[size=15pt]Oyo is difficult to govern – Ajimobi[/size]

On January 8, 2013 · In News

12:55 am

By OLA AJAYI





IBADAN — GOVERNOR Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State yesterday admitted that the state was a difficult one to govern.

He said it is the state that harbours “largest party of lies” and a place where you help one person and the remaining nine are offended.

He said this at the inter-religious prayer session held to usher in Year 2013 at the Governor’s Office Car Park, Secretariat, Ibadan.

“It is difficult for someone to rule this state. It is in Oyo State that you have the largest party of lies. No matter how good you are, you will have enemies and friends”, the governor explained.

He added that as nobody is perfect, his government has its own faults but all of them are done in good faith.

The prayer which was well attended by politicians, civil servants, and many other notable people in the state also served as beacon of hope for workers as the governor said many times that it would be a “pay back year” for the workers.

He commended them for absorbing all the challenges, pressures and “tsunami of change” that his administration introduced to make them better.

Ajimobi said: “For you to have been able to withstand the pressure that we have brought to bear on you; for you to have survived our shocking treatment and the pyramid of checks and balances, rest assured that this year is your year of reward.

“We have demanded a lot from you and you have given us; and for those of you who have survived the tsunami of change which was aimed at instilling discipline in the system and making the civil service service-oriented, you will be adequately compensated,” he promised.

While giving glory to God for being with his administration, the civil servants and the entire people of the state, Governor Ajimobi said but for God, his efforts at transforming and repositioning the state would have been insignificant.

The head of of the religious service, Alhaji Tajudeen Aremu had earlier in his welcome address urged civil servants to key into the blueprint of the government for the successful implementation of Ajimobi’s laudable programmes.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/01/oyo-is-difficult-to-govern-ajimobi/

[size=15pt]2015 Presidency: BNC vows to stop Jonathan[/size]





President JonathanBenin National Congress, BNC, a socio-cultural organisation in Edo State, has urged President Goodluck Jonathan not to consider running for the 2015 presidential election, if he fails to find solution to insecurity and crisis in the power sector.
President Goodluck Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan

President of BNC, Mr. Aiyamenkhue Edokpolo, in his paper entitled Nigeria: Nation-State in Dire Need of Patriots, at the 2012 Merit Award ceremony organised by the group in Benin City, accused the political class of abandoning public institutions for selfish reasons, adding that kidnapping and restiveness were a fall-out of mis-governance.

He charged President Jonathan to either stand up for the masses by exposing every agency of corruption, or deprive his party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, of election victories in Nigeria.

He said: “President Jonathan promised heaven on earth when he appealed to us to support him, but today, it is sad to note that nothing is done to save Nigerians from the untold hardship and insecurity pervading the land. The President cannot say he wants a second term when he has not achieved any thing in his first term. Unless he solves our problems, we will stop him if he decides to run for a second term.”

http://www.codewit.com/nigeria-news/3948-2015-presidency-bnc-vows-to-stop-jonathan

[size=15pt]Courts Dissolve 52 Marriages In Kwara Community[/size]

Wed, 02/01/2013 - 2:15pm | OUR CORRESPONDENT




No fewer than 52 marriages were dissolved by courts in Omu-Aran in 2012, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

Some of the reasons adduced for the dissolution included lack of love between the parties, desertion, irresponsibility and uncaring attitude.

Other reasons adduced were infidelity, cruelty, battery and drunkenness.

NAN reports that of the 86 cases filed, 30 traditional marriages were dissolved by the Area Court while the remaining 22 court marriages were dissolved by the Upper Area Court and High Court.

NAN investigation, however, revealed that incidence of marriage dissolution in the area was on the decline when compared to the 57 recorded in the 75 cases filed in 2011.

Incessant irreconcilable marriage differences, NAN also gathered, had become a source of worry to magistrates and judges.

Mr Abolade Banigbe, an Area Court judge, told NAN that in spite of the slight decrease recorded between 2011 and 2012, the trend had posed a great challenge to the judiciary within the community.

He said there was the need for government to strengthen the services of the Citizen's Mediation and Conciliation Centre, especially at the grass roots.

``It is a worrisome spate of unresolved and irreconcilable marriages differences leading to eventual dissolution, particularly at the grass roots.

``The problem is that judges have had to adjourn to allow for amicable settlement between parties on several occasions which unfortunately we can not partake in.

``I think there is urgent need to encourage and empower the mediators in Alternative Dispute Resolution Centres in the state capitals to extend their services to the rural communities.

