₦airaland Forum

UYO-AKWA Ibom State Government has begun the purchase of motorcycles, Okada, from their owners at a flat rate of N50,000.

The exercise, which began at the premises of the Ministry of Works and Transport on Wellington Bassey Way, Uyo, is handled by a committee set up by government for the purpose.

The Acting Governor, Mr. Nsima Ekere, who announced this when he met with the leadership of the Akwa Ibom Professional Commercial Motorcyclists Association, APCOMA, yesterday, in Uyo, said that N500million will be released in the first instance as soon as the committee was in place while the balance would be released based on the management of the scheme.

The Desk Officer in charge of the exercise, Mr. Bassey Atti, said motorcycle owners were expected to provide proof of ownership, with up-to-date particulars of their motorcycles and two passport photographs.

At press time, hundreds of motorcyclists were seen queuing at the ministry’s premises to turn in their motorcycles in return for the money.

As a long-term measure to enable the affected commercial motorcyclists find alternative means of livelihood, the state government, last week, set up a N1billion revolving loan scheme for them.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/07/ban-on-okada-a-ibom-begins-purchase-of-motorcycles-from-owners/

The family of the murdered banker, Mrs Titilayo Arowolo (nee Oyakhire), who was allegedly killed by her husband, Kolade, has said they are awaiting the autopsy report before deciding on the next action to take on the matter.

They however faulted the preliminary investigations by the police.

Titilayo, 29, a former member of staff of Skye Bank and a graduate of the Ambrose Ali University, Edo State was allegedly murdered in cold blood on June 24, by her husband following several and serious mutilation by the husband.

The dastardly act of the suspect on his wife and mother of his only daughter remained a bitter pill for the family of the deceased to swallow.

When THISDAY visited the Oyakhires at their Ifako home in the outskirts of Lagos, the strains of such sudden loss was very visible on the faces and candour of the parents.

The father of the deceased, Mr. George Oyakhire, a Kano-based senior officer of the Nigeria Customs Service had since relocated to Lagos to get the full details of the tragic incident.

Although he could not talk to the press, THISDAY gathered that the family was yet to make the burial plans for the late Titilayo because the autopsy report had not yet been released by the hospital.

The family sought for solitude to mourn their late daughter and so directed all enquiries to the family’s spokesman who also doubles as their lawyer, Mr. Nelson Ekoh

Ekoh explained that given the picture of the deceased, only a depraved mind could perpetuate such a dastardly act on a human being, let alone his wife.

While admitting that he could not vouch for what transpired between the couple, he alleged that the suspect wanted to use the deceased for ritual purposes.

To buttress his point, Ekoh said after the corpse had been discovered at the couple's residence at 8, Akindehinde Street, Isolo, a suburb in Lagos, Titilayo's internal organs were found on the floor.

Also inferring the violent nature of her death, he said her eyes were almost gorged out; not counting the several times she was stabbed.

At the last count, he said there were about 20 knife stabs on her head and face alone not counting several other stabs on other parts of her body.

According to him, "From what we gathered, Akolade used two knives and a hammer to kill Titilayo. One knife broke in her neck while the other one was left near her corpse. I believe he pinned her down to the floor and stabbed her to death after which he took out some of her internal organs.”

He however faulted Aswani Police Station which formerly handled the investigation which he said was bungled, adding that the Lagos State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Homicide Section, Panti was doing a better job.

In a petition addressed to the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Yakubu Alkali, titled “Material concealment in the whereabouts of a murder suspect immediately act was committed”, dated 28th of June, 2011; the family demanded the seizure of the entry evidencing recovery of the Akolade’s car from the IPO.

The daughter of the couple was in the family home of the murdered lady at the time of the incident.

The family however confirmed being aware of the domestic violence and abuses their daughter had had in the marriage.


http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/family-of-murdered-banker-faults-police-investigation/94410/

For a while,i have gone through forums here looking for the post of Beaf,am held in disbelief that he hasnt been active as he was a couple of months back. Anyone has information on him,he is sorely missed sincerely. If GEJ don fall e hand make e no worry or shame oh,shit happens and we all get to be disappointed by peeps we hope and trusted in or you just got too busy to post,well i hope you are fine?. BEAF PLEASE COME BACK

The only Africa’s entry in terrorism history was Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK). Founded in 1961, Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) was the military wing of the African National Congress; it waged a guerrilla campaign against the South African apartheid regime and was responsible for many bombings. MK launched its first guerrilla attacks against government installations on 16 December 1961. South Africa subsequently banned the group after classifying it as a terrorist organization. MK's first leader was Nelson Mandela, who was tried and imprisoned for the group's acts. With the end of apartheid in South Africa, Umkhonto we Sizwe was incorporated into the South African armed forces.

MK’s story clearly shows that terrorism is entirely strange to Africa. Africans naturally lack the gene that codes for terrorism, except the aliens in their midst. In less than ten years, there has been extensive redefinition of Nigeria’s cultural ethos and societal rules. Two years ago, who can believe that a Nigerian – sane or insane – could tie a bomb around his waste, board a plane, or drive into a complex, and blow himself up? It wasn’t hard to believe, it was impossible. But now, even the president has agreed that there are terrorists amongst his citizens, and he is not safe.
Nigerians tremble at the current status of the nation, but the greatest fear that should shake all is what happens if the current trend goes unabated? During peak periods, bombs go off in Maiduguri almost daily; bombs had exploded close to Eagle Square during a presidential swearing-in ceremony despite several threats, and part of the Police Headquarters was blown off by Nigeria’s first suicide bomber – 35-year old Mohammed Manga. Where then is safe? If nothing serious is done, then in the next five years, Nigeria has every potential of getting worse than Afghanistan, Pakistan and other Middle East terrorists’ hide outs.

The way that the federal government and various security agencies are handling the incessant terrorist attacks give more impetus to the programs of terrorists that have something against the government, education and the human race at large. Also, the conglomeration of paucity of intel reports, lack of central identification system, porous borders, corrupt government officials, overzealous trigger-happy security operatives, illiteracy, poverty… present Nigeria as the desired destination for potential and professional terrorists.

On a Friday afternoon, a vehicle belonging to the counterterrorism unit of the Nigerian Police Force broke down along a major Lagos highway. Before it was towed away, officers alighted from the vehicle to unpack the content which were expected to be sophisticated communication gadgets and latest equipments – like those used by Jack Bauer in 24. But to their utmost surprise, passers bye looked on as Nigeria’s terrorist experts sweated under hot sun while offloading bags of rice from the NPF marked vehicle. Right there and then, many Lagosians concluded peradventure there is a terrorist attack, NPF is ill equipped with staff and strength to control, contain and contend with the assaults.

President Goodluck Jonathan’s Facebook status update of June 30, 2011, also showed the government’s inept unpreparedness. According to Mr President, “There are an estimated 150 million pairs of eyes in Nigeria and believe me, that is the greatest deterrent possible against terrorism. Today, I call on all Nigerians to be watchful. Be conscious of your surroundings and report suspicious activities and persons to the authorities.”

