₦airaland Forum

[quote author=L.M Ayedun..]We need a new state out of Kogi state - Okun state.[/quote]Supported. I expect 2 states to be created out of Kogi state. That state is too big, and besides there's no development whatsoever from the Okun region. I wonder what that man call Smart Adeyemi is doing in Abuja for his people.

Good initiatives though, Nissan, Peugeot & others coming up. But I think our government needs to do more in maintaining & constructing new roads for us to enjoy all this luxurious cars. We shouldn't put the cart before the horse. In truthfulness, Nigeria don't have roads.

VAQAXY: GEJ is transforming Nigeria.

How?...is it for all the rubbish on Lagos/Ibadan road or Shagamu/Ore road? .... #GEJ is doing nothing!

God, please give me a blank cheque so that I can be blessed beyond my imagination and by your grace afford even more than been on the Titanic II.

It's not that people like me expect much from him though. It's normal for people of his mindset that after investing so much money into the luxurious bus transportation business in Nigeria, nothing much matter to them. Mikel is a business man, he's only playing football for money, and not for the passion or the interest of the nation. It's obvious of him & very typical.

I never even knew there are muslims among them. But I think if you are fasting, you don't need anyone to know, right? or, is it against the law not to eat at all in the afternoon nii? ....

RIP Madam Arisekola. Death is debt that must be paid by all.

#Whatever!

PhockPhockMan: https://www.nairaland.com/1793786/boko-haram-detainee-mustapha-kolo

https://www.nairaland.com/1793736/proscribing-boko-haram-wrong-lai

https://www.nairaland.com/1794185/boko-haram-armed-wing-apc

Are you ok now, all these threads are all trending today.

Ibrahim D Itsenyabi
If you read this story and still believe someone is "sponsoring" Boko Haram to make Nigeria "ungovernable", then either you are that someone or you need an appointment with a psychiatrist.

-----------------------
How Book Haram is beating U.S. efforts to choke its financing

BY PHIL STEWART AND LESLEY WROUGHTON
WASHINGTON Tue Jul 1, 2014

(Reuters) - When Washington imposed sanctions in June 2012 on Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau, he dismissed it as an empty gesture.

Two years later, Shekau’s skepticism appears well founded: his Islamic militant group is now the biggest security threat to Africa's top oil producer, is richer than ever, more violent and its abductions of women and children continue with impunity.

As the United States, Nigeria and others struggle to track and choke off its funding, Reuters interviews with more than a dozen current and former U.S. officials who closely follow Boko Haram provide the most complete picture to date of how the group finances its activities.

Central to the militant group’s approach includes using hard-to-track human couriers to move cash, relying on local funding sources and engaging in only limited financial relationships with other extremists groups. It also has reaped millions from high-profile kidnappings.

"Our suspicions are that they are surviving on very lucrative criminal activities that involve kidnappings," U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Linda Thomas-Greenfield said in an interview. Until now, U.S. officials have declined to discuss Boko Haram’s financing in such detail.

The United States has stepped up cooperation with Nigeria to gather intelligence on Boko Haram, whose militants are killing civilians almost daily in its northeastern Nigerian stronghold. But the lack of international financial ties to the group limit the measures the United States can use to undermine it, such as financial sanctions.

The U.S. Treasury normally relies on a range of measures to track financial transactions of terrorist groups, but Boko Haram appears to operate largely outside the banking system. To fund its murderous network, Boko Haram uses primarily a system of couriers to move cash around inside Nigeria and across the porous borders from neighboring African states, according to the officials interviewed by Reuters.

In designating Boko Haram as a terrorist organization last year, the Obama administration characterized the group as a violent extremist organization with links to al Qaeda. The Treasury Department said in a statement to Reuters that the United States has seen evidence that Boko Haram has received financial support from Al Qaeda in the Islamic Magreb (AQIM), an offshoot of the jihadist group founded by Osama bin Laden.

But that support is limited. Officials with deep knowledge of Boko Haram's finances say that any links with al Qaeda or its affiliates are inconsequential to Boko Haram's overall funding.

"Any financial support AQIM might still be providing Boko Haram would pale in comparison to the resources it gets from criminal activities," said one U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Assessments differ, but one U.S. estimate of financial transfers from AQIM was in the low hundreds of thousands of dollars. That compares with the millions of dollars that Boko Haram is estimated to make through its kidnap and ransom operations.

