LAGOS: Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari is under increasing pressure to sack his security chiefs because of mounting violence that has killed nearly 2,000 people so far this year.
The 75-year-old former military ruler was elected in 2015 after pledging to defeat Boko Haram Islamists whose insurgency has devastated the country’s remote northeast since 2009.
But despite gains against the jihadists, unrest has intensified elsewhere, including a resurgence of deadly communal clashes between farmers and herders, kidnapping for ransom and banditry.
Last week, Amnesty International said 1,813 people have been killed in 17 of Nigeria’s 36 states since the start of the year — more than double the 894 killed in the whole of 2017.
On June 23, more than 200 people from Christian farming communities were killed in the central state of Plateau, renewing calls for more to be done to stem the bloodshed.
“The authorities have a responsibility to protect lives and properties but they are clearly not doing enough going by what is happening,” said the group’s Nigeria director, Osai Ojigho.
Even before the killings in Plateau, lawmakers called on Buhari to improve security, castigating him for failing to protect lives and property.
The National Assembly said it would “not hesitate to (invoke) its constitutional powers if nothing is done” in a thinly veiled threat of impeachment.
Last week, Buhari met the speakers of the Senate and House of Representatives and indicated an overhaul of the security apparatus could be in the offing.
To be sure, Nigeria’s military is overstretched by the Boko Haram conflict, which is now in its ninth year, and the sheer number of operations to maintain a fragile peace countrywide.
But as well as charges of ineffectiveness, police and top military brass have also been accused of being the executive’s placemen to target perceived political opponents.
Meanwhile, former chief of army staff and defense minister Theophilus Danjuma rattled the government by calling for people in northern states to take up arms to protect themselves.
The government dismissed his suggestion as an “invitation to anarchy.” But it has reinforced the perception of systemic state failings.
“The president has to sack the service chiefs immediately. Nigeria needs fresh blood because those at the helm have failed,” said security analyst Don Okereke.
“It’s embarrassing to continue to keep them in office if they are not performing,” the former Nigerian Army officer told AFP.
Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Idris in particular has been a target for criticism, defying orders to relocate to central Benue state after scores of people were killed.
“The man is still occupying his position without any consequence. This kind of behavior and impunity can only happen in Nigeria,” said Okereke.
“Nigeria is bleeding and nothing concrete is being done to arrest the situation. The security chiefs have to go.”
The heads of the army, navy, air force and chief of defense staff were initially appointed in July 2015 but had their tenures extended in December 2017.
“Buhari should inject fresh blood and let’s see if there won’t be results,” said Okereke.
Underlying the question about the effectiveness of those in charge of keeping civilians safe is identity politics, which is never far from the surface in Nigeria.
Nigeria, which is home to more than 180 million people, is almost evenly split between a largely Muslim north and predominantly Christian south.
Even before his election, Buhari’s opponents warned he had an agenda to “Islamise” Nigeria: the claim is being aired again as he looks toward re-election in February next year.
Since coming to power he has been criticized for surrounding himself with a close-knit circle or “cabal” of Hausa-speaking northern Muslims.
Critics say he has been slow to act against the ethnic Fulani Muslim cattle herders because they are his kinsmen. He rejects the charge as an “injustice.”
Taken with the religious dimension to the farmer-herders dispute, that has only reinforced the feeling among Christians that they are being marginalized.
Yinka Odumakin, from the Afenifere socio-cultural group representing the Yoruba of the southwest, said: “Of the 17 top security chiefs, 15 of them are from a section of the country.
“This is not fair in a multi-ethnic nation like Nigeria.”
“Now is the time to correct this anomaly by replacing the service chiefs to reflect the principle of federal character as enshrined in the constitution.”
Nigeria faces calls for security revamp over rising violence
Nigeria faces calls for security revamp over rising violence
Daesh says four members arrested over Moscow attack
A Moscow court has remanded the four main suspects in custody until May 22
BAGHDAD: The Daesh group said Friday four of its members had been arrested after they attacked a concert hall near Moscow killing 143 people, a day after Russia blamed Ukraine.
On March 22, gunmen opened fire at the Crocus City concert hall near Moscow, setting the venue alight and wounding 80 people.
Moscow has detained 12 people and charged eight with “terror-related offenses” over their alleged roles in the attack. They include four suspects from Tajikistan who are accused of carrying it out, Russian state media said.
Daesh swiftly claimed the attack, although Moscow has said repeatedly that the attackers had links to “Ukrainian nationalists” — a claim Kyiv rejects.
In the latest issue of its weekly Al-Nabaa magazine published Friday on Telegram channels, the group said its fighters had been hunted down by ground and air forces.
The operation ended when the men were surrounded in “a forest,” Daesh said, adding that they were now in “captivity.”
-- a date likely to be extended until their trial.