In the first instance, Mr President forgot that there are millions of blind people in Nigeria. Secondly, he sounds unaware of the pusillanimous status of the nation’s security operatives. It’s unbelievable to learn that the president is unaware of instances where policemen ran away for robbers. Are they the ones to combat resolute terrorists that want to kill as many people as possible? Also, it’s not the job of tailors to look for bombs, nor that of bankers to suspect suicide bombers. It’s the trained duty of security operatives. If they can’t – or won’t do their jobs, others shouldn’t be made to step in.

On his campaign train, GEJ didn’t promise the earth and Nigerians aren’t expecting heavens from him. Before the bombs began to explode nationwide, Nigerians had constant electricity as the top priority for the government. But now, their request has changed. The message on every lip is “If the president cannot give us constant stable power supply, let him keep us safe until we’ll find someone who can.” Until the president figures out how best to address the issue of security in Nigeria, Nigerians need to become responsible for their own safety because as far as the indices are concerned, the evil days are here.

http://saharareporters.com/article/fellow-nigerians-evil-days-are-here

Almost hourly, an aircraft flies over Sawmill area in the ancient city of Ibadan. And it has become a tradition for toddlers and other small living human creatures to come out of their mothers’ closets bare-chested and clad in nothing but pants. It’s a thing of joy to watch the little humancules with legs barely strong enough to keep them from falling, joyfully attempting to pursue the swift Boeing aircraft that is hundreds of miles above them. And when they realize that they can’t meet up with the aircraft speed, the children happily wave the plane bye. These days however, few mothers allow their children to chase the plane. Not that the effort is futile, but they are afraid of bombs getting dropped from the hovering aircrafts.

Haruna’s makeshift restaurant is a beehive of activities. Situated along the road that leads to Imo state government house, he enjoys patronage from far and near. His clientele links the high class with the middle and low economy classes; his tasty noodles, foamy hot cups of rich tea, expertly scrambled eggs and sizeable slices of bread – all at pocket-friendly prices, form a confluence town that unites a heterogeneous ethnically, religiously and professionally diverse population that set all differences aside at the smell of Haruna’s handiworks. But that was then. One after the other, the restaurant has lost most of its customers from the south. These days, his Hausa brothers are the only ones seen eating at the once national food factory.

Five years ago, Kano jewelers were nationally recommended when in search of original golden jewelries. People coming from far and near besiege the Kano jewelry markets without any second thoughts. But today, things are changing. Southerners are becoming less enthusiastic about travelling to the north in search of affordable golden jewelries.

Foodstuffs and other edibles are also feeling the hot Proudly Nigerian current of suspicion blowing across the nation. During a Sunday service in 2010, several pastors of churches in the east read a widely circulated text message to their congregations. The message clearly warned Christians to desist from eating roasted meats (Suya) prepared by northern Suya sellers in their metropolis for fear of food (meat) poisoning. Similar SMS was forwarded to worshippers during the beans poisoning season.

On Tuesday, May 24, 2011, The Sun Newspapers interviewed the Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier-General Maharazu Tsiga who said that the “NYSC is traumatized.” But in the real sense, ‘trauma’ is an understatement. Following the incidence that claimed the lives of ten corps members during the post election violence in Bauchi, the headquarters of the NYSC was besieged by thousands of corps members seeking redeployment to their geopolitical zone. Even the pusillanimous National Assembly added its voice to the numerous calls for an holistic restructuring of the NYSC. But in a highly significant move that sealed the nation’s doom status, a university (Adekunle Ajasin University) that is expected to teach students how to become good tolerant Nigerians, reportedly got angry with NYSC for posting its students to the north.
Much ado with instances.

It’s a fact that the Nigeria of today is different from the one that got independence from the Queen of England. That Nigeria was truly national and there wasn’t any account of Obafemi Awolowo getting scared of Ahmadu Bello’s tunic. The founding fathers sat, ate and drank together without sending medical laboratory scientists to the kitchen to screen food stuffs for food poisoning. They trusted themselves because they fought a common goal that everyone played a vital central role in. But crisis arose when ulterior motives, regional interests, ubiquitous corruption and bad leadership became acceptable in Nigeria’s unwritten other constitution.

During President Olusegun Obasanjo’s eight-year administration, he used his military experience to subdue communal, ethnic, social, racial, civil and religious unrests – only Jos had the nerve to boil. MEND was nowhere near their current strength and Boko Haram couldn’t boast of a Wikipedia page talk less of their current demand for twelve states. But since “bloody civilians” came to power, the polity has been heated up. Focal unrests erupted extensively during the highly punctuated Late President Yar’adua’s tenure with most of the assaults coming from the Niger-Delta creeks warlords led by MEND. And when Jonathan got his mandate, Boko Haram won’t let him rest.

The timeless appeal to pity excuse of political involvement is a slap on the face of every Nigerian and peppered salt to the wounds of those that were affected by the security degeneration.

When there were fracas and skirmishes at political rallies across the nation – leading to several deaths, “they were political” was the response. When Jos boiled over and over again, “it was political” was the excuse. When MEND kidnapped and killed some foreign expatriates, bad southern politicians were fingered. And when Boko Haram’s crises birthed in Bauchi, political backings were mentioned. But the government has repeatedly failed to address the issue of why the security agencies were unable to nib the problems in the bud before they attained their current escalated proportion – terrorism

Just in case you've been wasting your morning reading about actual important things, journalist Mark Halperin has been indefinitely suspended from his gig as a commentator on MSNBC for referring to President Barack Obama as a "dick" on television this morning. (To be fair, he actually only called him "kind of a dick."

People can disagree about whether the network's punishment was too harsh -- I would imagine it's something of a badge of shame at MSNBC to not have been suspended at this point -- but as he kicks back this 4th of July weekend, Halperin should be thankful he doesn't live in one of the many nations where much milder insults can land you in prison.

In Thailand, a country with some of the world's harshest lesè majesté laws, insulting the monarchy can bring a sentence of three to 15 years in prison, and the scope of the law is pretty wide: A U.S. citizen living in Thailand was arrested last month for posting a link critical of the king on his blog. It's safe to assume there will be consequences for the new WikiLeaks cables describing some fairly depraved behavior from Thailand's rowdy royals.

In Turkey, where it's illegal not just to criticize the government but "Turkishness" in general, a British artist was fined for placing Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's head on a dog's body in a series of collages.

In Iran, a prominent journalist was recently sentenced to 16 months in prison for calling President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad a megalomaniac. In pre-revolutionary Egypt, you could go to jail for four years for insulting Hosni Mubarak. It was even a jailable offence to insult foreign heads of state, as the late author Idris Ali learned when he wrote a novel critical of Muammar al-Qaddafi. In Robert Mugabe's Zimbabwe, you can be arrested just for sending an email with pictures of the president's mansion. Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez has also used laws against insulting the president to silence his critics in the media.

It's not just high-profile journalists who find themselves falling afoul of these laws. A South African miner living in Zambia was arrested in 2007 for cracking jokes about the country's president with his buddies at work. In comparatively liberal Lebanon, a man was arrested last year for calling President Michel Sleiman a "hypocrite" and "the worst kind of failure" on Facebook.

