₦airaland Forum

The Peoples Democratic Party has said two governors of the All Progressives Congress are set to defect from the opposition party to the ruling party.

Apart from the unnamed governors, the ruling party added that some members of the National Assembly who are members of the APC were also set to defect to the ruling party.

The National Publicity Secretary of the ruling party, Olisa Metuh, said these in a statement he issued in Abuja on Saturday.

Metuh, in his statement entitled ‘Lying Is APC’s operational creed’, also lambasted the APC for its alleged lies against the Federal Government.

He said, “Many more of its members including two state governors and members of the National Assembly are now set to decamp to the PDP due to the bad image and anti-democratic stance of the APC.”

He also upbraided the APC leaders for “working against the national interest and making themselves a laughing stock in the eyes of the international community by going to the British House of Commons and various international events to concoct stories in a bid to damage the image of their own nation.”

When contacted on Saturday, the National Publicity Secretary, APC, Lai Mohammed, said, “It is nothing but propaganda and wishful thinking to divert the attention of Nigerians away from the embarrassment facing the presidency.

“Nigerians want to know what ex-governors Ali Modu-Sheriff was doing with the President in Chad. That is the question PDP should answer.”

EMANY01: "I am aware he was billed to see his physicians for his normal routine medical check-up, he would see his dentist too.”.

Even if the story about tinubu being sick or dying is proven eventually to be false,he sure needs the trip to the dentist because his teeth are so ..........urghhh......There are no words to describe it.

A report published by 247ureports indicates that the health condition of the former Lagos governor and leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has deteriorated.

He had left the country about two weeks ago.

Other section of the media have also alleged that he was actually flown to a medical facility in London for treatment, following what is believed to be a serious health issue.

The site which quoted a source said to be close to the Tinubu family, reports that the health of the APC leader may have worsened due to recent discovery of cancer.

The cancer, the source claims, had reached advanced stage before it was diagnosed by the medical team, adding that the recent stroke only added to the seriousness of the situation.

It was alleged that Tinubu in his current state has not been able to recognize close family relatives who had come to pay him a visit, heightening fears that the self-styled godfather of southwest politics was exhibiting symptoms of dementia.

Reacting to the claims, an aide of the ex-Lagos helmsman said his principal was never in any hospital.

“Yes, it is true Asiwaju is out of the country. But he is on vacation. He was in the United States for some days, Los Angeles I guess. He then proceeded to London.

“It is normal for him at this time to observe his summer break.”

Asked to provide specifics on why Mr. Tinubu travelled abroad aside vacation, the source said, “I am aware he was billed to see his physicians for his normal routine medical check-up, he would see his dentist too.”

“Honestly, I don’t know why Asiwaju health has become a major issue in Nigeria. He is human just like every other person. Besides, he is not even a public office holder, neither is he using public funds, so what’s the buzz about.”

“Well, its a good one for us, those spreading rumours are only doing us favour by promoting the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu brand and the All Progressives Congress in general,” our source added.

Alas! It was the unsatisfied son that was shelling us with stones.

MyIncorp: Lol. Some children can be hyper-intelligent enough to write a letter to their heavEnly Father. Hehhehehe

rastamouse: The best part of being a parent is when your children starts asking those questions. They can really get you

Tolexander: dear God, if you no let this Boko haram extint, there won't be our country

[centre]Jonathan[/centre]

Maybe you need to write to God too

ajibolabd: and why is God not replying them?

glade319: innocent mind of children.

TrollMan: Now I know why Jesus said we should “be Like the little children”.



TMan.

charybabe: [TrollMan]Now I know why Jesus said we should “be Like the little children”.

true talk, children r always sincere when expressing their feeling

oduastates: Useless country.
How many conflicts do we need ,after over 50 years ,in order to accept that,
It ain't working.

Thousands of youths on Thursday thronged the streets of Maiduguri protesting against the increasing spate of attacks on Borno State by Boko Haram.

The youths, who first assembled at the popularly Ramat Square Ground, later moved to the palace of the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Elkanemi, saying they were willing to confront the terror group if given the go ahead.

They said they were at the palace for Elkanemi’s blessings which, according to them, would give them success when fighting the terror sect.

The youths comprising mainly members of the Civilian Joint Task Force, said they had resolved to enter the Sambisa Forest and other hideouts of terrorists to hunt them down and bring an end to the attacks.

