Gunmen Kill Man, Steal 43 Cows in Benue

The council chairman said people are already fleeing the area.
One person was killed and 43 cows stolen when gunmen invaded a farm belonging to Bishop Solomon Apochi of the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo.

The incident took place on June 10, at Ichama in Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the Benue Police, Daniel Ezeala, who confirmed the invasion and killing of one person in the attack on Tuesday.

PDP Accuses ACN of Backing Terrorists

THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) of exposing its support for insurgents in the country, even though it is trying to hide under the guise of fighting for freedom of the press.

In a reaction to ACN’s statement criticising the Federal Government’s recent proscription of the Boko Haram and Ansaru radical Islamic sects, PDP noted that ACN was trying to use the press as a subterfuge to hide its support for insurgents

Mustapha/Shofolahan Death Sentence - Appeal Court Reserves Judgment

The Court of Appeal in Lagos Monday reserved judgment in the appeal by Major Hamza Al-Mustapha and Lateef Shofolahan, challenging the death sentence handed them by a Lagos State High Court.

Al-Mustapha and Shofolahan are challenging the death sentence passed on them by the lower court on January 30, 2012, by Justice Mojisola Dada, for conspiracy in masterminding the murder of late Kudirat Abiola, wife of late Chief MKO Abiola.

UNILAG Authorities Force Down, Fix Commodity Prices on Campus

UNILAG students have been protesting the hike in prices of commodities in the school since Monday.

The authorities of the University of Lagos, UNILAG, have forced down the price of Indomie and also fixed other commodity prices on the campus, following days of students’ protest.

The school authorities stepped in after students protested hike in commodity prices on campus, forcing all shops within the school premises to shut down.

Indomie [Hungry Man pack] which sold for N120 is now to sell at N90. Pencils which sold for N30 before the protest will now sell for N10.

Jonathan's Security Management Scorecard

In Nigeria, just like in any other country in the world, public safety and the security of the citizenry is a top priority for politicians, specialist technocrats and members of the general public.

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan took charge of the affairs of the nation when it was bedeviled by the horrendous activities of militants in the Niger Delta, -- rampant armed robberies, pervasive incidents of murder and assassinations as well as other sundry crimes that created the feeling of a state of siege in much of the country.

The administration took steps to alter the situation for the better. It successfully tackled the militancy, restiveness and economic sabotage in the Niger Delta. Besides deploying the military and other security forces to contain the activities of the militants, the administration took other steps side by side with the military operations.

Ajudua Remanded in Prison Over Alleged $1.69m Fraud

JUSTICE Olubunmi Oyewole of an Ikeja High Court, Lagos, Tuesday remanded Fred Ajudua in Kirikiri Prison pending the hearing of his bail application in an alleged $1.69 million fraud case.

Before he was remanded, the judge had on May 20, 2013, ordered that Ajudua be produced in court to face the trial he has evaded since 2006.

Ajudua and Charles Orie were arraigned in 2003 for allegedly defrauding two Dutch businessmen, Remy Cina and Pierre Vijgen, of $1.69 million between July 1999 and September 2000.

Lessons of June 12, by Soyinka, Abiola-Constello, NLC, others

LIKE a festering wound that defies treatment and sticks out implacably, June 12  re-awakens sore memories of the nation’s political failure, injustice and inequity.

Twenty years ago, on June 12, 1993, the nation’s political march being led by the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola was halted.

Nigerians in London protest over ‘Autocratic Jonathan’

 

Innumerable Nigerians residents in London today flooded downing street London in protest over what they described as “President Goodluck Jonathan’s dictatorial tendencies.”

The protesters marched on where they presented a copy of their petition to the British Prime Minister, David Cameron
Details later.

Why We Placed Rewards on Terrorists, by Washington

THE United States (U.S.) Tuesday explained its move to offer $23 million reward to help track down five leaders of militant groups accused of spreading terror in West Africa, with the highest sum of $7 million placed on Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau.

Shekau last week called on Islamists in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq to join the bloody fight to create an Islamic state in Nigeria.

The Acting Assistant Director of Diplomatic Security’s Threat Investigations Analysis Directorate, U.S. Department of State, Kurt Rice, said the rewards were to ensure the availability of useful information on the location of the terror gangs’ leaders, which would in turn allow the citizens to live peacefully.

His explanation came as some U.S.-based groups also commended the move, having been campaigning for tougher policies against the Islamist terrorist organisation, including the outright designation of Boko Haram as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO).

