Getting Prophet Temitope Balogun Joshua to speak on pressing national
issues came with its obstacles. But with persistence, Kehinde Oyetimi
got the popular pastor to speak.
See what he said on Boko Haram and other issues below:
Ques:
The nature of insecurity in Nigeria is bothering everyone. Many people
have given various pieces of advice concerning this issue. Will Boko
Haram not end in Nigeria?
Ans: We are fighting flesh and
blood and not the spirit being that causes stealing, killing and
destruction. Until we begin to fight that spirit being that causes
killing, stealing and destruction, the battle will not end. Our
neighbours are not our enemies. Remember that our neighbours can be our
friends; our neighbours can be our enemies; our neighbours can be those
who do not share the same faith with us. It is never the will of anyone
to kill themselves because of anything unless there is the spirit to
kill at work.
Ques: You prophesied that from February 27 to
April, 2011 there would be serious challenges that would threaten the
April 2011 election. You called on the President to intervene in the
political crisis in Oyo state because the governor would not be able to
represent him in winning the election in the state. You said the
president should look beyond PDP for success in his election, that his
personality would win the election.
You said the PDP would lose
in Ekiti and Osun. You said God showed you that a group would attack
people in the Northern part of the country, before and after Christmas
in 2010. You predicted the bomb blasts in Abuja barracks and other
states. These prophecies which you gave in September, 2010 to those in
authority have all come to pass.
You also stated that prayers
could avert them. You predicted the Dana plane crash which was published
in February this year. How do you see these visions?
Ans:
Romans 10 verse 9 states that “he that believes has eternal life.” By
this statement, the believing means possessing. The instant that you
believe, you have whatever you ask that is in accordance to the will of
God. The instant that you believe that thing that is according to God's
will, it is yours. The instant you believe, you become a possessor of
the father's nature. It you confess with your mouth, if you believe in
your heart that God has raised Jesus from the dead, in this way, there
is a level of confession and believing. It is deep, deeper, deepest.
Everyone
that believes has power to prophesy. The belief in our heart is
released by faith. The belief to see visions is released by faith out of
our mouth.
Ques: For many years people have argued that you
have no biological child. But now, we hear your daughter graduated in
Law from the London School of Economics with second class upper
division. What do you have to say?
Ans: What do you want me to say?
Ques: Is she your biological daughter?
Ans:
(Cuts in) She is my daughter. In fact she is my first daughter. She is
my biological child. Those of you who say I have no child, we are yet to
hear from your children.
Ques: There are so many pastors
with big churches that have their children being involved in running the
affairs of those places. Don't you want your daughter to be involved in
church activities? After her graduation, what is her next line of
action?
Ans: Due to her excellent performance, she was given
admission to study for her masters in International Law in New York
University; she also got admission into LSE ( London School of
Economics) and also to UCLA and other universities in Colombia for her
masters.
Ques: You went to Jerusalem many years ago. After
you returned, there have been miracles taking place in your church. What
happened to you there?
Ans: I have been in the field of
God's work before that trip. I only went there to see where my father,
Jesus Christ went, the things he touched.
Ques: What are the next events that would happen in Nigeria?
Ans: You want me to book an appointment with God? I will do so. Come next time; I will tell you.
Friday, July 27, 2012
Jaja Denies Admitting Jonathan's Guilt Of Impeachable Offence
ABUJA, July 27, (THEWILL) - Deputy national chairman of the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Sam Jaja on Friday said his views on the
disagreement of positions between the Executive and the Federal House of
Representatives on the implementation of the 2012 budget during
Thursday’s press conference in Abuja was seriously misrepresented by a
section of the media.
Jaja explained that the PDP neither said it would not compel the House of Representatives to drop the impeachment threat on the president, which does not exist in the real sense, nor admitted that the president committed an impeachable offence as reported by one of the several media organisations that covered the briefing.
“I have noted quite an avoidable misrepresentation of the position of our great Party as contained in my address to the media yesterday. For the avoidance of doubt, our position is that the Peoples Democratic Party was founded on unbending democratic principles and thrives on irreducible democratic practices that do not conduce to unnecessary imposition of views,” read a statement signed by Jaja.
“Our manifesto is crystally clear on our thrust as a broad and issues-based political party whose essence orbits in the unrestricted, robust debate of crucial national issues whether in the Parliament or in the larger Nigerian society.”
The party said its position plays a critical role in getting the best out of the country’s democracy, expressing its happiness that the PDP-dominated National Assembly had been sensitive to this.
“On the other hand,” the statement continued,” President Jonathan’s unimpeachable deference to market place of ideas as demonstrated in his unequaled commitment to the separation of powers and the unabridged rights of Nigerians to unhindered electoral choice — demonstrated in successive governorship elections — stem from a resolve of a leader that the foundation of good governance must not be assailed. We are indeed proud.”
According to the PDP, the issues bordering on the implementation of the 2012 budget are simply that of reconcilable grey areas. It maintained that the PDP-led House of Representatives had never tabled an impeachment motion on the matter.
“It is for this reason that I made it abundantly clear in my statement to the press that both the president and the House of Representatives have reasonable positions on the issue of budget implementation, which we as a party and the guardian of both the Executive and the Legislature can intervene on, if need be,” Jaja added.
PDP then expressed confidence in the abilities of the president’s special adviser on National Assembly to handle the matter, as always. It also urged Nigerians to disregard the report, saying it was “obviously intended to cause distraction from the firm confidence of the PDP in the synergy of the two arms of government” which it fully controls, in implementing its manifesto and delivering on its electoral promises to the people.
Jaja explained that the PDP neither said it would not compel the House of Representatives to drop the impeachment threat on the president, which does not exist in the real sense, nor admitted that the president committed an impeachable offence as reported by one of the several media organisations that covered the briefing.
“I have noted quite an avoidable misrepresentation of the position of our great Party as contained in my address to the media yesterday. For the avoidance of doubt, our position is that the Peoples Democratic Party was founded on unbending democratic principles and thrives on irreducible democratic practices that do not conduce to unnecessary imposition of views,” read a statement signed by Jaja.
“Our manifesto is crystally clear on our thrust as a broad and issues-based political party whose essence orbits in the unrestricted, robust debate of crucial national issues whether in the Parliament or in the larger Nigerian society.”
The party said its position plays a critical role in getting the best out of the country’s democracy, expressing its happiness that the PDP-dominated National Assembly had been sensitive to this.
“On the other hand,” the statement continued,” President Jonathan’s unimpeachable deference to market place of ideas as demonstrated in his unequaled commitment to the separation of powers and the unabridged rights of Nigerians to unhindered electoral choice — demonstrated in successive governorship elections — stem from a resolve of a leader that the foundation of good governance must not be assailed. We are indeed proud.”
According to the PDP, the issues bordering on the implementation of the 2012 budget are simply that of reconcilable grey areas. It maintained that the PDP-led House of Representatives had never tabled an impeachment motion on the matter.
“It is for this reason that I made it abundantly clear in my statement to the press that both the president and the House of Representatives have reasonable positions on the issue of budget implementation, which we as a party and the guardian of both the Executive and the Legislature can intervene on, if need be,” Jaja added.
PDP then expressed confidence in the abilities of the president’s special adviser on National Assembly to handle the matter, as always. It also urged Nigerians to disregard the report, saying it was “obviously intended to cause distraction from the firm confidence of the PDP in the synergy of the two arms of government” which it fully controls, in implementing its manifesto and delivering on its electoral promises to the people.
Excess charges: CBN recovers N5bn from banks
Ahead of impending review of bank charges in the country, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), on Thursday, said it has so far recovered an estimated N5 billion for various customers from complaints lodged against banks in the country since the establishment of the Consumer Protection Department at the apex bank.
The amount represents reimbursements and penalties against banks in favour of the affected customers through the instrumentality of CBN’s Consumer Protection Department. CBN’s Deputy Governor in charge of Operations, Mr Tunde Lemo, who gave hints on the recoveries in a welcome address at a workshop on Payment Card Industry Data, Security and Cashless Nigeria, said the development signposts the apex bank’s commitment towards achieving faster dispute resolution within the banks.
He explained that it was against that backdrop that the bank had equally directed deposit money banks to establish consumer response units in ther respective institutions to provide first layer dispute resolution platform for aggrieved customers. Lemo said the CBN would continue monitoring compliance to that directive until it was convinced that customer service delivery in the nation’s banking industry was significantly improved.
It would be recalled that the CBN early this year created a Consumer Protection Department to address bank- customer disputes arising from excess charges, unauthorized debits, service down time and other disagreements that often pitched banks against their customers. However, with the setting up of the CPD at the CBN, depositors who feel injured by their respective financial institutions can now seek redress through the department.
Commenting on the cash-less Lagos project, the CBN deputy governor stated the initiative would facilitate and entrench electronic payments, as the major channel for payment and settlement, by all economic agents, as opposed to the current dominance of cash based transactions. He pointed out that the policy was introduced for various reasons, including the need to drive development and modernization of the nation’s payments system in line with Nigeria’s vision goal of being amongst the top 20 economies by the year 2020.
According to him, an efficient and modern payments system is positively correlated with economic development, being a key enabler for economic growth, capable of adding up to 2 per cent to the GDP annually. He also assured that the successful implementation of the experiment would reduce the cost of banking services (including cost of credit) and drive financial inclusion, by providing more efficient transaction options and greater reach, while improving the effectiveness of monetary policy in managing inflation and driving economic growth.
While admitting that not all the estimated 90,000 Point of Sales terminals are functional, Lemo said the apex bank would continue to work with all stakeholders including the telecommunications service providers to ensure that current challenges facing the scheme are overcome
Excess charges: CBN recovers N5bn from banks
Ahead of impending review of bank charges in the country, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), on Thursday, said it has so far recovered an estimated N5 billion for various customers from complaints lodged against banks in the country since the establishment of the Consumer Protection Department at the apex bank.
The amount represents reimbursements and penalties against banks in favour of the affected customers through the instrumentality of CBN’s Consumer Protection Department. CBN’s Deputy Governor in charge of Operations, Mr Tunde Lemo, who gave hints on the recoveries in a welcome address at a workshop on Payment Card Industry Data, Security and Cashless Nigeria, said the development signposts the apex bank’s commitment towards achieving faster dispute resolution within the banks.
He explained that it was against that backdrop that the bank had equally directed deposit money banks to establish consumer response units in ther respective institutions to provide first layer dispute resolution platform for aggrieved customers. Lemo said the CBN would continue monitoring compliance to that directive until it was convinced that customer service delivery in the nation’s banking industry was significantly improved.
It would be recalled that the CBN early this year created a Consumer Protection Department to address bank- customer disputes arising from excess charges, unauthorized debits, service down time and other disagreements that often pitched banks against their customers. However, with the setting up of the CPD at the CBN, depositors who feel injured by their respective financial institutions can now seek redress through the department.
Commenting on the cash-less Lagos project, the CBN deputy governor stated the initiative would facilitate and entrench electronic payments, as the major channel for payment and settlement, by all economic agents, as opposed to the current dominance of cash based transactions. He pointed out that the policy was introduced for various reasons, including the need to drive development and modernization of the nation’s payments system in line with Nigeria’s vision goal of being amongst the top 20 economies by the year 2020.
According to him, an efficient and modern payments system is positively correlated with economic development, being a key enabler for economic growth, capable of adding up to 2 per cent to the GDP annually. He also assured that the successful implementation of the experiment would reduce the cost of banking services (including cost of credit) and drive financial inclusion, by providing more efficient transaction options and greater reach, while improving the effectiveness of monetary policy in managing inflation and driving economic growth.
While admitting that not all the estimated 90,000 Point of Sales terminals are functional, Lemo said the apex bank would continue to work with all stakeholders including the telecommunications service providers to ensure that current challenges facing the scheme are overcome
Excess charges: CBN recovers N5bn from banks
Ahead of impending review of bank charges in the country, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), on Thursday, said it has so far recovered an estimated N5 billion for various customers from complaints lodged against banks in the country since the establishment of the Consumer Protection Department at the apex bank.
The amount represents reimbursements and penalties against banks in favour of the affected customers through the instrumentality of CBN’s Consumer Protection Department. CBN’s Deputy Governor in charge of Operations, Mr Tunde Lemo, who gave hints on the recoveries in a welcome address at a workshop on Payment Card Industry Data, Security and Cashless Nigeria, said the development signposts the apex bank’s commitment towards achieving faster dispute resolution within the banks.
He explained that it was against that backdrop that the bank had equally directed deposit money banks to establish consumer response units in ther respective institutions to provide first layer dispute resolution platform for aggrieved customers. Lemo said the CBN would continue monitoring compliance to that directive until it was convinced that customer service delivery in the nation’s banking industry was significantly improved.
It would be recalled that the CBN early this year created a Consumer Protection Department to address bank- customer disputes arising from excess charges, unauthorized debits, service down time and other disagreements that often pitched banks against their customers. However, with the setting up of the CPD at the CBN, depositors who feel injured by their respective financial institutions can now seek redress through the department.