But it's not just autocracies or developing countries where people have watch what they say about the head of state. In France, the crime of insulting the president can carry a fine of up to 45,000 euros. A 21 year-old man was arrested for an unspecified insult against President Nicolas Sarkozy during a visit to a rough Paris suburb last year.

In the Netherlands, there were two seperate arrests in 2007 of citizens calling Queen Beatrix a LovePeddler. And, in 2006, Poland launched a national manhunt for a man who farted loudly in response to a request from police to show more respect for then President Lech Kaczynski.

So while calling the president a dick on cable television is, perhaps, not the most eloquent or constructive form of political criticism, it's good to know that you can't go to jail for it.

http://blog.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2011/06/30/countries_where_you_can_go_to_jail_for_calling_the_president_a_dick

Imagine and Nigerians no dey fear Goodluck,na wa oh

NEW YORK -- A law enforcement official tells The Associated Press that the accuser in the New York City sex assault case against a former International Monetary Fund leader has lied about circumstances surrounding the alleged attack.

The official also says prosecutors also believe Dominique Strauss-Kahn's accuser has lied about her background. The official is speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss details not yet made public in court.

The official says prosecutors believe the hotel housekeeper lied about various details on her application for asylum in the U.S., including a claim that she had been raped in her native Guinea.

The official says prosecutors also believe she lied about some of her activities in the hours surrounding the alleged attack, but they haven't necessarily questioned her account about the incident itself.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

Prosecutors have serious questions about the credibility of a hotel housekeeper who has accused former International Monetary Fund leader Dominique Strauss-Kahn of raping her, and they are taking the extraordinary step of seeking a substantial reduction in his pricey bail, a person familiar with the case said Thursday.

The person, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss matters not yet made public in court, told The Associated Press that prosecutors have raised issues about the accuser's credibility in the case against Strauss-Kahn, but would not elaborate on what those issues were.

A separate law enforcement official who is familiar with the case, but not authorized to speak about it publicly, told the AP that the issue was not necessarily about the rape accusation itself, but about troubling questions surrounding the alleged victim's background that could damage her credibility on the witness stand. The official refused to elaborate.

The New York Police Department, which investigated the case, declined comment. The woman's lawyer did not immediately return a telephone call seeking comment.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/30/dominique-strauss-kahn-case-near-collapse-report_n_888378.html

i said it this guy was set up and he foolishly fell for it because he just can not control his third leg when around women

what or who is clerk oh am sorry clark?

Wetin e wan go find 4 dat country sef.mtcheeew. The first post should be removed,such arrant nonsense,must you post or na by force

The Edo State government has refuted allegations by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolopolo influenced the last National Assembly election in the state by telling the people to vote for the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).
Special Adviser to Governor Adams Oshiomhole on Political Matters, Charles Idahosa said the Oba did not in any way influence the outcome of the 2011 general election in the state in favour of the ACN.
The PDP senatorial Vice-Chairman, Owere Dickson Imasogie had in an interview with a national daily on Monday, alleged that the Oba of Benin was instrumental to the victory of ACN in the polls, saying he instructed voters to vote for the ACN.

Addressing journalists in Benin yesterday while reacting to Imasogie’s allegation, Idahosa said it was not fair to ascribe ACN victory to the Oba as he is not a politician and could not have played such a role.

He maintained that there was no message from any traditional ruler or institution, calling on the people to vote for the ACN.

“What is happening is a rebirth of development by the governor as the state was a total mess before he came on board. Since members of the PDP do not have an answer to the monumental stride of the governor, they have now decided to involve the Oba of Benin,” he said.

http://www.dailytrust.dailytrust.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=22068:oba-of-benin-did-not-influence-elections-says-edo-govt&catid=1:news&Itemid=2

WALMART, America’s foremost low-price merchandise retail store, is planning to open two stores in Nigeria soon.


Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States, Prof. Ade Adefuye, told the Empowered Newswire on Wednesday that representatives from the famous retail store had visited him at the Nigerian Embassy in Washington DC as regards the plan to open the retail store in Nigeria.


“It is an indication of the growing confidence in Nigeria’s economy,” Adefuye stated, adding that he was currently engaging with the leading US store on the conditions and requirements that would have to be met to do business in Nigeria.


WalMart currently employs about 2.1million employees and the CNN ranked it as the biggest global company last year, saying that, despite the global recession, the discount retailer’s bargain prices continued to lure consumers worldwide.


The company’s plan to open stores in Nigeria is part of the strategy of its leadership team, led by its new President/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Michael Duke.


At the company’s AGM last year, Duke was reported as saying that global markets were “becoming an even bigger and more important part of our company.”



http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201106303203070

hahahahahahh Beaf opted out because his man is not performing as expected so he wont be able to stand the barrage of questions and all the insults that would follow,that is my take though i might be damn wrong. someone quickly checks my profile

Aggrieved ex-militants in the Niger Delta are preparing for a show- down with the Federal Government over its decision to commence the third phase of the amnesty programme.

The coordinator of the programme, Mr. Kingsley Kuku had recently declared that those nursing the hope of a third phase of the amnesty programme should forget about it as the Federal Government had shut the door on amnesty.

But the aggrieved ex-militants expressed shock over the disclosure and immediately initiated discussions with some Ijaw leaders to intervene before the matter gets out of hand.

Some of the affected ex-militants from Bayelsa said it was hard for them to believe Kuku’s statement after they had surrendered their arms to the Joint Military Task (JTF). In an interview in Yenagoa, the leadership of the group led by its Chairman, Julius Joseph, Secretary, Angamawei Richman, spokesman Festus Joshua and General Oyile frowned at what it described as the deceitful nature of the Federal Government by accepting their arms and refusing to include them in the amnesty programme.

Joseph who disclosed that an enlarged meeting of ex-militants from Delta, Rivers, Ondo affected by the decision, would be convened in Yenagoa, pleaded with President Goodluck Jonathan to sustain the peace in the region by directing that the third phase should commence. They said some of their members were ready to commence new and vicious attacks on oil installations in the region, imploring the Federal Government not to disrupt the already existing peace.

The aggrieved ex-militants stated that all their efforts to reach out to former governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, , Ijaw leader, Edwin Clarke and some governors in the region for them to intervene in the matter proved abortive.
They said they had tried their best, adding that “but the Amnesty Committee is daring us and we will meet with other state chapter leaders and fix dates for provocative action.”

General Oyile who expressed bitterness at the way the ex-militants were being deceived after surrendering arms, said the Federal Government should be ready for action if eventually it stuck to its guns to not allow a third phase of the amnesty programme. He cautioned the Federal Government against the use of ex-militant leaders to intervene against any planned action because it would fail.

“We have lobbied enough and are ready for action. Forget what Boko Haram is doing. We will not kill innocent people but will declare a tactical war that will cripple the resources they depend on.

“Those people you hear their names know us as soldiers and our capability. If the Federal Government wants the peace in the region, we will ensure the peace. But if they don’t, we are ready to destroy all the oil installations in the region. This is not for Bayelsa alone and we are speaking with one voice. We are still waiting for words from the Ijaw Leaders we have pleaded with to intervene in our matter. But if we didn’t hear good words from them, the Federal Government, the Niger Delta and the Nigeria will lose sleep” he said.

