Why We Support Setting Up Of US, French Military Bases In Nigeria – HURIWA

Published

2 years ago

May 8, 2024

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Why We Support Setting Up Of US, French Military Bases In Nigeria – HURIWA—-Civil rights advocacy group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has given reason for its decision to back the setting up of United States and French military bases in Nigeria.

HURIWA said it is preferable for US and French military bases to exist in Nigeria than for terrorists to take control of the country.

The rights group which was reacting to a press statement that was signed by Kabiru Chafe on behalf of Arewa Research and Development Project (ARDP) Kaduna, in response to its earlier press release, said there was nothing wrong for nations to engage in both bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

HURIWA, in the statement signed by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, on Wednesday, said : “The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has been alerted to the press statement that was signed by Kabiru S. Chafe on behalf of Arewa Research and Development Project (ARDP) Kaduna, that is supposedly championing the interest of the north.

“We are also aware that the Arewa Consultative Council similarly criticised us over same issue. So our general explanation of the fundamentals of our support for USA and France to set up military bases in Nigeria will capture our reaction to the statement by the Arewa Consultative Council.

“HURIWA was originally tempted to disregard the press release because of the doubts surrounding both the signatory and the organisation. On second thought, though, we felt obligated to take advantage of the right to reply to further clarify a few points because of the extremely important problem that the press release targeted and HURIWA’s stance on the matter.

First, a highly unsettling pattern in the contemporary democratic dispensation has been developed by such individuals and groups who profess to be defending the interests of the North while concealing their true identities….

“The press release under reference from the Arewa Research and Development Project (ARDP) criticising the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) for endorsing the construction of US and French military bases in Nigeria published in Platinum Post, asserted it would inflame “regional relations and domestic stability,” as if the northern region already enjoyed some sort of stability that the group hypocritically wouldn’t want to be disturbed.

“They charged that HURIWA had endangered Nigeria’s sovereignty by supporting US and French military bases in Nigeria, and were ignorant of the complex dynamics of instability and insecurity in the Sahel and northern Nigeria. Again, the group showed no interest in explaining the complex dynamics of insecurity in the north, which they claimed mastery of.

“According to the Arewa Research and Development Project (ARDP), the military bases would negatively impact “regional relations and domestic stability”. Put another way, the organisation believes that the Northern region is experiencing stability, which will be worsened by the military bases, which is false and unfortunate.

“The ARDP goes on to erroneously claim that given the underlying causes and geopolitical complexities of regional security concerns, the US and French military bases in Nigeria cannot be a cure for terrorism, which they said are deeply rooted in Nigeria’s socio-economic disparities and governance deficiencies.

“The ARDP opposes the endorsement as well because they think that the deployment of foreign forces will make matters worse, possibly escalating local unrest and giving insurgent groups more support while weakening Nigerian sovereignty and self-determination.

“According to the ARDP’s conclusion, Nigeria must resolve its security issues on its own, giving national interest, regional cooperation, and sustainable development precedence over the easy and dangerous route of accepting foreign military deployments.

” HURIWA would like to stress again, with all due patriotism and responsibility: That it is preferable for US and French military bases to exist in Nigeria than for terrorists to take control of the country. To support one another militarily, nations engage in both bilateral and multilateral cooperation. So, nothing is degrading or untoward in accepting military bases in Nigeria.

“Furthermore, Nigeria has a long history of participating in peacekeeping missions in numerous nations following the First and Second World Wars. Therefore, HURIWA finds it difficult to understand the group’s argument that the US and French military facilities in Nigeria undercut the concept of self-determination and show a lack of faith in Nigeria’s military. There is nothing more false than this.

“Indeed, there may have been a few rare cases where foreign military bases caused host nations to lose full control over their internal affairs, with foreign powers influencing national security plans and political policies to serve their agendas. That ought to be the point at which the host nations abandoned their obligations for national security. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the political leaders in our country to set the boundaries and oversight such military cooperation to protect Nigeria’s strategic interests and national security.

“Therefore, if this fear is real, it’s not unmanageable or unsurmountable. These collateral damages pale in comparison to the level of insecurity currently plaguing Nigeria, and can be mitigated if the right steps are taken by Nigeria as a host country.

” Regardless of one’s perspective, Nigeria is currently home to three to four terrorist groups, and the country’s military needs support, which these military bases will be better able to provide.

