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NAOSNP Frowns at Incessant Attacks on Security Operatives, Pleads with Nigerians to Put a Stop to Act
The National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP) has condemned in strong words the recent attacks on men and officers of the various security agencies in Nigeria.
The Association went further to plead with Nigerians to desist from such inhuman activities as it is counterproductive to the ongoing war against insecurity.
Speaking on behalf of the Security News Publishers, the President, Oki Samson, noted that this period is unprecedented in the history of the country with incessant insecurity issues all around the country. ‘No part of the country seems to be enjoying peace. We cannot continue like this. To see that some youths will be bold to attack police officers and men of other security agencies is nothing but insensitivity to the challenges of the time.’
Mr. Oki continued: ‘In recent times, the Nigerian security agencies, especially the Police, have come under severe attacks from the public, even as they were seen to be performing their lawful duties. Most of these attacks have proved fatal, leading to loss of the operatives lives, and subsequent distress for their families, which include very young wives and husbands, immature children, and in some cases aged parents. These people are left to mourn unendingly.’
The news association used recent examples to reiterate their position. ‘You will recall that during the By-election in Ekiti State less than two months ago, a young policewoman was mercilessly shot in the head while she was lawfully supervising the election. She fought for her life for about 24 hours before giving up the ghost, leaving behind husband, children and parents.’
‘Not long ago, the celebrated case of Sunday Erhabor, featured in the media space. In a video that went viral, the officer was seen being molested by motorist, who was stopped for driving against the traffic. Much as Erhabor was armed with a full loaded AK-47, he resisted the temptation to use the weapon. He was praised by the public, rewarded by some and honoured by the Lagos State government. Following closely the attack on Erhabor, a traffic officer was also before social camera heavily attacked by a hit and run driver he confronted. The driver glaringly broke a bottle on the head of the officer, who was performing a legitimate duty. This is not right in any form, and is utterly condemnable.’
‘We have heard of members of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) attacked and killed, doing their civil duties, personnels of LASTMA, not to talk of the members of the Military, who suffer insurgency attacks on a daily basis.’
The association therefore released a charge to all Nigerian citizens, ‘We at the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), frown seriously at the development, and call for immediate stop of the act because it is selective, inciting, wicked, inhumane and negates the constitutional rights to life and existence.’
‘We enjoin the public to continue to see the security agencies and their agents as friends and co-stakeholders in the business of making Nigeria. We must desist from molesting, attacking and killing them. They also have families like the rest of us. We must note that the presence of any security operative is enough distraction for a would-be offender. The security personnel, whether working or not dissuade perpetration of any form of crime or evil. As a result, we can imagine how porous the society would become if they are killed, or made to stay off our roads. The chaos would be unimaginable.’
‘Let’s put a stop to the molestation and killing of policemen and other security personnel because we need them, sometime, more than they need us. The Security outfits, also especially the police should not rest until they have arrested anyone found to have molested or killed an officer so that others would learn. This is to serve as detriment to anyone, who may have the intention of molesting an authorized uniform personnel.’
‘It was a thing of joy sometime ago when the Lagos State Command under the leadership of CP Hakeem Odumosu paraded some people it said attacked police officers at the Computer Village. If found to have committed the offence should be made to face the music. But no innocent person should be punished. The police remain our friends!’
By Henry Ukazu
Dear Destiny Friends,
There’s no doubt that human beings by nature are insatiable. When we get one opportunity, we always look for another. When we attain one height, we always look for another accomplishment. Isn’t it true that the end of one mountain is the beginning of another.
However, I don’t think it’s selfish for anyone to dare to succeed.
Being ambitious doesn’t make one an opportunist or disloyal. It all depends on one’s perception or outlook to life. It’s just natural for one to dream big. It’s only ugly when the process one chooses to achieve his desires becomes dirty and nasty.
According to a former Nigerian presidential candidate and seasoned Economist, Mr. Peter Obi, “if you must be referred to as “Your Excellency”, then the process through which you arrived in office must be excellent”.
If you desire to be reckoned with on the journey of existence, you must be legitimately hungry for success. One’s hunger for success will facilitate the drive to accomplish great tasks despite daunting obstacles posing as challenges.
When one has this mindset, one will not be bothered by the noise which serves as obstacles and challenges along the way. Negative and weak minds are always concerned on why something won’t work. They tend to focus their energy and reasons on the obstacles facing them. But great and productive minds always focus their energy on the reasons why it will work. This is the spirit of an insatiable mind who is a goal- getter.
It’s instructive to note that we can’t please everyone. According to Bill Cosby, a famous actor, “I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everyone.” Isn’t it true that when you talk, people will still talk about you, when you don’t talk, people will talk about you, so whether you talk or not, people will still judge you, so, do what’s best for you. There’s nothing you can do to please human beings. Your best option is to live your best life.