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2011/june/30/national-30-06-2011-002.html

A 13-year-old girl, Miss Chinenyerem Okonkwo, on Tuesday, allegedly committed suicide at her relative’s apartment at 14 Chief Okoro Close, Abakpa Nike, in Enugu East Local Government Area of Enugu State.

Nigerian Tribune’s findings revealed that Miss Okonkwo, a primary 2 pupil of Transfiguration Primary School, Abakpa Nike, was living with her relative, Mrs Lovett Ejiofor, from Ezeagu Local Government Area of the state before her mysterious death.

When our correspondent visited the scene of incident, another relative of the deceased, Mrs Roselyn Okeke, claimed that Chinenyerem told her before allegedly committing suicide that she was living peacefully with Mrs Ejiofor.

But a residence of Okoro Close, who preferred anonymity, urged the police to investigate the death of Chinenyerem thoroughly and wondered how a 13-year old-girl would commit suicide.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Enugu State command, Mr Ebere Amaraizu, confirmed the alleged suicide.

Amaraizu disclosed to our correspondent that the police had “recovered the dead body”, adding that investigating into the suicide case was going on.

The police image maker stated further that a postmortem examination would be carried out on her corpse with a view to finding out how the girl died.

“We have a case of alleged suicide that occurred at No. 14 Chief Okoro close at Abakpa. It happened yesterday and we have recovered the dead body. It is being investigated; from a postmortem, we will know what killed her,” she stated.

Amaraizu, however, declined to disclose whether anybody has been arrested in connection with the death.

http://tribune.com.ng/index.php/news/24341-13-year-old-girl-commits-suicide-in-enugu

A middle aged man identified as Baba Wasiu was, on Sunday, allegedly tortured to death by some policemen attached to the Iyana Ofa police station, in Lagelu Local Government Area of Oyo State.

Nigerian Tribune learnt that Baba Wasiu was arrested at his residence in Kobomoje area of Ibadan, the state capital, on Sunday, by policemen from the station but he later slumped and died.

An eyewitness told the Nigerian Tribune that the deceased was allegedly tortured to death by the policemen who arrested him and three others.

Wasiu was said to have collapsed and died very close to the Idi Aro police station.

It was further gathered that two of the arrested suspects were released on Wednesday.

Nigerian Tribune gathered that the policemen had traced some people to the area for allegedly duping people but when they could not get the suspects, they decided to pick on some residents of the area who they thought would be able to give useful information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects.

They were said to have arrested the deceased and three others and taken to the police station where it was discovered that the deceased was ill.

The Deputy Police Public Relations Officer (DPPRO), Assistant Suprintendent of Police Femi Okanlawon, told Nigerian Tribune, on Wednesday, that it was not true that the deceased was tortured to death.

Men of the Oyo State police command are now investigating the circumstances that led to the death of the middle-aged man immediately he was released from police station.

He said that it was true that the deceased was “invited” by the police for interrogation.

But after seeing the state of his health when he got to the station he was released to his wife.

According to him, it was when they got home that the deceased slumped and died.

He said the remains of the deceased had been deposited at a general hospital in the state capital to determine the cause of his death.


http://tribune.com.ng/index.php/news/24330-policemen-allegedly-torture-man-to-death-in-ibadan


see na if soja beat or kill them dem go dey claim victim

UNKNOWN to the immediate past governors in the country, operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have been in their respective states for close to two months, discreetly gathering evidence against them on the alleged corruption cases against them.

Commission’s chairperson, Mrs Farida Waziri, made this known in Abuja, on Wednesday, while receiving the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), which visited her in her office.

Waziri noted that about a month after leaving office, the nine outgone governors were still being investigated for alleged economic and other financial crimes by the special team sent to the respective states by her leadership.

According to her, as of today, the special team from the commission had spent close to two months in the said states, gathering evidence, as well as seeking witnesses who would assist in preparing a case against the suspects, once they were arrested and charged to court.

She said their cases would not be swept under the carpet, while assuring the Garba Mohammed-led team that the rumour that the former state helmsmen had been left off the hook should be ignored.

Waziri said contrary to such insinuations, the special teams were still in the said states gathering evidence, which would assist in making the trial of the immediate past governors faster, unlike the situation from 2003, when many of those charged to court after office were still having their cases dragging in court till date.

According to her, “we’re still investigating these cases, there is no way we can stop such cases, but we know how Nigerians are feeling when they think that a governor said he did so many things without actually doing anything.

“The EFCC is aware that the people affected want to see these persons in jail, or arrested, but we have learnt our lessons, because some of these governors have seen what their predecessors have done and may be thinking the same way.

“So we are still working, gathering evidence and since you know it is not easy to get the needed evidence with the person you are investigating on seat, now that new persons are there, someone may be willing to release information needed to make the case watertight.

“We are working hard and when we gather the evidence; we will invite or even arrest the ones we want if the need be. We are working and the case cannot be swept under the carpet, if not for any other thing, for the sake of God and conscience.”

Confirming that the investigation was at an advanced stage on the former governors, Waziri urged Nigerians to wait patiently and see what the commission would do with them.

“We will have the needed evidence, watertight cases and even the witnesses so that when we arrest or invite them, we will be ready to go to court and not give any room for delay, because everything needed for the case would have been ready,” she added.

Speaking on the issue of selectivity, Waziri said there was no application of quota system in the prosecution of economic crimes and wondered why some people made so much noise whenever somebody from their locality was being prosecuted.

“Here we charge one person at a time. You cannot wait for an Hausa man to commit a crime while that of an Igbo or Yoruba man is being investigated, so that they will all be charged together to have a federal character.”

She said the EFCC was more interested in “the legal sustainability of all its cases and national interest than to be bothered by allegations that have no basis in law enforcement, adding that so far, the EFCC had never had any of its cases struck out on technical grounds.

The NUJ president, Garba Mohammed, said his team was at the EFCC to commend Waziri for having steered the commission to a level hitherto unknown to all Nigerians, saying that “your coming on board as the chairman of EFCC has added value to this country and we are proud to associate with you.”

Meanwhile, Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, on Wednesday, initiated a process to probe his predecessor, as he inaugurated a contract review committee to look into all the contracts awarded by the immediate past administration in the state.

The seven-member committee, which has eight weeks to submit its report, is headed by Mr O.A Osiberu, while Mr A.I Adenrele is the secretary. Others are Messrs Cliff Enobun; S.O Amusan; Femi Adetunji and A.W Gbadegesin.

The governor, represented at the ceremony held in the Executive Council chamber by his deputy, Chief Moses Alake, empowered the committee to ascertain, among others, the level of commitment by the past administration to various contractors across the state.

Governor Ajimobi said the committee was not targeted against any person or group, explaining that the action was motivated by his administration’s determination to encourage due process and transparency in the conduct of its business.


http://tribune.com.ng/index.php/news/24328-corruption-probe-efcc-investigating-9-ex-govs-ajimobi-begins-probe-of-alao-akala

ROBBERS, on Wednesday, struck at a branch of a first generation bank in Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State, killing two members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) during their operation.

Also, they attacked a petrol station in Papalanto area of the state and allegedly killed three persons.