Commenting on the cash-less Lagos project, the CBN deputy governor stated the initiative would facilitate and entrench electronic payments, as the major channel for payment and settlement, by all economic agents, as opposed to the current dominance of cash based transactions. He pointed out that the policy was introduced for various reasons, including the need to drive development and modernization of the nation’s payments system in line with Nigeria’s vision goal of being amongst the top 20 economies by the year 2020.
According to him, an efficient and modern payments system is positively correlated with economic development, being a key enabler for economic growth, capable of adding up to 2 per cent to the GDP annually. He also assured that the successful implementation of the experiment would reduce the cost of banking services (including cost of credit) and drive financial inclusion, by providing more efficient transaction options and greater reach, while improving the effectiveness of monetary policy in managing inflation and driving economic growth.
While admitting that not all the estimated 90,000 Point of Sales terminals are functional, Lemo said the apex bank would continue to work with all stakeholders including the telecommunications service providers to ensure that current challenges facing the scheme are overcome
Excess charges: CBN recovers N5bn from banks
Ahead of impending review of bank charges in the country, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), on Thursday, said it has so far recovered an estimated N5 billion for various customers from complaints lodged against banks in the country since the establishment of the Consumer Protection Department at the apex bank.
The amount represents reimbursements and penalties against banks in favour of the affected customers through the instrumentality of CBN’s Consumer Protection Department. CBN’s Deputy Governor in charge of Operations, Mr Tunde Lemo, who gave hints on the recoveries in a welcome address at a workshop on Payment Card Industry Data, Security and Cashless Nigeria, said the development signposts the apex bank’s commitment towards achieving faster dispute resolution within the banks.
He explained that it was against that backdrop that the bank had equally directed deposit money banks to establish consumer response units in ther respective institutions to provide first layer dispute resolution platform for aggrieved customers. Lemo said the CBN would continue monitoring compliance to that directive until it was convinced that customer service delivery in the nation’s banking industry was significantly improved.
It would be recalled that the CBN early this year created a Consumer Protection Department to address bank- customer disputes arising from excess charges, unauthorized debits, service down time and other disagreements that often pitched banks against their customers. However, with the setting up of the CPD at the CBN, depositors who feel injured by their respective financial institutions can now seek redress through the department.
Commenting on the cash-less Lagos project, the CBN deputy governor stated the initiative would facilitate and entrench electronic payments, as the major channel for payment and settlement, by all economic agents, as opposed to the current dominance of cash based transactions. He pointed out that the policy was introduced for various reasons, including the need to drive development and modernization of the nation’s payments system in line with Nigeria’s vision goal of being amongst the top 20 economies by the year 2020.
According to him, an efficient and modern payments system is positively correlated with economic development, being a key enabler for economic growth, capable of adding up to 2 per cent to the GDP annually. He also assured that the successful implementation of the experiment would reduce the cost of banking services (including cost of credit) and drive financial inclusion, by providing more efficient transaction options and greater reach, while improving the effectiveness of monetary policy in managing inflation and driving economic growth.
While admitting that not all the estimated 90,000 Point of Sales terminals are functional, Lemo said the apex bank would continue to work with all stakeholders including the telecommunications service providers to ensure that current challenges facing the scheme are overcome
Jonathan confident Nigeria ’ll produce first set of female service chiefs
President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed confidence that Nigeria will produce its first set of female service chiefs.Jonathan hinged his optimism on the recent re-admittance of women into the Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA) to train to become combatant soldiers. The Federal Government had lifted the ban that prevented women from enlisting into the NDA to train as combatant soldiers.
He said, during the opening ceremony of the 7th Summit of the African First Ladies Peace Mission (AFLPM) holding in Abuja, with the theme: ‘The Africa Woman: A voice for Peace, that: “For the first time we admitted women into the prestigious Nigerian Defence Academy to prepare them as full combatants in the Army, Navy and Air Force.
“We have admitted women into NDA and we are hopeful that in few years to come, a woman could be Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Air Staff, Chief of Naval Staff or even Chief of Defence Staff. “We have commenced the journey and we’ll get there; I just listened to my sister, Banda, who advocated women to grow to be heads of their armed forces with her pronouncement. “In Nigeria, except you pass through NDA, you cannot dream of becoming a service chief,” Jonathan said.
He said, as women and mothers, women had the power “to control the gladiators that cause conflict in Africa and being mothers can control the youth used for violence.” The president said his administration remained resolute in the implementation of policies on effective representation of women in all aspects of governance. “I urge you all to encourage governments to implement existing international legal frameworks that promote peace, security and human development. “You must also summon the will to speak up wherever and whenever these frameworks are abused. But the task is not for you alone, raising the standards of survival in Africa is a collective task,” Jonathan added.
The president said if Africa must move forward and be competitive in the 21st century, then gender equality must be a major component of national policies. This was even as he called on African countries to intensify efforts to remove all barriers that limit women and the girl-child from actualizing their dreams, insisting women must be protected against all forms of discrimination and be given equal opportunities and access to education, politics and the economy.
He added that the most sustainable way to support womanhood and guarantee peace was through empowerment. “In this respect, our transformation agenda as a nation goes beyond the 30 – 35 per cent of political offices being demanded by women, but creating various opportunities for women empowerment.” Jonathan said the summit reaffirmed the sense of urgency that the continent felt about the challenging political and security situation facing several countries.
“As we grapple with old challenges, new threats such as drug and human trafficking, climate change, kidnapping, terrorism, poverty, sectarian conflicts and others take centre stage. All these undermine our determined efforts to work towards achieving sustainable peace and development in our various countries. “It is of great concern that women and children, especially the girl-child, are the main victims of this unfortunate situation. They are not only subjected to dehumanizing conditions, they are, often times, the targets of abuse, resulting in the violation of international conventions on the rights of women and girls, to which African countries are parties. “There is no doubt that the prevailing circumstance requires strong advocacy, cooperation, human development, the sharing of knowledge and the protection of basic rights. Credible voices that draw attention to the dangers of conflict, the plight of women and children under difficult circumstances need to be heard more loudly.” President Jonathan acknowledged the role Africa’s First Ladies have to play in the promotion of peace and security on the continent.
“Our history is rich with examples of the enviable role that our women played in maintaining peace and stability in our societies. In recent times, the contributions of women to the ECOWAS mediation efforts that led to the resolution of the civil war and political crisis in Liberia and Sierra Leone is particularly noteworthy.
“The AFLPM must continue to serve as a voice for the disempowered, the dispossessed and the violated, especially women and children. More importantly, it must continue to stand firm as a special advocate for peace and the growth of our mother continent. “The African First Ladies Peace Mission has committed itself to the cause of peace and the advancement of women in Africa and we must support you to realize your vision.
“Nigeria shares the laudable objectives of the AFLPM and will continue to lend support to the attainment of its goals. As a demonstration of that support, we are hosting the interim secretariat where this meeting is taking place and providing facilities to ensure its works. A parcel of land that will host the permanent site of the AFLPM secretariat here in Abuja has also been provided,” he said.
Jonathan confident Nigeria ’ll produce first set of female service chiefs
President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed confidence that Nigeria will produce its first set of female service chiefs.Jonathan hinged his optimism on the recent re-admittance of women into the Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA) to train to become combatant soldiers. The Federal Government had lifted the ban that prevented women from enlisting into the NDA to train as combatant soldiers.
He said, during the opening ceremony of the 7th Summit of the African First Ladies Peace Mission (AFLPM) holding in Abuja, with the theme: ‘The Africa Woman: A voice for Peace, that: “For the first time we admitted women into the prestigious Nigerian Defence Academy to prepare them as full combatants in the Army, Navy and Air Force.
“We have admitted women into NDA and we are hopeful that in few years to come, a woman could be Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Air Staff, Chief of Naval Staff or even Chief of Defence Staff. “We have commenced the journey and we’ll get there; I just listened to my sister, Banda, who advocated women to grow to be heads of their armed forces with her pronouncement. “In Nigeria, except you pass through NDA, you cannot dream of becoming a service chief,” Jonathan said.
He said, as women and mothers, women had the power “to control the gladiators that cause conflict in Africa and being mothers can control the youth used for violence.” The president said his administration remained resolute in the implementation of policies on effective representation of women in all aspects of governance. “I urge you all to encourage governments to implement existing international legal frameworks that promote peace, security and human development. “You must also summon the will to speak up wherever and whenever these frameworks are abused. But the task is not for you alone, raising the standards of survival in Africa is a collective task,” Jonathan added.
The president said if Africa must move forward and be competitive in the 21st century, then gender equality must be a major component of national policies. This was even as he called on African countries to intensify efforts to remove all barriers that limit women and the girl-child from actualizing their dreams, insisting women must be protected against all forms of discrimination and be given equal opportunities and access to education, politics and the economy.
He added that the most sustainable way to support womanhood and guarantee peace was through empowerment. “In this respect, our transformation agenda as a nation goes beyond the 30 – 35 per cent of political offices being demanded by women, but creating various opportunities for women empowerment.” Jonathan said the summit reaffirmed the sense of urgency that the continent felt about the challenging political and security situation facing several countries.
“As we grapple with old challenges, new threats such as drug and human trafficking, climate change, kidnapping, terrorism, poverty, sectarian conflicts and others take centre stage. All these undermine our determined efforts to work towards achieving sustainable peace and development in our various countries. “It is of great concern that women and children, especially the girl-child, are the main victims of this unfortunate situation. They are not only subjected to dehumanizing conditions, they are, often times, the targets of abuse, resulting in the violation of international conventions on the rights of women and girls, to which African countries are parties. “There is no doubt that the prevailing circumstance requires strong advocacy, cooperation, human development, the sharing of knowledge and the protection of basic rights. Credible voices that draw attention to the dangers of conflict, the plight of women and children under difficult circumstances need to be heard more loudly.” President Jonathan acknowledged the role Africa’s First Ladies have to play in the promotion of peace and security on the continent.
“Our history is rich with examples of the enviable role that our women played in maintaining peace and stability in our societies. In recent times, the contributions of women to the ECOWAS mediation efforts that led to the resolution of the civil war and political crisis in Liberia and Sierra Leone is particularly noteworthy.
“The AFLPM must continue to serve as a voice for the disempowered, the dispossessed and the violated, especially women and children. More importantly, it must continue to stand firm as a special advocate for peace and the growth of our mother continent. “The African First Ladies Peace Mission has committed itself to the cause of peace and the advancement of women in Africa and we must support you to realize your vision.
“Nigeria shares the laudable objectives of the AFLPM and will continue to lend support to the attainment of its goals. As a demonstration of that support, we are hosting the interim secretariat where this meeting is taking place and providing facilities to ensure its works. A parcel of land that will host the permanent site of the AFLPM secretariat here in Abuja has also been provided,” he said.
Jonathan confident Nigeria ’ll produce first set of female service chiefs
President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed confidence that Nigeria will produce its first set of female service chiefs.Jonathan hinged his optimism on the recent re-admittance of women into the Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA) to train to become combatant soldiers. The Federal Government had lifted the ban that prevented women from enlisting into the NDA to train as combatant soldiers.
He said, during the opening ceremony of the 7th Summit of the African First Ladies Peace Mission (AFLPM) holding in Abuja, with the theme: ‘The Africa Woman: A voice for Peace, that: “For the first time we admitted women into the prestigious Nigerian Defence Academy to prepare them as full combatants in the Army, Navy and Air Force.
“We have admitted women into NDA and we are hopeful that in few years to come, a woman could be Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Air Staff, Chief of Naval Staff or even Chief of Defence Staff. “We have commenced the journey and we’ll get there; I just listened to my sister, Banda, who advocated women to grow to be heads of their armed forces with her pronouncement. “In Nigeria, except you pass through NDA, you cannot dream of becoming a service chief,” Jonathan said.
He said, as women and mothers, women had the power “to control the gladiators that cause conflict in Africa and being mothers can control the youth used for violence.” The president said his administration remained resolute in the implementation of policies on effective representation of women in all aspects of governance. “I urge you all to encourage governments to implement existing international legal frameworks that promote peace, security and human development. “You must also summon the will to speak up wherever and whenever these frameworks are abused. But the task is not for you alone, raising the standards of survival in Africa is a collective task,” Jonathan added.
The president said if Africa must move forward and be competitive in the 21st century, then gender equality must be a major component of national policies. This was even as he called on African countries to intensify efforts to remove all barriers that limit women and the girl-child from actualizing their dreams, insisting women must be protected against all forms of discrimination and be given equal opportunities and access to education, politics and the economy.
He added that the most sustainable way to support womanhood and guarantee peace was through empowerment. “In this respect, our transformation agenda as a nation goes beyond the 30 – 35 per cent of political offices being demanded by women, but creating various opportunities for women empowerment.” Jonathan said the summit reaffirmed the sense of urgency that the continent felt about the challenging political and security situation facing several countries.
