Sunday 4 October 2015

Military: no amount of distractions ‘ll deter us from ending terrorism by December


The military yesterday said no amount of distractions would deter it from ending terrorism by December.


The Theatre Commander, Operation “Lafiya Dole”, Maj.-Gen. Yushau Abubakar, gave this assurance while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.


Abubakar was reacting to the recent spate of suicide bombings by suspected insurgents in some parts of the country.


He pointed out that the bombings were aimed at diverting the attention of the military from achieving its target in the anti-terrorism war.


“I want to assure all that for every second that passes, we get more committed to fighting the insurgents; we cannot be deterred.


“We are doing as much as we could to ensure that we completely eradicate the insurgents as quickly as possible because we are aware of the timeline within which to complete the task,” he said.


He said the military had already gotten clues about those involved in the recent suicide bombings in Maiduguri.


“We searched the houses and certain items that we recovered at the vicinity, gave us some clues,” Abubakar said.


He said although investigations had commenced on the clues, it would take time before reaching a conclusion.


“Investigation on those that we suspect are either participating or hiding, fuelling or conniving with those that carried out those acts, is ongoing.


“They will be exposed in due course,” Abubakar assured Nigerians.


He appealed to Nigerians to be security conscious to avoid future reccurrence.


“The citizens need to know that security is their personal responsibility as individuals.


“They must be able to secure themselves and doing so means they need to be security conscious.


“Any suspicious movement within the environment should be reported to security agents immediately,” he advised


Abubakar said the military was working on a strategy that would enable individuals pass vital information to security agents without being noticed.





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Army denies attack on Maiduguri, calls for calm


The military authorities in Maiduguri have denied that Maiduguri the Bornu State capital  was under attack on Sunday.


Residents of Maiduguri had reported heavy sound of explosions from some parts of the town on Sunday with the situation causing serious panic in the metropolis which has recently come under suicide attacks by some suspected members of the Boko Haram insurgents.


But the Spokesman of the 7 Division Nigerian Army Maiduguri Col. Tukur Gusau told our correspondent on phone in Maiduguri that the army was just test-running their equipment and called on the people not to panic.


“There is no attack in any part of Maiduguri as I speak with you today (Sunday). The sound the people are hearing is from our men. It is a routine check of our equipment and hardware.  We are testing our equipment as part of measures to ensure that they are in good shape so as to be alert and ready for any eventuality.


“We are however appealing to residents of Maiduguri not to panic but to remain calm. Maiduguri is not under attack. The military is fully in control.


“We are calling on the good people to always report any suspicious moment of persons around your neighborhood so as to separate the good people from these terrorists,” Col. Gusau said.


 





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Crocodile found in Niger presidential suite


A crocodile was found alive in the Niger State Presidential Suite in Minna where the Finance committee investigating the finances of the immediate past government in the state has been sitting.


The crocodile was discovered under a car of a guest lodging in the suite by some security men who came with another guest.


The discovery caused panic among workers at the secretariat of the finance committee, the housekeepers and cooks as they were unable to continue with their work.


The security men were able to catch the crocodile and took it away while the staff were calmed down and assured that it was not a usual incident .


The incident was confirmed by the Chief Press Secretary to Niger state Governor, Dr. Ibraheem Dooba who said that it was very unusual for a crocodile to be found in the Presidential suite as the area is not the kind of environment that a crocodile can be found.





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Security operatives keep watch at Abuja blasts scene


Two days after the multiple bomb blasts in Kuje, on the suburb of Abuja in which several people were killed and others injured, security operatives are still keeping vigil at the scene.


Business activities are still on hold as shops in the affected area are under lock and key.


Nobody is allowed to move close to the scene.


Residents and other passerby are still in shock over the incident.


The Democratic People’s Congress (DPC) on Sunday condemned the bomb blasts in a statement signed by the party’s National Chairman, Rev. Olusegun Peters.


“We vehemently denounce the killing of innocent Nigerians by misguided terrorists. It is outrageous, obnoxious, detestable and barbaric. Our hearts go out to the families that lost their loved ones.





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Flood sacks 33 villages in Niger


Thirty three riverine villages in Lapai Local Government area of Niger State have been sacked by flood from Rivers Niger and Kogi.


Fifteen of the affected villages are currently submerged by the flood, displacing residents of the villages while the access roads to 18 other villages have been washed off by the flood. Inhabitants of the worst hit villages are currently camping at Primary Schools in Arah and Dere villages under deplorable living conditions.


Domestic animals and multi-million Naira properties,which include residential buildings, schools, places of worship and vast farmland have been destroyed and washed away by the flood.


House of Representatives member representing Agaie/Lapai Federal constituency, Hon. Mohammed Abdulkadir Mahamud and his State House of Assembly counterpart for Lapai constituency, Hon. Adamu Hassan Abugi who paid a fact-finding visit to the affected areas on Sunday expressed concern for the victims.


The two legislators who are indigenes of the area assured the affected communities of state government determination to alleviate their sufferings by relocating them upland of banks of the two major rivers.


Addressing the displaced persons at Dere Primary School, Hon. Mahmud said the state governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello promised to come to the aid of the affected communities following a preliminary report sent to him.


“We have spoken to the governor of the degree of devastation caused by the flood and he (governor) has promised to come to our aid with a view to relocating our people upland. And I know that the governor will not disappoint us,” the lawmaker assured his people.


He also called for the take off of the Hydro-Electric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC) in order to address the annual flooding of the area.


“It is high time for states under HYPPADEC to come toigether and ensure the takeoff of the Commission, so that lasting solution could be found to this perennial flooding and protect our people from suffering annually as a result of flood,” Mahmud appealed.


Earlier the village head of Dere, Alhaji Idris Dere who recounted their losses said this year’s flooding was more devastating and called on the three tiers of government to come to their aid.





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Buhari visits survivors of Abuja bomb blasts


President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday in Abuja took succour to survivors of Friday night’s bomb attacks on Nyanya and Kuje in the Federal Capital Territory.


On a visit to the survivors of the attack who are receiving treatment at the Trauma Centre of the National Hospital, President Buhari wished them full and speedy recovery.


The President, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, also reassured the survivors that the Federal Government will take full responsibility for settling their medical bills.


He directed his Chief of Staff, Mallam Abba Kyari to settle the N268,790.00 medical bill of a young girl in the Pediatric Ward of the hospital.


The girl’s mother, Deborah Stephen, had broken into tears on seeing President Buhari.


She told him that her daughter had been shot by armed robbers who raided their home and that the family could not afford the medical bills.


The President who was accompanied by his personal aides and Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, visited the intensive care unit, the pediatric unit and general wards of the National Hospital.


Expressing his appreciation of the President’s visit, the Chief Medical Director of the National Hospital, Dr Jafaru Momoh said that it will help the patients’ recovery by giving them a greater psychological sense of being valued and loved by their country.


 





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13 killed in French floods


Violent storms and flooding have hit southeast France, killing at least 13 people with six more missing, officials said.


Three elderly people drowned when their retirement home near the city of Antibes was inundated with floodwater, the BBC reports.


Another three people died when the car they were in became trapped by rising water in a small tunnel.


French President Francois Hollande has thanked rescuers and expressed the “solidarity of the nation.”


He and Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve are due to visit the affected regions.


Heavy rain hit the French Riviera, which lies on the Mediterranean coast and borders Italy, on Saturday evening.


The city of Nice is estimated to have received 10 per cent of its average yearly rainfall in two days alone.


The river Brague burst its banks, sending water coursing into nearby towns and cities. Social media pictures showed water gushing down the streets of Cannes.


“Some cars were carried off into the sea,” said mayor Davis Lisnard.


“We have rescued a lot of people, and we must now be vigilant against looting.”


Rescuers at Mandelieu-la-Napoule are trying to find six people missing in underground car parks, emergency officials said.





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Enyimba will win NPFL – Amapakabo


Enugu Rangers head coach, Imama Amapakabo, has said six-time Nigerian champions, Enyimba, will emerge champions of the ongoing 2014/15 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season.


The People’s Elephant leads the 20-team Nigerian top flight with 58 points from 31 matches, supersport.com reports.


Amapakabo said the Aba-based club is the favourite to win an unprecedented seventh NPFL title.


“Enyimba is right now strongly dictating the pace at the top spot on the league table.


“I think the club is currently in pole position to win the league title for the seventh time.