Nigerian Tribune learnt that the bandits, numbering 18, arrived the bank at about 4.00 p.m in an unmarked Toyota Hummer bus and blew off the bank’s security door with dynamite.

The robbers were said to have shot sporadically into the air, leaving several people to scamper for safety, while some others were injured in the process.

The bandits allegedly held members of staff and customers hostage for several minutes and later carted away millions of naira from the bank.

The identities of the victims could not be ascertained on Wednesday, but the Nigerian Tribune learnt that one of the deceased corps members was working at the bank, while the other came on a visit.

Those injured during the robbery were said to have been taken to a General Hospital, Itori, for medical attention.

Efforts to confirm the incident from the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Muyiwa Adejobi, were unsuccessful, as his mobile line was not reachable.

Meanwhile, The Kwara State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called on the Federal Government to review the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.

The state chairman of CAN, Reverend James Folaranmi, who made the call in a statement made available to the Nigerian Tribune in Ilorin, on Wednesday, said the review should be tailored towards ensuring safety of the corps members wherever they were posted.

He regretted the kidnapping and killing of corps members, describing the development as sad and unfortunate.

The cleric, who also condemned the spate of bomb blasts in some parts of the country, charged the security agencies to bring to book the perpetrators.

He decried the activities of Boko Haram and kidnapping of innocent Nigerians by some miscreants in the Niger Delta area, tracing the root of kidnapping, assassination and bomb blasts that have pervaded the country to activities of “enemies of progress who do not believe in the corporate existence of Nigeria but hiding under politics and religion to make life difficult for the citizenry.”

Folaranmi lamented that after Nigeria’s 50 years of independence, “Nigerians still live in fears because of a few people who are hell-bent on imposing their ideology on the majority of Nigeria, citizens.”

While urging Nigerians to have faith in the ability of President Goodluck Jonathan to transform the country and bring to an end the various violent crimes being perpetrated in some parts of the country, the cleric said what the president needed most to surmount the problem was cooperation of the citizens.


http://tribune.com.ng/index.php/news/24332-robbers-kill-2-corps-members-3-others-in-ogun--kwara-can-harps-on-reviewing-nysc-scheme


What is this country turning into eh what have innocent corpers done that they are always killing them all over this country

is it this same olumo rock or another one

Bickering between powerful interest groups, delayed security screening as well as procrastination by President Goodluck Jonathan himself yesterday led to the failure to nominate ministers from four states of the federation in the list sent to the Senate.
After nearly a month’s delay, the names of 34 ministerial nominees sent by President Jonathan were read on the floor of the Senate yesterday. While two states, Benue and Ogun, had two nominees each, the four states of Kaduna, Plateau, Ondo and Cross River did not have any nominee.



Former Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund [PTDF] Alhaji Yusuf Hamisu Abubakar, popularly known as Mairago, had been expected to be on the ministerial list from Kaduna State, having undergone security screening along with other nominees last week. Political sources in Abuja told Daily Trust that the omission of Mairago’s name from the list was due to a lobby mounted by Kaduna State governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa to replace him with former state Finance Commissioner Alhaji Sulaiman Hunkuyi, allegedly in fulfillment of a deal in which Hunkuyi returned to PDP’s fold just before last April’s governorship polls and helped Yakowa to secure victory. Hunkuyi had been estranged from the party after he lost the gubernatorial primary election to Yakowa. The source said Mairago is favoured by Vice President Mohamed Namadi Sambo, who is from Kaduna State. The source said Governor Yakowa was in Abuja several times last week pushing for Hunkuyi’s candidacy.

However, spokesmen for both Vice President Sambo and Governor Yakowa denied this claim. Yakowa’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity Reuben Buhari told Daily Trust last night that it was not true that the governor was in Abuja to lobby for Hunkuyi’s ministerial nomination. According to him, the governor was frequenting Abuja in order to address some pressing state issues.

Buhari said, “There is no any pact between the governor and Hunkuyi. After the primaries, Hunkuyi like other aspirants that contested for the governorship primaries came back and worked for the success of the party in the general election. As for the ministerial slot of the state, names were submitted to the national secretariat of the party and they picked one of them. There is nothing like VP’s or Governor’s candidates. All the people shortlisted and submitted for consideration are party men and women and are equal to the task.”

Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Vice President Malam Umar Sani also denied the report that Mairago is Sambo’s preferred candidate. He said, “The vice president has no candidate. It was the party at the state level, after consultation with the state governor that submitted names of 10 persons including Mairago and Hunkuyi as its nominees. Anyone of them could be chosen.

It was not the Vice President that submitted the names; it was the governor. So to say that Mairago or any of the other nine is not his nominee is off the mark.’’

Kaduna State PDP Alhaji Yau Usman also said he was not aware that the name of the Mairago was not on the list submitted by President Jonathan to the Senate yesterday. He said, “I don’t know why his name was removed. All I know is we submitted 10 names for consideration as minister. Mairago and Suleiman Hunkuyi were on the list. The Vice President and the state governor were all involved in the selection of the 10 persons. It is the prerogative of the president to pick any of the candidates to work for him as a minister,” he said. Efforts to reach Hunkuyi for his comments were unsuccessful.

In the case of Plateau State, Dr. Jonah Madugu, who underwent security screening, was expected on yesterday’s list but it somehow disappeared. Sources in the state said his earlier nomination had bred severe discontent among the political class leading to public outcry and petitions to the presidency, the PDP and other relevant authorities. Madugu, who was one time Minister of Agriculture during the Abacha regime, hails from the same senatorial zone -Plateau North - as Governor Jonah Jang. Both the governor and the ministerial nominee are also from the same Birom ethnic group.

In its petition, the Movement for the Survival of Plateau People (MOSPP) said the governor had acted in disregard of the principle of federal character which guarantees the right to equitable distribution of public offices to ensure that all sections of the country are carried along. The National Association of Plateau State Students Alumni also petitioned the presidency in respect of Madugu’s nomination. Many of those who rose against the nominee said the governor had acted with impunity, saying such has never happened since the beginning of this Republic in 1999. “Even when we had two ministers during the regime of Chief Joshua Dariye, none ever came from Plateau Central as Dariye,” one stakeholder in Jos who does not want to be named said.

However, Plateau State commissioner for Justice Edward Pwajok said a ministerial nominee for Plateau was not announced yesterday because the release of the names of nominees are done in batches. The commissioner said he was able to establish this as reason when he put a call to ascertain what must have happened. He appealed for calm, saying the name of the nominee from Plateau will come out in the next batch.

But state publicity secretary of the Labour Party in Plateau said no name was mentioned from Plateau due to infighting among PDP members. He said most of the PDP members went to the party for appointments not for service and that is why they have sustained the culture of petition and pulling one another down.

Our correspondent however learnt that the petitions against Dr. Jonah Madugu may have contributed in delaying the list from Plateau.

And in Ondo State yesterday, two factions of the party in the state began to trade words Following the failure of the president to nominate any minister from the state. The party’s Interim Management Committee headed by the former Nigerian Ambassador to Greece Prof Olu Agbi rejected the appointment of Mrs. Omobola Johnson, who had earlier been sent for security screening.

