Stampede as Bomb Scare Rattles National Assembly


Official activities at the National Assembly complex were suddenly brought to a halt Tuesday afternoon following the rumour that members of Boko Haram had succeeded in planting a bomb device at the White House wing of the complex.

This caused a stampede as senators, administrative and supporting staff as well as visitors ran helter-skelter out of the complex.

But the National Assembly's Chief Security Officer (CSO), Col. Emeka Okere, promptly dismissed the rumour, describing it as “the handiwork of idle minds looking for any excuse to close early.”

The rumour started around 3:30p.m. after the two chambers had wound up the day's plenary.

Banks, business centres and restaurant operators hurriedly closed shop and asked their staff to find their way out of the complex as family members were calling their loved ones to know whether they were still in the National Assembly.

A police source said the rumour started as a kite flown by the sergeants-at-arm at the main gate while trying to discourage the huge number of visitors who were bent on forcing their way into the complex.

As a result of the incident, the National Assembly management immediately summoned an emergency meeting of the security services in the complex to review the situation.

Since the resumption of legislative activities last week, security has been beefed up at the National Assembly complex whereby vehicular movements in and out of the premises have been seriously restricted.

Only the Assembly's management staff, senators and members of the House of Representatives were allowed to drive into the complex, while other ancillary workers and visitors now park their vehicles outside the premises.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has solicited the support of the United Kingdom (UK) to tackle the rising state of insecurity which was further heightened by the recent bombing of the United Nation’s Building in Abuja.


Minister of Defence, Dr. Bello Mohammed, made this request Tuesday in Abuja, when he received the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Andrew Lloyd, who paid him a courtesy visit in his office.

Mohammed said Nigeria needed UK’s support in the areas of intelligence sharing and supply of surveillance equipment necessary for curbing the menace of
terrorism.

He said: “I will also like to urge you to appeal to your government to strengthen our cooperation in the fight against terrorism.

“We have some security problems in Nigeria as you are aware and we believe that the Americans, the British as well as the EU are putting a lot of attention in the bid to curb terrorism in all parts of the world.

“If our security agencies work together with your agencies in the exchange of information may be in the deployment of equipment for detection, it will help not only in ensuring security in Nigerian, but world security.”

The minister further appealed to the British government to assist Nigeria in her quest to resuscitate her defence industries to enable her to meet some of her military needs.


Our defence industries have Mohammed also appealed to the British government to support Nigeria’s quest for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council.

Responding, Lloyd said his visit to the ministry was prompted by his country’s desire to strengthen military relations with Nigeria.

He said among other areas of interest, Britain would remain a strategic partner of Nigeria in the area of defence.

The high commissioner promised that Britain would partner Nigeria to sustain its democracy and curb emerging security
challenges.

He said Britain recognised Nigeria’s importance in the quest for global peace, and pledged his country’s support for its bid for permanent seat in the UN Security Council.

Lloyd noted that Nigeria’s role in the Security Council had been a benefiting one for global peace, adding that this had been evident in her role in restoring peace in the war torn Liberia, Sierra Leone and other African countries.

He advised Nigeria to protect its democracy against security challenges, saying that no modern democracy in the world was immune to such challenges.



Caption: Late General Sani Abacha

Swiss Court Orders Retrial of Abacha’s Son
By Zacheaus Somorin

Switzerland's highest court has ordered the retrial of Abba Abacha, the son of former Head of State, General Sani Abacha, British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) reported Tuesday.

Abba was given a two-year suspended sentence in June 2010 for taking part in a criminal organisation, and his assets were confiscated. The retrial was ordered because he was unable to get a Swiss visa to attend the trial.

There is general belief that the late Sani Abacha, who ruled the country from 1993 to 1998, may have stolen $2.2 billion (£1.3 billion). After his father's death in 1998, Abba and other members of the family controlled the funds.

Nigeria had asked the Swiss government in 1999 to help it recover the money, much of which was thought to be hidden in Swiss banks. Switzerland has so far handed back about $700 million to Nigeria.

Abba Abacha was ordered to return $350 million of illegally gained assets at his trial last year in the police court in Geneva. But the Swiss Federal Tribunal annulled the sentence and ordered the retrial on the grounds that Abacha's rights had been violated and because of procedural irregularities.

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