YOLA — Some victims of last year's flood
in Adamawa State have claimed that
they received paltry sums ranging
between N200 and N240 as
compensation from the government
even after the Federal Government had
released N500 million to them.
They have, however, said that they
would not relocate to safer areas,
following predictions of heavy flooding
at the peak of rainy season this year.
The Kobis Ari Committee in the state was
saddled with the responsibilities of both
the assessment and disbursement of the
N500million from the Federal
Government.
However, some of the victims in Demsa
Local Government Area of the state, who
spoke to Vanguard on the issue,
criticised the alleged poor handling of
N500 million from the Federal
Government.
Some of the victims told Vanguard at
Gindin-Kuka ward, which was one of
worst hit, that they were yet to get any
form of assistance except for an offer
of between N200 to N240, and asked
that the matter be probed.
One of the victims, Moses Ginam, said he
learnt of the N500 million assistance
from Federal Government from the
media, but was yet to receive any
assistance except that he was told that
the sum of N93,000 was allocated to
affected people in his area whereby
each person would get N240.
"To be candid I only read in the
newspapers that N500 million was given
to Adamawa State. We were told that we
were given N93,000 and when you
divide this money each household will
get N240.
"The Federal Government should
investigate this matter because those
affected were not the people who
benefited from the money."
Another victim, Mr. Francis Emmanuel,
also asked the government to
investigate the incident , saying that, his
community in Mbula chiefdom rejected
the N1.5 million given to them as it was
too meagre to go round.
"They sent N1.5 million to the entire
Mbula chiefdom and the people refused
it because if you are going to share this
money to the people, each will get just a
little above N200.
"Imagine somebody that lost his house
and farm and he is given just N200?" he
asked.
Mallam Abdullahi Gindin-Kuka, who also
called for probe into the handling of the
Federal Government's largesse, said he
was asked to collect N240 from the
ward head as assistance from the
government, but that he rejected the
offer.
The Secretary to Adamawa State
Government, SSG, Mr. Kobis Thimnu who
was the state chairman of Quick
Response Committee that handled the
issues involving the flood victims, said
the money was used for the purchase of
60 trucks of fertiliser and varieties of
seedlings, among other things, for the
farmers.
Thimnu said the measure was taken in
view of the fact that most of those
affected we're farmers.
"You are aware that the state is an
agrarian area and that is why we
decided to give priority to food security
by providing fertiliser and seedlings to
framers," Thimnu said.
He also explained that cash was given to
affected local governments based on the
level of destruction, adding that
Lamurde was given N29 million as the
worst affected.
According to Thimnu, committees were
set up in each of the local governments
with commissioners from the affected
local government areas serving as
chairmen of the disbursement
committees.
Thursday, 6 June 2013
Wednesday, 5 June 2013
Military Arrest more Terrorists In Borno, Others Flee To Niger
According to the military sources, a major
recruiter for Boko Haram was arrested in
Maiduguri.
The Nigerian military said on Wednesday
that it has dislodged all the terrorist camps
operated by the Boko Haram in some areas
of Yobe State and arrested 49 members of
the sect in various operations in the state.
The military also said many Boko Haram
members were fleeing to neighbouring
Niger Republic through Nigeria's porous
borders.
The interior ministry had said in May that
Nigeria had about 1,500 illegal borders that
are poorly manned.
In a statement by the Director of Defence
Information, Chris Olukolade, the military
said the suspects were arrested in various
locations in the state by the Joint Task Force
following a tip off by some locals.
Various weapons including AK 47rifles,
locally made pistols, and ammunition were
recovered by the troops during the
operation in Rugan Fulani, Arikime,
Afghanistan and Ngandu villages.
The JTF team led by B.E. Inyang said all
terrorist camps had been dislodged while
some of the terrorists fled towards Niger
Republic.
It, however, said some criminals still
terrorise the state under the guise of Boko
Haram.
"The DHQ team was also informed of a trend
whereby some particular crimes have now
taken the place of terrorism as the criminals
now resort to brigandage, robbery and
attempted assassination of business rivals,"
Mr. Olukolade said.
He assured residents of Yobe of safety of
lives and property and encouraged citizens
with vital information to provide the
soldiers with them as they rid the state of
the insurgents.
Success in Borno too Mr. Olukolade also said
a key terrorist who specializes in recruiting
young men into the Boko Haram has been
apprehended by troops in Maiduguri
following a tip off.
He said the suspect, who allegedly also
watches over the insurgents' armoury, was
arrested in one of the cordon and search
operations by the Special Forces. The
soldiers also arrested another group of 5
insurgents, all from Niger Republic.
They were arrested when troops stormed
their hideout at Mallam Fatori as they
attempted to escape in two Toyota Cruiser
Jeeps, Mr. Olukolade said.
He said the soldiers have continued to
patrol the notorious Sambisa forest and are
also cordoning the Alou forest and Gwoza
Hills. "More abandoned vehicles, weapons
and other items are being recovered in the
camps of the insurgents," he said.
He listed some of the recovered arms as
rifles, double barrel guns, various charms
and amulets, machine guns, as well as pairs
of camouflage uniforms, bows and quiver
and assorted rifle magazine. Others are
handset, walkie talkie, car number plates
and some food items.
"Abandoned vehicles recovered include a
Golf Car, a Honda, Customs Pickup Van,
Honda (2003 Model) and a Volkswagen
Monte Carlo," the military spokesman said.
Mr. Olukolade said police stations are now
being reopened in some parts of Borno
State. "At Kirenowa, detachments of Police
Anti-Terrorist unit have been deployed to
complement security in the area," he said.
