NAN Response to Arrest of Bashir Hadejiya for Treason, Transnational Crimes

 

The Northern Awareness Network (NAN), compelled by a profound sense of outrage and resolve, wishes to address the appalling revelations surrounding the arrest of one Bashir Hadejiya—a man whose alleged nefarious activities pose a severe threat not only to the sovereignty of our great nation but also to the very fabric of our society. 

This flagrant case of treason, gun-running, and transnational crime serves as a clarion call for all Nigerians to confront the alarming reality we face: a sinister nexus of criminality that extends beyond our borders and threatens the stability of our Republic.

First and foremost, we commend the Nigerian security agencies for their extraordinary success in apprehending Bashir Hadejiya. This arrest reflects the unwavering commitment and diligence of our defense and law enforcement agencies, who deserve our unequivocal support as they confront these criminal elements.

According to a statement issued by Salifu Suleiman Chairman NAN, the ability of the security agencies to unravel such an intricate web of deceit and treason is commendable and must be acknowledged. However, we must not simply rest on the laurels of this significant achievement; the roots of this menace run deep, and we must act decisively.

The cross-national implications brought to light by Mr. Hadejiya’s confession are alarming. His links to the gun-running trade, combined with his involvement in the smuggling of gold believed to be stolen from the Central Bank of Libya, reveal a dangerous partnership with international criminal networks. 

These conspirators are not only undermining our national integrity but also facilitating the flow of arms and financial resources that fuel terrorism and instability across the West African region. This is an affront to our sovereignty and an invasion of our peace.

Reports surrounding Hadejiya's arrest paint a grim picture of a man entangled in a web of criminality that transcends national borders. The insidious nature of his activities—money laundering, arms smuggling, and support for terrorism—should serve as a wake-up call for all of us. His confessions unveil a shadowy underbelly that threatens not only the stability of Nigeria but poses a significant threat to regional and global security. 

Criminal networks, such as the one Hadejiya is part of, do not recognize borders; their implications ripple through societies, fostering violence, fear, and socio-economic decay.

Moreover, the fact that Mr. Hadejiya has openly confessed to sponsoring various protests, including the #EndBadGovernance demonstrations that erupted across our nation, is a cause for grave concern. Such activities, twisted and corrupted by ulterior motives, threaten to undermine legitimate calls for accountability and reform.

Instead of addressing the grievances of the people, they have precipitated chaos on the streets, destabilized communities, and compromised the security of our nation.

It is shocking, infuriating even, to learn that Hadejiya was connected to the devastations of the recent #EndBadGovernance Protests across northern Nigeria, where young people, driven by pent-up grievances, were manipulated and sponsored by a criminal element seeking to exploit their frustrations. 

Not only did Bashir Hadejiya fund these protests, but he also engineered violence by spearheading attacks on political entities, including the assault on the Jigawa State APC headquarters, and the destruction in Kano, Kaduna, and Abuja. This exploitation of legitimate dissent by criminal conspirators underscores the need for greater vigilance and accountability in our political arena.

The gravity of Bashir Hadejiya’s confessions cannot be overstated. He has admitted to associations with sponsors of his treasonous activities, some of whom are said to reside in the very corridors of political power. It is particularly disconcerting to learn that links extend to a former Director of the Department of State Security Service (DSS). 

These connections are indicative of a broader systemic failure within our political and security institutions, which have allowed criminal enterprises to infiltrate our governance structures. The very individuals sworn to safeguard our nation’s security seem to be complicit, if not outrightly supportive, of these criminal factions.

Furthermore, the disturbing connection between Bashir Hadejiya's operations and stolen wealth from the Libyan Central Bank—specifically, bars of gold—reveals the complex and entrenched relationships between our national security, global economics, and the threats posed by international crime syndicates. 

These actions affect not just Nigeria, but our neighbors and the broader international community. We must recognize that transnational crime does not occur in isolation; it is part of a larger network of destabilization efforts that threaten peace and prosperity.

We must identify and dismantle not just the visible structures of criminal enterprise but also the invisible networks of political and economic complicity that allow these crimes to flourish. 

The involvement of individuals purportedly linked to high-ranking officials and former heads of security services is an indictment of our institutions. It reeks of corruption, collusion, and complicity that must be eradicated to restore faith in our government and its agencies.

We are particularly incensed by the fact that these criminal enterprises are being financed by individuals who, under the guise of legitimacy, are conspiring to destabilize our nation. While we remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting the rights to free speech and peaceful assembly, we will not tolerate the exploitation of our democracy for malignant purposes.

It is time for the Nigerian government to act decisively and without hesitation. We demand immediate action to apprehend all sponsors of Hadejiya's heinous activities and anyone linked to subversive behaviors directed against the Nigerian state. Inaction or half-hearted measures will only foster an environment ripe for more treason, more violence, and further dissent against our national sovereignty.

This is a moment that calls for a moral reckoning. The Nigerian state must assert its authority against all threats and subversive activities, whether they arise from internal dissidence or external criminal networks. The silent majority of this country—law-abiding citizens who seek peace, prosperity, and a secure future for themselves and their children—demand accountability. Our collective security and future depend on the swift apprehension and prosecution of all individuals associated with these alarming acts of treachery. 

At this juncture, we urge the government to go beyond mere rhetoric. We implore our leaders to enhance inter-agency collaboration for intelligence sharing, bolster security protocols, and comprehensively investigate all persons implicated in these criminal acts—regardless of their political affiliation.

The time for complicity and silence has long passed. A collective effort is required to dismantle these threats and restore faith in our nation’s institutions.

The roles of the National Security Adviser, under Malam Nuhu Ribadu, and the Defence Minister, under Ministers Badaru Abubakar and Bello Mohammed Matawalle, are critical to our nation's security apparatus. Their collaborative efforts must be strengthened and robustly supported to effectively combat the multifaceted threats we face. It is through coherent strategies and shared goals that we can defend our nation and restore peace to our communities.

The fight against criminality is not just a responsibility of the government; it necessitates active engagement from every sector of society. Citizens must be vigilant, informed, and willing to collaborate with security agencies to foster an environment of trust and mutual support. Together, we can create a formidable front against those who wish to exploit our vulnerabilities.

As we take these stands, let us also remember that the true strength of our democratic ideals lies in accountability and transparency. 

The shameful activities exposed through Hadejiya’s arrest are a call to action. Let us not merely speak against such treasonous acts; let us take the necessary strides toward ensuring they are eradicated from our society altogether. The safety and integrity of Nigeria depend on it.

We stand united against the tide of criminality that seeks to engulf our nation. The fight against these subversive activities is a fight for our lives, our country, and our future. Let us insist that our government seizes this moment to fortify our institutions, root out corruption, and restore the faith of the Nigerian people in their leaders.