The Shehu commended the over 10,000 protesting youths and advised them to always abide by the law.

He also appealed to them to always follow the directives of the military and other security agencies while discharging their duties.

The monarch said, “I want to thank you for this visit and the efforts you are collectively and voluntarily putting in in order to fight Boko Haram which bent on not only destroying our social and economic structures, but also killing innocent people.

“ I want to also appeal to you that you should desist from politics, religious or ethnic considerations while discharging your duties to your fatherland.

“In anything you are doing, you must make sure that you consult all other security agencies so that you work hand-in-hand to end this terrorism that has been destroying us as a nation.”

The Coordinator of the Civilian JTF, Mallam Abba Kalli, told journalists that they were at the Shehu’s palace to seek for his fatherly advice.

He added that they were optimistic that with their sticks (Gora ) and local arms, they would raid all terrorist hideouts and kill the insurgents if given permission.

Kalli also said, “The Civilian JTF is now more motivated with the support and assurance they received from retired military men, local hunters and other patriotic citizens who have expressed their willingness to join the group to end the madness being perpetrated by Boko Haram terrorists in the North- East.”

He however expressed dismay that President Goodluck Jonathan was not supporting the Civilian JTF whose members “were sacrificing their lives in the fight to end insurgency in the North-East.”

Hundreds flee Maiduguri –Report

Amid the protest which created tension in parts of Maiduguri, hundreds of civilians reportedly fled the city out of fear that it might also be attacked by Boko Haram.

Apprehension among Maiduguri residents, according to Reuters news agency, grew after the fierce fighting between the military and Boko Haram in Bama.

Reuters said travellers besieged bus stations in the city seeking transport to Damaturu in Yobe State. It added that vehicles laden with passengers and their belongings were seen on the Maiduguri-Damaturu road.

The agency quoted one of the residents, Saka Lawal, as having said, “I’m leaving now because people keep saying Boko Haram may attack Maiduguri anytime and it is possible.”

We’re troubled by ‘apparent’ capture of Bama –US

But in Abuja, the United States Assistant Secretary of State, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, lamented that Boko Haram was operating freely in the North-East and had shown that it also had the capacity to strike in Kano, Abuja and elsewhere.

Thomas-Greenfield, at a meeting with Federal Government officials on Thursday, added that Washington was troubled by the “apparent capture of Bama” in Borno State by Boko Haram.

She said the US was preparing to launch a “major” border security programme to help Nigeria and its neighbours combat the increasing number and scope of attacks by the insurgents.

But she was quick to remind the Nigerian authorities that “we are past time for denial and pride.”

She said, “Since we last met in August 2013, the frequency and scope of Boko Haram’s terror attacks have grown more acute and constitute a serious threat to this country’s overall security.

“Boko Haram has shown that it can operate not only in the North-East, but in Kano, in Abuja, and elsewhere. We are very troubled by the apparent capture of Bama and the prospects for an attack on and in Maiduguri, which would impose a tremendous toll on the civilian population.

“This is a sober reality check for all of us. We are past time for denial and pride.’’

The outlawed Islamist sect has killed thousands of people since 2009 and has in recent weeks overrun and held swathes of territory in the North-East.

On Monday, the militants launched an attack on Bama, a town 78 kilometres from Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

Although the military denied that Bama had been overrun, the Senator representing Borno Central in the National Assembly,Ahmed Zannah, insisted on Wednesday that the town was in control of the insurgents.

Thomas-Greenfield, who leads Washington’s African Affairs team, told the meeting that the upsurge in violence “constitutes a serious threat” to Nigeria.

Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau’s claim that the captured town of Gwoza was now a part of an Islamic caliphate “only adds to the perception that the security situation is steadily worsening,” she added.

Noting that a convoy of Cameroonian soldiers are deployed as part of a military reinforcement against the sect, Thomas-Greenfield added, “All of these developments are deeply disturbing and increasingly dangerous with each passing day.”

Before the “apparent capture of Bama”, the militants seized Gamboru-Ngala, Buni Yadi in Yobe State and Madagali in Adamawa.

Reports also had it on Thursday that the insurgents took over Bara and Gulani also in Yobe State.

Late last month, about 480 Nigerian soldiers abandoned their posts and fled to Cameroon during a gunfight with the militants but the Defence Headquarters described their action as “tactical manoeuvres.”