“Though the remaining matches on the calendar will be quite crucial if the club will go ahead to win the trophy, ” the former Enyimba coach told supersport.com.


 





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U.S probes Afghan hospital bombing


President Barack Obama said the United States has launched a “full investigation” into air strikes that killed 19 people at an MSF-run Afghan hospital on Saturday.


The U.S military said a strike targeting Taliban in the northern city of Kunduz may have caused “collateral damage.”


Offering his “deepest condolences,” Mr. Obama said he expected a “full accounting of the facts” and would then make a definitive judgment.


According to the BBC, At least 12 MSF staff members and seven patients were killed in the incident.


The United Nations called the strikes “inexcusable and possibly even criminal,” with Secretary General Ban Ki-moon calling for a thorough and impartial investigation.


“International and Afghan military planners have an obligation to respect and protect civilians at all times, and medical facilities and personnel are the object of a special protection,” said UN High Commissioner, Ra’ad Al Hussein Zeid.


The hospital, run by the medical charity MSF, was severely damaged by a series of strikes lasting more than an hour from 02:00 local time on Saturday. Dozens were also injured in the attack.


MSF president Meinie Nicolai described the incident as “abhorrent and a grave violation of international humanitarian law.”


“All indications currently point to the bombing being carried out by international Coalition forces,” MSF said.





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Kane hails Dele Alli’s England invitation


Tottenham Hotspur star, Harry Kane, has said teammate Dele Alli merited his call – up to the England national team.


The Anglo – Nigerian midfielder will no longer be eligible to represent Nigeria if he is involved in any of the games against Estonia and Lithuania as the matches are competitive.


“I will probably spend most of my time with him there because we are Spurs and I want to look after him, make sure he settles in all right, ” allnigeriasoccer.com quoted  Kane as saying to thefa.com.


“I think he deserved his invitation because he has been outstanding for us this season.


“He has come in and for such a young lad, has settled very well. I am sure he is excited and everyone here is very proud of him. I don’t think he can wait to get going.”


 





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10 killed in Maiduguri explosions


At least 10 people were killed in multiple explosions that rocked Maiduguri, Borno State, on Sunday, locals said.


They told AFP that loud explosions were heard from the areas of Kayamla and Dalori, three days after Maiduguri was attacked by the insurgents, leaving 10 dead and many more injured.


“The explosions were heard from Kayamla and Dalori along Bama Road since around 7:00 am today,” Kursi Yusuf, an employee at the nearby University of Maiduguri, told AFP.


“We are not sure whether the terrorists are planning to invade the town, but the sound vibrating is devastating,” he added.


Khadija Mustapha, a resident of Dalori Quarters, 11 kilometres from Maiduguri, said she had fled her home with her three daughters for fear of being caught in the explosions.


“I don’t know what will happen. The sound of the explosives is really disturbing,” she said. “Many of us have vacated our homes.”


A military officer, who did not want to be named, confirmed the blasts, but said troops were on top of the situation.


“The terrorists will not have their way,” he told AFP.


 





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CAR president seeks tougher mandate for UN mission


Central African Republic’s interim President, Catherine Samba-Panza, on Saturday called for a tougher mandate for the United Nations’ mission, MINUSCA, and the disarmament of militias and rebels after more than 40 people were killed in Bangui, the country’s capital.


Samba-Panza, who returned early from the UN General Assembly in New York this week because of the unrest, also declared three days national mourning for the victims, starting on Monday.


The murder of a Muslim man last weekend rekindled sectarian violence that has plagued the mostly Christian nation of 4.5 million people since Muslim Seleka rebels briefly seized power in March 2013, Reuters reported.


Scores of homes were burnt, while shops and aid organisations’ offices were looted in the riverside capital, severely hampering humanitarian operations.


More than 40,000 people were displaced, according to UN figures, and the violence ended any hopes of holding elections scheduled for October 18.


Samba-Panza has blamed the latest unrest on supporters of former president Francois Bozize, who was ousted in 2013 by mainly Muslim rebels who fought under the umbrella group Seleka.


Many shops reopened on Saturday and people returned to the streets. Isolated acts of criminality were reported, however, and a night-time curfew remains in place.


 


 





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Saturday 3 October 2015

Ighalo saves Watford from defeat


•Nets 45th minute leveler


Super Eagles forward Odion Ighalo continued his goal scoring feat for Watford on Saturday as he grabbed a 45th minute equalizer for the side to avoid what perhaps would have ended as defeat by AFC Bournemouth.  The homers had shot into the lead in the 28th minute thanks to Glenn Murray who converted a brilliant assist from teammate Matt Ritchie.  The strike of course gave AFC Bournemouth bench and fans a lot to celebrate, but the jubilation was short lived when the Nigerian international rattled defenders just before the end of the first half to level scores at 1-1 in front of 11,187 spectators at the Vitality Stadium (Bournemouth, Dorset).


Although the hosts maintained 53% possession as against Watford’s 47%, the remaining half of the game failed to provide further goals for either side.


Prior to Saturday’s match, Ighalo, who has so far made about 41 appearances for the side with 24 goals in the kitty has recorded goals this season against Newcastle and Swansea respectively. He scored the only goal in Watford’s win over Swansea City and two goals in 2-1 away win over Newcastle.





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Kuje suspect came in a new motorbike, says eye witness


The mastermind of the Kuje bomb blast arrived the scene of the crime riding a new motorbike, it was learnt yesterday.


Also, the figure of casualty from the Kuje blast, it was learnt, far outweighs that of the Nyanya which happened about the same time.


While the country is still waiting for the official figures of victims, an eye witness said over 20 people may have died in the Kuje incident.


According to one Ya’u Umar, who claimed to have witnessed the blast, the suspected assailant came on a new motorbike.


Umar who was at the National Hospital to check on his friends who were affected by the blast said ? “The man brought the bomb on a new motorcycle at around nine o’clock in the evening.


“When he alighted from the motorbike, he told us that he was going to buy something and will soon come back.


“Just few minutes after, the bomb exploded.”


Umar also revealed that the impact of the blast was severe as many people died in the process; noting that about 20 dead bodies were counted as at yesterday morning.


He said most of the corpses were found far away from the blast scene.


He explained most of them tried to escape from the scene of the incident but unfortunately they couldn’t as they might have been hit by ?objects.


The eye witness who painted a horrific picture of the incident said some of the corpses were picked from the gutters and while some could have died as a result of shock.


He said, “From the time the incident happened to this morning, we counted over 20 dead bodies. Many people because of the shock of the bomb did not die there immediately, some while trying to run went and died inside gutters, others died while trying to run to their houses. Many dead bodies were found far from the scene of the incident.”


Also, at the National Hospital a middle age man was spotted attending to his seven- month old baby who was among those affected by the bomb blast and she is currently receiving treatment at the hospital.


The man who was not disposed to speaking to our reporter, it was learnt also lost his wife, and grandmother in the bomb blast.?


Meanwhile, nine bodies and 13 people who sustained various degrees of injuries from the blasts both at Nyanya and Kuje have been deposited at the National Hospital.


The spokesman of the hospital, Dr Tayo Haastrup, confirmed this. He said, “As at now, nine dead bodies from both the Nyanya and the Kuje bomb blasts have been deposited in our hospital.


“Also, 13 people who were brought alive with various critical degrees of injury are also in our hospital. The good thing is that those who were injured are under stable health condition and are currently being treated.”


 





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ABUJA BOMB EXPLOSIONS: 20 dead, 41 injured


The Federal Ministry of Health ýhas said that 20 people died in the Friday Abuja bomb blast.


According to Director Family Planning, Federal Ministry of Health, Wapada Balamiý, the 41 people injured are in the hospital receiving treatment from various degree of injuries.


He said, “The total number of persons who died are 20 and distributed as follows:  In Kuje, 15 persons died and in Nyanya five persons died.


“The total number of persons that were injured and were taken to hospitals by the first responders are as follows: From Kuje, we have 20 persons and from Nyanya, we have 21.ý”


ýThe breakdown of casualty according to him, “In Kuje, there were two locations that were affected. One is outside Kuje Police Station and the other is outside Kuje market.


“In Nyanya, the two locations were very proximal to each other, by road side in Jikwoyi exit along the side of the second Nyanya bridge and another within the surrounding market, just below the bridge.”


ýHe added, “The number of persons currently in hospitals: In Nyanya all the patients that came in were treated and discharged, in Kuje, we also treated and discharged all the patients. In Nyanya and Kuje hospitals, there are no patients currently there.