The spokesman said the defence
headquarters had organised a tour of the
operational areas of the JTF for selected
local and foreign Journalists. He said the
tour is to ensure that "the media have a
first-hand information on the situation in
the operational areas."
The federal government officially declared
the Boko Haram as terrorists on Tuesday
recruiter for Boko Haram was arrested in
Maiduguri.
The Nigerian military said on Wednesday
that it has dislodged all the terrorist camps
operated by the Boko Haram in some areas
of Yobe State and arrested 49 members of
the sect in various operations in the state.
The military also said many Boko Haram
members were fleeing to neighbouring
Niger Republic through Nigeria's porous
borders.
The interior ministry had said in May that
Nigeria had about 1,500 illegal borders that
are poorly manned.
In a statement by the Director of Defence
Information, Chris Olukolade, the military
said the suspects were arrested in various
locations in the state by the Joint Task Force
following a tip off by some locals.
Various weapons including AK 47rifles,
locally made pistols, and ammunition were
recovered by the troops during the
operation in Rugan Fulani, Arikime,
Afghanistan and Ngandu villages.
The JTF team led by B.E. Inyang said all
terrorist camps had been dislodged while
some of the terrorists fled towards Niger
Republic.
It, however, said some criminals still
terrorise the state under the guise of Boko
Haram.
"The DHQ team was also informed of a trend
whereby some particular crimes have now
taken the place of terrorism as the criminals
now resort to brigandage, robbery and
attempted assassination of business rivals,"
Mr. Olukolade said.
He assured residents of Yobe of safety of
lives and property and encouraged citizens
with vital information to provide the
soldiers with them as they rid the state of
the insurgents.
Success in Borno too Mr. Olukolade also said
a key terrorist who specializes in recruiting
young men into the Boko Haram has been
apprehended by troops in Maiduguri
following a tip off.
He said the suspect, who allegedly also
watches over the insurgents' armoury, was
arrested in one of the cordon and search
operations by the Special Forces. The
soldiers also arrested another group of 5
insurgents, all from Niger Republic.
They were arrested when troops stormed
their hideout at Mallam Fatori as they
attempted to escape in two Toyota Cruiser
Jeeps, Mr. Olukolade said.
He said the soldiers have continued to
patrol the notorious Sambisa forest and are
also cordoning the Alou forest and Gwoza
Hills. "More abandoned vehicles, weapons
and other items are being recovered in the
camps of the insurgents," he said.
He listed some of the recovered arms as
rifles, double barrel guns, various charms
and amulets, machine guns, as well as pairs
of camouflage uniforms, bows and quiver
and assorted rifle magazine. Others are
handset, walkie talkie, car number plates
and some food items.
"Abandoned vehicles recovered include a
Golf Car, a Honda, Customs Pickup Van,
Honda (2003 Model) and a Volkswagen
Monte Carlo," the military spokesman said.
Mr. Olukolade said police stations are now
being reopened in some parts of Borno
State. "At Kirenowa, detachments of Police
Anti-Terrorist unit have been deployed to
complement security in the area," he said.
The spokesman said the defence
headquarters had organised a tour of the
operational areas of the JTF for selected
local and foreign Journalists. He said the
tour is to ensure that "the media have a
first-hand information on the situation in
the operational areas."
The federal government officially declared
the Boko Haram as terrorists on Tuesday
North Kicks Against FG's approach to B’Haram, Ansaru
The North on Wednesday disagreed with
the National Assembly on the proscription
of two Islamic miltant groups - Boko
Haram and Ansaru - by President Goodluck
Jonathan.
While the North through its two
prominent groups, the Arewa
Consultative Forum and the Northern Elders
Forum, faulted the ban, the National
Assembly insisted that it was a welcome
development.
To the ACF and the NEF, the Jonathan
administration has through the ban thrown
a spanner in the works in its efforts to end
bloodletting in the North through amnesty
for Boko Haram and Ansaru members.
They said they were waiting to see how the
Federal Government would address the
crisis in the North.
In an interview with one of our
correspondents in Kaduna, the ACF's
National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Anthony
Sani, argued that with the ban, negotiations
with Boko Haram would be difficult.
He asked, "Now that they (government)
have proscribed the sect, can they now
negotiate with a non-existing group?
"Before, the government told us that it was
using a stick and carrot approach; that is,
negotiation and state of emergency; now
that they have proscribed it (Boko Haram),
how will the negotiation work?
"It is the government that told us that a
stick and carrot approach will work
together. Now that they have gone to
proscribe Boko Haram, let us see how they
will apply the stick and carrot. We pray that
they succeed."
Sani wondered if the government would
negotiate with members of the sect
individually instead of meeting the group.
He added, "The government said they
needed the emergency in order to reclaim
the seized town taken over by Boko Haram.
This made Nigerians, including us (ACF) to
give them the go-ahead. We supported the
state of emergency to reclaim seized part of
the country.
"But now that they have proscribed the
sect, we don't know how they will apply the
carrot. Now, how can you negotiate with an
illegal entity? The group has just been
proscribed. They have announced it. They
are applying the stick now but we don't
know how they will apply the carrot."
His counterpart in the NEF, Prof. Ango
Abdullahi, said the proscription contradicted
government's efforts to negotiate with the
sect.
Abdullahi argued that the proscription of
anything should come after the legal
existence of such a thing.
He added, "As far as I can understand, if
there is an organisation registered with the
Corporate Affairs Commission and is
operating according to the law before it
was registered; and then along the line, the
organisation begins to infringe on the laws
that created it or even against its laws as
registered with the Corporate Affairs
Commission, you can then go ahead and
cancel its registration.
"If its activities are violating the law of the
country, then issues like banning and
proscription come into play.