“As we grapple with old challenges, new threats such as drug and human trafficking, climate change, kidnapping, terrorism, poverty, sectarian conflicts and others take centre stage. All these undermine our determined efforts to work towards achieving sustainable peace and development in our various countries. “It is of great concern that women and children, especially the girl-child, are the main victims of this unfortunate situation. They are not only subjected to dehumanizing conditions, they are, often times, the targets of abuse, resulting in the violation of international conventions on the rights of women and girls, to which African countries are parties. “There is no doubt that the prevailing circumstance requires strong advocacy, cooperation, human development, the sharing of knowledge and the protection of basic rights. Credible voices that draw attention to the dangers of conflict, the plight of women and children under difficult circumstances need to be heard more loudly.” President Jonathan acknowledged the role Africa’s First Ladies have to play in the promotion of peace and security on the continent.
“Our history is rich with examples of the enviable role that our women played in maintaining peace and stability in our societies. In recent times, the contributions of women to the ECOWAS mediation efforts that led to the resolution of the civil war and political crisis in Liberia and Sierra Leone is particularly noteworthy.
“The AFLPM must continue to serve as a voice for the disempowered, the dispossessed and the violated, especially women and children. More importantly, it must continue to stand firm as a special advocate for peace and the growth of our mother continent. “The African First Ladies Peace Mission has committed itself to the cause of peace and the advancement of women in Africa and we must support you to realize your vision.
“Nigeria shares the laudable objectives of the AFLPM and will continue to lend support to the attainment of its goals. As a demonstration of that support, we are hosting the interim secretariat where this meeting is taking place and providing facilities to ensure its works. A parcel of land that will host the permanent site of the AFLPM secretariat here in Abuja has also been provided,” he said.
Cult war claims 3 in Benin
Violent clashes between cult groups, which had abated for some time in Benin, the Edo State capital resurfaced on Wednesday night and claimed the lives of three persons and left several others wounded. The bloody clashes, which occurred in three different locations involved two rival cult groups, Eiye and Black Axe.
According to sources, in one of the incidents, the victim was killed during a quarrel, as one of the groups was sharing money allegedly given to them by politicians. Two men were riding on a motorcycle when suspected members of the Eiye confraternity allegedly shot a member of the rival Black Axe cult group whose name could not be ascertained. Following the shootings, the Black Axe members were said to have stormed the Okhoro Road area where the incident occurred, apparently on a reprisal mission and swooped on two rival members, killing one of them in the process.
In another incident, members of the Black Axe confraternity were said to have launched another attack on their opponents at the Zabayo Street, off Stadium Road junction, where they allegedly hacked one person to death at about 11pm. According to sources, one of the victims of the clashes was identified as Nosa Ebohon a.k.a Biggy, who resided at Ojo Street, Ugbowo, Benin.
He was said to have just graduated from the University of Benin and waiting call up letter from the NYSC. Biggy was reportedly killed at about 9a.m after dropping his mother in her office yesterday. Sources said he parked his car in front of a drinking joint along Uwasota, where he was drinking with his friends when suddenly; two persons reportedly entered the bar and shot at him at close range. His body has since been deposited at UBTH mortuary.
When contacted, Edo State Police Command spokesman, DSP Anthony Airhuoyo confirmed the killing of one person at a beer parlour at Okhoro and said investigations were ongoing, adding that it was only at the conclusion of the investigation that the police could determine whether the killing was cult-related or not.
Cult war claims 3 in Benin
Violent clashes between cult groups, which had abated for some time in Benin, the Edo State capital resurfaced on Wednesday night and claimed the lives of three persons and left several others wounded. The bloody clashes, which occurred in three different locations involved two rival cult groups, Eiye and Black Axe.
According to sources, in one of the incidents, the victim was killed during a quarrel, as one of the groups was sharing money allegedly given to them by politicians. Two men were riding on a motorcycle when suspected members of the Eiye confraternity allegedly shot a member of the rival Black Axe cult group whose name could not be ascertained. Following the shootings, the Black Axe members were said to have stormed the Okhoro Road area where the incident occurred, apparently on a reprisal mission and swooped on two rival members, killing one of them in the process.
In another incident, members of the Black Axe confraternity were said to have launched another attack on their opponents at the Zabayo Street, off Stadium Road junction, where they allegedly hacked one person to death at about 11pm. According to sources, one of the victims of the clashes was identified as Nosa Ebohon a.k.a Biggy, who resided at Ojo Street, Ugbowo, Benin.
He was said to have just graduated from the University of Benin and waiting call up letter from the NYSC. Biggy was reportedly killed at about 9a.m after dropping his mother in her office yesterday. Sources said he parked his car in front of a drinking joint along Uwasota, where he was drinking with his friends when suddenly; two persons reportedly entered the bar and shot at him at close range. His body has since been deposited at UBTH mortuary.
When contacted, Edo State Police Command spokesman, DSP Anthony Airhuoyo confirmed the killing of one person at a beer parlour at Okhoro and said investigations were ongoing, adding that it was only at the conclusion of the investigation that the police could determine whether the killing was cult-related or not.
Ekiti judiciary workers begin strike
Members of the Ekiti State branch of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) have embarked on indefinite strike since Monday, over non-harmonization of their salary structure.
The workers, who had been wearing native attires since the strike started were complaining that under the current dispensation, their salaries were lower than those of their counterparts in the civil service.
The President of JUSUN, M. S. Ibiyemi said the union demanded N21,000 as minimum wage by virtue of the reports submitted on the structure of Osun, Oyo and Ondo states, saying none of their counterparts in these states received less than N24,000 as minimum wage. The Chief Judge, Justice Ayo Daramola, yesterday appealed to the workers to accept the N19,300 being offered by the government and promised that the arrears would be paid from April 2012 to date.
He pointed out that the state was the least paid in terms of federal allocation and that the workers would always demand an increase. He pleaded that they should reason with the governor, who, he promised, would see to the issue. In his reaction, Mr. Apalara Wole Adewumi, Commissioner for Labour, Productivity and Human Capital Development, said JUSUN had been on the matter for sometime and that government had made up its mind to assist workers across the state. He said if JUSUN had any issue, it should come to the Ministry of Labour and Productivity, or the head of service for resolution.
“As far as I know, government has been paying the salaries of judicial workers every month, unless the Chief judge can come out and say he has not been receiving monthly subvention from the government.
The Head of Service, Mr. Bunmi Famosaya, said before the minimum wage, judiciary staffers were earning more than civil servants and that the committee set up to look into the matter had submitted its report with recommendations forwarded to the governor.
HORROR IN LAGOS:Brothers kill brother 2 brothers caught with body parts of dead brother
The entire Festival Town, commonly called FESTAC in Lagos was thrown into pandemonium on Thursday evening as a decomposing body of a man was discovered inside a duplex on B Close, House 6 of 3rd Avenue. The decomposing body, it was gathered, was that of the younger sibling of two brothers allegedly living together in the duplex which was left for them by their deceased parents.
The corpse was identified as that of Akinbuyi Ajayi, 39, living in the same apartment with Toye Ajayi and Omotola Ajayi, who were identified as his brothers. He was allegedly killed by his brothers and his body kept in a room inside the flat. The corpse had been mutilated by the two brothers. A police source alleged that Toye and Omotola were selling the body parts of their brother for money, adding that the two were caught with some human parts which eventually led to a search on their apartment by law enforcement personnel.
Toye and Omotola were suspected to have chopped off the head, hands, private part and part of the two legs of Akinbuyi and allegedly sold them to suspected ritualists. The decomposing body of Akinbuyi was moved by the policemen attached to FESTAC Police Station led by the Divisional Police Officer, Mr. Mohammed Mu’azu, a Chief Superintendent of Police and officials of Amuwo Odofin Local Government council to a morgue, while the police took other items recovered from the house into custody.
Residents of FESTAC came out in their large numbers to watch the horrifying spectacle as the council officials and policemen removed the body. Apart from the body that was recovered from the house, charms, amulets, a pot filled with human blood and two large dummies of human beings were discovered. Some of the charms and amulets were concealed inside a carton with the inscription: Lord Krishna Agabarthi 999.
Omotola, who claimed to be an engineer denied knowing anything about the corpse. He claimed to be jobless, adding that he depended on goodwill of people to survive along with Toye. He denied knowledge of the death of his brother. He explained that Akinbuyi was arrested recently by sanitation task force, adding that the deceased spent three days in prison.
Omotola also said Akinbuyi was born in 1973 and that he usually went out and came in at will. He told the police that his brother’s killers must have committed the act before dumping the deceased inside one of the rooms. He further said their father died in a motor accident recently. Their father, he claimed, was the owner of the duplex where they live. Akinbuyi’s corpse was dumped in one of the rooms upstairs.
Toye described himself as a primary school teacher. When the police asked him where he teaches, he could not utter a word.
Post titleAPGA crisis: Court stops Umeh
An Enugu State High Court yesterday, granted an interim injunction restraining the National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh, from convening a national, state, or local government executive committee meeting of the party. The court, presided over by the Chief Judge of the state, Mr. Justice Innocent Umezulike (OFR), also restrained Umeh from expelling any member of APGA, pending the hearing and determination of a motion on notice fixed for hearing on July 31, 2012.
It ordered that a substituted service of all originating processes in the suit be served on the defendant/respondent by pasting it on the entrance door of the compound of the defendant’s house situated at No.2, Gerrald Street, Ekulu East Quarters by Ogui Junction, Enugu within the jurisdiction of the court.
A former chairman of Udi Local Government Chapter of APGA, Ichie Jude Okoli, had approached the court complaining that the action of Umeh “were capable of drowning the aspirations of the party and some of its members including himself; and that the actions would cause irreparable damage to the party.”
Okoli’s motion was supported with a 22-paragraph affidavit. In it, he recalled that Umeh was the national treasurer of the party who assumed office as the national chairman in 2006 for a four-year term following the removal of Chief Chekwas Okorie and that by the virtue of the constitution of APGA, the four-year term expired in 2010.
He averred that the constitution equally provided that a national convention to be convoked for the purpose of electing new officers for the party in the National Executive Committee, State Executive Committee and Local Government Executive Committee after the expiration of four years.
He stated that despite the expiration of the tenure of Umeh in 2010, he had continued in office without any valid national convention till date and believed that his entire actions since 2010 were illegal and ultra vires the constitution of the party and had the tendency of escalating into serious political quagmire unless restrained by the court.
He maintained further that Umeh was only interested in perpetuating himself in office and deliberately, contrary to the constitution, refused to listen to other prominent members of the party who had requested that he convened a national convention and had illegally continued receiving grants meant for the party from INEC, without rendering account to anybody.
The plaintiff is seeking a declaration, among other things, that Umeh, by true construction of Article 18 (2), (3), (4) and (5) was supposed to vacate office for at least two months before re-election. “That he could not validly be re-elected by any method other than secret ballot; that having taken over as Chairman, that Umeh could not stay on after 2010 and that he could not summon NEC meeting of the party after his tenure expired in 2010.”
He stated that by asking for the order of injunction, he has not done anything reprehensible in respect of the matter and it was in the interest of justice to grant the injunctive relief and maintain status quo ante bellum following the expiration of the defendant’s tenure, until the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
The court adjoined the case to July 31 and ordered accelerated hearing of all pending applications.
An Enugu State High Court yesterday, granted an interim injunction restraining the National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh, from convening a national, state, or local government executive committee meeting of the party. The court, presided over by the Chief Judge of the state, Mr. Justice Innocent Umezulike (OFR), also restrained Umeh from expelling any member of APGA, pending the hearing and determination of a motion on notice fixed for hearing on July 31, 2012.
It ordered that a substituted service of all originating processes in the suit be served on the defendant/respondent by pasting it on the entrance door of the compound of the defendant’s house situated at No.2, Gerrald Street, Ekulu East Quarters by Ogui Junction, Enugu within the jurisdiction of the court.
A former chairman of Udi Local Government Chapter of APGA, Ichie Jude Okoli, had approached the court complaining that the action of Umeh “were capable of drowning the aspirations of the party and some of its members including himself; and that the actions would cause irreparable damage to the party.”
Okoli’s motion was supported with a 22-paragraph affidavit. In it, he recalled that Umeh was the national treasurer of the party who assumed office as the national chairman in 2006 for a four-year term following the removal of Chief Chekwas Okorie and that by the virtue of the constitution of APGA, the four-year term expired in 2010.
He averred that the constitution equally provided that a national convention to be convoked for the purpose of electing new officers for the party in the National Executive Committee, State Executive Committee and Local Government Executive Committee after the expiration of four years.
He stated that despite the expiration of the tenure of Umeh in 2010, he had continued in office without any valid national convention till date and believed that his entire actions since 2010 were illegal and ultra vires the constitution of the party and had the tendency of escalating into serious political quagmire unless restrained by the court.
