₦airaland Forum

By Hamza Idris (Abuja), Yusha’u A. Ibrahim (Kano) & Lami Sadiq (Jos)



The recent decision by President Muhammadu Buhari to extend the tenure of service chiefs (Army, Navy, Air Force), has stirred controversy, not exclusively within the military, but even within political circles.

What are the real issues at stake?
Complaints in military circles revolve around fears that the recent extension of tenures of the military service chiefs will lead to delayed promotions, untimely retirement of promising officers, and more, all of which would invariably affect the multi-faceted challenges affecting the Nigerian security architecture.

The echoes of disquiet reverberated when President Muhammadu Buhari approved the extension of tenure for the Chief of Defense Staff, General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin; the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai; the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-EteIkwe Ibas, and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar.

This is contrary to expectations in many quarters that the president would inject new blood to carry on from where those at the helm of affairs would stop, considering that their tenure had variously expired. A statement through the Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, signed by Colonel Tukur Gusau, the minister’s Public Relations Officer, said Buhari had carefully reviewed the on-going military operations across the nation and the efforts of the Chief of Defence staff, and the Service Chiefs, in the counter insurgency operations in the North East, coupled with the security situation of the Niger Delta region, hence the need to extend their tenure.

“This extension is pursuant of the powers conferred on the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by section 218 (1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and section 09.06 of the Harmonised Terms and Conditions for Service for officers (2012) Revised,” the statement said.

Beyond, this, critics of the extension argue that in advanced societies, almost all the service chiefs would have without prompting resigned in the last couple of weeks, considering the alleged marked resurgence of Boko Haram attacks characterised by ambushes on military personnel and humanitarian agencies, as well as unfettered attacks on civilian population such as the one in a mosque in Mubi, Adamawa State where over 60 people were killed in one fell swoop. They, therefore, faulted the tenure extension which effectively gave the service chiefs a kind of a ‘third-term’ stint.

A senior military officer, who chose anonymity, told Daily Trust there was basis for the extension. “The military has an unwritten principle of ‘soldier go, soldier come’. No-one is indispensable,” he said.

“Officers due to take responsibility of service chiefs would have to go now, based on ‘age on rank’ without moving to higher ranks. For instance, Buratai is of 29 course; so officers of 30th to 33rd would be retired between now and October next year, including a GOC and key people at the NDA and the Defense Headquarters,” he said.

But the source admitted that President Buhari is not the first to do tenure extension for service chiefs. “Jonathan did that in 2012 without giving any reason. Ihejirika came in August 2010 and his tenure was extended in August 2012 for one year and re-extended in 2013 before Boko Haram activities disgraced him out after the attack on Maiduguri NAF base and Bama barracks in December of 2013. Jonathan had no option than to fire him on 15 Jan 2014,” he said.

The source also said the change in guard in the military hierarchy comes with a lot of psychological satisfaction. “Of course not everybody would attain that peak in service but if one of your own, someone you grew through the ranks with, rises to the zenith, the credit goes to the whole set; you will feel it is you but a situation when all of you were swept at once, it is devastating,” he said.

A retired Major-General, Garba Ali, says upcoming Nigerian military officers should not be panic because of recent developments, saying it will not in any way affect their subsequent promotions.

He said promotion in the Nigerian army is being done based on some criteria and requirements and that once an officer meets the requirements, he or she would be promoted. He added that going by the discipline in the Nigerian military system, nothing would change the system.

Also, another retired General, Bashir Salihi Magashi, said any officer that is conversant with Nigerian Army’s terms and conditions of service would not complain about his/her subsequent promotions because the army is strictly being governed by them.

“Once you finish training from Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), there is career progression up to the rank of general. It is only for you to meet the requirements and you will be awarded with next rank. But there is time for everything; each promotion has its own time.”

Amidst these observations, some serving and military and retired officers, security experts and politicians said the extension was the most needless thing for now, considering that Nigeria is being confronted by many challenges, including the nine-year Boko Haram extremism in the North East, cattle rustling in North Central and parts of North West, kidnappings almost everywhere, farmers-herders altercations and more.

Proponents of this school of thought are of the opinion that changing the leadership of various military outfits at this point in time would not augur well, more so the various security agencies had done a lot in the last three years.

Daily Trust reports that Buratai is from Borno, and Abubakar from Bauchi, all in the North-East, the region that has suffered the most from Boko Haram excesses. Sources say Buhari is being careful in removing them, considering that being from that geo-political zone, if they fail to tame the Boko Haram for now, it would be difficult for Buhari to blame any general from other zones if he fails to make a difference.

A retired General of the Nigerian Army, told Daily Trust that the extension is not something extraordinary, and cited countries like the USA and UK, where based on the exigencies of the moment and their expertise, military generals are asked to retain their post even when their tenure has expired.

He, however, stated that such extensions happen in extreme emergency cases so as not to jeopardize a certain national security operation. “This is probably the viewpoint that made the president take the decision,” he said.

The General, who once served as a minister, said, “The President as Commander-in-Chief has the legitimate right under the law and I am looking at this from both the constitution and the service binding laws; from the viewpoint of a man who has been a military secretary, that it is a normal thing and it is done not only in Nigeria but anywhere around the world.”

But he said the dangers that come with such extension is at the detriment of the officers, whom he said would have their salaries within the period of extension deducted from their gratuity as salaries illegally earned.

“That is the first disadvantage on the side of the officers who are crossing over 35 years of service legitimately when they are due to go. That example could be found on the extension granted some officers by General Abacha. Upon retirement, the excess salaries for those years were deducted and some of them went home without sufficient gratuity.
Because it could also be said that the privileges they would have enjoyed for those years of extension would have been enough to cover that period,” he said.

The retired General also said though it was normal for other serving officers, who might have been waiting to step into the shoes of the service chiefs to feel frustrated that an opportunity has evaded them, he asked rhetorically, “Whoever told them that they would be the ones (to get promoted)?” But he admitted that the decision may be tough on officers who are expecting growth, and are yet to be promoted. “By the time new appointments are going to be made, if anybody is junior to some of the chaps who are very senior now, then they have been undone and it means they will have to leave the service earlier than normal.

It is not the right of any officer above the rank of Colonel, especially when you ascend to the rank of Brigadier-General. Sometimes political decisions guide those positions and deployment; so they are aware of the terms and conditions of the service which they have sworn into on the very day they were given the parchment of commission in NDA. They are, and over the years as they grow in their careers, they are aware that it is not everybody in a particular set that may make general or head of service,” he said. “They are all aware.”

Another retired military officer, Buba Maigari, said the politics behind the new extension of tenure for service chiefs is the major source of worry to various operations. “Yes, there is no limit to the timing as the Commander-in-Chief can always extend it, regardless of their age,” he said. “However, the office of the CDS (Chief of Defense Staff) has become a contentious issue, with very senior officers eyeing that office. The position is political; therefore such decision is understandable,” he said.

The governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayodele Fayose, described the extension as part of the script already written on what he termed “looting” of the $1 billion the federal government was set to withdraw from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) to fight Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East.

When he addressed the press in Ado Ekiti, he pointed out that he had nothing against the service chiefs, but noted that it was clear that those behind the idea of withdrawing $1 billion from the ECA must have opined that appointing new service chiefs will obstruct their plans for the spending of the $1 billion for the funding of All Progressives Congress (APC) elections in 2019.

Fayose said: “One wonders why people who have spent out their term are being retained in office indefinitely for reasons best known to them. Are they saying there are no other competent hands in the military?”

Also, Spokesman for Afenifere, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, said: “Mr. President himself being a retired military officer, who rose to the post of Major General and Head of State should have better understanding of the fact that other officers’ careers would be affected negatively with the decision he took, which of course is not fair and is professionally wrong.”

Odumakin said: “I don’t see the reason for extending the tenure of the current service chiefs except and unless he would prove there are no other competent officers to continue the battle against Boko Haram.

The present service chiefs are mere instruments in the hands of Mr. President to perpetrate himself and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in power in 2019,” he alleged.

But the President, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Alhaji Yerima Shetima, said there was nothing extraordinary about the development. “Considering the great job the service chiefs have been doing in terms of containing insurgencies across the country, they need to be encouraged.

Bringing in new people now would not help our situation, as a nation, because the new ones would have to start learning.” He said since the tenure of the Buhari government would soon end, there was no need to change a winning team.

