Bayelsa: Nigeria under Buhari is becoming a shame – Fayose

The Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has raised the alarm that Nigeria under President Muhammadu Buhari was fast becoming a shame.

Fayose described the alleged failed attempt by the All Progressives Congress to manipulate the Bayelsa State governorship election as clear invitation to anarchy.

The governor, who said it was shameful that the two elections conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission under Buhari’s kinsman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, were inconclusive, called on all well-meaning Nigerians and the international community to rise up in condemnation of the APC government’s plot to destroy democracy in the country.

Speaking through his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, Governor Fayose who said everything under Buhari was becoming inconclusive, adding: “If in three days, INEC could not conduct credible election in Bayelsa State of just eight local governments, one wonders what will happen during the general elections in 2019. The simple reality is that INEC under this Buhari’s kinsman, Prof Yakubu, who is fast becoming the classical example of incompetence cannot guarantee free and fair elections in this country.”

He saluted the courage of the people of Bayelsa State, describing them as “worthy heroes of democracy that stood their ground against agents of darkness that were prepared to short-change them by imposing a governor they do not want on them”.

Governor Fayose also congratulated the Bayelsa State Governor and the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Seriake Dickson, for having the people of the state behind him, adding: “The people of Bayelsa have shown that their power is more than that of the Abuja political oppressors.”

He urged the governor and the people not to lose their guard, saying: “Now that they have failed in their bid to use one local government to rig themselves to power, they will surely go back to their evil drawing board to plan fresh assaults.

“Therefore, Bayelsa people must henceforth sleep with their two eyes opened because the APC thieves come not only to steal, but to kill and that can be seen in the way and manner they murdered over 20 people just because they wanted power at all cost.”

While warning on the consequences of destruction of the legacy of free, fair and credible electoral process bequeathed on Nigeria by former President Goodluck Jonathan, Governor Fayose said: “Nigerians, especially we in Ekiti State are already taking a cue from the Kogi and Bayelsa States experience and are getting prepared for future elections.”

Court of Appeal nullifies Mark’s election

The Court of Appeal sitting in Makurdi, Benue State on Saturday nullified the election of the former President of the Senate, David Mark.

The court also called for fresh election in Mark’s Benue South Senatorial District within 90 days.
The appeal panel, presided by Justice Memson Domgbam, agreed that the appellant, Daniel Onjeh of the All Progressives Congress, had proved his case beyond reasonable doubts.
The panel said Onjeh proved that the Electoral Act was substantially breached in the conduct of the election.
The jurists said it was wrong for results to be declared while collation was ongoing in most polling units.
Reading the lead judgement, Justice Olabisi Ige said it was evident that the lower tribunal did not consider the issues that were raised by the petitioner/appellant.
“The lower tribunal also failed to make any findings on the appellant’s claim about the day of declaration, which was in contention,” Ige said.
Ige, therefore, said Onjeh’s appeal was meritorious, set aside the judgment of the lower tribunal and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct a fresh poll.
NAN recalls that Onjeh had taken Mark elections petitions tribunal on account that the conduct of the polls, which he said were in contravention of the Electoral Act.
However, the lower court had dismissed Onjeh’s petition on the grounds of failure to prove his case ad merely dumping materials on the court.
Onjeh had contended that INEC declared Mark the winner of the poll while collation was ongoing in most polling units contrary to the provisions of the Electoral Act.
He also alleged electoral malpractices and averred that the Electoral Act 2010 as amended was substantially breached.
Onjeh’s grounds for appeal were that the tribunal failed to consider and make necessary findings of fact on all the vital issues raised in the petition.
He argued that tribunal erred by departing from its earlier decision on similar matters in which it had declared that collation of votes after declaration and return on certain votes is substantial irregularity.
He also said the tribunal erred by failing to consider his final written address and determine the relevant arguments proffered in it and that there was miscarriage of justice by deciding against the evidence before the tribunal.
He, therefore, urged the appellate court to invoke the provision of Section 15 of the Court of Appeal Act and review the evidence in his petition so as to overturn the decision of the lower court.
NAN.

Suicide bombers disguise as worshippers, kill many in Borno mosque

Dozens of worshippers were killed on Thursday when two suicide bombers blew themselves up in a mosque in the northeastern Nigerian city of Maiduguri, Borno State, witnesses said.

“All the people in the mosque died. Not a single one escaped,” said Muhtari Ahmadu, a trader near the scene.

“We counted 42 dead bodies outside the mosque,” added Amadu Marte, a vigilante supporting the security forces in the fight against the Islamist Boko Haram group, which has carried out repeated attacks in the region.

The Borno State Police Command confirmed that the mosque was hit by twin bombings but gave a lower toll of about 14 dead.

Following the explosions, the mosque collapsed and injured “many people praying”, the police said in a statement.

“Casualties have been evacuated to UMTH (University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital) and specialist hospitals in Maiduguri,” it added.

The bombers slipped into the mosque disguised as worshippers, witnesses said.

One of the attackers set off the first blast when he entered the mosque, they said.

The second bomber detonated his explosives soon after, when many had rushed to the scene to help the first victims.

“When rescuers and sympathizers gathered in front of the place, the second one went off, killing many of them,” Marte said.

The blasts occurred around 6:30pm (1730 GMT) in Molai, in the western suburbs of Maiduguri, where worshippers had gathered for evening prayers, the witnesses said.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack but suspicion fell on Boko Haram, which was founded in Borno’s State capital, Maiduguri, in 2009.

The city has been hit repeatedly since President Muhammadu Buhari came to power on May 29with a vow to crush the insurgency.

Boko Haram claimed responsibility for three suicide attacks in the satellite towns of Kuje and Nyanya outside Nigeria’s capital Abuja on October 2, which killed a total of 18 people and injured 41.