” These groups cannot pretend they are unaware that Boko Haram is ranked among the top 10 most vicious terrorist groups in the world by the Global Terrorism Index, along with killer herdsmen, bandits of the Janjaweed hue, ISWAP, and al Qaeda in the Maghreb. They all operate in Nigeria and push the country’s military to the breaking point with their terrorist actions that are also occurring in the eastern part of the country.

“The trend unequivocally demonstrates that despite the valiant efforts of the Nigerian military, which has reached its breaking point and is obviously in need of support, terrorists, bandits, and killer herdsmen have taken over much of Nigeria’s forests from north to south. Because of how bad things are right now, there is a chance that these terrorists, bandits, and deadly Fulani herders may take over the country.

“The country faces a clear decision: accept international military assistance, such as the establishment of US and French military facilities in Nigeria, or continue on its current course without support, which may eventually collapse the country.

” Similar examples of overrun nations abound, as do instances of governments that have managed to repel terrorists and bandits with the help of international military collaboration and support. Nigeria cannot afford to let terrorists and bandits take over the nation, even though the scenario might seem like a devil’s alternative. The expanding and escalating ungoverned spaces that the terrorists and other violent non-state actors dominate should worry all patriotic Nigerians who wish the nation well.

“HURIWA also rejects the ARDP’s assertion that Nigeria’s socioeconomic inequality and weak governance are the main causes of the country’s insecurity. These considerations don’t explain anything because there have been reports about how bandits were introduced into Nigeria and about the herdsmen’s outright refusal to be brought under government control.

“Furthermore, given the current collaboration between Boko Haram and ISIS, al Qaeda, and other terrorist groups, as well as the fact that the majority of bandits and killer herdsmen are not Nigerian citizens, it is difficult to see how the Nigerian government could be held accountable for the living circumstances of these non-Nigerians who have invaded the nation.

“Given that the vast majority of these individuals are not Nigerians, the argument that the nation’s socioeconomic inequalities and conditions are what encourage terrorism and banditry cannot hold water.

” Once more, in the face of all these, the advantages of setting up US and French bases in Nigeria far outweigh any potential drawbacks, barring other covert goals that these amorphous groups and individuals may have with these dangerous elements, such as using them to advance a political agenda.

“Let it be said again and again, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) maintains that having military bases of the United States and France in Nigeria makes considerably more sense than letting Boko Haram, Janjaweed bandits, and Fulani herdsmen take over the country.

“May we add this: if the Federal Government is not contemplating foreign military bases in Nigeria, this is the time to embrace the idea whose time has come, as a strategy for dealing with the clear and present danger that insecurity has posed against the survival of the Nigerian nation.”

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Crime

Ex-Gang Leader Duane ‘Keffe D’ Davis Goes on Trial Over 1996 Tupac Shakur Murder

Published

6 days ago

August 10, 2026

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Ex-Gang Leader Duane ‘Keffe D’ Davis Goes on Trial Over 1996 Tupac Shakur Murder—-Nearly 30 years after Tupac Shakur was killed in a Las Vegas drive-by shooting, Duane “Keffe D” Davis faces trial in the only criminal case brought in connection with the rap icon’s death.

Nearly three decades after Tupac Shakur was fatally shot in Las Vegas, the long-running mystery surrounding the rapper’s death is finally heading into a courtroom as former gang leader Duane “Keffe D” Davis goes on trial Monday.

Davis, 63, is charged with murder with a deadly weapon with the intent to promote, further or assist a criminal gang. He has pleaded not guilty. Jury selection is scheduled to begin in Clark County District Court, with the trial expected to last several weeks.

Prosecutors accuse Davis of helping orchestrate the September 1996 attack that killed Shakur. Authorities allege that Davis was involved in planning the retaliation after an earlier confrontation involving members of his South Side Compton Crips gang and Shakur’s entourage.

Davis has never been accused of personally pulling the trigger. Prosecutors instead contend that he helped organize the attack and supplied the firearm allegedly used in the shooting. The identity of the person who fired the fatal shots remains a central issue in the case.

Shakur was only 25 when he was shot while riding in a BMW driven by Death Row Records co-founder Marion “Suge” Knight following a Mike Tyson boxing match in Las Vegas on September 7, 1996. He died six days later from his injuries.