In a statement, a pro-democracy and non-governmental organisation, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) criticised the extension. “[It] will inevitably create ethical issues of skewed reward system; it will create increasing levels of lack of professionalism and would ultimately lead to personalisation and politicisation of the constitutional offices of service chiefs.”

It will probably take a while before the political dust of this extension will settle.

As the grumbling continues, some observers say President Buhari actually did what he feels would serve the situation at hand, and as a seasoned military general himself.

lalasticlala

Posted By: Adamu Suleiman,


A bloody clash was averted at the United Bank for Africa (UBA) branch in Gusau, Sokoto, on Friday when a soldier slapped policeman attached to the bank.

The scenario also led to gun shots forcing customers on queue and passers bye to scamper to safety.

An eyewitness said the incident occurred near the bank’s Automated Teller Machine (ATM) when the soldier tried to evade the queue and other customers complained to security agents attached to the bank for intervention.

He said: “On coming to find out what was going on, the soldier slapped the policeman who immediately alerted his colleagues.

“Within minutes, everywhere was tensed and gun shots rented the air which dispersed all of us away.

“Within minutes a sizeable number of policemen appeared at the scene and some military men including three military officers and a military policeman arrived the scene with vehicles to douse the tension and took the soldier away.”

Posted By: Robert Egbe,



A customer, who allegedly hacked several Unity Bank accounts and stole $64,822.97 (about N23.3million) with an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card, has been brought before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.

Adeagbo Samson Bayonle, 37, was accused of committing the alleged crime in connivance with one Dayo Ogunseyitan.

The Nation learnt that the alleged crimes were committed on November 6, 2017.

The theft was discovered following complaints by affected account owners in several Nigerian cities.

The bank initiated an audit which confirmed the theft, following which it reported the matter through a petition to Commissioner of Police (CP) Special Fraud Unit, (PSFU), Ikoyi, Mr Ibrahim Lamorde.

Lamorde, a former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), directed a team led by Assitant Superintendent (SP) Lazarus Nurus to investigate the complaint.

The team, following a tip-off, tracked the defendant and Ogunseyitan to their hideout at an undisclosed location in Lagos.

The defendant was arrested, but, according to the police, Ogunseyitan fled and is now at large.
Bayonle was arraigned yesterday before Mr B. I. Bakare on a two-count charge of stealing.

Prosecuting Inspector Wewe Adegbayi informed the court in charge No. V/73/2017 that the defendant and Ogunseyitan withdrew the sums from several ATMs in Lagos, Ibadan and other cities.

Adegbayi said after hacking the bank’s system, both men modified a naira ATM card so it could withdraw dollars, following which they withdrew $64,822.97 from the accounts.

According to him, the offences contravened sections 285 and 323(2) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

Bayonle pleaded not guilty.

His counsel, Olusegun Adaranijo prayed the court to grant him bail, promising that Bayonle would not jump bail.

In a bench ruling, Magistrate Bakare granted him N5 million bail with two surties in the like sum, one of whom must be a landed property owner in Lagos.

Bakare also directed each surety to deposit N50,000 in the court’s Chief Registrar’s account.
The magistrate ordered that the defendant be remanded in Ikoyi Prison, untill he fulfils the bail conditions.

The case continues on January 12, 2018.

Two lawmakers scheduled to attend the launch of Ilorin digital switch over (DSO) on Wednesday were forced to return to their Abuja homes in dead of the night owing to delay in a Medview flight.

The lawmakers are Suleiman Adokwe, chairman, senate committee on information and national orientation and Segun Odebunmi, chairman, house committee on information.

Lai Mohammed, minister of information and culture, made the disclosure in Ilorin, at the launch of the switch over from analogue to digital terrestrial television for Kwara.

The minister apologised to the audience on behalf of the lawmakers.

“I want to make an apology. The apology I want to make is on behalf of the chairman, senate committee on Information, Sen. Suleiman Adoke and chairman house committee on information Hon. Odebunmi.

“Both of them had indicated their willingness to be with us this morning.

“As a matter of fact, they both left the airport in frustration at about 1am on Wednesday morning.

“The Medview Airline which they book to come did not depart until about 2am.”

The flight with registration number VL 2122 (HK) was originally scheduled to depart Abuja at 6:30pm on Tuesday to arrive Ilorin at 7.10 p.m same day.

The passengers on the service were, however, informed early enough by the airline of the rescheduling of the flight via SMS and e-mail.

The message read: “Dear Valued customer, your flight Vl2122 from Abuja to Ilorin today, December 19, 2017 has been rescheduled to depart by 9:15 p.m due to operational reasons.

“We sincerely regret all inconveniences. Kindly contact us on 07082543952, 08183851135, 08066697400. Thank you.”

At 9pm, after passengers were checked in at the local departure hall of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, it was announced that the flight had been delayed for one hour 30 minutes.

The announcement did not go down well with many of the passengers who went to the departure counter to express their displeasure.
They were told that the flight which was coming to Abuja from Lagos for departure to Ilorin was delayed due to operational reasons.

A female passenger, who simply gave her name as Cathelene, said she had been at the airport since 4pm because she did not get the earlier message rescheduling the flight.

She said she discovered on getting to the airport that a digit was wrong in the phone number she used in booking for the flight.

The passengers who were patiently waiting for a new boarding time of 10:45pm, were again told that the flight has been delayed by one hour.
However, there was a little respite when around 10:05pm, it was announced that a Medview airplane from Lagos arrived at the Abuja Airport.

The passengers who were certain of departure were once again disappointed when another announcement came that the flight was delayed for another one hour owing to bad weather in Ilorin.

Upon inquiry at the departure counter, the passengers were told that it was raining in Ilorin.
Around 11pm, the airline offered free snacks pack of juice, biscuit and cake to the waiting passengers.

In the course of the delay, some passengers who could not bear the harrowing experience had to return to their homes.

One of the passengers who left in anger expressed disappointment for missing a crucial event in Ilorin, the purpose for which the flight was booked.

The passenger, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the ideal thing for the airline to do after such delays was to make the flight optional for people on the service.

He said the airline ought to have announced that those who were still willing to wait should do so, while those who could not wait could reschedule or get refund of their booking.

The flight finally took off around 1:33am and George Francis, the pilot, announced 40 minutes flying time to Ilorin.

Shortly after take-off, the flight became bumpy with a lot of pitches, a sudden movement which made the aircraft to be moving up and down.

With persistent increased airspeed, the seat belt light permanently on, and no time for the crew members to serve refreshment, no one needed an expert to confirm the flight went through turbulence.

The pilot, however, displayed his expertise and experience in flying to the extent that passengers were not tensed.

Twice, the pilot reiterated that passengers and the crew members should remain seated.

The passengers, however, became curious after about an hour into the supposedly 40 minutes flight, there was no announcement of descending to Ilorin airport.

The pilot thereafter announced the challenges the crew had been facing.

He said due to poor visibility they missed the lane, the usual course to Ilorin and have to navigate through the north-west zone.

Ilorin is in north central zone of the country.
The pilot then assured the passengers that they had finally located the Ilorin airport and would be descending shortly.

The descent though, bumpy, was well managed by the pilot to achieve a near soft landing of the aircraft.

While taxing, the pilot called the attention of the passengers, particularly those on window seats to the lightings on the runway.

“For those of you at the window, you will notice that the lighting on the runway by the left wing of the aircraft are working while those by the right wing are off,” he said.

“This happened some few minutes when we were descending.

“This could be dangerous because it is still raining here in Ilorin. We also have thunderstorm in Lagos, Abuja and Ilorin axis.

“Most of the navigational equipment in Ilorin are not functioning.’’

Some of the passengers, who spoke to NAN at the baggage claim section of the airport, thanked God for safe arrival and commended the pilot for his expertise.

They called on the relevant authorities to address the poor state of infrastructure in the nation’s airports and the need to address the challenge of delay flights with stiff sanctions against airlines.

lalasticlala

Posted By: Justina Asishana, Minna


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A Nurse, Hadiza Ndayebo have given birth to quadruplets at the Jumai Babangida Aliyu Maternal and Neonatal Hospital in Minna after 17 years of infertility.

However, one of the quadruplets died immediately after delivery.

Hadiza who spoke to The Nation at the Hospital said that she had to get pregnant through artificial insemination after waiting for many years without getting pregnant.

“I went through artificial insemination because I have been battling with infertility for over 17 years. By December 28, it will be my 17th year in marriage.

“Although 10 years ago, I had normal pregnancy but I gave birth pre-term at 28 weeks and the people died after some days.”