Nigeria’s military claims the Islamist militants are a spent force and that troops have driven them from their camps and occupied territory in the remote region.

But guerrilla-style attacks have continued, including across the border.

At the weekend, 41 people were killed in triple explosions in Baga Sola, on the Chadian side of Lake Chad, where Nigeria meets Niger, Chad and Cameroon.

The four countries have launched a joint offensive against the Islamists.

Their mission received a boost on Wednesday when US President Barack Obama said he was deploying up to 300 military personnel to Cameroon for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations against Boko Haram insurgents.

At least 17,000 people have been killed and more than 2.5 million made homeless since Boko Haram began its bloody campaign.

Bayelsa confirms death of ex-Gov. Alamieyeseigha

The Bayelsa State Government has confirmed the death of a former Governor of the State, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha.

Alamieyeseigha, 63, died on Saturday evening at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

He was said to have died of cardiac arrest.

He reportedly slipped into coma on Thursdayand was rushed to the hospital.

Two officials of the Bayelsa State Government on Saturday confirmed Alamieyeseigha’s death.

Daniel Iworiso-Markson, the Chief Press Secretary to the Bayelsa State Governor, Henry Seriake Dickson, confirmed the development to the News Agency of Nigeria in a telephone interview.

Iworiso-Markson said the government would issue a statement later.

The Bayelsa State Commissioner for Information, Esueme Dan-Kikili, also confirmed the death of Alamieyeseigha to to Channels Television.

Alamieyeseigha was born on November 16, 1952 in Amassoma, Ogboin North Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

He attended the Bishop Dimeari Grammar School, Yenagoa.

He joined the Nigerian Defence Academy as a Cadet Officer in 1974, then joined the Nigerian Air Force, where he served in the department of Logistics and Supply.

He held various air force positions in Enugu, Markurdi, Kaduna and Ikeja.

Alamieyeseigha retired from the Air Force in 1992 as a Squadron Leader.

After leaving the Air Force, he became the Sole Administrator of Pabod Supplies, Port Harcourt.

Later he became the Head of Budget, Planning, Research and Development of the National Fertiliser Company.

Alamieyeseigha was impeached on allegations of corruption on December 9, 2005 during his second term as governor of Bayelsa State

Diepreye Alamieyeseigha is dead

The first Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, is dead, The Nation is reporting.

Alamieyeseigha was said to have died at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State.
Calls made to the mobile telephone of the Daniel Iworiso, the Chief Press Secretary of Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State,  unanswered.
More details on this news blog soon.

Death toll in Hajj stampede rises to 769

The death toll in the stampede that occurred in Mina, Saudi Arabia during the Hajj on Thursday has risen to 769.

The death toll as at Thursday was 717.
The new figure of 769 was announced by the Saudi Health Minister, Khalid al-Falih, on Saturday.
Al-Falih told a news conference: “The latest statistics up to this hour reveal 769 dead.
“That is an increase of 52 on the previous figures.
“Those are the ones who died in various hospitals since the event.”
Al-Falih said 934 people were wounded.

Bayelsa: Fresh primary for APC a cruel hoax – Sylva

The Timipre Sylva Campaign for the Bayelsa State 2015 gubernatorial election has dismissed media reports that two additional governors will be joining their Edo State counterpart, Adams Oshiomhole, to organise a fresh primary for the emergence of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Yenagoa on Tuesday.

Citing unnamed sources, some news outlets and a few newspapers had reported on Saturday that Governors Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (Sokoto) and Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun) had been drafted to join Oshiomhole for a new primary.
The campaign organisation, in a statement by Doifie Buokoribo, described the report as a “cruel hoax”, stressing that there is no way a fresh primary can be organised on Tuesday as it would amount to an act of “illegality”.
The Sylva campaign said: “Let us restate here that an APC candidate for the December 5, 2015 governorship election in Bayelsa State has emerged and that candidate is Chief Timipre Sylva. No amount of media manipulation can change that. This is a society of law and order.
“The latest disinformation through the media goes to show the level of desperation of some people who want the APC governorship ticket through the back door. An election was conducted, Sylva won, the whole world has seen it.
“Besides, there is no way a hopelessly compromised Oshiomhole, who has also openly displayed his bias, can be asked again to go and conduct an election in Bayelsa State. Even his masters know that will be unacceptable to Nigerians.
“Similarly, as at Saturday, 26 September 2015, Tambuwal is in far away New York attending the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) while Amosun is attending Hajj in Saudi Arabia. Are they going to conduct a virtual election?
“Despite the orchestrated lies and disinformation, the Sylva Campaign will again urge our teeming supporters to be law-abiding, peaceful but resolute. Victory is sure.”