To understand how the insatiable nature of man works, one must be oneself. You don’t have to “please” anyone. Be yourself, and don’t try to be like anyone just to curry favour. It’s important to note that when you are yourself, the people that matter will come through for you, and the people that don’t matter will gradually find the bearing in another space because those that truly care don’t bother and those that bother don’t really matter in the grand scheme of things.
Life has truly taught me to focus on the important things of life as opposed to the mundane things. It’s truly sad to see people spending more time on the little things of life, and spending little time on the important things of life. That’s just a misplaced priority.
When you are yourself, the best people can do is to copy or imitate your style. They can never imitate your creativity nor can take your originality from you.
We live in a world or society where people don’t generally care or show empathy. Most people tend to live around themselves, their family, and close associates. They generally find it hard to lift a finger to assist others for reasons best known to them. Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka once said, “we live in a wicked generation”, re-echoing the voices of a lot of people of the world. Some people in authority just have criminal expertise in amassing wealth of opportunities meant for the citizens without thinking of the citizens they are meant to serve.
It’s worthy of note that not everyone will like you nor support your work, but when you find people who truly care about you; please hold them tight. This is because despite having family members you have shown love and compassion, they might not still appreciate you even if you lay your life for them, they will still find something to say. Again, this is the insatiable nature of man.
It’s okay for everyone not to like you, normalize living your life for God, yourself, family and those that care about you. If everyone likes you, you have a problem.
Did you know that you can get a new family from friends, strangers, and acquaintances? These sets of people might appreciate you more than your own family members. They might not demand or under appreciate you like your family members and close friends or associates. Any little support you give them will be highly appreciated. Their focus is to see you do better.
In conclusion, as you desire to succeed in life, never give in to failure until you have made your last attempt, and never make your last attempt until you succeed. This literally means whatever you desire, dream it, think it, say it, and believe you can achieve it. This principle is generally applicable to relationships, businesses, family, personal and professional development.
Henry Ukazu writes from New York. He works with the New York City Department of Correction as the Legal Coordinator. He’s the founder of Gloemi. He’s a Transformative Human Capacity and Mindset coach. He is also a public speaker, youth advocate, creative writer and author of Design Your Destiny Design Your and Unleash Your Destiny . He can be reached via info@gloemi.com
A federal judge in the United States, on Thursday, put a temporary block on President Donald Trump’s attempt to restrict birthright citizenship.
The ruling imposes a 14-day halt on the enforcement of one of the most controversial executive orders Trump signed hours after being sworn into office for a second term.
It comes after lawsuits were filed by a total of 22 states, two cities and numerous civil rights groups.
“This is a blatantly unconstitutional order,” senior US District Judge John Coughenour was reported as saying during the hearing in Washington State.
“I’ve been on the bench for over four decades, I can’t remember another case where the question presented is as clear as this one is,” said Coughenour, who was appointed to the bench by a Republican president, Ronald Reagan.
Birthright citizenship is fundamental to America’s national identity, with the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution decreeing that anyone born on US soil is a citizen.
It says, in part: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.”
Trump’s order was premised on the idea that anyone in the US illegally, or on a visa, was not “subject to the jurisdiction” of the country, and therefore excluded from this category.
AFP
The Court of Appeal sitting in Akure, Ondo State capital has upheld the death sentence of Ramon Adedoyin, a prominent businessman and hotelier, for his involvement in the murder of one Timothy Adegoke, a former postgraduate student of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State.
Delivering the judgment on Thursday, the court affirmed the earlier verdict of the Osun State High Court, which had sentenced Adedoyin to death.
“The judgment of the High Court of Osun State stands. Adedoyin’s appeal is dismissed in part,” the court declared in part.
The Court of Appeal, however, set aside some aspects of the lower court’s orders, including the forfeiture of the Hilton Hotel and the order for Adedoyin to pay for the education of Adegoke’s children.
Furthermore, the court ruled that it had no jurisdiction to impose penalties outside the statutory provisions
Adegoke’s death was reported in November 2021 after his corpse was found at the Hilton Honours Hotel in Ile-Ife, Osun State, where he had lodged.
The hotelier had travelled from Abuja for an examination at a distance learning centre in Moro, Osun State on November 5 of that year.
He had checked into the hotel but was reported missing after two days. However, Adegoke’s body was found days later, leading to a probe that linked his death to Adedoyin and others.
In May 2023, Adedoyin and others were sentenced to death after they were found guilty of murder and conspiracy to murder.
But dissatisfied with the judgement, Adedoyin approached the Appeal court to dismiss the sentence and conviction.
The court of appeal, on Thursday, however, upheld the conviction and death sentence of the hotelier.