“In Asokoro General hospital we have seven patients currently on admission while in the National Hospital, we have 13 patients currently on admission. In Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital, we have four patients.”


“The inter agency collaboration has been very good between the first responders and this should be kept up.”


He also said that the identification of victims and the dead has also commenced through morbid and forensic means.


He said, their “relations will have access to the corpse of their loved ones immediately security clearance is concluded.”


He advised the public to desist from unfounded rumours.


He also assured that “the combine team of security agencies will continue to work in partnership to provide update to the public.”


Among the security agencies present include the representatives from the Commissioner of Police (FCT), Civil Defence, Road Safety, NEMA, FEMA and directors from the federal ministry of health.





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Don’t submit to terrorists’ blackmail- Atiku


Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urged Nigerians not to despair and give in to terrorists’ blackmail, saying the Boko Haram insurgents want to paralyze the country with fear and force Nigerians into submission.


In a statement from his media office in Abuja, the former Vice President said the recent bomb blasts in Kuje and Nyanya areas was Boko Haram’s psychological tool for intimidating and forcing citizens into surrender and inaction.


The former Vice President said it was evident that by targeting suburban Abuja, the Boko Haram terrorists wanted to persuade Nigerians to believe they are invincible, and thereby paralyse the country with fear and force it into submission.


While asking Nigerians not to be deceived by such desperate tactics by the Boko Haram militants that primarily target non-combatants or innocent and defenceless civilians, Atiku said the Boko Haram terrorists have been militarily degraded by the new offensive strategy adopted by the Muhammadu Buhari administration, which have sent the militants packing from towns and villages they previously captured and occupied.


He said further that the terrorists are bitter and frustrated that the Buhari administration is now taking the war to the enemy camp, which has forced them into disarray, explaining that the massive territorial losses suffered by the terrorists and the blockade of their weapons supply lines, have significantly reduced their operational capabilities in terms of direct confrontation with the counter-terrorism forces.


He argued that the obvious intention of the Boko Haram militants was to unleash their frustrations on innocent civilians to whom they have easier access, insisting that by targeting civilians, the terrorists’ main propaganda objective was to strike paralysing fear into the hearts of Nigerians in order to turn public opinion against the government’s genuine and robust efforts to neutralise and defang them.


The former Vice President stressed that the Boko Haram bandits were offering a last ditch resistance in desperate move to deceive Nigerians that they were invincible, adding that he was fully satisfied with the new rigorous and no-nonsense strategies introduced by the APC led Buhari administration.


He appeals to Nigerians not to despair in the face of the latest terrorist intimidation and harassment through the deliberate and indiscriminate destruction of lives and said he was convinced, given the sincerity of the Buhari administration, the country would see the back of terrorism.


He condole families of the victims, and his sympathies to the maimed and injured and call on Nigerians to be extra vigilant because terrorists exploit the slightest ignorance of the citizens about the behaviour, characteristics and stealthy moves of suicide bombers into unsuspecting crowds of people.





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Buhari vows to end violent extremism


President Muham-madu Buhari yesterday reiterated the determination of his administration to rid the country of extremism towards eradicating violence in the Nigeria.


He made the remark while speaking in Abuja after receiving briefing from a fact-finding team he sent to the parts of the Federal Capital territory which came under terrorist bombings on Friday evening.


According to him, for terrorism to be uprooted from the country, the society must be rid of violent extremism.


“The defeat of Boko Haram insurgency is in sight but to remove violence and make the country safe, we must tackle the prevalence of violent extremism. In doing this, we will learn from the experience of the international community,” President Buhari assured.


A statement by the Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, quoted the president as directing the security services to raise their surveillance activities to meet the challenges of a retreating, desperate terrorist army and for the general public to remain acutely aware of security in and around them.


He sympathised with the families of the victims as well as the families of the more than a hundred others who were killed in similar incidents a few days ago in Borno State.


The fact-finding team visited the Kuje and Nyanya bombing sites and visited victims of the incidents at the National Hospital and the Maitama General Hospital.


They inspected the wards and mortuaries and consoled grieving family members on behalf of the president.


The fact-finding team was made up of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir David Lawal, the Chief of Staff, Malam Abba Kyari, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health and that of the Federal Capital Territory as well as the police commissioner in charge of the FCT.


 





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ACF BLASTS AFENIFERE OVER FALAE, ATTACKS ON NORTH


The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) yesterday tore into the  Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, dismissing its statement  the  on the recent kidnap of former Secretary to the Federal Government (SGF), Chief Olu Falae, by  Fulani herdsmen as not only reckless but unbecoming of a group like Afenifere.


The ACF said that the Afenifere statement demanding the abolishment of nomadic cattle rearing, and criminalizing the Fulani on account of the action of a few, was out of place.


“Nigeria has over 250 tribes and Yoruba is just one of them. For it to threaten other tribes just because of an alleged crime of some suspected herdsmen is unnecessary, emotional and contrary to the spirit and letters of the Nigerian constitution which guarantees free movement and association of citizens in any part of the country,” ACF said in the statement signed by its   National Publicity Secretary, Mohammad Ibrahim.


It said it “is embarrassed and disappointed with the communique issued by the respected pan-Yoruba group, Afenifere, after its meeting of 29th September, 2015 held in Akure at the residence of its leader, Pa Rueben Fasoranti


“In November 2000 when some OPC hoodlums attacked Northerners in the Southwest region, ACF did not blame it on the Yoruba, rather it urged the government to arrest the perpetrators that committed the crime.


“ACF considers criminality in any form as a serious offence and strongly condemned the kidnapping of Chief Olu Falae a former presidential candidate of the joint ticket of APP/AD in the 1999 general election which the North overwhelmingly supported him.


“ACF has in the last six years consistently decried the insecurity situation in the country especially insurgency, kidnapping, ritual killings, armed robbery etc, but it has never blamed a tribe, people or region as responsible for such crimes, talk less of threatening their free movement or pursuit of their legitimate business and livelihood. The unity and peaceful coexistence of our people have always been the guiding principles of ACF in the Nigerian project above personal and emotional interests.


“ACF therefore appeals to Afenifere and all other socio-cultural organizations and individuals to always exercise some restraint and show maturity in reacting to situations in view of the complexity of our country.


“ACF equally calls upon the security agencies to not only intensify their effort in tracking down the kidnappers of Chief Olu Falae but also put in place preventive measures to forestall such frequent ugly incidents in the country.”


The ACF also expressed sadness over the multiple bomb explosions which rocked Maiduguri, Borno state, Nyanya and Kuje surburds of the FCT, Abuja last week, killing scores of innocent Nigerians.


 


 





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Abuja blasts: Female suicide bomber’s body recovered


The body of a female suicide bomber behind the Kuje attacks in the Federal Capital Territory has been located and taken to the National Hospital in Abuja for forensic analysis.


Also, as at 7pm, official confirmation indicated that 18 person were killed in the bomb explosions in Nyanya and Kuje.


The government also said 41 others were injured.


According to investigation by our correspondent, security agencies have discovered that a female bomber was used by Boko Haram to wreak havoc in Kuje.


A top security source said: “The said female bomber was wired by the insurgents. We were able to retrieve her corpse for forensic examination.


“The outcome of the forensic analysis may provide some intelligence for the military and security agencies.


“The corpse of the female bomber is already in the morgue at the National Hospital in Abuja.


“We have placed all the six districts in the FCT under 24-hour surveillance to ward off such invasion by the insurgents.”


Meanwhile, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) yesterday confirmed that 18 persons were killed in the explosions in Kuje and Nyanya.


It also said 41 people were injured bringing the number of victims to 59.


The Abuja Zonal Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ishayah Chonoko, said: “After the evacuation of victims of bomb blast in satellite towns of Kuje and Nyanya to various hospitals in Abuja city, NEMA has confirmed that 59 people were affected.


“Eighteen (18) persons lost their lives and forty one (41) got injured.


While three deaths and 21 injured victims were recorded in Nyanya incident, 15 persons lost their lives in Kuje with 20 persons being treated for injury.


“Meanwhile the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency, (NEMA), Mohammed Sani-Sidi, who led some of the evacuations and visited victims in the hospitals, has assured that the government would foot the medical bill of the victims.


“He also reiterated the need for security consciousness among the citizens by reporting any suspicious objects and strange movement in their localities to security agencies.