Speaking at a news conference in Akure yesterday, Agbi said Mrs. Johnson was unknown to the party, saying her appointment would continue to cause more crises in the state. Agbi said the interim management committee had written a protest letter to the presidency asking it to drop the name of Johnson.

According to him, “Speculation is rife that one Omobola Johnson’s name has been sent to the Senate for confirmation. We want to state clearly that her name is not known to the PDP in Ondo state.

“The woman is married to Brigadier Mobolaji Johnson in Lagos; she is not deeply rooted in Ondo State politics. We need a minister than can be a rallying point and that can fund the party, not just anybody”.

However, the state executive of the party headed by Dr. Tayo Dairo said the selection was in order, adding that President Jonathan had his reason to pick Mrs. Johnson as the best choice to represent the state in the Federal Cabinet.

A statement issued by the Publicity Director of the Party Mr. Ayo Fadaka said, “In spite of the fact that Mr. President did not make his ministerial choice from the list sent by the party, we still respect his choice from the state.

“Mrs. Omobola Johnson is from a prominent family in this state, properly brought up and a technocrat of no mean repute. It is inalienable right to pick whoever the president desires to help him in administering the nation”.


http://www.dailytrust.dailytrust.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=21990:no-ministers-from-kaduna-plateau-ondo&catid=2:lead-stories&Itemid=8

there is always an excuse from this PDP team ,if it is not niger delta,it is boko haram,if not it is cabal now it is JUJU mtcheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeew i laff in kanuri. drunk ass nation. we got the leaders we deserve

The Nigerian Army has said the tactics employed by the Islamic fundamentalist sect, Boko Haram, in its operation is strange to it, but assured Nigerians that it is equal to the threat, adding that it will soon unveil strategy to tackle the group.

Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-General Azubuike Ihejirika, who made this revelation at the opening of the Second Quarter Chief of Army Staff Conference in Abuja Monday, said: “The tactics they employ is relatively new to the country,” and vowed to stop them.

He promised to unfold new strategies that would effectively end the growing security threats posed by the sect, who had been terrorising some sections of the country.

He said: “Nigerian Army having studied the method of operation (in collaboration with other security agents), very soon the country will notice improvement and new security agreements.”

The COAS said the presence of soldiers at strategic places in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) since last Thursday was part of the emerging strategies to enforce and maintain security in the current atmosphere of terrorism caused by the spate of bombings across the country.

He advised the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) residents to brace up for the unintended inconveniences being created by the recent joint security stop-and-search checks led by the Army, effectively taking the task of securing lives and properties in the nation’s capital from the Nigerian Police Force.

“The enforcement of security at the hands of soldiers on vehicles is because they are being proactive, while there will be searches on the road. Nigerians should be able to adapt to the temporary security measures,” he said.

Ihejirika further disclosed that one key item of the meeting which was purely security measures would be a closed door meeting as general officers commanding (GOCs) and commanders would receive briefing on how to confront the menace of Boko Haram once and for all.

He emphasised that the purpose of the conference was to take stock of the first and second quarter activities especially in the areas of security responsibilities in various commands.

According to him, the meeting would also discuss ways of improving elections and analysis of areas of improvement.

Speaking earlier, the Chief of Policy and Plans, Maj-Gen O. Akinyemi, noted that the current security challenges, especially the problem of Boko Haram in some parts of the country, was one of the contemporary challenges that needed to be immediately addressed.

Akinyemi said that deliberations during the conference would come up with recommendations and strategies towards addressing these challenges.

He noted that the presentations and discussions during the first quarter conference as well as the implementations of the decisions arrived at during the conference contributed in no small measures to the successes achieved by the Army in support of the election process as they had received accolades from various quarters for its conduct during the elections.

“Some lessons must have been learnt which could assist the Army to improve in possible future internal security tasks,” he said.

Meanwhile, another explosion Monday in Maiduguri, Borno State claimed the lives of two child hawkers and injured several others including two Customs officers.

The blast followed a similar one that was detonated in the same city a day earlier that left 25 dead and 12 injured.

Monday’s explosion, which was as a result of detonated bombs planted around the Customs office building in Maiduguri occurred at about 2.30pm.

THISDAY gathered that the bombs were targeted at the Customs office and a hospital located at the centre of the ancient town.

Confirming the incident, Commandant of the Joint Military Task Force, Maj-General Okechukwu Nwaogbo, said the child hawkers were killed in the blast. He also disclosed that several other persons were injured.

The commandant of the Joint Military Task Force established by the Federal Government to checkmate the menace of the Islamic fundamentalist sect, had earlier revealed that the mayhem visited on the state on Sunday by alleged members of the group was an ambush and not bomb blasts as earlier reported.

Nwaogbo, who refused to give the figure of casualties, said investigations revealed that between eight and 10 members of the group came on about seven motorcycles to the local drinking joint, set the place on fire and took strategic positions.

He said during the attack, which took place between 5 and 6.30pm on Sunday, the group shot at anyone that tried to escape the raging inferno.

The commandant of the task force tagged “Operation Restore Order”, said he would not be able to give the number of casualties as the figure might increase as there were still some persons on critical list at the hospital, but said: “We lost lives there but not as high as being reported.”

Nwaogbo also disclosed that two persons were in custody and were assisting the taskforce in its investigations. He said the two persons were sent by some people to go on surveillance of churches in Maiduguri.

He said intelligence on the group revealed that they were asked to mingle with worshippers and bring report back to their principals but were lucky to be apprehended by church members who brought them to his men.

The commandant said they were helping with investigations and his men were already going after their principals, assuring the residents of Maiduguri that the task force was not out to intimidate anybody.

He said his men were deployed to ensure the safety of lives and property and to cooperate with everybody in the task of getting this done.

In a similar development, the Borno State Commandant of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Bwala Hatsiwa, has said that to arrest the Boko Haram upsurge in the country then, teeth must be given to the current drug war.

Also, the Amnesty International has called on members of the Boko Haram to stop attacks on civilians after the bombing that killed as many as 25 in Maiduguri Sunday.

However, the group was silent on the attack on the Nigerian military and police but rather mentioned at the later part of a press statement issued yesterday that the Nigerian security forces had carried out mass arrests, tortured suspects and detained people without charge or trial for lengthy periods.

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/army-boko-haram-tactics-strange-to-us/94055/

Senator representing Kebbi South Senatorial District, Major General Muhammadu Magoro (rtd) has advised the federal government not to dialogue with “Boko Haram” religious sect in a hurry unless the government ensure they are behind insecurity and incessant bombings in the country.

Magoro who was one of the elected representatives, the Emir of Zuru, Alhaji Sani Sami organized a reception for in Zuru town, warned the government not to contemplate giving amnesty to “Boko Haram” members until they find out that the group are responsible for the unfortunate killings.

According to the senator, government should endeavor to find out the perpetrators of the current insecurity before thinking of reaching out to them.

Meanwhile,Senator Olubunmi Adetumbi, representing Ekiti North Senatorial district of Ekiti State, has justified the recent deployment of soldiers to Abuja to combat the menace of terrorism by Bokom Haram, describing the move as a sure way to curtail the activities of the terrorist group. He assured Nigerians that members of the National Assembly will open debate on the matter after recess, saying the issue of terrorism in the country has reached a feverish pitch and needed utmost urgent attention

Adetunbi, of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) assured Nigerians that the Federal Government action is meant to forestall any threat to Nigeria’s fragile democracy.