Interestingly, President Goodluck Jonathan Tuesday formally proscribed the two major Islamist terrorist organisations in the country, Boko Haram and Ansaru, and authorised the gazetting of an order declaring their activities illegal and acts of terrorism.

Jonathan’s order, which has been gazetted as the Terrorism (Prevention) Proscription Order Notice 2013 affects both Boko Haram (Jamaatu Ahlis-Sunna Liddaawati Wal Jihad) and another group, Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan, pursuant to Section 2 of the Terrorism Prevention Act 2011 (As Amended).

A statement last night by the Special Adviser (Media and Publicity) to the President, Dr. Reuben Abati, said the new law officially brings the activities of both groups within the purview of the Terrorism Prevention Act and any person associated with them could now be legally prosecuted and sentenced to penalties specified in the Act.

Moreover, the Minister of State for Defence, Olusola Obada, and other service chiefs were at the Senate yesterday to give situation report on the state of emergency declared last month in Adamawa, Yobe and Borno states.

Obada, who came with only the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim, as the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) and Chief of Army Staff (CAS) were on other national assignments, told lawmakers that anything that would bring about disunity in the country would be strictly resisted.

Responding, the Chairman, Senate Joint Committee on Defence and Army, National Security and Intelligence, Navy, Air Force and the Police, George Thompson Sekib, said the committee was mandated to monitor the progress of the emergency rule and report back at regular basis. Noting that it was a monthly briefing, Sekib said the committee would study the report.

Rice spoke yesterday during a teleconference on new U.S. counter-terrorists initiative for West African nations. Beside the $7 million on Shekau, he said, “what we are looking for is fruitful information that will lead to the location of AQIM leader, Yahya Abou Al-Hammam, and the current leader, Oumar Ould Hamaha.

“We are trying to work with Nigeria to ensure that their environments are free from terrorists throw-out for the first time. The reward is to ensure people can give us information that will lead to the apprehension of these leaders of terrorists.”

He added: “Anyone with useful information that could lead to the arrest of these terrorists can visit our website www.rewards4justice.com or frg@washington.org, or the person can visit the U.S. consulate.”

On their part, America-based Christian Association of Nigerian-Americans (CANAN) said the bounty on the terrorists was an encouraging development. CANAN President, Dr. James Fadele, said yesterday: “We want to commend the new U.S. Secretary of State, Senator John Kerry, for this decision in the hope that this move is an indication of greater forthrightness in dealing with the bane of terrorism in Nigeria and the West African sub-region.

“Boko Haram is a band of brutal terrorists who should be dealt with seriously, promptly and effectively to preserve the peace and stability of the West African sub-region and secure the freedom of worship of Nigerian Christians.”

Similarly, Jubilee Campaign, a Washington DC-based advocacy group formed by leading Americans concerned with religious freedom, also commended the decision.

Its executive director, Ann Buwalda, said in a statement yesterday: “Jubilee Campaign commends this offer of a reward by the U.S. Department of States for information leading to the capture of Shekau, a brutal terrorist responsible for the systematic effort to eradicate Christians from the north of Nigeria as well as impose Sharia law throughout the country of Nigeria.

“Our data shows that Boko Haram attacks more Christians than any other targeted group. Between 2010 and 2013, Boko Haram initiated attacks against Christians 297 times, and in 2012 killed 1,726 people and injured 613 more.

For U.S.-based religious freedom advocate, Emma Ogebe, “the decision by the U.S. to name a reward for the capture of Boko Haram’s leader is no doubt an indication of the strong pressure on the Obama administration to rethink its policy in the wake of the unrelenting genocide unleashed by the terrorists.”

Ogebe added: “The argument that Boko Haram is about northern poverty when the terrorists are using RPGs and anti-aircraft missiles is no longer tenable and makes a mockery of the U.S. government.”

Nevertheless, most of the groups are insisting that the U.S. goes all the way to designate the group an FTO, as Fadele disclosed, “we are hopeful that the U.S. will continue to do the right thing going forward regarding Boko Haram - and that is to actually call this band of terrorists what they in fact are: a foreign terrorist organisation.”

Ogebe shares his opinion, stating that while the bounty is a step in the right direction, the designation of the Islamist sect as a foreign terrorist organisation would have been the decent thing to do.

Nevertheless, former military Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, has urged Boko Haram to lay down their arms and embrace dialogue as means of resolving their grievances with the country.