 





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Mubashiru, MKO Abiola’s younger brother, dies at 73


Alhaji Mubashiru Abiola, the surviving younger brother of late businessman and politician, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, has been laid to rest.


He died around 9:30pm on Friday following failed battle with an illness that kept him indoors for over two months.


His remains were interred beside his two late wives within the family house at Gaa Sabo in Lafenwa area of Abeokuta.


He was 73.


The deceased, fondly called Uncle Bashy, was the rallying point for the Abiola’s family since the death of his elder brother and presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election annulled by the General Ibrahim Babangida junta.


The Chief Imam of Gbagura, Prof. Kamaldeen Balogun, who conducted the Islamic funeral rite, said death was an inevitable fate that would befall every mortal.


Balogun urged people to take cognisance of inevitability of death and live as if they would die the following day.


He said: “Death is inevitable for all souls, whether you are rich or poor you must die one day and leave all those earthly things for others who will also die later.”


Grieving family members at the graveside that bade the deceased farewell were Engr. Rahmon Abiola, Lekan Abiola, Jamiu Abiola and MKO Abiola’s widow, Doyin.


Abiola’s eldest daughter, Hon. Lola Abiola-Edewor, her siblings Kola and Deji were still being expected as 6pm yesterday.


Others dignitaries at the funeral were former Minister for Mines and Steel Development, Alhaji Sarafa Isola; the General Manager, OGTV, Alhaji Ayinde Soaga; his elder brother, Yaya Soaga; Chief Taiwo Sobande, and a  member of the House of Representatives, Mikahil Kazzim.


Before his death, Mubashiru used the occasion of the yearly June 12 memorial to lament neglect of the Abiola’s family by successive governments since the death of their breadwinner, MKO Abiola.


He was pained by abandoned and uncompleted proposed Presidential House of MKO Abiola at the Ibara GRA, Abeokuta.





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Hajj: Nigerians won’t stone devil again -Sanusi


Nigeria‘s Amirul Hajj to the just concluded pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia, Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi II, remains unhappy about the loss of many lives during the stoning of the devil rites during the hajj.


He is already contemplating recommending to the federal government that Nigerians should in future skip that particular rite except they are accommodated close to Jamrat where the stoning takes place.


No fewer than 70 Nigerians are believed to have lost their lives in the stampede during the rite while latest figures say over 1000 pilgrims died.


Alhaji Sanusi who is also the Emir of Kano told Sokoto pilgrims in the Holy Land that  stoning of the devil is not worth the blood of any Muslim.


The Emir who quoted several verses of the Qur’an and the sayings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said refusal to even perform the stoning of devil rituals does not in any way invalidate one’s Hajj.


His words: “During the era of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), he permitted pilgrims who came on camels to stay in Makkah after Arafat, instead of staying in Mina and sleeping at Muzdalifa.


“So, if the Prophet could give such grace to some people, just to protect their animals, why didn’t our scholars educate our people properly to avoid this untoward hardship and death.


“Therefore, it will be part of my recommendations to the federal government that, if we cannot get accommodation close to Jamrat where the Arabs reside in Mina, then this year may be the last time we will sleep in Mina and Muzdalifa because we want to stone the devil.


“Besides that, if one deliberately refuses to even perform the stoning of the devil rituals, all he needs to do is to slaughter a ram. So, if this is the situation, why do we go and suffer and die instead of sacrificing a ram?


“As is it presently, sleeping in Mina and Muzdalifa is not backed by any Hadith or verse of the Qur’an. So, why do we continue to do it?”


The Emir said, he would, as the leader of the Nigerian delegation, recommend that Nigerians no longer participate in the devil stoning rite, except they are accommodated close to ‘Jamrat’.


He insisted that blacks, particularly Nigerians, were not responsible for the Mina stampede. Nigeria, according to him, has no issue with the Saudi authorities, but stressed that the Riyahd authorities must understand that no human being is superior to another before Allah, except he who fears Allah most.


The Emir, however, challenged Islamic scholars to educate Muslims on how to perform a hitch-free hajj, without losing anybody’s blood.


 





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Diezani: Three more ex-ministers risk arrest for graft, money laundering


•Disquiet in Jonathan’s camp
•How Diezani’s collaborator surrendered to UK agency
•Her business partners go underground


Three more ministers of the Goodluck Jonathan era are facing possible arrest in the aftermath of Friday’s detention of ex- Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, in London for alleged corruption.


Although Alison-Madueke and the four other suspects arrested along with her were granted bail same day, tension has already gripped the  Jonathan camp following what sources described as   threat by the once powerful ex-minister   to open up on certain deals which she was directed to execute.


She is said to be good at keeping records, including handwritten notes.


A source in one of the anti-graft agencies said last night that Mrs. Alison-Madueke is  “just  one of the few cases of ex-ministers under investigation.”


“We have at least about three issues at hand but I will not disclose their names,” the source said, adding, “do not forget that these three cases are outside the matter of ex-Minister Stella Oduah which is stuck in court. We have made our position known on this.


“The depletion of the $1billion in Sovereign Wealth Fund by about $700million is one of the priority cases with anti-graft agencies. There are also the issues of reckless granting of tax waivers to oil firms.”


The ex-ministers are believed to have been implicated by Permanent Secretaries.


They are likely to be quizzed in connection with alleged reckless granting of waivers, depletion of the Sovereign Wealth Fund by $700m without the knowledge of the National Economic Council, and “questionable contracts.”


The camp of the former president was in disarray yesterday following the arrest of the ex-Minister of Petroleum Resources, investigation showed.


Sources said London was thought to be a safe haven for after leaving office in May.


Apart from being a Chevening Scholar, courtesy of the British High Commission, it was learnt that security agencies in the UK did not give her any inkling as she was shuttling between Nigeria and the UK.


A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Those in Jonathan’s camp felt the ex-president’s visit to President Muhammadu Buhari had created a window for mutual talks and negotiation on alleged graft findings by the new administration.


“They did not know that Buhari really meant business to retrieve looted funds.


“Actually, some ex-ministers, including Diezani, have already placed their counsel in Nigeria on standby in case of any invitation by anti-graft agencies. Their plan was that the matter would be settled in Nigerian court.


“But the arrest of the ex-Minister in London has added a new dimension to the anti-corruption agenda of the Buhari administration.


“Those in Jonathan’s camp were shocked by Diezani’s arrest. They have been desperately trying to get in touch with the ex-Minister since yesterday without success.


“As at today (yesterday), they are worried that Diezani has cut off contact with everyone, creating fears that she might spill the beans.


“The fear in Jonathan’s camp is that Diezani might be given the James Ibori treatment. They are suspecting that she might be tried and convicted in the UK.”


A former presidential aide said: “None of us has been able to reach out to Diezani because all her lines are off. She has also not called to share her travails with anybody.”


 


How she was nabbed


It was gathered yesterday that the voluntary surrender to the National Crimes Agency (NCA) by a Nigerian oil baron laid the foundation for a comprehensive investigation, and arrest of Diezani.


The said oil baron, according to sources, was allegedly fronting for the ex-Minister and may be holding some looted funds in trust for her.


It was learnt that following surveillance and monitoring by security agencies, the oil baron confided in a former Head of State who encouraged him to open up to the NCA on all such slush accounts.


“The oil magnate voluntarily surrendered to NCA because he knew the game was up. He was not having peace where he was staying in the UK. But the former Head of State assisted in cracking this financial crime.”


Mrs. Alison-Madueke and her alleged accomplices are expected to be arraigned in a London court tomorrow.


The suspects were questioned for several hours by security agents in London.


This came four months after Prime Minister David Cameron pledged Britain’s support for president Muhammadu  Buhari’s war against corruption.


Hours after the ex-minister’s arrest, operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) sealed off her high brow Asokoro,Abuja residence for a search.


Sources said the anti corruption agency had a court warrant to conduct the search.


 


 





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Nigerians should not give in to terrorists blackmail- Atiku


Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urged Nigerians not to despair and give in to terrorists’ blackmail.