Thomas-Greenfield said the stakes were high after experts warned that the Federal Government risked losing control of the North-East and the violence could spread across borders.

“The reputation of Nigeria’s military is at stake. But more importantly, Nigeria’s and its children’s future is in jeopardy. Failure is not an option,” she added.

The diplomat said, “Cameroon’s military is increasingly forced to fight Boko Haram within its borders and they flee back into Nigeria without fear. The Chibok schoolgirls and others remain hostages, enduring horrible and tragic suffering.

“Abubakar Shekau’s bold announcement that Boko Haram is now governing a ‘caliphate’ only adds to the perception that the security situation is steadily worsening.’’

Senators, Reps resolve to meet Jonathan

Senators and members of the House of Representatives resolved on Thursday to hold a meeting with Jonathan over the escalating attacks by Boko Haram.

The decision was taken soon after the Senate and House of Representatives Joint Committee on Defence held a closed-door meeting with the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh, at the National Assembly.

The meeting with Badeh reviewed the current state of emergency in place in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Defence, George Sekibo, told journalists that the planned meeting with Jonathan was to find urgent solutions to the insurgency in the North-East.

He said that based on Badeh’s briefing , the military was in control of the security situation in the affected states.

Sekibo, a member of the All Progressives Congress from Rivers State, dismissed as “speculation” the reports that the insurgents took over many towns and villages in Borno State.

He said the insurgents were strong in about one or two towns and not more.

But, he added that there was still the need for the lawmakers to meet with Jonathan to see how the Federal Government could fast-track the prospect of peace returning to the troubled zone.

Sekibo clarified that the meeting with Jonathan would come up after the committees had reported to their respective chambers on what Badeh told them.

He said, “The purpose is to follow up on the approval of the state of emergency for third term so that they will brief us on their achievements.

“We have heard several stories from the media, with locals and our colleagues contributing, while the military is reacting.

“We have heard stories of towns being captured and our armed forces being withdrawn; that is why we invited the CDS to get first hand information.

“From this meeting, it is not as speculated. We have one or two places that the insurgents have a stronghold, but within few days, the Nigerian Armed Forces will take them back.

“We will report our outcome to both chambers and we will meet with Mr. President. We believe that the armed forces will overcome this problem in no time.”

The Chairman, House Committee on Defence, Mr. Bashir Adamu, stated that only N300bn and not N1tn, was budgted for the military this year.

Bashir noted that out of the money, 75 per cent was for recurrent expenditure.

He called for more funding of military operations, adding that the meeting with Jonathan was also expected to address the funding challenges of the armed forces.

B’Haram, Civilian JTF recruiting children by force –Report

Meanwhile, an international network of human rights and humanitarian organisations, Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict, has called on the Federal Government and the United Nations to investigate the recruitment and abuse of children in the North-East by Boko Haram and the Civilian JTF.

According to the report by the group, its investigation revealed the the two groups subjected boys and girls to forced recruitment, detention, abductions, rape and other forms of sexual violence.

In the report which was released on Thursday, the WCAC noted that the gravity and scale of these violations “warrant urgent action from the Nigerian Government, United Nations, and other child protection actors.”

The 64-page report, entitled “Who Will Care for Us?” Grave Violations against Children in Northeastern Nigeria, detailed grave violations by some parties to the conflict since December 2012 and provided recommendations on how to better protect children.

One of Watchlist’s researchers, Janine Morna, said, “While the abduction of over 200 girls in Chibok, Borno State, has shed some light on how children are affected by the conflict in the North-East, most abuses are still poorly documented, understood, and addressed by key actors. Children as young as 13 are being recruited by both sides of the conflict and have nowhere to turn.”

Though the study considered the activities of all the actors in the ongoing conflict in the North-East, it noted that of particular concern was the forced recruitment of children for spying and assistance during armed attacks by Boko Haram and the Civilian JTF.

It also noted that Nigerian security forces who encountered child soldiers in Boko Haram’s ranks often detained them in unofficial military detention facilities, instead of protecting and rehabilitating them in accordance with international standards.