Hadiza who, The Nation learnt, is the second wife to her husband said that the none of her family took it serious when she told them she was carrying quadruplets adding that although one died, she is grateful that she has been compensated for waiting this long.

“The babies were two male and two female. Losing one of the female is the will of God. My family did not believe I was carrying quadruplets but they are joyous when it came.”

Speaking of her 17 years journey of infertility, Hadiza said that it was not easy but at the end of the day, God made her triumph over all the challenges.

“There were a lot of challenges for those 17 years because couple without a child is naked. Being patient was not easy because there were some things that you will not be able to tolerate, that you will react to. ”

Her husband, Alfa Mamood expressed joy over the birth of the babies saying that 17 years of endurance, patience and prayers have paid off.
He prayed that God provide them with the means to provide and take care of them.

The Staff Affairs Officer of the Babangida Aliyu Maternal and Neonatal Hospital, Nurse Comfort Tsado said that the birth of the quadruplets is the first of its kind in the hospital even though one died.

The Nation learnt that the mother of the quadruplets had been on admission in the hospital for over seven months in order for her health to be monitored.

Muhammad Sanusi II, emir of Kano, says all public officers and traditional rulers should be compelled by law to undergo drug test.

Speaking in Kano at the senate roundtable on drug abuse, on Monday, Sanusi said it was hypocritical of leaders to campaign against drug use but allow their “bodyguards and thugs” use it inconsequentially.

He said the call was necessary to ensure that anybody found wanting should not be allowed to hold political office and traditional leadership positions.

“I suggest that ministers, governors and traditional rulers should go for drug test because when youths understand that they cannot be governors, ministers or senators if they are drug addicts, they will be into their senses,” Sanusi said.

“I am ready to submit myself for the drug test.
“The country is facing a great danger because the fight against drug abuse has to be taken seriously if we are to succeed.

“We are deceiving ourselves if we don’t believe that we are part of the problem.

“Today, it is better to be a drug baron on the payroll of a political leader than to be a legally recognised security man, which means we must clean our acts before trying to achieve anything.”

The traditional ruler also called for the establishment of modern rehabilitation centres for victims of drug abuse in the six geo-political zones of the country.

He said when established, the centres should be equipped with necessary facilities and personnel to enable them take care of the teeming numbers of victims of the drug abuse.

He said the measure was necessary in order to ensure that those addicts were rehabilitated and trained in various skills to enable them be reintegrated into the society.

The monarch called for adequate funding of the centres to enable them operate effectively and serve the purpose for which they are established.

Taiwo Jimoh


Police in Lagos have arrested a physically-challenged beggar, Godwin Fawehinmi, for allegedly being in possession of different types of guns.

The suspect was arrested by detectives attached to Area M Police Command, Idimu, Egbeda area of the state at the weekend.

The suspect, who is crippled, it was learnt, usually begs for alms on the street on a daily basis. However, it came to many as a surprise when a gun was recovered from him.

After a thorough search of his bag, a locally-made gun was discovered in it.

Thereafter, several guns, according to the police, were discovered in Fawehinmi’s house at Alhaji Sadiku Street, Akowonjo, Egbeda.

During interrogation, the suspect was said to have declined to mention the source and his mission with the guns.

A source said some residents of the area where the man usually sits to beg for alms, noticed different people that visit him on a daily basis look suspicious. That was why they informed the police, the source added.

A police source said Fawehinmi might be keeping the gun for some armed robbers and pretended to be a beggar.

The source, however, said the suspect had been transferred to Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) office, Ikeja at the state Police Command Headquarters for further investigation.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Chike Oti, confirmed Fawehinmi’s arrest.

He said: “The crippled was arrested based on credible information available to the Commissioner of Police, Imohinmi Edgal, who now ordered that the man mentioned in the intelligence report be arrested.

“The operatives of the command went after him, conducted search in his house and premises and recovered different types of guns, axes, machetes and other weapons. Investigation is still on-going.”

By CHIOMA IGBOKWE


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It’s more than a year since the death of Miss Mabel Okafor Mang, a successful Zenith bank official who was reportedly murdered by her security guard on August 17, 2016.

Barely two weeks at his job, 22-year-old Tanko Abdullateef, was reported to have stabbed his 50-year-old boss, Mabel, in her apartment at No J68B, Close 9, Victoria Garden City in the Lekki-Ajah area, after which he ran to his village, Bali community in Jalingo Local Government Area of Taraba State. Operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Lagos State police command, later arrested him.

Although there was a confession,
Saturday Sun investigation revealed that some of the deceased’s siblings have accused each other of the death of their sister. It was gathered that they are at each other’s throat over the wealth that she acquired while alive when they could not agree on a sharing formula. Some of the assets include a fat bank account, a house at Chevron drive, Lekki, two Bureau de Change offices in Lagos and several other property.

Despite the outcome of the investigation conducted by detectives attached to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, the senior sister to the deceased identified as Miss Oyediya Okafor Mang wrote a petition alleging that her elder brother, Dr Nduka Okafor Mang had a hand in the death of their sister.


Before the crisis
According to earlier media reports, the body of the late bank official was discovered after she was not seen at a meeting she was to have with some top government functionaries. Calls put through to her phone lines were also not connecting.

This was said to have made some people to go to her house to find out what was happening. On getting there, they noticed that water was dropping from the air conditioning panel outside. The people were said to have peeped through an opening they noticed, only to see her body lying on the floor of her living room.

But the operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, who started working on Abdullateef after he committed the crime, tracked him to his village where they spent about three days before his arrest on Saturday, August 27.

In some of his words after his arrest, Tanko told the police: “I can say that as this thing [killing) happened, it was the devil that got into me, because I never believed that I could kill a human being. On the day it happened, my boss returned home at almost 8.30p.m. She went to her room and later called me.

“She had earlier broken some branches of overgrown flowers within the premises. She asked me whether I did not allow DISCO officials to enter her compound when they had no means of identification and I replied her that I did not. She then asked me to go and trim the flower branches.

“At the time she called me, I had a knife in my hand to cut onions and pepper to prepare my dinner, and as she opened her door and gave the instruction, I just felt a spirit passed through my body. The next thing was that I stabbed her and I found her on the floor.

“I stabbed her two times but I don’t really know I did it. As she fell, she looked at me and called my name repeatedly: ‘Abdul, Abdul.” I said ‘sorry Ma.’ I lifted her legs and straightened them on the floor by the three-sitter in the sitting room. I noticed blood stained her dress and the knife I used.

“I pitied her as she called my name so I went to put on the air conditioner so that it would blow directly at her body. I left for her room, which I ransacked to pick some trinkets and clothes. I went back to the living room to pick her phones and N10,000 from her purse which was there.

“One of the security men close by heard her when she screamed in pain after I stabbed her, so he came to knock on the gate to enquire what was wrong. But I dismissed him by telling him not to mind my boss, as she was only scared by the sight of a cockroach.”

His shocking confession while at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) ended the investigation while those who were initially arrested were released on bail. Tanko was charged to court and remanded in prison while his trial progresses.


Dr Nduka, the new suspect
Bearing the heat of the crisis is Dr Nduka Okafor Mang, who claimed that the outcome of the petition by his sister led to his arrest and incarceration. Although police insist that he was arrested because he failed to produce the corpse of his late sister for further investigation.

In a chat with Saturday Sun, Dr Nduka who alleged that the police was used by his sister to tarnish his image and accuse him of murder, decided to tell his side of the story.

According to him, on August 19, 2016, the pastor of his late sister called to inform him of her death. “I immediately rushed down to her house at Victoria Garden City (VGC). On getting there, I met on ground the VGC police post team and the VGC estate security team, church members and neighbors outside the house.

“The pastor introduced me to the police and asked for my approval to break open the padlock key in the rear entrance of the house. My sister was found lying on the floor of her sitting room facing up with four stab wounds on her abdomen. After conducting their investigation, the VGC police team handed over to me the keys to my sister’s residence and offices and a security guard was posted to guard the premises.

“The VGC police assigned a police officer with the police extract to accompany me to the mortuary. We proceeded to the mortuary and deposited my sister’s corpse and I paid the mortuary fees and was issued receipts.

“On August 26, 2016, a forensic pathologist from Lagos State Teaching Hospital, Ikeja performed the autopsy and her body was embalmed. I was then issued her death certificate. The matter was later transferred to the State CID Panti, Yaba for safekeeping and I was the complainant in the matter.

