24092020 - BLACK WEDNESDAY: 30 killed in Kogi petrol tanker explosion

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4 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2020
By Omeiza Ajayi & Dirisu Yakubu vanguardnews @vanguardnews @vanguardnews UK lawmakers write Commonwealth over insecurity in Nigeria •No genocide, they should focus on their problems, APC tells UK MPs •British security alert, vote of no confidence on PMB- PDP •Reiterates call for sack of service chiefs LAGOS — Some members of the United Kingdom’s House of Lords, the British upper legislative chamber, have petitioned the Commonwealth over the persistence of insurgency and farmer/ herder crisis in Nigeria. The lawmakers in a letter dated September 14, addressed to Patricia Scotland, Secretary- General of the Commonwealth, said failure of the Federal Government to protect Nigerians was a breach of its obligations under the Commonwealth Charter. This was, however, challenged by the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, which asked the UK lawmakers, led by Baroness Cox of the House of Lords to focus on the problems facing their country and allow Nigeria solve her problems her own way. But the opposition, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, disagreed with the ruling party, saying the security alert in the country raised by members of the British parliament is an indication of a vote of no confidence on President Muhammadu Buhari’s government. Those who signed the letter to the Commonwealth scribe include Baroness Cox, Lord Alton of Liverpool, Baroness Kennedy of the Shaws QC, Jim Shannon, MP, Lord Williams of Oystermouth ( a former Archbishop of Canterbury) and Lord Carey of Clifton, also a former Archbishop of Canterbury. Others are Dr Christopher Cocksworth, Lord Bishop of Coventry; Philip Mounstephen, Lord Bishop of Truro; Lord Stoddart of Swindon; Lord Anderson of Swansea; Lord Cormack; Sir Geoffrey Nice, QC; Ayo Adedoyin of International Organization for Peace and Social Justice and Ewelina Ochab of Coalition for Genocide Response. Mervyn Thomas, CSW; Dr Khataza Gondwe, CSW; Neville Kyrke- Smith of Aid to the Church in Need (UK); Dr John Eibner of Christian Solidarity International and Ann Buwalda of Jubilee Campaign also signed the letter. ‘Elements of govt complicit in violence’ Referencing a report by the UK All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for International Freedom of Religion or Belief, the lawmakers said thousands of civilians have been killed and that “elements of the Nigerian government may be complicit in violence”. The lawmakers asked that a probe be carried out into the killings and at the least ensure “adequate protection and aid for those suffering the loss of family members and the destruction of their homes and livelihoods.’’ The letter which said some of the signatories had met and spoken with Nigeria’s former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Theophilus Danjuma, retd, quoted news reports attributed to him to the effect that the armed forces are not neutral and that they collude in the ethnic cleansing in riverine states by Fulani herders. “He insists that villagers Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State (right) and his Rivers State counterpart, Nyesom Wike, during a thank you visit by the Governor and Governor-elect of Edo State to Port Harcourt, Rivers State, yesterday. Photo: NAN. Vanguard, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2020 — 5 POCKET CARTOON must defend themselves because ‘depending on the armed forces’ will result in them dying ‘one by one’. The ethnic cleansing must stop,” it quoted Danjuma as saying. It however conceded that the signatories “recognize the important distinction between the Fulani in general (a diverse group of millions of people with hundreds of clans) and the subgroup of well armed, radicalized Fulani who carry out attacks.” The letter, titled “Nigeria: Unfolding Genocide?” read: “We write to highlight urgent concerns about escalating violence in Nigeria, where attacks, led by Boko Haram, Fulani herders and other Islamist militia continue in northern and central-belt states, with reports of increasing violence in the South- East. ‘State’s failure’ “The state’s failure to protect its citizens is a clear breach of its obligations under the Commonwealth Charter in respect of human rights. “There is now an urgent need to ensure adequate protection and aid for On NARTO's withdrawal of trucks from roads (1) those suffering the loss of family members and the destruction of their homes and livelihoods, and to end impunity by ensuring that complaints related to human rights violations are promptly, independently, and impartially investigated and those responsible are held to account after fair trials.” The parliamentarians further asked that the issue be raised with the Commonwealth ministerial action group. “We write, therefore, to ask whether you are able to respond on behalf of the Commonwealth and to raise these urgent concerns with the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group. We would be very willing to meet in person (or perhaps more practically online via zoom) to discuss how we might proceed,’’ the lawmakers stated. Face your problems, leave Nigeria alone — APC Reacting last night, the All Progressives Congress, APC, asked the United Kingdom group, led by Baroness Cox of Continues on Page 35 By Bose Adelaja, & Olayinka Latona In my opinion, I t h i n k t h a t government should be more empathetic and sensitive to the plight of this association considering the very harsh economic situation of the time by giving them ample time to put things in order. The association embarked on strike because the time frame given by the government is very short. —Temilola Harley, Student The action of NARTO at this particular time is not ideal at all. It will result into fuel scarcity hence hike in the already high cost of transportation and foodstuffs. The Federal Government should please also give this association some time so that they can put the necessary things in order. —Ifeoluwa Bankole, Marketing Officer I don’t think NARTO is in any way against the decision of the FG to ban trucks above 45,000- litre capacity from our roads. However, the move will definitely be counter-productive considering the fact that sudden withdrawal of these trucks will impact negatively on the drivers and the masses. —Titilola Quadri, Caterer How long are we going to lament incessant strike of tanker drivers Their grouse is usually bad roads, extortion and harassment among others. What the government should do is look into their ights and task relevant agencies to provide somution and ensure that their needs are met. —Dolapo Gbadebo, Public Servant ALL things being equal, the government should dialogue with truck owners and drivers because they have been useful in their own capacity afterall, they are responsible for the movement of petroleum products to various depots. Many Nigerians will suffer it if the trucks go on strike. — Mrs Abiola Julius, Businewoman IT is good and very appropriate for the Petrol tankers' owners to withdraw their tankers from the roads to tell the FG that they should listen to the complaints of the citizens. —Otunba Adetokunbo, Retiree
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24092020 - BLACK WEDNESDAY: 30 killed in Kogi petrol tanker explosion

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