“The government of Nigeria should denounce the recruitment of children by all armed groups, take immediate steps to release child soldiers in their custody, and develop procedures to transfer child soldiers to civilian actors,” Morna said.

victorazy: I think they pray to Alah cuz Abdulahi, Ismaila Moruf, Opeyemi Akinyemi can't pray to God. Is obvious Sarah Emmanuel is a christian but she was only a supplier.

PAGAN9JA: THE CHURCH OF SATAN IS NONE OTHER THAN THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST !

THESE ROBBERS STEAL PEOPLE AND THEN PRAY TO THE ALL FORGIVING JEWISH DEITY CALLED jesuS!

ocheu: that they pray to God doesn't mean they are christian this one that u are mentioning church already

tundabolt: Then he is no longer a suspect but a criminal, mbok.

Four members of a robbery gang who were arrested by the Lagos State Police Command have said they usually prayed to God before any operation.

One of the suspected robbers, Mutalubi Abdullahi, explained that the prayer was to ensure that only ‘sinners’ would be dealt with by the gang, while the ‘innocent’ would be spared.

Abdullahi, who was arrested along with Ismaila Moruf, Opeyemi Akinyemi and Sarah Emmanuel, were arrested by the operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the command, for robbing early morning pedestrians and motorists in the Mile 2 area of the state.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the gang, which operated on commercial motorcycles otherwise called okada, made use of three locally-made guns in their operations.

According to the police, the female member of the gang, Emmanuel, allegedly supplied two of the three guns. It was gathered that two of the guns had, however, been recovered by the police.

The police said the suspected robbers, who were arrested from their respective hideouts in Iyana Iyesi, Sango Ota, Ogun State, also operated in the Agege, Isolo and Oshodi areas.

It was gathered that the mode of operation of the gang was to attack unsuspecting motorists and pedestrians on the expressway early in the morning and during traffic hitches.

But 29-year-old Abdullahi from Igbeti, Oyo State, said he and other members of the gang were driven into robbery by poverty. He said they were careful to rob only those who deserved to be robbed.

He said, “That is why we usually prayed to God before embarking on any operation. The prayer was for God to protect us and to bring only sinners our way so that those who were innocent would be spared.

“I was formerly working as a panel beater in Oyingbo, Lagos State. I started robbing just last year. I have gone on robbery operations about 10 times.

“The gang has three guns. We only use the guns to frighten people. Mile 2 Expressway, Alapere and Oshodi are areas where we operated. The money I made from panel beating and okada riding was not sufficient. That was why I took to robbery.”

Thirty-year-old Akinyemi, who was an also an okada rider before joining the gang, said he made about N25,000 from each robbery operation.

He said, “I was an okada rider, but when I had an accident with the okada, I stopped the business. I made about N25,000 each from about four operations I went with the gang. Our style was to attack people during traffic jams. My wife did not know I was a member of a robbery gang. It is true that we prayed before our operations, asking for protection as we went out.”

Moruf, 30 from Epe, Lagos, said he was lured into the gang after his job as a roadside mechanic did not bring sufficient income.

The only female in the gang, 31-year-old Emmanuel, who allegedly supplied them with guns, said her friend, Modinat, convinced her to buy the guns for the gang.

She added that apart from getting guns for the gang, she had not gone for any operation.

She said, “I was working as a hairdresser. It was one of my friends, Modinat, who called me and said the gang needed a gun. Modinat was a girlfriend to one of them. She then asked me to come with her and I did. We got the two guns for N25,000 at Idi Iroko from some mechanics. That was in February. I know I am guilty.”

Our correspondent learnt that the gang was arrested, after several complaints had reached the former commissioner of police, AIG Umar Manko, about robberies in the area.

It was gathered that Manko had then directed SARS Commander, SP Abba Kyari, to go after the robbers.

A police source at the command said investigations into the matter were ongoing.

Tolexander: we are still saying the same thing. I said it is too bad for the president to be naive of Gwoza with the recent attacks going on there in the past few months.

Good morning bro!

with all the events in Gwoza
in the past few months, he
is still naive of the location.
That is too bad!

Being a
president of a nation as
big and diverse as Nigeria
doesn't automatically
qualify one to have the
absolute knowledge of the
whole horizontal and
spatial entity governed.

Tolexander: What are you saying? And what have i said?

Bryan12: But there are news you only keep to yourself.

makazona: I dont know y some pple choose to be messengers of bad news.

they always search for and wish to find bad news to spread.

Its very unfortunate.