"But in this case, people say they don't
know what this Boko Haram is, they don't
know the members and they are trying to
get the members to come out for dialogue .
"If you are looking for dialogue, you have
to expect that there will be people who will
come out under certain respectable
conditions.
"Two things have happened
simultaneously- the declaration of a state of
emergency which connotes the declaration
of martial law. You cannot expect
somebody to come and meet soldiers under
emergency conditions and now you have
the proscription."
Apart from the ACF and NEF, the Northern
Youth Consultative Forum, a former Lagos
State Police Commissioner, Abubakar Tsav,
and the Campaign for Democracy flayed the
ban.
The N Y C F National President, Alhaji Aminu
Mohammed, Tsav and CD President Dr. Joe
Okei-Odumakin, spoke separately with our
correspondents on Wednesday.
Mohammed, who expressed concern about
the planned amnesty for Boko Haram
members, said it was unfortunate that all
along, the Jonathan administration had
been playing politics with the sect.
He said, "We are all intelligent. You cannot
create many things at the same time: Boko
Haram, amnesty committee, fighting
insurgents and proscribing the group.
"How do we trust the government? Is it not
the government that is messing things up?
Let them tell us who Boko Haram is? Where
are they?"
On his part, Tsav asked, "Is this ban an Act
of National Assembly or a decree by the
President and Commander-in-Chief of the
Armed Forces of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Ebele
Jonathan?
"Why did the President not include MEND
(Movement for the Emancipation of the
Niger Delta), NDVF (Niger Delta Volunteer
Force), OPC (Odua People's Congress),
Ombatse, etc in the ban since these
organisations also engage in acts of
terrorism?
"Was Boko Haram a legal organisation
before the ban? He(President) just sleeps,
dreams and acts on his dreams without
thinking. Laws are made for all but GEJ's law
is discriminatory and with ethnic bias.
"This is civilian dictatorship and not
democracy. What is sauce for the goose is
sauce for the gander."
Also, Okei-Odumakin said the ban was
meaningless.
She asked, "What is the use of government
outlawing a group that had already
declared that it was the Federal Government
that should beg it for amnesty?
"It is meaningless and preposterous. The
Boko Haram would laugh it off as a joke.
What the government needs to do is to
enforce law and order."
Is spite of the knocks from the ACF, NEF, N Y
C F, CD and Tsav, Jonathan got a strong
backing from the National Assembly which
said it would stand behind him in any
action that would end insurgency in the
country.
Senate Spokesman, Enyinnaya Abaribe,
while briefing journalists on Wednesday,
said, "The Senate welcomes the proscription
of Boko Haram and other terrorist groups in
the country. Although it is coming late, it is
good and we will continue to support the
President's efforts to bring peace to the
country."
He clarified that the proclamation would not
affect the amnesty plans, arguing that
amnesty was for those who renounced
their participation in terrorist activities.
Abaribe said, "Those who are still continuing
with terrorism are not covered by the
amnesty."
Chairman, House Committee on Media and
Public Affairs, Mr. Zakari Mohammed, said,
"The prescription order is a step in the right
direction. As a House, we will support every
proactive measure taken by the Federal
Government to stem the tide of insecurity in
the country.
"Whenever the government makes a
pronouncement that is good, we will
support it as a House."
the National Assembly on the proscription
of two Islamic miltant groups - Boko
Haram and Ansaru - by President Goodluck
Jonathan.
While the North through its two
prominent groups, the Arewa
Consultative Forum and the Northern Elders
Forum, faulted the ban, the National
Assembly insisted that it was a welcome
development.
To the ACF and the NEF, the Jonathan
administration has through the ban thrown
a spanner in the works in its efforts to end
bloodletting in the North through amnesty
for Boko Haram and Ansaru members.
They said they were waiting to see how the
Federal Government would address the
crisis in the North.
In an interview with one of our
correspondents in Kaduna, the ACF's
National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Anthony
Sani, argued that with the ban, negotiations
with Boko Haram would be difficult.
He asked, "Now that they (government)
have proscribed the sect, can they now
negotiate with a non-existing group?
"Before, the government told us that it was
using a stick and carrot approach; that is,
negotiation and state of emergency; now
that they have proscribed it (Boko Haram),
how will the negotiation work?
"It is the government that told us that a
stick and carrot approach will work
together. Now that they have gone to
proscribe Boko Haram, let us see how they
will apply the stick and carrot. We pray that
they succeed."
Sani wondered if the government would
negotiate with members of the sect
individually instead of meeting the group.
He added, "The government said they
needed the emergency in order to reclaim
the seized town taken over by Boko Haram.
This made Nigerians, including us (ACF) to
give them the go-ahead. We supported the
state of emergency to reclaim seized part of
the country.
"But now that they have proscribed the
sect, we don't know how they will apply the
carrot. Now, how can you negotiate with an
illegal entity? The group has just been
proscribed. They have announced it. They
are applying the stick now but we don't
know how they will apply the carrot."
His counterpart in the NEF, Prof. Ango
Abdullahi, said the proscription contradicted
government's efforts to negotiate with the
sect.
Abdullahi argued that the proscription of
anything should come after the legal
existence of such a thing.
He added, "As far as I can understand, if
there is an organisation registered with the
Corporate Affairs Commission and is
operating according to the law before it
was registered; and then along the line, the
organisation begins to infringe on the laws
that created it or even against its laws as
registered with the Corporate Affairs
Commission, you can then go ahead and
cancel its registration.
"If its activities are violating the law of the
country, then issues like banning and
proscription come into play.
"But in this case, people say they don't
know what this Boko Haram is, they don't
know the members and they are trying to
get the members to come out for dialogue .