``This will probably reduce the ugly trend of marriage dissolution being experienced in recent times,’’ he said.

Banigbe noted that the country had been facing a lot of security challenges arising from the high number of children from broken homes engaging in crime.

``It is a problem government at all levels need to address and accord top priority to resolve the security challenges confronting the nation as we enter the new year,” Banigbe said.

http://www.leadership.ng/nga/articles/43993/2013/01/02/courts_dissolve_52_marriages_kwara_community.html

[size=15pt]Nigeria: CNPP urges de-registered parties to join ACN, CPC, ANPP merger plan[/size]

Published on Wednesday, 26 December 2012 21:21

Written by News Agency






Abuja The Conference of Nigeria Political parties (CNPP) on Tuesday urged all de-registered parties to join the merger plan of the ACN, CPC and ANPP .

CNPP’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Osita Okechukwu, in Abuja said that the conference supported the merger proposal.

”CNPP is in support of the three political parties that are trying to merge and calls on those de-registered to join the merger plan.

”We applaud the CPC, ACN and ANPP for trying to come together, this will enable them to form a united front,” he said.

Okechukwu urged the INEC’s National Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, to ”pay more attention to those things that can bring to bear, free and fair election in Nigeria”.

”Government has stopped funding parties and if it has stopped funding parties, they would find ways to sustain themselves,” he said.

Okechukwu urged the INEC boss to pay more attention to the Uwais Electoral Reform since he (Jega) was a member of the committee.

”He should pay attention to advance those courses recommended by the committee.

”We need free and fair election; if there is free and fair election, the political parties on their own will do their own internal censorship,” he said. (NAN)

http://www.codewit.com/nigeria-news/3705-nigeria-cnpp-urges-de-registered-parties-to-join-acn-cpc-anpp-merger-plan

[size=18pt]Where Is GEJ's Enugu "international airport"?[/size]




In 2010 President Goodluck Jonathan Commissioned Akanu Ibiam (Enugu) International Airport. In his remark during the ceremony, Jonathan said he has always considered himself close to the Igbo because of the circumstances of his birth and education. But today, the Place looks like a Civil war zone. There is nothing
International about it.

Akanu Ibiam International Airport, also known as Enugu Airport, is an airport serving Enugu, the capital city of Enugu State of Nigeria. The airport is named after the late Akanu Ibiam (1906-1995), a Medical Doctor and Statesman who hailed from Afikpo in Ebonyi State.

The airport was closed on February 10, 2010, by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) for the first phase of major renovation and expansion works. The airport was re-opened on 16 December, 2010, but the second and third phase of the construction works remains an ongoing/unfinished project. They promised the airport is being prepared for its new status as international airport.

Okukuwe ibiam wrote today that if pressure is not brought on the authorities to complete what they initiated, we definitely have an eyesore on our hands.

According to him, "the departure hall looks like a refugee station. You can peer through or sit on the Uncompleted windows, enjoy the the dry dusty air wafting in and have a direct physical appreciation of the runway with flights come in and out. Nothing really stops you from jumping through the windows and Hugging the plane, if your arms are long enough.

"You can circumvent customs by going through the departure hall windows straight to your flight, the place begs for mischief.

"The arrival hall looks like it was recently bombed and cleared of debris. Dirt floor! Conveyor belts? wait for the 25th century! You pick your luggage directly from the Tarmac.

"If you are carrying a luggage or multiple luggages, you need helpers to help you push it up the uncompleted cement steps for a fee. and when exiting the arrival hall, you need them to help guide the carriage down onto a wooden plank and Hold the descending truck or else your luggage will spill on the surroundings, or straight into the waiting reception, who warily step out of your way with your nervous steering and balancing act.

"By the time you pick your luggage up, you'll be as brown as the surrounding dry muddy Enugu landscape. Then you are dusting. Only to see your reception pulling exited luggage towards the car park, with greetings of Chei! Nno! Afuro kwam gi."


When President Goodluck Jonathan approved the assignment and deployment of Mrs. Stella Oduah-Ogiemwonyi (Anambra), to the Ministry of Aviation, many thought Jonathan appears hell-bent (and rightly so) that the internationalization of Enugu airport be completed in his regime.

Jonathan promised the Igbos that the upgrade of the airport to an international airport and the extension of its runway are part of the Federal Government’s airport rehabilitation programme, designed to improve the state of infrastructure at the nation’s 21 airports.