Speaking at the thanksgiving ceremony to celebrate his victory at the just-concluded polls at St. Michael ’s Anglican Church, Ifaki-Ekiti, yesterday, the CAN Chieftain, dismissed the argument of some persons that the deployment of soldiers could threaten the nation’s democracy.

The federal lawmaker, who was reacting to questions relating to the recent deployment of soldiers to Abuja in the aftermath of the bombing of the Loius Edet House, Police Headquarters.

Said Magoro “the current insecurity in the country is most unfortunate without any means of abating it. The government has to analyze what are the problems, issues. What do these people want? Who are they? Have we really sure if they are Boko Haram? I am yet to see an individual who has been arrested and is a member of Boko Haram. Less affirm this is the group that is creating this insecurity for us. Is it Boko Haram or another religious group or organization? We don’t know, we are only assuming the Boko Haram members are behind this insecurity”

The senator said he was not against giving out amnesty or reaching out to those behind the unfortunate incidences, but that government most affirm who they are.

Magoro said as a member of the National Assembly and a retired general, he will ensure that the assembly takes appropriate steps that will ensure adequate security in the country.

On the election of honorable Aminu Tambuwal as the speaker of house of representatives, general Magoro stated that the house has the right to elect they wanted as speaker even though the position has been zoned to the south west.

He was of the opinion that changing the speaker now was belated but the president can still compensate the people of south west.

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/boko-haram-dialogue-thread-carefully-lawmaker-warns-fg/94015/

The strongman of Kwara politics, Dr. Olusola Saraki has comfirmed his reconciliation with his son, Senator Bukola Saraki, citing the need for peace and unity in the state as the motivating factor.

The elder Saraki said the reconciliation was initiated by Bukola and that he succumbed to pressure from him so that “peace and unity can reign supreme in the state.” He disclosed that reconciliation became necessary to prevent other political parties from capitalising on the crisis to infiltrate the state.

The reconciliation came just as Dr. Olusola Saraki, popularly called “Oloye”, advised President Goodluck Jonathan to expedite action on the constitution of his cabinet. Saraki who spoke with newsmen yesterday in Ilorin, the state capital at a special prayer organised to mark the reconciliation of the two warring factions in his political family, said Nigerians were anxious to know their ministers.

Noting that Jonathan was wasting much time in unveiling his cabinet, Saraki described as unfortunate the Nigerian situation where appointments into various political offices would not have been completed before a general election as was being done in other climes. The immediate past governor of the state, Dr. Bukola Saraki, who was a major factor in the crisis that rocked the Saraki’s political family was the first to break the news of reconciliation to newsmen in Ilorin at the weekend.

The then gubernatorial ambition of Senator Gbemisola Saraki had polarised the powerful Saraki political dynasty into two campas. Senator Gbemisola’s brother, Bukola Saraki, who was opposed to her ambition became the leader of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), while his father, Dr. Olusola Saraki, defected to the relatively unknown Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN).

However, shortly after the conclusion of the general elections, which was swept by the PDP, both Bukola and the incumbent Governor of the state, Alhaji AbdulFatah Ahmed extended olive branch to the elder Saraki and his ACPN supporters. At different fora, both Bukola and Ahmed attributed and dedicated their successes at the polls to the elder Saraki who they described as their political leader.
Confirming the development, Senator Bukola Saraki said, “I want to categorically confirm to you that the family is back to one.”

He said the motivational factor behind the reconciliation “is our collective desire to move the state forward and build on Baba’s legacies.“The love of the Saraki’s political dynasty for the common man is still firm. We have always been one. Everybody is working to have this unity.“What is important now is for us to move forward. If all of us now line up behind the new governor, there is the greater hope that he will succeed.”


http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/features/newsonthehour/2011/june/27/newsbreak-27-06-2011-001.html

tori still plenti for naij police will always be police

@ poster i love you, and your post. Quiet frankly you were on point,this aint a conspiracy theory at all,the west went to libya for oil,just imagine the count of civillian casualties from NATO is even more than the one Ghadaffi allegedly killed. The rebels mark my words will suffer at the end and when the west is through with them they will wish for Ghadaffi. A simple question for us all why destroy structures in a country you are helping? Poster i wish many people could reason like you to see this deception playing out.

kakakibuy:
Addis Ababa — US secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, on Monday(13th June) urged African leaders to review their position over Libyan leader, Moammar Gadhafi, and collectively call for the leader to step down.
The African Union (AU), a 53-member pan African body, declined to join calls for the ousting of Gadhafi, and instead called for an end to NATO air strikes in Libya.
"I know it is true that over many years Mr. Gadhafi has played a major role in providing financial support for many African nations and institutions, including the African Union," she said. "It has become clear by the day that he has lost his legitimacy to rule and that we are long past the day when he can remain in power."
She urged all African leaders to demand that Gadhafi accept a ceasefire and leave Libya.
"Your words and actions could make the difference in bringing this situation to a close and allowing the people of Libya to get to work rebuilding their country [, ] The world needs the African Union to lead."said Clinton.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201106140282.html
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
My take on this:
How long will these people continue to take Africa for a ride? Notice the highlighted part. She asked for a collective resolution from ALL members of the AU. Of All members because few days preceding her speech The leader of the AU's mediation team on Libya, Mauritania's President Abdel Aziz, said Gaddafi's departure has become necessary as "he can longer lead Libya". He obviously was the puppet used to give a sort of legitimacy/importance to Clinton's statement days later. Well AU members did the right thing by refusing to collectively ask Mr Gadhafi to leave instead called for and end to NATO strikes.

She also said their words and actions could make a difference in bringing the situation to a close. 'Duh' they collectively called for an end to NATO strikes. Have those strikes been ended? No!!

I am not a staunch supporter of Mr Ghadafi but I'm African and I am sick and tired of the hypocrisy of Western leaders. Why attack Libya? The excuse they gave us was that Ghadafi was killing his own people. If the West is such a benevolent champion of people's right to exist,then what about the Syrians?  Isn't Assad killing his own people as we speak? What about Palestine? Are the policies of the Israeli government killing palestinians on a daily basis? Where were they during the Rwanda genocide?So they want us to believe that all of a sudden they care about others, they care so much that they will spend Millions of Dollars in organizing an air bombardment of Libya? Who's gonna foot this bill? Have the Libyan rebels answered this question sincerely?

There are many factors/speculation that might have led to this war, I don't know for sure.It could be because Mr Ghadafi haven for many years backed up his country's currency with solid gold,was nursing the idea of making gold the single trading currency when we trade with the west. An economic move that will automatically transform Africa's economic standing in the world, It could be a revenge because he ordered the bombing of the Pan Am flight 103, It could just simply be about oil but IT CERTAINLY ISN'T BECAUSE MR GHADAFI WAS KILLING HIS OWN PEOPLE AND NATO LOVED THEM SO MUCH THAT THEY HAD TO SEND AIR STRIKES TO SAVE THEM FROM A ''MAD DOG'',

Enough of the lies!! Enough of the hypocrisy!! African Leaders Stand up for what you know is right. At least if not for anything, for African pride. Did we accuse former president George Bush of losing legitimacy when he sent his citizens to die for a reason based on falsehood in Iraq? No!! He said, there are no WMD in Iraq but the world is a better place without Saddam Hussein. End of story and we let it pass.