"If you are looking for dialogue, you have
to expect that there will be people who will
come out under certain respectable
conditions.
"Two things have happened
simultaneously- the declaration of a state of
emergency which connotes the declaration
of martial law. You cannot expect
somebody to come and meet soldiers under
emergency conditions and now you have
the proscription."
Apart from the ACF and NEF, the Northern
Youth Consultative Forum, a former Lagos
State Police Commissioner, Abubakar Tsav,
and the Campaign for Democracy flayed the
ban.
The N Y C F National President, Alhaji Aminu
Mohammed, Tsav and CD President Dr. Joe
Okei-Odumakin, spoke separately with our
correspondents on Wednesday.
Mohammed, who expressed concern about
the planned amnesty for Boko Haram
members, said it was unfortunate that all
along, the Jonathan administration had
been playing politics with the sect.
He said, "We are all intelligent. You cannot
create many things at the same time: Boko
Haram, amnesty committee, fighting
insurgents and proscribing the group.
"How do we trust the government? Is it not
the government that is messing things up?
Let them tell us who Boko Haram is? Where
are they?"
On his part, Tsav asked, "Is this ban an Act
of National Assembly or a decree by the
President and Commander-in-Chief of the
Armed Forces of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Ebele
Jonathan?
"Why did the President not include MEND
(Movement for the Emancipation of the
Niger Delta), NDVF (Niger Delta Volunteer
Force), OPC (Odua People's Congress),
Ombatse, etc in the ban since these
organisations also engage in acts of
terrorism?
"Was Boko Haram a legal organisation
before the ban? He(President) just sleeps,
dreams and acts on his dreams without
thinking. Laws are made for all but GEJ's law
is discriminatory and with ethnic bias.
"This is civilian dictatorship and not
democracy. What is sauce for the goose is
sauce for the gander."
Also, Okei-Odumakin said the ban was
meaningless.
She asked, "What is the use of government
outlawing a group that had already
declared that it was the Federal Government
that should beg it for amnesty?
"It is meaningless and preposterous. The
Boko Haram would laugh it off as a joke.
What the government needs to do is to
enforce law and order."
Is spite of the knocks from the ACF, NEF, N Y
C F, CD and Tsav, Jonathan got a strong
backing from the National Assembly which
said it would stand behind him in any
action that would end insurgency in the
country.
Senate Spokesman, Enyinnaya Abaribe,
while briefing journalists on Wednesday,
said, "The Senate welcomes the proscription
of Boko Haram and other terrorist groups in
the country. Although it is coming late, it is
good and we will continue to support the
President's efforts to bring peace to the
country."
He clarified that the proclamation would not
affect the amnesty plans, arguing that
amnesty was for those who renounced
their participation in terrorist activities.
Abaribe said, "Those who are still continuing
with terrorism are not covered by the
amnesty."
Chairman, House Committee on Media and
Public Affairs, Mr. Zakari Mohammed, said,
"The prescription order is a step in the right
direction. As a House, we will support every
proactive measure taken by the Federal
Government to stem the tide of insecurity in
the country.
"Whenever the government makes a
pronouncement that is good, we will
support it as a House."
Tuesday, 4 June 2013
I’ve Never Kissed A Man In My Life – Babcock’s Best Graduating Student
But while most of the graduating students had cause to rejoice and shed tears of joy, two of the graduating students and their family members, who managed to grace the occasion, were grief-stricken. But, first, they story of joy.
Skuki B.A.D Party Exclusive Pictures
Sunday, 2 June 2013
Chika Ike In a relaxed mood in Her Hotel Room (LOOK)
Jay Z Kisses Beyonce On Stage (PHOTOS)
expecting him. They performed Crazy In Love together......More pics after the cut:
SEE Cossy Orjiakor's response to Afrocandy's offer to star in her porn flick
Like I said, talk is cheap. I’ll like to have a dinner date with Richard Branson, it’s just a wishful thinking. It’s when she approaches me then I will know she is serious. I have gone through a lot, now I know better. I can’t condemn her, she is Hollywood standard when it comes to showing off her body. The likes of Janet Jackson, Halle Berry even most of their female musicians have gone nude, and Nigerians adored them. For me, I can’t go totally nude, never. My mum told me never to go nude. If not, I have got a beautiful body and I’m not afraid to flaunt it.
Afrocandy? Talk is cheap...so make your move!
Poisoned Eba & Okro Soup In Imo State Nigeria, claims woman and 3 daughters
Calamity struck the community of Umueze,
Egbelu Nguru, in Ngor Okpala Local
Government Area of Imo State yesterday,
when a middle widow, Mrs. Gladys Nwosu
and her three daughters died after a meal of
okro soup and eba. Also, the deceased's two
daughters, who also ate the food, are now
lying ill at the Ngor Okpala General Hospital.
Saturday Sun gathered that the late Mrs.
Nwosu and her five children woke up
yesterday morning and started their daily
chores, when suddenly the children
complained of stomach ache. Sources said
that the late Mrs. Nwosu had rushed the
children, who were already writhing in pain
to the Cherubim and Seraphim Church,
fearing that they may be under demonic
attack.
When their condition deteriorated, they were
rushed to the Ngor Okpala General Hospital,
where they were confirmed dead. Hours
later, it was gathered, the deceased widow
began to shout that her stomach was on fire
and was rushed to the same hospital by
neighbours. She also died at the hospital. It
was gathered that the deceased children are
Chinelo Nwosu, a 23-year-old final year
student of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka;
Amaka Nwosu, a primary school pupil and
Ijeoma Nwosu, who just finished secondary
education.