He maintained further that Umeh was only interested in perpetuating himself in office and deliberately, contrary to the constitution, refused to listen to other prominent members of the party who had requested that he convened a national convention and had illegally continued receiving grants meant for the party from INEC, without rendering account to anybody.
The plaintiff is seeking a declaration, among other things, that Umeh, by true construction of Article 18 (2), (3), (4) and (5) was supposed to vacate office for at least two months before re-election. “That he could not validly be re-elected by any method other than secret ballot; that having taken over as Chairman, that Umeh could not stay on after 2010 and that he could not summon NEC meeting of the party after his tenure expired in 2010.”
He stated that by asking for the order of injunction, he has not done anything reprehensible in respect of the matter and it was in the interest of justice to grant the injunctive relief and maintain status quo ante bellum following the expiration of the defendant’s tenure, until the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
The court adjoined the case to July 31 and ordered accelerated hearing of all pending applications.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
AT THE MASS BURIAL OF '63': GUNMEN OPEN FIRE ON MOURNERS IN JOS
Senator Gyang Dantong representing Plateau State North and the majority
leader in the Plateau State House of Assembly, Hon. Gyang Fulani,
yesterday died of 'shock' during an attack by gunmen at the mass burial
of victims of Saturday's massacre in Maseh village in Riyom local
government area of the state.
Dantong and Fulani were part of mourners who had gathered to give mass burial to the victims of Saturday killings when gunmen struck. Pandemonium later broke out as the mourners had to scamper for safety.
The lawmakers were said to be part of those running for dear lives and allegedly fell in the process and died of shock in the process.
House of Representatives member Simon Mwadkwon was also seriously injured in the attack and is receiving treatment in hospital. The chairman of Barkin Ladi local government, Mr. Emmanuel Lowan, narrowly escaped death.
It was gathered that while the mass burial was going on, some unknown gunmen struck and open fire on the mourners while security personnel at the venue returned the fire and were said to have killed about 16 of the attackers and apprehended one of them.
The death toll in the gunmen's attack has risen to 114, as 63 were given mass burial while 50 other people were burnt at the village.
Senator Dantong was a native of Bachit District of Riyom LGA while Fulani hailed from Pomol village of Heipang District of Barkin Ladi LGA of the state.
The gunmen invaded Maseh during the mass burial of 63 victims of Saturday's attack in Karkuruk in Barkin Ladi.
No fewer than 50 people were yesterday discovered burnt in the house of a pastor of the Church of Christ in Nigeria in Matse village.
Special adviser on security to Governor Jonah Jang, Mr. Istifanus Gyang, confirmed the incident.
It was further gathered that the victims, mostly women, children and the aged, had run into the church for safety when they heard of the Saturday morning massacre in neighbouring Barakin Ladi LGA.
The attackers were said to have got wind of the presence of the victims in the church and surrounded the church and then set it ablaze with the victims trapped inside.
The gunmen were also said to have ensured that nobody escaped as they stood by to shoot anybody that tried to escape.
It was also learnt that the police have evacuated women, children and the aged from the villages for fear of another attack as the gunmen were said to be smarting for another round of attack.
Even the villagers could not bury their dead because the gunmen were still threatening them.
Eyewitness told LEADERSHIP: 'The situation is so terrible that it appears we don't have a government or security. We are left on their own at the mercy of God.'
Before his death, Gyang Fulani had expressed regret at the continued massacre without any solution. Short of describing it as genocide and ethnic cleasing, Fulani described the Saturday attack as a deliberate effort to exterminate his people.
He had told LEADERSHIP: 'It was a very dark day for the people of Gashish because terrorists numbering over 400 carried out a well-planned attack on the quiet people of Gashish district in Barakin Ladi local government area of Plateau State.
'I had, some months ago, on the floor of the Plateau House of Assembly, called on the international community through the UN to provide protection for our people.'
But Special Task Force (STF), in a statement, claimed that 14 people were killed while 21 of the assailants also died in a shootout between the STF and the gunmen.
The STF spokesman, Capt Salihu Mustapha, stated that the attackers were heavily armed with different assault uniforms with bullet-proof vests, killing and burning houses.
Mustapha also claimed that two soldiers were killed in a shootout with the gunmen
Jonathan, Senate, ACF, northern governors condemn killings
President Goodluck Jonathan, the Senate, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and the Northern Governors' Forum (NSGF) condemned the killings.
Jonathan yesterday issued a marching orders to security forces in the country to leave no stone unturned in their bid to smoke out those responsible for the gruesome murder of Senator Dantong and Mr. Fulani.
According to the president, security operatives must comb everywhere in the country non-stop, until the killers of the senator and honourable member are brought to book.
A statement by his special adviser on media and publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, quoted the president while commiserating with the government and people of Plateau State as well as the leadership of the Senate over the incident.
Describing the killing as cruel and regrettable, Jonathan said, 'The federal government is working hard to ensure that there is a check on impunity. That much was demonstrated with the recent changes made in the top echelon of our security architecture especially with the appointment of the new national security adviser.
Meanwhile, President of the Senate David Mark yesterday described the death of Senator Dantong in Plateau State as shocking, warning that 'the incessant killings of innocent Nigerians must be stopped'.
'Government at all levels and security operatives,' Senator Mark stressed, must rise to halt these senseless killings.
'We must do everything within the ambit of our laws to ensure that this type of murderous acts is stopped. As a nation, we must just rise against those who are determined to return us to a state of nature where life had little or no value,' he lamented in a very subdued voice.
Describing the death of Dantong as 'a personal loss', Senator Mark said the deceased was 'a patriotic parliamentarian, quintessential gentleman and committed nationalist who was killed in active service to his fatherland'.
He called on the security agencies to bring the perpetrators of these gruesome deaths to justice.
Also, the ACF has condemned the killing of Senator Dantong, describing the act as barbaric.
In a reaction yesterday, the ACF in a statement by its spokesman Mr. Anthony Sani, decried the attack, saying that any grievance could be dealt with under a democratic government. The group also called on the security agencies to apprehend those behind the heinous act.
But the NSGF has appealed to the people of Plateau State to exercise maximum restraint following the death of Senator Dantong, Hon Danfulani and several others in the latest attacks on villages in Barkin Ladi and Riyom local governments of the state.
Chairman of the forum and Niger State Governor Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu said the forum is pained by the barbaric act, especially that it came at a time that the federal government is overhauling the nation's security architecture to enable it contain the excesses of various armed groups terrorising the nation.
A statement by Governor Aliyu's chief press secretary, Danladi Ndayebo urged families of the victims not to retaliate, emphasizing that vengeance belongs to God
Jang imposes 12-hour curfew
Following the breach of security in Jos and its environs, Governor Jonah Jang has imposed a curfew in Jos North, Jos South, Barkin Ladi and Riyom LGAs with effect from yesterday.
A statement signed by the commissioner for information and communication Pastor Yiljap Abraham said the curfew would start from 7.30 pm yesterday and end at 7.00am Monday morning.
The statement further said the curfew starts 6pm today till tomorrow 7am till further notice.
Reprisal attacks in Heipang
According to reports, there were reprisal attacks by youths, especially youths from the same constituency as late Fulani, who blocked major roads leading to the area in wait for possible victims to vent their anger on.
Dantong and Fulani were part of mourners who had gathered to give mass burial to the victims of Saturday killings when gunmen struck. Pandemonium later broke out as the mourners had to scamper for safety.
The lawmakers were said to be part of those running for dear lives and allegedly fell in the process and died of shock in the process.
House of Representatives member Simon Mwadkwon was also seriously injured in the attack and is receiving treatment in hospital. The chairman of Barkin Ladi local government, Mr. Emmanuel Lowan, narrowly escaped death.
It was gathered that while the mass burial was going on, some unknown gunmen struck and open fire on the mourners while security personnel at the venue returned the fire and were said to have killed about 16 of the attackers and apprehended one of them.
The death toll in the gunmen's attack has risen to 114, as 63 were given mass burial while 50 other people were burnt at the village.
Senator Dantong was a native of Bachit District of Riyom LGA while Fulani hailed from Pomol village of Heipang District of Barkin Ladi LGA of the state.
The gunmen invaded Maseh during the mass burial of 63 victims of Saturday's attack in Karkuruk in Barkin Ladi.
No fewer than 50 people were yesterday discovered burnt in the house of a pastor of the Church of Christ in Nigeria in Matse village.
Special adviser on security to Governor Jonah Jang, Mr. Istifanus Gyang, confirmed the incident.
It was further gathered that the victims, mostly women, children and the aged, had run into the church for safety when they heard of the Saturday morning massacre in neighbouring Barakin Ladi LGA.
The attackers were said to have got wind of the presence of the victims in the church and surrounded the church and then set it ablaze with the victims trapped inside.
The gunmen were also said to have ensured that nobody escaped as they stood by to shoot anybody that tried to escape.
It was also learnt that the police have evacuated women, children and the aged from the villages for fear of another attack as the gunmen were said to be smarting for another round of attack.
Even the villagers could not bury their dead because the gunmen were still threatening them.
Eyewitness told LEADERSHIP: 'The situation is so terrible that it appears we don't have a government or security. We are left on their own at the mercy of God.'
Before his death, Gyang Fulani had expressed regret at the continued massacre without any solution. Short of describing it as genocide and ethnic cleasing, Fulani described the Saturday attack as a deliberate effort to exterminate his people.
He had told LEADERSHIP: 'It was a very dark day for the people of Gashish because terrorists numbering over 400 carried out a well-planned attack on the quiet people of Gashish district in Barakin Ladi local government area of Plateau State.
'I had, some months ago, on the floor of the Plateau House of Assembly, called on the international community through the UN to provide protection for our people.'
But Special Task Force (STF), in a statement, claimed that 14 people were killed while 21 of the assailants also died in a shootout between the STF and the gunmen.
The STF spokesman, Capt Salihu Mustapha, stated that the attackers were heavily armed with different assault uniforms with bullet-proof vests, killing and burning houses.
Mustapha also claimed that two soldiers were killed in a shootout with the gunmen
Jonathan, Senate, ACF, northern governors condemn killings
President Goodluck Jonathan, the Senate, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and the Northern Governors' Forum (NSGF) condemned the killings.
Jonathan yesterday issued a marching orders to security forces in the country to leave no stone unturned in their bid to smoke out those responsible for the gruesome murder of Senator Dantong and Mr. Fulani.
According to the president, security operatives must comb everywhere in the country non-stop, until the killers of the senator and honourable member are brought to book.
A statement by his special adviser on media and publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, quoted the president while commiserating with the government and people of Plateau State as well as the leadership of the Senate over the incident.
Describing the killing as cruel and regrettable, Jonathan said, 'The federal government is working hard to ensure that there is a check on impunity. That much was demonstrated with the recent changes made in the top echelon of our security architecture especially with the appointment of the new national security adviser.
Meanwhile, President of the Senate David Mark yesterday described the death of Senator Dantong in Plateau State as shocking, warning that 'the incessant killings of innocent Nigerians must be stopped'.
'Government at all levels and security operatives,' Senator Mark stressed, must rise to halt these senseless killings.
'We must do everything within the ambit of our laws to ensure that this type of murderous acts is stopped. As a nation, we must just rise against those who are determined to return us to a state of nature where life had little or no value,' he lamented in a very subdued voice.
Describing the death of Dantong as 'a personal loss', Senator Mark said the deceased was 'a patriotic parliamentarian, quintessential gentleman and committed nationalist who was killed in active service to his fatherland'.
He called on the security agencies to bring the perpetrators of these gruesome deaths to justice.
Also, the ACF has condemned the killing of Senator Dantong, describing the act as barbaric.
In a reaction yesterday, the ACF in a statement by its spokesman Mr. Anthony Sani, decried the attack, saying that any grievance could be dealt with under a democratic government. The group also called on the security agencies to apprehend those behind the heinous act.
But the NSGF has appealed to the people of Plateau State to exercise maximum restraint following the death of Senator Dantong, Hon Danfulani and several others in the latest attacks on villages in Barkin Ladi and Riyom local governments of the state.
Chairman of the forum and Niger State Governor Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu said the forum is pained by the barbaric act, especially that it came at a time that the federal government is overhauling the nation's security architecture to enable it contain the excesses of various armed groups terrorising the nation.
A statement by Governor Aliyu's chief press secretary, Danladi Ndayebo urged families of the victims not to retaliate, emphasizing that vengeance belongs to God
Jang imposes 12-hour curfew
Following the breach of security in Jos and its environs, Governor Jonah Jang has imposed a curfew in Jos North, Jos South, Barkin Ladi and Riyom LGAs with effect from yesterday.
A statement signed by the commissioner for information and communication Pastor Yiljap Abraham said the curfew would start from 7.30 pm yesterday and end at 7.00am Monday morning.
The statement further said the curfew starts 6pm today till tomorrow 7am till further notice.
Reprisal attacks in Heipang
According to reports, there were reprisal attacks by youths, especially youths from the same constituency as late Fulani, who blocked major roads leading to the area in wait for possible victims to vent their anger on.
