Soldiers ‘ll remain on the streets – FG
on JANUARY 18, 2012 · in HEADLINES

By Rotimi Ajayi, Henry Umoru & Gbenga Akanmu

ABUJA- THE Federal Government declared, yesterday, that it was not in any way prepared to withdraw soldiers who have been deployed to patrol the streets of Lagos and some other cities across the country until there was total peace in such areas. This came as Lagos lawmakers have joined others in condemning government’s action and called for the withdrawal of the soldiers.

Addressing newsmen in Abuja yesterday, Minister of Defence, Dr. Bello Haliru Mohammed said that the deployment of soldiers became imperative following security reports that some persons had concluded plans to hijack the protests and rallies and make the government ungovernable for President Goodluck Jonathan even if the organised labour called off the strike. He explained that soldiers were deployed to give support to the Police.


President Goodluck Jonathan inaugurating the Golf Course of the Air Force
Flanked by the Minister of State, Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada; the Permanent Secretary, Linus Awute; the minister who noted that the government took the decision to drive away those who were determined to bring down the government and cause crisis, stressed that it was the responsibility of government to stop violence and nip in the bud any plan of anarchy before it occurs.

The Minister said: “Let me emphasise that under no circumstances will the government stand aloof while some misguided elements unleash violence on the Nigerian society. As a responsive government, the Goodluck Jonathan’s administration is irrevocably committed to promoting the greatest good for the greatest number of Nigerians irrespective of tribe, religion or political affiliation. As soon as the situation is brought to normal, the soldiers will be withdrawn.”

It will be recalled that following the deployment of soldiers on the streets of Lagos, the State governor, Babatunde Fashola, on Monday kicked against the move and called for the immediate withdrawal of the military personnel from the streets, saying that there was no justification for it as the rallies in Lagos had been conducted peacefully.

Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka and a number of other Nigerians had also condemned the deployment of soldiers and called on the Federal government to withdraw them.

The Minister commended the efforts of the officers in the rank and file of the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Police and other Security agencies for displaying what he described as enviable maturity, understanding and professionalism in their conduct while the protests and rallies lasted.

Mohammed who said that Nigeria was at the cross road of insecurity, stressed that at the moment, the country does not face any external threat, but bombings which have become a new development in the nation’s history are highly condemnable, even as he commended Nigerians for the peaceful protests and rallies carried out which was an indication that democracy has come to stay.

“On the present insecurity in the country, which is our immediate concern, the bombings, shootings and killings going on in different parts of this country form a new dimension of security problem to this country. Prior to this period we never knew suicide bombing or bombing of any type as a form of protest, but now it has become the reality, it is totally condemnable by all our citizens and all civilized beings all over the world. Therefore it is the responsibility of this government and the Ministry of Defence is in support of this resolve, and we should not waver or get deterred in confronting this senseless act of few misguided elements of this country. We call on all Nigerians to remain calm and go about their lawful businesses while the government is determined to get to the bottom of the causes of this act of violence and remove them from the face of this country.”



Withdraw soldiers from Lagos, Lawmakers tell Jonathan



Meanwhile members of Lagos State House of Assembly have called on President Goodluck Jonathan to, as a matter of urgency, withdraw the military from the streets of Lagos.

Addressing newsmen yesterday in Lagos, Chairman, House Committee on Information, Segun Olulade stated that the House condemned in strong terms the deployment of military personnel to disrupt peaceful protest in Lagos.

“We view this action on the part of President as provocative and undemocratic particularly in a democratic dispensation. Due respect and courtesy ought to be extended to the deserving authority and failure to do this usually results in chaotic situations”, he noted.

According to him: “This is reminiscence of the sad period of military junta in Nigeria and must be erased completely in our national life. We recognise the right of every citizen to freely express himself and we therefore identify with every citizen engaging in peaceful protest against or in support of any policy of Government”.



President hid troops deployment from Governors



In a related development, more facts emerged yesterday that President Goodluck Jonathan may not have consulted the governors of the affected states before deploying troops to Lagos and other cities last Sunday ahead of the scheduled Monday rallies and protest called by Labour and Civil Society groups.