LUCRATIVE KIDNAPPING RACKET

Ransoms appear to be the main source of funding for Boko Haram's five-year-old Islamist insurgency in Nigeria, whose 170 million people are split roughly evenly between Christians and Muslims, said the U.S. officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

In February last year, armed men on motorcycles snatched Frenchman Tanguy Moulin-Fournier, his wife and four children, and his brother while they were on holiday near the Waza national park in Cameroon, close to the Nigerian border. Boko Haram was paid an equivalent of about $3.15 million by French and Cameroonian negotiators before the hostages were released, according to a confidential Nigerian government report later obtained by Reuters.

Figures vary on how much Boko Haram earns from kidnappings. Some U.S. officials estimate the group is paid as much as $1 million for the release of each abducted wealthy Nigerian. It is widely assumed in Nigeria that Boko Haram receives support from religious sympathizers inside the country, including some wealthy professionals and northern Nigerians who dislike the government, although little evidence has been made public to support that assertion.

Current and former U.S. and Nigerian officials say Boko Haram's operations do not require significant amounts of money, which means even successful operations tracking and intercepting their funds are unlikely to disrupt their campaign. Boko Haram had developed "a very diversified and resilient model of supporting itself," said Peter Pham, a Nigeria scholar at the Atlantic Council think-tank in Washington.

"It can essentially 'live off the land' with very modest additional resources required," he told a congressional hearing on June 11.

LOW-COST WEAPONS

"We’re not talking about a group that is buying sophisticated weapons of the sort that some of the jihadist groups in Syria and other places are using. We’re talking AK-47s, a few rocket-propelled grenades, and bomb-making materials. It is a very low-cost operation," Pham told Reuters.

That includes paying local youth just pennies a day to track and report on Nigerian troop movements. Much of Boko Haram's military hardware is not bought, it is stolen from the Nigerian army.

In February, dozens of its fighters descended on a remote military outpost in the Gwoza hills in northeastern Borno state, looting 200 mortar bombs, 50 rocket-propelled grenades and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. Such raids have left the group well armed. In dozens of attacks in the past year Nigerian soldiers were swept aside by militants driving trucks, motor bikes and sometimes even stolen armored vehicles, firing rocket-propelled grenades.

Boko Haram's inner leadership is security savvy, not only in the way it moves money but also in its communications, relying on face-to-face contact, since messages or calls can be intercepted, the current and former U.S. officials said.

"They're quite sophisticated in terms of shielding all of these activities from legitimate law enforcement officials in Africa and certainly our own intelligence efforts trying to get glimpses and insight into what they do," a former U.S. military official said. U.S. officials acknowledge that the weapons that have served Washington so well in its financial warfare against other terrorist groups are proving less effective against Boko Haram.

"My sense is that we have applied the tools that we do have but that they are not particularly well tailored to the way that Boko Haram is financing itself," a U.S. defense official said.

(Additional reporting by Tim Cocks in Abuja. Editing by David Storey, Jason Szep and Ross Colvin)
------- Have a re-think my friend. I believed you are such an educated fellow. Don't follow what the likes of FFK is saying. Those guys are only looking for means on enriching their pockets. Their words has no values.

PhockPhockMan: You don't change for change sake, not all change is good, a change to terrorists party like APC is the kind of change Egyptians got, unfortunately they're paying heavily for it.

.......and have you gotten all your proof that APC is behind all the terrorism acts in Nigeria? or, you just been biased.

bootstrap: first of.... let me say i respect all Igbos and what they represent. ( I am actually Igbo frm my mothers side).

But Igbos can be silly, greedy and unnecessarily myopic a times. Which explains why we might not have an Igbo president anytime in the nearest future. Igbos must learn to be more strategic. No one is going to hand them the presidency. Y'all have to fight for it. Only way to do that is to be more strategic. An igbo man was amongst the founding fathers of PDP, but today they more like strangers in that party. They foolishly formed APGA, and made it a regional party. No regional party can ever win a presidential election in this country.

Criminal as Tinubu cld be, he is a good strategist and knows that ACN cld never be a party at the centre so long as they are a regional party, hence their merger with CPC.

Hypothetically, If APC wins the presidency 2015 or 2019, which strong Igbo man is in that party. That means the beginning of another long era of no presidency for the Igbo.

Common sense shld have told the Igbos that they need a very strong representation in the newly formed party, Just incase the party becomes a force to recon with. Even if it means "sacrificing" some strong PDP or APGA members. Its all about strategising and learning to be at the right place at the right time. The foolish Igbos are busy insulting the new party, without knowing what the future holds. You can always give it to the SW, they know how to adapt well and get what they want.