MASS KILLINGS: Tension Heightens in Plateau Communities
Tension remained high in the troubled areas of Plateau State
yesterday despite the curfew imposed by the state government following
the killing of Senator Gyang Dantong and Majority Leader of the Plateau
State House of Assembly, Mr Gyang Fulani.
In response to the killing and tension it has generated, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday summoned an emergency meeting of security chiefs even as the Inspector General of Police has deployed 4,000 Mobile policemen, Anti-terrorists, and Armoured Personnel Carriers, APC’s to the affected areas.
The lawmakers were killed on Sunday while attending the mass burial of about 50 victims of Saturday’s attack on villages in Barkin Ladi and Riyom local government areas of the state. The curfew which was initially announced to last from 6pm to 7am was later moved to 12 noon apparently to forestall further trouble.
Governor Jang had in a broadcast to the people on Sunday night declared Monday and Tuesday, days of mourning.
Yesterday’s meeting summoned by President Jonathan was attended by the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki; the Chief of Defence Staff, Oluseyi Petinrin; Minister of State, Defence, Mrs. Olusola Obada; Minister of Police Affairs, Caleb Olubolade; Minister of Interior, Mr. Abba Moro; Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Muhammed Abubakar; Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Ola Ibrahim; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Mohammed Umar; and the Director-General, State Security Service, Mr. Ita Ekpenyong.
Attempts by State House correspondents to get participants at the meeting to speak to newsmen failed. While the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.Gen.Azubuike Ihejirika directed reporters to the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin, he in turn referred journalists to the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.). When the National Security Adviser emerged, he equally referred journalists to Petinrin for comment after which he drove away.
Although such meetings are held on Tuesdays, the fact that it was held yesterday underscored its emergency.
Plateau crisis: IG deploys 4,000 Mopol, Anti-terrorists police officers, APC’s
Following the violence that erupted in Plateau State at the weekend over the killings of over 50 persons, the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar has directed the deployment of 4,000 Mobile Police Personnel, Anti-terrorist personnel and bomb disposal experts in the local government areas of the state.
Also, the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 4, Markudi, AIG Michael Zoukumor has been directed to re-locate his office from Makurdi to Jos the Plateau State capital to take over the security situation and ensure that further attacks and killings were stopped.
Vanguard gathered that the IGP who paid an on the spot assessment visit to Jos yesterday in company of the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Petirin, gave the directives immediately he received briefings on the level of violence and reprisals on the Jos attacks.
The Anti-Riot and Anti-Terrorist Policemen and Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC’s) according to sources are drawn from all the neighbouring states and were all directed to be in Jos before dawn yesterday.
In response to the killing and tension it has generated, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday summoned an emergency meeting of security chiefs even as the Inspector General of Police has deployed 4,000 Mobile policemen, Anti-terrorists, and Armoured Personnel Carriers, APC’s to the affected areas.
The lawmakers were killed on Sunday while attending the mass burial of about 50 victims of Saturday’s attack on villages in Barkin Ladi and Riyom local government areas of the state. The curfew which was initially announced to last from 6pm to 7am was later moved to 12 noon apparently to forestall further trouble.
Governor Jang had in a broadcast to the people on Sunday night declared Monday and Tuesday, days of mourning.
Yesterday’s meeting summoned by President Jonathan was attended by the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki; the Chief of Defence Staff, Oluseyi Petinrin; Minister of State, Defence, Mrs. Olusola Obada; Minister of Police Affairs, Caleb Olubolade; Minister of Interior, Mr. Abba Moro; Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Muhammed Abubakar; Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Ola Ibrahim; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Mohammed Umar; and the Director-General, State Security Service, Mr. Ita Ekpenyong.
Attempts by State House correspondents to get participants at the meeting to speak to newsmen failed. While the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.Gen.Azubuike Ihejirika directed reporters to the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin, he in turn referred journalists to the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.). When the National Security Adviser emerged, he equally referred journalists to Petinrin for comment after which he drove away.
Although such meetings are held on Tuesdays, the fact that it was held yesterday underscored its emergency.
Plateau crisis: IG deploys 4,000 Mopol, Anti-terrorists police officers, APC’s
Following the violence that erupted in Plateau State at the weekend over the killings of over 50 persons, the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar has directed the deployment of 4,000 Mobile Police Personnel, Anti-terrorist personnel and bomb disposal experts in the local government areas of the state.
Also, the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 4, Markudi, AIG Michael Zoukumor has been directed to re-locate his office from Makurdi to Jos the Plateau State capital to take over the security situation and ensure that further attacks and killings were stopped.
Vanguard gathered that the IGP who paid an on the spot assessment visit to Jos yesterday in company of the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Petirin, gave the directives immediately he received briefings on the level of violence and reprisals on the Jos attacks.
The Anti-Riot and Anti-Terrorist Policemen and Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC’s) according to sources are drawn from all the neighbouring states and were all directed to be in Jos before dawn yesterday.
Woman Seeks Divorce Over Husband's Constant Brutalization And Humiliation
Mrs Mary Mainasara yesterday dragged her husband Mr Jika Mainasara
before an Abuja Customary Court, asking for divorce due to alleged
constant brutalization and humiliation.
Mainasara appealed to the court to grant her divorce, as her husband frequently humiliates her because she is yet to bear a child for him.
She accused him of beating her regularly over petty issues.
Quote
“What really pains me most is that he has the habit of always humiliating me in public at the slightest opportunity and told me on many instances that he no longer loves me and that I should leave his house,’’
the woman stated.
She informed the court that her husband kept selling her landed property without seeking her consent.
According to Mainasara, all efforts by family members, friends and church members towards resolving the problem have not yielded any positive fruit.
Quote
“Immediately after any peace-talk, my husband reverses to his old self,’’
she said.
Mainasara also accused her husband of impregnating a girl, whom she said he intends to marry.
She told the court that her husband told her to look elsewhere for another husband.
Quote
“I had to leave his house. I was no longer able to cope with all the humiliations and beatings,’’
she said.
She appealed to the court to issue a court order to her husband restraining him from further harassment, battery, and threat to her life.
Presiding Judge Suleiman Ismaila, however, adjourned the case to August 28 for further hearing.
Mainasara appealed to the court to grant her divorce, as her husband frequently humiliates her because she is yet to bear a child for him.
She accused him of beating her regularly over petty issues.
Quote
“What really pains me most is that he has the habit of always humiliating me in public at the slightest opportunity and told me on many instances that he no longer loves me and that I should leave his house,’’
the woman stated.
She informed the court that her husband kept selling her landed property without seeking her consent.
According to Mainasara, all efforts by family members, friends and church members towards resolving the problem have not yielded any positive fruit.
Quote
“Immediately after any peace-talk, my husband reverses to his old self,’’
she said.
Mainasara also accused her husband of impregnating a girl, whom she said he intends to marry.
She told the court that her husband told her to look elsewhere for another husband.
Quote
“I had to leave his house. I was no longer able to cope with all the humiliations and beatings,’’
she said.
She appealed to the court to issue a court order to her husband restraining him from further harassment, battery, and threat to her life.
Presiding Judge Suleiman Ismaila, however, adjourned the case to August 28 for further hearing.
N170m Fraud: Court Adjourns Former PDP Chairman's Trial To October 23
ABUJA, July 11, (THEWILL) – Hearing in a N170m suit involving erstwhile
national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Vincent
Ogbulafor, and three others was on Wednesday adjourned to 23rd October
by an Abuja High Court.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), which filed the suit against Ogbulafor, is equally prosecuting Jude Nwokolo, Henry Ikoh and Emeka Emmanuel on a 16-count charge of alleged involvement in frauds totaling N170m.
According to ICPC, Ogulafor, during his term as minister of state for special duties in 2001, floated three fake companies with active connivance of other accused persons. The companies — Henrichiko Nigeria Limited, DHL Consultants and Chekwas Industries — were allegedly employed to embezzle N82.6m, N11.5m and N6.2m respectively.
Ogbulafor, as head of the National Economic Intelligence Committee that was inaugurated to verify debts to local contractors, allegedly endorsed several forged documents as genuine. These forged documents were said to have then been used to certify that the three companies successfully executed jobs worth N104 million.
He is also being accused of receiving inducements of N2m from Chuks Ebiulah and another N28m from Chris Nwoke, both businessmen.
The trial had initially been adjourned indefinitely. But 16 months later, on 30th May 2012, Justice Ishaq Bello granted permission to the ICPC to appear on 11th July and 12th July to continue the trial.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), which filed the suit against Ogbulafor, is equally prosecuting Jude Nwokolo, Henry Ikoh and Emeka Emmanuel on a 16-count charge of alleged involvement in frauds totaling N170m.
According to ICPC, Ogulafor, during his term as minister of state for special duties in 2001, floated three fake companies with active connivance of other accused persons. The companies — Henrichiko Nigeria Limited, DHL Consultants and Chekwas Industries — were allegedly employed to embezzle N82.6m, N11.5m and N6.2m respectively.
Ogbulafor, as head of the National Economic Intelligence Committee that was inaugurated to verify debts to local contractors, allegedly endorsed several forged documents as genuine. These forged documents were said to have then been used to certify that the three companies successfully executed jobs worth N104 million.
He is also being accused of receiving inducements of N2m from Chuks Ebiulah and another N28m from Chris Nwoke, both businessmen.
The trial had initially been adjourned indefinitely. But 16 months later, on 30th May 2012, Justice Ishaq Bello granted permission to the ICPC to appear on 11th July and 12th July to continue the trial.
CHRISTIANS, ACCEPT ISLAM FOR PEACE TO REIGN – BOKO HARAM SAYS
The sect 'thanked God for the success of the attacks' and vowed that
there was no going back on the jihad (Holy War) it had launched against
Christians and the government. It also asked 'Christians in Nigeria to
accept Islam' as a condition for a ceasefire.
It described as a 'new lie' claims by the new National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, that he has an access for a dialogue with its leaders.
Full Statement
Full (and unedited) text of the Boko Haram statement, issued by its spokesman, Abu Qaqa, and posted onSaharaReporters on Tuesday, reads, 'The Jama'atu Ahlissunnah Lidda'awati Wal-Jihad, is grateful to Almighty God and hereby makes it known to the world of our success and attack on Barkin Ladi and Riyom in Plateau State on Christians, security agencies and members of National Assembly.
'Like we said earlier, Christians in Nigeria should accept Islam, that is true religion, or they will never have peace. We do not regard them as trusted Christians as some illiterates are campaigning because it was Christians that first declared war on Muslims with the support of government.
'Like we said, we shall continue to look for government officials; they will not have the rest of mind. We will attack their homes and security agencies in the same way they are attacking us and destroying our houses that we have been renting. We will continue with what we did in Rijiyar Zaki in Kano State.
'To the general public, particularly those in Kano that are dragging their heads into this fight by supporting security agencies. Let them learn from what happened to people in Kurna quarters. From now on anyone found wanting should have himself to blame. We do not have any agenda than working to establish Islamic Kingdom like during the time of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) no matter what will happen to us.
'We heard the information going round that new National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, has gotten means of reaching us for a dialogue, that is a new lie.'
86 died -STF
The Special Task Force, a military outfit in charge of security in the state, on Tuesday, however, put the number of dead victims of the weekend's attacks at 86.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Emmanuel Abuh, however said that the casualty figure had not been ascertained because of the resurgence of attacks on Sunday. He said that figures were still being compiled.
Spokesman for the STF, Capt. Salisu Mustapha, told our correspondent in Jos that the figure included 63 bodies counted in the nine villages attacked by gunmen and that of the 21 bodies of the attackers that met their deaths during the violence.
Two policemen, according to Mustapha, were also killed.
Fifty bodies were recovered from a church in Matse. The dead were villagers that ran to the church during Saturday's attack on their community.
Among the victims of the killings were a Senator, Gyang Dantong; and a member of the state House of Assembly, Gyang Fulani, who met their deaths on Sunday when gunmen swooped on them while leading the procession for the mass burial of the 50 killed in the church.
A survivor of the attack on the legislators, Mr. Simon Mwadkon, said Dantong and Fulani died of exhaustion while running away from their attackers.
Mwadkon is a member of the House of Representatives.
Soldiers didn't run away
Salisu denied media reports that the soldiers ran away because of the superior gunfire of the attackers.
Mwadkon had told Governor Jonah Jang, when the latter visited him that he suspected connivance between the soldiers and the attackers given the behaviour of the colonel who led the security team to the burial site where Dantong and Fulani were killed.
He had also told Jang that the colonel directed them to remove the ambulance they brought to the site to enable him to bring in an armoured tank, but rather used his Hillux Van to block the only road to the place.
Mwadkon had also alleged that it took the soldiers more than one-and-a- half hours to convey the gasping senator to the hospital, while he, who left after the senator, arrived at the hospital ahead of the soldiers.
Dantong's younger brother, Rwang, on Monday had alleged that the attack on the procession was aimed at killing the Senator.
