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Members of the House of Representatives have taken up the case of the dead corps member. Photo: NAN

Reps want posthumous national honour for slain youth corp member

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Members of the House of Representatives on Thursday expressed anger over the rape and murder of a youth corps member, Grace Adie Ushang in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, last month.

They, however, summoned the Director General of the National Youth Service Corps, Maharazu Tsiga, to the House to explain the incident. They also asked the Inspector General of Police, Ogbonna Onovo to identify and arrest the perpetrators of the act.

The lawmakers also agreed that Miss Ushang should be given a posthumous award because she died serving her nation.

Graduates of Nigeria's tertiary institutions are obliged to spend a year on national service.

Paul Adah (PDP, Cross River) had, in a motion, said Miss Ushang was serving with El-Kanemi College of Business Administration on September 27. He said the deceased left the Corpers' Lodge, around Customs area of the state capital, at about 6.30 pm on the day of her death in search of food within the neighbourhood - only for her corpse to be found beside a nearby river at about 8.00 pm.

Mr Adah said the windy weather in Maiduguri that day provided a cover for Miss Ushang's assailants to assault and murder her in cold blood.

The lawmaker added that he was worried that the assailants attacked her on ground that she was wearing a Khaki Trouser, the official uniform of youth corps members which they considered as indecent dressing.

He also said that the medical report confirmed that Miss Ushang was physically assaulted, thereby sustaining grievous injury which resulted in her death.

The lawmaker, who represents the dead youth corper's constituency in Cross Rivers State, said when the incident took place, her colleagues planned a reprisal attack but were prevailed upon not to do so to avoid chaos.

He said youth corps members should be given heroic treatment anywhere they serve, stressing that the people of Obudu where Miss Ushang hailed from do so always.

Mr Adah urged the House to condemn the act, saying it is a crime against humanity. He also called on the security agencies to "identify and arrest the perpetrators of this devilish act, by making them to face the wrath of the law with a view to serving as a deterrent to others; commiserate with the people of Cross River; and call on the NYSC to adequately compensate the family of the deceased as she died serving her nation." Mohammed Ndume (ANPP, Borno) said he regretted the incident, but called for the deletion of the issue of weather from the motion since, according to him, it is not peculiar to Borno State. His request was overwhelmingly rejected.

Unanimous condemnation

Saadatu Sani (PDP, Kaduna) condemned the incident and asked that women be protected adequately. She also sought an amendment to the motion, asking that the NYSC director should appear before the joint committees of Women Affairs and Human Rights.

Patrick Obahiagbon (PDP, Edo) described the incident as unfortunate. He said it happened when there was a national debate over the continued desirability and viability of the youth scheme. Mr Obahiagbon called for the amendment of the motion to read "we note with outrage the assault and murder of the youth corps member." Chinyere Igwe (PDP, Rivers) insisted that the perpetrators of the act must be brought to book. The House rejected an amendment that youth corps uniform should be designed in such a way that its takes into consideration the interest of various groups like religion and culture.

The motion was unanimously adopted when the Speaker, Dimeji Bankole put it to vote.

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Reader Comments (67)


Posted by Stanley A on Oct 09 2009

It's barbaric. What right do those malls have. First it was Boko Haram,now,this. The perpetrators should be brought to book,or else.....

Posted by Emem Ndatah on Oct 09 2009

This is unfair! I suggest that orientation be given to the notherners about NYSC. They should be told who corp members are, what they do, how to identify them, the need to protect them etc. Please fellow northern citizens of Nigeria, as you are entitled to your religion, so are others. Let us learn to respect each other's way of life. We all serve one God Almighty and may He judge the death of this dear one. Ajuaya! RIP!

Posted by Mej on Oct 09 2009

Its about time NYSC is terminated

Posted by Lee on Oct 09 2009

Let's be reasonable. Is this the first time female corpers wil wear trousers? Is there a history of molestation of female corpers in the North? I served there and never witnessed anyone molesting a female corper because of trousers.

