₦airaland Forum

Violence spreads to Oyo, 20 injured, 15 vehicles destroyed in Ibadan, 5 students kidnapped in Ekiti

http://odili.net/news/source/2011/mar/25/600.html

Along convoy of vehicles, youths singing and drumming as crowds of residents waved excitedly.

Then shots rang out. The carnival ended abruptly. Everyone ran for dear lives. By the time the dust settled, nine Action Congress of Nigeria (CAN) supporters of Akwa Ibom governorship candidate John Udoedehe lay dead. Many were injured.

It all happened in Ikot Ekpene, home of the Annang, in Akwa Ibom State.

Udoedehe’s main opponent Governor Godswill Akpabio, is from Ikot Ekpene zone. 

Guns, stones and other weapons were used on the ACN candidates and their supporters by people suspected to be thugs of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Udoedehe and his supporters were heading for a primary school in Ikot Opongadong for a rally. 

Some of the victims died on the spot, others died as they were being taken to Uyo, the state capital  his words for treatment.

The incident happened around 2.45 pm. The campaign train left Uyo, Udoedehe’s constituency, around 2 pm.

One filling station and a house on Uyo-Ikot Road  were burnt. Twenty vehicles were either damaged or burnt.

It was learnt that the ACN had been warned to stay away from Ikot Ekpene. The party’s request for three venues was turned down before it got a primary school in Ikot Opongadong.

Speaking with The Nation last night, Udoedehe described the incident as “unfortunate”. He said it was like a war.

He said: “This is the first rally we would be holding in Anang land. We had a long convoy. They were shouting on us, stoning us and shooting sporadically. They ambushed us on both ends of the convoy. They thought they had killed me and went to Uyo to break the news of my death. They stoned my vehicle and that of my deputy. We were really helpless. Even the Army and SSS could not do anything. They could not protect us. Police said they had no men.”

Udoedehe’s running mate, Ime Umanah, who is  Annang like Akpabio, said he was sad that his people could allow themselves to be brainwashed.

He said: “What happened today has been a disgrace to me. Akpabio is trying to bring ethnic war to Akwa Ibom. He does not want anyone to campaign in Annang. They prevented us from getting to the venue of the rally. It is a pity that God gave him power and he is using it badly. My principal’s Toyota car is riddled with bullets. Even when we managed to get to the venue, they chased us out.”

The ACN senatorial candidate for Ikot Ekpene, Mr Joe Ukpong, said he was in the same vehicle with Umanah all through the attack on the convoy. He said the attackers’ goal was to prevent the party from campaigning in the area and winning over the people.

PDP sources said   ACN members descended on government and private properties in Uyo after escaping from Ikot Ekpene.

Speaking through his Commissioner for Information Aniekan Umanah, Akpabio said he had no hand in the fracas. He said he was busy with his campaigns in two local government areas when  the Ikot Ekpene incident happened. He said his  rallies were peacful.

He said: “We don’t know those involved. We had our own rallies in two local government areas, Abak and Mkpatenin. There was no clash with anybody. We were surprised when we returned to Uyo to see houses and vehicles being burnt. Clearly, some people have taken laws into their hands. It is unfortunate if people decide to shed blood for politics and burn down public buildings. Some people are taking government’s tolerance for weakness.”

A PDP source blamed the incident on the ACN which tried to force its way through the town despite the fact that it had been warned to take its campaigns elsewhere. “They had been warned that no other party, except PDP, should come for campaign in Annang land. So, why did they come?”

Ukpong said ACN supporters never showed any violent attitude while on the campaign

Ekiti will never disappoint me; ever.

It could well likely be that most kidnappers in Akwa Ibom, Edo, Ekiti, Osun, Ondo and Delta (and there are many reports of kidnapping from those places) are also Lagos returnees.

Genius100:
Dude, you sound like an . So Igbos were the only one affected by Fashola destroying illegal structures? How about the Yorubads, Edos, Ijaws, Hausas etc whose illegal structures were destroyed?

Mr clown, it is a matter of numbers. How many of those compared to Igbos traders? Also note specific places that were buldlozed and tell the group in preponderance in those places.

E don dey happen. lol.