However, Mustapha described Mwadkon's claims as lies.
He said, 'Those are blatant lies, nothing like that happened. These people (soldiers) are professionals for crying out loud. How can they run away?
'What they did when they heard the gunshots was to tell the people to lie down because they knew that from the distance the shots were coming from nobody would be hit because of the calibre of the guns they were shooting from; but in frenzy they all started running. And that was why the two senators died of exhaustion and it was for the same reason that nobody sustained any gunshots.'
No arrest yet
He however said no arrest had been made.
The Plateau State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Yiljap Abraham, could not be reached as he was said to be attending the state Security Council meeting as of press time.
The Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency in the state, Mr. Dan Gambo, could also not be reached as calls to his mobile phone were not answered.
More attacks on Tuesday
Meanwhile, fresh attacks were reported in two more villages in the Barkin Ladi and Riyom local government areas on Tuesday.
The attackers set ablaze the houses of fleeing villagers at Shong and Tse in Barkin Ladi.
Though reports indicated that there were no lives lost in the Tuesday attacks, a member representing Riyom constituency in Plateau State House of Assembly, Daniel Dem, who confirmed the new development to our correspondent on Tuesday, said that more than 140 corpses were still lying rottten at the scene of attacks in the villages because the villagers had no access to their homes to evacuate the bodies of their loved ones.
He said, 'I can authoritatively confirm to you that as I am talking to you now, the same gunmen from top of the mountain have attacked two more villages.
'The two villages, Tse and Shong, are in ruins with no house standing. The gunmen came in their usual style with sporadic shootings. The villagers were scared and they ran out of their houses, the gunmen set the houses ablaze and the incident had added to the numbers of displaced people in the area.'
Efforts to get Abuh to comment on the new development were not successful as calls to his mobile phone were not answered.
THE fundamentalist Islamic sect, Jama'atu Ahlissunnah Lidda'awati Wal-Jihad, otherwise known as Boko Haram, on Tuesday in a statement claimed responsibility for the mass killings in Plateau State at the weekend.
More than 100 persons were reportedly killed in attacks on three communities in the Barkin Ladi and Riyom local government areas of the state on Saturday and Sunday.
The sect 'thanked God for the success of the attacks' and vowed that there was no going back on the jihad (Holy War) it had launched against Christians and the government. It also asked 'Christians in Nigeria to accept Islam' as a condition for a ceasefire.
It described as a 'new lie' claims by the new National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, that he has an access for a dialogue with its leaders.
Full Statement
Full (and unedited) text of the Boko Haram statement, issued by its spokesman, Abu Qaqa, and posted onSaharaReporters on Tuesday, reads, 'The Jama'atu Ahlissunnah Lidda'awati Wal-Jihad, is grateful to Almighty God and hereby makes it known to the world of our success and attack on Barkin Ladi and Riyom in Plateau State on Christians, security agencies and members of National Assembly.
'Like we said earlier, Christians in Nigeria should accept Islam, that is true religion, or they will never have peace. We do not regard them as trusted Christians as some illiterates are campaigning because it was Christians that first declared war on Muslims with the support of government.
'Like we said, we shall continue to look for government officials; they will not have the rest of mind. We will attack their homes and security agencies in the same way they are attacking us and destroying our houses that we have been renting. We will continue with what we did in Rijiyar Zaki in Kano State.
'To the general public, particularly those in Kano that are dragging their heads into this fight by supporting security agencies. Let them learn from what happened to people in Kurna quarters. From now on anyone found wanting should have himself to blame. We do not have any agenda than working to establish Islamic Kingdom like during the time of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) no matter what will happen to us.
'We heard the information going round that new National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, has gotten means of reaching us for a dialogue, that is a new lie.'
86 died -STF
The Special Task Force, a military outfit in charge of security in the state, on Tuesday, however, put the number of dead victims of the weekend's attacks at 86.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Emmanuel Abuh, however said that the casualty figure had not been ascertained because of the resurgence of attacks on Sunday. He said that figures were still being compiled.
Spokesman for the STF, Capt. Salisu Mustapha, told our correspondent in Jos that the figure included 63 bodies counted in the nine villages attacked by gunmen and that of the 21 bodies of the attackers that met their deaths during the violence.
Two policemen, according to Mustapha, were also killed.
Fifty bodies were recovered from a church in Matse. The dead were villagers that ran to the church during Saturday's attack on their community.
Among the victims of the killings were a Senator, Gyang Dantong; and a member of the state House of Assembly, Gyang Fulani, who met their deaths on Sunday when gunmen swooped on them while leading the procession for the mass burial of the 50 killed in the church.
A survivor of the attack on the legislators, Mr. Simon Mwadkon, said Dantong and Fulani died of exhaustion while running away from their attackers.
Mwadkon is a member of the House of Representatives.
Soldiers didn't run away
Salisu denied media reports that the soldiers ran away because of the superior gunfire of the attackers.
Mwadkon had told Governor Jonah Jang, when the latter visited him that he suspected connivance between the soldiers and the attackers given the behaviour of the colonel who led the security team to the burial site where Dantong and Fulani were killed.
He had also told Jang that the colonel directed them to remove the ambulance they brought to the site to enable him to bring in an armoured tank, but rather used his Hillux Van to block the only road to the place.
Mwadkon had also alleged that it took the soldiers more than one-and-a- half hours to convey the gasping senator to the hospital, while he, who left after the senator, arrived at the hospital ahead of the soldiers.
Dantong's younger brother, Rwang, on Monday had alleged that the attack on the procession was aimed at killing the Senator.
However, Mustapha described Mwadkon's claims as lies.
He said, 'Those are blatant lies, nothing like that happened. These people (soldiers) are professionals for crying out loud. How can they run away?
'What they did when they heard the gunshots was to tell the people to lie down because they knew that from the distance the shots were coming from nobody would be hit because of the calibre of the guns they were shooting from; but in frenzy they all started running. And that was why the two senators died of exhaustion and it was for the same reason that nobody sustained any gunshots.'
No arrest yet
He however said no arrest had been made.
The Plateau State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Yiljap Abraham, could not be reached as he was said to be attending the state Security Council meeting as of press time.
The Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency in the state, Mr. Dan Gambo, could also not be reached as calls to his mobile phone were not answered.
More attacks on Tuesday
Meanwhile, fresh attacks were reported in two more villages in the Barkin Ladi and Riyom local government areas on Tuesday.
The attackers set ablaze the houses of fleeing villagers at Shong and Tse in Barkin Ladi.
Though reports indicated that there were no lives lost in the Tuesday attacks, a member representing Riyom constituency in Plateau State House of Assembly, Daniel Dem, who confirmed the new development to our correspondent on Tuesday, said that more than 140 corpses were still lying rottten at the scene of attacks in the villages because the villagers had no access to their homes to evacuate the bodies of their loved ones.
He said, 'I can authoritatively confirm to you that as I am talking to you now, the same gunmen from top of the mountain have attacked two more villages.
'The two villages, Tse and Shong, are in ruins with no house standing. The gunmen came in their usual style with sporadic shootings. The villagers were scared and they ran out of their houses, the gunmen set the houses ablaze and the incident had added to the numbers of displaced people in the area.'
Efforts to get Abuh to comment on the new development were not successful as calls to his mobile phone were not answered.
It described as a 'new lie' claims by the new National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, that he has an access for a dialogue with its leaders.
Full Statement
Full (and unedited) text of the Boko Haram statement, issued by its spokesman, Abu Qaqa, and posted onSaharaReporters on Tuesday, reads, 'The Jama'atu Ahlissunnah Lidda'awati Wal-Jihad, is grateful to Almighty God and hereby makes it known to the world of our success and attack on Barkin Ladi and Riyom in Plateau State on Christians, security agencies and members of National Assembly.
'Like we said earlier, Christians in Nigeria should accept Islam, that is true religion, or they will never have peace. We do not regard them as trusted Christians as some illiterates are campaigning because it was Christians that first declared war on Muslims with the support of government.
'Like we said, we shall continue to look for government officials; they will not have the rest of mind. We will attack their homes and security agencies in the same way they are attacking us and destroying our houses that we have been renting. We will continue with what we did in Rijiyar Zaki in Kano State.
'To the general public, particularly those in Kano that are dragging their heads into this fight by supporting security agencies. Let them learn from what happened to people in Kurna quarters. From now on anyone found wanting should have himself to blame. We do not have any agenda than working to establish Islamic Kingdom like during the time of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) no matter what will happen to us.
'We heard the information going round that new National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, has gotten means of reaching us for a dialogue, that is a new lie.'
86 died -STF
The Special Task Force, a military outfit in charge of security in the state, on Tuesday, however, put the number of dead victims of the weekend's attacks at 86.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Emmanuel Abuh, however said that the casualty figure had not been ascertained because of the resurgence of attacks on Sunday. He said that figures were still being compiled.
Spokesman for the STF, Capt. Salisu Mustapha, told our correspondent in Jos that the figure included 63 bodies counted in the nine villages attacked by gunmen and that of the 21 bodies of the attackers that met their deaths during the violence.
Two policemen, according to Mustapha, were also killed.
Fifty bodies were recovered from a church in Matse. The dead were villagers that ran to the church during Saturday's attack on their community.
Among the victims of the killings were a Senator, Gyang Dantong; and a member of the state House of Assembly, Gyang Fulani, who met their deaths on Sunday when gunmen swooped on them while leading the procession for the mass burial of the 50 killed in the church.
A survivor of the attack on the legislators, Mr. Simon Mwadkon, said Dantong and Fulani died of exhaustion while running away from their attackers.
Mwadkon is a member of the House of Representatives.
Soldiers didn't run away
Salisu denied media reports that the soldiers ran away because of the superior gunfire of the attackers.
Mwadkon had told Governor Jonah Jang, when the latter visited him that he suspected connivance between the soldiers and the attackers given the behaviour of the colonel who led the security team to the burial site where Dantong and Fulani were killed.
He had also told Jang that the colonel directed them to remove the ambulance they brought to the site to enable him to bring in an armoured tank, but rather used his Hillux Van to block the only road to the place.
Mwadkon had also alleged that it took the soldiers more than one-and-a- half hours to convey the gasping senator to the hospital, while he, who left after the senator, arrived at the hospital ahead of the soldiers.
Dantong's younger brother, Rwang, on Monday had alleged that the attack on the procession was aimed at killing the Senator.
However, Mustapha described Mwadkon's claims as lies.
He said, 'Those are blatant lies, nothing like that happened. These people (soldiers) are professionals for crying out loud. How can they run away?
'What they did when they heard the gunshots was to tell the people to lie down because they knew that from the distance the shots were coming from nobody would be hit because of the calibre of the guns they were shooting from; but in frenzy they all started running. And that was why the two senators died of exhaustion and it was for the same reason that nobody sustained any gunshots.'
No arrest yet
He however said no arrest had been made.
The Plateau State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Yiljap Abraham, could not be reached as he was said to be attending the state Security Council meeting as of press time.
The Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency in the state, Mr. Dan Gambo, could also not be reached as calls to his mobile phone were not answered.
More attacks on Tuesday
Meanwhile, fresh attacks were reported in two more villages in the Barkin Ladi and Riyom local government areas on Tuesday.
The attackers set ablaze the houses of fleeing villagers at Shong and Tse in Barkin Ladi.
Though reports indicated that there were no lives lost in the Tuesday attacks, a member representing Riyom constituency in Plateau State House of Assembly, Daniel Dem, who confirmed the new development to our correspondent on Tuesday, said that more than 140 corpses were still lying rottten at the scene of attacks in the villages because the villagers had no access to their homes to evacuate the bodies of their loved ones.
He said, 'I can authoritatively confirm to you that as I am talking to you now, the same gunmen from top of the mountain have attacked two more villages.
'The two villages, Tse and Shong, are in ruins with no house standing. The gunmen came in their usual style with sporadic shootings. The villagers were scared and they ran out of their houses, the gunmen set the houses ablaze and the incident had added to the numbers of displaced people in the area.'
Efforts to get Abuh to comment on the new development were not successful as calls to his mobile phone were not answered.
THE fundamentalist Islamic sect, Jama'atu Ahlissunnah Lidda'awati Wal-Jihad, otherwise known as Boko Haram, on Tuesday in a statement claimed responsibility for the mass killings in Plateau State at the weekend.
More than 100 persons were reportedly killed in attacks on three communities in the Barkin Ladi and Riyom local government areas of the state on Saturday and Sunday.
The sect 'thanked God for the success of the attacks' and vowed that there was no going back on the jihad (Holy War) it had launched against Christians and the government. It also asked 'Christians in Nigeria to accept Islam' as a condition for a ceasefire.
It described as a 'new lie' claims by the new National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, that he has an access for a dialogue with its leaders.
Full Statement
Full (and unedited) text of the Boko Haram statement, issued by its spokesman, Abu Qaqa, and posted onSaharaReporters on Tuesday, reads, 'The Jama'atu Ahlissunnah Lidda'awati Wal-Jihad, is grateful to Almighty God and hereby makes it known to the world of our success and attack on Barkin Ladi and Riyom in Plateau State on Christians, security agencies and members of National Assembly.