Russia has been a repeated target of attack by Daesh, in retaliation for its suppression of unrest in Muslim-majority regions and its support for President Bashar Assad’s government in the civil war in Syria.
France asks for foreign police and military help with massive Paris Olympics security challenge
- The Interior Ministry said Friday that the request for foreign security assistance was made in January, seeking nearly 2,185 reinforcements
- The officers are sought to help with Games security and “the spectator experience” and to “strengthen international cooperation,” the ministry said
PARIS: France says it has asked 46 countries if they would be willing to supply more than 2,000 police officers to help secure the Paris Olympics this summer, as organizers finalize security planning for the French capital’s first Games in a century while on heightened alert against potential attacks.
The Interior Ministry said Friday that the request for foreign security assistance was made in January, seeking nearly 2,185 reinforcements. The officers are sought to help with Games security and “the spectator experience” and to “strengthen international cooperation,” the ministry said.
“This is a classic approach of host countries for the organization of major international events,” the ministry added.
It noted that France sent 200 of its gendarmes to soccer’s World Cup in Qatar in 2022 and also welcomed 160 officers from other European security forces for the Rugby World Cup that France hosted last year.
Separately, the French Defense Ministry has also asked foreign nations for “small numbers” of military personnel who could help with “very specific” tasks at the Games, including sniffer dog teams, said Col. Pierre Gaudillière, spokesman for the army general staff.
Poland’s defense minister said his country will be sending soldiers to the Paris Games. The Polish armed forces delegation will include dog handlers and “its main goal will be to undertake activities related to the detection of explosives and counteracting terrorist phenomena.” the minister, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, posted on X.
Security is the biggest challenge for Paris Games organizers in a city that has been repeatedly hit by deadly attacks by Islamic extremists and which is expecting as many as 15 million visitors for the July 26-Aug. 11 Games and Paralympics that follow.
Security concerns are notably high for the opening ceremony, which will involve boats along the Seine River and huge crowds watching from the embankments.
France’s government increased its security alert posture to the highest level in the wake of the recent deadly attack at a Russian concert hall and Daesh’s claim of responsibility.
French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal announced the decision in a post on X, saying authorities were “taking into account Daesh’s claim of responsibility for the (Moscow) attack and the threats weighing on our country.″
EU parliament urged to probe Russian propaganda network
- Moscow also paid money to MEPs to promote Russian propaganda, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said
- The EU parliament’s political groups now want the assembly to probe the latest claims
BRUSSLES: The European Parliament came under pressure on Friday to investigate a Russia-financed network that wielded influence across Europe and involved EU lawmakers.
The Czech Republic said on Wednesday its spies discovered the network had been spreading Russian propaganda through the Prague-based Voice of Europe news site.
Moscow also paid money to MEPs to promote Russian propaganda, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said on Thursday.
The EU parliament’s political groups now want the assembly to probe the latest claims.
Valerie Hayer, who heads the centrist Renew grouping, wrote to parliament president Roberta Metsola to demand “a full and transparent internal investigation.”
“If sitting MEPs or candidates in the upcoming European elections have taken money from the Russian government or their proxies, they must be exposed and action taken,” she said.
The Renew group also called for an “urgent debate” in the parliament.
The Greens said there needed to be a “swift and thorough” investigation.
“This is how (Russian President Vladimir) Putin is trying to get away with his war in Ukraine.... It’s a direct attack on the very fabric of our democracy,” said Terry Reintke, one of the lead candidates for the Greens in the European elections in June.
“The politicians who have received money from Russia should be severely punished, both politically and legally,” she added in a statement.
A spokesperson for the parliament said it was “currently looking into the findings of the Czech authorities regarding outlet ‘Voice of Europe’ in coordination with its institutional partners.”
The spokesperson added that the parliament already prohibits access to the institution for media that are EU sanctions lists.
EU lawmakers face strict rules regarding independence and ethics and can face penalties — financial and otherwise — if they violate them.
The European politicians involved have not been named but the Greens and a Czech daily claimed they came from Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, the Netherlands and Poland.
Fasting left me in awe of discipline required to observe Ramadan
- Writer describes being left in a ‘post-hunger state’
LONDON: Ramadan holds multiple points of significance for the Muslim world. Perhaps most famous for its month-long fast, it is also believed to have been when the first verses of the Qur’an were revealed to Muhammad.
Neither Muslim, nor someone who had before — at least knowingly — fasted, the request from Arab News to do one and write about it left me with several questions.
Why? What would there be to write about besides feeling hungry and thirsty? And would I buckle and gorge on the Sainsbury’s grocery delivery I had lined up for the proposed day?
It turned out that having successfully gone from dawn to dusk without breaking the fast, I did indeed have some self-control when it came to eating.