A very reliable source who attended a meeting the President held with the governors late Sunday night revealed that at no time did the President ever hint of his intention to deploy troops.

According to the source, the President only discussed the need to rally a nation-wide support for the removal of subsidy in order to boost national revenue and it was learnt that the governors were divided on the timing of the subsidy removal.



Some of the governors who were said to be opposed to the removal of the subsidy by the President were those from the South West states.



Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola was particularly said to have told the President of the need to tackle corruption at the Federal level so that monies being stolen by public office holders could be available for national development.

It was learnt that the governor told the meeting that once corruption has been tackled, the Federal and State Governments should then put concrete infrastructure on ground that would empower Nigerians to make economic choices.

His position was said to have been supported by the Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi and Lagos Governor Babatunde Fashola.

It was learnt that the President assured the Governors that he would reduce the pump price of petroleum from N141 in order to get the strike called off.

“This was the final agreement at the meeting before they left Abuja for their states late Sunday night by flight. By the time we got to Lagos around 3.15 am and we were on the road to our state, we were surprised to see soldiers deployed everywhere.

“Our convoy was stopped three times by the soldiers and the ADC had to explain who was in the vehicle before we were allowed to continue our journey. We were stopped three times. The decision to deploy the troops was a huge surprise for us as the President never mentioned this and certainly the governors would have been opposed to it” the source said.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/01/soldiers-ll-remain-on-the-streets-fg/

LOL. . .ol deceptive "maradona-Jona" was only trying to be "smart" but this should teach Nigerians a good lesson! A useless governor can never be a real president!

I dey believe Jona die, streamlining fools who think shouting and dancing makes them very Rad1cal

Power jam power, Fashola is looking so helpless, eejits

These clowns are really funny. They are still weak and incompetent against BH, but they are here beating chest and acting all macho against innocent protesting Nigerians.


Fuckiiiin jokers.

Eko Ile:

These clowns are really funny. They are still weak and incompetent against BH, but they are here beating chest and acting all macho against innocent protesting Nigerians.


Fuckiiiin jokers.

As usual you fail to see clearly. There are different tactics for different problems. Boko Haram are aspiring terrorists, so you use spies and informers and carry a big stick. For cretins and cockroaches like you and Bakare you give stern warning and several hard kicks up the backside as you drive them away.

I dey believe Jona die, streamlining fools who think shouting and dancing makes them very Rad1cal

Power jam power, Fashola is looking so helpless, eejits

[size=16pt]Bark[/size][/b]are and [size=16pt][b]Foul[/size]ana, are busy shieting in their pants

cowards, they are now occupying their house hiding 

Johndoe100:

As usual you fail to see clearly. There are different tactics for different problems. Boko Haram are aspiring terrorists, so you use spies and informers and carry a big stick. For cretins and cockroaches like you and Bakare you give stern warning and several hard kicks up the backside as you drive them away.

BH don blow up hundreds of innocent Nigerians and this clown is calling them aspiring terrorists. When are they going to become real terrorists, when they blow up thousands or the rest of the country?


You and GEJ sound re=terdedly alike, you both are very slow, shallow and brainless.

^
Dude, take your scrawny chest with its two reddish hairs to Ojota for a firsthand experience of the military butt grinder. You could take some OPC peeps with.
By the time you return, the hypocritical use of "aluta" would have been forever erased from your straightened mind. So far, your reeducation has been too mild.

Johndoe100:

As usual you fail to see clearly. There are different tactics for different problems. Boko Haram are aspiring terrorists, so you use spies and informers and carry a big stick. For cretins and cockroaches like you and Bakare you give stern warning and several hard kicks up the backside as you drive them away.

Did you just refer to Boko Haram members as aspiring terrorists? There seems to be no end in sight for all sorts of arguments that desperately justify some people's point of view. What exactly is wrong with this country?

What exactly is wrong with our youth?