Timi Sylva to Odigie-Oyegun: You can’t annul my victory

The Timipre Sylva Campaign for the Bayelsa State 2015 gubernatorial election has described as misleading and completely untrue reports purporting that the All Progressives Congress governorship primaries held on September 22 in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, has been cancelled or rescheduled.
In a statement issued on Friday in Yenagoa, the campaign maintained that the primary, which it claimed was won by Chief Timipre Sylva, was conducted in accordance with the party’s rules and guidelines set by the Independent National Electoral Commission and as such the party has no basis to cancel its outcomes.
The National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, after the uproar that attended the primaries, had announced that it had been postponed and a new date would be made known soon.
But Sylva, in the statement, signed on behalf of the campaign by Doifie Buokoribo, said: “We want to state categorically that since the primary election was conducted according to the rules and duly won by Sylva, he remains the candidate of the APC in Bayelsa State and any statement to the contrary is mere rumour.
“The National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, does not have the powers to unilaterally annul a state primary election. We are even shocked that he allowed his name to be used when he has not even received the report from members of the electoral panel. Beyond the electoral panel’s report, there is also an Appeals Committee, which has the responsibility to examine complaints arising from the primary election. It is only after the Appeals Committee has concluded its job that the National Working Committee (NWC) will meet to consider all reports from the primary, including those of the security agencies.
“There are seven members of the panel. Let us say Governor Adams Oshiomhole has submitted his own report through the pages of newspapers, there are six members left and the NWC has to sit and debate the reports.
“Oshiomhole lied that the election was marred by violence. There are pictures and videos to prove that he lied. There are pictures and video to show that Oshiomhole presided over the election and handed over the exercise to the Secretary of the Panel on the excuse that he was going to eat.
“It should also be pointed out that only Oshiomhole left the venue of the election and that the remaining six panel members and INEC officials remained in the venue till the winner was announced.
“Oshiomhole must answer some questions relating to his conducts, which completely compromised his position as Chair of the election panel. Right from the beginning, it was obvious that Oshiomhole was working towards a pre-determined answer, unfortunately for him, the will of our people prevailed.
“Lastly, you cannot abort a baby that has already been born. The APC governorship primary has been concluded in Bayelsa State, a winner has emerged, and the winner is Sylva.
“We therefore ask our teeming supporters to remain calm and ignore the rumour that a new primary is being scheduled for early next week.”

Death toll in Lagos container accident rises

Three lives were lost on Wednesday evening when a 40ft container-laden

articulated vehicle fell off Ojuelegba Bridge in Lagos and collided
with a black Toyota Corolla Car with Reg. No LSD 532 CN.
The initial death toll was put at one on Wednesday night.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the accident, which happened
few minutes before 4pm, also affected a white Sunny car with Reg. No
DG 750 LND.
Olusegun Olapade, the Lagos State Head of Operations of the Federal
Road Safety Commission , said the articulated vehicle was coming from
the Tin-Can Island Port.
Olapade said: “When the truck driver climbed the Ojuelegba Bridge, he
lost control and the head of the articulated vehicle went off.
“The container with the back body of the truck fell off and collided
with a Toyota Corolla car passing under the bridge and this claimed
the lives of three occupiers of the car.
“The head of the articulated vehicle is still on top of the bridge but
nothing happened to the driver.
“How do we identify the driver with the multiple people around this scene?”
Olapade said the unit had embarked on ‘Operation Scorpion’ to enable
road safety officials to check the state of all trucks on the road.
Olapade said the unit had made appreciable number of arrests
concerning the condition of vehicles, tyres and containers.
He said ‘Operation Scorpion’ would prevent accidents, adding that the
FRSC would enforce strict compliance with the basic rules on the road.
Michael Akindele, the General Manager of the Lagos State Emergency
Management Agency, said the agency had been on ground since 4:45pm to
rescue the situation.
Akindele said: “A fully-loaded container fell on two vehicles.
“We are lucky to have the occupant of the first car not injured and we
had three people in the second car dead.”
Akindele said the agency would take the corpses to a mortuary in Lagos Mainland.
The corpses were moved at 8.47pm.
Also, Henry Akintomide, the Head of Emergency Unit, Lagos State
Traffic Management Authority, said the accident occurred as a result
of over-speed by the truck driver.
Akintomide said the container was sealed up, adding that this made it
difficult to know what was inside it.
He said terminal operators should ascertain the standard of trucks
before loading from the ports.
He, however, urged government to emphasise on the standard of trucks,
which would ply the roads.
Akintomide said some of the trucks moving on Lagos roads were not road worthy.
An eyewitness, Olusola Ogunsola, a Senior Executive Officer of the
National Institute for Sports, said the incident happened at 3.59pm.
Ogunsola said: “I was sitting under the bridge waiting for a friend.
“A lot of people who sat with me drew my attention to those on the
bridge cautioning the driver of the black Corolla car, but could not
hear because he had rolled up his windows.”
Another eyewitness, Yomi Ajayi, a transporter in Apapa, said he
cautioned the driver that the container was bent, while he was passing
Airways Area in Apapa.
Ajayi said some LASTMA officials at Barracks Bus Stop also cautioned
the driver of the truck before the accident happened under Ojuelegba
Bridge.
NAN.

Scores feared dead as fire guts plaza in popular Balogun Market in Lagos

Several people were feared dead and others injured when a six storey plaza in the heart of the popular Balogun Market in Lagos State was gutted by fire on Thursday.
The News Agency of Nigerian reports that the plaza is surrounded by several important businesses, which include Union Bank, Diamond Bank and the United Bank for Africa.
NAN also observed that the plaza, which was being used as a wholesale and retail outlet for shoes and bags, is directly beside and attached to the Union Bank building.
NAN investigations revealed that the fire started at about 9am and was battled by a team of combined fire fighters from the Union Bank and UBA before the arrival of the Lagos State Fire Service.
Some eyewitnesses, who spoke to NAN, said some people who jumped out from various floors of the burning plaza to escape the fire were carried away dead.
Mallam Hamza Abdullahi, a trader in the market, told NAN that he saw three dead bodies and five people who were wounded.
Abdullahi said: “People were shouting and jumping down from upstairs.
“I saw a woman dead with her skull open.”
Florence Adewunmi, a staff of the Lagos State Ambulance Mobile Intensive Care Service, stationed at the scene, told NAN that some victims had been stabilized and transferred to hospital.
Adewunmi said: “There are several casualties.
“We got a distress call at about 10am that there was fire outbreak at Balogun behind UBA.
“We proceeded here and learnt that they have rushed some people to General Hospital, Lagos but we met some casualties on ground.
“The patients jumped from the second, third and fourth floor and had fractures and various degrees of injuries.
“There were those that inhaled too much smoke so we gave some oxygen, some Dyclofenac injection.
“We treated ankle dislocations.
“We sutured deep cuts before carrying them to General Hospital, Lagos.
“So far, we have carried six people to hospital and discharged four after treatment.”
One of shop owners, who deals in female shoes, Nonso Christian, told NAN that he came to the plaza at 10am and met it on fire.
Christian said: “I met the plaza on fire and I tried to go in to bring out my goods but I couldn’t because the fire is too much.
“My shop is on the second floor and I just re-stocked on Monday.
“I don’t know what to do because the second floor is still on fire.”
Several other shop owners, who were wailing while watching the fire, declined comment.
One of them simply said: “We are sad.
“This hard economy, where do I start from?”
A security man attached to Union Bank, Umoru Monday, told NAN that the fire started a few minutes before 9am.
Monday said: “The Union Bank Fire Service came around and started pushing the fire back so that it would not enter the bank and later the fire fighters from UBA came to assist them before the Lagos State Fire Service came.”
An official of the Lagos State Fire Service carrying a cylinder on his back into the burning plaza declined comment.
He told NAN that senior officers of the service who could speak to press were attacking the fire on various floors.
He said: “I cannot tell you anything.
“Our fire boss is up in that burning building now and our main aim is to put the fire out.
“We are attacking it on various floors.”
NAN reports that a lone Policeman battled to keep spectators away, while security men of Diamond Bank situated beside Union Bank turned their customers away.
NAN.