The two other children now on admission at
Umuneke General Hospital, are Njideka Nwosu
(18) and Chidera Nwosu (20). Mr. Patrick
Okere, a kinsman of the deceased, who
expressed deep shock over the tragedy,
confirmed that the deceased initially took the
children to her church for prayers, thinking
that it was a demonic attack.
He stated that while at the church, the
situation got worse and the children were
taken to the general hospital where they
were confirmed dead of food poisoning by
the medical doctor. Meanwhile, when
Saturday Sun visited, the compound of the
deceased was deserted.
Egbelu Nguru, in Ngor Okpala Local
Government Area of Imo State yesterday,
when a middle widow, Mrs. Gladys Nwosu
and her three daughters died after a meal of
okro soup and eba. Also, the deceased's two
daughters, who also ate the food, are now
lying ill at the Ngor Okpala General Hospital.
Saturday Sun gathered that the late Mrs.
Nwosu and her five children woke up
yesterday morning and started their daily
chores, when suddenly the children
complained of stomach ache. Sources said
that the late Mrs. Nwosu had rushed the
children, who were already writhing in pain
to the Cherubim and Seraphim Church,
fearing that they may be under demonic
attack.
When their condition deteriorated, they were
rushed to the Ngor Okpala General Hospital,
where they were confirmed dead. Hours
later, it was gathered, the deceased widow
began to shout that her stomach was on fire
and was rushed to the same hospital by
neighbours. She also died at the hospital. It
was gathered that the deceased children are
Chinelo Nwosu, a 23-year-old final year
student of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka;
Amaka Nwosu, a primary school pupil and
Ijeoma Nwosu, who just finished secondary
education.
The two other children now on admission at
Umuneke General Hospital, are Njideka Nwosu
(18) and Chidera Nwosu (20). Mr. Patrick
Okere, a kinsman of the deceased, who
expressed deep shock over the tragedy,
confirmed that the deceased initially took the
children to her church for prayers, thinking
that it was a demonic attack.
He stated that while at the church, the
situation got worse and the children were
taken to the general hospital where they
were confirmed dead of food poisoning by
the medical doctor. Meanwhile, when
Saturday Sun visited, the compound of the
deceased was deserted.
Tragedy in lagos as Pipeline explodes
A pipeline explosion occurred at
Ijeododo in Ojo Local Government Area
of Lagos State, Saturday following the
activities of suspected vandals.
Vanguard gathered that the explosion
occurred after the downpour witnessed
across the state.
The explosion sparked a huge fire still
raging at press time.
Sources said that officials of the
Pipelines Products Marketing Company,
PPMC, who visited the site about two
hours after the explosion, left due to
lack of access road to the explosion
point.
Ijeododo in Ojo Local Government Area
of Lagos State, Saturday following the
activities of suspected vandals.
Vanguard gathered that the explosion
occurred after the downpour witnessed
across the state.
The explosion sparked a huge fire still
raging at press time.
Sources said that officials of the
Pipelines Products Marketing Company,
PPMC, who visited the site about two
hours after the explosion, left due to
lack of access road to the explosion
point.
Emergency: Condoms, narcotic drugs flood Boko Haram camps
Indications that Boko Haram insurgents
who say they are against Western
education and anything to do with the
west, have been deceitful, emerged
yesterday after troops found packs of
condoms, used and unused, in their
camps.
Also found were syringes and narcotic
drugs believed to have been used by
the insurgents to get high before
embarking on their deadly attacks.
A statement by the Director, Defence
Information, Brig-General Chris
Olukolade entitled, 'Life in Terrorists
Camp: Condoms Everywhere', reads,
"More of the dirty sides of the
insurgents' life style are being revealed
as troops continue to stumble on
strange and bizarre objects such as
several used and unused condoms as
well as charms and amulets of various
shapes seen in the captured terrorists'
camps.
"Other common items are syringes, test
tubes and hand gloves usually found in
the rubbles of most of the destroyed
camps.
"Apart from chemicals and materials for
producing Improvised Explosive Devices
(IED) narcotics of all types are also found
to be common features as troops
combed through camps in Sambisa
forest, New Marte, and others.
"Meanwhile, Defence Headquarters (DHQ)
Assessment teams are in Yobe and
Adamawa States to update the reports
on the conduct of security operations in
those states since deployment of troops
in line with the State of Emergency."The outcome will also be presented for
DHQ's further strategic guidelines for the
subsequent phase of the operations.
'Video clips on civilian casualty is fake'
"The Defence Headquarters has noted
the dissemination through the channels
of Aljazeera Television reports alleging
massive civilian casualties in the
ongoing security operations.
"It wishes to point out that the video
clip being shown on the Aljazeera
reports has no bearing whatsoever on
the current reality in the operations
areas.
"It is noted in particular that the
footages being referred to as civilian
casualties were actually pictures of the
destruction perpetrated by the terrorists
at the police stations and prisons in
Bama, Borno State on 7 May 2013 when
the insurgents attacked the town"
who say they are against Western
education and anything to do with the
west, have been deceitful, emerged
yesterday after troops found packs of
condoms, used and unused, in their
camps.
Also found were syringes and narcotic
drugs believed to have been used by
the insurgents to get high before
embarking on their deadly attacks.
A statement by the Director, Defence
Information, Brig-General Chris
Olukolade entitled, 'Life in Terrorists
Camp: Condoms Everywhere', reads,
"More of the dirty sides of the
insurgents' life style are being revealed
as troops continue to stumble on
strange and bizarre objects such as
several used and unused condoms as
well as charms and amulets of various
shapes seen in the captured terrorists'
camps.