“Luckily men of RRS traced the fleeing security guard, Abdulateeef Tanko to Bali, Taraba State and brought him back to Lagos. In his possession was my sister’s three phones, a large quantity of assorted dresses, jewelries and other personal effects.”

Back in Lagos, Tanko was taken to his sister’s residence in Lekki where he demonstrated how he killed her. “He also told the policemen where he hid the murder weapon and it was discovered still covered with blood stains. He told the police that he does not have an accomplice.
“After the conclusion of their investigation, Tanko was charged to court and was remanded in prison.”

Preparation for the burial of his sister was on-going when his sister Miss Oyediya Okafor Mang returned to Nigeria after more than 25 years abroad. “She returned in November 2016, this was after the death of our sister, autopsy and embalmment. Long before then, police had arrested Tanko and charged him to court after his confession.

Initially, she was very happy that our sister had gotten justice and indicated her interest to take over our late sister’s businesses and if possible reside in her house. When she realized that we were not comfortable with that decision, she decided to write a petition to CP Jonas Jackson Marvel alleging that I was the one who killed our sister.”

He further alleged that soon after the petition was written, a lot of efforts were made to transfer the suspect to Abuja, seize the corpse of their sister but failed.

He and other members of the family with the help of traditional ruler of their community got an approval from the police to bury her sister. They couldn’t because the police in Abuja who claimed to have taken over the case thwarted the ceremony.
His journey into police cell began on July 26, 2017 when heavily armed policemen attached to Federal SARS Adeniji Adele invaded his house seeking to arrest him.

“They alleged that they acted on the instruction of DIG Dagala of Force headquarters, Abuja based on alleged petition against me by Miss Linda Oyediya Okafor Mang. Those policemen led by one Festus Olaniyi proceeded to break down the gate to my house and accessed the premises.

“As soon as they entered, they manhandled my wife and two daughters twisting their arms and pushing them vigorously to the floor. My house was thoroughly searched and in the course of raiding my house called my family members murderers.

“Fortunately I was not at home when they arrived but decided to honour their invitation on August 9. I reported at their office and was detained by DC Kojoe for 17 days in a cell full of suspected notorious criminals. DC Kojoe was kind enough to inform me that I was arrested based on the telephone request by DIG Dagala. On August 10, I was forced into a vehicle by heavily armed policemen led by Festus Olaniyi to the morgue on the allegation by my sister that I and my senior brother had already buried our sister’s corpse. At the morgue, Mr Festus Olaniyi and his men took series of photographs of my sister’s corpse.

“On August 11, I was also forced by the same officers to my residence where a search was conducted by the same Festus Olaniyi and his men. At the end of the search , the items returned to me by State CID, Panti after the investigation was seized and these include keys to my sister’s residence and offices , Laptop, company files and other documents. The next day I was also taken to my late sister’s residence at VGC, Lekki but the estate security refused us access.

“According to them, my sister, Oyediya had locked and chained the gate on her last visit with DSP Sanni Fatai. Finally on August 23, a team of officers from Force Headquarters, Zone 10 led by one DSP Sanni Fatai of Cyber Crime Unit and my sister Oyediya bundled me again at gunpoint to the mortuary and ordered me to remove my name as the depositor of the corpse of my sister to the name of DSP Sanni Fatai which I did so that they will not kill me. They also forcefully retrieved from me all copies of receipt with which I deposited the corpse at the morgue.”

He was later moved to FCID cell in Abuja for further interrogation. “ On August, 25 was again bundled into a vehicle by Sanni Fatai like a common criminal to Abuja by road not minding my age and health status. On getting to Abuja, I was detained inside Zone 10 police command cell. Days later, I was summoned to the office of DIG Dagala and as expected my sister was also there. She kept boasting in front of DIG Dagala that she spent N9million at the Force headquarters, Abuja. I was later released days later under stringent conditions.

“On October 16, on the invitation of DSP Sanni Fatai, I went to the Lagos police command, Ikeja to meet him but he arrested me again and detained me for days at the State CID, Panti. On October 20, I was rushed to magistrate court, Ebute Meta and was remanded in Ikoyi prison pending the advice of Lagos State DPP. I was detained in prison for eight days till October 27 when DPP’s advice was issued stating that I have no case to answer. They ordered that I should be released.”


How DPP’s advice saved him
Saturday Sun was able to get a copy of the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) advice dated October 27, 2017,“ which requested that Dr Nduka should be released as he had no case to answer based on the evidence presented to the court.

“ I am directed to acknowledge receipt of your letter with reference number CB: 3515/X/FHQ/ABJ/PDEFU/VOL.1/138 dated October 11, 2017, and the accompanying duplicate case file forwarded to the office for legal advice.

“We have carefully studied the duplicate case file and it is our considered opinion based on facts contained therein that there are insufficient facts to establish a prima facie case of conspiracy to commit murder and murder contrary to section 233 of the criminal law, Cap. C17, Vol.3 of Lagos state, 2015 against Page B1(James Aikhiobare) and Page B3(Dr Nduka Mang).

“The case was investigated by police at SCID Panti, Yaba, Lagos , wherein one Abdul-Lateef admitted he stabbed the deceased to death on August 17, 2016, stole some of her valuables and escaped from the scene in early hours of August 18, 2016. Page B2 (James Aikhiobare) and Page B3(Nduak Okafor Oyediya) were arrested by police from Fed SARS based on suspicion raised by Oyediya the petitioner, a sister to the deceased person. The petitioner alleged that the investigation into the murder of her sister by the Panti was compromised and was dissatisfied with the investigation hence the re opening of the case and re-investigation”, the DPP advice reads in part.


Police react
On the role of the police in the crisis, Saturday Sun gathered from at the SCID , Panti , Lagos that investigation was concluded and the corpse had been released to the family when Oyediya Okafor Mang arrived the country alleging that her elder brother was behind the death of their sister. “They decided to fight themselves over the property of their late sister. The suspect was arrested and he confessed to the crime. It is a clear case, which the deceased’s elder sister, Miss Oyediya applauded initially when she returned till they could not agree on who to inherit her wealth. She was 50 years and single. She had a lot of money in bank and businesses. She also had a house in the highbrow area of Lagos.

“The police in Abuja have investigated and still no new evidence was found.” Confirming Nduka’s arrest , Public Relations Officer, Federal Criminal Investigation Department(FCID), CSP Chike Nwabunwa told Saturday Sun that detectives re-assigned to the case arrested Nduka because he attempted to obstruct investigation. “We acted based on a petition by his younger sister, one Miss Oyediya Okafor Mang. She was not satisfied with the outcome of the investigation conducted by Lagos SCID. She sought for a transfer and the matter was transferred to Force CID, Abuja.

“When detectives requested for the body of the deceased, Dr Nduka refused to grant them access. These were obvious signs to justify his sister’s claim. After much effort by the police, they were able to find where he hid the corpse , conducted another autopsy and arraigned him in court. He was remanded in prison by the court till DPP’s advice was presented to the court requesting that he should be released. No one has arrested him since then.”

When asked why they are yet to bury the late Mabel, CSP Nwabunwa said no member of the family to his knowledge has come forward demanding for the body of their deceased sister.

lalasticlala

Olufemi Atoyebi, Ibadan


The 21 Ibadan kings , installed by the Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi on August 27 , 2017 , have issued a dethronement notice to the Olubadan of Ibadan land , Oba Saliu Adetunji.

The Olubadan and the Olubadan - in- Council fell out after the governor crowned them and some Baales in accordance with the report of Justice Boade panel set up by Ajimobi to review the Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration.

Olubadan ’ s Director , Media and Public Affairs , Adeola Oloko, told our correspondent that the palace had yet to receive any notice and that a response from the monarch would be communicated to the public at the appropriate time .

At a press conference addressed by the 21 kings at Mapo Hall, Ibadan on Monday , leader of the group , Oba Lekan Balogun , who is also the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland , accused the monarch of taking unilateral decisions on behalf of the ‘ Olubadan - Kings - in-Council ’ and inciting the people against the state government.

Among those who attended the conference were Oba Owolabi Olakulehin , Oba Abimbola Ajibola, Oba Eddy Oyewole , Oba Lateef Adebimpe, Oba Amidu Ajibade and Oba Kola Adegbola .

Pat Stevens


Detectives attached to the Lagos State Police Command have arrested a father of five, Kingley Oriakwu, for allegedly selling two of children and his landlord’s son. He sold the three children for N310,000.