Posted by Pius on Oct 09 2009

This is not the first time corps member is killed in the north.What do you expect from people that still encouraged themselves not to embrace western education.Those who are benefiting from the NYSC scheme(i mean looting) should be sincere in answering this question;Is NYSC really bringing about national unity? I think NYSC should be scrapped.We all remember the three killed in Jos by those animals who think they are doing the right thing to stop enemies of Islam. The northern Islamic extremists love killing,this will continue until their 'Ulamas' start telling them the truth.SHAME SHAME SHAME on you,learn from the Yoruba Muslims who are educated.

Posted by conscience on Oct 09 2009

Northerners, especially the moslems, are naturally backward people.Their youths hide under the evil umbrella called islam, and perpertrate all kinds of crimes! What kind of religion permits its followers to rape women as 'punishment'? These people seize every little opportunity to create religious violence and seek every opportunity to satisfy their sinister lusts in RAPING WOMEN IN THE NAME OF ALLAH? God will judge you if that is what your koran tells you.

Posted by erukuso on Oct 09 2009

this is the highest level of cold blood murder. Hope the police will unravel the people behind this. Nothing was heard again about Dele Giwa case.

Posted by miracle Omotayo on Oct 09 2009

Very Sad i must say.I want the state NYSC Director to apologise to the family & relative of the deceased personally in their home wherever they might be living now.IF violence is the only language some ignorant northerner understand in a decent environment,then we need to look at the NYSC SCHEME critically.

Posted by tinu gray on Oct 09 2009

Why are these northeners so very backward. really, they're just drawing this nation back, yet you have them in all those places of authority. imagine kiiling a corper because she's wearing khaki trousers!!! ridiculous indeed. i really think the nysc scheme has lost its usefulness and should be scrapped. its just a waste of one year of a corper's life.

Posted by ikeji on Oct 09 2009

I must comfirst it's very bad for a corper to be rapt to death,is it not yet time for the so call government to look into the insanity of the islamic worshipers? to me i think the so call NYSC should be scrapped or let corpers serve in their different states of origin.After all most of the female Northerners don't go to other states to serve, they school and remain in their states.

Posted by Henry on Oct 09 2009

Generally speaking, I think the Northern Muslims in Nigeria have a lot to learn from the Southern Muslims. I must say that this country has a lot to benefit from Southern Muslims if they can free their Northern brothers from ignorance and blindness. Much Respect to the Southern Muslims!

Posted by Monte on Oct 09 2009

The NYSC should seriously be re-packaged and due accountabilities established....I am of the opinion that it be made voluntary......Though I had a ball during my service year....largely due to the fact that I lived on my own terms and not strictly by NYSC rules.......but seriously.....the hostility of some communities both in the North and South towards corp-mempers did not start today.....we really need to re-evaluate the whole NYSC thingy!!!!!.....has anyone even tried to quantify/qualify the gains and progress made so far?.....anybody tracking this......or we are just brainlessly rubber stamping based on the practices of yore.....?

Posted by kunlala on Oct 09 2009

Can we request from the NYSC director General, to show Nigerians an anual death rate of Youth Corps members who lose their lives all in the name of serving their nation. Pls scrap that programme, at least make it voluntary and give members the right to decide where they want to be posted!!!

Posted by adebayo ojo on Oct 09 2009

Why? Northern muslim extremists when would you stop killing fellow humans all in the name of Allah.

Posted by melsiy on Oct 09 2009

nysc should be scrapped lives are being lost for no reason corpd die on their way to camp,at their place of posting and on their way back through all sorts of ways ranging from accidents to rape and murder. It should be scrapped.

Posted by lron c on Oct 09 2009

sentiments, sentiments,sentiments! it sells more than anything in naija. why should that lawmaker brought issue of wearing trouser in this incident? there are criminals in every society so i beleive she just fell a victim of such criminals. northern ladies also wear trousers and they can be seen in the north all over and infact has any female christian complain of harrasment because of trouser before? corper or not. people are just ignorant of fellow citizens lifestyle nysc existed for more than three decade and a lot of southerners served in the north and nobody ever killed because wearing trouser. the lawmaker should apologise to the northerners and stop being an ALARMIST.

