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Rev. Fr. Barkindo of the Kukah Centres highlights 2 points to tackle insecurity, at the Ashraaf Islamic Foundation Centre Ramadan Lecture
By AbdulRahman Obaje
The Rev. Fr. Atta Barkindo, Executive Director of The Kukah Centre (TKC), and Head of Secretariat for the National Peace Committee has identified two cogent points to tackle insecurity in Nigeria.
adsbygoogle || []).push({});He revealed this during the 9th Annual Ramadan Lecture and Prayer for the Nation, presented by Ashraaf Islamic Foundation in Abuja, Nigeria.
While answering questions from journalists at the event, Rev Fr. Barkindo highlights misrepresentation of religion as the first problem.
He said, “I think for me, the first thing is to understand where is this problem coming from? Number one, we cannot keep denying that this thing has nothing to do with Islam or has nothing to do with Christianity. I think if you make this denial, you have not understand.
“If you have ten children and one of them becomes a thief, are you saying that that thief is no longer your child, is your child.”
“So, the first thing is that people are exploiting religion, they are misrepresenting religion and we need to get religious leader who understand the situation, who have the influence, the respect in order to proffer solutions and to help us to stop the exploitation and the misrepresentation of religion.
He further revealed that education is the second key element in the equation.
“And the second element for me actually is education. People are really not very educated and it is difficult for you to practice democracy in a context of illiteracy. So there has to be proper education that can offer jobs, meaningful jobs to people. And I think once people have this job they are likely going to leave atrocities and concentrate on their work.”, he continued.
While reacting to questions on why he is part of Muslim gathering, he said, “God is God, where are the human beings trying to make distinction, God has absolutely no problem.”
“The Christians are fasting, Muslims are fasting, there is nothing wrong for me to come and grow from the Islamic perspective. If I get to heaven and there is no Christianity, I have Islam, I will enter heaven; If I get to heaven and there is no Islam, I have Christianity, I will enter heaven; so, I am pretty very much okay with it.”
“My biggest interest was actually to look at the Islamic jurisprudence, either supporting or making illegitimate terrorist activities in this country. Does Islam support terrorism through jihad or does Islam prohibit terrorism and condemn jihad rather than personal effort and I think for me this is really an interesting aspect and I think this will afford the government in developing some very strong strategic policies recommendation from lectures of this nature.”
“To see how they can work with religious leaders particularly Islamic groups in supporting the justice system, the judicial processes that will hold perpetrators of atrocities accountable.”
“And at the same time, what sort of mediation, conflict resolution, reconciliation platform can communities create in their local area in order to mitigate the violence across this country.”
“We don’t have to wait for another country to come into Nigeria and tell us what is happening. We can all see for ourselves. It’s not Christians, it’s not Muslims, Nigerians are dying literally from every part of this country; in Sokoto, in Zamfara, in Katsina, in Benue, in Plateau, in Adamawa, Christians, Muslims, atheist; at the end of the day, Nigerians are dying.”
“And I think for me we should look at it from that perspective. Death is about Christians or Muslims. It is about the fact that Nigerian citizens are being killed and what can we do to stop the killing together?”.
The Ashraaf Islamic Foundation is always striving to tackle the socio-economic problem bedeviling the nation with its Annual Ramadan Lecture and Maolid Nabiyy. This year edition of the Annual Ramadan Lecture had gathered notable Nigerians focusing on the Islamic perspective on banditry and terrorism with theme “Faith & Justice, The Islamic Judicial Perspective on Terrorism, and Banditry in Nigeria.”
News
Unidentified, Mutilated Corpse of Man Found Behind Pankshin Market in Plateau
On Tuesday, October 6, 2026 morning, the corpse of an unidentified man was found behind the Monday Market in Pankshin Local Government Area of Plateau State with his private part and other vital organs allegedly removed. adsbygoogle || []).push({});
According to a community source, the corpse was discovered by members of the community in the morning, upon which security operatives were alerted, and they reportedly arrived at the scene to evacuate the body.
The disturbing discovery attracted concerned residents to the General Hospital, Pankshin, where efforts were made to identify the deceased.
The Punch reports that a local resident, Panshak Rogo, who spoke at the hospital, said the identity of the deceased was yet to be established.
“Presently, we are at the General Hospital. We are here because there is an unidentified individual who was killed around Monday Market.
“The corpse is yet to be identified because some sensitive organs have been removed from the body. His ears and nose were cut off, while his private part has also been tampered with.”