6 days after quake, same road

Japanese repair quake-ravaged road in just six days

by Chris Shunk (RSS feed) on Mar 24th 2011 at 12:30PM
Japan earthquake fixed road

Japan earthquake damaged roadDue to the extensive damage in Japan caused by the massive earthquake and resultant tsunami on March 11, many have questioned if the island nation can recover in a year, much less a few months. If the swiftness with which the Japanese can repair roads is any indication, we wouldn't bet against the country cleaning up this catastrophe in short order.

As a result of the quake, a 150-meter section of the Great Kanto Highway in Naka was absolutely obliterated, with massive chasms running right through the middle of the road. Work crews at the NEXCO road repair company sprang into action on March 17, working at a fevered pitch to help get their country on the road to recovery, literally. Amazingly, after only six days of labor, the road is silky smooth and ready for travel. Look at the the before and after photos above to see just how amazing this feat is.

Given the fact that road crews in the U.S. can spend three or more months repairing a single lane of concrete, only to leave the orange barrels on the road for another two weeks, we're blown away by this feat of engineering. Simply amazing.

Nigeria is a stark basket case. They want to build nuclear plants. Someone who cannot count 1 to 10 wants to count 100.

1 day after the earthquake

Igbos have claimed 40-50% of Lagos population. If they fail to harness that population and flush Fasola out, then it is up to them to live with it. Although I know ACN, the party of thugs and deadly rascals will rig massively in Lagos.

As for me and mine, I have no dollar to invest in Lagos (or anywhere else outside the East and Cross River). Not even free land will change my mind.

^^^^
The link is up and running, bro.

Recently I was discussing with my maternal uncle who is a DCO (divisional crime officer) in the police force in one of the popular states/city somewhere in the East (names withheld) and he told me that during the course of their interrogations of arrested kidnappers in the East, they found  that most of them were those who lost their businesses to Fashola's bulldozers and had to return to the East. Without any job or money to start a new business, they took to crime. Asked why they did not remain in Lagos and do their crime there, the kidnappers claimed Lagos became too hot because of the security measures put in place. So Fasola destroyed as many Igbo businesses as he could and then tightened the security in his state knowing that an angry and hungry man must take to one crime or the other.

Other anecdotal evidences supporting these claims are:

1. Imo State Gov. Ohakim, on a visit to Lagos, once said that crime in the East took a rise when Igbos lost shares in Banks based in lagos

2. The story in this link (main point quoted below) http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20110324139459

With the various interplay of ethnic factors, the governor, Babatunde Fashola, might have a hot clay pot in his hands which he must set down carefully and handle with utmost tact. Recently, when he attended a debate organised by the Archbishop Vining Memorial Church, somebody in the audience identified himself as an Igbo who has been living in Lagos for 32 years. He accused the governor of using the Igbos to win elections and afterwards, destroyed their businesses and then they left for the East where they took to crime.

I do not believe in prophecy but I take this one hook, line and sinker, no questions asked. They will fail flat on their stomach and so will Ribadu.

Undergraduate arrested for poisoning well in Jos
News Mar 16, 2011

BY TAYE OBATERU
A 21-year-old undergraduate has been arrested for allegedly poisoning a well ostensibly to dissuade people from fetching water from there.

The suspect, Ibrahim Abubakar, a 200 level Public Administration student of Ahmadu Bello University, ABU, was arrested by men of the Special Task Force, STF, maintaining security in the state after he allegedly poured a gallon of used engine oil into the well in the father’s compound in Dutse Uku area of Jos.

It was learnt that the family were forced to abandon the house in the wake of the 2008 crisis in the state and he reportedly became aggrieved that those who forced them out of the area were now enjoying the well.

He was said to have sneaked into the compound yesterday to contaminate the water to make it unusable for those fetching it but was caught by a lady who went there to fetch water.

Her alarm was said to have attracted people from the area who almost lynched the suspect before soldiers on security duty in the area rescued him.

Spokesman of the STF, Captain Charles Ekeocha who took newsmen to the compound said it was disturbing that someone would go to such an extent for revenge, especially an undergraduate who should know better.

He said such acts were becoming rampant and would have resulted in more violence if not for the way the STF had been handling them adding, “but we have to come to the open with this as the practice is becoming more rampant; what worries us so much is the aspect that this act was perpetrated by a university graduate who is seen as a future leader.”