Posted by jide on Oct 09 2009

Again, we must be very careful here! Caution,check yourselves, attitudes and be aware of any prejudices you may have. Have the assailant/s been identified? Can we then presume that they were Northerners/Hausa/Muslims/extremists or local people. Is it possible that a fellow corper or kinsman of the victim was involved? Suppose the perp is Yoruba? Next we must beware of tarring everyone with a broad or the same brush. Comments by tinu gray and conscience are totally uncalled for. What would the Yorubas be backward animals then? Our reactions always so fleeting and emotive are usually unproductive. The Reps want a posthumous award for her-really? The issue is much deeper and difficult than that. Nigeria is an unsafe environment in many ways. I advise the onus be on the individual/individuals to keep one as safe as possible till our circumstances improve. Predators abound. There is safety in numbers. Be your brothers keeper. This was a reason for my not serving outside of my home base. Despite these precautions, one still had a close shave. Most importantly, it is important to learn to channel our emotions and reactions in a more constructive way. (disclosure: jide is Yoruba)

Posted by Ola04 on Oct 09 2009

My mouth dropped open when I saw this... I think its so sad that a young women should be so brutally treated whilst in service to her country. For what it's worth, I don't think the NYSC should be scrapped; for some it will be the only time they move out of their own environment or "comfort zone". It is good for us to be familiar with different parts of our nation. It should not be totally scrapped, but totally modified. When Nigeria betters itself (which I still believe it will), we will begin to see the benefit of serving our country this way. However, in the meantime, my thoughts are with the family and friends of Grace Adie Ushang. Please let us also be careful of demonising entire tribes/religions. We don't even know for sure who is responsible for this awful atrocity.

Posted by Kay-kay 231 on Oct 09 2009

How can one hide under religion and commit evil. That's bad. It's inhuman. The lawmaker that came up with wearing trouser should be ask to leave. Let him check his house well.

Posted by imiava tendency on Oct 09 2009

Irrespective of what comments we make, certain things remain facts: That a female corper has been kiled in cold blood, that she is a human being who bubbled with life before meeting with a violent end, That she is the daughter, sister niece and friend of some family and that and such family right now are in deep anguish. It is also a fact that she was killed in the Northern part of Nigeria, making it yet another death in the long gory statistics of similar acts. That as usual, we will make sympathetic noices and then move on. Do you remember Akaluka, Olabumi, fisayo, Ikenna among so many others? THEY WERE ALL KILLED IN THE NORTH WHILE ON NYSC. Is is not clear that its not just the NYSC that is simply not working? the Nigerian gambit simply isnt working. We continue to pretend that we are one but everyday, our differences are projected morbidly through the blood of innocent youths. Grace, may your matayred soul rest in peace and may God help your family bear the pain. The bell has tolled for Grace today, we know not for whom it might toll tommorow. Much more blood will flow before we foolish South realise that we must break up this psuedo union by force.

Posted by Isaac Akins on Oct 09 2009

This incident is to say the least unfortunate. It only underscores the importance of the debate weather this country should continue to exist as one entity. We clearly dont beleive in the same ideals. The clarion call to the IGP to arrest the perpetraitors of the dastardly act once again brings to fore, the efficiency of our police. No statement has been made by them since the event. We only hope Ogbonna Onovo will not demand for video evidence to assist him apprehend the killers. The lawmakers also have failed us once again. one of them actually moved a motion that corp members attires should be designed to suit the communities they are posted to. for instance, a corp member posted to the north should probably be made to wear long skirts and an Ijab. Nigeria is a failed state. it cannot be redeemed.

Posted by Kenny on Oct 09 2009

Kano and Kaduna used to be the melting point of religious madness in the North of Nigeria. Now Borno and Bauchi areas appear to be competing to out do the others. Why can't people have value for human lives? We must stop calling this thing religious extrimism. They enjoy it that way. It is religious primitivism and outright barbarism.

