Boko Haram has killed 3,000 since 2009 – COAS Posted by: Adekunle Jimoh Posted date: November 05, 2012 In: Featured, News Update | comment : 9 At least not less than 3,000 people have been killed by the Boko Haram sect since 2009, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Azubuike Ihejirika has said. He stated that the sect activities had affected people and businesses in the northern part of the country. The COAS spoke on Monday in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital while declaring open the third inter-division and headquarters map reading competition organized by the Nigerian Army Education Corps (NAEC). Ihejirika, who was represented by the General Officer, Commanding 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major Mohammed Abubakar, added that the current security challenges in the country require collective and extra efforts to tackle. His words: “The changing nature of threats to Nigeria’s national security environment has manifested in the militancy, kidnapping, violent extremism and terrorism. It is a known fact that terrorism worldwide is characterized by extremism, violence hatred, lack of respect for human dignity and constituted authority. “The spate of bombings in parts of the north had necessitated the Nigerian Army to review its doctrine with a view to updating our training and operational procedures in order to fulfill our constitutional mandate. Success in this pursuit, therefore calls for renewed and concerted efforts and initiative. “I therefore urge all of us to remain resilient to be able to overcome the miscreants and terrorist attacks on our psyche and our beloved country through conscientious effort for the country to make good progress. It is in this line, that I commend the determination of NAEC to write and publish a book on ‘terrorism. “This will no doubt positively contribute to our determination to fight the present security challenges. The book will also serve as a reference material for researchers on NA viewpoint and strategy against domestic terrorism.” Earlier, the Corps Commander, NAEC, Major-General Lucky Banjiram, said the current security challenges in the country had continued to undermine national security. He added that the challenges had thereby placed great strains and demands on the Nigerian army’s resources. Source. The Nation

Oshiomhole: why condemned men must die Posted by: Wale Ajetunmobi Posted date: November 05, 2012 In: Featured, News | comment : 29 eDO State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has defended his decision to sign the execution warrants of two condemned men. The governor signed the sentence few weeks ago. He said the convicts should die in the interest of the society because they committed offences the law forbids. Oshiomhole said he was not afraid to sign the execution warrants of those found guilty of murder by competent courts. The governor said he subscribed to an oath of office compelling him to obey the Constitution and its laws without fear. He said: “I have no apologies because I did not sentence them to death. I am not the one who accused them; they were accused by those they harassed. They have been tried, they have taken advantage of the appellate courts all the way to the Supreme Court and they were found guilty. The law also says having been found guilty and sentenced to death, the governor could exercise prerogative of mercy. But I say that I have no mercy on those who kill. Why should you compel me to have mercy on those who kill?” Oshiomhole criticised the Amnesty International for what he described as the self-righteous stance of the body. He noted that the history of the countries where the organisation emerged should tell discerning minds that Amnesty International does not have superior values. He said: “In this battle of values, we must not behave as if some other people’s values are superior to ours. If you feel that those who kill in your country should have right to life and we believe in our country that those who kill should be killed and those are reflected in our laws, until you reverse those laws, those laws will apply. “If you tell me that the man killed and has a right to life, I refuse that. Amnesty should not be hypocritical about it, we have the records worldwide. Nations are governed by their national values and it is debatable whether those who excuse murderers in the eyes of God are better human beings than those who insist that if you kill, you too should be killed if found guilty of killing. “I don’t believe that those who want to excuse murderers are on a higher moral ground. It is not about conviction but about whether I choose to exercise prerogative of mercy. God can have mercy on them, but I am unable having regard to the overall circumstances of the case, which are killing and dismembering the body of the victim and wanting to sell some of the parts. And some people ask me in the name of human rights to let him live. No! If those saying that were to be victims of such brutality, they would also think otherwise. It is very convenient for them to sit in the comfort of their offices and pontificate about human rights, as if the rights of the victims are not supposed to be taken into account.” Source: The Nation