'Like we said earlier, Christians in Nigeria should accept Islam, that is true religion, or they will never have peace. We do not regard them as trusted Christians as some illiterates are campaigning because it was Christians that first declared war on Muslims with the support of government.
'Like we said, we shall continue to look for government officials; they will not have the rest of mind. We will attack their homes and security agencies in the same way they are attacking us and destroying our houses that we have been renting. We will continue with what we did in Rijiyar Zaki in Kano State.
'To the general public, particularly those in Kano that are dragging their heads into this fight by supporting security agencies. Let them learn from what happened to people in Kurna quarters. From now on anyone found wanting should have himself to blame. We do not have any agenda than working to establish Islamic Kingdom like during the time of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) no matter what will happen to us.
'We heard the information going round that new National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, has gotten means of reaching us for a dialogue, that is a new lie.'
86 died -STF
The Special Task Force, a military outfit in charge of security in the state, on Tuesday, however, put the number of dead victims of the weekend's attacks at 86.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Emmanuel Abuh, however said that the casualty figure had not been ascertained because of the resurgence of attacks on Sunday. He said that figures were still being compiled.
Spokesman for the STF, Capt. Salisu Mustapha, told our correspondent in Jos that the figure included 63 bodies counted in the nine villages attacked by gunmen and that of the 21 bodies of the attackers that met their deaths during the violence.
Two policemen, according to Mustapha, were also killed.
Fifty bodies were recovered from a church in Matse. The dead were villagers that ran to the church during Saturday's attack on their community.
Among the victims of the killings were a Senator, Gyang Dantong; and a member of the state House of Assembly, Gyang Fulani, who met their deaths on Sunday when gunmen swooped on them while leading the procession for the mass burial of the 50 killed in the church.
A survivor of the attack on the legislators, Mr. Simon Mwadkon, said Dantong and Fulani died of exhaustion while running away from their attackers.
Mwadkon is a member of the House of Representatives.
Soldiers didn't run away
Salisu denied media reports that the soldiers ran away because of the superior gunfire of the attackers.
Mwadkon had told Governor Jonah Jang, when the latter visited him that he suspected connivance between the soldiers and the attackers given the behaviour of the colonel who led the security team to the burial site where Dantong and Fulani were killed.
He had also told Jang that the colonel directed them to remove the ambulance they brought to the site to enable him to bring in an armoured tank, but rather used his Hillux Van to block the only road to the place.
Mwadkon had also alleged that it took the soldiers more than one-and-a- half hours to convey the gasping senator to the hospital, while he, who left after the senator, arrived at the hospital ahead of the soldiers.
Dantong's younger brother, Rwang, on Monday had alleged that the attack on the procession was aimed at killing the Senator.
However, Mustapha described Mwadkon's claims as lies.
He said, 'Those are blatant lies, nothing like that happened. These people (soldiers) are professionals for crying out loud. How can they run away?
'What they did when they heard the gunshots was to tell the people to lie down because they knew that from the distance the shots were coming from nobody would be hit because of the calibre of the guns they were shooting from; but in frenzy they all started running. And that was why the two senators died of exhaustion and it was for the same reason that nobody sustained any gunshots.'
No arrest yet
He however said no arrest had been made.
The Plateau State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Yiljap Abraham, could not be reached as he was said to be attending the state Security Council meeting as of press time.
The Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency in the state, Mr. Dan Gambo, could also not be reached as calls to his mobile phone were not answered.
More attacks on Tuesday
Meanwhile, fresh attacks were reported in two more villages in the Barkin Ladi and Riyom local government areas on Tuesday.
The attackers set ablaze the houses of fleeing villagers at Shong and Tse in Barkin Ladi.
Though reports indicated that there were no lives lost in the Tuesday attacks, a member representing Riyom constituency in Plateau State House of Assembly, Daniel Dem, who confirmed the new development to our correspondent on Tuesday, said that more than 140 corpses were still lying rottten at the scene of attacks in the villages because the villagers had no access to their homes to evacuate the bodies of their loved ones.
He said, 'I can authoritatively confirm to you that as I am talking to you now, the same gunmen from top of the mountain have attacked two more villages.
'The two villages, Tse and Shong, are in ruins with no house standing. The gunmen came in their usual style with sporadic shootings. The villagers were scared and they ran out of their houses, the gunmen set the houses ablaze and the incident had added to the numbers of displaced people in the area.'
Efforts to get Abuh to comment on the new development were not successful as calls to his mobile phone were not answered.
Monday, July 9, 2012
17 year-old boy arrested for kidnapping, rape
Ilorin – The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Ilorin on Monday arrested a 17-year-old boy for alleged kidnap and attempted rape.
The spokesman of the NSCDC command, Alhaji Kadri Ibrahim, told newsmen in Ilorin that the suspect was arrested at about 9:30 am at Oke Apomu, Ilorin West Local Government by some officers of the corps.
The suspect, he said, claimed he abducted the girl to have carnal knowledge of her and not sell her for ritual.
Ibrahim, who said the suspect would be handed over to the police for prosecution, enjoined residents to take good care of their children and wards.
He, however, appealed to residents to avoid taking the laws into their hands and continue to cooperate with security agents.
The suspect, who was paraded, said that he was an apprentice barber at Oke-Apomu area of Ilorin.
He said he was returning from a religious programme when he saw three girls playing on the street.
The suspect said he abducted one of the girls with a view to having carnal knowledge of her before he was caught and beaten by some residents.
He said the timely intervention of the security men saved him from being beaten to death.
The mother of the abducted girl, Mrs Fatima Ibrahim, also said that she was taking her bath when some children ran in to report the abduction.
She said neighbours joined her in the search for her daughter, leading to the arrest of the suspect.(NAN)
The spokesman of the NSCDC command, Alhaji Kadri Ibrahim, told newsmen in Ilorin that the suspect was arrested at about 9:30 am at Oke Apomu, Ilorin West Local Government by some officers of the corps.
The suspect, he said, claimed he abducted the girl to have carnal knowledge of her and not sell her for ritual.
Ibrahim, who said the suspect would be handed over to the police for prosecution, enjoined residents to take good care of their children and wards.
He, however, appealed to residents to avoid taking the laws into their hands and continue to cooperate with security agents.
The suspect, who was paraded, said that he was an apprentice barber at Oke-Apomu area of Ilorin.
He said he was returning from a religious programme when he saw three girls playing on the street.
The suspect said he abducted one of the girls with a view to having carnal knowledge of her before he was caught and beaten by some residents.
He said the timely intervention of the security men saved him from being beaten to death.
The mother of the abducted girl, Mrs Fatima Ibrahim, also said that she was taking her bath when some children ran in to report the abduction.
She said neighbours joined her in the search for her daughter, leading to the arrest of the suspect.(NAN)
Oshiomhole is driving Edo with side mirror
Erstwhile member of the House of Representatives and PDP chieftain, Dr. Aziegbemi says Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s repeated denunciation of the years of PDP rule is the attitude of a man driving a car forward but looking at the side mirror.
“Oshiomhole is looking at the side mirror but we in the new PDP are looking at the windscreen of the car. He can keep on looking back but we will keep looking forward,” Aziegbemi said yesterday as he again restated the PDP’s determination to get the victory this weekend.
Challenged on the base of his optimism given the reported infrastructure and development landmarks of the Oshiomhole administration, Aziegbemi retorted: “What has he done, he has touched only about 20 per cent of the landscape, what of the remaining 80 per cent of the state,” the former lawmaker piqued.
Reminded that the PDP administrations before Oshiomhole have been accused of doing nothing, he retorted that he would not like Oshiomhole look at the side mirror. Aziegbemi was nevertheless very hopeful saying: “The last days of Oshiomhole are at hand and we are set to drive him out,” the former lawmaker said.
“Oshiomhole is looking at the side mirror but we in the new PDP are looking at the windscreen of the car. He can keep on looking back but we will keep looking forward,” Aziegbemi said yesterday as he again restated the PDP’s determination to get the victory this weekend.
Challenged on the base of his optimism given the reported infrastructure and development landmarks of the Oshiomhole administration, Aziegbemi retorted: “What has he done, he has touched only about 20 per cent of the landscape, what of the remaining 80 per cent of the state,” the former lawmaker piqued.
Reminded that the PDP administrations before Oshiomhole have been accused of doing nothing, he retorted that he would not like Oshiomhole look at the side mirror. Aziegbemi was nevertheless very hopeful saying: “The last days of Oshiomhole are at hand and we are set to drive him out,” the former lawmaker said.
Kidnapped youth corps member reappears
Asaba—A National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, member serving in Delta State, Mr. Uchenna Abueme, who was abducted last Saturday in Asaba and taken to a hideout in a neighbouring town, Okpanam, has been found, after spending 28 hours in the bush.
Delta State Police Command’s spokesman, Mr. Charles Muka, told Vanguard, yesterday, that the corps member “has been found in good health.”
He was reported to have been kidnapped on Saturday at 7.30am by three armed men along with one Chinonso Chris, while driving in a Camry car on Ekeobi Nwandu Street, Asaba.
The kidnappers, according to Muka abandoned their victims, when they found that police were after them, which eventually led their victims escaping into the bush.
Delta State Police Command’s spokesman, Mr. Charles Muka, told Vanguard, yesterday, that the corps member “has been found in good health.”
He was reported to have been kidnapped on Saturday at 7.30am by three armed men along with one Chinonso Chris, while driving in a Camry car on Ekeobi Nwandu Street, Asaba.
The kidnappers, according to Muka abandoned their victims, when they found that police were after them, which eventually led their victims escaping into the bush.
Big Man Tells a Nigerian Story
Big Man, a short film tells a story of what it is like to be in a Nigerian
household, was recently screened in Lagos. Big Man is a nostalgic childhood
drama set in Lagos about two brother who earn the consequences of their actions
when one of their games is pushed too far.
Produced by Harry Esiri and his twin brother, Chuko, Big Man is a short film founded by a programme called African Fest, which is run by Focus Features where five African filmmakers are given a funding of ten thousand dollars each, every year to make a movie.
Speaking during the Lagos screening, Harry co-producer of the movies, said Julius Onah who won the grant last year decided to make a movie with a setting in Nigeria where he is originally from and so they chose to make “Big Man”, which, is produced by the African Film Company in association with Resources Entertainment and Focus Features.
“He met my twin brother, Chuko Esiri in New York where he was working for a film agency and they got in touch with each other and Chuko decided on producing a short movie here in Nigeria and I jumped on board and helped my brother to do that as well. So we made Big Man, which is a focus feature film, run under the African Fest programme,” he said.
Harry said the movie was being showcase to the Nigerian audience to let them “know what we have done and what we hope to do in the future”, noting that, “and it is just a little taste of what we have in stock for the Nigeria audience in our career in making movies in Nigeria.”
What the two brother are trying to do with “Big Man”, Harry said is to portray the fact that “There are a lot of people who are interested in film and cinema that are not based in Nigeria but are trying to come back to do something that is polished and sophisticated using very professional movies making methods to tell the Nigeria stories.”
He was quick to note that they do not intend to teach any moral lesson with Big Man but were merely out to get the audience to feel what it is like to be in a Nigerian household and to get that sense of nostalgic - what it like growing up in Nigeria.
That notwithstanding, Big Man is a nostalgic childhood drama about two young kids that are growing up, playing rough and they come to know the consequences of their actions and learned a lesson from their misbehaviour.
The brothers hope to do something bigger, probably a full feature film soon to show to the Nigerian audience as well as the international audience at large and by so doing export Nigeria in the best way they can.
The twin brother and co-producer of the short film, Chuko Esiri said what led to production of the movie was the fact that the he and brother had always been interested in making films and when the opportunity came with the help of the American company called Focus Features to produce a short film in Nigeria, they jumped at it.
“I had met Julius Onah, a producer of films a year before; so when he asked me to produce a movie for him, I felt it was a great opportunity for me to do what I have always wanted to do,” Chuko noted. Although a Nigerian, Onah had moved out of the country at the age of about four and so needed someone who had a better knowledge of Nigeria to produce a movie on Nigeria for him.
“The two of us had no experience but we decided to dive into the river and learn how to swim. It was an opportunity of once in a lifetime and I deiced to seize It.” recalled Chuko.
Even though Chuko intends to embark on making another film sometime in the future, he said that might not take effect so soon. “Ideally you can make movies from year to year, but to do it right it takes a long time, you need to make sure that you are comfortable and happy with the story you are trying to tell, you need to put the right team together and that takes time as well. So it takes a lot to put a film together. So we really want to work as much as possible not just trying to make films in Nigeria but to make goods works – films that people in every part of the world will enjoy. This is the first step, though a small step but we have taken it.” He said putting Big Man together happened quicker than expected as it took less than a year to make the film.