Posted by Okechukwu on Oct 09 2009

I know it well that this country is not one, is it not the same state were they call infidels, is it not the same state that thinks that Sharia and religion has made them holier than the rest? What are they doing in the leg of a woman by force? This people should not be part of civilised Nigeria, you are not happy that one is waering trouser, then you go ahead and rape her? Where is the religion you think you know, who is the infedel and evil among us? Our politicians should stand and talk and make a decision and seperate us from this blood testy animals in human cloths.

Posted by Siraj on Oct 09 2009

You are at it again tribalism, that is why we are were we are today in Nigeria. How many female corp members serve at the north and how many of them are killed? How sure are you that the deceased corp member was not killed by the southerner? and how many northern corp members died in the south as a results of robery and other southern vices. It is time to put this illiterate thinking of yours behind and use the little education you have to make an unbias analysis of matters like this if really you are looking for a Nigeria you want to be proud to have.

Posted by Amazing grace on Oct 09 2009

it's sad story. Grace Adie Ushang may your soul rest in perfect peace. For the killers, I leave you in the hands of God

Posted by tjazzy on Oct 09 2009

I served in a riverine hamlet that was at least 4hours (through the creeks or through a swampy footpath) from civilization, and with a reputation for hostility towards strangers. NYSC posted six of us there, and made us understand that if we would just say the word, we would all be pulled out to a better place because as far as they were concerned, the place was unfit for human habitation, they actually left the boat engine running while they were there and took off after a 10 minute visit. My colleague was pulled out after 3 months - she had cerebral malaria and was hallucinating, I pulled out after 4 months - The same malaria problem. The island had no hospital. The other 4 boys managed a bit longer. But due to the complaints from my batch, no one from the batch after us was posted there. If the Bayelsa state NYSC could achieve that, I wonder why the National NYSC can not flag some states as inhospitable and just stop sending young graduates there to die. It really doesn't require much thought, or don't they have children too?

Posted by Lala Kelala on Oct 09 2009

Someone is actually suggesting that they modify the nysc uniform to accomodate all religious leanings. Lol. Nigerian leaders never get the point. They love cosmetic solutions to problems.

Posted by Bolaji M. A on Oct 09 2009

It has now reaclhed d point where parents and family members dread their ward going for NYSC.If the service year will be moment of torture,uncertainty and apprehension for the family waiting for their ward i think it should be scrapped. Then there wont be arguments about prejudice,religious crisis and all . I am not a pessimist,but Nigeria can never be one given the number of tribes,languages,religions she has. My condolence goes to the family of the deceased,may God give them the fortitude to bear the loss.

Posted by Akanni on Oct 09 2009

This NYSC of a thing should be limited to states where there is sanity and neglect posting youths to the Northern states where they dont value human life and behave like mad cow. In fact, the crime rate in the northern states against humanity is becoming rampant. If this is not curb on time it could lead to anything in this nation. How can you kill another fellow human being because of dressing or religion or what have you. This is share craziness indeed. NYSC should stop posting people to the northern states because of their animalistic behavior "madness"

Posted by olusey on Oct 09 2009

can't nysc be terminated? it is causing more harm than good, the purpose of setting it up has been lost then what are we still doing with it? Secondly, i think it is hi time the notheners know that this world does not belong to them alone, it belongs to everybody and the earlier they understand that the better for them. My condolence to the family of the corp member. AJUAYA REST IN PEACE

Posted by A Bitter Nigerian on Oct 09 2009

This incident is not geographic, demographic or religiously inclined. It is an act by insane persons chasing brutally after there lustful desires posing under inexplicable guises. These brilliant Nigerians of usually poor status put their lives on the line for whom and indeed for what.. For a nation that can't guarantee them jobs after their service year and a nations whose shameless and insipidly - brainy legislator want the term weather removed from a motion of such magnitude on a trivial ground.. shame on you Nigeria.. First it was the death of corpers in Jos crisis and this...