In a statement from his media office in Abuja, the former Vice President said the Boko Haram insurgents’ wants to paralyze the country with fear and force Nigerians into submission. He said the recent bomb blasts in Kuje and Nyanya areas of Abuja was Boko Haram’s psychological tool for intimidating and forcing citizens into surrender and inaction. The former Vice President said it was evident that by targeting suburban Abuja, the Boko Haram terrorists wanted to persuade Nigerians to believe they are invincible, and thereby paralyse the country with fear and force it into submission. While asking Nigerians not to be deceived by such desperate tactics by the Boko Haram militants that primarily target non-combatants or innocent and defenseless civilians, Atiku said the Boko Haram terrorists have been militarily degraded by the new offensive strategy adopted by the Muhammadu Buhari administration, which have sent the militants packing from towns and villages they previously captured and occupied. He said the terrorists are bitter and frustrated that the Buhari administration is now taking the war to the enemy camp, which has forced them into disarray.


He noted that the massive territorial losses suffered by the terrorists and the blockade of their weapons supply lines, have significantly reduced their operational capabilities in terms of direct confrontation with the counter-terrorism forces.





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Photos: Abuja bomb blasts scene



Photos: Abuja bomb blasts scene

Security men evacuating the victims at the Scene of the Nyanya Bomb Blast Abuja yesterday. PHOTO AKIN OLADOKUN











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Buhari condemns latest terror attacks


President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the latest terror attacks in Abuja.


The attacks in Maiduguri, Yola and Abuja, according to the President, were apparently timed to coincide with Independence Day celebrations when Nigerians would be commemorating and rejoicing on October Day.


He condoled with the families of the dead and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.


In a statement personally signed by him, President Muhammadu Buhari said: “These cowardly attacks expose the real face of the planners and perpetrators of these crimes. What quarrel do they have with the good people of Nyanya motor park? What issue do they have with innocent people in market places in Maiduguri, Yola and Kuje?


“It is clear this battle is not ideological. It is between the forces of peace and order and the evil forces of murder and destruction. Security forces and other local authorities have been instructed to maintain extra vigilance to forestall future attacks.


“The Armed Forces have been empowered to crush what remains of Boko Haram. This government is determined to stamp out Boko Haram and all other terrorists of whatever persuasions and bring all sponsors to justice,” he stated





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Congo DR, Cameroon good test for Eagles – Onazi


Lazio midfielder, Ogenyi Onazi, has said the two friendlies the Super Eagles will play against DR Congo and Cameroon in Belgium will prepare the team for crucial forthcoming qualifiers.


Onazi said the team under new coach Sunday Oliseh needs to strike a better understanding and so games in Belgium are important.


“The two friendly games will go a long way in helping us get better as a unit and team. We always want to make use of the FIFA free days to gel into a unit, so this is a commendable opportunity for us to do so and get better,” Onazi told africanFootball.com


Nigeria faces DRC on October 8, in Antwerp and three days later, meets Cameroon in Brussels as part of preparations for next month’s 2018 World Cup qualifier against either Swaziland or Djibouti.


Onazi told africanFootball.com that his goal in the Europa League for Lazio in a 3-2 win over St.Etienne was memorable because it was on a significant day in Nigeria’s history.


“It’s my first goal of the season so I feel very excited. The goal was a bit more special because of the significance of the day to me as a Nigerian, and to Nigerians around the world who were saluting our flag on the day of our 55th independence celebration,” he said.


“Hopefully, I can get a lot more goals before the end of the season although I’m much more concerned about the team doing well, so scoring is more of an icing on the cake for me,” he stated.





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Hajj: Nigerians won’t stone devil again – Sanusi


Nigeria’s Amirul Hajj and Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi II, on Friday night said Nigerians will no longer participate in the stoning of devil ritual, except they get accommodation close to Jamrat, where the exercise will take place.


The Emir’s reaction followed the recent stampede in Saudi Arabia that killed several pilgrims, including about 70 Nigerians.


He also reiterated his earlier position that blacks, particularly Nigerians were not responsible for the stampede.


The Emir, who quoted several verses of the Qur’an, said refusal to perform the stoning of devil ritual does not in any way invalidate one’s pilgrimage.


He said, “During the era of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), he permitted pilgrims who came on camels to stay in Makkah after Arafat, instead of staying in Mina and sleeping at Muzdalifa.


“So, if the Prophet can give such grace to some people, just to protect their animals, why didn’t our scholars educate our people properly to avoid this untoward hardship and death?


“Therefore, it will be part of my recommendation to the Federal Government that, if we cannot get accommodation close to Jamrat where the Arabs reside in Mina, then this year may be the last time we will sleep in Mina and Muzdalifa because we want to stone the devil.


“Besides, that if one deliberately refuses to even perform the stoning of the devil rituals, all he needs to do is just to slaughter a ram. So, if this is the situation, why do we go and suffer and die instead of sacrificing a ram.”


 





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Attacks won’t save Boko Haram – APC


The All Progressives Congress on Saturday condemned Friday night’s attacks in Abuja that killed several people, warning that no amount of cowardly attacks will save the Boko Haram sect from imminent defeat.


The party in a statement issued in Lagos by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the attacks and other recent ones were part of the “cowardly tactics of the terrorists to focus on soft targets, after the military has succeeded in putting them on the run.”


“The avowed determination of the Buhari administration to crush Boko Haram, which has seen the military recording a string of successes against the terrorists, would not be weakened by these dastardly acts that are nothing but the last kicks of a dying monster.”


APC urged Nigerians to be vigilant, saying Boko Haram members, who had been smoked out of their strongholds, might be seeking refuge in other parts of the country.


It condoled with the families of those who were killed in the latest attacks, and wished those who were injured a speedy recovery.





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Mum was my pillar – Enyeama


Super Eagles captain, Vincent Enyeama, is still “shattered and devastated” following the death of his mother last month.


Enyeama sat out Nigeria’s last two internationals, against Tanzania and Niger Republic, as a result but is billed to return for October’s fixtures against Congo DR and Cameroon in Belgium, supersport.com reports.


He also missed Lille OSC’s Ligue 1 fixture against Montpellier which Les Dogues won 2-0 on Friday.


The ex-Enyimba goalkeeper is currently in his Akwa Ibom hometown, where his mother will be laid to rest on Saturday and the 33-year-old took the time to pay his last respects to the woman he described as his “pillar.”


“I am shattered and devastated because my mother was my pillar. She was full of life and showed no signs of illness before she died so this is quite difficult to take,” he told supersport.com.


Enyeama is the most capped Nigerian international in history with 101 appearances for the Super Eagles and has played at three FIFA World Cups in 2002, 2010 and 2014.


He was also part of the Nigeria side that won the Africa Cup of Nations title in South Africa in 2013 and he pointed out the role his late mother played in his numerous career successes.


“My mother was always there for me handing me important pieces of advice and always praying for me.


“In the most difficult moments of my life, she was always there, and there is no way I would have achieved all I have if it wasn’t for her influence in my life,” he said.





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MSF condemns Afghan hospital attack


The medical charity MSF has condemned “in the strongest possible terms” deadly air strikes on its hospital in the Afghan city of Kunduz.


Medecins Sans Frontieres said at least nine of its staff were killed in the attack. Many are unaccounted for.


It said the strikes continued for more than 30 minutes after United States and Afghan authorities were told of its location.


U.S forces were carrying out air strikes at the time. The NATO alliance has admitted the clinic may have been hit.


At least 37 people were seriously injured, 19 of them MSF staff, the BBC reports.


More than 100 patients were in the hospital, along with relatives and carers. It is not known how many of them were killed.


MSF said that all parties to the conflict, including Kabul and Washington, had been told the precise GPS co-ordinates of the hospital in Kunduz on many occasions, including on September 29.


 


 


 





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Boko Haram fighters kill two in Niger


Boko Haram fighters killed at least two Niger soldiers and wounded four others in an attack on a village near the Nigerian border, army officers said on Friday.


Niger, Cameroon and Chad have all suffered a spillover of violence from Boko Haram’s northern Nigerian strongholds and Niger has arrested at least 1,100 suspected Boko Haram militants this year and has placed its southern region of Diffa under a state of emergency.


But Diffa has suffered at least 57 attacks since February, statistics published by the United Nations on Friday showed.


“We had officers who fell in an ambush set by Boko Haram, who attacked the village of Barwa on Thursday morning. We mourn at least two deaths,” one army officer told Reuters.


The militants also looted stores, a second officer said.


At least 150,000 refugees seeking protection from Boko Haram attacks in Nigeria live in Niger’s Diffa region.


A 8,700-strong multinational force with troops from Niger, Nigeria, Benin, Cameroon and Chad, is due to begin operations against the insurgents at end of this month when the rainy season is expected to stop, Chad’s President Idriss Deby said recently.


