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Brigadier General Enitan Ransome-Kuti: The Nigerian Officer Who Faced Court-Martial and Redemption

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The story of Brigadier General Enitan Ransome-Kuti — his trial, demotion, reinstatement, and retirement after a turbulent episode in Nigeria’s war against Boko Haram.

The Officer and His Lineage

Brigadier General Enitan Ransome-Kuti is a retired Nigerian Army one-star general, best known for his controversial 2015 court-martial. He comes from one of Nigeria’s most distinguished families — the Ransome-Kutis — whose legacy blends military service, activism, and cultural influence.

He is the son of Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti, the renowned human rights activist, and a nephew to Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, the legendary Afrobeat musician. His family has long been associated with advocacy, defiance of oppression, and a firm sense of national duty — traits that shaped Enitan’s own military journey.

The Baga Incident and Court-Martial

The turning point in Ransome-Kuti’s career came in 2015, during Nigeria’s ongoing battle against the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East. At the time, he served as the Commander of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), stationed in Baga, Borno State.

In January 2015, Boko Haram launched a massive offensive on Baga, overrunning the MNJTF base and seizing military equipment, including tanks and weapons. The attack — one of the deadliest in the insurgency’s history — resulted in the deaths of many civilians and soldiers, forcing the Nigerian Army to retreat.

Following the incident, Brigadier General Ransome-Kuti and several officers were arrested and court-martialed for alleged “cowardice, failure to perform military duties, and loss of equipment to the enemy.”

The Trial and Conviction

The General Court-Martial convened in Abuja in October 2015. After several months of proceedings, Ransome-Kuti was found guilty of negligence and loss of equipment, though cleared of cowardice — a charge that carries severe moral stigma within the military.

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He was dismissed from service and sentenced to six months’ imprisonment.

The decision sparked widespread public debate. Critics, including notable figures like Prof. Wole Soyinka, argued that the general had been unfairly punished for systemic military failures rather than personal misconduct. Many saw the trial as a scapegoating attempt amid public outrage over Boko Haram’s territorial gains at the time.

Reversal and Reinstatement

In March 2016, the Army Council reviewed Ransome-Kuti’s case and overturned the dismissal, describing it as “unwarranted humiliation.” His sentence was reduced to a demotion from Brigadier General to Colonel, and he was reinstated into the Nigerian Army.

Media outlets such as PM News, The Punch, and Vanguard reported that his reinstatement followed appeals from senior officers and a reconsideration of evidence showing that Ransome-Kuti had repeatedly requested reinforcements and logistical support before the Baga attack — requests that went unanswered.

This development was seen as a rare moment of military accountability and institutional correction, as it acknowledged the complexities of Nigeria’s counter-insurgency challenges.

Retirement and Legacy

Brigadier General Enitan Ransome-Kuti retired in 2017, concluding an eventful and controversial military career. Despite the ordeal, he retained significant respect among peers and human rights advocates who viewed his case as symbolic of the Nigerian military’s internal struggles — between integrity, politics, and accountability.

His story remains a compelling chapter in Nigeria’s fight against terrorism, reflecting the sacrifices and systemic flaws within the armed forces during one of the nation’s most difficult security crises.

A Family of Resilience

The Ransome-Kuti family’s history is steeped in national service and courage. From Reverend Israel Oludotun Ransome-Kuti, a pioneer educator, to Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, one of Nigeria’s most influential women’s rights activists, and Fela, the outspoken musician who used his art for political resistance — the family has continually embodied the spirit of defiance against injustice.

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Enitan’s military trial, though tragic, adds another dimension to this legacy — one of resilience amid adversity and duty under pressure.

Brigadier General Enitan Ransome-Kuti’s case highlights both the heroism and hardships of Nigerian soldiers on the frontlines. His story underscores the importance of institutional support, fair justice, and recognising the human realities behind national security. In the broader context of Nigeria’s military history, it serves as a reminder that leadership and loyalty are often tested not in triumph, but in trial.

