News
Tragic Death Of Sarkin Gobir Reopens Historical Tensions
The recent killing of Sarkin Gobir, Alhaji Isa Muhammad Bawa, by armed bandits, predominantly identified as Fulanis, has reignited deep-seated historical rivalries stemming from the conquest of the seven Hausa States.
The tragic news surfaced on Wednesday afternoon, revealing that the respected District head had been murdered after being held captive for over a month.
In a distressing viral video released shortly before his death, Sarkin Gobir pleaded for government intervention to secure his release from a hidden location in the forest.
The video depicted him as a victim of brutal treatment by his captors, who appeared to be Fulanis, and included a chilling ultimatum demanding a ransom payment within a day or face execution.
Tragically, it was reported at noon on Wednesday that the Sarkin Gobir had been killed, a fact confirmed by his son, Alhaji Shu’aibu Gwanda Gobir.
Shu’aibu confirmed the incident during an interview with DW Radio.
Shu’aibu, who also holds the traditional title of ‘Magajin Garin Gobir’ (Mayor of Gobir Municipal), disclosed that the bandits had initially requested a ransom of N60 million for his father’s release.
Although the funds were raised just two days prior to the news of his death, the family did not have the opportunity to deliver the ransom.
Gobir, historically known as a city-state in modern-day Nigeria, was founded by the Hausa people in the 11th century and remained under their rule for nearly 700 years.
It is located in the northern part of the ancient Hausaland, encompassing parts of what is now Sokoto State in Nigeria and the southern Niger Republic.
The Gobirawa (Gobir people), as the inhabitants are known, have a rich cultural heritage rooted in Hausa traditions.
Among these is a humorous cultural reference where the Gobirawa regard the Yoruba people as their ‘cousins,’ stemming from a belief in a shared ancestry linked to the daughter of Bawa Jan Gwarzo.
The Fulani jihadist Usman dan Fodio’s invasion of Gobir, led by ruler Yunfa, marked a significant turning point in the region’s history, resulting in the transition of the seven Hausa States to the emirate system, thereby altering the traditional leadership structure.
Yunfa, who ruled from 1801 to 1808, is particularly noted for his contentious relationship with the Islamic reformer Shaikh Usman dan Fodio whose war started in 1804.
The seven principal Hausa states, known as Hausa Bakwai (Biram, Daura, Gobir, Kano, Katsina, Rano, and Zaria), along with their satellite states, were historically independent entities with no central authority, often lacking cohesion in military endeavors.
The legendary narrative of Bayajidda, a prince from Baghdad, is said to have led to the founding of these states, with each of his seven sons establishing their own kingdoms.
Tensions between the Hausa and Fulani have persisted, intensifying since President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration began in 2015.
This rivalry has given rise to various groups, such as Yan Sakai and Fulani youth associations, formed as protective factions within their respective communities.
The escalating conflict has also fostered a culture of banditry, with kidnapping emerging as a prevalent method for raising funds.
In light of these events, a Hausa woman has recently taken to social media, urging her fellow kinsmen to unite against the perceived encroachment by Fulani ideology.
She emphasised the need for solidarity among the Hausa people, regardless of their religious affiliations, to confront the violence affecting their villages.
The tragic death of Sarkin Gobir has, as reported by Elanza News, reopened historical wounds, highlighting the ongoing struggles and complexities of the region’s socio-political landscape.
..calls for the release of revitalization fund
..plans emergency meeting to reject money
… accuses Minister of double standard
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has faulted the federal government’s claims of releasing 50 Billion Naira to the union as Academic Earned Allowance (AEA) meant for the settlement of members of the body’s outstanding indebtedness.
ASUU said it is yet to receive any correspondence from the government relating to the widely reported release of 50 Billion as an earned allowance.
It noted that even if the reported 50 Billion were to be true, ASUU’s demand is for proper funding of the university system with the immediate implementation of the 2009 agreement bordering on the release of 220 billion naira annually as revitalization fund, and not for the release of a partly 50 Billion that fall far below expatriation.
A highly dependable source who spoke with our correspondent during a visit to the ASUU Secretariat, located within the University of Abuja campus in Giri, Gwagwalada, on an anonymous condition because he is not authorized to speak on behalf of the union, revealed that some members of the body have frowned on the claims by the federal government to have released 50 Billion Naira to the union as Earned Allowance.
He disclosed that the leadership of ASUU is already studying the development and would soon make its position public.
