therefore charging the authorities concerned to open up the trial of the officer they said they have arrested so that it can show impartiality as being envisaged by many as this will help put the Operation Safe Haven in good light and redeem its image among the people.

The statement then encourages Plateau people to continue to stand by one another for the overall progress of the state.

KENZY NGUPAR
NATIONAL PUBLICITY SECRETARY
MUCDA.
15,May 2020

In line with the Plateau state Governor’s directive ,the management of Avis Restaurant has announced that it would be opening its restaurant on Friday ( May 15th to 17th ) .

Managing Director of Avis Bar Hon Jide Olagbemiro ,who spoke with our correspondent said the restaurant would operate from 10 am to 6 pm on the above mentioned dates .

He said that” we are adhering strictly to Governor Simon Lalong’s directive on how restaurants would operate in the state .”

He said that ” Our restaurant would only sell food in take away packs to our customers to avoid crowding. “

Jide further said that nobody would be allowed into the restaurant without a facemask .

Hon Jide further said , Avis bar remains shut” , .

He commended Governor Simon Lalong for his efforts to curtail the spread of the dreaded disease and appealed to citizens to continue to observe the lockdown directives put in place towards curbing COVID-19.

He called on all Nigerians to continue to pray for the country at this trying times .

I join the people of Plateau State in condemning the cold blooded murder of Mr RINJI Bala , a 20 year old Student of the University of Jos. May his soul Rest In Peace .My heart goes out to the immediate family over this sad irreparable loss.

I only need to add that it is possible for justice to be done and I call upon the State to ensure that the culprit is made to face the full wrath of the law. This will need vigilance and steadfastness by the family , friends of the deceased and the State Government . May I cite a similar case which I prosecuted in the Supreme Court to drive home the point.

In Ochiba v The State (2011) LPELR 8245(SC) the Supreme Court delivered judgement on the 16 th December , 2011,in that case and confirmed the death sentence upon the appellant Sergeant Emmanuel Ochiba for the murder of Godwin Momoh.on the 12 th day of September , 2001 in the heat of the Jos crisis.

A team of Police officers had stopped a group along Tafawa Balewa street in Jos and asked them( Godwin Momoh, Jonathan Mawaiyau, who later became the state Attorney General, and one other person) to kneel down and raise their hands. The group of three complied but Constable Emmanuel Ochiba ( that was the rank of the accused) took a gun from one of his colleagues and shot the deceased point blank on his chest.Mr Momoh died instantly.

The Plateau State Ministry of Justice prosecuted the case in the high Court in Jos.Though the accused denied committing the offence , Yargata Nimpar J, as she then was, found him guilty and sentenced him to death in line with the law.

The appeal to the Court of Appeal was dismissed whereupon the Appellant further appealed to the Supreme Court where I led a team of lawyers of the ministry of Justice for the State.
Justice I T Muhammad ( now the Chief Justice of nNigeria) who presided over the case after dismissing the appeal commended the
Ministry of Justice for for the steadfast conduct of the case from the trial court up to the Supreme Court.

However. I learnt the convict has been pardoned by the present Governor in exercise of his powers of prerogative of mercy. The suspect in the killing of RINJI needs to be prosecuted to ensure that Justice is done.

Edward G Pwajok , SAN

COURT OF APPEAL JOS DIVISION ORDERS EFCC, THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE PLATEAU STATE TO PAY N5MILLION NAIRA TO VICTIM OF VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHT

In a Judgement delivered on Thursday 14th May, 2020 the Court of Appeal Jos Division Ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Commissioner of Police Plateau State Command and others to pay one Ephraim Kapara Galadima the Sum of Five Million Naira (N5,000,000.00) as Compensation for Violating his Fundamental Human Rights.

The Judgement which was unanimously agreed by the three Justices of the Court of Appeal was delivered by his Lordship Hon. Justice Mudashiru Nasir Oniyangi of the Court of Appeal Jos Division in Appeal No. CA/J/349/18 filed by the Applicant/Appellant through his Counsel Gyang Zi Esq.

The Court of Appeal set aside an earlier
Judgement delivered on the 9th may 2018 by Hon. Justice I. I Kunda of the High Court of Plateau State in Suit No. PLD/J/631/ 2017 wherein he dismissed the Appellant/Applicant’s Suit against the Commissioner of Police Plateau State Command, A.M. Awal (DCO A Police Division), Fidelis Odey (DPO, A Police Division) Austin Ogah (Branch Manager FCMB, Jos), First City Monument Bank (FCMB) and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)

It is the case of the Appellant that his account with First City Monument Bank (FCMB) was frozen and when he approached the Bank to inquire why his account was frozen, he was arrested, beaten and taken to A Division, Jos Plateau State Command by the Police where he was detained for over Five days before his subsequent transfer to Abuja and Portharcourt where he was further detained without informing him of the offence he committed.

While discharging First City Monument Bank (FCMB) of the alleged Violation of the Rights of the Appellant on the ground that the Bank only acted on the instruction of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Court condemned the action of the EFCC, Commissioner of Police Plateau State Command and their agents and Ordered them to pay the Sum of Five Million Naira (N5,000,000.00) to the Appellant having found that his Fundamental Human Rights under Chapter IV of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as Amended) were violated.

* Extra-Judicial Killings Threat to Human Rights – Rep. Dr. Simon Mwadkwon

The Honorable Member representing Barkin Ladi/Riyom Federal Constituency Plateau State, Rep. Simon Mwadkwon, Ph.D has called for the immediate prosecution of the culprits involved in the gruesome murder of 20 year old Mr. Rinji Peter Bala, a 300 Level Student of History and International Studies in the University of Jos by a trigger-happy security personnel attached to Operation Safe Heaven on Tuesday 12th May, 2020 without any form of provocation.