References

1. Premium Times Nigeria (2015) – “Nigerian Army Dismisses, Jails Army General for Losing Equipment to Boko Haram.”

2. Vanguard News (2015) – “Why We Jailed Gen. Ransome-Kuti – Army.”

3. PM News Nigeria (2016) – “Demoting Gen. Ransome-Kuti an Unwarranted Humiliation, Says Soyinka.”

4. Punch Newspapers (2016) – “Army Panel Reinstates Brig. Gen. Ransome-Kuti.”

5. CGTN Africa (2015) – “Nigerian Army General Jailed for Cowardice.”

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Tinubu, Kaduna gov, Saraki mourn Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi

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Tributes continue to pour in across Nigeria following the passing of the revered Islamic scholar, Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, with prominent political leaders describing his death as a monumental loss to the Muslim world.

The late scholar died in the early hours of Thursday.

President Bola Tinubu says he received the news of the death of Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi “with profound sadness and a deep sense of loss.”

The President noted that the revered cleric, who died at 101, was “a moral compass who dedicated his life to teaching and preaching.”

A Thursday statement signed by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, revealed this.

Describing the loss as “monumental not only to his family and teeming followers but also to the nation,” Tinubu recalled “the blessings and moral support he received from the late Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi in the run-off to the 2023 election.”

He further said, “Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi was a teacher, a father and a voice of moderation and reason. As both a preacher and a notable exegete of the Holy Quran, he was an advocate of peace and piety. His death has created a huge void.”

The President condoled with the scholar’s followers nationwide and beyond, urging them to honour his memory by upholding his teachings of “peaceful coexistence, strengthening their relationship with God and being kind to humanity.”

Also, Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, said he received the news “with deep sorrow”, describing the Sheikh as “an extraordinary spiritual guide whose life reflected the highest values of Islam: knowledge, humility, peace, and unity.”

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He noted that the late scholar’s teachings “shaped generations, strengthened the Tijjaniyya community, and enriched Islamic scholarship across Nigeria and beyond.”

Praying for Allah’s mercy on the scholar, the governor asked that the Almighty grant him “Al-Jannatul Firdaus, forgive his shortcomings, and comfort his family, students, and all who drew guidance from his exemplary life.”

He added that “his legacy of devotion and service to humanity will continue to illuminate our path.”

Meanwhile, former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, also expressed deep sadness, describing the deceased as “a colossus of Islamic scholarship and a spiritual father to millions.”

Saraki, taking to X, noted that Sheikh Dahiru lived “a long, blessed life, spanning a century, spent wholly in the service of his Creator and the propagation of the teachings of the Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah of Prophet Mohammed.”

He highlighted the scholar’s impact on Islamic education, stating that “through his Almajiri schools and famous Tafsir sessions, he ensured that the words of the Almighty were not just recited, but imprinted in the hearts of millions of young people across our nation.”

Saraki also offered condolences to his family, the Sultan of Sokoto, the people of Bauchi State, the Tijjaniyyah adherents, and the wider Muslim Ummah.

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Minister, deputy senate president mourn Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi

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The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, and the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, have mourned the passing of renowned Islamic cleric, Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi.

In a statement released on Thursday signed by his spokesman, Alkasim Abdulkadir, the minister expressed deep sadness over the death of the revered scholar, describing him as “a man of character and quiet service.”

Tuggar said he joined the late cleric’s family, students, and members of the Tijaniyya community in Nigeria and across the world in grieving the loss.

“The minister extends his heartfelt condolences to the immediate family, the people of Bauchi State, and all those touched by his passing,” Abdulkadir said.

Tuggar hailed Sheikh Bauchi as a figure whose life was defined by devotion to community, peace, scholarship, and faith.

“The minister described the late Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi as a man of character and quiet service, whose life was marked by devotion to community, peace, scholarship, and faith. During his lifetime, he significantly contributed to shaping Islamic knowledge, as well as the moral and ethical standards of modern Nigeria,” he added.

The minister noted that the cleric made significant contributions to Islamic knowledge, as well as to the moral and ethical development of modern Nigeria.

He prayed that Almighty Allah forgive the scholar’s shortcomings, grant him Aljannatul Firdaus, and give his family, students, and followers the strength to bear the great loss.

Similarly, the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, expressed grief over the passing of the respected Islamic leader.

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In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, Barau described the cleric’s death as “a huge vacuum that will be difficult to fill,” praising his decades of dedicated service to Islam, humanity, and the global Muslim community.

He said Sheikh Bauchi influenced millions across Nigeria and beyond through his teachings, scholarship, and exemplary leadership.