Oriakwu was alleged to have abducted his landlord’s seven-year-old son, Gabriel, and sold him to a woman residing in Aba, Abia State. The suspect, who lives at Waheed Ogunseye Street, Kabowe, Meiran area of Lagos State, was also said to have lured the boy away from home and abducted him on October 20.

The suspect was alleged to have committed the crime, two months after moving into the compound. The case was reported to the Meiran Police Division and later transferred to Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS). It was learnt that operatives from FSARS tracked Oriakwu to Aba, where he was arrested.

The suspect confessed to the police that he sold the boy for N120,000 to a woman he identified as Mrs. Adoara. The suspect also confessed selling his two children, a three-year-old girl and a two-year-old boy early in September to the same Adoara. The police, it was learnt, rescued the three children and brought them back to Lagos. The police also arrested two women, Adoara and Loveth, for buying the children for N120,000 and N190,000 and selling them for N500,000.

Thirty-six states in the federation have submitted 108 names to President Muhammadu Buhari for appointment as ministers and board members, credible sources told Daily Trust yesterday. 

This is coming about 41 days since the president announced his intention to expand his cabinet and make more board appointments to appease aggrieved party members.

Daily Trust findings have shown that each state submitted names of three All Progressive Congress (APC) members to be appointed as ministers or heads of federal agencies.

On October 31, Buhari had during the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the APC disclosed his intention to expand the ministerial appointments from 36 to an undisclosed number.

The president reportedly allocated one more ministerial slot to Kano and Lagos states; as well as one to each of the six geopolitical zones.

Sources in some APC states in the northwest, north central and northeast said Buhari, few weeks ago, directed their governors to submit three names each.

Efforts to speak to APC leaders in Abuja on record and others at the geopolitical zones were not fruitful last night.

But a senior party chieftain who declined to be named said the party hierarchy was consulted.

Sources in Katsina and Kano, Bauchi, Borno, and Plateau told Daily Trust that their governors had since complied with the presidential directive.

One of the sources in the northwest said: “The president had asked our governor for three credible APC members who have no issue with any of the anti-graft agencies.

“The president was specific; he said APC members who worked for the success of the party. He said their precedence would be looked at and one might be considered for ministerial appointment and the rest probably for big board appointments,” he said.

Another source in the northeast said it was a pain reliever when their governor was asked to also submit three names to the presidency.

“Our governor was under mounting pressure from party faithful who felt used and dumped since this administration came on-board.

“Many have exhausted their patience, especially when they heard nothing weeks after the APC NEC meeting where Buhari assured them that he would do something in terms of appointments.

“It was however good news when a request was made in that direction that names should be submitted; the sooner the president does the appointment the better, the grumbling is too much,” he said.

In a recent interview with newsmen, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed had defended Buhari’s delay in making some critical appointments.

But it was however gathered that crisis among various interest groups in the APC was responsible for the delay in the expansion of federal cabinet as pledged by the president.

Multiple sources privy to the development told Daily Trust that the delay was as a result of crisis especially in states over who makes it to the federal cabinet.

Another source close to the president said the delay was caused by the inability of the key stakeholders to resolve the selection crisis that has erupted.

The source said the president was managing the situation to forestall a repeat of what happened in 2015 that led to the outcry by people who contributed to Buhari’s electoral victory.

The source cited the case of northeast whereby the person nomininated from Bauchi has torn the stakeholders in the state apart.

“You know the slot of the northeast has been zoned to Bauchi state but all the National Assembly members and other stakeholders have kicked against the person who was nominated. In fact, they said that the slot should go to another state rather than the person who was picked,” he said.

The source said similar crises are happening in states where the geopolitical zones ministerial slot has been allotted.

Another source told Daily Trust that some APC bigwigs vehemently opposed the nominees from certain states, saying such people do not have any electoral value, especially now that President Buhari will be going for a second term.

For example, the source said, in the party stalwarts said the nominees from Kano State are not well-known politicians that could galvanize the people for the president when the need arises.

The source added that some supporters of Sen Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso insist that the state ministerial slot should be ceded to them for fairness.

The source, however, said it was not clear if the slot will be given to Kwankwaso’s camp.

In Katsina State it said that some party stalwarts were not comfortable with the person nominated, insisting that another person should be considered since  the person is currently occupying an elective position .

Another source said at least four ministers, one each from northwest, northeast, northcentral and southeast may be dropped for new ones to come in. Some stakeholders blame Buhari for the crisis as he did not stand firm on whom he would want to work with among all the available persons suggested for him.

Yet another source said the crisis may be deeper than what political observers will see as it is a battle for the soul of most APC politicians who feel the president’s planned cabinet expansion is an opportunity for them to have their own interest protected.

Speaking on the matter, a ranking senator said the nomination process has been hijacked by the cabal in the Presidency.

“Let me tell you, it’s the same cabal that delayed the constitution of the cabinet for six months when Buhari came on board that is at work,” he said. But another source blamed Buhari for the delay, saying “don’t blame any cabal, it is the president himself that is delaying it. It is the fault of Baba go-slow, not anybody. If he is firm on what he wants, we will not be talking about this now.”

lalasticlala

Ishilove:
The grammar of both wife and sidechick is simply atrocious. They are 'battling it out' in horrible English

On Saturday , Vice President Yemi Osinbajo paid a surprise visit to a market in Ikenne , Ogun State.

Executive Secretary, Consumer Protection Council , Mr. Babatunde Irukera ; and chairman , Ikenne Local Government Area , Mr. Akinsanya Rotimi Fatai, accompanied him .

See the photos by Novo Isioro :


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Posted By Segun Adebayo


The Nigerian Army on Saturday vowed to expose those he described as political collaborators of Boko Haram terrorists, just as it denied an online publication that the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai was ambushed and wounded by Boko Haram.

In a statement released by Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Sani Usman, the military said Buratai was not involved in any ambush on his way to pay courtesy visit on troops, adding that “there was no recent ambush against any of our troops anywhere, let alone the North-East.”

The army said it was closing in on the collaborators of the sect, adding that “we are closing in on the political Boko Haram terrorists and their collaborators. They will soon be exposed and the law will take its full course.”

The army noted that the troops were currently dealing decisive blows on the Boko Haram terrorists in the Lake Chad area, insisting that over 60 of the terrorists had either been captured or neutralised in the last three days. It insisted that there was no recent ambush against
any of its troops anywhere and urged the public to disregard the ambush story, pointing out that the Chief of Army Staff, who has been conducting his official duties, is hale and hearty.

The statement read:”No amount of mischief or campaign of calumny under any guise will distract Buratai from his determined efforst of leading a responsive Nigerian Army in the discharge of its constitutional roles.’’

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force Air War College (NAFAWC) has graduated its second set of participants of Air War Course.

The Air War Course 2/2017 consisted of 19 senior military officers out of whom 16 were from the NAF, one from the Nigerian Army (NA) and 2 from the Nigerian Navy (NN).

The Course, which was inaugurated on June 16 2017, groomed the participants in airpower education and its application while preparing them to lead in the strategic environment with emphasis on the employment of airpower in both joint and independent operations.

During the ceremony, the Chief of the Air staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, who was represented by the Chief of Training and Operations, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Nurudeen Balogun, congratulated the participants on the successful completion of the Course. Speaking further, he urged them to bring to bear, the skills and lessons acquired during the Course with utmost sense of patriotism.

lalasticlala

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka


Two indigenes of Ekwulobia, Aguata Council Area of Anambra state have manufactured a power generating set which requires neither fuel nor diesel to run.

The two men, Messrs Gabriel Obinna and Moses Ezeilegbunam, who identified themselves as technicians, said they were moved to commence invention of the set by the high cost of petrol and epileptic power supply in the country.

Showcasing their product at the premises of the Anambra Broadcasting Service, ABS, Obinna explained to journalists and other spectators how the generator works.

He said the generator had 900 watts capacity and could power a ceiling fan, standing fan, television and a table top refrigerator in one fell swoop and can work for 48 hours, nonstop.

Ezeilegbunam on the other hand said the generator is ideal as it hardly requires maintenance, while stating that with government’s support as well as those of affluent individuals in the society, they can construct one that can power air conditioners, refrigerators of all kinds, electric heater, among others.

The duo said they intended to produce the generator for commercial quantity, saying that lack of finance was a major challenge to their plan. They solicited for support for them to go into mass production, saying that N2 million for a start would aid their invention.

lalasticlala

Former Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has stepped down from the People Democratic Party chairmanship race.