Rogo urged members of the public who had relatives or friends reported missing to contact the police for possible identification of the corpse.
“Please, if you have any report of a missing person, go to the nearest police station. To be precise, Pankshin Police Station is important,” he said.
He appealed to anyone with useful information about the deceased or the circumstances surrounding his death to report to the police.
Efforts to reach the Plateau State Police Command for confirmation and further details were unsuccessful as of press time.
News
NAF Confirms 25 Dead In ATR-42 Crash, Releases Names Of Casualties
The Nigerian Air Force on Tuesday, October 6th, 2026 confirmed that 25 persons died in the crash of its ATR-42 aircraft, NAF 931, in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State, and has released the list of casualties. adsbygoogle || []).push({});
The release corrects the earlier speculated crew members and passengers said to be 32, as victims of the crash.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, in a statement on Saturday, described the incident as a deeply painful moment for the Air Force and the nation, and expressed profound condolences to the families of the personnel and passengers.
The aircraft had 25 persons on board, comprising five crew members and 20 passengers, and was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred.
According to the NAF, search-and-rescue procedures were immediately activated in coordination with relevant authorities, but no survivors were found.
The Air Force assured bereaved families of its full support during this difficult period.
The casualties are:
Crew
- Squadron Leader MI Aburime — Flight Captain
- Squadron Leader AP Man-Ugwueje — Co-pilot
- Flight Lieutenant IS Bako — Co-pilot
- Warrant Officer Abubakar A — Aircraft Technician
- Corporal Uguru HC — Aircraft Technician
Passengers
6. Flight Lieutenant TL Lazarus
7. Flight Lieutenant M Akinloye
8. Flying Officer IM Adeshina
9. Master Warrant Officer Onwuka F
10. Master Warrant Officer Matini BA
11. Warrant Officer Nuhu FS
12. Flight Sergeant James RB
13. Flight Sergeant Mohammed AI
14. Sergeant Ani AE
15. Sergeant Izibenikien SI
16. Sergeant Alafuka C
17. Sergeant Mbadugha AN
18. Lance Corporal Ugwuba FC
19. Lance Corporal Eledan GE
20. Mrs Ezeh Nneka
21. Godstmine Tarabina
22. Joy Micheal
23. Sunday Micheal
24. Ukeme David
25. Gideon Omotola
Air Marshal Aneke has directed a comprehensive investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the accident.
The statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, on Tuesday, said the NAF will continue to provide timely and verified updates, and urged the public to refrain from speculation and circulation of unverified information while respecting the privacy and dignity of the affected families.
A condolence register has been opened at the Headquarters of the Nigerian Air Force, Abuja, for senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, heads of security agencies and other well-wishers.
News
World Public Relations Forum: Kogi NIPR Chapter Embarks on Road Show for Sensitization
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Ahead of the World Public Relations Forum( WPRF) scheduled for Abuja from November 15-21, 2026, members of Kogi State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations ( NIPR) on Saturday, organised a road show and public advocacy in Lokoja as part of preparations for the event
The Abuja Forum is an international event meant to be attended by Public Relations Practitioners from all over the world.
The Chairman of the Kogi State Chapter of the NIPR, ISmaila Isah who was represented by his Vice Chairman, Tado Asuloto, told journalists that the road show was meant to sensitize the public about the forthcoming forum.
He also explained that the road show was meant to draw members of the public closer to the Institute.
His words” We embarked on the road show to sensitize our members and the public on the forthcoming WPRF.
” The NIPR also engaged in the public advocacy with a view to drawing the institute closer to the public and enlighten the public more about our activities. The WPRF is coming up in Abuja later in the year and the event will be attended Public Relations Practitioners from the world over.”
The road show saw NIPR members in Kogi State including those from the Nigerian Union of Journalists( NUJ), the State Police Command, Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, Kogi State University, Kabba, Federal University, Lokoja, the Federal Roads Safety Commission( FRSC) , the Red Cross and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps NSCDC , among others, walking from the Ganaja Junction road through the Cenotaph to the Government House where they distributed leaflets on the Abuja event and also engaged the public in discussions.
The participants were also shown the first office of Lord Lugard located within the Government House premises and other historical structures in Lokoja.
The Director of Protocol in the Government House, Sulaiman Ibrahim welcomed the NIPR members on behalf of Governor Ahmed Ododo, assuring them of the Governor’s readiness to assist them always.
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