CAN to Jonathan: take drastic measures against sect Posted by: Gbenga Omokhunu Posted date: November 05, 2012 In: Featured, News | comment : 21 The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) yesterday advised President Goodluck Jonathan to adopt radical steps to conquer the new method of killing by the Boko Haram sect. CAN described killings in the North as ‘senseless and uncalled-for’. A communiqué issued in Abuja at the end of the meeting of the 19 Northern States and Abuja Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the 17 Southern States CAN held in Abuja and jointly signed by Chairman, 17 Southern States CAN, Primate Nicholas Okoh and Chairman, 19 Northern States and Abuja CAN, Archbishop Peter Jatau (Emeritus), said: “The meeting deliberated frankly and exhaustively on issues bordering on the state of the nation and CAN. “The meeting noted the advantages derivable from regular comparison of notes by the two chapters of CAN and resolved that a wider forum, comprising a cross-section of members of the two chapters would meet to discuss specific issues that concern the future of the Church in Nigeria . Accordingly, it called on all Christians, irrespective of their denominational persuasions, to unite and that the unity of Christians is most crucial at this time when the Church is undergoing major challenges that border on persecution. “However, the meeting urged President Jonathan to adopt drastic measures that are proactive to match the new tactics of the insurgents in order to halt the senseless killings of innocent Nigerians, especially Christians and the destruction of Churches in the northern part of the country. “It took a scrupulous look at the activities and pronouncements of the leadership of CAN and re-affirmed its confidence and support for the leadership under Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor (OFR). The meeting commended the President of CAN for the excellent job he is doing on behalf of Christians, giving the current challenges while also applauding his efforts at uniting all Christians in Nigeria through the five blocks. It encouraged the CAN President to continue on that path. “The meeting noted, with pleasure, President Goodluck Jonathan’s undertaking to deal decisively with the security challenges facing the nation and commended the Federal Government under his leadership for its management. “The meeting noted with a sense of satisfaction President Jonathan and his government’s humane and prompt management of the flood that ravaged most parts of Nigeria . While it thanked the President and his team for a job well done, the meeting called on the Federal Government to do all within its powers to ensure that the victims are assisted to regain their lives to enable them settle down to their various vocations. It feared that if the funds are not disbursed directly to the victims, they may be wasted on items the direct victims do not require. The meeting, therefore, called on the Federal Government to monitor the distribution of its financial assistance to avoid a hijack that may end up reducing what should accrue to the victims. “Present at the meeting were executive committee members of both chapters of CAN.” Source : The Nation

Controversy trails Boko Haram’s dialogue proposal Posted by: Tony Akowe, Kaduna and Adesoji Adeniyi Posted date: November 05, 2012 In: Featured, News | comment : 48 SHOULD the Federal Government dialogue with Islamic sect Boko Haram, which last Thursday waved the olive branch? This was the poser yesterday amid reactions to the sect’s proposal for talks wit h the government. The Senate endorsed the talks; former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman Solomon Lar gave conditions for the dialogue and Oodua Peoples Congress founder Dr. Frederick Fasehun rejected the sect’s choice of former military leader Gen. Muhammadu Buhari as mediator. Last Thursday, Boko Haram opted for dialogue with the government and proposed Saudi Arabia as the venue. It picked Buhari, Dr. Shettima Ali Monguno, Ambassador Gaji Galtimari, Mrs Aisha Alkali Wakil and her husband Alkali Wakil and former Yobe State Governor, Senator Abba Bukar Ibrahim as mediators. Ibrahim said yesterday that he had not been contacted by the sect. Chairman, Senate Committee on Information, Media and Publicity Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, responding to a text message by our reporter, said the Senate was delighted to read about the sect’s proposal for dialogue. He said: “The Senate will support any measure that will bring peace to all parts of Nigeria.” Ibrahim, Chairman, Senate Committee on Housing, Land and Urban Development said since he had not been contacted, he “cannot say anything based on newspaper publication or television broadcast.” The senator said a similar thing happened in the past when some newspapers published that the sect named him and others to dialogue with the government on their behalf. He said: “The earlier one ended without any result. One group was reported to have called for dialogue and allegedly named some people to negotiate on its behalf. “Another group denied it and the whole thing ended up just like that. I cannot say any thing based on publication by newspapers or television broadcast. “Nobody has contacted me for any dialogue. “But I hope that this time around, this one will work and produce result. “I hope that this one will work and not end up like the earlier one. “That is what most Nigerians have been praying for, a dialogue to ensure peace in the country.” Lar said the talks should take place only after members of the group revealed their identity. He told reporters in Kaduna that talking with the group when it has chosen to remain faceless does not make any meaning. Lar said: “I disagree completely (with dialogue) unless they show their identity that Mr. X, Y, Z is Boko Haram. For them to name some people to be their representatives, who are they? They are faceless people, let them come out and reveal their identity”. He said it was not enough for the sect to nominate people to negotiate on its behalf, urging them to identify themselves rather than remain faceless. Lar wondered whether Buhari, Monguno and others picked as mediators have accepted the job, asking: “Has Gen. Buhari agreed? Is Gen. Buhari their representative? Is Ali Monguno their representative? You see, I didn’t want to mention names, but if they (Buhari and Monguno) said yes, they are their (Boko Haram’s) representatives, we would know. “But have they agreed to represent them? Let them come out. During the Niger Delta militancy, some people came out and said they were the leaders of the militants. That was very reasonable and that was how the late President Umar Yar’Adua was able to tackle the problem of militancy in the Niger Delta. The Niger Delta militants were not faceless like Boko Haram. Why didn’t Boko Haram follow the example of the militants by showing their faces?” he said. Fasehun, who spoke after a public lecture by the Ife Business School in honour of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, urged the government not to allow Gen. Buhari to be in the negotiating team in the interest of peace and tranquility. Buhari, he said, was not qualified to negotiate on behalf of Nigerians or the government. Fasehun, who agreed that the government should dialogue with the sect, said Gen. Buhari’s presence in the negotiating team, would aggravate things. Referring to Gen. Buhari’s alleged disaffection with the government over his defeat by President Goodluck Jonathan in last year presidential election, Fasehun said the former military leader could not represent the interest of the government and Nigerians well in the negotiating team. “Buhari should not be part of the negotiations because he has a serious grouse with the present administration. His grouse is because he was not elected the president of Nigeria. How can such a fellow represent the interest of the government and the good people of this country if he’s part of those that will negotiate and dialogue with Boko Haram. “I would rather advise the Federal Government to set up a formidable team comprising responsible Nigerians to dialogue with the sect if the government wants to end terrorism and insecurity. Also, the government should be civilised in its discussion with the sect members to ensure absolute peace in the land. The dialogue between the Federal Government and the sect, if well handled would bring about peace in the country.” source. the Nation