The same Bakare and Falana that championed the course through the save Nigeria group to protest and put pressure on the national assembly to swear in jonathan when yaradua was indisposed is now been cursed because he is in the opposition. Hmmmmmmmm humans and our nature SMH

Rad1cal:

I dey believe Jona die, streamlining fools who think shouting and dancing makes them very Rad1cal

Power jam power, Fashola is looking so helpless, eejits

[size=16pt]Bark[/size][/b]are and [size=16pt][b]Foul[/size]ana, are busy shieting in their pants

cowards, they are now occupying their house hiding 

Walahi I wonder what kind of Animal this beaf and some useless hediots on this forum are. Do you people have a soul at all? Tufiakwa.

Imagine some foool describing BH as aspiring terrorists,its quite a shame.

If yu dont see anythinfg good in Jonathan, is it not the best for you to park out of this country. If he doesnt check the rising insecurity occassioned by your foolish protest and anything happens, its the same you that will say he is weak. Were you not the ones calling Jonathan a weak president? Now he is doing his Job and you call him Abacha. Foolish nigerians.

Well said Jona, 'area men' versus 'govt area men'

Soldiers had been on the streets of Jos, Maiduguri, Abuja for so long? Whats the big deal if they are on the streets of Lagos?

[s]Soldiers had been on the streets of Jos, Maiduguri, Abuja for so long? Whats the big deal if they are on the streets of Lagos?[/s]
What solutions have they brought to the killings and bombing in those places. Is the situation in those places same as in Lagos.
Correct. No wahala, they will soon occupy the whole country including be inside Aso Rock Villa then since you don't see anything wrong with them occupying Lagos.

werepeLeri:

Soldiers had been on the streets of Jos, Maiduguri, Abuja for so long? Whats the big deal if they are on the streets of Lagos?

It is obvious that Lagos is the Economic Nerve Center of Nigeria and through out the various ethno-religious crisis rocking Nigeria over 2 decades, is the least affected  - Why Prophet Jonah will deploy troops undermines the very sensitive balance that exists between the various multi-ethnic groups in Lagos. In all infrequent ethno-religious clashes that have occurred in Lagos, the Police have been up to the task, Why the Military and how you will compare Lagos to traditional ethno-crisis hotzones beats me  

Perhaps there is a conspiracy as alluded in some quarters, just before the strike at least 6 Containers of munitions were delivered to Dodan Barracks Obalende and the Obalende Police Barracks next to Kanselem House has witnessed similar deliveries in arms and munitions . is this related to the Troops deployment in Lagos? hmmm. I hope Fashola is deploying some sort of State intelligence on this matter

Jonathan is weak , when did u guys start caring about lagos, if GEJ is strong then let him prove it by steping on toes of corrupt pple in govt most especially sambo. Anyhw when he decides to call of the sojas what then happens? Pdp thugs here are funny , I thought the protest was useless and a carniva,l why are u guys bothered about it. If lagosians decide to protest for a month it is their prblm. Oh I forget GEJ would give in so he needs the army. GEJ is weak and a fool period.

werepeLeri:

Soldiers had been on the streets of Jos, Maiduguri, Abuja for so long? Whats the big deal if they are on the streets of Lagos?

Soldiers were not deployed on any streets in Abuja; they are only at the gates of the Hilton and Sheraton.

LeoMax:

National Security is beyond political office gimmicks, Fashola and the State Law makers are a tentative choices of the people but national security reigns supreme. I noted that Fashola and the entire opposition parties usually dont have any viable opposing views except there is a call for strike, they always hijack it to sponsor insults on the presidency and its hierarchy. That should stop. Fashola, henceforth, note that the President is the commander in chief of the "Armed Forces" We all know that Fashola has been more sentimental than professional in his utterances against the Presidency, that should stop. The presidency on my observation has been very professional in dealing with issues concerning Lagos State. Lagos State is not in competition with the Federal Government and BRT/BAT crew should learn from history. Democracy promotes respect of constituted authorities beyond your state hierarchy.