The force is due to receive United States’ support, including training, worth $45 million.


 





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Abuja blasts: Buhari vows to end violent extremism


President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday reiterated the determination of his administration to rid the country of  extremism and  eradicating violence.


He made the remark while speaking in Abuja after receiving briefing from a fact-finding team he sent to the parts of the Federal Capital territory which came under terrorist bombings on Friday evening.


According to him, for terrorism to be uprooted from the country, the society must be rid of violent extremism.


“The defeat of Boko Haram insurgency is in sight but to remove violence and make the country safe, we must tackle the prevalence of violent extremism. In doing this, we will learn from the experience of the international community,” President Buhari assured.


A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, quoted the President as directing the security services to raise their surveillance activities to meet the challenges of a retreating, desperate terrorist army and for the general public to remain acutely aware of security in and around them.


He sympathized with  the families of the victims of the incidents as well as the families of the more than a hundred others who were killed in similar incidents a few days ago in Borno State.


The fact-finding team visited the Kuje and Nyanya bombing sites and greeted victims of the incidents at the National Hospital and the Maitama General Hospital.


They inspected the wards and mortuaries and consoled grieving family members on behalf of the President.


The fact-finding team was made up of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation,Engr. Babachir David Lawal, the Chief of Staff, Malam Abba Kyari, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health and that of the Federal Capital Territory as well as the police commissioner in charge of the  FCT.





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Photos: Buhari’s delegation to Abuja bomb blasts scene, hospital



Photos: Buhari

The President’s delegation comprising of Chief of Staff Abba Kyari, Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir David Lawal and others visit the scenes of the bomb blast and hospitals where the injured are being treated









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MKO Abiola’ s younger brother, Musibau, is dead


Alhaji Musibau Abiola, the younger brother of late businessman and politician, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale(MKO) Abiola, is dead.


Musibau Abiola died around 4am on Saturday following months of long illness and would be buried today by noon according Islamic rites.


Already, some family members have started converging at the deceased’s home in Gbagura area of Abeokuta in Abeokuta North Local Government Council of the state while Abiola’s  children – Kola, Deji among others are being expected.


Before his death, Musibau often used the occasion of the  yearly June 12  memorial to lament the sinful neglect of the Abiola’s family by successive Nigerian governments since the death of their breadwinner – MKO Abiola.


He was particularly pained by the unavoidable sight of the abandoned and uncompleted proposed Presidential House of MKO Abiola at the Ibara GRA, Abeokuta, and governments’  attitude to it.


A year ago, he told The Nation that the building is so gigantic that a single individual may not be able to provide the fund required for its completion, and noted that only government’s help may salvage the situation.


Musibau said then that the sorry state of the abandoned construction was a source of worry and discomfort to the family, lamenting that it was also one of the many losses and setbacks they had been contending with since the aborted June 12, 1993 polls and subsequent death of his brother.





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Photo: Buhari and the Obamas

The post Photo: Buhari and the Obamas appeared first on The Nation Nigeria.


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Buhari distressed by Abuja blasts- Adesina


President Muhammadu Buhari is distressed about Friday’s bomb blasts in Abuja.


Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina stated this in a tweet on Saturday morning.


“ My heart goes out to the families of the dead and injured in Abuja, and other parts of the country,” the President said.


Adesina said a federal government delegation is visiting hospitals to see the wounded.


He reiterated that President’s Buhari’s will to end Boko Haram attacks by December remains strong.





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Update: Heavy security at Abuja blasts scene


Security men are keeping watch at the scene of Friday night bomb blast in Nyanya in Abuja.


The Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase arrived the scene about 11.25am to inspect the damage caused by the twin bomb blast.


An eyewitness said he counted 10 to 15 bodies burnt beyond recognition in the blasts which reportedly occurred within space of five minutes.


 


First bomb blast occurred at the Jikwoyi park at 9.20pm and second blast at 9.25pm


 


Some residents who said they were amongst the first respondents at the scene however said the death toll may not be as high as reported.





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Two suicide bombers responsible for Abuja blasts – Police


Following the bomb blast that occurred in Kuje and Nyanya areas in Abuja, the Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase has ordered a stop-and-search operation in and around Abuja.


The Police chief also directed the immediate deployment of Police Explosives Ordinance Disposal Units (PEODU) to the scenes to prevent further damage.


The directive was contained in a statement on Saturday by the Force Spokesperson, ACP Olabisi Kolawole.


The statement indicated that the blasts were carried out by two suicide bombers; a male and a female.


According to the statement, the IGP stated that the perpetrators of the act did so in shame of cowardice, adding that no matter their aim, Nigeria will not accommodate terrorists’ acts.


He however urged Nigerians to be vigilant at all times and report any suspicious persons or objects to the nearest Police Station or any other security agencies for prompt intervention.


The IGP was also at the scene of the blast to ascertain the degree of the blast.





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FCT Perm Sec, Police boss condemn Abuja bomb blasts


The Federal Capital Territory  Permanent Secretary, Engr. John Chukwu, has condemned the twin suicide bomb blasts in Kuje, a suburb of Abuja late Friday.


Chukwu  commiserated with people of Kuje Satellite Town, particularly those who lost their loved ones in the incident.


While also commiserating with the injured persons, the Permanent Secretary described the wanton destruction of lives and property as heartless and an act of wickedness on soft targets, which has “no place in our history and tradition”.


According to the statement issued by the Deputy Director/Chief Press Secretary, Muhammad Sule, the Permanent Secretary assured that the FCT Administration would continue to work closely with the security agencies to ensure the safety of lives and property of all the residents of the Federal Capital Territory.


Chukwu prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured persons.


He has however appealed to the residents of the Federal Capital Territory to be more vigilant and report any suspicious person or movement to the law enforcement agents.


The FCT Police Commissioner, Mr. Wilson Inalegwu, also condemned the unfortunate act.





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Friday 2 October 2015

Bayelsa election: PDP, Sylva in war of words


  • Sylva not electable —Party

  • APC candidate: Dickson will soon be history

The Bayelsa State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Campaign Organisation of Timipre Sylva yesterday attacked each other verbally over the candidacy of the All Progressive Congress (APC) for the December 5 governorship election.


Former Governor Timipre Sylva, who emerged the APC candidate, will slug it out with the sole candidate of the PDP and incumbent state governor, Seriake Dickson.


But the PDP said Sylva is not electable.


The State Secretary of the PDP, Keku Godspower in a statement in Yenagoa yesterday, said the emergence of Sylva was a shame and insult to the collective sensibilities of Bayelsans and APC members.


Keku said APC’s decision was an indication that it was not prepared for any serious outing at the election because “everybody in Bayelsa knows that Sylva is not electable.”


He, however, claimed that since Sylva’s emergence, there was palpable fear, tension and apprehension among Bayelsans following the violence that marred the recent APC primary in the state.


Keku also alleged that Sylva had a record of violence and that his second coming would not be different.


He alleged that since the primary, the state had witnessed the influx of cultists and militants.


He added that the development, if not checked, could lead to a relapse of violence in the state and the entire Niger Delta region.


Keku, however, said he was confident that possible violence would be contained by security agencies, assuring the people that the state would deal with anyone caught breaching the peace or molesting anyone.


He advised Bayelsans to go about their lawful businesses without fear of intimidation, urging them to report any suspicious character to the security agencies.


He asked the people to vote for PDP and also called on the Federal Government to direct its security agencies to take urgent steps to ensure the security of lives and property in the state.


“With the December 5 governorship election around the corner, we duly call on the people to reject Sylva’s candidacy outright and his APC-led politics of violence and intimidation which has become a well- known trademark,” he stated.


But Sylva’s campaign organisation, in a statement signed by Doifie Buokoribo, said the PDP was jittery because its candidate, Dickson, would soon become history.


He said: “We know the PDP game plan was to prevent the emergence of a strong and popular APC governorship candidate so that they can easily repeat their trademark shenanigan of aborting democratic competition and stealing victory without a contest.


“With that deception, they stole the mandate of the people in 2011, when both Chief Timipre Sylva and Mr. Ndutimi Alaibe were dubiously excluded just to give Hon. Henry Dickson victory without a real electoral contest.


“All the frenzied disparagement of Sylva now by PDP is an understandable manifestation of fear and frustration over their impending, indubitable defeat at the December 5 election.


“That frenzy is understandable. We will make Dickson history.”