Thus they naively believed he reposted an Igbo person to man (or is it woman) the aviation ministry in the belief that if an Igbo is not in charge, it is bye bye to an international airport for Enugu.

How wrong they were!

South Eeast comes last in GEJ's mind, he knows how to massage our ego and walk freely without doing anything concrete; like closing whole markets to honour Ojukwu at death and we are happy!

How many Gigantic projects are going on in SE ? Yet, our people are already endorsing him for 2015!

Welcome to Enugu, Welcome to Biafra, Sorry Nigeria.

http://elombah.com/index.php/articles-mainmenu/13889-where-is-gej-s-enugu-international-airport

[size=18pt]Rampaging Fulani herdsmen slaughter farmer[/size]

Our Reporter December 23, 2012 24 Comments »

By Moshood Adebayo, Abeokuta




Nomadic Fulani herdsmen invaded the border town of Oja-Odan in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State on Friday, killed a farmer and injured dozens of others. The daring herdsmen allegedly slaughtered one Agbaose Sewotan after invading his farmlands and subsequent destruction of his food and cash crops.

An elder brother of the deceased, Mr. Oluwole Sewontan, said the incident occurred in the evening of Friday. His words:‘’This is not the first time that our natives were slaughtered like cows on our own soil with impunity. My dear brother was killed simply because he protested the invasion of his farmland by the herdsmen.” He added:Not less than forty people including males and females were killed over the years and our law enforcement agencies have not been able to bring the culprits to book.

According to him, the list of those who had been sent to their untimely graves include Akinola Tunde from Agbon-Ojodu, Phillip Akanan from Owode-Ketu as well as Amosu Olofinjin. The attack came barely one month after a socio-cultural group, Ketu Advancement Front, alerted the state government of the perennial crisis which it said normally happens during the dry season within Ketu communities. The leader of the group, Mr. Lasisi Adewole, said the Ketu communities, which comprise 30 villages had often come under severe attacks by the Fulani herdsmen operating between the boarders of Nigeria and Benin Republic.

He claimed that efforts so far made to ensure that the Nigeria Police, State security Service (SSS) and the state government put in place adequate security measures in the area had been fruitless. Reacting to the incident, the Chairman of Yewa North Local government, Hon Tajudeen Alani, assured that the government would look into the matter with a view to preventing future occurrence. His words: “Ogun State government is worried with the development, and I can assure you that we are going to find lasting solutions to the killings”. He further disclosed that the state government had already set up a committee comprising Ketu people, Fulani herdsmen and government officials to address the problem.

http://sunnewsonline.com/new/cover/rampaging-fulani-herdsmen-slaughter-farmer/

[size=18pt]Alaafin tackles Ooni on Yoruba history[/size]

Posted by: Oseheye Okwuofu Posted date: December 17, 2012 In: News | comment : 0





Who is the custodian of Yoruba history?

The controversy resurfaced at the weekend with the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, accusing the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade, of distorting the facts.

The Alaafin broke his silence following a comment made by the Ooni during the centenary anniversary celebration of the Oranyan Festival.

Oba Sijuade had, during the memorial anniversary of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo at the MUSON Centre in Lagos, said the Alaafin had no connection with Oranyan and was not qualified to celebrate him (Oranyan).

Oranyan was one of the sons of Oduduwa.

The Ooni said the Alaafin was presiding over a dead empire.

Alaafin alleged that the Ooni described him as a rascal and not Oranyan, during the celebration, which attracted dignitaries from all walks of life within and outside the country.

He spoke at the weekend during the special birthday lecture organised in his honour by City People magazine, entitled: “Reviving the Old Oyo Customs and Tradition”.

The lecture was delivered by a Portuguese national, Ms Paula Gomes (the Alaafin’s Cultural Ambassador).

Oba Adeyemi said the Ooni had a tradition of distorting history out of ignorance of the details of his ancestral roots.

He said he decided not trade words with the Ooni after former President Olusegun Obasanjo summoned him; the Awujale of Ijebu, Oba Oyebade Lipede and the Ooni to a meeting where everyone agreed to a truce.

Justifying his reaction, the Alaafin said it was proper “to recall history, educate the Ooni and let the world know the truth” because Oba Sijuade continues to castigate him and his traditional activities.

Making reference to series of documentary evidence, the Alaafin insisted Oyo was superior to Ife.

He said: “From where did this Yoruba Language that we are speaking evolve? Which language was used in writing the Bible? It is Oyo language. Why not Ife language? Where else are they speaking Ife language apart from Lagere Quarters? Why are the Modakeke people, who are living behind Ife, not speaking Ife language?”