He said the STF would hand the suspect over to the police for further investigations.

People who ruled for almost 40 years out of 50 something and have nothing to show for it. What else do they want to prove, except to kill us all as they are killing Jos people?

Presidency: North lost the opportunity, says Gov Aliyu
From NOAH EBIJE, Kaduna
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Niger State Governor, Muazu Babangida Aliyu
Photo: Sun News Publishing
More Stories on This Section

Niger State Governor, Muazu Babangida Aliyu has said the political class in the North has lost the opportunity to correct some of the socio-economic woes in the region when they were at the helm of affairs.

Aliyu, who is also the chairman, Northern Governors’ Forum (NGF) spoke yesterday in Kaduna. He spoke through his Deputy, Alhaji Musa Ibeto at the opening ceremony of the Annual General Meeting of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF).
He expressed worry that the behaviour of some of the northerners in leadership position and the elite class fell short of the expectations of the founding fathers of the North as well as the expectations of the younger generation, adding that this probably explained why the region was still wallowing in the dark over 50 years after independence, almost 45 years after Sardauna’s death and 11 years after the formation of ACF.

The NGF chairman also called on the ACF and similar groups rooting for the socio-economic and political transformation of the North to redefine their roles, saying, “we need to take a cue from the broadminded approach to issues, the political sagacity and ability to negotiate, the sophisticated reasoning, the comportment and commitment of our fallen heroes who were selfless and lived above board in all ramifications.”

He continued: “Do we still have ‘the North’ that reflects ‘a trans-ethnic community’ and “the Northerner” as a citizen that transcends tribal, religious and class affiliations? Where do we stand today in the political equation of this community? Are we still with the ball; or where did we lose it; and are we still in the game? Are we prepared and ready to compete with other regions?

“I have raised these questions time and time again because some of us are very concerned about the turn of events in this country today and even worried that the behaviour of some of us in leadership position and the entire elite class are falling short of what would have been the expectations of the founding fathers of the North/Nigeria and indeed the expectations of the younger generation, who are beginning to feel – probably justifiably so – that ours is a failed generation of northern leaders, since the era of Sir. Ahmadu Bello, Sardaunan Sokoto and his contemporaries.
“This probably explains why we are still groping in the dark in the North, over 50 years after our independence, almost 45 years after Sardauna and indeed 11 years after pressure groups such as ACF.
“This also brings to the fore the need for us to redefine the role of Arewa Consultative Forum and similar groups routing for the socio-economic and political transformation of the North to be properly redefined. We need to take a cue from the broadminded approach to issues, the political sagacity and ability to negotiate, the sophisticated reasoning, the comportment and commitment of our fallen heroes who were selfless and lived above board in all ramifications,” he said.

What should truly be the role of the ACF? Are we impartial arbiters who should be in the vanguard to frankly and courageously guide the political, social and economic development of the North in particular and the nation in general? Or should we continue to perhaps arrogantly demand for what should have been the right and privileges of every citizen of this country? Should we be myopic and eccentric in our agitations and negotiations in the interest of the North, within the wider interest of the nation?

“It is very pertinent to note that unless we begin to frankly look at some of these issues in the context of our roles as leaders of today, we shall continue to have our integrity and credibility questioned by others, especially by the younger generations, who may be wondering why we are not able to lead the North out of the woods and doldrums of underdevelopment-poverty, disease, illiteracy, almajiranci, maula and dependency syndrome, and youth restiveness, among others, despite our previous opportunities at the helms of political leadership of this country.
“The hallmark of testing the credibility of any social or political group speaking for the North or any region at all today is the antecedent (s) of the leadership and entire membership of such groups.

“Are these people who have misused their opportunity and want to remain relevant? Are they people who are finding jobs for themselves in retirement and solitary life? What are the legacies they left behind for the younger generations in terms of exemplary leadership and social values? It is very important to note that to earn the respect of others, we must not be seen to be championing narrow selfish individual or group interests, neither must we allow ourselves to be seen as mere opportunists who hide under the guise of ethnic or religious dominance to agitate for what we may not achieve under a free, fair and competitive atmosphere.