Several people were feared dead and others injured when a six storey plaza in the heart of the popular Balogun Market in Lagos State was gutted by fire on Thursday.
The News Agency of Nigerian reports that the plaza is surrounded by several important businesses, which include Union Bank, Diamond Bank and the United Bank for Africa.
NAN also observed that the plaza, which was being used as a wholesale and retail outlet for shoes and bags, is directly beside and attached to the Union Bank building.
NAN investigations revealed that the fire started at about 9am and was battled by a team of combined fire fighters from the Union Bank and UBA before the arrival of the Lagos State Fire Service.
Some eyewitnesses, who spoke to NAN, said some people who jumped out from various floors of the burning plaza to escape the fire were carried away dead.
Mallam Hamza Abdullahi, a trader in the market, told NAN that he saw three dead bodies and five people who were wounded.
Abdullahi said: “People were shouting and jumping down from upstairs.
“I saw a woman dead with her skull open.”
Florence Adewunmi, a staff of the Lagos State Ambulance Mobile Intensive Care Service, stationed at the scene, told NAN that some victims had been stabilized and transferred to hospital.
Adewunmi said: “There are several casualties.
“We got a distress call at about 10am that there was fire outbreak at Balogun behind UBA.
“We proceeded here and learnt that they have rushed some people to General Hospital, Lagos but we met some casualties on ground.
“The patients jumped from the second, third and fourth floor and had fractures and various degrees of injuries.
“There were those that inhaled too much smoke so we gave some oxygen, some Dyclofenac injection.
“We treated ankle dislocations.
“We sutured deep cuts before carrying them to General Hospital, Lagos.
“So far, we have carried six people to hospital and discharged four after treatment.”
One of shop owners, who deals in female shoes, Nonso Christian, told NAN that he came to the plaza at 10am and met it on fire.
Christian said: “I met the plaza on fire and I tried to go in to bring out my goods but I couldn’t because the fire is too much.
“My shop is on the second floor and I just re-stocked on Monday.
“I don’t know what to do because the second floor is still on fire.”
Several other shop owners, who were wailing while watching the fire, declined comment.
One of them simply said: “We are sad.
“This hard economy, where do I start from?”
A security man attached to Union Bank, Umoru Monday, told NAN that the fire started a few minutes before 9am.
Monday said: “The Union Bank Fire Service came around and started pushing the fire back so that it would not enter the bank and later the fire fighters from UBA came to assist them before the Lagos State Fire Service came.”
An official of the Lagos State Fire Service carrying a cylinder on his back into the burning plaza declined comment.
He told NAN that senior officers of the service who could speak to press were attacking the fire on various floors.
He said: “I cannot tell you anything.
“Our fire boss is up in that burning building now and our main aim is to put the fire out.
“We are attacking it on various floors.”
NAN reports that a lone Policeman battled to keep spectators away, while security men of Diamond Bank situated beside Union Bank turned their customers away.
NAN.

Several people were feared dead and others injured when a six storey plaza in the heart of the popular Balogun Market in Lagos State was gutted by fire on Thursday.
The News Agency of Nigerian reports that the plaza is surrounded by several important businesses, which include Union Bank, Diamond Bank and the United Bank for Africa.
NAN also observed that the plaza, which was being used as a wholesale and retail outlet for shoes and bags, is directly beside and attached to the Union Bank building.
NAN investigations revealed that the fire started at about 9am and was battled by a team of combined fire fighters from the Union Bank and UBA before the arrival of the Lagos State Fire Service.
Some eyewitnesses, who spoke to NAN, said some people who jumped out from various floors of the burning plaza to escape the fire were carried away dead.
Mallam Hamza Abdullahi, a trader in the market, told NAN that he saw three dead bodies and five people who were wounded.
Abdullahi said: “People were shouting and jumping down from upstairs.
“I saw a woman dead with her skull open.”
Florence Adewunmi, a staff of the Lagos State Ambulance Mobile Intensive Care Service, stationed at the scene, told NAN that some victims had been stabilized and transferred to hospital.
Adewunmi said: “There are several casualties.
“We got a distress call at about 10am that there was fire outbreak at Balogun behind UBA.
“We proceeded here and learnt that they have rushed some people to General Hospital, Lagos but we met some casualties on ground.
“The patients jumped from the second, third and fourth floor and had fractures and various degrees of injuries.
“There were those that inhaled too much smoke so we gave some oxygen, some Dyclofenac injection.
“We treated ankle dislocations.
“We sutured deep cuts before carrying them to General Hospital, Lagos.
“So far, we have carried six people to hospital and discharged four after treatment.”
One of shop owners, who deals in female shoes, Nonso Christian, told NAN that he came to the plaza at 10am and met it on fire.
Christian said: “I met the plaza on fire and I tried to go in to bring out my goods but I couldn’t because the fire is too much.
“My shop is on the second floor and I just re-stocked on Monday.
“I don’t know what to do because the second floor is still on fire.”
Several other shop owners, who were wailing while watching the fire, declined comment.
One of them simply said: “We are sad.
“This hard economy, where do I start from?”
A security man attached to Union Bank, Umoru Monday, told NAN that the fire started a few minutes before 9am.
Monday said: “The Union Bank Fire Service came around and started pushing the fire back so that it would not enter the bank and later the fire fighters from UBA came to assist them before the Lagos State Fire Service came.”
An official of the Lagos State Fire Service carrying a cylinder on his back into the burning plaza declined comment.
He told NAN that senior officers of the service who could speak to press were attacking the fire on various floors.
He said: “I cannot tell you anything.
“Our fire boss is up in that burning building now and our main aim is to put the fire out.
“We are attacking it on various floors.”
NAN reports that a lone Policeman battled to keep spectators away, while security men of Diamond Bank situated beside Union Bank turned their customers away.
NAN.