The Alaafin said Ooni could not answer the questions he posed to him in the past, including the ones at the parley brokered by Obasanjo, “instead, he came with books that could fill three baskets”.

He said: “In 2009, Ooni had undermined the institution of the Alaafin, but a year after when he was celebrating his birthday, he said Oranyan was his father’s ancestor.

“How could you have denigrated your ancestors and later claim that you are a son of the Alaafin. Anybody who does not know his ancestral roots, who did not strive to learn about it and does not learn from those who know will continue to make mistakes and flounder in ignorance. That is part of Ooni’s inadequacies.

“When we wanted to celebrate Sango, they said Sango was not Yoruba. Sango studied the Quran. He was the one that was first conferred with the title of ‘Akeugberu’. He was the first in the art of adjudicating justly. When he was born, the umbilical cord that joined him with his mother could not be severed. Because they pulled it and it would not cut, it became the name ‘Afonja’. The glory, success and tradition of Yoruba started from Oyo.”

He added that Oyo State, during the administration of the late Chief Bola Ige, came up with a gazette recognising the Oranyan as the head of the princes and princesses in Yorubaland, and that Oyo dominated all other nations, namely: Ife, Ijebu, Egba, Ijesa, Sabe, Owu and so on.

Alaafin said: “When Messrs Richard Lander and McPherson visited Oyo Ile in 1827, they concluded that what they saw in Oyo Ile in terms of historical structures and the rich cultural heritage was superior compared to what obtained in the old European world.”

He cautioned the Ooni against “further distortion of historical facts”, which he said his (Oba Sijuade’s) predecessor, Oba Adesoji Aderemi, did not do.

The Director of the Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan (UI), Prof. Isaac Albert, said: “The university is proud to associate with the Alaafin, who turned 74 on October 15, “being our able and reputable patron, who epitomises the rich African cultural heritage and is an inspiration to all of us.”

http://thenationonlineng.net/new/news/alaafin-tackles-ooni-on-yoruba-history/

BREAKING NEWS!!!



234News reports that mass ballot snatching in Isinweke,Imo State by thugs suspected to be loyal to Andre Uweh's "Igbo o dikwa serious"camp. . . .(more to come)

[size=13pt]Breaking News!!![/size]


Word just got in from Abbi in Ukwuani land Delta State, Chyz* is threatening to pull out of the Ndi igbo nation completely and to solely recognize himself as an Ukwuani if he is not elected Eze Ndigbo

His words: "Ah Biko, Biko nu Enough is Enough! I will cause mayhem and make nairaland ungovernable if the Ezeship does not go to Ukwuani, Igboland. There will be nothing like Delta-Ibo in Ukwuani land again. Ndewo nu!"


http://www.ndokwa.20m.com/

Aigbofa:

That's right. You are very perceptive.
Rascal ko, Rosco ni.

Dude how hard is it? If you dont like Igbo just stay off their page. Its not rocket science.

This is funny. The SW didn't pull its weight, so they have no say-so in who gets senate presidency.It is only possible for them to get that position if the other zones decide to take opposite postions. The SW has relegated themselves to the back. Too bad.

@Mai Suya,

Telling us that nonsense that you just wrote is not going so stop us from vengeance so its better you all pack your cattle and go on your hijra back to the north.

[flash=350,350]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrDLK3ZHnqA[/flash]

Beaf:

What is so wrong with Urhobo people being the 5th largest group in the country? Can any of you clowns give accurate census figures for your groups, figures that don't include goats and chickens? Lol

I think claiming to be only 2 million people but the 5th largest ethnic group is naive and laughable.

Ibibio(approx 5mill)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ibibio_people

Igala( approx. 2mill)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igala

Tiv(approx 2mill)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiv_people

Idoma(approx 3.5mill)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idoma_people

Kanuri(approx 3.5 within nigeria)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanuri_people

There are more. . .


Most people in nigeria have never even heard of Urhobo.

Not untill he fixes the INEC voters registration results!

Jen33:

If the USA and Britain can condemn the violence, Nigeria most certainly CAN do as well.

Who has more blood of the innocent on their hands?

1.5 MILLION DEAD INNOCENT IRAQIS (not to mention Vietnamese, Afghans et al) do not share your admiration and respect for the supposed ''civilized powers''.

That it was foreigners those western troops slaughtered and not ''their own people'' does not make them any less brutal or sadistic, unless you're saying that killing foreigners is morally superior to killing one's own population, a claim for which there is absolutely no basis.