NATO should stop the bombing and let Africans handle their problems themselves.


[/quote

The history of recent bomb blasts in Nigeria could be traced to 1986, during the Gen. Ibrahim Babangida-led military regime, when Mr. Dele Giwa, the founding Editor-in-Chief of Newswatch magazine, was killed by a mail bomb in his home in Ikeja, Lagos, widely believed to have been state-sponsored.

Since then, series of other bombing incidents have been reported in the country, with majority of them happening under the despotic rule of the late General Sanni Abacha, who was rumoured to be behind most of the bombings and some state-sponsored killings to intimidate opponents of his regime.

There was an isolated case of accidental bombs explosion that took place at Ikeja cantonment in 2002, leading to the death of more than one thousand persons.

It was not until March 2010 that Nigeria began to witness bomb blast as an act of terrorism in the civilian era when some bombs went off in Warri during an Amnesty Dialogue organised by Vanguasrd Newspapers in support of the amnesty programme of the then President Umaru Yar’Ádua to tackle the cases of militancy in the Niger Delta region.

The cases of bomb blasts in Nigeria are as follows:
October 19, 1986: At Dele Giwa’s house in Ikeja, Lagos; May 31, 1995: Ilorin Stadium. Just before the launch of Family Support Programme; January 18, 1996: Durbar Hotel, Kaduna. Suspected bomber killed. Said to have bought a copy of Wole Soyinka’s book prior to blast; January 20, 1996: Aminu Kano Int’l Airport, Kano; April 11, 1996: Ikeja Cantonment, Lagos; April 25, 1996: Air Force Base, Ikeja; November 14, 1996: Murtala Mohammed Airport. Claimed the life of the Chief Security Officer; December 16, 1996: Bomb blast rocked Colonel Marwa’s convoy; December 18, 1996: Bus belonging to the Lagos State Task Force on Environmental Sanitation hit; January 17, 1997: Bus belonging to Nigerian Army hit; April 22, 1997: Blast in Evans Square claims 3 lives, injures several; December 13, 1997: Lt.Gen Oladipo Diya escapes death at Abuja airport; May 12, 1997: Ibadan gets its first dose in front of Federal Min. of Works and Housing at Eleyele Road, near Jericho Hospital; January 27, 2002: Bombs stored at Ikeja cantonment exploded leading to the death of over 1000 Lagosians fleeing in fear.

March 15, 2010: In Warri during an Amnesty Dialogue sponsored by Vanguard Media Limited; October 1, 2010: During Nigeria’s 50th Independence anniversary celebrations in Abuja, suspected to be sponsored by MEND, a group of Niger-Delta militants; April 8, 2011: At INEC office in Suleja, Niger State; April 26, 2011: At Maiduguri, Borno State; May 29, 2011: At an Army barracks in Bauchi and January 1, 2011: At an Abuja Army Barracks Mammy market. Finally, June 16, 2011: The Nigerian Police Force Headquarters, Abuja with the IG of Police narrowly escaping death.


http://imostate..com/2011/06/history-of-bomb-blasts-in-nigeria.html#more

Kenezi:
If muslims and the Islamic religion goes around the world killing people for shocking, it is going to lose respect, become the butt of jokes and be insulted. Non muslims do not respect Islam, so they insult it.

Muslims not be able to insult Christianity, yet they certainly believe it's good to kill Christians.

and what makes you think am a muslim?

It takes a fool to know one. Were you forced to read or comment on this post? You dont know me so dont ever insult me for any reason. You should be civil and matured i guess,so dont go posting insults on public forums. Who even cares about your verdict,next time keep your verdict to yourself.

Excllncy:
So this poster want to start another round of the riot or what? He is a big fool to bring this issue now. That is my verdict.

The extra security measures adopted to check influx of people into the presidential villa is now creating difficulties for private residents within the presidential villa.

This is as Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has advised the Federal government against the use of force in the engagement of Boko Haram sect, urging government to engage the sect members in dialogue.

The new measures at Aso villa came into force after weeks bomb blast at the Police Force Headquarters, Abuja which claimed 10 lives. Boko Haram sect have since claimed responsibility for the deadly attack which it said was targeted at the Inspector General of Police, Hafiz Ringim.

At the presidential villa, private persons residing within the villa as security intensify efforts to protect the area.

A resident who spoke with Daily Champion lamented that the new security measures around the presidential villa is creating hardship for them and their visitors.

He said "Yes, it is the prize we are paying for extra security but life has become more difficult here for us and our visitors as fewer people now come to visit us here. We are also not having it easy coming late into this area"

The new measures Daily Champion gathered became necessary to forestall surprises at the seat of power

Unlike before, all cars now entering the villa are now thoroughly screened at the outer gates from both the federal secretariat and Asokoro entrances.

It will be recalled that President Jonathan while inspecting the bomb blast at the Police headquarters last week said no part of the country is free from attacks

He said "I don’t want to make reference to what happened in the United States when they wanted to crash a plane into the White House. So, terrorist will aim at the top if they can bomb the President, they will do it"Although the President had urged all Nigerians to remain calm, Villa Sources informed Daily Champion that the extra security measures were necessary to forestall the type of security breach that occurred at the police headquarters which is less than ten minutes walk from the presidential villa.

The President had also assured that the heads of the nation’s security forces are working round the clock to ensure that such incidents become a thing of the past in the country.

He said such dastardly terrorist attacks are a global phenomenon not peculiar to Nigeria alone, pointing out that "all over the world, nobody is free."

He said the terrorist act should not be viewed as an attack on the police, but on the entire nation, saying "everybody is a target when it comes to terrorist attacks."

Since the incident however, more stringent security measures have been introduced including thorough scrutiny of cars and persons coming into the Villa.

A security official who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Daily Champion that they are not finding things easy because of the existence of such private houses within the presidential villa.

"It is difficult to screen them as they do not have special identification cards with which to identify them but we must do our work"

Meanwhile Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has charged Federal Government to squarely face security challenges especially the spate of bombing in the country to prevent terrorist activities extending to the airports.

Assistant Secretary General of AON, Alhaji Muhammed Tukur made this known on Sunday while speaking to newsmen. He contended that all over the world, terrorists of this kind usually target population centres like the airports to commit mass murder.

Tukur who condemned the bombings at the Nigerian Police Headquarters in Abuja last week further urged security personnel to beef up security and increase surveillance to prevent people with sinister motives from causing problem in the area.

The AON scribe disclosed that the airlines had already stepped up security of their own to ensure safety of life and property, just as he charged aviation workers to report any suspicious movement of persons in to security operatives.

Tukur called on all Nigerians to close ranks and support the Federal Government to provide security at all time, noting that terrorism or act of terrorism has no colour, stressing that nobody knows where else the perpetrators are targeting.

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