For years, the investigation produced no criminal charges. The case was revived after Davis made public comments about his alleged involvement, including accounts contained in his 2019 memoir, “Compton Street Legend,” as well as interviews and documentary appearances.

Those statements are expected to form a major part of the prosecution’s case. Prosecutors have acknowledged that Davis’ various accounts contain inconsistencies but argue that his statements nevertheless provide evidence of his role in the killing.

The defense, meanwhile, is expected to challenge the credibility and reliability of those statements. Davis’ lawyers have argued that portions of his memoir and other public accounts were exaggerated or inaccurate, setting up a trial in which the jury may have to determine which parts of Davis’ numerous accounts can be trusted.

The case also brings renewed attention to the bitter East Coast-West Coast rivalry that surrounded the hip-hop industry during the 1990s. Shakur was closely associated with Death Row Records, while the rivalry with Bad Boy Records and figures connected to the East Coast had become increasingly hostile.

Davis was arrested in September 2023 after investigators obtained a new indictment in the case, making him the only person ever charged in connection with Shakur’s murder. He has remained in custody since then.

The trial has attracted enormous public interest because of Shakur’s enduring influence on music and popular culture. The rapper sold tens of millions of records during his career and remains one of hip-hop’s most influential figures nearly three decades after his death.

Shakur’s family and supporters have spent years seeking answers over what happened that night in Las Vegas. The proceedings now offer prosecutors their first opportunity to present a complete criminal case before a jury.

However, the trial is not expected to resolve every unanswered question surrounding the murder. With the alleged gunman never charged and key witnesses from the 1996 era no longer available, prosecutors face the challenge of proving beyond a reasonable doubt that Davis was criminally responsible for the killing.

As jury selection begins Monday, the case enters a historic new chapter — nearly 30 years after one of hip-hop’s most enduring mysteries began.

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Breaking

JUST IN: Seyi Makinde Receives Surveillance Aircraft to Strengthen State Security, Enhance Crime-Fighting Operations

Published

3 weeks ago

July 28, 2026

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JUST IN: Seyi Makinde Receives Surveillance Aircraft to Strengthen State Security, Enhance Crime-Fighting Operations—-Governor Seyi Makinde says the advanced intelligence aircraft will strengthen security operations, enhance aerial surveillance and improve the fight against kidnapping, banditry and other crimes across Oyo State.

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has officially taken delivery of the state’s long-awaited surveillance aircraft, describing the acquisition as a major milestone in his administration’s efforts to strengthen security and protect lives and property across the state.

The aircraft, a Diamond DA42 MNG Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform, arrived after months of manufacturing and assembly, with the governor saying it would significantly enhance intelligence gathering and provide real-time aerial support for security agencies operating across Oyo’s vast terrain.

According to the state government, the surveillance aircraft is equipped with advanced imaging and reconnaissance technology capable of monitoring forests, border communities, mining sites and other remote locations frequently exploited by kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements. Officials said the platform will complement ground operations by providing security agencies with actionable intelligence and improving rapid response capabilities.

Makinde noted that the aircraft forms part of a broader strategy to modernise Oyo State’s security architecture through technology-driven policing and closer collaboration with the Nigerian Air Force, Amotekun Corps and other security agencies. He explained that intelligence gathered from aerial surveillance would enable security operatives to track criminal movements more effectively and coordinate operations across difficult terrain.

The governor also revealed that the aircraft will play a critical role in monitoring the state’s borders with neighbouring states and the Republic of Benin, areas authorities have identified as vulnerable routes for criminal activities. Beyond security operations, the aircraft is expected to support disaster response, environmental monitoring and emergency management when required.

The acquisition comes amid heightened security concerns in Oyo State following recent incidents of kidnapping, including the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area. Makinde previously expressed regret that the surveillance aircraft was not operational during the rescue mission but said its deployment would greatly enhance future operations against criminal groups.

State officials disclosed that Oyo invested about ₦7.76 billion in procuring the surveillance aircraft as part of its long-term security strategy. The government believes the investment will improve intelligence-led policing, strengthen inter-agency cooperation and reinforce public confidence in efforts to tackle insecurity across the state.

Governor Makinde reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to deploying modern technology in safeguarding residents, stressing that security remains a top priority. He added that the aircraft would become fully operational immediately after final integration and testing, marking a new chapter in Oyo State’s fight against crime and insecurity.

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