Nigeria only condemned the act because it's owners the U.S. and Britain did. They were against the secession of South Sudan, but they gave its support only after the West did. Again, Nigeria is a funny country.

PhysicsMHD:


Not really. What's the funny part?

"With a population of some two million people, the Urhobo people are the 5th largest ethnic group in Nigeria and constitute the largest single ethnic group in Delta State". http://urhoboculturalleague.com/Urhobo%20People.html

I'm guessing by this statement alone, no other groups besides the Igbo, "Hausa/fulani", Yoruba, and Ijaw are up to 2 million people.

Kobojunkie:

This is probably another one of those silly election promises. . . as someone already asked, How can a man whose short year in office has been marred with nothing but tribal politics, now declare he can rid Nigeria of that which he has greatly benefited from?

Notice how he always hits the Igbos with the who "equality" and "put you back into the mainstream of politics" nonsense.

PhysicsMHD:

lol, if I write a book, it won't be on Nigeria's politics or history. Not really my specialty. I'll leave that to the experts.

Urhobos have always been in the top 10 groups as far as population. Don't know where they're getting 5th largest from or why they feel the need to prop themselves up like that.  More Delta state politics, I guess. They're learning from their Ijaw rivals.

I think it goes

Yoruba
Igbo
Hausa-Fulani
4. Efik/Ibibio/Annang
5. Kanuri
6. Ijaw
7. Tiv
8. Edo
9. Nupe
10. Urhobo
11. Igala

Urhobo claims of being 5th largest ethnic group:

http://upumn.com/index_files/Page362.htm


Here's a funny one. I'm sure you can pick out where that funny and hysterical part is:

http://urhoboculturalleague.com/Urhobo%20People.html


Most recent falsity

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/02/ewherido-vows-to-reposition-urhobo-nation/

Nigeria is a funny country

jason123:

Who told these people that Awo commited suicide? Is it from that Biafra website You guys and propaganda . . . . . . .

Your fada.

PhysicsMHD:


lol, yeah. I was impressed that he was "different" from the past Nigerian leaders. Which he indeed is. He's a quiet guy who's not a good speaker and makes gaffes, but clearly writes intelligently, at least (probably how he got his Ph.D., I can't imagine his viva going over too well considering his speaking skills). However, I've come to realize that he simply is not the best that Nigeria can produce. Then there's the fact that he's surrounding himself with all sorts of corrupt people like Anenih. Then the Ogun political crisis. Then the Jos crisis/murders and doing nothing. Then Boko haram in Borno and doing nothing. Then the bungled JTF operations, then the lies about the number of aides. He's better than Atiku - a career crook with a diploma in hygiene - and that was one of the main reasons I was for GEJ when those two were the main contenders. Now that Atiku is out of the way, GEJ just seems more like the mediocrity that he is to me.

The fact that he has a Ph.D. in Zoology from Port Harcourt is also ignorable. Take a look at the qualifications of somebody who was denied the presidency and could have been president of Nigeria and tell me how Jonathan stacks up:

"Dr. Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme (born October 21, 1932) From Oko, Anambra State, Nigeria was the first Vice-President of Nigeria, serving 1979 – 1983. He started primary school at the St John's Anglican Central School, at Ekwulobia, then he proceeded to King's College, Lagos As an awardee of the Fulbright Scholarship in the United States America (being one of the first Nigerians to gain the award), Alex attended the University of Washington where he earned Bachelors degree in architecture and city planning. He obtained his Masters degree in urban planning. Dr Ekwueme also earned degrees in sociology, history, philosophy and law from University of London. He later proceeded to obtain a Ph.D. in architecture from the University of Strathclyde, before gaining the BL (Honours) degree from the Nigerian Law School."


^^^^^

I mean, to be completely honest, if not for the fact that Ekwueme is like 80 years old now, I would even prefer him at this very moment to GEJ.



As for my Ijaw comment, that was provoked by seeing what's really going on with Ijaws right now. It's ironic that GEJ is anti-tribal given what's going on with his own people.

When I saw the fake 14 million population for Ijaws, I laughed. When I saw the 10 million population figure, I naively believed it, not knowing they had an agenda. Now that I know that they're possibly not up to 5 million but have being floating 25 million, 14 million, 10 million, etc. around; that they're claiming indigenous ownership of the parts of 4-5 different states that they aren't indigenous to, and with Edwin Clark negotiating behind the scenes with Northerners not for merely a south-south, but specifically an Ijaw VP, it's become clear that the last few years has basically been about the uninterrupted rise of Ijaw nationalism.