Posted by Sho on Oct 09 2009

I'm so sorry that the poor girl lost her life in such a horrible way. May God grant her family the strenght to bear their loss. My view on this is that, I don't believe the crime was perpetrated because of the fact that she was in khaki trousers. Come to think of it, where did they get this report? Have the police apprehended anyone in connection with the crime or the actual perpetrators? So how can anyone actually know the motive(s) of the perps. I think they were just criminal-minded individuals that saw the poor girl alone and did what they did. It could have been anyone that did it not just the Northerners, but the probability of the perps being Northerners is very high. I hope those that did this are caught and made to pay for their crime. Nigerian Police please don't disappoint us...... this time!

Posted by Yinka on Oct 09 2009

Allah will judged all those who carried out the dastard act!!!

Posted by Omsy_Lagos on Oct 09 2009

Hmmmmmmm! Wat a shame? I can't imagine the shock and pain she must ve gone thru. Imagine serving your nation in a para military outfit, yet u are slain like a lizard. Those who kill in the name of their religious beliefs should know they are possesed, they are demons and agents of the devil. Nigeria will not progress with the blood of innocent citizens being shed by evil doers in the name of religion. I read that another idoit suggested a modification of the uniform, that person must be a very big fool, little wonder we not making progress. So why did the fool not recommend a change in military outfits for women.... One thing is certain, those who do this will continue to live like animals, they will never experience peace. How can? I imagine my service year and put myself or any of my friends then in her shoes. This is wickedness, these individual should be sent to the jungle where they can find animals like them and those who support them with useless excuses. God Bless her innocent soul. God give her parent patience and succour. God protect those of use who live a civilized life.

Posted by usanieja on Oct 09 2009

When will all these stop in the name of God, if Allah is the supreme, creator, the great i am. same thing with the christian, if God is supreme, the great iam. Let God fight and defend his name. If God or Allah is immortal, it therefore presupposes that, he is beyound humanity, humanity is subsevient to God, he is the substance of what ever exist, the forms in this physical world is a manifestations of the original. therefore we can gather that, what ever we do he is the Utimate, we should learn to allow Allah/God fight his supreme battles. Lets stop killing lifes we cant create in the name of Allah, or rather if we must kill, we should be ready to create, not procreate. Its amazing, what you do not have power to start lets not end abruptly.

Posted by igwe on Oct 09 2009

the perpetrators are not yet captured, but the reaSONS FOR THE RAPE AND KILLING OF THE CORPER IS already KNOWN. i think we should wait before reaching to conclusions.

Posted by Abu Abbani on Oct 09 2009

Its very unfortunate that this has to happen. There is no justification whatsoever. However, I think the Southern commentators should exercise restraint in what they say about the North. This is the most hospital part of this country and we respect everybody. It you choose to abuse us then those that perpetrate this will give them reason to continue. May God grant her family the fortitude to bear the loss.

Posted by EKE NNAWUIHE(INDONESIA) on Oct 09 2009

THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME.......WE ARE USED TO THIS KIND OF STORIES FROM THE NORTH.......NORTHERNER'S HATE SOUTHERNERS....BUT LOVE THEIR OIL AND GAS....THE NORTH IS FULL OF HYPOCRISY......THEIR LEADERS HIDE UNDER THE GUISE OF ISLAM.........AND REFUSE TO TELL THEIR PEOPLE THE TRUTH........THE NIGER DELTER WAR IS NOT OVER....YOU GUYS SHOULD WAIT AND SEE.

Posted by tayoa on Oct 09 2009

the lawmakers and authorities should wake up and make the relevant bodies address this reccurring decimal of religious intolerance; always by the northerner against the southerner, always by the moslem against the perceived unbeliever, always by the armed against the helpless. The intereligious councils, NSCIA, CAN, etc are always numb, always dumb.

Posted by Akintola Ola on Oct 09 2009

It was Plateau last year now its Borno! Let us put an end to this madness called NYSC. The govt should abolish it otherwise, it will lead to another disaster in the nation.

Posted by BAYO on Oct 09 2009

how did the lawmaker know that the victim was killed because she was wearing khaki trousers. where here eyewitness. useless lawmaker saying things you dont know

Posted by my redeemer liveth on Oct 10 2009

This house has collapsed. Only God can rebuild it.