Mr. Daniel in a letter to the party, said he voluntarily withdrew from the Chairmanship race so that the party can collectively elect good leaders for the purpose of winning elections in 2019.

He is the third candidate to withdraw after Jimi Agbaje and Chief Olabode George also withdrew their interest to contest the national chairmanship position.

A mild drama played out at Ejigbo Magistrates court after a nursing mother, Mrs.Tawakalitu Shittu turned down the offer by the court to stand as surety for her husband, Rasheed to save him from going to prison.

Thus, her husband, Rasheed Shittu was moved to prison custody pending when he will provide surety for his release from custody.

The 28-year old Shittu was arrested by the police at Igando Division and charged to court for failing to provide money for the treatment of their 2-year old baby.

The police also alleged that Shittu assaulted his wife and senior police officer, ASP Adegboye Adeniran which he denied.

However, the presiding Magistrate decided to use his discretion to settle the rift between the couple so that they will go home together and resolve the issue as husband and wife with conditions.

But the efforts of the magistrate failed as the wife refused to stand as surety for her husband and he was taken to prison for the alleged offence.

The action of the wife amused the litigants present in court who wondered why the wife had to refuse to stand as surety for her husband.

An embattled Shittu was alleged to have failed to provide money for the medical bill for their sick baby, Sheriff.

This caused serious rift between the couple to the extent the wife followed him and they started fighting along the road before the police intervened.

The incident happened at Ayilara Street in Igando where they resided.

The police arrested Shittu and charged him to court.

He pleaded not guilty.

The presiding Magistrate, Mr. L.K.J. Layeni granted him bail in the sum of N50,000 with one surety in like sum.

He was remanded in prison custody pending when he will perfect the bail after the wife declined to stand as surety for him.

The matter was adjourned till 15 January, 2018.

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By Doyin Adebusuyi, Ado Ekiti 


A five-year-old girl remains hospitalised Omu Ijelu Ekiti, in Oye council area of Ekiti, after her aunt inserted heated metal into her vagina for sharing her daughter’s food.

The woman, Esther Agbundu, a native of Gwer council area of Benue, had earlier sprayed pepper on her niece’s private parts, after beating her up in an incident that’s drawn condemnation.

The Justice, Development and Peace Commission in Ekiti has petitioned the National Human Rights Commission giving details of the incident.

On November 26, the five-year-old babysitting her aunt’s child, an while feeding the child, she ate a spoonful of the baby’s food.

"This annoyed the respondent so much that she inserted pepper in her private parts,” the petition said.

“The respondent further put a knife in the fire and inserted the hot knife in the victim's private part, and equally impressed the hot knife on the outer part of her private part. Still not satisfied, she was beaten mercilessly and urged not to cry aloud."

JDPI has investigated the report and said, "The Elejelu of Ijelu-Ekiti confirmed the report and further informed us that he has notified the Divisional Police Officer of Ilupeju-Ekiti of the incident and the latter sent officers to arrest the respondent a day after the incident was reported at the palace.

"The monarch confirmed also that the victim was at the night of the incident rushed to the Ijelu-Ekiti health centre for medical care."

According to the JDPI director, "we took further step of visiting the health centre for verification and questioning", and further explained that the officials of the centre as well as the relatives of the victim all confirmed the incident.

The JDPI lamented that the five-year-old had been a victim of "frequent inhuman and degrading treatments," saying "we took a closer look at the victim to confirm the incidence of maltreatment, child abuse and molestation."

JDPI also alleged that Abgundu "was released barely few hours after her arrest and boastfully roams the streets of Ijelu-Ekiti freely and in peace as if nothing happend while the victim is neither able to walk nor sit well and still groans in much pains and discomfort."

Describing the incidence as a "case of inhuman treatment, gross disregard to human life" the JDPI added that the action was also a flagrant abuse of her human rights as enshrined in Chapter 4 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 199, as amended."

It called on the NHRC to intervene in the "matter of cruelty against the victim by ensuring that the respondent is brought to book to serve as deterrent to whoever still engages in acts of inhuman and degrading treatment of others, especially children."

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Posted By: Osagie Otabor, Benin


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A 27-year old Libya deportee, Obehi Diamond, has described Libya as the best country where a young man can work and earn good money if there was a central government in the country.

Obehi said he lost all his earnings and savings in Libya because there was no way he could send money back to Nigeria.

He said he was tricked to Libya by a lady he gave N520,000 to take him to Europe in 2011 by flight but the woman abandoned him in Libya.

Speaking to our reporter in Benin City, Obehi said he was kidnapped four times but he bailed himself out with 4000 dinars on each occasion but never contemplated going to Europe because work was good for him in Libya.

Obehi stated that he would not attend any training organised by the Edo State Government because he was already a professional.

He said the N20,000 monthly stipend Governor Godwin Obaseki promised to pay Libya deportees was not what many of them need but good tools to start life again.

His words, “I left Nigeria in 2012. I paid money for flight but the women betrayed me and took me through land to Libya. I paid her N520,000 in 2011. She kept on promising me that I will soon leave. She later asked me to go to Libya that there was somebody to receive me until I will leave for Europe. When I got to Libya, Richard told me I could not travel by air because there is on government in Libya.

“I started working in Libya and earning 1,500dinars every month but Richard was collecting 1000 dinars every month from the money. He kept collecting money from me for four months.

“I later told him that I cannot be working and he will be collecting the money. Richard told my boss to stop paying me. He told me to leave his house and I started sleeping in the street inside abandoned vehicles.

I later met a boy who took me to his house in a mechanic workshop. I got a job somewhere and was earning 2000 dinars. From there I was sending money to my parents in Nigeria to take care off themselves. My friend found a job for me in Tripoli and I was working well.

“In 2014, I was going to take measurement for a job, policemen stop the vehicle I was in. I was the only black inside. After interrogation, they tore my papers.

I spent eight months in four different prisons. I got a phone to call my friend and he told me to look for a policeman to bail me out. In Libya, there is no lawyer to bail you. A policeman helped me out and I paid him 120,000 dinars. I started working again in Tripoli till 2016 when fight started. I found another place to work in downtown due to fighting in Tripoli.

After a month, I asked my boss to calculate the money and it was 4000 dinars. He wanted it pay me 600 dinars and I refused. I stopped the work because I am a professional. I could get work easily because people used to call me for work. The man pursued me and said I must work for him. He took thugs to pursue me and for my safety I decided to work for 600 dinars.

“When I was arrested in Tripoli, I spent 15 months in prison before I was deported. I was not planning to go to Europe. In Libya, there is work. Libya is the best country in aspect of money and work. There is no country to compare to Libya. The problem is the lack of government. Libya is the best place for a young man to work and survive. There is money in Libya if you are a good workman. There is future in Libya for those that are not lazy.

“Since 2015, there was no means to send money home. Libyans know that we blacks do keep money at home. When they caught me, they went to my house to collect my money. They took my property. I lost everything. They took huge money from me. If I had come home with that money, I would not have depend on government to help me, I will just open my shop immediately.

“If the state government help me to open my shop, I will not think of traveling again. The pattern of aluminum work in Libya is different so I had to learn from an Egyptian.

“There is nobody that go to Libya that does not have skills except the Benin boys. The Benin boys are lazy. I don’t play with my work when I was in Libya even on Fridays.

“The training from Obaseki is out of point. I don’t want to under go any training here in Edo. If I have my money, I will go to Lagos and start working immediately. I cannot collect N20,000 monthly from Obaseki.

That is no money. That is what I work in Libya in two days. I don’t need any training.

What I need is money to start off. My fiancée is still in prison in Libya. I am expecting her to be brought back soon.”

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Posted By: Faith Yahaya, Abuja


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The FCT Police Command have arrested two suspects for their alleged involvement in the theft of over $17,000 from the hotel room of a guest.

The suspects who work as house keepers in one of the hotels in Asokoro area of Abuja stole the money from their victim.

According to the Police, the suspects, Charles Ornguga and Festus Bekee changed the money into Naira and used it to purchase household appliances.

Some of the things they bought with the money include; flat screen television,  refrigerator, CD home theatre, air conditioning, four burner gas cooker, microwave oven and stabilizer.

This was disclosed in Abuja yesterday by the Command Spokesman, DSP Anjuguri Manzah during the parade of the suspects.

Other suspects paraded are; Joseph Ayuba, John Paul Okoh, Emmanuel Friday, Moses Eze, Bulus Luka, Obiara Echezona Anthony,  Abdullahi Aminu, Bamidele Adams, Philip Sabelo,  Fraku Adamu, and Felix Omotayo.

