Aggrieved people of Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State took to the streets on Friday in protest against incessant attacks, kidnappings and the worsening security situation threatening lives, livelihoods and economic activities in the area.

The protest, which reportedly drew residents from parts of the local government, was said to have been triggered by growing fears over repeated attacks and abductions allegedly carried out by armed criminals operating around vulnerable communities.

The protesters expressed deep concern over what they described as the persistent insecurity confronting the area, calling on the Federal and Sokoto State governments to take urgent and decisive measures to protect residents from further attacks.

They lamented that the continued incidents had created an atmosphere of fear, particularly among farmers, traders and rural dwellers whose livelihoods depend largely on unrestricted access to farms, markets and other economic activities.

The demonstrators reportedly demanded the deployment of more security personnel and operational assets to vulnerable communities, insisting that security agencies must intensify patrols, surveillance and intelligence-led operations to prevent further attacks.

They also appealed for stronger collaboration among the military, police and other security agencies to track down criminal elements responsible for the attacks and restore confidence among residents.

The protesters said the situation had assumed a disturbing dimension capable of undermining agricultural production and forcing residents to abandon their communities and farmlands for safer locations.

Responding to concerns over the development, the Sokoto State Police Command confirmed that it was aware of the situation and assured residents that security operatives were “on top of the situation.”

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Ahmad Rufai, who confirmed the development, said the police were monitoring the situation and taking necessary measures to maintain security and protect lives and property in the affected area.

The assurance came amid heightened anxiety among residents, many of whom are demanding not only immediate security intervention but also sustained operations capable of preventing further attacks and kidnappings.

The latest protest has further highlighted the mounting security challenges confronting parts of the North-West, where banditry and kidnapping have continued to threaten rural communities, disrupt agriculture and inflict severe social and economic hardship on vulnerable populations.

Residents are therefore urging the authorities to translate assurances into visible and sustained security operations, arguing that the ultimate measure of success would be the restoration of peace and the ability of citizens to live, farm and conduct their legitimate businesses without fear.

As tension persists, stakeholders are calling for strengthened intelligence gathering, community engagement and coordinated security operations to ensure that Tambuwal and neighbouring communities do not become increasingly vulnerable to criminal elements. (Vanguard)

Nigeria’s National Assembly has suspended all official visits to South Africa and ordered a boycott of legislative activities hosted or organised by the country until further notice, over renewed reports of xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals.

The decision was contained in a statement signed by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, Esq., on behalf of the leadership of the Senate and House of Representatives.

The National Assembly leadership said it was deeply concerned by the continued violence, intimidation, destruction of property and other forms of hostility directed at Nigerians and other African nationals living in South Africa.

It said the decision was taken in response to the failure of repeated appeals by the Nigerian government and other stakeholders for South African authorities to take decisive action to protect Nigerians and other foreign nationals and bring perpetrators of xenophobic attacks to justice.

Under the resolution, all official visits to South Africa by lawmakers, National Assembly committees, officials and staff have been suspended.

The boycott also covers conferences, seminars, workshops, parliamentary meetings, legislative exchanges and other activities organised or hosted by South African legislative authorities.

The National Assembly further directed that its officials and lawmakers should not participate in South African-hosted legislative programmes either physically or through virtual or online platforms.

The Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, has consequently been directed to communicate the decision to senators, members of the House of Representatives, committees, departments, directorates, officials and staff for strict compliance.

However, the National Assembly stressed that the decision was not intended to undermine the longstanding diplomatic, historical and people-to-people relations between Nigeria and South Africa.

Rather, it described the move as a strong expression of concern over the safety, dignity and welfare of Nigerians living and conducting legitimate businesses in South Africa.

The lawmakers called on the South African government to urgently protect Nigerians and other African nationals, prevent further xenophobic attacks, thoroughly investigate reported incidents, arrest suspected perpetrators and prosecute those found culpable.

The National Assembly also urged State Houses of Assembly to take note of the decision and consider adopting similar measures.

It said the suspension and boycott would remain in force until further notice and would be subject to review as circumstances warrant.

… demands justice

The Nigerian Citizens Association South Africa (NICASA) has condemned the killing of Bishop Taiwo Michael Fakunle, a 58-year-old Nigerian citizen, in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Fakunle was reportedly killed on Friday at his residence in Kensington, Johannesburg.

In a statement, NICASA President, Rev. Frank Onyekwelu, said the Nigerian community was shocked, outraged and deeply saddened by the bishop’s death.

Onyekwelu said preliminary information indicated that two suspects gained access to Fakunle’s residence and opened fire on him, reportedly shooting him more than seven times.

He said the killing of Fakunle, who hailed from Iye, Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State, was more than an ordinary loss of life, describing it as a tragedy that had deeply affected the Nigerian community in South Africa.

Onyekwelu vowed that NICASA would pursue justice through every legitimate and lawful channel available.

The association called on the South African Police Service (SAPS) to conduct a thorough investigation into the killing and ensure that those responsible were brought to justice.

“We therefore make a strong and unequivocal call on the South African Police Service and every relevant government authority to pursue this matter with the highest level of urgency, professionalism and transparency.

“We demand a thorough and credible investigation that will establish exactly what happened, identify all those responsible, apprehend the perpetrators and ensure that they are brought before the courts to face the full might of the law.”

He stressed, “This was not merely an ordinary loss of life; it was a horrific and senseless act of violence that has robbed a family of a loved one and the Nigerian community of another precious life.

“NICASA condemns this barbaric killing in the strongest possible terms. Enough is enough.

“The continued loss of Nigerian lives through violent crime is deeply disturbing and cannot be allowed to become normal or treated as just another statistic. Every Nigerian life is valuable, and every murder deserves justice.”

Onyekwelu said the Consulate General of Nigeria in Johannesburg has been informed of the tragic incident.

We also note that a murder case has been opened at Jeppe Police Station, and investigations are currently ongoing.

We therefore make a strong and unequivocal call on the South African Police Service and every relevant government authority to pursue this matter with the highest level of urgency, professionalism and transparency.

We demand a thorough and credible investigation that will establish exactly what happened, identify all those responsible, apprehend the perpetrators and ensure that they are brought before the courts to face the full might of the law.”

He added, “The family deserves answers. The Nigerian community deserves justice. Bishop Taiwo deserves justice.

“NICASA further called on the Nigerian diplomatic authorities in South Africa to continue engaging the relevant South African authorities and to closely monitor the progress of the investigation until justice is served.

“We appeal to the South African authorities: Please do not allow this case to go cold. Do not allow another Nigerian life lost to violence to become another forgotten file. We expect accountability and justice.

“At this extremely painful moment, NICASA extends its deepest and heartfelt condolences to the immediate family of the late Bishop Taiwo Michael Fakunle, his relatives, friends, church community, fellow Ekiti indigenes and the entire Nigerian community.

“We pray that Almighty God will grant the family strength, comfort and the fortitude to bear this devastating loss. May the soul of Bishop Taiwo Michael Fakunle rest in perfect peace.

“NICASA equally calls on all Nigerians and Nigerian community leaders across South Africa to remain calm, peaceful and strictly law-abiding. We must not take the law into our own hands or allow our grief and anger to lead to further violence.

“We will pursue justice through every legitimate and lawful channel available to us.

“NICASA will continue to engage the relevant authorities and will follow the investigation closely, because the pursuit of justice for Bishop Taiwo is a responsibility we must not abandon.”

He added, “Enough of the killings. Nigerian lives matter. Justice for Bishop Taiwo Michael Fakunle.”