“The issues that should actually agitate our minds, given our prevailing circumstances as “the North” should be be: how do we get the closed manufacturing industries in the North (especially the textiles) back into production, to recreate the job opportunities of the past and enjoy economic boom again? How do we take our children away from the streets, into the classrooms, how do we create jobs and wealth for our teeming youth to enable them live decent lives, how do we make our communities safer to work and live as free citizens, how do we bring an end to the internecine ethnic and religious conflicts that are claiming millions of innocent lives across our states, and most importantly how do we fight and eradicate corruption in our body polity? END

He is not stepping down for a Nigerian. He is only doing so for a northern Nigerian. And he wants to lead with oil money from the south. ONLY A BLIND SOUTHERNER WILL VOTE FOR ACN and CPC

The same Bakare will be killed in the North. Looks like he has converted back to islam, hence he has become an islamic apologist. Now we have 2 muslims trying to rule. This is not Abiola time. Everyone is wiser now.

ACN buahahahahha! Party of losers. Next will be Buhari. They will all fail WOEFULLY
Jonathan, warts and all, incompetent as he may sound, is far more competent and nationalistic than Ribadu and Buhari put together
Buhari played politics with corruption and religion
Ribadu payed politics with corruption
Somebody who once said Tinubu is a thief now wines and dines with the same person. When he becomes president Ibori will come back, seeing that Ibori and Tinubu are parleys.
Shame on ACN. Shame on CPC
Jonathan all the way

Its as simple as ABC. A vote for Buhari= consolidation of Nigeria in the OIC
Reject religious bigots now.

^^^^^^
Kanuri female cow. Why is he not talking about this one. All you selective urchins

Everyone Take Note Of Date and Timing

1: 03/15/2011  9:52 ET

https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-624341.0.html

Igbo name highlighted and made apparent by the aggressor

^^^^
So Ileke Idi is now hausa and all those Yorubas taunting Igbos are hausa? Foolish, conniving you. I am not keen on corresponding with you. Take note.

Buhari, you were president before. What did you do? Nigerians are wiser now. You arrested southerners and let Shagari and other northern leaders stay at home and enjoy their loot. You said you will go after corrupt leaders. Are you going to go after yourself, after IBB and after Abacha family? Are you going to arrest Dangote and his economic sabotages?

And if ACN and Buhari rig, there will be complete shut-down of oil wells. Everyone will have to bear their father's name
Bakare is just another loud-mouthed hypocrite

These guys are planning on how to rig and are blackmailing Nigerians with fake alibis

jason123:
C'mon, this is immature. Just report the threads so it can be deleted.By the way, it was a northerner that started the thread. It was an ijaw man that broiught tribalism to that particular thread. Simply report it, thats all. There is no need for all this. IMHO.

Actually this collection will, if anything, put to lie all your claims (you in particular) that I start ethnic bashings.

By the time I get all the evidence I need, you will know what follows next.

2. 03/15/11, 2.47 ET
Yorubas having a field day with Igbo bashing here
https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-624354.64.html#msg7919355

I see that you guys are having afield day here

Let me add this to my Yoruba-bashing-Igbo tally

Andre Uweh:
@The poster. You have been here for ages yet your little brain has not enabled you to know where crimes section is. What a shame.

Nwanna:

Dont mind the old hag. Soon they will go, tails in between legs, cap in hand, complaining to the mods like cry babies.

BTW, I have created a thread here https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-624345.0.html for people to add all her and other's Igbo-bashing posts.
It is necessary to have facts that will be used in any counter-attack

Just send link to post, date and time of post. Thanks

Alj Uche:
not possible

you ahve to take into account that the north has the highest population in the country and least educated as you people put it,.,. thus we are willing to join the military more than any educated southerners as you people put it.

as moreover land mass comes into play here in terms of states equality

Go and read up on how recruitment is done in the army since 1998. The large army of unemployed people in all states makes it such that military engagement is no more for your illiterate north.  I have cousins with MS degrees who are in the Nigerian army and they got into it after their uni degrees.

Beaf:
So be ready be accused of being selective when you are caught out.

Its funny that I'm talking to someone who expects the President of Nigeria to jump out of his car to throw stones back at almajiri's. How did you think that up?
In case you don't know, attempting to harm the President is a serious crime against the state. Why am I wasting time explaining this?

How will they understand with their blocked cow heads. In sane societies, they will all be rounded up and charged. Try that with Obama.