Do not alienate urselves frm any new movement, have some strong representation there, If it fails, y'all still have ur guys back and if it succeeds, you guys get to gain. But never never never align only with one party and hope to be handed the presidency at ur time. Y'all will just keep being f**ked over.

I've told my igbo friends this times without number that they stand a chance with APC than PDP but they will not listen. I'm glad someone from their side is telling them the gospel truth. It is time we stop been selfish about our personal ambition and work together for common goal of taking this great nation to highest level. I'm not saying APC is a perfect party, but all I'm saying is "We need a change". After all, this happen in Britain ( from Labour party to Conservative) & USA ( from Republican to Democratic) too. Without a change in a system, it is obvious that we will remain static. Change is what give us a better idea.

If Enyeama was an error in that match, then Keshi and the rest of the team was a disaster. Oponu agbalagba! Too big to admit that he is sorry. He's too fool of himself. Anyway, I never liked you in the first place. I think Siasia is better off than you 100%.

Good initiative though. Very inspiring.

This thing call Keshi will not stop blaming game on the outstanding players. Instead of him to accept his defeat in good faith, he will always run his mouth out to rubbish good players. Stupid old coach.

Imagine, how I'm enjoying a better game between Algeria & Germany. Not the Nigeria match that nearly give one an heart attack.

Up Yobo ooooooo. Calamity Yobo. Thank you for having a record at the world cup. You are indeed a star.

Ibere were....! The beginning of madness.

Where is Dame Patience? I suppose she is busy cooking in the kitchen for her husband.

lynpetra: Cutlery ke?
Ajekpako like me no need cutlery

Give me shovel or better still I can eat with my hands!!!

Infact put the food for nylon,I go dey suck am from a small opening at the tip.

see why I missed nairaland die for this past one week, when hackers go attack them? Guy, you are too much, I enjoy that "wanke" stuff (rice & beans cooked together) in that manner too.

This is why I kept off reading or listening to the headlines this days. There are no good news again.... God please have mercy on this land call Nigeria.

Yes. The guy has been an impact on the team. A positive one. Anyway, welcome back nairaland. I knew enemies will be trying, but they will never prevail in Jesus name. More blessing to you Seun & your team, we really missed you guys.

fijiano202: Am confused with no 7,14,21 /7/ Says Jonathan would not finish is tenure /14/ say He would not be impeached even if they try /21/ says He would be the last PDP President. My question is how is he going to vacate office before is tenure is over,Will He resign or Die?

My brother...I wonder oooo, too many complications in the prophesy.

Waiting patiently........

Billyonaire: This Polymer CBN Governor should just leave. He has achieved little other than radical chit-chats.

Can you imagine your biased judgment. I should think someone like you will do better. Anyway, I'm not surprised at your comment. People like you don't know the meaning of taking Nigeria forward.

Idiota!

Whatever, ..... you guys should remember Fela Anikulapo Kuti oooo. He was a prophet.

Suffering & Smiling! Nigeria wake up from your slumber.

folymania: Thanks.

But u don't expect me to confront her with dat, do u?

Why not? Is she Patience Jonathan? Abeg tell her directly or indirectly to leave you and your husband alone to enjoy yourselves.

Letters! Letters!! Letter!!!. If they like, let all Ijaw write a letter each and abuse Obasanjo.......One thing is certain, Jonathan will go and beg Obasanjo if he truly wants his second term ticket from the PDP. That, I'm very sure will happen..., very soon though. Who be Jonathan + Asari + Clark + all of them compare to Ebora Owu!

[quote author=Omo_Tier1]Ewdin Clarke,

Tell the world what happened to your daughter in London [/quote].........what happened to his daughter in London? Please tell us oooo, me I wan know oooo.

Please, I need an information on how to start the business of fishing in our local waters. Someone advices that we should have a trawler & an experienced sailors to start with. But please, I will really appreciate someone who can give us an insight on how the business is been run. Thank you.

What is wrong with Rivers State now? I bet this year will decide for this nation! ..........but if this story is untrue, then something is wrong with nairaland moderators & Seun too better get serious this year.

Goddex: This "Man of God" obviously reads too much PUNCH, The Nation Newspapers etc. By the way, Pastor Bakare and co made similar prophesies in 2003 when Obasanjo was about going for 2nd term . . .

......You want to compare Prophet Olabayo's prophesy to Pastor Tunde Bakare? OK ooo, no wahala. I want you to realize that there is a different between a Prophet & a Pastor. He who have ear, let him hear what the spirit is saying.....