"Other common items are syringes, test
tubes and hand gloves usually found in
the rubbles of most of the destroyed
camps.
"Apart from chemicals and materials for
producing Improvised Explosive Devices
(IED) narcotics of all types are also found
to be common features as troops
combed through camps in Sambisa
forest, New Marte, and others.
"Meanwhile, Defence Headquarters (DHQ)
Assessment teams are in Yobe and
Adamawa States to update the reports
on the conduct of security operations in
those states since deployment of troops
in line with the State of Emergency."The outcome will also be presented for
DHQ's further strategic guidelines for the
subsequent phase of the operations.
'Video clips on civilian casualty is fake'
"The Defence Headquarters has noted
the dissemination through the channels
of Aljazeera Television reports alleging
massive civilian casualties in the
ongoing security operations.
"It wishes to point out that the video
clip being shown on the Aljazeera
reports has no bearing whatsoever on
the current reality in the operations
areas.
"It is noted in particular that the
footages being referred to as civilian
casualties were actually pictures of the
destruction perpetrated by the terrorists
at the police stations and prisons in
Bama, Borno State on 7 May 2013 when
the insurgents attacked the town"
Saturday, 1 June 2013
Dana crash: Lagos to hold remembrance at site
The Lagos State Government says families
of victims of the June 3, 2012 plane crash
at Iju-Ishaga have agreed to a low-key
remembrance programme at the site of
the crash on Monday.
It will be exactly a year on Monday since
the crash of the Dana Airline McDonnell
Douglas MD-83 in which all the 153
passengers on the Abuja-Lagos flight died.
Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Wale
Ahmed, and his Information counterpart,
Mr. Lateef Ibirogba, said in a briefing in
Lagos on Friday that the commemoration
would include unveiling of a cenotaph
constructed at the crash site.
Ahmed said, "It will be a low-key
programme because it is a solemn period.
We need to empathise with the victims'
families. We all feel their pain.
"We were not preparing for a crash at the
time that unfortunate incident occurred
but the state had enough structure on the
ground to move in and mitigate the
situation.
"We learnt a lot of lessons from the
incident. One of such lessons is the need
to reduce response time during
emergency situations. Reducing the time
lapse between an incident and when
emergency officials get there will save a
lot of lives."
He said as part of efforts to realise this, the
ministry had mandated the forming of
emergency units in each council area of
the state.
According to him, members of these units
will be the first responders, who will
ensure crowd control in any emergency
incident in their jurisdiction.
"A lot could have turned out better if the
crowd that besieged the Dana crash site
gave emergency officials a chance to
perform their duties effectively," Ahmed
said.
The commissioner, however, avoided
questions relating to compensation and
what the state had done for the families.
He explained that Governor Babatunde
Fashola will give an insight into the issue
when he unveils the cenotaph at the crash
site on Monday.
Ibirogba added that during the recovery
efforts following the Dana crash,
emergency vehicles faced the problem of
motorists, who were trying to compete for
right of way.
of victims of the June 3, 2012 plane crash
at Iju-Ishaga have agreed to a low-key
remembrance programme at the site of
the crash on Monday.
It will be exactly a year on Monday since
the crash of the Dana Airline McDonnell
Douglas MD-83 in which all the 153
passengers on the Abuja-Lagos flight died.
Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Wale
Ahmed, and his Information counterpart,
Mr. Lateef Ibirogba, said in a briefing in
Lagos on Friday that the commemoration
would include unveiling of a cenotaph
constructed at the crash site.
Ahmed said, "It will be a low-key
programme because it is a solemn period.
We need to empathise with the victims'
families. We all feel their pain.
"We were not preparing for a crash at the
time that unfortunate incident occurred
but the state had enough structure on the
ground to move in and mitigate the
situation.
"We learnt a lot of lessons from the
incident. One of such lessons is the need
to reduce response time during
emergency situations. Reducing the time
lapse between an incident and when
emergency officials get there will save a
lot of lives."
He said as part of efforts to realise this, the
ministry had mandated the forming of
emergency units in each council area of
the state.
According to him, members of these units
will be the first responders, who will
ensure crowd control in any emergency
incident in their jurisdiction.
"A lot could have turned out better if the
crowd that besieged the Dana crash site
gave emergency officials a chance to
perform their duties effectively," Ahmed
said.
The commissioner, however, avoided
questions relating to compensation and
what the state had done for the families.
He explained that Governor Babatunde
Fashola will give an insight into the issue
when he unveils the cenotaph at the crash
site on Monday.
Ibirogba added that during the recovery
efforts following the Dana crash,
emergency vehicles faced the problem of
motorists, who were trying to compete for
right of way.
JTF arrests hungry Boko Haram fighters
The Joint Task Force on Thursday arrested
some suspected Boko Haram members in
search of food in the forests of the
northern part of Borno State.
Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen.
Chris Olukolade, who issued the
information in an electronic mail on Friday,
also said some insurgents dislodged from
their camps were making efforts to
establish new ones.
Olukolade said the special forces were on
the trail of such suspected terrorists.
He said the hungry insurgents were
arrested by the special forces while
searching for large quantities of food in
the area.
The defence spokesman said the
suspected terrorists were tracked down
with the cooperation of members of the
communities.
He said the suspects were driving in a
Toyota Land Cruiser Jeep with registration
number XA 428 ADM, suspected to have
been stolen, when they were
apprehended by the security forces at
Daban Masara.
He said that items such as AK-47 rifles, a
single-barrelled shotgun, a double-
barrelled shotgun and various calibres of
ammunition were recovered from the
terrorists.
"The intensive cordon and search
operation being conducted by the troops
of the special forces received a major
boost from civilian cooperation in
communities close to locations being
focused in the operation yesterday.
