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Taraba Govt Accuses MURIC Of Incitement
The Taraba state government in a Press statement release on the 1st of March, accused The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), for inciting muslim in Taraba against Christian over the issue of appointments.
The press statement which was signed by the governor’s media aide Bala Dan Abu reads that “There is no doubt that some selfish politicians desperate to gain political power in 2023 have found a willing tool in Professor Ishaq Akintola and his Muslims Rights Concern, MURIC over which he presides as director. The game plan is to use the pedestal which MURIC offers to cause religious disharmony in Taraba State for the politicians to gain political advantage.
“Akintola was out again on Monday, as he had done several times recently, on his usual mission of inciting Muslims in Taraba against their Christian brothers and sisters, using appointments made by agencies of government as excuse. He has proved to be an expert in the deployment of lies as weapon of blackmail.
Recently, he has sought to exploit the appointment of permanent secretaries by the Taraba State Government and also those of some officers of the Taraba State University, Jalingo, to portray His Excellency, Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku as promoting the interests of Christians over and above that of Muslims”.
Taraba State Government said this is both ridiculous and mischievous, unexpected of a person who claims to be a follower of Allah. Describing Prof Akintola’s diatribe has, expectedly, generated intense distaste among the people of the state, stating that it is obvious that he is fronting for selfish politicians who are bent on taking over power at all costs in 2023 riding on the wings of unhealthy religious sentiments.
According to the statement “the Taraba State government under the watch of His Excellency, Arc Darius Dickson Ishaku has since its inception been, and remainsed, the best friend of Muslims. It has always ensured that favours done to any religious group is replicated in the same quantum to the other. This very fair disposition of the administration has often earned Gov Ishaku commendation from the various Christian and Islamic groups in Taraba State. This is why Prof Akintola and his MURIC are largely ignored in Taraba State even with all the noise they are making over appointments”.
“Gov Ishaku has never directly or indirectly been involved in any employment and promotion exercises apart from insisting and ensuring that there is a level playing field to produce the best results.
Gov Ishaku’s number one priority as chief executive of the state is peace among all ethnic and religious groups. He has never and will never do anything that will undermine his legacy of peace that has won global acclaim”.
“The government wishes to advise the good people of Taraba State to ignore those seeking to promote religious conflict in order to gain political power.
The timing of Prof Akintola’s wicked campaign shows that he is working for selfish and unpatriotic politicians who would rather wish the state is set ablaze rather than for them to fail to win political power come 2023”.
The Government wishes to advise Tarabans to reject such politicians using religion to cause tension and conflict in the state.
The Nigeria Police Force said it has completed the extradition of Benjamin Best Nnayereugo, widely known as “Killaboi,” from Doha, Qatar, to Nigeria.
Killaboi, who had been on the run for the murder of Augusta Onuwabhagbe, was returned to the country in the early hours of today, Saturday, through the coordinated efforts of the Ministry of Justice, INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB), the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters Abuja and the Qatari Judicial Authorities.
The extradition followed a petition from the family of the deceased, submitted through their legal representatives, dated 29th September 2024.
A statement by Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumiyiwa Adejobi, said the matter was assigned to INTERPOL NCB Abuja, after which investigations revealed that the suspect murdered Onuwabhagbe, a 21-year-old first-class student of Lead City University, Ibadan, in his residence located at No. 24a Abiola Apooyi Street, Oral Estate, Ajah, Lagos, on 13th July 2023. After committing the crime, he fled Nigeria and later released an online video purporting to confess to the act, a deceptive strategy to derail investigative efforts.
Following his declaration as wanted by the NPF Lagos State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) on 13th October 2023, an INTERPOL Red Notice was issued for his global apprehension.
The statement said “He was initially arrested in Freetown, Sierra Leone, on 20th October 2023 under the false identity ‘KANU PRINCETON SAMUEL,” but escaped custody during a prison break on 26th November 2023 in Freetown.