Extent of nation’s treasury looting spine chilling – APC

The All Progressives Congress has described as spine-chilling and mind-boggling the massive looting of the nation’s treasury by public officials.

The APC said nothing but the total recovery of the funds will be acceptable to all patriotic Nigerians.

In a statement issued in Lagos on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said anyone who attempts, either by deeds or words, to sabotage the recovery efforts is not a patriot and deserves nothing but public opprobrium.

It therefore thanked Nigerians for their overwhelming support for the President Muhammadu Buhari Administration in its tough but important task of tracing and recovering the loots, while also ensuring that the looters face justice.

The statement said: “It is absolutely gratifying that Nigerians are vehemently opposed to the few who would rather have the government of the day turn a blind eye to the looted funds and, in their words, carry on with the process of governance.

“Truly, what sort of governance can go on if the billions of Naira in a few hands are not recovered? In the first instance, the government needs every kobo of the funds it can muster to bring about the change it has promised Nigerians. Secondly, leaving such hair-raising funds in the hands of the few looters is dangerous, because they can use the funds to destabilize any government. In fact, no one will be surprised if the looters use their dirty funds to sponsor public demonstrations against the government’s determination to recover the funds.

“Thirdly, allowing those who privatized the commonwealth to get away is offering a thumbs-up for looting. No responsible government will do that.”

The party said already, the looters have embarked on a relentless and an increasingly-bold campaign to discredit the government of the day and sabotage the funds’ recovery process, using newspaper columnists, ‘talking heads’ and otherwise respectable opinion leaders.

“They and their paid hirelings have tried to employ sophistry to muddle the waters, but Nigerians are much wiser, and will not succumb to the dirty antics of the looters’ megaphones,” it said.

The APC said it is necessary to remind Nigerians of the kind of massive looting of the treasury that took place in the past few years, so they can better appreciate the seriousness of the issue at stake.

It therefore listed some instances of the looting as follows:

– 3.8 trillion Naira out of the 8.1 trillion Naira earned from crude oil (2012-2015) withheld by NNPC

– 2.1 billion US dollars from Excess Crude Account unaccounted for

– Department of Petroleum Resources’ unremitted 109.7 billion Naira royalty from oil firms

– 6 billion US dollars allegedly looted by some Ministers of the last Administration

– 160 million barrels of crude worth 13.9 billion US dollars lost between 2009 and 2012

– 15 million US dollars from botched arms deal yet to be returned to Nigeria

– 13 billion US dollars​ in NLNG dividends mostly unaccounted for

– 30 billion Naira rice waiver​

– 183 billion naira​ unaccounted for at the NDDC.

The party said the listed “missing” funds constituted just a tip of the iceberg since they are mostly from a few sectors of the economy, mostly the oil sector, and were discovered even before the forensic audit now being undertaken in some key areas.

It added: “The level of looting that went on in other sectors is better imagined, hence the need for all Nigerians to rally around the Buhari Administration to recover the loots, bring the looters to justice and to put in place measures to prevent such looting in the future.”

Four dead, six rescued as Bristow helicopter plunges into Lagos lagoon

Four passengers onboard a Bristow helicopter service died after the chopper, returning from an oil rig, plunged into the lagoon in Lagos State on Wednesday.