Abubakar spoke yesterday while receiving the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security Challenges in the North during a courtesy call at his residence in Minna.

A statement by the committee’s secretary, Esther Gonda, said that Abubakar pleaded with the group to take the opportunity of dialogue offered by government to end the suffering of people caught up in the conflict.

Abubakar, however, warned the government against retribution in the event that the group accepts to dialogue.

He expressed hope that with the committee, peace would return to the zone, as its members comprised people of impeccable character. He traced the crisis in the North to high level abject poverty occasioned by poor infrastructure, and advised government to address issues of electricity while strengthening the security agencies in the country.

Military Arrests 55 Suspected Terrorists in Borno State, Yobe

• IG lauds move against Shekau, others

THE Nigerian military Wednesday announced the arrest of 55 suspected Boko Haram terrorists in the hotbed of insurgent activities in North Eastern states of Borno and Yobe.

Among the 55 was a group of five insurgents of Nigerien origin who were arrested when troops stormed their hideout at Mallam Fatori area of Maiduguri as they attempted to escape in two Toyota Cruiser Sport Utility Vehicles (SUV).

Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar has described the $7 million bounty placed on the leader of the extremist Boko Haram sect, Abubakar Shekau, by the United States (U.S.) as a welcome development.

The Nigerian Special Forces also arrested another batch of 49 suspected terrorists in various locations in Yobe State following tip off by locals in some communities.

The troops also said they arrested a key terrorist who allegedly specialised in recruiting young men into the Boko Haram group.

Director of Defence Information, Brigadier Gen. Chris Olukolade said in a statement in Abuja that the arrested individual also keeps watch over the insurgents’ armoury.

The three sets of insurgents were arrested during cordon and search operations by the Special Forces operating under the code name Operation Restore Order III.

Olukolade stated that as troops continue to patrol the “notorious” Sambisa forest in Maiduguri, they are also cordoning the Alou forest and Gwoza Hills where they are taking possession of more abandoned vehicles, weapons and other items left by the fleeing insurgents in their camps.

He listed items and equipment recovered in their camps to include rifles, double barrel guns, various charms and amulets, machine guns, camouflage uniforms, bows and quiver, assorted rifle magazine, mobile phones, walkie talkie, car number plates and some food items. Abandoned vehicles recovered include a Golf car, a Honda, Customs Pickup Van, Honda (2003 Model) and a Volkswagen Monte Carlo.

Olukolade added that during the arrest of the 48 insurgents, various weapons including AK 47 rifles, locally made pistols and ammunition were recovered by the troops who were combing the vicinities of towns such as Rugan Fulani, Arikime, Afghanistan and Ngandu villages.

General Olukolade also said that for the first time in years, police stations are now being reopened in some parts of Borno State.

According to him, “at Kirenowa, detachments of Police Anti-Terrorist unit have been deployed to complement security in the area.”

But Olukolade said there is a developing “trend whereby some particular crimes have now taken the place of terrorism as the criminals now resort to brigandage, robbery and attempted assassination of business rivals.

All law abiding Nigerians were, however, assured of the safety of their lives and property as troops of the Special Forces, comprising various security agencies including the police anti-bomb squads are working round the clock to nip the negative trend in the bud.

Citizens were further encouraged to continue to volunteer information on activities of any terrorists in order to help troops rid the state of insurgents.

The IG, who was in Ibadan, Oyo State to commission an ultra modern police hospital at the state command headquarters, said the bounty placed on the Boko Haram leader is a boost for the fight against terrorism in the country.

He also promised better days ahead for members of the Nigeria Police and their families.

“Our officers have been left unattended to for years. But things have changed now. We are doing this because we want to show love to our people. I have commissioned similar projects in many other states and before the end of the year, we shall do more,” he said.

Reps To Simplify Impeachment Process Of President

A bill seeking to simplify the process, through which the President and Vice-President can be impeached on Tuesday, passed second reading in the House of Representatives.



Following a thorough debate on Tuesday, the bill which “seeks to remove ambiguities in the process of removal of the President from office on allegations of gross misconduct and to provide for a more transparent and democratic procedure for impeachment and other matters connected” passed despite spirited opposition by even most principal officers of the house.

The bill seeks to empower the lawmakers in the House of Representatives to initiate the impeachment process and investigate the allegations rather than the process lying solely with the Chief Justice of the federation.

I'm Not Too Old to Be President - General Mohammadu Buhari

Media Trust editors had a rare encounter with General Muhammadu Buhari,  former Head of State and leader of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) at his Kaduna office. 