“Further intelligence gathering revealed that the suspect continued to evade law enforcement, traversing multiple regions including West Africa, East Asia and the Middle East, under forged identities before eventually relocating to Doha, Qatar on 24th January, 2025. Operating under the alias “TOURE ABDOULAYE” with a fraudulent Guinean passport, he secured illegal employment and concealed his identity.
“Through robust international cooperation and the use of advanced biometrics, INTERPOL NCB Abuja, in collaboration with INTERPOL NCB Doha, confirmed his identity, leading to his arrest by Qatari authorities in February 2025. An official extradition request, processed via the Federal Ministry of Justice, Abuja, was subsequently approved by the Qatari judicial authorities, resulting in his repatriation to Nigeria.”
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, while recognising the strength in the synergy amongst nations to curb trans-border crimes, commended the diligence of INTERPOL NCB Abuja.
He extended appreciation to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Government of Qatar, INTERPOL NCB Doha, and the Nigerian Embassy in Qatar for their invaluable collaboration in securing the fugitive’s return.
The Inspector-General of Police further assured the general public of the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to ensuring that the suspect faces diligent prosecution, as part of the NPF’s dedication to justice and the safety of all Nigerians.
Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has appealed to the Federal Government to step up and deal with rising insecurity in the state as the death toll from the recent attacks by suspected herdsmen on Ukum and Logo local government areas in the state has risen to 56.
The governor made the call on Saturday when he visited the scenes of attacks by suspected herdsmen in Ukum and Logo local government areas to ascertain the impact of the attacks.
Addressing journalists after the visit to the affected communities in the two local government areas, Alia condemned the violent attacks on the defenseless people and called for greater action from security agencies to nip these killings in the bud.
The governor used the visit to engage with community leaders and their people whom he assured of a better deal in addressing all forms of insecurity.
He also called for calm and urged the people to resist the will to resort to self-help
Security has also been beefed up in the Sankera axis where these attacks happened to restore confidence, while emergency services and relief items have been extended to the two local government areas.
In neighbouring Plateau State, also in the North Central geopolitical zone, over 100 people have been killed in the last two weeks when bloodthirsty marauders unleashed mayhem on communities in the Bokkos and Bassa local government areas of Plateau State.
Muhammad Auwal Jatau, Bauchi deputy governor, has denied reports claiming that he slapped Yusuf Tuggar, minister of foreign affairs, during a high-profile event in the state.
The alleged incident was said to have taken place on Friday inside a white coaster bus conveying dignitaries from Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa international airport to the Bauchi emir’s palace.
The dignitaries were en route to the turbaning of Mohammed Abubakar, a former governor of the state.
According to unverified reports, an argument broke out after the minister allegedly made disparaging comments about Bala Mohammed, Bauchi state governor.
Jatau was said to have slapped the minister in reaction, reportedly in the presence of Vice-President Kashim Shettima and other prominent figures.
But Muslim Lawal, spokesperson to the deputy governor, described the claim as “false and baseless”.
“No, no, no, how can the deputy governor slap the minister? I don’t think that ever happened in Bauchi because I know my principal is a responsible person,” he said.
“The number two person cannot slap a minister or whoever person that people are talking about. We are not even aware of that. I am just hearing this from you.”
Lawal questioned the credibility of the viral report and called on anyone with evidence to present it.
“Did you see the evidence of the slap? I didn’t see it, I’m just hearing about that from you,” he said.
“But my belief is that there is no way the deputy governor will slap a minister. I don’t think such can ever happen in Bauchi, not even my principal or whoever is in his position.”
He said there was no reasonable provocation for such an act.
“What is even the issue that will make the deputy governor slap a minister?” he asked.
“I was not in the car and if there is any evidence that the deputy governor did such, maybe we can speak on that, but as of now, I don’t even know about it. That’s our position.
“And I don’t even think that the deputy governor, even if it is not in the presence of the vice-president, can do that.”