- Fela Anikulapo Kuti was freed from prison after serving two years for exporting foreign cash
- At least 70 soldiers killed in ambush in Borno state
According to Hajo Holborn, German-American historian (1902-1969), history gives answers only to those who know how to ask questions.
When we don’t inquire about the facts or the existence of something, we undoubtedly demonstrate our appreciation for willful ignorance. It is regarded as the initial phase of historical research.
The study of history is crucial for one’s own growth as well as for the development of society. Looking back or thinking about the past is something we do for educational and life-lesson purposes rather than because we are joyful or enthusiastic about the sad events or stories.
In an effort to uphold the tenets of history and bring historical events to the doorsteps of our esteem readers, WITHIN NIGERIA has highlighted two significant events that occurred on March 11th in the history of this country, Nigeria.
Fela Anikulapo Kuti was freed from prison after serving two years for exporting foreign cash
On this date, 23rd of March in 1984, Fela Anikulapo Kuti was released from prison after he was jailed for attempting to unlawfully export foreign currency, which he had drawn from his British bank account.
According to report, Fela Kuti violation a decree which was passed by General Muhammadu Buhari which stated that citizens who take out or bring in foreign currency into the country are liable to 10years in Jail. This decree was to curb money laundering by politicians and corrupt businessmen.
It was learnt that Fela had performed abroad and was paid in foreign currency in cash and had it on him on his return to Lagos. He was subsequently arrested for breaking the law and was prosecuted, found guilty and jailed.
Several human right groups pleaded that Fela Anikulapo Kuti should be pardoned by General Muhammadu Buhari despite acknowledging that the highlife legend violated the decree.
In 1984, Muhammadu Buhari’s government, of which Kuti was a vocal opponent, jailed him on a charge of currency smuggling. Amnesty International and others denounced the charges as politically motivated. Amnesty designated him a prisoner of conscience, and other human rights groups also took up his case.
At least 70 soldiers killed in ambush in Borno state
On this date, 23rd of March in 1986, At least 70 Nigerian soldiers killed in militant ambush in Borno state.
According to military officials, at least 70 soldiers were killed in a militant ambush near the village of Gorgi (Borno state) on Monday evening (local time), March 23.
The convoy was reportedly en route from Maiduguri to launch an offensive on camp affiliated with the Islamic State-West Africa Province (ISWAP) when it was attacked with rocket-propelled grenades and other heavy weaponry.
As of Tuesday, March 24, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, and it remains unclear whether the ambush was perpetrated my members of ISWAP or Boko Haram, both of which are active in the region.