Yakubu Busari
The Plateau State Coordinator, Akume Empowerment Foundation (AEF) Plateau State Chapter, Hon.Engr Emmanuel Wokrit Goladi has called on President Ahmed Tinubu to intervene to free warrant officer Tanko Barnabas from incarceration after an illegal court-martial by the army.
He tasked the people of the Middle Belt across the nation to wake up to the prevailing injustice and impunity by some selfish group of Nigerians who think they own Nigeria and can suppress others.
Goladi stated this during his inclusive interview after an engagement in Numan Adamawa state, with journalists by calling on the Northern Christians to embrace the reality of what Warrant Officer Tanko Bulus Barnabas and two others are facing.
The Hon. Labour Party chieftain and immediate past aspirant of the Chairmanship of Kanke LGA , made this passionate appeal to stop all manner of heinous crimes of killing, maiming, land grabbing, and ethnic cleansing going on in the Middle Belt region.
According to him,’ it has become apparent that all voice of reasons has been silenced of late hence it is very pertinent to question even the church today on her silence over these bold individuals whose only crime was coming out boldly by risking their jobs, families, and freedom to teach the CHURCH a way to defend herself and installations from attacks ongoing from the agents of darkness mentioned above.
He stated that, The formed of non violent organisation with its name drawn from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) known as the CAN BRIGADE, the training they were offering to the youths of the church and communities was not an alien type or a militarised type as is witnessed by Islam in the country who carries out a commandos type of training in public places and display their activities in publ without being intimidated by the authorities.
He accused the Nigerian Air Force of illegal detention and court martial of the three officers based on their faith, yet they were arrested, detained for years, under the charges below;
1. NAF98/19114 Master warrant officer Chiroma Ayuba Kollo. In detention since 13 Oct 21. On 5 count charges. (a) Count 1-3 disobedient to standing order.(b) Count 4 conspiracy. (c) Count 5 public disturbances.
2. Master warrant officer James Tumba. In detention since 13 Oct 21. on 5 count charges. (a) Count 1-3 disobedient to standing order. (b) count 4 conspiracy (c) count 5 public disturbance.
3. Warrant officer (Rev.) Tanko Bulus Barnabas. In detention since 20 Sep 21. On 7 count charges. (a) Count 1-4 disobedient to standing order. (b) Illegal possession of a firearm.(c) Illegal possession of ammunition (d) conspiracy.
Tanko was arrested on 20th September 21st. In his house at the Air Force base in Jos, by Operation Safe Haven.
While Mwo Chiroma Ayuba Kollo and Mwo James Tumba were invited via phone calls on 12 Oct 21 to by Air Commodore Samuel Chinda to report to Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) Abuja. on 13 Oct 21.
Even the first and second officers mentioned above have served their 2-year jail term and reunited with their families, the third, who is Revd. Tanko Barnabas is still languishing in the Jos correctional custodial Centre with ill health and poor living condition, the supposed patrons who stood by them during the trainings have all suddenly disappeared into quietness and became deaf to any voice of reason calling for justice to be given the three heroes, suffice me to add here that the programme and teachings they gave is still useful till date in most of the communities being threatened by ethnic cleansing till date, they all have appealed their court martial and jailing but financial constraints has hindered or slowed down the process of appeal.
It’s on this note that I am calling on the church and those with conscience to wake up and act on behalf of these individuals, because allowing them to their fate will automatically mean others should not rise up to defend themselves and their communities in the future, because their efforts will be in vain.
We shouldn’t forget the saying that what goes around comes around.
‘Those in a position to help these people must rise up to their responsibilities now to help address this injustice meted out against our brothers. I remain honourable Emmanuel wokrit Goladi’