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Court fixes November 6 for arraignment of IPMAN factional president …as judge’s absence stalls trial


Federal High Court, Jabi, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), yesterday adjourned the arraignment of the alleged factional President of the Independent Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Mr. Lawson Obasi, till November 9.


Speaking with journalists in Abuja, counsel to the Elder Chinedu Okoronkwo-led IPMAN, Barrister Nnamna Oru, said the adjournment was due to the absence of the presiding judge who is engaged at the election tribunal in Gombe State.


The counsel to the complainant recalled that “on the 6th of July, the suspect was to be arraigned here but the court couldn’t sit on the account of the absence of the presiding judge, who is engaged in the tribunals in Gombe State. So, because of the state and urgency of the matters at the tribunal, he is still sitting and the court couldn’t sit today.


“So the matter was adjourned to the 9th of November, by which period he would have been through with his tribunal engagement and appropriate steps taken to prosecute the matter.


“I am watching view for the nominal complainant of this matter. The complainant is the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), led by the National President, Elder Chinedu Okoronkwo.”


The court had fixed yesterday for the arraignment of Obasi and three others who were dragged before it over criminal allegations.


Others charged alongside Obasi are Ukadike Chinedu, Augustine Erhabor and Andrew Ashiga.


The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Mohammed Diri, who was present in court on September 6, had filed the six-count charge before the FCT High Court.


Count one of the 6-count charge filed by Diri on behalf of the Federal Government, among others, reads: “That you, Chief Lawson Obasi, Ukadike Chinedu (aka Asha), Augustine Erhabor and Andrew Ashiga (now at large) on or about the 14th day of April 2014, within the judicial division of the High Court of FCT, conspired to commit an offence, in that while you armed yourselves with dangerous weapons such as cutlasses, wood, iron rod and knives, you violently forced yourselves into the premises of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) headquarters located at No. 41, Gnassigbe Eyadema Street, Asokoro, Abuja and attacked the headquarters by breaking the doors, windows, lockers and cardboards of the office and inflicting various degrees of injuries on the occupants and robbed them of large sums of money and valuable properties valued at millions of naira.”


The FG stated that in pursuance of their conspiracy, the accused persons “thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 6(b) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act 2004.





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Joy, apprehension greet payment of police officers’ gratuities after 10-year wait


After being denied their gratuities and pensions for 10 years, some distraught police retirees heaved a sigh of relief when they were paid barely one month after their pathetic story was published by The Nation. KUNLE AKINRINADE captures the mixed bag of joy and apprehension among the


FOR about one decade after they retired from the Nigeria Police Force, they waited in vain for their gratuities and pensions. Some of them had died in the process, while the surviving ones wallowed in misery and penury. But reprieve came the ways of some of the officers after their pathetic stories were published by The Nation on Saturday, August 15, 2015.


Penultimate week, the affected officers took turns to speak with our correspondent on the telephone after receiving parts of their retirement benefits and pension from the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD).


The story titled, A Decade Without a Dime, had highlighted the plight of police retirees Ekanem Uwem (ASP); Alhaji Abiodun Sanni (ASP); Essien Aniefiok James (DSP); Wahab Ishola (ASP); Sergeant Kamoru Bakare; Halimat Bamidele and Idris Mohammed, widow and son of the late Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and Sanni Fakayode Bamidele(ASP) and Idris Akeju Muhammed(DSP) respectively.


The aggrieved ex-policemen, who were among about 1,000 officers with similar fate, had written several letters to the Police Pension Office, the Human Rights Commission and the National Assembly but their efforts yielded no fruit. They had also participated in a nationwide verification exercise conducted by PTAD last year but nothing came out of it.


Contacted on the plight of the officers, the immediate past Force Public Relations Officer, Mr Emmanuel Ojukwu, had told The Nation that their issue would be looked into. Ojukwu asked them to forward a letter stating their case to his office, promising prompt action. Interestingly, the aggrieved officers said they could not contact the former police spokesperson before he was moved from the office a few days later.


Uwem said: “We did not contact Ojukwu before he was removed as the spokesperson of Nigeria Police Force. It was shocking that we received notifications of payment of our gratuity and pension a few days later.


“I was surprised to receive an alert from my bank concerning the payment of my gratuity on Wednesday September 9, 2015, while two months pension arrears were also paid two days later. In all, I was paid N1.4 million as gratuity, and N72, 000 as pension for the months of June and July, 2015. The payment came rather late, but I thank God for using your newspaper to publish our plight and the penury which non-payment of our benefits had sentenced us into.


“It was so sad that we had to wait for 10 years to access our pension and gratuity. We deserved to be fairly treated for ensuring the security of lives and property of people during our service years. Instead, we were denied our benefits for no tangible reason, until our story was published.”


Speaking from his base in Akwa Ibom State, one of Uwem’s colleagues, Aniefiok, told our correspondent that he too was shocked to receive his entitlements without any prior notice. The beleaguered retired Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), who had to work as backstreet photographer cum videographer to make ends meet, said: “I was shocked too when my bank sent me notifications about the payment of my gratuity and pension for the months of June and July, 2015. It came just after our story was published in The Nation.


“Although the money is small considering my long years in service, but at all at all na im bad (half a loaf is better than none). At least there is something for us after many years of hopelessness occasioned by non- payment of our benefits.”


Alhaji Sanni, one of the retirees who is currently putting up with one of his children, also said he was shocked to receive his gratuity and pension for June and July, 2015. He expressed gratitude that the money was eventually paid after a long wait. He, however, gave knocks to the pension authorities for short-paying him. According to him, the sum of N1.6 million paid into his account by PTAD was a far cry from his entitlements for the 35 years he spent in service.


On his part, Ishola, 67, said: “I have just been paid. I thank your media organisation for taking up our case. We thought that our sweat for this nation had gone in vain and that we would never be paid our entitlements again until I received credit alert from my bank that my gratuity and two months pension arrears had been paid.”


However, Sergeant Bakare and relatives of the two deceased officers, Bamidele and Mohammed, said they had not been paid at press time. Our findings revealed that they might have been captured under the contributory pension scheme which came into force a few years ago.


A highly placed source at the pension agency, who craved anonymity because he was not permitted to speak in official capacity, explained that “the report on the plight of the officers was very embarrassing to the agency (PTAD), hence, action was expedited to ensure that they were paid their entitlements a few days after the story was published.


“As for those who are left out of the lot, they must have been included in the contributory pension scheme and they would have to wait a while to access their entitlements. The Police Pension Department under PTAD is saddled with the payment of gratuity and pension of police pensioners who retired on or before June 30, 2007, while the National Pension Commission (PENCOM) takes care of the payment of entitlements of retired policemen in the new contributory pension initiative through Pension Fund Administrators.”


New lease of life


The affected officers also disclosed that they would invest their money in profitable ventures that would sustain their lives in retirement. Aniefiok, for instance, said he would use the money to improve his video business and empower his wife in her trade.


“I will first have to pay outstanding bills after which I would use part of the money to expand my business as well as lift my wife’s trade.


“A substantial percentage of the money will also be reserved to take care of the home front, especially the welfare of my children and their studies. For example, one of my children has just travelled back to Egypt and I was able to assist him with some money for his trip.”


For Uwem, who before now had been trapped in Imo State where he last served, owing to lack funds, said: “I will first wait for some time to see the frequency at which subsequent monthly pension would come before considering moving back to my home town in Akwa Ibom. However, I cannot rule out the possibility of using a substantial part of the money to do business for self-sustenance.”


Alhaji Sanni, who is just recuperating from an illness that has kept him out of circulation lately, told our correspondent that he would surely channel his money into a profitable venture.


He said: “I have been down with sickness for some months now, but I am getting better at the moment. Once my health is restored, I shall consider what to do with the money. Since part of it will be used to clear my medical bill, I shall also reserve a substantial part of the money to engage myself in a business that will take care of my family. My only worry is that I don’t know how constantly our pension will be paid.


Ishola, on his part, said: “I am going to invest my money in a profitable business that can sustain me and my family. In view of the ambiguous payment, it would be a misplaced priority on my part if I don’t put part of my money in a business since I don’t know when my next pension would be paid.”


Payment deficit


While the payment might have brought temporary relief to the former officers, it leaves some posers on their minds. They expressed reservation about the correlation between the sums paid and their long years in service..