Dr. Simon Mwadkwon said the perpetuators of the heinous must face the full wrath of the Law to serve as deterrent to others.

“This killing is one of the many extra-judicial killings the State has recorded which must not be swept under the carpet but heavy penalty should be meted on the culprits”

“Nigerians have come under serious cases of human rights violation by personnel expected to protect them and their property, this is the fate of the vulnerable in my Constituency” Dr. Mwadkwon posited.

The Federal Lwamaker described the ugly incident as utterly odious, wicked, inhuman, barbaric and callous happening when the Nation is battling with the public health challenge of COVID-19 Pandemic.

While praying for the repose of the soul of the deceased, the Federal Legislator said the people will no longer condone acts of extra-judicial killings and unprofessional conduct by security personnel while carrying out their duties in the State henceforth.

He charged all security personnel to discharge their duties in more professional manner and with high sense of responsibility making protection of lives & property of citizens their priority.

Rep. Simon Mwadkwon console with the family, government of Plateau State and all youths in the State over the untimely demise of the promising Rinji whose life was cut in his prime.

Rep. Dr. Mwadkwon concluded by appealing for calm as the issue is being handle to a logical end.

Cmr. Friday Bako
Director, Media & Publicity to Rep. Simon Mwadkwon, Ph.D

Hon KOMSOL ALPHONSUS LONGGAP , member representing Mikang, Qua’anpan and Shendam Federal Constituency is saddened upon receiving with dismay, the news of the unfortunate murder of late Rinji Peter, a 300level student of the University of Jos, by a security personnel.

He describes the gruesome killing of the young promising son of the soil as one too many that have been over tolerated.

According to the Hon. member, the era of speeches and condemnations with less actions has passed, hence the need to match words with actions.

Therefore, as a law maker in Plateau State, he has vowed to support every legal action taken to ensure justice is served by making those culpable to serve as deterrent to other security personnels who do behave out of the general pattern of their line of duty.

The Hon member believes that defending Plateau people and its heritage is a collective duty of all the citizens of Plateau State and all hands must be on deck to put a stop to the killings of all kinds on the Plateau.

He wishes the soul of the late Rinji to find peace with the lord and the parents the heart to bear the painful lost.

@KMT

Chief Micheal George’s Maqual leads Larger House Of Plateau Youths To seek Justice for Slain Rinji Peter Bala by yet to be identified Security officer.

Chief Maqual is reaching out to all Plateau People of good conscience to stand up beyond social media rhethorics to come out and demand Justice as enough is enough.

In a message sent on social media,The veteran activist and grassroots mobiliser is calling on volunteers to join him in taking action.

“COURT ACTION TO SEEK FOR THE EXTRA JUDICIAL KILLINGS , VOLUNTEERS TEAM OF LAWYER’S AND PATRIOTS .I WANT TO LEAD THE CRUSADE .INDICATE INTEREST “

Hon. Aminu Zang a former commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, an Aspirant for Chairmanship of the peoples democratic party (PDP) Plateau State expresses shock and sadness over the killing of RINJI BALA a student of History and international studies in the University of Jos by an officer of the special task force (Operation Safe Haven).

Aminu Zang who registered his displeasure over the act expresses sadness on how an Innocent young and vibrant man’s life will be cut short due to the negligence of an officer on duty.

He further urged the authorities responsible to carry out their investigations as a matter of urgency and bring the said officer to book.

JUSTICEFORRINJIBALA……

Sign...

Hon Aminu Zang media team.

Disbursements from the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee to the three tiers of government in the first quarter of 2020 was the highest first-quarter disbursements since 2014.

This is according to the quarterly review released by the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) on Monday.

The three tiers of government received N1.95 trillion in the first quarter of 2020.

A breakdown of the disbursements shows that N791.4 billion went to the federal government, N669 billion was shared by the states and about N395 billion was shared by the 774 local government areas.

The balance went to the North East Development Commission, the excess crude account, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Department of Petroleum Resources.

“Total disbursements were N1.648 trillion in Q1 2015, N1.132 trillion in Q1 2016, N1.411 trillion in Q1 2017, N1.938 trillion in Q1 2018, and N1.929 trillion in Q1 2019,” the publication stated.

“While total disbursements in Q1 2020 were slightly higher than Q1 2019 and Q1 2018, disbursements to the three tiers of government in Q1 2020 were slightly lower than Q1 2019 and Q1 2018.

“This is due to transfers to other accounts in Q1 2020 which were not done in either Q1 2019 or Q1 2018. These include allocations to the North East Development Commission and transfer to the excess crude account.”

According to the agency, the COVID-19 pandemic has made it almost certain that second-quarter disbursements will drop following a trend that has occurred since 2015 with the exception of 2018.

“In light of the ‘double whammy’ of declining oil demand and oil prices as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, government revenue would likely continue to fall in subsequent months.

“As global crude oil prices plummet in the midst of the global oil supply glut arising from lockdown of economic activities in many countries of the world, all tiers of government will struggle to fund their 2020 budgets.”

On the disbursements to states, 31 states received less than N20 billion as total net FAAC disbursements in the first quarter of this year while five states received more than N20 billion.

The states are Lagos (N26.23 billion), Bayelsa (N35.14 billion), Rivers (N39.99 billion), Akwa Ibom (N40.61 billion), and Delta (N52.03 billion).

States were advised to follow the federal government’s lead by making adjustments to their revenue and expenditure plans for the year.