Posted by Aliyu on Oct 10 2009

She was raped and Killed.(RIP) How can one conclude who did it? If the person is a muslim should all muslims be responsible?As the Kaduna SSG was Kidnapped and later released why should we blame all christains? At this morden age shouldnt individuals be judge and be responsible for their crimes?

Posted by adegoke israel on Oct 10 2009

The act is so devilish. i hear our lawmakers saying the pertrator to be brough to book. who is going to bring them to book? nigeria police? never. even more prominent personalty has been killed and assinated and the police is yet to find their killers. may God help us in this country.

Posted by oluwaferanmi on Oct 10 2009

As so many people have said, this is not the first time that people are being lkilled in the North. We all remember the story of the teacher who was killed by her students for throwing a bag that allegedly contains the quran to the floor. what happened to the killers? How many of them were brought to justice? It is not this act that is creating the problem. It is the notion by the perpetrators that they will be protected by their leaders who understand that their religion permits such killings. I gurantee that if the last Boko Haram Killings were just against Christians alone, with ten time more people killed, what the governor and Northern Elite will do will be to set up a useless committee. The North gets away with these murders under a warped assumption that it helps Islam that these 'infidels' are killed. On a broader scale, Nigeria's potential is being held down by the huge deficit in Human Capital the North has become. Incidentally, it is the North that depends on the NYSC the most for teachers. I served in one the North's giggestr secondart school and I was shocked at how behind they are in terms of education compared to other regions of the country. That is the why the North will not allow Federalism. It must yoke itself with other region or they will be lft far behind.

Posted by Ozi, Canada on Oct 10 2009

As I read this story, I shed tears for my dear country-Nigeria. Where on at earth in this new dispensation would a person responding to a national call be slained in cold blood as done in Nigeria? I am full of anger at the same time I am full of pity for my country-Nigeria. The following must be called for questioning by the House of Rep. about their knowledge of the killing: The head of the school where the deceased was serving, state police commisioner, state SSS director, the state governor, the state NYSC director, and the Imam of that constituency. Let peace reign. The Federal Government MUST compensate the family of the deceased adequately (she may have been the family bread winner)

Posted by Aisha on Oct 10 2009

It was verily unfortunate,and the whole boiling is that the incident took place in the north! Haba! If only we could be more sincere...how many of such events happened in other parts of this country? Yet no one blamed it on religion,the culprits are yet to be brought out& people are jumping at all sorts of sentiments. I put it to you all,that Grace was killed by her fellow southerners !!!

Posted by Bodyshaker on Oct 10 2009

Now is the time the NYSC programme should be embraced in the north. Nigeria is one and should be seen as such in the Northern part of this country. I pray that God almighty would grant the family of the slain lady the fortitude to bear the loss. Things like this suppose not to be happening anymore in this God blessed nation (Nigeria).

Posted by Ola on Oct 10 2009

Hmmm! Precisely, some of us that served in the north, we went, we saw and we escaped. On so many occassion, I witnessed cases of assult and intimidation, attempted rape, bitterness, hostility and even frustration by local law courts coupled with helpless police officers who can neither make arrest nor curb the activities of those bad boys in question because of fear of ambush and attack on their family. From my observation, it seems the system and even the society support their act because, nobody cares not even their chiefs or parents (if any). Corpers, especially ladies should be extra careful when serving in some northern states to avoid rape, stoning, molestation by students (even in classrooms). Be vigilant, and be your brothers' keeper. Dear slained Corper, rest in peace!!!

Posted by Ola on Oct 10 2009

Hmmm! Precisely, some of us that served in the north, we went, we saw and we escaped. On so many occassion, I witnessed cases of assult and intimidation, attempted rape, bitterness, hostility and even frustration by local law courts coupled with helpless police officers who can neither make arrest nor curb the activities of those bad boys in question because of fear of ambush and attack on their family. From my observation, it seems the system and even the society support their act because, nobody cares not even their chiefs or parents (if any). Corpers, especially ladies should be extra careful when serving in some northern states to avoid rape, stoning, molestation by students (even in classrooms). Be vigilant, and be your brothers' keeper. Dear slained Corper, rest in peace!!!