“If we are to go by our years in service, what we have been paid is nothing to write home about. My colleagues and I spent about 35 years in service to this country, but the sums we got ranged between N1.4 million and N1.6 million, without any explanation from those responsible for the payment of our after-service emoluments.


”Since many of us left service about 10 years ago, we have not been paid a dime as pension. It was thus surprising that PTAD considered us worthy of only two-month pension arrears out of the 10 years. Yet we are not sure of whether the remaining backlogs would be cleared or steadily paid,” said Sanni.


Sanni’s remark was echoed by Ishola, who figured that the payment was haphazardly done to prevent them from making further noise in the media.


He said: “I think that we were hurriedly paid to shut our mouth or prevent us from talking to journalists again. This was obvious in the payment done so far. For example, how on earth can they justify paying us less than N2 million after more than 30 years in service as policemen? How come we were paid just two months pension arrears out of 10 years without any tangible explanation?


“Many of us have been battling with accumulated bills and bad debts. Little will be left of the money by the time we defray our debts and bills. It is in the light of this that we are asking the pension authorities to review the payment and pay us what is commensurate with the 35 years we spent in service as policemen.”


The dispositions of Uwem and Aniefiok were in no way different from those of Sanni and Ishola. The duo carpeted the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) for the payment deficit.


Uwem queried: “As commendable as the payment is after a 10-year wait, the fact that it was done after our story was published in the newspaper has created a moral burden on the Nigerian pension authorities. It is disheartening that the concerned pension agency waited until our story came out in the media before paying our entitlements.


“Moreover, there is deficit in the payment considering the paltry sum that was paid. I am of the conviction that N1.4 million or N1.6 million cannot represent the total value of what we deserve as entitlements. I am also displeased that only two months pension was paid after about 10 years of being denied pension. So, where is the rest of our money?”


Responding via an email forwarded to our correspondent, the spokesman of PTAD, Mr. Ademola Ogundeyi, in one breadth, said the questions raised by the pensioners over the gratuities and pension they were paid was being looked into. He promised to revert to our correspondent once he got information from the relevant department in charge of the matter.


However, in another breadth, Ogundeyi said the agency would not respond to inquires from a third party (our correspondent).


He said: “I have passed this mail (inquires from our correspondent) to the relevant department to look into and will get back to you once I get information on the matter.


“While we appreciate your efforts in getting this situation across to us, we prefer to engage our pensioners directly, for this reason going forward, I will only respond to mail from pensioners directly and not through a third party.”


 


 





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Buhari’s laconic, idiosyncratic October 1 speech


IT is unlikely that at any time in his presidency, Muhammadu Buhari will ever bore his audience. His inauguration speech was a model in terseness, with no frills, and nearly with no memorable sound bite. The speech was relieved perhaps only by the almost aphoristic “I belong to everybody, and I belong to nobody” statement he used to underscore his wistful desire for personal and political independence. His inauguration speech was supposed to be the biggest thing on the day he was sworn in, something to announce his return to power, his grand success after three failed attempts at the presidency, and something to define the new Buhari. It rose to no such peak, having of course exhibited no ambition to soar either at the rhetorical or tactical level. Indeed, the speech was absolutely idiosyncratic. It gave Nigeria the essential Buhari, the one forgotten from 1985, the one that has in fact changed little since then.


President Buhari has since then given a few other speeches at home and abroad. To his credit, none has been denounced as long-winded. All have been as terse as possible, ending barely moments after he started delivering them. In France, he was laconic; and in the United States, he exampled brevity. But as terse as they often were, the speeches gave no opportunity to his audience to make up their minds to like or dislike what he had to say. Someday in the future, when a verbose and tedious president will weary the country with offensive nothings, and lather them with pompous, jaded and swollen phrases, the beauty and even nobility of President Buhari’s taciturnity will be appreciated anew.


It was no surprise, however, that two days ago the president once again failed to conflate a great speech with a great and unique moment. October 1, Nigeria’s Independence Day, had been consistently belittled by past leaders, sometimes in favour of May 29, the so-called Democracy Day, but President Buhari who claims to exemplify change was expected to lead a reawakening of that irreplaceable and historic day. Alas, in his speech, he paid only lip service to the day. After acknowledging it as an anniversary the country should be proud of, he then proceeded to misconceive the spiritual and political import of the anniversary. Other than a few platitudes, and one or two florid statements, there was nothing else in the speech to qualify it as an Independence Day anniversary speech, nor anything memorable to emblematise the change he spoke fondly and glowingly of, nor yet something deep, historical and inspiring.


Really, the speech was inappropriate for the occasion. It was reassuring and thoughtful of President Buhari to acknowledge the contributions of former president Goodluck Jonathan to the peaceful succession that enthroned the All Progressives Congress (APC), a fact his first few giddy weeks in office seemed to ignore until some Christian leaders, including Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor the Christian Association of Nigeria president and Bishop Hassan Kukah, angrily reminded him. And he also spoke fervently of the country’s natural endowments as springboard for Nigeria’s economic development. Then he applauded the country’s staying power, remarked its unsteady ability to transcend open divisions, and announced its resolve to overcome security challenges, especially the Boko Haram war.


All the president managed to say about the allegations of vendetta leveled against his government is that he bore no one ill will. While this would have been sufficient to answer questions about his altruism in calling the previous government to account over allegations of corrupt practices, it was certainly inadequate to explain his government’s puzzling and sometimes hesitant approach to the full-fledged rebellion in the Senate by lawmakers elected on the ruling party’s platform. He needed far more nuanced and analytical exposition on the matter, backed with a short excursion into historical antecedents, but he gave nothing of such.


On the equally deeper and complex issue of the country’s raison d’etre, especially the convoluted search for a national identity, the president offered the even blander solution of “unity of purpose’. In his view, the country’s inability to rise to world prominence is caused essentially by the failure of its people to achieve unified purpose. To resolve this problem he launched into a platitudinous admonition of his countrymen, from whom he expects exemplary behaviour. Said he: “You and I and all of us must appreciate that we all have our part to play if we want to bring change about. We must change our lawless habits, our attitude to public office and public trust. We must change our unruly behaviour in schools, hospitals, market places, motor parks, on the roads, in homes and offices. To bring about change, we must change ourselves by being law-abiding citizens. ” There were of course moments in his speech when the president seemed set to achieve some flourish and depth. The bland ending of the October 1 speech thwarted all that.


Overall, the speech was undone by its failure to recognise what the day called for. Even if he hated lengthy speeches, a prerogative no one can take from him, it was still important that he avail his long-suffering and sometimes confused countrymen his view on the salient, deeper and complex issues that trouble or even undermine Nigeria as a state. He talked at length on the manifestations of the problems that ail the country; when he instead needed to draw upon historical analysis to explain where the country is situated, why it has found it difficult to soar, and how it can be made to run competitively.


Except for his views on corruption, insecurity and discipline, there was nothing in his speech on economic blueprint or the much-needed new ethos that should form the bedrock of the country’s focus and purpose. In fact, the president enunciated a rather confusing and a little detached perspective on democracy, particularly partisan politics and the limits and possibilities of presidential powers. Not too long ago he had embraced troubling political anachronisms, whether as it concerned the value of his cabinet or the lack of breadth of his kitchen cabinet. And now he has incredibly zeroed in on the absence of unity of purpose as the reason for Nigeria’s troubles, when clearly, to nearly everyone, and especially analysts and leaders themselves, the problem is much more that of leadership failing than anything else.


It is understandable why President Buhari, a ranking member of the country’s leadership elite, is reluctant to indict that elite for undermining the nation’s peace and progress. But there is no running away from the fact that Nigeria’s underdevelopment is in large parts attributable to leadership failing than any other factor. If on October 1, the president was unable to provide his own unique perspective on the country’s woes, nor agree to leadership failing as an explanation, then the road will be much tougher and longer than anyone may presume. No country has been able to rise above the quality and competence of its iconic leaders. Nigeria will not be an exception. If President Buhari can’t persuade his countrymen that he understands the nation’s problems, he cannot also persuade them he has the magic wand. Without a magic wand, it is unlikely his remedies will go beyond addressing the superficial, let alone achieve anything more than the placebo effect.


President Buhari needs help. There is no question he is a more appropriate and zealous leader for these times than his predecessor, the undisciplined Dr Jonathan. But he must be made to understand that theory drives practice, and abstract comes before reality. Except he is helped to conceive or envision great things, it is impossible to engender great and anticipated realities with energy and passion.





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