Written and directed by Julius Onah and created as part of Focus Features 2010 Short Film Programme for African Filmmakers, Big Man dwells on two young boys growing up on Victoria Island in Lagos, Nigeria.
Owoga is a mischievous, energetic kid always eager to play and Owoko is his sweet little brother who is just trying to keep up. It is summer vacation and all they want to do is adventure, just like their hero — Indiana Jones. But when one of Owoga’s games goes too far, both brothers must confront the fact that childhood is not always fun and games
Produced by Harry Esiri and his twin brother, Chuko, Big Man is a short film founded by a programme called African Fest, which is run by Focus Features where five African filmmakers are given a funding of ten thousand dollars each, every year to make a movie.
Speaking during the Lagos screening, Harry co-producer of the movies, said Julius Onah who won the grant last year decided to make a movie with a setting in Nigeria where he is originally from and so they chose to make “Big Man”, which, is produced by the African Film Company in association with Resources Entertainment and Focus Features.
“He met my twin brother, Chuko Esiri in New York where he was working for a film agency and they got in touch with each other and Chuko decided on producing a short movie here in Nigeria and I jumped on board and helped my brother to do that as well. So we made Big Man, which is a focus feature film, run under the African Fest programme,” he said.
Harry said the movie was being showcase to the Nigerian audience to let them “know what we have done and what we hope to do in the future”, noting that, “and it is just a little taste of what we have in stock for the Nigeria audience in our career in making movies in Nigeria.”
What the two brother are trying to do with “Big Man”, Harry said is to portray the fact that “There are a lot of people who are interested in film and cinema that are not based in Nigeria but are trying to come back to do something that is polished and sophisticated using very professional movies making methods to tell the Nigeria stories.”
He was quick to note that they do not intend to teach any moral lesson with Big Man but were merely out to get the audience to feel what it is like to be in a Nigerian household and to get that sense of nostalgic - what it like growing up in Nigeria.
That notwithstanding, Big Man is a nostalgic childhood drama about two young kids that are growing up, playing rough and they come to know the consequences of their actions and learned a lesson from their misbehaviour.
The brothers hope to do something bigger, probably a full feature film soon to show to the Nigerian audience as well as the international audience at large and by so doing export Nigeria in the best way they can.
The twin brother and co-producer of the short film, Chuko Esiri said what led to production of the movie was the fact that the he and brother had always been interested in making films and when the opportunity came with the help of the American company called Focus Features to produce a short film in Nigeria, they jumped at it.
“I had met Julius Onah, a producer of films a year before; so when he asked me to produce a movie for him, I felt it was a great opportunity for me to do what I have always wanted to do,” Chuko noted. Although a Nigerian, Onah had moved out of the country at the age of about four and so needed someone who had a better knowledge of Nigeria to produce a movie on Nigeria for him.
“The two of us had no experience but we decided to dive into the river and learn how to swim. It was an opportunity of once in a lifetime and I deiced to seize It.” recalled Chuko.
Even though Chuko intends to embark on making another film sometime in the future, he said that might not take effect so soon. “Ideally you can make movies from year to year, but to do it right it takes a long time, you need to make sure that you are comfortable and happy with the story you are trying to tell, you need to put the right team together and that takes time as well. So it takes a lot to put a film together. So we really want to work as much as possible not just trying to make films in Nigeria but to make goods works – films that people in every part of the world will enjoy. This is the first step, though a small step but we have taken it.” He said putting Big Man together happened quicker than expected as it took less than a year to make the film.
Written and directed by Julius Onah and created as part of Focus Features 2010 Short Film Programme for African Filmmakers, Big Man dwells on two young boys growing up on Victoria Island in Lagos, Nigeria.
Owoga is a mischievous, energetic kid always eager to play and Owoko is his sweet little brother who is just trying to keep up. It is summer vacation and all they want to do is adventure, just like their hero — Indiana Jones. But when one of Owoga’s games goes too far, both brothers must confront the fact that childhood is not always fun and games
FG to Ban Importation of Rice
The Federal Government has concluded plans to ban
the importation of rice into the country in order to boost local production, the
Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Reng Ochekpe, made this pronouncement
at Omor in Anambra State during her visit to the Lower Anambra Irrigation
Project (LAIP) at the weekend.
“ Mr. President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has the
intention to stop the importation of rice into the country in the next two
years, so as to
give the local production a chance to prove their capability that they can feed the nation. The transformation agenda of the Federal
Government is very effective in the agricultural sector; hence the present administration is doing everything possible to rehabilitate
all the irrigation projects in the country that would enhance all year round farming in the country,” Ochekpe said.
give the local production a chance to prove their capability that they can feed the nation. The transformation agenda of the Federal
Government is very effective in the agricultural sector; hence the present administration is doing everything possible to rehabilitate
all the irrigation projects in the country that would enhance all year round farming in the country,” Ochekpe said.
The minister, who visited the Lower Anambra
Irrigation Project, Omor in Anyamelu Local Government Area of Anambra State and
Adarice Irrigation Project in Adani, Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu
State, stated that the essence of her visit was part of her routine duty to
visit Federal Government’s projects under her ministry, adding that the two
irrigation projects were part of the 57 irrigation projects in the country built
to boost agricultural revolution in the country.
She maintained that when the projects are fully
rehabilitated, Nigeria would meet all her rice needs and assured that the
rehabilitation
would started soon.
would started soon.
She, however, expressed dismay over the over the
abandonment of the rice mill at the LAIP, which was handed over to the Anambra
State Government over the past three years, noting that the Federal Government
and the Anambra State Government would partner to bring back the giant mill to
full production capacity.
“To allow the huge investment here to rust away
is not permitted. The Federal Government and the state government will partner
in order to recover the project and put it back to full utilisation,” she
said.
The Acting Managing Director of Anambra-Imo River
Basin Development Authority, Owerri (AIRBDA), the parastatal under the Federal
Ministry of Water Resources which oversees the projects, Engr. Onu Eluwa, noted
that the LAIP has a land mass of 3,850 hectares (ha), while the Adarice
Irrigation Project has the same land mass of acreage.
Eluwa, who took the Minister round the two
project sites alongside all the directors and staff of the establishment, said
the two projects are in position to feed the nation if full rehabilitated and
promised that his establishment has the capacity to provide training needed to
boost rice production in the country.
Family of Eight Die Mysteriously after Mother's Burial
Tragedy struck in Umuakuru village, Emekuku,
Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State as nine persons, including eight
members of the same family, died in their sleep under mysterious circumstances
on Saturday night after the burial of their mother. The tragedy has thrown the
community into mourning as many villagers bemoaned the bizarre fate that has
befallen the family.
Those who died were Mr. Paschal Njoku, who until his death, lived in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, his wife, five children and two other relations. Njoku only returned recently to attend the burial of his late mother.
The Njoku’s children who died along with him were Ebere, Ifunanya, Chibueze, Jackline and Uchechi.
A member of the bereaved family, Mrs. Christiana Uba, who is married to an indigene of Umualum Uratta in the same local government area who came for the funeral of their mother along with her friend, Mrs Catherine Ahunonu, also died along with her.
According to sources, the nine were found dead with foam-like substances in their mouths yesterday morning.
As at press time, THISDAY could not ascertain the actual cause of the tragedy because members of the community were too shocked to talk about the incident.
Family sources said the bodies of the deceased were discovered when the owners of the canopies used at the funeral came to dismantle them in the morning. The owners of the canopies had gone to the house of the deceased to inform them that they had come to move their canopies. But none of the family members responded to their greetings or the knocks on their doors. The pervasive silence around the deceased house aroused the curiosity of the people, leading them to force open one of the doors in the compound.
A neighbour who came to sympathise with the other family members told THISDAY that Njoku had visited home recently to take active part in the burial rites of his late mother whose remains were interred on Saturday, adding that after the funeral and other ceremonies, the entire family retired to sleep only to be found dead by yesterday morning.
No one could ascertain if the generating set was running as to generate carbon monoxide, which if inhaled for a while, could cause death.
Imo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joe Obi-Njoku, who visited the scene, stated that it could be a case of food poisoning, stressing that if they all ate some poisoned food, they would die together.
He contended that only autopsy could ascertain the true cause of death.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Mr. Vitalis Onugu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, said the command was yet to be briefed on the matter
Senator, Assemblyman Killed in Plateau Funeral
With no let-up in the violence, which started on
Saturday in Plateau State, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Senator
Gyang Dantong, and a member of the state House of Assembly representing Barkin
Ladi Constituency, Hon. Gyang Fulani, were among scores of mourners killed
yesterday in Matse village, Riyom Local Government Area by suspected Fulani
gunmen.
The two lawmakers were reportedly killed when the gunmen invaded the village as they were attending a mass burial for 63 victims of Saturday’s attack in Karkuruk, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of the state.
Another lawmaker, Hon. Simon Davou Mwadkwon, a member of the House of Representatives representing Barkin Ladi/Riyom Federal Constituency and Chairman of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, Mr. Emmanuel Lomang, narrowly escaped death.
However, Mwadkwon is on the danger list at the Barkin Ladi General Hospital where he was rushed with injuries sustained in the attack.
The incident, which saw the unconfirmed death toll rise from the attack and the reprisal to 104, forced the state government to impose a dusk-to-dawn curfew on four local government areas in the state.
Another 50 more bodies, linked to the Church of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN), were reportedly discovered in the house of a pastor in Matse.
The bodies were suspected to be those who ran for safety to the pastor's house as they were being pursued by the suspected Fulani attackers. But Fulani community leaders denied that their people had done anything wrong.
The Miyetti Allah cattle group dismissed the accounts as propaganda and said the military had attacked the herdsmen.
Although details of how the lawmakers and others at the mass funeral were killed were sketchy at press time, one account said they were ambushed and killed while in a convoy to the burial site, while another stated that the gunmen descended from the hills at Matse during the funeral and attacked the mourners.
Dantong, a two-term serving senator, had once served as a member of the House of Representatives, representing Jos South/Jos East Constituency, while Fulani hailed from Barkin-Ladi and was until his death the Majority Leader of the state House of Assembly.
Confirming their death, Special Adviser on Security to Governor Jonah Jang, Mr. Istifanus Gyang, said: “The serving senator and a member of the Plateau House of Assembly died following Fulani attacks on mourners at a mass burial of 63 victims of a Fulani attack on over nine villages the previous day at Gashish District of B/Ladi. An update on how they met their untimely death to follow later."
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Mr. Emmanuel Abu, who also confirmed the incident, however, added that he had no details on how the mourners were killed.
Immediately the news of the fresh attack filtered out, youths blocked the Jos-Abuja highway, burning tyres, which were followed by gunshots.
On the new death toll in the Saturday attacks, THISDAY gathered that the victims, mostly women, children and the aged, had run into the pastor’s home for safety when they heard of the morning massacre in the neighbouring Barkin Ladi Local Government.
The attackers were said to have pursued them into the pastor’s house and set it ablaze. Many of the victims were trapped and died in the ensuing inferno, as their attackers were said to have stood by to shoot anybody that tried to escape.
The police were said to have evacuated women, children and the aged from the villages for fear of another attack as the gunmen were said to have threatened to come back.
The Special Task Force (STF), in a statement, said 14 indigenes were killed, while 21 of the assailants also died in a shootout between the STF and the gunmen.
STF spokesman, Capt. Salihu Mustapha, confirmed that the attackers, dressed in military uniforms, were heavily armed and wore bulletproof vests during the raid. Mustapha also confirmed that two soldiers were killed in a shootout with the gunmen.
Lomang, while confirming the dead bodies discovered at the church, before he was also attacked, told THISDAY that the victims were holed up in the building before they were attacked.
One of the residents of the attacked villages, who spoke anonymously, said the situation was so bad that the villagers are now living in fear of fresh attacks.
He said, “The situation is so terrible that it appears we don’t have a government or security. We are left on our own at the mercy of these invaders.”
In order to arrest the violence, the state government, in a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Yiljap Abraham, said Governor Jang had ordered the imposition of curfew on four local government areas – Jos North, Jos South, Barkin Ladi and Riyom – with immediate effect.
“The curfew will start from 7.30 pm today (yesterday) to 7.00 am tomorrow (today) morning, while the curfew will start at 6 pm tomorrow to 7am till further notice,” he said.
A few hours before he was killed, Hon. Fulani had spoken on the phone with reporters, during which he had expressed regrets over the continued massacre in the area, a development that had made the government look helpless.
He had described the Saturday attack as genocide and ethnic cleansing aimed at exterminating his people.
“It was a very dark day for the people of Gashish, because terrorists numbering over 400 carried out a well-planned attack on the quiet people of Gashish District, in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau.
“The attack was first reported at about 6.30 am by the residents of the area who had reported that their villages had been surrounded by heavily armed attackers. The militants were dressed in army bulletproof vests and camouflage.
“I had some months ago on the floor of the Plateau House of Assembly called on the international community through the UN to provide protection for our people,” he had said moments before he was killed.
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