The accident occurred at the Oworoshoki area of Lagos State.
The helicopter was said to have at least 12 passengers, including the pilot and co-pilot, when it crashed into the water at the Third Mainland Bridge part of the city.
The crash occurred behind the Oworoshoki Police Station.
It was however not clear what led to the accident as residents said there was a loud bang before the chopper crashed.
The pilots and passengers were believed to have been returning from Escravos in Delta State to the Murtala Mohammed Airport in Ikeja, Lagos State.
An Air Traffic Controller said: “The helicopter with registration number 5N-BDG was said to be returning from the Escravos when the accident occurred.”
Fishermen, who first sighted the helicopter as it flew zigzag through the sky, noted that it appeared as if it had engine problem.
They said the helicopter made a shuddering noise and then plunged into the lagoon.
According to the Lagos State Police Command spokesperson, Patricia Amadin, the crash occurred around 4pm.
At about 5pm, rescue teams made up of the Police, National Emergency Management Agency and Lagos State Emergency Management Agency had brought out four corpses and rescued six passengers.
Amadin said: “The helicopter belongs to Bristow helicopter. We believe that 12 passengers were on board. Our men and NEMA officials have rescued six people and brought out four corpses. For now, we don’t know the identity of the rescued or dead. We also don’t know whether they are foreigners or Nigerians. The search for more passengers is still on.”
Among the rescued passengers, two were seriously injured and were immediately rushed to Afolabi Hospital, located at New Garage, Bariga.
Other wounded passengers were taken to Gbagada General Hospital.
As at the time of filing this report, nobody could ascertain the cause of the crash.
Officials of LASEMA said the helicopter was seen nose diving into the lagoon before the crash.
One of them said: “We have to ensure that we are able to rescue lives.
“We will get back to you once we are through.”
The spokesman for the South West, Ibrahim Farinloye, said: “No distress call was sent to NEMA alert system from the chopper, but rescue agencies are on their way to the scene of the incident. Three dead bodies recovered so far. Two injured have been taken to Afolabi Hospital. Another injured person is receiving treatment at the General Hospital.”
The Accident Investigation Bureau said investigation into the cause of the crash had started.
Spokesman for the AIB, Tunji Oketunbi, said it was too early to ascertain the cause of the accident.
Officials of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority confirmed the crash of the chopper but could not get details of the accident.
The AIB is already collaborating with relevant agencies to commence investigations into the cause of the crash.
A statement by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority confirmed that a Bristow Helicopter with registration number 5N – BDG – 760540 en route from one of the nation’s Oil Rigs crashed at Oworonshoki in Lagos.
The statement, signed by NCAA’s spokesman, Fan Ndubuoke, said the helicopter was scheduled to arrive Lagos at 15.35 pm and had 12 passengers on board, including the crew.
He said: “At present, officials of the Accident Investigation Bureau, National Emergency Management Agency and the Nigeria Police are at the site, providing rescue operation for the victims. While this is ongoing, further details will be communicated as appropriate.”
Before Wednesday’s accident, a Bristow-owned helicopter had crashed inside an ExxonMobil facility in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on August 3, 2007.
Another crash involving Bristow Helicopters occurred on July 14, 2011 in Port Harcourt.
Bristow operates commercial helicopter flights in Lagos State and some other locations in Nigeria.
Its services at the Murtala Mohammed Airport in Lagos originates from the General Aviation Area of the airport and terminates on the Island.
The company also operates from the Nigerian Air Force Base, Port Harcourt, Rivers State; Shoreline Logistics Base, Old NPA Port, Marina Road, Calabar, Cross River State; and Aruakpor-Umar Community, Uvwie Local Government Area of Warri in Delta State.
It services include helicopter transportation to the offshore oil and gas industry, Search and Rescue services, helicopter maintenance, modification or repair and helicopter pilot training.
It head office is at the General Aviation Area, Murtala Muhammed Airport Ikeja, Lagos.

Teenage girl leads robbery of four banks, operates unchallenged near police station for two hours

A young lady on Tuesday headed the robbery of four banks at the Ipakodo Ebute-Ogolonto area of Ikorodu, Lagos State, carting away millions of naira and inflicting gunshot injuries on many civilians.

The lady, described as a female commando, was sighted issuing orders to the men during the operations.
Angry eyewitness said that the robbers operated for over two hours without receiving any challenge from the police.
Worse still, two of the bank robberies occurred close to the Ipakodo Police Station. The affected banks were Zenith Bank, First Bank and two branches of Skye Bank.
The robbers, made up of 18 men and the lady, were said to have arrived Ikorodu through a boat parked at Ebute waterways.
They were armed with sophisticated guns and explosives.
The robbers arrived the area around 8am and waited for the banks to begin operation. After they were through with their operation, the set their three vehicles on fire, boarded speedboats and disappeared.
One of the residents said: “It was after the robbers had operated for over two hours, carted away money and escaped through the lagoon that the police finally came.
“It was almost as if they were waiting for the robbers to rob and leave before they came.”
The bandits attacked three new generational banks and one old generational bank.
It was gathered that the attack, which took place directly in front of Ipakodo Police Station, caught the police, residents and banks unaware.
Although no life had been confirmed lost, but a good number of people were injured as a result of stampede and gun injuries.
They were taken to hospitals and treated.
However, some who witnessed the operation said no fewer than 10 persons were killed.
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Kayode Aderanti, who came to the scene after the robbery, drafted over 100 policemen, including officers from the Anti-bomb Unit, Rapid Response Squad and Ipakodo Police State to the scene.
They were further ordered to cordon off the banks.
Another eyewitness, a lady said: “The operation started around 8:30am. The robbers left many people injured as a result of pandemonium which ensured. I’m a school teacher at Junior Secondary School, Majidun. I came to the bank around 8am to withdraw some money. It was not up till 30 minutes I left that the robbers, 18 men and a lady came in three cars. The cars were a pathfinder, Nissan and an infinity jeep. They opened fire all around the two banks in front of the police station. They also sprayed bullets at the entrance of the Ipakodo Police Station to scare police officers. They gained entry into the two banks without any confrontation. They blew open the doors leading into the banking halls. They attacked two banks simultaneously. After that, they went to other two banks.”
As heavy shootings rocked the area, commercial activities were abruptly halted.
Shops were shut and buses reversed and cleared the roads.
A vulcanizer, simply identified as Uche, said he was already at the shop when the robbers stormed the area.
Uche recounted: “They started spraying bullets at the entrance of the police station. The gunshots were intimidating. There was no way I could run out of the shop. All I did was to hide inside one of my tyres in my shop.”
A banker from one of the new generational banks, said: “All the money in the bank, running into millions, were carted away!”
Aderanti said: “I got to know about this incident this morning. On the receipt of that, I called our operatives to come down to the scene. I am here with other service chiefs to have a joint coordinated approach to this incident and we are working together on it. We are very positive we are going to get to the root of the matter. Just give us time to go through it. We are still at the preliminary stage. We have accessed the banking hall. We are working seriously on it and we are going to address it.
“The timing and conduct of the men (police officers) are also going into investigation. We are going to a holistic look at the operation for these jetties, the vulnerability of our waterways and we are going to address it in a very comprehensive manner. Nobody died.”
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Kenneth Nwosu, said N5 million would be given to any individual who could avail the police with useful information to ensure the arrest of the gang.
“The command will reward anybody with useful information towards the arrest of the bank robbers with N5 million,” Nwosu said.
Nwosu added that a press briefing to disclose further details of the attack would soon take place.
His words: “The CP is already here to assess the robbery which took place on these banks early this morning. It’s already confirmed, but we are coming up with a press briefing on the outcome of our investigations soon.”