You should ask OBJ how he professionally handled Lagos Budgetary allocations Until there is Peace in Lagos I am yet to understand the depths of reason that prompted such brashness. You are right, Lagos is not in competition with the Federal Government, I really don't know how the sentimentality or political statements of a State Governor at a Political Rally Amounts to disrespect. unless you are saying GEJ's comments on the Rascality of Lagosians is simply a soft-punch. Most people did not see it that way?

Most people use half of their brains to reason - the other half to eat fufu, eba, tuwo, rice, beans, etc.

freecocoa:

Walahi I wonder what kind of Animal this beaf and some useless hediots on this forum are. Do you people have a soul at all? Tufiakwa.

Imagine some foool describing BH as aspiring terrorists,its quite a shame.

DESCRIBING GBOKO HARAM AS ASPIRING, IS NOT OUT OF PLACE
When u compare gboko to their brothers outside nigeria then u will say for sure that there are amature. Remember that no nigerian man called gboko is willing to carry out suicide bombing. Gboko imports suicide bombers from sudan and afganistan. I was i borno state during the 2009 war betwee gboko and the feds, the main war loads communicated in arabic and not hausa, meaning that gboko imported sudanese or afghan war loads under alqada. Am not saying gboko is no case but the point qm trying to make is that gboko is only taking advantage of the fact that their members are virtually everywhere. That america was able to defeat terrorist easily is that the american system is clean, america is 10% muslim and 60% christians, therefore, very few people sympathize with terrorists in america. Remember that most of the attack on america is planned from outside but those of nigeria is planned in nigeria. Do u think sokoto's escape is as a result of incompetence on the side of nigerian forces? Lie! It was planned. The gboko infiltrated the nigerian force long time ago. I worked in london ciki, close to gwange police station, i understand the gboko operations perfectly.

I am expecting to hear their "fellow Nigerian" as soon as possible.
Since the south presented the worst mumu of all ages.
Let them tactically occupy nigeria, and last they will see the Mumu out of Aso Villa.
To me I now welcome them again.

Rad1cal:

I dey believe Jona die, streamlining fools who think shouting and dancing makes them very Rad1cal

Power jam power, Fashola is looking so helpless, eejits

[size=16pt]Bark[/size][/b]are and [size=16pt][b]Foul[/size]ana, are busy shieting in their pants

cowards, they are now occupying their house hiding 

Buffoons like you that have infiltrated Nairaland this days are nothing but group of psychos. You and your pro gej fanatical are the enemy of the masses.

I have not really seen the soldiers sha in Lagos, maybe they have reduced their number.

and there wont be peace until he meet our heart desires and after we've bounced back on the nlc and tuc stupid presidents.

LEXYLOV:

Buffoons like you that have infiltrated Nairaland this days are nothing but group of psychos. You and your pro gej fanatical are the enemy of the masses.

[img]http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRChku4osWxsrmEkQ502rry_KtFaw_MTbHSd7lKhxJTRL3Jvvt5-0ttIkE[/img]



[img]http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTja6ExQFGuMafw2RNzf36EGD93gT9Gwa7P55TN_7kYcyK1Cj9kZQ[/img]

EPIC FAIL. The soldiers are on the streets to streamline social miscreants like you.

Order must be restored, you dog shiet

aspiring what? Some make comments before they think! Na wa ooo

Good move.
I wonder why any right thinking person would oppose this move in the face of insecurity.

:-x

Johndoe100:

As usual you fail to see clearly. There are different tactics for different problems. Boko Haram are aspiring terrorists, so you use spies and informers and carry a big stick. For cretins [/b]and [b]cockroaches like you and Bakare you give stern warning and several hard kicks up the backside as you drive them away.

so you actually see your fellow human as cretins and cockroaches is that the kind of view u av of those u think u are above only a fool thinks he's the best of all. . .smh

werepeLeri:

Soldiers had been on the streets of Jos, Maiduguri, Abuja for so long? Whats the big deal if they are on the streets of Lagos?

What's the point here? Are you justifying the deployment of soldiers in a democracy? Isn't there a fundamental difference between the police (including MOPOL and anti-riot) and soldiers?

Are we sure that Nigerians are even ready for this democracy?