Items recovered from them include;  two locally made pistol, one AK 47 rifle, 36 rounds of live ammunition, one Mazda car with registration number ABJ788AH, two phones, one black bag, one rope, some wraps of weeds, one berreta pistol, one iron bar, one knife, one saw, one chisel, and cutlass.

Four of the suspects, Joseph Ayuba, John Paul Okoh, Emmanuel Friday, and Moses Eze were said to be responsible for the death of Barrister  Efosa Edwin Roland.

Breifing Journalists about their operation, the Command’s Spokesman,  Manzah said: “Police Operatives attached to the Command Special Anti-Robbery Squad  (SARS), arrested members of a notorious armed robbery gang who stabbed late Barrister Roland.

“They stabbed him on the chest and robbed him of his car on the 8th of November, 2017  at about 2350hrs. The victim who was rushed to National hospital by Police operatives unfortunately he died at the same hospital on the 9th of November, at about 0445hrs while receiving treatment.

“As a result of discreet police investigation, four suspects linked to the incident have been arrested but one of the suspects Moses Eze who sustained gun wound on his leg while trying to escape police arrest died while receiving treatment in the hospital”.

Manzah also said that the suspects would be charged to court upon completion of investigation.

Ifeoluwa Adeyemo

Nigerians have been advised to follow a healthy lifestyle by eating more fruits and reducing their sugar intake.

The advice was given on Tuesday by the Coca Cola Marketing Manager, Stills and Flavours, Gbolahan Sanni, at the launch of three new variants of Five Alive juice in Lagos.

According to a report from the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, Mr. Sanni said eating more fruits daily either by eating or drinking makes one healthy. Consequently, Coca Cola Ltd has introduced drinks with more natural content to the market.

“The new variants contain natural and local fruits such as pineapple, apple, mango, passion fruit and orange.

“There is no limit to the number of bottles that can be consumed by an individual because it contains vitamins and minerals that are beneficial to health.

“It is made from natural fruits, vitamin and minerals unlike carbonated drinks which were made from chemical compounds and sugar.
“It does not contain artificial flavours, colours and preservatives,” Mr. Sanni said.

He added that the company realised that the taste of consumers was changing and as a result they have introduced new products.

“I can assure you that we will continue to innovate, introduce and produce new variants of natural fruits drink tirelessly.

“Five Alive drinks is a product of Coca-Cola Company and the most sought after drinks because of its uniqueness and quality.

“People should always take breakfast with five alive because it is fresh and contains natural products,” the marketing manager said.

The new variants launched on Tuesday are Tropical, Apple and Family size of pulpy orange.

Cephas Iorhemen


A suspected cult member in Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State, Kator Tsegba, was at the weekend killed by his colleagues during an initiation/charm test, which he reportedly failed.

The cultist met his death while testing his bulletproof charm after consuming a concoction which failed him during their usual assembly at Ihungwanor in Mbayion District of Gboko Local Government Area.

A source from the area said that out of shock, a Tsegba’s relation, who is also a cultist, after he got wind of the incident, raised the alarm which attracted the attention of the police.

Our correspondent, who was in the area observed that as a result of the incident, residents of Gboko and its environs were now living in fear as the new Divisional Police Officer in charge of Gboko A Division, SP Dooiyor Fatmann, was going about with his anti-cultism team in search of the culprits.

It was learnt that, already, about 13 suspected cult members had been arrested while 12 of them were remanded at the Gboko Prison.

A Gboko-based motorcyclist, Mr. Nathaniel Shaku, told our correspondent that the cultists, while performing their rituals, killed the victim, prompting the swift intervention of the police.

Efforts to reach the DPO proved abortive, but a source closed to him quoted him as commending Gboko Local Government chairperson, Mrs. Becky Orpin, traditional rulers and the youth for their cooperation in the fight against the crime.

The source, however, disclosed that the DPO was finding it tough with some parents of the suspected cultists.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Moses Yamu, did not pick his calls to get more details of the incident.

Over 1,000 people have lost their lives in Boko Haram attacks since the terror group was declared “technically defeated” by President Muhammadu Buhari in December 2015.

This is the findings of Daily Trust on Sunday from figures recorded in 181 attacks, including the one in Biu, Saturday, that have been reported in the media.

The total number of deaths recorded between December 2015 and now stands at 1, 088 and with the official figure of deaths recorded in the Biu suicide attacks yesterday, the number now stands at 1,101.

The findings show that the group seemed to have had more impact in 2017 than it did in 2016, doubling the number of casualties it recorded.

The group killed 379 people in 57 attacks in 2016. This number includes 327 civilians, 49 soldiers and 3 immigration officers, while 2, 200 people were reported injured in these attacks.

In 2017, the group recorded three times more attacks than it did in 2016, with a reported 124 violent incidents, including the suicide bombing in Biu, Saturday, blamed on the group. These attacks caused the deaths of 637 civilians, 68 soldiers and four policemen, bringing the total number of people killed to 709 so far. 

With the 13 people officially reportedly killed in the Biu suicide bombing, the number rises to 722, representing a 90.5 per cent increase from the previous year.

Attacks by the group have left 536 people injured in 2017, representing a drop of 75.3 per cent compared to the figures of 2016. These figures were recorded in 124 attacks.

What this suggests is that Boko Haram has recorded more fatalities in their attacks in 2017, implying that the group’ attacks have been more efficient in terms of recorded fatalities than in 2016.

During these 181 attacks in over two years, 602 insurgents have been reported killed. This figure does not include instances where the military reports that it had killed “many” or “scores” of insurgents.

Analysis of the figures shows that while Boko Haram increased its efficiency in 2017, it somehow managed to reduce the number of its foot soldiers killed in 2017. For instance, while 413 insurgents were reported killed in 2016, 189 insurgents have so far been killed in 2017, representing a drop of 54.2 per cent.

The explanation for this is that in 2017, Boko Haram changed its modus operandi, mostly avoiding direct confrontations with the military and focusing on soft targets instead. Most of the insurgents who lost their lives in 2017 did so during suicide bombings. 

Far more cases of suicide bombings were recorded in 2017 than in 2016 and these pushed up the number of civilian casualties in Boko Haram attacks. The attack in Mubi, November 22, was the highest with 50 worshippers killed during a suicide bombing at a mosque.

However, the highest number of insurgents killed in confrontation with the military recorded on February 1, 2017, when 35 insurgents were killed in Buk, Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State.

Compared to 2016, the insurgents suffered heavy losses during clashes in Musari, where 58 insurgents were killed on March 20. In Kotokuma area of Dikwa, 37 insurgents were killed on February 28, while another 35 lost their lives in Bulari on April 21, followed by another 25 in Kangarawa on July 2.

Interestingly, Boko Haram’s attacks are spread over the three northeastern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa. However, all the reported killings of insurgents took place within Borno State.

These figures are alarming considering that in December 2015, six months after coming into power, President Muhammadu Buhari declared that Boko Haram had been “technically defeated.”

The declaration was made on the back of military successes in recapturing large swaths of territory the brutal group had taken control of. At its height, in January 2015, Boko Haram controlled major parts of Borno and Yobe States as well as a significant chunk of Adamawa State. Their control of about 20 per cent of Nigeria’s land mass was the excuse then President Goodluck Jonathan gave for postponing the 2015 elections by six weeks. 

Since President Buhari succeeded Jonathan, the group has lost significant territory and is no longer in control of any major town. However, observers claim Boko Haram still controls some remote villages and their capacity to threaten displaced persons from returning to their villages has never been in doubt.

Over two million people have been displaced by the insurgents in parts of Nigeria, Cameroon and Niger, a sizeable number of those are still afraid to return to their homes.

But the Nigerian military has made significant gains, pushing the group back into its stronghold of Sambisa Forest. However in December 2015, the military was able to take over a key Boko Haram base in Sambisa, prompting the president to make his declaration.

Despite this progress, the group’s leader, Abubakar Shekau, evades capture, prompting the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Burutai on July 21, 2017, to issue a forty-day ultimatum to his men to capture Shekau, dead or alive. 

At the end of August when the ultimatum elapsed, Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, General Ibrahim Attahiru appealed for an extension of the period, to which the COAS agreed. The army has remained silent on when the new deadline is.