The statement read, “I mourn the passing of our renowned Islamic scholar and leader, Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, a great icon of Islamic scholarship whose light shone on millions of Muslims across Nigeria and beyond.

“Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi’s lifetime of service, his dedication to the Qur’an, tireless preaching, spiritual leadership of the Tijaniyya movement, and his work in establishing Qur’anic schools and humanitarian outreach changed lives and strengthened the faith of generations.

“His scholarship and commitment to advancing Islamic education and moral values were a beacon for millions. He was more than a scholar; he was a father, teacher, and guide to many.”

Barau, who also serves as the First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, extended his condolences to the cleric’s family, students, the Muslim Ummah, and all who benefited from his teachings.

He prayed to Allah to forgive the scholar’s shortcomings, grant him the highest ranks in Jannatul Firdaus, and comfort his family and followers.

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Dele Olojede: Nigeria’s Pulitzer Prize-Winning Journalist and Advocate for Press Freedom

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Dele Olojede, born in January 1961 in Modakeke, Nigeria, is a distinguished journalist, editor, and publisher whose career has spanned nearly four decades across more than 100 countries. He is widely celebrated as the first African recipient of the Pulitzer Prize, awarded in 2005 for his groundbreaking coverage of the aftermath of the Rwandan genocide, and remains an influential voice in African and global journalism.

Early Life and Family

Olojede was born the twelfth of 28 children in Modakeke, a town in Osun State, Nigeria. He grew up in a large, vibrant family that valued education and civic engagement, laying the foundation for his future pursuits in journalism and activism.

Education and Early Career

Olojede attended the University of Lagos, where he studied journalism and became actively involved in the student union movement. During his university years, he was influenced by literary giants such as Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka, and Cyprian Ekwensi, as well as African writers like Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o. He also explored poetry in both Yoruba and English and participated in Shakespearean theatre productions, which helped hone his storytelling skills.

In 1982, Olojede began his professional career at National Concord, a Lagos-based newspaper owned by Moshood Abiola. Concerned about the newspaper’s political influence, he left in 1984. That same year, he became one of the founding staff writers for Newswatch, working under the late Dele Giwa, Nigeria’s renowned investigative journalist. His work at Newswatch included exposing injustices, such as securing the release of musician Fela Kuti from prison through a 1986 investigative report.

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Advanced Studies and International Career

In 1987, Olojede earned a Ford Foundation scholarship to pursue a master’s degree at Columbia University in New York, where he won the Henry N. Taylor Award for outstanding foreign student. He later became a dual citizen of Nigeria and the United States.

Olojede joined Newsday in 1988, initially as a summer intern, and progressed to cover local news, the United Nations, and eventually serve as Africa Correspondent based in Johannesburg after Nelson Mandela’s release. Between 1996 and 1999, he served as Asia Bureau Chief in Beijing before returning to New York as Newsday’s foreign editor.

Pulitzer Prize and Notable Work

In 2004, Olojede returned to Africa to cover the tenth anniversary of the Rwandan genocide. His series, which included the widely acclaimed story “Genocide’s Child,” examined the lives of survivors, particularly children born of war crimes. The series earned him the 2005 Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting, marking a historic milestone for African journalists.

Return to Nigeria and Civil Journalism

After leaving Newsday, Olojede relocated to Johannesburg, South Africa, with his wife and two daughters. In 2008, he returned to Nigeria to launch 234Next, a pioneering newspaper dedicated to exposing government corruption. Under his leadership, the publication upheld journalistic integrity by paying reporters a living wage and resisting political pressures. Despite its eventual closure in 2011 due to financial challenges, 234Next left a lasting impact on investigative journalism in Nigeria.

Legacy and Current Work

Beyond reporting, Olojede has played a significant role in journalism education and advocacy. He serves on the boards of EARTH University in Costa Rica and The Markup, a New York-based investigative journalism organization. He also founded and hosts “Africa In the World,” an annual festival in Stellenbosch, South Africa, designed to foster dialogue and global engagement on African issues.

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Dele Olojede’s career reflects a lifelong commitment to truth, justice, and the power of the press. From exposing injustices in Nigeria to documenting the aftermath of genocide in Rwanda, his work continues to inspire a generation of journalists and advocates across Africa and the world.

Sources:

Pulitzer Prize Official Website

Newsday Archives

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