Posted by Adamu on Oct 10 2009

This unfortunate incident which has to be more clearer for me has nothing to do with religion at all.This cases happen on a daily bases in Lagos and many cities in the south without comments at all. Pleasr stop all this noises and let's find the killer in the first place.

Posted by Fikayo on Oct 10 2009

First off,am a muslim but the truth must be said,Northerners are nothing but a bunch of mad cows let loose.why would you kill someone just because she wore trousers?i have said it before that northerners should be made to serve in their respective states and leave them to kill themselves.a friend of mine was killed in Jos when they had the religious crisis last year.The poor guy was killed by his neighbours and incidentaly,he was the one who helped the child of the man who killed him when the kid was ill.i dont know why these northerners spoil the religion all in the name of God.Haba!!!u kill a human being and say Allahu Akbar?God will punish all of them.My heart goes out to the family of the poor girl that was killed,its really unfortunate.And what really pains me whenever things like this happen is that people will say "those muslims have started again" when we all know its nobody but these northern cows.let them go to skool so their dead brain can be resurected because as it is,the cows they breed even has more common sense than the average hausa/fulani man. God help us.To hell with these bloody northerners,let them all go and die!

Posted by Idris on Oct 10 2009

What's the phrase? ASSUMPTIONS make an ass out of u and me? As with almost all crimes in this country, I doubt if there was any hard evidence found at the scene to justify this lawmaker seeking cheap points and suggesting it had anything to do with the poor victim's dressing (I won't even go into the weather as that just further signals his need to just open his mouth on the issue). As for fellow Nigerians passing such insensitive and baseless comments, how ignorant can u be to assume that the locality of a crime automatically points to the perpetrator(s) of that crime OR that in a state where, if you would bother to check, you'd be surprised to find there are probably just as many Christians as there are Muslims, the predominant faith is automatically culpable..accusations of backwardness from individuals cursed with the inability to make rational and impartial judgment is at best laughable.. for how can you be upset by foolishness based on ignorance. That, in my opinion, deserves far more scathing words than just being backward. This poor girl, may her soul rest in peace, was raped and the murder, if I am to take a page out your book on stupid assumptions, was a consequence of that LUSTFUL crime. No matter how ignorant you are of other people's faiths (I refer specifically to conscience here) I fail to see the connection. I am all for the unity of this country as my grievance lays at the feet of all our leaders that have collectively raped our treasures but reading these comments really makes me wonder if there is any hope. So many are misguided and parochial in thought, so many.

Posted by JasV on Oct 10 2009

According to Fela, these are "beasts of no nation" if I may add,they are beasts of; no civilization, no sexuality, no religion, hopelessness, no development, no salvation, no humanity, no education. Indeed these are dead bodies.

Posted by mr Timothy Udoh on Oct 10 2009

The death of miss Usang is unfortunate. Those that perpetuated it are neither Muslims nor Christians, but shameless infidels that have no respect for God and Man. When things like this happen let us not be quick to point fingers at Islam or Christianity as the reason for it. Not every person that calls on Allah or Jesus is a Muslim or Christian. There are many wicked people that live with and among us. If those that kill her did so because she was putting on Trousers, then why did they rape her?, is that what Islam ordered? certainly not. They did it to satisfy their own evil desire, and they will certainly pay for it. I suggest that Miss Usang should be given a National Burial, well publicized and attended by, the Borno State Governor, the Cross River State Governor, The Senate President, the DG NYSC, and her representative in the House etc.