He, however, stated that ASUU National President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke is deeply concerned over the media reports on the issue, adding that 50 Billion is grossly inadequate and wasn’t part of the demands of the union.
According to him, the union’s position is that the government should, as a matter of urgency, release 220 Billion naira annually as a universities revitalization fund and also provide about 150 billion as Earned Allowance owed to members of the union.
He further revealed that feelers from the members of the National Executive Council (NEC), the union will outrightly reject the 50 Billion Naira said to have been released as earned allowance, if it becomes clear that such money was released to the union.
The source who enjoys the privilege of attending ASUU’s NEC meetings, noted that the union is unhappy with how the government ignored it and broke the news of the release of the money to the media, whereas it’s yet to receive any Correspondence from the Ministry of Education patterning to the release of such money.
He said ASUU believed that the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, was playing politics over the implementation of the 2009 agreement entered into between ASUU and the federal government.
Our source also faulted the widely reported release of 50 Billion Naira; saying that 50 Billion has never been part of its demands. ” The ideal thing is that the government should release the agreed funds for the Universities revitalization project. What we asked for as earned allowance is about 150 Billion Naira. So, how did they arrive at the 50 Billion that is said to have been released to us?’ Do not make any mistake, we will reject this. We wants need assessment projects in the universities to go on.
The projects, when completed will improve the teaching and learning environment at the campuses and solve the problem of decaying infrastructure “.
The Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Muhammad Matawalle, hosted a delegation from the United States Embassy, led by Colonel Tom Brooks, the US Defence Attaché in Nigeria, at the Ministry of Defence in Abuja on Wednesday.
This was according to a statement by the minister’s Personal Assistant for Media, Ahmad Dan-Wudil.
The statement noted that yhe discussions centred on deepening the existing military-to-military cooperation between the Nigerian Armed Forces and their US counterparts.
The meeting, held at the Ship House headquarters, underscored both nations’ commitment to enhancing defence collaboration.
Ambassador Gabriel Tanimu Aduda, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, alongside directors and senior military officers, also attended the talks.
A federal high court in Abuja has granted permission to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to arrest and detain six Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX) promoters over allegations of investment fraud to the tune of over one billion dollars.
Emeka Nwite, the presiding judge, gave the order following an ex parte application moved by Fadila Yusuf, counsel to the EFCC.
In the application by the EFCC, the six suspects are Adefowora Olanipekun, Adefowora Oluwanisola, Emmanuel Uko, Seyi Oloyede, Avwerosuo Otorudo and Chukwuebuka Ehirim.
The commission sought an order of the court for a warrant of arrest of the defendants.
They also prayed the court for “an order remanding the defendants in the custody of the complainant/applicant pending the conclusion of investigation of the alleged offences and possible prosecution”.
Yusuf said that the defendants are at large and a warrant of arrest is required to arrest the defendants for proper investigation and prosecution of this case.
In the affidavit in support of the motion, the EFCC said preliminary investigation into the intel revealed that the defendants “using their company ST Technologies International Limited, promoted another company Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX) by making adverts and lured unsuspecting members of the public to invest crypto cryptocurrencies on the CBEX investment platform”.
The EFCC said the defendants promised an unrealistic return on investment of up to 100 percent.
“The victims were made to convert their digital assets into a stablecoin of USDT for onward deposit into the suspects’ crypto wallet,” Yusuf said.
“The victims were initially given full access to the platform to monitor their investment.
“Following the deposits valued at over $1 billion by the victims, the CBEX investment platform became inaccessible to them, and they could no longer withdraw from the investment made.
“The victims later discovered that the said scheme is a scam.
“During the course of investigation, it was discovered that the said ST Technologies International Limited, though registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), it was not registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for investment purposes.
“It was also discovered during the investigation that the defendants had moved out of their last known address in Lagos and Ogun states.”
The anti-graft agency said obtaining a warrant of arrest was necessary in order to place the defendants on a watch list, enabling authorities to trace and apprehend the suspects to face the charges brought against them.
Nwite granted the request for a warrant of arrest and remand, adding that the order was necessary to enable the commission to apprehend the defendants and conclude its investigation.
“I have listened to the submission of the learned counsel for the applicant,” Nwite said.
“I have also gone through the affidavit evidence with exhibits thereto, along with the written address.
“I am of the view and I so hold that the application is meritorious.
“Consequently, the application is granted as prayed.”