UN to Buhari: Try those indicted for Boko Haram crimes

The United Nation’s top human rights official has called on Nigeria’s new President, Muhammadu Buhari, to investigate and prosecute “horrifying” allegations of executions, rape and amputations of children by Islamist insurgents, Boko Haram.

The human rights official, Zeid Al-Hussein, said reports of violations committed by Nigerian armed forces should be investigated and perpetrators brought to justice.

Al-Hussein said: Civilians in northeast Nigeria have been living through horrifying acts of cruelty and violence by Boko Haram.

“These include wanton killings, summary executions, and forced participation in military operations.

“Including the use of children to detonate bombs, forced labour, forced marriage and sexual violence, including rape.”

Reuters/NAN.

Policemen provided guns for vandals who shot dead six months pregnant woman – OPC security outfit

The security outfit providing protection for the pipelines in Arepo area of Ogun State, Donyx Global Concept, has accused policemen in the area of backing the vandals who shot dead a six months pregnant woman, Damilola Fajana. Fajana was shot dead on Wednesday when vandals on a revenge mission attacked security men on patrol protecting the pipelines under an agreement between the Federal Government and Donyx Global Concept, a brainchild of the Oodua Peoples congress. The General Manager of Donyx Global Concept, Femi Ekundayo, told The Eagle Online that the vandals came on a revenge mission because some of their colleagues were arrested for attempting to vandalise the pipelines in the area. Ekundayo put the number of the vandals that attacked the security personnel of his company at not less than 12. He said what gave out the vandals as having the backing of the police was that the 12 of them were armed with A47 rifles, which are mainly used by policemen. A police post was manning the pipelines before the Federal Government signed a security contract with the OPC for the policing of the pipelines. This followed persistent damages to the pipelines along the axis despite the presence of the policemen. Ekundayo told The Eagle Online that as soon as the vandals arrived, they started shooting sporadically, with one of the bullets hitting Fajana, who was one her way home to pick a few things for her husband who was hospitalised. She was being driven by her husband’s driven when suddenly a stray bullet hit her. She died before she could get full medical help. Efforts to reach the police high command in Ogun State as at the time of filing this report did not succeed. But Ekundayo said the attack by the vandals will not stop his company from carrying out its duties. He vowed that the vandals will no longer succeed in disrupting oil flow through vandalisation of the pipelines.

Troops free another 234 women, children in Sambisa forest

Another set of 234 women and children were rescued through the Kawuri and Konduga end of Sambisa forest on Thursday. This was disclosed by the Defence Headquarters on Saturday. The women and children have been evacuated to join others at the place of ongoing screening. A statement by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade, said this set is in addition to the previous individuals earlier rescued during the ongoing operation in the area to rid it of Boko Haram terrorists. Olukolade added: “The assault on the forest is continuing from various fronts and efforts are concentrated on rescuing hostages of civilians and destroying all terrorists camps and facilities in the forest.” This being the total number of women and children rescued form Sambisa forest to 524.

Boko Haram crisis: Nigeria begins Sambisa ground offensive

Nigerian ground troops have joined an offensive on the last known hideout of the Boko Haram Islamist militants, a military spokesman has told the BBC. The vast north-eastern Sambisa forest is where they have many bases – and it has been subject to aerial bombardments since February. There has been speculation that some of the Chibok schoolgirls kidnapped more than a year ago are being held there. Boko Haram has killed thousands in northern Nigeria since 2009. Nigeria’s military, backed by troops from neighbouring countries, launched an offensive against Boko Haram in February – and has recaptured most of the territory the militants had taken in the previous year. But the BBC’s Africa security correspondent Tomi Oladipo says the Sambisa forest is far larger than any other territory that has been fought over in the conflict. The aerial bombardments on Sambisa, which is mainly in north-eastern Borno State, have been slowed down by weather conditions and poor visibility, he says. Military spokesman Major-General Chris Olukolade refused to give any further details about the offensive. Outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan has been widely criticised for not doing enough to end the conflict. But his government has now vowed to crush the group before he hands over to President-elect Muhammadu Buhari at the end of May. An estimated three million people have been forced from their homes since 2009, when Boko Haram launched its insurgency to create an Islamic state. Hundreds have also been kidnapped by the group, including more than 200 girls taken from their boarding school in the Borno town of Chibok last April.

Group accuses sacked IGP Abba of collaborating with APC to subvert democracy in Ekiti

A pressure group in Ekiti State, the Ekiti Democratic Coalition, has hailed the removal of the Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba. The EDC accused Abba of collaborating with the All Progressives Congress to subvert the mandate of Ekiti State people freely given to Governor Ayodele Fayose. Reacting to the sack of Abba, the EDC, in a statement signed by its Convener, Comrade Boladale Adeniyi, alleged that the sacked IGP and the immediate past Commissioner of Police in the state, Taiwo Lakanu, aided the APC lawmakers in its evil plot to remove Governor Fayose. The group alleged that Abba was to be used by the APC to subvert democracy in Ekiti State and some other Peoples Democratic Party-controlled states. It said: “Lakanu was removed unceremoniously as Ekiti State Commissioner of Police. Now, Suleiman Abba too has been sacked. “The major lesson to be learnt here is that Fayose’s mandate is being guarded by God and He is ready to humiliate anyone working against the people’s governor.” The group warned the APC lawmakers to tread the path of peace and development rather than advertising their hatred for Ekiti State and its people. It said: “If you were using Lakanu against Ekiti people and Lakanu was removed, you were also using IGP Suleiman Abba, he has now been sacked, shouldn’t it be clear to those plotting against Fayose that they are hitting their heads against Ekiti rocks? “The fate that befell CP Lakanu and IGP Suleiman Abba is enough to tell those still running from pillar to poll, plotting Fayose’s impeachment to understand that Fayose holds Ekiti people’s mandate and fighting against him is like fighting against the entire people of Ekiti and the Lord who created them.”

