News
Army, Police Urged To Investigate Extortion Of Farmers, Herders In Benue, Kaduna, Taraba
The Nigerian Army and Police Force have been urged to immediately launch an inquiry into the alleged extortion of farmers and herders in some conflict-ridden communities of Benue, Taraba, and Kaduna states.
A recent investigative report by Daily Trust had indicted soldiers and police officers deployed in Adaka and Wadata communities of Benue, Jalingo town in Taraba and Zangon Kataf area of Kaduna state of engaging in unprofessional conducts, and exacerbating the plight of farmers and herders through intimidation and extortion.
Security and Energy expert Kevin Eyneface led the call for Army and Police authorities to swing into action immediately during an anti-corruption radio programme, PUBLIC CONSCIENCE, produced by PRIMORG, on Wednesday in Abuja.
Kevin stated that the investigation, which also exposed the identities of some people who perpetrated the act, is valid enough for the security agencies whose personnel have been indicted to take prompt action while urging the military and police hierarchies not to ‘sweep the report under the carpet.’
Advising the Nigerian Army and Police authorities, He said that “the fact the investigation actually named names is a commendable feat to start with. Hence, it is now left for the system to heal itself, but the question is to what extent will they (Army and Police) want to go to in healing themselves,” Eyneface queried.
He added that extortion is an outcome of the corruption in the security system of Nigeria – be it the military or the police, noting that the situation is worsened by lack of consequence for bad behaviour of some security agents, flawed recruitment processes, nepotism, cronyism and poor remuneration.
“Deployment in the military, police or DSS to anywhere is backed with corruption. It has to be either based on cronyism or nepotism or some form of bigoted relationship or jingoism. From my experience, a merit window comes when you are exceptionally good.
“Why do we have a country with a multiplicity of remuneration across the board? Why do politicians earn much more than a Nigerian inspector in the Nigeria Police? The minimum salary of a counsellor in a political office is almost N500,000, with other benefits. Do we have the same salary for a police officer that carries an AK 47 to protect us or a military officer that protects us with arms – the answer is No,” Fyneface stated.
Towing the same line, Daily Trust journalist Musa Luka Muka asked the Nigerian Army and Police authorities to act on the investigative report indicting security agents of compromising standards in Benue, Taraba and Kaduna communities.
Musa urged the Federal Government “to do something urgently about extortion because people are suffering out there. People are dying in the rural areas.
“There are lots of farmers and herders in crisis; they are facing worse situations than what has been reported, but they are not ready to give out information because they are skeptical and afraid of a reprisal attack, He explained.
The investigative journalist stressed the need for ordinary Nigerians to be sensitized about intimidation and extortion by security agents.
“Sadly, the citizens fear giving out information. As such, we have to engage in sensitization. We (the government) should do something about this report because people are suffering out there. People are dying in the rural areas,” Musa said.
Public Conscience is a syndicated weekly anti-corruption radio program PRIMORG uses to draw government and citizens’ attention to corruption and integrity issues in Nigeria.
The program has the support of the MacArthur Foundation.
Business
Stakeholders Push for Stronger Labor Polices to Protect Jobs in Energy Transition
…Unveil ‘Workers’ Charter of Demand’
By Joel Ajayi
In a bid to strengthen labour laws and safeguard Nigerian workers from job losses amid the country’s transition to a low-carbon economy, stakeholders have called for equitable policies that protect employment and workers’ rights.
The call was made at the public presentation of the Workers’ Charter of Demand and Stakeholders’ Engagement held on Thursday in Abuja.
The event, organized by the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) in collaboration with Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Nigeria, also marked the launch of the Justice Department Transition Project, aimed at ensuring a just and sustainable shift to renewable energy.
In his remarks, Lennart Oestergaard, Resident Representative of Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung FES Nigeria, emphasized the need for stronger collaboration between trade unions, the private sector, and the government to develop policies that protect jobs and equip workers for employment in the renewable energy sector.
“As Nigeria moves towards cleaner energy sources, we must ensure that workers are not displaced or exploited,” he stated. “A just transition means that no one is left behind. This requires deliberate policies that promote job security, social dialogue, and economic fairness.”
Presenting the Workers’ Charter of Demand, Tunde Selman, Researcher and Team Lead at GGT-Nigeria, outlined key labour concerns in Nigeria’s evolving energy landscape.
“The charter is a call to action, advocating for fair labour practices and worker protections,” Selman said.
Some of the key demands highlighted in the charter include: Job Security: Preventing mass redundancies in the energy sector.
Social Protection Measures to Ensuring access to pension schemes and health insurance for workers transitioning from fossil fuel jobs; Fair Wages and Improved Working Conditions to Address labour rights in both traditional and renewable energy sector.
Also, Equipping workers with skills in clean energy technologies, Stronger Labor Union Involvement: Ensuring labor unions play a role in policymaking related to energy transition amongst other.
In her goodwill message, Executive Secretary of the Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria (REAN), Dr. Tosin Akande, thumbed FES and its partners for their advocacy efforts in protecting labor rights during the energy transition.
However, She stressed the need for stronger policies to prevent unemployment and low wages. “Without strong policies, many workers could face job losses or poor working conditions,” Dr. Akande warned.
Meanwhile, the event also featured a panel discussion on “Just and Clean Transition for Trade Unions in Nigeria,” where experts examined challenges and opportunities in the energy transition.
Discussions focused on: Expanding the renewable energy sector while protecting workers’ rights; The role of government and private sector investment in job creation and Vocational training for green economy jobs.
Stakeholders therefore reaffirmed their commitment to advocating for policies that ensure a fair transition for Nigerian workers, ensuring that no one is left behind as the country moves toward a greener future.
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