LASTMA and KAI Career Evaluation Training Programme Posted by: Our Reporter Posted date: October 23, 2012 In: Photo / Video | comment : 1 12345Pix 2839 & 2841: Cross section of Batch 3 officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) at the induction parade of the ongoing Career Evaluation Training Programme for Law Enforcement Officers at the Public Service Staff Development Centre, Magodo, Lagos on Monday, October 22, 2012. Pix 2926: Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Transport Education, Dr. Mariam Masha interacting with Batch 3 officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) during the ongoing Career Evaluation Training Programme for Law Enforcement Officers at the Public Service Staff Development Centre, Magodo, Lagos on Monday, October 22, 2012. Pix 2922: Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Transport Education, Dr. Mariam Masha (right) and the General Manager of LASTMA, Babatunde Edu (2nd right) interacting with officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) during the ongoing Career Evaluation Training Programme for Law Enforcement Officers at the Public Service Staff Development Centre, Magodo, Lagos on Monday, October 22, 2012. Pix 2905: Cross section of Batch 3 officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) during a class session at the ongoing Career Evaluation Training Programme for Law Enforcement Officers at the Public Service Staff Development Centre, Magodo, Lagos on Monday, October 22, 2012. Source: The Nation

over twenty die scooping fuel from fallen tanker Our Reporter November 5, 2012 79 Comments » -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From OKEY SAMPSON, Aba Tragedy struck at the weekend at Umuokpo in Amairinabuo Community of Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State when a fuel tanker exploded, killing several people and injuring others. Unconfirmed report had it that over 20 people, who rushed to scoop fuel from the fallen tanker, were burnt to death, while others, including 10 persons, said to be on danger list in a mission hospital in the area, sustained various degrees of burns. However, another source said only three persons had been confirmed dead. The incident, which happened at Kilometre 10 on the Aba/Ikot Ekpene Highway last Friday, was said to have occurred when a Mack fuel tanker with the registration number ABIA: XA 976 KKE, heading towards Aba, got stuck in mud as a result of bad road condition. The driver, in an attempt to move the tanker, hired a towing van. And in the process of pulling it out, the tanker fell on its side and spilled the content. Immediately the incident occurred, some villagers were said to have rushed to the scene to scoop fuel. Chief Friday Erengwa, a community leader in whose house frontage the tanker fell, told Daily Sun: “Immediately the incident occurred, villagers rushed to scoop fuel and despite the fact that I came out from my house to warn them against the dangers inherent, they did not listen. “Even the driver of the tanker made every effort to dissuade the villagers from scooping fuel from the tanker, but they turned a deaf ear.” It was gathered that some of the villagers were still scooping the product when a commuter bus going to Aba from the Ikot Ekpene wanted to pass through where the tanker had fallen. In the process, the bus fell into a crater on the road, the exhaust pipe touched a hard surface on the road and ignited fire, which immediately spread to the nearby fallen tanker and burnt everything within its range. When Daily Sun visited the scene, the fuel tanker was still on fire 24 hours after the incident, even as the villagers decried the attitude of fire fighters from Aba who they said, came when the fire was raging but went back.

Over 500 arrested after declaration of Biafra Republic Our Reporter November 5, 2012 81 Comments » -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BY DOTUN OLADIPO Over 500 persons who took part in the declaration of the Republic of Biafra on Monday have been arrested by the police. Top on the list of those arrested by the police was the leader of the Biafra Zionist Movement, Mr. Ben Onwuka. They were arrested in Enugu, Enugu State where the declaration took place. source .