He bares his mind on several issues such as the recent attack in his home town, Daura; Asari Dokubo's threats; Boko Haram; his calls for President Jonathan's resignation; his secret deal with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and why he hasn't groomed a successor, among others. Excerpts:

U.S. Places Huge Bounty on Boko Haram Leaders

Lagos — THE United States took an unprecedented step, yesterday, when it posted a price tag of $23million, an equivalent of N3.3 billion on the head of top Al- Qaeda-linked terrorists in Nigeria and West Africa. Nigeria's Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, attracts the highest reward of $7 million (N1.1 billion) for anybody that can provide information that can lead to his capture.

Lagos ACN Faults Minister Over Alleged Non-Performance

IN reaction to the Federal Government’s statement on Monday that the administration of Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola was doing nothing significant in Lagos, the state chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has described the Minister for Information, Labaran Maku, as a disoriented wayfarer and a serial blackmailer who has ridiculed the Information Ministry with his attempt to extort states for a phantom good governance tour when he had done nothing to lift the Ministry of Information above the said position of purveyors of infantile propaganda.

N6.4 Billion Fraud: You Have A Case To Answer, Court Tells Sylva

A Federal High court in Abuja on Thursday dismissed an application by the former governor of Bayelsa state, Timipre Sylva asking the court to quash corruption charges against him on grounds that evidence submitted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) does not in any way link him to the allegations laundering the sum of N6.4 billion.



The trial Judge, Justice Adamu Bello had refused Mr Sylva’s application to quash the charge against him on the ground that it lacked merit, having held that the former governor has a case to answer.

Boko Haram Leader’s Associate Killed – Army

A terrorist believed to be a close associate of Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau has been found dead as he ran errand for the leadership.

According to a statement from the Nigerian Defence Headquarters, two fellow terrorists one of which is confirmed to be a Nigerian are now in the custody of the Multinational Joint Task Force.

The statement which was signed by the Director Defence Information, Brigadier General Christopher Olukolade said “the three were in the process of crossing the border to the neighbouring Niger republic through the Lake Chad.

“The three have been confirmed to have operated in Baga and participated in perpetrating arson and other atrocities around the vicinity of the town. They have been relocating from place to place since they left Baga last month.”

The statement further added that more troops of the police mobile force have joined the operations as more towns are being secured in the operations to rid the nation’s territories of terrorist activities.

Reps Oppose Jonathan’s plans To Use Adamawa, Borno, Yobe’s Allocations For Emergency Rule

The House of Representatives approved a resolution, Tuesday, insisting its earlier decision holds, mandating President Goodluck Jonathan to deploy only federal funds to administer the emergency rule in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States.



This decision nullified part of a conference report it reached with the senate.
The new order will come into effect after a similar reversal is approved by the senate. The House has urged the senate to deliver a similar resolution.

The policy somersault came as governments of the affected states increasingly demonstrate impatience with the president’s initial plan which should see funds belonging to their three states and local government areas deployed unilaterally by the president.

The Adamawa state governor, Murtala Nyako, on Monday, threatened a legal action against the president if statutory funds belonging to the state were not released.

At the passage of the emergency gazette last week, while the senate agreed with the president’s plan to retain the powers to utilize funds belonging to those states, the House rebuffed the plan, and passed a version that gave Mr Jonathan strictly security powers.

The House insisted that administrative powers, which require financing, be retained by the state governors and the council heads.

A conference meeting by both chambers late last week jettisoned the House’s position, giving back that spending power to the president.

But the House rejected that provision on Tuesday, as its conference committee reported the amendment back to the plenary.

“The house resolves to delete and revoke completely section 3(2)(e) of the harmonized, adopted and approved Emergency Powers(general) regulations, 2013 by both houses of the National Assembly,” a motion passed Tuesday said.

The lengthy resolution said the House reverted to its initial position due to “public outcry and outright opposition by majority of Nigerians” especially indigenes of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.

The House also cited the “near consensus of opinion of senior advocates of Nigeria and constitutional lawyers on the constitutionality of the said section” as well as Supreme Court’s repeated rulings on the autonomy of the finances of states and local government areas.

“I will never allow the institution to be an institution of arrogance. We should avoid any position that is against the constitution,” Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal said.

PDP Suspends Amaechi

THE National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP on Monday suspended Gov. Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers from the party for dissolving elected party executives in his state.