Perhaps more importantly, it provided an opportunity to gain a greater understanding of why friends I know do it, and what it offers to the Muslim community, not to mention leaving me in awe of the physical and mental will required to fast for the full month.
Waking up a little after 3:30 a.m., I followed the instructions provided by my colleague Zaynab: “Eggs, banana, porridge.” I gave the dates a miss, mainly through forgetfulness.
At this point I should state that the absence of food or water for one 14.5-hour stretch did not leave me overly nervous. In fact, given it was to be a single day, I would say to write anything on it was, if anything, quite bizarre considering the famines gripping swathes of the world.
Speaking to a friend and Arab News colleague Tarek, I did, however, question how faithful people were when it came to missing out on any drink during daylight hours.
“No, not one drop, sir,” he said before agreeing that given a propensity for human social engagement to inform some form of consumption, this period of abstinence obviously affected social relations.
He added: “But there are other effects, including dizziness, fatigue, lethargy, lack of focus, and cravings — one day is fine but it is doing it consistently that makes it tough.”
Tarek’s reflections came about five hours into my own fast, and having followed Zaynab’s recommendations, I can confirm that I was not feeling any pangs of hunger at this stage, but by about midday I was finding my attention drawn more toward water.
I spoke to other observant Muslim friends, and one thing that came across was that while there was a general uniformity toward the observation of the fast, it was not monolithic.
For instance, one friend said that they did without food for the whole period, but abstaining from water was somewhat dependent on the time of year that Ramadan fell: if in the summer, they would do without all drinks but water.
Another friend, Nabila, said she was stricter than most of her friends and family, additionally doing without music as part of her observation of the holy month.
She added: “The way I see it is that it is one month. For the rest of the year we can do what we want, but through that one month of observation I gain a lot and I become more focused on some of the ills of society; that in turn helps me readjust my engagement with the world.”
Nabila’s focus on those undergoing forced fasts, with this year’s Ramadan coinciding with the largest assault on Gaza in a generation, was shared by others I spoke to or heard.
Speaking to the BBC, Dr. Amjad Eleiwa, the deputy director of the emergency department at Gaza’s Al-Shifa Hospital, said that Palestinians in Gaza had “already been fasting for months,” with others noting the “dark shadow” Israel’s war had cast over what Nabila said should be a joyous time.
She added: “It’s not easy, though. I have little or no energy and I struggle with work. You won’t see me out. It is not easy and anyone who says it is, well, they’ve probably not committed.”
Equally, however, Nabila noted that the breaking of the fast each day brought its own reward, describing the anticipation immediately before eating as a feeling “of excitement, that ends in a sense of euphoria … I can’t really describe it.”
As my own, solitary day of fasting came to an end, I found myself feeling, as it was suggested I might, almost in a post-hunger state. How did I break my fast? A yogurt.
London mayoral candidate condemned for ‘dismissing’ Islamophobia
- Susan Hall describes anti-Muslim tweet as ‘hurty words’ in interview
- Comments ‘demonstrate hierarchy of racism at play,’ says Muslim Council of Britain
LONDON: The Conservative mayoral candidate for London has faced condemnation after claiming that Islamophobic tweets are just “hurty words,” The Times reported on Friday.
Susan Hall, 69, has faced mounting criticism over a series of social media blunders on X, including supporting a tweet that referred to London’s Muslim mayor, Sadiq Khan, as “our nipple-height mayor of Londonistan.”
Hall responded to the tweet by Katie Hopkins, a controversial media commentator, with the words “thank you Katie.”
The mayoral candidate, a former Conservative leader of the London Assembly, was asked in an interview whether Muslims may find her response to the tweet jarring.
She said: “Jarring is the fact that poor people are having to pay £12.50 a day that they literally cannot afford. That is real. And that isn’t just hurty words.”
Hall was referring to London’s Ulez charge, an environmental tax on vehicle emissions implemented by Khan.
In response to her comments, the Muslim Council of Britain said: “Just as we would not consider antisemitic comments as ‘hurty words,’ nor should we Islamophobia.
“Susan Hall’s comments only demonstrate the hierarchy of racism at play. With a 300 percent rise in Islamophobic hate crimes, our elected representatives have a duty to ensure they are not part of the problem.
“As someone seeking to be the mayor of our capital, and the votes of the many Muslim Londoners who help make this city great, Susan Hall would do well to recognise rather than dismiss Islamophobia.”
Hall’s mayoral campaign suffered a new blow this week after she deleted an online advert that attacked Khan based on footage filmed in New York City instead of London.
Late last year, she also claimed to have been pickpocketed on the London Underground, despite her wallet later being handed in to authorities without any missing items.
In response to the condemnation, a spokesman for Hall said: “Unlike Sadiq Khan, Susan is listening to Londoners and as mayor she will put more police on the beat, ensure women feel safe, scrap the Ulez expansion and build more affordable family homes.”