Meet the new IGP, Solomon Arase

Solomon Arase, a Deputy Inspector General of Police, who was on Tuesday appointed as Acting Inspector-General of Police with immediate effect by President Goodluck Jonathan will be bringing several years of investigative policing into his new position. Arase was until his appointment as Suleiman Abba’s replacement the Head of the Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department. Arase holds Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Law, as well as Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Political Science and Strategic Studies.   He is also a Fellow of the Nigerian Defence College.

Baga: Terrorists disguise as women, + photos

            The cordon and search in Baga, Borno State has revealed some terrorists disguising as women.

The searches, according to the military, are also yielding more discoveries of arms, especially bombs, hidden in various locations, especially Baga town.

A statement by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade, said apart from those captured in the course of fighting, many arrests of terrorists hiding in the town are being made and troops are still busy interrogating the suspects.

Olukolade said in furtherance of the mission to clear terrorists from all their enclaves by the military, the Nigerian Air Force has stepped up its air bombardment of identified targets in Gwoza, Bama and Sambisa forest, preparatory to other phases of the mission.

He said the air strikes have been highly successful as they achieved the aims, hitting vital targets with required precision.

“Terrorists are now in disarray as they scamper to escape from the impact of air bombardment of their locations in the forest,” he said.

Olukolade added: “Having successfully liberated Baga where the terrorists have been marauding, the troops’ attention has now been focused on consolidation of the security of the area to pave way for return of citizens.”

We are not with Buhari’s original certificates – Army

The All Progressives Congress on Friday rose in defence of its presidential candidate and former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari, over the controversy trailing his academic qualifications.

Also on Friday, the Nigerian Army authorities explained that they do not keep original certificates of officers and men of the armed forces, adding that their personal files contained only photocopies of credentials.

Buhari’s academic qualifications to run for president in the February 14 election became an issue following the disclosure that he deposed to an affidavit informing the Independent National Electoral Commission that his credentials were with the military secretary.

Speaking with Saturday Tribune on Friday on the controversy trailing the discovery, the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the controversy was an assault on the institution of the military.

Mohammed added that the insinuation that Buhari was without the requisite academic qualifications before rising to become a general in the army was an insult to the officers that had served the nation.

Mohammed wondered the kind of politics that would make anyone to think that Buhari would rise to the apogee of his career before becoming the head of state by being shielded by the system over the academic qualification that was needed for the special military trainings and qualifications he got.

According to him: “How can anyone say someone of General Buhari’s calibre didn’t have secondary school certificate after his career in the military?

“What kind of politics are we playing?

“What kind of signal are we sending?

“Whereas in the developed world, there are certain courses in the military such as staff college or command that are on the privilege of bachelor or masters.

“Now, if you are now making provocative comments about someone of the status of General Buhari over an issue that one way or the other would soon be sorted out, you are casting aspersions on the entire military and those who had given service to this nation.

“It shows the kind of politics some people are playing.

“This is unfortunate and sad.”

Meanwhile, the army also stated on Friday that it does not keep original certificates of any serving or retired officer or soldier.

A top army officer at the Defence Headquarters disclosed on condition of anonymity on Friday that the army could not keep anybody’s original certificate because it is a personal property of the owner.

According to the source: “The army only has photocopies of officers and soldiers’ certificates kept in their personal files in the military secretary’s office.

“The original certificate of any officer or soldier is only needed at the point of entry into the service – either as a cadet officer entering the Nigerian Defence Academy or by recruitment officers when interviewing recruits to be sent to the depot for training.

“This is so because they are needed to verify what is in the photocopy supplied or for verification from the necessary examining bodies.”

The source stressed that for anybody to claim that his original certificates are with the military secretary (Army) does not hold water.

The source said: “Let me tell you now, in the Navy, the Navy Secretary keeps photocopies of the documents of all naval officers and ratings and not their original certificates, which are their personal properties.

“Also, in the Air force, the Air Secretary keeps the photocopies of all officers and airmen’s certificates and, if the need arises for any verification, those concerned will be asked to bring the original documents.

“If you start keeping every officers or soldiers original certificates, how many will you keep and if in case there is a fire outbreak, that means all original certificates of those concerned will be burnt.

“There is no way the military secretary can keep any officer’s original certificate – either serving or retired.”

The source, however, added that all his claims did not preclude General Buhari from being qualified or eligible to contest next month’s election.

“After all, he attended some of the best military institutions in the world and rose to the rank of a general and was once a head of state, so the issue of certificate does not make any difference,” the source said.

Meanwhile, a retired general who claimed to be a contemporary of Buhari told Saturday Tribune on Friday that some of the military courses they did abroad did not require the participants possession of a secondary school certificate.

While demanding anonymity, he explained that the noise being raised over Buhari’s certificate was needless because the constitution allows for an equivalent of school certificate, which many of the courses they did abroad, would qualify for.

Endorsing Buhari for president, he asked Nigerians to look at his track record and not a flimsy issue of secondary school certificate in electing him.

Saturday Tribune.