On more than one occasion, the Army declared Shekau dead, even if he had resurfaced in videos spewing threats and ridiculing the army. In defence, the army has claimed Shekau has a body double masquerading as the leader.

But what turned out to be Shekau’s greatest undoing was pledging allegiance to the Islamic State in March 2015.

Not long after, IS deposed Shekau as leader and appointed Abu Mus’ab Albarnawi, long reported to be the son of the group’s founder Mohammed Yusuf, as its new leader. Shekau rejected this and eventually a battle of supremacy followed, splitting the group in two.

Whatever advantages Shekau hoped to gain by aligning with IS has fallen flat on its face, if not backfired entirely. With the resultant infighting and IS effectively defeated in the Middle East, Boko Haram needed a new strategy to stay relevant.

If the numbers are anything to go by, the president’s claim that Boko Haram is incapable of mounting “conventional attacks” may not be far off the mark but the group’s efficiency in carrying out suicide bombings  is increasing their capacity to cause maximum fatality, while reducing casualties figures on its side.

The group has employed mostly female suicide bombers, and sometimes even children, often working in groups to target people in places of worship as was the case in Mubi and or in markets as was the case in Biu yesterday.

Both attacks employed twin suicide bombers and targeted groups of civilians going about their normal businesses in what is increasingly becoming a signature attack for the terror group.

Last week, President Buhari again dismissed the group, saying its suicide bombings were “the last kicks of a dying horse.”

Speaking through his minister of information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, during a commissioning ceremony in Adamawa, the president said, “Let me be clear: Boko Haram has been massively degraded and its surviving members put on the run.  In their desperation to stay relevant, they have resorted to the wicked and dastardly act of using innocent under-aged children to carry out suicide bomb attacks.

“What we are witnessing now are the last kicks of a dying horse. A dying horse manages to engage in some kicks. These kicks may be dangerous, but they don’t last long. Progressively, they become weaker and weaker until the horse finally gives up.”

He assured that they are developing new strategies to completely nullify the group and has approved the establishment of an intelligence fusion center in Maiduguri, which will gather and share intelligence among security agencies with the hope of preventing these attacks. For Nigerians eager to get on with their lives without fear, this horse cannot die soon enough.

lalasticlala

From Jeff Amechi Agbodo, Onitsha


The atmosphere in and around the site of the Second Niger Bridge has been suffused with joy and excitement, following the resumption of work on the project, which has become an emotional and political touchstone for the people of the Southeast, long marginalized in the national scheme of things.

The return of the principal contractor, Julius Berger Plc, to the site expectedly stirred good feeling among the people.
When Sunday Sun visited the site of the project there were heavy duty machines and equipment as well as workers and security agents on ground at the site. An engineer at the site who does not want to be mentioned said they resumed work at the site in October after the federal government mobilized the contractor to return to site.

He said that the duration for the completion of the contract is five years, noting that Julius Berger being a reputable construction firm would keep to it and ensure the delivery of the project within the stipulated period.

“We are back to the site fully and as you can see work has started and by the grace of God, we will not stop until we finish the job. I’m happy that the government has played its part and I pray it will keep to its promise and sustain it so that the job will continue until we finish it. I don’t think anything will stop the job again because water level has reduced, so we can comfortably work without any hindrance,” he stated.

Efforts to speak with the company’s Public Relations Officer proved abortive as the security agents at site prevented the reporter from taking photographs of the site but was directed to the Site Manager or PRO at the company yard at the waterways under the old bridge. Also at the yard, a security man prevented the reporter from seeing the site manager, insisting that the inquiries be directed to the PRO, who was not on hand at the time of the visit.

When the reporter visited the second time later that day, he was informed that the PRO had traveled outside the state. A request for his phone number, so that a text could be sent to him was declined. This prompted the reporter to leave a note and his phone contact with the security guard at the gate requesting the PRO to contact him, to give more details on the project. Until this report was filed, no response came from the PRO at the site.

Recall that the existing Niger Bridge was commissioned on January 4, 1966. The idea of a Second Niger Bridge started in the 1970s but its execution had been constantly delayed due to multifarious problems ranging from finance to political will.

The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, had on October 20, 2017 during the APC Governorship campaign in Onitsha, Anambra State, said that the federal government had released the sum of N2 billon through the Sovereign Wealth Fund for the project.

Osinbajo reiterated the Buhari administration’s commitment to keeping its promises to the Nigerian people, saying that one of those promises was the construction of the Second Niger Bridge.
The President of Bridgehead Market, Chief Sunday Obinze, while reacting on the project urged the federal government to keep to its promise by completing the project at the stipulated time and not just to use it as a campaign gimmick for 2019 general election.

His words: “My advice for the federal government is for them to keep to their promise in completing the Second Niger Bridge at the specific period and not for campaign strategy because once election is close politicians will embark on one project or the other. So the President should complete the project and should have good intention in doing the job.

“There are many benefits that would come from the completion of the Second Nigeria Bridge. One, it will decongest the road and end the crippling traffic jam as well as reduce pressure on the existing bridge. It will help to develop the nearby state, Delta state, which is close to Onitsha. Most of the traders in Onitsha have properties in Asaba, the state capital and due to the menace of traffic they could not develop their property.
But with the construction of the second bridge it will ease flow of traffic. It will also improve our businesses here in Onitsha and improve the revenue base of Delta State. In fact the second Niger Bridge will be of greater advantage to the traders and the road users.

“Then you know that the bridge is a gateway to many states and when another one is being constructed it will create free flow of human and vehicular movement in and out of Onitsha and reduce traffic jam from the security checkpoint at Asaba end of the bridge.”

A trader from Delta State, Mrs. Agnes Olisa, expressed happiness over the resumption of work at the project site, saying that when completed it would help to reduce their suffering in coming to the market in Onitsha due to daily gridlock along Onitsha-Asaba axis of the expressway.

“On many occasions, many of us that come to Onitsha to buy our goods were trapped in the traffic jam, which could for three to four hours just between Asaba and Onitsha. On two or three occasions, I had to turn back when the gridlock held us for hours because I could not make it to the market again. At times thieves will waylay us on the road and take our money while we are stuck in the holdup; so we have suffered on this road over the years.

“I want to commend President Muhammadu Buhari for continuing with the project which was inaugurated by his predecessors and who did not do any work until their tenure expired. My prayer is that the government should not play politics with the job and should face it squarely and complete it.

The Second Niger bridge is important to not only Igbo people but to all who use this road including the Hausa and Yourba people because I have seen some these people caught in the gridlock with us on some occasions. I am begging the federal government to pay the contractor in order for them not to have excuse to stop work on the bridge,” Olisa said.

A commercial bus driver, Mr. Okechukwu Nduka, expressed hope that the government and the contractor would sustain the project after so much complaint of lack of money and recession. He wondered if the work would be sustained and probably completed as scheduled.
“We the drivers on this route are worst hit.

There is no driver that plies the Onitsha-Asaba route or even passenger that traveled to South-South, South-West or even Northern states that through this road that Swill tell you that the Second Niger Bridge is not needed urgently because of not only gridlocks on the road but also the danger ahead. This old bridge is being over stretched and is on the verge of collapse any moment because the pressure is too much on it. If this old bridge collapses now that is the end and everybody will be using small vessels and boats to cross the River Niger before you continue your journey.”

“So, am happy that working is going on at the site of the second bridge but the question is, how far will it go? This is not the first time they will promise us and also map out money in the budget for the job but to no avail. The 2019 election is close and the work at the site may be connected to the campaign for re-election and after which they will remove all these machines just like what happened after Jonathan left office. The federal government should be sincere and keep to its promise by completing the project and everybody will be happy,” Nduka stated.

A resident of Onitsha who works at the Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Asaba, Mr. Nnaemeka Arinze, who was not aware that the job had resumed, recounted his ordeal on the Onitsha-Asaba road and how he had been trapped on the road on several occasions, saying that he would be the happiest person if government completed the second bridge to reduce gridlock on the old bridge.

“I go to work in Asaba every day except when I’m off duty or on leave; so I have seen it all on this road and that is what attracted my curiosity when I heard from you that work had resumed again at the site of Second Niger Bridge site. I thank God for that and pray that they will sustain the work and complete it to reduce pressure on the old bridge.

I have suffered on this road; sometimes I will leave my house at 5.00am to beat traffic going to my office but most time I will meet traffic and then while going home. Sometimes I will stay in the office up to 8.00pm waiting for when the road would be free but still I will meet holdup. So, the solution is the new bridge for free flow of traffic” Arinze said.