Posted by Adebayo on Oct 10 2009

It is disgraceful to read most of what commentators on this sad story have reduced the substantive issues to- against North against South, Muslims against Christians. I fail to see in the whole story how these self-imposed dividers are relevant in what happened. Where in the report has anyone of you shooting off read that a Northerner or a Muslim did it. And why the so-called Christians and Southerners always jump to wrong conclusions amazes me. Is this part of the teachings of your religion? Do you know the number of Southern and Christian criminals prowling in the North- or those Southerners and Christians- already caught and serving jail terms in various Northern states. It's high time your all got rid of your stupid notion that all crimes are committed in the name of a section of the country or in the name of religion. It is the senseless notion such as this that continue to drive us backward and perpetuating the mess we are in. I'm sure that those 'Southern Christians' are deluding themselves that youth corper has never been killed in the south.

Posted by Rasheed Ahmed on Oct 10 2009

Although it is still unconfirmed, because the killers are yet to be apprehended, and so their motive for now is still a misery, but if it is confirmed that the reason for killing this lady was for wearing trouser which offends their religious dressing code, then all Muslims must speak up to condemn this dastard behavior. It is the height of ignorance, barbarism and insanity! All these killings in the name of religion must stop. Religion is a state of the mind. It is supposed to be a compass of our relationship with and our submission to the will of our creator. When you are at peace with your inner-self, then the peace in you will radiate outside and reflect in your dealings with people. If Islam is the submission to the will of God, how can these mentally disturbed bigots from the North justify that wearing of trousers or some other person’s belief in other religion offends them? They pretend to know more about Islam than the rest of the country, but the reverse is true. They have just exposed their lack of knowledge about the religion by carrying out acts in contradistinction to what the religion preaches. When it comes to applying the moral code to their everyday lives, they are no better than non-Muslims. Islam says, don't kill, protect strangers and women among other injunctions. If they don't abide with these teachings, how can they be true Muslims? If the people who introduced the religion to their fore-fathers are murderers like them, would they embrace the religion? That should tell them there is something wrong in their approach to the religion. But they lack wisdom and reason.

Posted by sasanya folasade on Oct 11 2009

this is not fair the agony parent face in the name of unitying the nation.please do you see Northerners in the south or eastern part of this nation?.they never leave their domain;yet the southerners and easterners become their ram.Parent have to keep interceding until the return of their wards.IS THIS CAUSE REALLY WORTH THE WHILE?Our leaders only pay lip service and bury all issues.MAY GOD HAVE MERCY ON THIS NATION.

Posted by Anadi from Lagos on Oct 11 2009

It is heartbreaking to go through the hardness of University education and end this way. It is heartbreaking to imagine what Miss Ushang was made to go through for choosing to serve her fatherland. It is saddening to see how insensitive our leaders can be in matters of this magnitude. I don't want to draw any conclusion on the source and the motive of this heinous act but I simply would condemn the act in its totality and call on the leadership of this Nation to do the same by standing by the family of this lady and compensating appropriately. More so, the Nigerian Police should be mandated to fish out those who committed this crime and bring them to book. It is all overwhelming but my heart goes out to the family of this lady. May the Good Lord comfort, strengthen and see them through this grieving moment.

Posted by Angel Eyes on Oct 22 2009

It is astonishing that at this day and age, people still hide under the guise of religion to commit unspeakable acts of crime. Was Miss Ushang the 1st lady corper to wear her uniform in that region? Why then was she singled out for rape and murder? Any religion that has no tolerance for others around them who do no practice their religion, is absolutely diabolical, and I do not think that the Islam founding fathers had that intention. What has been done to Miss Ushang is unforgivable. I for one would hesitate to send my children to any part of the country where they might me mistreated or abused or harmed in any way because of the clothes that they wear. I think that our legislators should make more stringent laws to tackle the issues, and not attempting to pass frivolous laws like the indecent dressing bill being touted by Senator Ekaette. I hope she realizes that the perpetrators of this crime will hide under her bill to commit more crimes against women, and indeed humanity, if the bill actually becomes law. As a mother, she should be advocating women's rights and protection, not proposing bills that will expose them to harm. I pray the Family of Miss Ushang will have the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.

Posted by poshy on Oct 26 2009

"My people perish for lack of knowledge". This is not even religion, its not ignorance on rampage, its perverseness.



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