I'm still waiting for your book. Don't disappoint me. These are the exact suspicions that has pulled me further away from the guy. I was even shocked that the Ijaws were claiming land in Edo State and Akwa Ibom, more like .  I was wonder how the Ijaws just out of nowhere jumped over the Ogonis and ended up with land in Akwa Ibom. Edwin clark alone, I'm guessing because GJ is president now, is even trying to impose Ijaws on Rivers and Delta state. Which is giving then control oil the three largest oil producing states. Too bad its blowing up in his face. Ijaws can never be up past 4-5 million. I'm not sure if you heard that now some Urhobos have come and claim to be the 5th largest ethnic group in nigeria,lol.smh.

jason123:

You can't even speak the language well . . . .   It is Osun o ni baje!!!!

Because of a common typo, you, an itsekiri, can tell me how to speak MY language. I laugh. I told you before to stay out of yoruba business. Go learn your own language jare.

eku_bear:

So GEJ will rig the SW and NW into voting for him? I suppose he wants civil war in Nigeria, then? 

Seriously though, he cannot outrig a prince of rigging like Tinubu.

He better dare not try it unless he wants all govt. building to be torched in SW, especially in Osun. Osun ni baje!!!!

PhysicsMHD:

GEJ's anti-tribalistic attitude will provide a nice, convenient cover for Ijaw expansionism and power-grabbing.

We yorubas will not fold are arms.

This thread should be deleted or moved to the tribalism section:

https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-603475.0.html

wesley80:

I Keep wondering how a Hydra headed crook like Tinubu got to be so powerful. As Yoruba people claim reach Imagine Tinubu being the one calling the shots.Whatever happened to the Alliance for Democracy(AD) that was the pride of Yoruba's. SMH
I hope Ribadu succeeds in getting Okonjo to run, not cos it would rock Gej's boat- not one bit, but cos all in all it would be good 4 our democracy with people of good repute vying for political office, these folks would be setting a very good trend.

I agree. One of the thing that shocks me is Tinubu's boldness his message about why he is against an Ribadu/Iweala alliance.By him refer to Okonjo-Iweala being too opinionated, it is clear that he was some on he can manipulate and godfather around.Simple selfishness and definitely not in it for the people or nigeria.

Buhari makes his money in an honest and fare way,stop trying to paint him in a bad light. If you don't know, he has a company which makes Qurans. Each comes with a free rocket launcher. He's believed to record a high surplus due to the uprisings going on in the Arab world.

These people are suppose to be in charge of securing life? Clearly by the commander's comment both he and his men are willing and okay with shooting unarmed women.

[size=15pt]Tension in Jos as soldiers escort Hausa traders to market[/size]

By Jude Owuamanam

Thursday, 27 Jan 2011
 


There was palpable tension in Jos on Wednesday as some soldiers attached to the Special Task Force attempted to escort some Hausa traders to Gada Biu and Abbatori Meat Market.

Trouble started when some youths mobilised against the traders and their military escorts. They forced the soldiers and the traders to flee, even as the soldiers shot sporadically.

The sounds of gunshots sent shivers down the spines of residents as they scampered to safety.

There was commotion along Ahmadu Bello Way and Old Bukuru Park as some banks and traders hurriedly shut their shops.

It was gathered that at an earlier peace parley arranged by the STF between the youth and the Hausa butchers, the butchers had pleaded that they be allowed to resume their business in the area. But the youth were said to have insisted that the exit of the butchers after the Christmas Eve bomb blast “was a good riddance to a bad rubbish.”

One of the youth leaders, who simply identified himself as Gyang, said that allowing the butchers to return to the market would be detrimental to their safety because the butchers had been collaborating with their attackers.

But the STF commander, Brig.-Gen. Hassan Umaru, could not comment on the involvement of soldiers in relocating Hausa traders.

On the call that the JTF in Jos be disbanded, he said, “As a military officer I’m not worried by such calls to remove us from Jos, it is normal, let people have their say, it is their right to complain or express themselves. But I will advise that people should allow the Federal Government and those in authority to handle the issue appropriately.”

Umaru also said, “The issue of the women protesting is not encouraging, the women go about throwing stones at members of the task force.

“It’s not something I will accept, members of the STF can spring at the slightest provocation especially what happened at K/Vom, I had to control my men. I could see their annoyance but I insisted they should not shoot at the women.”


http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201101277482328