A bizarre report from Nigeria that a dozen policemen going on special ops were abducted by kidnappers is perhaps a metaphor of the tragicomedy of what parades as governance in Nigeria. The police are negotiating a ransom with the suspected Fulani herdsmen as they also did when Boko Haram abducted policewomen some years ago…
An activist narrates how a Christian who was abducted with two siblings was set free after a week to go home and bring food back to the kidnappers den. He dutifully complied. That’s the extent of terror on steroids.
In another incident, the kidnappers terrorizing a largely Muslim community have imposed farm levies to grant communities safe passage to harvest their farms. A Nigerian congressman texted me that the “country is on autopilot”.
Nigeria’s government has become more and more a non-governing entity and terror syndicates become bolder and more brazen.
In other news, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has confirmed that weighty human rights matters raised in a petition submitted by over 100 lawyers are currently receiving attention.
The 80-page brief providing arguments, evidence, and appendices was endorsed by five former Attorneys General of states in northwest and north central Nigeria, Senior Advocate of Nigeria and several former national and state Nigerian Bar Association officials.
The brief challenged the Prosecutor for ignoring the atrocities of the Fulani Herdsmen in its interminable review of the Nigeria situation and extensively cited submissions and reports we’ve made to the ICC over the past 10 years. https://globalupfront.com/2020/11/17/icc-confirms-receipt-review-of-petition-on-nigeria-filed-by-101-lawyers-ngos/
It’s our last stand with the outgoing Prosecutor a West African Muslim who has failed signally with regard to Nigeria. Buhari’s effort to name a Nigerian Muslim to replace her and by that shield him further from prosecution failed.
The terrorists have given a deadline of this weekend to ransom abducted pastor Zongo.
Please find below my letter to the UK House of Lords. I believe we have an opportunity here to bring relief and justice to victims from my recommendations below.
Regards,Emmanuel
RE: NIGERIAN #ENDSARS ATROCITIES HOUSE OF LORDS’ DEBATE – FREEZE NIGERIA FUNDS NOW!
My Lords & My Ladies,
I am gratified to note that your concerned focus on the twin evils of Boko Haram and Fulani militia terrorists which you discussed in the house as recently as this week (https://www.davidalton.net/2020/11/18/u-k-says-we-will-continue-to-engage-with-the-government-of-nigeria-in-support-of-urgent-action-to-secure-the-return-of-leah-sharibu-and-all-abductees-and-responds-to-questions-about/)
has been added to by the evils of security forces themselves in Nigeria with the impending debate on #EndSARs atrocities on November 23, 2020.
Nigerians now have a terror trifecta or “tripod of terror” killing them – two distinct non-state actors and then the state.
I was in Nigeria when the Black Tuesday Lekki massacre of dancing young #EndSARS protestors occurred as was a high level American delegation visited Nigeria including the Assistant Secretaries of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor and Conflict and Stabilization Operations.
This was a slap in the face not only on Nigeria’s youth but also on the face of the international community who must hold Nigeria to account for the massacres of its children. If Nigeria can’t stop the terrorists, it can at least stop terrorizing it’s citizens.
In view of the one month anniversary of the Lekki Massacre on November 20, I wish to submit the following for your consideration during the House of Lords’ debate:
1. An explosive CNN investigative report today that exposes the lethal munitions used by the Nigerian army, victims and footage of the massacre in contradiction of the government’s claims https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/18/africa/lagos-nigeria-lekki-toll-gate-feature-intl/index.html
2. A damning Premium Times investigative report that identifies perpetrators, dumped corpses and police involvement as well https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/423823-investigation-bullets-blood-death-untold-story-of-what-happened-at-lekki-toll-gate.html
3. The video of the Nigerian Army’s and Lagos Governor’s dubious testimony in the Lagos judicial panel and public address respectively https://www.instagram.com/tv/CHqIPdTnnL8/?igshid=76yv0r34e79r
4. Below is my rush situation report which recounts the situation my team encountered. I recommend:
A. In view of reports that the British government may have provided training to the SARs squad, I would like an inquiry into the extent of the UK involvement.
B. Similarly I recommend that the UK confiscate over $100 million of Abacha loot linked to a northern state governor and utilize same for a victim compensation fund. Since the Nigerian government has frozen the legitimate finances of the protest leaders, the UK government can very well forfeit the illicit funds looted from Nigeria which rightly belongs to Nigerian youth whose future was stolen.
C. I recommend that the UK revoke the visas of all military and political leaders linked to the massacres, the cover up and #EndSARs atrocities.
D. I recommend that DFID provide legal assistance and international observers to the ongoing judicial panel hearings especially in view of reported UK connections to SARS.
E. If it is proven that victims were blocked from receiving medical assistance in violation of even international conventions governing armed conflicts, the UK should restrict Nigerian officials from seeking medical attention in UK.
The report and the video can be found online https://www.facebook.com/1434215680211765/posts/2512954775671178/?vh=e&d=n
Thank you,
Emmanuel Ogebe
US NIGERIA LAW GROUP
Washington USA
Seeking to end impunity in the Nigerian Genocide
Justice for Jos 