"A group of terrorists moving from village
to village in search of large quantities of
food was tracked and apprehended
following a tip-off from civilians," he said.
He stated also that there had been
encounters between security forces and
the insurgents in some parts of the state
apart from the camps destroyed by the
security agencies.
He said, "It is believed that some stranded
terrorists are keen on establishing new
camps. They are being trailed accordingly.
"There were also a few encounters with
some insurgents in forest locations apart
from the identified and destroyed camps."
Olukolade added that a total of 56
insurgents were apprehended with the aid
of specially trained dogs.
He said that seven packs of IEDs, two
Rocket Propelled Gun chargers, a rifle
magazine, two machetes, bomb
detonators, camouflage and other military
uniforms as well as medical equipment,
charms, seven vehicles including a Jeep
and eight tri-cycles were recovered from
the insurgents.
some suspected Boko Haram members in
search of food in the forests of the
northern part of Borno State.
Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen.
Chris Olukolade, who issued the
information in an electronic mail on Friday,
also said some insurgents dislodged from
their camps were making efforts to
establish new ones.
Olukolade said the special forces were on
the trail of such suspected terrorists.
He said the hungry insurgents were
arrested by the special forces while
searching for large quantities of food in
the area.
The defence spokesman said the
suspected terrorists were tracked down
with the cooperation of members of the
communities.
He said the suspects were driving in a
Toyota Land Cruiser Jeep with registration
number XA 428 ADM, suspected to have
been stolen, when they were
apprehended by the security forces at
Daban Masara.
He said that items such as AK-47 rifles, a
single-barrelled shotgun, a double-
barrelled shotgun and various calibres of
ammunition were recovered from the
terrorists.
"The intensive cordon and search
operation being conducted by the troops
of the special forces received a major
boost from civilian cooperation in
communities close to locations being
focused in the operation yesterday.
"A group of terrorists moving from village
to village in search of large quantities of
food was tracked and apprehended
following a tip-off from civilians," he said.
He stated also that there had been
encounters between security forces and
the insurgents in some parts of the state
apart from the camps destroyed by the
security agencies.
He said, "It is believed that some stranded
terrorists are keen on establishing new
camps. They are being trailed accordingly.
"There were also a few encounters with
some insurgents in forest locations apart
from the identified and destroyed camps."
Olukolade added that a total of 56
insurgents were apprehended with the aid
of specially trained dogs.
He said that seven packs of IEDs, two
Rocket Propelled Gun chargers, a rifle
magazine, two machetes, bomb
detonators, camouflage and other military
uniforms as well as medical equipment,
charms, seven vehicles including a Jeep
and eight tri-cycles were recovered from
the insurgents.
Monaco president announces Falcao signing
MONACO(AFP) – Monaco's billionaire
Russian owner Dmitry Rybolovlev
announced on Friday the signature of
Colombia forward Radamel Falcao from
Atletico Madrid in a deal believed to be
worth around 60 million euros ($77
million).
"I would like to officially announce that
Falcao has signed his contract,"
Rybolovlev said through a French
interpreter at an event celebrating
Monaco's promotion to the French top
flight next season with Prince Albert of
Monaco and coach Claudio Ranieri also
present.
Rybolovlev didn't give any details about
the size of the transfer, although
Monaco said on their website the player
had signed for five years.
"I am very happy at his arrival," beamed
Ranieri, who was Chelsea manager when
they lost to Monaco in the 2004
Champions League semi-finals.
"He is a very important player for us, a
great player and a great goal scorer.
"We want to build a very good team
around him. He plays for the team but is
also very efficient around goal. He is
very impressive," continued the Italian.
"When I arrived at this club, I knew what
the project was. Now everyone
understands my decision," he added
about taking over the coaching duties
when they were playing second division
football.
Although the fee has not been disclosed,
media sources in France claim it is one
of the largest, if not the largest in the
country's history.
Monaco vice-president Jean-Louis
Campora added: "We will not be giving
any details on the content of the
contract right now because we have an
appeal in progress. We will give them in
the future."
That appeal relates to a decision by the
Professional Football League (LFP) that
forces Ligue 1 teams to be based in
France from 2014.
Falcao had a 60 million euro buy-out
clause in his Atletico contract but some
media sources claim the actual transfer
fee is 45 million euros with the player
due to pick up an annual salary of 14
million euros.
If those figures are accurate it would still
make Falcao one of the most expensive
buys in French football history.
The current biggest transfers were the
40-45 million euros Paris Saint-Germain
paid AC Milan for Brazilian Thiago Silva
and the 40 million euros they handed
over to Sao Paulo for Lucas Moura.
Since being bought by the Qatar
Investment Authority in 2011, PSG
turned French club football on its head
by bringing an until then unheard of
and unrivalled spending potential into
the country.
But Rybolovlev has already shown
during the close season, since his side
won promotion back to Ligue 1, that he
is ready to compete with his
chequebook.
"I want to thank all those who believed
in our success," continued the owner.
"Managing a club as important as
Monaco is a great honour. I have an
incredible feeling and great pride but
this is just the beginning."
However, Monaco's financial might is
partly aided by the favourable tax laws
in the Principality.
Whereas high income taxes in France
prevent teams from paying the kind of
salaries on offer in other major
European leagues, such as England,
Germany, Italy and Spain, Moanco is not
subject to the same tax laws, giving the
club an advantage over their domestic
rivals.
But the LFP's decision would change
everything for Monaco, and perhaps
reduce their spending capacity.
The club has appealed against the
decision and is awaiting arbitration.
Falcao arrived in the Principality on
Monday night and undertook a medical
on Tuesday while details of the deal
were being finalised.
Since then the 27-year-old returned to
Madrid, where he still has one last league
match commitment to fulfil with Atletico.
According to some sources there is a
get-out clause in a year's time if one of
Europe's so called larger clubs, come in
for Falcao.
Russian owner Dmitry Rybolovlev
announced on Friday the signature of
Colombia forward Radamel Falcao from
Atletico Madrid in a deal believed to be
worth around 60 million euros ($77
million).
"I would like to officially announce that
Falcao has signed his contract,"
Rybolovlev said through a French
interpreter at an event celebrating
Monaco's promotion to the French top
flight next season with Prince Albert of
Monaco and coach Claudio Ranieri also
present.
Rybolovlev didn't give any details about
the size of the transfer, although
Monaco said on their website the player
had signed for five years.
"I am very happy at his arrival," beamed
Ranieri, who was Chelsea manager when
they lost to Monaco in the 2004
Champions League semi-finals.
"He is a very important player for us, a
great player and a great goal scorer.
"We want to build a very good team
around him. He plays for the team but is
also very efficient around goal. He is
very impressive," continued the Italian.
"When I arrived at this club, I knew what
the project was. Now everyone
understands my decision," he added
about taking over the coaching duties
when they were playing second division
football.
Although the fee has not been disclosed,
media sources in France claim it is one
of the largest, if not the largest in the
country's history.
Monaco vice-president Jean-Louis
Campora added: "We will not be giving
any details on the content of the
contract right now because we have an
appeal in progress. We will give them in
the future."
That appeal relates to a decision by the
Professional Football League (LFP) that
forces Ligue 1 teams to be based in
France from 2014.
Falcao had a 60 million euro buy-out
clause in his Atletico contract but some
media sources claim the actual transfer
fee is 45 million euros with the player
due to pick up an annual salary of 14
million euros.
If those figures are accurate it would still
make Falcao one of the most expensive
buys in French football history.
The current biggest transfers were the
40-45 million euros Paris Saint-Germain
paid AC Milan for Brazilian Thiago Silva
and the 40 million euros they handed
over to Sao Paulo for Lucas Moura.
Since being bought by the Qatar
Investment Authority in 2011, PSG
turned French club football on its head
by bringing an until then unheard of
and unrivalled spending potential into
the country.
But Rybolovlev has already shown
during the close season, since his side
won promotion back to Ligue 1, that he
is ready to compete with his
chequebook.
"I want to thank all those who believed
in our success," continued the owner.
"Managing a club as important as
Monaco is a great honour. I have an
incredible feeling and great pride but
this is just the beginning."
However, Monaco's financial might is
partly aided by the favourable tax laws
in the Principality.
Whereas high income taxes in France
prevent teams from paying the kind of
salaries on offer in other major
European leagues, such as England,
Germany, Italy and Spain, Moanco is not
subject to the same tax laws, giving the
club an advantage over their domestic
rivals.
But the LFP's decision would change
everything for Monaco, and perhaps
reduce their spending capacity.
The club has appealed against the
decision and is awaiting arbitration.
Falcao arrived in the Principality on
Monday night and undertook a medical
on Tuesday while details of the deal
were being finalised.
Since then the 27-year-old returned to
Madrid, where he still has one last league
match commitment to fulfil with Atletico.
According to some sources there is a
get-out clause in a year's time if one of
Europe's so called larger clubs, come in
for Falcao.
Gunmen kill district head in Borno
A District Head of Dala Alamderi who is
also a protocol officer of the Borno State
Government in charge of Maiduguri
International Airport, Alhaji Liberty Dala
has been killed by gunmen suspected to
be members of Boko Haram sect.
Liberty, as he is fondly called was a
hardworking protocol man whose
responsibility before his untimely death,
was to arrange/book flying tickets to
Borno state Government, its officials and
politicians at the Maiduguri international
airport.
He was also the District Head of Dala
Alamderi, a position he inherited after
the demise of his father some years ago.
Our Correspondent gathered that the
gunmen on Thursday evening
ambushed the residence of the District
head in Dala Alamderi ward of Maiduguri
metropolis and shot him dead before
slicing his body with cutlass and fled
without being arrested in the presence
of his wife and children.
A resident who did not want his name
mentioned in print for security reason
told our Correspondent that the gunmen
ambushed the protocol officer around 9
pm on Thursday, but due to the 6am to
9pm curfew imposed in Maiduguri and
its environs, all residents and
neighbours upon hearing the sound of
gunshots could not come out to find out
what was happening in the deceased
house.
also a protocol officer of the Borno State
Government in charge of Maiduguri
International Airport, Alhaji Liberty Dala
has been killed by gunmen suspected to
be members of Boko Haram sect.
Liberty, as he is fondly called was a
hardworking protocol man whose
responsibility before his untimely death,
was to arrange/book flying tickets to
Borno state Government, its officials and
politicians at the Maiduguri international
airport.
He was also the District Head of Dala
Alamderi, a position he inherited after
the demise of his father some years ago.
Our Correspondent gathered that the
gunmen on Thursday evening
ambushed the residence of the District
head in Dala Alamderi ward of Maiduguri
metropolis and shot him dead before
slicing his body with cutlass and fled
without being arrested in the presence
of his wife and children.
A resident who did not want his name
mentioned in print for security reason
told our Correspondent that the gunmen
ambushed the protocol officer around 9
pm on Thursday, but due to the 6am to
9pm curfew imposed in Maiduguri and
its environs, all residents and
neighbours upon hearing the sound of
gunshots could not come out to find out
what was happening in the deceased
house.
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